"He will welcome any help from bold men willing to fight," was the
answer they got. "Pray Heaven you be successful; for we all go in
terror of our lives from the cruelty of Captain Jacobs. If he were
slain, we might have rest awhile."

"Captain Jacobs?"

"So they call him. He is a notable Indian chieftain. Most likely
the French baptized him by that name. They like to be called by
some name and title which sounds like that of a white man. He lives
at the Indian town of Kittanning, on the banks of the Allegheny,
and he is upheld by the French from Fort Duquesne and Venango. They
supply him with the munitions of war, and he makes of our lives a
terror. Colonel Armstrong has been sent by the Governor to try to
fall upon him unawares, and oust him from his vantage ground. If
the town were but destroyed and he slain, we might know a little
ease of mind."

The eyes of the Rangers lighted with anticipation. This was the
first they had heard of real warfare. If they could lend a hand to
such an expedition as this, they would feel rewarded for all their
pains and toil.

"Captain Jacobs, Captain Jacobs!" repeated Charles, with a gleam in
his sombre eyes; "tell me what manner of man this Captain Jacobs
is."

"I have seen him once--a giant in height, painted in vermilion, and
carrying always in his hand a mighty spear, which they say none but