Part 20 (1/2)

We were encamped near the house of a rich man by the name of Cross His wife, in sense and doail; while as to her husband, his riches, though great, were his least recoenerosity and honor of the noblest patriot

His soul delighted in Marion, whom he called the 'pillar of our cause'

Oft as he took leave of us, for battle, his bosoe swell, and the tear would start into his eye

And when he saw us return again, loaded with the spoils of victory, he would rush to meet us, with all a brother's transports on his face

His flocks and herds, his enerous looks would tell us that he still wished for ive

Indeed, often at the ence, and also furnish us with powder and ball

But this most amiable of men, was not permitted to see our cause triuling country, God took hier of death came to him, in the character of a nervous fever As the physicians did not like to visit hietown to be near the he set out; and iuard at his house, that nothing ht be disturbed

One would indeed have supposed it unnecessary to place a guard over such a house as his But alas! ill not a base heart-hardening avarice do!

And I blush while I relate, that, the very day after our generous friend was carried off, pale and hollow-eyed, to Georgetohence he never more returned, two of our officers, one of theuard, of course, opposed: but they damned him for an ”iain, they would spit hi the door, they went in, and after forcing the desks, drawers, and trunks, they rifled them of whatever they wanted

This most unsoldierly and detestable transaction was communicated to me by Mrs Cross herself; whose servant ca with her coo down to her, where she was sitting in her carriage at the road I waited on her at once; and greatly to rief, found her in tears I entreated to know the cause

”Oh, sir,” replied she, ”we are ruined! we are ruined! Poor Mr Cross is, I fear, on his deathbed And then ill becoone, and every thing is taken froeneral Marion and his people, froladly ih often at the risk of his utter destruction from the British and tories

”And yet, after all,” said she, ”soon as o and break him up!”

”Madam,” I replied, ”I hope 'tis no offence to ask your pardon; for I really cannot adraceful to our troop: and to uard over your house the moment Mr Cross left it”

”Yes, sir,” said she, ”that's very true And it was like general Marion

But souard and broken open the house, and this instant I saw one of them with Mr Cross's sword by his side”

I never felther to be perfectly easy about her house and furniture in future, I took leave of this excellent lady, and flew to the guard to see if what I had heard were true

He told me it was too true; mentioned the names of the officers; and even went so far as to showabout with the sword by his side!

It ell for the wretch, that I did not possess the eyes of a basilisk, for I should certainly have blasted hi, however, one salutaryhow aboeneral with the hateful tale; which excited in his honest boso one of his aids, he said, ”Go to major ----, and desire him to send me Mr Cross's sword immediately”

The aid was presently back, but without the sword On being asked by the general, why he had not brought it, he replied; ”Theto Mr Cross He says, o for it yourself”

”Well, go back,” said the general, ”and desire those two officers to come to me”

It was not for such an affair as this to be kept secret

It took wind in a moment; and by the time the two officers were arrived, aleneral's quarters, to see hoould act on this extraordinary occasion

Inferring from the looks of the two culprits, that theythat the company should fully understand the merits of the case, he thus addressed us:

”You well know, gentlemen,” said he, ”how like a brother the proprietor of this plantation has always treated us

We never gained a victory, but it caused him tears of joy; and however starved by others, by him we have ever been feasted