The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-07-28

diplomatic temper or character. With
the Indians he used a demoralizing
system Of bribery while toward the
whites he was too often gruff, imperi-
Gus. repellant Helm understood the
whole situation and was quick TO take
advantage Of g. His personal rela-
tions with Hamilton were easy and IA
miliar. so that he did not hesitate to
give advice upon an occasions. Here
his jOvial disposition helped him
You'd better let Vigo return 70 St
Louis he said. They had a bowl of
something lot steaming between them
Il know him He's harmless If you
don't rub him too hard the wrong way
He'll go back, If you treat him well.
and tell Clark how strong you are here
and how foolish il would be to think
of attacking you. Clark has but a
handful of men, poorly supplied and
tired with long, hard marches. If you'll
think moment you cannot fail to IN
derstand that you'd better be friends
with this man Vigo. He and Father
Gibault and this old priest here, Beret.
carry these Frenchmen in their pock-
cts. Inn not on your side. understand.
I'm an American. and I'd blow the
whole of you TO kingdom come in q
minute, If / could; but common sense
is common sense all the same ZAere's
no good to you and no harm to Clark
in miStreating. or even holding this
prisoner What harm can he do you
by going back to Clark and telling him
the whole truth? Clark knew every
thing long before Vigo reached here
Old Jazon, my best scout, left here the
day you took possession. and you may
bet he got TO Kaskaskia in short or
der He never fails But he'll tell
Clark to stay where he is, and Vigo
can do no more"
What effect Helms bold and appar
emily artless talk had upon Hamilton's
mind is not recorded; but the meager
historical facts at command show that
Nigo was released and permitted TO re-
turn under promise that he would give
no information to the enemy on his
way TO Kaskaskia.
Doubtless this bit of careless diplo-
macy on the governors part did have
a somewhat soothing effect upon a
large class of Frenchmen at Vim
cennes; but Farnsworth quickly neu-
traliZed it to a serious extent by .
foolish act while slightly under the
influence of liquor.
He met Father Beret near Roussil-
Ion place. and feeling his ribs squirm
at sight of the priest, he accosted him
insolently, demanding information as
to the wherea bouts of the missing flag.
Their Beret certainly was-and yet have
the strongest characteristics of q
worldly man. This thing of being bull
lied day after day, as had recently
been the rule, generated nothing to aid
in removing a refractory desire from
the priests heart-the worldly desire
to repeat with great increment of force
the punch against Farnsworth's lower
ribs.
civ
rebel flag, said Farnsworth. You
will obey forthwith or take the conse-
quences. / am no longer in the humOr
to be trified with. Do you under
stand?"
Il might be forced to obey you, il l
could said the priest. drawing his robe
about him, but, as j have often told
you, my son, / do not know where the
flag is or who took it. do not even
suspect any person of taking it. All
that l know about ii is the simple fact
that il is gone
Father Beret's manner and voice
were very mild. but there must have
been a hint of sturdy defiance some
where in them. At all events, Farms
worth was exasperated and fell into a
white rage. Perhaps il was the liquor
he had been drinking that made him
suddenly desperate.
You canting old fool" he cried,
don't lie to me any longer; I won't
have it. Don't stand there grinning at
me. Get that flag, or III make you
What is impossible. my son. is pos
sible to God alone. Apud homnes hoe
impossible est. apud Deum autem ON
MIA Dossibiiia stunt.
None of your Jesuit Latin or logic to
mel am not here to argue. but to com
mand Get that flag. Be in a hurry
about il. sir
He whipped out his sword. and in his
half drunken eyes there gathered the
dull film of murderous passion.
Put UP your weapon. captain; you
will not attack an unarmed priest You
are a soldier. and will not dare strike
an old. defenseless man
But / will strike black-robed and
bIa ok hearted French rebel. Get that
flag. you grinning fool
The two men stood facing each other.
Father Beret's eyes did not stir from
their direct. fearless gaze. What
Fafnsworth had called a grin was pc
culiar smile. not of merriment, a gray
ish flicker and a slight backward wrin-
king of the cheeks. The old mans
arms were loosely crossed upon his
sturdy breast.
Strike if you must" he said. very
gently. very firmly. Il never yet have
seen the man that could make me
afraid" His speech was slightly sing
song in tone. as it would have been
during prayer or a blessing.
Get the flag, them" ragged Farms
worth, in whose veins the heat of liquor
was aided by an unreasoning choler.
II cannot" said Father Beret.