Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-05-26

of flying knife. and saw the spaniard
drop his sword De la Mora glanced
round with indignant eyes to the
Choctaw who had made the cast. now
looking for approval from this gentle
man who sang like a woman and
fought like Il fiend. The chevalier was
like to have wreaked summary Ven
geance for striking so foul a blow.
Through the press I could see him go
up to his late adversary. bareheaded
and courteous, to eNtricate him from
the motley, bleeding group wherein he
had fallen. Throwing his powerful
shoulder against Il door, he broke ii
down, and tcpderly carried the wound
ed gentleman within. ! could then see
him quietly standing guard ut the door
waiting for the turmoil to cease, for ii
was then quite evident that the day
was ours.
Already the Choctaws We're busy
tearing the rocking scalps from the liv-
ing and the dead De la Morals face
grew deathly pale at the sight; his
cheeks did play the woman, and one
might deem him my lady's dapper
page. catching his maiden Whit of
blood. This generous act kept him from
being in at the close of the fray, and
robbed him of the greater need of glory
which he might have thereby won
Twice that day, as he struck down a
me to feel In my heart like a lying
thief, who was weak enough to inn
agine his dishonor
just at the last there was trialng
incident occurred which my lads i'm
sisted was greatly to my credit News
I of this was carried straight to the gov
ernor, and much was made thereof
Bienville, with his Frenchmen, bat
tered down the gates. and before many
minutes the proud Castilian pennon
lowered to the milk white flag OF
France. On sea and land We're we alike
successful.
An hour after Pensacola fell, the
| Spanish ships struck their colors to
Championship Our greatest loss was
the total destruction of the Seamew,
blown up by a red-hot shot. which fell
in her powder magazine.
AT the surrender l caught my old
commanders eye. He motioned me to
draw nearer. / obeyed most reluctant
ly. for / expected stern rebuke from
the rugged soldier who never forgave
the slightest deviation from mis- orders
Instead Bienville overwhelmed me
with praise. He grasped my hand. and
spoke loud enough for all the troops
to hear:
Before our assembled armies I am
proud to acknowledge your share In
Frances triumph this day; proud ana
grateful for Your fidelity at Versailles
and Paris. Your example of loyalty
and courage is one worthy to be emu
lated by all the sons of France The
king shall have your name for further
recognition
This was a great deal for Bienville to
say, especially at such a time. NV own
lips were dumb.
Take your proper place. sir"
And mechanically | walked to the
head of my cheering guards was
amazed. And Serigny? Had he made
up his mind to overlook my detection?
Had the governor forgiven my failure
to return I'm lie Dauphin? Surely not.
| The noble voice of Bienville broke into
my puzzled thought:
Captain de Mouret, you will receive
the surrender OF Don Alphonso, our
knightly and courteous foe"
1t thrilled me with pride that I
should receive so famous a sword, for
knightlier foeman than Alphonso never
trod n deck nor tossed his gauntlet in
the lists | stepped forward to the
Spanish lines where their vanuushed
admiral rendered me the insignia of
his command, when on sudden
thought put back the proffered sword,
assuring him SO noble soldier ought
never to stand disarmed. My delight
ed lads cheered again like mad, and
| sienNille himself seemed much pleased
al my courtesy.
CONTINUED Next Weel)