Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-02-25
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BY MAURICE +

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nved name primmed his heart with
sweetness.
Clark went to meet them as they
came in. He Rugged the gaunt lieu-
tenant with genuine fervor of JOY,
while Oncle Jaxon ran around them
making series Of grotesque capers.
The whole command, hearing Oncle
Jazon's patriotic words, set up a Wild
shouting on the spur of general I'm
preston that Beverley came as mes
senger bearing glorious news from
Washington's army in the cast.
1t was great relief to Clark when
he found out that his favorite. lieuten-
ant had not broken his parole, but had
instead boldly resurrendered himself.
declaring the obligation no longer bind
ing and notifying Hamilton Of his in
tention to so away with the purpose
Of returning and destroying him and
his command. Clark laughed heartily
when this explanation brought out
Beverley's tender interest in Alice, but
he sympathized cordially, for he him
self knew what love is.
Although Beverley was half starved
and still suffering from the kicks and
blows given him by Long Hair and his
warriors, his exhausting run on the
trail of Clark and his band had not
worked him serious harm. All Of the
officers and men did their utmost to
serve him. He was Toasted without
stint and furnished with everything
that the scant supply of clothing on the
pack horses could afford for his COM
fort. He promptly asked for an as
alignment to duty in his company and
took his place with such high enthusi-
asm that his companions regarded him
with admiring wonder. None of them
save Clark and Oncle JaZon suspected
that love for fair haired girl yonder
In Vincennes was the secret of his
amazing zeal and intrepidity.
In one respect Clark's expedition was
sadly lacking in it's equipment for the
march. 1t had absolutely no means Of
transporting adequate supplies. The
pack horses were not able to carry
more than a little extra ammunition.
few articles Of clothing, some SIM
pie cooking utensils and such tools as
were needed in improvising RATS and
canoes. Consequently, although buff
falo and deer were sometimes plentiful
they furnished no lasting supply Of
meat, because it could not be trans
ported, and as the army neared Vim
cennes wild animals became scarce, so
that the men began to suffer from hum
ger when within but a few days of
their journeys end.
Clark made almost superhuman eff
forts in urging forward his chilled. Wa
ter soaked, footsore command. To-
ward the end of the long march de-
cided fall of temperature added ice
to the water through which our daunt-
less patriots waded and swan for
miles. The wind shifted Northwestern
", taking ON searching chill. Each
gust, indeed. seemed to shoot wintry
splinters into the very marrow of the
mems bones. The weaker ones began
to show the approach Of utter exhaus-
ton just at the time when final squirt
of undinching power was nec>'a3
True. they struggled heroically. but .i7-
ture was nearing the incanrsble Limit
Of endurance. Without food. which
there was no prospect of getting. COS:
lapse was sure to cone
Standing nearly waist Gaa;, III frcez-
ing water and looking o.. upon the
muddy, sealilae food that stretched far
away to the channel of the Wabash
and beyond Clark turned to Beverley
and said. speaking low so ar not to
be overheard by any other Of his Of
dcers or men:
''1s it possible, Lieutenant Beverley.
that we are to fail, with Vincennes al
most in sight of us?''
"No, SIR, it is not possible" was the
firm reply. Nothing must, nothing
can. stop us. Look at that brave child!
He sets the heroic example,
Beverley pointed as he spoke at a
boy but fourteen years old, who was
using his drum as float to bear him
up while he courageously swan beside
the men.
Clark's clouded face cleared once
more. You are right" he said. Come
on! We must win OF t.a"'
Sergeant Dewitt" he added. turning
to an enormously tall and athletic man
near by, 'take that little drummer and
his drum on your shoulder and lead the
way, and, sergeant, make him pound
that drum like the devil beating tan
BARK
The huge man caught the spirit of
his commanders order. In twinkling
he had the boy astride of his neck with
the kettledrum resting on his head.
and then the rattling music began.
Clark followed, pointing onward with
his sword. The half frozen and totter-
ing soldiers sent up a shout that went
back to where Captain Bowman was
bringing up the rear under orders to
shoot every man that struggled or
shrank from duty.
Now came time when not a mouth
full of food was left. A whole day they
Aoundered on, starving, growing faint
er at every step, the temperature fall