Part 22 (1/2)

”I hardly think so,” replied the scout, shaking his head. ”The Indians are like children in many ways. When they have been successful, either on the warpath or in the chase, they immediately return to their friends to celebrate their good fortune with them. They are easily elated, and are almost childish in seeking the praise of those whose opinions they value. That is the reason why they have come back to the village with their twenty-eight prisoners.”

”What will happen to us?” inquired Peleg anxiously.

”That no man can say. All that I am sure of is that we must bear whatever comes in the spirit of those who know that it is the best thing that could happen for every one of us.”

”If they burn us at the stake?” inquired Peleg bitterly.

”Yes, even if they burn us at the stake. It will be hard to bear if they do that, but I am not without hope that they will adopt some other course.”

”They may make us run the gauntlet.”

”Yes, they may,” admitted Boone, ”but there is one thing, Peleg, we do not have to do.”

”What is that, sir?”

”We do not have to bear anything before it comes. All that any man can do is to prepare for what may befall him, and then, whatever comes, bear it like a man. But he who worries over his troubles before they arrive is in no condition to bear them after they come.”

”I know that is your way of thinking,” said Peleg, ”but I have not learned it yet.”

”That's the correct word, Peleg.”

”What word?” inquired the younger scout quickly.

”The word 'learned,' No one has it at the beginning of his life. Even Preacher Lythe told us one time that he, like Paul, 'learned' in whatsoever state he was, therewith to be content.”

”So have you!” said Peleg cordially.

Boone smiled and shook his head as he replied: ”I have learned not to reveal all my feelings. Beyond that I cannot say. But I am so fully convinced that whatever befalls me in this life is part of a great plan, that it would be foolish for me to complain or whine. Whatever happens, no one shall ever be able to say that he heard a whimper from Daniel Boone. Whate'er may come to us, lad, do not let any of these Shawnees see that you are in the least cast down.”

”I shall do my best.”

”I am hopeful,” said Boone, ”that we shall not be treated severely.

Chief Owaneeyo gave us his promise when we surrendered that we should be treated with kindness both on our journey and after we arrived at the Indian village. I believe he spoke truly.”

”What I am afraid of,” said Peleg, ”is that some of these braves will not listen to him. I think Owaneeyo will live up to his promise as far as he is able.”

”There, Peleg, you are borrowing trouble again. What shall I do with you?” said Boone gently. ”For myself, I shall look for the better side, and if the hard times come I shall bear them as I may be able, but I am expecting that things will not be as bad as you fear, and I shall keep myself ready if Providence reveals any opening for our release. I believe firmly that such an opening will come and that we shall yet go back to our friends.”

”I hope so,” said Peleg fervently.

”But whatever comes, Peleg, you must be cheerful, at least in your appearance. If the Indians see that you are cast down or afraid, they will immediately lose their respect for you, and no one can tell what may happen.”

In a measure the words of the scout proved to be true. The prisoners were treated with kindness and were a.s.signed to various members of the tribe in such a manner that they seldom had an opportunity of conversing with one another.

Mindful of the directions of the great scout, Peleg did his utmost to maintain a cheerful manner. He was confident, too, as the days pa.s.sed, that however heavy his own heart might be the Shawnees were sure that he was adapting himself to the life of their tribe and was not unhappy in their midst.

A few days after the captives had been brought into the village, Owaneeyo came to Boone one morning and said: ”Big scout shoot. No shoot brave, shoot----”

The word which he wished to use failed the young chief, but laughing heartily he conducted the hunter to a place where Daniel Boone saw that a target had been erected. He concluded that the plan of the Indian was for him to enter into a contest with some of the best shots among the Shawnees.