The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-04-13

beast, ROPER, mur0erer!
he cried. in his keen,
screech-owl voice. "I'n git thet scelp
O. your'n afore shutdown, see-'f don'ti
Te onery gal-killer an ha'r buyer!"
The blood in Hamilton's veins
caught no warmth from these -
marks; but he held his head high and
passed stolidly on, as if he did not
heard a word. Helm turned the tail
of an eye upon Oncle Jazon and gave
him droll, quizzical wink Of ap-
prevail In response the old man
with grotesque solemnity drew his
huokhorn handled knife, licked its
blade and returned it to its sheath
a bit Of pantomime we'll understood
and keenly enjoyed by the unlocking
creoles.
'Putoisl coquinr' they jeered. "gou.
jat! poltron!"
Beverley heard the haunting racket.
but did not realize It, which was well
enough, for he could not have re-
strained the bitter effervescence He
stood like a statue, gazing fixedIy at
the now receding figure, the lofty,
hate Of hates. Clark had requested
him TO be present at the conference
in the church; but he declined, feeling
that he could not meet Hamilton and
restrain himself Now he regretted
his refusal, half wishing that-no
he could not assassinate an enemy
under white flag. In his heart he
prayed that there would be no sur
render. that Hamilton would reject
every offer. To storm the fort and
revel in butchering its garrison
seemed the only desirable thing left
for him in life.
Father Beret was. indeed, present
at the church. as Hamilton had dread
ed: and the two duelists gave each
other a rapier-like eye thrust. Neither
spoke, however, and Clark immediate
" demanded a settlement of the mat
ter in hand He was brusque AMI
imperious to q degree, apparently
rather anxious to repel every peace
fuI advance.
It was a Iaconic interview. crisp
as autumn fee and bitter as gallber-
ries. Colonel Clark had no respect
whatever for Hamilton. to whom he
had applied the imperishable adjec-
tive "hair-buyer General" On the
other hand Governor Hamilton. who
felt keenly the disgrace of having to
equalize himself officially and discuss
terms of surrender with a rough back
yvoodsman, could not conceal his con-
tempt Of Clark.
The five men of history, Hamilton,
Helm. Hay, Clark and Bowman, were
not distinguished diplomats They
went at their work rather after the
hammer-and- tongs fashion. Clark
bluntIy demanded unconditional sur
render. Hamilton refused. They ar
gued the matter Helm put in his
oar. trying to soften the situation, as
was his custom on all occasions, and
received from Clark a singing rep
rinand. with the reminder that he
was nothing but a prisoner on parole.
and had no voice at all in settling the
terms of surrender.
81 release him. sir" said Hamilton.
He is no longer a prisoner I am
quite willing to have Captain Helm
ioin freely in our conference"
And I refuse to permit his accept
ance of your favor" responded Clark.
Captain Helm. you viii return with
Mr.. Hamilton to the fort and remain
his captive until I free you by force.
Meantime hold your tongue"
Father Beret, suave looking and
Quiet. occupied himself at the little
alter. apparently altogether Indifferent
TO what was being said; but he lost
not word OF the talk.
OUT habet audiendi. audiat," he in
wardly repeated. smiling blandly.
"Gaudete in lila die. ct exultate"'
Hamilton rose to go; deep lines Of
worry creased his face: but when the
party had passed outside. he suddenly
turned upon Clark and said:
why do you demand impossible
terms Of me?"
II viii tell you, sir was the stern
answer, in tone in which there was
no mercy or compromise. 81 would
rather have you refuse. desire moth
ing so much as an excuse to wreak
full and bloody vengeance on every
man in that fort who has engaged in
the business Of employing savageS to
scalp brave, patriotic men and defense
less women and children. The cries
Of the widows and the fatherless on
our frontiers require the blood of the
Indian partisans at my hands. II you
choose to risk the massacre of your
garrison to save those despicable red
handed partisans. have your pleasure.
What you have done you know better
than do. 1 have a duty to perform.
You may be able to soften its nature.
I may take it into my head to send
for some Of our bereaved women to