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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/7493-h.zip b/7493-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7d3629 --- /dev/null +++ b/7493-h.zip diff --git a/7493-h/7493-h.htm b/7493-h/7493-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..73cce54 --- /dev/null +++ b/7493-h/7493-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4720 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Daughter of the Chieftain, by Edward S. Ellis. + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's The Daughter of the Chieftain, by Edward S. Ellis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Daughter of the Chieftain + The Story of an Indian Girl + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: July 31, 2009 [EBook #7493] +Last Updated: January 26, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DAUGHTER OF THE CHIEFTAIN *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Robb, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE DAUGHTER OF THE CHIEFTAIN + </h1> + <h2> + THE STORY OF AN INDIAN GIRL + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Edward S. Ellis. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER ONE. </a> OMAS, ALICE, + AND LINNA <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER TWO. </a> DANGER + IN THE AIR <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER THREE. </a> JULY + THIRD, 1778 <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER FOUR. </a> THE + EASTERN SHORE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER FIVE. </a> IN + THE WOODS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER SIX. </a> PUSHING + EASTWARD <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER SEVEN. </a> JABEZ + ZITNER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER EIGHT. </a> LINNA'S + WOODCRAFT <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER NINE. </a> IN + A CIRCLE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER TEN. </a> NEAR + THE END <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER ELEVEN. </a> ALL + IN VAIN <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER TWELVE. </a> CONCLUSION + <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER ONE: OMAS, ALICE, AND LINNA + </h2> + <p> + I don't suppose there is any use in trying to find out when the game of + "Jack Stones" was first played. No one can tell. It certainly is a good + many hundred years old. + </p> + <p> + All boys and girls know how to play it. There is the little rubber ball, + which you toss in the air, catch up one of the odd iron prongs, without + touching another, and while the ball is aloft; then you do the same with + another, and again with another, until none is left. After that you seize + a couple at a time, until all have been used; then three, and four, and so + on, with other variations, to the end of the game. + </p> + <p> + Doubtless your fathers and mothers, if they watch you during the progress + of the play, will think it easy and simple. If they do, persuade them to + try it. You will soon laugh at their failure. + </p> + <p> + Now, when we older folks were young like you, we did not have the regular, + scraggly bits of iron and dainty rubber ball. We played with pieces of + stones. I suspect more deftness was needed in handling them than in using + the new fashioned pieces. Certainly, in trials than I can remember, I + never played the game through without a break; but then I was never half + so handy as you are at such things: that, no doubt, accounts for it. + </p> + <p> + Well, a good many years ago, before any of your fathers or mothers were + born, a little girl named Alice Ripley sat near her home playing "Jack + Stones." It was the first of July, 1778, and although her house was made + of logs, had no carpets or stove, but a big fireplace, where all the food + was made ready for eating, yet no sweeter or happier girl can be found + today, if you spend weeks in searching for her. Nor can you come upon a + more lovely spot in which to build a home, for it was the famed Wyoming + Valley, in Western Pennsylvania. + </p> + <p> + Now, since some of my young friends may not be acquainted with this place, + you will allow me to tell you that the Wyoming Valley lies between the + Blue Ridge and the Alleghany Mountains, and that the beautiful Susquehanna + River runs through it. + </p> + <p> + The valley runs northeast and southwest, and is twenty-one miles long, + with an average breadth of three miles. The bottom lands—that is, + those in the lowest portion—are sometimes overflowed when there is + an unusual quantity of water in the river. In some places the plains are + level, and in others, rolling. The soil is very fertile. + </p> + <p> + Two mountain ranges hem in the valley. The one on the east has an average + height of a thousand feet, and the other two hundred feet less. The + eastern range is steep, mostly barren, and abounds with caverns, clefts, + ravines, and forests. The western is not nearly so wild, and is mostly + cultivated. + </p> + <p> + The meaning of the Indian word for Wyoming is "Large Plains," which, like + most of the Indian names, fits very well indeed. + </p> + <p> + The first white man who visited Wyoming was a good Moravian missionary, + Count Zinzendorf—in 1742. He toiled among the Delaware Indians who + lived there, and those of his faith who followed him were the means of the + conversion of a great many red men. + </p> + <p> + The fierce warriors became humble Christians, who set the best example to + wild brethren, and often to the wicked white men. + </p> + <p> + More than twenty years before the Revolution settlers began making their + way into the Wyoming Valley. You would think their only trouble would be + with the Indians, who always look with anger upon intruders of that kind, + but really their chief difficulty was with white people. + </p> + <p> + Most of these pioneers came from Connecticut. The successors of William + Penn, who had bought Pennsylvania from his king, and then again from the + Indians, did not fancy having settlers from other colonies take possession + of one of the garden spots of his grant. + </p> + <p> + I cannot tell you about the quarrels between the settlers from Connecticut + and those that were already living in Pennsylvania. Forty of the invaders, + as they may be called, put up a fort, which was named on that account + Forty Fort. This was in the winter of 1769, and two hundred more pioneers + followed them in the spring. The fort stood on the western bank of the + river. + </p> + <p> + The Pennsylvanians, however, had prepared for them, and the trouble began. + During the few years following, the New Englanders were three times driven + out of the valley, and the men, women, and children were obliged to tramp + for two hundred miles through the unbroken wilderness to their old homes. + But they rallied and came back again, and at last were strong enough to + hold their ground. About this time the mutterings of the American + Revolution began to be heard, and the Pennsylvanians and New Englanders + forgot their enmity and became brothers in their struggle for + independence. + </p> + <p> + Among the pioneers from Connecticut who put up their old fashioned log + houses in Wyoming were George Ripley and his wife Ruth. They were young, + frugal, industrious, and worthy people. They had but one child—a boy + named Benjamin; but after awhile Alice was added to the family, and at the + date of which I am telling you she was six years and her brother thirteen + years old. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ripley was absent with the continental army under General Washington, + fighting the battles of his country. Benjamin, on this spring day, was + visiting some of his friends further down the valley; so that when Alice + came forth to play "Jack Stones" alone, no one was in sight, though her + next neighbor lived hardly two hundred yards away. + </p> + <p> + I wish you could have seen her as she looked on that summer afternoon. She + had been helping, so far as she was able, her mother in the house, until + the parent told her to go outdoors and amuse herself. She was chubby, + plump, healthy, with round pink cheeks, yellow hair tied in a coil at the + back of her head, and her big eyes were as blue, and clear, and bright as + they could be. + </p> + <p> + She wore a brown homespun dress—that is to say, the materials had + been woven by the deft fingers of her mother, with the aid of the old + spinning wheel, which in those days formed a part of every household. The + dark stockings were knitted by the same busy fingers, with the help of the + flashing needles; and the shoes, put together by Peleg Quintin, the + humpbacked shoemaker, were heavy and coarse, and did not fit any too well. + </p> + <p> + The few simple articles of underwear were all homemade, clean, and + comfortable, and the same could be said of the clothing of the brother and + of the mother herself. + </p> + <p> + Alice came running out of the open front door, bounding off the big flat + stone which served as a step with a single leap, and, running to a spot of + green grass a few yards away, where there was not a bit of dirt or a speck + of dust, she sat down and began the game of which I told you at the + opening of this story. + </p> + <p> + Alice was left handed. So when she took position, she leaned over to the + right, supporting her body with that arm, while with the other hand she + tossed the little jagged pieces of stone aloft, snatching up the others, + and letting the one that was going up and down in the air drop into her + chubby palm. + </p> + <p> + She had been playing perhaps ten minutes, when she found someone was + watching her. + </p> + <p> + She did not see him at first, but heard a low, deep "Huh!" partly at one + side and partly behind her. + </p> + <p> + Instead of glancing around, she finished the turn of the game on which she + was engaged just then. That done, she clasped all the Jack Stones in her + hand, assumed the upright posture, and looked behind her. + </p> + <p> + "I thought it was you, Omas," she said with a merry laugh; "do you want to + play Jack Stones with me?" + </p> + <p> + If you could have seen the person whom she thus addressed, you would have + thought it a strange way of speaking. + </p> + <p> + He was an Indian warrior, belonging to the tribe of Delawares. Those who + knew about him said he was one of the fiercest red men that ever went on + the warpath. A few years before, there had been a massacre of the + settlers, and Omas was foremost among the Indians who swung the tomahawk + and fired his rifle at the white people. + </p> + <p> + He was tall, sinewy, active, and powerful. Three stained eagle feathers + were fastened on his crown in the long black hair, and his hunting shirt, + leggings, and moccasins were bright with different colored beads and + fringes. In the red sash which passed around his waist were thrust a + hunting knife and tomahawk, while one hand clasped a cumbersome rifle, + which, like all firearms of those times, was used with ramrod and + flintlock. + </p> + <p> + Omas would have had a rather pleasing face had he let it alone; but his + people love bright colors, and he was never seen without a lot of paint + daubed over it. This was made up of black, white, and yellow circles, + lines, and streaks that made him look frightful. + </p> + <p> + But Alice was not scared at all. She and Omas were old friends. Nearly a + year before, he stopped at their cabin one stormy night and asked for + something to eat. Mrs. Ripley gave him plenty of coarse brown, well baked + bread and cold meat, and allowed him to sleep on the floor until morning. + </p> + <p> + Benjamin was rather shy of the fierce looking Delaware, but Alice took to + him at first. She brought him a basin of water, and asked him to please + wash his face. + </p> + <p> + The startled mother gently reproved her; but Omas did that which an Indian + rarely does—smiled. He spoke English unusually well, and knew why + the child had proposed to him to use the water. + </p> + <p> + He told her that he had a little girl that he called Linna, about the same + age as Alice. Upon hearing this, what did Alice do, but climb upon the + warrior's knee and ask him to tell her all about Linna. Well, the result + was, that an affection was formed between this wild warrior and the gentle + little girl. + </p> + <p> + Omas promised to bring his child to see Alice, who, with her mother's + permission, said she would return the visit. There can be no doubt that + the Delaware often went a long way out of his course, for no other reason + than to spend an hour or less with Alice Ripley. The brother and mother + always made him feel welcome, and to the good parent the influence of her + child upon the savage red man had a peculiar interest which nothing else + in the world could possess for her. So you understand why it was that + Alice did not start and show any fear when she looked around and saw the + warrior standing less than ten feet off, and attentively watching her. + </p> + <p> + "You can't play Jack Stones as well as I," she said, looking saucily up at + him. + </p> + <p> + "I beat you," was his reply, as he strode forward and sat down cross + legged on the grass. + </p> + <p> + "I'd like to see you do it! You think you're very smart, don't you?" + </p> + <p> + A shadowy smile played around the stern mouth, and the Delaware, who had + studied the simple game long enough to understand it, began the sport + under the observant eyes of his little mistress. + </p> + <p> + While both were intent on the amusement, Mrs. Ripley came to the door and + stood wonderingly looking at them. + </p> + <p> + "It does seem as if Indians are human beings like the rest of us," was her + thought; "but who could resist her gentle ways?" + </p> + <p> + Up went the single stone in the air, and Omas grabbed the batch that were + lying on the ground, and then caught the first as it came down. + </p> + <p> + "That won't do!" called Alice, seizing the brawny hand, which—sad to + say—had been stained with blood as innocent as hers; "you didn't do + that fair!" + </p> + <p> + "What de matter?" he asked, looking reproachfully into the round face + almost against his own. + </p> + <p> + "I'll show you how. Now, I lay those three on the ground like that. Then I + toss up this, pick up one without touching any of the others, keep it in + my hand and pick up the next—see?" + </p> + <p> + She illustrated her instruction by her work, while her pupil listened and + stared. + </p> + <p> + "I know—I know," he said quickly. "I show you." Then the wag of a + Delaware tossed the first stone fully twenty feet aloft, caught up the + others, and took that on the fly. + </p> + <p> + "I never saw anybody as dumb as you," was the comment. "What is the use of + your trying? You couldn't learn to play Jack Stones in ever so long." + </p> + <p> + She was about to try him again, when, childlike, she darted off upon a + widely different subject, for it had just come into her little head. + </p> + <p> + "Omas, when you were here the other day, you promised that the next time + you came to see me you would bring Linna." + </p> + <p> + "Dat so—Omas promise." + </p> + <p> + "Then why haven't you done as you said?" + </p> + <p> + "Omas never speak with double tongue; he bring Linna with him." + </p> + <p> + "You did?—where is she?" asked Alice, springing to her feet, + clasping her hands, and looking expectantly around. + </p> + <p> + The Delaware emitted a shrill, tremulous whistle, and immediately from the + wood several rods behind them came running the oddest looking little girl + anyone could have met in a long time. + </p> + <p> + Her face was as round as that of Alice, her long, black hair hung loosely + over her shoulders, her small eyes were as black as jet, her nose a pug, + her teeth as white and regular as were ever seen, while her dress was a + rude imitation of her father's except the skirt came below her knees. Her + feet were as small as a doll's, and encased in the beaded little + moccasins, were as pretty as they could be. + </p> + <p> + "That is Linna," said the proud father as she came obediently forward. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TWO: DANGER IN THE AIR + </h2> + <p> + Little Linna, daughter of Omas, the Delaware warrior, was of the same age + as Alice Ripley. The weather was warm although she wore tiny moccasins to + protect her feet, she scorned the superfluous stockings and undergarments + that formed a part of the other's apparel. + </p> + <p> + Her hair was as black, abundant, and almost as long as her father's; but + her face was clean, and, perhaps in honor of the occasion, she, too, + sported a gaudy eagle feather in her hair. + </p> + <p> + She bounded out of the green wood like a fawn, but as she drew near her + parent and Alice, her footsteps became slower, and she halted a few paces + away, hung her head, with her forefinger between her pretty white teeth—for + all the world like any white girl of her years. + </p> + <p> + But Alice did not allow her to remain embarrassed. She had been begging + for this visit, and now, when she saw her friend, she ran forward, took + her little plump hand and said—"Linna, I am real glad you have + come!" + </p> + <p> + Omas had risen to his feet, and watched the girls with an affection and + interest which found no expression on his painted face. His child looked + timidly up to him and walked slowly forward, her hand clasped in that of + Alice. She did not speak, but when her escort sat down on the grass, she + did the same. + </p> + <p> + "Linna, do you know how to play Jack Stones?" asked Alice, picking up the + pebbles. + </p> + <p> + Linna shook her head quickly several times, but her lips remained mute. + </p> + <p> + "Your father thought he knew how, but he don't; he doesn't play fair, + either. Let me show you, so you can beat him when you go home." + </p> + <p> + Alice set to work, while the bright black eyes watched every movement. + </p> + <p> + "Now do you want to try it?" she asked, after going through the game + several times. + </p> + <p> + Linna nodded her head with the same birdlike quickness, and reached out + her chubby hand. + </p> + <p> + Her father and Alice watched her closely. She made several failures at + first, all of which were patiently explained by her tutor; by and by she + went through the performance from beginning to end without a break. + </p> + <p> + Alice clapped her hands with delight, and Omas—certain that no + grownup person saw him—smiled with pleasure. + </p> + <p> + "Doesn't she know how to talk?" asked Alice, looking up at the warrior. + Omas spoke somewhat sharply to his child in the Delaware tongue. She + startled, and looking at Alice, asked— + </p> + <p> + "Do—yoo think me play well?" + </p> + <p> + Alice was delighted to find she could make herself understood so easily. + It was wonderful how she had learned to speak English so early in life. + </p> + <p> + "I guess you can," was the ready reply of Alice; "your father can't begin + to play as well. When you go home you can show your mamma how to play Jack + Stones. Have you any brothers and sisters?" + </p> + <p> + "No; me have no brother—no sister." + </p> + <p> + "That's too bad! I've got a big brother Ben. He isn't home now, but he + will be here to supper. He's a nice boy, and you will like him. Let's go + in the house now to see mamma, and you can teach me how to talk Indian." + </p> + <p> + Both girls bounded to their feet, and hand in hand, walked to the door, + with Omas gravely stalking after them. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley had learned of the visitor, and stood on the threshold to + welcome her. She took her by the hand and led her inside. Omas paused, as + if in doubt whether he should follow; but her invitation to him was so + cordial, that he stepped within and seated himself on a chair. + </p> + <p> + That afternoon and night could never be forgotten by Alice Ripley. In a + very little while she and her visitor were on the best of terms; laughing, + romping, and chasing each other in and out of doors, just as if they were + twin sisters that had never been separated from each other. + </p> + <p> + When Mrs. Ripley asked Omas for how long a time he could leave his child + with them, he said he must take her back that evening. His wigwam was a + good many miles away in the woods, and he would have to travel all night + to reach the village of his tribe. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley, however, pleaded so hard, that he consented to let his child + stay until he came back the next day or soon thereafter for her. + </p> + <p> + When he rose to go, the long summer day was drawing to a close. He spoke + to Linna in their native tongue. She was sitting on the floor just then, + playing with a wonderful rag baby, but was up in a flash, and followed him + outside. + </p> + <p> + "Wait a moment and she will come back," said Mrs. Ripley to her own child. + She knew what the movement meant: Omas did not wish anyone to see him and + Linna. + </p> + <p> + On the outside he moved to the left, and glanced around to make sure that + no person was looking that way. Then he lifted the little one from the + ground; she threw her arms around his neck, and he pressed her to his + breast and kissed her several times with great warmth. Then he set her + down, and she ran laughing into the house, while he strode off to the + woods. + </p> + <p> + But at the moment of entering them he stopped abruptly, wheeled about, and + walked slowly back toward the cabin. + </p> + <p> + Upon the return of Linna, Mrs. Ripley stepped to the front door to look + for her son. He was not in sight, but Omas had stopped again hardly a rod + distant. He stood a moment, looking fixedly at her, and then beckoned with + his free hand for her to approach. + </p> + <p> + Without hesitation she stepped off the broad flat stone and went to him. + </p> + <p> + "What is it, Omas?" she asked in an undertone, pausing in front of him, + and gazing up into the grim, painted countenance. + </p> + <p> + The Delaware returned the look for a few seconds, as if studying how to + say what was in his mind. Then in a voice lower even than hers, he said—"You—little + girl—big boy—go way soon—must not stay here." + </p> + <p> + "Why do you say that, Omas?" + </p> + <p> + "Iroquois like leaves on trees—white men, call Tories—soon + come down here—kill all white people—kill you—kill + little girl, big boy—if you stay here." + </p> + <p> + The pioneer's wife had heard the same rumors for days past. She knew there + was cause for fear, for nearly all the able bodied men in Wyoming were + absent with the patriot army, fighting for independence. The inhabitants + in the valley had begged Congress to send some soldiers to protect them, + and the relatives of the women and children had asked again and again that + they might go home to save their loved ones from the Tories and Indians; + but the prayer was refused. The soldiers in the army were too few to be + spared, and no one away from Wyoming believed the danger as great as it + was. + </p> + <p> + But the people themselves knew the peril, and did their best to prepare + for it. But who should know more about the Indians and Tories than Omas, + the great Delaware warrior? + </p> + <p> + When, therefore, he said these words to Mrs. Ripley, that woman's heart + beat faster. She heard the laughter and prattle of the children in the + house, and she thought of that bright boy, playing with his young friends + not far away. + </p> + <p> + "Where can we go?" she asked, in the same guarded voice. + </p> + <p> + "With Omas," was the prompt reply; "hide in wigwam of Omas. Nobody hurt + palefaced friend of Omas." + </p> + <p> + It was a trying situation. The brave woman, who had passed through many + dangers with her husband, knew what a visit from the Tories and Indians + meant; but she shrank from leaving Wyoming, and all her friends and + neighbors. + </p> + <p> + "When will they come?" she asked; "will it be in a few weeks or in a few + days?" + </p> + <p> + "Getting ready now; Brandt with Iroquois—Butler with Tory—soon + be here." + </p> + <p> + "But do you mean that we shall all go with you tonight?" + </p> + <p> + The Delaware was silent for a few seconds. His active brain was busy, + reviewing the situation. + </p> + <p> + "No," he finally said; "stay here till Omas come back; then go with him—all + go—den no one be hurt." + </p> + <p> + "Very well; we will wait till you come to us again. We will take good care + of Linna." + </p> + <p> + And without another word the Delaware turned once more, strode to the + forest, which was then in fullest leaf, and vanished among the trees. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley walked slowly back to the door. On the threshold she halted, + and looked around again for her absent boy. It was growing dark, and she + began to feel a vague alarm for him. + </p> + <p> + A whistle fell on her ear. It was the sweetest music she had ever heard, + for it came from the lips of her boy. + </p> + <p> + He was in sight, coming along the well worn path that led in front of the + other dwellings and to her own door. When he saw her, he waved his hand in + salutation, but could not afford to break in on the vigorous melody which + kept his lips puckered. + </p> + <p> + She saw he was carrying something on his shoulder. A second glance showed + that it was one of the heavy rifles used by the pioneers a hundred years + ago. The sight—taken with what Omas had just said—filled her + heart with forebodings. + </p> + <p> + She waited until the lad came up. He kissed her affectionately, and then + in the offhand manner of a big boy, let the butt of the gun drop on the + ground, leaned the top away from him, and glancing from it to his mother, + asked—"What do you think of it?" + </p> + <p> + "It seems to be a good gun. Whose is it?" + </p> + <p> + "Mine," was the proud response. "Colonel Butler ordered that it be given + to me, and I'm to use it, too, mother." + </p> + <p> + "For what purpose?" + </p> + <p> + "The other Colonel Butler—you know he is a cousin to ours—has + got a whole lot of Tories" (who, you know, were Americans fighting against + their countrymen) "and Indians, and they're coming down to wipe out + Wyoming; but I guess they will find it a harder job than they think." + </p> + <p> + And to show his contempt for the danger, the muscular lad lifted his + weighty weapon to a level, and pretended to sight it at a tree. + </p> + <p> + "I wish that was a Tory or one of those Six Nation Indians—wouldn't + I drop him!" + </p> + <p> + The mother could not share the buoyancy of her son. She stepped outside, + so as to be beyond the hearing of the little ones. + </p> + <p> + "Omas has been here; that is his little girl that you hear laughing with + Alice. He has told me the same as you—the Tories and Indians are + coming, and he wants us to flee with him." + </p> + <p> + "What does he mean by that?" asked the half indignant boy. + </p> + <p> + "He says they will put us all to death, and if we do not go with him, we + will be killed too." + </p> + <p> + The handsome face of Benjamin Ripley took on an expression of scorn, and + as he straightened up, he seemed to become several inches taller. + </p> + <p> + "He forgets that I am with you! Omas is very kind; but he and his Tory + friends had better look out for themselves. Why, with the men at the fort, + Colonel Butler will have several hundred." + </p> + <p> + "But they are mostly old men and boys." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said the high spirited lad, with a twinkle of his fine hazel eyes, + "add up a lot of old men and boys, and the average is the same number of + middle aged men, isn't it? Don't you worry, mother—things are all + right. If Omas comes back, give him our thanks, and tell him we are not + going to sneak off when we are needed at home." + </p> + <p> + It was hard to resist the contagion of Ben's hopefulness. The mother not + only loved but respected him as much as she could have done had he been + several years older. He had been her mainstay for the two years past, + during which the father was absent with the patriot army; and she came to + lean upon him more and more, though her heart sank when Ben began to talk + of following his father into the ranks, to help in the struggle for + independence. + </p> + <p> + She found herself looking upon the situation as Ben did. If so great + danger threatened Wyoming, it would be cowardly for them to leave their + friends to their fate. It was clear all could not find safety by going, + and she would feel she was doing wrong if she gave no heed to the others. + </p> + <p> + Ben was tall and strong for his years, and the fact that he had taken the + gun from Colonel Butler to be used in taking care of the settlement bound + the youth in honor to do so. + </p> + <p> + "It shall be as you say," said the mother; "I cannot be as hopeful as you, + but it is our duty to stay. We will not talk about it before the + children." + </p> + <p> + "I want to see how a little Indian girl looks," muttered Ben with a laugh, + following his mother into the house. + </p> + <p> + Alice caught sight of him, and was in his arms the next instant, while + Linna rose to her feet, and stood with her forefinger between her teeth, + shyly studying the newcomer. + </p> + <p> + "Helloa, Linna! how are you?" he called, setting down his young sister and + catching up the little Indian. Not only that, but he gave her a resounding + smack on her dusky cheek. + </p> + <p> + "I always like pretty little girls, and I'm going to be your beau: what do + you say? Is it a bargain?" + </p> + <p> + It is not to be supposed that the Delaware miss caught the whole meaning + of this momentous question. She was a little overwhelmed by the rush of + the big boy's manner, and nodded her head about a dozen times. + </p> + <p> + "There, Alice; do you understand that?" he asked, making the room ring + with his merry laughter; "I'm to be Linna's beau. How do you like it?" + </p> + <p> + "I'm glad for you, but I—guess—I oughter be sorry for Linna." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER THREE: JULY THIRD, 1778 + </h2> + <p> + While Ben Ripley was frolicking with little Alice and her Indian friend + Linna, the mother prepared the evening meal. + </p> + <p> + The candles were lighted, and they took their places at the table. + </p> + <p> + All this was new and strange to Linna. In her own home, she was accustomed + to sit on the ground, and use only her fingers for knife and fork when + taking food; but she was observant and quick, and knowing how it had been + with her, her friends soon did away with her embarrassment. The mother cut + her meat into small pieces, spread butter—which the visitor looked + at askance—on the brown bread, and she had but to do as the rest, + and all went well. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes after supper both girls became drowsy, and Mrs. Ripley, + candle in hand, conducted them upstairs to the small room set apart for + their use. + </p> + <p> + This was another novel experience for the visitor. She insisted at first + upon lying on the hard floor, for never in her life had she touched a bed; + but after awhile, she became willing to share the couch with her playmate. + </p> + <p> + Alice knelt down by the side of the little trundle bed and said her + prayers, as she always did; but Linna could not understand what it meant. + She wonderingly watched her until she was through, and then with some + misgiving, clambered among the clothes, and the mother tucked her up, + though the night was so warm they needed little covering. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley felt that she ought to tell the dusky child about her heavenly + Father, and to teach her to pray. She therefore sat down on the edge of + the bed, and in simple words began the wonderful story of the Saviour, who + gave His life to save her as well as all others. + </p> + <p> + Alice dropped asleep right away, but Linna lay motionless, with her round + black eyes fixed on the face of the lady, drinking in every word she said. + By and by, however, the eyelids began to droop, and the good woman ceased. + Who shall tell what precious seed was thus sown in that cabin in Wyoming, + more than a hundred years ago? + </p> + <p> + While Mrs. Ripley was talking upstairs, she heard voices below; so that + she knew Ben had a visitor. As she descended, she recognized a neighbor + who lived on the other side of the river. + </p> + <p> + "I called," said he, "to tell you that you must lose no time in moving + into Forty Fort with your little girl." + </p> + <p> + "You do not mean right away?" + </p> + <p> + "Not tonight, but the first thing in the morning." + </p> + <p> + "Is the danger so close as that?" + </p> + <p> + "Our scouts report the Tory Colonel Butler with a large force of whites + and Indians marching down the valley." + </p> + <p> + "But do you not expect to repel them?" + </p> + <p> + "We are sure of that," was the confident reply; "but it won't do for any + of the women and children to be exposed. The Indians will scatter, and cut + off all they can. Others of our friends are out warning the people, and we + must have them all in a safe place." + </p> + <p> + "Will you wait for your enemies to attack the fort?" + </p> + <p> + "I believe our Colonel Butler favors that; but others, and among them + myself and Ben, favor marching out and meeting them." + </p> + <p> + "That's it," added the lad, shaking his head. "I believe in showing them + we are not scared. Colonel Butler got leave of absence to come to Wyoming; + he has some regulars with him, and with all our men and boys we'll teach + the other Colonel Butler a lesson he won't forget as long as he lives." + </p> + <p> + "Well, if you think it best, we will move into the fort with the other + people until the danger is past." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, mother; I will fight better knowing that you and Alice are safe. + There's Linna! What about her?" + </p> + <p> + "Who's Linna?" asked the visitor. + </p> + <p> + "She is the little child of Omas, the Delaware warrior. He brought her + here this afternoon to make Alice a visit, and promised to call tomorrow + for her. Will it be safe to wait until he comes?" + </p> + <p> + The neighbor shook his head. + </p> + <p> + "You mustn't take any chances. Why don't you turn her loose to take care + of herself? She can do it." + </p> + <p> + "I couldn't," the mother hastened to say; "Omas left her in our care, and + I must not neglect her. She will go with us." + </p> + <p> + "I don't think it will be safe for her father to come after her, when the + flurry is over." + </p> + <p> + "Why not?" + </p> + <p> + "He will be with the Iroquois, even though his tribe doesn't like them any + too well; for the Iroquois are the conquerors of the Delawares, and drove + them off their hunting grounds." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Mrs. Ripley, with a sigh; "even if he never comes for her, + she will always have a home with us." + </p> + <p> + The dwelling of the Ripleys was on the eastern shore of the Susquehanna. + On the other side stood Fort Wintermoot and Forty Fort, the former being + at the upper end of the valley. That would be the first one reached by the + invaders, and the expectation was that it would give up whenever ordered + to do so, for nearly all in it were friends of the Tories. + </p> + <p> + It was evident that when Omas left his child with her friends, and spoke + of returning the next day, or soon thereafter, he did not know how near + the invasion was. Mrs. Ripley expected that when he did learn it, he would + hasten back for her. + </p> + <p> + The night, however, passed without his appearance, and the hot July sun + came up over the forests on the eastern bank of the river, and still he + remained away. It looked as if he had decided to let her take her chances + while he joined the invaders in their work of destruction and woe. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley would have been willing to wait longer, but she was urged not + to lose another hour. The frightened settlers were not allowed to take + anything but their actual necessaries with them, for the cramped quarters + in Forty Fort, where a number of cabins were erected, would be crowded to + the utmost to make room for the hundreds who might clamor for admission. + The quarters, indeed, were so scant that many camped outside, holding + themselves ready to rush within should it become necessary. + </p> + <p> + Little Linna was filled with wonder when she saw her friends preparing to + move and knew she was going with them. But she helped in her way as much + as she could and asked no questions. There was no need, in fact, for Alice + asked enough for both. + </p> + <p> + And just here I must relate to you a little history. + </p> + <p> + On the last days of June, 1778, Colonel John Butler, with about four + hundred soldiers—partly made up of Tories—and six or seven + hundred Indians, entered the head of Wyoming Valley. As I have said, he + was a cousin of Colonel Zebulon Butler, who commanded the patriots and did + all he could to check the invaders. Reaching Fort Wintermoot, the British + officer sent in a demand for its surrender. The submission was made, and + the invaders then came down the valley and ordered the Connecticut people + to surrender Forty Fort and the settlements. Colonel Zebulon Butler had + under him, to quote the historical account, "two hundred and thirty + enrolled men, and seventy old people, boys, civil magistrates, and other + volunteers." They formed six companies, which were mustered at Forty Fort, + where the families of the settlers on the east side of the river had taken + refuge. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Zebulon Butler, upon receiving the summons, called a council of + war. This was on the 3rd of July. The officers believed that a little + delay would be best, in the hope of the arrival of reinforcements; but + nearly all the men were so clamorous to march out and give the invaders + battle, that it was decided to do so. + </p> + <p> + "You are going into great danger," remarked the leader, as he mounted his + horse and placed himself at the head of the patriots, "but I will go as + far as any of you." + </p> + <p> + At three o'clock in the afternoon the column, numbering about three + hundred, marched from the fort with drums beating and colors flying. They + moved up the valley, with the river on the right and a marsh on the left, + until they arrived at Fort Wintermoot, which had been set on fire by the + enemy to give the impression they were withdrawing from the neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + As you may well believe, the movements of the patriots were watched with + deep interest by those left behind. The women and children clustered along + the river bank and strained their eyes in the direction of Fort + Wintermoot, the black smoke from which rolled down the valley and helped + to shut out their view. + </p> + <p> + There was hardly one among the spectators that had not a loved relative + with the defenders. It might be a tottering grandfather, a sturdy son, + who, though a boy, was inspired with the deepest fervor, and eager to risk + his life for the sake of his mother or sister, whose hearts almost stopped + beating in the painful suspense which must continue until the battle was + decided. + </p> + <p> + Alice was too young fully to understand the peril in which Ben was placed. + She had kissed him goodbye when he ran to take his place with the others, + and, with a light jest on his lips about her and Linna, he had snatched a + kiss from the little Delaware's swarthy cheek. + </p> + <p> + The mother added a few cheering words to the children, and it was a + striking sight when they and a number of others, about their age or under, + began playing with all the merriment of children who never dream that the + world contains such afflictions as sorrow, woe, and death. + </p> + <p> + It was easy to follow the course of the patriots for a time after they + were beyond sight, by the sound of their drums and the shrill whistling of + several fifes. + </p> + <p> + In those days it was much more common than now for people to drink + intoxicating liquors. Just before the patriots started up the valley, I am + sorry to say, a few of the men drank more than they should. It has been + claimed by some that but for this things would have gone differently on + that day, which will live for ever as one of the saddest in American + history. + </p> + <p> + By and by the anxious people near the fort noticed that the sound of drums + and fifes had ceased, and the reports of firearms were heard. + </p> + <p> + They knew from this that the opposing forces were making ready for the + conflict, and the suspense became painful indeed. + </p> + <p> + Then amid the rattle of musketry sounded the whoops of the Iroquois. The + battle was on. Fighting began about four o'clock in the afternoon. Colonel + Zebulon Butler ordered his men to fire, and at each discharge to advance a + step. The fire was regular and steady, and the Americans continued to gain + ground, having the advantage where it was open. Despite the exertions of + the invaders, their line gave way, and but for the help of the Indians + they would have been routed. + </p> + <p> + The flanking party of red men kept up a galling fire on the right, and the + patriots dropped fast. The Indians on the Tory left were divided into six + bands who kept up a continuous yelling which did much to inspirit each + other, while the deadly aim told sadly upon the Americans. + </p> + <p> + The most powerful body of Indians was in a swamp on the left of the + patriots, and by and by they outflanked them. The Americans tried to + manoeuvre so as to face the new danger, but some of them mistook the order + for one to retreat. Everything was thrown into confusion. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Zebulon Butler, seeing how things were going, galloped up and down + between the opposing lines, calling out—"Don't leave me, my + children. Stand by me and the victory is ours!" + </p> + <p> + But it was too late. The patriots could not be rallied. They were far + outnumbered, and once thrown into a panic, with the captain of every + company slain, the day was lost. + </p> + <p> + You cannot picture the distress of the women, children, and feeble old men + waiting at Forty Fort the issue of the battle. + </p> + <p> + The sorrowful groups on the bank of the river listened to the sounds of + conflict, and read the meaning as they came to their ears. + </p> + <p> + The steady, regular firing raised their hopes at first. They knew their + sons and friends were fighting well, despite the shouts of the Indians + borne down the valley on the sultry afternoon. + </p> + <p> + By and by the firing grew more scattering, and instead of being so far up + the river as at first, it was coming closer. + </p> + <p> + This could mean but one thing; the patriots were retreating before the + Tories and Indians. + </p> + <p> + One old man, nearly four score years of age, who pleaded to go into the + battle, but was too feeble, could not restrain his feelings. He walked + back and forth, inspired with new strength and full of hope, until the + scattered firing and its approach left no doubt of its meaning. + </p> + <p> + He paused in his nervous, hobbling pace, and said to the white faced women + standing breathlessly near—"Our boys are retreating: they have been + beaten—all hope is gone!" + </p> + <p> + The next moment two horsemen galloped into sight. "Colonel Butler and + Colonel Denison!" said the old man, recognizing them; "they bring sad + news." + </p> + <p> + It was true. They rode their horses on a dead run, and reining up at the + fort, where the people crowded around them, they leaped to the ground, and + Colonel Butler said—"Our boys have been driven from the field, and + the Tories and Indians are at their heels!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER FOUR: THE EASTERN SHORE + </h2> + <p> + Young Ben Ripley made a good record on that eventful 3rd of July. He + loaded and fired as steadily as a veteran. The smoke of the guns, the wild + whooping of the Iroquois Indians, the sight of his friends and neighbors + continually dropping to the ground, some of them at his elbow, the + deafening discharge of the rifles—all these and the dreadful swirl + and rush of events dazed him at times; but he kept at it with a steadiness + which caused more than one expression of praise from the officers nearest + him. + </p> + <p> + All at once he found himself mixed up in the confusion caused by the + attempt to wheel a part of the line to face the flanking assailants, and + the mistake of many that it was an order to retreat. + </p> + <p> + He did not know what it meant, for it seemed to him that a dozen officers + were shouting conflicting orders at the same moment. A number of men threw + down their guns and made a wild rush to get away, several falling over + each other in the frantic scramble; others bumped together, and above the + din of the conflict sounded the voices of Colonel Butler, as he rode back + and forth through the smoke, begging his troops not to leave him, and + victory would be theirs. + </p> + <p> + Seeing the hopeless tangle, the Indians swarmed out of the swamp, and by + their savage attack and renewed shouts made the hubbub and confusion + tenfold worse. + </p> + <p> + Somebody ran so violently against Ben that he was thrown to the ground. He + was on his feet in an instant and turned to see who did it. It was a + soldier fleeing for life from an Iroquois warrior. + </p> + <p> + Ben raised his gun, took quick aim and pulled the trigger, but no report + followed. He had forgotten his weapon was unloaded. + </p> + <p> + Other forms obtruded between him and the couple, and he could not see the + result of the pursuit and attack. Despite all he could do, he was forced + back by the panic stricken rush around and against him. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly a wild cry reached him. An Iroquois with painted face rushed upon + him with uplifted tomahawk, but he was yet several paces away, when + another warrior seized his arm and wrenched him to one side. + </p> + <p> + "Run—go fast—don't stay!" commanded the Indian that had saved + the youth, furiously motioning to him. + </p> + <p> + "If my gun were loaded," replied Ben, though his voice was unheard in the + din, "I wouldn't go till I did something more. Helloa! is that you, Omas?" + </p> + <p> + It was the Delaware that had turned the assault aside. + </p> + <p> + A couple of bounds placed him beside he lad, and he caught his arm with a + grip of iron. + </p> + <p> + It was of no use trying to hold back. Omas half running, half leaping, + drove his way like a wedge through the surging swarm. His left hand closed + around the upper arm of Ben, while his right grasped his tomahawk, he + having thrown aside his rifle. + </p> + <p> + The boy was repeatedly jerked almost off his feet. He could run fast, but + was not equal to this warrior, who forged along with resistless might. + Twice did an Iroquois make for the young prisoner, as he supposed the lad + to be, but a warning motion of the tomahawk upheld by Omas repelled him. + </p> + <p> + The Delaware was prudent, and instead of keeping in the midst of the + surging mass, worked to one side, so that they were soon comparatively + free from the tumultuous throng. + </p> + <p> + There was no attempt at conversation between the Delaware and Ben. The boy + knew what was meant by this rough kindness. The day was lost, and his + thoughts went out to the loved ones waiting down the valley to learn the + result of the battle. He wanted to get to them as quickly as he could. + </p> + <p> + The rush carried them beyond the main body of fugitives, though not out of + danger, for the Iroquois were pursuing hard; but soon Omas loosened his + grip and dropped the arm of the lad. They were far enough removed from the + swirl to exchange words. + </p> + <p> + "Where moder—where Alice?", asked the Delaware, as if he had no + concern for his own child. + </p> + <p> + "At Forty Fort." + </p> + <p> + "Linna with them?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes; they are together with the other folks." + </p> + <p> + "Go dere—tell cross riber—make haste to Del'mware." + </p> + <p> + This command meant that the little party should hurry to the eastern side + of the Susquehanna, and start for the settlements on the Upper Delaware. + The nearest town was Stroudsburg, sixty miles distant, and the way led + through a dismal forest. + </p> + <p> + The words of Omas showed, too, that he knew what was coming. Though the + British Colonel Butler might accept the surrender and strive to give fair + treatment to the prisoners, he would find it hard to restrain the Tories + and Indians. + </p> + <p> + All that could be done was for the fugitives to flee, without an hour's + delay. They were already flocking to the river in the effort to reach the + other side. A good many hid among the grass and undergrowth on Monacacy + Island, where the Tories and Indians followed, and hunted them out without + mercy. + </p> + <p> + Those who were wise enough to set out in time had a chance of arriving at + the settlements on the Upper Delaware, though much suffering was sure to + follow, since there was no time to prepare food to take with them. + </p> + <p> + The remark of Omas prompted Ben's words—"How can I get mother, and + Alice and Linna, to the other side? They cannot swim the river." + </p> + <p> + "Linna swim," was the somewhat proud answer; "she take care of Alice you + take care of moder." + </p> + <p> + "I might at any other time, but with the people crowding around us, and + the Indians at our heels and shooting down all they can, what chance have + we? Why can't you come with me and help them?" + </p> + <p> + No doubt the Delaware had asked himself the question, for he answered it + not by words, but by breaking into a loping trot for Forty Fort, with Ben + running at his side. He halted before reaching the refuge, and turned + aside among the bushes overhanging the edge of the river, his actions + showing he was searching for something. + </p> + <p> + He speedily found a canoe, probably his own. It had been so skillfully + hidden among the dense undergrowth that one might have passed within a + couple of paces without seeing it. + </p> + <p> + He picked it up as if it were a toy boat and set it down in the water. + </p> + <p> + "Go bring moder—bring Alice—bring Linna." + </p> + <p> + Ben was off like a shot, for he knew there was not a minute to throw away. + It was the season when the days were longest, and two or three hours must + pass before it would be fully night. + </p> + <p> + It would not do for Omas to go with Ben. His appearance at the fort would + add to the panic, and be almost certain to bring about a conflict with + some of the whites. It was his province to guard the precious canoe from + being taken by other fugitives. + </p> + <p> + Ben Ripley now thought only of his loved ones. He knew the anguish his + mother would suffer until she learned he was safe, and he forced his way + to the spot where he had parted from her. + </p> + <p> + It was a sad experience. Old men, women and children, with white faces, + were rushing to and fro, wringing their hands and wailing, searching for + those whom they never again would see in this life; crowding into the + little fort, as if they knew a minute's delay would be fatal; some making + for the river, into which they plunged in a wild effort to reach the + eastern shore, while among the frantic masses appeared here and there a + fugitive from the scene of battle, perhaps wounded and telling his + dreadful story of the defeat, with all the woeful consequences that were + certain to follow. + </p> + <p> + With much difficulty and some rough work the lad reached the spot where he + had bidden his mother and the children goodbye, but none of the three was + in sight. They had been swept aside by the rush of the terrified people. + </p> + <p> + A cry sounded above the tumult, and before he could learn where it came + from, the arms of his mother were about his neck. + </p> + <p> + "Thank Heaven! my boy is safe! You do not know what I have suffered. I + could learn nothing about you. Are you hurt?" + </p> + <p> + "Not a scratch—which is more than many other poor fellows can say. + Where are the children?" + </p> + <p> + A tiny hand was slipped into his own, and looking down, there stood Linna, + with her forefinger between her teeth, looking shyly up at him. There + could be no doubt she felt fully acquainted. + </p> + <p> + Alice came forward on the other side. Neither understood the cause of the + turmoil about them. They were not scared, but were awed into silence. + </p> + <p> + "I saw Omas," explained Ben to his mother; "he saved me from the fate of + many others." + </p> + <p> + "Where is he?" + </p> + <p> + "A little way off, under the bank, waiting with his canoe, to take us + across the river. + </p> + <p> + "He says we must hurry through the woods for the settlements on the Upper + Delaware. Every hour that we stay increases our danger." + </p> + <p> + "Let me take Alice; lead the way." + </p> + <p> + Clasping tight the hand of Linna, with his mother at his heels, Ben pushed + for the point where he had left the Delaware a few minutes before. + </p> + <p> + Strange that though the distance was not far, and the confusion seemed to + be increasing every minute, the little party had not gone half way when + they were checked by one of the men that had been in the battle. He was + slightly wounded, and under the influence of liquor. + </p> + <p> + "Who's that you've got with you?" he demanded, looking down at Linna, who + saw no danger in the act. + </p> + <p> + "A friend of Alice and me." + </p> + <p> + "She looks like an Injin," added the soldier, scowling threateningly at + her; "if she is, I want her." + </p> + <p> + "I told you she is a friend of ours—get out of my way!" + </p> + <p> + The soldier's condition enabled Ben to tumble him over on his back by + means of a vigorous shove. Before he could steady himself and get upon his + feet again, the others were beyond reach. + </p> + <p> + I am sure he would not have acted that way, had he been in the possession + of his senses. + </p> + <p> + When Ben parted from Omas, he was without a rifle, but on joining him + again, the warrior had a fine weapon in his hand. It was not the one with + which he appeared at the house. The lad might have guessed how he got it, + but he did not ask any questions, nor seem to notice it. + </p> + <p> + As the party came up, Omas merely glanced at Mrs. Ripley and her child, + but did not speak. As for his own little girl, he gave her no notice. + Young as she was, she understood him, and did not claim any attention from + him. If they had been alone, she would have been in his arms with their + cheeks together. + </p> + <p> + "Go 'cross," said he, pointing toward the other shore. + </p> + <p> + "Ben has told me what you said: we are ready," replied Mrs. Ripley. + </p> + <p> + He held the canoe steady and motioned her to take her place in it. She did + so, and Alice nestled at her feet, being careful not to stir, for such + frail craft are easily upset. + </p> + <p> + The canoe was small, and the weight of the mother and child sank it quite + low, though it would hold another adult. + </p> + <p> + "Get in," added Omas to the lad. + </p> + <p> + Ben obeyed. He knew all about such boats, and could have paddled it across + had there been a paddle to use, but there was none. + </p> + <p> + When the Delaware laid his rifle inside with Ben's, it was evident he + intended to swim, towing or shoving the boat. + </p> + <p> + "Come, Linna, there's just room for you," added the youth, reaching out + his hand for the dusky little girl. + </p> + <p> + Instead of obeying, she looked up at her father and said something to + which he made answer brusquely, as it sounded to the others. + </p> + <p> + Retreating several paces from shore, she ran nimbly to the edge of the + bank, and with a leap splashed away beyond the bow of the canoe, and began + swimming like a fish for the eastern shore. + </p> + <p> + It was a real treat for her, even though she did not remove any of her + clothing. The weather was sultry, and the bath refreshingly cool. Not + comprehending the sad scenes around her, she dived, and splashed, and + frolicked, easily keeping in advance of the boat. + </p> + <p> + Truth to tell, the canoe had all it could hold, and Omas, who swam at the + stern, handled it with care to prevent it overturning. The water rose + almost to the gunwales, and a little jolt or carelessness would have + capsized it. + </p> + <p> + The Delaware swam high out of water. He knew the boat would attract the + attention of some of his own people on the bank, who, if they thought the + occupants were escaping, would either pursue or fire on them. + </p> + <p> + The sight of the Indian, however, at the stern would make it appear that + they were already prisoners, and the other warriors would give their + attention elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + Omas kept clear of Monacacy Island, and by and by his feet touched ground. + Before that, the dripping Linna had run out on land, and so the whole + party safely reached the eastern shore. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER FIVE: IN THE WOODS + </h2> + <p> + You have not forgotten what I told you about the mountain range, which + shuts in Wyoming Valley on the east. It is a thousand feet in height, + abounding with ravines, clefts, rocks, boulders and the most rugged kind + of places. + </p> + <p> + The fugitives who fled from the Susquehanna to escape the Indians had to + make their way over these mountains, and then find their way through sixty + miles of trackless woods to the Delaware River. A great many succeeded in + doing so, but the deaths and sufferings in the vast stretch of forest gave + it the dreadful name of "The Shades of Death," by which it is often + referred to even to this day. + </p> + <p> + Omas swam at the rear of the small canoe, as I told you, with Mrs. Ripley + and her two children seated inside and balancing themselves with great + care to prevent the heavily loaded craft from sinking or overturning. + </p> + <p> + More than one Seneca or Oneida Indian, or perhaps a Tory, that had chased + some terrified fugitives to the edge of the river, halted and made ready + to fire upon the canoe, whose occupants were seen to be three white + persons. + </p> + <p> + When they looked again, however, they observed the head and shoulders of + an Indian warrior, who was plainly propelling the craft in front of him. + That was enough to satisfy them. + </p> + <p> + On the way over, Linna, the little Indian girl, amused herself by diving + under the canoe, sometimes appearing on one side and then on the other, + sometimes in front and then at the rear. She even ventured to impose upon + her father by splashing water in his painted face. She did little of that, + and he paid no attention to it. + </p> + <p> + The sun had not yet set when the grim warrior and his child emerged on the + eastern shore, their garments dripping, but caring nothing for that. The + boat was drawn far enough up the bank to prevent its being swept away by + the current, and then all stood side by side, and as if by a common + impulse, looked back at the shore they had left. + </p> + <p> + The smoke from the burning Fort Wintermoot still rested on the calm + surface of the river, and filtered among the green vegetation near the + scene of the battle. Other buildings had been fired, and mingled their + vapor with it. + </p> + <p> + Here and there, every minute or two, sounded the sharp crack of a rifle. + This too often meant that some fugitive had been run down by his cruel + pursuer, who listened to no pleadings for mercy. A good many had taken + refuge on Monacacy Island, from which the reports of guns continually + came. + </p> + <p> + I have not the space here to tell you of the wonderful escapes at Wyoming, + the particulars of which I have given in another work. + </p> + <p> + One boy, who was with several men near Fort Jenkins before the battle, saw + all the men shot down or captured; but he hid himself among some willows + and was not noticed. + </p> + <p> + If you ever visit the scene of the battle, you will notice a broad, flat + stone, called Queen Esther's Rock, a half dozen miles below Wilkesbarre. + Queen Esther was an old, cruel, half breed woman who came with the + Indians. She is sometimes known as Katharine Montour. A son of hers was + killed in the conflict, and she was so angered that she had sixteen + captives placed around the rock, and meant to slay them all, while the + warriors prevented them from escaping. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless two of the young men jumped up and started on a run for the + river. The guards dashed after them. One caught his toe, and rolled + headlong down the bank into some bushes. Instead of springing up again, as + he first started to do, he lay still, and though the Indians almost + stepped upon him, he was not discovered, and got off without harm. + </p> + <p> + The other reached the river, took a running leap and dived, and swam under + water as far as he could. When he came up to breathe, the waiting red men + fired at him again and again. He was wounded, but not badly, and, reaching + the other side, caught a stray horse, made a bridle from a hickory withe, + and soon joined his friend. + </p> + <p> + Another fugitive, after running until he was so tired out he could hardly + stand, and hearing the Indians near, backed into a hollow log and awaited + his fate. He had been in the hollow but a few minutes when a spider spun + its web across the entrance. A few minutes later, two warriors sat down on + the log. They noticed how good a hiding place it would be for the white + man, and one of them leaned over to peep in. As he did so, he saw the + spider web. He was sure that it would not be there if the man was inside, + and did not search further. When the warriors left, the man crawled out + and got safely away. + </p> + <p> + You know that the home of the Ripleys was on the eastern shore, which they + left that same morning. They had crossed over in a large flatboat with a + number of other families, so that now they were near their own home again. + Omas had guided the canoe, too, so they landed not far from the little + structure. + </p> + <p> + "Omas," said the mother, "I understand you wish us to go to the Delaware." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," he replied, "Iroquois won't hurt you there—must go." + </p> + <p> + "We haven't a particle of food with us; Ben has his gun and may have a + chance to shoot some game on the way—more than likely, he will have + no chance at all; it will take us several days to reach Stroudsburg, + which, I believe, is the nearest point. Don't you think it best that we + should stop at the house and get what food we can?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, we do dat; come 'long; not great time." + </p> + <p> + There could be no safer guide than the Delaware, when his race were such + complete masters of the situation; though there was risk that a patriot + hiding somewhere in the neighborhood might take a shot at him, under the + belief that he meant harm to the captives. + </p> + <p> + The humble log structure was found just as it was left that morning. If + any of the marauding bands of Indians paid it a visit, they did not linger + after seeing it was tenantless. + </p> + <p> + There was a whole loaf of bread and part of another left beside some + cooked chicken, and a number of live ones were scratching the ground + outside, as if they had no concern in what was going on. + </p> + <p> + "The weather is warm now," remarked the prudent housewife, "but a cold + storm may set in before we reach shelter." + </p> + <p> + With which she folded a blanket from her bed and laid it over her arm. + </p> + <p> + "It will come handy to sleep on," added Ben, who did the same with a + second, despite the weight of his rifle, which (as they were made in those + days) was a good load of itself for a strong boy. + </p> + <p> + Omas showed some impatience, though his companions did not understand the + cause. His actions, indeed, were curious. They supposed he meant to + conduct them all or a greater part of the way to Stroudsburg, though at + times he appeared to be hesitating over it, or over some other scheme he + had in mind. + </p> + <p> + Ben Ripley had rambled among the rugged scenery, on the eastern shore of + the river, having gone with his father many times when he was on hunting + excursions; but he was not as familiar with the ins and outs of the + mountains as the Delaware, whose village was a good many miles away. + </p> + <p> + None of the party had eaten anything of account since the early morning + meal, before they crossed the Susquehanna. The dangers, excitement, and + suspense of the hours drove away the thought of food. Young as was Linna, + she had already learned not to ask for it when either of her parents chose + not to offer it to her. Doubtless she was hungry, but if so, no one else + knew it. Alice had been given bread when at Forty Fort, and she now + suggested that some more would not come amiss. + </p> + <p> + "We all need it," said Ben; "why not take our last meal in our old home? + You have no objection Omas?" + </p> + <p> + "Eat here," was his reply. + </p> + <p> + The guns were leaned against the walls, the blankets put aside and all + gathered round the board. The Delaware had done the same before when + visiting the family, and acquired the civilized form of eating, while + Linna picked it up during the brief time spent with her friends. + </p> + <p> + The meal lasted but a few minutes, when they once more gathered up their + luggage, as it may be called, left the house, and with Omas in the lead, + struck into the mountains on the long tramp to the Delaware. + </p> + <p> + The sun went down while they were picking their way through the rough + section. The Ripleys expected to do much hard travelling, but their + guide's knowledge of every turn enabled him to pick out paths which none + ever suspected. Sometimes the climbing was abrupt, but all, even to Alice, + were accustomed to that kind of work, and they kept up a steady gait, + which must have placed many miles to the rear if continued long. + </p> + <p> + Omas continued at the head. Directly behind him walked his child, the path + most of the time being so narrow that they were obliged to travel in + Indian file. Then came Alice and her mother, while Ben considered himself + the rearguard. When the space allowed, Alice took the hand of her parent, + but Linna never presumed to speak to or interfere with her grim, silent + parent. + </p> + <p> + Darkness closed around them before they had gone a couple of miles. During + all this time the tramp continued in silence, probably not a dozen words + being spoken. Each of the three elder was using eyes and ears to the + utmost. + </p> + <p> + The sharp crack of a rifle broke the silence, not more than a hundred + yards to the right of them. Everyone started except Omas, who acted as if + he did not hear the report. He made no change in his pace, and so far as + the others could see in the gloom, did not turn his head. They concluded, + therefore, that no cause for alarm existed. + </p> + <p> + Fairly through the mountain spur and among the deep woods, the journey was + pushed until the night was well along. Suddenly, Omas made a short turn to + the right and stopping in a hollow, where there were several large + boulders, he said—"We stay here all night." + </p> + <p> + The words were a surprise, for it was expected he would travel for a long + time. He, Mrs. Ripley and Linna could have done so without inconvenience, + but Alice was tired out. Her relatives were pretty well burdened already, + though either would have carried her had it been necessary; but the party + had gained so good a start that there seemed little risk in making a long + stop. + </p> + <p> + Omas reached down one hand and laid it on the bare head of Alice, saying + in a voice of strange gentleness—"Little girl tired—she can + rest." + </p> + <p> + And then all knew he had ceased walking because of her. Had she not been a + member of the party, he would have kept the rest on their feet until the + sun appeared above the forest. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I'm tired, Omas," said the little one wearily, holding the hand of + the Delaware in both her own; "I'm glad you stopped." + </p> + <p> + The gloom was so deep, for there was no moon until very late (and if there + had been, its rays could not have pierced the dense foliage), that they + could hardly see each other's figures. Omas hastily gathered some leaves + and dead twigs, which were heaped together against one of the boulders. + Then he produced his flint and steel—for he had learned the trick + long before of the whites—and by and by a shower of sparks was + flying from the swift, sharp blows of the metal against the hard stone. A + minute later one of the sparks "caught," and under his nursing a fire was + speedily under way. + </p> + <p> + While he was thus engaged, Mrs. Ripley spread the blankets on the ground + and Alice stretched her tired little body upon one of them. + </p> + <p> + "Mamma, I guess God will excuse me for not saying my prayers," she + murmured, as she closed her eyes and sank into slumber. + </p> + <p> + Linna was tired, too, but she kept her feet and looked at her father for + his permission, before presuming to lie down. + </p> + <p> + "Come, Linna, here is your place beside Alice," said the mother kindly. + </p> + <p> + Again she turned to her father, who was standing by the fire, looking off + in the gloom, as if he suspected something wrong. + </p> + <p> + He gave the permission in their native tongue and she cuddled down beside + her friend without further waiting. + </p> + <p> + "Mother," said Ben, "you had better lie down with them." + </p> + <p> + "Not yet," she replied, with a significant look at he Delaware, whose back + was toward them. + </p> + <p> + "What about him?" asked the surprised lad in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + "He is meditating something evil: he wants to leave us. + </p> + <p> + "What evil is there in that, if he thinks we have gone far enough to be + safe?" + </p> + <p> + "You have forgotten that he fought with the Iroquois today; he wants to go + back to Wyoming and join them in their work." + </p> + <p> + "If that is so, how can we hinder him?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know that we can; but I shall try it." + </p> + <p> + Ben busied himself gathering more wood, so that the fire cast a glow + several yards from where it burned against the boulder. + </p> + <p> + When he had collected enough to last a long while, he came back and sat + down by his mother. All this time the Delaware remained motionless, with + his face away from them. He was debating some troublous question in his + mind. They watched him closely. + </p> + <p> + He turned about abruptly, and said—"Omas must go—he say + 'goodnight' to his friends." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER SIX: PUSHING EASTWARD + </h2> + <p> + No person in all the world is so quick to detect deception as a mother. It + is simply wonderful the way she will sometimes read one's thoughts. I am + sure you boys who have lagged on the road when sent on an errand, had a + scrimmage with some other boy, or done any one of the numerous acts in + which a mother persists in asking annoying questions, will agree with me. + </p> + <p> + While Omas, the Delaware warrior, stood with his face turned away from the + camp fire and looking off in the gloom, as if he was trying to discover + something in the darkness, Mrs. Ripley was sure she knew what the trouble + was: he was trying to decide whether he should stay longer with the little + party or leave them to make the rest of their way through the woods + without him. + </p> + <p> + He might well say they were now so far from Wyoming that they were in + little danger. They had but to keep on tramping for several days and + nights, and they would reach the little town of Stroudsburg, which, you + may know, is near Delaware Water Gap. There they need have no fear of the + red men. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley knew all this as well as Omas himself, but she did not wish + him to go back and join the hostile Iroquois, as he wanted to do. She felt + it would be far better if he would stay with them, for then he would do no + further harm to the white people. + </p> + <p> + When, therefore, he turned about and bade them goodbye, all doubt was + gone. Ben did not reply, but his mother rose from the other blanket on + which she had been sitting, walked quietly to where the Delaware was + standing, and laid her hand kindly on his arm. + </p> + <p> + "Omas, I do not wish you to leave us," she said. + </p> + <p> + He looked at her, for both stood where the firelight fell upon their + faces, and replied—"No danger—walk towards the rising sun—need + not walk fast—Iroquois won't hurt—soon be safe." + </p> + <p> + The lady was too wise to let her real objection appear. + </p> + <p> + "A while ago we heard the noise of a gun; our people are fleeing through + the woods, and the red men are following them. Alice is tired, and we have + stopped to rest. When we start again tomorrow, some of the red men will be + ahead of us. What shall we do without our friend Omas?" + </p> + <p> + "He have gun." he replied, indicating Ben. + </p> + <p> + "So have the red men, and there are more of them." + </p> + <p> + Now, if Mrs. Ripley was skilful in reading the thoughts of the Delaware, + it may be that he, too, suspected the real cause for her objections. Be + that as it may, it was plain he was not satisfied. He held the Ripley + family in too high regard to offend them openly; but Omas was set in his + ways. + </p> + <p> + He made no reply to the last remark, but stepped a little nearer the fire + and sat down, moody and silent. + </p> + <p> + "You have said enough, mother," remarked Ben in a low voice; "it will + anger him to say more. I will sit with my head against the rock; do you + lie down on the blanket and let your head rest in my lap. I think it will + be safe for us all." + </p> + <p> + With some hesitation the mother complied, the Delaware apparently paying + no heed to them. He kept his seat on the ground, looking gloomily into the + fire and in deep thought. A struggle was going on in his mind, and no one + could say whether the good or evil would win. + </p> + <p> + Ben Ripley was anxious that his mother should sleep. She had undergone the + severest of trials since early morning, and none had wrought harder than + she. The morrow would make further demands on her strength. As for + himself, he was young, sturdy, and could stand more and rally sooner than + she. + </p> + <p> + When, therefore, she said something in a low tone, he placed his hand + softly over her mouth and whispered—"S—h! go to sleep, baby." + </p> + <p> + He smoothed the silky hair away from the forehead so gently and so + soothingly that she could not resist the effect. She meant to keep awake + until Omas made his final decision; but no person can resist the approach + of slumber, except by active movement. + </p> + <p> + Before long, and while Ben's hand was still gliding like down over the + forehead, the faint, regular breathing showed she was asleep. + </p> + <p> + The son smiled. + </p> + <p> + "Good! The best mother that ever lived! Heavenly Father, watch over her + and spare her for many years. Watch over us all." + </p> + <p> + He looked across at Omas, on the other side of the camp fire, and saw the + Delaware gazing fixedly at him. + </p> + <p> + He arose as silently as a shadow and stepped nearer, peering down on the + pale, handsome face with its closed eyes. + </p> + <p> + "She sleep?" asked the Indian. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," replied Ben, softly, with a nod of his head. + </p> + <p> + He looked at her a moment and then across to the other blanket, where the + round, chubby cheeks of the little girls reflected the firelight. He + waited a moment, and then the gentler side of his nature triumphed. He + bent over the forms, kissed each in turn, straightened up, and pointing to + the eastward, said to Ben—"Go dat way—you safe—goodbye." + </p> + <p> + "Goodbye," replied the lad, knowing it was useless to protest. + </p> + <p> + Like the gliding of the shadow of a cloud, the Delaware passed beyond the + circle of light thrown out by the fire into the deep gloom of the wood. + The moccasins pressed the dry leaves without giving back any sound, and he + vanished. + </p> + <p> + "That makes a change of situation," was the conclusion of Ben Ripley; + "he's gone, and I become the general of this army; there's no telling what + danger may be abroad tonight, so I will keep my eyes open till sunrise, to + make sure that no harm comes to these folks." + </p> + <p> + And ten minutes after this decision the lad was as sound asleep as his + mother and the two little ones. + </p> + <p> + But there was One who did not slumber while all were unconscious. He ever + watches over His children, and,—though there were many perils abroad + that night, none of them came near our friends. + </p> + <p> + The camp fire which had been burning so brightly grew dimmer and lower + until the figures could hardly be seen. They gradually became more + indistinct, and finally the gloom was as deep as anywhere in the dense + woods. Only a few smouldering embers were left, and they gave out no glow. + </p> + <p> + Ben was still sleeping, when something tickled his nose. He rubbed it + vigorously with his forefinger and opened his eyes, confused and + bewildered. + </p> + <p> + An odd, chuckling laugh at his elbow drew his gaze hither. There stood + Linna, with the sprig of oak which she had been passing back and forth + under the base of his nose, making it feel for all the world like a fly + titillating his nostrils. + </p> + <p> + Ben made an attempt to catch the mischievous girl, but she deftly eluded + him, and laughed so heartily that the others awoke and looked wonderingly + to learn what it all meant. + </p> + <p> + "I'll pay you for that!" exclaimed the lad, as his mother raised her head + from his lap. Bounding to his feet, he darted after Linna, but she was so + nimble, and dodged back and forth and from right to left so fast, that it + took much effort to run her down. + </p> + <p> + Like all little girls, she was very "ticklish," and when he dallied with + his fingers about her plump neck, she dropped to the ground and kicked and + rolled over to get away from him. He let her up, and said with pretended + gravity that he never allowed any trifling with him without punishing the + person therefore. + </p> + <p> + Linna did not seem to notice the absence of her father, and asked no + questions. Ben told his mother how he went off after she fell asleep, and + the good woman saddened, for she was sure she understood it all. + </p> + <p> + The first thing done, after a few minutes' talk, was to kneel in prayer, + Mrs. Ripley leading in a petition to Heaven that all might be preserved + from harm and reach the distant settlement safely. She did not forget the + absent Omas, or the hundreds of hapless people whom they had left behind, + who were still in great danger. + </p> + <p> + It was Mrs. Ripley's custom always to offer prayer in the little household + at the beginning of each day. Linna, who had gained a dim idea of what the + touching act meant, bent on her knees beside Alice; and who shall say the + petition which went up from her heart was not heard and remembered by Him + who notices the fall of every sparrow. + </p> + <p> + And now came the serious business of the day. Many long miles of trackless + forest lay before them and the delay caused all to feel the need of hurry. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley gave to each a moderate portion of the food brought with them, + carefully preserving what was left, for they were sure to need that and + much more before reaching the end of their journey. The day promised to be + sultry like the preceding one, and each sadly missed the water with which + to quench their thirst and splash upon their faces and hands. + </p> + <p> + "We shall come across some before long," said Ben hopefully when he and + his mother had divided the luggage between them and set out toward the + rising sun; "we are a great deal better off than the poor folks of + Wyoming." + </p> + <p> + The mother pinched the clothing of Linna, and found it dried of the + moisture gained by her swim in the Susquehanna. + </p> + <p> + It is a curious practice among not only the Indians, but with many white + people, not to change wet stockings or garments for dry ones. I knew a + fisherman's boy whose father once punished him for removing his saturated + stockings and shoes for others. + </p> + <p> + "Always let 'em dry on you, and you won't catch cold," was his doctrine. + "Keep moving if you can, but don't change 'em." + </p> + <p> + I don't believe in the practice; but be that as it may, the little + Delaware girl showed no ill effects from sleeping in the clothing that had + been wet. As for her father, he would have been insulted at the mention of + such a thing to him. + </p> + <p> + Ben's belief about finding water proved true. They had gone hardly a half + mile from camp when they came upon a sparkling brook, cold and clear, and + abundant enough to serve all. Having no vessels with them, they lay down + and quaffed their fill. Then they bathed their faces and hands in the + delicious fluid, and were much refreshed. + </p> + <p> + The expectation was that they would travel a good many miles before night + again overtook them. The way, while rough and broken in many places, was + not hard, and all, even to the smaller children, were used to being on + their feet. There was little fear indeed that Linna would not do her part + as well as the older ones. Young as she was in years, she had been trained + to hardship from the time she could walk. Not only that, but, like all her + race, she had learned to bear suffering in silence and without sign of + pain. + </p> + <p> + She would have to become very tired before her companions would know it. + </p> + <p> + By and by the ground was found to be rising, and in the course of an hour + they gained an elevation which, having few trees, gave them an extended + view of the surrounding country. + </p> + <p> + Looking back in the direction of Wyoming, the sky was seen to be soiled by + the heavy smoke not only from the burned Fort Wintermoot, but from other + buildings that had been fired by the Tories and Indians. The sight was a + sorrowful one, and caused the mother and son some uneasiness. They seemed + nearer to the scene of the conflict than they had supposed, and—since + the people had been continually swimming the river, and taking flight in + the woods for the same point that was the destination of the Ripleys—it + was quite certain that some of the pursuers were not far off. + </p> + <p> + "We must make as little noise as we can," said Ben, when the party were + about to start forward again: "for there can be no telling how close we + are to Indians that are looking for us.' + </p> + <p> + "I think it better for you to walk a little way in front," suggested the + mother, "so as to warn us in time." + </p> + <p> + "The plan is a good one. I will keep in sight of you, and the minute I see + anything amiss, will make a sign, so you can stop at once." + </p> + <p> + This course was adopted. Ben carried one of the blankets flung over his + left arm as if it were an extra garment, and steadied the heavy rifle on + his shoulder with the other. As you remember, he was tall for his years, + strong, and with rugged health. + </p> + <p> + Had the weather been cooler he could have Kept up this method of traveling + for hours without fatigue; but the heat made it trying. True, at that + season of the year the foliage was dense on the trees and shut out the + sun's rays, except in the open spaces and natural clearings which they now + and then crossed; but the vegetation also stopped whatever breeze was + stirring, and obliged the members of the party to halt many times to rest + and cool themselves. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley had but few extra things to carry, and showed less fatigue + than anyone, excepting the Delaware child. The latter and Alice walked + most of the time side by side, and generally with clasped hands. There was + no use of their trying to keep their tongues still, but they were wise + enough to speak in whispers and such soft undertones that no one else + could tell what they said, and therefore nothing was to be feared on that + account from any enemies in the neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + "Why not he make sign?" was the startling question of Linna, pointing at + Ben, before the party had gone far after their brief rest. + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean?" asked the puzzled Mrs. Ripley; "he isn't to make any + sign to us till he sees or hears something wrong." + </p> + <p> + "People off dere!" replied Linna, pointing ahead and to the right of their + course. "Me hear dem speak." + </p> + <p> + It was true. The keen ears of the child had discovered a peril that no one + else suspected. She alone had caught the sound of voices that escaped all + other ears. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER SEVEN: JABEZ ZITNER + </h2> + <p> + At this moment Ben Ripley was about a hundred feet in advance of the party + and ascending a ridge in the woods, which were so open that he was in + plain sight of the others. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley, on hearing the alarming words of the little Delaware girl, + came to a stop. It seemed strange that Linna should have caught the sounds + noticed by no one else, and that, too, while she was whispering to her + companion, Alice; but even at that tender age the inherited sharpness of + hearing had been trained to a wonderfully fine degree. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley was too prudent to argue with her. It was not wise to take any + chances. Above all, it was important that Ben should know the truth, for + he was still walking away from them with no knowledge of their discovery. + </p> + <p> + "S—h!" The sibilant noise made by the mother's lips crossed the + space and the listening lad halted and looked round. She did not speak, + but beckoned him to come back. He obeyed at once. + </p> + <p> + "Linna says she heard voices a minute ago, over yonder," whispered Mrs. + Ripley, as her son joined them. + </p> + <p> + "So me did," added Linna, in answer to the inquiring look of the lad. + </p> + <p> + "You have sharp ears, little one; but are you sure?" + </p> + <p> + "Me am," was the confident reply. + </p> + <p> + "Where were they?" + </p> + <p> + She again pointed out the direction. + </p> + <p> + "That must be looked into: wait till I come back, and—" + </p> + <p> + "S—h!" interrupted the mother. + </p> + <p> + All caught an indistinct murmur, which proved Linna was right. + </p> + <p> + "Me tell you—eh?" she said in a proud undertone, her black eyes + sparkling with triumph. + </p> + <p> + "You are right: wait till I learn whether they are friends or enemies. I + will not be gone long." + </p> + <p> + Leaving the anxious group clustered together, Ben faced in the direction + of the sounds, which had stopped, and were so faint when heard that he + could not tell whether they belonged to friends or foes. + </p> + <p> + As nearly as he could find out, the parties were just beyond the crest of + the ridge, and, but for the warning of Linna, he would have run into the + danger before knowing it. + </p> + <p> + With the utmost care he went up the slope. He leaned forward and stepped + more slowly, avoiding, so far as he could, making any noise on the leaves + or against the bushes and limbs which he had to push aside to allow him to + advance. + </p> + <p> + At the instant of reaching the highest point he heard the voices again, so + close that he knew they were made by white people, who were in a clump of + dense undergrowth. A faint wreath of smoke filtering through the branches + overhead showed they had started a small fire, beside which they were + probably sitting or reclining on the ground. + </p> + <p> + Now that he was certain they belonged to his own race, he had less fear. + Still, they might prove unpleasant neighbors when they came to know one of + the party was a daughter of Omas. Turning toward his friends, who were + watching him, Ben made a sign for them to stay where they were while he + went forward. + </p> + <p> + He moved with the same care as before, but an unexpected accident spoiled + everything. His foot caught in a wire-like vine, and he almost fell on his + hands and knees. Aware that he had betrayed himself, he threw aside + further caution, hurried down the slope, and called out in a guarded + undertone— + </p> + <p> + "Helloa there, friends!" + </p> + <p> + "Who are you?" was the demand that instantly followed, and from the + undergrowth, beside a small fire, two men suddenly rose upright, each with + rifle in hand. + </p> + <p> + Ben recognized them. One was Jabez Zitner and the other Horace Burwink—both + middle aged, sturdy, and strong. They were neighbors, and had taken part + in the engagement the day before, but, escaping without harm, were now on + their way to the settlements of the Upper Delaware. + </p> + <p> + A meeting of this kind would have been pleasing in the highest degree, for + it added great strength to the party; but a misgiving came to the lad when + he recognized Zitner. He was the man who, when partially intoxicated the + previous afternoon, had tried to take Linna from him and was vigorously + shoved aside by her friend. + </p> + <p> + "Helloa, Ben! where did you come from?" asked Zitner, who was now entirely + himself. + </p> + <p> + "Glad to see you," added Burwink, and the two extended their hands. "You + gave us a great scare, for the woods are full of redskins." + </p> + <p> + "You startled me, too," replied Ben. "I am travelling with my mother and + sister to Stroudsburg. I suppose you are aiming for the same place?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes—if we ever get there. What become of that little sarpent you + had with you yesterday?" + </p> + <p> + It was Zitner who asked the question. Ben's face flushed, for he did not + like to hear Linna spoken of in that way. + </p> + <p> + "She is with us," he quietly replied. + </p> + <p> + "What are you going to do with her?" + </p> + <p> + "She is in our care, and goes wherever we go." + </p> + <p> + "You seem mighty fond of the people who played the mischief with us + yesterday." + </p> + <p> + "Jabez Zitner, I fought just as hard as you, and did all I could to drive + back the Iroquois and Tories, but I don't fight little children six years + old." + </p> + <p> + "Who's talking about fighting 'em?" demanded Zitner angrily. "Their people + didn't spare our women and children." + </p> + <p> + "They are savages, but you and I claim to be civilized." + </p> + <p> + "That's all well enough, but my motto is—fight fire with fire." + Burwink was listening to this sharp interchange of words, the meaning of + which he caught. Wishing to make a friend of him, for Ben foresaw trouble, + he asked—"Am I not right, Mr. Burwink?" + </p> + <p> + "I should say—on general principles you are; but, after yesterday, I + don't feel much love for any of the varmints. Who is this Injin gal that + you are talking about?" + </p> + <p> + Ben was too wise to give the name of Linna's father, knowing he would be + instantly recognized as one of the fiercest warriors that had taken part + in the invasion and battle. He therefore replied— + </p> + <p> + "She is a girl named Linna; she is of the same age as our Alice, and was + visiting her when we crossed the river to Forty Fort yesterday morning. We + could do nothing but take her with us, and I will defend her with my + life." + </p> + <p> + "You are talking big," remarked Zitner, with a scornful look at the sturdy + lad. "Who is the gal's father?" + </p> + <p> + "That makes no difference; but I will say he belongs to the Delaware + tribe, most of whom are friends to our people." + </p> + <p> + "There were plenty of them with the Senecas and Oneidas yesterday, and + they fought like wild cats, too. But why don't you bring your folks + forward?" added Zitner, looking inquiringly around. + </p> + <p> + "I will do so. Wait a few minutes." + </p> + <p> + He strode back and over the top of the ridge, until he caught sight of the + frightened group. + </p> + <p> + "Come on!" he called, beckoning to them. "Mr. Zitner and Burwink are here, + and want to see you." + </p> + <p> + With an expression of thankfulness, Mrs. Ripley, clasping a hand of each + of the children, walked up the slope, and passed over to where the couple + awaited their approach by the camp fire. She shook hands with each, and + expressed her pleasure at meeting them. They did the same toward her, and + then all, with the exception of the children, seated themselves on the + fallen tree beside which the small fire was burning. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley had observed the little incident the preceding afternoon, when + Zitner tried to stop Linna. She was ill at ease, for she noticed how + sharply he looked at the child. She hoped, however, that now he was fully + himself, he would be ashamed of his action, or at least make no reference + to it. + </p> + <p> + No fear of her doing so. She showed her tact by leading the conversation + in another direction. + </p> + <p> + "When did you leave Wyoming?" + </p> + <p> + "Burwink and I didn't get a chance to swim over until nearly midnight, and + then we had a rough time of it. There were plenty of others that tried to + do the same and never got to this side." + </p> + <p> + "When did you leave?" asked Burwink of the lady. + </p> + <p> + "We crossed before it was dark." + </p> + <p> + "How did you manage it? Swim?" + </p> + <p> + "No; we came over in a canoe. A Delaware Indian, the father of Linna, swam + behind the boat and pushed it across. But for him, we never could have + gotten away." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley, like her son, meant to keep the name of their friend from + these men. There was no danger of either her or Ben telling it; but + neither thought of another means they had of learning it. + </p> + <p> + At this point, Alice went to her mother and leaned against her knees, with + her gaze on the faces of the men. She had been standing beside Linna, + whose eyes were never once removed from the displeasing countenance of + Zitner. + </p> + <p> + She must have noticed the incident referred to, for the expression on her + round face was of dislike and distrust. She stood further off from the men + than anyone else—silent, watchful, and suspicious. + </p> + <p> + Zitner now looked at her. + </p> + <p> + "Come here," he said coaxingly, extending his hand. + </p> + <p> + "No; me won't. Me don't like you," she replied, with an angry flirt and + backward step. + </p> + <p> + "Jingo!" exclaimed the surprised Zitner; "I didn't think she could talk + our lingo. Say, Miss Spitfire, what is your father's name?" + </p> + <p> + Before either Mrs. Ripley or her son could interpose, Linna answered + defiantly—"He Omas—great warrior—kill good many white + people—kill you!" + </p> + <p> + The reply caused consternation on the part of Mrs. Ripley and Ben, but the + boy shut his lips tight. He could not but admire the bravery of the child, + and he was determined to stand by her to the end. + </p> + <p> + The mother was in despair, but she relied mainly on persuasion and prayer. + </p> + <p> + With no idea of what all this meant, Alice looked in the face of each + person in turn while speaking. + </p> + <p> + "She's a chip off the old block," said Burwink, with a laugh. "She doesn't + seem to have much fear of you, Jabez." + </p> + <p> + "I am hopeful she will feel different when she grows older," soothingly + remarked Mrs. Ripley. + </p> + <p> + "I'd like to know what you build your hope on," replied Zitner, still + curiously watching the child. + </p> + <p> + "I expect to have her a good deal under my care, and I shall do all I can + to instruct her aright. This morning she knelt with us in prayer. You must + remember she is very young, and has heard little, if anything, of + Christianity." + </p> + <p> + Zitner shook his head. + </p> + <p> + "It's born in 'em, and you can't get it out." + </p> + <p> + "But, Mr. Zitner, you will not deny that we have a good many Christian + Indians. There are plenty of them at Gnadenhutten, and the Moravian + missionaries have been the means of turning hundreds from darkness to + light. If they can do that with full grown warriors and women, may we not + hope for the best from those of tender years?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know about that," was the dogged reply. "I never believed in this + conversion business." + </p> + <p> + "What can you mean by such a remark?" asked the shocked lady. + </p> + <p> + "I mean, religion is good enough for white people, but don't work with + Injins. They will pretend they're good, but are only waiting for a chance + to do mischief." + </p> + <p> + "The converted Delawares have never taken part in the wars against us. You + know that as well as I." + </p> + <p> + "How about Omas?" + </p> + <p> + "He makes no pretence of Christianity." + </p> + <p> + "And therefore has no claim on our indulgence." + </p> + <p> + "No one has said he has," observed Ben, coming to his mother's help; "he + will never ask quarter from you or any white man." + </p> + <p> + "Where is he now? He brought you over the river, but seems to have + deserted you." + </p> + <p> + "He left because he didn't think we had further need of his aid; we can + get along without him." + </p> + <p> + "Now, see here," added Zitner, straightening up on the log and slapping + his knee; "I'll tell you what I've made up my mind to do. I am willing to + give in to Mrs. Ripley that far, that I won't harm that youngster—that + is, I will leave it to her father whether I shall or shan't." + </p> + <p> + Neither mother nor son could understand the meaning of this strange + remark. They waited for the man to explain. + </p> + <p> + "I'm going to take her with us as a hostage. We're not clear of the + varmints yet. I believe Omas himself ain't far off, and the rest will be + on our heels all the way to Stroudsburg. If they get us in a tight place, + I'll let 'em know we've got the gal of Omas with us, and if they harm a + hair of our heads it'll be all up with her. We'll take her clean to + Stroudsburg, and then turn her loose, for we won't have any further need + of her; but she must go with us." + </p> + <p> + "Jabez Zitner," said Ben Ripley—"the moment you lay your hand on + that child I will shoot you!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER EIGHT: LINNA'S WOODCRAFT + </h2> + <p> + No one could have looked into the face of Ben Ripley without seeing he + meant just what he said. + </p> + <p> + Jabez Zitner supposed, when he made known that he intended to take the + little Delaware girl with him as a hostage, that though it might be + displeasing to the Ripleys, they would not dare object; but he was + mistaken. + </p> + <p> + The lad was sitting furthest away on the fallen tree, with his rifle + resting across his knees, when he warned the man that if he laid a hand on + Linna he would shoot him. + </p> + <p> + Ben spoke low, but mingling with his words were two faint clicking sounds. + They were made by the hammer of his rifle, as with his thumb he drew it + back ready for use. His face was slightly pale, but his eyes glittered, + and he rose to his feet and looked at the startled man. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley gave a gasp of fright and clasped her hands, while the + children mutely stared. + </p> + <p> + Even Zitner was silent. He knew Ben's pluck, but did not believe it would + take him thus far, for it looked as if there were two adults against a + single boy. + </p> + <p> + Burwink however, was more of a man than his companion. He looked smilingly + at Ben and said—"Jabez, I reckon this has gone far enough." + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean?'" angrily asked the other. + </p> + <p> + "You must leave the little gal alone." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, thank you! thank you!" exclaimed Mrs. Ripley. "I might have known you + would see that right is done." + </p> + <p> + Zitner had a few sharp words with his friend, but the latter was + immovable. He would not listen to his proposition, and that ended the + matter. + </p> + <p> + "Well," finally said Zitner, rising to his feet, "I intended to see you + folks safe to the Delaware; but I won't have anything to do with you now. + Come, Horace." + </p> + <p> + He strode off without another word or looking to the right or left. + Burwink waited a minute, and then, with a quizzical look at Mrs. Ripley + and her son asked— + </p> + <p> + "Do you think you can stand it?" + </p> + <p> + "We shall have to," replied Ben. + </p> + <p> + "Well, goodbye, and good luck to you;" and he followed his friend among + the trees. + </p> + <p> + "That was a luckier ending than I expected," remarked Ben, letting down + the hammer of his rifle. + </p> + <p> + "If Mr. Burwink had sided with him, there would have been no help for it," + said his mother. + </p> + <p> + "Such people are always cowards. I wasn't afraid of him." + </p> + <p> + Now that they had departed, Linna came over to her champion—though + she could not have fully understood all that had passed—and placed + her hand confidingly on his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "Linna, I have two sisters," he said tenderly; "yonder is one, and her + name is Alice: can you tell me the name of the other?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes—she name be Linna." + </p> + <p> + "You are right. Now, if you will kiss me, I won't tickle you any more for + making my nose itch this morning." + </p> + <p> + The lips were put up to his, and with deep affection on the part of both, + the salute was exchanged. + </p> + <p> + "If any more white people show themselves, and they ask you your father's + name, let mother and me answer for you." + </p> + <p> + "Me do what you say," was the obedient response. + </p> + <p> + It need not be said that our friends were greatly relieved by the + departure of Zitner. While as I have already said, they ought to have been + glad of the company of him and Burwink, they would have been ill at ease + so long as the surly fellow was with them. He surely held no good will + toward the little girl, and would have found some chance to show it. + </p> + <p> + "But are we really rid of him?" asked Ben of his mother. The two sat close + to each other on the tree, and the children were playing a few steps away. + </p> + <p> + "I am quite sure we are." + </p> + <p> + "He may steal back tonight, if we camp near." + </p> + <p> + "Why should he? He does not want to harm Linna, but to use her as a means + of safety against her own people." + </p> + <p> + "That was what he said, but I don't believe him. It seems to me we ought + to change our course, to be certain of not meeting him again." + </p> + <p> + "As you think best." + </p> + <p> + "We have had a good rest. Come, girls, we must be off." Taking the lead as + before, Ben strode down the incline, bearing more to the left than he had + been doing. + </p> + <p> + All smiled at Linna, for she noticed the change on the instant. + </p> + <p> + "You go wrong," she said; "dat not right way." + </p> + <p> + "Which is the right way, Miss Smartness?" + </p> + <p> + She pointed it out. + </p> + <p> + "You are right, but that is the course of that bad man, who doesn't like + you. We will go around, so as not to see him again." + </p> + <p> + She was satisfied, and gave her attention to Alice, who thought it odd + that she and Ben should have so many disputes. + </p> + <p> + Over the varying surface, turning aside now and then to pass some obstacle + in the shape of rocks or ravines—now up hill and down, among the + dense trees, where the briars and bushes scratched their hands and faces, + across small rippling streams and natural clearings—they pushed on + until the sun was far beyond meridian and the halt and rest were grateful. + </p> + <p> + "I don't think we need give any more thought to Zitner," said Ben; "and I + am sure we are all glad. He could not find us now, if he tried." + </p> + <p> + "If they kept to their course, we must be several miles apart." + </p> + <p> + "I have been working my way back, so that, after all, I do not think we + have lost much ground. I hope Miss Linna is satisfied." + </p> + <p> + "She would make complaint if she was not." + </p> + <p> + They had stopped near another of the small running streams, for it was + harder to do without water than food. + </p> + <p> + "I'm hungry, mother." + </p> + <p> + "So we all are," she added, producing half a loaf, which was the last of + their food. + </p> + <p> + "To leave any portion of this will only aggravate all your appetites, so + we will finish it." + </p> + <p> + The bread was divided among the four, and when eating ceased not a crumb + was left. + </p> + <p> + "It isn't a good time of the year for hunting, mother, but if I can get + sight of any game, I'll bring it down, whether it is a deer, bear, wild + turkey, quail, or anything that will serve for a meal." + </p> + <p> + "It isn't a time to be particular—in watching for danger look also + for game." + </p> + <p> + "That's what I have been doing for the last few hours." + </p> + <p> + With the passage of time and the increase of the distance between them and + Wyoming the hopes of the little party naturally rose. They were now a good + many miles from their old home, and as yet had not seen a single red man. + That numbers were abroad there could be no doubt, although it is a fact + that a great many people did not start eastward until several days after + the battle. + </p> + <p> + But it was a long, long way to the Delaware, with the travelling such as + they had to face. I have spoken of the forest as being trackless and a + wrong impression may have been given. An old trail led from the + Susquehanna to the Delaware, and was followed by many of the fugitives; + but great risk was run by those who did so, for most of the pursuers used + the same path. As a consequence, some were overtaken and slain. + </p> + <p> + Those who avoided the beaten route of necessity suffered greater + hardships; but none was equal to that of meeting their enemies. Omas took + care to steer wide of this trail when leading the party into the wild + section to the east of the river, and he showed them that he wished them + to do the same. Ben was too wise to forget his wishes. + </p> + <p> + The location of the sun in the sky, the appearance of the bark and moss, + and the tops of certain trees, enabled the young woodman to keep a pretty + true course. He remarked, with a laugh, that if there was any likelihood + of going wrong, Linna would correct him. + </p> + <p> + The afternoon was well past before they came upon any more water, and, + with the warm weather and their long tramp, all suffered from thirst. They + were not traversing a desert country, however, and soon found what they + wanted in abundance. + </p> + <p> + "But," said Ben, "I am worried about food, mother. It is nearly night, and + we haven't a mouthful. I suppose if there was plenty, I wouldn't feel half + as bad, but it seems to me I was never so hungry in all my life." + </p> + <p> + "That is natural; but, if necessary, we can go all night without food." + </p> + <p> + "If necessary, of course we can, but I dread it. Alice and Linna will + suffer, though I'm not so sure about Linna. I would give almost anything + for a wild turkey." + </p> + <p> + The dusky child looked up from where she was sitting on the ground, + playing with Alice. + </p> + <p> + "Want turkey—eh?" she asked. + </p> + <p> + "Yes; have you any to sell?" + </p> + <p> + "Me get you one." + </p> + <p> + Mother and son stared in amazement. They could not believe she was in + earnest. She saw it and, with a grin, added—"Omas showed Linna how + get turkey." + </p> + <p> + "What can she be driving at?" asked the puzzled Ben. "She surely would not + say what she does without reason. Linna, teach Ben how to get a wild + turkey; we want one for supper, for if we don't have it, we shall all have + to go without food." + </p> + <p> + "Me hungry," she ventured; "so be Alice—so be you." + </p> + <p> + "You are right. Come, sister, show me how to catch a turkey." + </p> + <p> + She gravely rose from the ground. Her face appeared serious, but those who + looked at her closely detected a sparkle of the black eyes, for all the + world as if she meditated some prank upon her confiding friends. Ben was + suspicious. She added— + </p> + <p> + "Go wid me—me show you." Then he was sure she was up to something. + </p> + <p> + He rose from where he was sitting, and, rifle in hand, walked a little way + in the wood. She looked round once or twice, and continued advancing a few + minutes after they were out of sight of Alice and her mother. + </p> + <p> + She held the hand of the youth, who acted as if he was a bad boy being led + to punishment. He started to ask a question, but she checked him by + raising her forefinger and a "S—h!" and he did not presume again. + </p> + <p> + Finally she stopped among a number of trees where several trunks were two + or three feet in diameter. Stepping behind one, she motioned him to do the + same with another a few yards off. Surveying him a moment, as if to make + sure he was doing right, she suddenly emitted a sound from between her + lips, which caused Ben Ripley to utter the exclamation under his breath—"Well, + by gracious! If that doesn't beat everything!" + </p> + <p> + "Why don't shoot?" she abruptly asked. + </p> + <p> + The call made by Linna was the exact imitation of a wild turkey when lost + in the woods. Perhaps you may know that the body of every one of those + birds contains a bone which a hunter can so use as to make the same + signal; but it is hard to produce the sound without such help, though it + has been done. + </p> + <p> + Linna had succeeded to perfection. + </p> + <p> + "Who would have thought it possible for one so young as she to learn the + trick?" Ben asked himself. "I have tried it many a time without the bone, + but never could do it." + </p> + <p> + He looked at her admiringly, and was certain she was the smartest girl he + had ever seen. + </p> + <p> + "If there are any turkeys within hearing, that is bound to fetch them, but + I have seen no signs of them." + </p> + <p> + Linna continued the signalling at intervals for fifteen minutes or more, + peeping meanwhile from behind the tree and around her in every direction. + Ben did the same, and saw nothing. + </p> + <p> + "Why don't shoot?" she abruptly asked. + </p> + <p> + He noted the direction of her gaze, and there, not fifty feet away, was a + big hen turkey, walking slowly over the leaves, with head aloft and + glancing here and there for the lost one. + </p> + <p> + The target was a good one, and taking careful aim, Ben toppled it + fluttering to the ground at the first fire. + </p> + <p> + "Dat all want?" queried Linna. + </p> + <p> + "Yes; that will do for tonight, Linna." + </p> + <p> + "Den go back—play wid Alice." + </p> + <p> + And off she ran to rejoin her companion, while the delighted lad picked up + his prize and brought it to camp. + </p> + <p> + Turning that and his knife over to his mother, he made a fire ready to + pass the night, full of thankfulness that all had gone so well. Ben agreed + to stand watch until near midnight, and then allow his mother to help him + at the necessary duty. + </p> + <p> + While the simple preparations were going on, Linna knelt on the bare + ground with her ear pressed to the earth. Almost instantly she raised her + head and whispered: + </p> + <p> + "Somebody comin' dis way—guess be Injins!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER NINE: IN A CIRCLE + </h2> + <p> + This was alarming news. Ben Ripley imitated the action of Linna. Kneeling + down, he pressed his ear to the earth. + </p> + <p> + Yes; he heard faint footfalls. Persons were moving about not far away. + </p> + <p> + "She is right," he said in a low tone; "likely they are Indians, though we + cannot be certain." + </p> + <p> + "It won't do to wait till they come to us," remarked his mother. + </p> + <p> + "Shall I put out the fire?" asked Ben, disconcerted by the suddenness of + the danger. + </p> + <p> + "No; we can't spare the time. Let us leave. Come, children." + </p> + <p> + She took the hand of each girl and walked quickly off, while Ben caught up + the blankets and followed. They had no particular point in view, but + wished to reach a safe place without delay. + </p> + <p> + The gloom of the gathering night helped them, and when they paused they + were confident they had not been seen by anyone. + </p> + <p> + Without any thought on their part, they made their way to a mass of rocks + and boulders, more extensive than any seen through the day. It was a + hundred yards from their starting point. + </p> + <p> + They sat down for a whispered consultation. + </p> + <p> + "They must have heard the report of my rifle," said Ben. + </p> + <p> + "That was a considerable while ago, and they may have been a good way off + at the time." + </p> + <p> + "Then, being so much nearer, it was the report which brought them. What + would become of us but for Linna?" added Ben placing his arm + affectionately around her. "It was she that got us our supper, and now she + warns us of danger." + </p> + <p> + "They may be Zitner and Burwink." + </p> + <p> + "Not likely, but if they come to our fire we shall soon find out. Look!" + </p> + <p> + To their astonishment, the little fire which they had left only a few + minutes before burned up brightly, showing that a lot of fuel had been + thrown on it. + </p> + <p> + Too many trees and too much undergrowth obtruded for them to detect + anything more than the great increase in brightness. + </p> + <p> + "The darkness will prevent their following our footprints," whispered the + mother. + </p> + <p> + "I will go a little nearer and find out what it means: it may be, after + all, that they are friends." + </p> + <p> + "Be careful, my son." + </p> + <p> + "I will." + </p> + <p> + It was not a hard task Ben Ripley gave himself. He had not far to go, and + he proceeded with so much caution that no risk was involved. Only half the + distance was passed when he gained a full view of the camp fire and its + surroundings. + </p> + <p> + The sight was disquieting. Three Indian warriors were there. One had been + gathering dry sticks which he flung on the blaze; another was helping + himself to what was left of the cooked turkey; while the third, bent low, + moved slowly around the lit up portion of the ground with his eyes fixed + on it. + </p> + <p> + It was plain he was scrutinizing the footprints made by the party that had + left just in time to escape them. It was a fortunate discovery made by + Linna! + </p> + <p> + With the aid of the bright glare, it could not take him long to identify + the little party as fugitives fleeing eastward, though it may be + questioned whether they learned that it consisted of one large boy, an + adult woman, and two small children. + </p> + <p> + They were in the battle yesterday. They have left others to look after + those in Wyoming, while they are hunting the poor creatures that have + taken to the woods. + </p> + <p> + The Iroquois who had been studying the ground straightened himself up and + said something to the others. One of them then flung more fuel on the + flames, and he who was ravenously eating suspended his operations, but + quickly resumed again, as if he liked his occupation better than anything + else to which he could turn his attention. + </p> + <p> + Then the first stooped down and caught up a burning brand. Several quick + circles over his head fanned it into a vigorous blaze. Holding it aloft, + with his shoulders bent forward, he moved slowly towards Ben Ripley. + </p> + <p> + He was tracing the footprints by the aid of the torch! + </p> + <p> + "Gracious! he will be among us in a minute," was the terrifying thought of + the lad, who turned and ran back to his friends, in such haste that he was + in danger of betraying his movements. + </p> + <p> + "Leave—quick!" he said; "they are after us!" + </p> + <p> + "No, they are not," replied his mother, who nevertheless stood ready to do + as he said. + </p> + <p> + Ben looked back. The warrior with a torch, after walking a rod or so from + the fire, had stopped, and was now in plain sight, with the flaming brand + held above his head, while he peered out in the gloom in the direction of + the fugitives, as if expecting to discern them. + </p> + <p> + Could he have known how near they were, he and his companions would have + rushed down upon them; but they must have thought they had fled much + further. It was impossible to trail them by torchlight as fast as they + could travel, and the Indians did not waste time in the effort. The one + with the torch went back to his companions. + </p> + <p> + The incident warned our friends of a new form of danger, which until then + had not been counted among the probabilities. + </p> + <p> + The Indians, as you know, can trace a person through the woods with + wonderful skill, seeing signs where the untrained eye observes nothing. If + these three chose to wait where they were until daylight, there was + nothing to prevent their taking up the trail and tracing the fugitives + wherever they went. + </p> + <p> + "It won't do to stay here," said Ben, "for they will be right upon us at + daylight." + </p> + <p> + "Providing they wait where they are." + </p> + <p> + "Why should they not do so? They are looking for us." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ripley dared not answer the question as her heart prompted. At the + same time, she could think of no means of throwing them off their track. + </p> + <p> + "It might have been better had we stayed with Zitner and Burwink—no, + it would not have been," she corrected herself, "for they were unfriendly + to Linna. But we must go." + </p> + <p> + The only hope that presented itself was that they might travel so far + during the darkness that the Indians would not keep up the pursuit when + the trail was revealed to them. + </p> + <p> + The moon did not rise until very late, and there being no path, while all + were in total ignorance of the neighborhood, it will be understood that + they had set to work to do a very hard, if not impossible thing. + </p> + <p> + Ben as usual took the lead, and, before he had gone twenty steps, was + caught under the chin by a protruding limb that almost lifted him off his + feet. Then he went headlong into a hollow and bruised himself against some + stones. Still, he did not give up, and by and by the ground became more + level and his mishaps less frequent. + </p> + <p> + Alice and Linna, like little heroines, never murmured. All persevered + until it was agreed that they were at least two miles from the camp fire. + </p> + <p> + In making this hard journey, every one of the party met with several + narrow escapes, and it was agreed that it was best to go no further until + daylight. + </p> + <p> + "As soon as we can see, we'll be off again, and ought to be able to travel + as fast as they will do. Where they must watch all the time for our + footprints, they cannot go off a walk." + </p> + <p> + "We may as well wait." + </p> + <p> + Throughout their haste, the blankets had been preserved. Indeed, the one + over Ben's arm had served to break his fall more than once. These were + placed on the ground, and the children lay down beside each other, quickly + sinking to sleep; but the others, though pretty well worn, were too + anxious to rest yet awhile. + </p> + <p> + "I have no idea where we are," said the son; "but one place is as good as + another at such a time, and the weather is so warm that blankets are not + needed. Now, mother, I wish you would lie down beside the children and + rest. You need it badly, I know." + </p> + <p> + "And so do you, my son." + </p> + <p> + "Not for some time yet." + </p> + <p> + "But, if you intend to watch until daylight, you will be worn out by + morning. Besides, you cannot stay awake unless you move about. I will + agree to lie down if you will promise to call me when you think it is + midnight, and let me take a turn." + </p> + <p> + "I will agree to call you when I feel the need of you, and I will pace the + ground like a sentinel on duty." + </p> + <p> + The mother was forced to accept this proposition and, after some more + cautious conversation, she did as her boy wished, and he was left alone. + </p> + <p> + Ben did not forget his slip of the night before. It was necessary that one + of the company should maintain watch while the others slept, and only + these two could do it. He meant to guard the others through the short + summer night, trusting to a chance of getting what slumber he needed on + the morrow when the others were awake. + </p> + <p> + "I would like to catch myself waking her," he mused, after he had groped + around until he found a space a couple of rods in length over which he + could pace back and forth. + </p> + <p> + Then, with his rifle resting on his shoulder, he began his patient beat, + surrounded by impenetrable gloom, and with the lives of three loved ones + in his keeping. + </p> + <p> + By and by a lighting of the sky showed the moon had risen. This, however, + was of little or no help, since the abundance of leaves prevented its rays + piercing between and lighting up the ground beneath. + </p> + <p> + It would be hard to imagine a more gloomy occupation than that of Ben + Ripley while engaged with this duty. The solemn murmur of the vast woods + around him, the world of darkness in which he slowly paced to and fro, the + memory of the sad scenes he had seen in the lovely Wyoming Valley, the + certainty that a good many miles must yet be traversed before they could + sit down in safety, the consciousness that several of the cruel red men + were near them, and the belief that they would start in pursuit as soon as + it was light—all this oppressed him with crushing weight, and made + him feel at times as if there was no escape for him and his loved ones. + </p> + <p> + "There is only one way of hiding our trail," he mused. "If we could come + upon some river or large stream of water, where there was a boat, or we + could make a raft, we should be safe. A big rainstorm would do as well, + for it would wash out all signs of our footprints." + </p> + <p> + He paused in his walk and peeped up at a speck of sky shown through a rift + among the limbs. + </p> + <p> + "There is hardly a cloud; it looks as if it wouldn't rain for a week, and + I don't know of any river between here and the Delaware." + </p> + <p> + His senses were never more alert. He avoided the fatal mistake of sitting + down for a few minutes, or so much as leaning against a tree to rest. He + stopped, however, now and then and listened intently. + </p> + <p> + "I wonder whether I am mistaken, or whether I did hear something moving + over the leaves out there?" + </p> + <p> + The fact that the almost inaudible rustling was noticed only when he + himself was in motion inclined him to suspect it was a delusion, accounted + for by his tense nerves. But after a time he became certain of a fact + hardly less startling in its nature. + </p> + <p> + When walking back and forth with his face away from the spot where his + friends lay something gleamed a short distance off among the trees. Its + location showed it was on the ground, and, as nearly as he could judge, + less than a hundred feet off. + </p> + <p> + His first supposition was that it was a fungus growth known in the country + as "foxfire," which gives out a phosphorescent glow in the darkness; but + after watching and studying it for a long time, he was convinced it was + something else. + </p> + <p> + "I'm going to find out," he decided; "it won't take me long, and I ought + to know all about it, for it may concern us." + </p> + <p> + Stealing forward, he was not a little astonished to find it a real fire, + sunken to a glowing ember, left by someone. + </p> + <p> + "It must be as Zitner said—the woods are full of Indians, and some + of them have camped there." + </p> + <p> + Not wishing to stumble over any of their bodies, he manoeuvred until + assured that whoever kindled the fire had left, when he kicked aside the + ashes. + </p> + <p> + The act caused a twist of flame to spring up and throw out a tiny glare, + which illumined several feet of surrounding space. + </p> + <p> + And then the astonished youth made the discovery that this was the very + spot where they had cooked their turkey hours before, and from which they + had fled in hot haste before the approach of the three Iroquois. + </p> + <p> + He and his friends had travelled in a circle, and come back to their + starting point. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TEN: NEAR THE END + </h2> + <p> + Anyone who is used to the woods knows how apt he is to wander in a circle + unless he keeps his wits about him. There have been many causes named for + this curious fact, and the one that strikes me as the most reasonable is + that we are all either right or left handed. It is rare that you meet a + person who is ambidextrous,—that is, who uses both hands equally + well. When, therefore, he sets out to travel through the woods without any + guide, he unconsciously exerts his right or left limb, as the case may be, + more than the other, and this makes his course circular. + </p> + <p> + There are three "signboards" by which a hunter can keep trace of the + points of the compass when in the woods, without noticing the sun, which + of itself is often a great help. Three fourths of the moss on trees grows + on the north side; the heaviest boughs on spruce trees are always on the + south side, and the topmost twig of every uninjured hemlock tree tips to + the east. + </p> + <p> + Now, while these signs never err, you can see that it is almost impossible + to turn them to account at night. + </p> + <p> + Ben Ripley had led his friends in an irregular circle, and brought them + back to within a brief distance of the starting point. This was the camp + fire from which they fled in such panic before the approach of the three + red men. + </p> + <p> + The discovery filled him with dismay, and he darted out in the darkness + for the rocks where the others were sleeping. His first intention was to + rouse them and plunge into the woods again, but a few minutes served to + make him cooler and more collected in mind. + </p> + <p> + The night was well spent, and a flight of that kind could not do much for + them. It might be all in vain. It would be trying to the last degree. He + decided not to disturb the sleepers. + </p> + <p> + By and by he persuaded himself that matters were not as bad as they first + appeared. Inasmuch as the fugitives had not returned over their own trail, + the Indians, in case they took it in the morning, must make the same + circuit, and thus be forced to go just as far as if the flight had been in + a direct line. + </p> + <p> + It was a mystery, however, what had become of the three warriors. They + could not be near the camp, or they would have appeared when the lad + returned to it. They had left, but who could say whither they had gone? + </p> + <p> + While Ben was debating the painful question, a growing light in the + direction of the Delaware told him the night was ended and the new day + dawning. + </p> + <p> + The fourth day of July, the second anniversary of the Declaration of + Independence, had passed. He thought of it, standing alone in the dismal + forest with danger on every hand, and oppressed by the great fear that + those whom he loved more than his own life must perish in that gloomy + wilderness. + </p> + <p> + He did not dare, however, to give way to his sad thoughts. At the first + streakings of light among the trees, he roused his mother and told her the + alarming truth. + </p> + <p> + "I do not understand it," she replied, alluding to the absence of the + Iroquois; "it must be they are in the neighborhood." + </p> + <p> + The children were still sleeping quietly on the blanket. No food or water + was at command, and they could not take the time to look for any. Indeed, + the two elder ones felt no hunger or thirst. + </p> + <p> + The mother rose to her feet and looked around, her interest centring on + the rock and boulders, which stretched away to the rear further than they + could penetrate with the eye. + </p> + <p> + "I know they are skilful in following footprints," she remarked; "but if + we walk carefully over those rocks, I think they will not be able to track + us. We will try it." + </p> + <p> + The children were roused and quickly learned what was to be done, the + mother adding that the prayer which she was accustomed to offer up every + morning would be given when they reached a spot where it was safe to do + so. + </p> + <p> + For fully a hundred yards the four were able to make their way without + resting their feet on the ground. Then the boulders ended as abruptly as + they began. + </p> + <p> + All now kneeled on the granite floor and asked Heaven to deliver them + safely out of the dangers by which they were surrounded. + </p> + <p> + If the Indians chose to make search, after tracing the little party to the + stony place, they must eventually come upon the new trail, where it began + again on the ground; but unless they struck it by accident, they must use + a good deal of time in hunting for it. + </p> + <p> + "Come on," called Ben in a low voice, but with a renewal of hope; "we + shall get somewhere one of these days." + </p> + <p> + To their surprise, not far from the rocks they came upon a faintly marked + path among the trees. + </p> + <p> + "What is the meaning of that?" Ben asked, looking inquiringly at his + mother and Linna. + </p> + <p> + "Men don't do dat—wild beasts," replied the dusky child. + </p> + <p> + "She is right," added the mother; "the animals follow it to water; let us + do the same." + </p> + <p> + The haunting fear of the red men made the words between the fugitives few, + and all their movements guarded. They kept glancing to right and left, in + front and to the rear, Linna being probably the most active. It was as if + she inherited from her parents their surprising woodcraft, and was now + calling it into play for the benefit of her friends. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly something flickered in the path ahead, and Ben stopped short, + those behind him doing the same. + </p> + <p> + Just in advance—less than fifty yards indeed—a beautiful fawn + had come to a halt. Its graceful head, with its soft brown eyes, was + lifted high, and it looked wonderingly at the people, as if not knowing + the meaning, and too innocent to feel fear. Ben drew up his rifle, for it + was a tempting chance for a delicious breakfast. But almost instantly he + lowered the weapon again. + </p> + <p> + The fawn was so trusting, so unsuspicious, that a feeling of pity came to + the young hunter. The animal suggested his own little sister, for it was + wandering through the unfriendly woods, with none to protect it from cruel + enemies. + </p> + <p> + "Go," whispered Ben; "I haven't the heart to harm you; I will starve + first." + </p> + <p> + "Remember the result of the shot yesterday," said his mother warningly. + "We are in too much peril to increase it." + </p> + <p> + The lad advanced along the path, and every one of the company smiled at + the fawn, when it stood motionless, staring until they were almost to it. + Then the timid creature turned nimbly and trotted over the trail, its head + so high that, as it turned it from side to side, it saw every thing done + by the strange beings following. + </p> + <p> + Had the situation been less serious, Ben would have had some sport with + the lovely creature, but he dared not give it much attention. It continued + trotting a short way, and then sprang gracefully aside among the trees, + leaving no scent on the leaves by which the most highly trained hound + could trace it. + </p> + <p> + A little way beyond they came upon the largest stream seen since leaving + the mountains east of the Susquehanna. It was a dozen feet in width, quite + deep, rapid, and clear. + </p> + <p> + "Here is enough drink for us all," said Ben, and they proceeded to help + themselves in the primitive fashion described elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + "That must contain fish," observed the mother; "but we are without the + means of catching them." + </p> + <p> + "Unless Linna will jump in and haul them out for us. But if we are to + continue our journey, we must find some way of getting to the other side; + it is too deep and wide to ford or jump." + </p> + <p> + "It must be narrower in other places." + </p> + <p> + "Oh! look mamma!" + </p> + <p> + It was Alice who first saw a terrifying sight. An immense black bear, the + largest any of the party had ever seen, swung from among the trees and + came to the water's edge on the other side. + </p> + <p> + He was so enormous that all started and recoiled a step, even Linna + uttering an exclamation in her own tongue. Ben grasped his rifle, and held + it ready to use the instant it became necessary. + </p> + <p> + But Bruin was in a gracious mood that morning. He looked at the party with + stupid curiosity, then reared on his hind legs, and swung his beam-.like + paws in an odd way. + </p> + <p> + "He is inviting us to come over and be hugged to death," laughed Ben. + </p> + <p> + "He will come over and eat us all up," said Alice, clinging to the dress + of her mother. + </p> + <p> + "No," replied the parent, soothingly patting her head; "Ben won't let him + do that. Do not be frightened." + </p> + <p> + "Climb tree," suggested Linna; "not big tree, 'cause bear climb dat too—climb + little tree, den he can't climb it." + </p> + <p> + "You are right, but we will wait and see what he does. I don't want to + fire my gun unless I have to, and if he will let us alone we won't hurt + him. There! he is going to drink." + </p> + <p> + The huge creature bent his head down to the water and helped himself. When + he had had enough, he raised his snout and again looked at the party, who + were closely watching him. + </p> + <p> + This was the critical moment. If he meant to attack them, he would plunge + into the water and either swim or wade across. Ben raised the hammer of + his rifle and awaited his action. + </p> + <p> + Had Bruin been hungry, he would not have dallied so long; but he did not + seem to see anything specially tempting in the group, and lumbered off + among the trees. + </p> + <p> + "A lucky move for you." remarked Ben. + </p> + <p> + "And just as lucky for us," added the mother; "for though you might have + slain him, as I have no doubt you would, the report of the gun must have + brought more dangerous enemies to us." + </p> + <p> + "I would give a good deal to know what has become of them. It begins to + look as if they did not consider us worth bothering with." + </p> + <p> + "I wish I could believe that, but I cannot. I think it more likely that + they know where we are, and are trifling with us, as a cat does with a + mouse." + </p> + <p> + "That makes me anxious to push on. We must find some place where we can + cross the stream. Let's go further up the bank." + </p> + <p> + He took the course named, leading away from the great bear with which they + had so narrowly escaped an encounter. + </p> + <p> + To their surprise, they had not far to go before the spot they were + seeking was found. The stream narrowed between some rocks, so much that + even Alice could spring across without wetting her feet. + </p> + <p> + "I am afraid Linna can't leap it," remarked Ben with a smile. + </p> + <p> + "Me show you." + </p> + <p> + And, without recoiling a step, the nimble little one made a graceful + bound, which landed her several feet beyond the other margin. + </p> + <p> + "Well done!" said Ben; "I couldn't do much better myself. Now, Alice, you + are not going to let her beat you?" + </p> + <p> + Alice was timid at first, but with a good start she cleared the space. She + landed, however, so near the water that had not the watchful Linna caught + one of the hands thrown up to save herself, she would have fallen back in + the stream. + </p> + <p> + Mother and son imitated them, and all stood on the other side of the + obstruction without having suffered any inconvenience. + </p> + <p> + While they were congratulating themselves, a startling reminder of their + danger came in the near report of a rifle. It was from the direction in + which they had seen the bear, and in the stillness of the woods all heard + a snarling growl, which proved that the beast had received his death + wound. + </p> + <p> + "The Indians are there!" whispered the frightened Ben; "what shall we do, + mother?" + </p> + <p> + "What can we do?" she asked, helpless and at her wits' end for the moment; + "there seems to be no escaping them." + </p> + <p> + "Me go talk with them," was the amazing remark of the little Delaware + girl. + </p> + <p> + "You talk with them!" repeated Mrs. Ripley; "what can you do?" + </p> + <p> + "Don't know—me try." + </p> + <p> + And without waiting for permission, Linna started on a light run toward + the point whence came the report of the rifle that gave Bruin his death + wound. Mother and son looked in each other's face in mute wonderment for a + full minute after the departure of the girl. + </p> + <p> + "She's a remarkable child," finally said the mother; "she has done us more + than one good turn, and, it may be, Heaven intends to make use of her + again, though I cannot see how." + </p> + <p> + "The Iroquois will recognise her as one of their own race. Perhaps one or + more of them belong to her tribe: they will know her as the child of Omas, + and may listen to her pleadings." + </p> + <p> + "Alas! they will give little heed to them; my heart misgives me, son: I + feel that the end is at hand." + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, let us follow Linna, the Delaware, upon her strange mission. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER ELEVEN: ALL IN VAIN + </h2> + <p> + I am at some disadvantage in giving an account of the remarkable interview + between the little Delaware girl, Linna, and the three hostile warriors + who had trailed the Ripleys to the stream in the wilderness across which + they had just leaped in the effort to continue their flight from Wyoming + to the Upper Delaware. + </p> + <p> + There were no witnesses to the interview except the parties named, but + when Linna in after years had become a woman, with her very strong memory + she gave a description of what passed, and it has come down through the + descendants of the pioneers to the present day. + </p> + <p> + You will permit me to found my narrative upon her testimony, and to be + quite liberal in the interpretation of what took place. + </p> + <p> + The fears of the fugitives were well founded. The three red men were near + them for a long while before they showed themselves. It was very much as + Mrs. Ripley had said. They were so sure of the prize that they trifled + with them. + </p> + <p> + Linna reached the spot where the warriors were standing directly after one + of the number had sent a bullet through the bear. Young as she was, she + understood the peril of her friends, and set out to do all she could for + them. + </p> + <p> + She knew that Omas, her father, was a great warrior. He belonged to the + Delaware tribe, which years before had been soundly beaten by the Iroquois + and reduced almost to slavery; but among the conquered people were many + without superiors in bravery, skill, and prowess. Omas was one of the most + noted examples. + </p> + <p> + The first thrill of hope came to the young child when she recognised the + one that had killed the bear. He was Red Wolf, a member of her own tribe, + who often had been in her father's wigwam, and was therefore well known to + his child. The others were of the Seneca tribe, one of those composing the + Iroquois, or Six Nations, the most powerful confederation of Indians that + ever existed on the American continent. + </p> + <p> + The three looked at the little girl in amazement, as she came running + between the trees. She dropped to a rapid walk, and did not stop until she + was among them. + </p> + <p> + "Where do you come from?" asked Red Wolf, in the Delaware tongue. + </p> + <p> + "My father, the great Omas, brought me to see my friend Alice. He left me + with her people, and you must not harm them." + </p> + <p> + "Why did Omas leave you with them?" + </p> + <p> + "They are my friends." + </p> + <p> + It should be said the Senecas, who calmly listened to the conversation, + understood all that was said. + </p> + <p> + "Where are you going?" + </p> + <p> + "A long way through the wood." + </p> + <p> + "Why does Omas leave you with the palefaces? You should be in your own + wigwam many miles away." + </p> + <p> + "He knows I am safe with them. He led us through the woods until he could + leave us; then he went back to the great river between the mountains to + help the other warriors fight." + </p> + <p> + None of the three could doubt that the child was speaking the truth. They + held the prowess of Omas in high respect; but they were not the ones to + surrender such a prize as was already theirs. + </p> + <p> + "We will take them back to Wyoming with us," said Red Wolf; "then Omas may + do as he thinks best with them." + </p> + <p> + With a shrewdness far beyond her years, Linna said—"He wants them to + go to the other big river, off yonder"—pointing eastward. "Why do + you wish to take them back to Wyoming?" + </p> + <p> + "If he wants them to go to the other big river, he can send them after he + sees them again." + </p> + <p> + "You will make Omas angry; he will strike you down with his tomahawk," + said Linna. + </p> + <p> + Although these words were the words of a child, they produced their + effect. Red Wolf knew how deeply the grim warrior loved his only daughter, + and he knew, too, how terrible was the wrath of the warrior. Omas had + chosen to spare this family from the cruelty visited upon so many others. + If Red Wolf dared to run the risk of rousing the vengeance of Omas, he + must take the consequences. He shrank from doing so. + </p> + <p> + The Delaware beckoned to one of the Senecas, and they stepped aside and + talked a few minutes, in tones too low for the listening Linna to hear + what was said. Subsequent events, however, made clear the meaning of their + conversation. + </p> + <p> + Red Wolf proposed to spare the fugitives. He wished to go away with his + companions and leave them to pursue their flight without molestation, so + far as they were concerned. + </p> + <p> + But the Senecas held Omas in less dread than did Red Wolf. They were + unwilling to let the whites escape. The third warrior, who joined them, + was as strenuous as the first. While one might have shrunk from stirring + the anger of the famous Delaware, the two together did not hesitate to run + counter to his wishes. They refused to be dissuaded by Red Wolf. + </p> + <p> + They remained apart from the girl for ten minutes, earnestly conversing, + while she could not overhear a word. + </p> + <p> + Finally one of the three—a Seneca—turned about and walked + away, as if impatient with the dispute. He took a course leading from the + stream, and deeper into the woods. + </p> + <p> + Linna noticed the curious act, but, great as was her acumen for one of her + years, she did not suspect its meaning. It would have been passing strange + had she done so, for the movement was meant to deceive her and bring the + disputation to an end. + </p> + <p> + The couple remaining walked to where Linna awaited them. The Seneca turned + aside and sauntered to the carcass of the bear as if that had more + interest just then for him. + </p> + <p> + "What will Omas do if my brother warriors take your friends back to the + other river, but Red Wolf does not help?" + </p> + <p> + "He will strike them down with his tomahawk; my father, Omas, is a great + warrior." + </p> + <p> + The black eyes flashed as the girl proudly uttered these words, and she + looked defiantly in the painted face towering above her. + </p> + <p> + "But what will he do with Red Wolf?" + </p> + <p> + "He will strike down Red Wolf, because he is a coward, and did not keep + all harm from his white friends." + </p> + <p> + This intimation that the Delaware could not shelter himself behind the + plea of neutrality, but must be either an active friend or foe, was a + little more than he could accept. While he held Omas in wholesome dread, + he dared not array himself against the two Senecas, who were determined + not to spare the hapless fugitives. + </p> + <p> + Red Wolf was a fair specimen of his tribe, who, as I have stated, were + beaten by the Iroquois. These conquerors, indeed, carried matters with so + high a hand that they once forbade the Delawares to use firearms, but made + them keep to the old fashioned bow and arrow. + </p> + <p> + Red Wolf, therefore, having squared accounts, so to speak, with his + present companions, was anxious to win the good will of Linna, and thereby + that of her fierce parent, who was a hurricane in his wrath, and likely to + brain Red Wolf before he could explain matters. + </p> + <p> + "Omas is the greatest warrior of the Delawares," he said to Linna; "Red + Wolf and he are brothers. But the Senecas will not listen to the words of + Red Wolf: they love not Omas as does Red Wolf." + </p> + <p> + The Delaware child now found herself in a quandary. She had made her plea, + but, so far as she could see, it was in vain, since the friendship of Red + Wolf alone was not enough. One of the Senecas was studying the body of the + dead bear and paying no heed to her words; the other had gone off, she + knew not where. + </p> + <p> + What remained for her to do? + </p> + <p> + While the little one asked herself the question, and was trying, to think + what course she should follow, the absent Seneca was working out the + mischievous plot he had formed, and which was fully known to his + companions. + </p> + <p> + An uprooted tree lay extended on the ground, near where Mrs. Ripley and + her children saw Linna run off to plead with the Indians. Since they could + do nothing but wait, helpless and almost despairing, for the return of the + child, they sat down on the prostrate trunk. + </p> + <p> + Ben was near the base, close to the mass of upturned roots, which spread + out like an enormous fan, with its dirt and prong-like roots projecting in + all directions. He was tired, depressed, and worn out. It will be + remembered he had not slept a wink during the preceding night, or eaten a + mouthful of food since then. Strong, sturdy, and lusty as he was, he could + not help feeling the effects of all this. + </p> + <p> + He leaned his rifle against a huge, gnarled root, within arm's length of + where he half reclined, with his feet extended along the trunk. He had but + to reach out his hand, without moving his body, to grasp the weapon + whatever moment it might be needed. + </p> + <p> + Exhausted as he was, his condition was too nervous to permit slumber. His + mother had said she thought the end was at hand, and he believed the same. + </p> + <p> + She was but a few feet away, sitting more erect on the tree, with Alice + leaning against her. + </p> + <p> + The eyes of all were turned toward the point where Linna had vanished, and + whence she was expected every minute to come into view again. + </p> + <p> + She was not far off. Once or twice the mother and son caught the sounds of + their voices, though the exuberant vegetation shut them from sight. + </p> + <p> + "It was idle for her to go," said Ben; "and I cannot see any chance of her + helping us." + </p> + <p> + "They will not harm her, nor will they be denied the pleasure of doing + what they choose with us." + </p> + <p> + "Some persons might believe the delay was favorable, but I cannot think + that way." + </p> + <p> + Neither felt like conversation. It was an effort to say anything; but + mother and son, in their unselfishness, pitied each other, and strove + vainly to lift the gloomy thoughts that were oppressing both. + </p> + <p> + Had Ben Ripley seen the departure of the Seneca, he might have suspected + its meaning; but, unaware of it, he never dreamed of the new form which + the ever present danger thus assumed. + </p> + <p> + The Seneca, after leaving Red Wolf and the other warrior, walked directly + over the path leading away from the stream until well beyond the sight of + those thus left behind. He looked back, and, seeing nothing of them, + turned aside and moved off, until he arrived at a point beyond the group + of three resting on the fallen tree. + </p> + <p> + Thus, as will be seen, the Ripleys were between the two and Linna on the + one hand, and the single Seneca on the other. He knew the precise location + of the fugitives as well as if they had been in his field of vision from + the first. + </p> + <p> + He now began approaching them from the rear. Their faces turned away from + him, and everything favored his stealthy advance. + </p> + <p> + The huge spread of dirt and roots made by the overturning of the big tree + served as a screen, though even without this help he would probably have + succeeded in his effort to steal upon them unawares. + </p> + <p> + He stepped so carefully upon the dried leaves that no sound was made, and + the most highly trained ear, therefore, would not have detected him. + </p> + <p> + If Ben had once risen from his reclining posture and looked around, if + Mrs. Ripley had stood up and done the same, or if little Alice had + indulged in her natural sportiveness, assuredly one of them would have + observed that crouching warrior, gradually drawing closer, like the moving + of a hand over the face of a clock; but none saw him. Nearer and nearer he + came, step by step, until at last he stood just on the other side of the + mass of roots, and not ten feet from the boy. + </p> + <p> + With the same noiselessness, the crouching form bent over sideways and + peered around the screen. Then the dusky arm glided forward until the iron + fingers clasped the barrel of the rifle leaning against the root, and the + weapon was withdrawn. + </p> + <p> + He now had two guns, and Ben Ripley none. + </p> + <p> + Then the Seneca advanced, a weapon in either hand, and, presenting himself + in front of the amazed group, exclaimed—"Huh! how do, bruder?—how + do sister?" + </p> + <p> + Ben Ripley sprang up as if shot, and his startled mother, with a gasp of + affright, turned her head. + </p> + <p> + For one moment the boy meditated leaping upon the warrior, in the + desperate attempt to wrench his gun from his grasp; but the mother, + reading his intention, interposed. + </p> + <p> + "Do nothing, my son: we are in the hands of Heaven." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TWELVE: CONCLUSION + </h2> + <p> + The point, at last, had been reached where it was useless to struggle any + longer. The little party of fugitives, after safely crossing the + Susquehanna on the day of the battle, and penetrating more than a score of + miles on their way eastward to the Delaware, were overtaken, and made + captive by three Indians. + </p> + <p> + Warning Ben against any resistance, the mother bowed her head in + submission, and awaited her fate. Only once, when she clasped her arm + around the awed and silent Alice, laying the other affectionately upon the + shoulder of her brave son, did she speak—"Murmur not at the will of + Heaven." + </p> + <p> + The Seneca was surprised at the action, or, rather, want of action, on the + part of the captives. Receiving no response to his salutation, he stood a + moment in silence, and then emitted a tremulous whoop. It was a signal for + Red Wolf and the other Seneca. They understood it, and hurried to the + spot, with Linna close behind them. + </p> + <p> + It would have been expected that she would indulge in some outburst when + she saw how ill everything had gone; but, with one grieved look, she went + up to the sorrowing, weeping mother and buried her head between her knees. + </p> + <p> + And then she did what no one of that party had ever before seen her do—she + sobbed with a breaking heart. The mother soothed her as best she could, + uttering words which she heard not. + </p> + <p> + Ben Ripley when the blow came, stood erect, and folded his arms. His face + was pale, but his lips were mute. Not even by look did he ask for mercy + from their captors. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of the impressive tableau, Linna suddenly raised her head + from the lap of the mother, her action and attitude showing she had caught + some sound which she recognized. + </p> + <p> + But everyone else in the party also noted it. It was a shrill, penetrating + whistle, ringing among the forest arches—a call which she had heard + many a time, and she could never mistake its meaning. + </p> + <p> + Her eyes sparkled through her tears, which wet her cheeks; but she forgot + everything but that signal. + </p> + <p> + "Dat Omas!—dat Omas—dat fader!" she exclaimed, springing to + her feet, trembling and aglow with excitement. + </p> + <p> + There was one among the three who, had his painted complexion permitted, + would have turned ashy pale. Red Wolf was afraid that when the fearful + Delaware warrior thundered down on them, he would not give his brother + time to explain matters before sinking his tomahawk into his brain. + Manifestly, therefore, but one course was open for him, and he took it + without a second's delay. + </p> + <p> + He fled for his life. + </p> + <p> + The Senecas, however, stood their ground. The signal of Omas sounded + again, and Linna answered it. Her father was near at hand, and quickly + came to view. + </p> + <p> + But, lo! he had a companion. It was To-wika, his faithful wife. + </p> + <p> + The reunion of the Delaware family was an extraordinary one. Had no others + been present, Linna would have bounded into the arms of her mother, been + pressed impulsively to her breast, and then received the same fervent + welcome from her father. + </p> + <p> + But never could anything like that take place before witnesses. + </p> + <p> + When the child saw her parents she walked gravely up to them, having first + done her utmost to remove the traces of tears, and took her place by their + side. The mother said something in her native tongue, but it could not + have been of much account, for the child gave no reply. + </p> + <p> + Omas did not speak. One quick glance was bestowed upon his child, and then + he addressed himself to the work before him. + </p> + <p> + Omas was as cunning as a serpent. He would not have hesitated to assail + these two Senecas, for, truth to tell, he could never feel much love for + the conquerors of his people. He did not fear them; but he saw the way to + win his point without such tempestuous violence. + </p> + <p> + His words, therefore, were calculated to soothe rather than irritate. He + asked them to explain how it was they were in charge of his friends, and + listened attentively while one of them answered his inquiry. + </p> + <p> + Then, as is natural with his race, he recounted in somewhat extravagant + language his own deeds of the last few days. There is reason to believe he + gave himself credit for a number of exploits against the palefaces of + which he was innocent. + </p> + <p> + Then he said the only ones he loved among the palefaces were the three + there present—he had entrusted his only child to them, and they had + saved her from the anger of their people. He had slept under their roof, + and eaten of their bread. They were his best friends; and they his brave + Seneca brothers, when they knew of this, would be glad. He had set out to + conduct them to the settlements, and his brothers would wish all a safe + arrival there. + </p> + <p> + This speech, delivered with far more address than I am able to give it, + worked as a charm. Not the slightest reference was made to the cowardly + Red Wolf, though Omas knew all about him. + </p> + <p> + The Senecas were won by the words of the wily Delaware. They indulged in + the fiction of saying that they had no thought of how matters stood + between him and these palefaces, and their hearts were glad to hear the + words fall from his lips. They would not harm his friends, and hoped they + would reach in safety the settlement for which they were looking. + </p> + <p> + Not only that, but they offered to go with them all the way. + </p> + <p> + This was too kind, and the offer was gratefully declined. Then the Senecas + withdrew, first returning Ben's rifle to him. Whether they ever succeeded + in overtaking Red Wolf cannot be known, and it is of no moment. + </p> + <p> + The peril had burst over the heads of the little party like a + thundercloud; and now it had cleared, and all was sunshine again. + </p> + <p> + It was some minutes before the Ripleys could fully understand the great + good fortune that had come to them. Then their hearts overflowed with + thankfulness. + </p> + <p> + With her arms clasping her children Mrs. Ripley looked devoutly upward, + and murmured: + </p> + <p> + "I thank Thee, Heavenly Father, for Thy great mercy to me and mine. Bless + Omas and To-wika and Linna, and hold them for ever in Thy precious + keeping." + </p> + <p> + The events which had taken place were strange; but Mrs. Ripley maintained, + to the end of her life, that those which followed were tenfold more + remarkable. + </p> + <p> + You will remember that when Omas, after conducting the little company some + distance from Wyoming, showed a wish to leave them, the good woman had no + doubt what his purpose was: he wanted to take part in further cruelties + against the hapless settlers. + </p> + <p> + Omas had fought hard in the battle of July 3rd, 1778, and his friendship + for the Ripleys drew him away before the dreadful doings were half + completed. He yearned to go back and give rein to his ferocity. Mrs. + Ripley tried to restrain him, but in vain. + </p> + <p> + Such were her views; but she was in error. She did not read the heart of + the terrible warrior aright. + </p> + <p> + For weeks Omas had been sorely troubled in mind. He had visited the + Christian brethren of his own tribe at the Moravian settlement of + Gnadenhutten. He had listened to the talk of the missionaries, and heard + of One who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; who, when He was + smitten and spat upon, bore it meekly; and who finally died on the cross, + that the red men as well as the white children might be saved. + </p> + <p> + All this was a great mystery to the Delaware. He could not grasp the + simple but sublime truths which lie at the foundation of Christianity. But + he longed to do so. At midnight he lay trying to sleep in the silent + woods, looking up at the stars and meditating on the wonderful Being who + had done all this. In the simplicity of his nature, he talked to that + awful and dimly comprehended Father of all races and peoples, and asked + Him to tell Omas what he should say, and do, and think. + </p> + <p> + Unknown to him, To-wika his wife had listened to the teachings of the + missionaries, and she had traversed further along the path of light than + he. + </p> + <p> + When, therefore, he told her of his longings, his questionings, his + distress, his wretchedness, and his groping in the dark, she was able to + say a great deal that helped to clear away the fogs and mists from his + clouded brain. + </p> + <p> + But Omas was in the very depth of darkness, and almost despair, when the + fearful episode of Wyoming came. It was in desperation he went into that + conflict, as a man will sometimes do to escape, as it were, from himself. + </p> + <p> + He fought like a demon, but he could not hush the still small voice within + his breast. He felt that he must have relief, or he would do that which a + wild Indian never does—make away with himself. + </p> + <p> + It was on his tongue more than once, while threading his way through the + wilderness with his friends, to appeal to Mrs. Ripley; but with a natural + shrinking he held back, fearing that with his broken words he could not + make her understand his misery. + </p> + <p> + The only recourse was to go to To-wika, his wife. He had asked her to talk + further with the missionaries, and then to repeat their words to him. + </p> + <p> + So it was that when he stole from the camp fire like a thief in the night, + it was not to return and take part in the scenes of violence in which he + had already been so prominent an actor, but to do the very opposite. + </p> + <p> + It was a long tramp through the forest to his own wigwam, and his people + were aflame with excitement because of Wyoming; but the warrior hardly + paused night and day until he flung himself at the feet of To-wika and + begged that he might die. + </p> + <p> + From this remarkable woman Linna had inherited more mental strength than + from her iron hearted father. To-wika talked soothingly to him, and for + the first time in his blind groping he caught a glimmer of light. The + blessed Word which had brought comfort and happiness to her is for all + people and conditions, no matter how rude, how ignorant, and how fallen. + </p> + <p> + But To-wika felt the need of human help. She had never met Mrs. Ripley, + but her husband had told of his welcome beneath that roof, and of what she + said to him about the Saviour and God, who was so different from the Great + Spirit of the red men. She knew this woman was a Christian, and she asked + her husband to lead her to her. + </p> + <p> + He set out with her to overtake the little party who, with never a thought + of what was going on, were struggling through the gloomy wilderness, beset + by perils on every hand. + </p> + <p> + Since they were following no beaten path, except for a little way, the + most perfect woodcraft was necessary to find them. Omas knew the direction + they had taken, and calculated the time needed to reach the Delaware. It + was easy, too, to locate the camp where he had parted from them, after + which his wonderful skill enabled him to keep the trail, along which he + and his wife strode with double the speed of the fugitives. + </p> + <p> + When he discovered that three warriors were doing the same, all the old + fire and wrath flamed up in his nature. The couple increased the ardor of + their pursuit. And yet, but for the favoring aid of Heaven, they hardly + could have come up at the crisis which brought them all together. + </p> + <p> + Under the blest instruction of Mrs. Ripley, the doubts of Omas finally + vanished, never to return. The once mighty warrior, foremost in battle and + ferocity and courage, became the meek, humble follower of the Saviour—triumphant + in life, and doubly triumphant in death. + </p> + <p> + On the third day after the meeting in the woods, the party arrived at the + little town of Stroudsburg, on the Upper Delaware, none having suffered + the least harm. The skill of Omas kept them supplied with food, and his + familiarity with the route did much to lessen the hardships which + otherwise they would have suffered. + </p> + <p> + Omas stayed several weeks at this place with his friends, and then he and + his wife and little one joined the Christian settlement of Gnadenhutten, + where the couple finished their days. + </p> + <p> + After a time, when it became safe for the Ripleys to return to Wyoming + Valley, they took up their residence there once more, and remained until + the husband and father came back at the close of the Revolution; and the + happy family were reunited, thankful that God had been so merciful to them + and brought independence to their beloved country. + </p> + <p> + Omas and To-wika and Linna were welcome visitors as long as the lived. In + truth, Linna survived them all. She married a chieftain among her own + people, and when she at last was gathered to her final rest, she had + almost reached the great age of a hundred years. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Daughter of the Chieftain, by Edward S. Ellis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DAUGHTER OF THE CHIEFTAIN *** + +***** This file should be named 7493-h.htm or 7493-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/4/9/7493/ + +Produced by Martin Robb, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Daughter of the Chieftain + The Story of an Indian Girl + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: February, 2005 [EBook #7493] +Posting Date: July 31, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DAUGHTER OF THE CHIEFTAIN *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Robb + + + + + +THE DAUGHTER OF THE CHIEFTAIN + +THE STORY OF AN INDIAN GIRL + + +By Edward S. Ellis. + + + + +CHAPTER ONE: OMAS, ALICE, AND LINNA + +I don't suppose there is any use in trying to find out when the game of +"Jack Stones" was first played. No one can tell. It certainly is a good +many hundred years old. + +All boys and girls know how to play it. There is the little rubber ball, +which you toss in the air, catch up one of the odd iron prongs, without +touching another, and while the ball is aloft; then you do the same +with another, and again with another, until none is left. After that +you seize a couple at a time, until all have been used; then three, and +four, and so on, with other variations, to the end of the game. + +Doubtless your fathers and mothers, if they watch you during the +progress of the play, will think it easy and simple. If they do, +persuade them to try it. You will soon laugh at their failure. + +Now, when we older folks were young like you, we did not have the +regular, scraggly bits of iron and dainty rubber ball. We played with +pieces of stones. I suspect more deftness was needed in handling them +than in using the new fashioned pieces. Certainly, in trials than I can +remember, I never played the game through without a break; but then +I was never half so handy as you are at such things: that, no doubt, +accounts for it. + +Well, a good many years ago, before any of your fathers or mothers were +born, a little girl named Alice Ripley sat near her home playing "Jack +Stones." It was the first of July, 1778, and although her house was made +of logs, had no carpets or stove, but a big fireplace, where all the +food was made ready for eating, yet no sweeter or happier girl can be +found today, if you spend weeks in searching for her. Nor can you come +upon a more lovely spot in which to build a home, for it was the famed +Wyoming Valley, in Western Pennsylvania. + +Now, since some of my young friends may not be acquainted with this +place, you will allow me to tell you that the Wyoming Valley lies +between the Blue Ridge and the Alleghany Mountains, and that the +beautiful Susquehanna River runs through it. + +The valley runs northeast and southwest, and is twenty-one miles long, +with an average breadth of three miles. The bottom lands--that is, those +in the lowest portion--are sometimes overflowed when there is an unusual +quantity of water in the river. In some places the plains are level, and +in others, rolling. The soil is very fertile. + +Two mountain ranges hem in the valley. The one on the east has an +average height of a thousand feet, and the other two hundred feet less. +The eastern range is steep, mostly barren, and abounds with caverns, +clefts, ravines, and forests. The western is not nearly so wild, and is +mostly cultivated. + +The meaning of the Indian word for Wyoming is "Large Plains," which, +like most of the Indian names, fits very well indeed. + +The first white man who visited Wyoming was a good Moravian missionary, +Count Zinzendorf--in 1742. He toiled among the Delaware Indians who +lived there, and those of his faith who followed him were the means of +the conversion of a great many red men. + +The fierce warriors became humble Christians, who set the best example +to wild brethren, and often to the wicked white men. + +More than twenty years before the Revolution settlers began making their +way into the Wyoming Valley. You would think their only trouble would +be with the Indians, who always look with anger upon intruders of that +kind, but really their chief difficulty was with white people. + +Most of these pioneers came from Connecticut. The successors of William +Penn, who had bought Pennsylvania from his king, and then again from +the Indians, did not fancy having settlers from other colonies take +possession of one of the garden spots of his grant. + +I cannot tell you about the quarrels between the settlers from +Connecticut and those that were already living in Pennsylvania. Forty of +the invaders, as they may be called, put up a fort, which was named on +that account Forty Fort. This was in the winter of 1769, and two hundred +more pioneers followed them in the spring. The fort stood on the western +bank of the river. + +The Pennsylvanians, however, had prepared for them, and the trouble +began. During the few years following, the New Englanders were three +times driven out of the valley, and the men, women, and children were +obliged to tramp for two hundred miles through the unbroken wilderness +to their old homes. But they rallied and came back again, and at last +were strong enough to hold their ground. About this time the mutterings +of the American Revolution began to be heard, and the Pennsylvanians and +New Englanders forgot their enmity and became brothers in their struggle +for independence. + +Among the pioneers from Connecticut who put up their old fashioned log +houses in Wyoming were George Ripley and his wife Ruth. They were young, +frugal, industrious, and worthy people. They had but one child--a boy +named Benjamin; but after awhile Alice was added to the family, and at +the date of which I am telling you she was six years and her brother +thirteen years old. + +Mr. Ripley was absent with the continental army under General +Washington, fighting the battles of his country. Benjamin, on this +spring day, was visiting some of his friends further down the valley; +so that when Alice came forth to play "Jack Stones" alone, no one was in +sight, though her next neighbor lived hardly two hundred yards away. + +I wish you could have seen her as she looked on that summer afternoon. +She had been helping, so far as she was able, her mother in the house, +until the parent told her to go outdoors and amuse herself. She was +chubby, plump, healthy, with round pink cheeks, yellow hair tied in a +coil at the back of her head, and her big eyes were as blue, and clear, +and bright as they could be. + +She wore a brown homespun dress--that is to say, the materials had +been woven by the deft fingers of her mother, with the aid of the old +spinning wheel, which in those days formed a part of every household. +The dark stockings were knitted by the same busy fingers, with the help +of the flashing needles; and the shoes, put together by Peleg Quintin, +the humpbacked shoemaker, were heavy and coarse, and did not fit any too +well. + +The few simple articles of underwear were all homemade, clean, and +comfortable, and the same could be said of the clothing of the brother +and of the mother herself. + +Alice came running out of the open front door, bounding off the big flat +stone which served as a step with a single leap, and, running to a spot +of green grass a few yards away, where there was not a bit of dirt or +a speck of dust, she sat down and began the game of which I told you at +the opening of this story. + +Alice was left handed. So when she took position, she leaned over to the +right, supporting her body with that arm, while with the other hand she +tossed the little jagged pieces of stone aloft, snatching up the others, +and letting the one that was going up and down in the air drop into her +chubby palm. + +She had been playing perhaps ten minutes, when she found someone was +watching her. + +She did not see him at first, but heard a low, deep "Huh!" partly at one +side and partly behind her. + +Instead of glancing around, she finished the turn of the game on which +she was engaged just then. That done, she clasped all the Jack Stones in +her hand, assumed the upright posture, and looked behind her. + +"I thought it was you, Omas," she said with a merry laugh; "do you want +to play Jack Stones with me?" + +If you could have seen the person whom she thus addressed, you would +have thought it a strange way of speaking. + +He was an Indian warrior, belonging to the tribe of Delawares. Those who +knew about him said he was one of the fiercest red men that ever went +on the warpath. A few years before, there had been a massacre of the +settlers, and Omas was foremost among the Indians who swung the tomahawk +and fired his rifle at the white people. + +He was tall, sinewy, active, and powerful. Three stained eagle feathers +were fastened on his crown in the long black hair, and his hunting +shirt, leggings, and moccasins were bright with different colored beads +and fringes. In the red sash which passed around his waist were thrust +a hunting knife and tomahawk, while one hand clasped a cumbersome +rifle, which, like all firearms of those times, was used with ramrod and +flintlock. + +Omas would have had a rather pleasing face had he let it alone; but his +people love bright colors, and he was never seen without a lot of paint +daubed over it. This was made up of black, white, and yellow circles, +lines, and streaks that made him look frightful. + +But Alice was not scared at all. She and Omas were old friends. Nearly +a year before, he stopped at their cabin one stormy night and asked +for something to eat. Mrs. Ripley gave him plenty of coarse brown, well +baked bread and cold meat, and allowed him to sleep on the floor until +morning. + +Benjamin was rather shy of the fierce looking Delaware, but Alice took +to him at first. She brought him a basin of water, and asked him to +please wash his face. + +The startled mother gently reproved her; but Omas did that which an +Indian rarely does--smiled. He spoke English unusually well, and knew +why the child had proposed to him to use the water. + +He told her that he had a little girl that he called Linna, about the +same age as Alice. Upon hearing this, what did Alice do, but climb upon +the warrior's knee and ask him to tell her all about Linna. Well, the +result was, that an affection was formed between this wild warrior and +the gentle little girl. + +Omas promised to bring his child to see Alice, who, with her mother's +permission, said she would return the visit. There can be no doubt +that the Delaware often went a long way out of his course, for no other +reason than to spend an hour or less with Alice Ripley. The brother +and mother always made him feel welcome, and to the good parent the +influence of her child upon the savage red man had a peculiar interest +which nothing else in the world could possess for her. So you understand +why it was that Alice did not start and show any fear when she looked +around and saw the warrior standing less than ten feet off, and +attentively watching her. + +"You can't play Jack Stones as well as I," she said, looking saucily up +at him. + +"I beat you," was his reply, as he strode forward and sat down cross +legged on the grass. + +"I'd like to see you do it! You think you're very smart, don't you?" + +A shadowy smile played around the stern mouth, and the Delaware, who had +studied the simple game long enough to understand it, began the sport +under the observant eyes of his little mistress. + +While both were intent on the amusement, Mrs. Ripley came to the door +and stood wonderingly looking at them. + +"It does seem as if Indians are human beings like the rest of us," was +her thought; "but who could resist her gentle ways?" + +Up went the single stone in the air, and Omas grabbed the batch that +were lying on the ground, and then caught the first as it came down. + +"That won't do!" called Alice, seizing the brawny hand, which--sad to +say--had been stained with blood as innocent as hers; "you didn't do +that fair!" + +"What de matter?" he asked, looking reproachfully into the round face +almost against his own. + +"I'll show you how. Now, I lay those three on the ground like that. Then +I toss up this, pick up one without touching any of the others, keep it +in my hand and pick up the next--see?" + +She illustrated her instruction by her work, while her pupil listened +and stared. + +"I know--I know," he said quickly. "I show you." Then the wag of a +Delaware tossed the first stone fully twenty feet aloft, caught up the +others, and took that on the fly. + +"I never saw anybody as dumb as you," was the comment. "What is the use +of your trying? You couldn't learn to play Jack Stones in ever so long." + +She was about to try him again, when, childlike, she darted off upon a +widely different subject, for it had just come into her little head. + +"Omas, when you were here the other day, you promised that the next time +you came to see me you would bring Linna." + +"Dat so--Omas promise." + +"Then why haven't you done as you said?" + +"Omas never speak with double tongue; he bring Linna with him." + +"You did?--where is she?" asked Alice, springing to her feet, clasping +her hands, and looking expectantly around. + +The Delaware emitted a shrill, tremulous whistle, and immediately from +the wood several rods behind them came running the oddest looking little +girl anyone could have met in a long time. + +Her face was as round as that of Alice, her long, black hair hung +loosely over her shoulders, her small eyes were as black as jet, her +nose a pug, her teeth as white and regular as were ever seen, while her +dress was a rude imitation of her father's except the skirt came below +her knees. Her feet were as small as a doll's, and encased in the beaded +little moccasins, were as pretty as they could be. + +"That is Linna," said the proud father as she came obediently forward. + + + +CHAPTER TWO: DANGER IN THE AIR + +Little Linna, daughter of Omas, the Delaware warrior, was of the +same age as Alice Ripley. The weather was warm although she wore tiny +moccasins to protect her feet, she scorned the superfluous stockings and +undergarments that formed a part of the other's apparel. + +Her hair was as black, abundant, and almost as long as her father's; +but her face was clean, and, perhaps in honor of the occasion, she, too, +sported a gaudy eagle feather in her hair. + +She bounded out of the green wood like a fawn, but as she drew near +her parent and Alice, her footsteps became slower, and she halted a few +paces away, hung her head, with her forefinger between her pretty white +teeth--for all the world like any white girl of her years. + +But Alice did not allow her to remain embarrassed. She had been begging +for this visit, and now, when she saw her friend, she ran forward, took +her little plump hand and said--"Linna, I am real glad you have come!" + +Omas had risen to his feet, and watched the girls with an affection and +interest which found no expression on his painted face. His child looked +timidly up to him and walked slowly forward, her hand clasped in that of +Alice. She did not speak, but when her escort sat down on the grass, she +did the same. + +"Linna, do you know how to play Jack Stones?" asked Alice, picking up +the pebbles. + +Linna shook her head quickly several times, but her lips remained mute. + +"Your father thought he knew how, but he don't; he doesn't play fair, +either. Let me show you, so you can beat him when you go home." + +Alice set to work, while the bright black eyes watched every movement. + +"Now do you want to try it?" she asked, after going through the game +several times. + +Linna nodded her head with the same birdlike quickness, and reached out +her chubby hand. + +Her father and Alice watched her closely. She made several failures at +first, all of which were patiently explained by her tutor; by and by she +went through the performance from beginning to end without a break. + +Alice clapped her hands with delight, and Omas--certain that no grownup +person saw him--smiled with pleasure. + +"Doesn't she know how to talk?" asked Alice, looking up at the warrior. +Omas spoke somewhat sharply to his child in the Delaware tongue. She +startled, and looking at Alice, asked-- + +"Do--yoo think me play well?" + +Alice was delighted to find she could make herself understood so easily. +It was wonderful how she had learned to speak English so early in life. + +"I guess you can," was the ready reply of Alice; "your father can't +begin to play as well. When you go home you can show your mamma how to +play Jack Stones. Have you any brothers and sisters?" + +"No; me have no brother--no sister." + +"That's too bad! I've got a big brother Ben. He isn't home now, but he +will be here to supper. He's a nice boy, and you will like him. Let's go +in the house now to see mamma, and you can teach me how to talk Indian." + +Both girls bounded to their feet, and hand in hand, walked to the door, +with Omas gravely stalking after them. + +Mrs. Ripley had learned of the visitor, and stood on the threshold to +welcome her. She took her by the hand and led her inside. Omas paused, +as if in doubt whether he should follow; but her invitation to him was +so cordial, that he stepped within and seated himself on a chair. + +That afternoon and night could never be forgotten by Alice Ripley. In +a very little while she and her visitor were on the best of terms; +laughing, romping, and chasing each other in and out of doors, just as +if they were twin sisters that had never been separated from each other. + +When Mrs. Ripley asked Omas for how long a time he could leave his child +with them, he said he must take her back that evening. His wigwam was a +good many miles away in the woods, and he would have to travel all night +to reach the village of his tribe. + +Mrs. Ripley, however, pleaded so hard, that he consented to let his +child stay until he came back the next day or soon thereafter for her. + +When he rose to go, the long summer day was drawing to a close. He spoke +to Linna in their native tongue. She was sitting on the floor just then, +playing with a wonderful rag baby, but was up in a flash, and followed +him outside. + +"Wait a moment and she will come back," said Mrs. Ripley to her own +child. She knew what the movement meant: Omas did not wish anyone to see +him and Linna. + +On the outside he moved to the left, and glanced around to make sure +that no person was looking that way. Then he lifted the little one from +the ground; she threw her arms around his neck, and he pressed her to +his breast and kissed her several times with great warmth. Then he set +her down, and she ran laughing into the house, while he strode off to +the woods. + +But at the moment of entering them he stopped abruptly, wheeled about, +and walked slowly back toward the cabin. + +Upon the return of Linna, Mrs. Ripley stepped to the front door to look +for her son. He was not in sight, but Omas had stopped again hardly +a rod distant. He stood a moment, looking fixedly at her, and then +beckoned with his free hand for her to approach. + +Without hesitation she stepped off the broad flat stone and went to him. + +"What is it, Omas?" she asked in an undertone, pausing in front of him, +and gazing up into the grim, painted countenance. + +The Delaware returned the look for a few seconds, as if studying how +to say what was in his mind. Then in a voice lower even than hers, he +said--"You--little girl--big boy--go way soon--must not stay here." + +"Why do you say that, Omas?" + +"Iroquois like leaves on trees--white men, call Tories--soon come down +here--kill all white people--kill you--kill little girl, big boy--if you +stay here." + +The pioneer's wife had heard the same rumors for days past. She knew +there was cause for fear, for nearly all the able bodied men in Wyoming +were absent with the patriot army, fighting for independence. The +inhabitants in the valley had begged Congress to send some soldiers +to protect them, and the relatives of the women and children had asked +again and again that they might go home to save their loved ones from +the Tories and Indians; but the prayer was refused. The soldiers in the +army were too few to be spared, and no one away from Wyoming believed +the danger as great as it was. + +But the people themselves knew the peril, and did their best to prepare +for it. But who should know more about the Indians and Tories than Omas, +the great Delaware warrior? + +When, therefore, he said these words to Mrs. Ripley, that woman's heart +beat faster. She heard the laughter and prattle of the children in +the house, and she thought of that bright boy, playing with his young +friends not far away. + +"Where can we go?" she asked, in the same guarded voice. + +"With Omas," was the prompt reply; "hide in wigwam of Omas. Nobody hurt +palefaced friend of Omas." + +It was a trying situation. The brave woman, who had passed through many +dangers with her husband, knew what a visit from the Tories and Indians +meant; but she shrank from leaving Wyoming, and all her friends and +neighbors. + +"When will they come?" she asked; "will it be in a few weeks or in a few +days?" + +"Getting ready now; Brandt with Iroquois--Butler with Tory--soon be +here." + +"But do you mean that we shall all go with you tonight?" + +The Delaware was silent for a few seconds. His active brain was busy, +reviewing the situation. + +"No," he finally said; "stay here till Omas come back; then go with +him--all go--den no one be hurt." + +"Very well; we will wait till you come to us again. We will take good +care of Linna." + +And without another word the Delaware turned once more, strode to the +forest, which was then in fullest leaf, and vanished among the trees. + +Mrs. Ripley walked slowly back to the door. On the threshold she halted, +and looked around again for her absent boy. It was growing dark, and she +began to feel a vague alarm for him. + +A whistle fell on her ear. It was the sweetest music she had ever heard, +for it came from the lips of her boy. + +He was in sight, coming along the well worn path that led in front of +the other dwellings and to her own door. When he saw her, he waved his +hand in salutation, but could not afford to break in on the vigorous +melody which kept his lips puckered. + +She saw he was carrying something on his shoulder. A second glance +showed that it was one of the heavy rifles used by the pioneers a +hundred years ago. The sight--taken with what Omas had just said--filled +her heart with forebodings. + +She waited until the lad came up. He kissed her affectionately, and then +in the offhand manner of a big boy, let the butt of the gun drop on +the ground, leaned the top away from him, and glancing from it to his +mother, asked--"What do you think of it?" + +"It seems to be a good gun. Whose is it?" + +"Mine," was the proud response. "Colonel Butler ordered that it be given +to me, and I'm to use it, too, mother." + +"For what purpose?" + +"The other Colonel Butler--you know he is a cousin to ours--has got a +whole lot of Tories" (who, you know, were Americans fighting against +their countrymen) "and Indians, and they're coming down to wipe out +Wyoming; but I guess they will find it a harder job than they think." + +And to show his contempt for the danger, the muscular lad lifted his +weighty weapon to a level, and pretended to sight it at a tree. + +"I wish that was a Tory or one of those Six Nation Indians--wouldn't I +drop him!" + +The mother could not share the buoyancy of her son. She stepped outside, +so as to be beyond the hearing of the little ones. + +"Omas has been here; that is his little girl that you hear laughing +with Alice. He has told me the same as you--the Tories and Indians are +coming, and he wants us to flee with him." + +"What does he mean by that?" asked the half indignant boy. + +"He says they will put us all to death, and if we do not go with him, we +will be killed too." + +The handsome face of Benjamin Ripley took on an expression of scorn, and +as he straightened up, he seemed to become several inches taller. + +"He forgets that I am with you! Omas is very kind; but he and his Tory +friends had better look out for themselves. Why, with the men at the +fort, Colonel Butler will have several hundred." + +"But they are mostly old men and boys." + +"Well," said the high spirited lad, with a twinkle of his fine hazel +eyes, "add up a lot of old men and boys, and the average is the same +number of middle aged men, isn't it? Don't you worry, mother--things are +all right. If Omas comes back, give him our thanks, and tell him we are +not going to sneak off when we are needed at home." + +It was hard to resist the contagion of Ben's hopefulness. The mother not +only loved but respected him as much as she could have done had he been +several years older. He had been her mainstay for the two years past, +during which the father was absent with the patriot army; and she came +to lean upon him more and more, though her heart sank when Ben began to +talk of following his father into the ranks, to help in the struggle for +independence. + +She found herself looking upon the situation as Ben did. If so great +danger threatened Wyoming, it would be cowardly for them to leave their +friends to their fate. It was clear all could not find safety by going, +and she would feel she was doing wrong if she gave no heed to the +others. + +Ben was tall and strong for his years, and the fact that he had taken +the gun from Colonel Butler to be used in taking care of the settlement +bound the youth in honor to do so. + +"It shall be as you say," said the mother; "I cannot be as hopeful as +you, but it is our duty to stay. We will not talk about it before the +children." + +"I want to see how a little Indian girl looks," muttered Ben with a +laugh, following his mother into the house. + +Alice caught sight of him, and was in his arms the next instant, while +Linna rose to her feet, and stood with her forefinger between her teeth, +shyly studying the newcomer. + +"Helloa, Linna! how are you?" he called, setting down his young sister +and catching up the little Indian. Not only that, but he gave her a +resounding smack on her dusky cheek. + +"I always like pretty little girls, and I'm going to be your beau: what +do you say? Is it a bargain?" + +It is not to be supposed that the Delaware miss caught the whole meaning +of this momentous question. She was a little overwhelmed by the rush of +the big boy's manner, and nodded her head about a dozen times. + +"There, Alice; do you understand that?" he asked, making the room ring +with his merry laughter; "I'm to be Linna's beau. How do you like it?" + +"I'm glad for you, but I--guess--I oughter be sorry for Linna." + + + +CHAPTER THREE: JULY THIRD, 1778 + +While Ben Ripley was frolicking with little Alice and her Indian friend +Linna, the mother prepared the evening meal. + +The candles were lighted, and they took their places at the table. + +All this was new and strange to Linna. In her own home, she was +accustomed to sit on the ground, and use only her fingers for knife and +fork when taking food; but she was observant and quick, and knowing how +it had been with her, her friends soon did away with her embarrassment. +The mother cut her meat into small pieces, spread butter--which the +visitor looked at askance--on the brown bread, and she had but to do as +the rest, and all went well. + +A few minutes after supper both girls became drowsy, and Mrs. Ripley, +candle in hand, conducted them upstairs to the small room set apart for +their use. + +This was another novel experience for the visitor. She insisted at first +upon lying on the hard floor, for never in her life had she touched a +bed; but after awhile, she became willing to share the couch with her +playmate. + +Alice knelt down by the side of the little trundle bed and said her +prayers, as she always did; but Linna could not understand what it +meant. She wonderingly watched her until she was through, and then with +some misgiving, clambered among the clothes, and the mother tucked her +up, though the night was so warm they needed little covering. + +Mrs. Ripley felt that she ought to tell the dusky child about her +heavenly Father, and to teach her to pray. She therefore sat down on the +edge of the bed, and in simple words began the wonderful story of the +Saviour, who gave His life to save her as well as all others. + +Alice dropped asleep right away, but Linna lay motionless, with her +round black eyes fixed on the face of the lady, drinking in every word +she said. By and by, however, the eyelids began to droop, and the good +woman ceased. Who shall tell what precious seed was thus sown in that +cabin in Wyoming, more than a hundred years ago? + +While Mrs. Ripley was talking upstairs, she heard voices below; so that +she knew Ben had a visitor. As she descended, she recognized a neighbor +who lived on the other side of the river. + +"I called," said he, "to tell you that you must lose no time in moving +into Forty Fort with your little girl." + +"You do not mean right away?" + +"Not tonight, but the first thing in the morning." + +"Is the danger so close as that?" + +"Our scouts report the Tory Colonel Butler with a large force of whites +and Indians marching down the valley." + +"But do you not expect to repel them?" + +"We are sure of that," was the confident reply; "but it won't do for any +of the women and children to be exposed. The Indians will scatter, and +cut off all they can. Others of our friends are out warning the people, +and we must have them all in a safe place." + +"Will you wait for your enemies to attack the fort?" + +"I believe our Colonel Butler favors that; but others, and among them +myself and Ben, favor marching out and meeting them." + +"That's it," added the lad, shaking his head. "I believe in showing +them we are not scared. Colonel Butler got leave of absence to come to +Wyoming; he has some regulars with him, and with all our men and boys +we'll teach the other Colonel Butler a lesson he won't forget as long as +he lives." + +"Well, if you think it best, we will move into the fort with the other +people until the danger is past." + +"Yes, mother; I will fight better knowing that you and Alice are safe. +There's Linna! What about her?" + +"Who's Linna?" asked the visitor. + +"She is the little child of Omas, the Delaware warrior. He brought her +here this afternoon to make Alice a visit, and promised to call tomorrow +for her. Will it be safe to wait until he comes?" + +The neighbor shook his head. + +"You mustn't take any chances. Why don't you turn her loose to take care +of herself? She can do it." + +"I couldn't," the mother hastened to say; "Omas left her in our care, +and I must not neglect her. She will go with us." + +"I don't think it will be safe for her father to come after her, when +the flurry is over." + +"Why not?" + +"He will be with the Iroquois, even though his tribe doesn't like them +any too well; for the Iroquois are the conquerors of the Delawares, and +drove them off their hunting grounds." + +"Well," said Mrs. Ripley, with a sigh; "even if he never comes for her, +she will always have a home with us." + +The dwelling of the Ripleys was on the eastern shore of the Susquehanna. +On the other side stood Fort Wintermoot and Forty Fort, the former being +at the upper end of the valley. That would be the first one reached by +the invaders, and the expectation was that it would give up whenever +ordered to do so, for nearly all in it were friends of the Tories. + +It was evident that when Omas left his child with her friends, and spoke +of returning the next day, or soon thereafter, he did not know how near +the invasion was. Mrs. Ripley expected that when he did learn it, he +would hasten back for her. + +The night, however, passed without his appearance, and the hot July sun +came up over the forests on the eastern bank of the river, and still +he remained away. It looked as if he had decided to let her take her +chances while he joined the invaders in their work of destruction and +woe. + +Mrs. Ripley would have been willing to wait longer, but she was urged +not to lose another hour. The frightened settlers were not allowed to +take anything but their actual necessaries with them, for the cramped +quarters in Forty Fort, where a number of cabins were erected, would be +crowded to the utmost to make room for the hundreds who might clamor for +admission. The quarters, indeed, were so scant that many camped outside, +holding themselves ready to rush within should it become necessary. + +Little Linna was filled with wonder when she saw her friends preparing +to move and knew she was going with them. But she helped in her way as +much as she could and asked no questions. There was no need, in fact, +for Alice asked enough for both. + +And just here I must relate to you a little history. + +On the last days of June, 1778, Colonel John Butler, with about four +hundred soldiers--partly made up of Tories--and six or seven hundred +Indians, entered the head of Wyoming Valley. As I have said, he was a +cousin of Colonel Zebulon Butler, who commanded the patriots and did all +he could to check the invaders. Reaching Fort Wintermoot, the British +officer sent in a demand for its surrender. The submission was made, +and the invaders then came down the valley and ordered the Connecticut +people to surrender Forty Fort and the settlements. Colonel Zebulon +Butler had under him, to quote the historical account, "two hundred and +thirty enrolled men, and seventy old people, boys, civil magistrates, +and other volunteers." They formed six companies, which were mustered at +Forty Fort, where the families of the settlers on the east side of the +river had taken refuge. + +Colonel Zebulon Butler, upon receiving the summons, called a council of +war. This was on the 3rd of July. The officers believed that a little +delay would be best, in the hope of the arrival of reinforcements; but +nearly all the men were so clamorous to march out and give the invaders +battle, that it was decided to do so. + +"You are going into great danger," remarked the leader, as he mounted +his horse and placed himself at the head of the patriots, "but I will go +as far as any of you." + +At three o'clock in the afternoon the column, numbering about three +hundred, marched from the fort with drums beating and colors flying. +They moved up the valley, with the river on the right and a marsh on the +left, until they arrived at Fort Wintermoot, which had been set on +fire by the enemy to give the impression they were withdrawing from the +neighborhood. + +As you may well believe, the movements of the patriots were watched with +deep interest by those left behind. The women and children clustered +along the river bank and strained their eyes in the direction of Fort +Wintermoot, the black smoke from which rolled down the valley and helped +to shut out their view. + +There was hardly one among the spectators that had not a loved relative +with the defenders. It might be a tottering grandfather, a sturdy son, +who, though a boy, was inspired with the deepest fervor, and eager to +risk his life for the sake of his mother or sister, whose hearts almost +stopped beating in the painful suspense which must continue until the +battle was decided. + +Alice was too young fully to understand the peril in which Ben was +placed. She had kissed him goodbye when he ran to take his place with +the others, and, with a light jest on his lips about her and Linna, he +had snatched a kiss from the little Delaware's swarthy cheek. + +The mother added a few cheering words to the children, and it was a +striking sight when they and a number of others, about their age or +under, began playing with all the merriment of children who never dream +that the world contains such afflictions as sorrow, woe, and death. + +It was easy to follow the course of the patriots for a time after they +were beyond sight, by the sound of their drums and the shrill whistling +of several fifes. + +In those days it was much more common than now for people to drink +intoxicating liquors. Just before the patriots started up the valley, +I am sorry to say, a few of the men drank more than they should. It +has been claimed by some that but for this things would have gone +differently on that day, which will live for ever as one of the saddest +in American history. + +By and by the anxious people near the fort noticed that the sound of +drums and fifes had ceased, and the reports of firearms were heard. + +They knew from this that the opposing forces were making ready for the +conflict, and the suspense became painful indeed. + +Then amid the rattle of musketry sounded the whoops of the Iroquois. +The battle was on. Fighting began about four o'clock in the afternoon. +Colonel Zebulon Butler ordered his men to fire, and at each discharge +to advance a step. The fire was regular and steady, and the Americans +continued to gain ground, having the advantage where it was open. +Despite the exertions of the invaders, their line gave way, and but for +the help of the Indians they would have been routed. + +The flanking party of red men kept up a galling fire on the right, and +the patriots dropped fast. The Indians on the Tory left were divided +into six bands who kept up a continuous yelling which did much to +inspirit each other, while the deadly aim told sadly upon the Americans. + +The most powerful body of Indians was in a swamp on the left of the +patriots, and by and by they outflanked them. The Americans tried to +manoeuvre so as to face the new danger, but some of them mistook the +order for one to retreat. Everything was thrown into confusion. + +Colonel Zebulon Butler, seeing how things were going, galloped up +and down between the opposing lines, calling out--"Don't leave me, my +children. Stand by me and the victory is ours!" + +But it was too late. The patriots could not be rallied. They were far +outnumbered, and once thrown into a panic, with the captain of every +company slain, the day was lost. + +You cannot picture the distress of the women, children, and feeble old +men waiting at Forty Fort the issue of the battle. + +The sorrowful groups on the bank of the river listened to the sounds of +conflict, and read the meaning as they came to their ears. + +The steady, regular firing raised their hopes at first. They knew their +sons and friends were fighting well, despite the shouts of the Indians +borne down the valley on the sultry afternoon. + +By and by the firing grew more scattering, and instead of being so far +up the river as at first, it was coming closer. + +This could mean but one thing; the patriots were retreating before the +Tories and Indians. + +One old man, nearly four score years of age, who pleaded to go into the +battle, but was too feeble, could not restrain his feelings. He walked +back and forth, inspired with new strength and full of hope, until the +scattered firing and its approach left no doubt of its meaning. + +He paused in his nervous, hobbling pace, and said to the white faced +women standing breathlessly near--"Our boys are retreating: they have +been beaten--all hope is gone!" + +The next moment two horsemen galloped into sight. "Colonel Butler and +Colonel Denison!" said the old man, recognizing them; "they bring sad +news." + +It was true. They rode their horses on a dead run, and reining up at the +fort, where the people crowded around them, they leaped to the ground, +and Colonel Butler said--"Our boys have been driven from the field, and +the Tories and Indians are at their heels!" + + + +CHAPTER FOUR: THE EASTERN SHORE + +Young Ben Ripley made a good record on that eventful 3rd of July. He +loaded and fired as steadily as a veteran. The smoke of the guns, the +wild whooping of the Iroquois Indians, the sight of his friends and +neighbors continually dropping to the ground, some of them at his elbow, +the deafening discharge of the rifles--all these and the dreadful +swirl and rush of events dazed him at times; but he kept at it with +a steadiness which caused more than one expression of praise from the +officers nearest him. + +All at once he found himself mixed up in the confusion caused by the +attempt to wheel a part of the line to face the flanking assailants, and +the mistake of many that it was an order to retreat. + +He did not know what it meant, for it seemed to him that a dozen +officers were shouting conflicting orders at the same moment. A number +of men threw down their guns and made a wild rush to get away, several +falling over each other in the frantic scramble; others bumped together, +and above the din of the conflict sounded the voices of Colonel Butler, +as he rode back and forth through the smoke, begging his troops not to +leave him, and victory would be theirs. + +Seeing the hopeless tangle, the Indians swarmed out of the swamp, and +by their savage attack and renewed shouts made the hubbub and confusion +tenfold worse. + +Somebody ran so violently against Ben that he was thrown to the ground. +He was on his feet in an instant and turned to see who did it. It was a +soldier fleeing for life from an Iroquois warrior. + +Ben raised his gun, took quick aim and pulled the trigger, but no report +followed. He had forgotten his weapon was unloaded. + +Other forms obtruded between him and the couple, and he could not see +the result of the pursuit and attack. Despite all he could do, he was +forced back by the panic stricken rush around and against him. + +Suddenly a wild cry reached him. An Iroquois with painted face rushed +upon him with uplifted tomahawk, but he was yet several paces away, when +another warrior seized his arm and wrenched him to one side. + +"Run--go fast--don't stay!" commanded the Indian that had saved the +youth, furiously motioning to him. + +"If my gun were loaded," replied Ben, though his voice was unheard in +the din, "I wouldn't go till I did something more. Helloa! is that you, +Omas?" + +It was the Delaware that had turned the assault aside. + +A couple of bounds placed him beside he lad, and he caught his arm with +a grip of iron. + +It was of no use trying to hold back. Omas half running, half leaping, +drove his way like a wedge through the surging swarm. His left hand +closed around the upper arm of Ben, while his right grasped his +tomahawk, he having thrown aside his rifle. + +The boy was repeatedly jerked almost off his feet. He could run fast, +but was not equal to this warrior, who forged along with resistless +might. Twice did an Iroquois make for the young prisoner, as he supposed +the lad to be, but a warning motion of the tomahawk upheld by Omas +repelled him. + +The Delaware was prudent, and instead of keeping in the midst of the +surging mass, worked to one side, so that they were soon comparatively +free from the tumultuous throng. + +There was no attempt at conversation between the Delaware and Ben. The +boy knew what was meant by this rough kindness. The day was lost, and +his thoughts went out to the loved ones waiting down the valley to learn +the result of the battle. He wanted to get to them as quickly as he +could. + +The rush carried them beyond the main body of fugitives, though not out +of danger, for the Iroquois were pursuing hard; but soon Omas loosened +his grip and dropped the arm of the lad. They were far enough removed +from the swirl to exchange words. + +"Where moder--where Alice?", asked the Delaware, as if he had no concern +for his own child. + +"At Forty Fort." + +"Linna with them?" + +"Yes; they are together with the other folks." + +"Go dere--tell cross riber--make haste to Del'mware." + +This command meant that the little party should hurry to the eastern +side of the Susquehanna, and start for the settlements on the Upper +Delaware. The nearest town was Stroudsburg, sixty miles distant, and the +way led through a dismal forest. + +The words of Omas showed, too, that he knew what was coming. Though the +British Colonel Butler might accept the surrender and strive to give +fair treatment to the prisoners, he would find it hard to restrain the +Tories and Indians. + +All that could be done was for the fugitives to flee, without an hour's +delay. They were already flocking to the river in the effort to reach +the other side. A good many hid among the grass and undergrowth on +Monacacy Island, where the Tories and Indians followed, and hunted them +out without mercy. + +Those who were wise enough to set out in time had a chance of arriving +at the settlements on the Upper Delaware, though much suffering was sure +to follow, since there was no time to prepare food to take with them. + +The remark of Omas prompted Ben's words--"How can I get mother, and +Alice and Linna, to the other side? They cannot swim the river." + +"Linna swim," was the somewhat proud answer; "she take care of Alice you +take care of moder." + +"I might at any other time, but with the people crowding around us, and +the Indians at our heels and shooting down all they can, what chance +have we? Why can't you come with me and help them?" + +No doubt the Delaware had asked himself the question, for he answered +it not by words, but by breaking into a loping trot for Forty Fort, +with Ben running at his side. He halted before reaching the refuge, and +turned aside among the bushes overhanging the edge of the river, his +actions showing he was searching for something. + +He speedily found a canoe, probably his own. It had been so skillfully +hidden among the dense undergrowth that one might have passed within a +couple of paces without seeing it. + +He picked it up as if it were a toy boat and set it down in the water. + +"Go bring moder--bring Alice--bring Linna." + +Ben was off like a shot, for he knew there was not a minute to throw +away. It was the season when the days were longest, and two or three +hours must pass before it would be fully night. + +It would not do for Omas to go with Ben. His appearance at the fort +would add to the panic, and be almost certain to bring about a conflict +with some of the whites. It was his province to guard the precious canoe +from being taken by other fugitives. + +Ben Ripley now thought only of his loved ones. He knew the anguish his +mother would suffer until she learned he was safe, and he forced his way +to the spot where he had parted from her. + +It was a sad experience. Old men, women and children, with white faces, +were rushing to and fro, wringing their hands and wailing, searching for +those whom they never again would see in this life; crowding into the +little fort, as if they knew a minute's delay would be fatal; some +making for the river, into which they plunged in a wild effort to reach +the eastern shore, while among the frantic masses appeared here and +there a fugitive from the scene of battle, perhaps wounded and telling +his dreadful story of the defeat, with all the woeful consequences that +were certain to follow. + +With much difficulty and some rough work the lad reached the spot where +he had bidden his mother and the children goodbye, but none of the three +was in sight. They had been swept aside by the rush of the terrified +people. + +A cry sounded above the tumult, and before he could learn where it came +from, the arms of his mother were about his neck. + +"Thank Heaven! my boy is safe! You do not know what I have suffered. I +could learn nothing about you. Are you hurt?" + +"Not a scratch--which is more than many other poor fellows can say. +Where are the children?" + +A tiny hand was slipped into his own, and looking down, there stood +Linna, with her forefinger between her teeth, looking shyly up at him. +There could be no doubt she felt fully acquainted. + +Alice came forward on the other side. Neither understood the cause +of the turmoil about them. They were not scared, but were awed into +silence. + +"I saw Omas," explained Ben to his mother; "he saved me from the fate of +many others." + +"Where is he?" + +"A little way off, under the bank, waiting with his canoe, to take us +across the river. + +"He says we must hurry through the woods for the settlements on the +Upper Delaware. Every hour that we stay increases our danger." + +"Let me take Alice; lead the way." + +Clasping tight the hand of Linna, with his mother at his heels, Ben +pushed for the point where he had left the Delaware a few minutes +before. + +Strange that though the distance was not far, and the confusion seemed +to be increasing every minute, the little party had not gone half way +when they were checked by one of the men that had been in the battle. He +was slightly wounded, and under the influence of liquor. + +"Who's that you've got with you?" he demanded, looking down at Linna, +who saw no danger in the act. + +"A friend of Alice and me." + +"She looks like an Injin," added the soldier, scowling threateningly at +her; "if she is, I want her." + +"I told you she is a friend of ours--get out of my way!" + +The soldier's condition enabled Ben to tumble him over on his back by +means of a vigorous shove. Before he could steady himself and get upon +his feet again, the others were beyond reach. + +I am sure he would not have acted that way, had he been in the +possession of his senses. + +When Ben parted from Omas, he was without a rifle, but on joining him +again, the warrior had a fine weapon in his hand. It was not the one +with which he appeared at the house. The lad might have guessed how he +got it, but he did not ask any questions, nor seem to notice it. + +As the party came up, Omas merely glanced at Mrs. Ripley and her child, +but did not speak. As for his own little girl, he gave her no notice. +Young as she was, she understood him, and did not claim any attention +from him. If they had been alone, she would have been in his arms with +their cheeks together. + +"Go 'cross," said he, pointing toward the other shore. + +"Ben has told me what you said: we are ready," replied Mrs. Ripley. + +He held the canoe steady and motioned her to take her place in it. She +did so, and Alice nestled at her feet, being careful not to stir, for +such frail craft are easily upset. + +The canoe was small, and the weight of the mother and child sank it +quite low, though it would hold another adult. + +"Get in," added Omas to the lad. + +Ben obeyed. He knew all about such boats, and could have paddled it +across had there been a paddle to use, but there was none. + +When the Delaware laid his rifle inside with Ben's, it was evident he +intended to swim, towing or shoving the boat. + +"Come, Linna, there's just room for you," added the youth, reaching out +his hand for the dusky little girl. + +Instead of obeying, she looked up at her father and said something to +which he made answer brusquely, as it sounded to the others. + +Retreating several paces from shore, she ran nimbly to the edge of the +bank, and with a leap splashed away beyond the bow of the canoe, and +began swimming like a fish for the eastern shore. + +It was a real treat for her, even though she did not remove any of her +clothing. The weather was sultry, and the bath refreshingly cool. Not +comprehending the sad scenes around her, she dived, and splashed, and +frolicked, easily keeping in advance of the boat. + +Truth to tell, the canoe had all it could hold, and Omas, who swam at +the stern, handled it with care to prevent it overturning. The water +rose almost to the gunwales, and a little jolt or carelessness would +have capsized it. + +The Delaware swam high out of water. He knew the boat would attract the +attention of some of his own people on the bank, who, if they thought +the occupants were escaping, would either pursue or fire on them. + +The sight of the Indian, however, at the stern would make it appear that +they were already prisoners, and the other warriors would give their +attention elsewhere. + +Omas kept clear of Monacacy Island, and by and by his feet touched +ground. Before that, the dripping Linna had run out on land, and so the +whole party safely reached the eastern shore. + + + +CHAPTER FIVE: IN THE WOODS + +You have not forgotten what I told you about the mountain range, which +shuts in Wyoming Valley on the east. It is a thousand feet in height, +abounding with ravines, clefts, rocks, boulders and the most rugged kind +of places. + +The fugitives who fled from the Susquehanna to escape the Indians had +to make their way over these mountains, and then find their way through +sixty miles of trackless woods to the Delaware River. A great many +succeeded in doing so, but the deaths and sufferings in the vast stretch +of forest gave it the dreadful name of "The Shades of Death," by which +it is often referred to even to this day. + +Omas swam at the rear of the small canoe, as I told you, with Mrs. +Ripley and her two children seated inside and balancing themselves +with great care to prevent the heavily loaded craft from sinking or +overturning. + +More than one Seneca or Oneida Indian, or perhaps a Tory, that had +chased some terrified fugitives to the edge of the river, halted and +made ready to fire upon the canoe, whose occupants were seen to be three +white persons. + +When they looked again, however, they observed the head and shoulders of +an Indian warrior, who was plainly propelling the craft in front of him. +That was enough to satisfy them. + +On the way over, Linna, the little Indian girl, amused herself by diving +under the canoe, sometimes appearing on one side and then on the other, +sometimes in front and then at the rear. She even ventured to impose +upon her father by splashing water in his painted face. She did little +of that, and he paid no attention to it. + +The sun had not yet set when the grim warrior and his child emerged on +the eastern shore, their garments dripping, but caring nothing for that. +The boat was drawn far enough up the bank to prevent its being swept +away by the current, and then all stood side by side, and as if by a +common impulse, looked back at the shore they had left. + +The smoke from the burning Fort Wintermoot still rested on the calm +surface of the river, and filtered among the green vegetation near the +scene of the battle. Other buildings had been fired, and mingled their +vapor with it. + +Here and there, every minute or two, sounded the sharp crack of a rifle. +This too often meant that some fugitive had been run down by his cruel +pursuer, who listened to no pleadings for mercy. A good many had taken +refuge on Monacacy Island, from which the reports of guns continually +came. + +I have not the space here to tell you of the wonderful escapes at +Wyoming, the particulars of which I have given in another work. + +One boy, who was with several men near Fort Jenkins before the battle, +saw all the men shot down or captured; but he hid himself among some +willows and was not noticed. + +If you ever visit the scene of the battle, you will notice a broad, flat +stone, called Queen Esther's Rock, a half dozen miles below Wilkesbarre. +Queen Esther was an old, cruel, half breed woman who came with the +Indians. She is sometimes known as Katharine Montour. A son of hers +was killed in the conflict, and she was so angered that she had sixteen +captives placed around the rock, and meant to slay them all, while the +warriors prevented them from escaping. + +Nevertheless two of the young men jumped up and started on a run for +the river. The guards dashed after them. One caught his toe, and rolled +headlong down the bank into some bushes. Instead of springing up again, +as he first started to do, he lay still, and though the Indians almost +stepped upon him, he was not discovered, and got off without harm. + +The other reached the river, took a running leap and dived, and swam +under water as far as he could. When he came up to breathe, the waiting +red men fired at him again and again. He was wounded, but not badly, +and, reaching the other side, caught a stray horse, made a bridle from a +hickory withe, and soon joined his friend. + +Another fugitive, after running until he was so tired out he could +hardly stand, and hearing the Indians near, backed into a hollow log +and awaited his fate. He had been in the hollow but a few minutes when +a spider spun its web across the entrance. A few minutes later, two +warriors sat down on the log. They noticed how good a hiding place it +would be for the white man, and one of them leaned over to peep in. As +he did so, he saw the spider web. He was sure that it would not be there +if the man was inside, and did not search further. When the warriors +left, the man crawled out and got safely away. + +You know that the home of the Ripleys was on the eastern shore, which +they left that same morning. They had crossed over in a large flatboat +with a number of other families, so that now they were near their own +home again. Omas had guided the canoe, too, so they landed not far from +the little structure. + +"Omas," said the mother, "I understand you wish us to go to the +Delaware." + +"Yes," he replied, "Iroquois won't hurt you there--must go." + +"We haven't a particle of food with us; Ben has his gun and may have a +chance to shoot some game on the way--more than likely, he will have no +chance at all; it will take us several days to reach Stroudsburg, which, +I believe, is the nearest point. Don't you think it best that we should +stop at the house and get what food we can?" + +"Yes, we do dat; come 'long; not great time." + +There could be no safer guide than the Delaware, when his race were such +complete masters of the situation; though there was risk that a patriot +hiding somewhere in the neighborhood might take a shot at him, under the +belief that he meant harm to the captives. + +The humble log structure was found just as it was left that morning. +If any of the marauding bands of Indians paid it a visit, they did not +linger after seeing it was tenantless. + +There was a whole loaf of bread and part of another left beside some +cooked chicken, and a number of live ones were scratching the ground +outside, as if they had no concern in what was going on. + +"The weather is warm now," remarked the prudent housewife, "but a cold +storm may set in before we reach shelter." + +With which she folded a blanket from her bed and laid it over her arm. + +"It will come handy to sleep on," added Ben, who did the same with a +second, despite the weight of his rifle, which (as they were made in +those days) was a good load of itself for a strong boy. + +Omas showed some impatience, though his companions did not understand +the cause. His actions, indeed, were curious. They supposed he meant to +conduct them all or a greater part of the way to Stroudsburg, though at +times he appeared to be hesitating over it, or over some other scheme he +had in mind. + +Ben Ripley had rambled among the rugged scenery, on the eastern shore of +the river, having gone with his father many times when he was on hunting +excursions; but he was not as familiar with the ins and outs of the +mountains as the Delaware, whose village was a good many miles away. + +None of the party had eaten anything of account since the early morning +meal, before they crossed the Susquehanna. The dangers, excitement, +and suspense of the hours drove away the thought of food. Young as was +Linna, she had already learned not to ask for it when either of her +parents chose not to offer it to her. Doubtless she was hungry, but if +so, no one else knew it. Alice had been given bread when at Forty Fort, +and she now suggested that some more would not come amiss. + +"We all need it," said Ben; "why not take our last meal in our old home? +You have no objection Omas?" + +"Eat here," was his reply. + +The guns were leaned against the walls, the blankets put aside and all +gathered round the board. The Delaware had done the same before when +visiting the family, and acquired the civilized form of eating, while +Linna picked it up during the brief time spent with her friends. + +The meal lasted but a few minutes, when they once more gathered up their +luggage, as it may be called, left the house, and with Omas in the lead, +struck into the mountains on the long tramp to the Delaware. + +The sun went down while they were picking their way through the rough +section. The Ripleys expected to do much hard travelling, but their +guide's knowledge of every turn enabled him to pick out paths which +none ever suspected. Sometimes the climbing was abrupt, but all, even to +Alice, were accustomed to that kind of work, and they kept up a steady +gait, which must have placed many miles to the rear if continued long. + +Omas continued at the head. Directly behind him walked his child, the +path most of the time being so narrow that they were obliged to travel +in Indian file. Then came Alice and her mother, while Ben considered +himself the rearguard. When the space allowed, Alice took the hand of +her parent, but Linna never presumed to speak to or interfere with her +grim, silent parent. + +Darkness closed around them before they had gone a couple of miles. +During all this time the tramp continued in silence, probably not a +dozen words being spoken. Each of the three elder was using eyes and +ears to the utmost. + +The sharp crack of a rifle broke the silence, not more than a hundred +yards to the right of them. Everyone started except Omas, who acted as +if he did not hear the report. He made no change in his pace, and so +far as the others could see in the gloom, did not turn his head. They +concluded, therefore, that no cause for alarm existed. + +Fairly through the mountain spur and among the deep woods, the journey +was pushed until the night was well along. Suddenly, Omas made a short +turn to the right and stopping in a hollow, where there were several +large boulders, he said--"We stay here all night." + +The words were a surprise, for it was expected he would travel for +a long time. He, Mrs. Ripley and Linna could have done so without +inconvenience, but Alice was tired out. Her relatives were pretty well +burdened already, though either would have carried her had it been +necessary; but the party had gained so good a start that there seemed +little risk in making a long stop. + +Omas reached down one hand and laid it on the bare head of Alice, saying +in a voice of strange gentleness--"Little girl tired--she can rest." + +And then all knew he had ceased walking because of her. Had she not been +a member of the party, he would have kept the rest on their feet until +the sun appeared above the forest. + +"Yes, I'm tired, Omas," said the little one wearily, holding the hand of +the Delaware in both her own; "I'm glad you stopped." + +The gloom was so deep, for there was no moon until very late (and if +there had been, its rays could not have pierced the dense foliage), that +they could hardly see each other's figures. Omas hastily gathered some +leaves and dead twigs, which were heaped together against one of the +boulders. Then he produced his flint and steel--for he had learned the +trick long before of the whites--and by and by a shower of sparks was +flying from the swift, sharp blows of the metal against the hard stone. +A minute later one of the sparks "caught," and under his nursing a fire +was speedily under way. + +While he was thus engaged, Mrs. Ripley spread the blankets on the ground +and Alice stretched her tired little body upon one of them. + +"Mamma, I guess God will excuse me for not saying my prayers," she +murmured, as she closed her eyes and sank into slumber. + +Linna was tired, too, but she kept her feet and looked at her father for +his permission, before presuming to lie down. + +"Come, Linna, here is your place beside Alice," said the mother kindly. + +Again she turned to her father, who was standing by the fire, looking +off in the gloom, as if he suspected something wrong. + +He gave the permission in their native tongue and she cuddled down +beside her friend without further waiting. + +"Mother," said Ben, "you had better lie down with them." + +"Not yet," she replied, with a significant look at he Delaware, whose +back was toward them. + +"What about him?" asked the surprised lad in a low voice. + +"He is meditating something evil: he wants to leave us. + +"What evil is there in that, if he thinks we have gone far enough to be +safe?" + +"You have forgotten that he fought with the Iroquois today; he wants to +go back to Wyoming and join them in their work." + +"If that is so, how can we hinder him?" + +"I don't know that we can; but I shall try it." + +Ben busied himself gathering more wood, so that the fire cast a glow +several yards from where it burned against the boulder. + +When he had collected enough to last a long while, he came back and sat +down by his mother. All this time the Delaware remained motionless, with +his face away from them. He was debating some troublous question in his +mind. They watched him closely. + +He turned about abruptly, and said--"Omas must go--he say 'goodnight' to +his friends." + + + +CHAPTER SIX: PUSHING EASTWARD + +No person in all the world is so quick to detect deception as a mother. +It is simply wonderful the way she will sometimes read one's thoughts. I +am sure you boys who have lagged on the road when sent on an errand, had +a scrimmage with some other boy, or done any one of the numerous acts +in which a mother persists in asking annoying questions, will agree with +me. + +While Omas, the Delaware warrior, stood with his face turned away from +the camp fire and looking off in the gloom, as if he was trying to +discover something in the darkness, Mrs. Ripley was sure she knew what +the trouble was: he was trying to decide whether he should stay longer +with the little party or leave them to make the rest of their way +through the woods without him. + +He might well say they were now so far from Wyoming that they were in +little danger. They had but to keep on tramping for several days and +nights, and they would reach the little town of Stroudsburg, which, you +may know, is near Delaware Water Gap. There they need have no fear of +the red men. + +Mrs. Ripley knew all this as well as Omas himself, but she did not wish +him to go back and join the hostile Iroquois, as he wanted to do. She +felt it would be far better if he would stay with them, for then he +would do no further harm to the white people. + +When, therefore, he turned about and bade them goodbye, all doubt was +gone. Ben did not reply, but his mother rose from the other blanket on +which she had been sitting, walked quietly to where the Delaware was +standing, and laid her hand kindly on his arm. + +"Omas, I do not wish you to leave us," she said. + +He looked at her, for both stood where the firelight fell upon their +faces, and replied--"No danger--walk towards the rising sun--need not +walk fast--Iroquois won't hurt--soon be safe." + +The lady was too wise to let her real objection appear. + +"A while ago we heard the noise of a gun; our people are fleeing through +the woods, and the red men are following them. Alice is tired, and we +have stopped to rest. When we start again tomorrow, some of the red men +will be ahead of us. What shall we do without our friend Omas?" + +"He have gun." he replied, indicating Ben. + +"So have the red men, and there are more of them." + +Now, if Mrs. Ripley was skilful in reading the thoughts of the Delaware, +it may be that he, too, suspected the real cause for her objections. Be +that as it may, it was plain he was not satisfied. He held the Ripley +family in too high regard to offend them openly; but Omas was set in his +ways. + +He made no reply to the last remark, but stepped a little nearer the +fire and sat down, moody and silent. + +"You have said enough, mother," remarked Ben in a low voice; "it will +anger him to say more. I will sit with my head against the rock; do you +lie down on the blanket and let your head rest in my lap. I think it +will be safe for us all." + +With some hesitation the mother complied, the Delaware apparently paying +no heed to them. He kept his seat on the ground, looking gloomily into +the fire and in deep thought. A struggle was going on in his mind, and +no one could say whether the good or evil would win. + +Ben Ripley was anxious that his mother should sleep. She had undergone +the severest of trials since early morning, and none had wrought harder +than she. The morrow would make further demands on her strength. As for +himself, he was young, sturdy, and could stand more and rally sooner +than she. + +When, therefore, she said something in a low tone, he placed his hand +softly over her mouth and whispered--"S--h! go to sleep, baby." + +He smoothed the silky hair away from the forehead so gently and so +soothingly that she could not resist the effect. She meant to keep +awake until Omas made his final decision; but no person can resist the +approach of slumber, except by active movement. + +Before long, and while Ben's hand was still gliding like down over the +forehead, the faint, regular breathing showed she was asleep. + +The son smiled. + +"Good! The best mother that ever lived! Heavenly Father, watch over her +and spare her for many years. Watch over us all." + +He looked across at Omas, on the other side of the camp fire, and saw +the Delaware gazing fixedly at him. + +He arose as silently as a shadow and stepped nearer, peering down on the +pale, handsome face with its closed eyes. + +"She sleep?" asked the Indian. + +"Yes," replied Ben, softly, with a nod of his head. + +He looked at her a moment and then across to the other blanket, where +the round, chubby cheeks of the little girls reflected the firelight. He +waited a moment, and then the gentler side of his nature triumphed. He +bent over the forms, kissed each in turn, straightened up, and pointing +to the eastward, said to Ben--"Go dat way--you safe--goodbye." + +"Goodbye," replied the lad, knowing it was useless to protest. + +Like the gliding of the shadow of a cloud, the Delaware passed beyond +the circle of light thrown out by the fire into the deep gloom of the +wood. The moccasins pressed the dry leaves without giving back any +sound, and he vanished. + +"That makes a change of situation," was the conclusion of Ben Ripley; +"he's gone, and I become the general of this army; there's no telling +what danger may be abroad tonight, so I will keep my eyes open till +sunrise, to make sure that no harm comes to these folks." + +And ten minutes after this decision the lad was as sound asleep as his +mother and the two little ones. + +But there was One who did not slumber while all were unconscious. He +ever watches over His children, and,--though there were many perils +abroad that night, none of them came near our friends. + +The camp fire which had been burning so brightly grew dimmer and lower +until the figures could hardly be seen. They gradually became more +indistinct, and finally the gloom was as deep as anywhere in the dense +woods. Only a few smouldering embers were left, and they gave out no +glow. + +Ben was still sleeping, when something tickled his nose. He rubbed +it vigorously with his forefinger and opened his eyes, confused and +bewildered. + +An odd, chuckling laugh at his elbow drew his gaze hither. There stood +Linna, with the sprig of oak which she had been passing back and forth +under the base of his nose, making it feel for all the world like a fly +titillating his nostrils. + +Ben made an attempt to catch the mischievous girl, but she deftly +eluded him, and laughed so heartily that the others awoke and looked +wonderingly to learn what it all meant. + +"I'll pay you for that!" exclaimed the lad, as his mother raised her +head from his lap. Bounding to his feet, he darted after Linna, but she +was so nimble, and dodged back and forth and from right to left so fast, +that it took much effort to run her down. + +Like all little girls, she was very "ticklish," and when he dallied with +his fingers about her plump neck, she dropped to the ground and kicked +and rolled over to get away from him. He let her up, and said with +pretended gravity that he never allowed any trifling with him without +punishing the person therefore. + +Linna did not seem to notice the absence of her father, and asked no +questions. Ben told his mother how he went off after she fell asleep, +and the good woman saddened, for she was sure she understood it all. + +The first thing done, after a few minutes' talk, was to kneel in prayer, +Mrs. Ripley leading in a petition to Heaven that all might be preserved +from harm and reach the distant settlement safely. She did not forget +the absent Omas, or the hundreds of hapless people whom they had left +behind, who were still in great danger. + +It was Mrs. Ripley's custom always to offer prayer in the little +household at the beginning of each day. Linna, who had gained a dim idea +of what the touching act meant, bent on her knees beside Alice; and who +shall say the petition which went up from her heart was not heard and +remembered by Him who notices the fall of every sparrow. + +And now came the serious business of the day. Many long miles of +trackless forest lay before them and the delay caused all to feel the +need of hurry. + +Mrs. Ripley gave to each a moderate portion of the food brought with +them, carefully preserving what was left, for they were sure to need +that and much more before reaching the end of their journey. The day +promised to be sultry like the preceding one, and each sadly missed the +water with which to quench their thirst and splash upon their faces and +hands. + +"We shall come across some before long," said Ben hopefully when he and +his mother had divided the luggage between them and set out toward +the rising sun; "we are a great deal better off than the poor folks of +Wyoming." + +The mother pinched the clothing of Linna, and found it dried of the +moisture gained by her swim in the Susquehanna. + +It is a curious practice among not only the Indians, but with many white +people, not to change wet stockings or garments for dry ones. I knew +a fisherman's boy whose father once punished him for removing his +saturated stockings and shoes for others. + +"Always let 'em dry on you, and you won't catch cold," was his doctrine. +"Keep moving if you can, but don't change 'em." + +I don't believe in the practice; but be that as it may, the little +Delaware girl showed no ill effects from sleeping in the clothing that +had been wet. As for her father, he would have been insulted at the +mention of such a thing to him. + +Ben's belief about finding water proved true. They had gone hardly a +half mile from camp when they came upon a sparkling brook, cold and +clear, and abundant enough to serve all. Having no vessels with them, +they lay down and quaffed their fill. Then they bathed their faces and +hands in the delicious fluid, and were much refreshed. + +The expectation was that they would travel a good many miles before +night again overtook them. The way, while rough and broken in many +places, was not hard, and all, even to the smaller children, were used +to being on their feet. There was little fear indeed that Linna would +not do her part as well as the older ones. Young as she was in years, +she had been trained to hardship from the time she could walk. Not +only that, but, like all her race, she had learned to bear suffering in +silence and without sign of pain. + +She would have to become very tired before her companions would know it. + +By and by the ground was found to be rising, and in the course of an +hour they gained an elevation which, having few trees, gave them an +extended view of the surrounding country. + +Looking back in the direction of Wyoming, the sky was seen to be soiled +by the heavy smoke not only from the burned Fort Wintermoot, but from +other buildings that had been fired by the Tories and Indians. The sight +was a sorrowful one, and caused the mother and son some uneasiness. +They seemed nearer to the scene of the conflict than they had supposed, +and--since the people had been continually swimming the river, and +taking flight in the woods for the same point that was the destination +of the Ripleys--it was quite certain that some of the pursuers were not +far off. + +"We must make as little noise as we can," said Ben, when the party were +about to start forward again: "for there can be no telling how close we +are to Indians that are looking for us.' + +"I think it better for you to walk a little way in front," suggested the +mother, "so as to warn us in time." + +"The plan is a good one. I will keep in sight of you, and the minute I +see anything amiss, will make a sign, so you can stop at once." + +This course was adopted. Ben carried one of the blankets flung over his +left arm as if it were an extra garment, and steadied the heavy rifle on +his shoulder with the other. As you remember, he was tall for his years, +strong, and with rugged health. + +Had the weather been cooler he could have Kept up this method of +traveling for hours without fatigue; but the heat made it trying. True, +at that season of the year the foliage was dense on the trees and shut +out the sun's rays, except in the open spaces and natural clearings +which they now and then crossed; but the vegetation also stopped +whatever breeze was stirring, and obliged the members of the party to +halt many times to rest and cool themselves. + +Mrs. Ripley had but few extra things to carry, and showed less fatigue +than anyone, excepting the Delaware child. The latter and Alice walked +most of the time side by side, and generally with clasped hands. There +was no use of their trying to keep their tongues still, but they were +wise enough to speak in whispers and such soft undertones that no one +else could tell what they said, and therefore nothing was to be feared +on that account from any enemies in the neighborhood. + +"Why not he make sign?" was the startling question of Linna, pointing at +Ben, before the party had gone far after their brief rest. + +"What do you mean?" asked the puzzled Mrs. Ripley; "he isn't to make any +sign to us till he sees or hears something wrong." + +"People off dere!" replied Linna, pointing ahead and to the right of +their course. "Me hear dem speak." + +It was true. The keen ears of the child had discovered a peril that +no one else suspected. She alone had caught the sound of voices that +escaped all other ears. + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN: JABEZ ZITNER + +At this moment Ben Ripley was about a hundred feet in advance of the +party and ascending a ridge in the woods, which were so open that he was +in plain sight of the others. + +Mrs. Ripley, on hearing the alarming words of the little Delaware girl, +came to a stop. It seemed strange that Linna should have caught the +sounds noticed by no one else, and that, too, while she was whispering +to her companion, Alice; but even at that tender age the inherited +sharpness of hearing had been trained to a wonderfully fine degree. + +Mrs. Ripley was too prudent to argue with her. It was not wise to take +any chances. Above all, it was important that Ben should know the truth, +for he was still walking away from them with no knowledge of their +discovery. + +"S--h!" The sibilant noise made by the mother's lips crossed the space +and the listening lad halted and looked round. She did not speak, but +beckoned him to come back. He obeyed at once. + +"Linna says she heard voices a minute ago, over yonder," whispered Mrs. +Ripley, as her son joined them. + +"So me did," added Linna, in answer to the inquiring look of the lad. + +"You have sharp ears, little one; but are you sure?" + +"Me am," was the confident reply. + +"Where were they?" + +She again pointed out the direction. + +"That must be looked into: wait till I come back, and--" + +"S--h!" interrupted the mother. + +All caught an indistinct murmur, which proved Linna was right. + +"Me tell you--eh?" she said in a proud undertone, her black eyes +sparkling with triumph. + +"You are right: wait till I learn whether they are friends or enemies. I +will not be gone long." + +Leaving the anxious group clustered together, Ben faced in the direction +of the sounds, which had stopped, and were so faint when heard that he +could not tell whether they belonged to friends or foes. + +As nearly as he could find out, the parties were just beyond the crest +of the ridge, and, but for the warning of Linna, he would have run into +the danger before knowing it. + +With the utmost care he went up the slope. He leaned forward and stepped +more slowly, avoiding, so far as he could, making any noise on the +leaves or against the bushes and limbs which he had to push aside to +allow him to advance. + +At the instant of reaching the highest point he heard the voices again, +so close that he knew they were made by white people, who were in a +clump of dense undergrowth. A faint wreath of smoke filtering through +the branches overhead showed they had started a small fire, beside which +they were probably sitting or reclining on the ground. + +Now that he was certain they belonged to his own race, he had less fear. +Still, they might prove unpleasant neighbors when they came to know one +of the party was a daughter of Omas. Turning toward his friends, who +were watching him, Ben made a sign for them to stay where they were +while he went forward. + +He moved with the same care as before, but an unexpected accident +spoiled everything. His foot caught in a wire-like vine, and he almost +fell on his hands and knees. Aware that he had betrayed himself, he +threw aside further caution, hurried down the slope, and called out in a +guarded undertone-- + +"Helloa there, friends!" + +"Who are you?" was the demand that instantly followed, and from the +undergrowth, beside a small fire, two men suddenly rose upright, each +with rifle in hand. + +Ben recognized them. One was Jabez Zitner and the other Horace +Burwink--both middle aged, sturdy, and strong. They were neighbors, and +had taken part in the engagement the day before, but, escaping without +harm, were now on their way to the settlements of the Upper Delaware. + +A meeting of this kind would have been pleasing in the highest degree, +for it added great strength to the party; but a misgiving came to +the lad when he recognized Zitner. He was the man who, when partially +intoxicated the previous afternoon, had tried to take Linna from him and +was vigorously shoved aside by her friend. + +"Helloa, Ben! where did you come from?" asked Zitner, who was now +entirely himself. + +"Glad to see you," added Burwink, and the two extended their hands. "You +gave us a great scare, for the woods are full of redskins." + +"You startled me, too," replied Ben. "I am travelling with my mother and +sister to Stroudsburg. I suppose you are aiming for the same place?" + +"Yes--if we ever get there. What become of that little sarpent you had +with you yesterday?" + +It was Zitner who asked the question. Ben's face flushed, for he did not +like to hear Linna spoken of in that way. + +"She is with us," he quietly replied. + +"What are you going to do with her?" + +"She is in our care, and goes wherever we go." + +"You seem mighty fond of the people who played the mischief with us +yesterday." + +"Jabez Zitner, I fought just as hard as you, and did all I could to +drive back the Iroquois and Tories, but I don't fight little children +six years old." + +"Who's talking about fighting 'em?" demanded Zitner angrily. "Their +people didn't spare our women and children." + +"They are savages, but you and I claim to be civilized." + +"That's all well enough, but my motto is--fight fire with fire." Burwink +was listening to this sharp interchange of words, the meaning of which +he caught. Wishing to make a friend of him, for Ben foresaw trouble, he +asked--"Am I not right, Mr. Burwink?" + +"I should say--on general principles you are; but, after yesterday, I +don't feel much love for any of the varmints. Who is this Injin gal that +you are talking about?" + +Ben was too wise to give the name of Linna's father, knowing he would be +instantly recognized as one of the fiercest warriors that had taken part +in the invasion and battle. He therefore replied-- + +"She is a girl named Linna; she is of the same age as our Alice, and was +visiting her when we crossed the river to Forty Fort yesterday morning. +We could do nothing but take her with us, and I will defend her with my +life." + +"You are talking big," remarked Zitner, with a scornful look at the +sturdy lad. "Who is the gal's father?" + +"That makes no difference; but I will say he belongs to the Delaware +tribe, most of whom are friends to our people." + +"There were plenty of them with the Senecas and Oneidas yesterday, and +they fought like wild cats, too. But why don't you bring your folks +forward?" added Zitner, looking inquiringly around. + +"I will do so. Wait a few minutes." + +He strode back and over the top of the ridge, until he caught sight of +the frightened group. + +"Come on!" he called, beckoning to them. "Mr. Zitner and Burwink are +here, and want to see you." + +With an expression of thankfulness, Mrs. Ripley, clasping a hand of +each of the children, walked up the slope, and passed over to where the +couple awaited their approach by the camp fire. She shook hands with +each, and expressed her pleasure at meeting them. They did the same +toward her, and then all, with the exception of the children, seated +themselves on the fallen tree beside which the small fire was burning. + +Mrs. Ripley had observed the little incident the preceding afternoon, +when Zitner tried to stop Linna. She was ill at ease, for she noticed +how sharply he looked at the child. She hoped, however, that now he was +fully himself, he would be ashamed of his action, or at least make no +reference to it. + +No fear of her doing so. She showed her tact by leading the conversation +in another direction. + +"When did you leave Wyoming?" + +"Burwink and I didn't get a chance to swim over until nearly midnight, +and then we had a rough time of it. There were plenty of others that +tried to do the same and never got to this side." + +"When did you leave?" asked Burwink of the lady. + +"We crossed before it was dark." + +"How did you manage it? Swim?" + +"No; we came over in a canoe. A Delaware Indian, the father of Linna, +swam behind the boat and pushed it across. But for him, we never could +have gotten away." + +Mrs. Ripley, like her son, meant to keep the name of their friend from +these men. There was no danger of either her or Ben telling it; but +neither thought of another means they had of learning it. + +At this point, Alice went to her mother and leaned against her knees, +with her gaze on the faces of the men. She had been standing beside +Linna, whose eyes were never once removed from the displeasing +countenance of Zitner. + +She must have noticed the incident referred to, for the expression on +her round face was of dislike and distrust. She stood further off from +the men than anyone else--silent, watchful, and suspicious. + +Zitner now looked at her. + +"Come here," he said coaxingly, extending his hand. + +"No; me won't. Me don't like you," she replied, with an angry flirt and +backward step. + +"Jingo!" exclaimed the surprised Zitner; "I didn't think she could talk +our lingo. Say, Miss Spitfire, what is your father's name?" + +Before either Mrs. Ripley or her son could interpose, Linna answered +defiantly--"He Omas--great warrior--kill good many white people--kill +you!" + +The reply caused consternation on the part of Mrs. Ripley and Ben, but +the boy shut his lips tight. He could not but admire the bravery of the +child, and he was determined to stand by her to the end. + +The mother was in despair, but she relied mainly on persuasion and +prayer. + +With no idea of what all this meant, Alice looked in the face of each +person in turn while speaking. + +"She's a chip off the old block," said Burwink, with a laugh. "She +doesn't seem to have much fear of you, Jabez." + +"I am hopeful she will feel different when she grows older," soothingly +remarked Mrs. Ripley. + +"I'd like to know what you build your hope on," replied Zitner, still +curiously watching the child. + +"I expect to have her a good deal under my care, and I shall do all I +can to instruct her aright. This morning she knelt with us in prayer. +You must remember she is very young, and has heard little, if anything, +of Christianity." + +Zitner shook his head. + +"It's born in 'em, and you can't get it out." + +"But, Mr. Zitner, you will not deny that we have a good many Christian +Indians. There are plenty of them at Gnadenhutten, and the Moravian +missionaries have been the means of turning hundreds from darkness to +light. If they can do that with full grown warriors and women, may we +not hope for the best from those of tender years?" + +"I don't know about that," was the dogged reply. "I never believed in +this conversion business." + +"What can you mean by such a remark?" asked the shocked lady. + +"I mean, religion is good enough for white people, but don't work with +Injins. They will pretend they're good, but are only waiting for a +chance to do mischief." + +"The converted Delawares have never taken part in the wars against us. +You know that as well as I." + +"How about Omas?" + +"He makes no pretence of Christianity." + +"And therefore has no claim on our indulgence." + +"No one has said he has," observed Ben, coming to his mother's help; "he +will never ask quarter from you or any white man." + +"Where is he now? He brought you over the river, but seems to have +deserted you." + +"He left because he didn't think we had further need of his aid; we can +get along without him." + +"Now, see here," added Zitner, straightening up on the log and slapping +his knee; "I'll tell you what I've made up my mind to do. I am +willing to give in to Mrs. Ripley that far, that I won't harm that +youngster--that is, I will leave it to her father whether I shall or +shan't." + +Neither mother nor son could understand the meaning of this strange +remark. They waited for the man to explain. + +"I'm going to take her with us as a hostage. We're not clear of the +varmints yet. I believe Omas himself ain't far off, and the rest will +be on our heels all the way to Stroudsburg. If they get us in a tight +place, I'll let 'em know we've got the gal of Omas with us, and if they +harm a hair of our heads it'll be all up with her. We'll take her clean +to Stroudsburg, and then turn her loose, for we won't have any further +need of her; but she must go with us." + +"Jabez Zitner," said Ben Ripley--"the moment you lay your hand on that +child I will shoot you!" + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT: LINNA'S WOODCRAFT + +No one could have looked into the face of Ben Ripley without seeing he +meant just what he said. + +Jabez Zitner supposed, when he made known that he intended to take the +little Delaware girl with him as a hostage, that though it might be +displeasing to the Ripleys, they would not dare object; but he was +mistaken. + +The lad was sitting furthest away on the fallen tree, with his rifle +resting across his knees, when he warned the man that if he laid a hand +on Linna he would shoot him. + +Ben spoke low, but mingling with his words were two faint clicking +sounds. They were made by the hammer of his rifle, as with his thumb +he drew it back ready for use. His face was slightly pale, but his eyes +glittered, and he rose to his feet and looked at the startled man. + +Mrs. Ripley gave a gasp of fright and clasped her hands, while the +children mutely stared. + +Even Zitner was silent. He knew Ben's pluck, but did not believe it +would take him thus far, for it looked as if there were two adults +against a single boy. + +Burwink however, was more of a man than his companion. He looked +smilingly at Ben and said--"Jabez, I reckon this has gone far enough." + +"What do you mean?'" angrily asked the other. + +"You must leave the little gal alone." + +"Oh, thank you! thank you!" exclaimed Mrs. Ripley. "I might have known +you would see that right is done." + +Zitner had a few sharp words with his friend, but the latter was +immovable. He would not listen to his proposition, and that ended the +matter. + +"Well," finally said Zitner, rising to his feet, "I intended to see you +folks safe to the Delaware; but I won't have anything to do with you +now. Come, Horace." + +He strode off without another word or looking to the right or left. +Burwink waited a minute, and then, with a quizzical look at Mrs. Ripley +and her son asked-- + +"Do you think you can stand it?" + +"We shall have to," replied Ben. + +"Well, goodbye, and good luck to you;" and he followed his friend among +the trees. + +"That was a luckier ending than I expected," remarked Ben, letting down +the hammer of his rifle. + +"If Mr. Burwink had sided with him, there would have been no help for +it," said his mother. + +"Such people are always cowards. I wasn't afraid of him." + +Now that they had departed, Linna came over to her champion--though she +could not have fully understood all that had passed--and placed her hand +confidingly on his shoulder. + +"Linna, I have two sisters," he said tenderly; "yonder is one, and her +name is Alice: can you tell me the name of the other?" + +"Yes--she name be Linna." + +"You are right. Now, if you will kiss me, I won't tickle you any more +for making my nose itch this morning." + +The lips were put up to his, and with deep affection on the part of +both, the salute was exchanged. + +"If any more white people show themselves, and they ask you your +father's name, let mother and me answer for you." + +"Me do what you say," was the obedient response. + +It need not be said that our friends were greatly relieved by the +departure of Zitner. While as I have already said, they ought to have +been glad of the company of him and Burwink, they would have been ill at +ease so long as the surly fellow was with them. He surely held no good +will toward the little girl, and would have found some chance to show +it. + +"But are we really rid of him?" asked Ben of his mother. The two sat +close to each other on the tree, and the children were playing a few +steps away. + +"I am quite sure we are." + +"He may steal back tonight, if we camp near." + +"Why should he? He does not want to harm Linna, but to use her as a +means of safety against her own people." + +"That was what he said, but I don't believe him. It seems to me we ought +to change our course, to be certain of not meeting him again." + +"As you think best." + +"We have had a good rest. Come, girls, we must be off." Taking the lead +as before, Ben strode down the incline, bearing more to the left than he +had been doing. + +All smiled at Linna, for she noticed the change on the instant. + +"You go wrong," she said; "dat not right way." + +"Which is the right way, Miss Smartness?" + +She pointed it out. + +"You are right, but that is the course of that bad man, who doesn't like +you. We will go around, so as not to see him again." + +She was satisfied, and gave her attention to Alice, who thought it odd +that she and Ben should have so many disputes. + +Over the varying surface, turning aside now and then to pass some +obstacle in the shape of rocks or ravines--now up hill and down, among +the dense trees, where the briars and bushes scratched their hands and +faces, across small rippling streams and natural clearings--they pushed +on until the sun was far beyond meridian and the halt and rest were +grateful. + +"I don't think we need give any more thought to Zitner," said Ben; "and +I am sure we are all glad. He could not find us now, if he tried." + +"If they kept to their course, we must be several miles apart." + +"I have been working my way back, so that, after all, I do not think we +have lost much ground. I hope Miss Linna is satisfied." + +"She would make complaint if she was not." + +They had stopped near another of the small running streams, for it was +harder to do without water than food. + +"I'm hungry, mother." + +"So we all are," she added, producing half a loaf, which was the last of +their food. + +"To leave any portion of this will only aggravate all your appetites, so +we will finish it." + +The bread was divided among the four, and when eating ceased not a crumb +was left. + +"It isn't a good time of the year for hunting, mother, but if I can get +sight of any game, I'll bring it down, whether it is a deer, bear, wild +turkey, quail, or anything that will serve for a meal." + +"It isn't a time to be particular--in watching for danger look also for +game." + +"That's what I have been doing for the last few hours." + +With the passage of time and the increase of the distance between them +and Wyoming the hopes of the little party naturally rose. They were now +a good many miles from their old home, and as yet had not seen a single +red man. That numbers were abroad there could be no doubt, although it +is a fact that a great many people did not start eastward until several +days after the battle. + +But it was a long, long way to the Delaware, with the travelling such as +they had to face. I have spoken of the forest as being trackless and +a wrong impression may have been given. An old trail led from the +Susquehanna to the Delaware, and was followed by many of the fugitives; +but great risk was run by those who did so, for most of the pursuers +used the same path. As a consequence, some were overtaken and slain. + +Those who avoided the beaten route of necessity suffered greater +hardships; but none was equal to that of meeting their enemies. Omas +took care to steer wide of this trail when leading the party into the +wild section to the east of the river, and he showed them that he wished +them to do the same. Ben was too wise to forget his wishes. + +The location of the sun in the sky, the appearance of the bark and +moss, and the tops of certain trees, enabled the young woodman to keep +a pretty true course. He remarked, with a laugh, that if there was any +likelihood of going wrong, Linna would correct him. + +The afternoon was well past before they came upon any more water, and, +with the warm weather and their long tramp, all suffered from thirst. +They were not traversing a desert country, however, and soon found what +they wanted in abundance. + +"But," said Ben, "I am worried about food, mother. It is nearly night, +and we haven't a mouthful. I suppose if there was plenty, I wouldn't +feel half as bad, but it seems to me I was never so hungry in all my +life." + +"That is natural; but, if necessary, we can go all night without food." + +"If necessary, of course we can, but I dread it. Alice and Linna will +suffer, though I'm not so sure about Linna. I would give almost anything +for a wild turkey." + +The dusky child looked up from where she was sitting on the ground, +playing with Alice. + +"Want turkey--eh?" she asked. + +"Yes; have you any to sell?" + +"Me get you one." + +Mother and son stared in amazement. They could not believe she was in +earnest. She saw it and, with a grin, added--"Omas showed Linna how get +turkey." + +"What can she be driving at?" asked the puzzled Ben. "She surely would +not say what she does without reason. Linna, teach Ben how to get a wild +turkey; we want one for supper, for if we don't have it, we shall all +have to go without food." + +"Me hungry," she ventured; "so be Alice--so be you." + +"You are right. Come, sister, show me how to catch a turkey." + +She gravely rose from the ground. Her face appeared serious, but those +who looked at her closely detected a sparkle of the black eyes, for all +the world as if she meditated some prank upon her confiding friends. Ben +was suspicious. She added-- + +"Go wid me--me show you." Then he was sure she was up to something. + +He rose from where he was sitting, and, rifle in hand, walked a little +way in the wood. She looked round once or twice, and continued advancing +a few minutes after they were out of sight of Alice and her mother. + +She held the hand of the youth, who acted as if he was a bad boy being +led to punishment. He started to ask a question, but she checked him by +raising her forefinger and a "S--h!" and he did not presume again. + +Finally she stopped among a number of trees where several trunks were +two or three feet in diameter. Stepping behind one, she motioned him to +do the same with another a few yards off. Surveying him a moment, as +if to make sure he was doing right, she suddenly emitted a sound from +between her lips, which caused Ben Ripley to utter the exclamation under +his breath--"Well, by gracious! If that doesn't beat everything!" + +"Why don't shoot?" she abruptly asked. + +The call made by Linna was the exact imitation of a wild turkey when +lost in the woods. Perhaps you may know that the body of every one of +those birds contains a bone which a hunter can so use as to make the +same signal; but it is hard to produce the sound without such help, +though it has been done. + +Linna had succeeded to perfection. + +"Who would have thought it possible for one so young as she to learn +the trick?" Ben asked himself. "I have tried it many a time without the +bone, but never could do it." + +He looked at her admiringly, and was certain she was the smartest girl +he had ever seen. + +"If there are any turkeys within hearing, that is bound to fetch them, +but I have seen no signs of them." + +Linna continued the signalling at intervals for fifteen minutes or +more, peeping meanwhile from behind the tree and around her in every +direction. Ben did the same, and saw nothing. + +"Why don't shoot?" she abruptly asked. + +He noted the direction of her gaze, and there, not fifty feet away, was +a big hen turkey, walking slowly over the leaves, with head aloft and +glancing here and there for the lost one. + +The target was a good one, and taking careful aim, Ben toppled it +fluttering to the ground at the first fire. + +"Dat all want?" queried Linna. + +"Yes; that will do for tonight, Linna." + +"Den go back--play wid Alice." + +And off she ran to rejoin her companion, while the delighted lad picked +up his prize and brought it to camp. + +Turning that and his knife over to his mother, he made a fire ready +to pass the night, full of thankfulness that all had gone so well. Ben +agreed to stand watch until near midnight, and then allow his mother to +help him at the necessary duty. + +While the simple preparations were going on, Linna knelt on the bare +ground with her ear pressed to the earth. Almost instantly she raised +her head and whispered: + +"Somebody comin' dis way--guess be Injins!" + + + +CHAPTER NINE: IN A CIRCLE + +This was alarming news. Ben Ripley imitated the action of Linna. +Kneeling down, he pressed his ear to the earth. + +Yes; he heard faint footfalls. Persons were moving about not far away. + +"She is right," he said in a low tone; "likely they are Indians, though +we cannot be certain." + +"It won't do to wait till they come to us," remarked his mother. + +"Shall I put out the fire?" asked Ben, disconcerted by the suddenness of +the danger. + +"No; we can't spare the time. Let us leave. Come, children." + +She took the hand of each girl and walked quickly off, while Ben caught +up the blankets and followed. They had no particular point in view, but +wished to reach a safe place without delay. + +The gloom of the gathering night helped them, and when they paused they +were confident they had not been seen by anyone. + +Without any thought on their part, they made their way to a mass of +rocks and boulders, more extensive than any seen through the day. It was +a hundred yards from their starting point. + +They sat down for a whispered consultation. + +"They must have heard the report of my rifle," said Ben. + +"That was a considerable while ago, and they may have been a good way +off at the time." + +"Then, being so much nearer, it was the report which brought them. +What would become of us but for Linna?" added Ben placing his arm +affectionately around her. "It was she that got us our supper, and now +she warns us of danger." + +"They may be Zitner and Burwink." + +"Not likely, but if they come to our fire we shall soon find out. Look!" + +To their astonishment, the little fire which they had left only a few +minutes before burned up brightly, showing that a lot of fuel had been +thrown on it. + +Too many trees and too much undergrowth obtruded for them to detect +anything more than the great increase in brightness. + +"The darkness will prevent their following our footprints," whispered +the mother. + +"I will go a little nearer and find out what it means: it may be, after +all, that they are friends." + +"Be careful, my son." + +"I will." + +It was not a hard task Ben Ripley gave himself. He had not far to go, +and he proceeded with so much caution that no risk was involved. Only +half the distance was passed when he gained a full view of the camp fire +and its surroundings. + +The sight was disquieting. Three Indian warriors were there. One had +been gathering dry sticks which he flung on the blaze; another was +helping himself to what was left of the cooked turkey; while the third, +bent low, moved slowly around the lit up portion of the ground with his +eyes fixed on it. + +It was plain he was scrutinizing the footprints made by the party that +had left just in time to escape them. It was a fortunate discovery made +by Linna! + +With the aid of the bright glare, it could not take him long to identify +the little party as fugitives fleeing eastward, though it may be +questioned whether they learned that it consisted of one large boy, an +adult woman, and two small children. + +They were in the battle yesterday. They have left others to look after +those in Wyoming, while they are hunting the poor creatures that have +taken to the woods. + +The Iroquois who had been studying the ground straightened himself up +and said something to the others. One of them then flung more fuel on +the flames, and he who was ravenously eating suspended his operations, +but quickly resumed again, as if he liked his occupation better than +anything else to which he could turn his attention. + +Then the first stooped down and caught up a burning brand. Several quick +circles over his head fanned it into a vigorous blaze. Holding it aloft, +with his shoulders bent forward, he moved slowly towards Ben Ripley. + +He was tracing the footprints by the aid of the torch! + +"Gracious! he will be among us in a minute," was the terrifying thought +of the lad, who turned and ran back to his friends, in such haste that +he was in danger of betraying his movements. + +"Leave--quick!" he said; "they are after us!" + +"No, they are not," replied his mother, who nevertheless stood ready to +do as he said. + +Ben looked back. The warrior with a torch, after walking a rod or so +from the fire, had stopped, and was now in plain sight, with the flaming +brand held above his head, while he peered out in the gloom in the +direction of the fugitives, as if expecting to discern them. + +Could he have known how near they were, he and his companions would have +rushed down upon them; but they must have thought they had fled much +further. It was impossible to trail them by torchlight as fast as they +could travel, and the Indians did not waste time in the effort. The one +with the torch went back to his companions. + +The incident warned our friends of a new form of danger, which until +then had not been counted among the probabilities. + +The Indians, as you know, can trace a person through the woods with +wonderful skill, seeing signs where the untrained eye observes nothing. +If these three chose to wait where they were until daylight, there was +nothing to prevent their taking up the trail and tracing the fugitives +wherever they went. + +"It won't do to stay here," said Ben, "for they will be right upon us at +daylight." + +"Providing they wait where they are." + +"Why should they not do so? They are looking for us." + +Mrs. Ripley dared not answer the question as her heart prompted. At the +same time, she could think of no means of throwing them off their track. + +"It might have been better had we stayed with Zitner and Burwink--no, it +would not have been," she corrected herself, "for they were unfriendly +to Linna. But we must go." + +The only hope that presented itself was that they might travel so far +during the darkness that the Indians would not keep up the pursuit when +the trail was revealed to them. + +The moon did not rise until very late, and there being no path, while +all were in total ignorance of the neighborhood, it will be understood +that they had set to work to do a very hard, if not impossible thing. + +Ben as usual took the lead, and, before he had gone twenty steps, was +caught under the chin by a protruding limb that almost lifted him +off his feet. Then he went headlong into a hollow and bruised himself +against some stones. Still, he did not give up, and by and by the ground +became more level and his mishaps less frequent. + +Alice and Linna, like little heroines, never murmured. All persevered +until it was agreed that they were at least two miles from the camp +fire. + +In making this hard journey, every one of the party met with several +narrow escapes, and it was agreed that it was best to go no further +until daylight. + +"As soon as we can see, we'll be off again, and ought to be able to +travel as fast as they will do. Where they must watch all the time for +our footprints, they cannot go off a walk." + +"We may as well wait." + +Throughout their haste, the blankets had been preserved. Indeed, the one +over Ben's arm had served to break his fall more than once. These were +placed on the ground, and the children lay down beside each other, +quickly sinking to sleep; but the others, though pretty well worn, were +too anxious to rest yet awhile. + +"I have no idea where we are," said the son; "but one place is as good +as another at such a time, and the weather is so warm that blankets are +not needed. Now, mother, I wish you would lie down beside the children +and rest. You need it badly, I know." + +"And so do you, my son." + +"Not for some time yet." + +"But, if you intend to watch until daylight, you will be worn out by +morning. Besides, you cannot stay awake unless you move about. I will +agree to lie down if you will promise to call me when you think it is +midnight, and let me take a turn." + +"I will agree to call you when I feel the need of you, and I will pace +the ground like a sentinel on duty." + +The mother was forced to accept this proposition and, after some more +cautious conversation, she did as her boy wished, and he was left alone. + +Ben did not forget his slip of the night before. It was necessary that +one of the company should maintain watch while the others slept, and +only these two could do it. He meant to guard the others through the +short summer night, trusting to a chance of getting what slumber he +needed on the morrow when the others were awake. + +"I would like to catch myself waking her," he mused, after he had groped +around until he found a space a couple of rods in length over which he +could pace back and forth. + +Then, with his rifle resting on his shoulder, he began his patient beat, +surrounded by impenetrable gloom, and with the lives of three loved ones +in his keeping. + +By and by a lighting of the sky showed the moon had risen. This, +however, was of little or no help, since the abundance of leaves +prevented its rays piercing between and lighting up the ground beneath. + +It would be hard to imagine a more gloomy occupation than that of Ben +Ripley while engaged with this duty. The solemn murmur of the vast woods +around him, the world of darkness in which he slowly paced to and fro, +the memory of the sad scenes he had seen in the lovely Wyoming Valley, +the certainty that a good many miles must yet be traversed before they +could sit down in safety, the consciousness that several of the cruel +red men were near them, and the belief that they would start in pursuit +as soon as it was light--all this oppressed him with crushing weight, +and made him feel at times as if there was no escape for him and his +loved ones. + +"There is only one way of hiding our trail," he mused. "If we could come +upon some river or large stream of water, where there was a boat, or we +could make a raft, we should be safe. A big rainstorm would do as well, +for it would wash out all signs of our footprints." + +He paused in his walk and peeped up at a speck of sky shown through a +rift among the limbs. + +"There is hardly a cloud; it looks as if it wouldn't rain for a week, +and I don't know of any river between here and the Delaware." + +His senses were never more alert. He avoided the fatal mistake of +sitting down for a few minutes, or so much as leaning against a tree to +rest. He stopped, however, now and then and listened intently. + +"I wonder whether I am mistaken, or whether I did hear something moving +over the leaves out there?" + +The fact that the almost inaudible rustling was noticed only when +he himself was in motion inclined him to suspect it was a delusion, +accounted for by his tense nerves. But after a time he became certain of +a fact hardly less startling in its nature. + +When walking back and forth with his face away from the spot where his +friends lay something gleamed a short distance off among the trees. Its +location showed it was on the ground, and, as nearly as he could judge, +less than a hundred feet off. + +His first supposition was that it was a fungus growth known in the +country as "foxfire," which gives out a phosphorescent glow in the +darkness; but after watching and studying it for a long time, he was +convinced it was something else. + +"I'm going to find out," he decided; "it won't take me long, and I ought +to know all about it, for it may concern us." + +Stealing forward, he was not a little astonished to find it a real fire, +sunken to a glowing ember, left by someone. + +"It must be as Zitner said--the woods are full of Indians, and some of +them have camped there." + +Not wishing to stumble over any of their bodies, he manoeuvred until +assured that whoever kindled the fire had left, when he kicked aside the +ashes. + +The act caused a twist of flame to spring up and throw out a tiny glare, +which illumined several feet of surrounding space. + +And then the astonished youth made the discovery that this was the very +spot where they had cooked their turkey hours before, and from which +they had fled in hot haste before the approach of the three Iroquois. + +He and his friends had travelled in a circle, and come back to their +starting point. + + + +CHAPTER TEN: NEAR THE END + +Anyone who is used to the woods knows how apt he is to wander in a +circle unless he keeps his wits about him. There have been many causes +named for this curious fact, and the one that strikes me as the most +reasonable is that we are all either right or left handed. It is rare +that you meet a person who is ambidextrous,--that is, who uses both +hands equally well. When, therefore, he sets out to travel through the +woods without any guide, he unconsciously exerts his right or left +limb, as the case may be, more than the other, and this makes his course +circular. + +There are three "signboards" by which a hunter can keep trace of the +points of the compass when in the woods, without noticing the sun, which +of itself is often a great help. Three fourths of the moss on trees +grows on the north side; the heaviest boughs on spruce trees are always +on the south side, and the topmost twig of every uninjured hemlock tree +tips to the east. + +Now, while these signs never err, you can see that it is almost +impossible to turn them to account at night. + +Ben Ripley had led his friends in an irregular circle, and brought them +back to within a brief distance of the starting point. This was the camp +fire from which they fled in such panic before the approach of the three +red men. + +The discovery filled him with dismay, and he darted out in the darkness +for the rocks where the others were sleeping. His first intention was to +rouse them and plunge into the woods again, but a few minutes served to +make him cooler and more collected in mind. + +The night was well spent, and a flight of that kind could not do much +for them. It might be all in vain. It would be trying to the last +degree. He decided not to disturb the sleepers. + +By and by he persuaded himself that matters were not as bad as they +first appeared. Inasmuch as the fugitives had not returned over their +own trail, the Indians, in case they took it in the morning, must make +the same circuit, and thus be forced to go just as far as if the flight +had been in a direct line. + +It was a mystery, however, what had become of the three warriors. They +could not be near the camp, or they would have appeared when the lad +returned to it. They had left, but who could say whither they had gone? + +While Ben was debating the painful question, a growing light in the +direction of the Delaware told him the night was ended and the new day +dawning. + +The fourth day of July, the second anniversary of the Declaration of +Independence, had passed. He thought of it, standing alone in the dismal +forest with danger on every hand, and oppressed by the great fear that +those whom he loved more than his own life must perish in that gloomy +wilderness. + +He did not dare, however, to give way to his sad thoughts. At the first +streakings of light among the trees, he roused his mother and told her +the alarming truth. + +"I do not understand it," she replied, alluding to the absence of the +Iroquois; "it must be they are in the neighborhood." + +The children were still sleeping quietly on the blanket. No food or +water was at command, and they could not take the time to look for any. +Indeed, the two elder ones felt no hunger or thirst. + +The mother rose to her feet and looked around, her interest centring +on the rock and boulders, which stretched away to the rear further than +they could penetrate with the eye. + +"I know they are skilful in following footprints," she remarked; "but +if we walk carefully over those rocks, I think they will not be able to +track us. We will try it." + +The children were roused and quickly learned what was to be done, the +mother adding that the prayer which she was accustomed to offer up every +morning would be given when they reached a spot where it was safe to do +so. + +For fully a hundred yards the four were able to make their way without +resting their feet on the ground. Then the boulders ended as abruptly as +they began. + +All now kneeled on the granite floor and asked Heaven to deliver them +safely out of the dangers by which they were surrounded. + +If the Indians chose to make search, after tracing the little party to +the stony place, they must eventually come upon the new trail, where it +began again on the ground; but unless they struck it by accident, they +must use a good deal of time in hunting for it. + +"Come on," called Ben in a low voice, but with a renewal of hope; "we +shall get somewhere one of these days." + +To their surprise, not far from the rocks they came upon a faintly +marked path among the trees. + +"What is the meaning of that?" Ben asked, looking inquiringly at his +mother and Linna. + +"Men don't do dat--wild beasts," replied the dusky child. + +"She is right," added the mother; "the animals follow it to water; let +us do the same." + +The haunting fear of the red men made the words between the fugitives +few, and all their movements guarded. They kept glancing to right and +left, in front and to the rear, Linna being probably the most active. It +was as if she inherited from her parents their surprising woodcraft, and +was now calling it into play for the benefit of her friends. + +Suddenly something flickered in the path ahead, and Ben stopped short, +those behind him doing the same. + +Just in advance--less than fifty yards indeed--a beautiful fawn had come +to a halt. Its graceful head, with its soft brown eyes, was lifted high, +and it looked wonderingly at the people, as if not knowing the meaning, +and too innocent to feel fear. Ben drew up his rifle, for it was a +tempting chance for a delicious breakfast. But almost instantly he +lowered the weapon again. + +The fawn was so trusting, so unsuspicious, that a feeling of pity came +to the young hunter. The animal suggested his own little sister, for it +was wandering through the unfriendly woods, with none to protect it from +cruel enemies. + +"Go," whispered Ben; "I haven't the heart to harm you; I will starve +first." + +"Remember the result of the shot yesterday," said his mother warningly. +"We are in too much peril to increase it." + +The lad advanced along the path, and every one of the company smiled at +the fawn, when it stood motionless, staring until they were almost to +it. Then the timid creature turned nimbly and trotted over the trail, +its head so high that, as it turned it from side to side, it saw every +thing done by the strange beings following. + +Had the situation been less serious, Ben would have had some sport +with the lovely creature, but he dared not give it much attention. It +continued trotting a short way, and then sprang gracefully aside among +the trees, leaving no scent on the leaves by which the most highly +trained hound could trace it. + +A little way beyond they came upon the largest stream seen since leaving +the mountains east of the Susquehanna. It was a dozen feet in width, +quite deep, rapid, and clear. + +"Here is enough drink for us all," said Ben, and they proceeded to help +themselves in the primitive fashion described elsewhere. + +"That must contain fish," observed the mother; "but we are without the +means of catching them." + +"Unless Linna will jump in and haul them out for us. But if we are to +continue our journey, we must find some way of getting to the other +side; it is too deep and wide to ford or jump." + +"It must be narrower in other places." + +"Oh! look mamma!" + +It was Alice who first saw a terrifying sight. An immense black bear, +the largest any of the party had ever seen, swung from among the trees +and came to the water's edge on the other side. + +He was so enormous that all started and recoiled a step, even Linna +uttering an exclamation in her own tongue. Ben grasped his rifle, and +held it ready to use the instant it became necessary. + +But Bruin was in a gracious mood that morning. He looked at the party +with stupid curiosity, then reared on his hind legs, and swung his +beam-.like paws in an odd way. + +"He is inviting us to come over and be hugged to death," laughed Ben. + +"He will come over and eat us all up," said Alice, clinging to the dress +of her mother. + +"No," replied the parent, soothingly patting her head; "Ben won't let +him do that. Do not be frightened." + +"Climb tree," suggested Linna; "not big tree, 'cause bear climb dat +too--climb little tree, den he can't climb it." + +"You are right, but we will wait and see what he does. I don't want to +fire my gun unless I have to, and if he will let us alone we won't hurt +him. There! he is going to drink." + +The huge creature bent his head down to the water and helped himself. +When he had had enough, he raised his snout and again looked at the +party, who were closely watching him. + +This was the critical moment. If he meant to attack them, he would +plunge into the water and either swim or wade across. Ben raised the +hammer of his rifle and awaited his action. + +Had Bruin been hungry, he would not have dallied so long; but he did not +seem to see anything specially tempting in the group, and lumbered off +among the trees. + +"A lucky move for you." remarked Ben. + +"And just as lucky for us," added the mother; "for though you might have +slain him, as I have no doubt you would, the report of the gun must have +brought more dangerous enemies to us." + +"I would give a good deal to know what has become of them. It begins to +look as if they did not consider us worth bothering with." + +"I wish I could believe that, but I cannot. I think it more likely that +they know where we are, and are trifling with us, as a cat does with a +mouse." + +"That makes me anxious to push on. We must find some place where we can +cross the stream. Let's go further up the bank." + +He took the course named, leading away from the great bear with which +they had so narrowly escaped an encounter. + +To their surprise, they had not far to go before the spot they were +seeking was found. The stream narrowed between some rocks, so much that +even Alice could spring across without wetting her feet. + +"I am afraid Linna can't leap it," remarked Ben with a smile. + +"Me show you." + +And, without recoiling a step, the nimble little one made a graceful +bound, which landed her several feet beyond the other margin. + +"Well done!" said Ben; "I couldn't do much better myself. Now, Alice, +you are not going to let her beat you?" + +Alice was timid at first, but with a good start she cleared the space. +She landed, however, so near the water that had not the watchful Linna +caught one of the hands thrown up to save herself, she would have fallen +back in the stream. + +Mother and son imitated them, and all stood on the other side of the +obstruction without having suffered any inconvenience. + +While they were congratulating themselves, a startling reminder of their +danger came in the near report of a rifle. It was from the direction +in which they had seen the bear, and in the stillness of the woods all +heard a snarling growl, which proved that the beast had received his +death wound. + +"The Indians are there!" whispered the frightened Ben; "what shall we +do, mother?" + +"What can we do?" she asked, helpless and at her wits' end for the +moment; "there seems to be no escaping them." + +"Me go talk with them," was the amazing remark of the little Delaware +girl. + +"You talk with them!" repeated Mrs. Ripley; "what can you do?" + +"Don't know--me try." + +And without waiting for permission, Linna started on a light run toward +the point whence came the report of the rifle that gave Bruin his death +wound. Mother and son looked in each other's face in mute wonderment for +a full minute after the departure of the girl. + +"She's a remarkable child," finally said the mother; "she has done us +more than one good turn, and, it may be, Heaven intends to make use of +her again, though I cannot see how." + +"The Iroquois will recognise her as one of their own race. Perhaps one +or more of them belong to her tribe: they will know her as the child of +Omas, and may listen to her pleadings." + +"Alas! they will give little heed to them; my heart misgives me, son: I +feel that the end is at hand." + +Meanwhile, let us follow Linna, the Delaware, upon her strange mission. + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN: ALL IN VAIN + +I am at some disadvantage in giving an account of the remarkable +interview between the little Delaware girl, Linna, and the three hostile +warriors who had trailed the Ripleys to the stream in the wilderness +across which they had just leaped in the effort to continue their flight +from Wyoming to the Upper Delaware. + +There were no witnesses to the interview except the parties named, +but when Linna in after years had become a woman, with her very strong +memory she gave a description of what passed, and it has come down +through the descendants of the pioneers to the present day. + +You will permit me to found my narrative upon her testimony, and to be +quite liberal in the interpretation of what took place. + +The fears of the fugitives were well founded. The three red men were +near them for a long while before they showed themselves. It was very +much as Mrs. Ripley had said. They were so sure of the prize that they +trifled with them. + +Linna reached the spot where the warriors were standing directly after +one of the number had sent a bullet through the bear. Young as she was, +she understood the peril of her friends, and set out to do all she could +for them. + +She knew that Omas, her father, was a great warrior. He belonged to +the Delaware tribe, which years before had been soundly beaten by the +Iroquois and reduced almost to slavery; but among the conquered people +were many without superiors in bravery, skill, and prowess. Omas was one +of the most noted examples. + +The first thrill of hope came to the young child when she recognised +the one that had killed the bear. He was Red Wolf, a member of her own +tribe, who often had been in her father's wigwam, and was therefore well +known to his child. The others were of the Seneca tribe, one of those +composing the Iroquois, or Six Nations, the most powerful confederation +of Indians that ever existed on the American continent. + +The three looked at the little girl in amazement, as she came running +between the trees. She dropped to a rapid walk, and did not stop until +she was among them. + +"Where do you come from?" asked Red Wolf, in the Delaware tongue. + +"My father, the great Omas, brought me to see my friend Alice. He left +me with her people, and you must not harm them." + +"Why did Omas leave you with them?" + +"They are my friends." + +It should be said the Senecas, who calmly listened to the conversation, +understood all that was said. + +"Where are you going?" + +"A long way through the wood." + +"Why does Omas leave you with the palefaces? You should be in your own +wigwam many miles away." + +"He knows I am safe with them. He led us through the woods until +he could leave us; then he went back to the great river between the +mountains to help the other warriors fight." + +None of the three could doubt that the child was speaking the truth. +They held the prowess of Omas in high respect; but they were not the +ones to surrender such a prize as was already theirs. + +"We will take them back to Wyoming with us," said Red Wolf; "then Omas +may do as he thinks best with them." + +With a shrewdness far beyond her years, Linna said--"He wants them to go +to the other big river, off yonder"--pointing eastward. "Why do you wish +to take them back to Wyoming?" + +"If he wants them to go to the other big river, he can send them after +he sees them again." + +"You will make Omas angry; he will strike you down with his tomahawk," +said Linna. + +Although these words were the words of a child, they produced their +effect. Red Wolf knew how deeply the grim warrior loved his only +daughter, and he knew, too, how terrible was the wrath of the warrior. +Omas had chosen to spare this family from the cruelty visited upon so +many others. If Red Wolf dared to run the risk of rousing the vengeance +of Omas, he must take the consequences. He shrank from doing so. + +The Delaware beckoned to one of the Senecas, and they stepped aside and +talked a few minutes, in tones too low for the listening Linna to hear +what was said. Subsequent events, however, made clear the meaning of +their conversation. + +Red Wolf proposed to spare the fugitives. He wished to go away with his +companions and leave them to pursue their flight without molestation, so +far as they were concerned. + +But the Senecas held Omas in less dread than did Red Wolf. They were +unwilling to let the whites escape. The third warrior, who joined them, +was as strenuous as the first. While one might have shrunk from stirring +the anger of the famous Delaware, the two together did not hesitate to +run counter to his wishes. They refused to be dissuaded by Red Wolf. + +They remained apart from the girl for ten minutes, earnestly conversing, +while she could not overhear a word. + +Finally one of the three--a Seneca--turned about and walked away, as if +impatient with the dispute. He took a course leading from the stream, +and deeper into the woods. + +Linna noticed the curious act, but, great as was her acumen for one of +her years, she did not suspect its meaning. It would have been passing +strange had she done so, for the movement was meant to deceive her and +bring the disputation to an end. + +The couple remaining walked to where Linna awaited them. The Seneca +turned aside and sauntered to the carcass of the bear as if that had +more interest just then for him. + +"What will Omas do if my brother warriors take your friends back to the +other river, but Red Wolf does not help?" + +"He will strike them down with his tomahawk; my father, Omas, is a great +warrior." + +The black eyes flashed as the girl proudly uttered these words, and she +looked defiantly in the painted face towering above her. + +"But what will he do with Red Wolf?" + +"He will strike down Red Wolf, because he is a coward, and did not keep +all harm from his white friends." + +This intimation that the Delaware could not shelter himself behind the +plea of neutrality, but must be either an active friend or foe, was a +little more than he could accept. While he held Omas in wholesome dread, +he dared not array himself against the two Senecas, who were determined +not to spare the hapless fugitives. + +Red Wolf was a fair specimen of his tribe, who, as I have stated, were +beaten by the Iroquois. These conquerors, indeed, carried matters with +so high a hand that they once forbade the Delawares to use firearms, but +made them keep to the old fashioned bow and arrow. + +Red Wolf, therefore, having squared accounts, so to speak, with his +present companions, was anxious to win the good will of Linna, and +thereby that of her fierce parent, who was a hurricane in his wrath, and +likely to brain Red Wolf before he could explain matters. + +"Omas is the greatest warrior of the Delawares," he said to Linna; "Red +Wolf and he are brothers. But the Senecas will not listen to the words +of Red Wolf: they love not Omas as does Red Wolf." + +The Delaware child now found herself in a quandary. She had made her +plea, but, so far as she could see, it was in vain, since the friendship +of Red Wolf alone was not enough. One of the Senecas was studying the +body of the dead bear and paying no heed to her words; the other had +gone off, she knew not where. + +What remained for her to do? + +While the little one asked herself the question, and was trying, to +think what course she should follow, the absent Seneca was working out +the mischievous plot he had formed, and which was fully known to his +companions. + +An uprooted tree lay extended on the ground, near where Mrs. Ripley and +her children saw Linna run off to plead with the Indians. Since they +could do nothing but wait, helpless and almost despairing, for the +return of the child, they sat down on the prostrate trunk. + +Ben was near the base, close to the mass of upturned roots, which spread +out like an enormous fan, with its dirt and prong-like roots projecting +in all directions. He was tired, depressed, and worn out. It will be +remembered he had not slept a wink during the preceding night, or eaten +a mouthful of food since then. Strong, sturdy, and lusty as he was, he +could not help feeling the effects of all this. + +He leaned his rifle against a huge, gnarled root, within arm's length of +where he half reclined, with his feet extended along the trunk. He had +but to reach out his hand, without moving his body, to grasp the weapon +whatever moment it might be needed. + +Exhausted as he was, his condition was too nervous to permit slumber. +His mother had said she thought the end was at hand, and he believed the +same. + +She was but a few feet away, sitting more erect on the tree, with Alice +leaning against her. + +The eyes of all were turned toward the point where Linna had vanished, +and whence she was expected every minute to come into view again. + +She was not far off. Once or twice the mother and son caught the sounds +of their voices, though the exuberant vegetation shut them from sight. + +"It was idle for her to go," said Ben; "and I cannot see any chance of +her helping us." + +"They will not harm her, nor will they be denied the pleasure of doing +what they choose with us." + +"Some persons might believe the delay was favorable, but I cannot think +that way." + +Neither felt like conversation. It was an effort to say anything; but +mother and son, in their unselfishness, pitied each other, and strove +vainly to lift the gloomy thoughts that were oppressing both. + +Had Ben Ripley seen the departure of the Seneca, he might have suspected +its meaning; but, unaware of it, he never dreamed of the new form which +the ever present danger thus assumed. + +The Seneca, after leaving Red Wolf and the other warrior, walked +directly over the path leading away from the stream until well beyond +the sight of those thus left behind. He looked back, and, seeing nothing +of them, turned aside and moved off, until he arrived at a point beyond +the group of three resting on the fallen tree. + +Thus, as will be seen, the Ripleys were between the two and Linna on +the one hand, and the single Seneca on the other. He knew the precise +location of the fugitives as well as if they had been in his field of +vision from the first. + +He now began approaching them from the rear. Their faces turned away +from him, and everything favored his stealthy advance. + +The huge spread of dirt and roots made by the overturning of the big +tree served as a screen, though even without this help he would probably +have succeeded in his effort to steal upon them unawares. + +He stepped so carefully upon the dried leaves that no sound was made, +and the most highly trained ear, therefore, would not have detected him. + +If Ben had once risen from his reclining posture and looked around, +if Mrs. Ripley had stood up and done the same, or if little Alice had +indulged in her natural sportiveness, assuredly one of them would have +observed that crouching warrior, gradually drawing closer, like the +moving of a hand over the face of a clock; but none saw him. Nearer and +nearer he came, step by step, until at last he stood just on the other +side of the mass of roots, and not ten feet from the boy. + +With the same noiselessness, the crouching form bent over sideways and +peered around the screen. Then the dusky arm glided forward until the +iron fingers clasped the barrel of the rifle leaning against the root, +and the weapon was withdrawn. + +He now had two guns, and Ben Ripley none. + +Then the Seneca advanced, a weapon in either hand, and, presenting +himself in front of the amazed group, exclaimed--"Huh! how do, +bruder?--how do sister?" + +Ben Ripley sprang up as if shot, and his startled mother, with a gasp of +affright, turned her head. + +For one moment the boy meditated leaping upon the warrior, in the +desperate attempt to wrench his gun from his grasp; but the mother, +reading his intention, interposed. + +"Do nothing, my son: we are in the hands of Heaven." + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE: CONCLUSION + +The point, at last, had been reached where it was useless to struggle +any longer. The little party of fugitives, after safely crossing the +Susquehanna on the day of the battle, and penetrating more than a score +of miles on their way eastward to the Delaware, were overtaken, and made +captive by three Indians. + +Warning Ben against any resistance, the mother bowed her head in +submission, and awaited her fate. Only once, when she clasped her arm +around the awed and silent Alice, laying the other affectionately upon +the shoulder of her brave son, did she speak--"Murmur not at the will of +Heaven." + +The Seneca was surprised at the action, or, rather, want of action, on +the part of the captives. Receiving no response to his salutation, he +stood a moment in silence, and then emitted a tremulous whoop. It was +a signal for Red Wolf and the other Seneca. They understood it, and +hurried to the spot, with Linna close behind them. + +It would have been expected that she would indulge in some outburst when +she saw how ill everything had gone; but, with one grieved look, she +went up to the sorrowing, weeping mother and buried her head between her +knees. + +And then she did what no one of that party had ever before seen her +do--she sobbed with a breaking heart. The mother soothed her as best she +could, uttering words which she heard not. + +Ben Ripley when the blow came, stood erect, and folded his arms. His +face was pale, but his lips were mute. Not even by look did he ask for +mercy from their captors. + +In the midst of the impressive tableau, Linna suddenly raised her head +from the lap of the mother, her action and attitude showing she had +caught some sound which she recognized. + +But everyone else in the party also noted it. It was a shrill, +penetrating whistle, ringing among the forest arches--a call which she +had heard many a time, and she could never mistake its meaning. + +Her eyes sparkled through her tears, which wet her cheeks; but she +forgot everything but that signal. + +"Dat Omas!--dat Omas--dat fader!" she exclaimed, springing to her feet, +trembling and aglow with excitement. + +There was one among the three who, had his painted complexion permitted, +would have turned ashy pale. Red Wolf was afraid that when the fearful +Delaware warrior thundered down on them, he would not give his brother +time to explain matters before sinking his tomahawk into his brain. +Manifestly, therefore, but one course was open for him, and he took it +without a second's delay. + +He fled for his life. + +The Senecas, however, stood their ground. The signal of Omas sounded +again, and Linna answered it. Her father was near at hand, and quickly +came to view. + +But, lo! he had a companion. It was To-wika, his faithful wife. + +The reunion of the Delaware family was an extraordinary one. Had no +others been present, Linna would have bounded into the arms of her +mother, been pressed impulsively to her breast, and then received the +same fervent welcome from her father. + +But never could anything like that take place before witnesses. + +When the child saw her parents she walked gravely up to them, having +first done her utmost to remove the traces of tears, and took her place +by their side. The mother said something in her native tongue, but it +could not have been of much account, for the child gave no reply. + +Omas did not speak. One quick glance was bestowed upon his child, and +then he addressed himself to the work before him. + +Omas was as cunning as a serpent. He would not have hesitated to assail +these two Senecas, for, truth to tell, he could never feel much love for +the conquerors of his people. He did not fear them; but he saw the way +to win his point without such tempestuous violence. + +His words, therefore, were calculated to soothe rather than irritate. He +asked them to explain how it was they were in charge of his friends, and +listened attentively while one of them answered his inquiry. + +Then, as is natural with his race, he recounted in somewhat extravagant +language his own deeds of the last few days. There is reason to believe +he gave himself credit for a number of exploits against the palefaces of +which he was innocent. + +Then he said the only ones he loved among the palefaces were the three +there present--he had entrusted his only child to them, and they had +saved her from the anger of their people. He had slept under their roof, +and eaten of their bread. They were his best friends; and they his brave +Seneca brothers, when they knew of this, would be glad. He had set out +to conduct them to the settlements, and his brothers would wish all a +safe arrival there. + +This speech, delivered with far more address than I am able to give it, +worked as a charm. Not the slightest reference was made to the cowardly +Red Wolf, though Omas knew all about him. + +The Senecas were won by the words of the wily Delaware. They indulged +in the fiction of saying that they had no thought of how matters stood +between him and these palefaces, and their hearts were glad to hear the +words fall from his lips. They would not harm his friends, and hoped +they would reach in safety the settlement for which they were looking. + +Not only that, but they offered to go with them all the way. + +This was too kind, and the offer was gratefully declined. Then the +Senecas withdrew, first returning Ben's rifle to him. Whether they +ever succeeded in overtaking Red Wolf cannot be known, and it is of no +moment. + +The peril had burst over the heads of the little party like a +thundercloud; and now it had cleared, and all was sunshine again. + +It was some minutes before the Ripleys could fully understand the great +good fortune that had come to them. Then their hearts overflowed with +thankfulness. + +With her arms clasping her children Mrs. Ripley looked devoutly upward, +and murmured: + +"I thank Thee, Heavenly Father, for Thy great mercy to me and mine. +Bless Omas and To-wika and Linna, and hold them for ever in Thy precious +keeping." + +The events which had taken place were strange; but Mrs. Ripley +maintained, to the end of her life, that those which followed were +tenfold more remarkable. + +You will remember that when Omas, after conducting the little company +some distance from Wyoming, showed a wish to leave them, the good woman +had no doubt what his purpose was: he wanted to take part in further +cruelties against the hapless settlers. + +Omas had fought hard in the battle of July 3rd, 1778, and his friendship +for the Ripleys drew him away before the dreadful doings were half +completed. He yearned to go back and give rein to his ferocity. Mrs. +Ripley tried to restrain him, but in vain. + +Such were her views; but she was in error. She did not read the heart of +the terrible warrior aright. + +For weeks Omas had been sorely troubled in mind. He had visited the +Christian brethren of his own tribe at the Moravian settlement of +Gnadenhutten. He had listened to the talk of the missionaries, and heard +of One who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; who, when He was +smitten and spat upon, bore it meekly; and who finally died on the +cross, that the red men as well as the white children might be saved. + +All this was a great mystery to the Delaware. He could not grasp the +simple but sublime truths which lie at the foundation of Christianity. +But he longed to do so. At midnight he lay trying to sleep in the silent +woods, looking up at the stars and meditating on the wonderful Being who +had done all this. In the simplicity of his nature, he talked to that +awful and dimly comprehended Father of all races and peoples, and asked +Him to tell Omas what he should say, and do, and think. + +Unknown to him, To-wika his wife had listened to the teachings of the +missionaries, and she had traversed further along the path of light than +he. + +When, therefore, he told her of his longings, his questionings, his +distress, his wretchedness, and his groping in the dark, she was able to +say a great deal that helped to clear away the fogs and mists from his +clouded brain. + +But Omas was in the very depth of darkness, and almost despair, when the +fearful episode of Wyoming came. It was in desperation he went into +that conflict, as a man will sometimes do to escape, as it were, from +himself. + +He fought like a demon, but he could not hush the still small voice +within his breast. He felt that he must have relief, or he would do that +which a wild Indian never does--make away with himself. + +It was on his tongue more than once, while threading his way through +the wilderness with his friends, to appeal to Mrs. Ripley; but with a +natural shrinking he held back, fearing that with his broken words he +could not make her understand his misery. + +The only recourse was to go to To-wika, his wife. He had asked her to +talk further with the missionaries, and then to repeat their words to +him. + +So it was that when he stole from the camp fire like a thief in the +night, it was not to return and take part in the scenes of violence +in which he had already been so prominent an actor, but to do the very +opposite. + +It was a long tramp through the forest to his own wigwam, and his people +were aflame with excitement because of Wyoming; but the warrior hardly +paused night and day until he flung himself at the feet of To-wika and +begged that he might die. + +From this remarkable woman Linna had inherited more mental strength than +from her iron hearted father. To-wika talked soothingly to him, and for +the first time in his blind groping he caught a glimmer of light. The +blessed Word which had brought comfort and happiness to her is for all +people and conditions, no matter how rude, how ignorant, and how fallen. + +But To-wika felt the need of human help. She had never met Mrs. Ripley, +but her husband had told of his welcome beneath that roof, and of what +she said to him about the Saviour and God, who was so different from the +Great Spirit of the red men. She knew this woman was a Christian, and +she asked her husband to lead her to her. + +He set out with her to overtake the little party who, with never +a thought of what was going on, were struggling through the gloomy +wilderness, beset by perils on every hand. + +Since they were following no beaten path, except for a little way, +the most perfect woodcraft was necessary to find them. Omas knew the +direction they had taken, and calculated the time needed to reach the +Delaware. It was easy, too, to locate the camp where he had parted from +them, after which his wonderful skill enabled him to keep the trail, +along which he and his wife strode with double the speed of the +fugitives. + +When he discovered that three warriors were doing the same, all the old +fire and wrath flamed up in his nature. The couple increased the ardor +of their pursuit. And yet, but for the favoring aid of Heaven, they +hardly could have come up at the crisis which brought them all together. + +Under the blest instruction of Mrs. Ripley, the doubts of Omas finally +vanished, never to return. The once mighty warrior, foremost in battle +and ferocity and courage, became the meek, humble follower of the +Saviour--triumphant in life, and doubly triumphant in death. + +On the third day after the meeting in the woods, the party arrived +at the little town of Stroudsburg, on the Upper Delaware, none having +suffered the least harm. The skill of Omas kept them supplied with food, +and his familiarity with the route did much to lessen the hardships +which otherwise they would have suffered. + +Omas stayed several weeks at this place with his friends, and then +he and his wife and little one joined the Christian settlement of +Gnadenhutten, where the couple finished their days. + +After a time, when it became safe for the Ripleys to return to Wyoming +Valley, they took up their residence there once more, and remained until +the husband and father came back at the close of the Revolution; and the +happy family were reunited, thankful that God had been so merciful to +them and brought independence to their beloved country. + +Omas and To-wika and Linna were welcome visitors as long as the lived. +In truth, Linna survived them all. She married a chieftain among her +own people, and when she at last was gathered to her final rest, she had +almost reached the great age of a hundred years. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Daughter of the Chieftain, by Edward S. Ellis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DAUGHTER OF THE CHIEFTAIN *** + +***** This file should be named 7493.txt or 7493.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/4/9/7493/ + +Produced by Martin Robb + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Ellis + +Release Date: February, 2005 [EBook #7493] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on May 10, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DAUGHTER OF THE CHIEFTAIN *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Robb + + + + +The Daughter of the Chieftain +The Story of an Indian Girl +by Edward S. Ellis. + + +CHAPTER ONE: OMAS, ALICE, AND LINNA + +I don't suppose there is any use in trying to find out when the game +of "Jack Stones" was first played. No one can tell. It certainly +is a good many hundred years old. + +All boys and girls know how to play it. There is the little rubber +ball, which you toss in the air, catch up one of the odd iron prongs, +without touching another, and while the ball is aloft; then you do +the same with another, and again with another, until none is left. +After that you seize a couple at a time, until all have been used; +then three, and four, and so on, with other variations, to the end +of the game. + +Doubtless your fathers and mothers, if they watch you during the +progress of the play, will think it easy and simple. If they do, +persuade them to try it. You will soon laugh at their failure. + +Now, when we older folks were young like you, we did not have the +regular, scraggly bits of iron and dainty rubber ball. We played +with pieces of stones. I suspect more deftness was needed in handling +them than in using the new fashioned pieces. Certainly, in trials +than I can remember, I never played the game through without a +break; but then I was never half so handy as you are at such things: +that, no doubt, accounts for it. + +Well, a good many years ago, before any of your fathers or mothers +were born, a little girl named Alice Ripley sat near her home +playing "Jack Stones." It was the first of July, 1778, and although +her house was made of logs, had no carpets or stove, but a big +fireplace, where all the food was made ready for eating, yet no +sweeter or happier girl can be found today, if you spend weeks in +searching for her. Nor can you come upon a more lovely spot in which +to build a home, for it was the famed Wyoming Valley, in Western +Pennsylvania. + +Now, since some of my young friends may not be acquainted with this +place, you will allow me to tell you that the Wyoming Valley lies +between the Blue Ridge and the Alleghany Mountains, and that the +beautiful Susquehanna River runs through it. + +The valley runs northeast and southwest, and is twenty-one miles +long, with an average breadth of three miles. The bottom lands-- +that is, those in the lowest portion--are sometimes overflowed +when there is an unusual quantity of water in the river. In some +places the plains are level, and in others, rolling. The soil is +very fertile. + +Two mountain ranges hem in the valley. The one on the east has an +average height of a thousand feet, and the other two hundred feet +less. The eastern range is steep, mostly barren, and abounds with +caverns, clefts, ravines, and forests. The western is not nearly +so wild, and is mostly cultivated. + +The meaning of the Indian word for Wyoming is "Large Plains," which, +like most of the Indian names, fits very well indeed. + +The first white man who visited Wyoming was a good Moravian missionary, +Count Zinzendorf--in 1742. He toiled among the Delaware Indians +who lived there, and those of his faith who followed him were the +means of the conversion of a great many red men. + +The fierce warriors became humble Christians, who set the best +example to wild brethren, and often to the wicked white men. + +More than twenty years before the Revolution settlers began making +their way into the Wyoming Valley. You would think their only +trouble would be with the Indians, who always look with anger upon +intruders of that kind, but really their chief difficulty was with +white people. + +Most of these pioneers came from Connecticut. The successors of +William Penn, who had bought Pennsylvania from his king, and then +again from the Indians, did not fancy having settlers from other +colonies take possession of one of the garden spots of his grant. + +I cannot tell you about the quarrels between the settlers from +Connecticut and those that were already living in Pennsylvania. +Forty of the invaders, as they may be called, put up a fort, which +was named on that account Forty Fort. This was in the winter of +1769, and two hundred more pioneers followed them in the spring. +The fort stood on the western bank of the river. + +The Pennsylvanians, however, had prepared for them, and the trouble +began. During the few years following, the New Englanders were three +times driven out of the valley, and the men, women, and children +were obliged to tramp for two hundred miles through the unbroken +wilderness to their old homes. But they rallied and came back +again, and at last were strong enough to hold their ground. About +this time the mutterings of the American Revolution began to be +heard, and the Pennsylvanians and New Englanders forgot their enmity +and became brothers in their struggle for independence. + +Among the pioneers from Connecticut who put up their old fashioned +log houses in Wyoming were George Ripley and his wife Ruth. They +were young, frugal, industrious, and worthy people. They had but +one child--a boy named Benjamin; but after awhile Alice was added +to the family, and at the date of which I am telling you she was +six years and her brother thirteen years old. + +Mr. Ripley was absent with the continental army under General +Washington, fighting the battles of his country. Benjamin, on +this spring day, was visiting some of his friends further down the +valley; so that when Alice came forth to play "Jack Stones" alone, +no one was in sight, though her next neighbor lived hardly two +hundred yards away. + +I wish you could have seen her as she looked on that summer afternoon. +She had been helping, so far as she was able, her mother in the +house, until the parent told her to go outdoors and amuse herself. +She was chubby, plump, healthy, with round pink cheeks, yellow hair +tied in a coil at the back of her head, and her big eyes were as +blue, and clear, and bright as they could be. + +She wore a brown homespun dress--that is to say, the materials +had been woven by the deft fingers of her mother, with the aid of +the old spinning wheel, which in those days formed a part of every +household. The dark stockings were knitted by the same busy fingers, +with the help of the flashing needles; and the shoes, put together +by Peleg Quintin, the humpbacked shoemaker, were heavy and coarse, +and did not fit any too well. + +The few simple articles of underwear were all homemade, clean, +and comfortable, and the same could be said of the clothing of the +brother and of the mother herself. + +Alice came running out of the open front door, bounding off the big +flat stone which served as a step with a single leap, and, running +to a spot of green grass a few yards away, where there was not a +bit of dirt or a speck of dust, she sat down and began the game of +which I told you at the opening of this story. + +Alice was left handed. So when she took position, she leaned over +to the right, supporting her body with that arm, while with the +other hand she tossed the little jagged pieces of stone aloft, +snatching up the others, and letting the one that was going up and +down in the air drop into her chubby palm. + +She had been playing perhaps ten minutes, when she found someone +was watching her. + +She did not see him at first, but heard a low, deep "Huh!" partly +at one side and partly behind her. + +Instead of glancing around, she finished the turn of the game on +which she was engaged just then. That done, she clasped all the +Jack Stones in her hand, assumed the upright posture, and looked +behind her. + +"I thought it was you, Omas," she said with a merry laugh; "do you +want to play Jack Stones with me?" + +If you could have seen the person whom she thus addressed, you +would have thought it a strange way of speaking. + +He was an Indian warrior, belonging to the tribe of Delawares. +Those who knew about him said he was one of the fiercest red men +that ever went on the warpath. A few years before, there had been +a massacre of the settlers, and Omas was foremost among the Indians +who swung the tomahawk and fired his rifle at the white people. + +He was tall, sinewy, active, and powerful. Three stained eagle +feathers were fastened on his crown in the long black hair, and his +hunting shirt, leggings, and moccasins were bright with different +colored beads and fringes. In the red sash which passed around +his waist were thrust a hunting knife and tomahawk, while one hand +clasped a cumbersome rifle, which, like all firearms of those times, +was used with ramrod and flintlock. + +Omas would have had a rather pleasing face had he let it alone; +but his people love bright colors, and he was never seen without +a lot of paint daubed over it. This was made up of black, white, +and yellow circles, lines, and streaks that made him look frightful. + +But Alice was not scared at all. She and Omas were old friends. +Nearly a year before, he stopped at their cabin one stormy night and +asked for something to eat. Mrs. Ripley gave him plenty of coarse +brown, well baked bread and cold meat, and allowed him to sleep on +the floor until morning. + +Benjamin was rather shy of the fierce looking Delaware, but Alice +took to him at first. She brought him a basin of water, and asked +him to please wash his face. + +The startled mother gently reproved her; but Omas did that which +an Indian rarely does--smiled. He spoke English unusually well, +and knew why the child had proposed to him to use the water. + +He told her that he had a little girl that he called Linna, about +the same age as Alice. Upon hearing this, what did Alice do, but +climb upon the warrior's knee and ask him to tell her all about +Linna. Well, the result was, that an affection was formed between +this wild warrior and the gentle little girl. + +Omas promised to bring his child to see Alice, who, with her mother's +permission, said she would return the visit. There can be no doubt +that the Delaware often went a long way out of his course, for no +other reason than to spend an hour or less with Alice Ripley. The +brother and mother always made him feel welcome, and to the good +parent the influence of her child upon the savage red man had +a peculiar interest which nothing else in the world could possess +for her. So you understand why it was that Alice did not start and +show any fear when she looked around and saw the warrior standing +less than ten feet off, and attentively watching her. + +"You can't play Jack Stones as well as I," she said, looking saucily +up at him. + +"I beat you," was his reply, as he strode forward and sat down +cross legged on the grass. + +"I'd like to see you do it! You think you're very smart, don't +you?" + +A shadowy smile played around the stern mouth, and the Delaware, +who had studied the simple game long enough to understand it, began +the sport under the observant eyes of his little mistress. + +While both were intent on the amusement, Mrs. Ripley came to the +door and stood wonderingly looking at them. + +"It does seem as if Indians are human beings like the rest of us," +was her thought; "but who could resist her gentle ways?" + +Up went the single stone in the air, and Omas grabbed the batch +that were lying on the ground, and then caught the first as it came +down. + +"That won't do!" called Alice, seizing the brawny hand, which-- +sad to say--had been stained with blood as innocent as hers; "you +didn't do that fair!" + +"What de matter?" he asked, looking reproachfully into the round +face almost against his own. + +"I'll show you how. Now, I lay those three on the ground like +that. Then I toss up this, pick up one without touching any of the +others, keep it in my hand and pick up the next--see?" + +She illustrated her instruction by her work, while her pupil listened +and stared. + +"I know--I know," he said quickly. "I show you." Then the wag of +a Delaware tossed the first stone fully twenty feet aloft, caught +up the others, and took that on the fly. + +"I never saw anybody as dumb as you," was the comment. "What is +the use of your trying? You couldn't learn to play Jack Stones in +ever so long." + +She was about to try him again, when, childlike, she darted off upon +a widely different subject, for it had just come into her little +head. + +"Omas, when you were here the other day, you promised that the next +time you came to see me you would bring Linna." + +"Dat so--Omas promise." + +"Then why haven't you done as you said?" + +"Omas never speak with double tongue; he bring Linna with him." + +"You did?--where is she?" asked Alice, springing to her feet, +clasping her hands, and looking expectantly around. + +The Delaware emitted a shrill, tremulous whistle, and immediately +from the wood several rods behind them came running the oddest +looking little girl anyone could have met in a long time. + +Her face was as round as that of Alice, her long, black hair hung +loosely over her shoulders, her small eyes were as black as jet, +her nose a pug, her teeth as white and regular as were ever seen, +while her dress was a rude imitation of her father's except the +skirt came below her knees. Her feet were as small as a doll's, +and encased in the beaded little moccasins, were as pretty as they +could be. + +"That is Linna," said the proud father as she came obediently +forward. + +CHAPTER TWO: DANGER IN THE AIR + +Little Linna, daughter of Omas, the Delaware warrior, was of the +same age as Alice Ripley. The weather was warm although she wore +tiny moccasins to protect her feet, she scorned the superfluous +stockings and undergarments that formed a part of the other's +apparel. + +Her hair was as black, abundant, and almost as long as her father's; +but her face was clean, and, perhaps in honor of the occasion, she, +too, sported a gaudy eagle feather in her hair. + +She bounded out of the green wood like a fawn, but as she drew near +her parent and Alice, her footsteps became slower, and she halted +a few paces away, hung her head, with her forefinger between her +pretty white teeth--for all the world like any white girl of her +years. + +But Alice did not allow her to remain embarrassed. She had been +begging for this visit, and now, when she saw her friend, she ran +forward, took her little plump hand and said--"Linna, I am real +glad you have come!" + +Omas had risen to his feet, and watched the girls with an affection +and interest which found no expression on his painted face. His +child looked timidly up to him and walked slowly forward, her hand +clasped in that of Alice. She did not speak, but when her escort +sat down on the grass, she did the same. + +"Linna, do you know how to play Jack Stones?" asked Alice, picking +up the pebbles. + +Linna shook her head quickly several times, but her lips remained +mute. + +"Your father thought he knew how, but he don't; he doesn't play fair, +either. Let me show you, so you can beat him when you go home." + +Alice set to work, while the bright black eyes watched every +movement. + +"Now do you want to try it?" she asked, after going through the +game several times. + +Linna nodded her head with the same birdlike quickness, and reached +out her chubby hand. + +Her father and Alice watched her closely. She made several failures +at first, all of which were patiently explained by her tutor; by and +by she went through the performance from beginning to end without +a break. + +Alice clapped her hands with delight, and Omas--certain that no +grownup person saw him--smiled with pleasure. + +"Doesn't she know how to talk?" asked Alice, looking up at the +warrior. Omas spoke somewhat sharply to his child in the Delaware +tongue. She startled, and looking at Alice, asked-- + +"Do--yoo think me play well?" + +Alice was delighted to find she could make herself understood so +easily. It was wonderful how she had learned to speak English so +early in life. + +"I guess you can," was the ready reply of Alice; "your father can't +begin to play as well. When you go home you can show your mamma +how to play Jack Stones. Have you any brothers and sisters?" + +"No; me have no brother--no sister." + +"That's too bad! I've got a big brother Ben. He isn't home now, +but he will be here to supper. He's a nice boy, and you will like +him. Let's go in the house now to see mamma, and you can teach me +how to talk Indian." + +Both girls bounded to their feet, and hand in hand, walked to the +door, with Omas gravely stalking after them. + +Mrs. Ripley had learned of the visitor, and stood on the threshold +to welcome her. She took her by the hand and led her inside. Omas +paused, as if in doubt whether he should follow; but her invitation +to him was so cordial, that he stepped within and seated himself +on a chair. + +That afternoon and night could never be forgotten by Alice Ripley. +In a very little while she and her visitor were on the best of terms; +laughing, romping, and chasing each other in and out of doors, just +as if they were twin sisters that had never been separated from +each other. + +When Mrs. Ripley asked Omas for how long a time he could leave his +child with them, he said he must take her back that evening. His +wigwam was a good many miles away in the woods, and he would have +to travel all night to reach the village of his tribe. + +Mrs. Ripley, however, pleaded so hard, that he consented to let +his child stay until he came back the next day or soon thereafter +for her. + +When he rose to go, the long summer day was drawing to a close. +He spoke to Linna in their native tongue. She was sitting on the +floor just then, playing with a wonderful rag baby, but was up in +a flash, and followed him outside. + +"Wait a moment and she will come back," said Mrs. Ripley to her own +child. She knew what the movement meant: Omas did not wish anyone +to see him and Linna. + +On the outside he moved to the left, and glanced around to make +sure that no person was looking that way. Then he lifted the little +one from the ground; she threw her arms around his neck, and he +pressed her to his breast and kissed her several times with great +warmth. Then he set her down, and she ran laughing into the house, +while he strode off to the woods. + +But at the moment of entering them he stopped abruptly, wheeled +about, and walked slowly back toward the cabin. + +Upon the return of Linna, Mrs. Ripley stepped to the front door to +look for her son. He was not in sight, but Omas had stopped again +hardly a rod distant. He stood a moment, looking fixedly at her, +and then beckoned with his free hand for her to approach. + +Without hesitation she stepped off the broad flat stone and went +to him. + +"What is it, Omas?" she asked in an undertone, pausing in front of +him, and gazing up into the grim, painted countenance. + +The Delaware returned the look for a few seconds, as if studying +how to say what was in his mind. Then in a voice lower even than +hers, he said--"You--little girl--big boy--go way soon-- +must not stay here." + +"Why do you say that, Omas?" + +"Iroquois like leaves on trees--white men, call Tories--soon +come down here--kill all white people--kill you--kill little +girl, big boy--if you stay here." + +The pioneer's wife had heard the same rumors for days past. She knew +there was cause for fear, for nearly all the able bodied men in +Wyoming were absent with the patriot army, fighting for independence. +The inhabitants in the valley had begged Congress to send some soldiers +to protect them, and the relatives of the women and children had +asked again and again that they might go home to save their loved +ones from the Tories and Indians; but the prayer was refused. The +soldiers in the army were too few to be spared, and no one away +from Wyoming believed the danger as great as it was. + +But the people themselves knew the peril, and did their best +to prepare for it. But who should know more about the Indians and +Tories than Omas, the great Delaware warrior? + +When, therefore, he said these words to Mrs. Ripley, that woman's +heart beat faster. She heard the laughter and prattle of the children +in the house, and she thought of that bright boy, playing with his +young friends not far away. + +"Where can we go?" she asked, in the same guarded voice. + +"With Omas," was the prompt reply; "hide in wigwam of Omas. Nobody +hurt palefaced friend of Omas." + +It was a trying situation. The brave woman, who had passed through +many dangers with her husband, knew what a visit from the Tories +and Indians meant; but she shrank from leaving Wyoming, and all +her friends and neighbors. + +"When will they come?" she asked; "will it be in a few weeks or in +a few days?" + +"Getting ready now; Brandt with Iroquois--Butler with Tory-- +soon be here." + +"But do you mean that we shall all go with you tonight?" + +The Delaware was silent for a few seconds. His active brain was +busy, reviewing the situation. + +"No," he finally said; "stay here till Omas come back; then go with +him--all go--den no one be hurt." + +"Very well; we will wait till you come to us again. We will take +good care of Linna." + +And without another word the Delaware turned once more, strode to +the forest, which was then in fullest leaf, and vanished among the +trees. + +Mrs. Ripley walked slowly back to the door. On the threshold she +halted, and looked around again for her absent boy. It was growing +dark, and she began to feel a vague alarm for him. + +A whistle fell on her ear. It was the sweetest music she had ever +heard, for it came from the lips of her boy. + +He was in sight, coming along the well worn path that led in front +of the other dwellings and to her own door. When he saw her, he +waved his hand in salutation, but could not afford to break in on +the vigorous melody which kept his lips puckered. + +She saw he was carrying something on his shoulder. A second glance +showed that it was one of the heavy rifles used by the pioneers a +hundred years ago. The sight--taken with what Omas had just said +--filled her heart with forebodings. + +She waited until the lad came up. He kissed her affectionately, +and then in the offhand manner of a big boy, let the butt of the +gun drop on the ground, leaned the top away from him, and glancing +from it to his mother, asked--"What do you think of it?" + +"It seems to be a good gun. Whose is it?" + +"Mine," was the proud response. "Colonel Butler ordered that it be +given to me, and I'm to use it, too, mother." + +"For what purpose?" + +"The other Colonel Butler--you know he is a cousin to ours--has +got a whole lot of Tories" (who, you know, were Americans fighting +against their countrymen) "and Indians, and they're coming down to +wipe out Wyoming; but I guess they will find it a harder job than +they think." + +And to show his contempt for the danger, the muscular lad lifted +his weighty weapon to a level, and pretended to sight it at a tree. + +"I wish that was a Tory or one of those Six Nation Indians-- +wouldn't I drop him!" + +The mother could not share the buoyancy of her son. She stepped +outside, so as to be beyond the hearing of the little ones. + +"Omas has been here; that is his little girl that you hear laughing +with Alice. He has told me the same as you--the Tories and Indians +are coming, and he wants us to flee with him." + +"What does he mean by that?" asked the half indignant boy. + +"He says they will put us all to death, and if we do not go with +him, we will be killed too." + +The handsome face of Benjamin Ripley took on an expression of +scorn, and as he straightened up, he seemed to become several inches +taller. + +"He forgets that I am with you! Omas is very kind; but he and his +Tory friends had better look out for themselves. Why, with the men +at the fort, Colonel Butler will have several hundred." + +"But they are mostly old men and boys." + +"Well," said the high spirited lad, with a twinkle of his fine hazel +eyes, "add up a lot of old men and boys, and the average is the +same number of middle aged men, isn't it? Don't you worry, mother +--things are all right. If Omas comes back, give him our thanks, +and tell him we are not going to sneak off when we are needed at +home." + +It was hard to resist the contagion of Ben's hopefulness. The +mother not only loved but respected him as much as she could have +done had he been several years older. He had been her mainstay for +the two years past, during which the father was absent with the +patriot army; and she came to lean upon him more and more, though +her heart sank when Ben began to talk of following his father into +the ranks, to help in the struggle for independence. + +She found herself looking upon the situation as Ben did. If so +great danger threatened Wyoming, it would be cowardly for them to +leave their friends to their fate. It was clear all could not find +safety by going, and she would feel she was doing wrong if she gave +no heed to the others. + +Ben was tall and strong for his years, and the fact that he had +taken the gun from Colonel Butler to be used in taking care of the +settlement bound the youth in honor to do so. + +"It shall be as you say," said the mother; "I cannot be as hopeful +as you, but it is our duty to stay. We will not talk about it before +the children." + +"I want to see how a little Indian girl looks," muttered Ben with +a laugh, following his mother into the house. + +Alice caught sight of him, and was in his arms the next instant, +while Linna rose to her feet, and stood with her forefinger between +her teeth, shyly studying the newcomer. + +"Helloa, Linna! how are you?" he called, setting down his young +sister and catching up the little Indian. Not only that, but he +gave her a resounding smack on her dusky cheek. + +"I always like pretty little girls, and I'm going to be your beau: +what do you say? Is it a bargain?" + +It is not to be supposed that the Delaware miss caught the whole +meaning of this momentous question. She was a little overwhelmed +by the rush of the big boy's manner, and nodded her head about a +dozen times. + +"There, Alice; do you understand that?" he asked, making the room +ring with his merry laughter; "I'm to be Linna's beau. How do you +like it?" + +"I'm glad for you, but I--guess--I oughter be sorry for Linna." + +CHAPTER THREE: JULY THIRD, 1778 + +While Ben Ripley was frolicking with little Alice and her Indian +friend Linna, the mother prepared the evening meal. + +The candles were lighted, and they took their places at the table. + +All this was new and strange to Linna. In her own home, she +was accustomed to sit on the ground, and use only her fingers for +knife and fork when taking food; but she was observant and quick, +and knowing how it had been with her, her friends soon did away +with her embarrassment. The mother cut her meat into small pieces, +spread butter--which the visitor looked at askance--on the +brown bread, and she had but to do as the rest, and all went well. + +A few minutes after supper both girls became drowsy, and Mrs. +Ripley, candle in hand, conducted them upstairs to the small room +set apart for their use. + +This was another novel experience for the visitor. She insisted at +first upon lying on the hard floor, for never in her life had she +touched a bed; but after awhile, she became willing to share the +couch with her playmate. + +Alice knelt down by the side of the little trundle bed and said her +prayers, as she always did; but Linna could not understand what it +meant. She wonderingly watched her until she was through, and then +with some misgiving, clambered among the clothes, and the mother +tucked her up, though the night was so warm they needed little +covering. + +Mrs. Ripley felt that she ought to tell the dusky child about her +heavenly Father, and to teach her to pray. She therefore sat down +on the edge of the bed, and in simple words began the wonderful +story of the Saviour, who gave His life to save her as well as all +others. + +Alice dropped asleep right away, but Linna lay motionless, with her +round black eyes fixed on the face of the lady, drinking in every +word she said. By and by, however, the eyelids began to droop, and +the good woman ceased. Who shall tell what precious seed was thus +sown in that cabin in Wyoming, more than a hundred years ago? + +While Mrs. Ripley was talking upstairs, she heard voices below; so +that she knew Ben had a visitor. As she descended, she recognized +a neighbor who lived on the other side of the river. + +"I called," said he, "to tell you that you must lose no time in +moving into Forty Fort with your little girl." + +"You do not mean right away?" + +"Not tonight, but the first thing in the morning." + +"Is the danger so close as that?" + +"Our scouts report the Tory Colonel Butler with a large force of +whites and Indians marching down the valley." + +"But do you not expect to repel them?" + +"We are sure of that," was the confident reply; "but it won't do +for any of the women and children to be exposed. The Indians will +scatter, and cut off all they can. Others of our friends are out +warning the people, and we must have them all in a safe place." + +"Will you wait for your enemies to attack the fort?" + +"I believe our Colonel Butler favors that; but others, and among +them myself and Ben, favor marching out and meeting them." + +"That's it," added the lad, shaking his head. "I believe in showing +them we are not scared. Colonel Butler got leave of absence to +come to Wyoming; he has some regulars with him, and with all our +men and boys we'll teach the other Colonel Butler a lesson he won't +forget as long as he lives." + +"Well, if you think it best, we will move into the fort with the +other people until the danger is past." + +"Yes, mother; I will fight better knowing that you and Alice are +safe. There's Linna! What about her?" + +"Who's Linna?" asked the visitor. + +"She is the little child of Omas, the Delaware warrior. He brought +her here this afternoon to make Alice a visit, and promised to call +tomorrow for her. Will it be safe to wait until he comes?" + +The neighbor shook his head. + +"You mustn't take any chances. Why don't you turn her loose to take +care of herself? She can do it." + +"I couldn't," the mother hastened to say; "Omas left her in our +care, and I must not neglect her. She will go with us." + +"I don't think it will be safe for her father to come after her, +when the flurry is over." + +"Why not?" + +"He will be with the Iroquois, even though his tribe doesn't like +them any too well; for the Iroquois are the conquerors of the +Delawares, and drove them off their hunting grounds." + +"Well," said Mrs. Ripley, with a sigh; "even if he never comes for +her, she will always have a home with us." + +The dwelling of the Ripleys was on the eastern shore of the Susquehanna. +On the other side stood Fort Wintermoot and Forty Fort, the former +being at the upper end of the valley. That would be the first one +reached by the invaders, and the expectation was that it would give +up whenever ordered to do so, for nearly all in it were friends of +the Tories. + +It was evident that when Omas left his child with her friends, and +spoke of returning the next day, or soon thereafter, he did not +know how near the invasion was. Mrs. Ripley expected that when he +did learn it, he would hasten back for her. + +The night, however, passed without his appearance, and the hot July +sun came up over the forests on the eastern bank of the river, and +still he remained away. It looked as if he had decided to let her +take her chances while he joined the invaders in their work of +destruction and woe. + +Mrs. Ripley would have been willing to wait longer, but she was +urged not to lose another hour. The frightened settlers were not +allowed to take anything but their actual necessaries with them, +for the cramped quarters in Forty Fort, where a number of cabins +were erected, would be crowded to the utmost to make room for the +hundreds who might clamor for admission. The quarters, indeed, +were so scant that many camped outside, holding themselves ready +to rush within should it become necessary. + +Little Linna was filled with wonder when she saw her friends +preparing to move and knew she was going with them. But she helped +in her way as much as she could and asked no questions. There was +no need, in fact, for Alice asked enough for both. + +And just here I must relate to you a little history. + +On the last days of June, 1778, Colonel John Butler, with about +four hundred soldiers--partly made up of Tories--and six or +seven hundred Indians, entered the head of Wyoming Valley. As I +have said, he was a cousin of Colonel Zebulon Butler, who commanded +the patriots and did all he could to check the invaders. Reaching +Fort Wintermoot, the British officer sent in a demand for its +surrender. The submission was made, and the invaders then came down +the valley and ordered the Connecticut people to surrender Forty +Fort and the settlements. Colonel Zebulon Butler had under him, +to quote the historical account, "two hundred and thirty enrolled +men, and seventy old people, boys, civil magistrates, and other +volunteers." They formed six companies, which were mustered at +Forty Fort, where the families of the settlers on the east side of +the river had taken refuge. + +Colonel Zebulon Butler, upon receiving the summons, called a +council of war. This was on the 3rd of July. The officers believed +that a little delay would be best, in the hope of the arrival of +reinforcements; but nearly all the men were so clamorous to march +out and give the invaders battle, that it was decided to do so. + +"You are going into great danger," remarked the leader, as he +mounted his horse and placed himself at the head of the patriots, +"but I will go as far as any of you." + +At three o'clock in the afternoon the column, numbering about +three hundred, marched from the fort with drums beating and colors +flying. They moved up the valley, with the river on the right and +a marsh on the left, until they arrived at Fort Wintermoot, which +had been set on fire by the enemy to give the impression they were +withdrawing from the neighborhood. + +As you may well believe, the movements of the patriots were watched +with deep interest by those left behind. The women and children +clustered along the river bank and strained their eyes in the +direction of Fort Wintermoot, the black smoke from which rolled +down the valley and helped to shut out their view. + +There was hardly one among the spectators that had not a loved +relative with the defenders. It might be a tottering grandfather, +a sturdy son, who, though a boy, was inspired with the deepest +fervor, and eager to risk his life for the sake of his mother or +sister, whose hearts almost stopped beating in the painful suspense +which must continue until the battle was decided. + +Alice was too young fully to understand the peril in which Ben was +placed. She had kissed him goodbye when he ran to take his place +with the others, and, with a light jest on his lips about her and +Linna, he had snatched a kiss from the little Delaware's swarthy +cheek. + +The mother added a few cheering words to the children, and it was +a striking sight when they and a number of others, about their +age or under, began playing with all the merriment of children who +never dream that the world contains such afflictions as sorrow, +woe, and death. + +It was easy to follow the course of the patriots for a time after +they were beyond sight, by the sound of their drums and the shrill +whistling of several fifes. + +In those days it was much more common than now for people to drink +intoxicating liquors. Just before the patriots started up the +valley, I am sorry to say, a few of the men drank more than they +should. It has been claimed by some that but for this things would +have gone differently on that day, which will live for ever as one +of the saddest in American history. + +By and by the anxious people near the fort noticed that the sound +of drums and fifes had ceased, and the reports of firearms were +heard. + +They knew from this that the opposing forces were making ready for +the conflict, and the suspense became painful indeed. + +Then amid the rattle of musketry sounded the whoops of the Iroquois. The +battle was on. Fighting began about four o'clock in the afternoon. +Colonel Zebulon Butler ordered his men to fire, and at each +discharge to advance a step. The fire was regular and steady, and +the Americans continued to gain ground, having the advantage where +it was open. Despite the exertions of the invaders, their line +gave way, and but for the help of the Indians they would have been +routed. + +The flanking party of red men kept up a galling fire on the right, +and the patriots dropped fast. The Indians on the Tory left were +divided into six bands who kept up a continuous yelling which did +much to inspirit each other, while the deadly aim told sadly upon +the Americans. + +The most powerful body of Indians was in a swamp on the left of the +patriots, and by and by they outflanked them. The Americans tried +to manoeuvre so as to face the new danger, but some of them mistook +the order for one to retreat. Everything was thrown into confusion. + +Colonel Zebulon Butler, seeing how things were going, galloped up +and down between the opposing lines, calling out--"Don't leave +me, my children. Stand by me and the victory is ours!" + +But it was too late. The patriots could not be rallied. They were +far outnumbered, and once thrown into a panic, with the captain of +every company slain, the day was lost. + +You cannot picture the distress of the women, children, and feeble +old men waiting at Forty Fort the issue of the battle. + +The sorrowful groups on the bank of the river listened to the sounds +of conflict, and read the meaning as they came to their ears. + +The steady, regular firing raised their hopes at first. They knew +their sons and friends were fighting well, despite the shouts of +the Indians borne down the valley on the sultry afternoon. + +By and by the firing grew more scattering, and instead of being so +far up the river as at first, it was coming closer. + +This could mean but one thing; the patriots were retreating before +the Tories and Indians. + +One old man, nearly four score years of age, who pleaded to go into +the battle, but was too feeble, could not restrain his feelings. +He walked back and forth, inspired with new strength and full of +hope, until the scattered firing and its approach left no doubt of +its meaning. + +He paused in his nervous, hobbling pace, and said to the white faced +women standing breathlessly near--"Our boys are retreating: they +have been beaten--all hope is gone!" + +The next moment two horsemen galloped into sight. "Colonel Butler +and Colonel Denison!" said the old man, recognizing them; "they +bring sad news." + +It was true. They rode their horses on a dead run, and reining up +at the fort, where the people crowded around them, they leaped to +the ground, and Colonel Butler said--"Our boys have been driven +from the field, and the Tories and Indians are at their heels!" + +CHAPTER FOUR: THE EASTERN SHORE + +Young Ben Ripley made a good record on that eventful 3rd of July. +He loaded and fired as steadily as a veteran. The smoke of the +guns, the wild whooping of the Iroquois Indians, the sight of his +friends and neighbors continually dropping to the ground, some of +them at his elbow, the deafening discharge of the rifles--all these +and the dreadful swirl and rush of events dazed him at times; but +he kept at it with a steadiness which caused more than one expression +of praise from the officers nearest him. + +All at once he found himself mixed up in the confusion caused +by the attempt to wheel a part of the line to face the flanking +assailants, and the mistake of many that it was an order to retreat. + +He did not know what it meant, for it seemed to him that a dozen +officers were shouting conflicting orders at the same moment. +A number of men threw down their guns and made a wild rush to get +away, several falling over each other in the frantic scramble; +others bumped together, and above the din of the conflict sounded +the voices of Colonel Butler, as he rode back and forth through +the smoke, begging his troops not to leave him, and victory would +be theirs. + +Seeing the hopeless tangle, the Indians swarmed out of the swamp, +and by their savage attack and renewed shouts made the hubbub and +confusion tenfold worse. + +Somebody ran so violently against Ben that he was thrown to the +ground. He was on his feet in an instant and turned to see who did +it. It was a soldier fleeing for life from an Iroquois warrior. + +Ben raised his gun, took quick aim and pulled the trigger, but no +report followed. He had forgotten his weapon was unloaded. + +Other forms obtruded between him and the couple, and he could not +see the result of the pursuit and attack. Despite all he could do, +he was forced back by the panic stricken rush around and against +him. + +Suddenly a wild cry reached him. An Iroquois with painted face +rushed upon him with uplifted tomahawk, but he was yet several paces +away, when another warrior seized his arm and wrenched him to one +side. + +"Run--go fast--don't stay!" commanded the Indian that had +saved the youth, furiously motioning to him. + +"If my gun were loaded," replied Ben, though his voice was unheard +in the din, "I wouldn't go till I did something more. Helloa! is +that you, Omas?" + +It was the Delaware that had turned the assault aside. + +A couple of bounds placed him beside he lad, and he caught his arm +with a grip of iron. + +It was of no use trying to hold back. Omas half running, half +leaping, drove his way like a wedge through the surging swarm. +His left hand closed around the upper arm of Ben, while his right +grasped his tomahawk, he having thrown aside his rifle. + +The boy was repeatedly jerked almost off his feet. He could run +fast, but was not equal to this warrior, who forged along with +resistless might. Twice did an Iroquois make for the young prisoner, +as he supposed the lad to be, but a warning motion of the tomahawk +upheld by Omas repelled him. + +The Delaware was prudent, and instead of keeping in the midst +of the surging mass, worked to one side, so that they were soon +comparatively free from the tumultuous throng. + +There was no attempt at conversation between the Delaware and Ben. +The boy knew what was meant by this rough kindness. The day was +lost, and his thoughts went out to the loved ones waiting down the +valley to learn the result of the battle. He wanted to get to them +as quickly as he could. + +The rush carried them beyond the main body of fugitives, though not +out of danger, for the Iroquois were pursuing hard; but soon Omas +loosened his grip and dropped the arm of the lad. They were far +enough removed from the swirl to exchange words. + +"Where moder--where Alice?", asked the Delaware, as if he had no +concern for his own child. + +"At Forty Fort." + +"Linna with them?" + +"Yes; they are together with the other folks." + +"Go dere--tell cross riber--make haste to Del'mware." + +This command meant that the little party should hurry to the +eastern side of the Susquehanna, and start for the settlements on +the Upper Delaware. The nearest town was Stroudsburg, sixty miles +distant, and the way led through a dismal forest. + +The words of Omas showed, too, that he knew what was coming. Though +the British Colonel Butler might accept the surrender and strive +to give fair treatment to the prisoners, he would find it hard to +restrain the Tories and Indians. + +All that could be done was for the fugitives to flee, without +an hour's delay. They were already flocking to the river in the +effort to reach the other side. A good many hid among the grass +and undergrowth on Monacacy Island, where the Tories and Indians +followed, and hunted them out without mercy. + +Those who were wise enough to set out in time had a chance +of arriving at the settlements on the Upper Delaware, though much +suffering was sure to follow, since there was no time to prepare +food to take with them. + +The remark of Omas prompted Ben's words--"How can I get mother, +and Alice and Linna, to the other side? They cannot swim the river." + +"Linna swim," was the somewhat proud answer; "she take care of +Alice you take care of moder." + +"I might at any other time, but with the people crowding around us, +and the Indians at our heels and shooting down all they can, what +chance have we? Why can't you come with me and help them?" + +No doubt the Delaware had asked himself the question, for he +answered it not by words, but by breaking into a loping trot for +Forty Fort, with Ben running at his side. He halted before reaching +the refuge, and turned aside among the bushes overhanging the edge +of the river, his actions showing he was searching for something. + +He speedily found a canoe, probably his own. It had been so +skillfully hidden among the dense undergrowth that one might have +passed within a couple of paces without seeing it. + +He picked it up as if it were a toy boat and set it down in the +water. + +"Go bring moder--bring Alice--bring Linna." + +Ben was off like a shot, for he knew there was not a minute to +throw away. It was the season when the days were longest, and two +or three hours must pass before it would be fully night. + +It would not do for Omas to go with Ben. His appearance at the +fort would add to the panic, and be almost certain to bring about +a conflict with some of the whites. It was his province to guard +the precious canoe from being taken by other fugitives. + +Ben Ripley now thought only of his loved ones. He knew the anguish +his mother would suffer until she learned he was safe, and he forced +his way to the spot where he had parted from her. + +It was a sad experience. Old men, women and children, with white +faces, were rushing to and fro, wringing their hands and wailing, +searching for those whom they never again would see in this life; +crowding into the little fort, as if they knew a minute's delay +would be fatal; some making for the river, into which they plunged +in a wild effort to reach the eastern shore, while among the frantic +masses appeared here and there a fugitive from the scene of battle, +perhaps wounded and telling his dreadful story of the defeat, with +all the woeful consequences that were certain to follow. + +With much difficulty and some rough work the lad reached the spot +where he had bidden his mother and the children goodbye, but none +of the three was in sight. They had been swept aside by the rush +of the terrified people. + +A cry sounded above the tumult, and before he could learn where it +came from, the arms of his mother were about his neck. + +"Thank Heaven! my boy is safe! You do not know what I have suffered. +I could learn nothing about you. Are you hurt?" + +"Not a scratch--which is more than many other poor fellows can +say. Where are the children?" + +A tiny hand was slipped into his own, and looking down, there stood +Linna, with her forefinger between her teeth, looking shyly up at +him. There could be no doubt she felt fully acquainted. + +Alice came forward on the other side. Neither understood the cause +of the turmoil about them. They were not scared, but were awed into +silence. + +"I saw Omas," explained Ben to his mother; "he saved me from the +fate of many others." + +"Where is he?" + +"A little way off, under the bank, waiting with his canoe, to take +us across the river. + +"He says we must hurry through the woods for the settlements on +the Upper Delaware. Every hour that we stay increases our danger." + +"Let me take Alice; lead the way." + +Clasping tight the hand of Linna, with his mother at his heels, Ben +pushed for the point where he had left the Delaware a few minutes +before. + +Strange that though the distance was not far, and the confusion +seemed to be increasing every minute, the little party had not gone +half way when they were checked by one of the men that had been +in the battle. He was slightly wounded, and under the influence of +liquor. + +"Who's that you've got with you?" he demanded, looking down at +Linna, who saw no danger in the act. + +"A friend of Alice and me." + +"She looks like an Injin," added the soldier, scowling threateningly +at her; "if she is, I want her." + +"I told you she is a friend of ours--get out of my way!" + +The soldier's condition enabled Ben to tumble him over on his back +by means of a vigorous shove. Before he could steady himself and +get upon his feet again, the others were beyond reach. + +I am sure he would not have acted that way, had he been in the +possession of his senses. + +When Ben parted from Omas, he was without a rifle, but on joining +him again, the warrior had a fine weapon in his hand. It was not +the one with which he appeared at the house. The lad might have +guessed how he got it, but he did not ask any questions, nor seem +to notice it. + +As the party came up, Omas merely glanced at Mrs. Ripley and her +child, but did not speak. As for his own little girl, he gave her +no notice. Young as she was, she understood him, and did not claim +any attention from him. If they had been alone, she would have been +in his arms with their cheeks together. + +"Go 'cross," said he, pointing toward the other shore. + +"Ben has told me what you said: we are ready," replied Mrs. Ripley. + +He held the canoe steady and motioned her to take her place in it. +She did so, and Alice nestled at her feet, being careful not to +stir, for such frail craft are easily upset. + +The canoe was small, and the weight of the mother and child sank +it quite low, though it would hold another adult. + +"Get in," added Omas to the lad. + +Ben obeyed. He knew all about such boats, and could have paddled +it across had there been a paddle to use, but there was none. + +When the Delaware laid his rifle inside with Ben's, it was evident +he intended to swim, towing or shoving the boat. + +"Come, Linna, there's just room for you," added the youth, reaching +out his hand for the dusky little girl. + +Instead of obeying, she looked up at her father and said something +to which he made answer brusquely, as it sounded to the others. + +Retreating several paces from shore, she ran nimbly to the edge +of the bank, and with a leap splashed away beyond the bow of the +canoe, and began swimming like a fish for the eastern shore. + +It was a real treat for her, even though she did not remove any +of her clothing. The weather was sultry, and the bath refreshingly +cool. Not comprehending the sad scenes around her, she dived, and +splashed, and frolicked, easily keeping in advance of the boat. + +Truth to tell, the canoe had all it could hold, and Omas, who swam +at the stern, handled it with care to prevent it overturning. The +water rose almost to the gunwales, and a little jolt or carelessness +would have capsized it. + +The Delaware swam high out of water. He knew the boat would attract +the attention of some of his own people on the bank, who, if they +thought the occupants were escaping, would either pursue or fire +on them. + +The sight of the Indian, however, at the stern would make it appear +that they were already prisoners, and the other warriors would give +their attention elsewhere. + +Omas kept clear of Monacacy Island, and by and by his feet touched +ground. Before that, the dripping Linna had run out on land, and +so the whole party safely reached the eastern shore. + +CHAPTER FIVE: IN THE WOODS + +You have not forgotten what I told you about the mountain range, +which shuts in Wyoming Valley on the east. It is a thousand feet +in height, abounding with ravines, clefts, rocks, boulders and the +most rugged kind of places. + +The fugitives who fled from the Susquehanna to escape the Indians +had to make their way over these mountains, and then find their +way through sixty miles of trackless woods to the Delaware River. +A great many succeeded in doing so, but the deaths and sufferings +in the vast stretch of forest gave it the dreadful name of "The +Shades of Death," by which it is often referred to even to this +day. + +Omas swam at the rear of the small canoe, as I told you, with Mrs. +Ripley and her two children seated inside and balancing themselves +with great care to prevent the heavily loaded craft from sinking +or overturning. + +More than one Seneca or Oneida Indian, or perhaps a Tory, that had +chased some terrified fugitives to the edge of the river, halted +and made ready to fire upon the canoe, whose occupants were seen +to be three white persons. + +When they looked again, however, they observed the head and shoulders +of an Indian warrior, who was plainly propelling the craft in front +of him. That was enough to satisfy them. + +On the way over, Linna, the little Indian girl, amused herself by +diving under the canoe, sometimes appearing on one side and then +on the other, sometimes in front and then at the rear. She even +ventured to impose upon her father by splashing water in his painted +face. She did little of that, and he paid no attention to it. + +The sun had not yet set when the grim warrior and his child emerged +on the eastern shore, their garments dripping, but caring nothing +for that. The boat was drawn far enough up the bank to prevent its +being swept away by the current, and then all stood side by side, +and as if by a common impulse, looked back at the shore they had +left. + +The smoke from the burning Fort Wintermoot still rested on the +calm surface of the river, and filtered among the green vegetation +near the scene of the battle. Other buildings had been fired, and +mingled their vapor with it. + +Here and there, every minute or two, sounded the sharp crack of a +rifle. This too often meant that some fugitive had been run down by +his cruel pursuer, who listened to no pleadings for mercy. A good +many had taken refuge on Monacacy Island, from which the reports +of guns continually came. + +I have not the space here to tell you of the wonderful escapes at +Wyoming, the particulars of which I have given in another work. + +One boy, who was with several men near Fort Jenkins before the +battle, saw all the men shot down or captured; but he hid himself +among some willows and was not noticed. + +If you ever visit the scene of the battle, you will notice a broad, +flat stone, called Queen Esther's Rock, a half dozen miles below +Wilkesbarre. Queen Esther was an old, cruel, half breed woman who +came with the Indians. She is sometimes known as Katharine Montour. +A son of hers was killed in the conflict, and she was so angered +that she had sixteen captives placed around the rock, and meant to +slay them all, while the warriors prevented them from escaping. + +Nevertheless two of the young men jumped up and started on a run +for the river. The guards dashed after them. One caught his toe, +and rolled headlong down the bank into some bushes. Instead of +springing up again, as he first started to do, he lay still, and +though the Indians almost stepped upon him, he was not discovered, +and got off without harm. + +The other reached the river, took a running leap and dived, and +swam under water as far as he could. When he came up to breathe, +the waiting red men fired at him again and again. He was wounded, +but not badly, and, reaching the other side, caught a stray horse, +made a bridle from a hickory withe, and soon joined his friend. + +Another fugitive, after running until he was so tired out he could +hardly stand, and hearing the Indians near, backed into a hollow log +and awaited his fate. He had been in the hollow but a few minutes +when a spider spun its web across the entrance. A few minutes later, +two warriors sat down on the log. They noticed how good a hiding +place it would be for the white man, and one of them leaned over +to peep in. As he did so, he saw the spider web. He was sure that +it would not be there if the man was inside, and did not search +further. When the warriors left, the man crawled out and got safely +away. + +You know that the home of the Ripleys was on the eastern shore, +which they left that same morning. They had crossed over in a large +flatboat with a number of other families, so that now they were +near their own home again. Omas had guided the canoe, too, so they +landed not far from the little structure. + +"Omas," said the mother, "I understand you wish us to go to the +Delaware." + +"Yes," he replied, "Iroquois won't hurt you there--must go." + +"We haven't a particle of food with us; Ben has his gun and may +have a chance to shoot some game on the way--more than likely, he +will have no chance at all; it will take us several days to reach +Stroudsburg, which, I believe, is the nearest point. Don't you think +it best that we should stop at the house and get what food we can?" + +"Yes, we do dat; come 'long; not great time." + +There could be no safer guide than the Delaware, when his race were +such complete masters of the situation; though there was risk that +a patriot hiding somewhere in the neighborhood might take a shot +at him, under the belief that he meant harm to the captives. + +The humble log structure was found just as it was left that morning. +If any of the marauding bands of Indians paid it a visit, they did +not linger after seeing it was tenantless. + +There was a whole loaf of bread and part of another left beside +some cooked chicken, and a number of live ones were scratching the +ground outside, as if they had no concern in what was going on. + +"The weather is warm now," remarked the prudent housewife, "but a +cold storm may set in before we reach shelter." + +With which she folded a blanket from her bed and laid it over her +arm. + +"It will come handy to sleep on," added Ben, who did the same with +a second, despite the weight of his rifle, which (as they were made +in those days) was a good load of itself for a strong boy. + +Omas showed some impatience, though his companions did not understand +the cause. His actions, indeed, were curious. They supposed he meant +to conduct them all or a greater part of the way to Stroudsburg, +though at times he appeared to be hesitating over it, or over some +other scheme he had in mind. + +Ben Ripley had rambled among the rugged scenery, on the eastern +shore of the river, having gone with his father many times when +he was on hunting excursions; but he was not as familiar with the +ins and outs of the mountains as the Delaware, whose village was +a good many miles away. + +None of the party had eaten anything of account since the early +morning meal, before they crossed the Susquehanna. The dangers, +excitement, and suspense of the hours drove away the thought of +food. Young as was Linna, she had already learned not to ask for it +when either of her parents chose not to offer it to her. Doubtless +she was hungry, but if so, no one else knew it. Alice had been +given bread when at Forty Fort, and she now suggested that some +more would not come amiss. + +"We all need it," said Ben; "why not take our last meal in our old +home? You have no objection Omas?" + +"Eat here," was his reply. + +The guns were leaned against the walls, the blankets put aside +and all gathered round the board. The Delaware had done the same +before when visiting the family, and acquired the civilized form of +eating, while Linna picked it up during the brief time spent with +her friends. + +The meal lasted but a few minutes, when they once more gathered up +their luggage, as it may be called, left the house, and with Omas +in the lead, struck into the mountains on the long tramp to the +Delaware. + +The sun went down while they were picking their way through the +rough section. The Ripleys expected to do much hard travelling, +but their guide's knowledge of every turn enabled him to pick out +paths which none ever suspected. Sometimes the climbing was abrupt, +but all, even to Alice, were accustomed to that kind of work, and +they kept up a steady gait, which must have placed many miles to +the rear if continued long. + +Omas continued at the head. Directly behind him walked his child, +the path most of the time being so narrow that they were obliged +to travel in Indian file. Then came Alice and her mother, while +Ben considered himself the rearguard. When the space allowed, Alice +took the hand of her parent, but Linna never presumed to speak to +or interfere with her grim, silent parent. + +Darkness closed around them before they had gone a couple of miles. +During all this time the tramp continued in silence, probably not +a dozen words being spoken. Each of the three elder was using eyes +and ears to the utmost. + +The sharp crack of a rifle broke the silence, not more than a +hundred yards to the right of them. Everyone started except Omas, +who acted as if he did not hear the report. He made no change in +his pace, and so far as the others could see in the gloom, did not +turn his head. They concluded, therefore, that no cause for alarm +existed. + +Fairly through the mountain spur and among the deep woods, the +journey was pushed until the night was well along. Suddenly, Omas +made a short turn to the right and stopping in a hollow, where there +were several large boulders, he said--"We stay here all night." + +The words were a surprise, for it was expected he would travel for +a long time. He, Mrs. Ripley and Linna could have done so without +inconvenience, but Alice was tired out. Her relatives were pretty +well burdened already, though either would have carried her had +it been necessary; but the party had gained so good a start that +there seemed little risk in making a long stop. + +Omas reached down one hand and laid it on the bare head of Alice, +saying in a voice of strange gentleness--"Little girl tired-- +she can rest." + +And then all knew he had ceased walking because of her. Had she not +been a member of the party, he would have kept the rest on their +feet until the sun appeared above the forest. + +"Yes, I'm tired, Omas," said the little one wearily, holding the +hand of the Delaware in both her own; "I'm glad you stopped." + +The gloom was so deep, for there was no moon until very late +(and if there had been, its rays could not have pierced the dense +foliage), that they could hardly see each other's figures. Omas +hastily gathered some leaves and dead twigs, which were heaped +together against one of the boulders. Then he produced his flint +and steel--for he had learned the trick long before of the whites +--and by and by a shower of sparks was flying from the swift, +sharp blows of the metal against the hard stone. A minute later one +of the sparks "caught," and under his nursing a fire was speedily +under way. + +While he was thus engaged, Mrs. Ripley spread the blankets on the +ground and Alice stretched her tired little body upon one of them. + +"Mamma, I guess God will excuse me for not saying my prayers," she +murmured, as she closed her eyes and sank into slumber. + +Linna was tired, too, but she kept her feet and looked at her father +for his permission, before presuming to lie down. + +"Come, Linna, here is your place beside Alice," said the mother +kindly. + +Again she turned to her father, who was standing by the fire, +looking off in the gloom, as if he suspected something wrong. + +He gave the permission in their native tongue and she cuddled down +beside her friend without further waiting. + +"Mother," said Ben, "you had better lie down with them." + +"Not yet," she replied, with a significant look at he Delaware, +whose back was toward them. + +"What about him?" asked the surprised lad in a low voice. + +"He is meditating something evil: he wants to leave us. + +"What evil is there in that, if he thinks we have gone far enough +to be safe?" + +"You have forgotten that he fought with the Iroquois today; he +wants to go back to Wyoming and join them in their work." + +"If that is so, how can we hinder him?" + +"I don't know that we can; but I shall try it." + +Ben busied himself gathering more wood, so that the fire cast a +glow several yards from where it burned against the boulder. + +When he had collected enough to last a long while, he came back +and sat down by his mother. All this time the Delaware remained +motionless, with his face away from them. He was debating some +troublous question in his mind. They watched him closely. + +He turned about abruptly, and said--"Omas must go--he say +'goodnight' to his friends." + +CHAPTER SIX: PUSHING EASTWARD + +No person in all the world is so quick to detect deception as +a mother. It is simply wonderful the way she will sometimes read +one's thoughts. I am sure you boys who have lagged on the road when +sent on an errand, had a scrimmage with some other boy, or done +any one of the numerous acts in which a mother persists in asking +annoying questions, will agree with me. + +While Omas, the Delaware warrior, stood with his face turned away +from the camp fire and looking off in the gloom, as if he was +trying to discover something in the darkness, Mrs. Ripley was sure +she knew what the trouble was: he was trying to decide whether he +should stay longer with the little party or leave them to make the +rest of their way through the woods without him. + +He might well say they were now so far from Wyoming that they were +in little danger. They had but to keep on tramping for several days +and nights, and they would reach the little town of Stroudsburg, +which, you may know, is near Delaware Water Gap. There they need +have no fear of the red men. + +Mrs. Ripley knew all this as well as Omas himself, but she did not +wish him to go back and join the hostile Iroquois, as he wanted +to do. She felt it would be far better if he would stay with them, +for then he would do no further harm to the white people. + +When, therefore, he turned about and bade them goodbye, all doubt +was gone. Ben did not reply, but his mother rose from the other +blanket on which she had been sitting, walked quietly to where the +Delaware was standing, and laid her hand kindly on his arm. + +"Omas, I do not wish you to leave us," she said. + +He looked at her, for both stood where the firelight fell upon +their faces, and replied--"No danger--walk towards the rising +sun--need not walk fast--Iroquois won't hurt--soon be safe." + +The lady was too wise to let her real objection appear. + +"A while ago we heard the noise of a gun; our people are fleeing +through the woods, and the red men are following them. Alice is +tired, and we have stopped to rest. When we start again tomorrow, +some of the red men will be ahead of us. What shall we do without +our friend Omas?" + +"He have gun." he replied, indicating Ben. + +"So have the red men, and there are more of them." + +Now, if Mrs. Ripley was skilful in reading the thoughts of the +Delaware, it may be that he, too, suspected the real cause for her +objections. Be that as it may, it was plain he was not satisfied. +He held the Ripley family in too high regard to offend them openly; +but Omas was set in his ways. + +He made no reply to the last remark, but stepped a little nearer +the fire and sat down, moody and silent. + +"You have said enough, mother," remarked Ben in a low voice; "it +will anger him to say more. I will sit with my head against the +rock; do you lie down on the blanket and let your head rest in my +lap. I think it will be safe for us all." + +With some hesitation the mother complied, the Delaware apparently +paying no heed to them. He kept his seat on the ground, looking +gloomily into the fire and in deep thought. A struggle was going +on in his mind, and no one could say whether the good or evil would +win. + +Ben Ripley was anxious that his mother should sleep. She had +undergone the severest of trials since early morning, and none had +wrought harder than she. The morrow would make further demands on +her strength. As for himself, he was young, sturdy, and could stand +more and rally sooner than she. + +When, therefore, she said something in a low tone, he placed his +hand softly over her mouth and whispered--"S--h! go to sleep, +baby." + +He smoothed the silky hair away from the forehead so gently and so +soothingly that she could not resist the effect. She meant to keep +awake until Omas made his final decision; but no person can resist +the approach of slumber, except by active movement. + +Before long, and while Ben's hand was still gliding like down over +the forehead, the faint, regular breathing showed she was asleep. + +The son smiled. + +"Good! The best mother that ever lived! Heavenly Father, watch over +her and spare her for many years. Watch over us all." + +He looked across at Omas, on the other side of the camp fire, and +saw the Delaware gazing fixedly at him. + +He arose as silently as a shadow and stepped nearer, peering down +on the pale, handsome face with its closed eyes. + +"She sleep?" asked the Indian. + +"Yes," replied Ben, softly, with a nod of his head. + +He looked at her a moment and then across to the other blanket, +where the round, chubby cheeks of the little girls reflected the +firelight. He waited a moment, and then the gentler side of his +nature triumphed. He bent over the forms, kissed each in turn, +straightened up, and pointing to the eastward, said to Ben--"Go +dat way--you safe--goodbye." + +"Goodbye," replied the lad, knowing it was useless to protest. + +Like the gliding of the shadow of a cloud, the Delaware passed beyond +the circle of light thrown out by the fire into the deep gloom of +the wood. The moccasins pressed the dry leaves without giving back +any sound, and he vanished. + +"That makes a change of situation," was the conclusion of Ben +Ripley; "he's gone, and I become the general of this army; there's +no telling what danger may be abroad tonight, so I will keep my +eyes open till sunrise, to make sure that no harm comes to these +folks." + +And ten minutes after this decision the lad was as sound asleep as +his mother and the two little ones. + +But there was One who did not slumber while all were unconscious. +He ever watches over His children, and,--though there were many +perils abroad that night, none of them came near our friends. + +The camp fire which had been burning so brightly grew dimmer and +lower until the figures could hardly be seen. They gradually became +more indistinct, and finally the gloom was as deep as anywhere in +the dense woods. Only a few smouldering embers were left, and they +gave out no glow. + +Ben was still sleeping, when something tickled his nose. He rubbed +it vigorously with his forefinger and opened his eyes, confused +and bewildered. + +An odd, chuckling laugh at his elbow drew his gaze hither. There +stood Linna, with the sprig of oak which she had been passing back +and forth under the base of his nose, making it feel for all the +world like a fly titillating his nostrils. + +Ben made an attempt to catch the mischievous girl, but she deftly +eluded him, and laughed so heartily that the others awoke and looked +wonderingly to learn what it all meant. + +"I'll pay you for that!" exclaimed the lad, as his mother raised +her head from his lap. Bounding to his feet, he darted after Linna, +but she was so nimble, and dodged back and forth and from right to +left so fast, that it took much effort to run her down. + +Like all little girls, she was very "ticklish," and when he dallied +with his fingers about her plump neck, she dropped to the ground +and kicked and rolled over to get away from him. He let her up, +and said with pretended gravity that he never allowed any trifling +with him without punishing the person therefore. + +Linna did not seem to notice the absence of her father, and asked +no questions. Ben told his mother how he went off after she fell +asleep, and the good woman saddened, for she was sure she understood +it all. + +The first thing done, after a few minutes' talk, was to kneel in +prayer, Mrs. Ripley leading in a petition to Heaven that all might +be preserved from harm and reach the distant settlement safely. She +did not forget the absent Omas, or the hundreds of hapless people +whom they had left behind, who were still in great danger. + +It was Mrs. Ripley's custom always to offer prayer in the little +household at the beginning of each day. Linna, who had gained a +dim idea of what the touching act meant, bent on her knees beside +Alice; and who shall say the petition which went up from her heart +was not heard and remembered by Him who notices the fall of every +sparrow. + +And now came the serious business of the day. Many long miles of +trackless forest lay before them and the delay caused all to feel +the need of hurry. + +Mrs. Ripley gave to each a moderate portion of the food brought +with them, carefully preserving what was left, for they were sure +to need that and much more before reaching the end of their journey. +The day promised to be sultry like the preceding one, and each sadly +missed the water with which to quench their thirst and splash upon +their faces and hands. + +"We shall come across some before long," said Ben hopefully when +he and his mother had divided the luggage between them and set out +toward the rising sun; "we are a great deal better off than the +poor folks of Wyoming." + +The mother pinched the clothing of Linna, and found it dried of +the moisture gained by her swim in the Susquehanna. + +It is a curious practice among not only the Indians, but with +many white people, not to change wet stockings or garments for dry +ones. I knew a fisherman's boy whose father once punished him for +removing his saturated stockings and shoes for others. + +"Always let 'em dry on you, and you won't catch cold," was his +doctrine. "Keep moving if you can, but don't change 'em." + +I don't believe in the practice; but be that as it may, the little +Delaware girl showed no ill effects from sleeping in the clothing +that had been wet. As for her father, he would have been insulted +at the mention of such a thing to him. + +Ben's belief about finding water proved true. They had gone hardly +a half mile from camp when they came upon a sparkling brook, cold +and clear, and abundant enough to serve all. Having no vessels +with them, they lay down and quaffed their fill. Then they bathed +their faces and hands in the delicious fluid, and were much refreshed. + +The expectation was that they would travel a good many miles before +night again overtook them. The way, while rough and broken in many +places, was not hard, and all, even to the smaller children, were +used to being on their feet. There was little fear indeed that Linna +would not do her part as well as the older ones. Young as she was +in years, she had been trained to hardship from the time she could +walk. Not only that, but, like all her race, she had learned to +bear suffering in silence and without sign of pain. + +She would have to become very tired before her companions would +know it. + +By and by the ground was found to be rising, and in the course of +an hour they gained an elevation which, having few trees, gave them +an extended view of the surrounding country. + +Looking back in the direction of Wyoming, the sky was seen to be +soiled by the heavy smoke not only from the burned Fort Wintermoot, +but from other buildings that had been fired by the Tories and Indians. +The sight was a sorrowful one, and caused the mother and son some +uneasiness. They seemed nearer to the scene of the conflict than +they had supposed, and--since the people had been continually +swimming the river, and taking flight in the woods for the same +point that was the destination of the Ripleys--it was quite +certain that some of the pursuers were not far off. + +"We must make as little noise as we can," said Ben, when the party +were about to start forward again: "for there can be no telling +how close we are to Indians that are looking for us.' + +"I think it better for you to walk a little way in front," suggested +the mother, "so as to warn us in time." + +"The plan is a good one. I will keep in sight of you, and the minute +I see anything amiss, will make a sign, so you can stop at once." + +This course was adopted. Ben carried one of the blankets flung +over his left arm as if it were an extra garment, and steadied the +heavy rifle on his shoulder with the other. As you remember, he +was tall for his years, strong, and with rugged health. + +Had the weather been cooler he could have Kept up this method of +traveling for hours without fatigue; but the heat made it trying. +True, at that season of the year the foliage was dense on the trees +and shut out the sun's rays, except in the open spaces and natural +clearings which they now and then crossed; but the vegetation also +stopped whatever breeze was stirring, and obliged the members of +the party to halt many times to rest and cool themselves. + +Mrs. Ripley had but few extra things to carry, and showed less +fatigue than anyone, excepting the Delaware child. The latter and +Alice walked most of the time side by side, and generally with +clasped hands. There was no use of their trying to keep their +tongues still, but they were wise enough to speak in whispers and +such soft undertones that no one else could tell what they said, +and therefore nothing was to be feared on that account from any +enemies in the neighborhood. + +"Why not he make sign?" was the startling question of Linna, pointing +at Ben, before the party had gone far after their brief rest. + +"What do you mean?" asked the puzzled Mrs. Ripley; "he isn't to +make any sign to us till he sees or hears something wrong." + +"People off dere!" replied Linna, pointing ahead and to the right +of their course. "Me hear dem speak." + +It was true. The keen ears of the child had discovered a peril that +no one else suspected. She alone had caught the sound of voices +that escaped all other ears. + +CHAPTER SEVEN: JABEZ ZITNER + +At this moment Ben Ripley was about a hundred feet in advance of +the party and ascending a ridge in the woods, which were so open +that he was in plain sight of the others. + +Mrs. Ripley, on hearing the alarming words of the little Delaware +girl, came to a stop. It seemed strange that Linna should have +caught the sounds noticed by no one else, and that, too, while she +was whispering to her companion, Alice; but even at that tender age +the inherited sharpness of hearing had been trained to a wonderfully +fine degree. + +Mrs. Ripley was too prudent to argue with her. It was not wise to +take any chances. Above all, it was important that Ben should know +the truth, for he was still walking away from them with no knowledge +of their discovery. + +"S--h!" The sibilant noise made by the mother's lips crossed the +space and the listening lad halted and looked round. She did not +speak, but beckoned him to come back. He obeyed at once. + +"Linna says she heard voices a minute ago, over yonder," whispered +Mrs. Ripley, as her son joined them. + +"So me did," added Linna, in answer to the inquiring look of the +lad. + +"You have sharp ears, little one; but are you sure?" + +"Me am," was the confident reply. + +"Where were they?" + +She again pointed out the direction. + +"That must be looked into: wait till I come back, and--" + +"S--h!" interrupted the mother. + +All caught an indistinct murmur, which proved Linna was right. + +"Me tell you--eh?" she said in a proud undertone, her black eyes +sparkling with triumph. + +"You are right: wait till I learn whether they are friends or +enemies. I will not be gone long." + +Leaving the anxious group clustered together, Ben faced in the +direction of the sounds, which had stopped, and were so faint when +heard that he could not tell whether they belonged to friends or +foes. + +As nearly as he could find out, the parties were just beyond the +crest of the ridge, and, but for the warning of Linna, he would +have run into the danger before knowing it. + +With the utmost care he went up the slope. He leaned forward and +stepped more slowly, avoiding, so far as he could, making any noise +on the leaves or against the bushes and limbs which he had to push +aside to allow him to advance. + +At the instant of reaching the highest point he heard the voices +again, so close that he knew they were made by white people, +who were in a clump of dense undergrowth. A faint wreath of smoke +filtering through the branches overhead showed they had started a +small fire, beside which they were probably sitting or reclining +on the ground. + +Now that he was certain they belonged to his own race, he had less +fear. Still, they might prove unpleasant neighbors when they came +to know one of the party was a daughter of Omas. Turning toward his +friends, who were watching him, Ben made a sign for them to stay +where they were while he went forward. + +He moved with the same care as before, but an unexpected accident +spoiled everything. His foot caught in a wire-like vine, and +he almost fell on his hands and knees. Aware that he had betrayed +himself, he threw aside further caution, hurried down the slope, +and called out in a guarded undertone-- + +"Helloa there, friends!" + +"Who are you?" was the demand that instantly followed, and from the +undergrowth, beside a small fire, two men suddenly rose upright, +each with rifle in hand. + +Ben recognized them. One was Jabez Zitner and the other Horace Burwink +--both middle aged, sturdy, and strong. They were neighbors, and +had taken part in the engagement the day before, but, escaping +without harm, were now on their way to the settlements of the Upper +Delaware. + +A meeting of this kind would have been pleasing in the highest +degree, for it added great strength to the party; but a misgiving +came to the lad when he recognized Zitner. He was the man who, when +partially intoxicated the previous afternoon, had tried to take +Linna from him and was vigorously shoved aside by her friend. + +"Helloa, Ben! where did you come from?" asked Zitner, who was now +entirely himself. + +"Glad to see you," added Burwink, and the two extended their hands. +"You gave us a great scare, for the woods are full of redskins." + +"You startled me, too," replied Ben. "I am travelling with my mother +and sister to Stroudsburg. I suppose you are aiming for the same +place?" + +"Yes--if we ever get there. What become of that little sarpent +you had with you yesterday?" + +It was Zitner who asked the question. Ben's face flushed, for he +did not like to hear Linna spoken of in that way. + +"She is with us," he quietly replied. + +"What are you going to do with her?" + +"She is in our care, and goes wherever we go." + +"You seem mighty fond of the people who played the mischief with +us yesterday." + +"Jabez Zitner, I fought just as hard as you, and did all I could +to drive back the Iroquois and Tories, but I don't fight little +children six years old." + +"Who's talking about fighting 'em?" demanded Zitner angrily. "Their +people didn't spare our women and children." + +"They are savages, but you and I claim to be civilized." + +"That's all well enough, but my motto is--fight fire with fire." +Burwink was listening to this sharp interchange of words, the +meaning of which he caught. Wishing to make a friend of him, for +Ben foresaw trouble, he asked--"Am I not right, Mr. Burwink?" + +"I should say--on general principles you are; but, after yesterday, +I don't feel much love for any of the varmints. Who is this Injin +gal that you are talking about?" + +Ben was too wise to give the name of Linna's father, knowing he +would be instantly recognized as one of the fiercest warriors that +had taken part in the invasion and battle. He therefore replied-- + +"She is a girl named Linna; she is of the same age as our Alice, and +was visiting her when we crossed the river to Forty Fort yesterday +morning. We could do nothing but take her with us, and I will defend +her with my life." + +"You are talking big," remarked Zitner, with a scornful look at +the sturdy lad. "Who is the gal's father?" + +"That makes no difference; but I will say he belongs to the Delaware +tribe, most of whom are friends to our people." + +"There were plenty of them with the Senecas and Oneidas yesterday, +and they fought like wild cats, too. But why don't you bring your +folks forward?" added Zitner, looking inquiringly around. + +"I will do so. Wait a few minutes." + +He strode back and over the top of the ridge, until he caught sight +of the frightened group. + +"Come on!" he called, beckoning to them. "Mr. Zitner and Burwink +are here, and want to see you." + +With an expression of thankfulness, Mrs. Ripley, clasping a hand +of each of the children, walked up the slope, and passed over to +where the couple awaited their approach by the camp fire. She shook +hands with each, and expressed her pleasure at meeting them. They +did the same toward her, and then all, with the exception of the +children, seated themselves on the fallen tree beside which the +small fire was burning. + +Mrs. Ripley had observed the little incident the preceding +afternoon, when Zitner tried to stop Linna. She was ill at ease, +for she noticed how sharply he looked at the child. She hoped, +however, that now he was fully himself, he would be ashamed of his +action, or at least make no reference to it. + +No fear of her doing so. She showed her tact by leading the +conversation in another direction. + +"When did you leave Wyoming?" + +"Burwink and I didn't get a chance to swim over until nearly +midnight, and then we had a rough time of it. There were plenty of +others that tried to do the same and never got to this side." + +"When did you leave?" asked Burwink of the lady. + +"We crossed before it was dark." + +"How did you manage it? Swim?" + +"No; we came over in a canoe. A Delaware Indian, the father of +Linna, swam behind the boat and pushed it across. But for him, we +never could have gotten away." + +Mrs. Ripley, like her son, meant to keep the name of their friend +from these men. There was no danger of either her or Ben telling +it; but neither thought of another means they had of learning it. + +At this point, Alice went to her mother and leaned against her +knees, with her gaze on the faces of the men. She had been standing +beside Linna, whose eyes were never once removed from the displeasing +countenance of Zitner. + +She must have noticed the incident referred to, for the expression +on her round face was of dislike and distrust. She stood further +off from the men than anyone else--silent, watchful, and suspicious. + +Zitner now looked at her. + +"Come here," he said coaxingly, extending his hand. + +"No; me won't. Me don't like you," she replied, with an angry flirt +and backward step. + +"Jingo!" exclaimed the surprised Zitner; "I didn't think she could +talk our lingo. Say, Miss Spitfire, what is your father's name?" + +Before either Mrs. Ripley or her son could interpose, Linna +answered defiantly--"He Omas--great warrior--kill good many +white people--kill you!" + +The reply caused consternation on the part of Mrs. Ripley and +Ben, but the boy shut his lips tight. He could not but admire the +bravery of the child, and he was determined to stand by her to the +end. + +The mother was in despair, but she relied mainly on persuasion and +prayer. + +With no idea of what all this meant, Alice looked in the face of +each person in turn while speaking. + +"She's a chip off the old block," said Burwink, with a laugh. "She +doesn't seem to have much fear of you, Jabez." + +"I am hopeful she will feel different when she grows older," +soothingly remarked Mrs. Ripley. + +"I'd like to know what you build your hope on," replied Zitner, +still curiously watching the child. + +"I expect to have her a good deal under my care, and I shall do +all I can to instruct her aright. This morning she knelt with us in +prayer. You must remember she is very young, and has heard little, +if anything, of Christianity." + +Zitner shook his head. + +"It's born in 'em, and you can't get it out." + +"But, Mr. Zitner, you will not deny that we have a good many +Christian Indians. There are plenty of them at Gnadenhutten, and +the Moravian missionaries have been the means of turning hundreds +from darkness to light. If they can do that with full grown warriors +and women, may we not hope for the best from those of tender years?" + +"I don't know about that," was the dogged reply. "I never believed +in this conversion business." + +"What can you mean by such a remark?" asked the shocked lady. + +"I mean, religion is good enough for white people, but don't work +with Injins. They will pretend they're good, but are only waiting +for a chance to do mischief." + +"The converted Delawares have never taken part in the wars against +us. You know that as well as I." + +"How about Omas?" + +"He makes no pretence of Christianity." + +"And therefore has no claim on our indulgence." + +"No one has said he has," observed Ben, coming to his mother's +help; "he will never ask quarter from you or any white man." + +"Where is he now? He brought you over the river, but seems to have +deserted you." + +"He left because he didn't think we had further need of his aid; +we can get along without him." + +"Now, see here," added Zitner, straightening up on the log and +slapping his knee; "I'll tell you what I've made up my mind to do. +I am willing to give in to Mrs. Ripley that far, that I won't harm +that youngster--that is, I will leave it to her father whether +I shall or shan't." + +Neither mother nor son could understand the meaning of this strange +remark. They waited for the man to explain. + +"I'm going to take her with us as a hostage. We're not clear of the +varmints yet. I believe Omas himself ain't far off, and the rest +will be on our heels all the way to Stroudsburg. If they get us +in a tight place, I'll let 'em know we've got the gal of Omas with +us, and if they harm a hair of our heads it'll be all up with her. +We'll take her clean to Stroudsburg, and then turn her loose, for +we won't have any further need of her; but she must go with us." + +"Jabez Zitner," said Ben Ripley--"the moment you lay your hand +on that child I will shoot you!" + +CHAPTER EIGHT: LINNA'S WOODCRAFT + +No one could have looked into the face of Ben Ripley without seeing +he meant just what he said. + +Jabez Zitner supposed, when he made known that he intended to take +the little Delaware girl with him as a hostage, that though it might +be displeasing to the Ripleys, they would not dare object; but he +was mistaken. + +The lad was sitting furthest away on the fallen tree, with his +rifle resting across his knees, when he warned the man that if he +laid a hand on Linna he would shoot him. + +Ben spoke low, but mingling with his words were two faint clicking +sounds. They were made by the hammer of his rifle, as with his +thumb he drew it back ready for use. His face was slightly pale, +but his eyes glittered, and he rose to his feet and looked at the +startled man. + +Mrs. Ripley gave a gasp of fright and clasped her hands, while the +children mutely stared. + +Even Zitner was silent. He knew Ben's pluck, but did not believe it +would take him thus far, for it looked as if there were two adults +against a single boy. + +Burwink however, was more of a man than his companion. He looked +smilingly at Ben and said--"Jabez, I reckon this has gone far +enough." + +"What do you mean?'" angrily asked the other. + +"You must leave the little gal alone." + +"Oh, thank you! thank you!" exclaimed Mrs. Ripley. "I might have +known you would see that right is done." + +Zitner had a few sharp words with his friend, but the latter was +immovable. He would not listen to his proposition, and that ended +the matter. + +"Well," finally said Zitner, rising to his feet, "I intended to +see you folks safe to the Delaware; but I won't have anything to +do with you now. Come, Horace." + +He strode off without another word or looking to the right or left. +Burwink waited a minute, and then, with a quizzical look at Mrs. +Ripley and her son asked-- + +"Do you think you can stand it?" + +"We shall have to," replied Ben. + +"Well, goodbye, and good luck to you;" and he followed his friend +among the trees. + +"That was a luckier ending than I expected," remarked Ben, letting +down the hammer of his rifle. + +"If Mr. Burwink had sided with him, there would have been no help +for it," said his mother. + +"Such people are always cowards. I wasn't afraid of him." + +Now that they had departed, Linna came over to her champion-- +though she could not have fully understood all that had passed-- +and placed her hand confidingly on his shoulder. + +"Linna, I have two sisters," he said tenderly; "yonder is one, and +her name is Alice: can you tell me the name of the other?" + +"Yes--she name be Linna." + +"You are right. Now, if you will kiss me, I won't tickle you any +more for making my nose itch this morning." + +The lips were put up to his, and with deep affection on the part +of both, the salute was exchanged. + +"If any more white people show themselves, and they ask you your +father's name, let mother and me answer for you." + +"Me do what you say," was the obedient response. + +It need not be said that our friends were greatly relieved by the +departure of Zitner. While as I have already said, they ought to +have been glad of the company of him and Burwink, they would have +been ill at ease so long as the surly fellow was with them. He +surely held no good will toward the little girl, and would have +found some chance to show it. + +"But are we really rid of him?" asked Ben of his mother. The two +sat close to each other on the tree, and the children were playing +a few steps away. + +"I am quite sure we are." + +"He may steal back tonight, if we camp near." + +"Why should he? He does not want to harm Linna, but to use her as +a means of safety against her own people." + +"That was what he said, but I don't believe him. It seems to me we +ought to change our course, to be certain of not meeting him again." + +"As you think best." + +"We have had a good rest. Come, girls, we must be off." Taking the +lead as before, Ben strode down the incline, bearing more to the +left than he had been doing. + +All smiled at Linna, for she noticed the change on the instant. + +"You go wrong," she said; "dat not right way." + +"Which is the right way, Miss Smartness?" + +She pointed it out. + +"You are right, but that is the course of that bad man, who doesn't +like you. We will go around, so as not to see him again." + +She was satisfied, and gave her attention to Alice, who thought it +odd that she and Ben should have so many disputes. + +Over the varying surface, turning aside now and then to pass some +obstacle in the shape of rocks or ravines--now up hill and down, +among the dense trees, where the briars and bushes scratched their +hands and faces, across small rippling streams and natural clearings +--they pushed on until the sun was far beyond meridian and the +halt and rest were grateful. + +"I don't think we need give any more thought to Zitner," said Ben; +"and I am sure we are all glad. He could not find us now, if he +tried." + +"If they kept to their course, we must be several miles apart." + +"I have been working my way back, so that, after all, I do not +think we have lost much ground. I hope Miss Linna is satisfied." + +"She would make complaint if she was not." + +They had stopped near another of the small running streams, for it +was harder to do without water than food. + +"I'm hungry, mother." + +"So we all are," she added, producing half a loaf, which was the +last of their food. + +"To leave any portion of this will only aggravate all your appetites, +so we will finish it." + +The bread was divided among the four, and when eating ceased not +a crumb was left. + +"It isn't a good time of the year for hunting, mother, but if I can +get sight of any game, I'll bring it down, whether it is a deer, +bear, wild turkey, quail, or anything that will serve for a meal." + +"It isn't a time to be particular--in watching for danger look +also for game." + +"That's what I have been doing for the last few hours." + +With the passage of time and the increase of the distance between +them and Wyoming the hopes of the little party naturally rose. They +were now a good many miles from their old home, and as yet had not +seen a single red man. That numbers were abroad there could be no +doubt, although it is a fact that a great many people did not start +eastward until several days after the battle. + +But it was a long, long way to the Delaware, with the travelling +such as they had to face. I have spoken of the forest as being +trackless and a wrong impression may have been given. An old trail +led from the Susquehanna to the Delaware, and was followed by many +of the fugitives; but great risk was run by those who did so, for +most of the pursuers used the same path. As a consequence, some +were overtaken and slain. + +Those who avoided the beaten route of necessity suffered greater +hardships; but none was equal to that of meeting their enemies. +Omas took care to steer wide of this trail when leading the party +into the wild section to the east of the river, and he showed them +that he wished them to do the same. Ben was too wise to forget his +wishes. + +The location of the sun in the sky, the appearance of the bark and +moss, and the tops of certain trees, enabled the young woodman to +keep a pretty true course. He remarked, with a laugh, that if there +was any likelihood of going wrong, Linna would correct him. + +The afternoon was well past before they came upon any more water, +and, with the warm weather and their long tramp, all suffered from +thirst. They were not traversing a desert country, however, and +soon found what they wanted in abundance. + +"But," said Ben, "I am worried about food, mother. It is nearly +night, and we haven't a mouthful. I suppose if there was plenty, I +wouldn't feel half as bad, but it seems to me I was never so hungry +in all my life." + +"That is natural; but, if necessary, we can go all night without +food." + +"If necessary, of course we can, but I dread it. Alice and Linna +will suffer, though I'm not so sure about Linna. I would give almost +anything for a wild turkey." + +The dusky child looked up from where she was sitting on the ground, +playing with Alice. + +"Want turkey--eh?" she asked. + +"Yes; have you any to sell?" + +"Me get you one." + +Mother and son stared in amazement. They could not believe she +was in earnest. She saw it and, with a grin, added--"Omas showed +Linna how get turkey." + +"What can she be driving at?" asked the puzzled Ben. "She surely +would not say what she does without reason. Linna, teach Ben how +to get a wild turkey; we want one for supper, for if we don't have +it, we shall all have to go without food." + +"Me hungry," she ventured; "so be Alice--so be you." + +"You are right. Come, sister, show me how to catch a turkey." + +She gravely rose from the ground. Her face appeared serious, but +those who looked at her closely detected a sparkle of the black +eyes, for all the world as if she meditated some prank upon her +confiding friends. Ben was suspicious. She added-- + +"Go wid me--me show you." Then he was sure she was up to something. + +He rose from where he was sitting, and, rifle in hand, walked a +little way in the wood. She looked round once or twice, and continued +advancing a few minutes after they were out of sight of Alice and +her mother. + +She held the hand of the youth, who acted as if he was a bad boy +being led to punishment. He started to ask a question, but she +checked him by raising her forefinger and a "S--h!" and he did not +presume again. + +Finally she stopped among a number of trees where several trunks +were two or three feet in diameter. Stepping behind one, she motioned +him to do the same with another a few yards off. Surveying him a +moment, as if to make sure he was doing right, she suddenly emitted +a sound from between her lips, which caused Ben Ripley to utter +the exclamation under his breath--"Well, by gracious! If that +doesn't beat everything!" + +"Why don't shoot?" she abruptly asked. + +The call made by Linna was the exact imitation of a wild turkey +when lost in the woods. Perhaps you may know that the body of every +one of those birds contains a bone which a hunter can so use as to +make the same signal; but it is hard to produce the sound without +such help, though it has been done. + +Linna had succeeded to perfection. + +"Who would have thought it possible for one so young as she to +learn the trick?" Ben asked himself. "I have tried it many a time +without the bone, but never could do it." + +He looked at her admiringly, and was certain she was the smartest +girl he had ever seen. + +"If there are any turkeys within hearing, that is bound to fetch +them, but I have seen no signs of them." + +Linna continued the signalling at intervals for fifteen minutes +or more, peeping meanwhile from behind the tree and around her in +every direction. Ben did the same, and saw nothing. + +"Why don't shoot?" she abruptly asked. + +He noted the direction of her gaze, and there, not fifty feet away, +was a big hen turkey, walking slowly over the leaves, with head +aloft and glancing here and there for the lost one. + +The target was a good one, and taking careful aim, Ben toppled it +fluttering to the ground at the first fire. + +"Dat all want?" queried Linna. + +"Yes; that will do for tonight, Linna." + +"Den go back--play wid Alice." + +And off she ran to rejoin her companion, while the delighted lad +picked up his prize and brought it to camp. + +Turning that and his knife over to his mother, he made a fire ready +to pass the night, full of thankfulness that all had gone so well. +Ben agreed to stand watch until near midnight, and then allow his +mother to help him at the necessary duty. + +While the simple preparations were going on, Linna knelt on the +bare ground with her ear pressed to the earth. Almost instantly +she raised her head and whispered: + +"Somebody comin' dis way--guess be Injins!" + +CHAPTER NINE: IN A CIRCLE + +This was alarming news. Ben Ripley imitated the action of Linna. +Kneeling down, he pressed his ear to the earth. + +Yes; he heard faint footfalls. Persons were moving about not far +away. + +"She is right," he said in a low tone; "likely they are Indians, +though we cannot be certain." + +"It won't do to wait till they come to us," remarked his mother. + +"Shall I put out the fire?" asked Ben, disconcerted by the suddenness +of the danger. + +"No; we can't spare the time. Let us leave. Come, children." + +She took the hand of each girl and walked quickly off, while Ben +caught up the blankets and followed. They had no particular point +in view, but wished to reach a safe place without delay. + +The gloom of the gathering night helped them, and when they paused +they were confident they had not been seen by anyone. + +Without any thought on their part, they made their way to a mass of +rocks and boulders, more extensive than any seen through the day. +It was a hundred yards from their starting point. + +They sat down for a whispered consultation. + +"They must have heard the report of my rifle," said Ben. + +"That was a considerable while ago, and they may have been a good +way off at the time." + +"Then, being so much nearer, it was the report which brought them. +What would become of us but for Linna?" added Ben placing his arm +affectionately around her. "It was she that got us our supper, and +now she warns us of danger." + +"They may be Zitner and Burwink." + +"Not likely, but if they come to our fire we shall soon find out. +Look!" + +To their astonishment, the little fire which they had left only a +few minutes before burned up brightly, showing that a lot of fuel +had been thrown on it. + +Too many trees and too much undergrowth obtruded for them to detect +anything more than the great increase in brightness. + +"The darkness will prevent their following our footprints," whispered +the mother. + +"I will go a little nearer and find out what it means: it may be, +after all, that they are friends." + +"Be careful, my son." + +"I will." + +It was not a hard task Ben Ripley gave himself. He had not far to +go, and he proceeded with so much caution that no risk was involved. +Only half the distance was passed when he gained a full view of +the camp fire and its surroundings. + +The sight was disquieting. Three Indian warriors were there. One +had been gathering dry sticks which he flung on the blaze; another +was helping himself to what was left of the cooked turkey; while +the third, bent low, moved slowly around the lit up portion of the +ground with his eyes fixed on it. + +It was plain he was scrutinizing the footprints made by the party +that had left just in time to escape them. It was a fortunate +discovery made by Linna! + +With the aid of the bright glare, it could not take him long to +identify the little party as fugitives fleeing eastward, though +it may be questioned whether they learned that it consisted of one +large boy, an adult woman, and two small children. + +They were in the battle yesterday. They have left others to look +after those in Wyoming, while they are hunting the poor creatures +that have taken to the woods. + +The Iroquois who had been studying the ground straightened himself +up and said something to the others. One of them then flung more +fuel on the flames, and he who was ravenously eating suspended his +operations, but quickly resumed again, as if he liked his occupation +better than anything else to which he could turn his attention. + +Then the first stooped down and caught up a burning brand. Several +quick circles over his head fanned it into a vigorous blaze. Holding +it aloft, with his shoulders bent forward, he moved slowly towards +Ben Ripley. + +He was tracing the footprints by the aid of the torch! + +"Gracious! he will be among us in a minute," was the terrifying +thought of the lad, who turned and ran back to his friends, in such +haste that he was in danger of betraying his movements. + +"Leave--quick!" he said; "they are after us!" + +"No, they are not," replied his mother, who nevertheless stood +ready to do as he said. + +Ben looked back. The warrior with a torch, after walking a rod or +so from the fire, had stopped, and was now in plain sight, with +the flaming brand held above his head, while he peered out in the +gloom in the direction of the fugitives, as if expecting to discern +them. + +Could he have known how near they were, he and his companions +would have rushed down upon them; but they must have thought they +had fled much further. It was impossible to trail them by torchlight +as fast as they could travel, and the Indians did not waste time +in the effort. The one with the torch went back to his companions. + +The incident warned our friends of a new form of danger, which +until then had not been counted among the probabilities. + +The Indians, as you know, can trace a person through the woods +with wonderful skill, seeing signs where the untrained eye observes +nothing. If these three chose to wait where they were until daylight, +there was nothing to prevent their taking up the trail and tracing +the fugitives wherever they went. + +"It won't do to stay here," said Ben, "for they will be right upon +us at daylight." + +"Providing they wait where they are." + +"Why should they not do so? They are looking for us." + +Mrs. Ripley dared not answer the question as her heart prompted. +At the same time, she could think of no means of throwing them off +their track. + +"It might have been better had we stayed with Zitner and Burwink +--no, it would not have been," she corrected herself, "for they +were unfriendly to Linna. But we must go." + +The only hope that presented itself was that they might travel +so far during the darkness that the Indians would not keep up the +pursuit when the trail was revealed to them. + +The moon did not rise until very late, and there being no path, +while all were in total ignorance of the neighborhood, it will +be understood that they had set to work to do a very hard, if not +impossible thing. + +Ben as usual took the lead, and, before he had gone twenty steps, +was caught under the chin by a protruding limb that almost lifted +him off his feet. Then he went headlong into a hollow and bruised +himself against some stones. Still, he did not give up, and by and +by the ground became more level and his mishaps less frequent. + +Alice and Linna, like little heroines, never murmured. All persevered +until it was agreed that they were at least two miles from the camp +fire. + +In making this hard journey, every one of the party met with several +narrow escapes, and it was agreed that it was best to go no further +until daylight. + +"As soon as we can see, we'll be off again, and ought to be able +to travel as fast as they will do. Where they must watch all the +time for our footprints, they cannot go off a walk." + +"We may as well wait." + +Throughout their haste, the blankets had been preserved. Indeed, +the one over Ben's arm had served to break his fall more than once. +These were placed on the ground, and the children lay down beside +each other, quickly sinking to sleep; but the others, though pretty +well worn, were too anxious to rest yet awhile. + +"I have no idea where we are," said the son; "but one place is as +good as another at such a time, and the weather is so warm that +blankets are not needed. Now, mother, I wish you would lie down +beside the children and rest. You need it badly, I know." + +"And so do you, my son." + +"Not for some time yet." + +"But, if you intend to watch until daylight, you will be worn out +by morning. Besides, you cannot stay awake unless you move about. +I will agree to lie down if you will promise to call me when you +think it is midnight, and let me take a turn." + +"I will agree to call you when I feel the need of you, and I will +pace the ground like a sentinel on duty." + +The mother was forced to accept this proposition and, after some +more cautious conversation, she did as her boy wished, and he was +left alone. + +Ben did not forget his slip of the night before. It was necessary +that one of the company should maintain watch while the others +slept, and only these two could do it. He meant to guard the others +through the short summer night, trusting to a chance of getting +what slumber he needed on the morrow when the others were awake. + +"I would like to catch myself waking her," he mused, after he had +groped around until he found a space a couple of rods in length +over which he could pace back and forth. + +Then, with his rifle resting on his shoulder, he began his patient +beat, surrounded by impenetrable gloom, and with the lives of three +loved ones in his keeping. + +By and by a lighting of the sky showed the moon had risen. This, +however, was of little or no help, since the abundance of leaves +prevented its rays piercing between and lighting up the ground +beneath. + +It would be hard to imagine a more gloomy occupation than that of +Ben Ripley while engaged with this duty. The solemn murmur of the +vast woods around him, the world of darkness in which he slowly +paced to and fro, the memory of the sad scenes he had seen in the +lovely Wyoming Valley, the certainty that a good many miles must yet +be traversed before they could sit down in safety, the consciousness +that several of the cruel red men were near them, and the belief +that they would start in pursuit as soon as it was light--all this +oppressed him with crushing weight, and made him feel at times as +if there was no escape for him and his loved ones. + +"There is only one way of hiding our trail," he mused. "If we could +come upon some river or large stream of water, where there was a +boat, or we could make a raft, we should be safe. A big rainstorm +would do as well, for it would wash out all signs of our footprints." + +He paused in his walk and peeped up at a speck of sky shown through +a rift among the limbs. + +"There is hardly a cloud; it looks as if it wouldn't rain for a +week, and I don't know of any river between here and the Delaware." + +His senses were never more alert. He avoided the fatal mistake of +sitting down for a few minutes, or so much as leaning against a tree +to rest. He stopped, however, now and then and listened intently. + +"I wonder whether I am mistaken, or whether I did hear something +moving over the leaves out there?" + +The fact that the almost inaudible rustling was noticed only when +he himself was in motion inclined him to suspect it was a delusion, +accounted for by his tense nerves. But after a time he became +certain of a fact hardly less startling in its nature. + +When walking back and forth with his face away from the spot where +his friends lay something gleamed a short distance off among the +trees. Its location showed it was on the ground, and, as nearly as +he could judge, less than a hundred feet off. + +His first supposition was that it was a fungus growth known in the +country as "foxfire," which gives out a phosphorescent glow in the +darkness; but after watching and studying it for a long time, he +was convinced it was something else. + +"I'm going to find out," he decided; "it won't take me long, and +I ought to know all about it, for it may concern us." + +Stealing forward, he was not a little astonished to find it a real +fire, sunken to a glowing ember, left by someone. + +"It must be as Zitner said--the woods are full of Indians, and +some of them have camped there." + +Not wishing to stumble over any of their bodies, he manoeuvred +until assured that whoever kindled the fire had left, when he kicked +aside the ashes. + +The act caused a twist of flame to spring up and throw out a tiny +glare, which illumined several feet of surrounding space. + +And then the astonished youth made the discovery that this was the +very spot where they had cooked their turkey hours before, and from +which they had fled in hot haste before the approach of the three +Iroquois. + +He and his friends had travelled in a circle, and come back to +their starting point. + +CHAPTER TEN: NEAR THE END + +Anyone who is used to the woods knows how apt he is to wander in +a circle unless he keeps his wits about him. There have been many +causes named for this curious fact, and the one that strikes me as +the most reasonable is that we are all either right or left handed. +It is rare that you meet a person who is ambidextrous,--that is, +who uses both hands equally well. When, therefore, he sets out to +travel through the woods without any guide, he unconsciously exerts +his right or left limb, as the case may be, more than the other, +and this makes his course circular. + +There are three "signboards" by which a hunter can keep trace of +the points of the compass when in the woods, without noticing the +sun, which of itself is often a great help. Three fourths of the +moss on trees grows on the north side; the heaviest boughs on spruce +trees are always on the south side, and the topmost twig of every +uninjured hemlock tree tips to the east. + +Now, while these signs never err, you can see that it is almost +impossible to turn them to account at night. + +Ben Ripley had led his friends in an irregular circle, and brought +them back to within a brief distance of the starting point. This +was the camp fire from which they fled in such panic before the +approach of the three red men. + +The discovery filled him with dismay, and he darted out in the +darkness for the rocks where the others were sleeping. His first +intention was to rouse them and plunge into the woods again, but +a few minutes served to make him cooler and more collected in mind. + +The night was well spent, and a flight of that kind could not do +much for them. It might be all in vain. It would be trying to the +last degree. He decided not to disturb the sleepers. + +By and by he persuaded himself that matters were not as bad as they +first appeared. Inasmuch as the fugitives had not returned over +their own trail, the Indians, in case they took it in the morning, +must make the same circuit, and thus be forced to go just as far +as if the flight had been in a direct line. + +It was a mystery, however, what had become of the three warriors. +They could not be near the camp, or they would have appeared when +the lad returned to it. They had left, but who could say whither +they had gone? + +While Ben was debating the painful question, a growing light in +the direction of the Delaware told him the night was ended and the +new day dawning. + +The fourth day of July, the second anniversary of the Declaration +of Independence, had passed. He thought of it, standing alone in +the dismal forest with danger on every hand, and oppressed by the +great fear that those whom he loved more than his own life must +perish in that gloomy wilderness. + +He did not dare, however, to give way to his sad thoughts. At the +first streakings of light among the trees, he roused his mother +and told her the alarming truth. + +"I do not understand it," she replied, alluding to the absence of +the Iroquois; "it must be they are in the neighborhood." + +The children were still sleeping quietly on the blanket. No food +or water was at command, and they could not take the time to look +for any. Indeed, the two elder ones felt no hunger or thirst. + +The mother rose to her feet and looked around, her interest centring +on the rock and boulders, which stretched away to the rear further +than they could penetrate with the eye. + +"I know they are skilful in following footprints," she remarked; +"but if we walk carefully over those rocks, I think they will not +be able to track us. We will try it." + +The children were roused and quickly learned what was to be done, +the mother adding that the prayer which she was accustomed to offer +up every morning would be given when they reached a spot where it +was safe to do so. + +For fully a hundred yards the four were able to make their way +without resting their feet on the ground. Then the boulders ended +as abruptly as they began. + +All now kneeled on the granite floor and asked Heaven to deliver +them safely out of the dangers by which they were surrounded. + +If the Indians chose to make search, after tracing the little party +to the stony place, they must eventually come upon the new trail, +where it began again on the ground; but unless they struck it by +accident, they must use a good deal of time in hunting for it. + +"Come on," called Ben in a low voice, but with a renewal of hope; +"we shall get somewhere one of these days." + +To their surprise, not far from the rocks they came upon a faintly +marked path among the trees. + +"What is the meaning of that?" Ben asked, looking inquiringly at +his mother and Linna. + +"Men don't do dat--wild beasts," replied the dusky child. + +"She is right," added the mother; "the animals follow it to water; +let us do the same." + +The haunting fear of the red men made the words between the fugitives +few, and all their movements guarded. They kept glancing to right +and left, in front and to the rear, Linna being probably the most +active. It was as if she inherited from her parents their surprising +woodcraft, and was now calling it into play for the benefit of her +friends. + +Suddenly something flickered in the path ahead, and Ben stopped +short, those behind him doing the same. + +Just in advance--less than fifty yards indeed--a beautiful fawn +had come to a halt. Its graceful head, with its soft brown eyes, +was lifted high, and it looked wonderingly at the people, as if +not knowing the meaning, and too innocent to feel fear. Ben drew up +his rifle, for it was a tempting chance for a delicious breakfast. +But almost instantly he lowered the weapon again. + +The fawn was so trusting, so unsuspicious, that a feeling of pity +came to the young hunter. The animal suggested his own little +sister, for it was wandering through the unfriendly woods, with +none to protect it from cruel enemies. + +"Go," whispered Ben; "I haven't the heart to harm you; I will starve +first." + +"Remember the result of the shot yesterday," said his mother +warningly. "We are in too much peril to increase it." + +The lad advanced along the path, and every one of the company +smiled at the fawn, when it stood motionless, staring until they +were almost to it. Then the timid creature turned nimbly and trotted +over the trail, its head so high that, as it turned it from side +to side, it saw every thing done by the strange beings following. + +Had the situation been less serious, Ben would have had some sport +with the lovely creature, but he dared not give it much attention. +It continued trotting a short way, and then sprang gracefully aside +among the trees, leaving no scent on the leaves by which the most +highly trained hound could trace it. + +A little way beyond they came upon the largest stream seen since +leaving the mountains east of the Susquehanna. It was a dozen feet +in width, quite deep, rapid, and clear. + +"Here is enough drink for us all," said Ben, and they proceeded to +help themselves in the primitive fashion described elsewhere. + +"That must contain fish," observed the mother; "but we are without +the means of catching them." + +"Unless Linna will jump in and haul them out for us. But if we are +to continue our journey, we must find some way of getting to the +other side; it is too deep and wide to ford or jump." + +"It must be narrower in other places." + +"Oh! look mamma!" + +It was Alice who first saw a terrifying sight. An immense black +bear, the largest any of the party had ever seen, swung from among +the trees and came to the water's edge on the other side. + +He was so enormous that all started and recoiled a step, even Linna +uttering an exclamation in her own tongue. Ben grasped his rifle, +and held it ready to use the instant it became necessary. + +But Bruin was in a gracious mood that morning. He looked at the +party with stupid curiosity, then reared on his hind legs, and +swung his beam-.like paws in an odd way. + +"He is inviting us to come over and be hugged to death," laughed +Ben. + +"He will come over and eat us all up," said Alice, clinging to the +dress of her mother. + +"No," replied the parent, soothingly patting her head; "Ben won't +let him do that. Do not be frightened." + +"Climb tree," suggested Linna; "not big tree, 'cause bear climb +dat too--climb little tree, den he can't climb it." + +"You are right, but we will wait and see what he does. I don't +want to fire my gun unless I have to, and if he will let us alone +we won't hurt him. There! he is going to drink." + +The huge creature bent his head down to the water and helped himself. +When he had had enough, he raised his snout and again looked at +the party, who were closely watching him. + +This was the critical moment. If he meant to attack them, he would +plunge into the water and either swim or wade across. Ben raised +the hammer of his rifle and awaited his action. + +Had Bruin been hungry, he would not have dallied so long; but he +did not seem to see anything specially tempting in the group, and +lumbered off among the trees. + +"A lucky move for you." remarked Ben. + +"And just as lucky for us," added the mother; "for though you +might have slain him, as I have no doubt you would, the report of +the gun must have brought more dangerous enemies to us." + +"I would give a good deal to know what has become of them. It begins +to look as if they did not consider us worth bothering with." + +"I wish I could believe that, but I cannot. I think it more likely +that they know where we are, and are trifling with us, as a cat +does with a mouse." + +"That makes me anxious to push on. We must find some place where +we can cross the stream. Let's go further up the bank." + +He took the course named, leading away from the great bear with +which they had so narrowly escaped an encounter. + +To their surprise, they had not far to go before the spot they were +seeking was found. The stream narrowed between some rocks, so much +that even Alice could spring across without wetting her feet. + +"I am afraid Linna can't leap it," remarked Ben with a smile. + +"Me show you." + +And, without recoiling a step, the nimble little one made a graceful +bound, which landed her several feet beyond the other margin. + +"Well done!" said Ben; "I couldn't do much better myself. Now, +Alice, you are not going to let her beat you?" + +Alice was timid at first, but with a good start she cleared the +space. She landed, however, so near the water that had not the +watchful Linna caught one of the hands thrown up to save herself, +she would have fallen back in the stream. + +Mother and son imitated them, and all stood on the other side of +the obstruction without having suffered any inconvenience. + +While they were congratulating themselves, a startling reminder of +their danger came in the near report of a rifle. It was from the +direction in which they had seen the bear, and in the stillness of +the woods all heard a snarling growl, which proved that the beast +had received his death wound. + +"The Indians are there!" whispered the frightened Ben; "what shall +we do, mother?" + +"What can we do?" she asked, helpless and at her wits' end for the +moment; "there seems to be no escaping them." + +"Me go talk with them," was the amazing remark of the little Delaware +girl. + +"You talk with them!" repeated Mrs. Ripley; "what can you do?" + +"Don't know--me try." + +And without waiting for permission, Linna started on a light run +toward the point whence came the report of the rifle that gave +Bruin his death wound. Mother and son looked in each other's face +in mute wonderment for a full minute after the departure of the +girl. + +"She's a remarkable child," finally said the mother; "she has done +us more than one good turn, and, it may be, Heaven intends to make +use of her again, though I cannot see how." + +"The Iroquois will recognise her as one of their own race. Perhaps +one or more of them belong to her tribe: they will know her as the +child of Omas, and may listen to her pleadings." + +"Alas! they will give little heed to them; my heart misgives me, +son: I feel that the end is at hand." + +Meanwhile, let us follow Linna, the Delaware, upon her strange +mission. + +CHAPTER ELEVEN: ALL IN VAIN + +I am at some disadvantage in giving an account of the remarkable +interview between the little Delaware girl, Linna, and the three +hostile warriors who had trailed the Ripleys to the stream in +the wilderness across which they had just leaped in the effort to +continue their flight from Wyoming to the Upper Delaware. + +There were no witnesses to the interview except the parties named, +but when Linna in after years had become a woman, with her very +strong memory she gave a description of what passed, and it has +come down through the descendants of the pioneers to the present +day. + +You will permit me to found my narrative upon her testimony, and +to be quite liberal in the interpretation of what took place. + +The fears of the fugitives were well founded. The three red men +were near them for a long while before they showed themselves. It +was very much as Mrs. Ripley had said. They were so sure of the +prize that they trifled with them. + +Linna reached the spot where the warriors were standing directly +after one of the number had sent a bullet through the bear. Young +as she was, she understood the peril of her friends, and set out +to do all she could for them. + +She knew that Omas, her father, was a great warrior. He belonged +to the Delaware tribe, which years before had been soundly beaten +by the Iroquois and reduced almost to slavery; but among the conquered +people were many without superiors in bravery, skill, and prowess. +Omas was one of the most noted examples. + +The first thrill of hope came to the young child when she recognised +the one that had killed the bear. He was Red Wolf, a member of +her own tribe, who often had been in her father's wigwam, and was +therefore well known to his child. The others were of the Seneca +tribe, one of those composing the Iroquois, or Six Nations, the +most powerful confederation of Indians that ever existed on the +American continent. + +The three looked at the little girl in amazement, as she came running +between the trees. She dropped to a rapid walk, and did not stop +until she was among them. + +"Where do you come from?" asked Red Wolf, in the Delaware tongue. + +"My father, the great Omas, brought me to see my friend Alice. He +left me with her people, and you must not harm them." + +"Why did Omas leave you with them?" + +"They are my friends." + +It should be said the Senecas, who calmly listened to the conversation, +understood all that was said. + +"Where are you going?" + +"A long way through the wood." + +"Why does Omas leave you with the palefaces? You should be in your +own wigwam many miles away." + +"He knows I am safe with them. He led us through the woods until +he could leave us; then he went back to the great river between +the mountains to help the other warriors fight." + +None of the three could doubt that the child was speaking the truth. +They held the prowess of Omas in high respect; but they were not +the ones to surrender such a prize as was already theirs. + +"We will take them back to Wyoming with us," said Red Wolf; "then +Omas may do as he thinks best with them." + +With a shrewdness far beyond her years, Linna said--"He wants +them to go to the other big river, off yonder"--pointing eastward. +"Why do you wish to take them back to Wyoming?" + +"If he wants them to go to the other big river, he can send them +after he sees them again." + +"You will make Omas angry; he will strike you down with his tomahawk," +said Linna. + +Although these words were the words of a child, they produced their +effect. Red Wolf knew how deeply the grim warrior loved his only +daughter, and he knew, too, how terrible was the wrath of the warrior. +Omas had chosen to spare this family from the cruelty visited upon +so many others. If Red Wolf dared to run the risk of rousing the +vengeance of Omas, he must take the consequences. He shrank from +doing so. + +The Delaware beckoned to one of the Senecas, and they stepped aside +and talked a few minutes, in tones too low for the listening Linna +to hear what was said. Subsequent events, however, made clear the +meaning of their conversation. + +Red Wolf proposed to spare the fugitives. He wished to go away +with his companions and leave them to pursue their flight without +molestation, so far as they were concerned. + +But the Senecas held Omas in less dread than did Red Wolf. They were +unwilling to let the whites escape. The third warrior, who joined +them, was as strenuous as the first. While one might have shrunk +from stirring the anger of the famous Delaware, the two together +did not hesitate to run counter to his wishes. They refused to be +dissuaded by Red Wolf. + +They remained apart from the girl for ten minutes, earnestly +conversing, while she could not overhear a word. + +Finally one of the three--a Seneca--turned about and walked +away, as if impatient with the dispute. He took a course leading +from the stream, and deeper into the woods. + +Linna noticed the curious act, but, great as was her acumen for one +of her years, she did not suspect its meaning. It would have been +passing strange had she done so, for the movement was meant to +deceive her and bring the disputation to an end. + +The couple remaining walked to where Linna awaited them. The Seneca +turned aside and sauntered to the carcass of the bear as if that +had more interest just then for him. + +"What will Omas do if my brother warriors take your friends back +to the other river, but Red Wolf does not help?" + +"He will strike them down with his tomahawk; my father, Omas, is +a great warrior." + +The black eyes flashed as the girl proudly uttered these words, +and she looked defiantly in the painted face towering above her. + +"But what will he do with Red Wolf?" + +"He will strike down Red Wolf, because he is a coward, and did not +keep all harm from his white friends." + +This intimation that the Delaware could not shelter himself behind +the plea of neutrality, but must be either an active friend or +foe, was a little more than he could accept. While he held Omas in +wholesome dread, he dared not array himself against the two Senecas, +who were determined not to spare the hapless fugitives. + +Red Wolf was a fair specimen of his tribe, who, as I have stated, +were beaten by the Iroquois. These conquerors, indeed, carried +matters with so high a hand that they once forbade the Delawares +to use firearms, but made them keep to the old fashioned bow and +arrow. + +Red Wolf, therefore, having squared accounts, so to speak, with +his present companions, was anxious to win the good will of Linna, +and thereby that of her fierce parent, who was a hurricane in his +wrath, and likely to brain Red Wolf before he could explain matters. + +"Omas is the greatest warrior of the Delawares," he said to Linna; +"Red Wolf and he are brothers. But the Senecas will not listen to +the words of Red Wolf: they love not Omas as does Red Wolf." + +The Delaware child now found herself in a quandary. She had made +her plea, but, so far as she could see, it was in vain, since the +friendship of Red Wolf alone was not enough. One of the Senecas +was studying the body of the dead bear and paying no heed to her +words; the other had gone off, she knew not where. + +What remained for her to do? + +While the little one asked herself the question, and was trying, to +think what course she should follow, the absent Seneca was working +out the mischievous plot he had formed, and which was fully known +to his companions. + +An uprooted tree lay extended on the ground, near where Mrs. Ripley +and her children saw Linna run off to plead with the Indians. Since +they could do nothing but wait, helpless and almost despairing, +for the return of the child, they sat down on the prostrate trunk. + +Ben was near the base, close to the mass of upturned roots, which +spread out like an enormous fan, with its dirt and prong-like +roots projecting in all directions. He was tired, depressed, and +worn out. It will be remembered he had not slept a wink during the +preceding night, or eaten a mouthful of food since then. Strong, +sturdy, and lusty as he was, he could not help feeling the effects +of all this. + +He leaned his rifle against a huge, gnarled root, within arm's +length of where he half reclined, with his feet extended along the +trunk. He had but to reach out his hand, without moving his body, +to grasp the weapon whatever moment it might be needed. + +Exhausted as he was, his condition was too nervous to permit +slumber. His mother had said she thought the end was at hand, and +he believed the same. + +She was but a few feet away, sitting more erect on the tree, with +Alice leaning against her. + +The eyes of all were turned toward the point where Linna had vanished, +and whence she was expected every minute to come into view again. + +She was not far off. Once or twice the mother and son caught the +sounds of their voices, though the exuberant vegetation shut them +from sight. + +"It was idle for her to go," said Ben; "and I cannot see any chance +of her helping us." + +"They will not harm her, nor will they be denied the pleasure of +doing what they choose with us." + +"Some persons might believe the delay was favorable, but I cannot +think that way." + +Neither felt like conversation. It was an effort to say anything; +but mother and son, in their unselfishness, pitied each other, +and strove vainly to lift the gloomy thoughts that were oppressing +both. + +Had Ben Ripley seen the departure of the Seneca, he might have +suspected its meaning; but, unaware of it, he never dreamed of the +new form which the ever present danger thus assumed. + +The Seneca, after leaving Red Wolf and the other warrior, walked +directly over the path leading away from the stream until well +beyond the sight of those thus left behind. He looked back, and, +seeing nothing of them, turned aside and moved off, until he arrived +at a point beyond the group of three resting on the fallen tree. + +Thus, as will be seen, the Ripleys were between the two and Linna +on the one hand, and the single Seneca on the other. He knew the +precise location of the fugitives as well as if they had been in +his field of vision from the first. + +He now began approaching them from the rear. Their faces turned +away from him, and everything favored his stealthy advance. + +The huge spread of dirt and roots made by the overturning of the +big tree served as a screen, though even without this help he would +probably have succeeded in his effort to steal upon them unawares. + +He stepped so carefully upon the dried leaves that no sound was +made, and the most highly trained ear, therefore, would not have +detected him. + +If Ben had once risen from his reclining posture and looked around, +if Mrs. Ripley had stood up and done the same, or if little Alice +had indulged in her natural sportiveness, assuredly one of them +would have observed that crouching warrior, gradually drawing closer, +like the moving of a hand over the face of a clock; but none saw +him. Nearer and nearer he came, step by step, until at last he stood +just on the other side of the mass of roots, and not ten feet from +the boy. + +With the same noiselessness, the crouching form bent over sideways +and peered around the screen. Then the dusky arm glided forward +until the iron fingers clasped the barrel of the rifle leaning +against the root, and the weapon was withdrawn. + +He now had two guns, and Ben Ripley none. + +Then the Seneca advanced, a weapon in either hand, and, presenting +himself in front of the amazed group, exclaimed--"Huh! how do, +bruder?--how do sister?" + +Ben Ripley sprang up as if shot, and his startled mother, with a +gasp of affright, turned her head. + +For one moment the boy meditated leaping upon the warrior, in the +desperate attempt to wrench his gun from his grasp; but the mother, +reading his intention, interposed. + +"Do nothing, my son: we are in the hands of Heaven." + +CHAPTER TWELVE: CONCLUSION + +The point, at last, had been reached where it was useless to +struggle any longer. The little party of fugitives, after safely +crossing the Susquehanna on the day of the battle, and penetrating +more than a score of miles on their way eastward to the Delaware, +were overtaken, and made captive by three Indians. + +Warning Ben against any resistance, the mother bowed her head in +submission, and awaited her fate. Only once, when she clasped her +arm around the awed and silent Alice, laying the other affectionately +upon the shoulder of her brave son, did she speak--"Murmur not +at the will of Heaven." + +The Seneca was surprised at the action, or, rather, want of action, +on the part of the captives. Receiving no response to his salutation, +he stood a moment in silence, and then emitted a tremulous whoop. +It was a signal for Red Wolf and the other Seneca. They understood +it, and hurried to the spot, with Linna close behind them. + +It would have been expected that she would indulge in some outburst +when she saw how ill everything had gone; but, with one grieved +look, she went up to the sorrowing, weeping mother and buried her +head between her knees. + +And then she did what no one of that party had ever before seen her +do--she sobbed with a breaking heart. The mother soothed her as +best she could, uttering words which she heard not. + +Ben Ripley when the blow came, stood erect, and folded his arms. +His face was pale, but his lips were mute. Not even by look did he +ask for mercy from their captors. + +In the midst of the impressive tableau, Linna suddenly raised her +head from the lap of the mother, her action and attitude showing +she had caught some sound which she recognized. + +But everyone else in the party also noted it. It was a shrill, +penetrating whistle, ringing among the forest arches--a call which +she had heard many a time, and she could never mistake its meaning. + +Her eyes sparkled through her tears, which wet her cheeks; but she +forgot everything but that signal. + +"Dat Omas!--dat Omas--dat fader!" she exclaimed, springing to +her feet, trembling and aglow with excitement. + +There was one among the three who, had his painted complexion +permitted, would have turned ashy pale. Red Wolf was afraid that +when the fearful Delaware warrior thundered down on them, he would +not give his brother time to explain matters before sinking his +tomahawk into his brain. Manifestly, therefore, but one course was +open for him, and he took it without a second's delay. + +He fled for his life. + +The Senecas, however, stood their ground. The signal of Omas +sounded again, and Linna answered it. Her father was near at hand, +and quickly came to view. + +But, lo! he had a companion. It was To-wika, his faithful wife. + +The reunion of the Delaware family was an extraordinary one. Had +no others been present, Linna would have bounded into the arms of +her mother, been pressed impulsively to her breast, and then received +the same fervent welcome from her father. + +But never could anything like that take place before witnesses. + +When the child saw her parents she walked gravely up to them, having +first done her utmost to remove the traces of tears, and took her +place by their side. The mother said something in her native tongue, +but it could not have been of much account, for the child gave no +reply. + +Omas did not speak. One quick glance was bestowed upon his child, +and then he addressed himself to the work before him. + +Omas was as cunning as a serpent. He would not have hesitated to +assail these two Senecas, for, truth to tell, he could never feel +much love for the conquerors of his people. He did not fear them; but +he saw the way to win his point without such tempestuous violence. + +His words, therefore, were calculated to soothe rather than +irritate. He asked them to explain how it was they were in charge +of his friends, and listened attentively while one of them answered +his inquiry. + +Then, as is natural with his race, he recounted in somewhat +extravagant language his own deeds of the last few days. There is +reason to believe he gave himself credit for a number of exploits +against the palefaces of which he was innocent. + +Then he said the only ones he loved among the palefaces were the +three there present--he had entrusted his only child to them, +and they had saved her from the anger of their people. He had slept +under their roof, and eaten of their bread. They were his best +friends; and they his brave Seneca brothers, when they knew of this, +would be glad. He had set out to conduct them to the settlements, +and his brothers would wish all a safe arrival there. + +This speech, delivered with far more address than I am able to give +it, worked as a charm. Not the slightest reference was made to the +cowardly Red Wolf, though Omas knew all about him. + +The Senecas were won by the words of the wily Delaware. They +indulged in the fiction of saying that they had no thought of how +matters stood between him and these palefaces, and their hearts +were glad to hear the words fall from his lips. They would not harm +his friends, and hoped they would reach in safety the settlement +for which they were looking. + +Not only that, but they offered to go with them all the way. + +This was too kind, and the offer was gratefully declined. Then the +Senecas withdrew, first returning Ben's rifle to him. Whether they +ever succeeded in overtaking Red Wolf cannot be known, and it is +of no moment. + +The peril had burst over the heads of the little party like a +thundercloud; and now it had cleared, and all was sunshine again. + +It was some minutes before the Ripleys could fully understand the +great good fortune that had come to them. Then their hearts overflowed +with thankfulness. + +With her arms clasping her children Mrs. Ripley looked devoutly +upward, and murmured: + +"I thank Thee, Heavenly Father, for Thy great mercy to me and +mine. Bless Omas and To-wika and Linna, and hold them for ever in +Thy precious keeping." + +The events which had taken place were strange; but Mrs. Ripley +maintained, to the end of her life, that those which followed were +tenfold more remarkable. + +You will remember that when Omas, after conducting the little company +some distance from Wyoming, showed a wish to leave them, the good +woman had no doubt what his purpose was: he wanted to take part in +further cruelties against the hapless settlers. + +Omas had fought hard in the battle of July 3rd, 1778, and his +friendship for the Ripleys drew him away before the dreadful doings +were half completed. He yearned to go back and give rein to his +ferocity. Mrs. Ripley tried to restrain him, but in vain. + +Such were her views; but she was in error. She did not read the +heart of the terrible warrior aright. + +For weeks Omas had been sorely troubled in mind. He had visited the +Christian brethren of his own tribe at the Moravian settlement of +Gnadenhutten. He had listened to the talk of the missionaries, and +heard of One who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; who, when +He was smitten and spat upon, bore it meekly; and who finally died +on the cross, that the red men as well as the white children might +be saved. + +All this was a great mystery to the Delaware. He could not grasp +the simple but sublime truths which lie at the foundation of +Christianity. But he longed to do so. At midnight he lay trying to +sleep in the silent woods, looking up at the stars and meditating +on the wonderful Being who had done all this. In the simplicity of +his nature, he talked to that awful and dimly comprehended Father +of all races and peoples, and asked Him to tell Omas what he should +say, and do, and think. + +Unknown to him, To-wika his wife had listened to the teachings of +the missionaries, and she had traversed further along the path of +light than he. + +When, therefore, he told her of his longings, his questionings, +his distress, his wretchedness, and his groping in the dark, she +was able to say a great deal that helped to clear away the fogs +and mists from his clouded brain. + +But Omas was in the very depth of darkness, and almost despair, +when the fearful episode of Wyoming came. It was in desperation he +went into that conflict, as a man will sometimes do to escape, as +it were, from himself. + +He fought like a demon, but he could not hush the still small voice +within his breast. He felt that he must have relief, or he would +do that which a wild Indian never does--make away with himself. + +It was on his tongue more than once, while threading his way +through the wilderness with his friends, to appeal to Mrs. Ripley; +but with a natural shrinking he held back, fearing that with his +broken words he could not make her understand his misery. + +The only recourse was to go to To-wika, his wife. He had asked her +to talk further with the missionaries, and then to repeat their +words to him. + +So it was that when he stole from the camp fire like a thief in the +night, it was not to return and take part in the scenes of violence +in which he had already been so prominent an actor, but to do the +very opposite. + +It was a long tramp through the forest to his own wigwam, and his +people were aflame with excitement because of Wyoming; but the +warrior hardly paused night and day until he flung himself at the +feet of To-wika and begged that he might die. + +From this remarkable woman Linna had inherited more mental strength +than from her iron hearted father. To-wika talked soothingly to +him, and for the first time in his blind groping he caught a glimmer +of light. The blessed Word which had brought comfort and happiness +to her is for all people and conditions, no matter how rude, how +ignorant, and how fallen. + +But To-wika felt the need of human help. She had never met Mrs. +Ripley, but her husband had told of his welcome beneath that roof, +and of what she said to him about the Saviour and God, who was so +different from the Great Spirit of the red men. She knew this woman +was a Christian, and she asked her husband to lead her to her. + +He set out with her to overtake the little party who, with never +a thought of what was going on, were struggling through the gloomy +wilderness, beset by perils on every hand. + +Since they were following no beaten path, except for a little way, +the most perfect woodcraft was necessary to find them. Omas knew +the direction they had taken, and calculated the time needed to +reach the Delaware. It was easy, too, to locate the camp where he +had parted from them, after which his wonderful skill enabled him +to keep the trail, along which he and his wife strode with double +the speed of the fugitives. + +When he discovered that three warriors were doing the same, all the +old fire and wrath flamed up in his nature. The couple increased +the ardor of their pursuit. And yet, but for the favoring aid of +Heaven, they hardly could have come up at the crisis which brought +them all together. + +Under the blest instruction of Mrs. Ripley, the doubts of Omas finally +vanished, never to return. The once mighty warrior, foremost in +battle and ferocity and courage, became the meek, humble follower +of the Saviour--triumphant in life, and doubly triumphant in +death. + +On the third day after the meeting in the woods, the party arrived +at the little town of Stroudsburg, on the Upper Delaware, none +having suffered the least harm. The skill of Omas kept them supplied +with food, and his familiarity with the route did much to lessen +the hardships which otherwise they would have suffered. + +Omas stayed several weeks at this place with his friends, and then +he and his wife and little one joined the Christian settlement of +Gnadenhutten, where the couple finished their days. + +After a time, when it became safe for the Ripleys to return to +Wyoming Valley, they took up their residence there once more, and +remained until the husband and father came back at the close of +the Revolution; and the happy family were reunited, thankful that +God had been so merciful to them and brought independence to their +beloved country. + +Omas and To-wika and Linna were welcome visitors as long as the +lived. In truth, Linna survived them all. She married a chieftain +among her own people, and when she at last was gathered to her final +rest, she had almost reached the great age of a hundred years. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Daughter of the Chieftain, by Edward S. Ellis + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DAUGHTER OF THE CHIEFTAIN *** + +This file should be named dchef10.txt or dchef10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, dchef11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, dchef10a.txt + +Produced by Martin Robb + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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Ellis + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Daughter of the Chieftain + The Story of an Indian Girl + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: February, 2005 [EBook #7493] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on May 10, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DAUGHTER OF THE CHIEFTAIN *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Robb + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>The Daughter of the Chieftain</h1> +<br> +<h2>The Story of an Indian Girl</h2> +<br><br> +<h3>by Edward S. Ellis.</h3> +<br><br><br><br> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_ONE">CHAPTER ONE: OMAS, ALICE, AND +LINNA</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_TWO">CHAPTER TWO: DANGER IN THE +AIR</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_THREE">CHAPTER THREE: JULY THIRD, +1778</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_FOUR">CHAPTER FOUR: THE EASTERN +SHORE</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_FIVE">CHAPTER FIVE: IN THE WOODS</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_SIX">CHAPTER SIX: PUSHING EASTWARD</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_SEVEN">CHAPTER SEVEN: JABEZ ZITNER</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_EIGHT">CHAPTER EIGHT: LINNA'S +WOODCRAFT</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_NINE">CHAPTER NINE: IN A CIRCLE</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_TEN">CHAPTER TEN: NEAR THE END</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_ELEVEN">CHAPTER ELEVEN: ALL IN +VAIN</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_TWELVE">CHAPTER TWELVE: CONCLUSION</a></h3> +<br><br><br><br> +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_ONE"></a>CHAPTER ONE: OMAS, +ALICE, AND LINNA</h1> + +<p>I don't suppose there is any use in trying to find out when +the game of "Jack Stones" was first played. No one can tell. It +certainly is a good many hundred years old.</p> + +<p>All boys and girls know how to play it. There is the little +rubber ball, which you toss in the air, catch up one of the odd +iron prongs, without touching another, and while the ball is +aloft; then you do the same with another, and again with another, +until none is left. After that you seize a couple at a time, +until all have been used; then three, and four, and so on, with +other variations, to the end of the game.</p> + +<p>Doubtless your fathers and mothers, if they watch you during +the progress of the play, will think it easy and simple. If they +do, persuade them to try it. You will soon laugh at their +failure.</p> + +<p>Now, when we older folks were young like you, we did not have +the regular, scraggly bits of iron and dainty rubber ball. We +played with pieces of stones. I suspect more deftness was needed +in handling them than in using the new fashioned pieces. +Certainly, in trials than I can remember, I never played the game +through without a break; but then I was never half so handy as +you are at such things: that, no doubt, accounts for it.</p> + +<p>Well, a good many years ago, before any of your fathers or +mothers were born, a little girl named Alice Ripley sat near her +home playing "Jack Stones." It was the first of July, 1778, and +although her house was made of logs, had no carpets or stove, but +a big fireplace, where all the food was made ready for eating, +yet no sweeter or happier girl can be found today, if you spend +weeks in searching for her. Nor can you come upon a more lovely +spot in which to build a home, for it was the famed Wyoming +Valley, in Western Pennsylvania.</p> + +<p>Now, since some of my young friends may not be acquainted with +this place, you will allow me to tell you that the Wyoming Valley +lies between the Blue Ridge and the Alleghany Mountains, and that +the beautiful Susquehanna River runs through it.</p> + +<p>The valley runs northeast and southwest, and is twenty-one +miles long, with an average breadth of three miles. The bottom +lands -- that is, those in the lowest portion -- are sometimes +overflowed when there is an unusual quantity of water in the +river. In some places the plains are level, and in others, +rolling. The soil is very fertile.</p> + +<p>Two mountain ranges hem in the valley. The one on the east has +an average height of a thousand feet, and the other two hundred +feet less. The eastern range is steep, mostly barren, and abounds +with caverns, clefts, ravines, and forests. The western is not +nearly so wild, and is mostly cultivated.</p> + +<p>The meaning of the Indian word for Wyoming is "Large Plains," +which, like most of the Indian names, fits very well indeed.</p> + +<p>The first white man who visited Wyoming was a good Moravian +missionary, Count Zinzendorf -- in 1742. He toiled among the +Delaware Indians who lived there, and those of his faith who +followed him were the means of the conversion of a great many red +men.</p> + +<p>The fierce warriors became humble Christians, who set the best +example to wild brethren, and often to the wicked white men.</p> + +<p>More than twenty years before the Revolution settlers began +making their way into the Wyoming Valley. You would think their +only trouble would be with the Indians, who always look with +anger upon intruders of that kind, but really their chief +difficulty was with white people.</p> + +<p>Most of these pioneers came from Connecticut. The successors +of William Penn, who had bought Pennsylvania from his king, and +then again from the Indians, did not fancy having settlers from +other colonies take possession of one of the garden spots of his +grant.</p> + +<p>I cannot tell you about the quarrels between the settlers from +Connecticut and those that were already living in Pennsylvania. +Forty of the invaders, as they may be called, put up a fort, +which was named on that account Forty Fort. This was in the +winter of 1769, and two hundred more pioneers followed them in +the spring. The fort stood on the western bank of the river.</p> + +<p>The Pennsylvanians, however, had prepared for them, and the +trouble began. During the few years following, the New Englanders +were three times driven out of the valley, and the men, women, +and children were obliged to tramp for two hundred miles through +the unbroken wilderness to their old homes. But they rallied and +came back again, and at last were strong enough to hold their +ground. About this time the mutterings of the American Revolution +began to be heard, and the Pennsylvanians and New Englanders +forgot their enmity and became brothers in their struggle for +independence.</p> + +<p>Among the pioneers from Connecticut who put up their old +fashioned log houses in Wyoming were George Ripley and his wife +Ruth. They were young, frugal, industrious, and worthy people. +They had but one child -- a boy named Benjamin; but after awhile +Alice was added to the family, and at the date of which I am +telling you she was six years and her brother thirteen years +old.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ripley was absent with the continental army under General +Washington, fighting the battles of his country. Benjamin, on +this spring day, was visiting some of his friends further down +the valley; so that when Alice came forth to play "Jack Stones" +alone, no one was in sight, though her next neighbor lived hardly +two hundred yards away.</p> + +<p>I wish you could have seen her as she looked on that summer +afternoon. She had been helping, so far as she was able, her +mother in the house, until the parent told her to go outdoors and +amuse herself. She was chubby, plump, healthy, with round pink +cheeks, yellow hair tied in a coil at the back of her head, and +her big eyes were as blue, and clear, and bright as they could +be.</p> + +<p>She wore a brown homespun dress -- that is to say, the +materials had been woven by the deft fingers of her mother, with +the aid of the old spinning wheel, which in those days formed a +part of every household. The dark stockings were knitted by the +same busy fingers, with the help of the flashing needles; and the +shoes, put together by Peleg Quintin, the humpbacked shoemaker, +were heavy and coarse, and did not fit any too well.</p> + +<p>The few simple articles of underwear were all homemade, clean, +and comfortable, and the same could be said of the clothing of +the brother and of the mother herself.</p> + +<p>Alice came running out of the open front door, bounding off +the big flat stone which served as a step with a single leap, +and, running to a spot of green grass a few yards away, where +there was not a bit of dirt or a speck of dust, she sat down and +began the game of which I told you at the opening of this +story.</p> + +<p>Alice was left handed. So when she took position, she leaned +over to the right, supporting her body with that arm, while with +the other hand she tossed the little jagged pieces of stone +aloft, snatching up the others, and letting the one that was +going up and down in the air drop into her chubby palm.</p> + +<p>She had been playing perhaps ten minutes, when she found +someone was watching her.</p> + +<p>She did not see him at first, but heard a low, deep "Huh!" +partly at one side and partly behind her.</p> + +<p>Instead of glancing around, she finished the turn of the game +on which she was engaged just then. That done, she clasped all +the Jack Stones in her hand, assumed the upright posture, and +looked behind her.</p> + +<p>"I thought it was you, Omas," she said with a merry laugh; "do +you want to play Jack Stones with me?"</p> + +<p>If you could have seen the person whom she thus addressed, you +would have thought it a strange way of speaking.</p> + +<p>He was an Indian warrior, belonging to the tribe of Delawares. +Those who knew about him said he was one of the fiercest red men +that ever went on the warpath. A few years before, there had been +a massacre of the settlers, and Omas was foremost among the +Indians who swung the tomahawk and fired his rifle at the white +people.</p> + +<p>He was tall, sinewy, active, and powerful. Three stained eagle +feathers were fastened on his crown in the long black hair, and +his hunting shirt, leggings, and moccasins were bright with +different colored beads and fringes. In the red sash which passed +around his waist were thrust a hunting knife and tomahawk, while +one hand clasped a cumbersome rifle, which, like all firearms of +those times, was used with ramrod and flintlock.</p> + +<p>Omas would have had a rather pleasing face had he let it +alone; but his people love bright colors, and he was never seen +without a lot of paint daubed over it. This was made up of black, +white, and yellow circles, lines, and streaks that made him look +frightful.</p> + +<p>But Alice was not scared at all. She and Omas were old +friends. Nearly a year before, he stopped at their cabin one +stormy night and asked for something to eat. Mrs. Ripley gave him +plenty of coarse brown, well baked bread and cold meat, and +allowed him to sleep on the floor until morning.</p> + +<p>Benjamin was rather shy of the fierce looking Delaware, but +Alice took to him at first. She brought him a basin of water, and +asked him to please wash his face.</p> + +<p>The startled mother gently reproved her; but Omas did that +which an Indian rarely does -- smiled. He spoke English unusually +well, and knew why the child had proposed to him to use the +water.</p> + +<p>He told her that he had a little girl that he called Linna, +about the same age as Alice. Upon hearing this, what did Alice +do, but climb upon the warrior's knee and ask him to tell her all +about Linna. Well, the result was, that an affection was formed +between this wild warrior and the gentle little girl.</p> + +<p>Omas promised to bring his child to see Alice, who, with her +mother's permission, said she would return the visit. There can +be no doubt that the Delaware often went a long way out of his +course, for no other reason than to spend an hour or less with +Alice Ripley. The brother and mother always made him feel +welcome, and to the good parent the influence of her child upon +the savage red man had a peculiar interest which nothing else in +the world could possess for her. So you understand why it was +that Alice did not start and show any fear when she looked around +and saw the warrior standing less than ten feet off, and +attentively watching her.</p> + +<p>"You can't play Jack Stones as well as I," she said, looking +saucily up at him.</p> + +<p>"I beat you," was his reply, as he strode forward and sat down +cross legged on the grass.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to see you do it! You think you're very smart, don't +you?"</p> + +<p>A shadowy smile played around the stern mouth, and the +Delaware, who had studied the simple game long enough to +understand it, began the sport under the observant eyes of his +little mistress.</p> + +<p>While both were intent on the amusement, Mrs. Ripley came to +the door and stood wonderingly looking at them.</p> + +<p>"It does seem as if Indians are human beings like the rest of +us," was her thought; "but who could resist her gentle ways?"</p> + +<p>Up went the single stone in the air, and Omas grabbed the +batch that were lying on the ground, and then caught the first as +it came down.</p> + +<p>"That won't do!" called Alice, seizing the brawny hand, which +-- sad to say -- had been stained with blood as innocent as hers; +"you didn't do that fair!"</p> + +<p>"What de matter?" he asked, looking reproachfully into the +round face almost against his own.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you how. Now, I lay those three on the ground like +that. Then I toss up this, pick up one without touching any of +the others, keep it in my hand and pick up the next -- see?"</p> + +<p>She illustrated her instruction by her work, while her pupil +listened and stared.</p> + +<p>"I know -- I know," he said quickly. "I show you." Then the +wag of a Delaware tossed the first stone fully twenty feet aloft, +caught up the others, and took that on the fly.</p> + +<p>"I never saw anybody as dumb as you," was the comment. "What +is the use of your trying? You couldn't learn to play Jack Stones +in ever so long."</p> + +<p>She was about to try him again, when, childlike, she darted +off upon a widely different subject, for it had just come into +her little head.</p> + +<p>"Omas, when you were here the other day, you promised that the +next time you came to see me you would bring Linna."</p> + +<p>"Dat so -- Omas promise."</p> + +<p>"Then why haven't you done as you said?"</p> + +<p>"Omas never speak with double tongue; he bring Linna with +him."</p> + +<p>"You did? -- where is she?" asked Alice, springing to her +feet, clasping her hands, and looking expectantly around.</p> + +<p>The Delaware emitted a shrill, tremulous whistle, and +immediately from the wood several rods behind them came running +the oddest looking little girl anyone could have met in a long +time.</p> + +<p>Her face was as round as that of Alice, her long, black hair +hung loosely over her shoulders, her small eyes were as black as +jet, her nose a pug, her teeth as white and regular as were ever +seen, while her dress was a rude imitation of her father's except +the skirt came below her knees. Her feet were as small as a +doll's, and encased in the beaded little moccasins, were as +pretty as they could be.</p> + +<p>"That is Linna," said the proud father as she came obediently +forward.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_TWO"></a>CHAPTER TWO: DANGER +IN THE AIR</h1> + +<p>Little Linna, daughter of Omas, the Delaware warrior, was of +the same age as Alice Ripley. The weather was warm although she +wore tiny moccasins to protect her feet, she scorned the +superfluous stockings and undergarments that formed a part of the +other's apparel.</p> + +<p>Her hair was as black, abundant, and almost as long as her +father's; but her face was clean, and, perhaps in honor of the +occasion, she, too, sported a gaudy eagle feather in her +hair.</p> + +<p>She bounded out of the green wood like a fawn, but as she drew +near her parent and Alice, her footsteps became slower, and she +halted a few paces away, hung her head, with her forefinger +between her pretty white teeth -- for all the world like any +white girl of her years.</p> + +<p>But Alice did not allow her to remain embarrassed. She had +been begging for this visit, and now, when she saw her friend, +she ran forward, took her little plump hand and said -- "Linna, I +am real glad you have come!"</p> + +<p>Omas had risen to his feet, and watched the girls with an +affection and interest which found no expression on his painted +face. His child looked timidly up to him and walked slowly +forward, her hand clasped in that of Alice. She did not speak, +but when her escort sat down on the grass, she did the same.</p> + +<p>"Linna, do you know how to play Jack Stones?" asked Alice, +picking up the pebbles.</p> + +<p>Linna shook her head quickly several times, but her lips +remained mute.</p> + +<p>"Your father thought he knew how, but he don't; he doesn't +play fair, either. Let me show you, so you can beat him when you +go home."</p> + +<p>Alice set to work, while the bright black eyes watched every +movement.</p> + +<p>"Now do you want to try it?" she asked, after going through +the game several times.</p> + +<p>Linna nodded her head with the same birdlike quickness, and +reached out her chubby hand.</p> + +<p>Her father and Alice watched her closely. She made several +failures at first, all of which were patiently explained by her +tutor; by and by she went through the performance from beginning +to end without a break.</p> + +<p>Alice clapped her hands with delight, and Omas -- certain that +no grownup person saw him -- smiled with pleasure.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't she know how to talk?" asked Alice, looking up at the +warrior. Omas spoke somewhat sharply to his child in the Delaware +tongue. She startled, and looking at Alice, asked --</p> + +<p>"Do -- yoo think me play well?"</p> + +<p>Alice was delighted to find she could make herself understood +so easily. It was wonderful how she had learned to speak English +so early in life.</p> + +<p>"I guess you can," was the ready reply of Alice; "your father +can't begin to play as well. When you go home you can show your +mamma how to play Jack Stones. Have you any brothers and +sisters?"</p> + +<p>"No; me have no brother -- no sister."</p> + +<p>"That's too bad! I've got a big brother Ben. He isn't home +now, but he will be here to supper. He's a nice boy, and you will +like him. Let's go in the house now to see mamma, and you can +teach me how to talk Indian."</p> + +<p>Both girls bounded to their feet, and hand in hand, walked to +the door, with Omas gravely stalking after them.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley had learned of the visitor, and stood on the +threshold to welcome her. She took her by the hand and led her +inside. Omas paused, as if in doubt whether he should follow; but +her invitation to him was so cordial, that he stepped within and +seated himself on a chair.</p> + +<p>That afternoon and night could never be forgotten by Alice +Ripley. In a very little while she and her visitor were on the +best of terms; laughing, romping, and chasing each other in and +out of doors, just as if they were twin sisters that had never +been separated from each other.</p> + +<p>When Mrs. Ripley asked Omas for how long a time he could leave +his child with them, he said he must take her back that evening. +His wigwam was a good many miles away in the woods, and he would +have to travel all night to reach the village of his tribe.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley, however, pleaded so hard, that he consented to +let his child stay until he came back the next day or soon +thereafter for her.</p> + +<p>When he rose to go, the long summer day was drawing to a +close. He spoke to Linna in their native tongue. She was sitting +on the floor just then, playing with a wonderful rag baby, but +was up in a flash, and followed him outside.</p> + +<p>"Wait a moment and she will come back," said Mrs. Ripley to +her own child. She knew what the movement meant: Omas did not +wish anyone to see him and Linna.</p> + +<p>On the outside he moved to the left, and glanced around to +make sure that no person was looking that way. Then he lifted the +little one from the ground; she threw her arms around his neck, +and he pressed her to his breast and kissed her several times +with great warmth. Then he set her down, and she ran laughing +into the house, while he strode off to the woods.</p> + +<p>But at the moment of entering them he stopped abruptly, +wheeled about, and walked slowly back toward the cabin.</p> + +<p>Upon the return of Linna, Mrs. Ripley stepped to the front +door to look for her son. He was not in sight, but Omas had +stopped again hardly a rod distant. He stood a moment, looking +fixedly at her, and then beckoned with his free hand for her to +approach.</p> + +<p>Without hesitation she stepped off the broad flat stone and +went to him.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Omas?" she asked in an undertone, pausing in +front of him, and gazing up into the grim, painted +countenance.</p> + +<p>The Delaware returned the look for a few seconds, as if +studying how to say what was in his mind. Then in a voice lower +even than hers, he said -- "You -- little girl -- big boy -- go +way soon -- must not stay here."</p> + +<p>"Why do you say that, Omas?"</p> + +<p>"Iroquois like leaves on trees -- white men, call Tories -- +soon come down here -- kill all white people -- kill you -- kill +little girl, big boy -- if you stay here."</p> + +<p>The pioneer's wife had heard the same rumors for days past. +She knew there was cause for fear, for nearly all the able bodied +men in Wyoming were absent with the patriot army, fighting for +independence. The inhabitants in the valley had begged Congress +to send some soldiers to protect them, and the relatives of the +women and children had asked again and again that they might go +home to save their loved ones from the Tories and Indians; but +the prayer was refused. The soldiers in the army were too few to +be spared, and no one away from Wyoming believed the danger as +great as it was.</p> + +<p>But the people themselves knew the peril, and did their best +to prepare for it. But who should know more about the Indians and +Tories than Omas, the great Delaware warrior?</p> + +<p>When, therefore, he said these words to Mrs. Ripley, that +woman's heart beat faster. She heard the laughter and prattle of +the children in the house, and she thought of that bright boy, +playing with his young friends not far away.</p> + +<p>"Where can we go?" she asked, in the same guarded voice.</p> + +<p>"With Omas," was the prompt reply; "hide in wigwam of Omas. +Nobody hurt palefaced friend of Omas."</p> + +<p>It was a trying situation. The brave woman, who had passed +through many dangers with her husband, knew what a visit from the +Tories and Indians meant; but she shrank from leaving Wyoming, +and all her friends and neighbors.</p> + +<p>"When will they come?" she asked; "will it be in a few weeks +or in a few days?"</p> + +<p>"Getting ready now; Brandt with Iroquois -- Butler with Tory +-- soon be here."</p> + +<p>"But do you mean that we shall all go with you tonight?"</p> + +<p>The Delaware was silent for a few seconds. His active brain +was busy, reviewing the situation.</p> + +<p>"No," he finally said; "stay here till Omas come back; then go +with him -- all go -- den no one be hurt."</p> + +<p>"Very well; we will wait till you come to us again. We will +take good care of Linna."</p> + +<p>And without another word the Delaware turned once more, strode +to the forest, which was then in fullest leaf, and vanished among +the trees.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley walked slowly back to the door. On the threshold +she halted, and looked around again for her absent boy. It was +growing dark, and she began to feel a vague alarm for him.</p> + +<p>A whistle fell on her ear. It was the sweetest music she had +ever heard, for it came from the lips of her boy.</p> + +<p>He was in sight, coming along the well worn path that led in +front of the other dwellings and to her own door. When he saw +her, he waved his hand in salutation, but could not afford to +break in on the vigorous melody which kept his lips puckered.</p> + +<p>She saw he was carrying something on his shoulder. A second +glance showed that it was one of the heavy rifles used by the +pioneers a hundred years ago. The sight -- taken with what Omas +had just said -- filled her heart with forebodings.</p> + +<p>She waited until the lad came up. He kissed her +affectionately, and then in the offhand manner of a big boy, let +the butt of the gun drop on the ground, leaned the top away from +him, and glancing from it to his mother, asked -- "What do you +think of it?"</p> + +<p>"It seems to be a good gun. Whose is it?"</p> + +<p>"Mine," was the proud response. "Colonel Butler ordered that +it be given to me, and I'm to use it, too, mother."</p> + +<p>"For what purpose?"</p> + +<p>"The other Colonel Butler -- you know he is a cousin to ours +-- has got a whole lot of Tories" (who, you know, were Americans +fighting against their countrymen) "and Indians, and they're +coming down to wipe out Wyoming; but I guess they will find it a +harder job than they think."</p> + +<p>And to show his contempt for the danger, the muscular lad +lifted his weighty weapon to a level, and pretended to sight it +at a tree.</p> + +<p>"I wish that was a Tory or one of those Six Nation Indians -- +wouldn't I drop him!"</p> + +<p>The mother could not share the buoyancy of her son. She +stepped outside, so as to be beyond the hearing of the little +ones.</p> + +<p>"Omas has been here; that is his little girl that you hear +laughing with Alice. He has told me the same as you -- the Tories +and Indians are coming, and he wants us to flee with him."</p> + +<p>"What does he mean by that?" asked the half indignant boy.</p> + +<p>"He says they will put us all to death, and if we do not go +with him, we will be killed too."</p> + +<p>The handsome face of Benjamin Ripley took on an expression of +scorn, and as he straightened up, he seemed to become several +inches taller.</p> + +<p>"He forgets that I am with you! Omas is very kind; but he and +his Tory friends had better look out for themselves. Why, with +the men at the fort, Colonel Butler will have several +hundred."</p> + +<p>"But they are mostly old men and boys."</p> + +<p>"Well," said the high spirited lad, with a twinkle of his fine +hazel eyes, "add up a lot of old men and boys, and the average is +the same number of middle aged men, isn't it? Don't you worry, +mother -- things are all right. If Omas comes back, give him our +thanks, and tell him we are not going to sneak off when we are +needed at home."</p> + +<p>It was hard to resist the contagion of Ben's hopefulness. The +mother not only loved but respected him as much as she could have +done had he been several years older. He had been her mainstay +for the two years past, during which the father was absent with +the patriot army; and she came to lean upon him more and more, +though her heart sank when Ben began to talk of following his +father into the ranks, to help in the struggle for +independence.</p> + +<p>She found herself looking upon the situation as Ben did. If so +great danger threatened Wyoming, it would be cowardly for them to +leave their friends to their fate. It was clear all could not +find safety by going, and she would feel she was doing wrong if +she gave no heed to the others.</p> + +<p>Ben was tall and strong for his years, and the fact that he +had taken the gun from Colonel Butler to be used in taking care +of the settlement bound the youth in honor to do so.</p> + +<p>"It shall be as you say," said the mother; "I cannot be as +hopeful as you, but it is our duty to stay. We will not talk +about it before the children."</p> + +<p>"I want to see how a little Indian girl looks," muttered Ben +with a laugh, following his mother into the house.</p> + +<p>Alice caught sight of him, and was in his arms the next +instant, while Linna rose to her feet, and stood with her +forefinger between her teeth, shyly studying the newcomer.</p> + +<p>"Helloa, Linna! how are you?" he called, setting down his +young sister and catching up the little Indian. Not only that, +but he gave her a resounding smack on her dusky cheek.</p> + +<p>"I always like pretty little girls, and I'm going to be your +beau: what do you say? Is it a bargain?"</p> + +<p>It is not to be supposed that the Delaware miss caught the +whole meaning of this momentous question. She was a little +overwhelmed by the rush of the big boy's manner, and nodded her +head about a dozen times.</p> + +<p>"There, Alice; do you understand that?" he asked, making the +room ring with his merry laughter; "I'm to be Linna's beau. How +do you like it?"</p> + +<p>"I'm glad for you, but I -- guess -- I oughter be sorry for +Linna."</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_THREE"></a>CHAPTER THREE: +JULY THIRD, 1778</h1> + +<p>While Ben Ripley was frolicking with little Alice and her +Indian friend Linna, the mother prepared the evening meal.</p> + +<p>The candles were lighted, and they took their places at the +table.</p> + +<p>All this was new and strange to Linna. In her own home, she +was accustomed to sit on the ground, and use only her fingers for +knife and fork when taking food; but she was observant and quick, +and knowing how it had been with her, her friends soon did away +with her embarrassment. The mother cut her meat into small +pieces, spread butter -- which the visitor looked at askance -- +on the brown bread, and she had but to do as the rest, and all +went well.</p> + +<p>A few minutes after supper both girls became drowsy, and Mrs. +Ripley, candle in hand, conducted them upstairs to the small room +set apart for their use.</p> + +<p>This was another novel experience for the visitor. She +insisted at first upon lying on the hard floor, for never in her +life had she touched a bed; but after awhile, she became willing +to share the couch with her playmate.</p> + +<p>Alice knelt down by the side of the little trundle bed and +said her prayers, as she always did; but Linna could not +understand what it meant. She wonderingly watched her until she +was through, and then with some misgiving, clambered among the +clothes, and the mother tucked her up, though the night was so +warm they needed little covering.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley felt that she ought to tell the dusky child about +her heavenly Father, and to teach her to pray. She therefore sat +down on the edge of the bed, and in simple words began the +wonderful story of the Saviour, who gave His life to save her as +well as all others.</p> + +<p>Alice dropped asleep right away, but Linna lay motionless, +with her round black eyes fixed on the face of the lady, drinking +in every word she said. By and by, however, the eyelids began to +droop, and the good woman ceased. Who shall tell what precious +seed was thus sown in that cabin in Wyoming, more than a hundred +years ago?</p> + +<p>While Mrs. Ripley was talking upstairs, she heard voices +below; so that she knew Ben had a visitor. As she descended, she +recognized a neighbor who lived on the other side of the +river.</p> + +<p>"I called," said he, "to tell you that you must lose no time +in moving into Forty Fort with your little girl."</p> + +<p>"You do not mean right away?"</p> + +<p>"Not tonight, but the first thing in the morning."</p> + +<p>"Is the danger so close as that?"</p> + +<p>"Our scouts report the Tory Colonel Butler with a large force +of whites and Indians marching down the valley."</p> + +<p>"But do you not expect to repel them?"</p> + +<p>"We are sure of that," was the confident reply; "but it won't +do for any of the women and children to be exposed. The Indians +will scatter, and cut off all they can. Others of our friends are +out warning the people, and we must have them all in a safe +place."</p> + +<p>"Will you wait for your enemies to attack the fort?"</p> + +<p>"I believe our Colonel Butler favors that; but others, and +among them myself and Ben, favor marching out and meeting +them."</p> + +<p>"That's it," added the lad, shaking his head. "I believe in +showing them we are not scared. Colonel Butler got leave of +absence to come to Wyoming; he has some regulars with him, and +with all our men and boys we'll teach the other Colonel Butler a +lesson he won't forget as long as he lives."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you think it best, we will move into the fort with +the other people until the danger is past."</p> + +<p>"Yes, mother; I will fight better knowing that you and Alice +are safe. There's Linna! What about her?"</p> + +<p>"Who's Linna?" asked the visitor.</p> + +<p>"She is the little child of Omas, the Delaware warrior. He +brought her here this afternoon to make Alice a visit, and +promised to call tomorrow for her. Will it be safe to wait until +he comes?"</p> + +<p>The neighbor shook his head.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't take any chances. Why don't you turn her loose to +take care of herself? She can do it."</p> + +<p>"I couldn't," the mother hastened to say; "Omas left her in +our care, and I must not neglect her. She will go with us."</p> + +<p>"I don't think it will be safe for her father to come after +her, when the flurry is over."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"He will be with the Iroquois, even though his tribe doesn't +like them any too well; for the Iroquois are the conquerors of +the Delawares, and drove them off their hunting grounds."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mrs. Ripley, with a sigh; "even if he never comes +for her, she will always have a home with us."</p> + +<p>The dwelling of the Ripleys was on the eastern shore of the +Susquehanna. On the other side stood Fort Wintermoot and Forty +Fort, the former being at the upper end of the valley. That would +be the first one reached by the invaders, and the expectation was +that it would give up whenever ordered to do so, for nearly all +in it were friends of the Tories.</p> + +<p>It was evident that when Omas left his child with her friends, +and spoke of returning the next day, or soon thereafter, he did +not know how near the invasion was. Mrs. Ripley expected that +when he did learn it, he would hasten back for her.</p> + +<p>The night, however, passed without his appearance, and the hot +July sun came up over the forests on the eastern bank of the +river, and still he remained away. It looked as if he had decided +to let her take her chances while he joined the invaders in their +work of destruction and woe.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley would have been willing to wait longer, but she +was urged not to lose another hour. The frightened settlers were +not allowed to take anything but their actual necessaries with +them, for the cramped quarters in Forty Fort, where a number of +cabins were erected, would be crowded to the utmost to make room +for the hundreds who might clamor for admission. The quarters, +indeed, were so scant that many camped outside, holding +themselves ready to rush within should it become necessary.</p> + +<p>Little Linna was filled with wonder when she saw her friends +preparing to move and knew she was going with them. But she +helped in her way as much as she could and asked no questions. +There was no need, in fact, for Alice asked enough for both.</p> + +<p>And just here I must relate to you a little history.</p> + +<p>On the last days of June, 1778, Colonel John Butler, with +about four hundred soldiers -- partly made up of Tories -- and +six or seven hundred Indians, entered the head of Wyoming Valley. +As I have said, he was a cousin of Colonel Zebulon Butler, who +commanded the patriots and did all he could to check the +invaders. Reaching Fort Wintermoot, the British officer sent in a +demand for its surrender. The submission was made, and the +invaders then came down the valley and ordered the Connecticut +people to surrender Forty Fort and the settlements. Colonel +Zebulon Butler had under him, to quote the historical account, +"two hundred and thirty enrolled men, and seventy old people, +boys, civil magistrates, and other volunteers." They formed six +companies, which were mustered at Forty Fort, where the families +of the settlers on the east side of the river had taken +refuge.</p> + +<p>Colonel Zebulon Butler, upon receiving the summons, called a +council of war. This was on the 3rd of July. The officers +believed that a little delay would be best, in the hope of the +arrival of reinforcements; but nearly all the men were so +clamorous to march out and give the invaders battle, that it was +decided to do so.</p> + +<p>"You are going into great danger," remarked the leader, as he +mounted his horse and placed himself at the head of the patriots, +"but I will go as far as any of you."</p> + +<p>At three o'clock in the afternoon the column, numbering about +three hundred, marched from the fort with drums beating and +colors flying. They moved up the valley, with the river on the +right and a marsh on the left, until they arrived at Fort +Wintermoot, which had been set on fire by the enemy to give the +impression they were withdrawing from the neighborhood.</p> + +<p>As you may well believe, the movements of the patriots were +watched with deep interest by those left behind. The women and +children clustered along the river bank and strained their eyes +in the direction of Fort Wintermoot, the black smoke from which +rolled down the valley and helped to shut out their view.</p> + +<p>There was hardly one among the spectators that had not a loved +relative with the defenders. It might be a tottering grandfather, +a sturdy son, who, though a boy, was inspired with the deepest +fervor, and eager to risk his life for the sake of his mother or +sister, whose hearts almost stopped beating in the painful +suspense which must continue until the battle was decided.</p> + +<p>Alice was too young fully to understand the peril in which Ben +was placed. She had kissed him goodbye when he ran to take his +place with the others, and, with a light jest on his lips about +her and Linna, he had snatched a kiss from the little Delaware's +swarthy cheek.</p> + +<p>The mother added a few cheering words to the children, and it +was a striking sight when they and a number of others, about +their age or under, began playing with all the merriment of +children who never dream that the world contains such afflictions +as sorrow, woe, and death.</p> + +<p>It was easy to follow the course of the patriots for a time +after they were beyond sight, by the sound of their drums and the +shrill whistling of several fifes.</p> + +<p>In those days it was much more common than now for people to +drink intoxicating liquors. Just before the patriots started up +the valley, I am sorry to say, a few of the men drank more than +they should. It has been claimed by some that but for this things +would have gone differently on that day, which will live for ever +as one of the saddest in American history.</p> + +<p>By and by the anxious people near the fort noticed that the +sound of drums and fifes had ceased, and the reports of firearms +were heard.</p> + +<p>They knew from this that the opposing forces were making ready +for the conflict, and the suspense became painful indeed.</p> + +<p>Then amid the rattle of musketry sounded the whoops of the +Iroquois. The battle was on. Fighting began about four o'clock in +the afternoon. Colonel Zebulon Butler ordered his men to fire, +and at each discharge to advance a step. The fire was regular and +steady, and the Americans continued to gain ground, having the +advantage where it was open. Despite the exertions of the +invaders, their line gave way, and but for the help of the +Indians they would have been routed.</p> + +<p>The flanking party of red men kept up a galling fire on the +right, and the patriots dropped fast. The Indians on the Tory +left were divided into six bands who kept up a continuous yelling +which did much to inspirit each other, while the deadly aim told +sadly upon the Americans.</p> + +<p>The most powerful body of Indians was in a swamp on the left +of the patriots, and by and by they outflanked them. The +Americans tried to manoeuvre so as to face the new danger, but +some of them mistook the order for one to retreat. Everything was +thrown into confusion.</p> + +<p>Colonel Zebulon Butler, seeing how things were going, galloped +up and down between the opposing lines, calling out -- "Don't +leave me, my children. Stand by me and the victory is ours!"</p> + +<p>But it was too late. The patriots could not be rallied. They +were far outnumbered, and once thrown into a panic, with the +captain of every company slain, the day was lost.</p> + +<p>You cannot picture the distress of the women, children, and +feeble old men waiting at Forty Fort the issue of the battle.</p> + +<p>The sorrowful groups on the bank of the river listened to the +sounds of conflict, and read the meaning as they came to their +ears.</p> + +<p>The steady, regular firing raised their hopes at first. They +knew their sons and friends were fighting well, despite the +shouts of the Indians borne down the valley on the sultry +afternoon.</p> + +<p>By and by the firing grew more scattering, and instead of +being so far up the river as at first, it was coming closer.</p> + +<p>This could mean but one thing; the patriots were retreating +before the Tories and Indians.</p> + +<p>One old man, nearly four score years of age, who pleaded to go +into the battle, but was too feeble, could not restrain his +feelings. He walked back and forth, inspired with new strength +and full of hope, until the scattered firing and its approach +left no doubt of its meaning.</p> + +<p>He paused in his nervous, hobbling pace, and said to the white +faced women standing breathlessly near -- "Our boys are +retreating: they have been beaten -- all hope is gone!"</p> + +<p>The next moment two horsemen galloped into sight. "Colonel +Butler and Colonel Denison!" said the old man, recognizing them; +"they bring sad news."</p> + +<p>It was true. They rode their horses on a dead run, and reining +up at the fort, where the people crowded around them, they leaped +to the ground, and Colonel Butler said -- "Our boys have been +driven from the field, and the Tories and Indians are at their +heels!"</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_FOUR"></a>CHAPTER FOUR: THE +EASTERN SHORE</h1> + +<p>Young Ben Ripley made a good record on that eventful 3rd of +July. He loaded and fired as steadily as a veteran. The smoke of +the guns, the wild whooping of the Iroquois Indians, the sight of +his friends and neighbors continually dropping to the ground, +some of them at his elbow, the deafening discharge of the rifles +-- all these and the dreadful swirl and rush of events dazed him +at times; but he kept at it with a steadiness which caused more +than one expression of praise from the officers nearest him.</p> + +<p>All at once he found himself mixed up in the confusion caused +by the attempt to wheel a part of the line to face the flanking +assailants, and the mistake of many that it was an order to +retreat.</p> + +<p>He did not know what it meant, for it seemed to him that a +dozen officers were shouting conflicting orders at the same +moment. A number of men threw down their guns and made a wild +rush to get away, several falling over each other in the frantic +scramble; others bumped together, and above the din of the +conflict sounded the voices of Colonel Butler, as he rode back +and forth through the smoke, begging his troops not to leave him, +and victory would be theirs.</p> + +<p>Seeing the hopeless tangle, the Indians swarmed out of the +swamp, and by their savage attack and renewed shouts made the +hubbub and confusion tenfold worse.</p> + +<p>Somebody ran so violently against Ben that he was thrown to +the ground. He was on his feet in an instant and turned to see +who did it. It was a soldier fleeing for life from an Iroquois +warrior.</p> + +<p>Ben raised his gun, took quick aim and pulled the trigger, but +no report followed. He had forgotten his weapon was unloaded.</p> + +<p>Other forms obtruded between him and the couple, and he could +not see the result of the pursuit and attack. Despite all he +could do, he was forced back by the panic stricken rush around +and against him.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a wild cry reached him. An Iroquois with painted face +rushed upon him with uplifted tomahawk, but he was yet several +paces away, when another warrior seized his arm and wrenched him +to one side.</p> + +<p>"Run -- go fast -- don't stay!" commanded the Indian that had +saved the youth, furiously motioning to him.</p> + +<p>"If my gun were loaded," replied Ben, though his voice was +unheard in the din, "I wouldn't go till I did something more. +Helloa! is that you, Omas?"</p> + +<p>It was the Delaware that had turned the assault aside.</p> + +<p>A couple of bounds placed him beside he lad, and he caught his +arm with a grip of iron.</p> + +<p>It was of no use trying to hold back. Omas half running, half +leaping, drove his way like a wedge through the surging swarm. +His left hand closed around the upper arm of Ben, while his right +grasped his tomahawk, he having thrown aside his rifle.</p> + +<p>The boy was repeatedly jerked almost off his feet. He could +run fast, but was not equal to this warrior, who forged along +with resistless might. Twice did an Iroquois make for the young +prisoner, as he supposed the lad to be, but a warning motion of +the tomahawk upheld by Omas repelled him.</p> + +<p>The Delaware was prudent, and instead of keeping in the midst +of the surging mass, worked to one side, so that they were soon +comparatively free from the tumultuous throng.</p> + +<p>There was no attempt at conversation between the Delaware and +Ben. The boy knew what was meant by this rough kindness. The day +was lost, and his thoughts went out to the loved ones waiting +down the valley to learn the result of the battle. He wanted to +get to them as quickly as he could.</p> + +<p>The rush carried them beyond the main body of fugitives, +though not out of danger, for the Iroquois were pursuing hard; +but soon Omas loosened his grip and dropped the arm of the lad. +They were far enough removed from the swirl to exchange +words.</p> + +<p>"Where moder -- where Alice?", asked the Delaware, as if he +had no concern for his own child.</p> + +<p>"At Forty Fort."</p> + +<p>"Linna with them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; they are together with the other folks."</p> + +<p>"Go dere -- tell cross riber -- make haste to Del'mware."</p> + +<p>This command meant that the little party should hurry to the +eastern side of the Susquehanna, and start for the settlements on +the Upper Delaware. The nearest town was Stroudsburg, sixty miles +distant, and the way led through a dismal forest.</p> + +<p>The words of Omas showed, too, that he knew what was coming. +Though the British Colonel Butler might accept the surrender and +strive to give fair treatment to the prisoners, he would find it +hard to restrain the Tories and Indians.</p> + +<p>All that could be done was for the fugitives to flee, without +an hour's delay. They were already flocking to the river in the +effort to reach the other side. A good many hid among the grass +and undergrowth on Monacacy Island, where the Tories and Indians +followed, and hunted them out without mercy.</p> + +<p>Those who were wise enough to set out in time had a chance of +arriving at the settlements on the Upper Delaware, though much +suffering was sure to follow, since there was no time to prepare +food to take with them.</p> + +<p>The remark of Omas prompted Ben's words -- "How can I get +mother, and Alice and Linna, to the other side? They cannot swim +the river."</p> + +<p>"Linna swim," was the somewhat proud answer; "she take care of +Alice you take care of moder."</p> + +<p>"I might at any other time, but with the people crowding +around us, and the Indians at our heels and shooting down all +they can, what chance have we? Why can't you come with me and +help them?"</p> + +<p>No doubt the Delaware had asked himself the question, for he +answered it not by words, but by breaking into a loping trot for +Forty Fort, with Ben running at his side. He halted before +reaching the refuge, and turned aside among the bushes +overhanging the edge of the river, his actions showing he was +searching for something.</p> + +<p>He speedily found a canoe, probably his own. It had been so +skillfully hidden among the dense undergrowth that one might have +passed within a couple of paces without seeing it.</p> + +<p>He picked it up as if it were a toy boat and set it down in +the water.</p> + +<p>"Go bring moder -- bring Alice -- bring Linna."</p> + +<p>Ben was off like a shot, for he knew there was not a minute to +throw away. It was the season when the days were longest, and two +or three hours must pass before it would be fully night.</p> + +<p>It would not do for Omas to go with Ben. His appearance at the +fort would add to the panic, and be almost certain to bring about +a conflict with some of the whites. It was his province to guard +the precious canoe from being taken by other fugitives.</p> + +<p>Ben Ripley now thought only of his loved ones. He knew the +anguish his mother would suffer until she learned he was safe, +and he forced his way to the spot where he had parted from +her.</p> + +<p>It was a sad experience. Old men, women and children, with +white faces, were rushing to and fro, wringing their hands and +wailing, searching for those whom they never again would see in +this life; crowding into the little fort, as if they knew a +minute's delay would be fatal; some making for the river, into +which they plunged in a wild effort to reach the eastern shore, +while among the frantic masses appeared here and there a fugitive +from the scene of battle, perhaps wounded and telling his +dreadful story of the defeat, with all the woeful consequences +that were certain to follow.</p> + +<p>With much difficulty and some rough work the lad reached the +spot where he had bidden his mother and the children goodbye, but +none of the three was in sight. They had been swept aside by the +rush of the terrified people.</p> + +<p>A cry sounded above the tumult, and before he could learn +where it came from, the arms of his mother were about his +neck.</p> + +<p>"Thank Heaven! my boy is safe! You do not know what I have +suffered. I could learn nothing about you. Are you hurt?"</p> + +<p>"Not a scratch -- which is more than many other poor fellows +can say. Where are the children?"</p> + +<p>A tiny hand was slipped into his own, and looking down, there +stood Linna, with her forefinger between her teeth, looking shyly +up at him. There could be no doubt she felt fully acquainted.</p> + +<p>Alice came forward on the other side. Neither understood the +cause of the turmoil about them. They were not scared, but were +awed into silence.</p> + +<p>"I saw Omas," explained Ben to his mother; "he saved me from +the fate of many others."</p> + +<p>"Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"A little way off, under the bank, waiting with his canoe, to +take us across the river.</p> + +<p>"He says we must hurry through the woods for the settlements +on the Upper Delaware. Every hour that we stay increases our +danger."</p> + +<p>"Let me take Alice; lead the way."</p> + +<p>Clasping tight the hand of Linna, with his mother at his +heels, Ben pushed for the point where he had left the Delaware a +few minutes before.</p> + +<p>Strange that though the distance was not far, and the +confusion seemed to be increasing every minute, the little party +had not gone half way when they were checked by one of the men +that had been in the battle. He was slightly wounded, and under +the influence of liquor.</p> + +<p>"Who's that you've got with you?" he demanded, looking down at +Linna, who saw no danger in the act.</p> + +<p>"A friend of Alice and me."</p> + +<p>"She looks like an Injin," added the soldier, scowling +threateningly at her; "if she is, I want her."</p> + +<p>"I told you she is a friend of ours -- get out of my way!"</p> + +<p>The soldier's condition enabled Ben to tumble him over on his +back by means of a vigorous shove. Before he could steady himself +and get upon his feet again, the others were beyond reach.</p> + +<p>I am sure he would not have acted that way, had he been in the +possession of his senses.</p> + +<p>When Ben parted from Omas, he was without a rifle, but on +joining him again, the warrior had a fine weapon in his hand. It +was not the one with which he appeared at the house. The lad +might have guessed how he got it, but he did not ask any +questions, nor seem to notice it.</p> + +<p>As the party came up, Omas merely glanced at Mrs. Ripley and +her child, but did not speak. As for his own little girl, he gave +her no notice. Young as she was, she understood him, and did not +claim any attention from him. If they had been alone, she would +have been in his arms with their cheeks together.</p> + +<p>"Go 'cross," said he, pointing toward the other shore.</p> + +<p>"Ben has told me what you said: we are ready," replied Mrs. +Ripley.</p> + +<p>He held the canoe steady and motioned her to take her place in +it. She did so, and Alice nestled at her feet, being careful not +to stir, for such frail craft are easily upset.</p> + +<p>The canoe was small, and the weight of the mother and child +sank it quite low, though it would hold another adult.</p> + +<p>"Get in," added Omas to the lad.</p> + +<p>Ben obeyed. He knew all about such boats, and could have +paddled it across had there been a paddle to use, but there was +none.</p> + +<p>When the Delaware laid his rifle inside with Ben's, it was +evident he intended to swim, towing or shoving the boat.</p> + +<p>"Come, Linna, there's just room for you," added the youth, +reaching out his hand for the dusky little girl.</p> + +<p>Instead of obeying, she looked up at her father and said +something to which he made answer brusquely, as it sounded to the +others.</p> + +<p>Retreating several paces from shore, she ran nimbly to the +edge of the bank, and with a leap splashed away beyond the bow of +the canoe, and began swimming like a fish for the eastern +shore.</p> + +<p>It was a real treat for her, even though she did not remove +any of her clothing. The weather was sultry, and the bath +refreshingly cool. Not comprehending the sad scenes around her, +she dived, and splashed, and frolicked, easily keeping in advance +of the boat.</p> + +<p>Truth to tell, the canoe had all it could hold, and Omas, who +swam at the stern, handled it with care to prevent it +overturning. The water rose almost to the gunwales, and a little +jolt or carelessness would have capsized it.</p> + +<p>The Delaware swam high out of water. He knew the boat would +attract the attention of some of his own people on the bank, who, +if they thought the occupants were escaping, would either pursue +or fire on them.</p> + +<p>The sight of the Indian, however, at the stern would make it +appear that they were already prisoners, and the other warriors +would give their attention elsewhere.</p> + +<p>Omas kept clear of Monacacy Island, and by and by his feet +touched ground. Before that, the dripping Linna had run out on +land, and so the whole party safely reached the eastern +shore.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_FIVE"></a>CHAPTER FIVE: IN +THE WOODS</h1> + +<p>You have not forgotten what I told you about the mountain +range, which shuts in Wyoming Valley on the east. It is a +thousand feet in height, abounding with ravines, clefts, rocks, +boulders and the most rugged kind of places.</p> + +<p>The fugitives who fled from the Susquehanna to escape the +Indians had to make their way over these mountains, and then find +their way through sixty miles of trackless woods to the Delaware +River. A great many succeeded in doing so, but the deaths and +sufferings in the vast stretch of forest gave it the dreadful +name of "The Shades of Death," by which it is often referred to +even to this day.</p> + +<p>Omas swam at the rear of the small canoe, as I told you, with +Mrs. Ripley and her two children seated inside and balancing +themselves with great care to prevent the heavily loaded craft +from sinking or overturning.</p> + +<p>More than one Seneca or Oneida Indian, or perhaps a Tory, that +had chased some terrified fugitives to the edge of the river, +halted and made ready to fire upon the canoe, whose occupants +were seen to be three white persons.</p> + +<p>When they looked again, however, they observed the head and +shoulders of an Indian warrior, who was plainly propelling the +craft in front of him. That was enough to satisfy them.</p> + +<p>On the way over, Linna, the little Indian girl, amused herself +by diving under the canoe, sometimes appearing on one side and +then on the other, sometimes in front and then at the rear. She +even ventured to impose upon her father by splashing water in his +painted face. She did little of that, and he paid no attention to +it.</p> + +<p>The sun had not yet set when the grim warrior and his child +emerged on the eastern shore, their garments dripping, but caring +nothing for that. The boat was drawn far enough up the bank to +prevent its being swept away by the current, and then all stood +side by side, and as if by a common impulse, looked back at the +shore they had left.</p> + +<p>The smoke from the burning Fort Wintermoot still rested on the +calm surface of the river, and filtered among the green +vegetation near the scene of the battle. Other buildings had been +fired, and mingled their vapor with it.</p> + +<p>Here and there, every minute or two, sounded the sharp crack +of a rifle. This too often meant that some fugitive had been run +down by his cruel pursuer, who listened to no pleadings for +mercy. A good many had taken refuge on Monacacy Island, from +which the reports of guns continually came.</p> + +<p>I have not the space here to tell you of the wonderful escapes +at Wyoming, the particulars of which I have given in another +work.</p> + +<p>One boy, who was with several men near Fort Jenkins before the +battle, saw all the men shot down or captured; but he hid himself +among some willows and was not noticed.</p> + +<p>If you ever visit the scene of the battle, you will notice a +broad, flat stone, called Queen Esther's Rock, a half dozen miles +below Wilkesbarre. Queen Esther was an old, cruel, half breed +woman who came with the Indians. She is sometimes known as +Katharine Montour. A son of hers was killed in the conflict, and +she was so angered that she had sixteen captives placed around +the rock, and meant to slay them all, while the warriors +prevented them from escaping.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless two of the young men jumped up and started on a +run for the river. The guards dashed after them. One caught his +toe, and rolled headlong down the bank into some bushes. Instead +of springing up again, as he first started to do, he lay still, +and though the Indians almost stepped upon him, he was not +discovered, and got off without harm.</p> + +<p>The other reached the river, took a running leap and dived, +and swam under water as far as he could. When he came up to +breathe, the waiting red men fired at him again and again. He was +wounded, but not badly, and, reaching the other side, caught a +stray horse, made a bridle from a hickory withe, and soon joined +his friend.</p> + +<p>Another fugitive, after running until he was so tired out he +could hardly stand, and hearing the Indians near, backed into a +hollow log and awaited his fate. He had been in the hollow but a +few minutes when a spider spun its web across the entrance. A few +minutes later, two warriors sat down on the log. They noticed how +good a hiding place it would be for the white man, and one of +them leaned over to peep in. As he did so, he saw the spider web. +He was sure that it would not be there if the man was inside, and +did not search further. When the warriors left, the man crawled +out and got safely away.</p> + +<p>You know that the home of the Ripleys was on the eastern +shore, which they left that same morning. They had crossed over +in a large flatboat with a number of other families, so that now +they were near their own home again. Omas had guided the canoe, +too, so they landed not far from the little structure.</p> + +<p>"Omas," said the mother, "I understand you wish us to go to +the Delaware."</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied, "Iroquois won't hurt you there -- must +go."</p> + +<p>"We haven't a particle of food with us; Ben has his gun and +may have a chance to shoot some game on the way -- more than +likely, he will have no chance at all; it will take us several +days to reach Stroudsburg, which, I believe, is the nearest +point. Don't you think it best that we should stop at the house +and get what food we can?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we do dat; come 'long; not great time."</p> + +<p>There could be no safer guide than the Delaware, when his race +were such complete masters of the situation; though there was +risk that a patriot hiding somewhere in the neighborhood might +take a shot at him, under the belief that he meant harm to the +captives.</p> + +<p>The humble log structure was found just as it was left that +morning. If any of the marauding bands of Indians paid it a +visit, they did not linger after seeing it was tenantless.</p> + +<p>There was a whole loaf of bread and part of another left +beside some cooked chicken, and a number of live ones were +scratching the ground outside, as if they had no concern in what +was going on.</p> + +<p>"The weather is warm now," remarked the prudent housewife, +"but a cold storm may set in before we reach shelter."</p> + +<p>With which she folded a blanket from her bed and laid it over +her arm.</p> + +<p>"It will come handy to sleep on," added Ben, who did the same +with a second, despite the weight of his rifle, which (as they +were made in those days) was a good load of itself for a strong +boy.</p> + +<p>Omas showed some impatience, though his companions did not +understand the cause. His actions, indeed, were curious. They +supposed he meant to conduct them all or a greater part of the +way to Stroudsburg, though at times he appeared to be hesitating +over it, or over some other scheme he had in mind.</p> + +<p>Ben Ripley had rambled among the rugged scenery, on the +eastern shore of the river, having gone with his father many +times when he was on hunting excursions; but he was not as +familiar with the ins and outs of the mountains as the Delaware, +whose village was a good many miles away.</p> + +<p>None of the party had eaten anything of account since the +early morning meal, before they crossed the Susquehanna. The +dangers, excitement, and suspense of the hours drove away the +thought of food. Young as was Linna, she had already learned not +to ask for it when either of her parents chose not to offer it to +her. Doubtless she was hungry, but if so, no one else knew it. +Alice had been given bread when at Forty Fort, and she now +suggested that some more would not come amiss.</p> + +<p>"We all need it," said Ben; "why not take our last meal in our +old home? You have no objection Omas?"</p> + +<p>"Eat here," was his reply.</p> + +<p>The guns were leaned against the walls, the blankets put aside +and all gathered round the board. The Delaware had done the same +before when visiting the family, and acquired the civilized form +of eating, while Linna picked it up during the brief time spent +with her friends.</p> + +<p>The meal lasted but a few minutes, when they once more +gathered up their luggage, as it may be called, left the house, +and with Omas in the lead, struck into the mountains on the long +tramp to the Delaware.</p> + +<p>The sun went down while they were picking their way through +the rough section. The Ripleys expected to do much hard +travelling, but their guide's knowledge of every turn enabled him +to pick out paths which none ever suspected. Sometimes the +climbing was abrupt, but all, even to Alice, were accustomed to +that kind of work, and they kept up a steady gait, which must +have placed many miles to the rear if continued long.</p> + +<p>Omas continued at the head. Directly behind him walked his +child, the path most of the time being so narrow that they were +obliged to travel in Indian file. Then came Alice and her mother, +while Ben considered himself the rearguard. When the space +allowed, Alice took the hand of her parent, but Linna never +presumed to speak to or interfere with her grim, silent +parent.</p> + +<p>Darkness closed around them before they had gone a couple of +miles. During all this time the tramp continued in silence, +probably not a dozen words being spoken. Each of the three elder +was using eyes and ears to the utmost.</p> + +<p>The sharp crack of a rifle broke the silence, not more than a +hundred yards to the right of them. Everyone started except Omas, +who acted as if he did not hear the report. He made no change in +his pace, and so far as the others could see in the gloom, did +not turn his head. They concluded, therefore, that no cause for +alarm existed.</p> + +<p>Fairly through the mountain spur and among the deep woods, the +journey was pushed until the night was well along. Suddenly, Omas +made a short turn to the right and stopping in a hollow, where +there were several large boulders, he said -- "We stay here all +night."</p> + +<p>The words were a surprise, for it was expected he would travel +for a long time. He, Mrs. Ripley and Linna could have done so +without inconvenience, but Alice was tired out. Her relatives +were pretty well burdened already, though either would have +carried her had it been necessary; but the party had gained so +good a start that there seemed little risk in making a long +stop.</p> + +<p>Omas reached down one hand and laid it on the bare head of +Alice, saying in a voice of strange gentleness -- "Little girl +tired -- she can rest."</p> + +<p>And then all knew he had ceased walking because of her. Had +she not been a member of the party, he would have kept the rest +on their feet until the sun appeared above the forest.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm tired, Omas," said the little one wearily, holding +the hand of the Delaware in both her own; "I'm glad you +stopped."</p> + +<p>The gloom was so deep, for there was no moon until very late +(and if there had been, its rays could not have pierced the dense +foliage), that they could hardly see each other's figures. Omas +hastily gathered some leaves and dead twigs, which were heaped +together against one of the boulders. Then he produced his flint +and steel -- for he had learned the trick long before of the +whites -- and by and by a shower of sparks was flying from the +swift, sharp blows of the metal against the hard stone. A minute +later one of the sparks "caught," and under his nursing a fire +was speedily under way.</p> + +<p>While he was thus engaged, Mrs. Ripley spread the blankets on +the ground and Alice stretched her tired little body upon one of +them.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, I guess God will excuse me for not saying my prayers," +she murmured, as she closed her eyes and sank into slumber.</p> + +<p>Linna was tired, too, but she kept her feet and looked at her +father for his permission, before presuming to lie down.</p> + +<p>"Come, Linna, here is your place beside Alice," said the +mother kindly.</p> + +<p>Again she turned to her father, who was standing by the fire, +looking off in the gloom, as if he suspected something wrong.</p> + +<p>He gave the permission in their native tongue and she cuddled +down beside her friend without further waiting.</p> + +<p>"Mother," said Ben, "you had better lie down with them."</p> + +<p>"Not yet," she replied, with a significant look at he +Delaware, whose back was toward them.</p> + +<p>"What about him?" asked the surprised lad in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"He is meditating something evil: he wants to leave us.</p> + +<p>"What evil is there in that, if he thinks we have gone far +enough to be safe?"</p> + +<p>"You have forgotten that he fought with the Iroquois today; he +wants to go back to Wyoming and join them in their work."</p> + +<p>"If that is so, how can we hinder him?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know that we can; but I shall try it."</p> + +<p>Ben busied himself gathering more wood, so that the fire cast +a glow several yards from where it burned against the +boulder.</p> + +<p>When he had collected enough to last a long while, he came +back and sat down by his mother. All this time the Delaware +remained motionless, with his face away from them. He was +debating some troublous question in his mind. They watched him +closely.</p> + +<p>He turned about abruptly, and said -- "Omas must go -- he say +'goodnight' to his friends."</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_SIX"></a>CHAPTER SIX: PUSHING +EASTWARD</h1> + +<p>No person in all the world is so quick to detect deception as +a mother. It is simply wonderful the way she will sometimes read +one's thoughts. I am sure you boys who have lagged on the road +when sent on an errand, had a scrimmage with some other boy, or +done any one of the numerous acts in which a mother persists in +asking annoying questions, will agree with me.</p> + +<p>While Omas, the Delaware warrior, stood with his face turned +away from the camp fire and looking off in the gloom, as if he +was trying to discover something in the darkness, Mrs. Ripley was +sure she knew what the trouble was: he was trying to decide +whether he should stay longer with the little party or leave them +to make the rest of their way through the woods without him.</p> + +<p>He might well say they were now so far from Wyoming that they +were in little danger. They had but to keep on tramping for +several days and nights, and they would reach the little town of +Stroudsburg, which, you may know, is near Delaware Water Gap. +There they need have no fear of the red men.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley knew all this as well as Omas himself, but she did +not wish him to go back and join the hostile Iroquois, as he +wanted to do. She felt it would be far better if he would stay +with them, for then he would do no further harm to the white +people.</p> + +<p>When, therefore, he turned about and bade them goodbye, all +doubt was gone. Ben did not reply, but his mother rose from the +other blanket on which she had been sitting, walked quietly to +where the Delaware was standing, and laid her hand kindly on his +arm.</p> + +<p>"Omas, I do not wish you to leave us," she said.</p> + +<p>He looked at her, for both stood where the firelight fell upon +their faces, and replied -- "No danger -- walk towards the rising +sun -- need not walk fast -- Iroquois won't hurt -- soon be +safe."</p> + +<p>The lady was too wise to let her real objection appear.</p> + +<p>"A while ago we heard the noise of a gun; our people are +fleeing through the woods, and the red men are following them. +Alice is tired, and we have stopped to rest. When we start again +tomorrow, some of the red men will be ahead of us. What shall we +do without our friend Omas?"</p> + +<p>"He have gun." he replied, indicating Ben.</p> + +<p>"So have the red men, and there are more of them."</p> + +<p>Now, if Mrs. Ripley was skilful in reading the thoughts of the +Delaware, it may be that he, too, suspected the real cause for +her objections. Be that as it may, it was plain he was not +satisfied. He held the Ripley family in too high regard to offend +them openly; but Omas was set in his ways.</p> + +<p>He made no reply to the last remark, but stepped a little +nearer the fire and sat down, moody and silent.</p> + +<p>"You have said enough, mother," remarked Ben in a low voice; +"it will anger him to say more. I will sit with my head against +the rock; do you lie down on the blanket and let your head rest +in my lap. I think it will be safe for us all."</p> + +<p>With some hesitation the mother complied, the Delaware +apparently paying no heed to them. He kept his seat on the +ground, looking gloomily into the fire and in deep thought. A +struggle was going on in his mind, and no one could say whether +the good or evil would win.</p> + +<p>Ben Ripley was anxious that his mother should sleep. She had +undergone the severest of trials since early morning, and none +had wrought harder than she. The morrow would make further +demands on her strength. As for himself, he was young, sturdy, +and could stand more and rally sooner than she.</p> + +<p>When, therefore, she said something in a low tone, he placed +his hand softly over her mouth and whispered -- "S--h! go to +sleep, baby."</p> + +<p>He smoothed the silky hair away from the forehead so gently +and so soothingly that she could not resist the effect. She meant +to keep awake until Omas made his final decision; but no person +can resist the approach of slumber, except by active +movement.</p> + +<p>Before long, and while Ben's hand was still gliding like down +over the forehead, the faint, regular breathing showed she was +asleep.</p> + +<p>The son smiled.</p> + +<p>"Good! The best mother that ever lived! Heavenly Father, watch +over her and spare her for many years. Watch over us all."</p> + +<p>He looked across at Omas, on the other side of the camp fire, +and saw the Delaware gazing fixedly at him.</p> + +<p>He arose as silently as a shadow and stepped nearer, peering +down on the pale, handsome face with its closed eyes.</p> + +<p>"She sleep?" asked the Indian.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Ben, softly, with a nod of his head.</p> + +<p>He looked at her a moment and then across to the other +blanket, where the round, chubby cheeks of the little girls +reflected the firelight. He waited a moment, and then the gentler +side of his nature triumphed. He bent over the forms, kissed each +in turn, straightened up, and pointing to the eastward, said to +Ben -- "Go dat way -- you safe -- goodbye."</p> + +<p>"Goodbye," replied the lad, knowing it was useless to +protest.</p> + +<p>Like the gliding of the shadow of a cloud, the Delaware passed +beyond the circle of light thrown out by the fire into the deep +gloom of the wood. The moccasins pressed the dry leaves without +giving back any sound, and he vanished.</p> + +<p>"That makes a change of situation," was the conclusion of Ben +Ripley; "he's gone, and I become the general of this army; +there's no telling what danger may be abroad tonight, so I will +keep my eyes open till sunrise, to make sure that no harm comes +to these folks."</p> + +<p>And ten minutes after this decision the lad was as sound +asleep as his mother and the two little ones.</p> + +<p>But there was One who did not slumber while all were +unconscious. He ever watches over His children, and, -- though +there were many perils abroad that night, none of them came near +our friends.</p> + +<p>The camp fire which had been burning so brightly grew dimmer +and lower until the figures could hardly be seen. They gradually +became more indistinct, and finally the gloom was as deep as +anywhere in the dense woods. Only a few smouldering embers were +left, and they gave out no glow.</p> + +<p>Ben was still sleeping, when something tickled his nose. He +rubbed it vigorously with his forefinger and opened his eyes, +confused and bewildered.</p> + +<p>An odd, chuckling laugh at his elbow drew his gaze hither. +There stood Linna, with the sprig of oak which she had been +passing back and forth under the base of his nose, making it feel +for all the world like a fly titillating his nostrils.</p> + +<p>Ben made an attempt to catch the mischievous girl, but she +deftly eluded him, and laughed so heartily that the others awoke +and looked wonderingly to learn what it all meant.</p> + +<p>"I'll pay you for that!" exclaimed the lad, as his mother +raised her head from his lap. Bounding to his feet, he darted +after Linna, but she was so nimble, and dodged back and forth and +from right to left so fast, that it took much effort to run her +down.</p> + +<p>Like all little girls, she was very "ticklish," and when he +dallied with his fingers about her plump neck, she dropped to the +ground and kicked and rolled over to get away from him. He let +her up, and said with pretended gravity that he never allowed any +trifling with him without punishing the person therefore.</p> + +<p>Linna did not seem to notice the absence of her father, and +asked no questions. Ben told his mother how he went off after she +fell asleep, and the good woman saddened, for she was sure she +understood it all.</p> + +<p>The first thing done, after a few minutes' talk, was to kneel +in prayer, Mrs. Ripley leading in a petition to Heaven that all +might be preserved from harm and reach the distant settlement +safely. She did not forget the absent Omas, or the hundreds of +hapless people whom they had left behind, who were still in great +danger.</p> + +<p>It was Mrs. Ripley's custom always to offer prayer in the +little household at the beginning of each day. Linna, who had +gained a dim idea of what the touching act meant, bent on her +knees beside Alice; and who shall say the petition which went up +from her heart was not heard and remembered by Him who notices +the fall of every sparrow.</p> + +<p>And now came the serious business of the day. Many long miles +of trackless forest lay before them and the delay caused all to +feel the need of hurry.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley gave to each a moderate portion of the food +brought with them, carefully preserving what was left, for they +were sure to need that and much more before reaching the end of +their journey. The day promised to be sultry like the preceding +one, and each sadly missed the water with which to quench their +thirst and splash upon their faces and hands.</p> + +<p>"We shall come across some before long," said Ben hopefully +when he and his mother had divided the luggage between them and +set out toward the rising sun; "we are a great deal better off +than the poor folks of Wyoming."</p> + +<p>The mother pinched the clothing of Linna, and found it dried +of the moisture gained by her swim in the Susquehanna.</p> + +<p>It is a curious practice among not only the Indians, but with +many white people, not to change wet stockings or garments for +dry ones. I knew a fisherman's boy whose father once punished him +for removing his saturated stockings and shoes for others.</p> + +<p>"Always let 'em dry on you, and you won't catch cold," was his +doctrine. "Keep moving if you can, but don't change 'em."</p> + +<p>I don't believe in the practice; but be that as it may, the +little Delaware girl showed no ill effects from sleeping in the +clothing that had been wet. As for her father, he would have been +insulted at the mention of such a thing to him.</p> + +<p>Ben's belief about finding water proved true. They had gone +hardly a half mile from camp when they came upon a sparkling +brook, cold and clear, and abundant enough to serve all. Having +no vessels with them, they lay down and quaffed their fill. Then +they bathed their faces and hands in the delicious fluid, and +were much refreshed.</p> + +<p>The expectation was that they would travel a good many miles +before night again overtook them. The way, while rough and broken +in many places, was not hard, and all, even to the smaller +children, were used to being on their feet. There was little fear +indeed that Linna would not do her part as well as the older +ones. Young as she was in years, she had been trained to hardship +from the time she could walk. Not only that, but, like all her +race, she had learned to bear suffering in silence and without +sign of pain.</p> + +<p>She would have to become very tired before her companions +would know it.</p> + +<p>By and by the ground was found to be rising, and in the course +of an hour they gained an elevation which, having few trees, gave +them an extended view of the surrounding country.</p> + +<p>Looking back in the direction of Wyoming, the sky was seen to +be soiled by the heavy smoke not only from the burned Fort +Wintermoot, but from other buildings that had been fired by the +Tories and Indians. The sight was a sorrowful one, and caused the +mother and son some uneasiness. They seemed nearer to the scene +of the conflict than they had supposed, and -- since the people +had been continually swimming the river, and taking flight in the +woods for the same point that was the destination of the Ripleys +-- it was quite certain that some of the pursuers were not far +off.</p> + +<p>"We must make as little noise as we can," said Ben, when the +party were about to start forward again: "for there can be no +telling how close we are to Indians that are looking for us.'</p> + +<p>"I think it better for you to walk a little way in front," +suggested the mother, "so as to warn us in time."</p> + +<p>"The plan is a good one. I will keep in sight of you, and the +minute I see anything amiss, will make a sign, so you can stop at +once."</p> + +<p>This course was adopted. Ben carried one of the blankets flung +over his left arm as if it were an extra garment, and steadied +the heavy rifle on his shoulder with the other. As you remember, +he was tall for his years, strong, and with rugged health.</p> + +<p>Had the weather been cooler he could have Kept up this method +of traveling for hours without fatigue; but the heat made it +trying. True, at that season of the year the foliage was dense on +the trees and shut out the sun's rays, except in the open spaces +and natural clearings which they now and then crossed; but the +vegetation also stopped whatever breeze was stirring, and obliged +the members of the party to halt many times to rest and cool +themselves.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley had but few extra things to carry, and showed less +fatigue than anyone, excepting the Delaware child. The latter and +Alice walked most of the time side by side, and generally with +clasped hands. There was no use of their trying to keep their +tongues still, but they were wise enough to speak in whispers and +such soft undertones that no one else could tell what they said, +and therefore nothing was to be feared on that account from any +enemies in the neighborhood.</p> + +<p>"Why not he make sign?" was the startling question of Linna, +pointing at Ben, before the party had gone far after their brief +rest.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked the puzzled Mrs. Ripley; "he isn't +to make any sign to us till he sees or hears something +wrong."</p> + +<p>"People off dere!" replied Linna, pointing ahead and to the +right of their course. "Me hear dem speak."</p> + +<p>It was true. The keen ears of the child had discovered a peril +that no one else suspected. She alone had caught the sound of +voices that escaped all other ears.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_SEVEN"></a>CHAPTER SEVEN: +JABEZ ZITNER</h1> + +<p>At this moment Ben Ripley was about a hundred feet in advance +of the party and ascending a ridge in the woods, which were so +open that he was in plain sight of the others.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley, on hearing the alarming words of the little +Delaware girl, came to a stop. It seemed strange that Linna +should have caught the sounds noticed by no one else, and that, +too, while she was whispering to her companion, Alice; but even +at that tender age the inherited sharpness of hearing had been +trained to a wonderfully fine degree.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley was too prudent to argue with her. It was not wise +to take any chances. Above all, it was important that Ben should +know the truth, for he was still walking away from them with no +knowledge of their discovery.</p> + +<p>"S--h!" The sibilant noise made by the mother's lips crossed +the space and the listening lad halted and looked round. She did +not speak, but beckoned him to come back. He obeyed at once.</p> + +<p>"Linna says she heard voices a minute ago, over yonder," +whispered Mrs. Ripley, as her son joined them.</p> + +<p>"So me did," added Linna, in answer to the inquiring look of +the lad.</p> + +<p>"You have sharp ears, little one; but are you sure?"</p> + +<p>"Me am," was the confident reply.</p> + +<p>"Where were they?"</p> + +<p>She again pointed out the direction.</p> + +<p>"That must be looked into: wait till I come back, and --"</p> + +<p>"S--h!" interrupted the mother.</p> + +<p>All caught an indistinct murmur, which proved Linna was +right.</p> + +<p>"Me tell you -- eh?" she said in a proud undertone, her black +eyes sparkling with triumph.</p> + +<p>"You are right: wait till I learn whether they are friends or +enemies. I will not be gone long."</p> + +<p>Leaving the anxious group clustered together, Ben faced in the +direction of the sounds, which had stopped, and were so faint +when heard that he could not tell whether they belonged to +friends or foes.</p> + +<p>As nearly as he could find out, the parties were just beyond +the crest of the ridge, and, but for the warning of Linna, he +would have run into the danger before knowing it.</p> + +<p>With the utmost care he went up the slope. He leaned forward +and stepped more slowly, avoiding, so far as he could, making any +noise on the leaves or against the bushes and limbs which he had +to push aside to allow him to advance.</p> + +<p>At the instant of reaching the highest point he heard the +voices again, so close that he knew they were made by white +people, who were in a clump of dense undergrowth. A faint wreath +of smoke filtering through the branches overhead showed they had +started a small fire, beside which they were probably sitting or +reclining on the ground.</p> + +<p>Now that he was certain they belonged to his own race, he had +less fear. Still, they might prove unpleasant neighbors when they +came to know one of the party was a daughter of Omas. Turning +toward his friends, who were watching him, Ben made a sign for +them to stay where they were while he went forward.</p> + +<p>He moved with the same care as before, but an unexpected +accident spoiled everything. His foot caught in a wire-like vine, +and he almost fell on his hands and knees. Aware that he had +betrayed himself, he threw aside further caution, hurried down +the slope, and called out in a guarded undertone --</p> + +<p>"Helloa there, friends!"</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" was the demand that instantly followed, and +from the undergrowth, beside a small fire, two men suddenly rose +upright, each with rifle in hand.</p> + +<p>Ben recognized them. One was Jabez Zitner and the other Horace +Burwink -- both middle aged, sturdy, and strong. They were +neighbors, and had taken part in the engagement the day before, +but, escaping without harm, were now on their way to the +settlements of the Upper Delaware.</p> + +<p>A meeting of this kind would have been pleasing in the highest +degree, for it added great strength to the party; but a misgiving +came to the lad when he recognized Zitner. He was the man who, +when partially intoxicated the previous afternoon, had tried to +take Linna from him and was vigorously shoved aside by her +friend.</p> + +<p>"Helloa, Ben! where did you come from?" asked Zitner, who was +now entirely himself.</p> + +<p>"Glad to see you," added Burwink, and the two extended their +hands. "You gave us a great scare, for the woods are full of +redskins."</p> + +<p>"You startled me, too," replied Ben. "I am travelling with my +mother and sister to Stroudsburg. I suppose you are aiming for +the same place?"</p> + +<p>"Yes -- if we ever get there. What become of that little +sarpent you had with you yesterday?"</p> + +<p>It was Zitner who asked the question. Ben's face flushed, for +he did not like to hear Linna spoken of in that way.</p> + +<p>"She is with us," he quietly replied.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with her?"</p> + +<p>"She is in our care, and goes wherever we go."</p> + +<p>"You seem mighty fond of the people who played the mischief +with us yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Jabez Zitner, I fought just as hard as you, and did all I +could to drive back the Iroquois and Tories, but I don't fight +little children six years old."</p> + +<p>"Who's talking about fighting 'em?" demanded Zitner angrily. +"Their people didn't spare our women and children."</p> + +<p>"They are savages, but you and I claim to be civilized."</p> + +<p>"That's all well enough, but my motto is -- fight fire with +fire." Burwink was listening to this sharp interchange of words, +the meaning of which he caught. Wishing to make a friend of him, +for Ben foresaw trouble, he asked -- "Am I not right, Mr. +Burwink?"</p> + +<p>"I should say -- on general principles you are; but, after +yesterday, I don't feel much love for any of the varmints. Who is +this Injin gal that you are talking about?"</p> + +<p>Ben was too wise to give the name of Linna's father, knowing +he would be instantly recognized as one of the fiercest warriors +that had taken part in the invasion and battle. He therefore +replied --</p> + +<p>"She is a girl named Linna; she is of the same age as our +Alice, and was visiting her when we crossed the river to Forty +Fort yesterday morning. We could do nothing but take her with us, +and I will defend her with my life."</p> + +<p>"You are talking big," remarked Zitner, with a scornful look +at the sturdy lad. "Who is the gal's father?"</p> + +<p>"That makes no difference; but I will say he belongs to the +Delaware tribe, most of whom are friends to our people."</p> + +<p>"There were plenty of them with the Senecas and Oneidas +yesterday, and they fought like wild cats, too. But why don't you +bring your folks forward?" added Zitner, looking inquiringly +around.</p> + +<p>"I will do so. Wait a few minutes."</p> + +<p>He strode back and over the top of the ridge, until he caught +sight of the frightened group.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" he called, beckoning to them. "Mr. Zitner and +Burwink are here, and want to see you."</p> + +<p>With an expression of thankfulness, Mrs. Ripley, clasping a +hand of each of the children, walked up the slope, and passed +over to where the couple awaited their approach by the camp fire. +She shook hands with each, and expressed her pleasure at meeting +them. They did the same toward her, and then all, with the +exception of the children, seated themselves on the fallen tree +beside which the small fire was burning.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley had observed the little incident the preceding +afternoon, when Zitner tried to stop Linna. She was ill at ease, +for she noticed how sharply he looked at the child. She hoped, +however, that now he was fully himself, he would be ashamed of +his action, or at least make no reference to it.</p> + +<p>No fear of her doing so. She showed her tact by leading the +conversation in another direction.</p> + +<p>"When did you leave Wyoming?"</p> + +<p>"Burwink and I didn't get a chance to swim over until nearly +midnight, and then we had a rough time of it. There were plenty +of others that tried to do the same and never got to this +side."</p> + +<p>"When did you leave?" asked Burwink of the lady.</p> + +<p>"We crossed before it was dark."</p> + +<p>"How did you manage it? Swim?"</p> + +<p>"No; we came over in a canoe. A Delaware Indian, the father of +Linna, swam behind the boat and pushed it across. But for him, we +never could have gotten away."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley, like her son, meant to keep the name of their +friend from these men. There was no danger of either her or Ben +telling it; but neither thought of another means they had of +learning it.</p> + +<p>At this point, Alice went to her mother and leaned against her +knees, with her gaze on the faces of the men. She had been +standing beside Linna, whose eyes were never once removed from +the displeasing countenance of Zitner.</p> + +<p>She must have noticed the incident referred to, for the +expression on her round face was of dislike and distrust. She +stood further off from the men than anyone else -- silent, +watchful, and suspicious.</p> + +<p>Zitner now looked at her.</p> + +<p>"Come here," he said coaxingly, extending his hand.</p> + +<p>"No; me won't. Me don't like you," she replied, with an angry +flirt and backward step.</p> + +<p>"Jingo!" exclaimed the surprised Zitner; "I didn't think she +could talk our lingo. Say, Miss Spitfire, what is your father's +name?"</p> + +<p>Before either Mrs. Ripley or her son could interpose, Linna +answered defiantly -- "He Omas -- great warrior -- kill good many +white people -- kill you!"</p> + +<p>The reply caused consternation on the part of Mrs. Ripley and +Ben, but the boy shut his lips tight. He could not but admire the +bravery of the child, and he was determined to stand by her to +the end.</p> + +<p>The mother was in despair, but she relied mainly on persuasion +and prayer.</p> + +<p>With no idea of what all this meant, Alice looked in the face +of each person in turn while speaking.</p> + +<p>"She's a chip off the old block," said Burwink, with a laugh. +"She doesn't seem to have much fear of you, Jabez."</p> + +<p>"I am hopeful she will feel different when she grows older," +soothingly remarked Mrs. Ripley.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to know what you build your hope on," replied +Zitner, still curiously watching the child.</p> + +<p>"I expect to have her a good deal under my care, and I shall +do all I can to instruct her aright. This morning she knelt with +us in prayer. You must remember she is very young, and has heard +little, if anything, of Christianity."</p> + +<p>Zitner shook his head.</p> + +<p>"It's born in 'em, and you can't get it out."</p> + +<p>"But, Mr. Zitner, you will not deny that we have a good many +Christian Indians. There are plenty of them at Gnadenhutten, and +the Moravian missionaries have been the means of turning hundreds +from darkness to light. If they can do that with full grown +warriors and women, may we not hope for the best from those of +tender years?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," was the dogged reply. "I never +believed in this conversion business."</p> + +<p>"What can you mean by such a remark?" asked the shocked +lady.</p> + +<p>"I mean, religion is good enough for white people, but don't +work with Injins. They will pretend they're good, but are only +waiting for a chance to do mischief."</p> + +<p>"The converted Delawares have never taken part in the wars +against us. You know that as well as I."</p> + +<p>"How about Omas?"</p> + +<p>"He makes no pretence of Christianity."</p> + +<p>"And therefore has no claim on our indulgence."</p> + +<p>"No one has said he has," observed Ben, coming to his mother's +help; "he will never ask quarter from you or any white man."</p> + +<p>"Where is he now? He brought you over the river, but seems to +have deserted you."</p> + +<p>"He left because he didn't think we had further need of his +aid; we can get along without him."</p> + +<p>"Now, see here," added Zitner, straightening up on the log and +slapping his knee; "I'll tell you what I've made up my mind to +do. I am willing to give in to Mrs. Ripley that far, that I won't +harm that youngster -- that is, I will leave it to her father +whether I shall or shan't."</p> + +<p>Neither mother nor son could understand the meaning of this +strange remark. They waited for the man to explain.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to take her with us as a hostage. We're not clear +of the varmints yet. I believe Omas himself ain't far off, and +the rest will be on our heels all the way to Stroudsburg. If they +get us in a tight place, I'll let 'em know we've got the gal of +Omas with us, and if they harm a hair of our heads it'll be all +up with her. We'll take her clean to Stroudsburg, and then turn +her loose, for we won't have any further need of her; but she +must go with us."</p> + +<p>"Jabez Zitner," said Ben Ripley -- "the moment you lay your +hand on that child I will shoot you!"</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_EIGHT"></a>CHAPTER EIGHT: +LINNA'S WOODCRAFT</h1> + +<p>No one could have looked into the face of Ben Ripley without +seeing he meant just what he said.</p> + +<p>Jabez Zitner supposed, when he made known that he intended to +take the little Delaware girl with him as a hostage, that though +it might be displeasing to the Ripleys, they would not dare +object; but he was mistaken.</p> + +<p>The lad was sitting furthest away on the fallen tree, with his +rifle resting across his knees, when he warned the man that if he +laid a hand on Linna he would shoot him.</p> + +<p>Ben spoke low, but mingling with his words were two faint +clicking sounds. They were made by the hammer of his rifle, as +with his thumb he drew it back ready for use. His face was +slightly pale, but his eyes glittered, and he rose to his feet +and looked at the startled man.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley gave a gasp of fright and clasped her hands, while +the children mutely stared.</p> + +<p>Even Zitner was silent. He knew Ben's pluck, but did not +believe it would take him thus far, for it looked as if there +were two adults against a single boy.</p> + +<p>Burwink however, was more of a man than his companion. He +looked smilingly at Ben and said -- "Jabez, I reckon this has +gone far enough."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?'" angrily asked the other.</p> + +<p>"You must leave the little gal alone."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you! thank you!" exclaimed Mrs. Ripley. "I might +have known you would see that right is done."</p> + +<p>Zitner had a few sharp words with his friend, but the latter +was immovable. He would not listen to his proposition, and that +ended the matter.</p> + +<p>"Well," finally said Zitner, rising to his feet, "I intended +to see you folks safe to the Delaware; but I won't have anything +to do with you now. Come, Horace."</p> + +<p>He strode off without another word or looking to the right or +left. Burwink waited a minute, and then, with a quizzical look at +Mrs. Ripley and her son asked --</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can stand it?"</p> + +<p>"We shall have to," replied Ben.</p> + +<p>"Well, goodbye, and good luck to you;" and he followed his +friend among the trees.</p> + +<p>"That was a luckier ending than I expected," remarked Ben, +letting down the hammer of his rifle.</p> + +<p>"If Mr. Burwink had sided with him, there would have been no +help for it," said his mother.</p> + +<p>"Such people are always cowards. I wasn't afraid of him."</p> + +<p>Now that they had departed, Linna came over to her champion -- +though she could not have fully understood all that had passed -- +and placed her hand confidingly on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Linna, I have two sisters," he said tenderly; "yonder is one, +and her name is Alice: can you tell me the name of the +other?"</p> + +<p>"Yes -- she name be Linna."</p> + +<p>"You are right. Now, if you will kiss me, I won't tickle you +any more for making my nose itch this morning."</p> + +<p>The lips were put up to his, and with deep affection on the +part of both, the salute was exchanged.</p> + +<p>"If any more white people show themselves, and they ask you +your father's name, let mother and me answer for you."</p> + +<p>"Me do what you say," was the obedient response.</p> + +<p>It need not be said that our friends were greatly relieved by +the departure of Zitner. While as I have already said, they ought +to have been glad of the company of him and Burwink, they would +have been ill at ease so long as the surly fellow was with them. +He surely held no good will toward the little girl, and would +have found some chance to show it.</p> + +<p>"But are we really rid of him?" asked Ben of his mother. The +two sat close to each other on the tree, and the children were +playing a few steps away.</p> + +<p>"I am quite sure we are."</p> + +<p>"He may steal back tonight, if we camp near."</p> + +<p>"Why should he? He does not want to harm Linna, but to use her +as a means of safety against her own people."</p> + +<p>"That was what he said, but I don't believe him. It seems to +me we ought to change our course, to be certain of not meeting +him again."</p> + +<p>"As you think best."</p> + +<p>"We have had a good rest. Come, girls, we must be off." Taking +the lead as before, Ben strode down the incline, bearing more to +the left than he had been doing.</p> + +<p>All smiled at Linna, for she noticed the change on the +instant.</p> + +<p>"You go wrong," she said; "dat not right way."</p> + +<p>"Which is the right way, Miss Smartness?"</p> + +<p>She pointed it out.</p> + +<p>"You are right, but that is the course of that bad man, who +doesn't like you. We will go around, so as not to see him +again."</p> + +<p>She was satisfied, and gave her attention to Alice, who +thought it odd that she and Ben should have so many disputes.</p> + +<p>Over the varying surface, turning aside now and then to pass +some obstacle in the shape of rocks or ravines -- now up hill and +down, among the dense trees, where the briars and bushes +scratched their hands and faces, across small rippling streams +and natural clearings -- they pushed on until the sun was far +beyond meridian and the halt and rest were grateful.</p> + +<p>"I don't think we need give any more thought to Zitner," said +Ben; "and I am sure we are all glad. He could not find us now, if +he tried."</p> + +<p>"If they kept to their course, we must be several miles +apart."</p> + +<p>"I have been working my way back, so that, after all, I do not +think we have lost much ground. I hope Miss Linna is +satisfied."</p> + +<p>"She would make complaint if she was not."</p> + +<p>They had stopped near another of the small running streams, +for it was harder to do without water than food.</p> + +<p>"I'm hungry, mother."</p> + +<p>"So we all are," she added, producing half a loaf, which was +the last of their food.</p> + +<p>"To leave any portion of this will only aggravate all your +appetites, so we will finish it."</p> + +<p>The bread was divided among the four, and when eating ceased +not a crumb was left.</p> + +<p>"It isn't a good time of the year for hunting, mother, but if +I can get sight of any game, I'll bring it down, whether it is a +deer, bear, wild turkey, quail, or anything that will serve for a +meal."</p> + +<p>"It isn't a time to be particular -- in watching for danger +look also for game."</p> + +<p>"That's what I have been doing for the last few hours."</p> + +<p>With the passage of time and the increase of the distance +between them and Wyoming the hopes of the little party naturally +rose. They were now a good many miles from their old home, and as +yet had not seen a single red man. That numbers were abroad there +could be no doubt, although it is a fact that a great many people +did not start eastward until several days after the battle.</p> + +<p>But it was a long, long way to the Delaware, with the +travelling such as they had to face. I have spoken of the forest +as being trackless and a wrong impression may have been given. An +old trail led from the Susquehanna to the Delaware, and was +followed by many of the fugitives; but great risk was run by +those who did so, for most of the pursuers used the same path. As +a consequence, some were overtaken and slain.</p> + +<p>Those who avoided the beaten route of necessity suffered +greater hardships; but none was equal to that of meeting their +enemies. Omas took care to steer wide of this trail when leading +the party into the wild section to the east of the river, and he +showed them that he wished them to do the same. Ben was too wise +to forget his wishes.</p> + +<p>The location of the sun in the sky, the appearance of the bark +and moss, and the tops of certain trees, enabled the young +woodman to keep a pretty true course. He remarked, with a laugh, +that if there was any likelihood of going wrong, Linna would +correct him.</p> + +<p>The afternoon was well past before they came upon any more +water, and, with the warm weather and their long tramp, all +suffered from thirst. They were not traversing a desert country, +however, and soon found what they wanted in abundance.</p> + +<p>"But," said Ben, "I am worried about food, mother. It is +nearly night, and we haven't a mouthful. I suppose if there was +plenty, I wouldn't feel half as bad, but it seems to me I was +never so hungry in all my life."</p> + +<p>"That is natural; but, if necessary, we can go all night +without food."</p> + +<p>"If necessary, of course we can, but I dread it. Alice and +Linna will suffer, though I'm not so sure about Linna. I would +give almost anything for a wild turkey."</p> + +<p>The dusky child looked up from where she was sitting on the +ground, playing with Alice.</p> + +<p>"Want turkey -- eh?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes; have you any to sell?"</p> + +<p>"Me get you one."</p> + +<p>Mother and son stared in amazement. They could not believe she +was in earnest. She saw it and, with a grin, added -- "Omas +showed Linna how get turkey."</p> + +<p>"What can she be driving at?" asked the puzzled Ben. "She +surely would not say what she does without reason. Linna, teach +Ben how to get a wild turkey; we want one for supper, for if we +don't have it, we shall all have to go without food."</p> + +<p>"Me hungry," she ventured; "so be Alice -- so be you."</p> + +<p>"You are right. Come, sister, show me how to catch a +turkey."</p> + +<p>She gravely rose from the ground. Her face appeared serious, +but those who looked at her closely detected a sparkle of the +black eyes, for all the world as if she meditated some prank upon +her confiding friends. Ben was suspicious. She added --</p> + +<p>"Go wid me -- me show you." Then he was sure she was up to +something.</p> + +<p>He rose from where he was sitting, and, rifle in hand, walked +a little way in the wood. She looked round once or twice, and +continued advancing a few minutes after they were out of sight of +Alice and her mother.</p> + +<p>She held the hand of the youth, who acted as if he was a bad +boy being led to punishment. He started to ask a question, but +she checked him by raising her forefinger and a "S--h!" and he +did not presume again.</p> + +<p>Finally she stopped among a number of trees where several +trunks were two or three feet in diameter. Stepping behind one, +she motioned him to do the same with another a few yards off. +Surveying him a moment, as if to make sure he was doing right, +she suddenly emitted a sound from between her lips, which caused +Ben Ripley to utter the exclamation under his breath -- "Well, by +gracious! If that doesn't beat everything!"</p> + +<p>"Why don't shoot?" she abruptly asked.</p> + +<p>The call made by Linna was the exact imitation of a wild +turkey when lost in the woods. Perhaps you may know that the body +of every one of those birds contains a bone which a hunter can so +use as to make the same signal; but it is hard to produce the +sound without such help, though it has been done.</p> + +<p>Linna had succeeded to perfection.</p> + +<p>"Who would have thought it possible for one so young as she to +learn the trick?" Ben asked himself. "I have tried it many a time +without the bone, but never could do it."</p> + +<p>He looked at her admiringly, and was certain she was the +smartest girl he had ever seen.</p> + +<p>"If there are any turkeys within hearing, that is bound to +fetch them, but I have seen no signs of them."</p> + +<p>Linna continued the signalling at intervals for fifteen +minutes or more, peeping meanwhile from behind the tree and +around her in every direction. Ben did the same, and saw +nothing.</p> + +<p>"Why don't shoot?" she abruptly asked.</p> + +<p>He noted the direction of her gaze, and there, not fifty feet +away, was a big hen turkey, walking slowly over the leaves, with +head aloft and glancing here and there for the lost one.</p> + +<p>The target was a good one, and taking careful aim, Ben toppled +it fluttering to the ground at the first fire.</p> + +<p>"Dat all want?" queried Linna.</p> + +<p>"Yes; that will do for tonight, Linna."</p> + +<p>"Den go back -- play wid Alice."</p> + +<p>And off she ran to rejoin her companion, while the delighted +lad picked up his prize and brought it to camp.</p> + +<p>Turning that and his knife over to his mother, he made a fire +ready to pass the night, full of thankfulness that all had gone +so well. Ben agreed to stand watch until near midnight, and then +allow his mother to help him at the necessary duty.</p> + +<p>While the simple preparations were going on, Linna knelt on +the bare ground with her ear pressed to the earth. Almost +instantly she raised her head and whispered:</p> + +<p>"Somebody comin' dis way -- guess be Injins!"</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_NINE"></a>CHAPTER NINE: IN A +CIRCLE</h1> + +<p>This was alarming news. Ben Ripley imitated the action of +Linna. Kneeling down, he pressed his ear to the earth.</p> + +<p>Yes; he heard faint footfalls. Persons were moving about not +far away.</p> + +<p>"She is right," he said in a low tone; "likely they are +Indians, though we cannot be certain."</p> + +<p>"It won't do to wait till they come to us," remarked his +mother.</p> + +<p>"Shall I put out the fire?" asked Ben, disconcerted by the +suddenness of the danger.</p> + +<p>"No; we can't spare the time. Let us leave. Come, +children."</p> + +<p>She took the hand of each girl and walked quickly off, while +Ben caught up the blankets and followed. They had no particular +point in view, but wished to reach a safe place without +delay.</p> + +<p>The gloom of the gathering night helped them, and when they +paused they were confident they had not been seen by anyone.</p> + +<p>Without any thought on their part, they made their way to a +mass of rocks and boulders, more extensive than any seen through +the day. It was a hundred yards from their starting point.</p> + +<p>They sat down for a whispered consultation.</p> + +<p>"They must have heard the report of my rifle," said Ben.</p> + +<p>"That was a considerable while ago, and they may have been a +good way off at the time."</p> + +<p>"Then, being so much nearer, it was the report which brought +them. What would become of us but for Linna?" added Ben placing +his arm affectionately around her. "It was she that got us our +supper, and now she warns us of danger."</p> + +<p>"They may be Zitner and Burwink."</p> + +<p>"Not likely, but if they come to our fire we shall soon find +out. Look!"</p> + +<p>To their astonishment, the little fire which they had left +only a few minutes before burned up brightly, showing that a lot +of fuel had been thrown on it.</p> + +<p>Too many trees and too much undergrowth obtruded for them to +detect anything more than the great increase in brightness.</p> + +<p>"The darkness will prevent their following our footprints," +whispered the mother.</p> + +<p>"I will go a little nearer and find out what it means: it may +be, after all, that they are friends."</p> + +<p>"Be careful, my son."</p> + +<p>"I will."</p> + +<p>It was not a hard task Ben Ripley gave himself. He had not far +to go, and he proceeded with so much caution that no risk was +involved. Only half the distance was passed when he gained a full +view of the camp fire and its surroundings.</p> + +<p>The sight was disquieting. Three Indian warriors were there. +One had been gathering dry sticks which he flung on the blaze; +another was helping himself to what was left of the cooked +turkey; while the third, bent low, moved slowly around the lit up +portion of the ground with his eyes fixed on it.</p> + +<p>It was plain he was scrutinizing the footprints made by the +party that had left just in time to escape them. It was a +fortunate discovery made by Linna!</p> + +<p>With the aid of the bright glare, it could not take him long +to identify the little party as fugitives fleeing eastward, +though it may be questioned whether they learned that it +consisted of one large boy, an adult woman, and two small +children.</p> + +<p>They were in the battle yesterday. They have left others to +look after those in Wyoming, while they are hunting the poor +creatures that have taken to the woods.</p> + +<p>The Iroquois who had been studying the ground straightened +himself up and said something to the others. One of them then +flung more fuel on the flames, and he who was ravenously eating +suspended his operations, but quickly resumed again, as if he +liked his occupation better than anything else to which he could +turn his attention.</p> + +<p>Then the first stooped down and caught up a burning brand. +Several quick circles over his head fanned it into a vigorous +blaze. Holding it aloft, with his shoulders bent forward, he +moved slowly towards Ben Ripley.</p> + +<p>He was tracing the footprints by the aid of the torch!</p> + +<p>"Gracious! he will be among us in a minute," was the +terrifying thought of the lad, who turned and ran back to his +friends, in such haste that he was in danger of betraying his +movements.</p> + +<p>"Leave -- quick!" he said; "they are after us!"</p> + +<p>"No, they are not," replied his mother, who nevertheless stood +ready to do as he said.</p> + +<p>Ben looked back. The warrior with a torch, after walking a rod +or so from the fire, had stopped, and was now in plain sight, +with the flaming brand held above his head, while he peered out +in the gloom in the direction of the fugitives, as if expecting +to discern them.</p> + +<p>Could he have known how near they were, he and his companions +would have rushed down upon them; but they must have thought they +had fled much further. It was impossible to trail them by +torchlight as fast as they could travel, and the Indians did not +waste time in the effort. The one with the torch went back to his +companions.</p> + +<p>The incident warned our friends of a new form of danger, which +until then had not been counted among the probabilities.</p> + +<p>The Indians, as you know, can trace a person through the woods +with wonderful skill, seeing signs where the untrained eye +observes nothing. If these three chose to wait where they were +until daylight, there was nothing to prevent their taking up the +trail and tracing the fugitives wherever they went.</p> + +<p>"It won't do to stay here," said Ben, "for they will be right +upon us at daylight."</p> + +<p>"Providing they wait where they are."</p> + +<p>"Why should they not do so? They are looking for us."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ripley dared not answer the question as her heart +prompted. At the same time, she could think of no means of +throwing them off their track.</p> + +<p>"It might have been better had we stayed with Zitner and +Burwink -- no, it would not have been," she corrected herself, +"for they were unfriendly to Linna. But we must go."</p> + +<p>The only hope that presented itself was that they might travel +so far during the darkness that the Indians would not keep up the +pursuit when the trail was revealed to them.</p> + +<p>The moon did not rise until very late, and there being no +path, while all were in total ignorance of the neighborhood, it +will be understood that they had set to work to do a very hard, +if not impossible thing.</p> + +<p>Ben as usual took the lead, and, before he had gone twenty +steps, was caught under the chin by a protruding limb that almost +lifted him off his feet. Then he went headlong into a hollow and +bruised himself against some stones. Still, he did not give up, +and by and by the ground became more level and his mishaps less +frequent.</p> + +<p>Alice and Linna, like little heroines, never murmured. All +persevered until it was agreed that they were at least two miles +from the camp fire.</p> + +<p>In making this hard journey, every one of the party met with +several narrow escapes, and it was agreed that it was best to go +no further until daylight.</p> + +<p>"As soon as we can see, we'll be off again, and ought to be +able to travel as fast as they will do. Where they must watch all +the time for our footprints, they cannot go off a walk."</p> + +<p>"We may as well wait."</p> + +<p>Throughout their haste, the blankets had been preserved. +Indeed, the one over Ben's arm had served to break his fall more +than once. These were placed on the ground, and the children lay +down beside each other, quickly sinking to sleep; but the others, +though pretty well worn, were too anxious to rest yet awhile.</p> + +<p>"I have no idea where we are," said the son; "but one place is +as good as another at such a time, and the weather is so warm +that blankets are not needed. Now, mother, I wish you would lie +down beside the children and rest. You need it badly, I +know."</p> + +<p>"And so do you, my son."</p> + +<p>"Not for some time yet."</p> + +<p>"But, if you intend to watch until daylight, you will be worn +out by morning. Besides, you cannot stay awake unless you move +about. I will agree to lie down if you will promise to call me +when you think it is midnight, and let me take a turn."</p> + +<p>"I will agree to call you when I feel the need of you, and I +will pace the ground like a sentinel on duty."</p> + +<p>The mother was forced to accept this proposition and, after +some more cautious conversation, she did as her boy wished, and +he was left alone.</p> + +<p>Ben did not forget his slip of the night before. It was +necessary that one of the company should maintain watch while the +others slept, and only these two could do it. He meant to guard +the others through the short summer night, trusting to a chance +of getting what slumber he needed on the morrow when the others +were awake.</p> + +<p>"I would like to catch myself waking her," he mused, after he +had groped around until he found a space a couple of rods in +length over which he could pace back and forth.</p> + +<p>Then, with his rifle resting on his shoulder, he began his +patient beat, surrounded by impenetrable gloom, and with the +lives of three loved ones in his keeping.</p> + +<p>By and by a lighting of the sky showed the moon had risen. +This, however, was of little or no help, since the abundance of +leaves prevented its rays piercing between and lighting up the +ground beneath.</p> + +<p>It would be hard to imagine a more gloomy occupation than that +of Ben Ripley while engaged with this duty. The solemn murmur of +the vast woods around him, the world of darkness in which he +slowly paced to and fro, the memory of the sad scenes he had seen +in the lovely Wyoming Valley, the certainty that a good many +miles must yet be traversed before they could sit down in safety, +the consciousness that several of the cruel red men were near +them, and the belief that they would start in pursuit as soon as +it was light -- all this oppressed him with crushing weight, and +made him feel at times as if there was no escape for him and his +loved ones.</p> + +<p>"There is only one way of hiding our trail," he mused. "If we +could come upon some river or large stream of water, where there +was a boat, or we could make a raft, we should be safe. A big +rainstorm would do as well, for it would wash out all signs of +our footprints."</p> + +<p>He paused in his walk and peeped up at a speck of sky shown +through a rift among the limbs.</p> + +<p>"There is hardly a cloud; it looks as if it wouldn't rain for +a week, and I don't know of any river between here and the +Delaware."</p> + +<p>His senses were never more alert. He avoided the fatal mistake +of sitting down for a few minutes, or so much as leaning against +a tree to rest. He stopped, however, now and then and listened +intently.</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether I am mistaken, or whether I did hear +something moving over the leaves out there?"</p> + +<p>The fact that the almost inaudible rustling was noticed only +when he himself was in motion inclined him to suspect it was a +delusion, accounted for by his tense nerves. But after a time he +became certain of a fact hardly less startling in its nature.</p> + +<p>When walking back and forth with his face away from the spot +where his friends lay something gleamed a short distance off +among the trees. Its location showed it was on the ground, and, +as nearly as he could judge, less than a hundred feet off.</p> + +<p>His first supposition was that it was a fungus growth known in +the country as "foxfire," which gives out a phosphorescent glow +in the darkness; but after watching and studying it for a long +time, he was convinced it was something else.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to find out," he decided; "it won't take me long, +and I ought to know all about it, for it may concern us."</p> + +<p>Stealing forward, he was not a little astonished to find it a +real fire, sunken to a glowing ember, left by someone.</p> + +<p>"It must be as Zitner said -- the woods are full of Indians, +and some of them have camped there."</p> + +<p>Not wishing to stumble over any of their bodies, he manoeuvred +until assured that whoever kindled the fire had left, when he +kicked aside the ashes.</p> + +<p>The act caused a twist of flame to spring up and throw out a +tiny glare, which illumined several feet of surrounding +space.</p> + +<p>And then the astonished youth made the discovery that this was +the very spot where they had cooked their turkey hours before, +and from which they had fled in hot haste before the approach of +the three Iroquois.</p> + +<p>He and his friends had travelled in a circle, and come back to +their starting point.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_TEN"></a>CHAPTER TEN: NEAR +THE END</h1> + +<p>Anyone who is used to the woods knows how apt he is to wander +in a circle unless he keeps his wits about him. There have been +many causes named for this curious fact, and the one that strikes +me as the most reasonable is that we are all either right or left +handed. It is rare that you meet a person who is ambidextrous, -- +that is, who uses both hands equally well. When, therefore, he +sets out to travel through the woods without any guide, he +unconsciously exerts his right or left limb, as the case may be, +more than the other, and this makes his course circular.</p> + +<p>There are three "signboards" by which a hunter can keep trace +of the points of the compass when in the woods, without noticing +the sun, which of itself is often a great help. Three fourths of +the moss on trees grows on the north side; the heaviest boughs on +spruce trees are always on the south side, and the topmost twig +of every uninjured hemlock tree tips to the east.</p> + +<p>Now, while these signs never err, you can see that it is +almost impossible to turn them to account at night.</p> + +<p>Ben Ripley had led his friends in an irregular circle, and +brought them back to within a brief distance of the starting +point. This was the camp fire from which they fled in such panic +before the approach of the three red men.</p> + +<p>The discovery filled him with dismay, and he darted out in the +darkness for the rocks where the others were sleeping. His first +intention was to rouse them and plunge into the woods again, but +a few minutes served to make him cooler and more collected in +mind.</p> + +<p>The night was well spent, and a flight of that kind could not +do much for them. It might be all in vain. It would be trying to +the last degree. He decided not to disturb the sleepers.</p> + +<p>By and by he persuaded himself that matters were not as bad as +they first appeared. Inasmuch as the fugitives had not returned +over their own trail, the Indians, in case they took it in the +morning, must make the same circuit, and thus be forced to go +just as far as if the flight had been in a direct line.</p> + +<p>It was a mystery, however, what had become of the three +warriors. They could not be near the camp, or they would have +appeared when the lad returned to it. They had left, but who +could say whither they had gone?</p> + +<p>While Ben was debating the painful question, a growing light +in the direction of the Delaware told him the night was ended and +the new day dawning.</p> + +<p>The fourth day of July, the second anniversary of the +Declaration of Independence, had passed. He thought of it, +standing alone in the dismal forest with danger on every hand, +and oppressed by the great fear that those whom he loved more +than his own life must perish in that gloomy wilderness.</p> + +<p>He did not dare, however, to give way to his sad thoughts. At +the first streakings of light among the trees, he roused his +mother and told her the alarming truth.</p> + +<p>"I do not understand it," she replied, alluding to the absence +of the Iroquois; "it must be they are in the neighborhood."</p> + +<p>The children were still sleeping quietly on the blanket. No +food or water was at command, and they could not take the time to +look for any. Indeed, the two elder ones felt no hunger or +thirst.</p> + +<p>The mother rose to her feet and looked around, her interest +centring on the rock and boulders, which stretched away to the +rear further than they could penetrate with the eye.</p> + +<p>"I know they are skilful in following footprints," she +remarked; "but if we walk carefully over those rocks, I think +they will not be able to track us. We will try it."</p> + +<p>The children were roused and quickly learned what was to be +done, the mother adding that the prayer which she was accustomed +to offer up every morning would be given when they reached a spot +where it was safe to do so.</p> + +<p>For fully a hundred yards the four were able to make their way +without resting their feet on the ground. Then the boulders ended +as abruptly as they began.</p> + +<p>All now kneeled on the granite floor and asked Heaven to +deliver them safely out of the dangers by which they were +surrounded.</p> + +<p>If the Indians chose to make search, after tracing the little +party to the stony place, they must eventually come upon the new +trail, where it began again on the ground; but unless they struck +it by accident, they must use a good deal of time in hunting for +it.</p> + +<p>"Come on," called Ben in a low voice, but with a renewal of +hope; "we shall get somewhere one of these days."</p> + +<p>To their surprise, not far from the rocks they came upon a +faintly marked path among the trees.</p> + +<p>"What is the meaning of that?" Ben asked, looking inquiringly +at his mother and Linna.</p> + +<p>"Men don't do dat -- wild beasts," replied the dusky +child.</p> + +<p>"She is right," added the mother; "the animals follow it to +water; let us do the same."</p> + +<p>The haunting fear of the red men made the words between the +fugitives few, and all their movements guarded. They kept +glancing to right and left, in front and to the rear, Linna being +probably the most active. It was as if she inherited from her +parents their surprising woodcraft, and was now calling it into +play for the benefit of her friends.</p> + +<p>Suddenly something flickered in the path ahead, and Ben +stopped short, those behind him doing the same.</p> + +<p>Just in advance -- less than fifty yards indeed -- a beautiful +fawn had come to a halt. Its graceful head, with its soft brown +eyes, was lifted high, and it looked wonderingly at the people, +as if not knowing the meaning, and too innocent to feel fear. Ben +drew up his rifle, for it was a tempting chance for a delicious +breakfast. But almost instantly he lowered the weapon again.</p> + +<p>The fawn was so trusting, so unsuspicious, that a feeling of +pity came to the young hunter. The animal suggested his own +little sister, for it was wandering through the unfriendly woods, +with none to protect it from cruel enemies.</p> + +<p>"Go," whispered Ben; "I haven't the heart to harm you; I will +starve first."</p> + +<p>"Remember the result of the shot yesterday," said his mother +warningly. "We are in too much peril to increase it."</p> + +<p>The lad advanced along the path, and every one of the company +smiled at the fawn, when it stood motionless, staring until they +were almost to it. Then the timid creature turned nimbly and +trotted over the trail, its head so high that, as it turned it +from side to side, it saw every thing done by the strange beings +following.</p> + +<p>Had the situation been less serious, Ben would have had some +sport with the lovely creature, but he dared not give it much +attention. It continued trotting a short way, and then sprang +gracefully aside among the trees, leaving no scent on the leaves +by which the most highly trained hound could trace it.</p> + +<p>A little way beyond they came upon the largest stream seen +since leaving the mountains east of the Susquehanna. It was a +dozen feet in width, quite deep, rapid, and clear.</p> + +<p>"Here is enough drink for us all," said Ben, and they +proceeded to help themselves in the primitive fashion described +elsewhere.</p> + +<p>"That must contain fish," observed the mother; "but we are +without the means of catching them."</p> + +<p>"Unless Linna will jump in and haul them out for us. But if we +are to continue our journey, we must find some way of getting to +the other side; it is too deep and wide to ford or jump."</p> + +<p>"It must be narrower in other places."</p> + +<p>"Oh! look mamma!"</p> + +<p>It was Alice who first saw a terrifying sight. An immense +black bear, the largest any of the party had ever seen, swung +from among the trees and came to the water's edge on the other +side.</p> + +<p>He was so enormous that all started and recoiled a step, even +Linna uttering an exclamation in her own tongue. Ben grasped his +rifle, and held it ready to use the instant it became +necessary.</p> + +<p>But Bruin was in a gracious mood that morning. He looked at +the party with stupid curiosity, then reared on his hind legs, +and swung his beam-.like paws in an odd way.</p> + +<p>"He is inviting us to come over and be hugged to death," +laughed Ben.</p> + +<p>"He will come over and eat us all up," said Alice, clinging to +the dress of her mother.</p> + +<p>"No," replied the parent, soothingly patting her head; "Ben +won't let him do that. Do not be frightened."</p> + +<p>"Climb tree," suggested Linna; "not big tree, 'cause bear +climb dat too -- climb little tree, den he can't climb it."</p> + +<p>"You are right, but we will wait and see what he does. I don't +want to fire my gun unless I have to, and if he will let us alone +we won't hurt him. There! he is going to drink."</p> + +<p>The huge creature bent his head down to the water and helped +himself. When he had had enough, he raised his snout and again +looked at the party, who were closely watching him.</p> + +<p>This was the critical moment. If he meant to attack them, he +would plunge into the water and either swim or wade across. Ben +raised the hammer of his rifle and awaited his action.</p> + +<p>Had Bruin been hungry, he would not have dallied so long; but +he did not seem to see anything specially tempting in the group, +and lumbered off among the trees.</p> + +<p>"A lucky move for you." remarked Ben.</p> + +<p>"And just as lucky for us," added the mother; "for though you +might have slain him, as I have no doubt you would, the report of +the gun must have brought more dangerous enemies to us."</p> + +<p>"I would give a good deal to know what has become of them. It +begins to look as if they did not consider us worth bothering +with."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could believe that, but I cannot. I think it more +likely that they know where we are, and are trifling with us, as +a cat does with a mouse."</p> + +<p>"That makes me anxious to push on. We must find some place +where we can cross the stream. Let's go further up the bank."</p> + +<p>He took the course named, leading away from the great bear +with which they had so narrowly escaped an encounter.</p> + +<p>To their surprise, they had not far to go before the spot they +were seeking was found. The stream narrowed between some rocks, +so much that even Alice could spring across without wetting her +feet.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid Linna can't leap it," remarked Ben with a +smile.</p> + +<p>"Me show you."</p> + +<p>And, without recoiling a step, the nimble little one made a +graceful bound, which landed her several feet beyond the other +margin.</p> + +<p>"Well done!" said Ben; "I couldn't do much better myself. Now, +Alice, you are not going to let her beat you?"</p> + +<p>Alice was timid at first, but with a good start she cleared +the space. She landed, however, so near the water that had not +the watchful Linna caught one of the hands thrown up to save +herself, she would have fallen back in the stream.</p> + +<p>Mother and son imitated them, and all stood on the other side +of the obstruction without having suffered any inconvenience.</p> + +<p>While they were congratulating themselves, a startling +reminder of their danger came in the near report of a rifle. It +was from the direction in which they had seen the bear, and in +the stillness of the woods all heard a snarling growl, which +proved that the beast had received his death wound.</p> + +<p>"The Indians are there!" whispered the frightened Ben; "what +shall we do, mother?"</p> + +<p>"What can we do?" she asked, helpless and at her wits' end for +the moment; "there seems to be no escaping them."</p> + +<p>"Me go talk with them," was the amazing remark of the little +Delaware girl.</p> + +<p>"You talk with them!" repeated Mrs. Ripley; "what can you +do?"</p> + +<p>"Don't know -- me try."</p> + +<p>And without waiting for permission, Linna started on a light +run toward the point whence came the report of the rifle that +gave Bruin his death wound. Mother and son looked in each other's +face in mute wonderment for a full minute after the departure of +the girl.</p> + +<p>"She's a remarkable child," finally said the mother; "she has +done us more than one good turn, and, it may be, Heaven intends +to make use of her again, though I cannot see how."</p> + +<p>"The Iroquois will recognise her as one of their own race. +Perhaps one or more of them belong to her tribe: they will know +her as the child of Omas, and may listen to her pleadings."</p> + +<p>"Alas! they will give little heed to them; my heart misgives +me, son: I feel that the end is at hand."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, let us follow Linna, the Delaware, upon her strange +mission.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_ELEVEN"></a>CHAPTER ELEVEN: +ALL IN VAIN</h1> + +<p>I am at some disadvantage in giving an account of the +remarkable interview between the little Delaware girl, Linna, and +the three hostile warriors who had trailed the Ripleys to the +stream in the wilderness across which they had just leaped in the +effort to continue their flight from Wyoming to the Upper +Delaware.</p> + +<p>There were no witnesses to the interview except the parties +named, but when Linna in after years had become a woman, with her +very strong memory she gave a description of what passed, and it +has come down through the descendants of the pioneers to the +present day.</p> + +<p>You will permit me to found my narrative upon her testimony, +and to be quite liberal in the interpretation of what took +place.</p> + +<p>The fears of the fugitives were well founded. The three red +men were near them for a long while before they showed +themselves. It was very much as Mrs. Ripley had said. They were +so sure of the prize that they trifled with them.</p> + +<p>Linna reached the spot where the warriors were standing +directly after one of the number had sent a bullet through the +bear. Young as she was, she understood the peril of her friends, +and set out to do all she could for them.</p> + +<p>She knew that Omas, her father, was a great warrior. He +belonged to the Delaware tribe, which years before had been +soundly beaten by the Iroquois and reduced almost to slavery; but +among the conquered people were many without superiors in +bravery, skill, and prowess. Omas was one of the most noted +examples.</p> + +<p>The first thrill of hope came to the young child when she +recognised the one that had killed the bear. He was Red Wolf, a +member of her own tribe, who often had been in her father's +wigwam, and was therefore well known to his child. The others +were of the Seneca tribe, one of those composing the Iroquois, or +Six Nations, the most powerful confederation of Indians that ever +existed on the American continent.</p> + +<p>The three looked at the little girl in amazement, as she came +running between the trees. She dropped to a rapid walk, and did +not stop until she was among them.</p> + +<p>"Where do you come from?" asked Red Wolf, in the Delaware +tongue.</p> + +<p>"My father, the great Omas, brought me to see my friend Alice. +He left me with her people, and you must not harm them."</p> + +<p>"Why did Omas leave you with them?"</p> + +<p>"They are my friends."</p> + +<p>It should be said the Senecas, who calmly listened to the +conversation, understood all that was said.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"A long way through the wood."</p> + +<p>"Why does Omas leave you with the palefaces? You should be in +your own wigwam many miles away."</p> + +<p>"He knows I am safe with them. He led us through the woods +until he could leave us; then he went back to the great river +between the mountains to help the other warriors fight."</p> + +<p>None of the three could doubt that the child was speaking the +truth. They held the prowess of Omas in high respect; but they +were not the ones to surrender such a prize as was already +theirs.</p> + +<p>"We will take them back to Wyoming with us," said Red Wolf; +"then Omas may do as he thinks best with them."</p> + +<p>With a shrewdness far beyond her years, Linna said -- "He +wants them to go to the other big river, off yonder" -- pointing +eastward. "Why do you wish to take them back to Wyoming?"</p> + +<p>"If he wants them to go to the other big river, he can send +them after he sees them again."</p> + +<p>"You will make Omas angry; he will strike you down with his +tomahawk," said Linna.</p> + +<p>Although these words were the words of a child, they produced +their effect. Red Wolf knew how deeply the grim warrior loved his +only daughter, and he knew, too, how terrible was the wrath of +the warrior. Omas had chosen to spare this family from the +cruelty visited upon so many others. If Red Wolf dared to run the +risk of rousing the vengeance of Omas, he must take the +consequences. He shrank from doing so.</p> + +<p>The Delaware beckoned to one of the Senecas, and they stepped +aside and talked a few minutes, in tones too low for the +listening Linna to hear what was said. Subsequent events, +however, made clear the meaning of their conversation.</p> + +<p>Red Wolf proposed to spare the fugitives. He wished to go away +with his companions and leave them to pursue their flight without +molestation, so far as they were concerned.</p> + +<p>But the Senecas held Omas in less dread than did Red Wolf. +They were unwilling to let the whites escape. The third warrior, +who joined them, was as strenuous as the first. While one might +have shrunk from stirring the anger of the famous Delaware, the +two together did not hesitate to run counter to his wishes. They +refused to be dissuaded by Red Wolf.</p> + +<p>They remained apart from the girl for ten minutes, earnestly +conversing, while she could not overhear a word.</p> + +<p>Finally one of the three -- a Seneca -- turned about and +walked away, as if impatient with the dispute. He took a course +leading from the stream, and deeper into the woods.</p> + +<p>Linna noticed the curious act, but, great as was her acumen +for one of her years, she did not suspect its meaning. It would +have been passing strange had she done so, for the movement was +meant to deceive her and bring the disputation to an end.</p> + +<p>The couple remaining walked to where Linna awaited them. The +Seneca turned aside and sauntered to the carcass of the bear as +if that had more interest just then for him.</p> + +<p>"What will Omas do if my brother warriors take your friends +back to the other river, but Red Wolf does not help?"</p> + +<p>"He will strike them down with his tomahawk; my father, Omas, +is a great warrior."</p> + +<p>The black eyes flashed as the girl proudly uttered these +words, and she looked defiantly in the painted face towering +above her.</p> + +<p>"But what will he do with Red Wolf?"</p> + +<p>"He will strike down Red Wolf, because he is a coward, and did +not keep all harm from his white friends."</p> + +<p>This intimation that the Delaware could not shelter himself +behind the plea of neutrality, but must be either an active +friend or foe, was a little more than he could accept. While he +held Omas in wholesome dread, he dared not array himself against +the two Senecas, who were determined not to spare the hapless +fugitives.</p> + +<p>Red Wolf was a fair specimen of his tribe, who, as I have +stated, were beaten by the Iroquois. These conquerors, indeed, +carried matters with so high a hand that they once forbade the +Delawares to use firearms, but made them keep to the old +fashioned bow and arrow.</p> + +<p>Red Wolf, therefore, having squared accounts, so to speak, +with his present companions, was anxious to win the good will of +Linna, and thereby that of her fierce parent, who was a hurricane +in his wrath, and likely to brain Red Wolf before he could +explain matters.</p> + +<p>"Omas is the greatest warrior of the Delawares," he said to +Linna; "Red Wolf and he are brothers. But the Senecas will not +listen to the words of Red Wolf: they love not Omas as does Red +Wolf."</p> + +<p>The Delaware child now found herself in a quandary. She had +made her plea, but, so far as she could see, it was in vain, +since the friendship of Red Wolf alone was not enough. One of the +Senecas was studying the body of the dead bear and paying no heed +to her words; the other had gone off, she knew not where.</p> + +<p>What remained for her to do?</p> + +<p>While the little one asked herself the question, and was +trying, to think what course she should follow, the absent Seneca +was working out the mischievous plot he had formed, and which was +fully known to his companions.</p> + +<p>An uprooted tree lay extended on the ground, near where Mrs. +Ripley and her children saw Linna run off to plead with the +Indians. Since they could do nothing but wait, helpless and +almost despairing, for the return of the child, they sat down on +the prostrate trunk.</p> + +<p>Ben was near the base, close to the mass of upturned roots, +which spread out like an enormous fan, with its dirt and +prong-like roots projecting in all directions. He was tired, +depressed, and worn out. It will be remembered he had not slept a +wink during the preceding night, or eaten a mouthful of food +since then. Strong, sturdy, and lusty as he was, he could not +help feeling the effects of all this.</p> + +<p>He leaned his rifle against a huge, gnarled root, within arm's +length of where he half reclined, with his feet extended along +the trunk. He had but to reach out his hand, without moving his +body, to grasp the weapon whatever moment it might be needed.</p> + +<p>Exhausted as he was, his condition was too nervous to permit +slumber. His mother had said she thought the end was at hand, and +he believed the same.</p> + +<p>She was but a few feet away, sitting more erect on the tree, +with Alice leaning against her.</p> + +<p>The eyes of all were turned toward the point where Linna had +vanished, and whence she was expected every minute to come into +view again.</p> + +<p>She was not far off. Once or twice the mother and son caught +the sounds of their voices, though the exuberant vegetation shut +them from sight.</p> + +<p>"It was idle for her to go," said Ben; "and I cannot see any +chance of her helping us."</p> + +<p>"They will not harm her, nor will they be denied the pleasure +of doing what they choose with us."</p> + +<p>"Some persons might believe the delay was favorable, but I +cannot think that way."</p> + +<p>Neither felt like conversation. It was an effort to say +anything; but mother and son, in their unselfishness, pitied each +other, and strove vainly to lift the gloomy thoughts that were +oppressing both.</p> + +<p>Had Ben Ripley seen the departure of the Seneca, he might have +suspected its meaning; but, unaware of it, he never dreamed of +the new form which the ever present danger thus assumed.</p> + +<p>The Seneca, after leaving Red Wolf and the other warrior, +walked directly over the path leading away from the stream until +well beyond the sight of those thus left behind. He looked back, +and, seeing nothing of them, turned aside and moved off, until he +arrived at a point beyond the group of three resting on the +fallen tree.</p> + +<p>Thus, as will be seen, the Ripleys were between the two and +Linna on the one hand, and the single Seneca on the other. He +knew the precise location of the fugitives as well as if they had +been in his field of vision from the first.</p> + +<p>He now began approaching them from the rear. Their faces +turned away from him, and everything favored his stealthy +advance.</p> + +<p>The huge spread of dirt and roots made by the overturning of +the big tree served as a screen, though even without this help he +would probably have succeeded in his effort to steal upon them +unawares.</p> + +<p>He stepped so carefully upon the dried leaves that no sound +was made, and the most highly trained ear, therefore, would not +have detected him.</p> + +<p>If Ben had once risen from his reclining posture and looked +around, if Mrs. Ripley had stood up and done the same, or if +little Alice had indulged in her natural sportiveness, assuredly +one of them would have observed that crouching warrior, gradually +drawing closer, like the moving of a hand over the face of a +clock; but none saw him. Nearer and nearer he came, step by step, +until at last he stood just on the other side of the mass of +roots, and not ten feet from the boy.</p> + +<p>With the same noiselessness, the crouching form bent over +sideways and peered around the screen. Then the dusky arm glided +forward until the iron fingers clasped the barrel of the rifle +leaning against the root, and the weapon was withdrawn.</p> + +<p>He now had two guns, and Ben Ripley none.</p> + +<p>Then the Seneca advanced, a weapon in either hand, and, +presenting himself in front of the amazed group, exclaimed -- +"Huh! how do, bruder? -- how do sister?"</p> + +<p>Ben Ripley sprang up as if shot, and his startled mother, with +a gasp of affright, turned her head.</p> + +<p>For one moment the boy meditated leaping upon the warrior, in +the desperate attempt to wrench his gun from his grasp; but the +mother, reading his intention, interposed.</p> + +<p>"Do nothing, my son: we are in the hands of Heaven."</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_TWELVE"></a>CHAPTER TWELVE: +CONCLUSION</h1> + +<p>The point, at last, had been reached where it was useless to +struggle any longer. The little party of fugitives, after safely +crossing the Susquehanna on the day of the battle, and +penetrating more than a score of miles on their way eastward to +the Delaware, were overtaken, and made captive by three +Indians.</p> + +<p>Warning Ben against any resistance, the mother bowed her head +in submission, and awaited her fate. Only once, when she clasped +her arm around the awed and silent Alice, laying the other +affectionately upon the shoulder of her brave son, did she speak +-- "Murmur not at the will of Heaven."</p> + +<p>The Seneca was surprised at the action, or, rather, want of +action, on the part of the captives. Receiving no response to his +salutation, he stood a moment in silence, and then emitted a +tremulous whoop. It was a signal for Red Wolf and the other +Seneca. They understood it, and hurried to the spot, with Linna +close behind them.</p> + +<p>It would have been expected that she would indulge in some +outburst when she saw how ill everything had gone; but, with one +grieved look, she went up to the sorrowing, weeping mother and +buried her head between her knees.</p> + +<p>And then she did what no one of that party had ever before +seen her do -- she sobbed with a breaking heart. The mother +soothed her as best she could, uttering words which she heard +not.</p> + +<p>Ben Ripley when the blow came, stood erect, and folded his +arms. His face was pale, but his lips were mute. Not even by look +did he ask for mercy from their captors.</p> + +<p>In the midst of the impressive tableau, Linna suddenly raised +her head from the lap of the mother, her action and attitude +showing she had caught some sound which she recognized.</p> + +<p>But everyone else in the party also noted it. It was a shrill, +penetrating whistle, ringing among the forest arches -- a call +which she had heard many a time, and she could never mistake its +meaning.</p> + +<p>Her eyes sparkled through her tears, which wet her cheeks; but +she forgot everything but that signal.</p> + +<p>"Dat Omas! -- dat Omas -- dat fader!" she exclaimed, springing +to her feet, trembling and aglow with excitement.</p> + +<p>There was one among the three who, had his painted complexion +permitted, would have turned ashy pale. Red Wolf was afraid that +when the fearful Delaware warrior thundered down on them, he +would not give his brother time to explain matters before sinking +his tomahawk into his brain. Manifestly, therefore, but one +course was open for him, and he took it without a second's +delay.</p> + +<p>He fled for his life.</p> + +<p>The Senecas, however, stood their ground. The signal of Omas +sounded again, and Linna answered it. Her father was near at +hand, and quickly came to view.</p> + +<p>But, lo! he had a companion. It was To-wika, his faithful +wife.</p> + +<p>The reunion of the Delaware family was an extraordinary one. +Had no others been present, Linna would have bounded into the +arms of her mother, been pressed impulsively to her breast, and +then received the same fervent welcome from her father.</p> + +<p>But never could anything like that take place before +witnesses.</p> + +<p>When the child saw her parents she walked gravely up to them, +having first done her utmost to remove the traces of tears, and +took her place by their side. The mother said something in her +native tongue, but it could not have been of much account, for +the child gave no reply.</p> + +<p>Omas did not speak. One quick glance was bestowed upon his +child, and then he addressed himself to the work before him.</p> + +<p>Omas was as cunning as a serpent. He would not have hesitated +to assail these two Senecas, for, truth to tell, he could never +feel much love for the conquerors of his people. He did not fear +them; but he saw the way to win his point without such +tempestuous violence.</p> + +<p>His words, therefore, were calculated to soothe rather than +irritate. He asked them to explain how it was they were in charge +of his friends, and listened attentively while one of them +answered his inquiry.</p> + +<p>Then, as is natural with his race, he recounted in somewhat +extravagant language his own deeds of the last few days. There is +reason to believe he gave himself credit for a number of exploits +against the palefaces of which he was innocent.</p> + +<p>Then he said the only ones he loved among the palefaces were +the three there present -- he had entrusted his only child to +them, and they had saved her from the anger of their people. He +had slept under their roof, and eaten of their bread. They were +his best friends; and they his brave Seneca brothers, when they +knew of this, would be glad. He had set out to conduct them to +the settlements, and his brothers would wish all a safe arrival +there.</p> + +<p>This speech, delivered with far more address than I am able to +give it, worked as a charm. Not the slightest reference was made +to the cowardly Red Wolf, though Omas knew all about him.</p> + +<p>The Senecas were won by the words of the wily Delaware. They +indulged in the fiction of saying that they had no thought of how +matters stood between him and these palefaces, and their hearts +were glad to hear the words fall from his lips. They would not +harm his friends, and hoped they would reach in safety the +settlement for which they were looking.</p> + +<p>Not only that, but they offered to go with them all the +way.</p> + +<p>This was too kind, and the offer was gratefully declined. Then +the Senecas withdrew, first returning Ben's rifle to him. Whether +they ever succeeded in overtaking Red Wolf cannot be known, and +it is of no moment.</p> + +<p>The peril had burst over the heads of the little party like a +thundercloud; and now it had cleared, and all was sunshine +again.</p> + +<p>It was some minutes before the Ripleys could fully understand +the great good fortune that had come to them. Then their hearts +overflowed with thankfulness.</p> + +<p>With her arms clasping her children Mrs. Ripley looked +devoutly upward, and murmured:</p> + +<p>"I thank Thee, Heavenly Father, for Thy great mercy to me and +mine. Bless Omas and To-wika and Linna, and hold them for ever in +Thy precious keeping."</p> + +<p>The events which had taken place were strange; but Mrs. Ripley +maintained, to the end of her life, that those which followed +were tenfold more remarkable.</p> + +<p>You will remember that when Omas, after conducting the little +company some distance from Wyoming, showed a wish to leave them, +the good woman had no doubt what his purpose was: he wanted to +take part in further cruelties against the hapless settlers.</p> + +<p>Omas had fought hard in the battle of July 3rd, 1778, and his +friendship for the Ripleys drew him away before the dreadful +doings were half completed. He yearned to go back and give rein +to his ferocity. Mrs. Ripley tried to restrain him, but in +vain.</p> + +<p>Such were her views; but she was in error. She did not read +the heart of the terrible warrior aright.</p> + +<p>For weeks Omas had been sorely troubled in mind. He had +visited the Christian brethren of his own tribe at the Moravian +settlement of Gnadenhutten. He had listened to the talk of the +missionaries, and heard of One who, when He was reviled, reviled +not again; who, when He was smitten and spat upon, bore it +meekly; and who finally died on the cross, that the red men as +well as the white children might be saved.</p> + +<p>All this was a great mystery to the Delaware. He could not +grasp the simple but sublime truths which lie at the foundation +of Christianity. But he longed to do so. At midnight he lay +trying to sleep in the silent woods, looking up at the stars and +meditating on the wonderful Being who had done all this. In the +simplicity of his nature, he talked to that awful and dimly +comprehended Father of all races and peoples, and asked Him to +tell Omas what he should say, and do, and think.</p> + +<p>Unknown to him, To-wika his wife had listened to the teachings +of the missionaries, and she had traversed further along the path +of light than he.</p> + +<p>When, therefore, he told her of his longings, his +questionings, his distress, his wretchedness, and his groping in +the dark, she was able to say a great deal that helped to clear +away the fogs and mists from his clouded brain.</p> + +<p>But Omas was in the very depth of darkness, and almost +despair, when the fearful episode of Wyoming came. It was in +desperation he went into that conflict, as a man will sometimes +do to escape, as it were, from himself.</p> + +<p>He fought like a demon, but he could not hush the still small +voice within his breast. He felt that he must have relief, or he +would do that which a wild Indian never does -- make away with +himself.</p> + +<p>It was on his tongue more than once, while threading his way +through the wilderness with his friends, to appeal to Mrs. +Ripley; but with a natural shrinking he held back, fearing that +with his broken words he could not make her understand his +misery.</p> + +<p>The only recourse was to go to To-wika, his wife. He had asked +her to talk further with the missionaries, and then to repeat +their words to him.</p> + +<p>So it was that when he stole from the camp fire like a thief +in the night, it was not to return and take part in the scenes of +violence in which he had already been so prominent an actor, but +to do the very opposite.</p> + +<p>It was a long tramp through the forest to his own wigwam, and +his people were aflame with excitement because of Wyoming; but +the warrior hardly paused night and day until he flung himself at +the feet of To-wika and begged that he might die.</p> + +<p>From this remarkable woman Linna had inherited more mental +strength than from her iron hearted father. To-wika talked +soothingly to him, and for the first time in his blind groping he +caught a glimmer of light. The blessed Word which had brought +comfort and happiness to her is for all people and conditions, no +matter how rude, how ignorant, and how fallen.</p> + +<p>But To-wika felt the need of human help. She had never met +Mrs. Ripley, but her husband had told of his welcome beneath that +roof, and of what she said to him about the Saviour and God, who +was so different from the Great Spirit of the red men. She knew +this woman was a Christian, and she asked her husband to lead her +to her.</p> + +<p>He set out with her to overtake the little party who, with +never a thought of what was going on, were struggling through the +gloomy wilderness, beset by perils on every hand.</p> + +<p>Since they were following no beaten path, except for a little +way, the most perfect woodcraft was necessary to find them. Omas +knew the direction they had taken, and calculated the time needed +to reach the Delaware. It was easy, too, to locate the camp where +he had parted from them, after which his wonderful skill enabled +him to keep the trail, along which he and his wife strode with +double the speed of the fugitives.</p> + +<p>When he discovered that three warriors were doing the same, +all the old fire and wrath flamed up in his nature. The couple +increased the ardor of their pursuit. And yet, but for the +favoring aid of Heaven, they hardly could have come up at the +crisis which brought them all together.</p> + +<p>Under the blest instruction of Mrs. Ripley, the doubts of Omas +finally vanished, never to return. The once mighty warrior, +foremost in battle and ferocity and courage, became the meek, +humble follower of the Saviour -- triumphant in life, and doubly +triumphant in death.</p> + +<p>On the third day after the meeting in the woods, the party +arrived at the little town of Stroudsburg, on the Upper Delaware, +none having suffered the least harm. The skill of Omas kept them +supplied with food, and his familiarity with the route did much +to lessen the hardships which otherwise they would have +suffered.</p> + +<p>Omas stayed several weeks at this place with his friends, and +then he and his wife and little one joined the Christian +settlement of Gnadenhutten, where the couple finished their +days.</p> + +<p>After a time, when it became safe for the Ripleys to return to +Wyoming Valley, they took up their residence there once more, and +remained until the husband and father came back at the close of +the Revolution; and the happy family were reunited, thankful that +God had been so merciful to them and brought independence to +their beloved country.</p> + +<p>Omas and To-wika and Linna were welcome visitors as long as +the lived. In truth, Linna survived them all. She married a +chieftain among her own people, and when she at last was gathered +to her final rest, she had almost reached the great age of a +hundred years.</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Daughter of the Chieftain, by Edward S. Ellis + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DAUGHTER OF THE CHIEFTAIN *** + +This file should be named dchef10h.htm or dchef10h.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, dchef11h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, dchef10ah.htm + +Produced by Martin Robb + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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