o the group gathered
about The Panther, and, as he did so, it would be hard to decide whether
they or Simon Kenton were filled with the greater amazement over the
unexpected occurrence.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE FORLORN HOPE.

It is useless to dwell upon the grief and consternation of the occupants
of the flatboat when the discovery was made that little Mabel Ashbridge
was missing.

The parents and brother, after the first shock, bore the affliction with
rare courage. By common impulse, they looked to the two persons best
fitted of all to give counsel and hope, Missionary Finley and Daniel
Boone.

Young George Ashbridge was the first to speak after the fearful lull
that followed the cry of the stricken mother. Touching the arm of Boone,
he asked:

"Can we not work the flatboat back to shore, charge upon the Shawanoes,
and recover her before they have time to rally?"

"It might do," replied the pioneer, feelingly, "if we had daylight to
help us, but not while the night lasts. I had a son shot down by the
varmints just as I was entering Kentucky, and they ran off with a
daughter of mine, whom I took back from them, but the sarcumstances was
different from this."

"But we must do something; we cannot go to the block-house and leave the
dear little one behind. I would give my life to save her."

"So would we all, so would we all," repeated Boone, touched by the
memory of his own sorrows, "but we must not shut our eyes from seeing
things as they are."

The youth groaned in anguish and said no more. The hardest thing of all
was to remain idle while the cherished sister was in her dreadful peril.

"I'll let myself overboard," said the veteran, "swim back, and do what I
can to help Simon."

"You can give him no help," gently interposed the missionary; "in truth,
Kenton will do better without than with you."

"I'm of that way of thinking myself," said Boone, "though if Simon was
expecting me it would be different."

"But he won't expect you; he saw what none else of us saw--the capture
of the little one, and will do all that mortal man can do."

"I don't remember whether I told him the camp of The Panther and his
party is just on t'other side of Rattlesnake Gulch or not."

"Probably you did tell him, but it matters little if you did not; he
will speedily learn the truth. They are likely to take the child there,
and she will not arrive in camp much sooner than Kenton will reach the
vicinity."

The parent