The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-06-12

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. Itmight hold out
for several weeks, but even if it contin-
ned twenty-four hours there were fears
that the pioneers would perish from a
worse foe than the bloodthirsty savages.
Something must be done, and that inn
mediately.
A long discussion took place. Sew
eral plans we're proposed, but none
seemed feasible. If the men went out
in any numberit was almost certain that
they would be shot down, and a rush
made for the fort. What could be
donep
81 will 90 out alone" said the COM
mander, at last. 1.-The redskins will
not fire upon single man, and can
bring water enough to save us from
death by thirst"
"Nay, that should not be-" cried a
dozen voices. "Take any of us, but
don't go yourself, Captain. The risk is
too great, and we cannot spare you."
why need man go at ALP" asked
girl standing by. /" Let the women
90 after the water, as they always have
done. Probably we could GO 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 a few women"
Captain Reynolds bronzed face grew
pale. 1t was his daughter who spoke
brave young thing scarcely seventeen,
whose lover was one of those heroes
who had risked their lives to go to Lex
ington.
swered the commander, sternly. "When
the men lose their courage, then the
women can 90 and risk their ives.'
Others opposed the bold project.
Those brave men had no heart to see
their wives and daughters 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.
In order that there should be no par
TALLY, 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
q crowd. but should file along by twos
or threes, as naturally as possible, so as
to excite no suspicious among the In
dams.
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
large 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 FROM
tiersmen, 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 ALL"
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 along the stockade at the
portfolios, each with loaded rifle near
him, besides the one he held in his
hands. ready to fire on the savages if
they offered to attack the women.
Some of the latter could not help
CHANGING 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
DI6tOSt Va tlGtu 0iis BLU WuOui tuC zap
tain had asked to guard her mother. As
they stepped out of the gate the heroic
girl placed herself before her older COM
panion.
"Don't do so, Debby," said the moth
er, sswalk behind me, then if the In
dams fire they will have to kill me be-
fore they can hit YOU"
"No, told father would look out
for you; and for his and the children's
sakes you will let me-" replied Deborah.
al should not be missed half so much
as YOU"
And so the brave young woman kept
between her mother and the savages,
both going and coming from the spring.
A glimpse of red legs in the shrubbery
and the CLINT of tomahawk when sun
beam shone upon it, did not serve to
make her more assured, but in few
minutes they were all back in the stock
ade and not shot had been fired.
Soma IF tho hucEetS waro not voru