“Wetzel!” exclaimed Colonel Zane.  A hush fell on the little company after that exclamation, and all eyes were fastened on the new comer.

Well did the stranger merit close attention.  He stalked into the room, leaned his long rifle against the mantelpiece and spread out his hands to the fire.  He was clad from head to foot in fringed and beaded buckskin, which showed evidence of a long and arduous tramp.  It was torn and wet and covered with mud.  He was a magnificently made man, six feet in height, and stood straight as an arrow.  His wide shoulders, and his muscular, though not heavy, limbs denoted wonderful strength and activity.  His long hair, black as a raven’s wing, hung far down his shoulders.  Presently he turned and the light shone on a remarkable face.  So calm and cold and stern it was that it seemed chiselled out of marble.  The most striking features were its unusual pallor, and the eyes, which were coal black, and piercing as the dagger’s point.

“If you have any bad news out with it,” cried Colonel Zane, impatiently.

“No need fer alarm,” said Wetzel.  He smiled slightly as he saw Betty’s apprehensive face.  “Don’t look scared, Betty.  The redskins are miles away and goin’ fer the Kanawha settlement.”

CHAPTER III.

Many weeks of quiet followed the events of the last chapter.  The settlers planted their corn, harvested their wheat and labored in the fields during the whole of one spring and summer without hearing the dreaded war cry of the Indians.  Colonel Zane, who had been a disbursing officer in the army of Lord Dunmore, where he had attained the rank of Colonel, visited Fort Pitt during the summer in the hope of increasing the number of soldiers in his garrison.  His efforts proved fruitless.  He returned to Fort Henry by way of the river with several pioneers, who with their families were bound for Fort Henry.  One of these pioneers was a minister who worked in the fields every week day and on Sundays preached the Gospel to those who gathered in the meeting house.

Alfred Clarke had taken up his permanent abode at the fort, where he had been installed as one of the regular garrison.  His duties, as well as those of the nine other members of the garrison, were light.  For two hours out of the twenty-four he was on guard.  Thus he had ample time to acquaint himself with the settlers and their families.

Alfred and Isaac had now become firm friends.  They spent many hours fishing in the river, and roaming the woods in the vicinity, as Colonel Zane would not allow Isaac to stray far from the fort.  Alfred became a regular visitor at Colonel Zane’s house.  He saw Betty every day, but as yet, nothing had mended the breach between them.  They were civil to each other when chance threw them together, but Betty usually left the room on some pretext soon after he entered.  Alfred regretted his hasty exhibition of resentment