Low sobs and endearing names for
the brave darling who had been willing to sacrifice her life to
preserve theirs fell from their lips. Poor, rude, frontier maids, they
had shown an equal bravery all through the defence, and proved
themselves to be worthy descendants of the race that lived through the
colonial struggles with the Indians of the Mohawk Valley. The three
girls gathered about me, and, clinging to my arms, besought me to go
to the rescue of their cousin.
"Yes, yes, girls," I replied; "everything shall be done that possibly
can be. We will start at once, and I hope to bring her back to you."
Turning to the father, I said, "Mr. Arnold, I will leave you a
luncheon for the road, and you must try to make the distance to
Prescott on foot."
"Yes, sir; we can do it easy, thank you."
"I would leave you some of the men as escort, but in such an
expedition I need more than I have."
"That's all right, Mr. Dunkin; 'f I had a beast I'd go with ye.
There'll be no Apaches round these parts agin for a considerable
spell," and his eyes ran sadly over the ruins of his home, the wreck
of his property, resting finally on the grave of his wife.
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