ned every wild thing thereabout into a deadly
rigor, dark's irrepressible energy and optimism worked a veritable
charm upon his faithful but almost dying companions in arms. Their
trust in him made them feel sure that food would soon be forthcoming.
The thought afforded a stimulus more potent than wine; it drove them
into an ecstasy of frantic motion and shouting which soon warmed them
thoroughly.

It is said that fortune favors the brave. The larger meaning of the
sentence may be given thus: God guards those who deserve His
protection. History tells us that just when Clark halted his command
almost in sight of Vincennes--just when hunger was about to prevent the
victory so close to his grasp--a party of his scouts brought in the
haunch of a buffalo captured from some Indians. The scouts were
Lieutenant Beverley and Oncle Jazon. And with the meat they brought
Indian kettles in which to cook it.

With consummate forethought Clark arranged to prevent his men doing
themselves injury by bolting their food or eating it half-cooked. Broth
was first made and served hot; then small bits of well broiled steak
were doled out, until by degrees the fine effect of nourishment set in,
and all the command felt the fresh courage of healthy reaction.

"I ain't no gin'ral, nor corp'ral, nor nothin'," remarked Oncle Jazon
to Colonel Clark, "but 'f I's you I'd h'ist up every dad dinged ole
flag in the rig'ment, w'en I got ready to show myself to 'em, an' I'd
make 'em think, over yander at the fort, 'at I had 'bout ninety
thousan' men. Hit'd skeer that sandy faced Gov'nor over there till he'd
think his back-bone was a comin' out'n 'im by the roots."

Clark laughed, but his face showed that the old man's suggestion struck
him forcibly and seriously.

"We'll see about that presently, Oncle Jazon. Wait till we reach the
hill yonder, from which the whole town can observe our manoeuvres, then
we'll try it, maybe."

Once more the men were lined up, the roll-call gone through with
satisfactorily, and the question put: "Are we ready for another plunge
through the mud and water?"

The answer came in the affirmative, with a unanimity not to be
mistaken. The weakest heart of them all beat to the time of the charge
step. Again Clark and Beverley clasped hands and took the lead.

When they reached the next high ground they gazed in silence across a
slushy prairie plot to where, on a slight elevation, old Vincennes and
Fort Sackville lay in ful