nearly five to one
No take white broder to village , take white broder scalp . '' For a few moments Boone silently considered . He well knew that it would be impossible for his friends to escape the united attack of the Shawnees . Every warrior was armed with a gun , and , as the band outnumbered the whites nearly five to one , it would be worse than useless for them to attempt to defend themselves . On the other hand , if they submitted quietly it might be possible partly to disarm the captors of their watchfulness , and as there were so many of the whites some opportunity might arise that would provide an avenue for escape . In the latter event the chances that more of the men would escape alive were much better than they would be if they attempted to defend themselves at the present time . Accordingly , Boone said to the young chief : `` I will go with you to tell my brothers what the chiefs say if you will come with me unarmed . ''