The daughter of the chieftain

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Title:TheDaughteroftheChieftainTheStoryofanIndianGirl
Author:EdwardS.Ellis
ReleaseDate:February,2005[EBook#7493][Yes,wearemorethanoneyear
aheadofschedule][ThisfilewasfirstpostedonMay10,2003]
Edition:10
Language:English
Charactersetencoding:ASCII


***STARTOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHEDAUGHTEROF
THECHIEFTAIN***

ProducedbyMartinRobb

TheDaughteroftheChieftainTheStoryofanIndianGirlbyEdwardS.Ellis.

CHAPTERONE:OMAS,ALICE,ANDLINNA
Idon’tsupposethereisanyuseintryingtofindoutwhenthegameof“Jack
Stones”wasfirstplayed.Noonecantell.Itcertainlyisagoodmanyhundred
yearsold.
Allboysandgirlsknowhowtoplayit.Thereisthelittlerubberball,whichyou
tossintheair,catchuponeoftheoddironprongs,withouttouchinganother,and
whiletheballisaloft;thenyoudothesamewithanother,andagainwith
another,untilnoneisleft.Afterthatyouseizeacoupleatatime,untilallhave
beenused;thenthree,andfour,andsoon,withothervariations,totheendofthe
game.
Doubtlessyourfathersandmothers,iftheywatchyouduringtheprogressofthe
play,willthinkiteasyandsimple.Iftheydo,persuadethemtotryit.Youwill
soonlaughattheirfailure.
Now,whenweolderfolkswereyounglikeyou,wedidnothavetheregular,
scragglybitsofironanddaintyrubberball.Weplayedwithpiecesofstones.I
suspectmoredeftnesswasneededinhandlingthemthaninusingthenew
fashionedpieces.Certainly,intrialsthanIcanremember,Ineverplayedthe
gamethroughwithoutabreak;butthenIwasneverhalfsohandyasyouareat
suchthings:that,nodoubt,accountsforit.
Well,agoodmanyyearsago,beforeanyofyourfathersormotherswereborn,a
littlegirlnamedAliceRipleysatnearherhomeplaying“JackStones.”Itwas
thefirstofJuly,1778,andalthoughherhousewasmadeoflogs,hadnocarpets


orstove,butabigfireplace,whereallthefoodwasmadereadyforeating,yetno
sweeterorhappiergirlcanbefoundtoday,ifyouspendweeksinsearchingfor

her.Norcanyoucomeuponamorelovelyspotinwhichtobuildahome,forit
wasthefamedWyomingValley,inWesternPennsylvania.
Now,sincesomeofmyyoungfriendsmaynotbeacquaintedwiththisplace,
youwillallowmetotellyouthattheWyomingValleyliesbetweentheBlue
RidgeandtheAlleghanyMountains,andthatthebeautifulSusquehannaRiver
runsthroughit.
Thevalleyrunsnortheastandsouthwest,andistwenty-onemileslong,withan
averagebreadthofthreemiles.Thebottomlands—thatis,thoseinthelowest
portion—aresometimesoverflowedwhenthereisanunusualquantityofwater
intheriver.Insomeplacestheplainsarelevel,andinothers,rolling.Thesoilis
veryfertile.
Twomountainrangesheminthevalley.Theoneontheeasthasanaverage
heightofathousandfeet,andtheothertwohundredfeetless.Theeasternrange
issteep,mostlybarren,andaboundswithcaverns,clefts,ravines,andforests.
Thewesternisnotnearlysowild,andismostlycultivated.
ThemeaningoftheIndianwordforWyomingis“LargePlains,”which,like
mostoftheIndiannames,fitsverywellindeed.
ThefirstwhitemanwhovisitedWyomingwasagoodMoravianmissionary,
CountZinzendorf—in1742.HetoiledamongtheDelawareIndianswholived
there,andthoseofhisfaithwhofollowedhimwerethemeansoftheconversion
ofagreatmanyredmen.
ThefiercewarriorsbecamehumbleChristians,whosetthebestexampletowild
brethren,andoftentothewickedwhitemen.
MorethantwentyyearsbeforetheRevolutionsettlersbeganmakingtheirway
intotheWyomingValley.Youwouldthinktheironlytroublewouldbewiththe
Indians,whoalwayslookwithangeruponintrudersofthatkind,butreallytheir
chiefdifficultywaswithwhitepeople.
MostofthesepioneerscamefromConnecticut.ThesuccessorsofWilliamPenn,
whohadboughtPennsylvaniafromhisking,andthenagainfromtheIndians,
didnotfancyhavingsettlersfromothercoloniestakepossessionofoneofthe

gardenspotsofhisgrant.
IcannottellyouaboutthequarrelsbetweenthesettlersfromConnecticutand
thosethatwerealreadylivinginPennsylvania.Fortyoftheinvaders,asthey
maybecalled,putupafort,whichwasnamedonthataccountFortyFort.This
wasinthewinterof1769,andtwohundredmorepioneersfollowedtheminthe
spring.Thefortstoodonthewesternbankoftheriver.
ThePennsylvanians,however,hadpreparedforthem,andthetroublebegan.
Duringthefewyearsfollowing,theNewEnglanderswerethreetimesdrivenout
ofthevalley,andthemen,women,andchildrenwereobligedtotrampfortwo
hundredmilesthroughtheunbrokenwildernesstotheiroldhomes.Butthey
ralliedandcamebackagain,andatlastwerestrongenoughtoholdtheirground.
AboutthistimethemutteringsoftheAmericanRevolutionbegantobeheard,
andthePennsylvaniansandNewEnglandersforgottheirenmityandbecame
brothersintheirstruggleforindependence.
AmongthepioneersfromConnecticutwhoputuptheiroldfashionedloghouses
inWyomingwereGeorgeRipleyandhiswifeRuth.Theywereyoung,frugal,
industrious,andworthypeople.Theyhadbutonechild—aboynamed
Benjamin;butafterawhileAlicewasaddedtothefamily,andatthedateof
whichIamtellingyoushewassixyearsandherbrotherthirteenyearsold.
Mr.RipleywasabsentwiththecontinentalarmyunderGeneralWashington,
fightingthebattlesofhiscountry.Benjamin,onthisspringday,wasvisiting
someofhisfriendsfurtherdownthevalley;sothatwhenAlicecameforthto
play“JackStones”alone,noonewasinsight,thoughhernextneighborlived
hardlytwohundredyardsaway.
Iwishyoucouldhaveseenherasshelookedonthatsummerafternoon.Shehad
beenhelping,sofarasshewasable,hermotherinthehouse,untiltheparent
toldhertogooutdoorsandamuseherself.Shewaschubby,plump,healthy,with
roundpinkcheeks,yellowhairtiedinacoilatthebackofherhead,andherbig

eyeswereasblue,andclear,andbrightastheycouldbe.
Sheworeabrownhomespundress—thatistosay,thematerialshadbeenwoven
bythedeftfingersofhermother,withtheaidoftheoldspinningwheel,which
inthosedaysformedapartofeveryhousehold.Thedarkstockingswereknitted
bythesamebusyfingers,withthehelpoftheflashingneedles;andtheshoes,


puttogetherbyPelegQuintin,thehumpbackedshoemaker,wereheavyand
coarse,anddidnotfitanytoowell.
Thefewsimplearticlesofunderwearwereallhomemade,clean,and
comfortable,andthesamecouldbesaidoftheclothingofthebrotherandofthe
motherherself.
Alicecamerunningoutoftheopenfrontdoor,boundingoffthebigflatstone
whichservedasastepwithasingleleap,and,runningtoaspotofgreengrassa
fewyardsaway,wheretherewasnotabitofdirtoraspeckofdust,shesatdown
andbeganthegameofwhichItoldyouattheopeningofthisstory.
Alicewaslefthanded.Sowhenshetookposition,sheleanedovertotheright,
supportingherbodywiththatarm,whilewiththeotherhandshetossedthelittle
jaggedpiecesofstonealoft,snatchinguptheothers,andlettingtheonethatwas
goingupanddownintheairdropintoherchubbypalm.
Shehadbeenplayingperhapstenminutes,whenshefoundsomeonewas
watchingher.
Shedidnotseehimatfirst,butheardalow,deep“Huh!”partlyatonesideand
partlybehindher.
Insteadofglancingaround,shefinishedtheturnofthegameonwhichshewas
engagedjustthen.Thatdone,sheclaspedalltheJackStonesinherhand,
assumedtheuprightposture,andlookedbehindher.
“Ithoughtitwasyou,Omas,”shesaidwithamerrylaugh;“doyouwanttoplay
JackStoneswithme?”
Ifyoucouldhaveseenthepersonwhomshethusaddressed,youwouldhave

thoughtitastrangewayofspeaking.
HewasanIndianwarrior,belongingtothetribeofDelawares.Thosewhoknew
abouthimsaidhewasoneofthefiercestredmenthateverwentonthewarpath.
Afewyearsbefore,therehadbeenamassacreofthesettlers,andOmaswas
foremostamongtheIndianswhoswungthetomahawkandfiredhisrifleatthe
whitepeople.
Hewastall,sinewy,active,andpowerful.Threestainedeaglefeatherswere


fastenedonhiscrowninthelongblackhair,andhishuntingshirt,leggings,and
moccasinswerebrightwithdifferentcoloredbeadsandfringes.Intheredsash
whichpassedaroundhiswaistwerethrustahuntingknifeandtomahawk,while
onehandclaspedacumbersomerifle,which,likeallfirearmsofthosetimes,
wasusedwithramrodandflintlock.
Omaswouldhavehadaratherpleasingfacehadheletitalone;buthispeople
lovebrightcolors,andhewasneverseenwithoutalotofpaintdaubedoverit.
Thiswasmadeupofblack,white,andyellowcircles,lines,andstreaksthat
madehimlookfrightful.
ButAlicewasnotscaredatall.SheandOmaswereoldfriends.Nearlyayear
before,hestoppedattheircabinonestormynightandaskedforsomethingto
eat.Mrs.Ripleygavehimplentyofcoarsebrown,wellbakedbreadandcold
meat,andallowedhimtosleepontheflooruntilmorning.
BenjaminwasrathershyofthefiercelookingDelaware,butAlicetooktohimat
first.Shebroughthimabasinofwater,andaskedhimtopleasewashhisface.
Thestartledmothergentlyreprovedher;butOmasdidthatwhichanIndian
rarelydoes—smiled.HespokeEnglishunusuallywell,andknewwhythechild
hadproposedtohimtousethewater.
HetoldherthathehadalittlegirlthathecalledLinna,aboutthesameageas
Alice.Uponhearingthis,whatdidAlicedo,butclimbuponthewarrior’sknee
andaskhimtotellherallaboutLinna.Well,theresultwas,thatanaffectionwas

formedbetweenthiswildwarriorandthegentlelittlegirl.
OmaspromisedtobringhischildtoseeAlice,who,withhermother’s
permission,saidshewouldreturnthevisit.Therecanbenodoubtthatthe
Delawareoftenwentalongwayoutofhiscourse,fornootherreasonthanto
spendanhourorlesswithAliceRipley.Thebrotherandmotheralwaysmade
himfeelwelcome,andtothegoodparenttheinfluenceofherchilduponthe
savageredmanhadapeculiarinterestwhichnothingelseintheworldcould
possessforher.SoyouunderstandwhyitwasthatAlicedidnotstartandshow
anyfearwhenshelookedaroundandsawthewarriorstandinglessthantenfeet
off,andattentivelywatchingher.
“Youcan’tplayJackStonesaswellasI,”shesaid,lookingsaucilyupathim.


“Ibeatyou,”washisreply,ashestrodeforwardandsatdowncrossleggedon
thegrass.
“I’dliketoseeyoudoit!Youthinkyou’reverysmart,don’tyou?”
Ashadowysmileplayedaroundthesternmouth,andtheDelaware,whohad
studiedthesimplegamelongenoughtounderstandit,beganthesportunderthe
observanteyesofhislittlemistress.
Whilebothwereintentontheamusement,Mrs.Ripleycametothedoorand
stoodwonderinglylookingatthem.
“ItdoesseemasifIndiansarehumanbeingsliketherestofus,”washer
thought;“butwhocouldresisthergentleways?”
Upwentthesinglestoneintheair,andOmasgrabbedthebatchthatwerelying
ontheground,andthencaughtthefirstasitcamedown.
“Thatwon’tdo!”calledAlice,seizingthebrawnyhand,which—sadtosay—
hadbeenstainedwithbloodasinnocentashers;“youdidn’tdothatfair!”
“Whatdematter?”heasked,lookingreproachfullyintotheroundfacealmost
againsthisown.
“I’llshowyouhow.Now,Ilaythosethreeonthegroundlikethat.ThenItossup

this,pickuponewithouttouchinganyoftheothers,keepitinmyhandandpick
upthenext—see?”
Sheillustratedherinstructionbyherwork,whileherpupillistenedandstared.
“Iknow—Iknow,”hesaidquickly.“Ishowyou.”ThenthewagofaDelaware
tossedthefirststonefullytwentyfeetaloft,caughtuptheothers,andtookthat
onthefly.
“Ineversawanybodyasdumbasyou,”wasthecomment.“Whatistheuseof
yourtrying?Youcouldn’tlearntoplayJackStonesineversolong.”
Shewasabouttotryhimagain,when,childlike,shedartedoffuponawidely
differentsubject,forithadjustcomeintoherlittlehead.


“Omas,whenyouwereheretheotherday,youpromisedthatthenexttimeyou
cametoseemeyouwouldbringLinna.”
“Datso—Omaspromise.”
“Thenwhyhaven’tyoudoneasyousaid?”
“Omasneverspeakwithdoubletongue;hebringLinnawithhim.”
“Youdid?—whereisshe?”askedAlice,springingtoherfeet,claspingher
hands,andlookingexpectantlyaround.
TheDelawareemittedashrill,tremulouswhistle,andimmediatelyfromthe
woodseveralrodsbehindthemcamerunningtheoddestlookinglittlegirl
anyonecouldhavemetinalongtime.
HerfacewasasroundasthatofAlice,herlong,blackhairhunglooselyoverher
shoulders,hersmalleyeswereasblackasjet,hernoseapug,herteethaswhite
andregularaswereeverseen,whileherdresswasarudeimitationofher
father’sexcepttheskirtcamebelowherknees.Herfeetwereassmallasadoll’s,
andencasedinthebeadedlittlemoccasins,wereasprettyastheycouldbe.
“ThatisLinna,”saidtheproudfatherasshecameobedientlyforward.

CHAPTERTWO:DANGERINTHEAIR
LittleLinna,daughterofOmas,theDelawarewarrior,wasofthesameageas
AliceRipley.Theweatherwaswarmalthoughsheworetinymoccasinsto
protectherfeet,shescornedthesuperfluousstockingsandundergarmentsthat
formedapartoftheother’sapparel.
Herhairwasasblack,abundant,andalmostaslongasherfather’s;butherface
wasclean,and,perhapsinhonoroftheoccasion,she,too,sportedagaudyeagle
featherinherhair.
Sheboundedoutofthegreenwoodlikeafawn,butasshedrewnearherparent
andAlice,herfootstepsbecameslower,andshehaltedafewpacesaway,hung
herhead,withherforefingerbetweenherprettywhiteteeth—foralltheworld
likeanywhitegirlofheryears.
ButAlicedidnotallowhertoremainembarrassed.Shehadbeenbeggingfor
thisvisit,andnow,whenshesawherfriend,sheranforward,tookherlittle
plumphandandsaid—“Linna,Iamrealgladyouhavecome!”
Omashadrisentohisfeet,andwatchedthegirlswithanaffectionandinterest
whichfoundnoexpressiononhispaintedface.Hischildlookedtimidlyupto
himandwalkedslowlyforward,herhandclaspedinthatofAlice.Shedidnot
speak,butwhenherescortsatdownonthegrass,shedidthesame.
“Linna,doyouknowhowtoplayJackStones?”askedAlice,pickingupthe
pebbles.
Linnashookherheadquicklyseveraltimes,butherlipsremainedmute.
“Yourfatherthoughtheknewhow,buthedon’t;hedoesn’tplayfair,either.Let
meshowyou,soyoucanbeathimwhenyougohome.”
Alicesettowork,whilethebrightblackeyeswatchedeverymovement.
“Nowdoyouwanttotryit?”sheasked,aftergoingthroughthegameseveral
times.


Linnanoddedherheadwiththesamebirdlikequickness,andreachedouther

chubbyhand.
HerfatherandAlicewatchedherclosely.Shemadeseveralfailuresatfirst,allof
whichwerepatientlyexplainedbyhertutor;byandbyshewentthroughthe
performancefrombeginningtoendwithoutabreak.
Aliceclappedherhandswithdelight,andOmas—certainthatnogrownup
personsawhim—smiledwithpleasure.
“Doesn’tsheknowhowtotalk?”askedAlice,lookingupatthewarrior.Omas
spokesomewhatsharplytohischildintheDelawaretongue.Shestartled,and
lookingatAlice,asked—
“Do—yoothinkmeplaywell?”
Alicewasdelightedtofindshecouldmakeherselfunderstoodsoeasily.Itwas
wonderfulhowshehadlearnedtospeakEnglishsoearlyinlife.
“Iguessyoucan,”wasthereadyreplyofAlice;“yourfathercan’tbegintoplay
aswell.WhenyougohomeyoucanshowyourmammahowtoplayJack
Stones.Haveyouanybrothersandsisters?”
“No;mehavenobrother—nosister.”
“That’stoobad!I’vegotabigbrotherBen.Heisn’thomenow,buthewillbe
heretosupper.He’saniceboy,andyouwilllikehim.Let’sgointhehousenow
toseemamma,andyoucanteachmehowtotalkIndian.”
Bothgirlsboundedtotheirfeet,andhandinhand,walkedtothedoor,with
Omasgravelystalkingafterthem.
Mrs.Ripleyhadlearnedofthevisitor,andstoodonthethresholdtowelcome
her.Shetookherbythehandandledherinside.Omaspaused,asifindoubt
whetherheshouldfollow;butherinvitationtohimwassocordial,thathe
steppedwithinandseatedhimselfonachair.
ThatafternoonandnightcouldneverbeforgottenbyAliceRipley.Inavery
littlewhilesheandhervisitorwereonthebestofterms;laughing,romping,and
chasingeachotherinandoutofdoors,justasiftheyweretwinsistersthathad

neverbeenseparatedfromeachother.
WhenMrs.RipleyaskedOmasforhowlongatimehecouldleavehischildwith
them,hesaidhemusttakeherbackthatevening.Hiswigwamwasagoodmany
milesawayinthewoods,andhewouldhavetotravelallnighttoreachthe
villageofhistribe.
Mrs.Ripley,however,pleadedsohard,thatheconsentedtolethischildstay
untilhecamebackthenextdayorsoonthereafterforher.
Whenherosetogo,thelongsummerdaywasdrawingtoaclose.Hespoketo
Linnaintheirnativetongue.Shewassittingonthefloorjustthen,playingwitha
wonderfulragbaby,butwasupinaflash,andfollowedhimoutside.
“Waitamomentandshewillcomeback,”saidMrs.Ripleytoherownchild.
Sheknewwhatthemovementmeant:Omasdidnotwishanyonetoseehimand
Linna.
Ontheoutsidehemovedtotheleft,andglancedaroundtomakesurethatno
personwaslookingthatway.Thenheliftedthelittleonefromtheground;she
threwherarmsaroundhisneck,andhepressedhertohisbreastandkissedher
severaltimeswithgreatwarmth.Thenhesetherdown,andsheranlaughing
intothehouse,whilehestrodeofftothewoods.
Butatthemomentofenteringthemhestoppedabruptly,wheeledabout,and
walkedslowlybacktowardthecabin.
UponthereturnofLinna,Mrs.Ripleysteppedtothefrontdoortolookforher
son.Hewasnotinsight,butOmashadstoppedagainhardlyaroddistant.He
stoodamoment,lookingfixedlyather,andthenbeckonedwithhisfreehandfor
hertoapproach.
Withouthesitationshesteppedoffthebroadflatstoneandwenttohim.
“Whatisit,Omas?”sheaskedinanundertone,pausinginfrontofhim,and
gazingupintothegrim,paintedcountenance.
TheDelawarereturnedthelookforafewseconds,asifstudyinghowtosay
whatwasinhismind.Theninavoicelowereventhanhers,hesaid—“You—
littlegirl—bigboy—gowaysoon—mustnotstayhere.”

“Whydoyousaythat,Omas?”
“Iroquoislikeleavesontrees—whitemen,callTories—sooncomedownhere—
killallwhitepeople—killyou—killlittlegirl,bigboy—ifyoustayhere.”
Thepioneer’swifehadheardthesamerumorsfordayspast.Sheknewtherewas
causeforfear,fornearlyalltheablebodiedmeninWyomingwereabsentwith
thepatriotarmy,fightingforindependence.Theinhabitantsinthevalleyhad
beggedCongresstosendsomesoldierstoprotectthem,andtherelativesofthe
womenandchildrenhadaskedagainandagainthattheymightgohometosave
theirlovedonesfromtheToriesandIndians;buttheprayerwasrefused.The
soldiersinthearmyweretoofewtobespared,andnooneawayfromWyoming
believedthedangerasgreatasitwas.
Butthepeoplethemselvesknewtheperil,anddidtheirbesttoprepareforit.But
whoshouldknowmoreabouttheIndiansandToriesthanOmas,thegreat
Delawarewarrior?
When,therefore,hesaidthesewordstoMrs.Ripley,thatwoman’sheartbeat
faster.Sheheardthelaughterandprattleofthechildreninthehouse,andshe
thoughtofthatbrightboy,playingwithhisyoungfriendsnotfaraway.
“Wherecanwego?”sheasked,inthesameguardedvoice.
“WithOmas,”wasthepromptreply;“hideinwigwamofOmas.Nobodyhurt
palefacedfriendofOmas.”
Itwasatryingsituation.Thebravewoman,whohadpassedthroughmany
dangerswithherhusband,knewwhatavisitfromtheToriesandIndiansmeant;
butsheshrankfromleavingWyoming,andallherfriendsandneighbors.
“Whenwilltheycome?”sheasked;“willitbeinafewweeksorinafewdays?”
“Gettingreadynow;BrandtwithIroquois—ButlerwithTory—soonbehere.”
“Butdoyoumeanthatweshallallgowithyoutonight?”
TheDelawarewassilentforafewseconds.Hisactivebrainwasbusy,reviewing
thesituation.

“No,”hefinallysaid;“stayheretillOmascomeback;thengowithhim—allgo
—dennoonebehurt.”
“Verywell;wewillwaittillyoucometousagain.Wewilltakegoodcareof
Linna.”
AndwithoutanotherwordtheDelawareturnedoncemore,strodetotheforest,
whichwastheninfullestleaf,andvanishedamongthetrees.
Mrs.Ripleywalkedslowlybacktothedoor.Onthethresholdshehalted,and
lookedaroundagainforherabsentboy.Itwasgrowingdark,andshebeganto
feelavaguealarmforhim.
Awhistlefellonherear.Itwasthesweetestmusicshehadeverheard,forit
camefromthelipsofherboy.
Hewasinsight,comingalongthewellwornpaththatledinfrontoftheother
dwellingsandtoherowndoor.Whenhesawher,hewavedhishandin
salutation,butcouldnotaffordtobreakinonthevigorousmelodywhichkept
hislipspuckered.
Shesawhewascarryingsomethingonhisshoulder.Asecondglanceshowed
thatitwasoneoftheheavyriflesusedbythepioneersahundredyearsago.The
sight—takenwithwhatOmashadjustsaid—filledherheartwithforebodings.
Shewaiteduntiltheladcameup.Hekissedheraffectionately,andtheninthe
offhandmannerofabigboy,letthebuttofthegundropontheground,leaned
thetopawayfromhim,andglancingfromittohismother,asked—“Whatdo
youthinkofit?”
“Itseemstobeagoodgun.Whoseisit?”
“Mine,”wastheproudresponse.“ColonelButlerorderedthatitbegiventome,
andI’mtouseit,too,mother.”
“Forwhatpurpose?”
“TheotherColonelButler—youknowheisacousintoours—hasgotawhole
lotofTories”(who,youknow,wereAmericansfightingagainsttheir

countrymen)“andIndians,andthey’recomingdowntowipeoutWyoming;but


Iguesstheywillfinditaharderjobthantheythink.”
Andtoshowhiscontemptforthedanger,themuscularladliftedhisweighty
weapontoalevel,andpretendedtosightitatatree.
“IwishthatwasaToryoroneofthoseSixNationIndians—wouldn’tIdrop
him!”
Themothercouldnotsharethebuoyancyofherson.Shesteppedoutside,soas
tobebeyondthehearingofthelittleones.
“Omashasbeenhere;thatishislittlegirlthatyouhearlaughingwithAlice.He
hastoldmethesameasyou—theToriesandIndiansarecoming,andhewants
ustofleewithhim.”
“Whatdoeshemeanbythat?”askedthehalfindignantboy.
“Hesaystheywillputusalltodeath,andifwedonotgowithhim,wewillbe
killedtoo.”
ThehandsomefaceofBenjaminRipleytookonanexpressionofscorn,andas
hestraightenedup,heseemedtobecomeseveralinchestaller.
“HeforgetsthatIamwithyou!Omasisverykind;butheandhisToryfriends
hadbetterlookoutforthemselves.Why,withthemenatthefort,ColonelButler
willhaveseveralhundred.”
“Buttheyaremostlyoldmenandboys.”
“Well,”saidthehighspiritedlad,withatwinkleofhisfinehazeleyes,“addupa
lotofoldmenandboys,andtheaverageisthesamenumberofmiddleaged
men,isn’tit?Don’tyouworry,mother—thingsareallright.IfOmascomes
back,givehimourthanks,andtellhimwearenotgoingtosneakoffwhenwe
areneededathome.”
ItwashardtoresistthecontagionofBen’shopefulness.Themothernotonly
lovedbutrespectedhimasmuchasshecouldhavedonehadhebeenseveral
yearsolder.Hehadbeenhermainstayforthetwoyearspast,duringwhichthe

fatherwasabsentwiththepatriotarmy;andshecametoleanuponhimmore
andmore,thoughherheartsankwhenBenbegantotalkoffollowinghisfather


intotheranks,tohelpinthestruggleforindependence.
ShefoundherselflookinguponthesituationasBendid.Ifsogreatdanger
threatenedWyoming,itwouldbecowardlyforthemtoleavetheirfriendsto
theirfate.Itwasclearallcouldnotfindsafetybygoing,andshewouldfeelshe
wasdoingwrongifshegavenoheedtotheothers.
Benwastallandstrongforhisyears,andthefactthathehadtakenthegunfrom
ColonelButlertobeusedintakingcareofthesettlementboundtheyouthin
honortodoso.
“Itshallbeasyousay,”saidthemother;“Icannotbeashopefulasyou,butitis
ourdutytostay.Wewillnottalkaboutitbeforethechildren.”
“IwanttoseehowalittleIndiangirllooks,”mutteredBenwithalaugh,
followinghismotherintothehouse.
Alicecaughtsightofhim,andwasinhisarmsthenextinstant,whileLinnarose
toherfeet,andstoodwithherforefingerbetweenherteeth,shylystudyingthe
newcomer.
“Helloa,Linna!howareyou?”hecalled,settingdownhisyoungsisterand
catchingupthelittleIndian.Notonlythat,buthegaveheraresoundingsmack
onherduskycheek.
“Ialwayslikeprettylittlegirls,andI’mgoingtobeyourbeau:whatdoyousay?
Isitabargain?”
ItisnottobesupposedthattheDelawaremisscaughtthewholemeaningofthis
momentousquestion.Shewasalittleoverwhelmedbytherushofthebigboy’s
manner,andnoddedherheadaboutadozentimes.
“There,Alice;doyouunderstandthat?”heasked,makingtheroomringwithhis
merrylaughter;“I’mtobeLinna’sbeau.Howdoyoulikeit?”
“I’mgladforyou,butI—guess—IoughterbesorryforLinna.”

CHAPTERTHREE:JULYTHIRD,1778
WhileBenRipleywasfrolickingwithlittleAliceandherIndianfriendLinna,


themotherpreparedtheeveningmeal.
Thecandleswerelighted,andtheytooktheirplacesatthetable.
AllthiswasnewandstrangetoLinna.Inherownhome,shewasaccustomedto
sitontheground,anduseonlyherfingersforknifeandforkwhentakingfood;
butshewasobservantandquick,andknowinghowithadbeenwithher,her
friendssoondidawaywithherembarrassment.Themothercuthermeatinto
smallpieces,spreadbutter—whichthevisitorlookedataskance—onthebrown
bread,andshehadbuttodoastherest,andallwentwell.
Afewminutesaftersupperbothgirlsbecamedrowsy,andMrs.Ripley,candlein
hand,conductedthemupstairstothesmallroomsetapartfortheiruse.
Thiswasanothernovelexperienceforthevisitor.Sheinsistedatfirstuponlying
onthehardfloor,forneverinherlifehadshetouchedabed;butafterawhile,
shebecamewillingtosharethecouchwithherplaymate.
Alicekneltdownbythesideofthelittletrundlebedandsaidherprayers,asshe
alwaysdid;butLinnacouldnotunderstandwhatitmeant.Shewonderingly
watchedheruntilshewasthrough,andthenwithsomemisgiving,clambered
amongtheclothes,andthemothertuckedherup,thoughthenightwassowarm
theyneededlittlecovering.
Mrs.RipleyfeltthatsheoughttotelltheduskychildaboutherheavenlyFather,
andtoteachhertopray.Shethereforesatdownontheedgeofthebed,andin
simplewordsbeganthewonderfulstoryoftheSaviour,whogaveHislifeto
saveheraswellasallothers.
Alicedroppedasleeprightaway,butLinnalaymotionless,withherroundblack
eyesfixedonthefaceofthelady,drinkingineverywordshesaid.Byandby,
however,theeyelidsbegantodroop,andthegoodwomanceased.Whoshalltell
whatpreciousseedwasthussowninthatcabininWyoming,morethana

hundredyearsago?
WhileMrs.Ripleywastalkingupstairs,sheheardvoicesbelow;sothatshe
knewBenhadavisitor.Asshedescended,sherecognizedaneighborwholived
ontheothersideoftheriver.
“Icalled,”saidhe,“totellyouthatyoumustlosenotimeinmovingintoForty


Fortwithyourlittlegirl.”
“Youdonotmeanrightaway?”
“Nottonight,butthefirstthinginthemorning.”
“Isthedangersocloseasthat?”
“OurscoutsreporttheToryColonelButlerwithalargeforceofwhitesand
Indiansmarchingdownthevalley.”
“Butdoyounotexpecttorepelthem?”
“Wearesureofthat,”wastheconfidentreply;“butitwon’tdoforanyofthe
womenandchildrentobeexposed.TheIndianswillscatter,andcutoffallthey
can.Othersofourfriendsareoutwarningthepeople,andwemusthavethemall
inasafeplace.”
“Willyouwaitforyourenemiestoattackthefort?”
“IbelieveourColonelButlerfavorsthat;butothers,andamongthemmyselfand
Ben,favormarchingoutandmeetingthem.”
“That’sit,”addedthelad,shakinghishead.“Ibelieveinshowingthemweare
notscared.ColonelButlergotleaveofabsencetocometoWyoming;hehas
someregularswithhim,andwithallourmenandboyswe’llteachtheother
ColonelButleralessonhewon’tforgetaslongashelives.”
“Well,ifyouthinkitbest,wewillmoveintothefortwiththeotherpeopleuntil
thedangerispast.”
“Yes,mother;IwillfightbetterknowingthatyouandAlicearesafe.There’s
Linna!Whatabouther?”
“Who’sLinna?”askedthevisitor.

“SheisthelittlechildofOmas,theDelawarewarrior.Hebroughtherherethis
afternoontomakeAliceavisit,andpromisedtocalltomorrowforher.Willitbe
safetowaituntilhecomes?”


Theneighborshookhishead.
“Youmustn’ttakeanychances.Whydon’tyouturnherloosetotakecareof
herself?Shecandoit.”
“Icouldn’t,”themotherhastenedtosay;“Omasleftherinourcare,andImust
notneglecther.Shewillgowithus.”
“Idon’tthinkitwillbesafeforherfathertocomeafterher,whentheflurryis
over.”
“Whynot?”
“HewillbewiththeIroquois,eventhoughhistribedoesn’tlikethemanytoo
well;fortheIroquoisaretheconquerorsoftheDelawares,anddrovethemoff
theirhuntinggrounds.”
“Well,”saidMrs.Ripley,withasigh;“evenifhenevercomesforher,shewill
alwayshaveahomewithus.”
ThedwellingoftheRipleyswasontheeasternshoreoftheSusquehanna.Onthe
othersidestoodFortWintermootandFortyFort,theformerbeingattheupper
endofthevalley.Thatwouldbethefirstonereachedbytheinvaders,andthe
expectationwasthatitwouldgiveupwheneverorderedtodoso,fornearlyallin
itwerefriendsoftheTories.
ItwasevidentthatwhenOmaslefthischildwithherfriends,andspokeof
returningthenextday,orsoonthereafter,hedidnotknowhowneartheinvasion
was.Mrs.Ripleyexpectedthatwhenhedidlearnit,hewouldhastenbackfor
her.
Thenight,however,passedwithouthisappearance,andthehotJulysuncameup
overtheforestsontheeasternbankoftheriver,andstillheremainedaway.It
lookedasifhehaddecidedtolethertakeherchanceswhilehejoinedthe

invadersintheirworkofdestructionandwoe.
Mrs.Ripleywouldhavebeenwillingtowaitlonger,butshewasurgednotto
loseanotherhour.Thefrightenedsettlerswerenotallowedtotakeanythingbut
theiractualnecessarieswiththem,forthecrampedquartersinFortyFort,where
anumberofcabinswereerected,wouldbecrowdedtotheutmosttomakeroom


forthehundredswhomightclamorforadmission.Thequarters,indeed,wereso
scantthatmanycampedoutside,holdingthemselvesreadytorushwithinshould
itbecomenecessary.
LittleLinnawasfilledwithwonderwhenshesawherfriendspreparingtomove
andknewshewasgoingwiththem.Butshehelpedinherwayasmuchasshe
couldandaskednoquestions.Therewasnoneed,infact,forAliceasked
enoughforboth.
AndjusthereImustrelatetoyoualittlehistory.
OnthelastdaysofJune,1778,ColonelJohnButler,withaboutfourhundred
soldiers—partlymadeupofTories—andsixorsevenhundredIndians,entered
theheadofWyomingValley.AsIhavesaid,hewasacousinofColonelZebulon
Butler,whocommandedthepatriotsanddidallhecouldtochecktheinvaders.
ReachingFortWintermoot,theBritishofficersentinademandforitssurrender.
Thesubmissionwasmade,andtheinvadersthencamedownthevalleyand
orderedtheConnecticutpeopletosurrenderFortyFortandthesettlements.
ColonelZebulonButlerhadunderhim,toquotethehistoricalaccount,“two
hundredandthirtyenrolledmen,andseventyoldpeople,boys,civilmagistrates,
andothervolunteers.”Theyformedsixcompanies,whichweremusteredat
FortyFort,wherethefamiliesofthesettlersontheeastsideoftheriverhad
takenrefuge.
ColonelZebulonButler,uponreceivingthesummons,calledacouncilofwar.
Thiswasonthe3rdofJuly.Theofficersbelievedthatalittledelaywouldbe
best,inthehopeofthearrivalofreinforcements;butnearlyallthemenwereso

clamoroustomarchoutandgivetheinvadersbattle,thatitwasdecidedtodoso.
“Youaregoingintogreatdanger,”remarkedtheleader,ashemountedhishorse
andplacedhimselfattheheadofthepatriots,“butIwillgoasfarasanyof
you.”
Atthreeo’clockintheafternoonthecolumn,numberingaboutthreehundred,
marchedfromthefortwithdrumsbeatingandcolorsflying.Theymovedupthe
valley,withtheriverontherightandamarshontheleft,untiltheyarrivedat
FortWintermoot,whichhadbeensetonfirebytheenemytogivetheimpression
theywerewithdrawingfromtheneighborhood.
Asyoumaywellbelieve,themovementsofthepatriotswerewatchedwithdeep


interestbythoseleftbehind.Thewomenandchildrenclusteredalongtheriver
bankandstrainedtheireyesinthedirectionofFortWintermoot,theblacksmoke
fromwhichrolleddownthevalleyandhelpedtoshutouttheirview.
Therewashardlyoneamongthespectatorsthathadnotalovedrelativewiththe
defenders.Itmightbeatotteringgrandfather,asturdyson,who,thoughaboy,
wasinspiredwiththedeepestfervor,andeagertoriskhislifeforthesakeofhis
motherorsister,whoseheartsalmoststoppedbeatinginthepainfulsuspense
whichmustcontinueuntilthebattlewasdecided.
AlicewastooyoungfullytounderstandtheperilinwhichBenwasplaced.She
hadkissedhimgoodbyewhenherantotakehisplacewiththeothers,and,with
alightjestonhislipsaboutherandLinna,hehadsnatchedakissfromthelittle
Delaware’sswarthycheek.
Themotheraddedafewcheeringwordstothechildren,anditwasastriking
sightwhentheyandanumberofothers,abouttheirageorunder,beganplaying
withallthemerrimentofchildrenwhoneverdreamthattheworldcontainssuch
afflictionsassorrow,woe,anddeath.
Itwaseasytofollowthecourseofthepatriotsforatimeaftertheywerebeyond
sight,bythesoundoftheirdrumsandtheshrillwhistlingofseveralfifes.

Inthosedaysitwasmuchmorecommonthannowforpeopletodrink
intoxicatingliquors.Justbeforethepatriotsstartedupthevalley,Iamsorryto
say,afewofthemendrankmorethantheyshould.Ithasbeenclaimedbysome
thatbutforthisthingswouldhavegonedifferentlyonthatday,whichwilllive
foreverasoneofthesaddestinAmericanhistory.
Byandbytheanxiouspeoplenearthefortnoticedthatthesoundofdrumsand
fifeshadceased,andthereportsoffirearmswereheard.
Theyknewfromthisthattheopposingforcesweremakingreadyforthe
conflict,andthesuspensebecamepainfulindeed.
ThenamidtherattleofmusketrysoundedthewhoopsoftheIroquois.Thebattle
wason.Fightingbeganaboutfouro’clockintheafternoon.ColonelZebulon
Butlerorderedhismentofire,andateachdischargetoadvanceastep.Thefire
wasregularandsteady,andtheAmericanscontinuedtogainground,havingthe
advantagewhereitwasopen.Despitetheexertionsoftheinvaders,theirline


gaveway,andbutforthehelpoftheIndianstheywouldhavebeenrouted.
Theflankingpartyofredmenkeptupagallingfireontheright,andthepatriots
droppedfast.TheIndiansontheToryleftweredividedintosixbandswhokept
upacontinuousyellingwhichdidmuchtoinspiriteachother,whilethedeadly
aimtoldsadlyupontheAmericans.
ThemostpowerfulbodyofIndianswasinaswampontheleftofthepatriots,
andbyandbytheyoutflankedthem.TheAmericanstriedtomanoeuvresoasto
facethenewdanger,butsomeofthemmistooktheorderforonetoretreat.
Everythingwasthrownintoconfusion.
ColonelZebulonButler,seeinghowthingsweregoing,gallopedupanddown
betweentheopposinglines,callingout—“Don’tleaveme,mychildren.Stand
bymeandthevictoryisours!”
Butitwastoolate.Thepatriotscouldnotberallied.Theywerefaroutnumbered,
andoncethrownintoapanic,withthecaptainofeverycompanyslain,theday

waslost.
Youcannotpicturethedistressofthewomen,children,andfeebleoldmen
waitingatFortyForttheissueofthebattle.
Thesorrowfulgroupsonthebankoftheriverlistenedtothesoundsofconflict,
andreadthemeaningastheycametotheirears.
Thesteady,regularfiringraisedtheirhopesatfirst.Theyknewtheirsonsand
friendswerefightingwell,despitetheshoutsoftheIndiansbornedownthe
valleyonthesultryafternoon.
Byandbythefiringgrewmorescattering,andinsteadofbeingsofarupthe
riverasatfirst,itwascomingcloser.
Thiscouldmeanbutonething;thepatriotswereretreatingbeforetheToriesand
Indians.
Oneoldman,nearlyfourscoreyearsofage,whopleadedtogointothebattle,
butwastoofeeble,couldnotrestrainhisfeelings.Hewalkedbackandforth,
inspiredwithnewstrengthandfullofhope,untilthescatteredfiringandits
approachleftnodoubtofitsmeaning.


Hepausedinhisnervous,hobblingpace,andsaidtothewhitefacedwomen
standingbreathlesslynear—“Ourboysareretreating:theyhavebeenbeaten—all
hopeisgone!”
Thenextmomenttwohorsemengallopedintosight.“ColonelButlerand
ColonelDenison!”saidtheoldman,recognizingthem;“theybringsadnews.”
Itwastrue.Theyrodetheirhorsesonadeadrun,andreiningupatthefort,
wherethepeoplecrowdedaroundthem,theyleapedtotheground,andColonel
Butlersaid—“Ourboyshavebeendrivenfromthefield,andtheToriesand
Indiansareattheirheels!”


CHAPTERFOUR:THEEASTERNSHORE

YoungBenRipleymadeagoodrecordonthateventful3rdofJuly.Heloaded
andfiredassteadilyasaveteran.Thesmokeoftheguns,thewildwhoopingof
theIroquoisIndians,thesightofhisfriendsandneighborscontinuallydropping
totheground,someofthemathiselbow,thedeafeningdischargeoftherifles—
alltheseandthedreadfulswirlandrushofeventsdazedhimattimes;buthe
keptatitwithasteadinesswhichcausedmorethanoneexpressionofpraise
fromtheofficersnearesthim.
Allatoncehefoundhimselfmixedupintheconfusioncausedbytheattemptto
wheelapartofthelinetofacetheflankingassailants,andthemistakeofmany
thatitwasanordertoretreat.
Hedidnotknowwhatitmeant,foritseemedtohimthatadozenofficerswere
shoutingconflictingordersatthesamemoment.Anumberofmenthrewdown
theirgunsandmadeawildrushtogetaway,severalfallingovereachotherin
thefranticscramble;othersbumpedtogether,andabovethedinoftheconflict
soundedthevoicesofColonelButler,asherodebackandforththroughthe
smoke,begginghistroopsnottoleavehim,andvictorywouldbetheirs.
Seeingthehopelesstangle,theIndiansswarmedoutoftheswamp,andbytheir
savageattackandrenewedshoutsmadethehubbubandconfusiontenfoldworse.
SomebodyransoviolentlyagainstBenthathewasthrowntotheground.He
wasonhisfeetinaninstantandturnedtoseewhodidit.Itwasasoldierfleeing
forlifefromanIroquoiswarrior.
Benraisedhisgun,tookquickaimandpulledthetrigger,butnoreportfollowed.
Hehadforgottenhisweaponwasunloaded.
Otherformsobtrudedbetweenhimandthecouple,andhecouldnotseethe
resultofthepursuitandattack.Despiteallhecoulddo,hewasforcedbackby
thepanicstrickenrusharoundandagainsthim.
Suddenlyawildcryreachedhim.AnIroquoiswithpaintedfacerushedupon
himwithupliftedtomahawk,buthewasyetseveralpacesaway,whenanother
warriorseizedhisarmandwrenchedhimtooneside.

“Run—gofast—don’tstay!”commandedtheIndianthathadsavedtheyouth,
furiouslymotioningtohim.
“Ifmygunwereloaded,”repliedBen,thoughhisvoicewasunheardinthedin,
“Iwouldn’tgotillIdidsomethingmore.Helloa!isthatyou,Omas?”
ItwastheDelawarethathadturnedtheassaultaside.
Acoupleofboundsplacedhimbesidehelad,andhecaughthisarmwithagrip
ofiron.
Itwasofnousetryingtoholdback.Omashalfrunning,halfleaping,drovehis
waylikeawedgethroughthesurgingswarm.Hislefthandclosedaroundthe
upperarmofBen,whilehisrightgraspedhistomahawk,hehavingthrownaside
hisrifle.
Theboywasrepeatedlyjerkedalmostoffhisfeet.Hecouldrunfast,butwasnot
equaltothiswarrior,whoforgedalongwithresistlessmight.Twicedidan
Iroquoismakefortheyoungprisoner,ashesupposedtheladtobe,buta
warningmotionofthetomahawkupheldbyOmasrepelledhim.
TheDelawarewasprudent,andinsteadofkeepinginthemidstofthesurging
mass,workedtooneside,sothattheyweresooncomparativelyfreefromthe
tumultuousthrong.
TherewasnoattemptatconversationbetweentheDelawareandBen.Theboy
knewwhatwasmeantbythisroughkindness.Thedaywaslost,andhisthoughts
wentouttothelovedoneswaitingdownthevalleytolearntheresultofthe
battle.Hewantedtogettothemasquicklyashecould.
Therushcarriedthembeyondthemainbodyoffugitives,thoughnotoutof
danger,fortheIroquoiswerepursuinghard;butsoonOmasloosenedhisgrip
anddroppedthearmofthelad.Theywerefarenoughremovedfromtheswirlto
exchangewords.
“Wheremoder—whereAlice?”,askedtheDelaware,asifhehadnoconcernfor
hisownchild.
“AtFortyFort.”