stress, "and that our family followed King James to France. My parents
died. I had no brothers or sisters, and so, a year ago, I came to the
Colonies where I had friends. Later, my cousin followed, and we were
betrothed. We had the same cause at heart, and our joint estates would
give us some power. We planned to use them for that purpose."

"And your capture? Did your cousin know of it?"

"Monsieur, you say that this is necessary? My nurse had come to
America, and married a settler, in a village on the frontier. She was
ill, and I went to see her, and stayed some days. My cousin followed,
and stayed at a neighboring house. One night the Indians came. The
woman's husband was away, and the little maid-servant ran at the first
outcry. I was alone with the woman, who could not leave her bed. I
cut my hair roughly, put on a suit of her husband's clothing, and took
a musket. It was a blockhouse, and I hoped that I might hold the
Indians off for a time if they thought me a man."

"And your cousin?"

"He came to me. He was running. He said it was of no use. He had
seen men brained. There were legions of Indians. He said there was
nothing left but flight. He tried to take me with him."

"And when you would not go? When you would not desert?"

"Monsieur, he went alone."

I laid myself down on the grass before her, and covered her hands with
mine. "I am not quite a brute," I said. "I had to ask it. Look,