At this early period, he hesitated not to hunt wolves, and even bears and panthers.  His exploits of this kind were the theme of general interest in the vicinity.  Many of them are recorded.  But we pass over most of them, in our desire to hasten to the exploits of his maturer years.  We select a single one of the most unquestionable character, as a sample for the rest.

In company with some of his young companions, he undertook a hunting excursion, at a considerable distance from the settlements.  Near night-fall, the group of young Nimrods were alarmed with a sharp cry from the thick woods.  A panther! whispered the affrighted lads, in accents scarcely above their breath, through fear, that their voice would betray them.  The scream of this animal is harsh, and grating, and one of the most truly formidable of forest sounds.

The animal, when pressed, does not shrink from encountering a man, and often kills him, unless he is fearless and adroit in his defence.  All the companions of young Boone fled from the vicinity, as fast as possible.  Not so the subject of our narrative.  He coolly surveyed the animal, that in turn eyed him, as the cat does a mouse, when preparing to spring upon it.  Levelling his rifle, and taking deliberate aim, he lodged the bullet in the heart of the fearful animal, at the very moment it was in the act to spring upon him.  It was a striking instance of that peculiar self-possession, which constituted the most striking trait in his character in after life.

Observing these early propensities for the life of a hunter in his son, and land having become dear and game scarce in the neighborhood where he lived, Boone’s father formed the design of removing to remote forests, not yet disturbed by the sound of the axe, or broken by frequent clearings; and having heard a good account of the country bordering upon the Yadkin river, in North Carolina, he resolved to remove thither.  This river, which is a stream of considerable size, has its source among the mountains in the north-east part of North Carolina, and pursues a beautiful meandering course through that state until it enters South Carolina.  After watering the eastern section of the latter state, it reaches the ocean a few miles above the mouth of the Santee.

[Illustration]

Having sold his plantation, on a fine April morning he set forth for the land of promise—­wife, children, servants, flocks, and herds, forming a patriarchal caravan through the wilderness.  No procession bound to the holy cities of Mecca or Jerusalem, was ever more joyful; for to them the forest was an asylum.  Overhung by the bright blue sky, enveloped in verdant forests full of game, nought cared they for the absence of houses with their locks and latches.  Their nocturnal caravansary was a clear cool spring; their bed the fresh turf.  Deer and turkeys furnished their viands—­hunger the richest sauces of cookery; and fatigue and untroubled spirits a repose