Betty Zane | Page 9

Zane Grey
A friendly
Indian runner had brought news to Short Creek, a settlement on the
river between Fort Henry and Fort Pitt of an intended raid by the
Indians all along the Ohio valley. Major McColloch, who had been
warned by Wetzel of the fever of unrest among the Indians--a fever
which broke out every spring--had gone to Fort Pitt with the hope of
bringing back reinforcements, but, excepting the young soldier, who
had volunteered to return with him, no help could he enlist, so he
journeyed back post-haste to Fort Henry.
The information he brought disturbed Captain Boggs, who commanded
the garrison, as a number of men were away on a logging expedition up
the river, and were not expected to raft down to the Fort for two weeks.
Jonathan Zane, who had been sent for, joined the trio at this moment,
and was acquainted with the particulars. The Zane brothers were
always consulted where any question concerning Indian craft and
cunning was to be decided. Colonel Zane had a strong friendly
influence with certain tribes, and his advice was invaluable. Jonathan
Zane hated the sight of an Indian and except for his knowledge as a
scout, or Indian tracker or fighter, he was of little use in a council.
Colonel Zane informed the men of the fact that Wetzel and he had
discovered Indian tracks within ten miles of the Fort, and he dwelt

particularly on the disappearance of Wetzel.
"Now, you can depend on what I say. There are Wyandots in force on
the war path. Wetzel told me to dig for the Fort and he left me in a
hurry. We were near that cranberry bog over at the foot of Bald
mountain. I do not believe we shall be attacked. In my opinion the
Indians would come up from the west and keep to the high ridges along
Yellow creek. They always come that way. But of course, it is best to
know surely, and I daresay Lew will come in to-night or to-morrow
with the facts. In the meantime put out some scouts back in the woods
and let Jonathan and the Major watch the river."
"I hope Wetzel will come in," said the Major. "We can trust him to
know more about the Indians than any one. It was a week before you
and he went hunting that I saw him. I went to Fort Pitt and tried to
bring over some men, but the garrison is short and they need men as
much as we do. A young soldier named Clarke volunteered to come
and I brought him along with me. He has not seen any Indian fighting,
but he is a likely looking chap, and I guess will do. Captain Boggs will
give him a place in the block house if you say so."
"By all means. We shall be glad to have him," said Colonel Zane.
"It would not be so serious if I had not sent the men up the river," said
Captain Boggs, in anxious tones. "Do you think it possible they might
have fallen in with the Indians?"
"It is possible, of course, but not probable," answered Colonel Zane.
"The Indians are all across the Ohio. Wetzel is over there and he will
get here long before they do."
"I hope it may be as you say. I have much confidence in your
judgment," returned Captain Boggs. "I shall put out scouts and take all
the precaution possible. We must return now. Come, Lydia."
"Whew! What an awful night this is going to be," said Colonel Zane,
when he had closed the door after his guests' departure. "I should not
care to sleep out to-night."

"Eb, what will Lew Wetzel do on a night dike this?" asked Betty,
curiously.
"Oh, Lew will be as snug as a rabbit in his burrow," said Colonel Zane,
laughing. "In a few moments he can build a birch bark shack, start a
fire inside and go to sleep comfortably."
"Ebenezer, what is all this confab about? What did my brother tell
you?" asked Mrs. Zane, anxiously.
"We are in for more trouble from the Wyandots and Shawnees. But,
Bessie, I don't believe it will come soon. We are too well protected here
for anything but a protracted siege."
Colonel Zane's light and rather evasive answer did not deceive his wife.
She knew her brother and her husband would not wear anxious faces
for nothing. Her usually bright face clouded with a look of distress. She
had seen enough of Indian warfare to make her shudder with horror at
the mere thought. Betty seemed unconcerned. She sat down beside the
dog and patted him on the head.
"Tige, Indians! Indians!" she said.
The dog growled and showed his teeth. It was only necessary to
mention
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