s, two of his men
(Clay and Coward) who were out hunting and at some little distance
from each other, came near to where two Indians were concealed. Seeing
Clay only, and supposing him to be alone, one of them fired at him;
and running up to scalp him as he fell, was himself shot by Coward,
who was then about 100 yards off. The other Indian ran off unarmed,
and made his escape. A bundle of ropes found where Clay was killed,
induced the belief that it was the object of these Indians to steal
horses;--it is not however improbable, that they had been observing
the progress of the army, and endeavoring to ascertain its numbers.
Col. Field, fearing that he might [126] encounter a party of the enemy
in ambush, redoubled his vigilance 'till he again joined General
Lewis; and the utmost concert and harmony then prevailed in the whole
army.[8]

When the Southern division arrived at Point Pleasant, Governor Dunmore
with the forces under his command, had not reached there; and unable
to account for his failure to form the preconcerted junction at that
place, it was deemed advisable to await that event; as by so doing, a
better opportunity would be afforded to Col. Christian of coming up,
with that portion of the army, which was then with him.[9] Meanwhile
General Lewis, to learn the cause of the delay of the Northern
division, despatched runners by land, in the direction of Port Pitt,
to obtain tidings of Lord Dunmore, and to communicate them to him
immediately. In their absence, however, advices were received from his
Lordship, that he had determined on proceeding across the country,
directly to the Shawanee towns; and ordering General Lewis to cross
the river, march forward and form a junction with him, near to them.
These advices were received on the 9th of October, and preparations
were immediately begun to be made for the transportation of the troops
over the Ohio river.[10]

Early on the morning of Monday the tenth of that month, two
soldiers[11] left the camp, and proceeded up the Ohio river, in quest
of deer. When they had progressed about two miles, they unexpectedly
came in sight of a large number of Indians, rising from their
encampment, and who discovering the two hunters fired upon them and
killed one;--the other escaped unhurt, and running briskly to the
camp, communicated the intelligence, "that he had seen a body of the
enemy, covering four acres of ground as closely as they could stand by
the side of each other