This information, to the genius of Clark, disclosed, with the rapidity of an electric flash, not only safety but new glory.  To resolve to attack Hamilton before he could collect the Indians was the work of a moment—­the only hope of saving the country.  With a band of 150 gallant and hardy comrades, he marched across the country.  It was in February, 1779.  When within nine miles of the enemy, it took these intrepid men five days to cross the drowned lands of the Wabash, having often to wade up to their breasts in water.  Had not the weather been remarkably mild, they must have perished.

On the evening of the 23d, they landed in sight of the fort, before the enemy knew any thing of their approach.  After a siege of eighteen hours it surrendered, without the loss of a man to the besiegers.  The Governor was sent prisoner to Williamsburg, and considerable stores fell into the possession of the conqueror.

Other auspicious circumstances crowned this result.  Clark, intercepting a convoy from Canada, on their way to this post, took the mail, forty prisoners, and goods to the value of $45,000; and to crown all, his express from Virginia arrived with the thanks of the Assembly to him and his gallant band for their reduction of the country about Kaskaskias.  This year Virginia extended her western establishments through the agency of Colonel Clark, and had several fortifications erected, among which was Fort Jefferson, on the Mississippi.[35]

[Footnote 31:  Collins.]

[Footnote 32:  Collins.]

[Footnote 33:  Collins.  “Historical Sketches of Kentucky.”]

[Footnote 34:  Howe.  “Historical Collections of Virginia.”]

[Footnote 35:  Howe.]

CHAPTER XII.

Scarcity of salt at Boonesborough—­Boone goes to Blue Licks to make salt, and is captured by the Indians—­Taken to Chillicothe—­Affects contentment, and deceives the Indians—­Taken to Detroit—­Kindess of the British officers to him—­Returns to Chillicothe—­Adopted into an Indian family—­Ceremonies of adoption—­Boone sees a large force of Indians destined to attack Boonesborough—­Escapes, and gives the alarm, and strengthens the fortifications at Boonesborough—­News of delay by the Indians on account of Boone’s escape—­Boone goes on an expedition to the Scioto—­Has a fight with a party of Indians—­Returns to Boonesborough, which is immediately besieged by Captain Duquesne with five hundred Indians—­Summons to surrender—­Time gained—­Attack commenced—­Brave defense—­Mines and countermines—­Siege raised—­Boone brings his family once more back to Boonesborough, and resumes farming.

While George Rogers Clark was engaged in his campaign against the British posts in the northwest, Daniel Boone was a prisoner among the Indians.  The people at Boonesborough were suffering for want of salt.  It could not be obtained conveniently from the Atlantic Colonies, but it could be manufactured at a place called the Blue Licks, from salt water, which abounded there.