[Pioneers of the Old Southwest by Constance Lindsay Skinner]@TWC D-Link bookPioneers of the Old Southwest CHAPTER VII 20/34
When they had taken their prisoners, the more bloodthirsty warriors in the band wanted to tomahawk them all on the spot.
By his diplomatic discourse, however, Boone dissuaded them, for the time being at least, and the whole company set off for the towns on the Little Miami. The weather became severe, very little game crossed their route, and for days they subsisted on slippery elm bark.
The lovers of blood did not hold back their scalping knives and several of the prisoners perished; but Black Fish, the chief then of most power in Shawanoe councils, adopted Boone as his son, and gave him the name of Sheltowee, or Big Turtle.
Though watched zealously to prevent escape, Big Turtle was treated with every consideration and honor; and, as we would say today, he played the game.
He entered into the Indian life with apparent zest, took part in hunts and sports and the races and shooting matches in which the Indians delighted, but he was always careful not to outrun or outshoot his opponents.
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