e 22: The foregoing is strictly authentic.]

[Footnote 23: This celebrated reply of Reynolds to Girty, is published,
with but slight variations, in all the historical sketches that we have
seen relating to the attack on Bryan's Station and is, perhaps, familiar
to the reader.]

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE FOE PURSUED.

As Algernon had stated to Girty, the country was indeed roused to a
sense of their danger. The news of the storming of Bryan's Station
had spread fast and far; and, early on the day succeeding the attack,
reinforcements began to come in from all quarters; so that by noon of
the fourth day, the station numbered over one hundred and eighty
fighting men.

Colonel Daniel Boone, accompanied by his son Israel, and brother Samuel,
commanded a considerable force from Boonesborough--Colonel Stephen
Trigg, a large company from Harrodsburgh--and Colonel John Todd, the
militia from Lexington. A large portion of these forces was composed
of commissioned officers, who, having heard of the attack on Bryan's
Station by an overwhelming body of Indians, had hurried to the scene of
hostilities, and, like brave and gallant soldiers as they were, had at
once taken their places in the ranks as privates. Most noted among those
who still held command under the rank of Colonel, were Majors Harlan,
McGary, McBride, and Levi Todd; and Captains Bulger, Patterson and
Gordon.

Of those now assembled, Colonel Todd, as senior officer, was allowed to
take command--though, from the tumultuous council of war which was held
in the afternoon, it appears that each had a voice, and that but little
order was observed. It was well known that Colonel Benjamin Logan was
then in the act of raising a large force in Lincoln county; and at the
furthest would join them in twenty-four hours; which would render them
safe in pursuing the savages; and for this purpose the more prudent,
among whom was our old friend, Colonel Boone, advised their delay;
stating, as a reason, that the Indians were known to outnumber them
all, as three to one; and that to pursue them with a force so small,
could only result, should they be overtaken, in a total defeat of the
whites. Besides which, Boone stated that the scouts who had been sent
out to examine the Indian trail, had reported that it was very broad,
and that the trees on either side had been marked with their tomahawks;
thereby showing a willingness on the part of the enemy to be pursued,
and a design to d