The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-19

exceedingly unpleasant experiences
he made life well-nigh uncomfortable
to those upon whom his dislike
CHANGED to fall. Beverley quickly felt
that it was going to be very difficult
for him and Hamilton to get along
agreeably. With Helm it was quite
different; smoking. drinking, playing
cards, telling good stortes-in a word.
rude and not unfrequentlyl boisterous
conviviality drew him and the cam,
mandant together.
Under Captain Farnsworth's imme-
diate supervision the fort was soon in
excellent repair and a large block
house and comfortable quarters for
the men were built. Every day added
to the strength of the works and to
the importance Of the post as a stra-
tegic position for the advance guard
of the British army:
Hamilton was ambitious to prove
himself conspicuously valuable to his
country. He was dreaming vast
dreams and laying large plans. The
Indians were soon anxious to gain
his favor; and to find them securely
to him he offered liberal pay in rum
ard firearms, blankets, trinlets and
ammunition for the scalps Of rebels.
He kept this as secret as possible
from his prisoners; but Beverly soon
suspected that a traffic in hair" as
the terrible business had been named,
was going on. Savages came In from
far away with scalps yet scarcely dry
dangling at their belts. 1t made the
young Virginians blood chill In his
heart. and he regretted that he had
given Hamilton his parole Of honor
not to attempt to escape.
Among the Indians occasionally re-
porting to Hamilton with their CHASTITY
but valuable trophies was Long Hair.
who slipped into the fort and out
again rather warily, not having much
confidence in those Frenchmen who
had once upon time given him
memorable run for his life.
Winter shut down, not cold, but
damp. changeable. raw. The work
on the fort was nearly completed, and
Rene de Ronville would have soon
been relieved Of his servile and ex-
asperating employment under the
Irish Corporal; but just at the point
Of time when only a few days work
remained for him, ne became furious,
on account Of an insulting remark,
and struck the Corporal over the head
with a handspike. This happened IN
a wood some miles from town. where
he was loading logs upon a sled. There
CHANGED TO be no third person present
when the deed was done, and some
hours passed before they found the
officer quite cold and stI1 beside the
sled His head was crushed TO a
pulp.
Hamilton, now thoroughly exasper.
ated. began 10 look upon the French
inhabitants Of Vincennes as all Ike NJ
Roussluou and Rene, but waiting for
an opportunity to strike him I'M
awares. He increased his military
vigilance. ordered the town patrolled
day and night, and forbade public
gatherings Of the citizens. while at the
same time ne forced them to furnish
him a large amount Of provisions.
When little Adrienne .Bourcier heard
Of Rene's terrible act, followed by his
successful escape to the woods ard
of the tempting reward offered by
Hamilton for his scalp, she ran TO
RoussIllon place weIl-nlEh crazed with
excitement She had always depended
upon Alice for advice, encouragement
ana comfort in her troubles. but In the
present case there was not much that
her friend could do 10 cheer her. With
VI. Roussillon and Rene both fUgitives,
tracked by willy savages, a price on
-. cd
new dangers to the French inhabi-
tants Of Vincennes, no rosy view could
possibly be taken Of the situation.
Alice did her best, however, TO
strengthen her little friends faith In
a happy outcome She quoted what
she considered unimpeachable au-
thority to support her optimistic az
gument.
Lieutenant Beverly says that the
Americans VIII be sure to drive
Hamilton out Of Vincennes, or cap
ture him. Probably they are not so
very far away now, and Rene may
Join them and come back to help
punish these brutal Englishmen.
Don't you wish he would Adrienne7
wouldn't Il be romantic7"
He's armed. I know that" said
Adrienne. Frightening a little land
he's brave. Alice. brave as can be.
He came right back into town the
other night and got his gun and
pistols. He was at our house, too and.
OH"
She burst out crying again. 80
Alice! It breaks my heart to think
that the Indians VIII XII him. Do
you think they viii XIII him. Alice?"
Hell come nearer killing them"
said Alice confidently. with her strong
! warm arms around the tiny lass:
hes a good woodsman, a fine shot
he's not. so easy to kill, my dear. If
ne and Papa Roussillon should get
! together by chance they would be
match for all the Indians In the
country Anyway. l feel that it's
! much better for them to take their
chances in the woods than to be in the
| hands Of Governor Hamilton If I
were a man Ia do just as Papa
Roussillon and Rene did; I'd break
the bigOted head Of every English
man that mistreated me. I'll do It..
girl as I am, il they annoy me, sec
II don't"
She was thinking Of Captain Farms
worth. who had been from the first
untfring in his efforts to gain some
thing more than a passing acquaint-
ance As yet he had not made him
/ self unbearable; but Alice's fine in
tuition led her to the conclusion that