Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-04-26
CHAPTER XXII.

The bold pioneers at the fort awaited
with painful anxiety the return Of the
heroic women who had descended the
slope to procure water from the spring.
Eliza Ballard and Matilda Fleming were
the two last of the party to fill their
vessels with the sparkling fluid. While
they were in the act of doing so,
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 rescue" he
shouted, running to the open gate; while
several young men followed him with
equal impetuosity.
stop, command you." cried Daniel
Boone, in tones distinctly heard above
the confused tumult of sounds.
away, away" exclaimed Joel. with
terrible earnestness. 81 hear only the
shrieks of those females. I 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
exertionsT replied Captain Boone.
"And what would it avail if we should
attempt a 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 Cod"
BY this time the rest of the women
were at the gate, which was instantly
opened for their admission. Strange tC
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 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
to retreat, with severe loss.
Joel Logston appeared unlike himself
he tlTeW 0OW0 MS Ilue anu leaOeu
against the stockades. gloomy, silent and
dispirited Daniel Boone attempted Il
comfort him.
Look" he said, pointing toward the
parents of the girls who had been cap
tured, they are striving to bear theil
grief with Christian fortitude. They
are struggling with Roman frmness tC
master their paternal instincts; to lister
to the admonitions Of duty; and bow tC
the stern admotions of Providence b,
man. Joel"
"An this trouble has come Of tha
Frenchman," said Logston. bitterly. "I'v,
never felt right since he's been anon.
rs. Ii is very clear to me that he't
been nothin' more nor less than a spl
on us ever since he's been here, anC
you'll find it So"
"Such remarks, Mr.. Logston, are ex
tremely offensive to me-" said Mr.. Al
stron.
L can't help it," retorted Joel. Z"
know I'm right, and have good reason
to say what | do. / never like to hur
nobody's feelings. nor nothing OF tha
Sort but / do like to tell the truth, an
to see Justice done to all. Why di
Silas Girty speak about this lie Bland
II he didn't know this man, and wha
was he doin'f Your Frenchman talk
a great deal about maxim his fortin' o
Kentucky land and | know very We
how he expects to make It. The Ian