Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-12-14
CHAPTER III.

venturers, had hoated down the Ohio
and Kentucky in boats and reached af-
ter encountering innumerable perils, the
vicinity of the new settlements. Leav-
ing his comrades to refresh themselves
after nights and days of toll and danger,
our hero took his rife and sailed forth
70 explore the country little and learn
now near they might be to Boonesbor-
ough and Harrodsburg, when he acct
oentally became a party to the scene
between Rosalthe Aston and LIE Bland.
Allan was the son of wealthy farm
er and received a very liberal education.
Naturally bold and adventurous. he felt
strong repugnance to any of the learn
ed professions. He longed for a life of
activity. Accounts were daily reaching
ONO, through various channels, Of the
sufterings and romantic adventures of
Daniel Boone, Benjamin Logan, John
Harrod and other pioneers; and those re-
markable. stories made Allan conceive
the bold design of penetrating to that
wild region, to share in the excitement
and danger Of a backwoodsman' life.
This resolution being formed and a
plan of operation matured, the requisite
material in the shape of enterprising
young men, was speedily foLrd to CO.
operate with him, and the perilt Ynder
taking was achieved.
As Allan walked toward Boonesbor-
ough with its daring founder he could
not refrain from observing him with deep
interest; and he truly appeared to him
the most remarkable man of the age; for
he had explored alone the mighty for
ests of Kentucky, Drawing singly the fury
OF the exasperated savages, who follow
ed his footsteps day and night to de-
stroy him and prevent him from carry
ing back to his countrymen the history
OF the most delightful country under
heaven. But thus far he had escaped
the deadly hostility of the willy say
age, and the man of sleepless nights and
weary days, ordained by God to carry
life and civilization into the distant will
derness, now stood beside our hero with
firm foot and lofty brow.
When they reached Boonesborough
Norwood paused to examine the manner
in which it was constructed It con-
sisted of a dozen cabins built of heavy
logs, ingeniously interlaced at the ends,
and separated from each other by par
lions of the same material. These cab
ms formed one side of the fort, being
highest on the outside, the roofs inclin-
ing inward. Strong stockades were rails
ed around these at suitable distance
and in the angles of the cabins block
houses of the most substantial kind were
erected. These projected about twenty
inches beyond the outer walls of the
cabins and stockades, and were amply
provided with loopholes. Allan. after
making these observations, remarked
that the whole must have been the work
of considerable labor"
You are right, young man, and it was
not only work of much labor, but q
work often interrupted by sudden at
tacks of the savages. 1t reminded me of
Nehemiah repairing the walls of Jeru-
salem, when his workmen wrought with
one hand and held the spear with the
other, replied the pioneer; and then led
the way to a large gate of slabs, upon
which he struck a few blows with the
butt of his rifle. Directly footsteps were
heard and a voice asked:
'Who dar?"
1T is one of our colored fellows" re-
marked Boone to Allan, and then re-
piled to the negro's reasonable inquiry:
1T Is me, Andrew"
II doesn't know any SIGH white fei-
ler was the immediate response.
Come, don't keep us waiting; hurry ;"
rejoined Boone.
Dat you, Massa BooneT asked An
drew, in more respectful. tone.
The forester replied that it was; the
negro opened the door, and the parties
entered the inclosure. Allan glancd at
Andrew while he was closing the gate
av,I cd 4bo+ r.
advanced In life, his woolly hair being
gray with age, though his figure was not
bowed by the weight of years.
"A faithful, but rather eccentric fell
low is Andrew" observed CAPTAIN
Boone. He then lifted the rude latch
and ushered the young hunter into his
cabin. respectable looking female met
him on the threshold, whom he intro
duced to AllSn as Mrs. Boone. A young
woman of eighteen or twenty he pre-
sented as his daughter Elizab beth. Nor
wood had entertained a hope that the
maiden whom he had seen in the morn
ing might prove to be the daughter of
the famous pioneer, but when his gaze
rested upon Elizabeth Boone. although
she was fair, he could not so far master
his feelings as to realize no disappoint-
ment at the discovery. A lad of about
fifteen years of age was cleaning the
tube of a rifle, and was the forester's
son.
Captain Boone informed his family
that his guest, who was from the State
of Ohio, had come to examine the coun-
try, and hoped he would receive such
hospitality as their poor dwelling could
afford; to which Mrs. Boone responde
in an appropriate and kindly manner,
and set about making preparations for
dinner.
While the meal was being prepared,
Allan proceeded to relate the particu-
lars of the mornings adventure, to which
his host listened with earnest attention
did you hear any portion of the con-
versation that passed between the young
woman and the Frenchman?" he asked.
Il am quite certain that I heard the
latter refer to some danger of an immi-
nent and pressing kind that menaced this
settlement, or the neighboring one"
And you say, moreover, that he wish
ed to extort a promise of some kind
from herT continued Boone.
1T was that which caused me to in
terfere in her behalf; and the promise
of secrecy l doubt not had reference
to the danger which threatens you," re-
joined Allan.
This matter may be of the greatest
Importance to us, Mr.. Norwood Were
there any names mentioned, that you can
Nremember| resumed the forester
Yes, a name was mentioned which |
now recollect. Du Quesne, l think it
was"
Daniel Boone sprang from his seat
with a sudden and angry impulse.