and 1838 I travelled, as will be seen, over almost all the territory of Texas then inhabited by the Americans, and I have no idea there were over fifteen thousand white people in the country. The number of Indians must have been greatly underrated in this statement.

Reaching the colony at the Falls, we found great excitement. There were six or eight families in the colony; at the fort near by the camp were some thirty or forty soldiers. So soon as things were somewhat composed, we had an appointment for preaching.

This was continued once a week, when I was at home, and circumstances would allow. We were frequently interfered with by reports that Indians were in the neighborhood. Rangers, who were kept out as spies, would very frequently come in and report smokes on the west side of the river answered by smokes on the east. Indians had set times on the frontier to move south and do mischief; this was generally on or about the full moon. Travelling, as they usually did, in separate, small detachments, with points designated at which to meet, they would frequently kindle fires and throw piles of green moss from the trees on them, and in this way, in an open country like Texas, they could easily communicate with each other. Generally the rangers would detect their advance, and we were notified, but not always.

About the first of January, 1837, I was notified by the commander of the fort that the ammunition was almost exhausted; that there were not five rounds to the man; that the government had neither money nor lead. We This was our country,

were of course in imminent peril. and our fight; and although it was painful under the circumstances to leave my loved ones, exposed as they would be,

my sense of duty to the land of my adoption required that I should go alone to the town of Washington, one hundred miles south on the Brazos River, in search of powder and lead, at my own charges. At this point the devil sorely tried me. The question was asked, "Now, sir, do you be lieve the language of the Bible, from which you preached so earnestly to the people in the old town of Nacogdoches, just one year ago?" After a little season of meditation and prayer the language of my soul was sounded out audibly from my lips: "Yes, I believe, yet, that the wilderness. of Texas will blossom as the rose, and the solitary places be made glad by the presence of the Lord;" and I started.

On my way down, travelling at one time thirty miles without seeing a human being, or even the habitation of man, my mind was active, and resolution firm, to preach whenever and wherever opportunities were offered. At Nashville I found six or eight families, and as I must tarry there a night I called the families together and preached.

Arrived in the little town of Washington about sunset; met a man on a crutch; inquired for the public house, and after he pointed it out he inquired if I were not a Baptist preacher. I replied that I bore the name of one in Tennessee, and would not deny it in Texas. He invited me to preach for them that night, to which I consented. This man proved afterward to be brother N. T. Byars, who preached for so many years as a pioneer Texas missionary. Appointment was made and filled. Everybody, we were told, turned out. The room obtained was filled, and many stood outside. This was the first sermon ever preached in the town. There were then three or four Baptists there, and of course they were greatly pleased to hear the sound

of a Baptist preacher's voice. I retired to rest as soon as I could, having travelled entirely alone, along crooked Indian trails, one hundred and twenty miles in two days, and preached each night.

In every store in the town I inquired next morning for powder and lead. One keg of lead was found, but no powder. As much lead as was thought to be safe was put into my saddle-bags. Several bars were bent, a string run through them, and balanced on the horn of the saddle. The way selected to return was by Independence. It looked more like dependence then than independence. Such was the appearance of all our towns. I soon reached the Yegua bottom, not a very interesting place then, nor now, when the stream is swollen. This is one part of Texas, according to the writer's opinion, that has made very little improvement, though it be under the shadow of Baylor University. The stream was swimming, for about thirty feet, in the main channel the whole bottom, nearly three miles wide, was a sea of water no bridge the horse was still able to go sixty miles a day, and must carry me by Jackson's store and to Nashville that day. He carried me over safely with the load of lead.

Jackson's store was reached late in the evening, within eight miles of Nashville. Weary and hungry and impatient, I entered the store and asked for powder. Some had just been received by a wagon from Columbia. Men were then crowded in the room, who had engaged all the powder, and paid the money in advance, previous to its arrival. After some threats made on both sides of the question a description given of the condition at the Falls-my long trip-shivering then in my cold, wet clothing, six canisters of powder were received and paid

for, and I was at home on the fourth night. Rode the same horse two hundred and forty miles inside of four days. The soldiers, on receiving the powder and lead, were in fine spirits. There was no danger of starvation with plenty of ammunition, and hopes were entertained that the Indians could now be held in check.

There were no Baptists at the Falls, except myself, wife and daughter. Cut off thus from all communication with churches or ministers, the situation was by no means a pleasant one. It was thirty miles to the nearest settlement on Little River. A few families were at Parker's Fort, thirty-five miles distant, near the present locality of Springfield. It was unnecessary to make appointments at these places, with any prospect of filling them. Thus cut off, I did what I could for the spiritual welfare of those by whom I was immediately surrounded

CHAPTER V.

AN EMERGENCY. IN 1837.

UR Indian troubles increased rapidly towards the close of 1836 and the beginning of 1837. About the first of February, 1837, a light snow covered the earth. This was rather remarkable then, and presented quite a contrast with the former season. The spies from the two forts at the Falls, and on Little River, met every day on middle ground. Reports were given, at both places, that the trail between the forts had been crossed by Indians going south-east toward Elm Creek. All the sign that had been discovered made the impression that it was only a small party on a thieving expedition. About fifteen men under Lieutenant Errath, some from each fort, met at the point where the Indians crossed, and followed the trail almost to the mouth of Elm Creek. Here suddenly a number of trails came together, showing evidently that the Indians were not few but many. They had up to this point been travelling in detachments, and it was one of these small companies whose sign had been discovered between the forts. From an elevation the rangers saw the smokes from camp-fires in the bottom. The few, however, under this brave lieutenant determined to attack the many.

The horses were tied some distance

out, and the fifteen men, at great peril, under cover of the night, cautiously approached the camp. Arriving at the point