ThewayhomebytheKentuckywasalongroadforwearyandwoundedmenwithhungergnawingundertheirbelts。Weknowwhoswungoutalongthetrailtoprovideforthatlittleband，"dressedindeerskinscoloredblack，andhishairplaitedandbobbedup。"ItwasDanielBoone——now，bypopulardemand，CaptainBoone——just"dischargedfromService，"sincethevalleyfortsneededhimnolonger。Oncemoreonlyahunter，hewenthiswayoverWaldenMountain——pasthisson’sgravemarkingtheplacewhereHEhadbeenturnedback——toservethemenwhohadopenedthegates。
ChapterVII。TheDarkAndBloodyGroundWiththecomingofspringDanielBoone’sdesire，solongcherishedanddeferred，tomakeawayforhisneighborsthroughthewildernesswastobefulfilledatlast。Buterehisaxcouldslashthethicketsfromthehomeseekers’path，morethantwohundredsettlershadenteredKentuckybythenorthernwaterways。
EightyormoreofthesesettledatHarrodsburg，whereHarrodwaslayingouthistownonagenerousplan，with"in-lots"ofhalfanacreand"out-lots"oflargersize。AmongthoseassociatedwithHarrodwasGeorgeRogersClark，whohadsurveyedclaimsforhimselfduringtheyearbeforethewar。
Whileovertwohundredcolonistswerepickingouthomesiteswherevertheirpleasureorprudencedictated，agiganticlandpromotionscheme——involvingtheverytractswheretheyweresowingtheirfirstcorn——wasbeingsetafootinNorthCarolinabyabodyofmenwhofigureintheearlyhistoryofKentuckyastheTransylvaniaCompany。TheleaderofthisorganizationwasJudgeRichardHenderson。*JudgeHendersondreamedabigdream。Hiscastleintheairhadimperialproportions。Heresolved，inshort，topurchasefromtheCherokeeIndiansthelargerpartofKentuckyandtoestablishthereacolonyafterthemannerandtheeconomicformoftheEnglishLordsProprietors，whosedayinAmericawassonearlydone。Thoughinthelightofhistorytheplanlosesnoneofitsdramaticfeatures，itshowsthepracticaldefectsthatmustsurelyhavepreventeditsrealization。LikemanyanotherCaesarhungeringforempireandstakingalltowinit，theprospectivelordofKentucky，asweshallsee，hadleftthehumanequationoutofhiscalculations。
*RichardHenderson（1734-1785）wasthesonoftheHighSheriffofGranvilleCounty。Atfirstanassistanttohisfather，hestudiedlawandsoonachievedareputationbythebrillianceofhismindandthemagnetismofhispersonality。AspresidingJudgeatHillsboroughhehadcomeintoconflictwiththeviolentelementamongtheRegulators，whohaddrivenhimfromthecourtandburnedhishouseandbarns。Forsometimepriortohiselevationtothebench，hehadbeenengagedinlandspeculations。
OneofBoone’sbiographerssuggeststhatBoonemayhavebeensecretlyactingasHenderson’sagentduringhisfirstlonelyexplorationsofKentucky。Howeverthismaybe，itdoesnotappearthatBooneandhisYadkinneighborswereactingwithHendersonwheninSeptember，1773，theymadetheirfirstattempttoenterKentuckyassettlers。
RichardHendersonhadknownDanielBooneontheYadkin；anditwasBoone’sdetailedreportsofthemarvelousrichnessandbeautyofKentuckywhichhadinspiredhimtoformulatehisgiganticschemeandhadenabledhimalsotowintohissupportseveralmenofprominenceintheBackCountry。TosoundtheCherokeesregardingthepurchaseandtoarrange，ifpossible，foraconference，HendersondispatchedBoonetotheIndiantownsintheearlydaysof1775。
SincewehavejustlearnedthatDunmore’sWarcompelledtheShawanoesandtheiralliestorelinquishtheirrighttoKentucky，that，bothbeforeandafterthatevent，governmentsurveyorswereintheterritorysurveyingforthesoldiers’claims，andthatprivateindividualshadalreadylaidouttownsitesandstakedholdings，itmaybeaskedwhatrightofownershiptheCherokeespossessedinKentucky，thatHendersondesiredtopurchaseitofthem。TheIndiantitletoKentuckyseemstohavebeenhardlylessvaguetotheredmenthanitwastothewhites。Severalofthenationshadlaidclaimtotheterritory。Aslateas1753，itwillberemembered，theShawanoeshadoccupiedatownatBlueLicks，forJohnFindlayhadbeentakentherebysomeofthem。But，beforeFindlayguidedBoonethroughtheGapin1769，theShawanoeshadbeendrivenoutbytheIroquois，whoclaimedsuzeraintyoverthemaswellasovertheCherokees。In1768，theIroquoishadcededKentuckytotheBritishCrownbythetreatyofFortStanwix；whereupontheCherokeeshadprotestedsovociferouslythattheCrown’sIndianagent，toquietthem，hadsignedacollateralagreementwiththem。Thoughclaimedbymany，Kentuckywasbycommonconsentnotinhabitedbyanyofthetribes。ItwasthegreatMiddleGroundwheretheIndianshunted。
ItwastheWarriors’Pathoverwhichtheyrodefromnorthandsouthtoslaughterandwheremanyoftheirfiercestencounterstookplace。HowevershadowythetitlewhichHendersonpurposedtobuy，therewasoneall-sufficingreasonwhyhemustcometotermswiththeCherokees：theirnorthernmosttownsinTennesseelayonlyfiftyorsixtymilesbelowCumberlandGapandhencecommandedtherouteoverwhichhemustleadcolonistsintohisempirebeyondthehills。
TheconferencetookplaceearlyinMarch，1775，attheSycamoreShoalsoftheWataugaRiver。TwelvehundredIndians，ledbytheir"townchiefs"——amongwhomweretheoldwarriorandtheoldstatesmanoftheirnation，OconostotaandAttakullakulla——cametothetreatygroundsandwerereceivedbyHendersonandhisassociatesandseveralhundredwhitemenwhowereeagerforachancetosettleonnewlands。ThoughBoonewasnowonhiswayintoKentuckyfortheTransylvaniaCompany，otherborderleadersofrenownorwiththeirfamestilltowinwerepresent，andamongthemJamesRobertson，ofseriousmien，andthatblondgayknightinbuckskin，JohnSevier。
Itisadramaticpictureweevolveforourselvesfromthemeagernarrativesofthisevent——amassofpaintedIndiansmovingthroughthesycamoresbythebrightwater，tocomepresentlyintoatense，immobilesemicirclebeforethelargegroupofarmedfrontiersmenseatedorstandingaboutRichardHenderson，themanwiththeimperialdream，thereadyspeakerwhoseflashingeyesandglowingoratorywontheheartsofallwhocameundertheirsway。WhatthoughtheCherokeetitlebeaflimsyoneatbestandthepriceofferedforitabagatelle！ThespiritofForwardMarch！isthereinthatgreatcanvasframedbyforestandsky。
Thesombernotethattonesitslustrouscolor，asbyasweepofthebrush，isthefigureoftheChickamauganchief，DraggingCanoe，warriorandseerandhaterofwhitemen，whourgeshistribesmenagainstthesaleand，whentheywillnothearken，springsfromtheirmidstintotheclearspacebeforeHendersonandhisbandofpioneersand，pointingwithupliftedarm，warnsthemthatadarkcloudhangsoverthelandthewhitemancovetswhichtotheredmanhaslongbeenabloodyground。*
*ThisutteranceofDraggingCanoe’sisgenerallysupposedtobetheoriginofthedescriptivephraseappliedtoKentucky——"theDarkandBloodyGround。"SeeRoosevelt，"TheWinningoftheWest，"vol。I，p。229。
Thepurchase，finallyconsummated，includedthecountrylyingbetweentheKentuckyandCumberlandRiversalmostallthepresentStateofKentucky，withtheadjacentlandwateredbytheCumberlandRiveranditstributaries，exceptcertainlandspreviouslyleasedbytheIndianstotheWataugaColony。ThetractcomprisedabouttwentymillionacresandextendedintoTennessee。
DanielBoone’sworkwastocutoutaroadforthewagonsoftheTransylvaniaCompany’scoloniststopassover。ThiswastobedonebyslashingawaythebriersandunderbrushhedgingthenarrowWarriors’PaththatmadeadirectnorthwardlinefromCumberlandGaptotheOhiobank，oppositethemouthoftheSciotoRiver。JustpriortotheconferenceBooneand"thirtyguns"hadsetforthfromtheHolstontopreparetheroadandtobuildafortonwhateversiteheshouldselect。
ByApril，Hendersonandhisfirstgroupoftenantswereonthetrail。InPowell’sValleytheycameupwithapartyofVirginiansKentuckybound，ledbyBenjaminLogan；andthetwobandsjoinedtogetherforthemarch。Theyhadnotgonefarwhentheyhearddisquietingnews。AfterleavingMartin’sStation，atthegatesofhisnewdomain，HendersonreceivedaletterfromBoonetellingofanattackbyIndians，inwhichtwoofhismenhadbeenkilled，but"westoodonthegroundandguardedourbaggagetillthedayandlostnothing。"*Thesetidings，indicatingthatdespitetreatiesandsales，thesavageswereagainonthewarpath，mightwellalarmHenderson’scolonists。Whiletheyhalted，someindecisive，othersfranklyforretreat，thereappearedacompanyofmenmakingallhasteoutofKentuckybecauseofIndianunrest。
SixoftheseHendersonpersuadedtoturnagainandgoinwithhim；butthisadditionhardlyoffsetthelossofthosemembersofhispartywhothoughtittooperiloustoproceed。Henderson’sowncouragedidnotfalter。Hehadstakedhisallonthisstupendousventureandforhimitwasforwardtowealthandgloryorretreatintopovertyandeclipse。Boone，intheheartofthedanger，wasmakingthesamestand。"Ifwegivewaytothem[theIndians]
now，"hewrote，"itwilleverbethecase。"
*Bogart，"DanielBooneandtheHuntersofKentucky。"p。121。
SignsofdiscordotherthanIndianoppositionmetHendersonasheresolutelypushedon。HisconversationswithsomeofthefugitivesfromKentuckydisclosedthefirstindicationsofthestormthatwastoblowawaytheempirehewasgoingintofound。
HetoldthemthattheclaimstheyhadstakedinKentuckywouldnotholdgoodwiththeTransylvaniaCompany。WhereuponJamesMcAfee，whowasleadingagroupofreturningmen，statedhisopinionthattheTransylvaniaCompany’sclaimwouldnotholdgoodwithVirginia。Aftertheparley，threeofMcAfee’sbrothersturnedbackandwentwithHenderson’sparty，butwhetherwithintenttojoinhiscolonyortomakegoodtheirownclaimsisnotapparent。BenjaminLogancontinuedamicablywithHendersononthemarchbutdidnotrecognizehimasLordProprietorofKentucky。
HelefttheTransylvaniacaravanshortlyafterenteringtheterritory，branchedoffinthedirectionofHarrodsburg，andfoundedSt。Asaph’sStation，inthepresentLincolnCounty，independentlyofHendersonthoughthesitelaywithinHenderson’spurchase。
Notwithstandingdelaysandapprehensions，HendersonandhiscolonistsfinallyreachedBoone’sFort，whichDanielandhis"thirtyguns"——lackingtwosincetheIndianencounter——haderectedatthemouthofOtterCreek。
AnattractivebuoyancyoftemperamentisrevealedinHenderson’sdescriptioninhisjournalofagiantelmwithtallstraighttrunkandevenfoliagethatshadedaspaceofonehundredfeet。
Instantlyhechosethis"divineelm"asthecouncilchamberofTransylvania。Underitsleafagehereadtheconstitutionofthenewcolony。Itwouldbetoogreatastretchoffancytocallitademocraticdocument，foritwasnotthat，exceptindeftphrases。
Powerwascertainlydeclaredtobevestedinthepeople；butthesubstanceofpowerremainedinthehandsoftheProprietors。
Termsforlandgrantsweregenerousenoughinthebeginning，althoughHendersonmadethefatalmistakeofdemandingquitrents——oneofthecausesofdissatisfactionwhichhadledtotheRegulators’risinginNorthCarolina。InSeptemberheaugmentedthiserrorbymorethandoublingthepriceofland，addingafeeofeightshillingsforsurveying，andreservingtotheProprietorsone-halfofallgold，silver，lead，andsulphurfoundontheland。Nolandnearsulphurspringsorshowingevidencesofmetalswastobegrantedtosettlers。Moreover，attheCompany’sstorethepriceschargedforleadweresaidtobetoohigh——leadbeingnecessaryforhunting，andhuntingbeingtheonlymeansofprocuringfood——whilethewagesoflabor，asfixedbytheCompany，weretoolow。Thesetermsboretooheavilyonpoormenwhowereriskingtheirlivesinthecolony。
HencenewcomerspassedbyBoonesborough，astheTransylvaniasettlementwaspresentlycalled，andwentelsewhere。TheysettledonHenderson’slandbutrefusedhisterms。TheyjoinedintheirsympathieswithJamesHarrod，who，havingestablishedHarrodsburginthepreviousyearattheinvitationofVirginia，wasnotinthehumortoacknowledgeHenderson’sclaimortopayhimtribute。
AllwerewillingtocombinewiththeTransylvaniaCompanyfordefense，andtoenforcelawtheywoulduniteinbondsofbrotherhoodinKentucky，evenastheyhadbeenonewitheachotherontheearlierfrontiernowleftbehindthem。Buttheywouldcallnomanmaster；theyhaddonewithfeudalism。ThatHendersonshouldnothaveforeseenthis，especiallyaftertheupheavalinNorthCarolina，proveshim，inspiteofallhisbrilliantgifts，tohavebeenamanoutoftouchwiththespiritofthetime。
ThewaroftheRevolutionbrokeforthandtheIndiansdescendedupontheKentuckystations。Defensewastheoneprobleminallminds，anddefenserequiredpowderandleadinplenty。TheTransylvaniaCompanywasnotabletoprovidethemeansofdefenseagainstthehordesofsavageswhomHenryHamilton，theBritishGovernoratDetroit，wassendingtomakewaronthefrontiers。
PracticalmenlikeHarrodandGeorgeRogersClark——who，ifnotapracticalmaninhisowninterests，wasamostpracticalsoldier——sawthatunificationofinterestswithintheterritorywiththebackingofeitherVirginiaorCongresswasnecessary。
Clarkpersonallywouldhavepreferredtoseethesettlerscombineasafreemen’sstate。ItwasplainthattheywouldnotcombineandstaketheirlivesasaunittoholdKentuckyforthebenefitoftheTransylvaniaCompany，whoseauthoritysomeofthemostprominentmenintheterritoryhadrefusedtorecognize。TheProprietaryofTransylvaniacouldcontinuetoexistonlytothedangerofeverylifeinKentucky。
WhiletheProprietorssentadelegatetotheContinentalCongresstowinofficialrecognitionforTransylvania，eighty-fourmenatHarrodsburgdrewupapetitionaddressedtoVirginiastatingtheirdoubtsofthelegalityofHenderson’stitleandrequestingVirginiatoassertherauthorityaccordingtothestipulationsofhercharter。ThatdefensewastheprimaryandessentialmotiveoftheHarrodsburgRemonstranceseemsplain，forwhenGeorgeRogersClarksetoffonfootwithonecompaniontolaythedocumentbeforetheVirginianauthorities，healsowenttopleadforaloadofpowder。Inhisaccountofthathazardousjourney，asamatteroffact，hemakesscantreferencetoTransylvania，excepttosaythatthegreedoftheProprietorswouldsoonbringthecolonytoitsend，butshowsthathismindwasseldomoffthepowder。ItisadetailofhistorythattheContinentalCongressrefusedtoseatthedelegatefromTransylvania。HendersonhimselfwenttoVirginiatomakethefightforhislandbeforetheAssembly。*
*In1778VirginiadisallowedHenderson’stitlebutgrantedhimtwohundredthousandacresbetweentheGreenandKentuckyriversforhistroubleandexpenseinopeningupthecountry。
ThemagneticcenterofBoonesborough’slifewasthelovableandunassumingDanielBoone。SoonafterthebuildingofthefortDanielhadbroughtinhiswifeandfamily。HeusedoftentostatewithamildpridethathiswifeanddaughterswerethefirstwhitewomentostandonthebanksoftheKentuckyRiver。Thatpridehadnotbeenunmixedwithanxiety；hisdaughterJemimaandtwodaughtersofhisfriend，RichardGalloway，whileboatingontheriverhadbeencapturedbyShawanoesandcarriedoff。Boone，accompaniedbythegirls’loversandbyJohnFloyd（eagertorepayhisdebtoflife-savingtoBoone）hadpursuedthem，tracingthewaythecaptorshadtakenbybrokentwigsandscrapsofdressgoodswhichoneofthegirlshadcontrivedtoleaveintheirpath，hadcomeontheIndiansunawares，killedthem，andrecoveredthethreegirlsunhurt。
Inthesummerof1776，Virginiatookofficialnoteof"CaptainBooneofBoonesborough，"forshesenthimasmallsupplyofpowder。Themenofthelittlecolony，whichhadbegunsopretentiouslywithitsconstitutionandassembly，werenowobligedtoputallotherplansasideandtoconcentrateonthequestionoffoodanddefense。Therewasadangerousscarcityofpowderandlead。ThenearestpointsatwhichthesenecessariescouldbeprocuredweretheWataugaandHolstonRiversettlements，whichwerethemselvesnonetoowellstocked。HarrodandLogan，sometimein1777，reachedtheWataugafortwiththreeorfourpackhorsesandfilledtheirpacksfromSevier’sstore；but，astheynearedhome，theyweredetectedbyredscoutsandLoganwasbadlywoundedbeforeheandHarrodwereabletodrivetheirpreciousloadsafelythroughthegatesatHarrodsburg。Intheautumnof1777，Clark，withaboatloadofammunition，reachedMaysvilleontheOhio，havingsuccessfullyrunthegauntletbetweenbanksinpossessionofthefoe。HehadwrestedthepowderandleadfromtheVirginiaCouncilbythreatstotheeffectthatifVirginiawassowillingtoloseKentucky——forofcourse"acountrynotworthdefendingisnotworthclaiming"——heandhisfellowswerequitereadytotakeKentuckyforthemselvesandtoholditwiththeirswordsagainstallcomers，Virginiaincluded。
ByevensuchcogentreasoninghadheconvincedtheCouncil——whichhadtriedtohedgebyexpressingdoubtsthatVirginiawouldreceivetheKentuckysettlersas"citizensoftheState"——thatitwouldbecheapertogivehimthepowder。
Becausesomanysettlershadfledandtheothershadcomeclosertogetherfortheircommongood，HarrodsburgandBoonesboroughwerenowtheonlyoccupiedpostsinKentucky。Othersettlements，once，thriving，wereabandoned；and，undertheterror，theWildreclaimedthem。InApril，1777，Boonesboroughunderwentitsfirstsiege。Boone，leadingasortie，wasshotandhefellwithashatteredankle。AnIndianrusheduponhimandwasswingingthetomahawkoverhimwhenSimonKenton，giantfrontiersmanandheroofmanydaringdeeds，rushedforward，shottheIndian，threwBooneacrosshisback，andfoughthiswaydesperatelytosafety。
ItwassomemonthsereBoonewashisnimbleselfagain。Butthoughhecouldnot"standuptotheguns，"hedirectedalloperationsfromhiscabin。
ThenextyearBoonewasreadyfornewventuresgrowingfromthesettlers’needs。Saltwasnecessarytopreservemeatthroughthesummer。AccordinglyBooneandtwenty-sevenmenwentuptotheBlueLicksinFebruary，1778，toreplenishtheirsupplybythesimpleprocessofboilingthesaltwateroftheLickstillthesalineparticlesadheredtothekettles。Boonewasreturningalone，withapack-horseloadofsaltandgame，whenablindingsnowstormovertookhimandhidfromviewfourstealthyShawanoesonhistrail。Hewasseizedandcarriedtoacampof120warriorsledbytheFrenchCanadian，Dequindre，andJamesandGeorgeGirty，twowhiterenegades。AmongtheIndiansweresomeofthosewhohadcapturedhimonhisfirstexploringtripthroughKentuckyandwhomhehadtwicegiventheslip。Theirhilaritywasunbounded。
BoonequicklylearnedthatthisbandwasonitswaytosurpriseBoonesborough。ItwasaseasonwhenIndianattackswerenotexpected；nearlythreescoreofthemenwereatthesaltspringand，tomakemattersworse，thewallsofthenewfortwherethesettlersandtheirfamilieshadgatheredwereasyetcompletedononlythreesides。Boonesboroughwas，inshort，well-nighdefenseless。ToturntheIndiansfromtheirpurpose，Booneconceivedthedesperateschemeofofferingtoleadthemtothesaltmakers’campwiththeassurancethatheandhiscompanionswerewillingtojointhetribe。HeunderstoodIndianswellenoughtofeelsurethatoncepossessedofnearlythirtyprisoners，theShawanoeswouldnottroublefurtheraboutBoonesboroughbutwouldhastentomakeatriumphalentryintotheirowntowns。Thatsome，perhapsall，ofthewhitemenwouldassuredlydie，heknewwell；
butitwastheonlywaytosavethewomenandchildreninBoonesborough。InspiteofDequindreandtheGirtys，whowereleadingamilitaryexpeditionforthereductionofafort，theShawanoesfellinwiththesuggestion。Whentheyhadtakentheirprisoners，themorebloodthirstywarriorsinthebandwantedtotomahawkthemallonthespot。Byhisdiplomaticdiscourse，however，Boonedissuadedthem，forthetimebeingatleast，andthewholecompanysetoffforthetownsontheLittleMiami。
Theweatherbecamesevere，verylittlegamecrossedtheirroute，andfordaystheysubsistedonslipperyelmbark。Theloversofblooddidnotholdbacktheirscalpingknivesandseveraloftheprisonersperished；butBlackFish，thechiefthenofmostpowerinShawanoecouncils，adoptedBooneashisson，andgavehimthenameofSheltowee，orBigTurtle。Thoughwatchedzealouslytopreventescape，BigTurtlewastreatedwitheveryconsiderationandhonor；and，aswewouldsaytoday，heplayedthegame。HeenteredintotheIndianlifewithapparentzest，tookpartinhuntsandsportsandtheracesandshootingmatchesinwhichtheIndiansdelighted，buthewasalwayscarefulnottooutrunoroutshoothisopponents。BlackFishtookhimtoDetroitwhensomeofthetribeescortedtheremainderoftheprisonerstotheBritishpost。TherehemetGovernorHamiltonand，inthehopeofobtaininghisliberty，heledthatdignitarytobelievethatheandtheotherpeopleofBoonesboroughwereeagertomovetoDetroitandtakerefugeundertheBritishflag。*ItissaidthatBoonealwayscarriedinawalletroundhisnecktheKing’scommissiongivenhiminDunmore’sWar；andthatheexhibitedittoHamiltontobearouthisstory。HamiltonsoughttoransomhimfromtheIndians，butBlackFishwouldnotsurrenderhisnewson。
TheGovernorgaveBooneapony，withsaddleandtrappings，andotherpresents，includingtrinketstobeusedinprocuringhisneedsandpossiblyhislibertyfromtheShawanoes。
*SowelldidBooneplayhispartthathearousedsuspicioneveninthosewhoknewhimbest。AfterhisreturntoBoonesboroughhisoldfriend，Calloway，formallyaccusedhimoftreacheryontwocounts：thatBoonehadbetrayedthesaltmakerstotheIndiansandhadplannedtobetrayBoonesboroughtotheBritish。Boonewastriedandacquitted。Hissimpleexplanationofhisactssatisfiedthecourt-martialandmadehimagreaterherothaneveramongthefrontierfolk。
BlackFishthentookhissonhometoChillicothe。HereBoonefoundDelawaresandMingosassemblingwiththemainbodyoftheShawanoewarriors。ThewarbeltwasbeingcarriedthroughtheOhiocountry。AgainBoonesboroughandHarrodsburgweretobethefirstsettlementsattacked。ToescapeandgivewarningwasnowtheonepurposethatobsessedBoone。HeredoubledhiseffortstothrowtheIndiansofftheirguard。HesangandwhistledblithelyaboutthecampatthemouthoftheSciotoRiver，whitherhehadaccompaniedhisIndianfathertohelpinthesaltboiling。Inshort，heseemedsoveryhappythatonedayBlackFishtookhiseyeoffhimforafewmomentstowatchthepassingofaflockofturkeys。BigTurtlepassedwiththeflock，leavingnotrace。Tohislamentingparentitmusthaveseemedasthoughhehadvanishedintotheair。DanielcrossedtheOhioandranthe160
milestoBoonesboroughinfourdays，duringwhichtimehehadonlyonemeal，fromabuffaloheshotattheBlueLicks。Whenhereachedthefortafteranabsenceofnearlyfivemonths，hefoundthathiswifehadgivenhimupfordeadandhadreturnedtotheYadkin。
Boonenowbeganwithallspeedtodirectpreparationstowithstandasiege。OwingtotheIndian’sleisurelysystemofcouncilsandceremoniesbeforetakingthewarpath，itwasnotuntilthefirstweekinSeptemberthatBlackFish’spaintedwarriors，withsomeFrenchmenunderDequindre，appearedbeforeBoonesborough。Ninedaysthesiegelastedandwasthelongestinborderhistory。Dequindre，seeingthatthefortmightnotbetaken，resortedtotrickery。HerequestedBooneandafewofhismentocomeoutforaparley，sayingthathisordersfromHamiltonweretoprotectthelivesoftheAmericansasfaraspossible。Boone’sfriend，Calloway，urgedagainstacceptanceoftheapparentlybenignproposalwhichwasmade，soDequindreaverred，for"bienfaisanceethumanite。"Butthewordswerethewordsofawhiteman，andBoonehearkenedtothem。Witheightofthegarrisonhewentouttotheparley。Afteralongtalkinwhichgoodwillwasexpressedonbothsides，itwassuggestedbyBlackFishthattheyallshakehandsand，asthereweresomanymoreIndiansthanwhitemen，twoIndiansshould，ofcourse，shakehandswithonewhiteman，eachgraspingoneofhishands。Themomentthattheirhandsgripped，thetrickwasclear，fortheIndiansexertedtheirstrengthtodragoffthewhitemen。
Desperatescufflingensuedinwhichthewhiteswithdifficultyfreedthemselvesandranforthefort。Callowayhadpreparedforemergencies。ThepursuingIndiansweremetwithadeadlyfire。
Afteradefeatedattempttominetheforttheenemywithdrew。
ThesuccessfuldefenseofBoonesboroughwasanachievementofnationalimportance，forhadBoonesboroughfallen，Harrodsburgalonecouldnothavestood。TheIndiansundertheBritishwouldhaveoverrunKentucky；andGeorgeRogersClark——whosebaseforhisIllinoisoperationswastheKentuckyforts——couldnothavemadethecampaignswhichwrestedtheNorthwestfromthecontrolofGreatBritain。
AgainVirginiatookofficialnoteofCaptainBoonewhenin1779
theLegislatureestablishedBoonesborough"atownforthereceptionoftraders"andappointedBoonehimselfoneofthetrusteestoattendtothesaleandregistrationoflots。AnoddofficethatwasforDaniel，whoneverlearnedtoattendtotheregistrationofhisown；hedeclinedit。Hisnameappearsagain，however，alittlelaterwhenVirginiamadethewholeofKentuckyoneofhercountieswiththefollowingofficers：ColonelDavidRobinson，CountyLieutenant；GeorgeRogersClark，AnthonyBledsoe，andJohnBowman，Majors；DanielBoone，JamesHarrod，BenjaminLogan，andJohnTodd，Captains。
Boonesborough’ssuccessfulresistancecausedlandspeculatorsaswellasprospectivesettlerstotakeheartofgrace。PartiesmadetheirwaytoBoonesborough，Harrodsburg，andeventotheFallsoftheOhio，whereClark’sfortandblockhousesnowstood。Inthesummerof1779ClarkhaderectedontheKentuckysideoftheriveralargefortwhichbecamethenucleusofthetownofLouisville。Here，whilehewaseatinghisheartoutwithimpatienceformoneyandmentoenablehimtomarchtotheattackofDetroit，ashehadplanned，heamusedhimselfbydrawingupplansforacity。Helaidoutprivatesectionsandpublicparksandcontemplatedthebringinginoffamiliesonlytoinhabithiscity，for，oddlyenough，hewhonevermarriedwasgoingtomakeshortshiftofmerebachelorsinhisCityBeautiful。Betweenpenscratches，nodoubt，helookedoutfrequentlyupontherivertodescryifpossibleaboatloadofammunitionorthebannersofthetroopshehadbeenpromised。
Whenneitherappeared，hegaveuptheideaofDetroitandsetabouterectingdefensesonthesouthernborder，fortheChoctawsandCherokees，unitedunderawhiteleadernamedColbert，werethreateningKentuckybywayoftheMississippi。Hebuiltin1780
FortJeffersoninwhatisnowBallardCounty，andhadbarelycompletedthenewpostandgarrisoneditwithaboutthirtymenwhenitwasbesiegedbyColbertandhissavages。TheIndians，assaultingbynight，wereluredintoapositiondirectlybeforeacannonwhichpouredleadintoamassofthem。Theremainderfledinterrorfromthevicinityofthefort；butColbertsucceededinrallyingthemandwasreturningtotheattackwhenhesuddenlyencounteredClarkwithacompanyofmenandwasforcedtoabandonhisenterprise。
ClarkknewthattheOhioIndianswouldcomedownonthesettlementsagainduringthesummerandthattomeettheironslaughtseverymaninKentuckywouldberequired。HelearnedthattherewasanewinfluxoflandseekersovertheWildernessRoadandthatspeculatorsweredoingathrivingbusinessinHarrodsburg；so，leavinghiscompanytoprotectFortJefferson，hetooktwomenwithhimandstartedacrossthewildsonfootforHarrodsburg。ToevadethenoticeoftheIndianbandswhichweremovingaboutthecountrythethreestrippedandpaintedthemselvesaswarriorsanddonnedthefeatheredheaddress。SosuccessfulwastheirdisguisethattheywerefiredonbyapartyofsurveyorsneartheoutskirtsofHarrodsburg。
TherecordsdonotstatewhatwerethesensationsofcertainspeculatorsinalandofficeinHarrodsburgwhenablue-eyedsavageinawarbonnetsprangthroughthedoorwayand，withupliftedweapon，declaredtheofficeclosed；butwegetahintofthepowerofClark’spersonalityandofhisgeniusfordominatingmenfromthetersereportthathe"enrolled"thespeculators。Hewasinformedthatanotherpartyofmen，morenervousthanthese，wasnowonitswayoutofKentucky。InhastehedispatchedadozenfrontiersmentocutthepartyoffatCrabOrchardandtakeawaythegunofeverymanwhorefusedtoturnbackanddohisbitforKentucky。ToClarkamanwasagun，andhemeantthateverygunshoulddoitsduty。
TheleadersandpioneersoftheDarkandBloodyGroundwerenowwarriors，allunderClark’scommand，whilefortwoyearslongertheRedTerrorrangedKentucky，fallingwithsavageforcenowhere，nowthere。Inthefirstbattleof1780，attheBlueLicks，Daniel’sbrother，EdwardBoone，waskilledandscalped。Lateroninthewarhissecondson，Israel，sufferedalikefate。Thetolloflifeamongthesettlerswasheavy。Manyofthebest-knownborderleaderswereslain。Foodandpowderoftenranshort。Cornmightbeplanted，butwhetheritwouldbeharvestedornottheplantersneverknew；andthehunter’srifleshot，necessarythoughitwas，provedonlytoooftenaninvitationtothelurkingfoe。Butsometimes，throughallthedangersofforestandtrail，DanielBooneslippedawaysilentlytoHarrodsburgtoconferwithClark；orClarkhimself，intheIndianguisethatsuitedthewildmaninhimnotill，madehiswaytoandfromthegarrisonswhichlookedtohimforeverything。
TwiceClarkgatheredtogetherthe"guns"ofKentuckyand，marchingnorthintotheenemy’scountry，sweptdownupontheIndiantownsofPiquaandChillicotheandrazedthem。In1782，inthesecondoftheseenterprises，hiscousin，JosephRogers，whohadbeentakenprisonerandadoptedbytheIndiansandthenworeIndiangarb，wasshotdownbyoneofClark’smen。OnthisexpeditionBooneandHarrodaresaidtohaveaccompaniedClark。
Theeverpresentterrorandhorrorofthosedays，especiallyofthetwoyearsprecedingthisexpedition，arevividlysuggestedbythequaintremarkofanoldwomanwhohadlivedthroughthem，asrecordedforusbyatraveler。ThemostbeautifulsightshehadseeninKentucky，shesaid，wasayoungmandyinganaturaldeathinhisbed。Deadbutunmarredbyhatchetorscalpingknife，hewassorareandcomelyapicturethatthewomenofthepostsatupallnightlookingathim。
But，weask，whatgoldenemolumentswereshoweredbyagratefulcountryonthemenwhothusheldthelandthroughthoseyearsofwantandwar，andsavedanempirefortheUnion？Whatpracticalrecognitionwasthereofthesebraveandunselfishmenwhodailyriskedtheirlivesandfacedthestealthandcrueltylurkinginthewildernessways？Thereismeagereloquenceintherecords。
Here，forinstance，isaletterfromGeorgeRogersClarktotheGovernorofVirginia，datedMay27，1783：
"Sir。NothingbutnecessitycouldinducemetomakethefollowingrequesttoYourExcellency，whichistograntmeasmallsumofmoneyonaccount；asIcanassureyou，Sir，thatIamexceedinglydistressedforthewantofnecessaryclothingetcanddon’tknowanychannelthroughwhichIcouldprocureanyexceptoftheExecutive。TheStateIbelievewillfallconsiderablyinmydebt。
AnysupplieswhichYourExcellencyfavorsmewithmightbedeductedoutofmyaccounts。"*
*"CalendarofVirginiaStatePapers，"vol。III，p。487。
Clarkhadspentallhisownsubstanceandallelsehecouldbeg，borrow——orappropriate——intheconquestofIllinoisandthedefenseofKentucky。HisonlyrewardfromVirginiawasagrantoflandfromwhichherealizednothing，anddismissalfromherservicewhensheneededhimnolonger。
AllthatClarkhadaskedforhimselfwasacommissionintheContinentalArmy。Thiswasdeniedhim，asitappearsnow，notthroughhisownerrors，whichhadnotatthattimetakenholdonhim，butthroughtheinfluenceofpowerfulenemies。ItissaidthatbothSpainandEngland，seeingagreatsoldierwithoutserviceforhissword，madehimoffers，whichherefused。Aslongasanyacreageremainedtohimonwhichtoraisemoney，hecontinuedtopaythedebtshehadcontractedtofinancehisexpeditions，andinthiscoursehehadtheassistanceofhisyoungestbrother，William，towhomheassignedhisIndianagrant。
Hishealthimpairedbyhardshipandexposureandhisheartbrokenbyhiscountry’sindifference，Clarksankintoalcoholicexcesses。Inhissixtiethyear，justsixyearsbeforehisdeath，andwhenhewasahelplessparalytic，hewasgrantedapensionoffourhundreddollars。ThereisaringofbitterironyinthewordswithwhichheacceptedtheswordsenthimbyVirginiainhiscrippledoldage："WhenVirginianeededaswordIgaveherone。"HediednearLouisvilleonFebruary13，1818。
KentuckywasadmittedtotheUnionin1792。ButevenbeforeKentuckybecameaStateheraffairs，particularlyastoland，werearranged，letussay，onapracticalbusinessbasis。ThenitwasdiscoveredthatDanielBoonehadnolegalclaimtoanyfootofgroundinKentucky。Danielownednothingbuttheclotheshewore；andforthose——aswellasformuchpowder，lead，food，andsuchtrifles——hewasheavilyindebt。
So，in1788，DanielBooneputthelistofhisdebtsinhiswallet，gatheredhiswifeandhisyoungersonsabouthim，and，shoulderinghishunter’srifle，oncemoreturnedtowardsthewilds。ThecountryoftheGreatKanawhainWestVirginiawasstillawilderness，andahunterandtrappermight，insomeyears，earnenoughtopayhisdebts。Forothers，now，thepathshehadhewnandmadesafe；forBooneoncemorethewildernessroad。
ChapterVIII。TennesseeIndianlaw，tradition，andevensuperstitionhadshapedtheconditionswhichthepioneersfacedwhentheycrossedthemountains。ThissavageinheritancehaddecreedthatKentuckyshouldbeadarkandbloodyground，fosteringnolifebutthatoffour-footedbeasts，itsfertilesodnevertostirwiththegreenpushofthecorn。AndsothewhitemenwhowentintoKentuckytobuildandtoplantwentaswarriorsgo，andforeverycabintheyerectedtheybattledaswarriorstoholdafort。Inthefirstyearstheyplantedlittlecornandreapedless，foritmaybesaidthattheirrifleswereneveroutoftheirhands。Wehaveseenhowstationswerebuiltandabandoneduntilbuttwostood。
UntiringvigilanceandceaselesswarfarewerethepricepaidbythefirstKentuckianseretheyturnedtheIndian’splaceofdesolationanddeathintoalandproductiveandalivinghabitation。
Hereinliesthedifference，slightapparently，yetsignificant，betweenthefirstKentuckyandthefirstTennessee*colonies。
WithinthememoryoftheIndiansonlyonetribehadeverattemptedtomaketheirhomeinKentucky——atribeofthefightingShawanoes——andtheyhadbeenterriblychastisedfortheirtemerity。ButTennesseewasthehomeoftheCherokees，andatChickasawBluffs（Memphis）beganthesouthwardtrailtotheprincipaltownsoftheChickasaws。Bytheredman’sfiat，then，humanlifemightabideinTennessee，thoughnotinKentucky，anditfollowedthatinseasonsofpeacethefrontiersmenmightsettleinTennessee。Soitwasthatasearlyas1757，beforethegreatCherokeewar，acompanyofVirginiansunderAndrewLewishad，onaninvitationfromtheIndians，erectedFortLoudonnearGreatTelliko，theCherokees’principaltown，andthat，afterthetreatyofpeacein1761，WaddellandhisrangersofNorthCarolinahaderectedafortontheHolston。
*Tennessee。Thename，Ten-as-se，appearsonAdair’smapasoneoftheoldCherokeetowns。Apparentlyneitherthemeaningnorthereasonwhythecolonistscalledbothstateandriverbythisnamehasbeenhandeddowntous。
ThoughFortLoudonhadfallentragicallyduringthewar，andthoughWaddell’sforthadbeenabandoned，neitherwaswithoutinfluenceinthecolonizationofTennessee，forsomeofthemenwhobuiltthesefortsdriftedbackayearortwolaterandsetupthefirstcabinsontheHolston。Theseearliestsettlements，thinandscattered，didnotsurvive；butin1768thesamesettlersorothersoftheirkind——dischargedmilitiamenfromBackCountryregiments——oncemoremadehomesontheHolston。TheywerejoinedbyafewfamiliesfromnearthepresentRaleigh，NorthCarolina，whohaddespairedofseeingjusticedonetothetenantsonthemismanagedestatesofLordGranville。AboutthesametimetherewaserectedthefirstcabinontheWataugaRiver，asisgenerallybelieved，byamanofthenameofWilliamBean（orBeen），hunterandfrontiersoldierfromPittsylvaniaCounty，Virginia。Thisman，whohadhuntedontheWataugawithDanielBoonein1760，choseasthesiteofhisdwellingtheplaceoftheoldhuntingcampnearthemouthofBoone’sCreek。Hesoonbegantohaveneighbors。
MeanwhiletheRegulationMovementstirredtheBackCountryofboththeCarolinas。In1768，theyearinwhichWilliamBeanbuilthiscabinonthebankoftheWatauga，fivehundredarmedRegulatorsinNorthCarolina，arousedbyirregularitiesintheconductofpublicoffice，gatheredtoasserttheirdispleasure，butdispersedpeaceablyonreceiptofwordfromGovernorTryonthathehadorderedtheprosecutionofanyofficerfoundguiltyofextortion。EdmundFanning，themosthatedofLordGranville’sagents，thoughconvicted，escapedpunishment。Enragedatthismiscarriageofjustice，theRegulatorsbeganasystemofterrorizationbytakingpossessionofthecourt，presidedoverbyRichardHenderson。Thejudgehimselfwasobligedtoslipoutbyabackwaytoavoidpersonalinjury。TheRegulatorsburnedhishouseandstable。TheymetedoutmobtreatmentlikewisetoWilliamHooper，lateroneofthesignersoftheDeclarationofIndependence。
Twoelements，withantitheticalaims，hadbeenatworkintheRegulation；andtheunfortunatefailureofjusticeinthecaseofFanninghadgiventhecorruptelementitsopportunitytoseizecontrol。InthepetitionsaddressedtoGovernorTryonbytheleadersofthemovementinitsearlierstagestheaimsofliberty-lovingthinkersaretraceable。Itisworthyofnotethattheyincludedintheirdemandsarticleswhicharenowconstitutional。Theydesiredthat"suffragebegivenbyticketandballot"；thatthemodeoftaxationbealtered，andeachpersonbetaxedinproportiontotheprofitsarisingfromhisestate；thatjudgesandclerksbegivensalariesinsteadofperquisitesandfees。Theylikewisepetitionedforrepealoftheactprohibitingdissentingministersfromcelebratingtheritesofmatrimony。Theestablishmentofthesereforms，thepetitionersoftheRegulationconcluded，would"conciliate"theirmindsto"everyjustmeasureofgovernment，andwouldmakethelawswhattheConstitutioneverdesignedtheyshouldbe，theirprotectionandnottheirbane。"HereinclearlyenoughwecandiscernthethoughtandthephraseologyoftheUlsterPresbyterians。
Butachangetookplaceinbothleadersandmethods。DuringtheRegulators’careerofviolencetheywereundertheswayofanagitatornamedHermonHusband。ThisdemagoguewasreportedtohavebeenexpelledfromtheQuakerSocietyforcause；itisonrecordthathewasexpelledfromtheNorthCarolinaAssemblybecauseaviciousanonymousletterwastracedtohim。HedesertedhisdupesjustbeforetheshotscrackedatAlamanceCreekandfledfromthecolony。HewasafterwardsapprehendedinPennsylvaniaforcomplicityintheWhiskyInsurrection。
FouroftheleadingPresbyterianministersoftheBackCountryissuedaletterincondemnationoftheRegulators。OneoftheseministerswasthefamousDavidCaldwell，son-in-lawoftheReverendAlexanderCraighead，andamanwhoknewthedifferencebetweenlibertyandlicenseandwhoprovedhimselfthebravestofpatriotsintheWarofIndependence。TherecordsofthetimecontainsworntestimonyagainsttheRegulatorsbyWaightstillAvery，asigneroftheMecklenburgResolves，wholaterpresidedhonorablyovercourtsinthewesterncircuitofTennessee；andthereisevidenceindicatingJacobiteandFrenchintrigue。ThatGovernorTryonrecognizedahiddenhandatworkseemsclearlyrevealedinhisproclamationaddressedtothose"whoseunderstandingshavebeenrunawaywithandwhosepassionshavebeenledincaptivitybysomeevildesigningmenwho，actuatedbycowardiceandasenseofthatPublickJusticewhichisduetotheirCrimes，haveobscuredthemselvesfromPublickview。"WhattheAssemblythoughtoftheRegulatorswasexpressedin1770inadrasticbillwhichsoshockedtheauthoritiesinEnglandthatinstructionsweresentforbiddinganyGovernortoapprovesuchabillinfuture，declaringit"adisgracetotheBritishStatuteBooks。"
OnMay16，1771，sometwothousandRegulatorswereprecipitatedbyHusbandintotheBattleofAlamance，whichtookplaceinadistrictsettledlargelybyaroughandignoranttypeofGermans，manyofwhomHusbandhadluredtoswellhismob。Opposedtohim，wereelevenhundredofGovernorTryon’stroops，officeredbysuchpatriotsasGriffithRutherford，HughWaddell，andFrancisNash。
Duringanhour’sengagementabouttwentyRegulatorswerekilled，whiletheGovernor’stroopshadninekilledandsixty-onewounded。Sixoftheleaderswerehanged。TheresttooktheoathofallegiancewhichTryonadministered。
IthasbeensaidabouttheRegulatorsthattheywerenotcastdownbytheirdefeatatAlamancebut"likethemammoth，theyshooktheboltfromtheirbrowandcrossedthemountains，"butsuchfloweryphrasesdonotseemtohavebeeninspiredbyfacts。
Nordotherecordsshowthat"fifteenhundredRegulators"
arrivedatWataugain1771，ashasalsobeenstated。NorarethenamesoftheleadersoftheRegulationtobefoundinthelistofsignaturesaffixedtotheone"statepaper"ofWataugawhichwaspreservedandwrittenintohistoricannals。NoryetdothosenamesappearontherosteroftheWataugaandHolstonmenwho，in1774，foughtwithShelbyunderAndrewLewisintheBattleofPointPleasant。TheBoonesandtheBryans，theRobertsons，theSeviers，theShelbys，themenwhoopeneduptheWestandshapedthedestinyofitsinhabitants，weregenuinefreemen，withasenseoflawandorderasinseparablefromliberty。TheywouldfollowaWashingtonbutnotaHermonHusband。
JamesHunter，whosesignatureleadsonallRegulationmanifestoesjustpriortotheBattleofAlamance，wasasycophantofHusband，towhomheaddressedfulsomeletters；andintherealbattlefordemocracy——theWarofIndependence——hewasaTory。TheColonialRecordsshowthatthosewho，"likethemammoth，"shookfromthemtheethicalrestraintswhichmakemansuperiortothegiantbeast，andwholaterboltedintothemountains，contributedchieflythelawlessnessthatharassedthenewsettlements。Theywerethebandittiand，in1776，theToriesofthewesternhills；
theypillagedthehomesofthemenwhowerefightingforthedemocraticideal。
ItwasnottheRegulationMovementwhichturnedwestwardthemakersoftheOldSouthwest，butthefreeandenterprisingspiritoftheage。Itwasemphaticallyanageofdoers；andifmenwhofelttheconstructiveurgeinthemmightnotlayholdonconditionswheretheywereandreshapethem，thentheymustgoforwardseekingthatenvironmentwhichwouldgivetheirgeniusitsopportunity。
OfsuchadventurousspiritswasJamesRobertson，aVirginianbornofUlsterScotparentage，andaresidentof（thepresent）WakeCounty，NorthCarolina，sincehisboyhood。Robertsonwastwenty-eightyearsoldwhen，in1770，herodeoverthehillstoWatauga。Wecanimaginehimashewasthen，fortheportraittakenmuchlaterinlifeshowsthetypeoffacethatdoesnotchange。Itisahightypecombiningthebestqualitiesofhisrace。Intelligence，strengthofpurpose，fortitude，andmoralpowerarethere；theyimpressusatthefirstglance。Attwenty-eighthemusthavebeenaseriousyoungman，littlegiventolaughter；indeed，spontaneityisperhapstheonlygoodtraitwemissinstudyinghisface。Hewasathinkerwhohadnotyetfoundhispurpose——athinkerinleash，foratthistimeJamesRobertsoncouldneitherreadnorwrite。
AtWatauga，RobertsonlivedforawhileinthecabinofamannamedHoneycut。Hechoselandforhimselfand，inaccordancewiththecustomofthetime，sealedhisrighttoitbyplantingcorn。
Heremainedtoharvesthisfirstcropandthensetofftogatherhisfamilyandsomeofhisfriendstogetherandescortthemtothenewcountry。Butonthewayhemissedthetrailandwanderedforafortnightinthemountains。Theheavyrainsruinedhispowdersothathecouldnothunt；forfoodhehadonlyberriesandnuts。Atoneplace，wheresteepbluffsopposedhim，hewasobligedtoabandonhishorseandscalethemountainsideonfoot。
Hewasinextremitywhenhechancedupontwohuntsmenwhogavehimfoodandsethimonthetrail。Ifthisexperienceproveshislackofthehunter’sinstinctandthewoodsman’sresourcefulnesswhichBoonepossessed，itprovesalsohisspecialqualitiesofperseveranceandendurancewhichweretoreachtheirzenithinhissuccessfulstruggletocolonizeandholdwesternTennessee。
HereturnedtoWataugainthefollowingspring（1771）withhisfamilyandasmallgroupofcolonists。Robertson’swifewasaneducatedwomanandunderherinstructionhenowbegantostudy。
NextyearayoungVirginianfromtheShenandoahValleyrodeondownHolstonValleyonahuntingandexploringtrip，andloiteredatWatauga。Herehefoundnotonlyanewsettlementbutanindependentgovernmentinthemaking；andforthwithhedeterminedtohaveapartinboth。ThisyoungVirginianhadalreadyshowntheinclinationofapoliticalcolonist，forintheShenandoahValleyhehad，attheageofnineteen，laidoutthetownofNewMarket（whichexiststothisday）andhaddirecteditsmunicipalaffairsandinvitedandfostereditsclergy。ThisyoungVirginian——bornonSeptember23，1745，andsoin1772
twenty-sevenyearsofage——wasJohnSevier，thatJohnSevierwhosemonumentnowtowersfromitssiteinKnoxvilletotestifyofboththewildandthegreatdeedsofoldTennessee’sbelovedknight。LikeRobertson，Sevierhastenedhomeandremovedhiswholefamily，includinghiswifeandchildren，hisparentsandhisbrothersandsisters，tothisnewhavenoffreedomatWatauga。
ThefriendshipformedbetweenRobertsonandSevierinthesefirstyearsoftheirworktogetherwasneverbroken，yettwomoreoppositetypescouldhardlyhavebeenbroughttogether。Robertsonwasamanofhumbleorigin，unlettered，notadourScotbutasolemnone。Sevierwascavalieraswellasfrontiersman。Onhisfather’ssidehewasofthepatricianfamilyofXavierinFrance。
Hisprogenitors，havingbecomeHuguenots，hadtakenrefugeinEngland，wherethenameXavierwasfinallychangedtoSevier。
JohnSevier’smotherwasanEnglishwoman。SomeyearsbeforehisbirthhisparentshademigratedtotheShenandoahValley。ThusithappenedthatJohnSevier，whomingledgoodEnglishbloodwiththebluebloodofoldFrance，wasbornanAmericanandgrewupafrontierhunterandsoldier。Hestoodaboutfivefeetninefromhismoccasinstohiscrownoflightbrownhair。Hewaswell-proportionedandasgracefulofbodyashewashard-muscledandswift。Hischinwasfirm，hisnoseofaRomancast，hismouthwell-shaped，itsslightlyfulllipsslantinginasmilethatwouldnotberepressed。Underthehigh，finelymodeledbrow，smallkeendarkblueeyessparkledwithhealth，withintelligence，andwiththeman’sjoyinlife。
JohnSevierindeedcannotbelistedasatype；hewasindividual。
Thereisnoothercharacterlikehiminborderannals。Hewascavalierandprinceinhisleadershipofmen；hehadtheirhomage。Yetheknewhowtobecomradeandbrothertothelowliest。Hewonandheldtheconfidenceandfriendshipoftheserious-mindedRobertsonnolessthantheidolatryofthewildestspiritsonthefrontierthroughouttheforty-threeyearsofthespectacularcareerwhichbeganforhimonthedayhebroughthistribetoWatauga。Inhistimeheworethegovernor’spurple；andaportraitpaintedofhimshowshowwellthisdescendantofthenobleXavierscouldfithimselftothedignityandformalhabilimentsofstate；Yetinthefringeddeerskinoffrontiergarb，hewasfleeteronthewarpaththantheIndianswhofledbeforehim；andhecouldoutrideandoutshoot——and，itissaid，outswear——thebestandtheworstofthemenwhofollowedhim。