does indeed blossom like the rose."--"Yes," replied Boone, "and who would
live amid the barren pine-hills of North Carolina, to hear the screaming
of the jay, and now and then shoot a deer too lean to be eaten? This is
the land for hunters. Here man and beast may grow to their full size."

In this way, for more than six months, these men fearlessly hunted and
roamed through the woods. Contrary to their expectations, through the
whole summer they saw no Indians, nor did they meet with any remarkable
adventure. The precaution of a nightly watch was adopted, but they met
with no disturbance from man or beast. They had glorious sport by day,
and slept quietly at night. After this, as you will see, they began to
meet difficulties.

On the 22d of December, Boone and Stewart started off, as they had often
done before, upon an exploring tour. After wandering several miles, they
pressed their way through a piece of thick woods, and came out upon a
boundless open forest. Here they found quantities of persimmon-trees,
loaded with ripe fruit, while clusters of wild grapes covered the vines
that were hanging from the lofty branches. Flowers were still in bloom,
and scented the air; herds of animals might be seen through the forest
in every direction: add to this that the day was beautiful, and you will
not be surprised to learn that they continued to wander--indeed, that
they wandered much further than they supposed. It was nearly dark when
they reached the Kentucky river, and stood looking upon its rippling
waters. Perceiving a hill close by, they climbed it, that they might take
a better view of the course of the stream. They were now descending, on
their way homeward, when suddenly they heard an Indian yell, and out
rushed from the canebrake a party of savages. They had no time for
resistance--indeed, time was nothing; they were overpowered by numbers.
The savages seized them, took away their rifles and ammunition, bound
them, and marched them off to their camp. The next morning they started
off with their prisoners, the poor fellows not knowing where they were
going, or what was to be done to them. They did not know one word of
their language, and could therefore learn nothing: this much, however,
they very well understood--that it would not do to show any signs of fear
to the Indians; and therefore they went on cheerfully. In a little time
they became better acquainted with their captors, and judged, from
certain signs, that