The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-05-19
CHAPTER XIV.

was Innis Mckee; she entered, paie
and agitated, and asked ia be conducted
to Captain Boone. Elizabeth. who had
fastened TO meet her. took her kindly BY
tho hand and led her into the block
house
This is Captain Boone" said Lizzie.
LET mo breathe a moment; | am ex-
cited: my heart boats very fast. re-
turned Innis. II hare come to speak
about the treaty proposed by Captain Du
Quesne. Girty and Others" said Innis.
when she had grown somewhat calmer.
Then you were sent here? asked
Boone.
mo, no! l came of my own Accord!
answered Innis earnestly.
"And for what purpose, young wom-
amp inquired the captain.
ITO save you all from destruction; the
treaty talked Of Is but trap to destroy
you. If you 60 out of the fort. you
will never come back; you will be seized
and perhaps slain on the spot" added
Innis with increasing fervor.
"Who are your asked the captain. in
q more kindly tone.
The young girl hesitated, and then,
covering her face with her hands, re-
piled:
my name is Innis Mckee"
"That unfortunitv' muttered Joel to
himself.
"Alas, sir. why should I attempt to
conceal what is 50 well known? The
per6dy of my father fills me with shame.
The plot is simply this: When you 60
out to make your terms with Du Quesne
vsu will be seized and not allowed to
return to the fort. A large party Of
warriors will surround you and effectu-
ally cut of retreat. The principal men
being captured, the station will be great
~ weakened and forced to surrender.
when q horrible scene Of butchery will
follow. Knowing this, I have FASTENED
hlther, In order to prevent q catastrophe
20 dreadful"
You have acted nobiy, and ail these
helpless women and children will thank
you; and not only they, but these gal
liant men, who are their natural protect
ors." said Boone feelingly.
Don't you know anything of the two
young women who were carried away
by GirtyT' asked Joel.
II have seen Them" returned Innis.
Perhaps somethin' can be done to lib
crate the gals" suggested Joel.
Il think So" replied Innis.
THE affair Of the treaty must first be
attended to-" resumed Boone, recovering
his wonted serenity Of expression
Knowing as we dc. their intentions, I
think we may safely meet them, under
certain conditions"
Name Them" said Fleming.
Send them word that we will meet
them sixty yards from the block-house.
Ia the block-house we will station our
sharpest shooters. If they attempt to
seize us, let them shoot down the first
who lifts hand"
Very good" said Logston.
They'll object to meet you within
sixty yards of the fort" said Reynolds.
Then we will not attempt to treat
With them," returned the pioneer. "Now
the next question to be decided is. when
shall We meet them7"
Tomorrow morning." said Reynolds,
FOR BY putting 1t off to that time, we
may have moro quiet night. and obtain
some rest"
''The idea is happy one" reioined
Mr.. Aston.
"Mr. Reynolds, take a white flag,
mount to the top Of one Of the cabins.
and tell them we will meet them to-
morrow morning early, in order to fix
the terms of a treaty" added Boone.
The night which followed was by no
means a quiet one, as the pioneers had
hoped; Tor there was much firing and
bravado on the part Of the sarages. In
the morning the Overtures of Girty were
renewed. and considerable parleying en-
sued. He said Du Quesne was at the
present time absent, hurrying up the re-
Inducements and cannon. but would be
with them by noon. Girty affirmed
moreover. that Du Quesne left highly in
dignant that his merciful offers were 80
obstinately and foolishly rejected; and
the moment Of his return would he a
signal to batter down the works. and let
four hundred furious savages upon them
The scene that would inevitably follow,
hs would leave to the imaginations OF
the good people Of Boonesboroueh.
IL you have any regard for me-
cap'en. hope you will let me fire." said
Logston, In a persuasive tone.
BE patient. JOEL" returned tina can
tain.
THE measure Of his sins IL full and
runnin' over" added Logston.
Girty ceased speaking, and nothing ri
importance took place on either side nm.
al a little past noon. when he again an.
peared, with the announcement that n,
Quesne had returned. and the cannon
ana reinforcemets had reached them,
The noble captain had commissioned him
to say that the following persons would
be permitted to Leave Boonesborouph ha.
fore they would commence the asx,u,t
which would be final and decisive snd
result In the total destruction Of the a =.
ton. viz: Mr.. Aston and family. M
Fleming and son. and any relatives n
Nliza Ballard who might be there. saw
Bland Ballard. the scout. These eener.
Gus and humane terms he advised tbe
aoove-named to accept, ~ they held ON,
the only chance of life that now r.
manned.
He pledged his word soiemnlv th.,
not single shot should be fired vh,l.
they were leaving the station. ana tb,
very best treatment should be extendei
to them.
Gentlemen, do ron hear this offer
Jon are at perfect liberty to accept Q,
reject 1t, said Daniel Boone.
do me not thA Sros~ inir.<;o. :.