Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-08-04

"T,tUe Zhorzh VdSintonr'
he exclaimed. "Ef it amt I'm
squaw!'
Nor did he parley further on the sub
ject, but set off at a rickety trot to
meet and assist the tagged and excited
young man.
Clark had given Oncle JaZon his
flask, which contained a few gills of
whisky. This was the first thing Of
fered to Beverley, who wisely took
but Il swallow. Oncle JaZon was so
elated he waved his cap on high and,
unconsciously falling into French, yell
ed in piercing voice:
''Vive Zhorzh Vasintonl Vive Ia
banniere dAlice Roussillonr'
Seeing Beverley reminded him of
Alice and the flag AS for Beverley,
the sentiment braced him and the be-
loved name brimmed his heart with
sweetness.
Clark went to meet them as they
came in. He hugged the gaunt lieu
tenant with genuine fervor of joy,
while Oncle JaZon ran around them
making a series of grotesque capers.
The whole command, hearing Oncle
Jazon's patriotic words, set up a wild
shouting on the spur of general i'm
preston that Beverley came as a mes
senger bearing glorious news from
Washington's army in the east.
1t was a great relief to Clark when
he found out that his favorite lieuten-
ant had not broken his parole, but had
instead boldly resurrendered himself
declaring the obligation no longer bind
ing and notifying Hamilton of his in
tention to go away with the purpose
of returning and destroying him and
his command Clark laughed heartily
when this explanation brought out
Beverley's tender interest in Alice, but
he sympathized cordially, for he him
self knew what love is.
Although Beverley was half starved
and still suffering from the kicks and
blows given him by Long Hair and his
warriors, his eXhausting run on the
trail of Clark and his band had not
worked him serious harm. All of the
officers and men did their utmost to
serve him. He was feasted without
stint and furnished with everything
that the scant supply Of clothing on the
pack horses could afford for his COM
fort He promptly asked for an as
signment to duty in his company and
took his place with such high enthusi-
asm that his companions regarded him
with admiring wonder. None of them
save Clark and Oncle JaZon suspected
that love for fair haired girl yonder
In Vincennes was the secret of his
amazing zeal and intrepidity.
In one respect Clarks expedition was
sadly lacking in its equipment for the
march. 1t had absolutely no means of
transporting adequate supplies. The
pack horses We're not able to carry
more than a little extra ammunition,
few articles of clothing, some sim
pie cooking utensils and such tools as
were needed in improvising rafts and
canoes Consequently, although buf
falo and deer were sometimes plentiful,
they furnished nc lasting supply Of
meat, because it could not be trans
ported, and as the army neared Vim
cennes wild animals became scarce, SO
llldl llc lltll Dt-ttli ~ ouAANA LAbAAA hNAA
ger when within but few days of
their journeys end.
Clark made almost superhGman eff
forts in urging forward his chilled, wa
ter soaked, footsore command. To-
ward the end of the long march de-
cded fall of temperature added ice
to the water through which our daunt-
less patriots waded and SWAN for
miles. The wind shifted northwestern
ly, taking on Il searching chill. Each
gust, indeed, seemed to shoot wintry
splinters into the very marrow of the
mems bones. The weaker ones began
to show the approach of utter eXhaus-
ton Just at the time when final squirt
of unflinching power was needed.
True they struggled heroically, but ma
ture was nearing the ineXorable limit
of endurance. Without food, which
there was no prospect of getting, col
lapse was sure to come.
Standing nearly waist deep in freeZ-
ing water and looking out upon the
muddy, sealike flood that stretched far
away to the channel of the Wabash
and beyond, Clark turned to Beverley
and said, speaking low, so as not to
be overheard by any other of his Of
ficers or men:
as it possible, Lieutenant Beverley,
that we are to fail, with Vincennes al
most in sight of usF'
mo, sir, it is not possible" was the
firm reply Nothing must, noti,in"
can, stop us. Look at that brave child!
| He sets the heroic example"
Beverley pointed as he spoke at
boy but fourteen years old, who was
using his drum as a float to bear him
up while he courageously swan beside
| the men.
Clark's clouded face cleared once
more. you are right" he said. Come
on We must win or die!''
Sergeant Dewitt" he added. turning
| to an enormously tall and athletic man
near by, take that little drummer and
| his drum on your shoulder and lead the
way, and, sergeant, make him pound
that drum. like the devil beating tan
| BARK
| The huge man caught the spirit of
his commanders order. In twinllling
| he had the boy astride of his neck with
| the kettledrum resting on his head.
and then the rattling music began.
Clark followed, pointing onward with
his sword. The half frozen and totter-
ing soldiers sent up shout that went
back to where Captain Bowman was
bringing up the rear under orders to