“The Indians are coming!” he shouted. “To the fort with all speed!” And then, having made sure that his message was heard, he rode off as rapidly as he had come.
“The Indians! The Indians!” shouted one and another.
It had been decided long before what should be done in case of such a warning, so there was little confusion. Mrs. Parsons had a large cloth handy, and into this she and the girls dumped such things as they wished to take along. In the meantime the boys came running up, obtained all their available weapons, and then shut up and otherwise secured the cabin.
Inside of ten minutes all were on their way to the fort. They were soon joined by several neighbors, and from one of these learned that Colonel Boone had discovered that the red men were marching on Boonesborough, not less than two hundred strong.
“And they are sending other bands of Indians to the other settlements,” went on the pioneer.
“That is too bad,” answered Joe. “For in that case we can’t look for outside help.”
“It’s going to be a fight to a finish, this time, Joe.”
When they arrived at the fort they found but a handful of hunters and pioneers present. Many men were off a great distance, and although they were notified, they did not come in until several days later. All told, there were exactly twenty-two men on hand, and nine youths over the age of twelve.
Soon the outposts announced that the Indians were less than a mile away, and coming toward the fort as fast as they could travel. Colonel Boone immediately assembled his force and gave each man and youth his station, and also told the women and girls what they might do if called on for assistance. Every part of the fort and grounds was wet down, so that there might be no danger of fire.
The first shock of the attack was not long in coming. Relying upon their superior force, the Indians advanced boldly, sending a flight of arrows against and over the stockade, and also firing off the few muskets they possessed. Their yells and war-whoops were deafening, and the pioneers answered with a ringing shout of defiance.