It was not far from morning when they began their attempt at escape; but they had made considerable progress from the Indian encampment before the dawn.  They took their course with the first light, and pursued it the whole day, reaching their camp without meeting with any accident.  As the sun was declining, forms were seen approaching the camp in the distance.  The uncertain light in which they were first visible, rendered it impossible for Boone and Stewart to determine whether they were whites or Indians; but they grasped their rifles, and stood ready for defence.  The forms continued to approach cautiously and slowly, until they were within speaking distance.  Boone then hailed them with the challenge, “Who comes there?” The delight may be imagined with which Boone and Stewart heard the reply of “White men and friends!” “Come on then,” said Boone.  The next moment he found himself in the arms of his brother, who, accompanied by a single companion, had left North Carolina, and made his way all the distance from the Yadkin to the Cumberland.  They had been wandering many days in the woods, in pursuit of Boone and his party, and had thus providentially fallen upon them.

Notwithstanding the damp which it must cast on the spirits of these new adventurers to hear of the recent captivity of Boone and Stewart, and the uncertain fate of the rest of the company, this joyous meeting of brothers and friends in the wilderness, and this intelligence from home, filled the parties with a joy too sincere and unalloyed to be repressed by apprehensions for the future.

The four associates commenced the usual occupation of hunting, but were soon alarmed by signs of the vicinity of Indians, and clear proofs that they were prowling near them in the woods.  These circumstances strongly admonished them not to venture singly to any great distance from each other.  In the eagerness of pursuing a wounded buffalo, Boone and Stewart, however, allowed themselves to be separated from their companions.  Aware of their imprudence, and halting to return, a party of savages rushed from the cane-brake, and discharged a shower of arrows upon them, one of which laid Stewart dead on the spot.  The first purpose of Boone was to fire upon them, and sell his life as dearly as possible.  But rashness is not bravery; and seeing the numbers of the foe, the hopelessness of resistance, and the uselessness of bartering his own life for the revenge of inflicting a single death—­reflecting, moreover, on the retaliation it would probably bring down on the remainder of his companions, he retreated, and escaped, amidst a flight of arrows, in safety to the camp.