Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-03-17

crash of the cannon. They shouted, in
scattering way at first: then the tu-
mutt grew swiftly to a solid rolling
tide that seemed beyond all COMPARE
son with the population of Vincennes.
Hamilton heard it and trembled in
wardly, afraid lest the mob should
prove too strong for the guard.
One leonine voice roared distinctly,
high above the noise. 1t was sound
familiar to all the creoles, that below
ing shout Of Gaspard Roussillon's. He
was roaming around the stoclade, hav-
ing been turned back by the guard
when he tried to pass through the main
gate.
"They shut me outv' he beloved fu-
tously. II am Gaspard Roussillon, and
they shut me out, me! Tiff! Me voici!
Je vais entrer tmmediatement, mol"
He attracted but little attention,
however. The people and the soldiery
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 Roussil-
Ion, to gain their eyes or ears. He in
turn scarcely heard the tumult they
made, SO self centered were his burn
ing thoughts and feelings. A great oc-
casion in Vincennes and he. Gaspard
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-
lily shambling over the inequalities till
he reached the postern. 1t was not fas-
tened, some one having passed through
Just before him.
"Ziff" he calculated, stepping into
the area and shaking himself after the
manner Of dusty mastiff. "C'est moi!
Gaspard Roussillonv His massive I'm
der jaw was set like that of wise, yet
it quivered with rage, rage which
was more fiery condensation of self
approval than anger.
Outside the shouting, singing and
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 creoles We're, he
knew, justly exasperated, and even lis
own men had been showing a spirit
which might easily be famed into a
dangerous fame of vengeance. He
was very anxious to have the fornlaii-
ties of taking possession of the fort
over with, SO that he could the better
control his forces. Sending for Bever-
ley, he assigned him to the duty of
hauling down the British flag and run
ming up that of Virginia. 1t was an
honor Of no doubtful sort, which under
different circumstances would have
made the lieutenant's heart glow. As
1t was he proceeded without any sense
of pride or pleasure, moving as mere
machine In performing an act signifl-
cant beyond any other done west of
the mountains in the great struggle
for American independence and the
control Of American territory.
Hamilton stood little way from the
foot Of the tall dagpole, his arms fold
ed on his breast, his chin slightly
drawn In, his brows contracted, gaz-
ing steadily at Beverley while he was
untying the halyard, which had been
wound around the poles base about
three feet above the ground. The
American troops in the fort were dis
posed 90 az to form three sides of a
hollow square, facing inward. Oncle
Jazon, serving as the ornamental ex-
treme Of one line. was conspicuous for
his outl&ndish garb and unmilitary
bearing. The silence inside the stock
ade offered strong contrast to the
tremendous roar Of voices outside.
Clark made a signal, and at the tap of
a drum Beverley shook the ropes loose
and began to lower the British colors.
Slowly the bright emblem Of earth's
mightiest nation crept down in token
e the fact that Z handful Of hack.
woodsmsn had won an empire by q
splendid stroke Of pure heroism. Bev-
sflsy detached the nag and, saluting,
handsd Il 70 Colonel CLARK. Hamil-