Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-10-01

Ing on Ded IN an ADJOINING TOOTH
moaning diligently, at intervals han
ding her rosary and repeating a pray
err. The whole town was silent out
side
.'Why don't you go get the pretty
flag down and hide it before they
Gomez Jean murmured from within
the siken meshes Of Alice's hair.
In his small mind the gaudy banner
was the most beautiful of all things
, Every day since it was set up he had
gone to gaze at it as 1t fluttered against
the sky Tie men had frequently said
in his presence that the enemy would
take 1t down If they captured tie fort
! Alice heard his inquisltive voice, but
it seemed to come from far off. His
words were part Of the strange, wild
swirl in her bosom. Beverley's look as
he turned and left her now shook ey-
cry chord OF her being. He had gone
to his death at her command. How
strong and true and brave he was! In
her imagination she saw the flag above
him, saw him die like panther at
bay, saw the gay rag snatched down
and torn to shreds by savage hands.
1t was the tragedy of single moment
enacted in fashlight of anticipation.
| She released Jean so suddenly that
he fell to the floor. She remembered
what she had said to Beverley on the
night OF the dance when they were
standing under the flag.
"You made 1t and set it up" he light
" remarked. you must see that no
enemy ever gets possession of it, espe-
cially the English"
| I'll take 1t down and hide 1t when
| there's danger Of that" she said in the
same spirit.
And now she stood there, looking ct
Jean without seeing him, and repeated
| the words under her breath.
Ell take it down and hide 1t. They
| shnn't have it,
MINI" Roussillon began to call from
! the other room in a loud, complaining
voice, bat Alice give no heed to her
querulou4 demands.
.'Stay lore. lem. and take care of
Mamma i,ons ;lla5;." she presently said
to Tie h,.gcishaci; 4 an going out;
! I'll BE- baca seaa. lF0.a't ycu dare leave
/ the lolse while I'm sne. DO you
hear
She did NIT writ for his answer. but,
snatehing hoodiike fur cap from peg
on The wall. she put it on and hastily
left the house.
Down at the fort Helm and Beverley
were making ready TO resist Hamilton
attack, which. they knew. would not be
long deferred The two heavily charged
cannon were planted SO as to cover the
space in front of the gate, and some
loaded musket5 We're ranged near by
ready for use.
Wen give them one good blast,
growled the captain, before they over
power u.s.
Beverley made no response in words,
but he was pre- airing a bit OF finder on
the end Of stick with which to fire the
cannon. Not far away little heap OF
logs was burning In the forts area.
The British officer, already mentioned
as at the head Of the line advancing di-
agonally from the rivers bank, halted
his men at d distance Of 300 yards from
the fort and seemed to be taking de-
liberately careful survey Of what was
before him.
..I.et 'em come little nearer, lieuten-
ant said Helm, his jaw setting itself
like a lions. when we shoot we want
to HIT
He stopped and squinted along his
gun.
when they get to that weedy spot
out yonder,' he added, lust opposite
the little rise in the river bank, we'll
turn loose on 'em."
Beverley had arranged his primitive
match to suit his fancy and for proba-
lbly the twentieth time looked critically
to the powder in the beveled touchhole
OF his old cannon. He and Helm were
facing the enemy, with their backs to
the main area Of the stockade, when
la well known voice attracted their at
tention to the rear.
"Any room for Teller o my size IN
this here crowded placer" 1t demanded
in cracked but cheerful tenor I'm
kind o. outen breath a-runnin' to git
here"
They turned about. It was Oncle
Jazon, with his long rife on his shoul-
der and wearing very important air.
He spoke in English, using the back
woods lingo with the ease OF long prac-
tice.
LAS rs a-comin' in fom a-huntin'
tuck notice at somepin' was up. see
a lot O. boats on the river an some fell
lers wi guns a-scootin' around, so 1es'
slipped by 'em all an come In the BACK
way. They's plenty Of 'em, tell you
what! / can't shoot much. but tuck
one chance at buck Indian out yam
der an jes' happened to hit i'm in the
lef' eve. He was one Of the gang at
scalped me down yander in kaintuek.
The greasy old sinner looked as ii he
had not been washed since he was
born. He glanced about with furtive,
shifty eyes and grimaced and winked
after the manner Of an animal just
waking from lazy nap.
..Where's the rest OF the fightersF 2
he demanded quizzically. lolling out his
tongue and peeping past Helm SO as to
get glimpse of the English line
"Where's yer garrison? Have they oil
gone to Breakfast
The last question set Helm OF ours,
ing and swearing in the most melo-
dramatic rage.
Oncle Jazon turned to Beverley and