“Mr. ——­ returned, accompanied by three gentlemen.  They looked upon me as if I had been Washington himself, and walked to the ash tree which I now called my own, as if in quest of a long lost treasure.  I took an axe from one of them and cut a few chips off the bark.  Still no signs were to be seen.  So I cut again, until I thought it time to be cautious, and I scraped and worked away with my butcher knife, until I did come to where my tomahawk had left an impression in the wood.  We now went regularly to work, and scraped at the tree with care, until three hacks, as plain as any three notches ever were, could be seen.  Mr. ——­ and the other gentlemen were astonished, and, I must allow, I was as much surprised as pleased, myself.  I made affidavit of this remarkable occurrence in the presence of these gentlemen.  Mr. ——­ gained his cause.  I left Green river, forever, and came to where we now are; and, sir, I wish you a good night.”

CHAPTER XVI.

Progress of improvement in Missouri—­Old age of Boone—­Death of his wife—­He goes to reside with his son—­His death—­His personal appearance and character.

Soon after the purchase of Missouri from the French by our government, the American system of government began to be introduced there.  American laws, American courts, and the whole American system of politics and jurisprudence spread over the country, changing, by degrees, the features of civil society; infusing life and vigor into the body politic, and introducing that restless spirit of speculation and improvement which characterise the people of the United States.  The tide of emigration once more swept by the dwelling of Daniel Boone, driving off the game and monopolizing the rich hunting grounds.  His office of commandant was merged and lost in the new order of things.  He saw that it was in vain to contend with fate; that go where he would, American enterprize seemed doomed to follow him, and to thwart all his schemes of backwoods retirement.  He found himself once more surrounded by the rapid march of improvement, and he accommodated himself, as well as he might, to a state of things which he could not prevent.  He had the satisfaction of seeing his children well settled around him, and he spent his time in hunting and exploring the new country.

Meantime, old age began to creep upon him by degrees, and he had the mortification to find himself surpassed in his own favorite pursuit.  The sharp shooters, and younger hunters could scour the forests with fleeter pace, and bring down the bears and buffaloes with surer aim, than his time-worn frame, and impaired vision would allow.  Even the French, with their fleets of periogues, ascended the Missouri to points where his stiffened sinews did not permit him to follow.  These volatile and babbling hunters, with their little, and to him despicable shot guns, could bring down a turkey, where the rifle bullet, now directed by