xt79zw18m267 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt79zw18m267/data/mets.xml Tomlinson, Everett T. (Everett Titsworth), 1859-1931. 19171914  books b92-63-27078898 English Doubleday, Page, : Garden City, N.Y. : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820 Fiction. Scouting with Daniel Boone  / by Everett T. Tomlinson ; illustrated by Norman Rockwell. text Scouting with Daniel Boone  / by Everett T. Tomlinson ; illustrated by Norman Rockwell. 1917 2002 true xt79zw18m267 section xt79zw18m267 

 










BOOKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR



THREE COLONIAL BOYS
THREE YOUNG CONTINENTALS
WASHINGTON'S YOUNG AIDS
THE BOYS OF OLD MONMOUTH
A JERSEY BOY IN THE REVOLUTION
THE RIDER OF THE BLACK HORSE
THE RED CHIEF
MARCHING AGAINST THE IROQUOIS
THE CAMP-FIRE OF MAD ANTHONY
LIGHTHORSE HARRY'S LEGION
THE YOUNG SHARPSHOOTER
TECUMSEH'S YOUNG BRAVES
THE BOY SOLDIERS OF 1812
FOUR BOYS IN THE YELLOWSTONE
FOUR BOYS IN THE YOSEMITE
WARD HILL AT WESTON
WITH FLINTLOCK AND FIFE
THE FORT IN THE FOREST


 
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" On the August air arose the reports of many rifles and
        the terrifying whoops of the Indians"


 



PIONEER SCOUT SERIES



SCOUTING WITH

DANIEL BOONE

            BT
   EVERETT T. TOMLINSON



   Illustrated by
NORMAN ROCKWELL



GARDEN CITI
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE 
        1917



NEW YORK
COMPANY



L



I



I



-


 


















      Copyright, 1914, by
THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMEIcs
        For Boys' Life
      Copyright, 1914, by
   EVERETT T. TOMLINSON
 All rights reserved, including that of
 translation intoforeign languages,
     including the Scandinavian


 
Preface



P     ERHAPS not unnaturally in certain de-
      tails there is a slight confusion or diver-
      gence in the various works that recount
the heroic deeds of Daniel Boone. The men of
that day were making history rather than recording
what they did. There is, however, a striking
uniformity in all the records as to the simple faith
and almost fatalistic conviction of Daniel Boone
that he was called to be a pathfinder for the new
nation in America. His courage, reverence, rugged
honesty, and unselfishness, his childlike simplicity
that was mixed with a certain'shrewdness, at least
in his dealings with the Indians, are, however.
qualities in which the historians mostly agree.
  I have cast this record into story form and have
used the license of a story-teller. I have incor-
porated a few adventures on the border which
strictly do not belong to this tale. Every one of
them, however, is true, and I hope will help in
giving a true picture of those early and trying days.
  In the midst of it all I have placed the great
scout. The qualities he displayed are the same
                      [vI


 
                  PREFACE
that are necessary for success in our day or any
day. The problems may vary from generation
to generation, but the elements of true manhood
are ever the same.
  I have made free use of the many historical works
which portray the character of the great scout.
  First of all is the diary of Daniel Boone him-
self. In addition to that fascinating story, the
following works also should be read by those who
are interested in his life:
  "The Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone," by
General Filson;
  "Life of Boone," by Timothy Flint;
  "Daniel Boone and the Hunters of Kentucky,"
by W. H. Bogart;
  "Daniel Boone, the Pioneer of Kentucky," by
J. S. C. Abbott;
  "The Adventures of Daniel Boone, the Ken.
tucky Rifleman," by the author of "Uncle Philip's
Conversations ";
  " Four American Pioneers," by Frances M. Perry
and Katherine Beebe.
  The various publications of the Filson Club of
Louisville, Kentucky, have also been helpful.
"The Siege of Bryant's Station," by the President
of the Club, Colonel Reuben Durrett, and "The
Battle of Blue Licks," by Colonel Bennett H.
Young, are most interesting.
                    [vi]


 
                  PREFACE
  McClung's "Sketches of Western Adventure,"
and Strickland's "Pioneers of the West" have pro-
vided many interesting details. The author also
gratefully acknowledges the aid he has had from
some of the lineal descendants of Boone himself.
  If English boys are eager to hear about the heroic
adventures of King Arthur, Robin Hood, and other
characters, in part at least legendary, why should
not American boys be equally interested in the true
stories of the rugged heroes of their own land
There never has been a time when the develop-
ment of a true patriotism was more needed than it
is to-day. Our perils and problems are not con-
cerned with savages and wild beasts, but they may
be no less dangerous than those which confronted
our forefathers. How to meet them, what qualities
ought to be strengthened in the life of an American
boy, how best to inspire the younger generation
with love and devotion for our country, are vital
questions of the present.
  The author believes there is no better way of do-
ing this than by interesting our boys in such heroic
men as Daniel Boone.
                    EVERETT T. TOMLNSON.
  Elizabeth, New Jersey.



lvuJ


 
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Contents



CxTU
    I. IN THE WILDERNESS
    II. HUNTER SAM
  III. THE HUNT FOR GAME
  IV. THE GOBBLERS .
  V. PELEG'S NEW PLACE
  VI. SCHOOLMASTER HARGRAVE.
  VII. Two SCOUTS.
  VIII. PELEG'S ENCOUNTER
  IX. AT THE SPRINGS
  X. A TERRIFIED BAND.
  XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE
          MASTER
  XII. AN ATTACK
  XIII. THE WHITE SHAWNEE
  XIV. THE HIDDEN CANOE
  XV. GATHERING CLOUDS
  XVI. CAPTIVES .
XVII. THE PURSUIT
XVIII. A BAND OF SCOUTS .
XIX. THE CAPTURE
                 [ix]



       , As
. .  .   3
 . . 13
. .  . 23
. .  . 33
 .  . 42
. .  . 51
. .  . 61
 .  . 72
 .  . 80
     . 90
SCHOOL-
. .  . 100
. .  . 110
. .  . 121
. .  . 131
. .  . 141
. .  . 151
. .  . 161
     . 171
. .  . 181




 


                CONTENTS
  CeAP-Rt                             PFA  
  XX. AN OFFER OF RELEASE   . . . . 190
  XXI. FLIGHT  . . . . . . . . . 200
  XXII. THE COMING OF BLACKFISH      . 211
  XXIII. FoUiR WARRIORS AND MORE      . 223
  XXIV. A DECOY AND AN ATTACK         . 233
  XXV. A FIELD OF CORN . . . . . . 242
  XXVI. THE WHITE SHAWNEE AGAIN.    . 251
XXVII. THE STRUGGLE IN THE RAVINE     . 260
XXVIII. AT THE LOWER BLUE LIcKS . . . 271
XXIX. TO THE MEETING-PLACE  . . . . 282
  XXX. CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . 293






















                   (xI




 


                ILLUSTRATIONS

"On the August air arose the reports of many rifles and
  the terrifying whoops of the Indians"  .  Frontispiece
                                               1hcZNG PAGR
"'What is that' At the question the two pioneer
  boys stopped abruptly "  . . . . . . . .          10

"He was a tall, lean man, quiet in his bearing, and with
every indication of self-control, as well as of strength,
stamped upon his face and form  .28

"The Indian had been able to draw his knife and
struck at her again and again while the bear held
him in one of her most fervent hugs"  . . . .  76

" Boone quickly rallied his startled followers and when
the red men returned the hardy settlers were ready
  and awaiting their coming ". . . . .        . . 116

" One of the men who had been stationed as a guard
was shot early in the morning "   . . . . . . 126

'The scout, with his family, returned to Boones-
borough " . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220



" Silently the men crossed the ford "



276


 
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SCOUTING WITH DANIEL BOONE


 
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   Scouting with Daniel Boone


                 CHAPTER I
              IN THE WILDERNESS
Wx rHAT is that"
         At the question the two pioneer boys
         stopped abruptly. From within the for-
est they had heard the sound of a snapping branch.
The sound itself had not been loud, but the quiet
of that September day in 1773 had been sharply
broken by the slight noise from the brush. For a
brief time both boys listened intently and then one
of them went back a short distance along the trail
over which the little procession had advanced,
carefully looking for signs of danger on either side.
  And there was need for caution. Under the
leadership of Daniel Boone five families besides
his own had been making their way slowly through
the unbroken wilderness from the settlement on
the Yadkin in North Carolina. At Powell's Val-
ley, through which they recently had passed, forty
men had joined the little company, thereby adding
                     131


 
       SCOUTING WITH DANIEL BOONE
greatly to its strength, and increasing the confi-
dence of the hardy settlers.
  As the little cavalcade spread out in a long line,
an advance guard of five opened the way, while
three rear guards, of two each at irregular intervals,
were stationed to prevent surprises from the hostile
Indians or attacks by the prowling beasts of prey
that were wont to follow the trail of men in the
wilderness.
  At this time the band was crossing Powell's
Mountain, and the extreme rear guard was made up
of James, the oldest son of Daniel Boone, and his
friend, Peleg Barnes, the latter being one of the
number that had been added to the company when
the settlers arrived at Powell's Valley. Persuaded
that no enemy was near, the two boys resumed
their positions and proceeded on their way.
  Each boy was dressed in a hunting costume and
wore leggings and fringed trousers made from the
skin of the deer. Each also was armed with a rifle
which he carried almost as naturally as if it was a
part of himself. Powder-horns and bullet-pouches
were swinging from their shoulders. It was mani-
fest from the attitude and the manner of both
young hunters that they were familiar with the
ways of the wilderness and were alert to detect
signs of the presence of friend or foe.
  "I don't like that noise," suggested Peleg in a
                     [4]


 
             IN THE WILDERNESS
low voice. "'Tis the second time we have heard
it since we have been the rear guard to-day."
  His companion smiled and did not reply, and for
a time Peleg also remained silent. He was a rest-
less, dark-haired, muscular, and well-grown boy,
perhaps seventeen or eighteen years of age, which
also was the age of his more quiet comrade. The
boys were warm friends, but like many men of the
earlier days, they were prone to silence, though
little that occurred in the nearby forest escaped
their attention.
  The wilderness through which they were ad-
vancing was almost untrodden. Confidence and
hope were expressed on the rugged faces of the
boys, however, for they early had learned to live in
the presence of continual danger from the prowling
beasts and the hostile red men.
  "I never knew a man just like your father,"
suggested Peleg, at last breaking the silence.
  "Neither did I," replied James Boone, with a
smile that strongly lighted up his face, as he turned
to his friend.
  "He never seems to think about himself. He is
taking this expedition to the land he has found
because he believes it to be for our advantage for
him to do so."
  "He knows it is."
  "I heard him tell about the wonderful sky and
                     L51


 
       SCOUTING WITH DANIEL BOONE
soil he had found there; and it must be worth while
to go, else he would not be advising us to leave
the Yadkin and cross all these mountains into the
wilderness. I never saw such a strong man as your
father is. I don't believe he has an ounce of fat
on his body. Is it true that he is having a record
kept of the places he has found and the journeys
he has made"
  " It is."
  "I should like much to see it. I can read writing,
and if some time you will ask him to grant me the
privilege I shall want to read what he has had
written -`"
  Peleg stopped abruptly and grasped his com-
panion's arm, as both boys were startled once more
by the sudden snapping of a branch apparently
only a few yards to the left. Instantly both were
listening breathlessly, and were holding their rifles
in readiness, while they peered anxiously into the
brush from which the threatening sound had come.
  " I declare to you," whispered Peleg, "that there
is some one following us."
  "Verily," whispered James Boone, although he
did not turn away his eyes from the forest as he
spoke.
  The alarm of the two young guards was not un-
natural, as has been said. On the lower slopes of
the mountain great trees were growing, but as the
                     I6 ]


 
             IN THE WILDERNESS
band of emigrants had steadily climbed, the timber
diminished, and even underbrush had become some-
what thinned. Still, on every side of the trail there
were sufficient bushes to hide the presence of an
enemy that might be following the pioneers. Both
boys knew that game of many kinds abounded in
the wilderness. Many a time their skill had been
tested long before they had left their homes on the
Yadkin.
  That their perils would be increased as they with-
drew into the region in which the foot of no white
men except Daniel Boone and his comrade had ever
trod they both were well aware. On this Septem-
ber day the advancing settlers had been moving in
a much longer and thinner line than had been
adopted the preceding day. The difficulties of the
ascent and the frequent great rocks in their way
made their progress over the mountain more diffi-
cult and different from the easier march through
the valley on the opposite side. Only an occasional
white man had been seen since they had left their
homes, and there was constant fear of the red
men, almost all of whom were exceedingly hostile
at this time and very jealous in guarding their own
domains from the incursions of the whites.
  Perhaps not unnaturally most of those who were
in Boone's party looked upon the Indian as a
natural enemy. Few were mindful of the fact that
                     [7]


 
       SCOUTING WITH DANIEL BOONE
the red men were but doing their utmost to defend
their own homes and retain their hunting grounds
from the trespassing whites, who, they were fearful,
would soon push them from the region, unless by
determined warfare the Shawnees and other neigh-
bouring tribes might be able to prevent their en-
trance and settlement.
  It was well known that the region into which
Daniel Boone was leading his company on that
September day was considered by the Indians to
be the best of all their hunting grounds. There
the buffalo and the deer abounded. Wild turkeys
were so numerous that the report which Daniel
Boone had brought scarcely had been credited by
his friends. There were times in the autumn when
great flocks of wild pigeons sweeping through the
woods might be felled with a club by a man stand-
ing in the way of their advance. It is true that
where so much game was found dangerous ani-
mals also abounded. The panther and bear were
much in evidence, and prowling wolves often
made the night hideous with their weird and ter-
rifying howls.
  There was no one in the advancing company
who did not fully understand what the cost of
seeking and making a new home in the wilderness
was likely to be. Doubtless some would fall vic-
tims to the cunning of the hostile red men. Others
                     [8]


 
             IN THE WILDERNESS
were certain to lose their lives in attacks by the
treacherous panther, the deadliest four-footed foe of
the white men in the new world.
  When the two young pioneers, who formed the
rear guard of the slowly moving procession, re-
sumed their advance, both were silent for a time and
keenly observant of the woods on either side of the
trail left by those who had preceded them. In places
the autumn foliage already was tinted with scarlet
or gold. The soft air of the September day became
slightly cooler as the party steadily approached the
higher regions of Powell's Mountain.
  In the midst of such surroundings it was impos-
sible for the young hunters long to retain their
anxiety, though neither ceased his keen watchful-
ness.
  " How old is your father " inquired Peleg at last.
  "About forty."
  "I wish much to hear him tell of his adventures
in this land which he says the Indian calls Kan-
tuckee. Do you know what that word means"
  " No."13
  "Do you think your father is fearful the redskins
may attack us before we come to the Licks, where
he affirms he will make our settlement"
  "You must ask him," replied young Boone.
"I do not believe he thinks that we or any other
band of settlers will ever build a home in such a
                     [9]


 
       SCOUTING WITH DANIEL BOONE
country as he has found without having to fight
for it. Peleg, I have almost decided that one
never gets anything worth having without having
to fight some kind of a battle."
  "That is surely so," replied Peleg, laughing
softly as he spoke. "I shall never forget how
Schoolmaster Hargrave had to fight to teach me to
use a quill. The letters somehow would not come,
not even when he set his best copy for me. He
told me one day that they looked like a whirlwind
in distress. I was minded several times to give
up the whole attempt, but he told me to fight on,
and now I am glad that I did."
  "I am told that the schoolmaster later expects
to come where we are going."
  " So I have heard. I hope he will leave his
ferrule behind. Whew! My knuckles ache now
with the mention! Still he seemed to get some
pleasure out of it, but - "
  Peleg stopped suddenly as a faint cry was
heard far in their rear. It was a sound not unlike
that made by a child in distress. Weird, pathetic,
startling as it was, neither of the boys was for a
moment unaware of its meaning. It was the cry
of a panther far in the distance.
  And panthers not infrequently hunted in pairs.
It might be possible that two of the treacherous
creatures had been following the slowly moving
                     [10]




 






































"'What is that' At the question the two pioneer
            boys stopped abruptly "


 
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             IN THE WILDERNESS
caravan, for slow-moving it was indeed. The
children and women were carried on the backs of
the horses. The few heavy wagons were dragged
with difficulty over the rough ground, and many a
time the entire band was compelled to halt while
the men felled a tree which blocked their advance.
  " I tell you," said Peleg in a whisper, " that sound
we heard before was made by a painter."
  "It may be true."
  "Will you stay here while I go back over the
trail a little way to see if I can find any signs of the
varmints  It is yet too light for them to attack
us, but I should like to know if there is a pair on our
trail."
  "Do not go far," said James Boone hesitatingly.
  "You may be sure that I shall not be over-
venturesome. I shall return directly."
  In a moment Peleg disappeared from the sight
of his companion as he lightly and yet swiftly sped
back over the way by which they had come.
  Left alone, young Boone seated himself upon a
fallen tree and awaited the return of his companion.
Holding his rifle lightly in his hands after he had
carefully looked to its priming, he was keenly
observant of all about him. He had been dis-
turbed more than he had acknowledged to Peleg by
the sounds which they had heard. He had known
of instances in which a panther had trailed a man
                     (I11]


 
       SCOUTING WITH DANIEL BOONE
for many hours. The conjecture of Peleg that a
pair of the hated beasts might be following the
slowly moving settlers was not improbable.
  As the moments passed the anxiety of the young
hunter for his companion increased. No sound
to alarm him had broken in upon the silence, and
yet somehow the son of the great pioneer scout was
anxious for his friend.
  Rising from his seat he ran swiftly in the direc-
tion in which Peleg had gone. In a few moments
he discovered his friend standing beneath a spread-
ing chestnut and holding his gun in such a manner
that it was manifest that he had heard some sound
to alarm him. A huge panther crouched upon the
limb of the chestnut tree, almost directly above
the place where Peleg was standing.



[121




 
CHAPTER II



                HUNTER SAM
IF THE vision of James Boone had not
    been trained, and unusually keen, the sight
    of the crouching animal would have escaped
him. Its tawny skin was of a colour not unlike that
of the tinged foliage of the branches of the chestnut
upon which it was lying. There was an occasional
nervous twitching of its tail, but otherwise it was
as motionless as if it had been carved of marble.
  So intense was the interest of the savage beast
in the young hunter directly beneath it that it was
unaware of the approach of James Boone. Even
as he perceived the animal, however, its muscles
tightened, and it prepared for a leap upon the un-
suspecting boy.
  Instantly bringing his rifle to his shoulder, and
taking careful aim, James fired at the motionless
target. He ignored the exclamation of the startled
Peleg, who leaped to one side at the report of the
rifle, and then, glancing at his friend, followed
the direction of his gaze, and became aware of the
peril above him.
                     [13]


 
       SCOUTING WITH DANIEL BOONE
  For a moment the beast seemed to be unharmed.
It remained in the same position, motionless, and
with its head leaning below the limb to which it
clung.
  Young Boone did not move from the place
where he was standing, but instantly began to re-
load his rifle, all the time keeping careful watch
upon the movements of the beast.
  Suddenly the panther began to claw at the limb
to which it had been clinging. It was manifest
that its hold was broken or breaking. The long
claws were driven savagely into the bark, but in
spite of all its efforts the creature plainly was slip-
ping. There were two or three snarls, and once it
turned and snapped savagely at its side. The tail
began to lash the branch, and then suddenly be-
came motionless.
  Slowly the ability of the savage beast to main-
tain itself was departing. A stream of red showed
the effect which young Boone's bullet had taken.
Hie had aimed just a little back of the fore-shoulder,
and it was difficult for him now to understand how
even a panther, tenacious of life as the beast was
known to be, was still able to cling to the branch.
  Struggling, snarling, the great beast turned and
gradually but surely began to slip from its perch.
For a moment it almost seemed that it would be
ble to maintain its grasp even after its body had
                     114]


 
                 HUNTER SAM
turned to the underside of the huge branch. But all
at once, without a sound, the long body fell, striking
hard upon the ground twenty feet or more below.
  Before the animal could show whether or not it
was still alive, Peleg, who now had recovered from
his first alarm, raised his rifle and fired at the pros-
trate body.
  There was slight question now as to the approach-
ing death of the savage beast. It lay almost mo-
tionless on the ground, but there was still an occa-
sional nervous twitching of its long tail. Both
boys, however, were too skilled in the art of the
hunter to venture within reach of the terrible claws
until they were satisfied that the dreaded enemy
was indeed dead.
  "There may be another," said Peleg nervously,
as he glanced into the woods after he had hastily
reloaded his rifle. "That cry we heard probably
was the call of this one's mate."
  "That may be so," said young Boone.
  "What areyou goingtodo "inquiredPeleg in sur-
prise, as he saw his companion place his rifle against
a tree and draw his hunting-knife from his belt.
  " I am going to skin this big cat."
  "Do you think we ought to stop for that " asked
Peleg.
  " Yes."
  "Then let me help."
                     (151


 
       SCOUTING WITH DANIEL BOONE
  "No, you keep guard. Our guns may have stirred
up more trouble than we know."
  Acting upon this suggestion, both boys became
silent while young Boone began his task.
  Swiftly and deftly he slit the beautiful skin the
length of the body, and then did likewise on each
leg. So skilful was the young hunter that in a
brief time he had drawn back the skin sufficiently
to cause him to call to his companion, "Come here
and help me."
  Together the two boys then tore the skin from
the body, and young Boone rolled the panther's
hide into a small, compact bundle. He tied this
securely with a deerskin thong, and then added
it to his burden.
  At once the boys began to run swiftly to regain
the distance they had lost. They had not advanced
far, however, before they saw some one approaching
them on the trail.
  "'Tis as I thought," said James Boone with a
smile. "Our guns have 'roused our friends."
  "That's Sam Oliver."
  "I see it is," replied James.
  Neither of the boys spoke again as the man rapidly
approached them. Both knew him as one of the
hunters of the company, and as one whose labours
chiefly were confined to that field.
  Sam was perhaps fifty years of age, tall, raw-
                    [16]


 
                HUNTER SAM
boned, sunburned, with an expression of face not
unpleasing, and a frequent twinkle in his eyes. As
for felling the trees or building the houses of logs,
Sam was willing for others to assume those labours,
and whatever honours might accrue from such tasks.
For himself he much preferred to do his part by
supplying the band with game.
  Frequently the two boys had gone with the trap-
per when he had made the rounds of his traps, and
in the warm days of summer nothing had delighted
either more than to accompany him into the forest,
where they were interested in the weird, and at
times fantastic, tales Sam related of his personal
adventures, and also of the characteristics of the
denizens of the forest.
  " What's wrong, lads " inqufred the hunter as he
approached.
  "Nothing is wrong now," laughed Peleg. "We
shot a painter back here. And there is its hide," he
added as he pointed with pride to the bundle which
was suspended from his companion's shoulders.
  Glancing at the object to which his attention
had been directed, Sam whistled and then said,
"Seen any more"
  "No, sir. "
  "Seen any signs o' redskins"
  "No, sir. Have you seen any"
  "That's for the Ying to say," replied the hunter,
                     [17]


 
       SCOUTING WITH DANIEL BOONE
laughing in apparent heartiness, though no sound
escaped his lips.
  The expression, "that's for the King to say,"
was one that fell so frequently from the lips of
Sam Oliver that both boys understood what he
meant. It was his method of evading a direct
reply to any question he did not wish to answer.
  "All of which means," said James, "that you
have seen some redskins."
  "A few signs. Nothing very bad, and nothing
that should be spoken of by either of you. In
course we are bound to find the varmints following
us, but I don't think they will attack us if we are on
our guard. We must do our best, and after that
there is no good in trying to do anything more.
Your father says everything that happens is right,
or it wouldn't be. Strange," he added, as he again
looked at the panther's skin which James Boone
was carrying, "strange that you should have
got him so easy. I have known the time when it
would have taken half-dozen bullets to put an end
to a fighting painter."
  "Have you shot a good many of them" in-
quired Peleg.
  "Oh, a few, a few," replied the hunter. "The
strangest sight I ever see was one time when I
was followin' three o' the varmints. They led me
a hard chase, and it was two days before I caught
                     [181


 
                HUNTER SAM
up with them, and when I did, I almost wished I
had not."
  " Why"
  "I will tell you. When I came near a big open
space there in the woods I heard the worst screechin'
I ever heard in my life. You simply cannot de-
scribe it. They were snarlin' and spittin' and
screamin' and growlin', and sometimes it seemed
as if they were doin' all four things at once.
My first thought was that this was no place for
Sam Oliver. It sounded like a hundred painters
were fightin' to the death. I reckon I did turn
back a little way, but the screechin' and the
screamin' kep' up so that I finally decided that I
must find out what was goin' on."
  " What was it " inquired Peleg.
  " When I crep' up close to the clearin' and
peeped out I saw two painters a-fightin'. They
were crouchin' on the ground facin' each other
and callin' each other every name they could think
of in painter language. I did not know what had
happened to the third painter, but I knew I ought
not to stay there long. But all at once the two
varmints leaped at each other and a minute later
they were in such a plight that you would not have
known what kind of beasts they was. They had
ripped and torn and clawed and scratched and bit
each other until it did not seem as if what was Jlft
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       SCOUTING WITH DANIEL BOONE
could hang together. Then all at once one of them
got the other fellow by the throat and it wasn't
long before he said good-bye."
  " Did you shoot him " asked Peleg.
  "No, for just then I heard a noise right behind
me and when I looked back I see the third painter
creepin' toward me and I fired at it and ran.
Somehow I managed to get away, and next day I
went back to the scene o' battle but I could not
find anythin' there except the dead painter. The
others had gone. I had been so long trailin' them
that I thought I wouldn't follow any further. But
if I live to be a hundred years old I shall never
forget that there fight I saw between those two
big cats! There are some animals," continued the
hunter, " that seem to have reg'lar feuds, jest like
fam'ly troubles. They may fight one another once
in a while, but they will make up to fight the enemies
of the fam'ly every time they get a chance."
  " What do you mean " asked Peleg.
  "Well, for instance, there's the beaver and the
otter. They seem to have had a declaration of
war from the very beginnin', same as cats and
dogs. I see a beaver house one day las' winter
standin' right in the middle o' the pond which
the beavers had made. You know they build a
long tube right up through the centre o' the floor
which looks somethin' like a chimney. The top
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                HUNTER SAM
o' this one was about four feet higher than the
floor, and it was a good two feet through. The
water round their house came almost to the top
of the door. Mr. Beaver, when he wanted to go
into his house, used to dive and come up through
the tube, then he would shake himself, and slide
down to his floor, which was always dry. It was
always warm, too, for even in the coldest weather
the water all round the house kep' it from freezin'.
I reckon this particular fam'ly was pretty well
provided for because they were all fat. Leastwise
they looked as if they might have been, though
they were dead when I saw them."
  " How was that" inquired Peleg.
  "Why, the otter had gone after them."
  "Into their house "
  "No! No! No otter would ever dare do that.
In a fight in a place like that the beaver, which
has such strong teeth and is such a strong little
brute anyway, would have the advantage every
time. The otter works in 'nother way. The
beaver fam 'ly had been busy all through the sum-
mer hidin' their strips o' poplar and birch and wil-
lows in the bottom o' the lake which they had
made. They intended to have their easy time in
the winter, and they do, too, unless some otters
happen along.
  "In this case I am tellin' you about, a couple o
                     [21]


 
       SCOUTING WITH DANIEL BOONE
otters had tried to break into the house, but the
walls was hard as granite. If the otter can only
get the beaver into the water he can catch him
easily, because the otter is as quick as a fish. So
the beaver simply works on the defensive and
builds a house strong enough to keep out any otter
that may happen along. But pretty soon the
otters begin to look into the beavers' dam. By
and by, when they find a weak spot, where they
can work a hole straight through, they begin their
job. When the weather is not too cold and the
ice not too thick, just as soon as the water in the
lake begins to drop a little, then the beavers begin
to hunt for the leak. But when the water falls
fast and there is a covering of ice all over the lake
and sometimes the ice caves in, you see the beavers
then cannot get their provisions, and the inside o'
their houses is as cold as it is outside.
  "The otters have a reg'lar course they follow,
goin' from one place to 'nother and making their
rounds 'bout every ten days to t