... And here
we must regret the unfortunate death of young Mr. Payne, on board
Captain Blakemore's boat, who was mortally wounded by reason of
the boat running too near the northern shore opposite the town,
where some of the enemy lay concealed; and the more tragical
misfortune of poor Stuart, his family and friends, to the number
of twenty-eight persons. This man had embarked with us for the
Western country, but his family being diseased with the small
pox, it was agreed upon between him and the company that he
should keep at some distance in the rear, for fear of the
infection spreading, and he was warned each night when the
encampment should take place by the sound of a horn.... The
Indians having now collected to a considerable number, observing
his helpless situation singled off from the rest of the fleet,
intercepted him and killed and took prisoners the whole crew...;
their cries were distinctly heard...".
After describing a running fight with Indians stationed on the
bluffs on both shores where the river narrowed to half its width
and boiled through a canyon, the entry for the day concludes:
"Jennings's boat is missing."
"Friday 10th. This morning about 4 o'clock we were surprised by
the cries of "help poor Jennings" at some distance in the rear.
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