e latter party, the stratagem, slight of itself
and possibly ineffectual, was readily understood by them.

When the canoe shot in under the bank on the Ohio side, it was an eighth
of a mile below where the flatboat had been hidden with the utmost care
on the same bank of the river; but there could be no question that the
fugitives had peered out with equal eagerness of vision, and parents,
brother and friends were aware of the amazing, blessed truth that in
that canoe, seated between the missionary and ranger, was Mabel
Ashbridge, she that was lost and was found, was dead but was alive
again.

Finley and Kenton made no mistake as to the situation. The "truce" was
now ended. The Panther was the bitter, relentless enemy that he was
before, eager only for the life of every man, woman and child connected
with the company of fugitives. If little Mabel fell into his hands
again, she would be sacrificed without a throb of pity. He would do his
utmost to prevent the company reaching the block-house. If its members
counted upon his forbearance, it would be a fatal mistake.

And should he and Kenton again face each other in single-handed combat,
it would be with the same unrelenting ferocity as before. The episode
that had just taken place would be as though it had never been. How
strange that such an encounter did take place sooner than either white
or red combatant dreamed!

When the canoe glided from sight under the screening of the Ohio shore,
Kenton, Finley and the little girl sprang out and made all haste to
where the main party by the flatboat were awaiting their coming. The
sagacious Boone had already formed an inkling of the truth, and,
allowing only a minute or two for the reunion and exchange of
salutations, he insisted that the flight to the block-house should be
resumed and pressed with the utmost vigor until the post was reached.
The large boat could serve them no longer, and was abandoned where it
lay. The masts had been taken down so as to allow it to pass under the
overhanging vegetation, and, consequently, had it been permitted to make
its appearance on the river, there would have been nothing in its looks
to suggest the facetious name, "Phantom of the River," first applied to
it by Missionary Finley.

It is not required that the particulars of the seven or eight miles'
journey through the wilderness should be given. The Panther made such
persistent attempts to destroy the pioneers that more than once they