rds of the ravines before mentioned, when
the appalling truth of a tremendous ambuscade of the savages suddenly
became known, by the pouring therefrom, into their ranks, a terrible
volley, which carried with it death, terror and confusion. Never were
soldiers taken more by surprise, and at greater disadvantage to
themselves, both as to numbers and position. They had relied upon the
report of the scouts, who had themselves been deceived by the quiet of
everything about the ravines; and now here they were, less than two
hundred in number, on an open spot, exposed to the deadly rifles of more
than five hundred Indian warriors, who were lying concealed among the
dark cedars of the ravines.

The first fire was severely destructive, particularly on the right,
where the gallant Colonel Trigg fell mortally wounded, and was soon
after tomahawked and scalped. With him went down several officers of
inferior grade, and a large portion of the Harrodsburgh troops; but,
undaunted, his little band of survivors returned the fire of the
Indians, and, assisted by those in the rear, pressed forward like heroes
to the support of the center and van, where the work of death and
carnage was now becoming terrible.

"Onward!" shouted Colonel Todd, as he rode to and fro, animating his men
by his voice and gestures: "Onward, my noble soldiers, and strike for
your country and firesides! Oh God!" exclaimed he the next moment, as a
ball pierced his breast; "I am mortally wounded; but strike! press on,
and mind me not!"

As he spoke, he reeled in his saddle, the rein slipped from his grasp,
and his fiery steed rushed away, bearing him to the enemy and his
untimely doom.

"Fight, my lads, and falter not!" cried Major Harlan in the van; and the
next moment his horse went down, some five or six balls lodged in his
body, and he fell to rise no more.

But his men remembered their orders, and fought without faltering, until
but three remained alive to tell the fate of the party.

"At 'em, lads!--don't spare the varmints!" said Boone, as he urged the
left wing into action; and the immediate report of more than fifty
rifles in that quarter, told him he was obeyed. In this wing fought
Algernon, Isaac, the brother and son of Boone, with a heroic desperation
worthy of Spartans; and at every fire an Indian went down before each of
their deadly rifles.

But what could avail heroism here on that ill-fated day? Our brave
little band of Kentuckians was oppos