Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-01-16

M AhSh lhlCN No AAeN went IL Whs
the closing struggle to reach the high
wooded lands. Many OF them fell ex-
hausted, but their stronger comrades
lifted them, holding their heads above
water, and dragged them on.
Clark, always leading, always inspir-
Ing was first to set foot on dry land.
He shouted triumphantly, waved his
sword and then fell to helping the men
out Of the freezing food. This accom-
plished, he ordered fires built, but
there was not a soldier OF them all
whose hands could clasp an ak handle,
so weak and numbed with cold were
they. He was not to be bafled, how
ever If fire could not be had, exercise
must serve its purpose. Hastily pour
ing some powder into his hand he
dampened It and blacked his face.
Victory, men, victoryP he shouted,
taking Off his hat and beginning TO
leap and dance. "Come onl Wen
have a war dance and then a feast as
soon as the meat arrives that l have
sent for. Dance, you brave lads, dancel
| Victoryl Victoryw
The strong men, understanding their
colonels purpose. took hold of the deli
cate ones, and the leaping the caper-
! Ing, the tumult Of voices and the
stamping Of slushy moccasins with
which they assaulted that stately for
est must have frightened every Wild
thing thereabout into a deadly rigor.
Clarks irrepresslble energy and OPP
timism worked veritable charm upon
his faithful but almost dying compan.
IONS In arms. Their trust In him made
them feel sure that food would soon
be forthcoming. The thought afforded
stimulus more potent than wine. 1t
drove them into an ecstasy Of frantic
motion and shouting which soon warm
ed them thoroughly.
1t is said that fortune favors the
brave. The larger meaning OF the
sentence may be given thus: God
| guards those who deserve his protec-
tion. History tells US that just when
| Clark halted his command almost In
| sight of Vincennes-just when hunger
was about to prevent the victory so
close to his grasp-a party of his
| scouts brought In the haunch Of buf-
falo captured from some Indians. The
scouts were Beverley and Oncle Jazon.
And with the meat they brought In-
dian kettles in which to cook il.
With consummate forethought Clark
| arranged to prevent his men doing
themselves injury by bolting their food
or eating il half cooked. Broth was
first made and served hot; then small
1 Of l. -
out, until by degrees the fine effect of
nourshment set in, and all the com
mund felt the fresh courage Of healthy
! reaction.
~ amt no gln'ral, nor corp'ral, nor
| nothin," remarked Oncle Jazon TO
| Colonel Clark, but Z Is you I'd hist
| up every dad dlnged ole fag In the
regiment, wen got ready 60 show my
self to 'em, an I'd make 'em think,
| over yander at the fort. at had bout
| ninety thousan' men. Hit ID skeer that
sandy faced govnor over there till he'd
think his backbone was a-comin' out'n
i'm by the roots"
= Clark laughed, but his face showed
that the old mans suggestion struck
him forclbly and seriously.
wen see about that presently,
Oncle Jazon. Wait till we reach the
| hill yonder, from which the whole town
can observe our maneuvers; then Wen
try it, maybe"
| Once more the men were lined up,
the roll call gone through with salts
factorily and the question put;
"Are we ready for another plunge
through the mud and waterT
The answer came In the Affirmative,
with a unanlmity not to be mistaken.
The weakest heart Of them all beat
TO the time OF the charge step. Again
Clark and Beverley clasped hands and
took the lead.
When they reached the next high
ground they gazed in silence across the
slushy prairie plot to where, on a
slight elevation, old Vincennes ana
Fort Sackville lay In full view.
Beverley stood apart. A rush OF sen
sations affected him so that he shook
like one whose strength was gone. His
vision was blurred. Fort and town,
swimming in a mist, were silent and
still. Save the British flag twinkling
above Hamilton's headquarters moth
ing indicated that the place was not
deserted. And Alice? With the sweet
names echo Beyerley's heart bounded
high, then sank huttering at the recol-
lection that she was either yonder at
the mercy OF Hamilton or already the
victim OF an unspeakable cruelty. Was
It weakness for him to lift his clasped
hands heayenward and send up voice
less prayer?
A little later Clark approached hastl-
ly and said:
II have been looking for you. The
march has begun. Bowman and
Charleville are moving, Come; there's
no time to lose"
CHAPTER XVIII.
DUEL BY MOONLIGHT.
W~ WHEN Hamilton after running