AcknowledgmentThisnarrativeisfoundedlargelyonoriginalsources——onthewritingsandjournalsofpioneersandcontemporaryobservers，suchasDoddridgeandAdair，andonthepublicdocumentsoftheperiodasprintedintheColonialRecordsandintheAmericanArchives。Buttheauthoris，nevertheless，greatlyindebtedtotheresearchesof，otherwriters，whoseworksarecitedintheBibliographicalNote。Theauthor’sthanksaredue，also，toDr。
　　ArchibaldHenderson，oftheUniversityofNorthCarolina，forhiskindnessinreadingtheproofsofthisbookforcomparisonwithhisownextendedcollectionofunpublishedmanuscriptsrelatingtotheperiod。
　　C。L。S。
　　April，1919。
　　BIBLIOGRAPHICALNOTE
　　PioneersOfTheOldSouthwestChapterI。TheTreadOfPioneersTheUlsterPresbyterians，or"Scotch-Irish，"towhomhistoryhasascribedthedominantroleamongthepioneerfolkoftheOldSouthwest，begantheirmigrationstoAmericainthelatteryearsoftheseventeenthcentury。Itisnotknownwithcertaintypreciselywhenorwherethefirstimmigrantsoftheirracearrivedinthiscountry，butsoonafter1680theyweretobefoundinseveralofthecolonies。Itwasnotlong，indeed，beforetheywereenteringinnumbersattheportofPhiladelphiaandweremakingPennsylvaniathechiefcenteroftheiractivitiesintheNewWorld。By1726theyhadestablishedsettlementsinseveralcountiesbehindPhiladelphia。TenyearslatertheyhadbeguntheirgreattreksouthwardthroughtheShenandoahValleyofVirginiaandontotheYadkinValleyofNorthCarolina。Theretheymetothersoftheirownrace——boldmenlikethemselves，hungryafterland——whowerecominginthroughCharlestonandpushingtheirwayuptheriversfromtheseacoasttothe"BackCountry，"insearchofhomes。
　　TheseUlstermendidnotcometotheNewWorldasnovicesintheshapingofsociety；theyhadalreadymadehistory。TheirostensibleobjectinAmericawastoobtainland，but，likemostexternalaims，itwassecondarytoadeeperpurpose。WhathadsenttheUlstermentoAmericawasapassionforawholefreedom。
　　Theywerelustymen，shrewdandcourageous，zealoustothedeathforanidealandwithalsopracticaltothemomentinbusinessthatitsooncametobecommonlyreportedofthemthat"theykepttheSabbathandeverythingelsetheycouldlaytheirhandson，"
　　thoughitisbutfairtothemtoaddthatthisphraseiscurrentwhereverScotsdwell。TheyhadcontestedinParliamentandwitharmsfortheirownformofworshipandfortheircivilrights。
　　Theywerealreadyfrontiersmen，trainedinthehardihoodandcraftofborderwarfarethroughyearsofguerrillafightingwiththeIrishCelts。Theyhadpittedandprovedtheirstrengthagainstawilderness；theyhadreclaimedtheNorthofIrelandfromdesolation。Forthetime，manyofthemwereeducatedmen；
　　undertheregulationsofthePresbyterianChurcheverychildwastaughttoreadatanearlyage，sincenopersoncouldbeadmittedtotheprivilegesoftheChurchwhodidnotbothunderstandandapprovethePresbyterianconstitutionanddiscipline。TheywerebroughtupontheBibleandonthewritingsoftheirfamouspastors，oneofwhom，asearlyas1650，hadgivenutterancetothedemocraticdoctrinethat"menarecalledtothemagistracybythesuffrageofthepeoplewhomtheygovern，andformentoassumeuntothemselvespowerismeretyrannyandunjustusurpation。"InsubscribingtothisdoctrineandinresistingtothehiltalleffortsofsuccessiveEnglishkingstointerfereintheelectionoftheirpastors，theScotsofUlsterhadalreadydeclaredfordemocracy。
　　ItwasshortlyafterJamesVIofScotlandbecameJamesIofEnglandandwhiletheEnglishwerefoundingJamestownthattheScotshadfirstoccupiedUlster；butthetrueoriginoftheUlsterPlantationliesfurtherback，inthereignofHenryVIII，inthedaysoftheEnglishReformation。InHenry’sIrishrealmtheReformation，thoughproclaimedbyroyalauthority，hadneverbeenaccomplished；andHenry’smorefamousdaughter，Elizabeth，hadconceivedtheplan，latertobecarriedoutbyJames，ofplantingcoloniesofProtestantsinIrelandtopromoteloyaltyinthatrebelliousland。Sixcounties，comprisinghalfamillionacres，formedtheUlsterPlantation。ThegreatmajorityofthecolonistssentthitherbyJameswereScotchLowlanders，butamongthemweremanyEnglishandasmallernumberofHighlanders。ThesethreepeoplesfromtheislandofBritainbroughtforth，throughintermarriage，theUlsterScots。
　　ThereignofCharlesIhadinauguratedfortheUlstermenaneraofpersecution。CharlespracticallysuppressedthePresbyterianreligioninIreland。Hisson，CharlesII，struckatIrelandin1666throughitscattletrade，byprohibitingtheexportationofbeeftoEnglandandScotland。TheNavigationActs，excludingIrelandfromdirecttradewiththecolonies，ruinedIrishcommerce，whileCorporationActsandTestActsrequiringconformitywiththepracticesoftheChurchofEnglandboreheavilyontheUlsterPresbyterians。
　　ItwaslargelybyrefugeesfromreligiouspersecutionthatAmericainthebeginningwascolonized。ButreligiouspersecutionwasonlyoneoftheinfluenceswhichshapedthecourseandformedthecharacteroftheUlsterScots。InUlster，whithertheyhadoriginallybeentransplantedbyJamestofoundaloyalprovinceinthemidstoftheKing’senemies，theyhaddonetheirworktoowellandhadwaxedtoopowerfulforthecomfortoflatermonarchs。Thefirstattacksuponthemstruckattheirreligion；
　　butthesubsequentlegislativeactswhichsuccessivelyruinedthewoolentrade，barrednonconformistsfrompublicoffice，stifledIrishcommerce，pronouncednon-Episcopalmarriagesirregular，andinstitutedheavytaxationandhighrentalsforthelandtheirfathershadmadeproductive——thesewereblowsdealtchieflyforthepoliticalandcommercialendsoffavoredclassesinEngland。
　　Theseattacks，aimedthroughhisreligiousconscienceatthesourcesofhislivelihood，madetheUlsterScotperforcewhathewas——azealotasacitizenandazealotasamerchantnolessthanasaPresbyterian。Thankstohispersecutors，hemadeareligionofeverythingheundertookandregardedhiscivilrightsasdivinerights。Thusoutofpersecutionemergedatypeofmanwhowashigh-principledandnarrow，strongandviolent，astenaciousofhisownrightsashewasblindoftentotherightsofothers，acquisitiveyetself-sacrificing，butmostofallfearless，confidentofhisownpower，determinedtohaveandtohold。
　　TwentythousandUlstermen，itisestimated，leftIrelandforAmericainthefirstthreedecadesoftheeighteenthcentury。
　　MorethansixthousandofthemareknowntohaveenteredPennsylvaniain1729alone，andtwentyyearslatertheynumberedone-quarterofthatcolony’spopulation。DuringthefiveyearsprecedingtheRevolutionaryWarmorethanthirtythousandUlstermencrossedtheoceanandarrivedinAmericajustintimeandinjusttherightframeofmindtoreturnKingGeorge’scomplimentinkind，byhelpingtodeprivehimofhisAmericanestates，adomainverymuchlargerthantheacresofUlster。TheyfullyjustifiedthefearsofthegoodbishopwhowroteLordDartmouth，SecretaryfortheColonies，thathetrembledforthepeaceoftheKing’soverseasrealm，sincethesethousandsof"phanaticalandhungryRepublicans"hadsailedforAmerica。
　　TheUlstermenwhoenteredbyCharlestonwereknowntotheinhabitantsofthetidewaterregionsasthe"Scotch-Irish。"Thosewhocamefromthenorth，luredsouthwardbytheofferofcheaplands，werecalledthe"PennsylvaniaIrish。"Bothwere，however，ofthesamerace——aracetwiceexpatriated，firstfromScotlandandthenfromIreland，andstrippedofallthatithadwonthroughoutmorethanacenturyofpersecution。TotheseexilestheBackCountryofNorthCarolina，withitscheapandevenfreetractslyingfarfromtheseatofgovernment，musthaveseemednotonlytheLandofPromisebuttheLandofLastChance。Heretheymuststriketheirrootsintothesodwithsuchinterlockingstrengththatnocataclysmoftyrannyshouldeverdislodgethem——ortheymustacceptthefatedealtouttothembytheirformerpersecutorsandbecomeatribeofnomadsandserfs。ButtotheseUlsterimmigrantssuchachoicewasnochoiceatall。Theyknewthemselvesstrongmen，whohadmadethemostofopportunitydespitealmostsuperhumanobstacles。ThedrummingoftheirfeetalongthebanksoftheShenandoah，oruptheriversfromCharleston，andonthroughthebroadsweepoftheYadkinValley，wasaconqueringpeople’schallengetotheWildernesswhichlaysleepinglikeanunreadysentinelatthegatesoftheirFuture。
　　Itismaintainedstillbymany，howeveroftendisputed，thattheUlstermenwerethefirsttodeclareforAmericanIndependence，asintheOldCountrytheywerethefirsttodemandtheseparationofChurchandState。ADeclarationofIndependenceissaidtohavebeendrawnupandsignedinMecklenburgCounty，NorthCarolina，onMay20，1775。*Howeverthatmaybe，itiscertainthattheseMecklenburgProtestantshadreceivedspecialschoolinginthedoctrineofindependence。Theyhadintheirmidstforeightyears（1758-66）theReverendAlexanderCraighead，aPresbyterianministerwho，forhis"republicandoctrines"
　　expressedinapamphlet，hadbeendisownedbythePennsylvaniaSynodactingontheGovernor’sprotest，andsopersecutedinVirginiathathehadatlastfledtotheNorthCarolinaBackCountry。There，duringtheremainingyearsofhislife，asthesolepreacherandteacherinthesettlementsbetweentheYadkinandtheCatawbarivershefoundwillingsoilinwhichtosowtheseedsofLiberty。
　　*SeeHoyt，"TheMecklenburgDeclarationofIndependence"；and"AmericanArchives，"FourthSeries。vol。II，p。855。
　　TherewasanotherbranchoftheScottishracewhichhelpedtopeopletheBackCountry。TheHighlanders，whoseloyaltytotheiroathmadethemfightontheKing’ssideintheRevolutionaryWar，havebeensomewhatoverlookedinhistory。Tradition，handeddownamongthetransplantedclans——who，forthemostpart，spokeonlyGaelicforagenerationandwrotenothing——andlatterlyrecordedbyoneortwooftheirdescendants，suppliesuswithallwearenowabletolearnoftheearlycomingoftheGaelstoCarolina。
　　ItwouldseemthattheirfirstimmigrationtoAmericainsmallbandstookplaceafterthesuppressionoftheJacobiterisingin1715——whenHighlandersfledinnumbersalsotoFrance——forby1729therewasasettlementofthemontheCapeFearRiver。Weknow，too，thatin1748itwaschargedagainstGabrielJohnston，GovernorofNorthCarolinafrom1734to1752，thathehadshownnojoyovertheKing’s"gloriousvictoryofCulloden"andthat"hehadappointedoneWilliamMcGregor，whohadbeenintheRebellionintheyear1715aJusticeofthePeaceduringthelastRebellion[1745]andwasnothimselfwithoutsuspicionofdisaffectiontoHisMajesty’sGovernment。"ItisindeedpossiblethatGabrielJohnston，formerlyaprofessoratSt。Andrew’sUniversity，hadhimselfnotalwaysbeenastrangertothekilt。
　　HeinducedlargenumbersofhighlanderstocometoAmericaandprobablyinfluencedthesecondGeorgetomoderatehistreatmentofthevanquishedGaelsintheOldCountryandpermittheiremigrationtotheNewWorld。
　　IncontrastwiththeUlstermen，whosesecularidealsweredictatedbytheformsoftheirChurch，theseScotsadheredstilltothetribalorclansystem，althoughthey，too，inthemajority，werePresbyterians，withaminorityofRomanCatholicsandEpiscopalians。IntheScotchHighlandstheyhadoccupiedsmallholdingsonthelandundertheswayoftheirchief，orHeadoftheClan，towhomtheywereboundbybloodandfealtybuttowhomtheypaidnorentals。ThepositionoftheHeadoftheClanwashereditary，butnoheirwasboldenoughtostepforwardintothatpositionuntilhehadperformedsomedeedofworth。Theywereprincipallyherders，theirchiefstockbeingthefamoussmallblackcattleoftheHighlands。Theirwarswitheachotherwerecattleraids。Onlyinwar，however，didtheGaellayhandsonhisneighbor’sgoods。TherewerenohighwaymenandhousebreakersintheHighlands。NoHighlandmansion，cot，orbarnwaseverlocked。Theftandthebreakingofanoath，sinsagainstman’shonor，wereheldinsuchabhorrencethatnooneguiltyofthemcouldremainamonghisclansmeninthebelovedglens。TheseHighlanderswerearaceoftall，robustmen，wholivedsimplyandfrugallyandsleptontheheathamongtheirflocksinallweathers，withnoothercoveringfromrainandsnowthantheirplaidies。ItisreportedoftheLairdofKeppoch，whowasleadinghisclantowarinwintertime，thathismenweredividedastotheproprietyoffollowinghimfurtherbecauseherolledasnowballtoresthisheaduponwhenhelaydown。"Nowwedespairofvictory，"theysaid，"sinceourleaderhasbecomegoeffeminatehecannotsleepwithoutapillow！"*
　　*MacLean，"AnHistoricalAccountoftheSettlementofScotchHigh。landersinAmerica。"
　　The"King’sgloriousvictoryofCulloden"wasfollowedbyapolicyofexterminationcarriedonbytheordersandunderthepersonaldirectionoftheDukeofCumberland。WhenKingGeorgeatlastrestrainedhissonfromhisorgyofblood，heofferedtheGaelstheirlivesandexiletoAmericaonconditionoftheirtakingthefulloathofallegiance。Themajorityacceptedhisterms，fornotonlyweretheirlivesforfeitbuttheircropsandcattlehadbeendestroyedandtheholdingsonwhichtheirancestorshadlivedformanycenturiestakenfromthem。Thedescriptionsofthescenesattendingtheirleave-takingofthehillsandglenstheylovedwithsuchpassionatefervorareamongthemostpatheticinhistory。Strongmenwhohadmettheravageofabrutalswordwithoutweakeningabandonedthemselvestotheagonyofsorrow。Theykissedthewallsoftheirhouses。Theyflungthemselvesonthegroundandembracedthesoduponwhichtheyhadwalkedinfreedom。Theycalledtheirbrokenfarewellstothepeaksandlochsofthelandtheywereneveragaintosee；
　　and，astheyturnedtheirbacksandfileddownthroughthepasses，theirpipersplayedthedirgeforthedead。
　　Suchwasthecharacter，suchthedeepfeeling，oftheracewhichenteredNorthCarolinafromthecoastandpushedupintothewildernessabouttheheadwatersofCapeFearRiver。Traditionindicatesthatthesehillsmensoughttheinteriorbecausethegrassandpeavinewhichovergrewtheinnercountrystretchingtowardsthemountainsprovidedexcellentfodderforthecattlewhichsomeofthechiefsaresaidtohavebroughtwiththem。
　　TheseGaelicherders，perhapsinnegligiblenumbers，wereintheYadkinValleybefore1730，possiblyeventenyearsearlier。In1739NeilMacNeillofKintyrebroughtoverashiploadofGaelstorejoinhiskinsman，HectorMacNeill，calledBluffHectorfromhisresidencenearthebluffsatCrossCreek，nowFayetteville。SomeoftheseimmigrantswentontotheYadkin，wearetold，tounitewithothersoftheirclanwhohadbeenforsometimeinthatdistrict。TheexacttimeofthefirstHighlanderontheYadkincannotbeascertained，astherewerenocourtrecordsandtheofficesofthelandcompanieswerenotthenopenforthesaleoftheseremoteregions。Butby1753therewerenotlessthanfourthousandGaelsinCumberlandCounty，wheretheyoccupiedthechiefmagisterialposts；andtheywerealreadyspreadingoverthelandsnowcomprisedwithinMoore，Anson，Richmond，Robeson，Bladen，andSampsoncounties。InthesecountiesGaelicwasascommonlyheardasEnglish。
　　IntheyearsimmediatelyprecedingtheRevolutionandevenin1776itselftheycameinincreasingnumbers。Theyknewnothingofthesmolderingfirejustabouttobreakintoflamesinthecountryoftheirchoice，buttheRoyalGovernor，JosiahMartin，knewthatHighlandarmswouldsoonbecededbyHisMajesty。HeknewsomethingofHighlandhonor，too；forhewouldnotlettheGaelsproceedaftertheirlandinguntiltheyhadboundthemselvesbyoathtosupporttheGovernmentofKingGeorge。SoitwasthattheunfortunateHighlandersfoundthemselves，accordingtootheirstrictcodeofhonor，forcedtowieldarmsagainsttheveryAmericanswhohadreceivedandbefriendedthem——andforthecrownedbrotherofaprincewhosenameisexecratedtothisdayinHighlandsongandstory！
　　TheywereledbyAllanMacDonaldofKingsborough；andtraditiongivesusastirringpictureofAllan’swife——thefamousFloraMacDonald，whoinScotlandhadprotectedtheYoungPretenderinhisflight——makinganimpassionedaddressinGaelictotheHighlandsoldiersandurgingthemontodieforhonor’ssake。
　　WhenthisHighlandforcewasconqueredbytheAmericans，thelargemajoritywillinglyboundthemselvesnottofightfurtheragainsttheAmericancauseandweresetatliberty。Manyofthemfeltthat，byofferingtheirlivestotheswordsoftheAmericans，theyhadcanceledtheirobligationtoKingGeorgeandwerenowfreetodrawtheirswordsagainand，thistime，inaccordancewiththeirsympathies；sotheywentovertotheAmericansideandfoughtgallantlyforindependence。
　　AlthoughthebravegloryofthispioneerageshinessobrightlyontheLionRampantofCaledonia，nottoScotsalonedoesthatwholeglorybelong。ThesecondlargestracialstreamwhichflowedintotheBackCountryofVirginiaandNorthCarolinawasGerman。
　　MostoftheseGermanswentdownfromPennsylvaniaandweregenerallycalled"PennsylvaniaDutch，"anincorrectrenderingofPennsylvanischeDeutsche。TheupperShenandoahValleywassettledalmostentirelybyGermans。TheyweremembersoftheLutheran，GermanReformed，andMoravianchurches。Thecausewhichsentvastnumbersofthissturdypeopleacrosstheocean，duringthefirstyearsoftheeighteenthcentury，wasreligiouspersecution。BystatuteandbywordtheRomanCatholicpowersofAustriasoughttowipeouttheSalzburgLutheransandtheMoravianfollowersofJohnHuss。InthatregionoftheRhinecountryknowninthosedaysastheGermanPalatinate，nowapartofBavaria，ProtestantswerebeingmassacredbythetroopsofLouisofFrance，thenengagedintheWaroftheSpanishSuccession（1701-13）andinthezealousefforttoextirpatehereticsfromthesoilofEurope。In1708，byproclamation，GoodQueenAnneofferedprotectiontothepersecutedPalatinesandinvitedthemtoherdominions。TwelvethousandofthemwenttoEngland，wheretheywerewarmlyreceivedbytheEnglish。ButitwasnoslighttasktosettletwelvethousandimmigrantsofanalienspeechinEnglandandenablethemtobecomeindependentandself-supporting。AbettersolutionoftheirproblemlayintheWesternWorld：TheGermansneededhomesandtheQueen’soverseasdominionsneededcolonists。TheyweresettledatfirstalongtheHudson，andeventuallymanyofthemtookuplandsinthefertilevalleyoftheMohawk。
　　ForfiftyyearsormoreGermanandAustrianProtestantspouredintoAmerica。InPennsylvaniatheirinfluxaveragedaboutfifteenhundredayear，andthatcolonybecamethedistributingcenterfortheGermanraceinAmerica。By1727，AdamMullerandhislittlecompanyhadestablishedthefirstwhitesettlementintheValleyofVirginia。In1732JoistHeydtwentsouthfromYork，Pennsylvania，andsettledontheOpequanCreekatornearthesiteofthepresentcityofWinchester。
　　ThelifeofCountZinzendorf，called"theApostle，"oneoftheleadersoftheMoravianimmigrants，glowslikeastaroutofthosedarkandtroubloustimes。Ofhighbirthandgentlenurture，heforsookwhateverofeasehisstationpromisedhimandfittedhimsclfforevangelicalwork。In1741hevisitedtheWyomingValleytobringhisreligiontotheDelawaresandShawanoes。HewasnotofthosepicturesqueCaptainsoftheLordwhoboretheirmusketsontheirshoulderswhentheywentforthtopreach。
　　Armoredonlywiththeshieldoffaith，thehelmetofsalvation，andtheswordofthespirit，hisfeet"shodwiththepreparationofthegospelofpeace，"hewentoutintothecountryofthesebloodthirstytribesandtoldthemthathehadcometothemintheirdarknesstoteachtheloveoftheChristwhichlighteththeworld。TheIndiansreceivedhimsuspiciously。Onedaywhilehesatinhistentwriting，someDelawaresdrewneartoslayhimandwereabouttostrikewhentheysawtwodeadlysnakescrawlinfromtheoppositesideofthetent，movedirectlytowardstheApostle，andpassharmlesslyoverhisbody。Thereaftertheyregardedhimasunderspiritualprotection。IndeedsowidespreadwashisgoodfameamongthetribesthatforsomeyearsallMoraviansettlementsalongtheborderswereunmolested。Paintedsavagespassedthroughontheirwaytowarwithenemybandsortoraidtheborder，butforthesakeofoneconsecratedspirit，whomtheyhadseendeathavoid，theysparedthelivesandgoodsofhisfellowbelievers。WhenZinzendorfdepartedayearlater，hismantlefellonDavidZeisberger，wholivedthelovehetaughtforoverfiftyyearsandconvertedmanysavages。ZeisbergerwastakenbeforetheGovernorandarmyheadsatPhiladelphia，whohadonlytoogoodreasontobesuspiciousofpriestlycounselsinthetentsofShem：buthewasabletoimpresswhitemennolessthansimplesavageswiththenobilityofthedoctrinehehadlearnedfromtheApostle。
　　In1751theMoravianBrotherhoodpurchasedonehundredthousandacresinNorthCarolinafromLordGranville。BishopSpangenburgwascommissionedtosurveythislargeacreage，whichwassituatedinthepresentcountyofForsytheastoftheYadkin，andwhichishistoricallylistedastheWachoviaTract。In1753，twelveBrethrenlefttheMoraviansettlementsofBethlehemandNazareth，inPennsylvania，andjourneyedsouthwardtobeginthefoundingofacolonyontheirnewland。BrotherAdamGrube，oneofthetwelve，keptadiaryoftheeventsofthisexpedition。*
　　*Thisdiaryisprintedinfullin"TravelsintheAmericanColonies。"editedbyN。D。Mereness。
　　Honortowhomhonorisdue。Wehavepaidit，insomemeasure，totheprimitiveGaelsoftheHighlandsfortheirwarriorstrengthandtheirfealty，andtotheenlightenedScotsofUlsterfortheirenterpriseandfortheirsacrificeuntobloodthatfreeconscienceandjustlawsmightpromotetheprogressandsafeguardtheintercourseoftheirkind。NowletustakeupforamomentBrotherGrube’s"Journal"evenaswewelcome，perhapsthemoregratefully，themildlightofeveningafterthefloodingsun，orasourhearts，whentoostronglystirredbythedeedsofmen，turnforresttotheserenefaithandthenaivespeechoflittlechildren。
　　Thetwelve，welearn，wereundertheleadershipofoneoftheirnumber，BrotherGottlob。Theirearliestalarmsonthemarchwerenotcaused，aswemightexpect，byanticipationsofthepaintedCherokee，butbyencounterswiththestrenuous"Irish。"OneofthesecameandlaidhimselftosleepbesidetheBrethren’scampfireontheirfirstnightout，aftertheyhadsungtheireveninghymnandelevenhadstretchedthemselvesontheearthforslumber，whileBrotherGottlob，theirleader，hanginghishammockbetweentwotrees，ascended——notonlyinspirit——alittlehigherthanhischarges，and"restedwellinit。"ThoughthealarmingIrishmandidnotdisturbthem，theBrethren’sdoubtsofthatracecontinued，forBrotherGrubewroteonthe14thofOctober："Aboutfourinthemorningwesetupourtent，goingfourmilesbeyondCarlIsles[Carlisle，seventeenmilessouthwestofHarrisburg]soasnottobetooneartheIrishPresbyterians。AfterbreakfasttheBrethrenshavedandthenwerestedunderourtent……
　　PeoplewhowerestayingattheTaverncametoseewhatkindoffolkwewere……BrGottlobheldtheeveningserviceandthenwelaydownaroundourcheerfulfire，andBrGottlobinhishammock。"Twootherjottingsgiveusaracialkaleidoscopeofthesettlersandwayfarersofthattime。OnonedaytheBrethrenbought"somehayfromaSwiss，"later"somekrautfromaGermanwhichtastedverygoodtous"；andpresently"anEnglishmancamebyanddrankacupofteawithusandwasverygratefulforit。"
　　FrequentlythelittlebandpausedwhilesomeoftheBrethrenwentofftothefarmsalongtheroutetohelp"cuthay。"Thesekindlyactswereusuallyrepaidwithgiftsoffoodorproduce。
　　OnedaywhileonthemarchtheyhaltedatatavernandfarminShenandoahValleykeptbyamanwhosenameBrotherGrubewrotedownas"Severe。"SinceweknowthatBrotherGrube’sspellingofnamesotherthanGermanrequiresediting，weventuretohazardaguessthatthenameheattemptedtosetdownasitsoundedtohimwasSevier。Andwewonderif，inhisbriefsojourn，hesawaladofeightyears，slim，tall，andblond，withdaringandmischievousblueeyes，andacertain，curveofthelipsthatthreatenedhavocintheheartsofbothsexeswhenheshouldbeamanandreachoutwithswifthandsandrecklesswillforhisdesires。Ifhesawthislad，hebeheldJohnSevier，latertobecomeoneofthemostpicturesqueandbelovedheroesoftheOldSouthwest。
　　HardshipsaboundedontheBrethren’sjourney，butfaithandtheChristian’sjoy，whichnomantakethfromhim，metandsurmountedthem。"Threeandahalfmilesbeyond，theroadforked……Wetooktherighthandroadbutfoundnowaterfortenmiles。Itgrewlateandwehadtodrivefivemilesintothenighttofindastoppingplace。"TwooftheBrethrenwentahead"toseekouttheroad"throughthedarkenedwilderness。Therewereroughhillsintheway；and，thehorsesbeingexhausted，"Brethrenhadtohelppush。"But，indueseason，"BrNathanaelheldeveningprayerandthenwesleptinthecareofJesus，"withBrotherGottlobasusualinhishammock。Threedayslatertherecordruns："TowardeveningwesawJeamsRiver，theroadtoitrandownsoverysteepahillthatwefastenedasmalltreetothebackofourwagon，lockedthewheels，andtheBrethrenheldbackbythetreewithalltheirmight。"EventhenthewagonwentdownsofastthatmostoftheBrethrenlosttheirfootingandrolledandtumbledpell-mell。ButFaithmakeslittleofsuchmishaps："NoharmwasdoneandwethankedtheLordthathehadsograciouslyprotectedus，foritlookeddangerousandwethoughtattimesthatitcouldnotpossiblybedonewithoutaccidentbutwegotdownsafely……
　　wewereallverytiredandsleepyandlettheangelsbeourguardduringthenight。"Rainsfellintorrents，makingstreamsalmostimpassableanddrenchingthelittlebandtotheskin。Thehammockwasemptyonenight，fortheyhadtospendthedarkhourstrench-diggingabouttheirtenttokeepitfrombeingwashedaway。Twodayslater（the10thofNovember）theweatherclearedand"wespentmostofthedaydryingourblanketsandmendinganddarningourstockings。"Theyalsoboughtsuppliesfromsettlerswho，asBrotherGrubeobservedwithoutirony，"aregladwehavetoremainheresolongandthatitmeansmoneyforthem。IntheafternoonweheldalittleLovefeastandrestedoursoulsinthelovingsacrificeofJesus，wishingforbelovedBrethreninBethlehemandthattheyandwemightliveeverclosetoHim……Nov。16。Weroseearlytofordtheriver。Thebankwassosteepthatwehungatreebehindthewagon，fasteningitinsuchawaythatwecouldquicklyreleaseitwhenthewagonreachedthewater。Thecurrentwasveryswiftandtheleadhorseswerecarrieddownabitwithit。Thewaterjustmissedrunningintothewagonbutwecamesafelytotheotherbank，whichhoweverwecouldnotclimbbuthadtotakehalfthethingsoutofthewagon，tieropestotheaxleonwhichwecouldpull，helpourhorseswhichwerequitestiff，andsowebroughtourarkagaintodryland。"
　　Ontheeveningofthe17thofNovemberthetwelvearrivedsafelyontheirlandonthe"Etkin"（Yadkin），havingbeensixweeksonthemarch。Theyfoundwithjoythat，asever，theLordhadprovidedforthem。Thistimethegiftwasadesertedcabin，"largeenoughthatwecouldallliedownaroundthewalls。WeatoncemadepreparationforalittleLovefeastandrejoicedheartilywithoneanother。"
　　Inthedesertedlogcabin，which，totheirfaith，seemedasoneofthosemansions"notbuiltwithhands"anddescendedmiraculouslyfromtheheavens，theyheldtheirLovefeast，whilewolvespaddedandhowledaboutthewalls；andinthatPentacostalhourthetongueoffiredescendeduponBrotherGottlob，sothathemadeanewsonguntotheLord。Whoshallventuretosayitisnotbetterworthpreservingthanmanyaclassic？
　　WeholdarrivalLovefeasthereInCarolinaland，AcompanyofBrethrentrue，AlittlePilgrim-Band，CalledbytheLordtobeofthoseWhothroughthewholeworldgo，TobearHimwitnesseverywhereAndnoughtbutJesusknow。
　　Then，wearetold，theBrethrenlaydowntorestand"BrGottlobhunghishammockaboveourheads"——aswasmostfittingonthisofallnights；forisnotthePoet’splacealwaysjustalittlenearertothestars？
　　Thepioneersdidnotalwaystravelingroups。Therewerefamilieswhosetoffalone。Oneofthesenowclaimsourattention，fortherewasaladinthisfamilywhosenameanddeedsweretosoundlikeaballadofromancefromoutthedustypagesofhistory。
　　Thisfamily’snamewasBoone。
　　NeitherScotsnorGermanscanclaimDanielBoone；hewasinbloodablendofEnglishandWelsh；incharacterwhollyEnglish。HisgrandfatherGeorgeBoonewasbornin1666inthehamletofStoak，nearExeterinDevonshire。GeorgeBoonewasaweaverbytradeandaQuakerbyreligion。InEnglandinhistimetheQuakerswereoppressed，andGeorgeBoonethereforesoughtinformationofWilliamPenn，hisco-religionist，regardingthecolonywhichPennhadestablishedinAmerica。In1712hesenthisthreeelderchildren，George，Sarah，andSquire，tospyouttheland。SarahandSquireremainedinPennsylvania，whiletheirbrotherreturnedtoEnglandwithglowingreports。OnAugust17，1717，GeorgeBoone，hiswife，andtherestofhischildrenjourneyedtoBristolandsailedforPhiladelphia，arrivingthereonthe10thofOctober。TheBooneswentfirsttoAbingdon，theQuakerfarmers’community。LatertheymovedtothenorthwesternfrontierhamletofNorthWales，aWelshcommunitywhich，afewyearspreviously，hadturnedQuaker。SarahBoonemarriedaGermannamedJacobStover，whohadsettledinOleyTownship，BerksCounty。In1718GeorgeBoonetookupfourhundredacresinOley，or，tobeexact，inthesubdivisionlatercalledExeter，andtherehelivedinhislogcabinuntil1744，whenhediedattheageofseventy-eight。Helefteightchildren，fifty-twograndchildren，andtengreatgrandchildren，seventydescendantsinall——English，German，Welsh，andScotch-IrishblendedintoonefamilyofAmericans。*
　　*R。G。Thwaites，"DanielBoone"，p。5。
　　AmongtheWelshQuakerswasafamilyofMorgans。In1720SquireBoonemarriedSarahMorgan。Tenyearslaterheobtained250acresinOleyonOwatinCreek，eightmilessoutheastofthepresentcityofReading；andhere，in1734，DanielBoonewasborn，thefourthsonandsixthchildofSquireandSarahMorganBoone。
　　DanielBoonethereforewasasonofthefrontier。InhischildhoodhebecamefamiliarwithhuntersandwithIndians，foreventheredmencameofteninfriendlyfashiontohisgrandfather’shouse。SquireBooneenlargedhisfarmbythrift。Hecontinuedathistradeofweavingandkeptfiveorsixloomsgoing，makinghomespunclothforthemarketandhisneighbors。
　　Daniel’sfatherownedgrazinggroundsseveralmilesnorthofthehomesteadandeachseasonhesenthisstocktotherange。SarahBooneandherlittleDanieldrovethecows。Fromearlyspringtilllateautumn，motherandsonlivedinarusticcabinaloneonthefrontier。Arudedairyhousestoodoveracoolspring，andhereSarahBoonemadeherbutterandcheese。Daniel，agedtenatthistime，watchedtheherds；atsunsethedrovethemtothecabinformilking，andlockedtheminthecowpensatnight。
　　Hewasnotallowedfirearmsatthatage，soheshapedforhimselfaweaponthatservedhimwell。Thiswasaslendersmoothlyshavedsaplingwithasmallbunchofgnarledrootsatoneend。Soexpertwasheinthelaunchingofthisprimitivespearthatheeasilybroughtdownbirdsandsmallgame。Whenhereachedhistwelfthyear，hisfatherboughthimarifle；andhesoonbecameacrackshot。Ayearlaterwefindhimsettingoffontheautumnhunt——afterdrivingthecattleinforthewinter-withallthekeennessandcourageofamantwicehisthirteenyears。HisrifleenabledhimtoreturnwithmeatforthefamilyandskinstobetradedinPhiladelphia。WhenhewasfourteenhisbrotherSammarriedSarahDay，anintelligentyoungQuakeresswhotookaspecialinterestinheryoungbrother-in-lawandtaughthim"therudimentsofthreeR’s。"
　　TheBooneswereprosperousandhappyinOleyanditmaybewonderedwhytheylefttheirfarmsandtheirlooms，bothofwhichwereprofitable，andsettheirfacestowardstheUnknown。Itisrecordedthat，thoughtheBooneswereQuakers，theywereofahighmettleandwerenotinfrequentlydealtwithbytheMeeting。
　　TwoofSquireBoone’schildrenmarried"worldlings"——non-
　　Quakers——andwereinconsequence"disowned"bytheSociety。Indefianceofhissect，whichstrovetomakehimseverallconnectionwithhisunrulyoffspring，SquireBoonerefusedtoshuthisdoorsonthesonandthedaughterwhohadscandalizedlocalQuakerdom。TheSocietyofFriendsthereuponexpelledhim。
　　Thisoccurredapparentlyduringthewinterof1748-49。Inthespringof1750weseethewholeBoonefamily（savetwosons）withtheirwivesandchildren，theirhouseholdgoodsandtheirstock，onthegreathighway，boundforalandwherethehotheartandthebelligerentspiritshallnotbeheldamiss。
　　SouthwardthroughtheShenandoahgoestheBoonecaravan。Thewomenandchildrenusuallysitinthewagons。Themenmarchaheadoralongside，keepingakeeneyeopenforIndianorotherenemyinthewild，theirriflesunderarmorovertheshoulder。SquireBoone，whohasdonewithQuakerdomandisleadingallthatheholdsdearouttolargerhorizons，isaheadoftheline，aswepicturehim，readytomeetfirstwhateverdangermayassailhistribe。Heisastrongwirymanofrathersmallstature，withruddycomplexion，redhair，andgrayeyes。Somewhereintheline，together，wethink，arethemotherandsonwhohaveherdedcattleandcompanionedeachotherthroughlongmonthsinthecabinonthefrontier。Wedonotthinkofthiswomanasridinginthewagon，thoughshemayhavedoneso，butprefertopictureher，withhertallrobustbody，herblackhair，andherblackeyes——withthesuddenWelshsnapinthem——walkingassturdilyasanyofhersons。
　　IfDanielbebesideher，whatdoessheseewhenshelooksathim？
　　Aladwellsetupbutnotovertallforhissixteenyears，perhaps——for"eye-witnesses"differintheirestimatesofDanielBoone’sheight——orpossiblytallerthanhelooks，becausehisfigurehastheforesthunter’snaturalslantforwardandthedroopoftheneckofonewhomustwatchhispathsometimesinordertotreadsilently。ItisSquireBoone’sbloodwhichshowsinhisruddyface——whichwouldbefairbutforitstan——andintheEnglishcutoffeature，thestraw-coloredeyebrows，andtheblueeyes。ButhisWelshmother’slegacyisseenintheblackhairthathangslongandlooseinthehunter’sfashiontohisshoulders。WecanthinkofDanielBooneonlyasexhilaratedbythisplungeintotheWild。Heseesahead——thedaysofhisgreatexplorationsandwarfare，thediscoveryofKentucky？Notatall。
　　Thisisaboyofsixteeninlovewithhisrifle。Helooksaheadtovistasofforestfilledwithdeerandtoskiescloudedwithflocksofwildturkeys。InthatdreamthereishappinessenoughforDanielBoone。Indeed，forhimself，eveninlaterlife，heaskedlittle，ifany，more。Hetrudgesonblithely，whistling。
　　ChapterII。FolkwaysThesemigrationsintotheinlandvalleysoftheOldSouthmarkthefirstgreatwestwardthrustoftheAmericanfrontier。ThusthebeginningsofthewestwardmovementdisclosetousafeaturecharacteristicalsoofthelatermigrationswhichflungthefrontierovertheAppalachians，acrosstheMississippi，andfinallytotheshoresofthePacific。Thepioneers，insteadofmovingwestwardbyslowdegrees，subduingthewildernessastheywent，overleapedgreatspacesandplantedthemselvesbeyond，outofcontactwiththelifetheyhadleftbehind。Thusseparatedbyhundredsofmilesofinterveningwildernessfromthemorecivilizedcommunities，theconquerorsofthefirstAmerican"West，"prototypesoftheconquerorsofsucceeding"Wests，"
　　inevitablystruckouttheirownwaysoflifeanddevelopedtheirowncustoms。Itwouldbedifficult，indeed，tofindanywhereamoreremarkablecontrastincontemporaryfolkwaysthanthatpresentedbythetwogreatcommunitygroupsoftheSouth——theinlandorpiedmontsettlements，calledtheBackCountry，andthelowlandtownsandplantationsalongtheseaboard。
　　Theoldersocietyoftheseaboardtowns，aseventsweresoontoprove，wasnotlessindependentinitsidealsthanthefrontiersocietyoftheBackCountry；butitwasaristocraticintoneandfeeling。Itsleaderswerethelandedgentry——menofelegance，andnotfarbehindtheirEuropeancontemporariesinthecultureoftheday。Theywererich，withouteffort，bothfromtheirplantations，whereblackslavesandindenturedservantslabored，andfromtheircoastwiseandoverseastrade。Theirbattleswithforestandredmanwerelongpast。Theyhadleisurefordiversionssuchasthechase，thebreedingandracingofthoroughbredhorses，thedance，highplaywithdiceandcard，cockfighting，thegallantryoflove，andtheskilloftherapier。
　　Lawandpoliticsdrewtheirsobererminds。
　　VerydifferentweretheconditionswhichconfrontedthepioneersinthefirstAmerican"West。"Thereeveryjewelofpromisewasringedroundwithhostility。Thecheaplandthepioneerhadpurchasedatanominalprice，orthefreelandhehadtakenby"tomahawkclaim"——thatisbycuttinghisnameintothebarkofadeadenedtree，usuallybesideaspring——supportedaforestoftalltrunksandinterlacingleafage。Thelonggrassandweedswhichcoveredthegroundinawealthofnaturalpasturageharboredthepoisonouscopperheadandtherattlesnakeand，beingshadedbytheoverheadfoliage，theyheldtheheavydewsandbredswarmsofmosquitoes，gnats，andbigflieswhichtorturedbothmenandcattle。Toprotectthecattleandhorsesfromtheattacksofthesepeststhesettlerswereobligedtobuildlarge"smudges"——firesofgreentimber——againstthewind。Theanimalssoonlearnedtobackupintothedensesmokeandtomovefromonegrazingspottoanotherasthewindchanged。Butusefulaswerethegreentimberfiresthatrolledtheirsmokeonthewindtosavethestock，theywereatthesametimeamenacetothepioneer，fortheyproclaimedtorovingbandsofCherokeesthatafurtherencroachmentontheirterritoryhadbeenmadebytheirmosthatedenemies——themenwhofelledthehunter’sforest。Manyanoutpostpioneerwhohadmadethelonghardjourneybyseaandlandfromtheoldworldofpersecutiontothisnewcountryoffreedom，droppedfromtheredman’sshoterehehadhewnthethresholdofhishome，leavinghiswifeandchildrentotheunrecordedmercyofhisslayer。
　　Thosemorefortunatepioneerswhosettledingroupswonthefirstheatinthebattlewiththewildernessthroughmassedeffortunderwariness。Theymadetheirclearingsintheforest，builttheircabinsandstockades，andplantedtheircornfields，whilelookoutskeptwatchandrifleswerestackedwithineasyreach。
　　Everyspecialtask，suchasa"raising，"ascabinbuildingwascalled，wasundertakenbythecommunitychieflybecausetheIndiandangernecessitatedswiftbuildingandmadegroupactionimperative。Butthestanchheartiseverthegladheart。Nothinginthisfrontierhistoryimpressesusmorethanthejoyofthepioneerathislabors。Hisdeterminedoptimismturneddanger’sdictationintoanoccasionforjollity。Ontheappointeddayforthe"raising，"theneighborswouldcome，ridingorafoot，tothenewcomer’sholding——themenwiththeirriflesandaxes，thewomenwiththeirpotsandkettles。Everychildtoddledalong，too，helpingtocarrythewoodendishesandspoons。ThesefreegiversoflaborhadsomethingoftheOriental’snotionofthesacredratificationoffriendshipbyafeast。
　　Theusualdimensionsofacabinweresixteenbytwentyfeet。Thetimberforthebuilding，havingbeenalreadycut，layathand——logsofhickory，oak，youngpine，walnut，orpersimmon。Tomakethefoundations，themenseizedfourofthethickestlogs，laidtheminplace，andnotchedandgroovedandhammeredthemintoascloseaclinchasiftheyhadgrownso。Thewoodmustgripbyitsownsubstancealonetoholdupthepioneer’sdwelling，fortherewasnotanironnailtobehadinthewholeoftheBackCountry。Logslaiduponthefoundationlogsandnotchedintoeachotheratthefourcornersformedthewalls；
　　and，whenthesestoodatsevenfeet，thebuilderslaidparalleltimbersandpuncheonstomakebothflooringandceiling。Theridgepoleoftheroofwassupportedbytwocrotchedtreesandtheroofingwasmadeoflogsandwoodenslabs。Thecrevicesofthewallswerepackedclosewithredclayandmoss。Lastly，spacesforadoorandwindowswerecutout。ThedoorwasmadethickandheavytowithstandtheIndian’srush。Andthewindowpanes？Theywereofpapertreatedwithhog’sfatorbear’sgrease。
　　Whenthesunstoodoverhead，thewomenwouldgivethewelcomecallof"Dinner！"Theirmorninghadnotbeenlessbusythanthemen’s。Theyhadbakedcorncakesonhotstones，roastedbearorpork，orbroiledvenisonsteaks；and——aboveallandfirstofall——theyhadconcoctedthegreat"stewpie"withoutwhicharaisingcouldhardlytakeplace。Thiswasadisputatiousmixtureofdeer，hog，andbear——animalswhich，inlife，wouldsurelyhavecompanionedeachotherasill！Itwasmadeinsufficientquantitytolastoverforsupperwhentheday’slaborwasdone。Atsupperthementooktheireaseontheground，butwiththeirriflesalwaysinreach。IfthecabinjustraisedbytheireffortsstoodintheYadkin，withinsightofthegreatmountainsthepioneerswereonedaytocross，perhapsasuddenbirdnotewarningfromthelookout，hiddeninthebrush，wouldbringthebuilderswithaleaptotheirfeet。ItmightbeonlyahuntingbandoffriendlyCatawbasthatpassed，oraloneCherokeewhoknewthatthiswasnothishour。Ifthelatter，wecan，inimagination，seehimlookonceatthenewhouseonhishuntingpasture，slackenreinforamomentinfrontofthegroupoffamilies，lifthishandinsignofpeace，andsilentlygohiswayhillward。Ashevanishesintotheshadows，thecrimsonsun，sinkingintotheunknownwildernessbeyondthemountains，poursitslastglowontheroofofthecabinandonthegroupnearitswalls。Withunfeltfingers，subtly，itputstheredtouchoftheWestinthefacesofthemen——whohavejustdeclared，throughthebuildingofacabin，thathereisJourney’sEndandtheirabidingplace。
　　Therewerecommunityholidaysamongthesepioneersaswellaslabordays，especiallyinthefruitseason；andtherewereflower-pickingexcursionsinthewarmspringdays。EarlyinApriltheserviceberrybushgleamedstarrilyalongthewatercourses，itshardywhitebloomsdefyingwinter’slingeringlook。Thisbush——ortree，indeed，sinceitisnotafraidtorearitsslendertrunkashighascherryorcrabapple——mightwellbeconsideredemblematicofthefrontierspiritinthoseregionswherethewhitesilencecoverstheearthforseveralmonthsandshutsthelonelyhomesteaderinuponhimself。FromthepioneertimeoftheOldSouthwesttothelastfrontieroftheFarNorthtoday，theserviceberryischerishedalikebywhitemenandIndians；andtheredmenhavewovenaboutitsomeoftheirprettiestlegends。WhenJunehadripenedthetree’sblue-blackberries，theBackCountryfolkwentoutinpartiestogatherthem。Thoughtheserviceberrywasafoodstapleonthefrontieranditsgatheringamatterofhouseholdeconomy，thefolkmadetheirberry-pickingjauntagalaoccasion。Thewomenandchildrenwithpotsandbaskets——theyounggirlsvyingwitheachother，undertheeyesoftheyouths，astowhocouldstripboughsthefastest——pluckedgaylywhilethemen，riflesinhand，keptguard。
　　Forthesehappysummerdayswerealsotheredman’sscalpingdaysand，atanymoment，thechatterofthepicnickersmightbeinterruptedbythechillingwarwhoop。Whenthatsoundwasheard，theberrypickersracedforthefort。Thewildfruits——strawberries，serviceberries，cherries，plums，crabapples——were，however，toonecessaryapartofthepioneer’smeagerdiettobeleftunpluckedoutoffearofanIndianattack。
　　Anotherdaywouldseethesamegroupoutagain。Thechildrenwouldkeepclosertotheirmothers，nodoubt；andthelaughteroftheyounggirlswouldbemoresubdued，eveniftheircoquetrylackednothingofitsformereffectiveness。EarlymarriagesweretheruleintheBackCountryandbetrothalswerefrequentlyplightedattheseberrypickings。
　　Asweconsiderthedescriptionsofthefrontiersmanleftforusbytravelersofhisownday，wearenotmoreinterestedinhisbattleswithwildernessandIndianthaninthevisibleeffectsofbothwildernessandIndianuponhim。HiscountenanceandbearingstillshowtheEuropean，buttheEuropeangreatlyalteredbysavagecontact。Theredperil，indeed，influencedeverysideoffrontierlife。Thebandsofwomenandchildrenattheharvestings，thelogrollings，andthehouseraisings，werenottheremerelytolightenthemen’sworkbytheirlaughterandlove-making。Itwasnotsafeforthemtoremaininthecabins，for，totheIndian，thecabinthusboldlythrustuponhisimmemorialhuntinggroundswasonlyasecondaryevil；thegreaterevilwasthewhiteman’sfamily，bespeakingtheincreaseofthedreadedpalefaces。TheIndianperiltrainedthepioneerstoalertness，shapedthemaswarriorsandhunters，suggestedthefashionoftheirdress，knittheirfamiliesintoclansandtheclansintoatribewhereinallwereofonespiritintheprotectionofeachandallandaunitofhateagainsttheircommonenemy。
　　ToooftenthefieldswhichthepioneerplantedwithcornwereharvestedbytheIndianwithfire。Thehardestprivationssufferedbyfarmersandstockwereduetothesettlershavingtofleetotheforts，leavingtoIndiandevastationthecropsonwhichtheirsustenancemainly，depended。Sometimes，fortunately，thewarningcameintimeforthefrontiersmantocollecthisgoodsandchattelsinhiswagonandtorounduphislivestockanddrivethemsafelyintothecommonfortifiedenclosure。Atothers，thetapofthe"express"——astheheraldofIndiandangerwascalled——atnightonthewindowpaneandthelowwordwhisperedhastily，erethe"express"ranontothenextabode，meantthattheIndianshadsurprisedtheoutlyingcabinsofthesettlement。
　　Thefortswerebuiltascentrallyaspossibleinthescatteredsettlements。Theyconsistedofcabins，blockhouses，andstockades。Arangeofcabinsoftenformedonesideofafort。Thewallsontheoutsideweretenortwelvefeethighwithroofsslopinginward。Theblockhousesbuiltattheanglesofthefortprojectedtwofeetorsobeyondtheouterwallsofthecabinsandstockades，andwerefittedwithportholesforthewatchersandthemarksmen。Theentrancetothefortwasalargefoldinggateofthickslabs。Itwasalwaysonthesidenearestthespring。Thewholestructureofthefortwasbullet-proofandwaserectedwithoutanironnailorspike。Intheborderwarsthesefortswithstoodallattacks。Thesavages，havingprovedthattheycouldnotstormthem，generallylaidsiegeandwaitedforthirsttocompelasortie。Butthecraftybesiegerwasasoftenoutwittedbytheequallycunningdefender。Somedaringsoul，withsilentfeetandperhapswithnakedbodypaintedinIndianfashion，woulddropfromthewallundercoverofthenight，passamongthefoementothespring，andreturntothefortwithwater。
　　Intothepioneer’sphrase-makingtheIndianinfluencepenetratedsothathenamedseasonsforhisfoe。Sothoroughlyhastheterm"IndianSummer，"nowtousredolentofcharm，becomedisassociatedfromitsoriginsthatitgivesusashocktoberemindedthattotheseBackCountryfolkthebalmydaysfollowingonthecoldsnapmeanttheseasonwhentheredmenwouldcomebackforalastmurderousraidonthesettlementsbeforewintershouldsealuptheland。The"PowwowingDays"werethemellowdaysinthelatterpartofFebruary，whentheredmenincouncilmadetheirmedicineandlearnedoftheirreddergodswhetherornotheyshouldtakethewarpathwhenthesappulsedthetreesintoleaf。Eventhechildrenattheirplayacknowledgedthered-skinnedschoolmaster，fortheirchiefgameswereatraininginhiswoodcraftandintheuseofhisweapons。Tomahawk-throwingwasafavoritesportbecauseofitsgruesomepracticalpurposes。
　　Theboysmustlearntogaugethetomahawk’srevolutionsbythedistanceofthethrowsoastoburythebladeinitsobjective。
　　Swiftrunningandhighjumpingthroughthebrushandfallentimberweresportsthattaughtagilityinescape。Theboyslearnedtoshootaccuratelythelongriflesoftheirtime，withalogoraforkedstickforarest，andamosspadunderthebarreltokeepitfromjerkingandspoilingtheaim。Theywrestledwitheachother，masteredthetricksofthrowinganopponent，andlearnedthescalpholdinsteadofthetoehold。Itwaspartoftheireducationtoimitatethenoisesofeverybirdandbeastoftheforest。Sotheylearnedtoluretheturkeywithinrange，orbythebleatofafawntobringherdamtotherifle。A
　　well-simulatedwolf’showlwouldcallfortharesponseandsoinformthelonehunterofthevicinityofthepack。Thisforestspeechwasnotonlythelanguageofdiplomacyinthehuntingseason；itwastheborderer’ssecretcodeinwar。StrayIndiansputthemselvesintouchagainwiththebandbyturkeycallsinthedaytimeandbyowlorwolfnotesatnight。ThefrontiersmenusedthesamemeanstotricktheIndianbandintobetrayingtheplaceofitsambuscade，ortolurethestrays，unwitting，withinreachoftheknife。
　　Inthatage，beforetheforestshadgivenplacetofarmsandcitiesandwhenthesunhadbutslightacquaintancewiththesod，thesummerswerecoolandthewinterslongandcoldintheBackCountry。SometimesinSeptemberseverefrostsdestroyedthecorn。
　　Thefirstlightpowderingcalled"huntingsnows"fellinOctober，andthenthemenoftheBackCountrysetoutonthechase。Theirobjectwasmeat——buffalo，deer，elk，bear-forthewinterlarder，andskinstosendoutinthespringbypack-horsestothecoastintradeforiron，steel，andsalt。TherainfallinNorthCarolinawasmuchheavierthaninVirginiaand，fromautumnintoearlywinter，theYadkinforestsweresheetedwithrain；butwetweather，sofarfromdeterringthehunter，aidedhimtothekill。