The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-14
kkY ne is right" said Beverley,
- after a few moments of
Il reflection, during which

ne was wholly occupied
with Alice, whose terrified face in his
anticipation appealed to him from the
midst of bowling savages, smoking
cabins and mangled victims of lust
and massacre. His Imagination
painted the scene with a merciless
realism that chilled his blood. All the
sweet romance fell away from Vim
Cennes.
We'll. sir, right or wrong, your
duty Is to obey orders" said Helm
with brutal severity.
We had better not quarrel, Cap
tain" Beverley replied. I have not
signified any unwilhngness to obey
your commands. Give them. and you
Will have no cause to grumble."
Forgive me. old fellow" cried the
impulsive commander. Il know you
are true as steel s'pose I'm
wound up too tight to be polite. But
the time Is come to do something.
Here we are with but five or six
men"
He was interrupted by the arrival
Of two more half-breed scouts.
Only three miles away was q large
dOtiIla Of boats and canoes with can
non, a force of Indians on land and
the British flag hying-that was the
report
They are moving rapidly" said the
spokesman, and VIII be here very
soon They are at least six hundred
strong. all well armed"
Push that gun to the gate, and
load it TO the muzzle, Lieutenant Bev-
erley," Helm ordered with admirable
hrmness, the purple flush in his face
giving way to a grayish pallOr. I'VE
are going to die right here, or have
the honors Of war"
Beverley oBeyed without a word He
even loaded two guns instead of one
charging each 50 heavily that the last
wad looked as If ready TO leap from
the gT1my mouth.
Helm had already begun, on re-
ceiving the first report, a hasty letter
to Colonel Clark at Kaskaskia- He
now added a few words and at the
last moment sent It out by a trusted
man, who was promptly captured by
Hamilton'5 advance guard. The
missive, evidently written in install
ments during the slow approach Of
the British, IS still in the Canadian
archives, and runs thus:
Dear Sir-At this time there is an
army within three miles Of this place;
I heard Of their coming several days
beforehand I sent spies to find the
certainty-the spies being taken
prisoner I never got intelligence till
they got within three miles Of town.
As I had called the militia and had
all assurances Of their integrity
ordered at the firing of a cannon
every man to appear. but I saw but
few. Captain Buseron behaved much
to his honor and credit, but I doubt
the conduct OF a certain gent. Excuse
haste, as the army is in sight. Ny
determination is to defend the gar
rison, (sic) though I have but twenty
one men. but what has left me- 7
refer you TO Mr.. VINES (sicl for the
rest. The army IS within three
hundred yards Of the village. You
must think how I feel; not four men
that I really depend upon; but am
determined to act brave-think Of my
condition. I know II is out Of my
power to defend the town. as not one
Of the militia viii take arms, though
before sight Of the army no drawer
men. There is a flag at a small
distance. 7 must conclude
Your humble servant,
LeO'd Helm
Must stop"
ITO Colonel Clark
Having completed this task, he
letter shows under what a nervous
strain, Helm turned to his lieutenant
and said: