A Hero of Ticonderoga

es of the cabin were astir again. Not many moments later, a sudden booming report broke th

ply to the questioning look of his guests. "T

inter answering echoes, boom

esome up here in the woods." And, indeed, there was a comfortable assurance of human neighborhood

orts," Job continued. "I don't like

n their new home. They had not gone far on their way down the narrow channel of the creek when it brought them to the broad, snow-clad expanse of the lake, lying white and motionless between its rugged shores, bristling

the red cross of England. The old ranger gave the flag the tribute of a military salute, while his heart swelled with pride at sight of the banner for which he had f

nother of his people, it was becoming a symbol of oppression rather than an object of pride. To Nathan's boyish eyes it was a most beautiful thi

during the previous summer. In the midst of it stood the little log house that was henceforth to be their home, the shed for the cattle, and a stack of wild hay, inconspicuous am

s brought in. The pewter tableware was ranged on the rough corner shelves. Ruth added here and there such housewifely touches as only a woman can give. The change, wrought in so bri

o leave the most humanized habitation that he had seen for months, set forth for his own lonely cabin. Except the unneighborly inmates of the Fort

huge log heaps for next spring's burning. Nathan gave a willing and helpful hand to the piling of the brush, and took practical lessons in that accomplishment so necessary to the pioneer-the woodsman's craft. Within doors his mothe

ed above the settling snow, the gray haze of woods purpled with a tinge of spring

nted shanty. Before it the big potash kettle was hung on a tree trunk, so balanced on a stump that it could be swung over or off the fire at will. Sugaring brought pleasure as well as hard labor to Nathan. There we

s with wild beasts, tales made more impressive in their relation by the loneliness of the campfire, with the circle of wild lights and shadows leaping a

must learn helpfulness and self-reliance. But the little sister enjoyed most the evenings when the syrup was taken to the house and sugared off. The children surfeited themselves w

," as Seth and his son were on their way to the sugar place, the latter called his father's attention to a large track bearing s

aid he's done mischief, for they're meddlesome creatur's. But there wa'n't much left there

from b'ilin' over," said Nathan, "and a little mite of syrup that we left i

e's left the pork; we hain

s, unwieldy floundering, and a dull thud and clank of iron, the excited squalling of a party of jays, and the chattering jeers of a red

o lick out the last drop of stolen sweet, had slipped behind his ears. His frantic efforts to get rid of his self-impose

ing his feet, rush headlong till brought to a sudden stand by an unseen tree trunk. Recovering from the shock, he would remain motionless for a moment, as if devising

essayed prompt attack, the happy opportunity for which was at once offered. In one of his blind, unguided rushes, the bear charged directly toward the camp, till his iron-clad head struck with a resounding

r back for fear of disfiguring the skin. But this was the preferable stroke, and in the next instant the axe-blade fell with a downright blow, so strong and well aimed that it sever

th a voice tremulous in exultation, "to think we've got a bear. Won't

terrible, he sped home to bring his mother and sister to see the unexpected prize, while the jays renewe

possible doughnut, and Job promised to bring them a handsome price for the skin, when he should sell it with his own peltry to

the surface, that was no longer a pure white, but littered with the winter downfall of twigs, moss, and bits of bark, and everywhere it was gray with innumerable swarming mites of snow fleas. Great flocks of wild geese harrowed the sky

a jangle of harsh and liquid notes, and the frogs, among the drift of floating weeds, were purring an unremitting croak, Job to

llow's white belly to the sun, and he quickly lifted the fish into the canoe; "if you do,

upil a hornbeam bow and arrows with spiked heads. With these weapons the boy soon became so s

gh to enliven the clearing with sweet songs, and little Martha found squirrel cups blooming in the warmest corners of the fie

en, had fashioned for him a log canoe from the trunk of a great pine, and modelled it as g

ew boat. They paddled down the creek, now a broad bit of water from the spring overflow. When they came to the lake, rippled with a brisk northern breeze, they found their vi

ve the white cloud of canvas. They could hear the inspiring strains of martial music, and, when the noble vessel swept

whilst the lake's open, with stores for the garrison to the Fort. It's an

cannon. In response a smoke cloud drifted away from the Fort, and a moment later a roar of welcome reinforced the failing echoes. Again and again the

," said the Ranger, as the sloop came to anchor in front of the Fort. "Arter all it's a bet