cause to grumble."

"Forgive me, old fellow," cried the impulsive commander. "I know you
are true as steel. I s'pose I'm wound up too tight to be polite. But
the time is come to do something. Here we are with but five or six
men--"

He was interrupted by the arrival of two more half-breed scouts.

Only three miles away was a large flotilla of boats and canoes with
cannon, a force of Indians on land and the British flag flying,--that
was the report.

"They are moving rapidly," said the spokesman, "and will be here very
soon. They are at least six hundred strong, all well armed."

"Push that gun to the gate, and load it to the muzzle, Lieutenant
Beverley," Helm ordered with admirable firmness, the purple flush in
his face giving way to a grayish pallor. "We are going to die right
here, or have the honors of war."

Beverley obeyed without a word. He even loaded two guns instead of
one--charging each so heavily that the last wad looked as if ready to
leap from the grimy mouth.

Helm had already begun, on receiving the first report, a hasty letter
to Colonel Clark at Kaskaskia. He now added a few words and at the last
moment sent it out by a trusted man, who was promptly captured by
Hamilton's advance guard. The missive, evidently written in
installments during the slow approach of the British, is still in the
Canadian archives, and runs thus:

"Dear Sir--At this time there is an army within three miles of this
place; I heard of their coming several days beforehand. I sent spies to
find the certainty--the spies being taken prisoner I never got
intelligence till they got within three miles of town. As I had called
the militia and had all assurances of their integrity I ordered at the
firing of a cannon every man to appear, but I saw but few. Captain
Buseron behaved much to his honor and credit, but I doubt the conduct
of a certain gent. Excuse haste, as the army is in sight. My
determination is to defend the garrison, (sic) though I have but
twenty-one men but what has left me. I refer you to Mr. Wmes (sic) for
the rest. The army is within three hundred yards of the village. You
must think how I feel; not four men that I really depend upon; but am
determined to act brave--think of my condition. I know it is out of my
power to defend the town, as not one of the militia will take arms,
though before sight of the army no braver men. There is a flag at a
small distance, I must conclude.

"Your humble servant,

"Leo'