The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-09-27

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Kenton was not mistaken, for while
stealthtly peeping the muzzle of the
Indians gun was showed into view and
leveled at him The miscreant was
about to fire.
But to do so he must of necessity ex-
pose a portion of his own head. for
otherwise he could secure no aim.
Eye could hardly note the quickness
with which the rangers rifle was brought
TO his shoulder. aimed, and discharged
straight at the redskin who was seeking
his life.
The shot was unerring A wild cry
rang through the woods, the Shawanoe
flung his arms aloft, and, clutching his
gun, plunged forward from his hiding
place and fell forward on his face as
dead as Julius Caesar.
Kenton knew where one of the others
was, but had no knowledge of the loca-
ton of the third.
1t would not do, however. to attempt
to investigate. This was one of those
occasions when person must take des-
perate chances, and the ranger took
them.
Crouching low as a man filings himself
forward on the back of his horse, he
ran with his utmost speed straight to-
ward the spot where the victim OF his
Workmanship lay.
He reasoned Ii at a second Indian was
not likely TO be very near him, though
it was not impossible.
The fugitive showed amazing swiftness.
but had not taken dozen steps when
he heard shout, and. glancing over his
shoulder, saw both Of the Shawanoes in
pursuit.
At this same instant one Of them fired
his gun, and, despite the furry and ex-
element of the moment, Kenton heard
ii cut a twig in two within a foot Of his
face.
'Rayther close" he reflected; "but as
long as they don't come any nearer than
that they won't do any damage But
there's another gun to be heard from.
And while the words were in his mouth
it was heard from. Tt was The Panther
himself who fired the second shot, and,
which knocked the coOnSkin cap from
the head Of the fugitive.
I'll be hanged if you shall have
thatr' exclaimed the ranger, snatching
UP the covering, flourishing it aloft and
giving utterance to a shout of defiance
as he replaced it.
All three guns were now empty, and
had Kenton chosen to do so. he might
have come to halt and safely reloaded
his own weapon.
In those days the recharging of a
muzzle loading, flint lock rifle was
big task compared to the operation OF
replenishing the chambers of one of
our modern weaDons. Instead of doing
that. Simon Kenton had to resort TO
startling proceeding.
1t has been stated that he ran directly
toward the PROSTATE body of the victim
Of his craftsmanship.
The moment after The Panther fired
Kenton reached the rigid figure and
STOPPING quickly wrenched the weapon
from the rigid grasp of the warrior,
wheeled and brought ii to his shoulder.
Had the chance presented itself he
would have brought down one Of his
pursuers. Then with only the other
left he would have had it out with him
then and there
And then, too. the long-standing ac-
count between him and The Panther
would have been closed.
But it will be noted that there was
much more in this act than in that of
firing the first shot. Wonderfully
agile as was the ranger, his purpose
was read before he could carry Ii into
execution. BY the time he had brought
the weapon to a level no target was
in sight. The two had darted behind
the nearest tree.
1t looked as if the advantage was with
the single man, but ii was far from being
So While the warriors stood with their
bodies effectually armored they were re-
loading.
BY and by they would resume their
old tactics of separating, and, despite his
watchfulness and skill, would soon place
him at their mercy.
There was but one thing to do-that
was to continue his flight, but Kenton
was 10th to abandon the field without
another shot at his enemies.
Instead. therefore, of wheeling about
and taking to his heels he walked back
ward. with his face toward his foes, and
grasping the two guns, which being cum
bersome. made an awkward burden for
him.
Before either of the Shawanoes could
fire. he must show a portion Of his own
body to the extent of a part of his head
and shoulder. Kenton was on the alert
for that opening and ready to take in
slant advantage of it.
In that sweeping glance he cast to the
rear at the moment the first shot was
discharged at him, Kenton Identified The
Panther.
He was on the left, and was the one
whom the ranger determined to bring
down. if il was within the range Of pos
sibility.
Whether the chief would be the first
to load and sight his gun would soon be
seen. That he and his companion were
ramming down the charges was certain
and very soon they would be ready for
serious business.
Kenton's eagerness to rid the frontier
of this scourge led him to run more risk
than he would have done under other
circumstances.
He continued slowly retreating. on
the alert for the first opening, which
was not long in coming.
With a thrill of pleasure he noted that
The Panther beat his companion in re-
charging his rifle. Kenton saw the
cleaning eye ranging along the sights
| and the crooked elbow and a part of
the shoulder
Dropping his own weapon, so as TO
leave his hands unincumbered, he
aimed the strange weapon with light
| ning-like suddenness. He knew his eye
was true, and now everything depended
on who fired first.
The white man was a moment ahead
of the other in pressing the trigger, but
| alas! there was no report When the
| former owner of the rifle plunged to
| the ground he must have injured 1t in
some way, for 1T was useless.
With furious exclamation Kenton
| flung ii from him, snatched up his own
and ducking his head leaped behind
shelter before either Of the others could
| fire.
At this juncture when it seemed as If
| matters could be no worse. the ranger
made the terrifying discovery that in
| addition to the two Indians in front a
| third person had come from somewhere
and had got directly behind him.
1t was impossible for the scout to es-
| cape without placing himself at the
mercy of the other.
CHAPTER HI.
| The Young Pioneer.
What more frightful position can be
| imagined than that of man, with an