Wild Western Scenes | Page 6

that he pitched his tent among the barren hills as a security
against the intrusion of other men, who, being swayed by a love of
wealth, would naturally seek their homes in the rich level prairies. It is
true that Boone loved to dwell in solitude. But he was no misanthrope.
And now, although questions were asked without number, he answered
them with cheerfulness; advised the families what would be necessary
to be done when their locations were selected, and even pressingly
invited them to remain in his settlement a few days to recover from the
fatigue of travel, and promised to accompany them afterward over the
river into the rich plains to which they were journeying.
During the brisk conversation that had been kept up for a great length
of time, Glenn, unlike the rest of the company, sat at a distance and
maintained a strict silence. Occasionally, as some of the extraordinary
feats related of the person before him occurred to his memory, he
turned his eyes in the direction of the great pioneer, and at each time
observed the gaze of the woodsman fixed upon him. Nevertheless his
habitual listlessness was not disturbed, and he pursued his peculiar train
of reflections. Joe likewise treated the presence of the renowned Indian
fighter with apparent unconcern, and being alone in his glory, dived the
deeper into the saucepan.
Boone at length advanced to where Glenn was sitting, and after
scanning his pale features, and his costly though not
exquisitely-fashioned habiliments, thus addressed him:--
"Young man, may I inquire what brings thee to these wilds?"
"I am a freeman," replied Glenn, somewhat haughtily, "and may be
influenced by that which brings other men hither."

"Nay, young man, excuse the freedom which all expect to exercise in
this comparative wilderness; but I am very sure there is not another
emigrant on this side of the Ohio who has been actuated by the same
motives that brought thee hither. Others come to fell the forest oak, and
till the soil of the prairie, that they may prepare a heritage for their
children; but thy soft hands and slender limbs are unequal to the task;
nor dost thou seem to have felt the want of this world's goods; and thou
bringest no family to provide for. Thou hast committed that which
banished thee from society, or found in society that which disgusted
thee--speak, which of these?" said Boone, in accents, though not
positively commanding, yet they produced a sense of reverence that
subdued the rising indignation of Glenn, and looking upon the
interrogator as the acknowledged host of the eternal wilds, and himself
as a mere guest, who might be required to produce his testimonials of
worthiness to associate with nature's most honest of men, he replied
with calmness, though with subdued emotion--
"You are right, sir--it was the latter. I had heard that you were happy in
the solitude of the mountain-shaded valley, or on the interminable
prairies that greet the horizon in the distance, where neither the derision
of the proud, the malice of the envious, nor the deceptions of pretended
love and friendship, could disturb your peaceful meditations: and from
amid the wreck of certain hopes, which I once thought no
circumstances could destroy, I rose with a determined though saddened
heart, and solemnly vowed to seek such a wilderness, where I could
pass a certain number of my days engaging in the pursuits that might be
most congenial to my disposition. Already I imagine I experience the
happy effects of my resolution. Here the whispers of vituperating foes
cannot injure, nor the smiles of those fondly cherished deceive."
"Your hand, young man," said Boone, with an earnestness which
convinced Glenn that his tale was not imprudently divulged.
"Ho! what's the matter with _you_?" Boone continued, turning to Joe,
who had just arisen from his supper, and was stretching back his
shoulders.
"I got a licking from a bear to-night--but I don't mind it much since I've

had a snack. But if ever I come across him in the daytime, I'll show him
a thing or two," said Joe, with his fists doubled up.
"Pshaw! do you still entertain the ridiculous belief that it was really a
bear you encountered?" inquired Glenn, with an incredulous smile.
"I'll swear to it!" replied Joe.
"Let me see your face," remarked Boone, turning him to where there
was more light.
"Hollo! don't squeeze it so hard!" cried Joe, as Boone removed some of
the coagulated blood that remained or the surface.
"There is no doubt about it--it was a bear, most certainly," said Boone;
and examining the wound more closely, continued: "Here are the marks
of his claws, plain enough: he might easily be captured to-morrow.
Who will hunt him with me?"
"I will!" burst