ood.

As you may well believe, the movements of the patriots were watched with
deep interest by those left behind. The women and children clustered
along the river bank and strained their eyes in the direction of Fort
Wintermoot, the black smoke from which rolled down the valley and helped
to shut out their view.

There was hardly one among the spectators that had not a loved relative
with the defenders. It might be a tottering grandfather, a sturdy son,
who, though a boy, was inspired with the deepest fervor, and eager to
risk his life for the sake of his mother or sister, whose hearts almost
stopped beating in the painful suspense which must continue until the
battle was decided.

Alice was too young fully to understand the peril in which Ben was
placed. She had kissed him goodbye when he ran to take his place with
the others, and, with a light jest on his lips about her and Linna, he
had snatched a kiss from the little Delaware's swarthy cheek.

The mother added a few cheering words to the children, and it was a
striking sight when they and a number of others, about their age or
under, began playing with all the merriment of children who never dream
that the world contains such afflictions as sorrow, woe, and death.

It was easy to follow the course of the patriots for a time after they
were beyond sight, by the sound of their drums and the shrill whistling
of several fifes.

In those days it was much more common than now for people to drink
intoxicating liquors. Just before the patriots started up the valley,
I am sorry to say, a few of the men drank more than they should. It
has been claimed by some that but for this things would have gone
differently on that day, which will live for ever as one of the saddest
in American history.

By and by the anxious people near the fort noticed that the sound of
drums and fifes had ceased, and the reports of firearms were heard.

They knew from this that the opposing forces were making ready for the
conflict, and the suspense became painful indeed.

Then amid the rattle of musketry sounded the whoops of the Iroquois.
The battle was on. Fighting began about four o'clock in the afternoon.
Colonel Zebulon Butler ordered his men to fire, and at each discharge
to advance a step. The fire was regular and steady, and the Americans
continued to gain ground, having the advantage where it was open.
Despite the exertions of the invaders, their line gave way, and but for
the hel