Molly wonders if Ezra will visit them, and Pa is unsure, but he’s leaning toward no. He tells “a long story” about Ezra and the conflicts between white settlers and the Shawnee tribe. In 1769, Daniel Boone led a group of hunters into Shawnee territory. They killed several animals, but they only took the hides and furs, so the meat they left behind rotted. The Shawnees believe in utilizing every part of the animal. Upset about the wastefulness, the Shawnees captured Boone. They forced him to show them where the camp was, and the Shawnees took the furs, hides, weapons, and horses. They told Boone’s party to never return. Out of “generosity,” they gave Boone’s party moccasins and guns so that they could survive the journey home. Boone and his party returned, and so did a “never-ending supply of white men” (78). Some Shawnees fought back. To protect the settlers, the government began a “war” against the Shawnees.

Nathan and the other children in town heard about the legend of Boone, and they’d “play Daniel Boone and the Indians” (77). Colin Whitfield was one of the kids, and his father owned the town store, so he was Boone.