"See the big cabin, thar, on the hillside? Thar's Colonel Zane in
the door," said Wetzel.
As they neared the building several men joined the one who had been
pointed out as the colonel. It was evident the boys were the subject
of their conversation. Presently Zane left the group and came toward
them. The brothers saw a handsome, stalwart man, in the prime of
life.
"Well, Lew, what luck?" he said to Wetzel.
"Not much. I treed five Injuns, an' two got away," answered the
hunter as he walked toward the fort.
"Lads, welcome to Fort Henry," said Colonel Zane, a smile lighting
his dark face. "The others of your party arrived safely. They
certainly will be overjoyed to see you."
"Colonel Zane, I had a letter from my uncle to you," replied Jim;
"but the Indians took that and everything else we had with us."
"Never mind the letter. I knew your uncle, and your father, too.
Come into the house and change those wet clothes. And you, my lad,
have got an ugly knock on the head. Who gave you that?"
"Jim Girty."
"What?" exclaimed the colonel.
"Jim Girty did that. He was with a party of Delawares who ran across
us. They were searching for Wetzel."
"Girty with the Delawares! The devil's to pay now. And you say
hunting Wetzel? I must learn more about this. It looks bad. But tell
me, how did Girty come to strike you?"
"I pulled his nose.
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