s could tell him of the whereabouts of his enemies. He
knew, as may be said, that they were everywhere, and he was liable to
collide with them at the most unexpected moments. The pioneers or their
escort were subjected to the most eagle-eyed vigilance.

For a furlong the advance continued in this laborious fashion. Then
Kenton made a longer pause than usual, for he had reached a point where
it was necessary to drive the canoe across a space fully one hundred
feet in width, and where there was nothing that could serve to the
slightest extent as a screen.

The ranger debated with himself as to the best course to pursue.

"I don't b'leve there's any varmint on the watch there," was the
conclusion of Kenton; "the Shawanoes know where the women folks and the
boys are, and that's the place that they're watching--so here goes."

Again the ashen paddle was dipped in the clear current, but at the very
moment of imparting the powerful impulse to it, the ranger checked
himself with the suddenness of lightning.

From a point apparently directly across the river came the same signal
that had disturbed him and Boone earlier in the afternoon. The faint
cawing of a crow, as if calling from the upper branches of a tree to his
mate, floated across the Ohio to the startled ears of the listening
Kenton.

"Well, I'm blessed!" he muttered, "if crows ain't thicker in Kaintuck
than I ever knowed 'em afore at this season of the year."

This signal, which the man did not doubt for a moment came from the
throat of one of the Shawanoe spies, settled the question which he had
been debating with himself.

Forcing the nose of the canoe against the bank, he stepped ashore.
Before drawing it entirely forth, however, he decided to walk the short
distance through the woods, so as to select the most favorable course to
follow.

He had not far to go, but the simple act was marked by all the
thoroughness with which he did everything relating to his life
profession.

While the wood, because of the abundance of undergrowth, was not what he
desired, yet he was confident of working his way through it and back to
the water again without injuring the canoe. He set out to do so,
returning to the starting-point at the end of fifteen or twenty minutes.

And there a surprise awaited him. The boat was gone!

If he had withdrawn it with incredible deftness from under the closed
eyes of the Shawanoe, that same individual (for it must be he) had
displayed