the part of all the
members of the party that halted on their way through the Kentucky
wilderness to the block-house, somewhat less than ten miles distant and
on the other side of the Ohio River.

Not only Hastings and his brother rangers, but the Ashbridges and
Altmans gathered around the pioneer to hear what he had to say and the
directions as to their own proceedings.

Mr. Ashbridge and his friend Altman were roused by the murmur of voices
and the subdued excitement, and joined the group that surrounded the
tall, athletic figure--all excepting little Mabel Ashbridge, who was
just getting her tiny dam in shape, and deemed that of more importance
than listening to the conversation of the elders.

The words of Weber Hastings proved that he was as quick as Boone and
Kenton to comprehend the peculiar peril which confronted the party.

"It isn't far to the block-house," he replied to the question of Kenton,
"and we can do it in two or three hours, if the redskins would give us
the chance."

"What caused you to make this stop, Weber?"

"Rattlesnake Gulch," was the response.

"What's the matter with that?"

"There's where the Shawanoes mean to ambush us."

"You're right," replied Kenton, nodding his head and compressing his
lips. "That's just what the varmints have fixed things to do, and if
they can do it they'll wipe out every one of this party. Boone and me
made up our minds that that was their trick. He's gone ahead to watch
'em, and I've come back to help you folks."

"From what Mr. Hastings said," remarked the elder Ashbridge, who, like
his friend Altman, was thoroughly roused, "the woods are so matted and
choked with dense undergrowth on both sides of the gulch that it is
impossible for us to pick our way through it at night without being
heard by the Indians."

"He's right," was the emphatic comment of Kenton, "the thing can't be
done."

"That being admitted," said Altman, "why would it not be wise to cross
the river at this point, or make the rest of the journey through the
Ohio woods? We who know how to swim can take over those who cannot, or
better, perhaps, construct a raft upon which to float to the other
side."

"That would be the idee exactly, if it could be hid from the varmints,
but they're watching us, and have been doing so ever since we've left
the clearing. They know everything you do. Afore you could get half-way
cross the river with the raft they would open on you from the woods on
b