``I am Pere Gibault, sir,'' he said, ``cure of Kaskaskia.''
He paused, surveying our commander with a clear eye.
``There is something that still troubles the good citizens.''
``And what is that, sir?'' said Clark.
The priest hesitated.
``If your Excellency will only allow the church to be opened--'' he ventured.
The group stood wistful, fearful that their boldness had displeased, expectant of reprimand.
``My good Father,'' said Colonel Clark, ``an American commander has but one relation to any church.And that is'' (he added with force) ``to protect it.For all religions are equal before the Republic.''
The priest gazed at him intently.
``By that answer,'' said he, ``your Excellency has made for your government loyal citizens in Kaskaskia.''
Then the Colonel stepped up to the priest and took him likewise by the hand.
``I have arranged for a house in town,'' said he.
``Monsieur Rocheblave has refused to dine with me there.Will you do me that honor, Father?''
``With all my heart, your Excellency,'' said Father Gibault.And turning to the people, he translated what the Colonel had said.Then their cup of happiness was indeed full, and some ran to Clark and would have thrown their arms about him had he been a man to embrace.Hurrying out of the gate, they spread the news like wildfire, and presently the church bell clanged in tones of unmistakable joy.
``Sure, Davy dear, it puts me in mind of the Saints' day at home,'' said Terence, as he stood leaning against a picket fence that bordered the street, ``savin' the presence of the naygurs and thim red divils wid blankets an' scowls as wud turrn the milk sour in the pail.''
He had stopped beside two Kaskaskia warriors in scarlet blankets who stood at the corner, watching with silent contempt the antics of the French inhabitants.Now and again one or the other gave a grunt and wrapped his blanket more tightly about him.
``Umrrhh!'' said Terence.``Faith, I talk that langwidge mesilf when I have throuble.'' The warriors stared at him with what might be called a stoical surprise.``Umrrh!
Does the holy father praych to ye wid thim wurrds, ye haythens? Begorra, 'tis a wondher ye wuddent wash yereselves,'' he added, making a face, ``wid muddy wather to be had for the askin'.''
We moved on, through such a scene as I have seldom beheld.The village had donned its best: women in cap and gown were hurrying hither and thither, some laughing and some weeping; grown men embraced each other;children of all colors flung themselves against Terence's legs,--dark-haired Creoles, little negroes with woolly pates, and naked Indian lads with bow and arrow.Terence dashed at them now and then, and they fled screaming into dooryards to come out again and mimic him when he had passed, while mothers and fathers and grandfathers smiled at the good nature in his Irish face.Presently he looked down at me comically.
``Why wuddent ye be doin' the like, Davy?'' he asked.
``Amusha! 'tis mesilf that wants to run and hop and skip wid the childher.Ye put me in mind of a wizened old man that sat all day makin' shoes in Killarney,--all savin' the fringe he had on his chin.''
``A soldier must be dignified,'' I answered.
``The saints bar that wurrd from hiven,'' said Terence, trying to pronounce it.``Come, we'll go to mass, or me mother will be visitin' me this night.''
We crossed the square and went into the darkened church, where the candles were burning.It was the first church Ihad ever entered, and I heard with awe the voice of the priest and the fervent responses, but I understood not a word of what was said.Afterwards Father Gibault mounted to the pulpit and stood for a moment with his hand raised above his flock, and then began to speak.
What he told them I have learned since.And this Iknow, that when they came out again into the sunlit square they were Americans.It matters not when they took the oath.
As we walked back towards the fort we came to a little house with a flower garden in front of it, and there stood Colonel Clark himself by the gate.He stopped us with a motion of his hand.
``Davy,'' said he, ``we are to live here for a while, you and I.What do you think of our headquarters?'' He did not wait for me to reply, but continued, ``Can you suggest any improvement?''
``You will be needing a soldier to be on guard in front, sir,'' said I.
``Ah,'' said the Colonel, ``McChesney is too valuable a man.I am sending him with Captain Bowman to take Cahokia.''