Clark, whose pity was excited by the evident terror of these feeble old men, came forward kindly5 enough, and said:
“I am Colonel Clark, of Kentucky, gentlemen, commander of this force. What is your business? Fear nothing. We will not kill you. Speak freely.”
Father Gibault, who seemed to be spokesman, was so much affected7 by the kind tone, that he faltered8:
“God bless you, monsieur! God bless you! You are very kind, and we are very old.”
Clark waved his hand impatiently.
“Well, well, gentlemen, what is your business? Speak quickly, for I am busy.”
“Monsieur,” said the priest, earnestly, “we are well aware that your people do not belong to our church, and that you hold its doctrines9 in derision; but, monsieur, we beg leave to assure you that we are very quiet, harmless people. We know that the fortune of war has thrown us into your hands, and that we must expect to be separated from our happy[76] homes, perhaps never to meet again. But, oh, monsieur, we beg, in the name of humanity, that you will allow us to meet once more, for the last time in our church, to hear one last mass, and to take leave of each other.”
And the five old men, with one accord, broke out weeping in the most piteous manner, crying:
“Oh, monsieur, for the love of God!” “Pity us!” “Indeed we did not know who you were.” “The commandant told us you were all savages10.” “But we know better now.”
As if by one consent, the rough backwoodsmen jumped up and stamped away to the windows, while muttered exclamations11 of sympathy were heard.
Clark waved his hand for silence, for he had his face under more control than his subordinates, though he too was much affected by the spectacle of old men in tears.
Then he said, in a careless tone:
“I have nothing to say against your church, gentlemen. That is a matter we Americans leave every man to settle with his God. If your people wish to assemble in the church, they can do so; but at the same time, if they do, they must not venture out of town. I will withdraw the troops to let you assemble. Is that all?”
“Oh, thanks, monsieur, thanks!” cried father Gibault, in a tone of great relief. “But, oh, monsieur, if you would only listen to us for a little while, I feel confident that we could convince you that our intentions have always been of the most innocent—”
“That will do,” said the colonel, sternly. “I have listened to you long enough, gentlemen. I have no leisure for further intercourse12. The officer of the day will withdraw the men from the town and you can meet at the church. Good-day.”
He saluted13 stiffly, and turned away, while the overawed group of delegates left the room in mournful silence, the terror being at its utmost hight.
When they were fairly in the street, Clark turned to his officers, who stood silently round, and said, solemnly:
“Gentlemen, pray God that when this war is over we may never have another. This is a bad business, and were it not that I intend to change the mourning of these poor creatures[77] to joy before to-morrow, I swear to you that I would march back to Kentucky to-night. No, I wouldn’t neither; but I hate to be looked on as a wild beast. Bowman, keep the men out of the houses, as soon as the people go to the church. I swear I feel sick at heart.”
It was nearly sunset before the people separated from the church. The windows were wide open, for it was still very hot and sultry, and the whole force of the Americans was drawn14 up near by, resting silently on their arms, auditors15 of all that passed and very respectful auditors.
They could hear the solemn voice of the old priest, chanting mass, the responses of the congregation broken by sobs16 and tears. Then several of the older inhabitants made long and pathetic speeches, urging to resignation under the will of Heaven, while women and children cried, and men groaned18 aloud.
And, outside of the church, the supposed barbarians19, whom the terrified people within looked on as little better than their fierce Indian neighbors, were hushed in pitying silence, while some of the roughest broke down and blubbered secretly.
At last there was a deep hush20, within and without, as the priest, with faltering21 voice pronounced the benediction22, and a stir, that followed, announced that the people were coming out.
Suddenly Clark, who had been standing23, gloomily leaning on his sword, started.
“Attention!” he shouted, sternly. “Stand to your arms there, men! Who gave you leave to fall out? Shoulder arms! Support arms! Silence in the ranks! Officers to your posts!”
Then, as the door opened, and father Gibault came out with a few of the principal inhabitants, they were met by the sight of a grim line of brown rifle-barrels, as the savage-looking frontiersmen obeyed their chief’s orders.
Clark, with drawn sword, stood rigidly25 in front of his men, looking at the priest, as the latter solemnly advanced with his little deputation, while the church door was full of pale, anxious people, afraid to advance a step further.
[78]
Father Gibault advanced to Clark, and said:
“Monsieur le colonel, to you and your brave comrades, I beg leave to offer, in the name of my flock, our deep gratitude26 for the indulgence we have received. Whether we live or die, we shall always remember and bless you for this kindness. And now, monsieur, at the prayer of my children, I beg leave to address you, our conqueror27, on a subject dearer to us than any other. Monsieur, may I speak, before all?”
A pin might have been heard to drop as Clark said, briefly28:
“Speak on, father.”
“Monsieur,” said the good old priest, clasping his hands, and with the tears streaming down his cheeks, as he spoke6 with impassioned earnestness, “we are sensible that our present situation is the fate of war, cruel merciless war. Monsieur, we are all ready to submit, to the loss of our property. But oh, monsieur, we beg only one thing. I beg for my poor children that they may not be separated from their wives and tender little ones. Our property and lives are yours, but, for the love of the good God, dear monsieur, spare us the sight of those little ones torn from us to starve, and if you must take us away for slaves, do not separate our families. If you have the further mercy to allow us some clothes and provisions for our support during the terrible journey before us, monsieur, God will bless you for it, and we shall never forget the indulgence.”
The old man paused a moment amid a breathless silence to look into the face of Clark. It was set into a stern frown, and the leader had his teeth dug into his under lip. But, not a sign of pity made its appearance on his pale countenance29, and his eyes were glaring at the priest, as if the Kentuckian were in a perfect fury.
“Monsieur,” continued father Gibault, in a trembling tone, “I assure you that the conduct of our people during this war has been influenced by our commandants, whom we were always taught to obey. I am not sure, monsieur, that any of us, at this moment, clearly understand the cause of dispute between your own honorable country and his majesty30 of England. All that we know we have been told by our Governors, and as you are aware, dear good monsieur, there[79] are but few opportunities, in these remote regions, of acquiring accurate information. Indeed, monsieur, with all our commandant’s stories to mislead and deceive us, there are very many among us, who have expressed themselves friendly to the gallant31 Americans, as much as they durst under the eyes of the Governor’s spies. Oh, monsieur, dear good monsieur, you must have a kind heart hidden beneath that rough frock. In the name of God whom I serve, spare my flock the cruelty of separation, have pity on their wives and little tender babes, and do not turn them out to starve.”
As the priest spoke he fell on his knees, and with him the whole deputation, while a wailing32 sob17 went up from the church-door, whence every word was distinctly audible.
The sob was echoed all along the rigid24 line of Americans, and you could see the muskets33 shake, while a hoarse34 murmur35 of sympathy rolled along the line.
Clark turned abruptly36 away, stamped his foot violently, and dashed the point of his sword into the earth, as if in a terrible passion.
“Silence in the ranks, you soft-headed fools!” he shouted. “Do you think George Rogers Clark does not know his own business?”
Then turning on the trembling Frenchmen, he cried fiercely:
“Gentlemen, do you mistake us for savages? I am almost certain you do from your language. Do you think that we Americans intend to strip women and children, or take the bread out of their mouths? My countrymen, gentlemen, disdain37 to make war upon helpless innocence38. It was to prevent the horrors of Indian butchery upon our own wives and children, that we have taken arms and penetrated39 into this remote stronghold of British and Indian barbarity, and not for the despicable prospect40 of plunder41. Now that the King of France has united his powerful arms with those of America, the war will not in all probability last long; but the inhabitants of Kaskaskia are at liberty to take which side they please, without the least danger to their property and families. Nor will your religion be any source of disagreement, as all religions are regarded with equal respect in the eye of the American law, and any insult to it shall be punished[80] immediately. And now to prove my sincerity42, please inform your fellow-citizens that they are quite at liberty to conduct themselves as usual, without the least apprehension43. I am now convinced, from what I have learned since my arrival among you, that you have been misinformed and prejudiced against us by British officers; and all your friends that are in confinement44 shall immediately be released.”
And the unmasked stoic45, who had played his part of tyrant46 with so much imposing47 fierceness, broke down at last, and shook hands with the agitated48 old men, the tears streaming down his face.
A mighty49 cheer broke from the borderers, and in a moment, all discipline disappeared, as French and Americans fraternized in a grand burst of joy.
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1
streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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2
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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3
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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4
industriously
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5
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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6
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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7
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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8
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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9
doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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10
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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11
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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12
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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13
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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14
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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15
auditors
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| n.审计员，稽核员( auditor的名词复数 )；（大学课程的）旁听生 | |
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16
sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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17
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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18
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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19
barbarians
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| n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 )；外国人；粗野的人；无教养的人 | |
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20
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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21
faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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22
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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23
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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24
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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25
rigidly
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| adv.刻板地，僵化地 | |
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26
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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27
conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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28
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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29
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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30
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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31
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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32
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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33
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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34
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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35
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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36
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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37
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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38
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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39
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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40
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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41
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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42
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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43
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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44
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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45
stoic
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| n.坚忍克己之人，禁欲主义者 | |
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46
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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47
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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48
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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49
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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