"Helloa, Ben! where did you come from?" asked Zitner, who was now
entirely himself.

"Glad to see you," added Burwink, and the two extended their hands.
"You gave us a great scare, for the woods are full of redskins."

"You startled me, too," replied Ben. "I am travelling with my mother
and sister to Stroudsburg. I suppose you are aiming for the same
place?"

"Yes--if we ever get there. What become of that little sarpent
you had with you yesterday?"

It was Zitner who asked the question. Ben's face flushed, for he
did not like to hear Linna spoken of in that way.

"She is with us," he quietly replied.

"What are you going to do with her?"

"She is in our care, and goes wherever we go."

"You seem mighty fond of the people who played the mischief with
us yesterday."

"Jabez Zitner, I fought just as hard as you, and did all I could
to drive back the Iroquois and Tories, but I don't fight little
children six years old."

"Who's talking about fighting 'em?" demanded Zitner angrily. "Their