Page 60 - A Hero of Ticonderoga

"News? What news?" Job’s knife stopped half-way in the slit it was making
along a muskrat’s throat.

"There’s ben a fight down in the Bay Colony ’twixt our folks and the king’s

troops and our folks whipped ’em."

"Our folks a fightin’ the king’s troops?" said Job incredulously.

The other hastily related such particulars of the momentous conflict as he

had learned. Nathan, whose heart was beating fast at the stirring news, saw
the muskrat drop to the ground.

"I al’ys said them reg’lars, shootin’ breast high at nothin’, couldn’t stan’ agin
our bushfighters, aimin’ to kill," Job said exultantly; "but what next, Dan’l?"

"War--it means war. The country’s all a-risin’. Every man’s got to choose
the side he’ll take. Which side is yourn, Job?"

There was a silence, and the answer came with slow deliberation. "I hoped

to end my days in peace. I’ve had enough o’ fightin’, the Lord knows. When
I’ve fit it was for the land I was born in--if it was under the British flag--an’
I shan’t never fight for no other."

"Every man in these clearin’s is all right, so far as we know, exceptin’ that

aire sour-faced Toombs. He hain’t no good will towards our side. A Tory in
Seth’s shoes, and him red-hot for liberty. He’s got a Canuck a-workin’ for
him, and I’d livser trust a wolf’n one o’ them pea-soupers. I hain’t no

patience wi’ Ruth for marryin’ that critter. Where do you s’pose her boy is?"
There being no reply the speaker went on: "I b’lieve that devil has made

way with him. He acts turrible cur’us, scared and startin’ at every sound,"
and the two walked off towards the creek.

Half an hour later when Job returned, he asked Nathan: "Well, what do you
think o’ the news, my boy?"