The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-19

oet 10 the rear. baby, a tall Nirginian
called to him as Pierre dressed in line.
"Taisez vousl' answered Pierre. II will
fight with the Americans"
Good for the Frenchmanl Let him
fight" cried voices down the line
''Sience." bawled Captain Bowman.
As night came on the Americans In
trenched themselves in front of the main
gate CT the stockade, on the town side The
British and the Americans frequently ex-
changed shots. The American rilemen
poured bullets into the portfolios every
time the redcoats attempted to discharge
their cannon. But the enemy was so near
that the old ordnance could not he adjusted
to point into the American line. The be-
siegers were really under the protection of
the forts guns.
AT about o'clock there came a lull in
the fight. 1t was pitch dark, and the
Americans settled themselves down behind
their intrenchment to rest, ready, however,
to fire the moment any hostile demonstra-
lions was made at the fort. Pierre took
advantage of this period of comparative
quiet to creep out of the barricade and ven
ture back into the town. He was desper-
ately hungry. having had only corn cake
and water for several days. Diving down
a dark little street he ran plump into boy
Of about his own size.
Keep your eyes OPEN" said the stranger.
Keep your mouth shut" retorted Pierre.
''who are you?" said the strange boy,
peering into the French lads face.
Il am one of Colonel Clarks soldiers
said Pierre proudly. He emphasized the
remark by bringing the butt of his rifle
down sharply the ground
Colonel Clarks soldiers don't run away
said the other, who was clearly an Ameri-
can sympathizer.
II am not running away" said Pierre.
II am cold and hungry and would find
food
We'll, Frenchy, come along with me-
replied the Vincennes boy He led the way
to a small cabin that stood near the river,
we'll back from the fort. He tapped on the
door and a woman opened a crack and
peeped out.
IT'S Tom" said Pierre's companion
pushing in. Here's a lad who came with
Colonel Clark He's wet and hungry"
BLESS me- said the woman. but you're
a little soldierv'
Tom sat down before the fire while Mrs.
Horcutt hustled about putting food on the
table. She and Tom piled Pierre with ques-
tions. Tom could scarcely take his eyes
from his guest.
The questioning continued while Pierre
ate the supper laid out for him. He told
of his hope soon to see his father, who
was a prisoner in Fort Sackville Mrs.
Horcutt and her boy knew about the pris-
oners They had, indeed, seen them and
knew of Pierre's father
But if the Americans do not whip the
English you will not find your father after
ALL said Tom.
Pierre had not thought of this. He had
great faith in Colonel Clark, and the pos
sibility of defeat had not occurred to him.
He rose and picked up his rifle from the
corner, looking very serious. He could
hardly hold back the tears.
II would thank you" he said bravely,
with a bow that belonged to old France
rather than to the Wabash. 81 must co.
he said. II feel better now and shall go
back to our soldiers"
The spasmodic firing continued in the di-
rection of the fort, and excited voices could
occasionally be heard in the village.
Tom took his cap and followed Pierre into
the street
DO you know where the prisoners are
kept in the garrson?' asked Pierre, after a
long silence.
ION the river side" explained Tom Il
have been in the fort many times. The
prison and stables are there by the river,
and in the center are the officers quarters
and the powder magazine"
Pierre considered for a moment. How
can you get near the prison." he asked.
.'WeH there's only one way" said Tom.
'You can go around the fort, and come up
the river side. There is just narrow bank.
That's where we boys go fishing, Just back
of the fort" Pierre began moving off.
Come on" said he, '1et us go and look at
the place"
AS the boys started or run through the
aleyways and narrow streets, keeping well
away from the line of American breast
works the guns of Fort Sackville let go with
tremendous racket. The Americans re-
sponded then there was another period of
quiet. Skirting the fort quickly and at a
safe distance the boys soon gained the river
bank just back of the fort. There was the
merest ledge between the walls of the stock
ade and the Wabash. Hugging close to the
logs of the stockade. the boys crawled along
for twenty feet or more. Tom, who was
leading. stopped
This is the prison, right here" he whis-
pered Just a little further along-my!"
Toms exclamation was caused by a fusil-
lade from the attacking party, and a num-
Der OF bullets carried clear over the fort and
could be heard striking all about. A Jew
splashed into the river.
"Give me boost" said Pierre, land I'll
take a peep But a boost was no easy mat
ter, as General Hamilton had built the
stockade firmly and it was difficult to get
footing in the cracks of the logs. Moreover,
in the darkness there was danger of tumb-
ling over backward into the river.
Presently, after good deal of hard
breathing, Pierre got grip on the top of
the stockade, which was about ten feet
high. Against this stockade, the upright
posts serving as the back wall, was long
log house with a shed roof which sloped
down sharply to the top of the stockade.
Pierre took this TO be the prison and the
boys heart beat fast he thought that
here. just beneath him, lay his father a
prisoner
Tom passed up Pierres rife and was
helped up himself. Soon both were crouched
on the top of the shed. Its slope was so
steep and the recent rains had left IT so
wet that it was with great difficulty that
they crawled toward the top. This gained,
they peered down. A sentry was walking
back and forth in front of the prison, muf-
fed in a great cloak. Every available man