Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-05-14
THE RED STORM
Or the Days of Daniel Boone
----W---
|B y g E L o B IN S o N
CHAPTER XXIII.-(Continued.)

In short time ten or dozen sturdy
men were at work with picks and
spades, and the dirt went merrily over
the stockades
They are still digging; the water
grows muddier." said Fleming. who.
with Boone and the rest. remained In
the block houses.
''If they were not sheltered by the
bank. we would soon make them
scamper away" returned the pioneer.
There's burning arrow upon the
roof of one of the cabins said Elem
Ing
II will 60 and put It out" added Dan
Tel Boone's son. who was yet but a
mere lad.
Stay. my SON. prefer to 60 myself"
cried his father, nervously. more willing
to expose himself than his son.
Your life is worth more than mine
said James.
For my sake-for your mothers
sake" cried the captain. earnestly. But
before he had finished the sentence
James was running along the roofs of
the cabins. exposed to the enemy's fire.
The old veteran of the wilderness
stood watching his boy with terrible
anxiety for the result. which no heart
but parents can understand He heard
a discharge of firearms. and the balls
that whistled about his son seemed to
wound his own person. James stopped
down. and with his foot extinguished
the flaming arrow. while literal
shower Of lead cut the air, and per
forated his clothes In many places.
The fire being out, the bold hoy turned
to retrace his footsteps. when a ball
too true to it's aim struck him npon the
breast. and he fell amid the shouts Of
a hundred foemen.
The pioneer staggered and groaned
as if his heart would burst. and would
have rushed forth to cover his sons
body with his own. had not Fleming
hell him. while Joel 1.ogston. regardless
of danger. leaped out upon the roof
raised tho fallen youth in his athletic
arms and bore him to the block house.
The shaft had been we'll sped-the
wound was mortal. The bereaved faith
er bent over the dying boy in tearfu!
agony. and taking up King Davia's In
ment, cried ont in the bitterness of his
wounded spirit:
MY son, my son. would to God that |
had died for thee
For space all stood silent. too much
affected to sneak
BE a man. cap'n: be a man." said
Logston.
"Ah. Joel. things have changed since
I babe you master your Criefs." said
Boone. in choked voice. "Ths AXES
two darling sons and a brother that
have lost by savage hands. James
James. my dear hoy. look at ME: it is
your father that calls" cried the capt ain
fl1utically.
Contrary to all expectation the hoy
onsned his eyes langudly. and smiled
family.
And now ensned a scene SO tender and
affecting that the stontest heart turned
away unnamed. The boys mother and
sister had come to gaze their last upon
him. and TO share his agonies quite down
to the rolling river of death.
"It's all over now--the pain Of dying
Ia past the darkness has disappearel
and the light flows in. Farewell loved
ones-I go, / go. | 60 to the land
where there are no warfares and fight
inGs. and where God himself shall wipe
all tears from all fnces."
The boy smiled and died: and an px
preston Of serene JOY ineypressihe lin
gered sw"etly upon his young face.
II have dome struggling with destiny"
said Boone. in heart-hroken pcrents II
yield now TO my fate; | reinoush all
earthly hopes. l shall command no
longer among you. This last blow has
destroyed my manhood. Choose n new
leader, and leave me to my private
griefs." he added sadly.
"No new leader will we have" an
swered Joel.
my voice will he heard no more in
BATTLE" replied Boone.
"Daniel, Daniel" exclaimed Mrs
Boone. in a tone of solemn earnestness
wiping away all traces of recent tears
"is this like you? Have you ceased tn
he the iron-nerved man chosen by God
to people this wilderness? Are YOU not
to these heoric men what Moses was to
the Hebrews? Will you falter now
when the hopes Of all are centered upon
vop?"
''You are right. Rehecca: 7 must mas
ter myself" answered the forester, like
sne just awakened from sleep.
Here is Your rifle. Daniel" added
Mrs. Boone. placing the trnsty weapon
he loved so well In his hands. The
eoucn OF the 1althfui steel, and the be-
bved voice of Rebocca. seemed to bring
him to himself. He passed hi, hands
sver bis forehead. and his spirit was
snce more alive to the sound Of battle
The settlers continued the defense
With great obstinacy. shooting down all
those who had the hardiEood to show
themselves within gunshot Of the fort.
When the night set in. the digging was
still progressing, Judging by the muddy
hue of the water: and the inhabitants
" Boonesborongh remained in suspense
Until morning. expecting hourly to hear
ne spades Of the enemy In their under.
round approaches.
CHAPTER XIV.
The department OF Starlight was
more friendly after her return to the
village. The reasons for this change