y found a large creek flowing into the river from the east.

They ran up the creek, and were a full mile from its mouth when the
rain ceased. Then the sun came out bright and warm, quickly drying
everything.

They pulled about ten miles farther, until the creek grew too shallow
for them, when they hid the boat among bushes and took to the land.
Two days later they arrived at a strong fort and settlement, where Mary
Newton and her four children, safe and well, were welcomed by relatives
who had mourned them as dead.

CHAPTER XV. "THE ALCOVE"

They arrived at the fort as evening was coming on, and as soon as food
was served to them the five sought sleep. The frontiersmen usually slept
soundly and for a long time after prodigious exertions, and Henry and
his comrades were too wise to make an exception. They secured a single
room inside the fort, one given to them gladly, because Mary Newton
had already spread the fame of their exploits, and, laying aside their
hunting shirts and leggins, prepared for rest.

"Jim," said Shif'less Sol, pointing to a low piece of furniture, flat
and broad, in one corner of the room, "that's a bed. Mebbe you don't
think it, but people lay on top o' that an' sleep thar."

Long Jim grinned.

"Mebbe you're right, Sol," he said. "I hev seen sech things ez that, an'
mebbe I've slep' on 'em, but in all them gran' old tales Paul tells
us about I never heard uv no big heroes sleepin' in beds. I guess the
ground wuz good 'nough for A-killus, Hector, Richard-Kur-de-Leong,
an' all the rest uv that fightin' crowd, an' ez I'm that sort uv a man
myself I'll jest roll down here on the floor. Bein' as you're tender,
Sol Hyde, an' not used to hard life in the woods, you kin take that bed
yourself, an' in the mornin' your wally will be here with hot water in
a silver mug an' a razor to shave you, an' he'll dress you in a ruffled
red silk shirt an' a blue satin waistcoat, an' green satin breeches jest
comin' to the knee, where they meet yellow silk stockin's risin' out
uv purple satin slippers, an' then he'll clap on your head a big wig
uv snow-white hair, fallin' all about your shoulders an' he'll buckle a
silver sword to your side, an' he'll say: 'Gentlemen, him that hez long
been known ez Shif'less Sol, an' desarvin' the name, but who in reality
is the King o' France, is now before you. Down on your knees an' say
your prayers!'"

Shif'less Sol stared in astonishment.

"You say a wally will