The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-11-01
CHAPTER XVI.
The Creeping Shadow.

The Creeping Shadow.
Inasmuch as the conversation between
Kenton and Girty was in the Shawanoe
tongue. every word was understood by
The Panther. though unsupported by the
white people on the f1atbOat
The prisoner, therefore. knew the
meaning of the canoes departure with
It's three occupants. and foresaw the
issue as clearly as did the ranger him
self
He comprehended also the situation in
which he was left The women and
children were asleep, as was the negro,
against whom he nursed a venomous
hatred. because of the savage handling
received from him.
The only person awake was young
Ashbridge, who sat down on a box near
him as if with the purpose of keeping
watch upon his captive. Had the youth
continued this vigilance. that which fol-
lowed could never have taken place.
But the youth was in a fever of nerv-
BUSINESS over the result of the expedi-
ton to the other boat for the purpose
Of furnishing Girty and the Shawanoes.
He keenly felt his disappointment at be-
ing left behind, but there was no help
for it.
CHANGING at the bowed and rigid form
of The Panther, Ashbridge reflected:
'Kenton knows how to tie a knot; The
Panther can't work his hands and feet
free in a week: he might push himself
over the gunwale and fall into the
water; tied and bound as he is he would
probaly be able to keep afioat for 1
have done it myself without moving a
limb. but he knows l would hear the
splash and would shoot him before he
could get away"
This train of thought ended in the con-
clusion that it was not necessary to
mount guard over the prisoner, so the
youth walked to the extreme end of the
boat, which pointed slightly toward the
Ohio shore, and consequently in the
direction of the other craft.
There he kept the standing posture.
with rifle in hand, leaning lightly on the
sweep. and gave his attention to the
movements of his friends and the result
of their enterprise.
He followed with his eye the shadowy
canoe until it was absorbed I'm the gloom.
Calculating to a minute the time re-
quired to reach the craft his anxiety be-
came painfully intense. Thus he failed
to take note Of what was passing i'm
mediately around him.
1t is hard to imagine the eXultation that
filled the heart Of The Panther when he
found himself not only free from his
bonds but with a deadly weapon in his
grasp. In addition he had a full compre-
hension of the situation in which he
was placed.
Had this dreaded Shawanoe and enemy
of the white man followed the simple
dictate of prudence nothing would have
prevented his escape. He could have
slipped over the side and stern of the
boat, where the youth would not have
observed or heard him and swan away
at his leisure.
But to do this was to fling aside the
sweet opportunity of vengeance upon the
people against whom he had sworn indy
ing hatred and merciless war to the
end. The negro (whom all Indians seem
instinctively to destesD was unconscious,
hardly dozen feet from where the
chieftain was crouching. He could not
leave Jethro alive after the mortal in
dignity suffered at his hands.
The hight of pleasure would have been
to torture him at the stake. Since that
however was impracticable the knife
must do the deed.
Peering over the obstruction in front,
The Panther saw young Ashbridge
standing at the PROV. gazing through the
dim moonlight at the other boat, and
as unconscious Of what was going on
near him as If in the depth Of the wilder
ness. His side was turned toward the
Shawanoe who must needs steal across
the craft and approach his victim from
the rear
A singular mental debate held the
chieftain mOtiOnless; IL was whether
Jethro Juggens should receive the knife
before or after George Ashbridge.
The former plan was the easier, since
the African lay within reach, while the
white youth was some distance off. A
couple OF steps forward. a quick down
ward drive and IL would be all over with
Jethro.
But IL that were done. a slight noise,
probably an outcry, would follow. The
other would be instantly warned. lie
had a loaded rifle I'm his grasp and
would use IL before The Panther could
reach him.
No, the risk was too great. Ash
bridge must be the first victim. Mean
while. the dusky youth could not es-
cape him.
Like a creeping shadow the Shaw
anoe stepped carefully beside the form
OF the dusky sleeper.
He spared him when he was at his
mercy. because the right moment had
not come 10 strike. "Shod with silence,
as may be said he emerged at the resr
OF the piles OF boxes close TO the other
| sue OF the DodA anu DtHinu the tldlut-
| like form OF the youth at the bow.
lie was not Immediately to the rear
| OF him. but In what may be termed a
three quarter direction. Nevertheless
IL would serve his purpose equally well
First the left mOccasin was thrust
| forward and the weight OF the chief
] tain followed. Then the right foot did
| the same and his body was advanced
No more than four yards space lay
| between the two. Another step and
| stu another and the distance would be
reduced one-half.
Stili George Ashbridge stirred not and
seemed scarcely TO breathe I'm his pro
found absorption OF mind and anxiety
/ for his friends.
The Panther was standing with his
| left foot advanced and his body poised
on both limbs.
The right hand rigidly grasped the
! knife at his hip. the arm slightly bent