The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-07-23
AHeEEf0LD p'lINCENNES'

with the hunters. Helm sent for III.
Roussillon in the desperate hope that
sfe could suggest something; but he
lost his head and hustled of TO hide his
money and valuables- Indeed the
French people all felt that, SO far as
, they We're concerned. the chief thing
was to save what they had They well
knew that il mattered little which OF
the two masters held over the1n-they
must shift for themselves In their
hearts they were true to France and
America: but France and America
Hamilton: therefore it would be like
suicide TO magnify patriotism or any
ether sentiment Objectionable to the
English So they acted upon ~ Rous-
slllon's advice and offered no resistance
when TIE new army approached.
My poor people are not disloyal TO
your flag and your cause. said good
Father Beret next morning TO Captain
Helm but they are rowerless- Win
ter is upon us What would you have
us 90? This rickety fort is not availa-
bic for defense; the men are nearly
all far away on the plains Isn't II
the part of prudence and common
sense To make the best of desper-
ate situation? Should we resist, the
British and their savage allies would
destroy the town and commit out
this case diplomacy premises much
more than a hopeless fight against an
overwhelming force"
'.IIl fight EN-" Helm ground out be-
tween his teeth, If l have to do it
single-handed and alone I'll fight EN-
till hell freezes over"
Father Beret smiled grimly. as if
he. too. would enjoy lively skirmish
on the ice OF Tophet. and said:
| Il admire your courage, my son.
| Fighting is perfectly proper upon fair
occasion. But think of the poor wo-
men and children. These old eyes of
mine have seen some terrible things
| done by enraged savages. Men can
| die lighting. but their poor wives and
| daughters-ah, have seen, have
scent"
| Beverley felt pang of terror shoot
| through his heart as Father Beret's
| simple words made him think of Alice
| in connection with an Indian massa-
ere.
r'Of course, of course. it's horrible to
| think Of" said Helm; but my duty is
clear. and that flag" he pointed TO
where Ia banniere d'Alice Roussillon
was almost blowing away in the cold
wind. that flag shall not come down
| save in full honor
His speech sounded preposterously
/ boastful and hollow; but he was man
| fully in earnest; every word came from
| his brave heart.
/ Father Berets grim smile returned.
| lighting up his strongly marked face
with the strangest expression mag
| Unable
I'VE will get all the women inside
| the fort Helm began TO say
| Where the Indians win find them
ready penned up and at their mrecy,"
quickly interpolated the priest. That
will not do"
! Wei, then, what can be done?"
Beverley demanded. turning with
| fierce stare upon Father Beret. Don't
stand there objecting to everything.
with not suggestion of your own to
Offer
Il know what is best for my peo-
pie" the old man replied softly, still
smiling. Il have advised them to stay
| inside their houses and take no part
/ in the military event. 1t is the only
/ hope of averting an indiscriminate
massacre. and things worse
The curt phrase. things worse
went like a bullet-stroke through Bev-
| erley's heart. ~ flashed an awful pic
| ture upon. his vision. Father Beret
saw his face whiten and his lips set
| themselves TO resist a great emotion.
| DO not be angry with me, my son,
he said. laying a hand on the young
act upon long and convincing expe-
rience.''
Experience or no experience" Helm
exclaimed with an oath. this fort
must be manned and defended. 1 am
commanding here"
Yes, 1 recognize your authority,
responded the priest in a firm yet def
! erentiai tone, and / heartily wish you
had a garrison; but where is your
4 coTnman nd CAPTAIN Helm -
Then it was that the doughty cap
| tain let loose the accumulated profan-
ity- with which lac had been for some
time wen nigh bursting He tiptoed
in order to curse with EXTREMIST vio-
lence. His gestures were threatening.
He shook his fists at Father Beret,
! without really meaning offense-
I where is my garrison, you ask.
Yes, and l can tell you. It's where you
might expect gang of dad blasted
jabbering French good-for- nothings 70
be, off high gannicking around shoot
ing buffaloes instead of staying here
! and defending their wives, children,
| homes and country, damn their ever
lasting soulsi The few l have in the
fort viii sneak of, l suppose"
The French gave you this post on
easy terms. captain, blandly retorted
Father Beret-
Yes. and they'll hand it over to
! Hamilton. you think, on the same Dd-
sis cried Helm, but I'll show you,
III show you. Mr.. PRIEST"
Pardon me, captain, the French are
loyal to you and to the flag yonder.
They have sworn IT. Time will prove
X. But in the present desperate dilem-
ma we must choose the safer hern-'
Saying this, Father Beret turned
about and went his way. He was
chuckling heartily as he passed out of
4 the gate. -
He is right said Beverley. after a
which he was wholly occupied With
Alice, whose terrified face in his antici-
patton appealed to him from the midst
of bowling savages. smoking cabins
and mangled victims of lust and mas
sacre. His imagination painted the
scene with a merCileSS realism that
chilled his blood. All the sweet ro-
nance fell away from Nincennes
We'll. sir, right or wrong. your duty
is 70 obey orders said Helm with
brutal severity
We had better not quarrel, captain.
Beverley replied. Il have not signified
any unwillingness to obey your COM
mands. Give them, and you viii have
no cause 20 grusnble."
Forgive me, old fellow cried the
iHlpulsive commander Il know you
are true as steel. ] s'pose I'm wound
up too tight to be polite. But the time
Is come to do something Here we are
with but five or six men
He was interrupted by the arrival CT