Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-04-26

SetS II boOueSDOrOuEn IL ue piie VI
ruins and he'll walk over our graves.
That's what will happen, Mr.. Aston,
think Of it as you may. Twenty-four
hours haven't passed since Girty offered
me two thousand acres Of land to join
the Ingins against the white stations"
"Le Bland has my friendship and es-
TEEN; nearer relationship. it is we'll
known, has been talked of. l still find
1t impossible to believe all the dark re-
ports which hear of him. l hope you
will pardon me If I act the friendly
part, until I have ocular evidence of his
guilt" rejoined Mr.. Aston.
Daniel Boone replied that he trusted
they were all willing to make a proper
allowance in the case considering how
great had been his friendship for the
man: but so far as his own feelings
were concerned he had no doubt Of lie
Bland's guilt.
During the morning and the greater
portion Of the forenoon, the defenders
of Boonesborough were constantly en-
ployed in repelling attacks made at diff
ferent points, and in many instances
conducted with much spirit and resolu-
ton; but about noon the assaults ceased
altogether.
While each stood at his post trying
to assign some plausible reason for this
sudden suspension of hostilties, white
man was seen approaching cautiously,
bearing a flag of truce.
"It's Girty." said Joel, raising his
rifle.
Don't fire." exclaimed Boone. "Let
us hear what he has to say"
Finding that he was not fred upon,
Girty mounted stump and addressed
the pioneers as follows:
II have come to summon you to sur
render. It's no use for you to resist:
If you surrender promptly no blood will
be shed but If you will not listen to
reason, and give us instant possession,
we will batter down your works about
your ears with cannon that we momen-
expecting not only cannon. but rein
forcements, also. What can you do
against such numbers? Nothing; every
man of you will be slain"
Shoot him down." cried several Of
the foresters; but Boone babe them to
forbear.
perhaps you don't know me?" added
Girty, with much pomposity of manner.
you have asked If we know you,"
said Reynolds, showing himself boldly.
Hear our answer; we know you well.
We know you as the vilest of men lv-
ing; we know you as a cowardly rene
gade. recreant to all that is noble in the
human character; we know you as
nf y;ol-H
stained villain. The name Of Girty
will be spoken of with contempt
by all those who shall hear of his
treachery in all time to come. I have
a worthless dog that kills lambs; In
stead of shooting him, l have named
HIM Silas Girty, and he has never held
up his head since; for he knows that
everybody despises him. You talk large
ly about reinforcements. What could
you do with cannon? Such cowardly
wretches would be afraid to fire them
if you had ever so many. We also ex
pect reinforcements and it will be we'll
for you to be off before they get here.
Should you batter down our stockades,
as you pompously thraten, we are fully
prepared for that contingency, for we
have roasted score or two or hickory
sticks, with which we intend to sally
out and whip you out Of the country as
we would thieving ours"
Reynolds sarcastic speech put the
renegade in a towering passion. He
poured forth a volley of threats.
II have two of your young women In
my power" he added, "and it would be
better for you to be little more hum
BILE; but / shall enter your works and
pay you off for your insolence."
Its a thousand pities | hadn't made
an end of you out in the woods there
cried Logston. How does your head
feel?'
1T will never be we'll till yours is out
of sight. I shan't soon forget that mean
trick you served me; 1t will go hard
with you for that, Joel Logston" re-
torted Girty.
Don't tempt me; you make a fine
mark for my rife at this particular
time" said Joel, menacingly.
I'm under a flag of truce" returned
Girty.
II wish you was under the ground"
added JOEL impatiently. Mind what
you say. l warn you, for no human
power shall prevent me from shooting
you, If you provoke me further. What
care | for flag of truce, when it floats
over the head of such a villain?"
1t was easy enough to be Seen that
Girty began to feel uneasy and fearful
of consequences, if he was not more
careful in his speech: he therefore pru-
dently addressed himself to Daniel
Boone, and asked for an answer to carry
back to his army.
"Tell your red crew and your ruff
fianly French allies that Boonesborough
will never be given up while two sticks
of it remain together" replied the pio-
neer, promptly. This is our final an
swer; begone."
Girty leaped down from the stump in
rather undignified haste, considering that
he was under a flag of truce. Shouts OF
defiance and derision from the fort fol
lowed him until he was again with his
friends.
CHAPTER XIII.
Reynolds and Mr.. Fleming were In the
block-house nearest to the river. Andrew
and Exquisite Ebony were standing
within a few feet of them looking eau
.iously through the loopholes. At diff
ferent parts Of the structure sterr
faces were seen, begrimed with powder
and dust. Each heart felt that danger
was pressing, and every pulse throbbet
with anxiety. The attention of the piO
ners was suddenly attracted by an ex
/ .f