By and by, however, the eyelids began to droop, and the good woman ceased.

Who shall tell what precious seed was thus sown in that cabin in Wyoming, more than a hundred years ago?
While Mrs.Ripley was talking upstairs, she heard voices below; so that she knew Ben had a visitor.

As she descended, she recognized a neighbor who lived on the other side of the river.
"I called," said he, "to tell you that you must lose no time in moving into Forty Fort with your little girl." "You do not mean right away ?" "Not tonight, but the first thing in the morning." "Is the danger so close as that ?" "Our scouts report the Tory Colonel Butler with a large force of whites and Indians marching down the valley." "But do you not expect to repel them ?" "We are sure of that," was the confident reply; "but it won't do for any of the women and children to be exposed.

The Indians will scatter, and cut off all they can.

Others of our friends are out warning the people, and we must have them all in a safe place." "Will you wait for your enemies to attack the fort ?" "I believe our Colonel Butler favors that; but others, and among them myself and Ben, favor marching out and meeting them." "That's it," added the lad, shaking his head.