Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-03-04

thor wine of dread to f1ll his cup with
al II was furnished by an ostentatious
msrshaling of the American forces for
a general assault. His spirit broke COM
pletely, so that it looked like god
I send to him when Clark finally offered
terms of honorable surrender, the con-
summation of which was to be post
poned until the following morning. He
accepted promptly, appending to the
articles Of capitulation the following
reasons for his action: 1.-THE remote
ness from succor, the state and quaint
ty Of provisions, etc; unanimity of of
hcers and men in its expediency, the
honorable terms allowed and, lastly,
the confidence in a generous enemy"
Confidence in generous enemy! Abb
ject fear of the vengeance just wreak-
ed 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 officers
and their brave men. What did all
this victory mean to him? Hamilton to
be treated as an honorable prisoner of
|
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 If
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 Vincennes,
what pleasure could it have afforded
him? Alice. Alice, only Alice; no other
thought had influence save the recur-
ring surge of desire for vengeance upon
her murderer.
And yet that night Beverley slept
and 80 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 sunny
plantation, with a little river lapsing
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
reranda comfortably smoking his pipe,
while away in the wide fields the ne.
groes sang at the pillow and the hoe.
Sweeter and sweeter grew the scene,
softer the air, tenderer the blending
sounds of the water murmur, leaf rus
tie, bird song and slave song until hand
in hand he wandered with Alice in
greening 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 at 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
J far up, shining between clouds Of a
leaden, watery hue, by the time every
thing was ready for the important GER
emony. Beside the main gate Of the
steckade two companies Of patriots I'm
! der Bowman and McCarty were drawn
} up as guards, while the British garri
son filed out and was taken in charge
. This bit Of Formally ended, Governor
Hamilton, attended by some Of his Of
| ficers, went back into the fort and the
, gate was closed.
Clark now gave orders that prepare
tons be made for hauling down tn,
British flag and hosting the yount
banner Of liberty in its place, when ev
erything should be ready for a salut,
of thirteen guns from the captured bat
terry.
Helms round face was beaming
Plainly 1t showed that his happiness
was supreme. He dared not say any
thing, however, for Clark was now al
sternness and Formally 1t would b.
dangerous to take any liberties, but h
could smile and roll his quid of Tobacco,
from cheek to cheek.
Hamilton and Farnsworth, the latte
slightly wounded in the left arm, whicl
was bandaged stood together some
! what apart from their fellow officer
while preliminary steps for celebrating
their defeat and capture were in prog
= ress. They looked forlorn enough t
. have excited deep sympathy under fail
er conditions.
: Outside the fort the creoles were be
ginning noise of jubilation. The RI
;, NOR of what was going to be done ha
passed from mouth to mouth until ey
cry soul in the town knew and thrille
with expectancy. Men, women an
children came swarming to see tn
;, slight and to hear at close range tn
:, crash of the cannon. They shouted. 1
\ scattering way at first; then the IL
- mutt grew swiftly to a solid rollin
=, tide that seemed beyond all compar
= son with the population of Ninccnne'
; Hamilton heard it and trcmblCd il
:, wardly. afraid lest the MOB Shout
: prove too strong for the guard.
One lcon.n1 voice reared distinct!
:. high shove the noise. 1t was a som
;, familiar 10 all the creolcs. that below
:. ing shout of GaSI0rl l,ouSsllons. II
;. WAS roaming around the s.oc..uGc. hay
=. ing been turned back by til" guar
when he tried to pass through the ma!
gate.
.-I,,, -o1 r,