Betty Zane | Page 7

the cold, wet
weather. I anticipate a catastrophe very shortly if she is kept indoors
much longer."
"I have not had much opportunity to be anything but well behaved. If it
rains a few days more I shall become desperate. I want to ride my pony,
roam the woods, paddle my canoe, and enjoy myself," said Elizabeth.
"Well! Well! Betts, I knew it would be dull here for you, but you must
not get discouraged. You know you got here late last fall, and have not
had any pleasant weather yet. It is perfectly delightful in May and June.
I can take you to fields of wild white honeysuckle and May flowers and
wild roses. I know you love the woods, so be patient a little longer."
Elizabeth had been spoiled by her brothers--what girl would not have
been by five great big worshippers?--and any trivial thing gone wrong

with her was a serious matter to them. They were proud of her, and of
her beauty and accomplishments were never tired of talking. She had
the dark hair and eyes so characteristic of the Zanes; the same oval face
and fine features: and added to this was a certain softness of contour
and a sweetness of expression which made her face bewitching. But, in
spite of that demure and innocent face, she possessed a decided will of
her own, and one very apt to be asserted; she was mischievous; inclined
to coquettishness, and more terrible than all she had a fiery temper
which could be aroused with the most surprising ease.
Colonel Zane was wont to say that his sister's accomplishments were
innumerable. After only a few months on the border she could prepare
the flax and weave a linsey dresscloth with admirable skill. Sometimes
to humor Betty the Colonel's wife would allow her to get the dinner,
and she would do it in a manner that pleased her brothers, and called
forth golden praises from the cook, old Sam's wife who had beer with
the family twenty years. Betty sang in the little church on Sundays; she
organized and taught a Sunday school class; she often beat Colonel
Zane and Major McColloch at their favorite game of checkers, which
they had played together since they were knee high; in fact, Betty did
nearly everything well, from baking pies to painting the birch bark
walls of her room. But these things were insignificant in Colonel Zane's
eyes. If the Colonel were ever guilty of bragging it was about his
sister's ability in those acquirements demanding a true eye, a fleet foot,
a strong arm and a daring spirit. He had told all the people in the
settlement, to many of whom Betty was unknown, that she could ride
like an Indian and shoot with undoubted skill; that she had a generous
share of the Zanes' fleetness of foot, and that she would send a canoe
over as bad a place as she could find. The boasts of the Colonel
remained as yet unproven, but, be that as it may, Betty had,
notwithstanding her many faults, endeared herself to all. She made
sunshine and happiness everywhere; the old people loved her; the
children adored her, and the broad shouldered, heavy footed young
settlers were shy and silent, yet blissfully happy in her presence.
"Betty, will you fill my pipe?" asked the Colonel, when he had finished
his supper and had pulled his big chair nearer the fire. His oldest child,

Noah, a sturdy lad of six, climbed upon his knee and plied him with
questions.
"Did you see any bars and bufflers?" he asked, his eyes large and
round.
"No, my lad, not one."
"How long will it be until I am big enough to go?"
"Not for a very long time, Noah."
"But I am not afraid of Betty's bar. He growls at me when I throw
sticks at him, and snaps his teeth. Can I go with you next time?"
"My brother came over from Short Creek to-day. He has been to Fort
Pitt," interposed Mrs. Zane. As she was speaking a tap sounded on the
door, which, being opened by Betty, disclosed Captain Boggs his
daughter Lydia, and Major Samuel McColloch, the brother of Mrs.
Zane.
"Ah, Colonel! I expected to find you at home to-night. The weather has
been miserable for hunting and it is not getting any better. The wind is
blowing from the northwest and a storm is coming," said Captain
Boggs, a fine, soldierly looking man.
"Hello, Captain! How are you? Sam, I have not had the pleasure of
seeing you for a long time," replied Colonel Zane, as he shook hands
with his guests.
Major McColloch was the eldest of the brothers of that name. As an
Indian killer he ranked next to the intrepid