"
Once more the men were lined up, the roll-call gone through with
satisfactorily, and the question put: "Are we ready for another
plunge through the mud and water?"
The answer came in the affirmative, with a unanimity not to be
mistaken. The weakest heart of them all beat to the time of the
charge step. Again Clark and Beverley clasped hands and took the
lead.
When they reached the next high ground they gazed in silence
across a slushy prairie plot to where, on a slight elevation, old
Vincennes 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 a mist were silent and still. Save the
British flag twinkling above Hamilton's headquarters, nothing
indicated that the place was not deserted. And Alice? With the
sweet name's echo Beverley's heart bounded high, then sank
fluttering at the recollection that she was either yonder at the
mercy of Hamilton, or already the victim of an unspeakable
cruelty. Was it weakness for him to lift his clasped hands
heavenward and send up a voiceless prayer?
While he stood thus Oncle Jazon came softly to his side and
touched his arm. Beverley started.
"The nex' thing'll be to shoot the everlastin' gizzards outen 'em,
won't it?" the old man inquired.
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