e must be bison and deer for the followers of Daniel
Boone. Lads, stay! If because we are unmolested you should sometimes
think that tending the kettle is work for girls--remember that we and
our guns are all that stand between the Indians and the fort at
Boonesborough, where all the women and children are. Will you remember?

ALL
(speaking vehemently).
Aye, sir.

BOONE.
And as I take the trail I will remember the lads who've lived on dry
bread and the paring of bacon rinds, and who've tasted naught but
parched buffalo meat in three weeks.

RIGDON.
You've gone hungry yourself, sir.

BOONE.
Well, lads, 'tis all in the day's luck. We'll not suffer for meat if I
can shoot an elk or a bear. (Lads exeunt through trees in background,
Boone watching them.) Brave lads they are, and true!

[He tends the kettle, facing audience. After a moment Indians
stealthily appear in background.

EAGLE'S FEATHER
(as two of the braves seize Boone).
Long Knife, surrender!

[There is a brief struggle between Boone and the braves; but the former
finds, that it is useless to resist.

HAWK EYE.
Shawnees on warpath. Long have watched Boone and tried to trap him. Now
have got him. Boone show trail to Boonesborough.

BOONE
(to himself, in a tense whisper).
Boonesborough?

BLACK FISH
(majestically).
What answer does Long Knife Boone make? If Long Knife joins tribe, Long
Knife will be treated with honor. All at Boonesborough will be killed;
but Boone's life will be spared if he joins tribe. What answer does
Long Knife Boone make?

[Boone considers deeply for a moment. His gun has been taken from him;
but he is so closely surrounded that his arms are left free. He
considers deeply for another moment, arms crossed on breast, head
bowed. Looks up for an instant. Gives a searching glance at the
Indians. Considers again for a moment. Then raises his head.

BOONE.
Long Knife says--yes!

[Holds out his hands, smiling.

ALL INDIANS
(delighted at pantomime of acquiescence).
Wah!

BLACK FISH
(waving tomahawk in air).
Long Knife's brothers--over by spring!

ALL INDIANS
(in chorus).
Kill! Kill!

BOONE.
Wait! Black Fish try to kill Long Knife's brothers. Long Knife's
brothers fight back. Kill maybe one brave. Maybe two braves. Maybe
three braves. But--Boone speak to his white brothers. They surrender to
Black Fish. No fighting. No braves killed. What does Black Fish answer?

BLACK FISH.
Black Fish answers: Long Knife show gr