The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-04-06
Alice of Old Vincennes
By Maurice Thompson
coPYRIGHT, 1908 ALICE OMPsON

n one respect Clark's expedition
was sadly lacking in It's equip
ment for the march. It had alb
solutely no means Of transport
ing adequate supplies. The pack
horses were not able to carry
more than a little extra am
munition, a few articles OF clothing,
some simple cooking utensils and such
tools as were needed in improvising
RATS and canoes. Consequently al
though buffalo and deer were some
times plentiful, they furnished no
lasting supply OF meat, because il
could not be transported; and as the
army neared Vincennes wild animals
became scarce, so that the men began
to suffer from hunger when within
but a few days Of their journeys end.
Clark made almost superhuman ef-
forts IN urging forward his chilled,
water-soaked, foot-sore command; and
when hunger added its torture 10 the
already disheartening conditions, his
courage and energy seemed to burn
stronger and brighter. Beverley was
always at his side ready to undertake
any task. accept any risk: his ardOT
made his face glow, and he seemed TO
thrive upon hardships- The two men
were a source Of inspiration-their fol
lowers could not flag and hesitate
while under the influence OF their ex-
ample.
Toward the end Of the Ions march
a decided fall OF temperature added
ice to the water through which our
dauntless patriots waded and swan
for miles. The wind shifted north
westerly. taking on q searching chill
Each gust, indeed, seemed to shoot
wintry splinters into the very mar
row Of the mems bones. The weaker
ones began to show the approach of
utter exhaustion just at the time
when q final squirt Of unf1inching
power was needed. True, they strug-
gled heroically; but nature was near
ING the memorable limit Of endurance.
Without food, which there was no
prospect Of getting, collapse was sure
30 come.
Standing nearly waist-deep in freez-
ing water and looking out upon the
muddy sea-lil1s food that stretched
far away TO the channel Of the Wa
bash and beyond. Clark turned TO
Beverley and said, speaking low, so
as not to be overheard by any other
of his officers or men:
''Is It possible, Lieutenant Beverley,
that we are to fail, with Vincennes
almost in sight of Us?''
mo, sir. it is not possible" was
the firm reply. Nothing must. moth
ing can stop US. Look at that brave
child He sets the heroic example 4"
Beverley pointed, as he spoke, at a
boy but Il years old, who was using
his drum as a float to bear him up
while he courageously swan beside
the men.
Clark's cIouded face cleared once
more. ''You are right" he said
come on. we must win or die"
Sergeant Dewitt he added. turn
ing to an enormously tall and athletic
man near by. take that little drum
mer and his drum on your shoulder
and lead the way. And, sergeant,
make him pound that drum like the
devil beating tan-bar6!''
The huge man caught the spirit Of
his comander's order. In a twinkling
ne had the boy astride Of his neck with
the kettle-drUm resting on his head,
and then the rafting music began
Clark followed. pointing onward with
his sword The half frozen and tot
tering soldiers sent up a shout that
went back to where Captain Bowman
was bringing up the rear under or
ders TO shoot every man that strag-
gled or shrank from duty.
Now came a time when not a mouth
full Of food was left. a whole day they
foundered on. starving, growing
fainter at every step. the temperature
falling; the ice thlckening. They
camped on high land: and next morn
ing they heard Hsmilton's distant
sunrise gun boom over the water.
-"One-half- ration for the men" said
Clark, looking disconsolately in the
direction whence the sound had come.
Just five mouthfuls apiece. even. and
I'll have Hamilton and his fort with
in forty-efght hours"
I've win have the provisions,
Colonel, or I viii Gle trying 70 get
them Beverley responded Depend
upon me"
1ASg lL1l Cpi4SLA u~IoA SoAAA9 ta~AlO--
In which TO transport the weakest OF
the men.
It win take a dugout and some
picked fellows. We viii pun 20 the
wood yonder, and there we shall find
some kind Of game which has beer
forced to shelter from the high water
It was a cheerful view Of a forlOrT
hope. Clark grasped the hand TX
tended by Beverley and they looked
encouragement into each others eyes
Oncle Jazon volunteered to go In
the pirogue. He was ready for any
thing. everything.