And with the meat they brought Indian kettles in which to cook it.
With consummate forethought Clark arranged to prevent his men doing themselves injury by bolting their food or eating it half-cooked.

Broth was first made and served hot; then small bits of well broiled steak were doled out, until by degrees the fine effect of nourishment set in, and all the command felt the fresh courage of healthy reaction.
"I ain't no gin'ral, nor corp'ral, nor nothin'," remarked Oncle Jazon to Colonel Clark, "but 'f I's you I'd h'ist up every dad dinged ole flag in the rig'ment, w'en I got ready to show myself to 'em, an' I'd make 'em think, over yander at the fort, 'at I had 'bout ninety thousan' men.

Hit'd skeer that sandy faced Gov'nor over there till he'd think his back-bone was a comin' out'n 'im by the roots." Clark laughed, but his face showed that the old man's suggestion struck him forcibly and seriously.
"We'll see about that presently, Oncle Jazon.

Wait till we reach the hill yonder, from which the whole town can observe our manoeuvres, then we'll try it, maybe." Once more the men were lined up, the roll-call gone through with satisfactorily, and the question put: "Are we ready for another plunge through the mud and water ?" The answer came in the affirmative, with a unanimity not to be mistaken.

The weakest heart of them all beat to the time of the charge step.