COLONEL BOON. 505 



thought upon killing beings unprepared and unable to defend themselves, 

 it looked like murder without need, and I gave up the idea. 



"' But, Sir, I felt determined to mark the spot, and walking to a thrifty 

 ash saphng, I cut out of it three large chips, and ran off. 1 soon reach- 

 ed 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 Kentucky, and which I really believe would never have been 

 settled, had I not come forward, and established the beginning of a cer- 

 tain 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 ex- 

 pressed 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 al- 

 ready 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 about going back to Kentucky, I started and met Mr . 



After some conversation, the affair with the Indians came to my recollec- 

 tion. I considered for a while, 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 must be aware, Sir, that 

 great changes have taken place in those woods, I found at last the spot 

 where I had crossed the river, and waiting for the moon to rise, made 

 for the course in which I thought the Ash tree grew. On approaching 

 the place, I felt as if the Indians were there still, and as if I was still a 



prisoner among them. Mr and I camped near what I conceived 



the spot, and waited until the return of day. 



