“Lieutenant Baily,” he ordered, “take fourteen of your best men and begin firing on the fort as soon as we have reached Vincennes. Then cease firing for a few minutes and laugh loudly as though you were firing for amusement.”
The lieutenant stepped forward and called out fourteen men.
Colonel Clark went on. “I will lead the rest of this army to the heights behind Vincennes and enter the upper part of town. The sentinels on the stockade walls won’t be able to see us, because part of the town lies between our line of march and their garrison.”
Then he set out with the main army toward Vincennes, while Lieutenant Baily marched his fourteen men toward the stockade.
Jim and Willie, marching with the main army, became so excited they could scarcely set one foot after the other. In no time at all Clark’s army took possession of the main street and posted guards. Scarcely anyone was in sight because of Clark’s order for the people to remain in their houses. Jim was assigned to guard duty; Willie went with Colonel Clark on his rounds through the town.
In a little while Willie came hurrying back to Jim. “Jim,” he cried. “The people have supper ready for us. We’re going to take turns eating. Colonel Clark said he’d send a man to relieve you shortly, and you’re to come with me.”
Just at this moment there was a burst of rifle fire, then the sound of raucous laughter.
“Our men have begun the attack, Willie,” Jim cried, peering into the black night. “We’ll soon take Vincennes and the fort.”
There was, however, no answering fire from the fort. In a few minutes another volley of shots rent the air.
“Let’s go nearer to the fort, Jim, and see what’s going on.”