In the Current of the Revolution 155 



likewise shot several dogs that had sallied out to 

 help their masters. They then made a rush on the 

 fort, but were driven off at once, one of their num- 

 ber being killed and several badly hurt, while but 

 one of the defenders was wounded, and he but 

 slightly. After this they withdrew to cover and 

 began a desultory firing, which lasted for some time. 



Suddenly a noise like distant thunder came to the 

 ears of the men in the fort. It was the beat of 

 horsehoofs. In a minute or two forty-five horse- 

 men, headed by McGarry, appeared on the road 

 leading from Harrodsburg, shouting and brandish- 

 ing their rifles as they galloped up. The morning 

 was so still that the firing had been heard a very 

 long way ; and a band of mounted riflemen had gath- 

 ered in hot haste to go to the relief of the beleaguered 

 stockade. 



The Indians, whooping defiance, retired; while 

 McGarry halted a moment to allow the rescued set- 

 tlers to bridle their horses saddles were not thought 

 of. The pursuit was then begun at full speed. At 

 the ford of a small creek nearby, the rearmost In- 

 dians turned and fired at the horsemen, killing one 

 and wounding another, while a third had his horse 

 mired down, and was left behind. The main body 

 was overtaken at the corn-crib, and a running fight 

 followed; the whites leaving their horses and both 

 sides taking shelter behind the tree-trunks. Soon 

 two Indians were killed, and the others scattered 

 in every direction, while the victors returned in tri- 

 umph to the station. 



