of the neighborhood,
which stood open in such a moment of need. Mrs. Haines, ready and
capable, did her part for the neighboring families assembled there,
while Mr. Haines and Joseph lent their aid to strengthen the
fortifications of timber outside and to erect a sentry box on the roof,
where guard was to be kept night and day.

As Joseph Haines took his turn to guard, the first night of alarm, Betty
crept up to the roof after him and immediately cried, pointing across the
river, "Look there, Joe!"

A small glow of fire, seen in the distance, soon brightened the whole sky
with flames.

"Work of the Indians!" muttered Joe. When word was brought the next day
that two houses and three barns with a large quantity of grain had been
burned that night by the Indians, Betty implored her brother, "Oh, don't
let them burn our house, Joe!"

"No, little Betty, I'll see that they do not," he declared with
determination.

Later the report reached Dover of six houses burned at Oyster River (a
neighboring village) and two men killed. The young men of Dover rose with
indignation at the insults of the Indians and begged Major Waldron,
commander of the militia, to grant them permission to protect the town in
their own way. This request granted, some twenty of them, Joseph Haines
in the number, armed themselves and scattered through the woods, hoping
in that way to find the lurking savages who were doing their mischief in
small groups.

Just at dusk Joseph, with one companion, took his position in the woods
near his own home.

"Hist!" came from his friend after long, patient watching. The two were
alert, for five stealthy figures were seen to cross the meadow and linger
in the cornfield. Three of them began to pick the corn, while two,
approaching the house, gathered sticks for a fire which they lighted.
Their purpose seemed to be to roast the corn, but the fire was built
dangerously near the house.

Joseph and his friend had become separated from their companions. No
signal could be given without arousing the suspicion of their enemies.
After a whispered consultation, they cautiously crept out of the woods
and into the shadow of the house. From there they suddenly rushed upon
the two Indians by the fire, striking them down with the butts of their
guns. Those in the cornfield, hearing the commotion, ran for the woods
and escaped.

Mr. Haines, seeing the firelight in the direction of his house, started
at once from the garrison