uthorized by Colonel Henderson to say that he will pay thirty-three
cents per day to every man whom I may select to be of our company."

"When do we go?" inquired Peleg eagerly.

"On the day after to-morrow. How is Singing Susan?" inquired Boone with
a smile.

"She is doing famously. I have gained a reputation in the settlement for
being a better shot than I would be warranted in claiming to be, unless
I had the song of Susan to help me."

"That is good," said Boone cordially. "Now if you can secure an axe that
will render you as efficient service in its way as Singing Susan does
in hers, you will be well equipped for our expedition. It is important
that we make haste, if the way is to be opened in time for settlers to
sow any crops this spring."

Hard as it was for Daniel Boone to leave his family again in charge of
Israel and Samuel, nevertheless his strong feeling that he was simply an
instrument being used to further the advance of the rapidly growing
nation in the American colonies was sufficient to induce him to accept
this task. In addition, his wife shared the same conviction. She, too,
was eager for him to continue his labours, and in spite of the anxiety
she would suffer during his absence, she urged him to accept the offer
which Colonel Henderson had made.

At the appointed time a band of twenty-five men, every one fully armed
and all equipped with axes, departed from the settlement on the Clinch.
Confidence in their leader and the hope that not only would they be able
to open a way into the marvellous land, but that their own families also
might share in the reward, made all the men eager to go. It was not
believed that the task would require many weeks, but the necessity of
preparing the soil and planting some crops before the summer came was an
inducement for haste.

There were places where trees had to be felled, and the ringing of the
axes was heard all the day long. In other regions, however, very little
labour was required, because the road, as it was selected, led in its
winding course around many open ledges and through sparsely wooded
passes of the hills and mountains.

Nearly three weeks passed and the hardy band of hunters and woodsmen was
drawing near the region which they were seeking. They had not been
molested by the Indians, and were beginning to congratulate themselves
that they were to escape the perils which every day threatened them.

Without warning, one day, however, above the