Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-03-17
Copyright. 1900. by the BowENnERRlLL COMPANY
By MAURICE

III Mr.. Hamilton is DESTROYS of a
Conference with Col Clark, he will
meet him at the Church with Captn
Helms"
The spelling was not very good, and
there was redundancy Of capital let
tiers, yet Hamilton understood it all,
and 1t was very difficult for him to-
conceal his haste to attend the pro.
posed conference. But he was afraid
to go to the church-the thought chilled
him. He could not face Father Beret,
who would probably be there. And
what if there should he evidences of
the funeral? What if?- He shuddered
and tried to break away from the
vision in his tortured brain.
He sent proposition to Clark to
meet him on the esplanade before the
main gate of the fort, but Clark de.
clined, insisting upon the church. And
thither he at last consented to go. 1t
was an immense brace to his spirit to
have Helm beside him during that
walk, which, although but eighty yards
in extent, seemed to him a matter of
leagues. On the way he had to pass
near the new position taken up by
Beverley and his men. It was a fine
test Of nerve when the lieutenant's
eyes met those Of the governor Nei-
Their man permitted the slightest change
Of countenance to betray his feelings
In fact, Beverley's face was as rigid as
marble; he could not have changed it.
Father Beret was indeed present at
the church, as Hamilton had dreaded
and the two duelists gave each other
rapier-like eye thrust. Neither spoke
however, and Clark Immediately de.
manded settlement Of the matter in
hand. He was brusque and imperious
to degree, apparently rather anxious
to repel every peaceful advance.
1t was laconic interview, crisp as
autumn ice and bitter as gall berries
Colonel Clark had no respect whatever
for Hamilton, to whom he had applied
the imperishable adjective chair buyer
general" On the other hand, Govern
or Hamilton, who felt keenly the dis
grace of having to equalize himself of.
fcially and discuss terms of surrender
with rough baclSwoodsman, could not
conceal his contempt of Clark.
The five men Of history, Hamilton,
Helm, Hay, Clark and Bowman. were
not distinguished diplomats. They
went at their work rather after the
hammer and tongs fashion. Clark
bluntly demanded unconditional sur
render. Hamilton refused. They ar
gued the matter. Helm put in his oar,
trying to soften the situation, as was
his custom on all occasions, and re-
ceived from Clark singing repri-
mand, with the reminder that he was
nothing but a prisoner on parole and
had no voice at all in settling the terms
Of surrender.
II release him, SIR said Hamilton.
HE is no longer prisoner. am quite
willing to have Captain Helm join
freely in our conference"
"And I refuse to permit his accept
ance of your favor" responded Clark.
Captain Helm, you will return with
Mr.. Hamilton to the fort and remain
his captive until free you by force
Meantime hold your tongue"
ct, occupied himself at the little altar,
apparently altogether Indifferent to
what was being said. but he lost not Il
word of the talk.
"Qui habet aures audiendi, audiat,"
ne inwardly repeated. smiling blandly.
"Gaudete in lila die, ct eXultate.'
Hamilton rose to go; deep lines of
hi fn Il,,%
party had passed outside he suddenly
turned upon Clark and said:
''Why do you demand impossible
terms of meg
Il will tell you, SIR" was the stern
answer in tone in which there was
no mercy or compromise. 81 would
rather have you refuse. I desire moth
Ing SO much as an excuse to wreak full
md bloody vengeance on every man
in that fort who has engaged in the
business Of employing savages to scalp
brave. patriotic men and defenseless
women and children. The cries of the
widows and the fatherless on our from
tiers require the blood of the Indian
partisans at my hands. If you choose
to save those despicable redhanded
partisans, have your pleasure. What
you have done you know better than
I do. have q duty to perform. You
may be able to soften it's nature. may
take it into my head to send for some
Of our bereaved women to witness my
terrible work and see that it is well
done II you insist upon the wors..'
Major Hay. who was Hamilton's In
dian agent, now, with some difficulty
clearing his throat, spoke up.
"Pray, sir," said he, "who is It that
you call Indian partisans?'
"sir," replied Clark. seeing that his
words had gone solidly home, 81 take
Major Hay to be one Of the principals"
This seemed to strike Hay with
deadly force. Clark's report says that
he was pale and trembling, scarcely
able to stand" and that Hamilton
and. observed, was much af-
fected at his behavior" Doubtless IL
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