Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-06-16

@3A HE captain auNSHidTS Win
IS Father Beret came just in time
81 to make il count against that
courageous and bellicose mis-
sionary in more ways than one. Farms
sworth 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-
vsnge that he meant soon to take.
Alice heard from Adrierne the story
of Farusworth's conduct and his Eu-
initiating discontinue at the hands or
Father Beret. She was both indignant
and delighted, sympathizing with
Adrienne and glorying in the priests
vigorous pugilistic achievement.
"Wen." she remarked, with one Of
her infectious trilis of laughter, $50 far
the French have the best of 1t, any
way. Papa Roussillon knocked The
governors cheek nearly off. then Rene
cracked the Irish corporal's head, and
now Father Beret has taught Captain
Farnsworth lesson i'll fisticuffs that
he'll not soon forget If the good work
can only 20 on a little longer we shall
see every English soldier in Vinccnnes
wearing the mark of Frenchman's
blow" Then her mood suddenly
changed from smiling lightnesS 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 kill
him-l1ill him. Indeed | will! You
ought to see mer'
''But he won't dare touch you said
Adrienne, looking at her friend with
round, admiring eyes. He knows
very we'll that you are not little and
timid like me. He'd be afraid of YOU
Il wish he would try it. How l
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 at present
they We're helpless and dared not say
or do anything against the English.
Nor was this feeling confined to the
creoles of Vincennes; it had spread to
most of the points where trading posts
existed. Hamilton found this out too
late to mend some of his mistakes, but
lie set himself on the alert and 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 as captive Colonel
Francis Viso of st. Louis, Spaniard
by birth, an American by adoption,
patriot to the core, who had large in
fluence over both Indians and creoles
in the Illinois country.
Colonel Vigo was not long held a
prisoner. Hamilton dared not exas-
perate the creoles beyond their endur-
ance, for he knew that the sayageS
would closely sympathize with their
friends of long standing, and this might
lead to a revolt and coalition against
him-a very dangerous possibility. In
deed, at least one of the great In
dian chieftains had already frankly in
formed him that he and his tribe were
loyal to the Americans. Here was
dilemma requiring consummate di-
plomacy. Hamilton saw it, but he was
not of a diplomatic temper or charac-
ter With the Indians he used de-
moralizing system of bribery, while
toward the whites he was too often
gruff, imperious, repellant. Helm I'M
derstood the whole situation and was
quick to take advantage of it. His per-
sonal relations with Hamilton were
easy and familiar, so that he did not
hesitate to give advice upon all occa-
sions. Here his jovial disposition helped
him.
You'd better let Vigo return to st.
Louis" he said. They had bowl Of
something hot steaming between them.
Il know him. He's harmless if you
don't rub him too hard the wrong way.
He'll go back if you treat him well and
tell Clark how strong you are here and
how foolish it would be to think of at
tatking you. Clark has but q handful
of men, poorly supplied and tired with
long, hard marches. If you'll think a
moment you can't fail to understand
that you'd better be friends. with this
man Vigo. He and Father Gibault and
this old priest here, Beret, carry these
Frenchmen in their pockets. I'm not
on your side, understandable an
American, and I'd blow the whole of
you to kingdom come in a minute if l
could-but common sense is common
sense all the same. There's no good
to you and no harm to Clark in mis-
treating or even holding this prisoner.
What harm can he do you by going
back to Clark and telling him the whole
truth? Clark knew everything long
before Vigo reached here. Old JaZon.
my best scout, left here the day you
took possession, and you may bet he
got TO Kaskaskia in short order. He
never fails. But he'll tell Clark to stay
where he is, and Vigo can do no more"
What effect Helms bold and appar-
emily artless talk had upon Hamilton's
mind is not recorded, but the meager
historical facts at command show that
Jigo was released and permitted to re-
hlrn under promise that he would give
no information to the enemy on his
way to Kaslaskia.
Doubtless this bit of careless diplo-
macy on the governors part did have
somewhat soothing effect upon large
class of Frenchmen at Vincennes, but
Farnsworth quickly neutralized it to a
serious extent by foolish act while
slightly under the influence of liquor.
He met Father Beret near Roussillon
place, and, feeling his ribs squirm at
sight Of the priest, he accosted him in
solently demanding information as to
the whereabouts of the missing flag.
\ priest may be good and true
Father Beret certainly was-and yet
Ian Gt l1tn roa afa lot nf
a worldly man. This thing of being
bullied day after day, as had recently
been the rule, generated nothing to aid
in removing q refractory desire from
the priests heart-the worldly desire
to repeat with great increment Of force
the punch against Farnsworth's lower
ribs.
II order you, sir, to produce that
rebel flag" said Farnsworth. You will
obey forthwith or take the conse-
quences. I am no longer in the humor
to be trified with. Do you under
stand?'
II might be forced to obey you if 1
could" said the priest, drawing his
robe about him; "but, as l have often
told you, my son, do not know where
the flag is or who took it. 1 do not
even suspect any person of taking it.
All that L know about it is the simple
fact that it is gone"
''You canting old FOOL" cried Farms
worth. Don't lie to me any longer! /