soul.

A few days later, Humphrey and Julian, fully equipped with
instructions, introductions, money and other necessaries, left the
city, ready for their homeward voyage; and in another week the
small but hardy band of Rangers, with their plain and meagre
outfit, but with stout hearts and brave resolves, said adieu to
those they left behind, and started westward for that debatable
ground upon which a bloody warfare had to be fought to the bitter
end.

Book 2: Roger's Rangers.

Chapter 1: A Day Of Vengeance.

To the west! to the west! to the west!

Such was the watchword of the band of sturdy Rangers who set forth
from Pennsylvania to the defence of the hapless settlers.

They were but a handful of bold spirits. It was little they could
hope to accomplish in attempting to stem the tide of war; but their
presence brought comfort to many an aching heart, and nerved many a
lonely settler to intrench and defend his house and family, instead
of giving way to utter despair.

There was work for the little band to do amongst these scattered
holdings. John Stark urged upon such settlers as had the courage to
remain to build themselves block houses, to establish some sort of
communication with one another, to collect arms and ammunition, and
be ready to retire behind their defences and repel an attack. For
the moment the Indians seemed glutted with spoil and with blood,
and were more quiet, although this tranquillity was not to be
reckoned upon for a day. Still, whilst it lasted it gave a
breathing space to many harassed and desperate settlers; and Fritz
could give them many valuable hints as to the best method of
intrenching themselves in block houses. He had seen so many of
these upon his long journey, and understood their construction
well.

Everywhere they found the people in a state of either deep
despondency or intense exasperation. It seemed to them that they
had been basely deserted and betrayed by their countrymen, who
should have been prompt to send to their defence; and although the
arrival of the Rangers, and the news they brought of future help,
did something to cheer and encourage them, it was easy to see that
they were deeply hurt at the manner in which their appeals had been
met, and were ready to curse the Quakers and the Assembly who had
calmly let them be slaughtered like brute beasts, whilst they
wrangled in peaceful security over some disputed point with the
Governor.

"Are you Rogers'