This backwoods colonel was perhaps the one man able in such a crisis to keep the land his people had gained.

When the news of the loss of Vincennes reached the Illinois towns, and especially when there followed a rumor that Hamilton himself was on his march thither to attack them, [Footnote: The rumor came when Clark was attending a dance given by the people of the little village of La Prairie du Rocher.

The Creoles were passionately fond of dancing and the Kentuckians entered into the amusement with the utmost zest.] the panic became tremendous among the French.

They frankly announced that though they much preferred the Americans, yet it would be folly to oppose armed resistance to the British; and one or two of their number were found to be in communication with Hamilton and the Detroit authorities.

Clark promptly made ready for resistance, tearing down the buildings near the fort at Kaskaskia--his head-quarters--and sending out scouts and runners; but he knew that it was hopeless to try to withstand such a force as Hamilton could gather.