In the
intervals, in backwoods French, John Duff and his companions were heard
in terrifying tones crying out to the habitants to venture out at the
peril of their lives.
Within the fort a score of lights flew up and down like
will-o'-the-wisps, and Colonel Clark, standing on the steps of the
governor's house, gave out his orders and despatched his messengers. Me
he sent speeding through the village to tell Captain Bowman to patrol the
outskirts of the town, that no runner might get through to warn Fort
Chartres and Cohos, as some called Cahokia. None stirred save the few
Indians left in the place, and these were brought before Clark in the
fort, sullen and defiant, and put in the guard-house there. And
Rocheblave, when he appeared, was no better, and was put back in his
house under guard.
As for the papers in the despatch box, they revealed I know not what
briberies of the savage nations and plans of the English. But of other
papers we found none, though there must have been more. Madame
Rocheblave was suspected of having hidden some in the inviolable portions
of her dress.
At length the cocks crowing for day proclaimed the morning, and while yet
the blue shadow of the bluff was on the town, Colonel Clark sallied out
of the gate and walked abroad. Strange it seemed that war had come to
this village, so peaceful and remote.
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