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

with the article requested. The hunters
and woodsmen of those times often used
the leathern fringes of their dress for
such purpose, but only in case of neces-
sity.
Don't be cruel to him." she said in
a sympathetic voice, 'he didn't step in
Jethro's MOUTH
II wouldn't blame him If that was all
he done, for 1 callate when that darlxey
lays down with his mouth open a chap
has got to step powerful keerful not to
drop into It, but The Panther is bad
varmint and nothing would please him
more than to kill your father, mother
and all the rest of u.s.
The gentle girl was shocked to hear
these words, but her tender heart was
touched with pity for the warrior who
had been so roughly used by the burly
African, and she hoped nothing further
would be done to the captive.
The Panther had fully recovered his
senses, but he remained motionless SEEM
ingly with closed eyes. He could speak
English quite well and lost hardly a
word that was uttered.
He was playing 'possum," and on the
alert for a chance to elude his captors.
His weapons having been taken from
him, there was no possibility of his re-
Governing any of them, but he could not
have been without hope Of outwitting
his enemies.
When Kenton knelt over him with the
rope in one hand he knew the crisis had
come. With incredible dexterity he
bounded from his prone position and
made a desperate effort to leap over
board. He would have succeeded, too.
but for the scout.
The latter was expecting such an at
tempt, and before the chief could carry
il into execution he was forced back on
the floor of the boat, the strong rope
was twisted and tied about his ankles,
and then his wrists were fastened be-
hind his back in the same secure fash
ion.
At last he was absolutely helpless and
the rest could stand back and contem-
plate the fallen chieftain and know
there was no possibility of his harming
them or getting away.
Now that the threatened peril had
been averted and the people on board
the fatboat had recovered from their
furry, Altman said to Kenton:
We have forgotten something"
What is it?" asked the scout.
"Yonder is the other flatboat; Girty
and one at least of the Indians and
probably more are on board; our work
is not done until we have punished
them"
How shall we do it? The canoe they
came in has floated away"
But we have one of our own on the
other side of the flatboat'
That will carry three of us if 1t is
handled keerfully.''
Il think it might hold more, but that
is enough-you. Ashbridge and me-
What is your idee?'' asked Kenton
Lets paddle over and shoot all Of
them! When 1 recall the poor Nc
DoUgalls-the strong man. the wife, the
little child and the aged father-all slain
by those fiends, my blood boils. IL
was certain that that demon lying there
had hand in it, 1 would shoot him,
oh ha4 e NNFTc hrrr Il
hand and foot and unable to raise fin
ger in self-defense"
He deserves it," replied Kenton,
glancing sideways at The Panther, for
that's the style of the varmints when
they have us foul, but somehow or other
l can't bring myself to strike a man
when he's down even If he is a redskin.' -
No. it would be beyond pardon, but
let's make fair battle with the other
fiatboat. Ashbridge and l will be glad
to follow if you will lead. Am L right,
Norman"
The three were standing little apart
and spoke in tones too low to be over
heard.
Nothing will please me better; there
will be some risk, but II wouldn't be
worth undertaking if there wasn't"
Very well. it suits me-" coolly re-
sponded the scout, las soon as we can
fix things We'll start. but 1T wouldn't
be a bad idee to larn how matters are
on tother boat afore we make 'em
call"
How can that be done?''
''I'll ask Girty some question; he won't
'spect nothing and will tell me the
truth"
IF he does speak with a single tongue,
as these redskins have it, his informa-
ton should be valuable"
"One of YOU had better step over to
The Panther and keep an eve onto him;
Il -.
may manage TO play some trick
Acting on the suggestion, Ashbridge
moved across the slight intervening
space and Joined the group, who were
looking down with varying emotions
upon the frightful captive.
The Panther, grim and sullen, had
worked himself to sitting position
with is back to the planking at the side
of the boat, and his bound ankles thrust
against one Of the boxes, beside which
Jethro Juggens was sleeping when
reused in the aggravating fashion re-
lated.
The fallen chief did not look up. nor
were the coppery lips moved in utter
ance. Proud, sullen, untamable, defiant,
he was ready to meet his fate with the
same stOiciSm that he showed when
viewing the sufferings of some hopeless
captive tied to the stake and with the
fagots blazing at his feet.
AHouICu lndl DOlIlnR IuTIneF was
likely to occur to disturb them, the
women and girls once more withdrew to
their cabin.
The incident was an exciting one and
naturally disturbed all, but one of the
strange facts connected with this hu-
man nature Of ours is the readiness with
which II adapts itself to circumstances
Agnes and Mable made the others
promise not TO inflict any further indig-
nifty upon the captive and fifteen minu-
ties later the girls and their mothers were
unconscious.
I'D lay down and finish my nap" re-
marked Jethro, 'if 1 could feel sartin
dat som oder injun wouldn't try to step
into my mouf."
why not lay one of the boxes over
your mouth?'' asked George Ashbridge
THAT would protect YOU"
"Hoofi Tt like to know how I could
breve, smartyr' retorted Jethro turning
his back on his young friend and look
ing for a place to lie down, for his ca
pacity for sleep was hardly less amaz-
ing than his appetite for food.
Ashbridge and his father were left
alone The parent explained what had
been decided upon by Kenton, Altman
and himself.
The youth insisted upon making one
of the party. but the parent would not
not because of any doubt of the young
mans skill and courage, but rather on
that account.
IL would be the hight Of imprudence to
leave the women and children, even for
a short time, without any protection
except that of Jethro Juggens especial
1y when such a prisoner as The Panther