ness which prevailed at the fort.

There were troubles, too, with the citizens about the billeting of
the English contingent, and many were the heart burnings which
arose between stubborn townsmen and military rulers before these
matters could be adjusted. But all this made little matter in
houses like that of Benjamin Ashley, who was a true patriot at
heart, and threw open his doors not only to his wife's brother, but
to as many war-weary soldiers as he could accommodate, and was
never tired of hearing all that they could tell as to their past
experiences, or of discussing with them the probable result of the
coming struggle.

Fritz would sit beside Susanna's spinning wheel in the evening,
telling her stories to which she listened in open-eyed amaze, and
giving eager heed to the discussion of politics amongst the other
men. Charles would sit apart, absent and dreamy--a strange figure
amongst the rest--very gentle and tender in his manner towards
Hannah and Susanna, but taking little or no interest in the daily
round of life, and only counting the days till he could return to
the forest and his mission of vengeance.

There was great discontent in the hearts of the colonists. They
declared that nothing was done for them, and yet they were never
prepared to bestir themselves actively. When Fritz asked eagerly
about the English statesman Pitt, he was told that he and the Duke
of Newcastle were now acting together in the ministry, and that
some hoped for better things in consequence. But it was evident to
all by this time that the first move made by the new minister would
be directed against Louisbourg in Acadia, the only stronghold yet
remaining to the French in Cape Breton Island. After driving the
enemy from thence, he might, and probably would, turn his attention
to the western frontier; but meantime the colonists here would have
mainly to hold back the enemy by their own united efforts, and
unity of action was just the thing which appeared most difficult to
them.

It was not encouraging; but the hardy Rangers were not to be
disheartened, and true to their promise, they only stayed within
winter quarters till after the festive Christmas season; and then
gathering together a compact little body of volunteers, Stark set
forward once again for the wild forest, where he was to meet Rogers
and his band.

Fritz was ready to go, despite his parting with pretty Susanna,
whose bright eyes sparkled with tears as she said