Part 23 (1/2)

This fine sentinant whites; who, throwing the end of the halter over the li

He hung till he was nearly dead; when one of them called out, ”D--n him, cut him down, I'll be bound he'll tell us now”

Cudjo was accordingly cut down; and, as soon as a little recovered, questioned again about hisof him He was then hoisted a second time; and a second time, when nearly dead, cut down and questioned as before: but still asserted his ignorance The same inhuman part was acted on him a third time, but with no better success; for the brave fellow still continued faithful to his master, who squatted and trembled in his place of tor

Persuaded now that Cudjo really knew nothing of his ave up the sharound, but covered with glory

It is not easy to conceive a situationthan this of captain Snipes His house, with all his furniture, his kitchen, his barn and rice-stacks, his stables, with several fine horses, and his negro houses, all wrapped in flames; himself scorched and blistered with the furious heat, yet not daring to stir; his retreat well known to a poor slave; and that slave alone, in the hands of an enraged banditti, with theirthe most horrid curses on themselves, if they did not instantly murder him unless he disclosed the secret! What had he to expect of this poor slave, but that he would sink under the dreadful trial, and to save himself would sacrifice his -place, death stared his slave in the face, but, happily, his slave possessed for hier than death”

Captain Snipes and his ether; and the father of our hero being a professor of Christianity, a Baptist preacher, whose main excellence is ”to teach little children to love one another,” had taken great pains to inspire his son with love towards his little slave Nor did that love pass unrequited

For Cudjo used every day to follow his youngas he went; and s Saturday, and what fine fishi+ng and hunting they would have that day Many a tireen; and thence springing up again with renovated strength, set out in fullpond, there to swi flood

And when the tih and to gnaw his nails alone, but would play and sing about the door till his young ood plate full for hireith daily increasing strength to manhood; when Snipes, by the death of his father, became master of the estate, made Cudjo his driver or overseer, and thus rivetted on his honest bosom that sacred friendshi+p which, as we have seen, enabled him to triumph in one of the severest trials that human nature was ever put to

The above is a solemn fact, and the ill lay it to heart

Chapter 21

Marion pursues enerosity to hi that a detach up Black river towards Statesburgh and Caave orders to chase; which was conducted, as usual, with such rapidity, that about sunset of the second day we came up with thean to skirht or nine A few on both sides, rather badly wounded, were ave orders to call off the troops,-- But of this gratification they entirely disappointed us, by striking their tents and pushi+ng off in silence before day

Soon as light returned, and the retreat of the British was announced, we renewed the pursuit; and by late breakfast-time, reached the house at which the eneed to a poor, but excellent old lady, well known to Marion

The general was hardly alighted from his horse, before the old lady had hi how happy she had always been to see hiht down sorry to see you, then I'll be hanged”

Marion, with a look of surprise, asked her why she was sorry to see hieneral? don't I know that old Scratch hi along here, with all your eneral?”

Marion told her, that that was indeed his business

”Well, dear eneral Marion, let ood man, that o: for O! he's the sweetest-spoken, lishman I ever saw in all my born days

As to that Rawdon and Tarleton, God's curse upon the thieves and blackguards!

I would not care if you could kill a thousand of THEM

But that good eneral, you must not hurt a hair of his head, for it would be such a crying sin”

--Siives this name as ”McIlraith”, and James as ”M'Ilraith”, but in this one case, Weems' corruption of the na -- A L, 1997

Marion asked her in what respects was he better than other British officers

”Better than other British officers!” replied the old lady -- ”Lord bless your dear soul, general Marion! Well, co with me, and I'll let you see”

We followed the old lady, who, tripping along ni cabin, wherein sat a enteelly dressed, and several wounded persons lying before hier, who inforeon in the service of his Britannic majesty, and left by major Muckleworth to take care of the wounded; of whom, sir, I believe that nearly one half are your own htened up towards Marion; and giving hieneral! didn't I tell you so?”

Then diving her withered hand in her pocket, she scooped up a shi+ning parcel of English guineas, and exultingly cried out, ”See there, general! see there's a sight for you? and every penny of it given entleman, major Muckleworth; every penny of it, sir Yes, and if you will but believebreakfast for hieants, and had this place swept out all so sweet and clean for them poor sick people; and, with his own dear hands too, helped that gentles, that he did

”And then besides all that, general, he was such a sweet spoken gentleman!