So they acted
upon M. Roussillon's advice and offered no resistance when the new
army approached.
"My poor people are not disloyal to your flag and your cause,"
said good Father Beret next morning to Captain Helm, "but they are
powerless. Winter is upon us. What would you have us do? This
rickety fort is not available for defense; the men are nearly all
far away on the plains. Isn't it the part of prudence and common
sense to make the best of a desperate situation? Should we resist,
the British and their savage allies would destroy the town and
commit outrages too horrible to think about. In this case
diplomacy promises much more than a hopeless fight against an
overwhelming force."
"I'll fight 'em," Helm ground out between his teeth, "if I have to
do it single-handed and alone! I'll fight 'em till hell freezes
over!"
Father Beret smiled grimly, as if he, too, would enjoy a lively
skirmish on the ice of Tophet, and said:
"I admire your courage, my son. Fighting is perfectly proper upon
fair occasion. But think of the poor women and children. These old
eyes of mine have seen some terrible things done by enraged
savages. Men can die fighting; but their poor wives and daughters--
ah, I have seen, I have seen!"
Beverley felt a pang of terror shoot through his heart as Father
Beret's simple words made him think of Alice in connection with an
Indian massacre.
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