not here, my lads. But 'twas for your courage and skill that I chose
you. How comes the salt, Rigdon?

RIGDON.
Finely, sir, finely. And the hunting?

BOONE
(shaking his head).
Scarce enough to keep a fox alive. I must start forth again. There
should be plenty of bison fat and deer meat for the days that are
coming. (Enter Kenton with bucket of water. He puts it down, and
salutes Boone.) Well, Kenton, what news from the springs?

KENTON.
The same as ever, sir. Blaize Pritchard and Edward Bryan stand guard
while the rest of us carry water. The camp is as you see it. There's
not been a sign of an Indian since you left us yesternight.

BOONE.
You do not ask what I've brought back with me, Kenton.

KENTON.
I know, sir, that if there were game to be had you would have bagged
it. But since we've come to the Blue Lick Springs the buffalo and deer
seem to have gotten wind of us. There's not so much as a rabbit
scampering across the grass. It seems as if nature herself were in
league against us.

BOONE.
Nonsense, lad. There'll be game enough soon, when I've foraged further.