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

Jethro Juggens was not especially i'm
pressed by the fact that the prisoner
fighting so desperately to free himself
from his grasp was The Panther. one of
the most dangerous chiefs of the
ShawanOes.
The African had never before heard
his name. but not doubling that he was
the individual who had pressed his
water-soaked moccasin against his mouth
when asleep, he proceeded to teach him
better manners" as he had set out to do
The noise and confusion reused all the
sleepers. who peerd affrightedly out from
their cabin to learn the meaning of the
tumult.
I'VE are in no danger" explained Mr..
Ashbridge stepping over near the women.
IAN Indian stole on board and Jethro
has taken charge of him"
The females hastily arranged their par
tally removed clothing and came forth to
learn more fully what the strange pro-
ceedings meant. The men, including
Kenton, ranged themselves around the
combatants and watched the,issue.
Knowing the terrible chieftain who was
thus caught. the scout thought it more
likely he would have to interfere to pre-
vent The Panther getting the better of
JethrO, despite the great disadvantage
at which the former was caught
Had the conditions been equal Jethro
must have succumbed, for the Shawanoe
was more why, skilful and, like most Of
his race. possessed a peculiar faculty of
twisting himself out of the grasp Of an
antagonist.
1t will be remembered that the African
had flung his arms around the Shawanoe
at the waist. pinning him fast. The grip,
too. was from the rear instead of the
front, which was more in favor of Jethro.
AS long as he retained that hold the fear
full Panther was an infant in his grasp.
The first thing done by the Shawanoe
when he cOmprehended how he was
seized, was to let go of his cumbersome
rifle and try to draw his knife.
He had succeeded in doing this and
facing about he would have slain the
negro with lightning-like quickness. II
was that against which Kenton was
watching. he having FASTENED to the
spot the instant he saw the other had
escaped.
Keep your grip on him, Jethro."
called the scout, who. like the rest, be-
gan to see the grim humOr of the situa-
ton II you don't he'll kill you with
knife or tomahawk."
Not much he won'tr' replied Jethro
who, despite his tremendous pressure and
exertions, felt the eel-like antagonist
slipping from his arms The African
fell back on the only recourse at COM
mand when this took place. Closing his
vise-like arms round the Strengthened
ways to the bottom Of the boat.
1t was the third time he had done So
d limbs Of the Indian. he hurled him side
hTIf the violence of the last movement
was greater than that of the others
combined. The Panther landed on his
side with so much force that he lay
stunned and mOtiOnless.
81 guess he won't stick his foot in
any more colored gemman's moufs, -
muttered the painting Jethro, rising to
his feet and surveying his PROSTATE an
tagonist.
Kenton stepped forward, picked up the
Indians rifle and handed it to Mr.. Alt
man. Then he deftly withdrew the tom
ahawk and knife from the girder at the
waist. The Panther was now without
a weapon with which to defend himself.
81 suppose he thought you looked
hungry" remarked his employer; why
didn't you bite the moccasin before he
could take it away?"
HE didn't guv me a chance" replied
Jethro: ''I war sound asleep when 1
thought dat a whale had tapped his tail
ober my face. BY the time l woke up
and knowed what war gwine on he was
ecootin'. 1 scooted. toe, and grabbed him
as he started to sail overheard"
but Jethro. he isn't the Indian that
stepped on you," said young Ashbridge
What yo' talkin' bout, marse George"
asked the African with reproving look
at his young friend.
Its fact the Indian who used your
face for a door mat. thinking II was only
a part of the darkness, jumped into the
water and swan away before you were
fully awake"
He speaks the TRUTH" added the elder
Ashbridge.
Den who am dis chap" asked the
puzzled Jethro.
'Kenton told you he was The Pan
Their"
He amt no panther; he's an Injun."
THE Panther is his name and he Is
one of the worst Shawanoes living"
why didn't you tole me dat afore?''
What difference does IL maker"
81 would hab handled him more keer-
full: wouldn't had frowed him down but
twice. and would hab picked out a softer
place for him 10 fall onto"
IF you had tried that he would have
finished you" said Kenton, whose eyes
were fixed on the motionless figure at
their feet: have care, folks; that chap
will come to himself in few minutes"
What il he does?" inquired Mr.. Ash
bridge.
He'll give us the slip; bring rope
and well tie him"
II was Agnes Altman who whislxed
into the cabin and quickly reappeared