ayfully around upon the bystanders.

"Yes--yes--yes--father!" cried a score of voices, in a breath; and the
next moment a long, loud cheer, attested the popularity of the old man's
decision.

"Another cheer for Father Albach, and three more for licking the
ripscallious varmints clean to death!" cried our old acquaintance, Isaac
Younker, who, having been otherwise occupied during the discussion
concerning Crawford's defeat, had joined the crowd on the arrival of the
messenger.

"Good for Ike," shouted one: "Hurray!" and four lusty cheers followed.

All now became bustle and confusion, as each set himself to preparing
for the morrow's expedition. Guns were brought out and cleaned,
locks examined, new flints put in place of old ones, bullets cast,
powder-horns replenished, horses driven within the enclosure, saddles
and bridles overhauled, and, in fact, every thing requisite for the
journey was made ready as fast as possible.

Isaac, on the present occasion, was by no means indolent; for having
examined his rifle, and found it in a good condition, he immediately
brought forth an old saddle and bridle, somewhat the worse for wear, and
set himself down to repairing them, wherever needed, by thongs of
deerskin. While engaged in this laudable occupation, a young lad came
running to and informed him, that there was a stranger down by the gate
who wished to speak with him immediately.

"A stranger!" replied Isaac, looking up in surprise. "Why, what in the
name o' all creation can a stranger be wanting with me? Why don't he
come and see me, if he wants to see me, and not put me to all this here
trouble, jest when I'm gitting ready to go and lick some o' them red
heathen like all nater?"

"Don't know, sir," answered the lad, "what his reasons be for not
coming, any more nor you; but he said to the man as opened the gate for
him, 'Is Isaac Younker in the fort?' and the man said, 'Yes;' and then
he said to me, 'Run, my little lad, and tell him to come here, and I'll
gin you some thing;' and that's all I knows about it."

"Well, I 'spose I'll have to go," rejoined Isaac, rising to his feet;
"but I don't think much o' the feller as puts a gentleman to all this
here trouble, jest for nothing at all, as one may say, when a feller's
in a hurry too. Howsomever," continued he, soliloquizing, as he walked
forward in the proper direction, "I 'spect it's some chap as wants to
hoax me, or else he's putting on the extras; ef so, I'll f