The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-05-26
CHAPTER XXI.

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 we're
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, men! To 'the rescuev' he
shouted, running to the open gate; while
several young men followed him with
equal impetuosity.
"Stop, command your cried Daniel
Boone, In tones distinctly heard above
the confused tumult of sounds.
away, awayp' exclaimed Joel, with
terrible earnestness. 81 hear only the
shrieks of those females. listen only
to their calls for help. Let me go-I
am desperate"
|
follow you, who will defend the fort
Who will protect those who yet remain
to us, and have equal claims upon our
exertions2" replied Captain Boone.
sand what would It avail II we should
attempt a rescue?' said Reynolds, who
had been among the first to follow
against hundreds of savages; we should
L. l..
would our lives be thrown away, with
out accomplishing anything. Let us re
main and trust the two maidens to tn,
care of God"
By this time the rest of the womeI
were at the gate, which was Instant,
opened for their admission. Strange t,
relate, they had, with one or two ex
ceptions, maintained their self-pos
sion to such an extent as to bring will
them the several vessels of water which
they had procured. While they wer
entering, strong body of Indians
among which were several Frenchmen
tried to rush In after them; but well
directed fire from the fort forced then
to retreat, with severe loss.
Joel Logston appeared unlike himself
he threw down his rife and leane
against the stockades, gloomy, silent an
dispirited. Daniel Boone attempted t
comfort him.
Look" he said, pointing toward tn
parents Of the girls who had been car
tured, they are striving to bear thei
grief with Christian fortitude The
: are struggling with Roman hrmness t
master their paternal instincts; to liste
to the admonitions Of duty; and bow I
, the stern admotions of Providence. B
man. Joel"
! "All this trouble has come of this
! Frenchman." said Logston, bitterly. "I'y
: never felt right since he's been anon
US. 1t Is very clear to me that he
, been nothin' more nor less than a SD
on us ever since he's been here, an
you'll find It So"
"Such remarks, Mr.. Logston, are e,
tremely offensive to me-" said Mr.. A
i stron.
4 I can't help IT," retorted Joel.
know I'm right, and have good reason
II to say what / do. / never like to hui
= nobody's feelings, nor nothing Of th,
:, sort; but I do like to tell the truth, an
u to see justice done to all. Why d
Silas Girty speak about this lie Bland
IL he didn't know this man, and VIII,
! was he dom? Your Frenchman tall
a great deal about maxim his fortin' c
Kentucky land; and I know very we
how he expects to make IL The lar