aside ammunition for
future use.

He frequently wondered about Boonesborough. How was the place getting
along! How were his family? No words came up from there. But if it
had been attacked, he would have heard.

On the first of June the Black Fish family took him eastward to some
salt licks on the Scioto River, and put him at work making salt. This
caused him to think of home more than ever, if that were possible.
After he had been there ten days he was taken back to Chillicothe, and
he beheld an alarming sight.

One hundred and fifty chiefs and warriors were already "painted and
armed in a frightful manner," about to start against Boonesborough!
They had made complete preparations while he was absent. Now he heard
the talk, which he pretended not to understand, but he saw that he must
escape at once and carry warning.

He had to wait a week before his chance opened. All that time he was
on pins and needles, lest the Indians leave before him. Yet he dared
not so much as flicker an eye. He had to laugh and loaf and eat and
sleep, the same as usual.

He dared not hurry, either. If he tried to hunt, before-time, likely
enough he would be frowned upon and maybe tied up. So he waited. He
felt certain that once started, he could out-travel the warriors, did
they not have too much of a lead.

Toward the close of the first week they were still in the town, waiting
for other bands and for orders from Detroit. On the night of June 15
Big Turtle said to his father Black Fish:

"The meat is low. To-morrow morning I will hunt for more."

"You are right, my son. It is time. Go, as you say."

The bullets were doled out: two or three. The powder was measured.
Early in the morning of June 16 Big Turtle strode forth, into the
forest. He did not hurry; but when far from sight of spies he went to
his cache of ammunition, scooped up the powder and lead hidden there,
and ran.

Before night there would be four hundred and fifty Shawnee warriors
eager for Captain Boone; if he was caught, he surely would be tortured
and killed; even Black Fish could not save him. And Boonesborough
would fall.

Luckily, the Indians would not be looking for him until later in the
day. He was supposed to be hunting. Now, with this head-start, could
he but reach the Ohio River! Once across the Ohio, and he would feel
safe, for he knew the Kentucky country.

Never had he traveled so fast; never before had he taken such pains to