Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-29

Saying this Father Beret turned
about and went his way. He was
chuckling heartily as he passed out of
the gate.
"He is right" said Beverley after a
few moments of reflection, during
which he was wholly occupied with
Alice, whose terrified face in his an
ticipation appealed to him from the
midst of bowling savages. smoking
cabins and mangled victims of lust and
massacre His imagination painted the
scene with merciess realism that
chilled his blood. All the sweet ro-
nance fell away from Vincennes.
well. sir right or wrong. your duty
is to obey orders said Helm with bru-
tai severity.
I'VE had better not quarrel, cap
tain" Beverley replied. II have not
signified any unwillingness to obey
your commands Give them, and you
will have no cause to grumble."
Forgive me, old fellowv cried the
impulsive commander. Il know you
are true as steel s'pose Pm wound
up too tight to be polite But the time
is coming to do something. Here we
are with but five or six mem
He was interrupted by the arrival Of
two more half breed scouts.
Only three miles away was a large
fotilla Of boats and canoes with can
non, a force of Indians on land and
the British flag flying was the
report.
.sThey are moving rapidly" said the
spokesman, land will be here very
soon. They are at least 800 strong, all
well armed"
Push that gun to the gate and load
It to the muzzle, Lieutenant Beverley,
Helm ordered with admirable firm
ness, the purple flush in his face giving
way to grayish paiior. we are go
ing to die right here or have the hon.
ors Of war;"
Beverley obeyed without word. He
even loaded two guns instead of one,
charging each SO heavily thatthe last
wad looked as II ready to leap from
the grimy mouth.
Helm had already begun, on receive
ing the first report, hasty letter to
Colonel Clark at KaskAskia. he now
added few words and at the last mo-
ment sent 1t out by trusted man, who
was promptly captured by Hamtiton's
advance guard The missive, evident.
" written In installments during the
slow approach of the British, Is still in
the Canadian archives, and runs thus:
Dear Sir-At this time there Is an army
within three miles OF this place; 1.hearo
Of their coming several days beforehand.
/ sent spies to find the certainty-the spie
being taken prisoner I never got inteilI-
cence till they got within three miles OF
town. AS had called the militia and had
all assurances OF their integrity ordered
at the firing OF cannon every. man to
appear, but I saw but few. Captain
Buseron behaved much to his honor and
credit but doubt the conduct OF Ger.
tain gent. Excuse haste. as the army %
in sight My determination Is to defend
the garrison, (sic) though I have but
twenty lone men but what has left me. !
refer you to Mr. Vines (sic) for the rest.
The army is within three hundred yards
OF the village You must think how /
feel: not four men that really depend
upon: but am determined to act brave
think of my condition. / know 1t = out OF
my power to defend the town, as not oas
OF the militia will take arms. though be-
fore sight of the army no Drawer men
There is a flag p. a small distance.
must conclude. Your humble servant.
LEO'D HELM.
Must stop.
To Colonel Clark.
Having completed this task. the let
ter shows under what nervous strain,
Helm turned to his lieutenant and
said:
Fire q swivel with blank charge.
Well give these weak kneed parlyyoc3
one more call to duty. OF course not q
frog eater OF them all will come. But
l said that gun should be the signal.
Possibly they didn't hear the first one.
the deaf, cowardly hounds!'
Beverley wheeled forth the swivel
and rammed charge OF powder home.
But when he fred 1t the effect was fac
from what 1t should have been. In
stead of calling in fresh body Of mill
tia it actually drove out the few who
up to that moment had remained as .
garrison, SO that Captain Helm and
his lieutenant found themselves quito
alone in the fort. while out before the
gate, deployed In fine open order, q
strong line OF British soldiers ap-
preached with sturdy steps, led By .
tall, erect. ruddy faced young officer.
(To be continued.)
Used for Pneunnonia,