Part 29 (1/2)

M But would you have the tories to lead to glory?

S GLORY! I should think it meanness to be the first to make overtures to such rascals!

M Well, but, captain Snipes, when brethren, as we are, fall out, is it policy to go on to exasperate and cut each other's throats, until our enemy comes and takes away a fine country, of which, by such madness, we had rendered ourselves unworthy? Would it not besteps of passion and revenge, and ainst the common ene a free govern, and religion, ain; would not this, I say, be the true policy?

S Why yes, I confess, general Marion, it would be a noble thing, and very desirable, if it could be done But I cannot bear to think of being the first to , and plundering, andour best friends It is too hard, sir, for reat trial, I confess; but ”the heavier the cross the brighter the crown,” you know, sir And as to the difficulty of the undertaking, that's the very thing that shouldourselves wiser and better men than our enelory of this exploit all now lies with us: for if we do not pluck up courage and do it, it will never be done -- The tories are, generally, an ignorant people; and therefore not ood is to be expected from that quarter

They have also, in e part by us: their consciousness of this can have no tendency to make them court reconciliation with us Since, then, but little is to be expected from THEM, it seems incumbent on US to do the more

We have better information, and we have also a es which God has given us; and now it becolory and to our own honor, by showing a conciliatory and h it should cost us labor to win such a victory, yet, I alorious that we ever achieved

To conquer an enemy by the sword, is, no doubt, honorable; but still it is nothing in co both superior virtue and courage, it coher admiration from the world, and is reflected on by ourselves with far more self-esteem and applause And then, sir, only consider how such conduct will gild the future scenes of life This unfortunate quarrel betwixt us and our countrymen, the tories, is not to last forever

It was only the act of a wicked , by an unconstitutional tax to enslave an affectionate part of the nation

God can never suffer such an atteht to accustom ourselves to think of it as such, and to look beyond it to the happy days that are to succeed

And since the storm of war is soon to subside into the cal now, thatsunshi+ne

Let us not even talk of 'exter war'! that unnatural cris of remorse, and haunt our repose with the dread of retaliation -- which would dran upon our cause the curse of heaven, and enerations

But, far differently, let us act the generous part of those who, though now at variance, are yet brothers, and soon to be good friends again

And then, when peace returns, we shall be in proper frame to enjoy it

No poor wohter of her husband; no naked child, for robbing hiainst us for a brother's blood On the contrary, whenever the battles which we are now fighting, shall recur to our thoughts, with the frightened ene for quarter, we shall remember hoe heard their cries and stopped the uplifted sword

Joy will spring in our bosoms, and all around will sed will shi+ne upon us, because we spared their sons; bright-eyed fe husbands: and even the lips of the children will lisp our praises

Thus with a heaven of delighted feeling in our hearts, and the smiles both of God and lorious peace And when death shall call us to that better world, we shall obey without reluctance Conscious of neither dread nor hate towards any of the blessed people that dwell there, we shall go in strong hope of witnessing the bright realities of that state, where all is immortality and love Perhaps we shall there ht with here; not in their present imperfect state, but in their state of exaltation, clad in robes brighter than the stars, and their faces outshi+ning the sun in his noonday splendors Perhaps at sight of us, these glorious spirits may rush with new-flushed beauties, to eels, recount our kindness to the throngs, listening delighted, shall fix on us their eyes of love, inspiring those joys which none but strong immortals could sustain

Are not these, O e to be cherished that would rob us of such honors?

Can generosity be dear that would ensure to us such so great rewards?

Then let us not think benevolence was enjoined in vain, which is to conduct us to such immortal felicities”

As Marion spoke these words, his countenance, which in general was ht an animation beyond the reader's fancy to conceive

The charht rewards which await it, were painted in such living colors on his face, that not even the stranger could have beheld it unmoved On me, who almost adored Marion for his Godlike virtues, its effects were past describing My bosom heaved with emotions unutterable, while the tear of delicious admiration swelled in my eyes As to captain Snipes, he appeared equally affected

His eyes were riveted on the general, and towards the close of the speech his breath seemed suspended; his color went and came; and his face reddened and swelled; as under the powerful eloquence of the pulpit

Chapter 27

Marion and Lee attack and take fort Watson and fort Motte -- interesting anecdotes

Froetown, Marion proceeded with colonel Lee to attack the British post on Scott's lake, generally called fort Watson

The situation of this fort was rolassy level of the lake, it stood on a hty barrow or tomb like a mount, formed of the bones of Indian nations, there heaped up froe -- Finding that the fort mounted no artillery, Marion resolved to ive his rifleainst their s were cut, and as soon as dark came on, were carried in perfect silence, within point blank shot of the fort, and run up in the shape of large pens or chiher than the enearrison next , to see thee kind of steeple, pouring down upon the top incessant showers of rifle bullets

Nor were they idle the while, but returned the blaze with equal fury, presenting to us, who lay at a distance, a very interesting scene -- as of two volcanoes that had suddenly broke out into fiery strife, singeing the neighboring pines