Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-08-04

der" pointing to a distant island-llke
ridge far beyond the creeping flood
We'll be there ready to eat it1'
He said this for the ears of his men.
They heard and answered with strag
Cling but determined chorus Of ap-
proval. They crossed the rolling cur
rent of the Wabash by tedious proc
ess of ferrying, and at last found
themselves once more wading in back
water up to their armpits, breaking ice
an inch thick as they went. 1t was
the closing struggle to reach the high
wooded lands. Many of them fell ex-
hausted. but their stronger comrades
lifted them, holding their heads above
water, and dragged them on.
Clark. always leading, always inspir-
ing. was first to set foot on dry land.
He shouted triumphantly, waved his
sword and then fell to helping the men
out of the freezing food. This accom-
plished. he ordered fires built, but
there was not soldier of them all
whose hands could clasp an AK handle,
so weak and numbed with cold were
they. He was not to be baffled, how
ever. If fire could not be had, exercise
must serve its purpose. Hastily pour
ing some powder into his hand, he
dampened it and blacked his face.
Victory, men, victory" he shouted,
taking off his hat and beginning to
leap and dance. "Come on! Well
have war dance and then a feast as
soon as the meat arrives that l have
sent for. Dance, you brave lads, dance!
Victory! Victory"
The strong men, understanding their
coloners purpose, took hold of the deli
cate ones, and the leapiug, the caper-
ing, the tumult of voices and the
stamping of slushy moccasins with
| which they assaulted that stately for
est must have frightened every wild
thing thereabout into n deadly rigor
Clark's irrepressible energy and op-
timism worked a veritable charm upon
his faithful but almost dying compan-
fons in arms. Their trust in him made
them feel sure that food would soon
be forthcoming. The thought afforded
a stimulus more potent than wine. 1t
drove them into an ecstasy of frantic
motion and shouIau IauHg which soon warm
ed them thoroughly.
1t is said that fortune favors the
| brave The larger meaning of the
| sentence may be given thus: God
guards those who deserve his protec-
ton. History tells us that just when
| Clark halted his command almost in
sight of Vincennes-just when hunger
was about to prevent the victory so
close to his grasp-a party of his
scouts brought in the haunch of buff
falo captured from some Indians. The
scouts were Beverley and Oncle Jazon.
And with the meat they brought In
dian kettles in which to cook it.
With consummate forethought Clark
arranged to prevent his men doing
themselves injury by bolting their food
or eating it half cooked. Broth was
first made and served hot; then small
bits of well broiled steak were doled
out, until by degrees the fine effect Of
nourishment set in, and all the COM
mand felt the fresh courage of healthy
reaction.
Il amt no gin'ral, nor corp'ral, nor
nothin'," remarked Oncle Jazon to
y
up every dad dinged ole flag in the
rigment, wen got ready to show my
self to 'em, an I'd make 'em think,
over yander at the fort, at had bout
ninety thousan' men. Hit ID skeer that
sandy faced gov'nor over there till he'd
think his backbone was a-comin' outn
i'm by the roots"
Clark laughed, but his face showed
that the old mans suggestion struck
him forcibly and seriously.
well see about that presently,
Oncle Jazon. Wait till we reach the
hill yonder, from which the whole town
can observe our maneuvers; then We'll
try it, maybe"
Once more the men were lined UP,
the roll call gone through with salts
factorily and the question put:
Are we ready for another plunge
through the mud and water?"
The answer came in the affirmative,
with a unanimity not to be mistaken.
The weakest heart Of them all beat
to the time of the charge step. Again
Clark and Beverley clasped hands and
took the lead.
When they reached the next high
ground they gazed in silence across the
slushy prairie plot to where, on a
slight elevation, old Vincennes and
Fort Sackville lay in full view.
Beverley stood apart. a rush of SEN
sations affected him so that he shook
like one whose strength was gone. His
vision was blurred. Fort and town,
swimming in mist, were silent and
still. Save the British flag twinkllng
above Hamiltons headquarters moth
ing indicated that the place was not
deserted And Alice? With the sweet
names echo Beverley's heart bounded
high, then sank fluttering at the recol-
lection that she was either yonder at
the mercy of Hamilton or already the
victim of an unspeakable cruelty. Was
it weakness for him to lift his clasped
hands heavenward and send up voice
less prayer?
A little later Clark approached hasti-
ly and said:
81 have been looking for you The
| march has begun. Bowman and
| Charleville are moving. Come; there's
no time TO lose"
fro BE Continued