Part 19 (1/2)

In Indian file the pursuers advanced, and all soon were running, following the custom of the Indians. So skilled was the leader in this work that it was well known that he was able for many hours to maintain the pace at which he was now moving.

”One time,” said Israel to Peleg, ”my father ran like this for eight hours, then rested two hours, and then ran eight more, and after he had taken another rest he made the third stretch of the same number of hours.”

The leader had not spoken except when in the dim light of the moon he was compelled to stop to search for the trail. Once when he halted he said to his companions: ”The Shawnees are not moving in one body. They have broken up into ten parties and are moving in parallel lines.”

”Did they expect to throw us off the trail in that way?” asked Israel scornfully.

”Doubtless they hoped to. Peleg,” inquired Boone, turning to the young scout, ”how many do you make out were in this band that stole Jemima?”

”About thirty, I should say,” replied Peleg.

”It is more nearly thirty-five,” declared Boone, as he turned to direct his followers to resume the pursuit.

Somehow the night did not prove to be a serious obstacle to the great leader. Almost as if by instinct Boone found his way, and the parallel trails made by the Indians, instead of throwing the pursuers into confusion, really aided them. If the trail was lost in one place it then became comparatively easy for the men to scatter and in a brief time discover it nearby.

”How far have we come?” Israel inquired of his father when a halt was made in the morning.

”Thirty miles,” replied Daniel Boone.

”Do you find anything new?”

”Yes,” replied the scout, nodding his head. ”The Indians are less careful than they were. The trail is becoming plainer. I hope we shall overtake them before noon.”

It was not long before the pursuit was resumed, and the pace of the entire party was increased when it was discovered that the Indians had entered a buffalo road and were following that clearly defined path.

The expression upon the face of Boone, who, with Peleg and Israel, was in advance of the little band, made every one aware that he expected soon to overtake the savages. The time of anxiety as well as peril was surely approaching.

”Peleg,” whispered Israel, ”what do you think will be done to the girls if the Indians see us before we get within rifle shot?”

Peleg shook his head and did not reply, although both he and his friend were aware that the Indians would doubtless tomahawk their captives and then flee if they should discover their pursuers close upon them.

Nearly ten more miles were covered before the escaping band was overtaken. Each party discovered the other almost at the same moment.

The Indians were in the act of kindling a fire and preparing camp for the night. Almost as if it was one sound, the rifles of Daniel Boone, Peleg, and Israel rang out together.

Two of the Indians fell to the ground. All the other braves, as if driven by one impulse, instantly turned and fled from the spot, leaving the terrified girls behind them. So sudden had been the flight of the savages that when they darted into the adjacent forest they had been unable to don their moccasins. Not a man in the pursuing party had been injured.

The cry of Jemima Boone when in the dim light she beheld her father approaching at the head of the rescuing party was one that those who heard her never were able to forget. She sprang from the ground where she had been seated and threw herself into her father's arms. For a time not a word was spoken by any one, while the well-nigh exhausted girl clung to Daniel Boone sobbing as if her heart would break.

The pursuit which had been led by the great scout had been so swift and unrelenting that scarcely any time for rest had been given the band since its departure from the fort the preceding evening; and only a short time for recuperation could be allowed even now. This was some hards.h.i.+p for the men, but for the girls, who, in addition to the terror and despair which had possessed them, had been compelled to travel through the forests at a speed which exhausted their strength, it was doubly hard.

Jemima explained to her father that they had arrived at the place where they had been discovered only a few moments before the coming of the hunter and his friends. The girl shuddered as she said: ”If the Shawnees had had two minutes more they would have killed both of us before they ran; and I do not understand why they ran, anyway.”

”How many warriors were in the band?” inquired her father.

”Thirty-six.”

”We cannot stay here long. The varmints will be coming back, and they outnumber us so greatly that we may have serious trouble.”

It was accordingly decided that the party should begin their return at once. For a time Daniel Boone carried his daughter in his arms, while her companion, almost exhausted, was also carried by one of the men.