Peleg looked at the messenger, who was not much older than he. His air of importance was not lost upon the young settler, who laughed slightly when, after Daniel's departure in search of his father, he turned again to the visitor. "It is a great honour I have for Daniel Boone," suggested the courier. "That depends somewhat, I fancy, upon who you are and what you have to bring him." "I have told you already that I am a messenger from Governor Dunmore. It is meet in you, young man, to respect men who are high in authority." "I do respect the Governor," said Peleg dryly. "Then you should have respect for the Governor's messenger." "I have respect for all who are respectable." "What mean you by that?" demanded the visitor hotly; as he spoke he leaped from the seat on the back of his horse and advanced threateningly upon Peleg. His attitude changed, however, when Peleg quietly stood his ground and even slightly smiled at the pompous words and manner of the visitor. The return of young Daniel Boone interrupted the interview. "My father will be pleased to see you," said the lad, glancing questioningly first at Peleg and then at the messenger. "Of course he will see me," declared the courier. "Why did he not return with you?" "He is awaiting your coming and bade me conduct you to our home." "Is it far from here?" "No, sir" "Very good. I shall be pleased to go with you and give my message to Daniel Boone." Peleg was an interested observer of the departing visitor, and his interest would have been still keener had he known how much the message from Governor Dunmore concerned his own future. CHAPTER VII TWO SCOUTS Peleg resumed his congenial occupation, working steadily upon the rifle which he was fashioning. The barrel had been part of a gun which belonged to one of the men who had fallen in the recent attack by the Indians, its stock having been shattered by the blow of a hatchet. After the weapon had been found, instead of throwing it aside as its finder was tempted to do, Peleg had taken it for himself. All the way from Cumberland Mountain he had carried the barrel, which was all that he had saved of the rifle. He was aware of the confidence which its recent owner had in its qualities, and he had determined to fashion from it a gun for himself upon which he might rely. A smile of satisfaction lighted up the countenance of the young hunter when after several hours had elapsed he critically examined his new weapon, the parts of which now had all been joined. At supper time at the home of Daniel Boone, of whose family Peleg had been made a member since the death of James, the visitor of the afternoon was recalled by a question of Israel Boone, the second of the five sons of Daniel Boone. "Why did not that man stay all night?" he inquired of his father when the family was seated about the rude table. "He would not remain," replied his father quietly. "Who was he?" continued Israel. "A messenger from Governor Dunmore."