at severe winter, when it is said even droves of wild game
perished, prevented the boats, from going on, for the next entry is
dated the 27th of February. On this date the Adventure and two other
boats grounded and lay on the shoals all that afternoon and the
succeeding night "in much distress."

"March 2nd. Rain about half the day.... Mr. Henry's boat being driven on
the point of an island by the force of the current was sunk, the
whole cargo much damaged and the crew's lives much endangered,
which occasioned the whole fleet to put on shore and go to their
assistance....

"Monday 6th. Got under way before sunrise; the morning proving very
foggy, many of the fleet were much bogged--about 10 o'clock lay by for
them; when collected, proceeded down. Camped on the north shore, where
Captain Hutching's negro man died, being much frosted in his feet and
legs, of which he died.

"Tuesday, 7th. Got under way very early; the day proving very windy, a
S.S.W., and the river being wide occasioned a high sea, insomuch that
some of the smaller crafts were in danger; therefore came to at the
uppermost Chiccamauga town, which was then evacuated, where we lay by
that afternoon and camped that night. The wife of Ephraim Peyton was
here delivered of a child. Mr. Peyton has gone through by land with
Captain Robertson.

"Wednesday 8th... proceed down to an Indian village which was
inhabited... they insisted on us to come ashore, called us brothers,
and showed other signs of friendship.... And here we must regret the
unfortunate death of young Mr. Payne, on board Captain Blakemore's boat,
who was mortally wounded by reason of the boat running too near the
northern shore opposite the town, where some of the enemy lay concealed;
and the more tragical misfortune of poor Stuart, his family and friends,
to the number of twenty-eight persons. This man had embarked with us for
the Western country, but his family being diseased with the small pox,
it was agreed upon between him and the company that he should keep at
some distance in the rear, for fear of the infection spreading, and he
was warned each night when the encampment should take place by the sound
of a horn.... The Indians having now collected to a considerable number,
observing his helpless situation singled off from the rest of the fleet,
intercepted him and killed and took prisoners the whole crew...; their
cries were distinctly heard...".

After describing a running fight wit