Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-02-22
CHAPTER XIV.

| nasIened TO meet her, took ner klndly Dy
the hand and led her into the block
| house
This is Captain Boone" said Lizzie.
Let me breathe a moment; l am ex-
cited; my heart beats very fast" re-
turned Innis. 81 have 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! I came of my own accordr'
answered Innis earnestly.
And for what purpose, young wom-
an :: inquired the captain.
ITO save you all from destruction; the
treaty talked of is but a trap to destroy
you. If you go out of the fort, you
will never come back; you will be seized
and perhaps slain on the spot"' added
INNS with increasing fervor
Who are you?" asked the captain, in
a more kindly tone.
The young girl hesita ted, and then,
covering her face with her hands, re-
Piled
My name is Innis Mckee"
That unfortunit" muttered Joel to
himself
"Alas, sir, why should I attempt to
conceal what is so we'll known? The
Perhdy of my father fills me with shame.
Inc plot il simply this: When you 90
out TO make your terms with Du Quesne
Eou will be seized and not allowed to
return to the fort. A large party of
warriors will surround you and effectu-
ally cut off retreat. The principal men
helng captured, the station will be great
~ weakened and forced to surrender
when horrible scene of butchery will
follow. knowing this, l have hastened
hlther, IN order to prevent catastrophe
so dreadful"
fou have acted nObly, and all 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 Girty?' asked Joel.
i 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 he
attended to-" resumed Boone, recovering
his wonted serenity of expression
Knowing rs we do their intentions. |
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
In the block-house we will station our
sharpest shooters. If they attempt to
seize us, let them shoot down the first
who lifts a 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 them?''
Tomorrow morning. said REYNOLDS
for by putting it off to that time, we
may have more quiet night, and obtain
some rest
The idea is a happy one" rejoined
Mr.. Aston.
Mr.. Reynolds, take 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 fly
the terms of a treaty." added Boone.
|
means a quiet one, as the pioneers had
hoped; for there was much firing and
bravadO on the part of the savages. 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 I'D the re
Inducements and cannon, but would be
with them by noon. Girty affirmed
! ~ T n.
dignant that his merciful offers were Sc
obstinately and foolishly rejected; and
the moment of his return would be q
signal to batter down the works, and lei
four hundteI furious savaces upon them
The scene that would inevitably follow,
he would leave to the imaginations oil
the good people of Roonesborough.
EFF you have any regard for me
cap'en, l hope you will let me fire." said
Logston, in a persuasive tone.
BE patient, JOEL" returned the cap
tain.
''The measure of his sins is full and
runnin' over" added Logston.
Girty ceased speaking, and nothing OF
Importance took place on either side un
til a little past noon. when he again ap
peared, with the announcement that DIT
Quesne had returned, and the cannon
and reinforcemets had reached them
The noble captain had commissioned hin
to say that the following persons would
be permitted TO leave Boonesborough he
fore they would commence the assault
which would be final and decisive, anf
result in the total destruction of the sta
ton, viz: Mr.. Aston and family, Mr.
Fleming and son, and any relatives Of
Eliza Ballard who might be there. say,
Bland Ballard, the scout. These gener
Gus and humane terms he advised tn,
above-named to accept, as they held ou
the only chance of life that now re
manned.
He pledged his word solemnly, tina
not a single shot should be fred Will,
they were leaving the station, and thu
very best treatment should be extended
to them.
Gentlemen, do you hear this offer
you are at perfect liberty to accept OF
reject it." said Daniel Boone.
DO me not the gross injustice t.
imagine that l shall listen to such a pro
posal for a moment" replied Mr.. Aston
quickly.
I'D rather stay and perish where
am" said Fleming, with an honest glow
Of indignation. when l leave Boones
borough, I'll leave it just as the rest do
l never left my friends in the hour Of
trouble, and by the help of God l never
will" he added
But your families resumed Boone
1--WE will share the fate of our dear
neighbors and defendersr' exclaimed
Mrs. Aston and Mrs. Fleming, simuu
taneously.
Noble souls! noble soulsr' cried Cap
tain Boone, passing his stalwart hanC
across his eyes
who's comm out?" cried Girty.
Not a single soul, you contemplate
Cretur'i" said Joel
ITO prayers. then, every one of We
for tho SIM of vour lives Is Settin' onf