Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-10-26

Shut up every place large enough for bullet to get through. Go all around, give strict orders to all See that the men do not foolishly expose them selves. Those ruffians out there have located every crack"
 His glimpse of Beverley and the sinister remark of Helm had com pletely unnamed him before his men fell Now it rushed upon him that if he would escape the wrath of the mad dened creoles and the vengeance of Alice's lover he must quickly throw himself upon the mercy of Clark. It was his only hope. He chafed in- wardly, but bore himself with stern coolness. He presently sought Earns worth, pulled him aside and suggested that something must be done to pre- vent an assault and massacre. The. sounds outside seemed to forebode gathering for a desperate rush, and in his heart he felt all the 'terrors of aw- ful anticipation.
 we are completely at their mercy; that is plain" he said. shrugg1ng his shoulders and gazing at the wounded men writhing in their agony. What do you suggest|
 Captain Farnsworth was a shrewd officer He recollected that Philip De- jean, justice of Detroit, was on his way down the Wabash from that post and probably near at hand with fio- tilla of men and supplies. Why not ask for few days of truce? It could do no harm and if agreed to might be their salvation. Hamilton jumped at the thought and forthwith drew up note which he sent out with white flag Never before in all his military career had he been so comforted by a. sudden cessation of fighting. His soul. would grovel in spite of him. Alice's cold face now had Reverley's beside it in his field of inner yision--a double assurance of impending doom, it seem ed to him.
 There was short delay in the arrival of Colonel Clark's reply, hastily scrawl- ed on bit of 'soiled paper. The request for a truce was flatly refused, but the note closed thus:
 "If Mr. Hamilton is Desirous O. q 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 ters, 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 a proposition to Clark to 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. It 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 a matter of leagues On the way he had to pass near the new position taken up by Beverley and his men, It was a fine test of nerve when the lieutenant's eyes met those of the governor. Net ther man permitted the slightest change of countenance to betray his feelings. Tn 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 duelists gave each other a rapier-like eye thrust. Neither spoke, however, and Clark immediately de manded settlement of the matter in hand He was brusque and imperious to degree, apparently rather anxious to repel every peaceful advance
 It was a laconic interview. crisp as autumn ice and bitter as gall berries. Colonel Clark had no respect whatever for Hamilton, to whom he had applied the imperishable adjective "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 at their work rather after the hammer and tongs fashion Clark bluntly demanded unconditional sur render Hamilton refused. They ar gued the matter. Helm put in his oar, trying to soften the situation, as was his custom on all occasions, and re- cefved from Clark stinging repri- mand, with the reminder that he was nothing but a prisoner on parole and had no voice at all in settling the terms of surrender.
 t'I release him, sir" said Hamilton. "He is no longer q prisoner. am quite willing to have Captain Helm join freely in our conference"
 And I refuse to permit his accept ance of your favor" responded Clark. Captain Helm, you will return with MT. Hamilton to the fort and remain his captive until I free you by force Meantime hold your tongue"
 Father Beret, suave looking and qui- ct, occupied himself at the little altar, apparently altogether indifferent to