Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-03-23
[CONTINUED.1

CONTINUED
The firing sounded as if it were be-
tween the fort and the river, but pres
emily when one Of Hanilton's cannon
spoke NJ. Roussillon saw the yellow
spike of fame from its muzzle leap
directly toward the church. and he
thought it best to make wide detour
to avoid going between the firing lines.
Once or twice he heard the whine Of
a stray bullet high overhead. Before
he had gone very far he met man
hurrying toward the fort. It was
Captain Francis jacksonville. one of
Hamilton's chief scouts. who had been
out on reconnaissance and. cut of
from his party by some Of Clark's
forces, was trying to make his way to
the main gate Of the stockade.
NJ. Roussillon knew jacksonville as a
somewhat desperate character. lead
er Of Indian forays and trader in
human scalps. Surely the fellow was
legitimate prey.
"Ziff! Diable de gredin" he snarled.
and leaping upon him choked him to
the ground. "Je vais vous scalper i'm
mediatement!'
Clark's plan of approach showed
| mastery strategy. Lieutenant Bailey,
with fourteen regulars, made a show
Of attack on the east, while Major
Bowman led a company through the
town, on line near where Main street
in Vincennes is now located, to point
north of the stockade. Charleville, u
brave creole, who was at the head Of
some daring fellows, by brilliant
dash got position under cover Of a nat
ural terrace at the edge of the prairie
opposite the forts southwestern angle
Lieutenant Beverley, in whom the CON-
mander placed highest confidence, was
sent to look for supply Of ammuni-
ton and to gather up all the French
men In the town who wished to join in
the attack. Oncle Jazon and ten other
available men went with him.
| They all made a great noise when
they felt that the place was completely
invested. Nor can We deny, much as
we would like to, the strong desire for
vengeance which raised those shouting
voices and nerved those steady hearts
to do or die in an undertaking which
certainly had a desperate look The
thought was tremendously stimulat-
ing.
Beverley. with the aid of Oncle ia
ION, was able to lead his little company
as far as the church before the enemy
saw him. Here a volley from the near.
est angle of the stockade had to be an.
swered, and pretty soon a cannon be.
gan to play upon the position.
1--WE kin do better some'rs else," was
Oncle Jazon's laconic remark, flung
back over his shoulder as he moved
briskly away from the spot just swept
by 6 FOUNDER. Come this yer way
lieutenant. hyer some O. the fellers
a-talkin' loud jes' beyant Legrace's
place. They amt no sort O. sense airy
in to hit anything a-shootin' III the
dark nohow."
When they reached the thick Of the
town there was a strange stir in the
dusky streets Men were slipping from
house to house. arming themselves and
joining their neighbors: Clark had
sent an order earlier in the evening
forbidding any street demonstration by
the Inhabitants, but he might as well
have ordered the wind not to blow OF
the river to stand still. Oncle Jazon
knew every man whose outlines he
could see or whose voice he heard. HI
called each one by name: !. .*.a g
"Here, Roger, fall in! Come, Louis
/ AlnhOnso Victo,. :, Gotta vo--voraz K. nj
here's the American army, come with
me!' His rapid French phrases leaped
forth as If shot from pistol, and hi.
shrill voice, familiar to every ear IL
Vincennes, drew the creole militiamen
to him, and soon Beverley's company
had doubled its numbers, while 1t the
same time it, enthusiasm and ability
g make Z noise bad Increased 81 8 e.