Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-03-29
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
The hour of midnight had passed on
and other hours had followed in its
noiseless track. 1t was near the break
of day; but the hush of night lay more
deeply, and far more darkly, upon the
face Of the earth than since the sun
went down. The moon had finished her
course, and passing away to other re-
gions left darkness and gloom on the
places where her beams had fickered so
pleasantly.
Daniel Boone and Mr.. Fleming stood
near the gate that opened from the
stockades for ingress and egress. Each
of the sturdy pioneers held in his hand
his trusty rife-weapons which had been
proved upon many a bloody day.
This" said Captain Boone, "is the
hour which has ever been so fatal to our
countrymen. The savages always select
1t for a surprise: and how many hun
dreds have been slain between sleeping
and waking"
"Yes, my brave lads, this Is the time
when we may naturally expect the onciv-
ilized critters" said Joel Logston, who
appeared at that moment, followed by
Vesuvius.
"You ought not to go abroad In the
open air until you have recovered from
your recent wounds" observed Captain
Boone.
''The air'll do 'em good 1 never was
afraid of the air; amt one O. them
kind. l can't sleep where there's any
danger, or any reasonable prospect of
fight. Isn't 1t so, Vesuvius?"
At this instant the singular quadruped
referred to began to give vent to low
and energetic growls, snuffing the air,
erecting the hair upon his back, and
walking defantly about the enclosure
near the stockades.
"What does that meanY" asked Flem-
ing.
ut means that he scents somethin' as
he don't like" replied Logston.
II suspect that there are Indians
near" remarked Daniel Boone.
IF you're alters as near the truth as
that, you won't have to answer for
much sin of that natur," said JOEL
perhaps we had better call out the
men," added Captain Boone.
81 think you had, by all means; for
therell be an uncommon uproar here
soon, 'cordin' to my notion of things"
replied Joel.
The settlers now began to leave their
cabins and gather about their leader in
silence. Mr.. Alston appeared among
them with a melancholy and detected
air, for he was doubtless thinking of
his daughter.
II cannot bear this torturing suspense
and inaction much longer" he remarked,
approaching Captain Boone. although
not very skillful in Indian tactics, and
unused to the trail, l shall, nevertheless,
make some effort to recover my beloved
Rosalthe."
81 can appreciate your feelings Mr..
Aston. You feel as all fathers would
under the circumstances" said Boone.
"But rest assured that there are those
now in pursuit of your daughter who
are far more experienced than your
self, and who will never return without
some tidings of the lost one.
Eyes, | must try to bear up like a
man." replied Aston. signing. "Is there
any immediate danger of an attack?'
"I am strongly inclined to think So"
was the reply.
81 am differently persuaded. l think
the danger has been greatly magnied
As you are aware, l have but little
faith in this story of a fearful con-
spiracy," rejoined Aston.
Look yonder, in the name Of heaven,
and tell me what new mystery Is that
which I now beholdw exclaimed the for
ester, with startling emphasis.
Instantly all eyes were turned toward
the block house. where lie Bland was
supposed to be yet In durance Dusky
C fop nf ftla
disappearing one after another through
the roof The hardy pioneers gazed at
this astonishing sight In mute wonder.
For a moment they seemed like men ut
terly deprived of the powers of voltion.
The danger had appeared in an unex-
pected quarter and in a more dreaded
form than they had anticipated.
Captain Boone was the first to speak
and to act. I'VE must stop this!'' he
exclaimed, cor we are little better than
dead men," and instantly discharged his
rife at one of the dark forms. Three
or four of the settlers followed his ex-
ample. The fire was Immediately re-
turned from the block house with effect,
for one of the men fell.
I'VE are to be shot down from our
own block houses and through the loop
holes pierced by our own hands," cried
the captain. "Mr. Logston," he added.
take half dozen men and take pos
session of the other block house and
prevent any more from entering the
works, while / try to drive the enemy
from this"
Brandishing a hatchet, the old pioneer
rushed toward the stronghold occupied
by the Indians. The little party was met
by a severe fire; Mr.. Aston, who was
among the foremost. received a wound
which prevented him from taking any
further part in the struggle.
The savages had the advantage, the
guns leveled from the several loopholes
completely covering Boone and his men.
A few of them reached the door Of the
block house; but it could not be forced
open, and even had they succeeded in
doing so il would have been rushing to