their children; but thy soft hands and slender limbs are unequal to
the task; nor dost thou seem to have felt the want of this world's
goods; and thou bringest no family to provide for. Thou hast committed
that which banished thee from society, or found in society that which
disgusted thee--speak, which of these?" said Boone, in accents, though
not positively commanding, yet they produced a sense of reverence that
subdued the rising indignation of Glenn, and looking upon the
interrogator as the acknowledged host of the eternal wilds, and
himself as a mere guest, who might be required to produce his
testimonials of worthiness to associate with nature's most honest of
men, he replied with calmness, though with subdued emotion--

"You are right, sir--it was the latter. I had heard that you were
happy in the solitude of the mountain-shaded valley, or on the
interminable prairies that greet the horizon in the distance, where
neither the derision of the proud, the malice of the envious, nor the
deceptions of pretended love and friendship, could disturb your
peaceful meditations: and from amid the wreck of certain hopes, which
I once thought no circumstances could destroy, I rose with a
determined though saddened heart, and solemnly vowed to seek such a
wilderness, where I could pass a certain number of my days engaging in
the pursuits that might be most congenial to my disposition. Already I
imagine I experience the happy effects of my resolution. Here the
whispers of vituperating foes cannot injure, nor the smiles of those
fondly cherished deceive."

"Your hand, young man," said Boone, with an earnestness which
convinced Glenn that his tale was not imprudently divulged.

"Ho! what's the matter with _you_?" Boone continued, turning to Joe,