Part 12 (1/2)

I shall never forget what I felt when introduced to this gentleh the snointer was on his locks, his cheeks were still reddened over with the blooe and reat nerve and activity; while his fine blue eyes expressed the oodness

He received us very politely, saying he was glad to see us, ”especially as ere the first Carolinians that he had seen; which had not a little surprised hi, I suppose, that we labored under rather too much of our national weakness, I mean modesty, he kindly redoubled his attentions to us, and soon succeeded in curing us of our reserve

”I thought,” said he, ”that British tyranny would have sent great numbers of the South Carolinians to join our arms But, so far fro to take British protections

Surely they are not tired already of fighting for liberty”

We told him the reason was very plain to us, ere inhabitants of that country, and knew very well the state of things there

”Aye,” replied he, ”well, what can the reason be?”

”Why, sir,” answered Marion, ”the people of Carolina forenerally very poor, because, not being necessary to the rich, who have slaves to do all their work, they get no e thus unsupported by the rich, they continue poor and low spirited They seldoet, is laid out in brandy to raise their spirits, and not on books and newspapers to get infors of their own country, nor of the great dangers which threaten it, and therefore care nothing about it As to the other class, the rich, they are generally very rich, and consequently afraid to stir, unless a fair chance offer, lest the British should burn their houses and furniture, and carry off their negroes and stock But perh thus kept under by fear, they still mortally hate the British, and will, I am confident, the moment they see an arenerous pack to the sound of the horn that calls them to the chase of a hated wolf”

The baron de Kalb smiled, and said he hoped it would be found so

”No doubt of it at all sir,” replied Marion

The baron then invited us to dine with hiood est plain fare, which was all he could pro down to table, we found that his prediction about the bill of fare, was most unwelcomely true Our dinner was just half a side of a , as miserably cooked; and in such s of it left but a rasher, for good manners' sake And as to bread, there was not even a hoe-cake!

It is true, that, by way of substitute, we had a trencher or two of sweet potatoes paraded Our drink was admirably suited to the dinner; apple brandy with river water

God forbid that I should be unmindful of his favors! For well do I know that the least of them is much better than the best of us deserve

On the contrary, I mention it rather as a compliment to his heavenly bounty, which is wont to spread our tables with so s and sweet potatoes to pass for a sorry meal

Soon as dinner was over, all of us who could parade a cigar or a pipe, began to co our brandy the while, so that by the tirant kite-foot, ere in admirable cue for a dish of chat

De Kalb led the way; and, as nearly as I can recollect, in the folloords

”Colonel Marion,” said he, pressing the tobacco in his pipe at the saladly, general, and a THOUSAND if I can!”

”Thank you, colonel, but ONE will do”

”Be pleased then, sir, to say on”

”Well, colonel, can you tell eneral”

”TOUGH, colonel! pray how do you e January and May sort of contrast between your locks and your looks that quite confuses me

By your locks you seem to be in the winter, by your looks in the su the balance between the thereabouts do you takeand prime of life; about forty”