Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-01-18
THE RED STORM
Or the Days OF Daniel Boone
|--C--
Y E L B N o N
CHAPTER XVI.

/ mine what should be DONE Some sug-
| gested that a party of picked men should
advance with axes, burst in the door
and meet the savages face to face. But
a young man by the name of Reynolds
! proposed a plan which appeared most
! practicable. 1t was this: One party was
to remain In the building where they
were, another advance to make an as
| sault upon the door of the structure held
in possession by the Indians, while q
! third would attempt to gain an entrance
| by running along the roofs of the inter-
Yening cabins and effect their object
through the same aperture by which the
enemy had found access.
This scheme appeared very feasible,
Tor the party remaining could protect
the party upon the roof from the fire of
| the enemy outside the works; and the
third party, making simultaneous at
tack upon the door, would divert the
| enemy, giving them two points to defend
Instead of one.
Tbs measure was so well planned and
| conducted that it was crowned by COM
| plete success, and every Indian within
the block house was slain.
The struggle after the parties entered
the building was brief, but sanguinary,
and the shouts of victory in one block
! house were answered by shouts of joy
from the other. The pioneers now had
possession of their works; but the victory
was by no means complete, for the
| frightful yells of hundreds of savages
| filled the wide forests with dreadful
! echoes, and blanched the cheeks of wom-
en- and children. Wives and mothers
| thought of the husbands they had lost
| by the Ratchet, by the well-sped ball, by
the knife, or the more lingering death of
! torture. Fair young maidens thought of
their lovers, and little children clasped
their mothers knees in terror. their tiny
hands trembling with indescribable fear.
The red sun came and shone upon
many pale faces at Boonesborough. The
! firing ceased on both Sides
You observe, men," said Boone, "that
| the Indians fire indiscriminately at our
fort and. waste much powder and lead;
! but We must not follow their example,
! for ammunition is worth much more to
US than gold or silver; it is more pre-
cious than diamond dust Fire only
! when you see a mark, and the noisy,
Dragging rascals will soon keep at a
| distance. l know well the worth of am
munition, for l passed weary months
alone in this wilderness, while my broth
| er performed a long and dangerous jour-
! ney to North Carolina for a fresh sup
| ply. The time, during his absence, often
hung heavily on my hands. l was sur
rounded by those who continually sought
my life, and Tor purposes of safety
changed my camping ground every night.
! You may depend upon it, l wasted no
| powder during that period. That expe-
| rlence taught me a lesson of prudence
l shall never forget"
Il want to speak a word to you pri-
vately," said Logston, making signs to
the captain to follow. 81 think I've seen
that French Teller"
What makes you think SOP" asked
the other.
Because l saw face that looked like
his, Notwithstanding the paint that had
been laid on it. 1 was loading my rife
at the time, and afore | got ready to
fire he had disappeared. So you can RELY
on it, he's among the critters, hefpin'
them on in their mischief"
1T does not seem possible. at first,
that man who has received so much
! kindness at our hands can be so villain
ously ungrateful and treacherous Watch
for him, Logston, and if you can see him
or any one that looks like him. be sure
to cover him with your rifle" said
Boone
''I'll do it! May be trodden to death
! by wild buffaloes if l don'tv' exclaimed
JOEL with energy.
The latter and the captain were soon
| Joined by others, and a very importan Mt
! subject was discussed. AS it was evident
that the station would be besiefed, it was
necessary that they should be supplied
with water. The spring was situated in
the rear of the eortifca tons. There was
well-beaten path leading to it. and
the same for long distance was sur
rounded by rank grass and weeds. in
which they had good reason to suppose q
large body of Indians had secreted them
selves. To do without water was ont
of the question.
Il have studied the habits of the saw
ages for many years." observed Mr..
Fleming, "and l believe that l know
something of their cunning. If our men
go for water they will surely be fred
upon, and many of them must inevitably
| be slain"
Il think that female wit can free Won
from this dilemma" said Matilda FIem-
Ing, with blushing cheeks. 1T shall be
our duty, then, to go to the spring and
procure water. If we go calmly. thew
will naturally conclude that their am
buscade is not discovered, and will not
| fire, but wait, thinking that the next time
some of the men will take our places
seeing that we were not molested."
Eyes, we will go" exclaimed Eliza
beth Boone and Eliza Ballard.
You are brave gals" said Joel Log
ston.
''The plan IS a good and judicious
one" observed Mrs. Boone, and Mrs.
! Fleming and all the females said the
! same.
After the objections made by the men
| had been successfully overruled by the
women, the plan was put into operation.
In short time the latter appeared with
! pals, resolved to sacrifice themselves. if
| the occasion demanded, for those thew
loved. The gates were opened by unwill-
Ing hands, the devoted and brave women
passed out, and the gallant defenders
! of Boonesborough gazed after them with
intense anxiety.
1t was a moment fraught with deep
and painful interest. 1t was observed
that Joel LogstOn kept his eyes fixed
upon the comely figure of Eliza Ballard,
and watched her retreating form with
pale cheeks.
Il can guess your thoughts, Joel"
said Daniel Boone, in low voice. you
are wishing that you could interpose
your own person between her and the
| deadly shafts of the lurking enemy
Right, sir, right" exclaimed Log
ston, grasping the captains hand.
Heaven knows I would risk my life for
her without a single fear"
When Joel had ceased speaking, the
parties had reached the spot where the
cool waters gushed up from the earth,
and sparkled pleasantly in the morning
| sun.
CHAPTER XVII.
Ballard, after parting with Kenton
and Norwood, struck out into the forest
In a southeastern direction. leaving the
Kentucky river a little to the left. The