Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 274, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 March 1923 — Page 8

8

Alice of Old Vincennes By Maurice Thompson COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY ALICE LEE THOMPSON

BEGIN HERE ALICE, foster daughter ol GASPARD ROUSSILLON, was loved by ETTZHUGH BEVERLEY. American Army officer, who with CAPTAIN HELM, surrendered Vincennes to the English general, ■GOVERNOR HAMILTON, during the Kevo- ’ lutionary War. Twenty picked savages headed by LONG HAIR were scut to find Beverley, who escaped. Roussillon, also a fugitive from Vincennes. stole home to see his family when Hamilton's pairolmin rushed in. Roussillon escaped and Alice wounded one assailant before FARNSWORTH. English lieutenant arrlvea, but because of his infatuation for Alice hesitated to surrender her to Hamilton. In the meantime Beverley met two friends. SIMON KENTON and ONCLE JAZON. who intended going with him to Kaskaskia to ask help from COLONEL GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. THE three men were at the moment eating the well-broiled venison. Oncle Jazon’s puckered lips and chin were dripping with the fragrant grease and juice, which also flowed down his. sinewy, claw-like fingers. Overhead In the bare tops of the scrub oaks that covered the prairie oasis, the February wind sang a shrill and doleful song. Beverley started as if a blow had been aimed at him. Oncle Jazon’s question, indeed, was a blow as unexpected as it was direct and powerful. “I know It’s poo’ty p’inted,” the old man added after a short pause, “an’ ye may think 'at I ain’t got no business askin’ it; but I have. That lectio gal’s a pet o’ mine, an’ I'm a lookin' after her, an’ expectin' to see ’at she's not bothered by nobody who's not goin’ to do right by her. Marryin’ is a mighty good thing, but ” “What do ye know about matrimony, ye old raw-headed bachelor?” demanded Kenton, who felt impelled to relieve Beverley of the embarrassment of an answer. “Ye wouldn't know a wife from a sack o’ meal!” “Now don’t git too peart an’ fast, SI Kenton,” cried Oncle Jazon, glaring truculently at his friend, but at the same time showing a dry smile that seemed to be hopelessly entangled in criss-cross wrinkles. “Who told yo I was a bach lor? Not by a big jump. I've been married mighty nigh on to twenty times In my day. Mos'ly Injuns, o’ course; but a squaw’s a wife w"en ye marries her, an’ I know how it hurts a gal to be dis’pinted in sieh a matter. That’s w*y I put the question I did. I’m not goin’ to let no man give sorry to that little Roussillon gal; an’ so ye've got my say. Ye seed her raise that flag on the fort. Lieutenant Beverley, an’ ye seed her take it down an’ git away wi’ it. You know ’at she deserves nothin’ but the best! an’ by the Holy Virgin, she’s got to have it, or I’m a goin' to know several reasons why. Thet's what made mo put the question straight to ye, young man. an’ I expects a straight answer.” Beverley’s face paled; but not with anger. He grasped one of Oncle Jazon's greasy hands and gave it such a squeeze that the old fellow grimaced painfully. “Thank you, Oncle Jazon. thank you!” he said, with a peculiar husky burr In his voice. “Alice will never suffer if I can help it. Let the subject drop now, my friend, until we have saved her from the hands of Hamilton.” In the power of his emotion he continued to grip the old man’s hand with increasing severity of pressure. “Ventrebleu! let go! Needn't smash a feller’s fingers "bout it!” screeched Oncle Jazon. "I can’t shoot wo’th a cent, nohow, an’ es ye cripple up my trigger-finger—” Kenton had been peeping under the low-hanging scrub-oak boughs while Oncle Jazon was speaking these last words; and now ho suddenly Interrupted: “The devil! look yonder!” he growled out In startling tone. “Injuns!” It was a sharp snap of the conversation’s thread, and at the same time our three friends realized that they had been careless in not keeping a better look-out. They let fall the meat they had not yet finished eating and seized their guns. Five or six dark forms moving toward them across a little point of the prairie that cut into the wood a quarter of a mile distant. “Yander’s more of ’em,” said Oncle Jazon, as if not In the least concerned, wagging his head In an opposite direction, from which another squad was approaching. That he duly appreciated the situation appeared only in the celerity with which he acted. Kenton at once assumed command, and his companions felt his perfect fitness. There was no doubt from the first as to what the Indians meant; but even if there had been it would have soon vanished; for in less than three minutes twenty-one savages

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were swiftly and silently forming a circle inclosing the spot where the three white men, who had covered themselves as best they could with trees, waited in grim steadiness for the worst. Quite beyond gunshot range, but near enough for Oncle Jazon to recognize Long-Hair as their leader, the Indians halted and began making signs to one another alj round the line. Evidently they dreaded to test the marksmanship of such riflemen as they knew most bolder men to be. Indeed, Long-Hair had personal knowledge of what might certainly be expected from both Kenton and Oncle Jazon; they were terrible when out for fight; the red warriors from Georgia to the great lakes had heard Os them; their names smacked of tragedy. Nor was Beverly without fame among Lcng-llair's followers, who had listened to the story of his fighting quail ties, brought to Vincennes by the two survivors of the scouting party so cleverly defeated by him. “The liver-colored cowards,” said Kenton, “are afeard of us in a shootin’r.iatch; they know that a lot of ’em would have to die if they should undertake an open fight with us. It's some sort of a sneakin’ game they are studyin’ about just now.” “I'm a gittin’ mos’ too ole to shoot wo’th a cent." said Oncle Jazon, “but I'd give half o’ my scalp es thet LongHftir would come dost enough fo’ me to git a bead onto his lef eye. It's toi-ble plain 1 'at we're gone goslins this time, I'm thinkin'; still it'd ba mighty satisfyin' if 1 could piilg out a lef' eye or two ’fore I go.” Beverly was silent; the words of his companions were heard by him, but not noticed. Nothing interested him save the thought of escaping and making his way to Clark. To fail meant Infinitely more than death, of which he had as small fear as most brave men, and to succeed meant everything that life could oiler. So, in the unlimited selfishness of love, he did not take his companions into ac-, count. The three stood in a close set, clump j of four or five scrub oaks at the high- i fcst point of a thinly wooded knoll i that sloped down In all directions to the prairie. Their view was wide, but in places obstructed by the trees. “.Men, ’ said Kenton, after a thoughtful and watchful silence, “the thing looks kind o’ squally for us. 1 don't see much of a glance to get out of tins alive; but we've got to try.” He showed by the density of his voice and a certain gray film in his face that he felt the awful gravity of the situation; but he was calm and not a muscle quivered. “They’s jes’ two chances for us," said Undo Jazon, “an’ them's as slim as a broom straw. AY’ 'go got to stan’ here an' fight it out, or wait till night an' sneak through -at ween ’em an - run for it.” “I don’t see any hope o’ sneakin’ ] through the line.” observed Kenton, "it's not goin’ to be dark tonigut.” “YVa-a-1," Uncle Jazon drawled nonchalantly while he. look in a quid of tobacco, “I’ve been into tighter squeezes 'an this, many a time, an’ 1 got out, too.” “Likely enough,” said Kenton, still reflecting while his eyes roamed around the circle of savage. “I fit the skunks In Ferginny 'fore you's thought of, Si Kenont, an’ down in Car'lina in them hills. If ye think I’m a goin’ to be scalped where they ain't no scalp, ‘ithout tryin! a few &odges, yer a dad dasteder fool an’ 1 used to think yo was, an’ that's makin’ a lag compliment to ye. ’ “Well, we don’t have to argy this question, Oncle Jazon; they’re a gittin’ ready to run in upon us, and we've got to fight. 1 say, Beverley, are ye ready for fast shootin'? Have yo got a plenty of bullets?” “Yes, Roussillon gave, me a hundred. I)o you think —” He was interrupted by a yell that leaped from savage mouth to rnou’h j ali around the circle, and then the charge began. “Steady, now,” growled Kenton, “let’s not be in a hurry. Wait till they come nigh enough to hit ’em before we shoot.” The time was short; for the Indians came on at almost race-horse speed. Oncle Jazon fired first, the long, keen crack of his small-bore rifle splitting the air with a suggestion of vicious energy, and a lithe young warrior, who was outstripping all his fallows, leaped high and fell paralyzed. “Can't shoot wo’th a cent," muttered the old man, deftly beginning to reload his gun the while; “but I jes' happened to hit thg.t buck. He’ll never git my scalp, thet’s sartin an' sure.” Beverley and Kenton each likewise dropped an Indian, but the shots did not even check the rush. Long-Hair had planned to capture his prey, not kill it. Every savage' had his orders to take the white men alive; Hamilton's larger reward depended on this. Right on they came, as fast as their nimble legs could carry them, yelling like demons; and they reached the grove before the white men could reload their guns. Then every warrior took, cover behind a tree and began scrambling forward from bole to bole, thus approaching rapidly without much exposure. “Our 'taters Is roasted brown," muttered Oncle Jazon. He crossed himself. Possibly ho prayed; but lie was priming his old gun the next Instant. Kenton fired again, making a hurried and Ineffectual attempt to stop the nearest warrior, who saved himself by quickly skipping behind a tree. Beverley’s gun snapped, the flint failing to make fire: but Oncle Jazon bored a little hole through the head of the Indian nearest him; and then the final rush was made from every direction. A struggle ensued, which for desperate energy has probably never been✓ surpassed. Like three lions at bay, the white men met the shock, and lion-like they fought in the midst of seventeen stalwart and determined savages. “Don’t kill them, take them alive; throw them down and hold them!” was Dong-Hair's order loudly shouted In the tongue of his tribe. Both Kenton and Jazon understood every word and knew the significance of such a command from the leader. It naturally came into Kenton's mind that Hamilton had been informed of his visit to Vincennes and had offeree a reward for his capture. This being true, death as a spy would be the certain result if he were taken back. He might as well die now. As for Bevarley, he thought only of Alice,

DOINGS OF THE DUEFS—

g; v *—.••** .u-y; <'yj\ (Vi YOU TOLD THE ] DON’T A Aa/ELL, COME ON V.p CgSP v -1 THE TEACHER A LIE J DIDY THAT THE REASON YOU BELIEVE IT! j/ I’LL PROVE IT 'NOW DO -Sk E rTJ HEB not ° { UT L _/ (To VCD |K> A Voo BELIEVE )I !->■- DAY WHAT DID I SAY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS / * _ * I V SECOND \ ■ ME.P > | f\ \ r \ THAT WAS A HFp 1 WAS. BECAUSE YOU HAD / HAVE GOT { M. / | " > —ip —

r ( VOOD HAvE- A BETTER CHANCE.\ S -TO &YA.L'Tf-VA~T' HOR&E...IF YOO ) \ YOOK “THAT QUILT OFF HIM / l €>o PEOPLE COUUDSEEWOr) HUE.’f OATG JTS XACHTY WM&ReN \ AH DonT 'CtREE. Witz. YOO j

1 JjLibAl DAYS IS GONE FOREVER—

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lah, I,Y^ 1 o|F.luv’ -=jT r |||l Q, 11 TOBACCONIST - PIPE CLCAME<tg. Cil£t r Mr , Mn . ITY^T n f looks Like Y ! adverti sjaig j- \ th'cr/me \ Cyou scheme-' / SOME CULPRIT STOLE THE BUNDLE OF WOODEN OI OARS OUT OP THE HAND OF THE /NDIAN T YIN FRONT OF THE C.QAR STogE .Nr,! SKBViCE 1

yonder as he had left her, a prisoner In Hamilton’s hands. Onclo Jazon, If he thought at all, probably considered nothing but present escape, though he prayed audibly to the Blessed Virgin, even while he lay helpless upon the ground, pinned down by the weight of an fcurmoua Indian. He could not part of himself, save his lips, mechanically put forth the supplication. Bevere&fcJid Kenton, being young

OUT OUR WAY—By WILLI AMS

THE OLD HOME TOWN—By STANLEY

and powerful, were not so easily mastered. For a while, indeed, they appeared to be more than holding their own. They time and time again scattered the entire crowd by the violence of their muscular efforts; and after it had finally closed in upon ’hem in a solid body they swayed and swung it back and forth and round and round until the writhing, savage mass looked as if caught in the vortex of a whirlwind. But such tremendous

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exertion could not last long. Eight to one made too great a difference between the contending parties, and the only possible conclusion of the struggle soon came. Seized upon by desperate, clinging, wolf-like assailants, the white men felt tlielr arms, legs and bodies weighted down. and tlieir strength fast going. Kenton fell next after Oncle Jazon, and was soon tightly bound with rawhide thongs. He lay on his back

Danny Points Out the Evidence

as?.stp!cwjng y 4 Dana ts on Tase A ( | cEE-uowwxu )r — ZITtJ ocmw'm' Otncz YA\O M TEM*s'mAiCUTTJROAKC> I FO2TUE2 DO vtfT K -OST H POROST ASM SoWSOKjE- W TUSW'Tb VOJg. LEFT AT m UAPTA GO VTT, \ C A'UTTIS btAV-.iA-rTAt SECOND OPtMIMC . R2EOHEST? X ) } VCMOW

Demonstrate This on Your Drum

Well THEVFIkJISHED \-AA : OA.-IJ.A- CAKi VoU ~w WHEkI THAT A TH'SUPER MOVIE 1 WAS 1 IMAGES “THAT' MOVIE 15 SHOW*) ; VJORKIUG tM, Akl 1 I GOT GO9U k'(lD-\ OkilOkl A MOVIE < 1W OkILV OUE HOLD OF A PIECE OFTH' C\ \ ACToR?- VF HS : WUOU SiT-tHRU • FILM- ITDoU’TsHOyjME EVERGETeA = rf *MJL WILL BB ItiTHIS, BECAUSE I WAS M BACK OF -m' STOWE 1 ?EItiGSHOT- BUT HOWVOUmP/ \WtffcßlkOUGtf! / I | VJAIT TLL VoU SEE TH' fvA’ ACROBATIC / ■—-1 j\ KOVIE AKi' KIoTE How; STUFF is If —"I I > \ l Hop overth 1 wall \ close pals/' i! j v Pis art"— (

panting and utterly exhausted, while Beverley still kept up the unequal fight, Long-Hair sprang in at the last moment to make doubly certain the securing of his important captive. He flung his long and powerful arms around Beverley from behind and made a great effort to throw him upon the ground. The young man, feeling this fresh and vigorous clasp, turned himself about to put forth one

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS—By BLOSSER

OUR BOARDING HOUSE —By AHERN

more mighty spurt of power. He lifted stretched Beverley face downward the stalwart Indian bodily and dashed and unconscious on the ground. The him headlong against the buttressed ravages turned him over and looked root of a tree half a rod distant, satisfied when they found that he was breaking the smaller bone of his left not dead. They bound him with even forearm and well-nigh knocking him greater care than they had shown in senseless. securing the others, while Long-Hair It was a fine exhibition of manly stood by stolidly looking on, meanstrength; but there could be nothing time supporting his broken fore-arm gained by it. A blow on the back in his hand, of his head the next Instant (To Be Continued.)

TUESDAY, MARCH 27,1923

—By ALLMAN

—By AL POSEN