nsiderable stir at the settlement. The women
were busy cooking, while the men spent some time cleaning their muskets
and "running" bullets. All felt anxious, and serious faces were seen
among the Loyalists. Old Mammy was greatly disturbed, and Jean found
it difficult to calm her fears.

"Why, Mammy, you never made such a fuss all during the war when daddy
was in danger every day," the girl chided.

"Ah, chile, dat was different. Yer daddy was fightin' white men den.
But dese are Injuns, an' dey'll scalp de wounded, an' den tie 'em to a
tree an' burn 'em alive. Den dey'll come an' carry off de women fo'
wives. I'll die befo' I'll be de wife of any ol' Injun, I sure will."

"Don't you worry, Mammy," Jean assured. "The Indians are not going to
come here. The rangers and our men will be able to handle them. I am
not one bit afraid."

As the shades of evening were stealing over the land, the men gathered
for their march against the enemy. They were a formidable band, and
Davidson was much pleased as he watched them fall into line. The
Colonel had charge of the little squad of Loyalists, and his old spirit
possessed him as he drilled and instructed them for a few minutes in
front of his house. The rangers watched this performance with
interest, and smiled indulgently.

"I am afraid that won't do much good in wilderness warfare," Davidson
reminded. "General Braddock tried it, and you know what happened.
However, I am hoping that there will be no fighting, so it won't make
much difference."

Half an hour later the men were swinging on their way through the
woods. No one spoke, and all walked as warily as possible. As night
shut down travelling became more difficult for the men of the
settlement, although the rangers seemed as much at home in the darkness
as in the daylight. For over two and a half hours they moved steadily
forward, and at length stopped by the side of a little brook which
flowed down to the river. Here they rested and ate some of the food
which they had brought with them. They had not been long here ere a
low whistle sounded up the valley. Davidson at once replied, and a few
minutes later soft approaching footsteps were heard. Then a dim form
emerged from the darkness, and stood in their midst.

"I am glad to see you on time, Dane," Davidson accosted. "How many men
did you get?"

"Twenty-five," was the reply. "Pete is bringing them up. I slipped on
ahead to see if things are all