Stuart and Boone enjoyed themselves, as they had done on many a day before, until the declining sun warned them that it was time to turn their faces toward camp, if they expected to spend the night with their friends in the rude but comfortable cabin. They did so, and the sun had not yet gone down behind the line of western forest, when they reached a small hill near the Kentucky River, and began leisurely moving to the top. It was at this juncture, that a party of Indians suddenly sprang up from the canebrake and rushed upon them with such fierceness that escape was out of the question. It was not often that Daniel Boone was caught at disadvantage, but in this instance he was totally outwitted, and it looked for the moment as if he and his companion had walked directly into a trap set for them. The pioneers were too prudent to attempt anything in the nature of resistance when the result could but be their almost instant death, for the Indians outnumbered them five to one, were fleet as deer, and understood all the turnings and windings of the forest. Accordingly, Boone and Stuart quietly surrendered, hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. As might be supposed, the Indians disarmed the hunters, and made them prisoners at once. Stuart was terribly alarmed, for he could not see the slightest ground for hope, but Boone, who possessed a most equable temperament, told him to keep up heart. "As they haven't killed us," said the pioneer, "it shows they intend to spare us for a time, at least." "Only to torture us to death hereafter," thought his terrified companion. "I don't doubt that such are their intentions, but between now and the time, we may find our chance. Be obedient and watchful--doing nothing to provoke them, but be ready when the right minute comes." This was good advice, and Stuart was sensible enough to follow it in spirit and letter. It might have been expected that if a couple of hunters intended to strike a blow for liberty, they would do so pretty soon after their capture--that is, as soon as the darkness of night was in their favor--but it was only characteristic of Boone that a full week passed before he made the first attempt to escape. During those seven days they could not fail to catch glimpses, as it were, of freedom, and to be tempted to make a desperate dash, for many a time it is the very boldness of such efforts that succeeds. But Boone never lost his prudence of mind, which enabled him to abide his time. Stuart, too, acted as he suggested, and they very effectually concealed their eagerness to escape.