Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-01-14
oNTINuED.l


Louis" he said. They had Il 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 we'll and
tell Clark how strong YOU arc here and
how foolish it would be 10 think of at
lacking you. Clark has but :: handful
Of men. poorly supplied and tired with
long. hard marches. If You'll think :,
moment you can't fail TO understand
that you'd better be friends With this
man Eigo. He and Father Gihauit ard
this old priest here. Rerct. carry these
Frenclmen in their pockets. I'm no.
on your side. understandable an
American, and I'd blow the whole of
you to kingdom como i'll minute if
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 yon
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
Vigo was released and permitted to re-
turn under promise that he would give
no information to the enemy on his
way to Kaskaskia.
Doubtless this bit of careless diplo
macy on the governors part did have Il
somewhat soothing effect upon Il large
class of F'renchmen ut Nincennes. but
Farnsworth quickly nentralized it TO Il
serious extent by Il foolish act While
slightly under the influence of liquor.
He met Father Berct near Roussillon
place. and. feeling his ribs s4uirm ut
sight of the priest he accostcd him in
solcntly. demanding information as to
the whereabouts of the missing flag.
\ priest may be good and true
Father Reret certainly waS-ansl yet
have the strongest characteristics of
a worldly man. This thing of being
bullied day after day. as had recently
been the rule, generated nothing 10 aid
in removing a refractory desire from
the priests heart-thc worldly desire
to repeat With great inc-olion; of force
the punch against FarnSwortls lowe.
ribs.
81 order YOU. sir. to produce that
rebel flag" said Farnsworth. You will
obey forthwith or take the conse-
quences. l am no longer in the humor
to he trif1cd With. DO YOU under
stand:''
II might be forced to obey YOU if /
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. l do not
even suspect any person of taking it.
All that 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. l
won't have it. Don't stand there grin
ming at me. Get that flag or I'll make
you"
what is impossible. my son. is pos
stblc to God alone. .Apud NOMINEES hoe
impossible est, apud Deum autem
omnia possibilia sunt''
''None of your Jesuit Latin or logic
to me. / am not here to argue. but to
command. Get that flag. BE in a
hurry about it, SIR
He whipped out his sword. and in his
half drunken eyes there gathered the
dull film of murderous passion.
"Put up Your weapon. captain. You
will not attack an unarmed priest. You
are soldier ana will not dare strike an
old. defenseless man."
'But 1 will strike a black ROBBED and
black hearted French rebel. Get that
flag. you grinning foolr'
"Strike if you must" he said very
gently, very firmly. Il never yet have
seen the man that could make me
afraid" His speech was slightly sing
song in tone, as it would have been
during prayer or blessing.
"Get the flag, thenw ragged Farms
worth, in whose veins the heat of liquor
was aided by an unreasoning choler.
II cannot" said Father Beret.
''Then take the consequencesv'
Farnsworth lifted his sword, not to
thrust, but to strike with it's fat side,
and down it flashed with a noisy
whack. Father Beret flung out an arm
and deity turned the blow aside. 1t
was done so easily that Farnsworth
sprang back glazing and surprised.
you old foolE' he cried, leveling his
weapon for direct lunge. .You dev-
ilish hypocritev'
It was then that Father Beret turned
deadly pale and swiftly crossed him
self. His face looked as if he saw
something just beyond his adversary.
Possibly this sudden change of express
sion caused Farnsworth to hesitate for
a mere point Of time. Then there was
the swish Of a woman's skirts; q light
step battered on the frozen ground, and
Alice sprang between the men, facing
Farnsworth. As she did this something
small and yellow-the locket at her
I'LL