with his wife and children for
ever. At all events, he was leaving them for months, perhaps for
years--he knew not how long--and who can wonder that tears stood in his
eyes? Each man shouldered his rifle, shot-bag, powder-horn, and knapsack,
and off they started--every neighbor straining his eyes after them as far
as he could see, as the men upon whom he was looking for the last time.

For two or three days they saw nothing new, for they were passing over
their old hunting-grounds. After this, they came to a wild and trackless
region, and saw from time to time the lofty ridge of mountains which
separated them from the western country. In two days more, the provisions
with which they had started gave out, and the first thing to be done was
to find a fresh supply. Accordingly they halted, chose a suitable spot
for their camp, and part of them commenced building it of logs and
branches; the others went into the woods in search of game. It was
impossible for such men to starve in such a region; game was abundant.
The hunters returned toward night, with several deer and wild turkeys.
The camp was finished, a bright fire was burning, and in a little time
the venison was dressed, cooked, and eaten. The supper was scarcely
finished, when they saw dark clouds gathering, and presently they were
visited by a tremendous thunder-storm. The sharp lightning flashed
through the woods, and the rain poured down in torrents; yet, in their
camp they fearlessly sheltered themselves, the branches covering them
from the rain. A man can scarcely be placed during a thunder-storm in a
more dangerous place than a forest: every tree is a mark for the
lightning; yet these men were calm and self-possessed, and were
mercifully protected.

The storm having passed over, they made their arrangements for the night.
For safety's sake, two men were to keep a constant watch, while the
others slept; and in this duty of watching, they were to take turns.
About midnight, while Boone and Holden were keeping the watch, a sharp
shrill cry was heard in the woods. They sprang to their feet. "What noise
is that?" said Holden. The sound was familiar to Boone. "Be still," said
he; "it is only a panther; come along with me." Moving cautiously from
the camp, they listened again for the cry. Once more they heard it.
Creeping through the woods in the direction of the sound, they at length
saw through the darkness the wild, glaring eyes of the animal. Boone
levelled his