Betty Zane

by Zane Grey

  BETTY ZANE

  CHAPTER I.

  The Zane family was a remarkable one in early days, and most of itsmembers are historical characters.

  The first Zane of whom any trace can be found was a Dane ofaristocratic lineage, who was exiled from his country and came toAmerica with William Penn. He was prominent for several years in thenew settlement founded by Penn, and Zane street, Philadelphia, bearshis name. Being a proud and arrogant man, he soon became obnoxiousto his Quaker brethren. He therefore cut loose from them andemigrated to Virginia, settling on the Potomac river, in what wasthen known as Berkeley county. There his five sons, and onedaughter, the heroine of this story, were born.

  Ebenezer Zane, the eldest, was born October 7, 1747, and grew tomanhood in the Potomac valley. There he married Elizabeth McColloch,a sister of the famous McColloch brothers so well known in frontierhistory.

  Ebenezer was fortunate in having such a wife and no pioneer couldhave been better blessed. She was not only a handsome woman, but oneof remarkable force of character as well as kindness of heart. Shewas particularly noted for a rare skill in the treatment of illness,and her deftness in handling the surgeon's knife and extracting apoisoned bullet or arrow from a wound had restored to health many asettler when all had despaired.

  The Zane brothers were best known on the border for their athleticprowess, and for their knowledge of Indian warfare and cunning. Theywere all powerful men, exceedingly active and as fleet as deer. Inappearance they were singularly pleasing and bore a markedresemblance to one another, all having smooth faces, clear cut,regular features, dark eyes and long black hair.

  When they were as yet boys they had been captured by Indians, soonafter their arrival on the Virginia border, and had been taken farinto the interior, and held as captives for two years. Ebenezer,Silas, and Jonathan Zane were then taken to Detroit and ransomed.While attempting to swim the Scioto river in an effort to escape,Andrew Zane had been shot and killed by his pursuers.

  But the bonds that held Isaac Zane, the remaining and youngestbrother, were stronger than those of interest or revenge such as hadcaused the captivity of his brothers. He was loved by an Indianprincess, the daughter of Tarhe, the chief of the puissant Huronrace. Isaac had escaped on various occasions, but had always beenretaken, and at the time of the opening of our story nothing hadbeen heard of him for several years, and it was believed he had beenkilled.

  At the period of the settling of the little colony in thewilderness, Elizabeth Zane, the only sister, was living with an auntin Philadelphia, where she was being educated.

  Colonel Zane's house, a two story structure built of rough hewnlogs, was the most comfortable one in the settlement, and occupied aprominent site on the hillside about one hundred yards from thefort. It was constructed of heavy timber and presented rather aforbidding appearance with its square corners, its ominous lookingportholes, and strongly barred doors and windows. There were threerooms on the ground floor, a kitchen, a magazine room for militarysupplies, and a large room for general use. The several sleepingrooms were on the second floor, which was reached by a steepstairway.

  The interior of a pioneer's rude dwelling did not reveal, as a rule,more than bare walls, a bed or two, a table and a few chairs--infact, no more than the necessities of life. But Colonel Zane's houseproved an exception to this. Most interesting was the large room.The chinks between the logs had been plastered up with clay and thenthe walls covered with white birch bark; trophies of the chase,Indian bows and arrows, pipes and tomahawks hung upon them; the widespreading antlers of a noble buck adorned the space above the mantelpiece; buffalo robes covered the couches; bearskin rugs layscattered about on the hardwood floor. The wall on the western sidehad been built over a huge stone, into which had been cut an openfireplace.

  This blackened recess, which had seen two houses burned over it,when full of blazing logs had cheered many noted men with itswarmth. Lord Dunmore, General Clark, Simon Kenton, and Daniel Boonehad sat beside that fire. There Cornplanter, the Seneca chief, hadmade his famous deal with Colonel Zane, trading the island in theriver opposite the settlement for a barrel of whiskey. Logan, theMingo chief and friend of the whites, had smoked many pipes of peacethere with Colonel Zane. At a later period, when King LouisPhillippe, who had been exiled from France by Napoleon, had come toAmerica, during the course of his melancholy wanderings he hadstopped at Fort Henry a few days. His stay there was marked by afierce blizzard and the royal guest passed most of his time atColonel Zane's fireside. Musing by those roaring logs perhaps he sawthe radiant star of the Man of Destiny rise to its magnificentzenith.

  One cold, raw night in early spring the Colonel had just returnedfrom one of his hunting trips and the tramping of horses mingledwith the rough voices of the negro slaves sounded without. WhenColonel Zane entered the house he was greeted affectionately by hiswife and sister. The latter, at the death of her aunt inPhiladelphia, had come west to live with her brother, and had beenthere since late in the preceding autumn. It was a welcome sight forthe eyes of a tired and weary hunter. The tender kiss of his comelywife, the cries of the delighted children, and the crackling of thefire warmed his heart and made him feel how good it was to be homeagain after a three days' march in the woods. Placing his rifle in acorner and throwing aside his wet hunting coat, he turned and stoodwith his back to the bright blaze. Still young and vigorous, ColonelZane was a handsome man. Tall, though not heavy, his frame denotedgreat strength and endurance. His face was smooth, his heavyeyebrows met in a straight line; his eyes were dark and now beamedwith a kindly light; his jaw was square and massive; his mouthresolute; in fact, his whole face was strikingly expressive ofcourage and geniality. A great wolf dog had followed him in and,tired from travel, had stretched himself out before the fireplace,laying his noble head on the paws he had extended toward the warmblaze.

  "Well! Well! I am nearly starved and mighty glad to get back," saidthe Colonel, with a smile of satisfaction at the steaming dishes anegro servant was bringing from the kitchen.

  "We are glad you have returned," answered his wife, whose glowingface testified to the pleasure she felt. "Supper is ready--Annie,bring in some cream--yes, indeed, I am happy that you are home. Inever have a moment's peace when you are away, especially when youare accompanied by Lewis Wetzel."

  "Our hunt was a failure," said the Colonel, after he had helpedhimself to a plate full of roast wild turkey. "The bears have justcome out of their winter's sleep and are unusually wary at thistime. We saw many signs of their work, tearing rotten logs to piecesin search of grubs and bees' nests. Wetzel killed a deer and webaited a likely place where we had discovered many bear tracks. Westayed up all night in a drizzling rain, hoping to get a shot. I amtired out. So is Tige. Wetzel did not mind the weather or the illluck, and when we ran across some Indian sign he went off on one ofhis lonely tramps, leaving me to come home alone."

  "He is such a reckless man," remarked Mrs. Zane.

  "Wetzel is reckless, or rather, daring. His incomparable nervecarries him safely through many dangers, where an ordinary man wouldhave no show whatever. Well, Betty, how are you?"

  "Quite well," said the slender, dark-eyed girl who had just takenthe seat opposite the Colonel.

  "Bessie, has my sister indulged in any shocking escapade in myabsence? I think that last trick of hers, when she gave a bucket ofhard cider to that poor tame bear, should last her a spell."

  "No, for a wonder Elizabeth has been very good. However, I do notattribute it to any unusual change of temperament; simply the cold,wet weather. I anticipate a catastrophe very shortly if she is keptindoors much longer."

  "I have not had much opportunity to be anything but well behaved. Ifit rains a few days more I shall become desperate. I want to ride mypony, roam the woods, paddle my canoe, and enjoy myself," saidElizabeth.

  "Well! Well! Betts, I knew it would be dull here for you, but youmust not get discouraged. You know you got here late last fall, andhave not had any pleasant weather yet. It is per
fectly delightful inMay and June. I can take you to fields of wild white honeysuckle andMay flowers and wild roses. I know you love the woods, so be patienta little longer."

  Elizabeth had been spoiled by her brothers--what girl would not havebeen by five great big worshippers?--and any trivial thing gonewrong with her was a serious matter to them. They were proud of her,and of her beauty and accomplishments were never tired of talking.She had the dark hair and eyes so characteristic of the Zanes; thesame oval face and fine features: and added to this was a certainsoftness of contour and a sweetness of expression which made herface bewitching. But, in spite of that demure and innocent face, shepossessed a decided will of her own, and one very apt to beasserted; she was mischievous; inclined to coquettishness, and moreterrible than all she had a fiery temper which could be aroused withthe most surprising ease.

  Colonel Zane was wont to say that his sister's accomplishments wereinnumerable. After only a few months on the border she could preparethe flax and weave a linsey dresscloth with admirable skill.Sometimes to humor Betty the Colonel's wife would allow her to getthe dinner, and she would do it in a manner that pleased herbrothers, and called forth golden praises from the cook, old Sam'swife who had been with the family twenty years. Betty sang in thelittle church on Sundays; she organized and taught a Sunday schoolclass; she often beat Colonel Zane and Major McColloch at theirfavorite game of checkers, which they had played together since theywere knee high; in fact, Betty did nearly everything well, frombaking pies to painting the birch bark walls of her room. But thesethings were insignificant in Colonel Zane's eyes. If the Colonelwere ever guilty of bragging it was about his sister's ability inthose acquirements demanding a true eye, a fleet foot, a strong armand a daring spirit. He had told all the people in the settlement,to many of whom Betty was unknown, that she could ride like anIndian and shoot with undoubted skill; that she had a generous shareof the Zanes' fleetness of foot, and that she would send a canoeover as bad a place as she could find. The boasts of the Colonelremained as yet unproven, but, be that as it may, Betty had,notwithstanding her many faults, endeared herself to all. She madesunshine and happiness everywhere; the old people loved her; thechildren adored her, and the broad shouldered, heavy footed youngsettlers were shy and silent, yet blissfully happy in her presence.

  "Betty, will you fill my pipe?" asked the Colonel, when he hadfinished his supper and had pulled his big chair nearer the fire.His oldest child, Noah, a sturdy lad of six, climbed upon his kneeand plied him with questions.

  "Did you see any bars and bufflers?" he asked, his eyes large andround.

  "No, my lad, not one."

  "How long will it be until I am big enough to go?"

  "Not for a very long time, Noah."

  "But I am not afraid of Betty's bar. He growls at me when I throwsticks at him, and snaps his teeth. Can I go with you next time?"

  "My brother came over from Short Creek to-day. He has been to FortPitt," interposed Mrs. Zane. As she was speaking a tap sounded onthe door, which, being opened by Betty, disclosed Captain Boggs hisdaughter Lydia, and Major Samuel McColloch, the brother of Mrs.Zane.

  "Ah, Colonel! I expected to find you at home to-night. The weatherhas been miserable for hunting and it is not getting any better. Thewind is blowing from the northwest and a storm is coming," saidCaptain Boggs, a fine, soldierly looking man.

  "Hello, Captain! How are you? Sam, I have not had the pleasure ofseeing you for a long time," replied Colonel Zane, as he shook handswith his guests.

  Major McColloch was the eldest of the brothers of that name. As anIndian killer he ranked next to the intrepid Wetzel; but whileWetzel preferred to take his chances alone and track the Indiansthrough the untrodden wilds, McColloch was a leader of expeditionsagainst the savages. A giant in stature, massive in build, bronzedand bearded, he looked the typical frontiersman. His blue eyes werelike those of his sister and his voice had the same pleasant ring.

  "Major McColloch, do you remember me?" asked Betty.

  "Indeed I do," he answered, with a smile. "You were a little girl,running wild, on the Potomac when I last saw you!"

  "Do you remember when you used to lift me on your horse and give melessons in riding?"

  "I remember better than you. How you used to stick on the back ofthat horse was a mystery to me."

  "Well, I shall be ready soon to go on with those lessons in riding.I have heard of your wonderful leap over the hill and I should liketo have you tell me all about it. Of all the stories I have heardsince I arrived at Fort Henry, the one of your ride and leap forlife is the most wonderful."

  "Yes, Sam, she will bother you to death about that ride, and willtry to give you lessons in leaping down precipices. I should not beat all surprised to find her trying to duplicate your feat. You knowthe Indian pony I got from that fur trader last summer. Well, he isas wild as a deer and she has been riding him without his beingbroken," said Colonel Zane.

  "Some other time I shall tell you about my jump over the hill. Justnow I have important matters to discuss," answered the Major toBetty.

  It was evident that something unusual had occurred, for afterchatting a few moments the three men withdrew into the magazine roomand conversed in low, earnest tones.

  Lydia Boggs was eighteen, fair haired and blue eyed. Like Betty shehad received a good education, and, in that respect, was superior tothe border girls, who seldom knew more than to keep house and tomake linen. At the outbreak of the Indian wars General Clark hadstationed Captain Boggs at Fort Henry and Lydia had lived there withhim two years. After Betty's arrival, which she hailed with delight,the girls had become fast friends.

  Lydia slipped her arm affectionately around Betty's neck and said,"Why did you not come over to the Fort to-day?"

  "It has been such an ugly day, so disagreeable altogether, that Ihave remained indoors."

  "You missed something," said Lydia, knowingly.

  "What do you mean? What did I miss?"

  "Oh, perhaps, after all, it will not interest you."

  "How provoking! Of course it will. Anything or anybody wouldinterest me to-night. Do tell me, please."

  "It isn't much. Only a young soldier came over with MajorMcColloch."

  "A soldier? From Fort Pitt? Do I know him? I have met most of theofficers."

  "No, you have never seen him. He is a stranger to all of us."

  "There does not seem to be so much in your news," said Betty, in adisappointed tone. "To be sure, strangers are a rarity in our littlevillage, but, judging from the strangers who have visited us in thepast, I imagine this one cannot be much different."

  "Wait until you see him," said Lydia, with a serious little nod ofher head.

  "Come, tell me all about him," said Betty, now much interested.

  "Major McColloch brought him in to see papa, and he was introducedto me. He is a southerner and from one of those old families. Icould tell by his cool, easy, almost reckless air. He is handsome,tall and fair, and his face is frank and open. He has such beautifulmanners. He bowed low to me and really I felt so embarrassed that Ihardly spoke. You know I am used to these big hunters seizing yourhand and giving it a squeeze which makes you want to scream. Well,this young man is different. He is a cavalier. All the girls are inlove with him already. So will you be."

  "I? Indeed not. But how refreshing. You must have been stronglyimpressed to see and remember all you have told me."

  "Betty Zane, I remember so well because he is just the man youdescribed one day when we were building castles and telling eachother what kind of a hero we wanted."

  "Girls, do not talk such nonsense," interrupted the Colonel's wifewho was perturbed by the colloquy in the other room. She had seenthose ominous signs before. "Can you find nothing better to talkabout?"

  Meanwhile Colonel Zane and his companions were earnestly discussingcertain information which had arrived that day. A friendly Indianrunner had brought news to Short Creek, a settlement on the riverbetween Fort Henry and Fort Pitt of an intended ra
id by the Indiansall along the Ohio valley. Major McColloch, who had been warned byWetzel of the fever of unrest among the Indians--a fever which brokeout every spring--had gone to Fort Pitt with the hope of bringingback reinforcements, but, excepting the young soldier, who hadvolunteered to return with him, no help could he enlist, so hejourneyed back post-haste to Fort Henry.

  The information he brought disturbed Captain Boggs, who commandedthe garrison, as a number of men were away on a logging expeditionup the river, and were not expected to raft down to the Fort for twoweeks.

  Jonathan Zane, who had been sent for, joined the trio at thismoment, and was acquainted with the particulars. The Zane brotherswere always consulted where any question concerning Indian craft andcunning was to be decided. Colonel Zane had a strong friendlyinfluence with certain tribes, and his advice was invaluable.Jonathan Zane hated the sight of an Indian and except for hisknowledge as a scout, or Indian tracker or fighter, he was of littleuse in a council. Colonel Zane informed the men of the fact thatWetzel and he had discovered Indian tracks within ten miles of theFort, and he dwelt particularly on the disappearance of Wetzel.

  "Now, you can depend on what I say. There are Wyandots in force onthe war path. Wetzel told me to dig for the Fort and he left me in ahurry. We were near that cranberry bog over at the foot of Baldmountain. I do not believe we shall be attacked. In my opinion theIndians would come up from the west and keep to the high ridgesalong Yellow creek. They always come that way. But of course, it isbest to know surely, and I daresay Lew will come in to-night orto-morrow with the facts. In the meantime put out some scouts backin the woods and let Jonathan and the Major watch the river."

  "I hope Wetzel will come in," said the Major. "We can trust him toknow more about the Indians than any one. It was a week before youand he went hunting that I saw him. I went to Fort Pitt and tried tobring over some men, but the garrison is short and they need men asmuch as we do. A young soldier named Clarke volunteered to come andI brought him along with me. He has not seen any Indian fighting,but he is a likely looking chap, and I guess will do. Captain Boggswill give him a place in the block house if you say so."

  "By all means. We shall be glad to have him," said Colonel Zane.

  "It would not be so serious if I had not sent the men up the river,"said Captain Boggs, in anxious tones. "Do you think it possible theymight have fallen in with the Indians?"

  "It is possible, of course, but not probable," answered ColonelZane. "The Indians are all across the Ohio. Wetzel is over there andhe will get here long before they do."

  "I hope it may be as you say. I have much confidence in yourjudgment," returned Captain Boggs. "I shall put out scouts and takeall the precaution possible. We must return now. Come, Lydia."

  "Whew! What an awful night this is going to be," said Colonel Zane,when he had closed the door after his guests' departure. "I shouldnot care to sleep out to-night."

  "Eb, what will Lew Wetzel do on a night like this?" asked Betty,curiously.

  "Oh, Lew will be as snug as a rabbit in his burrow," said ColonelZane, laughing. "In a few moments he can build a birch bark shack,start a fire inside and go to sleep comfortably."

  "Ebenezer, what is all this confab about? What did my brother tellyou?" asked Mrs. Zane, anxiously.

  "We are in for more trouble from the Wyandots and Shawnees. But,Bessie, I don't believe it will come soon. We are too well protectedhere for anything but a protracted siege."

  Colonel Zane's light and rather evasive answer did not deceive hiswife. She knew her brother and her husband would not wear anxiousfaces for nothing. Her usually bright face clouded with a look ofdistress. She had seen enough of Indian warfare to make her shudderwith horror at the mere thought. Betty seemed unconcerned. She satdown beside the dog and patted him on the head.

  "Tige, Indians! Indians!" she said.

  The dog growled and showed his teeth. It was only necessary tomention Indians to arouse his ire.

  "The dog has been uneasy of late," continued Colonel Zane "He foundthe Indian tracks before Wetzel did. You know how Tige hatesIndians. Ever since he came home with Isaac four years ago he hasbeen of great service to the scouts, as he possesses so muchintelligence and sagacity. Tige followed Isaac home the last time heescaped from the Wyandots. When Isaac was in captivity he nursed andcared for the dog after he had been brutally beaten by the redskins.Have you ever heard that long mournful howl Tige gives out sometimesin the dead of night?"

  "Yes I have, and it makes me cover up my head," said Betty.

  "Well, it is Tige mourning for Isaac," said Colonel Zane

  "Poor Isaac," murmured Betty.

  "Do you remember him? It has been nine years since you saw him,"said Mrs. Zane.

  "Remember Isaac? Indeed I do. I shall never forget him. I wonder ifhe is still living?"

  "Probably not. It is now four years since he was recaptured. I thinkit would have been impossible to keep him that length of time,unless, of course, he has married that Indian girl. The simplicityof the Indian nature is remarkable. He could easily have deceivedthem and made them believe he was content in captivity. Probably, inattempting to escape again, he has been killed as was poor Andrew."

  Brother and sister gazed with dark, sad eyes into the fire, nowburned down to a glowing bed of coals. The silence remained unbrokensave for the moan of the rising wind outside, the rattle of hail,and the patter of rain drops on the roof.