Late in the afternoon, a scout from Boonesborough made his appearance, and was admitted. He reported that there was a pretty general uprising among the savages, and Colonel Boone was daily expecting an attack. Kenton was at one of the weaker settlements, as there were alarming signs of war along the whole frontier, and there was no certainty who would suffer first.
As the night slowly settled over the wilderness, the pioneers collected in their homes to spend an hour or so with their families. The evening meal was scantily partaken of, at the close of which all knelt and sent up a fervent supplication for protection by the Great Being above. Then, after a few more words, the females and children retired, and the men rose and sallied forth to the block-houses.
Kingman, after leaving his mother, proceeded to the house of Stuart. Stuart himself was gone, but Irene was still watching for him.
“Ah! up yet?” he laughed. “You ought to be abed.”
“I have no desire to sleep, and do not intend to, until the danger is over.”
“Why, what help do you suppose you can offer?”
“Perhaps none, but when our friends are in such danger, little sleep, it seems, should come to the others.”
“I trust we shall escape without much trouble,” said Kingman, hopefully. “There may be no attack, after all is said and done.”
“Oh, I hope not! There is war all the time. It is dreadful. I pray it may soon end.”
“Keep up a good heart, Irene. So, good by, now.”