year they had
spent so many happy hours.

"What a pity," Agnes said; "so this is the fruit of war and hatred."
Tears welled into her eyes.

"And our Sunday school classes have become our enemies, no doubt,"
Matthew reflected; "all of love's labor is lost."

"War destroys, and peace builds up," Fred spoke calmly; "we must expect
all this, and more. The end is not yet."

"What do you mean?" Agnes asked as she watched her brother's furrowed
brow. "Do you expect trouble?"

"The Indians who burned this log house, are not far away," he whispered
to her. "We must try to get to Hartford before they detect us."

"Let's talk it over quickly," Matthew suggested who in hours of danger
was always impatient.

"Yes, let's do that," Agnes assented; "we'll hide our horses in the deep
woods along the river. I know a fine place, where we may conceal
ourselves."

"How about our boat?" Matthew asked. "Wouldn't it be better if we go
to Hartford by way of the river?"

"Pst," Fred warned him, "you and Agnes are talking too loudly and
excitedly. I am afraid that these woods have ears, as the Dutch say.
Let's get away from here."

Fred was right. The children had not seen the Indians who, hidden
behind the trees, observed every movement they made. So of this they
were unaware, and in a moment they disappeared in the thick bush,
drawing their horses after them.

The Indians did not disturb them, for they knew that they could not
escape, though they were not many in number, since they constituted
only a scouting party, left behind the main body which had moved west
to come back from the south and thus surprise the white men.

As soon as the children had hidden their horses, they sought a small
cave which they had discovered the year before, and here they held a
council.

"First," said Fred, "let us kneel down in prayer; for if the Lord will
not guide our thoughts, we shall never escape."

They prayed fervently, as people do who are in great trouble, and
closed their devotion with a Lord's Prayer in unison.

"And now you wait here, till I return," Fred said; "but don't make any
noise. I must find out whether our boat is still here."

He slipped away from them, carrying his rifle, but avoiding every
possible noise.

"How clever Fred is!" Matthew said; "I wish I could be like him. But I
fear I can never overcome my fright on expeditions such as these. I was
not born to be a soldier."

Agnes smiled.

"The Lord h