Not since the outbreak of the Revolution had there been so much confusion and alarm among the pioneers.

To be sure, those on the very verge of the frontier, as at Ft.

Henry, had heretofore little to fear from the British.

During most of this time there had been comparative peace on the western border, excepting those occasional murders, raids, and massacres perpetrated by the different Indian tribes, and instigated no doubt by Girty and the British at Detroit.
Now all kinds of rumors were afloat: Washington was defeated; a close alliance between England and the confederated western tribes had been formed; Girty had British power and wealth back of him.
These and many more alarming reports travelled from settlement to settlement.
The death of Col.

Crawford had been a terrible shock to the whole country.