Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1904-01-07

4 49,
That GGy Siidu not come douh sdUe IL
full honor"
was almost blowing away In the cold
wind-"that tag shall not come down
save in full honor"
His speech sounded PROFESSIONALLY
boastful and hollow, but he was man.
fully in earnest Every word came
from his brave heart.
| Father Berets grim smile returned,
lighting up his strongly marked face
with the strangest expression imagfna-
bic. I..l
"We viii get all the women inside the
fort" Helm began TO say.
| Where the Indians will find them
ready penned up and at their mercy"
quickly interpolated the priest That
VIII not do
We'll, then, what can be doneT Bev-
eriey demanded. turning With a fierce
stare upon Father Beret. Don't stand
there obJecting to everything, with not
suggestion of your own to Offer"
Il know what Is best for my people"
Ing. Il have advised them to stay In
side their houses and take no part In
the military event. II Is the only hope
OF averting an indiscrlminate massacre
and things worse"
The curt phrase. things worse"
went Ike Il bullet stroke through Bev-
erley's heart. II flashed an awful pic
ture upon bis vision. Father Beret saw
his face whlten and his lips set them
selves TO resist great emotion.
DO not bc angry with me. my son."
be said. laying q hand on the young
mans arm. Il may be wrong. but
act upon long and convincing expert.
ence"
Experience or no experience" Helm
exclaimed. with an oath. this fort
must be manned and defended. am
commanding here
Yes. | recognize your authority" re-
spondcd the priest in firm yet defer
entail tone. "and | heartily wish you
had garrison. But where Is your COM
mand. Captain Heinz
Where is my garrison. you ask! Yes.
and | can tell you. It's where you
might expect Il gang of dad blasted
Jabbcring French good for nothings
TO be. OF high glmnlcking around
shooting huffaioes Instead of staying
here and defending their wives, chill
dren, Lomos and country. The few
have In the fort viii sneak of, sup
pose"
The French gave you this post on
easy terms. captain" blandly retorted
Father Beret
"ies. AMI they'll hand il over to-
Hamilton. YOU think, on the same
basis" cried Helm. but III show you!
I'll show you. Mr. Priest"
Pardon me, captain. The French are
loyal to you and to the dag yonder.
They have sworn IT, Time will prove
It, But in the present desperate diem
ma we must choose the safer horn"
Saying this Father Beret turned
about and went his way He was
chuckling heartily as he passed out Of
the gate.
HE is right" said Beverley after a
few moments OF reflection, during |
which he was wholly occupied with |
Alice, whose terrified face In his en-
ticipation appealed to him from the |
midst of bowling ssvages. smoking |
cabins and mangled victims OF lust and |
massacre. His Imagination painted the
scene with a merciless realism that |
chilled his blood All the sweet TO
nance fell away from Vlncennes.
"Well, sir, right or wrong, your duty
is to obey orders" said Helm with bru-
tai severity.
Eve had better not quarrel, cap
tain" Beverley replied II have not
signified any unwlllingness to obey
your commands. Give them, and you
will have no cause 10 grumble."
Forgive me- cid fellowr' cried the
lmpulsive commander. II know YOU
lre true as steel. s'pose I'm wound
lp too tight 10 be polite. But the time
IS coming to do something. Here we
ire with but FIVE or SIX men,
He was interrupted by the arrival OF
two more half breed scouts.
Only three miles away wns n, large
iotilla of boats and canoes with can
non, a force of Indians on land and
he British flag fiying-that was the I
eport.
They are moving rapidly" said the .
pokesmaR, land Will be here very
Don. They are at least coo strong, all
Tell armed"
Push that gun to the gate and bad
to the muzzle, Lieutenant Beverley"
Ielm ordered with admirable firm
ess, the purple flush In his face giving
'ay TO a grayish palior. 1--WE are go
lg to die right here or have the hon
RS of war" .HI.
Beverley obeyed without a word. He
ven loaded two guns instead Of one,
harging each so heavily that the last
'ad looked as II ready 60 lean from !