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

II don't see anything hut the river,
rejoined the captain, after looking
momen from one of the loopholes.
Don't yer see, Massa Boone, it am
changed its color; it am just like mud
as one darkey il like anudder," returned
Exquisite.
The pioneer looked again from the
block-house, and the truth of the negro's
remarks was at once apparent. The
waters of the Kentucky were no longer
of their natural color, but deeply col
ored as when, swollen with heavy rains,
the loose red soil is washed away. For
en- instant the pioneer was at fault.
'This is strange" he exclaimed: what
can you make of it, men? All! / un-
derstand it all! They are digging
trench; they intend to let the water in
upon us!'
"You are right" said Fleming, mourn
fully. "Boonesborough is no better than
lost"
The pioneers looked gloomily at each
other; they thought of their wives and
children; brave men wiped away tears,
that, perhaps, were never guilty OF the
like weakness before; but they were not
selfish tears; they flowed for those un-
able to defend themselves from savage
barbarity.
''Girty must have put this internal
idea into their heads" said Reynolds.
Possibly not; for l heard LIE Bland
remark once, that Boonesborough might
be easily undermined, and the whole OF
us drowned out like so many rats" re-
piled Mr.. Fleming.
''De women folks won't have to go
arter no more water" observed Ebony,
philosophically.
"No; de water will come AFTER dem,"
rejoined Andrew.
Oars more of de mischiefy ex-
claimed Ebony.
$50 there is; they're shootin' flamin'
arrers at us to set the works on fire"
said Joel Logston.
The women and children had learned
by this time what was going forward,
and every part of the fort resounded
with cries and lamentations. Hus-
bands and wives, parents and chill
dren, embraced each other tenderly,
thinking that they would soon be parted
forever in this world.
death must come to us all in some
form or other" said Boone. addressing
the mournful and panic-stricken group,
in calm, subdued and solemn voice.
ut is an irrevocable law of God that
all created beings should die. Seeing
that death is something that cannot be
evaded, it becomes us to meet it with
firmness and Christian philosophy. So
far as 1 am able to judge. the term Of
our earthly lives is drawing to a close.
I must certainly regard it in this sad
light, unless some means can speedily
be devised to tbwart this ingenuity Of
our enemies. l enjoin upon you all to
be calm in this terrible emergency. Let
the women and children all take shelter
in the block-house, and be careful not to
cucumber and embarrass their brave
defenders. l desire implicit obedience
and If it is accorded, all may yet be
well.'
The forester paused. and the effect of
his words was instantly obvious; the fe-
males checked their tears. and the men
grasped their arms with fresh resolu-
ton.
mr. Reynolds" added Boone, "take
about half of our able-bodied men,
gather up all the picks and shovels, ETC.,
that can be found, and hasten to the
enclosure on that side toward the
river; if our foes mine, we must coun-
termine."
This order was received with loud
cheers, and the plan was SO promising
that every man felt a new hope spring
ing up in his bosom.
"Cut trench eight feet wide and AZ
long as you can, within the stockades,
and we will battle them yet. While
you are digging, the rest of us will keep
a sharp lookout that they don't set US
on fire."
cTo be ccntinued.l