e surprised
to find themselves suddenly raised to a place of such importance
and distinction.

It was an exciting time for Susanna and for all in the house. John
Stark came to and fro, bringing news that he had found fresh
volunteers to join the band of Rangers, who were already making
preparations for departure upon their perilous life of adventure.

Some of the older citizens looked doubtful, and spoke of the
rigours of the winter; but John laughed, and Charles smiled his
strange, mirthless smile, and all declared themselves fearless and
ready to face whatever might be in store. Come what might, they
would go to the help of the settlers, be the Assembly ever so
dilatory in sending help.

"But you will not get killed?" Susanna would plead, looking from
one face to the other. She was fond of John, who had been like a
brother to her all her life; she had a great admiration for
handsome Fritz, who often spent whole evenings telling her
wonderful stories of the far south whilst she plied her needle over
the rough garments the Rangers were to take with them. It seemed to
her a splendid thing these men were about to do, but she shrank
from the thought that harm might come to them. She sometimes almost
wished they had not thought of it, and that they had been content
to remain in the city, drilling with the town militia, and thinking
of the coming spring campaign.

"We must take our chance," answered Fritz, as he bent over her with
a smile on one of those occasions. "You would not have us value our
lives above the safety of our distressed brethren or the honour of
our nation? The things which have happened here of late have
tarnished England's fair name and fame. You would not have us hold
back, if we can help to bring back the lustre of that name? I know
you better than that."

"I would have you do heroic deeds," answered Susanna, with
quickly-kindled enthusiasm, "only I would not have you lose your
lives in doing it."

"We must take our chance of that," answered Fritz, with a smile,
"as other soldiers take theirs. But we shall be a strong and wary
company; and I have passed already unscathed through many perils.
You will not forget us when we are gone, Susanna? I shall think of
you sitting beside this comfortable hearth, when we are lying out
beneath the frosty stars, with the world lying white beneath us,
wrapped in its winding sheet!"

"Ah, you will suffer such hardships! they all say that."

There was a look