The Phantom of the River

of the settlers and thei

their hard lot with the fortitude and uncomplaining courage which wa

ey had deposited their household goods and worldly possessions in the structure erected with so much care and labor; then, being warned of the imminent

ke Gulch, for it was indispensable that he should keep watch of the main war party of

the favoring darkness of the night without discovery by the dusky enemies. We left him pushing his way up stream, after his de

ss to the block-house, understood the scheme which it was hoped could be carried t

om they left behind took up the journey eastward-that is, toward dreaded Rattlesnake G

new the route that was to be followed. He kept a hundred yards, or so, in advance of the company,

t, that only rarely did they catch sight of each other. There were no guards on the left or at th

The pioneer scouts were impatient of discipline, preferring to "fight fire with

idge and his wife sauntered in front of their old friends, with little Mabel most of the time between them and holding a hand of each. Her disposition, however, to dart asid

fe, while of Agnes, the daughter, and Geor

e, we shall be safe, or whether we shall have to keep on going east until we arrive at

been a good many years since the people in o

go that I cann

that you are sev

more, please t

Kenton explained matters yesterday when I was talking with him. There is what is called a flurry among th

long is i

weeks, or months, or possibly a year or two. You know that such expe

hy

ington sent General St. Clair, and the combined tribes smote him hip and thigh. All this makes the Indians bolder and more open in their

ome one who knows how to fight the Ind

y. You have learned of the dreadful mistake that Braddock and his regulars made more than thirty years ago, during the French

of a force. I know he would end all this trouble," added Agnes

r officers do their duty. But if he can't come himself, he knows enough now to send the right men. The

d t

land will be cleared off and planted; cities and towns will spring up, and that clea

althy, George; but

re and lowered his voice, so that only the shell-li

, God willing, long before that time we sha

a little further in silence, "there is on

hat is

er day when we were coming down the river. It is a large, roomy structure, but there is nothing beside the single building. A good many men make their ho

ne else. Some other arrangement will have to be made. Captain Bushwick will have several strong cabins

ow

g us just now, makes his home. It was named for him. It is a regular stockade,

ar off

, but less tha

once, without stoppin

w, it would be just as safe to stay in our own house at the clearing.

how can we reach it

chance, as you know, isn't now, but it may come in a short time.

tted a cry that must have penetrated a goodly part of a mile. His terrified friends stopped short, gra

ht up a heavy stick, with which he w

writhing object as an immense rattlesnake. The man seemed to be in a frenzy, and c

had hastened to return upon hearing his wi

ggering backward and sinking to the ground; "h