Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-05-07
CHAPTER \\II.


The bold pioneers at the fort awaited
with painful anxiety the return of the
heroic women who had descended the
slope to procure water from the spring
Eliza Ballard and Matilda Fleming were
the two last of the party to fill their
vessels with the sparkling fluid. While
they were in the act of doing so. a
half-dozen Wyandots. headed by Girty.
rushed from the covert of the surround
Ing ehrubbery, seized the two maidens.
md in spite of their resistance and
hhrieks, bore them away before the men
at the fort were scarcely aware that
anything had happened. Joel Logston
was the first to realize fully the new
misfortune chat had hcfallcn them.
Come on, men. To the rcscue,' he
shouted, running to the open gate; while
several young men followed him with
equal impetuOsity.
"Stop, command you" cried Daniel
Boone, in tones distinctly heard above
the confused tumult Of sounds
away. awayr' exclaimed Joel with
terrible earncstness. Il hear only the
shreks of those females. listen only
~ their calls for help Let me go-I
am desperate"
and il YOU go with those ready to
follow YOU, who will defend the fort !?
Who will protect those who yet remain
to us, and have equal claims upon our
exertionsT replied Captain Boone.
"And what would it avail if we should
attempt rescue!" said Reynolds. who
had been among the first to follow
1ogston. owe can effect nothing
against hundreds of savages; we should
be cut down in a moment. and thus
would our lives he thrown away, with
out accomplishing anything. Let us re-
main and trust the two maidens to the
care Of God"
BY this time the rest of the women
were Mt the gate. which was instantly
opened for their admission. Strange to
relate, they had. with one or two ex-
ceptions. maintained their self-posscs-
sion to such an extent as to bring with
them the several vessels of water which
they had procured. While they were
entering, p strong body Of Indians,
among which were several Erenchmen.
tried to rush in after them; hut a well.
directed fire from the fort forced them
retreat, with severe loss.
Joel Logston appeared unlike himself:
he threw down his rifle and leaned
against the stockades. gloomy. silent and
dispirited. Daniel Boone attempted to
comfort him.
Look" he said pointing toward the
parents of the girls who had been cap
tured, they are striving to bear their
grief with Christian fortitude. They
are struggling with Roman frmness to
master their paternal instincts; to listen
TO the admonitons of duty: and bow to
the stern admotions Of Providence. Be
a man. Joel"
"All this trouble has come of that
Frenchman," said Iogston. bitterly. eve
never felt right since he's been among
VIZ. II is very clear to me that he's
been nothin' more nor less than spy
on us ever since he's been here, and
you'll find it So
Such remarks. Mr.. Togston. are ex-
tremely offensive TO me-" said Mr.. AL
stron.
1 can't help it," retortcd Joel. 81
know I'm right. and have good reasons
10 say what | do. | never like to hurt
nohody's feelings, nor nothing of that
sort; but | do like to tell the truth. and
10 see justice done to all. Why did
Silas Girty speak about this lie Bland,
IL he didn't know this man. and what
was he dom? Your Frenchman talks
a great denl about maxim his fortin' or
Kentucky land; and know very vel
how he expects to make it The land