Betty Zane

are you going so early?" c

the path in front of

carried a rifle almos

r that turkey I hear gobblin'," he answered, st

Going after that tur

he must be a big, h

to the door. "You are

omes W

e you too off on a tur

ed. All was quiet save for the tinkle of a cow-bell in the pasture adjoining the

a-lug, chug-a-lug,

nd I'll bet a big gobbler," remark

n heard it?"

said the Colonel, in a low tone. "Look

d bring me a turkey," calle

ter, and motioning the lad to stay behind, he shou

ed from one end of the frontier to th

ring deeds of this wilderness roamer, this lone hunter and insatia

me for a protracted hunt. On their return they found the smoking ruins of the home, the mangled remains of father

most of the time in the woods, and an Indian who crossed his trail was a doomed man. The various Indian tribes gave him different names. The Shawnees

their very homes and ambushing the village bridlepath like a panther waiting for his prey. Often in the gray of the morning the Indians, sleeping around their camp fire, were awakened by a horrible, screeching yell. They started up in terror only to fall victims to the tomahawk of their merciless foe, or to hear a rifle sh

. The Indians held him in superstitious dread, and the fact that he was kn

on. When that restless fever for revenge left him-it was not always with him-he was quiet and peaceable. To those few who knew him well he was ev

and endurance were marvelous; he had an eagle eye, the sagacity of the bloodhound, and that intuitive knowledge which plays such an important part in a

out reached to within a foot of the ground. He had a rare s

call of the wild turkey. It had often happened that men from the settlemen

been there long when directly below him sounded the cry, "Chug-a-lug, Chug-a-lug, Chug-a-lug." At the same time the polished head and brawny shoulders of an Indian warrior rose out of the cavern. Peering cautiously around, the savage again gave the peculiar cry, and then sank back out of sight. Wetzel screened himself safely in his position and watched the savage repeat the action at least ten times before he made up his mind that the Indian was alone in the cav

ran the keen edge of his knife around the tw

irch bark were placed in such a position that not a ray of light could get out of the cavern. The bed of black coals between the stones still smoked

the cavern. He measured the length and width of the dead warrior's foot. He closely scrutinize

few moments. His face had changed; the calm expression was replaced by one sullen and fi

vals he would stop and listen. The strange voices of the woods were not

l. Crossing the creek he took to the cover of the willows, which grew profusely along the banks, and striking a sort of bridle path he started on a run. He ran easily, as though accustomed to that mode of travel, and his long strides covered a couple of miles in short order. Coming to the rugged bluff, which marked the end of the ridge, he stopped and walked slowly along the edge of the water. He struck

rendered fast trailing impossible. Before these almost impassible barriers he stopped and peered on all sides, studying the lay of the land, the deadfalls, the gorges, and all the time keeping in mind the probable route of the redskins. Then he turned aside to avoid the roughest travelling. Sometimes these detours were only a few hundred feet long; often th

ion from him. Clearly defined in the soft earth was the impress of a white man's moccasin. The footprints of an Indian toe inward. Those of a white man are just the opposite. A little farther on Wetzel came to a slight crushing of the moss, where he concluded some heavy body had fallen. As he had seen the

iles was the devious trail of hunting Indians, stealing slowly and stealthily along watching for their prey, whether it be man or beast. The trail toward the west was straight as the crow flies; the mo

d shot. This party of Indians had either killed or captured the white man who had been hunting. Wetzel believed that a part of the Indian

bird or a squirrel? Then again he saw it, almost lost in the shade of the forest. Several minutes passed, in which Wetzel never moved and hardly breathed. The shadow had disappeared behind a tree. He fixed his keen eyes on that tree and presently a dark object gl

ccur to Wetzel. He slowly raised the hammer of his rifle. As the Indians came into plain view he saw

el of the hunter's rifle began slowly, almost imperceptibly, to rise, and as it reached a level th

ing Indians discharged their guns at the fleeing, dodging figure, but without effect. So rapidly did he dart in and out among the trees that an eff

eady, he turned quickly and shot the nearest Indian dead in his tracks. The next Indian had by this time nearly come up with him and close enough to throw his tomahawk, which whizzed dangerously near Wetzel's head. But he leaped forward again and soon his rifle was reloaded. Every time he looked around the Indians treed, afraid to face his unerring weapon. After running a mile or mor

ursued, slackened his pace and proceed

* * * * *

t and found Colonel Zane in the yard. The Colonel was industriously stirring the contents of a huge copper kettle whic

e they have me at it," w

seated himself on the wood-pile. "Wha

r. I don't allow even Bessie to he

t you intended sending an expedition up the river I have been worried about my

y. You leave Roger with me and if you never come back I'll be in a fine horse. Ha, Ha! But, s

had flushed. "I do not care about myself. I'll go

your horses. I'll have Sam ta

this excursion, and how

f Short Creek, where you will help put up a blockhouse. Then you go to Fort Pitt. There you will embark on a raft w

we do with

with you on the

, looking dubiously at the swift river. "Will there be

will be seve

e them?" asked a voice which brought Alfred to his feet. He t

," answered Alfred. "

and M

ear, six squirrels, one of t

white pigeons fluttered down from the roof of the barn, several of them alighting on her shoulders. A half-grown black bear came out of a kennel and shuffled toward her. He was unmistakably glad to see her, but he avoided going near Tige,

ence. He never forgets an injury. If anyone plays a trick on him you may be sure that person will not get a second opportunity. The night we caught him Tige chased him up a tree and Jonathan climbed the tr

and sagacious,"

s boiling down maple syrup. Tige was out with some of the men and I let Caesar loose awhile. If there is anything he loves it is maple sugar, so when he smelled the syrup he pulled down the kettle and

resting things about wild creatures. There are comparatively few animals down in Vi

top of the box. Another sprang on Betty's shoulder. "I fasten them up every night, for I'm afraid the weasels and foxes will get them. The white

answered Alfred, looking in admiration at the graceful creature, as he leaped from the shelf to Betty's a

nd routed him. I think they would have killed him had I not freed him. Well, this one is commencing the same way. Do you hear that odd clicking noise? That comes from the Captain's teeth, and he is angry and jealous because I show so much attention to this one. He always does that,

le he pretended to put the nut in his pock

s pockets, and even pushed his cap to one side of his head. Then he ran down Alfred's arm,

it, even though you d

laughin

ng daintily at the piece of cracker she held between her lips. The squirrels were all sitting up, each with a nut in his little paws, and each with an alert and cunning look in the corner of his eye, to prevent, no doubt,

nd fishing?" asked Betty, a

ver often. Canoeing may be pleasant for a girl

ear old Izaak Walton. Of cour

ed to say I

ure in store, as well as an opportunity to learn something of t

a book since I ca

etimes I bring home a pretty sunfish, place him in a tub of water, watch him and try to tame him. But I must admit failure. It is the association which makes fish

ut contained a variety of things. Boxes, barrels and farming implements filled one corner; packs of dried skins were piled against the wall; some otter and fox pelts were stret

ark, stretched over a light framework of basswood. The bow curved gracefully upward, ending in a carved image

n the bow. The arrow and the arm mean in Indian language, 'The race is to the swift and the stro

presently came out with two

f the heart of ten-year-old basswood tree

th the eye of a connoisseur

he art. Anyone with half an eye could see

e some thi

o?" asked Alfred, lo

ou said you were coming over, I

as kind

e going?" called Colonel Z

n to the sycamore

n this side of the creek and do not g

might think Mr. Clarke and I w

is not my reason. Never mind the reason. D

spoken in his usual teasing way, and she was at a loss to understand him. "Come, Mr. Clarke, you

fred, as he lightly swung

ent up to the chestnut g

e creek. Here it was a narrow stream, hardly fifty feet wide, shallo

ed as he noticed the swift current and the numerous b

asure in canoeing," said Betty, c

I drown. I was t

aid Betty, with a smile at his hesitation. "And,

me to use the paddle. Where di

nce I was old enough to lift one. Come, place the canoe in here and we will keep to the near

e held out the other to help her, but she s

I catch some cricke

herman. Don't you kno

Alfred, abashed by

errily at the awkward spectacle made by Alfred crawling over the ground, impro

he canoe a push. There, we are off

water, and then gathering headway as a few gentle strokes of the paddle swerved it into the current. Betty knelt on

her. "There is nothing more to be desired. This beautiful clear stream,

There is the fall ove

at reared themselves high out of the water. They were only a few yards apart

ed Betty, her eyes shinin

ll race, and he well knew that if they struck a stone disaster would be theirs. Twenty feet above the white-capped wave which marked the fall, Betty gave a strong forward pull on the paddle, a deep stroke which momentarily retarded their progress even in that swift current, and then, a short backward stroke, far under the stern of the canoe, and the little vessel turned straight, almost

sked, with just a little conscio

re than that. I apolo

ill. I only wish that

have such a sure eye

angerous reef

t about the guide. Jonathan says 'always get a good guide,' and as guiding is his work he ought to kn

arred and seamed with the ravages of time. The upper part was dead. Long limbs extended skyward, gaunt and bare, like the masts of a storm beaten vessel. The lower branches were white and shining, relieved here and there by brown patches of bark which curled up like old

into the eddy. She complied, and hardly had the line reached the circle of the eddy, where bits of white foam floated round a

Hold your rod steady and keep the line taut. That's right. Now lead him round toward m

n. Let me see the fish. It's a goggle-eye. Isn't he pretty? Look how funny he bats his eyes," and she laughed gleefully as she gingerly picked u

rted wickedly through the school of sunfish and stole the morsel from them. Or a sharp-nosed fiery-eyed pickerel-vulture of the water-rising to the surface, and, supreme in his indifference to

ut toward the middle of the pool. She struck and the next

shouted Alfred. "H

A surge right and lef

ated on the surf

n my line. Goodness, I never before fe

we commenced fishing. You move round in this canoe as though it were a raft. Let me padd

d lair. There was a splash, not unlike that made by the sharp edge of a paddle impelled by a short, powerful stroke, the minnow disappeared, and the broad tail of the fish flapped on the water. The instant Alfred struck, the water boiled and the big fish leaped clear into the air, shaking himself convulsively to get rid of the hook. He made mad rushes up and down the pool, under the canoe,

d to touch him

m not," ans

e, slip your fingers in under his gills

feet. "This is the largest black bass I ever caught. It

then. May I

I think ought to be killed. We will keep this fellow alive,

are so skillful. You let this fish run so far and then you checked him. Then you gave him

s will be particularly pleasing to the fair sex, I believe,"

being explicit?"

k of a rifle came from the hillside. The echoes of the shot reverb

xclaimed Alfred anxio

hen they were about

cedented thing that it can hardly be considered. Turkeys are scarce this season. Jonathan says the foxes and wolves ate up the broods. Lew h

larmed about, is it? I actually had a feelin

t leaning against the tree. She took a biscuit in one hand, a pickle in the other, and began to chat volubly to Alfred of her school lif

hing about you reminds me of her. I do not know what, unless it is that little

said Betty, seeing

e until my father died. Then she married again, and as I did not get on with my

get ho

years I tried to study. Then my father died. I went home and looked after things until my mother married again. That changed everything for me. I ran away and have since been a wanderer. I feel that I am not lazy, that I am not afraid of work, but four years have drifted by and I have nothing to show for it. I am discouraged. Perhaps that is wrong, but tell me how I can help it. I have not the

wn the valley, not seeing the brown and gold hills boldly defined against the blue sky, nor the beauty of the river as the setting sun cast a ruddy glow on the water. Her companion's wo

t? It may be swept away by the savages, and it may grow to be a mighty city. It must take that chance. So must you, so must we all take chances. You are here. Find your work and do it

ot to drink I would never touch a d

ing slightly. "But I shall remember it as a

s a revelation to him. She could ride like an Indian and shoot like a hunter. He had heard that she could run almost as swiftly as her brothers. Evidently she feared nothing, for he had just seen an example of her courage in a deed that had tr

er before he came here fro

do yo

tioned somethin

lse did

rke, I hardl

he said. I knew him at Fort Pitt, and we had trouble there. I venture to say he has to

He says Mr. Miller was friendly with McKee, and the notorious Simon Girty, the soldi

ugh for the girls. I noticed that he paid you a great deal

im a little sidelong glance. "Well, he is very agreea

heard no more shots," said Alfred, showing

" exclaimed Betty, poin

ts mother approved. Evidently she did not, for she would stop her drinking and call the fawn back to her side with a soft, crooning noise. Suddenly she raised her head, the long ears shot up, and she seemed to sniff the air. She waded through the deeper water to get round a rocky bluff which ran out into the creek. Then she turned and called the little one. The fawn waded until the water

s, but have never had the heart to keep them," said Betty

seem very

me dull. The fact is when I feel deep

nd in the blue sky, far above the bluff. Alfred wondered what mysterious power sustained that solitary bird as he floated high in the air without perceptible movement of his broad wings. He envied the king of birds his reign over that illimitable space, his far-reaching vision, an

yellow leaves falling into the pool, the gentle breeze stirring the clusters

swiftly by as o

wistfully. "You did not know I had stopped reading, and I do not believe you hear

The afternoon has been perfect. I have forgotten my role, and have all

ways sad when y

ere is the song of the oriole. Breaking in on the stillness it is mournful. The bree

Life is b

in his deep voice "I hope you may always

, the shadows are f

rhaps that is why I have been such poor company today. I ha

rry you

bending toward her "You know it is a very dangerou

ioning his right to speak to her in that manner, but as she saw the unspoken app

ter a moment: "You must portage the canoe round the

se. As they turned the corner they saw Colone

pale and distressed, and the face

Betty, after a moment of hesitation

ng a small tuft of black hair. Betty knew at once it was the scalp-lock of

w, you look so strange. Tell me, is it because w

een captured again,

. Then, excitedly, "Something can be done; you must pursue them. Oh, Le

Forest. The turkey call we heard across the creek was made by a Wyandot concealed in the cave. Lewis tells me that a number of Indians

tearful eyes, and with beseeching voi

ollow you," said

k his head, but

onately burst out Betty, as the Colonel

than one shot at t

t the absence of the Colonel's usual spirits, his teasing of Betty, and his cheerful conversation. He had nothing to say. Betty sat at the table a little while, and then got up and left the room saying she could not eat. Jonathan, on hearing of his brother's recapture, did not speak, but ret

s ago, and she was only a child. Even then she was very pro

few more moments alone with Betty. But a favorable opportunity did not present itself during the evening, so wh

utside. Come, please, and

the waves of the river gleamed like myriads of stars all twinkling and dancing on a bed of snowy clouds. Thus illumined the river wound down the valley, its bri

" said Alfred, as th

st you may return safe. It seems only yesterday that you saved my

will not bring him back nor do you any good. It is not nearly so bad as if he had been capt

en together, and I have always loved him better than any one since my moth

with her hands and

eady voice, as he took the little hands i

d before startled her. She looked up at him half unconscious that

understand m

ed my

ost her. That makes

and I am powerless. I a

d not speak. All day long he had been living in a dream. Now he realized that but a moment remained for him to be near the girl he

doubtful, troubled voice. She looked up into his fa

the moonlight, beamed with a soft radiance. They were honest eyes, just now filled with innocent sadness and regret, but they drew him with i

with wonderful eyes. Then, as reason returned, a hot flush dyed her

ve something to tell you. For pity's sake, let me explain," h

ng voice, for she ran into th

d wrought. When the real significance of his act came to him he groaned in spirit. What a fool he had been! Only a few short hours and he must start on a perilous journey, leaving the girl

a young girl, with hands pressed tightly over her breast to try to still a madly beating h

n the light was breaking in at the east and dawn near at hand he heard the rough voi

ttle hope revived in his heart as he thought that perhaps all might yet be well. Surely some one would be up to wh

eavily armed men, all grim and stern, each silent with the thought of the