Betty Zane

ne in early days, and most of its

in the new settlement founded by Penn, and Zane street, Philadelphia, bears his name. Being a proud and arrogant man, he soon became obnoxious to his Quaker brethren. He therefore cut loos

od in the Potomac valley. There he married Elizabeth McColloch, a sist

ble force of character as well as kindness of heart. She was particularly noted for a rare skill in the treatment of illness, and her deftness in

nning. They were all powerful men, exceedingly active and as fleet as deer. In appearance they were singularly pleasing and

n far into the interior, and held as captives for two years. Ebenezer, Silas, and Jonathan Zane were then taken to Detroit and r

his brothers. He was loved by an Indian princess, the daughter of Tarhe, the chief of the puissant Huron race. Isaac had escaped on various occasions, but h

wilderness, Elizabeth Zane, the only sister, was living

rt. It was constructed of heavy timber and presented rather a forbidding appearance with its square corners, its ominous looking portholes, and strongly barred doors and windows. There were three roo

was the large room. The chinks between the logs had been plastered up with clay and then the walls covered with white birch bark; trophies of the chase, Indian bows and arrows, pipes and tomahawks hung upon them; the wide spreading antlers of a n

ng the island in the river opposite the settlement for a barrel of whiskey. Logan, the Mingo chief and friend of the whites, had smoked many pipes of peace there with Colonel Zane. At a later period, when King Louis Phillippe, who had been exiled from France by Napoleon, had come to America, during the cou

s of a tired and weary hunter. The tender kiss of his comely wife, the cries of the delighted children, and the crackling of the fire warmed his heart and made him feel how good it was to be home again after a three days' march in the woods. Placing his rifle in a corner and throwing aside his wet hunting coat, he turned and stood with his back to the bright blaze. Still young and vigorous, Colonel Zane was a handsome man. Tall, though not heavy, his frame de

k," said the Colonel, with a smile of satisfaction at the s

he felt. "Supper is ready-Annie, bring in some cream-yes, indeed, I am happy that you are home. I

gns of their work, tearing rotten logs to pieces in search of grubs and bees' nests. Wetzel killed a deer and we baited a likely place where we had discovered many bear tracks. We stayed up all night in a drizzling

ckless man," rem

ve carries him safely through many dangers, where an ordinar

dark-eyed girl who had just take

absence? I think that last trick of hers, when she gave a bucke

e it to any unusual change of temperament; simply the cold, wet weather. I

t rains a few days more I shall become desperate. I want to ride my po

last fall, and have not had any pleasant weather yet. It is perfectly delightful in May and June. I can take you to fie

ed of talking. She had the dark hair and eyes so characteristic of the Zanes; the same oval face and fine features: and added to this was a certain softness of contour and a sweetness of expression which made her face bewitching. But, in spite of that

Colonel Zane and Major McColloch at their favorite game of checkers, which they had played together since they were knee high; in fact, Betty did nearly everything well, from baking pies to painting the birch bark walls of her room. But these things were insignificant in Colonel Zane's eyes. If the Colonel were ever guilty of bragging it was about his sister's ability in those acquirements demanding a true eye, a fleet foot, a strong arm and a daring spirit. He had told all the people in the settlement, to many of whom Betty was unknown, that

supper and had pulled his big chair nearer the fire. His oldest child, Noa

d bufflers?" he asked, h

lad, n

t be until I am

very long t

wls at me when I throw sticks at him, and s

Zane. As she was speaking a tap sounded on the door, which, being opened by Betty, disclos

able for hunting and it is not getting any better. The wind is blowing from the n

the pleasure of seeing you for a long time," repli

his chances alone and track the Indians through the untrodden wilds, McColloch was a leader of expeditions against the savages. A giant in stature, massi

do you remember

e. "You were a little girl, running wil

d to lift me on your horse an

you used to stick on the back o

leap over the hill and I should like to have you tell me all about it. Of all the stories I have

should not be at all surprised to find her trying to duplicate your feat. You know the Indian pony I got from that fur t

p over the hill. Just now I have important mat

after chatting a few moments the three men withdrew in

r girls, who seldom knew more than to keep house and to make linen. At the outbreak of the Indian wars General Clark had stationed Captain Boggs a

affectionately around

t come over to

, so disagreeable altogether,

ething," said L

mean? What

er all, it will n

Anything or anybody would interes

y a young soldier c

oll

t? Do I know him? I have

seen him. He is a st

"To be sure, strangers are a rarity in our little village, but, judging from the str

said Lydia, with a serio

out him," said Betty,

some, tall and fair, and his face is frank and open. He has such beautiful manners. He bowed low to me and really I felt so embarrassed that I hardly spoke. You know I am used to these big hun

u must have been strongly impressed to

man you described one day when we were building castles

ho was perturbed by the colloquy in the other room. She had seen tho

t Henry and Fort Pitt of an intended raid by the Indians all along the Ohio valley. Major McColloch, who had been warned by Wetzel of the fever of unrest among the Indians-a fever which broke out every spring-ha

garrison, as a number of men were away on a logging expedition up th

decided. Colonel Zane had a strong friendly influence with certain tribes, and his advice was invaluable. Jonathan Zane hated the sight of an Indian and except for his knowledge as a scout, or Indian tracker or fight

ld mountain. I do not believe we shall be attacked. In my opinion the Indians would come up from the west and keep to the high ridges along Yellow creek. They always come that way. But of course, i

to Fort Pitt and tried to bring over some men, but the garrison is short and they need men as much as we do. A young soldier named Clarke volunteered to come and I brought him

ll be glad to have hi

e river," said Captain Boggs, in anxious tones. "Do you thi

olonel Zane. "The Indians are all across the Ohio. Wetzel

dgment," returned Captain Boggs. "I shall put out scouts and ta

olonel Zane, when he had closed the door after his gues

do on a night like this?

lonel Zane, laughing. "In a few moments he can build a birch

b about? What did my brother tell

. But, Bessie, I don't believe it will come soon. We are t

xious faces for nothing. Her usually bright face clouded with a look of distress. She had seen enough of Indian warfare to make

ans! Indian

eeth. It was only necessary to m

ago he has been of great service to the scouts, as he possesses so much intelligence and sagacity. Tige followed Isaac home the last time he escaped from the Wyandots. When Isaac was i

makes me cover up

mourning for Isaac

ac," murm

as been nine years since y

I shall never forget him. I

nless, of course, he has married that Indian girl. The simplicity of the Indian nature is remarkable. He could easily have deceived t

glowing bed of coals. The silence remained unbroken save for the moan of the ri