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tried to cut off the scouts; but they were too shrewd, and, continuing to load and fire, they fell back before the advancing horde of savages and French. Colonel Washington, having heard the firing, sent a party to their relief, and the scouts were brought safely into the fort.

By this time it was broad day, and the enemy began the siege. Gun and cannon belched forth. their deadly contents. The little fort all day long was a smoking volcano, continually hurling fire and death at the enemy. The smooth-faced boy in command seemed to inspire the men with confidence and courage. He was here and there and everywhere, issuing his commands with the coolness of a veteran. Noah saw him mount the ramparts to repel an assault and saw him fire his pistol almost in the very face of the foe. Such daring and coolness he had never witnessed before. The fight lasted nearly the entire day, and De Villiers, finding his ammunition failing, proposed a parley.

The day had been spent in conflict, and twilight was settling over the scene. The grass and woods. about the fort were strewn with dead and dying.

Washington, whose force was so inferior to the French as to make resistance folly, agreed to surrender the fort on condition that he and his men should retire from the stockade with the honors of war and return to the inhabited portion of the

country, the Virginians agreeing to restore the prisoners taken from Jumonville's party and not to erect any establishment west of the mountains for the space of a year.

On the morning of the 4th of July, 1754, the two commanders, seated on a log outside the fort, with Indian chiefs and Virginian officers looking on, signed the capitulations. The troops then recrossed the mountains to Wills Creek, and returned to their homes, while their commander hastened to Williamsburg to report to the governor. Washington's conduct had been so worthy, though he had been forced to retreat, that his actions and the actions of his men were approved, and, when the house of burgesses met, the thanks of the colony were voted them "for their bravery and gallant defence of the country." So ended the first campaign of the French and Indian War.

CHAPTER XII.

BRADDOCK.

Still linger in our northern clime
Some remnants of the good old time;
And still, within our valleys here,
We hold the kindred title dear,

Even when, perchance, its far-fetched claim
To southern ear sounds empty name;
For course of blood our proverbs deein,
Is warmer than the mountain stream.

-SCOTT.

MR. BEVERLY ROBINSON's home on the Hudson in New York was a resort for people of fashion. Robinson was rich, influential and a man whose acquaintance every one courted. His wife was a model lady, who had won the respect of all who knew her, and was a belle of the city which in the future was to be the great metropolis of the western continent.

Noah Stevens, shortly after his return from the campaign into the Ohio valley, went to New York in search of the bright spirit which had flitted away like a summer dream five or six years before. What strange spell could Anne Saturfield possess

He ar

over him that she drew him toward her? rived in New York early in January, 1755, and shortly after his arrival, called on Mr. Robinson to inquire about Mr. Saturfield and family.

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George Saturfield?" said Mr. Robinson. 'Yes, I know him, Captain Stevens.

cently came from England."

"Has he a daughter?"

He but re

He has, Miss Anne, and a lovely girl she is, I assure you. She will be at our ball given in honor of General Braddock, who arrives in our city in a few days, on his way to take charge of the army in Virginia. Will you come?"

"I will, Mr. Robinson; but has not Mr. Saturfield been in America before?"

"I believe he has. I think he was once in Virginia."

"He must be the same.

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Come to the Braddock ball and meet the general. By the way, did you not serve under Colonel Washington in the Ohio campaign, captain?"

"I did; but I supposed the war was over. Both the British and French authorities have agreed to leave the Ohio valley as it was before the war. Newcastle has given assurances that defence only is intended, and that the general peace shall not be broken."

"Zounds! captain, do you believe there is any

truth in it? They will be at it with might and main ere long, I'll warrant; but come to the Braddock ball; renew your acquaintance with the pretty daughter of Saturfield and form the acquaintance of the general."

"I will."

Noah was only too anxious to attend the ball; not, however, because he cared much for the acquaintance of General Braddock. He thought only of the beautiful maiden, who had so strangely impressed him six years ago, so he yet felt in his soul the warmth of those soft brown eyes.

Noah did not have to wait until the ball to meet Anne Saturfield. He was strolling along the banks of the Hudson one day, when he heard a shriek, accompanied by a yell of terror. Then came a snort of frightened steeds, jingling of bells, the grinding of runners on the snow, and a pair of fiery steeds, drawing a sleigh in which two ladies were sitting, came running toward him.

The negro driver still clung to the reins, though he had lost control of the horses. Noah at a few quick bounds placed himself directly in front of the flying steeds. His sudden appearance checked the runaways for an instant. They hesitated whether to leap over him or retreat. That instant of hesitation was improved by Noah. Leaping forward, he seized the bits and held them. The

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