"Grey, Zane - Betty Zane" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grey Zane)

"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 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?"