the two walked off side by side,
and disappeared among the trees to the westward.

"We'll make this bargain," remarked Kenton, a few minutes after they
were beyond sight of their friends: "You'll take care of me, and I'll do
my best to take care of you."

"Dat hits me 'bout right."

"You'll do just what I tell you to do, and won't speak or move without
my first telling you to do so."

"Dat's it; and yo' won't speak or move without fust askin' me; I'll be
easy with yo', Mr. Kenton."

"But," gravely remarked the scout, "if each of us should happen to
forbid t'other to stir or speak, we'd have to stand still forever. I'll
act as boss at first, and then when I'm ready I'll give you your turn."

"Dat don't strike me ozactly right, but, as I jist obsarved, I'll be
easy wid yo', Mr. Kenton, and let yo' start in," replied Jethro,
somewhat puzzled at the off-hand manner in which the ranger took hold of
the reins.

But the ranger never laid aside his caution and vigilance. He kept
Jethro Juggens at his heels, forbidding him to speak a word, but to
watch and listen to the utmost. The sun was in the horizon when, without
any special incident, they arrived at the clearing, which all had left
earlier in the day.

The first view brought a disappointment to Kenton. Nothing in the
appearance of the settlers' cabin intimated that it had suffered any
disturbance since the departure of the pioneers, and the unladen
flatboat rested against the bank, just where it lay when the ranger cast
a backward glance at it some hours before. The canoe, however, which was
the magnet that drew him thither, was missing.

It was in as plain sight as the larger craft upon the departure of the
party, but the keen vision was unable to discover the first outline of
the bow or stern. Since it could not have removed itself, it followed
that its disappearance was due to human agency.

"The varmints seem to be everywhere to-day," muttered the impatient
ranger; "they've been there since we left, and more'n likely some of 'em
are there now; but I've come after that canoe, and I'm going to have it,
or my name isn't Sime Kenton."

"Shall I go wid yo' to see yo' don't get hurt?" inquired Jethro Juggens.

"No; stay where you be, and keep out of sight, and don't speak, nor
stir, nor breathe, till I come back," replied the ranger, making ready
to set out on one of the most perilous adventures of his eventful
career.

CHAPTER V.

DARING AND DELICAT