Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-03-10

Torrance, but he was at last overpow-
cred. partly by brute force and partly
by the pleading of Maisonville's broth
er, and made to desist. The big man
wept with rage when he saw the
bleeding prisoner protected. Eth bien!
I'll keep what I've got" he roared,
land I'll take the rest of it next
time"
He shook the tuft of hair at Mason
willie and glared like mad bull.
Two CT three other members of La
mothe's band We're captured about the
same time by some of the French mill
tiamen, and Clark when OH his round
cheering and directing his forces dis
covered that these prisoners We're being
used as shields. Some young creoles
gay With drink and the stimulating eff
feet Of fight, had bound the poor fell
lows and We're firing from behind them.
OF course the commander promptly put
an end to this cruelty, but they consid-
cred it exquisite fun while it lasted.
It was in broad daylight. and they
knew that the English in the fort
could see what they were doing.
otis shameful to treat prisoners in
this way" said Clark. Il will not per-
NIT it. Shoot the next man that offers
to do such thing"
One of the creole youths, a hand
some, swarthy Adonis in buckskin,
tossed his shapely head with a deb
onair smile and said:
ITO he sure, mon colonel. But what
have they been doing to us? We have
amused them all winter. It's but fair
that they should give us a little fun
now"
Clark shrugged his broad shoulders
and passed on. He understood perfect
" what the people of Vincennes had
suffered under Hamilton's brutal ad-
ministration.
At 0 o'clock an order was passed to
cease firing, and flag of truce was
seen going from Clark's headquarters
to the fort. 1t was peremptory de-
mand for unconditional surrender.
Hamilton refused. and fighting was
hercely resumed from behind ruAo
breastworks meantime erected. Every
loophole and opening Of whatever sort
was the focus into which tho unerr:n.
backwoods rifles sent their deadly .s:-
lets. Men began to fall in the fort. ard
every moment Hamilton expected e.
assault in force on all sides Of :. =
stockade. This, if successful. woui.!
mean inevitable massacre. Clark H.,
warned him tof the terrible conse
quences Of holding out until the worst
should come. For" said lie in his note
to the governor. IF I am obliged to
storm. you may depend upon such
treatment as is justly due to mar
derer."
Historians have wondered why Ham
ilton became so excited and acted so
strangely after receiving the note. The
phrase Justly due to murderer is
the key to the mystery. When he read
it his heart sank and q terrible fear
seized him. Justly due to murder
err" All, that calm, white, beautiful
girlish face, dead in the moonlight.
with the wisp Of shining hair across
It! Such treatment as is justly due
to murderer" Cold drops of sweat
broke out on his forehead and SILVER
went through his body.
During the truce Clark's weary yet
still enthusiastic besiegers enjoyed a
good breakfast prepared for them by
the loyal danes Of vincennes. Little
Adrienne Bourcier was one of the
nandma1dens OF the occasion. She
brought to Beverley's squad a basket,
almost as large as herself, heaped high
with roasted duck and warm wheaton
bread. while another girl bore two
huge jugs Of coffee, fragrant and
steaming hot. The men cheered them
Justify and complimented them with
out reserve, so that before their serv-
ice was over their faces were glowing
with delight.
And yet Adrienne's heart was uneasy
and full Of longing to hear something
Of Rene de Ronville. Surely some one
Of her friends must. know something