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Adventures of Col。 Daniel Boone
Adventures of Col。 Daniel
Boone
John Filson
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Adventures of Col。 Daniel Boone
Curiosity is natural to the soul of man； and interesting objects have a
powerful influence on our affections。 Let these influencing powers actuate；
by the permission or disposal of Providence； from selfish or social views；
yet in time the mysterious will of Heaven is unfolded； and we behold our
conduct； from whatsoever motives excited； operating to answer the
important designs of heaven。 Thus we behold Kentucke； lately an howling
wilderness； the habitation of savages and wild beasts； become a fruitful
field； this region； so favourably distinguished by nature； now become the
habitation of civilization； at a period unparalleled in history； in the midst
of a raging war； and under all the disadvantages of emigration to a country
so remote from the inhabited parts of the continent。 Here； where the hand
of violence shed the blood of the innocent； where the horrid yells of
savages； and the groans of the distressed； sounded in our ears； we now
hear the praises and adoration of our Creator； where wretched wigwams
stood； the miserable abodes of savages； we behold the foundations of
cities laid； that； in all probability； will rival the glory of the greatest upon
earth。 And we view Kentucke situated on the fertile banks of the great
Ohio； rising from obscurity to shine with splendor； equal to any other of
the stars of the American hemisphere。
The settling of this region well deserves a place in history。 Most of the
memorable events I have myself been exercised in； and； for the
satisfaction of the public； will briefly relate the circumstances of my
adventures； and scenes of life； from my first movement to this country
until this day。
It was on the first of May； in the year 1769； that I resigned my
domestic happiness for a time； and left my family and peaceable habitation
on the Yadkin River； in North…Carolina； to wander through the wilderness
of America； in quest of the country of Kentucke； in company with John
Finley； John Stewart； Joseph Holden； James Monay； and William Cool。 We
proceeded successfully； and after a long and fatiguing journey through a
mountainous wilderness； in a westward direction； on the seventh day of
June following； we found ourselves on Red…River； where John Finley had
formerly been trading with the Indians； and； from the top of an eminence；
saw with pleasure the beautiful level of Kentucke。 Here let me observe；
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that for some time we had experienced the most uncomfortable weather as
a prelibation of our future sufferings。 At this place we encamped； and
made a shelter to defend us from the inclement season； and began to hunt
and reconnoitre the country。 We found every where abundance of wild
beasts of all sorts； through this vast forest。 The buffaloes were more
frequent than I have seen cattle in the settlements； browzing on the leaves
of the cane； or croping the herbage on those extensive plains； fearless；
because ignorant； of the violence of man。 Sometimes we saw hundreds in
a drove； and the numbers about the salt springs were amazing。 In this
forest； the habitation of beasts of every kind natural to America； we
practised hunting with great success until the twenty…second day of
December following。
This day John Stewart and I had a pleasing ramble； but fortune
changed the scene in the close of it。 We had passed through a great forest
on which stood myriads of trees； some gay with blossoms； others rich with
fruits。 Nature was here a series of wonders； and a fund of delight。 Here she
displayed her ingenuity and industry in a variety of flowers and fruits；
beautifully coloured； elegantly shaped； and charmingly flavoured； and we
were diverted with innumerable animals presenting themselves perpetually
to our view。In the decline of the day； near Kentucke river； as we
ascended the brow of a small hill； a number of Indians rushed out of a
thick cane…brake upon us； and made us prisoners。 The time of our sorrow
was now arrived； and the scene fully opened。 The Indians plundered us of
what we had； and kept us in confinement seven days； treating us with
common savage usage。 During this time we discovered no uneasiness or
desire to escape； which made them less suspicious of us； but in the dead of
night； as we lay in a thick cane…brake by a large fire； when sleep had
locked up their senses； my situation not disposing me for rest； I touched
my companion and gently awoke him。 We improved this favourable
opportunity； and departed； leaving them to take their rest； and speedily
directed our course towards our old camp； but found it plundered； and the
company dispersed and gone home。 About this time my brother； Squire
Boon； with another adventurer； who came to explore the country shortly
after us； was wandering through the forest； determined to find me； if
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possible； and accidentally found our camp。 Notwithstanding the
unfortunate circumstances of our company； and our dangerous situation； as
surrounded with hostile savages； our meeting so fortunately in the
wilderness made us reciprocally sensible of the utmost satisfaction。 So
much does friendship triumph over misfortune； that sorrows and sufferings
vanish at the meeting not only of real friends； but of the most distant
acquaintances； and substitutes happiness in their room。
Soon after this； my companion in captivity； John Stewart； was killed
by the savages； and the man that came with my brother returned home by
himself。 We were then in a dangerous； helpless situation； exposed daily to
perils and death amongst savages and wild beasts； not a white man in the
country but ourselves。
Thus situated； many hundred miles from our families in the howling
wilderness； I believe few would have equally enjoyed the happiness we
experienced。 I often observed to my brother； You see now how little nature
requires to be satisfied。 Felicity； the companion of content； is rather found
in our own breasts than in the enjoyment of external things； And I firmly
believe it requires but a little philosophy to make a man happy in
whatsoever state he is。 This consists in a full resignation to the will of
Providence； and a resigned soul finds pleasure in a path strewed with
briars and thorns。
We continued not in a state of indolence； but hunted every day； and
prepared a little cottage to defend us from the Winter storms。 We remained
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 vexatio