Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
CHAPTER XI.

n SWOhD AMI a hoh'$
"HE captains adventure with
Father Beret came just In time
to make it count against that
courageous and bellicOse mis-
sionary in more ways than one. Farms
worth did not tell Hamilton or any
other person about what the priest had
done. but nursed 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 hi: hui
initiating discontinue at the hands OF
Father Beret. She was both indignant
and delighted, sympathizing with
Adrienne and glorying in the priests
vigorous pugilstic achievement
We'll" she remarked, with one OF
her infectious trills Of laughter. so faf
the French have the best OF 1t, any
way. Papa Roussillon Knocked INC
governors cheek nearly off. then Rehe
cracked the Irish corporars head. ana
now Father Beret has taught CAPTAIN
Earnsworth a lesson in listicuffs that
he'll not soon forget. If the good WORK
can only 20 on little longer We shall
see every English soldier in Nincennes
wearing the mark of Il Frenchman's $
blow" Then her mood suddenly
changed from smiling lightn'ss 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 XII
him-kill him! Indeed | will! You
ought to see me!'
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 ana
timid like me. He'd be afraid OF you.
Il wish he would try it. How
would love to shoot him into pieces,
the hateful wretch. | wish he would.
The French inhabitants all, or nearly
ALL felt as Alice did, but ut present
they were helpless and dared not say
or do anything against the Engilsh.
Nor was this feeling confined to the
creoles of Vincennes; ii 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 ana organ
lied scouting bodies of Indians under
white officers to keep him informed
as TO the American movements in Ken
tucky and along the Ohio. One OF these
bands brought in rs captive 'o!on"i
Francis Vigo of st. Louis. Spar:2ri
nv birth, an American by aCo.I Ion. Il
patriot to the core. who had lar,;e III
Guence over both Indians and creoies
in the Illinois country.
Colonel ViSo was moi long held
prisoner. Hamilton dared not eAas-
perate the creOles beyond their endur'
ance, for he knew that the savase'
would closely sympathize with their
friends of long standing, and this migh!
lead to a revolt and coalition against
him-a very dangerous possibility. ID
deed. at least one Of the great In
dian chieftains had already frankly III
formed him that he and his tribe were
loyal to the Americans. Here was !;
dilemma requiring consummate Ill
plomacy. Hamilton saw it. but he was
not of diplomatic temper or chhrlc
ter With the Indians he used de'
moralizing system of bribery. Willie
toward the whites he was too often
gruff, imperious. repellant. Helm un
derstood the whole situation and was
ouick to take advantage of 1t. His per
sonal relations with Hamilton were
easy and familiar. so that he did mol
hesitate to give advice upon all occa
sions. Here his jOvial disposition helpeo
him.
"You'd better let Vigo return to ST
Louis" he said. They had a bowl O'
something hot steaming between them
81 know him. He's harmless If yot
don't rub him too hard the wrong way
He'll 90 back If you treat him well an(
fell Clark how strong you are here ant
how foolish it would be to think OF ut
lacking YOU. Clark has but handfu
of men. poorly supplied and tired witt
long. hard marches. If you'll think
moment you can't fail to understand
that you'd better be friends with thi
man Yigo. He and Father Gibault ant
this old priest here, Beret. carry thes
Frenchmen In their pockets. I'm no
on your side, understand-Pm al
American, and I'd blow the whole o
you to kingdom come in minute II
could-but common sense Is common
sense all the same. There's no goo'
to you and no harm to Clark in mis-
treating or even holding this prisoner
What harm can he do you by goln
back to Clark and telling him the Who'll
truth? Clark knew everything lon
before vigo reached here. Old Jazor
nv best scout, left here the day yo
took possession, and you may bet b
ont tn Kaskaskia In short order. ID