Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-05-10
CHAPTER wv


was Inns Mckee; she entered, pale
and agitated, and asked to be conducted
to Captain Boone. Elizabeth, who had
hastened 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 a moment; l am ex-
cited; my heart beats very fast re-
turned Innis. T have come to speak
about the treaty proposed by Captain Du
Quesne, Girty and Others" said 1nnis,
when she had grown somewhat calmer
Then you were sent here! asked
Boone.
mo, no! I came Of my own accord"
answered Innis earnestly.
And for what purpose, young wom-
an?" inquired the captain.
ITO save you all from destruction; the
treaty talked of is but trap to destroy
you. If you 60 out of the fort. you
will never come back; you will be seized
and perhaps slain on the spot!' added
lnnis with increasing fervor.
"Who are your" asked the captain, in
more kindly Tone
The young girl hesitated, and then
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
perfdy 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.
ly weakened and forced to surrender.
when horrible scene Of butchery will
follow. Knowing this, 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
81 have seen them" returned Innis.
Perhaps somethin' can be done to lib
crate the gals" suggested Joel.
II 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, l
think we may safely meet them, under
certain conditions"
Name them" said Fleming.
Send them word that we will meet
them sixty yards from the block-house
In the blockhouse we will station our
sharpest shooters. If they attempt to
seize us, let them shoot down the first
who lifts a 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 them?'
Tomorrow morning." said Reynolds
"for by putting it off to that time, we
may have more quiet night. and obtain
some rest"
"The idea Is happy one" rejoined
Mr.. Aston.
MT. heS take Wnl1e 1a
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 treaty" added Boone
The night which followed was by no
means a 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 wera
renewed. and considerable parleying 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
dgnant that his merciful offers were so
obstinately and foolishly rejected; and
the moment of his return would be a
signal TO batter down the works, and let
four hundred furious savages upon them
The scene that would inevitably follow,
he would leave to the ina ginations of
the good people of Boonesborough.
"If you have any regard for me,
cap'en, l hope you will let me fire." said
Logston, In q persuasive tone.
"Be patient, JOEL" returned the cap
tain.
runnin' over" added Logston.
Girty ceased speaking, and nothing of
Importance took place on either side un-
til little past noon, when he again ap-
peared, with the Announcement that Du
Quesne had returned, and the cannon
and reinforcemets had reached them.
The noble captain had commissond him
TO say that the following persons would
be permitted to leave Boonesborough be-
fore they would commence the assault,
which would be final and decisive, and
result In the total destruction Of the sta
ton, viz: Mr.. Aston and family Mr.
Fleming and son. and any relatives Of
Eliza Ballard who might be there, save
Bland Ballard, the scout. These gener-
GUS and humane terms he advised tho
above-named to accept, as they held out
the only chance of life that now re-
malned.
He pledged his word solemnly, that
not a single shot should be fired while
they were leaving the station, and the
very best treatment should be extended
to them.
Gentlemen, do you hear this offer;
you are at perfect liberty to accept or
reject It," said Daniel Boone.
do me not the gross injustice to
imagine that shall listen to such a pro-
posal for q moment" replied Mr. Aston.