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

This was fully half an hour before
coming in sight of the other craft, and
all had sunk into slumber. for they were
wearied and TO a certain extent had
become accustomed to peril.
Thus they were less affected than
they had been by other causes during
the early part of their journey.
This left the two full grown men and
young Ashbridge, who gathered round
the moist Kenton at the bow of the
boat.
''If you'll look little to the right to-
ward the Ohio shore said the hunter,
you'll see it,
All observed the craft, so similar to
their own, lying motionless in the cur
rent and about one-third nearer land
than their own boat.
Now" said Kenton, in the same
guarded manner. TN do the talking.
I'll sort of change my voice so Slime
Girty won't know me; that is, till 1
want him TO know who am; you must
keep down so low that none of 'em will
see you. He mustn't spect how many
we've got with us till we're ready to
let him know"
IT was not until our friends were al
most opposite the lower f1atboat that
Girty discovered their approach. Then
he hailed them:
"Helloa therer'
Not forgetting to change his voice to
prevent recognition by his old &C
quaintance, Kenton replied:
'Helloa to your
Wont you give me a lift?" inquired
Girty.
II don't understand you
Work your boat over this way so
as to take us on board"
who are you?" asked Kenton, smil-
ing to himself. for he knew what was
coming.
IT started with my brother and his
wife last week from Wheeling; the In
beat em off; they wounded all three
of us, but me the worst; I'm hardly able
TO set up.
why don't you lay down them"
That's an onfeelin' way TO talk to
brother in Distress" whined the rene
trying hard to keep back the tears.
1T does sound rather rough re-
marked Kenton. though regretting his
words. At the same moment he gave
the tip to Altman, who let the big stone
which served as an anchor drop over
board.
Don't you obsarve," continued Ken
ton, addressing the man whose given
name was the same as his own, that
I'm too far down stream to work over
to vou?"
"ShaIl hist anchor and work at mine
so we can j'ine further DOWN.
Il thought you was hurt too bad to
do that?"
Il can help a little. though it will
pain me a good deal"
I've dropped anchor, and We'll see
about what you say later"
How many are on your boat?''
81 have myself and a couple of
ladies and children" replied Kenton,
telling only a part of the truth.
20, I'm so thankful" whimpered
Girty.
"Why?"
THE good women will look after us
better than rough men could
Yes" grimly thought Kenton. land
you would look after them" Then he
said:
''They told us at the block house to
look out for decoys. and 1 promised not
to forget what they said"
What are decoys?' was the innocent
query.
Men that purtend to be what they
aint-such chaps as that Simon Girty,
who is worse than the Injins them
selves. Have you ever heard of him?"
Il have; he is a bad man to act that
way; hope you don't have any 'spicions
of me-"
20. no. but I'm a little afeard; I'd
rather wait till morning; you can stand
il till then. can't you2"
I'm have to if you mean to be so
cruel and unfeelin'."
1t was at this juncture that the keen
eyed Kenton made a discovery, which it
is safe to say would have passed un-
noted by every one else on the boat, and
which few who had tramped the wilder
ness as long as he would have detected
A shadowy object put out from the
other side of the captured fiatboat NOV
ing silently and swiftly down stream
Dimly observable from the first, it van
ished from view the moment after the
scout observed it.
Kenton needed no clearer view to iden-
tify the thing; 1t was the Indian canoe
that had left the other side of the craft
bearing two if not more Indians, who in
tended to make a stealthy descent upon
the unsuspiciOus boat, which they be-
lieved contained only single male de-
| fender.
The scout INDUCED in a quiet smile.
| for this was what he had Unanswered
! for and success seemed in sight. 1t was
nee essary to hold the attention of the
renegade, while guarding against the I'M
| detected approach of the Shawanoes, who
| had resorted to the artifice.
Adding a warning to his friends to re-
| main carefully hidden behind the boxes,
| Kenton said to his old acquaintance, who
little dreamed with whom he was holding
| converse:
you don't talk like a man who would
/ tell a story
MY gracious, no. It would break my
heart If you thought So"
| Il don't want to break your heart.
i III sure nut maven you a canoe with
| you, or some small boat that you can
| paddle across to me?''
We've nothing of the kind. and if we
| had none of us would be able to paddle
| it, cause we're hurt too bad. But il
/ you think best for us to wait here till
daylight l guess we can git along"
Hold on till ] talk it over with my
/ wife and sister-in-law."
| Under the preteXt. Kenton gained the
| chance 10 stop the conversation for a
| time without awaking suspicion He
| quickly explained to his friends what he
had learned.
| "Mebbe I'll need your help and mebbe
| L won't" he added; but don't forgit to
/ stay where you are until / give you the
| word. If there are three or four Of the
varmits in the canoe, I'll want you, but
| don't stir afOre 1 call you. If there
amt more than two, I'll tend to 'em
myself. In the faint light I couldn't
make out how many there was in the
| boat"
What is 1t they intend to do?" asked
| young Ashbridge
come down on the starn, hoping they
won't be noticed in time for us to stop
| EN-
And what will you do?"
THAT depends; keep quiet, lay low and
leave things 10 me-"
The scout felt he had said enough. His
| friends understood him and held their
peace, filled with excited expectation, but
obeying him in spirit and letter.
Kenton resumed his position at the
bow, but now stood erect, so as to COM
| mand a view of the river on every side
He knew the canoe would soon attempt