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WYOMING SERIES.—No. 1.
WYOMING
BY
EDWARD S. ELLIS
AUTHOR OF "YOUNG PIONEER SERIES," "LOG CABIN SERIES," ETC., ETC.
PHILADELPHIA
HENRY T. COATES & CO.
Copyright, 1888.
BY
PORTER & COATES.
"He was stopped in the most startling manner that can beimagined."
WYOMING.
CHAPTER I.
On the sultry third of July, 1778, Fred Godfrey, a sturdy youth ofeighteen years, was riding at a breakneck speed down the Wyoming Valley,in the direction of the settlement, from which he saw columns of smokerolling upward, and whence, during the few pauses of his steed, he heardthe rattling discharge of firearms and the shouts of combatants.
"I wonder whether I am too late," he asked himself more than once, andhe urged his splendid horse to a greater pace; "the road never seemed solong."
Ah, there was good cause for the anxiety of the lad, for in that lovelyWyoming Valley lived those who were dearer to him than all the worldbeside, and whatever fate overtook the settlers must be shared by him aswell. He had ridden his horse hard, and his flanks glistened with wetand foam, but though every foot of the winding road was familiar to him,it appeared in his torturing impatience to be double its usual length.
Fred Godfrey had received the promise of his father, on the breaking outof the Revolution, that he might enlist in the patriot army so soon ashe reached the age of seventeen. On the very day that he attained thatage he donned the Continental uniform, made for him by loving hands,bade his friends good-bye, and hastened away to where Washington waslonging for just such lusty youths as he who appeared to be severalyears younger than he really was.
Fred was a handsome, athletic youngster, and he sat his horse with thegrace of a crusader. Although the day was warm, and his face glowed withperspiration, he wore his cocked hat, blue coat with its white facings,the belt around the waist and another which passed over one shoulder ereit joined the one around the middle of his body, knee-breeches, andstrong stockings and shoes. His rifle was slung across his back, and acouple of loaded single-barreled pistols were thrust in his belt, wherethey could be drawn the instant needed.
During his year's service in the patriot army Fred had proven h