wn to be a crack marksman.
They watched for him. Daniel Boone glimpsed him, high up in a tree;
waited for a chance, took quick aim--and down from the tree crashed
Pompey, dead before he struck the turf. After the siege they found
him, shot through the head by Daniel Boone's long-barreled "Betsy," at
a distance of one hundred and seventy-five yards.

Directed by Captain Chene, the Black Fish Shawnees started a tunnel,
from the river bank, to under-mine the walls. The clay that they threw
out behind them made the river current muddy, and the keen eyes in the
fort saw and read.

The defense started a counter tunnel, which should meet the other and
cut a trench across its course. The Indians' tunnel became rain-soaked
and caved in; they knew that the fort was digging also, and after
having bored for forty yards, they quit. Fighting was more to their
taste than burrowing like moles.

More than a week passed, without a let-up day or night. The powder
smoke hung, veiling the clearing and the edge of the forest, and the
surface of the river. Inside the fort there was not an idle hand,
among the living. The losses had been very small indeed, in spite of
the hubbub; no one had any notion of surrender, yet.

Then, on the morning of September 20, the sun rose in silence. After a
parting volley the enemy had gone. The siege was lifted.

Daniel Boone sent out scouts. They reported the coast clear. The
gates were opened. The corpses of thirty-six Indians and the negro
Pompey were awaiting. How many other bodies and how many wounded had
been carried away was never learned.

One hundred and twenty-five pounds of lead were gathered, inside the
fort and outside; nearly as much more had entered the logs. That
proved the fierceness of the ten days' attack, but did not pay for the
cattle killed or stolen, astray in the timber.

However, this was the last siege of Boonesborough. The Shawnees gave
up hopes of ever getting their Big Turtle, but they admired him none
the less.

[1] See "Boys' Book of Indian Warriors."

CHAPTER V

SCOUT KENTON HAS A HARD TIME (1778-1779)

HOW HE PAID FOR HIS HORSE-STEALING

When Boonesborough was besieged this last time, Daniel Boone's most
trusted man (excepting his own brother) did not take part in the
defence. Young Simon Kenton--or at present Simon Butler--was absent,
with his friend Montgomery also.

After the gleeful Simon had shot the two Indians at once, near Pa