In the Current of the Revolution 51 



so rough that in spite of all their efforts they could 

 not get the horses to cross; as soon as they were 

 beyond their depth the beasts would turn round and 

 swim back. The reckless adventurers could not 

 make up their minds to leave the booty ; and stayed 

 so long, waiting for a lull in the gale, and wasting 

 their time in trying to get the horses to take to the 

 water in spite of the waves, that the pursuing In- 

 dians came up and surprised them. Their guns had 

 become wet and useless; and no resistance could be 

 made. One of them was killed, another escaped, and 

 Kenton himself was captured. 



The Indians asked him if "Captain Boone" had 

 sent him to steal horses; and when he answered 

 frankly that the stealing was his own idea, they 

 forthwith proceeded to beat him lustily with their 

 ramrods, at the same time showering on him epithets 

 that showed they had at least learned the profanity 

 of the traders. They staked him out at night, tied 

 so that he could move neither hand nor foot; and 

 during the day he was bound on an unbroken horse, 

 with his hands tied behind him so that he could not 

 protect his face from the trees and bushes. This 

 was repeated every day. After three days he reached 

 the town of Chillicothe, stiff, sore, and bleeding. 



Next morning he was led out to run the gantlet. 

 A row of men, women, and boys, a quarter of a 

 mile long, was formed, each with a tomahawk, 

 switch, or club ; at the end of the line was an Indian 

 with a big drum, and beyond this was the council- 

 house, which if he reached, would for the time being 



