The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-10-04
CHAPTER ".
A DnrinE Indertak king.


shoulders and brought his rifle to level
over the gunwale of the fiatboat, the
ranger anticipated him with that mar
velous dizziness Of movement which was
one OF the most noted characteristics Of
the great scout.
At the moment the serpent-like eye
was cleaning along the rifle barrel, rest
ing on the side of the boat, the weapon
Of Kenton sent out its sharp, whip-lilze
crack. the bullet bored it's way through
the painted scull though it were an
eggshell and buried itself in the plank
ing on the other side.
A rasping shrek split the stiffness al
most at the same instant as did the
report of the gun.
Lame Bear made a. convulsive leap.
rising so high that his doubled-up legs
and curved arms. one hand clutching his
rifle. wore seen at the same instant above
the gunwale.
Then. like a gigantic frog. the fright
full object sprawled forward with out
stretched limbs, splashed on his stomach
in the water and sank to the bottom as
though the mouth had gulped down half
a ton of lead.
''Wel done. Slime! couldn't have beat
that myself"'
Strange exclamation to come from the
white man, standing a couple of PAGES
away, with no weapon in his hand, and
who never shifted his position in the
slightest degree.
Hadn't much chico. Sine" called
back Kenton. Il knowed what the var
mint was up to and war on the watch for
him. let him have it atween the eyes"
You did that and no mistake re-
marked the other Simon. with a grin. as
though he had witnessed pleasing per-
formance. q 'spOse you know the gen
tleman's name"
IF / amt mistook. he was Lame Bear -
''The same. one of the biggest Of the
Wyandots.'
''He was the imp that skulped the Nc
Cutcheou folks. warn't he?"
Which the same he war as | know
myself, but who's that chap you've got
with you, Sime?'
KentOn glanced at his companion as
though it was the first time he was aware
of his presence.
He's a friend; his folks built the cabin
down the river on this side; he's looking
for 'em that are coming on a flatboat
do you know anything about 'em?"
Young Ashbridge held his breath while
awaiting the reply.
How should | know anything about
'em? i don't know the man, though I've
observed his cabin and thought of max
ing him a visit one of these days"
kentOn took occasion TO say in an I'M
dertone to Ashbridge:
Il s'pose you know who he is?''
Il suspect from the way you spoke to
him that he's Simon Girty, is it sou
That's Girty as sure as you live"
A chill ran through the frame of young
Ashbridge at knowledge that he was
standing wit he 70
renegade, who, leaving his own people a
number Of years before, had become a
leader among the Shawanoes and other
tribes in their outrages upon the white
settlers.
He was a short stocky man. with san
dy hair and full beard. keen eve, but
with nothing in his appearance TO show
the frightful cruelty that filled his
breast
Ashbridge might have felt a keener
interest in him but for his distress about
his own friends He had not vet hidden
good-by to hope. but felt that the next
few minutes must tell the whole dread
full story.
What are you doing on that boat,
Sime?" asked Kenton. pleasantly.
'Nothin' jest now but leanin' on this
oar"
"Are you alone?"
Il warn't till you sent Lame Bear un-
der; now I'm without any one else: 1
think I'll pull out, cause this is gettin'
lonesome like"
How come you to git on the flatboat
in the first placer asked Kenton.
Me and Lame Bear was trampin'
through the woods some miles up stream
and war lool1in' for canoe to cross to
tother side, when what should we see
but this boat tied ashore. We didn't
know what it meant, so we nosed round
till we found there warn't anybody on
board. We thought it would sarve us as
we'll as a smaller boat, and we climbed
onto It,"
This amazing reply would have given
unspeakable relief to young Ashbridge
had he been able to credit it, but he did
not believe word of the statement, and
it may be added that Simon Kenton held
the same view.
But you didn't cross the river" per-
sisted the ranger, who showed no fear of
questioning the terrible renegade
1t may be stated that after Simon
Girty cast in his lot with the Indians he
was never known to show friendship to
any member of his race, with the single
exception Of Simon Kenton.
This is explained by the fact that when
Girty left the white people in an mex
tinguished rage because Of the cruelty
shown him by his commander he carried
with him a spark of gratitude toward
Kenton, who had always treated him
kindly and had done him more than one
When the unfortunate Col. Crawford
was defeated and he became a prisoner
to the Shawanoes and other hostile
tribes he was tied to the stake and tor
tured to death. Among those present
and exultlng in his sufferings was Simon
Girty.
AS has been stated he was foremost in
innumerable outrages against his own
people Once Simon Kenton fell into the
hands Of the Indians and was forced to
run the gauntlet.
He would have suffered a fate similar
TO that of Col Crawford except for the
interpositiOn Of Girty.
At the risk of turning the red men
against himself the latter insisted upon
and secured the liberation of the daunt-
less ranger. who, while he execrated the
course of his former friend. would have
been an migrate had he not appreciated
the favor done him.
This much is necessary to ma q clear
the conduct of these two men az affect
ing each other.
They respectively gave their utmost
services to directly opposed causes, but
toward one another personally they We're
always neutral.
wal that being the case remarked
Kenton, referring to the gigantic false
hood Girty had just told, well bid you
good day. / say Sime," said the scout,
pleasantly, you and me will always be
friends, / reckon"
II don't see why we shouldn't; you've