“But I’d jest like to know, Colonel Boone, how you can be so sartin o’ what you declar, ef it would’nt be for putting you to too much trouble,” said one of the party, in surprise.

“Obsarve,” replied Boone, who, notwithstanding it would cause some little delay, was willing to gratify his young friends, by imparting to them what information he could regarding an art so important to frontier life:  “Obsarve that print thar (pointing with his finger to the largest one of the three;) now that war never made by Master Reynolds, for it’s much too big; and this I know from having got the dimension o’ his track afore I left the ravine to trail him; and I know it war never made by one o’ the red heathen, for it arn’t, the shape o’ thar feet,; and besides, you’ll notice how the toe turns out’ard from the heel—­a thing an Indian war never guilty on—­for they larn from children to tread straight forward.  The next one you’ll obsarve turns out in like manner; and though it’s smaller nor the first, it arn’t exactly the shape of Reynold’s, and it’s too big for Ella’s; and moreover I opine it’s a woman’s—­though for the matter o’ that I only guess at it.  The third you perceive is the child’s; and them thar three are the only ones you can find that arn’t Indian’s.  Now note agin that the trail’s spread here, and that here and thar a twig’s snapped on the bushes along thar way; which the red-skins have done a purpose to make thar course conspicuous, to draw thar pursuers on arter ’em, prehaps for an ambush, prehaps to keep them from looking arter the others.”

“In this perplexity what are we to do?” inquired young Millbanks.

“Why,” answered Boone, energetically, “Heaven knows my heart yearns to rescue all my fellow creaters who’re in distress; but more particularly, prehaps, them as I know’s desarving; and as I set out for Master Reynolds, and his sweet companion, Ella Barnwell, God bless her!  I somehow reckon it’s my duty to follow them—­though I leave the rest o’ ye to choose for yourselves.  Ef you want to divide, and part go this trail and part follow me, mayhap it’ll be as well in the end.”

This plan seemed the best that could be adopted under the circumstances; and after some further consultation among themselves, it was finally agreed that Isaac, with six others—­two of whom were Switcher and Stokes—­should proceed on the present trail; while Millbanks and the remainder should accompany Boone.  Isaac was chosen as the most suitable one to lead his party, on account of his foresight and shrewdness, and, withal, some little knowledge which he possessed of the country and the woodsman’s art, previously gained in a tour with his father, when seeking a location, together with an expedition of considerable extent shortly after made with Boone himself.

To him, as the leader, the noble old hunter now turned, and in a brief manner imparted some very important advice, regarding his mode of proceeding under various difficulties, particularly cautioned him against any rash act, and concluded by saying, “Wharsomever or howsomever you may be fixed, Isaac, and you his companions, (addressing the young men by his side) don’t never forget the injunction o’ Daniel Boone, your friend, that you must be cool, steady and firm; and whensomever you fire at a painted varmint, be sure you don’t throw away your powder!”