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Page 46
To him, as the leader, the noble old hunter now turned, and in a brief
manner imparted some very important advice, regarding his mode of
proceeding under various difficulties, particularly cautioned him
against any rash act, and concluded by saying, "Wharsomever or
howsomever you may be fixed, Isaac, and you his companions, (addressing
the young men by his side) don't never forget the injunction o' Daniel
Boone, your friend, that you must be cool, steady and firm; and
whensomever you fire at a painted varmint, be sure you don't throw away
your powder!"
He then proceeded to shake hands with each, bidding them farewell and
God speed, in a manner so earnest and touching as to draw tears from
many an eye unused to the melting mood. The parting example of Boone was
now imitated by the others, and in a few minutes both divisions had
resumed their journey.
Dividing his party again as before, Boone proceeded with them to examine
closely both banks of the stream for the other trail. Commencing where
they had left off on the announcement of Isaac, they moved slowly
downward, taking due note of every bush, leaf and blade as they went
along--often pausing and bending on their knees, to observe some spot
more minutely, where it seemed probable their enemies had withdrawn from
the water. C�sar, too, apparently comprehending the object of their
search, ran to and fro, snuffing at every thing he saw, sometimes with
his nose to the ground and sometimes elevated in the air. At length he
gave a peculiar whine, at a spot about twenty yards below that which had
been reached by his master, on the side opposite Isaac's discovery; and
hastening to him, Boone immediately communicated to the others the
cheering intelligence that the trail had been found.
Each now hurrying forward, the old hunter was soon joined by his young
friends; not one of whom, on coming up, failed to express surprise that
he should be so positive of what their eyes gave them not the least
proof. The place where they were now assembled, was at the base of a
hill, which terminated the flat or hollow in that direction, and turned
the stream at a short bend off to the left, along whose side its waters
ran for some twenty yards, when the arm projection of the ridge ended,
and allowed it to turn and almost retrace its path on the opposite
side--thus forming an elliptical bow. At the point in question, rose a
steep bank of rocks, of limestone formation, against which the stream,
during the spring and fall floods had rolled its tide to a height of six
or eight feet; and had lodged there, from time to time, various sorts of
refuse--such as old leaves, branches and roots of trees, and the like
encumbrances to the smooth flow of its waters. On these rocks it was
that the eyes of the party were now fixed; while their faces exhibited
expressions of astonishment, that the old hunter should be able to
distinguish marks of a recent trail, where they could perceive nothing
but the undisturbed surface of what perhaps had been ages in forming.
"And so, lads, you don't see no trail thar, eh?" said Boone, with a
quiet smile, after having listened to various observations of the party,
during which time he had been carelessly leaning on his rifle.
"Why, I must confess I can see nothing of the kind," answered Henry.
"Nor I," rejoined another of the party.
"Well, ef thar be any marks o' a trail here, jest shoot me with red
pepper and salt, ef ever I'm cotched bragging on my eyes agin," returned
a third.
"That thar observation'll hold good with me too" uttered a fourth.
"Here's in," said the fifth and last.
"You're all young men, and have got a right smart deal to larn yet,"
resumed Boone, "afore you can be turned out rale ginuine woodsmen and
hunters. Now mark that thar small pebble stone, that lies by your feet
on the rock. Ef you look at it right close, you'll perceive that on one
side on't the dirt looks new and fresh--which proves it's jest been
started from its long quietude. Now cast your eyes a little higher up,
agin yon dirt ridge which partly kivers them thar larger stones, and
you'll see an indent that this here pebble stone just fits. Now
something had to throw that down, o' course; and ef you'll just look
right sharp above it, you'll see a smaller dent, that war made by the
toe of some human foot, in getting up the bank. Agin you'll observe that
thar dry twig, just above still, has been lately broke, as ef by the
person war climbing up taking hold on't for assistance; but that warn't
the reason the climber broke it--it war done purposely; as you'll see by
the top part being bent up the hill, as ef to point us on. By the Power
that made me!" added Boone, gazing for a moment at the broken twig
intently, "ef I arn't wondrously mistaken, thar's a leaf hanging to it
in a way nater never fixed it."
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