After Boone and Callaway, came another hunter, Henry Scaggins, who was also employed by Henderson.  He extended his explorations to the Lower Cumberland, and fixed his station at Mansco’s Lick.

We shall have occasion to speak more particularly of Henderson’s company and Boone’s connection with it; but we will first call the reader’s attention to the state of affairs in North Carolina at this period, and their probable influence on the course pursued by Daniel Boone.

[Footnote 8:  That is, the eastern boundary of Tennessee, which was then a part of North Carolina.]

[Footnote 9:  Holston.]

[Footnote 10:  The Ohio was known many years by this name.]

[Footnote 11:  Monette.  The Indian name of this range was Wasioto, and of the river, Shawnee.]

[Footnote 12:  Howe.]

[Footnote 13:  The original patent, signed by Governor Dinwiddie, and now in the possession of the writer, was presented to him by T.A.R.  Nelson, Esq., of Jonesboro, Tennessee.  It is probably the oldest grant in the State.]

CHAPTER IV.

Political and social condition of North Carolina—­Taxes—­Lawsuits—­Ostentation and extravagance of foreigners and government officers—­Oppression of the people—­Murmurs—­Open resistance—­The Regulators—­Willingness of Daniel Boone and others to migrate, and their reasons—­John Finley’s expedition to the West—­His report to Boone—­He determines to join Finley in his next hunting tour—­New company formed, with Boone for leader—­Preparations for starting—­The party sets out—­Travels for a month through the wilderness—­First sight of Kentucky—­Forming a camp—­Hunting buffaloes and other game—­Capture of Boone and Stuart by the Indians—­Prudent dissimulation—­Escape from the Indians—­Return to the old camp—­Their companions lost—­Boone and Stuart renew their hunting.

There were many circumstances in the social and political condition of the State of North Carolina, during the period of Daniel Boone’s residence on the banks of the Yadkin, which were calculated to render him restless and quite willing to seek a home in the Western wilderness.  Customs and fashions were changing.  The Scotch traders, to whom we have referred in the last chapter, and others of the same class were introducing an ostentatious and expensive style of living, quite inappropriate to the rural population of the colony.  In dress and equipage, they far surpassed the farmers and planters; and they were not backward in taking upon themselves airs of superiority on this account.  In this they were imitated by the officers and agents of the Royal government of the colony, who were not less fond of luxury and show.  To support their extravagant style of living, these minions of power, magistrates, lawyers, clerks of court, and tax-gatherers, demanded exorbitant fees for their services.  The Episcopal clergy, supported by a legalized tax