calculated to
ensure a continuance of their tranquillity and repose. Instead of
flying for security, as they had formerly, to the neighboring forts
upon the return of spring, the increase of population and the
increased capacity of the communion to repel aggression, caused them
to neglect other acts of precaution, and only to assemble at
particular houses, when danger was believed to be instant and at hand.
In consequence of the reports which reached them of the injuries
lately committed by the [312] savages upon the West Fork, several
families collected at the house of Mr. Joseph Canaan for mutual
security, and while thus assembled, were visited by a party of
Indians, when perfectly unprepared for resistance. The savages entered
the house awhile after dark, and approaching the bed on which Mr.
Canaan was lolling, one of them addressed him with the familiarity of
an old acquaintance and saying "how d'ye do, how d'ye do," presented
his hand. Mr. Canaan was rising to reciprocate the greeting, when he
was pierced by a ball discharged at him from another savage, and fell
dead. The report of the gun at once told, who were the visitors, and
put them upon using immediate exertions to effect their safety by
flight. A young man who was near when Canaan was shot, aimed at the
murderer a blow with a drawing knife, which took effect on the head of
the savage and brought him to the ground. Ralston then escaped through
the door, and fled in safety, although fired at as he fled.

When the Indians entered the house, there was a Mrs. Ward sitting in
the room. So soon as she observed that the intruders were savages, she
passed into another apartment with two of the children, and going out
with them through a window, got safely away. Mr. Lewis (brother to
Mrs. Canaan) likewise escaped from a back room, in which he had been
asleep at the firing of the gun. Three children were tomahawked and
scalped,--Mrs. Canaan made prisoner, and the savages withdrew. The
severe wound inflicted on the head of the Indian by Ralston, made it
necessary that they should delay their return to their towns, until
his recovery; and they accordingly remained near the head of the
middle fork of Buchannon, for several weeks. Their extreme caution in
travelling, rendered any attempt to discover them unavailing; and when
their companion was restored they proceeded on, uninterruptedly. On
the close of the war, Mrs. Canaan was redeemed from captivity by a
brother from