"Of course, of course it's horrible to think of," said Helm; "but
my duty is clear, and that flag," he pointed to where la banniere
d'Alice Roussillon was almost blowing away in the cold wind, "that
flag shall not come down save in full honor."
His speech sounded preposterously boastful and hollow; but he was
manfully in earnest; every word came from his brave heart.
Father Beret's grim smile returned, lighting up his strongly
marked face with the strangest expression imaginable.
"We will get all the women inside the fort," Helm began to say.
"Where the Indians will find them ready penned up and at their
mercy," quickly interpolated the priest "That will not do."
"Well, then, what can be done?" Beverley demanded, turning with a
fierce stare upon Father Beret. "Don't stand there objecting to
everything, with not a suggestion of your own to offer."
"I know what is best for my people," the old man replied softly,
still smiling, "I have advised them to stay inside their houses
and take no part in the military event. It is the only hope of
averting an indiscriminate massacre, and things worse."
The curt phrase, "things worse," went like a bullet-stroke through
Beverley's heart. It flashed an awful picture upon his vision.
Father Beret saw his face whiten and his lips set themselves to
resist a great emotion.
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