The evening world., 1922-04-11

We had taken ten scalps; and, an
only Johnny Silver among my wh;tNS
people fancied such trophies, my
Oneidas skinned the noddles of our
quarry, and like all Indians, counted
any scalp glory, no matter whose
knife or bullet dropped the. game.
AS for me my throat was so swoll-
en- and bruised / could scarce speak
or swallow. -
However, there was work still tsV
be done. so took Godfrey and Luys-
mes, the Screech Owl, and the Water
Snake; motioned Yellow Leaf, the
Montagnais. to follow and set or
across West River, determined to
drive our enemies so deep into tha
wilderness that they would never for
get the Big Eddy.
BACK TO THE LODGE.
1.-THE sun was high when our SEN
tinel hailed a detail from Fish
house. bringing us a sheep,
three sacks Of corn and keg of fresh
milk.
had bathed me in the Eiate
over my command to Nick and now
was ready to report in person to this
Commandant at Summer House
| Point. -.'.
My Saguenay and L set forth by
canoe. -
Presently a Continental on gua1 Z
hailed our canoe. We landed. A corr
poral came, then a sergeant-one Cas- =
par QUAINT, whom / l<new-and so we
were passed on, my Indian and !.
Saluted. and the Officers salute rem
dered, he became curious to see tho
fresh scalps flapping at my Saguenays =
| girdle, and the new war paint and the
oil smelling rank in the sweet air.
| But / told him nothing. asking onb I
for the commandant, who, he gave
4 account. was a certain Major West
fall. lodging at the Summer House.
So l passed the gate and walked to-
ward the lodge. Sir Johns bloodcd
cattle were grazing ahead, and I saw
| Flora at the well, and Colas busy
among beds of garden flowers, spad-
ling and wedding under the south
perch.
| And I saw something else that halt
ed me. For, seated upon low limb
of an apple tree, her two little feet
hanging down, and garbed in pink
flowered chintz and snowy fichu. I be-
7 held Penelope Grant. admitting.
And by the pagan gods!-there
in ring around her strolled and lolled
a dozen Continental officers in buff
and blue and gold!
There was no reason why, but tho
scene chilled me.
Have you been in bG.tle?" Penelope
asked
| Yes"
After a silence: 81 am most happy
that you returned in safety" @
Did you ever-ever think of me?~-
I asked.
"Why, yes" she replied in surprise.
81 thought" said !, that being &C.
cupied-and so greatly sought after
by so many gallants-that you might
easily have forgotten me- ...
She laughed and plucked a grass
blade.
81 did not forget you" she said. ]
"That is amazing" said !, "a maid
so run after and so courted.
She plucked another blade of grass,
and so sat, pulling at the tender ver-
dure, her head bent so that I could
not see what her eyes were thinking,
but her lips seemed graver.
Tell me-" said I, "are you happy?"'
al am contented. l love my Mis-
tress Swift. l love and pity Lady
johnson. - Yes, 1 am happy"
~ know they both love you," said
!. $50 you should be happy here.
And admired as you are by
all men. 80
Again she laughed in her enchant-
ing little way, and bent her bright
head. And. presently: "a
"John Drogue?"
Il hear you, Penelope"
'Do you wish warm woolen stock
ings for your men,"
"Why-yes."
'I sent to Caydutta Lodge for the
garments. They are in the house:
You shall choose for yourself and YOU
men before the Continentals take thea.
share"
l was touched, and thanked her.
And now. it being near the noon hour,
we walked together to the house.
The partition which Sir John had
made for a room, and which now
served to enclose Penelope's chamber,
was all hung with stout wooden stock
ings of her own knitting; and othQN
lay on her trundle- bed. SO l admiree
and handled and praised these sober
fruits of her diligence and foresight,
and we corded up some dozen pair for
my white people; and 1 stuffed them
into my soldiers leather sack.
Then / took her hands and said my
thanks; and she looked at me and an
swered, You are welcome, John
Drogue."
! do not know what possessed mo
to put my arm around her. She
, flushed deeply. | kissed her; and 1t
went to my head
) ] had been welcomed like a brother
: by Polly Johnson, Claudia, too, made
a little fete of my return, unscathed
; from my first war-trail. And after [
had completed my report 10 the Con =
tinental Major, who proved compla :
. cent to the verge of f1attery, | was
free TO spend the day at the Summer
n House-or rather, l was at liberty 10
, remain as long a time as it took a
well mounted express 10 ride TO
Johnstown with my report and return