Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-02-23

send to him when Clark finally offered
terms of honorable surrender, the con-
summation Of which was to he post
poncd until the following morning. He
accepted promptly, appending to the
articles of capitulation the following
reasons for his action: "The remote
ness from succor. the state and quanti-
ty Of provisions, ETC.; unanimity or Of
ficers and men in its eXpediency. the
honorable terms allowed and, lastly,
the confidence in II generous enemy.
Confidence in generous enemy. Alb
iect fear of the vengeance just wreak-
cd upon his savage emissaries would
have been the true statement. Bever-
ley read the paper when Clark sent for
him, but he could not join in the eX-
travagant delight of his fellow ofncers
and their brave men. What did all
this victory mean to him? Hamilton to
be treated as an honorable prisoner of
war, permitted to strut forth from the
fort with his sword at his side, his
head up-the scalp buyer. the murder
er of Alice. What was patriotism to
the crushed heart of lover? Even IL
his vision had been able to pierce the
future and realize the splendor of An
glo-Saxon civilization which was to fol-
low that little triumph at Nincennes,
what pleasure could it have afforded
him? Alice, Alice. only Alice; no other
thought had influence save the recur-
a fa
her murderer.
And yet that night Beverley slept
and so forgot his despair for many
hours. even dreamed a pleasant dream
of home, where his childhood was
spent; of the stately old house on the
breezy hilltop overlooking a sunny
plantation. with a little river lapsin8
and shimmeripg through it. His moth
ers dear arms were around him, her
loving breath stirred his hair, and his
stalwart. gray headed father sat on the
veranda comfortably smoking his pipe,
while away in the wide fields the ne
groes sang at the plow and the hoe.
Sweeter and sweeter grew the scene,
SO Ter the air, tenderer tie blending
sounds of TIE water murmur, leaf rus
tle. bird song and slave song until hand
in hand he wandered with Alice in
grcening groves where the air was
trembling with the ecstasy Of spring.
A young officer awoke him with an
order from Clark to go on duty ut once
with Captains Worthington and Will
liams, who, under Colonel Clark him
self, were to take possession of the fort.
Mechanically he obeyed. The sun was
far up, shining between clouds of a
eaden, watcry hue by the time every
thing was ready for the important GER
emony. Beside the main gate of the
stockade two companies of patriots un-
der Bowman and McCarty were drawn
up as guards while the British garri-
son filed out and was taken in charge.
This bit of fOrnality ended, Governor
Hamilton. attended by some OF his OF
licers. went back into the fort and the
gate was closed.
Clark now gave orders that prepara-
tions he made for hauling down the
British flag and hoisting the young
banner of liberty in its place, when ev-
erything should be ready for Il salute
of thirteen guns from the captured bat
terry.
Helms round face was beaming.
Plainly it showed that his happiness
was supreme. He dared not say any
thing. however, for Clark was now all
sternness and formality. 1t would be
dangerous to take any liberties. but he
could smile and roll his quid OF tobacco
from cheek to cheek.
Hamilton and Farnsworth, the latter
slightly wounded in the left arm. which
was bandagCd stood together some
what apart from their fellow officers
while preliminary steps for celebrating
their defeat and capture were i'll prog
ress. They looked forlorn enough to
have excited deep sympathy under fair
er conditions.
Outside the fort the creoles were be-
ginning Il noise of jubilation. The ru-
NOR of what was going to be done had
passed from mouth to mouth until ev-
cry soul in the town knew and thrilled
with expectancy. Men, women ana
children came swarming to see the
SLIGHT and to hear at close range the
crash of the cannon. They shouted. in
a scattcrin" way at first: then the tu-
multi grew swiftly to solid rolling
tide that seemed beyond all compari-
son with the population of Nincennes.
Hamilton heard it and tremDled IN
wardly. afraid lest the mob should
prove too strong for the guard
One leOn:ne voice roared distinctly,
high above TIE noise. 1t was Il sound
familiar to all the creoles that below
ing shout of Gaspard ROussillon's. He
was roaming around the stockade, hav-
Ing been turned back by the guard
when he tried to pass through the main
gate.
"They shut me out!" he beloved fu,
riously. Il am Gaspard Roussillon, and
they shut me out. me! Iitf! Me voici!
.Je vais entrer immedatement, moi"'
He attracted but little attention,
however. The people and the soMiery
were all too excited by the special in
terest of the occasion and too busy
with making racket Of their own FOR
any individual. even the great Roussll-
Ion. TO gain their eyes or ears. He IN
turn scarcely heard the tumult they
made. so self cantered were his burn
ing thoughts ard feelings. great oc'
casion in Vincennes and he, Gasphrd
Roussillon, not recognized as one OF
the large factors in it! All, no, never!
And he strobe along the wall OF the
stockade. turning the corners and heav-
ily shambling over the inequalities till
he reached the postern. 1t was not fas-
tened, some one having passed through
lust before him.
"Ziffw he CALCULATED, stepping into
the area and shaking himself after the
manner of dusty mastiff. "Cest moi!
! Gaspard Roussillonw His massive I'M
der law was set like that of wise, YET
4 It quivered with rage, rage when
; was more fiery condensation OF sell
approval than anger.
Outside the shouting, singing anc
huzzas gathered strength and vol
ume until the sound became hoarse
roar. Clark was uneasy. He had over
heard much of threatening character
during the siege. The crco!es were. hc