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About Lexington wheatfield. (Lexington, Or.) 1905-19?? | View Entire Issue (March 29, 1906)
THE RED Or the Days of Daniel Boone By JOEL ROBINSON CHAPTER XIV. (Continued.) "But haw shall I get out?" Inquired the Frenchman, who could not see how he wag to be greatly benefited by the operation which the black had suggest ed. "The best way you, ken you can't come frew de door," was the rejoinder "Get me an ax, then, and let me cut iny way out." "How much money?" asked Andrew. "Three silver dollars more than you ever had in the course of your whole life, probably." "Hand Out the currency,"" said the negro. After a few moments of reflection, Le Bland was about to pass out the money, when he 'heard the voice of Ebony with out; but this did not discourage him, for he believed that the African would be disposed to sympathize with his master, and so be Inclined to favor his escape. Accordingly the prisoner did not hesi tate to state the proposition which he had made'to Andrew. The matter was discussed in low voices by the two wor thies; and they finally concluded that for an additional dollar, they would be com pletely justified in disclosing the place where the ax was secreted in the block house. Should the Frenchman be fortunate enough to free himself by the aid of that Implement, Andrew and his friend sup posed that they could not be very deeply Implicated in the affair. . So the stipulated sum was duly trans ferred (through one of the port holes pierced in the walls) to the hands of the negroes, and the promised information given. But here a new difficulty presented itself; would not the sound of his blows alarm all the sleepers in Boonesborongh? After considerable searching, aided by the faint light shining in at the loop holes, and by the sense of touch, Le Bland discovered a place where his op erations promised to be most successful. But the first blow resounded loudly through the empty structure. . "Stop dat noise dar!" cried Andrew, , authoritatively. "Massa Boone's down by de gate." "I must abandon the attempt," said Le Bland, thoughtfully, for a new and more feasible plan had suggested itself to his mind. "You may keep the money, Andrew, and say nothing about what has taken place." "I knew you could not do nnffln In dat line," replied Andrew; and wishing the prisoner good night, he walked away with the silver safely deposited In his pocket, singing In the happiest possible frame of mind. The moment Andrew's voice had ceas ed to be heard, Le Bland hastened to sound Ebony's feelings In regard to his imprisonment, and to ascertain so fast as he was able, whether he could reason ably expect any immediate assistance from Mr! Alston. The result was satisfactory. He soon discovered that Exquisite Ebony had re ceived instructions, and was ready' to favor his escape, providing that it could be so adroitly managed that he could not well be suspected of having any direct agency In the same. While a low conversation was going on between the Frenchman and the ne gro, Mr. Alston himself cautiously ap proached the block house. "Yes, I am here, my friend," said the person referred to. "How do you find yourself?" "I find mvself a nrisnner and verr poorly treated," replied Le Bland, rather haughtily. "Free me from this disgrace ful thraldom. Let me not be pent up here, while every moment seems an age to me, and, while I appear to hear each Instant the desnairincr crips of Ttnnlth. and for my apparently unpardonable tar diness, to meet her reproving glances. I am ready to pluck out my beard with vexation. My impatience to serve and save the best of women drives me to the confines of madness. And yet you come and sav. 'I am your friend: T annlm In your behalf.' Thrice accursed are these unyielding wausi they hold me, from action When it la most needed. Porlmna it is already too late; the pile may be ngntea the lagots even now blazing In names mounting to the skies." "Hold!" exclaimed Mr. Alston. "Vnnr words torture me beyond endurance. The shrieks or my idolized girl are in my ears her agonies penetrate my soul." "Demolish these walls! open the door! give me liberty! give me the free alrl This restraint will make, me frantic. To breathe this air another moment will suffocate me. I am, while here, like the poor fish transferred from his loved element to dry land. I gasp I strug clo with my fate like it. Make haste then, to relieve me. Consult not cold and selfish prudence; think not of falsi fenrs of nrofessed friends, nnd th fnw hood of concealed enemies. Act, and act quickly. Your friend demands it; your daughter invoices it." "Refnre heaven " cried Alston. "T will comply with your request, let the conse quences be wnat tney may. My doubts (if I ever entertained a single doubt) va ish: I give them to the winds. When hear your tones, I hear only the voice rt ulnneritr and truth: I fool thnf thnm l tin hvnnerlsv within ' von. lnr nth arm cry out as they will. Now I am ready to serve you." "Is Captain Boone still walking about within the worusr asxea ie uiana. "tfo; lis concluded his observations STORM and returned to his cabin few moments since," replied Mr. Alston. "That is well; now I must contrive to escape without implicating you." "Generous friend!" said Alston, pleas ed to behold so much Ingenuousness. "Let Ebony mount to the roof," con tinued the Frenchman, "and remove, with my co-operation, a sufficient portion of the same to allow me a comfortable egress,. Once upon the top of the block house, I will drop dowd upon the out side and the object will be accom plished." "The plan Is judicious and practical," remarked Mr. Alston. "Ebony, get suit able Implements and climb up and open an aperture of the proper dimensions; but work softly and throw yourself down flat on the roof if any one appears." Ebony made haste to obey these com mands, and in a short time he was in dustriously at work on the top of the block house, while the Frenchman gave directions and assisted him from the in terior. The work progressed successful ly; the timbers were displaced by means of a lever. The Frenchman emerged from the opening, and the Implements which had been employed were so placed as to convey the idea that all had been effected from the inside. A rifle and ammunition were passed up to him. He seized them hastily, drop ped down upon the front side of the block house and hurried away. " CHAPTER XV. The hour of midnight had passed on, and other hours had followed in Its noiseless track. It was near the break of day; but the hush of night lay more deeply, and far more darkly, upon the face of the earth than since the sun went down. The moon had finished her course, and passing away to other re gions left darkness and gloom on the places where her beams had flickered so pleasantly. Daniel Boone and Mr. Fleming stood near the' gate that opened from the stockades for ingress and egress. Each of the sturdy pioneers held in his hand his trusty rifle weapons which had been proved upon many a bloody day. "This," said Captain Boone, "is the hour which has ever been so fatal to our countrymen. The savages always select It for a surprise; and how many hun dreds have been slain between sleeping and waking." "Yes, my brave lads, this is the time when we may naturally expect the onciv llized critters," said Joel Logston, who appeared at tha.t moment, followed by Vesuvius. "You ought not to go abroad In the open air until you have recovered from your recent wounds," observed Captain Boone. "The air'll do 'em good; I never was afraid of the air; I ain't one o' them kind. I can't sleep where there's any danger, or any, reasonable prospect of a fight. Isn't it so, Vesuvius?" At this instant the singular quadruped referred to began to give vent to low and energetic growls, snuffing the air, erecting the hair upon his back, and walking defiantly about the enclosure near the stockades. "What does that mean?" asked Flem ing. "It means that he scents somethln' as he don't like," replied Logston. "I suspect that there are Indians near," remarked Daniel Boone. "If you're allers as near the truth as that, you won't have to answer for much sin of that natur'," said Joel. "Perhaps we had better call out the men," added Captain Boone. "I think you had, by all means; for there'll be an oncommon uproar here soon, 'cordln' to my notion of things, replied Joel. The settlers now began to leave their cabins and gather about their leader in silence. Mr. Alston appeared among them with a melancholy and dejected air, for he was doubtless thinking of his daughter. "I cannot bear this torturing suspense and inaction much longer," he remarked, approaching Captain Boone. "Although not very skillful in Indian tactics, and unused to the trail, I shall, nevertheless, make some effort to recover my beloved Rosalthe." - "I can appreciate your feelings, Mr, Alston. You feel as all fathers would under the circumstances," said Boone "But rest assured that there are those now In pursuit of your daughter who are far more experienced than your self, and who will never return without some tidings of the lost one. "Yes,' I must try to bear up like a man," replied Alston, sighing. "Is there any immediate danger of an attack? "I am strongly inclined to think so," was the reply. "I am differently persuaded. I think the danger has been greatly magnified As you are aware, I have but litNe faith In this story of a fearful con spiraey, rejoined Alston. "Look yonder, In the name of heaven, aud tell me what new mystery is that which I now behold! exclaimed the for ester, with startling emphasis. Instantly all eyes were turned toward the block house, where Le Bland was supposed to be yet in durance. Dusky figures were seeiispn top of the structure, disappearing one after another through the roof. The hardy pioneers gazed at this astonishing sight In mute wonder, For a moment they seemed like men ut terljr deprived of the powers of volition. The danger had appeared In an unex pected quarter and lu a more dreaded form than they had anticipated. Captain Boone was the first to speak and to act. "We must stop this!" he exclaimed, "or we are little better than dead men;" and Instantly discharged his rifle at one of the dark forms. Three or four of the settlers followed his ex ample. The fire was Immediately re turned from the block house with effect, for one of the men fell. "We are to be shot down from our own block houses and through the loop holes pierced by our own hands," cried the captain. "Mr. Logston," he added, taKe half a dozeu men and take pos session of the other block house and prevent any more from entering the works, while I try to drive the enemy from this."' Brandishing a hatchet, the old pioneer rushed toward1 the stronghold occupied by the Indians. The little party was met by a severe hre; Mr. Alston, who was among the foremost, received a wound which prevented him from taking any further part in the struggle. I he savages had the advantage, the guns leveled from the several loopholes completely covering Boone and his men. A few of them reached the door of the block house; but it could not be forced open, and even had they succeeded In doing so it would have been rushine to destruction. The consequence was, the storming party was obliged to retreat. I'erceiving that nothing could be ef fected without more deliberation, order, and concert of , action, they proceeded to superintend and protect the passage of the women and the children from the cabins to the block house in the other angle of the works. This important measure was effected without loss, al though they were frequently fired upon. While these movements were taking place within the station, there was much shouting and tumult without. Several attempts were made to mount the top of the block house, which met with a prompt repulse from the settlers, whose position commanded the entire front of the fort. As has been observed, the block houses, projecting twenty inches beyond the cabins, prevented effectually the possibility of the enemy's making a lodgment before them. "This," said Logston, addressing Mr. Alston, who was having his wounds dressed, "this is the work of your Frenchman. "I am still incredulous," replied Al ston. "Where is Andrew?" inquired Boone. Here, massa," said Andrew. "Was Le Bland in the block house when you went away from it?" "Yes, massa." "Did he make any attempt to escape?" continued Boone, sternly. '"He spoke about dat ar subject." "Did he offer yon money, or hold out any inducement for you to assist him to escape?" added the forester, still more sternly. "Yes, massa," wild Andrew, quailing before the penetrating glances of Boone, Unfortunately for him, in his perturba tion he thrust his hands Into his pockets scf desperately that the jingle of silver om was distinctly heard. "What have you got In your jockets?" asked Booae. "Nuffln' but nails, massa not a single t'ing," returned the negro,- his manner plainly giving the lie to his yords. "Search his pockets, said the captain, turning to Logston, who stood near. Joel, ever ready to do the bidding of his superior, laid his hands upon the trembling Andrew, which Vesuvius ob serving, concluded that it was the signal for some extraordinary demonstration on his part, and instantly displayed all his sharp teeth, and approached him with intentions most sinister and alarming. Andrew, overcome by the sense of so many dangers, fell upon his knees, and declared he would confess all about the matter, which he did, with but a few trifling prevarications; protesting most strenuously that he had no intention whatever of assisting the Frenchman to escape. Ebony was next questioned; but em boldened by the presence of Mr. Alston, fearlessly asserted that he was wholly ignorant of the transaction, and that the first intimation which he had receiv ed that anything was going wrong was the report of Captain Boone's rifle when he shot at the Indians. . Although perfectly assured in his own mind that Ebony knew more than he chose to divulge, the forester ceased to press his questions farther, for the im minence of the danger required prompt action. ' (To be continued.) An Incident. "What is the color 'chatain?" a cer tain young man asked of a venerable Creole lady whose hair was wnite as snow. . She rummaged through her mind for terms of explanation, being a little lia ble to forget English words at times. Finally, however, she replied: "'Chatain,' dat is the color of my hair, you understand, when I was young!" And then she smiled with, satisfac tion at the exact manner in which' she had explained the term, while the questioner still wondered what color "chatain" was. New Orleans Times Democrat. In lluritliirdom. Bill Sykes I see as how de sculp tors is goin' ter restore one of de old Eyetaliim churches. Jimmy Jackson Good Gawd! Youse don't moan ter tell me dat the boog lnrs ever had de nolve ter swipe a hull church! New Orleans Times-Democrat. Berlin local trains now have special compartments for "passengers with dogs." ' Spring The best is Hood's Sarsaparilla. It is the bes because it does the most good. While it makes the blood pure, fresh and lively, it tones the stomach to bet ter digestion, creates an appetite, stimu lates the kidneys and liver, gives new brain, nerve and digestive strength. -. An unlimited list of, wonderful cures 40,366 testimonials in the past two years proves its merit. In buying medi cine always get the best. get Hood's. r 1 1 . 001a everywhere.: ,u Llquld or tabloti. 100 Doses SI. - President Diaz is not so wealthy as accredited. Ilia fortune is short of a million. ' A GUARANTEED C'UHE EOH P1I.ER. Itrhlim, Hiind, nieeinK, Vrotriullng 1'IWw. Dme irlslH are aiiUiiirlr.rd to refund money ir l'AZO OINTMENT falls to euro In 6 to 14 days. Wo, Taris has the biggest debt of any city in the world. It amounts to $400,000, 000. CITQ Permanently Cured. No fits or nervousness I 1 10 after tlrstduy'Busi'ofDr.Kllne'adreatNorvs Itestorer. Hend fur r'reSU trial bottleand treatise. Dr.lt. H. Kline, Ltd., 1)31 Aruh St., 1'hlladelplila, l'a. There are 8,840,789 negroes in the United States, but only 2,577 of African birth. THE EXTERNAL USE OF St.. Jacob's Oil Is the short, sure, easy cure for Rheumatism and Neuralgia MM Helping- Oat. With an exelnmatlon of delight the hardened tourist rushed out on the bag gage platform and started to smash bis trunk with an ax. "Hold on !" shouted the baggage man. "Are you crazy?" "Not at all," replied the hardened tourist as he continued to smash. "I read that baggagemen were overworked at this season, so I thought I would smash my own trunk and save you the trouble." There Is more Catarrh In this section of the country than all other diseases put together, and until the last few years was supposed to be inourable. For agreatmany yearadoctori pro nounced It a local disease, and prescribedlocal remedies, and by constantly falling to cure with local treatment, pronounced it incurable. Science has proven catarrh to be a constitu tional dlBeasa, and therefore requires constitu tional treatment. Hall's Catarrh Cure, manu factured by F. J. Cheney & Co. .Toledo, Ohio, is the only constitutional cure on the market. It is taken internally in doses from 10 drops to a teaspoanful. It acts directly on the blood and muc )hs surfaces of the system. They otter one hundred dollars for any case it fails to Cure. bend for circulars and testimonials. Address. K. J. CHENEY dt CO.. Toledo. O Sold by Druggists, 75c. Hall's Family fills are the best. A cremated adult human body leaves a residuum of gray ashes which altogeth er do not weigh more than about two pounds. The of Wave Send for v JAQUES MFG. CO. Chicago. t SLVER rLNGS 1 j Oftontimesa silver filling is fluiM I more advisable than gold. But KV 1 I some dentists use the material I 4 I , allowing the mut profit to KAM M themselves. You have to leave - t vT J ( thlsHo the Judgment of the ft$?s ' J i dentist. Why not go to den- Vf I tlsts who have built and main- fi s m - J ( tain a reputation for reliabili- IK- ' i ty? Examinations free. jftfts 1 rl : WISE BROTHERS -w ! I-,. J -siHtwMr, ff I DENTISTS 1 ViTiiMWmiiB I OR. W. A. Wist WLUliaia DR. I. P. wise. ' l.J Cor. Third and Washington St. J 1 L 1 din n JO El Mrs S. L. Carloton, Ayer, Mass., saysi "For perfect spring medicine to give strength and thoroughly purify the blood, Hood's Sarsapa rilla Is held in high esteem by our whole fam ily. I have lined it from childhood and unci it as (rood fur my children as for inysel." riiiaisneminnign IV. I H.VH 11 MIH1 IT Electric fishes, exposed to the action of radium, have been found to lose their electric power completely, and to suffer in health. Mothers will find M Wlmlow's Soothing fly run tho bent remedy to use fur their children during the teething rarlod. When Audubon begun tlio publication of his great work in IHliti he received from many subscribers $1,000 a copy. TO CUKE A COLD IN ONE DAY Takel.AXATIVE IIHOMOCiulnlnoTHblets. Dm IlIMn refund money if It fill to euro. E. w. (JUOVE'b signature lion each box, Ufic. The Empire of India extends over a territory larger than the continent of Europe, without Kuxsia. Tt penetrates to the seat of torture, and relief promptly follows. Price, 25c. and 50c. tM MMM Told by the Typewriter. The following correspondence ex plains itself: "Mr. Thompson presents his compli ments to Mr. Simpson, and begs to request that he will keep his plggs from trespassing on his ground." "Mr. Simpson presents bis compli ments to Mr. Thompson, and requests that in future he will not spell his piggs with two gees." "Mr. Thompson's respects to Mr. Simpson, and he will feel obliged If he will add the letter 'e' to the last word in the note just received, so as to represent Mr. Simpson and lady." "Mr. Simpson returns Mr. Thomp son's note unopened, the impertinence it contain being only equalled by its vulgarity." '' The Holing Fnoaton. Old Stoxanbons Are you sure that you can no longer control the thing? His Chauffeur--Yes, sir. I'm afraid It will get away from me very soon. Old Stoxanbons Then for heaven's sake run Into something cheap ! Puck. Miss Mary Tillinghast of New York Is one of the most successful designers s of stained glass windows in America. Honu the Circle is the home where good cooking is loved, where the family enjoy the finest of biscuits doughnuts, cakes, and pies and other good things every day. The baking is always delicious and wholesome because K C Baking Powder the baking powder of the wave circle, is used. Get K G to-day I 25 ounces for 25c If it isn't all that we claim, your grocerref undsyour money. "Book oi Presents."