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Hannah of Kentucky - James Otis |
It can well be supposed that this made our people more cautious about their own safety. Work on the land was stopped, and we women and children were forced to stay inside the stockade while the hunters ranged the woods near and far to learn what they might of the savages.
![[Illustration] from Hannah of Kentucky by James Otis](https://heritage-history.com/books/otis/kentucky/zpage095.gif "[Illustration] from Hannah of Kentucky by James Otis")
Before this search had come to an end enough was found to prove that the Indians had been hovering close about us all the time we were feeling so safe. That they had not killed more of us during the time when every one wandered at will around the stockade, was thought by Colonel Boone to be because they intended soon to make an attack upon the fort and hoped to make us believe they had departed.
You may be certain that we were exceedingly cautious for a long time after this. The gates were kept closed and barred, the boys were carefully guarded as they brought water from the creek, and four men were constantly on duty in the watch-houses.
A large quantity of dry grass and cane had been gathered for the cattle and sheep, therefore we should not see them suffering for food, as when we first arrived.
Then came the snow. When the storm had cleared away, our hunters went out to make another search. After three days, they came back and delighted us with the report that it was positive the savages no longer remained about; but for how many days they might leave us in peace no one could say.
However, our people hunted as they pleased, and went to and fro from the stockade to the creek without a guard; finally, matters went on much as before poor Sam was murdered and Daniel carried away.
Father's work on the plantation was ended until warm weather came again, when he would plant the first crop, and then build our home. Consequently Billy, having made a good store of brooms, and having nothing to do but look after the horses, cattle, and sheep, went much into the woods with the men, and it pleased me to know the poor boy was finally having an opportunity of enjoying himself.