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Page 92
An act of heroic gallantry and presence of mind here occurred, which
has often been mentioned in history, tending to check somewhat the
blood-thirsty savages, and give many of the fugitives time to escape.
Some twelve or fifteen horsemen had already passed the ford in safety,
and were in the act of spurring forward, regardless of the fate of their
unfortunate companions on foot, when one of their number, a man by the
name of Netherland, who had previously been accused of cowardice,
suddenly shouted, as if giving the word of command:
"Halt! Fire on the Indians, and protect the men in the river!"
The order was obeyed, in the same spirit it was given; and the sudden
discharge of more than a dozen rifles, made the infuriated savages
recoil in dismay, and thereby saved many a poor fellow's life. The
reaction, however, speedily followed. Many of the savages now swam the
river above and below the ford, and gave chase to the fugitives for
fifteen and even twenty miles--though with but little success after
crossing the stream--as the latter generally plunged into the
neighboring thickets, and so eluded the vigilance of the former.
Such were the general features of the disastrous battle of Blue Licks--a
battle of dreadful import to the pioneers of Kentucky--which threw the
land into mourning, and made a most solemn and startling impression upon
the minds of its inhabitants. Had we space to chronicle individual
heroism, we might fill page after page with brave and noble
achievements; but as it is, we shall confine ourself to those connected
with our most prominent characters.
We have stated previously, that Algernon Reynolds fought in the left
wing, under the command of Boone; where, for the few minutes which the
action lasted, he sustained himself with great gallantry; and, by his
undaunted courage, inspired those immediately around him with like
ardor. On the retreat of the whites, he found himself cut off from the
river by a large body of Indians, headed by his old foe, Simon Girty,
who, having recognized him, was now pressing forward with several
stalwart warriors, to again make him prisoner. For the first time since
the commencement of the battle, he felt his heart sink. To be taken
alive was a thousand times worse than death, and escape seemed
impossible. However, there was no time for consideration; another moment
might be fatal; his foes were upon him; it was now or never. Luckily he
was mounted on a fiery steed--which had thus far escaped a scratch--and
had one undischarged pistol in his holster. This he drew forth as his
last hope; and, tightening the rein, wheeled his horse and spurred down
upon his enemies with tremendous velocity.
"I have you now, by ----!" cried the renegade.
As he spoke, he sprung forward to grasp the bridle of Algernon's horse;
but stumbled and fell, and the beast passed over him, unfortunately
though without doing him any injury.
But Algernon had not yet got clear of his enemies; for on the fall of
Girty, he found himself surrounded by a host of savages, whooping and
yelling frightfully, and his direct course to the river cut off by a
body of more than a hundred. There was only one point, and that a few
yards to his left, where there appeared a possibility of his breaking
through their lines. In the twinkling of an eye, and while his horse was
yet under full headway, his decision was made. Rushing his steed hard to
the right, in order to deceive his foes, he suddenly wheeled him again
to the left; and the side of the beast striking against some three
or four of the Indians, who were on the point of seizing his rein,
staggered them back upon their companions, creating no little confusion.
Taking advantage of this, our hero, with the speed of a flying arrow,
bore down upon the weakest point; where, after shooting down a powerful
savage, who had succeeded in grasping his bridle and was on the point of
tomahawking his horse, he passed their lines, amid a volley of rifle
balls, which cut his clothes in several places, but left himself and
steed unharmed.
The worst of the danger now seemed over; but still his road ahead was
beset with Indians, who were killing and scalping all that fell in their
power; and behind him were the infuriated renegade and his party now in
hot pursuit. His steed, however, was strong and fleet, and he put him to
his wind; by which means he not only distanced those behind him, but
passed one or two parties in front unharmed. About half way between the
ravines and the river, he overtook Major McGary, and some five or six
other horsemen, who were dashing forward at a fast gallop; and checking
his fiery beast somewhat, he silently joined them. A little further on,
Reynolds observed an officer on foot, who, exhausted by his recent
exertions, and lame from former wounds, had fallen behind his
companions. On coming up, he recognized in the crippled soldier the
brave Captain Patterson; and with a magnanimity and self-sacrifice
worthy of all imitation, he instantly reined in his horse and
dismounted, while the others kept upon their course.
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