Betty Zane | Page 8

Wetzel; but while Wetzel
preferred to take his chances alone and track the Indians through the
untrodden wilds, McColloch was a leader of expeditions against the
savages. A giant in stature, massive in build, bronzed and bearded, he
looked the typical frontiersman. His blue eyes were like those of his
sister and his voice had the same pleasant ring.

"Major McColloch, do you remember me?" asked Betty.
"Indeed I do," he answered, with a smile. "You were a little girl,
running wild, on the Potomac when I last saw you!"
"Do you remember when you used to lift me on your horse and give me
lessons in riding?"
"I remember better than you. How you used to stick on the back of that
horse was a mystery to me."
"Well, I shall be ready soon to go on with those lessons in riding. I
have heard of your wonderful leap over the hill and I should like to
have you tell me all about it. Of all the stories I have heard since I
arrived at Fort Henry, the one of your ride and leap for life is the most
wonderful."
"Yes, Sam, she will bother you to death about that ride, and will try to
give you lessons in leaping down precipices. I should not be at all
surprised to find her trying to duplicate your feat. You know the Indian
pony I got from that fur trader last summer. Well, he is as wild as a
deer and she has been riding him without his being broken," said
Colonel Zane.
"Some other time I shall tell you about my jump over the hill. Just now
I have important matters to discuss," answered the Major to Betty.
It was evident that something unusual had occurred, for after chatting a
few moments the three men withdrew into the magazine room and
conversed in low, earnest tones.
Lydia Boggs was eighteen, fair haired and blue eyed. Like Betty she
had received a good education, and, in that respect, was superior to the
border girls, who seldom knew more than to keep house and to make
linen. At the outbreak of the Indian wars General Clark had stationed
Captain Boggs at Fort Henry and Lydia had lived there with him two
years. After Betty's arrival, which she hailed with delight, the girls had
become fast friends.

Lydia slipped her arm affectionately around Betty's neck and said,
"Why did you not come over to the Fort to-day?"
"It has been such an ugly day, so disagreeable altogether, that I have
remained indoors."
"You missed something," said Lydia, knowingly.
"What do you mean? What did I miss?"
"Oh, perhaps, after all, it will not interest you."
"How provoking! Of course it will. Anything or anybody would
interest me to-night. Do tell me, please."
"It isn't much. Only a young soldier came over with Major McColloch."
"A soldier? From Fort Pitt? Do I know him? I have met most of the
officers."
"No, you have never seen him. He is a stranger to all of us."
"There does not seem to be so much in your news," said Betty, in a
disappointed tone. "To be sure, strangers are a rarity in our little village,
but, judging from the strangers who have visited us in the past, I
imagine this one cannot be much different."
"Wait until you see him," said Lydia, with a serious little nod of her
head.
"Come, tell me all about him," said Betty, now much interested.
"Major McColloch brought him in to see papa, and he was introduced
to me. He is a southerner and from one of those old families. I could
tell by his cool, easy, almost reckless air. He is handsome, tall and fair,
and his face is frank and open. He has such beautiful manners. He
bowed low to me and really I felt so embarrassed that I hardly spoke.
You know I am used to these big hunters seizing your hand and giving
it a squeeze which makes you want to scream. Well, this young man is

different. He is a cavalier. All the girls are in love with him already. So
will you be."
"I? Indeed not. But how refreshing. You must have been strongly
impressed to see and remember all you have told me."
"Betty Zane, I remember so well because he is just the man you
described one day when we were building castles and telling each other
what kind of a hero we wanted."
"Girls, do not talk such nonsense," interrupted the Colonel's wife who
was perturbed by the colloquy in the other room. She had seen those
ominous signs before. "Can you find nothing better to talk about?"
Meanwhile Colonel Zane and his companions were earnestly
discussing certain information which had arrived that day.