The patrol guards came straggling in,
breathless with excitement. They swore to having seen a thousand
men marching across the water-covered meadows.
Hamilton was brave. The approach of danger stirred him like a
trumpet-strain. His fighting blood rose to full tide, and he gave
his orders with the steadiness and commanding force of a born
soldier. The officers hastened to their respective positions. On
all sides sounds indicative of rapid preparations for the fight
mingled into a confused strain of military energy. Men marched to
their places; cannon were wheeled into position, and soon enough
the firing began in good earnest.
Late in the afternoon a rumor of Clark's approach had gone abroad
through the village; but not a French lip breathed it to a friend
of the British. The creoles were loyal to the cause of freedom;
moreover, they cordially hated Hamilton, and their hearts beat
high at the prospect of a change in masters at the fort. Every
cabin had its hidden gun and supply of ammunition, despite the
order to disarm issued by Hamilton. There was a hustling to bring
these forth, which was accompanied with a guarded yet
irrepressible chattering, delightfully French and infinitely
volatile.
"Tiens! je vais frotter mon fusil. J'ai vu un singe!" said Jaques
Bourcier to his daughter, the pretty Adrienne, who was coming out
of the room in which Alice lay.
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