CHAPTER XII.
Boone's brother killed, and Boone himself narrowly escapes from the
Indians--Assault upon Ashton's station--and upon the station near
Shelbyville--Attack upon McAffee's station.
We have already spoken of the elder brother of Col. Boone and his second
return to the Yadkin. A fondness for the western valleys seems to have
been as deeply engraven in his affections, as in the heart of his
brother. He subsequently returned once more with his family to Kentucky.
In 1780 we find a younger brother of Daniel Boone resident with him. The
two brothers set out on the sixth of October of that year, to revisit
the blue Licks. It may well strike us as a singular fact, that Colonel
Boone should have felt any disposition to revisit a place that was
connected with so many former disasters. But, as a place convenient for
the manufacture of salt, it was a point of importance to the rapidly
growing settlement. They had manufactured as much salt as they could
pack, and were returning to Boonesborough, when they were overtaken by a
party of Indians. By the first fire Colonel Boone's brother fell dead by
his side. Daniel Boone faced the enemy, and aimed at the foremost
Indian, who appeared to have been the slayer of his brother. That Indian
fell. By this time he discovered a host advancing upon him. Taking the
still loaded rifle of his fallen brother, he prostrated another foe, and
while flying from his enemy found time to reload his rifle. The bullets
of a dozen muskets whistled about his head; but the distance of the foe
rendered them harmless.
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