"A good plan, Mr. Panther," said Crocket. "You lead the way to this
cabin of yours, an' remember that we're servin' under you for the time
bein'."

The Panther rode on without another word and the party, now raised from
three to sixteen, followed. Crockett fell in by the side of Ned, and
soon showed that he was not averse to talking.

"A good country," he said, nodding at the landscape, "but it ain't like
Tennessee. It would take me a long time to git used to the lack of hills
an' runnin' water an' trees which just cover the state of Tennessee."

"We have them here, too," replied Ned, "though I'll admit they're
scattered. But it's a grand country to fight for."

"An' as I see it we'll have a grand lot of fightin' to do," said Davy
Crockett.

They continued at good speed until twilight, when they rested their
horses and ate of the food that they carried. The night promised to be
cold but clear, and the crisp air quickened their blood.

"How much further is it?" asked Crockett of Ned.

"Fifteen or eighteen miles, but at the rate we're going we should be
there in three hours. We've got a roof. It isn't a big one, and we don't
know who built it, but it will shelter us all."

"I ain't complainin' of that," rejoined Davy Crockett. "I'm a lover of