The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-04-11


and built up the great body of our
independence.
Beverly submitted to Clark's plan
with what patience he could, and all
night long fired shot for shot with the
best rif1emen in his squad. 1t was
a fatiguing performance, with ap-
parentIy little result beyond forcing
the garrison now and again to close
the embrasures, thus periodically 81
lencing the cannon. Toward the close
of the night a relaxation showed itself
in the shouting and firing all round
the line Beverley's men, especially
the creoles, held out braveIy in the
matter Of noise; but even they tagged
at length, their volatility simmering
down to desultory bubbling and half
sleepy chattering and chatting.
Beverley leaned upon a rude fence,
and for a time neglected to reload
his hot rifle. OF course he was think
ing of Alice,-he really could not
think in any other direction; but 1t
gave him a shock and a start when
he presently heard her name men
tiCned by a little Frenchman near him
on the left.
''Thereu never be another such a
girl in Post Vincennes as Alice Rous-
sillon," the fellow said in the soft
creole patols. land to think Of her
being shot like a dog"
And by a man who calls himself
Governor. too said another. "Ah,
as for myself, I'm in favor Of burn
ing him alive when we capture him.
That's mer'
EFT moi aussi," chimed in a third
voice. THAT poor girl must be
avenged. The man who shot her
must die. Holy Virgin. but If Gaspard
Roussfllon were only herep'
But he is here; 7 saw him just
after dark. He was in great fighting
temper, that terrible man. OUT! but
should not like TO be Colonel Hamil-
ton and fan in the way Of that
Gaspard RoUssillon"
"Morbleu, I should say not. You
may leave me out OF a chance like
that! I shouldn't mind seeing Gaspard
handle the Governor. though. All,
that would be too goood! He'd pay
him up for shooting Mademoiselle
Alice"
Beverley could scarcely hold himself
erect by the fence; the smoky, fOggy
landscape swan round him heavy and
strange. He uttered a groan, which
brought Oncle Jazon to his side in
q hurry.
Our avez-vous? What's the
matter?" the old man demanded with
quick sympathy. "Hev they hit ye?
Lieutenant. air We hurt much?"
Beverley did not hear the old mans
words. did not feel his kindly touchs
+ Alice, Alice" he murmured, dead,
dead"
"Ya-as." drawled Oncle Jazon, ct
hearn about it soon as 1 got inter
town It's a sorry thing, a mighty
sorry thing. But mebby I won't do
a little somepin' to that"
Beverley Strengthened himself and
/ lifted his gun, forgetting that he had
not reloaded it since firing last. He
/ leveled It at the fort and touched the
| trigger. simultaneously with his
movement an embrasure opened and
/ a cannon flashed. it's roar fanked on
/ either side by cracking of British
/ muskets. Some bullets struck the
/ fence and flung splinters into Oncls
/ JazOn's face. A cannon ball knocked
! a ridge pole from the roof of a house
/ hard by. and sent 1t whirling through
/ the air.
Observation-Disclosures apres? What the
/ devil next? Better knock Il feller's
/ eyes OUT the old man cried. Il
amt a doin nothin to ye.'
He capered around, clubbing his
/ leathery face after the manner Of a
/ scalded monkey. Beverley was struck
/ in the breast by a fiattened and spent
ball that glanced from a fence picket.
( The shock caused to stagger and
1 drop his gun; but he quickly picked It
up and turned to his companion.
Are you hurt, Oncle Jazon?" he
/ inquired. Are you hurt?"
Not a bit-jes' skeert mos into a
/ duck fir Thought 4 cannon ball had
/ knocked my whole dang face down my
/ throat, Nothin' but Il handful o.
/ splinters in my poorly count nance,
maxim my head feel ike a pore pine.
/ But I sort o thought I heard some
pin give you a diff"
Something did hit me-" said Bev.
/ erley. laying a hand on hts breast
but I don't think It was a bullet.
/ They seem to be getting our range at
last. Tell the men to keep we'll under
cover. They must not expose them
fselves until we are ready to charge
The shock had brought him back
to his duty as q leader OF his little
! company. and with the funeral bel
Of all his life's happiness tolling in his
agonized heart, he turned afresh 10
directing the fire upon the block
/ house.
About this time n runner came from
Clark with an order to cease firing
and let a returning party Of British
/ scouts under Captain Lamothe re-
/ enter the fort unframed A strange
order It seemed to both officers and
men; but it was implicitly Obeyed.
/ Clark's genius here made another fine
strategic flash. He knew that unless
he let the scouts 90 back into the
stockade they would escape by run
ming away. and might possibly or
| ganize an army Of Indians with which
to succor Hamilton. But II they were
! permitted to go inside they could be
captured with the rest OF the gar
. riSon hence his order.
A few minutes passed in dead ST.
/ lence; then Captain Lamothe and his
party marched close by where Bever
/ ley's squad was lying concealed. II
was a difficult task to restrain the
creoles. for some Of them hated Lam
othe Oncle Jazon squirmed like a