Part 32 (1/2)

The judgment of Daniel Boone was accepted by all the men in the band.

Indeed there were many now who were blaming others as well as themselves for not having listened to the word of the wise old scout before they had entered into the unequal struggle with the Indians at Blue Licks.

Swiftly and seriously the men retraced their way to Bryant's Station, where they were dismissed by Colonel Logan with the understanding that they would respond if he should call for their help in the near future.

This he fully expected to do.

In a rude wagon Daniel Boone and Peleg carried the wounded boy back to his home. The wound itself was not believed to be serious, although naturally after the tragedies which had occurred in his family Daniel Boone was anxious for his son. Daniel Morgan Boone, or ”young Dan,” as he sometimes was called by the settlers, to distinguish him from his father, made light of his experiences and even declared that he was prepared to ride his horse back to Boonesborough instead of being carried in the jolting wagon. His protest, however, was not heeded, and in a short time the Boonesborough men were back in their settlement.

To all it now was evident that Daniel Boone held a place in the regard of the settlers such as he never before had won. His deep sorrow over the distressing tragedies which had resulted in the loss of two promising sons, and his willingness to do all in his power to aid his friends: these qualities won him sympathy and affection in addition to the respect in which he was held because of his excellent judgment. The simple manner of the great scout, his skill as a hunter, his knowledge of the Indians, and his enduring friends.h.i.+p, were more highly appreciated with every pa.s.sing day.

Shortly after the return of Boone and his companions, the scout said to Peleg, ”I have just received word from Colonel George Rogers Clark from the Falls of the Ohio.”

”What does he want?” asked Peleg quickly. The st.u.r.dy colonel in control of the forces of the entire region was known to be a man of action, and one whose activities were familiar to all the settlers.

”He sends me word,” said Boone quietly, ”that he plans to raise a force of one thousand men to go against the Indian towns.”

”Why does he do that?”

”He has two reasons: One is that the people are so discouraged and disappointed by the recent successes of the Indians that many are thinking of withdrawing from Kentucky. The other reason is that he thinks the Indians ought not to be permitted to rest upon the victories which they have won, and that the battle of Blue Licks and the fight at Bryant's Station must be avenged, or the Shawnees and the Wyandottes will soon be more active than they have been.”

”What do you think?” inquired Peleg.

”It is not for me to say,” replied Boone, his rare smile lighting his face for a moment as he spoke.

”But you think what you do not say,” persisted Peleg.

”I think Colonel Clark is doing the only thing which will bring help to our stations. Either the Indians or we are to live in this country. It is a pity that we cannot say, the Indians _and_ we; but from the feeling they have shown, and the way in which I know many of the whites look upon them, I am afraid such a plan will be impossible. There is then only one thing for us to do.”

”What is that?”

”It must be decided once for all whether the country is to be occupied by the white men or by the red. There can be but one answer. However,”

continued Boone, ”I have little time to discuss these matters with you, now. It is a time for action, and much as you and I may dislike to leave our homes, we cannot lightly regard such a summons as Colonel Clark has sent us.”

”What is the plan?”

”He proposes to raise an army of one thousand men, as I said, and march to destroy the Indian villages.”

”Where do we meet?”

”At the Falls of the Ohio. I have seen Colonel Logan, and he is to a.s.semble his men and march in one body to the meeting-place. My own judgment is that it would be better for the force to split up into smaller parties, but that is not for me to say. I have, however, arranged with Colonel Logan for you and six other men to go as a band of scouts to the north of the route we are to take, and at the same time have several bands move to the south. I do not believe there will be any danger before we arrive at the meeting-place, but it is well to provide for what may happen before it comes to pa.s.s. As you know, that has always been my plan. I do not think I ever had a fight with an Indian that I did not try to think what he would do, or what I would do if I were in his place, before the real contest began.”

”Are you to lead the scouts on the south?”

”That is for the King to say,” replied Boone, smiling as he quoted the well-known saying of Sam Oliver.

The following morning Peleg, as leader of his little band of scouts, departed for the place of a.s.sembly. The advance to the Falls of the Ohio would require three days or more. It was not believed that there would be anything more than occasional attacks on the main body by small bands of Indians, for few braves would dare to oppose the coming of this great army.

In Peleg's little band was Sam Oliver, the hunter. Sam now was plainly showing the effects of the pa.s.sing years. He was suffering from rheumatism acquired by exposure in the many winters during which he had been known throughout the settlements as a great hunter. His visits to the stations were more frequent than formerly, and he remained longer than in the preceding years. He was still sensitive, however, concerning his physical strength and skill, and refused to listen to any suggestion that he was not in condition to accompany the younger men on their way to the meeting-place of the army.

”Peleg,” said Sam Oliver, when the party, all mounted, had set forth on their expedition, ”I know a little Indian town about seventy-five miles from here where we can get some horses.”