登陆注册
5383200000086

第86章 THE CAMPAIGN ENDS(1)

``If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.

``To Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton.''

So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton's house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

``Is that strong enough, gentlemen?'' he asked.

``To raise his hair,'' said Captain Charleville.

Captain Bowman laughed loudly.

``I reckon the boys will see to that,'' said he.

Colonel Clark folded the letter, addressed it, and turned gravely to Monsieur Bouton.

``You will oblige me, sir,'' said he, ``by taking this to Governor Hamilton.You will be provided with a flag of truce.''

Monsieur Bouton was a round little man, as his name suggested, and the men cheered him as he strode soberly up the street, a piece of sheeting tied to a sapling and flung over his shoulder.Through such humble agencies are the ends of Providence accomplished.Monsieur Bouton walked up to the gate, disappeared sidewise through the postern, and we sat down to breakfast.In a very short time Monsieur Bouton was seen coming back, and his face was not so impassive that the governors message could not be read thereon.

`` 'Tis not a love-letter he has, I'll warrant,'' said Terence, as the little man disappeared into the house.

So accurately had Monsieur Bouton's face betrayed the news that the men went back to their posts without orders, some with half a breakfast in hand.And soon the rank and file had the message.

``Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton begs leave to acquaint Colonel Clark that he and his garrison are not disposed to be awed into any action unworthy of British subjects.''

Our men had eaten, their enemy was within their grasp and Clark and all his officers could scarce keep them from storming.Such was the deadliness of their aim that scarce a shot came back, and time and again I saw men fling themselves in front of the breastworks with a war-whoop, wave their rifles in the air, and cry out that they would have the Ha'r Buyer's sculp before night should fall.It could not last.Not tuned to the nicer courtesies of warfare, the memory of Hamilton's war parties, of blackened homes, of families dead and missing, raged unappeased.These were not content to leave vengeance in the Lord's hands, and when a white flag peeped timorously above the gate a great yell of derision went up from river-bank to river-bank.Out of the poster n stepped the officer with the faded scarlet coat, and in due time went back again, haughtily, his head high, casting contempt right and left of him.Again the postern opened, and this time there was a cheer at sight of a man in hunting shirt and leggings and coonskin cap.After him came a certain Major Hay, Indian-enticer of detested memory, the lieutenant of him who followed--the Hair Buyer himself.

A murmur of hatred arose from the men stationed there;and many would have shot him where he stood but for Clark.

``The devil has the grit,'' said Cowan, though his eyes blazed.

It was the involuntary tribute.Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton stared indifferently at the glowering backwoodsmen as he walked the few steps to the church.

Not so Major Hay.His eyes fell.There was Colonel Clark waiting at the door through which the good Creoles had been wont to go to worship, bowing somewhat ironically to the British General.It was a strange meeting they had in St.Xavier's, by the light of the candles on the altar.Hot words passed in that house of peace, the General demanding protection for all his men, and our Colonel replying that he would do with the Indian partisans as he chose.

``And whom mean you by Indian partisans?'' the undaunted governor had demanded.

``I take Major Hay to be one of them,'' our Colonel had answered.

It was soon a matter of common report how Clark had gazed fixedly at the Major when he said this, and how the Major turned pale and trembled.With our own eyes we saw them coming out, Major Hay as near to staggering as a man could be, the governor blushing red for shame of him.So they went sorrowfully back to the gate.

Colonel Clark stood at the steps of the church, looking after them.

``What was that firing?'' he demanded sharply.``Igave orders for a truce.''

We who stood by the church had indeed heard firing in the direction of the hills east of the town, and had wondered thereat.Perceiving a crowd gathered at the far end of the street, we all ran thither save the Colonel, who directed to have the offenders brought to him at Monsieur Bouton's.We met the news halfway.A party of Canadians and Indians had just returned from the Falls of the Ohio with scalps they had taken.Captain Williams had gone out with his company to meet them, had lured them on, and finally had killed a number and was returning with the prisoners.Yes, here they were! Williams himself walked ahead with two dishevelled and frightened coureurs du bois, twoscore at least of the townspeople of Vincennes, friends and relatives of the prisoners, pressing about and crying out to Williams to have mercy on them.

As for Williams, he took them in to the Colonel, the towns people pressing into the door-yard and banking in front of it on the street.Behind all a tragedy impended, nor can I think of it now without sickening.

The frightened Creoles in the street gave back against the fence, and from behind them, issuing as a storm-cloud came the half of Williams' company, yelling like madmen.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 不可不知的理财知识

    不可不知的理财知识

    在人生的道路上,不知要经历多少的坎坷。每一次的成功,也许都要经历唐僧取经般的九九八十一难。如果我们的生命真有无限长的话,即使把所有的路都走一遍都无所谓,但事实是生命有限,人生苦短,人生真正能够做事的时间不过是短短的几十年。鉴于此,我们编著了这套《不可不知丛书》,作为读者朋友面对现实生活的一面旗帜,来感召和激励人生,共同朝着美好的未来前进。
  • A Dark Night's Work

    A Dark Night's Work

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 穿越小农女的赚钱生活

    穿越小农女的赚钱生活

    【新文:慕少夫人又又又花钱了】一朝穿越,木双婉成了一枚普通农妇,种田喂猪不说还要生小孩,可问题是城里生活小半辈子的她连白菜籽都不认识。好在曾经玩过QQ农场,种菜、养猪还算会一点点。只是这个一身黝黑,还看起来不像好人的男人是谁?都说了要离她远点儿,怎么越走越近,还一不小心有了小包子?
  • 我在古代当后娘

    我在古代当后娘

    穿越成一个无法无天的主,而后直接升级成一只小鬼的后娘,萧婷表示,靠,连孩子都不用生了,老天爷,我太爱你了……
  • 西方世界中的社会主义思潮

    西方世界中的社会主义思潮

    社会主义、共产主义思想及其力量最先从西方资本主义社会诞生和发展起来,虽然其中历经波折起伏,特别是在苏东剧变之后更是进入低潮时期。但是经过共产党及其他社会主义力量数十年的反思、蛰伏与探索,又重新焕发了勃勃生机。作为世界社会主义力量的一部分,什么是西方社会主义?西方社会主义主要关注和探索哪些问题?西方国家共产党做出了什么样的理论创建和实践探索?有哪些类型的西方社会主义思潮和流派?西方社会主义及左翼力量做出了什么样的联合活动与斗争?西方社会主义的历史地位、意义及发展趋势如何?本书将就这些问题进行一一解答。
  • 一宠成瘾:萌妻养娇娇

    一宠成瘾:萌妻养娇娇

    程先森人生的唯一目标就是将家养的程遥宠上天,可同床共枕时,程遥却喊非礼了。程先森挑眉:这家长也见了,婚房也住了,连小皮鞭都用了,宝贝,咱们是合法的。程遥呵呵两声:求不合法!程先森:哦?那是谁刚才还说要洗鸳鸯浴的?程遥脸红:我……我才没有!程先森邪魅一笑,污力镇压,管你有没有,鸳鸯浴必须得有!再等他蒸熟了包子,看她还怎么不合法?本书也可叫做《那些年我摸错的大腿》、《小短腿立志要包养长腿欧巴的故事》或《论摸男神大腿摸到天荒地老的可行性报告》。
  • 深宫庶女诛天下

    深宫庶女诛天下

    上官婉卿,Z组织从小培养的S级卧底,全能单兵却被组织抛弃之后意外重生在瓦兰国庶出公主上官婉卿身上。上官婉卿性格柔弱温柔,却因其母出身低下而倍受折磨,自上官婉卿穿越后开启了虐白莲,撕心机婊的开挂人生。
  • 全球华语小说大系·海外华人卷

    全球华语小说大系·海外华人卷

    本书收录了新世纪十年来最活跃的海外华人作家的代表性作品,作家来自美洲、亚洲、欧洲多个国家,是一部全面反映海外华人小说创作风貌和整体水平的权威选集,具有强烈的全球性。所选作品皆精选自《收获》《人民文学》等国内知名文学期刊,多部作品获得国内外多种奖项,中篇小说《罗坎村》等在国内文坛引起巨大反响。作家队伍阵容强大,明星云集。
  • 重生之将门嫡女不好惹

    重生之将门嫡女不好惹

    【本文上卷宅斗,宫斗,斗渣男,渣女,下卷温馨宝宝戏】帮助心爱的夫君如愿以偿的登上皇位,木樱诺儿却不曾想到,他刚登上皇位不久便带着他心爱的女人以及她那同父异母的妹妹,三人联手设计陷害她,毁她清白。“奉天承运,皇帝诏曰,皇后木氏淫乱后宫,伤风败俗,无德无能,加之至今未能为南楚国诞下龙嗣,特此从今日起打入冷宫,钦此。”当那把尖刀插进她的胸膛,她悲愤的冷笑:“我木樱诺儿,今生最大的错误就是认识你们这些奸诈无比的贱人,若是有来世,我定让你们血贱血偿,我要让你们求生无门,求死不能!”当她再次睁开双眸,眼神中只有冷冽的寒光和仇恨,金銮殿上,将是她踏着胜利的脚步缓缓而来,老天怜悯,又给了她一次重生的机会,这一世她要把那些人给她的痛苦加倍偿还给他们!人不犯我我不犯人,人若犯我,必血贱江湖!什么姨娘,什么小三,什么皇子,什么爱人,什么姐妹,负我者尽管放马过来!本文一对一宠文,男主干净,女强男更强。【精彩片段1】他是前世害死她的夫君,他是一心谋夺皇位的三皇子。金銮殿上他被严刑拷打,狼狈不堪的转头看向她一步步以胜利的姿态昂首走上大殿,眸光中是冷冽的寒光紧逼,他听着她口中一字一句说着他的谋反证据,然后对着新皇高喊道:“陛下,此人狠毒之心人神共愤,此人不除必祸害天下,依南楚国的刑罚,此人应当处以剐刑!”他听闻浑身瑟瑟发抖,他指着她责问道:“你为什么要这么害我!”她优雅的笑着转身一步步走近他,嘴角噙着胜利的笑容低下头在他耳边低声厉声道:“这是你前世欠我的!这一世我就是要让你求生无门,求死不能!”【精彩片段2】辽阔无边的大草原上高高竖立着一块大大的红字招牌‘招父大会’,台上一脸悠闲吃着葡萄的某女朝下面一脸稚气,但美人胚子尽显,鬼灵精怪的某小孩使了个眼色,某小孩小脸一昂扫视了一下前方黑压压各位年轻的王公贵族们一眼,然后随手指着一个人问道:“你家有多少银两啊?”“虽跟皇家国库相差一筹,但金山银山倒是有几座。”某小孩摸着下巴一副沉思,还算凑合吧,“那你有没有什么重疾?无法治愈的那种顽疾?”此人摸了把额头上的虚汗赶忙开口道:“这个请放心,本公子年轻身体强壮,那方面绝对行!”某小孩脸一黑道:“下一个!谁要你身体强壮了,你要是老不死,我和我娘怎么继承你家祖业啊!”众人一片哗然纷纷晕倒。突然天空一黑,几百多个黑衣人从天而降,众人一见立马脸色大变道:“不好,黑风堂的人,跑!”
  • 绯闻总裁婚了没

    绯闻总裁婚了没

    他以总裁继承人的身份勇闯演艺圈,一昔之间便成为光环耀眼的首席男神,她是小小花痴暴力女一枚,醉后一错,绯闻漫天飞扬。最落魄的时候,她重遇曾经背叛她的渣男,他将她护在身后,“谢谢你的有眼无珠,才让我遇到她……”勇挫渣男锐气,她感动不已,他却傲娇如初。神秘人甩下巨款,“离开安秀基,这些钱全是你的!”她答的干脆,第二天便逼着安男神和自己订婚。钱不要白不要,离开他,怎么可能!