The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-04-06
I thompson


whined, as they took their places in
the cranky pirogue; but might jes'
happen to kill a squirt or a elephant
or somepin mother"
Very well" shouted Clark in a
loud. cheerful voice, when they had
padded away to a considerable dis
lance, bring the meat to the woods
Oh the hill yonder," pointing to a dis
tant island-like ridge far beyond the
creeping flood. Wen be there ready
to eat iti'
He said this for the ears Of his men.
They heard and answered with a
struggling but determined chorus of
approval. They crossed the rolling
current of the Wabash by a tedious
process Of ferrying, and at last found
themselves once more wading in back
water up to their armpirs, breaking
ice an inch thick as they went. 1t
was the closing struggle to reacn the
high wooded lands. Many Of them fell
exhausted, but their stronger com
rades lifted them, holding their heads
above water, and dragged them on.
Clark, always leading. always inspir-
ing, was first to set foot on dry land
He shouted triumphantly, waved his
sword. and then fell to helping the
men out OF the freezing food This
accomplished, he ordered fires built:
but there was not a soldier of them
all whose hands could slasp an AK
handle so weak and numbed with
cold were they. He was not to be
bafled. however. If fire could not be
had, exercise must serve its purpose
Hastily pouring some powder into his
hand he dampened it and BACKED his
face. Victory, men, victory" he
shouted, taking off his hat and begin
ming to leap and dance. Come on,
Wen have a war dance and then a
feast, as soon as the meat arrives that
/ have sent for. Dance! you brave
lads, dance. Victory. victory"
The strong men. understanding
their COloners purpose. took hold Of
the delicate ones; and the leaping,
the capering. the tumult Of voices and
the stamping of slushy moccasins with
which they assaulted that stately for
est must have frightened every wild
Clark's irrepressible energy and op-
timism worked a yeritable charm upon
his faithful but almost dying com
paniOns in arms. Their trust In him
made them feel sure that food would
soon be forthcoming The thought
afforded a stimulus more potent than
wine: it drove them into an ectasy Of
frantic motion and shouting which
soon warmed them thoroughly.
It is said that fortune favors the
brave. The larger meaning Of the
sentence may be given thus God
guards those who deserve His protec-
ton. History tells us that just when
Clark halted his command almost i'm
sight Of Vincennes-iust when hunger
was about Go prevent the victory go
close to his grasp-a party Of his
scouts brought IN the haunch OF
buffalo captured from some Indians.
The scouts were Lieutenant Beverley
and Oncle Jazon. And with the meat
they brought Indian kettles In which
20 cook It.
With cOnsummate forethought Clark
arranged to prevent his men doing
themselves injury by boiling their
food or eating It haf-cooked. Broth
was first made and served hot; then
small bits OF we'll broiled steak were
doled out, until by degrees the fine
effect Of nourishment set IN, and all
the command felt the fresh courage
Of healthy reaction.
Il amt no gin'ral. nor corp'raI.
nor nothin'," remarked Oncle Jazon 20
Colonel Clark, but Is you I'd h list
up every dad-dlnged ole flag In the
regiment, Wen I got ready TO show
myself to EN-, an Ia make EN- think,
over yander at the fort. at I had
bout ninety thousan' men. HIT d
skeer that sandy-faced Gov'nor over
there TIL he'd think his back bone
was a comm out'n i'm by the roots"
Clark laughed, but HIS face showed
that the old mans suggestion struck
him fOrCibly and seriously.
Wen sec about that presently.
Oncle Jazon. Wait till we reach the
hill yonder, from which the whole
town can observe our maneuvers. then
Wen try It, maybe"
Once more the mon were lined up.
the roll call gone through with salts
factorily, and the question put:
Are we ready FOR another plunge
through the mud and water7"
The answer came IN the affirmative.
with a unanimity not to be mistaken.
/ The weakest heart Of them all beat TO
I the time of the charge step. Again
| Clark and Beverley clasped hands
and took the lead.
When they reached the next high
ground they gszed In silence across
/ a slushy prairie plot to where. on a
slight elevation, old Vincenues and
| Fort Sackville lay in full view.
| Beverley stood apart. A rush OF
! sensations affected him so that he
/ shook like one whose strength Is gone.
His vision was blurred. Fort and town
/ swimming in mist were silent and
/ stin. Save the British flag twinkllng
! above Hamilton's headquarters, moth
| ing indicated that the place was not
| deserted. And Alice? with the sweet
/ names echo Beverley's heart bounded
high. then sank fluttering at the recol-
/ lection that she was either yonder at
/ the mercy of Hamilton. or already the
/ victim Of an unspeakable cruelty. Was
| 1t weakness for him TO lift his clasped
/ hands heavenward and send UP a
/ voiceless prayer?
! While he stood thus OncIe Jazon
/ came softly to his side and touched
[ his arm. Beverley started.
THE mex thing II be to shoot the
/ everlastin' gizzards outen EN-, won't
| IT." the old man inquired. Tn jes'
a eetchin' to git Il grip onto that Gov