ly rose upright, each
with rifle in hand.

Ben recognized them. One was Jabez Zitner and the other Horace
Burwink--both middle aged, sturdy, and strong. They were neighbors, and
had taken part in the engagement the day before, but, escaping without
harm, were now on their way to the settlements of the Upper Delaware.

A meeting of this kind would have been pleasing in the highest degree,
for it added great strength to the party; but a misgiving came to
the lad when he recognized Zitner. He was the man who, when partially
intoxicated the previous afternoon, had tried to take Linna from him and
was vigorously shoved aside by her friend.

"Helloa, Ben! where did you come from?" asked Zitner, who was now
entirely himself.

"Glad to see you," added Burwink, and the two extended their hands. "You
gave us a great scare, for the woods are full of redskins."

"You startled me, too," replied Ben. "I am travelling with my mother and
sister to Stroudsburg. I suppose you are aiming for the same place?"

"Yes--if we ever get there. What become of that little sarpent you had
with you yesterday?"

It was Zitner who asked the question. Ben's face flushed, for he did not
like to hear Linna spoken of in that way.

"She is with us," he quietly replied.

"What are you going to do with her?"

"She is in our care, and goes wherever we go."

"You seem mighty fond of the people who played the mischief with us
yesterday."

"Jabez Zitner, I fought just as hard as you, and did all I could to
drive back the Iroquois and Tories, but I don't fight little children
six years old."

"Who's talking about fighting 'em?" demanded Zitner angrily. "Their
people didn't spare our women and children."

"They are savages, but you and I claim to be civilized."

"That's all well enough, but my motto is--fight fire with fire." Burwink
was listening to this sharp interchange of words, the meaning of which
he caught. Wishing to make a friend of him, for Ben foresaw trouble, he
asked--"Am I not right, Mr. Burwink?"

"I should say--on general principles you are; but, after yesterday, I
don't feel much love for any of the varmints. Who is this Injin gal that
you are talking about?"

Ben was too wise to give the name of Linna's father, knowing he would be
instantly recognized as one of the fiercest warriors that had taken part
in the invasion and battle. He therefore replied--

"She is a girl named Linna; she is of the same age as our Alice, and wa