Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-02-15
CHAPTER XXIII.-(Continued.)


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-h0uses.
"If they were not sheltered by the
bank. we would soon make them
scamper away" returned the pioneer.
There's a burning arrow upon the
roof of one of the cabins" said Elem
Ing.
Il will 90 and put it out" added Dan
Eel Boone's son, who was yet but
mere lad.
"Stay. my son; prefer to go myself"
cried his father nervously, more willing
60 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 a terrible
anxiety for the result, which no heart
n discharge of firearms, and the balls
that whstled about his son seemed to
wound his own person. James stopped
down and with his foot extinguished
the flaming arrow, while a literal
shower Of lead cut the air. and per-
forated his clothes in many places.
The fire being out. the bold boy turned
to retrace his footsteps, when a ball
too true to its aim struck him upon 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
held him, while Joel Logston, regardless
of danger, leaped out upon the roof
raised the 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 bereayed faith
er bent over the dying boy in fearful
agony, and taking up King David's la
ment, cried out in the bitterness of his
wounded spirit:
"My son, my son! would to God that I
had died for thee!"
For a space all stood silent, too much
ahected to speak.
"Be man, cap'n; be a man." said
Logston.
"Ah, Joel, things have changed since
| babe you master your griefs," said
Boone, in a choked voice. '"Fhis makes
two darling sons and a brother that
have lost by savage hands. James,
James! my dear boy! look at me; it is
your father that calsr' cried the captain,
frantically.
Contrary to all expectations, the boy
opened his eyes languidly, and smiled
family
And now "nsued a scene so tender and
affecting Il the stoutest heart turned
away unma Cd The boys mother and
sister had ne to gaze their last upon
him. and t. ARE his agonies quite down
to the roll river of death.
ITS all ar now-the pain of dying
is pas t darkness has disappeared,
and the liz flows in. Farewell, loved
Ones-I go, | go. l go to the land
where there are no warfares and fight
ings, and where God himself shall wipe
all tears from all faces"
The boy smiled and died. and an ex-
preston of serene joy inexpressible lin
gered sweetly upon his young face.
Il have done struggling with destiny
said Boone, in heart-broken accents Il
yield now to my fate; | relinquish all
earthly hopes. l shall command nc
longer. among you. This last blow has
destroyed my manhood Choose a new
leader, and leave me to my private
griefs, he added sadly.
mo new leader will we have" an
swered Joel
"AIy voice will be heard no more il
battle" replied Boone
Daniel, Danielr' exclaimed Mrs
Boone, in tone of solemn earnestness
wiping away all traces of recent tears
SIS this like you? Have you ceased t.
be the iron-nervcd man chosen by Coo
to people this wilderness? Are you no
10 these heoric men what Moses was Il
the Hebrews? VIII you falter now
when the hopes of all are conferred upo1
your
You are right, Rebecca; I must mas
ter myself" answered the forester, Xix,
one just awakened from sleep.
Here is your rifle, Daniel" added
Mrs. Boone, placing the trusty weapon
he loved so well in his hands. TIL,
touch of the faithful steel. and the he
loved voice of Rebocca, seemed to brins
him to himself He passed his hand
over bis forehead, and his spirit wa
once more alive to the sound of battle.
The settlers continued the defens,
with great obstinacy, shooting down al
those who had the hardihood to SHOW
themselves within gunshot of the fort
When the night set in, the digging wa
still progressing, judging by the mudd,
hue of the water; and the inhabitant
Of Boonesborough remained in suspens
until morning, expecting hourly to hea
the spades of the enemy in their under
ground approaches.