Thus humble let me live and die,

Nor long for Midas' golden touch,
If Heaven more generous gifts deny,
I shall not miss them much,-
Too grateful for the blessing lent
Of simple tastes and mind content.

*

-O. W. Holmes.

Labor not to be rich. For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward Heaven.

(A village street with a stockade at one end. Colonel Sheppard meets Silas and Ebenezer Zane.)

COLONEL SHEPPARD.-Good morning, friends. Have you any news of the savages?

SILAS.-It is reported that they are on the war-path. COLONEL SHEPPARD.-If that is true we must get our people and supplies into the fort as soon as possible.

EBENEZER.-Shall I tell the men to bring their families and supplies from the village? Here come some people now rushing for the gates.

(A scout enters in haste.)

SCOUT. The Indians are coming! They have already killed some of the settlers.

COLONEL SHEPPARD.-Are you sure? What do you know about it?

SCOUT. I was coming through the forest on horseback, when I heard the war-whoop, and I saw in the distance what seemed to be a burning house. Stealing through the brush to the edge of the wood, I saw our neighbor's house in flames, and the Indians in war-paint surrounding it. I have come as quickly as possible to give you warning.

(Groups of people have gathered about. They nod their heads and talk to one another.)

FIRST MAN.I was sure I saw smoke.

SECOND MAN. My wife said she heard strange noises. She is always thinking of Indians.

THIRD MAN. We must not stop to talk. We must help all to the stockade.

COLONEL SHEPPARD.—Call the rest of the people into the stockade. Let them bring with them all they can

carry.

EBENEZER. They need no further warning. All are rushing this way. Silas, you and I will count them as they come in to see that none is left behind. Here come

the children loaded with clothing, and kitchen gear, and even provisions.

SILAS.-All must lend a hand in a time like this.

(A crowd of men, women, and children appear, carrying all sorts of household supplies—baskets, pails, and bundles of all sizes.)

FIRST WOMAN.-Son, did you get all of the hams and bacon? I have bread and everything else I could carry. I hope you emptied the smoke-house.

Boy.-John helped me and we have all we could find. SECOND WOMAN (with child in her arms).—Martha, have you the baby's clothes?

MARTHA. Yes, and her dolly, too.

THIRD WOMAN.-I had everything ready.

afraid this would happen!

(They go into the fort.)

I was

SILAS. They remember that we are likely to grow hungry in the stockade. Here comes Elizabeth with the last of the villagers. (Enter Elizabeth, helping an old lady.)

EBENEZER. Has any one been left behind?

Elizabeth.—No, I ran through all the houses down to the end of the street.

SILAS.--We have counted them all. Let us close the

gates, and make ready within, so that the savages may find us fully prepared.

SCENE II

(A busy scene within the fort.)

COLONEL SHEPPARD.-Let the women put things in order. The men must load their rifles at once and take their places at the port-holes. We must give a fitting welcome to our enemies. Let the women be ready to reload the guns. The bullet molds are here for those who are melting lead for new bullets.

They are

EBENEZER. The Indians are coming! skulking behind the houses in the village. On the other side they are hiding in the forest. They know we see them, for they raise the war-whoop. (Much noise outside.) If they thought to surprise us they have made a mistake.

COLONEL SHEPPARD.—Every man to his post! Make sure of your Indian, then fire. Waste no ammunition. (Brisk firing, the women loading the guns.) SILAS. They come as near as they dare. Our fire holds them in check. Many are killed and more wounded. Hurrah! They are retreating to the forest.