The Phantom of the River | Page 6

a brief
pause; "some accident might happen, such, f'r 'nstance, as getting bit by
a rattler."
Kenton saw the twinkle in the eyes of his friend, who spoke with the
utmost gravity. "Remember," said the younger, "I never seed any rattler
near the gulch; you have; you're the one, therefore, to see some of 'em
agin. You're the one to let a big rattler sting you. After he's made sartin

he's done his work well, why I'll happen 'long and smash the rattler, and
then look after you--helloa!"
Both instinctively grasped their rifles, for they heard the rustling of
leaves, which showed that some one was approaching. Had the noise
been less pronounced the two rangers would have darted behind the
nearest sheltering trees; but the noise was too distinct for either Boone
or Kenton to suspect that an enemy was at hand. They knew it was a
friend--at least one from whom they had nothing to fear.
So it proved; for while they were peering toward the point whence the
figure was known to be approaching, Jethro Juggens, the burly colored
servant lad of Mr. Altman, slouched into sight, with his rifle slung over
his shoulder. Not until he had advanced a dozen steps further did he see
two hunters seated on the fallen tree. Then he stopped suddenly, with a
startled expression, and brought his heavy rifle to the front.
"None of that!" called Kenton, uncertain what the fellow might do.
"Hello, Mr. Kenton, dat's yo'self, am it?" called Jethro, with a grin; "I
tinked you was de Panther. I was jes' gwine to plug yo'; lucky yo' spoke
when yo' done did, or I'd wiped out bofe ob yo' afore anybody could
hold me; but," added Jethro, in an awed undertone, "I's got bery
important news for yo', Mr. Kenton and Mr. Boom."
CHAPTER III.
THE HALT IN THE WOODS.
The appearance of Jethro Juggens surprised Boone and Kenton as they
sat on the fallen tree, for they were looking for nothing of the kind.
When he announced that he was the bearer of important tidings, he
naturally became an object of increased interest, for the fate of the little
party of pioneers was the problem that the two great rangers were
trying to solve.
"You bring important news," repeated Kenton, who, as the reader
already knows, was quite partial to the negro, for, with all his stupidity,

he had given proof of astonishing skill in marksmanship. "What is your
news?"
"I's very well," replied Jethro, taking his seat beside the men on the log,
removing his cap, and fanning his shining countenance.
"That being so," continued Kenton, "what's the news you brought?"
"Haben't I jes' told yo'? I's bery well, 'cepting dat I's hungry, dough I
can't make none ob de folks blebe it. Howsumeber, I guess dey blebes
it, but dey don't keer."
"Haven't you any other news for us?" asked Boone, looking sternly at
Jethro, who did not note, or, noting perhaps, did not care for his
displeasure.
"Nuffin else in 'tickler, 'cept dat de folks am also well."
"That is some kind of news, though only what we expected. Nothing
has happened to any of 'em?" inquired Kenton.
"Nuffin dat I reckomembers."
"Where are they?"
"Don't you know?" asked Jethro, in turn, looking around in surprise that
he should put the question, when he had parted with his friends only
comparatively a short time before. "Whar do you 'spose dey am, Mr.
Kenton?"
"I know where they ought to be," said the ranger, gravely; "they ought
to be about a half a mile or so down the river, picking their way
through the woods to this tree where we're setting; but I didn't know but
what something had happened."
"Didn't I just tole you dat nuffin didn't happen?"
"Are the folks coming up the river towards us?"

"Dey were settin' still on some rocks on the ground when I left."
"What's that for?"
"I 'spose dey're tired; want to rest."
Kenton looked significantly at Boone. Jethro's theory would not answer.
There was no member of the little party of pioneers, not even Agnes
Altman, nor Mabel Ashbridge, only ten years of age, who would
become so wearied by twice as long a tramp as to feel the need of rest.
"Did you come yourself, or were you sent ahead to see us?"
"I come myself, dat is, nobody fotched me on his back; but Mr.
Hastings subgested dat I come, by saying if I didn't he would kick me."
Weber Hastings was the sturdy member of the escort party who, in the
absence of Boone, had charge of them.
Jethro Juggens began to display more sense in his words than he had
yet shown. He became more serious in his manner.
"De way ob it was