Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-11-04

|
for truce was fatty refused, but the
note closed thus:
IF Mr.. Hamilton is DESTROYS of
| Conference with Col. Clark, he will
| meet him at the Church with Captn.
| Helms
The spelling was not very good, and
there was redundancy Of capital let.
tiers. yet Hamilton understood 1t all,
and it was very difficult for him to
conceal his haste to attend the pro-
posed conference. But he was afraid
| to go to the church-the thought chilled
him. He could not face Father Beret.
who would probably be there. And
what If there should be evidences of
the funeral? What if?- He shuddered
and tried to break away from the
vision in his tortured brain.
He sent n proposition to Clark ia
meet him on the esplanade before the
main gate of the fort, but Clark de-
clined, insisting upon the church. And
thither he at last consented to go. II
was an immense brace to his spirit to
| have Helm beside him during that
! walk, which, although but eighty yards
| in extent. seemed to him matter of
| leagues. On. the way he had to pass
near the new position taken up by
| Beverley and his men. 1t was fine
| test of nerve when the lieutenants
eyes met those of the governor. Nei-
! ther man permitted the slightest change
OF countenance to betray his feelings.
In fact, Beverley's face was as rigid as
marble; he could not have changed It.
Father Beret was indeed present at
the church, as Hamilton had dreaded,
and the two dueiists gave each other
rapier-like eye thrust. Neither spoke,
however, and Clark Immediately de-
manded q settlement Of the matter In
hand He was brusque and imperious
to degree, apparently rather anxious
to repel every peaceful advance.
It was laconic interview, crisp as
autumn ice and bitter az gall berries.
Colonel Clark had no respect whatever
for Hamilton, to whom he had applied
the imperishable adjective 4.hair buyer
general" On the other hand, Govern
or Hamilton, who felt keenly the dis
grace Of having to equalize himself Of
ficially and discuss terms Of surrender
with rough backwoodsman, could not
conceal his contempt Of Clark.
The five men Of history, Hamilton,
Helm, Hay. Clark and Bowman, were
not distinguished diplomats. They
went Mt their work rather after the
hammer and tongs fashion. Clark
bluntly demanded unconditional sur
render Hamilton refused. They ar
tued the matter. Helm put in his oar,
frying to soften the situation, as was
his custom on all occasions, and re-
ceived from Clark singing renri-
mand. with the reminder that he was
nothing but prisoner on parole and
had no voice at all in settling the terms
Of surrender.
II release him, SIR" said Hamilton.
''He is no longer prisoner. I am quite
willing to have Captain Helm join
freely in our conference"
And refuse to permit his accept.
ance OF your favor" responded Clark
Captain Helm, you viii return with
Mr.. Hamilton to the fort and remain
his captive until free you by force.l
Meantime hold your tongue"
Father Bexet, suave looking and Qui-
ct, occupied himself at the ltttle altar,
apparently altogether Indifferent to
what was being said, but he lost not .
word Of the talk.
"Qui habet aures audiendi. audia&
he inwardly repeated, smiling blandly.
"Gaudete In lila die, ct exultaAer'
Hamilton rose 70 so; deep Hines ct
worry creased his face. But when the
party had passed outside he suddenly
turned upon Clark and said:
why do you demand impossible
terms Of mel"
II will tell you, sir" was the stern
answer in tone In which there was
no mercy or compromise. Il would
rather have you refuse. desire moth
ing SO much as an excuse to wreak full
and bloody vengeance on every man
in that fort who has engaged tn the
business Of employing savages to scalp
brave, patriotic men and defenseless
women and children. The cries OF the
widows and the fatherless on our from
tiers require the blood Of the Indian
partisans at my hands II you cheose
to risk the massacre Of your garrison
to save those despicable redhandcd
partisans, have your pleasure. What
you have done you know better than
do. l have duty to perform. You
may be able to soften It's nature. I may
take it into my head to send for some
Of our bereaved women to witness my
terrible work and see that It Is well
done If you insist upon the worst"
Major Hay, who was Hamilton's In
dian agent. now, with some difficulty
clearing his throat, spoke up.
pray. sir" said he. who is It that
you call Indian partisans"
'Sir," replied Clark. seeing that his
words had gone solidly home. Il take
Major Hay to be one Of the principals."
This seemed to strike Hay with
deadly force. Clark's report says that
he was pale and trembling. scarcely
able to stand" and that "HamiitoA
blushed, and, observed, was much af-
fected at his behavior" Doubtless It
the doughty American commander had
known more about the governors feea-
ings lust then he would have added
that an awful fear, even greater than
the Indian agents. did more than any.
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