Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-12-24
fcoNT1NuED.1

(coxr1xueD.l
''He is right" said Beverley after !,
few moments of reflection. during
which he was wholly occupied with
Alice. whose terrified face in his an
ucipation appealed to him from the
midst of bowling savageS. smoking
cabins and mangled victims of lust and
massacre. His imagination painted the
scene with q merciless realism that
chilled his blood. All the sweet ro-
nance fell away from Vincenncs.
well. sir. right or wron:s 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
signiiied amy unwillingness to obey
your commands. Give them. and You
will have no cause to grumble.''
"Forgive me, old fellow" cried the
impulsive commander. II know you
are true as steel. l s'posc I'm wound
up too tight to be polite. But the time
is coming to do something. Here we
are with but five or six mem
He was interrupted by the arrival of
two more half breed scouts.
Only three miles away was large
dotilla Of boats and canoes with can
non, a force of Indians OH land and
the British flag fying-that was the
report.
'1They are moving rapidly" said the
spokesman, "nnd will be here very
soon. They are at least GOO strong, all
well armed ....-. ...
push that gun to the gate and load
it to the muzzle. Lieutenant Beverley
Helm ordered with admirable firm
ness, the purple flush in his face giving
way to q grayish pallor. Eve are 60.
ing to die right here or have the hon.
ors Of war"
Beverley obeyed without word. He
even loaded two guns instead of one,
charging each so heavily that the last
wad looked as If ready to leap from
the grimy mouth.
Helm had already begun, on receiv-
ing the first report, hasty letter to
Colonel Clark at Kaskaskia. He now
added few words and at the last mo-
ment sent it out by trusted man. who
was promptly captured Sy Hamilton's
advance guard The missive. evident
" written in irs1.'ments l'lr:ng the
slow approach OF inc Nr. ~: IL
the Canadian archives. :, t:;:.';
Dear sir-At this time 1...,e :. ~: "
within three miles of this .;:c'. Ia
Of their coming several days h 80 4: !.
sent spies to find the certain.!-t!" stfi :
being taken prisoner ] never gJt i;i!t III
sence till they got within three mics; of
town. AS had called the militia a!;a IL. /
all assurances of their integrity ordered
at the firing of a cannon every man to
appear. but 1 saw but few. Captain
Buseron behaved much to his honor and
credit. but l doubt the conduct of Il GER
tain gent. Excuse haste. as the army is
in sight. Ny determination is TO defend
the garrison. tsic) though l have but
twenty-one men but what has left me.
The army is within three hundred yards
OF the village You must think how
feel: not four men that l really depend
upon: but am determined to act brave
think of my condition. l know it is out of
my power to defend the town, as not one
Of the militia will take arms. though be-
fore sight Of the army no Drawer men.
!
must conclude. Your humble servant,
LEO'D HELM.
Must stop.
To Colonel Clark.
Having completed this task. the let
ter shows under what nervous strain.
Helm turned to his lieutenant and
said:
Fire a swivel with blank charge.
Well give these weak kneed parlyvoos
one more call to duty. OF course not a
frog eater of them all will come. But
l said that gun should be the signal.
Possibly they didn't hear the first one,
the deaf, cowardly hounds!'
Beverley wheeled forth the swivel
and rammed charge Of powder home.
But when he fired it the effect was far
from what it should have been. In
stead Of calling in fresh body of mill
tta it actually drove out the few who
up to that moment had remained as a
garrison. so that Captain Helm and
his lieutenant found themselves quite
alone in the fort, while out before the
gate, deployed in fine open order, a
strong line Of British soldiers ap-
preached with sturdy steps, led by a
tall, erect. ruddy faced young officer.