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

Major Hay, who was Hamilton'S In
dian agent, now, with some difficulty
clearing his throat, spoke up.
Pray, SIR said he, who is it that
you call Indian partisans?"
Sir" replied Clark. seeing that his
words had gone solidly home, 81 take
Major Hay to be one of the princi-
pals"
This seemed to strike Hay with
deadly force. Clark's report says
that he was pale and trembling.
Hamilton blushed, and, l observed.
was much affected at his behavior
Doubtless, if the doughty American
commander had known more about
the Governors feelings just then.
he would have added that an awful
fear, even greater than the Indian
agents, did more than anything else
to congest the veins in his face.
The parties separated without
reaching an agreement; but the end
had come The terror in Hanilton's
soul was doubled by a wild scene
enacted under the walls of his fort:
in this story, strong as its historical
interest unquestionably is, must be
but outlined. A party of Indians re-
turning from a scalping expedition
in Kentucky and along the Ohio, was
captured on the outskirts of the town
by some Of Clark's men, who pro.
ceeded to kill and scalp them within
full view of the beleaguered garrison,
after which their nangled bodies were
flung into the river.
If the British commander needed
further wine Of dread to fill his cap
withal, it was furnished by an os
tentatious marshaling of the Ameri-
can forces for a general assault. His
spirit broke completely, so that it
looked like a godsend to him when
Clark finally offered terms Of honor
able surrender, the consummation of
which was to be postponed until the
following morning. He accepted
promptly. appending to the articles of
capitulation the following reasons for
his action: The remoteness from sue
cor; the state and quantity or pro
visions, etc. unanimity of officers and
men in its expediency; the honorable
terms allowed: and lastly, the con
fidence in a generous enemy
Confidence in a generous enemy,
AFFECT fear of the vengeance just
wreaked upon his savage enissaries
would have been the true statement.
Beverley read the paper when Clark
sent for him: but he could not join
in the extravagant delight of his Eel
low officers and their brave men.
What did all this victory mean to
him? Hamilton to be treated as an
honorable prisoner of war, permitted
to strut forth from the fort with his
sword ar his side. his head up-the
scalp buyer, the murderer OF Alice.
What was patriotism TO the crushed
heart of a lover? Even IL his vision
had been able to pierce the future and
realize the splendor of Anglo Saxon
civilization which was to follow that
little triumph at Vincennes, wha'
pleasure could it have afforded him
Alice. Alice, only Alice; no other
thought had influence. save the re
curing surge of desire for Venge-
ance upon her murderer.
And yet that night Beverley slept.
and so forgot his despair for many
hours, even dreamed pleasant dream
Of home, where his childhood was
spent, of the stately old house on the
breezy hilltop overlooking a sunny
plantation, with a little river lapsinS
and shimmering through 1t. His
mothers dear arms were around him.
her loving breath stirred his hair; and
his stalwart, gray-headed father sat
On the veranda comfortably smoking
his pipe. while away in the wide fields
the negroes sang at the plow and the
hoe. Sweeter and sweeter grew the
scene. softer the air. tenderer the
blending sounds of the water-murmur,
leaf-rustle, bird-song, and slave-song'
until hand in hand he wandered with
Alice in greening groves, where the
air was trembling with the ecstacy Of
spring.
A young officer awoke him with an
order from Clark to go on duty at
once with Captains Worthington and
Williams, who, under Colonel Clark
himself, were to take possession of the
fort Mechanically he obeyed The
sun was far up, shining between
clouds of a leaden, watery hue, by the
time everything was ready for the i'm
portant ceremony. Beside the main
gate of stockade two companies of
patriots under Bowman and McCarty
were drawn up as guards, while the
British garrison filed out and was
taken in charge. This bit of forTnality
ended, Governor Hamilton. attended
by some of his officers, went back in
TO the fort and the gate was closed
Clark now gave orders that prepare
tons be made for hauling down the
British flag and hosting the young
Tanner of liberty in its place, when
everything should be ready for a
salute of thirteen guns from the cap
tured battery.
Helms round face was beanling.
Plainly 1t showed that his happiness
was supreme. He dared not say any
thing, however; for Clark was now all
sternness and Formally; it would be
dangerous to take any liberties; but
he could smile and roll his quid of
tobacco from cheek TO cheek.
Hamilton and Farnsworth, the lat
ter slightly wounded in the left arm.
which was bandaged, stood together
somewhat apart from their fellow Of
ficers, while preliminary steps for
celebrating their defeat and capture
were in progress. They looked for
Iorn enough to have excited deep
sympathy under fairer conditions.
Outside the fort the creoles were
beginning a noise of jubilation. The