280 The Winning of the West 



rifle being offset by the superiority of their foes in 

 the art of hiding and of shielding themselves from 

 harm. The hostile lines, though about a mile and a 

 quarter in length, were so close together, being 

 never more than twenty yards apart, that many of 

 the combatants grappled in hand-to-hand fighting, 

 and tomahawked or stabbed each other 33 to death. 

 The clatter of the rifles was incessant, while above 

 the din could be heard the cries and groans of the 

 wounded, and the shouts of the combatants, as each 

 encouraged his own side, or jeered savagely at his 

 adversaries. The cheers of the whites mingled with 

 the appalling war-whoops and yells of their foes. 

 The Indians also called out to the Americans in 

 broken English, taunting them, and asking them 

 why their fifes were no longer whistling for the 

 fight was far too close to permit of any such music. 

 Their headmen walked up and down behind their 

 warriors, exhorting them to go in close, to shoot 

 straight, and to bear themselves well in the fight; 34 

 while throughout the action the whites opposite 

 Cornstalk could hear his deep, sonorous voice as he 

 cheered on his braves, and bade them "be strong, be 

 strong." 35 



About noon the Indians tried to get round the 

 flank of the whites, into their camp; but this move- 

 ment was repulsed, and a party of the Americans 36 



33 "Am. Archives." Letter of November 4, 1774. 



34 Campbell MSS. Preston's letter. 



35 Stewart's Narrative. 



36 Led by Isaac Shelby, James Stewart, and George Mat- 

 thews. 



