well known to us."

The girl's eyes sparkled. She was as full of the love of adventure
as any boy could be. She looked at her brother, but he shook his
head in doubt.

"I think our father would not wish it," he said. "I thank these
gentlemen most gratefully for their courtesy and chivalry, but I
think we must be returning to the fort. It may be that the shots
will have been heard, and that soldiers may be coming in search of
us already.

"We shall not forget your kindness, sir. I trust the day will come
when we may be able to requite you in kind;" and he held out his
hand, first to Stark and then to Fritz.

Corinne had looked a little mutinous at first; but when her brother
spoke of a possible sortie across the water from the fort, her face
changed. Perhaps she was not quite so confident of the chivalry of
the French soldiers as she had been of that of the Rangers.

"Perhaps it is best so; yet I should have loved to scour the forest
with Rogers' Rangers.

"Are you the great Rogers himself?" she asked, turning to Stark,
and then letting her glance wander to Fritz's fine face.

"No, Mistress Corinne; Rogers himself is away farther afield,"
answered Stark. "This is Fritz Neville, and I am John Stark, whom
he honours with the title of his lieutenant."