“They will dig up the war hatchet,” said Boone. “For they will think they have us at their mercy.” And his words proved true.
On the Fourth of July the Declaration of Independence was signed at Philadelphia, amid the ringing of bells, the blazing of bonfires, and the loud shouting of the people. But this news did not reach Boonesborough till sometime later, and when something was happening which stirred the settlers at and near the fort greatly.
At the fort lived a Colonel Callaway, who was an intimate friend of Daniel Boone. Callaway had two daughters, Betsey and Frances, both of whom were warm friends of Colonel Boone’s daughter Jemima. All of the girls loved to play in and near the water, and one day they got into a canoe that was handy and began to paddle up and down the river.
Nobody missed the merry party until a loud shrieking from the other side of the stream caught the ears of those who happened to be near the river front. Looking across, they saw that the girls had fallen into the clutches of a number of red men.
“The Indians! The Indians!” was the cry. And from all directions the settlers came pouring toward the fort.
The matter was quickly explained, but nobody dared to attempt crossing the river, believing that a large party of the enemy must be concealed behind the bushes. Colonels Boone and Callaway were both away, and a messenger was sent post-haste after them to acquaint them with the situation.
“So they have stolen my daughter, eh?” demanded Daniel Boone, on hearing the news. He said little more, but his eyes blazed with a determination that meant much.
It was too late to follow the Indians that night, but early in the morning Boone set off, taking with him eight men, young and old. With this party went Joe, having asked permission of the great hunter to go along.
“I will fight my best,” said Joe. “Please do not refuse me. As you know, my mother is still missing among the Indians, so you know how I feel in a matter of this kind.”
The river was crossed at a point some distance away from the fort, and it was not long before the trail of the fleeing Indians, five or six in number, was found among the cane-brake. It was rather hard to follow this trail, and Daniel Boone cautioned all to be careful how they moved forward.