"This is Daniel Boone," he said to Mr. Colfax, "and this, Mr. Boone, is Adam Colfax, the commander of the fleet that has come from New Orleans on its way to Pittsburgh."
"Daniel Boone!" exclaimed Adam Colfax, and stepping forward he took the hand of the great hunter, explorer, and wilderness fighter. It was an impulse which did not seem strange to him that he should leave Major Braithwaite for second place, and it seemed natural, also, to the Major, who did not know until then the name of the man who had come so opportunely with his friends to his relief.
"I knew Fort Prescott was pushed hard and would be pushed harder," said Daniel Boone, smiling gently after he had shaken hands with Adam Colfax and Major Braithwaite, "so me an' Simon—this is Simon Kenton—hurried south after some of our friends, hunters an' sech like, an' it 'pears that we've got back in time."
"You certainly have," said Major Braithwaite with deep emphasis. "Never was help more opportune."
"It was a good fight!" exclaimed Simon Kenton, the battle fire not yet dead in his eyes.
Daniel Boone smiled again, that extraordinary smile of sweetness and peace.
"But the one that really brought us all together at the right minute," he said, "was a boy, though he is a mighty big and strong one, and he stands here right now."
He put his hand upon Henry Ware's shoulder, and Henry blushed under his tan in embarrassment.
"No, no!" he cried. "It was everybody working together, and I'm just one of the crowd."
He retreated hastily behind his comrades, and Daniel Boone laughed.