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

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,"