The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-11-15
CHAPTER XXI.
An Alarming Discovery.

CHAPTER xxi.
An Alarming Discovery.
While Kenton was exchanging words
with The Panther, the fatboat drifted
slowly down stream toward its destina-
ton now at hand. When the last words
were uttered the scout noticed that the
craft had gradually turned partly side
ways instead of being bow on as it
should be. Two or three sweeps of one
of the long paddles Strengthened mat
tiers.
There was no call to say anything
more 10 the Shawanoe, who acted as
though he considered the interview at
an end. He resumed his old attitude.
with his head bowed. grim. stoical and
defiant, and looking upon the immediate
future as though it contained naught of
moment to him.
The ranger resumed his place at the
prov and swept with his keen vision the
surrounding river and forest He had
not forgotten that duty while talking
with his prisoner. Nothing to cause
misgiving caught his eye, and he feared
no immediate danger to his friends
The moonlight showed a growing
change. A gray, ashen color rapidly
overspread the river and revealed the
treetops on both shores. Soon a rosy
tinge appeared in the east. The night
had ended and day was breaking
Kenton was closing scrutiniZing the
Kentucky shore. In the spreading light
he identified every point with the &C
curacy of professional pilot. Just be-
yond a slight turn in the river-not
enough to hide the view-he caught
sight of the clearing. which was the
destination of the flatboat and its pas
sengers.
Norman Ashbridge and his son George
had wrought hard during the few
months spent in this lonely section. A
part Of the open space wherein the
cabin stood had been made by nature
This was perhaps half an acre in eX-
tent, and first drew attention to the
spot About the same extent of forest
had been cleared by their lusty arms
and keen axes. The stumps showed but
little Of the lumber was left On the
three sides stretched the wilderness, and
in front swept the beautiful Ohio
No part of the clearing was under
cultivation, and the most interesting
sight on which the eyes of Kenton
rested was the cabin that had been
built by father and son, and Of which
he had heard much since young Ash
bridge Joined him.
II stood near the middle Of the open
space and perhaps a hundred feet from
the river at the foot of the sloping
bank. When the pioneers, with the help
Of the few implements brought with
them, erected the home in the Kentucky
wilderness, they did so with prudence
and wisdom. There was no seeking
after comeliness Strength Durability
and safety were the consideration that
guided them.
Ha col 8
logs. dovetaied at the corners I'm tn
strongest possible manner. The skill
with which this was done showed that
one pair Of hands at least were gifted
with remarkable dizziness. The logs. in
stead Of resting upon one another, with
gaping creVices between to be filled in
with clay. had been smoothed off suffi-
GENTLY above and below to make them
join closely and with much Of their sur
face i'm close contract.
This increased the strength Of the
framework, besides rendering It more
secure against attack by an enemy.
The structure was perhaps 20X30 feet
II had no extensions so II lacked that
break in the dovetailing OF the logs
which would have been the case had n
possessed annexes. The chimney was
of stone and extended from "a wide base
az the ground 10 a narrowing termina-
ton several feet above the roof II
was wholly outside Of the building.
many OF the heavy stones Of which Il
was composed attesting the toll and In
dustry OF the builders
IN this building was one door. which
faced the river AND was I'm the middle
OF the front, with a window on either
side. Above these two windows were
two others. The rear was provided In
the same manner above and below. but
had no door The ends were finished
with a couple OF windows, one above
the other.
These windows were less than foot
wide and twice as high. They were
thus fashioned TO prevent an enemy
forcing his way through should he gain
an opportunity 20 make the attempt.
They had no glass. for that was scarce
and costly. Sometimes Oiled paper was
used, but with the Ashbridge home Moth
ing prevented the free lngress OF the
air from the outside. In storm or
the windows or move away from them.
The roof sloping from the crest each
way was Of planking. shelving so steep
~ that the most agile redskin could not
have secured "A foothold upon a. The
heavy planks came down the Ohio on
the flatboat I'm which father and son
first descended the stream. The craft
itself entered largely into the make OF
the structure, though most Of the tim
bers helped 20 form the furniture.
Chairs. tables bedsteads and flooring
were fashioned with that skill OF which
an inkling was obtained from viewing
the building as Il doomed 10 view I'm the
gray light OF the early morning.
The interior bore some resemblance
10 the colonial houses OF New England.
The second story was what might be
called "A half story, covering only n por-
ton q the floor, and was reached by
a sloping ladder