Hannah of Kentucky - James Otis |
For the first time we now heard that the eastern colonies had risen against the rule of the king, and that already war had begun. How strange it seemed for the people in America to dare do such a thing, and how we wondered whether it would make any difference to us way out here in Kentucky!
Probably our fathers had heard something about this before, for instead of being thrown into a turmoil, as I had expected, they were concerned only about matters which had to do with Boonesborough.
The clear space inside the stockade was no more than one third of an acre, and even before the coming of these new settlers our cattle, horses, and sheep had eaten every green thing to be found there. The men had been speculating that very morning as to how it would be possible to get fodder for the beasts while the Indians were lurking near at hand.
Now, however, the number of live stock was nearly doubled, for Colonel Callaway alone had brought in nine sheep, two cows; and three horses, while the Poagues and Stagers had nearly as many more. It was really wicked to keep the poor things shut up inside the fort when there was such an abundance of grass and cane beyond the gate, and surely the moment had come when something must be done.
Jemima saw the men gathering in one of the watch-houses, and we were wondering what they could be doing when Billy came in, announcing, as he took his and father's rifles from the antlers on which they hung, that it had been decided to drive the live stock outside to feed.