Jethro could hardly express his astonishment at this information. Aside from what he had seen of the fierce chieftain, he could not forget the character given him by Simon Kenton. In his way, he related the proposed duel to the death between the ranger and the leader of the Shawanoes.
Mr. Finley listened with the deepest interest, for he felt a strong attachment to both of the parties, and he cherished the hope that the fearful personal encounters between them would give way, sooner or later, to a more charitable, if not to a gentler feeling.
"De reason de fout didn't take place," explained Jethro, "was 'cause de Panther got scared and runned away."
The reply was, in effect, that which was made by Daniel Boone when discussing the question with Kenton.
"You are mistaken in supposing Wa-on-mon was frightened; he is afraid of no man."
"What den made him get skeered at Mr. Kenton?"
"He did not. The Panther's heart is full of bitterness toward the white people. He saw, by hurrying off, a chance to do greater harm to those whom he regards as intruders upon the hunting grounds of his people; that is why the two did not meet."
"Mr. Kenton says de Panther hab shot women and children, and done de wust tings dat you can tink of."
"Simon Kenton is a truthful man."
"And I know he hab tried to do a worser ting dan dat."