Ma Hudson was laughing and crying at the same time. “Jim, how you’ve grown! Why, you’re a man! Jim dear, we knew you were alive and well in Kaskaskia. Captain Helm told Pa.” “Captain Helm? But he’s a prisoner of Hamilton. And where is Pa?” Ma looked worried. “I hope he’s still alive in the fort. Pa and I are also Hamilton’s prisoners. Pa’s probably had to man the guns against the Americans.” “Against his own countrymen!” Jim gasped. “How do you happen to be outside the fort?” Ma shrugged her thin shoulders. “Since there wasn’t any place for women in the fort, the British put me in one of the French homes here. And the people have been good to me.” She smiled at Jeanne Duval. “She’s been staying right next door,” Jeanne explained. “That’s why I was so excited last night when I saw you. You look so much like your ma, and when you told me your name, I was sure you were her boy.” “How did you get away from the Shawnees and reach Vincennes, Ma?” Ma Hudson sighed. “We didn’t get away from them, Jim. I think they intended to take us up north to Hamilton, but the snows came and they weren’t able to get through to Detroit. It was a rugged winter, with not much to eat.” Jim frowned. “How did you and Pa get down here?” “Last autumn the Shawnees heard Hamilton was marching south, so they rode to meet him and traded us for some guns and blankets. Hamilton brought us down here with other prisoners. I’ve been mending for Hamilton’s soldiers and sewing some for the people here. Your pa has been helping repair the fort.” Jim had forgotten all about Willie while talking with his mother. Suddenly he remembered him and said, “Ma, this is my best friend, Willie Watson. He’s from Kaskaskia.” Ma smiled at Willie. “I’m glad to know you, Willie. You must have wonderful people in Kaskaskia, because Jim looks so well.” “The same to you, ma’am,” stammered Willie, bobbing his head. “We’d better be getting back now, Ma,” Jim said. “I’ll see you when Hamilton surrenders. Don’t worry about Pa. I’m sure he’s all right and will be free as soon as Colonel Clark takes over here.” Jim turned to Jeanne Duval. “Thank you, ma’am, for all you’ve done for Ma and me.” When the boys returned to the American lines, the conference was over. No one was certain, however, that Hamilton would agree to the surrender terms. Colonel Clark took no chances of deception by the British; he posted guards in houses near the fort and patrols in town. The rest of his army slept on their rifles and got their first real rest in many days. The next day, February 25, 1779, Hamilton sent Captain Helm to Colonel Clark with the signed articles of surrender. George Rogers Clark then drew up his army in two lines facing each other in front of Fort Sackville to await Hamilton. All of Vincennes gathered behind the American army to see the surrender.