He had no qualities to make him a leader when settlements sprang up around him.

To the end of his days he remained a solitary hunter and Indian fighter, spurning restraint and comfort, and seeking the strong excitement of danger to give zest to his life.

Even in the time of the greatest peril from the savages he would not stay shut up in the forts, but continued his roving, wandering life, trusting to his own quick senses, wonderful strength, and iron nerves.
He even continued to lie out at night, kindling a fire, and then lying down to sleep far from it.

[Footnote: _Southwestern Monthly_, Nashville, 1852, vol.II.General Hall's narrative.] Robertson Travels Thither.
Early in the year 1779 a leader of men came to the place where the old hunter had roamed and killed game; and with the new-comer came those who were to posses the land.

Robertson left the Watauga settlements soon after the spring opened, [Footnote: It is very difficult to reconcile the dates of these early movements; even the contemporary documents are often a little vague, while Haywood, Ramsey, and Putnam are frequently months out of the way.