t to wait for attack from
the British but to surprise Hamilton in his own fort. It required almost
superhuman power to gather the men necessary from the motley crowds at
Kaskaskia and from other posts on the river, but the day after the
"Willing" (for so he named his barge) sailed, he moved out of Kaskaskia,
with a hundred and seventy men following him, to march the two hundred
and thirty miles across the wintry wilderness to Vincennes. How he fared
and how he accomplished his desire you may read in the selection from
his journal.

Clark's activity did not end with the capture of Vincennes, but that was
the most remarkable of his long series of military achievements. No more
heroic man ever lived, and few Americans have left such a memory for
high patriotism, self-sacrifice and wonderful achievement. His
accomplishments are unparalleled in the history of the Mississippi
valley, and the youth of the region may well be proud that to such a man
they are indebted for their right to live in the United States.

Unfortunately, Clark's later years were not in keeping with his early
character. He felt that his country was ungrateful to him, the liquor
habit mastered him, he was mixed up in unfortunate political deals with
France, and at last sank into poverty and was almost forgotten. It is
said that once when in his latter years the State of Virginia sent him a
sword in token of their appreciation of his services, he angrily thrust
the sword into the ground and broke the blade with his crutch, while he
cried out: "When Virginia needed a sword I gave her one. She sends me
now a toy. I want bread!"

He lived until 1818, and then died at his sister's house near
Louisville, and was buried at Cave Hill Cemetery in that city.

THE CAPTURE OF VINCENNES[428-1]

_By_ GEORGE ROGERS CLARK[428-2]

Everything being ready, on the 5th of February, after receiving a
lecture and absolution from the priest, we crossed the Kaskaskia River
with one hundred and seventy men, marched about three miles and
encamped, where we lay until the 7th, and set out. The weather wet (but
fortunately not cold for the season) and a great part of the plains
under water several inches deep. It was very difficult and fatiguing
marching. My object was now to keep the men in spirits. I suffered them
to shoot game on all occasions, and feast on it like Indian war-dancers,
each company by turns inviting the others to their feasts, which was the
case every