Part 20 (1/2)

With all my might, mind, and strength I am opposed to any cruelty to dumb creatures, and also to any wanton waste of the game in our forests.

I am sure I am giving voice to your convictions also when I say that we want no man within our settlement who does not have some such feeling as I have just described. Sometimes our boys are thoughtless and shoot perhaps more for the sake of killing than to secure provisions for our homes. We must be patient with them and strive to show them how mistaken they are. What I desire greatly just now is that a law shall be adopted to protect the game in our forests.” The hunter took his seat and a murmur of applause at once came from the little a.s.sembly.

”Do you make that as a motion?” inquired Colonel Henderson.

”I do,” responded the scout, rising and gravely bowing as he spoke.

The motion was seconded, and without one opposing vote the a.s.sembly agreed to the suggestion of Daniel Boone.

As soon as this motion was adopted the great scout once more arose and in his quiet and dignified manner again began to speak: ”There is another matter in which I am deeply interested. I have never been able to understand how any man made in the image of his Creator could take his Creator's name in vain. In my experience I have noticed that profanity is limited to men who are either weak or vicious. I think, my friends, that you will agree with me that we want neither cla.s.s in our little settlement on the banks of the Kentucky. I therefore move that we adopt a law prohibiting profanity.”

It was manifest that not every one in the a.s.sembly agreed with these sentiments of the hunter, and there was a moment of hesitation. Peleg, however, always ready to further the efforts of his friend, whom he admired more than he did any living man, promptly arose and seconded the motion, which then was pa.s.sed without any opposition, though not with the enthusiasm which had greeted the preceding motion.

Once more the tall scout arose and said: ”I have still one other desire in my heart. As you all know, our little settlement has been unusually free from the brawls which occur in so many of the hamlets on the border. I am confident it is the desire of every one here that the same things shall continue to be true. If we must fight, then let us fight hard; but all petty quarrellings and brawls, let them not henceforth even be mentioned among us. With this peaceful desire in our minds, I greatly desire that a law shall be adopted to express the wish of this settlement that the Sabbath shall not be like other days. We surely toil so hard throughout six days of the week that if there were no other purpose in our minds we ought to rest on the Lord's Day. In order that this may be clearly understood, I move that a law be adopted which shall voice the sentiment of this community against the profanation of the Sabbath Day.”

There was no openly expressed opposition to the desire of the scout, and Peleg having promptly seconded this motion, his third suggestion also was adopted.

Soon afterward, Colonel Henderson called upon the pioneer preacher to close the meeting with prayer, and the a.s.sembly dispersed.

Peleg, Israel Boone, and Henry departed together from the fort. The last named was now able to express himself in English and, though he was still reserved in his bearings toward the people in general, his friends.h.i.+p for Peleg and Israel had strengthened with every pa.s.sing day.

”I never know such man like your father,” said Henry to Israel.

”He is the best man that ever lived!” broke in Peleg enthusiastically.

”He has been just like a father to me, and if he was my real father I should be the proudest man in all Kentucky.”

”That would mean a great many people,” suggested Israel with a smile. ”I understand there are new settlers arriving every day. I have heard that Logan's Fort and Harrodsburgh are filling in very fast.”

”So I have heard,” responded Peleg.

”If the Indians would only leave us free!”

”But they will not,” broke in Henry. ”They say white people not make any more settlements, and it not long before they drive out those that are here.”

”Let them try!” said Israel dryly.

”They have been trying,” remarked Peleg. ”There is not a day that we have not seen some signs of the Shawnees or Delawares prowling around the forts.”

”They have not made any open attack for some time now,” suggested Israel Boone.

Henry shook his head as he said: ”That means they only wait. Pretty soon you see. They feel for white men like wolf feel for bear.”

”And that is about the same love that a dog has for a cat,” suggested Peleg with a laugh.

”That is it,” acknowledged Henry soberly. ”I never know why bear and wolf no like each other. They kill many other things, but when wolf find trail of bear he call to all his friends and they begin to chase Mr. Bear. One day I saw a pack of wolves chasing big bear.”

”Was the bear running from them?” inquired Israel.

”Yes, he run much fast. By and by he come to place where he can go no more, then he stand up with his back to tree, and the way he cuff those wolves first one side, then on other, make me laugh.”