Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-06
s. In z \ 2 2 E e
By MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOoD

a devouring flame followeth after theml"
Every sleeper in the cabin sat upright
or stirred. We said ~ whispered chorus:
Johnny Appleseed.
A tapping. light and regular, on the
window. followed. The man was on the
floor In a breath. l heard the mother
cropping among the children, and whisper
ing:
Don't wake the babyv"
The fire had died upon the hearth and
they lighted no candle. When Johnny
Appleseed gave his warning cry in the
clearing, and his cautious tap on the
window, and was instantly gone to other
clearlngs and other windows, It meant
that the Indians were near.
Skenedonk and 1, used to the night
alarm and boots and saddle in hurry,
put ourselves in readiness to help the
family. l groped for clothing and showed
small legs and arms into t.. The little
creatures, obedient and silent, made no
whimper at being reused out OF dreams
but keenly lent themselves to the march
We brought the horses and put the
woman and children upon them. The
very dogs understood, and skunk around
our legs without giving mouth. The cabin
door was shut after us without noise.
closing in what that family called home
a few pots and pans; patchwork quilts; a
spinning wheel; some benches; perhaps n
child's store of acorn cups and broken
yellow ware in log corner. In a few
hours II might be smoking a heap Of
ashes; and the world offered no other
place so dear. What we suffer for is
enriched by our suffering until IT becomes
priceless.
So far on the frontier was this cabin
that no community blockhouse stood near
enough to give its inmates shelter. They
were obliged to 60 with us to Fort
Stephenson.
Skenedonk pioneered the all-night strug-
gle on an obscure trail; and he went
astray sometimes. through blackness OF
woods that rooted out the stars. We fioun-
dered in swales sponging full of dead
leaves, and drew back. scratching our
selves on low-hung foliage.
By dawn the way became easier and
the danger greater. Then We paused and
lifted our rifles II twig broke near
by or fox barked, or wind rushed
among as a patter OF moccasins might
come. Skenedonk and /, sure of The
northern Indians, were making a venture
in the west. We knew nothing of Te-
cumsehs swift red warriors, except that
scarcely year had passed since his allies
had tomahawked women and children of
the garrison on the sand beach at Chi
cago.
without kindling any fire we stopped
once that day to eat. and by good luck
ana Following the river, reached that
Lower Sandusky which was called Fort
Stephenson, about nlghtfaI.
The place was merely a high stockade
win olockhouses at the angles, and a gate
opening toward the river. Within, be-
sides the garrison of hundred and sixty
men, were various refugees, driven like
our family to the fort. And there. COM
Ing heartily from the commandant's
quarters to receive me, was George Crog-
nan, still boy In appearance, though in
trusted with this dangerous post His
long face had darkened like mine. We
looked each other over with a quick and
critical scrutiny OF men who have not
met since boyhood, and laughed as we
grasped hands.
You are as welcome to the inside of
this bearpen," said Major Croghan, "as
you made me to the outside of the one in
the wilderness"
i hope you'n not give me such another
tramp after shelter for the night as /
gave YOU" I said.
The best In Fort Stephenson Is yours.
But your rest depends on the enemy A
runner has just come in from the General
warning me Proctor and Tecumseh are
turning their attention this way. I'm
ordered TO evacuate. for the post is con-
sidered too weak to hold"
How soon do you march?"
don't march at all. stay here I'm
going to disobey orders"
III you're going to disobey orders, YOU
nave good reason for doing So"
have. IL was too late to retreat. I'm
going to night hear. Lazarre, you know
how to handle Indians in the French
way"
MY dear croshan. you insinuate the
American way may be better"
not be on the northern"
Then you would not have advised r,,
attempting the Indians here?"
Il shouldn't have discouraged Il. When
got the secret order, l said: Bring the
French-bring the rfes-b,In9
ANYTHING that win cut the comb Of
Tecumsehv
The missionaries and the French like
being classed with-anything," / said.
We're Americans here" CroRhan
laughed The dauphin may have TO fight
IN the ditch with the rest OF us"
The dauphin Is an American, too. ana
used 70 scars, as you know. Can vou
slve me any news from Green Bay In
the Wisconsin country"
Il was ordered 20 Green Bay last war
10 see II anything could be done with ola
Fort Edward Augustus
thereY' NV
mot now" he answered sobsrly. she's
"That's bad" said. thinking Of lost
rs pretty Annabel de chanmont ever
coming back from Francer'
Not now, she's married"
That's worse" he sighed. II was very
silly about her when was a boy"
We had our supper In his quarters. ana
with preparations for defense The whole
place was full OF cheer and plenty of
game. and swarmed like : little fair with
moving figures. A campfire was bufIt al
dark IN the centre Of the parade Rround.
heapod logs sending their glow a. far ~
the dark pickets. Heads Of families drew
toward 4 while the women were puffinr
tner children 70 bed; and soldiers on
duty loupged there. the front OF the bodv
IN llEht. the back Ia darkness
Cool forN1t night air flowed ever the