n undisturbed by the more clamorous
portion of the company.

Glenn paused when within the circle, and looked with some degree of
interest on the admirable arrangement of those independent and hardy
people. A majority of the emigrants were seated on logs brought
thither for that purpose, and feasting quietly from several large pans
and well-filled camp-kettles, which were set out for all in common.
They motioned Glenn to partake with them; and although many curious
looks were directed toward him, yet he was not annoyed by questions
while eating. Joe came in, and following the example of the rest,
played his part to perfection, without complaining once of his wound.

The feast was just finished, when the dogs again set up a furious
yelping, and ran into the forest. But they returned very quickly, some
of them whining with the hurts received from the strangers they
encountered so roughly; and presently they were followed by several
enormous hounds, and soon after an athletic woodsman was seen
approaching. This personage was a tall muscular man, past the middle
age, but agile and vigorous in all his motions. He was habited in a
buck-skin hunting-shirt, and wore leggins of the same material.
Although he was armed with a long knife and heavy rifle, and the
expression of his brow and chin indicated an unusual degree of
firmness and determination, yet there was an openness and blandness in
the expression of his features which won the confidence of the
beholder, and instantly dispelled every apprehension of violence. All
of the emigrants had either seen or heard of him before, for his name
was not only repeated by every tongue in the territory, but was
familiar in every State in the Union, and not unknown in many parts of
Europe. He was instantly recognised by the emigrants, and crowding
round, they gave him a hearty welcome. They led him to a conspicuous
seat, and forming a circle about him, were eager to catch every word
that might escape his lips, and relied with implicit confidence on
every species of information he imparted respecting the dangers and
advantages of the locations they were about to visit. Boone had
settled some three miles distant from the ferry, among the hills,
where his people were engaged in the manufacture of salt. He had
selected this place of abode long before the general tide of
emigration had reached so far up the Missouri. It was said that he
pitched his tent among the barren hills as a security a