eaching this spot, the thirty men were soon very busy in
making salt. Boone, having no taste for the work, sauntered off to
employ himself in shooting game for the company. He had wandered some
distance from the river one day, when suddenly he came upon two Indians
armed with muskets. It was impossible for him to retreat, and the chances
were against him if he stood. His usual coolness did not forsake him; he
instantly jumped behind a tree. As the Indians came within gun-shot, he
exposed himself on the side of the tree: one savage immediately fired,
and Boone dodged the ball. One shot was thus thrown away, and this was
just what he desired. Exposing himself immediately in precisely the same
way, the other musket was discharged by the other Indian, to as little
purpose. He now stepped boldly out; the Indians were trying hard to load
again; he raised his rifle, and one savage fell dead. He was now on equal
terms with the other. Drawing his hunting-knife, he leaped forward and
placed his foot upon the body of the dead Indian; the other raised his
tomahawk to strike but Boone, with his rifle in his left hand, warded off
the blow, while with his right he plunged his knife into the heart of the
savage. His two foes lay dead before him. If you should ever visit
Washington city, you will see a memorial of this deed. The act is in
sculpture, over the southern door of the rotundo of the capitol.

After this he continued his hunting excursions as usual, for the benefit
of his party; but he was not so fortunate the next time he met with
Indians. On the 7th of February, as he was roaming through the woods, he
saw a party of one hundred savages on their way to attack Boonesborough.
His only chance for escape now was to run. He instantly fled, but the
swiftest warriors gave chase, and before a great while he was overtaken
and made a prisoner. He was, of all men, the one whom they desired to
take; they could now gain, as they thought, some information about
Boonesborough. They now carried him back to the Blue Licks. As they drew
near, Boone, knowing that it was idle to resist, made signs to the
salt-makers to surrender themselves. This they did, and thus the savages
soon had in their possession twenty-eight captives. Fortunately for
themselves, three of the men had started homeward with a supply of salt,
and thus escaped.

Now was the time for the savages to have attacked Boonesborough; for,
with the loss of so many men, and Boone thei