k eye for grace and beauty, and, charmed at
the unexpected ingress of the little fairy, he forgot alike his food,
his manners, and his story, and gazed in stupid silence at the lovely
apparition. The mother comprehended the state of things, and, with a
look of gratified maternal pride, said to Tom,--

"But you mustn't forget your plate; you have had a long ride, you
know, and have another before you."

This recalled Tom to his senses, and in his straightforward, manly way
he finished the account of the affair.

"The captain's most ready," said black Nancy, glancing out of the
window, as Tom finished his repast.

"Farewell, my boy," said Mrs. McElroy. "I wish you success, and hope
no harm will come to you;" and Tom went out and mounted the horse that
had been provided for him, and shaking hands with the kind settler who
brought him there, he saw Mrs. McElroy and Alice waving their
handkerchiefs, as he and the men rode in military order out of the
square.

The horses were in good order, and the men in fine spirits, glad,
after their idle life within the fort, to be sent on active duty. The
day was almost cloudless, the air pure and bracing, and they coursed
the smooth prairies at a rapid rate. Yet to Tom's anxious heart the
moments seemed long; and when they stopped at noon for refreshment,
and to bait the horses, Tom could scarcely brook the delay. He was
really on his way with a brave band for the rescue. The thought of
this was joyful to him, yet he was afraid that they might arrive too
late; and as the soldiers lay upon the grass eating their rations,
Captain Manly, reading his feelings, said to him,--

"Be patient, my dear boy; be patient. The old saying, 'Prayer and
provender hinder no man's journey,' is as true in war as in peace."

He was a Christian soldier, and he added,--

"We must pray, Tom, that God will prosper us. By this bit of rest the
men and horses will be all the better for service when we catch up
with the savages; and if God shall so order it, we will save such of
the poor settlers as have escaped from massacre."

About the middle of the afternoon they drew near one of the
settlements that lay in their path. Scouts were sent ahead to see if
any Indians were lurking in the vicinity. They reported that none were
to be seen, but that the village had been totally destroyed. Putting
spurs to their horses, the eager soldiers were soon on the ground.

The air was still heavy with the smell of th