And as I take the trail I will remember the lads who've lived on dry bread and the paring of bacon rinds, and who've tasted naught but parched buffalo meat in three weeks.

RIGDON.

You've gone hungry yourself, sir.

BOONE.

Well, lads, 'tis all in the day's luck. We'll not suffer for meat if I can shoot an elk or a bear. (Lads exeunt through trees in background, Boone watching them.) Brave lads they are, and true!

[He tends the kettle, facing audience. After a moment Indians stealthily appear in background.

EAGLE'S FEATHER (as two of the braves seize Boone).

Long Knife, surrender!

[There is a brief struggle between Boone and the braves; but the former finds, that it is useless to resist.

HAWK EYE.

Shawnees on warpath. Long have watched Boone and tried to trap him. Now have got him. Boone show trail to Boonesborough.

BOONE (to himself, in a tense whisper).

Boonesborough?

BLACK FISH (majestically).

What answer does Long Knife Boone make? If Long Knife joins tribe, Long Knife will be treated with honor. All at Boonesborough will be killed; but Boone's life will be spared if he joins tribe. What answer does Long Knife Boone make?

[Boone considers deeply for a moment. His gun has been taken from him; but he is so closely surrounded that his arms are left free. He considers deeply for another moment, arms crossed on breast, head bowed. Looks up for an instant. Gives a searching glance at the Indians. Considers again for a moment. Then raises his head.

BOONE.

Long Knife says--yes!

[Holds out his hands, smiling.

ALL INDIANS (delighted at pantomime of acquiescence).

Wah!

BLACK FISH (waving tomahawk in air).

Long Knife's brothers--over by spring!

ALL INDIANS (in chorus).

Kill! Kill!

BOONE.

Wait! Black Fish try to kill Long Knife's brothers. Long Knife's brothers fight back. Kill maybe one brave. Maybe two braves. Maybe three braves. But--Boone speak to his white brothers. They surrender to Black Fish. No fighting. No braves killed. What does Black Fish answer?

BLACK FISH.

Black Fish answers: Long Knife show great wisdom. Black Fish do as Long Knife says.

[Some of the Indians start in the direction of the spring.

HAWK EYE (grunting).

Umph!

[Kenton is suddenly brought in by two braves who have captured him. As his eye falls on Boone his voice shrills with terror.

KENTON.

Oh, they have caught you! They have--

[The rest of the pioneers begin to appear from background, closely guarded by the Indians.

COLBY (as all of Boone's little band are brought in as captives). What's this? Not Boone a traitor?

BOONE.

Hush! (To the other white men.) No use to fight. We are surrounded. (To Black Fish.) Does Black Fish give me leave to speak to my comrades apart?

[Black Fish nods a.s.sent. Boone and his band withdraw to left. The Indians withdraw to right. Each side holds a conference. That of the Indians is in pantomime.

BOONE (to his band).

No use to fight, lads. Put up your guns. (Indicates Indians.) Half a score more are in the woods behind us. If we surrender, we may gain some time. If we refuse, we're lost. They'll march at once on Boonesborough.

KENTON.

Wilson's gone free, sir. He'll take Boonesborough the news of our capture.

BOONE (rapidly).

Aye; but he cannot take them the news of what Black Fish means to do.

No one in Boonesborough knows that the Indians are on the warpath. A ma.s.sacre is planned. The fires are lit. The tomahawks are ready. We must gain time. 'Tis all that we can do. We must surrender. I'll break through when I can. (Loudly.) Think well, my brothers. Here is freedom offered you, if you surrender. What do you say?

PRITCHARD (loudly).

I say that we surrender.

[Boone, turning, makes a gesture to the spot where their guns lie piled, then towards the Indians as one would say: "We give in."

BLACK FISH.

My brothers, we, too, have had a council. Far in the North the British pay much gold for paleface prisoners.

PRITCHARD (involuntarily).

Oh, Boone, we're sold!

BOONE (quickly).

No! Saved! The British will take a ransom, and Boonesborough will pay it to the uttermost farthing. (In a low voice.) Come, strategy!

Strategy! I will break through to-night.

PRITCHARD.

Great Chief Black Fish, to you we have surrendered. With your braves we will take the trail to the British encampment.

BLACK FISH (grunting with pleasure).

Umph! Much money for paleface prisoners. (To Hawk Eye). Give prisoners bison meat. Water. See they not die on road. No want to lose money they bring. Braves march now. Boone not go. Boone stay with us.

[While Black Fish has been speaking the braves and their prisoners line up for departure. Meantime, from the woods in background other Indians have joined the group. Those who have captured Boone describe the feat in dumbshow. The newly arrived Indians bear food, a blanket or so, a war-drum, pipes, etc.

BOONE (striving to speak gaily).

A good journey, my lads. I shall be thinking of you.