Willmar tribune., 1903-12-09

to see Father Beret and take counsel of
him; then he hurried home to dig a
great pit under his kitchen floor in
which he buried many bales Of fur and
all his most valuable things. He work
ed like a giant beaver all night long.
Meantime Father Beret went about
over the town quietly notifying the in.
habitants to remain in their houses un-
til after the fort should surrender,
which. he was sure, would happen the
next day.
"You will be perfectly safe, my chill.
dren," he said to them. mo harm can
come to you if you follow my direc-
hons:''
Relying implicitly upon him, they
scrupulously obeyed in every particu-
lar.
He did not think it necessary to call
at Roussillon place, having already
given NJ. Roussillon the best advice he
could command.
Just at the earliest break Of day,
while yet the gloom Of night scarcely
felt the suns approach, a huge figure
made haste along the narrow streets in
the northern part of the town. If any
person had been looking out through
the little holes called windows in those
Silent and rayless huts it would have
been easy to recognize NJ. Roussillon by
his stature and his gait, 4 mly outlined
rs he was. A thought which seemed to
him an inspiration of genius had taken
| possession Of him and was leading him
as If by the nose straight away to Ham
lton's lines. He was freighted with el-
| bquence for the ear of that commander,
and as he strobe along facing the crisp
morning air he was rehearsing under
his breath, emphasizing his periods in
tragic whispers with sweeping gestures
and liberal facial contortions. So alb
sorbed was he in his oratorical solilo-
! guy that he forgot due military precau-
ton and ran plump into the face of a
savage picket guard, who, without re-
spect for the great NJ. Roussillon's dig
nifty, sprang up before him, grunted
cavernously, fourished a tomahawk
and spoke in excellent and exceedingly
cultural Indian:
"Wah, surrender!'
It Is probable that no man ever COM
piled with a modest request in a more
docile spirit than did NJ. Roussillon
upon that occasion. In fact, his
promptness must have been admirable,
for the savage grunted approval and
straightway conducted him to Hamil-
toms headquarters on q batteau in the
river.
The British commander, a hale man
Of sandy complexion and probably un-
der middle age, was in no very pleas
ant humor. Some of his orders had
been misunderstood by the chief of his
Indian allies, SO that a premature ex-
posure of his approach had been made
to the enemy.
"Well, sir, who are you?" he grufly
demanded when NJ. Roussillon loomed
before him.
II am Gaspard Roussillon, the mayor
Of Vincennes," was the lofty reply. II
have come to announce to you officially
that my people greet you Loyalty and
that my town is freely at your COM
mand." He felt as important as If his
statements had been true.
"Humph! That's 1t, is it? Well,
Mr.. Mayor, you have my congratula-
tons, but I should prefer seeing the
military commander and accepting his
surrender. What account can you give
me Of the American forces, their num-
Der and condition."
M. ROussillOn WINGED, 1nwardly ut
least, under Hamilton's very undefer-
entail air and style Of address. 1t
piqued him cruelty to be treated as
person without the slightest claim to
respect. He somehow forgot the roll
ing and rhythmic eloquence prepared
for the occasion.
"The American commander natural
ly would not conf1de in me, NJ. lie Gou-
verneur; not at all. We are not very
friendly. He ousted me from Office,
he offended me- He was coughing
and stammering.
"Oh, thunder! What do 1 care? An
swer my questions, sir!'' Hamilton
gruf1y interrupted. "Tell me the num-
ber of American troops at the fort,
sir.' = .i -. ~ a. -
II don't know exactly. I have not
had admittance to the fort. I might be
deceived as to numbers. But they're
strong, I believe, NJ. le Gouverneur;
at least they make great show and
much noise. = . 4. f t55ts 5:l.. ..zs5 ..ss
Hamilton eyed the huge bulk before
him for moment. then. turning to q
subaltern, said 81
place this fellow under guard and