Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-02-19
CHAPTER XIX.
TILE ATTACT


OF frlng their guns before entering
the town or the fort, not only as a sig
nal of their approach but in order to
rid their weapons of their charges pre-
liminary to cleaning them before set
ting out upon another scalp hunting
expedition. A shot therefore, or even
a volley, heard on the outskirts of the
village was not a noticeable incident
in the daily and nightly experience of
the garrison. Still, for some reason,
Governor Hamilton started violently
when just after nghtfall five or six
rifles cracked sharply short distance
from the stockade.
He and Helm, with two other officers,
were in the midst of a game of cards,
while a kettle, swinging on crane in
the ample fireplace. sang a shrill prom
Use of hot appleiack toddy.
"By Jove" exclaimed Farnsworth,
who. although not in the game, was
amusing himself with looking on, you
jump like a fine lady! almost fancied
l heard a bullet hit YOU"
you may all jump while you can"
remarked Helm. That's Clark, and
y
tumbling on your heads before day
light of tomorrow morning comes"
AS he spoke he arose from his seat
at the card table and went to look after
the toddy which. as an expert, he had
under supervision.
Hamilton froWncd. The mention of
Clark was disturbing. Ever since the
n r,a Of I nj
Barlow he had nursed the fear that
possibly Clark's scouts had captured
him and that the American forces
might be much nearer than Kaskaskia
Besides, his nerves were unruly. as
they had been ever since the encounter
with Father Beret, and his vision per
sisted in turning back upon the ac-
cusing cold face of Alice, lying in the
moonlight. One little detail of that
scene almost maddened him at times.
1t was a sheeny, crinkled wisp of
warm looking hair looped across the
cheek in which he had often seen
saucy dimple dance when Alice spoke
or smiled. He was bad enough, but
not wholly bad, and the thought of
having darkened those merry eyes and
stilled those sweet dimples tore
through him with a cold and rasping
pang.
Just as soon as this toddy is prop
erly mixed and tempered" said Helm
with magnetic jocosity beaming from
his genial face, I'm going to propose
toast to the banner of Alice Rous-
sillon which n whole garrison of Brit
ish braves has been unable to takev
'If you do I'll blow hole through
you" said Hamilton in a voice fairly
shaken to husky quaver with rage.
"You may do a great many insulting
things but not that"
Helm was in a half STOPPING atti-
tude with ladle in one hand, a cup
in the other He had met Hamilton's
glowering look with peculiarly inno-
cent smile, as if to say: what in the
world is the matter now? l never felt
in better humor in all my life. Can't
you take a joke, l wonder?' He did
not speak, however, for a rafting vol
| ley of musket and rifle shots hit the
top of the clay daubed chimney, send.
down into the toddy a shower of SCOT
and dirt.
In wink every man was on his feet
and staring.
Gentlemen" said Helm, with an i'm
/ pressive oath, that is Clarks soldiers,
and they will take your fort, but they
ought not to have spoiled this apple
toddy."
"Oh, the devil" said Hamilton, forci
bly, resuming calm countenance. al
is only Il squad of drunken Indians
coming in. Wen forego excitement
There's no battle on hand, gentlemen
"I'm glad you think so, Governor
Hamilton" Helm responded, but
should imagine that l ought to know
the crack of Il Kentucky rifle. I've
heard one occasionally in my life. Be
sides, l got a Whit of freedom just
now"
Captain Helm is right" observed
Farnsworth. THAT is an attack"
Another volley. this time nearer ant
more concentrated, convinced Hamil
ton that he was indeed at the opening
of a fight. Even while he was giving
some hurried orders to his officers {
man was wounded Mt one of the port
holes. Then came series of yells, an
swered by Il ripple of sympathetic
French shouting that ran Throughout
the town. The patrol guards cam'
struggling in, breathless with excite
ment. They swore to having seen (
thousand men marching across thu
water covered meadows.
Hamilton was brave. The approach
of danger stirred him like a trumpe
strain His fighting blood rose to full
tide and he gave his orders with thu
steadness and commanding force of ;
born soldier. The officers FASTENED t
their respective positions. On all side
sounds indicative of rapid preparation
for the fight mingled into a confused
strain of military energy. Men march
ed to their places, cannon were wheeled
into position, and soon enough the fir