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

daring spirit. He had told all the people in the settlement, to many of whom
Betty was unknown, that she could ride like an Indian and shoot with undoubted
skill; that she had a generous share of the Zanes' fleetness of foot, and that
she would send a canoe over as bad a place as she could find. The boasts of
the Colonel remained as yet unproven, but, be that as it may, Betty had,
notwithstanding her many faults, endeared herself to all. She made sunshine
and happiness everywhere; the old people loved her; the children adored her,
and the broad shouldered, heavy footed young settlers were shy and silent, yet
blissfully happy in her presence.

"Betty, will you fill my pipe?" asked the Colonel, when he had finished his
supper and had pulled his big chair nearer the fire. His oldest child, Noah, a
sturdy lad of six, climbed upon his knee and plied him with questions.

"Did you see any bars and bufflers?" he asked, his eyes large and round.

"No, my lad, not one."

"How long will it be until I am big enough to go?"

"Not for a very long time, Noah."

"But I am not afraid of Betty's bar. He growls at me when I throw sticks at
him, and snaps his teeth. Can I go with you next time?"

"My brother came over from Short Creek to-day. He has been to Fort Pitt,"
interposed Mrs. Zane. As she was speaking a tap sounded on the door, which,
being opened by Betty, disclosed Captain Boggs his daughter Lydia, and Major
Samuel McColloch, the brother of Mrs. Zane.

"Ah, Colonel! I expected to find you at home to-night. The weather has been
miserable for hunting and it is not getting any better. The wind is blowing
from the northwest and a storm is coming," said Captain Boggs, a fine,
soldierly looking man.

"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!"