The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-10-25

of the scout, the two passed from stem
to stern as a person repeatedly searches
the same spot for a lost article.
Now what do you want to do?" asked
Kenton when they returned to where he
had seated himself.
There's nothing to do but to go back
to our own boat
That's all true but what do you want
TO do with this boat? 1t has some
lumber in 1t that'u come powerful handy
when you build t'other house, as L
reckon you mean TO do for Mr.. Altman
and his folks
There was force in the remark Of the
scout The lumber composing the fiat
boats of the settlers and pioneers who
hoated down the Ohio possessed great
value to them and was scrupulously pre-
served.
1t was the intention of the little COM
pany to erect a separate building for the
Altmans soon as il could be done, and
the two crafts would yield enough ma
terial to lessen that work to a consider
able degree.
''One of US can stay aboard said Ash
bridge, land he will have 40 trouble in
working the boat"
mot unless Mr. Girty and some of his
friends take notion to make a call"
In which event the one in charge can
do just as he has done"
Provided you have the chance to do
so. What do you think of it, Kenton"
There's not much danger of your
being bothered by the varmints; were
too close and the clearing isn't fur off;
besides, we won't start afore daylight"
So the matter seemed settled. The ar
rangements specified was about to be
carried out when Ashbridge turned to
the guide.
Are you convinced that none Of the
McDougalls escaped?"
mot one of 'em is alive" replied
kenton with a shake of his head.
They might have been made prison
ers-that is some of them-and carried
away"
1 wish 1 could think so, but I know
the varmints took no prisoners here.
Pardon me, Kenton, for wondering
how it is you can be absolutely sure on
that point"
The hunter looked steadily at the other
for moment without speaking In the
faint moonlight Ashbridge felt that those
wonderful blue eyes were fixed upon
him with piercing power. When Ken
ton spoke his words were hardly above
a whisper. but they were as clear as
the notes of a bugle.
I've seed the Sign
"Where?"
Here on this fatboat-everywher
haven't you seed it?''
mo-" replied Ashbridge, suspecting
the fearful meaning of the words just
spoken: were all killed on the boat?"
Every Onc VI Glns was NAC
sive reply; when 1 was looking through
afore 1 told you how it was searched for
signs. They was everywhere, as l said;
there didn't one of the four git away; L
thought mebbe they would spare the lit
tie girl and wife, but they were killed,
scalped and flung overheard by Girty
and the varmints"
No need for Kenton to explain fur
Their. Despite the gloom he had noted
the plentiful evidences Of the tragedy, so
overwhelming in their nature, that not
a shadow of doubt could remain.
81 want to leave this boat without a
minutes delay" said Altman with
shudder: its haunted by my friends; L
wouldn't tarry for the world and could
never sleep a wink in house containing
one stick of this timber; / shiver now
when 1 reflect upon what has taken place
here"
81 share your feelings" added Ash
bridge; Eve want nothing more to do
with this craft. Kenton."
The ranger looked at them again as If
in doubt of their. real thoughts. Then
he said:
1--WE don't want to leave it for Girty
and the varmints. for when they find
we've left and there's no risk about it
they'll be back on the craft and do what
they can to trap others"
"How can we prevent that?"
Easy enough; burn the fiatboat."
1.-THE right thing to do! 1t will be an
appropriate ending to its career" as
scented Altman: these timbers are dry
enough to catch and burn readily"
mo trouble bout that" said Kenton.
The savages who captured the craft
had left hardly = shred or splinter of the
boxes and Luggage that were on board,
but ii was easy to gather enough to form
a pile of combustibles near the cabin at
the rear. This was carefully arranged
by the scout, who produced his flint, steel
and finder. the only means of ignition
known in those days.
The streaming sparks shot from the
quick contact of stone and metal quickly
caught. the flame began creeping through
the pile. famed by the breath Of the
scout. and a few minutes later the fiat
boat. the scene of the woeful tragedy,
was doomed.