The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-06-10

no other way to show any suspicion of
the ambuscade in the woods.
Ibe sun mounted higher and higher
IN the heavens and its heat grew feryert.
The men on guard began to weary, and
what was worse, they began to be very
thlrsty. The garrison was confronted
by dilemma of an alarming nature.
There was no water inside the stock
ade.
The last drop had been used during
the night IN preparing for the march SO
suddenly interrupted. The spring with
IN the enclosure had given out weeks
before, and through the long, hot sum
mer the garrison had depended for their
supply ON spring some ten or dozen
rods from the stockade, and near the
bushes where the savages were sup
posed to be concealed.
There was no knowing how long the
siege might continue. 1t might hold out
Tor several weeks, but even if it contin-
ued twenty-four hours there were fears
that the pioneers would perish from a
worse foe than the bloodthirstv savapes.
Something must be done, and that i'm
mediately.
A long discussion took place. Sev-
eral plans were proposed, but none
seemed feasible. If the men went out
in any numberit was almost certain that
they would be shot down, and rush
made for the fort. What could be
| done?
| q will go out alone" said the COM
mander, at last. ''The redskins will
not lire upon single man, and 1 can
bring water enough to save US from
death by thirst - ~~@ 4 -.
''Nay, that should not be,p cried a
dozen voices. Take any of us, but
don't GO yourself, Captains The risk is
| too great, and we cannot spare you.'
| why media man go at9allF' asked
a girl standing by. Let the women
| 60 after the water, as they always have
1 done Probably we could 90 to the
spring and return in safety. The In
dams surely will not forfeit their hope
Of taking the stockade by surprise just
Tor the sake OF killing few women"
Captain Reynolds bronzed face grew
pale. 1t was his daughter who spoke
a brave young thing scarcely seventeen,
whose lover was one of those heroes
who had risked their lives to go to Lex
ington. ----
LASS, thol art too forward, an
swered the commander, sternly. "When
the men lose their courage, then the
women can go and risk their lives" s
Others opposed the bold project.
Those brave men had no heart to see
their wives and daug ghters shot down by
skulking savages. They could venture
their own lives, but they could not per-
NIT the women and girls to rush upon
destruction.
But the idea of Deborah Reynolds
was popular with her own sex. The
older women spoke in favor of it, and
so many and such good reasons were
urged in support of the undertaking,
that Captain Reynolds and the men at
last assented to the plan. EHksT&
In order that there SHOULD be no par
tiality, every woman in the stockade
able to carry pail of water was to en-
gage in the perilous task. 1t was also
decided that they should not rush out in
crowd, but should file along by twos
or threes, as naturally as possible, so as
to excite no suspicious among the In
dians. IL 5kTgJC hrfg - e
In order to run the faster if they had
need, the women took off their shoes
or moccasins and went barefooted. The
strongest of them carried two pals, but
3 large number took only one.
Before the gate was opened the min
ister knelt and prayed, and they all
knelt, strong, rough men. and pale, fair
women. When they arose there were
tears in the eyes of the bronzed from
tiersmen,s and the faces of the women
were paler than ever, but they looked
very brave and solemn.
Then there were hand -shakings and
hurried farewells said, for none knew
whether they would ever meet again.
Captain Reynolds kissed his wife and,
daughter, and with broken voice.said:
Look out for mother, Debby. She
is not so spry as you are. Take good
care of her, and may God save you al"
One by one, two by two they began
to slip through the gateway and start
for the spring Two of the Strongest
pioneers stood by the gate to close it if
rush was made. The rest of the men
were gathered alongthe stockade at the
portfolios, each with a loaded rifle near
him, besides the one he held in his
nantlS, Tohuy 10 ilT0 Ou tlc SdVdScS IL
they offered to attack the women.
Some of the latter could not help
glancing timidly toward the tall woods
and thick underbrush, but most of them
walked carelessly, as if they suspected
nothing. though their pale faces and
swiftly beating hearts told. of the fear
and suspense they were in. -.
Young Deborah Reynolds was the
bravest of them all, she whom the cap
tain had asked to guard her mother. AS
they stepped out Of the gate the heroic
girl placed herself before her older COM
panion. -en<.raa1~s
| Don't do so, Debby, n-said the moth
er, walk behind me- then'if the In
dians fire they will. have to kill me be-
fore they can hit you. =
"No, I told father would look out
for you; and for his and the chldren's
sakes you will let me- replied Deborah.
81 should not be missed half SO much
as YOU" ae .wame.w
And so the brave young woman kept
between her mother and the savages,
\