Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1894-12-06
SIMON KENTQN'S
STRATAGEM.
BY Lieut.. X. A. Swift, U. S. A.


forest on all sides.
THAT warn't prezactly the cry of a
tree-toad nr else it 8 new Species be
murmered. 'Ain't seen nairy sign, but
I seem ter smell redskins.
A sound behind him, no louder than
the rustic of a leaf, caused him to wheel
about with a panther-like movement.
He found himself face to face with six
painted Indians. who had glided like
phantoms from the undcrbrush.
Seeing they were discovered the war
riors uttered wild whoops that made
the forest resound, and leaped toward
the pioneer, their weapons ready for
use.
Without lifting the rifle to his shoul-
der, the white man fred and shot one
of his red foes through the breast.
Giving a defiant yell, he wheeled
squarely about and started to dash
away.
Only to find he was surrounded on
every hand by Indians.
He had walked squarely into an am.
bush.
With cries of triumph the savages
closed in on the scout, who clubbed his
rifle and hurled himself at them like a
cyclone, shouting:
You've played it slick. ye pizen
skunks, but you amt got Simon Ken
ton yit.'
The battle was brief and terrible, but
the brave pale-face was overpowered by
superior numbers and made captive.
WAL he painted, as he glared up at
his victorious foes, we worked it ruther
neat this time, an that's a fact. Uth-
er I'm gettin' keerless, ur else you set
mighty slick trap
A big redskin, who seemed to be a
leader, stood over the captive, grimly
triumphant, as he returned:
'Kenton big fighter Ram bolt git him
this time.
Hello, Rainbolt,' cody saluted ST.
mon Kenton, for the unfortunate pale
face was the famous pioneer and scout.
>Spose you planned this piece of work?
1T was Rainbolt laid the trap.
Simon Kenton gave vent to con-
temptuous exclamation.
AN you've been boastin' you wanted
ter meet me fare an squar', Rainbolt-
wanted ter run up against me man ter
mani BAIL That was windl You re
coward, Injun, an you know it"
The words cut like thrusts Of keen
knife, and, with fierce snarl, the taunt-
ed giant gripped his tomahawk and bent
over the captive, as if on the point of
burying the Ratchet in the white man s
brain.
Kenton showed not sign of fear.
Indeed, his eyes looked squarely into
those of the red man, and his bearded
lips curled in a scornful smile.
>Strikev he said, strike, ,sud see how
brave man can die at the hands of a
cowardly skunk of Il copper. skin!
Rainbolt literally shook with passion
and the look in his small black eyes told
how difficult it was for him to refrain
from dashing out the brains Of the
taunting scout. However, he shook his
head wering the tomakawk, as he re-
turned
>Kenton in bad fx-he want to die
easy. Ha Rain bolts warriors look
for him a long time; now they have HIM
he die at steak"
The prospect of auch horrible fate,
which now almost seemed a certainty,
did not unnerve the unlucky pale face.
'Go ahead, you dirty dogs You'll
never hear Simon Kenton squeal. But
you'll prove yerself coward an a dog
eff ye don't give me fair tussle before
ye cook me, Rainbolt.
The chief made no reply, but turned
to his followers and gave signal they
understood.
Then the scout was rudely yanked to
his feet, and a few seconds later, red men
and white captive filed away, and We're
swallowed by the deep dark forest.
For hours they marched onward, and
it was near nigbtfall when they ap
preached the Indian village.
A runner had been sent on ahead to
notify the village that Kenton. the feared
and hated pale-face, was a captive, and
the unfortunate pioneers appearance
was hailed with expressions of savage
JOY by the squaws, old men and chill
dren. They gathered about him, jeer-
ing, stoning him, beating him with
sticks, and splitting upon him.
Through it all the scout walked with
his hands bound behind him and his
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