Because so many settlers had fled and the others had come closer
together for their common good, Harrodsburg and Boonesborough
were now the only occupied posts in Kentucky. Other settlements,
once, thriving, were abandoned; and, under the terror, the Wild
reclaimed them. In April, 1777, Boonesborough underwent its first
siege. Boone, leading a sortie, was shot and he fell with a
shattered ankle. An Indian rushed upon him and was swinging the
tomahawk over him when Simon Kenton, giant frontiersman and hero
of many daring deeds, rushed forward, shot the Indian, threw
Boone across his back, and fought his way desperately to safety.
It was some months ere Boone was his nimble self again. But
though he could not "stand up to the guns," he directed all
operations from his cabin.
The next year Boone was ready for new ventures growing from the
settlers' needs. Salt was necessary to preserve meat through the
summer. Accordingly Boone and twenty-seven men went up to the Blue
Licks in February, 1778, to replenish their supply by the simple
process of boiling the salt water of the Licks till the saline
particles adhered to the kettles. Boone was returning alone, with
a pack-horse load of salt and game, when a blinding snowstorm
overtook him and hid from view four stealthy Shawanoes on his
trail.
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