They gossiped in whispers about her white skin, her little hands, her beauty.

The girls stared with wide open and wondering eyes.

The youngsters ran round and round the little group; they pushed each other over, and rolled in the long grass, and screamed with delight.
It was to be a gala occasion and every man, woman and child in the settlement had assembled on the green.Col.Zane and Sam were planting a post in the center of the square.

It was to be used in the shooting matches.Capt.Boggs and Major McColloch were arranging the contestants in order.

Jonathan Zane, Will Martin, Alfred Clarke--all the young men were carefully charging and priming their rifles.