The Phantom of the River

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23026

Title

The Phantom of the River

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this thrilling sequel to "Shod with Silence," legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone and ranger Simon Kenton face a deadly uprising among Shawanoes led by the fierce Wa-on-mon, known as "The Panther." As tribes rise up and danger looms, the pioneers must flee their cabins while a mysterious figure, Jethro Juggens, employs cunning disguises to survive. Blending historical adventure with supernatural suspense, this tale explores themes of mercy, survival, and the thin line between life and death in the perilous American...

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the Kentucky wilderness over a century ago, Edward Sylvester Ellis's *The Phantom of the River* follows legendary frontiersmen Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton as they protect a group of settlers fleeing Shawanoe hostilities. The narrative centers on the Ashbridge and Altman families, who must abandon their cabin and flatboat to reach a fortified block-house ten miles away. Their journey is fraught with peril, orchestrated by Wa-on-mon, known as "The Panther," a ruthless Shawanoe war chief who leads a war party intent on destroying the pioneers. Tension mounts as the rangers navigate the dense forest, detecting coded signals from crows and spotting a mysterious "phantom" boat on the river, both indicators of the enemy's proximity. A significant subplot involves Jethro Juggens, an enslaved man captured by Wa-on-mon. After surviving a night of captivity, Jethro employs a daring ruse, wrapping himself in bedding to resemble a ghost. This bluff confuses his captors, allowing him to survive and eventually turn the tables by shooting two Shawanoe warriors who had been ambushing the settlers. His actions demonstrate that survival in the wilderness often depends on wit as much as strength. The story builds to a climactic confrontation between Boone, Kenton, and Wa-on-mon. After a fierce hand-to-hand struggle, Kenton gains the upper hand and holds Wa-on-mon at the mercy of his knife. However, an internal voice urges Kenton to show mercy. He spares the Shawanoe chief, a decision that baffles the enemy camp and temporarily halts their attack. This act of clemency allows the pioneers to reach safety, though the threat of Wa-on-mon's return remains. The novel concludes with the safe reunion of the Ashbridge family, including the young girl Mabel, who was held captive by Wa-on-mon. Kenton explains to Missionary Finley that his decision to spare the chief was guided by conscience rather than fear. Despite the temporary truce, the story ends on a somber note: the truce is fragile, and Wa-on-mon remains a bitter enemy eager for revenge. The narrative highlights the resilience of the settlers and the complex moral choices faced by the rangers, illustrating that in the unforgiving frontier, survival relies on a blend of exceptional skill and unwavering conscience.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Biography
• History
• Fiction