Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-11

cry Of surprise or dismay, and was on
the point of going in when Father
Beret, coming around the corner of the
cabin confronted him. The meeting
was so sudden and unexpected that
both men recolled slightly, and then,
with n mutual start saluted.
81 came with n young lady to get the
flag" said Farnsworth. "She is in
side. l hope there is no serious in
trusion. She says the flag is hidden
under your floor"
Father Beret said nothing, but frown-
ing as II much annoyed, stepped
through the doorway to Alice's side,
and STOPPING where she knelt, laid a
hand on her shoulder as she glanced
up and recognized him.
What are you doing my child?"
ooh. father, where is the flag? 1t
was all that she could say. Where is
the fagw
"Why, isn't it there?'
mo, you see it isn't there. Where
is it?"
The priest stood as if dumfounded,
gazing into the vacant space uncovered
by the puncheon.
as it gone? Has some one taken it
away?"
They turned up all the floor to no
avail. La banniere d'Alice Roussillon
had disappeared and Captain Farms
worth went forthwith to report the
fact to his commander. When he
reached the shed at the angle of the
fort he found Governor Hamilton sit
ting stupid and dazed on the ground.
One jaw was inflamed and swollen
and an eye was half closed and blood
shot. He turned his head with a pain
full irregular motion and his chin
sagged.
Farnsworth sprang to him and lifted
him to his feet, but he could scarcely
stand He licked his lips clumsily.
What Is the matter? What hurts
you?'
The governor rubbed his forehead,
trying to recollect.
He struck me-" he presently said
with difficulty. HE hit me with his
fist. Where-where is he?"
"Who?"
THAT big French idiot-that Rous-
sillon. Go after him, take him. shoot
him-quick. | have been stunned. l
don't know how long he's been gone.
Give the alarm-do somethngw
Hamilton, as he gathered his wits
together, began to foam with rage. and
his passion gave his bruised and swoll-
Ell face a terrible look
The story was short and may be
quickly told. NJ. Roussillon had taken
advantage of the first moment when
he and Hamilton were left alone. One
hercucan buffet, a swinging smash of
his enormous fist on the point of the
governors jaw and then he walked out
of the fort unchallenged, doubtless on
account of his lordly and masterful air.
"Ziff" he exclaimed, shaking himself
and lifting his shoulders when he had
passed beyond hearing of the sentinel
at the gate. "Ziff l can punch a
good stiff stroke yet, NJ. lie Gouverneur.
All. ziff.' and he blew like porpoise
Every effort was promptly made to
recapture NJ. Roussillon, but his dis
appearance was absolute Even the
reward offered for his scalp by Ham
ilton only gave the Indians great trou-
BILE; they could not find the man.
Such beginning of his administra-
ton of affairs at Vincennes did not put
Hamilton into good humor. He was
overbearing and irascible at best, and
under the irritation Of small but ex-
cecdingly unpleasant experiences he
made life well nigh uncomfortable to
those upon whom his dislike Glanced to
fall. Beverley quickly felt that it was
going to be very difficult for him and
Hamilton to get along agreeably. With
drinking, playing cards, telling good
stOries-in a word, rude and not infre-
quently boisterous conviviality drew
him and the commandant together.
Under Captain Farnsworth's imme-
date supervision the fort was soon In
excellent repair and large blockhouse
and comfortable quarters for the men
were built. Every day added TO the
strength Of the works and to the i'm
portance Of the post as a strategic po-
sition for the advance guard of the
BrltlSn army.
Hamilton was ambitious to prove
himself conspicuously valuable to his
country. He was dreaming vast dreams
and laying large plans. The Indians
were soon anxious to gain his favor,
and to bind them securely to him he
offered liberal pay in rum and fire
arms, blankets, trlnkets and ammuni-
ton for the scalps of rebels. He kept
this as secret as possible from his pris-
oners, but Beverley soon suspected that
traffic in hair" as the terrible bust
ness had been named, was going on.
Savages came in from far away with
scalps yet scarcely dry dangling at
their belts. 1t made the young Vlr-
ginian's blood chill in his heart and
he regretted that he had given Hamil-
ton his parole of honor not to attempt
to escape.