He proposed to his brother that they should immediately set themselves seriously about selecting the most eligible spot on which permanently to fix his family.  This done, they would return together to North Carolina to bring them out to the new country.  He did not doubt, that he could induce a sufficient number to accompany him, to render a residence in it comparatively safe.  That they might accomplish this purpose with as little delay as possible, they proceeded the remainder of the day to hunt, and prepare food sufficient for some time.  The following day they completed the necessary arrangement, and settled every thing for departure on the next morning.

They directed their course to Cumberland river.  In common with all explorers of unknown countries, they gave names to the streams which they crossed.  After reaching Cumberland river, they traversed the region upon its banks in all directions for some days.  Thence they took a more northern route, which led them to Kentucky river.  The country around the latter river delighted them.  Its soil and position were such as they sought; and they determined, that here should be the location of the new settlement.  Having acquainted themselves, as far as they deemed necessary, with the character of the region to be revisited, their returning journey was recommenced.  No incidents, but such as had marked all the period of their journeyings in the wilderness, the occasional encounter of Indians by day and the cries of wild beasts by night had happened to them, during their last exploration.

Upon the second day of their advance in the direction of their home, they heard the approach of a drove of buffaloes.  The brothers remarked, that from the noise there must be an immense number, or some uncommon confusion among them.  As the buffaloes came in view, the woodsmen saw the explanation of the unusual uproar in a moment.  The herd were in a perfect fury, stamping the ground and tearing it up, and rushing back and forward upon one another in all directions.  A panther had seated himself upon the back of one of the largest buffaloes, and fastened his claws and teeth into the flesh of the animal, wherever he could reach it, until the blood ran down on all sides.  The movements of a powerful animal, under such suffering, may be imagined.  But plunging, rearing, and running were to no purpose.  The panther retained its seat, and continued its horrid work.  The buffalo, in its agony, sought relief in the midst of its companions, but instead of obtaining it, communicated its fury to the drove.

The travellers did not care to approach the buffaloes too closely; but Boone, picking the flint of his rifle, and looking carefully at the loading, took aim at the panther, determined to displace the monster from its seat.  It happened, that the buffalo continued a moment in a position to allow the discharge to take effect.  The panther released its hold, and came to the ground.  As generally happens in such cases, this herd was followed by a band of wolves.  They prowl around for the remains usually found in the train of such numbers of animals.  Another rifle was discharged among them, for the sport of seeing them scatter through the woods.