Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1904-01-28
CHATTER XI

HE captains adventure Win
Father Beret came just I'm time
20 make II count against that
courageous and bellicosc mis-
slonary in more ways than one Farms
worth did not tell Hamilton or any
other person about what the priest had
done. but nurscd his sore ribs and his
wrath whiting patiently for the re
vcnge that be- meant soon 10 take.
Alice heard from Adrienne the story
OF Farnsworth's conduct and his hu
initiating discontinue ht the hands ~
Father Bcrct She was both indignant
aud delighted. sympathhing with
Adricnnc aud glorying In the priests
vigorous pugilistic achievement
Well" she remarked. with one OF
her infectious trills Of laughter, so far
the French have the best OF n. any
way Papa Rousslllon knocked the
governors check nearly or then Rene
cracked the Irish corporars head. and
now Father Berct has taught Captain
lurnsworth a lesson I'm nsticuffs that
he'll not soon forget II tho good work
can only ~ CA little longer We shall
see every English soldier IN Ninccnncs
wearing the mark OF "A Frcnchman's
blow" Then her mood suddenly
changed nom smiling lightness TO al
most fierce gravity. and she added
"Adricnnc Bourcier. II Captain
Farnsworth ever offers 10 treat me rs
hc did you. mark my words. I'll XIII
him Nil him. Indeed / will, You
ought 10 see mcr'
hut be won't dare touch you" said
Adrichnc, looking at her friend with
round. admiring eyes He knows
very we'll that you are not little and
timid Ike me. He'd be afraid OF you"
4 wish lac would try H. How |
would love 60 shoot him into pieces.
the hateful wretch! | wish he would"
The French inhabitants all. or nearly
all. felt as Alice did. but at present
they were helpless and dared not say
or do anything against the English
Nor was this feeling confined TO the
crcolcs OF Ninccnnes; IL had spread 90
most Of the points where trading posts
existed Hamilton found this out too
late 90 mend some OF his mistakes, but
be set himself on the alert and organ
lied scouting bodies Of Indians under
white officers to keep him informed
ns to the American movements In Ken
lucky and along the ohio. one Of these
bands brought in as captive Colonel
Francis Vigo Of 81 Louis. a SpaniArd
by birth. an American by adoption.
patriot 90 the corr. who had large in
nucncc over both Indians and creoles
In the Illinois country.
Colonel Nigo was not long held n
prisoner Hamilton dApd not cXas-
pcratr the crcolcs beyond their cndur
uncc. for he knew that the sayages
would closely sympa thize with their
friends OF long standing. and this might
lead To- rrvolt and coalition against
him a very dangerous possibility. In
deed. ~ least one OF the great In
dian chicftains had already frankly in
formed him that he and his tribc were
loyal 90 the Americans Here was a
dilemma requiring cousummate di-
plumacy. Hamilton saw Il. but he was
not Of a diplomatic temper or charac-
ter. With the Indians ne used a de
moralizing system OF bribery. while
toward the whites he was too often
gruff. impcrious, nrpellnnt Helm IN
dcrstood the whole situation and was
quick 10 take advantage OF H. His per
sonal relations with Hamilton were
easy and familiar. NJ that he did not
hesitate TO give advice upon all occa-
sions Here his jovial disposition helped
him
You'd better let Vlgo return 10 St
Louis" he said. They had n bowl OF
something hot steaming between them.
Il know him. He's harmless II you
don't rub him too hard the wrong way. |
Hen go back II you treat him well and |
tell Clark how strong you are here and |
how foolish II would bc To think Of at |
lacking you. Clark has but handful |
of, men. poorly supplied and tired with |
A. hard marches. II you'll think u
moment you can't fail 20 understand |
that you'd better be friends with this |
man Nigo. He and Father Gibault and |
this old priest here. Berct, carry these
Frcnchmen In their pockets. I'm not |
on your side. understand-Fm an
American, and I'd blow the whole OF |
you TO kingdom come In minute II I
could-but common sense Is common
sense all the same There's no good
to you and no harm tn Clark In mis-
treating or even holding this prisoner
What harm can he do you by going
back 10 Clark and telling him the whole
TRUTH Clark knew everything long
before vigo reached here. Old JaEon,
my best scout left here the day you
took possession, and you may bet he
got to Kaskaskia In short order. He
never fails But hen t-il Clark 10 stay
where he is, and Vkgo can do no more"
What effect Helms bold and aprar-
emily artless talk had upon Hamiltons
mind Is not recorded, but the meager
historical facts at command show that
vNa was released ana permitted to re-
turd under promise that ne 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 a
Ia rtrA /