Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-08-13

L
were but han .iul beside til" "uc;nr,
and knew rot VIA ;i,"ir savage :o'in".
wouli attempt. Il AIS jeteru,iaci to
keep co.H..1t watch o. ever idle oi
the fort, bnt II 80 other way t. sGow
any sus jicipn ii the arlbl> !" II the
woods.
The sun mounted higher aud ilisHer
il The heavens, aid 1t. beat grew far
vent. The men on guard began t.
weary, aud what wa, wore, they heGan
to be very thirsty. Tha ssr.ison was
confronted by dil.mraa of RI alarm
ing nature. Tier Wa no alter inside
the Stockade.
The last drop hal been usol ,inring
the night in preparing fOr.she march
so suddenly interrupted. The spring
within the inclosure hal given on.
weeks before, aud through the long,
hot summer the garrison had depended
for their supply on d spring some ten
or dozen rods away from the Stockadr,
and near the bushes where the savages
were supposed to be concealed.
There WAS no knowing how long the
siege might continue. 1t might hold
OuL iOi oCNCtdl WCCho, CS-l IL IL
continued twenty-fonr hours there
were fears that the pioneers would per
ish from worse foe than the blood
thirsty savagcs. Something must be
done, and that Immediately.
A long discussion took place. Sew.
eral plans were proposed, but none
proved feasible. II the men went out
in any number, it was almost certain
that they would be shot down, and u
rush made for the fort. What could
be done?
~ will go out Alone" said the COM
mander, at last. 1.-The redskins will
not fire upon single man. and 1 can
bring water enough to save US from
death by thirst"
"Nay, that shall not be-" cried a
dozen voices. "Take any of us, but
don't 60 yourself, captain. The risk is
too great, and we cannot spare you"
"Why need man go at all ?" asked
a girl, standing by. "Lst the women
60 after the water, as they always have
done. Probably we could 60 to the
spring and return in safety. The In-
dams surely will not forfeit their hope
OF taking the Stockade by surprise just
for the sake of killing few women"
Captain Reynolds bronzsd face grew
pale. 1t was his daughter who spoke
brave young thing, whose lover was
one of those heroes who had risked
their lives to go to Lexington.
"Lass, thou art too forward" an
swered the commander sternly. "When
the men lose their courage then the
women can 60 and risk their lives"
Others opposed the bold project
Those brave men had no heart to see
their wives aud daughters shot down
by skulking savages. They could VEN
ture their own lives, but they could not
permit 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
30 many and such good reasons we're
urged In support of the undertaking.
that Captain Reynolds and the men ut
last assented to the plan.
In order that there should bs no par.
TALLY, every woman in the Stockade,
able to carry pail of water, was to en-
gage in the terrible task. It was also
decided that they should not rush out
in a crowd. but should file along in
twos aud threes. as naturally as posi-
BILE, so as to excite no suspicious among
the Indians.
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
q larger number took only one.
Before the gate was opened, the min.
lister 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
frontiersmen, and the faces Of the wom-
en- were paler than ever, but they looked
very grave and solemn.
Then there were hand. sh akings and
hurried farewells said, for none knew
whether they would ever meet again.
Captain Reyn Odds kissed his wife and
aushter, and with a broken voice
said:
Look out for mother, Debby. She
is not as spry as you are. luke good
care OF her. and may God save you all. I"
~ OAos wv W sWOs tuoy OeRa0
to slip through the gateway and start
for the spring. Two of the strongest
pioneers stood by the gate to close it if
q rush was made. The rest of the men
were gathered along the Stockade at the
port holes, each with q loaded rife near
him, beside the one he held in his
hands, ready to fire on the savages if
they offered to attack the womsn.
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 we're 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 companion.
Don't do so. Dsbby," said the
mother, " walk behind me, then if tho
Indians fire they will have to kill me
before they can hit you."
"No, told father 7 would look ont
for You, and for his and the children's
sake you will let me-" replied Deborah.