The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-15

quently said in his presence that the
enemy would take it down if they
captured the fort.
Alice heard his inquisitive VOICE,
but it seemed to come from far off,
his words were a part Of the strange,
wild swirl in her bosom. Beverley's
look, as he turned and left her, now
shook every chord of her being. He
lad gone to his death at her COM
mand. How strong and true and
brave he wasi In her imagination she
saw the flag above him, saw him die
like a panther at bay, saw the gay
rag snatched down and torn to shreds
by savage hands. 1t was the tragedy
of a single moment, enacted in a
f1ashlight of anticipation.
She released Jean so suddenly that
he fell 10 the floor. She remembered
what she had said to Beverley on the
night Of the dance when they were
standinf under the flag.
You made it and set it up" he
lightly remarked; you must see that
no enemy ever gets possession OF it,
especially the English
III take it down and hide it when
there's danger of that" she said in
the same spirit.
And now she stood there looking at
Jean, without seeing him, and repeat
ed the words under her breath.
I'll take it down and hide it. They
shan't have it,
Madame RoussilIon began to call
from the other room in a loud, COM
planning voice, but Alice gave no heed
to her querulous demands.
Stay here, Jean, and take care Of
Mama Roussillon," she presently said
10 the hunchback. "I am going out;
I'll be back soon; don't you dare leave
the house while I'm gone; do you
hear?"
She did not wait for his answer;
but snatching a hood-like fur cap
from a peg on the wall, she put it on
and hastily left the house.
Down at the fort Helm and Bever
ley We're making ready to resist Ham
ilton's attack, which they knew would
not be long deferred. The two heavily
charged cannon were planted so as
to cover the space in front of the
gate. and some loaded muskets were
ranged near by ready for use.
Wen give them one hell of a
blast" growled the Captain, before
they OverpOwer US"
Beverley made no response in
words. but he was preparing a bit Of
finder on the end Of a stick with
which to fire the cannon. Not far
away a little heap Of logs was burn
ing in the forts area.
The British officer. already men
toned as at the head of the line ad-
vancing diagonally from the rivers
bank. halted his men at a distance of
three hundred yards from the fort and
seemed to he taking a deliberately
careful survey of what was before
him.
Let 'em come a little nearer, Lieu
tenant" said Helm, his jaw setting
itself like a lions. when we shoot
we want to hit"
He stopped and squinted along his
gun.
when they get to that weedy spot
out yonder," he added. "just opposite
the little rise in the river bank. we'll
turn loose on EN-"
Beverly had arranged his primitive
match to suit his fancy. and for proba.
bly, the twentieth time looked crit
cally to the powder in the beveled
tCuch-hOle Of his old cannon. He and
Helm were facing the enemy, with their
backs to the main area Of the stock
rF-h
tracted their attention to the rear.
ANY room for a Teller o. nv size
in this here crowded placer" It de-
manded in a cracked but cheerful
tenor. I'm kind O. outen breath a
runnin' to git here"
They turned about. It was Oncle
Jazon with his long rifle on his Shout
De- and wearing a very important air
He spoke in English, using the back.
woods lingo with the ease of long
practice
LAS rs a comm in f'om a huntin'
I tuck notice at somepin' was up.
see a lot O. boats on the river an some
fellers wi guns a scootin' around, so
I jes' slipped by EN- all an come in
the back way. They'se plenty Of EN-.
1 tell you what! 1 can't shoot much,
but I tuck one chance at a buck In
dian out yander and jes' happened to
hit i'm in the lef' eye. He was one
OF the gang at scalped me down yam
der in Kaintuck"
The greasy old sinner looked as If
he had not been washed since he was
born. He glanced about with furtive.
shifty eyes, grimaced and winked,
after the manner Of an animal just
waking from lazy nap.
Where's the rest O. the fighters?"
he demanded quizzically, JolIing out
his tongue and peeping past Helm so
as to get a glimpse of the English line
where's yer garrison? Have they
al gone to breakfast"
The last question set Helm Off again
cursing and swearing in the most
IneIodramataic rage.
Once Jazon turned to Beverly and
said in rapid French: Surely the
mans not going to fight those fellows
yonder?"
Beverly nodded rather gloomily.
We'll" added the old man, finger
ing his rifles stock and taking another
glance through the gate. Il can't shoot
wo'th a cent, bein' sort o. nervous
like; but III stan by We awhile, jes
fo@ luck. I might accidentally hit one
of EN-
When a man is truly brave himself
there is nothing that touches him like
an exhibition Of absolutely unselfsh
gameness in another. A rush of adj
miration for Oncle JaZon made BeVer-