Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-03-26
CHAPTER. ri.

conccalmeut. and the two young men
were soon gliding down the river Nor
wood had not forgotten to inform his
comradc about the circumstances Of find
ing the spot where Il canoe had evidently
been drawn up. and of the strange con
duet of Vesuvius. For several hours
they silently piled the paddles. always
keeping close to the shore.
They had reached a place where the
river made n sudden sweep to the left.
and was much wider. when n man APP
pcarcd on the opposite bank and be-
sought them in an impassoned manner
to come to his assistance.
Simon Kenton paid no attention to
his entreaties. which astonished Allan
very much. whose ears we're ever open
to the cries of those in distress.
'What do you WANT asked our hero.
touched with pity by the frantic en-
trea ties of the unknown. and. apparent
ly. greatly terrified individual.
"Ive escaped from the Wyandots:
they are after me. and | cannot cross
the river: come and take me off. il you
are Christians" returned the man. who
continued to run along the shore. wiring
ing his hands az the boat passed on.
LET us take him into The boat" said
Allan.
Ken,on smiled. and shook his head
aud the man redoubed his cries. protest
ing that the Indians would soon recap
ture him il he did not succeed in getting
across the river
"Poor fellow" exclaimed Norwood
"Come. my friend. this is unlike you.
Are you not touched by the terrible
r II %
| wretchcd MANI
"Not l." said Kenton. "This distress
Is not real; it is an infamous plot to
allure us to the other side. The white
| scoundrcl is backed by score Of red
| skins. no doubt"
care you really in earnest?" asked
Norwood.
"Perfectly 80. Yon are laying a trap
| to deceive U.S." said Kcnton. ceasing to
use his paddle.
The fellow on shore solemnly protest
| cd that he was not. but was acting in
| perfect good faith.
"IIow many Indians are there up in
the woods behind you?" resumed Ken
ton. laying down his paddle.
The man sworc that there was not one
| there to his knowledge: but he expected
| every moment the woods would he full
| of them. when he. unfortunate fellow.
| would perhaps he burned at the stake.
| the subject of fortunes impossible to de-
scribe
"N"w back water little. and keep
the boat steady" whispered Kenton;
| then addressing the fellow in distress:
''If we go ashore. you promise to play
us no Indian tricks:'
"Not n trick was the reply: and the
| white impostor called heaven and earth.
| and the Maker of both. to witness his
| truthfulness.
Turn the boat quite round. head To
| the Opposite shore. so as to bring you
between myself and him." said Kenton,
| IN allow voice.
"What il he should prove to he no
| impostor after all:" remarked Allan.
! Nonsense. Look! | can see a paint
Oh face peeping from behind bush.
Steady-as you are. When | have fired.
drop your paddle and let fly at the In
| dian. If yon get chance"
| The little boat now lay quietly upon
| the water: and before the man on shore
perceived what was intended. Kenton
raised his piece and discharged it,
| The white man fcll-scrambled to his
feet-and fell a second time. Allan had
kept watch of the red face behind the
bush. and the instant Kcnton fired. seiz-
ed his own rifle and followed his exam
ple with all the celebrity and precision of
a praciiced hnnter. The painted visag
disappeared. and loud warwhoop re-
| sounded through the forest.
lyon see | was right" said Kcntop.
90 F,.lI. ~.
white renegade has got what he won t
| get over in q hurry
| His distress seems to he more real
now" observe Allan, "a the wounded
man attempted to recover his feet for
| the, third time with no better success
| than before.
! While Norwood was speaking. several
| Indians appeared on the bank of the
river. aud or two friends were salutcd
| ~itiI shower Of balls.
LOAD your rifles" said Kcnton. cool
~. "and will pull up close to the shore,
and get as far out OF range IL possible.
Several Of their balls. you see, have
| touched the boat
Simon bent smartly to the paddle. and
the tiny vessel shot rapidly through the
yielding waters. The young hunter re.
loaded his rifle. while the bullets of the
enemy occasionally whistled past his
ears. splntcrcd the boat. or. their force
being spent. fell harmless a few feet
from them.
Several Of them are =, work
in the water: | wonder what they arc
doing:' said Allan.
"They have doubtless sunk canoe
there. aud are now raising it; they in
tend to follow us
You are right: they are dragging &
birchen vessel from the water"
The canoe had left the opposite bank
and was now rapidly approaching. pro
PEELED by four savages.
"Thcy are Mlamis." observed Kenton
"we must sink them"
But how: Rifle balls make but small
holes: We might perforate the bark If
dozen places below the waterl;ne anG
not affect our purpose"
I'VE have been trying some expert
ments st Booncsborough lately, with
balls linked together in this manner
replied Kenton. holding mp two bullets
fastened together by a small chair
about eight inches long. These balls
when projected from the rifle. separate