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Hannah of Kentucky - James Otis |
Inside the fort, and not far from our cabin, is a spring, in which, in time of need, there will be found enough sweet water to supply all; that for cooking purposes must be brought from the creek. Again and again I have seen a dozen or more of the boys, each carrying a bucket, steal out through the gate that had been opened just enough to allow them to squeeze through, guarded by a score of men with rifles in hand, and bring as much water as might be needed during the day.
Thus far there have been many times when we had cause to worry about a lack of water, and days when those who showed themselves 4 incautiously upon the stockade were shot at from the forest near by. Each time, however, that our men went out in numbers they drove away the Indians who, as father says, have ever shown themselves cowardly save when it was possible to surprise and attack white people with overwhelming force.
![[Illustration] from Hannah of Kentucky by James Otis](https://heritage-history.com/books/otis/kentucky/zpage066.gif "[Illustration] from Hannah of Kentucky by James Otis")
Before we had been at Boonesborough many days Billy, with the other lads and some of the men, engaged in such sports as shooting at a mark, wrestling, or running races. Not more than twice, however, could the poor boy afford to display his skill with his rifle. It would be sinful extravagance for him to waste much powder in proving that he was a better marksman than some other, for Mr. Henderson, who bought from the Cherokees all this land, sells our people powder at $2.66 a pound and lead at one shilling. So it may be seen that we children are not allowed to spend even a sixpence for pleasure.