ever shown descending it. So long as the strong wind blew from the
west this progress would continue. The moon, veiled at intervals by the
drifting masses of clouds, sometimes revealed the trees on his right
sweeping backward and occasionally, when the light was wholly
unobstructed, he could catch the dim shadowy outlines of the Ohio shore.
Not only was the water rippled by the bow of the boat as it forced its
way forward, but it was broken into tiny chopping seas by the action of
the gale.

The roving eyes detected no sign of life in any direction. The gloom was
not pierced even by the starlike twinkle of some Indian campfire or
signal light, but the dull boom of a rifle report, rolling over the
river from the direction of Rattlesnake Gulch, proved that life, fierce,
alert and vigilant, still throbbed with terrifying intensity.

It so came about that the second Shawanoe, he who succeeded in
recapturing the canoe from Simon Kenton, was returning in the direction
of the clearing. The sagacious warrior knew the ranger would be quick to
discover the theft of his property, and would make search for it. Only
by the utmost care and skill could he escape an encounter with the
terrible scout, whom he held in unspeakable dread.

It was natural, therefore, that he should give his closest attention to
the shore he was skirting, confident that that was the only direction
whence danger could come. So, while the canoe skimmed the water, he held
his gaze on the bank, and watched and listened with the acuteness of
long training.

"Who dar?"

The question was asked in a sepulchral voice, and would have startled
the bravest man. The head of the Indian whirled about like a flash, and
he saw that which, it is safe to say, no member of his race had ever
seen--an Ohio flatboat gliding up stream, with a broad spread of white
sail, and moving with a noiselessness of death itself.

More than that, it was almost upon him. Only by dextrous work could he
save himself from being run down. Less than a dozen feet separated them.

[Illustration: THE PHANTOM BOAT.]

Glancing at the frightful object, the Shawanoe observed the figure of a
sturdy, broad-shouldered man, standing near the bow with his rifle in
his grasp. The sight was more than he could stand. With a frantic sweep
of his paddle he drove the canoe like a swallow against the bank, leaped
out and dashed into the woods.

"Dat chap acts as dough he am scared," remarked Jethro, in doubt