Shut up every
place large enough for a bullet to get through. Go all around,
give strict orders to all. See that the men do not foolishly
expose themselves. Those ruffians out there have located every
crack."
His glimpse of Beverley and the sinister remark of Helm had
completely unmanned him before his men fell. Now it rushed upon
him that if he would escape the wrath of the maddened creoles and
the vengeance of Alice's lover, he must quickly throw himself upon
the mercy of Clark. It was his only hope. He chafed inwardly, but
bore himself with stern coolness. He presently sought Farnsworth,
pulled him aside and suggested that something must be done to
prevent an assault and a massacre. The sounds outside seemed to
forebode a gathering for a desperate rush, and in his heart he
felt all the terrors of awful anticipation.
"We are completely at their mercy, that is plain," he said,
shrugging his shoulders and gazing at the wounded men writhing in
their agony. "What do you suggest?"
Captain Farnsworth was a shrewd officer. He recollected that
Philip Dejean, justice of Detroit, was on his way down the Wabash
from that post, and probably near at hand, with a flotilla of men
and supplies. Why not ask for a few days of truce? It could do no
harm, and if agreed to, might be their salvation. Hamilton jumped
at the thought, and forthwith drew up a note which he sent out
with a white flag.
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