f wild pigeons sweeping through
the woods might be felled with a club by a man standing in the way of
their advance. It is true that where so much game was found dangerous
animals also abounded. The panther and bear were much in evidence, and
prowling wolves often made the night hideous with their weird and
terrifying howls.

There was no one in the advancing company who did not fully understand
what the cost of seeking and making a new home in the wilderness was
likely to be. Doubtless some would fall victims to the cunning of the
hostile red men. Others were certain to lose their lives in attacks by
the treacherous panther, the deadliest four-footed foe of the white men
in the new world.

When the two young pioneers, who formed the rear guard of the slowly
moving procession, resumed their advance, both were silent for a time
and keenly observant of the woods on either side of the trail left by
those who had preceded them. In places the autumn foliage already was
tinted with scarlet or gold. The soft air of the September day became
slightly cooler as the party steadily approached the higher regions of
Powell's Mountain.

In the midst of such surroundings it was impossible for the young
hunters long to retain their anxiety, though neither ceased his keen
watchfulness.

"How old is your father?" inquired Peleg at last.

"About forty."

"I wish much to hear him tell of his adventures in this land which he
says the Indian calls Kantuckee. Do you know what that word means?"

"No."

"Do you think your father is fearful the redskins may attack us before
we come to the Licks, where he affirms he will make our settlement?"

"You must ask him," replied young Boone. "I do not believe he thinks
that we or any other band of settlers will ever build a home in such a
country as he has found without having to fight for it. Peleg, I have
almost decided that one never gets anything worth having without having
to fight some kind of a battle."

"That is surely so," replied Peleg, laughing softly as he spoke. "I
shall never forget how Schoolmaster Hargrave had to fight to teach me to
use a quill. The letters somehow would not come, not even when he set
his best copy for me. He told me one day that they looked like a
whirlwind in distress. I was minded several times to give up the whole
attempt, but he told me to fight on, and now I am glad that I did."

"I am told that the schoolmaster later expects to come where we are
goin