everal fortifications erected, among
which was Fort Jefferson, on the Mississippi.[35]

[Footnote 31: Collins.]

[Footnote 32: Collins.]

[Footnote 33: Collins. "Historical Sketches of Kentucky."]

[Footnote 34: Howe. "Historical Collections of Virginia."]

[Footnote 35: Howe.]

CHAPTER XII.

Scarcity of salt at Boonesborough--Boone goes to Blue Licks to make
salt, and is captured by the Indians--Taken to Chillicothe--Affects
contentment, and deceives the Indians--Taken to Detroit--Kindess of
the British officers to him--Returns to Chillicothe--Adopted into
an Indian family--Ceremonies of adoption--Boone sees a large force
of Indians destined to attack Boonesborough--Escapes, and gives the
alarm, and strengthens the fortifications at Boonesborough--News
of delay by the Indians on account of Boone's escape--Boone goes
on an expedition to the Scioto--Has a fight with a party of
Indians--Returns to Boonesborough, which is immediately besieged
by Captain Duquesne with five hundred Indians--Summons to
surrender--Time gained--Attack commenced--Brave defense--Mines and
countermines--Siege raised--Boone brings his family once more back
to Boonesborough, and resumes farming.

While George Rogers Clark was engaged in his campaign against the
British posts in the northwest, Daniel Boone was a prisoner among the
Indians. The people at Boonesborough were suffering for want of salt.
It could not be obtained conveniently from the Atlantic Colonies, but it
could be manufactured at a place called the Blue Licks, from salt water,
which abounded there.

In January, 1778, accompanied by thirty men, Boone went to the Blue
Licks to make salt for the different Stations; and on the 7th of
February following, while out hunting, he fell in with one hundred
and two Indian warriors, on their march to attack Boonesborough. He
instantly fled, but being upward of fifty years old, he was unable to
outstrip the fleet young men who pursued him, and was a second time
taken prisoner. As usual, he was treated with kindness until his final
fate should be determined, and was led back to the Licks, where his
party were still encamped. Here Boone surrendered his whole party, to
the number of twenty-seven, upon a promise on the part of the Indians
of life and good treatment, both of which conditions were faithfully
observed. This step was apparently unnecessary; but the res