early in may, 1781, m'afee's station, in the neighborhood of harrodsburg, kentucky, was alarmed by the approach of indians. on the morning of the 9th, samuel m'afee, accompanied by another man, left the fort in order to visit a small plantation in the neighborhood, and at the distance of three hundred yards from the gate, they were fired upon by a party of indians in ambush. the man who, accompanied him instantly fell. an indian rushed up, dropped his rifle, scalped the man, and holding up the bleeding trophy, gave a yell of delight.

m'afee attempted to regain the fort. while running for that purpose, he found himself suddenly intercepted by an indian, who, springing out of the canebrake, placed himself directly in his path. each glared upon the other for an instant, in silence, and both raising their guns at the moment, pulled the triggers together. the indian's rifle snapped, while m'afee's ball passed directly through his brain. having no time to reload his gun, he sprung over the body of his antagonist, and continued his flight to the fort. when within one hundred yards of the gate, he was met by his two brothers, robert and james, who at the report of the guns, had hurried out to the assistance of their brother. samuel hastily informed them of their danger, and exhorted them to return. james readily complied, but robert, declared that he must have a view of the dead indian. he ran on for that purpose, and having enjoyed the spectacle, was returning, when he saw five or six indians between him and the fort, evidently bent on taking him alive. all his activity and presence of mind was put in request. he ran from tree to tree, endeavoring to turn their flank, and reach one of the gates, and after a variety of turns and doublings, he found himself pressed by only one indian. m'afee turned upon his pursuer, and compelled him to take shelter behind a tree. both stood still for a moment—m'afee having his gun cocked, and the sight fixed where he supposed the indian would thrust out his head in order to have a view of his antagonist. after waiting a few seconds, the indian exposed a part of his head to take sight, when m'afee fired, and the indian fell. while turning, to continue the flight, he was fired on by a party of six, which compelled him again to tree. but scarcely had he done so, when he received the fire of three more enemies which made the bark and dust fly about him. finding his post dangerous, he ran for the fort, which he reached in safety, to the inexpressible joy of his brothers, who had despaired of his return.