ware, though much suffering was sure
to follow, since there was no time to prepare food to take with them.

The remark of Omas prompted Ben's words--"How can I get mother, and
Alice and Linna, to the other side? They cannot swim the river."

"Linna swim," was the somewhat proud answer; "she take care of Alice you
take care of moder."

"I might at any other time, but with the people crowding around us, and
the Indians at our heels and shooting down all they can, what chance
have we? Why can't you come with me and help them?"

No doubt the Delaware had asked himself the question, for he answered
it not by words, but by breaking into a loping trot for Forty Fort,
with Ben running at his side. He halted before reaching the refuge, and
turned aside among the bushes overhanging the edge of the river, his
actions showing he was searching for something.

He speedily found a canoe, probably his own. It had been so skillfully
hidden among the dense undergrowth that one might have passed within a
couple of paces without seeing it.

He picked it up as if it were a toy boat and set it down in the water.

"Go bring moder--bring Alice--bring Linna."

Ben was off like a shot, for he knew there was not a minute to throw
away. It was the season when the days were longest, and two or three
hours must pass before it would be fully night.

It would not do for Omas to go with Ben. His appearance at the fort
would add to the panic, and be almost certain to bring about a conflict
with some of the whites. It was his province to guard the precious canoe
from being taken by other fugitives.

Ben Ripley now thought only of his loved ones. He knew the anguish his
mother would suffer until she learned he was safe, and he forced his way
to the spot where he had parted from her.

It was a sad experience. Old men, women and children, with white faces,
were rushing to and fro, wringing their hands and wailing, searching for
those whom they never again would see in this life; crowding into the
little fort, as if they knew a minute's delay would be fatal; some
making for the river, into which they plunged in a wild effort to reach
the eastern shore, while among the frantic masses appeared here and
there a fugitive from the scene of battle, perhaps wounded and telling
his dreadful story of the defeat, with all the woeful consequences that
were certain to follow.

With much difficulty and some rough work the lad reached the spot where
he had b