Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-01-23
(Contlnued)
CHAPTER XIX.
TIE ATTACK.

Indi: MS arriving singiy or In
squads to report at Hamltons
headquarters were in the haDit
of firing their guns before euterine.
dhe town or the fort, not only as sig
nal of their approach, but in order to
rid their weapons of their charges pre-
lllninary to cleaning them before sct-
ting out upon another scalp hunting
expedition. A shot, therefore, or even
volley, heard on the outskirts or the
village was not Il noticeable inciuent
in the daily and nightly experience OF
the garrison. Still, for some reason.
Governor Hamilton started violently
when just after nightfall five or six
rifles cracked sharply short distance
from the stockade.
lie and Helm, with two other officers.
were in the midst OF game of cayds,
while kettle. swinging on crane in
the ample fireplace, sang a shrlll prom
ise of hot appleiuck toddy.
"By Joye! exclaimed Farnsworth.
who, although not in the game, was
amusing himself with looking on, "!ou
jump like fine ladyl almost fancied
L lcUIu II pullel nll you.
"You may all jump while you can"
remarked Helm. That's Clark. and
your times short. He'll have this fort
tumbling on your heads before day
light Of tomorrow morning comes"
As he spoke he arose from his stat
at the card table and went to look after
the toddy which, as an expert, he had
under supervision.
Hamilton frowned. The mention Of
Clark was disturbing. Ever since the
strange disappearance OF Lieutenant
Barlow he had nursed the fear that
possibly Clark's scouts had captured
him and that the American forces
might be much nearer than Kaskaskla.
Besides, his nerves were unruly, rs
they had been ever since the encounter
with Father Beret, and his vision per-
sisted In turning back upon the ac
cusing cold face Of Alice, lying in the
moonlight. One little detail OF that
scene almost maddened him at times.
1t wps shecuy, crlnkled wisp Of
warm looking hair looped across the
cheek I'm which he had often seen
snucy dimple dance when Alice spoke
or smiled. He was bad enough, but
not wholly bad, and the thought Of
having dnrkened those merry eyes and
stilled those sweet dlmples tore
through him with cold and rasping
pang.
Just MS soon rs this toddy Is prop
erly mixed ana tempered" said Helm
with a magnetic jocosity beaming from
his genial face. I'm going to propose
q toast 20 the banner of Alice Rous-
sillon, which a whole garrison OF Brit
fish braves has been unable to takeg'
IF you do I'll blow a hole through
you" said Hamilton I'm voice fairly
shaken to a husky quayer with rage.
"You may do a great many insulting
things, but not that"
Helm was In "A half STOPPING nttl-
tude with ladle In one hand. cup
in the other. He had met Hamilton's
glowering look with a peculiarly limo
cent smile as If 60 say: 'What In the
world Is the matter nOwf l never felt
in better humor In all my life. Can't
you take joke ! wOnderY He did
not speak, however. for rafting vol
ley of musket and rifle shots hit Inc
top of the clay daubed chimney, send
down into the toddy shower OF SCOT
and dirt
In wink every man was on his feet
and staring.
Gentlemen" said Helm. with an Inn
pressive oath, that IL Clark's soldiers,
and they will take your fort. but they
ought not To have spoiled this apple
tOddy"
"Oh, the devilp said Hamilton, forci-
bly, resuming a calm cOuntenance. "It
is only squad OF drunken Indians
coming I'm. Wen forego excitement.
There's no battle on hand, gentlemen"
"I'm glad you think so. Governor
Hamilton" Helm, responded, but
should imagine that l ought 20 know
the crack OF a Kentucky rifle. I've
heard one occasionally In my life. Be
sides, got a whiff OF freedom Just
now"
Captain Helm is right" observed
Farnsworth. THAT is an attack"
Another volley, this time nearer and
more concentrated, convinced Hamil-
ton that he was indeed at the opening
OF a fight Even while he was giving
some hurried orders to his officers a
man was wounded at one Of the port
holes. Then came series OF yells, an
swered by a ripple OF sympathetic
French shouting that ran throughout
the town The patrol guards came
struggling In, breathless with excite
ment They swOre TO having seen
thousand men marching across the
water covered meadows.
Hamilton wa brave. The approach
OF danger stirred him Ike a 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
for the fight mingled into confused
KIar1a a1raI n