Scouting with Daniel BooneTomlinson, Everett T. (Everett Titsworth)
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Scouting with Daniel Boone
Tomlinson, Everett T. (Everett Titsworth)
Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820 -- Juvenile fiction
The example of the leader, mindful of the needs of others in the hour of
his own peril, inspired his companions to similar action, and, in the
midst of all the turmoil and danger, the other wounded men were rescued.
It soon was discovered, however, that three of the fallen men were
already dead.
The temporary withdrawal of the warriors to the forest left the field
free once more, and Boone turned to his companions and said, "Come with
me, every one!"
Instantly his followers responded, and, dashing to the place where their
companions had fallen, they bore the bodies back to a place of safety,
thankful to find that they had not yet been mutilated.
There was no time for ceremony or for lamentations, and the three who
had fallen to rise no more were hastily buried in one grave by their
comrades.
The unexpected attack, following as it had the long days of quiet, was
seriously disturbing to the roadmakers. That evening there were no
camp-fires, and guards were established to watch through the night.
When morning came the alarm had not been repeated, and many were
persuaded that the assault of the previous day was merely the act of a
desperate band which had attacked the settlers without any preconceived
plan. Nevertheless Daniel Boone declared that it was necessary to
maintain a guard throughout the day.
The labour was entered into with zeal, and though a renewal of the
attack was not made, thoughts of the new peril were in the minds of
every man, and made all serious. At the request of his followers Boone
devoted most of his time to scouting in the nearby region, a duty which
he insisted upon sharing with his younger companion, Peleg.
The sun had dropped below the borders of the forest, and the men were
congratulating themselves that the day had passed without a renewal of
hostilities, when suddenly both scouts were seen running swiftly toward
the place where the men had encamped for the night.
This startling sight was sufficient to arouse every member of the party.
Every man seized his gun and ran for the shelter of some huge tree.
[Illustration: "Boone quickly rallied his startled followers, and when
the red men returned the hardy settlers were ready and awaiting their
coming"]
Boone was wildly gesticulating as he drew near, but his gestures were
misunderstood by his friends. Before either scout was able to regain the
place where the pioneers were hiding, there was another wild whoop and
a band of Indians larger than that which had been seen the previous day
darted from the woods in the rear of the settlers. Before they were able
to return the unlooked-for fire, two of their number fell dead from the
bullets of their enemies, while three more were wounded.
Like a flash the Indians were gone again. But Boone quickly rallied his
startled followers and when the red men returned, as they did within a
few minutes, appearing from another section of the forest, the hardy
settlers were ready and awaiting their coming.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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