shelter behind the trees, each one, no doubt, supposing the well-aimed shot might fell him to the earth.  At length poor Richards, becoming faint from loss of blood, and seeing the imminent danger of his friend’s life, directed Forney to leave him, and, if possible, save himself.  This advice he reluctantly complied with and pursued his course to the fort.  But the Indians did not pursue him much farther, being probably satisfied with the murder of the wounded Richards.

In this unequal contest Forney only received a small wound on the back of his left hand, but, on examination, discovered that several bullets had pierced his clothes.  This adventure shows what cool, determined bravery may effect under the most discouraging circumstances, and that, an individual may sometimes providentially escape although made the object of a score of bullets or other missiles of destruction.  When he reached the fort he found the occupants greatly frightened, having heard the repeated firing.  After this adventure and narrow escape became generally known, a belief was widely entertained by the surrounding community that Forney was bullet-proof.  It was even affirmed, and received additions by repeating, that after he reached the fort and unbuttoned his vest, a handful of bullets dropped out.  In subsequent years Forney was accustomed to smile at this innocent credulity of his neighbors but frequently remarked that the impression of his being bullet-proof was of great service to him on more than one occasion preceding and during the Revolutionary war.

Few persons during the war suffered heavier losses than Jacob Forney.  By persevering industry and strict economy he had surrounded himself and family with all the comforts, and, to some extent, luxuries of the substantial farmer.  When Cornwallis marched through Lincoln county in the winter of 1781, endeavoring to overtake Morgan with his large number of prisoners captured at the Cowpens, he was arrested in his progress by the swollen waters of the Catawba river.  Being thus foiled in his expectations, supposing he had Morgan almost in his grasp, Cornwallis fell back about five miles from the river to Forney’s plantation, having been conducted there by a Tory well acquainted with the neighborhood.  Here Cornwallis remained encamped for three days, consuming, in the meantime Forney’s entire stock of cattle, hogs, sheep, geese, chickens, a large amount of forage, forty gallons of brandy, &c.  His three horses were carried off, and many thousands of rails and other property destroyed.  But the extent of his losses did not end here.  Cornwallis had been informed that Forney had a large amount of money concealed somewhere in his premises, and that if diligent search were made it might be readily found.  This information set the British soldiers to work, and, aided by the Tory conductor’s suggestions, they finally succeeded in finding his gold, silver and jewelry buried in