The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-06-16
CHAPTER ky.

"A dpPEOdCuSu tuc StutiOh, uho
Reynolds and Joel Logston fastened to
open the postern for her admittance. 1t
was Innis Mckee; she entered, pale
and agitated, and asked to be conducted
to Captain Boone. Elizabeth, who had
fastened to meet her, took her kindly by
the hand and led her into the block
house
This is Captain Boone" said Lizzie.
Let me breathe moment; l am ex-
cited; my heart beats very fast" re-
about the treaty proposed by Captain Du
Quesne, Girty and Others" said 1nnis,
when she had grown somewhat calmer
Then you were sent hereT asked
Boone.
'No, no! came of my own accord"
answered Innis earnestly.
"And for what purpose, young wom-
an?" inquired the captain.
To save you all from destruction: the
treaty talked Of Is but a trap to destroy
you. If you go out of the fort, you
will never come back; you will be seized
and perhaps slain on the spoil" added
1nnis with increasing fervor.
Who are you" asked the captain, in
more kindly tone.
Aho youuB girl ueSlCaIeQ, ana tneu,
covering her face with her hands, re-
piled:
My name Is Innis Mckee"
THAT unfortunit! muttered Joel to
himself
"Alas, sir. why should i attempt to
conceal what Is so we'll known? The
perhdy of my father fills me with shame.
The plot is simply this: When you go
out to make your terms with Du Quesne
you Will be seized and not allowed to
return to the fort. A large party Of
warriors will surround you and effectu-
ally cut off retreat. The principal men
being captured, the station will be great
~ weakened and forced to surrender,
when horrible scene of butchery will
follow. Knowing this, I have FASTENED
hither, In order to prevent a catastrophe
so dreadful"
"You have acted nobly. and all these
helpless women and children will thank
you; and not only they, but these gal
liant men, who are their natural protect
ors." said Boone feelingly.
Don't you know anything Of the two
young women who were carried away
by Girty?' asked Joel.
Il have seen them" returned Innis.
Perhaps somethin' can be done to lib
crate the gals" suggested Joel,
Il think So" replied Innis.
THE affair of the treaty must first be
attended to- resumed Boone, recovering
his wonted serenity of expression.
knowing as we do their intentions,
think we may safely meet them, under
certain conditions"
Name them" said Fleming.
them sixty yards from the block house.
In the block-house we will station our
sharpest shooters. II they attempt to
seize us, let them shoot down the first
who lifts hand"
VERY good" said Logston.
They'll object to meet you within
sixty yards of the fort" said Reynolds.
Then we will not attempt to treat
with them" returned the pioneer "Now
the next question to be decided is, when
Shall we meet themT
Tomorrow morning." said Reynolds,
flor by putting 1t off to that time, we
may have a more quiet night. and obtain
some rest"
'The idea is a happy one," rejoined
Mr.. Aston.
Mr. Reynolds, take white flag
mount to the top of one of the cabins
and tell them we will meet them to-
morrow morning early, In order to FIX
the terms of a treaty." added Boone.
The night which followed was by nc
means quiet one, as the pioneers had
hoped; for there was much firing and
bravado on the part of the savages. In
the morning the overtures of Girty were
renewed. and considerable parieying en-
sued. He said Du Quesne was at the
present time absent, hurrying up the re
Inducements and cannon, but would be
with them by noon. Girty affirmed
moreover, that Du Quesne left highly In
dignant that his merciful offers were sc
obstinately and foolishly rejected; ant
the moment of his return would be
signal to batter down the works, and Lei
four hundred furious savages upon them
The scene that would inevitably follow
he would leave to the imaginatio o.
the good people of Boonesborough.
"1f you have any regard for me
cap'en, hope you will let me fire," sale
Logston, In a persuasive tone.
"Be patient. JOEL" returned the cap
tain.
''The measure of his sins Is full ant
runnin' over" added Logston.
Girty ceased speaking, and nothing O
Importance took place on either side un
I'll little past noon, when he again ap
peared, with the announcement that d,
Quesne had returned. and the cannon
and reinforcemets had reached them
The noble captain had commissioned hin
to say that the following persons woul,
be permitted to leave Boonesborough be
fore they would commence the assault,
which would be Anal and decisive, an,
result In the total destruction Of the sta
ton, viz: Mr.. Aston and family, MI
Fleming and son, and any relatives o
Eliza Ballard who might be there, saw
Bland Ballard, the scout. These gener
Gus and humane terms he advised tn
above-named to accept, as they held on
the only chance Of life that now r.
manned.
He pledged his word solemnly, tina
not a single shot should b fred Will
they were leaving the station, and tn
u1 .tI - l.