them. The French and Indians set upon the Fort, and though it was
gallantly defended by the lieutenant in charge, it fell into their
hands. Since then their aggressions have been unbearable. Captain
Jacobs has been making the lives of the settlers a terror to them.
We have sent for help from the colony, with what success you know.
We have sent to the Rangers under Rogers, and had hoped to be
reinforced by them.

"But if he cannot help us, it is much to have stout-hearted friends
come unexpectedly to our aid. Have you seen fighting, friends? or
are you like the bulk of our men--inured to toil and hardship, full
of zeal and courage, ready to wield any and every weapon in defence
of property, or against the treacherous Indian?"

"Something like that," answered Stark; "but we can all claim to be
good marksmen, and to have good weapons with us. Our rifles carry
far, and we seldom miss the quarry. I will answer for us that we
stand firm, and that we come not behind your soldiers in
steadiness, nor in the use of arms at close quarters."

"That I can well believe," answered the Colonel, with a smile; "I
have but a score of men who have been trained in the school of
arms. The rest were but raw recruits a few months ago, and many of
them have little love of fighting, though they seek to do their
duty.

"Well, well, we must not sit up all night talking. We have a hard
day's march before us tomorrow, and we must needs make all the
speed we can. Indian scouts might discover our camp at any moment,
and our only chance is to fall upon the Indian town unawares. They