cordingly entered that garrison. It was soon
evident that their fears were groundless, but as the season was
fast approaching, when the savages might be expected to commence
depredations, they determined on remaining in the fort, of a
night, and yet prosecute the business of their farms as usual during
the day. Among those who were at this time in the fort, was David
Morgan, (a relation of General Daniel Morgan,) then upwards of sixty
years of age. Early in April, being himself unwell, he sent his
two children--Stephen, a youth of sixteen, and Sarah, a girl of
fourteen--to feed the cattle at his farm, about a mile off. The
children, thinking to remain all day and spend the time in preparing
ground for water melons, unknown to their father took with them
some bread and meat. Having fed the stock, Stephen set himself to
work, and while he was engaged in grubbing, his sister would remove
the brush, and otherwise aid him in the labor of clearing the
ground; occasionally going to the house to wet some linen which
she had spread out to bleach. Morgan, after the children had been
gone some time, betook himself to bed, and soon falling asleep,
dreamed that he saw Stephen and Sarah walking about the fort yard,
scalped. Aroused from slumber by the harrowing spectacle presented
to his sleeping view, he enquired if the children had returned,
and upon learning they had not, he set out to see what detained
them, taking with him his gun. As he approached the house, still
impressed with the horrible fear that he should find his dream
realized, he ascended an eminence, from which he could distinctly see
over his plantation, and descrying from thence the objects of his
anxious solicitude, he proceeded directly to them, and seated
himself on an old log, near at hand. He had been here but a few
minutes, before he saw two Indians come out from the house and make
toward the children. Fearing to alarm them too much, and thus
deprive them of the power of exerting themselves ably to make an
escape, he apprized them in a careless manner, of their danger,
and told them to run towards the fort--himself still maintaining
his seat on the log. The Indians then raised a hideous yell and
ran in pursuit; but the old [200] gentleman shewing himself at
that instant, caused them to forbear the chase, and shelter themselves
behind trees. He then endeavored to effect an escape, by flight, and
the Indians followed after him. Age and consequent infirmity,
ren