The prisoners were not subjected to any cruelty by the Indians, who were highly elated by their capture and especially by having the renowned captain, Daniel Boone, in their power. They seem to have given the whites their fair share of food and to have allowed them a sufficiency of covering when they were camped at night. The captives were at a loss whether to accept this consideration as an evidence of friendly feeling, or a measure designed to keep them in good condition to stand extreme torture when they should reach their destination. Most of them knew the fickle and childlike temper of the Indian and the uncertainty of any deductions that may be drawn from his behavior. Here we must leave Boone for a while, trudging through the snow-swept wilderness with philosophical readiness to accept with equanimity whatever fate might have in store for him, but with a determination to turn circumstances to the best account whenever opportunity should offer. VIII. THE HANNIBAL OF THE WEST Clark comes to Kentucky “to lend a helping hand”--He immediately takes a leading part in the affairs of the settlers--He goes to Virginia for much-needed ammunition--The race down the river with Indians in pursuit--The powder and shot are safely delivered--Clark makes a daring raid on the British posts in Canada--The party surprises the Kaskaskians in the midst of a revel--The fort and town are taken without the loss of a life--The inhabitants take the oath of allegiance--Cahokia and Vincennes are quickly captured--But the situation of the victors is precarious. In order to follow the story of the Kentucky settlers with intelligent understanding, it will be necessary to take a brief survey of the achievements of that very remarkable man, George Rogers Clark. Not only were Clark’s direct services to the new settlement powerfully influential in its development, but his campaigns in British territory were also of the utmost consequence to the Kentuckians, as we shall see.