The Days of Daniel Boone; A Romance of "The Dark and Bloody Ground."

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1883. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... i CHAPTER XXVII. Ob Watauga. Daniel Boone appears in a new character, and the Reada is present on an important historical occasion. The narrative fittingly concludes at the grave of one of its chief personages. In the month of March, 1775, and on the 17th day of that month, a strange and picturesque scene was being enacted on the banks of the Watauga River, at a point located where that stream has not yet left the boundary-line of North Carolina. Here a level plateau, but little covered with forest growth, extended for several miles in all directions. To the east two gigantic peaks reared their tall forms five thousand and inore feet in the air. The clear and beautiful waters of the Watauga flowed with a rapid current from its source in the adjoining hills, northwestward, toward its confluence with the Holston, in Eastern Tennessee. The ground was carpeted with soft, wavy grass, brilliant with the first green of spring. Almost forming a perfect amphitheater, about whose outlines the foot-hills rose to the more elevated range beyond, in defined terraces, it would seem as though this spot had been exactly fitted by Nature for the scene of some important action on the part of man. And the surroundings and accessories on the occasion we are about to describe, were .such as would have (ytd speedily informed the curious spectator that some trans, action of grave moment was about to be completed. The situation was dramatic in the extreme. At a point on the plain, lying near the bank of the stream, rude preparations had apparently been made for the conduct of some ceremonial, the nature of which, however, the appearances did not indicate. Here a few rough logs and carelessly hewn boards had been put together in the form of a table; beside which, sections sawn...