Chapter 55: Chapter 53: An Timely Rescue

Boonesborough, Kentucky Territory (Claimed by Virginia)
November 24th, 1776

"Colonel, we have a problem," Boone said as he hastily walked into a large warehouse the marines were using as a barrack. The colonel was in the process of organizing supplies and writing letters for additional arms and foodstuff to Governor Henry when the frontiersman walked in.

Colonel Poor and his men had settled into the town fairly quickly. While some of the townsmen were clearly angry at the sudden agreement that Congress made with the Cherokees, even they were grateful for the presence of the marines. Since they had arrived, not a single raid had occurred within "Kentucky," though Colonel Poor received scattered reports that clashes still occurred between American settlers/Iroquois tribesmen and Shawnee Indians in the Ohio territory. Over the past two weeks, Colonel Poor directed his men to improve defenses around the town and helped the locals hunt and tend livestock. This gave the settlers a tremendous morale boost, as they felt more secure and hopeful due to the assistance given to them by the marines. There were rumors that more settlers may move into the area, but the rumors were unverified.

"What is it, Mr. Boone?"

"My daughter, her friends, and two men have gone missing."

The colonel stood up from his seat and looked at Boone intensely, "Do you have any details of this matter?"

Boone looked distressed as he paced in front of the African American officer, "Five days ago, the group, including my daughter, left for a hunting trip just a few miles north of the settlement. They left with enough provisions for two days and promised to be back within three days at the latest. However, the group hasn't returned and nobody has seen them since they left town."

"And you said this was five days ago?" Colonel Poor asked, "Why was your daughter with them?"

"Yes! Five days ago. Jemima has an independent streak and often goes hunting with the others to help. I insisted that she remained in the settlement, but she refused and promised that she would be safe, so I gave her a firearm and allowed her to leave with the others. I'm afraid I made a grave mistake,"

Colonel Poor studied the man carefully and sighed, "I'll do my best to find them and bring them back safely, Mr. Boone. I promise you that."

"Thank you. For now, I will gather up some of my own men to see if we can be of any help."

Before Colonel Poor could say anything, Boone left the building. Colonel Poor spoke with Colonel Sillman after the man left, "Has Colonel Knowlton and his men returned?"

"No, colonel. They're returning from Lexington, so they won't be here for several days."

"Then I'm afraid I have no choice but to deal with the matter myself," Colonel Poor said as he walked towards the exit, "While I'm gone, you are in charge Colonel Sillman."

Colonel Sillman nodded, "Will do. Take care, colonel."

With great haste, the African American marine found his Native American marines drilling just outside the city limits, "Is Captain Okwaho here?"

"Here I am," A deep voice rumbled as a tall and well-built Amerindian wearing a marine uniform stepped forward, "Do you need something?"

"Several of the settlers have gone missing and I need your assistance in tracking them down."

Captain Okwaho frowned, "I will go with you then, and bring some of my best trackers with me."

The Native American captain gathered ten other riders and moved to the entrance of the town, where Boone and five other men were gathered. Colonel Poor approached him carefully and spoke, "Mr. Boone, you are better off staying here with the others and making sure no one else goes missing."

"But it was my daughter that went missing!"

"I understand your concern, but I promise you that we will return them safely. And I'm sure the people of this town need your assurance and leadership during these troubling times."

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Boone hesitated, but eventually relented, "Godspeed, colonel. Please bring them back."

Colonel Poor gave the man a small salute, "Will do, Mr. Boone. Just you wait."

The search party traveled the approximate location of where the missing townsmen were hunting and searched around to find any tracks or clues. Suddenly, one of the riders called out to Captain Okwaho, who listened to the man's words before translating it to the colonel, "He says that there is blood and marks on the ground indicating that something, or someone, was dragged nearby. There are also flecks of paint on the ground near the marks."

"And your guess?"

Captain Okwaho scowled, "Judging by our location, I would say our neighboring Indians up north."

"Shawnee," Colonel Poor looked around cautiously, "How long have those marks been here for?"

Another flurry of conversation passed between the two Amerindians and the captain turned back to the colonel after the exchange, "No more than three days. He says there are several tracks left behind, so trailing after them should not be too difficult."

"Let us be on our way then."

The group rode their horses and followed the trail left behind by the Shawnee Indians and the settlers. When they discovered the party resting in the middle of the woods, Colonel Poor executed an attack without hesitation. The eleven marines on horseback thundered into the camp and dispatched the six Shawnee Indians they found quickly, though Colonel Poor ordered his men to show restraint when dealing with the kidnappers. Four of the Shawnee Indians were knocked out of battle immediately and the remaining two fled north.

"Are you alright?" Colonel Poor asked as he spoke with one of the frightened girls.

"Yes, for the most part," The girl replied, "Did father send you?"

"If your father is Mr. Boone, then yes. I'm with the Continental Army and I was sent here to bring you safely back to Boonesborough."

Jemima looked relieved and took the hand that the colonel offered her with caution, "Thank goodness! The Indians were kind enough to us but to Henry and James that were with us..."

It was at this moment that Colonel Poor realized that there were only three girls in the camp, and the men were nowhere to be seen, "What happened to them?"

"Dead. They tried to protect us, but they were overwhelmed by the Indians, and then they were scalped."

Colonel Poor's face darkened as he placed the girl on his horse, "I'm sorry for what happened, and I promise that it will be dealt with accordingly. For now, let us get you back to safety."

The girls were a bit frightened when they realized that the other riders with the colonel were Indians themselves, but after a few minutes of explanations and reassurances, the two other girls rode with Captain Okwaho and one of the others. The four Shawnee prisoners were also placed on some of the riders. As they rode back towards Boonesborough, Jemima gripped the colonel's back and sobbed into his uniform, "Henry and James were so kind... and they were helping me learn to improve my shooting when..."

The colonel had dealt with the British and had risked his life on multiple occasions, but he never expected to help counsel a girl after a loss, "They're in a better place now. After today, I'll send out my patrols nearby and make sure this never happens again."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

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