man
who was twenty years his senior, and who had turned his steps westward
before Kenton knew that Kentucky and Ohio existed.

"I'm glad of one thing," added the pioneer, after a moment's pause, "and
that is, that this arrangement of yours is open on the side toward the
river."

"Jim said that was done so as to give him and the boys a chance for the
last plunge. If they hadn't done that them three chaps never would have
seen the sun rise again."

"It may come to the same thing when there's only two or three of us
left. Helloa! who's this?"

It was Mr. Altman, who, knowing where the two were in consultation,
ventured to approach them, doing so with an apology.

"I have no wish to intrude," he added, "but I am disturbed over one
matter, Kenton, about which I would like to ask a question or two."

"What's that?" inquired the scout.

"When you left us this afternoon you took my servant Jethro with you,
but I have seen nothing of him since you came back."

"I'll be hanged if I hadn't forgot all about that younker!"

"Did you bring him back with you?"

"No; and I'm doubtful if you see him ag'in--leastways not very soon."

He then told all he knew about the fellow, his master listening, as may
well be supposed, with the deepest interest. Keenly as he regretted the
misfortune that had befallen the stupid fellow, he saw that no possible
blame could be placed upon any one beside the youth himself.

"If he happens to fall into the hands of the Shawanoes, it will go hard
with him," remarked Mr. Altman, with a shudder.

"So it will, so it will," repeated Kenton; "the varmints never fancy
them of his color, and they've good reason to hate him."

"I heard that he did a powerful lot to help you folks," remarked
Hastings.

"I should say he did; whenever one of the varmints was hit, you could
make up your mind that it was the darky that done it. He had the
confoundest luck, and at the same time can shoot a gun as well as Boone,
or you or me. But worse than all that, he was the means of catching The
Panther himself, and nearly pounded the life out of him."

"Wouldn't the chief like to lay hands on him?" said Altman.

"Much as he hates me and the rest of us, I think he would give any two
for the sake of that darky. If he once gets hold of him it won't be any
shootin' bus'ness, but Col. Crawford over agin."

The thought was a depressing one, but all were powerless to help the
fellow, and the consciousness of the fearfu