rs of the wilderness trail.

"I will go with you to within sight of your homes," insisted their
new friend, "and I shall not forget to tell Colonel Allen of your
courage."

"Will he come soon and take the fort?" asked Faith.

"More quickly for your help than without it, little maid. But go not
so far from home again," Mr. Warner answered, with a kindly smile.

It was sunset, and Mr. Carew was starting to bring Faith home from her
visit to Esther, when he saw his little daughter coming down the path.
She walked so slowly that her father hastened to meet her.

"I'm so tired, father," she said. "Couldn't you carry me home?"

"Of course I can," and he lifted her in his arms and, anxious and
worried by her pale face and evident fatigue, hurried toward the
house.

CHAPTER XX

THE CAPTURE OF THE FORT

It was noon the next day when Faith awoke; and although she was quite
ready to dress and go down-stairs, her mother thought it best for her
to stay in bed.

Faith wondered to herself if Esther's feet ached as hers did; and,
more than this, she was anxious to know if their parents had any idea
of where she and Esther had spent the previous day.

"There will be so much for me to tell mother," she thought, a little
uneasily, hoping that soon she would again have no secrets to conceal.

When Faith came down-stairs she found Esther waiting to see her;
and, in response to Faith's questioning look, she nodded and smiled
reassuringly. Esther had brought over her English grammar, for it had
been decided that the two little girls were to study together two
hours each day; one day at Faith's house, and the next at Esther's.

"It's all right; our mothers don't know. But what made you so tired?"
said Esther, as soon as the girls were alone.

Faith shook her head. "I don't know. I do hope we can tell all about
it soon. I've a great mind to tell mother now."

"You mustn't. Don't you remember? Mr. Warner said that soon he would
tell our fathers, and they would be proud of us. But if we tell them
now they won't be proud; they will be vexed, and maybe punish us. Wait
until Colonel Allen tells them that you helped him. Then 'twill be all
right," advised Esther, and Faith agreed, a little doubtfully.

It was difficult for the two little girls to fix their minds on their
lessons that day, and for many days to come. They both watched the
trail, each day expecting to see some messenger who would bring news
that Colonel Allen