Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-05-17
CHAPTER XXVII.

stormy. A fine misty rain fell contln-
uously on the earth. The enemy, IA
tigued with their past efforts, had ceased
to make hostile demonstrations, and were
evidently resolved on resting until morn
Ing.
Captain Boone, having placed a guard.
had prevailed on the weary defenders OF
Bonesborough to lie down to sleep, 10
strengthen them for the contingencies OF
the morrow. The pioneer had laid him.
self down for couple Of hours. but at
II o'clock arose and walked around the
works to see that all was safe, ana
take care that the guard was duly re-
leved and vigilant AS he was passing
the gate he heard gentle knocking on
the outside.
ut is some Indian trick" thought
Daniel; "but I am too old bird to be
caught with chaff. "Who knocksT'
BLAND Ballard. There are three OF
u.s." added the voice.
LET the other two speak" returned
the pioneer.
"Simon Kenton," said another voice.
"Allan Norwood" added a third.
Its all right" said Boone, undoing
the fastenings of the gate. mo three
men were ever more welcome to any
place" he continued, as the party en-
tered.
you've had a fine time Of it here, l
reckon" said Ballard.
"The hand of sorrow has pressed heav-
lily upon u.s." replied Boone, sadly.
81 knew in the course of natur' that
some confounded thing or other would
break" added the scout, sentimentally.
How has it Jared with you, my lads
What news of Miss Alston?"
"It has Jared but indifferently with
u.s." replied Allan. Miss Aston, we
have reasons to suppose, Is safe. although
In the power of lie Bland"
Mr.. Aston, who had also been walk
Ing about the words, head the name
of his daughter mentioned, and fastened
to join the party.
1T appears" continued Allan that
your daughter was carried away by a
Jealous Indian maiden, who intended her
no serious harm"
"But where is she? Where have you
left her? Why have you not restored
her to my arms? exclaimed Aston,
deeply moved.
SOFTLY! softly" said the scout. eve
have done all that men could do. We
haven't been afeard to risk our lives in
her service"
"The Cherokee GIRL" resumed our
hero, had witnessed an interview be-
tween her lover and your daughter,
which excited all her jealousy and ha-
tired, and was the cause Of her sudden
and mysterious disappearance"
but who was the Indian maden's 3
lover?" asked Aston. new light stream
Ing in upon his brain. :
He was called while here lie Bland.
Before l made this important discovery
Miss Aston had been found by lie Bland
and carried away. We pursued him
with haste, but he reached his friends,
fore we could effect a rescue" said Nor
wood.
"This young man has acted nobly,''
added the scout with great warmth.
"He has saved my life, and Kenton's
also. l abused him at the outset, and
am sorry for it. He's as brave a young
feller as ever walked, and I'll make my
word good agin q dozen, armed with any
kind O. weapons whatever. If there
should be any sort o blame attached tc
his name, now or hereafter this year oil
next, or the year arter. I don't care
when, warn everybody In partic'lal
that in course O. natur' somethin' viii
break!'
"It is no more than what justice de
mands to say that all the success tina
has attended this enterprise is due t
Mr.. Norwood" said Simon Kenton: Will
manly frankness We've got good new
for you all. Otter-Lifter Is coming t,
your aid at the head of his warriors
and is now close at hand"
"And we called at Harrodsburgh,
added Allen, ION our return, and Colone
Harrod Is coming with two pieces o
cannon. l think we shall not only b
able to make good the defense, but de
feat the enemy and rescue Miss Aston.
1--WE have only bad news to tell you Il
return for these glorious tidings," re
turned Boone matilda Fleming an,
carried off by Silas Grty and are nov
IN his hands"
"If we can git them two cannon int
this place afore sunrise. and Otter LITE
reaches US with his warriors, it's m
opinion there'll be a confounded break
age." exclaimed Ballard, knitting hi
brows and grasping his rife nervously.
The news which Allan and his com
panions had brought soon circulate
through the station. awakening new hop
in every heart. The most experience
of the pioneers doubted not but the can
non could be brought to the fort unde
cover of the darkness.
I'VE shall have to 60 out and recon
hotter a little and see which will be tn
safest way to bring in the big dogs.
said the scout, referring to the cannon
Its rather q delicate piece Of work
added Kenton, but the darkness of tn
night is greatly In our favor. Be on tn
watch, captain, to let us in." Wit
these words the three men left the sta
tion once more and glided away.
In a little time Ballard came back t
say that the enemy had relaxed thei
vigila nee. being, doubtless, tired out wit
the length of the siege; that twenty me
from Harrodsburgh were at a short di.
tance from the fort with ordnance
which they would now endeaver to dra
Into the station.
The rain descended In torrents, an
the night, though more inclement, wa
more favorable than ever to their pui
pose. After incredible toll and e1ertior
the efforts Of Col. Harrod were crown
"a wifi success and the much coyete