The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-10-11


sure to hear him, and it would instantly
become a struggle for life, with no posi-
bility of his gaining the first advantage.
His problem, therefore, was to approach
so near Girty without detection that he
could make himself known without dis
cOvery by any one else on board.
Inch by inch the ranger drifted down
stream. his gaze fixed on the head and
shoulders of the man lolling on the deck
of the cabin and smoking his pipe.
The fact that now and then the scout
saw the glowing ember within the bowl
showed that Girty's face was toward
him. Had it been turned the other way
hardly any difficulty would have con-
fronted the ranger.
As it was. he meditated keeping be
yond the liability of detection. and SWIM
ming to the boat from the other direc-
ton, but he feared that some OF the hos
tiles We're on guard there. 1t would not
do to be seen by them; he must make
his first advance to the renegade HIM
self.
Carefully measuring the distance with
his eye, the ranger sank below the sur
face and swan straight for the stern
of the hatboat
He did his work so unerringly that
when his cap parted the water and he
came up, his nose gently touched the
side Of the craft; he had hit it to the
inch.
Ssh. helloa. Girtyr'
The renegade, sitting in reverie and
slowly putting his pipe, was so startled
by hearing his name pronounced in
guarded voice that he sprang up as
though a needle point had been thrust
in him.
Who's that?" he asked in a hoarse I'M
dertone, staring around in the gloom,
uncertain Of the point whence the hail
came.
IT'S me. Kenton; don't make any
noiser"
At the same moment, grasping the
gunwale with both hands, the ranger
drew his head and shoulders into view
of the frightened Girty. The latter
and asked with an execration of amaze
ment:
Where the mischief did you come
from 20
Tell me, honest, now, Slime, how many
Of 'em are on board?"
Kenton held himself half over the gun
vale, looking up with smiling face at
the renegade and ready to sink back
into the water, should it become neces-
sary.
I'm alone" was the unexpected reply.
THAT suits me; 1 want to see you"
and without further hesitation the rang
er raised his dripping form over the
gunwale and sat down beside his aston
fshed acquaintance, who, looking Curl
ously at him, asked:
Whats the meaning Of this, Kenton?
You've done powerful risky thing"
Why so, If you're the only one on
board beside me?"
but thar'n be others in a few min
uteS; they're late now; they're likely to
come at any time
The renegade turned his head looked
toward the Kentucky shore and raised
his hand warningly.
f'Shl think 1 heard their paddles
''No, you didn't" coolly remarked his
visitor ri sarY,
I, and didn't"
'Mebbe not, but you'll hear 'em purity
! soon.'
Slime" said Kenton, who appreciated
the value of the moments, and spoke
with deep seriousness: mo matter how
other folks may look on you, you'll adj
NIT I always used you squar'. So you
did me, when the Shawanoes meant to
make a torchlight of me. I'm not fool
enough TO put myself into their hands
agin with the idea that you kin pull me
out"
NO. for couldn't" said Girty, smok-
ing hard at his pipe. which had well
nigh gone out during the interruption.
II won't ask you, if l ever slip again,
but 1 want you to do me favor now.'
What is it?"
Tell me what all this means"
What what means?"
You, the Panther, and some of his
warriors. took this flatbOat from a party
of settlers that were coming down the
Ohio on it,
"Of course was the Indifferent re-
spouse; 'how else would we git it ?'
How many whites were on the
bOat?"
-Four. and old man. younger man,
his wife and a little girl"
The heart of Kenton sank.
do you know their names-that is,
who they were?"
Never seen 'em before"
Were they the Ashbridges?"
81 don't know, cause / never was
nigh enough to that family to know
| EN-, except the younker that was with
| you-Sime. you must get outr' whis-
| pered the renegade excitedly; they re
| coming now surep'
Kenton had caught the dip of the
| paddle. He knew it was no mistake this
| time. The Indians were at hand.
"All right; good-by," he whispered
| dropping no hint of the resolution which
| he formed while the words were in his
mouth and which he dared not make
| known to Girty, in whose friendship he
| reposed great trust, despite what he had
| said brief while before.