t joyous of his
life.

A fire was soon made, their supper cooked, and long after midnight they
sat talking. Thousands of questions were asked and answered, until,
wearied out, at last they lay down to sleep. The sun was high in the
heavens when they waked in the morning.

After breakfast, Daniel Boone proposed a new plan to his brother. Much as
he loved the woods, he felt that two men could hardly be safe in the
neighborhood of so many Indians. Moreover he longed to see his family:
the stories of Squire had called up fresh recollections in his heart. The
plan therefore was, to select a suitable spot for their home, then return
to Carolina and bring out his family. Squire readily assented to this;
and now they employed themselves for several days in hunting and laying
in a supply of provisions. This being done, they went to the Cumberland
river, and wandered for some time along the stream without finding a
place to please them. Roaming about now, they found many new streams, to
which, as the first discoverers, they gave names. Anxious as they were to
return to the Yadkin, they were in no such hurry as to neglect making a
full survey. The whole winter passed away before they pleased themselves.
At length they came upon the Kentucky river. Here the lands delighted
them. On the banks of this stream they determined to make their
settlement, and now (March, 1771) turned their faces homeward. As he left
the chosen spot, Boone says that "he felt it was a second paradise, and
was resolved, at the risk of his life and fortune, that his family
should have a home there."

As they journeyed eastward from the Kentucky river, they occasionally
blazed their pathway (as huntsmen say) that they might find their way
back. It was necessary thus to leave some track through the forest
wilderness, that they might again reach their chosen spot.[3] Fortunately
they met with no Indians.

[3] This mode of marking their track is often practised
by hunters in the woods. As they pass through the forest,
they mark the trees by cutting off a small piece of the
bark. This enables them again to find the same pathway,
and is commonly called "blazing the track."

We hear of but one adventure on their way homeward. After travelling
quietly several days, they were one morning startled by a noise.
Presently a herd of buffaloes came rushing and tearing through the
forest; they seemed frantic. The cause of all this was soon seen. A
panthe