In the Current of the Revolution 47 



ages can be seen from the fact that, during the 

 summer months those around Detroit alone brought 

 in to Hamilton eighty-one scalps and thirty-four 

 prisoners, 40 seventeen of whom they surrendered to 

 the British, keeping the others either to make them 

 slaves or else to put them to death with torture. 

 During the fall they confined themselves mainly to 

 watching the Ohio and the Wilderness Road, and 

 harassing the immigrants who passed along them. 41 



Boone, as usual, roamed restlessly over the coun- 

 try, spying out and harrying the Indian war parties, 

 and often making it his business to meet the incom- 

 ing bands of settlers, and to protect and guide them 

 on the way to their intended homes. 42 When not 

 on other duty he hunted steadily, for game was still 

 plentiful in Kentucky, though fast diminishing ow- 

 ing to the wanton slaughter made by some of the 

 more reckless hunters. 43 He met with many ad- 

 ventures, still handed down by tradition, in the chase 

 of panther, wolf, and bear, of buffalo, elk, and deer. 

 The latter he killed only when their hides and meat 

 were needed, while he followed unceasingly the dan- 

 gerous beasts of prey, as being enemies of the set- 

 tlers. 



Throughout these years the obscure strife, made 



40 Haldimand MSS. Letter of Hamilton, September 16, 

 1778. Hamilton was continually sending out small war 

 parties; thus he mentions that on August 25th a party of 

 fifteen Miamis went out; on September sth, thirty-one Mi- 

 amis; on September gth, one Frenchman, five Chippewas, 

 and fifteen Miamis, etc. 



41 McAfee MSS. . Marshall, 55. 43 McAfee MSS. 



