her chatting and
laughing, throwing smiling glances towards their brothers and
lovers as they strove for victory in some feat of skill or
strength.

It was difficult to believe that so peaceful a scene could exist in
a country harassed by war, or that these settlers could carry on
their lives in so serene and untroubled a fashion with the dread
war cloud hovering in the sky above.

There was one house which stood a little apart from the others, and
wore a rather more imposing aspect, although, like all the rest, it
was of a quaint and home-like appearance. It stood a little back
from the main streets and its porch was wider and larger, whilst
the garden in front was laid out with a taste and care which
bespoke both skill and a love for nature's products.

The travellers were slowly wending their way past this house,
debating within themselves where to stop for the night, and just
beginning to attract the attention of the inhabitants, when a voice
hailed them eagerly from the wide porch.

"Fritz Neville, or I'm a Dutchman myself! And Pringle and Roche as
well! Why, man, we thought we had left you dead in the forest. We
saw you cut off from us and surrounded. We never had a hope of
seeing you alive again. This is a happy meeting, in truth!"

Fritz started at the sound of his name, and the next minute had
made a quick forward hound, his face shining all over.

It was Lord Howe who had hailed him--the bold, joyous young
Viscount beloved by all who knew him. The comrades shook hands
again and again as they eagerly exchanged greetings.

"Oh, we got away to the forest, Rogers and Stark and I, and a score
or more. Other stragglers kept dropping in and joining us, and many
more, as we found later, had made their way back to Fort Edward.
But nowhere could we learn news of you. Come in, come in; you will
be welcomed warmly by my kind hostess, Mrs. Schuyler. She has been
the friend and mother of all English fugitives in their destitution
and need. I have a home with her here for the present, till the
army from England and the levies from the provinces arrive. Come
in, good comrades, and do not fear; there will be a warm welcome
here for you."

They followed Howe to the house, and found that he had not deceived
them as to the welcome they would receive. Colonel Schuyler was a
great man in Albany, and his wife was deservedly respected and
beloved. Just now the Colonel was absent on duties connected with
the coming campaig