not a sign of the presence of their enemy had been discovered,
although every one was aware that dark eyes were doubtless watching
their every movement. Why they had not been fired upon was as yet not
understood.

In a few minutes, however, these things were forgotten when Peleg led
the way to the place toward which his young companion had gone to seek
the "turkey" which had so noisily announced its presence.

A low exclamation escaped the young hunter's lips when he and the leader
halted a few minutes later and saw upon the ground before them the
prostrate body of the missing boy.

CHAPTER V

PELEG'S NEW PLACE

Not a word escaped Daniel Boone's lips at the gruesome discovery of the
body of his oldest son. He ran quickly forward, turned the body so that
the face could be seen, and in this manner instantly realized the
terrible fate which had overtaken James.

Peleg Barnes, who was close behind him, never was able to forget the
sound of the one long, dry sob to which Daniel Boone gave utterance.
Then, almost as if he still was unaware of the presence of any one
except the dead boy, he lifted the body tenderly, and with exceeding
care placed it across his shoulders. Then, turning about, the great
scout started back toward the camp.

For a moment the other members of the party stood silent as they watched
their suffering leader. There was not one of the men who would not have
been glad to express his sympathy in words, but they were all aware of
Daniel Boone's prejudices against giving full expression to one's
feelings; and they had not yet recovered from the staggering surprise
which the discovery of the body of James had created.

When Daniel Boone disappeared in the brush, Sam Oliver ran to the spot
where this discovery had been made and, picking up the gun of James,
turned to his companions and said: "We must follow him. We must keep
close to him. The redskins might almost scalp him and he would not
understand what they are doing, the way he feels now."

Acting upon this suggestion, the men all turned to follow the direction
in which their leader had disappeared. Peleg had run in advance of the
other members of the band, eager to help the scout in his task. Quietly
the leader shook his head, but did not speak in response to the young
hunter's offer to aid. Apparently he was hardly aware that his friends
were so near him.

Without delay the party soon gained the open space in front of the camp.
Ther