find them, until very fortunately Blackfish was killed; and this being soon known, the rest fled.  It was in the evening when this event occurred, which being reported to the colonel, he resumed his march at dark—­taking for his guide a creek near at hand, which he pursued all night without any remarkable occurrence—­and in quiet and safety thence returned home, with the loss of nine men killed and another wounded:  having taken two Indian scalps:  which, however, was thought a trophy of small renown.

A somewhat different account is given by some, in which Bowman is exculpated from all blame.  According to this, it was the vigorous defense of the Indians which prevented him from fulfilling his part of the combinations.  Be this as it may, it is certain that Bowman lost reputation by the expedition; while, on the other hand, the conduct of Logan raised him still higher in the estimation of the people.

[Footnote 39:  Peck.]

CHAPTER XIV.

Invasion of Kentucky by Captain Byrd’s party—­He captures the garrisons at Ruddle’s Station and Martin’s Fort—­Colonel Clark’s invasion of the Indian country—­He ravages the Indian towns—­Adventure of Alexander McConnell—­Skirmish at Pickaway—­Result of the expedition—­Boone goes to the Blue Licks with his brother—­Attacked by the Indians—­Boone’s brother killed—­Boone promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel—­Clark’s galley—­Squire Boone’s Station removed to Bear’s Creek—­Attack by the Indians—­Colonel Floyd’s defeat—­Affair of the McAfees—­Attack on McAfee’s Station repelled—­Fort Jefferson evacuated—­Attack on Montgomery Station—­Rescue by General Logan.

The year 1780 was distinguished for two events of much importance; the invasion of Kentucky by the British and Indians, under Colonel Byrd; and General Clark’s attack upon the Shawanee towns.  The first of these, was a severe and unexpected blow to Kentucky.  Marshall says, that the people in their eagerness to take up land, had almost forgotten the existence of hostilities.  Fatal security! and most fatal with such a foe, whose enterprises were conducted with such secrecy that their first announcement was their presence in the midst of the unprepared settlement.  In fact, the carelessness of the Western borderers is often unaccountable, and this is not the least surprising instance of it.

That they did not anticipate an attempt to retaliate the incursion of Bowman into the Indian country, is indeed astonishing.  It was very fortunate for the Kentuckians that their enemies were as little gifted with perseverance, as they were with vigilance.  This remark is to be understood in a restricted sense, of both parties.  When once aroused to a sense of their danger none were more readily prepared, or more watchful to meet it than the settlers; and on the other hand, nothing could exceed the perseverance of the Indians in the beginning of their enterprises, but on the slightest success (not reverse) they wished to return to exhibit their trophies at home.  Thus, on capturing Boone and his party, instead of pushing on and attacking the settlements which were thus weakened, they returned to display their prisoners.