The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-10-04
CHAPTER Nv.

The flatboats in use on the Ohio and
other streams century and more ago
were of the simplest construction con-
ceivable They were scows, with fiat
bottoms and a width a third or half their
length.
The planking at the sides was two or
three feet in hight, and of course bullet
proof.
One end was sometimes boarded over
so as TO give shelter to the occupants at
night or when the weather was bad. In
the other portion were piled the goods
of the emigrants, a part being set apart
for the horses and cattle belonging to
the pioneer.
The fatboat could go down, but not up
stream, since the only motive power was
the current.
A long-sweeping oar swung on a pivot
at the front and another at the stern.
By means of these the boat could be
warped inshore or away from IL, or its
position shifted while floating down the
river, at the wish Of the occupants
Had young George Ashbridge known
less Of the wonderful woodcraft Of Simon
Kenton, or had not his deepest affections
been concerned he might have doubted
the declaration Of the ranger that some
thing had happened TO the latbOat.
That something meant the worst, for
IL signifed an attack and massacre, or
the captivity Of the people on board
In truth the scout saw more in the
presence Of The Panther than did his
companion. There has been well-found-
ed rumors. as he declared, for several
weeks that the leading tribes in the
Southwest were making ready to go upon
the war-path.
He believed The Panthers business in
that section. when his home was q long
distance to the south. meant mischief.
Kenton was afraid the Indians were
providing along the Ohio and the fat
boat upon which Mr.. Ashbridge and his
family were due had been successfully
assailed.
When therefore. he caught sight of
the cumbersome craft slowly swinging
around the bend of the stream he began
infinitely studying it, more than half
convinced that it had been overwhelmed
by disaster.
It will be remembered that Kenton and
The youth stood close to the stream as
to be in plain sight of any one on the
other side or on the river.
Consequently. If the occupants were
alert. as they must be, they would quick
" discover the figure of the two hunters
on the Kentucky shore. Let this be re-
membered i'm following the incidents we
have set out to describe.
For two or three minutes after his
scrutiny began Kenton detected no sign
of life on board the craft. This signified
nothing. for the people could very well
keep out Of sight without exposing them
selves.
often when maintaining the closest
watch Of the shores the enemies could
catch no glimpse of any one on the boat
Then the long. sweeping paddle, thrust
forward like an index finger, was dipped
IN the water and swayed slowly TO the
left
The sparkle Of the disturbed water was
plainly seen by Kenton. who even fan
cied that he observed the head of the
man near the middle Of the craft as he
walked from one side to the other IL so
the distance was too great to identify
the person at he oar.
The position Of the rear sweep prevent
ed Kenton learning whether that was
also in motion. but the vigor showed in
the first case convinced him that the in
tention Of those on board was TO work
the boat toward the Kentucky side
swinging IL to land near the spot where
the spectators were standing.
The oar was swayed three times and
then il suddenly ceased. The presence OF
Ashbridge and Kenton had evidently
been noted on the fiatboat and the first
Intention was abandoned. They were
studying the couple.
The Indians along the frontier resorted
to many devices to bring the settlers
within reach.
They compelled captive white men to