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Daniel Boone was a noted American pioneer and hunter. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1735, and when he was eighteen years old his family moved to North Carolina. From there he made many hunting and exploring trips into the wilderness.
In 1769 with five companions he set out to explore what is now the state of Kentucky, where he was several times captured by the Indians. His explorations caused settlers to flock to the new rich lands west of the mountains. For this service to his country,Congress gave him a tract of land.
The settlements in Kentucky were very frequently attacked by the Indians. Upon one occasion Boone was captured by them and held for some months in captivity. A large sum was offered for his ransom; but the Indians had become so much attached to him for his courage and skill in hunting that they refused to part with him.He was finally received into the tribe, and adopted by an old chief in the place of a dead son.
While he was a captive, he was kindly treated but strictly watched. Whenever he was allowed to go hunting, the balls for his gun were counted, and upon his return he had to show enough game to account for each ball and charge of powder he had used.But he divided a numbers of balls, with the halves of which he could kill turkeys, raccoons, squirrels, and other small game. And by using small charges of powder he saved several charges for his own use, in case he should find a chance to escape.
Early in June, being with the tribe at Chillicothe, in Ohio, he saw that they were making preparations for the warpath, and learned that they were going to attack the fort at Boonesborough. He watched for an opportunity to warn the garrison.
On the morning of the 16th of June, he went forth to hunt as usual, and struck through the woods for Boonesborough, a distance of one hundred sixty miles. He reached it at the end of five days—a remarkable feat, when we remember that he was obliged to travel in such a way as to throw the Indians off his trail.
After the close of the Revolutionary War, the settlements of the whites were not much disturbed by the Indians; but there was not entire peace. On one occasion Boone was nearly taken prisoner by four Indians who came to his farm.
They found him in the upper part of a small out-building used for drying tobacco. Entering the lower part, and calling him by name,they told him that he was their prisoner, and that he could escape from them no more.
Although they stood pointing their guns at him, he replied with perfect coolness. He told them that he was willing to go with them, but begged that they give him a little time to finish the work he was doing—removing some dry tobacco.
Drawing their attention in this way, he suddenly jumped down among them with his arms full of dried tobacco, and flung it into their faces. While they were choked and blinded with the dust,Boone ran quickly to his cabin, where he had his gun and powder.The Indians went off, outwitted, having learned another of the hunter’s tricks.
The old age of Boone was passed in quiet happiness among his children, who gave him affectionate care. Almost to the very last he continued his favorite employment of hunting.
In his old age he was honored as a famous pioneer. His life and adventures were written and talked about; and many persons came to see him and hear his story from his own lips.
Boone was vigorous and athletic, but in strength and size he was not beyond the average. There was nothing rough or fierce in his manners; he was remarkable for his gentleness and quietness.
Although Daniel Boone was a man of few words, yet he was always willing to answer the questions which visitors put to him.His affections were strong, and he tenderly loved the members of his family. To his dying day he never could speak without tears of his son, who had been killed by the Indians.
( J. M. Peck )
wilderness : wild areas where no people live
captive : someone who has been caught by another group of people
obliged : to have no choice but to do something
choked : finding it hard to breath
A) Answer the following questions.
1) How do we know that Daniel Boone could shoot very accurately?
2) How did he manage to save some ammunition?
3) What did Boone do when he found that the natives were getting ready to attack?
4) Why do you think Boone remembered and admired?
5) What is your favourite part of this story? Why?
B) Word Groups—Complete the following word groups with words from the story.
1) chicken, veal, t _ _ _ _ _
2) Pennsylvania, Indiana, K _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3) bullets, ammunition, b _ _ _ _
4) fight, battle, w_
5) father, daughter, s _ _
C) Summary—Write a short summary of this story.