Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1904-03-17
CHATTER XVII.


A MARCH THROUGH COLD wATTR.
0N the 9th day OF February,
iTTp. Colonel George Rogers
Clark led an army across the
Kaskaskia river and campcd
This was the flrst step In his march
toward the Wabash. An ARMY DO not
smile. Fewer than zoo men. ~ f. true.
answered the roll call when Father
Glbault lifted the cross and blessed
them.
II was an army. small indeed. but
yet an army, even though ~ rudcly
equipped that could we now see Il be
fore us we might wonder 81 what use
Il could possibly b. IN a military way.
Clark knew when he set out on his
march 20 Vinccnncs that he was not
INDUCING visionary impulse The
enterprise was one that called for all
that manhood could endure. but not
more. With tho genius OF born lead.
or he measured his task by his means.
lie know his own courage and foru-
tude and Understood the best capacity
Of his men lie had gcnius-that Is he
pos-csncd the secret OF extracting from
himself aud from his followers the last
refinement OF devotion 20 purpose.
There was certainty, from frst 90
last. that effort would not Gag at any
point short Of tho topmost possible
strain.
The march before them lay over a
magnificent plain. mostly prairie. rich
M the delta Of the Nile. but extremely
difficult 60 traverse. The distance, as
the route led, was about 10 miles. on
account OF an open and rainy winter
oil tho basins and fiat lands were In
undated, often presenting leagues Of
water ranging in depth from n few
inches 10 three or four feet. Colonel
Clark understood perfectly the stra-
tcgic importance Of Ninccnnes as n post
commanding the Wabash and as a
base OF communication with the many
Indian tribes north OF the Ohio and
east OF the Mississippi. Francis Nigo
(may his name never fadeO had
brought him comprehensive and nc
curntc report OF Hamilton's strength
and the condition OF the fort and gar
rison. This information confirmed his
belief that Il would be possible not only
TO capture vincennes. but Detroit as
well.
Just seven days after the march be
gan the little army encamped for a
nights rest ut the edge OF a wood, and
here, Just after nightfall. when the fires
were burning merrily and the smell Of
broiling buffalo steaks burdened the
damp. air. wizened old man suddenly
appeared. how or from where nobody
had observed. lie was dirty and IN
every way disreputable In appearance
looking like an animated mummy.
bearing long rife nhis shoulder and
walking with the somewhat hating
activity Of very old-yet'yiyaclous and
energetic simian. OF. course II was on
Gle Jazon, "onclo Jhzop sui generis," as
Father Beret had dubbed him.
well, here l amv he cried, APP
preaching the fire by which Colonel
Clark and some OF his officers were
cooking supper. But ye can't guess In
mile o. who I am TO save yer livers
an lights"
He danced a few stiff steps, which
made the water gush out OF his tat
tered moccasins, then dotted his monde
script cap and nodded his scalpless
head In salutation to the commander
Clark looked inquiringly at him
while the old fellow grimaced and
rubbed his shrunken chin.
II smelt yer fat a-fryin' somepln
IKE a mile away. an II set my in'ards
TO grumblin' for a snack, so l Jes
Thought Ia drip In on ye an chaw