182 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 



" But, sir, I felt determined to mark the spot, and walking 

 to a thrifty ash sapling, I cut out of it three large chips, and 

 ran off. I soon reached the river, soon crossed it, and threw 

 myself deep into the cane-brakes, imitating the tracks of an 

 Indian with my feet, so that no chance might be left for those 

 from whom I had escaped to overtake me. 



"It is now nearly twenty years since this happened, and 

 more than five since I left the whites' settlements, which I 

 might probably never have visited again, had I not been 

 called on as a witness in a law suit that was pending in Ken- 

 tucky, and which I really believe would never have been 

 settled, had I not come forward, and established the begin 

 ning of a certain boundary line. This is the story, sir. 



"Mr. moved from Old Virginia into Kentucky, 



and having a large tract granted to him in the new State, 

 laid claim to a certain parcel of land adjoining Green River, 

 and as chance would have it, took for one of his corners the 

 very ash tree on which I had made my mark, and finished his 

 survey of some thousands of acres, beginning, as it is expressed 

 in the deed, ' at an ash marked by three distinct notches of 

 the tomahawk of a white man.' 



" The tree had grown much, and the bark had covered the 



marks ; but, somehow or other, Mr. heard from some 



one all that I have already said to you, and thinking that I 

 might remember the spot alluded to in the deed, but which 

 was no longer discoverable, wrote for me to come and try at 

 least to find the place or the tree. His letter mentioned that 

 all my expenses should be paid, and not caring much about 

 once more going back to Kentucky, I started and met Mr. 



. After some conversation, the affair with the Indians 



came to my recollection. I considered for awhile, and began 

 to think that after all I could find the very spot, as well as 

 the tree, if it was yet standing. 



" Mr. and I mounted our horses, and off we went 



to the Green River Bottoms. After some difficulties, for you 



