Clark did not correct the man’s guess about Kentucky. He merely said, “Now you may go, but do not go near the fort.” As the Frenchman hurried to Vincennes to deliver his message, Colonel Clark watched through his field glass to see that he did not go to the fort. About sunset Clark ordered his army to assemble. When they were in their respective companies, with Jim and Willie in front, Colonel Clark said, “I ask just one thing of all of you—OBEDIENCE. Absolute OBEDIENCE.” “Yes, sir,” every man replied. Clark turned to Jim and Willie. “You boys bring out the flags which we brought from Kaskaskia. We have good use for them now.” The boys went over to the small stock of supplies they had succeeded in bringing through the water, and took out the flags. These had been so well packed they were not even damp. There were twenty-four in all. “Each officer is to have a pair of flags mounted on poles,” Clark said. The officers mounted several flags as Clark had directed. Willie and Jim wondered what they would do with the rest. “See that small hill between us and the town?” Clark pointed to a hill about halfway to Vincennes. “You are to march your men around and around that hill, every sixth man carrying a flag so far as possible. Thus you will give the effect of many divisions, each carrying its flag, to anyone watching from Vincennes. When I give the order, you march around that hill until dark. Then I will issue your orders for the night.” Colonel Clark led the line of march, followed by Willie Watson with the drum, Jim Hudson, Captain McCarty and the first of the color bearers. They marched around and around the hill in plain view of the townspeople. Should anyone be watching, he might easily assume that George Rogers Clark had at least a thousand men at his command. Finally night fell. Tension was mounting among the men. Now, now was the time for attack. How many men did Hamilton have? Had this army come all through the drowned lands to suffer defeat? Never, while they drew breath. Such thoughts were in the mind of every man when Colonel Clark suddenly snapped them to attention. “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.