The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-06
CHAPTER XVIII.
JefhrO JuUEens on Guard.

JethrO Juggens on Guard.
1t will be remembered that when ST.
mon Kenton placed his friends so as to
surround the clearing in which stood the
cabin temporarily occupied by the rene
gade and Shawanoes. he assigned the
southern side. or rear. to Jethro Jug
gems.
The pioneer had considerable faith in
the craftsmanship of the African youth,
not alone because of the proof he saw
him give (for that might have been
chance shot, but because young Ash
bridge had told him of the exceptional
skill of the colored youth
But the ranger had no faith at all in
the judgment of Jethro Jugsens. In as
signing him, therefore, TO protect the
rear. as may be said, he did so believ-
ing he would be beyond the danger of
complicating matters.
Jethro found himself alone where the
underground was so sparse that he had
plenty freedom of movement. Kenton
cautioned him to keep well back among
the trees. warning him that he would
be fired upon the moment he was seen
by any one in the building, but, at the
same time if he saw a head, he was to
do his best to hit it,
Oars one little mistake Mr.. Kenton
hab made" reflected Jethro, after hold
ing his position awhile; "he links I'm
afeard oh dem heather. He has put me
way back here so as to save me from
gettin' shot He don't know me: Mr.
Kenton means well and am a purity nice
chap, but he don't know eberyting."
With which sage conclusion the Afri-
can deliberately advanced to the edge
OF the clearing and took shelter behind
the trunk of tree large enough to
screen a person of double his size
Now all asks am dat dey will glib me
a show he added. fixing his eyes upon
the rear of the cabin and CHANGING to
each Of the four narrow windows in
turn. 'Ob course I can't shoot one of
de warmints, as Mr. Kenton calls 'em.
onless he GIBBS me a chance, and l hopes
if dey am heather, dey'H be gemmcn
nough to do dat"
When the shot was fired from the
other side of the structure, Jethro was
uncertain from the report whether it
was discharged by a friend or enemy.
He was glad, however, to hear it, for it
betokened business"
IL probably was the fact that the gar
rison of the cabin were unaware that
they were surrounded by the pioneers.
The only one that had shown himself
was Kenton. who had not returned the
shot fired at him. The notice of the
state of affairs came to the Shawanoes
in the most startling manner conceiva-
BILE.
Jethro had held his erect position be-
hind the trunk long enough to become
impatient. He muttered his complaints
more than once at the timidity, or
rather meanness, of the heather in not
affording him a chance to display his
craftsmanship.
All at once painted warrior APP
peared at the lower window and looked
out upon the woods in the rear of the
clearing. He could have had no thought
of danger, or he would not have ex-
posed himself so recklessly. Narrow as
was the opening, his countenance, one
shoulder and a portion of his naked
chest were in full view.
Within ten seconds of doing this rash
thing the report of Jethro Juggens's rifle
rang through the woods, and with a
rasping screech the warrior leaped in
the air and fell over backward with not
a spark of life in his body. He could
not have been killed more instantaneous
ly by a stroke Of lightning.
'It looks as dough 1 hit something
muttered the dusky marksman, who, in
obedience to a sensible rule kept his
station until his gun was reloaded and
reprinted. Now. I'm ready agin and
l hopes dey'll all come up in dar turn
till dar amt any left; 1 wish dat dat
chap dey calls Mr.. Girty would be de
next"
1t will thus be perceived that the rem
egade was left with only three able
bodied companions, and both of those
shot were the victims of Jethro's rifle.
To say the least. Girty's situation was
becoming uncomfortable.
Five minutes later Mr.. Altman
thou ght he had a glimpse of a warrior
at one of the windows on the western
side of the cabin, and fired. He did no
harm, however, but gave emphasis to
the shot of the colored youth.
While Mr.. Altman was reloading his
piece, uncertain whether he had done
anything of moment, Mr.. Ashbridge dis
charged his gun from the eastern side
He also failed to bring down his man.
but he struck him in one of his arms
and rendered him hors de combat. II
Simon Girty was uncomfortable before
he was now frightened, for the effective
force of his garrison was alarmingly re-
duced. He hastily withdrew the latch
strings, which until then had been hang
ing out, and began TO consider with him
self what was hest to do with the two
left to defend the cabin.
/ Meanwhile Jethro Juggens was on the
alert for another opening One peculi-
arity of the Africans craftsmanship
was that he fired with astonishing
qulcKneSS. III may De Sdlu lie Sighted
his gun while in the act of bringing II
to a level.
"What de mischief am dat?" he sud.
denly asked, puzzled more by what he
saw than by anything that had occurred
since entering in upon this memorable
undertaking.
Since the only fatal shot had come
from the rear of the cabin, Simon Girty
concluded that Kenton had shifted his
position to that point, and he now at.
tempted to open communication with
him.
That which aroused the wonder OF
Jethro was the protrusion Of a ramroc
through one Of the lower windows. At
| tached to IL as a mass Of white home
spun linen. though the person swayins
| ii was invisible.
1t was Simon Girty himself, who, will