"Serious! I should say so. That's what sent me here. Abel, he was on
the wharf, and he says the ships are coming down the lake full of
soldiers; and what with them and the folks already here and only a
hundred and fifty head to feed 'em with, and some of these refugees
eat as much as ary parson I ever saw, and the old Doctor trying to
preach to 'em, sayin' it's the best opportunity--my land! The way
some folks can get sweet out of bitter is a disgrace, I declare. And
as for that Ossy, the dirty scamp, he's broke more dishes, washing
them, than I've got left. And I run over to see if you'd let me have
ary dish you've got, or shall I give 'em their stuff right in their
hands? And how long have I got to go on watchin' that wild Osceolo? I
wish you'd take him back and shut him up in your wood-shed again."

"But, Mother Mercy, it was you who begged his release. And I'm sure
it's better for him in your kitchen, working, than lying idle in an
empty building, plotting mischief. Hello, here's Abel. And he seems as
excited as--as you were," said Gaspar.

"Glory to government, youngsters! The military is coming! The
General's in sight! Now hooray! We'll show them pesky red-skins a
thing or two. If they ain't wiped clean out of existence this time my
name's Jack Robinson. Say, Kit, don't look so solemn. Likely they'll
know enough to give up licked without getting shot; and they're
nothin' but Indians, any how."

The Sun Maid came softly across and held up her little son to be
admired. Her face was grave and her lips silent. All this talk of war
and bloodshed was awful to her gentle heart, that was torn and
distracted with grief for both her white and her red-faced friends.

But there was only grim satisfaction on the countenance of her young
husband; and he turned to Abel, demanding:

"Are you sure that this good news is true? Are the soldiers coming?
Who saw them?"

"I myself, through the commandant's spy-glass. They're aboard the
ships, and I could almost hear the tune of _Yankee Doodle_. They're
bound to rout the enemy like chain lightning. Hooray!"

The soldiers were coming indeed; but alas! an enemy was coming with
them far more deadly than the Indians they meant to conquer.

CHAPTER XXI.

FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.

"Oh, Kit; I can't bear to leave you behind! It breaks my old heart all
to flinders!" lamented Abel, laboriously climbing into the great wagon
which Jim and Pete were now to draw back to their old hom