The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-10-11
CHAPTER VII.
A Friendly Call.

If George Ashbridge believed he would
be left with nothing to do but to wait Tor
the next hour or two he was mistaken.
The youth was sitting silent and mo-
tionless in his canoe, with his eyes row
ing here and there over the dimly-lit
surface of the river and with his ears
on the alert when he noted ripple of
the water just above him, which he knew
was made by some person or animal If
the former it must be an enemy; if the
latter. it was of small moment.
Kenton had not given him word
of instruction before leaving. He must
have believed it unnecessary.
The youth ought to know enough to
do the right thing whenever contin-
gency arose.
Hardly had the conspicuous sound fall
len on his ear when an Indian canoe
similar to the one in which he was seated
gIided slowly down the river just on the
outer rim Of vegetation and Within six
feet of the PROV of the boat
Within the other craft were seated
three warriors. the middle of whom was
using paddle while his companions sat
as motionless as so many wooden images.
The natural conclusion of Ashbridge
was that these We're the Indians for
whom Girty was waiting.
1t had been the purpose Of Kenton to
watch at a point above where the party
would paddle out to the larger craft, but
unconsciously he had gone below. Had
The bucks been on the watch assuredly
they would have discovered the two
whites, but as it was, that was improb-
able.
AS If no trial Of the youths nerves was
20 be withheld, the Indian boat came to
q halt directly opposite him.
Something vague and shadowy glided
into sight from the gloom Of the shore
below him and move toward the larger
craft.
The watcher did not need to see clearly
20 identify it as the canoe and it's occu-
pants. Doubtless they were the people
Yor whom the renegade was waiting and
watching.
The canoe moved with moderate, regI-
lar pace until at the side OF the craft at
anchor. when it was absorbed in the
gloom which inclosed that.
The stiffness was so profound that Ash
bridge plainly heard the splash of water
and slight bump Of the smaller against
the larger boat.
He caught, too. an expression made by
one Of the Indians, after which profound
Stiffness, as before, held reign.
Meanwhile Simon Kenton precipitated
himself into an interesting condition of
affairs.
Following out bis resolve to penetrate
the mystery Of the motionless fiatboat
and its occupants, he swan out into the
river until at point directly above the
craft
He did this without decreasing the dis
tance between him and it. Then he went
some way beyond, believing that Girty,
IL still on board. would keep closer watch
OF the southern than of the northern
shore, inasmuch as the former was the
one from which he expected to receive
visitors
It was unsafe. however, to count upon
an approach TO the boat without detec-
ton unless il could be managed with ex-
traordInary skill
sion as warrsntng the taking of chances.
He meant to board the fiatboat or APP
proach it nigh enough to discover the
truth.
His plan Of procedure was to swim as
close as he dared or to the verge of dis
covery, as it may be called and then.
dropping below the surface come up so
close to the stern that he was not likely
10 be noticed, unless he aWoke suspicion
by some noise.
Precisely where lay the danger line'
was the delicate question to settle. Ev-
cry foot Of approach to the boat was
vast advantage to the scout, for it less
ened the difficulty Of his task, but If he
went too close and was detected his
whole scheme would be overturned.
He was swimming slowly and with the
utmost caution when his eyes and his
sense of smell disclosed two facts.
He saw the figure of Simon Girty, not
in the former position, but seated on the
roof of the cabin, as 1t may be called,
close tc the stern and with one arm
bent over the sweep where the latter
swung on q pivot
That he was smoking was proven not
only by the tiny glowing speck which
occasionally appeared when he removed
the pipe from his mouth, but by the
pungent odor Of tobacco that tainted the
air.
Had the scout felt certain that his
former friend was the only one on the
boat he would have pronounced his name
and swan directly to him; but he be-
lfeved several Indians were with him,
and it was this fact which caused all
the trouble
II the renegade observed him he would
not hesitate TO fire. II Kenton pro-