"Will you wait for your enemies to attack the fort?"

"I believe our Colonel Butler favors that; but others, and among
them myself and Ben, favor marching out and meeting them."

"That's it," added the lad, shaking his head. "I believe in showing
them we are not scared. Colonel Butler got leave of absence to
come to Wyoming; he has some regulars with him, and with all our
men and boys we'll teach the other Colonel Butler a lesson he won't
forget as long as he lives."

"Well, if you think it best, we will move into the fort with the
other people until the danger is past."

"Yes, mother; I will fight better knowing that you and Alice are
safe. There's Linna! What about her?"

"Who's Linna?" asked the visitor.

"She is the little child of Omas, the Delaware warrior. He brought
her here this afternoon to make Alice a visit, and promised to call
tomorrow for her. Will it be safe to wait until he comes?"

The neighbor shook his head.

"You mustn't take any chances. Why don't you turn her loose to take
care of herself? She can do it."

"I couldn't," the mother hastened to say; "Omas left her in our
care, and I must not neglect her. She will go with us."