m you
that Major Ross and Capt. Walter Butler have unexpectedly struck the
Valley at Warren's Bush with the following forces:

Eighth Regiment 25
Thirty-fourth Regiment 100
Eighty-fourth Highlanders Regiment 36
Sir John's Royal Greens Regiment 120
Yagers Regiment 12
Butler's Rangers 150
Indians 130
Renegades 40

With bat-horses, baggage-wagons, and camp-trains, including forces
amounting to a thousand rifles.

"What portion of the invading army this flying column may represent
is at present unknown to me.

"The militia call is out; expresses are riding the county to warn
every post, settlement, and blockhouse; Colonel Willett, with part
of the garrison at Fort Rensselaer, is marching on Fort Hunter to
join his forces with your Rangers, picking up the scouts on his
way, and expects to strike Butler at the ford below Tribes Hill.

"You will gather from this, sir, that Johnstown is gravely menaced,
and no garrison left except a few militia. Indeed, our situation
must shortly be deplorable if Colonel Willett does not deliver
battle at the ford.

"Therefore, if you can start at once and pick up a post of your
riflemen at Broadalbin Bush, it may help us to hold the jail here
until some aid arrives from Colonel Willett.

"The town is panic-stricken. All last night the people stood on the
lawn by Johnson Hall and watched the red glare in the sky where the
enemy were burning the Valley. Massacre, the torch, and hatchet
seem already at our thresholds. However, the event remains with
God. I shall hold the jail to the last.

"Your ob't serv't,

"ROWLEY, _Major Com'nd'g_."

For one dreadful moment every drop of blood seemed to leave my body. I
sank into a chair, staring into the sunshine, seeing nothing. Then the
pale face of Elsin Grey took shape before me, gazing at me sorrowfully;
and I sprang up, shuddering, and looking about me. What in God's name
was I to do? Go to her and leave these women and babies?--leave these
dull-witted men to defend themselves? Why not? Every nerve in me
tightened with terror at her danger, every heart-beat responded
passionately to the appeal. Yet how could I go, with these white-faced
women