Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-06-02
CHAPTER *.

age character, Out the emergency no"
upsn him was startling. Il cJnIu ied
hin. The fact that he had taken sol
ensn oath of allegiance 10 The American
government could have been pushed
aside lightly enough upon pressing oc-
casion, but he knew that certain conf
dental agents left IN Yincenncs by
Governor Abbott had. upon the arrival
Of Helm, gone to Detroit. and OF course
they had carried tlither q full report
Of alI that happened in the Church Of
st. Xavier when Father Gibault call
ed the people together. and at the fort
when the British flag was hauled down
and In banniere dAlice Roussillon run
up In its place. His expansive imagina-
ton did full credit to itself in ezagger-
ating the Importance of his part in
handing the post over to the reefs.
And what would Hamilton think OF
this? Would he consider 1t treason?
The question certainly bore q tragic
suggestion.
M. Roussillcn lacked everything of
being a coward, and treachery had no
rightful place in his nature. lie was,
however, so in the habit of lighting
windmills and making mountains of
moieIills that he could not ut first
glance see any sudden prescntment
with a normal vision. He had no love
for Englishmen, and he did like Amer
leans, but he naturally thought that
Helms talk OF fighting Hamilton was,
as his own would have been In n like
casa, talk and nothing more. The fort
could not hold out an hour, he well
knew Then what? All, he but too
we'll realized the result.
Resistance would in1ame the English
soldiers and madden the Indians. There
would be n massacre, and the belts of
savages would sag with bloody scalps.
He shrugged his shoulders and felt a
chill creep up his back.
The first thing NJ. Roussillon did was
b see Father Beret and take counsel OF
him; then he hurried home TO dig n
great pit under his kitchen floor in
which he buried many bales OF fur and
all his most valuable things. He work
ed like a giant beaver all, night long.
Meantime Father Beret went about
over the town quietly notifying the in
habltants to remain in their houses un-
til after the fort should surrender,
which, lie was sure, would happen the
next day.
you VIII be perfectly safe, my chill
dren," he said to them. "No harm can
come to you If you follow my direc-
tons"
Relying implicitly upon him, they
scrupulously obeyed In every particu-
lar.
He did not think 1t necessary to call
at Roussiilon place, having already
given NJ. Eoussilon the best advice he
tould command.
Just at the earliest break of day,
while yet Il gloom OF night scarcely
telt the suns approach, a huge figure
made haste along the narrow streets In
shc northern part OF the town. IL any
person had been looking out through
the lIttlc holes called windows IN those
client and rayless huts 1t would have
been easy 10 recognize VI. Roussiilon by
his stature and his gait, dimly outlined
as he was. A thought which seemed to
him an inspiration of genius had taken
possession OF him and was leading him
as II by the nose straight away to Ham
ilton's lines. lie was frcighted with ell
oqueuce for the ear Of that commander,
and as he strobe along facing the crisp
morning air he was rehearsing under
his breath, emphasizing his periods In
tragic whispers with sweeping gestures
and liberal facial contoTtiOns. SO alb
sorbed was he In his oratorical solilo-
quy that he forgot due military precau-
ton and ran plump Into the face OF q
savage picket guard, who, without re-
vpect for the great NJ. Roussillon's dig
nifty, sprnng up before him, grunted
enormously, 1ourlshed tomahawl.
and spoke In excellent and exceedingly
cultural Indian:
"Wah, surrender"
1t Is probable that no man ever com
| piled with n modest request In n more
| docile spirit than did NJ. ROusslllon
upon that occasion. In fact his
| prornptness must have been admirable,
| for the savage grunted approval and
| straightway conducted him 10 IIamll'
| toms headquarters on batteau In the
| river.
The British commander, hale man
| OF sandy complexion and probably un
| der middle age, was I'm no very pleas
| ant humor. Some OF his orders had
| been misunderstood by the chief OF his
| Indian allies, so that premature cx
| posurc OF lis approach had been made
| to the enemy.
| "Well, sir, who are your he gruillJ
demanded when NJ. RoussIllon loomet
before him.
| IL ann Gaspard Rousslllon, the mayor
OF vinccnnes," was the lofty reply. 81
have come to announce 10 you officially
| that my people greet you Loyalty ant
that my town IS freely at your com
mand." He felt as important as if hii
STATEMENTS had been true.
"IIumph, That's II, Is III Well
Mr.. Mayor, you have my conRratula
tIons, but / should prefer seeing th'
military commander and accepting hi
surrender. What account can you giy'
me Of the American forces, their mum
bcr md condition.
N. Roussillon WINGED, inwardly n
least, under IIafnllton's very undcfcr
ential air and style OF address.
piqued him cruelty 20 be treated na
person without the slightest claim 4
respect. lie somehow forgot the roll
ing and rhythmic eloqucncc prepared
for the occasion.
"Tbc American commander natural
ly would not confdc In me, NJ. lc Gou
vcrncur; not at all. We are not yer.
friendly. He oustcd Inc from Office
he offended me- He was coughln
and stnmmering.
"Oh, thunder! What do / care? An
swcr my questions, sir" Iiamilto
grufHy interrupted. "Tcll me the nun
bcr of American troops at the for
SIR
'I don't know exactly. / have no
had odmlttance 10 the fort. might b
deceived NJ TO numbers. But thcy'r
strong, believe. NJ. lc Gouycrneur
Mt least they make great show an
much noise"
Hamilton eyed the huge bulk befor
him for moment, then, turning 10
subaltcrn, said:
/ suyt... ttg., faIInuv uu1or evttopI an