Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18
CHAPTER XI,

SWORD AND A HORSE PISTOL.
"HE captains adventure with
Father Beret came just in time
to make it count against that
courageous and bellicose mis-
sionary in more ways than one. Farms
worth did not tell Hamilton or any
other person about what the priest had
done, but nursed his sore ribs and his
wrath, waiting patiently for the re-
vengc that he meant soon to take.
Alice heard from Adrienne the story
of Farnsworth's conduct and his hui
initiating discontinue at the hands of
Father Beret. She was both indignant
and delighted, sympathizing with
Adrienne and glorying in the priests
vigorous pugilistic achievement.
We'll" she remarked with one OF
her infectious trills of laughter, 80 far
the French have the best of it, any
way. Papa Roussillon knocked the
governors cheek nearly off. then Rene
cracked the Irish corporars head, and
now Father Beret has taught Captain
Farnsworth a lesson in fisticuffs that
he'll not soon forget. If the good work
can only go on little longer we shall
see every English soldier in Vincennes
wearing the mark of Frenchman's
blow" Then her mood suddenly
changed from smiling lightness to al
most fierce gravity, and she added:
"Adrienne Bourcier, if Captain
Farnsworth ever offers to treat me as
he did you, mark my words, I'll kill
/ l.; III
ought to see me"
But he won't dare touch YOU" said
Adrienne, looking at her friend with
round, admiring eyes. He knows
very we'll that you are not little and
timid like me. He'd be afraid of you"
Il wish he would try it. How
would love to shoot him into pieces,
the hateful wretch. | wish he would
The French inhabitants all, or nearly
all, felt as Alice did, but at present
they were helpless and dared not say
or do anything against the English.
Nor was this feeling confined to the
creoles of Ninccnnes; it had spread to
most of the points where trading posts
existed Hamilton found this out too
late to mend some of his mistakes, but
he set himself on the alert and organ
lied scouting bodies Of Indians under
white officers to keep him informed
as to the American movements in Ken
lucky and along the Ohio. One Of these
bands brought in as captive Colonel
Francis Vigo Of st. Louis, a Spaniard
by birth, an American by adoption n
patriot to the core, who had large in
huence over both Indians and creoles
in the Illinois country.
Colonel Nigo was not long held a
prisoner. Hamilton dared not exas-
perate the creoles beyond their endur-
ance, for he knew that the savages
would closely sympathize with their
friends of long standing, and this might
lead to revolt and coalition against
nina very dangerous possibility. In
deed at least one of the great In
dian chieftains had already frankly in
formed him that he and his tribe were
loyal to the Americans. Here was a
dilemma requiring consummate oil
plomacy. Hamilton saw it, but he was
not of diplomatic temper or charac
ter With the Indians he used a de-
moralizng system of bribery, while
toward the whites he was too often
gruff, imperious, repellant. Helm un
derstood the whole situation and was
quick to take advantage of it. His per
sonal relations with Hamilton were
easy and familiar, so that he did moi
hesitate to give advice upon all occa
slons. Here his jovial disposition helped
him.
You'd better let Vigo return to st
Louis" he said. They had bowl Of
something hot 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 an(
tell Clark how strong you are here an(
how foolish it would be to think of at
lacking you. Clark has but handful
of men, poorly supplied and tired will
long, hard marches. If you'll think |
moment you can't fail to understand
that you'd better be friends with thi
man Vigo. lie and Father Gibault ant
this old priest here, Beret, carry thes
Frenchmen in their pockets. I'm no
on your side, understand-Fm al
American, and I'd blow the whole o
: you to kingdom come in a minute if