She raised her eyes to his, and the colour flooded her face.

“I shall welcome you back with great gladness of heart, Fritz, and I shall pray for you every day whilst you are away.”

“And not forget me, even if other fine fellows of officers, such as we begin to see in our streets now, come speaking fine words to you, and seeking to win smiles from your bright eyes?  You will keep a place in your heart still for the rough Ranger Fritz?”

Susanna’s eyes lighted with something of mischievous amusement, and then as she proceeded grew more grave and soft.

“My good mother will take care that I have small converse with the gay young officers, Fritz.  But in truth, even were it not so, I should never care for them, or think of them as I do of you.  You are facing perils they would not.  You are brave with the bravery of a true hero.  It is with the Rangers of the forest that my heart will go.  Be sure you break it not, Fritz, by too rashly exposing yourself to peril.”

“Sweetheart!” was his softly-spoken answer; and Susanna went to her bed that night with a heart that beat high with a strange sweet happiness, although the cloud of coming parting lay heavy upon her soul.

A few days later, Humphrey and Julian, fully equipped with instructions, introductions, money and other necessaries, left the city, ready for their homeward voyage; and in another week the small but hardy band of Rangers, with their plain and meagre outfit, but with stout hearts and brave resolves, said adieu to those they left behind, and started westward for that debatable ground upon which a bloody warfare had to be fought to the bitter end.

Book 2:  Roger’s Rangers.

Chapter 1:  A Day Of Vengeance.

To the west! to the west! to the west!

Such was the watchword of the band of sturdy Rangers who set forth from Pennsylvania to the defence of the hapless settlers.

They were but a handful of bold spirits.  It was little they could hope to accomplish in attempting to stem the tide of war; but their presence brought comfort to many an aching heart, and nerved many a lonely settler to intrench and defend his house and family, instead of giving way to utter despair.

There was work for the little band to do amongst these scattered holdings.  John Stark urged upon such settlers as had the courage to remain to build themselves block houses, to establish some sort of communication with one another, to collect arms and ammunition, and be ready to retire behind their defences and repel an attack.  For the moment the Indians seemed glutted with spoil and with blood, and were more quiet, although this tranquillity was not to be reckoned upon for a day.  Still, whilst it lasted it gave a breathing space to many harassed and desperate settlers; and Fritz could give them many valuable hints as to the best method of intrenching themselves in block houses.  He had seen so many of these upon his long journey, and understood their construction well.