ents o'
them red heathen we've jest seen go over the hill yonder, and the wide
trail, and marked trees behind us, that I'm led to opine thar's a
tremendous body o' the naked rascals hid in a couple o' ravines, that
run down to the river on either side of that ridge, about a mile ahead,
who are waiting to take us by surprise. Now I think we'd better do one
of two things. Either wait for the reinforcement o' Colonel Logan--who's
no doubt on his march by this time to join us--or else divide our party,
and let half on 'em go up stream and cross at the rapids, and so get
round behind the ravines, ready to attack the savages in the rear; while
the rest cross the ford here, and keep straight on along the ridge to
attack 'em in front--by which maneuver we may prehaps be able to beat
them. But ef you don't see proper, gentlemen, to take up with either o'
these proposals--don't, for Heaven's sake! I beg o' ye, venter forward,
without first sending on scouts to reconnoitre--else we're likely to be
in an ambuscade afore we know it, and prehaps all be cut off."

"Well, all things considered," answered Colonel Todd, who now, becoming
aware of the fearful responsibility resting upon him as commander, felt
little inclined to press rashly forward, "I think it advisable to wait
the reinforcements of Logan before proceeding further. It can delay us
but a day or two, and then we shall be sure of a victory; whereas, if
we press forward now, and run into an ambuscade, of which Colonel Boone
feels certain, we shall doubtless rue the day by a total defeat."

"I'm of the same opinion," rejoined Major Levi Todd.

"And I," said Captain Patterson.

"And I," rejoined several other voices.

"But I'm opposed to waiting for Logan," said Colonel Trigg; "as delays
on the point of a battle are rarely ever beneficial. I think we had
better take up with Colonel Boone's second proposition--divide our
forces, and proceed at once to action; though, for the matter of
prudence, it may be advisable to send a couple of scouts ahead, before
deciding upon any thing positive."

Majors Harlan and McBride, with two or three others of inferior rank,
took sides with Trigg; and the discussion seemed likely to be protracted
for some considerable time; when Major Hugh McGary, who had been
listening to the proceedings with the utmost impatience, suddenly
startled and broke up the council by a loud whoop, resembling that of an
Indian; and spurring his high mettled char