nged
trousers made from the skin of the deer. Each also was armed with a
rifle which he carried almost as naturally as if it was a part of
himself. Powder-horns and bullet-pouches were swinging from their
shoulders. It was manifest from the attitude and the manner of both
young hunters that they were familiar with the ways of the wilderness
and were alert to detect signs of the presence of friend or foe.

"I don't like that noise," suggested Peleg in a low voice. "'Tis the
second time we have heard it since we have been the rear guard to-day."

His companion smiled and did not reply, and for a time Peleg also
remained silent. He was a restless, dark-haired, muscular, and
well-grown boy, perhaps seventeen or eighteen years of age, which also
was the age of his more quiet comrade. The boys were warm friends, but
like many men of the earlier days, they were prone to silence, though
little that occurred in the nearby forest escaped their attention.

The wilderness through which they were advancing was almost untrodden.
Confidence and hope were expressed on the rugged faces of the boys,
however, for they early had learned to live in the presence of continual
danger from the prowling beasts and the hostile red men.

"I never knew a man just like your father," suggested Peleg, at last
breaking the silence.

"Neither did I," replied James Boone, with a smile that strongly lighted
up his face, as he turned to his friend.

"He never seems to think about himself. He is taking this expedition to
the land he has found because he believes it to be for our advantage for
him to do so."

"He knows it is."

"I heard him tell about the wonderful sky and soil he had found there;
and it must be worth while to go, else he would not be advising us to
leave the Yadkin and cross all these mountains into the wilderness. I
never saw such a strong man as your father is. I don't believe he has an
ounce of fat on his body. Is it true that he is having a record kept of
the places he has found and the journeys he has made?"

"It is."

"I should like much to see it. I can read writing, and if some time you
will ask him to grant me the privilege I shall want to read what he has
had written----"

Peleg stopped abruptly and grasped his companion's arm, as both boys
were startled once more by the sudden snapping of a branch apparently
only a few yards to the left. Instantly both were listening
breathlessly, and were holding their rifles in re