eat wisdom. Black Fish do as Long
Knife says.

[Some of the Indians start in the direction of the spring.

HAWK EYE
(grunting).
Umph!

[Kenton is suddenly brought in by two braves who have captured him. As
his eye falls on Boone his voice shrills with terror.

KENTON.
Oh, they have caught you! They have--

[The rest of the pioneers begin to appear from background, closely
guarded by the Indians.

COLBY
(as all of Boone's little band are brought in as captives). What's
this? Not Boone a traitor?

BOONE.
Hush! (To the other white men.) No use to fight. We are surrounded. (To
Black Fish.) Does Black Fish give me leave to speak to my comrades
apart?

[Black Fish nods assent. Boone and his band withdraw to left. The
Indians withdraw to right. Each side holds a conference. That of the
Indians is in pantomime.

BOONE
(to his band).
No use to fight, lads. Put up your guns. (Indicates Indians.) Half a
score more are in the woods behind us. If we surrender, we may gain
some time. If we refuse, we're lost. They'll march at once on
Boonesborough.

KENTON.
Wilson's gone free, sir. He'll take Boonesborough the news of our
capture.

BOONE
(rapidly).
Aye; but he cannot take them the news of what Black Fish means to do.
No one in Boonesborough knows that the Indians are on the warpath. A
massacre is planned. The fires are lit. The tomahawks are ready. We
must gain time. 'Tis all that we can do. We must surrender. I'll break
through when I can. (Loudly.) Think well, my brothers. Here is freedom
offered you, if you surrender. What do you say?

PRITCHARD
(loudly).
I say that we surrender.

[Boone, turning, makes a gesture to the spot where their guns lie
piled, then towards the Indians as one would say: "We give in."

BLACK FISH.
My brothers, we, too, have had a council. Far in the North the British
pay much gold for paleface prisoners.

PRITCHARD
(involuntarily).
Oh, Boone, we're sold!

BOONE
(quickly).
No! Saved! The British will take a ransom, and Boonesborough will pay
it to the uttermost farthing. (In a low voice.) Come, strategy!
Strategy! I will break through to-night.

PRITCHARD.
Great Chief Black Fish, to you we have surrendered. With your braves we
will take the trail to the British encampment.

BLACK FISH
(grunting with pleasure).
Umph! Much money for paleface prisoners. (To Hawk Eye). Give prisoners
bison meat. Water. See they not die on road. No want to lose money they
bring. Braves m