Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-04


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 muskets were ranged near by
ready for use.
"We'll give them one good blast
growled the captain, "before they over
power us!'
Beverley made no response in words,
but he was preparing Il 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 distance of 300 yards from
| the fort and seemed to be taking de-
| liberately careful survey of what was
| before him.
LET 'em come little nearer, lieuten-
ant" said Helm, his jaw setting itself
| like 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, "just opposite
the little rise in the river bank, well
| turn loose on EN-"
Beverley had arranged his primitive
match to suit his fancy and for proba-
bly, the twentieth time looked critically
| to the powder in the beveled touchhoe
of his old cannon. He and Helm were
facing the enemy, with their backs to
the main area of the stockade, when
well known voice attracted their at
tention to the rear.
ANY room for Teller O. my size in
this here crowded placer it demanded
in a cracked but cheerful tenor I'm
kind o. outen breath a-runnin to git
here"
They turned about. Il was Oncle
Jazon, with his long rifle on his Shout
der and wearing very important air.
He spoke in English, using the back
woods lingo with the ease of long prac-
tice.
"As Is a-comin' in fom a-huntin'
tuck notice at sOmepin' was up. | see
lot o. boats on the river an some fell
lers wi guns a-scootin' around, so jes'
slipped by 'em all an come in the back
way. They's plenty of 'em, tell you
what. l can't shoot much, but | tuck
one chance at a buck Indian out yam
der an jes' happened to hit i'm in the
lef eye. He was one of the gang at
scalped me down yander in Kaintuck."
The greasy old sinner looked as if 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 a lazy nap
where's the rest of the fighters 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 all
gone to breakfas'?'
The last question set Helm off ours
ing and swearing in the most melo-
dramatic rage.
Oncle Jazon turned to Beverley and
said in rapid French, surely the mans
not going to fight those fellows yon-
der?"
Beverley nodded rather gloomily.
well" added the old man, lingering
his rifles stock and taking another
glance through the gate, Il can't shoot
wo'th cent, bein' sort O nervous like,
but I'll stan by We awhile jes' for luck.
l might accidentally hit one O EN-"
When man is truly brave himself
there is nothing that touches him like
an exhibition of absolutely unselfish
gameness in another. A rush of admi-
ration for Oncle Jazon made Beverley
feel like hugging him.
Meantime the young British officer
showed Il flag of truce and, with file
Of men, separated himself from the
line, now stationary, and approached
the stockade. At hundred yards he
halted the file and came on alone, wav-
ing the white clout. He boldly ad-
vanced to within easy speaking dis
lance and shouted:
II demand the surrender of this
fort.'
"Well, you'll not get it, young man.
roared Helm, his profanity well mixed
in with the words. Not while there's
a man of us leftr'
"Ye'd better use sof' soap ON i'm,
cap'n," said Oncle Jazon in English.
"Cussin' won't do no good" While he
spoke he rubbed the doughty captains
arm and then patted it gently.
Helm, who was not half as excited
as he pretended to be, knew that Oncle
Jazon's remark was the very essence
of wisdom but he was not yet ready
for the diplomatic language which the
old trooper called soft soap"
"Are you the British commanders"
he demanded.
mo-" said the officer, "but l speak
for him."
mot to me, sir. Tell your command
er that will hear what he has to say
from his own mouth No understrapper
will be recognized by me-"