Part 16 (1/2)

Donald rested his mittened hand on ”Scotchie's” head.

”You needn't be afraid. I won't let him hurt you,” Donald called.

The soldier came down the path scowling.

”I've a great mind to kick the beast,” he said.

”You'd better not,” said Donald.

Evidently the man agreed, for he went past as quickly as possible.

Donald watched him with a little scornful smile. The boy was not old enough to realize, as Faith did, the difference between these hired soldiers of England, and the brave Americans who were ready to undertake any sacrifice to secure the freedom of their country, but he was a brave boy, and thought poorly of this soldier's courage.

Louise listened to Faith's hurried account of the proposed quilting party.

”And you must come too, Louise,” she concluded, ”and come early.”

Louise promised. She had never been to a quilting party, and was sure that it would be a great experience. She could not go to the lake, for she must not leave the house until her father returned.

When Faith rejoined Donald he told her of the soldier's evident fear of the dog. ”I don't see what made 'Scotchie' growl so,” added Donald.

”I'm glad he did,” responded Faith. ”Come on; let's hurry, or we won't have much time on the ice,” so off they went across the field.

But as they reached the sh.o.r.e they looked at each other questioningly.

The lake seemed to be in the possession of the redcoats. At least half the garrison of the fort were on the ice; skating, racing, and evidently enjoying themselves.

”We had better go home,” said Faith, and Donald made no objections.

The two children, disappointed of their morning's sport, went slowly back toward home.

”That's the way they take everything,” declared Faith, renewing her promise to herself to try in some way to let Ethan Allen know how easy it would be to drive the English from Ticonderoga.

”I am glad you did not venture on the ice,” Aunt Prissy said when Donald and Faith told their story. ”The English become less friendly every day. Well, we will not think of them when there is so much to do as we have before us.”

”I asked Louise to come to the quilting,” said Faith.

”That's right; and I am going to send Donald to ask a number of your schoolmates to come in the evening. The moon will be full to light them home, and you children can have the kitchen to yourselves after supper, and make mola.s.ses candy,” said Aunt Prissy.

This seemed a very delightful idea to both Faith and Donald. The thought of making candy reminded Faith of Esther Eldridge, and of the bear's sudden appearance at the kitchen door. Mr. Carew had promised Faith to ask Esther's father to bring her to visit Faith on her return home, and Faith often thought of how much she and Esther would have to tell each other.

That afternoon Faith helped her Aunt Prissy in preparing for the quilting. Aunt Prissy was cooking a ham, and the brick oven held some of the spiced cakes that the children liked so well. Donald cracked a big dish full of hickory-nuts, while Faith rubbed the pewter plates and pitchers until they shone like silver. The two younger boys ran in and out of the kitchen, thinking a quilting party must be a great affair.

Mr. Scott had been cutting wood at the edge of the forest, and did not return until nearly dusk; and when he arrived there was a man with him--evidently a traveler, for there was a pack on his back, and he was tired. Faith heard her Aunt Prissy call the stranger by name, and welcome him.

”Why, it is Esther's father. Of course it is!” she exclaimed suddenly.

Mr. Eldridge told her all about Esther, and promised that his little daughter should again visit the Wilderness cabin. Faith wondered what business it was that took Mr. Eldridge through the Wilderness and up and down the lakes. Long afterward she discovered that he was one of the trusted messengers of the American leaders, and through him the American settlers along the lake sh.o.r.es and through the New Hamps.h.i.+re Grants were kept informed of what the English were doing. She did not know that he underwent constant danger.

The little boys went early to bed that night, but Faith was not sleepy. The firelight in the sitting-room made dancing pictures on the wall, as she sat in a small chair at the end of the sofa. The sound of Aunt Prissy's knitting needles made her think of the silvery tinkle of the mill-stream under the winter ice in her Wilderness home. Mr.

Eldridge and her uncle were talking quietly. She heard her uncle say that: ”Ticonderoga was the lock to the gate of the country,” and Mr.