The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-05-12
xxm.-(Ccntinued1

CHAPTER XXIH.-(Continued.)
In short time ten or q dozen sturdy
men were at work with picks and
.nades. and the dirt went merrily over
the stockades.
They are still digging; the water
grows muddier," said Fleming. who
with Boone and the rest, remained IN
the block-houses.
''If they were not sheltered by the
hank, we would soon make them
scamper away" returned the pioneer.
There's burning arrow upon the
roof of one of the cabins" said Elem
Ing.
Il will go and put 1t out" added Dan
lei Boone's son, who was yet but a
mere lad.
"Stay. my son; prefer to go myself!
cried his father, nervousiy. more Wiling
to expose himself than his son.
"Your life is worth more than mine,
said James.
For my sake-for your mother
saker' cried the captain. earnestly. But
before he had finished the sentence
James was running along the roofs OF
the cabins, exposed to the enemy's ire.
The old veteran of the wilderness
stood watching his boy with a terrible
anxiety for the result, which no heart
but a parents can understand He heard
a discharge of firearms, and the balls
that whistled about his son seemed to
wound his own person. James stopped
down. and with his foot extinguished
the flaming arrow, while literal
shower of lead cut the air. and per-
forated his clothes in many places.
The fire being out, the bold boy turned
TO retrace his footsteps. when a ball
too true to its aim struck him upon the
breast. and he fell amid the shouts. OF
a hundred foemen.
The pioneer staggered and groaned
as If his heart would burst, and would
have rushed forth to cover his sons
body with his own. had not Fleming
held him, while Joel Logston, regardless
Of danger, ieaped out upon the roof,
raised the fallen youth in his athletic
arms. and bore him to the bIock-house.
The shaft had been well sped-the
wound was mortal. The bereaved faith
er bent over the dying boy In tearfu!
agony, and taking up King David's Ia
ment, cried out In the bitterness of his
wounded spirit:
my son. my son! would to God that
had died for thee!'
For a space all stood silent, too much
affected to speak.
"Be man, cap'n; be man." said
Logston.
"Ah, Joel, things have changed since
babe you master your griefs." said
Boone, In a choked voice. '"This makes
two darling sons and a brother that
have lost by savage hands. James,
James! my dear boy! look at me: 1t is
your father that calls." cried the captain,
frantically.
Contrary to al! expecta tons. the boy
opened his eyes ianguidly, and smiled
ia unity.
And new ensued a scene so tender and
affecting that the stoutest heart turned
away unnamed. The boys mother and
sister had come to gaze their last upon
him. and to share his agonies quite down
to the rolling river of death
ITS all over now-the pain Of dying
Is past the darkness has disappeared.
and the light flows in. Farewell. loved
ones-I go, I go. I go to the land
where there are no warfares and fight
lngs. and where God himself shall wipe
all tears from all faces"
The boy smiled and died: and an ex-
preston of serene Joy inexpressible lin
gered sweetly upon his young face.
Il have done struggling with destiny"
said Boone. in heart-broken accents. Il
yield now to my fate: I relinauish all
earthly hopes. shall command no
longer among you. This last blow has
destroyed my manhood. Choose a new
leader. and leave me to my private
srlefs," he added sadly.
mo new leader will we have" an.
swered Joel.
"My voice will he heard no more In
battle" replied Boone.
"Daniel, Danielw exclaimed Mrs
Boone, in a tone of solemn earnestness.
wiping away all traces of recent tears.
us this like your Have you ceased to
Be the fron-nerved man chosen by God
10 people this wilderness? Are you not
to these heoric men what Moses was 70
the Hebrews? Will you falter now
when the hopes Of all are conferred unon
vopf poA
you are right, Rebecca; must mas
ter myself" answered the forester. like
sne just awakened from sleep.
Here Is your rife, Daniel" added
Mrs. Boone. placing the trusty weapon
he loved so well in his hands, The
touch OF the faithful steel. and the no.
hved voice of Rebocca, seemed to hiring
him to himself. He passed his hands
sver bis forehead, and his spirit va.
ence more alive to the sound of battle.
The settlers continued the defense
with great cbstinacy. shooting down ali
hose who had the hardfhood to show
themselves within gunshot of the fort.
when the night set in, the digging was
ttih progressing. judging by the muddy
hue of the water; and the inhabata nts
II Boonesborough remained in suspense
sntl morning. expecting hourly to hear
NE spades Of the enemy In their under
sround approaches.
CHAPTER XIV.
The department Of Starlight was
more friendly after her return to the
village. The reasons for this change
were attributed to the occurrences OF
the day; we mean those relating ia
Allan Norwood and Ls Bland.