must have been admirable, for the savage grunted
approval and straightway conducted him to Hamilton's headquarters on a
batteau in the river.

The British commander, a hale man of sandy complexion and probably
under middle age, was in no very pleasant humor. Some of his orders had
been misunderstood by the chief of his Indian allies, so that a
premature exposure of his approach had been made to the enemy.

"Well, sir, who are you?" he gruffly demanded, when M. Roussillon
loomed before him.

"I am Gaspard Roussillon, the Mayor of Vincennes," was the lofty reply.
"I have come to announce to you officially that my people greet you
loyally and that my town is freely at your command." He felt as
important as if his statements had been true.

"Humph, that's it, is it? Well, Mr. Mayor, you have my congratulations,
but I should prefer seeing the military commander and accepting his
surrender. What account can you give me of the American forces, their
numbers and condition?"

M. Roussillon winced, inwardly at least, under Hamilton's very
undeferential air and style of address. It piqued him cruelly to be
treated as a person without the slightest claim to respect. He somehow
forgot the rolling and rhythmical eloquence prepared for the occasion.

"The American commander naturally would not confide in me, Monsieur le
Gouverneur, not at all; we are not very friendly; he ousted me from
office, he offended me--" he was coughing and stammering.

"Oh, the devil! what do I care? Answer my question, sir," Hamilton
gruffly interrupted. "Tell me the number of American troops at the
fort, sir."

"I don't know exactly. I have not had admittance to the fort. I might
be deceived as to numbers; but they're strong, I believe, Monsieur le
Gouverneur, at least they make a great show and much noise."

Hamilton eyed the huge bulk before him for a moment, then turning to a
subaltern said:

"Place this fellow under guard and see that he doesn't get away. Send
word immediately to Captain Farnsworth that I wish to see him at once."

The interview thereupon closed abruptly. Hamilton's emissaries had
given him a detailed account of M. Roussillon's share in submitting
Vincennes to rebel dominion, and he was not in the least inclined
toward treating him graciously.

"I would suggest to you, Monsieur le Gouverneur, that my official
position demands--" M. Roussillon began; but he was fastened upon by
two guards, who roughly hustled him aft and