PerhapsthelurkingsmileonJohnSevier’sfacewasaflickerofmirththatthereshouldbefoundanyman，redorwhite，withtemerityenoughtotryconclusionswithhim。Noneeverdid，successfully。
　　ThehistoriansofTennesseestatethattheWataugansformedtheirgovernmentin1772andthatSevierwasoneofitsfivecommissioners。Yet，asSevierdidnotsettleinTennesseebefore1773，itispossiblethattheWataugaAssociationwasnotformeduntilthen。Unhappilythewrittenconstitutionofthelittlecommonwealthwasnotpreserved；butitisknownthat，followingtheUlsterman’sideal，manhoodsuffrageandreligiousindependenceweretwoofitsprovisions。Thecommissionersenlistedamilitiaandtheyrecordeddeedsforland，issuedmarriagelicenses，andtriedoffendersagainstthelaw。TheybelievedthemselvestobewithintheboundariesofVirginiaandthereforeadoptedthelawsofthatStatefortheirguidance。Theyhadnumerousoffenderstodealwith，formenfleeingfromdebtorfromtheconsequenceofcrimesoughtthenewsettlementsjustacrossthemountainsasasafeandadjacentharbor。TheattemptofthesementopursuetheirlawlessnessinWataugawasonereasonwhytheWataugansorganizedagovernment。
　　WhenthelinewasrunbetweenVirginiaandNorthCarolinabeyondthemountains，WataugawasdiscoveredtobesouthofVirginia’slimitsandhenceonIndianlands。ThiswasinconflictwiththeKing’sProclamation，andAlexanderCameron，BritishagenttotheCherokees，accordinglyorderedtheencroachingsettlerstodepart。TheIndians，however，desiredthemtoremain。ButsinceitwasillegaltopurchaseIndianlands，Robertsonnegotiatedaleasefortenyears。In1775，whenHendersonmadehispurchasefromtheCherokees，atSycamoreShoalsontheWatauga，RobertsonandSevier，whowerepresentatthesalewithotherWataugacommissioners，followedHenderson’sexampleandboughtoutrightthelandstheydesiredtoincludeinWatauga’sdomain。In1776
　　theypetitionedNorthCarolinafor"annexation。"AstheywerealreadywithinNorthCarolina’sbounds，itwasrecognitionratherthanannexationwhichtheysought。Thispetition，whichistheonlyWataugandocumenttosurvive，isundatedbutmarkedasreceivedinAugust，1776。ItisinSevier’shandwritinganditsstylesuggeststhatitwascomposedbyhim，forinitsmannerofexpressionithasmuchincommonwithmanylaterpapersfromhispen。ThatWatauganswerealaw-lovingcommunityandhadformedtheirgovernmentforthepurposeofmakinglawrespectedisreiteratedthroughoutthedocument。Asshowingthequalityofthesefirstwesternstatemakers，twoparagraphsarequoted：
　　"Findingourselvesonthefrontiers，andbeingapprehensivethatforwantofproperlegislaturewemightbecomeashelterforsuchasendeavoredtodefraudtheircreditors；consideringalsothenecessityofrecordingdeeds，wills，anddoingotherpublicbusiness；we，byconsentofthepeople，formedacourtforthepurposesabovementioned，taking，bydesireofourconstituents，theVirginialawsforourguide，sonearasthesituationofaffairswouldpermit。Thiswasintendedforourselves，andWAS
　　DONEBYCONSENTOFEVERYINDIVIDUAL。"
　　Thepetitiongoesontostatethat，amongtheirmeasuresforupholdinglaw，theWatauganshadenlisted"acompanyoffineriflemen"andputthemundercommandof"CaptainJamesRobertson。"
　　"We……thoughtpropertostationthemonourfrontiersindefenseofthecommoncause，attheexpenseandrisqueofourownprivatefortunes，tillfartherpublicorders，whichweflatterourselveswillgivenooffense……Weprayyourmatureanddeliberateconsiderationinourbehalf，thatyoumayannexustoyourProvince（whetherascounty，district，orotherdivision）insuchmannerasmayenableustoshareinthegloriouscauseofLiberty：enforceourlawsunderauthorityandineveryrespectbecomethebestmembersofsociety；andforourselvesandourconstituentswehopewemayventuretoassureyouthatweshalladherestrictlytoyourdeterminations，andthatnothingwillbelackingoranythingneglectedthatmayaddweight（inthecivilormilitaryestablishments）tothegloriouscauseinwhichwearenowstruggling，orcontributetothewelfareofourownoragesyettocome。"
　　Onehundredandthirteennamesaresignedtothedocument。Inthefollowingyear（1777）NorthCarolinaerectedheroverhillterritoryintoWashingtonCounty。TheGovernorappointedjusticesofthepeaceandmilitiaofficerswhointhefollowingyearorganizedthenewcountyanditscourts。AndsoWatauga’sindependentgovernment，beguninthespiritoftrueliberty，cameaslawfullytoitsend。
　　Butfornearlythreeyearsbeforetheirpoliticalstatuswasthusdetermined，theWataugansweresharing"inthegloriouscauseofLiberty"bydefendingtheirsettlementsagainstIndianattacks。
　　WhilethemajorityoftheyoungCherokeewarriorswereamongtheirenemies，theirchiefbattleswerefoughtwiththosefromtheChickamaugantownsontheTennesseeRiver，undertheleadershipofDraggingCanoe。TheChickamaugansembracedthemoreviciousandbloodthirstyCherokees，withamixtureofCreeksandbadwhites，who，drivenfromeverylaw-abidingcommunity，hadcastintheirlotwiththistribe。TheexactnumberofwhitethievesandmurdererswhohadfoundharborintheIndiantownsduringascoreormoreofyearsisnotknown；butthelettersoftheIndianagents，preservedintherecords，wouldindicatethattherewereagoodmanyofthem。TheywerefitalliesforDraggingCanoe；theirhatredofthosefromwhomtheirowndegeneracyhadseparatedthemwasnotlessthanhis。
　　InJuly，1776，JohnSevierwrotetotheVirginiaCommitteeasfollows：
　　"DearGentlemen：IsaacThomas，WilliamFalling，JaretWilliamsandonemorehavethismomentcomeinbymakingtheirescapefromtheIndiansandsaysixhundredIndiansandwhitesweretostartforthisfortandintendtodrivethecountryuptoNewRiverbeforetheyreturn。"
　　Thuswasheraldedthebeginningofasavagewarfarewhichkepttheborderersengagedforyears。
　　IthasbeenatraditionofthechroniclersthatIsaacThomasreceivedatimelywarningfromNancyWard，ahalf-casteCherokeeprophetesswhooftenshowedhergoodwilltowardsthewhites；andthattheIndianswererousedtobattlebyAlexanderCameronandJohnStuart，theBritishagentsorsuperintendentsamongtheoverhilltribes。TherewasaletterbearingCameron’snamestatingthatfifteenhundredsavagesfromtheCherokeeandCreeknationsweretojoinwithBritishtroopslandedatPensacolainanexpeditionagainstthesouthernfrontiercolonies。ThisletterwasbroughttoWataugaatdeadofnightbyamaskedmanwhoslippeditthroughawindowandrodeaway。
　　ApparentlyJohnSevierdidnotbelievethemilitaryinformationcontainedinthemysteriousmissive，forhecommunicatednothingofittotheVirginiaCommittee。Inrecentyearsthefactshavecometolight。ThismysteriousletterandothersofasimilartenorbearingforgedsignaturesarecitedinareportbytheBritishAgent，JohnStuart，tohisGovernment。ItappearsthatsuchinflammatorymissiveshadbeenindustriouslyscatteredthroughthebacksettlementsofbothCarolinas。TherearealsolettersfromStuarttoLordDartmouth，datedayearearlier，urgingthatsomethingbedoneimmediatelytocounteractrumorssetafloatthattheBritishwereendeavoringtoinstigateboththeIndiansandthenegroestoattacktheAmericans。
　　Nowitis，ofcourse，anestablishedfactthatboththeBritishandtheAmericanarmiesusedIndiansintheWarofIndependence，evenasbothtogetherhadusedthemagainsttheFrenchandtheSpanishandtheiralliedIndians。ItwasinevitablethattheIndiansshouldparticipateinanysevereconflictbetweenthewhites。Theywereanumerousandawarlikepeopleand，fromtheirpointofview，theyhadmoreatstakethanthealienwhiteswhowerecontestingforcontroloftheredman’scontinent。BothBritishandAmericanshavebeenblamedfor"half-heartedattemptstokeeptheIndiansneutral。"ThetruthisthateachsidestrovetoenlisttheIndians——tobeused，ifneededlater，aswarriors。
　　Massacrewasnopartofthispolicy，thoughitmayhavebeencountenancedbyindividualofficersinbothcamps。Butitisobviousthat，oncetheIndianstookthewarpath，theyweretoberestrainedbynopowerand，nomatterunderwhosenominalcommand，theywouldcarryonwarfarebytheirownmethods。*
　　*"Thereislittledoubtthateitherside，BritishorAmericans，stoodreadytoenlisttheIndians。AlreadybeforeBostontheAmericanshadhadthehelpoftheStockbridgetribe。WashingtonfoundtheservicecommittedtothepractisewhenhearrivedatCambridgeearlyinJuly。Dunmorehadtakentheinitiativeinsecuringsuchallies，atleastispurpose；buttheinsurgentVirginianshadhadoflatemoredirectcontactwiththetribesandwerenowstrivingtosecurethembutwithlittlesuccess。"
　　"TheWestwardMovement，"byJustinWinsor，p。87。
　　GeneralEthanAllenofVermont，ashislettersshow，sentemissariesintoCanadainanendeavortoenlisttheFrenchCanadiansandtheCanadianIndiansagainsttheBritishinCanada。
　　See"AmericanArchives，"FourthSeries，vol。II，p。714。TheBritishGeneralGagewrotetoLordDartmouthfromBoston，June18，1775："WeneednotbetenderofcallingontheSavagesastherebelshaveshownustheexample，bybringingasmanyIndiansdownagainstusastheycouldcollect。""AmericanArchives。"
　　FourthSeries，vol。ii，p。967。
　　InalettertoLordGermain，datedAugust23，1776，JohnStuartwrote："AlthoughMr。CameronwasinconstantdangerofassassinationandtheIndianswerethreatenedwithinvasionshouldtheydareto，protecthim，yethestillfoundmeanstopreventtheirfallingonthesettlement。"SeeNorthCarolina"ColonialRecords，"vol。X，pp。608and763。ProofthattheBritishagentshadsucceededinkeepingtheCherokeeneutraltillthesummerof1776isfoundintheinstructions，datedthe7thofJuly，toMajorWinstonfromPresidentRutledgeofSouthCarolina，regardingtheCherokees，thattheymustbeforcedtogiveuptheBritishagentsand"INSTEADOFREMAININGINASTATEOFNEUTRALITY
　　withrespecttoBritishForcestheymusttakepartwithusagainstthem。"SeeNorthCarolina"ColonialRecords，"vol。X，p。
　　658。
　　Whatevermayhavebeenthecaseelsewhere，theattacksontheWataugaandHolstonsettlementswerenotinstigatedbyBritishagents。ItwasnotNancyWardbutHenryStuart，JohnStuart’sdeputy，whosentIsaacThomastowarnthesettlers。Intheireffortstokeepthefriendshipoftheredmen，theBritishandtheAmericanswereprovidingthemwithpowderandlead。TheIndianshadrunshortofammunitionand，sincehuntingwastheironlymeansoflivelihood，theymustshootorstarve。SouthCarolinasenttheCherokeesalargesupplyofpowderandleadwhichwascapturedenroutebyTories。AboutthesametimeHenryStuartsetoutfromPensacolawithanotherconsignmentfromtheBritish。HisreporttoLordGermainofhisarrivalintheChickamaugantownsandofwhattookplacetherejustpriortotheraidsontheTennesseesettlementsisoneofthemostilluminatingaswellasoneofthemostdramaticpapersinthecollectedrecordsofthattime。*
　　*NorthCarolina"ColonialRecords，"vol。X，pp。763-785。
　　Stuart’sfirstactwassecretlytosendoutThomas，thetrader，towarnthesettlersoftheirperil，forasmallwarpartyofbraveswaseventhenconcludingthepreliminarywarceremonies。
　　ThereasonforthisIndianalarmandprojectedexcursionwasthefactthatthesettlershadbuiltonefortatleastontheIndianlands。StuartfinallypersuadedtheIndianstoremainatpeaceuntilhecouldwritetothesettlersstatingthegrievancesandaskingfornegotiations。ThelettersweretobecarriedbyThomasonhisreturn。
　　ButnosoonerwasThomasonhiswayagainwiththelettersthantherearrivedadeputationofwarriorsfromtheNortherntribes——from"theConfederatenations，theMohawks，Ottawas，Nantucas，ShawanoesandDelawares"——fourteenmeninall，whoenteredthecouncilhalloftheOldBelovedTownofChotawiththeirfacespaintedblackandthewarbeltcarriedbeforethem。
　　Theysaidthattheyhadbeenseventydaysontheirjourney。
　　Everywherealongtheirwaytheyhadseenhousesandfortsspringinguplike，weedsacrossthegreensodoftheirhuntinglands。Whereonceweregreatherdsofdeerandbuffalo，theyhadwatchedthousandsofmenatarmspreparingforwar。SomanynowwerethewhitewarriorsandtheirwomenandchildrenthattheredmenhadbeenobligedtotravelagreatwayontheothersideoftheOhioandtomakeadetourofnearlythreehundredmilestoavoidbeingseen。Evenonthisoutlyingroutetheyhadcrossedthefreshtracksofagreatbodyofpeoplewithhorsesandcattlegoingstillfurthertowardsthesettingsun。Buttheircrieswerenottobeinvain；for"theirfathers，theFrench"hadheardthemandhadpromisedtoaidthemiftheywouldnowstrikeasonefortheirlands。
　　AfterthispreamblethedeputyoftheMohawksrose。HesaidthatsomeAmericanpeoplehadmadewarononeoftheirtownsandhadseizedthesonoftheirGreatBelovedMan，SirWilliamJohnson，imprisonedhim，andputhimtoacrueldeath；thiscrimedemandedagreatvengeanceandtheywouldnotceaseuntiltheyhadtakenit。Oneafteranotherthefourteendelegatesroseandmadetheir"talks"andpresentedtheirwampumstringstoDraggingCanoe。ThelasttospeakwasachiefoftheShawanoes。Healsodeclaredthat"theirfathers，theFrench，"whohadbeensolongdead，were"aliveagain，"thattheyhadsuppliedthemplentifullywitharmsandammunitionandhadpromisedtoassistthemindrivingouttheAmericansandinreclaimingtheircountry。NowalltheNortherntribeswerejoinedinoneforthisgreatpurpose；andtheythemselveswereontheirwaytoalltheSoutherntribesandhadresolvedthat，ifanytriberefusedtojoin，theywouldfalluponandextirpatethattribe，afterhavingovercomethewhites。AttheconclusionofhisorationtheShawanoepresentedthewarbelt——ninefeetofsix-inchwidepurplewampumspatteredwithvermilion——toDraggingCanoe，whohelditextendedbetweenhistwohands，insilence，andwaited。PresentlyroseaheadmanwhosewifehadbeenamemberofSirWilliamJohnson’shousehold。Helaidhishandonthebeltandsangthewarsong。Onebyone，then，chiefsandwarriorsrose，laidholdofthegreatbeltandchantedthewarsong。Onlytheoldermen，madewisebymanydefeats，satstillintheirplaces，muteanddejected。"Afterthatdayeveryyoungfellow’sfaceintheoverhillstownsappearedblackenedandnothingwasnowtalkedofbutwar。"
　　Stuartreportsthat"allthewhitemen"inthetribealsolaidhandsonthebelt。DraggingCanoethendemandedthatCameronandStuartcomeforwardandtakeholdofthewarbelt——"whichwerefused。"Despitetheoffensetheirrefusalgave——anditwouldseemadangeroustimetogivesuchoffense——Camerondelivereda"strongtalk"forpeace，warningtheCherokeesofwhatmustsurelybetheendoftherashnesstheycontemplated。StuartinformedthechiefthatiftheIndianspersistedinattackingthesettlementswithoutwaitingforanswerstohisletters，hewouldnotremainwiththemanylongerorbringthemanymoreammunition。Hewenttohishouseandmadereadytoleaveonthefollowingday。EarlythenextmorningDraggingCanoeappearedathisdoorandtoldhimthattheIndianswerenowveryangryaboutthelettershehadwritten，whichcouldonlyhaveputthesettlersontheirguard；andthatifanywhitemanattemptedtoleavethenation"theyhaddeterminedtofollowhimbutNOTTO
　　BRINGHIMBACK。"DraggingCanoehadpaintedhisfaceblacktocarrythismessage。Thomasnowreturnedwithananswerfrom"theWestFincastlemen，"whichwassounsatisfactorytothetribethatwarceremonieswereimmediatelybegun。StuartandCameroncouldnolongerinfluencetheIndians。"AllthatcouldnowbedonewastogivethemstrictchargenottopasstheBoundaryLine，nottoinjureanyoftheKing’sfaithfulsubjects，nottokillanywomenandchildren"；andtothreatento"stopallammunition"iftheydidnotobeytheseorders。
　　ThemajorpartoftheWataugamilitiawentouttomeettheIndiansanddefeatedalargeadvanceforceatLongIslandFlatsontheHolston。TheWataugafort，wheremanyofthesettlershadtakenrefuge，containedfortyfightingmenunderRobertsonandSevier。AsIndiansusuallyretreatedandwaitedforawhileafteradefeat，thosewithintheforttookitforgrantedthatnoimmediateattackwastobeexpected；andthewomenwentoutatdaybreakintothefieldstomilkthecows。Suddenlythewarwhoopshrilledfromtheedgeoftheclearing。Redwarriorsleapedfromthegreenskirtingoftheforest。Thewomenranforthefort。
　　Quicklytheheavygatesswungtoandthedroppedbarsecuredthem。Onlythendidthewatchmendiscoverthatonewomanhadbeenshutout。Shewasayoungwomannearinghertwentiesand，iflegendhasreportedhertruly，"BonnieKateSherrill"wasabeauty。ThroughaportholeSeviersawherrunningtowardstheshutgates，dodginganddarting，herbrownhairblowingfromthewindofherraceforlife——andofferingfartoorichaprizetotheyellingfiendswhodashedafterher。Seviercoollyshottheforemostofherpursuers，thenspranguponthewall，caughtupBonnieKate，andtossedherinsidetosafety。Andlegendsaysfurtherthatwhen，afterSevier’sbriefwidowerhood，shebecamehiswife，fouryearslater，BonnieKatewaswonttosaythatshewouldbewillingtorunanothersuchraceanydaytohaveanothersuchintroduction！
　　Therewerenocasualtieswithinthefortand，afterthreehours，thefoewithdrew，leavingseveraloftheirwarriorsslain。
　　IntheexcursionsagainsttheIndianswhichfollowedthisopeningofhostilitiesSevierwonhisfirstfameasan"Indianfighter"——thefamelatercrystallizedinthephrase"thirty-fivebattles，thirty-fivevictories。"Hismethodwastotakeaverysmallcompanyofthehardiestandswiftesthorsemen——menwhocouldkeeptheirseatandendurance，andhorsesthatcouldkeeptheirfeetandtheirspeed，onanysteepofthemountainsnomatterhowtangledandroughthegoingmightbe——swoopdownuponwarcamp，ortown，andgothroughitwithrifleandhatchetandfire，thendashhomewardatthesamepacebeforetheenemyhadbeguntoconsiderwhethertofollowhimornot。Inallhis"thirty-fivebattles"itissaidhelostnotmorethanfiftymen。
　　TheCherokeesmadepeacein1777，afteraboutayearofalmostcontinuouswarfare，thetreatybeingconcludedontheirsidebytheoldchiefswhohadnevercountenancedthewar。DraggingCanoerefusedtotakepart，buthewasrenderedinnocuousforthetimebeingbythedestructionofseveraloftheChickamauganvillages。
　　JamesRobertsonnowwenttoChotaasIndianagentforNorthCarolina。Sofastwaspopulationgrowing，owingtotheopeningofawagonroadintoBurkeCounty，NorthCarolina，thatWashingtonCountywasdivided。JohnSevierbecameColonelofWashingtonandIsaacShelbyColonelofthenewlyerectedSullivanCounty。
　　Jonesborough，theoldesttowninTennessee，waslaidoutasthecountyseatofWashington；andinthesameyear（1778）SeviermovedtothebankoftheNolichuckyRiver，so-calledaftertheIndiannameofthisdashingsparklingstream，meaningrapidorprecipitous。ThusthenicknamegivenJohnSevierbyhisdevoteeshadadualapplication。HewaswellcalledNolichuckyJack。
　　WhenVirginiaannulledRichardHenderson’simmensepurchasebutallowedhimalargetractontheCumberland，shebynomeansdiscouragedthatintrepidpioneer。Henderson’stenureofKentuckyhadbeenbrief，butnotunprofitableinexperience。Hehadlearnedthatcoloniesmustbetreatedwithlesscommercialpressureandwithmoreregardtoindividualliberty，iftheyweretobeheldloyaleithertoaKingbeyondthewaterortoanuncrownedleadernearerathand。HehadbeenmakinghisplansforcolonizationofthatportionoftheTransylvaniapurchasewhichlaywithintheboundsofNorthCarolinaalongtheCumberlandandchoosinghismentolaythefoundationsofhisprojectedsettlementinwhatwasthenawhollyuninhabitedcountry；andhehaddecidedongenerousterms，suchastendollarsathousandacresforland，thecertificateofpurchasetoentitletheholdertofurtherproceedingsinthelandofficewithoutextrafees。
　　ToheadanenterpriseofsuchdangerandhardshipHendersonrequiredamanofmorethanmerecourage；amanofresource，ofstability，ofprovenpowers，onewhomothermenwouldfollowandobeywithconfidence。SoitwasthatJamesRobertsonwaschosentoleadthefirstwhitesettlersintomiddleTennessee。HesetoutinFebruary，1779，accompaniedbyhisbrother，MarkRobertson，severalotherwhitemen，andanegro，toselectasiteforsettlementandtoplantcorn。MeanwhileanothersmallpartyledbyGasparManskerhadarrived。AstheboundarylinebetweenVirginiaandNorthCarolinahadnotbeenruntothispoint，RobertsonbelievedthatthesitehehadchosenlaywithinVirginiaandwasinthedisposalofGeneralClark。Toprotectthesettlers，therefore，hejourneyedintotheIllinoiscountrytopurchasecabinrightsfromClark，buttherehewasevidentlyconvincedthatthesiteontheCumberlandwouldbefoundtoliewithinNorthCarolina。HereturnedtoWataugatoleadapartyofsettlersintothenewterritory，towardswhichtheysetoutinOctober。AftercrossingthemountainchainthroughCumberlandGap，thepartyfollowedBoone’sroad——theWarriors’Path——forsomedistanceandthenmadetheirowntrailsouthwestwardthroughthewildernesstothebluffsontheCumberland，wheretheybuiltcabinstohousethemagainstoneofthecoldestwinterseverexperiencedinthatcounty。SowerelaidthefirstfoundationsofthepresentcityofNashville，atfirstnamedNashboroughbyRobertson。*Ontheway，RobertsonhadfalleninwithapartyofmenandfamiliesboundforKentuckyandhadpersuadedthemtoaccompanyhislittlebandtotheCumberland。Robertson’sownwifeandchildren，aswellasthefamiliesofhisparty，hadbeenlefttofollowinthesecondexpedition，whichwastobemadebywaterunderthecommandofCaptainJohnDonelson。
　　*InhonorofGeneralFrancisNash，ofNorthCarolina，whowasmortallywoundedatGermantown，1777。
　　Thelittlefleetofboatscontainingthesettlers，theirfamilies，andalltheirhouseholdgoods，wastostartfromFortPatrickHenry，nearLongIslandintheHolstonRiver，tofloatdownintotheTennesseeandalongthe652milesofthatwidelywanderingstreamtotheOhio，andthentoproceeduptheOhiotothemouthoftheCumberlandanduptheCumberlanduntilRobertson’sstationshouldappear——ajourney，asitturnedout，ofsomeninehundredmilesthroughunknowncountryandonwatersatanyrateforthegreaterpartneverbeforenavigatedbywhitemen。
　　"Journalofavoyage，intendedbyGod’spermission，inthegoodboatAdventure"isthetitleofthelogbookinwhichCaptainDonelsonenteredtheeventsofthefourmonths’journey。Onlyafewpagesenduredtobeputintoprint：butthosefewtellataleofhazardandcouragethatseemscomplete。Couldalengthiernarrative，evenifenrichedwithliteraryartandfancy，bringbeforeusmorevividlythandothesimpleentriesofDonelson’slogthespiritofthemenandthewomenwhowontheWest？Ifsolittlepersonaldetailisrecordedofthepioneermenofthatdaythatwemustdeducewhattheywerefromwhattheydid，whatdoweknowoftheirunfailingcomrades，thepioneerwomen？Onlythattheywerethereandthattheysharedineverytestofcourageandendurance，savethemarchoftroopsandthehunt。Donelson’s"Journal"thereforehasaspecialvalue，becauseinitsterseaccountofMrs。JenningsandMrs。Peytonitdepictsunforgettablythequalityofpioneerwomanhood。*
　　*ThisJournalisprintedinRamsey’s"AnnalsofTennessee。"
　　"December22nd，1779。TookourdeparturefromthefortandfelldowntherivertothemouthofReedyCreekwherewewerestoppedbythefallofwaterandmostexcessivehardfrost。"
　　Perhapspartofthe"Journal"waslost，orperhapsthe"excessivehardfrost"ofthatseverewinter，whenitissaidevendrovesofwildgameperished，preventedtheboats，fromgoingon，forthenextentryisdatedthe27thofFebruary。OnthisdatetheAdventureandtwootherboatsgroundedandlayontheshoalsallthatafternoonandthesucceedingnight"inmuchdistress。"
　　"March2nd。Rainabouthalftheday……Mr。Henry’sboatbeingdrivenonthepointofanislandbytheforceofthecurrentwassunk，thewholecargomuchdamagedandthecrew’slivesmuchendangered，whichoccasionedthewholefleettoputonshoreandgototheirassistance……
　　"Monday6th。Gotunderwaybeforesunrise；themorningprovingveryfoggy，manyofthefleetweremuchbogged——about10o’clocklaybyforthem；whencollected，proceededdown。Campedonthenorthshore，whereCaptainHutching’snegromandied，beingmuchfrostedinhisfeetandlegs，ofwhichhedied。
　　"Tuesday，7th。Gotunderwayveryearly；thedayprovingverywindy，aS。S。W。，andtheriverbeingwideoccasionedahighsea，insomuchthatsomeofthesmallercraftswereindanger；
　　thereforecametoattheuppermostChiccamaugatown，whichwasthenevacuated，wherewelaybythatafternoonandcampedthatnight。ThewifeofEphraimPeytonwasheredeliveredofachild。
　　Mr。PeytonhasgonethroughbylandwithCaptainRobertson。
　　"Wednesday8th……proceeddowntoanIndianvillagewhichwasinhabited……theyinsistedonustocomeashore，calledusbrothers，andshowedothersignsoffriendship……AndherewemustregrettheunfortunatedeathofyoungMr。Payne，onboardCaptainBlakemore’sboat，whowasmortallywoundedbyreasonoftheboatrunningtoonearthenorthernshoreoppositethetown，wheresomeoftheenemylayconcealed；andthemoretragicalmisfortuneofpoorStuart，hisfamilyandfriends，tothenumberoftwenty-eightpersons。ThismanhadembarkedwithusfortheWesterncountry，buthisfamilybeingdiseasedwiththesmallpox，itwasagreeduponbetweenhimandthecompanythatheshouldkeepatsomedistanceintherear，forfearoftheinfectionspreading，andhewaswarnedeachnightwhentheencampmentshouldtakeplacebythesoundofahorn……TheIndianshavingnowcollectedtoaconsiderablenumber，observinghishelplesssituationsingledofffromtherestofthefleet，interceptedhimandkilledandtookprisonersthewholecrew……；
　　theircriesweredistinctlyheard……"。
　　AfterdescribingarunningfightwithIndiansstationedonthebluffsonbothshoreswheretherivernarrowedtohalfitswidthandboiledthroughacanyon，theentryforthedayconcludes：
　　"Jennings’sboatismissing。"
　　"Friday10th。Thismorningabout4o’clockweweresurprisedbythecriesof"helppoorJennings"atsomedistanceintherear。
　　Hehaddiscoveredusbyourfiresandcameupinthemostwretchedcondition。HestatesthatassoonastheIndiansdiscoveredhissituation[hisboathadrunonarock]theyturnedtheirwholeattentiontohimandkeptupamostgallingfireathisboat。Heorderedhiswife，asonnearlygrown，ayoungmanwhoaccompaniesthemandhisnegromanandwoman，tothrowallhisgoodsintotherivertolightentheirboatforthepurposeofgettingheroff；himselfreturningtheirfireaswellashecould，beingagoodsoldierandanexcellentmarksman。Butbeforetheyhadaccomplishedtheirobject，hisson，theyoungmanandthenegro，jumpedoutoftheboatandleft……Mrs。Jennings，however，andthenegrowoman，succeededinunloadingtheboat，butchieflybytheexertionsofMrs。Jenningswhogotoutoftheboatandshovedheroff，butwasnearfallingavictimtoherownintrepidityonaccountoftheboatstartingsosuddenlyassoonasloosenedfromtherock。Uponexaminationheappearstohavemadeawonderfulescapeforhisboatispiercedinnumberlessplaceswithbullets。ItistoberemarkedthatMrs。Peyton，whowasthenightbeforedeliveredofaninfant，whichwasunfortunatelykilleduponthehurryandconfusionconsequentuponsuchadisaster，assistedthem，beingfrequentlyexposedtowetandcold……Theirclotheswereverymuchcutwithbullets，especiallyMrs。Jennings’s。"
　　Ofthethreemenwhodeserted，whilethewomenstoodbyunderfire，thenegrowasdrownedandJennings’ssonandtheotheryoungmanwerecapturedbytheChickamaugans。Thelatterwasburnedatthestake。YoungJenningswastohavesharedthesamefate；butatraderinthevillage，learningthattheboywasknowntoJohnSevier，ransomedhimbyalargepaymentofgoods，asareturnforanactofkindnessSevierhadoncedonetohim。
　　"Sunday12th……Afterrunninguntilabout10o’clockcameinsightoftheMuscleShoals。Haltedonthenorthernshoreattheappearanceoftheshoals，inordertosearchforthesignsCaptainJamesRobertsonwastomakeforusatthatplace……thatitwaspracticableforustogoacrossbyland……wecanfindnone——fromwhichweconcludethatitwouldnotbeprudenttomaketheattemptandaredetermined，knowingourselvesinsuchimminentdanger，topursueourjourneydowntheriver……
　　Whenweapproachedthem[theShoals]theyhadadreadfulappearance……Thewaterbeinghighmadeaterribleroaring，whichcouldbeheardatsomedistance，amongthedriftwoodheapedfrightfullyuponthepointsoftheislands，thecurrentrunninginevery。possibledirection。Herewedidnotknowhowsoonweshouldbedashedtopiecesandallourtroublesendedatonce……
　　Ourboatsfrequentlydraggedonthebottomandappearedconstantlyindangerofstriking。Theywarpedasmuchasinaroughsea。ButbythehandofProvidencewearenowpreservedfromthisdangeralso。Iknownotthelengthofthiswonderfulshoal；ithadbeenrepresentedtometobetwenty-fiveorthirtymiles。Ifso，wemusthavedescendedveryrapidly，asindeedwedid，forwepasseditinaboutthreehours。"
　　OnthetwentieththelittlefleetarrivedatthemouthoftheTennesseeandthevoyagerslandedonthebankoftheOhio。
　　"Oursituationhereistrulydisagreeable。Theriverisveryhighandthecurrentrapid，ourboatsnotconstructedforthepurposeofstemmingarapidstream，ourprovisionsexhausted，thecrewsalmostworndownwithhungerandfatigue，andknownotwhatdistancewehavetogoorwhattimeitwilltakeustoourplaceofdestination。Thesceneisrenderedstillmoremelancholyasseveralboatswillnotattempttoascendtherapidcurrent。SomeintendtodescendtheMississippitoNatchez；othersareboundfortheIllinois——amongtherestmyson-in-lawanddaughter。Wenowpart，perhapstomeetnomore，forIamdeterminedtopursuemycourse，happenwhatwill。
　　"Tuesday21st。Setoutandonthisdaylaboredveryhardandgotbutlittleway……Passedthetwofollowingdaysastheformer，sufferingmuchfromhungerandfatigue。
　　"Friday24th。Aboutthreeo’clockcametothemouthofariverwhichIthoughtwastheCumberland。Someofthecompanydeclareditcouldnotbe——itwassomuchsmallerthanwasexpected……
　　Wedeterminedhowevertomakethetrial，pushedupsomedistanceandencampedforthenight。
　　"Saturday25th。Todaywearemuchencouraged；therivergrowswider；……wearenowconvinceditistheCumberland……
　　"Sunday26th……procuredsomebuffalomeat；thoughpooritwaspalatable。
　　"Friday31st……metwithColonelRichardHenderson，whoisrunningthelinebetweenVirginiaandNorthCarolina。Atthismeetingweweremuchrejoiced。Hegaveuseveryinformationwewished，andfurtherinformedusthathehadpurchasedaquantityofcorninKentucky，tobeshippedattheFallsofOhiofortheuseoftheCumberlandsettlement。Wearenowwithoutbreadandarecompelledtohuntthebuffalotopreservelife……
　　"Monday，April24th。Thisdaywearrivedatourjourney’sendattheBigSaltLick，wherewehavethepleasureoffindingCaptainRobertsonandhiscompany。Itisasourceofsatisfactiontoustobeenabledtorestoretohimandotherstheirfamiliesandfriends，whowereentrustedtoourcare，andwho，sometimesince，perhaps，despairedofevermeetingagain……"
　　PastthecampsoftheChickamaugans——whowereretreatingfartherandfartherdownthetwistingflood，seekingalaststandinggroundinthegiantcavesbytheTennessee——thesewhitevoyagershadsteeredtheirpirogues。NearRobertson’sstation，wheretheylandedafterhavingtraversedthetriangleofthethreegreatriverswhichenclosethelargerpartofwesternTennessee，stoodacrumblingtradinghousemarkingthedefeatofaFrenchmanwhohad，onetime，sailedinfromtheOhiotoestablishanoutpostofhisnationthere。AtalittledistanceweretheruinsofarudefortcastupbytheCherokeesinthedayswhentheredoubtableChickasawshaddriventhemfromthepleasantshoresofthewesternwaters。Underthetoweringforestgrowthlayvastburialmoundsandthesunkenfoundationsofwalledtowns，tellingofadepartedracewhichhadonceflasheditsrudepaddlesandhaditsdreamofpermanencealongthecoursesofthesegreatwaterways。
　　Nowanothertribehadcometodreamthatdreamanew。Alreadyitsprimitivekeelshadtracedtheopeninglinesofitshistoryonthefaceoftheimmemorialrivers。
　　ChapterIX。King’sMountainAboutthetimewhenJamesRobertsonwentfromWataugatoflingoutthefrontierlinethreehundredmilesfartherwestward，theBritishtookSavannah。In1780theytookCharlestonandAugusta，andoverranGeorgia。Augustawasthepointwheretheoldtradingpathforkednorthandwest，anditwasthekeytotheBackCountryandtheoverhilldomain。InGeorgiaandtheBackCountryofSouthCarolinathereweremanyToriesreadytorallytotheKing’sstandardwheneveraKing’sofficershouldcarryitthroughtheirmidst。AlargenumberoftheseTorieswereScotch，chieflyfromtheHighlands。Infact，aswehaveseen，ScotchbloodpredominatedamongtheracialstreamsintheBackCountryfromGeorgiatoPennsylvania。Now，toinsureatriumphantmarchnorthwardforCornwallisandhisroyaltroops，thesesonsofScotlandmustbegatheredtogether，theloyalencouragedandthoseofrebellioustendenciesconverted，andtheymustbedrilledandturnedtoaccount。Thistask，ifitweretobeaccomplishedsuccessfully，mustbeentrustedtoanoffcerwithpositivequalifications，onewhowouldcommandrespect，whosepersonaladdresswouldattractmenanddisarmopposition，andespeciallyonewhocouldgoasaScotamonghisownclan。
　　CornwallisfoundhismaninMajor。PatrickFerguson。
　　FergusonwasaHighlander，asonofLordPitfourofAberdeen，andthirty-sixyearsofage。HewasofshortstatureforaHighlander——aboutfivefeeteight——leananddark，withstraightblackhair。Hehadaseriousunhandsomecountenancewhich，atcasualglance，mightnotarrestattention；butwhenhespokehebecamemagnetic，byreasonoftheintelligenceandinnateforcethatgleamedinhiseyesandtheconvincingsincerityofhismanner。Hewasadmiredandrespectedbyhisbrotherofficersandbythecommandersunderwhomhehadserved，andhewaslovedbyhismen。
　　HehadseenhisfirstserviceintheSevenYears’War，havingjoinedtheBritisharmyinFlandersattheageoffifteen；andhehadearlydistinguishedhimselfforcourageandcoolness。In1768，asacaptainofinfantry，hequelledaninsurrectionofthenativesontheislandofSt。VincentintheWestIndies。Later，atWoolwich，hetookupthescientificstudyofhisprofessionofarms。Henotonlybecameacrackshot，butheinventedanewtypeofriflewhichhecouldloadatthebreachwithoutramrodandsoquicklyastofireseventimesinaminute。Generalsandstatesmenattendedhisexhibitionsofshooting；andeventheKingrodeoverattheheadofhisguardstowatchFergusonrapidlyloadingandfiring。
　　InAmericaunderCornwallis，Fergusonhadthereputationofbeingthebestshotinthearmy；anditwassoonsaidthat，inhisquicknessatloadingandfiring，heexcelledthemostexpertAmericanfrontiersman。Eyewitnesseshavelefttheirtestimonythat，seeingabirdalightonaboughorrail，hewoulddrophisbridlerein，drawhispistol，tossitintheair，catchandaimitasitfell，andshootthebird’sheadoff。Hewasgivencommandofacorpsofpickedriflemen；andintheBattleoftheBrandywinein1777herenderedserviceswhichwonacclaimfromthewholearmy。Forthehonorofthatday’sservicetohisKing，Fergusonpaidwhatfromhim，withhispassionfortherifle，musthavebeenthedearestpricethatcouldhavebeendemanded。Hisrightarmwasshattered，andfortheremainingthreeyearsofhisshortlifeithunguselessathisside。Yethetookupswordplayandattainedaremarkabledegreeofskillasaleft-handedswordsman。
　　SuchwasFerguson，thesoldier。Whatoftheman？Forhehasbeenpicturedasawolfandafiendandacowardbyearlychroniclers，whoevidentlyfeltthattheywereaddingtothevirtueofthosewhofoughtindefenseoflibertybyrepresentingalltheirfoesaspersonallyodious。Wecanreadhisqualityofmanhoodinafewlinesoftheletterhesenttohiskinsman，thenotedDr。AdamFerguson，aboutanincidentthatoccurredatChadsFord。Ashewaslyingwithhismeninthewoods，infrontofKnyphausen’sarmy，soherelates，hesawtwoAmericanofficersrideout。Hedescribestheirdressminutely。Onewasinhussaruniform。Theotherwasinadarkgreenandblueuniformwithahighcockedhatandwasmountedonabayhorse：
　　"Iorderedthreegoodshotstostealneartoandfireatthem；
　　buttheideadisgustingme，Irecalledtheorder。Thehussarinretiringmadeacircuit，buttheotherpassedwithinahundredyardsofus，uponwhichIadvancedfromthewoodtowardshim。
　　Uponmycallinghestopped；butafterlookingatmeheproceeded。
　　Iagaindrewhisattentionandmadesignstohimtostop；
　　levellingmypieceathim；butheslowlycanteredaway。AsIwaswithinthatdistance，atwhich，inthequickestfiring，Icouldhavelodgedhalfadozenballsinorabouthimbeforehewasoutofmyreach，Ihadonlytodetermine。Butitwasnotpleasanttofireatthebackofanunoffendingindividualwhowasacquittinghimselfverycoollyofhisduty——soIlethimalone。Thedayafter，Ihadbeentellingthisstorytosomewoundedofficers，wholayinthesameroomwithme，whenoneofthesurgeonswhohadbeendressingthewoundedrebelofficerscameinandtoldusthattheyhadbeeninforminghimthatGeneralWashingtonwasallthemorningwiththelighttroops，andonlyattendedbyaFrenchofficerinhussardress，hehimselfdressedandmountedineverypointasabovedescribed。IAMNOTSORRYTHATIDIDNOTKNOWAT
　　THETIMEWHOITWAS。*
　　*DoubtthattheofficerinquestionwasWashingtonwasexpressedbyJamesFenimoreCooper。CooperstatedthatMajorDeLancey，hisfather-in-law，wasbindingFerguson’sarmatthetimewhenthetwoofficerswereseenandFergusonrecalledtheordertofire，andthatDeLanceysaidhebelievedtheofficerwasCountPulaski。But，asFerguson，accordingtohisownaccount，"leveledhispiece"attheofficer，hisarmevidentlywasnotwoundeduntillaterintheday。TheprobabilityisthatFerguson’sversion，writteninaprivatelettertohisrelative，iscorrectastothefacts，whatevermaybeconjecturedastotheidentityoftheofficer。SeeDraper’sKing’s"MountainanditsHeroes，"
　　pp。52-54。
　　Fergusonhadhiscodetowardsthefoe’swomenalso。OnoneoccasionwhenhewasassistinginanactioncarriedoutbyHessiansandDragoons，helearnedthatsomeAmericanwomenhadbeenshamefullymaltreated。Hewentinawhitefurytothecolonelincommand，anddemandedthatthemenwhohadsodisgracedtheiruniformsinstantlybeputtodeath。
　　InrallyingtheloyalistsoftheBackCountryofGeorgiaandtheCarolinas，Fergusonwasverysuccessful。Hewaspresentlyincommandofathousandormoremen，includingsmalldetachmentsofloyalistsfromNewYorkandNewJersey，underAmerican-bornofficerssuchasDePeysterandAllaire。Thereweregoodhonestmenamongtheloyalistsandtherewerealsoroughandviciousmenoutforspoils——whichwastrueaswelloftheWhigsorPatriotsfromthesamecounties。AmongtheroughelementwereTorybandittifromtheovermountainregion。ItistobegatheredfromFerguson’srecordsthathedidnotthinkanytoohighlyofsomeofhisnewrecruits，buthesettoworkwithallenergytomakethemuseful。
　　TheAmericanPatriotshastilypreparedtoopposehim。ColonelCharlesMcDowellofBurkeCounty，NorthCarolina，withasmallforceofmilitiawasjustsouthofthelineatapointontheBroadRiverwhenheheardthatFergusonwassweepingonnorthward。InhastehesentacallforhelpacrossthemountainstoSevierandShelby。SevierhadhishandsfullatWatauga，buthedispatchedtwohundredofhistroops；andIsaacShelby，withasimilarforcefromSullivanCountycrossedthemountainstoMcDowell’sassistance。These"overmountainmen"or"backwatermen，"astheywerecalledeastofthehills，weretrainedinSevier’smethodofIndianwarfare——thesecretapproachthroughthedark，theswiftdash，andtheswifterflight。"Fightstrongandrunawayfast"wastheIndianmotto，astheirwomenhadoftenbeenheardtocallitaftertheredmenastheyranyellingtofallonthewhites。Thefrontiersmenhadadaptedthemottotofittheircase，astheyhadalsomadetheirowntheIndiantacticsofambuscadeandsurpriseattacksatdawn。Tosleep，orrideifneedsmust，bynight，andtofightbydayandmakeoff，wastothemareasonablesoldier’slife。
　　ButFergusonwasanightmarauder。Theterrorofhisname，whichgrewamongtheWhigsoftheBackCountryuntilthewildestlegendsabouthisferocitywerecurrent，wasduechieflytoahabithehadofpouncingonhisfoesinthemiddleofthenightandpullingthemoutofbedtogivefightordie。Itwasgenerallybothfightanddie，forthesedarkadventuresofhiswereparticularlysuccessful。Fergusonknewnoneutralsorconscientiousobjectors；anymanwhowouldnotcarryarmsfortheKingwasatraitor，andhislifeandgoodswereforfeit。Areportofhisreads："Theattackbeingmadeatnight，noquartercouldbegiven。"Hencehiswolfishfame。"Werewolf"wouldhavebeenafitnameforhimfor，thoughhewasawolfatnight，inthedaylighthewasamanand，aswehaveseen，achivalrousone。
　　IntheguerrillafightingthatwentonforabrieftimebetweentheovermountainmenandvariousdetachmentsofFerguson’sforces，sometimesoneside，sometimestheother，wontheheat。
　　Butthefieldremainedopen。Neithersidecouldclaimthemastery。InaminorengagementfoughtatMusgrove’sMillontheEnoree，Shelby’scommandcameoffvictorandwasabouttopursuetheenemytowardsNinety-SixwhenamessengerfromMcDowellgallopedmadlyintocampwithwordofGeneralGates’scrushingdefeatatCamden。ThiswasawarningforShelby’sguerrillastofleeasbirdstotheirmountains，orFergusonwouldcutthemofffromthenorthandwedgetheminbetweenhisownforceandthevictoriousCornwallis。McDowell’smen，alsoontherunforsafety，joinedthem。Forforty-eighthourswithoutfoodorresttheyrodearacewithFerguson，whokepthardontheirtrailuntiltheydisappearedintothemysteryofthewindingmountainpathstheyaloneknew。
　　Fergusonreachedthegapwheretheyhadswervedintothetoweringhillsonlyhalfanhouraftertheirhorses’hoofshadpoundedacrossit。Hereheturnedback。Histroopswereexhaustedfromtheall-nightrideand，inanycase，therewerenotenoughofthemtoenablehimtocrossthemountainsandgivetheWataugamenbattleontheirowngroundwithafairpromiseofvictory。Sokeepingeastofthehillsbutstillclosetothem，FergusonturnedintoBurkeCounty，NorthCarolina。HesathimdowninGilbertTown（presentLincolnton，LincolnCounty）atthefootoftheBlueRidgeandinditedalettertothe"BackWaterMen，"
　　tellingthemthatiftheydidnotlaydowntheirarmsandreturntotheirrightfulallegiance，hewouldcomeovertheirhillsandrazetheirsettlementsandhangtheirleaders。HeparoledakinsmanofShelby’s，whomhehadtakenprisonerinthechase，andsenthimhomewiththeletter。ThenhesetabouthisusualbusinessofgatheringupToriesandmakingsoldiersofthem，andofhuntingdownrebels。
　　Oneofthe"rebels"wasacertainCaptainLytle。WhenFergusondrewupatLytle’sdoor，Lytlehadalreadymadehisescape；butMrs。Lytlewasthere。ShewasaveryhandsomewomanandshehaddressedherselfinherbesttoreceiveFerguson，whowasreportedagallantaswellasawolf。Afterafewspiritedpassagesbetweentheladyinthedoorwayandtheofficeronthewhitehorsebeforeit，thelatteradvisedMrs。Lytletouseherinfluencetobringherhusbandbacktohisduty。Shebecamegravethenandansweredthatherhusbandwouldneverturntraitortohiscountry。Fergusonfrownedattheword"traitor，"butpresentlyhesaid："Madam，IadmireyouasthehandsomestwomanI
　　haveseeninNorthCarolina。Ievenhalfwayadmireyourzealinabadcause。Buttakemywordforit，therebellionhashaditsdayandisnowvirtuallyputdown。GivemyregardstoCaptainLytleandtellhimtocomein。Hewiilnotbeaskedtocompromisehishonor。HisverbalpledgenotagaintotakeuparmsagainsttheKingisallthatwillbeaskedofhim。"*
　　*Draper，"King’sMountainanditsHeroes，"pp。151-53。
　　Thiswasanotherphaseofthecharacteroftheone-armedHighlanderwhosefinalchallengetothebackwatermenwasnowbeingconsideredineverylogcabinbeyondthehills。Amanwhowouldnotshootanenemyintheback，whowasreadytoputthesamefaithinanothersoldier’shonorwhichheknewwasduetohisown，yetinbattleawolfishfighterwholeapedthroughthedarktogivenoquarterandtotakenone——hewasfitchallengertothoseothermountaineerswhoalsohadachivalryoftheirown，albeittheytoowerewolvesofwar。
　　WhenShelbyontheHolstonreceivedFerguson’spungentletter，heflunghimselfonhishorseandrodeposthastetoWataugatoconsult，withSevier。HefoundthebankoftheNolichuckyteemingwithmerrymakers。Nolichucky，Jackwasgivinganimmensebarbecueandahorserace。WithoutlettingthefestivalcrowdhaveaninklingoftheseriousnatureofShelby’serrand，thetwomendrewaparttoconfer。ItissaidtohavebeenSevier’sideathattheyshouldmustertheforcesofthewesterncountryandgoinsearchofFergusonerethelattershouldbeabletogetsufficientreinforcementstocrossthemountains。Sevier，likeFerguson，alwayspreferredtoseekhisfoe，knowingwelltheadvantageoftheoffensive。MessengersweresenttoColonelWilliamCampbelloftheVirginiasettlementsontheClinch，askinghisaid。Campbellatfirstrefused，thinkingitbettertofortifythepositionstheyheldandletFergusoncomeandputthemountainsbetweenhimselfandCornwallis。Onreceiptofasecondmessage，however，heconcurred。Thecalltoarmswasheardupanddownthevalleys，andthefrontiersmenpouredintoWatauga。TheoverhillmenwereaugmentedbyMcDowell’stroopsfromBurkeCounty，whohaddashedoverthemountainsafewweeksbeforeintheirescapefromFerguson。
　　Atdaybreakonthe26thofSeptembertheymusteredattheSycamoreShoalsontheWatauga，overathousandstrong。ItwasadifferentpicturetheymadefromthatothergreatgatheringatthesamespotwhenHendersonhadmadehispurchaseinmoneyoftheDarkandBloodyGround，andSevierandRobertsonhadboughtfortheWataugansthisstripofTennessee。TherewerenoIndiansinthispicture。DraggingCanoe，whohadutteredhisbloodyprophecy，hadbytheseverymenbeendrivenfarsouthintothecavesoftheTennesseeRiver。ButtheIndianprophecystillhungoverthem，andinthisdaywithaheaviermenace。Notwithmoney，now，weretheytosealtheirpurchaseofthefreelandbythewesternwaters。Therehadbeennowomeninthatotherpicture，onlythewhitemenwhoweregoingforwardtoopenthewayandtheredmenwhowereretreating。Butinthispicturetherewerewomen——wivesandchildren，mothers，sisters，andsweethearts。Allthewomenofthesettlementwerethereatthisdaybreakmustertocheerontheirwaythemenwhoweregoingouttobattlethattheymightkeepthewayoflibertyopennotformenonlybutforwomenandchildrenalso。AndthebattletowhichthemenwerenowgoingforthmustbefoughtagainstBackCountrymenoftheirownstripeunderaleaderwho，inothercircumstances，mightwellhavebeenoneofthemselves——aprimitivespiritofhardymountainstock，who，havingoncetakenhisstand，wouldnotbarterandwouldnotretreat。
　　"WiththeSwordoftheLordandofGideon！"criedtheirpastor，theReverendSamuelDoak，withupraisedhands，asthemountaineersswungintotheirsaddles。Anditissaidthatallthewomentookuphiswordsandcriedagainandagain，"WiththeswordoftheLordandofourGideons！"Totheshoutsoftheirwomen，asbuglesonthewindofdawn，thebuckskin-shirtedarmydashedoutuponthemountaintrail。