The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-11-22

do to forget the varmint You We're so
kind to him afore, you're the one to
look after him now"
Agnes turned to the scout, as if seek
ing the meaning of this remark, but his
face never wore a more serious express
sion. Had she scrutinized il a little
more closely she might have noted a
faint twinkle of the blue eyes, which
left no doubt of the waggish impulse
that prompted the remark
With two substantial slices of bread
in one hand and tin cup trimming
with coffee in the other, Agnes walked
carefully along the side of the boat to
where the sullen Shawanoe sat with his
chin on his breast.
'Wa-on-mon." she said i'm a gentle
voice, here are bread and coffee for
you
He did not stir or look up She
thought he was asleep and had not heard
her. STOPPING slightly she touched his
forehead with the hand holding the
bread. Like flash he darted a glance
into her face.
What want?" he demanded.
Here is nice cup of coffee and
some bread for you; I'm sorry / haven't
anything better but it is all we have"
Don't want" he replied, angrily
shaking his head.
But you must take the Coffee
Cant drink, hands fast"
Il wouldn't loose his hands," re
was watching the proceedings; m
afraid il won't pay
Don't be frightened. i won't do
anything like that again." replied Ag
mes. Here, Wa-on-mon, L will hold the
coffee to your lips
And without needing his protest, she
placed the cup to his mouth.
1t looked if he had changed his
mind and decided to accept the kind
offer He threw his head forward and
swallow q drop Instead, he closed his
teeth, with the edge of the cup between,
and then by a quick flirt sent the uten-
sill, with the hot fluid tumbling over
his head. upward and outward into the
river. No prestidigitateur could have
performed the feat more cleverly.
Before the astonished Agnes could
speak. Kenton called out:
Didn't you know the varmints won't
drink coffee?"
Il know this one won't. but I didn't
know il before How will he like the
bread?" asked the girl. hesitating with
the coarse brown slices in her hand.
TRY him and see
Agnes extended the thick pieces. The
Panther parted his jaws as if to take
a big mouthful. So he did. but the mo-
ment his teeth were fastened in the
bread he repeated his performance, firt-
ing the food over the gunwale behind
him and then spat out what remained
in his mouth.
You're a mean. ungrateful "reature
that's what you arer' exclaimed the in
dignant Agnes; you deserve to come
to want for that"
Oats what / thinks" added Jethro
rising to his feet and peering over the
side Of the boat, as if to learn whether
the bread and coffee We're gone beyond
recovery; Il could hab made better
use OF dem tings myself"
''Wa-on-mon don't want; go away
leave Wa-on-mon be-
''Tll do So said Agnes turning
quickly on her heel; I'll never try to
do a kindness to you again.
Better say that for all the varmints."
remarked Kenton; for they're all
alike"
The Panther had dropped his chin on
his breast again and preserved the same
stolid silence as before. He appeared
to feel no concern in what was going
on around him. and cared nothing for
the little ebullition of feeling he had
caused
I would like to know one thing"
said the elder Ashbridge. addressing
Kenton. and that is what is to be done
with that fellow now that we're at the
end of our VOYAGE
'I'I show you" replied the scout ris-
ing to his feet. There was no trace of
a smile his face. All saw that he
had decided upon some decisive step.
Friends, ne added, I'm going
ashore: I'm going into the cabin
But they Will shoot you" protested
Altman.
"Mebbe they will and mebbe they
won't. but if they do I'll count on you.
said the scout. addressing young Ash
bridge. ''to let daylight through The
Panther.
I pledge you I will do it," replied the
youth. but hundred lives like his are
not worth one like yours"
mot to me that's sartin but we must
take chances"
How will you manage it,
I will paddle ashore with him in the
canoe and leave him in the boat, where
the Varmints i'm the cabin can see him,
and where you can cover him with your
gun; then Wen see