"Why, Mammy, you never made such a fuss all during the war when daddy
was in danger every day," the girl chided.

"Ah, chile, dat was different. Yer daddy was fightin' white men den.
But dese are Injuns, an' dey'll scalp de wounded, an' den tie 'em to a
tree an' burn 'em alive. Den dey'll come an' carry off de women fo'
wives. I'll die befo' I'll be de wife of any ol' Injun, I sure will."

"Don't you worry, Mammy," Jean assured. "The Indians are not going to
come here. The rangers and our men will be able to handle them. I am
not one bit afraid."

As the shades of evening were stealing over the land, the men gathered
for their march against the enemy. They were a formidable band, and
Davidson was much pleased as he watched them fall into line. The
Colonel had charge of the little squad of Loyalists, and his old spirit
possessed him as he drilled and instructed them for a few minutes in
front of his house. The rangers watched this performance with
interest, and smiled indulgently.

"I am afraid that won't do much good in wilderness warfare," Davidson
reminded. "General Braddock tried it, and you know what happened.
However, I am hoping that there will be no fighting, so it won't make
much difference."

Half an hour later the men were swinging on their way through the
woods. No one spoke, and all walked as warily as possible. As night
shut down travelling became more difficult for the men of the
settlement, although the rangers seemed as much at home in the darkness