1)2 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF 



geroiis jouniey was a sister of Colonel Zane's, who said 

 she would go. This, however, was ol)jected to, and the 

 young men insisted on going themselves. But she was firm 

 in her purpose, and replied that the loss of a woman would 

 be less felt than that of a man. And pinning up her 

 dress, to let her feet have fair play in the race, oflf she 

 went. But the Indians, astonished at the sight, did not 

 tire a single shot at her, and she reached the fort in safety. 

 Soon she had secured plenty of powder in a slim belt 

 round her waist, and off she bounded again for the house. 

 [}ut the enemy, seeing her returning, suspected some mis- 

 chief, and fired a volley of balls after her ; all of which 

 missed her, and she reached her destination in safety, with 

 plenty of powder to carry through the siege. 



" The Indians, somewhat discouraged, hung round a 

 while and hunted up a fat cow ; and while some were en- 

 gaged at the fort, others killed the aninml and roasted it 

 by quarters. They then took turns to go and fill them- 

 selves, while those who were not eating kept up a hot lire 

 on the fort. But when the feast was over, they all 

 marched off in profound silence. In the last onset, a 

 chance ball passed through one of the port-holes just as o 

 rnan was in the act of firing at the enemy, and, striking 

 him in the forehead, killed him instantly." 



Thus ended Nancy's story of Indian murders upon the 

 whites. She continued, " I think, Browning, that if the 

 Indians were to commence hostilities again, while you 

 were living with us, you would fight for our family, 

 wouldn't you ? " 



"Indeed, Nancy," said I, "no infernal Indian should 

 ever take off that pretty black scalp of yours while life and 

 strength were left in my body sufficient to save you from 

 their cursed hands." 



" I do really believe you would," she replied ; " aiid 

 father thinks so too : I heard him say so " 



