Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-11-28

and commit outrages too horrible to
think about. In this case diplomacy
promises much more than a hopeless
fight against an overwhelming force"
''I'll fight EN-" Helm ground out be-
tween his teeth, If have to do it sin
gle handed and alone! I'll fight 'em!''
Father Beret smiled grimly, as if he,
too, would enjoy lively skirmish, and
said:
II admire your courage, my son.
Fighting is perfectly proper upon fair
occasion. But think of the poor women
and children. These old eyes of mine
have seen some terrible things done by
enraged savages. Men can die fighting,
but their poor wives and daughters
ah, l have seen, have seenv'
Beverley felt pang of terror shoot
through his heart as Father Beret's
simple words made him think of Alice
In connection with the Indian massa ere.
''Of course, of course it's horrible to
think Of" said Helm, "but my duty is
clear, and that flag'' - he pointed to
I where Ia banniere d'Alice Roussillon
was almost blowing away in the cold
wind-'that flag shall not come down
ave 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 Beret's grim smile returned,
lighting up his strongly marked face
with the strangest expression magma
BILE.
1--WE will get all the women inside the
fort Helm began to say.
"Where the Indians will find them
ready penned up and at their mercy"
quickly interpolated the priest. "That
Will not do
swell, then, what can be done?'' Bev-
erley demanded, turning with a fierce
stare upon Father Beret Don't stand
there objecting to everything. with pot
a suggestion Of your own to Offer"
II know what is best for my people,"
the old man replied softly, still smil-
ing. II have advised them to stay in
side 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 1t flashed an awful pic
ture upon his vision. Father Berct saw
his face whiten and his lips set them
selves to resist great emotion.
do not be angry with me, my son.
he said, laying hand on the young
mans arm. II may be wrong, but 1
act upon long and convincing expert
ence.'
Experience or no experience Helm
exclaimed, with an oath, this fort
must be manned and defended. / am
commanding here!'
Eyes, I recognize your authority" re-
sponded the priest in firm yet defer
entail tone, ''and heartily wish you
had garrison. But where is your CON-
mand, Captain Helm?'
"Where is my garrison, you ask! Yes,
and I can tell you. It's where you
might expect gang of dad blasted
jabbering French good for nothings
to be, off high gannicking around
shooting buffaloes instead Of staying
here and defending their wives, chill
dren, homes and country! The few I
have in the fort will sneak off, I sup
pose"
THE French gave you this post on
easy terms, captain" blandly retorted
Father Beret.
eyes, and they'll hand it over to
Hamilton, you think, on the same
basis,' cried Helm, "but I'll show you!
I'll show you, Mr.. Priestv''
pardon me, captain. The French are
loyal to you and to the flag yonder.
They have sworn it. Time will prove
it. But in the present desperate dilem-
ma we must choose the safer horn"
Saying this Father Beret turned
about and went his way. He was
chuckling heartily as he passed out of
the gate.
HE is right" said Beverley after
few moments of reflection, during
which he was wholly occupied with
Alice, whose terrified face in his an
dcipation appealed to him from the
midst of bowling savages, smoking
cabins and mangled victims of lust and
massacre. His imagination painted the
scene with merciless realism that
chilled his blood. All the sweet TO-
nance fell away from Vincennes.
"Well, sir, right or wrong, your duty
Is to obey ORDERS" said Helm with bru-
tai severity.
1--WE had better not quarrel, cap
tain," Beverley replied. II have not