The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-05-05
CHAPTER XXI.

The bold pioneers at the fort awaited
with painful anxiety the return of the
heroic women who had descended the
sfope to procure water from the spring.
=, ELIZA Ballard and Matilda Fleming were
the two last Of the party to FIJI 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 shrubbery. seized the two maidens.
and in spite Of their resistance and
shrieks. 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 befallen them.
"Come on, men! To the rescued he
shouted, running to the open gate:> while
several young men followed him with
equal impetnosity.
Stop. command you" cried Daniel
Boone, In tones distinctly heard above
the confused tumult Of sounds.
away. awayv' exclaimed Joel. with
terrible earnestness. 81 hear only the
Shrieks of those females. l listen only
to their calls for help. Let me go-I
am desperate"
And if 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
exertionsg" replied Captain Boone.
"And what would it avail if we should
attempt rescue?" said Reynolds, who
had been among the first to follow
LogstOn. I'VE can effect nothing
against hundreds of savages; we should
be cut down in a moment. and thus
would our lives be 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 at the gate, which was insta ntly
opened for their admission. Strange TO
relate. they had. with one or two ex-
ceptions, maintained their self-posses-
SION to such an extent as to bring with
them the several vessels of water which
they had procured. While they were
entering, a strong body of Indians.
among which were several Frenchmen.
tried to rush in after them; but a we'll
directed fire from the fort forced them
o retreat, with severe loss.
joel Logston appeared unlike himself;
he threw down his rife and leaned
against the stockades. gloomy, silent and
dispirited. Daniel Boone attempted to
comfort him.
Leok," 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 admonitions Of duty; and bow to
the stern admotions Of Providence. Re
q man. Joel"
"An this trouble has come of that
Frenchman." said Logston, bitterly. "I'ye
never felt right since he's been among
us. II is very clear to me that he's
been nothin' more nor less than a spv
on US ever since he's been here. and
you'll find it So"
Such remarks, Mr.. Logston, are ex.
tremely offensive to me-" said Mr.. Al
stron.
I can't help it." retorted Joel az
Know I'm right. and have good reasons
TO say what do. never like to huri
nobody's feelings. nor nothing of thal
sort; but do like to tell the truth. and
70 zee justice done to all. Whv dii
nias Girty speak about this lie Rland
II ne didn't know this man. and wis,
was he doin'2 Your Frenchman fan,
q great deal about maxim his fortin' :,
Aentucky land; and know very wei
eoW No expects to make 1t. The LAND