Mrs. Ripley would have been willing to wait longer, but she was
urged not to lose another hour. The frightened settlers were not
allowed to take anything but their actual necessaries with them,
for the cramped quarters in Forty Fort, where a number of cabins
were erected, would be crowded to the utmost to make room for the
hundreds who might clamor for admission. The quarters, indeed,
were so scant that many camped outside, holding themselves ready
to rush within should it become necessary.

Little Linna was filled with wonder when she saw her friends
preparing to move and knew she was going with them. But she helped
in her way as much as she could and asked no questions. There was
no need, in fact, for Alice asked enough for both.

And just here I must relate to you a little history.

On the last days of June, 1778, Colonel John Butler, with about
four hundred soldiers--partly made up of Tories--and six or
seven hundred Indians, entered the head of Wyoming Valley. As I
have said, he was a cousin of Colonel Zebulon Butler, who commanded
the patriots and did all he could to check the invaders. Reaching
Fort Wintermoot, the British officer sent in a demand for its
surrender. The submission was made, and the invaders then came down
the valley and ordered the Connecticut people to surrender Forty
Fort and the settlements. Colonel Zebulon Butler had under him,
to quote the historical account, "two hundred and thirty enrolled
men, and seventy old people, boys, civil magistrates, and other
volunteers." They formed six companies, which were mustered at
Forty Fort, where the families of the settlers on the east side of