Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-10-12
CHAPTER XI.

WwN HE cApJa1nS auReuCure WILL
 Father Beret came just in time
 to make5fta count against that
 courageous and belIicose mis- sionary in more ways than one. Earns worth did not tell Hamilton or any other person about what the priest had done, but nt1rsed his sore ribs and his wrath, waiting patiently for the re- venge-that he meant soon to take.
 Alice heard from Adrienne the story of Farnsworth's conduct and his hu- initiating discontinue at the hands of Father Beret. She was both indignant and delighted, sympathizfng with Adrienne and glorying' in the priests vigorous pugilfstic achievement
 We'll she remarked, with one of her infectious trills of laughter, ''so far the French have the best of 1t, any, way. Papa Roussillon knocked the governor sscheek nearly off, then Rene cracked the Irish corporaFs head, and now Father Beret has taught Captain Farnsworth lesson in fsticuffs 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 him-kill him! Indeed I will! You ought to see mel
 "But he won't dare touch you" said Adrienne, looking at her friend with round, admiring eyes "He knows very well that you are not little and timid like me. Hesdlbe afraid of you"
 q wish he would try it. How I would love to shoot him into pieces, the hateful wretch! wish he would" ]"
 The F'renchsdnhab abitants all, or nearly ali, 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 Vincennes; 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 ized 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, Spaniard by birth, an American by adoption, a patriot to the core, who had large in- fiuence over both Indians and creoles in the Illinois country.
 Colonel Vigo 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 a revolt and coalition against him-a very dangerous possibility. h. deed, at least one of the great h. dian chieftains had already frankly in- formed him that he and his tribe were loyal to the Americans. Here was a dilemma requiring consummate di- plomacy. Hamilton saw it, but he was not of a diplomatic temper or charac- ter With the Indians he used de- moralizing 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- I sonal relations with Hamilton were l easy and familiar, so that he did not hesitate to give advice upon all occa- sions Here his jovial disposition helped 1 him.
 l You'd better let Vigo return to St. 1 Louis,' he said. They had bowl of something hot steaming between them. 'I know him, He's harmless if you don't rub him too hard the wrong way. He'll go back if you treat him we'll and tell Clark how strong you are here and how foolish it would be to think of at tacking you. Clark has but handful of men, poorly supplied and tired with l long, hard marches: If you'N think a moment you can't fail to understand I that you'd better be friends with this man Vigo. He and Father Gibault and this old priest here, Beret, carry these Frenchmen in their pockets. I'm not on your side, understand-Pm an American, and I'd blow the whole of you to kingdom come in a minute if could-but common sense is common sense all the same. There's no good to you and no harm to Clark in mis- treating or even holding this prisoner What harm can he do you by going back to Clark and telling him the whole truth? Clark knew everything long before v1go reached nere, OTd Jazon my best scout, left here the day you took possession, and you may bet he got to Kaskaskia in short order. He never fails. But he'll tell Clark to stay where he is, and Vigo can do no more
 What effect Helm's bold and appar ently artless talk had upon Hamiiton'f mind is not recorded, but the meagel historical facts Ut command show thal Nlgo was released and permitted to re turn under promise that he would g1vt no information to the enemy on his