Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-04-16
CHAPTER XVI.

mine what should he done. Some sug-
Yestod that u party Of picked men should
advance with axes, burst In the door
and meet the savages face to face. But
q young man by the name of Reynolds
proposed n plan which appeared most
practicable. 1t was this: One party was
to remain ia the building where they
were. another advance to make an as
sault upon the door Of the structure held
in possession by the Indians. while n
third would attempt to gain an entrance
by running along the roofs of the inter
vening cabins and effect their object
through the same aperture by which the
enemy had found access.
This scheme appeared very feasible.
TOR the party remaining could protect
the party upon the roof from the fire OF
the enemy outside the works: and the
third party. making Il simultaneous at-
tack upon the door, would divert the
enemy, giving them two points to defend
instead of one.
This measure was so well planned and
conducted that it was crowned by com
plete success. and every Indian within
the block house was slain.
The struggle after the parties entered
the building was brief, but sanguinary.
and the shouts of victory in one block
house were answered by shouts of joy
from the other. The pioneers now had
possession of their works: but the victory
was 10y no means complete for the
frighiful yeIis of hundreds of sayages
titled the wide forests with dreadful
echoes and blanched the cheeks of wom-
Ell and children. Wives and mothers
thclIght of the husbands they had lost
by the Ratchet, by the well-Sped ball. by
the knife. or the more lingering death of
torture. Fair young naidens thought OF
their lovers, aud little children clasped
their mothers knees in terror, their tiny
la ads trembling with indescrihable fear.
The red sun came aud shone upon
many pale faces at Hooncshorough. The
firing ceased on both sides.
"You observe. men," said Boone. That
the Indians fire ndiscrimnateiy at our
for. and waste much powder aud lead;
hut we must not follow their example.
for ammunition is worth mnrh more to
us than gold or silver; i; is more pre-
cious than diamond dust. Fire only
when you see mark. and the noisy,
Dragging rascais will soon keep MT Il
dista nee. | know we'll ,hr worth Of am
muniton. for | passed weary months
alone in this wilderness. while my broth
or performed a long and dangerous jour
ney to North Carolina for fresh sup
ply. The time. durias his absence. often
lung heavily on my hands. | was sur
rounded by those who continually sought
my life. and Ior purposes of safety
changed my camping ground every night
1on may depend upon it, | wasted no
powder during that period. That expe-
rencc taught me a lesson Of prudence
shalt never forget
Il want to speak a word Ia you pri
vately." said I.ogston. making signs to
the captain to follow. 81 think I've seen
that French Teller"
What makes you think so:" asked
the other.
Because I saw face that looked Ike
his. not wthsianding the paint that had
been laid on it. was loading my rife
at the time, and afore l got ready to
fire he had disappeared. SO you ran rely
on it, he's among the critters, helpin
them on in their mischief
sit doos not seem possible. at first
that tnan who has received so much
kindness a our hands can he so villain
ously ua-r9teful and treacIicrons Watch
for him. l."gston. and if you csn see him
ar any Que that LOOKS like him. he sure
to cover him with yonr rifle" said
Eoone.
"fll do it! May be .rodlon to death
ny wild buffaloes if | don't" exclaimed
Joel. with energy
Tho latter and the captain were soon
Joined by others. and very important
subject was discussed. AS it was evident
that the station would he hesieficd. it was
necessary that they should be Supplied
with water. The spring was situated in
the rear of the Notifications. There was
wel-heaten path leading to it, and
the same for Ion. distance WAS sur
Rounded by rank grass anti weeds. in
which they had good reason 10 supposc a
large body OF Indians had serrniei them
selves. To do without water was ont
of the question.
II have studied the habits of the say.
ages for many years. observed Afr.
Fleming. land believe tlia. | know
something of their cunning IF oar mon
so for water they will surety tie fired
upon. and maay of ,hcm must inevitably
he slain"
Il think that female wit can free, won
from this dilemma" said Matilda Elem
Ing, with blushine cheeks. "It shall lao
our duty. then, to 60 TO the spring and
procure water. If we 60 calmly. they
Will naturally Conclude that their am.
huscade is not discovered and will nor
TIRE, but wait. think ing ihat-thc neyt time
some of the mcn viii take our places
seeing that we were nrt molcsted"
"Aes. we viii. so! exclaimed Eriy,.
beth Boone and Eliza ballard.
You are brave gals" said Jool I.o,.
ston.
''fhe plan is a good and i,dicious
one. observed Mrs. Boone. aud Mrs.
Tleming, and all the felnales said the
same
After the objections nadr by the men
had been successfully nvcrrned by the
women. the plan was put into operation.
In short time the latter appeared with
pals. resolved to sacrihcc themselves. IL
he occasion demanded. Cor those they
loved. The gates were opened by unwill-
ins hands. the devoted and brave women
passed out. and the gallant defenders
"f Boonesborough eazed after them with
intense anxiety.
1t was n moment fraught with dccp
and painful interest. Ii was observed