The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-02-23
HOW BOONE ourw1rrED THE INDIANS

HOW BOONE OUTWITTED THE INDIANS.
It was just after the close of the Revolu-
ti0nary war, and the settlements of the pi0n.
GERS were seldom disturbed by any serious at
tacks of the Indians; though Of course there
still existed that strong hatred between the
two races which will always continue az long
as there is an uncivilized Indian upon the face
of the globe. It was not safe to trust your.
self with them unless you were fully armed
and always ready to resist any attack which
their treacherous nature might prompt, if they
thought they had the advantage of you It
was thus that things stood when Daniel Boone,
the great and renowned pioneer hunter of Ken
lucky, settled down in active farming life.
His farm or plantation was at considerable
distance from any other, and he had to be con-
stantly on the alert, lest the willy savage should
catch him "asleep," and thus overmatch him.
One of the principal productions of his planta-
ton was tobacco, and though he raised large
quantities, he never used it himself For tho
drying and storing of this tobacco he had
erected small building of two stories. or
rather one story and loft, which at this time,
was full of the stalks and unstable remains Of
last years crop. Wishing to remove this rub
bish before storing the new stock, he resolved
to commence early on Thursday morning and
finish before nOOn, 30 that he could employ his
time more prcftably in the afternoon. When
he had eaten an early breakfast, he took his
rifle, and seeing that it was loaded and primed,
he put 1T behind the door ready for instant use.
AS the drying heuse was but few steps from
the house, he did not deem it necessary to take
his rifle with him as the Indians had not been
seen in that locality for considerable length
of time and he had no idea that they would
make their appearance for some weeks. But
he had made great mistake, and barely es-
capped being taken prisoner in consequence OF
his recklessness.
1t was about ten o'clock, and having cleared
all the litter from the lower apartment, he had
Just commenced in the loft above when voices
were heard below. He glanced through a
crack in the foring and saw four Indians, each
armed with gun, who were evidently looking
for him. Keeping perfectly quiet. he hoped
that they would not look in the loft for him;
but the hope was vain, as he well knew. The
Indians were too cunning to 60 away without
examining the whole building, and after they
had satisfied themselves that he was not in the
first room. they got on some barrels that stood
in one corner and looked up into the loft,
which only extended about three-quarters the
length OF the building. One glance was suffi-
cient, and they saw that Boone was there and
not armed, so the one who appeared to be the
leader speke in his broken English
big Warrior come down; you prisoner;
must come with Senaca braves; who hare
travelled many days to fetch you"
Boone now saw how foolish he had been to
leave his rifle in the house, even if it was but
a few steps; but he was 8 man who was equal
to an emergency, and knowing it would be folly
10 resist, he tried to think of some plan OF es-
cape. He knew there was no way of getting
r AZ L., .xs- -
not wishing to have the Indians know that he
was frightened at his situation, he cooly re-
piled:
Now, see here, / know you are all great
braves, and hope you will let me finish this
work; I've only got to take out q few more Of
these sticks of tobacco and then am perfectly
willing to 60 with you"
NO" answered the Red Skin, eve in big
hurry; come now or me shoot" aud they lev.
eled their rifles at him. There was . look on
their faces which told Boone that if he was
gong to do anything he must do it Immediately.
While he had been parleying with them he had
formed q plan for outwitting even the most
cunning of the Seneca braves. Az he talked
he had continued to gather up fragments Of
leaves and stalks. ae il to throw them out and
at the same time he had advanced to the edge
of the loft, the more readily to speak to the
Indians, who were standing in group just
below him. Suddenly he leaped from the loft
with his arms full of dried tobacco, and fling.
ing it in their faces, he made for the house at
the top of his speed, where he arrived in per-
feet safety, as the pungent tobacco dust had
filled the eyes and mouths of the Indians. rem.
dering them perfectly harmless for some sec
onds When they recovered, they looked To-
ward the house and saw Boone quietly stand
ing at window with his rifle in his hand,
ready to repel any assault Remembering the
stories which they had heard about him and
his rifle, they wisely concluded to let him alone
and, plunging into the wood which bordered
the plantation. they left Boone unmolested.