his brother were made prisoners. The Indians
immediately directed their steps towards their towns, and having
travelled about twenty miles beyond the Ohio river, encamped at the
Big Lick, on the waters of McMahon's creek, on the second night after
they had set off. When they had finished eating, the Indians laid
down, without confining the boys as on the preceding night, and soon
fell to sleep. After making some little movements to test the
soundness of their repose, Lewis whispered to his brother that he must
get up and go home with him; and after some hesitation on the part of
Jacob, they arose and set off. Upon getting about 100 yards from the
camp, Lewis stopped, and telling his brother to await there, returned
to the camp and brought from thence a pair of mocasons for each of
them. He then observed, that he would again go back and get his
father's gun; this he soon effected, and they then commenced their
journey home. The moon shining brightly, they were easily able to
distinguish the trail which they had made in going out; but had not
however pursued it far, before they heard the Indians coming in
pursuit of them. So soon as Lewis perceived by the sound of their
voices that they were approaching tolerably near to them, he led his
brother aside from the path, and squatting down, concealed themselves
'till their pursuers had passed them; when they again commenced
travelling and in the rear of the Indians. Not overtaking the boys as
soon as was expected, those who had been sent after them, began to
retrace their steps. Expecting this, the boys were watchful of every
noise or object before them, and when they heard the Indians
returning, again secreted themselves in the bushes, and escaped
observation. They were then followed by two, of the party who had made
them prisoners, on horseback; but by practising the same stratagem,
they eluded them also; and on the next day reached the Ohio river
opposite to Wheeling. Apprehensive that it would be dangerous to
apprize those on the opposite side of the river of their situation, by
hallooing, Lewis set himself to work as silently, and yet as
expeditiously [124] as possible, and with the aid of his little
brother, soon completed a raft on which they safely crossed the Ohio;
and made their way home.

That persons, should, by going out from the forts, when the Indians
were so generally watching around them, expose themselves to captivity
or death, may at first appear strange a