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there undisturbed during the Winter； and on the first day of May； 1770； my
brother returned home to the settlement by himself； for a new recruit of
horses and ammunition； leaving me by myself； without bread； salt or sugar；
without company of my fellow creatures； or even a horse or dog。 I confess
I never before was under greater necessity of exercising philosophy and
fortitude。 A few days I passed uncomfortably。 The idea of a beloved wife
and family； and their anxiety upon the account of my absence and exposed
situation； made sensible impressions on my heart。 A thousand dreadful
apprehensions presented themselves to my view； and had undoubtedly
disposed me to melancholy； if further indulged。
One day I undertook a tour through the country； and the diversity and
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beauties of nature I met with in this charming season； expelled every
gloomy and vexatious thought。 Just at the close of day the gentle gales
retired； and left the place to the disposal of a profound calm。 Not a breeze
shook the most tremulous leaf。 I had gained the summit of a commanding
ridge； and； looking round with astonishing delight； beheld the ample plains；
the beauteous tracts below。 On the other hand； I surveyed the famous river
Ohio that rolled in silent dignity； marking the western boundary of
Kentucke with inconceivable grandeur。 At a vast distance I beheld the
mountains lift their venerable brows； and penetrate the clouds。 All things
were still。 I kindled a fire near a fountain of sweet water； and feasted on
the loin of a buck； which a few hours before I had killed。 The sullen
shades of night soon overspread the whole hemisphere； and the earth
seemed to gasp after the hovering moisture。 My roving excursion this day
had fatigued my body； and diverted my imagination。 I laid me down to
sleep； and I awoke not until the sun had chased away the night。 I continued
this tour； and in a few days explored a considerable part of the country；
each day equally pleased as the first。 I returned again to my old camp；
which was not disturbed in my absence。 I did not confine my lodging to it；
but often reposed in thick cane…brakes； to avoid the savages； who； I
believe； often visited my camp； but fortunately for me； in my absence。 In
this situation I was constantly exposed to danger； and death。 How unhappy
such a situation for a man tormented with fear； which is vain if no danger
comes； and if it does； only augments the pain。 It was my happiness to be
destitute of this afflicting passion； with which I had the greatest reason to
be affected。 The prowling wolves diverted my nocturnal hours with
perpetual howlings； and the various species of animals in this vast forest；
in the daytime； were continually in my view。 Thus I was surrounded with
plenty in the midst of want。 I was happy in the midst of dangers and
inconveniences。 In such a diversity it was impossible I should be disposed
to melancholy。 No populous city； with all the varieties of commerce and
stately structures； could afford so much pleasure to my mind； as the
beauties of nature I found here。
Thus； through an uninterrupted scene of sylvan pleasures； I spent the
time until the 27th day of July following； when my brother； to my great
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felicity； met me； according to appointment； at our old camp。 Shortly after；
we left this place； not thinking it safe to stay there longer； and proceeded
to Cumberland river； reconnoitring that part of the country until March；
1771； and giving names to the different waters。
Soon after； I returned home to my family with a determination to bring
them as soon as possible to live in Kentucke； which I esteemed a second
paradise； at the risk of my life and fortune。
I returned safe to my old habitation； and found my family in happy
circumstances。 I sold my farm on the Yadkin； and what goods we could
not carry with us； and on the twenty…fifth day of September； 1773； bade a
farewel to our friends； and proceeded on our journey to Kentucke； in
company with five families more； and forty men that joined us in Powel's
Valley； which is one hundred and fifty miles from the now settled parts of
Kentucke。 This promising beginning was soon overcast with a cloud of
adversity； for upon the tenth day of October； the rear of our company was
attacked by a number of Indians； who killed six； and wounded one man。
Of these my eldest son was one that fell in the action。 Though we
defended ourselves； and repulsed the enemy； yet this unhappy affair
scattered our cattle； brought us into extreme difficulty； and so discouraged
the whole company； that we retreated forty miles； to the settlement on
Clench river。 We had passed over two mountains； viz。 Powel's and
Walden's； and were approaching Cumberland mountain when this adverse
fortune overtook us。 These mountains are in the wilderness； as we pass
from the old settlements in Virginia to Kentucke； are ranged in a S。 west
and N。 east direction； are of a great length and breadth； and not far distant
from each other。 Over these； nature hath formed passes； that are less
difficult than might be expected from a view of such huge piles。 The
aspect of these cliffs is so wild and horrid； that it is impossible to behold
them without terror。 The spectator is apt to imagine that nature had
formerly suffered some violent convulsion； and that these are the
dismembered remains of the dreadful shock； the ruins； not of Persepolis or
Palmyra； but of the world！
I remained with my family on Clench until the sixth of June； 1774；
when I and one Michael Stoner were solicited by Governor Dunmore； of
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Virginia； to go to the Falls of the Ohio； to conduct into the settlement a
number of surveyors that had been sent thither by him some months before；
this country having about this time drawn the attention of many
adventurers。 We immediately complied with the Governor's request； and
conducted in the surveyors； compleating a tour of eight hundred miles；
through many difficulties； in sixty…two days。
Soon after I returned home； I was ordered to take the command of
three garrisons during the campaign； which Governor Dunmore carried on
against the Shawanese Indians： After the conclusion of which； the Militia
was discharged from each garrrison； and I being relieved from my post；
was solicited by a number of North…Carolina gentlemen； that were about
purchasing the lands lying on the S。 side of Kentucke River； from the
Cherokee Indians； to attend their treaty at Wataga； in March； 1775； to
negotiate with them； and； mention the boundaries of the purchase。 This I
accepted； and at the request of the same gentlemen； undertook to mark out
a road in the best passage from the settlement