Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-10-24

Qf firing their guns NAefore entering xhe town or the fort. not only as sig & Aal of their approach, but in order to 2rla their weapons of their charges pre- ilninary ito cleaning them before set # ling out upon another scalp hunting expedition. A shot, therefore, or even voIley, heard on the outskirts of the Village Twas not noticeable incident 2 ln the daily and nightly experience of Gee garrison. Still for some reason, Governor Hamilton started violently when just after nightfall five or six klnes cracked sharply short distance From the stockade.
 Hs and Helm. with two other officers,
 g Af~ tbe midst of game of cards, while kettla, swinging on crane in khe ample fireplace, sang a shrill prom 8 fsa of hot applesack today.
 sBy JoveI'' exclaimed Farnsworth, who, although not in the game, was amusing himself with looking on, you jump like fine lady! almost fancied heard a bullet hit you"
 You may all jump while you can" remarked Helm. That's Clark, and your times short. He'll have this fort fumbling on your heads before day. light of tomorrow morning comes.''
 AS lie spoke he arose from his seat at the card table and went to look after $he toddy which, as an expert, he had Mnder supervision.
 Hamilton frowned. The mention of Clark was disturbing. Ever since the Strange disappearance of Lieutenant Barlow he had nursed the fear that possibly CIark's scouts had captured Rim and that the American forces might be much nearer than Kaskaskia. Besides, his nerves were unruly, as they had been ever since the encounter with Father Beret, and his vision per sisted in turning back upon the ac- eusing cold face of Alice, lying in the moonlight One little detail of that scene almost mnddened him at times. Ht was sheeny. crinkled wisp of warm looking hair looped across the cheek in (which he had often seen saucy dimple dance when Alice, spoke pr smiled. He was bad enough, but not wholly bad. and the thought of having darkened those merry eyes and eSilled those sweet dimples tore Through him with cold and rasping nang
 Just as soon as this toddy is prop erly mixed and tempered" said Helm with a magnetic jocosity beaming from his genial face, I'm going to propose toast to the banner of Alice Rous- sillon which a whole garrison of Brit iah braves has been unable to taker' ''If you do I'll blow hole through you said Hamilton in a voice fairly sS1x< IA You may do great many insulting shings but not that
 Helm was in a half stopping atti- kndes with ladle in one hand, cup 3n the other. He had met Hamilton's Rlowering look with peculiarly inno- cent smile, as if to say; What in the world is the matter now2 Ifnever felt In better hurnor i'll all my life Can't you take joke, wonder?' He did not speak, however, for a rattling vol sey of musket and rife shots hit the top of the clay daubed chimney, send flown into the toddy n shower of soot and dirt.
 Tn a wink every man was on his feet and staring
 'sGentlemen," said Helm, with an inn pressive oath "that is Clark's soldiers, and they will take your fort, but they fought not to have spoiled this apple 0ddy."
 "Oh, the devilr' said Hamilton, forci- alv resuming calm countenance. "It is only q squad of drunken Indians pming in. We'll forego excitement. here's no battle on hand, gentlemen I'm glad you think so, Governor Iof,, lad
 .d imagine that | ought to know
 crack of a Kentucky rifle. I've
 rd one occasionally in my life. Be
 s, I got a whiff of freedom just
 aptain Helm is right" observed
 sworth. ''That is an attack"
 other volley, this time nearer and
 concentrated, convinced HamiI
 bat he was indeed at the opening
 light Even while he was giving
 hurried orders to his officers 6
 was wounded at one of the port
 Then came a series of yells, an
 by a ripple of sympathetic
 shouting that ran throughout
 Tn. The patrol guards came
 ng in, breathless with excite
 They swore to having seen : housand men marching across tht water covered meadows.
 Hamilton was brave. The approach oK danger stirred him like a trurnpe strain. His fighting blood rose to ful tide, and he gave his orders with tht eteadiness and commanding force of [ Born soldier. The officers hastened t 4heir respective positions. On all side' sounds indicative of rapid preparations for the fight mingled into confused strain of military energy. Men march ca to their places, cannon were wheeled Into position, and soon enough the fir Ing began in good earnest.
 Late in the afternoon q rumor o lark's approach had gone abroad trough the village, but not Frencl