ce in
the overhills towns appeared blackened and nothing was now talked of but
war."

Stuart reports that "all the white men" in the tribe also laid hands
on the belt. Dragging Canoe then demanded that Cameron and Stuart come
forward and take hold of the war belt--"which we refused." Despite the
offense their refusal gave--and it would seem a dangerous time to give
such offense--Cameron delivered a "strong talk" for peace, warning
the Cherokees of what must surely be the end of the rashness they
contemplated. Stuart informed the chief that if the Indians persisted in
attacking the settlements with out waiting for answers to his letters,
he would not remain with them any longer or bring them any more
ammunition. He went to his house and made ready to leave on the
following day. Early the next morning Dragging Canoe appeared at his
door and told him that the Indians were now very angry about the letters
he had written, which could only have put the settlers on their guard;
and that if any white man attempted to leave the nation "they had
determined to follow him but NOT TO BRING HIM BACK." Dragging Canoe had
painted his face black to carry this message. Thomas now returned with
an answer from "the West Fincastle men," which was so unsatisfactory to
the tribe that war ceremonies were immediately begun. Stuart and Cameron
could no longer influence the Indians. "All that could now be done was
to give them strict charge not to pass the Boundary Line, not to
injure any of the King's faithful subjects, not to kill any women and
children"; and to threaten to "stop all ammunition" if they did not obey
these orders.

The major part of the Watauga militia went out to meet the Indians and
defeated a large advance force at Long Island Flats on the Holston. The
Watauga fort, where many of the settlers had taken refuge, contained
forty fighting men under Robertson and Sevier. As Indians usually
retreated and waited for a while after a defeat, those within the fort
took it for granted that no immediate attack was to be expected; and the
women went out at daybreak into the fields to milk the cows. Suddenly
the war whoop shrilled from the edge of the clearing. Red warriors
leaped from the green skirting of the forest. The women ran for the
fort. Quickly the heavy gates swung to and the dropped bar secured them.
Only then did the watchmen discover that one woman had been shut out.
She was a young woman nearing her twenties and, if lege