Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-03-16

In wink every man was on his feet
and staring. -" ~
"Gentlemen," said Helm. with an i'm
pressive oath, that is Clark's soldiers,
and they will take your fort, but they
ought not to have spoiled this apple
toddy."
"Oh, the devIv' said Hamilton. forci.
bly, resuming calm countenance. ut
II only squad Of drunken Indians
coming in. Wen forego excitement.
There's no battle on hand, gentlemen"
I'm. glad you think so, Governor
Hamilton" Helm responded, but l
should imagine that l ought to know
the crack Of a Kentucky rifle. I'VE
heard one occasionally in my life. Be-
sides. got a Whit of freedom Just
now
"Captain Helm is right" observed
Farnsworth. THAT Is an attack"
Another volley, this time nearer and
more concentrated, convinced Ham1l.
ton that he was indeed at the opening
Of fight. Even while he was giving
some hurried orders to his officers a
man was wounded at one Of the port
holes. Then came a series Of yells, an
swered by ripple Of sympathetic
French shouting that ran throughout
the town. The patrol guards came
struggling in, GREATNESS with excite
ment. They swore to having seen a
thousand men marching across the
| water covered meadows.
Hamilton was brave. The approach
Of danger stirred him like trumpet
strain. His fighting blood rose to full
tide, and he gave his orders with the
steadiness and commanding force OF a
born soldier. The officers fastened to
their respective positions. On all sides
sounds indicative Of rapid preparations
tor the fight mingled into a confused
strain of military energy. Men march
ed to their places, cannon were wheeled
into position, and soon enough the FIR
ing began in good earnest.
Late in the afternoon a rumor Of
Clark's approach had gone abroad
through the village, but not French
lip breathed 1t to friend Of the Brit
ISL. The creoles were loyal to the
cause OF freedom; moreover, they cor
daily hated Hamilton, and their hearts
beat high at the prospect of change
in masters at the fort. Every cabin
had its hidden gun and supply Of am
munition despite the order to disarm
issued by Hamilton. There was 4
hustling to bring these forth, which
was accompanied with a guarded yet
irrepressible chattering, delightfully."-
French and Infinitely volatile.
''Tiens, je vais frotter mon fusil! J'ai
w I'm singer said Jacques Bourcier to
his daughter. the pretty Adr1enne, wha
was coming out Of the room in which
Alice lay.
II saw monkey just now I must
rub up my gum He could not be
solemn. not he. The thought Of an op.
portunity to get even with Hamilton
was like wine in his blood
If you had seen those hardy and
sinewy Frenchmen gliding in the dusk
OF evening from cottage to cottage,
passing the word that the Americans
had arrived, saying airy things and
p1nching one another as they met and
hurried on, you would have thought
something very amusing and wholly
jocund was in preparation for the PEG.
pie Of Vincennes.
There was current belief in the
town that Gaspard Roussillon never
missed good thing and always some.
how got the lions share. He went out
hn oh <1 kh1 QoxA
Nobody was surprised, therefore, when
he suddenly appeared In the midst OF
bis friends. armed to the teeth and
emotionally warlike to suit the occa-
sion. OF course he took charge Of ev-
erybody and everything. You could
have heard him whisper a bow shot
away.
'"Taisons!' he Kissed whenever he
met an acquaintance. I'VE will sur.
prise the fort and scalp the whole gar.
rison. Aux armes! Les Americans
viennent d'arriyer!''
At his own house he knocked and
called in vain. He shook the door VIC
lently, for he was thinking Of the stores
under the floor, Of the grimy bottles
Of the fragrant bordeaux. All, his
throat. how 1t throbbed! But where
was Mime. Roussillon? Where was
Alice? Jean! Jean!' he cried, forget
ting all precaution. "Come here, you
scamp, and let me in this minute"
A profoundly impressive silence gave
him to understand that his home was
deserted.
"chin! Frightened and gone to sta,
with Nine. Godere. l suppose, and &
thirsty! Bah! Hum. hum! Apres Il
vim la bataille. Zin!''
He kicked In the door and CROPPED hi
way to the liquors. While he hastily
swigged and smacked he heard thu
firing begin with cracking, desultory
volley. He laughed jovially there II
the dark, between drafts and deer
signs Of enjoyment.
! EFT moi aussi," he murmured, like
the vast murmur Of the sea, II want
to be in that dance! Pardonnez mes
s1eurs. Moi, je veux danser. sill vous
plait."
| And when he had filled himself he
plunged out and rushed away, wrough,
up to the extreme fighting pitch OF
temper. Diable! If he could but come
across that Lieutenant Barlow, how h<
would smash him and mangle him! II
magnifying his proves with the leni
Of imagination he swelled and puftet
as he numbered along.
| TO BE CONTINUED.
Republicans Elect Delegates.