The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1911-11-09

years ago was little fort. about
which clustered a number OF farms
| II was used by the Dutchmen TO keep
the French who lived across the Dor
der from coming over to possess
themselves OF the produce. consisting
Of butter. eggs. vegetables and espe-
cially the cheese. for which the Meth
I erlands have always been famous.
There was no regular military garri-
son. the fort being manned In case OF
necessity BY the Dutch farmers. Those
were more troubl0us times than these.
and there was more lighting in a small
way. therefore more lawlessness was
to be expected near the border. where
frequent incursiOns were made.
The cause OF this particular strong
hold becoming noted was not one Of
butter and eggs and cheese. At least
these were not the bone OF contention.
A Dutch maiden had been surrepti-
tiously wOOed and won by a young
Freedman. and he had carried her
within the lines OF France. had mar
ried her and established her as the fe-
male head OF his farm
The Dutchmen regarded this as By
far the greatest robbery their neigh
bors could inhict upon them They
would much rather have lost a hun
dred Of their best cheeses than this
fair daughter with her blue eyes and
haxen braidS. she had had many
lovers among the young Dutchmen.
and they. formerly rivals. now became
united in a common cause One night
dozen OF these disappointed wooers
made a raid across the border. took
the young wife prisoner and carried
her into their own country.
When the Frenchmen heard OF the
outrage they gathered in groups, talk
ing and gesticulating till they worked
themselves into a warlike condition
The Dutchmen. hearing what they
were doing and inferring that they
would likely attempt to repossess the
woman, shut her up in the fort and
prepared to hold her against all COM
ers. It did not matter TO them that
she wished to return TO her husband
She had not been applied for In a prop !
er way. her parents had not been con-
suited. and even II all the forms usual 4
on such occasions had been observed I
she would not have been given up to 4
the hated French beyond the border
In due time news came that a res
cue party was being formed. and the
Dutchmen began to make preparations
to meet It. The fort was stocked with 4
provisions. and arms and ammunition
and a regular garrison were put in.
The object Of contention being in the
fort. the French marched straight
against II. and since they had no means
Of taking It by assault they formed
Gordon about It for the purpose Of be
sieging it BY starvation
Meanwhile the Dutch farmers who
were not engaged in the quarrel con-
dnued to make cheeses and do their
other accustomed work They were
shut on from the fort. and the fort was
shut OF from them The garrison. hav-
ing a goodly store Of provisions for
heir maintenance, laughed at the
Frenchmen who were besieging them
Come on with your picks and your
STATS and your scythes.- they shouted
n Dutch, -and take the fort II you
.anw But the Frenehmen didn't I'M
lerstand a word that was said. They
imply sat around and smoked and
frank wine and played games. waiting
or the besieged to- eat up all their
,rOvender.
A long while passed. but the Dutch
1en showed no sign Of surrender.
he Frenehmen knew that by this
Ime. though they might still have food.
/ must be stale. But since they would
ot give up the fight their position
lust be taken By stratagem- After
much chattering and gesticulating the
'renchmen at last hit upon a plan
Thich they proposed 20 put into execu-
lon, but they preferred to wait a lit
e longer till their enemies had &C
uired a special relish for fresh eat
bles through a prolonged course Of
rivation.
One morning when the Dutchmen
woke and were preparing their break
lst OF stale victuals they heard a clat-
II Of tongues and. looking over the
saw a number Of women
,ming with baskets on their arms.
hey were too far OF for the Dutehmen
hear what they said OF In what
nguage they spoke. when they came
ar the fort its commander hailed
EN- and asked them where they were
ing One Of the women replied that
ey were taking butter and eggs and
.getables 10 the market 10 sell. When
ey came directly beneath the fort
ey displayed their produce to the
Ingry Dutchmen. who said they
Duld gladly take their whole supply.
Il they must act quickly. for II the
'ench enemies saw them they would
event the sale.
20 the women were introduced into
e fort. and the Dutchmen started 70
Ut the gates, but the women pulled
sapons from under their skirts and
ove them back As soon as the fight
the Frenchmen. who were
lden behind a barn near By. rushed