men?" was a question which the Rangers met again
and again as they pursued their way.

"No," they would answer; "we know of no Rogers. Who is he, and why
is his name in all men's mouths?"

This question was not always easy to get answered. Some said one
thing and some another; but as they pursued their western way, they
reached a settlement where more precise information was to be had.

"Have you not heard of Robert Rogers, the New Hampshire Ranger?
Well, you will hear his name many times before this war is closed.
He has gathered about him a band of bold and daring spirits. He has
lived in the forest from boyhood. He has been used to dealings with
both English and French settlers. He speaks the language of both.
But he is stanch to the heart's core. He is vowed to the service of
his country. He moves through the forests, over the lakes, across
the rivers. None can say where he will next appear. He seems
everywhere--he spies upon the foe. He appears beneath the walls of
their forts, snatches a sleepy sentry away from his post, and
carries him to the English camp, where information is thus gleaned
of the doings of the enemy. He and his band are here, there, and
everywhere. We had hoped to have seen them here by this. Colonel
Armstrong sent a message praying him to come and help him to attack
a pestilent nest of savages which is the curse of his life. We had
hoped you were the forerunners of his band when you appeared. But
in these troublous times who can tell whether the messenger ever
reached his destination?"

"But if we are not Rogers' men, we are Rangers of the forest,"
cried Stark, who was leader of the party. "We can fight; we are
trained to the exercise of arms. We will push on to this Colonel
Armstrong, and what aid so small a band can give him that we will
give."

"He will welcome any help from bold men willing to fight," was the
answer they got. "Pray Heaven you be successful; for we all go in
terror of our lives from the cruelty of Captain Jacobs. If he were
slain, we might have rest awhile."

"Captain Jacobs?"

"So they call him. He is a notable Indian chieftain. Most likely
the French baptized him by that name. They like to be called by
some name and title which sounds like that of a white man. He lives
at the Indian town of Kittanning, on the banks of the Allegheny,
and he is upheld by the French from Fort Duquesne and Venango. They
supply him with the munitions of war, and he makes of our lives a