The Phantom of the River

cessary to cross the open space to reach the spot where the silent flatboat rested against the bank, and near whic

e other side, where he meant to look for the smaller boat, the ranger was certain to be detected. His plan, therefore, was to

among the trees when his steps we

impatiently around, took a couple of steps toward

do you

speak or move, can't you let up on de breving bus'ness?

orget to stay right where

rted three sides of the clearing and approached the river again, opposite the p

-dozen causes might account for its disappearance. It might have been set adrift b

. He was near the canoe, but between it and Kenton, and so close, indeed, that but for t

lders, the back of the head and contour of the body suggeste

"him and me can just as well have it now, even

y, for he now turned and looked toward the cabin. This brought his face into full view, and the glimpse

ble to detect anything to justify his interest in the building. The situation had become so peculiar

on the ground, with his back against the tree, remained as motionless

on't believe he's a

consciousness, but in this case the white man cou

eir way among the forest shadows, he stepped from behind the tree and began

several paces to the rear. The hostile was at his mercy. He cou

uded Kenton, making such an abrupt change in his cou

g upon them. His long rifle reclined against the same support as his body, his knife and tomahawk were in place in the girdle around the waist of

him past the sleeper, whose eyes, as he noted, were closed. All doubt of his being un

said that the canoe rested so lightly against the banks that only a v

e current, a conclusion that could not be formulated in the event of his rifle keeping it company. Following the sug

rifle with a sleeping sentinel, and with only a momentary pause stepped forward unti

ore with The Panther. Everything was ready, but the hardest test of all now confronted the sc

the water, and, with the same noiselessness as before, sent the boat

imbs and stepped ashore for Jethro Juggens. Knowing the precise spot where he h

ng!" muttered the angry Kenton, "but

might he ask