Oxford Democrat., 1904-02-02
last, that effort would not flag at any
point short of the topmost possible

as the della or the Nile, Dut extremely
| difficult TO traverse. The distance, a:
the route led, was about 10 miles. Or
account Of IN open and rainy winter
all the basirs and fiat lands were in
und: ted. often presenting leagues ol
water ranging in depth from a few
inches TO three or four feet. COlOne
! Clark understood perfecsy the stra
t"s!c Importance of Ninccnnes as a posi-
commanding the Wabash and as 6
h:sa Of co.Eiaun cation with the many
Iadi:H tr.i,. -; G3r,h of the Ohio and
est q the Mississippi. Francis Nigo
lmay lis Gl:ar never fadeD had
hrau"lt h!i, Il comprehensive and ac'
c1rato r"rnrt OI iiamI.ton strengtr
and the condition Of the fort and gar
risoa. This information confirmed his
belief hat II would he possible not only
10 capture vinccnnes, but Detroit as
well.
Just seven days after the march be-
gan the little army encamped for a
nights rest ut the edge Of wood, and
here, just after nightfall, when the fires
were burning merrily and the smell of
broiling buffalo steaks burdened the
damp air, wizened old man suddenly
appeared, how or from where nobody
had observed He was dirty and In
every way disreputable in appearance
looking like an animated mummy
bearing long rifle on his shoulder and
walking with the somewhat haltine
activity of very old yet vivacious and
energetic simian OF course it was On
Gle Jazon, "Onclc Jazon sui generis," as
Father Beret had dubbed him.
well, here ami he cried, ap'
preaching the fire by which Colonel
Clark and some of his officers were
cooking supper. "But ye can't guess in
a mile o. who am to save yer livers
an lights"
He danced few stiff steps, which
made the water gush out Of his tat
tered moccasins, then dOffed his monde
script cap and nodded his scalpless
head in salutation to the commander.
Clark looked inquiringly at him
while the old fellow grimaced and
rubbed his shrunkcn chin.
II smelt yer fat a-f:yin' somepin
like o mile away, an it set my in'ards
to grumElin for snack, so | jes'
thought I'd drap in on ye an chaw
whites wi ye.'
"Your looks are decidedly against
you," remarked the colonel, with a dry
smile. He had recognized Oncle ia
zon after little sharp scrutiny. II
suppose. however, that we can let you
gnaw the bones after we've got off the
meat"
THANK zee, thank zee, plenty good.
A feller 'ats as hongry as am kin 20
through bone like feesh through
water"
Clark laughed and said:
81 don't see any teeth that you have
worth mentioning. but your gums may
be unusually sharp"
"Ya-a-s. bout as sharp as yer wit
Colonel Clark, an sharper II yer eyes,
long shot Ye don't know me, do
We? Take ernother squint at me. an
see f We kin member good lookin'
man"
"You have somewhat the appearance
Of an old scamp Of the name of JaZon
that formerly loafed around with q
worthless gun on his shoulder, and
used to run from everv Indian he saw
down yonder in Kentucky" Clark held
out his hand and added cordially:
How are you, Jazon, my old friend.
and where upon earth have you come
FROM?
Oncle JazOn pounced upon the hand
and gripped it in his own knotted lin
gers, gazing delightedly up into Clark's
bronzed and laughing face.
"Where'd come frum? | come frum
eyer'wheres. Fust time i ever got
lost in all my born days. I've been Il
trompin' round in the water seems
like Il week. crazy as pizened rat, not
a-knowin' north f'om south ner my
big toe f'om turnip! Who's got some
tobacker:"
Oncle .TaZon's story, when presently
he told il. interested Clark deeply.
He and Kcnton had, with wise judS-
ment. separated on escaping from the
Indian camp. Kenton striking out for
Kentucky, while Oncle JaZon went to-
ward Kaskaskia.
The information that Beverley would
be shot as soon as he was returned to
Hamilton caused Colonel Clark serious
worry of mind. Not only the fact that
Beverley. who had been II charming
friend and most gallant officer. was
now in such imminent danger, but the
impression (given by Oncle Jazon's ac-
count that he had broken his parole
was deeply painful to the brave and
scrupulous!y honorable commander.
Still friendship rose above regret, and
Clark resolved to push his little col
umn forward all the more rapidly,
>hoping to arrive in time to prevent the
impending execution.
Next morning the march was resum-
ed at the break of daw:i, but swollen
stream caused some hours Of delay,
during which Beverley himself arrived
from the rear haggard and weirdly
unkempt apparition. He had been for
three days following hard on the ar
my's track, which he came to far west.
ward. Oncle Saxon saw him first in
the distance, and his old but educated
eyes made 10 mistake.
"Yander's that youngster Beverley
he exclaimed. ''Ef it amt I'm a
squaw!"
Nor did he parley further on the sub
ject, but set Off at rickety trot to
meet and assist the tagged and excited
young man.
Clark had given Oncle Jazon his
flask, which contained few gills OF
whisky. This was the first thing of
fered to Beverley, who wisely took
but a swallow. Oncle Jazon was SC
elated he waved his cap on high and
unconsciously falling into French, yell
ed in a piercing voice:
"Vive ZhorZh Vasinton! Vtve Ia