Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-22
roNTINUEp.]

| CONTINUED.
Tie British officer already mentioned
| as at Tie head of the line advancing di-
| agonaily from the rivers bank. halted
| is men ut distance of 800 yards from
| the fort and seemed TO be taking de-
liberately careful survey of what was
| before him.
LET 'cm 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, Just opposite
| the little rise in the river bank, well
turn loose on 'em."
Beverley had arranged his primitive
match to suit his fancy and for proba-
bly, the twentieth time looked critically
TO the powder in the bevelcd touchhole
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 feller o my size In
this here crowded place" ii demanded
in cracked but cheerful tenor. I'm
kind o. outcn breath a-runnin' to cit
here"
They turned about. 1t was Oncle
Jazon. with his long rifle on his shoul-
der and wearing Il very important air.
He spoke in English, using the back
woods lingo with the ease of long prac-
tice.
"As Is a-comin' in f'om a-huntin'
tuck notice at sOmepin' was up. see
lot o. boats on the river an some fel-
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. | can't shoot much. but tuck
one chance ut 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 lie glanced about with furtive.
shfty eyes and grimaced and winked
after the manner of an animal just
waking from lazy nap.
"Whcre'S the rest of the fighters:'
he demanded quizZically, lolling out his
tongue and peeping past Helm so as TO
get Il glimpse of the English line.
"Whcre'S yer garrison: Have they ali
gone to breakfas':'
The last question set Helm off ours
ing and swearing in the most mclo-
dramatic rage.
Oncle JaZon turned to Beverley and
said in rapid French, Surely tie 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
woth cent. bein' sort o nervous like.
but I'll stan by We awhile jes for luck.
| might accidentally hit one o EN-.
Wien Il man is truly brave himself
there is nothing that touches him like
an exhibition Of absolutely unselfish
gameness in another. \ rush of admi-
ration for Onc!e JaZon made Beverley
feel like hugging him.
Meantime the young British officer
showed Il iiag 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, way
ing the white clout. He boldly ad-
vanccd to within easy speaking dis
tance and shouted:
Il 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
Il man of us left"
"Yc'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.
NO" said the officer, "but speak
for him.
Not 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-"
That ended the conference. The
young officer. evidently indignant,
strobe back to his line, and an hour
later Hamilton himself demanded the
unconditional surrender Of the fort and
garrison
Flight for it, Helm stOrmed forth.
I'VE are soldiers"
Hamilton held a confab with his Of
ficers, while his forces. under cover Of
The town cabins. were deploying 50
as to form II bali circle about the stock
ade Some artillery appeared and was
planted directly opposite the gate. not
three hundred yards distant. One blast
of that battery would, as Helm well
knew. level large part Of the stock
ade.
"S'posin' | hev' cannon. too. seem
it's the fashion," said Oncle Jazon. 81
can't shoot much. but ! might skeer
'em. This little one II do me-"
He set his rifle against the wall and
with Beverley's help rolled one Of the
swIvels alongside the guns already In
position.
In few p,inutes Hamilton returned
under the white flag and shouted:
Upon what terms will you surrcn-
dorSv