The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-10-18

lney COQlQ.
These preparations were slight. for no
fire was kindled. and that which was
served was in the nature of cold lunch,
consisting only of plain bread.
Jethro sat down on a box little way
from his old friend, but nigh enough to
catch the delicious odor of the cold food.
"Wittles is kind of sca'ce, George,
dat is to say, 1 alters finds 'em sea ce,
remarked the negro, clasping one of his
knees with his hands and leaning back:
80 1 would like to obsarve dat If 70
happens to find 20 has more dan yo'
knows what to do with-why dars no
need OBJ fiungin' 1t overheard"
mo. will see that they are saved for
some other time" replied the youth. par
taking of his food and reading the drift
of Jethro's remarks.
II guess dar's enuff not to make dat
oh necessary"
IF 1 am not to throw overheard the
food which L don't want, and L am not
to lay it by to be saved, what shall
do. Jethro?"
"Guv it to me; I'll take care oh it."
Here you are, Them said George, too
happy in his own great joy to mar any
ones pleasure even in jest, as he tossed
about half his liberal supper to the faith
full African, who would have gladly I'M
dergone the pangs of starvation for his
sake.
The mother of George Ashbridge his
sister. Mrs. Altman and Agnes grouped
themselves around him, all finding COM
Portable places during the meal. which
was a light one on the part of the youth.
Mrs. Ashbridge took a substantial
lunch to the front of the boat, where
Kenton and the two men were convers-
ing in low tones. The scout thanked
her in his rough but polite way, and she
noticed that the conversation was sus-
pended or changed while she was within
hearing.
The fact. however, caused her no dis
comfort She was willing to trust the
group, especially now that Simon Kenton
formed one of the members. His fame
and that of Boone penetrated many
miles to the eastward, and his presence
was power and might of itself.
There isn't any doubt of it," said
Ashbr1dge after his wife had withdrawn
beyond earshot; Il urged McDougall to
Join me in going down the river, telling
him we needed all our strength and it
would be much safer for all of us if we
united forces. He was inclined to do Sc
but / suspect it was his wife who op-
posed. She had a fancy that if they
went alone they would be able to select
better spot where to put up their home
than If others were with them. Nc
Dougall started nearly two days ahead
OF us. and l don't see how we are so
close on his heels"
hes laid too oftener than you, so you've
catched up with him"
Poor Mac" remarked Altman with
sigh. His home was only a mile from
ours and he would have been glad to
go with us, but. 1 said. his wife
thought differently and now they've all
been killed"
There amt no doubt of that" com
mented Kenton.
Tom" said Mr.. Ashbridge to Mr. Alt
man. do you regret coming with me?'
m in doubt" was the reply, they
are what make towards OF a man." he
added jerking his thumb toward the
happy group at the stern; eff our wives
and children were at home 1 would well
come a stirring experience like that
which confronts us"
There are settlers lower down the
river than you folks intend to 60" said
Kenton. "Some of 'em have been there
for mOre'n year; if the trouble among
the redskins passes, it'll come out all
right. If the block house was below
you. I'd advise you to stop there awhile.
AS 1t is. I'll go there after seeing you
landed and fixed; me and the rest of
the boys will keep a sharp watch of the
varmints for the next few weeks. and if
there's bad times ahead, well help you
| back to the block house till it blows
over"
That's probably the best arrangement
we can make" said Ashbridge; las
| figure il. we're about six miles. below
the block house on the Ohio shore, and
something less from the clearing where
| we propose to make our home"
You're right" commented KentOn.
| but do you want to have a brush with
| Girty and the varmints on t'other fiat
| boat?"
II feel as though I would like to pun
ish them for what they have done, re
cd ftr.~l.a IL
Norman"
Were in good situation to do SO;
! there are three OF US, not counting
Jethro and Kenton there. who is OF
more account than all of us
II heard enough" said the scout. "to
larn they'll try one Of their tricks on
you, and it won't be much trouble to
! trap EN-"
Its worth trying. but if they are
drifting down stream we may not be
able to overtake them"
They know where you're aiming for
and they'll anchor agin afore they reach
the spot. so if we hist anchor we're
sartin- to float close to EN-
Lets do iti' exclaimed Altman; 1--WE
may be able not only to punish but
| to teach them a lesson they need
| Kenton nodded his head TO signify he
was suited and Altman, rising to his
feet, sauntered TO the stern to pull VI
! the anchor.
While the conversation was under way
the moon appeared above the darh
| forest on the Ohio shore, and though
| IT was hardly gibbous in form, yet in
the clear sky II shed so much additional
| light that objects could be identified 3
number Of rods in every direction This
was counted an advantage by oul
| friends.
The 1atboat, like that which preceded
| IL, carried no horses, cows or live stock
While such animals were almost indis
/ pensable, yet it was deemed best Il
wait until their home was mad.
more secure. Then what was required
could be obtained from some Of the set
Elements.
Altman took position at the rear oai
and Ashoridge at the front. The han
dies were so close that they could con
verse in whispers, being only a few
feet apart.
Kenton stationed himself near tn,
bow, so as to look out for the othe
boat, which he was confident of discov
ering before going far.
Sure enough, less than two miles wer,
passed when he turned his head TOWARD
his friends behind him and said in ,
low voice, but loud enough to be hearC
by all:
"Yonder the varmints are and they'r
waiting for usr'
CHAPTER III.
| The subterfuge.