The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1898-06-07

LAUNDERING only twelve, Hll
told-began to return their fire; and
so sure was their aim that some one
OF the. besieeefs fell at every shot.
Several times did the enemy make d
rush IN large bodies to effect 4 lode-
ment. under the walls-but the unerr-
ing rifles of the heroic borderers, fired
through the loopholes of the different
block houses, drove them back in dis
may, bnrdened with the weight of
their fallen comrades.
once only was there a pause in the
conflict A white flag was thrust out
of window of one of yonder cabins,
and the head of white man appeared;
demanding, IN English; the surrender
OF the fort, In the name of his Brit
fannie Majesty. He read the procla-
nation of British Governor; and
promised protection to all in the fort
II they would surrender at once and
swear allegiance to the British crown
He was answered with derision.
IF you want the fort why don't you
and your red men take it?" replied
the intrepid Colonel Shepherd.
And if we do take it, we'll put to
death all that are in It'll" replied the
white leader of the savages.
You would do that even if we sur-
rendered, was the haunting reioinder,
mol You shall be protected; I
swear it by oil hold sacredr'
And what do you hold sacred, Won
treacherous scoundrel?" cried the gal
liant Colonel. bah! Simon Girty
we know you; and this place shall
never be surrendered to you, while
there is an American soldier left to de-
fend it
Glrty, the egade-for the white
chief was none other-was about to
renew his treacherous proposition.
when one of the men in the fort, be.
coming exasperated, lodged a bullet
III the logs, just above his head. as q
warming of what he might expect him.
self. unless lie withdrew, which he
did Immediately,
Again were hostilities renewed. and
continued up to the moment when we
have seen proper to enter the fort
with the reader.
And now, for the second time since
daylight this morning, have the In
dians ceased their assault. 1t is one
o'clock, and for eight long hours has
there been almost incessart firing.
Let rs look out through the loop
holes.
Away there against the wood. at the
base OF the hill, beyond rifle range,
You see body of savages collected,
holding council of war. Yonder,
along the edge of the corn field. partly
hidden by the fence and partly con
ceaied among the fallen timber. Won
see many dusky forms, and manv
readily believe you see only few OF
the number which there lie in wait. Ms
a sort of corps de reserve. Aud up
among the cabins, yonder. you see q
lie" moro savage s-some saunterinq
about, some peering through the pal,
lngs and some gazing ont OF the win
dows. And look where you NAV in
every direction you behold Indians.
How is it within the fort? In the
center OF the area which the palisades
lnclose, in front of yonder row of
cabins -wheIe many a brave father
husband and son slept last night.
whose mangled bodies now repose in
ycnder corn field-in the center of the
erea, | say, group of men, women
aud children are collected There
stand gray haired sires, and stripline
youths-staid matrons, and maidens
IN bloom-and all look sad and anx-
ious. Some of the men, with dolefuI
faces, are leaning upon their rifles,
and wiping the perspirntion, black
ened with powder, from their bronzed
features; and some of the women are
clasping little innocent infants to their
hearts, aud looking down upon them
with fond eyes dimmed with tears.
God help usl" said the gallant
Colonel Shepherd fine, noble speci-
men OF humanity, who is standing i'm
the center of the group-aud as he
speaks, he casts down his eyes and
signs; IF we could only die like
soldiers, fighting 60 the last. selling
our lives at heavy price to our foes.
1T would not seem so hard; but TO he
compelled TO stand idle and helpless,
and see the hideous monsters enter
our stronghold, and butcher our
mothers, wives, sisters, and children.
while We ourselves are secured for
future tortures-ohl it is terriblel
And yet it must come to this soon. if
the Indians renew their attack. unless
kind Providence saves us by miracle
Men, he added, with n kindlina eve.
''you have done nobly You have
fought like heroes; boys, you are
worthy Of your sires-T see no towards
here; aud OH would 10 God we all
had the means 60 continue our gallant
defence! But what are rifles without
POWDER And il is startling fact
that VIC have but three rounds leftr'
What an oversight, " said another.
that we did not fetch all our powder
with usl There is n whole kog in nv
house; and il we had il now, it would
lie our salvation"
ut must be procured" returns a
third.
"But how?" inquiries the Colonel.
'The Indians are all around us. and
more than a hundred eyes are con.