Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-02-08
CHAPTER NXII.

SIIAI ANIL
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, a
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, meni To the rescuew he
shouted, running to the open gate: while
several young men followed him with
equal impetuosity.
Stop, l command you,' cried Daniel
Boone, in tones distinctly heard above
the confused tumult of sounds.
Away, awayw exclaimed Joel. with
terrible earnestness. Il hear only the
shrieks of those females. l 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
exertions?" 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. ''We can effect nothing
against hundreds of savages; we shouId
be cut down in 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 God"
By this time the rest of the women
were at the gate, which was instantly
opened for their admission. Strange 70
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 threw down his rifle and leaned
against the stockades. gloomy, silent and
dispirited. Daniel Boone ATTEMPTED to
comfort him.
Look" he said, pointing toward the
parents of the girls who had been can
tured, ''they are striving to bear their
grief with Christian fortitude They
are struggling with Roman firmness 70
master their paternal instincts; to listen
to the admonitions of duty; and bow to
the stern admotions of Providence. Re
Il man, Joel"
''All this trouble has come of that
Frenchman, said Logston, bitterly. eve
never felt right since he's been amonp
us. It is very clear to me that he's
been nothin' more nor less than a spy
on US ever since he's been here, and
you'll find it so.''
tremely offensive to me-" said Mr.. AL
stron.
L can't help it." retorted Joel. az
know I'm right, and have good reasons
to say what 1 do. 1 never like to hurt
nobody's feelings, nor nothing of that
sort; but do like to tell the truth, and
TO see justice done to ALL Why did
Silas Girty speak about this LIE Bland.
If he didn't know this man, and what
was he dom? Your Frenchman talks
a great deal about maxim his fortin' on
Kentucky land; and l know very well
how he expects to make it. The land
he has so much to say about is right
here where we stand; and if he ever
gets it Boonesborough'n be a pile of
ruins and he'll walk over our graves.
That's what will happen, Mr.. Aston.
think Of it as you may. Twenty-four
hours haven't passed since Girty offered
me two thousand acres of land to Join
the Ingins against the white stations -
LIE Bland has my friendship and es-
TEEN; nearer relationship, it is well
known, has been talked of. I still find
1t impossible to believe all the dark re-
ports which 1 hear of him. l hope you
will pardon me if 1 act the friendly
part, until l have ocular evidence of his
guilt rejoined Mr.. Aston.
Daniel Boone replied that he trusted
they were all willing to make a proper
allowance in the case, considering how
great had been his friendship for the
man; but so far as his own feelings
were concerned he had no doubt of LIE
BANDS guilt.
During the morning and the greater
portion of the forenoon, the defenders
of Boonesborough were constantly en-
ployed in repelling attacks made at diff
ferent points, and in many instances
conducted with much spirit and resolu-
ton: but about noon the assaults ceased
altogether.
While each stood at his post, trying
to assign some plausible reason for this
sudden suspension of hostilities q white