p, but really you
will admit that I have a right to know you better before my daughter
engages to marry you."

Jack freely admitted that the request was well founded, albeit he
declared, frankly, that he would like to be got acquainted with as soon
as possible.

"We must take the first ship back to England," said the Colonel. "You
are both young and in a matter of this kind there should be no haste.
If your affection is real, it will be none the worse for a little
keeping."

Solomon Binkus and Peter and Israel and John Bones and some settlers
north of Horse Valley arrived next day with the captured Indians, who,
under a military guard, were sent on to the Great Father at Johnson
Castle.

Colonel Hare was astonished that neither Solomon Binkus nor John Irons
nor his son would accept any gift for the great service they had done
him.

"I owe you more than I can ever pay," he said to the faithful Binkus.
"Money would not be good enough for your reward."

Solomon stepped close to the great man and said in a low tone:

"Them young 'uns has growed kind o' love sick an' I wouldn't wonder. I
don't ask only one thing. Don't make no mistake 'bout this 'ere boy.
In the bush we have a way o' pickin' out men. We see how they stan' up
to danger an' hard work an' goin' hungry. Jack is a reg'lar he-man. I
know 'em when I see 'em, which--it's a sure fact--I've seen all kinds.
He's got brains an' courage, an' a tough arm an' a good heart. He'd
die fer a friend any day. Ye kin't do no more. So don't make no
mistake 'bout him. He ain't no hemlock bow. I cocalate there ain't no
better man-timber nowhere--no, sir, not nowhere in this world--call it
king er lord er duke er any name ye like. So, sir, if ye feel like
doin' suthin' fer me--which I didn't never expect it, when I done what
I did--I'll say be good to the boy. You'd never have to be 'shamed o'
him."

"He's a likely lad," said Colonel Hare. "And I am rather impressed by
your words, although they present a view that is new to me. We shall
be returning soon and I dare say they will presently forget each other,
but if not, and he becomes a good man--as good a man as his father--let
us say--and she should wish to marry him, I would gladly put her hand
in his."

A letter of the handsome British officer to his friend, Doctor Benjamin
Franklin, reviews the history of this adventure and speaks of the
learning, intelligence and agreeable personality of John Irons.