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diff --git a/10370-0.txt b/10370-0.txt index 19ced5f..764d6e9 100644 --- a/10370-0.txt +++ b/10370-0.txt @@ -1,5 +1,8 @@ *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10370 *** + + + THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE Volume X @@ -11732,11 +11735,4 @@ MISSOURI admitted into the Union,--Aug. 10. 1824. LAFAYETTE visited the United States.--Aug. 15. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Sustained honor, by John R. Musick, - *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10370 *** diff --git a/10370-h.zip b/10370-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 47c624f..0000000 --- a/10370-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/10370-h/10370-h.htm b/10370-h/10370-h.htm index 1ba0556..31f185a 100644 --- a/10370-h/10370-h.htm +++ b/10370-h/10370-h.htm @@ -1,13 +1,13 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> -<html> +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= - "text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of TITLE, by AUTHOR. - </title> - <style type="text/css"> - <!-- + <meta charset="utf-8"> + <title>Sustained honor | Project Gutenberg</title> + <style> +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} * { font-family: Times;} P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .75em; @@ -15,69 +15,29 @@ text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em; } H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } - HR { width: 33%; } - // --> - </style> + HR { width: 33%; }</style> </head> <body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10370 ***</div> +<div style="text-align: center">THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE</div><br> -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Sustained honor, by John R. Musick, - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Sustained honor - The Age of Liberty Established - -Author: John R. Musick, - -Release Date: December 2, 2003 [EBook #10370] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUSTAINED HONOR *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charlie Kirschner and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team. - - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<center>THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE</center><br> - -<center>Volume X</center> +<div style="text-align: center">Volume X</div> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2>SUSTAINED HONOR</h2> +<h1>SUSTAINED HONOR</h1> -<center>The Age of Liberty Established</center><br> +<div style="text-align: center">The Age of Liberty Established</div><br> -<center>By</center> +<div style="text-align: center">By</div> -<center>JOHN R. MUSICK</center><br> +<div style="text-align: center">JOHN R. MUSICK</div><br> -<center>Illustrations By</center> +<div style="text-align: center">Illustrations By</div> -<center>FREELAND A. CARTER</center><br> +<div style="text-align: center">FREELAND A. CARTER</div><br> -<center>1909</center> +<div style="text-align: center">1909</div> @@ -248,13 +208,13 @@ CONCLUSION</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> <h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> -<p><a href="Illus0471.JPG">They took a last look at the spots which were hallowed by association</a></p> +<p><a href="images/Illus0471.jpg">They took a last look at the spots which were hallowed by association</a></p> <p>Emigrants' wagon crossing a stream</p> <p>Morgianna</p> -<p><a href="Illus0472.JPG">Carried the ship by the board after a terrible hand-to-hand conflict</a></p> +<p><a href="images/Illus0472.jpg">Carried the ship by the board after a terrible hand-to-hand conflict</a></p> <p>Stephen Decatur</p> @@ -264,16 +224,16 @@ CONCLUSION</p> <p>As near perfection as a girl of sixteen can be</p> -<p><a href="Illus0473.JPG">That smile and that eternal stare disconcerted the British officer</a></p> +<p><a href="images/Illus0473.jpg">That smile and that eternal stare disconcerted the British officer</a></p> <p>"You surrender easily,"</p> <p>He sat down on a broken mast</p> -<p><a href="Illus0474.JPG">The boatswain's mate brought the terrible scourge hissing and crackling +<p><a href="images/Illus0474.jpg">The boatswain's mate brought the terrible scourge hissing and crackling on the young and tender back</a></p> -<p><a href="Illus0475.JPG">He saw Captain Bones and his lieutenant trying to hide behind a barrel</a></p> +<p><a href="images/Illus0475.jpg">He saw Captain Bones and his lieutenant trying to hide behind a barrel</a></p> <p>It soon became evident that he did not intend to drown her</p> @@ -287,18 +247,18 @@ on the young and tender back</a></p> <p>Tecumseh</p> -<p><a href="Illus0476.JPG">"My brave Kentucky lads, to us is accorded the honor of winning this -battle. Forward!"</a>;</p> +<p><a href="images/Illus0476.jpg">"My brave Kentucky lads, to us is accorded the honor of winning this +battle. Forward!"</a>;</p> -<p><a href="Illus0477.JPG">They came together in an earnest struggle</a></p> +<p><a href="images/Illus0477.jpg">They came together in an earnest struggle</a></p> <p>"My father will protect me; I want no other protection"</p> <p>Sukey's thumb lifted the hammer of his gun</p> -<p><a href="Illus0480.JPG">Packenham fell bleeding and dying in the arms of Sir Duncan McDougal</a></p> +<p><a href="images/Illus0480.jpg">Packenham fell bleeding and dying in the arms of Sir Duncan McDougal</a></p> -<p>Map of the period(<a href="Illus0478.JPG">Part 1</a>)(<a href="Illus0479.JPG">Part 2</a>)</p> +<p>Map of the period(<a href="images/Illus0478.jpg">Part 1</a>)(<a href="images/Illus0479.jpg">Part 2</a>)</p> @@ -307,7 +267,7 @@ battle. Forward!"</a>;</p> <br> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I."></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_I."></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> <br> <p>THE YOUNG EMIGRANT.</p> @@ -780,7 +740,7 @@ a strong, healthy lad, with a constantly expanding mind.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II."></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_II."></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> <br> <p>MORGIANNA.</p> @@ -1326,7 +1286,7 @@ dark story had never been told to her,--that was left for the future.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III."></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_III."></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> <p>JEFFERSONIANISM.</p> @@ -1648,7 +1608,7 @@ for the proposition to carry, and the government was saved.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV."></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_IV."></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> <p>BRITISH CRUISERS.</p> @@ -2294,7 +2254,7 @@ parson should use.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V."></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_V."></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> <p>FERNANDO'S JOURNEY EAST. HE MEETS WITH QUEER PEOPLE.</p> @@ -2918,7 +2878,7 @@ Sukey, starting suddenly from a couch on which he had been reclining.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI."></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_VI."></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> <p>WAR FEELING OF 1811.</p> @@ -3311,7 +3271,7 @@ conflagration.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII."></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_VII."></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> <p>FERNANDO'S FRIEND GETS HIM INTO A SERIOUS SCRAPE.</p> @@ -3921,7 +3881,7 @@ Ten minutes more, and he might be in eternity.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII."></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_VIII."></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> <p>THE BELLE OF THE BEACH.</p> @@ -4485,7 +4445,7 @@ hill with her father.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX."></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_IX."></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> <p>THE ENGLISHMAN'S DILEMMA.</p> @@ -5127,7 +5087,7 @@ he passed.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X."></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_X."></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> <p>THE SILENT GUNNER.</p> @@ -5737,7 +5697,7 @@ moment in his own and whispered: "Thank you!"</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI."></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XI."></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> <p>SHIPWRECK--ESCAPE AND RETURN TO OHIO.</p> @@ -6094,7 +6054,7 @@ ambitious monarch.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII."></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XII."></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> <p>WAR.</p> @@ -6500,7 +6460,7 @@ lost at Detroit.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII."></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XIII."></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> <p>THE PEACE PARTY.</p> @@ -7083,7 +7043,7 @@ saying, "I told you so!"</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV."></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XIV."></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> <p>FERNANDO SEES SERVICE.</p> @@ -7765,7 +7725,7 @@ on the ground with scores of others.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV."></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XV."></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> <p>ON LAND.</p> @@ -8184,7 +8144,7 @@ her, so he came with Sukey.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI."></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XVI."></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> <p>ON WATER.</p> @@ -8615,7 +8575,7 @@ slumber.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII."></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XVII."></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> <p>THE CRUISER'S THREAT.</p> @@ -9258,7 +9218,7 @@ when she knows it is I who came to defend her?"</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII."></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XVIII."></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> <p>THE SAVING SHOT.</p> @@ -9876,7 +9836,7 @@ constrained to ask himself:</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX."></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XIX."></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> <p>NEW ORLEANS.</p> @@ -10433,7 +10393,7 @@ would never have been fought.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX."></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XX."></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> <p>CONCLUSION.</p> @@ -10985,7 +10945,7 @@ trying days of the early history of the Great Republic of the New World.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="HISTORICAL_INDEX."></a>HISTORICAL INDEX.</h2> +<h2><a id="HISTORICAL_INDEX."></a>HISTORICAL INDEX.</h2> <hr style="width: 25%;"> @@ -11506,7 +11466,7 @@ trying days of the early history of the Great Republic of the New World.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHRONOLOGY."></a>CHRONOLOGY.</h2> +<h2><a id="CHRONOLOGY."></a>CHRONOLOGY.</h2> <br> <p>PERIOD X.--AGE OF LIBERTY ESTABLISHED.</p> @@ -11787,420 +11747,6 @@ off Bahia, Brazil,--Dec. 29.</p> <br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Sustained honor, by John R. 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Musick, - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Sustained honor - The Age of Liberty Established - -Author: John R. Musick, - -Release Date: December 2, 2003 [EBook #10370] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUSTAINED HONOR *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charlie Kirschner and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team. - - - - - -THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE - -Volume X - -SUSTAINED HONOR - -The Age of Liberty Established - -By - -JOHN R. MUSICK - -ILLUSTRATIONS BY - -FREELAND A. CARTER - -1909 - - - - -PREFACE. - -Written history is generally too scholastic to interest the great mass -of readers. Dignified and formal, it deals mainly with great events, and -often imperfectly with these, because, not pausing to present clear -impression by the associations of individual life, it conveys a stiff -and unnatural opinion of the past. Historians ignore the details which -go to make up the grand sum total of history, and from the very best -histories one can get but a meagre idea of the life and times of the -people of bygone ages. It is these minor details of past events which -lend to fiction its greatest charm, and attract the multitude, by -appearing more like truth. Although untrue in the particular -combinations, scenes and plots delineated, yet well written fiction is -drawn from nature and experience, and these facts in life, as with -chessmen, are only arranged in new but natural positions. History should -include everything in the nature, character, customs and incidents, both -general and individual, that contribute to originate what is peculiar -in a people, or what causes their advancement or decline. So broad is -its scope, that nothing is too mighty for its grasp--so searching, -scarce anything is too minute. Were written history a clear transcript -of valuable incidents, it would be more enticing than the most -fascinating fiction. - -It is the purpose of this volume to deal with some of the remote and -direct causes of the second war with England, by endeavoring, as nearly -as our ability will permit, to transport the reader back to the scenes -of eighty or ninety years ago, and give views of the incidents which -clustered around the events of that time. - -The war of 1812 has been properly termed by some historians the second -war for independence; for, in truth, the independence of the United -States of America was not established until after that event. Great -Britain across the ocean and the horde of Tories still in America had -not abandoned all hope of yet making the United States a dependency of -the country from which she had fought seven long years to free herself. -The war of 1812 was never fought to a finish. In some respects it was a -drawn fight. Its results were not satisfactory to the patriotic -American, and certainly were not to Great Britain. The contemptible -"Peace Faction" continually crippled the administration all through the -contest of nearly three years. - -After studying the patriotism of New England through the War of the -Revolution, one is surprised at the unpatriotic actions of that section -of the United States in 1812. One can hardly believe that it was party -fealty and political hatred of the democratic party alone which made -these formerly patriotic colonies and States hot-beds of sedition and -treason. It looks as if those States, having built up a flourishing -trade with Great Britain, cared little about the impressment of sailors, -or the enslaving of their countrymen, so long as they filled their own -pockets. The men seized were usually poor, and their happiness, liberty -and life were lightly regarded in comparison with the prosperity of the -"Peace Party" merchant. If patriotism were dormant in the East, however, -in the growing West, and the generous South it was strong. From those -sections came the hardy sons of liberty, who taught Johnny Bull anew to -respect the rights of the common people. Though the treaty of peace was -not satisfactory in many particulars, it more clearly defined the lines -between the United States and British possessions in America, leaving -the fishery question and the right to search and impressment in an -unsettled condition, giving the "Peace Party" an opportunity to say, "I -told you so." - -An attempt is made in this story to cover the whole period of the war -and the causes leading up to it, treating it from the standpoint of an -individual of the time. The pioneers of seventy-five years ago were a -hardy race, long since disappeared. We hope that from Fernando Stevens, -the hero of this volume, the reader may derive some idea of pioneer life -as it then was. Fernando Stevens was a namesake of the cabin-boy of -Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to America, Hernando Estevan, -of whom he was a lineal descendant. The hero of this volume was a son of -Albert Stevens, a Revolutionary soldier, who was a son of Colonel Noah -Stevens, of the French and Indian War, who was a son of Elmer Stevens of -early Virginia history, a son of Robert Stevens of the time of Bacon's -Rebellion. He was a son of John Smith Stevens, of the early Virginia -history, who was the son of Philip Stevens, or Philip Estevan, the young -Spaniard who was the personal friend of Captain John Smith and helped -lay the foundation of Jamestown. He was a son of Francisco Estevan of -St. Augustine, who was a son of Christopher Estevan of Cuba, a companion -of Pizarro and De Soto, and he was a son of Hernando Estevan, who went -as cabin-boy with Columbus on his memorable first voyage in which he -discovered the Western Hemisphere. - -This scion of a long line of stalwart but not famous ancestors is the -one whose adventures we now narrate. Like his ancestors, he was only one -of the rank and file of Americans, whose names are seldom seen in print, -but who, after all, go to make up the true history of our glorious -republic. Fernando's adventures, with those of Morgianna, the mysterious -waif of the sea, form the romance of this story. - -JOHN E. MUSICK. - -KIRKSVILLE, Mo., July 11th, 1893. - - - - -TABLE OF CONTENTS. - -CHAPTER I. -THE YOUNG EMIGRANT - -CHAPTER II. -MORGIANNA - -CHAPTER III. -JEFFERSONIANISM - -CHAPTER IV. -BRITISH CRUISERS - -CHAPTER V. -FERNANDO'S JOURNEY EAST. HE MEETS WITH QUEER PEOPLE - -CHAPTER VI. -WAR FEELING OF 1811 - -CHAPTER VII. -FERNANDO'S FRIEND GETS HIM INTO A SERIOUS SCRAPE - -CHAPTER VIII. -THE BELLE OF THE BEACH - -CHAPTER IX. -THE ENGLISHMAN'S DILEMMA - -CHAPTER X. -THE SILENT GUNNER - -CHAPTER XI. -SHIPWRECK, ESCAPE AND RETURN TO OHIO - -CHAPTER XII. -WAR - -CHAPTER XIII. -THE PEACE PARTY - -CHAPTER XIV. -FERNANDO SEES SERVICE - -CHAPTER XV. -ON LAND - -CHAPTER XVI. -ON WATER - -CHAPTER XVII. -THE CRUISER'S THREAT - -CHAPTER XVIII. -THE SAVING SHOT - -CHAPTER XIX. -NEW ORLEANS - -CHAPTER XX. -CONCLUSION - -HISTORICAL INDEX - -CHRONOLOGY - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - -They took a last look at the spots which were hallowed by association - -Emigrants' wagon crossing a stream - -Morgianna - -Carried the ship by the board after a terrible hand-to-hand conflict - -Stephen Decatur - -"Do you think dar is any Angler-Saxun blood in dese veins?" - -Fulton's _Clermont_, the first steamboat - -As near perfection as a girl of sixteen can be - -That smile and that eternal stare disconcerted the British officer - -"You surrender easily," - -He sat down on a broken mast - -The boatswain's mate brought the terrible scourge hissing and crackling -on the young and tender back - -He saw Captain Bones and his lieutenant trying to hide behind a barrel - -It soon became evident that he did not intend to drown her - -Henry Clay - -John C. Calhoun - -"Lave it all to me" - -James Madison - -Tecumseh - -"My brave Kentucky lads, to us is accorded the honor of winning this -battle. Forward!" - -They came together in an earnest struggle - -"My father will protect me; I want no other protection" - -Sukey's thumb lifted the hammer of his gun - -Packenham fell bleeding and dying in the arms of Sir Duncan McDougal - -Map of the period - - - - -SUSTAINED HONOR. - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE YOUNG EMIGRANT. - -[Illustration] - -The first recollections of Fernando Stevens, the hero of this romance, -were of "moving." He was sitting on his mother's knee. How long he had -been sitting there he did not know, nor did he know how he came there; -but he knew that it was his mother and that they were in a great covered -wagon, and that he had a sister and brother, older than himself, in the -wagon. The wagon was filled with household effects, which he seemed to -know belonged to that mother on whose knee he sat and that father who -was sitting on the box driving the horses which pulled the wagon. -Fernando Stevens was never exactly certain as to his age at the time of -this experience; but he could not have been past three, and perhaps not -more than two years old, when he thus found himself with his father's -family and all their effects in a wagon going somewhere. - -He knew not from whence they came, nor did he know whither they were -going. It was pleasant to sit on his mother's knee and with his great -blue eyes watch those monster horses jogging along dragging after them -the great world, which in his limited comprehension was all the world he -knew,--the covered wagon. Suddenly some bright, revolving object -attracted his attention, and he fixed his eyes on it. It was the wagon -tire, and he saw it crushing and killing the grass at the side of the -road, or rolling and flattening down the dust in long streaks. - -Then they descended a hill. It was not a long hill, but seemed rather -steep. There was water at the bottom. He remembered seeing the bright, -sparkling wavelets and never forgot the impression they produced. There -was a boat at the bottom of the hill, and the wagon and horses were -driven into the boat. A man and boy began propelling the long sweeps or -oars. He watched the proceeding in infantile wonder and especially -remembered how the water dropped in sparkling crystals from the oar -blades. The boy had on a red cap or fez with a tassel. That boy, that -cap and that oar with the sparkling dripping water from the blade were -to him the brightest pictures and greatest wonders he had ever known. - -He had not the least idea why the man and boy dipped those oars into the -water and pulled them out all dripping and pretty, unless it was to -amuse him. The oars were painted blue. He did not know where they were -going, or when this journey would end, or that it was a journey. - -Thus Fernando Stevens began life. This was the first page in his -existence that he could recollect. In after years he knew he was -Fernando Stevens, that his father was Albert Stevens, a soldier in the -War of the Revolution, that his kind, sweet-faced mother was Estella -Stevens, and that the very first experience he could remember was that -of the family emigrating to the great Ohio valley. - -Albert Stevens was married shortly after the close of the Revolutionary -War, and he tried hard to succeed in New England; but he had no trade -and no profession, and the best lands in the country were bought. Seven -years of his early life, with all his dawning manhood had been spent in -the army, and now with his family of three children he found himself -poor. Congress had made a treaty with the Indians by which the vast -territory of the Ohio valley was thrown open to white settlers, and he -resolved to emigrate to where land was cheap, purchase a home and grow -up with the country. - -Resolved to emigrate, the father collected his little property and -provided himself with a wagon and four horses, some cows, a rifle, a -shot-gun and an axe. His trusty dog became the companion of his journey. -In his wagon he placed his bedding, his provisions and such cooking -utensils as were indispensable. Everything being ready, his wife and the -three children took their seats, Fernando, the youngest, on his mother's -knee; while the father of the family mounted the box. The horses were -started and the great vehicle began to move. As they passed through the -village which had been to them the scene of many happy hours, they took -a last look at the spots which were hallowed by association--the church -with its lowly spire, an emblem of that humility which befits a -Christian, and the burial-ground, where the weeping willow bent -mournfully over the head-stone which marked the graves of their parents. -The children, who were old enough to remember, never forgot their -playground, nor the white schoolhouse where the rudiments of an -education were instilled into their minds. - -Their road was at first, comparatively smooth and their journey -pleasant. Their progress was interrupted by divers little incidents; -while the continual changes in the appearance of the country around -them, and the anticipation of what was to come, prevented those feelings -of despondency, which might otherwise have arisen on leaving a much -loved home. When the roads became bad or hilly, the family quit the -wagon and trudged along on foot, the mother carrying the baby Fernando -in her arms. At sunset, their day's journey finished, they halted in the -forest by the roadside to prepare their supper and pass the night. The -horses were unharnessed, watered and secured with their heads to the -trough until they had eaten their meagre allowance of corn and oats, and -then were hobbled out to grass. Over the camp fire the mother prepared -the frugal supper, which being over, the emigrants arranged themselves -for the night, while the faithful dog kept watch. Amid all the -privations and vicissitudes in their journey, they were cheered by the -consciousness that each day lessened the distance between them and the -land of promise, whose fertile soil was to recompense them for all their -trials and hardships. - -Gradually, as they advanced west, the roads became more and more rough -and were only passable in many places by logs having been placed side by -side, forming what was termed corduroy roads. The axe and rifle of the -emigrant, or mover as he is still termed in the west, were brought -daily and almost hourly into use. With the former he cut saplings, or -small trees, to throw across the roads, which, in many places, were -almost impassable; while with his rifle he killed squirrels, wild -turkeys, or such game as the forest afforded, for their provisions were -in a few days exhausted. If, perchance, a buck crossed his path, and he -brought it down by a lucky shot, it was carefully dressed and hung up in -the forks of the trees; fires were built, and the meat cut into small -strips and smoked and dried for future subsistence. - -As they advanced, the road through the woods became more difficult to -travel, the trees being merely felled and drawn aside, so as to permit a -wheeled carriage to pass; and the emigrant was often obliged to be -guided in his route only by the blaze of the surveyor on the trees, and -at every few rods to cut away the branches which obstructed his passage. -As the stroke of the axe reverberated through the woods, no answer came -back to assure him of the presence of friend or foe. At night in these -solitudes, they heard the wolves stealing through the gloom, sniffing -the scent of the intruders; and now and then, then bloodshot eyes of the -catamount glared through the foliage. - -Days, weeks and months passed in this toilsome journey through the -wilderness, so indelibly impressing it on the memory of Fernando -Stevens, that he never, to his dying day, forgot that journey. At last -they arrived at the landmarks which, to Albert Stevens, indicated the -proximity of his possessions. A location for the cabin was selected near -a small stream of running water, on the south side of a slight -elevation. - -No time was lost. The trees were immediately felled, and in a short time -Fernando, looking out from the covered wagon, perceived a clear space of -ground of but few rods in circumference. Stakes, forked at the top, were -driven into the ground, on which the father placed logs, and the chinks -between these were stopped with clay. An enclosure was thus hastily -thrown up to protect the family from the weather, and the wife and -children were removed to this improvised abode. The trunks of the trees -were rolled to the edge of the clearing, and surmounted by stakes driven -crosswise into the ground: the severed tops and branches of trees piled -on top of the logs, thus forming a brush fence. By degrees the -surrounding trees were "girdled" and killed. Those that would split were -cut down and made into rails, while others were left to rot or logged up -and burned. - -A year showed a great improvement in the pioneer's home. Several acres -had been added to the clearing, and the place began to assume the -appearance of a farm. The temporary shanty had given place to a -comfortable log cabin; and although the chimney was built of small -sticks placed one on the other, and filled in between with clay, -occupying almost one whole end of the cabin, it showed that the inward -man was duly attended to; and the savory fumes of venison, of the -prairie hen and other good things went far to prove that even backwoods -life was not without its comforts. [Footnote: The author has often heard -his mother say that the most enjoyable period of her life was in a -pioneer home similar to the above.] - -In a few months, the retired cabin, once so solitary, became the nucleus -of a little settlement. Other sections and quarter sections of land were -entered at the land office by new corners. New portions of ground were -cleared, cabins were erected; and in a short time the settlement could -turn out a dozen efficient hands for house raising or log rolling. A saw -mill soon after was erected at the falls of the creek; the log huts -received a poplar weather boarding, and, as the little settlement -increased, other improvements appeared; a mail line was established, and -before many years elapsed, a fine road was completed to the nearest -town, and a stage coach, which ran once, then twice a week, connected -the settlement with the populous country to the east of it. - -This was the life the hero of this story began. It might be said to be -an unromantic life; yet such a life was known to many of our American -ancestors. It had its pleasures as well as its pains. It had its poetry -as well as its prose, and its joys as well as its sorrows. The vastness -of the forest and depths of the solitude by which he was surrounded, -made its impress on his mind. He grew up in ignorance of tyranny and -many of the evils of the great cities. - -The cabin home and the narrow clearing about it formed his playground. -His first toy was a half-bushel measure, which he called his "bushee!" -This he rolled before him around the log cabin and the paths made in the -tall grass, frequently to the dread of his mother, who feared that he -might encounter some of the deadly serpents with which the forest -abounded. He remembered on one occasion, when his mother found him going -too far, she called: - -"Come back, Fernando; mother is afraid you will step on a snake." - -He looked about him with the confidence of childhood, and answered: - -"No 'nakes here." - -Just at that moment, the mother, to her horror, saw a deadly reptile -coiled in the very path along which the child was rolling his "bushee," -and with true frontier woman's pluck, ran and snatched up the -bare-footed Fernando, when only within two feet of the deadly serpent, -carried him to the house, and with the stout staff assailed and killed -the rattlesnake. - -He remembered seeing the wild deer bound past the cabin door, and one -day his father killed one. The big dog called "Bob," on account of the -shortness of his caudal appendage, on another occasion leaped on a wild -buck as he was passing the house, and seized the animal, holding it -until it was slain. Wild turkeys were common; he saw them in great -flocks in the woods, and did not suppose they could ever become extinct. - -Fernando never forgot his first pair of shoes. He had grown to be quite -a lad, and his bare feet had trod the paths in the forest, and over the -prairies in summer and late in autumn, until they had become hardened. -In winter his mother had made him moccasins out of deer skins; but he -was at last informed that he was going to have a pair of shoes, such as -he had seen some children from the eastern States wear. His joy at this -intelligence knew no bounds. He dreamed of those shoes at night, and -they formed the theme of his conversation by day. His sister, who was -the oldest of the children, had been the happy possessor of three pairs -of shoes, and she often discussed knowingly the good qualities of pedal -coverings and of their advantages in travelling through brambles or over -stones. Often as he contemplated his scratched, chapped and bruised -feet, the child had asked himself if it were possible that he should -ever be able to afford such a luxury as a real pair of shoes. - -Money was scarce, luxuries scarcer. The frontier people lived hard, -worked hard, slept sound, and enjoyed excellent health. - -Though little Fernando had never owned a real pair of shoes in his life, -so far as he could remember, he possessed a strong mind and body, and no -prince was his superior. He had, as yet, never been to school a day, but -from the great book of nature he had imbibed sublimity and loftiness of -thought, which only painters and poets feel. - -Though he was shoeless, he was inspired with lofty ideas of freedom such -as many reared in cities never dream about. The father had to make a -long journey to some far-away place for the shoes. The day before -starting all the children were made to put their feet on the floor, -while the parents measured them with strings, and tied knots to indicate -the size of shoes to be purchased. At last the measures were obtained, -and the father put them in the pocket of his buckskin hunting jacket. -Then he harnessed the horses to the wagon and, with, his trusty rifle -for his only companion, drove away. Bob, the faithful watch-dog, was -very anxious to accompany him, and whined and howled for two or three -days; but he was kept at home to defend the family. A faithful protector -was Bob, and woe to the intruder who dared to annoy the household while -he was around. Fernando waited patiently and long for the return of his -father. Every night before retiring to his trundle-bed, he would ask his -mother if "father would come next day." - -At last the joyous shout of the older children announced the approach of -the wagon. They ran down the road to meet it. The horses jogged along -with the wagon, which rolled and jolted over the ground to the house. -The wagon was unloaded. There were bags of meal and flour, coffee and -tea, and then came the calico and cotton goods, jugs of molasses and a -barrel of sugar. The shoes were in a box and finally brought out. - -A great disappointment was in store for Fernando. His shoes were too -small. The father had lost the string and purchased the shoes "by -guess." Fernando tried hard to squeeze his foot into the little green -coverings; but they were so small and there was danger of bursting them. -Father had to go back to the land office in a day or two and would -exchange them. He rode off on the white mare, "old Betts," and on his -return had a pair of shoes large enough for Fernando. - -They were awkward at first and cramped, pinched and galled his feet. His -mother made him a suit of clothes of "blue drilling" and next Sabbath -the whole family got into the wagon and drove off eight miles to Bear -Creek to "meeting." - -The people of the west were as thorough a combination and mixture of all -nations, characters, languages, conditions and opinions as can well be -imagined. Scarcely a nation in Europe, or a State in the union, that did -not furnish emigrants for the great west. The greater mass from Europe -were of the humble classes, who came from hunger, poverty and -oppression. They found themselves here with the joy of shipwrecked -mariners cast on the untenanted woods, and instantly became cheered with -the hope of being able to build up a family and a fortune from -new elements. - -The Puritan and the planter, the German, the Briton, the Frenchman, the -Irishman and the Swede, each with his peculiar prejudices and local -attachments, and all the complicated and interwoven tissue of -sentiments, feelings and thoughts, that country, kindred and home, -indelibly combined with the web of youthful existence, settled down -beside each other. The merchant, mechanic and farmer found themselves -placed by necessity in the same society. Men must cleave to their kind -and must be dependent upon each other. Pride and jealousy give way to -the natural yearnings of the human heart for society. They began to rub -off mutual prejudices. One took a step and then the other. They met half -way and embraced; and the society thus newly organized and constituted -was more liberal, enlarged, unprejudiced, and of course more -affectionate and pleasant than a society of people of like birth and -character, who would bring all their early prejudices as a common stock, -to be transmitted as an inheritance to posterity. - -Depending only on God and nature, the simple backwoodsman came to regard -God as his only master and, like the Swiss patriot, would bow his knee -to none other. Men were left free to adopt such religious views and -tenets as they chose, and the generous laws protected every man alike in -his religious opinions. Ministers of the gospel and priests, being -presumed to be devoted to humanity, charity and general benevolence, -were precluded by many State constitutions from any participation in the -legislative authority, and their compensation depended wholly upon the -voluntary aid of those among whom they labored in charity and love. In -the wide district where the Stevens lived, the country was too sparsely -settled to support a stationed minister, and "preaching" was a luxury. -Unsustained by the rigid precepts of law in any privileges, perquisites, -fixed revenue, prescribed by reverence or authority, except such as was -voluntarily acknowledged, the clergy found that success depended upon -the due cultivation of popular talents. Zeal for the great cause mixed, -perhaps, with a spice of earthly ambition, the innate sense of emulation -and laudable pride, a desire of distinction among their cotemporaries -and brethren, prompted them to seek popularity, and to study all the -arts and means of winning the popular favor. - -Travelling from month to month through dark forests, with such ample -time for deep thought, as they ambled slowly along the lonesome horse -path or unfrequented roads, they naturally acquired a pensive and -romantic turn of thought and expression, which is often favorable to -eloquence. Hence their preaching was of the highly popular cast, such as -immortalized Peter Cartwright. The first aim was to excite the -ministers; hence, too, excitement, or, in religious parlance, -"awakenings," or "revivals" became common. Living remote from each -other, and spending much of their time in domestic solitude in vast -forests or wide spreading prairies, the "appointment" for preaching was -looked upon as a gala-day, or a pleasing change, which brought together -the auditors from remote points, and gratified a feeling of curiosity, -which prompted the pioneers to associate and interchange cordial -congratulations. - -As yet no meeting house had been erected in all the region where the -Stevens lived. The meeting on Bear Creek was at the home of Mr. Moore, -who was the happy possessor of a "double log cabin." One cabin or room -was cleared of furniture, and sawn boards, placed on sticks of wood on -end, furnished the seats. These were occupied and the "entry" between -the cabins was filled by children. The preacher, who was also chorister, -took his position near the door so as to accommodate those without as -well as those within. He opened his saddle-bags and, pushing back his -soiled linen, took out his bible and hymn-book and, proceeding to "line -a hymn," "started it" himself, the congregation all joining. - -Fernando Stevens had heard from his sister about these wonderful -meetings; but he had never dreamed that a score of voices could raise -such an uproar, and he ceased admiring his new shoes, while he fixed his -eyes in terror on the capacious mouth of a pious old man, who, in his -fervent zeal, was singing with all his might. As he sounded forth each -resonant note, louder than the preceding, his mouth opened wider and -wider, until Fernando took alarm and climbed upon his father's knee. - -At this critical moment, there came on the air a cracking sound, and one -of the boards which served the purpose of a pew broke in the centre and -came down with a crash, precipitating nearly half a score of buxom, -screaming girls into a promiscuous heap upon the floor. This was too -much for Fernando. He could not but attribute the disaster to the -wide-mouthed singer, and he screamed so lustily in his fright, that his -father took him from the house to calm his fears. - -Fernando's first experience at "meeting" was not very encouraging; but -he did not despair. Soon after their return home he heard the family -begin to speak of the "camp-meeting," and learned that one was to be -held at the head waters of Bear Creek, not far from the home of Mr. -Moore, and that the family was going. - -On the appointed day they took their places in the wagon and started for -the camp ground. Notice of the camp-meeting had been circulated for -several weeks or months, and all were eager to attend. The country for -fifty miles around was excited with the cheerful anticipation of the -approaching festival of religious feeling and social friendship. When -the Stevenses arrived on the grounds, wagons and carts, coaches and old -family chaises, people on horseback and on foot, in multitudes, with -provision wagons, tents, mattresses, household implements and cooking -utensils, were seen hurrying from every direction toward the central -point. The camp was in the midst of a grove of beautiful, lofty, -umbrageous trees, natural to the western country, clothed in their -deepest verdure, and near a sparkling stream, which supplied the host -with fresh water. White tents started up in the grove, and soon a sylvan -village sprang up as if by magic. The tents and booths were pitched in a -semi-circle, or in a four-sided parallelogram, inclosing an area of two -acres or more, for the arrangement of seats and aisles around a rude -pulpit and altar for the thronging multitude, all eager to hear the -heavenly messenger. - -Fernando beheld all in a maze of wonder, and half believed this was that -Heaven of which his mother had told him so much. He half expected to see -the skies open and the son of God descend in all his glory. Toward -night, the hour of solemn service approached, and the vast sylvan bower -of the deep umbrageous forest was illuminated by numerous lamps -suspended around the line of tents which encircled the public area and -beside the rustic altars distributed over the same, which sent forth a -glare of light from the fagot fires upon the worshipping throng, and the -majestic forest with an imposing effect, which elevated the soul to fit -converse with its creator, God. - -The scenery of the most brilliant theatre of the world was only a -painting for children compared with this. Meantime, the multitude, with -the highest excitement of social feeling, added to the general -enthusiasm of expectation, was passing from tent to tent interchanging -apostolic greetings and embraces, while they talked of the approaching -solemnities. A few minutes sufficed to finish the evening's repast, when -the moon (for they had taken thought to appoint the meeting at the time -of the full moon) began to show its disc above the dark summits of the -distant mountains, while a few stars were seen glimmering in the west. -Then the service began. The whole constituted a temple worthy of the -grandeur of God. An old man in a dress of the quaintest simplicity -ascended a platform, wiped the dust from his spectacles, and, in a voice -of suppressed emotion "lined the hymn," of which that vast multitude -could recite the words, to be sung with an air in which every voice -could join. Every heart capable of feeling thrilled with emotion as that -song swelled forth, "Like the sound of many waters, echoing among the -hills and mountains." The service proceeded. The hoary-haired orator -talked of God, of eternity, of a judgment to come and all that is -impressive beyond. He spoke of his experiences and toils, his travels, -his persecutions and triumphs, and how many he had seen in hope, in -peace and triumph gathered to their fathers. When he spoke of the short -space that remained for him, his only regret was that he could no longer -proclaim, in the silence of death, the unsearchable riches and mercies -of his crucified Redeemer. - -No wonder, as the speaker paused to dash the gathering moisture from his -own eye, his audience was dissolved in tears, or uttered exclamations of -penitence. Many who prided themselves on an estimation of a higher -intellect and a nobler insensibility than the crowd caught the -infection, and wept, while the others, "who came to mock remained -to pray." - -In due time a schoolhouse was erected on the banks of the creek a mile -away from the house of Albert Stevens. Fernando was sent with the older -children. Mrs. Creswell the teacher had no end of trouble with the -little fellow, whose ideas of liberty were inconsistent with discipline, -and who insisted on reclining on the floor instead of sitting on a -bench. He became hungry and despite the fact that his preceptress had -forbidden "talking out loud" declared that he wanted something to eat. - -"Wait a bit," answered the teacher. "We will have recess by and by." - -"Is recess something to eat?" he asked. - -This question produced a titter, and the insubordinate youngster was -again told he must not talk. After awhile he became accustomed to school -and liked it. He grew older and learned his letters. It was a tedious -task, the most difficult of which was to distinguish "N" from "U," but -he finally mastered them, and his education, he supposed, was complete. -After two or three years, he learned to read. His father on one of his -journeys to town brought to their forest home some excellent books, with -bright, beautiful pictures. He was now nine years old, and could read -with some difficulty. One of his books was a story about a man being -wrecked on an island, and having saved a black man named Friday from -death by savages. Fernando never tired of this wonderful book, and, in -his eagerness for the adventures of Robinson Crusoe, learned to read -well without knowing it. - -From reading one book, he came to read others, and lofty, ambitious -thoughts took possession of his soul. His mind, uncontaminated or -dwarfed by the sins of civilization, early began to reach out for high -and noble ideas. - -His father had been a captain in the continental army, and had travelled -all over the Atlantic States during the war for independence. He told -his children many stories of those dark days and sought early to instil -in their young minds a love for their country, urging them ever to -sustain its honor and its flag. - -Fernando Stevens, even early in childhood, became a patriot. He could be -nothing more nor less than a patriot and lover of freedom with such -training, and growing up in such an atmosphere. With the bitter wrongs -of George III. rankling in his heart, he came to despise all forms of -monarchy, and to hate "redcoats." The cruelties of Cornwallis, Tarleton, -Rawdon, Tryon and Butler were still in the minds of the people, and the -boy, as he gazed on his father's sword hanging on the cabin wall, often -declared he would some day take it and avenge the wrongs done in -years gone by. - -Years passed on, and Fernando, in his quiet home in the West, grew to be -a strong, healthy lad, with a constantly expanding mind. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - -MORGIANNA. - -It was early on the morning of June 13, 1796, just twenty years after -the Declaration of Independence, that Captain Felix Lane, of the good -ship _Ocean Star_, was on his voyage from Rio to Baltimore with a cargo -of coffee. The morning was specially bright, and the captain, as brave a -man as ever paced a quarter deck, was in the best of spirits, for he -expected soon to be home. He had no wife and children to greet him on -his return, for Lane was a bachelor. He had served on board a privateer -during the War of the Revolution and had done as much damage as any man -on salt water to English merchantmen. Like most brave men, Captain Lane -had a generous soul, a kind heart, and there was not a man aboard his -vessel who would not have died for him. He preserved perfect discipline -and respect through love rather than fear, for he was never known to be -harsh with any of his crew. - -No one knew why the captain had never married. His first mate, who had -sailed under him four years, had never dared broach him on the subject -of matrimony. There was a story--a mere rumor--perhaps without the -slightest foundation, of Felix Lane, when a poor sailor boy, loving the -daughter of an English merchant at Portsmouth, England. The mate got the -story from a gossipy old English sailor, who claimed to know all about -it, but whose fondness for spinning yarns brought discredit on his -veracity. According to the old sailor's account, the fair English maid's -name was Mary. Her father was one of the wealthiest merchants in the -city; and one day when Lane was only nineteen he met Mary. Her beauty -captivated him and inspired him to a nobler life. Mary loved the young -sailor; but it was the old story of the penniless lover and cruel -parent. The sailor was forcibly expelled from the house and sailed to -America, with a heart full of revenge and ambition. - -He arrived just after the battle of Lexington, and soon shipped aboard a -privateer. Again it was the old story of a rash lover laughing at death, -seeking the grim monster who seemed to avoid him. His ship was so -successful, that in a short time each of the crew was rich from prize -money. Four years and a half of war found Felix Lane commander of the -most daring privateer on the ocean. He was already wealthy and continued -by fresh prizes to add to his immense fortune. The merchant marine of -Great Britain dreaded his ship, the _Sea Rover_, more than the whole -American navy. Lane was one of the most expert seamen on the ocean, and -might have had a high office in the regular navy, had he not found this -semi-piratical business more lucrative. - -One day his vessel sighted a large merchantman, off the coast of Spain, -and engaged it in a terrible conflict. The merchantman carried twice as -many people and heavier guns than the _Sea Rover_; but by the skilful -management of his ship Captain Lane continued to rake her fore and aft -until she was forced to strike her colors. When the conqueror went -aboard, he found the splintered deck a scene of horror. Cordage, -shrouds, broken spars and dead and dying men strewed the deck. Near the -gangway was a middle-aged man holding in his arms a girl mortally -wounded in the conflict. He recognized her in a moment, and the scene -which followed tried all the powers of the old yarn-spinner's -descriptive faculties. He held her in his arms and wept and prayed until -her life was extinct. It was said that she recognized him and that she -died with a sweet smile on her face, pointing upward to a place of -reunion. The father, who had survived the conflict, was released, and -Captain Felix continued his career a sadder and better man. - -Whether this story was true or not, no one can at this day tell, for -Jack tars are proverbial yarn-spinners, and seek more after romance than -truth. One thing is quite certain, though, Captain Lane was still a -bachelor, and had resisted all the advances of beautiful women, until no -one doubted that he would end his days a bachelor. - -On this bright June morning a sail was descried S.S.E., and there -immediately sprang up a little conversation between master and mate as -to the probable character of the ship. - -"Perchance, captain, it's a British cruiser," suggested the mate. - -"If it should be, we have no fears." - -"No, for the _Ocean Star_ can show a pair of clean heels to anything -afloat. These British have a habit of searching all vessels they can -capture and impressing seamen." - -"It's ugly business." - -"It will breed another storm." - -"I don't think America will long submit." - -At this, the mate, whose temper was as fiery as his red hair, vowed: - -"If they should board a ship of mine, I would give 'em lead and steel, -until they would not care to search or impress any one." - -"They have no such right," the captain answered, and his face grew very -stern. - -The vessel, whatever she was, did not cross their path, however, and in -a few hours disappeared around some jutting headlands. - -They had only left Rio the day before, and had very light winds. The -land breeze lasted long enough to bring them by Santa Cruz, and their -ship drifted along all day between Raza and the main. Toward night the -sea-breeze came in fresh from the eastward, and they made four-hour -tacks, intending to keep the northern shore quite close aboard, and to -take their departure from Cape Frio. The night was very clear, and at -eight bells they tacked ship to the northward, heading about N.N.E.; -Raza lights could just be discerned, bearing about West. Captain Lane -had come on deck, as was his custom, to "stay" the brig, and, finding -everything looking right, was about to go below, when the man on the -lookout cried: - -"Sail ho!" - -"Where away?" demanded the Captain. - -"Two points off the lee bow." - -The captain walked forward to the forecastle, from where he descried -what appeared to be a large square-rigged vessel standing directly for -them, with her port-tacks aboard. This seemed strange to the captain, as -he knew of no vessel which had left Rio, except one several days -previous, and she should have been far on her voyage by this time. - -The stranger approached very rapidly, carrying a press of canvas, and -"lying over" to it in fine style. In a short time the stranger was -almost within speaking distance, and Captain Lane made her out to be a -large heavily-sparred clipper brig. A collision seemed inevitable, if -she held her course. The _Ocean Star_ was a little to windward of the -stranger with the starboard tacks aboard, and Captain Lane knew it was -the stranger's duty to "bear up" and keep away. He jumped for his -speaking trumpet and hailed: - -"Brig ahoy!" - -No answer; and the mysterious vessel came booming right on for them with -fearful speed. - -"Brig ahoy!" shouted the captain again. "Hard up your helm, or you will -be into me!" - -Still no answer; and, jumping to the wheel, the captain jammed it down, -and they came up flying into the wind. Leaving the wheel to the -frightened seaman, he sprang into the port rail, to see where the -stranger would strike them. As he did so, that mysterious craft flew by, -and the whole sea seemed lighted up by a strange illumination. It was -like a terrible dream--so wild, so supernatural and unearthly. As -Captain Lane stood by the port rail, he saw right under his quarter, a -large, low, black brig, with her decks crowded with men, and guns -protruding from her ports; while on the weather rail, clinging with one -hand to the shrouds, stood a strange, demoniacal-looking figure, holding -in his outstretched hand, above the water, a burning blue light. On the -quarter-deck a little knot of men seemed standing, a short distance -apart from them was a strikingly handsome man, who, from his air of -superiority, Lane at once knew to be the commander. His perfectly poised -and graceful attitude, and thorough composure, as he removed a cigar -from his mouth and motioned an order to the helmsman, struck the -beholder as wonderful. - -In an instant the whole thing flashed upon the captain--_he was a -pirate_! He had run under the stern of the brig and burned a blue light -to read the name of the vessel, and see if the bird was worth plucking. - -Captain Lane's decision was instantaneous. He knew that the white -feather never helped one out with such fellows. It was all the work of -an instant. The stranger ran a couple of lengths astern the _Ocean -Star_, swung his main-yard aback and hailed; but while the bold -buccaneer was doing this, Captain Lane had performed an equally -sea-manlike manoeuvre. He caught his sails aback, and his vessel having -stern way, he shifted his helm, backed her round, and, filling away on -the other tack, stood directly for the pirate. - -It was the stranger's time to hail now. The _Ocean Star_ was a sharp, -strong, fast-sailing vessel, and was under good headway and perfect -control. Captain Lane then acted hurriedly, but with precision, giving -his orders to his mate and helmsman, and, seizing the cabin lantern and -his speaking trumpet, he jumped upon the topgallant forecastle, and, -holding up his lamp, made the master mason's "_hailing sign of -distress_." He then hailed through his trumpet, in quick, determined -syllables: - -"Brig ahoy! Unless you swear as a man or as a Mason that you will not -molest me, as true as there is a God, we will sink together!" - -Quick as thought, the answer came back through the trumpet, clear and -distinct: - -"I swear as a Mason! Hard up your helm!" - -"Hard up your helm!" the captain shouted aft, and, paying off like a -bird, the _Ocean Star_ swept by the stranger's stern near enough to -almost touch her. As they went sailing past her, it became Captain -Lane's turn to bend forward with a lantern, and ascertain who his new -acquaintance was. There, painted in blood-red letters on the black -stern, was the name - - MORGIANNA. - -He had scarce read it, when the same clear tones, more subdued, hailed -him, as he thought, with somewhat of kindness: - -"Captain, do me the favor to back your main-yard; I will come aboard of -you--_alone_!" - -[Illustration: Morgianna.] - -The captain gave the necessary orders, and "hove to" within three or -four cables' length of the stranger; and in a very few minutes a -four-oared boat, containing but a single figure besides the crew, was -seen approaching the _Ocean Star_. - -Captain Lane had a ladder put over the gangway and threw a rope to the -boat as it came alongside; and the next moment the stranger sprang upon -the deck of the _Ocean Star_. - -With an easy grace he gave to the captain the quick, intelligible sign -of the "great brotherhood" and, taking his arm familiarly, walked aft. - -Captain Lane called the steward, sent for glasses and wine, and, as soon -as they were placed upon the table, closed the cabin door, and found -himself alone with his strange visitor. - -The captain filled his glass and, sipping it in Spanish fashion, passed -the decanter to the stranger. He followed his example, and after the -usual interchange of courtesies addressed him: - -"Captain, I have a favor to ask of you." - -"Name it." - -"You are probably not aware of the true motive which induced me to heave -you to?" - -"I am not." - -"It is this: I wish you to take a passenger to the United States--a lady -and her child. Now that I have seen you and feel acquainted with you, by -our common ties, I feel a confidence in sending them by you, which I -should never have felt, perhaps, with another. Will you take them? Any -price shall be yours." - -"Yes; I will take them." - -"Thank you. I have a still further favor to ask. I wish to send to the -States a sum of money to be invested in the lady's name, and for her -account. Will it be too much to ask you to attend to this? You may -charge your own commission." - -"I will obey your wishes to the letter," Captain Lane answered. - -The stranger grasped his hand across the table and, with some emotion, -added: - -"If you will do this, and will place the lady and child where they may -find a home, with the surroundings of Christian society, you will confer -a favor upon me which money can never repay." - -Captain Lane looked at the man with astonishment, and for the first time -gave him a glance that was thoroughly searching and critical. - -He was apparently of about thirty-five years of age, a little above the -medium height, with a broad forehead, over which fine, brown hair -clustered in careless folds. He wore his beard and mustache long, the -former extending to a point a few inches below the throat. His eyes were -brown, large and full of expression, while in conversation, and a mild -and melancholy smile occasionally stole over his features. - -His manners and conversation betokened refinement; and, take him all in -all, he was the last man one would have ever taken for a smuggler or -a pirate. - -Captain Lane became very much interested in him, and gradually their -conversation took a wider range. In the midst of it and before they had -fully completed their business arrangements in relation to the -passengers, whom Captain Lane had engaged to convey to the United -States, the mate knocked at the cabin door, and informed them that a -heavy squall was rising to westward. - -They hurried on deck, which no sooner had they reached, than the -stranger, looking hastily in the quarter indicated, shook Captain Lane -warmly by the hand saying: - -"I must go aboard, captain; that will be a heavy squall. Keep me in -sight if you can; but, if we part company, meet me off Cape Frio--this -side of it--to-morrow; wait for me till night, if you do not see me -before. Good-by!" and springing into his boat, he pulled away for -his vessel. - -Captain Lane never saw him again alive. - -No sooner was he over the side, than the captain gave orders to shorten -sail. He took in royals and topgallant sails, furled the courses, -trysail and jib, and double-reefed the topsails. They braced the yards a -little to starboard, hauled the foretopmast staysail sheet well aft, and -the captain, thinking he had everything snug, stood looking over the -weather rails, watching the approaching squall. The wind had almost died -away, and the atmosphere seemed strangely oppressive. Captain Lane was -an old sea-dog and had witnessed many strange phenomena on the ocean; -but never had he seen a squall approach so singularly. It seemed to move -very slowly--a great black cloud, which looked intensely luminous -withal, and yet so dense and heavy, that an ordinary observer might have -mistaken it for one of the ordinary rain squalls encountered in the -tropics. Captain Lane consulted his barometer, and found it -falling rapidly. - -"Clew the topsails up!" shouted the captain to the mate. "All hands lay -aloft and furl them!" - -The order was quickly obeyed; and just as the sailors reached the deck, -the squall struck them. It did not come as it was expected; it had -worked up from the westward, but struck the _Ocean Star_ dead from the -South. In an instant they were over, nearly on their beam ends, and a -heavy sea rushed over the lee-rail, filling the deck. - -"Hard up your helm!" shouted the captain, and, springing aft, he found -the helmsman jammed under the tiller, and the second mate vainly -endeavoring to heave it up. Taking hold with him, by their united -efforts they at last succeeded; and, after a moment's suspense, the -_Ocean Star_ slowly wore off before the wind and, rising out of the -water, shook herself like an affrighted spaniel and darted off with -fearful speed before the hurricane. - -Leaving orders to keep her "steady before it" the captain went forward -to ascertain the extent of the damage they had sustained. It was now -intensely dark, the rain falling in torrents, and lightning bolts -striking the water all around them, accompanied by fearful and incessant -peals of thunder. A human voice could not have been heard five paces -away. The wind, which fairly roared through the shrouds, and the deluge -of water upon the deck, were enough of themselves to drown any voice. By -flashes of lightning, the captain soon ascertained that they were -comparatively unharmed, and their spars were safe. Gathering his -frightened crew and officers about him, he succeeded at length in -freeing the decks of water by knocking out the ports on either side. -They next sounded the pumps, and found three feet of water in the well. -Immediately double pumps were rigged, and the steady clinking of brakes -added to the noises and terror of the scene. - -It was a fearful night, and Captain Lane prayed Heaven that he might -never see such another. - -About half an hour after the squall first struck them--the captain of -the _Ocean Star_ was standing with his two officers on the quarter-deck, -"conning the vessel by the feel of the wind and rain," keeping her dead -before the gale--when there came a flash and a peal which made them -cower almost to the decks. - -"My God!" was the simultaneous exclamation of all. A long chain of -lightning and a heavy ball of fire seemed to shoot from the sky, -lighting up the whole sea, revealing, and at the same time striking, in -its descent, a full-rigged brig, which, like themselves, was scudding -before the gale under bare poles, a few cables' length off their port -beam. The next instant, a fearful explosion, heard loud above the -roaring storm, shook the sea, a volume of flame and fire shot up in the -air, and when they looked again for the vessel, in the flashes of -lightning, it was nowhere to be seen. - -As the morning broke, the gale abated, and settled into a light breeze -from the eastward. They made all sail, and stood to the southward with -the wind abeam, hoping to fall in with some survivors of the wreck. - -Captain Lane changed his wet garments for something more comfortable, -refreshed himself with a strong cup of coffee, and, taking his glass, -sought the foretopsail yard. About seven bells, he thought he discovered -some object in the water three or four points off the lee bow. Hailing -the deck to keep off for it, he very soon made out fragments of a -vessel--spars, water casks, pieces of deck and, as they came still -nearer, a boat; but the captain, even from his lofty perch, could see no -sign of any one in it. - -Descending to the deck, he ordered a boat to be cleared away, and, -running as near as he dared to the wreck, he backed his maintopsail and -took a long and earnest survey with his glass. - -All hands were watching with anxious eyes the expression on the -captain's face. He handed his glass to the mate, who carefully examined -every fragment which appeared above water. The captain looked at the -mate inquiringly; but neither said a word. The mate handed back the -glass and shook his head sorrowfully. - -Again the captain looked long and earnestly; the mate looked again, and -again returned the glass: - -"Poor fellows--we may as well fill away, sir!" he said sadly. - -There was still considerable sea on, and the mere launching of a boat -was attended with more than ordinary danger, added to which was that to -be encountered from the broken spars and fragments of wreck drifting -about. Captain Lane thought of all these dangers, and was about to give -the order to "fill away the main-yard," when something seemed to say -to him: - -"_There is some one in that boat_!" - -This impression was so strong that he felt as if it would be murder to -leave the spot without making a more minute search, and he ordered the -boat to be lowered at once. Jumping into the stern sheets, four good -oars well manned soon brought him within the little field of fragments, -in the centre of which the boat was floating. No wonder none of the crew -was left,--the water literally swarmed with sharks. - -Standing in the bow with a boat hook, the captain warded off pieces of -wreck and gradually made his way to the strange boat. - -The sight there which met his eyes Captain Lane never forgot to his -dying day. When bowed down with old age, and his feeble steps were -tottering on the verge of the grave, that scene came to him as vividly -as on that terrible day. Lying in the bottom of the boat was the burnt, -blackened and bruised form of a man, which, with some difficulty, the -captain recognized as the handsome stranger who had visited him on the -previous evening. Clinging to him, with her arms clasped tightly around -his mutilated form, a clasp which even death could not break, her fair -face pressed close to his blackened features, was the lifeless body of -the most beautiful woman Captain Lane had ever seen. The look of agony, -of commiseration, of tenderness, of pity, of horror and despair, which -was sealed upon, those lifeless features was beyond the powers of -description; but the saddest spectacle of all was a child, a little girl -about one year old, clinging frantically to the breast of her dead -mother, and gazing silently at them in frightened wonder. - -For years, Captain Lane's eyes had not been dimmed with tears, but now -the fountains of grief were opened up, and his cheeks were wet. He -carefully entered the boat, felt of each cold body, laid his hand upon -each silent heart, and waited in vain for an answering signal to his -touch upon the pulse. - -"It is all over," he said, and sitting down in the stern sheets of the -boat, he took the child in his arms and sent his men back for sheets and -shot and palm and needle and prayer-book. "They shall have Christian -burial," declared the kind-hearted captain. - -They went away and left him alone with the dead and the baby. The infant -seemed to cling to him from that moment, and the Great Father above -alone knows how strangely and rapidly those cords of love were cemented -between the bluff, old bachelor sea-captain and the infant. That heart, -which he had thought dead to all love since the awful day on board the -English merchantman, when he saw the only being he ever loved dying, was -suddenly thrilled by the tenderest emotions. Those sweet blue eyes were -upturned to his face with a glance of imploring trust, and the -captain cried: - -"Yes, blow my eyes, if I don't stand by you, little one, as long as -there is a stitch of canvas left!" - -The time was very short until his men returned. Wrapping the dead in one -shroud and winding sheet, with heavy shot well secured at their feet, -the captain put the little child's lips to its mother's, giving her an -unconscious kiss, which caused the men to brush their rough sleeves -across their weather-beaten eyes. Then, reading with a broken voice, the -last service for the dead, the shroud was closed, and the opening waters -received them and bore them away to their last resting place. - -Jumping into his boat, with the little stranger nestling in his arms, -Captain Lane was soon aboard the _Ocean Star_, and with a fair wind and -sunny skies was once more homeward bound. The captain seemed loath to -relinquish his little charge. There was a goat on the vessel which -furnished milk, and the cook prepared some dainty food for the -little stranger. - -"What is her name, captain?" he asked, while feeding the hungry child. -She was not old enough to know her name, and there was not found about -her clothes or in the boat anything whatever by which her name could -possibly be known, so she had to be rechristened. What name should he -give her? He reflected a moment and then, remembering the name on the -stern of that black, mysterious vessel, answered: - -"Morgianna!" - -"Morgianna?" said the cook. - -"Yes, Morgianna Lane! she is my adopted daughter." - -The cook smiled at the thought of bluff old Captain Lane the bachelor -having an adopted daughter. - -After the perils and excitements of such a night, it was not strange -that Captain Lane slept long and soundly. He had good officers, and when -he retired he gave them orders not to disturb him, unless absolutely -necessary, until he should awake. - -They obeyed the injunction to the letter, and on the following morning -he was awakened by hearing one of the crew ask in an undertone of -the steward. - -"How is little Morgianna this morning?" - -"Little Morgianna," he said to himself; and then it all came back, and -with it a strangely tender dream which had all night long haunted his -slumbers. The captain rose hurriedly, dressed himself and inquired for -the child, who had been resigned to the care of the cook. She was -brought to him, a bright, cheerful little thing, just beginning to lisp -unintelligible words. For a few days she missed her mother and wore a -look of expectation on her infantile face, occasionally crying out; but -anon this passed away, and she became cheerful and happy. The captain -spent as much of his time with her as he could spare from his duties, -and as he held the little creature on his knee, heard her gentle voice -in baby accents, and felt her warm baby fingers on his cheek, a new -emotion took possession of his heart. He loved little Morgianna dearly -as a father might. - -Before that voyage was over, Captain Lane resolved to abandon the sea -and retire to his fine estate at Mariana, a village on the seashore not -a score of miles from Baltimore. He kept his intentions a secret until -the vessel was in port; then the merchants with whom he had been engaged -in business for years, were astounded to learn that Captain Lane had -made his last voyage. A nurse was engaged for little Morgianna and the -great mansion house on the hill within a fourth of a mile of Mariana was -fitted up for habitation. Servants were sent to the place, and the -villagers were lost in wonder. - -The gossips had food for conjecture for weeks, and many were the strange -stories afloat. Some of the old dames thought the captain was going to -be married after all. Then the young widows and ancient maidens who had -heard much about Captain Lane, sighed and looked disconsolate. Every -kind of a story but the truth was afloat. - -When on one bright autumnal day, a carriage from Baltimore was seen to -dash into the village and roll up the great drive, between the rows of -poplars, it was whispered he had come. One who watched averred that only -the captain and a child not over a year and a half old alighted from the -coach. (The nurse came in another vehicle.) The child started another -rumor. She was a mysterious, unknown factor, and the gossips bandied the -captain's name about in a reckless manner. Good old dames shook their -heads knowingly and declared they had suspected the captain had a wife -all the time in some far-off city. - -"You kin never depend on these sea-captains!" Mrs. Hammond declared. - -But despite all their conjectures, the captain lived in the old stone -mansion house with his servants and Morgianna. A few weeks after his -arrival, she was christened at the village church as Morgianna Lane, her -parents not known. - -Would wonders never cease? Bit by bit, the sensational story of -Morgianna got out into the village, and she became the object of the -greatest interest. Captain Lane adopted her, and when she became old -enough to accompany him, he seldom went away without her. Morgianna -loved the good old man, who, with all his rough seaman-like ways, was -father and mother both to her. - -Never had daughter a kinder or more indulgent father. - -As years went on, Morgianna grew in beauty, intelligence, grace and -goodness. Captain Lane was proud of her, and she was never so happy as -when sitting on his knee listening to his yarns of the sea. Her own sad, -dark story had never been told to her,--that was left for the future. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -JEFFERSONIANISM. - -There is not a man of intelligence in America or Europe, who has not -heard of the Democratic party in America, that great political -organization which has been in existence almost, if not quite, one -hundred years. Many who claim allegiance to this great party know little -of its tenets, and still fewer know its history. There are orators on -the stump, in the halls of Congress, writers for the press, all -advocating "the glorious principles of Democracy," who have never -thoroughly acquainted themselves with its history. The Democratic party -of to-day was originally known as the Republican party. The warm -discussions on the national constitution engendered party spirit in the -new republic, which speedily assumed definite forms and titles, first as -Federalist and anti-Federalist, which names were changed to Federalist -and Republican, or Democrat. - -The Federalist party, headed by Alexander Hamilton, favored much -concentration of power in a national government, but perhaps not more -than we have to-day, and, in fact, not more than is really essential to -the upbuilding of a stable republic like ours. There can be no question -but that Washington held to the same views; but Washington was the only -great man America ever produced who rose so far above political parties -as to absorb them all. He has never been classed as belonging to either -party. The Republican or Democratic party favored State sovereignty and -the diffusion of power among the people. - -The American people had had such bitter experiences with monarchs that -they dreaded anything which savored of monarchy, and it was argued that -a centralized government was but a step in that direction. On the other -hand, Federalists pointed out the danger of State sovereignty, which -would surely in the end disrupt the general government. Subsequent -history has proven that the Federalists were right. We have said that -Washington was a Federalist at heart. His enemies, meanly jealous of his -popularity, often declared that he was a monarchist. - -Meanwhile, a revolution, violent in its nature and far-reaching in its -consequences, had broken out in France. - -It was the immediate consequences of the teachings of the American -revolution. The people of France had long endured almost irresponsible -despotism, and were yearning for freedom when the French officers and -soldiers, who had served in America during the latter years of our -struggles for independence, returned to their country full of republican -ideas and aspirations. They questioned the right of the few to oppress -the many, and the public heart was soon stirred by new ideas, and in a -movement that followed, Lafayette was conspicuous for a while. The king, -like many tyrants, was weak and vacillating, and soon a body called the -states-general assumed the reins of government, while the king was in -fact a prisoner. The terrible Bastile, whose history represented royal -despotism, was assailed by the citizens of Paris and pulled down. The -privileges of the nobility and clergy were abolished, and the church -property was seized. The king's brothers and many of the nobles fled in -affright across the frontier, and tried to induce other sovereigns to -take up the cause of royalty in France and restore the former order of -things. The emperor of Austria (brother of the French queen) and the -king of Prussia entered into a treaty to that effect, at Pilnitz, -in 1791. - -When this treaty became known, war at once followed. Robespierre and -other self-constituted leaders in Paris held sway for a while, and the -most frightful massacres of nobles and priests ensued. The weak and -unfortunate king, who had accepted constitution after constitution, was -now deposed and a republic was established. Affairs had assumed the -nature of anarchy and blood, and Lafayette and other moderate men -disappeared from the arena. The king was tried on charge of inviting -foreigners to invade France, was found guilty and was beheaded in -January, 1793. His queen soon shared a like fate. The English troops -sent to Flanders were called to fight the French, for the rulers of -France had declared war against Great Britain, Spain and Holland -in February. - -Thomas Jefferson who entered Washington's cabinet in 1789, had just -returned from France, where he had witnessed the uprising of the people -against their oppressors. Regarding the movement as kindred to the late -uprising of his own countrymen against Great Britain, it enlisted his -warmest sympathies, and he expected to find the bosoms of the people of -the United States glowing with feelings like his own. He was sadly -disappointed. Washington was wisely conservative. His wisdom saw that -the cruelty of the anarchists of Paris was not patriotism, but the worst -sort of despotism. The society of New York, in which some of the leaven -of Toryism yet lingered, chilled Jefferson. He became suspicious of all -around him, for he regarded the indifference of the people to the -struggles of the French, their old allies, as an evil omen. Though the -Tories of New York were cool toward the French republic from far -different motives than Washington, yet the same cause was attributed -to both. - -Jefferson had scarcely taken his seat as Secretary of State in -Washington's first cabinet before he declared that some of his -colleagues held decidedly monarchical views; and the belief became fixed -in his mind that there was a party in the United States continually at -work, secretly and sometimes openly, for the overthrow of American -republicanism. The idea became a monomania with Jefferson from which he -never recovered till his death, more than thirty years afterward. -Jefferson soon rallied under his standard a large party of sympathizers -with the French revolutionists. Regarding Hamilton as the head and front -of the monarchical party, he professed to believe that the financial -plans of that statesman were designed to enslave the people, and that -the rights and liberties of the States and of individuals were in -danger. On the other hand, Hamilton regarded the national constitution -as inadequate in strength to perform its required functions and believed -its weakness to be its greatest defect. With this idea Jefferson took -issue. He charged his political opponents, and especially Hamilton, with -corrupt and anti-republican designs, selfish motives and treacherous -intentions, and so was inaugurated that system of personal abuse and -vituperation, which has ever been a disgrace to the press and political -leaders of this country. Bitter partisan quarrels now prevailed, in -which Jefferson and Hamilton were the chief actors. The populace was -greatly excited. The Republicans who hated the British intensely, called -the Federalists the "British party," and the Federalists called their -opponents the "French party." The Jeffersonians hailed with joy the news -of the death of the French king, and applauded the declaration of war -against England and Holland, forgetting the friendship which the latter -had shown for Americans during the struggle for independence. - -Amid all this uproar which proceeded from his cabinet, only Washington -remained calm. No other American at that day nor since could have -remained neutral and guided the ship of state through such breakers of -discontent. He was the safe middle water between the dangerous reefs of -concentration and State sovereignty. - -Had not the Federal party been the victim of many unfortunate -circumstances, it would certainly in time have become popular in the -nation. It was beyond question Washington's party, and, notwithstanding -the false charges of monarchism and British sovereignty, it was -patriotic. Had it existed forty or fifty years longer, until that -incubus which haunted Jefferson's brain had passed away, and the -republic become so firmly established that people would no longer fear -British dependency, the Federal party would have been a firmly fixed -institution. Had Federal ideas been fully inculcated instead of -Jeffersonianism and Calhounism, the rebellion of 1861 would not have -occurred; but Aaron Burr murdered Hamilton, the friend of Washington, -the bright genius of American politics and the hope of the Federal -party, and the Federalists were left without any great leader. When the -war of 1812 came, the Federalists were so embittered against the -Democrats, then in power, that they became lukewarm and threw so many -obstacles in the way of the patriots who were making the second fight -for freedom, as to almost confirm the suspicion that they were the -friends of Great Britain rather than America. This forever blighted the -Federal party. - -In the year 1800, Thomas Jefferson was elected the third president of -the United States, and the first of Democratic proclivities. - -Although the city of Washington, the great American capital, had been -laid out on a magnificent scale, in 1791, and George Washington, with -masonic ceremonies, laid the corner-stone of the capitol building in -1793, the seat of government was not removed there until the year 1800. -The site for the city was a dreary one. At the time when the seat of -government was first moved there, only a path, leading through an alder -swamp on the line of the present Pennsylvania Avenue, was the way of -communication between the president's house and the capitol. For a -while, the executive and legislative officers of the government were -compelled to suffer many privations. In the fall of 1800, Oliver -Wolcott wrote: - -"There is one good tavern about forty rods from the capitol, and several -houses are built or erecting; but I don't see how the members of -congress can possibly secure lodgings, unless they will consent to live -like scholars in a college or monks in a monastery, crowded ten or -twenty in one house. The only resource for such as wish to live -comfortably will be found in Georgetown, three miles distant, over as -bad a road in winter as the clay grounds near Hartford. - -"... There are, in fact, but few houses in any one place, and most of -them are small, miserable huts, which present an awful contrast to the -public buildings. The people are poor and, as far as I can judge, live -like fishes by eating each other. ... You may look in any direction over -an extent of ground nearly as large as the city of New York, without -seeing a fence or any object except brick kilns and temporary huts for -laborers. ... There is no industry, society or business." - -On March 4, 1801, Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated and commenced his -first term under favorable auspices. He was then fifty-eight years of -age--a tall, bony man, with grizzled sandy hair and rather slovenly -dress--a man who practised his Democratic simplicity in all things, and -sometimes carried it to extremes. A senator, writing of him in -1802, said: - -"The next day after my arrival I visited the president, accompanied by -some democratic members. In a few moments after our arrival a tall, -high-boned man came into the room. He was dressed, or rather undressed, -in an old brown coat, red waistcoat, old corduroy smallclothes, much -soiled, woollen hose, and slippers without heels. I thought him a -servant, when General Varnum surprised me by announcing it was the -president." - -In brief, Mr. Jefferson outlined his policy as follows, in a letter to -Nathaniel Macon: - -"1. Levees are done made away with. 2. The first communication to the -next congress will be, like all subsequent ones, by message to which no -answer will be expected. 3. The diplomatic establishment in Europe will -be reduced to three ministers. 4. The compensation of collectors -depends on you (Congress) and not on me. 5. The army is undergoing a -chaste reformation. 6. The navy will be reduced to the legal -establishment by the last of the month (May, 1801). 7. Agencies in every -department will be revised. 8. We shall push you to the uttermost in -economizing. 9. A very early recommendation has been given to the -postmaster-general to employ no printer, foreigner or Revolutionary Tory -in any of his offices." - -James Madison was Mr. Jefferson's secretary of state; Henry Dearborn was -secretary of war, and Levi Lincoln, attorney-general. Jefferson retained -Mr. Adams's secretaries of the treasury and navy, until the following -Autumn, when Albert Gallatin, a naturalized foreigner, was appointed to -the first named office and Robert Smith to the second. The president -early resolved to reward his political friends when he came to "revise" -the agencies in every department. Three days after his inauguration, he -wrote to Colonel Monroe, "I have firmly refused to follow the counsels -of those who have desired the giving of offices to some of the -Federalist leaders in order to reconcile. I have given, and will give, -only to Republicans, under existing circumstances." - -The doctrine, ever since acted upon, that "to the victor belong the -spoils," was then practically promulgated from the fountain-head of -government patronage; and with a cabinet wholly Democratic, when -congress met in December, 1801, and with the minor offices filled with -his political friends, Mr. Jefferson began his presidential career of -eight years' duration. In his inaugural address he said, "Every -difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called -by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all -Federalists--we are all Republicans." - -Vigor and enlightened views marked his course, so that even his -political enemies were compelled to confess his foresight and sound -judgment in regard to the national policy. - -The administration of Jefferson was not marked with perfect peace -abroad. Napoleon Bonaparte, the outgrowth of the French revolution, had -overthrown monarchy in France and conquered almost all Europe. He was -not a Washington, however, and the French people were only exchanging -one tyrant for another. - -The Algerians, those barbarous North African pirates, had been forcing -the Americans to pay tribute. Captain Bainbridge, who commanded the -frigate _George Washington_, for refusing to convey an Algerian -ambassador to the court of the sultan at Constantinople, was threatened -by the haughty governor with imprisonment. - -"You pay me tribute, by which you become my slave, and therefore I have -a right to order you as I think proper," said the dey. - -Bainbridge was forced to obey the orders of the Barbarian. - -[Illustration: Stephen Decatur.] - -The Americans resolved to humble the Algerians, and a fleet was sent to -Tripoli in 1803. The frigate _Philadelphia_, while reconnoitering the -harbor, struck on a rock and was captured by the Tripolitans, who made -her officers prisoners of war and her crew slaves. - -Lieutenant Decatur, on February 3, 1804, by a stratagem, got alongside -the _Philadelphia_ with seventy-four brave young sailors like himself -and carried the ship by the board after a terrible hand-to-hand -conflict. The Tripolitans were defeated, and the _Philadelphia_ was -burned. The American seamen continued to bombard Tripoli and blockaded -their ports, until the terrified Bashaw made a treaty of peace. - -While the Americans were winning laurels on the Mediterranean, the -infant republic was growing in political and moral strength. During Mr. -Jefferson's first term, one State (Ohio) and two Territories (Indiana -and Illinois) had been formed out of the great Northwestern Territory. -Ohio was organized as an independent territory in the year 1800, and in -the fall of 1802, it was admitted into the Union as a State. Long before -the Northwestern Territory had been divided into different territories, -the present limits of Ohio and Kentucky had already become quite -populous. Emigrants like Albert Stevens were pushing out on the frontier -and building up a great commonwealth. - -About 1802, there was great excitement in the country west of the -Alleghany Mountains, in consequence of a violation of the treaty made -with Spain in 1795, by the governor of Louisiana in closing the port of -New Orleans against American commerce. There was a proposition before -congress for taking forcible possession of that region, when it was -ascertained that, by a secret treaty, Spain had retroceded Louisiana to -France. The United States immediately began negotiations for the -purchase of that domain from France. Robert R. Livingston, the American -minister at the court of the First Consul, found very little difficulty -in making a bargain with Bonaparte, for the latter wanted money and -desired to injure England. He sold that magnificent domain, stretching -from the Gulf of Mexico northward to the present State of Minnesota, and -from the Mississippi westward to the Pacific Ocean, for fifteen million -dollars. The bargain was made in the spring of 1803, and in the fall the -country, and the new domain, which added nine hundred thousand square -miles to our territory, was taken possession of by the United States. -When the bargain was closed, Bonaparte said: - -"This accession of territory strengthens forever the power of the United -States, and I have just given to England a maritime rival that will -sooner or later humble her pride." - -It was the prevailing opinion in the country, that the Spanish -inhabitants, who were forming states in the great valley, would not -submit to the rule of American government. Aaron Burr, a wily and -unscrupulous politician, who, having murdered the noble Hamilton in a -duel, was an outcast from society, began scheming for setting up a -separate government in the West. Burr was unscrupulous and dishonest and -at the same time shrewd. The full extent of his plans were really never -known, and the historian is in doubt whether he intended a severance of -the Union, or an invasion of Mexico. Herman Blennerhassett, an excellent -Irish gentleman, became his ally and suffered ruin with Burr. Burr was -arrested and tried, but was found not guilty. His speech in his own -defence was so eloquent, that it is said to have melted his enemies to -tears, though all believed him guilty. Burr's life was a wreck after -that. His fame was blasted, and he was placed beside Benedict Arnold as -a traitor to his country. - -With the acquisition of Louisiana, there grew up a powerful opposition -to Jefferson in the North and East. The idea was disseminated that the -purchase was only a scheme to strengthen the south and the southern -democracy. Mr. Jefferson came almost to having a wholesome dose of his -doctrine of State sovereignty exemplified. A convention of Federalists -was called at Boston, in 1804, in which a proposition of secession was -made. Fortunately, however, there was too much patriotism in the body -for the proposition to carry, and the government was saved. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -BRITISH CRUISERS. - -The peace of 1783 between the United States and Great Britain had been -extorted by the necessities, rather than obtained by the good will of -England. Though, by a formal treaty, the United States were declared -free and independent, they were still hated in Great Britain as -rebellious colonies. That such was the general opinion is manifest from -the letters of John Adams, our first minister to the court of St. James, -and from other authentic contemporary accounts. Of course there were a -few men of sufficiently enlarged and comprehensive minds to forget the -past and urge, even in parliament, that the trade of America would be -more valuable as an ally than a dependent; but the number of these was -small indeed. The common sentiment in England toward the young republic -was one of scornful detestation. We were despised as provincials, we -were hated as rebels. In the permanency of our institutions there was -scarce a believer in all Britain. This was especially the case prior to -the adoption of the federal constitution. Both in parliament and out, it -was publicly boasted that the Union would soon fall to pieces, and that, -finding their inability to govern themselves, the different States -would, one by one, supplicate to be received back as colonies. This vain -and empty expectation long lingered in the popular mind, and was not -wholly eradicated until after the war of 1812. - -Consequently the new republic was treated with arrogant contempt. One of -the first acts of John Adams, as minister to England, had been to -propose placing the navigation and trade between the dominions of Great -Britain and the territories of the United States, on a basis of complete -reciprocity. By acceding to such a measure England might have gained -much and could have lost but little. The proposal was rejected almost -with terms of insult, and Mr. Adams was sternly informed that a "no -other would be entertained." The consequences were that the free negroes -of Jamaica, and others of the poorer inhabitants of the British West -India Islands were reduced to starvation by being deprived of their -usual supplies from the United States. This unreasonable policy on the -part of England naturally exasperated the Americans, and one of the -first acts of the federal government in 1789 was to adopt retaliatory -measures. A navy law was passed, which has since been the foundation of -all our treaties of reciprocity with England. A protective tariff was -also adopted as another means of retaliation. In these measures, the -United States, being a young nation with unlimited territory, had -everything to gain, and England all to lose. Great Britain was first to -tire of restrictive measures, and, by a repeal on her part, invited a -repeal on ours. - -In another way Great Britain exasperated the popular feeling here -against her, and even forced the American government, once or twice, to -the verge of war. By the treaty of peace, all military posts held by -England within the limits of the United States were to be given up. -Michilimacinac, Detroit, Oswegotche, Point au Fer and Dutchman's Point -were long held in defiance of the compact. These posts became the centre -of intrigues among the savages of the Northwest. Arms were here -distributed to the Indians, and disturbances on the American frontier -were fomented. The war on the Miami, which was brought to a bloody close -by Wayne's victory, was, principally, the result of such secret -machinations. In short, England regarded the treaty of 1783 as a truce -rather than a pacification, and long, held to the hope of being able yet -to punish the colonies for their rebellion. In two celebrated letters -written by John Adams from Great Britain, he used the following decided -language in reference to the secret designs of England: - -"If she can bind Holland in her shackles, and France from internal -dissensions is unable to interfere, she will make war immediately -against us." This was in 1787. Two years before he had expressed, the -same ideas. "Their present system, as far as I can penetrate it," he -wrote, "is to maintain a determined peace with all Europe, in order that -they may war singly against America, if they should think it necessary." - -A sentiment of such relentless hostility, which no attempt was made to -disguise, but which was arrogantly paraded on every occasion, could not -fail to exasperate those feelings of dislike on the part of America, -which protracted war had engendered. This mutual hatred between the two -nations arose from the enmity of the people rather than of the cabinets, -"There is too much reason to believe," wrote our minister, "that if the -nation had another hundred million to spend, they would soon force the -ministry into another war with us." On the side of the United States, it -required all the prudence of Washington, sustained by his hold on the -affections of the people, to restrain them from a war with England, -after that power had refused to surrender the military posts. - -A third element of discord arose when England joined the coalition -against France, in 1793. The course which the former had pursued for the -preceding ten years, had, as we have seen, tended to alienate the people -of America from her and nourish sentiments of hostility in their bosoms. -On the other hand, France, with that address for which she is eminent, -had labored to heighten the good feelings already existing between -herself and the United States. A treaty of alliance and commerce bound -the two countries; but the courteous demeanor of France cemented us to -her by still stronger ties, those of popular will. - -Before the revolution broke out in Paris, the enthusiasm of America -toward France could scarce be controlled. There can be no doubt that, if -the subsequent excesses had not alarmed all prudent friends of liberty, -the people of this country could not have been restrained from engaging -in the struggle between France and England; but the reign of terror, -backed by the insolence of Citizen Genet the minister of the French -republic, and afterward by the exactions of the Directory, checked the -headlong enthusiasm that otherwise would have embroiled us in the -terrible wars of that period. In his almost more than human wisdom, -Washington had selected a course of strict neutrality, from which public -enthusiasm, nor fear of loss of public favor could swerve him. His -course was wise and proper for the still weak confederacy; and every day -was productive of events which showed the wisdom of this decision. -Neither Great Britain nor France, however, was gratified by this -neutrality. Each nation wished the aid of the Americans, and became -arrogant and insulting when they found the resolution of the Americans -unbroken. Napoleon, on the part of France, saw the impolicy of such -treatment, and when he became first consul, he hastened to abandon it; -but England relaxed little or nothing. Circumstances, moreover, made her -conduct more irritating than that of France, and hence prolonged and -increased the exasperation felt toward her in America. - -As a great naval power, the policy of England has been to maintain -certain maritime laws, which her jurists claim to be part of the code of -nations and enforce in her admiralty courts. One principle of these laws -is this, that warlike munitions must become contraband in war; in other -words, that a neutral vessel cannot carry such into the enemy's port. -Hence, if a vessel, sailing under the flag of the United States, should -be captured on the high seas, bound for France, during the prevalence of -a war between that power and England, and be found to be laden with -ship-timber or other manufactured or unmanufactured articles for -warlike purposes, the vessel would, by the law of nations, become a -prize to the captors. The right to condemn a ship carrying such -contraband goods has always been recognized by civilized nations, and, -indeed, it is founded in common justice. England, however, having -supreme control at sea, and being tempted by the hope of destroying the -sinews of her adversary's strength, resolved to stretch this rule so as -to embrace provisions as well as munitions of war. She proceeded -gradually to her point. She first issued an order, on the 8th of June, -1793, for capturing and bringing into port "all vessels laden, wholly or -in part with corn, flour, or meal, and destined to France, or to other -countries, if occupied by the arms of that nation." Such vessels were -not condemned, nor their cargoes seized; but the latter were to be -purchased on behalf of the English Government; or, if not, then the -vessels, on giving due security, were allowed to proceed to any neutral -port. Of course the price of provisions in France and in England was -materially different, and a lucrative traffic for the United States was, -in this way, destroyed. Moreover, this proceeding was a comparative -novelty in the law of nations, and, however it might suit the purposes -of Great Britain, it was a gross outrage on America. In November of the -same year, it was followed by a still more glaring infraction of the -rights of neutrals, in an order, condemning to capture and adjudication -all vessels laden with the produce of any French colony, or with -supplies for such a colony. - -The fermentation in consequence of this order rose to such a height in -America, that it required all the skill of Washington to avert a war. -The president, however, determining to preserve peace if possible, -despatched Jay to London as a minister plenipotentiary, by whose frank -explanations, redress was in a measure obtained for the past, and a -treaty negotiated, not, indeed, adequate to justice, but better than -could be obtained again, when it expired in 1806. - -The relaxation in the rigor of the order of November, 1793, soon proved -to be more nominal than real; and from 1794 until the peace of Amiens in -1802, the commerce of the United States continued to be the prey of -British cruisers and privateers. After the renewal of the war, the fury -of the belligerents increased, and with it the stringent measures -adopted by Napoleon and Great Britain. The French Emperor, boldly -avowing his intention to crush England, forbade by a series of decrees, -issued from Berlin, Milan and Rambouillet, the importation of her -commodities into any part of Europe under his control; and England, -equally sweeping in her acts, declared all such ports in a state of -blockade, thus rendering any neutral vessel liable to capture, which -should attempt to enter them. The legality of a blockade, where there is -not a naval power off the coast competent to maintain such blockade, has -always been denied by the lesser maritime powers. Its effect, in the -present instance, was virtually to exclude the United States from -foreign commerce. In these extreme measures, Napoleon and England were -equally censured; but the policy of the latter affected the Americans -far more than the former. The exasperation against Great Britain became -extreme and pervaded the whole community; that against France was -slighter and confined to the more intelligent. Napoleon was first to -begin these outrages on the rights of neutrals; but his injustice was -practically felt only on land; while England was first to introduce the -paper blockade, a measure ruinous to American merchants. This was -finally done on May 16, 1806, when Great Britain announced a "blockade -of the coast rivers and ports, from the river Elbe to the port of Brest -inclusive." On the 21st of November, of the same year, Napoleon in -retaliation, issued a decree from Berlin, placing the British Islands in -a state of blockade. This decree was followed by a still more stringent -order in council on the part of England. - -It now became necessary for the United States either to engage in a -war, or to withdraw her commerce from the ocean. The popular voice -demanded the former course. Though France was, in the abstract, as -unjust as England, her oppressive measures did not affect American -commerce, and hence the indignation of the people was directed chiefly -against Great Britain; but with the president it was different. Though -his sympathies were with. France, his judgment was against her as well -as England. In his maturer wisdom, he could now appreciate the great -good sense of Washington's neutrality. Besides, the grand old man Thomas -Jefferson was determined to preserve peace, for it was his favorite -maxim that "the best war is more fatal than the worst peace." A further -reason led him to refuse the alternative of war. He was not without hope -that one or both of the belligerents would return to reason and repeal -the obnoxious acts, if the conduct of the United States, instead of -being aggressive, should be patient. Actuated by these views, the -president recommended to congress the passage of an embargo act. An -embargo law was enacted in December, 1807. By it all American vessels -abroad were called home, and those in the United States were prohibited -from leaving port. In consequence of this measure, the commerce of the -country was annihilated in an hour; and harbors, once flourishing and -prosperous, soon became only resorts for rotting ships. There can be no -question now that the embargo was a serious blunder. It crippled the -American resources for the war that ensued; made the eastern States -hostile to Jefferson's, as well as his successor's administration, and -tended to foster in the minds of the populace at large, an idea that we -shrank from a contest with Great Britain in consequence of -inherent weakness. - -There was a fourth and last cause of exasperation, against England, -which assisted more than all the rest to produce the war of 1812. This -was the British claim to the right of impressment. In the terrible -struggles in which England found herself engaged with France, her -maritime force was her chief dependence, and accordingly she increased -the number of her ships unprecedentedly; but it soon became difficult to -man all these vessels. The thriving commerce pursued by the United -States, as early as 1793, drew large numbers of English seamen into our -mercantile marine service, where they obtained better wages than on -board English vessels. By the fiction of her law, a man born an English -subject can never throw off this allegiance. Great Britain determined to -seize her seamen wherever found and force them, to serve her flag. In -consequence, her cruisers stopped every American vessel they met and -searched the crew in order to reclaim the English, Scotch or Irish on -board. Frequently it happened that persons born in America were taken as -British subjects; for, where the boarding officer was judge and jury of -a man's nationality, there was little chance of justice, especially if -the seaman was a promising one, or the officer's ship was short-handed. -In nine months, during parts of the years 1796 and 1797, the American -minister at the court of London had made application for the discharge -of two hundred and seventy-one native born Americans, proved to have -been thus impressed. These outrages against personal independence were -regarded among the great masses of Americans with the utmost -indignation. Such injuries exasperated every soul not made sordid by -selfish desire for gain. That an innocent man, peaceably pursuing an -honorable vocation, should be forcibly carried on board a British -man-of-war, and there be compelled to remain, shut out from all hope of -ever seeing his family, seemed, to the robust sense of justice in the -popular breast, little better than Algerian bondage. The rage of the -people was increased by tales of horror and aggression that occasionally -reached their ears from these prison ships. Stories were told of -impressed Americans escaping the ships, who, on being recaptured, were -whipped until they died. In one instance, a sailor, goaded to madness, -seized the captain and, springing overboard, drowned himself and his -tormentor. - -Every attempt to arrange this difficulty with England had signally -failed. The United States offered that all American seamen should be -registered and provided with a certificate of citizenship; that the -number of crews should be limited by the tonnage of the ship, and if -this number was exceeded, British subjects enlisted should be liable to -impressment; that deserters should be given up, and that a prohibition -should be issued by each party against clandestinely secreting and -carrying off the seamen of the other. In 1800 and again in 1806, it was -attempted to form treaties in reference to this subject; but the -pertinacity with which England adhered to her claim frustrated every -effort at reconciliation. In 1803, the difficulty had nearly been -adjusted by a convention, Great Britain agreeing to abandon her claim to -impressment on the high seas, if allowed to retain it on the narrow -seas, or those immediately surrounding her island; but this being -rejected as inadmissible by the United States, all subsequent efforts at -an arrangement proved unsuccessful. The impressment of seamen continued -and was the source of daily increasing abuse. Not only Americans, but -Danes, Swedes, Germans, Russians, Frenchmen, Spaniards and Portuguese -were seized and forcibly carried off by British men-of-war. There are -even well attested instances of Asiatics and Africans being thus -impressed. In short, as the war in Europe approached its climax, seamen -became more scarce in the British Navy, and, all decency being thrown -aside, crews were filled up under color of this claim, regardless even -of the show of justice. In 1811, it was computed that the number of men -impressed from the American marine service amounted to not less than -six thousand. - -In the spring of 1807, a crisis approached. A small British squadron lay -in American waters near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, watching some -French frigates blockaded at Annapolis. Three of the crew of one of the -vessels and one of another had deserted and enlisted on board the United -States frigate _Chesapeake_, lying at the Washington Navy yard. The -British minister made a formal demand for their surrender. Our -government refused compliance because it was ascertained that two of the -men were natives of the United States, and there was strong presumptive -evidence that a third was, likewise. No more was said; but the commander -of the British squadron took the matter into his own hands. - -The _Chesapeake_, on going to sea on the morning of June 22, 1807, was -intercepted by the British frigate _Leopard_, whose commander hailed -the commodore and informed him that he had a despatch for him. -Unsuspicious of unfriendliness, the _Chesapeake_ was laid to, when a -British boat, bearing a lieutenant, came alongside. Barron politely -received him in his cabin, when the lieutenant presented a demand from -the commander of the _Leopard_ that the bearer be allowed to muster the -crew of the _Chesapeake_, that he might select and carry away the -deserters. The demand was authorized by instructions received from -Vice-Admiral Berkeley, at Halifax. Barron told the lieutenant that his -crew should not be mustered, excepting by his own officers, when the -lieutenant withdrew and the _Chesapeake_ moved on. - -Having some fear of mischief, Barron made some preparation to resist; -but it was too late to prepare to cope with the _Leopard_, which -followed close in her wake, and the commander called out through -his trumpet: - -"Commodore Barron must be aware that the vice-admiral's commands must be -obeyed." The _Chesapeake_ held on her course although this was repeated. -The _Leopard_ sent two shots athwart her bows. These were followed by a -broadside poured into the hull of the _Chesapeake_. The American vessel, -having no priming in her guns, was unable to return the fire, and after -being severely bruised by repeated broadsides she surrendered to her -assailants. Her crew was mustered by the British officers and the -deserters carried away. One of them, a British subject, was hanged at -Halifax and the others, being Americans, were spared on their consenting -to enlist in the English Navy. Commodore Barron was tried on charge of -neglect of duty in not being prepared for action, found guilty, and -suspended from the service for five years without pay or emolument. - -On March 4, 1809, Mr. James Madison of Virginia succeeded Mr. Thomas -Jefferson as president of the United States. His cabinet were Robert -Smith, secretary of state; Albert Gallatin, secretary of the treasury; -William Eustis, secretary of war; Paul Hamilton, secretary of the navy, -and Caesar Rodney, attorney-general. There was a powerful party in the -nation hostile to his political creed, and consequently opposed to his -administration and the war with England which seemed inevitable. - -French and English nations became more embroiled in trouble, which -increased the trouble between the United States and Great Britain. - -At last the English government sent men-of-war to cruise off the -principal ports of the United States to intercept American -merchant-vessels and send them to England as lawful prizes. In this -business, the _Little Belt_, a British sloop-of-war, was engaged off the -coast of Virginia in the spring of 1811, where, on the 16th of April, -she met the American frigate _President_, under Captain Ludlow, bearing -the broad pennant of Commodore Rodgers. Commodore Rodgers, being aboard -the _President_, hailed the sloop and asked: - -"What sloop is that?" - -A cannon-shot was his reply. - -"Captain Ludlow," said the commodore, "we will teach that fellow good -manners. Are your guns in order?" - -"They are." - -"We have been taught a lesson by Barron's mishap. Train the guns and be -ready to fire." - -With a speaking trumpet, the commodore once more hailed the sloop with: - -"What sloop is that?" - -This time he was greeted with a broadside. - -"Fire!" cried the commodore, and the cannon of the _President_ sent a -broadside of heavy shot against the impudent stranger. - -The conflict lasted only about ten minutes, when Captain Bingham, after -losing eleven killed and twenty-one wounded, gave a satisfactory answer. -The vessels parted company, the _Little Belt_ sailing for Halifax -for repairs. - -It was in the year 1809 that the American brig _Dover_, one of the few -of American merchant vessels which had managed to escape the ruin of -Jefferson's embargo act, was sailing among the lesser Antilles. The -master-captain Parson was a thorough seaman with a heart as big as -an ox. - -British cruisers were a greater bugbear to American vessels than -pirates, and Captain Parson kept a constant lookout for them. - -On the afternoon of an Autumnal day, when he found himself becalmed off -a small island not down on the chart, the skipper felt no little -uneasiness. He paced his deck impatiently, occasionally turning his eye -to every quarter, surveying the horizon for some sign of a gale of wind. - -"Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown," he called to his mate. - -"Aye, aye, sir," answered Mr. Brown, hurrying forward. - -"Mr. Brown, look across that point of land sou-west the island--get your -glass." - -"Aye, aye, sir!" - -The mate ran and got his glass. He came back to the captain and leveled -it in the direction indicated by the captain. - -"Do you see anything?" - -"I do, sir." - -"What is it?" - -"I see the top gallant of a ship." - -"I thought I was not mistaken. Can you make out her colors?" - -"I will go aloft, captain, and see." - -The mate ascended to the foretop cross-tree, and took a long survey of -the stranger. When he descended the captain asked: - -"What is she?" - -"An English frigate." - -"I knew it!" growled the captain. "I felt it in my bones. We shall have -the rascals overhauling us anon. Egad, I wish we had an armed crew and -heavy guns--I would not wait for congress to declare war." - -"But captain, while this dead calm lasts, she cannot move more than -ourselves." - -"Very true, Mr. Brown, but, egad, she will catch the breeze first, and -come up with it. Thank heaven we have no man aboard our ship born out of -the United States. They cannot impress any for Englishmen." - -The mate answered: - -"They care little whether we are English or American born; if they are -short of hands, they will take such of our crews as they want." - -The captain paced the deck uneasily, occasionally muttering: - -"Zounds, don't I wish I had a few heavy guns." - -There was but one small brass piece aboard, and it was only a six -pounder, unable to render much service. His country was nominally at -peace with Great Britain; but that did not prevent honest merchantmen -suffering at the hands of the British cruisers. - -The afternoon wore away and the sun had set before there was breeze -enough to fill a sail. Just as the vessel began to glide slowly away -from the small island not more than two miles distant, the mate, who had -ascended to the lookout's position cried: - -"Boat, ho!" - -"Where away?" - -"To leeward, heading direct for us." - -The captain seized his glass and turned it toward the island. The sombre -shades of twilight had already gathered over the scene; but he saw -through them quite distinctly a boat pulled by four men, while a fifth -sat in the stern holding the tiller. The steersman kept the small island -between them and the vessel Captain Parson had discovered. - -As the breeze grew stiffer and the _Dover_ began to fill away, the mate, -who had never taken his glass off the approaching boat, suddenly cried: - -"Captain Parson, they are signalling us to heave to!" - -"So they are, by zounds!" the puzzled captain exclaimed. - -"What will you do?" - -After a moment's hesitation, the captain said: - -"Heave to, by Jove, and see what they want!" - -The order was given, and the vessel rocked idly on the waves, while the -boat drew rapidly nearer. At last it was near enough for them to make -out the five men dressed in the uniform of British marines. - -"Brown, I don't like this. Those fellows are from his majesty's frigate, -there is no doubt, and they mean us trouble." - -"Wait and see, captain," the mate answered, coming down to the deck. -"There are but five of them, and, so far as I can see, all are unarmed." -The deck by this time was crowded with the crew, all waiting in anxious -expectation and dread. - -"It am de press gang!" said the cook, who was a negro black as the ace -of spades named Job. "Dey am comin' to take off everybody dat looks like -a Britisher. Golly! do I look like a Britisher?" - -Notwithstanding the gravity of the situation, a smile flitted -momentarily over the faces of the officers and crew. The boat by this -time was within hailing distance, though it had grown so dark the -inmates of it could be only dimly seen. - -"Boat, ahoy!" cried the captain. - -"Aye, aye, sir!" came back the response. - -"What boat is that?" - -"A boat from his majesty's ship the _Sea-Wing._ We wish to come aboard -your vessel." - -When the captain asked them their business, they frankly confessed that -they were deserters and had been secreted all day on the island watching -an opportunity to reach the American brig. - -Their story was a probable one, and the captain and his officers -believed it. A rope was tossed to them, and in a few moments five -stalwart jack tars in the uniform of the British Navy stood on the deck. - -One tall, fine-looking seaman, who was every inch a gentleman, and whose -conversation was evidence of education and refinement, told their story. - -Three of them were Americans, and two were Swedes. They had been seized -by the press gang and made slaves on board the frigate. - -"It has been many years," said the tall sailor, "since I saw my native -land. I am a native of Hartford, Connecticut." - -"Why didn't you escape sooner?" the Captain asked. - -"Escape, captain, is no easy matter, and is attended with serious -consequences. They usually hang one who tries to desert. I am a gunner, -by profession, and but for the fact they need my services against the -French, I would have been hung long since for trying to desert." - -The gunner impressed Captain Parson favorably. He was a man between -forty and forty-five years of age. His eyes were deep blue, his hair -light. His round, full face was smooth shaven. As he stood on the deck, -his brawny arms folded across his massive chest, he looked a perfect -model of a man and a tower of strength. - -Captain Parson led him aside and said: - -"You are no common sailor." - -"I'm only a gunner now, captain." - -"But in the past?" - -"I once commanded a ship. I will tell you my story on the morrow. It is -a sad one, but, thank God, there's nothing in it at which I need blush. -For the present, however, let us get along as fast as your ship can make -it, for the _Sea-Wing_ is a swift vessel, and if we are not beyond reach -of her vision before the dawn of day, we shall be overhauled." - -Captain Parson knew that some evil consequences might result from being -overhauled by the _Sea-Wing,_ and consequently every stitch of canvas -was spread and the brig sped away with a good stiff breeze. It was a -long and anxious night; master and crew were all on deck. No one slept. -The coming dawn would tell the story. If the frigate were in sight, -then they might expect the very worst; even the ship might be captured -and borne away as a prize and the entire crew enslaved. - -Dawn came at last. Each anxious heart welcomed and yet dreaded to see -the new day. Sailors and officers swept the sea as it grew lighter, and, -to their dread, just as the sun rose over the glossy surface of the sea, -a snowy speck appeared far off to the westward. - -The lookout at the mast-head first called their attention to it, and as -it drew nearer and nearer the tall handsome gunner went aloft with a -glass to see if he could recognize it. In a few moments he came back -and said: - -"It is the frigate, sir." - -That she was in full chase, there could not be a doubt. Captain Parson -had little hope of escaping; but he put the _Dover_ on her best sailing -point and scudded away before the wind with every stitch of canvas they -could carry. - -"Oh, golly! I hope dey won't mistake--dey won't mistake dis chile for a -Britisher!" groaned Job the cook, who was trembling from head to foot, -and whose black skin was almost pale. - -The five deserters were pale but calm. They seemed to read their fate -and bore it like men. A flogging was the very least they could expect; -but the chances were that every one would hang. The frigate was the -swifter sailor and overhauled them so rapidly, that, in two hours and a -half, she was within a mile of the brig. - -Suddenly a wreath of white smoke curled up from the forecastle, and a -moment later a ball came skipping over the water under their larboard -deck, while the boom of a cannon sounded over the sea. As the fine spray -clipped from the crested waves by the shot, flew over the deck, Mr. -Brown said: - -"Captain, it's no use, she will be near enough to sink us in ten -minutes." - -"Heave to, Brown. Oh! I wish I had arms and a crew!" - -"Captain," interposed the tall, handsome gunner, "I--I know their skill -and metal. If you had a gun--a single gun of proper calibre, I could -sink her. I am called the best shot in the English navy." - -"We have only a six pounder," answered the captain, ruefully, pointing -to their only gun. It was but an inferior piece, and when the gunner -examined it, he turned to his four anxious companions and said: - -"It would be suicide." - -Then the five sailors stood near the main gangway with arms folded, -heads erect, and resigned like brave men to their fate. The frigate came -bearing down upon them like a great mountain, and soon lay alongside. -The captain and a score of marines all armed with muskets, came aboard. - -"So ho!" cried the captain, "you have my live runaways snug enough. -Seize them and carry them aboard, lieutenant." - -A young officer with ten men now seized the five deserters, handcuffed -them and led them to their ship which lay alongside. As they went over -the rail, the brutal captain said something about swinging at the yard -arm. Turning to Parson, he said: - -"Captain, muster your crew and have them pass before me." - -Much as the captain disliked to do so, he was in the power of the brutal -Englishman and forced to do his bidding. As the sailors passed slowly -before him, the Briton eyed each carefully. Suddenly he pointed to a -stout young sailor named Tom, and cried: - -"Stop sir, you are an Englishman!" - -"I am not, capen, ye's mistaken, I was born at Plymouth, Massachusetts." - -"Don't dispute my word, sir. I know you, seize him!" - -Though three of Tom's messmates offered to swear that he was a native of -Massachusetts, he was seized, ironed and hurried away. Two more were -selected, despite the protests of Captain Parson, who was raging like a -madman, and hurried aboard the frigate. The fourth man halted in the -procession was Job, the colored cook. - -"Stop, sir, I want you!" said the English officer. - -[Illustration: "DO YOU THINK DAR IS ANY ANGLER SAXUN BLOOD IN DESE -VEINS?"] - -"Want me, Capen? oh, golly! I ain't a Britisher!" cried Job, -gesticulating wildly. "Do I look like I war a Britisher? Do you think -dar is any Angler Sacksun blood in dese veins?" - -Job howled and appealed in vain. The commander of the _Sea Wing_ -declared him to be an English negro, and he was hurried away to try the -hard service on board a British war vessel. - -Having culled the crew of the _Dover_ to his heart's content, the -haughty Briton went aboard his own ship and continued his cruise, -leaving Captain Parson expressing his ideas in such language as no -parson should use. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -FERNANDO'S JOURNEY EAST. HE MEETS WITH QUEER PEOPLE. - -From the day Fernando Stevens began to read and learn of the great world -beyond the narrow confines of his western home, he was filled with the -laudable ambition to know more about it. The solitude of the wilderness -may be congenial for meditation; but it is in the moving whirl of -humanity that ideas are brightened. Fernando was promised that if he -would master the common school studies taught in their log schoolhouse, -he should be sent to one of the eastern cities to have his education -completed. Albert Stevens, the lad's father, was becoming one of the -most prosperous farmers of the west. He had purchased several tracts of -land which rapidly increased in value, and his flocks and herds -multiplied marvelously. He was in fact regarded as "rich" in those days -of simplicity. He had sent several flatboats loaded with grain down the -Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans and sold the cargoes at great -profit, so that, in addition to his fields, his stock and houses, he -had between three and four thousand dollars in money. - -Fernando grew to be a tall, slender youth, and in 1806 having finished -his education, so far as the west could afford, his father determined to -send him to the East, where it was hoped he would develop into a lawyer -or a preacher. The mother hoped the latter. His brother and sister had -grown up, married and were settled on farms in the neighborhood, taking -on the same existence of their parents; living honest, peaceful and -unambitious lives. - -The youth Fernando was more inclined to mental than physical activity, -and his parents, possessing an abundance of common sense, decided not to -force him to engage in an occupation distasteful to him. - -What school should he enter? was a question which the father long -debated. There were Harvard and Yale, both famous seats of learning, and -there were any number of academies all over the country. Captain Stevens -finally decided to allow the youth to make his own selection, giving him -money sufficient to take a little tour in the eastern States, before -settling down. - -Captain Stevens had a well-to-do neighbor, who lived across Bear Creek, -by the name of Winners. Old Zeb Winners was one of those quaint -products of the West. He was an easy-going man, proverbially slow of -speech and movement, and certainly the last person on earth one would -expect to become rich; yet he was wealthy. With all his slothfulness he -was shrewd, and could drive a better bargain than many men twice as -active in mind and body. One morning after it had become noised abroad -that Fernando was going away to college, Mr. Winners rode up to the -house on his big sorrel mare, her colt following, and, dismounting, tied -the mare to the rail fence and entered the gate. - -"Good mornin', cap'in, good mornin'," said the visitor. - -"Come in, Mr. Winners. Glad to see you. Hope you are all well!" - -"Oh, yes, middlin' like," answered the farmer entering the house without -the ceremony of removing his hat. A chair was offered, and he sat for a -moment with his hands spread out before the fireplace, his hat still on -his head. There was no fire in the fireplace, for it was late in May; -but Mr. Winners held his hands before it, from habit. - -"Wall, cap'in, I do hear as how yer goin' ter send yer boy Fernando to -college." - -"I am." - -"Wall, that air a good notion. Now I ain't got no book larnin' myself; -but I don't object to nobody else gittin' none. I've made up my mind to -send one of my boys along with 'im, ef ye've no objection." - -Of course Captain Stevens had no objection. Which of his boys was he -going to send? - -"I kinder thought az how I'd send Sukey." - -Sukey was a nickname given a tall, lazy youth named Richard Winners. Why -he had been nicknamed Sukey we have never been able to ascertain; but -the sobriquet, attached to him in childhood, clung to him all through -life. Sukey was like his father, brave, slow, careful, but a steadfast -friend and possessed of considerable dry humor. He took the world easy -and thought "one man as good as another so long as he behaved himself." - -It was arranged that Sukey and Fernando should start in a week for New -York, from which point they might select any college or school they -chose. The mail stage passed the door of farmer Winners, crossed the big -bridge and then passed the home of Captain Stevens. Captain Stevens' -house was no longer a cabin in the wilderness. It was a large, -substantial two-story farm mansion, with chimneys of brick instead of -sticks and mud. The forests had shrunk back for miles, making place for -vast fields, and the place had the appearance of a thrifty farm. - -Fernando's trunk was packed, and he sat on the door-step in his best -clothes awaiting the appearance of the stage. At last the rumbling -thunder of wheels rolling over the great bridge smote his ears, and a -few moments later the vehicle came up to the gate. The six prancing -horses were drawn up, and the vehicle stopped, while the driver cried: - -"All aboard!" - -Sukey was in the stage, his dark eyes half closed. He roused himself to -drawl out: - -"Come on, Fernando, we're off now, for sure." - -While two farm hands, assisted by the driver, placed the trunk in the -boot, Fernando bade father and mother adieu. Sister had come over with -her husband and the baby. His brother with his young wife were present -to bid the young seekers after knowledge adieu. They followed Fernando -to the stage coach and cried: - -"Good bye, Sukey! take good care of Fernando!" and Sukey drawled out: - -"Who'll take keer o' me?" - -The last good bye's were said, and the great stage coach rolled on. The -impressions of the young frontiersmen on approaching the first town were -strange and indescribable. The number of houses and streets quite -confused them. There seemed to be little or no order in the construction -of streets, and everybody seemed in a bustle and confusion. They -stopped over night at a tavern, and at early dawn the stage horn awoke -them, and after a hasty breakfast they were again on their journey. - -Several weeks were spent in traveling from town to town, and on -September 1st, 1807, they found themselves in New York City, still -undecided where they would go. - -One morning Fernando went for his usual walk toward the river, when a -large crowd of people at the wharf attracted his attention. Drawing -near, he saw a curious-looking boat on the water, the like of which he -had never seen before. It was one hundred feet long, twelve feet wide -and seven feet deep. There was a staff or mast at the bow, another at -the stern. From a tall chimney there issued volumes of smoke, while from -a smaller pipe there came the hissing of boiling water and white steam. -Two great, naked paddle-wheels were on the boat, one on each side near -the middle. Fernando thought this must be the toy of which he had heard -so much, being constructed by Robert Fulton and Chancellor Livingston. -On one side of the boat was painted the name _Clermont_. - -"What is that?" Fernando asked of a rollicking, fun-loving young -Irishman about twenty-two or three years of age, who stood near. - -"Faith, sir, it's a steamboat. We have all come to see her launched. -They call her the _Clermont_; but it's mesilf as thinks she ought to be -_Fulton's Folly_, for divil a bit do I believe she'll go a -cable's length." - -Fernando and his new acquaintance drew nearer. The hissing of the steam -and the roaring of the furnaces were fearful. - -"Do you know Robert Fulton?" Fernando asked. - -"Indade, I do. Would you like to see the greatest lunatic out of Bedlam? -Then it's mesilf as will point him out to yez." - -"I should like to see him." - -There were a number of men at work on the boat, all expressing the -wildest eagerness and anxiety. They were rushing forward and aft, above -and below, to those ponderous engines and boilers; but no one could see -what they did. At last Mr. Fulton, the great inventor, appeared. He was -a large, smooth-shaved gentleman, with a long head and melancholy gray -eye. On his nose was a smut spot from the machinery. Thousands were now -assembled to witness the trial voyage. Mr. Livingston gave the order to -cast off, and start the vessel. The lines were loosed and the steam -turned on. Loud hissed the confined monster; but the wheels did not -move. What was the matter? - -"Failure!" was on every tongue, and the crowd assembled already began -to hoot and jeer. Mr. Fulton's face expressed the deepest anxiety. He -ran below to inspect the machinery. A bolt had caught. This was removed, -and then the ponderous wheels began to move. The great paddles churned -the water to a mass of foam, and the boat glided forward against wind -and tide at a rate of speed astonishing. Fernando saw Robert Livingston -standing in the stern waving his handkerchief at the crowd which was now -sending up cheer after cheer. The American flag was run up on the staff, -and the steamboat continued on her course up the river to Albany, making -the distance of one hundred and sixty miles in thirty-six hours against -wind and tide; and from that time until now, navigation by steam, travel -and commerce, has been steadily increasing in volume and perfection, -until such vessels may be seen on every ocean and in almost every harbor -of the globe, even among the ice packs of the polar seas. This was the -second of the great and beneficent achievements which distinguished -American inventors at that early period of our country's struggles. The -cotton-gin, invented by Eli Whitney, was the first; an implement that -could do the work of a thousand persons in cleaning cotton wool of the -seeds. That machine has been one of the most important aids in the -accumulation of our national wealth. - -[Illustration] - -Fernando Stevens stood on the wharf among the assembled thousands, -watching the steamer until it disappeared far up the river. He was lost -in wonder and amazement and was first aroused from his reverie by the -young man at his side saying: - -"Don't she bate the divil?" - -It was his skeptical Irish friend. - -Fernando turned to him and asked, "What do you think of it now?" - -"Faith, she's a bird, so she is. Don't she cleave the water?" - -From this time, the two became acquainted, and Fernando learned that the -young Hibernian's name was Terrence Malone. Terrence was a true Irishman -of the good old type. He was brave as a lion, full of native wit and -humor, and yet an intelligent gentleman. From the first, he took a great -fancy to Fernando and when he learned that he had come from the West to -enter some academy or college, he informed him that he knew of the -place--the very place. It was the Baltimore Academy. He was a member of -the Baltimore school himself and he was sure there was not another like -it in the world. In short, the dashing young Irishman soon persuaded -Fernando to try the Baltimore school. - -He went back to the tavern where he had left Sukey writing letters. - -"What was all that catterwaulin' and yellin' about down at the river?" -Sukey asked. - -"The new steamboat began her trial trip," answered Fernando. - -"Wonder if that thing I saw with a stovepipe in it was a steamboat?" - -"It was." - -Sukey shook his head sagely and remarked: - -"It don't look as if it would ever amount to much." - -"Sukey, I have found a school for us at last." - -"Where?" - -"At Baltimore." - -"What d'you want to go there for?" - -"I met a young man who belongs there, and he advised us to go." - -"Who is he?" - -"His name is Terrence Malone, an Irishman." - -"That name's not French any way. How are we going to Baltimore?" - -"A schooner sails to-morrow." - -"Can we go in her?" - -"Yes." - -"Plague take the sea! I never tried it, and I don't want to." - -"It will be a short voyage." - -"Short, yes, but long enough to make me sick. I don't want to be in the -game. I am not a water dog. Keep me on the dry land, and I'm all right." - -But Fernando knew that a journey by land would take much longer than by -sea. Terrence Malone came to see them that evening and informed them -that the schooner would sail next day. He was a jolly young fellow and -had so many droll stories and jokes, that he kept his companions in a -roar of laughter. One joke followed another in such rapid succession -that the youngsters had scarce done laughing at one, before he fired -another at them. - -"Baltimore is the most wonderful city in the world, barin Cork," the -fair-haired son of the Emerald Isle declared. "There you find gallant -gintlemen and the prettiest girls on earth. Ah! if you could but see my -Kitty Malone! She's a beauty, just a trifle older than mesilf, but every -inch a darlint. Her head is red, her face a trifle freckled, her body's -so stout that the girt of a mule wouldn't encircle her waist," and here -Terrence winked, "She plays on the wash-board an illigant tune, for -which she charges a half a dime a garment." - -"Did you ever meet with such a jolly fellow?" laughed Fernando when he -was gone. - -"No," Sukey answered. "He has made my sides ache." - -Next day found the westerners on board the schooner sailing out from -the harbor of New York. The skipper was half tipsy, his crew -insubordinate, and for awhile no one seemed to know or care whither they -went. The captain had such frequent recourse to his demijohn, that it -was evident that he would soon be wholly unfit for duty. At last -Terrence declared he would have to take matters in hand himself. - -The sea was rough, and both Fernando and Sukey were too sick to leave -their bunks long at the time. - -"Jist ye lie still there, like a darlint, and lave the skipper to me," -said Terrence to Fernando. "Not another divil of a drop shall he have, -until we are safe in Baltimore." - -Then he went away, leaving Fernando wholly in ignorance of his plan. At -last, becoming anxious about him, he went out to see what he was doing. -The schooner was rolling heavily and Fernando was so sick he could -scarcely stand, yet he crept out under the lee of the cabin and saw a -sight that made him smile. - -Terrence and the captain were sitting on the deck playing cards. The -young Irishman had won two demijohns and three jugs of rum from the -captain, and he was now playing for the last pint flask the skipper -possessed. The young Irishman won it and carried his property to his -stateroom, and when the skipper next applied for a drink, -Malone answered: - -"Divil a drop will ye get, till we are safe in Baltimore." The captain -plead in vain. Terrence was firm, and the skipper in time became sober. - -Next morning it was discovered that owing to the drunkenness and -carelessness of the captain and crew, they had drifted far out to sea. -The waves rolled high, and the little schooner plunged about in a manner -frightful to a landlubber. - -Fernando was awakened by a groan. It was Sukey, and going to his berth -Terrence asked: - -"What's the matter, Sukey?" - -"I am dying!" he answered. - -"Courage, courage, me boy, ye'll get over it." - -"I don't want to get over it," answered Sukey, with a hollow groan. - -A few moments later the skipper came to beg for a morning dram. - -"Divil a drop, cap'in, until we are in Baltimore." - -"How long will it take to reach Baltimore, captain?" asked the seasick -Sukey. - -"Twenty-four hours." - -"Oh, Heavens!" groaned Sukey. "Can't you sink the ship?" - -"What do you want to sink for?" demanded the astounded skipper. - -"I'd rather drown than live twenty-four hours longer in this blamed -boat." - -"You'll live over it," growled the thirsty skipper. - -"I don't want to live over it. I want to die." - -Terrence roared with laughter, then he told a funny story which seemed -to increase the pangs of poor Sukey. - -By the middle of the afternoon, Fernando had recovered enough to go out -on deck. He found the captain and his crew huddled up in the fore part -of the deck, discussing a large, square-rigged ship, which was bearing -toward them. He heard one of the sailors say: - -"She flies English colors." - -A little later there was a puff of smoke from her forecastle and a ball -dashed into the water athwart their bow. - -"It's a cruiser, and that means to heave to; but blow my eyes if I do -it!" cried the captain, who was opposed to search and impressment. He -put the schooner about and, with all sail spread, flew over the water at -a rate of speed which defied pursuit. The cruiser fired several shots -after them. - -"Who is that shootin'?" Sukey asked unconcernedly, as Fernando entered -the wretched cabin. - -"A British man-of-war." - -"What is it shootin' at?" - -"At us." - -"I hope she will hit us and put me out o' this misery," groaned Sukey. - -Fortunately for the chief characters of this story, the man-of-war did -not hit them, and next day they reached Baltimore. Sukey recovered his -health with remarkable rapidity, and a few hours on shore made him -quite himself. - -Terrence, who seemed to know the town thoroughly, conducted them to an -inn where they were to remain until arrangements could be made for -entering the school. Terrence took the two young men under his care in a -fatherly way, assuring them it would be bad luck to any who spoke ill of -them; but Terrence could not be with them for several days. He had -urgent business in Philadelphia, which would require his absence. - -For a week after their arrival at Baltimore, their lives were of the -most dreary monotony. The rain, which had begun to fall soon after their -arrival, continued to descend in torrents, and they found themselves -close prisoners in the sanded parlors of the miserable inn. They could -but compare this wretched place with the grand old forests and broad -prairies of the West, and Sukey began to sigh for home. - -"Are you homesick already, Sukey?" asked Fernando. - -"I am not homesick--blast such a place as this--give me a country where -it don't rain 365 days out o' the year, and I'm content, home or -abroad," growled Sukey. - -Their situation was by no means pleasant. Their front window looked out -upon a long, straggling, ill-paved street, with its due proportion of -mud heaps and duck pools. The houses on either side were, for the most -part, dingy-looking edifices, with half-doors, and such pretensions to -being shops as the display of a quart of meal, salt, or string of red -peppers confers. A more wretched, gloomy-looking picture of woe-begone -poverty one seldom beheld. - -It was no better if they turned for consolation to the rear of the -house. There their eyes fell upon the dirty yard of a dirty inn, and the -half-covered cowshed, where two famishing animals mourned their hard -fate as they chewed the cud of "sweet and bitter fancy." In addition, -they saw an old chaise, once the yellow postchaise, the pride and glory -of the establishment, now reduced from its wheels and ignominiously -degraded to a hen house. On the grass-grown roof, a cock had taken his -stand, with an air of protective patronage to the feathered -inhabitants beneath. - -Sukey stood at the narrow window gazing out on the dreary and melancholy -scene, while he heaved an occasional sigh. - -"If this is what you call gitten an education I don't want it," he -drawled at last. "I would rather go back to Ohio and hunt for deer or -black bear, than enjoy such amusement as this is." - -"Oh, it will get better," said Fernando. - -"It has great room for growing better." - -"But it might be worse." - -"Yes, we might be at sea." - -Their landlady, a portly woman with two marriageable daughters, did all -in her power to make their stay pleasant. She praised Baltimore for its -beauty and health, its picturesqueness and poetry. It was surely -destined to be the greatest city in the United States. - -When they were alone, Sukey pointed to the mud heaps and duck pools and -gravely asked: - -"Do they show the poetry and picturesk of which she speaks? Is that old -chaise a sign of health or prosperity?" - -"Be patient, Sukey; we have seen little or none of Baltimore." - -"Plague take me if I haven't seen more than I want to see of it now," -growled Sukey. - -At last the weather cleared a little, and the sun shone brilliantly on -the pools of water and muddy street. The young gentlemen strolled forth -to look about the town. - -When about to start from the inn, Sukey asked: - -"Say, Fernando, how are we goin' to find our way back?" - -This was a serious question for even Fernando. He reflected over it a -moment and then said: - -"It's the house at the foot of the second hill with the road or street -that winds around the cliff." - -"Wouldn't it be better to take hatchets and blaze the corners of the -houses as we go along?" suggested Sukey. Fernando smiled and thought the -owners might raise some serious objections to having their houses -blazed. They were still somewhat undecided in regard to the matter, when -their landlady, with a movement about as graceful as the waddle of a -duck, came down the rickety stairs, and they in despair appealed to her. -She relieved them of their trouble in short order. On a piece of tin -over her door was the number 611. She told them the name of the street, -and assured them if they would remember that and the number, any one -would point it out to them. Besides they had only to remember the widow -Mahone, everybody in the town knew the widow Mahone. - -With this assurance of safe return, the two youngsters ventured forth -into the city. They were not as verdant as the reader may imagine. Both -had been reared in the western wilderness and retained much of the -pioneer traits about them; but books had been society for them, and -their four months spent in New York and Boston had given them an urbane -polish. Sukey, however, had many inherent traits, which all the schools -could not wholly eradicate. - -"I don't like towns," he declared, as they ascended a hill, which gave -them an excellent view of the harbor and shipping. "They are too close. -I want elbow room, and as soon as I get through my college course, I am -going back to the woods." - -"Won't your education be lost there?" - -"No; can't I be a lawyer, or a doctor, or a preacher as well there as -here? Besides, if we only sit down and wait awhile in Ohio, the cities -will come to us." - -"Yes, Sukey, you are right. Civilization is going West, and in course of -time the largest part of the republic will be west of the mountains." Of -course Fernando referred to the Alleghany Mountains, for the Rocky -Mountains were hardly thought of at this date. "But come; we don't seem -to be in the most populous part of the town. Let us go over the hill -where the houses are better and look cleaner." - -"I am willing, for, to tell you the truth, this place smells too much of -the sea." - -They went along a narrow street, which had a decidedly fishy odor, for -there were two markets on it. They passed an old woman carrying on her -back a great bag which seemed filled with rags and waste papers gathered -up from the refuse of the street. Sukey wondered if that was the way she -made her living. At the corner was a low public house in which were some -sailors drinking and singing songs. - -"Fernando, there is a fellow with a plaguy red coat on!" suddenly cried -Sukey, seizing his companion's arm. - -"Yes, he is an officer of the English army or navy." - -"Do they allow him here?" - -"Of course; we are at peace with England." - -"Well, I'd like to take that fellow down a bit. He walks too straight. -Why he thinks he could teach Alexander somethin' on greatness." - -"Never mind him; come on." - -Next they met a party of half-drunken marines, who began to chafe them, -and Sukey, though slow to wrath, was about to give them an exhibition of -frontier muscle, when his friend got him away, and they hastened to a -better part of the city. - -Here they found beautiful residences, and on the next street were -magnificent stores and shops. Elegant carriages, drawn by horses in -shining harness, indicating wealth, were seen. Elegantly dressed ladies -and gentlemen were premenading the street, or exchanging -congratulations. Sukey thought this would "sort o' do," and he wondered -why Terrence Malone had quartered them down in that miserable frog pond, -when there was higher ground and better houses. - -While standing on the corner watching the gay equipages and handsomely -dressed people, a carriage drawn by a pair of snow-white horses came -suddenly dashing down the street. The equipage, though one of the finest -they had ever seen, was stained with travel as if it had come from -a distance. - -"There, Fernando, by zounds, there is some rich fellow you can be sure!" -said Sukey as the vehicle drove by. "Egad! I would like to see who is -inside of it." - -He had that privilege, for the carriage paused only half a block away, -and an elderly man with a rolling, sailor-like movement got out and -assisted a young girl of about sixteen to alight. - -"Jehosophat--Moses and Aaron's rod, my boy! do you see her?" gasped -Sukey. - -"Yes." - -"Ain't she pretty?" - -"Hush! she may hear you." - -"Well, if she'd get mad at that, she is different from most girls." - -"Her father might not think it much of a compliment." - -The coachman, closing the door of the carriage mounted his box and took -the reins, while the pretty girl took her father's arm and came down the -street passing the young men, who, we fear, stared at her rudely. They -were hardly to be blamed for it, for she was as near perfection as a -girl of sixteen can be. Tall, willowy form, with deep blue eyes, soft as -a gazelle's, long, silken lashes and arched eyebrows, with golden hair, -and so graceful that every movement might be set to music. - -Fernando gazed after her until she disappeared into a fashionable shop, -and then, uttering a sigh, started as if from a dream. - -"What do you say now, old fellow?" asked Sukey. - -"Let us go home." - -"Home?" - -"Well, back to the widow Mahone's inn." - -"All right; now let us try to find the trail." - -It was no easy matter, although they had the street and number well -fixed in their mind. Finally they asked a watchman (policemen were -called watchmen in those days) and he conducted them to the abode of -Mrs. Mahone. - -The first person to greet them was Terrence. There was a bright smile on -his jolly face as he cried: - -"It's right plazed I am to see ye lookin' so cheerful, boys; and it's a -good time ye be having roaming the streets and looking at the beauty of -Baltimore. Much of it you'll find, to be sure. To-morrow we'll go to the -academy, pay our entrance fee and begin business." - -[ILLUSTRATION: AS NEAR PERFECTION AS A GIRL OF SIXTEEN CAN BE.] - -"Terrence," said Fernando in a half whisper, "Can't we find a more -comfortable place than this to live in?" - -"Oh, be aisy, me frind, for it's an illegant a house I've got for all -of us, and we'll be as comfortable there as a banshee." - -Not knowing what a "banshee" was, Fernando, of course, could draw no -conclusion from the comparison. When the three young men had entered -their room, Terrence began to tell them of a beautiful "craythur" he had -that day seen in town, and on inquiry learned she lived a few miles away -on the coast. She was the daughter of an old sea captain and came almost -daily to the city. - -"What is her name?" asked Fernando. - -"Lane." - -"Great Jehosiphat, Fernando! Lane was on that carriage we saw," cried -Sukey, starting suddenly from a couch on which he had been reclining. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -WAR FEELING OF 1811. - -Mr. James Madison seems to have been one of the many great Americans -capable of changing his political views without losing public favor. Mr. -Madison, as a delegate to the constitutional convention held at -Philadelphia in May, 1787, was beyond question a Federalist. Of the -convention, a writer of the highest authority says: - -"Mr. Madison was prominent in advocating the constitution, and took a -leading part in the debates, of which he kept private notes, since -published by order of congress. His views in regard to the federal -government are set forth at length in a paper still extant in the -handwriting of Gen. Washington. This paper contains the substance of a -letter written to Washington by Mr. Madison before the meeting of the -convention, and proposes a scheme of thorough centralization. The writer -declares that he is equally opposed to the individual independence of -the States and to 'the consolidation of the whole in one simple -republic.' He is nevertheless in favor of investing congress with power -to exercise a negative in all cases whatever on the legislative acts of -the States, as heretofore exercised by the kingly prerogative. He says -further that the right of coercion should be expressly declared; but the -difficulty and awkwardness of operating by force on the collective will -of a State render it particularly desirable that the necessity of it -should be precluded. From these extreme views, Mr. Madison afterward -conscientiously departed; but in the convention he supported them with -zeal and vigor." - -It was feared at first that Madison would perpetuate the policy of -Jefferson; but the tone and temper of his inaugural address, delivered -March 4th, 1809, fell like oil on troubled waters. His most implacable -enemies could not refrain from uttering words of approbation; and the -whole nation entertained hopes that his measures might change the gloomy -aspect of public affairs. - -Madison's administration was now sustained by a larger majority of the -American people than that of Jefferson had ever been, and the -Federalists, or the opposition, were in a hopeless minority. The -continued aggressions of the British were increasing the Democratic -strength every day; and in 1811, circumstances seemed to make war with -Great Britain an imperative necessity for the vindication of the honor, -rights and independence of the United States. - -The Indian tribes on the northwestern frontiers of the United States -became very uneasy, and the machinations of British traders and -government emissaries had stimulated the growth of that discontent into -a decidedly hostile feeling toward the nation of Republicans, then -pressing upon the domain of the savages. The suspension of the world's -commerce had diminished the amount of their traffic in furs, and the -rapid extension of American settlements northward of Ohio was narrowing -their hunting grounds and producing a rapid diminution of game. The -introduction of intoxicating liquors among the savages by white traders -and speculators had widely spread demoralization, with consequent -disease and death. - -English emissaries made the savages to believe that all these evils had -been brought upon them by the encroachments of the Americans; and in the -spring of 1811, it became evident that a league was forming among the -tribes for the extermination of the frontier settlers. - -Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief, shrewd, crafty and intrepid, endeavored to -emulate Pontiac, the great Ottowa chief, in the formation of an Indian -confederacy in the Northwest, for making war upon the United States. He -had a shrewd twin brother, called the prophet, whose mysterious -incantation and predictions and pretended visions and spiritual -intercourse had inspired the savage mind with great veneration for him -as a wonderful "medicine man." He and Tecumseh possessed almost -unbounded influence over the Delawares, Shawnees, Wyandots, Miamis, -Kickapoos, Winnebagoes and Chippewas. - -The celebrated Shawnee chief Tecumseh, according to Drake, was born a -few years before the Revolution, at the Indian village of Piqua, on Mad -River, about six miles below the site of Springfield, Clark County, -Ohio. His tribe removed from Florida about the middle of the last -century. His father, who was a chief, fell at the bloody battle of Point -Pleasant, in 1774. From his youth, he showed a passion for war. He early -acquired an unbounded influence over his tribe for his bravery, his -sense of justice and his commanding eloquence. Like his great prototype, -Pontiac, humanity was a prominent trait in his character. He not only -was never known to ill-treat or murder a prisoner, but indignantly -denounced those who did, employing all his authority and eloquence in -behalf of the helpless. In 1798, Tecumseh removed with his followers to -the vicinity of White River, Indiana, among the Delawares, where he -remained for a number of years. In 1805, through the influence of -Laulewasikaw, the brother of Tecumseh, a large number of Shawnees -established themselves at Greeneville. Very soon after, Laulewasikaw -assumed the office of a _prophet_; and forthwith commenced that career -of cunning and pretended sorcery, which always enables the shrewd -hypocrite to sway the ignorant, superstitious mind. Throughout the year -of 1806, the brothers remained at Greeneville and were visited by many -Indians from different tribes, not a few of whom became their followers. -The prophet dreamed many wonderful dreams and claimed to have had many -supernatural revelations made him. The great eclipse of the sun that -occurred in the summer of this year, a knowledge of which he had by some -means attained, enabled him to carry conviction to the minds of many of -his ignorant followers, that he was really the earthly agent of the -Great Spirit. He boldly announced to the unbelievers, that, on a certain -day, he would give them proof of his supernatural powers by bringing -darkness over the sun. When the day and hour of the eclipse arrived, and -the earth, even at midday, was shrouded in the gloom of twilight, the -prophet, standing in the midst of his party, significantly pointed to -the heavens and cried out: - -"Did I not prophesy truly? Behold! darkness has shrouded the sun!" - -It may readily be supposed that this striking phenomenon, thus adroitly -used, produced a strong impression on the Indians, and greatly increased -their belief in the sacred character of their prophet. - -In the spring of 1808, Tecumseh and the prophet removed to a tract of -land on the Tippecanoe, a tributary of the Wabash, where the latter -continued his efforts to induce the Indians to forsake their vicious -habits, while Tecumseh was visiting the neighboring tribes and quietly -strengthening his own and the prophet's influence over them. The events -of the early part of the year 1810 were such as to leave but little -doubt of the hostile intentions of the brothers. The prophet was -apparently the most prominent actor, while Tecumseh was in reality the -mainspring of all the movements, backed, it is supposed, by the -insidious influence of British agents, who supplied the Indians gratis -with powder and ball, in anticipation, perhaps, of hostilities between -the two countries, in which event a union of all the tribes against the -Americans was desirable. Tecumseh had opposed the sale and cession of -lands to the United States, and he declared it to be his unalterable -resolution to take a stand against the further intrusion of the whites -upon the soil of his people. - -So menacing had the Indians become in the Spring of 1810, that General -W.H. Harrison, a son of Benjamin Harrison, one of the signers of the -Declaration of Independence, and then governor of the Territory of -Indiana, invited the brothers to a council at Vincennes, in August. -Tecumseh appeared with four hundred well-armed warriors. The inhabitants -were greatly alarmed at this demonstration of savage military power. -Harrison was cool and cautious, while the bearing of the chief was bold -and haughty. He refused to enter the place appointed for holding the -council saying: - -"Houses were built for you to hold councils in; Indians hold theirs in -the open air." He then took a position under some trees in front of the -house, and, unabashed by the large concourse of white people before him, -he opened the business with a speech marked by great dignity and native -eloquence. When he had concluded, one of the governor's aids said to -him, through an interpreter, as he pointed to a chair by the side of -General Harrison: - -"Your father requests you to take a seat by his side." - -The chief drew his blanket around him and, standing erect, said, with a -scornful tone: - -"My father! The sun is my father, and the earth is my mother; on her -bosom I will recline;" and he seated himself on the ground. - -The chief declared it his intention to form a confederacy for the -purpose of preventing any further cessions of lands to the white -people, and to recover what had been ceded. - -"Return those lands," he said, "and Tecumseh will be the friend of the -Americans. He likes not the English, who are continually setting the -Indians on the Americans." The governor replied that the lands had been -received from other tribes, and that the Shawnees had no business to -interfere. Tecumseh sprang to his feet, cast off his blanket and, with -violent gestures, pronounced the governor's words false. He accused the -United States of cheating and imposing upon the Indians; and then, -giving a sign to his warriors near him, they sprang to their feet, -seized their war clubs and brandished their tomahawks. The governor -started from his seat and drew his sword, while the citizens seized any -weapons or missiles they could find. It was a moment of great peril to -the white people. A military guard of twelve men, under some trees a -short distance off, was ordered up. A friendly Indian, who had secretly -loaded his pistol while Tecumseh was speaking, now cocked it to shoot -the chief. The guards were also about to fire when Harrison restrained -them and prevented a bloody encounter. The interpreter, whom all the -Indians respected, told Tecumseh that he was a bad man. The council was -broken up. Tecumseh expressed regret that his violent temper had gotten -the better of him; but prudent men knew from his conduct that war was -inevitable. - -In the spring of 1811, the hostile savages began to roam over the Wabash -region, in small parties, plundering the white settlers and -friendly Indians. - -Soon after the council at Vincennes, Tecumseh went South among the -Creeks to extend the confederacy of the people of Indiana among them. -There is a tradition among the Tuckabachees that Tecumseh, failing to -enlist them in his enterprise, in his wrath said: - -"When I return to the North, I will stamp on the earth and make it -tremble." When the effects of the earthquake of New Madrid were felt, -the Tuckabachees said: - -"Tecumseh has reached the North." - -The hostile demonstrations on the part of the Indians in Indiana alarmed -the people of that territory, and General Harrison therefore took -measures to increase his regular force. He warned the Indians to obey -the treaty at Greeneville; but at the same time he prepared to break up -the prophet's establishment if necessary. In September, the prophet sent -assurances to the governor that his intentions were pacific. About the -same time, he dispatched a message to the Delawares, who were friendly, -asking them to join him in a war against the United States, stating that -he had taken up the tomahawk and would not lay it down but with his -life, unless their wrongs were redressed. The Delaware chiefs -immediately visited the prophet to dissuade him from commencing -hostilities and were grossly insulted. On the 6th of November, 1811, -Governor Harrison, with about nine hundred and fifty effective troops, -composed of two hundred and fifty of the 4th Regiment U. S. Infantry, -one hundred and thirty volunteers and a body of militia, being within a -mile and a half of the prophet's town, was urged to make an immediate -assault upon the village; but this he declined, as his instructions from -the president were positive not to attack the Indians as long as there -was a probability of their complying with the demands of the government. -The Indians, in the course of the day, endeavored to cut off his -messengers and evinced other hostile symptoms, which determined Harrison -to at once march upon the town, when he was met by three Indians, one of -them a principal counselor of the prophet, who avowed that the prophet's -designs were pacific. Accordingly a suspension of hostilities was agreed -upon, and the terms of peace were to be settled on the following morning -by the governor and the prophet's chief. At night the army encamped -about three fourths of a mile from the prophet's town. - -The governor was well convinced of the hostility of the prophet. He -believed that after attempting to lull his suspicions he intended to -make a treacherous attack on the Americans. Little anticipation of a -night attack was indulged, yet every precaution was taken to resist one -if made. All the guards that could be used in such a situation, and all -such as were used by Wayne, were employed on this occasion. That is, -camp guards, furnishing a chain of sentinels around the whole camp at -such a distance as to give notice of the approach of an enemy in time -for the troops to take their position, and yet not far enough to prevent -the sentinels from retreating to the main body if overpowered. The usual -mode of stationing picket guards at a considerable distance in advance -of the army or camp, would be useless in Indian warfare, as they do not -require roads to march upon, and such guards would be inevitably cut -off. Orders were given in the event of a night attack, for each corps to -maintain its position at all hazards until relieved or further orders -were given to it. The whole army was kept during the night in the -military position called lying on their arms. The regular troops lay in -their tents with their accoutrements on, and their guns at their sides. -The militia had no tents, but slept with their clothes and bullet -pouches on, and their guns under them, to keep them dry. The order of -the encampment was a line of battle to resist a night attack; and so, -as every man slept opposite to his post in the line, there was nothing -for the troops to do, in case of an assault, but to rise and take their -position a few steps in the rear of the fires around which they had -reposed. The guard of the night consisted of two captains' commands of -forty-two men and of four non-commissioned officers each and two -subalterns' guards of twenty men and non-commissioned officers each--the -whole amounting to about one hundred and thirty men, under command of a -field officer of the day. The night was dark and cloudy, and after -midnight there was a drizzling rain. - -At four o'clock in the morning of Nov. 7, 1811, Governor Harrison, -according to practice, had risen, preparatory to the calling up of the -troops, and was engaged, while drawing on his boots by the fire, in -conversation with General Wells, Colonel Owens, and Majors Taylor and -Hurst. The orderly drum had been roused to sound the reveille for the -troops to turn out, when there came the report of a sentry's rifle on -the left flank, followed by a score of shots, and the morning air rang -loud with the wild war-whoops of savages. - -In an instant the army was in line, the campfires were extinguished, and -the governor mounted his horse and proceeded to the point of attack. -Several companies had taken their places in the line within forty -seconds after the report of the first gun, and in two minutes the whole -army was ready for action; a fact as creditable to their own activity -and bravery, as to the skill and energy of their officers. The battle -soon became general, and was maintained on both sides with signal and -even desperate valor. The Indians advanced or retreated by the aid of a -rattling noise, made with deer hoofs, and persevered in their -treacherous attack with an apparent determination to conquer or die on -the spot. The battle raged with unabated fury and mutual slaughter until -daylight, when a gallant and successful charge by the troops drove the -enemy into the swamp, and put an end to the conflict. - -Prior to the assault, the prophet had given his followers assurance, -that, in the coming contest, the Great Spirit would render the arms of -the Americans unavailing; that their bullets would fall harmless at the -feet of the Indians; that the latter should have light in abundance, -while the former would be involved in thick darkness. Availing himself -of the privilege conferred by his peculiar office, and, perhaps, -unwilling in his own person to test the rival powers of a sham prophecy -and a real American bullet, he prudently took a position on an adjacent -eminence; and, when the action began, he entered upon the performance -of certain mystic rites, at the same time singing a war song. Soon after -the engagement commenced, he was informed that his men were falling. He -told them to fight on, it would soon be as he predicted; and then in, -wilder and louder strains, his inspiring battle song was heard -commingling with the sharp crack of the rifle and the shrill war-whoop -of his brave but deluded followers. Some of the Indians who were in the -conflict, subsequently informed the agent at Fort Wayne, that there were -more than a thousand warriors in the battle, and that the number of -wounded was unusually great. In the precipitation of their retreat, they -left thirty-eight on the field. Some were buried during the engagement -in their town. Others no doubt subsequently died of their wounds. Drake -places their number in killed at not less than fifty. - -Of the whites, thirty-five were killed in the action, and twenty-five -died subsequently. The total number of killed and wounded was one -hundred and eighty-eight,--probably as great and possibly greater than -the loss of the Indians. Among the slain were Colonel Abraham Owen and -Major Joseph Hamilton Davies of Kentucky. - -Though the battle of Tippecanoe, considered as a conflict from the -losses on each side, would to-day be regarded only as a skirmish, yet it -had a great moral influence in restraining the savages in the -northwest, and, but for the meddling of the British agents, a permanent -peace with the Indians could have been established. - -Harrison burned the prophet's town. The prophet lost caste with his -people. When reproached for his falsehoods, he cunningly told them that -his predictions had failed of fulfilment, because, during his -incantations, his wife touched the sacred vessels and broke the charm. -His followers, superstitious as they were, would not accept such a -flimsy excuse and deserted him, flying to secure hiding-places where the -white man could not find them. After his town was burned, the prophet -took shelter among the Wyandots. - -The events in the northwest aroused a war spirit among the patriotic -Americans, which could not be suppressed. Not only did British -emissaries incite the Indians to make war, but British orders in council -continued to be vigorously enforced. Insult was offered to the American -flag by British cruisers, and the press of Great Britain insolently -declared that the Americans "could not be kicked into a war." - -Forbearance ceased to be a virtue; it became cowardice. President -Madison found himself the standard-bearer of his party, surrounded by -irrepressible young warriors eager for fight. Like a cautious -commander, he sounded a careful war note in his annual message to -congress at the beginning of November, 1811. The young and ardent -members of the house of representatives, who had elected Henry Clay, -then thirty-four years of age, speaker, determined that indecision -should no longer mark the councils of the nation. The committee on -foreign relations, of which Peter B. Porter was chairman, intensified -that feeling by an energetic report submitted on the 29th of November, -in which, in glowing sentences, the British government was arraigned on -charges of injustice, cruelty, and wrong. They said: - -"To sum up, in a word, the great cause of complaint against Great -Britain, your committee need only say, that the United States, as a -sovereign and independent power, claims the right to use the ocean, -which is the common and acknowledged highway of nations, for the -purposes of transporting, in their own vessels, the products of their -own soils and the acquisition of their own industry to any market in the -ports of friendly nations, and to bring home, in return, such articles -as their necessities or convenience may require, always regarding the -rights of belligerents as defined by the established laws of nations. -Great Britain, in defiance of this incontestable right, captures every -American vessel bound to or returning from a port where her commerce is -not favored; enslaves our seamen, and, in spite of our remonstrances, -perseveres in these aggressions. To wrongs so daring in character and so -disgraceful in their execution, it is impossible that the people of the -United States should remain indifferent. We must now tamely and quietly -submit, or we must resist by those means which God has placed within our -reach.... The sovereignty and independence of these States, purchased -and sanctified by the blood of our fathers, from whom we received them, -not for ourselves only, but as the inheritance of our posterity, are -deliberately and systematically violated. And the period has arrived -when, in the opinion of your committee, it is the sacred duty of -congress to call forth the patriotism and the resources of the country. -By the aid of these and with the blessing of God, we confidently trust -we shall be able to procure that redress which has been sought for by -justice, by remonstrance and forbearance, in vain." - -The report went over the land as fast as the mails in that day of stage -coaches could carry it, and made a profound impression on the minds of -the people. Resolutions, drawn in accordance with the spirit of the -report, were appended to it, and these led to earnest debates. In these -debates, the brilliant John C. Calhoun, then less than thirty years of -age, engaged. It marked the beginning of his long and illustrious -career. He made his maiden speech in favor of war, and charmed his -listeners. John Randolph, always happy when in opposition to everybody, -spoke vehemently against the report and resolutions. - -The Federalists, having always advocated a policy of being prepared for -war, could not from principle oppose these resolutions as they -recommended only such preparations. The resolutions were adopted and -bills prepared for augmenting the military force of the country. - -The regular army was increased to twenty-five thousand men; also two -major-generals and live brigadier-generals, in addition to those then in -office were authorized. A million dollars were appropriated for the -purchase of arms, ammunition and stores for the army, and four hundred -thousand dollars for powder, cannon and small arms for the navy. - -War was not yet declared, and, with a proper course of treatment from -Great Britain, it would not have been; yet the war feeling of 1811 was -strong. It needed but a breath to fan the flame to a terrible -conflagration. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -FERNANDO'S FRIEND GETS HIM INTO A SERIOUS SCRAPE. - -In due time Fernando and Sukey were entered in the college. They were -transferred to more comfortable quarters than the wretched inn of Mrs. -Mahone. Terrence superintended everything and was, in truth, the good -angel of the boys. He had a warm heart, was a genuine friend, and would -have shed his last drop of blood for them; but Terrence was, after all, -a young scamp, whose dearest friend was not free from a practical joke. -His jokes often became serious affairs and involved himself as well as -friends in trouble, though he never intended anything unpleasant. - -Fernando had been in college but a few months, and was already making -excellent progress, when one day Terrence came to his room and said: - -"Me frind, d'ye want to see a bit of good society?" - -Laying down a heavy mathematical work, Fernando smilingly answered: - -"I don't know, Terrence; I've hardly time for society." - -"What's the need of worryin' yer brains out over Latin, Greek and -astronomy, when there's my amount of fun to be had? Come; a little mite -of society will brighten up yer ideas. Now listen to me, lad. There's -goin' to be a big ball given at the mayor's, and d'ye remimber the -darlint little craythur ye met on the street that day?" - -Remember her? of course Fernando remembered her. She had scarcely been -out of his mind day or night since he had seen her. She had been the -angel of his dreams, the princess of countless air castles; but he had -never indulged a hope that he might see her again. - -"Will she be at the ball, Terrence?" - -"To be sure. It's mesilf as heard it, and thin if ye'll look over the -Baltimore papers, ye'll see her name Morgianna Lane, the daughter of -Captain Felix Lane of Mariana, whose entree into society is to be the -ninth, chaperoned by Madame Barnhart." - -Terrence Malone evinced a wonderful ability at picking up information on -any question that took his fancy. He had a bold way of insinuating -himself into people's affections, for no one could dislike the -light-hearted, merry Irishman. - -"Now there is no need for ye to say ye won't go, because ye will," said -Terrence. "It's a grand occasion to be sure. One of his majesty's ships -o' war is in port, and some of the officers from her will be there, -every alderman in the town, some congressmen and ex-President Jefferson -will be there." - -Fernando looked at him in amazement and, after a moment, he said: - -"Terrence, if the ball is to be such a grand affair, please to inform me -how we are to gain admission." - -"Now, me boy, lave that to me. Will ye go?" - -"Yes." - -"And ye don't mind it if it's a thrifle of an adventure, do yez?" - -"No." - -"That's it. I always said ye was a lad after me own heart; but, -Fernando, don't yez say one word to Sukey. He's too slow and careful. He -might make trouble with us and upset all our plans." - -At first, Fernando, who hated anything like deceit, opposed secresy; but -his Irish friend brought so many excellent arguments to bear, that he -virtually carried his point. - -"Terrence, I fear I will make an awkward figure in a ball room!" -declared Fernando. "I am not accustomed to such things." - -"A glass or two of champagne will do it for ye." - -"But I never danced in my life." - -"I'll teach ye mesilf, and, bedad, ye'll be as foine a terpechorian -artist be the toime, as will be at the ball." - -The last objection swept away, Fernando began secretly to take lessons -in the waltz, cotillon and other dances of the day. - -Whatever may be said against Terrence, one thing is quite certain, he -was no bad dancing master, and Fernando was an apt pupil. Somehow, there -was a spice of adventure in the escapade, which seemed to thrill -Fernando with pleasure, and he entered into it with a zeal that was -remarkable. - -The English man-of-war in the harbor was the _Xenophon_, Captain -Conkerall commander. The captain had some acquaintances and friends in -Baltimore, and this event transpired before the war spirit became so -strong that English officers dared not venture on shore. The captain and -his officers were of course invited to the ball. - -The day of the ball, the captain came ashore and was snugly quartered at -the Baltimore House, getting ready for the affair. - -The captain was in his room talking with some citizens of Baltimore and -a congressman; a decanter and glasses were on a sideboard, and the -captain's face was somewhat flushed, when there entered a neat, -well-dressed young gentleman, whose language and features were slightly -Hibernian. - -"I beg pardon, gintlemen, but this is Captain Conkerall? Sure I make no -mistake, for the very bearin' tells me he is a son of Neptune." - -As the captain was in full uniform, of course there was no trouble about -recognizing him. The captain rose and, taking the hand of the young man, -tried hard to remember where he had seen him before. - -"Sure, ye don't remember me. I am Lord Kildee, the son of the ould baron -of Kildee Castle, who was a schoolmate of yer father." - -The captain, delighted at having so noted an acquaintance, took great -pleasure in introducing a scion of such a noble family as Kildee. One -would have thought, from Captain Conkerall's manner, that he had been on -intimate terms with the house of Kildee all his life, while in reality -he had never until that moment known that there lived such a being as -the Lord of Kildee. Wine and vanity work wonders, and the captain felt -great pride in being recognized at Baltimore by Lord Kildee, whose -father was, as the new acquaintance assured him, a member of the -house of lords. - -The visiting aldermen of the town and the congressman were introduced to -the Lord Kildee, who had the air of a genuine nobleman, with just enough -of the rich brogue to entitle him to the name of Irishman. - -Would his lordship have a glass of wine with them. To be sure he would. - -Captain Conkerall, who was expected to be the lion of the evening, -indulged rather freely, and the more he indulged the more he had a -desire to. - -At last the congressman rose to make a speech. He was rather unsteady on -his legs, but exceedingly eloquent on the question of Jefferson's -embargo act. He thought it an outrage designed to foster the unfortunate -estrangement between the mother country and America. He, as a -Federalist, had opposed Jefferson and Jeffersonianism. - -How much longer his harangue might have lasted, no one could have told, -but the captain was warned that the hour for the ball was drawing near, -and he gently insinuated that the speech be deferred for an after-dinner -talk. Just as the captain's guests were on the point of retiring, Lord -Kildee, by a gentle hint, suggested that if he had an invitation he -would be glad to meet them at the ball. Of course so noted a person as -Lord Kildee could not be neglected, and, as one of the invitation -committee was present, he issued a ticket at once. Then the captain and -his lordship were left alone. - -His lordship hinted that he had much to say to the captain in -confidence, having just come from the fleet of Vice Admiral Berkeley. -Over their wine, he informed the captain that he was on intimate terms -with the vice admiral and that the captain of the _Xenophon_ was down -for an early promotion. Captain Conkerall was delighted. He drank deep -to the health of Vice Admiral Berkeley, Lord Kildee and himself. By this -time, the captain was ready to drink to the health of anybody. The Lord -Kildee, strange to say, imbibed very little, and soon the captain was -insensible on the floor, while his lordship was as sober as a judge. - -"Faith, it's a dacint bit of work," he said, eyeing the prostrate -captain. "Now to the rest of the plan." - -Lord Kildee was none other than the rollicking Irish student Terrence -Malone. In a few moments, he had divested the captain of his coat, -trousers and vest, which, with his chapeau, he rolled up in a neat -bundle and hurried away to his friend Fernando Stevens. The hour was -late, and Fernando had almost given up going to the ball, when Terrence -bolted into his room, his cheeks aglow with excitement. - -"Here, me lad, don the royal robes at once. Begorra, it's noblemen we -are goin' to be to-night!" - -"What does this mean, Terrence?" Fernando asked, as Malone unrolled the -bundle containing the elegant uniform of a British officer. - -"Divil a question need ye be askin'; put on the uniform; it will fit ye -to an exactness." - -In vain Fernando expostulated; his friend forced him into compliance, -and, almost before he knew it, he was encased in a British uniform, and -a handsome looking officer he made. Terrence then gave him a drink at -his bottle to "steady his nerves," and told him that it was one of the -"divil's own toimes" they would have. - -Fernando, despite all his staid qualities and Puritanic instincts, loved -an adventure which promised fun, and finally entered into the scheme -with a zest second only to his friend. The very idea of playing a prank -on the captain of a man-of-war was enough to induce him to engage in -almost any enterprise. They managed to escape the house without being -detected by Sukey, who was puzzling his brain over deep questions in -philosophy, and hastened down the street to a carriage which Terrence -engaged to take them to the mayor's. - -There was a ticket of admission in the captain's vest, which Fernando -used, and Lord Kildee had one for himself. - -As Terrence contemplated his young friend, whom the uniform fitted as -neatly as if he had grown in it, he declared that he was perfection. - -Arrived at the door, Fernando, whose brain was in a whirl, found himself -suddenly hurried up a flight of marble steps to the great vestibule -where there was a flood of subdued light. The wine made him bold, -reckless, and when he was introduced as Lieutenant Smither, of his -majesty's vice admiral's flag-ship, he half believed he was that person -and, assuming what he supposed to be the manner and carriage of so high -an official, received the bows and smiles of the fair ladies assembled -with the grace of a veteran seaman. - -There were a few officers from the _Xenophon_ present, among them a -Lieutenant Matson, who was dividing his time between a very pretty girl -and asking why Captain Conkerall was so late. - -Fernando played his part remarkably well, considering that he was new in -the role. Whenever he was in danger of "making a bad break," Lord -Kildee, who was the lion of the hour, was at hand to aid him, and with -consummate grace and ease helped him through the worst difficulties. A -few glasses of champagne made Fernando bolder. - -At last he met that beautiful creature whom he had seen alight from the -carriage and was introduced to Miss Morgianna Lane. Morgianna, young as -she was, detected the deception. Fernando talked without reserve on any -and every topic. Those he knew the least about, he discussed with most -fluency, until he bid fair to become the centre of attraction. - -When they were alone, Morgianna, with one of her sweetest smiles, said: - -"I don't believe you are an Englishman." - -"I'll be honest with you, Miss Lane," said he. "I am not." - -"Who are you?" - -"If you will keep my secret, I will tell you all." Morgianna, as fond of -mischief as Terrence, agreed to do so, and he told her everything. She -laughed until the tears coursed down her pretty cheeks. She said it was -a good joke and as soon as she got home, she would tell her papa and he -would, she knew, enjoy it. - -"But you must not drink any more wine," she added. "It affects your -head." Fernando admitted that he was not used to it, and he promised to -desist. After waltzing for an hour with her and getting a tender squeeze -of the hand, he restored her to an affable old lady who acted as -Morgianna's chaperon, and then Fernando retired to new conquests, his -head in a whirl and his heart in a flutter. - -Lord Kildee soon had him under his care and introduced him to some -friends, among them Lieutenant Matson, who had early in the evening made -so many unsuccessful attempts to attract Miss Lane's favorable notice -that Fernando had come to regard him as a dangerous rival. Despite the -injunction of the fair Morgianna, he found himself half unconsciously -quaffing three or four glasses to the good health of somebody; he really -did not know whether it was King George or President Jefferson. - -Fernando, naturally witty, soon ingratiated himself into this well -occupied clique, and he dosed them with glory to their heart's content. -He resolved at once to enter into their humor, and as the wine mounted -up to his brain, he gradually found his acquaintance and politics -extending to every country and political creed. - -"Did you know Thomas Matson of his majesty's ship _Spit-Fire?"_ asked -the lieutenant. - -"Tom Matson!" cried Fernando. "Indeed I did sir, and do still! and there -is not a man in the British navy I am prouder of knowing." Of course he -had never heard of Thomas Matson until this moment. - -"You don't say, sir?" said the lieutenant in astonishment. "Has he any -chance of promotion, sir?" - -"Promotion!" cried Fernando, in well-feigned astonishment. "Why, have -you not heard that he is already in command of a ship? You cannot -possibly have heard from him lately, or you would have known that!" - -"That's true, sir; I have not heard from him since he quitted the _Black -Cloud_ in the South, I think they said for his health; but how did he -get the step?" - -"Why, as to the promotion, that was remarkable enough," said Fernando, -quaffing off a tumbler of champagne to aid his inventive faculties; but -Fernando, despite his native shrewdness and wonderful inventive powers, -was liable to get into trouble. He knew as little about a ship as a -landlubber might be supposed to know, and his companion saw at once that -he would make a mess of the story, so he came to his rescue by informing -the assembly that a fine vocalist at the other end of the room was going -to sing, and asked that the story be deferred until after the song. They -all hurried away save Fernando, who, overcome by too deep potations, -sank upon a sofa temporarily unconscious. - -He was roused from his stupor by his companion shaking him and saying: - -"Fernando, me boy, it's a divil's own mess ye are makin' of this! Wake -up and get out!" - -He roused himself and looked about. The room they were in was a small -apartment off the great saloon, and through the half-open folding-door, -he could see that the festivities still continued. The music and gay -forms of dancers reminded him where he was. - -"Fernando, we've played this game jist as long as we can, successfully; -we had better go." - -"I am ready," and Fernando got up and started diagonally across the -room, stepping with his feet very wide apart. The pretended Lord Kildee -took his arm, and they got to the door, where Fernando missed his -footing and went tumbling down the steps in a very undignified manner. -His lordship, Kildee, having imbibed rather freely himself, kept him -company, and for a few seconds they remained at the bottom of the -flight, dividing their time between studying astronomy and the laws of -gravitation. - -Fernando had badly smashed the captain's chapeau and one fine plume was -gone. They had not gone far before they ran upon a watchman, who -threatened to run them in; but the police of those days were as -susceptible to a bribe as they are to-day, and after donating liberally -to the cause of justice and protection, they were taken to their rooms -instead of the calaboose. - -Young Stevens had no definite recollection of how he ever got to bed; -but he awoke next morning with a wretched headache and found himself in -a red coat, with the epaulets and gold lace of an officer. By degrees, -the whole thing came back to him. - -Terrence came in a few moments later, a smile on his face, as he -remarked they were in "the divil's own scrape." - -"Why?" asked Fernando. - -"We should have taken the clothes back to the captain." - -Fernando, who was in total ignorance of the manner in which the uniform -was procured, asked: - -"How did you get them?" - -Terrence told him the whole story, and Fernando, despite his wretched -headache, laughed until the tears coursed down his cheeks. - -"That's not all, me foine boy. The whole thing is out. The papers -printed this morning are full of it. They say the captain was seen just -before daylight goin' down the street to his boat with a sheet wrapped -about him." - -Again the youngsters roared. It was such a madcap frolic as students, -utterly reckless of consequences, might engage in; but, after all, it -was a serious affair. The clothes had to be returned; then the -perpetrators of the outrage would be known at the college, and they -might be expelled from the institution in disgrace. - -The clothes were returned. That was a point of honor which Fernando -insisted upon, as he would neither agree to steal or wear stolen goods. -For a day or two he was indisposed, and good, honest Sukey was afraid -his friend was "going to be real sick." On the evening of the second day -after their madcap frolic, Fernando told Sukey all about it and asked -his advice. After the tall young westerner had heard him through, -he said: - -"Well, Fernando, I am sorry you were in the game at all; but you are in -it, and now the best thing is to go to the college and make a clean -breast of it to the president. It's your first, you know, and then a -fellow just from the woods like us is liable to stumble into bad -scrapes. Make a clean breast of it and keep out of such games in -the future." - -This was really the best advice that could have been given, and -Fernando, after consulting Terrence, decided to follow it. Consequently -they all three presented themselves to the president of the faculty and, -in the best way they could, laid the story before him. Terrence brought -all the pathos and eloquence which he naturally possessed to the aid of -his friend and got both of them off pretty well. - -The old professor was one of the best-hearted men in the world, and when -he came to contemplate the lonely condition of the boys so far from -home, he forgave them freely, and Fernando went out of his presence -resolved never to be guilty of another unseemly trick again. - -"Now, if that divil's own ship the _Xenophon_ would only lave port, I'd -fale better," remarked Terrence as they wended their way to their -rooms. Fernando could not see any harm the _Xenophon_ could do them. -The president of the college had forgiven them, and surely they need not -care for the ship. - -The students entered ardently into their studies, and Fernando tried to -forget everything about the mayor's ball save the beautiful face of -Morgianna Lane. She was the only sweet picture in that wild dream, and -he would not have forgotten her for the world. Time wore slowly on. A -week had passed, and all the papers in the country were nagging the -captain about going to his vessel in a winding sheet. A wag wrote some -verses which must have been galling to the pride of the haughty Briton. - -At last it leaked out that two students had played the trick on Captain -Conkerall. A newspaper reporter came to see Fernando, who gave him a -truthful history of the affair. - -"You've played the divil now," said Terrence, when he read the interview -in the next issue of the _Baltimore Sun_. - -"Why?" - -"Never moind, Fernando, I'll not desert ye, and if my one comes to ye -about satisfaction, or inything of the kind, and asks you to mintion -your frind, sind thim to Terrence Malone, and he will make the -arrangements, that's all." - -Fernando had no more idea what he meant than if he had addressed him in -Hindoo, and he gave the matter little or no further thought. He was in -his room poring over his books the second day after the interview, when -there came a rap at his door. - -"Come in!" he cried in his broad, western fashion. - -The door opened, and, to his surprise, a young English officer entered -the apartment. - -"Is this Mr. Fernando Stevens?" he asked politely. - -"It is." - -"I am the bearer of a message from Lieutenant Matson." - -"Pray who is Lieutenant Matson?" - -"Of his majesty's ship the _Xenophon_." - -Fernando thought he must be mistaken, as he had not the least -recollection of ever hearing of Lieutenant Matson; but the ensign -assured him that he was the person with whom the lieutenant had to deal, -and then asked if he could refer him to some friend with whom the -business might be arranged. Then the youthful American remembered -Terrence Malone's strange instructions and sent the ensign at once to -the young Irishman. - -Just how Terrence would settle the matter, he did not know; but he who -had such remarkable ability for getting one into a scrape could surely -devise some means to get him out, and Fernando was perfectly willing to -trust him. So, deeming the matter wholly settled, he sat down to his -books once more, and had actually forgotten the officer, when Terrence -bolted into the room his face expressive of anxiety. - -"It's all arranged, me boy. Ye did right in lavin' it to me. The young -Britisher and I have made all arrangements." - -"Arrangements? what arrangements?" asked Fernando with guileless -innocence. - -"Arrangements for the meeting, to be sure." - -"What meeting?" - -"Meeting with Lieutenant Matson." - -Throwing down his book, Fernando started up impatiently said: - -"I don't want to meet the infernal lieutenant. I thought you had settled -it." - -"So I did, and right dacintly, too. Now what weapons do ye want?" - -"Weapons!" cried Fernando, the truth at last beginning to dawn upon him. -"Great Heavens! Terrence, do you mean a duel?" - -"Certainly, me frind, nothin' ilse. There's no way to get out of it, -honorably." - -Fernando reeled as if he had been struck a blow. He had read of duels, -but, in the solitude of his western home on the farm, he had never known -of any. They were the bloody inventions of more polite civilization. -One had been fought between two trappers at a trading post, not over -forty miles away, in which rifles at thirty paces were used, and both -men were killed. The preacher had said it was murder. Fernando was -brave; but he shrank from a duel, and it was not until his pride had -been appealed to, that he determined to fight. Then Terrence assured him -the lieutenant's friend was waiting; all that was wanting was -the weapons. - -"I must talk with Sukey." - -Sukey was sent for, and when the tall, lanky fellow entered the -apartment, Fernando told him all. - -"Don't you be in the game, Fernando. Let me tell you, don't you be in -it," Sukey answered. - -But he was informed that he must, or be forever disgraced. Besides, his -enemy was a hated Briton, whom their country was almost on the verge of -war with, and it would not be a bad thing to kill him in advance. - -"Well, if you must be in the game, Fernando, fight with hatchets. You -know you used to throw a hatchet twenty steps and split a pumpkin every -time. Fight with hatchets." - -It was a novel mode of dueling; but Terrence took the proposition to the -lieutenant's friend. The Briton said his friend was a gentlemen, -willing to fight with any of the weapons which civilized gentlemen -used, and if Mr. Stevens would not consent to the same, the lieutenant -would publish him as a barbarian and a coward. Pistols were settled on -as a compromise, and Terrence went away to settle the final -arrangements. He returned with a smile on his face and, rubbing his -hands, said: - -"Cheer up, me boy, it's all settled." - -"What? won't we fight?" - -"Yes, it's settled that you will fight." - -For a long time, Fernando was silent, and then he said: - -"When will it take place, Terrence?" - -"To-morrow morning at sunrise." - -Fernando did not go to school that day. Sukey was enjoined to keep the -matter a secret, and he went to his classroom as if nothing unusual were -about to happen. Fernando spent the day in writing letters to be sent -home in case he should not survive the affair which, after all, he -believed to be disgraceful. Dueling he thought little better than -murder; but he was in for it and determined not to show the white -feather. Don't blame Fernando, for he lived in a barbarous age, when the -"code of honor" was thought to be honorable. His chief remorse was for -his madcap, drunken freak, which had been the provocation for the -event, and yet, when he came to think of the ludicrousness of his -adventures, he smiled. - -More than once on that gloomy day he thought of Morgianna, whom in -reality he loved at first sight. Would he ever see her again, or was she -only the evening star, which had risen on the last hours of his -existence? When Sukey returned, he held a long interview with him and -gave him a bundle of letters and papers to send home if--he could not -finish the sentence. - -"Ain't there no way to get out of it, Fernando?" asked Sukey, his droll -face comical even in distress. - -"Not honorably." - -"Well, now that you're in the game, just shoot that infernal -Englishman's head right off his shoulders, that's my advice. I've read -lots about duels, and it all depends on who is quickest at the trigger. -Take good aim and don't let him get a second the advantage of you." - -They went to bed early, and Fernando slept soundly. It was Terrence who -awoke them and said it would not do to be late. He had engaged a sailor -called Luff Williams to take them in his boat to the spot, a long sandy -beach behind a high promontory some five or six miles from the city. The -spot was quite secluded, and Terrence declared it a love of a place for -such little affairs. - -"What are ye thinkin' of, Fernando?" asked Terrence, when the boat with -the three young men was under way. - -"I'm thinking, sir, if I were to kill him, what I must do after." - -"Right, my boy; nothing like it; but 1811 will settle all for ye. I -don't believe, now that America is on the verge of war with the British, -that my one will make much of a row for killin' the murdherin' baste. -Are ye a good shot?" - -"I am with a rifle; but I never could do anything to speak of with a -pistol." - -"I don't moind that. Ye've a good eye; never take it off him after -you're on the ground; follow him everywhere. I knew a fellow in Ireland -who always shot his man that way. Look without winkin'; it's fatal at a -short distance--a very good thing to learn, when ye've a little -spare time." - -As they came in sight of the beach where the duel was to be fought, they -perceived, a few hundred yards off, a group of persons standing on the -sands, whom they recognized as their opponents. - -"Fernando," said Terrence, grasping his arm firmly, as if to instill -into him some of his own hope and confidence, "Fernando, although you're -only a boy, I've no fear of your courage; but this Lieutenant Matson is -a famous duelist, and he will try to shake your nerve. Now remember that -ye take everything that happens quite with an air of indifference; -don't let him think he has iny advantage over ye, and you'll see how the -tables will be turned in your favor." - -"Trust me, Terrence, I'll not disgrace you," Stevens answered. - -"You are twelve minutes late, Mr. Malone," said the ensign, who acted as -the lieutenant's second; "but we shall all be able to get back to -breakfast--those that will care to eat." - -Not to be outdone, Terrence said: - -"All will be at supper; but your friend will be where he is eaten, -rather than eats." - -"Don't be too sure; the lieutenant has killed his sixth man in affairs -like this." - -The remark was of course intended for Fernando's ears. Sukey heard it -and said: - -"Fernando, that's a lie; don't you believe it. Aim at his plaguy head, -and you can hit it. You used to snuff a candle that distance." - -Fernando smiled while he kept his eye on the lieutenant. That smile and -that eternal stare disconcerted the English officer, and he turned a -little pale. There was something about the imperturbable youth which -made him dread the meeting. Fernando was strangely, unnaturally calm. -Ten minutes more, and he might be in eternity. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE BELLE OF THE BEACH. - -No experienced duelist ever entered into the business with more -earnestness or zeal than Terrence Malone. He and the lieutenant's second -were some distance away settling points of position, he saw three or -four men in the uniform of British officers coming around the bluff, -among them the ship's surgeon with a case of instruments and medicines -in his hand. Captain Conkerall, though the real injured party, was not -on the scene. His lieutenant readily took up his quarrel, on account of -his jealousy of Fernando who had completely usurped his place as the -favorite of Miss Morgianna Lane. - -Arrangements were made at last, and Terrence came to his friend, took -his arm and walked him forward. - -"Fernando, me boy, we've loaded the pistols. He loaded this and I the -one for the lieutenant, I put in a thumpin' heavy charge, so he'll -overshoot, I am to give the word; but don't look at me at all. I'll -manage to catch the lieutenant's eye, and do ye watch him steadily, aim -at his middle and fire when he does, and all will be right." - -They were all the while moving to the place selected for the duel. - -"I think the ground we are leaving behind us is rather better," said -someone. "So it is," answered the lieutenant with a sneer; "but it might -be troublesome to carry the young gentleman down that way; here all is -fair and easy." - -In a few moments they were at the spot; the ground was measured off, and -each man was placed, and Fernando thought there was no chance for -either escaping. - -"Now thin," said Terrence. "I'll walk twelve paces, count 'one, two, -three, fire!' and you are both to fire at the word 'fire.' The man who -reserves his shot or shoots a second before falls by my hand!" - -This stern injunction seemed actually to awe the Britons, and Fernando -fancied that he saw the lieutenant trembling. It was only fancy however. -The lieutenant was really calm. Notwithstanding the advice of Terrence, -Fernando could not help turning his eyes from the lieutenant to watch -the figure of his retiring friend. At last he stopped--a second or two -elapsed--he wheeled rapidly around. Fernando now turned his eyes toward -his antagonist. - -Lieutenant Matson was a slender man, and when he turned his right side -toward Fernando, he was not much thicker than a rail. - -"One--two--three--fire!" - -Fernando watched his opponent, and, at the word, raised his pistol and -fired. His hat flew from his head, the crown torn completely out, while -his antagonist leaped into the air, clapped his hand to the seat of his -trousers and fell howling upon the ground. The people around Fernando -all rushed forward, save Sukey, who came to his friend and, seeing that -he was unhurt, began a mild reproof: - -"Why didn't you aim higher, Fernando?" - -Terrence came back a moment later and, bursting into laughter, said: - -"Begorra! this will interfere with his sedentary habits for a month. -Arrah, me boy, it's proud o' ye I am." - -Fernando caught two or three glances thrown at him with expression of -revengeful passion. Half a score of marines were seen coming around the -rocks, and Terrence left off laughing. The three were alone against five -times their number. - -Fernando felt some one grasp him around the waist and hurry him from the -spot, and ten minutes later they were in the boat skimming over the -water back toward Baltimore. - -"Put on ivery divilish stitch o' canvas yer tub 'll carry," said -Terrence to Luff Williams. "The Johnny Bulls won't like this a bit, and -bad luck to us if they git their hands on us." - -Fernando, now that the nervous strain was over, sank back in the boat, -almost completely exhausted. - -"Fernando, ye did it illegintly," said the young Irishman. - -"Will he die?" - -"Not unless the doctors kill him trying to dig it out." - -"I hope they won't." - -"What the divil's the difference? Before this toime next year, we'll be -shootin' redcoats for sport." - -"Say, what's that, shipmate?" drawled out Luff Williams. - -"Where?" - -"Look ahead." - -"A long boat full o' British marines!" cried Terrence. "Boys, I don't -like that. Mr. Luff Williams, if ye want a whole skin over yer body pull -about and sail down the coast like the divil was after ye!" - -In less than two minutes' time their craft was put about and went flying -before the wind, under a full stretch of canvas. The boat impelled by -eight stout oarsmen pressed hard in their wake. - -"Heave to! heave to!" cried an officer in the pursuing boat. "Heave to, -or we will fire on you!" - -"Niver mind him, me frind," said Terrence to the man at the rudder. -"I'll tell ye when to lay low." - -They were in long musket shot distance, and Williams assured them that -if they could round a headland, they would get a stiffer breeze and -outsail their pursuer. - -"Are they gaining on us?" Fernando asked. - -"Not much, if any," was the response. - -Again the officer in the bow, making a speaking trumpet of his hands, -shouted: - -"Heave to, or I swear I'll fire on you!" - -"To the divil with you," roared Terrence. "We've downed one redcoat in -fair light; what more do ye want, bad luck to ye?" - -The officer spoke to some one behind him, and a musket was handed him. - -Terrence sprang to the stern saying: - -"Now look out! lay low, ye lubbers! the blackguard's goin' to shoot!" - -The officer raised his musket, and a moment later a puff of smoke issued -from the muzzle. - -"Down!" cried Terrence. All laid low, and the next second the report of -a musket came on the air, and a bullet dropped in the water, a little to -the larboard. - -"They are coming agin," cried Terrence. - -"Haven't you sweeps which we could work?" asked Fernando. - -There was a pair of sweeps in the craft, and Terrence and Fernando -manned them. Though Fernando was a little awkward at first, he soon came -to use the sweep quite effectively and helped the little craft along. - -"Do we gain on them?" asked Fernando. - -"Not much, if any;" the helmsman answered. - -At this moment, three or four muskets were fired from the boat, and the -balls whistled among the sails or spattered in the water. Should they -meet with one of those sudden calms which frequently overtook vessels -off the bay, they knew they would be lost. The British marines were -laying to their oars right lustily, and the boat flew over the waves. - -"Have you no arms in the boat?" asked Fernando. - -"Nothin' but a fowlin' piece and some goose shot." - -"Just the thing for me!" declared Sukey. "I was always good at killin' -geese on the wing." - -Sukey hunted up the gun and loaded both barrels heavily with shot and -slugs. Then he took up his post in the stern, ready to rake the long -boat fore and aft, should it come within range of his formidable gun. -The officer and three or four marines continued to load and fire, until -the boat was out of the harbor, when a strong breeze struck her sails -and sent her spinning over the water. - -"Huzzah! huzzah! we are gainin' on' em now!" cried Sukey, flourishing -his gun in the air. - -The British fired half a dozen more shots at the fleeing boat; but the -bullets began dropping behind. They were out of reach of their longest -range muskets. - -"There ain't no danger now," declared Sukey. "They are not in the game." - -The breeze continued strong, and the little craft boldly cleft the -waters, as it sped forward over the bounding waves. - -"It's no use to be wearing ourselves out, Fernando," said Terrence. "The -good breeze is doin' more for us than a hundred oars could do." - -They put in their sweeps and, mounting the rail aft, clung to rigging, -and shouted derision and defiance at their pursuers. - -Although the Britons had little hope or expectation of overtaking them, -yet, with that bull-dog tenacity characteristic of Englishmen, they -continued the chase. - -"That danger is over," said Terrence, as they once more resumed their -seats in the boat. - -"What would they have done with us, Terrence, had they captured us?" - -"Faith, it's hard telling; but I think we'd found it unpleasant." - -"Wasn't the fight fair?" - -"As fair as iver one saw; but, begorra, it didn't turn out the way they -expected." - -"Why, la sakes, they didn't think Fernando was goin' to miss, did they?" -said Sukey. "He ain't been shootin' squirrels out o' the tallest trees -in Ohio for nothin'." - -"This lieutenant thought he was going to have some sport with a -greenhorn." - -"Can you see them yet?" asked Fernando of Williams, who sat well up in -the stern holding the helm. - -"Yes." - -"How far are they away?" - -"Two or three miles." - -"And still a-coming?" - -"Yes." - -"Plague take 'em!" growled Sukey, "why do they follow us so -persistently?" - -"May be they think to get us when we go ashore; but, bad luck to thim, -they'll find it tough if they come afther us." - -"Fernando, I wish we had our rifles," growled Sukey. "Wouldn't we make -it unprofitable for the redcoats!" - -Fernando was rather non-communicative, and sat in the bow of the boat -lost in painful meditation. He had shed blood. It was the first, and, -although in that age it was thought highly honorable, he felt an inward -consciousness that dueling was both cowardly and brutal. Fear of being -branded a coward had nerved him to face the pistol of his antagonist. It -is not true courage that makes the duelist. There is no more honor, -gentility, or courage in dueling than in robbing a safe. The greatest -coward living may be a burglar, so he may, from fear of public scorn, -fight a duel. Fernando had much to regret. He felt that his social -standing had been lowered; yet he was happy in the thought that the duel -had had no fatal results. Could he ever return to the school? Could he -ever return to his home and face his Christian mother? He was roused -from his painful reverie by a loud laugh on the part of Terrence. He -turned his eyes toward the jolly fellow and found him convulsed -with mirth. - -"What ails you, Terrence?" he asked. - -"Did you aim at the spot you hit?" - -"No; I aimed at a more vital part; but, thank God, I missed, and now I -am happy." - -"It's more than the lieutenant is, I'm thinkin'." - -"But, Terrence, the most serious question is, what are we going to do?" - -"Now that's sensible. Let me see, Misther Williams, what's the nearest -port? Isn't there a town above on this coast?" - -"Yes, not more than ten miles away around that point o' land we'll find -a willage." - -"Why not put in there?" - -"Yes, we kin; but, hang it, how am I a-goin' to git back to Baltimore?" - -"Oh, that's aisy enough. Run in after night." - -"Yes, an' be sunk by the blasted Britishers!" - -"He won't know ye after dark." - -"But, Terrence, what are we to do?" asked Fernando. - -"It's do, is it?--faith, do nothin'!" - -"But the academy?" - -"It will get along without us." - -"But can we get along without it?" - -"Aisy, me frind; don't be alarmed. We'll be back in a week or a -fortnight at most. It will all blow over, and no one will ask us any -questions. Lave it all to me." - -Fernando had almost come to the conclusion that he had left too much to -his friend. Terrence had only got him out of one scrape into another, -until he had come to mistrust the good judgment and sound discretion of -his friend. Not that he doubted the good intentions of Terrence. He had -as kind a heart as ever beat in the breast of a young Irishman of -twenty-three; but his propensity to mischievous pranks was continually -getting him and his friends into trouble. - -Fernando went to the fore part of the boat and sat by Sukey. - -For a few moments both were silent. Fernando was first to speak. - -"Sukey, how is all this to end?" he asked with a sigh. - -"I don't know," Sukey answered, in his peculiar, drawling way. "We -needn't complain, though; because we came out best so far." - -"But it was terrible, shooting at him. I might have killed him." - -"He might have killed you, and that would have been worse." - -"I never thought of that." - -"No doubt he did." - -"I wish we were back in the college; but I greatly fear we will be -expelled in disgrace. It would kill our mothers." - -"No; I think they would get over it; but I tell you, Fernando, my -opinion is, it don't make much difference." - -"Why?" - -"The United States and England are going to fight. I got a paper last -night, and it was chock full of fight, and as for your shootin' the -lieutenant, I am sure everybody, even your mother and the faculty, will -be glad of it. I only blame you for one thing." - -"What is that, Sukey?" - -"When you had such a good chance, why didn't you aim higher?" - -The expression on Sukey's face was too ludicrous for even the young -duelist, and he laughed in spite of himself. - -"Helloa, there's the town," cried Sukey, as they rounded a headland and -entered the mouth of a broad bay, standing in toward a beautiful -village. This village has wholly disappeared. Railroads shunned it, and -the water traffic being too small to support it, it degenerated into a -village of fishermen, which, in 1837, was totally destroyed by fire, and -has never been rebuilt. Before the war of 1812, it was a neat, -flourishing little town. - -"Is this the town you were spakin' about?" asked Terrence of the -boatman. - -"Yes, zur." - -"What place is it?" - -"Mariana." - -"Mariana," repeated Fernando, "I have heard that name before. Where was -it? Mariana,--Mariana." - -Terrence came forward to his companions and said: - -"Now, lads, like as not the frinds of Matson may be afther following -us. Lave it all to me. We'll change our names and go up to the tavern, -where we'll hire rooms and be gintlemen traveling for pleasure." - -"Would they dare follow us on shore?" - -"No; I think not; but if they should, my plan will answer." - -When they ran into shore, Terrence paid the boatman and discharged him. -Terrence was the son of a rich Irish merchant in Philadelphia, who kept -his son liberally supplied with money, who, with corresponding -liberality, spent it. - -Terrence felt that this was his scrape, and he resolved to bear the -expenses. - -With his friends, he went to the tavern, where they engaged rooms. -Fernando and Sukey retired to their rooms, while Terrence remained in -the tap-room, where there was a crowd of Marylanders. He began telling -them a most horrible story of the impressment of himself and his friends -by a British vessel and of their recent escape. He stated that they had -been closely pursued, and he would not be surprised if the Britishers -sent a boat on shore to take them away. - -He could not have chosen a better theme to inflame those Marylanders. -One tall, raw-boned man, who carried a rifle and bullet pouch with -him, said: - -"Boys, that reminds us mightily o' Dick Long." - -Every Marylander assembled in the tap-room knew the sad story of poor -Dick Long. He was a fisherman with a wife and four children and was -loved by all who knew him. Dick was honest and peaceable, kind-hearted -and brave. One day his fishing smack was driven by a gale some distance -out at sea, when a British cruiser captured him, and he was impressed -into his majesty's service. Dick managed after many weary months to get -a letter to his wife. At Halifax, he tried to desert, was caught, -brought back and lashed to the "long tom" and received a flogging with -the cat-o'-nine-tails. He struck the cruel boatsman, and was lashed to -the mast and flogged until he died. A deserter from the ship brought -home his dying words, which were these: "Tell my American brothers to -avenge me." - -"Remember Dick Long, boys, and ef they come to Mariana, let us make 'em -wish they had stayed away." - -The artful Terrence kindled the flame, and a short time after sunset, -Fernando and Sukey were awakened from a doze by hearing a wild uproar on -the streets. They sprang to their feet and ran to the window. - -Fifteen or twenty officers and seamen had just landed and were making -their way toward the public house, when they were assailed by a hundred -infuriated Marylanders with sticks, clubs, stones, dirt, old tin buckets -and almost every conceivable weapon. The officer in command was trying -to explain that their intentions were pacific, that, after rowing for -ten hours against the wind and tide, they were tired and hungry; but the -inexorable Marylanders continued to shout: - -"Dick Long, Dick Long! Don't forget Dick Long!" - -Now there was not one of those Britons who had ever heard of Dick Long -before, and they could not conceive what that had to do with their -landing; nor was this the boat crew which chased our friends; yet -Terrence continued to agitate the matter. The truth is Terrence had -personally declared war against Great Britain in advance of the United -States and had commenced hostilities. - -"Down with the bloody backs!" he cried. "Drive thim into the bay." - -The officers were forced to return to their boats and, tired as they -were, pull down the coast to Baltimore. - -Next morning, Fernando rose early and, after breakfast, went out alone -to look about the village. It was located in a picturesque and beautiful -spot. On the East was the broad bay and sea. On the West were undulating -hills covered with umbrageous forests. To the South were some -promontories and romantic headlands, against which the restless waters -lashed themselves into foam. On a hill about a fourth of a mile from the -village, was a large, elegant mansion built of granite, looking like a -fairy castle in the distance. A broad carriage-drive, leading through an -avenue of chestnuts, led up to the great front gate. The mansion was -almost strong enough for a fort and was surrounded by a stone wall five -feet high, with an iron picket fence on top of this. - -"Who lives in the great house on the hill?" Fernando asked a man. - -"Old Captain Lane." - -"Captain Lane. I have heard of him. Has he a daughter?" - -"Yes, Morgianna." - -"It's the same," he thought, as he wandered away to the beach. "What -strange providence has brought me here?" Fernando's regrets were in a -moment changed to rejoicing. He was glad he had quarrelled with the -lieutenant and had been driven away to Mariana. - -He went to the tavern and informed Sukey of his discovery and said: - -"I am going to contrive in some way to speak with her again." - -"Well, don't take that plaguey Irishman in the game, Fernando," said -Sukey. "If you do, he'll make a precious mess o' the whole thing." - -Terrence was enjoying himself. Before he had been in the town two days, -he knew every person in it. All were his friends, and he was quite a -lion. Terrence only hoped that a man-of-war would come to Mariana. He -vowed he would lead the citizens against her, capture the ship and keep -her for coast defence of Maryland. - -It was the fourth day after their arrival, that, as Fernando was -strolling alone according to his habit on the beach, his eyes fixed on -the sands meditating on the recent stirring events, he suddenly became -conscious of some one a short distance down the beach. He looked, up and -saw a young lady with a parasol in one hand tripping along the sands, -now and then picking up a shell. In an instant he knew her. His heart -gave a wild bound and then seemed for a instant to stand still. Then it -commenced a rapid vibration which increased as she approached. She was -coming toward him, all unconscious of his presence and only intent on -securing the most beautiful shells. - -Suddenly, raising her eyes, she saw a handsome young man close to her. -He tipped his hat, smiled and said: "Good morning, Miss Lane." - -"Oh, it's you, is it?" she answered with a little laugh. "Why, I -declare, how you frightened me!" - -"I am sorry for it." - -"Never mind; I will survive the shock; but I know why you came to -Mariana," and there was a roguish twinkle in her blue eyes. - -"Do you?" - -"Yes, you fought the lieutenant and had to run away." - -"Miss Lane, how did you learn this?" - -"Learn it! Don't you know the papers are full of it? Papa read it this -morning at breakfast, and he laughed until he cried. Where is that -Irishman who gets you into so many funny scrapes?" - -"He is at the tavern." - -"Well, papa says he must see you. He has fought duels in his day, and he -thinks you a splendid shot; but it was naughty of you to fight without -consulting me. He might have killed you." - -Fernando was now the happiest man on earth. - -"Miss Lane, don't think because I did not consult you, I did not think -of you. You were in my mind as much as any other person at that trying -ordeal, unless it was my mother." - -"Oh, don't grow sentimental. Now that it is all over and not much harm -done, let us laugh at it;--but I want to scold you." - -"Why?" - -"You did not obey me on that night. I told you to drink no more wine, -and after I left, you drank too much, which provoked the quarrel." - -Fernando, who really had no clear idea of the subject-matter of the -quarrel, answered: - -"I plead guilty, Miss Lane, to being disobedient. Forgive me, and I -promise to make amends in the future. Do you know him, Lieutenant -Matson?" - -"Know Lieutenant Matson? Certainly I do; I have known him for four -years. Father has known him longer." - -[Illustration: "YOU SURRENDER EASILY."] - -"Does he ever come here?" - -"Frequently." - -"If he comes while I am here, we will have the fight out." - -"No you won't." - -"Why?" - -"I forbid it." - -"Then I yield." - -"You surrender easily," and the saucy blue eyes glanced slyly at his -face. Fernando was at a loss for some answer. Suddenly she broke -in with: - -"I must go now. There, I see father on the hill. Won't you come to tea -this evening? Father would like so much to see you." - -Of course he would. He stammered out his thanks, while the fairy-like -creature tripped away across the sands, leaving him in a maze of -bewilderment. At the crest of the hill, she paused to wave her -handkerchief, smiled with ravishing sweetness, and disappeared over the -hill with her father. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE ENGLISHMAN'S DILEMMA. - -Morgianna Lane was the brightest gem in the little Maryland village. The -romantic mystery which enshrouded her birth seemed only to add to the -charm about her. Of course Fernando could not long be in the village -without learning that she was not the daughter of Captain Lane, but -a sea waif. - -Frequently foundlings have some birth mark or scar about them, or there -is some letter or significant mark about their clothing by which in -after years they may be identified and their parentage made known; but -in the case of Morgianna there was no probability of her identity ever -being discovered. Her plump little arms were utterly devoid of scar or -mark; the clothes found upon the infant had no initial whatever, and -were cast aside, just as other worn-out garments. - -Fernando Stevens, in due time, called on Captain Lane, whom he found to -be as jolly an old Jack Tar as lives. He was greatly amused at the -escapade of the student, but cautioned him against his Irish friend. - -"I have no doubt this Terrence Malone is a good, noble young fellow; but -he has too much native mischief in his composition, and will get you -from one scrape into another with marvellous regularity. I don't mean -that you should cut him adrift; but though you sail in company with him, -do not allow him to get too far windward of you. When you see he's going -to fly right into the teeth of some rash fate, get on the other tack, -that's all. You did honorably, however, in fighting the duel with -Lieutenant Matson, even if he is my friend." - -"Is he your friend?" - -"Yes; his father and I shipped afore the mast when we were boys -together. When the war broke out, he entered the British navy while I -went aboard a Yankee privateer. I am glad to say we never met -in battle." - -Fernando felt himself growing just a little bit uneasy. He did not like -this friendship between the captain and Lieutenant Matson; and he could -see that the old seaman was glad the lieutenant's wound was not fatal. - -What strange emotion stirred the Ohio student's soul, when he met the -soft eyes of Morgianna, words cannot express. She talked on a variety of -subjects, and at times Fernando flattered himself that she was pleased -to have him with her; but the next moment he reasoned that it might be -only her good breeding which made her appear to tolerate him. Fernando -was not foolish enough to be conceited. He lived in hope and doubt and -was the happiest man at times, and at others the most miserable. Though -he took Sukey into his confidence, Fernando was a little shy -of Terrence. - -The reader will remember that Terrence had, on entering the village, -suggested the propriety of going under assumed names. Fernando had -forgotten, if he ever knew, that he was registered at the tavern as Mr. -Phil. Magrew of Hartford, and that good, innocent Sukey was George -Molesworth, while Terrence was Larry O'Connor, a name quite in keeping -with his nationality. A ludicrous mistake, which came near being fatal -to Fernando's respectability at Mariana, resulted from this incident. - -They had been a week at the tavern, and Fernando, who had lived a -thousand years of alternating bliss and agony in that short period, was -sitting in the bar-room in front of a great roaring fire, which the -chill evening of early autumn made comfortable, utterly oblivious of the -grumbling of the landlord, who was saying: - -"When people stay a whole week 'thout any luggage, it be high time they -pay up. I wonder Mr. Magrew don't take notice on't." - -The supposed Mr. Magrew, however, did not hear what he said. He was -gazing into the blazing fire, weaving bright pictures from which the -eyes of Morgianna seemed gazing at him. Fernando had forgotten the -academy, home, parents and all in this new inspiration. Terrence and -Sukey entered while the landlord was still grumbling and looking hard at -Fernando, who was utterly oblivious of his wrath. - -"Mister Magrew, be ye a man o' honor?" demanded mine host; but "Mr. -Magrew" was as indifferent as a statue of stone. "The wagabond sits -there an' hears himself abused an' be too heedless to answer. By the -mass, I will even tweak his nose! Magrew--Magrew--I'll wake you!" - -All the while Terrence, Sukey, and everybody else was wondering whom the -enraged landlord meant. Suddenly Terrence recollected that he had -registered Fernando under the name of Philip Magrew. He hastened to meet -the landlord before he reached Fernando, and thus prevented a collision, -which would have been violent indeed. - -"Me frind, the honorable Misthur Magrew, is hard o' hearing," explained -the Irishman in an undertone. - -"Be hard o' hearin'? then he be hard o' payin' too," answered the -landlord. "He 'ave been a whole veek in my 'ouse and not one pickyunne -'ave paid." - -"Lave all to me," said the Irishman in his conciliatory manner, gently -leading the landlord to another part of the room. "Ye see me frind, -knowing his infirmity, asked mesilf to pay all bills for Misthur Magrew, -and he gave me the money, I clear forgot it, or I should have paid you." - -Then Terrence drew forth a well-filled purse, which greatly mollified -the landlord, and when all differences were squared, he was completely -satisfied, smiling and agreeable. - -Thus Fernando passed over a dangerous period in his life and never knew -how near he came having his nose pulled; nor did the landlord ever know -how near he came to being knocked down for such an attempt. - -Morgianna had spoken on one occasion of the beauty of moonlight on the -seashore, and Fernando was bold enough to ask the pleasure of rowing -herself and father to the headlands some evening. She assented. The old -sailor had a friend visiting at his house, an old ex-sea-captain like -himself, and the four decided to make the voyage across the little bay -and sit for an hour on the rocky promontory and listen to the "dashing -waves." Fernando willingly welcomed the acquaintance as a fourth to the -party, for he was shrewd enough to see that the old sailors would be so -wholly engrossed with each other, that they would scarcely notice the -young people, and Morgianna and he would be left quite to themselves. - -Fernando, though an amateur at the oar, would on no account be dissuaded -from rowing the small boat to the promontory; and, having helped -Morgianna, who was lightest, into a seat in the bow (inexpressible -happiness) he cheerfully took his seat at the oars with the old men in -the stern facing each other. Then the little craft was cast loose, and -the young westerner bent to his oars and sent the boat swiftly through -the water. Of course Fernando's back was toward Morgianna, and he could -not see her, save when he twisted his head "quite off," which he did -frequently; but he could hear her silvery voice humming snatches of a -song, or her dimpled hand playing in the phosphorescent water which -sparkled like flashes of fire in their wake. The old men kept up a -continual talk, for which Fernando was exceedingly grateful. Finally the -promontory was gained, and in a quiet little cove Fernando beached his -boat and, springing out, took the small, white hand of Morgianna and -assisted her to the dry sands, so gallantly that her dainty little -slippered foot did not touch the water. - -Then the whole party ascended the hill to the opposite side of the -promontory where the sea was beating furiously. Fernando was almost -beside himself with joy to find Morgianna clinging to his arm in the -ascent, and to hear her sweet voice in low, gentle tones breathing in -his ear. It was a fine, clear night, and for all her lowness of spirits, -Morgianna kept looking up at the stars in a manner so bewitching that -Fernando was clear out of his senses, and plainly showed that, if ever a -man were over head and ears in love, that man was himself. The path they -were ascending was quite steep, and Fernando could not help glancing at -the pretty little hand, encased in a cream-colored kid glove, resting on -his arm. If Fernando had known that an executioner were behind him with -an axe raised, ready to cut off his head if he touched that hand, he -could not have helped doing it. From putting his own right hand upon it -as if by chance, and taking it away again after a minute or so, and then -putting it back again, he got to walking along without taking it off at -all, as if he, the escort, were bound to do that as an important duty, -and had come for that purpose. The most curious thing about this little -incident was, that Morgianna did not seem to know it. She looked so -innocent and unconscious when she turned her eyes on Fernando, that it -was quite provoking. - -She talked about the sea, the hills, the rocks, the sky, the stars, -while the old men went on ahead, and when she slipped on the verge of a -precipice three feet high and came near falling into a pool of dirty -water, and he saved her from the fall by his coolness and daring, she -thanked him and told him how grateful she was that he was near, and he -said something about how happy he would be to be always near her, to -guard her footsteps along life's rugged pathway. Then she said something -to the effect that it would be pleasant if one could always have one's -friends near, and that she hoped they would always be friends from that -time forth. And when Fernando said, "not friends" he hoped, Morgianna -was quite surprised and said not enemies she hoped; and when Fernando -suggested that they might be something better than either, Morgianna, -all of a sudden, found a star, which was brighter than all the other -stars, and begged to call his attention to the same, and was ten times -more innocent and unconscious than ever. - -In this way, they journeyed up the steep ascent, talking very little -above a whisper, and wishing that the promontory was a dozen times -higher--at least, such was Fernando's wish--when they finally reached -the top and saw the two old men under the lee cliff listening to the -ocean's hollow roar. - -Fernando carried a robe and some wraps for Morgianna, and he conducted -her to a sheltered spot below the first ledge of rocks, where he spread -a robe for her to sit on, and then, with loving fingers that thrilled -with each touch, adjusted the wraps about her shapely little shoulders. -For a long time they sat listening to the wild roar of the angry waters -below, gazing on the phosphorescent flashes, where the swelling waves -broke in crested splendor on the well-worn rocks. - -He was first to break the silence. - -"Miss Lane," he said, "had I known that Lieutenant Matson was your -personal friend, I would have suffered disgrace rather than -encountered him." - -With a smile, she answered: - -"It all turned out right. The lieutenant was scarcely injured at all." - -"Have you heard of him?" - -"I have heard from him," she answered, glancing slyly at Fernando from -the corners of her roguish eyes. "He wrote me a letter which I -received to-day." - -Fernando felt a pain at his heart, but it was nothing to compare with -the shame and mortification which followed. She informed him that -Lieutenant Matson was so slightly wounded, that his seconds decided on a -second fire, and sent a boat to inform them as they had left the beach, -but that, although they chased the Americans for miles, they could not -bring them back. Fernando was stunned by the information, and filled -with mortification and chagrin. - -"Do you think I am afraid to meet him again?" he asked, his voice -trembling with ill-suppressed excitement. - -"I don't know; but you won't, anyway--you are both my friends, and my -friends shall not fight." - -Fernando made no answer, but at that moment he would very much have -liked to knock her friend on the head. Of course a second meeting with -the Briton would now have been highly pleasing to the student; but it -was out of the question. The hour on the promontory was passed in -alternating bliss and misery, and when the time came to return, he was -no nearer the subject dearest of all subjects than before. - -He hastened back to the tavern, where he found his Irish friend playing -cards with the landlord and winning several weeks' board in advance. - -"Terrence, it is a fine fix you got me in by hurrying away from the -sands so soon that morning," he said angrily, when he got him to -his room. - -"Why, me boy, what d'ye mane?" - -"That lieutenant was only slightly wounded, and that boat was chasing us -to bring us back for another shot." - -"So ye've heard it at last, me frind?" - -"Certainly I have, and now I will be branded as a coward." - -"Lave it all to me. The Britishers are in trouble enough. Sure, haven't -ye read the Baltimore papers? Captain Conkerall is to be tried by a -court-martial for gettin' bastely drunk and goin' abroad with no garment -but his shirt, and a sheet with a hole in it." Terrence laughed until -the tears trickled down his cheeks. Fernando could not see how he could -help fighting the lieutenant again if he demanded satisfaction; but the -Irishman was quite sure the lieutenant would have enough to do to keep -his captain out of his dilemma. Sukey, who had entered during their -conversation, said: - -"Oh, Fernando, why didn't you aim higher and blow his head off?" - -"Why did the lieutenant challenge me, when the captain was the injured -party?" asked Fernando. - -Terrence explained that, while the Captain was really the injured party, -it was a matter of courtesy that his officer lower in rank should take -the quarrel upon himself, more especially as Fernando had been his -successful rival at the ball. From this, the conversation gradually led -to Morgianna herself, and Terrence laughed and winked; and called -Fernando a lucky dog. - -"Go in, me boy, and if ye nade any help, I am at hand." - -"I fear I have injured my prospects there," said Fernando. - -"How?" - -"By the duel. Lieutenant Matson is an old friend of the captain, and I -believe a suitor for the hand of his daughter. What show has a schoolboy -against a lieutenant in the English navy?--none." - -"Yes he has," declared Terrence. - -"What show can he have?" - -"Lave it all to me, me frind, and I will bring ye out all right, see if -I don't." - -"I have left too many things to you, Terrence, and you have a most -remarkable faculty for getting me into trouble." - -Terrence assured him that he would yet aid him to outgeneral the -Englishman, and he only wished that he might come into port during -their stay. - -"Terrence, you must take no advantage of the public hatred of the -English to accomplish your purpose. Remember, Lieutenant Matson is the -son of Captain Lane's friend. You might raise a mob and have him driven -away; but I will not consent to it." - -"Indade, I don't mane it, me boy. Lave it to me. If he comes ashore, -faith, we'll out-gineral him, sure." - -Next day there came letters for the runaways. Terrence's father, being -wealthy and influential, had gone to Baltimore, interceded with the -faculty and had the runaway scapegraces retained. There were also -letters from the parents of the young men, condemning, but at the time -forgiving and warning them to be more careful in the future. - -It was some distance by the road to Baltimore, and the boys decided to -take passage in a coasting schooner which was loading with barley and -would be ready to go in three days. - -One morning, two days before their intended departure, Fernando, on -going out upon the street, was surprised and really alarmed to see an -English man-of-war anchored in the little harbor of Marianna. His -uneasiness was greatly increased on reading the name _Xenophon_ on the -broad pennant floating from the main mast. His enemy was in port, and he -could guess his object, especially when he saw Captain Lane's carriage -waiting on the sands while Lieutenant Matson was being rowed ashore. -Fernando gnashed his teeth and there were some ugly thoughts in -his heart. - -Sukey who had come out hastened to his side and reading his thoughts -said: - -"Now don't you wish you had aimed higher?" - -The citizens, noticing the approach of an English war vessel, began to -congregate in a large body on the north side of the village, and their -demonstrations were decidedly hostile to the landing of the Briton. -Suddenly Captain Lane appeared among them, waving his staff and -shouting. Having gained their attention, the old sea-captain mounted the -stile near the village store and said: - -"Shipmates and friends, the man coming ashore is the son of a man whom I -loved. I have sent my carriage down to bring him to my house where he is -to be my guest. You have all heard me tell how his father saved my life. -Would you injure him now, when he comes to pay me a friendly visit?" In -a short time the crowd dispersed, and Lieutenant Matson landed, entered -the carriage and was driven to the house of Captain Lane. - -From the street, Fernando, with bitter feelings in his heart, saw the -carriage ascend the hill. He turned about and entered the tavern, went -to his room and shut himself up. Here he remained until the middle of -the afternoon, when there came a knock at the door, and, on opening it, -he was astonished to find one of the negroes of Captain Lane's house. He -was dressed in livery and held a note in his hand, which he gave to -"Mistah Stevens," bowed politely and awaited his answer. - -The utter amazement of Fernando can better be imagined than described -at finding the note from Miss Morgianna Lane inviting himself and his -friends to tea that evening with themselves, Lieutenant Matson and -ensign Post of his majesty's ship _Xenophon_. Had Fernando been summoned -to a command in his majesty's navy, he could not have been more -astonished. He hesitated a moment and then decided to accept. This -Englishman should neither out-do him in generosity nor affrontery. -Besides, the invitation came from Morgianna, and he could not refuse. He -wrote a polite answer, accepting the kind invitation and went to find -Sukey and Terrence. Sukey thought it would be a little odd for Fernando -to meet a man with whom he had exchanged shots; but Terrence declared it -was the only "dacint" thing to do. They were not "haythin," to -bear grudges. - -Consequently they went. The minds of the Americans were filled with -doubt and perplexity, while the Irishman was chuckling at a plan his -cunning brain was evolving, and which he determined to put in execution. -The Englishmen met the Americans very cordially, and Lieutenant Matson, -who was every inch a gentleman, did not dare be other than genteel in -the presence of the lady he loved; for he was as passionately in love -with Morgianna as was Fernando. The lieutenant was of a romantic turn of -mind, and the mystery of the sea waif had interested him. He was quite -sure she was the daughter of some nobleman. He had read in romances so -many cases similar to hers, that he could not believe this would turn -out otherwise. - -When Fernando and the lieutenant had shaken hands and mutually agreed to -bury all past differences, had they not been rivals they might have -become friends, for each recognized in the other some qualities that -were admirable. - -The beauty of a lovely woman is like music, rich in cadence and sweet in -rhythm; but that beauty must be for one alone. It cannot, like music, be -shared with others. The best of friends may, as rivals, become the -bitterest foes. Fernando did not like the Englishman, for, with all his -blandness, he thought he could observe a pompous air and -self-consciousness of superiority, disgusting to sensible persons. This -might have been prejudice or the result of imagination, yet he realized -that he was in the presence of an ambitious rival, who would go to any -length to gain his purpose. - -The most careful and disinterested observer could not have discovered -any preference on the part of Morgianna. When they came to the table, -she had the lieutenant on one side and Fernando on the other. The old -captain at the head engrossed much of Lieutenant Matson's time talking -about his father, greatly to the annoyance of the officer. When Matson -came to take his seat at the table, Terrence, who sat on the opposite -side of the lieutenant, whispered: - -"Aisy!" - -The lieutenant bit his lips and his face flushed angrily, while Sukey, -who sat on the opposite side of the Irishman, snickered, and Morgianna -bit her pretty lip most cruelly in trying to conceal the merriment which -her roguish eyes expressed. - -This was the only break made by the Irishman that evening. He played his -part with consummate grace and had such a way of winning the favor of -people, that, before the evening was over, the Englishman actually came -to like him. He praised the country about Mariana, and talked of the -harbors and islands, declaring he knew them all from Duck Island to the -Chesapeake. He found Lieutenant Matson somewhat of a sport, and soon -interested him in stories of duck shooting, all of which were inventions -of his own ingenious brain. Miss Morgianna praised the wild ducks of -Maryland and thought their flesh equal to English Capons. The -lieutenant, in his gallantry, vowed she should have half a dozen brace -of fowls before he left, and Terrence volunteered to assist him. - -Fernando was amazed at the course of his friend. The man-of-war was to -sail the same day their schooner did, and he had just determined, by the -aid of Terrence, to bag five dozen brace of ducks for the belle of -Mariana, when his friend went boldly over to the enemy. - -"I'll give it to him, when I get a chance," he thought. - -There was only one more night in which they could shoot ducks, and -Terrence was engaged for that occasion. Fernando sighed and ground his -teeth in rage and disappointment, while Morgianna, with Sukey on one -side and Ensign Post on the other, went to a large Broadwood piano, -where she soon entertained all with her music. - -As they went to their tavern that night, Fernando said: - -"A nice way you have treated me, Terrence, you who profess to be my -friend." - -"What the divil ails the boy?" asked Terrence. - -"You have volunteered to aid the lieutenant go ducking--" - -"Aisy me boy! While the lieutenant is after ducks, lose no time with the -girl. Don't ye see I'm getting him out of yer way?" - -Fernando had not thought of it in that light. On the next evening, the -last they were to spend at Mariana, the lieutenant was rowed ashore -attired for sporting, with top-boots and a double-barrelled fowling -piece. Terrence, who claimed to be an experienced hunter, advised him to -"kape their intintions sacrit," as too many might want to go, and that -would spoil the sport. Ducks could best be hunted after night. He would -show him how it was done. - -It was almost dark, when they set off in a small rowboat for Duck -Island, and twenty minutes later Fernando was on his way to his farewell -visit to Morgianna. - -The sun had set, but it was not yet dark when Fernando reached the broad -piazza. He asked himself if she would be at home or away. He had said -nothing of his coming. This visit was wholly on his own account. He had -walked up and down the piazza two or three times, when through the open -door he caught the flutter of a garment on the stairway. It was -Morgianna's--to whom else could it belong? No dress but hers had such a -flow as that. He gathered up courage and followed it into the hallway. - -His darkening the door, into which the sombre shadows of twilight were -already creeping, caused her to look around. "Oh that face! If it hadn't -been for that," thought Fernando, "I could never have faced the Briton. -She is twenty times handsomer than ever. She might marry a Lord!" - -He didn't say this. He only thought it--perhaps looked it also. -Morgianna was glad to see him and was _so_ sorry her father was away -from home. Fernando begged she would not worry herself on any account. - -Morgianna hesitated to lead the way into the parlor, for there it was -nearly dark. At the same time she hesitated to stand talking in the -hall, which was tolerably light from the open door. They still stood in -the hall in an embarrassing position, Fernando holding her hand in his -(which he had no right to do, for Morgianna had only given it to him to -shake), and yet both hesitated to go or stay anywhere. - -"I have come," said Fernando, "to say good-bye--to say good-bye, for I -don't know how many years; perhaps forever. I am going away." - -Now this was exactly what he should not have said. Here he was, talking -like a gentleman at large, who was free to come and go and roam about -the world at his pleasure, when he had expressed both in actions and -words that Miss Lane held him in adamantine chains. - -Morgianna released her hand and said: - -"Indeed!" - -She remarked in the same breath that it was a fine night and, in short, -betrayed not the least emotion. With despair still settling over his -heart, Fernando said: - -"I couldn't go without coming to see you. I hadn't the heart to." - -Morgianna was more sorry than she could tell that he had taken the -trouble. It was a long walk up the hill, and as he was to sail next day, -he must have a deal to do; as if she did not know that he had not -brought even a trunk with him. Then she wanted to know how Mr. Winners -was and Mr. Malone. She thought the Irishman a capital good fellow, and -was sure no one could help liking him. - -"Is this all you have to say?" Fernando asked. - -All! Good gracious, what did the man expect? She was obliged to take her -apron in her hand and run her eyes along the hem from corner to corner, -to keep herself from laughing in his face;--not because his gaze -confused her--not at all. - -This was Fernando's first experience in love affairs, and he had no idea -how different young ladies are at different times. He had expected a far -different scene from the one which was being enacted. All day long he -had buoyed himself up with an indistinct idea that she would certainly -say, "Don't go," or "Don't leave us," or "Why do you go?" or "Why do you -leave us?" or would give him some little encouragement of that sort. He -had even entertained the possibility of her bursting into tears, of her -throwing herself into his arms, or falling down in a fainting fit, -without previous word or sign; but any approach to such a line of -conduct as this was evidently so far from her thoughts, that he could -only look at her in silent wonder. The hated English rival had won her -heart, and she was even glad he was going; yet it was so hard to -give her up. - -Morgianna, in the meanwhile, turned to the corners of her apron and -measured the sides, and smoothed out the wrinkles, and was as silent as -he. At last, after a long pause, he said good-bye. - -"Good-bye," answered Morgianna with as pleasant a smile as if he were -only going for a row on the water and would return after supper; -"good-bye." - -"Come," said Fernando, putting out his hands, "Morgianna, dear -Morgianna, let us not part like this. I love you dearly, with all my -heart and soul, with as much sincerity and truth as man ever loved -woman. I am only a poor student; but in this new world every thing is -possible. You have it in your power to make me a grand and noble man, or -crush from this heart every ambitious hope. You are wealthy, beautiful, -admired, loved by everybody and happy;--may you ever be so! Heaven -forbid I should ever make you otherwise; but give me one word of -comfort. Say something kind to me. I have no right to expect it of you, -I know; but I ask it because I love you, and I shall treasure the -slightest word from you all through my life. Morgianna, dearest, have -you nothing to say to me?" - -No, nothing. Morgianna was a coquette by nature, and a spoilt child. She -had no notion of being carried off by storm in this way. Fernando had no -business to be going away. Besides, if he really loved her, why did he -not fall on his knees like lovers in romance or on the stage, and tug -wildly at his cravat, or talk in a wild, poetic manner? - -"I have said good-bye twice," said Morgianna. "Take your arm away, or I -will call some one." - -"I will not reproach you," Fernando sadly answered. "It's no doubt my -fault," he added with a sigh. "I have thought sometimes that you did not -quite despise me; but I was a fool to do so. Every one must, who has -seen the life I have led of late--you most of all, for it was he at -whose life I aimed. God bless you!" - -He was gone, actually gone. She waited a little while, thinking he would -return, peeped out of the door, looked down the broad carriage drive as -well as the increasing darkness would allow, saw a hastily retreating -shadow melt into the general gloom, came in again, waited a little -longer, then went up to her room, bolted herself in, threw herself on -her bed and cried as if her heart would break. - - * * * * * - -Meanwhile, Terrence Malone and the lieutenant, Fernando's rival, were -rowing toward Duck Island fire or six miles away. The island was -reached. It was a dismal affair little more than an elevated marsh. When -the tide was out on Duck Island, its extended dreariness was potent. Its -spongy, low-lying surface, sluggish, inky pools and tortuous sloughs, -twisting their slimy way, eel-like, toward the open bay were all hard -facts. Occasionally, here and there, could be seen a few green tussocks, -with their scant blades, their amphibious flavor and unpleasant -dampness. And if you chose to indulge your fancy, although the flat -monotony of Duck Island was not inspiring, the wavy line of scattered -drift gave an unpleasant consciousness of the spent waters and made the -certainty of the returning tide a gloomy reflection, which sunshine -could not wholly dissipate. The greener salt meadows seemed oppressed -with this idea and made no positive attempt at vegetation. In the low -bushes, one might fancy there was one sacred spot not wholly spoiled by -the injudicious use of too much sea water. - -The vocal expressions of Duck Island were in keeping with its general -appearance, melancholy and depressing. The sepulchral boom of the -bittern, the shriek of the curlew, the scream of the passing brent, the -wrangling of quarrelsome teal, the sharp, querulous protest of the -startled crane, were all beyond powers of written expression. The aspect -of these mournful fowls was not at all cheerful or inspiring, as the -boat containing the Irishman and lieutenant approached the island. -Through the gathering gloom of night could be seen a tall blue heron, -standing midleg deep in water, obviously catching cold in his reckless -disregard for wet feet and consequences. The mournful curlew, the -dejected plover and the low-spirited snipe, who sought to join him in -his suicidal contemplations, the raven, soaring through the air on -restless wings, croaking his melancholy complaints were not calculated -to add to the cheerfulness of the scene. - -[ILLUSTRATION: He sat down on a broken mast.] - -It was evident that even the inhabitants of Duck Island were not happy -in its possession and looked forward with pleasure to the season of -migration. - -The boat touched the north shore, and Lieutenant Matson jumped out in -mud up to his knees, frightening some wild fowls which flew screaming -away. The Englishman gave vent to some strong language, and desired to -know if there was not a better landing place. Terrence assured him there -was not, and complained that ducks never sought a "dacint place" for -their habitation. Nothing but the glorious reflection that he was making -himself a martyr for Morgianna's sake could have induced the officer to -take the torches and wade to the low bushes, where he was instructed to -make a light and wait until his companion rowed around the island and -drove the ducks in great flocks to the light, which he assured the -Briton would attract them, and they would fall at his feet as if begging -to be bagged. - -Slowly the officer waded through the dismal marsh to the higher land, -where grew the low bushes, and by the use of his tinder box kindled a -light and, wrapping his boat cloak about him, sat down on a broken mast, -which some storm had driven to the highest part of the island. - -The minutes passed on, and neither the Irishman nor the expected flock -of birds came. Minutes grew into hours, and only the sobbing waves and -melancholy cries of birds broke the silence. Surely something had -happened to his companion. About midnight a dense fog settled over the -island, and the alarm and discomfiture of the Englishman became -supreme. At one moment he was cursing Terrence, and the next offering -prayer for his soul. Never did man pass a more dreary night. - -At last dawn came, and he could see, far across the water, his ship but -a speck in the distance. It was to sail that forenoon, and he intended -to call on Morgianna and propose; but here he was on this infernal -island, hungry, damp and miserable. He knew the vessel would pass near -enough for him to hail it and have a boat sent for him; but then he -would miss his intended visit to Captain Lane's, and his future -happiness depended on that visit. - -While he was indulging in these bitter reflections, a schooner suddenly -flew past the island, and, to his amazement, he saw the Irish student, -Terrence Malone, whom he had been alternately praying for and cursing -all night, standing on the deck apparently in the best of health and -spirits. The scoundrel even had the audacity to wave him an adieu as -he passed. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE SILENT GUNNER. - -Of course, Terrence Malone had played a practical joke on the English -lieutenant, and while the latter was passing the night on the gloomiest -island of all the Maryland coast, the former was sweetly dreaming of -dear old Ireland, in the most comfortable bed the tavern afforded. Next -morning the captain of the _Xenophon_ sent ashore for Lieutenant Matson -to come aboard, as they were about to hoist anchor. Terrence, Fernando -and Sukey were just going aboard the schooner as the messenger came. -Fernando had passed the most miserable night of his existence, and now, -pale and melancholy, went aboard the schooner utterly unconscious of the -fact that some one was watching him through a glass from the big house -on the hill. - -Terrence was as jolly as usual and had almost forgotten the lieutenant. -Just as the schooner was about to sail, ensign Post came aboard and -asked for Mr. Malone. Terrence was sitting aft the main cabin smoking a -cigar, when the ensign, approaching, asked: - -"Where is Lieutenant Matson? I was told he went shooting with you last -evening." - -"Sure he did. You will find him on Duck Island enjoying the sport I've -no doubt. Faith, I had almost forgotten to tell ye to touch at the -island and take him off, as ye sailed out of the harbor." - -The ensign looked puzzled at this and said: - -"This is strange,--this is certainly very extraordinary! Would he stay -on the island all night?" - -Terrence assured him that the lieutenant was a great sport and that the -best shooting was just before day. The Englishman returned to his boat -and was rowed to the man-of-war to report, while the schooner weighed -anchor and sailed out of the harbor. The _Xenophon_ followed two hours -later, having first sent a boat to Duck Island for the lieutenant, who -swore to shoot the Irishman at sight. There was no time for him to call -on Morgianna and explain why he had not brought her the ducks, for soon -after his arrival the ship departed for Halifax, where the commander had -to give an account of his conduct at Baltimore. - -Meanwhile, the schooner on which the three students had taken passage -stood out to sea and started down the coast. - -A strong breeze blowing from off land swept her out of sight of the -coast, when the wind suddenly shifted, until the skipper declared they -had it right in their teeth, and, despite all the skill of master and -crew, the vessel continued to drift farther out to sea, while Sukey once -more bewailed his fate at risking his life on the water. - -"Don't count me in this game again," he groaned. "If I live to get on -shore, I'll never risk myself on water broader than the Ohio." - -With such headwinds, the schooner could not possibly reach Baltimore -that night. All night long she struggled first on one tack and then on -the other, and at dawn only the blue mist, seen like a fog in the West, -marked the line of the Maryland coast. - -"Don't be discouraged, lads," said the skipper cheerfully. "Come down to -breakfast, and afore night I'll have ye snug in port." - -They went to breakfast, and when they returned found the master and -three seamen in the forecastle holding a very earnest conversation. The -fourth sailor was at the wheel. Fernando, glancing off to their larboard -saw a large ship, flying English colors, bearing down upon them, and he -had no doubt that this vessel was the subject of discussion. - -She signalled to the schooner to heave to, and as they were within range -of her powerful guns, the skipper was forced to obey. This vessel was -the English frigate _Macedonian_ cruising along the American coast, and -at this time short of hands. In a few moments, the frigate came near and -hove to, while a boat with a dozen marines and an officer came alongside -the schooner. - -"What is your business?" asked the skipper. - -"We are looking for deserters and Englishmen." - -"Well, here are my crew," said the skipper pointing to his sailors. -"Every one I will swear is American born!" - -"But who are these young men?" - -"Three passengers I am taking to Baltimore." - -The three students began to entertain some grave apprehensions. Terrence -for once was quiet. His dialect he knew would betray him, and when he -was asked where he lived and where he was from, he tried hard to conceal -his brogue; but it was in vain. - -Sukey came forward and tried to explain matters, but only made them -worse. The result was that all three were in a short hour transported to -the _Macedonian_ in irons. Protest was useless; the _Macedonian_ was -short of hands and they were forced to go. - -They were not even permitted to write letters home. However, the skipper -had their names, and the whole affair was printed in the _Baltimore -Sun_, and copies were sent to the parents of the young men. - -Captain Snipes of the English frigate was one of those barbarous, -tyrannical sea captains, more brute than human, and, in an age when the -strict discipline of the navy permitted tyranny to exist, he became -a monster. - -The three recruits were added to his muster-roll and gradually initiated -into the mysteries of sailor's life on a war vessel. - -Poor Sukey for several days was fearfully seasick; but he recovered and -was assigned to his mess. Fortunately they were all three assigned to -the same mess. The common seamen of the _Macedonian_ were divided into -thirty-seven messes, put down on the purser's book as Mess No. 1, Mess -No. 2, Mess No. 3. The members of each mess clubbed their rations of -provisions, and breakfasted, dined and supped together at allotted -intervals between the guns on the main deck. - -They found that living on board the _Macedonian_ was like living in a -market, where one dresses on the door-step and sleeps in the cellar. -They could have no privacy, hardly a moment seclusion. In fact, it was -almost a physical impossibility ever to be alone. The three impressed -Americans dined at a vast _table d'hôte_, slept in commons and made -their toilet when and where they could. Their clothes were stowed in a -large canvas bag, painted black, which they could get out of the "rack" -only once in twenty-four hours, and then during a time of utmost -confusion, among three hundred and fifty other sailors, each diving into -his bag, in the midst of the twilight of the berth-deck. - -Terrence, in order to obviate in a measure this inconvenience, suggested -that they divide their wardrobes between their hammocks and their bags, -stowing their few frocks and trowsers in the former, so that they could -change at night when the hammocks were piped down. They knew not whither -they were bound, and they cared little about the object of the voyage. - -"How are we to get out of this any way?" asked Sukey one day, when the -three were together for a moment. - -"Lave it all to me!" said Terrence. - -"I am perfectly willing to leave it all to you, Terrence. Do just as you -will, so you get me on shore." - -Before they had been a month on the ship, they chased a French -merchantman for twenty-four hours, and at times were near enough to fire -a few shots with their long bow-chaser; but a fresh breeze sprang up, -quickly increased to a gale, and the Frenchman escaped. - -This was the nearest approach to a naval engagement they experienced -during their stay on the war frigate. They cruised along the coast of -Ireland and Scotland, went to Spain, entered the waters of the -Mediterranean for a few weeks, and then returned to the Atlantic, -sailing for the West Indies. - -Not only were the officers of the _Macedonian_ brutal; but the crew was -made up of a motley class of human beings of every class of viciousness -and brutality. - -"Now boys, if ye want to kape out of trouble," said Terrence, "do'nt ye -get into any fights with thim divils, or ye'll be brought up to the -quarter-deck and flogged." - -His advice was appreciated, and both Fernando and Sukey did their best -to avoid trouble with any of their quarrelsome neighbors. They submitted -to insults innumerable; but at last Sukey was one morning assailed by a -brutal sailor whom he knocked down. Two other sailors were guilty of a -similar offence, and all four were put under arrest. Fernando was -shocked and alarmed for his friend, and hastened to ascertain the facts -concerning the charge. - -"I couldn't help it," declared Sukey, whom he found in irons. "Plague -take him! he hit me twice before I knocked him down. I didn't want to be -in the game." - -The culprits could expect nothing but a flogging at the captain's -pleasure. Toward evening of the next day, they were startled by the -dread summons of the boatswain and his mates at the principal -hatchway,--a summons that sent a shudder through every manly heart in -the frigate: - -"_All hands witness punishment, ahoy_!" - -The hoarseness of the cry, its unrelenting prolongation, it being caught -up at different points and sent to the lowest depths of the ship, -produced a most dismal effect upon every heart not calloused by long -familiarity with it. However much Fernando desired to absent himself -from the scene that ensued, behold it he must; or, at least, stand near -it he must; for the regulations compelled the attendance of the entire -ship's company, from the captain himself to the smallest boy who -struck the bell. - -At the summons, the crew crowded round the mainmast. Many, eager to -obtain a good place, got on the booms to overlook the scene. Some were -laughing and chatting, others canvassing the case of the culprits. Some -maintaining sad, anxious countenance, or carrying a suppressed -indignation in their eyes. A few purposely kept behind, to avoid looking -on. In short, among three or four hundred men, there was every possible -shade of character. All the officers, midshipmen included, stood -together in a group on the starboard side of the mainmast. The first -lieutenant was a little in advance, and the surgeon, whose special duty -it was to be present at such times, stood close at his side. Presently -the captain came forward from his cabin and took his place in the centre -of the group, with a small paper in his hand. That paper was the daily -report of offenses, regularly laid upon his table every morning -or evening. - -"Master-at-arms, bring up the prisoners," he said. A few moments -elapsed, during which the captain, now clothed in his most dreadful -attributes, fixed his eyes severely upon the crew, when suddenly a lane -formed through the crowd of seamen, and the prisoners advanced--the -master-at-arms, rattan in hand, on one side, and an armed marine on the -other,--and took up their stations at the mast. - -"You, John, you, Richard, (Richard was Sukey) you Mark, you Antone," -said the captain, "were yesterday found fighting on the gun-deck. Have -you any thing to say?" - -Mark and Antone, two steady, middle-aged men, who had been admired for -their sobriety, replied that they did not strike the first blow; they -had submitted to much before they yielded to their passions; but as they -acknowledged that they had at last defended themselves their excuse was -overruled. John--a brutal bully, who in fact was the real author of the -disturbance was about entering into a long harangue, when the captain -cut him short, and made him confess, irrespective of circumstances, that -he had been in the fray. Poor Sukey, the youngest and handsomest of the -four, was pale and tremulous. He had already won the good will and -esteem of many in the ship. That morning Fernando and Terrence had gone -to his bag, taken out his best clothes and, obtaining the permission of -the marine sentry at the "brig," had handed them to him, to be put on -before he was summoned to the mast. This was done to propitiate Captain -Snipes, who liked to see a tidy sailor; but it was all in vain. To all -the young American's supplications, Captain Snipes turned a deaf ear. -Sukey declared he had been struck twice before he had returned a blow. - -"No matter," cried the captain, angrily, "you struck at last, instead of -reporting the case to an officer. I allow no man to fight on this ship -but myself. I do the fighting. Now, men," he added fixing his dark stern -eye on them, "you all admit the charge; you know the penalty. Strip! -Quartermaster, are the gratings rigged?" - -The gratings were square frames of barred woodwork, sometimes placed -over the hatches. One of these squares was now laid on the deck, close -to the ship's bulwarks, and while the remaining preparations were being -made, the master-at-arms assisted the prisoners to remove their jackets -and shirts. This done, their shirts were loosely thrown over their -shoulders as a partial protection from the keen breeze, until their turn -should come. - -At a sign from the captain, John, with a shameless leer, stepped forward -and stood passively on the grating, while the bareheaded old -quarter-master, with his gray hair streaming in the wind, bound his feet -to the cross-bars and, stretching out his arms over his head, secured -them to the hammock netting above. He then retreated a little space, -standing silent. Meanwhile, the boatswain stood solemnly on the other -side with a green bag in his hand. From this he took four instruments of -punishment and gave one to each of his mates; for a fresh "cat," applied -by a fresh hand, was the ceremonious privilege accorded to every -man-of-war culprit. Through all that terrible scene, Fernando Stevens -stood transfixed with horror, indignation and a thousand bitter, -indescribable feelings. At another sign from the captain, the -master-at-arms, stepping up, removed the shirt from the prisoner. At -this juncture, a wave broke against the ship's side and dashed the spray -over the man's exposed back; but, though the air was piercing cold, and -the water drenched him, John stood still without a shudder. - -Captain Snipes lifted his finger, and the first boatswain's-mate -advanced, combing out the nine tails of his "cat" with his fingers, and -then, sweeping them round his neck, brought them with the whole force of -his body upon the mark. Again, and again, and again; at every blow, -higher and higher and higher rose the long purple bars on the prisoner's -back; but he only bowed his head and stood still. A whispered murmur of -applause at their shipmate's nerve went round among the sailors. One -dozen blows were administered on his bare back, and then he was taken -down and went among his messmates, swearing: - -"It's nothing, after you get used to it." - -Antone, who was a Portuguese, was next, and he howled and swore at every -blow, though he had never been known to blaspheme before. Mark, the -third, was in the first stage of consumption and coughed and cringed -during the flogging. At about the sixth blow he bowed his head and -cried: "Oh! Jesus Christ!" but whether it was in blasphemy or -supplication no one could determine. He was taken with a fever a few -days later and died before the cruise was over, as much perhaps of -mortification as from the inroads of the disease. - -The, fourth was poor Sukey. When told to advance, he made one more -appeal to the captain, avowing that he was an American. The captain, -with an oath, said that was the more reason for flogging him. He -appealed until the marine guard was ordered to prod him with his -bayonet. They had to actually drag Sukey to the gratings. Sukey's cheek, -which was usually pale, was now whiter than a ghost. As he was being -secured to the gratings, and the shudderings and creepings of his -dazzling white back were revealed, he turned his tear-stained face to -the captain and implored him to spare him the disgrace, which he felt -far more keenly than the pain. - -"I would not forgive God Almighty!" cried the brutal captain. The fourth -boatswain's mate, with a fresh cat-o-nine-tails swung it about his head -and brought the terrible scourge hissing and crackling on the young and -tender back. Fernando turned his face away and wept. - -"_My God! oh! my God_!" shouted Sukey, and he writhed and leaped, until -he displaced the gratings, scattering the nine-tails of the scourge all -over his person. At the next blow, he howled, leaped and raged in -unendurable agony. - -"What the d---l are you stopping for?" cried the captain as the -boatswain's-mate halted. "Lay on!" and the whole dozen were applied, -though poor Sukey fainted at the tenth stroke. - -Reader, this was on an English war vessel,--the vessel of a nation -professing a high state of civilization. We blush to say it, it was no -better on an American man-of-war, if nautical writers of high authority -are to be believed, and, even to-day, the brute often holds a commission -in the American army and navy. Although flogging is of the past, -punishment equally severe is inflicted. The necessities of discipline -are taken advantage of by men without hearts. An American naval officer -in Washington City told the author that it was a common thing for -officers on an American man-of-war to swing the hammock of the sailor or -middy whom they disliked, where he would have all the damp and cold, -ending in consumption and death. If this be true, it is far more brutal -than flogging. Congressional investigations are usually farces. -Congressmen place their friends in the army and navy, and their -investigations usually result in the triumph of their friends. - -For several days, Sukey was too ill to leave his hammock. "I don't want -to get well," the poor boy said. "I want to die. I never want to see -home or mother again after that." - -"Faith, me lad, live but to kill the d---d captain," suggested Terrence. - -"I would live a thousand years to do that." - -There was a negro named Job on the vessel, who was a cook. He early -formed a liking for the three. He stole the choicest dainties from the -officers' table for the sick youth. - -"I ain't no Britisher," he declared. "Dar ain't no Angler Saxon blood -in dese veins, honey, an' I thank de good Lawd for dat. I know what it -am to be flogged. Golly, dey flog dis chile twice already. Nex' time, I -spect dat sumfin' am a-gwine to happen." - -"When and where were you impressed?" Fernando asked. - -"I war wid Cap'n Parson on de _Dover_, den de _Sea Wing_ came, an' de -leftenant swear dis chile am a Britisher, and he tuk me away. Den me an' -Massa St. Mark, de gunner, were transferred to de _Macedonian_." - -Sukey was sullen and melancholy. A few days after he was on duty, he -breathed a threat against Captain Snipes. A tall, fine-looking sailor, -who was known as the chief gunner, said: - -"Young man, keep your thoughts to yourself. For heaven's sake, don't let -the officers hear them!" - -They were now in the vicinity of the West Indies and touched at -Barbadoes. While lying here, Fernando witnessed another act of British -cruelty. Tom Boseley, an American who had been impressed into the -service of Great Britain deserted, but was pursued and brought back. He -was flogged and, on being released struck the captain, knocking him -down. For this act, he was tried by a "drumhead court martial" and -sentenced to die. Tom had a wife and children in New York, but was not -permitted to write to them. Only one prayer was granted, and that was -that he might be shot instead of hung, and thrown into the sea. - -Fernando, almost at the risk of his own life, visited Boseley the night -before his execution. He seemed indifferent to his fate, declaring it -preferable to service on an English war ship. "I would rather die a free -man, than live a slave," he declared. Fernando asked if he would not -rather live for his family. - -"Oh! Stevens, say nothing about my family to-night!" - -He then requested him to take possession of some letters he would try to -write and, if possible, send them. Fernando said he would do so, and he -then asked him to remain with him through the night. This Fernando -declared was impossible. The young American was greatly weighed down by -the terrible mental strain the whole affair had produced, and he had -double duty to screen the unfortunate Sukey. - -"Won't you be with me when it is done?" Boseley asked. Money would not -have tempted him to witness that sight; but he could not refuse the -dying request. He visited him early next morning and found him dressed -in the best clothes his poor wardrobe could afford, a white shirt and -black cravat. He was a fine-looking man in features as well as stature. -As Fernando gazed on him he thought, "_Dressed for eternity_!" - -The doomed man gave him three letters, which Fernando secreted about his -person and subsequently sent to their destination. Twelve marines were -drawn as executioners. Four muskets were loaded with balls and eight -with blank cartridges. Then the party went ashore. Boseley bore up well -until the woods were reached, where he found an open grave. According to -promise, Fernando went with him. Captain Snipes accompanied the sergeant -of the marines to see that the prisoner was properly executed. He still -stung under the blow he had received, and Boseley was slain more to -gratify the vengeance of the captain than for any violated law. A number -of Boseley's shipmates were permitted to come and witness the -terrible scene. - -The captain said to Boseley: - -"What is your distance?" - -"Twelve steps." - -"Step off your ground," added the captain. - -"I cannot do it; you do it for me." - -"I will do it with you." - -The prisoner's hands were tied behind his back, and the captain, taking -his arm, walked him off twelve steps, as coolly as if they were only -pacing the quarter-deck. The captain then took a blanket, spread it on -the ground and told Boseley to kneel on it, and he did so, facing his -executioners. The ship's chaplain came and offered a prayer, after which -the sergeant asked Boseley if he wished to have his eyes bandaged. - -"No; I am not afraid to face my executioners," he answered. It was an -intensely solemn occasion, and among all those hardy, rough-mannered -sailors, there was not one, unless it was Captain Snipes, who was not -deeply affected. The captain's face was flushed, and his breath was -strong with brandy, and he seemed but little moved. - -"Go ahead, and have this done with," he said to the officer in charge of -the affair. - -"Are you quite ready now?" asked the sergeant. - -"Yes," was the answer in a faltering tone. - -"Make ready!" and the twelve glittering muskets were leveled at this -sacrifice to the wrath of Captain Snipes. - -"Take aim!" and the gunners steadied themselves for the fatal word, to -send a fellow being to eternity. - -"Fire!" and instantly flashed a volley, reverberating a wild and -unearthly death knell among the crags that looked down upon that awful -scene. In the clear morning air, the smoke of the guns curled up lazily -and hung like a funeral pall over the mangled, bleeding form. Four -bullets had pierced his body. He fell on his face and lay motionless for -a few seconds. Then he began to slowly raise his head. Fernando came -near and stood in front of him. Ten thousand years could not efface that -scene from his mind. He continued to raise his head and body without a -struggle. He looked the captain in the eye, and his mouth was in motion -as though he were trying to speak,--to utter some dying accusation. -Never did human eye behold a scene so pitiful as this dying man gazing -on his destroyer, gasping to implore or to denounce him. In an instant a -dimness came over his eyes, and he fell dead. - -"Oh, Heaven!" groaned Fernando, and he hurried away to the ship. For -weeks, he saw that awful face every time he closed his eyes to sleep. - -Two years on board the British frigate had made Fernando, Sukey and -Terrence tolerably fair sailors. Their hearts were never in the work, -and they often dreamed of escape from this life of slavery. Fernando, by -judicious attention to business, had never yet won the positive -displeasure of the officers. One day the boatswain's mates repeated the -commands at the hatchways: - -"All hands tack ship, ahoy!" - -It was just eight bells, noon, and, springing from his jacket, which he -had spread between the guns for a bed on the main deck, Fernando ran up -the ladders, and, as usual, seized hold of the main-brace which fifty -hands were streaming along forward. When "maintopsail haul!" was given -through the trumpet, he pulled at this brace with such heartiness and -good will, that he flattered himself he would gain the approval of the -grim captain himself; but something happened to be in the way aloft, -when the yards swung round, and a little confusion ensued. With anger on -his brow. Captain Snipes came forward to see what occasioned it. No one -to let go the weather-lift of the main-yard. The rope was cast off, -however, by a hand, and, the yards, unobstructed, came round. When the -last rope was coiled away, the captain asked the first lieutenant who it -might be that was stationed at the weather (then the starboard) -main-lift. With a vexed expression of countenance, the first lieutenant -sent a midshipman for the station bill, when, upon glancing it over, the -name of Fernando Stevens was found set down at the post in question. At -the time, Fernando was on the gundeck below, and did not know of these -proceedings; but a moment after, he heard the boatswain's-mates bawling -his name at all the hatchways and along all three decks. It was the -first time he had ever heard it sent through the furthest recesses of -the ship, and, well knowing what this generally betokened to other -seamen, his heart jumped to his throat, and he hurriedly asked Brown, -the boatswain's-mate at the fore-hatchway, what was wanted of him. - -"Captain wants ye at the mast," he answered. "Going to flog ye, I -fancy." - -"What for?" - -"My eyes! you've been chalking your face, hain't ye?" - -"What am I wanted for?" he repeated. - -But at that instant, his name was thundered forth by the other -boatswain's-mates, and Brown hurried him away, hinting that he would -soon find out what the captain wanted. Fernando swallowed down his heart -as he touched the spardeck, for a single instant balanced himself on his -best centre, and then, wholly ignorant of what was going to be alleged -against him, advanced to the dread tribunal of the frigate. The sight of -the quarter-master rigging his gratings, the boatswain with his -detestable green bag of scourges, the master-at-arms standing ready to -assist some one to take off his shirt was not calculated to allay his -apprehensions. With another desperate effort to swallow his whole soul, -he found himself face to face with Captain Snipes, whose flushed face -showed his ill humor. At his side was the first lieutenant, who, as -Fernando came aft, eyed him with some degree of conscientious vexation -at being compelled to make him the scapegoat of his own negligence. - -"Why were you not at your station, sir?" asked the captain. - -"What station do you mean, sir?" Fernando asked, forgetting the -accustomed formality of touching his hat, by way of salute, while -speaking with so punctilious an officer as Captain Snipes. This little -fact did not escape the captain's attention. - -"Your pretension to ignorance will not help you sir," the Captain -retorted. - -The first lieutenant now produced the station bill, and read the name of -Fernando Stevens in connection with the starboard main-lift. - -"Captain Snipes," said Fernando in a voice firm and terrible in its -sincerity, "it is the first time I knew I was assigned to that post." - -"How is this, Mr. Bacon?" the captain asked turning to the first -lieutenant with a fault-finding expression. - -"It is impossible, sir, that this man should not know his station," -replied, the lieutenant. - -"Captain Snipes, I will swear, I never knew it before this moment," -answered Fernando. - -With an oath, the captain cried: - -"Do you contradict my officer? I'll flog you, by--!" - -Fernando had been on board the frigate for more than two years and -remained unscourged. Though a slave in fact, he lived in hope of soon -being a free man. Now, after making himself a hermit in some things, -after enduring countless torments and insults without resentment, in -order to avoid the possibility of the scourge, here it was hanging over -him for a thing utterly unforeseen,--a crime of which he was wholly -innocent; but all that was naught. He saw that his case was hopeless; -his solemn disclaimer was thrown in his teeth, and the boatswain's-mate -stood curling his fingers through the "cat." There are times when wild -thoughts enter a man's heart, when he seems almost irresponsible for his -act and his deed. The captain stood on the weather side of the deck. -Sideways on an unoccupied line with him, was the opening of the -lee-gangway, where the side-ladders were suspended in port. Nothing but -a slight bit of sinnate-stuff served to rail in this opening, which was -cut down to a level with the captain's feet, showing the far sea beyond. -Fernando stood a little to windward of him, and, though Captain Snipes -was a large, powerful man, it was quite certain that a sudden rush -against him, along the slanting deck, would infallibly pitch him -headforemost into the ocean, though he who rushed must needs go over -with him. The young American's blood seemed clotting in his veins; he -felt icy cold at the tips of his fingers, and a dimness was before his -eyes; but through that dimness, the boatswain's-mate, scourge in hand, -loomed like a giant, and Captain Snipes and the blue sea, seen through -the opening at the gangway, showed with an awful vividness. He was never -able to analyze his heart, though it then stood still within him; but -the thing that swayed him to his purpose was not altogether the thought -that Captain Snipes was about to degrade him, and that he had taken an -oath within his soul that he should not. No; he felt his manhood so -bottomless within him, that no word, no blow, no scourge of Captain -Snipe's could cut deep enough for that. He but clung to an instinct in -him,--the instinct diffused through all animated nature, the same that -prompts the worm to turn under the heel. Locking souls with him, he -meant to drag Captain Snipes from this earthly tribunal of his, to that -of Jehovah, and let Him decide between them. No other way could he -escape the scourge. - -"To the gratings, sir!" cried Captain Snipes. "Do you hear?" - -Fernando's eye measured the distance between him and the sea, and he was -gathering himself together for the fatal spring-- - -"Captain Snipes," said a voice advancing from the crowd. Every eye -turned to see who spoke. It was the remarkably handsome and gentlemanly -gunner, Hugh St. Mark, who was scarcely ever known to break the silence, -and all were amazed that he should do so now. "I know that man," said -St. Mark, touching his cap, and speaking in a mild, firm, but extremely -deferential manner, "and I know that he would not be found absent from -his station, if he knew where it was." - -This speech was almost unprecedented. Never before had a marine dared to -speak to the captain of a frigate in behalf of a seaman at the mast; but -there was something unostentatiously forcible and commanding in St. -Mark's manner. He had once saved the captain's life, when a French -boarder was about to slay him. Then the corporal, emboldened by St. -Mark's audacity, put in a good word. Terrence, who had been promoted to -a small office, poured forth a torrent of eloquence, and, almost before -he knew it, Fernando was free. As he was going to his quarters, his -brain in a whirl, he heard Job the cook say: - -"He ain't no Britisher! Dar ain't no more Angler Saxon blood in his -veins dan in dis chile!" - -An hour later, when he stood near a gun carriage, still dizzy from his -narrow escape from the double crime of murder and suicide, St. Mark -passed Fernando. He grasped the hand of the silent gunner, held it a -moment in his own and whispered: "Thank you!" - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -SHIPWRECK--ESCAPE AND RETURN TO OHIO. - -Ship's rules, stringent as they were on the war frigate, and officers -severe as were those of the _Macedonian_ could not wholly curb the -rollicking spirit of Terrence. His exuberance of spirits constantly got -the better of any good intentions he might have formed. Any wholesome -dread he may have entertained of that famous feline of nine tails, known -to sailors of that day, was overcome by his love of pranks. - -What guardian spirit protects the bold and mischievous has never yet -been discovered; but it is a well authenticated fact that wild, harum -scarum fellows like Terrence Malone seldom come to grief or disaster. - -He was always the innocent lamb of the ship, whom no one would suspect -of mischief. The chaplain of the ship was not more grave and -sanctimonious than he. If the hammock netting were left so as to trip up -the dignified captain and throw him on the deck in a very undignified -manner, no one could possibly have suspected that the harmless Terrence -had any thing to do with it. - -The quarter-master was one day snoring in his hammock. Terrence, who -was on duty scrubbing the gun deck, had a large tub filled with water, -which was unconsciously left just under the head of the hammock of the -quarter-master. No one could tell how it happened; but the supports were -all cut save two or three, which the swaying of the hammock gradually -loosened until, just as the officer went to "change sides," down he came -with a frightful splash head first into the tub. - -Terrence, who was near, ran to his rescue and quickly pulled him out. - -"It's bastely carelessness to lave the water there," cried Terrence. -"Faith, I hope the captain will give the shpalpeen two dozen as did it." - -"Who cut my hammock down?" roared the quarter-master. - -"Cut yer hammock, indade?" - -The quarter-master was in a rage and swore like a trooper. Wiping the -water from his face, he roared: - -"Yes, cut down my hammock! Don't you see the netting has been cut?" - -"The truth ye tell, quarter-master; some haythin has surely been -cutting yer netting. Now who could have done that? I hope the culprit -may be found, that's all." - -And the face of the quarter-master himself did not evince more savage -fury than the Irishman. He was the first to report it to the lieutenant, -and in his zeal actually burst in on the captain himself and told of the -disaster, volunteering his services to hunt down the culprit. - -"Find him!" thundered the captain, his face white with rage. "Find him, -and, by the trident of Neptune, I swear I'll see his backbone!" - -No one in the whole ship was as zealous as the Irishman in searching for -the culprit; but he took care never to find him. - -Captains of men-of-war are fond of delicacies, and the captain had a -fine fat pig, which he intended for a special feast to be given for his -officers. Terrence, through his zeal, became such a favorite, that he -was even permitted to superintend the cooking. - -The quarter-master's favorite dog, which was as fat as the pig, suddenly -disappeared the day before the feast, and Terrence had a search -instituted for him without avail, and gave it out as his opinion that -the dog had fallen overboard. On the same day the officers feasted on -roast pig, Terrence's mess had roast pig. The officers declared that -their roast pig was very tender, but that the flavor was strong and -peculiar! The ship's surgeon afterward said he never saw the bones of a -pig so resemble the bones of a dog. There had been but one pig aboard, -and had it been known that Terrence dined on roast pig also, there might -have been some grave suspicions. - -Shortly after this event, there were some changes in the British navy. -Captain Snipes was supplanted in command of the _Macedonian_ by Captain -Carden. Fernando, Terrence and the negro were shortly after transferred -to the war-sloop _Sea Shell_, Captain Bones, while poor Sukey was still -left aboard the _Macedonian_. Shortly after these changes Captain Snipes -and Mr. Hugh St. Mark, the silent gunner, were transferred to the -man-of-war _Xenophon_. Thus we see, by those interminable and -inexplicable changes constantly going on in the royal navy the friends -were separated. There may be some reason for those constant changes in -the navy; but they are not apparent to the sagest landsman living. - -Captain Conkerall had made himself so ridiculous in Baltimore, that he -had been forced to quit the service in order to escape he ridicule of -his fellow officers. This left Lieutenant Matson in command of the -_Xenophon_ until Captain Snipes was assigned to that duty. - -Fernando Stevens felt some regrets in leaving the _Macedonian_. One's -very sufferings may endear them to a place. But Fernando's chief regret -was in leaving the friend of his childhood. Sukey and he shed manly -tears as each saw the face of his friend fade from view. - -Terrence soon ingratiated himself into the favor of Captain Bones, who -had a weakness for punch and whist. Terrence knew how to brew the punch -to the taste of the captain, and could play whist so artistically, that -the captain could, by the hardest sort of playing, just win. - -Terrence boasted of excellent family connection, and gave as his reason -for his not having a mid-shipman's commission, that his father objected -to the sea, and he had been impressed instead of entering the navy of -his own accord. Bones was not as punctilious as most captains, -especially when Terrence could brew such excellent punch, and Terrence -soon became a favorite and came and went at pleasure in the captain's -cabin. When the captain imbibed quite freely, he often hinted at a -promotion for Terrence. - -Fernando paid little attention to the course of the vessel. He had been -in nearly all the parts of the world, and seldom asked which continent -they were on, or in what waters they sailed. He was sober, silent and -melancholy. - -One bright August day in 1811, they were off some coast, he knew not -what. All day the weather had been glorious. Toward sunset, the clouds -began to gather in heavy masses to the southeast, and a little later a -heavy breeze sprang up from that direction. As darkness came on, the -wind increased, blowing a strong gale, and it blew all night. As morning -dawned a dense fog settled down over the vessel and completely obscured -everything. Soundings were taken; but the captain, who had yielded to -the seductive punch of Terrence Malone, could not determine where they -were. When daylight came the sea had changed color, which proved that -they were in shallow water. On heaving the lead it was ascertained that -they were only in twelve fathoms water. - -"Wear ship!" shouted Captain Bones in a tone of thunder. The vessel was -then under such small sail that she had not headway enough to stay her. -As she answered to her helm and payed off, bringing the wind aft, high -land was seen astern. Suddenly the fog lifted. At the same instant, the -wind changed to the southwest, blowing harder. A cloud of canvas flew -into the air, and, looking up, Fernando saw it was the jib. The vessel -lost what little headway she had and drifted heavily to leeward. As the -fog cleared toward the land, they looked early in that direction and to -their dismay and horror, they saw heavy breakers beating so close to -them, that there was no room to wear the ship round. The captain at once -gave orders to clear away the anchors. A seaman went forward with an axe -to cut the lashings of the one on the port side. As soon as the cable -had been cut, the starboard anchor was sent adrift and thirty fathoms of -cable ran out. The order was given to "hold on," and as it was obeyed -the port cable broke. The sloop immediately swung around, bringing all -her weight on the starboard cable, which, being unable to stand the -strain, parted, and then they were left entirely to the mercy of the -wind and sea. - -The suspense was short. A tremendous sea came rolling toward the sloop, -struck it with terrific force, lifted it high on its crest and carried -it forward toward the breakers. In another instant the vessel was driven -with a crash on the sandy bottom. At the same moment down came the -foremast, taking with it the jib-boom and bowsprit, all disappearing -into the sea. Wave after wave washed over them in quick succession. The -mainmast was split, and the noise made by it, as it was beaten about by -the gale was deafening. All the poor wretches on board the _Sea Shell_ -could do was to hold on for dear life. - -The captain ordered their only life-boat lowered, and, turning to the -crew, he shouted, for the roaring of the wind was terrible, that he with -twelve men would set out for shore, and after landing eight with himself -and officers, would send the boat back for others. The captain had no -notion that so excellent a punch brewer as Terrence should be lost, and -insisted that he go with the first boatload. The others had no -alternative. They were compelled to submit. The captain, his -lieutenants, Terrence and a dozen sailors sprang over the side, took -their places and pushed off. As the little craft rose and fell in that -frightful sea, it seemed doubtful if they would reach the shore. - -Dumb with terror, Fernando had watched the whole proceeding. He could -only hold on to a sail and, by the sheer strength of his hands and arms, -save himself from being carried overboard, as sea after sea swept over -them. He strained his eyes until it seemed as though they would burst, -to follow the movements of that boat on which their lives depended. It -seemed but a mere speck on the waves. Suddenly it rose to a surprising -height, and then disappeared altogether. The next moment he saw the men -struggling in the water. The boat was broken into pieces and the -fragments were brought out to them. Every man for himself was now the -cry throughout the ship. How far they were from the shore no one could -tell. They had to take their chances. Although a strong swimmer, -Fernando knew that in such a tremendous sea he would be powerless. There -was, however, but the one thing to do. - -Raising his hands before him and pressing them firmly together, -Fernando drew a long breath, then sprang from the sloop's rail into the -water beneath. When he rose to the surface he tried to swim. It was -impossible, as he had foreseen. He was like a child in the grasp of a -monster. The waves tossed him up like a plaything and carried him on ---he could not tell how far or where. Suddenly a great black object -loomed up before him. It was a part of the wreckage. He tried to ward it -off; but he might as well have tried to ward off the sloop itself, for -the sea lifted him up and dashed him onward, and the great mass struck -him a heavy blow over the eye--a flash of lightning gleamed, then all -was darkness and a blank. - -How long after he could not tell, a strange sensation came creeping -slowly over him. A low murmur of voices reached his ears. He was -bewildered and benumbed; but soon the truth began to dawn, and he knew -that, wherever he might be, he was not dead. Powerless to move, he -opened his eyes and fastened them on the objects about him. He now -discovered that he was lying on a bed of straw in a large barn. How he -could have gotten there was yet a mystery. To his great delight, he -recognized the face of Terrence Malone bending over him. - -"Well, me boy, ye're not dead yet, are ye?" "Where are we, Terrence?" he -faintly inquired. - -"Whist, me lad, an' I'll tell ye!" said Terrence, in an undertone. -Terrence first looked round to assure himself that there was no one -within hearing and then said, "Safe on mother earth, me lad, and, what's -best of all, American soil!" American soil!--the very announcement sent -a thrill of hope and joy through his heart. Terrence then informed him -that they had been wrecked on the coast of Maine, that most of the crew -were saved, and the captain intended to march, as soon as the men were -able, over the line into Canada. Terrence assured Fernando that, so far -as he was concerned, he had no intention of leaving America; but the -matter had to be handled carefully. They were on a thinly populated -coast and Captain Bones had enough English marines to enforce his -authority. - -"Then how can we escape?" asked Fernando. - -"Lave it all to me!" said the Irishman. As Fernando was incapable of -doing anything himself, he very naturally left it all to his Irish -friend. "Now I want ye to be too sick to travel for a week. By that -time, I'll have the captain all right and snug enough." - -Though badly bruised and stunned, Fernando had no bones broken. At any -time within three days after the shipwreck he could have left the barn, -but, following the advice of Terrence, he assumed a stupid state and -refused to talk with any of the officers who called to see him. -Terrence became nurse to the invalid as well as the brewer of punch for -the captain. Only one other person was taken into the secret plans of -the Irishman, that was the negro Job. - -Job was delighted. - -"Gwine ter run away!" he chuckled, "yah, yah, yah, dat am glorious! I -tell yer, dis chile ain't no Britisher. I tole yer dar ain't no Angler -Saxun blood in dese veins." - -Job was installed assistant nurse over Fernando, and when the captain -asked the negro about him, the black face became sober, and Job shook -his woolly head, saying: - -"Dun no, massa, spect he am gwine ter die. He am awful bad." - -Captain Bones gave utterance to a burst of profanity and seriously hoped -the wounded sailor would either get well or die, and be very quick about -it. Fernando heard him as he lay in the barn loft and could not refrain -from chuckling. - -"We've got to move soon," growled the captain. "No ship will ever put -into this port for us. We must march to Halifax." - -"Golly! guess dis chile see himself marchin' ter Halifax," the negro -murmured, when the captain had left the barn. - -Captain Bones was quartered at the best fisherman's cabin in the -neighborhood. It was not much of a shelter, but it was the best he could -find. Captain Bones was provoked at the delay in Fernando's recovery. He -knew he was an impressed American, and if he left him, he would be lost -to the service, and yet he dared not much longer delay going to Halifax. - -He was bargaining with a coasting schooner to take himself and crew to -Halifax, when one evening Terrence came to him with a very serious face, -as if the fortunes of Great Britain were in peril. - -"Captain, it's bad news I have for ye," said Terrence. "The brandy is -all gone, and divil a bit o' whiskey can be had for love or money." This -was alarming to Captain Bones; but Terrence suggested that three miles -away lived a farmer Condit, whose cellar abounded with kegs of apple -jack and cider. Condit was a rabid republican and would not give a -Briton a drop if he were dying for it; but, if the captain would be -taken into his confidence, he had a little scheme to propose which had a -trifle of risk in it, just enough to give spice to it. - -His plan was nothing more than to dress in citizen's clothes, enter the -cellar after night and carry away some, if not all, of the kegs of -apple jack. - -Captain Bones, who enjoyed a frolic, thought the plan an excellent one. - -But he begged to allow the first lieutenant to become a party to the -frolic. This was just as Terrence wished, for he had intended to suggest -the first lieutenant himself. It was agreed that on Saturday night next, -the three, dressed in citizen's clothes, were to go to the home of the -farmer, enter his cellar and secure enough apple jack and hard cider to -alleviate the thirst of Captain Bones, during his stay in the -neighborhood. - -Farmer Condit, the day before the intended burglary, received a very -mysterious letter in a very mysterious manner. It read as follows: - -"Farmer Condit: Saturday night your house is to be robbed. I am one of a -band of robbers who are to rob you. I was forced to join them or be -killed, and will have to go with them that night. Have a few constables -ready to seize them. They will not fight; but let the man in tall, -peaked, brown hat, white trousers and gray coat escape, for that is me. -If you could let me escape and seize the others, you would set at -liberty a poor fellow creature, who warns you at the risk of his life. - - Your friend." - -On the night in question, Terrence wore a tall, peaked brown hat, with -black band. He also wore white trousers and a gray coat. The three set -off in a cart which Terrence hired to bring back the treasure. It was -dark before they commenced their journey, for the officers did not want -the men to know of the affair. - -They reached the farm house of Mr. Condit and prepared to enter it and -begin operations. The cart and mule were left under some trees. It was -now ten o'clock, and the house was quite dark. Slowly they crept up to -it, Terrence asking himself if the farmer had heeded his warning. Like -many farm-house cellars, there was a trap door opening on the outside. -To this cellar door they made their way. Terrence, who was accustomed to -such affairs, had provided himself with a lantern, which he was to light -when they entered the cellar. - -They descended the steps and had scarcely reached the floor, when -footsteps were heard descending a flight of steps from the inside of -the house. - -"Hide behind the barrels and boxes, ivery mother's son of ye!" whispered -the Irishman. The officers were concealing themselves, when suddenly the -door opened and a portly elderly gentleman in his shirt sleeves, knee -breeches and slippers, carrying a lighted candle in one hand and a -pistol in the other descended. He saw Captain Bones and his lieutenant -trying to hide behind a barrel. The captain, in his excitement, had -drawn a pistol and was cocking it. Terrence at this moment escaped. - -With a yell, the old gentleman dropped the candle, which lay on the -floor, the thin blaze ascending upward and dimly lighting the scene. At -his yell, there suddenly rushed into the cellar half a dozen stout men, -armed with guns and pistols, and the supposed burglars were arrested. -Next morning, Captain Bones and his chief officer were snugly reposing -in the county jail, while Terrence, Fernando and Job set out across the -country for Augusta. From this point they took passage in a swift -coaster for New York. At New York they separated, Terrence going to -Philadelphia, Job to Baltimore, and Fernando to his home in Ohio. - -His journey was long and tedious. At the close of a hot day in autumn, -1811, the old stage coach came in sight of the dear old home. The past -four years seemed like a terrible dream. The old familiar spot, where -every tree and flower was endeared by sacred remembrances, was never -half so precious as now. His gray-haired father and sorrowful mother, -who had long given him up for dead, wept over him and thanked God that -he had returned to again bless their home. Friends, relatives and -neighbors, hearing of the sudden return of Fernando, all gathered on -that evening, and the youth told the sad story of his impressment and -slavery. He told all save his love affair. That secret was too sacred. -When he had finished, good old Mrs. Winners was weeping bitterly, and -there was scarce a dry eye in the house; for all remembered that poor -Sukey was still a slave to the rapacity and cruelty of an -ambitious monarch. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -WAR. - -The story of the impressment, service and sufferings of Fernando Stevens -and his friends are no exaggerations. Well authenticated history shows -that there were thousands of cases similar, and even worse than theirs. -The conduct of England was without precedent and unbearable. Their great -need of men might have been some excuse for impressment of Americans; -but there was a spice of hatred in their cruel treatment of the -unfortunate sailors. - -We read much about the rulers moulding the destiny of the people; but in -our republic the people mould the destiny of the rulers. Long before the -president had dared express a thought of war, there were staid old -western farmers, level-headed old fellows, who declared that war was -inevitable. America is not a country to be ruled by one man. The people -rule it, and every man thinks for himself, so that out of the conflict -of opinions the truth is usually reached. Before even the fiery congress -of 1812 had taken up the subject of hostilities, the legislatures of -the several States, urged by their farmer constituency, had by -concurrent resolutions declared in favor of war; but the timid -president, influenced by his own convictions and the opinions of his -cabinet, still hesitated. Finally a committee of Democrats waited on Mr. -Madison and told him plainly, in substance, that the supporters of his -administration had determined upon war with England, that the patience -of the people had become exhausted at his delay, and that unless a -declaration of war should soon be made, his renomination and re-election -would probably not be accomplished. The president consented to yield his -own convictions to the will of his political friends. Thus we see that -President Madison was not moved through patriotic motives to declare war -against Great Britain, but from personal ambition. Patriotic motives -follow personal convictions, be they right or wrong. - -On the first of April, 1812, he sent a confidential message to congress, -proposing, as a measure preliminary to a declaration of war, the passage -of a law laying an embargo upon all commerce with the United States for -the space of sixty days. This was done on the fourth of April, and on -the eighth, Louisiana was admitted into the Union as a State. - -At the end of the sixty days embargo, Madison sent a message to congress -in which he reviewed the difficulties with Great Britain, portrayed the -aggressions of that power, and intimated the necessity of war for the -maintenance of the honor and dignity of the republic. The message was -referred to the committee on foreign relations, when a majority of -them--John C. Calhoun of South Carolinia, Felix Grundy of Tennessee, -John Smillie of Pennsylvania, John A. Harper of New Hampshire, Joseph -Desha of Kentucky and Seaver of Massachusetts reported, June 3, a -manifesto as the basis of a declaration of war. On the next day, a bill -to that effect, drawn by Attorney-General Pinckney in the following form -was adopted and presented by Mr. Calhoun: - -"That war be, and the same is hereby, declared to exist between the -United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies -thereof, and the United States of America and their Territories, and -that the president of the United States is hereby authorized to use the -whole land and naval force of the United States to carry the same into -effect, and to issue to private armed vessels of the United States -commissions, or letters of marque and general reprisal, in such form as -he shall think proper, and under the seal of the United States, against -the vessels, goods and effects of the government of the said United -Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the subjects thereof." - -Pending these proceedings, congress sat with closed doors. The bill -passed the house of representatives by a vote of 75 to 49, and the -senate by 19 to 13. The president's immediate signature made it a law; -and two days later, June 19, 1812, Mr. Madison issued a proclamation, in -which he formally declared war against the offending government -and people. - -Thus began the second war with Great Britain, generally known in the -annals of history as the War of 1812, though it was in reality the -second war for independence. It was the war which established -independence beyond the cavil of a doubt and sustained the honor of -the nation. - -Immediate measures were taken by congress to sustain the declaration of -war. The president was authorized to enlist 25,000 men for the regular -army, accept 50,000 volunteers and call out 100,000 militia for the -defence of the seacoast. About $3,000,000 were appropriated for -the navy. - -There were very few men in the United States trained in the art of war -at this time. West Point was in its infancy, having been authorized only -ten years before, and as yet had not been able to accomplish anything. -The older officers of the Revolution were already in their graves, and -the younger ones were far advanced in life; yet to the latter alone, the -government felt compelled to look for its military leaders. Henry -Dearborn, a meritorious New Hampshire colonel in the continental army, -was commissioned major-general and commander-in-chief. His principal -brigadiers were James Wilkinson, who was on the staff of General Gates -in the capture of Burgoyne, Wade Hampton, who had done good partisan -service with Marion, Sumter, and others in South Carolinia, William -Hull, who had served as colonel in the old war for independence, and -Joseph Bloomfield, who had been a captain in the New Jersey line. - -At that time, Hull was a governor of the territory of Michigan. -Satisfied that the American navy could not cope with that of Great -Britain, the Americans based their hopes for success largely upon the -supposed dissatisfaction of the inhabitants of Canada and other British -colonial possessions on their border. It was believed that the Canadians -would flock to the American standard as soon as it was raised on their -soil. The American people have always clung to the belief that Canadians -were not loyal to Great Britain. It was the mistake of 1775, it was the -mistake of 1812, and strange to say Americans still hug the delusion to -their breasts that Canada favors annexation. They have reason for their -belief only in the doctrine that such an annexation would be in the -interests of Canada, disregarding the stubborn fact that in political -matters, prejudices, rather than interests, control. - -Canada was then divided into the Upper and Lower Provinces, the former -extending westward from Montreal, along the shores of the St. Lawrence -and Lake Ontario, to Lake Huron and the Detroit River. It included about -one hundred thousand inhabitants, who were principally the families of -American loyalists, who had been compelled to abandon their homes in the -States at the close of the war of the Revolution, and had since lived -under the fostering care of the British government. They were loyal to -Great Britain from lingering resentment to the Americans, and because of -the kindness of the English government. - -In 1812, George, Prince of Wales, was really the monarch of Great -Britain, for the court physicians had pronounced his father, George -III., hopelessly insane. Great Britain was waging a tremendous war -against Napoleon, having just formed an alliance with Russia against the -ambitious Corsican. England's naval armament on the American stations, -Halifax, Newfoundland, Jamaica and the Leeward Islands, then consisted -of five ships-of-the-line, nineteen frigates, forty-one brigs and -sixteen schooners and some armed vessels on Lakes Ontario and Erie, with -several others building. The British land forces in the two Canadian -provinces were about seven thousand five hundred, while the number of -Canadian militia did not exceed forty thousand with a frontier of seven -hundred miles to guard. - -The governor of Michigan went to Washington City in the winter of 1812 -and heard the question of the invasion of western Canada discussed. He -informed the president that the success of such an enterprise depended -on having armed vessels on Lake Erie, with a competent force in the -northwest to protect the American frontier against the Indians. In the -spring, Governor Meigs of Ohio summoned the militia of that State to -rendezvous at Dayton, to meet the impending danger. Hull accepted the -commission of brigadier, and late in May arrived at Dayton, Ohio, and -took command of the troops at that place. Hull had under him such noted -officers as Colonels Duncan McArthur, James Findlay and Lewis Cass. With -these forces, he marched to Detroit, through an almost trackless -wilderness. While on the march with about two thousand men, Hull was -informed of the declaration of war, which news at the same time reached -the British posts in Canada, and his little army was in imminent peril. -The government gave Hull discretionary power for invading Canada. - -General Sir Isaac Brock, Lieutenant Governor of upper Canada, was in -command of the British forces. On July 12, 1812, Hull crossed the -Detroit River with his whole force and encamped at some unfinished works -at Sandwich, preparatory to an attack on Fort Malden near the present -Amherstburg. From this point, Hull issued a proclamation, promising -protection to the inhabitants who would remain at home and death to all -who should side with the Indians, then gathering under Tecumseh at -Malden. General Proctor was sent to take command at Fort Malden, while -Brock began to assemble a force about him at Fort George. Here he was -joined by John Brant, son of the great Mohawk chief with one hundred -warriors from Grand River. - -By his extreme caution and delay, Hull lost his opportunity to capture -Fort Malden, which was soon strongly reinforced by British and Indians. -Meanwhile, information reached Hull of the fall of the fort on Mackinaw. -He also learned that Fort Dearborn at Chicago was invested, while a -detachment under Major Van Horne, sent down to the West side of the -Detroit River to escort a supply train from Ohio, was attacked by the -British and Indians, and after a sharp fight defeated. Hull decided to -retreat to Detroit. The order was a surprise and disappointment to the -army, and drew from some of the young officers very harsh remarks -concerning the imbecility and even treachery of General Hull. Sullenly -the army crossed the river, and on the morning of the 8th of August -encamped under the shelter of Fort Detroit. On the same day Colonel -Miller and several hundred men were sent to accomplish what Van Horne -had failed to do. They met and defeated the Indians under Tecumseh and a -small British force near the scene of Van Horne's disaster, and were -about to press forward to meet the supply party and escort them to camp, -when the commander-in-chief recalled them. - -On the 13th of August, Gen. Brock, a brave, energetic officer reached -Malden with reinforcements. Aware of the character of Hull, he prepared -for the conquest of Detroit. On the 14th, he planted batteries at -Sandwich, opposite the fortress of Detroit and demanded its surrender, -stating that otherwise he should be unable to restrain the fury of the -savages. Instigated by his officers, Hull answered this by a spirited -refusal and a declaration that the fort and town would be defended to -the last extremity. The British commenced a cannonade, and Hull was -greatly distressed at the number of women and children in the fort, -exposed to the fire of the enemy. The more charitably inclined historian -interprets his acts as the result of tender regard for the helpless and -innocent, rather than cowardice, especially as his daughter and her -little children came near being slain by a ricocheting cannon-ball, -which almost annihilated a group of officers in front of the door of the -house in which the mother and her children were. The firing continued -until next day. The alarm and consternation of General Hull had now -become extreme. On the 12th, the field officers, suspecting that the -general intended to surrender the fort, had determined on his arrest. -This was probably prevented, in consequence of Col. McArthur and Cass, -two very active and spirited officers, being detached, on the 13th, with -four hundred men, on a third expedition to the river Raisin. - -Early on the morning of the 16th, the British landed at Springwell, -three miles below the town, without opposition, and marched up in solid -column toward the fort along the river bank. The troops were strongly -posted, and cannon loaded with grape stood on a commanding eminence -ready to sweep the advancing columns. The troops, anticipating a -brilliant victory, waited in eager expectation the advance of the -British. What was their disappointment and mortification at the very -moment, when it was thought the British were advancing to certain -destruction, orders were given for them to retire within the fort, and -for the artillery not to fire. Then, the men were ordered to stack their -arms, and, to the astonishment of all, a white flag was suspended from -the walls, and Hull, panic stricken, surrendered the fortress without -even stipulating the terms. The surrender included, beside the troops at -Detroit, the detachments under Cass and McArthur, and the party under -Captain Brush at the river Raisin. No provision was made for the -unfortunate Canadians who had joined General Hull, and several of them -were hung as traitors. - -The disgraceful surrender of Detroit, excited universal indignation -throughout the country. When McArthur's sword was demanded, he -indignantly broke it, tore the epaulettes from his shoulders and threw -himself upon the ground. When General Hull was exchanged, he was tried -by a court-martial, found guilty of cowardice and sentenced to be shot; -but, in consequence of his revolutionary services and his advanced age, -the president pardoned him. His fair fame, however, has ever since been -blasted with the breath of cowardice. - -While General Hull was in Canada, he dispatched Winnemeg, a friendly -Indian, to Captain Heald, the commander of Fort Dearborn, at the small -trading post of Chicago, with the information of the loss of Mackinaw, -and directed him to distribute his stores among the Indians, and return -to Fort Wayne. Captain Heald had ample means of defence; but the order -received on the 9th of August left nothing to his discretion. The -Pottawatomies, however, having obtained intelligence of the war from a -runner sent by Tecumseh, collected, to the number of several hundred, -around the fort. Notwithstanding the evident hostile demonstration of -the Indians, Captain Heald proceeded to obey his superior's orders. He -distributed his stores among the Indians, excepting what was most -wanted; while liquors and ammunition which they could not take, were -thrown into the lake. This act enraged the Pottawatomies. On the 14th, -Captain Wells arrived with fifteen friendly Miamies from Fort Wayne. -This intrepid warrior, who had been bred among the Indians, hearing that -his friends at Chicago were in danger, had hastened thither to avert the -fate, which he knew must ensue to the little garrison, if they evacuated -the fort; but he was too late; the ammunition and provisions both being -gone, there was no alternative. The next day (August 15th), all being -ready, the garrison left the fort with martial music and in -military array. - -Captain Wells, at the head of the Miamies, led the van, his face -blackened after the manner of the Indians. - -The garrison, with loaded arms, followed, and the wagons with the -baggage, the women and children, the sick and the lame closed the rear. -The Pottawatomies, about five hundred in number, who had promised to -escort them in safety to Fort Wayne, leaving a little space, afterward -followed. The party in advance took the beach road. They had no sooner -arrived at the sand-hills, which separated the prairie from the beach, -about a half mile from the fort, when the Pottawatomies, instead of -continuing in the rear of the Americans, left the beach and took to the -prairie. The sand-hills intervened and presented a barrier between the -Pottawatomies and the American and Miami line of march. This divergence -had scarcely been effected, when Captain Wells, who, with the Miamies, -was considerably in advance, rode back and exclaimed: - -"They are about to attack us; form instantly and charge upon them." - -The words had scarcely been uttered, before a volley of musketry from -behind the sand-hills was poured in upon them. The troops were brought -immediately into line and charged up the bank. One man, a veteran of -seventy, fell as they ascended. The battle at once became general. The -Miamies fled in the outset. - -The American troops behaved gallantly. Though few in number, they sold -their lives as dearly as possible. While the battle was raging, the -surgeon, Doctor Voorhes, who was badly wounded, and whose horse had been -shot under him, approaching Mrs. Helm, the wife of Lieutenant Helm, -with his face the picture of dread and despair, asked: - -"Do you think they will take our lives? I am badly wounded, but I think -not mortally. Perhaps we can purchase safety by offering a large reward. -Do you think there is any chance?" - -"Doctor Voorhes," the brave little woman answered, "let us not waste the -few moments which yet remain, in idle or ill-founded hopes. Our fate is -inevitable. We must soon appear at the bar of God. Let us make such -preparations as are in our power." - -"Oh, I cannot die! I am unfit to die! If I had a short time to -prepare!--oh, death, how awful!" - -At this moment, Ensign Ronan was fighting at a little distance with a -tall and portly Indian. The former, mortally wounded, was nearly down -and struggling desperately on one knee. Mrs. Helm, pointing her finger -and directing the attention of the doctor to him, cried: - -"Look at that young man; he dies like a soldier!" - -"Yes," said the doctor, "but he has no terrors of the future; he is an -unbeliever." - -A young savage sprang at Mrs. Helm, whose horse had been shot, and -raised his tomahawk to strike her. She instantly sprang aside, and the -blow intended for her head, fell upon her shoulders. She thereupon -seized him around his neck, and, while exerting all her efforts to get -possession of his scalping knife, was seized by another Indian and -dragged forcibly from his grasp. The latter bore her, struggling and -resisting, toward the lake. Notwithstanding, however, the rapidity with -which she was hurried along, she recognized, as she passed, the form of -the unfortunate doctor stretched lifeless on the prairie. She was -plunged into the water and held there, despite her resistance, with a -strong hand. It soon became evident, however, that it was not the -intention of her captor to drown her, as he took care to keep her head -above the water. Thus reassured, she gave him a careful look and -recognized him, despite his disguise, as "Black Partridge, the white -man's friend." It was this friendly savage who had warned Captain Heald -to beware of the march. Through the interpreter he said: - -"Linden birds have been singing in my ears to-day; be careful on the -march you are going to take." - -The troops, having fought with desperation until two-thirds of their -number were slain, the remainder, twenty-seven in all, borne down by an -overwhelming force, and exhausted by efforts hitherto unequaled, at -length surrendered. They stipulated, however, for their own safety and -for the safety of their remaining women and children. The wounded -prisoners, however, in the hurry of the moment were forgotten, and were, -therefore, regarded by the Indians as having been excluded. - -[ILLUSTRATION: IT SOON BECAME EVIDENT THAT HE DID NOT INTEND TO DROWN -HER.] - -One of the soldiers' wives, having been told that prisoners taken by the -Indians were put to terrible tortures, resolved from the first not to -surrender. When a party of savages approached her, she fought with -desperation, although assured of kind treatment, and, exciting the anger -of the Indians, was killed and left on the field. After the surrender, -twelve children in one of the baggage wagons were slain by a -single savage. - -Mrs. Rebecca Heald, the young captain's wife, like Mrs. Helm was mounted -on a horse. She carried a rifle with which she shot a savage dead. -During the massacre, an Indian, with the fury of a demon in his -countenance, advanced to her with his tomahawk raised. She had been -accustomed to danger and, knowing the temper of the Indians, with great -presence of mind, looked him in the face and, smiling, said: - -"Truly, you will not kill a squaw?" - -His arm fell powerless at his side. The conciliating smile of an -innocent female, appealing to the magnanimity of a warrior, reached the -heart of the savage and subdued the barbarity of his soul. - -Captain Heald and his wife, by the aid and influence of To-pa-na-hee -and Kee-po-tah, were put into a bark canoe and paddled by the chief of -the Pottawatomies and his wife to Mackinaw, three hundred miles distant, -along the eastern coast of Lake Michigan, and delivered to the British -commander. They were kindly received and afterward sent as prisoners to -Detroit, where they were finally exchanged. - -Lieutenant Helm was wounded in the action and taken prisoner. He was -afterward taken by some friendly Indians to Au Sable, and from thence -to St. Louis, and was liberated from captivity through the intervention -of Mr. Thomas Forsyth, an Indian trader. Mrs. Helm was slightly wounded -in the ankle, and had her horse shot from under her, when assailed by -the savage from whom Black Partridge rescued her. After passing through -many trying scenes and ordeals, she was finally taken to Detroit and -subsequently joined her husband. The soldiers, with their wives and -children, were dispersed among the Pottawatomies on the Illinois, the -Wabash and the Rock Rivers, and some were taken to Milwaukee. In the -following spring, they were principally collected at Detroit and -ransomed. A part of them, however, remained in captivity another year, -and during that period experienced more kindness than they or their -friends had expected. - -Captain Wells, the intrepid leader of the Miamies, remained with the -Americans after his warriors fled and fell in the massacre. On the spot -where this massacre occurred a little over two generations ago, now -stands a city, whose growth is one of the marvels in the history of the -progress of our great nation within the present century. It is the -centre of a railway system connecting the East with the West by fully -twelve thousand miles of railroad, all tributary to Chicago; and that -city, which was only the germ of a small village fifty years ago, now -has more than a million inhabitants, and is the great grain market of -the western continent. - -On the bloody sands where Captain Heald's small command fought so nobly -is now (1893) being held a great international exposition, the "World's -Columbian Exposition" in celebration of the discovery of the New World -by Columbus. - -Thus far, the war with England had not been encouraging to Americans. -Within two months from the time of this declaration, the whole -northwest, excepting Forts Harrison and Wayne in the Indian Territory, -were in possession of the enemy. Alarm and astonishment prevailed -throughout the West. The great mass of Indians, ever ready to join the -successful party, were flocking to the British; but by the spirited -exertion of the governors of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, three thousand -volunteers were quickly raised and placed under command of General W.H. -Harrison, for the purpose of subduing the Indians and regaining what was -lost at Detroit. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE PEACE PARTY. - -Terrence Malone, with all his frivolity and tendency toward -ludicrousness, had a remarkable amount of shrewdness in his composition. -He was a bold, harum scarum fellow, as liable to pull the beard of a -king, as to kick a pauper. Though he had fared well for an impressed -seaman, Terrence had no love for Great Britain. Like others of his race, -he made a noble American. One can scarcely find, a more patriotic -American than the Irish American, who, driven by tyranny from the land -of his birth, transfers his love to the land of his adoption. America -has never had a war in which the brave sons of the Emerald Isle have not -been found under the star-spangled banner, musket in hand, risking their -lives for their adopted country. - -Young Malone had a double cause to hate England. His father had been -driven from Ireland, when Terrence was but a child, by the tyranny of -the British, and he had been made to give almost four of the best years -of his life to the service of King George. - -In January, 1812, Terrence announced to his father his intention of -going to Washington City. - -"What the divil be ye goin' to Washington City for, me boy?" - -"To see the prisident," was the answer. - -"You'd better be goin' to school, I'm thinkin'." - -"School, father!" said Terrence, with an impatient shrug of his -shoulders. "Faith, don't talk to me of schools and colleges, when it's a -war we are goin' to have, sure. My next school will be breakin' heads." - -"Be the times, you'll have yer own cracked!" - -"Not before I've got even with some of the divilish Britons, methinks." - -"What be ye goin' to see the prisident about?" - -This interview, the reader will bear in mind, was before war had been -declared. - -"I am going to tell Prisident Madison to give Johnny Bull a good -whippin'." - -"Prisident Madison will tell yez to moind yer own business," the -Hibernian answered. - -"We'll see about that!" - -Terrence was determined on making the journey, and he set out next day -by the mail coach for Washington City. Public houses in Washington were -not numerous then, yet there were a few good hotels, and he put up at -the old Continental House. Terrence, with all his reckless impetuosity, -proceeded carefully to his point. Where boldness won success, he was -bold; where caution and prudence were essential to win, he was cautious -and prudent. - -He noticed a door opening into a room from the main corridor, over which -was tacked a strip of white canvas bearing in large black letters -the words: - -"HEADQUARTERS OF THE PEACE PARTY." - -Men were coming and going from this apartment with grave and serious -faces and corrugated brows, as if they had the weight of all the world -on their shoulders. Terrence watched the comers and goers awhile and -then halted a colored chambermaid, and, in an awe-inspiring whisper, -asked who was sick in the room "ferninst." He was told no one. He -thought some one must be dangerously ill, people went in and out so -softly and talked in such low tones; but she assured him it was the room -where the "peace party" met to discuss means to prevent President -Madison and congress from declaring or prosecuting war against Great -Britain. That those men were congressmen or merchants from Boston and -other New England towns, who opposed war. - -Terrence was opposed to peace, and he knew no better way to declare war -than to begin it on the peace party. A bull was never made more furious -at sight of a red flag, than Terrence Malone at the streamer of the -peace party. One who knows what Terrence had suffered cannot blame him. -At the very outset of the war, the government encountered open and -secret, manly and cowardly opposition. The Federalists in congress, who -had opposed the war scheme of the administration from the beginning, -published an address to their constituents in which they set forth the -state of the country at that time, the course of the administration, and -its supporters in congress, and the minority opinion for opposing the -war. This was fair and, if they acted on their convictions and not from -political prejudices, was honorable; but outside and inside of congress -there was a party of politicians composed of Federalists and disaffected -Democrats, organized under the name of the Peace Party, whose object was -to cast obstructions in the way of the prosecution of war, and to compel -the government, by weakening its resources and embarrassing the -operations, to make peace. They tried to derange the public finances, -discredit the faith of the government, prevent enlistment, and in every -way to cripple the administration and bring it into discredit with the -people. It was an unpatriotic and mischievous faction, and the great -leaders of the Federalists, like Mr. Quincy and Mr. Emot, who, when the -war began, lent their aid to the government in its extremity, frowned -upon these real enemies of their country; but the machinations of the -Peace Party continued until the close of the war, and did infinite -mischief unmixed with any good. [Footnote: Lossing's "Our Country," Vol. -V., Page 1203.] - -This was the contemptible Peace Party at whose headquarters Terrence -Malone stood gazing. He determined to venture into the den and see what -it was like. The hour for the opening of congress had arrived, and men -with bundles of papers in their hands and anxious looks on their faces -hurried away to the capitol building. Some were congressmen, but most of -them were New England merchants. Terrence waited until all were gone, -then, as the door of the headquarters stood wide open inviting him to -enter, he walked boldly into the apartment. - -A man about thirty-five, dressed very neatly, with glasses on, was -writing at a table littered with papers. - -"Good morning to yez," said Terrence entering. - -"Good morning, sir," said the writer, giving him a glance and resuming -his writing as if the fate of the nation depended on it. - -"An' so this is the place where ye make peace?" - -"It's the place where we keep peace. It's the place where we oppose the -foolish and suicidal policy of President Madison," was the curt answer. - -"Who are you, misther?" - -"I am Ebenezer Crane, sir, secretary of the Peace Party." - -"Well, Misther Ebenezer Crane," and Terrence glanced at the secretary's -long legs, as if he thought the name no misnomer, "will yez answer me a -few questions?" - -"Certainly," and Mr. Crane threw down his pen, wheeled his chair about -and looked vastly important. "What have you to ask?" - -"Why do you oppose the war?" - -"Why should I favor it?" - -"Don't the government promise protection to its citizens? Is not the -blissed stars and stripes insulted by the British? Have not they set the -murdherin' haythin to killin' innocent women and children on the -frontier, and have they surrendered the posts as they should?" - -Mr. Crane, with one wave of his hand, swept away every objection. - -"That is all nothing!" he cried. - -"Nothing! howly mother, sir! do you call it nothing for Americans to be -knocked down, carried aboard British ships, to be made slaves, to be -flogged until they die, and shot if they object?" - -"Oh, those are all senseless, sensational stories, told for effect." - -"But I say they are true. I have jist returned from nearly four years -service on a British man-o-war." - -"But, sir, we must look to the welfare of our country. What are the -lives of a few sailors--common fellows--compared to the rich commerce -we enjoy with England? The wealthy men of New England would surely be -ruined by war." - -"Ye blackguard! do ye set up the riches of New England against the life -of men because they are poor?" - -"Certainly," answered Mr. Crane, taking a cigar from his case, lighting -it and proceeding to smoke. "What do Drake and Smoot, whom I represent, -care for sailors like yourself? Why, if England wants such wretches, let -her have them. We would sell them by the hundred, if we had our way. -Caleb Strong, William Palmer and Roger Griswold, three of New England's -leaders, will never allow a soldier to march from their states to fight -the English--oh, no!" - -Terrence was now almost beside himself with rage. He vividly recalled -the tyranny of Snipes, and remembered that many of his friends were -still slaves aboard the man-of-war. His cheek flamed, and his eye -flashed. Slowly rising, he said: - -"Do yez set up yer riches aginst the poor lads, better than yerself, -who are dyin' by the hundreds in British slavery? Do ye? Why, ye -spalpeen, ye have no more heart than a stone!" - -"I don't believe your stories in the first place, sir, and I don't care -if they are true in the second. What is the life or happiness of such a -low creature as yourself to the prosperity of Strong, Palmer or -Griswold? I think that impudence has mounted its topmost round, when you -dare enter these headquarters." - -"So yer for peace?" cried Terrence, his eyes dancing. - -"Yes." - -"Well, I'm for war!" and with this he struck Mr. Crane a blow between -his eyes which smashed his glasses, lifted him from the chair and sent -him head first into a waste basket. When Mr. Crane recovered, he was at -a loss for awhile to tell whether the house had fallen upon him, or he -had been struck with a six pounder. Terrence disappeared from the -Continental House, and on the next day applied at the white house to see -the president. - -"The president's engaged," said the servant. Next day, the next, and the -next, he applied for admission and was always met with the same story -that the president was engaged, until Terrence began to believe that the -door of the administration was closed to him, while he saw members of -congress constantly admitted to the inaccessible man. - -At last, a gentleman who had witnessed his frequent calls, suggested -that he send his card. The Irishman wrote: - -"Terrence Malone, Irish American, late impressed seaman on H.B.M. ship -_Macedonian_." - -President Madison read the card and appointed a meeting with Terrence, -and at the hour appointed the Irishman was at the white house. A servant -told him he would have to wait a few moments until Mr. Clay and Mr. -Calhoun had finished a discussion with the president. Madison finally -decided to have these young members of the house hear the Irishman's -story, and he was sent for. Terrence found himself in the presence of -two of America's greatest statesmen, Clay and Calhoun. - -"Are you the prisident?" he asked of Mr. Madison. - -"Yes, sir; these are our friends, Mr. Henry Clay, speaker of the house, -and Mr. John C. Calhoun." - -"Are you for war or peace?" asked Terrence. - -Mr. Madison, smiling, assured him they would much prefer peace, if it -could be obtained honorably, but that Great Britain would have to make -amends for some of the wrongs she had committed. He urged Terrence to -give a detailed account of his impressment and captivity. He did so, -omitting nothing from the time he was captured on the schooner bound to -Baltimore to his escape. He was summoned a day or two later before a -committee of investigation, and narrated the story in all its -horrid details. - -[Illustration: HENRY CLAY.] - -The indignation against the Peace Party, who, in the face of all the -evidence, would protest against war, was scarcely less than the -indignation against Great Britain. The governor of Massachusetts (Caleb -Strong), of New Hampshire (William Plumer) and of Connecticut (Roger -Griswold), refused to allow the militia of their respective States to -march to the northern frontier on the requisition of the president of -the United States. They justified their course with the plea that such a -requisition was unconstitutional, and that the war was unnecessary. - -Terrence had frequent interviews with the president. His audacity and -his intense zeal won the admiration of President Madison and his -cabinet, as well as many congressmen. One day, while waiting in the -anteroom, he noticed a man whose features were evidently Hibernian. - -"Do yez want to see the prisident?" asked Terrence. - -"To be sure; but I've waited long," he answered, with just the least -brogue in his speech. - -[Illustration: JOHN C. CALHOUN.] - -"Are ye fer war or peace?" asked Terrence, leading the stranger into a -far corner. The stranger looked the young Hibernian in the face for a -moment and answered: - -"I am not an American; but if President Madison knew what I have to say, -he'd give me an attentive ear." - -Terrence was shrewd enough to read the face of the stranger, and he knew -he had something of great importance to communicate. - -"Do yez want to see the prisident, really?" asked young Malone. - -"Certainly, I do." - -"Lave it all to me," the Irishman answered. Then he explained that he -was on the best of terms with President Madison and could get the ear of -the president, when an audience would be denied everybody else. He urged -the stranger to give him an intimation of his business with Mr. Madison. -One Irishman will nearly always trust another, so the two Hibernians -repaired to a hotel and, in a close room, the stranger told Terrence -that his name was John Henry, and that he had lived for several years in -Canada. He told Terrence a story of the perfidy and treason of New -Englanders; which produced many uncomplimentary ejaculations from the -young Irishman. - -Terrence at once sent a note to President Madison, in which he hinted -that he had new and strange developments to make. Madison again admitted -Terrence, and they arranged for a meeting between the president and Mr. -John Henry, who had a letter from Mr. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts. - -[Illustration: "IT ALL TO ME."] - -Late on a stormy night in February, 1812, Terrence conducted Henry to -the mansion of President Madison. But little was done at this first -meeting. Henry said he had some secrets to divulge which were of very -great importance to the people of the United States. An interview was -arranged for the next evening. Again Terrence conducted Henry to the -president's mansion. - -On the way he said: - -"Say what you say for war. I want to meet Captain Snipes on say or -shore." - -When they were closeted in the president's private office, Mr. Madison -asked: - -"Now, sir, who are you, and what is your business?" - -"I'm John Henry, an Irishman, sir," said Henry. "And I want to tell you -that for two years efforts have been in progress on the part of British -authorities in Canada, sanctioned by the home government, to effect a -separation of the eastern States from the Union, and attach them to -Great Britain." - -"Can that be possible?" cried the president. It was no news to him; for -he had heard the rumor before; yet he had always regarded it as -groundless;--at least he had doubted the disloyalty of his opponents -in the East. - -"It is every word true, Mr. President, and I have the very best proof in -the world of it." - -"What proofs have you?" - -"Can I speak freely?" - -"Certainly." - -"Without danger of arrest or imprisonment?" - -"You can." - -With this assurance, Henry said: - -"I was in the employ of Sir James Craig, governor-general of Canada, in -1809, as a British spy to visit Boston and ascertain the temper of the -people of New England." - -"You did so?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"What was the temper of the people of New England?" - -"At that time, sir, they seemed to be in a state of incipient rebellion, -because of the passage of the embargo act. I was satisfied that the New -Englanders were ripe for revolt and separation." - -"Well, was any action taken on your report?" asked the president. - -"No, sir. My performances in the matter so pleased Sir James, that he -promised to give me lucrative employment in the colonial government; but -I waited and waited for the fulfillment of that promise, and in the -meanwhile Sir James died. I went to England last year to seek -remuneration for my services from the home government. I was flattered -and cajoled for awhile, and introduced into the highest circles of -society; but what did I want of society? I wanted money, and money I -must have." - -"Did they not pay you?" - -"Not a cent." - -"What did you ask?" - -"I demanded thirty thousand pounds sterling and not a farthing less. I -had done the odious duty of a spy for my government. I had risked my -fortune, my liberty and my life in the service of England, and she -requited me with empty promises." - -"They made you no offers?" - -"None. I offered to take a lucrative position in Canada." - -"And they offered you none?" - -"No. At last they seemed to grow weary with my demands, and hinted very -strongly that the disaffection in New England toward the government of -the United States was nothing more serious than a local partisan -feeling, and, as a polite way of dismissing me and getting rid of my -demand, they referred me to Sir George Prevost, the successor of Sir -James Craig." - -"And have you called on Sir George?" asked Mr. Madison, coolly. - -"No, sir; I have had enough of their delaying and dallying, and instead -of sailing for Quebec, I sailed for Boston, determined, if the -government of the United States would pay me for it, to divulge the -whole secret of British perfidy to this government." - -"We'll pay ye, won't we, Misther Madison?" put in Terrence, with his -characteristic impertinence. - -"What proofs have you of the perfidy of Great Britain?" asked the -president. - -"I have letters, sir, and official documents which would make any -honorable man blush." - -"No doubt of it, yer honor," put in Terrence. - -"Have you those papers with you, Mr. Henry?" asked the careful -president. - -"Some of them." - -"Will you produce them, so I may judge what they are?" - -"Yes, the prisident and mesilf want to get a squint at the dockymints," -put in Terrence. - -The very impertinence of Terrence was his success. Mr. Madison could not -repress a smile. - -Henry laid before the president the strong documentary evidence, which -clearly proved that Great Britain, while indulging in the most friendly -expressions toward the United States, and negotiating treaties, was -secretly engaged in efforts to destroy the young republic of the West, -by fomenting disaffection toward it among a portion of the people, and -intriguing with disaffected politicians with an expectation, with the -aid of British arms, to be able to separate New England from the Union -and re-annex that territory to the British dominions. - -Madison, who was just about to declare war against Great Britain, was -well satisfied of the importance of Henry's disclosures. Examining them -carefully, he asked: - -"What do you ask for these papers?" - -"Lave that all to me, Misther Madison," said Terrence with an -earnestness which caused the grave Mr. Madison to smile; but Mr. Madison -was not inclined to leave so important a matter with Terrence. He again -asked Henry how much he asked for those papers. - -"I want one hundred thousand dollars." - -"It's too much, Misther Madison; we can't give it," declared Terrence. - -Madison, glancing at the impetuous Irishman, said that he could not pass -on such an important matter without consulting his cabinet and taking -their advice in the matter, and consequently he dismissed his visitors -for the present, assuring Mr. Henry that he would give the matter of -purchasing his documents serious consideration, and in the course of -three or four days at most hold another conference with them. The secret -service fund was at the disposal of the president, and he determined to -purchase the documents with this fund, if his cabinet would so advise. -The advice was given, and he sent a proposition to Henry, offering him -fifty thousand dollars for his documents, which consisted chiefly of the -correspondence of the parties to the affair in this country and -in England. - -Henry accepted the offer and was paid the sum for his papers. - -Terrence obtained an interview with the president and said: - -"Misther Madison, why the divil did yez pay him such a price? If ye'd -'a' left it all to me, I'd won the papers in three games of poker." - -The president thanked him and assured him that the government of the -United States could well afford to purchase such valuable documents. - -"And now, Misther Madison, I am about to lave ye for awhile," said -Terrence, "and I want to ask ye a very important question!" - -"What is it?" - -"Mind ye, if ye say yes, I'm goin' to stand by ye through thick and -thin." Mr. Madison assured him that his time was very much taken up, and -begged that he would be as brief as possible. - -"Are ye going to declare war, Misther Madison? Now ye needn't do any of -the fighting yersilf. All I ask is that ye just turn me loose. I've got -a frind, poor Sukey, who is still on board the English ship, and I just -want permission to go and bring him back." - -President Madison assured him that the public would be notified in due -time what course the administration would pursue, and that it was his -intention to maintain the honor and dignity of the nation to the last -extremity. - -Terrence left the president and went over to the Continental House to -see how Mr. Crane, the worthy secretary, looked with a rotten apple -bandaged over each eye. Terrence was arrested for assault and battery, -plead guilty, and the patriotic Democrats took up a collection and -paid his fine. - -The disclosures of the documents procured from Henry, when made public, -intensified the indignation of the Americans against Great Britain. The -inhabitants of New England were annoyed by the implied disparagement of -the patriotism of their section of the Union. Both parties tried to make -political capital out of the affair. The Democrats vehemently reiterated -the charge that the Federalists were a "British party" and -"disunionists," while the opposition declared it was only a political -move of the administration to damage their party, insure the re-election -of Madison in the Autumn of 1812, and offer an excuse for the war. The -acrimony caused by these partisan feelings was at its height, when the -New England governors refused to send their militia to the frontier; and -the British government, in declaring the blockade of the American coast, -discriminated in favor of that section. That the British, mistaking -partisan feeling for unpatriotic disaffection, hoped to carry out their -plan for disunion, there is no doubt; but the suspicion that the New -England people contemplated disunion and annexation to the English -colonies was probably without foundation. - -Terrence Malone remained in Washington City during the fierce contest -between the Peace Party and the War Party. He was a constant thorn in -the side of the peace faction, and more than once came to blows with -some of the members. When war was declared, he sent the word to -president that he was ready to set out at once, and shortly after took -command of a privateer, which his father fitted out. - -While New England was halting in its support of the war, the people of -the South and West were alive with enthusiasm in favor of prosecuting it -with sharp and decisive vigor. They had already suffered much from the -Indians under British control, and the massacre at Chicago kindled a -flame of indignation not easily to be controlled by prudence. - -The government resolved to retrieve the disaster at Detroit, by an -invasion of Canada on the Niagara frontier. For this purpose, a -requisition was made upon the governor of New York for the militia of -that State. He patriotically responded to the call, and Stephen Van -Rensselaer, the last of the Patroons and a patriotic Federalist retired -from public life, was commissioned a major-general and placed in command -of the militia. The forces were concentrated at Lewiston on the Niagara -River, Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain, and at Greenebush, -opposite Albany. - -The British had, meanwhile, assembled a considerable force on Queenstown -Heights, opposite Lewiston. At midsummer, hostile demonstrations had -been made on Lake Ontario and on the St. Lawrence frontier. Both parties -early sought to get control of those waters, and the preparation of -armed vessels on them was vigorously begun. - -An armistice was concluded by General Dearborn. This armistice enabled -Brock to concentrate forces at Detroit and compel Hull to surrender. - -On the morning of the 13th of October, just after a heavy storm, Colonel -Soloman Van Rensselaer passed over the river near Lewiston with less -than three hundred men. They routed the British there, who fled toward -Lewiston pursued by Captain John E. Wool, who, though wounded, did not -relinquish the pursuit. - -General Brock and his staff at Fort George hastened to the scene, but -were compelled to fly, not having time even to mount their horses. In a -few minutes, the American flag was waving over the fort. - -Brock rallied his forces and, with fresh troops, pressed up the hill -after the Americans, but, after a terrible struggle, was driven back and -mortally wounded. General Sheaffe, who succeeded Brock, rallied the -troops. Only two hundred and forty Americans were on the heights. -Lieutenant-Colonel (afterward Major-General) Winfield Scott had passed -over the river to act as a volunteer. At request of General Wadsworth he -took active command. The Americans, reinforced to six hundred, were -assailed by a horde of Indians under John Brandt. Scott led a charge -against them and drove them to the woods; but overwhelming forces of -British poured in on the Americans, and Van Rensselaer, who had gone to -send over militia, found they would not cross the river, their excuse -being that they were not compelled to serve out of their own State. - -Overwhelming numbers compelled the Americans to surrender. All the -prisoners were marched to New Ark, where Scott came near having an -encounter with two Indian chiefs. - -On the 13th of October, 1812, the Americans lost, in killed, wounded and -prisoners, about eleven hundred men. General Van Rensselaer left the -service in disgust and was succeeded by Alexander Smythe of Virginia, -who accomplished nothing of importance during the remainder of the -season. The situation of the Americans at the close of 1812 was this: -The army of the northwest was occupying a defensive position among the -snows of the wilderness on the banks of the Maumee River; the army of -the centre, under General Smythe, was resting on the defensive on the -Niagara frontier, and the army of the north, under General Bloomfield, -was also resting on the defensive at Plattsburgh. - -So far, the advantages had been altogether with the enemy, who were no -more gratified than the Peace Party, with their excellent excuse for -saying, "I told you so!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -FERNANDO SEES SERVICE. - -The trump of war stirred two passions in the heart of Fernando Stevens, -revenge and patriotism. One was a noble and the other a very human but -ignoble passion; but Fernando was only a common mortal with mortal -weaknesses. When he reflected on the wrongs he had suffered; when he -remembered the death of poor Boseley, slain to gratify the malice of -Captain Snipes, and poor Sukey still the slave of the British monarch, -he could not be other than revengeful. - -"Mother," he said one day, shortly after they had heard of war. "I am -going to enter the army." - -The mother, who was plying her needle, sat for several moments in -silence. She was not surprised at the declaration. For several days, she -had watched her son with the care and anxiety of a mother. She had noted -that he read the papers regularly. He pored over any news which hinted -of war and was an eager listener to the latest rumor which his father -brought from town. The parents had talked the matter over frequently, -and Captain Stevens, himself a veteran, said: - -"I can't blame him; no, I can't blame him. Poor boy, he has suffered -enough to know the wrongs done to our flag." - -"But would it be for the flag, or revenge?" said the mother. - -"Both," answered the practical father. "He is only human, wife, and -human hearts can't endure what he endured without human resentment." - -The mother hoped it was more patriotism than revenge, for she was a -Christian lady, and while war might be proper, even for Christian -people, she thought it should be purely a conflict of principle and not -of revenge. - -"Fernando," said the mother laying aside her knitting and taking off her -glasses and wiping them, "do you really mean to go?" - -"Yes, mother. My country needs my services. There are thousands of -unfortunate Americans, still in bondage. I seem to hear their pitiful -cries calling on their country to send brave men to their rescue." - -"I have expected this," sighed Mrs. Stevens, and tears gathered in her -eyes. - -"Mother, would you have me stay?" - -It was hard for a mother to say it; but she had to do so. She was -patriotic, and she answered: - -"No." - -"Then I will go." - -"When?" - -"They are beating up for volunteers at town, and I am going there to -enlist in a day or two. First I must help father drain the flat and -clear off a few timber patches." - -It soon became rumored all over the neighborhood that Fernando was going -to enlist. Many friends came to see him, bid him good-by and wish him -God-speed. The day before he went away, he was chopping wood, when he -saw a large man riding a large bay mare followed by a large colt, cross -the old bridge a few hundred paces below and ascend the hill toward the -house. The visitor was Mr. Winners. He had grown older and stouter, and -the mare was older and heavier, and this was her fourth colt since he -had come over to talk with his neighbor about sending his son to college -with Fernando. The kind, good face of the old farmer expressed sadness, -and his eye, always dull, seemed melancholy. - -He rode slowly up the hill to where Fernando was chopping wood. Fernando -saw him coming and laid down his axe, for it was quite evident that Mr. -Winners wanted to speak with him. The old man, drawing rein close by -Fernando, said: - -"Mornin', Fernando, how's all?" - -"We are all well, Mr. Winners. How are yourself and family?" - -"Oh, we are just middlin' like." - -"Won't you alight and come into the house?" - -"No; I ain't got time, Fernando. I just came to see you, that's all. -Fernando, I hear as how you're goin' t' ther war." - -"I am, Mr. Winners. I am a young man with no wife or children. My -country just now stands in need of young men." - -"Ya-as, it does, an' I don't come t' blame ye for it,--mind ye, I don't -blame ye fur it. I'm sometimes tempted to go myself, old as I am." - -"No, no, Mr. Winners, there is no occasion. Let the younger men do the -service." - -"I don't blame ye, for goin', Fernando; but I hope ye won't furgit one -thing." - -"What?" - -"My Sukey's on t'other side. Now that fightin's begun, he'll have to -light his own flag; but he won't do it with a very good grace, lem me -tell ye. No, he won't. Now, Fernando, I don't want to ask ye to ease -down on the British a bit; but when ye come to the crowd that Sukey's -with, won't ye kind a shoot easy?" - -Fernando promised to do all he could to aid Sukey to escape, and assured -him that, when once he was free, the cruel masters should pay for their -tyranny. The old man seemed partially satisfied, and, as he rode away, -he twisted himself half way round in the saddle to say: - -"Now, Fernando, if ye meet Sukey's crowd, I want ye to remember to shoot -easy." - -"I will not harm Sukey, if I can help it," Fernando answered. Next -morning, he bade his parents farewell and, with his clothes tied up in a -little bundle, set out on his way to the town. - -A flag was streaming from a long pole, and Fernando heard the roll of -the drum and the shrill notes of a fife. The company was more than half -made up when he arrived. He enlisted at once and four days later the -company was ready to march. - -As yet the armies of the United States were not organized, and for some -time Captain George Rose was at a loss what to do with his volunteers. -They were riflemen, ready for any detached service to which they might -be assigned. The militia forces raised were, of course, to serve in -their own respective States; but the volunteers were allowed to attach -to any regiment they chose. For some time, it was doubtful whether -Captain Rose would be sent West under Hull and Harrison, or to the North -to act under General Jacob Brown. - -The latter course was at last decided upon, and they hurried to the -northern frontier of New York. But small preparations had been made for -the defence of this portion of the frontier. From Oswego to Lake St. -Francis, an expansion of the St. Lawrence, General Brown's forces were -scattered. The length of this territory was about two hundred miles. -There was only one American war-vessel (the _Oneida_) on Lake Ontario. -This was commanded by Lieutenant Melancthon Woolsey; while the British, -in anticipation of difficulties, had built at Kingston, at the foot of -the lake, a small squadron of light vessels-of-war. Brown and Woolsey -were authorized to defend the frontier from invasion, but not to act on -the offensive except in certain emergencies. - -About the 20th of July, Fernando's company joined the regiment of -Colonel Bellinger at Sackett's Harbor, at the eastern end of Lake -Ontario. Nine days later, the British squadron composed of the _Royal -George_, 24 guns, _Prince Regent_, 22 guns, _Earl of Moira_, 20 guns, -_Simcoe_, 12 guns, and _Seneca_, 4 guns, appeared and bore down on the -American forces there. Fernando was sleeping when the discovery was -made, but was soon roused and saw soldiers hauling in the _Oneida_ so as -to lay her broadside to the approaching enemy. Colonel Bellinger's -militia were many of them raw recruits, and the approach of a fleet -unnerved a few of them; but the majority were cool as veterans. - -"Take that thirty-two pound gun up on the bluff," commanded the -colonel, pointing out an old iron cannon down by the shore. - -Fernando assisted them to drag it to the rocky bluff, and the whole -battery was placed in charge of Captain Vaughn, a sailing master in the -navy. Slowly the fleet bore in, the _Royal George_, having the heaviest -guns, coming ahead of the others. A wreath of smoke curled up from her -forecastle, and a ball, skipping over the water, struck the sandy beach. - -Captain Rose and his company of riflemen took up their station on the -high bluff, where, should the troops attempt to land, they might do -effective work. Fernando had been promoted to sergeant in the company -and was quite popular with both officers and men. - -For two hours, a cannonade between the _Royal George_ and the big guns -on shore was kept up, with very little effect, when a 32 pound ball from -the former came over the bluff and ploughed a furrow near where the -riflemen were standing. Fernando ran and caught up the ball and, running -with it to Captain Vaughn, said: - -"Captain Vaughn, I've been playing ball with the redcoats, and I have -caught them out." - -"That will just fit our gun," said the captain. "Hand it to the gunner." - -Fernando did so. The gunner said: - -"Captain, it fits better than our own balls. The shot we have been -firing were all too small." - -"Send it back to them," said Captain Vaughn. - -The gun was trained and fired. The heavy boom rang out over the bluffs -and water. The ball went through the _Royal George_ from stern to stem, -sending splinters as high as her mizzen topsail yard, killing fourteen -men and wounding eighteen. - -This ended the bombardment. The squadron, alarmed, sailed out of the -harbor. - -Eight merchant schooners were at Ogdensburg, being converted into -American war vessels, and, immediately after being repulsed at Sackett's -Harbor, two of the British armed vessels started to Ogdensburg to -destroy them. The American schooner _Julia_ was armed and, with sixty -volunteers from the _Oneida_ and Fernando's company of riflemen in a -boat, set out to overtake the British. They caught up with them among -the Thousand Islands, on the 31st of July, fought for three hours with -the enemy, and then, in the shadows of an intensely dark night, relieved -occasionally by flashes of lightning, reached Ogdensburg in safety -before morning. - -During the armistice which was granted shortly after this, the _Julia_ -and her consort and the six schooners made their way to the lake, where -the latter were converted into vessels-of-war. - -On the 8th of November, Chauncey appeared in those waters with a fleet -of seven armed war-schooners and, after a short cruise, disabled the -_Royal George_ and blockaded the British harbor of Kingston. Fernando, -meanwhile, was at Ogdensburg under General Brown, who had about fifteen -hundred troops, including the militia. On the 1st of October, the very -day of General Brown's arrival, a large flotilla of British bateaux, -escorted by a gun-boat, appeared at Prescott, on the opposite side of -the river. This flotilla contained armed men, who, on the 4th of -October, attempted to cross the river and attack Ogdensburg, but were -repulsed by the Americans. Eight days later, Fernando was with Major -G.D. Young when he captured a large portion of a British detachment at -St. Regis, an Indian village on the line between the United States and -Canada. Fernando was close at the side of Lieutenant William L. Marcy -(afterward governor of New York), when he captured a British flag, the -first trophy of the kind taken on land in the war. - -While lying at Ogdensburg, Fernando heard of the daring feat of -Lieutenant Jesse Elliott, who, with a picked party of seamen and -riflemen, had at Black Rock, under the British heavy guns, captured the -war-schooner _Caledonia_ and burned the _Detroit_. While these many -stories of the bravery of Americans were thrilling the hearts of -patriots, the cowardice of the pompous General Smythe at Buffalo caused -much ridicule and humiliation. - -Despite all his boasts and threats to invade Canada, he remained on -American soil. He was finally dismissed from the service, and, in a -petition to congress to reinstate him, he prayed for permission to "die -for his country." His petition excited much ridicule, and, at a public -celebration of Washington's birthday, a wit proposed the following: - -"General Smythe's petition to congress to die for his country. May it be -ordered that the prayer of said petition be granted!" - -Early in January, 1813, Fernando Stevens' company, being Ohio -volunteers, was for some reason, he never knew what, transferred to the -army of the West. General William H. Harrison had succeeded Hull in -command of this army. Historians do not accord to General Harrison the -distinction of greatness, though he was one of the successful generals -of the last war with England. It was under him that first victories were -gained over the British in the Northwest. Though his name goes down to -posterity connected with the battle of the Thames, Colonel Richard M. -Johnson was the real hero of that conflict. Johnson's Kentucky riflemen -fought and won the battle, though Harrison received the credit. Harrison -was even more honorably remembered for his Indian wars, and, as the hero -of Tippecanoe, gained a fast hold on the public heart; but Tippecanoe -was only a skirmish and, viewed in the light of a battle, could hardly -be considered a great victory. The American losses were probably as -great, if not greater than the Indians, and it was only an accident that -Harrison was not surprised. Tippecanoe was fought by the soldiers, and -to their coolness and courage belonged the victory. Critically speaking, -General Harrison was inferior in military genius to both Jackson and -Brown. He wanted the terrible energy, the almost reckless bravery which -characterized these two leaders. He belonged to a different school -altogether. His was a policy of Fabius rather than of Marcellus, and -this not from necessity but for choice. The bent of his mind was to be -prudent, economic of means, willing to listen to advice, a very -excellent qualification for a general or a statesman. - -The dispute between Harrison and Winchester had been settled before -Captain Rose with his company reached the army and joined General -Winchester, then on his march to the Raisin, January 21, 1813. As -Winchester's volunteers were mostly Kentuckians, Fernando found many -friends among them. Some had formerly lived in Ohio. On the same -evening, they reached Frenchtown, where they found Colonel Lewis, who, -with Allen and six hundred men, had defeated and routed a force of -British and Indians under Major Reynolds. - -The troops were in the highest spirits, and all were anxious to press on -to drive General Proctor from Malden. - -The day had been cold, and Fernando was wearied with long marches -through snow, ice and mud. The ground was covered with snow which had -but a thin frozen crust over it, and the soldiers frequently broke -through, especially in the swampy regions they crossed. Their second -lieutenant was sick; the first lieutenant, being wounded, was left -behind, and the management of the company fell upon Captain Rose and his -orderly sergeant, Fernando Stevens. - -Captain Rose, though a brave man, loved his ease and comfort, so the -most irksome duty fell upon the orderly. He saw that quarters as -comfortable as were possible were made for the men. Boards, canvas, -brush and everything possible to make a shelter were provided. The -wintry sky was clear, and when night came on the stars came out one by -one. The moon shone on the snow-covered earth, so soon to be crimsoned -with patriotic blood. - -Fernando Stevens and Captain Rose were quartered in an old shed -building, with a roaring fire in the broad fireplace. Their quarters -were quite comfortable, and, after having made all the necessary -arrangements for the company's comfort, Fernando partook of a light -supper and, wrapping himself in a blanket, lay down on the left side of -the broad fireplace to sleep. Corporal Mott entered and told Captain -Rose, who sat smoking his pipe, that Colonels Wells and Lewis were -having some trouble about their positions. - -"Why should they quarrel over that?" asked Captain Rose taking his pipe -from his mouth. - -"Wells, who is colonel of regulars, claims to outrank Lewis, and demands -to be posted on the right." - -"That's in an open field." - -"Yes; Lewis thinks that, in case of an attack, Wells should be posted in -some gardens on the left." - -"Lewis knows more about it than Wells or Winchester either," growled -Captain Rose. - -"Yes; but Winchester decided in favor of Wells. There is also a rumor -that Proctor is on his way from Malden to attack us." - -"I hope it is so," said Captain Rose. "If he will come here and take his -whipping like a man, it will save us going to Malden to give it to him." - -Then they wondered what General Harrison was doing and when they would -join him; but Fernando left off listening to their conversation and -gazed into the glowing fire before which he lay stretched on -his blanket. - -His mind was busy with his own sad life. All through the long years of -trying events, he had never forgotten Morgianna. Her sweet face had -haunted him while a slave on the British war-ship. In the camp, or on -the battle field, she was ever near him. A thousand times he had said -to himself: - -"Oh, why can I not forget her? Morgianna is nothing to me. No doubt, -long ere this she has married Lieutenant Matson and is happy. May God -bless her in her happiness, and may Heaven spare her husband." - -It never once entered his mind that she could possibly care for him. She -had been so cool, so careless, and seemed so unconcerned on the night of -their parting, that he thought she must be glad that he was away and had -ceased to annoy her. - -Yet her face, as he remembered it that night, lying gazing into the -fire, half asleep and half awake, was lovely, and she was blameless. To -him, she was a goddess to be worshipped, one incapable of wrong. If she -had rejected him, it was right. If she had loved the lieutenant, it was -perfectly right; yet he could not crush her image out of his heart. It -was indelibly stamped there, and had become a part of his existence. - -The bleak northeast wind swept through the woods and howled about the -rude shanty, rattling the boards and causing the sentries to shiver, as -they drew their cloaks about their shoulders. Fernando felt almost -comfortable in this retreat, and the fire burned low, still giving out a -generous heat. - -Two officers from another company came to their quarters, and the last -Fernando remembered was hearing them talking of the disposition of the -troops and the probability of meeting the enemy and sharing the glory -which Lewis and Allen had won but three days before. - -Their voices were low and indistinct and finally became mingled with his -dreams of the past, forming a mass of events, sights and sounds which at -first had no meaning. At last the scene changed. The officers ceased -talking, the firelight disappeared, and his dreaming fancy, which had -been struggling with these realities, was freed to take what course -it chose. - -He was once more on the sands of Mariana. He saw the great white stone -house on the hill and the form of Morgianna descending toward the -seashore. He knew he had been gone for years, was conscious that their -parting had been unpleasant, and yet her appearance seemed to inspire -his heart with hope. The sun's golden rays fell upon the bright, -fairy-like being as, with a glad smile she hastened toward him. - -"You have come at last," she said, with a happy smile. "I have waited so -long, oh, so long, that I feared you would never come." - -"Morgianna!" he cried, starting forward and clasping her in his arms. -"Are you pleased to see me?" - -"I am happy, Fernando, oh, so happy----" - -Then he was partially awakened by some one throwing logs of wood on the -fire, and he had an indistinct impression of hearing a soldier say: - -"It's four o'clock and has begun to snow a little. We'll have it cold as -blazes by morning." - -As the fire roared, and the wind whistled about their miserable -barracks, he sank away into dreamland again. He had hardly been -sufficiently awakened to break the thread of his dreams. His mind -however was disturbed by the entrance of the officer, and though he -wooed back the gentle dream, it had lost much of its charm and -brightness. - -He saw Morgianna no longer wreathed in sweet smiles; her face was -expressive of distress and agony. The joy and sunlight had given place -to sorrow and gloom. What had occasioned this change? - -"Morgianna, do you not love me?" - -She bowed her head and wept. - -"What is amiss?" - -She pointed to her once beautiful home, and he discovered that it was in -flames. Painted demons, whose yells seemed to make the earthquake, were -dancing about the blazing, crackling building. Then wild cheers came -from the ocean, with the boom of a cannon. - -He saw British marines, headed by Captain Snipes and Lieutenant Matson, -leap from boats and rush toward them as they stood on the beach. - -"Fly! Morgianna, fly!" he cried. - -She turned to run, and Fernando, all unarmed as he was, wheeled to face -the foe. Suddenly there came a rattling crash of firearms. He saw -Morgianna throw up her arms, and he sprang toward her, as she fell -bleeding at his feet. He uttered a cry of horror and became conscious of -some one shaking his shoulder. - -"Wake up, for Heaven sake, awake! we are attacked!" cried the voice of -Captain Rose. - -On his ear, there still came a confused noise of cries, shouts, reports -of firearms and boom of artillery. - -"Sergeant Stevens, awake!" - -He sprang to his feet and seized his rifle. The roaring of the battle -could be plainly heard, and a cannon-ball came crashing through the top -of their miserable shanty. - -They leaped out to find all in utter confusion. General Winchester, who, -despite his faults, was no coward, was mounted on his horse rallying his -men at every point. Wells was forming on the open fields, and Lewis, in -a very disadvantageous position, was making a strong fight. It was -scarcely daylight yet. The air was sharp and frosty; but the snow had -ceased falling. Day was dawning; but in the deeper shadows of the wood -the night lingered in patches. - -From the forest came those streams of fire, those storms of grape-shot -and the yells of savage demons. A bombshell came screaming through the -air and fell into one of the shanties, exploding and scattering the -loose boards in every direction. - -"Who has attacked us?" some of the officers asked Winchester. - -"Proctor from Malden," was the answer. - -It was just as day began to dawn, that Proctor, with his combined force -of British, Canadians and Indians, attacked the Americans, while -Fernando was still lost in the mazes of a troubled dream. With his right -covered with artillery, and his flanks with marksmen, Proctor advanced -at first gallantly; but when he approached within musket-shot of the -pickets, he was met by such a galling and incessant fire, that the -centre of his army fell back in confusion. On the left, however, he was -more successful. Perceiving the exposed situation of the detachment -under Wells, Proctor hastened to concentrate all his forces against it. -A furious conflict ensued on this part of the field. Sharp and rapid -volleys followed in quick succession from either side, while high and -clear above the terrible din of battle, rose the war-whoop of savages -and the wild cheers of the Kentuckians. That little band, unprotected as -it was, could not long hold out against overwhelming numbers. The sun -rose over the bleak woods, and, after a short fight of twenty minutes, -Winchester ordered Wells to fall back and gain the enclosures of Lewis. - -At the first symptom of retreat, the enemy redoubled their exertions and -pressed so obstinately on the Americans, that the little line was soon -thrown into disorder. A panic seized the Kentuckians, who had just -defended themselves so bravely, and mistaking the command to fall back, -for directions to retreat, they rushed to the river, which they crossed -on the ice, and began to fly through the woods, in the direction of the -Maumee Rapids. Exhilarated by victory, the British gave pursuit, the -chase being led by the savages, who tasted, in anticipation, the blood -of the fugitives. In vain Winchester, riding among the men, endeavored -to rally them; in vain Colonels Lewis and Allen, hurrying from their -enclosures with a company of fifty men each, struggled to check the -torrent of defeat. Nothing would avail. Allen fell, bravely fighting in -the desperate attempt; while Winchester, with Lewis and other officers -were taken prisoners. The rout now became a massacre. The Indians, like -hungry tigers, pursued the soldiers and brought them down with rifle or -tomahawk. Of the whole of that chivalrous band which had left the Raisin -with Winchester two days before, all were slaughtered except forty who -were taken prisoners and twenty-eight who escaped. The troops at -Frenchtown, about six hundred able-bodied men, surrendered. Sixty-four -wounded prisoners were burned in a house. - -Why dwell on the horrors of the River Raisin? They are matters of -history which had better be forgotten than remembered. Fernando Stevens' -company did excellent work until the retreat began. Captain Rose, with -his sharpshooters, sought to cover the retreat of the Americans, but -discovered that they were about to be flanked. - -"Sergeant, Sergeant!" cried Captain Rose, "we must fly!" - -The two officers were almost alone on the field; but, taking to their -heels, they soon outstripped three big Indians who were trying to head -them off. Fernando shot one of the savages with his pistol and, dodging -the hatchets which the others threw at him, charged them with his -clubbed rifle and knocked one down. The other fled. Fernando did not -attempt to pursue him, but flew as fast as his legs could carry him to -the river. - -He had reached the middle of the frozen stream, which was covered with -ghastly forms, when Captain Rose suddenly clasped his hand to his side -and uttered a groan. - -"Captain, are you hit?" he asked. - -Captain Rose made no answer, but turned partially around. His eyes were -closed; his jaw fell, and Fernando saw he was sinking. He caught him in -his arms; but Captain Rose was dead before he touched the ice. - -There was no time to waste with dead friends, and Fernando fled to the -wood beyond. - -For a long time, the Indians were close at his heels. Once they were so -near that he heard a tomahawk as it came fluttering through the air past -his head. Then the sounds of pursuit grew less, and at last he found -himself alone on a hill. Three Indians were following on his trail, and -he concealed himself behind a tree until they were within range of his -rifle, and then fired. - -One of them fell, and his companions ran away. - -Fernando continued his flight until nearly night, when he fell in with -four Kentuckians, who had escaped the massacre, and they proceeded to -the Maumee Rapids, where General Harrison was building Fort Meigs. - -Fernando was in the fort when it was besieged several weeks later by -Proctor and Tecumseh with fully two thousand men. General Clay coming to -his assistance on the 5th of May, Proctor retreated. - -Colonel Dudley made a sortie from Fort Meigs on the same day and was -drawn into an ambuscade. He was mortally wounded and lost six hundred -and fifty men. - -Mr. Madison, who had been re-elected president of the United States, -showed a disposition to prosecute the war with great vigor. While the -success of the Americans on land was not very encouraging, to the -surprise of everybody, their greatest achievements were on water. -England's boasted navies seemed to have become second to the American -war-vessels. On Lake Erie, Commodore Oliver Perry, in command of an -inferior fleet, had won a signal victory over Commodore Barclay after a -long and hotly contested battle. There has never been such a remarkable -naval victory on fresh water. Perry's famous dispatch to General -Harrison, "We have met the enemy and they are ours," has become -a proverb. - -Shortly after the repulse of Proctor, Fernando, who had taken a place in -another company, was sent to Fort Stephenson, then commanded by Major -George Croghan, a regular army officer only twenty-one years of age. -Proctor's dusky allies marched across the country to assist the British -in the siege of the fort; and when, on the afternoon of the 31st, the -British transports and gunboats appeared at a turn in the river a mile -from the fort, the woods were swarming with Indians. - -[Illustration: JAMES MADISON.] - -Within the fort, all were calm, pale, yet determined. Only one hundred -and sixty men were there to oppose the hosts of Proctor and Tecumseh. -Proctor sent a demand to the fort for surrender, accompanied by the -usual threat of massacre by the Indians in case of refusal. To his -surprise, Major Croghan sent a defiant refusal. A cannonade from the -gunboats and howitzers which the British had landed commenced. - -All night long the great guns played upon the fort without any serious -effect, occasionally answered by the solitary six-pound cannon of the -garrison, which was rapidly shifted from one block house to another, to -give the impression that the fort was armed with several guns. During -the night, the British dragged three six-pound cannon to a point higher -than the fort to open on it in the morning. - -It was a trying night for Fernando. All night long, the incessant -thunder of cannon shook the air, and the great balls, striking the sides -of the earthworks, or bursting over their heads, presented a scene grand -but awful. - -Morning came slowly and wearily to the besieged. As the gray dawn melted -into the rosy hues of sunrise, many a brave man within that fort looked -up for the last time, as he thought, but still with no unmanly fear, -only with that sad feeling which the boldest will experience when he -sees himself about to be immolated. Such a feeling, perhaps, crossed the -heart of Leonidas, when he fastened on his buckler and waited for the -Persian thousands. Fernando stood near Croghan, who was in front of his -men, calm in that hour of extreme peril. It soon became apparent that -the enemy did not intend an immediate assault, for, with the battery of -six pieces, they began a fearful cannonade. - -"Lie under the breastworks," said Croghan to his men as the balls were -hurled about the fort, or bounded from the ramparts. The surface of the -ground in the line of fire, soon became covered with smoke, which every -few moments was rent by a whistling ball. - -All that long forenoon Fernando Stevens remained behind the works -occasionally picking off a gunner at long range. When the hot August sun -began to decline in the West, the roar of artillery seemed to increase -rather than diminish. At last he heard the young commander say: - -"They are concentrating on the northwest corner of the fort; that is the -point from which the attack will be made." He called to Fernando and a -dozen other sharpshooters and hastened to the threatened spot. Every man -who could be spared from other quarters was put in requisition, and -every bag of sand and flour that could be found was hurriedly collected -and sent to strengthen the angle. - -"Lieutenant Stevens," said Major Croghan, "get your riflemen together -and pick off those fellows as fast as you can. Never mind those bags of -sand. Others will attend to them." - -Fernando and his score of sharpshooters soon began dropping the redcoats -as fast as they could see them. The solitary cannon, the only hope of -the defenders, was loaded to its fullest capacity and trained so as to -enfilade the enemy. The gunner who rammed home the charge said: - -"By thunder, she's almost full to the muzzle. Shouldn't wonder if she'd -bust." Each soldier took his position. A tremendous volley of cannon -shots suddenly rained on the fort. It seemed as if the British had fired -every gun at the same instant. A profound silence succeeded within, -which lasted for perhaps two minutes, at the end of which time the enemy -was seen to advance through the smoke, in one compact column, with the -steady tread of assured victors. When Croghan gave the order to fire, -such a withering volley was poured in by the garrison, that the British -reeled and fell into disorder. Whatever others may have done in that -fire, Fernando's sharpshooters wasted no bullets. For a moment, the -Britons wavered and were about to fly, when Lieutenant-Colonel Short, -who led the British in assault, sprang to the front of his soldiers and, -waving his sword above his head, cried: - -"Cut away the pickets, my brave boys, and show the d--d Yankees no -quarter!" - -A wild, angry shout answered this appeal, and the ranks recovering their -order, the head of the column rushed forward, and leaped down into the -ditch, which was soon densely crowded. This was the time for which -Croghan had waited. Another minute and the fort would have been -captured. The over-loaded six-pounder, so trained as to rake the -assailants, now bore fully on the masses of soldiery in the ditch. The -dark mask which had concealed it was suddenly jerked aside, and -Croghan cried: - -"Fire!" - -The match was applied. A clap of thunder, a sheet of flame, a hissing -sound of grape, shrieks and groans, and Fernando saw whole ranks mowed -down, as the white smoke arose for a moment hiding the prospect from -view. When the veil of battle blew aside, he saw such a scene of horror -as he had never before witnessed. At first a lane was perceptible -extending through the densest portion of the assaulting mass, marking -the path traversed by the shot; but as the distance from the gun -increased, and the grape scattered, this clearly defined line gave place -to a prospect of the wildest confusion. One third of those who had -entered the ditch lay there a shapeless, quivering mass. In many -instances, the dead had fallen on the wounded, and as the latter -struggled to extricate themselves, the scene resembled that depicted in -old paintings of the final judgment, where fiends and men wrestle in -horrible contortions. Groans, shrieks and curses more terrible than all -rose from that Golgotha. Lieutenant-Colonel Short was among the slain. -The few who retained life and strength, after the first second of -amazement, rushed from the post of peril, leaped wildly upon the bank, -and, communicating their terror to the rest of the column, the whole -took flight and buried itself in the neighboring woods; while such a -shout went up to heaven from the conquerors as had never been heard on -that wild shore before. Well might the Americans exult, for the -successful resistance was against ten times their own number. The -British loss was one hundred and fifty. That hot day, August 2, 1813, at -five o'clock in the evening, George Croghan by one cannon-shot -immortalized himself. - -Fernando Stevens had been under a terrible strain all the day and the -night before, and no sooner was the enemy gone, than he sank exhausted -on the ground with scores of others. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -ON LAND. - -Shortly after the gallant and successful defence of Fort Stephenson, -Fernando, with a detached squad of twenty riflemen, joined General -Harrison, and was subsequently assigned to the regiment of Colonel -Richard M. Johnson, whose Kentuckians won the battle of the Thames. - -After his signal defeat at Fort Stephenson, Proctor with his British -troops returned to Malden by water, while Tecumseh with his followers -passed over by land, round the head of Lake Erie, and joined him at that -point. Discouraged by want of success, and having lost all confidence in -General Proctor, Tecumseh seriously meditated a withdrawal from the -contest, but was induced by Proctor to remain. - -From a distant shore, Tecumseh witnessed Perry's wonderful naval battle; -but of course could not determine which had been victorious. Proctor, to -reconcile the chief, said: - -"My fleet has whipped the Americans; but the vessels being much -injured, have gone into Put-in Bay to refit and will be here in a -few days." - -[Illustration: TECUMSEH.] - -This base falsehood did not deceive the wily Indian. The sagacious eye -of Tecumseh soon perceived indications of a retreat. He finally -demanded, in the name of the Indians under his command, to be heard, and -on September 18, 1813, delivered to Proctor, as the representative of -their great father, the king, the following speech: - -"Father, listen to your children. You have them now all before you. The -war before this, our British father gave the hatchet to his red -children, when our old chiefs were alive. They are now dead. In that war -our father was thrown on his back by the Americans, and our father took -them by the hand without our knowledge, and we are afraid that our -father will do so again at this time. Summer before last, when I came -forward with my red brethren and was ready to take up the hatchet in -favor of our British father, we were told not to be in a hurry, that he -had not yet determined to fight the Americans. Listen! when war was -declared, our father stood up and gave us the tomahawk, and told us that -he was ready to strike the Americans; that he wanted our assistance, -and that he would certainly get our lands back which the Americans had -taken from us. Listen! you told us at that time, to bring forward our -families to this place, and we did so; and you promised to take care of -them, and they should want for nothing, while the men would go and fight -the enemy; that we need not trouble ourselves about the enemies' -garrisons; that we knew nothing about them, and that our father would -attend to that part of the business. You also told your red children -that you should take good care of your garrison here, which made our -hearts glad. Listen! when we were last at the rapids, it is true, we -gave you little assistance. It is hard to fight people who live like -ground-hogs. Father, listen! Our fleet has gone out; we know they have -fought; we have heard their great guns; but we know nothing of what has -happened to our father (Commodore Barclay) with one arm. - -"Our ships have gone one way, and we are much astonished to see our -father tying up everything and preparing to run away the other, without -letting his red children know what his intentions are. You always told -us to remain here and take care of our lands; it made our hearts glad to -hear that was your wish. Our great father, the king, is the head, and -you represent him. You always told us you would never draw your foot off -British ground; but now, father, we see that you are drawing back, and -we are sorry to see our father doing so without seeing the enemy. We -must compare your conduct to a fat dog, that carries its tail on its -back, but when affrighted, drops it between its legs and runs off. -Father, listen! the Americans have not yet defeated us by land, neither -are we sure that they have done so by water; we, therefore, wish to -remain here and fight our enemy, should they make their appearance. If -they defeat us, we will then retreat with our father. At the battle of -the rapids, the Americans certainly defeated us, and when we returned to -our father's fort at that place, the gates were shut against us. We were -afraid that it would now be the case; but instead of that, we now see -our British father preparing to march out of his garrison. Father, you -have got the arms and ammunition which our great father sent for his red -children. If you have any idea of going away, give them to us, and you -may go and welcome, for us. Our lives are in the hands of the Great -Spirit. We are determined to defend our lands, and, if it be his will, -we wish to leave our bones upon them." - -Unless the unscrupulous Proctor was utterly lost to shame, his cheek -must have burned as he listened to the stinging reproof of the noble -Indian Chief. Ever since the white men began their political struggles -for power on the American continent, the unfortunate Indian has been -their tool, and their scapegoat. Cheated, deceived by falsehoods and -false friends, he was ever thrust forward as a sacrifice to the hatred -of contending white men. Spanish, English and French were all alike -equally guilty. - -Proctor and Tecumseh fled from Malden at the approach of the Americans. -They had been gone scarce an hour, when the head of the American column -appeared playing Yankee Doodle. - -Fernando Stevens was with Colonel Johnson's riflemen, when, on the 29th -of September, they reached Detroit, while Harrison was encamped at -Sandwich. Informed that Proctor and Tecumseh were flying eastward toward -the Moravian town on the river Thames, or La Tranche, as the French -called the stream, eighty miles from Detroit, the American forces, about -thirty-five hundred strong, on October 2, 1813, began pursuit. Johnson's -mounted riflemen led the van, while General Selby, a hero of King's -Mountain, followed with his Kentuckians, eager to avenge the slaughter -of their friends at River Raisin. For three days the pursuit continued. -At last, on the morning of the 5th of October, the army came up with -Proctor. Fernando was with the advance guard when they came on a small -party of Indians. The sharp crack of their rifles warned the armies to -prepare for action, and both began to form. - -The victory which followed properly belonged to Johnson and his mounted -Kentuckians, though, as historians seldom know any one save the heads of -armies, it has been accorded to Harrison. - -Fernando galloped back to Colonel Johnson and informed him that the -enemy was posted on a narrow strip of dry land, with the river Thames on -the left, and a swamp on the right. Tecumseh, with about twelve hundred -savages, occupied the extreme right on the eastern margin of the swamp. -The infantry, eight hundred in number, were posted between the river and -swamp, the men drawn up in open order. They waited for Harrison's orders -to attack. The general at first designed to attack with infantry; but, -perceiving the position of the British regulars to be favorable for a -charge, he turned to Johnson and asked: - -"Will you undertake it?" - -"I have accustomed my men to it from the first," he answered. - -"Then charge!" - -Galloping to the head of his regiment, Johnson said: - -"My brave Kentucky lads, to us is accorded the honor of winning this -battle. Forward!" The whole cavalcade, more than a thousand strong, -went thundering over the solid plain. In the whole range of modern -warfare, perhaps there has never been a charge which, for reckless, -romantic courage, could compare to this. The Kentuckians were armed only -with long-barrelled rifles, hatchets and knives. None had sabres, so -essential to cavalry; few had pistols, and there was not a carbine among -them; but, as Johnson had said, they were accustomed to those charges on -horseback, and could load and fire those long rifles with marvellous -rapidity even while in the saddle. Their hatchets and knives were as -deadly as the sabre. As they thundered down on the enemy, leaving the -infantry and General Harrison a mile behind, Johnson discovered that the -ground on which the British were drawn was too narrow for his whole -regiment to charge abreast, so he divided his force, sending his brother -Lieutenant-Colonel James Johnson with one division, against the -regulars, while he with the other turned off into the swamp, and fell -like a tornado upon the Indians under Tecumseh. - -Fernando went with the division against the British; but he heard the -splashing of mud and water, the cracking of rifles and wild shouts of -combatants, as, through smoke, spray, mud and low bushes, the -Kentuckians under Colonel Johnson charged the ambushed Indians. His own -division continued galloping forward, until they were close on the -British, who opened a heavy fire. The fire checked them; but -Johnson shouted: - -"Forward, Kentuckians!" - -Ashamed of their momentary hesitation, the men shook their bridles and, -with wild huzzahs, dashed right through the enemy, shooting right and -left. Wheeling rapidly about, as soon as the British line was passed the -Kentuckians poured in a destructive volley on their rear, and they fled, -or threw down their guns and cried for quarter, which was granted. -Proctor, with a part of his command, escaped, leaving his carriage -and papers. - -Fernando's horse had been wounded in the shoulder, and as he dismounted -to try to alleviate the suffering of the poor beast, he heard the -conflict still raging on his right. Colonel Johnson with his half of the -Kentuckians had struck Tecumseh and was routing his entire force. The -Indians fought stubbornly until Tecumseh fell, and hearing his voice no -longer they fled in confusion. A complete victory was gained before -General Harrison reached the field. - -Some historians of good authority state that Johnson shot Tecumseh with -his pistol, just as his own horse fell dead under him;--that as the -colonel's horse was sinking under innumerable wounds, he discovered a -large Indian, whose regal feathers denoted his rank, coming toward him -with uplifted tomahawk. He drew a pistol and shot him through the -heart. This has been denied. [Footnote: Seventeen years ago an aged man, -who was in the conflict, informed the author that he saw Tecumseh fall, -that he was shot through the head by a private soldier; "a big -Kentuckian."] - -Fernando accompanied the army of General Harrison to Niagara to join the -army of the centre; but Harrison, becoming offended at General -Armstrong, secretary of war, resigned and quit the service. Fernando -with his detached party, seven only of Captain Rose's original company, -joined the army under Gen. Boyd on November 10th, 1813, was with them on -the next day, the 11th, when they fought the enemy five hours at -Chrysler's farm in Canada. The Americans were driven from the field with -a loss of three hundred and thirty-nine. - -The writer must pause a moment to mention some of the stirring incidents -in which Fernando did not participate. On March 4th, 1813, Mr. Madison -was inaugurated for his second term. Terrence, who chanced to be in -Washington, greeted the president with: "Now Misther Prisident, we'll -whip the British sure." - -The Emperor of Russia having offered his services as mediator between -the United States and Great Britain, the president, on March 8th, 1813, -appointed commissioners to treat for peace. On the 10th of April, the -British attacked Lewiston, Delaware, but after several days bombardment -abandoned the siege. On April 27, the Americans under General Pike -besieged upper York under General Sheaffe. The British, deserted by -their Indian allies, who fled before the roar of artillery, took post -with the garrison near the governor's house and opened a fire of grape -and round-shot on the invader. The battery was silenced and all thought -the British had surrendered. General Pike was sitting on the stump of a -tree talking with a captive British officer, when a tremor of the earth -was felt, 'immediately followed by a tremendous explosion near by. The -British, unable to hold the fort had fired a magazine of gunpowder on -the edge of the lake. The effect was terrible. Fragments of timber and -huge stones, of which the magazine walls were built, were scattered in -every direction over a space of several hundred feet. When the smoke -floated away, the scene was appalling. Fifty-two Americans lay dead, and -one hundred and eighty others were wounded. Forty of the British were -also slain. General Pike, two of his aides and the captive officer were -mortally hurt. The dying general was taken to one of Chauncey's vessels. -His benumbed ears heard the shout of victory, when the British ensign -was pulled down at York. Just before he died, the captured British flag -was brought to him. He smiled and made a sign for it to be placed under -his head. This was done, and he expired. Though Sheaffe and the larger -part of his force escaped, the civil authorities and a larger part of -the militia formally surrendered York. The American loss in killed and -wounded was two hundred and eighty-six; the British lost one hundred and -forty besides prisoners. - -On May 27, General Scott and Commodore Perry captured Fort George at -Niagara, and at the same time Sir George Prevost was repulsed at -Sackett's Harbor, New York, by General Brown. On June 6th, Generals -Chandler and Winder were surprised and captured, though their troops -retired. On the 23d, Colonel Boerstler with six hundred men was captured -at Beaver Dam by a superior force of British. - -While Perry was defeating the enemy on Lake Erie, and the Johnson -brothers were defeating Proctor and slaying Tecumseh, the discontent -which that redoubtable chief had stirred up in the South was beginning -to have its effect among the Creeks. On August 30, 1813, they attacked -Fort Mimms, which they set on fire and captured, massacring all but -twenty out of four hundred men, women and children. The British agent at -Pensacola, it is said, had offered five dollars each for scalps, and -many of the savages carried the scalps of women and children there to -claim their reward. - -A cry for help went northward and the brave Tennesseeans flew to the -relief of their neighbors. General Andrew Jackson, military commander of -that region, was disabled by a wound received from a brilliant but -brutal ruffian named Thomas H. Benton, who was afterward United States -Senator from Missouri. - -Late in September, Colonel John Coffee, at the head of five hundred -cavalry, hurried to the Creek frontier. He rendezvoused at Fayetteville, -where Jackson joined him early in October. On the 3d, Coffee attacked -the Indians at Tallahatchee (near Jacksonville, Benton county, Alabama) -and killed two hundred warriors;--not a warrior escaped. On the 8th of -November, Jackson defeated the Indians with great slaughter at -Talladega. Late in November, General Floyd with nine hundred Georgians -and four hundred friendly Indians attacked the hostile savages at -Autossee and drove them from the holy ground. - -Weatherford, the Tecumseh of the South, was attacked, on the 23d of -November, at Econachaca. Weatherford was defeated and escaped by leaping -his horse from a precipice into the river and swimming to the -other side. - -On January 21, 1814, General Jackson was fiercely attacked by the -Creeks at Emucfau on the west bank of the Tallapoosa River. Though he -repulsed the Indians, he thought it best to retire from the field. - -The Creeks were gathered in great numbers at the "Horse-shoe Bend" of the -Tallapoosa. A strong breastwork, composed mostly of hickory logs, was -built across the neck of the peninsula. The Indians had great stores of -provisions and supplies at this place. - -On the 27th of March, the Americans, led by Sam Houston, stormed this -fort and routed the Indians, whom they shot down like wild beasts. The -power and spirit of the Creeks was broken, and even the haughty -Weatherford sued for peace. Save the trouble caused by the Spanish and -British, the war in the South was practically ended. - -Fernando, who was still with the northern army, had been shifted about -so much, that he had received but one or two letters from home. He had -participated in the affair at Black Rock, had seen Buffalo burned, and -while lying in camp near the ruins, learned of the ravages of the enemy -on the Delaware and Chesapeake bays. As yet the British, perhaps out of -respect for the Peace Party, had done little damage to the coast of New -England. Fernando often thought of the Maryland Coast, of Baltimore and -Mariana, and wondered if she were there yet, in the great, white stone -house on the hill. - -One day, about March 1st, 1813, he received a letter from his mother. It -was the first news from home for nearly a year, for the facilities for -fast mails were not so good then as now. - -"I have glorious news to tell you, Fernando." she said, among other -things. "Your friend Sukey is at home. His ship the _Macedonia_ was -captured by the frigate _United States_. He says if he can learn where -you are, he is coming to you." - -There was a slip of paper in his mother's letter on which was written in -a well-known hand, - -"Fernando, I am coming soon, for I am in the game now. SUKEY." - -Fernando answered the letter, saying that he was soon to march under -General Wilkinson into Canada. A few days later, the Americans under -Wilkinson invaded Canada and, on March 30th, were repulsed at La Colle. -Fernando returned with others to the American side. He was near Oswego, -New York, when the British captured and destroyed it. He was assigned to -Brown's command and was with it in the capture of Fort Erie, on July 3d. -Fort Erie was the chief impediment to the invasion of Canada. - -Prompt measures were taken to secure the advantages gained by this -victory; for it was known that General Riall, who was then the chief -commander of the British on the frontier, was moving on Fort Erie. Early -on the morning of the 3d, learning of the peril of the fort, he sent -forward some royal Scots to reinforce the garrison. At Chippewa they -heard of the fall of the fort, and Riall determined to attack the -Americans next day. To meet this force, General Brown sent General Scott -forward with Towsen's artillery. - -At noon on the 5th, Scott was joined by Porter with his volunteers and -Indians. The British also were reinforced. Nearly half the day was spent -by the two armies feeling of each other. Skirmishers were deployed and -an occasional shot fired; but it was not until afternoon that they came -together in an earnest struggle. The fight was long and desperate; but -the Americans triumphed and defeated Riall and the veterans of -Wellington. They lost one hundred and thirty-three killed and forty-six -missing, while the Americans' loss was sixty killed and two hundred and -sixty-eight wounded and missing. - -The English troops in that portion of Canada hastened to concentrate. On -the 25th of July, General Brown, being informed that a detachment of the -enemy had invaded American soil, hurried General Scott forward to -attack the party at the mouth of the Niagara, hoping by this division to -recall the foe. General Scott at the head of thirteen hundred men came -suddenly across a superior force at Lundy's Lane, under Generals -Drummond and Riall. A desperate conflict ensued, during which General -Brown arrived at dark, and, withdrawing Scott's brigade, the fight was -resumed. On a height at the head of the lane the enemy had posted a -battery. General Brown asked Colonel Miller if he could take it. - -"I will try," he answered. - -Amid a storm of grape, canister and leaden balls, the battery was taken -and victory won. Several unsuccessful efforts were made by the foe to -regain this elevation. The combat, which had begun before dark, raged -until midnight. By this time, both Generals Brown and Scott were wounded -and forced to retire from the field. The command now devolved on General -Ripley. The enemy being repulsed, Ripley concluded to retire to camp, -whence, after refreshing his men, he was directed to march by daylight -and engage the foe; but, finding the enemy's force had been much -increased during the night, Ripley thought it advisable to retreat, and -accordingly retired to Fort Erie, destroying the bridges as he went. The -loss of the British at Lundy's Lane was eighty-five killed, five -hundred and fifty-five wounded and two hundred and fifty-four missing. -The American loss in killed, wounded and missing was eight hundred -and sixty. - -General Ripley used every exertion to strengthen Fort Erie before the -enemy should arrive. - -At midnight during the battle of Lundy's Lane, Fernando Stevens and -about fifty sharpshooters became separated from the American army in the -darkness, and at dawn, when the retreat began to Fort Erie, they found -themselves cut off by the enemy. Three or four hundred British -grenadiers were sent in pursuit of them, and they continued to retreat -skirmishing along the way for three days, until they fell in with some -New York militia hurrying to the southern part of the State. There was -nothing better than to go with them. Fernando was chosen captain of the -company, and recruits soon swelled his numbers to a hundred. On reaching -New York he reported to Brown, for being a detached company, he had no -colonel to whom he could report. Brown had received orders by this time -to send all forces available to Washington, which was being threatened -by General Boss, and Fernando's riflemen were ordered South. The -Americans under Ripley were besieged at Fort Erie on August 4th. On the -15th, they repulsed the enemy with a heavy loss (962 men). On the 11th -of September, Commodore McDonough of the American navy captured the -British fleet under Commodore Downie. A simultaneous attack on -Plattsburgh by Provost miscarried by failure of the fleet and panic of -the soldiers. On the 17th, a sortie was made from Fort Erie, and the -British works were surprised and taken with a loss of one thousand to -the enemy. - -The New England coast, which had, in the early part of the war, been -exempt from the ravages of the English, was now threatened. England came -to the conclusion that the New Englanders were blinding them with -professions of friendship, in order to preserve their own peace and -prosperity. Despite their professed objections to the war, New England -continually sent volunteers to the aid of the country's cause. The -British attacked various points on the New England coast. At Stonington, -on August 9, 1814, they were repulsed. Though Boston was threatened, it -was not bombarded. - -Fernando Stevens with over one hundred men reached Philadelphia, where -he found two regiments of regulars marching to Washington. He -accompanied them. The second day's march from Philadelphia, they were -overtaken by two mounted men dressed in citizen's clothes, who inquired -for Captain Stevens. They proved to be Sukey and Terrence. - -"I've been runnin' all over creation looking for you," Sukey declared. -"How can you skip from one side o' the earth to the other as easily as a -flea can cross a hammock? I went within sixty miles of Fort Erie the day -after the fight,--lost you;--heard you were in New York,--went after -you,--lost you; heard you were in Philadelphia,--went there,--lost you -and found Terrence. We supposed you were with the soldiers and came -after you." - -Terrence had just returned from a cruise; and his ship _Privateer Tom_ -had been so badly damaged in a gale, that it would take weeks to repair -her, so he came with Sukey. - -Sukey had a terrible story to tell of captivity and service on the -_Macedonian_, which we reserve for the next chapter. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -ON WATER. - -The English navy was the pride of that great nation in 1812, as it is -now. When war with the United States was discussed, the idea that -America without a navy, and with but few if any trained naval officers -could cope with England, caused the Briton to smile; but a great -surprise was in store. The first American victories were on the high -seas. Tradition, discipline, ships and training seemed all of no avail. -While the English were carrying everything on land, where it was -supposed they were weakest, they were losing everything on water, where -thought to be strongest. Everybody was surprised. They supposed the -first three or four American victories were accidents; but as success -after success continued to follow the American arms at sea, they were -dumfounded. England's boasted navy had lost its power. - -The first naval engagement of any consequence was on August 19, 1812. -Captain Hull of the United States frigate _Constitution_ captured an -English frigate, _The Guerriere_, after a hard fought battle. _The -Guerriere_ had made herself very obnoxious in her way of challenging -American vessels. In this engagement she lost seventy-nine killed and -wounded, while the _Constitution_ lost but thirteen. There were ten -impressed Americans on _The Guerriere_. On the 7th of September, the -United States frigate _Essex_ captured the _Alert_ in a fight of eight -minutes. The American sloop-of-war _Wasp_, on the 18th of October, -encountered the British sloop-of-war _Frolic_, a much larger and -stronger ship. The fight was terrible, and only three officers and one -seaman on the _Frolic_ remained unhurt; almost a hundred were killed and -wounded, while the Americans lost but ten. The _Wasp_ did not long enjoy -her triumph, however. On that same evening the British man-of-war -_Poicters_, Captain Beresford, captured the _Wasp_ and her prize. - -The phrase "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights," borne on the banner at the -masthead of the _Essex_, soon became the war-cry of the American seaman. - -The 25th of October, 1812, one week after the victory and loss of the -gallant _Wasp_, dawned bright and clear on the English frigate -_Macedonian_ sailing westward of Canary Islands. Little change had come -to the _Macedonian_ since Fernando Stevens had been transferred from her -to the sloop. At this time there were but three impressed Americans on -the _Macedonian_, Sukey, a negro sailor called Tawney and a man -named Rogers. - -Notwithstanding their difference in race and social standing, Sukey and -Tawney were attached to each other. Both were Americans, and both loved -the star-spangled banner. - -It was a holy Sabbath morning, and every sailor, according to Captain -Garden's orders, was dressed in his best, when the cry of, "Sail ho!" -rang out from the masthead. It was ascertained that the stranger was an -American, and the ship was cleared for action. As the _Macedonian_ bore -down on the American--her men at their quarters--Sukey and Tawney, who -happened to be stationed at the quarter-deck battery, respectfully -accosted the captain, as he passed them in his rapid promenade, his -spyglass under his arm. - -"Say, look here," said Sukey, "we are not Englishmen; we don't want to -be in the game. It's a bitter thing to lift a hand against the flag of -that country which harbors our parents. Please release us from this -contest and let us remain neutral during the fight; I tell you, I don't -want to be in the game." - -When a ship of any nation is running into action, there is no time for -argument, small time for justice, and not much for humanity. Snatching a -pistol from the belt of a boarder standing by, the captain leveled it -at the heads of the sailors, and commanded them instantly to their -quarters, under penalty of being shot on the spot. So, side by side with -their country's foes, Sukey, Tawney and Rogers toiled at the guns, and -fought out the fight to the last; with the exception of Rogers who was -killed by one of his country's balls. - -The conflict was terrible. Sukey was stationed on the gun deck, abreast -the mainmast. This part of the ship they called the slaughter-house, for -men fell five and six at a time. An enemy nearly always directs his shot -at this point in order to cut away the mast. The beams and carlines were -spattered with blood and brains. About the hatchways it looked like a -butcher's stall; bits of human flesh were sticking in the ring-bolts. A -pig that ran about the deck, though unharmed, was so covered with blood, -that the sailors threw it overboard, swearing it would be rank -cannibalism to eat it. A goat, kept on board for her milk, had her legs -shot away, and was thrown into the sea. - -The sailors who were killed were, according to the usual custom, ordered -to be thrown overboard as soon as they fell; for the sight of so many -corpses lying around might appall the survivors at the guns. A shot -entering one of the portholes cut down two-thirds of a gun's crew. The -captain of the next gun, dropping his lock string, which he had just -pulled, turned over the heap of bodies to see who they were; when, -perceiving an old messmate, who had sailed with him in many cruises, he -burst into tears, and, taking the corpse up in his arms and going with -it to the side, he held it over the water a moment, gazed on the silent -pale face and cried: - -"Oh, God! Tom--Tom, has it come to this at last----" - -"D--n your prayers! over with that thing! overboard with it and down to -your gun!" roared a wounded lieutenant. The order was obeyed, and the -heart-stricken sailor returned to his post. - -At last, having lost her fore and maintopmasts, her mizzenmast having -been shot away to the deck, and her foreyard lying in two pieces on her -shattered forecastle, having been hulled in a hundred places with round -shot, the _Macedonian_ was reduced to the last extremity. Captain Garden -ordered his signal quarter-master to strike the flag. - -Never did Sukey hear a command with greater joy. Never was a sailor so -happy at being defeated. When the order was given to strike the flag, -one of Captain Garden's officers, a man hated by the seamen for his -tyranny, howled the most terrific remonstrances, and swore he would -rather sink alongside than surrender. Had he been captain, probably he -would have done so. - -Sukey and Tawney were among the boat's crew which rowed Captain Garden -to the enemy. As, he touched the deck, Captain Garden saluted his -captor, Captain Decatur, and offered him his sword; but it was -courteously declined. The victor remembered the dinner parties he and -Captain Garden had enjoyed in Norfolk, previous to the breaking out of -hostilities, and while both were in command of the very frigates now -crippled on the sea. The _Macedonian_ had gone into Norfolk with -despatches; while Decatur was in that port. Then they had laughed and -joked over their wine, and a wager of a beaver hat was said to have been -made between them upon the event of the hostile meeting of their ships. - -This was their next meeting. Sukey and Tawney went home in the American -frigate _United States_. With Sukey's return to his native country, the -reader's interest in the naval operations perhaps ceases. Naval battles -are the same, bloody and desperate, and the details of the fight with -the _Macedonian_ are the details of all others. After briefly noticing -the principal victories and defeats on sea, we shall take up again the -characters in our story. - -On November 22d, the United States brig _Vixen_ was captured by the -English frigate _Southampton,_ and both were subsequently shipwrecked -on December 29th, the United States frigate _Constitution_, under -Commodore Bainbridge, captured the British frigate _Java_, off the coast -of Brazil. The American loss was 44 and the British 151. The American -victories of the year of 1812 with such little loss produced much -exultation in America and surprise and mortification in England. -American seamen had been the greatest sufferers at the hands of the -British, and they had long burned to avenge the insults of the English -Navy. They fought for patriotism, glory and vengeance. - -The year 1813 was noted for the continued success of the American Navy. -On February 24th, the _Hornet_ captured the British brig _Peacock_ on -the coast of South America. On June 1st, the British frigate _Shannon_ -captured the _Chesapeake_ after a terrible battle, in which the -Americans lost 133 and the British half as many. Captain Lawrence of the -_Chesapeake_ was mortally wounded, and his dying command, "Don't give up -the ship!" has been the motto for many worthy enterprises. - -In August, Captain Porter, with the American frigate _Essex_, cruising -in the Pacific Ocean, captured twelve armed British whalers. In the same -month, the American sloop-of-war _Argus_, cruising in the English -channel, captured twenty-one British merchantmen, but on the 13th was -herself captured by the British man-of-war _Pelican_ after a severe -engagement. On the 3d of September, the American brig _Enterprise_ -captured the British _Boxer_ off the coast of Maine. Perry's victory on -Lake Erie, which occurred on the 10th of this month, has already -been noticed. - -The year 1814 was not a line of unbroken success, though American -victories were many and brilliant. On the 28th of March, the brilliant -career of the United States frigate _Essex_, in the Pacific Ocean, was -terminated by her capture by two British war vessels at Valparaiso. On -April 21st, the United States sloop-of-war _Frolic_ was captured by the -British frigate _Orpheus_. On the 27th of the same month, the United -States sloop-of-war _Peacock_ captured the British brig-of-war -_Epervier_ with $118,000 in specie on board. On June 9th, the United -States sloop-of-war _Rattlesnake_ was captured by a British man-of-war. -This reverse was followed by the loss of the United States sloop _Syren_ -on the 12th. On the 28th, the American sloop _Wasp_ captured the British -sloop _Reindeer_, in the British channel. On the 1st of September, the -_Wasp_ captured the British sloop _Avon_, and after taking three other -prizes, this remarkably successful vessel mysteriously disappeared. Her -fate was never known, though it is supposed she was lost at sea. - -On January 15, 1815, the United States frigate _President_ was captured -by four English vessels. On the 28th of February, although peace was -declared, the United States frigate _Constitution_ captured two British -vessels of war, off the island of Madeira. In March, the United States -frigate _Hornet_ captured the British brig _Penguin_, off the coast -of Brazil. - -The last hostile act at sea took place in the Straits of Sunda, in the -East Indies, where the United States brig-of-war _Peacock_ captured the -_Nautilus_, a British sloop-of-war. The three American vessels at sea -when the war closed each came home crowned with laurels. The part taken -by the American privateers during the war was considerable and a -detailed history of them would fill a volume larger than this. During -the war there were I,750 British vessels captured, against a loss of -I,683 American ships. The spirit and energy of the American seamen, -under all their embarrassments, gave an unmistakable indication of the -future greatness of the power of the United States Navy. - -On the first night after Sukey and Terrence joined Fernando, the three -sat about the bivouac fire, while all save the sentries slept, talking -over the past which, to Fernando, seemed like a troubled dream. - -"Did either of you ever meet Captain Snipes?" asked Fernando. - -"Bad luck to him, I did not," said Terrence. "It's bad it would have -fared with the spalpeen if I had." - -At mention of Captain Snipes, there came an expression over Sukey's face -which is indescribable. His face grew pale, and his brow contracted, his -teeth set, and his eyes seemed to have the glitter of steel, while he -shrugged his shoulders, as if he again felt the cat-o'-nine-tails -about them. - -"Did he never come aboard the _Macedonian_ again?" asked Fernando. - -"No." - -"Did you hear of him?" - -"Yes." - -"Where was he?" - -"He was transferred to the _Xenophon_." - -"The _Xenophon_? was not Lieutenant Matson in command of that vessel?" - -"For awhile." - -"Was he not promoted?" - -"No; it seems his affair with you got to England." - -"Just in time to spoil a nate little promotion, too," put in Terrence. -"I heard all about it from the captain of the merchantman I captured. He -told me when we were playing poker one night." - -Fernando looked sadly into the smouldering bivouac and heaved a sigh. -Almost five years had elapsed since he had seen Morgianna, and he had -not heard a word from her since he left her in the great stone house on -the hill that night,--she laughing at his misery. - -After a long silence Fernando asked: - -"Is he married?" - -"Who?" asked Sukey. - -"Faith, the captain's absent minded," put in Terrence. - -"I mean Lieutenant Matson." - -"Not as I know of." - -"Did you see him after we left Mariana?" - -"Yes." - -"When?" - -"Only six days before we were captured by Decatur. We touched at the -Canary Islands, and the _Xenophon_ was there. He came aboard our -vessel." - -"Did he recognize you?" - -"No," Sukey answered. "Had he known me he wouldn't a-talked with a -common sailor." - -"Was he married then?" - -"No; I heard him tell Captain Garden that he was still single." - -Fernando heaved another sigh and asked: - -"Did he say--did he say anything about her?" - -"Who?" - -Fernando heaved another sigh and asked: - -"Did he say--did he say anything about her?'7 - -"Who?" - -The conversation was not interesting to Terrence and he had gone to -another part of the camp, to engage in a game of cards with a sentry. - -"Morgianna," Fernando said. - -"Morgianna? no--she is the girl at Mariana, isn't she?" - -"Yes." - -"I didn't hear him mention her name." - -"They are not married yet?" - -"No." - -"Perhaps I was mistaken after all," said Fernando thoughtfully. "May be -she don't care for him." - -Then Fernando sighed again and gazed into the smouldering fire. After -several minutes more, he said: - -"Sukey, she must be in love with him." - -"I thought so." - -Fernando sighed and remarked: - -"She may have married some one else, though." - -"No, she ain't." - -"Have you heard of her?" - -"I saw her!" Sukey declared. - -"When?" - -"When I was in Baltimore last winter." - -"Did you talk with her, Sukey?" - -"No." - -"Then how did you know she was not married?" - -"When I was in Baltimore last winter." - -"Did you talk with her, Sukey?" - -"No." - -"Then how did you know she was not married?" - -"I was in a store and overheard two women who knew her gossiping. One -asked the other if Morgianna Lane was married yet. One said: - -"'I thought she would marry the English lieutenant.' - -"The other said: - -"'No, not yet. I suppose they are waiting till the war is over.' - -"'Has she no other lover?' asked the other. Then the other woman said -she believed not, at least none ever came to see her." - -Fernando was quite sure she must have lovers by the score. Such a -glorious woman as Morgianna could not but have an abundance to -choose from. - -"You saw Morgianna, Sukey, how did she look?" - -"Just as when we left. Not a day older." - -"You knew her at sight?" - -"Of course; but she didn't know me. I suspect I was a hard-looking case -then; for I had just come from the ship and had on my English -pea-jacket, and my linen was not the cleanest." - -Fernando sat silent for such a long time, that Sukey, who was tired, -nodded awhile in silence, then, rolling up in his blanket, lay down -under a tree and slept. Fernando still sat gazing into the fire and -saying to himself: - -"Oh, if it could have been, if it could have been!" - -A young woman does a rash thing when she rejects such a warm, manly -heart as that of Fernando Stevens. Not all men are capable of such -unselfish devotion as his, and Morgianna little dreamed how much she was -casting aside. - -He was still gazing into the smouldering fire, when Terrence, who had -won all the money from the soldier with whom he was playing cards, came -to him and said: - -"Captain, are ye goin' to spend the night gazing into the fire?" - -"No, Terrence; I am not sleepy; but I will lie down." - -"Captain, do ye remember the little girl at Mariana five years ago, the -one yersilf and the Englishman were about to break heads over?" - -"You mean Morgianna Lane, Terrence?" - -"To be sure I do. I saw the swate craythur not two months since." -Fernando, who was anything but sleepy, asked: - -"Where did you see her, Terrence?" - -"In Baltimore. She is prettier than whin you used to stroll over the -beach in the moonlight with her." - -"Is she married?" - -"Divil a bit. I talked with her, and, d'ye belave me, almost the first -question she asked me was about yersilf. Aye, Fernando, it was a grand -story I told her about ye making a hero of yersilf. I told her how ye -defeated Tecumseh and killed the thief with yer own hand, and how ye -conquered at Chippewa and Lundy's Lane." - -Fernando's heart gave a tremendous bound. Had she really asked about -him? Then she had not forgotten him in five long years. Could this be -true? Terrence had not the strictest regard for truth, and he might be -only telling this out of mischief. - -"Terrence, are you telling me the truth?" he asked. - -"Ivery blissid word of it is the gospel truth, me frind," Terrence -answered. "The little girl still lives at the village beyant Baltimore, -and if ye want her, ye kin win her." - -"Terrence, you are trifling with me; Morgianna cares nothing for me." - -"Don't ye belave it. If she didn't, why did she ask about ye the very -first chance she had? Me boy, whin a girl remembers a fellow after five -years, it's some sign. Now if ye want that blushin' damsel, lave it -all to me." - -"Terrence, let us go to sleep, we have a hard march before us -to-morrow." - -"I take it at yer word, captain." - -In less than ten minutes the light-hearted Irishman was buried in -slumber. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -THE CRUISER'S THREAT. - -Terrence and Sukey both volunteered to accompany Fernando's detached -riflemen in the vigorous campaign which was before them. Fernando's -riflemen now numbered one hundred and sixty-two, composed mostly of -frontiersmen, all dead shots. Sukey declared that he was in the game and -would kill a British officer for every stripe Captain Snipes had caused -to be laid on his shoulders. - -"There were twelve blows, nine stripes each. Nine times twelve are one -hundred and eight." - -"And have ye got the job all before ye, Sukey?" asked Terrence. - -"I've commenced. Eight have been blotted out. Only a hundred remains," -Sukey answered solemnly. - -No one asked when the eight had been blotted out, but Fernando knew he -must have done it while the _Macedonian_ was fighting the American -frigate. Sailors, driven to desperation, frequently take advantage of -such occasions to wreak vengeance on cruel officers. The boatswain's -mate who had flogged Sukey was found dead on the gun deck at the close -of the fight. - -The American forces were hurried forward to Washington, where everything -was in the wildest confusion. The contemptible Peace Party had done all -by way of ridicule and argument to keep off the war, and were now doing -all in their power to prevent its prosecution. General Winder and -Commodore Barney were in command of the land and naval forces of the -United States, for the defence of Washington. In vain Winder had called -on the government for more troops and supplies. - -When Fernando arrived at Washington, Barney had already blown up his -flotilla at Pig Point, and with his soldiers and marines joined -General Winder. - -General Ross, the commander of the British land forces and one of the -most active of Wellington's officers, on finding the American flotilla a -smoking ruin, marched to upper Marlborough with his troops, where a road -led directly to Washington City, leaving Cockburn in charge of the -British flotilla. Winder had but three thousand men, most of them -undisciplined, to oppose this force; and he prudently retreated toward -Washington followed by Ross, who, on the 23d of August, was joined by -Cockburn and his seamen. - -Uncertain whether Washington City or Fort Washington was the -destination of the enemy, Winder left a force at Bladensburg about four -miles from the capitol, and with other troops watched the highways -leading in other directions, while he hastened to the city to inform the -president that the enemy were camped in ten miles of the capitol. - -Neither President Madison nor his cabinet slept that night. Fernando and -his riflemen were sent to Bladensburg at midnight, and on the morning of -August 24, 1814, a small scouting party sent down the road came back -reporting that the British army was on the advance. - -Fernando with his riflemen went to meet the enemy and hold them in check -as long as possible. About ten o'clock, they came in sight of the -advance of the enemy. About two hundred redcoats were led by an officer -on horseback. - -Sukey saw that officer, and he also saw an old tree about a hundred -yards nearer the enemy and twenty paces to the left of the road. From -it, one would be in long rifle range of the British. - -"Fernando, I want to go there," said Sukey, hugging his long rifle as if -it were his dearest friend. - -"Go." - -He went with arms trailed, stooping as he ran, to keep the enemy from -seeing him, and gained the tree, which stood on an eminence that -overlooked the narrow valley below. The British saw the Americans and -halted. The officer was riding up and down the line giving directions, -wholly unconscious of the rifle behind the old tree. - -Suddenly a little puff of smoke curled up from where Sukey was crouched, -and the crack of a rifle rang out. The officer in his gay uniform -dropped his sword and fell from his saddle, while Sukey took a small day -book from his pocket and wrote "nine" in it. - -Fernando's company fell back to Bladensburg, where he deployed them so -as to cover the Americans' line, and awaited the approach of the enemy. - -It was afternoon before they advanced, and the skirmishers for ten -minutes held them in check, then, as they fell back to the main line, -Fernando saw Sukey write "twelve" in his book. The fight began in -earnest just below Bladensburg in an old field. The roar of cannon and -rattling crash of musketry filled the air. General Winder, who had been -in Washington the night before, returned just before the battle began. -The militia broke and fled in confusion; and the brave Barney, with -Captain Stevens' riflemen, sustained the brunt of the battle, until -Barney was severely wounded, when Winder, seeing no hope of winning a -victory, ordered a retreat. The troops remaining fell back toward -Montgomery Courthouse, in Maryland, leaving the battlefield in -possession of the invaders. The battle had lasted more than four hours, -and the victory was won at fearful cost, for more than five hundred -Britons were dead or wounded on the field, among them several officers -of distinction, Sukey had added several numbers in his book. - -The president and his secretaries of war and state had come to witness -the conflict and give assistance if possible. When the day was lost, -they mounted swift horses and dashed back to the city. Terrence, who had -captured the steed of a British officer, overtook the president's -advance party. Whipping his horse alongside the president, he cried: - -"Misther Madison, wasn't that as illegant a knock down as iver a man saw -in all his life? I enjoy such." - -"How are we to save Washington without an army?" cried the president, -whose mind was wholly occupied with the safety of the capital. - -To this, Terrence responded with his stereotyped: - -"Lave it all to me." - -Mrs. Madison, at the White House, had already been apprised of danger, -by a messenger sent by her husband on the flight of the militia. Her -carriage was at the door ready for flight, and she had already sent -away to a place of safety silver plate and other valuables. While -waiting anxiously for her husband, she cut out of the frame for -preservation a full length portrait of Washington, by Stuart. At this -moment, her husband's messengers, Mr. Jacob Barker and another man, -entered the house. Mr. Barker cried: - -"Fly, Mrs. Madison, the day is lost, and the British are coming!" - -"Where is my husband?" she asked. - -"Safe, and he will join you beyond the Potomac." - -Pointing to Washington's picture on the floor, she cried: - -"Save that picture! save or destroy it, but do not let it fall into the -hands of the British!" - -Then, snatching up the precious parchment on which the Declaration of -Independence was written, and which contained the names of the fifty-six -signers of that document, she entered the carriage with her sister and -two others, and the four were driven away to a place of safety beyond -the Potomac. The picture was saved, and it now adorns one of the -reception rooms in the White House. - -The British entered Washington at sunset, August 24, 1814, and at once -began to plunder, burn and destroy. The capitol, president's house, -treasury buildings, arsenal and barracks were burned, and of the public -buildings only the patent office was saved. Some private houses were -plundered and others were burned. While these buildings were blazing in -the city, the public vessels and other government property at the navy -yard were in flames, for Commodore Tingey, who was in command there, had -been ordered to destroy this property in case it was likely to fall into -the hands of the invaders. Two millions of dollars' worth of public -property were destroyed on that night. - -On the 27th of August, three days later, Alexandria was plundered of her -public stores by the British. Having taken an enormous amount as ransom -for the city, the British sailed down the Potomac, annoyed part of the -way by the guns from the American forts. - -Fernando Stevens' riflemen, after the battle of Bladensburg, hastened -toward Baltimore, which they knew to be also threatened. Here they found -the people energetically making every possible effort to defend the -city. Fort McHenry, which commanded the harbor, was garrisoned by about -a thousand men, under Major Armistead, and was supported by redoubts. -Fernando's riflemen were assigned to General Stricker. - -On September 11, 1814, the enemy appeared off Patapsco Bay, and before -sunrise on the 12th had landed, nine thousand strong, at North Point, -twelve miles from Baltimore. When news came that the British were -landing on North Point, General Smith, who had about nine thousand men -under his command, sent General Stricker with more than three thousand -of them, to watch the enemy, and act as circumstances might require. - -Fernando Stevens' riflemen accompanied Stricker, and were sent forward -down a rocky ravine, where they might watch the enemy. Fernando left his -men in the deepest hollow while he, with only ten or twelve, crept -forward behind some large stones which lay at the roadside. About ten -paces to the right of Fernando was Sukey, with his formidable rifle -resting in the hollow of his left arm. Soon the head of the long column -could be seen advancing up the broad thoroughfare. Fernando saw two -gayly-dressed officers riding at the head. He afterward learned that -they were Generals Ross and Cockburn. - -"Say, Fernando," said Sukey, "those fellows are officers, ain't they?" - -"Yes." - -"Must be generals by the clothes they wear?" - -"Perhaps." - -Ross was riding gayly along by the side of Cockburn, laughing and -jesting about making Baltimore his winter quarters, when on their left -there suddenly rang out the sharp crack of a rifle, while a little puff -of smoke curled up from the great black rock almost two hundred -paces distant. - -"Oh!" groaned the general, and jerking his rein, until his horse reared -in the air, his chin fell on his chest, and he began to sink from the -saddle. Cockburn caught him and called for assistance. They hurried him -back to the boats, where he might have surgical aid; but he died before -the boats were reached. - -Fernando Stevens heard the sharp report on his right, as Ross fell, and, -turning his eyes in that direction, saw the smoke slowly curling up from -the muzzle of Sukey's rifle. - -"Say, Fernando, I ought to count three or four for that one, shouldn't -I?" Sukey coolly asked. "He was a big one." [Footnote: The reader will -pardon this slight deviation from history. The real slayers of General -Ross were two Baltimore mechanics, Wells and McComas, both of whom fell -in the conflict on the same day, and to whose memory a monument has been -erected by the citizens of Baltimore.] - -The British were thrown into momentary confusion by the sudden death of -General Ross; but Colonel Brooke rallied them, and Fernando's riflemen -fell back until they joined General Stricker's men. - -The British came on and a severe fight, which lasted two hours, ensued, -when Stricker ordered a retreat to his reserve corps. There he reformed -a brigade and fell back toward the city, as far as Worthington's Mill, -where they were joined by General Winder and some fresh troops. - -Fernando witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry during that terrible -night, when Mr. Francis S. Key, a prisoner on board an English vessel, -composed the song which immortalized him,--"The Star-Spangled Banner." - -Not only Baltimore, but all the Chesapeake and coast was threatened by -the British. Cruisers by the score were threatening almost every -seaport town. - -The day after the unsuccessful bombardment of Fort McHenry, General -Smith sent for Fernando Stevens, and when he was in the general's head -quarters, that officer said: - -"Captain Stevens, I would like to have you do a little detached duty." - -"General, I am willing to do whatever you wish. You can command me at -your pleasure." - -"There is a cruiser on the coast threatening a little town where some -government stores have been placed for safety. Will you undertake the -defence of the town?" - -"Certainly; I will do the best I can; but success will depend on my -means." - -"How many men have you?" - -"One hundred and fifty." - -"I will send fifty marines with you." - -"But artillery?" - -"There are some nine-pounders and one long thirty-two at the village. -Muster your men, hasten there at once, and do the best you can." - -"But, general, you have not yet told me the name of the village." - -"Mariana." - -"What?" gasped Fernando, starting to his feet. "Did you say Mariana. -Perhaps I misunderstood you."' - -"No; I mean Mariana. Captain Lane, an old privateer officer of the -Revolution, is there. He has organized a company of Marylanders on the -peninsula on which Mariana is situated, and will be able to help you -some. You will find an abundance of ammunition for your artillery." - -Fernando left the general's quarters with his heart beating in a way -which he could not explain. Terrence had just returned to the company. -Fernando ordered his men to be ready to march at dark, and was hastening -across the street to a tavern for his supper, when he was suddenly -accosted by a familiar voice with: - -"Golly! massa Stevens, am dat you?" - -"Job, where have you come from?" - -"Everywhar, Massa. I done been rovin' de worl' over huntin' for de massa -I belong to when I war taken by de Britishers; but I can't find him. -Whar ye gwine?" - -Fernando explained, and the negro said: - -"Golly! ye goin' dar?" - -"Yes, Job." - -"De ship what am goin' ter bombard dat town am de _Xenophon_." - -"_Xenophon_!" cried Fernando; "surely Providence must be in this." - -Job volunteered at once to accompany the riflemen, and, having some -knowledge of gunnery, his services were very acceptable. - -At dusk, with competent guides, Fernando set out for the village. - - * * * * * - -Five years had been added to the weight with which time was crushing -Captain Lane; but his spirit was still as undaunted as ever, and when he -found the town threatened by a British cruiser, he hastily organized the -people into militia companies, and began throwing up a line of -earthworks, which extended from his own house to the lowest extremity of -the village. - -The plan of the breastwork was well laid and executed; but the artillery -was poorly mounted and they were sadly in need of experienced gunners. - -"Father, don't exert yourself until you are sick!" said Morgianna, when -her father came home one evening exhausted. "Surely, if the British -come, they will not harm us." - -"My child, the plunderers have sacked other towns and insulted the -inhabitants, and why not ours?" - -"But no ship is in sight." - -"No; yet one has been hovering about the coast and Tris Penrose, who was -far out in his fishing smack to reconnoitre, says it is the _Xenophon_." - -"The _Xenophon_!" and the pretty face grew pale. She remembered that -that vessel, five years before, had paid the village a friendly visit. -Captain Lane was watching her closely. She knew it and guessed the -reason. After a moment's silence, she asked: - -"Father, isn't Lieutenant Matson on the _Xenophon_?" - -"I suppose he is." - -"Surely he is your friend." - -"In war there are no friends among the enemy, child, and no enemy among -friends. We are simply Americans or British." - -"Yet, father, there are personal ties stronger than loyalty to nation or -political party." - -The old man heard her argument with evident anxiety. He loved his little -sea-waif as ardently as ever father loved a child, and for five years -he fancied and feared she loved the lieutenant of the _Xenophon_. - -"True, child, you speak the truth, yet my heart tells me that we cannot -trust to friendship now, seeing that this quarrel has grown so bitter." -He was sorry to say this, for he felt that every word he uttered was -like a dagger at the heart of Morgianna. After a painful silence, the -old, white-haired seaman added, "Forgive me, Morgianna; but I am an old -man, and I may not look at things as you do. I love my country and her -flag. I have seen our poor sailors too often enslaved to be a friend to -any Englishman while the war lasts." - -"What do you mean, father?" - -"You love him, Morgianna. I felt it, I knew it all along, but I couldn't -help it. I knew I ought to do something, but, child, I didn't know what -to do. If you had had a mother she could have advised you, but -I didn't." - -"Father, you talk so strangely; what do you mean?" - -"I knew all along, my child, that you loved him; but Lieutenant Matson -is a bad one, even if he is the son of my old friend. I could see the -devil glinting in his eyes, and the mock of his smile, when he met the -young Ohioan here five years ago. He's a bad man accompanied with foul -weather wherever he goes, and I know it just so long as I know the -cat's paw, the white creeping mist, like a dirty thing which makes me -cry out to my crew, 'All hands to reef! Quick! All hands to reef!'" The -old man was silent for a moment, smoking his pipe, while his eyes were -on the floor. Had he looked up, he would have seen a decidedly -mischievous look in the face of Morgianna, which certainly did not -indicate that she was seriously affected. After a few moments, without -looking up, the old man with a sigh continued: - -"Ah, my little maid, if you could only have listened a bit to the noble -Ohioan;--if it could have been him instead of Matson, love and -patriotism could have gone hand in hand. The night we went to the cliff, -I thought you did like him; but it was not to be. 'Tis dreadful! -dreadful! why did God make woman so? Poor Fernando; there was good love -going a-begging and getting nothing for it but a frown and a hard word; -while--" he did not finish the sentence, for a pair of white arms were -put around his neck, and a voice as sweet as the rippling music of the -hillside brook said: - -"Never fret yourself, father, for Morgianna loves you first of all and -best of all," and she slipped on his knee and kissed away the anxious -cloud gathering on his brow. The old man was quite overcome by this -caress, and before he could make any answer there came a heavy tread on -the piazza, a heavy knock, and a moment later a servant announced, Tris -Penrose and John Burrel. They were admitted and Penrose, who had made -another reconnoisance that afternoon in his fishing yacht, said: - -"Aw, captain, I be just returned, and having somewhat of importance to -impart I came to tell you." - -Captain Lane asked the Cornish fisherman to be seated and asked: - -"What have you seen, Tris?" - -"You see, captain, it be like this. I be out at sea beyond the bay, and -I see a great ship beating up in the bay against wind and tide, and I -watch her for a long time as she do go first on one tack and then on the -other, until I make sure she be heading for Mariana, and I hasten to -tell, with all sail." - -Burrel explained that from the farthest point of Duck Island the vessel -had been sighted, and that there was no longer any question of her -destination. Captain Lane rose to go down to the village, where the -greatest excitement prevailed. Turning to Morgianna, he asked: - -"Will you be afraid to remain here, my gem o' the sea?" - -"No, father." - -The captain went and quieted the people. A strong breeze was blowing -from the land, and he knew full well that the _Xenophon_ could not -possibly come near enough to harm them for several hours. He gave some -directions concerning the strengthening of the fort, and went home and -retired to bed. - -Next morning the ship-of-war, the _Xenophon_ was reported lying without -the harbor, and at noon, being unable, owing to contrary winds, to enter -the harbor, they saw her long-boats landing troops on the northern point -of land. Soldiers to the number of two hundred were landed on the point -of land, which, two miles north of Duck Island, projected far out into -the sea and was called O'Connor's Point. Mariana was situated on a -peninsula from half a mile to two miles wide and the troops hurried to -the narrowest neck of this peninsula where they halted and proceeded to -throw up light earthworks, so as to completely cut off all retreat of -the inhabitants. - -That evening some officers and a marine guard with a white flag were -seen coming down the great road leading from the neck of the peninsula -to the mainland and thence to Baltimore. Many of the inhabitants -recognized Lieutenant Matson before he came to the fort. They were -halted and asked what they wanted. - -Lieutenant Matson stated that it was his wish to see Captain Lane. - -Mounting the earthworks, Captain Lane asked: - -"Do you come in peace or in war?" - -"In peace." - -"Then, as the son of an old friend, you are welcome. You can send back -your guard and flag of truce, for I am sufficient surety for -your safety." - -The lieutenant told his guard to retire, while he went over the parapet -and ascended the hill to the great white house. Lieutenant Matson was -very grave and silent, when they reached the house, which was lighted, -for it was now growing dark. Captain Lane asked his visitor to be -seated and said: - -"Now, Lieutenant Matson, you may proceed with your business." - -A pair of soft, dark eyes were fixed on them from a door which was -slightly ajar, and even the darkness seemed lighter from the glow of -golden hair. The lieutenant's back was toward this room, and he did not -see the beautiful, anxious face and roguish eyes. Lieutenant Matson, -after a brief silence, said: - -"Captain Lane, I am come on a matter of business in which friendship and -regard are mingled. Believe me that, had it not been for my great esteem -for yourself and Morgianna, I should have sent an under officer with my -message instead of bringing it myself." - -Captain Lane bowed and hoped that Lieutenant Matson would not allow -friendship to stand in the way of duty. Lieutenant Matson continued: - -"First, I have come, captain, to demand of you the surrender of this -post,--that is, of all the government stores in it, assuring you that -private property shall not be molested, and the men in arms shall be -treated as prisoners of war." - -Without a moment's hesitation, the old sea captain answered: - -"I refuse to comply with your demand." - -"Surely, Captain Lane, you must know that you cannot hope to resist the -_Xenophon_. Her heavy guns will soon batter down your walls and destroy -your houses." - -"When that is done, it will be time enough to think of surrendering." - -"Surely you do not know that Washington is burned and Baltimore -surrounded. All night long the fleet bombarded the town." - -"Yes, we could hear the roar of cannon even here." - -"Well, you must ultimately surrender." - -Lieutenant Matson was greatly distressed by the stubbornness of Captain -Lane. He reminded him of the helpless women and children in the town, -and asked him, for their sakes, to consider the crime of resisting; but -it was all in vain. Captain Lane had been chosen by the people to defend -them, and he swore he was no Hull to yield at the sight of an enemy. - -"No, sir; when our guns are dismounted, our walls battered down, our -houses burned, and there is not a man able to hold a lanyard, then it is -time to think of surrendering." - -"Very well, Captain, if such is your resolution, I must leave you; but -permit me to conduct Miss Morgianna to a place of safety. She would be -safe on board the _Xenophon_ and I offer her----" - -"What!" interrupted Captain Lane, his eyes flashing fire. "Lieutenant -Matson, do you wish to insult me?" - -"No, Captain Lane, I merely wish to secure the safety of Morgianna." - -"Morgianna! Morgianna!" called the old man, starting to his feet and -pacing the floor anxiously. - -"Here, father!" and, clothed in spotless white, looking like some -celestial being just reached this earth, Morgianna entered the room. -"What do you want, father?" she asked, paying no heed to the lieutenant, -who had risen to his feet with a most gracious smile and bow. - -"Morgianna, Lieutenant Matson announces that the English frigate -_Xenophon_ is coming to destroy our town and kill our people. He offers -you a place on board that vessel where he says you will be safe. Do you -accept it?" - -[Illustration: "MY FATHER WILL PROTECT ME; I WANT NO OTHER PROTECTION."] - -"No!" she answered, stamping one little slippered foot on the floor. -Then going to the captain's side, she laid her head on his shoulder -and said: - -"My father will protect me; I want no other protection." - -"Morgianna," began the baffled lieutenant, "I would like a word with -you in private--" - -"Lieutenant Matson, I don't care to hear you--I will not listen to you. -As my father's friend, I once did tolerate you; but now, as my country's -enemy, I have no forbearance with you. Begone!" and her white, jeweled -hand pointed to the door. - -The Briton's face flushed crimson, as he retorted: - -"Morgianna, you may regret--" - -"Lieutenant Matson!" interrupted the captain fiercely. "Not another -word, lest I forget your father was my mate. Begone!" - -With an oath, Matson left the town and returned to his men on the neck -of the peninsula. When he was gone, Captain Lane turned to his daughter -and was surprised to see a look of contempt instead of the grief he had -expected. That one glance convinced him that he had been mistaken, and -that she did not love the Englishman after all. - -"Father, that man's true spirit was revealed to-night. Even though he is -your old friend's son, he is a villain." - -Next day some of the Marylanders had a skirmish with the British on the -neck of land, and one of the villagers was wounded. The _Xenophon_ still -hovered near the mouth of the narrow harbor and only waited a favorable -wind to enter the bay, and commence the siege which could have but -one result. - -Captain Lane strove hard to be cheerful; but his heart was heavier than -lead. Again night came, with the _Xenophon_ anchored off Mud Island. The -night was dark, and the wind from shore strong, so that Captain Lane -knew she could not enter the harbor. - -He was sitting at his fireside, when suddenly from the narrow inlet -south of the peninsula there rang out a volley of musketry followed by -wild cries and cheers. The volley was followed by heavy firing, and -Captain Lane, donning his hat, snatched his sword and ran down to the -works, where the drum was beating, and the Marylanders were seizing -muskets and falling into line. - -"What is it? whom have they attacked?" was the general query asked by -all. The pickets were called in and the only sentries were the chain -guards just outside the parapet. Suddenly the sound of footsteps came -from the darkness, and the sentries knew that two or three men were -running toward them. Zeb Cole, a large, powerful Marylander, finding one -of them coming directly at him, dropped his musket and, seizing the -fellow's throat, hurled him to the ground. - -"Halt! ye wanderin' Israelite. Stop an' tell me who you are?" - -"Oh, let go me, massa, lem me up!" pleaded the captive, struggling to -his feet. "I ain't no Britisher! dar ain't no Angler Saxun blood in dese -veins. I is a Yankee nigger, massa, bet I am." - -Another man who had come up at a run cried in language in which the -Hibernian was plainly distinguishable: - -"Hould hard, ye haythin! The redcoats are afther us!" - -"Who be ye?" demanded Zeb. - -"The advance guard of two hundred Americans comin' to help ye whip the -Britisher. Jist as we landed, afther crossing the mouth of the creek, -the dirthy spalpeens fired on us; but we drove thim back, and here come -our boys at double quick." - -Terrence was correct, for Fernando and his riflemen having cut their way -through the British, hurried into the fort. Captain Lane was amazed to -find their friends led by the young Ohioan, whom he had entertained at -his house five years before. - -"Did you lose any of your men in the skirmish?" asked Captain Lane. - -"Two were wounded, none killed or missing. Has the _Xenophon_ commenced -the bombardment yet?" - -"No; but she will as soon as the wind shifts to bring her in." - -"How many men have you capable of bearing arms, Captain Lane?" asked -Fernando. - -"Almost two hundred." - -"I have two hundred more, we will die together or beat off the ship." - -"Did General Winder send you to defend the town?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Then I will serve under you. Captain Stevens." - -Fernando tried to get the old captain to assume command; but he said he -was too old; that he would gladly advise him and serve with him and -under him; but he did not want the responsibility of the command. Then, -all being quiet, Captain Lane went to his house to sleep and rest. - -"He is gone," said Fernando when left alone near the big gun; "gone and -not a word said about Morgianna. What will she say, what will she think, -when she knows it is I who came to defend her?" - -Fernando sighed and was very unhappy. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE SAVING SHOT. - -Little or nothing could be done by Captain Stevens that night. His men -were exhausted, and threw themselves down anywhere and everywhere. The -proprietor of the tavern took Fernando, Sukey, Terrence and Lieutenant -Willard of the marines to his house, where they were furnished beds and -slept soundly. - -The morning of September 14, 1814, came. Fernando, at his request, was -awakened early, and with Lieutenant Willard went out to examine the fort -and artillery. It was scarcely daylight when they mounted the works and -gazed off the bay. They could not see as far as Duck and Mud Islands, -and sat down upon the gun carriages to await the rising of the sun. - -A hundred stalwart Marylanders came from their houses with axes, picks -and shovels, ready to resume work on the redoubt. - -"Lieutenant Willard." said Fernando, "your judgment is perhaps better -than mine. Will you give these men direction in regard to the works?" - -Lieutenant Willard mounted the earthworks and walked along the entire -line, closely inspecting them and directing the improvement of what was -already quite a formidable fortification. - -The guns were next examined and changed so as to more completely sweep -the bay. While the lieutenant was doing this, Fernando, with three or -four fishermen went down to the water with a glass to take a look for -the _Xenophon_. She could be seen still anchored off Mud Island. - -"The vind be strong off shore," said Tris Penrose the Cornish fisherman. -"Aw, she cannot sail in the teeth o' it." - -"How far is it to Mud Island?" asked Fernando. - -"It be about five mile," the fisherman answered. - -"I am going out to that headland!" he said pointing to the rocky -promontory. - -"It be dangerous, Capen; the ship's big guns, they reach to the -headland;" but Fernando insisted on being rowed to the headland, and -four fishermen, including Tris Penrose, took him to it in a boat. The -memories this early morning visit awoke in his breast are indescribable. -Years seemed to have been rolled back, and he was once more with -Morgianna, within the pale of hope. Ascending the promontory, he saw the -_Xenophon_ lying at anchor not over three or four miles away. Two boats -loaded down with marines put off from the ship and rowed to the point -of land half a mile away. There they landed, formed, and marched to -reinforce Matson on the neck of the peninsula. Three hundred men and two -small cannon were now on land. - -Fernando went back, convinced that for some hours at least the attack -would be delayed. Lieutenant Willard was working with a will to -strengthen the redoubt. Bomb-proof apartments were made for the women -and children. They were still uncertain of the fate of Baltimore, and -knew that the whole coast was threatened by the British fleet. - -While sitting at breakfast, Fernando received a note from Captain Lane -informing him that a sudden attack of rheumatism prevented him from -leaving his bed, and asked him to call at the house if he wished to -consult him. Never in his life was Fernando more glad to receive a -summons, and never did he so dread answering it. - -"I am foolish!" he thought. "She cares nothing for me. She has told me -as much, and she cannot have changed her mind. I will go, but as the -commandant and not as a supplicant--or lover." - -Fernando was in the uniform of a captain of infantry of 1812, the -handsomest uniform ever adopted by the American army. His dark blue -coat, buttoned to his chin, his sash, his belt and gilt sword, his -chapeau-bras with flowing plume, set off his manly form. - -Fernando, as he ascended the path to the house, did not dream that he -was heroic or fine-looking. - -When he reached the house, he paused a moment on the piazza, just as he -had on that evening five years before, to school his rebellious heart. -To his knock a servant answered, and he was hurried up to the room of -Captain Lane. At every corner he expected Morgianna; but she did not -appear. Perhaps she was with her father; but no, the captain was alone. - -"It's too bad, Captain Stevens," the old sea-dog declared. "Here I am -with this infernal rheumatism holding me down like an anchor, when we -are threatened with a squall." - -"Don't trouble yourself, captain," said Fernando. "I fancy there are -young men enough to fight our battles." - -"But one likes to have a hand in such affairs, you know." - -"Certainly, but don't worry yourself. The wind is still off shore, and -the bay is so narrow that, unless they get out a warp, they cannot haul -in the _Xenophon_." - -"I have wondered they did not do that before," said the old sailor. "It -could be done." - -"Perhaps they have some other plan. They landed a hundred more men this -morning." - -"They can't be going to make a land attack." - -"No, the land forces are to cut off retreat." - -"It's that infernal Matson--Lieutenant Matson--curse him! He is the son -of my friend; but I say curse him, for all that!" cried the old sea-dog, -his face expressing mingled rage and agony. - -"Is he in command?" asked Fernando. Before either could speak, a light -tread warned Fernando that a third person had entered the room. He -started to his feet and, turning about, bowed to Morgianna. - -"Captain Stevens, I am proud to welcome you back to Mariana; but I am -sorry it could not have been under other circumstances." She was -beautiful--more beautiful than when he left; but there was not expressed -by either voice, eye, or flushed cheek any symptom of a more tender -regard than friendship. Fernando had so schooled himself, that, as he -took her hand, he said in a most commonplace manner: - -"I was sent here, Miss Lane. I am a soldier, and wherever duty calls, I -go, be it pleasant or unpleasant." - -Morgianna was not prepared for this. The cool, off-hand manner seemed to -hardly indicate the respect of friendship. Her face grew deathly pale -for a moment, and she almost ceased breathing; but she gained her -self-control, and, in a tone as commonplace and cool as his own, hoped -he was well and that he would not be killed in the coming struggle. The -coming struggle with the _Xenophon_ was nothing compared to his present -struggle. Fernando still loved Morgianna. Five years had only added to -the intensity of his love; but he had once made a simpleton of himself, -and he determined not to do so again. Thus two hungry souls, thirsting -for each other's love, acted the cold part of casual acquaintances. -Could the veil have been lifted, could the barriers have been broken -down, what misery might have been spared! but it is ever thus. Humanity -is contradictory and the heart's impulses are held in check. - -"Miss Lane, this house cannot be a safe place in the coming struggle," -said Fernando. "We have prepared bomb-proof shelters for the women and -children, and I hope you will accept refuge in one." - -She said something about her father. - -"He shall be cared for. I hope you will let me send a sergeant with a -dozen men to convey you both to a place of safety." - -She assented, and he left. Her face was still white, her chin was -quivering, and her eyes were growing moist. - -"What's the matter, Morgianna?" asked Captain Lane. - -She did not venture an answer, but running to her own room, fell weeping -on the couch. - -"After five long years, to return so changed--so cold--oh, God, this -punishment is greater than I can bear!" she sobbed. - -By the middle of the afternoon, the wind changed slightly, shifting to -the northeast, and some activity was evinced on board the _Xenophon_. -Fernando thought longer delay was dangerous. Captain Lane and his -daughter, with all other women and children, were conveyed to the -bomb-proof houses, which had been constructed for them. He was so busy -all that day, that he only caught an occasional glimpse of Morgianna. - -When night came, the _Xenophon_ had left her moorings, and Fernando -predicted she would be brought in broadside to begin the cannonade at -daybreak. He retired to his bed at eleven o'clock and at four Lieutenant -Willard came to him and said: "Captain, the wind has shifted due east." - -"How is the night?" - -"Dark and cloudy." - -"Can anything be seen of the _Xenophon_?" - -"No." - -"Send a dozen men to the promontory and build a fire. The light would -show her to us." - -A dozen bold fishermen, who knew the coast well, went out in their -boats, hugging the rocky shore until the promontory was gained, and -gathering up great heaps of driftwood on the edge of the bluff, set it -on fire, and pulled back. - -As the flames shot up, they revealed the _Xenophon_ slowly and carefully -feeling her way into the bay. Not a shot was fired, for she was -still far away. - -Thus the night wore on. Day began to dawn slowly, and as the first light -fell on bay and sea it revealed the dread enemy lying like a monster -sea-bird in the bay, not a mile away. - -The _Xenophon_ was in no hurry to commence. She had her prey so that -there was no possible chance of escape, and the officers and men ate -breakfast and walked about the deck, talking and joking on the work -before them. Through a powerful glass, which Captain Lane furnished him, -Fernando recognized Captain Snipes standing on the quarter deck, -smoking a cigar. - -Fernando had the guns loaded and shotted. They were sighted and ready -when the _Xenophon_ should take the initiative. - -"Say, Capen, dat Britisher doan git dis chile no more," said Job. "I -can't find my real massa, but, by golly, I've saved up fifty dollars to -buy a new one, 'fore I go for to be a Britisher agin." - -Before Fernando could answer, Sukey came running along the breastwork -and said: - -"Fernando! Fernando--he is there! Captain Snipes is aboard that ship!" - -Sukey's face was deathly white, and his fingers convulsively clutched -the air as if grasping at an imaginary throat. - -Fernando was standing on the parapet, when a wreath of smoke curled up -from the ship's side, followed by the boom of a heavy gun, and a ball -came whizzing through the air, and struck the breastwork. - -It was nine minutes after ten o'clock when the first shot was fired. -This shot was the signal for a broadside, and a shower of balls with -three or four shells came screaming through the air striking the walls -of the fort, or exploding over it. One of the shells buried itself in -the sand but a few feet from Fernando, and burst, scattering sand and -gravel over him. - -"Fire!" cried Fernando, without moving from his position. - -Immediately the thirty-two pounder and four smaller guns belched forth -fire and thunder. Fernando watched the effect through the glass. The -thirty-two went wild, and the shots from the smaller pieces fell short. -He turned and gave some instructions to the gunners, while a shell came -screaming over his head and burst a short distance away, killing one of -the marines. - -"Fernando, there ain't no need of you standing up there!" cried Sukey. -"You ain't in the game, till we get near enough to use rifles." - -"Divil a bit will the blackguards iver come near enough for that," cried -Terrence, boldly mounting the breastwork. "Captain, lave me have a -squint through yer glass," and Terrence, assuming a liberty which he -only could, took the glass from his hand. The screaming shell and -whistling shot continued to come from the _Xenophon_. "Faith, thim bees -buzz nicely round a fellow's ears," added Terrence. - -Fernando seized his glass, when the thirty-two was again sighted and -fixed it on the ship. As the heavy boom shook the earth, he saw a great -splash of water twelve feet from the bow. - -"Let some one else train the gun," he cried. "You miss the mark." - -All appeals to Fernando to come down from his dangerous position were -unavailing. His anxiety to pierce the _Xenophon_ with the thirty-two -kept him on the parapet directing the gunners, while balls and shells -shrieked about him. Job tried three shots; but only one did any injury, -and that was some insignificant damage to the rigging. Fernando saw at -once their disadvantage. - -"Oh, if we only had one experienced gunner, he would drive the ship -from the harbor," he thought. - -Lieutenant Willard tried three or four shots, and one struck the bow. -With glass in hand, Fernando remained on the earthworks, watching the -effect of their balls and giving orders to the gunners, while balls and -shells flew screaming around him. One shell exploded near the embrasure -of one of the smaller guns killing one and wounding four. As yet, they -had not touched one of the enemy, and the young commandant was -chagrined, anxious and annoyed. He lost his temper and raved at the -gunners, who were doing their best. They lacked science. - -His brave riflemen stood under the earthworks, grasping their guns which -were useless now, while they lamented that the Britons were not -in range. - -Officers, citizens and even privates implored Fernando to come down. A -shell exploded in the air, and a piece grazed his shoulder, yet he kept -his place on the rampart. Terrence Malone, who could see no reason for -courting death, had sought shelter behind a gun carriage. Fernando's -anxiety and mortification increased as he witnessed the repeated -failures of his gunners to hull the _Xenophon_. Amid smoke, dust and -whizzing missiles, he kept his post. The thunder of guns, the whizzing -balls, and shrieking shells were unheard in his great anxiety to defeat -the British. - -Suddenly a hand clutched his arm, and a silvery voice, which he -recognized in an instant, cried: - -"This is folly! Come down--come down from this certain death!" - -"Morgianna, you here!" he cried. "For Heaven's sake, go to the -bomb-proof shelter. You must not expose yourself here." - -"I will not go a step until you come from the rampart." She clung to -him, and appealed so earnestly, the tears of anxiety and fear starting -from her eyes, while her white, pleading face was upturned to his, that -he could not deny her. All other appeals had been unheeded, but -Morgianna's he could not refuse. - -A wild cheer went up from the Americans within the fort as Morgianna -descended from the redoubt with the daring captain. He hurried her away -to the bomb-shelter, where her father lay raging and fuming, because his -infirmity would not allow him to take part in the contest. Fernando -obtained a promise from Morgianna that she would not venture from the -shelter, by promising in return to keep off the redoubt. - -The British shells were telling on the American fort. Though the walls -were strong and resisted their balls, several men had fallen beneath -their shells. Two solid shot and one shell struck Captain Lane's -elegant mansion on the hill, fired from spite, as the house was far -removed from the fort, and no one was near it. A cannon-ball entered the -great, broad bay window overlooking the sea, made a wreck of the -furniture in the parlor, crashed through the wall, shivering a tall -mirror and spreading havoc in the room beyond. - -The siege continued all day long, and late in the afternoon, just one -hour before sunset, the redcoats appeared on the wooded hill back of the -town, and opened fire with two small pieces and muskets. Fernando's -riflemen had been waiting for this, and, with wild yells, they leaped -the redoubts, deployed along the stone fences and houses and picked off -the redcoats so rapidly, that they fled pell mell to their own works, -glad to escape the bullets of those unerring riflemen. - -The cannonade kept up until long after midnight. The sky was ablaze with -circling shells, and the headlands reverberated with ten -thousand echoes. - -All the guns in the fort save the thirty-two were silent, for the -smaller cannon at that range were useless. The soldiers in the fort lay -on their arms, and Fernando slept none. With anxious face he went the -rounds of the fort, occasionally watching through an embrasure the ship -beyond and the circling shells. During the night, three more of their -number were killed and six wounded, while as yet they had done the -enemy no hurt. - -Shortly after midnight, the firing grew slower and an hour later ceased -altogether. Morning dawned slowly, and the flag still floated over the -badly battered fort. A sullen, gloomy silence had fallen over the -officers and men. They watched the enemy, who at daylight began to warp -the ship in a little nearer, that her guns might be more effective. -Fernando was silent and his brow dark. There seemed but one thing -possible and that was defeat. Reinforcements need not be expected. - -The _Xenophon_ came a little nearer to shore, then let go her anchors -again and lay broadside to the fort. It was quite evident that she was -afraid to come too close, lest some blundering shot would strike her. -All of a sudden, a sheet of flame and cloud of smoke from her side -concealed the ship from view, and balls once more rained about the fort. -The fire this day was more destructive than on the preceding. One house -within the enclosure was completely battered down. The church which had -been converted into a hospital was set on fire. Fernando discovered it -in flames and ran thither to hurry out the wounded. Entering the burning -building, through which a shell went screaming, he was horror-stricken -and amazed to find Morgianna at one of the bunks, binding up the wounds -of a sufferer. - -"Morgianna, Morgianna!" he cried, "why do you risk your life here?" - -"There is suffering and death here!" she answered. "Am I better than -those who risk their lives for me?" - -"Morgianna, you must not, yours is no common life--" he began. In the -excitement of the moment he almost forgot himself. She was about to -answer, when he said, "Noble woman! do not, for Heaven's sake, run -needless danger." - -They hurried the wounded from the burning building. Another house, lower -down the hill, was also on fire. It was so near to the great gun, that -the heat almost blistered the men who worked it, and for awhile their -magazine was in great peril. - -The soldiers did all in their power to extinguish the flames; but both -church and house burned to the ground. - -Night came once more, and the Americans were reduced to the sorest -straits. Soon after dark, the cannonading ceased and a silence of death -fell over the fort, broken only by the groans of some poor, wounded -fellow. The people within the fort went about talking in whispers. Three -bodies, which they had not had time to bury, lay, stark and silent under -the shed, and there were nine fresh graves on the hillside. In -addition, more than thirty of the defenders were disabled from wounds. - -Captain Stevens, Sukey, Terrence and Lieutenant Willard were holding a -consultation in a room of the old tavern. Lieutenant Willard said: - -"Captain Stevens, there is no other alternative, we must surrender. To -hold out longer is murder. If we had a few competent gunners we might -drive her away, but with our inexperienced men, we are wasting -ammunition and life to resist." - -"There is one chance," said Fernando. "Perhaps we could carry the ship -by the board." - -"By the board! divil a bit!" put in Terrence. "Why they'd sink us all -before we could get within a hundred yards of the plagued ship." - -Sukey, remembering that Captain Snipes, his avowed enemy, was on board -the _Xenophon_, was eager to make the effort to carry her by the board. - -"It will be a desperate undertaking," said Lieutenant Willard. "If we -had sailors instead of riflemen it might be done very easily; but it is -a desperate chance; yet we are in a desperate situation." - -"And faith ye'll come to a desperate end, if ye thry to carry that ship -by the board," interrupted Terrence. - -Fernando mustered three hundred men and, ascertaining there were boats -to take them to the _Xenophon_, was about to give the orders to march -to the water, when, suddenly, volley after volley of muskets and pistols -rang out from the ship. The Americans had passed from the works and were -drawn up on the sands. When they heard the firing at the _Xenophon_, -they came to a halt, to guess and wonder at the cause. - -It was decided to march the men by a round-about course to the -promontory and embark in boats for the ship. By doing this, they could -come upon the vessel from the side opposite to the fort, and effect a -more complete surprise. Two dozen bold fishermen were entrusted to take -the boats along the rocky shore to the point of embarkation. The night -was quite dark, and, the water rough, so it required great skill to -accomplish this difficult feat. - -Fernando and his troops had gained the neck of land reaching to the -promontory, and, fearing that the enemy might have landed a force there, -and that they would be drawn into an ambuscade, he halted his troops in -a dense growth of wood and left them with Lieutenant Willard, while he, -with Sukey, Terrence and Job, crept forward to reconnoitre. They had -almost reached the promontory, and, convinced that there was no one in -ambush, were about to return to the main force, when suddenly an object -presented itself to their eyes, which absolutely rooted them to the -spot. At about twenty or thirty yards distant, where but the moment -before the long line of horizon terminated the view, there now stood a -strange figure, which might be six and might be twelve feet in height. -It had evidently risen up out of the ground and was floating in the air, -as there seemed to be nothing to connect it with the earth. There was a -body of spotless white, an obscure mass which might be a head, and two -long, white, straight arms, spread apart like a cross. This strange -creature was advancing toward them. - -"Oh, golly! massa, look ye dar! dat am a ghost!" whispered the darkey. - -"A banshee, begorra!" said Terrence. - -Fernando was impressed that the strange vision was the result of some -English trickery, while Sukey, cocking his gun, declared: - -"If it's mortal, I'll soon make it immortal." - -"Hold, Sukey!" whispered Fernando, "let us see what it is before you -fire." - -"Golly! massa, it am comin' dis way!" - -Fernando could see that the object, with its strange incongruous head, -its long arms, of which it now seemed to have three or four, was -advancing toward them over the uneven ground; and he gave the order to -fall back until they were nearer the troops. - -When within about one hundred paces, Fernando made a stand and cried: - -"Halt!" - -This was the first word uttered loud enough to reach the strange -four-armed, one-headed, but legless spectre. It produced a wonderful -effect, for the odd figure wheeled about and started off at something -like a run. Sukey brought his gun to his shoulder and fired. - -The report of the gun was the signal for the riflemen under Lieutenant -Willard to charge, and all gave chase to the spectre. - -"Don't fire another shot!" cried Fernando. The spectre had not gone a -hundred paces, before it stumbled over a loose stone and fell. In a -moment, Terrence Malone had seized it and cried: - -"Huzzah! boys, I've caught the divil himsilf." - -The spectre proved to be a very material like person in the form of a -tall sailor with a white jacket and cap and blue trousers. His -superabundance of arms could be accounted for by the long, white oar, -which he had been carrying on his shoulder, and which he explained was -his only weapon, offensive or defensive. - -"Where are you from?" asked Fernando. - -"I am from his majesty's frigate _Xenophon_," he answered. - -"Are you a deserter?" asked Fernando. - -"Yes, sir; I am an American by birth, and will die before I raise my -hand against my country. To-day, because I refused to work at the guns, -I was arrested, to be flogged in the morning, hung or shot at the -pleasure of Captain Snipes." - -"I believe I know that voice--" began Captain Stevens. - -"Holy golly! it am Massa St. Mark!" yelled a voice behind them, and Job -tore his way through the crowd and, flinging his arms about the sailor, -cried: "Massa St. Mark! Massa St. Mark! am it you?" - -"Faith, it's the best gunner in the British navy!" cried Terrence. - -Fernando had no trouble in recognizing in the stranger the gentlemanly -gunner of the _Macedonian_, who had saved him from being flogged. -Terrence, Fernando, Job and Sukey crowded about the newcomer and for a -moment plied him with questions. He explained that, having slipped his -handcuffs, he rushed on deck, seized the oar, which he still carried, -knocked down two sentries and leaped overboard. They fired a hundred -shots at him; but, being an excellent swimmer, and the night being dark, -he managed to escape. Lying on his back, holding to the oar, he watched -for the flash of their guns and pistols, and, when they fired, ducked -his head under the water. - -The appearance of Mr. Hugh St. Mark naturally caused another -consultation. He discouraged their desperate attempt to carry the ship -by the board, and Fernando, after sending six fishermen to the headland -to acquaint their companions there with the change, marched with his -force back to the fort. An hour later the others came. - -When day dawned, the _Xenophon_ renewed her cannonading. Mr. Hugh St. -Mark was given charge of the thirty-two, and after carefully measuring -the distance with an experienced eye, he weighed the powder and loaded -the gun. Fernando watched the flight of the first ball, which went -whizzing over the leeward rail across the deck and out at the opposite -port into the sea. The second shot cut some of the rigging. The British -supposed those two shots accidents, but after the third, they were -convinced that there was an experienced hand at the gun. - -Fernando, in his anxiety to mark the effect of the third shot, forgot -his promise to Morgianna and, with the glass in hand, mounted the -rampart. The heavy boom of the cannon shook sea and shore. There was no -need of a glass to mark the effects. The ball crashed through from side -to side sending the splinters flying in every direction. A wild cheer -rose from the fort, and Fernando saw five or six carried below the deck, -while one of the guns was dismounted and useless. In a few seconds the -great gun was again loaded. This, time the ball crashed through the -hull. The fifth shot struck the mizzenmast about four feet above deck, -and cut it almost away. - -"Victory is ours!" cried Fernando, waving his sword in the air. - -"Hurrah for ould Ireland and the United States foriver!" shouted -Terrence, leaping on the embankment, and dancing a jig. But the -_Xenophon_ had not given up the contest yet. She continued to fire her -balls and shells with murderous intent until the balls from St. Mark's -direction had cut her mainmast down. It fell over on the lee side -dragging with it the fore mainstay and crippling the rigging to such an -extent that Captain Snipes began to fear he could not get his vessel out -of the harbor. The weight of the mainmast hanging over the side of the -vessel was so great that the vessel heeled over to leeward. A dozen -carpenters with axes flew to cut away the wreck and the ship -righted herself. - -While others were rejoicing, Hugh St. Mark was busy sending ball after -ball crashing into the _Xenophon_ as if he had many old scores to -settle. Sukey, who stood by his side, said: - -"Mr. St. Mark, don't hit the captain--leave him for me." - -The wind and tide bore the _Xenophon_ to the mouth of the harbor just -beyond the point of Duck Island, where she was temporarily safe from the -balls of the avenging thirty-two. - -It soon became evident that the land force under Lieutenant Matson -intended to march to the point of land, embark, and return to the ship. -Fernando determined to spoil their plan. He mustered two hundred and -fifty of his soldiers, marines and militia and started to head them off. -Lieutenant Willard was left alone in charge of the fort. - -A villager who knew a nearer route guided them by it to a pass between -two hills, where the Britons would be compelled to march. Sukey and -Terrence were sent forward to reconnoitre, and as they came in sight of -the narrow valley surrounded by hills they saw the head of the column of -redcoats coming, their banner upheld to the breeze. Terrence wheeling -about, ran with all speed back to the advancing soldiers, and cried: - -"Come on, me boys! it's a divil's own time we'll have of it in the -valley, all to ourselves." - -"Halt! fix bayonets!" commanded Fernando. In a moment, the gleaming -bayonets were on each gun. "Forward!--Double--Quick!" - -The soldiers, at a run, dashed into the valley just as the British -appeared, two volleys delivered in quick succession and they were at it -steel to steel. Fernando, bareheaded, engaged a stout Briton in a -hand-to-hand struggle, which a quick thrust from Sukey's bayonet ended. -Next, Captain Stevens found himself hotly engaged with his old enemy -Lieutenant Matson. Their blades flashed angrily for a moment, but as the -lieutenant's men threw down their arms and begged for quarters, he -realized the folly of resisting longer and yielded. His stubborn pride -made the struggle hard. He offered his sword to his victor, which he -politely declined. - -"Keep your sword, lieutenant," said Fernando. "Though you are my enemy, -I trust you have not forgotten that you are a gentleman." - -"I trust not." - -"You shall be paroled as soon as we reach the fort." - -The Britons stacked their arms, and marched in double file under a guard -to the fort. Oxen and carts were sent out for the arms and two pieces of -artillery which were brought into the fort. - -Silent and majestic as an uncrowned prince, seeming neither elated nor -depressed by the victory, stood the gunner Hugh St. Mark by the side of -the old thirty-two, with which he had fired the shots that saved -the fort. - -He was tall, straight, broad-shouldered, with hair once chestnut, but -now almost gray. His age might be anywhere between forty and fifty -years. So calm, majestic and mysterious did he seem, as, with folded -arms, he stood gazing unconcernedly about him, that Fernando was -constrained to ask himself: - -"Who is he?" - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -NEW ORLEANS. - -Amid the exciting scenes which followed in such rapid succession, no one -had noticed that the weather had undergone a wonderful change. By the -time the prisoners were comfortably quartered the sun had set, and the -sky was obscured with dark clouds from which constant flashes of -lightning were emitted. The distant roll of thunder and the sighing of -the wind gave warning of the approach of a storm. - -"The _Xenophon_ is in a poor condition to weather a storm to-night," -said Lieutenant Willard. "With her hull raked fore and aft a dozen -times, her mizzen gone, her foremast shot through, and her rigging so -cut to pieces, she can hardly be managed in good weather. A storm would -surely drive her on the rocks." - -The vessel could be seen by the flashes of lightning, struggling to get -to sea. At last she disappeared. The storm rose and the wind blew a -perfect hurricane. Fernando had gone to see Captain Lane to make a full -report. It was midnight, and he was still with the captain, when the -boom of a gun at sea was heard. That was no gun of battle but a signal -of distress. - -"What is it?" cried Captain Lane. - -"It's the _Xenophon_. I fear she cannot weather the storm." - -Then they listened for an hour or more to the occasional boom of a -cannon. - -"She's comin' right in on the stony point sou'east o' the bay," cried -Captain Lane. - -Fernando started to his feet and said: - -"We must go to their rescue." - -At this Morgianna, who had been ministering to the wounded, entered and -said: - -"Are they not enemies?" - -"Yes, but fellow-creatures, also. Those signal guns call out humanity, -and the bravest are the most humane," said Fernando. - -"I am glad you said that!" she remarked as Fernando hurriedly left the -shelter in which the captain lay. - -Day dawned and the _Xenophon_ was a broken wreck scattered along the -Maryland coast. Occasionally a bruised and bleeding form was picked up -senseless or dead among the rocks, or on the beach. Sukey was busiest -among the searchers; but the scenes of horror and suffering which -everywhere met his view changed his hatred to pity. - -At last he came upon a poor, bruised, thoroughly soaked, -wretched-looking man lying among some rocks, where the angry waves and -receding tide had left him. His once elegant uniform was now rotten, -dirty rags. One gold epaulet was gone, and the other was so -mud-besmeared that one could scarce tell what it was composed of. - -[Illustration: SUKEY'S THUMB LIFTED THE HAMMER OF HIS GUN.] - -It required a second look for Sukey to recognize in that miserable -creature, drawing every breath in pain, the haughty Captain Snipes, who -had scourged and disgraced him. Snipes had severe internal injuries and -was dying. Sukey's thumb lifted the hammer of his gun, then he gazed on -the agonized face of his enemy, and, the tears starting to his eyes, he -let down the hammer. At this moment Fernando came up, and Sukey cried: - -"I can't do it, Fernando,--I can't do it! I've prayed for this, for -years, but now that it's given me, I can't. It's Captain Snipes, but -he's too bad hurt to kill." - -"God has punished him," said Fernando, solemnly. "Verily, 'vengeance is -mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.'" - -They lifted their enemy as gently as if he had been their dearest friend -and bore him to a fisherman's cottage, where Sukey did all in his power -to alleviate his suffering; but his time on earth was short. Captain -Snipes sank rapidly. That he was conscious and recognized his nurse no -one can doubt, for just half an hour before he died, he took Sukey's -hand and spoke the only words he was heard to utter after the wreck. - -"Forgive me!" he said. - -"I do, captain, God knows I do!" Sukey cried warmly, and the haughty, -cruel Captain Snipes passed away, the victim of God's vengeance. - -The day after the wreck of the _Xenophon_, news came from Baltimore of -the repulse of the British fleet and army. It was a day of general -rejoicing. A squadron was to be sent to guard the coast and relieve -Fernando at Mariana. For some time he had been asking to be attached to -some western regiment with his recruits. He received official notice -that he had been assigned to a Kentucky regiment under Colonel Smiley, -and, with the notice, came a commission to the rank of major. Fernando -was ordered to join the regiment at Nashville, Tenn., to act under -General Jackson in the South. - -The war was shifting to the South; and the western and southern troops -were hastening to its defence. Fernando notified his men of the order -and Sukey volunteered to go with them. Job also enlisted as cook; but -Terrence, having been notified that _Privateer Tom_ ready for sea, once -more bade them adieu, and departed for Philadelphia, taking Mr. Hugh St. -Mark the gunner with him. - -Fernando went to the great white stone house, which had been repaired -and again occupied by Captain Lane and his daughter. Captain Lane and -Morgianna were alone in the large sitting-room when he entered. The -captain was convalescent, but not wholly recovered from his attack of -rheumatism. - -"So you are going away?" said Captain Lane when Fernando had told him of -his last order. - -"Yes, captain, a soldier belongs to his country." - -"I know it. I don't blame you one bit. So you will serve under Jackson. -Well, I don't think another ship will venture to bombard Mariana. Have -you sent the prisoners to Baltimore?" - -"Yes, sir, all save Lieutenant Matson. I took his parole, and he still -remains in the village, I presume, during his pleasure. He will be -required to report once a week to Baltimore, but that need not be -in person." - -The captain was silent. While speaking, Fernando kept his eyes from the -face of Morgianna. He could not look at her and be a witness to the glow -of joy which he knew must warm her cheek on being informed that her -lover was to remain. She quietly left the apartment while he was -conversing with the captain, and when he left, he found her alone in -the hall. - -It was almost dark; but her face in its beauty seemed to illumine the -hall. He took her hand in his own, and felt that same old thrill of five -years before. - -"I am going away, Miss Lane," he said, "and I cannot go without bidding -you adieu and telling you how much I appreciate your brave, noble, -self-sacrificing efforts in caring for the wounded." - -Fernando really had a different opinion of Morgianna from that he had -at first entertained. He had thought of her only as a gay, frivolous -girl, witty, brilliant and beautiful; but the scenes of death, the siege -and carnage had shown him a new Morgianna;--it was Morgianna the -heroine. She made several efforts to speak before she could fully -control herself. - -"Major Stevens," she faintly said after a struggle, "the people of this -poor little village can never feel too grateful to you, for your brave -and unselfish defence of their homes!" - -"I am a soldier, Miss Lane, and I trust I did my duty." - -Then they stood silent. Fernando would have given worlds to speak the -promptings of his heart: but stubborn pride forbade him. - -"Whither do you go?" she asked. - -"To the South; what point I do not know, save that we join our regiment -at Nashville." - -"Will you ever come back, major?" - -"If duty calls me--" - -"But have you no friends," she asked slowly, "no friends here, whom you -would like to see after the war is over?" - -"Many, Miss Lane. These brave men and noble women, who have shared my -toils and dangers, are very dear to my heart, and when the Britons have -been driven from our country, nothing would give me greater pleasure -than to renew my acquaintance with them." - -"You are always welcome, major," she said, deeply moved. "Will you make -me a promise?" - -"What is the promise?" - -"That you will come as soon as the war is over." - -"It is only a polite way of inviting me to her wedding," he thought; -then he asked: - -"Will you be here?" - -"If heaven spares me, I shall." - -"Then I will return, Miss Lane, if I live." - -Their discourse had been friendly, but cold and formal. Fernando had -once overstepped the bounds when he declared his love; but he was -careful not to do so again. Notwithstanding she had leaped to the -redoubt amid screaming shells and whistling balls, to persuade him back -to the trenches, he could see nothing more tender than love of humanity -in her act. He was so thoroughly convinced that she would wed Lieutenant -Matson, that he was once on the point of asking her when the marriage -would take place, but the subject was too painful to mention. - -She followed him quite to the door, and here he said in a voice that was -husky despite his efforts to prevent it: - -"Miss Lane,--Morgianna, I had him paroled for your sake. He can remain -in the village." - -He was gone before she could make any response. His men were mustered -at peep of day and marched away to Baltimore. - -General Andrew Jackson, to whom Fernando Stevens was marching, was the -hero of the war of 1812 in the South. Having utterly crushed the Creek -power and wrung from them a treaty which extinguished them politically -as a nation, he set about securing that portion of the country against -further molestation. The belief that the war in the South was ended -proved a deception when the British suddenly appeared in a large force -in the Gulf of Mexico. By permission of the Spanish governor of Florida, -the British took possession of one of the forts at Pensacola, where they -fitted out an expedition for the capture of Fort Bowyer, [Footnote: Now -Fort Morgan.] on the eastern shore of the entrance to Mobile Bay. The -British attacked the fort, but were repulsed. Jackson, who was at -Mobile, hastened to Pensacola and demanded of the Spanish governor a -surrender of the forts. The officer sent with the flag to demand the -surrender was fired upon, and next day Jackson with his troops charged -into the town; when the frightened governor offered to surrender the -forts. This was done, and the British blew up one, and abandoned -the others. - -On his return to Mobile, Jackson found a message from New Orleans, -urging him to hasten to the defence of that city, as the British -commander in the gulf had declared his intention to invade Louisiana, -and sent an inflammatory proclamation among the inhabitants. - -Jackson arrived at New Orleans, December 2, 1814, and found the city -utterly defenceless, and the people filled with alarm and distracted by -petty factions. Danger was imminent. The British troops that left -Chesapeake Bay after their repulse at Baltimore had gone to the West -Indies, where they were joined by about four thousand veterans under the -brave Irish General Keane. The combined forces sailed in the direction -of New Orleans, late in November. The wives of many of the officers -accompanied them, for not a man doubted that the speedy conquest of -Louisiana would be the result of the expedition. The dullness of the -voyage was enlightened by music and dancing, and all anticipated -exquisite pleasures to be found in the paradise before them. It is said -that the British officers had promised their soldiers the privilege of -the city, when captured, for three days, and that "booty and beauty," -was their watchword. - -Fernando Stevens, with his experienced marksmen, joined Jackson at New -Orleans on the very day that Jean Lafitte, the pirate of the Gulf, came -to offer the services of himself and band to Jackson. The British -General had tried to engage the services of this band of outlaws. -Lafitte was a shrewd Frenchman, and he and his band had been outlawed by -legal proceedings, though their crimes were only violations of the -revenue and neutrality laws of the United States. When the invitation of -the British was put into his hands, he feigned compliance; but as soon -as the bearer had departed, he called his followers around him on the -border of the sea, and said: - -"Comrades, I am an adopted citizen of the United States, and will never -violate the confidence placed in me by serving the enemies of my -country. We have been outlawed; perhaps we deserve it by our -irregularities. No matter; I am ready to serve my adopted country, and -ask you to join me. What say you, comrades?" - -His brawny followers threw up their hats and responded: - -"We will! we will!" - -Fernando was at the headquarters of General Jackson when the famous -buccaneer held his interview with him. Fernando's regiment shortly after -his arrival was assigned to the brigade of General Coffee. - -The British forces halted at the entrance to Lake Borgne, between which -and the Mississippi New Orleans stands. Here, on December 14th, they -captured a flotilla under Captain Jones, which secured to them complete -command of the lake. - -Meanwhile Jackson placed New Orleans under martial law, and carried on -his measures of defence so vigorously, that the citizens began to pluck -up courage. When he heard of the capture of the flotilla, he sent -couriers to General Coffee and others at the head of Tennessee and -Kentucky troops, urging them to hasten to New Orleans. His efforts were -timely, for, on the 22d of December, General Keane, with more than two -thousand five hundred men, reached the banks of the Mississippi through -a bayou, nine miles below the city and prepared to take New Orleans by -surprise. Vigilant eyes were watching his movements; and a prisoner whom -he had taken, escaping, hastened to New Orleans and gave General Jackson -notice of the near approach of the foe. At the same time, Coffee and -Carroll arrived with the Tennesseeans, and Jackson put a column in -motion to meet the invaders. Early on the evening of the 23d of -December, they marched, eighteen hundred strong, led by Jackson in -person, and at the same time the armed schooner _Carolinia_ dropped down -the river to within musket range of the British camp. Shot from that -vessel first revealed the fact to the British that their presence was -known at New Orleans. The shells and shot from the vessel broke up -their camp, when they were attacked in the dark by Jackson and his -followers. The combat that followed was indecisive, except in making the -invaders more cautious and discreet. In this night conflict, the -Americans lost about two hundred men, while the British loss was -twice as many. - -New Orleans was saved from surprise; now it had to be saved from open -invasion. The events of the 23d dispirited the British, and in this -condition General Packenham found the troops on his arrival on Christmas -day with reinforcements, to take the chief command. He was a veteran, -fresh from the Spanish peninsula, and was delighted to find under his -control some of the best of Wellington's regiments. - -He immediately prepared to effect the capture of New Orleans and the -subjugation of Louisiana without delay. With hot shot the annoying -_Carolinia_ was burned, and the _Louisiana_ was the only American vessel -left on the river. - -Jackson was wide awake, however, and began throwing up a line of -intrenchments from the banks of the Mississippi to an almost -impenetrable swamp in the rear, four miles from New Orleans. - -There has been some dispute in regard to the redoubt which defended New -Orleans. There was an old story that a part of the redoubt was composed -of cotton bales taken from a rich planter named Mulanthy, and that the -cotton bales were afterward sold with hundreds of pounds of British -bullets in them. General Harney, in the Washington _Sunday Herald_, -several years ago denied this story. General Harney said: - -"I asked General Jackson, General Adair and General Coffee, the latter -having the immediate command of a brigade of Tennessee and Kentucky -sharpshooters, whose long rifles mainly did the work of death, if there -were cotton bales used at all, and they all answered that the only works -the Americans had were of earth, about two and a half feet high, rudely -constructed of fence-rails and logs laid twenty-four inches apart, and -the space between them filled with earth, and if there had been any -works constructed from cotton bales they must have known it." General -Harney was made by the Washington _Herald_ to say that in 1825 he was -promoted to captain in the first infantry, and sent to Nashville, -Tennessee, to recruit for his regiment, and while there he met with -Generals Jackson and Coffee, from whom he obtained many points of the -battle which have never been in print. - -Fernando had seen no service since leaving Mariana on the Maryland -coast. His riflemen were eager to meet the foe; but in the night -encounter they had been detailed to guard the city, and preserve the -peace. Day by day they had expected the enemy to advance to the attack; -but the 7th of January, 1815, passed, and the British had not yet moved -to the attack, further than some skirmishing and cannonading. On the -night of the 7th, the Americans slept on their arms, for they knew -Packenham would not long delay. The memorable morning of January 8, -1815, dawned at last. - -There was a heavy fog on the river, and the British troops had actually -formed and were advancing before Jackson had made his arrangements. -Fernando had just roused Sukey, who, having been on guard most of the -night, slept late, when he saw General Jackson on his white horse gallop -up to where General Coffee and his staff stood. At this moment the fog -lifted a little, and the formation of the British army was seen, and -Fernando heard Jackson exclaim: - -"By G--, they are ours!" - -"They are coming, Sukey!" said Fernando. "Get your gun!". - -"Won't they give me time to eat my breakfast?" Sukey asked. - -"I am afraid not." - -At this moment, Job, who was Fernando's cook, came running forward with -some broiled beefsteak on the end of a ramrod. He gave it to Sukey -and said: - -"Heah, massa, take dis an' chomp um down foh dey git near enough to -fight. I's gwine ter git my gun an' teach 'em dis chile ain't got no -Angler Saxun blood in his veins." - -Sukey presented an odd figure, for he wore no uniform. His head was -covered with an old, low, broad-brimmed hat. He sat on the carriage of a -brass gun near and ate his breakfast, while watching the enemy advance -to the attack. - -Coffee's part of the line, to which Fernando was attached, was on the -flank extending to the swamp. About a quarter of a mile from it, there -was a huge plantation drainage canal, such as are common in Louisiana -lowlands. At this, General Packenham formed his first attacking column. -His formation was a column in mass of about fifty files front. This was -formed under the fire of the regular artillerists in a little redoubt in -Coffee's front and that of some cannon taken from a man-of-war, placed -in a battery on the river and served by sailors. Coffee, seeing the -direction of the attack, which was intended to turn his flank, dashed -down the line saying to his men: - -"Hold your fire until you can see their belt-buckles." - -The riflemen were formed in two ranks so that one rank would load while -the other was firing. - -Fernando's position behind the earthworks was near an old oak tree, -which threw out its branches about his head. Sukey stood at his side -holding his long rifle in one hand and his broiled meat and sea-biscuit -in the other. The enemy came boldly forward, and a finer display was -never seen on review. Their lines were well dressed and Packenham, on -his snow white charger, rode as boldly as if he had no fear of death. As -Sukey munched his hard biscuit, his eyes were steadfastly fixed on Lord -Packenham. - -"Say, Fernando, ain't that fellow on the big horse General Packenham?" - -"No doubt of it, Sukey." - -"He'd wipe out the score of what's left of one hundred and eight," said -Sukey, swallowing his last bite of biscuit at one gulp and examining the -priming in his gun. - -Colonel Smiley was first to give orders to fire from Fernando's part of -the work, and there rang out a volley all along the line. The brass -pieces on their right began blazing away with the heavy iron cannon down -toward the river, which with the rattling of small arms almost made the -ground quake under their feet. Directly after the firing began, Captain -Patterson, from Knox County, Kentucky, came running along. He leaped on -the breastwork, and, stooping a moment to look through the darkness, as -well as he could, shouted: - -"Shoot low, boys! shoot low! rake them! rake them! They're comin' on -their all-fours!" - -It was so dark that little could be seen, until just about the time the -battle ceased. The morning had dawned, but the dense fog and thick smoke -obscured the sun. The Kentuckians did not seem to appreciate their -danger, but loaded and fired, and swore, laughed and joked as though it -were a frolic. All ranks and sections were soon broken and after the -first volley every man loaded and fired at will. Sukey did not fire as -often as some of the others, but at every shot he went up to the -breastwork, looked over until he could see a redcoat, and then taking -aim blazed away. After each shot he paused to write in his book. -Lieutenant Ashby, who had had a brother killed at the River Raisin, -seemed frantic with rage and fiendish glee. He ran up and down the -line yelling: - -"We'll pay you now for the River Raisin! We'll give you something to -remember the River Raisin!" When the British came up on the opposite -side of the breastwork, having no gun, he picked up a rifle barrel which -had been broken from the stock and threw it over at them. Then finding -an iron bar he leaped upon the breastwork and threw it at the mass of -heads crowding forward to scale their works. - -While the conflict was at its height, when Packenham was leading the -last grand charge against the earthworks. Major Stevens' attention was -directed by repeated and vociferous shouts to "come down," to an object -on his right. Turning his eyes in that direction, he saw Sukey, standing -coolly on the top of the breastwork peering into the darkness for -something to shoot at. The balls were whistling as thick as hail around -him, and cutting up the dirt at his feet. - -"Come down, Sukey, come down!" Fernando commanded. Sukey turned round -and, holding up the flap of his old, broad-brimmed hat with one hand, to -see who was speaking to him, answered: - -"Oh, never mind, Fernando--here's Sukey--I don't want to waste my -powder, and I'd like to know how I'm to shoot until I see something. I'm -watching for that man on the big white horse." - -It was not long until Sukey got his eye on the man on the big white -horse, and leveling his rifle pulled the trigger. At that instant -Packenham fell, bleeding and dying, into the arms of Sir Duncan -McDougall, his favorite aid, who performed a similar service for General -Ross when he was mortally wounded a few months before. Sukey coolly -descended from the breastwork and, sitting down at the root of a tree, -took out his book and said: - -"I've balanced the score. They flogged me; but, by the eternal, I'm more -than even." - -During the action some of the Tennesseeans became mixed with Smiley's -regiment. One of them was killed about five yards from where Fernando -stood. A ball passed through his head, and from the range of British -bullets it seemed quite probable that he was accidentally shot by some -of the Americans. This was the only man killed near where Fernando -stood. The firing began to slacken when he fell. While three or four men -were carrying the body away, a white flag was raised on the opposite -side of the breastwork, and the firing ceased. The white flag was a -handkerchief on a sword or stick. It was raised by a British major, who -was cut off and unable to retreat with the main army. When the firing -ceased, he came over the breastwork. A little Tennesseean, who looked as -if he had spent his days in the fever-infested swamps, demanded his -sword; but the officer was looking about for some commissioned officer -to give it to, when Colonel Smiley, whose democratic principles were at -enmity with punctilio, ordered him to hand over the sword to "Paleface," -as the youth was called. A great many who were unable to escape in the -retreat, came over and surrendered. Among them, Fernando saw a very -neatly dressed young man, standing on the edge of the breastwork -offering his hand as if for some one to assist him down. He was not over -nineteen years of age, and his language and manner indicated the -gentleman. - -Major Stevens took his musket and set it against the breastwork and -assisted him to the ground. He at once began to take off his cartouch -box, and the major noticed a red spot on his clean, white under jacket. - -"Are you wounded?" Fernando asked. - -"Yes, sir, and I fear badly." - -"Let me help you, my man!" said the major, unbuckling his belt. - -"Please don't take my canteen, for it contains my water." - -"I shall not take anything that does not encumber you." - -Just then one of the Tennesseeans who had gone down to the river for -water came along with some in a coffee-pot. The wounded man saw him, -and said: - -"I am very thirsty, sir, will you please give me a drop?" - -"Oh, yes," said the Tennesseean. "I will treat you to anything I have -got." The young man took the coffee-pot and swallowed two or three -mouthfuls out of the spout, and handed it back. In an instant, Fernando -saw him sinking backward. He called to Sukey, who was near, and they -eased him down against the side of a tent, where he gave two or three -gasps and was dead. He had been shot through the breast. - -A number of British soldiers and officers had sought shelter from the -fire of the Americans in the ditch on the other side of the breastwork. -These, of course, being unable to retreat came in and surrendered. When -the smoke lifted from the battlefield it disclosed a terrible spectacle. -The field looked like a sea of blood, for it was literally covered with -redcoats. Straight out before their position, the entire space occupied -by the British troops was covered with dead or wounded. In some places, -where the lines had made a stand, they lay in piles like winrows of hay, -while the intervals between were more thinly sprinkled. About two -hundred yards directly in front of their position, lay a large dapple -gray horse, which was said to have belonged to Packenham. Nearly half -way between the horse and the breastworks was a heap of slain, marking -the spot where Packenham fell; his horse having retreated some distance -before it went down. - -The battle was over, and Sukey sat down to finish his breakfast which -had been interrupted by the stirring event. - -The British left seven hundred dead and fourteen hundred wounded on the -field, while five hundred were made prisoners making a loss of -twenty-six hundred. The Americans lost eight killed and -thirteen wounded. - -Packenham and three of his general officers slain in the fight were sent -to England in casks of rum for burial. The British troops under General -Lambert stole noiselessly away on the night of the 19th across Lake -Borgne, in small transports, and escaped to the fleet. They then -besieged Fort Bowyer for two days, February 20th and 21st, when Major -Lawrence, who was in command, was compelled to surrender, and the -victors were about to push on to Mobile, when they were arrested by -tidings of peace. - -The treaty of peace was signed at Ghent on December 24th, 1814, but, -owing to the slow means of communication in those days, it was not known -in America until the following February, or the battle of New Orleans -would never have been fought. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -CONCLUSION. - -Though the United States of America had sustained their honor in the war -of 1812, the fight was never fought to a finish, nor were the results as -satisfactory as might have been hoped. - -Had peace been made a little later, America might have obtained much -better terms. The war had been waged under great difficulties by the -Americans, who were not wholly united, and lacked money, men, arms, -ships and experience, yet, under all these great difficulties, the -United States came out of the war with the respect of the world, such as -it had never before enjoyed. It became formidable to Europe as a great -and vigorous power, with which it was not safe to trifle. - -This was still more apparent, when the government declared war on the -dey of Algiers, one of the pirate princes of North Africa, who, for -hundreds of years, had made war on the commerce of all nations almost -with impunity. Having violated their treaty, President Madison sent a -naval force to the Mediterranean, which, on June 17th and 19th, -captured two Algerian vessels-of-war and threatened Algiers. The dey -made peace and gave liberty to all prisoners without ransom, and full -satisfaction for damages to commerce. - -The people of the new republic, learning by experience, in the year -1816, began improving their coast defences and increasing their navy. -Commerce and manufacturers were encouraged. In the autumn of 1816, James -Monroe was elected president of the United States. On December 11,1816, -Indiana was admitted to the Union as a State. - -With Monroe's administration, a new era dawned for America. The failure -of the French revolution, and, finally, the failure of Napoleon -Bonaparte and the re-establishment of the old monarchy in France, as the -result first of the excesses of the French republic, and then of the -military interference of Bonaparte with the existing state of things in -Europe, had an important influence in modifying the politics of the -Republican party in the United States; so they came, partially in -Jefferson's administration and completely by the close of Madison's, to -follow the wise and vigorous policy pursued by Washington and the -Federal party; while the general government and the institutions of the -country became deeply imbued with the regard to popular rights, and -attention to the interests and will of the people that formed the -leading idea of Jefferson and the original Democratic, or, as it was -then called, Republican party. - -The leading events of Monroe's two administrations were the attention -given to internal improvements, among which may be mentioned the Erie -canal in New York, the encouragement of manufactures, the acquisition of -Florida by treaty, the Seminole war, the Missouri compromise, December -14th, 1819, the Monroe Doctrine, promulgated in 1822, and the visit of -General Lafayette to the United States, in August, 1824. - -But little explanation of these events is necessary. In December, 1817, -Mississippi was admitted into the Union, and Alabama became a territory. -On March 2, 1819, Arkansas was organized into a territory, and on -December 14, Alabama was admitted to the Union. In this year commenced -the earnest and acrimonious discussion between the North and South in -regard to the extension of slavery. Both Maine and Missouri sought -admission as States. Maine was admitted, March 15th, 1820, and, after a -two years' wild debate, it was thought the whole question of slavery was -settled by the Missouri Compromise, February 27, 1821. This compromise -was the adoption of a provision in the bill for the admission of -Missouri, that in all territory south of thirty-six degrees and thirty -minutes north latitude (the southern boundary of the State of Missouri) -slavery might exist; but it was prohibited in the region north of that -line. A member of congress from Georgia prophetically said in the course -of the debate: - -"A fire has been kindled, which all the waters of the ocean cannot put -out, and which only seas of blood can extinguish." Had the Missouri -Compromise been kept inviolate to the present day, slavery might still -have existed below thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north latitude. - -The commerce of the United States was greatly injured by swarms of -privateers under Spanish-American flags, who had degenerated into -pirates, and so became outlaws, subject to chastisement by any nation. - -They infested the West Indian seas and the northern coast of South -America. Against these pirates and to protect American commerce, the -United States sent Commodore Perry, with two ships of war, in the spring -of 1819. Perry died of yellow fever soon after his arrival in southern -waters. In June, 1822, Captain Allen, of the United States schooner -_Alligator_, successfully fought a band of pirates in the West Indies, -captured one of their schooners, and recaptured five American vessels; -but Captain Allen was subsequently killed in an encounter with the bold -buccaneers. The next year Commodore Porter, with a larger force, -entered the pirate infested waters and almost completely destroyed the -buccaneers. It was the policy of the government of the United States to -favor the revolt of the Spanish-American provinces, whose flag these -pirates had dishonored, as a means for preventing the establishment, in -the future, of monarchical powers on the American continent. The latter -policy was avowed by the president, and has never been lost sight of by -our government, and is known in history as the "Monroe Doctrine." -Accordingly, on the recommendation of the president, congress, early in -1822, resolved by a unanimous vote to recognize the independence of five -of the revolted colonies, and appropriated $100,000 to defray the -expenses of envoys to the seat of government of each, whom the president -soon afterward appointed. - -The year 1824 was marked by the visit of Washington's and America's best -friend General Lafayette. As every boy has read of the visit of this -good man, only a brief mention of so important an event is necessary. He -arrived at New York August 15, 1824, and never did visitor receive so -warm welcome by any nation. - -"Many interesting incidents occurred during Lafayette's tour through the -country. A touching one was related to the writer, many years ago, by -George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of General Washington. -In October, 1824, Lafayette visited Mount Vernon and the tomb of -Washington. He was conveyed to the shore from the steamboat in a barge, -accompanied by his son (who had lived at Mount Vernon with Custis when -they were boys), secretary John C. Calhoun, and Mr. Custis. At the -shore, he was received by Lawrence Lewis, a nephew of Washington, and -the family of Judge Bushrod Washington, who was absent on official -business. He was conducted to the mansion where, forty years before, he -took his last leave of the patriot, whom he most sincerely loved as a -father. Then the company proceeded to the tomb of Washington (the old -one on the brow of the hill), when Mr. Custis, after a brief speech, -presented the general with a gold ring containing a lock of Washington's -hair. Lafayette received it with emotion, and, after thanking the donor, -he affectionately embraced him and the other gentlemen present. Then he -fervently pressed his lips to the door of the vault. It was opened and -there were displayed the coffins of Washington and his wife, decorated -with flowers. The general descended the steps, kissed the leaden -caskets, while tears suffused his cheeks, and then reverently retired." -[Footnote: Lossing's "Our Country," Vol. V., p. 1327.] - -Shortly after peace was declared, Fernando's regiment was mustered out -of the service, and he and Sukey went to their homes in Ohio. Both had -done their share toward preserving the honor of their country and wished -to retire to private life. A great change had come over Sukey. The text -quoted by Fernando on the morning when they found Captain Snipes dead -among the rocks seemed ever to ring in his ear. - -"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord." He proceeded to a -careful study of the sentence, and from that became a student of the -Bible. A few days after their return, he said: - -"Fernando, what I did during the war was right, but was not done in the -right spirit. I shot from revenge. I killed because I hated the British -officers. I seemed to feel the stinging cuts of the cat on my back. That -flogging made a devil of me. I hated the sight of a redcoat. It's all -gone now--not that my revenge is satiated, but because I am changed. A -new light has been opened up to my mind, and I can see it was no -disgrace to be flogged for freedom. It was the ignorance of my enemies -that I should have pitied instead of condemned." - -Fernando suspected the bent of Sukey's mind long before he made the -announcement that he intended to enter the ministry. Back to the -Maryland Academy at Baltimore went Sukey. He entered the theological -department, and four years later began a long and successful -ministerial career. - -Major Stevens had not forgotten his promise to pay the Maryland village -a visit. If he had been disposed to forget his promise, which he was -not, he would have been reminded of it by a letter which he received -shortly after he returned home. The envelope was small, and the -superscription was written in a neat feminine hand. Small as the -envelope was, the letter contained much, for it was closely written and -every page filled from top to bottom. There were other letters and -petitions from the grateful citizens asking him to be present at the -barbecue and Fourth of July celebration at the town of Mariana. None of -these letters or invitations had stronger effect to induce him to take a -journey to Maryland, than the closely penned missive did, though it was -only a friendly letter. - -Fernando set out the first of June. Peace again reigned over the fair -land, and the country was all ablaze with glory. The ploughboy's whistle -was heard in every field in harmony with the lark. The journey by mail -coach was a pleasant one, for, being in no great haste, he traveled by -easy stages, stopping over frequently to rest. He saw on every hand -evidence of awakening interest and prosperity. New houses were building; -new towns were laid out; new fields were inviting the ploughman; the -busy hum of industry everywhere filled the heart of the patriot, and he -more than once exclaimed: - -"What a great country is ours!" - -He arrived at Baltimore at the close of a delightful day, and alighted -in front of the principal tavern. Some one, rushing across the street, -pushed pedestrians right and left and howled in a voice loud enough to -be heard three blocks away: - -"Tear and ages! Clear the track!--that's himself--divil a one else!" - -This exclamation came from Terrence Malone, who, bareheaded and in shirt -sleeves, was rushing through the throng of people on the street in -reckless disregard of high hats and crinoline. Women screamed and one -hysterical creature tried to faint, but was restrained by the fear that -her elegant costume might be soiled. - -"Call the watchman! Take that fellow and lock him up! knock him down! -Who is the wretch?" - -These are only a part of the imprecations heaped on the devoted head of -Terrence Malone, who, regardless of everything and everybody, burst his -way through the crowd and reached Fernando's side. - -"O, murther! O; holy mother! O, Moses! Is it yersilf safe afther all?" - -The poor fellow could say no more, but burst into tears, for a more -tender heart never beat in any breast. Terrence had just arrived an hour -before in Baltimore, having come from a long cruise in which he brought -four prizes, for the privateers were slow to learn that the war was -over. He had put up at a rival house across the street and just removed -his coat for a bath, when, looking out of the window, he recognized his -old friend alighting from the stage coach. - -All former arrangements were cancelled and Fernando and Terrence that -evening occupied the same room. There was much to talk about. Terrence -told him that Mr. Hugh St. Mark the "illigant" gunner had served in the -last cruise on his vessel, and he never seemed to tire of talking about -him. He was a "gintleman," from the sole of his foot to the crown of his -head. Mr. St. Mark was on the ship in the harbor, and next day came -ashore. He greeted the major with his kind quiet smile. Fernando learned -that neither had been to Mariana since the bombardment and destruction -of the _Xenophon_. He prevailed on them to accompany him, and next day -in a swift yacht they sailed out of the harbor and down the coast. The -scenery revived many recollections of Fernando's early experience. They -passed the point where he had fought his duel, and he could not repress -a smile at the ludicrous termination of what had so nearly proved a -serious affair. Terrence did most of the talking, for Fernando was busy -with his own reflections. He was asking himself if it might be possible -that he would be just in time to witness the nuptials of Matson and -Morgianna. He had never freed himself from the thought that she loved -the lieutenant. Her regard for himself was gratitude not love. He would -not allow himself to believe that she entertained a more tender -sentiment. - -When they arrived at Mariana the people congregated in a great crowd on -the beach, and the local martial band, consisting of three drums and a -fife, played "Yankee Doodle." while Fernando and his friends were -escorted to the tavern. Here a local orator, who had been three times an -unsuccessful candidate for a seat in the halls of the legislature, made -a short speech. This had scarcely terminated in three rousing cheers, -when a carriage from Captain Lane's house came rattling down the street. -The captain was in the vehicle. - -"Why are you cheering? Who has arrived?" he demanded. - -"Major Stevens, who saved Mariana, when the British were about to take -it," the orator answered. - -"Where is he?" - -"In the tavern." - -"But he is not going to stay there!" thundered the old sailor, rolling -out of his carriage and rushing on the piazza. "I have made room in my -own house for him, and, by the trident of Neptune! he shall come -with me." - -Fernando, hearing the voice of his old friend, came out to grasp his -hand; and Captain Lane, pointing to his carriage, swore he had come to -take him bag and baggage to his house. Fernando explained that he had -two friends; but the captain did not care if he had a dozen, and in less -time than the whole matter could be told the three travellers found -themselves in the vehicle whirling up the avenue of trees, many of which -still bore the marks of shells and cannon shot. - -The greeting between Fernando and Morgianna was warm, but formal. -Terrence impulsively grasped the little hand of the "maid o' the beach," -as he called her, and paid her some pretty compliment, which caused her -to blush, enhancing her beauty a hundred fold. - -She was formally introduced to Mr. St. Mark, the gunner whose skill had -saved them. She had seen the quiet man at a distance during the siege, -but had never talked with him. - -"Say, Fernando, do yez mark how Misther St. Mark stares at Miss -Morgianna?" asked Terrence that evening. "Bad luck to his ill manners, -if he wasn't so ould, I'd think he was in love with her." - -Fernando made no response. Captain Lane, during the evening, engaged -St. Mark in a discussion about General Jackson, who was undergoing a -trial by the civil courts of New Orleans for the violation of the civil -laws in saving the city. Captain Lane was loud in his condemnation of -the Peace faction, which, not satisfied with having thrown every -possible obstacle in the way of the administration in the prosecution of -the war, was now ridiculing the manner in which it had terminated. - -Fernando and Morgianna, during the course of the evening, found -themselves alone, and he ventured to ask: - -"Is Lieutenant Matson in America?" - -"I think not," she answered, in a careless way that astonished him. He -fixed his eyes on the floor for a moment, and then ventured to say: - -"Pardon me, Miss Lane, but as your friend I am interested in your -affairs;--when is it to come off?" - -"When is what to come off?" she asked in real surprise. - -"Your marriage with Lieutenant Matson." - -She gazed at him a moment in astonishment, and then her old native -mischievousness got control, and she laughed outright. His very -earnestness gave the affair an air of ludicrousness. - -"I am in earnest, Miss Lane," said Fernando, seriously. - -"So I perceive," and she still laughed provokingly. - -"May I ask if you have not been engaged all along to Lieutenant Matson?" - -"No." - -"When was it broken off?" - -"It never was made." - -Fernando turned his face away to hide his confusion and said half aloud: - -"Have I been a fool all along? If it was not the lieutenant, then who in -the name of reason was it?" The roguish creature seemed really to enjoy -this discomfiture. Fernando's cheek had never blanched in battle, but in -the presence of this little maiden he was a coward. After several -efforts in which he found the old malady of something rising in his -throat returning, he said: - -"But, Morgianna, was he not your lover?" - -"No, he was father's friend; but I could never love him, though I -treated him respectfully." She was serious now. - -"Then, Morgianna, who was it?" he asked impulsively. She was silent. He -waited but a second or two and went on. "Some one surely stood in the -way of our--my happiness. I had hoped that you did not despise me. I -scarce dared to think you loved me, but it was some one,--who stood -in my way?" - -Her cheek grew crimson as the rich blood mounted to neck and face, and -in a voice scarce audible she answered: - -"No one!" - -"Morgianna!" he whispered, "dare I hope--dare I for one minute--" he had -risen to his feet and was standing at her side with wildly beating -heart. She made no answer, but her long drooping lashes almost concealed -her eyes, as she gazed on the floor. - -He advanced a step nearer, bent over and took one little trembling hand -in his own. She did not attempt to withdraw it this time, and, gently -slipping his disengaged arm about her waist, he murmured: - -"Morgianna!" - -Still she was silent. He went on: - -"You know how I have loved you all these years;--you must have known how -I have suffered and braved dangers untold. I sought--defied death, -because I deemed you lost. I spared the man I thought my rival, because -I believed you loved him. Though a young man, there are gray hairs in my -head, for it has been a living death since that night, Morgianna. Why -have you----" - -"Oh, don't, don't!" she plead, tears starting to her beautiful eyes. -"Don't speak that way--forgive me." - -"Morgianna!" cried Fernando, "Morgianna!" - -"Call me that; aye call me that always," exclaimed the captain's little -daughter; "never speak coldly to me, never be distant, never again -reprove me for the follies I have long repented, or I shall die, -Fernando." - -"I reprove you!" said Fernando. - -"Yes, for every kind and honest word you uttered went to my heart. For -you who have borne so much from me--for you, who owe your suffering to -my caprice--for you to be so kind--so noble to me--oh, Fernando!" - -He could say nothing, not a syllable. There was an odd sort of eloquence -in his arm, which had crept further round her waist, and their lips met. - -The barbecue and celebration was next day. Fernando was present, but a -little absent-minded. When called on for a speech, his ideas were -confused, and he was about to break down, when a voice behind him -whispered: - -"Ye're makin' a divil's own mess of it, Fernando, lave it to me." - -He took Terrence at his word, and announced that his Irish friend, one -of the defenders of Mariana, would now address them, and gave way to the -orator. Terrence did the subject justice. With the rich brogue of -Ireland rolling from his tongue, he avowed himself an American. He -declared that he was a better American than many present, as he was an -American from choice, and they by necessity. Terrence was an orator, and -with his ready wit, soon had the audience roaring and wild with -enthusiasm. - -Fernando did not hear much of the speech, for he and Morgianna had -stolen away to the rocky promontory to listen to the sad sea waves, -while they built air castles for the future. - -Next day, Mr. St. Mark expressed a wish to see Captain Lane in private. -The request was granted, and when they were alone in the apartment of -the old sea-captain, St. Mark said: - -"Pardon me, Captain Lane; but I wish to speak to you on family matters, -which may seem not to concern me." - -"Heave ahead, shipmate, for I have no family secrets." - -"Will you tell me the maiden name of your wife?" - -"I never had a wife." - -This announcement brought St. Mark to his feet, and his usually placid -features exhibited the wildest excitement. "Never married! But your -daughter--" - -"Only daughter by adoption, shipmate. She is no blood relation to me, -though I love her as dearly as any father could." - -"But her father--her mother?" - -"I don't know who either of them are, I can only suspect." - -"Don't you know their names?" - -"I never did." - -"This is remarkable!" and the features of the usually quiet man betrayed -the greatest excitement. "Where did you find her and when?" - -"I found her at sea when she was a baby, too young to speak or remember -anything of herself." - -"Captain Lane, do you mind telling me all about the finding of her?" - -The captain did not, and proceeded to tell him the story of Morgianna, -which the reader already knows. St. Mark had regained his composure at -the conclusion of the story and, in a calm, clear voice, said: - -"Captain, I may have the sequel to your story. I am a native of Vermont -and, at the age of twenty-two, married Bertha Rigdon of Boston, whose -brother Alfred, like myself, was a sea captain. We were both young, -ardent lovers of liberty, and thoroughly imbued with the ideas of Thomas -Jefferson in regard to the French Revolution. When our government -refused to take up the quarrel with France, we determined to espouse her -cause ourselves. Both our fathers had died prisoners on board the old -_Jersey_ prison ship, and we felt that our lives should be devoted to -avenging them. This resolution was wicked, and perhaps the punishment -which followed we deserved. - -"We each commanded a vessel which began a warfare on English commerce, -defying all their embargo acts and neutrality laws. We were soon -declared outlaws and prices set on our heads. Not only Great Britain, -but Spain, Prussia and Austria declared us pirates, and our own -government dared not shelter us. - -"My wife, with our infant child, accompanied me on my last voyage. I was -sailing in company with her brother, Captain Alf Rigdon, when we were -chased by some British cruisers off Rio in June, 1796, and Alf's brig -being the swiftest sailer, I sent my wife and child aboard his vessel, -with a large sum of money to have them conveyed to the United States and -cared for until we could return. - -"I parted from the ship and after a three days' chase was overhauled by -the British cruisers and captured. I was forced to join her navy to save -my life, and served Great Britain until I deserted during the siege of -Mariana. I have never heard of my brother-in-law, my wife or -child since." - -Captain Lane prided himself on being able to control his feelings under -all circumstances; but it required no little effort for him to do so -now. After a few moments, he asked: - -"What was the name of your brother-in-law's ship?" - -"_Morgianna_!" - -Captain Lane did not start, for he expected this. - -"Was he a free mason?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Can you describe how he looked then?" - -"He was about thirty-five years of age, a little above middle height, -with a broad forehead, over which fine brown hair fell in careless -folds; he wore his beard and mustache long, the beard extending in a -point two or three inches below the throat. His eyes were brown, large -and full of expression while in conversation. He was brave, noble, and -all that goes to make up a grand man." - -"And your wife, can you describe her?" - -"She was an exact counterpart of your daughter." - -Captain Lane rose and with considerable emotion grasped the hand of St. -Mark, and said: - -"My daughter is your daughter." - -Then came the serious task of breaking the intelligence to Morgianna. - -It was done deliberately and quietly, without any sensational scene. Yet -her joy at discovering her father increased her happiness almost to -overflowing. "I am more blest than most girls," she declared. "I have -two fathers, and while I will learn to love my new father, I will not -forget to love my old father." - -The marriage of Fernando and Morgianna was celebrated the following -autumn at the new church which had been erected over the Ashes of the -former one. Both of Morgianna's fathers were present; but to her real -father was consigned the honor of giving away the bride. - -Terrence and Sukey were present. The Irishman declared the matter might -have been consummated long ago if they had only left it to him. - -The wedding day was made a public holiday in the village. Never in all -its existence was the little hamlet so gay. Bands played, choruses sang, -and the old cannon, still left at the tumble-down fort, fired a salute, -while American flags waved from every house. The local orator, who still -entertained hopes of the legislature, delivered a stirring address. - -Job, who heard of the happy event, came all the way from Baltimore to -shake the hand of "Massa Stevens" and wish him much joy. - -"I iz all right now, massa," he declared. "I iz found my own sure enough -massa agin, an' I'm goin' back to work for him all de time. No more -goin' to sea fer me; I iz no Britisher." - -Fernando and his father-in-law, soon after his marriage, engaged in -manufacturing enterprises in New England, with Captain Lane as the -silent partner and moneyed man of the enterprise. Home industries having -been fostered by the war, American manufactures promised a -bright future. - -Sukey was for many years a prominent minister of the Gospel in Ohio. -Terrence studied law and became a leading member of the -Philadelphia bar. - -Mariana is now no more. Time and disaster have swept it from the -peninsula, and to-day it remains only in the memory of the oldest -inhabitants. The Stevens family, though subjected to many disasters, has -grown, and become a part of the history of the country. The humble part -played by Fernando in sustaining the honor of his country has never been -recorded by the general historian; but it lingers in the memory of the -grateful posterity of many of the heroic men and women who lived in the -trying days of the early history of the Great Republic of the New World. - -THE END. - - - - -HISTORICAL INDEX. - - * * * * * - -Adams, John, first minister to Court of St. James - -Adams' proposition of reciprocity rejected by England - -Alabama and Arkansas organized as Territories and Alabama becomes - a State - -_Alert_ captured by the _Essex_ - -Alexandria plundered by British - -Algerians force Americans to pay tribute - -American army at Detroit - -Americans attacked at River Raisin - -Americans return to Detroit - -Americans repulsed at La Colle - -American troops at Bladensburg - -Attack by British on Plattsburg fails - -Bainbridge forced to convey the Algerine ambassador to Constantinople - -Baltimore threatened by the enemy - -Barclay, Commodore, defeated at Lake Erie - -Barker, Mr., warns Mrs. Madison to fly - -Barron, Commodore, suspended from the navy - -Battle of Bladensburg - -Battle of Chicago - -Battle of Chippewa - -Battle of Chrysler's Farm - -Battle of Emucfau - -Battle of Fort Stephenson - -Battle of Horse-shoe Bend - -Battle of Lake Erie - -Battle of Lundy's Lane - -Battle of New Orleans - -Battle of Queenstown - -Battle of River Raisin - -Battle of Sackett's Harbor - -Battle of the Thames and death of Tecumseh - -Battle of Tippecanoe - -Black Partridge saves Mrs. Helm at Chicago - -Blockades of French and English - -Bonaparte conquers almost all of Europe - -Boerstler, General, captured at Beaver's Dam - -British agent at Pensacola offers Indians five dollars for each scalp - -British arraigned by committee on foreign relations - -British at Lake Borgne - -British capture Washington, and burn Capitol - -British discrimination in favor of New England States - -British impressment of American seamen - -British repulsed at Fort Erie - -British instigate Indians to an uprising - -Brock, General, proceeds to attack Detroit - -Brown, General Jacob, at Kingston - -Brown repulses Prevost at Sackett's Harbor - -Brown, General, at Lundy's Lane - -Burr's, Aaron, conspiracy - -Calhoun, John C., in debate favors war - -Camp meeting in the old pioneer days - -Canada divided into Upper and Lower Canada - -Canada, invasion of - -Chandler and Winder, Generals, captured - -Chauncey, Commodore, blockading British at Kingston - -_Chesapeake_ attacked by _Leopard_ - -_Chesapeake_ captured by _Shannon_ - -Citizen Genet, insolence of - -Clay, Henry, speaker of the house of representatives - -_Clermont_, Fulton's first steamboat - -Coffee, General, defeats Indians at Tallahatchee - -Committee of Democrats inform Madison he must declare war - -Contraband munitions of war - -_Constitution_, the, captures _Guerriere_ - -_Constitution_, the, captures the _Java_ - -_Constitution_, February 28, 1815, captures two British vessels - -Creek Indians in South attack Fort Mimms - -Croghan, Major George, in command of Fort Stephenson - -Dearborn commissioned major-general - -Decatur, Stephen, destroys ship _Philadelphia_ - -Defeat of the prophet - -Democratic party, how organized - -Detroit besieged - -Detroit surrendered by Hull - -"Don't give up the ship" - -Dudley, Colonel, mortally wounded near Fort Meigs - -Effects of the Embargo Act - -Embargo Act of 1807 - -Embargo laid on commerce for forty days before declaring war - -Emigrants to the Ohio--the journey - -Emperor of Russia offers himself as a mediator between the United States - and Great Britain - -England's idea of American independence of colonies - -_Enterprise_, the, captures the British _Boxer_ - -_Essex_ captures the _Alert_ in a fight of eight minutes - -_Essex_ captures twelve British whalers - -_Essex_ captured by two British men-of-war - -Federal party, how organized - -Floyd, General, defeats Indians at Autossee - -Fort Stephenson, British repulsed at - -Fort George captured by General Scott and Commodore Perry - -Fort Erie strengthened by General Ripley - -Fort McHenry bombarded - -Fort Bowyer, British repulsed at - -"Free Trade and Sailors' Eights," motto of _Essex_ - -French Revolution, its effect on American politics - -_Frolic_, British ship, captured by American _Wasp_ - -_Frolic_ captured by _Orpheus_ - -Great Britain holds her posts in violation of treaty - -Greenville, the prophet at - -_Guerriere_ captured by Hull - -Hamilton, Alexander, leader of the Federalists - -Hamilton, Alexander, murdered by Aaron Burr - -Harrison, General W.H., invites Tecumseh and the prophet to a council - at Vincennes - -Harrison prepares to attack the prophet - -Harrison at Tippecanoe - -Harrison attacked at 4 o'clock A.M. - -Harrison succeeds Hull - -Harrison, General, at Fort Meigs - -Harrison, offended at General Armstrong, the secretary of war, resigns - -Heald, Captain, at Fort Dearborn, notified of the fall of Mackinaw - -Heald attacked near Fort Dearborn or Chicago - -Heald, Captain, and wife saved from massacre - -Helm, Mrs., saved by Black Partridge - -Henry, John, gets admission to Madison by a letter from Elbridge Gerry - -Henry sells President Madison his papers - -Houston's, Sam, General, victory at Horse-shoe Bend - -_Hornet_ captures the _Peacock_ - -_Hornet_ captures the _Penguin_ - -Hull, Governor of Territory of Michigan - -Hull in Washington, made Brigadier-General - -Hull invades Canada; retreats - -Hull at Detroit - -Hull surrenders Detroit - -Hull convicted of cowardice but pardoned - -Hull, Captain, captures the _Guerriere_ - -Indians, treaty with, for Ohio lands - -Indians, instigated by British to uprising - -Indians plundering on the Wabash - -Indiana and Illinois become Territories - -Inhabitants of the Great West - -Internal improvements after the war of 1812 - -Irish-American patriotism - -Jackson, General Andrew, in command in the South - -Jackson defeats Creeks at Emucfau - -Jackson charging into Pensacola - -Jackson at New Orleans - -Jackson attacks the British camp - -Jefferson, Thomas, founder of Democratic party, moved by French Revolution - -Jefferson and Hamilton's opposing views on French Revolution - -Jefferson, Thomas, elected President - -Jefferson, description of; his policy - -Jefferson's cabinet - -Jefferson's ideas of peace and war - -Johnson, R.M., Colonel, at the Thames - -Keane, General, threatening New Orleans - -Key, Mr. Francis S., the poet, composing the "Star Spangled Banner" - while a prisoner - -King George III. hopelessly insane; Prince of Wales ruler - -Lafayette's, General, visit to America - -Lafitte, Jean, pirate of the Gulf, offers his services to Jackson - -Lake Erie, battle of - -Lambert, General, retreats from New Orleans - -Laulewasikaw, the prophet, Tecumseh's twin brother - -Lawrence, Captain, death of - -Legislatures by concurrent resolutions ask Congress to declare war - -Lewistown, Delaware, bombarded - -Louisiana purchased from France - -Louisiana admitted to the union - -Mackinaw captured - -_Macedonian_ captured by Decatur - -Madison, James, President; his cabinet - -Madison's political changes - -Madison's inaugural address makes him popular - -Madison's message to Congress to declare war against Great Britain - -Madison re-elected President of the United States - -Madison's second inauguration - -Madison and cabinet flying from Bladensburg - -Madison, Mrs., saves Washington's picture and parchment of the - Declaration of Independence - -Maine becomes a State - -Maiden captured by Americans - -Marcy, Wm. L., captures first British colors - -Massacre at River Raisin - -Maumee Rapids, Harrison building Fort Meigs at - -Measures taken to sustain the declaration of war - -Miller defeats Indians - -Miller, Colonel, at Lundy's Lane - -Ministers of the Gospel on the frontier - -Missouri Compromise - -Monroe, James, elected President of United States - -Monroe Doctrine - -_Nautilus_ captured by _Peacock_, the last naval -engagement of war - -Naval forces on lakes - -Napoleon, influence of, on United States gone - -New England governors (Caleb Strong, William Plummer, and Roger Griswold) - refuse their militia to serve the United States - -New England coast threatened - -New Orleans, Jackson at - -New Orleans under martial law - -Ohio valley opened up to settlers - -Ohio becomes a State, in 1802 - -Ontario, naval force on - -_Orpheus_ captured by _Frolic_ - -Oswego, New York, destroyed by British - -Packenham, General, death of - -_Peacock_ captures the _Nautilus_, the last naval engagement - -_Peacock_ captures _Epervier_ - -Peace party - -_Pelican_ captures _Argus_ - -People forcing the war on the leaders - -Perry's victory on Lake Erie - -Pioneer's home - -Pike, General, death of - -Pottawattomies attack Americans near Chicago - -Pirates of the West Indies - -Preparations for war made - -_President_ and the _Little Belt_ - -_President_ captured by English vessels - -Prevost, Sir George, repulsed at Sackett's Harbor - -Proctor attacks General Winder at River Raisin - -Questions of wrong reviewed in Madison's message - -Queenstown, battle of - -Raisin River, Americans at - -Raisin River, Winchester attacked at - -_Rattlesnake_ captured by a British man-of-war - -Redoubts at New Orleans - -Rial, General, defeated by General Scott - -Ripley, General, in command at Lundy's Lane, retreats. - -Rodgers, Commodore, insulted by _Little Belt_ - -Ross, General, and Cockburn, threaten Washington City - -Ross, General, death of - -Sackett's Harbor, siege of - -Scott, Winfield, at Queenstown - -Scott, General, at Lundy's Lane - -Shawnees under Tecumseh roused - -Short, Lieutenant-Colonel, killed at Fort Stephenson - -Smythe, General, dismissed from service - -"Star Spangled Banner," how composed - -Stephenson, British repulsed at - -Stonington, British repulsed at - -Strong, Caleb, Governor of Massachusetts, refused to allow militia - of his State to defend northern Territory against British - -Tecumseh rousing Indians to resistance - -Tecumseh opposing sale of lands - -Tecumseh demands a return of lands - -Tecumseh's speech to Proctor - -Tecumseh and Proctor abandon Maiden - -Tecumseh, death of - -Treaty with Indians for Ohio valley lands - -United States commerce a prey to British cruisers - -United States offers to register seamen - -Van Horne defeated - -Van Rensselaer, Stephen, Brigadier-General New York militia - -"Victor and spoils" theory inaugurated by Jefferson in 1801 - -_Vixen_, United States brig, captured by the _Southampton_ - -War declared by Congress - -War of 1812 waged under difficulties - -War with Algiers - -Washington's wisdom and conservative policy - -Washington, George, laying corner-stone of capitol building, 1793 - -Washington City, seat of government removed to - -Washington City, threatened by British - -Washington City, captured by British, pillaged and capitol building burned - -_Wasp_ captures _Frolic_ and is captured - -Wasp captures _Reindeer, Avon_ and three other prizes and - mysteriously disappears - -Whitney, Eli, inventor cotton gin - -Winder, General, trying to raise troops to defend capitol - -_Xenophon_, the, on the Maryland coast - -Young members in Congress who favor war with England elect Henry Clay - speaker - -York, siege of - -Zeal of Jefferson to aid French - - - - -CHRONOLOGY. - - -PERIOD X.--AGE OF LIBERTY ESTABLISHED. - -A.D. 1800 TO A.D. 1824. - -18OO. INDIANA TERRITORY formed,--July 4. - -LOUISIANA ceded to France by Spain by secret treaty,--Oct. 1. - -SEAT OF GOVERNMENT removed to Washington, D.C.; Congress met,--Nov. 17. - -1801. THOMAS JEFFERSON inaugurated president,--March 4. - -MILITARY ACADEMY established at West Point, N.Y.,--March 10. - -TRIPOLI declared war against the United States,--June 10. - -1802. GEORGIA'S cession of territory to General - Government,--April 24. - -OHIO admitted to the Union,--Nov. 22. - -1803. LOUISIANA ceded to the United States by France for - 80,000,000 francs,--April 30. (By this cession the United States - claimed to the present western boundary of Florida.) - -1804. The _Philadelphia_ destroyed by Decatur at - Tripoli,--Feb. 16. - -DUEL between Hamilton and Burr, at Hoboken, N.J.,--July 11. - -TWELFTH AMENDMENT to the Constitution declared in force,--Sept. 25. - -ORLEANS TERRITORY formed,--Oct. I. - -DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA formed, same as Louisiana cession, less Orleans - Territory,--Oct. I. - -1805. LOUISIANA TERRITORY formed,--March 3. - -JEFFERSON'S second presidential term began,--March 4. - -TREATY OF PEACE concluded with Tripoli,--June 4. - -MICHIGAN TERRITORY formed,--June 30. - -1806. BONAPARTE'S Berlin Decree,--Nov. 21. - -1807. BRITISH "ORDERS IN COUNCIL" requiring goods to land in - Great Britain,--Jan. 7. - -THE _Chesapeake_ attacked by the _Leopard_ off the coast of - Virginia,--June _22_. - -AARON BURR tried for treason, at Richmond, Va.; acquitted,--Sept. 1. - -FULTON successfully applied steam navigation on the Hudson,--Sept. 14. - -BRITISH "ORDERS IN COUNCIL" prohibited trade with France and - allies,--Nov. 17. - -BONAPARTE'S Milan decree prohibited trade with English - colonies,--Dec. 17. - -1808. BONAPARTE'S Bayonne decree ordered seizure of United States - vessels,--April 17. - -1809. NON-INTERCOURSE ACT, prohibiting trade with Great Britain - and France, passed,--Feb. 27. - -ILLINOIS TERRITORY formed,--March 1. - -JAMES MADISON inaugurated president,--March 4. - -1810. BONAPARTE'S Ramboulliet decree; 132 American vessels seized - and sold,--March 23. - -1811. GEORGE, Prince of Wales, appointed regent of Great - Britain,--Feb. 3. - -BATTLE between the _President_ and _Little Belt_, off - Virginia,--May 16. - -BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE, Ind.; Harrison defeats Indians,--Nov. 7. - -1812. LOUISIANA admitted into the Union,--April 30. - -WAR with Great Britain proclaimed by the United States,--June 19. - -HULL'S EXPEDITION against Fort Maiden, Canada,--July. - -FORT MACKINAW captured by British and Indians,--July 17. - -FIRST BATTLE of Brownstown, Mich.; British defeated Van Horn,--Aug. 5. - -SECOND BATTLE of Brownstown, or Manaugua; American victory,--Aug. 9. - -BRITISH sloop _Alert_ taken by the _Essex_, off - Newfoundland,--Aug. 13. - -HULL surrendered Detroit,--Aug. 16. - -THE _Guerriere_, British frigate, captured by the - _Constitution_, off Massachusetts,--Aug. 19. - -BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN, Canada; Van Rensselaer wounded, Brock - killed,--Oct. 13. - -BATTLE OF LEWISTON, N. Y.; Cowardly conduct of American - militia,--Oct. 13. - -BRITISH ship _Poictiers_ captured the _Frolic_ and Wasp, - off North Carolina,--Oct. 18. - -BRITISH ship _Macedonia_ captured by _United States_, off - Canary Islands,--Oct. 25. - -MISSOURI TERRITORY formed,--Dec. 7. - -BRITISH frigate _Java_ captured by the _Constitution_, -off Bahia, Brazil,--Dec. 29. - -1813. BATTLE OF FRENCHTOWN, Mich.; Winchester defeated by - Proctor,--Jan. 22. - -BRITISH brig _Peacock_ captured the _Hornet_ off the - Demarara, South America,--Feb. 24. - -MADISON began second presidential term,--March 4. - -BATTLE OF YORK, Canada (now Toronto); explosion of British - magazine,--April 27. - -FORT MEIGS besieged by 2,000 British and Indians under Proctor,--May 1. - -GENERAL CLAY and I,200 Kentuckians dispersed besiegers,--May 5. - -PBEVOST made an unsuccessful attack on Sackett's Harbor,--May 29. - -THE _Chesapeake_, Captain Lawrence, captured by _the Shannon_, - in Massachusetts Bay,--June I. - -DEFENCE OF FORT STEPHENSON (now Lower Sandusky, O.) by Major - Crogan,--Aug. 3. - -AMERICAN brig _Argus_ captured by the _Pelican_, in the - English Channel,--Aug. 14. - -THE CREEK WAR; Massacre of Fort Mimms, Ala.,--Aug. 30. - -BRITISH brig _Boxer_ captured by the _Enterprise_, off - Maine,--Sept. 5. - -PERRY'S victory at west end of Lake Erie,--Sept. 10. - -BATTLE OF THE THAMES, or Moravian town, Canada; Tecumseh - killed,--Oct. 5. - -BATTLE OF TALLADEGA, Ala.; Jackson defeated the Creeks,--Nov. 9. - -BATTLE OF CHRYSLER'S FIELD, Canada; British repulsed,--Nov. 11. - -PORTER made a successful cruise in the Pacific with the _Essex_. - -1814. BATTLE OF TOHOPEKA, or Horse-Shoe Bend, Ala.; last of the - Creek War,--March 27. - -AMERICAN frigate _Essex_ captured off Chile,--March 28. - -WILKINSON repulsed at La Colle Mill, Canada,--March 30. - -_Peacock_ captured British brig _Epervier_, off - Florida,--April 29. - -_Wasp_ captured British sloop _Reindeer_, near English - Channel,--June 18. - -GENERALS SCOTT AND RIPLEY captured Fort Erie,--July 3. - -BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA, Canada; Scott defeated Riall,--July 5. - -BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE, Canada, the most obstinate of the war,--July 25. - -FIRST BATTLE of Fort Erie, Drummond repulsed,--Aug. 15. - -Ross dispersed Americans at Bladensburg, Md.,--Aug. 24. - -WASHINGTON D. C., captured; public buildings burned,--Aug. 24. - -BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN; American victory, Sept. 11. - -BATTLE OF PLATTSBURG, N. Y.; Prevost, British, defeated by - McComb,--Sept. 11. - -Ross defeated Americans at North Point, Md.; death of Ross,--Sept. 12. - -BROOKS' unsuccessful bombardment of Fort McHenry, Md.,--Sept. 13. - -BRITISH bombarded Fort Boyer, Mobile Bay, without success,--Sept. 15. - -SECOND BATTLE of Fort Erie; Brown dispersed besiegers,--Sept. 17. - -JACKSON drove British from Pensacola, Fla.,--Nov. 7. - -AMERICAN flotilla surrendered to the British, at Lake Borgne, - La.,--Dec. 14. - -CONVENTION at Hartford, Conn., opposed to the war,--Dec. 15. - -BATTLE nine miles from New Orleans; Jackson retired to - intrenchments,--Dec. 23. - -TREATY OF GHENT, Belgium (peace), signed,--Dec. 24. - -1815. BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS, fourteen days after treaty of - peace,--Jan. 8. - -BRITISH squadron captured the frigate _President_, off New - Jersey,--Jan. 15. - -BRITISH _Cyane_ and _Levant_ captured by _Constitution_, - off Madeira Islands,--Feb. 20. - -WAR against Algiers declared by Congress,--March 3. - -_Hornet_ captured British brig _Penguin_, off - Brazil,--March 23. - -1816. BANK OF UNITED STATES re-chartered for twenty years; - capital, $35,000,000,--April 10. - -INDIANA admitted into the Union,--Dec. 11. - -1817. ALABAMA TERRITORY formed,--March 3. - -JAMES MONROE inaugurated president; "era of good feeling,"--March 4. - -SEMINOLES and Creeks began depredations in Georgia and Alabama. - -MISSISSIPPI admitted into the Union,--Dec. 10. - -1818. JACKSON seized Spanish forts in Florida. - -JOINT occupation of Oregon by United States and Great Britain - agreed upon. - -PENSACOLA, Fla., seized by Jackson; Spanish officials sent to - Cuba,--May 25. - -ILLINOIS admitted into the Union,--Dec. 8. - -1819. FLORIDA ceded to the United States by Spain,--Feb. 22. - -ARKANSAS TERRITORY formed,---July 4. - -ALABAMA admitted into the Union,--Dec. 14. - -1820. ACCESSION of George IV. to throne of Great - Britain,--Jan. 29. - -MISSOURI COMPROMISE ACT passed,--March 3. - -MAINE admitted into the Union,--March 15. - -1821. MEXICO became independent of Spain,--Feb. 24. - -MONROE began second presidential term,--March 5. - -MISSOURI admitted into the Union,--Aug. 10. - -1823. FLORIDA TERRITORY formed,--March 3. - -"MONROE DOCTRINE" enunciated in the annual message,--Dec. 2. - -1824. LAFAYETTE visited the United States.--Aug. 15. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Sustained honor, by John R. 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Musick, - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Sustained honor - The Age of Liberty Established - -Author: John R. Musick, - -Release Date: December 2, 2003 [EBook #10370] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUSTAINED HONOR *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charlie Kirschner and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team. - - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<center>THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE</center><br> - -<center>Volume X</center> - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2>SUSTAINED HONOR</h2> - -<center>The Age of Liberty Established</center><br> - -<center>By</center> - -<center>JOHN R. MUSICK</center><br> - -<center>Illustrations By</center> - -<center>FREELAND A. CARTER</center><br> - -<center>1909</center> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2>PREFACE.</h2> - -<p>Written history is generally too scholastic to interest the great mass -of readers. Dignified and formal, it deals mainly with great events, and -often imperfectly with these, because, not pausing to present clear -impression by the associations of individual life, it conveys a stiff -and unnatural opinion of the past. Historians ignore the details which -go to make up the grand sum total of history, and from the very best -histories one can get but a meagre idea of the life and times of the -people of bygone ages. It is these minor details of past events which -lend to fiction its greatest charm, and attract the multitude, by -appearing more like truth. Although untrue in the particular -combinations, scenes and plots delineated, yet well written fiction is -drawn from nature and experience, and these facts in life, as with -chessmen, are only arranged in new but natural positions. History should -include everything in the nature, character, customs and incidents, both -general and individual, that contribute to originate what is peculiar -in a people, or what causes their advancement or decline. So broad is -its scope, that nothing is too mighty for its grasp--so searching, -scarce anything is too minute. Were written history a clear transcript -of valuable incidents, it would be more enticing than the most -fascinating fiction.</p> - -<p>It is the purpose of this volume to deal with some of the remote and -direct causes of the second war with England, by endeavoring, as nearly -as our ability will permit, to transport the reader back to the scenes -of eighty or ninety years ago, and give views of the incidents which -clustered around the events of that time.</p> - -<p>The war of 1812 has been properly termed by some historians the second -war for independence; for, in truth, the independence of the United -States of America was not established until after that event. Great -Britain across the ocean and the horde of Tories still in America had -not abandoned all hope of yet making the United States a dependency of -the country from which she had fought seven long years to free herself. -The war of 1812 was never fought to a finish. In some respects it was a -drawn fight. Its results were not satisfactory to the patriotic -American, and certainly were not to Great Britain. The contemptible -"Peace Faction" continually crippled the administration all through the -contest of nearly three years.</p> - -<p>After studying the patriotism of New England through the War of the -Revolution, one is surprised at the unpatriotic actions of that section -of the United States in 1812. One can hardly believe that it was party -fealty and political hatred of the democratic party alone which made -these formerly patriotic colonies and States hot-beds of sedition and -treason. It looks as if those States, having built up a flourishing -trade with Great Britain, cared little about the impressment of sailors, -or the enslaving of their countrymen, so long as they filled their own -pockets. The men seized were usually poor, and their happiness, liberty -and life were lightly regarded in comparison with the prosperity of the -"Peace Party" merchant. If patriotism were dormant in the East, however, -in the growing West, and the generous South it was strong. From those -sections came the hardy sons of liberty, who taught Johnny Bull anew to -respect the rights of the common people. Though the treaty of peace was -not satisfactory in many particulars, it more clearly defined the lines -between the United States and British possessions in America, leaving -the fishery question and the right to search and impressment in an -unsettled condition, giving the "Peace Party" an opportunity to say, "I -told you so."</p> - -<p>An attempt is made in this story to cover the whole period of the war -and the causes leading up to it, treating it from the standpoint of an -individual of the time. The pioneers of seventy-five years ago were a -hardy race, long since disappeared. We hope that from Fernando Stevens, -the hero of this volume, the reader may derive some idea of pioneer life -as it then was. Fernando Stevens was a namesake of the cabin-boy of -Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to America, Hernando Estevan, -of whom he was a lineal descendant. The hero of this volume was a son of -Albert Stevens, a Revolutionary soldier, who was a son of Colonel Noah -Stevens, of the French and Indian War, who was a son of Elmer Stevens of -early Virginia history, a son of Robert Stevens of the time of Bacon's -Rebellion. He was a son of John Smith Stevens, of the early Virginia -history, who was the son of Philip Stevens, or Philip Estevan, the young -Spaniard who was the personal friend of Captain John Smith and helped -lay the foundation of Jamestown. He was a son of Francisco Estevan of -St. Augustine, who was a son of Christopher Estevan of Cuba, a companion -of Pizarro and De Soto, and he was a son of Hernando Estevan, who went -as cabin-boy with Columbus on his memorable first voyage in which he -discovered the Western Hemisphere.</p> - -<p>This scion of a long line of stalwart but not famous ancestors is the -one whose adventures we now narrate. Like his ancestors, he was only one -of the rank and file of Americans, whose names are seldom seen in print, -but who, after all, go to make up the true history of our glorious -republic. Fernando's adventures, with those of Morgianna, the mysterious -waif of the sea, form the romance of this story.</p> - -<p>JOHN E. MUSICK.</p> - -<p>KIRKSVILLE, Mo., July 11th, 1893.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS.</h2> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_I.">CHAPTER I.</a> -THE YOUNG EMIGRANT</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_II.">CHAPTER II.</a> -MORGIANNA</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_III.">CHAPTER III.</a> -JEFFERSONIANISM</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_IV.">CHAPTER IV.</a> -BRITISH CRUISERS</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_V.">CHAPTER V.</a> -FERNANDO'S JOURNEY EAST. HE MEETS WITH QUEER PEOPLE</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_VI.">CHAPTER VI.</a> -WAR FEELING OF 1811</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_VII.">CHAPTER VII.</a> -FERNANDO'S FRIEND GETS HIM INTO A SERIOUS SCRAPE</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII.">CHAPTER VIII.</a> -THE BELLE OF THE BEACH</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_IX.">CHAPTER IX.</a> -THE ENGLISHMAN'S DILEMMA</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_X.">CHAPTER X.</a> -THE SILENT GUNNER</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XI.">CHAPTER XI.</a> -SHIPWRECK, ESCAPE AND RETURN TO OHIO</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XII.">CHAPTER XII.</a> -WAR</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII.">CHAPTER XIII.</a> -THE PEACE PARTY</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV.">CHAPTER XIV.</a> -FERNANDO SEES SERVICE</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XV.">CHAPTER XV.</a> -ON LAND</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI.">CHAPTER XVI.</a> -ON WATER</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII.">CHAPTER XVII.</a> -THE CRUISER'S THREAT</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII.">CHAPTER XVIII.</a> -THE SAVING SHOT</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX.">CHAPTER XIX.</a> -NEW ORLEANS</p> - -<p><a href="#CHAPTER_XX.">CHAPTER XX.</a> -CONCLUSION</p> - -<p><a href="#HISTORICAL_INDEX.">HISTORICAL INDEX</a></p> - -<p><a href="#CHRONOLOGY.">CHRONOLOGY</a></p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> - -<p><a href="Illus0471.JPG">They took a last look at the spots which were hallowed by association</a></p> - -<p>Emigrants' wagon crossing a stream</p> - -<p>Morgianna</p> - -<p><a href="Illus0472.JPG">Carried the ship by the board after a terrible hand-to-hand conflict</a></p> - -<p>Stephen Decatur</p> - -<p>"Do you think dar is any Angler-Saxun blood in dese veins?"</p> - -<p>Fulton's <i>Clermont</i>, the first steamboat</p> - -<p>As near perfection as a girl of sixteen can be</p> - -<p><a href="Illus0473.JPG">That smile and that eternal stare disconcerted the British officer</a></p> - -<p>"You surrender easily,"</p> - -<p>He sat down on a broken mast</p> - -<p><a href="Illus0474.JPG">The boatswain's mate brought the terrible scourge hissing and crackling -on the young and tender back</a></p> - -<p><a href="Illus0475.JPG">He saw Captain Bones and his lieutenant trying to hide behind a barrel</a></p> - -<p>It soon became evident that he did not intend to drown her</p> - -<p>Henry Clay</p> - -<p>John C. Calhoun</p> - -<p>"Lave it all to me"</p> - -<p>James Madison</p> - -<p>Tecumseh</p> - -<p><a href="Illus0476.JPG">"My brave Kentucky lads, to us is accorded the honor of winning this -battle. Forward!"</a>;</p> - -<p><a href="Illus0477.JPG">They came together in an earnest struggle</a></p> - -<p>"My father will protect me; I want no other protection"</p> - -<p>Sukey's thumb lifted the hammer of his gun</p> - -<p><a href="Illus0480.JPG">Packenham fell bleeding and dying in the arms of Sir Duncan McDougal</a></p> - -<p>Map of the period(<a href="Illus0478.JPG">Part 1</a>)(<a href="Illus0479.JPG">Part 2</a>)</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2>SUSTAINED HONOR.</h2> -<br> - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I."></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> -<br> - -<p>THE YOUNG EMIGRANT.</p> - -<p>[Illustration]</p> - -<p>The first recollections of Fernando Stevens, the hero of this romance, -were of "moving." He was sitting on his mother's knee. How long he had -been sitting there he did not know, nor did he know how he came there; -but he knew that it was his mother and that they were in a great covered -wagon, and that he had a sister and brother, older than himself, in the -wagon. The wagon was filled with household effects, which he seemed to -know belonged to that mother on whose knee he sat and that father who -was sitting on the box driving the horses which pulled the wagon. -Fernando Stevens was never exactly certain as to his age at the time of -this experience; but he could not have been past three, and perhaps not -more than two years old, when he thus found himself with his father's -family and all their effects in a wagon going somewhere.</p> - -<p>He knew not from whence they came, nor did he know whither they were -going. It was pleasant to sit on his mother's knee and with his great -blue eyes watch those monster horses jogging along dragging after them -the great world, which in his limited comprehension was all the world he -knew,--the covered wagon. Suddenly some bright, revolving object -attracted his attention, and he fixed his eyes on it. It was the wagon -tire, and he saw it crushing and killing the grass at the side of the -road, or rolling and flattening down the dust in long streaks.</p> - -<p>Then they descended a hill. It was not a long hill, but seemed rather -steep. There was water at the bottom. He remembered seeing the bright, -sparkling wavelets and never forgot the impression they produced. There -was a boat at the bottom of the hill, and the wagon and horses were -driven into the boat. A man and boy began propelling the long sweeps or -oars. He watched the proceeding in infantile wonder and especially -remembered how the water dropped in sparkling crystals from the oar -blades. The boy had on a red cap or fez with a tassel. That boy, that -cap and that oar with the sparkling dripping water from the blade were -to him the brightest pictures and greatest wonders he had ever known.</p> - -<p>He had not the least idea why the man and boy dipped those oars into the -water and pulled them out all dripping and pretty, unless it was to -amuse him. The oars were painted blue. He did not know where they were -going, or when this journey would end, or that it was a journey.</p> - -<p>Thus Fernando Stevens began life. This was the first page in his -existence that he could recollect. In after years he knew he was -Fernando Stevens, that his father was Albert Stevens, a soldier in the -War of the Revolution, that his kind, sweet-faced mother was Estella -Stevens, and that the very first experience he could remember was that -of the family emigrating to the great Ohio valley.</p> - -<p>Albert Stevens was married shortly after the close of the Revolutionary -War, and he tried hard to succeed in New England; but he had no trade -and no profession, and the best lands in the country were bought. Seven -years of his early life, with all his dawning manhood had been spent in -the army, and now with his family of three children he found himself -poor. Congress had made a treaty with the Indians by which the vast -territory of the Ohio valley was thrown open to white settlers, and he -resolved to emigrate to where land was cheap, purchase a home and grow -up with the country.</p> - -<p>Resolved to emigrate, the father collected his little property and -provided himself with a wagon and four horses, some cows, a rifle, a -shot-gun and an axe. His trusty dog became the companion of his journey. -In his wagon he placed his bedding, his provisions and such cooking -utensils as were indispensable. Everything being ready, his wife and the -three children took their seats, Fernando, the youngest, on his mother's -knee; while the father of the family mounted the box. The horses were -started and the great vehicle began to move. As they passed through the -village which had been to them the scene of many happy hours, they took -a last look at the spots which were hallowed by association--the church -with its lowly spire, an emblem of that humility which befits a -Christian, and the burial-ground, where the weeping willow bent -mournfully over the head-stone which marked the graves of their parents. -The children, who were old enough to remember, never forgot their -playground, nor the white schoolhouse where the rudiments of an -education were instilled into their minds.</p> - -<p>Their road was at first, comparatively smooth and their journey -pleasant. Their progress was interrupted by divers little incidents; -while the continual changes in the appearance of the country around -them, and the anticipation of what was to come, prevented those feelings -of despondency, which might otherwise have arisen on leaving a much -loved home. When the roads became bad or hilly, the family quit the -wagon and trudged along on foot, the mother carrying the baby Fernando -in her arms. At sunset, their day's journey finished, they halted in the -forest by the roadside to prepare their supper and pass the night. The -horses were unharnessed, watered and secured with their heads to the -trough until they had eaten their meagre allowance of corn and oats, and -then were hobbled out to grass. Over the camp fire the mother prepared -the frugal supper, which being over, the emigrants arranged themselves -for the night, while the faithful dog kept watch. Amid all the -privations and vicissitudes in their journey, they were cheered by the -consciousness that each day lessened the distance between them and the -land of promise, whose fertile soil was to recompense them for all their -trials and hardships.</p> - -<p>Gradually, as they advanced west, the roads became more and more rough -and were only passable in many places by logs having been placed side by -side, forming what was termed corduroy roads. The axe and rifle of the -emigrant, or mover as he is still termed in the west, were brought -daily and almost hourly into use. With the former he cut saplings, or -small trees, to throw across the roads, which, in many places, were -almost impassable; while with his rifle he killed squirrels, wild -turkeys, or such game as the forest afforded, for their provisions were -in a few days exhausted. If, perchance, a buck crossed his path, and he -brought it down by a lucky shot, it was carefully dressed and hung up in -the forks of the trees; fires were built, and the meat cut into small -strips and smoked and dried for future subsistence.</p> - -<p>As they advanced, the road through the woods became more difficult to -travel, the trees being merely felled and drawn aside, so as to permit a -wheeled carriage to pass; and the emigrant was often obliged to be -guided in his route only by the blaze of the surveyor on the trees, and -at every few rods to cut away the branches which obstructed his passage. -As the stroke of the axe reverberated through the woods, no answer came -back to assure him of the presence of friend or foe. At night in these -solitudes, they heard the wolves stealing through the gloom, sniffing -the scent of the intruders; and now and then, then bloodshot eyes of the -catamount glared through the foliage.</p> - -<p>Days, weeks and months passed in this toilsome journey through the -wilderness, so indelibly impressing it on the memory of Fernando -Stevens, that he never, to his dying day, forgot that journey. At last -they arrived at the landmarks which, to Albert Stevens, indicated the -proximity of his possessions. A location for the cabin was selected near -a small stream of running water, on the south side of a slight -elevation.</p> - -<p>No time was lost. The trees were immediately felled, and in a short time -Fernando, looking out from the covered wagon, perceived a clear space of -ground of but few rods in circumference. Stakes, forked at the top, were -driven into the ground, on which the father placed logs, and the chinks -between these were stopped with clay. An enclosure was thus hastily -thrown up to protect the family from the weather, and the wife and -children were removed to this improvised abode. The trunks of the trees -were rolled to the edge of the clearing, and surmounted by stakes driven -crosswise into the ground: the severed tops and branches of trees piled -on top of the logs, thus forming a brush fence. By degrees the -surrounding trees were "girdled" and killed. Those that would split were -cut down and made into rails, while others were left to rot or logged up -and burned.</p> - -<p>A year showed a great improvement in the pioneer's home. Several acres -had been added to the clearing, and the place began to assume the -appearance of a farm. The temporary shanty had given place to a -comfortable log cabin; and although the chimney was built of small -sticks placed one on the other, and filled in between with clay, -occupying almost one whole end of the cabin, it showed that the inward -man was duly attended to; and the savory fumes of venison, of the -prairie hen and other good things went far to prove that even backwoods -life was not without its comforts. [Footnote: The author has often heard -his mother say that the most enjoyable period of her life was in a -pioneer home similar to the above.]</p> - -<p>In a few months, the retired cabin, once so solitary, became the nucleus -of a little settlement. Other sections and quarter sections of land were -entered at the land office by new corners. New portions of ground were -cleared, cabins were erected; and in a short time the settlement could -turn out a dozen efficient hands for house raising or log rolling. A saw -mill soon after was erected at the falls of the creek; the log huts -received a poplar weather boarding, and, as the little settlement -increased, other improvements appeared; a mail line was established, and -before many years elapsed, a fine road was completed to the nearest -town, and a stage coach, which ran once, then twice a week, connected -the settlement with the populous country to the east of it.</p> - -<p>This was the life the hero of this story began. It might be said to be -an unromantic life; yet such a life was known to many of our American -ancestors. It had its pleasures as well as its pains. It had its poetry -as well as its prose, and its joys as well as its sorrows. The vastness -of the forest and depths of the solitude by which he was surrounded, -made its impress on his mind. He grew up in ignorance of tyranny and -many of the evils of the great cities.</p> - -<p>The cabin home and the narrow clearing about it formed his playground. -His first toy was a half-bushel measure, which he called his "bushee!" -This he rolled before him around the log cabin and the paths made in the -tall grass, frequently to the dread of his mother, who feared that he -might encounter some of the deadly serpents with which the forest -abounded. He remembered on one occasion, when his mother found him going -too far, she called:</p> - -<p>"Come back, Fernando; mother is afraid you will step on a snake."</p> - -<p>He looked about him with the confidence of childhood, and answered:</p> - -<p>"No 'nakes here."</p> - -<p>Just at that moment, the mother, to her horror, saw a deadly reptile -coiled in the very path along which the child was rolling his "bushee," -and with true frontier woman's pluck, ran and snatched up the -bare-footed Fernando, when only within two feet of the deadly serpent, -carried him to the house, and with the stout staff assailed and killed -the rattlesnake.</p> - -<p>He remembered seeing the wild deer bound past the cabin door, and one -day his father killed one. The big dog called "Bob," on account of the -shortness of his caudal appendage, on another occasion leaped on a wild -buck as he was passing the house, and seized the animal, holding it -until it was slain. Wild turkeys were common; he saw them in great -flocks in the woods, and did not suppose they could ever become extinct.</p> - -<p>Fernando never forgot his first pair of shoes. He had grown to be quite -a lad, and his bare feet had trod the paths in the forest, and over the -prairies in summer and late in autumn, until they had become hardened. -In winter his mother had made him moccasins out of deer skins; but he -was at last informed that he was going to have a pair of shoes, such as -he had seen some children from the eastern States wear. His joy at this -intelligence knew no bounds. He dreamed of those shoes at night, and -they formed the theme of his conversation by day. His sister, who was -the oldest of the children, had been the happy possessor of three pairs -of shoes, and she often discussed knowingly the good qualities of pedal -coverings and of their advantages in travelling through brambles or over -stones. Often as he contemplated his scratched, chapped and bruised -feet, the child had asked himself if it were possible that he should -ever be able to afford such a luxury as a real pair of shoes.</p> - -<p>Money was scarce, luxuries scarcer. The frontier people lived hard, -worked hard, slept sound, and enjoyed excellent health.</p> - -<p>Though little Fernando had never owned a real pair of shoes in his life, -so far as he could remember, he possessed a strong mind and body, and no -prince was his superior. He had, as yet, never been to school a day, but -from the great book of nature he had imbibed sublimity and loftiness of -thought, which only painters and poets feel.</p> - -<p>Though he was shoeless, he was inspired with lofty ideas of freedom such -as many reared in cities never dream about. The father had to make a -long journey to some far-away place for the shoes. The day before -starting all the children were made to put their feet on the floor, -while the parents measured them with strings, and tied knots to indicate -the size of shoes to be purchased. At last the measures were obtained, -and the father put them in the pocket of his buckskin hunting jacket. -Then he harnessed the horses to the wagon and, with, his trusty rifle -for his only companion, drove away. Bob, the faithful watch-dog, was -very anxious to accompany him, and whined and howled for two or three -days; but he was kept at home to defend the family. A faithful protector -was Bob, and woe to the intruder who dared to annoy the household while -he was around. Fernando waited patiently and long for the return of his -father. Every night before retiring to his trundle-bed, he would ask his -mother if "father would come next day."</p> - -<p>At last the joyous shout of the older children announced the approach of -the wagon. They ran down the road to meet it. The horses jogged along -with the wagon, which rolled and jolted over the ground to the house. -The wagon was unloaded. There were bags of meal and flour, coffee and -tea, and then came the calico and cotton goods, jugs of molasses and a -barrel of sugar. The shoes were in a box and finally brought out.</p> - -<p>A great disappointment was in store for Fernando. His shoes were too -small. The father had lost the string and purchased the shoes "by -guess." Fernando tried hard to squeeze his foot into the little green -coverings; but they were so small and there was danger of bursting them. -Father had to go back to the land office in a day or two and would -exchange them. He rode off on the white mare, "old Betts," and on his -return had a pair of shoes large enough for Fernando.</p> - -<p>They were awkward at first and cramped, pinched and galled his feet. His -mother made him a suit of clothes of "blue drilling" and next Sabbath -the whole family got into the wagon and drove off eight miles to Bear -Creek to "meeting."</p> - -<p>The people of the west were as thorough a combination and mixture of all -nations, characters, languages, conditions and opinions as can well be -imagined. Scarcely a nation in Europe, or a State in the union, that did -not furnish emigrants for the great west. The greater mass from Europe -were of the humble classes, who came from hunger, poverty and -oppression. They found themselves here with the joy of shipwrecked -mariners cast on the untenanted woods, and instantly became cheered with -the hope of being able to build up a family and a fortune from -new elements.</p> - -<p>The Puritan and the planter, the German, the Briton, the Frenchman, the -Irishman and the Swede, each with his peculiar prejudices and local -attachments, and all the complicated and interwoven tissue of -sentiments, feelings and thoughts, that country, kindred and home, -indelibly combined with the web of youthful existence, settled down -beside each other. The merchant, mechanic and farmer found themselves -placed by necessity in the same society. Men must cleave to their kind -and must be dependent upon each other. Pride and jealousy give way to -the natural yearnings of the human heart for society. They began to rub -off mutual prejudices. One took a step and then the other. They met half -way and embraced; and the society thus newly organized and constituted -was more liberal, enlarged, unprejudiced, and of course more -affectionate and pleasant than a society of people of like birth and -character, who would bring all their early prejudices as a common stock, -to be transmitted as an inheritance to posterity.</p> - -<p>Depending only on God and nature, the simple backwoodsman came to regard -God as his only master and, like the Swiss patriot, would bow his knee -to none other. Men were left free to adopt such religious views and -tenets as they chose, and the generous laws protected every man alike in -his religious opinions. Ministers of the gospel and priests, being -presumed to be devoted to humanity, charity and general benevolence, -were precluded by many State constitutions from any participation in the -legislative authority, and their compensation depended wholly upon the -voluntary aid of those among whom they labored in charity and love. In -the wide district where the Stevens lived, the country was too sparsely -settled to support a stationed minister, and "preaching" was a luxury. -Unsustained by the rigid precepts of law in any privileges, perquisites, -fixed revenue, prescribed by reverence or authority, except such as was -voluntarily acknowledged, the clergy found that success depended upon -the due cultivation of popular talents. Zeal for the great cause mixed, -perhaps, with a spice of earthly ambition, the innate sense of emulation -and laudable pride, a desire of distinction among their cotemporaries -and brethren, prompted them to seek popularity, and to study all the -arts and means of winning the popular favor.</p> - -<p>Travelling from month to month through dark forests, with such ample -time for deep thought, as they ambled slowly along the lonesome horse -path or unfrequented roads, they naturally acquired a pensive and -romantic turn of thought and expression, which is often favorable to -eloquence. Hence their preaching was of the highly popular cast, such as -immortalized Peter Cartwright. The first aim was to excite the -ministers; hence, too, excitement, or, in religious parlance, -"awakenings," or "revivals" became common. Living remote from each -other, and spending much of their time in domestic solitude in vast -forests or wide spreading prairies, the "appointment" for preaching was -looked upon as a gala-day, or a pleasing change, which brought together -the auditors from remote points, and gratified a feeling of curiosity, -which prompted the pioneers to associate and interchange cordial -congratulations.</p> - -<p>As yet no meeting house had been erected in all the region where the -Stevens lived. The meeting on Bear Creek was at the home of Mr. Moore, -who was the happy possessor of a "double log cabin." One cabin or room -was cleared of furniture, and sawn boards, placed on sticks of wood on -end, furnished the seats. These were occupied and the "entry" between -the cabins was filled by children. The preacher, who was also chorister, -took his position near the door so as to accommodate those without as -well as those within. He opened his saddle-bags and, pushing back his -soiled linen, took out his bible and hymn-book and, proceeding to "line -a hymn," "started it" himself, the congregation all joining.</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens had heard from his sister about these wonderful -meetings; but he had never dreamed that a score of voices could raise -such an uproar, and he ceased admiring his new shoes, while he fixed his -eyes in terror on the capacious mouth of a pious old man, who, in his -fervent zeal, was singing with all his might. As he sounded forth each -resonant note, louder than the preceding, his mouth opened wider and -wider, until Fernando took alarm and climbed upon his father's knee.</p> - -<p>At this critical moment, there came on the air a cracking sound, and one -of the boards which served the purpose of a pew broke in the centre and -came down with a crash, precipitating nearly half a score of buxom, -screaming girls into a promiscuous heap upon the floor. This was too -much for Fernando. He could not but attribute the disaster to the -wide-mouthed singer, and he screamed so lustily in his fright, that his -father took him from the house to calm his fears.</p> - -<p>Fernando's first experience at "meeting" was not very encouraging; but -he did not despair. Soon after their return home he heard the family -begin to speak of the "camp-meeting," and learned that one was to be -held at the head waters of Bear Creek, not far from the home of Mr. -Moore, and that the family was going.</p> - -<p>On the appointed day they took their places in the wagon and started for -the camp ground. Notice of the camp-meeting had been circulated for -several weeks or months, and all were eager to attend. The country for -fifty miles around was excited with the cheerful anticipation of the -approaching festival of religious feeling and social friendship. When -the Stevenses arrived on the grounds, wagons and carts, coaches and old -family chaises, people on horseback and on foot, in multitudes, with -provision wagons, tents, mattresses, household implements and cooking -utensils, were seen hurrying from every direction toward the central -point. The camp was in the midst of a grove of beautiful, lofty, -umbrageous trees, natural to the western country, clothed in their -deepest verdure, and near a sparkling stream, which supplied the host -with fresh water. White tents started up in the grove, and soon a sylvan -village sprang up as if by magic. The tents and booths were pitched in a -semi-circle, or in a four-sided parallelogram, inclosing an area of two -acres or more, for the arrangement of seats and aisles around a rude -pulpit and altar for the thronging multitude, all eager to hear the -heavenly messenger.</p> - -<p>Fernando beheld all in a maze of wonder, and half believed this was that -Heaven of which his mother had told him so much. He half expected to see -the skies open and the son of God descend in all his glory. Toward -night, the hour of solemn service approached, and the vast sylvan bower -of the deep umbrageous forest was illuminated by numerous lamps -suspended around the line of tents which encircled the public area and -beside the rustic altars distributed over the same, which sent forth a -glare of light from the fagot fires upon the worshipping throng, and the -majestic forest with an imposing effect, which elevated the soul to fit -converse with its creator, God.</p> - -<p>The scenery of the most brilliant theatre of the world was only a -painting for children compared with this. Meantime, the multitude, with -the highest excitement of social feeling, added to the general -enthusiasm of expectation, was passing from tent to tent interchanging -apostolic greetings and embraces, while they talked of the approaching -solemnities. A few minutes sufficed to finish the evening's repast, when -the moon (for they had taken thought to appoint the meeting at the time -of the full moon) began to show its disc above the dark summits of the -distant mountains, while a few stars were seen glimmering in the west. -Then the service began. The whole constituted a temple worthy of the -grandeur of God. An old man in a dress of the quaintest simplicity -ascended a platform, wiped the dust from his spectacles, and, in a voice -of suppressed emotion "lined the hymn," of which that vast multitude -could recite the words, to be sung with an air in which every voice -could join. Every heart capable of feeling thrilled with emotion as that -song swelled forth, "Like the sound of many waters, echoing among the -hills and mountains." The service proceeded. The hoary-haired orator -talked of God, of eternity, of a judgment to come and all that is -impressive beyond. He spoke of his experiences and toils, his travels, -his persecutions and triumphs, and how many he had seen in hope, in -peace and triumph gathered to their fathers. When he spoke of the short -space that remained for him, his only regret was that he could no longer -proclaim, in the silence of death, the unsearchable riches and mercies -of his crucified Redeemer.</p> - -<p>No wonder, as the speaker paused to dash the gathering moisture from his -own eye, his audience was dissolved in tears, or uttered exclamations of -penitence. Many who prided themselves on an estimation of a higher -intellect and a nobler insensibility than the crowd caught the -infection, and wept, while the others, "who came to mock remained -to pray."</p> - -<p>In due time a schoolhouse was erected on the banks of the creek a mile -away from the house of Albert Stevens. Fernando was sent with the older -children. Mrs. Creswell the teacher had no end of trouble with the -little fellow, whose ideas of liberty were inconsistent with discipline, -and who insisted on reclining on the floor instead of sitting on a -bench. He became hungry and despite the fact that his preceptress had -forbidden "talking out loud" declared that he wanted something to eat.</p> - -<p>"Wait a bit," answered the teacher. "We will have recess by and by."</p> - -<p>"Is recess something to eat?" he asked.</p> - -<p>This question produced a titter, and the insubordinate youngster was -again told he must not talk. After awhile he became accustomed to school -and liked it. He grew older and learned his letters. It was a tedious -task, the most difficult of which was to distinguish "N" from "U," but -he finally mastered them, and his education, he supposed, was complete. -After two or three years, he learned to read. His father on one of his -journeys to town brought to their forest home some excellent books, with -bright, beautiful pictures. He was now nine years old, and could read -with some difficulty. One of his books was a story about a man being -wrecked on an island, and having saved a black man named Friday from -death by savages. Fernando never tired of this wonderful book, and, in -his eagerness for the adventures of Robinson Crusoe, learned to read -well without knowing it.</p> - -<p>From reading one book, he came to read others, and lofty, ambitious -thoughts took possession of his soul. His mind, uncontaminated or -dwarfed by the sins of civilization, early began to reach out for high -and noble ideas.</p> - -<p>His father had been a captain in the continental army, and had travelled -all over the Atlantic States during the war for independence. He told -his children many stories of those dark days and sought early to instil -in their young minds a love for their country, urging them ever to -sustain its honor and its flag.</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens, even early in childhood, became a patriot. He could be -nothing more nor less than a patriot and lover of freedom with such -training, and growing up in such an atmosphere. With the bitter wrongs -of George III. rankling in his heart, he came to despise all forms of -monarchy, and to hate "redcoats." The cruelties of Cornwallis, Tarleton, -Rawdon, Tryon and Butler were still in the minds of the people, and the -boy, as he gazed on his father's sword hanging on the cabin wall, often -declared he would some day take it and avenge the wrongs done in -years gone by.</p> - -<p>Years passed on, and Fernando, in his quiet home in the West, grew to be -a strong, healthy lad, with a constantly expanding mind.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II."></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> -<br> - -<p>MORGIANNA.</p> - -<p>It was early on the morning of June 13, 1796, just twenty years after -the Declaration of Independence, that Captain Felix Lane, of the good -ship <i>Ocean Star</i>, was on his voyage from Rio to Baltimore with a cargo -of coffee. The morning was specially bright, and the captain, as brave a -man as ever paced a quarter deck, was in the best of spirits, for he -expected soon to be home. He had no wife and children to greet him on -his return, for Lane was a bachelor. He had served on board a privateer -during the War of the Revolution and had done as much damage as any man -on salt water to English merchantmen. Like most brave men, Captain Lane -had a generous soul, a kind heart, and there was not a man aboard his -vessel who would not have died for him. He preserved perfect discipline -and respect through love rather than fear, for he was never known to be -harsh with any of his crew.</p> - -<p>No one knew why the captain had never married. His first mate, who had -sailed under him four years, had never dared broach him on the subject -of matrimony. There was a story--a mere rumor--perhaps without the -slightest foundation, of Felix Lane, when a poor sailor boy, loving the -daughter of an English merchant at Portsmouth, England. The mate got the -story from a gossipy old English sailor, who claimed to know all about -it, but whose fondness for spinning yarns brought discredit on his -veracity. According to the old sailor's account, the fair English maid's -name was Mary. Her father was one of the wealthiest merchants in the -city; and one day when Lane was only nineteen he met Mary. Her beauty -captivated him and inspired him to a nobler life. Mary loved the young -sailor; but it was the old story of the penniless lover and cruel -parent. The sailor was forcibly expelled from the house and sailed to -America, with a heart full of revenge and ambition.</p> - -<p>He arrived just after the battle of Lexington, and soon shipped aboard a -privateer. Again it was the old story of a rash lover laughing at death, -seeking the grim monster who seemed to avoid him. His ship was so -successful, that in a short time each of the crew was rich from prize -money. Four years and a half of war found Felix Lane commander of the -most daring privateer on the ocean. He was already wealthy and continued -by fresh prizes to add to his immense fortune. The merchant marine of -Great Britain dreaded his ship, the <i>Sea Rover</i>, more than the whole -American navy. Lane was one of the most expert seamen on the ocean, and -might have had a high office in the regular navy, had he not found this -semi-piratical business more lucrative.</p> - -<p>One day his vessel sighted a large merchantman, off the coast of Spain, -and engaged it in a terrible conflict. The merchantman carried twice as -many people and heavier guns than the <i>Sea Rover</i>; but by the skilful -management of his ship Captain Lane continued to rake her fore and aft -until she was forced to strike her colors. When the conqueror went -aboard, he found the splintered deck a scene of horror. Cordage, -shrouds, broken spars and dead and dying men strewed the deck. Near the -gangway was a middle-aged man holding in his arms a girl mortally -wounded in the conflict. He recognized her in a moment, and the scene -which followed tried all the powers of the old yarn-spinner's -descriptive faculties. He held her in his arms and wept and prayed until -her life was extinct. It was said that she recognized him and that she -died with a sweet smile on her face, pointing upward to a place of -reunion. The father, who had survived the conflict, was released, and -Captain Felix continued his career a sadder and better man.</p> - -<p>Whether this story was true or not, no one can at this day tell, for -Jack tars are proverbial yarn-spinners, and seek more after romance than -truth. One thing is quite certain, though, Captain Lane was still a -bachelor, and had resisted all the advances of beautiful women, until no -one doubted that he would end his days a bachelor.</p> - -<p>On this bright June morning a sail was descried S.S.E., and there -immediately sprang up a little conversation between master and mate as -to the probable character of the ship.</p> - -<p>"Perchance, captain, it's a British cruiser," suggested the mate.</p> - -<p>"If it should be, we have no fears."</p> - -<p>"No, for the <i>Ocean Star</i> can show a pair of clean heels to anything -afloat. These British have a habit of searching all vessels they can -capture and impressing seamen."</p> - -<p>"It's ugly business."</p> - -<p>"It will breed another storm."</p> - -<p>"I don't think America will long submit."</p> - -<p>At this, the mate, whose temper was as fiery as his red hair, vowed:</p> - -<p>"If they should board a ship of mine, I would give 'em lead and steel, -until they would not care to search or impress any one."</p> - -<p>"They have no such right," the captain answered, and his face grew very -stern.</p> - -<p>The vessel, whatever she was, did not cross their path, however, and in -a few hours disappeared around some jutting headlands.</p> - -<p>They had only left Rio the day before, and had very light winds. The -land breeze lasted long enough to bring them by Santa Cruz, and their -ship drifted along all day between Raza and the main. Toward night the -sea-breeze came in fresh from the eastward, and they made four-hour -tacks, intending to keep the northern shore quite close aboard, and to -take their departure from Cape Frio. The night was very clear, and at -eight bells they tacked ship to the northward, heading about N.N.E.; -Raza lights could just be discerned, bearing about West. Captain Lane -had come on deck, as was his custom, to "stay" the brig, and, finding -everything looking right, was about to go below, when the man on the -lookout cried:</p> - -<p>"Sail ho!"</p> - -<p>"Where away?" demanded the Captain.</p> - -<p>"Two points off the lee bow."</p> - -<p>The captain walked forward to the forecastle, from where he descried -what appeared to be a large square-rigged vessel standing directly for -them, with her port-tacks aboard. This seemed strange to the captain, as -he knew of no vessel which had left Rio, except one several days -previous, and she should have been far on her voyage by this time.</p> - -<p>The stranger approached very rapidly, carrying a press of canvas, and -"lying over" to it in fine style. In a short time the stranger was -almost within speaking distance, and Captain Lane made her out to be a -large heavily-sparred clipper brig. A collision seemed inevitable, if -she held her course. The <i>Ocean Star</i> was a little to windward of the -stranger with the starboard tacks aboard, and Captain Lane knew it was -the stranger's duty to "bear up" and keep away. He jumped for his -speaking trumpet and hailed:</p> - -<p>"Brig ahoy!"</p> - -<p>No answer; and the mysterious vessel came booming right on for them with -fearful speed.</p> - -<p>"Brig ahoy!" shouted the captain again. "Hard up your helm, or you will -be into me!"</p> - -<p>Still no answer; and, jumping to the wheel, the captain jammed it down, -and they came up flying into the wind. Leaving the wheel to the -frightened seaman, he sprang into the port rail, to see where the -stranger would strike them. As he did so, that mysterious craft flew by, -and the whole sea seemed lighted up by a strange illumination. It was -like a terrible dream--so wild, so supernatural and unearthly. As -Captain Lane stood by the port rail, he saw right under his quarter, a -large, low, black brig, with her decks crowded with men, and guns -protruding from her ports; while on the weather rail, clinging with one -hand to the shrouds, stood a strange, demoniacal-looking figure, holding -in his outstretched hand, above the water, a burning blue light. On the -quarter-deck a little knot of men seemed standing, a short distance -apart from them was a strikingly handsome man, who, from his air of -superiority, Lane at once knew to be the commander. His perfectly poised -and graceful attitude, and thorough composure, as he removed a cigar -from his mouth and motioned an order to the helmsman, struck the -beholder as wonderful.</p> - -<p>In an instant the whole thing flashed upon the captain--<i>he was a -pirate</i>! He had run under the stern of the brig and burned a blue light -to read the name of the vessel, and see if the bird was worth plucking.</p> - -<p>Captain Lane's decision was instantaneous. He knew that the white -feather never helped one out with such fellows. It was all the work of -an instant. The stranger ran a couple of lengths astern the <i>Ocean -Star</i>, swung his main-yard aback and hailed; but while the bold -buccaneer was doing this, Captain Lane had performed an equally -sea-manlike manoeuvre. He caught his sails aback, and his vessel having -stern way, he shifted his helm, backed her round, and, filling away on -the other tack, stood directly for the pirate.</p> - -<p>It was the stranger's time to hail now. The <i>Ocean Star</i> was a sharp, -strong, fast-sailing vessel, and was under good headway and perfect -control. Captain Lane then acted hurriedly, but with precision, giving -his orders to his mate and helmsman, and, seizing the cabin lantern and -his speaking trumpet, he jumped upon the topgallant forecastle, and, -holding up his lamp, made the master mason's "<i>hailing sign of -distress</i>." He then hailed through his trumpet, in quick, determined -syllables:</p> - -<p>"Brig ahoy! Unless you swear as a man or as a Mason that you will not -molest me, as true as there is a God, we will sink together!"</p> - -<p>Quick as thought, the answer came back through the trumpet, clear and -distinct:</p> - -<p>"I swear as a Mason! Hard up your helm!"</p> - -<p>"Hard up your helm!" the captain shouted aft, and, paying off like a -bird, the <i>Ocean Star</i> swept by the stranger's stern near enough to -almost touch her. As they went sailing past her, it became Captain -Lane's turn to bend forward with a lantern, and ascertain who his new -acquaintance was. There, painted in blood-red letters on the black -stern, was the name</p> - - <b>MORGIANNA</b>.<br> - -<p>He had scarce read it, when the same clear tones, more subdued, hailed -him, as he thought, with somewhat of kindness:</p> - -<p>"Captain, do me the favor to back your main-yard; I will come aboard of -you--<i>alone</i>!"</p> - -<p>[Illustration: Morgianna.]</p> - -<p>The captain gave the necessary orders, and "hove to" within three or -four cables' length of the stranger; and in a very few minutes a -four-oared boat, containing but a single figure besides the crew, was -seen approaching the <i>Ocean Star</i>.</p> - -<p>Captain Lane had a ladder put over the gangway and threw a rope to the -boat as it came alongside; and the next moment the stranger sprang upon -the deck of the <i>Ocean Star</i>.</p> - -<p>With an easy grace he gave to the captain the quick, intelligible sign -of the "great brotherhood" and, taking his arm familiarly, walked aft.</p> - -<p>Captain Lane called the steward, sent for glasses and wine, and, as soon -as they were placed upon the table, closed the cabin door, and found -himself alone with his strange visitor.</p> - -<p>The captain filled his glass and, sipping it in Spanish fashion, passed -the decanter to the stranger. He followed his example, and after the -usual interchange of courtesies addressed him:</p> - -<p>"Captain, I have a favor to ask of you."</p> - -<p>"Name it."</p> - -<p>"You are probably not aware of the true motive which induced me to heave -you to?"</p> - -<p>"I am not."</p> - -<p>"It is this: I wish you to take a passenger to the United States--a lady -and her child. Now that I have seen you and feel acquainted with you, by -our common ties, I feel a confidence in sending them by you, which I -should never have felt, perhaps, with another. Will you take them? Any -price shall be yours."</p> - -<p>"Yes; I will take them."</p> - -<p>"Thank you. I have a still further favor to ask. I wish to send to the -States a sum of money to be invested in the lady's name, and for her -account. Will it be too much to ask you to attend to this? You may -charge your own commission."</p> - -<p>"I will obey your wishes to the letter," Captain Lane answered.</p> - -<p>The stranger grasped his hand across the table and, with some emotion, -added:</p> - -<p>"If you will do this, and will place the lady and child where they may -find a home, with the surroundings of Christian society, you will confer -a favor upon me which money can never repay."</p> - -<p>Captain Lane looked at the man with astonishment, and for the first time -gave him a glance that was thoroughly searching and critical.</p> - -<p>He was apparently of about thirty-five years of age, a little above the -medium height, with a broad forehead, over which fine, brown hair -clustered in careless folds. He wore his beard and mustache long, the -former extending to a point a few inches below the throat. His eyes were -brown, large and full of expression, while in conversation, and a mild -and melancholy smile occasionally stole over his features.</p> - -<p>His manners and conversation betokened refinement; and, take him all in -all, he was the last man one would have ever taken for a smuggler or -a pirate.</p> - -<p>Captain Lane became very much interested in him, and gradually their -conversation took a wider range. In the midst of it and before they had -fully completed their business arrangements in relation to the -passengers, whom Captain Lane had engaged to convey to the United -States, the mate knocked at the cabin door, and informed them that a -heavy squall was rising to westward.</p> - -<p>They hurried on deck, which no sooner had they reached, than the -stranger, looking hastily in the quarter indicated, shook Captain Lane -warmly by the hand saying:</p> - -<p>"I must go aboard, captain; that will be a heavy squall. Keep me in -sight if you can; but, if we part company, meet me off Cape Frio--this -side of it--to-morrow; wait for me till night, if you do not see me -before. Good-by!" and springing into his boat, he pulled away for -his vessel.</p> - -<p>Captain Lane never saw him again alive.</p> - -<p>No sooner was he over the side, than the captain gave orders to shorten -sail. He took in royals and topgallant sails, furled the courses, -trysail and jib, and double-reefed the topsails. They braced the yards a -little to starboard, hauled the foretopmast staysail sheet well aft, and -the captain, thinking he had everything snug, stood looking over the -weather rails, watching the approaching squall. The wind had almost died -away, and the atmosphere seemed strangely oppressive. Captain Lane was -an old sea-dog and had witnessed many strange phenomena on the ocean; -but never had he seen a squall approach so singularly. It seemed to move -very slowly--a great black cloud, which looked intensely luminous -withal, and yet so dense and heavy, that an ordinary observer might have -mistaken it for one of the ordinary rain squalls encountered in the -tropics. Captain Lane consulted his barometer, and found it -falling rapidly.</p> - -<p>"Clew the topsails up!" shouted the captain to the mate. "All hands lay -aloft and furl them!"</p> - -<p>The order was quickly obeyed; and just as the sailors reached the deck, -the squall struck them. It did not come as it was expected; it had -worked up from the westward, but struck the <i>Ocean Star</i> dead from the -South. In an instant they were over, nearly on their beam ends, and a -heavy sea rushed over the lee-rail, filling the deck.</p> - -<p>"Hard up your helm!" shouted the captain, and, springing aft, he found -the helmsman jammed under the tiller, and the second mate vainly -endeavoring to heave it up. Taking hold with him, by their united -efforts they at last succeeded; and, after a moment's suspense, the -<i>Ocean Star</i> slowly wore off before the wind and, rising out of the -water, shook herself like an affrighted spaniel and darted off with -fearful speed before the hurricane.</p> - -<p>Leaving orders to keep her "steady before it" the captain went forward -to ascertain the extent of the damage they had sustained. It was now -intensely dark, the rain falling in torrents, and lightning bolts -striking the water all around them, accompanied by fearful and incessant -peals of thunder. A human voice could not have been heard five paces -away. The wind, which fairly roared through the shrouds, and the deluge -of water upon the deck, were enough of themselves to drown any voice. By -flashes of lightning, the captain soon ascertained that they were -comparatively unharmed, and their spars were safe. Gathering his -frightened crew and officers about him, he succeeded at length in -freeing the decks of water by knocking out the ports on either side. -They next sounded the pumps, and found three feet of water in the well. -Immediately double pumps were rigged, and the steady clinking of brakes -added to the noises and terror of the scene.</p> - -<p>It was a fearful night, and Captain Lane prayed Heaven that he might -never see such another.</p> - -<p>About half an hour after the squall first struck them--the captain of -the <i>Ocean Star</i> was standing with his two officers on the quarter-deck, -"conning the vessel by the feel of the wind and rain," keeping her dead -before the gale--when there came a flash and a peal which made them -cower almost to the decks.</p> - -<p>"My God!" was the simultaneous exclamation of all. A long chain of -lightning and a heavy ball of fire seemed to shoot from the sky, -lighting up the whole sea, revealing, and at the same time striking, in -its descent, a full-rigged brig, which, like themselves, was scudding -before the gale under bare poles, a few cables' length off their port -beam. The next instant, a fearful explosion, heard loud above the -roaring storm, shook the sea, a volume of flame and fire shot up in the -air, and when they looked again for the vessel, in the flashes of -lightning, it was nowhere to be seen.</p> - -<p>As the morning broke, the gale abated, and settled into a light breeze -from the eastward. They made all sail, and stood to the southward with -the wind abeam, hoping to fall in with some survivors of the wreck.</p> - -<p>Captain Lane changed his wet garments for something more comfortable, -refreshed himself with a strong cup of coffee, and, taking his glass, -sought the foretopsail yard. About seven bells, he thought he discovered -some object in the water three or four points off the lee bow. Hailing -the deck to keep off for it, he very soon made out fragments of a -vessel--spars, water casks, pieces of deck and, as they came still -nearer, a boat; but the captain, even from his lofty perch, could see no -sign of any one in it.</p> - -<p>Descending to the deck, he ordered a boat to be cleared away, and, -running as near as he dared to the wreck, he backed his maintopsail and -took a long and earnest survey with his glass.</p> - -<p>All hands were watching with anxious eyes the expression on the -captain's face. He handed his glass to the mate, who carefully examined -every fragment which appeared above water. The captain looked at the -mate inquiringly; but neither said a word. The mate handed back the -glass and shook his head sorrowfully.</p> - -<p>Again the captain looked long and earnestly; the mate looked again, and -again returned the glass:</p> - -<p>"Poor fellows--we may as well fill away, sir!" he said sadly.</p> - -<p>There was still considerable sea on, and the mere launching of a boat -was attended with more than ordinary danger, added to which was that to -be encountered from the broken spars and fragments of wreck drifting -about. Captain Lane thought of all these dangers, and was about to give -the order to "fill away the main-yard," when something seemed to say -to him:</p> - -<p>"<i>There is some one in that boat</i>!"</p> - -<p>This impression was so strong that he felt as if it would be murder to -leave the spot without making a more minute search, and he ordered the -boat to be lowered at once. Jumping into the stern sheets, four good -oars well manned soon brought him within the little field of fragments, -in the centre of which the boat was floating. No wonder none of the crew -was left,--the water literally swarmed with sharks.</p> - -<p>Standing in the bow with a boat hook, the captain warded off pieces of -wreck and gradually made his way to the strange boat.</p> - -<p>The sight there which met his eyes Captain Lane never forgot to his -dying day. When bowed down with old age, and his feeble steps were -tottering on the verge of the grave, that scene came to him as vividly -as on that terrible day. Lying in the bottom of the boat was the burnt, -blackened and bruised form of a man, which, with some difficulty, the -captain recognized as the handsome stranger who had visited him on the -previous evening. Clinging to him, with her arms clasped tightly around -his mutilated form, a clasp which even death could not break, her fair -face pressed close to his blackened features, was the lifeless body of -the most beautiful woman Captain Lane had ever seen. The look of agony, -of commiseration, of tenderness, of pity, of horror and despair, which -was sealed upon, those lifeless features was beyond the powers of -description; but the saddest spectacle of all was a child, a little girl -about one year old, clinging frantically to the breast of her dead -mother, and gazing silently at them in frightened wonder.</p> - -<p>For years, Captain Lane's eyes had not been dimmed with tears, but now -the fountains of grief were opened up, and his cheeks were wet. He -carefully entered the boat, felt of each cold body, laid his hand upon -each silent heart, and waited in vain for an answering signal to his -touch upon the pulse.</p> - -<p>"It is all over," he said, and sitting down in the stern sheets of the -boat, he took the child in his arms and sent his men back for sheets and -shot and palm and needle and prayer-book. "They shall have Christian -burial," declared the kind-hearted captain.</p> - -<p>They went away and left him alone with the dead and the baby. The infant -seemed to cling to him from that moment, and the Great Father above -alone knows how strangely and rapidly those cords of love were cemented -between the bluff, old bachelor sea-captain and the infant. That heart, -which he had thought dead to all love since the awful day on board the -English merchantman, when he saw the only being he ever loved dying, was -suddenly thrilled by the tenderest emotions. Those sweet blue eyes were -upturned to his face with a glance of imploring trust, and the -captain cried:</p> - -<p>"Yes, blow my eyes, if I don't stand by you, little one, as long as -there is a stitch of canvas left!"</p> - -<p>The time was very short until his men returned. Wrapping the dead in one -shroud and winding sheet, with heavy shot well secured at their feet, -the captain put the little child's lips to its mother's, giving her an -unconscious kiss, which caused the men to brush their rough sleeves -across their weather-beaten eyes. Then, reading with a broken voice, the -last service for the dead, the shroud was closed, and the opening waters -received them and bore them away to their last resting place.</p> - -<p>Jumping into his boat, with the little stranger nestling in his arms, -Captain Lane was soon aboard the <i>Ocean Star</i>, and with a fair wind and -sunny skies was once more homeward bound. The captain seemed loath to -relinquish his little charge. There was a goat on the vessel which -furnished milk, and the cook prepared some dainty food for the -little stranger.</p> - -<p>"What is her name, captain?" he asked, while feeding the hungry child. -She was not old enough to know her name, and there was not found about -her clothes or in the boat anything whatever by which her name could -possibly be known, so she had to be rechristened. What name should he -give her? He reflected a moment and then, remembering the name on the -stern of that black, mysterious vessel, answered:</p> - -<p>"Morgianna!"</p> - -<p>"Morgianna?" said the cook.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Morgianna Lane! she is my adopted daughter."</p> - -<p>The cook smiled at the thought of bluff old Captain Lane the bachelor -having an adopted daughter.</p> - -<p>After the perils and excitements of such a night, it was not strange -that Captain Lane slept long and soundly. He had good officers, and when -he retired he gave them orders not to disturb him, unless absolutely -necessary, until he should awake.</p> - -<p>They obeyed the injunction to the letter, and on the following morning -he was awakened by hearing one of the crew ask in an undertone of -the steward.</p> - -<p>"How is little Morgianna this morning?"</p> - -<p>"Little Morgianna," he said to himself; and then it all came back, and -with it a strangely tender dream which had all night long haunted his -slumbers. The captain rose hurriedly, dressed himself and inquired for -the child, who had been resigned to the care of the cook. She was -brought to him, a bright, cheerful little thing, just beginning to lisp -unintelligible words. For a few days she missed her mother and wore a -look of expectation on her infantile face, occasionally crying out; but -anon this passed away, and she became cheerful and happy. The captain -spent as much of his time with her as he could spare from his duties, -and as he held the little creature on his knee, heard her gentle voice -in baby accents, and felt her warm baby fingers on his cheek, a new -emotion took possession of his heart. He loved little Morgianna dearly -as a father might.</p> - -<p>Before that voyage was over, Captain Lane resolved to abandon the sea -and retire to his fine estate at Mariana, a village on the seashore not -a score of miles from Baltimore. He kept his intentions a secret until -the vessel was in port; then the merchants with whom he had been engaged -in business for years, were astounded to learn that Captain Lane had -made his last voyage. A nurse was engaged for little Morgianna and the -great mansion house on the hill within a fourth of a mile of Mariana was -fitted up for habitation. Servants were sent to the place, and the -villagers were lost in wonder.</p> - -<p>The gossips had food for conjecture for weeks, and many were the strange -stories afloat. Some of the old dames thought the captain was going to -be married after all. Then the young widows and ancient maidens who had -heard much about Captain Lane, sighed and looked disconsolate. Every -kind of a story but the truth was afloat.</p> - -<p>When on one bright autumnal day, a carriage from Baltimore was seen to -dash into the village and roll up the great drive, between the rows of -poplars, it was whispered he had come. One who watched averred that only -the captain and a child not over a year and a half old alighted from the -coach. (The nurse came in another vehicle.) The child started another -rumor. She was a mysterious, unknown factor, and the gossips bandied the -captain's name about in a reckless manner. Good old dames shook their -heads knowingly and declared they had suspected the captain had a wife -all the time in some far-off city.</p> - -<p>"You kin never depend on these sea-captains!" Mrs. Hammond declared.</p> - -<p>But despite all their conjectures, the captain lived in the old stone -mansion house with his servants and Morgianna. A few weeks after his -arrival, she was christened at the village church as Morgianna Lane, her -parents not known.</p> - -<p>Would wonders never cease? Bit by bit, the sensational story of -Morgianna got out into the village, and she became the object of the -greatest interest. Captain Lane adopted her, and when she became old -enough to accompany him, he seldom went away without her. Morgianna -loved the good old man, who, with all his rough seaman-like ways, was -father and mother both to her.</p> - -<p>Never had daughter a kinder or more indulgent father.</p> - -<p>As years went on, Morgianna grew in beauty, intelligence, grace and -goodness. Captain Lane was proud of her, and she was never so happy as -when sitting on his knee listening to his yarns of the sea. Her own sad, -dark story had never been told to her,--that was left for the future.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III."></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> - -<p>JEFFERSONIANISM.</p> - -<p>There is not a man of intelligence in America or Europe, who has not -heard of the Democratic party in America, that great political -organization which has been in existence almost, if not quite, one -hundred years. Many who claim allegiance to this great party know little -of its tenets, and still fewer know its history. There are orators on -the stump, in the halls of Congress, writers for the press, all -advocating "the glorious principles of Democracy," who have never -thoroughly acquainted themselves with its history. The Democratic party -of to-day was originally known as the Republican party. The warm -discussions on the national constitution engendered party spirit in the -new republic, which speedily assumed definite forms and titles, first as -Federalist and anti-Federalist, which names were changed to Federalist -and Republican, or Democrat.</p> - -<p>The Federalist party, headed by Alexander Hamilton, favored much -concentration of power in a national government, but perhaps not more -than we have to-day, and, in fact, not more than is really essential to -the upbuilding of a stable republic like ours. There can be no question -but that Washington held to the same views; but Washington was the only -great man America ever produced who rose so far above political parties -as to absorb them all. He has never been classed as belonging to either -party. The Republican or Democratic party favored State sovereignty and -the diffusion of power among the people.</p> - -<p>The American people had had such bitter experiences with monarchs that -they dreaded anything which savored of monarchy, and it was argued that -a centralized government was but a step in that direction. On the other -hand, Federalists pointed out the danger of State sovereignty, which -would surely in the end disrupt the general government. Subsequent -history has proven that the Federalists were right. We have said that -Washington was a Federalist at heart. His enemies, meanly jealous of his -popularity, often declared that he was a monarchist.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, a revolution, violent in its nature and far-reaching in its -consequences, had broken out in France.</p> - -<p>It was the immediate consequences of the teachings of the American -revolution. The people of France had long endured almost irresponsible -despotism, and were yearning for freedom when the French officers and -soldiers, who had served in America during the latter years of our -struggles for independence, returned to their country full of republican -ideas and aspirations. They questioned the right of the few to oppress -the many, and the public heart was soon stirred by new ideas, and in a -movement that followed, Lafayette was conspicuous for a while. The king, -like many tyrants, was weak and vacillating, and soon a body called the -states-general assumed the reins of government, while the king was in -fact a prisoner. The terrible Bastile, whose history represented royal -despotism, was assailed by the citizens of Paris and pulled down. The -privileges of the nobility and clergy were abolished, and the church -property was seized. The king's brothers and many of the nobles fled in -affright across the frontier, and tried to induce other sovereigns to -take up the cause of royalty in France and restore the former order of -things. The emperor of Austria (brother of the French queen) and the -king of Prussia entered into a treaty to that effect, at Pilnitz, -in 1791.</p> - -<p>When this treaty became known, war at once followed. Robespierre and -other self-constituted leaders in Paris held sway for a while, and the -most frightful massacres of nobles and priests ensued. The weak and -unfortunate king, who had accepted constitution after constitution, was -now deposed and a republic was established. Affairs had assumed the -nature of anarchy and blood, and Lafayette and other moderate men -disappeared from the arena. The king was tried on charge of inviting -foreigners to invade France, was found guilty and was beheaded in -January, 1793. His queen soon shared a like fate. The English troops -sent to Flanders were called to fight the French, for the rulers of -France had declared war against Great Britain, Spain and Holland -in February.</p> - -<p>Thomas Jefferson who entered Washington's cabinet in 1789, had just -returned from France, where he had witnessed the uprising of the people -against their oppressors. Regarding the movement as kindred to the late -uprising of his own countrymen against Great Britain, it enlisted his -warmest sympathies, and he expected to find the bosoms of the people of -the United States glowing with feelings like his own. He was sadly -disappointed. Washington was wisely conservative. His wisdom saw that -the cruelty of the anarchists of Paris was not patriotism, but the worst -sort of despotism. The society of New York, in which some of the leaven -of Toryism yet lingered, chilled Jefferson. He became suspicious of all -around him, for he regarded the indifference of the people to the -struggles of the French, their old allies, as an evil omen. Though the -Tories of New York were cool toward the French republic from far -different motives than Washington, yet the same cause was attributed -to both.</p> - -<p>Jefferson had scarcely taken his seat as Secretary of State in -Washington's first cabinet before he declared that some of his -colleagues held decidedly monarchical views; and the belief became fixed -in his mind that there was a party in the United States continually at -work, secretly and sometimes openly, for the overthrow of American -republicanism. The idea became a monomania with Jefferson from which he -never recovered till his death, more than thirty years afterward. -Jefferson soon rallied under his standard a large party of sympathizers -with the French revolutionists. Regarding Hamilton as the head and front -of the monarchical party, he professed to believe that the financial -plans of that statesman were designed to enslave the people, and that -the rights and liberties of the States and of individuals were in -danger. On the other hand, Hamilton regarded the national constitution -as inadequate in strength to perform its required functions and believed -its weakness to be its greatest defect. With this idea Jefferson took -issue. He charged his political opponents, and especially Hamilton, with -corrupt and anti-republican designs, selfish motives and treacherous -intentions, and so was inaugurated that system of personal abuse and -vituperation, which has ever been a disgrace to the press and political -leaders of this country. Bitter partisan quarrels now prevailed, in -which Jefferson and Hamilton were the chief actors. The populace was -greatly excited. The Republicans who hated the British intensely, called -the Federalists the "British party," and the Federalists called their -opponents the "French party." The Jeffersonians hailed with joy the news -of the death of the French king, and applauded the declaration of war -against England and Holland, forgetting the friendship which the latter -had shown for Americans during the struggle for independence.</p> - -<p>Amid all this uproar which proceeded from his cabinet, only Washington -remained calm. No other American at that day nor since could have -remained neutral and guided the ship of state through such breakers of -discontent. He was the safe middle water between the dangerous reefs of -concentration and State sovereignty.</p> - -<p>Had not the Federal party been the victim of many unfortunate -circumstances, it would certainly in time have become popular in the -nation. It was beyond question Washington's party, and, notwithstanding -the false charges of monarchism and British sovereignty, it was -patriotic. Had it existed forty or fifty years longer, until that -incubus which haunted Jefferson's brain had passed away, and the -republic become so firmly established that people would no longer fear -British dependency, the Federal party would have been a firmly fixed -institution. Had Federal ideas been fully inculcated instead of -Jeffersonianism and Calhounism, the rebellion of 1861 would not have -occurred; but Aaron Burr murdered Hamilton, the friend of Washington, -the bright genius of American politics and the hope of the Federal -party, and the Federalists were left without any great leader. When the -war of 1812 came, the Federalists were so embittered against the -Democrats, then in power, that they became lukewarm and threw so many -obstacles in the way of the patriots who were making the second fight -for freedom, as to almost confirm the suspicion that they were the -friends of Great Britain rather than America. This forever blighted the -Federal party.</p> - -<p>In the year 1800, Thomas Jefferson was elected the third president of -the United States, and the first of Democratic proclivities.</p> - -<p>Although the city of Washington, the great American capital, had been -laid out on a magnificent scale, in 1791, and George Washington, with -masonic ceremonies, laid the corner-stone of the capitol building in -1793, the seat of government was not removed there until the year 1800. -The site for the city was a dreary one. At the time when the seat of -government was first moved there, only a path, leading through an alder -swamp on the line of the present Pennsylvania Avenue, was the way of -communication between the president's house and the capitol. For a -while, the executive and legislative officers of the government were -compelled to suffer many privations. In the fall of 1800, Oliver -Wolcott wrote:</p> - -<p>"There is one good tavern about forty rods from the capitol, and several -houses are built or erecting; but I don't see how the members of -congress can possibly secure lodgings, unless they will consent to live -like scholars in a college or monks in a monastery, crowded ten or -twenty in one house. The only resource for such as wish to live -comfortably will be found in Georgetown, three miles distant, over as -bad a road in winter as the clay grounds near Hartford.</p> - -<p>"... There are, in fact, but few houses in any one place, and most of -them are small, miserable huts, which present an awful contrast to the -public buildings. The people are poor and, as far as I can judge, live -like fishes by eating each other. ... You may look in any direction over -an extent of ground nearly as large as the city of New York, without -seeing a fence or any object except brick kilns and temporary huts for -laborers. ... There is no industry, society or business."</p> - -<p>On March 4, 1801, Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated and commenced his -first term under favorable auspices. He was then fifty-eight years of -age--a tall, bony man, with grizzled sandy hair and rather slovenly -dress--a man who practised his Democratic simplicity in all things, and -sometimes carried it to extremes. A senator, writing of him in -1802, said:</p> - -<p>"The next day after my arrival I visited the president, accompanied by -some democratic members. In a few moments after our arrival a tall, -high-boned man came into the room. He was dressed, or rather undressed, -in an old brown coat, red waistcoat, old corduroy smallclothes, much -soiled, woollen hose, and slippers without heels. I thought him a -servant, when General Varnum surprised me by announcing it was the -president."</p> - -<p>In brief, Mr. Jefferson outlined his policy as follows, in a letter to -Nathaniel Macon:</p> - -<p>"1. Levees are done made away with. 2. The first communication to the -next congress will be, like all subsequent ones, by message to which no -answer will be expected. 3. The diplomatic establishment in Europe will -be reduced to three ministers. 4. The compensation of collectors -depends on you (Congress) and not on me. 5. The army is undergoing a -chaste reformation. 6. The navy will be reduced to the legal -establishment by the last of the month (May, 1801). 7. Agencies in every -department will be revised. 8. We shall push you to the uttermost in -economizing. 9. A very early recommendation has been given to the -postmaster-general to employ no printer, foreigner or Revolutionary Tory -in any of his offices."</p> - -<p>James Madison was Mr. Jefferson's secretary of state; Henry Dearborn was -secretary of war, and Levi Lincoln, attorney-general. Jefferson retained -Mr. Adams's secretaries of the treasury and navy, until the following -Autumn, when Albert Gallatin, a naturalized foreigner, was appointed to -the first named office and Robert Smith to the second. The president -early resolved to reward his political friends when he came to "revise" -the agencies in every department. Three days after his inauguration, he -wrote to Colonel Monroe, "I have firmly refused to follow the counsels -of those who have desired the giving of offices to some of the -Federalist leaders in order to reconcile. I have given, and will give, -only to Republicans, under existing circumstances."</p> - -<p>The doctrine, ever since acted upon, that "to the victor belong the -spoils," was then practically promulgated from the fountain-head of -government patronage; and with a cabinet wholly Democratic, when -congress met in December, 1801, and with the minor offices filled with -his political friends, Mr. Jefferson began his presidential career of -eight years' duration. In his inaugural address he said, "Every -difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called -by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all -Federalists--we are all Republicans."</p> - -<p>Vigor and enlightened views marked his course, so that even his -political enemies were compelled to confess his foresight and sound -judgment in regard to the national policy.</p> - -<p>The administration of Jefferson was not marked with perfect peace -abroad. Napoleon Bonaparte, the outgrowth of the French revolution, had -overthrown monarchy in France and conquered almost all Europe. He was -not a Washington, however, and the French people were only exchanging -one tyrant for another.</p> - -<p>The Algerians, those barbarous North African pirates, had been forcing -the Americans to pay tribute. Captain Bainbridge, who commanded the -frigate <i>George Washington</i>, for refusing to convey an Algerian -ambassador to the court of the sultan at Constantinople, was threatened -by the haughty governor with imprisonment.</p> - -<p>"You pay me tribute, by which you become my slave, and therefore I have -a right to order you as I think proper," said the dey.</p> - -<p>Bainbridge was forced to obey the orders of the Barbarian.</p> - -<p>[Illustration: Stephen Decatur.]</p> - -<p>The Americans resolved to humble the Algerians, and a fleet was sent to -Tripoli in 1803. The frigate <i>Philadelphia</i>, while reconnoitering the -harbor, struck on a rock and was captured by the Tripolitans, who made -her officers prisoners of war and her crew slaves.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Decatur, on February 3, 1804, by a stratagem, got alongside -the <i>Philadelphia</i> with seventy-four brave young sailors like himself -and carried the ship by the board after a terrible hand-to-hand -conflict. The Tripolitans were defeated, and the <i>Philadelphia</i> was -burned. The American seamen continued to bombard Tripoli and blockaded -their ports, until the terrified Bashaw made a treaty of peace.</p> - -<p>While the Americans were winning laurels on the Mediterranean, the -infant republic was growing in political and moral strength. During Mr. -Jefferson's first term, one State (Ohio) and two Territories (Indiana -and Illinois) had been formed out of the great Northwestern Territory. -Ohio was organized as an independent territory in the year 1800, and in -the fall of 1802, it was admitted into the Union as a State. Long before -the Northwestern Territory had been divided into different territories, -the present limits of Ohio and Kentucky had already become quite -populous. Emigrants like Albert Stevens were pushing out on the frontier -and building up a great commonwealth.</p> - -<p>About 1802, there was great excitement in the country west of the -Alleghany Mountains, in consequence of a violation of the treaty made -with Spain in 1795, by the governor of Louisiana in closing the port of -New Orleans against American commerce. There was a proposition before -congress for taking forcible possession of that region, when it was -ascertained that, by a secret treaty, Spain had retroceded Louisiana to -France. The United States immediately began negotiations for the -purchase of that domain from France. Robert R. Livingston, the American -minister at the court of the First Consul, found very little difficulty -in making a bargain with Bonaparte, for the latter wanted money and -desired to injure England. He sold that magnificent domain, stretching -from the Gulf of Mexico northward to the present State of Minnesota, and -from the Mississippi westward to the Pacific Ocean, for fifteen million -dollars. The bargain was made in the spring of 1803, and in the fall the -country, and the new domain, which added nine hundred thousand square -miles to our territory, was taken possession of by the United States. -When the bargain was closed, Bonaparte said:</p> - -<p>"This accession of territory strengthens forever the power of the United -States, and I have just given to England a maritime rival that will -sooner or later humble her pride."</p> - -<p>It was the prevailing opinion in the country, that the Spanish -inhabitants, who were forming states in the great valley, would not -submit to the rule of American government. Aaron Burr, a wily and -unscrupulous politician, who, having murdered the noble Hamilton in a -duel, was an outcast from society, began scheming for setting up a -separate government in the West. Burr was unscrupulous and dishonest and -at the same time shrewd. The full extent of his plans were really never -known, and the historian is in doubt whether he intended a severance of -the Union, or an invasion of Mexico. Herman Blennerhassett, an excellent -Irish gentleman, became his ally and suffered ruin with Burr. Burr was -arrested and tried, but was found not guilty. His speech in his own -defence was so eloquent, that it is said to have melted his enemies to -tears, though all believed him guilty. Burr's life was a wreck after -that. His fame was blasted, and he was placed beside Benedict Arnold as -a traitor to his country.</p> - -<p>With the acquisition of Louisiana, there grew up a powerful opposition -to Jefferson in the North and East. The idea was disseminated that the -purchase was only a scheme to strengthen the south and the southern -democracy. Mr. Jefferson came almost to having a wholesome dose of his -doctrine of State sovereignty exemplified. A convention of Federalists -was called at Boston, in 1804, in which a proposition of secession was -made. Fortunately, however, there was too much patriotism in the body -for the proposition to carry, and the government was saved.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV."></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> - -<p>BRITISH CRUISERS.</p> - -<p>The peace of 1783 between the United States and Great Britain had been -extorted by the necessities, rather than obtained by the good will of -England. Though, by a formal treaty, the United States were declared -free and independent, they were still hated in Great Britain as -rebellious colonies. That such was the general opinion is manifest from -the letters of John Adams, our first minister to the court of St. James, -and from other authentic contemporary accounts. Of course there were a -few men of sufficiently enlarged and comprehensive minds to forget the -past and urge, even in parliament, that the trade of America would be -more valuable as an ally than a dependent; but the number of these was -small indeed. The common sentiment in England toward the young republic -was one of scornful detestation. We were despised as provincials, we -were hated as rebels. In the permanency of our institutions there was -scarce a believer in all Britain. This was especially the case prior to -the adoption of the federal constitution. Both in parliament and out, it -was publicly boasted that the Union would soon fall to pieces, and that, -finding their inability to govern themselves, the different States -would, one by one, supplicate to be received back as colonies. This vain -and empty expectation long lingered in the popular mind, and was not -wholly eradicated until after the war of 1812.</p> - -<p>Consequently the new republic was treated with arrogant contempt. One of -the first acts of John Adams, as minister to England, had been to -propose placing the navigation and trade between the dominions of Great -Britain and the territories of the United States, on a basis of complete -reciprocity. By acceding to such a measure England might have gained -much and could have lost but little. The proposal was rejected almost -with terms of insult, and Mr. Adams was sternly informed that a "no -other would be entertained." The consequences were that the free negroes -of Jamaica, and others of the poorer inhabitants of the British West -India Islands were reduced to starvation by being deprived of their -usual supplies from the United States. This unreasonable policy on the -part of England naturally exasperated the Americans, and one of the -first acts of the federal government in 1789 was to adopt retaliatory -measures. A navy law was passed, which has since been the foundation of -all our treaties of reciprocity with England. A protective tariff was -also adopted as another means of retaliation. In these measures, the -United States, being a young nation with unlimited territory, had -everything to gain, and England all to lose. Great Britain was first to -tire of restrictive measures, and, by a repeal on her part, invited a -repeal on ours.</p> - -<p>In another way Great Britain exasperated the popular feeling here -against her, and even forced the American government, once or twice, to -the verge of war. By the treaty of peace, all military posts held by -England within the limits of the United States were to be given up. -Michilimacinac, Detroit, Oswegotche, Point au Fer and Dutchman's Point -were long held in defiance of the compact. These posts became the centre -of intrigues among the savages of the Northwest. Arms were here -distributed to the Indians, and disturbances on the American frontier -were fomented. The war on the Miami, which was brought to a bloody close -by Wayne's victory, was, principally, the result of such secret -machinations. In short, England regarded the treaty of 1783 as a truce -rather than a pacification, and long, held to the hope of being able yet -to punish the colonies for their rebellion. In two celebrated letters -written by John Adams from Great Britain, he used the following decided -language in reference to the secret designs of England:</p> - -<p>"If she can bind Holland in her shackles, and France from internal -dissensions is unable to interfere, she will make war immediately -against us." This was in 1787. Two years before he had expressed, the -same ideas. "Their present system, as far as I can penetrate it," he -wrote, "is to maintain a determined peace with all Europe, in order that -they may war singly against America, if they should think it necessary."</p> - -<p>A sentiment of such relentless hostility, which no attempt was made to -disguise, but which was arrogantly paraded on every occasion, could not -fail to exasperate those feelings of dislike on the part of America, -which protracted war had engendered. This mutual hatred between the two -nations arose from the enmity of the people rather than of the cabinets, -"There is too much reason to believe," wrote our minister, "that if the -nation had another hundred million to spend, they would soon force the -ministry into another war with us." On the side of the United States, it -required all the prudence of Washington, sustained by his hold on the -affections of the people, to restrain them from a war with England, -after that power had refused to surrender the military posts.</p> - -<p>A third element of discord arose when England joined the coalition -against France, in 1793. The course which the former had pursued for the -preceding ten years, had, as we have seen, tended to alienate the people -of America from her and nourish sentiments of hostility in their bosoms. -On the other hand, France, with that address for which she is eminent, -had labored to heighten the good feelings already existing between -herself and the United States. A treaty of alliance and commerce bound -the two countries; but the courteous demeanor of France cemented us to -her by still stronger ties, those of popular will.</p> - -<p>Before the revolution broke out in Paris, the enthusiasm of America -toward France could scarce be controlled. There can be no doubt that, if -the subsequent excesses had not alarmed all prudent friends of liberty, -the people of this country could not have been restrained from engaging -in the struggle between France and England; but the reign of terror, -backed by the insolence of Citizen Genet the minister of the French -republic, and afterward by the exactions of the Directory, checked the -headlong enthusiasm that otherwise would have embroiled us in the -terrible wars of that period. In his almost more than human wisdom, -Washington had selected a course of strict neutrality, from which public -enthusiasm, nor fear of loss of public favor could swerve him. His -course was wise and proper for the still weak confederacy; and every day -was productive of events which showed the wisdom of this decision. -Neither Great Britain nor France, however, was gratified by this -neutrality. Each nation wished the aid of the Americans, and became -arrogant and insulting when they found the resolution of the Americans -unbroken. Napoleon, on the part of France, saw the impolicy of such -treatment, and when he became first consul, he hastened to abandon it; -but England relaxed little or nothing. Circumstances, moreover, made her -conduct more irritating than that of France, and hence prolonged and -increased the exasperation felt toward her in America.</p> - -<p>As a great naval power, the policy of England has been to maintain -certain maritime laws, which her jurists claim to be part of the code of -nations and enforce in her admiralty courts. One principle of these laws -is this, that warlike munitions must become contraband in war; in other -words, that a neutral vessel cannot carry such into the enemy's port. -Hence, if a vessel, sailing under the flag of the United States, should -be captured on the high seas, bound for France, during the prevalence of -a war between that power and England, and be found to be laden with -ship-timber or other manufactured or unmanufactured articles for -warlike purposes, the vessel would, by the law of nations, become a -prize to the captors. The right to condemn a ship carrying such -contraband goods has always been recognized by civilized nations, and, -indeed, it is founded in common justice. England, however, having -supreme control at sea, and being tempted by the hope of destroying the -sinews of her adversary's strength, resolved to stretch this rule so as -to embrace provisions as well as munitions of war. She proceeded -gradually to her point. She first issued an order, on the 8th of June, -1793, for capturing and bringing into port "all vessels laden, wholly or -in part with corn, flour, or meal, and destined to France, or to other -countries, if occupied by the arms of that nation." Such vessels were -not condemned, nor their cargoes seized; but the latter were to be -purchased on behalf of the English Government; or, if not, then the -vessels, on giving due security, were allowed to proceed to any neutral -port. Of course the price of provisions in France and in England was -materially different, and a lucrative traffic for the United States was, -in this way, destroyed. Moreover, this proceeding was a comparative -novelty in the law of nations, and, however it might suit the purposes -of Great Britain, it was a gross outrage on America. In November of the -same year, it was followed by a still more glaring infraction of the -rights of neutrals, in an order, condemning to capture and adjudication -all vessels laden with the produce of any French colony, or with -supplies for such a colony.</p> - -<p>The fermentation in consequence of this order rose to such a height in -America, that it required all the skill of Washington to avert a war. -The president, however, determining to preserve peace if possible, -despatched Jay to London as a minister plenipotentiary, by whose frank -explanations, redress was in a measure obtained for the past, and a -treaty negotiated, not, indeed, adequate to justice, but better than -could be obtained again, when it expired in 1806.</p> - -<p>The relaxation in the rigor of the order of November, 1793, soon proved -to be more nominal than real; and from 1794 until the peace of Amiens in -1802, the commerce of the United States continued to be the prey of -British cruisers and privateers. After the renewal of the war, the fury -of the belligerents increased, and with it the stringent measures -adopted by Napoleon and Great Britain. The French Emperor, boldly -avowing his intention to crush England, forbade by a series of decrees, -issued from Berlin, Milan and Rambouillet, the importation of her -commodities into any part of Europe under his control; and England, -equally sweeping in her acts, declared all such ports in a state of -blockade, thus rendering any neutral vessel liable to capture, which -should attempt to enter them. The legality of a blockade, where there is -not a naval power off the coast competent to maintain such blockade, has -always been denied by the lesser maritime powers. Its effect, in the -present instance, was virtually to exclude the United States from -foreign commerce. In these extreme measures, Napoleon and England were -equally censured; but the policy of the latter affected the Americans -far more than the former. The exasperation against Great Britain became -extreme and pervaded the whole community; that against France was -slighter and confined to the more intelligent. Napoleon was first to -begin these outrages on the rights of neutrals; but his injustice was -practically felt only on land; while England was first to introduce the -paper blockade, a measure ruinous to American merchants. This was -finally done on May 16, 1806, when Great Britain announced a "blockade -of the coast rivers and ports, from the river Elbe to the port of Brest -inclusive." On the 21st of November, of the same year, Napoleon in -retaliation, issued a decree from Berlin, placing the British Islands in -a state of blockade. This decree was followed by a still more stringent -order in council on the part of England.</p> - -<p>It now became necessary for the United States either to engage in a -war, or to withdraw her commerce from the ocean. The popular voice -demanded the former course. Though France was, in the abstract, as -unjust as England, her oppressive measures did not affect American -commerce, and hence the indignation of the people was directed chiefly -against Great Britain; but with the president it was different. Though -his sympathies were with. France, his judgment was against her as well -as England. In his maturer wisdom, he could now appreciate the great -good sense of Washington's neutrality. Besides, the grand old man Thomas -Jefferson was determined to preserve peace, for it was his favorite -maxim that "the best war is more fatal than the worst peace." A further -reason led him to refuse the alternative of war. He was not without hope -that one or both of the belligerents would return to reason and repeal -the obnoxious acts, if the conduct of the United States, instead of -being aggressive, should be patient. Actuated by these views, the -president recommended to congress the passage of an embargo act. An -embargo law was enacted in December, 1807. By it all American vessels -abroad were called home, and those in the United States were prohibited -from leaving port. In consequence of this measure, the commerce of the -country was annihilated in an hour; and harbors, once flourishing and -prosperous, soon became only resorts for rotting ships. There can be no -question now that the embargo was a serious blunder. It crippled the -American resources for the war that ensued; made the eastern States -hostile to Jefferson's, as well as his successor's administration, and -tended to foster in the minds of the populace at large, an idea that we -shrank from a contest with Great Britain in consequence of -inherent weakness.</p> - -<p>There was a fourth and last cause of exasperation, against England, -which assisted more than all the rest to produce the war of 1812. This -was the British claim to the right of impressment. In the terrible -struggles in which England found herself engaged with France, her -maritime force was her chief dependence, and accordingly she increased -the number of her ships unprecedentedly; but it soon became difficult to -man all these vessels. The thriving commerce pursued by the United -States, as early as 1793, drew large numbers of English seamen into our -mercantile marine service, where they obtained better wages than on -board English vessels. By the fiction of her law, a man born an English -subject can never throw off this allegiance. Great Britain determined to -seize her seamen wherever found and force them, to serve her flag. In -consequence, her cruisers stopped every American vessel they met and -searched the crew in order to reclaim the English, Scotch or Irish on -board. Frequently it happened that persons born in America were taken as -British subjects; for, where the boarding officer was judge and jury of -a man's nationality, there was little chance of justice, especially if -the seaman was a promising one, or the officer's ship was short-handed. -In nine months, during parts of the years 1796 and 1797, the American -minister at the court of London had made application for the discharge -of two hundred and seventy-one native born Americans, proved to have -been thus impressed. These outrages against personal independence were -regarded among the great masses of Americans with the utmost -indignation. Such injuries exasperated every soul not made sordid by -selfish desire for gain. That an innocent man, peaceably pursuing an -honorable vocation, should be forcibly carried on board a British -man-of-war, and there be compelled to remain, shut out from all hope of -ever seeing his family, seemed, to the robust sense of justice in the -popular breast, little better than Algerian bondage. The rage of the -people was increased by tales of horror and aggression that occasionally -reached their ears from these prison ships. Stories were told of -impressed Americans escaping the ships, who, on being recaptured, were -whipped until they died. In one instance, a sailor, goaded to madness, -seized the captain and, springing overboard, drowned himself and his -tormentor.</p> - -<p>Every attempt to arrange this difficulty with England had signally -failed. The United States offered that all American seamen should be -registered and provided with a certificate of citizenship; that the -number of crews should be limited by the tonnage of the ship, and if -this number was exceeded, British subjects enlisted should be liable to -impressment; that deserters should be given up, and that a prohibition -should be issued by each party against clandestinely secreting and -carrying off the seamen of the other. In 1800 and again in 1806, it was -attempted to form treaties in reference to this subject; but the -pertinacity with which England adhered to her claim frustrated every -effort at reconciliation. In 1803, the difficulty had nearly been -adjusted by a convention, Great Britain agreeing to abandon her claim to -impressment on the high seas, if allowed to retain it on the narrow -seas, or those immediately surrounding her island; but this being -rejected as inadmissible by the United States, all subsequent efforts at -an arrangement proved unsuccessful. The impressment of seamen continued -and was the source of daily increasing abuse. Not only Americans, but -Danes, Swedes, Germans, Russians, Frenchmen, Spaniards and Portuguese -were seized and forcibly carried off by British men-of-war. There are -even well attested instances of Asiatics and Africans being thus -impressed. In short, as the war in Europe approached its climax, seamen -became more scarce in the British Navy, and, all decency being thrown -aside, crews were filled up under color of this claim, regardless even -of the show of justice. In 1811, it was computed that the number of men -impressed from the American marine service amounted to not less than -six thousand.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 1807, a crisis approached. A small British squadron lay -in American waters near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, watching some -French frigates blockaded at Annapolis. Three of the crew of one of the -vessels and one of another had deserted and enlisted on board the United -States frigate <i>Chesapeake</i>, lying at the Washington Navy yard. The -British minister made a formal demand for their surrender. Our -government refused compliance because it was ascertained that two of the -men were natives of the United States, and there was strong presumptive -evidence that a third was, likewise. No more was said; but the commander -of the British squadron took the matter into his own hands.</p> - -<p>The <i>Chesapeake</i>, on going to sea on the morning of June 22, 1807, was -intercepted by the British frigate <i>Leopard</i>, whose commander hailed -the commodore and informed him that he had a despatch for him. -Unsuspicious of unfriendliness, the <i>Chesapeake</i> was laid to, when a -British boat, bearing a lieutenant, came alongside. Barron politely -received him in his cabin, when the lieutenant presented a demand from -the commander of the <i>Leopard</i> that the bearer be allowed to muster the -crew of the <i>Chesapeake</i>, that he might select and carry away the -deserters. The demand was authorized by instructions received from -Vice-Admiral Berkeley, at Halifax. Barron told the lieutenant that his -crew should not be mustered, excepting by his own officers, when the -lieutenant withdrew and the <i>Chesapeake</i> moved on.</p> - -<p>Having some fear of mischief, Barron made some preparation to resist; -but it was too late to prepare to cope with the <i>Leopard</i>, which -followed close in her wake, and the commander called out through -his trumpet:</p> - -<p>"Commodore Barron must be aware that the vice-admiral's commands must be -obeyed." The <i>Chesapeake</i> held on her course although this was repeated. -The <i>Leopard</i> sent two shots athwart her bows. These were followed by a -broadside poured into the hull of the <i>Chesapeake</i>. The American vessel, -having no priming in her guns, was unable to return the fire, and after -being severely bruised by repeated broadsides she surrendered to her -assailants. Her crew was mustered by the British officers and the -deserters carried away. One of them, a British subject, was hanged at -Halifax and the others, being Americans, were spared on their consenting -to enlist in the English Navy. Commodore Barron was tried on charge of -neglect of duty in not being prepared for action, found guilty, and -suspended from the service for five years without pay or emolument.</p> - -<p>On March 4, 1809, Mr. James Madison of Virginia succeeded Mr. Thomas -Jefferson as president of the United States. His cabinet were Robert -Smith, secretary of state; Albert Gallatin, secretary of the treasury; -William Eustis, secretary of war; Paul Hamilton, secretary of the navy, -and Caesar Rodney, attorney-general. There was a powerful party in the -nation hostile to his political creed, and consequently opposed to his -administration and the war with England which seemed inevitable.</p> - -<p>French and English nations became more embroiled in trouble, which -increased the trouble between the United States and Great Britain.</p> - -<p>At last the English government sent men-of-war to cruise off the -principal ports of the United States to intercept American -merchant-vessels and send them to England as lawful prizes. In this -business, the <i>Little Belt</i>, a British sloop-of-war, was engaged off the -coast of Virginia in the spring of 1811, where, on the 16th of April, -she met the American frigate <i>President</i>, under Captain Ludlow, bearing -the broad pennant of Commodore Rodgers. Commodore Rodgers, being aboard -the <i>President</i>, hailed the sloop and asked:</p> - -<p>"What sloop is that?"</p> - -<p>A cannon-shot was his reply.</p> - -<p>"Captain Ludlow," said the commodore, "we will teach that fellow good -manners. Are your guns in order?"</p> - -<p>"They are."</p> - -<p>"We have been taught a lesson by Barron's mishap. Train the guns and be -ready to fire."</p> - -<p>With a speaking trumpet, the commodore once more hailed the sloop with:</p> - -<p>"What sloop is that?"</p> - -<p>This time he was greeted with a broadside.</p> - -<p>"Fire!" cried the commodore, and the cannon of the <i>President</i> sent a -broadside of heavy shot against the impudent stranger.</p> - -<p>The conflict lasted only about ten minutes, when Captain Bingham, after -losing eleven killed and twenty-one wounded, gave a satisfactory answer. -The vessels parted company, the <i>Little Belt</i> sailing for Halifax -for repairs.</p> - -<p>It was in the year 1809 that the American brig <i>Dover</i>, one of the few -of American merchant vessels which had managed to escape the ruin of -Jefferson's embargo act, was sailing among the lesser Antilles. The -master-captain Parson was a thorough seaman with a heart as big as -an ox.</p> - -<p>British cruisers were a greater bugbear to American vessels than -pirates, and Captain Parson kept a constant lookout for them.</p> - -<p>On the afternoon of an Autumnal day, when he found himself becalmed off -a small island not down on the chart, the skipper felt no little -uneasiness. He paced his deck impatiently, occasionally turning his eye -to every quarter, surveying the horizon for some sign of a gale of wind.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown," he called to his mate.</p> - -<p>"Aye, aye, sir," answered Mr. Brown, hurrying forward.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Brown, look across that point of land sou-west the island--get your -glass."</p> - -<p>"Aye, aye, sir!"</p> - -<p>The mate ran and got his glass. He came back to the captain and leveled -it in the direction indicated by the captain.</p> - -<p>"Do you see anything?"</p> - -<p>"I do, sir."</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"I see the top gallant of a ship."</p> - -<p>"I thought I was not mistaken. Can you make out her colors?"</p> - -<p>"I will go aloft, captain, and see."</p> - -<p>The mate ascended to the foretop cross-tree, and took a long survey of -the stranger. When he descended the captain asked:</p> - -<p>"What is she?"</p> - -<p>"An English frigate."</p> - -<p>"I knew it!" growled the captain. "I felt it in my bones. We shall have -the rascals overhauling us anon. Egad, I wish we had an armed crew and -heavy guns--I would not wait for congress to declare war."</p> - -<p>"But captain, while this dead calm lasts, she cannot move more than -ourselves."</p> - -<p>"Very true, Mr. Brown, but, egad, she will catch the breeze first, and -come up with it. Thank heaven we have no man aboard our ship born out of -the United States. They cannot impress any for Englishmen."</p> - -<p>The mate answered:</p> - -<p>"They care little whether we are English or American born; if they are -short of hands, they will take such of our crews as they want."</p> - -<p>The captain paced the deck uneasily, occasionally muttering:</p> - -<p>"Zounds, don't I wish I had a few heavy guns."</p> - -<p>There was but one small brass piece aboard, and it was only a six -pounder, unable to render much service. His country was nominally at -peace with Great Britain; but that did not prevent honest merchantmen -suffering at the hands of the British cruisers.</p> - -<p>The afternoon wore away and the sun had set before there was breeze -enough to fill a sail. Just as the vessel began to glide slowly away -from the small island not more than two miles distant, the mate, who had -ascended to the lookout's position cried:</p> - -<p>"Boat, ho!"</p> - -<p>"Where away?"</p> - -<p>"To leeward, heading direct for us."</p> - -<p>The captain seized his glass and turned it toward the island. The sombre -shades of twilight had already gathered over the scene; but he saw -through them quite distinctly a boat pulled by four men, while a fifth -sat in the stern holding the tiller. The steersman kept the small island -between them and the vessel Captain Parson had discovered.</p> - -<p>As the breeze grew stiffer and the <i>Dover</i> began to fill away, the mate, -who had never taken his glass off the approaching boat, suddenly cried:</p> - -<p>"Captain Parson, they are signalling us to heave to!"</p> - -<p>"So they are, by zounds!" the puzzled captain exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"What will you do?"</p> - -<p>After a moment's hesitation, the captain said:</p> - -<p>"Heave to, by Jove, and see what they want!"</p> - -<p>The order was given, and the vessel rocked idly on the waves, while the -boat drew rapidly nearer. At last it was near enough for them to make -out the five men dressed in the uniform of British marines.</p> - -<p>"Brown, I don't like this. Those fellows are from his majesty's frigate, -there is no doubt, and they mean us trouble."</p> - -<p>"Wait and see, captain," the mate answered, coming down to the deck. -"There are but five of them, and, so far as I can see, all are unarmed." -The deck by this time was crowded with the crew, all waiting in anxious -expectation and dread.</p> - -<p>"It am de press gang!" said the cook, who was a negro black as the ace -of spades named Job. "Dey am comin' to take off everybody dat looks like -a Britisher. Golly! do I look like a Britisher?"</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the gravity of the situation, a smile flitted -momentarily over the faces of the officers and crew. The boat by this -time was within hailing distance, though it had grown so dark the -inmates of it could be only dimly seen.</p> - -<p>"Boat, ahoy!" cried the captain.</p> - -<p>"Aye, aye, sir!" came back the response.</p> - -<p>"What boat is that?"</p> - -<p>"A boat from his majesty's ship the <i>Sea-Wing.</i> We wish to come aboard -your vessel."</p> - -<p>When the captain asked them their business, they frankly confessed that -they were deserters and had been secreted all day on the island watching -an opportunity to reach the American brig.</p> - -<p>Their story was a probable one, and the captain and his officers -believed it. A rope was tossed to them, and in a few moments five -stalwart jack tars in the uniform of the British Navy stood on the deck.</p> - -<p>One tall, fine-looking seaman, who was every inch a gentleman, and whose -conversation was evidence of education and refinement, told their story.</p> - -<p>Three of them were Americans, and two were Swedes. They had been seized -by the press gang and made slaves on board the frigate.</p> - -<p>"It has been many years," said the tall sailor, "since I saw my native -land. I am a native of Hartford, Connecticut."</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you escape sooner?" the Captain asked.</p> - -<p>"Escape, captain, is no easy matter, and is attended with serious -consequences. They usually hang one who tries to desert. I am a gunner, -by profession, and but for the fact they need my services against the -French, I would have been hung long since for trying to desert."</p> - -<p>The gunner impressed Captain Parson favorably. He was a man between -forty and forty-five years of age. His eyes were deep blue, his hair -light. His round, full face was smooth shaven. As he stood on the deck, -his brawny arms folded across his massive chest, he looked a perfect -model of a man and a tower of strength.</p> - -<p>Captain Parson led him aside and said:</p> - -<p>"You are no common sailor."</p> - -<p>"I'm only a gunner now, captain."</p> - -<p>"But in the past?"</p> - -<p>"I once commanded a ship. I will tell you my story on the morrow. It is -a sad one, but, thank God, there's nothing in it at which I need blush. -For the present, however, let us get along as fast as your ship can make -it, for the <i>Sea-Wing</i> is a swift vessel, and if we are not beyond reach -of her vision before the dawn of day, we shall be overhauled."</p> - -<p>Captain Parson knew that some evil consequences might result from being -overhauled by the <i>Sea-Wing,</i> and consequently every stitch of canvas -was spread and the brig sped away with a good stiff breeze. It was a -long and anxious night; master and crew were all on deck. No one slept. -The coming dawn would tell the story. If the frigate were in sight, -then they might expect the very worst; even the ship might be captured -and borne away as a prize and the entire crew enslaved.</p> - -<p>Dawn came at last. Each anxious heart welcomed and yet dreaded to see -the new day. Sailors and officers swept the sea as it grew lighter, and, -to their dread, just as the sun rose over the glossy surface of the sea, -a snowy speck appeared far off to the westward.</p> - -<p>The lookout at the mast-head first called their attention to it, and as -it drew nearer and nearer the tall handsome gunner went aloft with a -glass to see if he could recognize it. In a few moments he came back -and said:</p> - -<p>"It is the frigate, sir."</p> - -<p>That she was in full chase, there could not be a doubt. Captain Parson -had little hope of escaping; but he put the <i>Dover</i> on her best sailing -point and scudded away before the wind with every stitch of canvas they -could carry.</p> - -<p>"Oh, golly! I hope dey won't mistake--dey won't mistake dis chile for a -Britisher!" groaned Job the cook, who was trembling from head to foot, -and whose black skin was almost pale.</p> - -<p>The five deserters were pale but calm. They seemed to read their fate -and bore it like men. A flogging was the very least they could expect; -but the chances were that every one would hang. The frigate was the -swifter sailor and overhauled them so rapidly, that, in two hours and a -half, she was within a mile of the brig.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a wreath of white smoke curled up from the forecastle, and a -moment later a ball came skipping over the water under their larboard -deck, while the boom of a cannon sounded over the sea. As the fine spray -clipped from the crested waves by the shot, flew over the deck, Mr. -Brown said:</p> - -<p>"Captain, it's no use, she will be near enough to sink us in ten -minutes."</p> - -<p>"Heave to, Brown. Oh! I wish I had arms and a crew!"</p> - -<p>"Captain," interposed the tall, handsome gunner, "I--I know their skill -and metal. If you had a gun--a single gun of proper calibre, I could -sink her. I am called the best shot in the English navy."</p> - -<p>"We have only a six pounder," answered the captain, ruefully, pointing -to their only gun. It was but an inferior piece, and when the gunner -examined it, he turned to his four anxious companions and said:</p> - -<p>"It would be suicide."</p> - -<p>Then the five sailors stood near the main gangway with arms folded, -heads erect, and resigned like brave men to their fate. The frigate came -bearing down upon them like a great mountain, and soon lay alongside. -The captain and a score of marines all armed with muskets, came aboard.</p> - -<p>"So ho!" cried the captain, "you have my live runaways snug enough. -Seize them and carry them aboard, lieutenant."</p> - -<p>A young officer with ten men now seized the five deserters, handcuffed -them and led them to their ship which lay alongside. As they went over -the rail, the brutal captain said something about swinging at the yard -arm. Turning to Parson, he said:</p> - -<p>"Captain, muster your crew and have them pass before me."</p> - -<p>Much as the captain disliked to do so, he was in the power of the brutal -Englishman and forced to do his bidding. As the sailors passed slowly -before him, the Briton eyed each carefully. Suddenly he pointed to a -stout young sailor named Tom, and cried:</p> - -<p>"Stop sir, you are an Englishman!"</p> - -<p>"I am not, capen, ye's mistaken, I was born at Plymouth, Massachusetts."</p> - -<p>"Don't dispute my word, sir. I know you, seize him!"</p> - -<p>Though three of Tom's messmates offered to swear that he was a native of -Massachusetts, he was seized, ironed and hurried away. Two more were -selected, despite the protests of Captain Parson, who was raging like a -madman, and hurried aboard the frigate. The fourth man halted in the -procession was Job, the colored cook.</p> - -<p>"Stop, sir, I want you!" said the English officer.</p> - -<p>[Illustration: "DO YOU THINK DAR IS ANY ANGLER SAXUN BLOOD IN DESE -VEINS?"]</p> - -<p>"Want me, Capen? oh, golly! I ain't a Britisher!" cried Job, -gesticulating wildly. "Do I look like I war a Britisher? Do you think -dar is any Angler Sacksun blood in dese veins?"</p> - -<p>Job howled and appealed in vain. The commander of the <i>Sea Wing</i> -declared him to be an English negro, and he was hurried away to try the -hard service on board a British war vessel.</p> - -<p>Having culled the crew of the <i>Dover</i> to his heart's content, the -haughty Briton went aboard his own ship and continued his cruise, -leaving Captain Parson expressing his ideas in such language as no -parson should use.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V."></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> - -<p>FERNANDO'S JOURNEY EAST. HE MEETS WITH QUEER PEOPLE.</p> - -<p>From the day Fernando Stevens began to read and learn of the great world -beyond the narrow confines of his western home, he was filled with the -laudable ambition to know more about it. The solitude of the wilderness -may be congenial for meditation; but it is in the moving whirl of -humanity that ideas are brightened. Fernando was promised that if he -would master the common school studies taught in their log schoolhouse, -he should be sent to one of the eastern cities to have his education -completed. Albert Stevens, the lad's father, was becoming one of the -most prosperous farmers of the west. He had purchased several tracts of -land which rapidly increased in value, and his flocks and herds -multiplied marvelously. He was in fact regarded as "rich" in those days -of simplicity. He had sent several flatboats loaded with grain down the -Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans and sold the cargoes at great -profit, so that, in addition to his fields, his stock and houses, he -had between three and four thousand dollars in money.</p> - -<p>Fernando grew to be a tall, slender youth, and in 1806 having finished -his education, so far as the west could afford, his father determined to -send him to the East, where it was hoped he would develop into a lawyer -or a preacher. The mother hoped the latter. His brother and sister had -grown up, married and were settled on farms in the neighborhood, taking -on the same existence of their parents; living honest, peaceful and -unambitious lives.</p> - -<p>The youth Fernando was more inclined to mental than physical activity, -and his parents, possessing an abundance of common sense, decided not to -force him to engage in an occupation distasteful to him.</p> - -<p>What school should he enter? was a question which the father long -debated. There were Harvard and Yale, both famous seats of learning, and -there were any number of academies all over the country. Captain Stevens -finally decided to allow the youth to make his own selection, giving him -money sufficient to take a little tour in the eastern States, before -settling down.</p> - -<p>Captain Stevens had a well-to-do neighbor, who lived across Bear Creek, -by the name of Winners. Old Zeb Winners was one of those quaint -products of the West. He was an easy-going man, proverbially slow of -speech and movement, and certainly the last person on earth one would -expect to become rich; yet he was wealthy. With all his slothfulness he -was shrewd, and could drive a better bargain than many men twice as -active in mind and body. One morning after it had become noised abroad -that Fernando was going away to college, Mr. Winners rode up to the -house on his big sorrel mare, her colt following, and, dismounting, tied -the mare to the rail fence and entered the gate.</p> - -<p>"Good mornin', cap'in, good mornin'," said the visitor.</p> - -<p>"Come in, Mr. Winners. Glad to see you. Hope you are all well!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, middlin' like," answered the farmer entering the house without -the ceremony of removing his hat. A chair was offered, and he sat for a -moment with his hands spread out before the fireplace, his hat still on -his head. There was no fire in the fireplace, for it was late in May; -but Mr. Winners held his hands before it, from habit.</p> - -<p>"Wall, cap'in, I do hear as how yer goin' ter send yer boy Fernando to -college."</p> - -<p>"I am."</p> - -<p>"Wall, that air a good notion. Now I ain't got no book larnin' myself; -but I don't object to nobody else gittin' none. I've made up my mind to -send one of my boys along with 'im, ef ye've no objection."</p> - -<p>Of course Captain Stevens had no objection. Which of his boys was he -going to send?</p> - -<p>"I kinder thought az how I'd send Sukey."</p> - -<p>Sukey was a nickname given a tall, lazy youth named Richard Winners. Why -he had been nicknamed Sukey we have never been able to ascertain; but -the sobriquet, attached to him in childhood, clung to him all through -life. Sukey was like his father, brave, slow, careful, but a steadfast -friend and possessed of considerable dry humor. He took the world easy -and thought "one man as good as another so long as he behaved himself."</p> - -<p>It was arranged that Sukey and Fernando should start in a week for New -York, from which point they might select any college or school they -chose. The mail stage passed the door of farmer Winners, crossed the big -bridge and then passed the home of Captain Stevens. Captain Stevens' -house was no longer a cabin in the wilderness. It was a large, -substantial two-story farm mansion, with chimneys of brick instead of -sticks and mud. The forests had shrunk back for miles, making place for -vast fields, and the place had the appearance of a thrifty farm.</p> - -<p>Fernando's trunk was packed, and he sat on the door-step in his best -clothes awaiting the appearance of the stage. At last the rumbling -thunder of wheels rolling over the great bridge smote his ears, and a -few moments later the vehicle came up to the gate. The six prancing -horses were drawn up, and the vehicle stopped, while the driver cried:</p> - -<p>"All aboard!"</p> - -<p>Sukey was in the stage, his dark eyes half closed. He roused himself to -drawl out:</p> - -<p>"Come on, Fernando, we're off now, for sure."</p> - -<p>While two farm hands, assisted by the driver, placed the trunk in the -boot, Fernando bade father and mother adieu. Sister had come over with -her husband and the baby. His brother with his young wife were present -to bid the young seekers after knowledge adieu. They followed Fernando -to the stage coach and cried:</p> - -<p>"Good bye, Sukey! take good care of Fernando!" and Sukey drawled out:</p> - -<p>"Who'll take keer o' me?"</p> - -<p>The last good bye's were said, and the great stage coach rolled on. The -impressions of the young frontiersmen on approaching the first town were -strange and indescribable. The number of houses and streets quite -confused them. There seemed to be little or no order in the construction -of streets, and everybody seemed in a bustle and confusion. They -stopped over night at a tavern, and at early dawn the stage horn awoke -them, and after a hasty breakfast they were again on their journey.</p> - -<p>Several weeks were spent in traveling from town to town, and on -September 1st, 1807, they found themselves in New York City, still -undecided where they would go.</p> - -<p>One morning Fernando went for his usual walk toward the river, when a -large crowd of people at the wharf attracted his attention. Drawing -near, he saw a curious-looking boat on the water, the like of which he -had never seen before. It was one hundred feet long, twelve feet wide -and seven feet deep. There was a staff or mast at the bow, another at -the stern. From a tall chimney there issued volumes of smoke, while from -a smaller pipe there came the hissing of boiling water and white steam. -Two great, naked paddle-wheels were on the boat, one on each side near -the middle. Fernando thought this must be the toy of which he had heard -so much, being constructed by Robert Fulton and Chancellor Livingston. -On one side of the boat was painted the name <i>Clermont</i>.</p> - -<p>"What is that?" Fernando asked of a rollicking, fun-loving young -Irishman about twenty-two or three years of age, who stood near.</p> - -<p>"Faith, sir, it's a steamboat. We have all come to see her launched. -They call her the <i>Clermont</i>; but it's mesilf as thinks she ought to be -<i>Fulton's Folly</i>, for divil a bit do I believe she'll go a -cable's length."</p> - -<p>Fernando and his new acquaintance drew nearer. The hissing of the steam -and the roaring of the furnaces were fearful.</p> - -<p>"Do you know Robert Fulton?" Fernando asked.</p> - -<p>"Indade, I do. Would you like to see the greatest lunatic out of Bedlam? -Then it's mesilf as will point him out to yez."</p> - -<p>"I should like to see him."</p> - -<p>There were a number of men at work on the boat, all expressing the -wildest eagerness and anxiety. They were rushing forward and aft, above -and below, to those ponderous engines and boilers; but no one could see -what they did. At last Mr. Fulton, the great inventor, appeared. He was -a large, smooth-shaved gentleman, with a long head and melancholy gray -eye. On his nose was a smut spot from the machinery. Thousands were now -assembled to witness the trial voyage. Mr. Livingston gave the order to -cast off, and start the vessel. The lines were loosed and the steam -turned on. Loud hissed the confined monster; but the wheels did not -move. What was the matter?</p> - -<p>"Failure!" was on every tongue, and the crowd assembled already began -to hoot and jeer. Mr. Fulton's face expressed the deepest anxiety. He -ran below to inspect the machinery. A bolt had caught. This was removed, -and then the ponderous wheels began to move. The great paddles churned -the water to a mass of foam, and the boat glided forward against wind -and tide at a rate of speed astonishing. Fernando saw Robert Livingston -standing in the stern waving his handkerchief at the crowd which was now -sending up cheer after cheer. The American flag was run up on the staff, -and the steamboat continued on her course up the river to Albany, making -the distance of one hundred and sixty miles in thirty-six hours against -wind and tide; and from that time until now, navigation by steam, travel -and commerce, has been steadily increasing in volume and perfection, -until such vessels may be seen on every ocean and in almost every harbor -of the globe, even among the ice packs of the polar seas. This was the -second of the great and beneficent achievements which distinguished -American inventors at that early period of our country's struggles. The -cotton-gin, invented by Eli Whitney, was the first; an implement that -could do the work of a thousand persons in cleaning cotton wool of the -seeds. That machine has been one of the most important aids in the -accumulation of our national wealth.</p> - -<p>[Illustration]</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens stood on the wharf among the assembled thousands, -watching the steamer until it disappeared far up the river. He was lost -in wonder and amazement and was first aroused from his reverie by the -young man at his side saying:</p> - -<p>"Don't she bate the divil?"</p> - -<p>It was his skeptical Irish friend.</p> - -<p>Fernando turned to him and asked, "What do you think of it now?"</p> - -<p>"Faith, she's a bird, so she is. Don't she cleave the water?"</p> - -<p>From this time, the two became acquainted, and Fernando learned that the -young Hibernian's name was Terrence Malone. Terrence was a true Irishman -of the good old type. He was brave as a lion, full of native wit and -humor, and yet an intelligent gentleman. From the first, he took a great -fancy to Fernando and when he learned that he had come from the West to -enter some academy or college, he informed him that he knew of the -place--the very place. It was the Baltimore Academy. He was a member of -the Baltimore school himself and he was sure there was not another like -it in the world. In short, the dashing young Irishman soon persuaded -Fernando to try the Baltimore school.</p> - -<p>He went back to the tavern where he had left Sukey writing letters.</p> - -<p>"What was all that catterwaulin' and yellin' about down at the river?" -Sukey asked.</p> - -<p>"The new steamboat began her trial trip," answered Fernando.</p> - -<p>"Wonder if that thing I saw with a stovepipe in it was a steamboat?"</p> - -<p>"It was."</p> - -<p>Sukey shook his head sagely and remarked:</p> - -<p>"It don't look as if it would ever amount to much."</p> - -<p>"Sukey, I have found a school for us at last."</p> - -<p>"Where?"</p> - -<p>"At Baltimore."</p> - -<p>"What d'you want to go there for?"</p> - -<p>"I met a young man who belongs there, and he advised us to go."</p> - -<p>"Who is he?"</p> - -<p>"His name is Terrence Malone, an Irishman."</p> - -<p>"That name's not French any way. How are we going to Baltimore?"</p> - -<p>"A schooner sails to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"Can we go in her?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Plague take the sea! I never tried it, and I don't want to."</p> - -<p>"It will be a short voyage."</p> - -<p>"Short, yes, but long enough to make me sick. I don't want to be in the -game. I am not a water dog. Keep me on the dry land, and I'm all right."</p> - -<p>But Fernando knew that a journey by land would take much longer than by -sea. Terrence Malone came to see them that evening and informed them -that the schooner would sail next day. He was a jolly young fellow and -had so many droll stories and jokes, that he kept his companions in a -roar of laughter. One joke followed another in such rapid succession -that the youngsters had scarce done laughing at one, before he fired -another at them.</p> - -<p>"Baltimore is the most wonderful city in the world, barin Cork," the -fair-haired son of the Emerald Isle declared. "There you find gallant -gintlemen and the prettiest girls on earth. Ah! if you could but see my -Kitty Malone! She's a beauty, just a trifle older than mesilf, but every -inch a darlint. Her head is red, her face a trifle freckled, her body's -so stout that the girt of a mule wouldn't encircle her waist," and here -Terrence winked, "She plays on the wash-board an illigant tune, for -which she charges a half a dime a garment."</p> - -<p>"Did you ever meet with such a jolly fellow?" laughed Fernando when he -was gone.</p> - -<p>"No," Sukey answered. "He has made my sides ache."</p> - -<p>Next day found the westerners on board the schooner sailing out from -the harbor of New York. The skipper was half tipsy, his crew -insubordinate, and for awhile no one seemed to know or care whither they -went. The captain had such frequent recourse to his demijohn, that it -was evident that he would soon be wholly unfit for duty. At last -Terrence declared he would have to take matters in hand himself.</p> - -<p>The sea was rough, and both Fernando and Sukey were too sick to leave -their bunks long at the time.</p> - -<p>"Jist ye lie still there, like a darlint, and lave the skipper to me," -said Terrence to Fernando. "Not another divil of a drop shall he have, -until we are safe in Baltimore."</p> - -<p>Then he went away, leaving Fernando wholly in ignorance of his plan. At -last, becoming anxious about him, he went out to see what he was doing. -The schooner was rolling heavily and Fernando was so sick he could -scarcely stand, yet he crept out under the lee of the cabin and saw a -sight that made him smile.</p> - -<p>Terrence and the captain were sitting on the deck playing cards. The -young Irishman had won two demijohns and three jugs of rum from the -captain, and he was now playing for the last pint flask the skipper -possessed. The young Irishman won it and carried his property to his -stateroom, and when the skipper next applied for a drink, -Malone answered:</p> - -<p>"Divil a drop will ye get, till we are safe in Baltimore." The captain -plead in vain. Terrence was firm, and the skipper in time became sober.</p> - -<p>Next morning it was discovered that owing to the drunkenness and -carelessness of the captain and crew, they had drifted far out to sea. -The waves rolled high, and the little schooner plunged about in a manner -frightful to a landlubber.</p> - -<p>Fernando was awakened by a groan. It was Sukey, and going to his berth -Terrence asked:</p> - -<p>"What's the matter, Sukey?"</p> - -<p>"I am dying!" he answered.</p> - -<p>"Courage, courage, me boy, ye'll get over it."</p> - -<p>"I don't want to get over it," answered Sukey, with a hollow groan.</p> - -<p>A few moments later the skipper came to beg for a morning dram.</p> - -<p>"Divil a drop, cap'in, until we are in Baltimore."</p> - -<p>"How long will it take to reach Baltimore, captain?" asked the seasick -Sukey.</p> - -<p>"Twenty-four hours."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Heavens!" groaned Sukey. "Can't you sink the ship?"</p> - -<p>"What do you want to sink for?" demanded the astounded skipper.</p> - -<p>"I'd rather drown than live twenty-four hours longer in this blamed -boat."</p> - -<p>"You'll live over it," growled the thirsty skipper.</p> - -<p>"I don't want to live over it. I want to die."</p> - -<p>Terrence roared with laughter, then he told a funny story which seemed -to increase the pangs of poor Sukey.</p> - -<p>By the middle of the afternoon, Fernando had recovered enough to go out -on deck. He found the captain and his crew huddled up in the fore part -of the deck, discussing a large, square-rigged ship, which was bearing -toward them. He heard one of the sailors say:</p> - -<p>"She flies English colors."</p> - -<p>A little later there was a puff of smoke from her forecastle and a ball -dashed into the water athwart their bow.</p> - -<p>"It's a cruiser, and that means to heave to; but blow my eyes if I do -it!" cried the captain, who was opposed to search and impressment. He -put the schooner about and, with all sail spread, flew over the water at -a rate of speed which defied pursuit. The cruiser fired several shots -after them.</p> - -<p>"Who is that shootin'?" Sukey asked unconcernedly, as Fernando entered -the wretched cabin.</p> - -<p>"A British man-of-war."</p> - -<p>"What is it shootin' at?"</p> - -<p>"At us."</p> - -<p>"I hope she will hit us and put me out o' this misery," groaned Sukey.</p> - -<p>Fortunately for the chief characters of this story, the man-of-war did -not hit them, and next day they reached Baltimore. Sukey recovered his -health with remarkable rapidity, and a few hours on shore made him -quite himself.</p> - -<p>Terrence, who seemed to know the town thoroughly, conducted them to an -inn where they were to remain until arrangements could be made for -entering the school. Terrence took the two young men under his care in a -fatherly way, assuring them it would be bad luck to any who spoke ill of -them; but Terrence could not be with them for several days. He had -urgent business in Philadelphia, which would require his absence.</p> - -<p>For a week after their arrival at Baltimore, their lives were of the -most dreary monotony. The rain, which had begun to fall soon after their -arrival, continued to descend in torrents, and they found themselves -close prisoners in the sanded parlors of the miserable inn. They could -but compare this wretched place with the grand old forests and broad -prairies of the West, and Sukey began to sigh for home.</p> - -<p>"Are you homesick already, Sukey?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>"I am not homesick--blast such a place as this--give me a country where -it don't rain 365 days out o' the year, and I'm content, home or -abroad," growled Sukey.</p> - -<p>Their situation was by no means pleasant. Their front window looked out -upon a long, straggling, ill-paved street, with its due proportion of -mud heaps and duck pools. The houses on either side were, for the most -part, dingy-looking edifices, with half-doors, and such pretensions to -being shops as the display of a quart of meal, salt, or string of red -peppers confers. A more wretched, gloomy-looking picture of woe-begone -poverty one seldom beheld.</p> - -<p>It was no better if they turned for consolation to the rear of the -house. There their eyes fell upon the dirty yard of a dirty inn, and the -half-covered cowshed, where two famishing animals mourned their hard -fate as they chewed the cud of "sweet and bitter fancy." In addition, -they saw an old chaise, once the yellow postchaise, the pride and glory -of the establishment, now reduced from its wheels and ignominiously -degraded to a hen house. On the grass-grown roof, a cock had taken his -stand, with an air of protective patronage to the feathered -inhabitants beneath.</p> - -<p>Sukey stood at the narrow window gazing out on the dreary and melancholy -scene, while he heaved an occasional sigh.</p> - -<p>"If this is what you call gitten an education I don't want it," he -drawled at last. "I would rather go back to Ohio and hunt for deer or -black bear, than enjoy such amusement as this is."</p> - -<p>"Oh, it will get better," said Fernando.</p> - -<p>"It has great room for growing better."</p> - -<p>"But it might be worse."</p> - -<p>"Yes, we might be at sea."</p> - -<p>Their landlady, a portly woman with two marriageable daughters, did all -in her power to make their stay pleasant. She praised Baltimore for its -beauty and health, its picturesqueness and poetry. It was surely -destined to be the greatest city in the United States.</p> - -<p>When they were alone, Sukey pointed to the mud heaps and duck pools and -gravely asked:</p> - -<p>"Do they show the poetry and picturesk of which she speaks? Is that old -chaise a sign of health or prosperity?"</p> - -<p>"Be patient, Sukey; we have seen little or none of Baltimore."</p> - -<p>"Plague take me if I haven't seen more than I want to see of it now," -growled Sukey.</p> - -<p>At last the weather cleared a little, and the sun shone brilliantly on -the pools of water and muddy street. The young gentlemen strolled forth -to look about the town.</p> - -<p>When about to start from the inn, Sukey asked:</p> - -<p>"Say, Fernando, how are we goin' to find our way back?"</p> - -<p>This was a serious question for even Fernando. He reflected over it a -moment and then said:</p> - -<p>"It's the house at the foot of the second hill with the road or street -that winds around the cliff."</p> - -<p>"Wouldn't it be better to take hatchets and blaze the corners of the -houses as we go along?" suggested Sukey. Fernando smiled and thought the -owners might raise some serious objections to having their houses -blazed. They were still somewhat undecided in regard to the matter, when -their landlady, with a movement about as graceful as the waddle of a -duck, came down the rickety stairs, and they in despair appealed to her. -She relieved them of their trouble in short order. On a piece of tin -over her door was the number 611. She told them the name of the street, -and assured them if they would remember that and the number, any one -would point it out to them. Besides they had only to remember the widow -Mahone, everybody in the town knew the widow Mahone.</p> - -<p>With this assurance of safe return, the two youngsters ventured forth -into the city. They were not as verdant as the reader may imagine. Both -had been reared in the western wilderness and retained much of the -pioneer traits about them; but books had been society for them, and -their four months spent in New York and Boston had given them an urbane -polish. Sukey, however, had many inherent traits, which all the schools -could not wholly eradicate.</p> - -<p>"I don't like towns," he declared, as they ascended a hill, which gave -them an excellent view of the harbor and shipping. "They are too close. -I want elbow room, and as soon as I get through my college course, I am -going back to the woods."</p> - -<p>"Won't your education be lost there?"</p> - -<p>"No; can't I be a lawyer, or a doctor, or a preacher as well there as -here? Besides, if we only sit down and wait awhile in Ohio, the cities -will come to us."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Sukey, you are right. Civilization is going West, and in course of -time the largest part of the republic will be west of the mountains." Of -course Fernando referred to the Alleghany Mountains, for the Rocky -Mountains were hardly thought of at this date. "But come; we don't seem -to be in the most populous part of the town. Let us go over the hill -where the houses are better and look cleaner."</p> - -<p>"I am willing, for, to tell you the truth, this place smells too much of -the sea."</p> - -<p>They went along a narrow street, which had a decidedly fishy odor, for -there were two markets on it. They passed an old woman carrying on her -back a great bag which seemed filled with rags and waste papers gathered -up from the refuse of the street. Sukey wondered if that was the way she -made her living. At the corner was a low public house in which were some -sailors drinking and singing songs.</p> - -<p>"Fernando, there is a fellow with a plaguy red coat on!" suddenly cried -Sukey, seizing his companion's arm.</p> - -<p>"Yes, he is an officer of the English army or navy."</p> - -<p>"Do they allow him here?"</p> - -<p>"Of course; we are at peace with England."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'd like to take that fellow down a bit. He walks too straight. -Why he thinks he could teach Alexander somethin' on greatness."</p> - -<p>"Never mind him; come on."</p> - -<p>Next they met a party of half-drunken marines, who began to chafe them, -and Sukey, though slow to wrath, was about to give them an exhibition of -frontier muscle, when his friend got him away, and they hastened to a -better part of the city.</p> - -<p>Here they found beautiful residences, and on the next street were -magnificent stores and shops. Elegant carriages, drawn by horses in -shining harness, indicating wealth, were seen. Elegantly dressed ladies -and gentlemen were premenading the street, or exchanging -congratulations. Sukey thought this would "sort o' do," and he wondered -why Terrence Malone had quartered them down in that miserable frog pond, -when there was higher ground and better houses.</p> - -<p>While standing on the corner watching the gay equipages and handsomely -dressed people, a carriage drawn by a pair of snow-white horses came -suddenly dashing down the street. The equipage, though one of the finest -they had ever seen, was stained with travel as if it had come from -a distance.</p> - -<p>"There, Fernando, by zounds, there is some rich fellow you can be sure!" -said Sukey as the vehicle drove by. "Egad! I would like to see who is -inside of it."</p> - -<p>He had that privilege, for the carriage paused only half a block away, -and an elderly man with a rolling, sailor-like movement got out and -assisted a young girl of about sixteen to alight.</p> - -<p>"Jehosophat--Moses and Aaron's rod, my boy! do you see her?" gasped -Sukey.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Ain't she pretty?"</p> - -<p>"Hush! she may hear you."</p> - -<p>"Well, if she'd get mad at that, she is different from most girls."</p> - -<p>"Her father might not think it much of a compliment."</p> - -<p>The coachman, closing the door of the carriage mounted his box and took -the reins, while the pretty girl took her father's arm and came down the -street passing the young men, who, we fear, stared at her rudely. They -were hardly to be blamed for it, for she was as near perfection as a -girl of sixteen can be. Tall, willowy form, with deep blue eyes, soft as -a gazelle's, long, silken lashes and arched eyebrows, with golden hair, -and so graceful that every movement might be set to music.</p> - -<p>Fernando gazed after her until she disappeared into a fashionable shop, -and then, uttering a sigh, started as if from a dream.</p> - -<p>"What do you say now, old fellow?" asked Sukey.</p> - -<p>"Let us go home."</p> - -<p>"Home?"</p> - -<p>"Well, back to the widow Mahone's inn."</p> - -<p>"All right; now let us try to find the trail."</p> - -<p>It was no easy matter, although they had the street and number well -fixed in their mind. Finally they asked a watchman (policemen were -called watchmen in those days) and he conducted them to the abode of -Mrs. Mahone.</p> - -<p>The first person to greet them was Terrence. There was a bright smile on -his jolly face as he cried:</p> - -<p>"It's right plazed I am to see ye lookin' so cheerful, boys; and it's a -good time ye be having roaming the streets and looking at the beauty of -Baltimore. Much of it you'll find, to be sure. To-morrow we'll go to the -academy, pay our entrance fee and begin business."</p> - -<p>[ILLUSTRATION: AS NEAR PERFECTION AS A GIRL OF SIXTEEN CAN BE.]</p> - -<p>"Terrence," said Fernando in a half whisper, "Can't we find a more -comfortable place than this to live in?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, be aisy, me frind, for it's an illegant a house I've got for all -of us, and we'll be as comfortable there as a banshee."</p> - -<p>Not knowing what a "banshee" was, Fernando, of course, could draw no -conclusion from the comparison. When the three young men had entered -their room, Terrence began to tell them of a beautiful "craythur" he had -that day seen in town, and on inquiry learned she lived a few miles away -on the coast. She was the daughter of an old sea captain and came almost -daily to the city.</p> - -<p>"What is her name?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>"Lane."</p> - -<p>"Great Jehosiphat, Fernando! Lane was on that carriage we saw," cried -Sukey, starting suddenly from a couch on which he had been reclining.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI."></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> - -<p>WAR FEELING OF 1811.</p> - -<p>Mr. James Madison seems to have been one of the many great Americans -capable of changing his political views without losing public favor. Mr. -Madison, as a delegate to the constitutional convention held at -Philadelphia in May, 1787, was beyond question a Federalist. Of the -convention, a writer of the highest authority says:</p> - -<p>"Mr. Madison was prominent in advocating the constitution, and took a -leading part in the debates, of which he kept private notes, since -published by order of congress. His views in regard to the federal -government are set forth at length in a paper still extant in the -handwriting of Gen. Washington. This paper contains the substance of a -letter written to Washington by Mr. Madison before the meeting of the -convention, and proposes a scheme of thorough centralization. The writer -declares that he is equally opposed to the individual independence of -the States and to 'the consolidation of the whole in one simple -republic.' He is nevertheless in favor of investing congress with power -to exercise a negative in all cases whatever on the legislative acts of -the States, as heretofore exercised by the kingly prerogative. He says -further that the right of coercion should be expressly declared; but the -difficulty and awkwardness of operating by force on the collective will -of a State render it particularly desirable that the necessity of it -should be precluded. From these extreme views, Mr. Madison afterward -conscientiously departed; but in the convention he supported them with -zeal and vigor."</p> - -<p>It was feared at first that Madison would perpetuate the policy of -Jefferson; but the tone and temper of his inaugural address, delivered -March 4th, 1809, fell like oil on troubled waters. His most implacable -enemies could not refrain from uttering words of approbation; and the -whole nation entertained hopes that his measures might change the gloomy -aspect of public affairs.</p> - -<p>Madison's administration was now sustained by a larger majority of the -American people than that of Jefferson had ever been, and the -Federalists, or the opposition, were in a hopeless minority. The -continued aggressions of the British were increasing the Democratic -strength every day; and in 1811, circumstances seemed to make war with -Great Britain an imperative necessity for the vindication of the honor, -rights and independence of the United States.</p> - -<p>The Indian tribes on the northwestern frontiers of the United States -became very uneasy, and the machinations of British traders and -government emissaries had stimulated the growth of that discontent into -a decidedly hostile feeling toward the nation of Republicans, then -pressing upon the domain of the savages. The suspension of the world's -commerce had diminished the amount of their traffic in furs, and the -rapid extension of American settlements northward of Ohio was narrowing -their hunting grounds and producing a rapid diminution of game. The -introduction of intoxicating liquors among the savages by white traders -and speculators had widely spread demoralization, with consequent -disease and death.</p> - -<p>English emissaries made the savages to believe that all these evils had -been brought upon them by the encroachments of the Americans; and in the -spring of 1811, it became evident that a league was forming among the -tribes for the extermination of the frontier settlers.</p> - -<p>Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief, shrewd, crafty and intrepid, endeavored to -emulate Pontiac, the great Ottowa chief, in the formation of an Indian -confederacy in the Northwest, for making war upon the United States. He -had a shrewd twin brother, called the prophet, whose mysterious -incantation and predictions and pretended visions and spiritual -intercourse had inspired the savage mind with great veneration for him -as a wonderful "medicine man." He and Tecumseh possessed almost -unbounded influence over the Delawares, Shawnees, Wyandots, Miamis, -Kickapoos, Winnebagoes and Chippewas.</p> - -<p>The celebrated Shawnee chief Tecumseh, according to Drake, was born a -few years before the Revolution, at the Indian village of Piqua, on Mad -River, about six miles below the site of Springfield, Clark County, -Ohio. His tribe removed from Florida about the middle of the last -century. His father, who was a chief, fell at the bloody battle of Point -Pleasant, in 1774. From his youth, he showed a passion for war. He early -acquired an unbounded influence over his tribe for his bravery, his -sense of justice and his commanding eloquence. Like his great prototype, -Pontiac, humanity was a prominent trait in his character. He not only -was never known to ill-treat or murder a prisoner, but indignantly -denounced those who did, employing all his authority and eloquence in -behalf of the helpless. In 1798, Tecumseh removed with his followers to -the vicinity of White River, Indiana, among the Delawares, where he -remained for a number of years. In 1805, through the influence of -Laulewasikaw, the brother of Tecumseh, a large number of Shawnees -established themselves at Greeneville. Very soon after, Laulewasikaw -assumed the office of a <i>prophet</i>; and forthwith commenced that career -of cunning and pretended sorcery, which always enables the shrewd -hypocrite to sway the ignorant, superstitious mind. Throughout the year -of 1806, the brothers remained at Greeneville and were visited by many -Indians from different tribes, not a few of whom became their followers. -The prophet dreamed many wonderful dreams and claimed to have had many -supernatural revelations made him. The great eclipse of the sun that -occurred in the summer of this year, a knowledge of which he had by some -means attained, enabled him to carry conviction to the minds of many of -his ignorant followers, that he was really the earthly agent of the -Great Spirit. He boldly announced to the unbelievers, that, on a certain -day, he would give them proof of his supernatural powers by bringing -darkness over the sun. When the day and hour of the eclipse arrived, and -the earth, even at midday, was shrouded in the gloom of twilight, the -prophet, standing in the midst of his party, significantly pointed to -the heavens and cried out:</p> - -<p>"Did I not prophesy truly? Behold! darkness has shrouded the sun!"</p> - -<p>It may readily be supposed that this striking phenomenon, thus adroitly -used, produced a strong impression on the Indians, and greatly increased -their belief in the sacred character of their prophet.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 1808, Tecumseh and the prophet removed to a tract of -land on the Tippecanoe, a tributary of the Wabash, where the latter -continued his efforts to induce the Indians to forsake their vicious -habits, while Tecumseh was visiting the neighboring tribes and quietly -strengthening his own and the prophet's influence over them. The events -of the early part of the year 1810 were such as to leave but little -doubt of the hostile intentions of the brothers. The prophet was -apparently the most prominent actor, while Tecumseh was in reality the -mainspring of all the movements, backed, it is supposed, by the -insidious influence of British agents, who supplied the Indians gratis -with powder and ball, in anticipation, perhaps, of hostilities between -the two countries, in which event a union of all the tribes against the -Americans was desirable. Tecumseh had opposed the sale and cession of -lands to the United States, and he declared it to be his unalterable -resolution to take a stand against the further intrusion of the whites -upon the soil of his people.</p> - -<p>So menacing had the Indians become in the Spring of 1810, that General -W.H. Harrison, a son of Benjamin Harrison, one of the signers of the -Declaration of Independence, and then governor of the Territory of -Indiana, invited the brothers to a council at Vincennes, in August. -Tecumseh appeared with four hundred well-armed warriors. The inhabitants -were greatly alarmed at this demonstration of savage military power. -Harrison was cool and cautious, while the bearing of the chief was bold -and haughty. He refused to enter the place appointed for holding the -council saying:</p> - -<p>"Houses were built for you to hold councils in; Indians hold theirs in -the open air." He then took a position under some trees in front of the -house, and, unabashed by the large concourse of white people before him, -he opened the business with a speech marked by great dignity and native -eloquence. When he had concluded, one of the governor's aids said to -him, through an interpreter, as he pointed to a chair by the side of -General Harrison:</p> - -<p>"Your father requests you to take a seat by his side."</p> - -<p>The chief drew his blanket around him and, standing erect, said, with a -scornful tone:</p> - -<p>"My father! The sun is my father, and the earth is my mother; on her -bosom I will recline;" and he seated himself on the ground.</p> - -<p>The chief declared it his intention to form a confederacy for the -purpose of preventing any further cessions of lands to the white -people, and to recover what had been ceded.</p> - -<p>"Return those lands," he said, "and Tecumseh will be the friend of the -Americans. He likes not the English, who are continually setting the -Indians on the Americans." The governor replied that the lands had been -received from other tribes, and that the Shawnees had no business to -interfere. Tecumseh sprang to his feet, cast off his blanket and, with -violent gestures, pronounced the governor's words false. He accused the -United States of cheating and imposing upon the Indians; and then, -giving a sign to his warriors near him, they sprang to their feet, -seized their war clubs and brandished their tomahawks. The governor -started from his seat and drew his sword, while the citizens seized any -weapons or missiles they could find. It was a moment of great peril to -the white people. A military guard of twelve men, under some trees a -short distance off, was ordered up. A friendly Indian, who had secretly -loaded his pistol while Tecumseh was speaking, now cocked it to shoot -the chief. The guards were also about to fire when Harrison restrained -them and prevented a bloody encounter. The interpreter, whom all the -Indians respected, told Tecumseh that he was a bad man. The council was -broken up. Tecumseh expressed regret that his violent temper had gotten -the better of him; but prudent men knew from his conduct that war was -inevitable.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 1811, the hostile savages began to roam over the Wabash -region, in small parties, plundering the white settlers and -friendly Indians.</p> - -<p>Soon after the council at Vincennes, Tecumseh went South among the -Creeks to extend the confederacy of the people of Indiana among them. -There is a tradition among the Tuckabachees that Tecumseh, failing to -enlist them in his enterprise, in his wrath said:</p> - -<p>"When I return to the North, I will stamp on the earth and make it -tremble." When the effects of the earthquake of New Madrid were felt, -the Tuckabachees said:</p> - -<p>"Tecumseh has reached the North."</p> - -<p>The hostile demonstrations on the part of the Indians in Indiana alarmed -the people of that territory, and General Harrison therefore took -measures to increase his regular force. He warned the Indians to obey -the treaty at Greeneville; but at the same time he prepared to break up -the prophet's establishment if necessary. In September, the prophet sent -assurances to the governor that his intentions were pacific. About the -same time, he dispatched a message to the Delawares, who were friendly, -asking them to join him in a war against the United States, stating that -he had taken up the tomahawk and would not lay it down but with his -life, unless their wrongs were redressed. The Delaware chiefs -immediately visited the prophet to dissuade him from commencing -hostilities and were grossly insulted. On the 6th of November, 1811, -Governor Harrison, with about nine hundred and fifty effective troops, -composed of two hundred and fifty of the 4th Regiment U. S. Infantry, -one hundred and thirty volunteers and a body of militia, being within a -mile and a half of the prophet's town, was urged to make an immediate -assault upon the village; but this he declined, as his instructions from -the president were positive not to attack the Indians as long as there -was a probability of their complying with the demands of the government. -The Indians, in the course of the day, endeavored to cut off his -messengers and evinced other hostile symptoms, which determined Harrison -to at once march upon the town, when he was met by three Indians, one of -them a principal counselor of the prophet, who avowed that the prophet's -designs were pacific. Accordingly a suspension of hostilities was agreed -upon, and the terms of peace were to be settled on the following morning -by the governor and the prophet's chief. At night the army encamped -about three fourths of a mile from the prophet's town.</p> - -<p>The governor was well convinced of the hostility of the prophet. He -believed that after attempting to lull his suspicions he intended to -make a treacherous attack on the Americans. Little anticipation of a -night attack was indulged, yet every precaution was taken to resist one -if made. All the guards that could be used in such a situation, and all -such as were used by Wayne, were employed on this occasion. That is, -camp guards, furnishing a chain of sentinels around the whole camp at -such a distance as to give notice of the approach of an enemy in time -for the troops to take their position, and yet not far enough to prevent -the sentinels from retreating to the main body if overpowered. The usual -mode of stationing picket guards at a considerable distance in advance -of the army or camp, would be useless in Indian warfare, as they do not -require roads to march upon, and such guards would be inevitably cut -off. Orders were given in the event of a night attack, for each corps to -maintain its position at all hazards until relieved or further orders -were given to it. The whole army was kept during the night in the -military position called lying on their arms. The regular troops lay in -their tents with their accoutrements on, and their guns at their sides. -The militia had no tents, but slept with their clothes and bullet -pouches on, and their guns under them, to keep them dry. The order of -the encampment was a line of battle to resist a night attack; and so, -as every man slept opposite to his post in the line, there was nothing -for the troops to do, in case of an assault, but to rise and take their -position a few steps in the rear of the fires around which they had -reposed. The guard of the night consisted of two captains' commands of -forty-two men and of four non-commissioned officers each and two -subalterns' guards of twenty men and non-commissioned officers each--the -whole amounting to about one hundred and thirty men, under command of a -field officer of the day. The night was dark and cloudy, and after -midnight there was a drizzling rain.</p> - -<p>At four o'clock in the morning of Nov. 7, 1811, Governor Harrison, -according to practice, had risen, preparatory to the calling up of the -troops, and was engaged, while drawing on his boots by the fire, in -conversation with General Wells, Colonel Owens, and Majors Taylor and -Hurst. The orderly drum had been roused to sound the reveille for the -troops to turn out, when there came the report of a sentry's rifle on -the left flank, followed by a score of shots, and the morning air rang -loud with the wild war-whoops of savages.</p> - -<p>In an instant the army was in line, the campfires were extinguished, and -the governor mounted his horse and proceeded to the point of attack. -Several companies had taken their places in the line within forty -seconds after the report of the first gun, and in two minutes the whole -army was ready for action; a fact as creditable to their own activity -and bravery, as to the skill and energy of their officers. The battle -soon became general, and was maintained on both sides with signal and -even desperate valor. The Indians advanced or retreated by the aid of a -rattling noise, made with deer hoofs, and persevered in their -treacherous attack with an apparent determination to conquer or die on -the spot. The battle raged with unabated fury and mutual slaughter until -daylight, when a gallant and successful charge by the troops drove the -enemy into the swamp, and put an end to the conflict.</p> - -<p>Prior to the assault, the prophet had given his followers assurance, -that, in the coming contest, the Great Spirit would render the arms of -the Americans unavailing; that their bullets would fall harmless at the -feet of the Indians; that the latter should have light in abundance, -while the former would be involved in thick darkness. Availing himself -of the privilege conferred by his peculiar office, and, perhaps, -unwilling in his own person to test the rival powers of a sham prophecy -and a real American bullet, he prudently took a position on an adjacent -eminence; and, when the action began, he entered upon the performance -of certain mystic rites, at the same time singing a war song. Soon after -the engagement commenced, he was informed that his men were falling. He -told them to fight on, it would soon be as he predicted; and then in, -wilder and louder strains, his inspiring battle song was heard -commingling with the sharp crack of the rifle and the shrill war-whoop -of his brave but deluded followers. Some of the Indians who were in the -conflict, subsequently informed the agent at Fort Wayne, that there were -more than a thousand warriors in the battle, and that the number of -wounded was unusually great. In the precipitation of their retreat, they -left thirty-eight on the field. Some were buried during the engagement -in their town. Others no doubt subsequently died of their wounds. Drake -places their number in killed at not less than fifty.</p> - -<p>Of the whites, thirty-five were killed in the action, and twenty-five -died subsequently. The total number of killed and wounded was one -hundred and eighty-eight,--probably as great and possibly greater than -the loss of the Indians. Among the slain were Colonel Abraham Owen and -Major Joseph Hamilton Davies of Kentucky.</p> - -<p>Though the battle of Tippecanoe, considered as a conflict from the -losses on each side, would to-day be regarded only as a skirmish, yet it -had a great moral influence in restraining the savages in the -northwest, and, but for the meddling of the British agents, a permanent -peace with the Indians could have been established.</p> - -<p>Harrison burned the prophet's town. The prophet lost caste with his -people. When reproached for his falsehoods, he cunningly told them that -his predictions had failed of fulfilment, because, during his -incantations, his wife touched the sacred vessels and broke the charm. -His followers, superstitious as they were, would not accept such a -flimsy excuse and deserted him, flying to secure hiding-places where the -white man could not find them. After his town was burned, the prophet -took shelter among the Wyandots.</p> - -<p>The events in the northwest aroused a war spirit among the patriotic -Americans, which could not be suppressed. Not only did British -emissaries incite the Indians to make war, but British orders in council -continued to be vigorously enforced. Insult was offered to the American -flag by British cruisers, and the press of Great Britain insolently -declared that the Americans "could not be kicked into a war."</p> - -<p>Forbearance ceased to be a virtue; it became cowardice. President -Madison found himself the standard-bearer of his party, surrounded by -irrepressible young warriors eager for fight. Like a cautious -commander, he sounded a careful war note in his annual message to -congress at the beginning of November, 1811. The young and ardent -members of the house of representatives, who had elected Henry Clay, -then thirty-four years of age, speaker, determined that indecision -should no longer mark the councils of the nation. The committee on -foreign relations, of which Peter B. Porter was chairman, intensified -that feeling by an energetic report submitted on the 29th of November, -in which, in glowing sentences, the British government was arraigned on -charges of injustice, cruelty, and wrong. They said:</p> - -<p>"To sum up, in a word, the great cause of complaint against Great -Britain, your committee need only say, that the United States, as a -sovereign and independent power, claims the right to use the ocean, -which is the common and acknowledged highway of nations, for the -purposes of transporting, in their own vessels, the products of their -own soils and the acquisition of their own industry to any market in the -ports of friendly nations, and to bring home, in return, such articles -as their necessities or convenience may require, always regarding the -rights of belligerents as defined by the established laws of nations. -Great Britain, in defiance of this incontestable right, captures every -American vessel bound to or returning from a port where her commerce is -not favored; enslaves our seamen, and, in spite of our remonstrances, -perseveres in these aggressions. To wrongs so daring in character and so -disgraceful in their execution, it is impossible that the people of the -United States should remain indifferent. We must now tamely and quietly -submit, or we must resist by those means which God has placed within our -reach.... The sovereignty and independence of these States, purchased -and sanctified by the blood of our fathers, from whom we received them, -not for ourselves only, but as the inheritance of our posterity, are -deliberately and systematically violated. And the period has arrived -when, in the opinion of your committee, it is the sacred duty of -congress to call forth the patriotism and the resources of the country. -By the aid of these and with the blessing of God, we confidently trust -we shall be able to procure that redress which has been sought for by -justice, by remonstrance and forbearance, in vain."</p> - -<p>The report went over the land as fast as the mails in that day of stage -coaches could carry it, and made a profound impression on the minds of -the people. Resolutions, drawn in accordance with the spirit of the -report, were appended to it, and these led to earnest debates. In these -debates, the brilliant John C. Calhoun, then less than thirty years of -age, engaged. It marked the beginning of his long and illustrious -career. He made his maiden speech in favor of war, and charmed his -listeners. John Randolph, always happy when in opposition to everybody, -spoke vehemently against the report and resolutions.</p> - -<p>The Federalists, having always advocated a policy of being prepared for -war, could not from principle oppose these resolutions as they -recommended only such preparations. The resolutions were adopted and -bills prepared for augmenting the military force of the country.</p> - -<p>The regular army was increased to twenty-five thousand men; also two -major-generals and live brigadier-generals, in addition to those then in -office were authorized. A million dollars were appropriated for the -purchase of arms, ammunition and stores for the army, and four hundred -thousand dollars for powder, cannon and small arms for the navy.</p> - -<p>War was not yet declared, and, with a proper course of treatment from -Great Britain, it would not have been; yet the war feeling of 1811 was -strong. It needed but a breath to fan the flame to a terrible -conflagration.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII."></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> - -<p>FERNANDO'S FRIEND GETS HIM INTO A SERIOUS SCRAPE.</p> - -<p>In due time Fernando and Sukey were entered in the college. They were -transferred to more comfortable quarters than the wretched inn of Mrs. -Mahone. Terrence superintended everything and was, in truth, the good -angel of the boys. He had a warm heart, was a genuine friend, and would -have shed his last drop of blood for them; but Terrence was, after all, -a young scamp, whose dearest friend was not free from a practical joke. -His jokes often became serious affairs and involved himself as well as -friends in trouble, though he never intended anything unpleasant.</p> - -<p>Fernando had been in college but a few months, and was already making -excellent progress, when one day Terrence came to his room and said:</p> - -<p>"Me frind, d'ye want to see a bit of good society?"</p> - -<p>Laying down a heavy mathematical work, Fernando smilingly answered:</p> - -<p>"I don't know, Terrence; I've hardly time for society."</p> - -<p>"What's the need of worryin' yer brains out over Latin, Greek and -astronomy, when there's my amount of fun to be had? Come; a little mite -of society will brighten up yer ideas. Now listen to me, lad. There's -goin' to be a big ball given at the mayor's, and d'ye remimber the -darlint little craythur ye met on the street that day?"</p> - -<p>Remember her? of course Fernando remembered her. She had scarcely been -out of his mind day or night since he had seen her. She had been the -angel of his dreams, the princess of countless air castles; but he had -never indulged a hope that he might see her again.</p> - -<p>"Will she be at the ball, Terrence?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure. It's mesilf as heard it, and thin if ye'll look over the -Baltimore papers, ye'll see her name Morgianna Lane, the daughter of -Captain Felix Lane of Mariana, whose entree into society is to be the -ninth, chaperoned by Madame Barnhart."</p> - -<p>Terrence Malone evinced a wonderful ability at picking up information on -any question that took his fancy. He had a bold way of insinuating -himself into people's affections, for no one could dislike the -light-hearted, merry Irishman.</p> - -<p>"Now there is no need for ye to say ye won't go, because ye will," said -Terrence. "It's a grand occasion to be sure. One of his majesty's ships -o' war is in port, and some of the officers from her will be there, -every alderman in the town, some congressmen and ex-President Jefferson -will be there."</p> - -<p>Fernando looked at him in amazement and, after a moment, he said:</p> - -<p>"Terrence, if the ball is to be such a grand affair, please to inform me -how we are to gain admission."</p> - -<p>"Now, me boy, lave that to me. Will ye go?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"And ye don't mind it if it's a thrifle of an adventure, do yez?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"That's it. I always said ye was a lad after me own heart; but, -Fernando, don't yez say one word to Sukey. He's too slow and careful. He -might make trouble with us and upset all our plans."</p> - -<p>At first, Fernando, who hated anything like deceit, opposed secresy; but -his Irish friend brought so many excellent arguments to bear, that he -virtually carried his point.</p> - -<p>"Terrence, I fear I will make an awkward figure in a ball room!" -declared Fernando. "I am not accustomed to such things."</p> - -<p>"A glass or two of champagne will do it for ye."</p> - -<p>"But I never danced in my life."</p> - -<p>"I'll teach ye mesilf, and, bedad, ye'll be as foine a terpechorian -artist be the toime, as will be at the ball."</p> - -<p>The last objection swept away, Fernando began secretly to take lessons -in the waltz, cotillon and other dances of the day.</p> - -<p>Whatever may be said against Terrence, one thing is quite certain, he -was no bad dancing master, and Fernando was an apt pupil. Somehow, there -was a spice of adventure in the escapade, which seemed to thrill -Fernando with pleasure, and he entered into it with a zeal that was -remarkable.</p> - -<p>The English man-of-war in the harbor was the <i>Xenophon</i>, Captain -Conkerall commander. The captain had some acquaintances and friends in -Baltimore, and this event transpired before the war spirit became so -strong that English officers dared not venture on shore. The captain and -his officers were of course invited to the ball.</p> - -<p>The day of the ball, the captain came ashore and was snugly quartered at -the Baltimore House, getting ready for the affair.</p> - -<p>The captain was in his room talking with some citizens of Baltimore and -a congressman; a decanter and glasses were on a sideboard, and the -captain's face was somewhat flushed, when there entered a neat, -well-dressed young gentleman, whose language and features were slightly -Hibernian.</p> - -<p>"I beg pardon, gintlemen, but this is Captain Conkerall? Sure I make no -mistake, for the very bearin' tells me he is a son of Neptune."</p> - -<p>As the captain was in full uniform, of course there was no trouble about -recognizing him. The captain rose and, taking the hand of the young man, -tried hard to remember where he had seen him before.</p> - -<p>"Sure, ye don't remember me. I am Lord Kildee, the son of the ould baron -of Kildee Castle, who was a schoolmate of yer father."</p> - -<p>The captain, delighted at having so noted an acquaintance, took great -pleasure in introducing a scion of such a noble family as Kildee. One -would have thought, from Captain Conkerall's manner, that he had been on -intimate terms with the house of Kildee all his life, while in reality -he had never until that moment known that there lived such a being as -the Lord of Kildee. Wine and vanity work wonders, and the captain felt -great pride in being recognized at Baltimore by Lord Kildee, whose -father was, as the new acquaintance assured him, a member of the -house of lords.</p> - -<p>The visiting aldermen of the town and the congressman were introduced to -the Lord Kildee, who had the air of a genuine nobleman, with just enough -of the rich brogue to entitle him to the name of Irishman.</p> - -<p>Would his lordship have a glass of wine with them. To be sure he would.</p> - -<p>Captain Conkerall, who was expected to be the lion of the evening, -indulged rather freely, and the more he indulged the more he had a -desire to.</p> - -<p>At last the congressman rose to make a speech. He was rather unsteady on -his legs, but exceedingly eloquent on the question of Jefferson's -embargo act. He thought it an outrage designed to foster the unfortunate -estrangement between the mother country and America. He, as a -Federalist, had opposed Jefferson and Jeffersonianism.</p> - -<p>How much longer his harangue might have lasted, no one could have told, -but the captain was warned that the hour for the ball was drawing near, -and he gently insinuated that the speech be deferred for an after-dinner -talk. Just as the captain's guests were on the point of retiring, Lord -Kildee, by a gentle hint, suggested that if he had an invitation he -would be glad to meet them at the ball. Of course so noted a person as -Lord Kildee could not be neglected, and, as one of the invitation -committee was present, he issued a ticket at once. Then the captain and -his lordship were left alone.</p> - -<p>His lordship hinted that he had much to say to the captain in -confidence, having just come from the fleet of Vice Admiral Berkeley. -Over their wine, he informed the captain that he was on intimate terms -with the vice admiral and that the captain of the <i>Xenophon</i> was down -for an early promotion. Captain Conkerall was delighted. He drank deep -to the health of Vice Admiral Berkeley, Lord Kildee and himself. By this -time, the captain was ready to drink to the health of anybody. The Lord -Kildee, strange to say, imbibed very little, and soon the captain was -insensible on the floor, while his lordship was as sober as a judge.</p> - -<p>"Faith, it's a dacint bit of work," he said, eyeing the prostrate -captain. "Now to the rest of the plan."</p> - -<p>Lord Kildee was none other than the rollicking Irish student Terrence -Malone. In a few moments, he had divested the captain of his coat, -trousers and vest, which, with his chapeau, he rolled up in a neat -bundle and hurried away to his friend Fernando Stevens. The hour was -late, and Fernando had almost given up going to the ball, when Terrence -bolted into his room, his cheeks aglow with excitement.</p> - -<p>"Here, me lad, don the royal robes at once. Begorra, it's noblemen we -are goin' to be to-night!"</p> - -<p>"What does this mean, Terrence?" Fernando asked, as Malone unrolled the -bundle containing the elegant uniform of a British officer.</p> - -<p>"Divil a question need ye be askin'; put on the uniform; it will fit ye -to an exactness."</p> - -<p>In vain Fernando expostulated; his friend forced him into compliance, -and, almost before he knew it, he was encased in a British uniform, and -a handsome looking officer he made. Terrence then gave him a drink at -his bottle to "steady his nerves," and told him that it was one of the -"divil's own toimes" they would have.</p> - -<p>Fernando, despite all his staid qualities and Puritanic instincts, loved -an adventure which promised fun, and finally entered into the scheme -with a zest second only to his friend. The very idea of playing a prank -on the captain of a man-of-war was enough to induce him to engage in -almost any enterprise. They managed to escape the house without being -detected by Sukey, who was puzzling his brain over deep questions in -philosophy, and hastened down the street to a carriage which Terrence -engaged to take them to the mayor's.</p> - -<p>There was a ticket of admission in the captain's vest, which Fernando -used, and Lord Kildee had one for himself.</p> - -<p>As Terrence contemplated his young friend, whom the uniform fitted as -neatly as if he had grown in it, he declared that he was perfection.</p> - -<p>Arrived at the door, Fernando, whose brain was in a whirl, found himself -suddenly hurried up a flight of marble steps to the great vestibule -where there was a flood of subdued light. The wine made him bold, -reckless, and when he was introduced as Lieutenant Smither, of his -majesty's vice admiral's flag-ship, he half believed he was that person -and, assuming what he supposed to be the manner and carriage of so high -an official, received the bows and smiles of the fair ladies assembled -with the grace of a veteran seaman.</p> - -<p>There were a few officers from the <i>Xenophon</i> present, among them a -Lieutenant Matson, who was dividing his time between a very pretty girl -and asking why Captain Conkerall was so late.</p> - -<p>Fernando played his part remarkably well, considering that he was new in -the role. Whenever he was in danger of "making a bad break," Lord -Kildee, who was the lion of the hour, was at hand to aid him, and with -consummate grace and ease helped him through the worst difficulties. A -few glasses of champagne made Fernando bolder.</p> - -<p>At last he met that beautiful creature whom he had seen alight from the -carriage and was introduced to Miss Morgianna Lane. Morgianna, young as -she was, detected the deception. Fernando talked without reserve on any -and every topic. Those he knew the least about, he discussed with most -fluency, until he bid fair to become the centre of attraction.</p> - -<p>When they were alone, Morgianna, with one of her sweetest smiles, said:</p> - -<p>"I don't believe you are an Englishman."</p> - -<p>"I'll be honest with you, Miss Lane," said he. "I am not."</p> - -<p>"Who are you?"</p> - -<p>"If you will keep my secret, I will tell you all." Morgianna, as fond of -mischief as Terrence, agreed to do so, and he told her everything. She -laughed until the tears coursed down her pretty cheeks. She said it was -a good joke and as soon as she got home, she would tell her papa and he -would, she knew, enjoy it.</p> - -<p>"But you must not drink any more wine," she added. "It affects your -head." Fernando admitted that he was not used to it, and he promised to -desist. After waltzing for an hour with her and getting a tender squeeze -of the hand, he restored her to an affable old lady who acted as -Morgianna's chaperon, and then Fernando retired to new conquests, his -head in a whirl and his heart in a flutter.</p> - -<p>Lord Kildee soon had him under his care and introduced him to some -friends, among them Lieutenant Matson, who had early in the evening made -so many unsuccessful attempts to attract Miss Lane's favorable notice -that Fernando had come to regard him as a dangerous rival. Despite the -injunction of the fair Morgianna, he found himself half unconsciously -quaffing three or four glasses to the good health of somebody; he really -did not know whether it was King George or President Jefferson.</p> - -<p>Fernando, naturally witty, soon ingratiated himself into this well -occupied clique, and he dosed them with glory to their heart's content. -He resolved at once to enter into their humor, and as the wine mounted -up to his brain, he gradually found his acquaintance and politics -extending to every country and political creed.</p> - -<p>"Did you know Thomas Matson of his majesty's ship <i>Spit-Fire?"</i> asked -the lieutenant.</p> - -<p>"Tom Matson!" cried Fernando. "Indeed I did sir, and do still! and there -is not a man in the British navy I am prouder of knowing." Of course he -had never heard of Thomas Matson until this moment.</p> - -<p>"You don't say, sir?" said the lieutenant in astonishment. "Has he any -chance of promotion, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Promotion!" cried Fernando, in well-feigned astonishment. "Why, have -you not heard that he is already in command of a ship? You cannot -possibly have heard from him lately, or you would have known that!"</p> - -<p>"That's true, sir; I have not heard from him since he quitted the <i>Black -Cloud</i> in the South, I think they said for his health; but how did he -get the step?"</p> - -<p>"Why, as to the promotion, that was remarkable enough," said Fernando, -quaffing off a tumbler of champagne to aid his inventive faculties; but -Fernando, despite his native shrewdness and wonderful inventive powers, -was liable to get into trouble. He knew as little about a ship as a -landlubber might be supposed to know, and his companion saw at once that -he would make a mess of the story, so he came to his rescue by informing -the assembly that a fine vocalist at the other end of the room was going -to sing, and asked that the story be deferred until after the song. They -all hurried away save Fernando, who, overcome by too deep potations, -sank upon a sofa temporarily unconscious.</p> - -<p>He was roused from his stupor by his companion shaking him and saying:</p> - -<p>"Fernando, me boy, it's a divil's own mess ye are makin' of this! Wake -up and get out!"</p> - -<p>He roused himself and looked about. The room they were in was a small -apartment off the great saloon, and through the half-open folding-door, -he could see that the festivities still continued. The music and gay -forms of dancers reminded him where he was.</p> - -<p>"Fernando, we've played this game jist as long as we can, successfully; -we had better go."</p> - -<p>"I am ready," and Fernando got up and started diagonally across the -room, stepping with his feet very wide apart. The pretended Lord Kildee -took his arm, and they got to the door, where Fernando missed his -footing and went tumbling down the steps in a very undignified manner. -His lordship, Kildee, having imbibed rather freely himself, kept him -company, and for a few seconds they remained at the bottom of the -flight, dividing their time between studying astronomy and the laws of -gravitation.</p> - -<p>Fernando had badly smashed the captain's chapeau and one fine plume was -gone. They had not gone far before they ran upon a watchman, who -threatened to run them in; but the police of those days were as -susceptible to a bribe as they are to-day, and after donating liberally -to the cause of justice and protection, they were taken to their rooms -instead of the calaboose.</p> - -<p>Young Stevens had no definite recollection of how he ever got to bed; -but he awoke next morning with a wretched headache and found himself in -a red coat, with the epaulets and gold lace of an officer. By degrees, -the whole thing came back to him.</p> - -<p>Terrence came in a few moments later, a smile on his face, as he -remarked they were in "the divil's own scrape."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>"We should have taken the clothes back to the captain."</p> - -<p>Fernando, who was in total ignorance of the manner in which the uniform -was procured, asked:</p> - -<p>"How did you get them?"</p> - -<p>Terrence told him the whole story, and Fernando, despite his wretched -headache, laughed until the tears coursed down his cheeks.</p> - -<p>"That's not all, me foine boy. The whole thing is out. The papers -printed this morning are full of it. They say the captain was seen just -before daylight goin' down the street to his boat with a sheet wrapped -about him."</p> - -<p>Again the youngsters roared. It was such a madcap frolic as students, -utterly reckless of consequences, might engage in; but, after all, it -was a serious affair. The clothes had to be returned; then the -perpetrators of the outrage would be known at the college, and they -might be expelled from the institution in disgrace.</p> - -<p>The clothes were returned. That was a point of honor which Fernando -insisted upon, as he would neither agree to steal or wear stolen goods. -For a day or two he was indisposed, and good, honest Sukey was afraid -his friend was "going to be real sick." On the evening of the second day -after their madcap frolic, Fernando told Sukey all about it and asked -his advice. After the tall young westerner had heard him through, -he said:</p> - -<p>"Well, Fernando, I am sorry you were in the game at all; but you are in -it, and now the best thing is to go to the college and make a clean -breast of it to the president. It's your first, you know, and then a -fellow just from the woods like us is liable to stumble into bad -scrapes. Make a clean breast of it and keep out of such games in -the future."</p> - -<p>This was really the best advice that could have been given, and -Fernando, after consulting Terrence, decided to follow it. Consequently -they all three presented themselves to the president of the faculty and, -in the best way they could, laid the story before him. Terrence brought -all the pathos and eloquence which he naturally possessed to the aid of -his friend and got both of them off pretty well.</p> - -<p>The old professor was one of the best-hearted men in the world, and when -he came to contemplate the lonely condition of the boys so far from -home, he forgave them freely, and Fernando went out of his presence -resolved never to be guilty of another unseemly trick again.</p> - -<p>"Now, if that divil's own ship the <i>Xenophon</i> would only lave port, I'd -fale better," remarked Terrence as they wended their way to their -rooms. Fernando could not see any harm the <i>Xenophon</i> could do them. -The president of the college had forgiven them, and surely they need not -care for the ship.</p> - -<p>The students entered ardently into their studies, and Fernando tried to -forget everything about the mayor's ball save the beautiful face of -Morgianna Lane. She was the only sweet picture in that wild dream, and -he would not have forgotten her for the world. Time wore slowly on. A -week had passed, and all the papers in the country were nagging the -captain about going to his vessel in a winding sheet. A wag wrote some -verses which must have been galling to the pride of the haughty Briton.</p> - -<p>At last it leaked out that two students had played the trick on Captain -Conkerall. A newspaper reporter came to see Fernando, who gave him a -truthful history of the affair.</p> - -<p>"You've played the divil now," said Terrence, when he read the interview -in the next issue of the <i>Baltimore Sun</i>.</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"Never moind, Fernando, I'll not desert ye, and if my one comes to ye -about satisfaction, or inything of the kind, and asks you to mintion -your frind, sind thim to Terrence Malone, and he will make the -arrangements, that's all."</p> - -<p>Fernando had no more idea what he meant than if he had addressed him in -Hindoo, and he gave the matter little or no further thought. He was in -his room poring over his books the second day after the interview, when -there came a rap at his door.</p> - -<p>"Come in!" he cried in his broad, western fashion.</p> - -<p>The door opened, and, to his surprise, a young English officer entered -the apartment.</p> - -<p>"Is this Mr. Fernando Stevens?" he asked politely.</p> - -<p>"It is."</p> - -<p>"I am the bearer of a message from Lieutenant Matson."</p> - -<p>"Pray who is Lieutenant Matson?"</p> - -<p>"Of his majesty's ship the <i>Xenophon</i>."</p> - -<p>Fernando thought he must be mistaken, as he had not the least -recollection of ever hearing of Lieutenant Matson; but the ensign -assured him that he was the person with whom the lieutenant had to deal, -and then asked if he could refer him to some friend with whom the -business might be arranged. Then the youthful American remembered -Terrence Malone's strange instructions and sent the ensign at once to -the young Irishman.</p> - -<p>Just how Terrence would settle the matter, he did not know; but he who -had such remarkable ability for getting one into a scrape could surely -devise some means to get him out, and Fernando was perfectly willing to -trust him. So, deeming the matter wholly settled, he sat down to his -books once more, and had actually forgotten the officer, when Terrence -bolted into the room his face expressive of anxiety.</p> - -<p>"It's all arranged, me boy. Ye did right in lavin' it to me. The young -Britisher and I have made all arrangements."</p> - -<p>"Arrangements? what arrangements?" asked Fernando with guileless -innocence.</p> - -<p>"Arrangements for the meeting, to be sure."</p> - -<p>"What meeting?"</p> - -<p>"Meeting with Lieutenant Matson."</p> - -<p>Throwing down his book, Fernando started up impatiently said:</p> - -<p>"I don't want to meet the infernal lieutenant. I thought you had settled -it."</p> - -<p>"So I did, and right dacintly, too. Now what weapons do ye want?"</p> - -<p>"Weapons!" cried Fernando, the truth at last beginning to dawn upon him. -"Great Heavens! Terrence, do you mean a duel?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly, me frind, nothin' ilse. There's no way to get out of it, -honorably."</p> - -<p>Fernando reeled as if he had been struck a blow. He had read of duels, -but, in the solitude of his western home on the farm, he had never known -of any. They were the bloody inventions of more polite civilization. -One had been fought between two trappers at a trading post, not over -forty miles away, in which rifles at thirty paces were used, and both -men were killed. The preacher had said it was murder. Fernando was -brave; but he shrank from a duel, and it was not until his pride had -been appealed to, that he determined to fight. Then Terrence assured him -the lieutenant's friend was waiting; all that was wanting was -the weapons.</p> - -<p>"I must talk with Sukey."</p> - -<p>Sukey was sent for, and when the tall, lanky fellow entered the -apartment, Fernando told him all.</p> - -<p>"Don't you be in the game, Fernando. Let me tell you, don't you be in -it," Sukey answered.</p> - -<p>But he was informed that he must, or be forever disgraced. Besides, his -enemy was a hated Briton, whom their country was almost on the verge of -war with, and it would not be a bad thing to kill him in advance.</p> - -<p>"Well, if you must be in the game, Fernando, fight with hatchets. You -know you used to throw a hatchet twenty steps and split a pumpkin every -time. Fight with hatchets."</p> - -<p>It was a novel mode of dueling; but Terrence took the proposition to the -lieutenant's friend. The Briton said his friend was a gentlemen, -willing to fight with any of the weapons which civilized gentlemen -used, and if Mr. Stevens would not consent to the same, the lieutenant -would publish him as a barbarian and a coward. Pistols were settled on -as a compromise, and Terrence went away to settle the final -arrangements. He returned with a smile on his face and, rubbing his -hands, said:</p> - -<p>"Cheer up, me boy, it's all settled."</p> - -<p>"What? won't we fight?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, it's settled that you will fight."</p> - -<p>For a long time, Fernando was silent, and then he said:</p> - -<p>"When will it take place, Terrence?"</p> - -<p>"To-morrow morning at sunrise."</p> - -<p>Fernando did not go to school that day. Sukey was enjoined to keep the -matter a secret, and he went to his classroom as if nothing unusual were -about to happen. Fernando spent the day in writing letters to be sent -home in case he should not survive the affair which, after all, he -believed to be disgraceful. Dueling he thought little better than -murder; but he was in for it and determined not to show the white -feather. Don't blame Fernando, for he lived in a barbarous age, when the -"code of honor" was thought to be honorable. His chief remorse was for -his madcap, drunken freak, which had been the provocation for the -event, and yet, when he came to think of the ludicrousness of his -adventures, he smiled.</p> - -<p>More than once on that gloomy day he thought of Morgianna, whom in -reality he loved at first sight. Would he ever see her again, or was she -only the evening star, which had risen on the last hours of his -existence? When Sukey returned, he held a long interview with him and -gave him a bundle of letters and papers to send home if--he could not -finish the sentence.</p> - -<p>"Ain't there no way to get out of it, Fernando?" asked Sukey, his droll -face comical even in distress.</p> - -<p>"Not honorably."</p> - -<p>"Well, now that you're in the game, just shoot that infernal -Englishman's head right off his shoulders, that's my advice. I've read -lots about duels, and it all depends on who is quickest at the trigger. -Take good aim and don't let him get a second the advantage of you."</p> - -<p>They went to bed early, and Fernando slept soundly. It was Terrence who -awoke them and said it would not do to be late. He had engaged a sailor -called Luff Williams to take them in his boat to the spot, a long sandy -beach behind a high promontory some five or six miles from the city. The -spot was quite secluded, and Terrence declared it a love of a place for -such little affairs.</p> - -<p>"What are ye thinkin' of, Fernando?" asked Terrence, when the boat with -the three young men was under way.</p> - -<p>"I'm thinking, sir, if I were to kill him, what I must do after."</p> - -<p>"Right, my boy; nothing like it; but 1811 will settle all for ye. I -don't believe, now that America is on the verge of war with the British, -that my one will make much of a row for killin' the murdherin' baste. -Are ye a good shot?"</p> - -<p>"I am with a rifle; but I never could do anything to speak of with a -pistol."</p> - -<p>"I don't moind that. Ye've a good eye; never take it off him after -you're on the ground; follow him everywhere. I knew a fellow in Ireland -who always shot his man that way. Look without winkin'; it's fatal at a -short distance--a very good thing to learn, when ye've a little -spare time."</p> - -<p>As they came in sight of the beach where the duel was to be fought, they -perceived, a few hundred yards off, a group of persons standing on the -sands, whom they recognized as their opponents.</p> - -<p>"Fernando," said Terrence, grasping his arm firmly, as if to instill -into him some of his own hope and confidence, "Fernando, although you're -only a boy, I've no fear of your courage; but this Lieutenant Matson is -a famous duelist, and he will try to shake your nerve. Now remember that -ye take everything that happens quite with an air of indifference; -don't let him think he has iny advantage over ye, and you'll see how the -tables will be turned in your favor."</p> - -<p>"Trust me, Terrence, I'll not disgrace you," Stevens answered.</p> - -<p>"You are twelve minutes late, Mr. Malone," said the ensign, who acted as -the lieutenant's second; "but we shall all be able to get back to -breakfast--those that will care to eat."</p> - -<p>Not to be outdone, Terrence said:</p> - -<p>"All will be at supper; but your friend will be where he is eaten, -rather than eats."</p> - -<p>"Don't be too sure; the lieutenant has killed his sixth man in affairs -like this."</p> - -<p>The remark was of course intended for Fernando's ears. Sukey heard it -and said:</p> - -<p>"Fernando, that's a lie; don't you believe it. Aim at his plaguy head, -and you can hit it. You used to snuff a candle that distance."</p> - -<p>Fernando smiled while he kept his eye on the lieutenant. That smile and -that eternal stare disconcerted the English officer, and he turned a -little pale. There was something about the imperturbable youth which -made him dread the meeting. Fernando was strangely, unnaturally calm. -Ten minutes more, and he might be in eternity.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII."></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> - -<p>THE BELLE OF THE BEACH.</p> - -<p>No experienced duelist ever entered into the business with more -earnestness or zeal than Terrence Malone. He and the lieutenant's second -were some distance away settling points of position, he saw three or -four men in the uniform of British officers coming around the bluff, -among them the ship's surgeon with a case of instruments and medicines -in his hand. Captain Conkerall, though the real injured party, was not -on the scene. His lieutenant readily took up his quarrel, on account of -his jealousy of Fernando who had completely usurped his place as the -favorite of Miss Morgianna Lane.</p> - -<p>Arrangements were made at last, and Terrence came to his friend, took -his arm and walked him forward.</p> - -<p>"Fernando, me boy, we've loaded the pistols. He loaded this and I the -one for the lieutenant, I put in a thumpin' heavy charge, so he'll -overshoot, I am to give the word; but don't look at me at all. I'll -manage to catch the lieutenant's eye, and do ye watch him steadily, aim -at his middle and fire when he does, and all will be right."</p> - -<p>They were all the while moving to the place selected for the duel.</p> - -<p>"I think the ground we are leaving behind us is rather better," said -someone. "So it is," answered the lieutenant with a sneer; "but it might -be troublesome to carry the young gentleman down that way; here all is -fair and easy."</p> - -<p>In a few moments they were at the spot; the ground was measured off, and -each man was placed, and Fernando thought there was no chance for -either escaping.</p> - -<p>"Now thin," said Terrence. "I'll walk twelve paces, count 'one, two, -three, fire!' and you are both to fire at the word 'fire.' The man who -reserves his shot or shoots a second before falls by my hand!"</p> - -<p>This stern injunction seemed actually to awe the Britons, and Fernando -fancied that he saw the lieutenant trembling. It was only fancy however. -The lieutenant was really calm. Notwithstanding the advice of Terrence, -Fernando could not help turning his eyes from the lieutenant to watch -the figure of his retiring friend. At last he stopped--a second or two -elapsed--he wheeled rapidly around. Fernando now turned his eyes toward -his antagonist.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Matson was a slender man, and when he turned his right side -toward Fernando, he was not much thicker than a rail.</p> - -<p>"One--two--three--fire!"</p> - -<p>Fernando watched his opponent, and, at the word, raised his pistol and -fired. His hat flew from his head, the crown torn completely out, while -his antagonist leaped into the air, clapped his hand to the seat of his -trousers and fell howling upon the ground. The people around Fernando -all rushed forward, save Sukey, who came to his friend and, seeing that -he was unhurt, began a mild reproof:</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you aim higher, Fernando?"</p> - -<p>Terrence came back a moment later and, bursting into laughter, said:</p> - -<p>"Begorra! this will interfere with his sedentary habits for a month. -Arrah, me boy, it's proud o' ye I am."</p> - -<p>Fernando caught two or three glances thrown at him with expression of -revengeful passion. Half a score of marines were seen coming around the -rocks, and Terrence left off laughing. The three were alone against five -times their number.</p> - -<p>Fernando felt some one grasp him around the waist and hurry him from the -spot, and ten minutes later they were in the boat skimming over the -water back toward Baltimore.</p> - -<p>"Put on ivery divilish stitch o' canvas yer tub 'll carry," said -Terrence to Luff Williams. "The Johnny Bulls won't like this a bit, and -bad luck to us if they git their hands on us."</p> - -<p>Fernando, now that the nervous strain was over, sank back in the boat, -almost completely exhausted.</p> - -<p>"Fernando, ye did it illegintly," said the young Irishman.</p> - -<p>"Will he die?"</p> - -<p>"Not unless the doctors kill him trying to dig it out."</p> - -<p>"I hope they won't."</p> - -<p>"What the divil's the difference? Before this toime next year, we'll be -shootin' redcoats for sport."</p> - -<p>"Say, what's that, shipmate?" drawled out Luff Williams.</p> - -<p>"Where?"</p> - -<p>"Look ahead."</p> - -<p>"A long boat full o' British marines!" cried Terrence. "Boys, I don't -like that. Mr. Luff Williams, if ye want a whole skin over yer body pull -about and sail down the coast like the divil was after ye!"</p> - -<p>In less than two minutes' time their craft was put about and went flying -before the wind, under a full stretch of canvas. The boat impelled by -eight stout oarsmen pressed hard in their wake.</p> - -<p>"Heave to! heave to!" cried an officer in the pursuing boat. "Heave to, -or we will fire on you!"</p> - -<p>"Niver mind him, me frind," said Terrence to the man at the rudder. -"I'll tell ye when to lay low."</p> - -<p>They were in long musket shot distance, and Williams assured them that -if they could round a headland, they would get a stiffer breeze and -outsail their pursuer.</p> - -<p>"Are they gaining on us?" Fernando asked.</p> - -<p>"Not much, if any," was the response.</p> - -<p>Again the officer in the bow, making a speaking trumpet of his hands, -shouted:</p> - -<p>"Heave to, or I swear I'll fire on you!"</p> - -<p>"To the divil with you," roared Terrence. "We've downed one redcoat in -fair light; what more do ye want, bad luck to ye?"</p> - -<p>The officer spoke to some one behind him, and a musket was handed him.</p> - -<p>Terrence sprang to the stern saying:</p> - -<p>"Now look out! lay low, ye lubbers! the blackguard's goin' to shoot!"</p> - -<p>The officer raised his musket, and a moment later a puff of smoke issued -from the muzzle.</p> - -<p>"Down!" cried Terrence. All laid low, and the next second the report of -a musket came on the air, and a bullet dropped in the water, a little to -the larboard.</p> - -<p>"They are coming agin," cried Terrence.</p> - -<p>"Haven't you sweeps which we could work?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>There was a pair of sweeps in the craft, and Terrence and Fernando -manned them. Though Fernando was a little awkward at first, he soon came -to use the sweep quite effectively and helped the little craft along.</p> - -<p>"Do we gain on them?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>"Not much, if any;" the helmsman answered.</p> - -<p>At this moment, three or four muskets were fired from the boat, and the -balls whistled among the sails or spattered in the water. Should they -meet with one of those sudden calms which frequently overtook vessels -off the bay, they knew they would be lost. The British marines were -laying to their oars right lustily, and the boat flew over the waves.</p> - -<p>"Have you no arms in the boat?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>"Nothin' but a fowlin' piece and some goose shot."</p> - -<p>"Just the thing for me!" declared Sukey. "I was always good at killin' -geese on the wing."</p> - -<p>Sukey hunted up the gun and loaded both barrels heavily with shot and -slugs. Then he took up his post in the stern, ready to rake the long -boat fore and aft, should it come within range of his formidable gun. -The officer and three or four marines continued to load and fire, until -the boat was out of the harbor, when a strong breeze struck her sails -and sent her spinning over the water.</p> - -<p>"Huzzah! huzzah! we are gainin' on' em now!" cried Sukey, flourishing -his gun in the air.</p> - -<p>The British fired half a dozen more shots at the fleeing boat; but the -bullets began dropping behind. They were out of reach of their longest -range muskets.</p> - -<p>"There ain't no danger now," declared Sukey. "They are not in the game."</p> - -<p>The breeze continued strong, and the little craft boldly cleft the -waters, as it sped forward over the bounding waves.</p> - -<p>"It's no use to be wearing ourselves out, Fernando," said Terrence. "The -good breeze is doin' more for us than a hundred oars could do."</p> - -<p>They put in their sweeps and, mounting the rail aft, clung to rigging, -and shouted derision and defiance at their pursuers.</p> - -<p>Although the Britons had little hope or expectation of overtaking them, -yet, with that bull-dog tenacity characteristic of Englishmen, they -continued the chase.</p> - -<p>"That danger is over," said Terrence, as they once more resumed their -seats in the boat.</p> - -<p>"What would they have done with us, Terrence, had they captured us?"</p> - -<p>"Faith, it's hard telling; but I think we'd found it unpleasant."</p> - -<p>"Wasn't the fight fair?"</p> - -<p>"As fair as iver one saw; but, begorra, it didn't turn out the way they -expected."</p> - -<p>"Why, la sakes, they didn't think Fernando was goin' to miss, did they?" -said Sukey. "He ain't been shootin' squirrels out o' the tallest trees -in Ohio for nothin'."</p> - -<p>"This lieutenant thought he was going to have some sport with a -greenhorn."</p> - -<p>"Can you see them yet?" asked Fernando of Williams, who sat well up in -the stern holding the helm.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"How far are they away?"</p> - -<p>"Two or three miles."</p> - -<p>"And still a-coming?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Plague take 'em!" growled Sukey, "why do they follow us so -persistently?"</p> - -<p>"May be they think to get us when we go ashore; but, bad luck to thim, -they'll find it tough if they come afther us."</p> - -<p>"Fernando, I wish we had our rifles," growled Sukey. "Wouldn't we make -it unprofitable for the redcoats!"</p> - -<p>Fernando was rather non-communicative, and sat in the bow of the boat -lost in painful meditation. He had shed blood. It was the first, and, -although in that age it was thought highly honorable, he felt an inward -consciousness that dueling was both cowardly and brutal. Fear of being -branded a coward had nerved him to face the pistol of his antagonist. It -is not true courage that makes the duelist. There is no more honor, -gentility, or courage in dueling than in robbing a safe. The greatest -coward living may be a burglar, so he may, from fear of public scorn, -fight a duel. Fernando had much to regret. He felt that his social -standing had been lowered; yet he was happy in the thought that the duel -had had no fatal results. Could he ever return to the school? Could he -ever return to his home and face his Christian mother? He was roused -from his painful reverie by a loud laugh on the part of Terrence. He -turned his eyes toward the jolly fellow and found him convulsed -with mirth.</p> - -<p>"What ails you, Terrence?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Did you aim at the spot you hit?"</p> - -<p>"No; I aimed at a more vital part; but, thank God, I missed, and now I -am happy."</p> - -<p>"It's more than the lieutenant is, I'm thinkin'."</p> - -<p>"But, Terrence, the most serious question is, what are we going to do?"</p> - -<p>"Now that's sensible. Let me see, Misther Williams, what's the nearest -port? Isn't there a town above on this coast?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, not more than ten miles away around that point o' land we'll find -a willage."</p> - -<p>"Why not put in there?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, we kin; but, hang it, how am I a-goin' to git back to Baltimore?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's aisy enough. Run in after night."</p> - -<p>"Yes, an' be sunk by the blasted Britishers!"</p> - -<p>"He won't know ye after dark."</p> - -<p>"But, Terrence, what are we to do?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>"It's do, is it?--faith, do nothin'!"</p> - -<p>"But the academy?"</p> - -<p>"It will get along without us."</p> - -<p>"But can we get along without it?"</p> - -<p>"Aisy, me frind; don't be alarmed. We'll be back in a week or a -fortnight at most. It will all blow over, and no one will ask us any -questions. Lave it all to me."</p> - -<p>Fernando had almost come to the conclusion that he had left too much to -his friend. Terrence had only got him out of one scrape into another, -until he had come to mistrust the good judgment and sound discretion of -his friend. Not that he doubted the good intentions of Terrence. He had -as kind a heart as ever beat in the breast of a young Irishman of -twenty-three; but his propensity to mischievous pranks was continually -getting him and his friends into trouble.</p> - -<p>Fernando went to the fore part of the boat and sat by Sukey.</p> - -<p>For a few moments both were silent. Fernando was first to speak.</p> - -<p>"Sukey, how is all this to end?" he asked with a sigh.</p> - -<p>"I don't know," Sukey answered, in his peculiar, drawling way. "We -needn't complain, though; because we came out best so far."</p> - -<p>"But it was terrible, shooting at him. I might have killed him."</p> - -<p>"He might have killed you, and that would have been worse."</p> - -<p>"I never thought of that."</p> - -<p>"No doubt he did."</p> - -<p>"I wish we were back in the college; but I greatly fear we will be -expelled in disgrace. It would kill our mothers."</p> - -<p>"No; I think they would get over it; but I tell you, Fernando, my -opinion is, it don't make much difference."</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"The United States and England are going to fight. I got a paper last -night, and it was chock full of fight, and as for your shootin' the -lieutenant, I am sure everybody, even your mother and the faculty, will -be glad of it. I only blame you for one thing."</p> - -<p>"What is that, Sukey?"</p> - -<p>"When you had such a good chance, why didn't you aim higher?"</p> - -<p>The expression on Sukey's face was too ludicrous for even the young -duelist, and he laughed in spite of himself.</p> - -<p>"Helloa, there's the town," cried Sukey, as they rounded a headland and -entered the mouth of a broad bay, standing in toward a beautiful -village. This village has wholly disappeared. Railroads shunned it, and -the water traffic being too small to support it, it degenerated into a -village of fishermen, which, in 1837, was totally destroyed by fire, and -has never been rebuilt. Before the war of 1812, it was a neat, -flourishing little town.</p> - -<p>"Is this the town you were spakin' about?" asked Terrence of the -boatman.</p> - -<p>"Yes, zur."</p> - -<p>"What place is it?"</p> - -<p>"Mariana."</p> - -<p>"Mariana," repeated Fernando, "I have heard that name before. Where was -it? Mariana,--Mariana."</p> - -<p>Terrence came forward to his companions and said:</p> - -<p>"Now, lads, like as not the frinds of Matson may be afther following -us. Lave it all to me. We'll change our names and go up to the tavern, -where we'll hire rooms and be gintlemen traveling for pleasure."</p> - -<p>"Would they dare follow us on shore?"</p> - -<p>"No; I think not; but if they should, my plan will answer."</p> - -<p>When they ran into shore, Terrence paid the boatman and discharged him. -Terrence was the son of a rich Irish merchant in Philadelphia, who kept -his son liberally supplied with money, who, with corresponding -liberality, spent it.</p> - -<p>Terrence felt that this was his scrape, and he resolved to bear the -expenses.</p> - -<p>With his friends, he went to the tavern, where they engaged rooms. -Fernando and Sukey retired to their rooms, while Terrence remained in -the tap-room, where there was a crowd of Marylanders. He began telling -them a most horrible story of the impressment of himself and his friends -by a British vessel and of their recent escape. He stated that they had -been closely pursued, and he would not be surprised if the Britishers -sent a boat on shore to take them away.</p> - -<p>He could not have chosen a better theme to inflame those Marylanders. -One tall, raw-boned man, who carried a rifle and bullet pouch with -him, said:</p> - -<p>"Boys, that reminds us mightily o' Dick Long."</p> - -<p>Every Marylander assembled in the tap-room knew the sad story of poor -Dick Long. He was a fisherman with a wife and four children and was -loved by all who knew him. Dick was honest and peaceable, kind-hearted -and brave. One day his fishing smack was driven by a gale some distance -out at sea, when a British cruiser captured him, and he was impressed -into his majesty's service. Dick managed after many weary months to get -a letter to his wife. At Halifax, he tried to desert, was caught, -brought back and lashed to the "long tom" and received a flogging with -the cat-o'-nine-tails. He struck the cruel boatsman, and was lashed to -the mast and flogged until he died. A deserter from the ship brought -home his dying words, which were these: "Tell my American brothers to -avenge me."</p> - -<p>"Remember Dick Long, boys, and ef they come to Mariana, let us make 'em -wish they had stayed away."</p> - -<p>The artful Terrence kindled the flame, and a short time after sunset, -Fernando and Sukey were awakened from a doze by hearing a wild uproar on -the streets. They sprang to their feet and ran to the window.</p> - -<p>Fifteen or twenty officers and seamen had just landed and were making -their way toward the public house, when they were assailed by a hundred -infuriated Marylanders with sticks, clubs, stones, dirt, old tin buckets -and almost every conceivable weapon. The officer in command was trying -to explain that their intentions were pacific, that, after rowing for -ten hours against the wind and tide, they were tired and hungry; but the -inexorable Marylanders continued to shout:</p> - -<p>"Dick Long, Dick Long! Don't forget Dick Long!"</p> - -<p>Now there was not one of those Britons who had ever heard of Dick Long -before, and they could not conceive what that had to do with their -landing; nor was this the boat crew which chased our friends; yet -Terrence continued to agitate the matter. The truth is Terrence had -personally declared war against Great Britain in advance of the United -States and had commenced hostilities.</p> - -<p>"Down with the bloody backs!" he cried. "Drive thim into the bay."</p> - -<p>The officers were forced to return to their boats and, tired as they -were, pull down the coast to Baltimore.</p> - -<p>Next morning, Fernando rose early and, after breakfast, went out alone -to look about the village. It was located in a picturesque and beautiful -spot. On the East was the broad bay and sea. On the West were undulating -hills covered with umbrageous forests. To the South were some -promontories and romantic headlands, against which the restless waters -lashed themselves into foam. On a hill about a fourth of a mile from the -village, was a large, elegant mansion built of granite, looking like a -fairy castle in the distance. A broad carriage-drive, leading through an -avenue of chestnuts, led up to the great front gate. The mansion was -almost strong enough for a fort and was surrounded by a stone wall five -feet high, with an iron picket fence on top of this.</p> - -<p>"Who lives in the great house on the hill?" Fernando asked a man.</p> - -<p>"Old Captain Lane."</p> - -<p>"Captain Lane. I have heard of him. Has he a daughter?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Morgianna."</p> - -<p>"It's the same," he thought, as he wandered away to the beach. "What -strange providence has brought me here?" Fernando's regrets were in a -moment changed to rejoicing. He was glad he had quarrelled with the -lieutenant and had been driven away to Mariana.</p> - -<p>He went to the tavern and informed Sukey of his discovery and said:</p> - -<p>"I am going to contrive in some way to speak with her again."</p> - -<p>"Well, don't take that plaguey Irishman in the game, Fernando," said -Sukey. "If you do, he'll make a precious mess o' the whole thing."</p> - -<p>Terrence was enjoying himself. Before he had been in the town two days, -he knew every person in it. All were his friends, and he was quite a -lion. Terrence only hoped that a man-of-war would come to Mariana. He -vowed he would lead the citizens against her, capture the ship and keep -her for coast defence of Maryland.</p> - -<p>It was the fourth day after their arrival, that, as Fernando was -strolling alone according to his habit on the beach, his eyes fixed on -the sands meditating on the recent stirring events, he suddenly became -conscious of some one a short distance down the beach. He looked, up and -saw a young lady with a parasol in one hand tripping along the sands, -now and then picking up a shell. In an instant he knew her. His heart -gave a wild bound and then seemed for a instant to stand still. Then it -commenced a rapid vibration which increased as she approached. She was -coming toward him, all unconscious of his presence and only intent on -securing the most beautiful shells.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, raising her eyes, she saw a handsome young man close to her. -He tipped his hat, smiled and said: "Good morning, Miss Lane."</p> - -<p>"Oh, it's you, is it?" she answered with a little laugh. "Why, I -declare, how you frightened me!"</p> - -<p>"I am sorry for it."</p> - -<p>"Never mind; I will survive the shock; but I know why you came to -Mariana," and there was a roguish twinkle in her blue eyes.</p> - -<p>"Do you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, you fought the lieutenant and had to run away."</p> - -<p>"Miss Lane, how did you learn this?"</p> - -<p>"Learn it! Don't you know the papers are full of it? Papa read it this -morning at breakfast, and he laughed until he cried. Where is that -Irishman who gets you into so many funny scrapes?"</p> - -<p>"He is at the tavern."</p> - -<p>"Well, papa says he must see you. He has fought duels in his day, and he -thinks you a splendid shot; but it was naughty of you to fight without -consulting me. He might have killed you."</p> - -<p>Fernando was now the happiest man on earth.</p> - -<p>"Miss Lane, don't think because I did not consult you, I did not think -of you. You were in my mind as much as any other person at that trying -ordeal, unless it was my mother."</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't grow sentimental. Now that it is all over and not much harm -done, let us laugh at it;--but I want to scold you."</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"You did not obey me on that night. I told you to drink no more wine, -and after I left, you drank too much, which provoked the quarrel."</p> - -<p>Fernando, who really had no clear idea of the subject-matter of the -quarrel, answered:</p> - -<p>"I plead guilty, Miss Lane, to being disobedient. Forgive me, and I -promise to make amends in the future. Do you know him, Lieutenant -Matson?"</p> - -<p>"Know Lieutenant Matson? Certainly I do; I have known him for four -years. Father has known him longer."</p> - -<p>[Illustration: "YOU SURRENDER EASILY."]</p> - -<p>"Does he ever come here?"</p> - -<p>"Frequently."</p> - -<p>"If he comes while I am here, we will have the fight out."</p> - -<p>"No you won't."</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"I forbid it."</p> - -<p>"Then I yield."</p> - -<p>"You surrender easily," and the saucy blue eyes glanced slyly at his -face. Fernando was at a loss for some answer. Suddenly she broke -in with:</p> - -<p>"I must go now. There, I see father on the hill. Won't you come to tea -this evening? Father would like so much to see you."</p> - -<p>Of course he would. He stammered out his thanks, while the fairy-like -creature tripped away across the sands, leaving him in a maze of -bewilderment. At the crest of the hill, she paused to wave her -handkerchief, smiled with ravishing sweetness, and disappeared over the -hill with her father.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX."></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> - -<p>THE ENGLISHMAN'S DILEMMA.</p> - -<p>Morgianna Lane was the brightest gem in the little Maryland village. The -romantic mystery which enshrouded her birth seemed only to add to the -charm about her. Of course Fernando could not long be in the village -without learning that she was not the daughter of Captain Lane, but -a sea waif.</p> - -<p>Frequently foundlings have some birth mark or scar about them, or there -is some letter or significant mark about their clothing by which in -after years they may be identified and their parentage made known; but -in the case of Morgianna there was no probability of her identity ever -being discovered. Her plump little arms were utterly devoid of scar or -mark; the clothes found upon the infant had no initial whatever, and -were cast aside, just as other worn-out garments.</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens, in due time, called on Captain Lane, whom he found to -be as jolly an old Jack Tar as lives. He was greatly amused at the -escapade of the student, but cautioned him against his Irish friend.</p> - -<p>"I have no doubt this Terrence Malone is a good, noble young fellow; but -he has too much native mischief in his composition, and will get you -from one scrape into another with marvellous regularity. I don't mean -that you should cut him adrift; but though you sail in company with him, -do not allow him to get too far windward of you. When you see he's going -to fly right into the teeth of some rash fate, get on the other tack, -that's all. You did honorably, however, in fighting the duel with -Lieutenant Matson, even if he is my friend."</p> - -<p>"Is he your friend?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; his father and I shipped afore the mast when we were boys -together. When the war broke out, he entered the British navy while I -went aboard a Yankee privateer. I am glad to say we never met -in battle."</p> - -<p>Fernando felt himself growing just a little bit uneasy. He did not like -this friendship between the captain and Lieutenant Matson; and he could -see that the old seaman was glad the lieutenant's wound was not fatal.</p> - -<p>What strange emotion stirred the Ohio student's soul, when he met the -soft eyes of Morgianna, words cannot express. She talked on a variety of -subjects, and at times Fernando flattered himself that she was pleased -to have him with her; but the next moment he reasoned that it might be -only her good breeding which made her appear to tolerate him. Fernando -was not foolish enough to be conceited. He lived in hope and doubt and -was the happiest man at times, and at others the most miserable. Though -he took Sukey into his confidence, Fernando was a little shy -of Terrence.</p> - -<p>The reader will remember that Terrence had, on entering the village, -suggested the propriety of going under assumed names. Fernando had -forgotten, if he ever knew, that he was registered at the tavern as Mr. -Phil. Magrew of Hartford, and that good, innocent Sukey was George -Molesworth, while Terrence was Larry O'Connor, a name quite in keeping -with his nationality. A ludicrous mistake, which came near being fatal -to Fernando's respectability at Mariana, resulted from this incident.</p> - -<p>They had been a week at the tavern, and Fernando, who had lived a -thousand years of alternating bliss and agony in that short period, was -sitting in the bar-room in front of a great roaring fire, which the -chill evening of early autumn made comfortable, utterly oblivious of the -grumbling of the landlord, who was saying:</p> - -<p>"When people stay a whole week 'thout any luggage, it be high time they -pay up. I wonder Mr. Magrew don't take notice on't."</p> - -<p>The supposed Mr. Magrew, however, did not hear what he said. He was -gazing into the blazing fire, weaving bright pictures from which the -eyes of Morgianna seemed gazing at him. Fernando had forgotten the -academy, home, parents and all in this new inspiration. Terrence and -Sukey entered while the landlord was still grumbling and looking hard at -Fernando, who was utterly oblivious of his wrath.</p> - -<p>"Mister Magrew, be ye a man o' honor?" demanded mine host; but "Mr. -Magrew" was as indifferent as a statue of stone. "The wagabond sits -there an' hears himself abused an' be too heedless to answer. By the -mass, I will even tweak his nose! Magrew--Magrew--I'll wake you!"</p> - -<p>All the while Terrence, Sukey, and everybody else was wondering whom the -enraged landlord meant. Suddenly Terrence recollected that he had -registered Fernando under the name of Philip Magrew. He hastened to meet -the landlord before he reached Fernando, and thus prevented a collision, -which would have been violent indeed.</p> - -<p>"Me frind, the honorable Misthur Magrew, is hard o' hearing," explained -the Irishman in an undertone.</p> - -<p>"Be hard o' hearin'? then he be hard o' payin' too," answered the -landlord. "He 'ave been a whole veek in my 'ouse and not one pickyunne -'ave paid."</p> - -<p>"Lave all to me," said the Irishman in his conciliatory manner, gently -leading the landlord to another part of the room. "Ye see me frind, -knowing his infirmity, asked mesilf to pay all bills for Misthur Magrew, -and he gave me the money, I clear forgot it, or I should have paid you."</p> - -<p>Then Terrence drew forth a well-filled purse, which greatly mollified -the landlord, and when all differences were squared, he was completely -satisfied, smiling and agreeable.</p> - -<p>Thus Fernando passed over a dangerous period in his life and never knew -how near he came having his nose pulled; nor did the landlord ever know -how near he came to being knocked down for such an attempt.</p> - -<p>Morgianna had spoken on one occasion of the beauty of moonlight on the -seashore, and Fernando was bold enough to ask the pleasure of rowing -herself and father to the headlands some evening. She assented. The old -sailor had a friend visiting at his house, an old ex-sea-captain like -himself, and the four decided to make the voyage across the little bay -and sit for an hour on the rocky promontory and listen to the "dashing -waves." Fernando willingly welcomed the acquaintance as a fourth to the -party, for he was shrewd enough to see that the old sailors would be so -wholly engrossed with each other, that they would scarcely notice the -young people, and Morgianna and he would be left quite to themselves.</p> - -<p>Fernando, though an amateur at the oar, would on no account be dissuaded -from rowing the small boat to the promontory; and, having helped -Morgianna, who was lightest, into a seat in the bow (inexpressible -happiness) he cheerfully took his seat at the oars with the old men in -the stern facing each other. Then the little craft was cast loose, and -the young westerner bent to his oars and sent the boat swiftly through -the water. Of course Fernando's back was toward Morgianna, and he could -not see her, save when he twisted his head "quite off," which he did -frequently; but he could hear her silvery voice humming snatches of a -song, or her dimpled hand playing in the phosphorescent water which -sparkled like flashes of fire in their wake. The old men kept up a -continual talk, for which Fernando was exceedingly grateful. Finally the -promontory was gained, and in a quiet little cove Fernando beached his -boat and, springing out, took the small, white hand of Morgianna and -assisted her to the dry sands, so gallantly that her dainty little -slippered foot did not touch the water.</p> - -<p>Then the whole party ascended the hill to the opposite side of the -promontory where the sea was beating furiously. Fernando was almost -beside himself with joy to find Morgianna clinging to his arm in the -ascent, and to hear her sweet voice in low, gentle tones breathing in -his ear. It was a fine, clear night, and for all her lowness of spirits, -Morgianna kept looking up at the stars in a manner so bewitching that -Fernando was clear out of his senses, and plainly showed that, if ever a -man were over head and ears in love, that man was himself. The path they -were ascending was quite steep, and Fernando could not help glancing at -the pretty little hand, encased in a cream-colored kid glove, resting on -his arm. If Fernando had known that an executioner were behind him with -an axe raised, ready to cut off his head if he touched that hand, he -could not have helped doing it. From putting his own right hand upon it -as if by chance, and taking it away again after a minute or so, and then -putting it back again, he got to walking along without taking it off at -all, as if he, the escort, were bound to do that as an important duty, -and had come for that purpose. The most curious thing about this little -incident was, that Morgianna did not seem to know it. She looked so -innocent and unconscious when she turned her eyes on Fernando, that it -was quite provoking.</p> - -<p>She talked about the sea, the hills, the rocks, the sky, the stars, -while the old men went on ahead, and when she slipped on the verge of a -precipice three feet high and came near falling into a pool of dirty -water, and he saved her from the fall by his coolness and daring, she -thanked him and told him how grateful she was that he was near, and he -said something about how happy he would be to be always near her, to -guard her footsteps along life's rugged pathway. Then she said something -to the effect that it would be pleasant if one could always have one's -friends near, and that she hoped they would always be friends from that -time forth. And when Fernando said, "not friends" he hoped, Morgianna -was quite surprised and said not enemies she hoped; and when Fernando -suggested that they might be something better than either, Morgianna, -all of a sudden, found a star, which was brighter than all the other -stars, and begged to call his attention to the same, and was ten times -more innocent and unconscious than ever.</p> - -<p>In this way, they journeyed up the steep ascent, talking very little -above a whisper, and wishing that the promontory was a dozen times -higher--at least, such was Fernando's wish--when they finally reached -the top and saw the two old men under the lee cliff listening to the -ocean's hollow roar.</p> - -<p>Fernando carried a robe and some wraps for Morgianna, and he conducted -her to a sheltered spot below the first ledge of rocks, where he spread -a robe for her to sit on, and then, with loving fingers that thrilled -with each touch, adjusted the wraps about her shapely little shoulders. -For a long time they sat listening to the wild roar of the angry waters -below, gazing on the phosphorescent flashes, where the swelling waves -broke in crested splendor on the well-worn rocks.</p> - -<p>He was first to break the silence.</p> - -<p>"Miss Lane," he said, "had I known that Lieutenant Matson was your -personal friend, I would have suffered disgrace rather than -encountered him."</p> - -<p>With a smile, she answered:</p> - -<p>"It all turned out right. The lieutenant was scarcely injured at all."</p> - -<p>"Have you heard of him?"</p> - -<p>"I have heard from him," she answered, glancing slyly at Fernando from -the corners of her roguish eyes. "He wrote me a letter which I -received to-day."</p> - -<p>Fernando felt a pain at his heart, but it was nothing to compare with -the shame and mortification which followed. She informed him that -Lieutenant Matson was so slightly wounded, that his seconds decided on a -second fire, and sent a boat to inform them as they had left the beach, -but that, although they chased the Americans for miles, they could not -bring them back. Fernando was stunned by the information, and filled -with mortification and chagrin.</p> - -<p>"Do you think I am afraid to meet him again?" he asked, his voice -trembling with ill-suppressed excitement.</p> - -<p>"I don't know; but you won't, anyway--you are both my friends, and my -friends shall not fight."</p> - -<p>Fernando made no answer, but at that moment he would very much have -liked to knock her friend on the head. Of course a second meeting with -the Briton would now have been highly pleasing to the student; but it -was out of the question. The hour on the promontory was passed in -alternating bliss and misery, and when the time came to return, he was -no nearer the subject dearest of all subjects than before.</p> - -<p>He hastened back to the tavern, where he found his Irish friend playing -cards with the landlord and winning several weeks' board in advance.</p> - -<p>"Terrence, it is a fine fix you got me in by hurrying away from the -sands so soon that morning," he said angrily, when he got him to -his room.</p> - -<p>"Why, me boy, what d'ye mane?"</p> - -<p>"That lieutenant was only slightly wounded, and that boat was chasing us -to bring us back for another shot."</p> - -<p>"So ye've heard it at last, me frind?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly I have, and now I will be branded as a coward."</p> - -<p>"Lave it all to me. The Britishers are in trouble enough. Sure, haven't -ye read the Baltimore papers? Captain Conkerall is to be tried by a -court-martial for gettin' bastely drunk and goin' abroad with no garment -but his shirt, and a sheet with a hole in it." Terrence laughed until -the tears trickled down his cheeks. Fernando could not see how he could -help fighting the lieutenant again if he demanded satisfaction; but the -Irishman was quite sure the lieutenant would have enough to do to keep -his captain out of his dilemma. Sukey, who had entered during their -conversation, said:</p> - -<p>"Oh, Fernando, why didn't you aim higher and blow his head off?"</p> - -<p>"Why did the lieutenant challenge me, when the captain was the injured -party?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>Terrence explained that, while the Captain was really the injured party, -it was a matter of courtesy that his officer lower in rank should take -the quarrel upon himself, more especially as Fernando had been his -successful rival at the ball. From this, the conversation gradually led -to Morgianna herself, and Terrence laughed and winked; and called -Fernando a lucky dog.</p> - -<p>"Go in, me boy, and if ye nade any help, I am at hand."</p> - -<p>"I fear I have injured my prospects there," said Fernando.</p> - -<p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"By the duel. Lieutenant Matson is an old friend of the captain, and I -believe a suitor for the hand of his daughter. What show has a schoolboy -against a lieutenant in the English navy?--none."</p> - -<p>"Yes he has," declared Terrence.</p> - -<p>"What show can he have?"</p> - -<p>"Lave it all to me, me frind, and I will bring ye out all right, see if -I don't."</p> - -<p>"I have left too many things to you, Terrence, and you have a most -remarkable faculty for getting me into trouble."</p> - -<p>Terrence assured him that he would yet aid him to outgeneral the -Englishman, and he only wished that he might come into port during -their stay.</p> - -<p>"Terrence, you must take no advantage of the public hatred of the -English to accomplish your purpose. Remember, Lieutenant Matson is the -son of Captain Lane's friend. You might raise a mob and have him driven -away; but I will not consent to it."</p> - -<p>"Indade, I don't mane it, me boy. Lave it to me. If he comes ashore, -faith, we'll out-gineral him, sure."</p> - -<p>Next day there came letters for the runaways. Terrence's father, being -wealthy and influential, had gone to Baltimore, interceded with the -faculty and had the runaway scapegraces retained. There were also -letters from the parents of the young men, condemning, but at the time -forgiving and warning them to be more careful in the future.</p> - -<p>It was some distance by the road to Baltimore, and the boys decided to -take passage in a coasting schooner which was loading with barley and -would be ready to go in three days.</p> - -<p>One morning, two days before their intended departure, Fernando, on -going out upon the street, was surprised and really alarmed to see an -English man-of-war anchored in the little harbor of Marianna. His -uneasiness was greatly increased on reading the name <i>Xenophon</i> on the -broad pennant floating from the main mast. His enemy was in port, and he -could guess his object, especially when he saw Captain Lane's carriage -waiting on the sands while Lieutenant Matson was being rowed ashore. -Fernando gnashed his teeth and there were some ugly thoughts in -his heart.</p> - -<p>Sukey who had come out hastened to his side and reading his thoughts -said:</p> - -<p>"Now don't you wish you had aimed higher?"</p> - -<p>The citizens, noticing the approach of an English war vessel, began to -congregate in a large body on the north side of the village, and their -demonstrations were decidedly hostile to the landing of the Briton. -Suddenly Captain Lane appeared among them, waving his staff and -shouting. Having gained their attention, the old sea-captain mounted the -stile near the village store and said:</p> - -<p>"Shipmates and friends, the man coming ashore is the son of a man whom I -loved. I have sent my carriage down to bring him to my house where he is -to be my guest. You have all heard me tell how his father saved my life. -Would you injure him now, when he comes to pay me a friendly visit?" In -a short time the crowd dispersed, and Lieutenant Matson landed, entered -the carriage and was driven to the house of Captain Lane.</p> - -<p>From the street, Fernando, with bitter feelings in his heart, saw the -carriage ascend the hill. He turned about and entered the tavern, went -to his room and shut himself up. Here he remained until the middle of -the afternoon, when there came a knock at the door, and, on opening it, -he was astonished to find one of the negroes of Captain Lane's house. He -was dressed in livery and held a note in his hand, which he gave to -"Mistah Stevens," bowed politely and awaited his answer.</p> - -<p>The utter amazement of Fernando can better be imagined than described -at finding the note from Miss Morgianna Lane inviting himself and his -friends to tea that evening with themselves, Lieutenant Matson and -ensign Post of his majesty's ship <i>Xenophon</i>. Had Fernando been summoned -to a command in his majesty's navy, he could not have been more -astonished. He hesitated a moment and then decided to accept. This -Englishman should neither out-do him in generosity nor affrontery. -Besides, the invitation came from Morgianna, and he could not refuse. He -wrote a polite answer, accepting the kind invitation and went to find -Sukey and Terrence. Sukey thought it would be a little odd for Fernando -to meet a man with whom he had exchanged shots; but Terrence declared it -was the only "dacint" thing to do. They were not "haythin," to -bear grudges.</p> - -<p>Consequently they went. The minds of the Americans were filled with -doubt and perplexity, while the Irishman was chuckling at a plan his -cunning brain was evolving, and which he determined to put in execution. -The Englishmen met the Americans very cordially, and Lieutenant Matson, -who was every inch a gentleman, did not dare be other than genteel in -the presence of the lady he loved; for he was as passionately in love -with Morgianna as was Fernando. The lieutenant was of a romantic turn of -mind, and the mystery of the sea waif had interested him. He was quite -sure she was the daughter of some nobleman. He had read in romances so -many cases similar to hers, that he could not believe this would turn -out otherwise.</p> - -<p>When Fernando and the lieutenant had shaken hands and mutually agreed to -bury all past differences, had they not been rivals they might have -become friends, for each recognized in the other some qualities that -were admirable.</p> - -<p>The beauty of a lovely woman is like music, rich in cadence and sweet in -rhythm; but that beauty must be for one alone. It cannot, like music, be -shared with others. The best of friends may, as rivals, become the -bitterest foes. Fernando did not like the Englishman, for, with all his -blandness, he thought he could observe a pompous air and -self-consciousness of superiority, disgusting to sensible persons. This -might have been prejudice or the result of imagination, yet he realized -that he was in the presence of an ambitious rival, who would go to any -length to gain his purpose.</p> - -<p>The most careful and disinterested observer could not have discovered -any preference on the part of Morgianna. When they came to the table, -she had the lieutenant on one side and Fernando on the other. The old -captain at the head engrossed much of Lieutenant Matson's time talking -about his father, greatly to the annoyance of the officer. When Matson -came to take his seat at the table, Terrence, who sat on the opposite -side of the lieutenant, whispered:</p> - -<p>"Aisy!"</p> - -<p>The lieutenant bit his lips and his face flushed angrily, while Sukey, -who sat on the opposite side of the Irishman, snickered, and Morgianna -bit her pretty lip most cruelly in trying to conceal the merriment which -her roguish eyes expressed.</p> - -<p>This was the only break made by the Irishman that evening. He played his -part with consummate grace and had such a way of winning the favor of -people, that, before the evening was over, the Englishman actually came -to like him. He praised the country about Mariana, and talked of the -harbors and islands, declaring he knew them all from Duck Island to the -Chesapeake. He found Lieutenant Matson somewhat of a sport, and soon -interested him in stories of duck shooting, all of which were inventions -of his own ingenious brain. Miss Morgianna praised the wild ducks of -Maryland and thought their flesh equal to English Capons. The -lieutenant, in his gallantry, vowed she should have half a dozen brace -of fowls before he left, and Terrence volunteered to assist him.</p> - -<p>Fernando was amazed at the course of his friend. The man-of-war was to -sail the same day their schooner did, and he had just determined, by the -aid of Terrence, to bag five dozen brace of ducks for the belle of -Mariana, when his friend went boldly over to the enemy.</p> - -<p>"I'll give it to him, when I get a chance," he thought.</p> - -<p>There was only one more night in which they could shoot ducks, and -Terrence was engaged for that occasion. Fernando sighed and ground his -teeth in rage and disappointment, while Morgianna, with Sukey on one -side and Ensign Post on the other, went to a large Broadwood piano, -where she soon entertained all with her music.</p> - -<p>As they went to their tavern that night, Fernando said:</p> - -<p>"A nice way you have treated me, Terrence, you who profess to be my -friend."</p> - -<p>"What the divil ails the boy?" asked Terrence.</p> - -<p>"You have volunteered to aid the lieutenant go ducking--"</p> - -<p>"Aisy me boy! While the lieutenant is after ducks, lose no time with the -girl. Don't ye see I'm getting him out of yer way?"</p> - -<p>Fernando had not thought of it in that light. On the next evening, the -last they were to spend at Mariana, the lieutenant was rowed ashore -attired for sporting, with top-boots and a double-barrelled fowling -piece. Terrence, who claimed to be an experienced hunter, advised him to -"kape their intintions sacrit," as too many might want to go, and that -would spoil the sport. Ducks could best be hunted after night. He would -show him how it was done.</p> - -<p>It was almost dark, when they set off in a small rowboat for Duck -Island, and twenty minutes later Fernando was on his way to his farewell -visit to Morgianna.</p> - -<p>The sun had set, but it was not yet dark when Fernando reached the broad -piazza. He asked himself if she would be at home or away. He had said -nothing of his coming. This visit was wholly on his own account. He had -walked up and down the piazza two or three times, when through the open -door he caught the flutter of a garment on the stairway. It was -Morgianna's--to whom else could it belong? No dress but hers had such a -flow as that. He gathered up courage and followed it into the hallway.</p> - -<p>His darkening the door, into which the sombre shadows of twilight were -already creeping, caused her to look around. "Oh that face! If it hadn't -been for that," thought Fernando, "I could never have faced the Briton. -She is twenty times handsomer than ever. She might marry a Lord!"</p> - -<p>He didn't say this. He only thought it--perhaps looked it also. -Morgianna was glad to see him and was <i>so</i> sorry her father was away -from home. Fernando begged she would not worry herself on any account.</p> - -<p>Morgianna hesitated to lead the way into the parlor, for there it was -nearly dark. At the same time she hesitated to stand talking in the -hall, which was tolerably light from the open door. They still stood in -the hall in an embarrassing position, Fernando holding her hand in his -(which he had no right to do, for Morgianna had only given it to him to -shake), and yet both hesitated to go or stay anywhere.</p> - -<p>"I have come," said Fernando, "to say good-bye--to say good-bye, for I -don't know how many years; perhaps forever. I am going away."</p> - -<p>Now this was exactly what he should not have said. Here he was, talking -like a gentleman at large, who was free to come and go and roam about -the world at his pleasure, when he had expressed both in actions and -words that Miss Lane held him in adamantine chains.</p> - -<p>Morgianna released her hand and said:</p> - -<p>"Indeed!"</p> - -<p>She remarked in the same breath that it was a fine night and, in short, -betrayed not the least emotion. With despair still settling over his -heart, Fernando said:</p> - -<p>"I couldn't go without coming to see you. I hadn't the heart to."</p> - -<p>Morgianna was more sorry than she could tell that he had taken the -trouble. It was a long walk up the hill, and as he was to sail next day, -he must have a deal to do; as if she did not know that he had not -brought even a trunk with him. Then she wanted to know how Mr. Winners -was and Mr. Malone. She thought the Irishman a capital good fellow, and -was sure no one could help liking him.</p> - -<p>"Is this all you have to say?" Fernando asked.</p> - -<p>All! Good gracious, what did the man expect? She was obliged to take her -apron in her hand and run her eyes along the hem from corner to corner, -to keep herself from laughing in his face;--not because his gaze -confused her--not at all.</p> - -<p>This was Fernando's first experience in love affairs, and he had no idea -how different young ladies are at different times. He had expected a far -different scene from the one which was being enacted. All day long he -had buoyed himself up with an indistinct idea that she would certainly -say, "Don't go," or "Don't leave us," or "Why do you go?" or "Why do you -leave us?" or would give him some little encouragement of that sort. He -had even entertained the possibility of her bursting into tears, of her -throwing herself into his arms, or falling down in a fainting fit, -without previous word or sign; but any approach to such a line of -conduct as this was evidently so far from her thoughts, that he could -only look at her in silent wonder. The hated English rival had won her -heart, and she was even glad he was going; yet it was so hard to -give her up.</p> - -<p>Morgianna, in the meanwhile, turned to the corners of her apron and -measured the sides, and smoothed out the wrinkles, and was as silent as -he. At last, after a long pause, he said good-bye.</p> - -<p>"Good-bye," answered Morgianna with as pleasant a smile as if he were -only going for a row on the water and would return after supper; -"good-bye."</p> - -<p>"Come," said Fernando, putting out his hands, "Morgianna, dear -Morgianna, let us not part like this. I love you dearly, with all my -heart and soul, with as much sincerity and truth as man ever loved -woman. I am only a poor student; but in this new world every thing is -possible. You have it in your power to make me a grand and noble man, or -crush from this heart every ambitious hope. You are wealthy, beautiful, -admired, loved by everybody and happy;--may you ever be so! Heaven -forbid I should ever make you otherwise; but give me one word of -comfort. Say something kind to me. I have no right to expect it of you, -I know; but I ask it because I love you, and I shall treasure the -slightest word from you all through my life. Morgianna, dearest, have -you nothing to say to me?"</p> - -<p>No, nothing. Morgianna was a coquette by nature, and a spoilt child. She -had no notion of being carried off by storm in this way. Fernando had no -business to be going away. Besides, if he really loved her, why did he -not fall on his knees like lovers in romance or on the stage, and tug -wildly at his cravat, or talk in a wild, poetic manner?</p> - -<p>"I have said good-bye twice," said Morgianna. "Take your arm away, or I -will call some one."</p> - -<p>"I will not reproach you," Fernando sadly answered. "It's no doubt my -fault," he added with a sigh. "I have thought sometimes that you did not -quite despise me; but I was a fool to do so. Every one must, who has -seen the life I have led of late--you most of all, for it was he at -whose life I aimed. God bless you!"</p> - -<p>He was gone, actually gone. She waited a little while, thinking he would -return, peeped out of the door, looked down the broad carriage drive as -well as the increasing darkness would allow, saw a hastily retreating -shadow melt into the general gloom, came in again, waited a little -longer, then went up to her room, bolted herself in, threw herself on -her bed and cried as if her heart would break.</p> - -<hr style="width: 25%;"> - -<p>Meanwhile, Terrence Malone and the lieutenant, Fernando's rival, were -rowing toward Duck Island fire or six miles away. The island was -reached. It was a dismal affair little more than an elevated marsh. When -the tide was out on Duck Island, its extended dreariness was potent. Its -spongy, low-lying surface, sluggish, inky pools and tortuous sloughs, -twisting their slimy way, eel-like, toward the open bay were all hard -facts. Occasionally, here and there, could be seen a few green tussocks, -with their scant blades, their amphibious flavor and unpleasant -dampness. And if you chose to indulge your fancy, although the flat -monotony of Duck Island was not inspiring, the wavy line of scattered -drift gave an unpleasant consciousness of the spent waters and made the -certainty of the returning tide a gloomy reflection, which sunshine -could not wholly dissipate. The greener salt meadows seemed oppressed -with this idea and made no positive attempt at vegetation. In the low -bushes, one might fancy there was one sacred spot not wholly spoiled by -the injudicious use of too much sea water.</p> - -<p>The vocal expressions of Duck Island were in keeping with its general -appearance, melancholy and depressing. The sepulchral boom of the -bittern, the shriek of the curlew, the scream of the passing brent, the -wrangling of quarrelsome teal, the sharp, querulous protest of the -startled crane, were all beyond powers of written expression. The aspect -of these mournful fowls was not at all cheerful or inspiring, as the -boat containing the Irishman and lieutenant approached the island. -Through the gathering gloom of night could be seen a tall blue heron, -standing midleg deep in water, obviously catching cold in his reckless -disregard for wet feet and consequences. The mournful curlew, the -dejected plover and the low-spirited snipe, who sought to join him in -his suicidal contemplations, the raven, soaring through the air on -restless wings, croaking his melancholy complaints were not calculated -to add to the cheerfulness of the scene.</p> - -<p>[ILLUSTRATION: He sat down on a broken mast.]</p> - -<p>It was evident that even the inhabitants of Duck Island were not happy -in its possession and looked forward with pleasure to the season of -migration.</p> - -<p>The boat touched the north shore, and Lieutenant Matson jumped out in -mud up to his knees, frightening some wild fowls which flew screaming -away. The Englishman gave vent to some strong language, and desired to -know if there was not a better landing place. Terrence assured him there -was not, and complained that ducks never sought a "dacint place" for -their habitation. Nothing but the glorious reflection that he was making -himself a martyr for Morgianna's sake could have induced the officer to -take the torches and wade to the low bushes, where he was instructed to -make a light and wait until his companion rowed around the island and -drove the ducks in great flocks to the light, which he assured the -Briton would attract them, and they would fall at his feet as if begging -to be bagged.</p> - -<p>Slowly the officer waded through the dismal marsh to the higher land, -where grew the low bushes, and by the use of his tinder box kindled a -light and, wrapping his boat cloak about him, sat down on a broken mast, -which some storm had driven to the highest part of the island.</p> - -<p>The minutes passed on, and neither the Irishman nor the expected flock -of birds came. Minutes grew into hours, and only the sobbing waves and -melancholy cries of birds broke the silence. Surely something had -happened to his companion. About midnight a dense fog settled over the -island, and the alarm and discomfiture of the Englishman became -supreme. At one moment he was cursing Terrence, and the next offering -prayer for his soul. Never did man pass a more dreary night.</p> - -<p>At last dawn came, and he could see, far across the water, his ship but -a speck in the distance. It was to sail that forenoon, and he intended -to call on Morgianna and propose; but here he was on this infernal -island, hungry, damp and miserable. He knew the vessel would pass near -enough for him to hail it and have a boat sent for him; but then he -would miss his intended visit to Captain Lane's, and his future -happiness depended on that visit.</p> - -<p>While he was indulging in these bitter reflections, a schooner suddenly -flew past the island, and, to his amazement, he saw the Irish student, -Terrence Malone, whom he had been alternately praying for and cursing -all night, standing on the deck apparently in the best of health and -spirits. The scoundrel even had the audacity to wave him an adieu as -he passed.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X."></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> - -<p>THE SILENT GUNNER.</p> - -<p>Of course, Terrence Malone had played a practical joke on the English -lieutenant, and while the latter was passing the night on the gloomiest -island of all the Maryland coast, the former was sweetly dreaming of -dear old Ireland, in the most comfortable bed the tavern afforded. Next -morning the captain of the <i>Xenophon</i> sent ashore for Lieutenant Matson -to come aboard, as they were about to hoist anchor. Terrence, Fernando -and Sukey were just going aboard the schooner as the messenger came. -Fernando had passed the most miserable night of his existence, and now, -pale and melancholy, went aboard the schooner utterly unconscious of the -fact that some one was watching him through a glass from the big house -on the hill.</p> - -<p>Terrence was as jolly as usual and had almost forgotten the lieutenant. -Just as the schooner was about to sail, ensign Post came aboard and -asked for Mr. Malone. Terrence was sitting aft the main cabin smoking a -cigar, when the ensign, approaching, asked:</p> - -<p>"Where is Lieutenant Matson? I was told he went shooting with you last -evening."</p> - -<p>"Sure he did. You will find him on Duck Island enjoying the sport I've -no doubt. Faith, I had almost forgotten to tell ye to touch at the -island and take him off, as ye sailed out of the harbor."</p> - -<p>The ensign looked puzzled at this and said:</p> - -<p>"This is strange,--this is certainly very extraordinary! Would he stay -on the island all night?"</p> - -<p>Terrence assured him that the lieutenant was a great sport and that the -best shooting was just before day. The Englishman returned to his boat -and was rowed to the man-of-war to report, while the schooner weighed -anchor and sailed out of the harbor. The <i>Xenophon</i> followed two hours -later, having first sent a boat to Duck Island for the lieutenant, who -swore to shoot the Irishman at sight. There was no time for him to call -on Morgianna and explain why he had not brought her the ducks, for soon -after his arrival the ship departed for Halifax, where the commander had -to give an account of his conduct at Baltimore.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the schooner on which the three students had taken passage -stood out to sea and started down the coast.</p> - -<p>A strong breeze blowing from off land swept her out of sight of the -coast, when the wind suddenly shifted, until the skipper declared they -had it right in their teeth, and, despite all the skill of master and -crew, the vessel continued to drift farther out to sea, while Sukey once -more bewailed his fate at risking his life on the water.</p> - -<p>"Don't count me in this game again," he groaned. "If I live to get on -shore, I'll never risk myself on water broader than the Ohio."</p> - -<p>With such headwinds, the schooner could not possibly reach Baltimore -that night. All night long she struggled first on one tack and then on -the other, and at dawn only the blue mist, seen like a fog in the West, -marked the line of the Maryland coast.</p> - -<p>"Don't be discouraged, lads," said the skipper cheerfully. "Come down to -breakfast, and afore night I'll have ye snug in port."</p> - -<p>They went to breakfast, and when they returned found the master and -three seamen in the forecastle holding a very earnest conversation. The -fourth sailor was at the wheel. Fernando, glancing off to their larboard -saw a large ship, flying English colors, bearing down upon them, and he -had no doubt that this vessel was the subject of discussion.</p> - -<p>She signalled to the schooner to heave to, and as they were within range -of her powerful guns, the skipper was forced to obey. This vessel was -the English frigate <i>Macedonian</i> cruising along the American coast, and -at this time short of hands. In a few moments, the frigate came near and -hove to, while a boat with a dozen marines and an officer came alongside -the schooner.</p> - -<p>"What is your business?" asked the skipper.</p> - -<p>"We are looking for deserters and Englishmen."</p> - -<p>"Well, here are my crew," said the skipper pointing to his sailors. -"Every one I will swear is American born!"</p> - -<p>"But who are these young men?"</p> - -<p>"Three passengers I am taking to Baltimore."</p> - -<p>The three students began to entertain some grave apprehensions. Terrence -for once was quiet. His dialect he knew would betray him, and when he -was asked where he lived and where he was from, he tried hard to conceal -his brogue; but it was in vain.</p> - -<p>Sukey came forward and tried to explain matters, but only made them -worse. The result was that all three were in a short hour transported to -the <i>Macedonian</i> in irons. Protest was useless; the <i>Macedonian</i> was -short of hands and they were forced to go.</p> - -<p>They were not even permitted to write letters home. However, the skipper -had their names, and the whole affair was printed in the <i>Baltimore -Sun</i>, and copies were sent to the parents of the young men.</p> - -<p>Captain Snipes of the English frigate was one of those barbarous, -tyrannical sea captains, more brute than human, and, in an age when the -strict discipline of the navy permitted tyranny to exist, he became -a monster.</p> - -<p>The three recruits were added to his muster-roll and gradually initiated -into the mysteries of sailor's life on a war vessel.</p> - -<p>Poor Sukey for several days was fearfully seasick; but he recovered and -was assigned to his mess. Fortunately they were all three assigned to -the same mess. The common seamen of the <i>Macedonian</i> were divided into -thirty-seven messes, put down on the purser's book as Mess No. 1, Mess -No. 2, Mess No. 3. The members of each mess clubbed their rations of -provisions, and breakfasted, dined and supped together at allotted -intervals between the guns on the main deck.</p> - -<p>They found that living on board the <i>Macedonian</i> was like living in a -market, where one dresses on the door-step and sleeps in the cellar. -They could have no privacy, hardly a moment seclusion. In fact, it was -almost a physical impossibility ever to be alone. The three impressed -Americans dined at a vast <i>table d'hôte</i>, slept in commons and made -their toilet when and where they could. Their clothes were stowed in a -large canvas bag, painted black, which they could get out of the "rack" -only once in twenty-four hours, and then during a time of utmost -confusion, among three hundred and fifty other sailors, each diving into -his bag, in the midst of the twilight of the berth-deck.</p> - -<p>Terrence, in order to obviate in a measure this inconvenience, suggested -that they divide their wardrobes between their hammocks and their bags, -stowing their few frocks and trowsers in the former, so that they could -change at night when the hammocks were piped down. They knew not whither -they were bound, and they cared little about the object of the voyage.</p> - -<p>"How are we to get out of this any way?" asked Sukey one day, when the -three were together for a moment.</p> - -<p>"Lave it all to me!" said Terrence.</p> - -<p>"I am perfectly willing to leave it all to you, Terrence. Do just as you -will, so you get me on shore."</p> - -<p>Before they had been a month on the ship, they chased a French -merchantman for twenty-four hours, and at times were near enough to fire -a few shots with their long bow-chaser; but a fresh breeze sprang up, -quickly increased to a gale, and the Frenchman escaped.</p> - -<p>This was the nearest approach to a naval engagement they experienced -during their stay on the war frigate. They cruised along the coast of -Ireland and Scotland, went to Spain, entered the waters of the -Mediterranean for a few weeks, and then returned to the Atlantic, -sailing for the West Indies.</p> - -<p>Not only were the officers of the <i>Macedonian</i> brutal; but the crew was -made up of a motley class of human beings of every class of viciousness -and brutality.</p> - -<p>"Now boys, if ye want to kape out of trouble," said Terrence, "do'nt ye -get into any fights with thim divils, or ye'll be brought up to the -quarter-deck and flogged."</p> - -<p>His advice was appreciated, and both Fernando and Sukey did their best -to avoid trouble with any of their quarrelsome neighbors. They submitted -to insults innumerable; but at last Sukey was one morning assailed by a -brutal sailor whom he knocked down. Two other sailors were guilty of a -similar offence, and all four were put under arrest. Fernando was -shocked and alarmed for his friend, and hastened to ascertain the facts -concerning the charge.</p> - -<p>"I couldn't help it," declared Sukey, whom he found in irons. "Plague -take him! he hit me twice before I knocked him down. I didn't want to be -in the game."</p> - -<p>The culprits could expect nothing but a flogging at the captain's -pleasure. Toward evening of the next day, they were startled by the -dread summons of the boatswain and his mates at the principal -hatchway,--a summons that sent a shudder through every manly heart in -the frigate:</p> - -<p>"<i>All hands witness punishment, ahoy</i>!"</p> - -<p>The hoarseness of the cry, its unrelenting prolongation, it being caught -up at different points and sent to the lowest depths of the ship, -produced a most dismal effect upon every heart not calloused by long -familiarity with it. However much Fernando desired to absent himself -from the scene that ensued, behold it he must; or, at least, stand near -it he must; for the regulations compelled the attendance of the entire -ship's company, from the captain himself to the smallest boy who -struck the bell.</p> - -<p>At the summons, the crew crowded round the mainmast. Many, eager to -obtain a good place, got on the booms to overlook the scene. Some were -laughing and chatting, others canvassing the case of the culprits. Some -maintaining sad, anxious countenance, or carrying a suppressed -indignation in their eyes. A few purposely kept behind, to avoid looking -on. In short, among three or four hundred men, there was every possible -shade of character. All the officers, midshipmen included, stood -together in a group on the starboard side of the mainmast. The first -lieutenant was a little in advance, and the surgeon, whose special duty -it was to be present at such times, stood close at his side. Presently -the captain came forward from his cabin and took his place in the centre -of the group, with a small paper in his hand. That paper was the daily -report of offenses, regularly laid upon his table every morning -or evening.</p> - -<p>"Master-at-arms, bring up the prisoners," he said. A few moments -elapsed, during which the captain, now clothed in his most dreadful -attributes, fixed his eyes severely upon the crew, when suddenly a lane -formed through the crowd of seamen, and the prisoners advanced--the -master-at-arms, rattan in hand, on one side, and an armed marine on the -other,--and took up their stations at the mast.</p> - -<p>"You, John, you, Richard, (Richard was Sukey) you Mark, you Antone," -said the captain, "were yesterday found fighting on the gun-deck. Have -you any thing to say?"</p> - -<p>Mark and Antone, two steady, middle-aged men, who had been admired for -their sobriety, replied that they did not strike the first blow; they -had submitted to much before they yielded to their passions; but as they -acknowledged that they had at last defended themselves their excuse was -overruled. John--a brutal bully, who in fact was the real author of the -disturbance was about entering into a long harangue, when the captain -cut him short, and made him confess, irrespective of circumstances, that -he had been in the fray. Poor Sukey, the youngest and handsomest of the -four, was pale and tremulous. He had already won the good will and -esteem of many in the ship. That morning Fernando and Terrence had gone -to his bag, taken out his best clothes and, obtaining the permission of -the marine sentry at the "brig," had handed them to him, to be put on -before he was summoned to the mast. This was done to propitiate Captain -Snipes, who liked to see a tidy sailor; but it was all in vain. To all -the young American's supplications, Captain Snipes turned a deaf ear. -Sukey declared he had been struck twice before he had returned a blow.</p> - -<p>"No matter," cried the captain, angrily, "you struck at last, instead of -reporting the case to an officer. I allow no man to fight on this ship -but myself. I do the fighting. Now, men," he added fixing his dark stern -eye on them, "you all admit the charge; you know the penalty. Strip! -Quartermaster, are the gratings rigged?"</p> - -<p>The gratings were square frames of barred woodwork, sometimes placed -over the hatches. One of these squares was now laid on the deck, close -to the ship's bulwarks, and while the remaining preparations were being -made, the master-at-arms assisted the prisoners to remove their jackets -and shirts. This done, their shirts were loosely thrown over their -shoulders as a partial protection from the keen breeze, until their turn -should come.</p> - -<p>At a sign from the captain, John, with a shameless leer, stepped forward -and stood passively on the grating, while the bareheaded old -quarter-master, with his gray hair streaming in the wind, bound his feet -to the cross-bars and, stretching out his arms over his head, secured -them to the hammock netting above. He then retreated a little space, -standing silent. Meanwhile, the boatswain stood solemnly on the other -side with a green bag in his hand. From this he took four instruments of -punishment and gave one to each of his mates; for a fresh "cat," applied -by a fresh hand, was the ceremonious privilege accorded to every -man-of-war culprit. Through all that terrible scene, Fernando Stevens -stood transfixed with horror, indignation and a thousand bitter, -indescribable feelings. At another sign from the captain, the -master-at-arms, stepping up, removed the shirt from the prisoner. At -this juncture, a wave broke against the ship's side and dashed the spray -over the man's exposed back; but, though the air was piercing cold, and -the water drenched him, John stood still without a shudder.</p> - -<p>Captain Snipes lifted his finger, and the first boatswain's-mate -advanced, combing out the nine tails of his "cat" with his fingers, and -then, sweeping them round his neck, brought them with the whole force of -his body upon the mark. Again, and again, and again; at every blow, -higher and higher and higher rose the long purple bars on the prisoner's -back; but he only bowed his head and stood still. A whispered murmur of -applause at their shipmate's nerve went round among the sailors. One -dozen blows were administered on his bare back, and then he was taken -down and went among his messmates, swearing:</p> - -<p>"It's nothing, after you get used to it."</p> - -<p>Antone, who was a Portuguese, was next, and he howled and swore at every -blow, though he had never been known to blaspheme before. Mark, the -third, was in the first stage of consumption and coughed and cringed -during the flogging. At about the sixth blow he bowed his head and -cried: "Oh! Jesus Christ!" but whether it was in blasphemy or -supplication no one could determine. He was taken with a fever a few -days later and died before the cruise was over, as much perhaps of -mortification as from the inroads of the disease.</p> - -<p>The, fourth was poor Sukey. When told to advance, he made one more -appeal to the captain, avowing that he was an American. The captain, -with an oath, said that was the more reason for flogging him. He -appealed until the marine guard was ordered to prod him with his -bayonet. They had to actually drag Sukey to the gratings. Sukey's cheek, -which was usually pale, was now whiter than a ghost. As he was being -secured to the gratings, and the shudderings and creepings of his -dazzling white back were revealed, he turned his tear-stained face to -the captain and implored him to spare him the disgrace, which he felt -far more keenly than the pain.</p> - -<p>"I would not forgive God Almighty!" cried the brutal captain. The fourth -boatswain's mate, with a fresh cat-o-nine-tails swung it about his head -and brought the terrible scourge hissing and crackling on the young and -tender back. Fernando turned his face away and wept.</p> - -<p>"<i>My God! oh! my God</i>!" shouted Sukey, and he writhed and leaped, until -he displaced the gratings, scattering the nine-tails of the scourge all -over his person. At the next blow, he howled, leaped and raged in -unendurable agony.</p> - -<p>"What the d---l are you stopping for?" cried the captain as the -boatswain's-mate halted. "Lay on!" and the whole dozen were applied, -though poor Sukey fainted at the tenth stroke.</p> - -<p>Reader, this was on an English war vessel,--the vessel of a nation -professing a high state of civilization. We blush to say it, it was no -better on an American man-of-war, if nautical writers of high authority -are to be believed, and, even to-day, the brute often holds a commission -in the American army and navy. Although flogging is of the past, -punishment equally severe is inflicted. The necessities of discipline -are taken advantage of by men without hearts. An American naval officer -in Washington City told the author that it was a common thing for -officers on an American man-of-war to swing the hammock of the sailor or -middy whom they disliked, where he would have all the damp and cold, -ending in consumption and death. If this be true, it is far more brutal -than flogging. Congressional investigations are usually farces. -Congressmen place their friends in the army and navy, and their -investigations usually result in the triumph of their friends.</p> - -<p>For several days, Sukey was too ill to leave his hammock. "I don't want -to get well," the poor boy said. "I want to die. I never want to see -home or mother again after that."</p> - -<p>"Faith, me lad, live but to kill the d---d captain," suggested Terrence.</p> - -<p>"I would live a thousand years to do that."</p> - -<p>There was a negro named Job on the vessel, who was a cook. He early -formed a liking for the three. He stole the choicest dainties from the -officers' table for the sick youth.</p> - -<p>"I ain't no Britisher," he declared. "Dar ain't no Angler Saxon blood -in dese veins, honey, an' I thank de good Lawd for dat. I know what it -am to be flogged. Golly, dey flog dis chile twice already. Nex' time, I -spect dat sumfin' am a-gwine to happen."</p> - -<p>"When and where were you impressed?" Fernando asked.</p> - -<p>"I war wid Cap'n Parson on de <i>Dover</i>, den de <i>Sea Wing</i> came, an' de -leftenant swear dis chile am a Britisher, and he tuk me away. Den me an' -Massa St. Mark, de gunner, were transferred to de <i>Macedonian</i>."</p> - -<p>Sukey was sullen and melancholy. A few days after he was on duty, he -breathed a threat against Captain Snipes. A tall, fine-looking sailor, -who was known as the chief gunner, said:</p> - -<p>"Young man, keep your thoughts to yourself. For heaven's sake, don't let -the officers hear them!"</p> - -<p>They were now in the vicinity of the West Indies and touched at -Barbadoes. While lying here, Fernando witnessed another act of British -cruelty. Tom Boseley, an American who had been impressed into the -service of Great Britain deserted, but was pursued and brought back. He -was flogged and, on being released struck the captain, knocking him -down. For this act, he was tried by a "drumhead court martial" and -sentenced to die. Tom had a wife and children in New York, but was not -permitted to write to them. Only one prayer was granted, and that was -that he might be shot instead of hung, and thrown into the sea.</p> - -<p>Fernando, almost at the risk of his own life, visited Boseley the night -before his execution. He seemed indifferent to his fate, declaring it -preferable to service on an English war ship. "I would rather die a free -man, than live a slave," he declared. Fernando asked if he would not -rather live for his family.</p> - -<p>"Oh! Stevens, say nothing about my family to-night!"</p> - -<p>He then requested him to take possession of some letters he would try to -write and, if possible, send them. Fernando said he would do so, and he -then asked him to remain with him through the night. This Fernando -declared was impossible. The young American was greatly weighed down by -the terrible mental strain the whole affair had produced, and he had -double duty to screen the unfortunate Sukey.</p> - -<p>"Won't you be with me when it is done?" Boseley asked. Money would not -have tempted him to witness that sight; but he could not refuse the -dying request. He visited him early next morning and found him dressed -in the best clothes his poor wardrobe could afford, a white shirt and -black cravat. He was a fine-looking man in features as well as stature. -As Fernando gazed on him he thought, "<i>Dressed for eternity</i>!"</p> - -<p>The doomed man gave him three letters, which Fernando secreted about his -person and subsequently sent to their destination. Twelve marines were -drawn as executioners. Four muskets were loaded with balls and eight -with blank cartridges. Then the party went ashore. Boseley bore up well -until the woods were reached, where he found an open grave. According to -promise, Fernando went with him. Captain Snipes accompanied the sergeant -of the marines to see that the prisoner was properly executed. He still -stung under the blow he had received, and Boseley was slain more to -gratify the vengeance of the captain than for any violated law. A number -of Boseley's shipmates were permitted to come and witness the -terrible scene.</p> - -<p>The captain said to Boseley:</p> - -<p>"What is your distance?"</p> - -<p>"Twelve steps."</p> - -<p>"Step off your ground," added the captain.</p> - -<p>"I cannot do it; you do it for me."</p> - -<p>"I will do it with you."</p> - -<p>The prisoner's hands were tied behind his back, and the captain, taking -his arm, walked him off twelve steps, as coolly as if they were only -pacing the quarter-deck. The captain then took a blanket, spread it on -the ground and told Boseley to kneel on it, and he did so, facing his -executioners. The ship's chaplain came and offered a prayer, after which -the sergeant asked Boseley if he wished to have his eyes bandaged.</p> - -<p>"No; I am not afraid to face my executioners," he answered. It was an -intensely solemn occasion, and among all those hardy, rough-mannered -sailors, there was not one, unless it was Captain Snipes, who was not -deeply affected. The captain's face was flushed, and his breath was -strong with brandy, and he seemed but little moved.</p> - -<p>"Go ahead, and have this done with," he said to the officer in charge of -the affair.</p> - -<p>"Are you quite ready now?" asked the sergeant.</p> - -<p>"Yes," was the answer in a faltering tone.</p> - -<p>"Make ready!" and the twelve glittering muskets were leveled at this -sacrifice to the wrath of Captain Snipes.</p> - -<p>"Take aim!" and the gunners steadied themselves for the fatal word, to -send a fellow being to eternity.</p> - -<p>"Fire!" and instantly flashed a volley, reverberating a wild and -unearthly death knell among the crags that looked down upon that awful -scene. In the clear morning air, the smoke of the guns curled up lazily -and hung like a funeral pall over the mangled, bleeding form. Four -bullets had pierced his body. He fell on his face and lay motionless for -a few seconds. Then he began to slowly raise his head. Fernando came -near and stood in front of him. Ten thousand years could not efface that -scene from his mind. He continued to raise his head and body without a -struggle. He looked the captain in the eye, and his mouth was in motion -as though he were trying to speak,--to utter some dying accusation. -Never did human eye behold a scene so pitiful as this dying man gazing -on his destroyer, gasping to implore or to denounce him. In an instant a -dimness came over his eyes, and he fell dead.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Heaven!" groaned Fernando, and he hurried away to the ship. For -weeks, he saw that awful face every time he closed his eyes to sleep.</p> - -<p>Two years on board the British frigate had made Fernando, Sukey and -Terrence tolerably fair sailors. Their hearts were never in the work, -and they often dreamed of escape from this life of slavery. Fernando, by -judicious attention to business, had never yet won the positive -displeasure of the officers. One day the boatswain's mates repeated the -commands at the hatchways:</p> - -<p>"All hands tack ship, ahoy!"</p> - -<p>It was just eight bells, noon, and, springing from his jacket, which he -had spread between the guns for a bed on the main deck, Fernando ran up -the ladders, and, as usual, seized hold of the main-brace which fifty -hands were streaming along forward. When "maintopsail haul!" was given -through the trumpet, he pulled at this brace with such heartiness and -good will, that he flattered himself he would gain the approval of the -grim captain himself; but something happened to be in the way aloft, -when the yards swung round, and a little confusion ensued. With anger on -his brow. Captain Snipes came forward to see what occasioned it. No one -to let go the weather-lift of the main-yard. The rope was cast off, -however, by a hand, and, the yards, unobstructed, came round. When the -last rope was coiled away, the captain asked the first lieutenant who it -might be that was stationed at the weather (then the starboard) -main-lift. With a vexed expression of countenance, the first lieutenant -sent a midshipman for the station bill, when, upon glancing it over, the -name of Fernando Stevens was found set down at the post in question. At -the time, Fernando was on the gundeck below, and did not know of these -proceedings; but a moment after, he heard the boatswain's-mates bawling -his name at all the hatchways and along all three decks. It was the -first time he had ever heard it sent through the furthest recesses of -the ship, and, well knowing what this generally betokened to other -seamen, his heart jumped to his throat, and he hurriedly asked Brown, -the boatswain's-mate at the fore-hatchway, what was wanted of him.</p> - -<p>"Captain wants ye at the mast," he answered. "Going to flog ye, I -fancy."</p> - -<p>"What for?"</p> - -<p>"My eyes! you've been chalking your face, hain't ye?"</p> - -<p>"What am I wanted for?" he repeated.</p> - -<p>But at that instant, his name was thundered forth by the other -boatswain's-mates, and Brown hurried him away, hinting that he would -soon find out what the captain wanted. Fernando swallowed down his heart -as he touched the spardeck, for a single instant balanced himself on his -best centre, and then, wholly ignorant of what was going to be alleged -against him, advanced to the dread tribunal of the frigate. The sight of -the quarter-master rigging his gratings, the boatswain with his -detestable green bag of scourges, the master-at-arms standing ready to -assist some one to take off his shirt was not calculated to allay his -apprehensions. With another desperate effort to swallow his whole soul, -he found himself face to face with Captain Snipes, whose flushed face -showed his ill humor. At his side was the first lieutenant, who, as -Fernando came aft, eyed him with some degree of conscientious vexation -at being compelled to make him the scapegoat of his own negligence.</p> - -<p>"Why were you not at your station, sir?" asked the captain.</p> - -<p>"What station do you mean, sir?" Fernando asked, forgetting the -accustomed formality of touching his hat, by way of salute, while -speaking with so punctilious an officer as Captain Snipes. This little -fact did not escape the captain's attention.</p> - -<p>"Your pretension to ignorance will not help you sir," the Captain -retorted.</p> - -<p>The first lieutenant now produced the station bill, and read the name of -Fernando Stevens in connection with the starboard main-lift.</p> - -<p>"Captain Snipes," said Fernando in a voice firm and terrible in its -sincerity, "it is the first time I knew I was assigned to that post."</p> - -<p>"How is this, Mr. Bacon?" the captain asked turning to the first -lieutenant with a fault-finding expression.</p> - -<p>"It is impossible, sir, that this man should not know his station," -replied, the lieutenant.</p> - -<p>"Captain Snipes, I will swear, I never knew it before this moment," -answered Fernando.</p> - -<p>With an oath, the captain cried:</p> - -<p>"Do you contradict my officer? I'll flog you, by--!"</p> - -<p>Fernando had been on board the frigate for more than two years and -remained unscourged. Though a slave in fact, he lived in hope of soon -being a free man. Now, after making himself a hermit in some things, -after enduring countless torments and insults without resentment, in -order to avoid the possibility of the scourge, here it was hanging over -him for a thing utterly unforeseen,--a crime of which he was wholly -innocent; but all that was naught. He saw that his case was hopeless; -his solemn disclaimer was thrown in his teeth, and the boatswain's-mate -stood curling his fingers through the "cat." There are times when wild -thoughts enter a man's heart, when he seems almost irresponsible for his -act and his deed. The captain stood on the weather side of the deck. -Sideways on an unoccupied line with him, was the opening of the -lee-gangway, where the side-ladders were suspended in port. Nothing but -a slight bit of sinnate-stuff served to rail in this opening, which was -cut down to a level with the captain's feet, showing the far sea beyond. -Fernando stood a little to windward of him, and, though Captain Snipes -was a large, powerful man, it was quite certain that a sudden rush -against him, along the slanting deck, would infallibly pitch him -headforemost into the ocean, though he who rushed must needs go over -with him. The young American's blood seemed clotting in his veins; he -felt icy cold at the tips of his fingers, and a dimness was before his -eyes; but through that dimness, the boatswain's-mate, scourge in hand, -loomed like a giant, and Captain Snipes and the blue sea, seen through -the opening at the gangway, showed with an awful vividness. He was never -able to analyze his heart, though it then stood still within him; but -the thing that swayed him to his purpose was not altogether the thought -that Captain Snipes was about to degrade him, and that he had taken an -oath within his soul that he should not. No; he felt his manhood so -bottomless within him, that no word, no blow, no scourge of Captain -Snipe's could cut deep enough for that. He but clung to an instinct in -him,--the instinct diffused through all animated nature, the same that -prompts the worm to turn under the heel. Locking souls with him, he -meant to drag Captain Snipes from this earthly tribunal of his, to that -of Jehovah, and let Him decide between them. No other way could he -escape the scourge.</p> - -<p>"To the gratings, sir!" cried Captain Snipes. "Do you hear?"</p> - -<p>Fernando's eye measured the distance between him and the sea, and he was -gathering himself together for the fatal spring--</p> - -<p>"Captain Snipes," said a voice advancing from the crowd. Every eye -turned to see who spoke. It was the remarkably handsome and gentlemanly -gunner, Hugh St. Mark, who was scarcely ever known to break the silence, -and all were amazed that he should do so now. "I know that man," said -St. Mark, touching his cap, and speaking in a mild, firm, but extremely -deferential manner, "and I know that he would not be found absent from -his station, if he knew where it was."</p> - -<p>This speech was almost unprecedented. Never before had a marine dared to -speak to the captain of a frigate in behalf of a seaman at the mast; but -there was something unostentatiously forcible and commanding in St. -Mark's manner. He had once saved the captain's life, when a French -boarder was about to slay him. Then the corporal, emboldened by St. -Mark's audacity, put in a good word. Terrence, who had been promoted to -a small office, poured forth a torrent of eloquence, and, almost before -he knew it, Fernando was free. As he was going to his quarters, his -brain in a whirl, he heard Job the cook say:</p> - -<p>"He ain't no Britisher! Dar ain't no more Angler Saxon blood in his -veins dan in dis chile!"</p> - -<p>An hour later, when he stood near a gun carriage, still dizzy from his -narrow escape from the double crime of murder and suicide, St. Mark -passed Fernando. He grasped the hand of the silent gunner, held it a -moment in his own and whispered: "Thank you!"</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI."></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> - -<p>SHIPWRECK--ESCAPE AND RETURN TO OHIO.</p> - -<p>Ship's rules, stringent as they were on the war frigate, and officers -severe as were those of the <i>Macedonian</i> could not wholly curb the -rollicking spirit of Terrence. His exuberance of spirits constantly got -the better of any good intentions he might have formed. Any wholesome -dread he may have entertained of that famous feline of nine tails, known -to sailors of that day, was overcome by his love of pranks.</p> - -<p>What guardian spirit protects the bold and mischievous has never yet -been discovered; but it is a well authenticated fact that wild, harum -scarum fellows like Terrence Malone seldom come to grief or disaster.</p> - -<p>He was always the innocent lamb of the ship, whom no one would suspect -of mischief. The chaplain of the ship was not more grave and -sanctimonious than he. If the hammock netting were left so as to trip up -the dignified captain and throw him on the deck in a very undignified -manner, no one could possibly have suspected that the harmless Terrence -had any thing to do with it.</p> - -<p>The quarter-master was one day snoring in his hammock. Terrence, who -was on duty scrubbing the gun deck, had a large tub filled with water, -which was unconsciously left just under the head of the hammock of the -quarter-master. No one could tell how it happened; but the supports were -all cut save two or three, which the swaying of the hammock gradually -loosened until, just as the officer went to "change sides," down he came -with a frightful splash head first into the tub.</p> - -<p>Terrence, who was near, ran to his rescue and quickly pulled him out.</p> - -<p>"It's bastely carelessness to lave the water there," cried Terrence. -"Faith, I hope the captain will give the shpalpeen two dozen as did it."</p> - -<p>"Who cut my hammock down?" roared the quarter-master.</p> - -<p>"Cut yer hammock, indade?"</p> - -<p>The quarter-master was in a rage and swore like a trooper. Wiping the -water from his face, he roared:</p> - -<p>"Yes, cut down my hammock! Don't you see the netting has been cut?"</p> - -<p>"The truth ye tell, quarter-master; some haythin has surely been -cutting yer netting. Now who could have done that? I hope the culprit -may be found, that's all."</p> - -<p>And the face of the quarter-master himself did not evince more savage -fury than the Irishman. He was the first to report it to the lieutenant, -and in his zeal actually burst in on the captain himself and told of the -disaster, volunteering his services to hunt down the culprit.</p> - -<p>"Find him!" thundered the captain, his face white with rage. "Find him, -and, by the trident of Neptune, I swear I'll see his backbone!"</p> - -<p>No one in the whole ship was as zealous as the Irishman in searching for -the culprit; but he took care never to find him.</p> - -<p>Captains of men-of-war are fond of delicacies, and the captain had a -fine fat pig, which he intended for a special feast to be given for his -officers. Terrence, through his zeal, became such a favorite, that he -was even permitted to superintend the cooking.</p> - -<p>The quarter-master's favorite dog, which was as fat as the pig, suddenly -disappeared the day before the feast, and Terrence had a search -instituted for him without avail, and gave it out as his opinion that -the dog had fallen overboard. On the same day the officers feasted on -roast pig, Terrence's mess had roast pig. The officers declared that -their roast pig was very tender, but that the flavor was strong and -peculiar! The ship's surgeon afterward said he never saw the bones of a -pig so resemble the bones of a dog. There had been but one pig aboard, -and had it been known that Terrence dined on roast pig also, there might -have been some grave suspicions.</p> - -<p>Shortly after this event, there were some changes in the British navy. -Captain Snipes was supplanted in command of the <i>Macedonian</i> by Captain -Carden. Fernando, Terrence and the negro were shortly after transferred -to the war-sloop <i>Sea Shell</i>, Captain Bones, while poor Sukey was still -left aboard the <i>Macedonian</i>. Shortly after these changes Captain Snipes -and Mr. Hugh St. Mark, the silent gunner, were transferred to the -man-of-war <i>Xenophon</i>. Thus we see, by those interminable and -inexplicable changes constantly going on in the royal navy the friends -were separated. There may be some reason for those constant changes in -the navy; but they are not apparent to the sagest landsman living.</p> - -<p>Captain Conkerall had made himself so ridiculous in Baltimore, that he -had been forced to quit the service in order to escape he ridicule of -his fellow officers. This left Lieutenant Matson in command of the -<i>Xenophon</i> until Captain Snipes was assigned to that duty.</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens felt some regrets in leaving the <i>Macedonian</i>. One's -very sufferings may endear them to a place. But Fernando's chief regret -was in leaving the friend of his childhood. Sukey and he shed manly -tears as each saw the face of his friend fade from view.</p> - -<p>Terrence soon ingratiated himself into the favor of Captain Bones, who -had a weakness for punch and whist. Terrence knew how to brew the punch -to the taste of the captain, and could play whist so artistically, that -the captain could, by the hardest sort of playing, just win.</p> - -<p>Terrence boasted of excellent family connection, and gave as his reason -for his not having a mid-shipman's commission, that his father objected -to the sea, and he had been impressed instead of entering the navy of -his own accord. Bones was not as punctilious as most captains, -especially when Terrence could brew such excellent punch, and Terrence -soon became a favorite and came and went at pleasure in the captain's -cabin. When the captain imbibed quite freely, he often hinted at a -promotion for Terrence.</p> - -<p>Fernando paid little attention to the course of the vessel. He had been -in nearly all the parts of the world, and seldom asked which continent -they were on, or in what waters they sailed. He was sober, silent and -melancholy.</p> - -<p>One bright August day in 1811, they were off some coast, he knew not -what. All day the weather had been glorious. Toward sunset, the clouds -began to gather in heavy masses to the southeast, and a little later a -heavy breeze sprang up from that direction. As darkness came on, the -wind increased, blowing a strong gale, and it blew all night. As morning -dawned a dense fog settled down over the vessel and completely obscured -everything. Soundings were taken; but the captain, who had yielded to -the seductive punch of Terrence Malone, could not determine where they -were. When daylight came the sea had changed color, which proved that -they were in shallow water. On heaving the lead it was ascertained that -they were only in twelve fathoms water.</p> - -<p>"Wear ship!" shouted Captain Bones in a tone of thunder. The vessel was -then under such small sail that she had not headway enough to stay her. -As she answered to her helm and payed off, bringing the wind aft, high -land was seen astern. Suddenly the fog lifted. At the same instant, the -wind changed to the southwest, blowing harder. A cloud of canvas flew -into the air, and, looking up, Fernando saw it was the jib. The vessel -lost what little headway she had and drifted heavily to leeward. As the -fog cleared toward the land, they looked early in that direction and to -their dismay and horror, they saw heavy breakers beating so close to -them, that there was no room to wear the ship round. The captain at once -gave orders to clear away the anchors. A seaman went forward with an axe -to cut the lashings of the one on the port side. As soon as the cable -had been cut, the starboard anchor was sent adrift and thirty fathoms of -cable ran out. The order was given to "hold on," and as it was obeyed -the port cable broke. The sloop immediately swung around, bringing all -her weight on the starboard cable, which, being unable to stand the -strain, parted, and then they were left entirely to the mercy of the -wind and sea.</p> - -<p>The suspense was short. A tremendous sea came rolling toward the sloop, -struck it with terrific force, lifted it high on its crest and carried -it forward toward the breakers. In another instant the vessel was driven -with a crash on the sandy bottom. At the same moment down came the -foremast, taking with it the jib-boom and bowsprit, all disappearing -into the sea. Wave after wave washed over them in quick succession. The -mainmast was split, and the noise made by it, as it was beaten about by -the gale was deafening. All the poor wretches on board the <i>Sea Shell</i> -could do was to hold on for dear life.</p> - -<p>The captain ordered their only life-boat lowered, and, turning to the -crew, he shouted, for the roaring of the wind was terrible, that he with -twelve men would set out for shore, and after landing eight with himself -and officers, would send the boat back for others. The captain had no -notion that so excellent a punch brewer as Terrence should be lost, and -insisted that he go with the first boatload. The others had no -alternative. They were compelled to submit. The captain, his -lieutenants, Terrence and a dozen sailors sprang over the side, took -their places and pushed off. As the little craft rose and fell in that -frightful sea, it seemed doubtful if they would reach the shore.</p> - -<p>Dumb with terror, Fernando had watched the whole proceeding. He could -only hold on to a sail and, by the sheer strength of his hands and arms, -save himself from being carried overboard, as sea after sea swept over -them. He strained his eyes until it seemed as though they would burst, -to follow the movements of that boat on which their lives depended. It -seemed but a mere speck on the waves. Suddenly it rose to a surprising -height, and then disappeared altogether. The next moment he saw the men -struggling in the water. The boat was broken into pieces and the -fragments were brought out to them. Every man for himself was now the -cry throughout the ship. How far they were from the shore no one could -tell. They had to take their chances. Although a strong swimmer, -Fernando knew that in such a tremendous sea he would be powerless. There -was, however, but the one thing to do.</p> - -<p>Raising his hands before him and pressing them firmly together, -Fernando drew a long breath, then sprang from the sloop's rail into the -water beneath. When he rose to the surface he tried to swim. It was -impossible, as he had foreseen. He was like a child in the grasp of a -monster. The waves tossed him up like a plaything and carried him on ---he could not tell how far or where. Suddenly a great black object -loomed up before him. It was a part of the wreckage. He tried to ward it -off; but he might as well have tried to ward off the sloop itself, for -the sea lifted him up and dashed him onward, and the great mass struck -him a heavy blow over the eye--a flash of lightning gleamed, then all -was darkness and a blank.</p> - -<p>How long after he could not tell, a strange sensation came creeping -slowly over him. A low murmur of voices reached his ears. He was -bewildered and benumbed; but soon the truth began to dawn, and he knew -that, wherever he might be, he was not dead. Powerless to move, he -opened his eyes and fastened them on the objects about him. He now -discovered that he was lying on a bed of straw in a large barn. How he -could have gotten there was yet a mystery. To his great delight, he -recognized the face of Terrence Malone bending over him.</p> - -<p>"Well, me boy, ye're not dead yet, are ye?" "Where are we, Terrence?" he -faintly inquired.</p> - -<p>"Whist, me lad, an' I'll tell ye!" said Terrence, in an undertone. -Terrence first looked round to assure himself that there was no one -within hearing and then said, "Safe on mother earth, me lad, and, what's -best of all, American soil!" American soil!--the very announcement sent -a thrill of hope and joy through his heart. Terrence then informed him -that they had been wrecked on the coast of Maine, that most of the crew -were saved, and the captain intended to march, as soon as the men were -able, over the line into Canada. Terrence assured Fernando that, so far -as he was concerned, he had no intention of leaving America; but the -matter had to be handled carefully. They were on a thinly populated -coast and Captain Bones had enough English marines to enforce his -authority.</p> - -<p>"Then how can we escape?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>"Lave it all to me!" said the Irishman. As Fernando was incapable of -doing anything himself, he very naturally left it all to his Irish -friend. "Now I want ye to be too sick to travel for a week. By that -time, I'll have the captain all right and snug enough."</p> - -<p>Though badly bruised and stunned, Fernando had no bones broken. At any -time within three days after the shipwreck he could have left the barn, -but, following the advice of Terrence, he assumed a stupid state and -refused to talk with any of the officers who called to see him. -Terrence became nurse to the invalid as well as the brewer of punch for -the captain. Only one other person was taken into the secret plans of -the Irishman, that was the negro Job.</p> - -<p>Job was delighted.</p> - -<p>"Gwine ter run away!" he chuckled, "yah, yah, yah, dat am glorious! I -tell yer, dis chile ain't no Britisher. I tole yer dar ain't no Angler -Saxun blood in dese veins."</p> - -<p>Job was installed assistant nurse over Fernando, and when the captain -asked the negro about him, the black face became sober, and Job shook -his woolly head, saying:</p> - -<p>"Dun no, massa, spect he am gwine ter die. He am awful bad."</p> - -<p>Captain Bones gave utterance to a burst of profanity and seriously hoped -the wounded sailor would either get well or die, and be very quick about -it. Fernando heard him as he lay in the barn loft and could not refrain -from chuckling.</p> - -<p>"We've got to move soon," growled the captain. "No ship will ever put -into this port for us. We must march to Halifax."</p> - -<p>"Golly! guess dis chile see himself marchin' ter Halifax," the negro -murmured, when the captain had left the barn.</p> - -<p>Captain Bones was quartered at the best fisherman's cabin in the -neighborhood. It was not much of a shelter, but it was the best he could -find. Captain Bones was provoked at the delay in Fernando's recovery. He -knew he was an impressed American, and if he left him, he would be lost -to the service, and yet he dared not much longer delay going to Halifax.</p> - -<p>He was bargaining with a coasting schooner to take himself and crew to -Halifax, when one evening Terrence came to him with a very serious face, -as if the fortunes of Great Britain were in peril.</p> - -<p>"Captain, it's bad news I have for ye," said Terrence. "The brandy is -all gone, and divil a bit o' whiskey can be had for love or money." This -was alarming to Captain Bones; but Terrence suggested that three miles -away lived a farmer Condit, whose cellar abounded with kegs of apple -jack and cider. Condit was a rabid republican and would not give a -Briton a drop if he were dying for it; but, if the captain would be -taken into his confidence, he had a little scheme to propose which had a -trifle of risk in it, just enough to give spice to it.</p> - -<p>His plan was nothing more than to dress in citizen's clothes, enter the -cellar after night and carry away some, if not all, of the kegs of -apple jack.</p> - -<p>Captain Bones, who enjoyed a frolic, thought the plan an excellent one.</p> - -<p>But he begged to allow the first lieutenant to become a party to the -frolic. This was just as Terrence wished, for he had intended to suggest -the first lieutenant himself. It was agreed that on Saturday night next, -the three, dressed in citizen's clothes, were to go to the home of the -farmer, enter his cellar and secure enough apple jack and hard cider to -alleviate the thirst of Captain Bones, during his stay in the -neighborhood.</p> - -<p>Farmer Condit, the day before the intended burglary, received a very -mysterious letter in a very mysterious manner. It read as follows:</p> - -<p>"Farmer Condit: Saturday night your house is to be robbed. I am one of a -band of robbers who are to rob you. I was forced to join them or be -killed, and will have to go with them that night. Have a few constables -ready to seize them. They will not fight; but let the man in tall, -peaked, brown hat, white trousers and gray coat escape, for that is me. -If you could let me escape and seize the others, you would set at -liberty a poor fellow creature, who warns you at the risk of his life.</p> - - Your friend."<br> - -<p>On the night in question, Terrence wore a tall, peaked brown hat, with -black band. He also wore white trousers and a gray coat. The three set -off in a cart which Terrence hired to bring back the treasure. It was -dark before they commenced their journey, for the officers did not want -the men to know of the affair.</p> - -<p>They reached the farm house of Mr. Condit and prepared to enter it and -begin operations. The cart and mule were left under some trees. It was -now ten o'clock, and the house was quite dark. Slowly they crept up to -it, Terrence asking himself if the farmer had heeded his warning. Like -many farm-house cellars, there was a trap door opening on the outside. -To this cellar door they made their way. Terrence, who was accustomed to -such affairs, had provided himself with a lantern, which he was to light -when they entered the cellar.</p> - -<p>They descended the steps and had scarcely reached the floor, when -footsteps were heard descending a flight of steps from the inside of -the house.</p> - -<p>"Hide behind the barrels and boxes, ivery mother's son of ye!" whispered -the Irishman. The officers were concealing themselves, when suddenly the -door opened and a portly elderly gentleman in his shirt sleeves, knee -breeches and slippers, carrying a lighted candle in one hand and a -pistol in the other descended. He saw Captain Bones and his lieutenant -trying to hide behind a barrel. The captain, in his excitement, had -drawn a pistol and was cocking it. Terrence at this moment escaped.</p> - -<p>With a yell, the old gentleman dropped the candle, which lay on the -floor, the thin blaze ascending upward and dimly lighting the scene. At -his yell, there suddenly rushed into the cellar half a dozen stout men, -armed with guns and pistols, and the supposed burglars were arrested. -Next morning, Captain Bones and his chief officer were snugly reposing -in the county jail, while Terrence, Fernando and Job set out across the -country for Augusta. From this point they took passage in a swift -coaster for New York. At New York they separated, Terrence going to -Philadelphia, Job to Baltimore, and Fernando to his home in Ohio.</p> - -<p>His journey was long and tedious. At the close of a hot day in autumn, -1811, the old stage coach came in sight of the dear old home. The past -four years seemed like a terrible dream. The old familiar spot, where -every tree and flower was endeared by sacred remembrances, was never -half so precious as now. His gray-haired father and sorrowful mother, -who had long given him up for dead, wept over him and thanked God that -he had returned to again bless their home. Friends, relatives and -neighbors, hearing of the sudden return of Fernando, all gathered on -that evening, and the youth told the sad story of his impressment and -slavery. He told all save his love affair. That secret was too sacred. -When he had finished, good old Mrs. Winners was weeping bitterly, and -there was scarce a dry eye in the house; for all remembered that poor -Sukey was still a slave to the rapacity and cruelty of an -ambitious monarch.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII."></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> - -<p>WAR.</p> - -<p>The story of the impressment, service and sufferings of Fernando Stevens -and his friends are no exaggerations. Well authenticated history shows -that there were thousands of cases similar, and even worse than theirs. -The conduct of England was without precedent and unbearable. Their great -need of men might have been some excuse for impressment of Americans; -but there was a spice of hatred in their cruel treatment of the -unfortunate sailors.</p> - -<p>We read much about the rulers moulding the destiny of the people; but in -our republic the people mould the destiny of the rulers. Long before the -president had dared express a thought of war, there were staid old -western farmers, level-headed old fellows, who declared that war was -inevitable. America is not a country to be ruled by one man. The people -rule it, and every man thinks for himself, so that out of the conflict -of opinions the truth is usually reached. Before even the fiery congress -of 1812 had taken up the subject of hostilities, the legislatures of -the several States, urged by their farmer constituency, had by -concurrent resolutions declared in favor of war; but the timid -president, influenced by his own convictions and the opinions of his -cabinet, still hesitated. Finally a committee of Democrats waited on Mr. -Madison and told him plainly, in substance, that the supporters of his -administration had determined upon war with England, that the patience -of the people had become exhausted at his delay, and that unless a -declaration of war should soon be made, his renomination and re-election -would probably not be accomplished. The president consented to yield his -own convictions to the will of his political friends. Thus we see that -President Madison was not moved through patriotic motives to declare war -against Great Britain, but from personal ambition. Patriotic motives -follow personal convictions, be they right or wrong.</p> - -<p>On the first of April, 1812, he sent a confidential message to congress, -proposing, as a measure preliminary to a declaration of war, the passage -of a law laying an embargo upon all commerce with the United States for -the space of sixty days. This was done on the fourth of April, and on -the eighth, Louisiana was admitted into the Union as a State.</p> - -<p>At the end of the sixty days embargo, Madison sent a message to congress -in which he reviewed the difficulties with Great Britain, portrayed the -aggressions of that power, and intimated the necessity of war for the -maintenance of the honor and dignity of the republic. The message was -referred to the committee on foreign relations, when a majority of -them--John C. Calhoun of South Carolinia, Felix Grundy of Tennessee, -John Smillie of Pennsylvania, John A. Harper of New Hampshire, Joseph -Desha of Kentucky and Seaver of Massachusetts reported, June 3, a -manifesto as the basis of a declaration of war. On the next day, a bill -to that effect, drawn by Attorney-General Pinckney in the following form -was adopted and presented by Mr. Calhoun:</p> - -<p>"That war be, and the same is hereby, declared to exist between the -United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies -thereof, and the United States of America and their Territories, and -that the president of the United States is hereby authorized to use the -whole land and naval force of the United States to carry the same into -effect, and to issue to private armed vessels of the United States -commissions, or letters of marque and general reprisal, in such form as -he shall think proper, and under the seal of the United States, against -the vessels, goods and effects of the government of the said United -Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the subjects thereof."</p> - -<p>Pending these proceedings, congress sat with closed doors. The bill -passed the house of representatives by a vote of 75 to 49, and the -senate by 19 to 13. The president's immediate signature made it a law; -and two days later, June 19, 1812, Mr. Madison issued a proclamation, in -which he formally declared war against the offending government -and people.</p> - -<p>Thus began the second war with Great Britain, generally known in the -annals of history as the War of 1812, though it was in reality the -second war for independence. It was the war which established -independence beyond the cavil of a doubt and sustained the honor of -the nation.</p> - -<p>Immediate measures were taken by congress to sustain the declaration of -war. The president was authorized to enlist 25,000 men for the regular -army, accept 50,000 volunteers and call out 100,000 militia for the -defence of the seacoast. About $3,000,000 were appropriated for -the navy.</p> - -<p>There were very few men in the United States trained in the art of war -at this time. West Point was in its infancy, having been authorized only -ten years before, and as yet had not been able to accomplish anything. -The older officers of the Revolution were already in their graves, and -the younger ones were far advanced in life; yet to the latter alone, the -government felt compelled to look for its military leaders. Henry -Dearborn, a meritorious New Hampshire colonel in the continental army, -was commissioned major-general and commander-in-chief. His principal -brigadiers were James Wilkinson, who was on the staff of General Gates -in the capture of Burgoyne, Wade Hampton, who had done good partisan -service with Marion, Sumter, and others in South Carolinia, William -Hull, who had served as colonel in the old war for independence, and -Joseph Bloomfield, who had been a captain in the New Jersey line.</p> - -<p>At that time, Hull was a governor of the territory of Michigan. -Satisfied that the American navy could not cope with that of Great -Britain, the Americans based their hopes for success largely upon the -supposed dissatisfaction of the inhabitants of Canada and other British -colonial possessions on their border. It was believed that the Canadians -would flock to the American standard as soon as it was raised on their -soil. The American people have always clung to the belief that Canadians -were not loyal to Great Britain. It was the mistake of 1775, it was the -mistake of 1812, and strange to say Americans still hug the delusion to -their breasts that Canada favors annexation. They have reason for their -belief only in the doctrine that such an annexation would be in the -interests of Canada, disregarding the stubborn fact that in political -matters, prejudices, rather than interests, control.</p> - -<p>Canada was then divided into the Upper and Lower Provinces, the former -extending westward from Montreal, along the shores of the St. Lawrence -and Lake Ontario, to Lake Huron and the Detroit River. It included about -one hundred thousand inhabitants, who were principally the families of -American loyalists, who had been compelled to abandon their homes in the -States at the close of the war of the Revolution, and had since lived -under the fostering care of the British government. They were loyal to -Great Britain from lingering resentment to the Americans, and because of -the kindness of the English government.</p> - -<p>In 1812, George, Prince of Wales, was really the monarch of Great -Britain, for the court physicians had pronounced his father, George -III., hopelessly insane. Great Britain was waging a tremendous war -against Napoleon, having just formed an alliance with Russia against the -ambitious Corsican. England's naval armament on the American stations, -Halifax, Newfoundland, Jamaica and the Leeward Islands, then consisted -of five ships-of-the-line, nineteen frigates, forty-one brigs and -sixteen schooners and some armed vessels on Lakes Ontario and Erie, with -several others building. The British land forces in the two Canadian -provinces were about seven thousand five hundred, while the number of -Canadian militia did not exceed forty thousand with a frontier of seven -hundred miles to guard.</p> - -<p>The governor of Michigan went to Washington City in the winter of 1812 -and heard the question of the invasion of western Canada discussed. He -informed the president that the success of such an enterprise depended -on having armed vessels on Lake Erie, with a competent force in the -northwest to protect the American frontier against the Indians. In the -spring, Governor Meigs of Ohio summoned the militia of that State to -rendezvous at Dayton, to meet the impending danger. Hull accepted the -commission of brigadier, and late in May arrived at Dayton, Ohio, and -took command of the troops at that place. Hull had under him such noted -officers as Colonels Duncan McArthur, James Findlay and Lewis Cass. With -these forces, he marched to Detroit, through an almost trackless -wilderness. While on the march with about two thousand men, Hull was -informed of the declaration of war, which news at the same time reached -the British posts in Canada, and his little army was in imminent peril. -The government gave Hull discretionary power for invading Canada.</p> - -<p>General Sir Isaac Brock, Lieutenant Governor of upper Canada, was in -command of the British forces. On July 12, 1812, Hull crossed the -Detroit River with his whole force and encamped at some unfinished works -at Sandwich, preparatory to an attack on Fort Malden near the present -Amherstburg. From this point, Hull issued a proclamation, promising -protection to the inhabitants who would remain at home and death to all -who should side with the Indians, then gathering under Tecumseh at -Malden. General Proctor was sent to take command at Fort Malden, while -Brock began to assemble a force about him at Fort George. Here he was -joined by John Brant, son of the great Mohawk chief with one hundred -warriors from Grand River.</p> - -<p>By his extreme caution and delay, Hull lost his opportunity to capture -Fort Malden, which was soon strongly reinforced by British and Indians. -Meanwhile, information reached Hull of the fall of the fort on Mackinaw. -He also learned that Fort Dearborn at Chicago was invested, while a -detachment under Major Van Horne, sent down to the West side of the -Detroit River to escort a supply train from Ohio, was attacked by the -British and Indians, and after a sharp fight defeated. Hull decided to -retreat to Detroit. The order was a surprise and disappointment to the -army, and drew from some of the young officers very harsh remarks -concerning the imbecility and even treachery of General Hull. Sullenly -the army crossed the river, and on the morning of the 8th of August -encamped under the shelter of Fort Detroit. On the same day Colonel -Miller and several hundred men were sent to accomplish what Van Horne -had failed to do. They met and defeated the Indians under Tecumseh and a -small British force near the scene of Van Horne's disaster, and were -about to press forward to meet the supply party and escort them to camp, -when the commander-in-chief recalled them.</p> - -<p>On the 13th of August, Gen. Brock, a brave, energetic officer reached -Malden with reinforcements. Aware of the character of Hull, he prepared -for the conquest of Detroit. On the 14th, he planted batteries at -Sandwich, opposite the fortress of Detroit and demanded its surrender, -stating that otherwise he should be unable to restrain the fury of the -savages. Instigated by his officers, Hull answered this by a spirited -refusal and a declaration that the fort and town would be defended to -the last extremity. The British commenced a cannonade, and Hull was -greatly distressed at the number of women and children in the fort, -exposed to the fire of the enemy. The more charitably inclined historian -interprets his acts as the result of tender regard for the helpless and -innocent, rather than cowardice, especially as his daughter and her -little children came near being slain by a ricocheting cannon-ball, -which almost annihilated a group of officers in front of the door of the -house in which the mother and her children were. The firing continued -until next day. The alarm and consternation of General Hull had now -become extreme. On the 12th, the field officers, suspecting that the -general intended to surrender the fort, had determined on his arrest. -This was probably prevented, in consequence of Col. McArthur and Cass, -two very active and spirited officers, being detached, on the 13th, with -four hundred men, on a third expedition to the river Raisin.</p> - -<p>Early on the morning of the 16th, the British landed at Springwell, -three miles below the town, without opposition, and marched up in solid -column toward the fort along the river bank. The troops were strongly -posted, and cannon loaded with grape stood on a commanding eminence -ready to sweep the advancing columns. The troops, anticipating a -brilliant victory, waited in eager expectation the advance of the -British. What was their disappointment and mortification at the very -moment, when it was thought the British were advancing to certain -destruction, orders were given for them to retire within the fort, and -for the artillery not to fire. Then, the men were ordered to stack their -arms, and, to the astonishment of all, a white flag was suspended from -the walls, and Hull, panic stricken, surrendered the fortress without -even stipulating the terms. The surrender included, beside the troops at -Detroit, the detachments under Cass and McArthur, and the party under -Captain Brush at the river Raisin. No provision was made for the -unfortunate Canadians who had joined General Hull, and several of them -were hung as traitors.</p> - -<p>The disgraceful surrender of Detroit, excited universal indignation -throughout the country. When McArthur's sword was demanded, he -indignantly broke it, tore the epaulettes from his shoulders and threw -himself upon the ground. When General Hull was exchanged, he was tried -by a court-martial, found guilty of cowardice and sentenced to be shot; -but, in consequence of his revolutionary services and his advanced age, -the president pardoned him. His fair fame, however, has ever since been -blasted with the breath of cowardice.</p> - -<p>While General Hull was in Canada, he dispatched Winnemeg, a friendly -Indian, to Captain Heald, the commander of Fort Dearborn, at the small -trading post of Chicago, with the information of the loss of Mackinaw, -and directed him to distribute his stores among the Indians, and return -to Fort Wayne. Captain Heald had ample means of defence; but the order -received on the 9th of August left nothing to his discretion. The -Pottawatomies, however, having obtained intelligence of the war from a -runner sent by Tecumseh, collected, to the number of several hundred, -around the fort. Notwithstanding the evident hostile demonstration of -the Indians, Captain Heald proceeded to obey his superior's orders. He -distributed his stores among the Indians, excepting what was most -wanted; while liquors and ammunition which they could not take, were -thrown into the lake. This act enraged the Pottawatomies. On the 14th, -Captain Wells arrived with fifteen friendly Miamies from Fort Wayne. -This intrepid warrior, who had been bred among the Indians, hearing that -his friends at Chicago were in danger, had hastened thither to avert the -fate, which he knew must ensue to the little garrison, if they evacuated -the fort; but he was too late; the ammunition and provisions both being -gone, there was no alternative. The next day (August 15th), all being -ready, the garrison left the fort with martial music and in -military array.</p> - -<p>Captain Wells, at the head of the Miamies, led the van, his face -blackened after the manner of the Indians.</p> - -<p>The garrison, with loaded arms, followed, and the wagons with the -baggage, the women and children, the sick and the lame closed the rear. -The Pottawatomies, about five hundred in number, who had promised to -escort them in safety to Fort Wayne, leaving a little space, afterward -followed. The party in advance took the beach road. They had no sooner -arrived at the sand-hills, which separated the prairie from the beach, -about a half mile from the fort, when the Pottawatomies, instead of -continuing in the rear of the Americans, left the beach and took to the -prairie. The sand-hills intervened and presented a barrier between the -Pottawatomies and the American and Miami line of march. This divergence -had scarcely been effected, when Captain Wells, who, with the Miamies, -was considerably in advance, rode back and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"They are about to attack us; form instantly and charge upon them."</p> - -<p>The words had scarcely been uttered, before a volley of musketry from -behind the sand-hills was poured in upon them. The troops were brought -immediately into line and charged up the bank. One man, a veteran of -seventy, fell as they ascended. The battle at once became general. The -Miamies fled in the outset.</p> - -<p>The American troops behaved gallantly. Though few in number, they sold -their lives as dearly as possible. While the battle was raging, the -surgeon, Doctor Voorhes, who was badly wounded, and whose horse had been -shot under him, approaching Mrs. Helm, the wife of Lieutenant Helm, -with his face the picture of dread and despair, asked:</p> - -<p>"Do you think they will take our lives? I am badly wounded, but I think -not mortally. Perhaps we can purchase safety by offering a large reward. -Do you think there is any chance?"</p> - -<p>"Doctor Voorhes," the brave little woman answered, "let us not waste the -few moments which yet remain, in idle or ill-founded hopes. Our fate is -inevitable. We must soon appear at the bar of God. Let us make such -preparations as are in our power."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I cannot die! I am unfit to die! If I had a short time to -prepare!--oh, death, how awful!"</p> - -<p>At this moment, Ensign Ronan was fighting at a little distance with a -tall and portly Indian. The former, mortally wounded, was nearly down -and struggling desperately on one knee. Mrs. Helm, pointing her finger -and directing the attention of the doctor to him, cried:</p> - -<p>"Look at that young man; he dies like a soldier!"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the doctor, "but he has no terrors of the future; he is an -unbeliever."</p> - -<p>A young savage sprang at Mrs. Helm, whose horse had been shot, and -raised his tomahawk to strike her. She instantly sprang aside, and the -blow intended for her head, fell upon her shoulders. She thereupon -seized him around his neck, and, while exerting all her efforts to get -possession of his scalping knife, was seized by another Indian and -dragged forcibly from his grasp. The latter bore her, struggling and -resisting, toward the lake. Notwithstanding, however, the rapidity with -which she was hurried along, she recognized, as she passed, the form of -the unfortunate doctor stretched lifeless on the prairie. She was -plunged into the water and held there, despite her resistance, with a -strong hand. It soon became evident, however, that it was not the -intention of her captor to drown her, as he took care to keep her head -above the water. Thus reassured, she gave him a careful look and -recognized him, despite his disguise, as "Black Partridge, the white -man's friend." It was this friendly savage who had warned Captain Heald -to beware of the march. Through the interpreter he said:</p> - -<p>"Linden birds have been singing in my ears to-day; be careful on the -march you are going to take."</p> - -<p>The troops, having fought with desperation until two-thirds of their -number were slain, the remainder, twenty-seven in all, borne down by an -overwhelming force, and exhausted by efforts hitherto unequaled, at -length surrendered. They stipulated, however, for their own safety and -for the safety of their remaining women and children. The wounded -prisoners, however, in the hurry of the moment were forgotten, and were, -therefore, regarded by the Indians as having been excluded.</p> - -<p>[ILLUSTRATION: IT SOON BECAME EVIDENT THAT HE DID NOT INTEND TO DROWN -HER.]</p> - -<p>One of the soldiers' wives, having been told that prisoners taken by the -Indians were put to terrible tortures, resolved from the first not to -surrender. When a party of savages approached her, she fought with -desperation, although assured of kind treatment, and, exciting the anger -of the Indians, was killed and left on the field. After the surrender, -twelve children in one of the baggage wagons were slain by a -single savage.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Rebecca Heald, the young captain's wife, like Mrs. Helm was mounted -on a horse. She carried a rifle with which she shot a savage dead. -During the massacre, an Indian, with the fury of a demon in his -countenance, advanced to her with his tomahawk raised. She had been -accustomed to danger and, knowing the temper of the Indians, with great -presence of mind, looked him in the face and, smiling, said:</p> - -<p>"Truly, you will not kill a squaw?"</p> - -<p>His arm fell powerless at his side. The conciliating smile of an -innocent female, appealing to the magnanimity of a warrior, reached the -heart of the savage and subdued the barbarity of his soul.</p> - -<p>Captain Heald and his wife, by the aid and influence of To-pa-na-hee -and Kee-po-tah, were put into a bark canoe and paddled by the chief of -the Pottawatomies and his wife to Mackinaw, three hundred miles distant, -along the eastern coast of Lake Michigan, and delivered to the British -commander. They were kindly received and afterward sent as prisoners to -Detroit, where they were finally exchanged.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Helm was wounded in the action and taken prisoner. He was -afterward taken by some friendly Indians to Au Sable, and from thence -to St. Louis, and was liberated from captivity through the intervention -of Mr. Thomas Forsyth, an Indian trader. Mrs. Helm was slightly wounded -in the ankle, and had her horse shot from under her, when assailed by -the savage from whom Black Partridge rescued her. After passing through -many trying scenes and ordeals, she was finally taken to Detroit and -subsequently joined her husband. The soldiers, with their wives and -children, were dispersed among the Pottawatomies on the Illinois, the -Wabash and the Rock Rivers, and some were taken to Milwaukee. In the -following spring, they were principally collected at Detroit and -ransomed. A part of them, however, remained in captivity another year, -and during that period experienced more kindness than they or their -friends had expected.</p> - -<p>Captain Wells, the intrepid leader of the Miamies, remained with the -Americans after his warriors fled and fell in the massacre. On the spot -where this massacre occurred a little over two generations ago, now -stands a city, whose growth is one of the marvels in the history of the -progress of our great nation within the present century. It is the -centre of a railway system connecting the East with the West by fully -twelve thousand miles of railroad, all tributary to Chicago; and that -city, which was only the germ of a small village fifty years ago, now -has more than a million inhabitants, and is the great grain market of -the western continent.</p> - -<p>On the bloody sands where Captain Heald's small command fought so nobly -is now (1893) being held a great international exposition, the "World's -Columbian Exposition" in celebration of the discovery of the New World -by Columbus.</p> - -<p>Thus far, the war with England had not been encouraging to Americans. -Within two months from the time of this declaration, the whole -northwest, excepting Forts Harrison and Wayne in the Indian Territory, -were in possession of the enemy. Alarm and astonishment prevailed -throughout the West. The great mass of Indians, ever ready to join the -successful party, were flocking to the British; but by the spirited -exertion of the governors of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, three thousand -volunteers were quickly raised and placed under command of General W.H. -Harrison, for the purpose of subduing the Indians and regaining what was -lost at Detroit.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII."></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> - -<p>THE PEACE PARTY.</p> - -<p>Terrence Malone, with all his frivolity and tendency toward -ludicrousness, had a remarkable amount of shrewdness in his composition. -He was a bold, harum scarum fellow, as liable to pull the beard of a -king, as to kick a pauper. Though he had fared well for an impressed -seaman, Terrence had no love for Great Britain. Like others of his race, -he made a noble American. One can scarcely find, a more patriotic -American than the Irish American, who, driven by tyranny from the land -of his birth, transfers his love to the land of his adoption. America -has never had a war in which the brave sons of the Emerald Isle have not -been found under the star-spangled banner, musket in hand, risking their -lives for their adopted country.</p> - -<p>Young Malone had a double cause to hate England. His father had been -driven from Ireland, when Terrence was but a child, by the tyranny of -the British, and he had been made to give almost four of the best years -of his life to the service of King George.</p> - -<p>In January, 1812, Terrence announced to his father his intention of -going to Washington City.</p> - -<p>"What the divil be ye goin' to Washington City for, me boy?"</p> - -<p>"To see the prisident," was the answer.</p> - -<p>"You'd better be goin' to school, I'm thinkin'."</p> - -<p>"School, father!" said Terrence, with an impatient shrug of his -shoulders. "Faith, don't talk to me of schools and colleges, when it's a -war we are goin' to have, sure. My next school will be breakin' heads."</p> - -<p>"Be the times, you'll have yer own cracked!"</p> - -<p>"Not before I've got even with some of the divilish Britons, methinks."</p> - -<p>"What be ye goin' to see the prisident about?"</p> - -<p>This interview, the reader will bear in mind, was before war had been -declared.</p> - -<p>"I am going to tell Prisident Madison to give Johnny Bull a good -whippin'."</p> - -<p>"Prisident Madison will tell yez to moind yer own business," the -Hibernian answered.</p> - -<p>"We'll see about that!"</p> - -<p>Terrence was determined on making the journey, and he set out next day -by the mail coach for Washington City. Public houses in Washington were -not numerous then, yet there were a few good hotels, and he put up at -the old Continental House. Terrence, with all his reckless impetuosity, -proceeded carefully to his point. Where boldness won success, he was -bold; where caution and prudence were essential to win, he was cautious -and prudent.</p> - -<p>He noticed a door opening into a room from the main corridor, over which -was tacked a strip of white canvas bearing in large black letters -the words:</p> - -<p>"<b>HEADQUARTERS OF THE PEACE PARTY</b>."</p> - -<p>Men were coming and going from this apartment with grave and serious -faces and corrugated brows, as if they had the weight of all the world -on their shoulders. Terrence watched the comers and goers awhile and -then halted a colored chambermaid, and, in an awe-inspiring whisper, -asked who was sick in the room "ferninst." He was told no one. He -thought some one must be dangerously ill, people went in and out so -softly and talked in such low tones; but she assured him it was the room -where the "peace party" met to discuss means to prevent President -Madison and congress from declaring or prosecuting war against Great -Britain. That those men were congressmen or merchants from Boston and -other New England towns, who opposed war.</p> - -<p>Terrence was opposed to peace, and he knew no better way to declare war -than to begin it on the peace party. A bull was never made more furious -at sight of a red flag, than Terrence Malone at the streamer of the -peace party. One who knows what Terrence had suffered cannot blame him. -At the very outset of the war, the government encountered open and -secret, manly and cowardly opposition. The Federalists in congress, who -had opposed the war scheme of the administration from the beginning, -published an address to their constituents in which they set forth the -state of the country at that time, the course of the administration, and -its supporters in congress, and the minority opinion for opposing the -war. This was fair and, if they acted on their convictions and not from -political prejudices, was honorable; but outside and inside of congress -there was a party of politicians composed of Federalists and disaffected -Democrats, organized under the name of the Peace Party, whose object was -to cast obstructions in the way of the prosecution of war, and to compel -the government, by weakening its resources and embarrassing the -operations, to make peace. They tried to derange the public finances, -discredit the faith of the government, prevent enlistment, and in every -way to cripple the administration and bring it into discredit with the -people. It was an unpatriotic and mischievous faction, and the great -leaders of the Federalists, like Mr. Quincy and Mr. Emot, who, when the -war began, lent their aid to the government in its extremity, frowned -upon these real enemies of their country; but the machinations of the -Peace Party continued until the close of the war, and did infinite -mischief unmixed with any good. [Footnote: Lossing's "Our Country," Vol. -V., Page 1203.]</p> - -<p>This was the contemptible Peace Party at whose headquarters Terrence -Malone stood gazing. He determined to venture into the den and see what -it was like. The hour for the opening of congress had arrived, and men -with bundles of papers in their hands and anxious looks on their faces -hurried away to the capitol building. Some were congressmen, but most of -them were New England merchants. Terrence waited until all were gone, -then, as the door of the headquarters stood wide open inviting him to -enter, he walked boldly into the apartment.</p> - -<p>A man about thirty-five, dressed very neatly, with glasses on, was -writing at a table littered with papers.</p> - -<p>"Good morning to yez," said Terrence entering.</p> - -<p>"Good morning, sir," said the writer, giving him a glance and resuming -his writing as if the fate of the nation depended on it.</p> - -<p>"An' so this is the place where ye make peace?"</p> - -<p>"It's the place where we keep peace. It's the place where we oppose the -foolish and suicidal policy of President Madison," was the curt answer.</p> - -<p>"Who are you, misther?"</p> - -<p>"I am Ebenezer Crane, sir, secretary of the Peace Party."</p> - -<p>"Well, Misther Ebenezer Crane," and Terrence glanced at the secretary's -long legs, as if he thought the name no misnomer, "will yez answer me a -few questions?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly," and Mr. Crane threw down his pen, wheeled his chair about -and looked vastly important. "What have you to ask?"</p> - -<p>"Why do you oppose the war?"</p> - -<p>"Why should I favor it?"</p> - -<p>"Don't the government promise protection to its citizens? Is not the -blissed stars and stripes insulted by the British? Have not they set the -murdherin' haythin to killin' innocent women and children on the -frontier, and have they surrendered the posts as they should?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Crane, with one wave of his hand, swept away every objection.</p> - -<p>"That is all nothing!" he cried.</p> - -<p>"Nothing! howly mother, sir! do you call it nothing for Americans to be -knocked down, carried aboard British ships, to be made slaves, to be -flogged until they die, and shot if they object?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, those are all senseless, sensational stories, told for effect."</p> - -<p>"But I say they are true. I have jist returned from nearly four years -service on a British man-o-war."</p> - -<p>"But, sir, we must look to the welfare of our country. What are the -lives of a few sailors--common fellows--compared to the rich commerce -we enjoy with England? The wealthy men of New England would surely be -ruined by war."</p> - -<p>"Ye blackguard! do ye set up the riches of New England against the life -of men because they are poor?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly," answered Mr. Crane, taking a cigar from his case, lighting -it and proceeding to smoke. "What do Drake and Smoot, whom I represent, -care for sailors like yourself? Why, if England wants such wretches, let -her have them. We would sell them by the hundred, if we had our way. -Caleb Strong, William Palmer and Roger Griswold, three of New England's -leaders, will never allow a soldier to march from their states to fight -the English--oh, no!"</p> - -<p>Terrence was now almost beside himself with rage. He vividly recalled -the tyranny of Snipes, and remembered that many of his friends were -still slaves aboard the man-of-war. His cheek flamed, and his eye -flashed. Slowly rising, he said:</p> - -<p>"Do yez set up yer riches aginst the poor lads, better than yerself, -who are dyin' by the hundreds in British slavery? Do ye? Why, ye -spalpeen, ye have no more heart than a stone!"</p> - -<p>"I don't believe your stories in the first place, sir, and I don't care -if they are true in the second. What is the life or happiness of such a -low creature as yourself to the prosperity of Strong, Palmer or -Griswold? I think that impudence has mounted its topmost round, when you -dare enter these headquarters."</p> - -<p>"So yer for peace?" cried Terrence, his eyes dancing.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm for war!" and with this he struck Mr. Crane a blow between -his eyes which smashed his glasses, lifted him from the chair and sent -him head first into a waste basket. When Mr. Crane recovered, he was at -a loss for awhile to tell whether the house had fallen upon him, or he -had been struck with a six pounder. Terrence disappeared from the -Continental House, and on the next day applied at the white house to see -the president.</p> - -<p>"The president's engaged," said the servant. Next day, the next, and the -next, he applied for admission and was always met with the same story -that the president was engaged, until Terrence began to believe that the -door of the administration was closed to him, while he saw members of -congress constantly admitted to the inaccessible man.</p> - -<p>At last, a gentleman who had witnessed his frequent calls, suggested -that he send his card. The Irishman wrote:</p> - -<p>"Terrence Malone, Irish American, late impressed seaman on H.B.M. ship -<i>Macedonian</i>."</p> - -<p>President Madison read the card and appointed a meeting with Terrence, -and at the hour appointed the Irishman was at the white house. A servant -told him he would have to wait a few moments until Mr. Clay and Mr. -Calhoun had finished a discussion with the president. Madison finally -decided to have these young members of the house hear the Irishman's -story, and he was sent for. Terrence found himself in the presence of -two of America's greatest statesmen, Clay and Calhoun.</p> - -<p>"Are you the prisident?" he asked of Mr. Madison.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir; these are our friends, Mr. Henry Clay, speaker of the house, -and Mr. John C. Calhoun."</p> - -<p>"Are you for war or peace?" asked Terrence.</p> - -<p>Mr. Madison, smiling, assured him they would much prefer peace, if it -could be obtained honorably, but that Great Britain would have to make -amends for some of the wrongs she had committed. He urged Terrence to -give a detailed account of his impressment and captivity. He did so, -omitting nothing from the time he was captured on the schooner bound to -Baltimore to his escape. He was summoned a day or two later before a -committee of investigation, and narrated the story in all its -horrid details.</p> - -<p>[Illustration: HENRY CLAY.]</p> - -<p>The indignation against the Peace Party, who, in the face of all the -evidence, would protest against war, was scarcely less than the -indignation against Great Britain. The governor of Massachusetts (Caleb -Strong), of New Hampshire (William Plumer) and of Connecticut (Roger -Griswold), refused to allow the militia of their respective States to -march to the northern frontier on the requisition of the president of -the United States. They justified their course with the plea that such a -requisition was unconstitutional, and that the war was unnecessary.</p> - -<p>Terrence had frequent interviews with the president. His audacity and -his intense zeal won the admiration of President Madison and his -cabinet, as well as many congressmen. One day, while waiting in the -anteroom, he noticed a man whose features were evidently Hibernian.</p> - -<p>"Do yez want to see the prisident?" asked Terrence.</p> - -<p>"To be sure; but I've waited long," he answered, with just the least -brogue in his speech.</p> - -<p>[Illustration: JOHN C. CALHOUN.]</p> - -<p>"Are ye fer war or peace?" asked Terrence, leading the stranger into a -far corner. The stranger looked the young Hibernian in the face for a -moment and answered:</p> - -<p>"I am not an American; but if President Madison knew what I have to say, -he'd give me an attentive ear."</p> - -<p>Terrence was shrewd enough to read the face of the stranger, and he knew -he had something of great importance to communicate.</p> - -<p>"Do yez want to see the prisident, really?" asked young Malone.</p> - -<p>"Certainly, I do."</p> - -<p>"Lave it all to me," the Irishman answered. Then he explained that he -was on the best of terms with President Madison and could get the ear of -the president, when an audience would be denied everybody else. He urged -the stranger to give him an intimation of his business with Mr. Madison. -One Irishman will nearly always trust another, so the two Hibernians -repaired to a hotel and, in a close room, the stranger told Terrence -that his name was John Henry, and that he had lived for several years in -Canada. He told Terrence a story of the perfidy and treason of New -Englanders; which produced many uncomplimentary ejaculations from the -young Irishman.</p> - -<p>Terrence at once sent a note to President Madison, in which he hinted -that he had new and strange developments to make. Madison again admitted -Terrence, and they arranged for a meeting between the president and Mr. -John Henry, who had a letter from Mr. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts.</p> - -<p>[Illustration: "IT ALL TO ME."]</p> - -<p>Late on a stormy night in February, 1812, Terrence conducted Henry to -the mansion of President Madison. But little was done at this first -meeting. Henry said he had some secrets to divulge which were of very -great importance to the people of the United States. An interview was -arranged for the next evening. Again Terrence conducted Henry to the -president's mansion.</p> - -<p>On the way he said:</p> - -<p>"Say what you say for war. I want to meet Captain Snipes on say or -shore."</p> - -<p>When they were closeted in the president's private office, Mr. Madison -asked:</p> - -<p>"Now, sir, who are you, and what is your business?"</p> - -<p>"I'm John Henry, an Irishman, sir," said Henry. "And I want to tell you -that for two years efforts have been in progress on the part of British -authorities in Canada, sanctioned by the home government, to effect a -separation of the eastern States from the Union, and attach them to -Great Britain."</p> - -<p>"Can that be possible?" cried the president. It was no news to him; for -he had heard the rumor before; yet he had always regarded it as -groundless;--at least he had doubted the disloyalty of his opponents -in the East.</p> - -<p>"It is every word true, Mr. President, and I have the very best proof in -the world of it."</p> - -<p>"What proofs have you?"</p> - -<p>"Can I speak freely?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly."</p> - -<p>"Without danger of arrest or imprisonment?"</p> - -<p>"You can."</p> - -<p>With this assurance, Henry said:</p> - -<p>"I was in the employ of Sir James Craig, governor-general of Canada, in -1809, as a British spy to visit Boston and ascertain the temper of the -people of New England."</p> - -<p>"You did so?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"What was the temper of the people of New England?"</p> - -<p>"At that time, sir, they seemed to be in a state of incipient rebellion, -because of the passage of the embargo act. I was satisfied that the New -Englanders were ripe for revolt and separation."</p> - -<p>"Well, was any action taken on your report?" asked the president.</p> - -<p>"No, sir. My performances in the matter so pleased Sir James, that he -promised to give me lucrative employment in the colonial government; but -I waited and waited for the fulfillment of that promise, and in the -meanwhile Sir James died. I went to England last year to seek -remuneration for my services from the home government. I was flattered -and cajoled for awhile, and introduced into the highest circles of -society; but what did I want of society? I wanted money, and money I -must have."</p> - -<p>"Did they not pay you?"</p> - -<p>"Not a cent."</p> - -<p>"What did you ask?"</p> - -<p>"I demanded thirty thousand pounds sterling and not a farthing less. I -had done the odious duty of a spy for my government. I had risked my -fortune, my liberty and my life in the service of England, and she -requited me with empty promises."</p> - -<p>"They made you no offers?"</p> - -<p>"None. I offered to take a lucrative position in Canada."</p> - -<p>"And they offered you none?"</p> - -<p>"No. At last they seemed to grow weary with my demands, and hinted very -strongly that the disaffection in New England toward the government of -the United States was nothing more serious than a local partisan -feeling, and, as a polite way of dismissing me and getting rid of my -demand, they referred me to Sir George Prevost, the successor of Sir -James Craig."</p> - -<p>"And have you called on Sir George?" asked Mr. Madison, coolly.</p> - -<p>"No, sir; I have had enough of their delaying and dallying, and instead -of sailing for Quebec, I sailed for Boston, determined, if the -government of the United States would pay me for it, to divulge the -whole secret of British perfidy to this government."</p> - -<p>"We'll pay ye, won't we, Misther Madison?" put in Terrence, with his -characteristic impertinence.</p> - -<p>"What proofs have you of the perfidy of Great Britain?" asked the -president.</p> - -<p>"I have letters, sir, and official documents which would make any -honorable man blush."</p> - -<p>"No doubt of it, yer honor," put in Terrence.</p> - -<p>"Have you those papers with you, Mr. Henry?" asked the careful -president.</p> - -<p>"Some of them."</p> - -<p>"Will you produce them, so I may judge what they are?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, the prisident and mesilf want to get a squint at the dockymints," -put in Terrence.</p> - -<p>The very impertinence of Terrence was his success. Mr. Madison could not -repress a smile.</p> - -<p>Henry laid before the president the strong documentary evidence, which -clearly proved that Great Britain, while indulging in the most friendly -expressions toward the United States, and negotiating treaties, was -secretly engaged in efforts to destroy the young republic of the West, -by fomenting disaffection toward it among a portion of the people, and -intriguing with disaffected politicians with an expectation, with the -aid of British arms, to be able to separate New England from the Union -and re-annex that territory to the British dominions.</p> - -<p>Madison, who was just about to declare war against Great Britain, was -well satisfied of the importance of Henry's disclosures. Examining them -carefully, he asked:</p> - -<p>"What do you ask for these papers?"</p> - -<p>"Lave that all to me, Misther Madison," said Terrence with an -earnestness which caused the grave Mr. Madison to smile; but Mr. Madison -was not inclined to leave so important a matter with Terrence. He again -asked Henry how much he asked for those papers.</p> - -<p>"I want one hundred thousand dollars."</p> - -<p>"It's too much, Misther Madison; we can't give it," declared Terrence.</p> - -<p>Madison, glancing at the impetuous Irishman, said that he could not pass -on such an important matter without consulting his cabinet and taking -their advice in the matter, and consequently he dismissed his visitors -for the present, assuring Mr. Henry that he would give the matter of -purchasing his documents serious consideration, and in the course of -three or four days at most hold another conference with them. The secret -service fund was at the disposal of the president, and he determined to -purchase the documents with this fund, if his cabinet would so advise. -The advice was given, and he sent a proposition to Henry, offering him -fifty thousand dollars for his documents, which consisted chiefly of the -correspondence of the parties to the affair in this country and -in England.</p> - -<p>Henry accepted the offer and was paid the sum for his papers.</p> - -<p>Terrence obtained an interview with the president and said:</p> - -<p>"Misther Madison, why the divil did yez pay him such a price? If ye'd -'a' left it all to me, I'd won the papers in three games of poker."</p> - -<p>The president thanked him and assured him that the government of the -United States could well afford to purchase such valuable documents.</p> - -<p>"And now, Misther Madison, I am about to lave ye for awhile," said -Terrence, "and I want to ask ye a very important question!"</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"Mind ye, if ye say yes, I'm goin' to stand by ye through thick and -thin." Mr. Madison assured him that his time was very much taken up, and -begged that he would be as brief as possible.</p> - -<p>"Are ye going to declare war, Misther Madison? Now ye needn't do any of -the fighting yersilf. All I ask is that ye just turn me loose. I've got -a frind, poor Sukey, who is still on board the English ship, and I just -want permission to go and bring him back."</p> - -<p>President Madison assured him that the public would be notified in due -time what course the administration would pursue, and that it was his -intention to maintain the honor and dignity of the nation to the last -extremity.</p> - -<p>Terrence left the president and went over to the Continental House to -see how Mr. Crane, the worthy secretary, looked with a rotten apple -bandaged over each eye. Terrence was arrested for assault and battery, -plead guilty, and the patriotic Democrats took up a collection and -paid his fine.</p> - -<p>The disclosures of the documents procured from Henry, when made public, -intensified the indignation of the Americans against Great Britain. The -inhabitants of New England were annoyed by the implied disparagement of -the patriotism of their section of the Union. Both parties tried to make -political capital out of the affair. The Democrats vehemently reiterated -the charge that the Federalists were a "British party" and -"disunionists," while the opposition declared it was only a political -move of the administration to damage their party, insure the re-election -of Madison in the Autumn of 1812, and offer an excuse for the war. The -acrimony caused by these partisan feelings was at its height, when the -New England governors refused to send their militia to the frontier; and -the British government, in declaring the blockade of the American coast, -discriminated in favor of that section. That the British, mistaking -partisan feeling for unpatriotic disaffection, hoped to carry out their -plan for disunion, there is no doubt; but the suspicion that the New -England people contemplated disunion and annexation to the English -colonies was probably without foundation.</p> - -<p>Terrence Malone remained in Washington City during the fierce contest -between the Peace Party and the War Party. He was a constant thorn in -the side of the peace faction, and more than once came to blows with -some of the members. When war was declared, he sent the word to -president that he was ready to set out at once, and shortly after took -command of a privateer, which his father fitted out.</p> - -<p>While New England was halting in its support of the war, the people of -the South and West were alive with enthusiasm in favor of prosecuting it -with sharp and decisive vigor. They had already suffered much from the -Indians under British control, and the massacre at Chicago kindled a -flame of indignation not easily to be controlled by prudence.</p> - -<p>The government resolved to retrieve the disaster at Detroit, by an -invasion of Canada on the Niagara frontier. For this purpose, a -requisition was made upon the governor of New York for the militia of -that State. He patriotically responded to the call, and Stephen Van -Rensselaer, the last of the Patroons and a patriotic Federalist retired -from public life, was commissioned a major-general and placed in command -of the militia. The forces were concentrated at Lewiston on the Niagara -River, Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain, and at Greenebush, -opposite Albany.</p> - -<p>The British had, meanwhile, assembled a considerable force on Queenstown -Heights, opposite Lewiston. At midsummer, hostile demonstrations had -been made on Lake Ontario and on the St. Lawrence frontier. Both parties -early sought to get control of those waters, and the preparation of -armed vessels on them was vigorously begun.</p> - -<p>An armistice was concluded by General Dearborn. This armistice enabled -Brock to concentrate forces at Detroit and compel Hull to surrender.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 13th of October, just after a heavy storm, Colonel -Soloman Van Rensselaer passed over the river near Lewiston with less -than three hundred men. They routed the British there, who fled toward -Lewiston pursued by Captain John E. Wool, who, though wounded, did not -relinquish the pursuit.</p> - -<p>General Brock and his staff at Fort George hastened to the scene, but -were compelled to fly, not having time even to mount their horses. In a -few minutes, the American flag was waving over the fort.</p> - -<p>Brock rallied his forces and, with fresh troops, pressed up the hill -after the Americans, but, after a terrible struggle, was driven back and -mortally wounded. General Sheaffe, who succeeded Brock, rallied the -troops. Only two hundred and forty Americans were on the heights. -Lieutenant-Colonel (afterward Major-General) Winfield Scott had passed -over the river to act as a volunteer. At request of General Wadsworth he -took active command. The Americans, reinforced to six hundred, were -assailed by a horde of Indians under John Brandt. Scott led a charge -against them and drove them to the woods; but overwhelming forces of -British poured in on the Americans, and Van Rensselaer, who had gone to -send over militia, found they would not cross the river, their excuse -being that they were not compelled to serve out of their own State.</p> - -<p>Overwhelming numbers compelled the Americans to surrender. All the -prisoners were marched to New Ark, where Scott came near having an -encounter with two Indian chiefs.</p> - -<p>On the 13th of October, 1812, the Americans lost, in killed, wounded and -prisoners, about eleven hundred men. General Van Rensselaer left the -service in disgust and was succeeded by Alexander Smythe of Virginia, -who accomplished nothing of importance during the remainder of the -season. The situation of the Americans at the close of 1812 was this: -The army of the northwest was occupying a defensive position among the -snows of the wilderness on the banks of the Maumee River; the army of -the centre, under General Smythe, was resting on the defensive on the -Niagara frontier, and the army of the north, under General Bloomfield, -was also resting on the defensive at Plattsburgh.</p> - -<p>So far, the advantages had been altogether with the enemy, who were no -more gratified than the Peace Party, with their excellent excuse for -saying, "I told you so!"</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV."></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> - -<p>FERNANDO SEES SERVICE.</p> - -<p>The trump of war stirred two passions in the heart of Fernando Stevens, -revenge and patriotism. One was a noble and the other a very human but -ignoble passion; but Fernando was only a common mortal with mortal -weaknesses. When he reflected on the wrongs he had suffered; when he -remembered the death of poor Boseley, slain to gratify the malice of -Captain Snipes, and poor Sukey still the slave of the British monarch, -he could not be other than revengeful.</p> - -<p>"Mother," he said one day, shortly after they had heard of war. "I am -going to enter the army."</p> - -<p>The mother, who was plying her needle, sat for several moments in -silence. She was not surprised at the declaration. For several days, she -had watched her son with the care and anxiety of a mother. She had noted -that he read the papers regularly. He pored over any news which hinted -of war and was an eager listener to the latest rumor which his father -brought from town. The parents had talked the matter over frequently, -and Captain Stevens, himself a veteran, said:</p> - -<p>"I can't blame him; no, I can't blame him. Poor boy, he has suffered -enough to know the wrongs done to our flag."</p> - -<p>"But would it be for the flag, or revenge?" said the mother.</p> - -<p>"Both," answered the practical father. "He is only human, wife, and -human hearts can't endure what he endured without human resentment."</p> - -<p>The mother hoped it was more patriotism than revenge, for she was a -Christian lady, and while war might be proper, even for Christian -people, she thought it should be purely a conflict of principle and not -of revenge.</p> - -<p>"Fernando," said the mother laying aside her knitting and taking off her -glasses and wiping them, "do you really mean to go?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mother. My country needs my services. There are thousands of -unfortunate Americans, still in bondage. I seem to hear their pitiful -cries calling on their country to send brave men to their rescue."</p> - -<p>"I have expected this," sighed Mrs. Stevens, and tears gathered in her -eyes.</p> - -<p>"Mother, would you have me stay?"</p> - -<p>It was hard for a mother to say it; but she had to do so. She was -patriotic, and she answered:</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Then I will go."</p> - -<p>"When?"</p> - -<p>"They are beating up for volunteers at town, and I am going there to -enlist in a day or two. First I must help father drain the flat and -clear off a few timber patches."</p> - -<p>It soon became rumored all over the neighborhood that Fernando was going -to enlist. Many friends came to see him, bid him good-by and wish him -God-speed. The day before he went away, he was chopping wood, when he -saw a large man riding a large bay mare followed by a large colt, cross -the old bridge a few hundred paces below and ascend the hill toward the -house. The visitor was Mr. Winners. He had grown older and stouter, and -the mare was older and heavier, and this was her fourth colt since he -had come over to talk with his neighbor about sending his son to college -with Fernando. The kind, good face of the old farmer expressed sadness, -and his eye, always dull, seemed melancholy.</p> - -<p>He rode slowly up the hill to where Fernando was chopping wood. Fernando -saw him coming and laid down his axe, for it was quite evident that Mr. -Winners wanted to speak with him. The old man, drawing rein close by -Fernando, said:</p> - -<p>"Mornin', Fernando, how's all?"</p> - -<p>"We are all well, Mr. Winners. How are yourself and family?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, we are just middlin' like."</p> - -<p>"Won't you alight and come into the house?"</p> - -<p>"No; I ain't got time, Fernando. I just came to see you, that's all. -Fernando, I hear as how you're goin' t' ther war."</p> - -<p>"I am, Mr. Winners. I am a young man with no wife or children. My -country just now stands in need of young men."</p> - -<p>"Ya-as, it does, an' I don't come t' blame ye for it,--mind ye, I don't -blame ye fur it. I'm sometimes tempted to go myself, old as I am."</p> - -<p>"No, no, Mr. Winners, there is no occasion. Let the younger men do the -service."</p> - -<p>"I don't blame ye, for goin', Fernando; but I hope ye won't furgit one -thing."</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"My Sukey's on t'other side. Now that fightin's begun, he'll have to -light his own flag; but he won't do it with a very good grace, lem me -tell ye. No, he won't. Now, Fernando, I don't want to ask ye to ease -down on the British a bit; but when ye come to the crowd that Sukey's -with, won't ye kind a shoot easy?"</p> - -<p>Fernando promised to do all he could to aid Sukey to escape, and assured -him that, when once he was free, the cruel masters should pay for their -tyranny. The old man seemed partially satisfied, and, as he rode away, -he twisted himself half way round in the saddle to say:</p> - -<p>"Now, Fernando, if ye meet Sukey's crowd, I want ye to remember to shoot -easy."</p> - -<p>"I will not harm Sukey, if I can help it," Fernando answered. Next -morning, he bade his parents farewell and, with his clothes tied up in a -little bundle, set out on his way to the town.</p> - -<p>A flag was streaming from a long pole, and Fernando heard the roll of -the drum and the shrill notes of a fife. The company was more than half -made up when he arrived. He enlisted at once and four days later the -company was ready to march.</p> - -<p>As yet the armies of the United States were not organized, and for some -time Captain George Rose was at a loss what to do with his volunteers. -They were riflemen, ready for any detached service to which they might -be assigned. The militia forces raised were, of course, to serve in -their own respective States; but the volunteers were allowed to attach -to any regiment they chose. For some time, it was doubtful whether -Captain Rose would be sent West under Hull and Harrison, or to the North -to act under General Jacob Brown.</p> - -<p>The latter course was at last decided upon, and they hurried to the -northern frontier of New York. But small preparations had been made for -the defence of this portion of the frontier. From Oswego to Lake St. -Francis, an expansion of the St. Lawrence, General Brown's forces were -scattered. The length of this territory was about two hundred miles. -There was only one American war-vessel (the <i>Oneida</i>) on Lake Ontario. -This was commanded by Lieutenant Melancthon Woolsey; while the British, -in anticipation of difficulties, had built at Kingston, at the foot of -the lake, a small squadron of light vessels-of-war. Brown and Woolsey -were authorized to defend the frontier from invasion, but not to act on -the offensive except in certain emergencies.</p> - -<p>About the 20th of July, Fernando's company joined the regiment of -Colonel Bellinger at Sackett's Harbor, at the eastern end of Lake -Ontario. Nine days later, the British squadron composed of the <i>Royal -George</i>, 24 guns, <i>Prince Regent</i>, 22 guns, <i>Earl of Moira</i>, 20 guns, -<i>Simcoe</i>, 12 guns, and <i>Seneca</i>, 4 guns, appeared and bore down on the -American forces there. Fernando was sleeping when the discovery was -made, but was soon roused and saw soldiers hauling in the <i>Oneida</i> so as -to lay her broadside to the approaching enemy. Colonel Bellinger's -militia were many of them raw recruits, and the approach of a fleet -unnerved a few of them; but the majority were cool as veterans.</p> - -<p>"Take that thirty-two pound gun up on the bluff," commanded the -colonel, pointing out an old iron cannon down by the shore.</p> - -<p>Fernando assisted them to drag it to the rocky bluff, and the whole -battery was placed in charge of Captain Vaughn, a sailing master in the -navy. Slowly the fleet bore in, the <i>Royal George</i>, having the heaviest -guns, coming ahead of the others. A wreath of smoke curled up from her -forecastle, and a ball, skipping over the water, struck the sandy beach.</p> - -<p>Captain Rose and his company of riflemen took up their station on the -high bluff, where, should the troops attempt to land, they might do -effective work. Fernando had been promoted to sergeant in the company -and was quite popular with both officers and men.</p> - -<p>For two hours, a cannonade between the <i>Royal George</i> and the big guns -on shore was kept up, with very little effect, when a 32 pound ball from -the former came over the bluff and ploughed a furrow near where the -riflemen were standing. Fernando ran and caught up the ball and, running -with it to Captain Vaughn, said:</p> - -<p>"Captain Vaughn, I've been playing ball with the redcoats, and I have -caught them out."</p> - -<p>"That will just fit our gun," said the captain. "Hand it to the gunner."</p> - -<p>Fernando did so. The gunner said:</p> - -<p>"Captain, it fits better than our own balls. The shot we have been -firing were all too small."</p> - -<p>"Send it back to them," said Captain Vaughn.</p> - -<p>The gun was trained and fired. The heavy boom rang out over the bluffs -and water. The ball went through the <i>Royal George</i> from stern to stem, -sending splinters as high as her mizzen topsail yard, killing fourteen -men and wounding eighteen.</p> - -<p>This ended the bombardment. The squadron, alarmed, sailed out of the -harbor.</p> - -<p>Eight merchant schooners were at Ogdensburg, being converted into -American war vessels, and, immediately after being repulsed at Sackett's -Harbor, two of the British armed vessels started to Ogdensburg to -destroy them. The American schooner <i>Julia</i> was armed and, with sixty -volunteers from the <i>Oneida</i> and Fernando's company of riflemen in a -boat, set out to overtake the British. They caught up with them among -the Thousand Islands, on the 31st of July, fought for three hours with -the enemy, and then, in the shadows of an intensely dark night, relieved -occasionally by flashes of lightning, reached Ogdensburg in safety -before morning.</p> - -<p>During the armistice which was granted shortly after this, the <i>Julia</i> -and her consort and the six schooners made their way to the lake, where -the latter were converted into vessels-of-war.</p> - -<p>On the 8th of November, Chauncey appeared in those waters with a fleet -of seven armed war-schooners and, after a short cruise, disabled the -<i>Royal George</i> and blockaded the British harbor of Kingston. Fernando, -meanwhile, was at Ogdensburg under General Brown, who had about fifteen -hundred troops, including the militia. On the 1st of October, the very -day of General Brown's arrival, a large flotilla of British bateaux, -escorted by a gun-boat, appeared at Prescott, on the opposite side of -the river. This flotilla contained armed men, who, on the 4th of -October, attempted to cross the river and attack Ogdensburg, but were -repulsed by the Americans. Eight days later, Fernando was with Major -G.D. Young when he captured a large portion of a British detachment at -St. Regis, an Indian village on the line between the United States and -Canada. Fernando was close at the side of Lieutenant William L. Marcy -(afterward governor of New York), when he captured a British flag, the -first trophy of the kind taken on land in the war.</p> - -<p>While lying at Ogdensburg, Fernando heard of the daring feat of -Lieutenant Jesse Elliott, who, with a picked party of seamen and -riflemen, had at Black Rock, under the British heavy guns, captured the -war-schooner <i>Caledonia</i> and burned the <i>Detroit</i>. While these many -stories of the bravery of Americans were thrilling the hearts of -patriots, the cowardice of the pompous General Smythe at Buffalo caused -much ridicule and humiliation.</p> - -<p>Despite all his boasts and threats to invade Canada, he remained on -American soil. He was finally dismissed from the service, and, in a -petition to congress to reinstate him, he prayed for permission to "die -for his country." His petition excited much ridicule, and, at a public -celebration of Washington's birthday, a wit proposed the following:</p> - -<p>"General Smythe's petition to congress to die for his country. May it be -ordered that the prayer of said petition be granted!"</p> - -<p>Early in January, 1813, Fernando Stevens' company, being Ohio -volunteers, was for some reason, he never knew what, transferred to the -army of the West. General William H. Harrison had succeeded Hull in -command of this army. Historians do not accord to General Harrison the -distinction of greatness, though he was one of the successful generals -of the last war with England. It was under him that first victories were -gained over the British in the Northwest. Though his name goes down to -posterity connected with the battle of the Thames, Colonel Richard M. -Johnson was the real hero of that conflict. Johnson's Kentucky riflemen -fought and won the battle, though Harrison received the credit. Harrison -was even more honorably remembered for his Indian wars, and, as the hero -of Tippecanoe, gained a fast hold on the public heart; but Tippecanoe -was only a skirmish and, viewed in the light of a battle, could hardly -be considered a great victory. The American losses were probably as -great, if not greater than the Indians, and it was only an accident that -Harrison was not surprised. Tippecanoe was fought by the soldiers, and -to their coolness and courage belonged the victory. Critically speaking, -General Harrison was inferior in military genius to both Jackson and -Brown. He wanted the terrible energy, the almost reckless bravery which -characterized these two leaders. He belonged to a different school -altogether. His was a policy of Fabius rather than of Marcellus, and -this not from necessity but for choice. The bent of his mind was to be -prudent, economic of means, willing to listen to advice, a very -excellent qualification for a general or a statesman.</p> - -<p>The dispute between Harrison and Winchester had been settled before -Captain Rose with his company reached the army and joined General -Winchester, then on his march to the Raisin, January 21, 1813. As -Winchester's volunteers were mostly Kentuckians, Fernando found many -friends among them. Some had formerly lived in Ohio. On the same -evening, they reached Frenchtown, where they found Colonel Lewis, who, -with Allen and six hundred men, had defeated and routed a force of -British and Indians under Major Reynolds.</p> - -<p>The troops were in the highest spirits, and all were anxious to press on -to drive General Proctor from Malden.</p> - -<p>The day had been cold, and Fernando was wearied with long marches -through snow, ice and mud. The ground was covered with snow which had -but a thin frozen crust over it, and the soldiers frequently broke -through, especially in the swampy regions they crossed. Their second -lieutenant was sick; the first lieutenant, being wounded, was left -behind, and the management of the company fell upon Captain Rose and his -orderly sergeant, Fernando Stevens.</p> - -<p>Captain Rose, though a brave man, loved his ease and comfort, so the -most irksome duty fell upon the orderly. He saw that quarters as -comfortable as were possible were made for the men. Boards, canvas, -brush and everything possible to make a shelter were provided. The -wintry sky was clear, and when night came on the stars came out one by -one. The moon shone on the snow-covered earth, so soon to be crimsoned -with patriotic blood.</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens and Captain Rose were quartered in an old shed -building, with a roaring fire in the broad fireplace. Their quarters -were quite comfortable, and, after having made all the necessary -arrangements for the company's comfort, Fernando partook of a light -supper and, wrapping himself in a blanket, lay down on the left side of -the broad fireplace to sleep. Corporal Mott entered and told Captain -Rose, who sat smoking his pipe, that Colonels Wells and Lewis were -having some trouble about their positions.</p> - -<p>"Why should they quarrel over that?" asked Captain Rose taking his pipe -from his mouth.</p> - -<p>"Wells, who is colonel of regulars, claims to outrank Lewis, and demands -to be posted on the right."</p> - -<p>"That's in an open field."</p> - -<p>"Yes; Lewis thinks that, in case of an attack, Wells should be posted in -some gardens on the left."</p> - -<p>"Lewis knows more about it than Wells or Winchester either," growled -Captain Rose.</p> - -<p>"Yes; but Winchester decided in favor of Wells. There is also a rumor -that Proctor is on his way from Malden to attack us."</p> - -<p>"I hope it is so," said Captain Rose. "If he will come here and take his -whipping like a man, it will save us going to Malden to give it to him."</p> - -<p>Then they wondered what General Harrison was doing and when they would -join him; but Fernando left off listening to their conversation and -gazed into the glowing fire before which he lay stretched on -his blanket.</p> - -<p>His mind was busy with his own sad life. All through the long years of -trying events, he had never forgotten Morgianna. Her sweet face had -haunted him while a slave on the British war-ship. In the camp, or on -the battle field, she was ever near him. A thousand times he had said -to himself:</p> - -<p>"Oh, why can I not forget her? Morgianna is nothing to me. No doubt, -long ere this she has married Lieutenant Matson and is happy. May God -bless her in her happiness, and may Heaven spare her husband."</p> - -<p>It never once entered his mind that she could possibly care for him. She -had been so cool, so careless, and seemed so unconcerned on the night of -their parting, that he thought she must be glad that he was away and had -ceased to annoy her.</p> - -<p>Yet her face, as he remembered it that night, lying gazing into the -fire, half asleep and half awake, was lovely, and she was blameless. To -him, she was a goddess to be worshipped, one incapable of wrong. If she -had rejected him, it was right. If she had loved the lieutenant, it was -perfectly right; yet he could not crush her image out of his heart. It -was indelibly stamped there, and had become a part of his existence.</p> - -<p>The bleak northeast wind swept through the woods and howled about the -rude shanty, rattling the boards and causing the sentries to shiver, as -they drew their cloaks about their shoulders. Fernando felt almost -comfortable in this retreat, and the fire burned low, still giving out a -generous heat.</p> - -<p>Two officers from another company came to their quarters, and the last -Fernando remembered was hearing them talking of the disposition of the -troops and the probability of meeting the enemy and sharing the glory -which Lewis and Allen had won but three days before.</p> - -<p>Their voices were low and indistinct and finally became mingled with his -dreams of the past, forming a mass of events, sights and sounds which at -first had no meaning. At last the scene changed. The officers ceased -talking, the firelight disappeared, and his dreaming fancy, which had -been struggling with these realities, was freed to take what course -it chose.</p> - -<p>He was once more on the sands of Mariana. He saw the great white stone -house on the hill and the form of Morgianna descending toward the -seashore. He knew he had been gone for years, was conscious that their -parting had been unpleasant, and yet her appearance seemed to inspire -his heart with hope. The sun's golden rays fell upon the bright, -fairy-like being as, with a glad smile she hastened toward him.</p> - -<p>"You have come at last," she said, with a happy smile. "I have waited so -long, oh, so long, that I feared you would never come."</p> - -<p>"Morgianna!" he cried, starting forward and clasping her in his arms. -"Are you pleased to see me?"</p> - -<p>"I am happy, Fernando, oh, so happy----"</p> - -<p>Then he was partially awakened by some one throwing logs of wood on the -fire, and he had an indistinct impression of hearing a soldier say:</p> - -<p>"It's four o'clock and has begun to snow a little. We'll have it cold as -blazes by morning."</p> - -<p>As the fire roared, and the wind whistled about their miserable -barracks, he sank away into dreamland again. He had hardly been -sufficiently awakened to break the thread of his dreams. His mind -however was disturbed by the entrance of the officer, and though he -wooed back the gentle dream, it had lost much of its charm and -brightness.</p> - -<p>He saw Morgianna no longer wreathed in sweet smiles; her face was -expressive of distress and agony. The joy and sunlight had given place -to sorrow and gloom. What had occasioned this change?</p> - -<p>"Morgianna, do you not love me?"</p> - -<p>She bowed her head and wept.</p> - -<p>"What is amiss?"</p> - -<p>She pointed to her once beautiful home, and he discovered that it was in -flames. Painted demons, whose yells seemed to make the earthquake, were -dancing about the blazing, crackling building. Then wild cheers came -from the ocean, with the boom of a cannon.</p> - -<p>He saw British marines, headed by Captain Snipes and Lieutenant Matson, -leap from boats and rush toward them as they stood on the beach.</p> - -<p>"Fly! Morgianna, fly!" he cried.</p> - -<p>She turned to run, and Fernando, all unarmed as he was, wheeled to face -the foe. Suddenly there came a rattling crash of firearms. He saw -Morgianna throw up her arms, and he sprang toward her, as she fell -bleeding at his feet. He uttered a cry of horror and became conscious of -some one shaking his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Wake up, for Heaven sake, awake! we are attacked!" cried the voice of -Captain Rose.</p> - -<p>On his ear, there still came a confused noise of cries, shouts, reports -of firearms and boom of artillery.</p> - -<p>"Sergeant Stevens, awake!"</p> - -<p>He sprang to his feet and seized his rifle. The roaring of the battle -could be plainly heard, and a cannon-ball came crashing through the top -of their miserable shanty.</p> - -<p>They leaped out to find all in utter confusion. General Winchester, who, -despite his faults, was no coward, was mounted on his horse rallying his -men at every point. Wells was forming on the open fields, and Lewis, in -a very disadvantageous position, was making a strong fight. It was -scarcely daylight yet. The air was sharp and frosty; but the snow had -ceased falling. Day was dawning; but in the deeper shadows of the wood -the night lingered in patches.</p> - -<p>From the forest came those streams of fire, those storms of grape-shot -and the yells of savage demons. A bombshell came screaming through the -air and fell into one of the shanties, exploding and scattering the -loose boards in every direction.</p> - -<p>"Who has attacked us?" some of the officers asked Winchester.</p> - -<p>"Proctor from Malden," was the answer.</p> - -<p>It was just as day began to dawn, that Proctor, with his combined force -of British, Canadians and Indians, attacked the Americans, while -Fernando was still lost in the mazes of a troubled dream. With his right -covered with artillery, and his flanks with marksmen, Proctor advanced -at first gallantly; but when he approached within musket-shot of the -pickets, he was met by such a galling and incessant fire, that the -centre of his army fell back in confusion. On the left, however, he was -more successful. Perceiving the exposed situation of the detachment -under Wells, Proctor hastened to concentrate all his forces against it. -A furious conflict ensued on this part of the field. Sharp and rapid -volleys followed in quick succession from either side, while high and -clear above the terrible din of battle, rose the war-whoop of savages -and the wild cheers of the Kentuckians. That little band, unprotected as -it was, could not long hold out against overwhelming numbers. The sun -rose over the bleak woods, and, after a short fight of twenty minutes, -Winchester ordered Wells to fall back and gain the enclosures of Lewis.</p> - -<p>At the first symptom of retreat, the enemy redoubled their exertions and -pressed so obstinately on the Americans, that the little line was soon -thrown into disorder. A panic seized the Kentuckians, who had just -defended themselves so bravely, and mistaking the command to fall back, -for directions to retreat, they rushed to the river, which they crossed -on the ice, and began to fly through the woods, in the direction of the -Maumee Rapids. Exhilarated by victory, the British gave pursuit, the -chase being led by the savages, who tasted, in anticipation, the blood -of the fugitives. In vain Winchester, riding among the men, endeavored -to rally them; in vain Colonels Lewis and Allen, hurrying from their -enclosures with a company of fifty men each, struggled to check the -torrent of defeat. Nothing would avail. Allen fell, bravely fighting in -the desperate attempt; while Winchester, with Lewis and other officers -were taken prisoners. The rout now became a massacre. The Indians, like -hungry tigers, pursued the soldiers and brought them down with rifle or -tomahawk. Of the whole of that chivalrous band which had left the Raisin -with Winchester two days before, all were slaughtered except forty who -were taken prisoners and twenty-eight who escaped. The troops at -Frenchtown, about six hundred able-bodied men, surrendered. Sixty-four -wounded prisoners were burned in a house.</p> - -<p>Why dwell on the horrors of the River Raisin? They are matters of -history which had better be forgotten than remembered. Fernando Stevens' -company did excellent work until the retreat began. Captain Rose, with -his sharpshooters, sought to cover the retreat of the Americans, but -discovered that they were about to be flanked.</p> - -<p>"Sergeant, Sergeant!" cried Captain Rose, "we must fly!"</p> - -<p>The two officers were almost alone on the field; but, taking to their -heels, they soon outstripped three big Indians who were trying to head -them off. Fernando shot one of the savages with his pistol and, dodging -the hatchets which the others threw at him, charged them with his -clubbed rifle and knocked one down. The other fled. Fernando did not -attempt to pursue him, but flew as fast as his legs could carry him to -the river.</p> - -<p>He had reached the middle of the frozen stream, which was covered with -ghastly forms, when Captain Rose suddenly clasped his hand to his side -and uttered a groan.</p> - -<p>"Captain, are you hit?" he asked.</p> - -<p>Captain Rose made no answer, but turned partially around. His eyes were -closed; his jaw fell, and Fernando saw he was sinking. He caught him in -his arms; but Captain Rose was dead before he touched the ice.</p> - -<p>There was no time to waste with dead friends, and Fernando fled to the -wood beyond.</p> - -<p>For a long time, the Indians were close at his heels. Once they were so -near that he heard a tomahawk as it came fluttering through the air past -his head. Then the sounds of pursuit grew less, and at last he found -himself alone on a hill. Three Indians were following on his trail, and -he concealed himself behind a tree until they were within range of his -rifle, and then fired.</p> - -<p>One of them fell, and his companions ran away.</p> - -<p>Fernando continued his flight until nearly night, when he fell in with -four Kentuckians, who had escaped the massacre, and they proceeded to -the Maumee Rapids, where General Harrison was building Fort Meigs.</p> - -<p>Fernando was in the fort when it was besieged several weeks later by -Proctor and Tecumseh with fully two thousand men. General Clay coming to -his assistance on the 5th of May, Proctor retreated.</p> - -<p>Colonel Dudley made a sortie from Fort Meigs on the same day and was -drawn into an ambuscade. He was mortally wounded and lost six hundred -and fifty men.</p> - -<p>Mr. Madison, who had been re-elected president of the United States, -showed a disposition to prosecute the war with great vigor. While the -success of the Americans on land was not very encouraging, to the -surprise of everybody, their greatest achievements were on water. -England's boasted navies seemed to have become second to the American -war-vessels. On Lake Erie, Commodore Oliver Perry, in command of an -inferior fleet, had won a signal victory over Commodore Barclay after a -long and hotly contested battle. There has never been such a remarkable -naval victory on fresh water. Perry's famous dispatch to General -Harrison, "We have met the enemy and they are ours," has become -a proverb.</p> - -<p>Shortly after the repulse of Proctor, Fernando, who had taken a place in -another company, was sent to Fort Stephenson, then commanded by Major -George Croghan, a regular army officer only twenty-one years of age. -Proctor's dusky allies marched across the country to assist the British -in the siege of the fort; and when, on the afternoon of the 31st, the -British transports and gunboats appeared at a turn in the river a mile -from the fort, the woods were swarming with Indians.</p> - -<p>[Illustration: JAMES MADISON.]</p> - -<p>Within the fort, all were calm, pale, yet determined. Only one hundred -and sixty men were there to oppose the hosts of Proctor and Tecumseh. -Proctor sent a demand to the fort for surrender, accompanied by the -usual threat of massacre by the Indians in case of refusal. To his -surprise, Major Croghan sent a defiant refusal. A cannonade from the -gunboats and howitzers which the British had landed commenced.</p> - -<p>All night long the great guns played upon the fort without any serious -effect, occasionally answered by the solitary six-pound cannon of the -garrison, which was rapidly shifted from one block house to another, to -give the impression that the fort was armed with several guns. During -the night, the British dragged three six-pound cannon to a point higher -than the fort to open on it in the morning.</p> - -<p>It was a trying night for Fernando. All night long, the incessant -thunder of cannon shook the air, and the great balls, striking the sides -of the earthworks, or bursting over their heads, presented a scene grand -but awful.</p> - -<p>Morning came slowly and wearily to the besieged. As the gray dawn melted -into the rosy hues of sunrise, many a brave man within that fort looked -up for the last time, as he thought, but still with no unmanly fear, -only with that sad feeling which the boldest will experience when he -sees himself about to be immolated. Such a feeling, perhaps, crossed the -heart of Leonidas, when he fastened on his buckler and waited for the -Persian thousands. Fernando stood near Croghan, who was in front of his -men, calm in that hour of extreme peril. It soon became apparent that -the enemy did not intend an immediate assault, for, with the battery of -six pieces, they began a fearful cannonade.</p> - -<p>"Lie under the breastworks," said Croghan to his men as the balls were -hurled about the fort, or bounded from the ramparts. The surface of the -ground in the line of fire, soon became covered with smoke, which every -few moments was rent by a whistling ball.</p> - -<p>All that long forenoon Fernando Stevens remained behind the works -occasionally picking off a gunner at long range. When the hot August sun -began to decline in the West, the roar of artillery seemed to increase -rather than diminish. At last he heard the young commander say:</p> - -<p>"They are concentrating on the northwest corner of the fort; that is the -point from which the attack will be made." He called to Fernando and a -dozen other sharpshooters and hastened to the threatened spot. Every man -who could be spared from other quarters was put in requisition, and -every bag of sand and flour that could be found was hurriedly collected -and sent to strengthen the angle.</p> - -<p>"Lieutenant Stevens," said Major Croghan, "get your riflemen together -and pick off those fellows as fast as you can. Never mind those bags of -sand. Others will attend to them."</p> - -<p>Fernando and his score of sharpshooters soon began dropping the redcoats -as fast as they could see them. The solitary cannon, the only hope of -the defenders, was loaded to its fullest capacity and trained so as to -enfilade the enemy. The gunner who rammed home the charge said:</p> - -<p>"By thunder, she's almost full to the muzzle. Shouldn't wonder if she'd -bust." Each soldier took his position. A tremendous volley of cannon -shots suddenly rained on the fort. It seemed as if the British had fired -every gun at the same instant. A profound silence succeeded within, -which lasted for perhaps two minutes, at the end of which time the enemy -was seen to advance through the smoke, in one compact column, with the -steady tread of assured victors. When Croghan gave the order to fire, -such a withering volley was poured in by the garrison, that the British -reeled and fell into disorder. Whatever others may have done in that -fire, Fernando's sharpshooters wasted no bullets. For a moment, the -Britons wavered and were about to fly, when Lieutenant-Colonel Short, -who led the British in assault, sprang to the front of his soldiers and, -waving his sword above his head, cried:</p> - -<p>"Cut away the pickets, my brave boys, and show the d--d Yankees no -quarter!"</p> - -<p>A wild, angry shout answered this appeal, and the ranks recovering their -order, the head of the column rushed forward, and leaped down into the -ditch, which was soon densely crowded. This was the time for which -Croghan had waited. Another minute and the fort would have been -captured. The over-loaded six-pounder, so trained as to rake the -assailants, now bore fully on the masses of soldiery in the ditch. The -dark mask which had concealed it was suddenly jerked aside, and -Croghan cried:</p> - -<p>"Fire!"</p> - -<p>The match was applied. A clap of thunder, a sheet of flame, a hissing -sound of grape, shrieks and groans, and Fernando saw whole ranks mowed -down, as the white smoke arose for a moment hiding the prospect from -view. When the veil of battle blew aside, he saw such a scene of horror -as he had never before witnessed. At first a lane was perceptible -extending through the densest portion of the assaulting mass, marking -the path traversed by the shot; but as the distance from the gun -increased, and the grape scattered, this clearly defined line gave place -to a prospect of the wildest confusion. One third of those who had -entered the ditch lay there a shapeless, quivering mass. In many -instances, the dead had fallen on the wounded, and as the latter -struggled to extricate themselves, the scene resembled that depicted in -old paintings of the final judgment, where fiends and men wrestle in -horrible contortions. Groans, shrieks and curses more terrible than all -rose from that Golgotha. Lieutenant-Colonel Short was among the slain. -The few who retained life and strength, after the first second of -amazement, rushed from the post of peril, leaped wildly upon the bank, -and, communicating their terror to the rest of the column, the whole -took flight and buried itself in the neighboring woods; while such a -shout went up to heaven from the conquerors as had never been heard on -that wild shore before. Well might the Americans exult, for the -successful resistance was against ten times their own number. The -British loss was one hundred and fifty. That hot day, August 2, 1813, at -five o'clock in the evening, George Croghan by one cannon-shot -immortalized himself.</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens had been under a terrible strain all the day and the -night before, and no sooner was the enemy gone, than he sank exhausted -on the ground with scores of others.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV."></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> - -<p>ON LAND.</p> - -<p>Shortly after the gallant and successful defence of Fort Stephenson, -Fernando, with a detached squad of twenty riflemen, joined General -Harrison, and was subsequently assigned to the regiment of Colonel -Richard M. Johnson, whose Kentuckians won the battle of the Thames.</p> - -<p>After his signal defeat at Fort Stephenson, Proctor with his British -troops returned to Malden by water, while Tecumseh with his followers -passed over by land, round the head of Lake Erie, and joined him at that -point. Discouraged by want of success, and having lost all confidence in -General Proctor, Tecumseh seriously meditated a withdrawal from the -contest, but was induced by Proctor to remain.</p> - -<p>From a distant shore, Tecumseh witnessed Perry's wonderful naval battle; -but of course could not determine which had been victorious. Proctor, to -reconcile the chief, said:</p> - -<p>"My fleet has whipped the Americans; but the vessels being much -injured, have gone into Put-in Bay to refit and will be here in a -few days."</p> - -<p>[Illustration: <b>TECUMSEH</b>.]</p> - -<p>This base falsehood did not deceive the wily Indian. The sagacious eye -of Tecumseh soon perceived indications of a retreat. He finally -demanded, in the name of the Indians under his command, to be heard, and -on September 18, 1813, delivered to Proctor, as the representative of -their great father, the king, the following speech:</p> - -<p>"Father, listen to your children. You have them now all before you. The -war before this, our British father gave the hatchet to his red -children, when our old chiefs were alive. They are now dead. In that war -our father was thrown on his back by the Americans, and our father took -them by the hand without our knowledge, and we are afraid that our -father will do so again at this time. Summer before last, when I came -forward with my red brethren and was ready to take up the hatchet in -favor of our British father, we were told not to be in a hurry, that he -had not yet determined to fight the Americans. Listen! when war was -declared, our father stood up and gave us the tomahawk, and told us that -he was ready to strike the Americans; that he wanted our assistance, -and that he would certainly get our lands back which the Americans had -taken from us. Listen! you told us at that time, to bring forward our -families to this place, and we did so; and you promised to take care of -them, and they should want for nothing, while the men would go and fight -the enemy; that we need not trouble ourselves about the enemies' -garrisons; that we knew nothing about them, and that our father would -attend to that part of the business. You also told your red children -that you should take good care of your garrison here, which made our -hearts glad. Listen! when we were last at the rapids, it is true, we -gave you little assistance. It is hard to fight people who live like -ground-hogs. Father, listen! Our fleet has gone out; we know they have -fought; we have heard their great guns; but we know nothing of what has -happened to our father (Commodore Barclay) with one arm.</p> - -<p>"Our ships have gone one way, and we are much astonished to see our -father tying up everything and preparing to run away the other, without -letting his red children know what his intentions are. You always told -us to remain here and take care of our lands; it made our hearts glad to -hear that was your wish. Our great father, the king, is the head, and -you represent him. You always told us you would never draw your foot off -British ground; but now, father, we see that you are drawing back, and -we are sorry to see our father doing so without seeing the enemy. We -must compare your conduct to a fat dog, that carries its tail on its -back, but when affrighted, drops it between its legs and runs off. -Father, listen! the Americans have not yet defeated us by land, neither -are we sure that they have done so by water; we, therefore, wish to -remain here and fight our enemy, should they make their appearance. If -they defeat us, we will then retreat with our father. At the battle of -the rapids, the Americans certainly defeated us, and when we returned to -our father's fort at that place, the gates were shut against us. We were -afraid that it would now be the case; but instead of that, we now see -our British father preparing to march out of his garrison. Father, you -have got the arms and ammunition which our great father sent for his red -children. If you have any idea of going away, give them to us, and you -may go and welcome, for us. Our lives are in the hands of the Great -Spirit. We are determined to defend our lands, and, if it be his will, -we wish to leave our bones upon them."</p> - -<p>Unless the unscrupulous Proctor was utterly lost to shame, his cheek -must have burned as he listened to the stinging reproof of the noble -Indian Chief. Ever since the white men began their political struggles -for power on the American continent, the unfortunate Indian has been -their tool, and their scapegoat. Cheated, deceived by falsehoods and -false friends, he was ever thrust forward as a sacrifice to the hatred -of contending white men. Spanish, English and French were all alike -equally guilty.</p> - -<p>Proctor and Tecumseh fled from Malden at the approach of the Americans. -They had been gone scarce an hour, when the head of the American column -appeared playing Yankee Doodle.</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens was with Colonel Johnson's riflemen, when, on the 29th -of September, they reached Detroit, while Harrison was encamped at -Sandwich. Informed that Proctor and Tecumseh were flying eastward toward -the Moravian town on the river Thames, or La Tranche, as the French -called the stream, eighty miles from Detroit, the American forces, about -thirty-five hundred strong, on October 2, 1813, began pursuit. Johnson's -mounted riflemen led the van, while General Selby, a hero of King's -Mountain, followed with his Kentuckians, eager to avenge the slaughter -of their friends at River Raisin. For three days the pursuit continued. -At last, on the morning of the 5th of October, the army came up with -Proctor. Fernando was with the advance guard when they came on a small -party of Indians. The sharp crack of their rifles warned the armies to -prepare for action, and both began to form.</p> - -<p>The victory which followed properly belonged to Johnson and his mounted -Kentuckians, though, as historians seldom know any one save the heads of -armies, it has been accorded to Harrison.</p> - -<p>Fernando galloped back to Colonel Johnson and informed him that the -enemy was posted on a narrow strip of dry land, with the river Thames on -the left, and a swamp on the right. Tecumseh, with about twelve hundred -savages, occupied the extreme right on the eastern margin of the swamp. -The infantry, eight hundred in number, were posted between the river and -swamp, the men drawn up in open order. They waited for Harrison's orders -to attack. The general at first designed to attack with infantry; but, -perceiving the position of the British regulars to be favorable for a -charge, he turned to Johnson and asked:</p> - -<p>"Will you undertake it?"</p> - -<p>"I have accustomed my men to it from the first," he answered.</p> - -<p>"Then charge!"</p> - -<p>Galloping to the head of his regiment, Johnson said:</p> - -<p>"My brave Kentucky lads, to us is accorded the honor of winning this -battle. Forward!" The whole cavalcade, more than a thousand strong, -went thundering over the solid plain. In the whole range of modern -warfare, perhaps there has never been a charge which, for reckless, -romantic courage, could compare to this. The Kentuckians were armed only -with long-barrelled rifles, hatchets and knives. None had sabres, so -essential to cavalry; few had pistols, and there was not a carbine among -them; but, as Johnson had said, they were accustomed to those charges on -horseback, and could load and fire those long rifles with marvellous -rapidity even while in the saddle. Their hatchets and knives were as -deadly as the sabre. As they thundered down on the enemy, leaving the -infantry and General Harrison a mile behind, Johnson discovered that the -ground on which the British were drawn was too narrow for his whole -regiment to charge abreast, so he divided his force, sending his brother -Lieutenant-Colonel James Johnson with one division, against the -regulars, while he with the other turned off into the swamp, and fell -like a tornado upon the Indians under Tecumseh.</p> - -<p>Fernando went with the division against the British; but he heard the -splashing of mud and water, the cracking of rifles and wild shouts of -combatants, as, through smoke, spray, mud and low bushes, the -Kentuckians under Colonel Johnson charged the ambushed Indians. His own -division continued galloping forward, until they were close on the -British, who opened a heavy fire. The fire checked them; but -Johnson shouted:</p> - -<p>"Forward, Kentuckians!"</p> - -<p>Ashamed of their momentary hesitation, the men shook their bridles and, -with wild huzzahs, dashed right through the enemy, shooting right and -left. Wheeling rapidly about, as soon as the British line was passed the -Kentuckians poured in a destructive volley on their rear, and they fled, -or threw down their guns and cried for quarter, which was granted. -Proctor, with a part of his command, escaped, leaving his carriage -and papers.</p> - -<p>Fernando's horse had been wounded in the shoulder, and as he dismounted -to try to alleviate the suffering of the poor beast, he heard the -conflict still raging on his right. Colonel Johnson with his half of the -Kentuckians had struck Tecumseh and was routing his entire force. The -Indians fought stubbornly until Tecumseh fell, and hearing his voice no -longer they fled in confusion. A complete victory was gained before -General Harrison reached the field.</p> - -<p>Some historians of good authority state that Johnson shot Tecumseh with -his pistol, just as his own horse fell dead under him;--that as the -colonel's horse was sinking under innumerable wounds, he discovered a -large Indian, whose regal feathers denoted his rank, coming toward him -with uplifted tomahawk. He drew a pistol and shot him through the -heart. This has been denied. [Footnote: Seventeen years ago an aged man, -who was in the conflict, informed the author that he saw Tecumseh fall, -that he was shot through the head by a private soldier; "a big -Kentuckian."]</p> - -<p>Fernando accompanied the army of General Harrison to Niagara to join the -army of the centre; but Harrison, becoming offended at General -Armstrong, secretary of war, resigned and quit the service. Fernando -with his detached party, seven only of Captain Rose's original company, -joined the army under Gen. Boyd on November 10th, 1813, was with them on -the next day, the 11th, when they fought the enemy five hours at -Chrysler's farm in Canada. The Americans were driven from the field with -a loss of three hundred and thirty-nine.</p> - -<p>The writer must pause a moment to mention some of the stirring incidents -in which Fernando did not participate. On March 4th, 1813, Mr. Madison -was inaugurated for his second term. Terrence, who chanced to be in -Washington, greeted the president with: "Now Misther Prisident, we'll -whip the British sure."</p> - -<p>The Emperor of Russia having offered his services as mediator between -the United States and Great Britain, the president, on March 8th, 1813, -appointed commissioners to treat for peace. On the 10th of April, the -British attacked Lewiston, Delaware, but after several days bombardment -abandoned the siege. On April 27, the Americans under General Pike -besieged upper York under General Sheaffe. The British, deserted by -their Indian allies, who fled before the roar of artillery, took post -with the garrison near the governor's house and opened a fire of grape -and round-shot on the invader. The battery was silenced and all thought -the British had surrendered. General Pike was sitting on the stump of a -tree talking with a captive British officer, when a tremor of the earth -was felt, 'immediately followed by a tremendous explosion near by. The -British, unable to hold the fort had fired a magazine of gunpowder on -the edge of the lake. The effect was terrible. Fragments of timber and -huge stones, of which the magazine walls were built, were scattered in -every direction over a space of several hundred feet. When the smoke -floated away, the scene was appalling. Fifty-two Americans lay dead, and -one hundred and eighty others were wounded. Forty of the British were -also slain. General Pike, two of his aides and the captive officer were -mortally hurt. The dying general was taken to one of Chauncey's vessels. -His benumbed ears heard the shout of victory, when the British ensign -was pulled down at York. Just before he died, the captured British flag -was brought to him. He smiled and made a sign for it to be placed under -his head. This was done, and he expired. Though Sheaffe and the larger -part of his force escaped, the civil authorities and a larger part of -the militia formally surrendered York. The American loss in killed and -wounded was two hundred and eighty-six; the British lost one hundred and -forty besides prisoners.</p> - -<p>On May 27, General Scott and Commodore Perry captured Fort George at -Niagara, and at the same time Sir George Prevost was repulsed at -Sackett's Harbor, New York, by General Brown. On June 6th, Generals -Chandler and Winder were surprised and captured, though their troops -retired. On the 23d, Colonel Boerstler with six hundred men was captured -at Beaver Dam by a superior force of British.</p> - -<p>While Perry was defeating the enemy on Lake Erie, and the Johnson -brothers were defeating Proctor and slaying Tecumseh, the discontent -which that redoubtable chief had stirred up in the South was beginning -to have its effect among the Creeks. On August 30, 1813, they attacked -Fort Mimms, which they set on fire and captured, massacring all but -twenty out of four hundred men, women and children. The British agent at -Pensacola, it is said, had offered five dollars each for scalps, and -many of the savages carried the scalps of women and children there to -claim their reward.</p> - -<p>A cry for help went northward and the brave Tennesseeans flew to the -relief of their neighbors. General Andrew Jackson, military commander of -that region, was disabled by a wound received from a brilliant but -brutal ruffian named Thomas H. Benton, who was afterward United States -Senator from Missouri.</p> - -<p>Late in September, Colonel John Coffee, at the head of five hundred -cavalry, hurried to the Creek frontier. He rendezvoused at Fayetteville, -where Jackson joined him early in October. On the 3d, Coffee attacked -the Indians at Tallahatchee (near Jacksonville, Benton county, Alabama) -and killed two hundred warriors;--not a warrior escaped. On the 8th of -November, Jackson defeated the Indians with great slaughter at -Talladega. Late in November, General Floyd with nine hundred Georgians -and four hundred friendly Indians attacked the hostile savages at -Autossee and drove them from the holy ground.</p> - -<p>Weatherford, the Tecumseh of the South, was attacked, on the 23d of -November, at Econachaca. Weatherford was defeated and escaped by leaping -his horse from a precipice into the river and swimming to the -other side.</p> - -<p>On January 21, 1814, General Jackson was fiercely attacked by the -Creeks at Emucfau on the west bank of the Tallapoosa River. Though he -repulsed the Indians, he thought it best to retire from the field.</p> - -<p>The Creeks were gathered in great numbers at the "Horse-shoe Bend" of the -Tallapoosa. A strong breastwork, composed mostly of hickory logs, was -built across the neck of the peninsula. The Indians had great stores of -provisions and supplies at this place.</p> - -<p>On the 27th of March, the Americans, led by Sam Houston, stormed this -fort and routed the Indians, whom they shot down like wild beasts. The -power and spirit of the Creeks was broken, and even the haughty -Weatherford sued for peace. Save the trouble caused by the Spanish and -British, the war in the South was practically ended.</p> - -<p>Fernando, who was still with the northern army, had been shifted about -so much, that he had received but one or two letters from home. He had -participated in the affair at Black Rock, had seen Buffalo burned, and -while lying in camp near the ruins, learned of the ravages of the enemy -on the Delaware and Chesapeake bays. As yet the British, perhaps out of -respect for the Peace Party, had done little damage to the coast of New -England. Fernando often thought of the Maryland Coast, of Baltimore and -Mariana, and wondered if she were there yet, in the great, white stone -house on the hill.</p> - -<p>One day, about March 1st, 1813, he received a letter from his mother. It -was the first news from home for nearly a year, for the facilities for -fast mails were not so good then as now.</p> - -<p>"I have glorious news to tell you, Fernando." she said, among other -things. "Your friend Sukey is at home. His ship the <i>Macedonia</i> was -captured by the frigate <i>United States</i>. He says if he can learn where -you are, he is coming to you."</p> - -<p>There was a slip of paper in his mother's letter on which was written in -a well-known hand,</p> - -<p>"Fernando, I am coming soon, for I am in the game now. SUKEY."</p> - -<p>Fernando answered the letter, saying that he was soon to march under -General Wilkinson into Canada. A few days later, the Americans under -Wilkinson invaded Canada and, on March 30th, were repulsed at La Colle. -Fernando returned with others to the American side. He was near Oswego, -New York, when the British captured and destroyed it. He was assigned to -Brown's command and was with it in the capture of Fort Erie, on July 3d. -Fort Erie was the chief impediment to the invasion of Canada.</p> - -<p>Prompt measures were taken to secure the advantages gained by this -victory; for it was known that General Riall, who was then the chief -commander of the British on the frontier, was moving on Fort Erie. Early -on the morning of the 3d, learning of the peril of the fort, he sent -forward some royal Scots to reinforce the garrison. At Chippewa they -heard of the fall of the fort, and Riall determined to attack the -Americans next day. To meet this force, General Brown sent General Scott -forward with Towsen's artillery.</p> - -<p>At noon on the 5th, Scott was joined by Porter with his volunteers and -Indians. The British also were reinforced. Nearly half the day was spent -by the two armies feeling of each other. Skirmishers were deployed and -an occasional shot fired; but it was not until afternoon that they came -together in an earnest struggle. The fight was long and desperate; but -the Americans triumphed and defeated Riall and the veterans of -Wellington. They lost one hundred and thirty-three killed and forty-six -missing, while the Americans' loss was sixty killed and two hundred and -sixty-eight wounded and missing.</p> - -<p>The English troops in that portion of Canada hastened to concentrate. On -the 25th of July, General Brown, being informed that a detachment of the -enemy had invaded American soil, hurried General Scott forward to -attack the party at the mouth of the Niagara, hoping by this division to -recall the foe. General Scott at the head of thirteen hundred men came -suddenly across a superior force at Lundy's Lane, under Generals -Drummond and Riall. A desperate conflict ensued, during which General -Brown arrived at dark, and, withdrawing Scott's brigade, the fight was -resumed. On a height at the head of the lane the enemy had posted a -battery. General Brown asked Colonel Miller if he could take it.</p> - -<p>"I will try," he answered.</p> - -<p>Amid a storm of grape, canister and leaden balls, the battery was taken -and victory won. Several unsuccessful efforts were made by the foe to -regain this elevation. The combat, which had begun before dark, raged -until midnight. By this time, both Generals Brown and Scott were wounded -and forced to retire from the field. The command now devolved on General -Ripley. The enemy being repulsed, Ripley concluded to retire to camp, -whence, after refreshing his men, he was directed to march by daylight -and engage the foe; but, finding the enemy's force had been much -increased during the night, Ripley thought it advisable to retreat, and -accordingly retired to Fort Erie, destroying the bridges as he went. The -loss of the British at Lundy's Lane was eighty-five killed, five -hundred and fifty-five wounded and two hundred and fifty-four missing. -The American loss in killed, wounded and missing was eight hundred -and sixty.</p> - -<p>General Ripley used every exertion to strengthen Fort Erie before the -enemy should arrive.</p> - -<p>At midnight during the battle of Lundy's Lane, Fernando Stevens and -about fifty sharpshooters became separated from the American army in the -darkness, and at dawn, when the retreat began to Fort Erie, they found -themselves cut off by the enemy. Three or four hundred British -grenadiers were sent in pursuit of them, and they continued to retreat -skirmishing along the way for three days, until they fell in with some -New York militia hurrying to the southern part of the State. There was -nothing better than to go with them. Fernando was chosen captain of the -company, and recruits soon swelled his numbers to a hundred. On reaching -New York he reported to Brown, for being a detached company, he had no -colonel to whom he could report. Brown had received orders by this time -to send all forces available to Washington, which was being threatened -by General Boss, and Fernando's riflemen were ordered South. The -Americans under Ripley were besieged at Fort Erie on August 4th. On the -15th, they repulsed the enemy with a heavy loss (962 men). On the 11th -of September, Commodore McDonough of the American navy captured the -British fleet under Commodore Downie. A simultaneous attack on -Plattsburgh by Provost miscarried by failure of the fleet and panic of -the soldiers. On the 17th, a sortie was made from Fort Erie, and the -British works were surprised and taken with a loss of one thousand to -the enemy.</p> - -<p>The New England coast, which had, in the early part of the war, been -exempt from the ravages of the English, was now threatened. England came -to the conclusion that the New Englanders were blinding them with -professions of friendship, in order to preserve their own peace and -prosperity. Despite their professed objections to the war, New England -continually sent volunteers to the aid of the country's cause. The -British attacked various points on the New England coast. At Stonington, -on August 9, 1814, they were repulsed. Though Boston was threatened, it -was not bombarded.</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens with over one hundred men reached Philadelphia, where -he found two regiments of regulars marching to Washington. He -accompanied them. The second day's march from Philadelphia, they were -overtaken by two mounted men dressed in citizen's clothes, who inquired -for Captain Stevens. They proved to be Sukey and Terrence.</p> - -<p>"I've been runnin' all over creation looking for you," Sukey declared. -"How can you skip from one side o' the earth to the other as easily as a -flea can cross a hammock? I went within sixty miles of Fort Erie the day -after the fight,--lost you;--heard you were in New York,--went after -you,--lost you; heard you were in Philadelphia,--went there,--lost you -and found Terrence. We supposed you were with the soldiers and came -after you."</p> - -<p>Terrence had just returned from a cruise; and his ship <i>Privateer Tom</i> -had been so badly damaged in a gale, that it would take weeks to repair -her, so he came with Sukey.</p> - -<p>Sukey had a terrible story to tell of captivity and service on the -<i>Macedonian</i>, which we reserve for the next chapter.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI."></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> - -<p>ON WATER.</p> - -<p>The English navy was the pride of that great nation in 1812, as it is -now. When war with the United States was discussed, the idea that -America without a navy, and with but few if any trained naval officers -could cope with England, caused the Briton to smile; but a great -surprise was in store. The first American victories were on the high -seas. Tradition, discipline, ships and training seemed all of no avail. -While the English were carrying everything on land, where it was -supposed they were weakest, they were losing everything on water, where -thought to be strongest. Everybody was surprised. They supposed the -first three or four American victories were accidents; but as success -after success continued to follow the American arms at sea, they were -dumfounded. England's boasted navy had lost its power.</p> - -<p>The first naval engagement of any consequence was on August 19, 1812. -Captain Hull of the United States frigate <i>Constitution</i> captured an -English frigate, <i>The Guerriere</i>, after a hard fought battle. <i>The -Guerriere</i> had made herself very obnoxious in her way of challenging -American vessels. In this engagement she lost seventy-nine killed and -wounded, while the <i>Constitution</i> lost but thirteen. There were ten -impressed Americans on <i>The Guerriere</i>. On the 7th of September, the -United States frigate <i>Essex</i> captured the <i>Alert</i> in a fight of eight -minutes. The American sloop-of-war <i>Wasp</i>, on the 18th of October, -encountered the British sloop-of-war <i>Frolic</i>, a much larger and -stronger ship. The fight was terrible, and only three officers and one -seaman on the <i>Frolic</i> remained unhurt; almost a hundred were killed and -wounded, while the Americans lost but ten. The <i>Wasp</i> did not long enjoy -her triumph, however. On that same evening the British man-of-war -<i>Poicters</i>, Captain Beresford, captured the <i>Wasp</i> and her prize.</p> - -<p>The phrase "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights," borne on the banner at the -masthead of the <i>Essex</i>, soon became the war-cry of the American seaman.</p> - -<p>The 25th of October, 1812, one week after the victory and loss of the -gallant <i>Wasp</i>, dawned bright and clear on the English frigate -<i>Macedonian</i> sailing westward of Canary Islands. Little change had come -to the <i>Macedonian</i> since Fernando Stevens had been transferred from her -to the sloop. At this time there were but three impressed Americans on -the <i>Macedonian</i>, Sukey, a negro sailor called Tawney and a man -named Rogers.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding their difference in race and social standing, Sukey and -Tawney were attached to each other. Both were Americans, and both loved -the star-spangled banner.</p> - -<p>It was a holy Sabbath morning, and every sailor, according to Captain -Garden's orders, was dressed in his best, when the cry of, "Sail ho!" -rang out from the masthead. It was ascertained that the stranger was an -American, and the ship was cleared for action. As the <i>Macedonian</i> bore -down on the American--her men at their quarters--Sukey and Tawney, who -happened to be stationed at the quarter-deck battery, respectfully -accosted the captain, as he passed them in his rapid promenade, his -spyglass under his arm.</p> - -<p>"Say, look here," said Sukey, "we are not Englishmen; we don't want to -be in the game. It's a bitter thing to lift a hand against the flag of -that country which harbors our parents. Please release us from this -contest and let us remain neutral during the fight; I tell you, I don't -want to be in the game."</p> - -<p>When a ship of any nation is running into action, there is no time for -argument, small time for justice, and not much for humanity. Snatching a -pistol from the belt of a boarder standing by, the captain leveled it -at the heads of the sailors, and commanded them instantly to their -quarters, under penalty of being shot on the spot. So, side by side with -their country's foes, Sukey, Tawney and Rogers toiled at the guns, and -fought out the fight to the last; with the exception of Rogers who was -killed by one of his country's balls.</p> - -<p>The conflict was terrible. Sukey was stationed on the gun deck, abreast -the mainmast. This part of the ship they called the slaughter-house, for -men fell five and six at a time. An enemy nearly always directs his shot -at this point in order to cut away the mast. The beams and carlines were -spattered with blood and brains. About the hatchways it looked like a -butcher's stall; bits of human flesh were sticking in the ring-bolts. A -pig that ran about the deck, though unharmed, was so covered with blood, -that the sailors threw it overboard, swearing it would be rank -cannibalism to eat it. A goat, kept on board for her milk, had her legs -shot away, and was thrown into the sea.</p> - -<p>The sailors who were killed were, according to the usual custom, ordered -to be thrown overboard as soon as they fell; for the sight of so many -corpses lying around might appall the survivors at the guns. A shot -entering one of the portholes cut down two-thirds of a gun's crew. The -captain of the next gun, dropping his lock string, which he had just -pulled, turned over the heap of bodies to see who they were; when, -perceiving an old messmate, who had sailed with him in many cruises, he -burst into tears, and, taking the corpse up in his arms and going with -it to the side, he held it over the water a moment, gazed on the silent -pale face and cried:</p> - -<p>"Oh, God! Tom--Tom, has it come to this at last----"</p> - -<p>"D--n your prayers! over with that thing! overboard with it and down to -your gun!" roared a wounded lieutenant. The order was obeyed, and the -heart-stricken sailor returned to his post.</p> - -<p>At last, having lost her fore and maintopmasts, her mizzenmast having -been shot away to the deck, and her foreyard lying in two pieces on her -shattered forecastle, having been hulled in a hundred places with round -shot, the <i>Macedonian</i> was reduced to the last extremity. Captain Garden -ordered his signal quarter-master to strike the flag.</p> - -<p>Never did Sukey hear a command with greater joy. Never was a sailor so -happy at being defeated. When the order was given to strike the flag, -one of Captain Garden's officers, a man hated by the seamen for his -tyranny, howled the most terrific remonstrances, and swore he would -rather sink alongside than surrender. Had he been captain, probably he -would have done so.</p> - -<p>Sukey and Tawney were among the boat's crew which rowed Captain Garden -to the enemy. As, he touched the deck, Captain Garden saluted his -captor, Captain Decatur, and offered him his sword; but it was -courteously declined. The victor remembered the dinner parties he and -Captain Garden had enjoyed in Norfolk, previous to the breaking out of -hostilities, and while both were in command of the very frigates now -crippled on the sea. The <i>Macedonian</i> had gone into Norfolk with -despatches; while Decatur was in that port. Then they had laughed and -joked over their wine, and a wager of a beaver hat was said to have been -made between them upon the event of the hostile meeting of their ships.</p> - -<p>This was their next meeting. Sukey and Tawney went home in the American -frigate <i>United States</i>. With Sukey's return to his native country, the -reader's interest in the naval operations perhaps ceases. Naval battles -are the same, bloody and desperate, and the details of the fight with -the <i>Macedonian</i> are the details of all others. After briefly noticing -the principal victories and defeats on sea, we shall take up again the -characters in our story.</p> - -<p>On November 22d, the United States brig <i>Vixen</i> was captured by the -English frigate <i>Southampton,</i> and both were subsequently shipwrecked -on December 29th, the United States frigate <i>Constitution</i>, under -Commodore Bainbridge, captured the British frigate <i>Java</i>, off the coast -of Brazil. The American loss was 44 and the British 151. The American -victories of the year of 1812 with such little loss produced much -exultation in America and surprise and mortification in England. -American seamen had been the greatest sufferers at the hands of the -British, and they had long burned to avenge the insults of the English -Navy. They fought for patriotism, glory and vengeance.</p> - -<p>The year 1813 was noted for the continued success of the American Navy. -On February 24th, the <i>Hornet</i> captured the British brig <i>Peacock</i> on -the coast of South America. On June 1st, the British frigate <i>Shannon</i> -captured the <i>Chesapeake</i> after a terrible battle, in which the -Americans lost 133 and the British half as many. Captain Lawrence of the -<i>Chesapeake</i> was mortally wounded, and his dying command, "Don't give up -the ship!" has been the motto for many worthy enterprises.</p> - -<p>In August, Captain Porter, with the American frigate <i>Essex</i>, cruising -in the Pacific Ocean, captured twelve armed British whalers. In the same -month, the American sloop-of-war <i>Argus</i>, cruising in the English -channel, captured twenty-one British merchantmen, but on the 13th was -herself captured by the British man-of-war <i>Pelican</i> after a severe -engagement. On the 3d of September, the American brig <i>Enterprise</i> -captured the British <i>Boxer</i> off the coast of Maine. Perry's victory on -Lake Erie, which occurred on the 10th of this month, has already -been noticed.</p> - -<p>The year 1814 was not a line of unbroken success, though American -victories were many and brilliant. On the 28th of March, the brilliant -career of the United States frigate <i>Essex</i>, in the Pacific Ocean, was -terminated by her capture by two British war vessels at Valparaiso. On -April 21st, the United States sloop-of-war <i>Frolic</i> was captured by the -British frigate <i>Orpheus</i>. On the 27th of the same month, the United -States sloop-of-war <i>Peacock</i> captured the British brig-of-war -<i>Epervier</i> with $118,000 in specie on board. On June 9th, the United -States sloop-of-war <i>Rattlesnake</i> was captured by a British man-of-war. -This reverse was followed by the loss of the United States sloop <i>Syren</i> -on the 12th. On the 28th, the American sloop <i>Wasp</i> captured the British -sloop <i>Reindeer</i>, in the British channel. On the 1st of September, the -<i>Wasp</i> captured the British sloop <i>Avon</i>, and after taking three other -prizes, this remarkably successful vessel mysteriously disappeared. Her -fate was never known, though it is supposed she was lost at sea.</p> - -<p>On January 15, 1815, the United States frigate <i>President</i> was captured -by four English vessels. On the 28th of February, although peace was -declared, the United States frigate <i>Constitution</i> captured two British -vessels of war, off the island of Madeira. In March, the United States -frigate <i>Hornet</i> captured the British brig <i>Penguin</i>, off the coast -of Brazil.</p> - -<p>The last hostile act at sea took place in the Straits of Sunda, in the -East Indies, where the United States brig-of-war <i>Peacock</i> captured the -<i>Nautilus</i>, a British sloop-of-war. The three American vessels at sea -when the war closed each came home crowned with laurels. The part taken -by the American privateers during the war was considerable and a -detailed history of them would fill a volume larger than this. During -the war there were I,750 British vessels captured, against a loss of -I,683 American ships. The spirit and energy of the American seamen, -under all their embarrassments, gave an unmistakable indication of the -future greatness of the power of the United States Navy.</p> - -<p>On the first night after Sukey and Terrence joined Fernando, the three -sat about the bivouac fire, while all save the sentries slept, talking -over the past which, to Fernando, seemed like a troubled dream.</p> - -<p>"Did either of you ever meet Captain Snipes?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>"Bad luck to him, I did not," said Terrence. "It's bad it would have -fared with the spalpeen if I had."</p> - -<p>At mention of Captain Snipes, there came an expression over Sukey's face -which is indescribable. His face grew pale, and his brow contracted, his -teeth set, and his eyes seemed to have the glitter of steel, while he -shrugged his shoulders, as if he again felt the cat-o'-nine-tails -about them.</p> - -<p>"Did he never come aboard the <i>Macedonian</i> again?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Did you hear of him?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Where was he?"</p> - -<p>"He was transferred to the <i>Xenophon</i>."</p> - -<p>"The <i>Xenophon</i>? was not Lieutenant Matson in command of that vessel?"</p> - -<p>"For awhile."</p> - -<p>"Was he not promoted?"</p> - -<p>"No; it seems his affair with you got to England."</p> - -<p>"Just in time to spoil a nate little promotion, too," put in Terrence. -"I heard all about it from the captain of the merchantman I captured. He -told me when we were playing poker one night."</p> - -<p>Fernando looked sadly into the smouldering bivouac and heaved a sigh. -Almost five years had elapsed since he had seen Morgianna, and he had -not heard a word from her since he left her in the great stone house on -the hill that night,--she laughing at his misery.</p> - -<p>After a long silence Fernando asked:</p> - -<p>"Is he married?"</p> - -<p>"Who?" asked Sukey.</p> - -<p>"Faith, the captain's absent minded," put in Terrence.</p> - -<p>"I mean Lieutenant Matson."</p> - -<p>"Not as I know of."</p> - -<p>"Did you see him after we left Mariana?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"When?"</p> - -<p>"Only six days before we were captured by Decatur. We touched at the -Canary Islands, and the <i>Xenophon</i> was there. He came aboard our -vessel."</p> - -<p>"Did he recognize you?"</p> - -<p>"No," Sukey answered. "Had he known me he wouldn't a-talked with a -common sailor."</p> - -<p>"Was he married then?"</p> - -<p>"No; I heard him tell Captain Garden that he was still single."</p> - -<p>Fernando heaved another sigh and asked:</p> - -<p>"Did he say--did he say anything about her?"</p> - -<p>"Who?"</p> - -<p>Fernando heaved another sigh and asked:</p> - -<p>"Did he say--did he say anything about her?'7</p> - -<p>"Who?"</p> - -<p>The conversation was not interesting to Terrence and he had gone to -another part of the camp, to engage in a game of cards with a sentry.</p> - -<p>"Morgianna," Fernando said.</p> - -<p>"Morgianna? no--she is the girl at Mariana, isn't she?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"I didn't hear him mention her name."</p> - -<p>"They are not married yet?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I was mistaken after all," said Fernando thoughtfully. "May be -she don't care for him."</p> - -<p>Then Fernando sighed again and gazed into the smouldering fire. After -several minutes more, he said:</p> - -<p>"Sukey, she must be in love with him."</p> - -<p>"I thought so."</p> - -<p>Fernando sighed and remarked:</p> - -<p>"She may have married some one else, though."</p> - -<p>"No, she ain't."</p> - -<p>"Have you heard of her?"</p> - -<p>"I saw her!" Sukey declared.</p> - -<p>"When?"</p> - -<p>"When I was in Baltimore last winter."</p> - -<p>"Did you talk with her, Sukey?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Then how did you know she was not married?"</p> - -<p>"When I was in Baltimore last winter."</p> - -<p>"Did you talk with her, Sukey?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Then how did you know she was not married?"</p> - -<p>"I was in a store and overheard two women who knew her gossiping. One -asked the other if Morgianna Lane was married yet. One said:</p> - -<p>"'I thought she would marry the English lieutenant.'</p> - -<p>"The other said:</p> - -<p>"'No, not yet. I suppose they are waiting till the war is over.'</p> - -<p>"'Has she no other lover?' asked the other. Then the other woman said -she believed not, at least none ever came to see her."</p> - -<p>Fernando was quite sure she must have lovers by the score. Such a -glorious woman as Morgianna could not but have an abundance to -choose from.</p> - -<p>"You saw Morgianna, Sukey, how did she look?"</p> - -<p>"Just as when we left. Not a day older."</p> - -<p>"You knew her at sight?"</p> - -<p>"Of course; but she didn't know me. I suspect I was a hard-looking case -then; for I had just come from the ship and had on my English -pea-jacket, and my linen was not the cleanest."</p> - -<p>Fernando sat silent for such a long time, that Sukey, who was tired, -nodded awhile in silence, then, rolling up in his blanket, lay down -under a tree and slept. Fernando still sat gazing into the fire and -saying to himself:</p> - -<p>"Oh, if it could have been, if it could have been!"</p> - -<p>A young woman does a rash thing when she rejects such a warm, manly -heart as that of Fernando Stevens. Not all men are capable of such -unselfish devotion as his, and Morgianna little dreamed how much she was -casting aside.</p> - -<p>He was still gazing into the smouldering fire, when Terrence, who had -won all the money from the soldier with whom he was playing cards, came -to him and said:</p> - -<p>"Captain, are ye goin' to spend the night gazing into the fire?"</p> - -<p>"No, Terrence; I am not sleepy; but I will lie down."</p> - -<p>"Captain, do ye remember the little girl at Mariana five years ago, the -one yersilf and the Englishman were about to break heads over?"</p> - -<p>"You mean Morgianna Lane, Terrence?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure I do. I saw the swate craythur not two months since." -Fernando, who was anything but sleepy, asked:</p> - -<p>"Where did you see her, Terrence?"</p> - -<p>"In Baltimore. She is prettier than whin you used to stroll over the -beach in the moonlight with her."</p> - -<p>"Is she married?"</p> - -<p>"Divil a bit. I talked with her, and, d'ye belave me, almost the first -question she asked me was about yersilf. Aye, Fernando, it was a grand -story I told her about ye making a hero of yersilf. I told her how ye -defeated Tecumseh and killed the thief with yer own hand, and how ye -conquered at Chippewa and Lundy's Lane."</p> - -<p>Fernando's heart gave a tremendous bound. Had she really asked about -him? Then she had not forgotten him in five long years. Could this be -true? Terrence had not the strictest regard for truth, and he might be -only telling this out of mischief.</p> - -<p>"Terrence, are you telling me the truth?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Ivery blissid word of it is the gospel truth, me frind," Terrence -answered. "The little girl still lives at the village beyant Baltimore, -and if ye want her, ye kin win her."</p> - -<p>"Terrence, you are trifling with me; Morgianna cares nothing for me."</p> - -<p>"Don't ye belave it. If she didn't, why did she ask about ye the very -first chance she had? Me boy, whin a girl remembers a fellow after five -years, it's some sign. Now if ye want that blushin' damsel, lave it -all to me."</p> - -<p>"Terrence, let us go to sleep, we have a hard march before us -to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"I take it at yer word, captain."</p> - -<p>In less than ten minutes the light-hearted Irishman was buried in -slumber.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII."></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> - -<p>THE CRUISER'S THREAT.</p> - -<p>Terrence and Sukey both volunteered to accompany Fernando's detached -riflemen in the vigorous campaign which was before them. Fernando's -riflemen now numbered one hundred and sixty-two, composed mostly of -frontiersmen, all dead shots. Sukey declared that he was in the game and -would kill a British officer for every stripe Captain Snipes had caused -to be laid on his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"There were twelve blows, nine stripes each. Nine times twelve are one -hundred and eight."</p> - -<p>"And have ye got the job all before ye, Sukey?" asked Terrence.</p> - -<p>"I've commenced. Eight have been blotted out. Only a hundred remains," -Sukey answered solemnly.</p> - -<p>No one asked when the eight had been blotted out, but Fernando knew he -must have done it while the <i>Macedonian</i> was fighting the American -frigate. Sailors, driven to desperation, frequently take advantage of -such occasions to wreak vengeance on cruel officers. The boatswain's -mate who had flogged Sukey was found dead on the gun deck at the close -of the fight.</p> - -<p>The American forces were hurried forward to Washington, where everything -was in the wildest confusion. The contemptible Peace Party had done all -by way of ridicule and argument to keep off the war, and were now doing -all in their power to prevent its prosecution. General Winder and -Commodore Barney were in command of the land and naval forces of the -United States, for the defence of Washington. In vain Winder had called -on the government for more troops and supplies.</p> - -<p>When Fernando arrived at Washington, Barney had already blown up his -flotilla at Pig Point, and with his soldiers and marines joined -General Winder.</p> - -<p>General Ross, the commander of the British land forces and one of the -most active of Wellington's officers, on finding the American flotilla a -smoking ruin, marched to upper Marlborough with his troops, where a road -led directly to Washington City, leaving Cockburn in charge of the -British flotilla. Winder had but three thousand men, most of them -undisciplined, to oppose this force; and he prudently retreated toward -Washington followed by Ross, who, on the 23d of August, was joined by -Cockburn and his seamen.</p> - -<p>Uncertain whether Washington City or Fort Washington was the -destination of the enemy, Winder left a force at Bladensburg about four -miles from the capitol, and with other troops watched the highways -leading in other directions, while he hastened to the city to inform the -president that the enemy were camped in ten miles of the capitol.</p> - -<p>Neither President Madison nor his cabinet slept that night. Fernando and -his riflemen were sent to Bladensburg at midnight, and on the morning of -August 24, 1814, a small scouting party sent down the road came back -reporting that the British army was on the advance.</p> - -<p>Fernando with his riflemen went to meet the enemy and hold them in check -as long as possible. About ten o'clock, they came in sight of the -advance of the enemy. About two hundred redcoats were led by an officer -on horseback.</p> - -<p>Sukey saw that officer, and he also saw an old tree about a hundred -yards nearer the enemy and twenty paces to the left of the road. From -it, one would be in long rifle range of the British.</p> - -<p>"Fernando, I want to go there," said Sukey, hugging his long rifle as if -it were his dearest friend.</p> - -<p>"Go."</p> - -<p>He went with arms trailed, stooping as he ran, to keep the enemy from -seeing him, and gained the tree, which stood on an eminence that -overlooked the narrow valley below. The British saw the Americans and -halted. The officer was riding up and down the line giving directions, -wholly unconscious of the rifle behind the old tree.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a little puff of smoke curled up from where Sukey was crouched, -and the crack of a rifle rang out. The officer in his gay uniform -dropped his sword and fell from his saddle, while Sukey took a small day -book from his pocket and wrote "nine" in it.</p> - -<p>Fernando's company fell back to Bladensburg, where he deployed them so -as to cover the Americans' line, and awaited the approach of the enemy.</p> - -<p>It was afternoon before they advanced, and the skirmishers for ten -minutes held them in check, then, as they fell back to the main line, -Fernando saw Sukey write "twelve" in his book. The fight began in -earnest just below Bladensburg in an old field. The roar of cannon and -rattling crash of musketry filled the air. General Winder, who had been -in Washington the night before, returned just before the battle began. -The militia broke and fled in confusion; and the brave Barney, with -Captain Stevens' riflemen, sustained the brunt of the battle, until -Barney was severely wounded, when Winder, seeing no hope of winning a -victory, ordered a retreat. The troops remaining fell back toward -Montgomery Courthouse, in Maryland, leaving the battlefield in -possession of the invaders. The battle had lasted more than four hours, -and the victory was won at fearful cost, for more than five hundred -Britons were dead or wounded on the field, among them several officers -of distinction, Sukey had added several numbers in his book.</p> - -<p>The president and his secretaries of war and state had come to witness -the conflict and give assistance if possible. When the day was lost, -they mounted swift horses and dashed back to the city. Terrence, who had -captured the steed of a British officer, overtook the president's -advance party. Whipping his horse alongside the president, he cried:</p> - -<p>"Misther Madison, wasn't that as illegant a knock down as iver a man saw -in all his life? I enjoy such."</p> - -<p>"How are we to save Washington without an army?" cried the president, -whose mind was wholly occupied with the safety of the capital.</p> - -<p>To this, Terrence responded with his stereotyped:</p> - -<p>"Lave it all to me."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Madison, at the White House, had already been apprised of danger, -by a messenger sent by her husband on the flight of the militia. Her -carriage was at the door ready for flight, and she had already sent -away to a place of safety silver plate and other valuables. While -waiting anxiously for her husband, she cut out of the frame for -preservation a full length portrait of Washington, by Stuart. At this -moment, her husband's messengers, Mr. Jacob Barker and another man, -entered the house. Mr. Barker cried:</p> - -<p>"Fly, Mrs. Madison, the day is lost, and the British are coming!"</p> - -<p>"Where is my husband?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Safe, and he will join you beyond the Potomac."</p> - -<p>Pointing to Washington's picture on the floor, she cried:</p> - -<p>"Save that picture! save or destroy it, but do not let it fall into the -hands of the British!"</p> - -<p>Then, snatching up the precious parchment on which the Declaration of -Independence was written, and which contained the names of the fifty-six -signers of that document, she entered the carriage with her sister and -two others, and the four were driven away to a place of safety beyond -the Potomac. The picture was saved, and it now adorns one of the -reception rooms in the White House.</p> - -<p>The British entered Washington at sunset, August 24, 1814, and at once -began to plunder, burn and destroy. The capitol, president's house, -treasury buildings, arsenal and barracks were burned, and of the public -buildings only the patent office was saved. Some private houses were -plundered and others were burned. While these buildings were blazing in -the city, the public vessels and other government property at the navy -yard were in flames, for Commodore Tingey, who was in command there, had -been ordered to destroy this property in case it was likely to fall into -the hands of the invaders. Two millions of dollars' worth of public -property were destroyed on that night.</p> - -<p>On the 27th of August, three days later, Alexandria was plundered of her -public stores by the British. Having taken an enormous amount as ransom -for the city, the British sailed down the Potomac, annoyed part of the -way by the guns from the American forts.</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens' riflemen, after the battle of Bladensburg, hastened -toward Baltimore, which they knew to be also threatened. Here they found -the people energetically making every possible effort to defend the -city. Fort McHenry, which commanded the harbor, was garrisoned by about -a thousand men, under Major Armistead, and was supported by redoubts. -Fernando's riflemen were assigned to General Stricker.</p> - -<p>On September 11, 1814, the enemy appeared off Patapsco Bay, and before -sunrise on the 12th had landed, nine thousand strong, at North Point, -twelve miles from Baltimore. When news came that the British were -landing on North Point, General Smith, who had about nine thousand men -under his command, sent General Stricker with more than three thousand -of them, to watch the enemy, and act as circumstances might require.</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens' riflemen accompanied Stricker, and were sent forward -down a rocky ravine, where they might watch the enemy. Fernando left his -men in the deepest hollow while he, with only ten or twelve, crept -forward behind some large stones which lay at the roadside. About ten -paces to the right of Fernando was Sukey, with his formidable rifle -resting in the hollow of his left arm. Soon the head of the long column -could be seen advancing up the broad thoroughfare. Fernando saw two -gayly-dressed officers riding at the head. He afterward learned that -they were Generals Ross and Cockburn.</p> - -<p>"Say, Fernando," said Sukey, "those fellows are officers, ain't they?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Must be generals by the clothes they wear?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps."</p> - -<p>Ross was riding gayly along by the side of Cockburn, laughing and -jesting about making Baltimore his winter quarters, when on their left -there suddenly rang out the sharp crack of a rifle, while a little puff -of smoke curled up from the great black rock almost two hundred -paces distant.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" groaned the general, and jerking his rein, until his horse reared -in the air, his chin fell on his chest, and he began to sink from the -saddle. Cockburn caught him and called for assistance. They hurried him -back to the boats, where he might have surgical aid; but he died before -the boats were reached.</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens heard the sharp report on his right, as Ross fell, and, -turning his eyes in that direction, saw the smoke slowly curling up from -the muzzle of Sukey's rifle.</p> - -<p>"Say, Fernando, I ought to count three or four for that one, shouldn't -I?" Sukey coolly asked. "He was a big one." [Footnote: The reader will -pardon this slight deviation from history. The real slayers of General -Ross were two Baltimore mechanics, Wells and McComas, both of whom fell -in the conflict on the same day, and to whose memory a monument has been -erected by the citizens of Baltimore.]</p> - -<p>The British were thrown into momentary confusion by the sudden death of -General Ross; but Colonel Brooke rallied them, and Fernando's riflemen -fell back until they joined General Stricker's men.</p> - -<p>The British came on and a severe fight, which lasted two hours, ensued, -when Stricker ordered a retreat to his reserve corps. There he reformed -a brigade and fell back toward the city, as far as Worthington's Mill, -where they were joined by General Winder and some fresh troops.</p> - -<p>Fernando witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry during that terrible -night, when Mr. Francis S. Key, a prisoner on board an English vessel, -composed the song which immortalized him,--"The Star-Spangled Banner."</p> - -<p>Not only Baltimore, but all the Chesapeake and coast was threatened by -the British. Cruisers by the score were threatening almost every -seaport town.</p> - -<p>The day after the unsuccessful bombardment of Fort McHenry, General -Smith sent for Fernando Stevens, and when he was in the general's head -quarters, that officer said:</p> - -<p>"Captain Stevens, I would like to have you do a little detached duty."</p> - -<p>"General, I am willing to do whatever you wish. You can command me at -your pleasure."</p> - -<p>"There is a cruiser on the coast threatening a little town where some -government stores have been placed for safety. Will you undertake the -defence of the town?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly; I will do the best I can; but success will depend on my -means."</p> - -<p>"How many men have you?"</p> - -<p>"One hundred and fifty."</p> - -<p>"I will send fifty marines with you."</p> - -<p>"But artillery?"</p> - -<p>"There are some nine-pounders and one long thirty-two at the village. -Muster your men, hasten there at once, and do the best you can."</p> - -<p>"But, general, you have not yet told me the name of the village."</p> - -<p>"Mariana."</p> - -<p>"What?" gasped Fernando, starting to his feet. "Did you say Mariana. -Perhaps I misunderstood you."'</p> - -<p>"No; I mean Mariana. Captain Lane, an old privateer officer of the -Revolution, is there. He has organized a company of Marylanders on the -peninsula on which Mariana is situated, and will be able to help you -some. You will find an abundance of ammunition for your artillery."</p> - -<p>Fernando left the general's quarters with his heart beating in a way -which he could not explain. Terrence had just returned to the company. -Fernando ordered his men to be ready to march at dark, and was hastening -across the street to a tavern for his supper, when he was suddenly -accosted by a familiar voice with:</p> - -<p>"Golly! massa Stevens, am dat you?"</p> - -<p>"Job, where have you come from?"</p> - -<p>"Everywhar, Massa. I done been rovin' de worl' over huntin' for de massa -I belong to when I war taken by de Britishers; but I can't find him. -Whar ye gwine?"</p> - -<p>Fernando explained, and the negro said:</p> - -<p>"Golly! ye goin' dar?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Job."</p> - -<p>"De ship what am goin' ter bombard dat town am de <i>Xenophon</i>."</p> - -<p>"<i>Xenophon</i>!" cried Fernando; "surely Providence must be in this."</p> - -<p>Job volunteered at once to accompany the riflemen, and, having some -knowledge of gunnery, his services were very acceptable.</p> - -<p>At dusk, with competent guides, Fernando set out for the village.</p> - -<hr style="width: 25%;"> - -<p>Five years had been added to the weight with which time was crushing -Captain Lane; but his spirit was still as undaunted as ever, and when he -found the town threatened by a British cruiser, he hastily organized the -people into militia companies, and began throwing up a line of -earthworks, which extended from his own house to the lowest extremity of -the village.</p> - -<p>The plan of the breastwork was well laid and executed; but the artillery -was poorly mounted and they were sadly in need of experienced gunners.</p> - -<p>"Father, don't exert yourself until you are sick!" said Morgianna, when -her father came home one evening exhausted. "Surely, if the British -come, they will not harm us."</p> - -<p>"My child, the plunderers have sacked other towns and insulted the -inhabitants, and why not ours?"</p> - -<p>"But no ship is in sight."</p> - -<p>"No; yet one has been hovering about the coast and Tris Penrose, who was -far out in his fishing smack to reconnoitre, says it is the <i>Xenophon</i>."</p> - -<p>"The <i>Xenophon</i>!" and the pretty face grew pale. She remembered that -that vessel, five years before, had paid the village a friendly visit. -Captain Lane was watching her closely. She knew it and guessed the -reason. After a moment's silence, she asked:</p> - -<p>"Father, isn't Lieutenant Matson on the <i>Xenophon</i>?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose he is."</p> - -<p>"Surely he is your friend."</p> - -<p>"In war there are no friends among the enemy, child, and no enemy among -friends. We are simply Americans or British."</p> - -<p>"Yet, father, there are personal ties stronger than loyalty to nation or -political party."</p> - -<p>The old man heard her argument with evident anxiety. He loved his little -sea-waif as ardently as ever father loved a child, and for five years -he fancied and feared she loved the lieutenant of the <i>Xenophon</i>.</p> - -<p>"True, child, you speak the truth, yet my heart tells me that we cannot -trust to friendship now, seeing that this quarrel has grown so bitter." -He was sorry to say this, for he felt that every word he uttered was -like a dagger at the heart of Morgianna. After a painful silence, the -old, white-haired seaman added, "Forgive me, Morgianna; but I am an old -man, and I may not look at things as you do. I love my country and her -flag. I have seen our poor sailors too often enslaved to be a friend to -any Englishman while the war lasts."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean, father?"</p> - -<p>"You love him, Morgianna. I felt it, I knew it all along, but I couldn't -help it. I knew I ought to do something, but, child, I didn't know what -to do. If you had had a mother she could have advised you, but -I didn't."</p> - -<p>"Father, you talk so strangely; what do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"I knew all along, my child, that you loved him; but Lieutenant Matson -is a bad one, even if he is the son of my old friend. I could see the -devil glinting in his eyes, and the mock of his smile, when he met the -young Ohioan here five years ago. He's a bad man accompanied with foul -weather wherever he goes, and I know it just so long as I know the -cat's paw, the white creeping mist, like a dirty thing which makes me -cry out to my crew, 'All hands to reef! Quick! All hands to reef!'" The -old man was silent for a moment, smoking his pipe, while his eyes were -on the floor. Had he looked up, he would have seen a decidedly -mischievous look in the face of Morgianna, which certainly did not -indicate that she was seriously affected. After a few moments, without -looking up, the old man with a sigh continued:</p> - -<p>"Ah, my little maid, if you could only have listened a bit to the noble -Ohioan;--if it could have been him instead of Matson, love and -patriotism could have gone hand in hand. The night we went to the cliff, -I thought you did like him; but it was not to be. 'Tis dreadful! -dreadful! why did God make woman so? Poor Fernando; there was good love -going a-begging and getting nothing for it but a frown and a hard word; -while--" he did not finish the sentence, for a pair of white arms were -put around his neck, and a voice as sweet as the rippling music of the -hillside brook said:</p> - -<p>"Never fret yourself, father, for Morgianna loves you first of all and -best of all," and she slipped on his knee and kissed away the anxious -cloud gathering on his brow. The old man was quite overcome by this -caress, and before he could make any answer there came a heavy tread on -the piazza, a heavy knock, and a moment later a servant announced, Tris -Penrose and John Burrel. They were admitted and Penrose, who had made -another reconnoisance that afternoon in his fishing yacht, said:</p> - -<p>"Aw, captain, I be just returned, and having somewhat of importance to -impart I came to tell you."</p> - -<p>Captain Lane asked the Cornish fisherman to be seated and asked:</p> - -<p>"What have you seen, Tris?"</p> - -<p>"You see, captain, it be like this. I be out at sea beyond the bay, and -I see a great ship beating up in the bay against wind and tide, and I -watch her for a long time as she do go first on one tack and then on the -other, until I make sure she be heading for Mariana, and I hasten to -tell, with all sail."</p> - -<p>Burrel explained that from the farthest point of Duck Island the vessel -had been sighted, and that there was no longer any question of her -destination. Captain Lane rose to go down to the village, where the -greatest excitement prevailed. Turning to Morgianna, he asked:</p> - -<p>"Will you be afraid to remain here, my gem o' the sea?"</p> - -<p>"No, father."</p> - -<p>The captain went and quieted the people. A strong breeze was blowing -from the land, and he knew full well that the <i>Xenophon</i> could not -possibly come near enough to harm them for several hours. He gave some -directions concerning the strengthening of the fort, and went home and -retired to bed.</p> - -<p>Next morning the ship-of-war, the <i>Xenophon</i> was reported lying without -the harbor, and at noon, being unable, owing to contrary winds, to enter -the harbor, they saw her long-boats landing troops on the northern point -of land. Soldiers to the number of two hundred were landed on the point -of land, which, two miles north of Duck Island, projected far out into -the sea and was called O'Connor's Point. Mariana was situated on a -peninsula from half a mile to two miles wide and the troops hurried to -the narrowest neck of this peninsula where they halted and proceeded to -throw up light earthworks, so as to completely cut off all retreat of -the inhabitants.</p> - -<p>That evening some officers and a marine guard with a white flag were -seen coming down the great road leading from the neck of the peninsula -to the mainland and thence to Baltimore. Many of the inhabitants -recognized Lieutenant Matson before he came to the fort. They were -halted and asked what they wanted.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Matson stated that it was his wish to see Captain Lane.</p> - -<p>Mounting the earthworks, Captain Lane asked:</p> - -<p>"Do you come in peace or in war?"</p> - -<p>"In peace."</p> - -<p>"Then, as the son of an old friend, you are welcome. You can send back -your guard and flag of truce, for I am sufficient surety for -your safety."</p> - -<p>The lieutenant told his guard to retire, while he went over the parapet -and ascended the hill to the great white house. Lieutenant Matson was -very grave and silent, when they reached the house, which was lighted, -for it was now growing dark. Captain Lane asked his visitor to be -seated and said:</p> - -<p>"Now, Lieutenant Matson, you may proceed with your business."</p> - -<p>A pair of soft, dark eyes were fixed on them from a door which was -slightly ajar, and even the darkness seemed lighter from the glow of -golden hair. The lieutenant's back was toward this room, and he did not -see the beautiful, anxious face and roguish eyes. Lieutenant Matson, -after a brief silence, said:</p> - -<p>"Captain Lane, I am come on a matter of business in which friendship and -regard are mingled. Believe me that, had it not been for my great esteem -for yourself and Morgianna, I should have sent an under officer with my -message instead of bringing it myself."</p> - -<p>Captain Lane bowed and hoped that Lieutenant Matson would not allow -friendship to stand in the way of duty. Lieutenant Matson continued:</p> - -<p>"First, I have come, captain, to demand of you the surrender of this -post,--that is, of all the government stores in it, assuring you that -private property shall not be molested, and the men in arms shall be -treated as prisoners of war."</p> - -<p>Without a moment's hesitation, the old sea captain answered:</p> - -<p>"I refuse to comply with your demand."</p> - -<p>"Surely, Captain Lane, you must know that you cannot hope to resist the -<i>Xenophon</i>. Her heavy guns will soon batter down your walls and destroy -your houses."</p> - -<p>"When that is done, it will be time enough to think of surrendering."</p> - -<p>"Surely you do not know that Washington is burned and Baltimore -surrounded. All night long the fleet bombarded the town."</p> - -<p>"Yes, we could hear the roar of cannon even here."</p> - -<p>"Well, you must ultimately surrender."</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Matson was greatly distressed by the stubbornness of Captain -Lane. He reminded him of the helpless women and children in the town, -and asked him, for their sakes, to consider the crime of resisting; but -it was all in vain. Captain Lane had been chosen by the people to defend -them, and he swore he was no Hull to yield at the sight of an enemy.</p> - -<p>"No, sir; when our guns are dismounted, our walls battered down, our -houses burned, and there is not a man able to hold a lanyard, then it is -time to think of surrendering."</p> - -<p>"Very well, Captain, if such is your resolution, I must leave you; but -permit me to conduct Miss Morgianna to a place of safety. She would be -safe on board the <i>Xenophon</i> and I offer her----"</p> - -<p>"What!" interrupted Captain Lane, his eyes flashing fire. "Lieutenant -Matson, do you wish to insult me?"</p> - -<p>"No, Captain Lane, I merely wish to secure the safety of Morgianna."</p> - -<p>"Morgianna! Morgianna!" called the old man, starting to his feet and -pacing the floor anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Here, father!" and, clothed in spotless white, looking like some -celestial being just reached this earth, Morgianna entered the room. -"What do you want, father?" she asked, paying no heed to the lieutenant, -who had risen to his feet with a most gracious smile and bow.</p> - -<p>"Morgianna, Lieutenant Matson announces that the English frigate -<i>Xenophon</i> is coming to destroy our town and kill our people. He offers -you a place on board that vessel where he says you will be safe. Do you -accept it?"</p> - -<p>[Illustration: "MY FATHER WILL PROTECT ME; I WANT NO OTHER PROTECTION."]</p> - -<p>"No!" she answered, stamping one little slippered foot on the floor. -Then going to the captain's side, she laid her head on his shoulder -and said:</p> - -<p>"My father will protect me; I want no other protection."</p> - -<p>"Morgianna," began the baffled lieutenant, "I would like a word with -you in private--"</p> - -<p>"Lieutenant Matson, I don't care to hear you--I will not listen to you. -As my father's friend, I once did tolerate you; but now, as my country's -enemy, I have no forbearance with you. Begone!" and her white, jeweled -hand pointed to the door.</p> - -<p>The Briton's face flushed crimson, as he retorted:</p> - -<p>"Morgianna, you may regret--"</p> - -<p>"Lieutenant Matson!" interrupted the captain fiercely. "Not another -word, lest I forget your father was my mate. Begone!"</p> - -<p>With an oath, Matson left the town and returned to his men on the neck -of the peninsula. When he was gone, Captain Lane turned to his daughter -and was surprised to see a look of contempt instead of the grief he had -expected. That one glance convinced him that he had been mistaken, and -that she did not love the Englishman after all.</p> - -<p>"Father, that man's true spirit was revealed to-night. Even though he is -your old friend's son, he is a villain."</p> - -<p>Next day some of the Marylanders had a skirmish with the British on the -neck of land, and one of the villagers was wounded. The <i>Xenophon</i> still -hovered near the mouth of the narrow harbor and only waited a favorable -wind to enter the bay, and commence the siege which could have but -one result.</p> - -<p>Captain Lane strove hard to be cheerful; but his heart was heavier than -lead. Again night came, with the <i>Xenophon</i> anchored off Mud Island. The -night was dark, and the wind from shore strong, so that Captain Lane -knew she could not enter the harbor.</p> - -<p>He was sitting at his fireside, when suddenly from the narrow inlet -south of the peninsula there rang out a volley of musketry followed by -wild cries and cheers. The volley was followed by heavy firing, and -Captain Lane, donning his hat, snatched his sword and ran down to the -works, where the drum was beating, and the Marylanders were seizing -muskets and falling into line.</p> - -<p>"What is it? whom have they attacked?" was the general query asked by -all. The pickets were called in and the only sentries were the chain -guards just outside the parapet. Suddenly the sound of footsteps came -from the darkness, and the sentries knew that two or three men were -running toward them. Zeb Cole, a large, powerful Marylander, finding one -of them coming directly at him, dropped his musket and, seizing the -fellow's throat, hurled him to the ground.</p> - -<p>"Halt! ye wanderin' Israelite. Stop an' tell me who you are?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, let go me, massa, lem me up!" pleaded the captive, struggling to -his feet. "I ain't no Britisher! dar ain't no Angler Saxun blood in dese -veins. I is a Yankee nigger, massa, bet I am."</p> - -<p>Another man who had come up at a run cried in language in which the -Hibernian was plainly distinguishable:</p> - -<p>"Hould hard, ye haythin! The redcoats are afther us!"</p> - -<p>"Who be ye?" demanded Zeb.</p> - -<p>"The advance guard of two hundred Americans comin' to help ye whip the -Britisher. Jist as we landed, afther crossing the mouth of the creek, -the dirthy spalpeens fired on us; but we drove thim back, and here come -our boys at double quick."</p> - -<p>Terrence was correct, for Fernando and his riflemen having cut their way -through the British, hurried into the fort. Captain Lane was amazed to -find their friends led by the young Ohioan, whom he had entertained at -his house five years before.</p> - -<p>"Did you lose any of your men in the skirmish?" asked Captain Lane.</p> - -<p>"Two were wounded, none killed or missing. Has the <i>Xenophon</i> commenced -the bombardment yet?"</p> - -<p>"No; but she will as soon as the wind shifts to bring her in."</p> - -<p>"How many men have you capable of bearing arms, Captain Lane?" asked -Fernando.</p> - -<p>"Almost two hundred."</p> - -<p>"I have two hundred more, we will die together or beat off the ship."</p> - -<p>"Did General Winder send you to defend the town?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Then I will serve under you. Captain Stevens."</p> - -<p>Fernando tried to get the old captain to assume command; but he said he -was too old; that he would gladly advise him and serve with him and -under him; but he did not want the responsibility of the command. Then, -all being quiet, Captain Lane went to his house to sleep and rest.</p> - -<p>"He is gone," said Fernando when left alone near the big gun; "gone and -not a word said about Morgianna. What will she say, what will she think, -when she knows it is I who came to defend her?"</p> - -<p>Fernando sighed and was very unhappy.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII."></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> - -<p>THE SAVING SHOT.</p> - -<p>Little or nothing could be done by Captain Stevens that night. His men -were exhausted, and threw themselves down anywhere and everywhere. The -proprietor of the tavern took Fernando, Sukey, Terrence and Lieutenant -Willard of the marines to his house, where they were furnished beds and -slept soundly.</p> - -<p>The morning of September 14, 1814, came. Fernando, at his request, was -awakened early, and with Lieutenant Willard went out to examine the fort -and artillery. It was scarcely daylight when they mounted the works and -gazed off the bay. They could not see as far as Duck and Mud Islands, -and sat down upon the gun carriages to await the rising of the sun.</p> - -<p>A hundred stalwart Marylanders came from their houses with axes, picks -and shovels, ready to resume work on the redoubt.</p> - -<p>"Lieutenant Willard." said Fernando, "your judgment is perhaps better -than mine. Will you give these men direction in regard to the works?"</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Willard mounted the earthworks and walked along the entire -line, closely inspecting them and directing the improvement of what was -already quite a formidable fortification.</p> - -<p>The guns were next examined and changed so as to more completely sweep -the bay. While the lieutenant was doing this, Fernando, with three or -four fishermen went down to the water with a glass to take a look for -the <i>Xenophon</i>. She could be seen still anchored off Mud Island.</p> - -<p>"The vind be strong off shore," said Tris Penrose the Cornish fisherman. -"Aw, she cannot sail in the teeth o' it."</p> - -<p>"How far is it to Mud Island?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>"It be about five mile," the fisherman answered.</p> - -<p>"I am going out to that headland!" he said pointing to the rocky -promontory.</p> - -<p>"It be dangerous, Capen; the ship's big guns, they reach to the -headland;" but Fernando insisted on being rowed to the headland, and -four fishermen, including Tris Penrose, took him to it in a boat. The -memories this early morning visit awoke in his breast are indescribable. -Years seemed to have been rolled back, and he was once more with -Morgianna, within the pale of hope. Ascending the promontory, he saw the -<i>Xenophon</i> lying at anchor not over three or four miles away. Two boats -loaded down with marines put off from the ship and rowed to the point -of land half a mile away. There they landed, formed, and marched to -reinforce Matson on the neck of the peninsula. Three hundred men and two -small cannon were now on land.</p> - -<p>Fernando went back, convinced that for some hours at least the attack -would be delayed. Lieutenant Willard was working with a will to -strengthen the redoubt. Bomb-proof apartments were made for the women -and children. They were still uncertain of the fate of Baltimore, and -knew that the whole coast was threatened by the British fleet.</p> - -<p>While sitting at breakfast, Fernando received a note from Captain Lane -informing him that a sudden attack of rheumatism prevented him from -leaving his bed, and asked him to call at the house if he wished to -consult him. Never in his life was Fernando more glad to receive a -summons, and never did he so dread answering it.</p> - -<p>"I am foolish!" he thought. "She cares nothing for me. She has told me -as much, and she cannot have changed her mind. I will go, but as the -commandant and not as a supplicant--or lover."</p> - -<p>Fernando was in the uniform of a captain of infantry of 1812, the -handsomest uniform ever adopted by the American army. His dark blue -coat, buttoned to his chin, his sash, his belt and gilt sword, his -chapeau-bras with flowing plume, set off his manly form.</p> - -<p>Fernando, as he ascended the path to the house, did not dream that he -was heroic or fine-looking.</p> - -<p>When he reached the house, he paused a moment on the piazza, just as he -had on that evening five years before, to school his rebellious heart. -To his knock a servant answered, and he was hurried up to the room of -Captain Lane. At every corner he expected Morgianna; but she did not -appear. Perhaps she was with her father; but no, the captain was alone.</p> - -<p>"It's too bad, Captain Stevens," the old sea-dog declared. "Here I am -with this infernal rheumatism holding me down like an anchor, when we -are threatened with a squall."</p> - -<p>"Don't trouble yourself, captain," said Fernando. "I fancy there are -young men enough to fight our battles."</p> - -<p>"But one likes to have a hand in such affairs, you know."</p> - -<p>"Certainly, but don't worry yourself. The wind is still off shore, and -the bay is so narrow that, unless they get out a warp, they cannot haul -in the <i>Xenophon</i>."</p> - -<p>"I have wondered they did not do that before," said the old sailor. "It -could be done."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps they have some other plan. They landed a hundred more men this -morning."</p> - -<p>"They can't be going to make a land attack."</p> - -<p>"No, the land forces are to cut off retreat."</p> - -<p>"It's that infernal Matson--Lieutenant Matson--curse him! He is the son -of my friend; but I say curse him, for all that!" cried the old sea-dog, -his face expressing mingled rage and agony.</p> - -<p>"Is he in command?" asked Fernando. Before either could speak, a light -tread warned Fernando that a third person had entered the room. He -started to his feet and, turning about, bowed to Morgianna.</p> - -<p>"Captain Stevens, I am proud to welcome you back to Mariana; but I am -sorry it could not have been under other circumstances." She was -beautiful--more beautiful than when he left; but there was not expressed -by either voice, eye, or flushed cheek any symptom of a more tender -regard than friendship. Fernando had so schooled himself, that, as he -took her hand, he said in a most commonplace manner:</p> - -<p>"I was sent here, Miss Lane. I am a soldier, and wherever duty calls, I -go, be it pleasant or unpleasant."</p> - -<p>Morgianna was not prepared for this. The cool, off-hand manner seemed to -hardly indicate the respect of friendship. Her face grew deathly pale -for a moment, and she almost ceased breathing; but she gained her -self-control, and, in a tone as commonplace and cool as his own, hoped -he was well and that he would not be killed in the coming struggle. The -coming struggle with the <i>Xenophon</i> was nothing compared to his present -struggle. Fernando still loved Morgianna. Five years had only added to -the intensity of his love; but he had once made a simpleton of himself, -and he determined not to do so again. Thus two hungry souls, thirsting -for each other's love, acted the cold part of casual acquaintances. -Could the veil have been lifted, could the barriers have been broken -down, what misery might have been spared! but it is ever thus. Humanity -is contradictory and the heart's impulses are held in check.</p> - -<p>"Miss Lane, this house cannot be a safe place in the coming struggle," -said Fernando. "We have prepared bomb-proof shelters for the women and -children, and I hope you will accept refuge in one."</p> - -<p>She said something about her father.</p> - -<p>"He shall be cared for. I hope you will let me send a sergeant with a -dozen men to convey you both to a place of safety."</p> - -<p>She assented, and he left. Her face was still white, her chin was -quivering, and her eyes were growing moist.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter, Morgianna?" asked Captain Lane.</p> - -<p>She did not venture an answer, but running to her own room, fell weeping -on the couch.</p> - -<p>"After five long years, to return so changed--so cold--oh, God, this -punishment is greater than I can bear!" she sobbed.</p> - -<p>By the middle of the afternoon, the wind changed slightly, shifting to -the northeast, and some activity was evinced on board the <i>Xenophon</i>. -Fernando thought longer delay was dangerous. Captain Lane and his -daughter, with all other women and children, were conveyed to the -bomb-proof houses, which had been constructed for them. He was so busy -all that day, that he only caught an occasional glimpse of Morgianna.</p> - -<p>When night came, the <i>Xenophon</i> had left her moorings, and Fernando -predicted she would be brought in broadside to begin the cannonade at -daybreak. He retired to his bed at eleven o'clock and at four Lieutenant -Willard came to him and said: "Captain, the wind has shifted due east."</p> - -<p>"How is the night?"</p> - -<p>"Dark and cloudy."</p> - -<p>"Can anything be seen of the <i>Xenophon</i>?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Send a dozen men to the promontory and build a fire. The light would -show her to us."</p> - -<p>A dozen bold fishermen, who knew the coast well, went out in their -boats, hugging the rocky shore until the promontory was gained, and -gathering up great heaps of driftwood on the edge of the bluff, set it -on fire, and pulled back.</p> - -<p>As the flames shot up, they revealed the <i>Xenophon</i> slowly and carefully -feeling her way into the bay. Not a shot was fired, for she was -still far away.</p> - -<p>Thus the night wore on. Day began to dawn slowly, and as the first light -fell on bay and sea it revealed the dread enemy lying like a monster -sea-bird in the bay, not a mile away.</p> - -<p>The <i>Xenophon</i> was in no hurry to commence. She had her prey so that -there was no possible chance of escape, and the officers and men ate -breakfast and walked about the deck, talking and joking on the work -before them. Through a powerful glass, which Captain Lane furnished him, -Fernando recognized Captain Snipes standing on the quarter deck, -smoking a cigar.</p> - -<p>Fernando had the guns loaded and shotted. They were sighted and ready -when the <i>Xenophon</i> should take the initiative.</p> - -<p>"Say, Capen, dat Britisher doan git dis chile no more," said Job. "I -can't find my real massa, but, by golly, I've saved up fifty dollars to -buy a new one, 'fore I go for to be a Britisher agin."</p> - -<p>Before Fernando could answer, Sukey came running along the breastwork -and said:</p> - -<p>"Fernando! Fernando--he is there! Captain Snipes is aboard that ship!"</p> - -<p>Sukey's face was deathly white, and his fingers convulsively clutched -the air as if grasping at an imaginary throat.</p> - -<p>Fernando was standing on the parapet, when a wreath of smoke curled up -from the ship's side, followed by the boom of a heavy gun, and a ball -came whizzing through the air, and struck the breastwork.</p> - -<p>It was nine minutes after ten o'clock when the first shot was fired. -This shot was the signal for a broadside, and a shower of balls with -three or four shells came screaming through the air striking the walls -of the fort, or exploding over it. One of the shells buried itself in -the sand but a few feet from Fernando, and burst, scattering sand and -gravel over him.</p> - -<p>"Fire!" cried Fernando, without moving from his position.</p> - -<p>Immediately the thirty-two pounder and four smaller guns belched forth -fire and thunder. Fernando watched the effect through the glass. The -thirty-two went wild, and the shots from the smaller pieces fell short. -He turned and gave some instructions to the gunners, while a shell came -screaming over his head and burst a short distance away, killing one of -the marines.</p> - -<p>"Fernando, there ain't no need of you standing up there!" cried Sukey. -"You ain't in the game, till we get near enough to use rifles."</p> - -<p>"Divil a bit will the blackguards iver come near enough for that," cried -Terrence, boldly mounting the breastwork. "Captain, lave me have a -squint through yer glass," and Terrence, assuming a liberty which he -only could, took the glass from his hand. The screaming shell and -whistling shot continued to come from the <i>Xenophon</i>. "Faith, thim bees -buzz nicely round a fellow's ears," added Terrence.</p> - -<p>Fernando seized his glass, when the thirty-two was again sighted and -fixed it on the ship. As the heavy boom shook the earth, he saw a great -splash of water twelve feet from the bow.</p> - -<p>"Let some one else train the gun," he cried. "You miss the mark."</p> - -<p>All appeals to Fernando to come down from his dangerous position were -unavailing. His anxiety to pierce the <i>Xenophon</i> with the thirty-two -kept him on the parapet directing the gunners, while balls and shells -shrieked about him. Job tried three shots; but only one did any injury, -and that was some insignificant damage to the rigging. Fernando saw at -once their disadvantage.</p> - -<p>"Oh, if we only had one experienced gunner, he would drive the ship -from the harbor," he thought.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Willard tried three or four shots, and one struck the bow. -With glass in hand, Fernando remained on the earthworks, watching the -effect of their balls and giving orders to the gunners, while balls and -shells flew screaming around him. One shell exploded near the embrasure -of one of the smaller guns killing one and wounding four. As yet, they -had not touched one of the enemy, and the young commandant was -chagrined, anxious and annoyed. He lost his temper and raved at the -gunners, who were doing their best. They lacked science.</p> - -<p>His brave riflemen stood under the earthworks, grasping their guns which -were useless now, while they lamented that the Britons were not -in range.</p> - -<p>Officers, citizens and even privates implored Fernando to come down. A -shell exploded in the air, and a piece grazed his shoulder, yet he kept -his place on the rampart. Terrence Malone, who could see no reason for -courting death, had sought shelter behind a gun carriage. Fernando's -anxiety and mortification increased as he witnessed the repeated -failures of his gunners to hull the <i>Xenophon</i>. Amid smoke, dust and -whizzing missiles, he kept his post. The thunder of guns, the whizzing -balls, and shrieking shells were unheard in his great anxiety to defeat -the British.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a hand clutched his arm, and a silvery voice, which he -recognized in an instant, cried:</p> - -<p>"This is folly! Come down--come down from this certain death!"</p> - -<p>"Morgianna, you here!" he cried. "For Heaven's sake, go to the -bomb-proof shelter. You must not expose yourself here."</p> - -<p>"I will not go a step until you come from the rampart." She clung to -him, and appealed so earnestly, the tears of anxiety and fear starting -from her eyes, while her white, pleading face was upturned to his, that -he could not deny her. All other appeals had been unheeded, but -Morgianna's he could not refuse.</p> - -<p>A wild cheer went up from the Americans within the fort as Morgianna -descended from the redoubt with the daring captain. He hurried her away -to the bomb-shelter, where her father lay raging and fuming, because his -infirmity would not allow him to take part in the contest. Fernando -obtained a promise from Morgianna that she would not venture from the -shelter, by promising in return to keep off the redoubt.</p> - -<p>The British shells were telling on the American fort. Though the walls -were strong and resisted their balls, several men had fallen beneath -their shells. Two solid shot and one shell struck Captain Lane's -elegant mansion on the hill, fired from spite, as the house was far -removed from the fort, and no one was near it. A cannon-ball entered the -great, broad bay window overlooking the sea, made a wreck of the -furniture in the parlor, crashed through the wall, shivering a tall -mirror and spreading havoc in the room beyond.</p> - -<p>The siege continued all day long, and late in the afternoon, just one -hour before sunset, the redcoats appeared on the wooded hill back of the -town, and opened fire with two small pieces and muskets. Fernando's -riflemen had been waiting for this, and, with wild yells, they leaped -the redoubts, deployed along the stone fences and houses and picked off -the redcoats so rapidly, that they fled pell mell to their own works, -glad to escape the bullets of those unerring riflemen.</p> - -<p>The cannonade kept up until long after midnight. The sky was ablaze with -circling shells, and the headlands reverberated with ten -thousand echoes.</p> - -<p>All the guns in the fort save the thirty-two were silent, for the -smaller cannon at that range were useless. The soldiers in the fort lay -on their arms, and Fernando slept none. With anxious face he went the -rounds of the fort, occasionally watching through an embrasure the ship -beyond and the circling shells. During the night, three more of their -number were killed and six wounded, while as yet they had done the -enemy no hurt.</p> - -<p>Shortly after midnight, the firing grew slower and an hour later ceased -altogether. Morning dawned slowly, and the flag still floated over the -badly battered fort. A sullen, gloomy silence had fallen over the -officers and men. They watched the enemy, who at daylight began to warp -the ship in a little nearer, that her guns might be more effective. -Fernando was silent and his brow dark. There seemed but one thing -possible and that was defeat. Reinforcements need not be expected.</p> - -<p>The <i>Xenophon</i> came a little nearer to shore, then let go her anchors -again and lay broadside to the fort. It was quite evident that she was -afraid to come too close, lest some blundering shot would strike her. -All of a sudden, a sheet of flame and cloud of smoke from her side -concealed the ship from view, and balls once more rained about the fort. -The fire this day was more destructive than on the preceding. One house -within the enclosure was completely battered down. The church which had -been converted into a hospital was set on fire. Fernando discovered it -in flames and ran thither to hurry out the wounded. Entering the burning -building, through which a shell went screaming, he was horror-stricken -and amazed to find Morgianna at one of the bunks, binding up the wounds -of a sufferer.</p> - -<p>"Morgianna, Morgianna!" he cried, "why do you risk your life here?"</p> - -<p>"There is suffering and death here!" she answered. "Am I better than -those who risk their lives for me?"</p> - -<p>"Morgianna, you must not, yours is no common life--" he began. In the -excitement of the moment he almost forgot himself. She was about to -answer, when he said, "Noble woman! do not, for Heaven's sake, run -needless danger."</p> - -<p>They hurried the wounded from the burning building. Another house, lower -down the hill, was also on fire. It was so near to the great gun, that -the heat almost blistered the men who worked it, and for awhile their -magazine was in great peril.</p> - -<p>The soldiers did all in their power to extinguish the flames; but both -church and house burned to the ground.</p> - -<p>Night came once more, and the Americans were reduced to the sorest -straits. Soon after dark, the cannonading ceased and a silence of death -fell over the fort, broken only by the groans of some poor, wounded -fellow. The people within the fort went about talking in whispers. Three -bodies, which they had not had time to bury, lay, stark and silent under -the shed, and there were nine fresh graves on the hillside. In -addition, more than thirty of the defenders were disabled from wounds.</p> - -<p>Captain Stevens, Sukey, Terrence and Lieutenant Willard were holding a -consultation in a room of the old tavern. Lieutenant Willard said:</p> - -<p>"Captain Stevens, there is no other alternative, we must surrender. To -hold out longer is murder. If we had a few competent gunners we might -drive her away, but with our inexperienced men, we are wasting -ammunition and life to resist."</p> - -<p>"There is one chance," said Fernando. "Perhaps we could carry the ship -by the board."</p> - -<p>"By the board! divil a bit!" put in Terrence. "Why they'd sink us all -before we could get within a hundred yards of the plagued ship."</p> - -<p>Sukey, remembering that Captain Snipes, his avowed enemy, was on board -the <i>Xenophon</i>, was eager to make the effort to carry her by the board.</p> - -<p>"It will be a desperate undertaking," said Lieutenant Willard. "If we -had sailors instead of riflemen it might be done very easily; but it is -a desperate chance; yet we are in a desperate situation."</p> - -<p>"And faith ye'll come to a desperate end, if ye thry to carry that ship -by the board," interrupted Terrence.</p> - -<p>Fernando mustered three hundred men and, ascertaining there were boats -to take them to the <i>Xenophon</i>, was about to give the orders to march -to the water, when, suddenly, volley after volley of muskets and pistols -rang out from the ship. The Americans had passed from the works and were -drawn up on the sands. When they heard the firing at the <i>Xenophon</i>, -they came to a halt, to guess and wonder at the cause.</p> - -<p>It was decided to march the men by a round-about course to the -promontory and embark in boats for the ship. By doing this, they could -come upon the vessel from the side opposite to the fort, and effect a -more complete surprise. Two dozen bold fishermen were entrusted to take -the boats along the rocky shore to the point of embarkation. The night -was quite dark, and, the water rough, so it required great skill to -accomplish this difficult feat.</p> - -<p>Fernando and his troops had gained the neck of land reaching to the -promontory, and, fearing that the enemy might have landed a force there, -and that they would be drawn into an ambuscade, he halted his troops in -a dense growth of wood and left them with Lieutenant Willard, while he, -with Sukey, Terrence and Job, crept forward to reconnoitre. They had -almost reached the promontory, and, convinced that there was no one in -ambush, were about to return to the main force, when suddenly an object -presented itself to their eyes, which absolutely rooted them to the -spot. At about twenty or thirty yards distant, where but the moment -before the long line of horizon terminated the view, there now stood a -strange figure, which might be six and might be twelve feet in height. -It had evidently risen up out of the ground and was floating in the air, -as there seemed to be nothing to connect it with the earth. There was a -body of spotless white, an obscure mass which might be a head, and two -long, white, straight arms, spread apart like a cross. This strange -creature was advancing toward them.</p> - -<p>"Oh, golly! massa, look ye dar! dat am a ghost!" whispered the darkey.</p> - -<p>"A banshee, begorra!" said Terrence.</p> - -<p>Fernando was impressed that the strange vision was the result of some -English trickery, while Sukey, cocking his gun, declared:</p> - -<p>"If it's mortal, I'll soon make it immortal."</p> - -<p>"Hold, Sukey!" whispered Fernando, "let us see what it is before you -fire."</p> - -<p>"Golly! massa, it am comin' dis way!"</p> - -<p>Fernando could see that the object, with its strange incongruous head, -its long arms, of which it now seemed to have three or four, was -advancing toward them over the uneven ground; and he gave the order to -fall back until they were nearer the troops.</p> - -<p>When within about one hundred paces, Fernando made a stand and cried:</p> - -<p>"Halt!"</p> - -<p>This was the first word uttered loud enough to reach the strange -four-armed, one-headed, but legless spectre. It produced a wonderful -effect, for the odd figure wheeled about and started off at something -like a run. Sukey brought his gun to his shoulder and fired.</p> - -<p>The report of the gun was the signal for the riflemen under Lieutenant -Willard to charge, and all gave chase to the spectre.</p> - -<p>"Don't fire another shot!" cried Fernando. The spectre had not gone a -hundred paces, before it stumbled over a loose stone and fell. In a -moment, Terrence Malone had seized it and cried:</p> - -<p>"Huzzah! boys, I've caught the divil himsilf."</p> - -<p>The spectre proved to be a very material like person in the form of a -tall sailor with a white jacket and cap and blue trousers. His -superabundance of arms could be accounted for by the long, white oar, -which he had been carrying on his shoulder, and which he explained was -his only weapon, offensive or defensive.</p> - -<p>"Where are you from?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>"I am from his majesty's frigate <i>Xenophon</i>," he answered.</p> - -<p>"Are you a deserter?" asked Fernando.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir; I am an American by birth, and will die before I raise my -hand against my country. To-day, because I refused to work at the guns, -I was arrested, to be flogged in the morning, hung or shot at the -pleasure of Captain Snipes."</p> - -<p>"I believe I know that voice--" began Captain Stevens.</p> - -<p>"Holy golly! it am Massa St. Mark!" yelled a voice behind them, and Job -tore his way through the crowd and, flinging his arms about the sailor, -cried: "Massa St. Mark! Massa St. Mark! am it you?"</p> - -<p>"Faith, it's the best gunner in the British navy!" cried Terrence.</p> - -<p>Fernando had no trouble in recognizing in the stranger the gentlemanly -gunner of the <i>Macedonian</i>, who had saved him from being flogged. -Terrence, Fernando, Job and Sukey crowded about the newcomer and for a -moment plied him with questions. He explained that, having slipped his -handcuffs, he rushed on deck, seized the oar, which he still carried, -knocked down two sentries and leaped overboard. They fired a hundred -shots at him; but, being an excellent swimmer, and the night being dark, -he managed to escape. Lying on his back, holding to the oar, he watched -for the flash of their guns and pistols, and, when they fired, ducked -his head under the water.</p> - -<p>The appearance of Mr. Hugh St. Mark naturally caused another -consultation. He discouraged their desperate attempt to carry the ship -by the board, and Fernando, after sending six fishermen to the headland -to acquaint their companions there with the change, marched with his -force back to the fort. An hour later the others came.</p> - -<p>When day dawned, the <i>Xenophon</i> renewed her cannonading. Mr. Hugh St. -Mark was given charge of the thirty-two, and after carefully measuring -the distance with an experienced eye, he weighed the powder and loaded -the gun. Fernando watched the flight of the first ball, which went -whizzing over the leeward rail across the deck and out at the opposite -port into the sea. The second shot cut some of the rigging. The British -supposed those two shots accidents, but after the third, they were -convinced that there was an experienced hand at the gun.</p> - -<p>Fernando, in his anxiety to mark the effect of the third shot, forgot -his promise to Morgianna and, with the glass in hand, mounted the -rampart. The heavy boom of the cannon shook sea and shore. There was no -need of a glass to mark the effects. The ball crashed through from side -to side sending the splinters flying in every direction. A wild cheer -rose from the fort, and Fernando saw five or six carried below the deck, -while one of the guns was dismounted and useless. In a few seconds the -great gun was again loaded. This, time the ball crashed through the -hull. The fifth shot struck the mizzenmast about four feet above deck, -and cut it almost away.</p> - -<p>"Victory is ours!" cried Fernando, waving his sword in the air.</p> - -<p>"Hurrah for ould Ireland and the United States foriver!" shouted -Terrence, leaping on the embankment, and dancing a jig. But the -<i>Xenophon</i> had not given up the contest yet. She continued to fire her -balls and shells with murderous intent until the balls from St. Mark's -direction had cut her mainmast down. It fell over on the lee side -dragging with it the fore mainstay and crippling the rigging to such an -extent that Captain Snipes began to fear he could not get his vessel out -of the harbor. The weight of the mainmast hanging over the side of the -vessel was so great that the vessel heeled over to leeward. A dozen -carpenters with axes flew to cut away the wreck and the ship -righted herself.</p> - -<p>While others were rejoicing, Hugh St. Mark was busy sending ball after -ball crashing into the <i>Xenophon</i> as if he had many old scores to -settle. Sukey, who stood by his side, said:</p> - -<p>"Mr. St. Mark, don't hit the captain--leave him for me."</p> - -<p>The wind and tide bore the <i>Xenophon</i> to the mouth of the harbor just -beyond the point of Duck Island, where she was temporarily safe from the -balls of the avenging thirty-two.</p> - -<p>It soon became evident that the land force under Lieutenant Matson -intended to march to the point of land, embark, and return to the ship. -Fernando determined to spoil their plan. He mustered two hundred and -fifty of his soldiers, marines and militia and started to head them off. -Lieutenant Willard was left alone in charge of the fort.</p> - -<p>A villager who knew a nearer route guided them by it to a pass between -two hills, where the Britons would be compelled to march. Sukey and -Terrence were sent forward to reconnoitre, and as they came in sight of -the narrow valley surrounded by hills they saw the head of the column of -redcoats coming, their banner upheld to the breeze. Terrence wheeling -about, ran with all speed back to the advancing soldiers, and cried:</p> - -<p>"Come on, me boys! it's a divil's own time we'll have of it in the -valley, all to ourselves."</p> - -<p>"Halt! fix bayonets!" commanded Fernando. In a moment, the gleaming -bayonets were on each gun. "Forward!--Double--Quick!"</p> - -<p>The soldiers, at a run, dashed into the valley just as the British -appeared, two volleys delivered in quick succession and they were at it -steel to steel. Fernando, bareheaded, engaged a stout Briton in a -hand-to-hand struggle, which a quick thrust from Sukey's bayonet ended. -Next, Captain Stevens found himself hotly engaged with his old enemy -Lieutenant Matson. Their blades flashed angrily for a moment, but as the -lieutenant's men threw down their arms and begged for quarters, he -realized the folly of resisting longer and yielded. His stubborn pride -made the struggle hard. He offered his sword to his victor, which he -politely declined.</p> - -<p>"Keep your sword, lieutenant," said Fernando. "Though you are my enemy, -I trust you have not forgotten that you are a gentleman."</p> - -<p>"I trust not."</p> - -<p>"You shall be paroled as soon as we reach the fort."</p> - -<p>The Britons stacked their arms, and marched in double file under a guard -to the fort. Oxen and carts were sent out for the arms and two pieces of -artillery which were brought into the fort.</p> - -<p>Silent and majestic as an uncrowned prince, seeming neither elated nor -depressed by the victory, stood the gunner Hugh St. Mark by the side of -the old thirty-two, with which he had fired the shots that saved -the fort.</p> - -<p>He was tall, straight, broad-shouldered, with hair once chestnut, but -now almost gray. His age might be anywhere between forty and fifty -years. So calm, majestic and mysterious did he seem, as, with folded -arms, he stood gazing unconcernedly about him, that Fernando was -constrained to ask himself:</p> - -<p>"Who is he?"</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX."></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> - -<p>NEW ORLEANS.</p> - -<p>Amid the exciting scenes which followed in such rapid succession, no one -had noticed that the weather had undergone a wonderful change. By the -time the prisoners were comfortably quartered the sun had set, and the -sky was obscured with dark clouds from which constant flashes of -lightning were emitted. The distant roll of thunder and the sighing of -the wind gave warning of the approach of a storm.</p> - -<p>"The <i>Xenophon</i> is in a poor condition to weather a storm to-night," -said Lieutenant Willard. "With her hull raked fore and aft a dozen -times, her mizzen gone, her foremast shot through, and her rigging so -cut to pieces, she can hardly be managed in good weather. A storm would -surely drive her on the rocks."</p> - -<p>The vessel could be seen by the flashes of lightning, struggling to get -to sea. At last she disappeared. The storm rose and the wind blew a -perfect hurricane. Fernando had gone to see Captain Lane to make a full -report. It was midnight, and he was still with the captain, when the -boom of a gun at sea was heard. That was no gun of battle but a signal -of distress.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" cried Captain Lane.</p> - -<p>"It's the <i>Xenophon</i>. I fear she cannot weather the storm."</p> - -<p>Then they listened for an hour or more to the occasional boom of a -cannon.</p> - -<p>"She's comin' right in on the stony point sou'east o' the bay," cried -Captain Lane.</p> - -<p>Fernando started to his feet and said:</p> - -<p>"We must go to their rescue."</p> - -<p>At this Morgianna, who had been ministering to the wounded, entered and -said:</p> - -<p>"Are they not enemies?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but fellow-creatures, also. Those signal guns call out humanity, -and the bravest are the most humane," said Fernando.</p> - -<p>"I am glad you said that!" she remarked as Fernando hurriedly left the -shelter in which the captain lay.</p> - -<p>Day dawned and the <i>Xenophon</i> was a broken wreck scattered along the -Maryland coast. Occasionally a bruised and bleeding form was picked up -senseless or dead among the rocks, or on the beach. Sukey was busiest -among the searchers; but the scenes of horror and suffering which -everywhere met his view changed his hatred to pity.</p> - -<p>At last he came upon a poor, bruised, thoroughly soaked, -wretched-looking man lying among some rocks, where the angry waves and -receding tide had left him. His once elegant uniform was now rotten, -dirty rags. One gold epaulet was gone, and the other was so -mud-besmeared that one could scarce tell what it was composed of.</p> - -<p>[Illustration: SUKEY'S THUMB LIFTED THE HAMMER OF HIS GUN.]</p> - -<p>It required a second look for Sukey to recognize in that miserable -creature, drawing every breath in pain, the haughty Captain Snipes, who -had scourged and disgraced him. Snipes had severe internal injuries and -was dying. Sukey's thumb lifted the hammer of his gun, then he gazed on -the agonized face of his enemy, and, the tears starting to his eyes, he -let down the hammer. At this moment Fernando came up, and Sukey cried:</p> - -<p>"I can't do it, Fernando,--I can't do it! I've prayed for this, for -years, but now that it's given me, I can't. It's Captain Snipes, but -he's too bad hurt to kill."</p> - -<p>"God has punished him," said Fernando, solemnly. "Verily, 'vengeance is -mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.'"</p> - -<p>They lifted their enemy as gently as if he had been their dearest friend -and bore him to a fisherman's cottage, where Sukey did all in his power -to alleviate his suffering; but his time on earth was short. Captain -Snipes sank rapidly. That he was conscious and recognized his nurse no -one can doubt, for just half an hour before he died, he took Sukey's -hand and spoke the only words he was heard to utter after the wreck.</p> - -<p>"Forgive me!" he said.</p> - -<p>"I do, captain, God knows I do!" Sukey cried warmly, and the haughty, -cruel Captain Snipes passed away, the victim of God's vengeance.</p> - -<p>The day after the wreck of the <i>Xenophon</i>, news came from Baltimore of -the repulse of the British fleet and army. It was a day of general -rejoicing. A squadron was to be sent to guard the coast and relieve -Fernando at Mariana. For some time he had been asking to be attached to -some western regiment with his recruits. He received official notice -that he had been assigned to a Kentucky regiment under Colonel Smiley, -and, with the notice, came a commission to the rank of major. Fernando -was ordered to join the regiment at Nashville, Tenn., to act under -General Jackson in the South.</p> - -<p>The war was shifting to the South; and the western and southern troops -were hastening to its defence. Fernando notified his men of the order -and Sukey volunteered to go with them. Job also enlisted as cook; but -Terrence, having been notified that <i>Privateer Tom</i> ready for sea, once -more bade them adieu, and departed for Philadelphia, taking Mr. Hugh St. -Mark the gunner with him.</p> - -<p>Fernando went to the great white stone house, which had been repaired -and again occupied by Captain Lane and his daughter. Captain Lane and -Morgianna were alone in the large sitting-room when he entered. The -captain was convalescent, but not wholly recovered from his attack of -rheumatism.</p> - -<p>"So you are going away?" said Captain Lane when Fernando had told him of -his last order.</p> - -<p>"Yes, captain, a soldier belongs to his country."</p> - -<p>"I know it. I don't blame you one bit. So you will serve under Jackson. -Well, I don't think another ship will venture to bombard Mariana. Have -you sent the prisoners to Baltimore?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir, all save Lieutenant Matson. I took his parole, and he still -remains in the village, I presume, during his pleasure. He will be -required to report once a week to Baltimore, but that need not be -in person."</p> - -<p>The captain was silent. While speaking, Fernando kept his eyes from the -face of Morgianna. He could not look at her and be a witness to the glow -of joy which he knew must warm her cheek on being informed that her -lover was to remain. She quietly left the apartment while he was -conversing with the captain, and when he left, he found her alone in -the hall.</p> - -<p>It was almost dark; but her face in its beauty seemed to illumine the -hall. He took her hand in his own, and felt that same old thrill of five -years before.</p> - -<p>"I am going away, Miss Lane," he said, "and I cannot go without bidding -you adieu and telling you how much I appreciate your brave, noble, -self-sacrificing efforts in caring for the wounded."</p> - -<p>Fernando really had a different opinion of Morgianna from that he had -at first entertained. He had thought of her only as a gay, frivolous -girl, witty, brilliant and beautiful; but the scenes of death, the siege -and carnage had shown him a new Morgianna;--it was Morgianna the -heroine. She made several efforts to speak before she could fully -control herself.</p> - -<p>"Major Stevens," she faintly said after a struggle, "the people of this -poor little village can never feel too grateful to you, for your brave -and unselfish defence of their homes!"</p> - -<p>"I am a soldier, Miss Lane, and I trust I did my duty."</p> - -<p>Then they stood silent. Fernando would have given worlds to speak the -promptings of his heart: but stubborn pride forbade him.</p> - -<p>"Whither do you go?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"To the South; what point I do not know, save that we join our regiment -at Nashville."</p> - -<p>"Will you ever come back, major?"</p> - -<p>"If duty calls me--"</p> - -<p>"But have you no friends," she asked slowly, "no friends here, whom you -would like to see after the war is over?"</p> - -<p>"Many, Miss Lane. These brave men and noble women, who have shared my -toils and dangers, are very dear to my heart, and when the Britons have -been driven from our country, nothing would give me greater pleasure -than to renew my acquaintance with them."</p> - -<p>"You are always welcome, major," she said, deeply moved. "Will you make -me a promise?"</p> - -<p>"What is the promise?"</p> - -<p>"That you will come as soon as the war is over."</p> - -<p>"It is only a polite way of inviting me to her wedding," he thought; -then he asked:</p> - -<p>"Will you be here?"</p> - -<p>"If heaven spares me, I shall."</p> - -<p>"Then I will return, Miss Lane, if I live."</p> - -<p>Their discourse had been friendly, but cold and formal. Fernando had -once overstepped the bounds when he declared his love; but he was -careful not to do so again. Notwithstanding she had leaped to the -redoubt amid screaming shells and whistling balls, to persuade him back -to the trenches, he could see nothing more tender than love of humanity -in her act. He was so thoroughly convinced that she would wed Lieutenant -Matson, that he was once on the point of asking her when the marriage -would take place, but the subject was too painful to mention.</p> - -<p>She followed him quite to the door, and here he said in a voice that was -husky despite his efforts to prevent it:</p> - -<p>"Miss Lane,--Morgianna, I had him paroled for your sake. He can remain -in the village."</p> - -<p>He was gone before she could make any response. His men were mustered -at peep of day and marched away to Baltimore.</p> - -<p>General Andrew Jackson, to whom Fernando Stevens was marching, was the -hero of the war of 1812 in the South. Having utterly crushed the Creek -power and wrung from them a treaty which extinguished them politically -as a nation, he set about securing that portion of the country against -further molestation. The belief that the war in the South was ended -proved a deception when the British suddenly appeared in a large force -in the Gulf of Mexico. By permission of the Spanish governor of Florida, -the British took possession of one of the forts at Pensacola, where they -fitted out an expedition for the capture of Fort Bowyer, [Footnote: Now -Fort Morgan.] on the eastern shore of the entrance to Mobile Bay. The -British attacked the fort, but were repulsed. Jackson, who was at -Mobile, hastened to Pensacola and demanded of the Spanish governor a -surrender of the forts. The officer sent with the flag to demand the -surrender was fired upon, and next day Jackson with his troops charged -into the town; when the frightened governor offered to surrender the -forts. This was done, and the British blew up one, and abandoned -the others.</p> - -<p>On his return to Mobile, Jackson found a message from New Orleans, -urging him to hasten to the defence of that city, as the British -commander in the gulf had declared his intention to invade Louisiana, -and sent an inflammatory proclamation among the inhabitants.</p> - -<p>Jackson arrived at New Orleans, December 2, 1814, and found the city -utterly defenceless, and the people filled with alarm and distracted by -petty factions. Danger was imminent. The British troops that left -Chesapeake Bay after their repulse at Baltimore had gone to the West -Indies, where they were joined by about four thousand veterans under the -brave Irish General Keane. The combined forces sailed in the direction -of New Orleans, late in November. The wives of many of the officers -accompanied them, for not a man doubted that the speedy conquest of -Louisiana would be the result of the expedition. The dullness of the -voyage was enlightened by music and dancing, and all anticipated -exquisite pleasures to be found in the paradise before them. It is said -that the British officers had promised their soldiers the privilege of -the city, when captured, for three days, and that "booty and beauty," -was their watchword.</p> - -<p>Fernando Stevens, with his experienced marksmen, joined Jackson at New -Orleans on the very day that Jean Lafitte, the pirate of the Gulf, came -to offer the services of himself and band to Jackson. The British -General had tried to engage the services of this band of outlaws. -Lafitte was a shrewd Frenchman, and he and his band had been outlawed by -legal proceedings, though their crimes were only violations of the -revenue and neutrality laws of the United States. When the invitation of -the British was put into his hands, he feigned compliance; but as soon -as the bearer had departed, he called his followers around him on the -border of the sea, and said:</p> - -<p>"Comrades, I am an adopted citizen of the United States, and will never -violate the confidence placed in me by serving the enemies of my -country. We have been outlawed; perhaps we deserve it by our -irregularities. No matter; I am ready to serve my adopted country, and -ask you to join me. What say you, comrades?"</p> - -<p>His brawny followers threw up their hats and responded:</p> - -<p>"We will! we will!"</p> - -<p>Fernando was at the headquarters of General Jackson when the famous -buccaneer held his interview with him. Fernando's regiment shortly after -his arrival was assigned to the brigade of General Coffee.</p> - -<p>The British forces halted at the entrance to Lake Borgne, between which -and the Mississippi New Orleans stands. Here, on December 14th, they -captured a flotilla under Captain Jones, which secured to them complete -command of the lake.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Jackson placed New Orleans under martial law, and carried on -his measures of defence so vigorously, that the citizens began to pluck -up courage. When he heard of the capture of the flotilla, he sent -couriers to General Coffee and others at the head of Tennessee and -Kentucky troops, urging them to hasten to New Orleans. His efforts were -timely, for, on the 22d of December, General Keane, with more than two -thousand five hundred men, reached the banks of the Mississippi through -a bayou, nine miles below the city and prepared to take New Orleans by -surprise. Vigilant eyes were watching his movements; and a prisoner whom -he had taken, escaping, hastened to New Orleans and gave General Jackson -notice of the near approach of the foe. At the same time, Coffee and -Carroll arrived with the Tennesseeans, and Jackson put a column in -motion to meet the invaders. Early on the evening of the 23d of -December, they marched, eighteen hundred strong, led by Jackson in -person, and at the same time the armed schooner <i>Carolinia</i> dropped down -the river to within musket range of the British camp. Shot from that -vessel first revealed the fact to the British that their presence was -known at New Orleans. The shells and shot from the vessel broke up -their camp, when they were attacked in the dark by Jackson and his -followers. The combat that followed was indecisive, except in making the -invaders more cautious and discreet. In this night conflict, the -Americans lost about two hundred men, while the British loss was -twice as many.</p> - -<p>New Orleans was saved from surprise; now it had to be saved from open -invasion. The events of the 23d dispirited the British, and in this -condition General Packenham found the troops on his arrival on Christmas -day with reinforcements, to take the chief command. He was a veteran, -fresh from the Spanish peninsula, and was delighted to find under his -control some of the best of Wellington's regiments.</p> - -<p>He immediately prepared to effect the capture of New Orleans and the -subjugation of Louisiana without delay. With hot shot the annoying -<i>Carolinia</i> was burned, and the <i>Louisiana</i> was the only American vessel -left on the river.</p> - -<p>Jackson was wide awake, however, and began throwing up a line of -intrenchments from the banks of the Mississippi to an almost -impenetrable swamp in the rear, four miles from New Orleans.</p> - -<p>There has been some dispute in regard to the redoubt which defended New -Orleans. There was an old story that a part of the redoubt was composed -of cotton bales taken from a rich planter named Mulanthy, and that the -cotton bales were afterward sold with hundreds of pounds of British -bullets in them. General Harney, in the Washington <i>Sunday Herald</i>, -several years ago denied this story. General Harney said:</p> - -<p>"I asked General Jackson, General Adair and General Coffee, the latter -having the immediate command of a brigade of Tennessee and Kentucky -sharpshooters, whose long rifles mainly did the work of death, if there -were cotton bales used at all, and they all answered that the only works -the Americans had were of earth, about two and a half feet high, rudely -constructed of fence-rails and logs laid twenty-four inches apart, and -the space between them filled with earth, and if there had been any -works constructed from cotton bales they must have known it." General -Harney was made by the Washington <i>Herald</i> to say that in 1825 he was -promoted to captain in the first infantry, and sent to Nashville, -Tennessee, to recruit for his regiment, and while there he met with -Generals Jackson and Coffee, from whom he obtained many points of the -battle which have never been in print.</p> - -<p>Fernando had seen no service since leaving Mariana on the Maryland -coast. His riflemen were eager to meet the foe; but in the night -encounter they had been detailed to guard the city, and preserve the -peace. Day by day they had expected the enemy to advance to the attack; -but the 7th of January, 1815, passed, and the British had not yet moved -to the attack, further than some skirmishing and cannonading. On the -night of the 7th, the Americans slept on their arms, for they knew -Packenham would not long delay. The memorable morning of January 8, -1815, dawned at last.</p> - -<p>There was a heavy fog on the river, and the British troops had actually -formed and were advancing before Jackson had made his arrangements. -Fernando had just roused Sukey, who, having been on guard most of the -night, slept late, when he saw General Jackson on his white horse gallop -up to where General Coffee and his staff stood. At this moment the fog -lifted a little, and the formation of the British army was seen, and -Fernando heard Jackson exclaim:</p> - -<p>"By G--, they are ours!"</p> - -<p>"They are coming, Sukey!" said Fernando. "Get your gun!".</p> - -<p>"Won't they give me time to eat my breakfast?" Sukey asked.</p> - -<p>"I am afraid not."</p> - -<p>At this moment, Job, who was Fernando's cook, came running forward with -some broiled beefsteak on the end of a ramrod. He gave it to Sukey -and said:</p> - -<p>"Heah, massa, take dis an' chomp um down foh dey git near enough to -fight. I's gwine ter git my gun an' teach 'em dis chile ain't got no -Angler Saxun blood in his veins."</p> - -<p>Sukey presented an odd figure, for he wore no uniform. His head was -covered with an old, low, broad-brimmed hat. He sat on the carriage of a -brass gun near and ate his breakfast, while watching the enemy advance -to the attack.</p> - -<p>Coffee's part of the line, to which Fernando was attached, was on the -flank extending to the swamp. About a quarter of a mile from it, there -was a huge plantation drainage canal, such as are common in Louisiana -lowlands. At this, General Packenham formed his first attacking column. -His formation was a column in mass of about fifty files front. This was -formed under the fire of the regular artillerists in a little redoubt in -Coffee's front and that of some cannon taken from a man-of-war, placed -in a battery on the river and served by sailors. Coffee, seeing the -direction of the attack, which was intended to turn his flank, dashed -down the line saying to his men:</p> - -<p>"Hold your fire until you can see their belt-buckles."</p> - -<p>The riflemen were formed in two ranks so that one rank would load while -the other was firing.</p> - -<p>Fernando's position behind the earthworks was near an old oak tree, -which threw out its branches about his head. Sukey stood at his side -holding his long rifle in one hand and his broiled meat and sea-biscuit -in the other. The enemy came boldly forward, and a finer display was -never seen on review. Their lines were well dressed and Packenham, on -his snow white charger, rode as boldly as if he had no fear of death. As -Sukey munched his hard biscuit, his eyes were steadfastly fixed on Lord -Packenham.</p> - -<p>"Say, Fernando, ain't that fellow on the big horse General Packenham?"</p> - -<p>"No doubt of it, Sukey."</p> - -<p>"He'd wipe out the score of what's left of one hundred and eight," said -Sukey, swallowing his last bite of biscuit at one gulp and examining the -priming in his gun.</p> - -<p>Colonel Smiley was first to give orders to fire from Fernando's part of -the work, and there rang out a volley all along the line. The brass -pieces on their right began blazing away with the heavy iron cannon down -toward the river, which with the rattling of small arms almost made the -ground quake under their feet. Directly after the firing began, Captain -Patterson, from Knox County, Kentucky, came running along. He leaped on -the breastwork, and, stooping a moment to look through the darkness, as -well as he could, shouted:</p> - -<p>"Shoot low, boys! shoot low! rake them! rake them! They're comin' on -their all-fours!"</p> - -<p>It was so dark that little could be seen, until just about the time the -battle ceased. The morning had dawned, but the dense fog and thick smoke -obscured the sun. The Kentuckians did not seem to appreciate their -danger, but loaded and fired, and swore, laughed and joked as though it -were a frolic. All ranks and sections were soon broken and after the -first volley every man loaded and fired at will. Sukey did not fire as -often as some of the others, but at every shot he went up to the -breastwork, looked over until he could see a redcoat, and then taking -aim blazed away. After each shot he paused to write in his book. -Lieutenant Ashby, who had had a brother killed at the River Raisin, -seemed frantic with rage and fiendish glee. He ran up and down the -line yelling:</p> - -<p>"We'll pay you now for the River Raisin! We'll give you something to -remember the River Raisin!" When the British came up on the opposite -side of the breastwork, having no gun, he picked up a rifle barrel which -had been broken from the stock and threw it over at them. Then finding -an iron bar he leaped upon the breastwork and threw it at the mass of -heads crowding forward to scale their works.</p> - -<p>While the conflict was at its height, when Packenham was leading the -last grand charge against the earthworks. Major Stevens' attention was -directed by repeated and vociferous shouts to "come down," to an object -on his right. Turning his eyes in that direction, he saw Sukey, standing -coolly on the top of the breastwork peering into the darkness for -something to shoot at. The balls were whistling as thick as hail around -him, and cutting up the dirt at his feet.</p> - -<p>"Come down, Sukey, come down!" Fernando commanded. Sukey turned round -and, holding up the flap of his old, broad-brimmed hat with one hand, to -see who was speaking to him, answered:</p> - -<p>"Oh, never mind, Fernando--here's Sukey--I don't want to waste my -powder, and I'd like to know how I'm to shoot until I see something. I'm -watching for that man on the big white horse."</p> - -<p>It was not long until Sukey got his eye on the man on the big white -horse, and leveling his rifle pulled the trigger. At that instant -Packenham fell, bleeding and dying, into the arms of Sir Duncan -McDougall, his favorite aid, who performed a similar service for General -Ross when he was mortally wounded a few months before. Sukey coolly -descended from the breastwork and, sitting down at the root of a tree, -took out his book and said:</p> - -<p>"I've balanced the score. They flogged me; but, by the eternal, I'm more -than even."</p> - -<p>During the action some of the Tennesseeans became mixed with Smiley's -regiment. One of them was killed about five yards from where Fernando -stood. A ball passed through his head, and from the range of British -bullets it seemed quite probable that he was accidentally shot by some -of the Americans. This was the only man killed near where Fernando -stood. The firing began to slacken when he fell. While three or four men -were carrying the body away, a white flag was raised on the opposite -side of the breastwork, and the firing ceased. The white flag was a -handkerchief on a sword or stick. It was raised by a British major, who -was cut off and unable to retreat with the main army. When the firing -ceased, he came over the breastwork. A little Tennesseean, who looked as -if he had spent his days in the fever-infested swamps, demanded his -sword; but the officer was looking about for some commissioned officer -to give it to, when Colonel Smiley, whose democratic principles were at -enmity with punctilio, ordered him to hand over the sword to "Paleface," -as the youth was called. A great many who were unable to escape in the -retreat, came over and surrendered. Among them, Fernando saw a very -neatly dressed young man, standing on the edge of the breastwork -offering his hand as if for some one to assist him down. He was not over -nineteen years of age, and his language and manner indicated the -gentleman.</p> - -<p>Major Stevens took his musket and set it against the breastwork and -assisted him to the ground. He at once began to take off his cartouch -box, and the major noticed a red spot on his clean, white under jacket.</p> - -<p>"Are you wounded?" Fernando asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir, and I fear badly."</p> - -<p>"Let me help you, my man!" said the major, unbuckling his belt.</p> - -<p>"Please don't take my canteen, for it contains my water."</p> - -<p>"I shall not take anything that does not encumber you."</p> - -<p>Just then one of the Tennesseeans who had gone down to the river for -water came along with some in a coffee-pot. The wounded man saw him, -and said:</p> - -<p>"I am very thirsty, sir, will you please give me a drop?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes," said the Tennesseean. "I will treat you to anything I have -got." The young man took the coffee-pot and swallowed two or three -mouthfuls out of the spout, and handed it back. In an instant, Fernando -saw him sinking backward. He called to Sukey, who was near, and they -eased him down against the side of a tent, where he gave two or three -gasps and was dead. He had been shot through the breast.</p> - -<p>A number of British soldiers and officers had sought shelter from the -fire of the Americans in the ditch on the other side of the breastwork. -These, of course, being unable to retreat came in and surrendered. When -the smoke lifted from the battlefield it disclosed a terrible spectacle. -The field looked like a sea of blood, for it was literally covered with -redcoats. Straight out before their position, the entire space occupied -by the British troops was covered with dead or wounded. In some places, -where the lines had made a stand, they lay in piles like winrows of hay, -while the intervals between were more thinly sprinkled. About two -hundred yards directly in front of their position, lay a large dapple -gray horse, which was said to have belonged to Packenham. Nearly half -way between the horse and the breastworks was a heap of slain, marking -the spot where Packenham fell; his horse having retreated some distance -before it went down.</p> - -<p>The battle was over, and Sukey sat down to finish his breakfast which -had been interrupted by the stirring event.</p> - -<p>The British left seven hundred dead and fourteen hundred wounded on the -field, while five hundred were made prisoners making a loss of -twenty-six hundred. The Americans lost eight killed and -thirteen wounded.</p> - -<p>Packenham and three of his general officers slain in the fight were sent -to England in casks of rum for burial. The British troops under General -Lambert stole noiselessly away on the night of the 19th across Lake -Borgne, in small transports, and escaped to the fleet. They then -besieged Fort Bowyer for two days, February 20th and 21st, when Major -Lawrence, who was in command, was compelled to surrender, and the -victors were about to push on to Mobile, when they were arrested by -tidings of peace.</p> - -<p>The treaty of peace was signed at Ghent on December 24th, 1814, but, -owing to the slow means of communication in those days, it was not known -in America until the following February, or the battle of New Orleans -would never have been fought.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX."></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> - -<p>CONCLUSION.</p> - -<p>Though the United States of America had sustained their honor in the war -of 1812, the fight was never fought to a finish, nor were the results as -satisfactory as might have been hoped.</p> - -<p>Had peace been made a little later, America might have obtained much -better terms. The war had been waged under great difficulties by the -Americans, who were not wholly united, and lacked money, men, arms, -ships and experience, yet, under all these great difficulties, the -United States came out of the war with the respect of the world, such as -it had never before enjoyed. It became formidable to Europe as a great -and vigorous power, with which it was not safe to trifle.</p> - -<p>This was still more apparent, when the government declared war on the -dey of Algiers, one of the pirate princes of North Africa, who, for -hundreds of years, had made war on the commerce of all nations almost -with impunity. Having violated their treaty, President Madison sent a -naval force to the Mediterranean, which, on June 17th and 19th, -captured two Algerian vessels-of-war and threatened Algiers. The dey -made peace and gave liberty to all prisoners without ransom, and full -satisfaction for damages to commerce.</p> - -<p>The people of the new republic, learning by experience, in the year -1816, began improving their coast defences and increasing their navy. -Commerce and manufacturers were encouraged. In the autumn of 1816, James -Monroe was elected president of the United States. On December 11,1816, -Indiana was admitted to the Union as a State.</p> - -<p>With Monroe's administration, a new era dawned for America. The failure -of the French revolution, and, finally, the failure of Napoleon -Bonaparte and the re-establishment of the old monarchy in France, as the -result first of the excesses of the French republic, and then of the -military interference of Bonaparte with the existing state of things in -Europe, had an important influence in modifying the politics of the -Republican party in the United States; so they came, partially in -Jefferson's administration and completely by the close of Madison's, to -follow the wise and vigorous policy pursued by Washington and the -Federal party; while the general government and the institutions of the -country became deeply imbued with the regard to popular rights, and -attention to the interests and will of the people that formed the -leading idea of Jefferson and the original Democratic, or, as it was -then called, Republican party.</p> - -<p>The leading events of Monroe's two administrations were the attention -given to internal improvements, among which may be mentioned the Erie -canal in New York, the encouragement of manufactures, the acquisition of -Florida by treaty, the Seminole war, the Missouri compromise, December -14th, 1819, the Monroe Doctrine, promulgated in 1822, and the visit of -General Lafayette to the United States, in August, 1824.</p> - -<p>But little explanation of these events is necessary. In December, 1817, -Mississippi was admitted into the Union, and Alabama became a territory. -On March 2, 1819, Arkansas was organized into a territory, and on -December 14, Alabama was admitted to the Union. In this year commenced -the earnest and acrimonious discussion between the North and South in -regard to the extension of slavery. Both Maine and Missouri sought -admission as States. Maine was admitted, March 15th, 1820, and, after a -two years' wild debate, it was thought the whole question of slavery was -settled by the Missouri Compromise, February 27, 1821. This compromise -was the adoption of a provision in the bill for the admission of -Missouri, that in all territory south of thirty-six degrees and thirty -minutes north latitude (the southern boundary of the State of Missouri) -slavery might exist; but it was prohibited in the region north of that -line. A member of congress from Georgia prophetically said in the course -of the debate:</p> - -<p>"A fire has been kindled, which all the waters of the ocean cannot put -out, and which only seas of blood can extinguish." Had the Missouri -Compromise been kept inviolate to the present day, slavery might still -have existed below thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north latitude.</p> - -<p>The commerce of the United States was greatly injured by swarms of -privateers under Spanish-American flags, who had degenerated into -pirates, and so became outlaws, subject to chastisement by any nation.</p> - -<p>They infested the West Indian seas and the northern coast of South -America. Against these pirates and to protect American commerce, the -United States sent Commodore Perry, with two ships of war, in the spring -of 1819. Perry died of yellow fever soon after his arrival in southern -waters. In June, 1822, Captain Allen, of the United States schooner -<i>Alligator</i>, successfully fought a band of pirates in the West Indies, -captured one of their schooners, and recaptured five American vessels; -but Captain Allen was subsequently killed in an encounter with the bold -buccaneers. The next year Commodore Porter, with a larger force, -entered the pirate infested waters and almost completely destroyed the -buccaneers. It was the policy of the government of the United States to -favor the revolt of the Spanish-American provinces, whose flag these -pirates had dishonored, as a means for preventing the establishment, in -the future, of monarchical powers on the American continent. The latter -policy was avowed by the president, and has never been lost sight of by -our government, and is known in history as the "Monroe Doctrine." -Accordingly, on the recommendation of the president, congress, early in -1822, resolved by a unanimous vote to recognize the independence of five -of the revolted colonies, and appropriated $100,000 to defray the -expenses of envoys to the seat of government of each, whom the president -soon afterward appointed.</p> - -<p>The year 1824 was marked by the visit of Washington's and America's best -friend General Lafayette. As every boy has read of the visit of this -good man, only a brief mention of so important an event is necessary. He -arrived at New York August 15, 1824, and never did visitor receive so -warm welcome by any nation.</p> - -<p>"Many interesting incidents occurred during Lafayette's tour through the -country. A touching one was related to the writer, many years ago, by -George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of General Washington. -In October, 1824, Lafayette visited Mount Vernon and the tomb of -Washington. He was conveyed to the shore from the steamboat in a barge, -accompanied by his son (who had lived at Mount Vernon with Custis when -they were boys), secretary John C. Calhoun, and Mr. Custis. At the -shore, he was received by Lawrence Lewis, a nephew of Washington, and -the family of Judge Bushrod Washington, who was absent on official -business. He was conducted to the mansion where, forty years before, he -took his last leave of the patriot, whom he most sincerely loved as a -father. Then the company proceeded to the tomb of Washington (the old -one on the brow of the hill), when Mr. Custis, after a brief speech, -presented the general with a gold ring containing a lock of Washington's -hair. Lafayette received it with emotion, and, after thanking the donor, -he affectionately embraced him and the other gentlemen present. Then he -fervently pressed his lips to the door of the vault. It was opened and -there were displayed the coffins of Washington and his wife, decorated -with flowers. The general descended the steps, kissed the leaden -caskets, while tears suffused his cheeks, and then reverently retired." -[Footnote: Lossing's "Our Country," Vol. V., p. 1327.]</p> - -<p>Shortly after peace was declared, Fernando's regiment was mustered out -of the service, and he and Sukey went to their homes in Ohio. Both had -done their share toward preserving the honor of their country and wished -to retire to private life. A great change had come over Sukey. The text -quoted by Fernando on the morning when they found Captain Snipes dead -among the rocks seemed ever to ring in his ear.</p> - -<p>"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord." He proceeded to a -careful study of the sentence, and from that became a student of the -Bible. A few days after their return, he said:</p> - -<p>"Fernando, what I did during the war was right, but was not done in the -right spirit. I shot from revenge. I killed because I hated the British -officers. I seemed to feel the stinging cuts of the cat on my back. That -flogging made a devil of me. I hated the sight of a redcoat. It's all -gone now--not that my revenge is satiated, but because I am changed. A -new light has been opened up to my mind, and I can see it was no -disgrace to be flogged for freedom. It was the ignorance of my enemies -that I should have pitied instead of condemned."</p> - -<p>Fernando suspected the bent of Sukey's mind long before he made the -announcement that he intended to enter the ministry. Back to the -Maryland Academy at Baltimore went Sukey. He entered the theological -department, and four years later began a long and successful -ministerial career.</p> - -<p>Major Stevens had not forgotten his promise to pay the Maryland village -a visit. If he had been disposed to forget his promise, which he was -not, he would have been reminded of it by a letter which he received -shortly after he returned home. The envelope was small, and the -superscription was written in a neat feminine hand. Small as the -envelope was, the letter contained much, for it was closely written and -every page filled from top to bottom. There were other letters and -petitions from the grateful citizens asking him to be present at the -barbecue and Fourth of July celebration at the town of Mariana. None of -these letters or invitations had stronger effect to induce him to take a -journey to Maryland, than the closely penned missive did, though it was -only a friendly letter.</p> - -<p>Fernando set out the first of June. Peace again reigned over the fair -land, and the country was all ablaze with glory. The ploughboy's whistle -was heard in every field in harmony with the lark. The journey by mail -coach was a pleasant one, for, being in no great haste, he traveled by -easy stages, stopping over frequently to rest. He saw on every hand -evidence of awakening interest and prosperity. New houses were building; -new towns were laid out; new fields were inviting the ploughman; the -busy hum of industry everywhere filled the heart of the patriot, and he -more than once exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"What a great country is ours!"</p> - -<p>He arrived at Baltimore at the close of a delightful day, and alighted -in front of the principal tavern. Some one, rushing across the street, -pushed pedestrians right and left and howled in a voice loud enough to -be heard three blocks away:</p> - -<p>"Tear and ages! Clear the track!--that's himself--divil a one else!"</p> - -<p>This exclamation came from Terrence Malone, who, bareheaded and in shirt -sleeves, was rushing through the throng of people on the street in -reckless disregard of high hats and crinoline. Women screamed and one -hysterical creature tried to faint, but was restrained by the fear that -her elegant costume might be soiled.</p> - -<p>"Call the watchman! Take that fellow and lock him up! knock him down! -Who is the wretch?"</p> - -<p>These are only a part of the imprecations heaped on the devoted head of -Terrence Malone, who, regardless of everything and everybody, burst his -way through the crowd and reached Fernando's side.</p> - -<p>"O, murther! O; holy mother! O, Moses! Is it yersilf safe afther all?"</p> - -<p>The poor fellow could say no more, but burst into tears, for a more -tender heart never beat in any breast. Terrence had just arrived an hour -before in Baltimore, having come from a long cruise in which he brought -four prizes, for the privateers were slow to learn that the war was -over. He had put up at a rival house across the street and just removed -his coat for a bath, when, looking out of the window, he recognized his -old friend alighting from the stage coach.</p> - -<p>All former arrangements were cancelled and Fernando and Terrence that -evening occupied the same room. There was much to talk about. Terrence -told him that Mr. Hugh St. Mark the "illigant" gunner had served in the -last cruise on his vessel, and he never seemed to tire of talking about -him. He was a "gintleman," from the sole of his foot to the crown of his -head. Mr. St. Mark was on the ship in the harbor, and next day came -ashore. He greeted the major with his kind quiet smile. Fernando learned -that neither had been to Mariana since the bombardment and destruction -of the <i>Xenophon</i>. He prevailed on them to accompany him, and next day -in a swift yacht they sailed out of the harbor and down the coast. The -scenery revived many recollections of Fernando's early experience. They -passed the point where he had fought his duel, and he could not repress -a smile at the ludicrous termination of what had so nearly proved a -serious affair. Terrence did most of the talking, for Fernando was busy -with his own reflections. He was asking himself if it might be possible -that he would be just in time to witness the nuptials of Matson and -Morgianna. He had never freed himself from the thought that she loved -the lieutenant. Her regard for himself was gratitude not love. He would -not allow himself to believe that she entertained a more tender -sentiment.</p> - -<p>When they arrived at Mariana the people congregated in a great crowd on -the beach, and the local martial band, consisting of three drums and a -fife, played "Yankee Doodle." while Fernando and his friends were -escorted to the tavern. Here a local orator, who had been three times an -unsuccessful candidate for a seat in the halls of the legislature, made -a short speech. This had scarcely terminated in three rousing cheers, -when a carriage from Captain Lane's house came rattling down the street. -The captain was in the vehicle.</p> - -<p>"Why are you cheering? Who has arrived?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>"Major Stevens, who saved Mariana, when the British were about to take -it," the orator answered.</p> - -<p>"Where is he?"</p> - -<p>"In the tavern."</p> - -<p>"But he is not going to stay there!" thundered the old sailor, rolling -out of his carriage and rushing on the piazza. "I have made room in my -own house for him, and, by the trident of Neptune! he shall come -with me."</p> - -<p>Fernando, hearing the voice of his old friend, came out to grasp his -hand; and Captain Lane, pointing to his carriage, swore he had come to -take him bag and baggage to his house. Fernando explained that he had -two friends; but the captain did not care if he had a dozen, and in less -time than the whole matter could be told the three travellers found -themselves in the vehicle whirling up the avenue of trees, many of which -still bore the marks of shells and cannon shot.</p> - -<p>The greeting between Fernando and Morgianna was warm, but formal. -Terrence impulsively grasped the little hand of the "maid o' the beach," -as he called her, and paid her some pretty compliment, which caused her -to blush, enhancing her beauty a hundred fold.</p> - -<p>She was formally introduced to Mr. St. Mark, the gunner whose skill had -saved them. She had seen the quiet man at a distance during the siege, -but had never talked with him.</p> - -<p>"Say, Fernando, do yez mark how Misther St. Mark stares at Miss -Morgianna?" asked Terrence that evening. "Bad luck to his ill manners, -if he wasn't so ould, I'd think he was in love with her."</p> - -<p>Fernando made no response. Captain Lane, during the evening, engaged -St. Mark in a discussion about General Jackson, who was undergoing a -trial by the civil courts of New Orleans for the violation of the civil -laws in saving the city. Captain Lane was loud in his condemnation of -the Peace faction, which, not satisfied with having thrown every -possible obstacle in the way of the administration in the prosecution of -the war, was now ridiculing the manner in which it had terminated.</p> - -<p>Fernando and Morgianna, during the course of the evening, found -themselves alone, and he ventured to ask:</p> - -<p>"Is Lieutenant Matson in America?"</p> - -<p>"I think not," she answered, in a careless way that astonished him. He -fixed his eyes on the floor for a moment, and then ventured to say:</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, Miss Lane, but as your friend I am interested in your -affairs;--when is it to come off?"</p> - -<p>"When is what to come off?" she asked in real surprise.</p> - -<p>"Your marriage with Lieutenant Matson."</p> - -<p>She gazed at him a moment in astonishment, and then her old native -mischievousness got control, and she laughed outright. His very -earnestness gave the affair an air of ludicrousness.</p> - -<p>"I am in earnest, Miss Lane," said Fernando, seriously.</p> - -<p>"So I perceive," and she still laughed provokingly.</p> - -<p>"May I ask if you have not been engaged all along to Lieutenant Matson?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"When was it broken off?"</p> - -<p>"It never was made."</p> - -<p>Fernando turned his face away to hide his confusion and said half aloud:</p> - -<p>"Have I been a fool all along? If it was not the lieutenant, then who in -the name of reason was it?" The roguish creature seemed really to enjoy -this discomfiture. Fernando's cheek had never blanched in battle, but in -the presence of this little maiden he was a coward. After several -efforts in which he found the old malady of something rising in his -throat returning, he said:</p> - -<p>"But, Morgianna, was he not your lover?"</p> - -<p>"No, he was father's friend; but I could never love him, though I -treated him respectfully." She was serious now.</p> - -<p>"Then, Morgianna, who was it?" he asked impulsively. She was silent. He -waited but a second or two and went on. "Some one surely stood in the -way of our--my happiness. I had hoped that you did not despise me. I -scarce dared to think you loved me, but it was some one,--who stood -in my way?"</p> - -<p>Her cheek grew crimson as the rich blood mounted to neck and face, and -in a voice scarce audible she answered:</p> - -<p>"No one!"</p> - -<p>"Morgianna!" he whispered, "dare I hope--dare I for one minute--" he had -risen to his feet and was standing at her side with wildly beating -heart. She made no answer, but her long drooping lashes almost concealed -her eyes, as she gazed on the floor.</p> - -<p>He advanced a step nearer, bent over and took one little trembling hand -in his own. She did not attempt to withdraw it this time, and, gently -slipping his disengaged arm about her waist, he murmured:</p> - -<p>"Morgianna!"</p> - -<p>Still she was silent. He went on:</p> - -<p>"You know how I have loved you all these years;--you must have known how -I have suffered and braved dangers untold. I sought--defied death, -because I deemed you lost. I spared the man I thought my rival, because -I believed you loved him. Though a young man, there are gray hairs in my -head, for it has been a living death since that night, Morgianna. Why -have you----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't, don't!" she plead, tears starting to her beautiful eyes. -"Don't speak that way--forgive me."</p> - -<p>"Morgianna!" cried Fernando, "Morgianna!"</p> - -<p>"Call me that; aye call me that always," exclaimed the captain's little -daughter; "never speak coldly to me, never be distant, never again -reprove me for the follies I have long repented, or I shall die, -Fernando."</p> - -<p>"I reprove you!" said Fernando.</p> - -<p>"Yes, for every kind and honest word you uttered went to my heart. For -you who have borne so much from me--for you, who owe your suffering to -my caprice--for you to be so kind--so noble to me--oh, Fernando!"</p> - -<p>He could say nothing, not a syllable. There was an odd sort of eloquence -in his arm, which had crept further round her waist, and their lips met.</p> - -<p>The barbecue and celebration was next day. Fernando was present, but a -little absent-minded. When called on for a speech, his ideas were -confused, and he was about to break down, when a voice behind him -whispered:</p> - -<p>"Ye're makin' a divil's own mess of it, Fernando, lave it to me."</p> - -<p>He took Terrence at his word, and announced that his Irish friend, one -of the defenders of Mariana, would now address them, and gave way to the -orator. Terrence did the subject justice. With the rich brogue of -Ireland rolling from his tongue, he avowed himself an American. He -declared that he was a better American than many present, as he was an -American from choice, and they by necessity. Terrence was an orator, and -with his ready wit, soon had the audience roaring and wild with -enthusiasm.</p> - -<p>Fernando did not hear much of the speech, for he and Morgianna had -stolen away to the rocky promontory to listen to the sad sea waves, -while they built air castles for the future.</p> - -<p>Next day, Mr. St. Mark expressed a wish to see Captain Lane in private. -The request was granted, and when they were alone in the apartment of -the old sea-captain, St. Mark said:</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, Captain Lane; but I wish to speak to you on family matters, -which may seem not to concern me."</p> - -<p>"Heave ahead, shipmate, for I have no family secrets."</p> - -<p>"Will you tell me the maiden name of your wife?"</p> - -<p>"I never had a wife."</p> - -<p>This announcement brought St. Mark to his feet, and his usually placid -features exhibited the wildest excitement. "Never married! But your -daughter--"</p> - -<p>"Only daughter by adoption, shipmate. She is no blood relation to me, -though I love her as dearly as any father could."</p> - -<p>"But her father--her mother?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know who either of them are, I can only suspect."</p> - -<p>"Don't you know their names?"</p> - -<p>"I never did."</p> - -<p>"This is remarkable!" and the features of the usually quiet man betrayed -the greatest excitement. "Where did you find her and when?"</p> - -<p>"I found her at sea when she was a baby, too young to speak or remember -anything of herself."</p> - -<p>"Captain Lane, do you mind telling me all about the finding of her?"</p> - -<p>The captain did not, and proceeded to tell him the story of Morgianna, -which the reader already knows. St. Mark had regained his composure at -the conclusion of the story and, in a calm, clear voice, said:</p> - -<p>"Captain, I may have the sequel to your story. I am a native of Vermont -and, at the age of twenty-two, married Bertha Rigdon of Boston, whose -brother Alfred, like myself, was a sea captain. We were both young, -ardent lovers of liberty, and thoroughly imbued with the ideas of Thomas -Jefferson in regard to the French Revolution. When our government -refused to take up the quarrel with France, we determined to espouse her -cause ourselves. Both our fathers had died prisoners on board the old -<i>Jersey</i> prison ship, and we felt that our lives should be devoted to -avenging them. This resolution was wicked, and perhaps the punishment -which followed we deserved.</p> - -<p>"We each commanded a vessel which began a warfare on English commerce, -defying all their embargo acts and neutrality laws. We were soon -declared outlaws and prices set on our heads. Not only Great Britain, -but Spain, Prussia and Austria declared us pirates, and our own -government dared not shelter us.</p> - -<p>"My wife, with our infant child, accompanied me on my last voyage. I was -sailing in company with her brother, Captain Alf Rigdon, when we were -chased by some British cruisers off Rio in June, 1796, and Alf's brig -being the swiftest sailer, I sent my wife and child aboard his vessel, -with a large sum of money to have them conveyed to the United States and -cared for until we could return.</p> - -<p>"I parted from the ship and after a three days' chase was overhauled by -the British cruisers and captured. I was forced to join her navy to save -my life, and served Great Britain until I deserted during the siege of -Mariana. I have never heard of my brother-in-law, my wife or -child since."</p> - -<p>Captain Lane prided himself on being able to control his feelings under -all circumstances; but it required no little effort for him to do so -now. After a few moments, he asked:</p> - -<p>"What was the name of your brother-in-law's ship?"</p> - -<p>"<i>Morgianna</i>!"</p> - -<p>Captain Lane did not start, for he expected this.</p> - -<p>"Was he a free mason?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Can you describe how he looked then?"</p> - -<p>"He was about thirty-five years of age, a little above middle height, -with a broad forehead, over which fine brown hair fell in careless -folds; he wore his beard and mustache long, the beard extending in a -point two or three inches below the throat. His eyes were brown, large -and full of expression while in conversation. He was brave, noble, and -all that goes to make up a grand man."</p> - -<p>"And your wife, can you describe her?"</p> - -<p>"She was an exact counterpart of your daughter."</p> - -<p>Captain Lane rose and with considerable emotion grasped the hand of St. -Mark, and said:</p> - -<p>"My daughter is your daughter."</p> - -<p>Then came the serious task of breaking the intelligence to Morgianna.</p> - -<p>It was done deliberately and quietly, without any sensational scene. Yet -her joy at discovering her father increased her happiness almost to -overflowing. "I am more blest than most girls," she declared. "I have -two fathers, and while I will learn to love my new father, I will not -forget to love my old father."</p> - -<p>The marriage of Fernando and Morgianna was celebrated the following -autumn at the new church which had been erected over the Ashes of the -former one. Both of Morgianna's fathers were present; but to her real -father was consigned the honor of giving away the bride.</p> - -<p>Terrence and Sukey were present. The Irishman declared the matter might -have been consummated long ago if they had only left it to him.</p> - -<p>The wedding day was made a public holiday in the village. Never in all -its existence was the little hamlet so gay. Bands played, choruses sang, -and the old cannon, still left at the tumble-down fort, fired a salute, -while American flags waved from every house. The local orator, who still -entertained hopes of the legislature, delivered a stirring address.</p> - -<p>Job, who heard of the happy event, came all the way from Baltimore to -shake the hand of "Massa Stevens" and wish him much joy.</p> - -<p>"I iz all right now, massa," he declared. "I iz found my own sure enough -massa agin, an' I'm goin' back to work for him all de time. No more -goin' to sea fer me; I iz no Britisher."</p> - -<p>Fernando and his father-in-law, soon after his marriage, engaged in -manufacturing enterprises in New England, with Captain Lane as the -silent partner and moneyed man of the enterprise. Home industries having -been fostered by the war, American manufactures promised a -bright future.</p> - -<p>Sukey was for many years a prominent minister of the Gospel in Ohio. -Terrence studied law and became a leading member of the -Philadelphia bar.</p> - -<p>Mariana is now no more. Time and disaster have swept it from the -peninsula, and to-day it remains only in the memory of the oldest -inhabitants. The Stevens family, though subjected to many disasters, has -grown, and become a part of the history of the country. The humble part -played by Fernando in sustaining the honor of his country has never been -recorded by the general historian; but it lingers in the memory of the -grateful posterity of many of the heroic men and women who lived in the -trying days of the early history of the Great Republic of the New World.</p> - -<p><b>THE END</b>.</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="HISTORICAL_INDEX."></a>HISTORICAL INDEX.</h2> - -<hr style="width: 25%;"> - -<p>Adams, John, first minister to Court of St. James</p> - -<p>Adams' proposition of reciprocity rejected by England</p> - -<p>Alabama and Arkansas organized as Territories and Alabama becomes a State</p> - -<p><i>Alert</i> captured by the <i>Essex</i></p> - -<p>Alexandria plundered by British</p> - -<p>Algerians force Americans to pay tribute</p> - -<p>American army at Detroit</p> - -<p>Americans attacked at River Raisin</p> - -<p>Americans return to Detroit</p> - -<p>Americans repulsed at La Colle</p> - -<p>American troops at Bladensburg</p> - -<p>Attack by British on Plattsburg fails</p> - -<p>Bainbridge forced to convey the Algerine ambassador to Constantinople</p> - -<p>Baltimore threatened by the enemy</p> - -<p>Barclay, Commodore, defeated at Lake Erie</p> - -<p>Barker, Mr., warns Mrs. Madison to fly</p> - -<p>Barron, Commodore, suspended from the navy</p> - -<p>Battle of Bladensburg</p> - -<p>Battle of Chicago</p> - -<p>Battle of Chippewa</p> - -<p>Battle of Chrysler's Farm</p> - -<p>Battle of Emucfau</p> - -<p>Battle of Fort Stephenson</p> - -<p>Battle of Horse-shoe Bend</p> - -<p>Battle of Lake Erie</p> - -<p>Battle of Lundy's Lane</p> - -<p>Battle of New Orleans</p> - -<p>Battle of Queenstown</p> - -<p>Battle of River Raisin</p> - -<p>Battle of Sackett's Harbor</p> - -<p>Battle of the Thames and death of Tecumseh</p> - -<p>Battle of Tippecanoe</p> - -<p>Black Partridge saves Mrs. Helm at Chicago</p> - -<p>Blockades of French and English</p> - -<p>Bonaparte conquers almost all of Europe</p> - -<p>Boerstler, General, captured at Beaver's Dam</p> - -<p>British agent at Pensacola offers Indians five dollars for each scalp</p> - -<p>British arraigned by committee on foreign relations</p> - -<p>British at Lake Borgne</p> - -<p>British capture Washington, and burn Capitol</p> - -<p>British discrimination in favor of New England States</p> - -<p>British impressment of American seamen</p> - -<p>British repulsed at Fort Erie</p> - -<p>British instigate Indians to an uprising</p> - -<p>Brock, General, proceeds to attack Detroit</p> - -<p>Brown, General Jacob, at Kingston</p> - -<p>Brown repulses Prevost at Sackett's Harbor</p> - -<p>Brown, General, at Lundy's Lane</p> - -<p>Burr's, Aaron, conspiracy</p> - -<p>Calhoun, John C., in debate favors war</p> - -<p>Camp meeting in the old pioneer days</p> - -<p>Canada divided into Upper and Lower Canada</p> - -<p>Canada, invasion of</p> - -<p>Chandler and Winder, Generals, captured</p> - -<p>Chauncey, Commodore, blockading British at Kingston</p> - -<p><i>Chesapeake</i> attacked by <i>Leopard</i></p> - -<p><i>Chesapeake</i> captured by <i>Shannon</i></p> - -<p>Citizen Genet, insolence of</p> - -<p>Clay, Henry, speaker of the house of representatives</p> - -<p><i>Clermont</i>, Fulton's first steamboat</p> - -<p>Coffee, General, defeats Indians at Tallahatchee</p> - -<p>Committee of Democrats inform Madison he must declare war</p> - -<p>Contraband munitions of war</p> - -<p><i>Constitution</i>, the, captures <i>Guerriere</i></p> - -<p><i>Constitution</i>, the, captures the <i>Java</i></p> - -<p><i>Constitution</i>, February 28, 1815, captures two British vessels</p> - -<p>Creek Indians in South attack Fort Mimms</p> - -<p>Croghan, Major George, in command of Fort Stephenson</p> - -<p>Dearborn commissioned major-general</p> - -<p>Decatur, Stephen, destroys ship <i>Philadelphia</i></p> - -<p>Defeat of the prophet</p> - -<p>Democratic party, how organized</p> - -<p>Detroit besieged</p> - -<p>Detroit surrendered by Hull</p> - -<p>"Don't give up the ship"</p> - -<p>Dudley, Colonel, mortally wounded near Fort Meigs</p> - -<p>Effects of the Embargo Act</p> - -<p>Embargo Act of 1807</p> - -<p>Embargo laid on commerce for forty days before declaring war</p> - -<p>Emigrants to the Ohio--the journey</p> - -<p>Emperor of Russia offers himself as a mediator between the United States and Great Britain</p> - -<p>England's idea of American independence of colonies</p> - -<p><i>Enterprise</i>, the, captures the British <i>Boxer</i></p> - -<p><i>Essex</i> captures the <i>Alert</i> in a fight of eight minutes</p> - -<p><i>Essex</i> captures twelve British whalers</p> - -<p><i>Essex</i> captured by two British men-of-war</p> - -<p>Federal party, how organized</p> - -<p>Floyd, General, defeats Indians at Autossee</p> - -<p>Fort Stephenson, British repulsed at</p> - -<p>Fort George captured by General Scott and Commodore Perry</p> - -<p>Fort Erie strengthened by General Ripley</p> - -<p>Fort McHenry bombarded</p> - -<p>Fort Bowyer, British repulsed at</p> - -<p>"Free Trade and Sailors' Eights," motto of <i>Essex</i></p> - -<p>French Revolution, its effect on American politics</p> - -<p><i>Frolic</i>, British ship, captured by American <i>Wasp</i></p> - -<p><i>Frolic</i> captured by <i>Orpheus</i></p> - -<p>Great Britain holds her posts in violation of treaty</p> - -<p>Greenville, the prophet at</p> - -<p><i>Guerriere</i> captured by Hull</p> - -<p>Hamilton, Alexander, leader of the Federalists</p> - -<p>Hamilton, Alexander, murdered by Aaron Burr</p> - -<p>Harrison, General W.H., invites Tecumseh and the prophet to a council at Vincennes</p> - -<p>Harrison prepares to attack the prophet</p> - -<p>Harrison at Tippecanoe</p> - -<p>Harrison attacked at 4 o'clock A.M.</p> - -<p>Harrison succeeds Hull</p> - -<p>Harrison, General, at Fort Meigs</p> - -<p>Harrison, offended at General Armstrong, the secretary of war, resigns</p> - -<p>Heald, Captain, at Fort Dearborn, notified of the fall of Mackinaw</p> - -<p>Heald attacked near Fort Dearborn or Chicago</p> - -<p>Heald, Captain, and wife saved from massacre</p> - -<p>Helm, Mrs., saved by Black Partridge</p> - -<p>Henry, John, gets admission to Madison by a letter from Elbridge Gerry</p> - -<p>Henry sells President Madison his papers</p> - -<p>Houston's, Sam, General, victory at Horse-shoe Bend</p> - -<p><i>Hornet</i> captures the <i>Peacock</i></p> - -<p><i>Hornet</i> captures the <i>Penguin</i></p> - -<p>Hull, Governor of Territory of Michigan</p> - -<p>Hull in Washington, made Brigadier-General</p> - -<p>Hull invades Canada; retreats</p> - -<p>Hull at Detroit</p> - -<p>Hull surrenders Detroit</p> - -<p>Hull convicted of cowardice but pardoned</p> - -<p>Hull, Captain, captures the <i>Guerriere</i></p> - -<p>Indians, treaty with, for Ohio lands</p> - -<p>Indians, instigated by British to uprising</p> - -<p>Indians plundering on the Wabash</p> - -<p>Indiana and Illinois become Territories</p> - -<p>Inhabitants of the Great West</p> - -<p>Internal improvements after the war of 1812</p> - -<p>Irish-American patriotism</p> - -<p>Jackson, General Andrew, in command in the South</p> - -<p>Jackson defeats Creeks at Emucfau</p> - -<p>Jackson charging into Pensacola</p> - -<p>Jackson at New Orleans</p> - -<p>Jackson attacks the British camp</p> - -<p>Jefferson, Thomas, founder of Democratic party, moved by French Revolution</p> - -<p>Jefferson and Hamilton's opposing views on French Revolution</p> - -<p>Jefferson, Thomas, elected President</p> - -<p>Jefferson, description of; his policy</p> - -<p>Jefferson's cabinet</p> - -<p>Jefferson's ideas of peace and war</p> - -<p>Johnson, R.M., Colonel, at the Thames</p> - -<p>Keane, General, threatening New Orleans</p> - -<p>Key, Mr. Francis S., the poet, composing the "Star Spangled Banner" while a prisoner</p> - -<p>King George III. hopelessly insane; Prince of Wales ruler</p> - -<p>Lafayette's, General, visit to America</p> - -<p>Lafitte, Jean, pirate of the Gulf, offers his services to Jackson</p> - -<p>Lake Erie, battle of</p> - -<p>Lambert, General, retreats from New Orleans</p> - -<p>Laulewasikaw, the prophet, Tecumseh's twin brother</p> - -<p>Lawrence, Captain, death of</p> - -<p>Legislatures by concurrent resolutions ask Congress to declare war</p> - -<p>Lewistown, Delaware, bombarded</p> - -<p>Louisiana purchased from France</p> - -<p>Louisiana admitted to the union</p> - -<p>Mackinaw captured</p> - -<p><i>Macedonian</i> captured by Decatur</p> - -<p>Madison, James, President; his cabinet</p> - -<p>Madison's political changes</p> - -<p>Madison's inaugural address makes him popular</p> - -<p>Madison's message to Congress to declare war against Great Britain</p> - -<p>Madison re-elected President of the United States</p> - -<p>Madison's second inauguration</p> - -<p>Madison and cabinet flying from Bladensburg</p> - -<p>Madison, Mrs., saves Washington's picture and parchment of the Declaration of Independence</p> - -<p>Maine becomes a State</p> - -<p>Maiden captured by Americans</p> - -<p>Marcy, Wm. L., captures first British colors</p> - -<p>Massacre at River Raisin</p> - -<p>Maumee Rapids, Harrison building Fort Meigs at</p> - -<p>Measures taken to sustain the declaration of war</p> - -<p>Miller defeats Indians</p> - -<p>Miller, Colonel, at Lundy's Lane</p> - -<p>Ministers of the Gospel on the frontier</p> - -<p>Missouri Compromise</p> - -<p>Monroe, James, elected President of United States</p> - -<p>Monroe Doctrine</p> - -<p><i>Nautilus</i> captured by <i>Peacock</i>, the last naval engagement of war</p> - -<p>Naval forces on lakes</p> - -<p>Napoleon, influence of, on United States gone</p> - -<p>New England governors (Caleb Strong, William Plummer, and Roger Griswold) refuse their militia to serve the United States</p> - -<p>New England coast threatened</p> - -<p>New Orleans, Jackson at</p> - -<p>New Orleans under martial law</p> - -<p>Ohio valley opened up to settlers</p> - -<p>Ohio becomes a State, in 1802</p> - -<p>Ontario, naval force on</p> - -<p><i>Orpheus</i> captured by <i>Frolic</i></p> - -<p>Oswego, New York, destroyed by British</p> - -<p>Packenham, General, death of</p> - -<p><i>Peacock</i> captures the <i>Nautilus</i>, the last naval engagement</p> - -<p><i>Peacock</i> captures <i>Epervier</i></p> - -<p>Peace party</p> - -<p><i>Pelican</i> captures <i>Argus</i></p> - -<p>People forcing the war on the leaders</p> - -<p>Perry's victory on Lake Erie</p> - -<p>Pioneer's home</p> - -<p>Pike, General, death of</p> - -<p>Pottawattomies attack Americans near Chicago</p> - -<p>Pirates of the West Indies</p> - -<p>Preparations for war made</p> - -<p><i>President</i> and the <i>Little Belt</i></p> - -<p><i>President</i> captured by English vessels</p> - -<p>Prevost, Sir George, repulsed at Sackett's Harbor</p> - -<p>Proctor attacks General Winder at River Raisin</p> - -<p>Questions of wrong reviewed in Madison's message</p> - -<p>Queenstown, battle of</p> - -<p>Raisin River, Americans at</p> - -<p>Raisin River, Winchester attacked at</p> - -<p><i>Rattlesnake</i> captured by a British man-of-war</p> - -<p>Redoubts at New Orleans</p> - -<p>Rial, General, defeated by General Scott</p> - -<p>Ripley, General, in command at Lundy's Lane, retreats.</p> - -<p>Rodgers, Commodore, insulted by <i>Little Belt</i></p> - -<p>Ross, General, and Cockburn, threaten Washington City</p> - -<p>Ross, General, death of</p> - -<p>Sackett's Harbor, siege of</p> - -<p>Scott, Winfield, at Queenstown</p> - -<p>Scott, General, at Lundy's Lane</p> - -<p>Shawnees under Tecumseh roused</p> - -<p>Short, Lieutenant-Colonel, killed at Fort Stephenson</p> - -<p>Smythe, General, dismissed from service</p> - -<p>"Star Spangled Banner," how composed</p> - -<p>Stephenson, British repulsed at</p> - -<p>Stonington, British repulsed at</p> - -<p>Strong, Caleb, Governor of Massachusetts, refused to allow militia of his State to defend northern Territory against British</p> - -<p>Tecumseh rousing Indians to resistance</p> - -<p>Tecumseh opposing sale of lands</p> - -<p>Tecumseh demands a return of lands</p> - -<p>Tecumseh's speech to Proctor</p> - -<p>Tecumseh and Proctor abandon Maiden</p> - -<p>Tecumseh, death of</p> - -<p>Treaty with Indians for Ohio valley lands</p> - -<p>United States commerce a prey to British cruisers</p> - -<p>United States offers to register seamen</p> - -<p>Van Horne defeated</p> - -<p>Van Rensselaer, Stephen, Brigadier-General New York militia</p> - -<p>"Victor and spoils" theory inaugurated by Jefferson in 1801</p> - -<p><i>Vixen</i>, United States brig, captured by the <i>Southampton</i></p> - -<p>War declared by Congress</p> - -<p>War of 1812 waged under difficulties</p> - -<p>War with Algiers</p> - -<p>Washington's wisdom and conservative policy</p> - -<p>Washington, George, laying corner-stone of capitol building, 1793</p> - -<p>Washington City, seat of government removed to</p> - -<p>Washington City, threatened by British</p> - -<p>Washington City, captured by British, pillaged and capitol building burned</p> - -<p><i>Wasp</i> captures <i>Frolic</i> and is captured</p> - -<p>Wasp captures <i>Reindeer, Avon</i> and three other prizes and mysteriously disappears</p> - -<p>Whitney, Eli, inventor cotton gin</p> - -<p>Winder, General, trying to raise troops to defend capitol</p> - -<p><i>Xenophon</i>, the, on the Maryland coast</p> - -<p>Young members in Congress who favor war with England elect Henry Clay speaker</p> - -<p>York, siege of</p> - -<p>Zeal of Jefferson to aid French</p> - - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> -<h2><a name="CHRONOLOGY."></a>CHRONOLOGY.</h2> -<br> - -<p>PERIOD X.--AGE OF LIBERTY ESTABLISHED.</p> - -<p>A.D. 1800 TO A.D. 1824.</p> - -<p><b>18OO</b>. INDIANA TERRITORY formed,--July 4.</p> - -<p>LOUISIANA ceded to France by Spain by secret treaty,--Oct. 1.</p> - -<p>SEAT OF GOVERNMENT removed to Washington, D.C.; Congress met,--Nov. 17.</p> - -<p><b>1801</b>. THOMAS JEFFERSON inaugurated president,--March 4.</p> - -<p>MILITARY ACADEMY established at West Point, N.Y.,--March 10.</p> - -<p>TRIPOLI declared war against the United States,--June 10.</p> - -<p><b>1802</b>. GEORGIA'S cession of territory to General - Government,--April 24.<br> - -<p>OHIO admitted to the Union,--Nov. 22.</p> - -<p><b>1803</b>. LOUISIANA ceded to the United States by France for - 80,000,000 francs,--April 30. (By this cession the United States<br> - claimed to the present western boundary of Florida.)<br> - -<p><b>1804</b>. The <i>Philadelphia</i> destroyed by Decatur at - Tripoli,--Feb. 16.<br> - -<p>DUEL between Hamilton and Burr, at Hoboken, N.J.,--July 11.</p> - -<p>TWELFTH AMENDMENT to the Constitution declared in force,--Sept. 25.</p> - -<p>ORLEANS TERRITORY formed,--Oct. I.</p> - -<p>DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA formed, same as Louisiana cession, less Orleans - Territory,--Oct. I.<br> - -<p><b>1805</b>. LOUISIANA TERRITORY formed,--March 3.</p> - -<p>JEFFERSON'S second presidential term began,--March 4.</p> - -<p>TREATY OF PEACE concluded with Tripoli,--June 4.</p> - -<p>MICHIGAN TERRITORY formed,--June 30.</p> - -<p><b>1806</b>. BONAPARTE'S Berlin Decree,--Nov. 21.</p> - -<p><b>1807</b>. BRITISH "ORDERS IN COUNCIL" requiring goods to land in - Great Britain,--Jan. 7.<br> - -<p>THE <i>Chesapeake</i> attacked by the <i>Leopard</i> off the coast of - Virginia,--June <i>22</i>.<br> - -<p>AARON BURR tried for treason, at Richmond, Va.; acquitted,--Sept. 1.</p> - -<p>FULTON successfully applied steam navigation on the Hudson,--Sept. 14.</p> - -<p>BRITISH "ORDERS IN COUNCIL" prohibited trade with France and - allies,--Nov. 17.<br> - -<p>BONAPARTE'S Milan decree prohibited trade with English - colonies,--Dec. 17.<br> - -<p><b>1808</b>. BONAPARTE'S Bayonne decree ordered seizure of United States - vessels,--April 17.<br> - -<p><b>1809</b>. NON-INTERCOURSE ACT, prohibiting trade with Great Britain - and France, passed,--Feb. 27.<br> - -<p>ILLINOIS TERRITORY formed,--March 1.</p> - -<p>JAMES MADISON inaugurated president,--March 4.</p> - -<p><b>1810</b>. BONAPARTE'S Ramboulliet decree; 132 American vessels seized - and sold,--March 23.<br> - -<p><b>1811</b>. GEORGE, Prince of Wales, appointed regent of Great - Britain,--Feb. 3.<br> - -<p>BATTLE between the <i>President</i> and <i>Little Belt</i>, off - Virginia,--May 16.<br> - -<p>BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE, Ind.; Harrison defeats Indians,--Nov. 7.</p> - -<p><b>1812</b>. LOUISIANA admitted into the Union,--April 30.</p> - -<p>WAR with Great Britain proclaimed by the United States,--June 19.</p> - -<p>HULL'S EXPEDITION against Fort Maiden, Canada,--July.</p> - -<p>FORT MACKINAW captured by British and Indians,--July 17.</p> - -<p>FIRST BATTLE of Brownstown, Mich.; British defeated Van Horn,--Aug. 5.</p> - -<p>SECOND BATTLE of Brownstown, or Manaugua; American victory,--Aug. 9.</p> - -<p>BRITISH sloop <i>Alert</i> taken by the <i>Essex</i>, off - Newfoundland,--Aug. 13.<br> - -<p>HULL surrendered Detroit,--Aug. 16.</p> - -<p>THE <i>Guerriere</i>, British frigate, captured by the - <i>Constitution</i>, off Massachusetts,--Aug. 19.<br> - -<p>BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN, Canada; Van Rensselaer wounded, Brock - killed,--Oct. 13.<br> - -<p>BATTLE OF LEWISTON, N. Y.; Cowardly conduct of American - militia,--Oct. 13.<br> - -<p>BRITISH ship <i>Poictiers</i> captured the <i>Frolic</i> and Wasp, - off North Carolina,--Oct. 18.<br> - -<p>BRITISH ship <i>Macedonia</i> captured by <i>United States</i>, off - Canary Islands,--Oct. 25.<br> - -<p>MISSOURI TERRITORY formed,--Dec. 7.</p> - -<p>BRITISH frigate <i>Java</i> captured by the <i>Constitution</i>, -off Bahia, Brazil,--Dec. 29.</p> - -<p><b>1813</b>. BATTLE OF FRENCHTOWN, Mich.; Winchester defeated by - Proctor,--Jan. 22.<br> - -<p>BRITISH brig <i>Peacock</i> captured the <i>Hornet</i> off the - Demarara, South America,--Feb. 24.<br> - -<p>MADISON began second presidential term,--March 4.</p> - -<p>BATTLE OF YORK, Canada (now Toronto); explosion of British - magazine,--April 27.<br> - -<p>FORT MEIGS besieged by 2,000 British and Indians under Proctor,--May 1.</p> - -<p>GENERAL CLAY and I,200 Kentuckians dispersed besiegers,--May 5.</p> - -<p>PBEVOST made an unsuccessful attack on Sackett's Harbor,--May 29.</p> - -<p>THE <i>Chesapeake</i>, Captain Lawrence, captured by <i>the Shannon</i>, - in Massachusetts Bay,--June I.<br> - -<p>DEFENCE OF FORT STEPHENSON (now Lower Sandusky, O.) by Major - Crogan,--Aug. 3.<br> - -<p>AMERICAN brig <i>Argus</i> captured by the <i>Pelican</i>, in the - English Channel,--Aug. 14.<br> - -<p>THE CREEK WAR; Massacre of Fort Mimms, Ala.,--Aug. 30.</p> - -<p>BRITISH brig <i>Boxer</i> captured by the <i>Enterprise</i>, off - Maine,--Sept. 5.<br> - -<p>PERRY'S victory at west end of Lake Erie,--Sept. 10.</p> - -<p>BATTLE OF THE THAMES, or Moravian town, Canada; Tecumseh - killed,--Oct. 5.<br> - -<p>BATTLE OF TALLADEGA, Ala.; Jackson defeated the Creeks,--Nov. 9.</p> - -<p>BATTLE OF CHRYSLER'S FIELD, Canada; British repulsed,--Nov. 11.</p> - -<p>PORTER made a successful cruise in the Pacific with the <i>Essex</i>.</p> - -<p><b>1814</b>. BATTLE OF TOHOPEKA, or Horse-Shoe Bend, Ala.; last of the - Creek War,--March 27.<br> - -<p>AMERICAN frigate <i>Essex</i> captured off Chile,--March 28.</p> - -<p>WILKINSON repulsed at La Colle Mill, Canada,--March 30.</p> - -<p><i>Peacock</i> captured British brig <i>Epervier</i>, off - Florida,--April 29.<br> - -<p><i>Wasp</i> captured British sloop <i>Reindeer</i>, near English - Channel,--June 18.<br> - -<p>GENERALS SCOTT AND RIPLEY captured Fort Erie,--July 3.</p> - -<p>BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA, Canada; Scott defeated Riall,--July 5.</p> - -<p>BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE, Canada, the most obstinate of the war,--July 25.</p> - -<p>FIRST BATTLE of Fort Erie, Drummond repulsed,--Aug. 15.</p> - -<p>Ross dispersed Americans at Bladensburg, Md.,--Aug. 24.</p> - -<p>WASHINGTON D. C., captured; public buildings burned,--Aug. 24.</p> - -<p>BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN; American victory, Sept. 11.</p> - -<p>BATTLE OF PLATTSBURG, N. Y.; Prevost, British, defeated by - McComb,--Sept. 11.<br> - -<p>Ross defeated Americans at North Point, Md.; death of Ross,--Sept. 12.</p> - -<p>BROOKS' unsuccessful bombardment of Fort McHenry, Md.,--Sept. 13.</p> - -<p>BRITISH bombarded Fort Boyer, Mobile Bay, without success,--Sept. 15.</p> - -<p>SECOND BATTLE of Fort Erie; Brown dispersed besiegers,--Sept. 17.</p> - -<p>JACKSON drove British from Pensacola, Fla.,--Nov. 7.</p> - -<p>AMERICAN flotilla surrendered to the British, at Lake Borgne, - La.,--Dec. 14.<br> - -<p>CONVENTION at Hartford, Conn., opposed to the war,--Dec. 15.</p> - -<p>BATTLE nine miles from New Orleans; Jackson retired to - intrenchments,--Dec. 23.<br> - -<p>TREATY OF GHENT, Belgium (peace), signed,--Dec. 24.</p> - -<p><b>1815</b>. BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS, fourteen days after treaty of - peace,--Jan. 8.<br> - -<p>BRITISH squadron captured the frigate <i>President</i>, off New - Jersey,--Jan. 15.<br> - -<p>BRITISH <i>Cyane</i> and <i>Levant</i> captured by <i>Constitution</i>, - off Madeira Islands,--Feb. 20.<br> - -<p>WAR against Algiers declared by Congress,--March 3.</p> - -<p><i>Hornet</i> captured British brig <i>Penguin</i>, off - Brazil,--March 23.<br> - -<p><b>1816</b>. BANK OF UNITED STATES re-chartered for twenty years; - capital, $35,000,000,--April 10.<br> - -<p>INDIANA admitted into the Union,--Dec. 11.</p> - -<p><b>1817</b>. ALABAMA TERRITORY formed,--March 3.</p> - -<p>JAMES MONROE inaugurated president; "era of good feeling,"--March 4.</p> - -<p>SEMINOLES and Creeks began depredations in Georgia and Alabama.</p> - -<p>MISSISSIPPI admitted into the Union,--Dec. 10.</p> - -<p><b>1818</b>. JACKSON seized Spanish forts in Florida.</p> - -<p>JOINT occupation of Oregon by United States and Great Britain - agreed upon.<br> - -<p>PENSACOLA, Fla., seized by Jackson; Spanish officials sent to - Cuba,--May 25.<br> - -<p>ILLINOIS admitted into the Union,--Dec. 8.</p> - -<p><b>1819</b>. FLORIDA ceded to the United States by Spain,--Feb. 22.</p> - -<p>ARKANSAS TERRITORY formed,---July 4.</p> - -<p>ALABAMA admitted into the Union,--Dec. 14.</p> - -<p><b>1820</b>. ACCESSION of George IV. to throne of Great - Britain,--Jan. 29.<br> - -<p>MISSOURI COMPROMISE ACT passed,--March 3.</p> - -<p>MAINE admitted into the Union,--March 15.</p> - -<p><b>1821</b>. MEXICO became independent of Spain,--Feb. 24.</p> - -<p>MONROE began second presidential term,--March 5.</p> - -<p>MISSOURI admitted into the Union,--Aug. 10.</p> - -<p><b>1823</b>. FLORIDA TERRITORY formed,--March 3.</p> - -<p>"MONROE DOCTRINE" enunciated in the annual message,--Dec. 2.</p> - -<p><b>1824</b>. LAFAYETTE visited the United States.--Aug. 15.</p> - - -<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Sustained honor, by John R. Musick, - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUSTAINED HONOR *** - -***** This file should be named 10370-h.htm or 10370-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/3/7/10370/ - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charlie Kirschner and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team. - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Musick, - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Sustained honor - The Age of Liberty Established - -Author: John R. Musick, - -Release Date: December 2, 2003 [EBook #10370] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUSTAINED HONOR *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charlie Kirschner and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team. - - - - - -THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE - -Volume X - -SUSTAINED HONOR - -The Age of Liberty Established - -By - -JOHN R. MUSICK - -ILLUSTRATIONS BY - -FREELAND A. CARTER - -1909 - - - - -PREFACE. - -Written history is generally too scholastic to interest the great mass -of readers. Dignified and formal, it deals mainly with great events, and -often imperfectly with these, because, not pausing to present clear -impression by the associations of individual life, it conveys a stiff -and unnatural opinion of the past. Historians ignore the details which -go to make up the grand sum total of history, and from the very best -histories one can get but a meagre idea of the life and times of the -people of bygone ages. It is these minor details of past events which -lend to fiction its greatest charm, and attract the multitude, by -appearing more like truth. Although untrue in the particular -combinations, scenes and plots delineated, yet well written fiction is -drawn from nature and experience, and these facts in life, as with -chessmen, are only arranged in new but natural positions. History should -include everything in the nature, character, customs and incidents, both -general and individual, that contribute to originate what is peculiar -in a people, or what causes their advancement or decline. So broad is -its scope, that nothing is too mighty for its grasp--so searching, -scarce anything is too minute. Were written history a clear transcript -of valuable incidents, it would be more enticing than the most -fascinating fiction. - -It is the purpose of this volume to deal with some of the remote and -direct causes of the second war with England, by endeavoring, as nearly -as our ability will permit, to transport the reader back to the scenes -of eighty or ninety years ago, and give views of the incidents which -clustered around the events of that time. - -The war of 1812 has been properly termed by some historians the second -war for independence; for, in truth, the independence of the United -States of America was not established until after that event. Great -Britain across the ocean and the horde of Tories still in America had -not abandoned all hope of yet making the United States a dependency of -the country from which she had fought seven long years to free herself. -The war of 1812 was never fought to a finish. In some respects it was a -drawn fight. Its results were not satisfactory to the patriotic -American, and certainly were not to Great Britain. The contemptible -"Peace Faction" continually crippled the administration all through the -contest of nearly three years. - -After studying the patriotism of New England through the War of the -Revolution, one is surprised at the unpatriotic actions of that section -of the United States in 1812. One can hardly believe that it was party -fealty and political hatred of the democratic party alone which made -these formerly patriotic colonies and States hot-beds of sedition and -treason. It looks as if those States, having built up a flourishing -trade with Great Britain, cared little about the impressment of sailors, -or the enslaving of their countrymen, so long as they filled their own -pockets. The men seized were usually poor, and their happiness, liberty -and life were lightly regarded in comparison with the prosperity of the -"Peace Party" merchant. If patriotism were dormant in the East, however, -in the growing West, and the generous South it was strong. From those -sections came the hardy sons of liberty, who taught Johnny Bull anew to -respect the rights of the common people. Though the treaty of peace was -not satisfactory in many particulars, it more clearly defined the lines -between the United States and British possessions in America, leaving -the fishery question and the right to search and impressment in an -unsettled condition, giving the "Peace Party" an opportunity to say, "I -told you so." - -An attempt is made in this story to cover the whole period of the war -and the causes leading up to it, treating it from the standpoint of an -individual of the time. The pioneers of seventy-five years ago were a -hardy race, long since disappeared. We hope that from Fernando Stevens, -the hero of this volume, the reader may derive some idea of pioneer life -as it then was. Fernando Stevens was a namesake of the cabin-boy of -Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to America, Hernando Estevan, -of whom he was a lineal descendant. The hero of this volume was a son of -Albert Stevens, a Revolutionary soldier, who was a son of Colonel Noah -Stevens, of the French and Indian War, who was a son of Elmer Stevens of -early Virginia history, a son of Robert Stevens of the time of Bacon's -Rebellion. He was a son of John Smith Stevens, of the early Virginia -history, who was the son of Philip Stevens, or Philip Estevan, the young -Spaniard who was the personal friend of Captain John Smith and helped -lay the foundation of Jamestown. He was a son of Francisco Estevan of -St. Augustine, who was a son of Christopher Estevan of Cuba, a companion -of Pizarro and De Soto, and he was a son of Hernando Estevan, who went -as cabin-boy with Columbus on his memorable first voyage in which he -discovered the Western Hemisphere. - -This scion of a long line of stalwart but not famous ancestors is the -one whose adventures we now narrate. Like his ancestors, he was only one -of the rank and file of Americans, whose names are seldom seen in print, -but who, after all, go to make up the true history of our glorious -republic. Fernando's adventures, with those of Morgianna, the mysterious -waif of the sea, form the romance of this story. - -JOHN E. MUSICK. - -KIRKSVILLE, Mo., July 11th, 1893. - - - - -TABLE OF CONTENTS. - -CHAPTER I. -THE YOUNG EMIGRANT - -CHAPTER II. -MORGIANNA - -CHAPTER III. -JEFFERSONIANISM - -CHAPTER IV. -BRITISH CRUISERS - -CHAPTER V. -FERNANDO'S JOURNEY EAST. HE MEETS WITH QUEER PEOPLE - -CHAPTER VI. -WAR FEELING OF 1811 - -CHAPTER VII. -FERNANDO'S FRIEND GETS HIM INTO A SERIOUS SCRAPE - -CHAPTER VIII. -THE BELLE OF THE BEACH - -CHAPTER IX. -THE ENGLISHMAN'S DILEMMA - -CHAPTER X. -THE SILENT GUNNER - -CHAPTER XI. -SHIPWRECK, ESCAPE AND RETURN TO OHIO - -CHAPTER XII. -WAR - -CHAPTER XIII. -THE PEACE PARTY - -CHAPTER XIV. -FERNANDO SEES SERVICE - -CHAPTER XV. -ON LAND - -CHAPTER XVI. -ON WATER - -CHAPTER XVII. -THE CRUISER'S THREAT - -CHAPTER XVIII. -THE SAVING SHOT - -CHAPTER XIX. -NEW ORLEANS - -CHAPTER XX. -CONCLUSION - -HISTORICAL INDEX - -CHRONOLOGY - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - -They took a last look at the spots which were hallowed by association - -Emigrants' wagon crossing a stream - -Morgianna - -Carried the ship by the board after a terrible hand-to-hand conflict - -Stephen Decatur - -"Do you think dar is any Angler-Saxun blood in dese veins?" - -Fulton's _Clermont_, the first steamboat - -As near perfection as a girl of sixteen can be - -That smile and that eternal stare disconcerted the British officer - -"You surrender easily," - -He sat down on a broken mast - -The boatswain's mate brought the terrible scourge hissing and crackling -on the young and tender back - -He saw Captain Bones and his lieutenant trying to hide behind a barrel - -It soon became evident that he did not intend to drown her - -Henry Clay - -John C. Calhoun - -"Lave it all to me" - -James Madison - -Tecumseh - -"My brave Kentucky lads, to us is accorded the honor of winning this -battle. Forward!" - -They came together in an earnest struggle - -"My father will protect me; I want no other protection" - -Sukey's thumb lifted the hammer of his gun - -Packenham fell bleeding and dying in the arms of Sir Duncan McDougal - -Map of the period - - - - -SUSTAINED HONOR. - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE YOUNG EMIGRANT. - -[Illustration] - -The first recollections of Fernando Stevens, the hero of this romance, -were of "moving." He was sitting on his mother's knee. How long he had -been sitting there he did not know, nor did he know how he came there; -but he knew that it was his mother and that they were in a great covered -wagon, and that he had a sister and brother, older than himself, in the -wagon. The wagon was filled with household effects, which he seemed to -know belonged to that mother on whose knee he sat and that father who -was sitting on the box driving the horses which pulled the wagon. -Fernando Stevens was never exactly certain as to his age at the time of -this experience; but he could not have been past three, and perhaps not -more than two years old, when he thus found himself with his father's -family and all their effects in a wagon going somewhere. - -He knew not from whence they came, nor did he know whither they were -going. It was pleasant to sit on his mother's knee and with his great -blue eyes watch those monster horses jogging along dragging after them -the great world, which in his limited comprehension was all the world he -knew,--the covered wagon. Suddenly some bright, revolving object -attracted his attention, and he fixed his eyes on it. It was the wagon -tire, and he saw it crushing and killing the grass at the side of the -road, or rolling and flattening down the dust in long streaks. - -Then they descended a hill. It was not a long hill, but seemed rather -steep. There was water at the bottom. He remembered seeing the bright, -sparkling wavelets and never forgot the impression they produced. There -was a boat at the bottom of the hill, and the wagon and horses were -driven into the boat. A man and boy began propelling the long sweeps or -oars. He watched the proceeding in infantile wonder and especially -remembered how the water dropped in sparkling crystals from the oar -blades. The boy had on a red cap or fez with a tassel. That boy, that -cap and that oar with the sparkling dripping water from the blade were -to him the brightest pictures and greatest wonders he had ever known. - -He had not the least idea why the man and boy dipped those oars into the -water and pulled them out all dripping and pretty, unless it was to -amuse him. The oars were painted blue. He did not know where they were -going, or when this journey would end, or that it was a journey. - -Thus Fernando Stevens began life. This was the first page in his -existence that he could recollect. In after years he knew he was -Fernando Stevens, that his father was Albert Stevens, a soldier in the -War of the Revolution, that his kind, sweet-faced mother was Estella -Stevens, and that the very first experience he could remember was that -of the family emigrating to the great Ohio valley. - -Albert Stevens was married shortly after the close of the Revolutionary -War, and he tried hard to succeed in New England; but he had no trade -and no profession, and the best lands in the country were bought. Seven -years of his early life, with all his dawning manhood had been spent in -the army, and now with his family of three children he found himself -poor. Congress had made a treaty with the Indians by which the vast -territory of the Ohio valley was thrown open to white settlers, and he -resolved to emigrate to where land was cheap, purchase a home and grow -up with the country. - -Resolved to emigrate, the father collected his little property and -provided himself with a wagon and four horses, some cows, a rifle, a -shot-gun and an axe. His trusty dog became the companion of his journey. -In his wagon he placed his bedding, his provisions and such cooking -utensils as were indispensable. Everything being ready, his wife and the -three children took their seats, Fernando, the youngest, on his mother's -knee; while the father of the family mounted the box. The horses were -started and the great vehicle began to move. As they passed through the -village which had been to them the scene of many happy hours, they took -a last look at the spots which were hallowed by association--the church -with its lowly spire, an emblem of that humility which befits a -Christian, and the burial-ground, where the weeping willow bent -mournfully over the head-stone which marked the graves of their parents. -The children, who were old enough to remember, never forgot their -playground, nor the white schoolhouse where the rudiments of an -education were instilled into their minds. - -Their road was at first, comparatively smooth and their journey -pleasant. Their progress was interrupted by divers little incidents; -while the continual changes in the appearance of the country around -them, and the anticipation of what was to come, prevented those feelings -of despondency, which might otherwise have arisen on leaving a much -loved home. When the roads became bad or hilly, the family quit the -wagon and trudged along on foot, the mother carrying the baby Fernando -in her arms. At sunset, their day's journey finished, they halted in the -forest by the roadside to prepare their supper and pass the night. The -horses were unharnessed, watered and secured with their heads to the -trough until they had eaten their meagre allowance of corn and oats, and -then were hobbled out to grass. Over the camp fire the mother prepared -the frugal supper, which being over, the emigrants arranged themselves -for the night, while the faithful dog kept watch. Amid all the -privations and vicissitudes in their journey, they were cheered by the -consciousness that each day lessened the distance between them and the -land of promise, whose fertile soil was to recompense them for all their -trials and hardships. - -Gradually, as they advanced west, the roads became more and more rough -and were only passable in many places by logs having been placed side by -side, forming what was termed corduroy roads. The axe and rifle of the -emigrant, or mover as he is still termed in the west, were brought -daily and almost hourly into use. With the former he cut saplings, or -small trees, to throw across the roads, which, in many places, were -almost impassable; while with his rifle he killed squirrels, wild -turkeys, or such game as the forest afforded, for their provisions were -in a few days exhausted. If, perchance, a buck crossed his path, and he -brought it down by a lucky shot, it was carefully dressed and hung up in -the forks of the trees; fires were built, and the meat cut into small -strips and smoked and dried for future subsistence. - -As they advanced, the road through the woods became more difficult to -travel, the trees being merely felled and drawn aside, so as to permit a -wheeled carriage to pass; and the emigrant was often obliged to be -guided in his route only by the blaze of the surveyor on the trees, and -at every few rods to cut away the branches which obstructed his passage. -As the stroke of the axe reverberated through the woods, no answer came -back to assure him of the presence of friend or foe. At night in these -solitudes, they heard the wolves stealing through the gloom, sniffing -the scent of the intruders; and now and then, then bloodshot eyes of the -catamount glared through the foliage. - -Days, weeks and months passed in this toilsome journey through the -wilderness, so indelibly impressing it on the memory of Fernando -Stevens, that he never, to his dying day, forgot that journey. At last -they arrived at the landmarks which, to Albert Stevens, indicated the -proximity of his possessions. A location for the cabin was selected near -a small stream of running water, on the south side of a slight -elevation. - -No time was lost. The trees were immediately felled, and in a short time -Fernando, looking out from the covered wagon, perceived a clear space of -ground of but few rods in circumference. Stakes, forked at the top, were -driven into the ground, on which the father placed logs, and the chinks -between these were stopped with clay. An enclosure was thus hastily -thrown up to protect the family from the weather, and the wife and -children were removed to this improvised abode. The trunks of the trees -were rolled to the edge of the clearing, and surmounted by stakes driven -crosswise into the ground: the severed tops and branches of trees piled -on top of the logs, thus forming a brush fence. By degrees the -surrounding trees were "girdled" and killed. Those that would split were -cut down and made into rails, while others were left to rot or logged up -and burned. - -A year showed a great improvement in the pioneer's home. Several acres -had been added to the clearing, and the place began to assume the -appearance of a farm. The temporary shanty had given place to a -comfortable log cabin; and although the chimney was built of small -sticks placed one on the other, and filled in between with clay, -occupying almost one whole end of the cabin, it showed that the inward -man was duly attended to; and the savory fumes of venison, of the -prairie hen and other good things went far to prove that even backwoods -life was not without its comforts. [Footnote: The author has often heard -his mother say that the most enjoyable period of her life was in a -pioneer home similar to the above.] - -In a few months, the retired cabin, once so solitary, became the nucleus -of a little settlement. Other sections and quarter sections of land were -entered at the land office by new corners. New portions of ground were -cleared, cabins were erected; and in a short time the settlement could -turn out a dozen efficient hands for house raising or log rolling. A saw -mill soon after was erected at the falls of the creek; the log huts -received a poplar weather boarding, and, as the little settlement -increased, other improvements appeared; a mail line was established, and -before many years elapsed, a fine road was completed to the nearest -town, and a stage coach, which ran once, then twice a week, connected -the settlement with the populous country to the east of it. - -This was the life the hero of this story began. It might be said to be -an unromantic life; yet such a life was known to many of our American -ancestors. It had its pleasures as well as its pains. It had its poetry -as well as its prose, and its joys as well as its sorrows. The vastness -of the forest and depths of the solitude by which he was surrounded, -made its impress on his mind. He grew up in ignorance of tyranny and -many of the evils of the great cities. - -The cabin home and the narrow clearing about it formed his playground. -His first toy was a half-bushel measure, which he called his "bushee!" -This he rolled before him around the log cabin and the paths made in the -tall grass, frequently to the dread of his mother, who feared that he -might encounter some of the deadly serpents with which the forest -abounded. He remembered on one occasion, when his mother found him going -too far, she called: - -"Come back, Fernando; mother is afraid you will step on a snake." - -He looked about him with the confidence of childhood, and answered: - -"No 'nakes here." - -Just at that moment, the mother, to her horror, saw a deadly reptile -coiled in the very path along which the child was rolling his "bushee," -and with true frontier woman's pluck, ran and snatched up the -bare-footed Fernando, when only within two feet of the deadly serpent, -carried him to the house, and with the stout staff assailed and killed -the rattlesnake. - -He remembered seeing the wild deer bound past the cabin door, and one -day his father killed one. The big dog called "Bob," on account of the -shortness of his caudal appendage, on another occasion leaped on a wild -buck as he was passing the house, and seized the animal, holding it -until it was slain. Wild turkeys were common; he saw them in great -flocks in the woods, and did not suppose they could ever become extinct. - -Fernando never forgot his first pair of shoes. He had grown to be quite -a lad, and his bare feet had trod the paths in the forest, and over the -prairies in summer and late in autumn, until they had become hardened. -In winter his mother had made him moccasins out of deer skins; but he -was at last informed that he was going to have a pair of shoes, such as -he had seen some children from the eastern States wear. His joy at this -intelligence knew no bounds. He dreamed of those shoes at night, and -they formed the theme of his conversation by day. His sister, who was -the oldest of the children, had been the happy possessor of three pairs -of shoes, and she often discussed knowingly the good qualities of pedal -coverings and of their advantages in travelling through brambles or over -stones. Often as he contemplated his scratched, chapped and bruised -feet, the child had asked himself if it were possible that he should -ever be able to afford such a luxury as a real pair of shoes. - -Money was scarce, luxuries scarcer. The frontier people lived hard, -worked hard, slept sound, and enjoyed excellent health. - -Though little Fernando had never owned a real pair of shoes in his life, -so far as he could remember, he possessed a strong mind and body, and no -prince was his superior. He had, as yet, never been to school a day, but -from the great book of nature he had imbibed sublimity and loftiness of -thought, which only painters and poets feel. - -Though he was shoeless, he was inspired with lofty ideas of freedom such -as many reared in cities never dream about. The father had to make a -long journey to some far-away place for the shoes. The day before -starting all the children were made to put their feet on the floor, -while the parents measured them with strings, and tied knots to indicate -the size of shoes to be purchased. At last the measures were obtained, -and the father put them in the pocket of his buckskin hunting jacket. -Then he harnessed the horses to the wagon and, with, his trusty rifle -for his only companion, drove away. Bob, the faithful watch-dog, was -very anxious to accompany him, and whined and howled for two or three -days; but he was kept at home to defend the family. A faithful protector -was Bob, and woe to the intruder who dared to annoy the household while -he was around. Fernando waited patiently and long for the return of his -father. Every night before retiring to his trundle-bed, he would ask his -mother if "father would come next day." - -At last the joyous shout of the older children announced the approach of -the wagon. They ran down the road to meet it. The horses jogged along -with the wagon, which rolled and jolted over the ground to the house. -The wagon was unloaded. There were bags of meal and flour, coffee and -tea, and then came the calico and cotton goods, jugs of molasses and a -barrel of sugar. The shoes were in a box and finally brought out. - -A great disappointment was in store for Fernando. His shoes were too -small. The father had lost the string and purchased the shoes "by -guess." Fernando tried hard to squeeze his foot into the little green -coverings; but they were so small and there was danger of bursting them. -Father had to go back to the land office in a day or two and would -exchange them. He rode off on the white mare, "old Betts," and on his -return had a pair of shoes large enough for Fernando. - -They were awkward at first and cramped, pinched and galled his feet. His -mother made him a suit of clothes of "blue drilling" and next Sabbath -the whole family got into the wagon and drove off eight miles to Bear -Creek to "meeting." - -The people of the west were as thorough a combination and mixture of all -nations, characters, languages, conditions and opinions as can well be -imagined. Scarcely a nation in Europe, or a State in the union, that did -not furnish emigrants for the great west. The greater mass from Europe -were of the humble classes, who came from hunger, poverty and -oppression. They found themselves here with the joy of shipwrecked -mariners cast on the untenanted woods, and instantly became cheered with -the hope of being able to build up a family and a fortune from -new elements. - -The Puritan and the planter, the German, the Briton, the Frenchman, the -Irishman and the Swede, each with his peculiar prejudices and local -attachments, and all the complicated and interwoven tissue of -sentiments, feelings and thoughts, that country, kindred and home, -indelibly combined with the web of youthful existence, settled down -beside each other. The merchant, mechanic and farmer found themselves -placed by necessity in the same society. Men must cleave to their kind -and must be dependent upon each other. Pride and jealousy give way to -the natural yearnings of the human heart for society. They began to rub -off mutual prejudices. One took a step and then the other. They met half -way and embraced; and the society thus newly organized and constituted -was more liberal, enlarged, unprejudiced, and of course more -affectionate and pleasant than a society of people of like birth and -character, who would bring all their early prejudices as a common stock, -to be transmitted as an inheritance to posterity. - -Depending only on God and nature, the simple backwoodsman came to regard -God as his only master and, like the Swiss patriot, would bow his knee -to none other. Men were left free to adopt such religious views and -tenets as they chose, and the generous laws protected every man alike in -his religious opinions. Ministers of the gospel and priests, being -presumed to be devoted to humanity, charity and general benevolence, -were precluded by many State constitutions from any participation in the -legislative authority, and their compensation depended wholly upon the -voluntary aid of those among whom they labored in charity and love. In -the wide district where the Stevens lived, the country was too sparsely -settled to support a stationed minister, and "preaching" was a luxury. -Unsustained by the rigid precepts of law in any privileges, perquisites, -fixed revenue, prescribed by reverence or authority, except such as was -voluntarily acknowledged, the clergy found that success depended upon -the due cultivation of popular talents. Zeal for the great cause mixed, -perhaps, with a spice of earthly ambition, the innate sense of emulation -and laudable pride, a desire of distinction among their cotemporaries -and brethren, prompted them to seek popularity, and to study all the -arts and means of winning the popular favor. - -Travelling from month to month through dark forests, with such ample -time for deep thought, as they ambled slowly along the lonesome horse -path or unfrequented roads, they naturally acquired a pensive and -romantic turn of thought and expression, which is often favorable to -eloquence. Hence their preaching was of the highly popular cast, such as -immortalized Peter Cartwright. The first aim was to excite the -ministers; hence, too, excitement, or, in religious parlance, -"awakenings," or "revivals" became common. Living remote from each -other, and spending much of their time in domestic solitude in vast -forests or wide spreading prairies, the "appointment" for preaching was -looked upon as a gala-day, or a pleasing change, which brought together -the auditors from remote points, and gratified a feeling of curiosity, -which prompted the pioneers to associate and interchange cordial -congratulations. - -As yet no meeting house had been erected in all the region where the -Stevens lived. The meeting on Bear Creek was at the home of Mr. Moore, -who was the happy possessor of a "double log cabin." One cabin or room -was cleared of furniture, and sawn boards, placed on sticks of wood on -end, furnished the seats. These were occupied and the "entry" between -the cabins was filled by children. The preacher, who was also chorister, -took his position near the door so as to accommodate those without as -well as those within. He opened his saddle-bags and, pushing back his -soiled linen, took out his bible and hymn-book and, proceeding to "line -a hymn," "started it" himself, the congregation all joining. - -Fernando Stevens had heard from his sister about these wonderful -meetings; but he had never dreamed that a score of voices could raise -such an uproar, and he ceased admiring his new shoes, while he fixed his -eyes in terror on the capacious mouth of a pious old man, who, in his -fervent zeal, was singing with all his might. As he sounded forth each -resonant note, louder than the preceding, his mouth opened wider and -wider, until Fernando took alarm and climbed upon his father's knee. - -At this critical moment, there came on the air a cracking sound, and one -of the boards which served the purpose of a pew broke in the centre and -came down with a crash, precipitating nearly half a score of buxom, -screaming girls into a promiscuous heap upon the floor. This was too -much for Fernando. He could not but attribute the disaster to the -wide-mouthed singer, and he screamed so lustily in his fright, that his -father took him from the house to calm his fears. - -Fernando's first experience at "meeting" was not very encouraging; but -he did not despair. Soon after their return home he heard the family -begin to speak of the "camp-meeting," and learned that one was to be -held at the head waters of Bear Creek, not far from the home of Mr. -Moore, and that the family was going. - -On the appointed day they took their places in the wagon and started for -the camp ground. Notice of the camp-meeting had been circulated for -several weeks or months, and all were eager to attend. The country for -fifty miles around was excited with the cheerful anticipation of the -approaching festival of religious feeling and social friendship. When -the Stevenses arrived on the grounds, wagons and carts, coaches and old -family chaises, people on horseback and on foot, in multitudes, with -provision wagons, tents, mattresses, household implements and cooking -utensils, were seen hurrying from every direction toward the central -point. The camp was in the midst of a grove of beautiful, lofty, -umbrageous trees, natural to the western country, clothed in their -deepest verdure, and near a sparkling stream, which supplied the host -with fresh water. White tents started up in the grove, and soon a sylvan -village sprang up as if by magic. The tents and booths were pitched in a -semi-circle, or in a four-sided parallelogram, inclosing an area of two -acres or more, for the arrangement of seats and aisles around a rude -pulpit and altar for the thronging multitude, all eager to hear the -heavenly messenger. - -Fernando beheld all in a maze of wonder, and half believed this was that -Heaven of which his mother had told him so much. He half expected to see -the skies open and the son of God descend in all his glory. Toward -night, the hour of solemn service approached, and the vast sylvan bower -of the deep umbrageous forest was illuminated by numerous lamps -suspended around the line of tents which encircled the public area and -beside the rustic altars distributed over the same, which sent forth a -glare of light from the fagot fires upon the worshipping throng, and the -majestic forest with an imposing effect, which elevated the soul to fit -converse with its creator, God. - -The scenery of the most brilliant theatre of the world was only a -painting for children compared with this. Meantime, the multitude, with -the highest excitement of social feeling, added to the general -enthusiasm of expectation, was passing from tent to tent interchanging -apostolic greetings and embraces, while they talked of the approaching -solemnities. A few minutes sufficed to finish the evening's repast, when -the moon (for they had taken thought to appoint the meeting at the time -of the full moon) began to show its disc above the dark summits of the -distant mountains, while a few stars were seen glimmering in the west. -Then the service began. The whole constituted a temple worthy of the -grandeur of God. An old man in a dress of the quaintest simplicity -ascended a platform, wiped the dust from his spectacles, and, in a voice -of suppressed emotion "lined the hymn," of which that vast multitude -could recite the words, to be sung with an air in which every voice -could join. Every heart capable of feeling thrilled with emotion as that -song swelled forth, "Like the sound of many waters, echoing among the -hills and mountains." The service proceeded. The hoary-haired orator -talked of God, of eternity, of a judgment to come and all that is -impressive beyond. He spoke of his experiences and toils, his travels, -his persecutions and triumphs, and how many he had seen in hope, in -peace and triumph gathered to their fathers. When he spoke of the short -space that remained for him, his only regret was that he could no longer -proclaim, in the silence of death, the unsearchable riches and mercies -of his crucified Redeemer. - -No wonder, as the speaker paused to dash the gathering moisture from his -own eye, his audience was dissolved in tears, or uttered exclamations of -penitence. Many who prided themselves on an estimation of a higher -intellect and a nobler insensibility than the crowd caught the -infection, and wept, while the others, "who came to mock remained -to pray." - -In due time a schoolhouse was erected on the banks of the creek a mile -away from the house of Albert Stevens. Fernando was sent with the older -children. Mrs. Creswell the teacher had no end of trouble with the -little fellow, whose ideas of liberty were inconsistent with discipline, -and who insisted on reclining on the floor instead of sitting on a -bench. He became hungry and despite the fact that his preceptress had -forbidden "talking out loud" declared that he wanted something to eat. - -"Wait a bit," answered the teacher. "We will have recess by and by." - -"Is recess something to eat?" he asked. - -This question produced a titter, and the insubordinate youngster was -again told he must not talk. After awhile he became accustomed to school -and liked it. He grew older and learned his letters. It was a tedious -task, the most difficult of which was to distinguish "N" from "U," but -he finally mastered them, and his education, he supposed, was complete. -After two or three years, he learned to read. His father on one of his -journeys to town brought to their forest home some excellent books, with -bright, beautiful pictures. He was now nine years old, and could read -with some difficulty. One of his books was a story about a man being -wrecked on an island, and having saved a black man named Friday from -death by savages. Fernando never tired of this wonderful book, and, in -his eagerness for the adventures of Robinson Crusoe, learned to read -well without knowing it. - -From reading one book, he came to read others, and lofty, ambitious -thoughts took possession of his soul. His mind, uncontaminated or -dwarfed by the sins of civilization, early began to reach out for high -and noble ideas. - -His father had been a captain in the continental army, and had travelled -all over the Atlantic States during the war for independence. He told -his children many stories of those dark days and sought early to instil -in their young minds a love for their country, urging them ever to -sustain its honor and its flag. - -Fernando Stevens, even early in childhood, became a patriot. He could be -nothing more nor less than a patriot and lover of freedom with such -training, and growing up in such an atmosphere. With the bitter wrongs -of George III. rankling in his heart, he came to despise all forms of -monarchy, and to hate "redcoats." The cruelties of Cornwallis, Tarleton, -Rawdon, Tryon and Butler were still in the minds of the people, and the -boy, as he gazed on his father's sword hanging on the cabin wall, often -declared he would some day take it and avenge the wrongs done in -years gone by. - -Years passed on, and Fernando, in his quiet home in the West, grew to be -a strong, healthy lad, with a constantly expanding mind. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - -MORGIANNA. - -It was early on the morning of June 13, 1796, just twenty years after -the Declaration of Independence, that Captain Felix Lane, of the good -ship _Ocean Star_, was on his voyage from Rio to Baltimore with a cargo -of coffee. The morning was specially bright, and the captain, as brave a -man as ever paced a quarter deck, was in the best of spirits, for he -expected soon to be home. He had no wife and children to greet him on -his return, for Lane was a bachelor. He had served on board a privateer -during the War of the Revolution and had done as much damage as any man -on salt water to English merchantmen. Like most brave men, Captain Lane -had a generous soul, a kind heart, and there was not a man aboard his -vessel who would not have died for him. He preserved perfect discipline -and respect through love rather than fear, for he was never known to be -harsh with any of his crew. - -No one knew why the captain had never married. His first mate, who had -sailed under him four years, had never dared broach him on the subject -of matrimony. There was a story--a mere rumor--perhaps without the -slightest foundation, of Felix Lane, when a poor sailor boy, loving the -daughter of an English merchant at Portsmouth, England. The mate got the -story from a gossipy old English sailor, who claimed to know all about -it, but whose fondness for spinning yarns brought discredit on his -veracity. According to the old sailor's account, the fair English maid's -name was Mary. Her father was one of the wealthiest merchants in the -city; and one day when Lane was only nineteen he met Mary. Her beauty -captivated him and inspired him to a nobler life. Mary loved the young -sailor; but it was the old story of the penniless lover and cruel -parent. The sailor was forcibly expelled from the house and sailed to -America, with a heart full of revenge and ambition. - -He arrived just after the battle of Lexington, and soon shipped aboard a -privateer. Again it was the old story of a rash lover laughing at death, -seeking the grim monster who seemed to avoid him. His ship was so -successful, that in a short time each of the crew was rich from prize -money. Four years and a half of war found Felix Lane commander of the -most daring privateer on the ocean. He was already wealthy and continued -by fresh prizes to add to his immense fortune. The merchant marine of -Great Britain dreaded his ship, the _Sea Rover_, more than the whole -American navy. Lane was one of the most expert seamen on the ocean, and -might have had a high office in the regular navy, had he not found this -semi-piratical business more lucrative. - -One day his vessel sighted a large merchantman, off the coast of Spain, -and engaged it in a terrible conflict. The merchantman carried twice as -many people and heavier guns than the _Sea Rover_; but by the skilful -management of his ship Captain Lane continued to rake her fore and aft -until she was forced to strike her colors. When the conqueror went -aboard, he found the splintered deck a scene of horror. Cordage, -shrouds, broken spars and dead and dying men strewed the deck. Near the -gangway was a middle-aged man holding in his arms a girl mortally -wounded in the conflict. He recognized her in a moment, and the scene -which followed tried all the powers of the old yarn-spinner's -descriptive faculties. He held her in his arms and wept and prayed until -her life was extinct. It was said that she recognized him and that she -died with a sweet smile on her face, pointing upward to a place of -reunion. The father, who had survived the conflict, was released, and -Captain Felix continued his career a sadder and better man. - -Whether this story was true or not, no one can at this day tell, for -Jack tars are proverbial yarn-spinners, and seek more after romance than -truth. One thing is quite certain, though, Captain Lane was still a -bachelor, and had resisted all the advances of beautiful women, until no -one doubted that he would end his days a bachelor. - -On this bright June morning a sail was descried S.S.E., and there -immediately sprang up a little conversation between master and mate as -to the probable character of the ship. - -"Perchance, captain, it's a British cruiser," suggested the mate. - -"If it should be, we have no fears." - -"No, for the _Ocean Star_ can show a pair of clean heels to anything -afloat. These British have a habit of searching all vessels they can -capture and impressing seamen." - -"It's ugly business." - -"It will breed another storm." - -"I don't think America will long submit." - -At this, the mate, whose temper was as fiery as his red hair, vowed: - -"If they should board a ship of mine, I would give 'em lead and steel, -until they would not care to search or impress any one." - -"They have no such right," the captain answered, and his face grew very -stern. - -The vessel, whatever she was, did not cross their path, however, and in -a few hours disappeared around some jutting headlands. - -They had only left Rio the day before, and had very light winds. The -land breeze lasted long enough to bring them by Santa Cruz, and their -ship drifted along all day between Raza and the main. Toward night the -sea-breeze came in fresh from the eastward, and they made four-hour -tacks, intending to keep the northern shore quite close aboard, and to -take their departure from Cape Frio. The night was very clear, and at -eight bells they tacked ship to the northward, heading about N.N.E.; -Raza lights could just be discerned, bearing about West. Captain Lane -had come on deck, as was his custom, to "stay" the brig, and, finding -everything looking right, was about to go below, when the man on the -lookout cried: - -"Sail ho!" - -"Where away?" demanded the Captain. - -"Two points off the lee bow." - -The captain walked forward to the forecastle, from where he descried -what appeared to be a large square-rigged vessel standing directly for -them, with her port-tacks aboard. This seemed strange to the captain, as -he knew of no vessel which had left Rio, except one several days -previous, and she should have been far on her voyage by this time. - -The stranger approached very rapidly, carrying a press of canvas, and -"lying over" to it in fine style. In a short time the stranger was -almost within speaking distance, and Captain Lane made her out to be a -large heavily-sparred clipper brig. A collision seemed inevitable, if -she held her course. The _Ocean Star_ was a little to windward of the -stranger with the starboard tacks aboard, and Captain Lane knew it was -the stranger's duty to "bear up" and keep away. He jumped for his -speaking trumpet and hailed: - -"Brig ahoy!" - -No answer; and the mysterious vessel came booming right on for them with -fearful speed. - -"Brig ahoy!" shouted the captain again. "Hard up your helm, or you will -be into me!" - -Still no answer; and, jumping to the wheel, the captain jammed it down, -and they came up flying into the wind. Leaving the wheel to the -frightened seaman, he sprang into the port rail, to see where the -stranger would strike them. As he did so, that mysterious craft flew by, -and the whole sea seemed lighted up by a strange illumination. It was -like a terrible dream--so wild, so supernatural and unearthly. As -Captain Lane stood by the port rail, he saw right under his quarter, a -large, low, black brig, with her decks crowded with men, and guns -protruding from her ports; while on the weather rail, clinging with one -hand to the shrouds, stood a strange, demoniacal-looking figure, holding -in his outstretched hand, above the water, a burning blue light. On the -quarter-deck a little knot of men seemed standing, a short distance -apart from them was a strikingly handsome man, who, from his air of -superiority, Lane at once knew to be the commander. His perfectly poised -and graceful attitude, and thorough composure, as he removed a cigar -from his mouth and motioned an order to the helmsman, struck the -beholder as wonderful. - -In an instant the whole thing flashed upon the captain--_he was a -pirate_! He had run under the stern of the brig and burned a blue light -to read the name of the vessel, and see if the bird was worth plucking. - -Captain Lane's decision was instantaneous. He knew that the white -feather never helped one out with such fellows. It was all the work of -an instant. The stranger ran a couple of lengths astern the _Ocean -Star_, swung his main-yard aback and hailed; but while the bold -buccaneer was doing this, Captain Lane had performed an equally -sea-manlike manoeuvre. He caught his sails aback, and his vessel having -stern way, he shifted his helm, backed her round, and, filling away on -the other tack, stood directly for the pirate. - -It was the stranger's time to hail now. The _Ocean Star_ was a sharp, -strong, fast-sailing vessel, and was under good headway and perfect -control. Captain Lane then acted hurriedly, but with precision, giving -his orders to his mate and helmsman, and, seizing the cabin lantern and -his speaking trumpet, he jumped upon the topgallant forecastle, and, -holding up his lamp, made the master mason's "_hailing sign of -distress_." He then hailed through his trumpet, in quick, determined -syllables: - -"Brig ahoy! Unless you swear as a man or as a Mason that you will not -molest me, as true as there is a God, we will sink together!" - -Quick as thought, the answer came back through the trumpet, clear and -distinct: - -"I swear as a Mason! Hard up your helm!" - -"Hard up your helm!" the captain shouted aft, and, paying off like a -bird, the _Ocean Star_ swept by the stranger's stern near enough to -almost touch her. As they went sailing past her, it became Captain -Lane's turn to bend forward with a lantern, and ascertain who his new -acquaintance was. There, painted in blood-red letters on the black -stern, was the name - - MORGIANNA. - -He had scarce read it, when the same clear tones, more subdued, hailed -him, as he thought, with somewhat of kindness: - -"Captain, do me the favor to back your main-yard; I will come aboard of -you--_alone_!" - -[Illustration: Morgianna.] - -The captain gave the necessary orders, and "hove to" within three or -four cables' length of the stranger; and in a very few minutes a -four-oared boat, containing but a single figure besides the crew, was -seen approaching the _Ocean Star_. - -Captain Lane had a ladder put over the gangway and threw a rope to the -boat as it came alongside; and the next moment the stranger sprang upon -the deck of the _Ocean Star_. - -With an easy grace he gave to the captain the quick, intelligible sign -of the "great brotherhood" and, taking his arm familiarly, walked aft. - -Captain Lane called the steward, sent for glasses and wine, and, as soon -as they were placed upon the table, closed the cabin door, and found -himself alone with his strange visitor. - -The captain filled his glass and, sipping it in Spanish fashion, passed -the decanter to the stranger. He followed his example, and after the -usual interchange of courtesies addressed him: - -"Captain, I have a favor to ask of you." - -"Name it." - -"You are probably not aware of the true motive which induced me to heave -you to?" - -"I am not." - -"It is this: I wish you to take a passenger to the United States--a lady -and her child. Now that I have seen you and feel acquainted with you, by -our common ties, I feel a confidence in sending them by you, which I -should never have felt, perhaps, with another. Will you take them? Any -price shall be yours." - -"Yes; I will take them." - -"Thank you. I have a still further favor to ask. I wish to send to the -States a sum of money to be invested in the lady's name, and for her -account. Will it be too much to ask you to attend to this? You may -charge your own commission." - -"I will obey your wishes to the letter," Captain Lane answered. - -The stranger grasped his hand across the table and, with some emotion, -added: - -"If you will do this, and will place the lady and child where they may -find a home, with the surroundings of Christian society, you will confer -a favor upon me which money can never repay." - -Captain Lane looked at the man with astonishment, and for the first time -gave him a glance that was thoroughly searching and critical. - -He was apparently of about thirty-five years of age, a little above the -medium height, with a broad forehead, over which fine, brown hair -clustered in careless folds. He wore his beard and mustache long, the -former extending to a point a few inches below the throat. His eyes were -brown, large and full of expression, while in conversation, and a mild -and melancholy smile occasionally stole over his features. - -His manners and conversation betokened refinement; and, take him all in -all, he was the last man one would have ever taken for a smuggler or -a pirate. - -Captain Lane became very much interested in him, and gradually their -conversation took a wider range. In the midst of it and before they had -fully completed their business arrangements in relation to the -passengers, whom Captain Lane had engaged to convey to the United -States, the mate knocked at the cabin door, and informed them that a -heavy squall was rising to westward. - -They hurried on deck, which no sooner had they reached, than the -stranger, looking hastily in the quarter indicated, shook Captain Lane -warmly by the hand saying: - -"I must go aboard, captain; that will be a heavy squall. Keep me in -sight if you can; but, if we part company, meet me off Cape Frio--this -side of it--to-morrow; wait for me till night, if you do not see me -before. Good-by!" and springing into his boat, he pulled away for -his vessel. - -Captain Lane never saw him again alive. - -No sooner was he over the side, than the captain gave orders to shorten -sail. He took in royals and topgallant sails, furled the courses, -trysail and jib, and double-reefed the topsails. They braced the yards a -little to starboard, hauled the foretopmast staysail sheet well aft, and -the captain, thinking he had everything snug, stood looking over the -weather rails, watching the approaching squall. The wind had almost died -away, and the atmosphere seemed strangely oppressive. Captain Lane was -an old sea-dog and had witnessed many strange phenomena on the ocean; -but never had he seen a squall approach so singularly. It seemed to move -very slowly--a great black cloud, which looked intensely luminous -withal, and yet so dense and heavy, that an ordinary observer might have -mistaken it for one of the ordinary rain squalls encountered in the -tropics. Captain Lane consulted his barometer, and found it -falling rapidly. - -"Clew the topsails up!" shouted the captain to the mate. "All hands lay -aloft and furl them!" - -The order was quickly obeyed; and just as the sailors reached the deck, -the squall struck them. It did not come as it was expected; it had -worked up from the westward, but struck the _Ocean Star_ dead from the -South. In an instant they were over, nearly on their beam ends, and a -heavy sea rushed over the lee-rail, filling the deck. - -"Hard up your helm!" shouted the captain, and, springing aft, he found -the helmsman jammed under the tiller, and the second mate vainly -endeavoring to heave it up. Taking hold with him, by their united -efforts they at last succeeded; and, after a moment's suspense, the -_Ocean Star_ slowly wore off before the wind and, rising out of the -water, shook herself like an affrighted spaniel and darted off with -fearful speed before the hurricane. - -Leaving orders to keep her "steady before it" the captain went forward -to ascertain the extent of the damage they had sustained. It was now -intensely dark, the rain falling in torrents, and lightning bolts -striking the water all around them, accompanied by fearful and incessant -peals of thunder. A human voice could not have been heard five paces -away. The wind, which fairly roared through the shrouds, and the deluge -of water upon the deck, were enough of themselves to drown any voice. By -flashes of lightning, the captain soon ascertained that they were -comparatively unharmed, and their spars were safe. Gathering his -frightened crew and officers about him, he succeeded at length in -freeing the decks of water by knocking out the ports on either side. -They next sounded the pumps, and found three feet of water in the well. -Immediately double pumps were rigged, and the steady clinking of brakes -added to the noises and terror of the scene. - -It was a fearful night, and Captain Lane prayed Heaven that he might -never see such another. - -About half an hour after the squall first struck them--the captain of -the _Ocean Star_ was standing with his two officers on the quarter-deck, -"conning the vessel by the feel of the wind and rain," keeping her dead -before the gale--when there came a flash and a peal which made them -cower almost to the decks. - -"My God!" was the simultaneous exclamation of all. A long chain of -lightning and a heavy ball of fire seemed to shoot from the sky, -lighting up the whole sea, revealing, and at the same time striking, in -its descent, a full-rigged brig, which, like themselves, was scudding -before the gale under bare poles, a few cables' length off their port -beam. The next instant, a fearful explosion, heard loud above the -roaring storm, shook the sea, a volume of flame and fire shot up in the -air, and when they looked again for the vessel, in the flashes of -lightning, it was nowhere to be seen. - -As the morning broke, the gale abated, and settled into a light breeze -from the eastward. They made all sail, and stood to the southward with -the wind abeam, hoping to fall in with some survivors of the wreck. - -Captain Lane changed his wet garments for something more comfortable, -refreshed himself with a strong cup of coffee, and, taking his glass, -sought the foretopsail yard. About seven bells, he thought he discovered -some object in the water three or four points off the lee bow. Hailing -the deck to keep off for it, he very soon made out fragments of a -vessel--spars, water casks, pieces of deck and, as they came still -nearer, a boat; but the captain, even from his lofty perch, could see no -sign of any one in it. - -Descending to the deck, he ordered a boat to be cleared away, and, -running as near as he dared to the wreck, he backed his maintopsail and -took a long and earnest survey with his glass. - -All hands were watching with anxious eyes the expression on the -captain's face. He handed his glass to the mate, who carefully examined -every fragment which appeared above water. The captain looked at the -mate inquiringly; but neither said a word. The mate handed back the -glass and shook his head sorrowfully. - -Again the captain looked long and earnestly; the mate looked again, and -again returned the glass: - -"Poor fellows--we may as well fill away, sir!" he said sadly. - -There was still considerable sea on, and the mere launching of a boat -was attended with more than ordinary danger, added to which was that to -be encountered from the broken spars and fragments of wreck drifting -about. Captain Lane thought of all these dangers, and was about to give -the order to "fill away the main-yard," when something seemed to say -to him: - -"_There is some one in that boat_!" - -This impression was so strong that he felt as if it would be murder to -leave the spot without making a more minute search, and he ordered the -boat to be lowered at once. Jumping into the stern sheets, four good -oars well manned soon brought him within the little field of fragments, -in the centre of which the boat was floating. No wonder none of the crew -was left,--the water literally swarmed with sharks. - -Standing in the bow with a boat hook, the captain warded off pieces of -wreck and gradually made his way to the strange boat. - -The sight there which met his eyes Captain Lane never forgot to his -dying day. When bowed down with old age, and his feeble steps were -tottering on the verge of the grave, that scene came to him as vividly -as on that terrible day. Lying in the bottom of the boat was the burnt, -blackened and bruised form of a man, which, with some difficulty, the -captain recognized as the handsome stranger who had visited him on the -previous evening. Clinging to him, with her arms clasped tightly around -his mutilated form, a clasp which even death could not break, her fair -face pressed close to his blackened features, was the lifeless body of -the most beautiful woman Captain Lane had ever seen. The look of agony, -of commiseration, of tenderness, of pity, of horror and despair, which -was sealed upon, those lifeless features was beyond the powers of -description; but the saddest spectacle of all was a child, a little girl -about one year old, clinging frantically to the breast of her dead -mother, and gazing silently at them in frightened wonder. - -For years, Captain Lane's eyes had not been dimmed with tears, but now -the fountains of grief were opened up, and his cheeks were wet. He -carefully entered the boat, felt of each cold body, laid his hand upon -each silent heart, and waited in vain for an answering signal to his -touch upon the pulse. - -"It is all over," he said, and sitting down in the stern sheets of the -boat, he took the child in his arms and sent his men back for sheets and -shot and palm and needle and prayer-book. "They shall have Christian -burial," declared the kind-hearted captain. - -They went away and left him alone with the dead and the baby. The infant -seemed to cling to him from that moment, and the Great Father above -alone knows how strangely and rapidly those cords of love were cemented -between the bluff, old bachelor sea-captain and the infant. That heart, -which he had thought dead to all love since the awful day on board the -English merchantman, when he saw the only being he ever loved dying, was -suddenly thrilled by the tenderest emotions. Those sweet blue eyes were -upturned to his face with a glance of imploring trust, and the -captain cried: - -"Yes, blow my eyes, if I don't stand by you, little one, as long as -there is a stitch of canvas left!" - -The time was very short until his men returned. Wrapping the dead in one -shroud and winding sheet, with heavy shot well secured at their feet, -the captain put the little child's lips to its mother's, giving her an -unconscious kiss, which caused the men to brush their rough sleeves -across their weather-beaten eyes. Then, reading with a broken voice, the -last service for the dead, the shroud was closed, and the opening waters -received them and bore them away to their last resting place. - -Jumping into his boat, with the little stranger nestling in his arms, -Captain Lane was soon aboard the _Ocean Star_, and with a fair wind and -sunny skies was once more homeward bound. The captain seemed loath to -relinquish his little charge. There was a goat on the vessel which -furnished milk, and the cook prepared some dainty food for the -little stranger. - -"What is her name, captain?" he asked, while feeding the hungry child. -She was not old enough to know her name, and there was not found about -her clothes or in the boat anything whatever by which her name could -possibly be known, so she had to be rechristened. What name should he -give her? He reflected a moment and then, remembering the name on the -stern of that black, mysterious vessel, answered: - -"Morgianna!" - -"Morgianna?" said the cook. - -"Yes, Morgianna Lane! she is my adopted daughter." - -The cook smiled at the thought of bluff old Captain Lane the bachelor -having an adopted daughter. - -After the perils and excitements of such a night, it was not strange -that Captain Lane slept long and soundly. He had good officers, and when -he retired he gave them orders not to disturb him, unless absolutely -necessary, until he should awake. - -They obeyed the injunction to the letter, and on the following morning -he was awakened by hearing one of the crew ask in an undertone of -the steward. - -"How is little Morgianna this morning?" - -"Little Morgianna," he said to himself; and then it all came back, and -with it a strangely tender dream which had all night long haunted his -slumbers. The captain rose hurriedly, dressed himself and inquired for -the child, who had been resigned to the care of the cook. She was -brought to him, a bright, cheerful little thing, just beginning to lisp -unintelligible words. For a few days she missed her mother and wore a -look of expectation on her infantile face, occasionally crying out; but -anon this passed away, and she became cheerful and happy. The captain -spent as much of his time with her as he could spare from his duties, -and as he held the little creature on his knee, heard her gentle voice -in baby accents, and felt her warm baby fingers on his cheek, a new -emotion took possession of his heart. He loved little Morgianna dearly -as a father might. - -Before that voyage was over, Captain Lane resolved to abandon the sea -and retire to his fine estate at Mariana, a village on the seashore not -a score of miles from Baltimore. He kept his intentions a secret until -the vessel was in port; then the merchants with whom he had been engaged -in business for years, were astounded to learn that Captain Lane had -made his last voyage. A nurse was engaged for little Morgianna and the -great mansion house on the hill within a fourth of a mile of Mariana was -fitted up for habitation. Servants were sent to the place, and the -villagers were lost in wonder. - -The gossips had food for conjecture for weeks, and many were the strange -stories afloat. Some of the old dames thought the captain was going to -be married after all. Then the young widows and ancient maidens who had -heard much about Captain Lane, sighed and looked disconsolate. Every -kind of a story but the truth was afloat. - -When on one bright autumnal day, a carriage from Baltimore was seen to -dash into the village and roll up the great drive, between the rows of -poplars, it was whispered he had come. One who watched averred that only -the captain and a child not over a year and a half old alighted from the -coach. (The nurse came in another vehicle.) The child started another -rumor. She was a mysterious, unknown factor, and the gossips bandied the -captain's name about in a reckless manner. Good old dames shook their -heads knowingly and declared they had suspected the captain had a wife -all the time in some far-off city. - -"You kin never depend on these sea-captains!" Mrs. Hammond declared. - -But despite all their conjectures, the captain lived in the old stone -mansion house with his servants and Morgianna. A few weeks after his -arrival, she was christened at the village church as Morgianna Lane, her -parents not known. - -Would wonders never cease? Bit by bit, the sensational story of -Morgianna got out into the village, and she became the object of the -greatest interest. Captain Lane adopted her, and when she became old -enough to accompany him, he seldom went away without her. Morgianna -loved the good old man, who, with all his rough seaman-like ways, was -father and mother both to her. - -Never had daughter a kinder or more indulgent father. - -As years went on, Morgianna grew in beauty, intelligence, grace and -goodness. Captain Lane was proud of her, and she was never so happy as -when sitting on his knee listening to his yarns of the sea. Her own sad, -dark story had never been told to her,--that was left for the future. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -JEFFERSONIANISM. - -There is not a man of intelligence in America or Europe, who has not -heard of the Democratic party in America, that great political -organization which has been in existence almost, if not quite, one -hundred years. Many who claim allegiance to this great party know little -of its tenets, and still fewer know its history. There are orators on -the stump, in the halls of Congress, writers for the press, all -advocating "the glorious principles of Democracy," who have never -thoroughly acquainted themselves with its history. The Democratic party -of to-day was originally known as the Republican party. The warm -discussions on the national constitution engendered party spirit in the -new republic, which speedily assumed definite forms and titles, first as -Federalist and anti-Federalist, which names were changed to Federalist -and Republican, or Democrat. - -The Federalist party, headed by Alexander Hamilton, favored much -concentration of power in a national government, but perhaps not more -than we have to-day, and, in fact, not more than is really essential to -the upbuilding of a stable republic like ours. There can be no question -but that Washington held to the same views; but Washington was the only -great man America ever produced who rose so far above political parties -as to absorb them all. He has never been classed as belonging to either -party. The Republican or Democratic party favored State sovereignty and -the diffusion of power among the people. - -The American people had had such bitter experiences with monarchs that -they dreaded anything which savored of monarchy, and it was argued that -a centralized government was but a step in that direction. On the other -hand, Federalists pointed out the danger of State sovereignty, which -would surely in the end disrupt the general government. Subsequent -history has proven that the Federalists were right. We have said that -Washington was a Federalist at heart. His enemies, meanly jealous of his -popularity, often declared that he was a monarchist. - -Meanwhile, a revolution, violent in its nature and far-reaching in its -consequences, had broken out in France. - -It was the immediate consequences of the teachings of the American -revolution. The people of France had long endured almost irresponsible -despotism, and were yearning for freedom when the French officers and -soldiers, who had served in America during the latter years of our -struggles for independence, returned to their country full of republican -ideas and aspirations. They questioned the right of the few to oppress -the many, and the public heart was soon stirred by new ideas, and in a -movement that followed, Lafayette was conspicuous for a while. The king, -like many tyrants, was weak and vacillating, and soon a body called the -states-general assumed the reins of government, while the king was in -fact a prisoner. The terrible Bastile, whose history represented royal -despotism, was assailed by the citizens of Paris and pulled down. The -privileges of the nobility and clergy were abolished, and the church -property was seized. The king's brothers and many of the nobles fled in -affright across the frontier, and tried to induce other sovereigns to -take up the cause of royalty in France and restore the former order of -things. The emperor of Austria (brother of the French queen) and the -king of Prussia entered into a treaty to that effect, at Pilnitz, -in 1791. - -When this treaty became known, war at once followed. Robespierre and -other self-constituted leaders in Paris held sway for a while, and the -most frightful massacres of nobles and priests ensued. The weak and -unfortunate king, who had accepted constitution after constitution, was -now deposed and a republic was established. Affairs had assumed the -nature of anarchy and blood, and Lafayette and other moderate men -disappeared from the arena. The king was tried on charge of inviting -foreigners to invade France, was found guilty and was beheaded in -January, 1793. His queen soon shared a like fate. The English troops -sent to Flanders were called to fight the French, for the rulers of -France had declared war against Great Britain, Spain and Holland -in February. - -Thomas Jefferson who entered Washington's cabinet in 1789, had just -returned from France, where he had witnessed the uprising of the people -against their oppressors. Regarding the movement as kindred to the late -uprising of his own countrymen against Great Britain, it enlisted his -warmest sympathies, and he expected to find the bosoms of the people of -the United States glowing with feelings like his own. He was sadly -disappointed. Washington was wisely conservative. His wisdom saw that -the cruelty of the anarchists of Paris was not patriotism, but the worst -sort of despotism. The society of New York, in which some of the leaven -of Toryism yet lingered, chilled Jefferson. He became suspicious of all -around him, for he regarded the indifference of the people to the -struggles of the French, their old allies, as an evil omen. Though the -Tories of New York were cool toward the French republic from far -different motives than Washington, yet the same cause was attributed -to both. - -Jefferson had scarcely taken his seat as Secretary of State in -Washington's first cabinet before he declared that some of his -colleagues held decidedly monarchical views; and the belief became fixed -in his mind that there was a party in the United States continually at -work, secretly and sometimes openly, for the overthrow of American -republicanism. The idea became a monomania with Jefferson from which he -never recovered till his death, more than thirty years afterward. -Jefferson soon rallied under his standard a large party of sympathizers -with the French revolutionists. Regarding Hamilton as the head and front -of the monarchical party, he professed to believe that the financial -plans of that statesman were designed to enslave the people, and that -the rights and liberties of the States and of individuals were in -danger. On the other hand, Hamilton regarded the national constitution -as inadequate in strength to perform its required functions and believed -its weakness to be its greatest defect. With this idea Jefferson took -issue. He charged his political opponents, and especially Hamilton, with -corrupt and anti-republican designs, selfish motives and treacherous -intentions, and so was inaugurated that system of personal abuse and -vituperation, which has ever been a disgrace to the press and political -leaders of this country. Bitter partisan quarrels now prevailed, in -which Jefferson and Hamilton were the chief actors. The populace was -greatly excited. The Republicans who hated the British intensely, called -the Federalists the "British party," and the Federalists called their -opponents the "French party." The Jeffersonians hailed with joy the news -of the death of the French king, and applauded the declaration of war -against England and Holland, forgetting the friendship which the latter -had shown for Americans during the struggle for independence. - -Amid all this uproar which proceeded from his cabinet, only Washington -remained calm. No other American at that day nor since could have -remained neutral and guided the ship of state through such breakers of -discontent. He was the safe middle water between the dangerous reefs of -concentration and State sovereignty. - -Had not the Federal party been the victim of many unfortunate -circumstances, it would certainly in time have become popular in the -nation. It was beyond question Washington's party, and, notwithstanding -the false charges of monarchism and British sovereignty, it was -patriotic. Had it existed forty or fifty years longer, until that -incubus which haunted Jefferson's brain had passed away, and the -republic become so firmly established that people would no longer fear -British dependency, the Federal party would have been a firmly fixed -institution. Had Federal ideas been fully inculcated instead of -Jeffersonianism and Calhounism, the rebellion of 1861 would not have -occurred; but Aaron Burr murdered Hamilton, the friend of Washington, -the bright genius of American politics and the hope of the Federal -party, and the Federalists were left without any great leader. When the -war of 1812 came, the Federalists were so embittered against the -Democrats, then in power, that they became lukewarm and threw so many -obstacles in the way of the patriots who were making the second fight -for freedom, as to almost confirm the suspicion that they were the -friends of Great Britain rather than America. This forever blighted the -Federal party. - -In the year 1800, Thomas Jefferson was elected the third president of -the United States, and the first of Democratic proclivities. - -Although the city of Washington, the great American capital, had been -laid out on a magnificent scale, in 1791, and George Washington, with -masonic ceremonies, laid the corner-stone of the capitol building in -1793, the seat of government was not removed there until the year 1800. -The site for the city was a dreary one. At the time when the seat of -government was first moved there, only a path, leading through an alder -swamp on the line of the present Pennsylvania Avenue, was the way of -communication between the president's house and the capitol. For a -while, the executive and legislative officers of the government were -compelled to suffer many privations. In the fall of 1800, Oliver -Wolcott wrote: - -"There is one good tavern about forty rods from the capitol, and several -houses are built or erecting; but I don't see how the members of -congress can possibly secure lodgings, unless they will consent to live -like scholars in a college or monks in a monastery, crowded ten or -twenty in one house. The only resource for such as wish to live -comfortably will be found in Georgetown, three miles distant, over as -bad a road in winter as the clay grounds near Hartford. - -"... There are, in fact, but few houses in any one place, and most of -them are small, miserable huts, which present an awful contrast to the -public buildings. The people are poor and, as far as I can judge, live -like fishes by eating each other. ... You may look in any direction over -an extent of ground nearly as large as the city of New York, without -seeing a fence or any object except brick kilns and temporary huts for -laborers. ... There is no industry, society or business." - -On March 4, 1801, Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated and commenced his -first term under favorable auspices. He was then fifty-eight years of -age--a tall, bony man, with grizzled sandy hair and rather slovenly -dress--a man who practised his Democratic simplicity in all things, and -sometimes carried it to extremes. A senator, writing of him in -1802, said: - -"The next day after my arrival I visited the president, accompanied by -some democratic members. In a few moments after our arrival a tall, -high-boned man came into the room. He was dressed, or rather undressed, -in an old brown coat, red waistcoat, old corduroy smallclothes, much -soiled, woollen hose, and slippers without heels. I thought him a -servant, when General Varnum surprised me by announcing it was the -president." - -In brief, Mr. Jefferson outlined his policy as follows, in a letter to -Nathaniel Macon: - -"1. Levees are done made away with. 2. The first communication to the -next congress will be, like all subsequent ones, by message to which no -answer will be expected. 3. The diplomatic establishment in Europe will -be reduced to three ministers. 4. The compensation of collectors -depends on you (Congress) and not on me. 5. The army is undergoing a -chaste reformation. 6. The navy will be reduced to the legal -establishment by the last of the month (May, 1801). 7. Agencies in every -department will be revised. 8. We shall push you to the uttermost in -economizing. 9. A very early recommendation has been given to the -postmaster-general to employ no printer, foreigner or Revolutionary Tory -in any of his offices." - -James Madison was Mr. Jefferson's secretary of state; Henry Dearborn was -secretary of war, and Levi Lincoln, attorney-general. Jefferson retained -Mr. Adams's secretaries of the treasury and navy, until the following -Autumn, when Albert Gallatin, a naturalized foreigner, was appointed to -the first named office and Robert Smith to the second. The president -early resolved to reward his political friends when he came to "revise" -the agencies in every department. Three days after his inauguration, he -wrote to Colonel Monroe, "I have firmly refused to follow the counsels -of those who have desired the giving of offices to some of the -Federalist leaders in order to reconcile. I have given, and will give, -only to Republicans, under existing circumstances." - -The doctrine, ever since acted upon, that "to the victor belong the -spoils," was then practically promulgated from the fountain-head of -government patronage; and with a cabinet wholly Democratic, when -congress met in December, 1801, and with the minor offices filled with -his political friends, Mr. Jefferson began his presidential career of -eight years' duration. In his inaugural address he said, "Every -difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called -by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all -Federalists--we are all Republicans." - -Vigor and enlightened views marked his course, so that even his -political enemies were compelled to confess his foresight and sound -judgment in regard to the national policy. - -The administration of Jefferson was not marked with perfect peace -abroad. Napoleon Bonaparte, the outgrowth of the French revolution, had -overthrown monarchy in France and conquered almost all Europe. He was -not a Washington, however, and the French people were only exchanging -one tyrant for another. - -The Algerians, those barbarous North African pirates, had been forcing -the Americans to pay tribute. Captain Bainbridge, who commanded the -frigate _George Washington_, for refusing to convey an Algerian -ambassador to the court of the sultan at Constantinople, was threatened -by the haughty governor with imprisonment. - -"You pay me tribute, by which you become my slave, and therefore I have -a right to order you as I think proper," said the dey. - -Bainbridge was forced to obey the orders of the Barbarian. - -[Illustration: Stephen Decatur.] - -The Americans resolved to humble the Algerians, and a fleet was sent to -Tripoli in 1803. The frigate _Philadelphia_, while reconnoitering the -harbor, struck on a rock and was captured by the Tripolitans, who made -her officers prisoners of war and her crew slaves. - -Lieutenant Decatur, on February 3, 1804, by a stratagem, got alongside -the _Philadelphia_ with seventy-four brave young sailors like himself -and carried the ship by the board after a terrible hand-to-hand -conflict. The Tripolitans were defeated, and the _Philadelphia_ was -burned. The American seamen continued to bombard Tripoli and blockaded -their ports, until the terrified Bashaw made a treaty of peace. - -While the Americans were winning laurels on the Mediterranean, the -infant republic was growing in political and moral strength. During Mr. -Jefferson's first term, one State (Ohio) and two Territories (Indiana -and Illinois) had been formed out of the great Northwestern Territory. -Ohio was organized as an independent territory in the year 1800, and in -the fall of 1802, it was admitted into the Union as a State. Long before -the Northwestern Territory had been divided into different territories, -the present limits of Ohio and Kentucky had already become quite -populous. Emigrants like Albert Stevens were pushing out on the frontier -and building up a great commonwealth. - -About 1802, there was great excitement in the country west of the -Alleghany Mountains, in consequence of a violation of the treaty made -with Spain in 1795, by the governor of Louisiana in closing the port of -New Orleans against American commerce. There was a proposition before -congress for taking forcible possession of that region, when it was -ascertained that, by a secret treaty, Spain had retroceded Louisiana to -France. The United States immediately began negotiations for the -purchase of that domain from France. Robert R. Livingston, the American -minister at the court of the First Consul, found very little difficulty -in making a bargain with Bonaparte, for the latter wanted money and -desired to injure England. He sold that magnificent domain, stretching -from the Gulf of Mexico northward to the present State of Minnesota, and -from the Mississippi westward to the Pacific Ocean, for fifteen million -dollars. The bargain was made in the spring of 1803, and in the fall the -country, and the new domain, which added nine hundred thousand square -miles to our territory, was taken possession of by the United States. -When the bargain was closed, Bonaparte said: - -"This accession of territory strengthens forever the power of the United -States, and I have just given to England a maritime rival that will -sooner or later humble her pride." - -It was the prevailing opinion in the country, that the Spanish -inhabitants, who were forming states in the great valley, would not -submit to the rule of American government. Aaron Burr, a wily and -unscrupulous politician, who, having murdered the noble Hamilton in a -duel, was an outcast from society, began scheming for setting up a -separate government in the West. Burr was unscrupulous and dishonest and -at the same time shrewd. The full extent of his plans were really never -known, and the historian is in doubt whether he intended a severance of -the Union, or an invasion of Mexico. Herman Blennerhassett, an excellent -Irish gentleman, became his ally and suffered ruin with Burr. Burr was -arrested and tried, but was found not guilty. His speech in his own -defence was so eloquent, that it is said to have melted his enemies to -tears, though all believed him guilty. Burr's life was a wreck after -that. His fame was blasted, and he was placed beside Benedict Arnold as -a traitor to his country. - -With the acquisition of Louisiana, there grew up a powerful opposition -to Jefferson in the North and East. The idea was disseminated that the -purchase was only a scheme to strengthen the south and the southern -democracy. Mr. Jefferson came almost to having a wholesome dose of his -doctrine of State sovereignty exemplified. A convention of Federalists -was called at Boston, in 1804, in which a proposition of secession was -made. Fortunately, however, there was too much patriotism in the body -for the proposition to carry, and the government was saved. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -BRITISH CRUISERS. - -The peace of 1783 between the United States and Great Britain had been -extorted by the necessities, rather than obtained by the good will of -England. Though, by a formal treaty, the United States were declared -free and independent, they were still hated in Great Britain as -rebellious colonies. That such was the general opinion is manifest from -the letters of John Adams, our first minister to the court of St. James, -and from other authentic contemporary accounts. Of course there were a -few men of sufficiently enlarged and comprehensive minds to forget the -past and urge, even in parliament, that the trade of America would be -more valuable as an ally than a dependent; but the number of these was -small indeed. The common sentiment in England toward the young republic -was one of scornful detestation. We were despised as provincials, we -were hated as rebels. In the permanency of our institutions there was -scarce a believer in all Britain. This was especially the case prior to -the adoption of the federal constitution. Both in parliament and out, it -was publicly boasted that the Union would soon fall to pieces, and that, -finding their inability to govern themselves, the different States -would, one by one, supplicate to be received back as colonies. This vain -and empty expectation long lingered in the popular mind, and was not -wholly eradicated until after the war of 1812. - -Consequently the new republic was treated with arrogant contempt. One of -the first acts of John Adams, as minister to England, had been to -propose placing the navigation and trade between the dominions of Great -Britain and the territories of the United States, on a basis of complete -reciprocity. By acceding to such a measure England might have gained -much and could have lost but little. The proposal was rejected almost -with terms of insult, and Mr. Adams was sternly informed that a "no -other would be entertained." The consequences were that the free negroes -of Jamaica, and others of the poorer inhabitants of the British West -India Islands were reduced to starvation by being deprived of their -usual supplies from the United States. This unreasonable policy on the -part of England naturally exasperated the Americans, and one of the -first acts of the federal government in 1789 was to adopt retaliatory -measures. A navy law was passed, which has since been the foundation of -all our treaties of reciprocity with England. A protective tariff was -also adopted as another means of retaliation. In these measures, the -United States, being a young nation with unlimited territory, had -everything to gain, and England all to lose. Great Britain was first to -tire of restrictive measures, and, by a repeal on her part, invited a -repeal on ours. - -In another way Great Britain exasperated the popular feeling here -against her, and even forced the American government, once or twice, to -the verge of war. By the treaty of peace, all military posts held by -England within the limits of the United States were to be given up. -Michilimacinac, Detroit, Oswegotche, Point au Fer and Dutchman's Point -were long held in defiance of the compact. These posts became the centre -of intrigues among the savages of the Northwest. Arms were here -distributed to the Indians, and disturbances on the American frontier -were fomented. The war on the Miami, which was brought to a bloody close -by Wayne's victory, was, principally, the result of such secret -machinations. In short, England regarded the treaty of 1783 as a truce -rather than a pacification, and long, held to the hope of being able yet -to punish the colonies for their rebellion. In two celebrated letters -written by John Adams from Great Britain, he used the following decided -language in reference to the secret designs of England: - -"If she can bind Holland in her shackles, and France from internal -dissensions is unable to interfere, she will make war immediately -against us." This was in 1787. Two years before he had expressed, the -same ideas. "Their present system, as far as I can penetrate it," he -wrote, "is to maintain a determined peace with all Europe, in order that -they may war singly against America, if they should think it necessary." - -A sentiment of such relentless hostility, which no attempt was made to -disguise, but which was arrogantly paraded on every occasion, could not -fail to exasperate those feelings of dislike on the part of America, -which protracted war had engendered. This mutual hatred between the two -nations arose from the enmity of the people rather than of the cabinets, -"There is too much reason to believe," wrote our minister, "that if the -nation had another hundred million to spend, they would soon force the -ministry into another war with us." On the side of the United States, it -required all the prudence of Washington, sustained by his hold on the -affections of the people, to restrain them from a war with England, -after that power had refused to surrender the military posts. - -A third element of discord arose when England joined the coalition -against France, in 1793. The course which the former had pursued for the -preceding ten years, had, as we have seen, tended to alienate the people -of America from her and nourish sentiments of hostility in their bosoms. -On the other hand, France, with that address for which she is eminent, -had labored to heighten the good feelings already existing between -herself and the United States. A treaty of alliance and commerce bound -the two countries; but the courteous demeanor of France cemented us to -her by still stronger ties, those of popular will. - -Before the revolution broke out in Paris, the enthusiasm of America -toward France could scarce be controlled. There can be no doubt that, if -the subsequent excesses had not alarmed all prudent friends of liberty, -the people of this country could not have been restrained from engaging -in the struggle between France and England; but the reign of terror, -backed by the insolence of Citizen Genet the minister of the French -republic, and afterward by the exactions of the Directory, checked the -headlong enthusiasm that otherwise would have embroiled us in the -terrible wars of that period. In his almost more than human wisdom, -Washington had selected a course of strict neutrality, from which public -enthusiasm, nor fear of loss of public favor could swerve him. His -course was wise and proper for the still weak confederacy; and every day -was productive of events which showed the wisdom of this decision. -Neither Great Britain nor France, however, was gratified by this -neutrality. Each nation wished the aid of the Americans, and became -arrogant and insulting when they found the resolution of the Americans -unbroken. Napoleon, on the part of France, saw the impolicy of such -treatment, and when he became first consul, he hastened to abandon it; -but England relaxed little or nothing. Circumstances, moreover, made her -conduct more irritating than that of France, and hence prolonged and -increased the exasperation felt toward her in America. - -As a great naval power, the policy of England has been to maintain -certain maritime laws, which her jurists claim to be part of the code of -nations and enforce in her admiralty courts. One principle of these laws -is this, that warlike munitions must become contraband in war; in other -words, that a neutral vessel cannot carry such into the enemy's port. -Hence, if a vessel, sailing under the flag of the United States, should -be captured on the high seas, bound for France, during the prevalence of -a war between that power and England, and be found to be laden with -ship-timber or other manufactured or unmanufactured articles for -warlike purposes, the vessel would, by the law of nations, become a -prize to the captors. The right to condemn a ship carrying such -contraband goods has always been recognized by civilized nations, and, -indeed, it is founded in common justice. England, however, having -supreme control at sea, and being tempted by the hope of destroying the -sinews of her adversary's strength, resolved to stretch this rule so as -to embrace provisions as well as munitions of war. She proceeded -gradually to her point. She first issued an order, on the 8th of June, -1793, for capturing and bringing into port "all vessels laden, wholly or -in part with corn, flour, or meal, and destined to France, or to other -countries, if occupied by the arms of that nation." Such vessels were -not condemned, nor their cargoes seized; but the latter were to be -purchased on behalf of the English Government; or, if not, then the -vessels, on giving due security, were allowed to proceed to any neutral -port. Of course the price of provisions in France and in England was -materially different, and a lucrative traffic for the United States was, -in this way, destroyed. Moreover, this proceeding was a comparative -novelty in the law of nations, and, however it might suit the purposes -of Great Britain, it was a gross outrage on America. In November of the -same year, it was followed by a still more glaring infraction of the -rights of neutrals, in an order, condemning to capture and adjudication -all vessels laden with the produce of any French colony, or with -supplies for such a colony. - -The fermentation in consequence of this order rose to such a height in -America, that it required all the skill of Washington to avert a war. -The president, however, determining to preserve peace if possible, -despatched Jay to London as a minister plenipotentiary, by whose frank -explanations, redress was in a measure obtained for the past, and a -treaty negotiated, not, indeed, adequate to justice, but better than -could be obtained again, when it expired in 1806. - -The relaxation in the rigor of the order of November, 1793, soon proved -to be more nominal than real; and from 1794 until the peace of Amiens in -1802, the commerce of the United States continued to be the prey of -British cruisers and privateers. After the renewal of the war, the fury -of the belligerents increased, and with it the stringent measures -adopted by Napoleon and Great Britain. The French Emperor, boldly -avowing his intention to crush England, forbade by a series of decrees, -issued from Berlin, Milan and Rambouillet, the importation of her -commodities into any part of Europe under his control; and England, -equally sweeping in her acts, declared all such ports in a state of -blockade, thus rendering any neutral vessel liable to capture, which -should attempt to enter them. The legality of a blockade, where there is -not a naval power off the coast competent to maintain such blockade, has -always been denied by the lesser maritime powers. Its effect, in the -present instance, was virtually to exclude the United States from -foreign commerce. In these extreme measures, Napoleon and England were -equally censured; but the policy of the latter affected the Americans -far more than the former. The exasperation against Great Britain became -extreme and pervaded the whole community; that against France was -slighter and confined to the more intelligent. Napoleon was first to -begin these outrages on the rights of neutrals; but his injustice was -practically felt only on land; while England was first to introduce the -paper blockade, a measure ruinous to American merchants. This was -finally done on May 16, 1806, when Great Britain announced a "blockade -of the coast rivers and ports, from the river Elbe to the port of Brest -inclusive." On the 21st of November, of the same year, Napoleon in -retaliation, issued a decree from Berlin, placing the British Islands in -a state of blockade. This decree was followed by a still more stringent -order in council on the part of England. - -It now became necessary for the United States either to engage in a -war, or to withdraw her commerce from the ocean. The popular voice -demanded the former course. Though France was, in the abstract, as -unjust as England, her oppressive measures did not affect American -commerce, and hence the indignation of the people was directed chiefly -against Great Britain; but with the president it was different. Though -his sympathies were with. France, his judgment was against her as well -as England. In his maturer wisdom, he could now appreciate the great -good sense of Washington's neutrality. Besides, the grand old man Thomas -Jefferson was determined to preserve peace, for it was his favorite -maxim that "the best war is more fatal than the worst peace." A further -reason led him to refuse the alternative of war. He was not without hope -that one or both of the belligerents would return to reason and repeal -the obnoxious acts, if the conduct of the United States, instead of -being aggressive, should be patient. Actuated by these views, the -president recommended to congress the passage of an embargo act. An -embargo law was enacted in December, 1807. By it all American vessels -abroad were called home, and those in the United States were prohibited -from leaving port. In consequence of this measure, the commerce of the -country was annihilated in an hour; and harbors, once flourishing and -prosperous, soon became only resorts for rotting ships. There can be no -question now that the embargo was a serious blunder. It crippled the -American resources for the war that ensued; made the eastern States -hostile to Jefferson's, as well as his successor's administration, and -tended to foster in the minds of the populace at large, an idea that we -shrank from a contest with Great Britain in consequence of -inherent weakness. - -There was a fourth and last cause of exasperation, against England, -which assisted more than all the rest to produce the war of 1812. This -was the British claim to the right of impressment. In the terrible -struggles in which England found herself engaged with France, her -maritime force was her chief dependence, and accordingly she increased -the number of her ships unprecedentedly; but it soon became difficult to -man all these vessels. The thriving commerce pursued by the United -States, as early as 1793, drew large numbers of English seamen into our -mercantile marine service, where they obtained better wages than on -board English vessels. By the fiction of her law, a man born an English -subject can never throw off this allegiance. Great Britain determined to -seize her seamen wherever found and force them, to serve her flag. In -consequence, her cruisers stopped every American vessel they met and -searched the crew in order to reclaim the English, Scotch or Irish on -board. Frequently it happened that persons born in America were taken as -British subjects; for, where the boarding officer was judge and jury of -a man's nationality, there was little chance of justice, especially if -the seaman was a promising one, or the officer's ship was short-handed. -In nine months, during parts of the years 1796 and 1797, the American -minister at the court of London had made application for the discharge -of two hundred and seventy-one native born Americans, proved to have -been thus impressed. These outrages against personal independence were -regarded among the great masses of Americans with the utmost -indignation. Such injuries exasperated every soul not made sordid by -selfish desire for gain. That an innocent man, peaceably pursuing an -honorable vocation, should be forcibly carried on board a British -man-of-war, and there be compelled to remain, shut out from all hope of -ever seeing his family, seemed, to the robust sense of justice in the -popular breast, little better than Algerian bondage. The rage of the -people was increased by tales of horror and aggression that occasionally -reached their ears from these prison ships. Stories were told of -impressed Americans escaping the ships, who, on being recaptured, were -whipped until they died. In one instance, a sailor, goaded to madness, -seized the captain and, springing overboard, drowned himself and his -tormentor. - -Every attempt to arrange this difficulty with England had signally -failed. The United States offered that all American seamen should be -registered and provided with a certificate of citizenship; that the -number of crews should be limited by the tonnage of the ship, and if -this number was exceeded, British subjects enlisted should be liable to -impressment; that deserters should be given up, and that a prohibition -should be issued by each party against clandestinely secreting and -carrying off the seamen of the other. In 1800 and again in 1806, it was -attempted to form treaties in reference to this subject; but the -pertinacity with which England adhered to her claim frustrated every -effort at reconciliation. In 1803, the difficulty had nearly been -adjusted by a convention, Great Britain agreeing to abandon her claim to -impressment on the high seas, if allowed to retain it on the narrow -seas, or those immediately surrounding her island; but this being -rejected as inadmissible by the United States, all subsequent efforts at -an arrangement proved unsuccessful. The impressment of seamen continued -and was the source of daily increasing abuse. Not only Americans, but -Danes, Swedes, Germans, Russians, Frenchmen, Spaniards and Portuguese -were seized and forcibly carried off by British men-of-war. There are -even well attested instances of Asiatics and Africans being thus -impressed. In short, as the war in Europe approached its climax, seamen -became more scarce in the British Navy, and, all decency being thrown -aside, crews were filled up under color of this claim, regardless even -of the show of justice. In 1811, it was computed that the number of men -impressed from the American marine service amounted to not less than -six thousand. - -In the spring of 1807, a crisis approached. A small British squadron lay -in American waters near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, watching some -French frigates blockaded at Annapolis. Three of the crew of one of the -vessels and one of another had deserted and enlisted on board the United -States frigate _Chesapeake_, lying at the Washington Navy yard. The -British minister made a formal demand for their surrender. Our -government refused compliance because it was ascertained that two of the -men were natives of the United States, and there was strong presumptive -evidence that a third was, likewise. No more was said; but the commander -of the British squadron took the matter into his own hands. - -The _Chesapeake_, on going to sea on the morning of June 22, 1807, was -intercepted by the British frigate _Leopard_, whose commander hailed -the commodore and informed him that he had a despatch for him. -Unsuspicious of unfriendliness, the _Chesapeake_ was laid to, when a -British boat, bearing a lieutenant, came alongside. Barron politely -received him in his cabin, when the lieutenant presented a demand from -the commander of the _Leopard_ that the bearer be allowed to muster the -crew of the _Chesapeake_, that he might select and carry away the -deserters. The demand was authorized by instructions received from -Vice-Admiral Berkeley, at Halifax. Barron told the lieutenant that his -crew should not be mustered, excepting by his own officers, when the -lieutenant withdrew and the _Chesapeake_ moved on. - -Having some fear of mischief, Barron made some preparation to resist; -but it was too late to prepare to cope with the _Leopard_, which -followed close in her wake, and the commander called out through -his trumpet: - -"Commodore Barron must be aware that the vice-admiral's commands must be -obeyed." The _Chesapeake_ held on her course although this was repeated. -The _Leopard_ sent two shots athwart her bows. These were followed by a -broadside poured into the hull of the _Chesapeake_. The American vessel, -having no priming in her guns, was unable to return the fire, and after -being severely bruised by repeated broadsides she surrendered to her -assailants. Her crew was mustered by the British officers and the -deserters carried away. One of them, a British subject, was hanged at -Halifax and the others, being Americans, were spared on their consenting -to enlist in the English Navy. Commodore Barron was tried on charge of -neglect of duty in not being prepared for action, found guilty, and -suspended from the service for five years without pay or emolument. - -On March 4, 1809, Mr. James Madison of Virginia succeeded Mr. Thomas -Jefferson as president of the United States. His cabinet were Robert -Smith, secretary of state; Albert Gallatin, secretary of the treasury; -William Eustis, secretary of war; Paul Hamilton, secretary of the navy, -and Caesar Rodney, attorney-general. There was a powerful party in the -nation hostile to his political creed, and consequently opposed to his -administration and the war with England which seemed inevitable. - -French and English nations became more embroiled in trouble, which -increased the trouble between the United States and Great Britain. - -At last the English government sent men-of-war to cruise off the -principal ports of the United States to intercept American -merchant-vessels and send them to England as lawful prizes. In this -business, the _Little Belt_, a British sloop-of-war, was engaged off the -coast of Virginia in the spring of 1811, where, on the 16th of April, -she met the American frigate _President_, under Captain Ludlow, bearing -the broad pennant of Commodore Rodgers. Commodore Rodgers, being aboard -the _President_, hailed the sloop and asked: - -"What sloop is that?" - -A cannon-shot was his reply. - -"Captain Ludlow," said the commodore, "we will teach that fellow good -manners. Are your guns in order?" - -"They are." - -"We have been taught a lesson by Barron's mishap. Train the guns and be -ready to fire." - -With a speaking trumpet, the commodore once more hailed the sloop with: - -"What sloop is that?" - -This time he was greeted with a broadside. - -"Fire!" cried the commodore, and the cannon of the _President_ sent a -broadside of heavy shot against the impudent stranger. - -The conflict lasted only about ten minutes, when Captain Bingham, after -losing eleven killed and twenty-one wounded, gave a satisfactory answer. -The vessels parted company, the _Little Belt_ sailing for Halifax -for repairs. - -It was in the year 1809 that the American brig _Dover_, one of the few -of American merchant vessels which had managed to escape the ruin of -Jefferson's embargo act, was sailing among the lesser Antilles. The -master-captain Parson was a thorough seaman with a heart as big as -an ox. - -British cruisers were a greater bugbear to American vessels than -pirates, and Captain Parson kept a constant lookout for them. - -On the afternoon of an Autumnal day, when he found himself becalmed off -a small island not down on the chart, the skipper felt no little -uneasiness. He paced his deck impatiently, occasionally turning his eye -to every quarter, surveying the horizon for some sign of a gale of wind. - -"Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown," he called to his mate. - -"Aye, aye, sir," answered Mr. Brown, hurrying forward. - -"Mr. Brown, look across that point of land sou-west the island--get your -glass." - -"Aye, aye, sir!" - -The mate ran and got his glass. He came back to the captain and leveled -it in the direction indicated by the captain. - -"Do you see anything?" - -"I do, sir." - -"What is it?" - -"I see the top gallant of a ship." - -"I thought I was not mistaken. Can you make out her colors?" - -"I will go aloft, captain, and see." - -The mate ascended to the foretop cross-tree, and took a long survey of -the stranger. When he descended the captain asked: - -"What is she?" - -"An English frigate." - -"I knew it!" growled the captain. "I felt it in my bones. We shall have -the rascals overhauling us anon. Egad, I wish we had an armed crew and -heavy guns--I would not wait for congress to declare war." - -"But captain, while this dead calm lasts, she cannot move more than -ourselves." - -"Very true, Mr. Brown, but, egad, she will catch the breeze first, and -come up with it. Thank heaven we have no man aboard our ship born out of -the United States. They cannot impress any for Englishmen." - -The mate answered: - -"They care little whether we are English or American born; if they are -short of hands, they will take such of our crews as they want." - -The captain paced the deck uneasily, occasionally muttering: - -"Zounds, don't I wish I had a few heavy guns." - -There was but one small brass piece aboard, and it was only a six -pounder, unable to render much service. His country was nominally at -peace with Great Britain; but that did not prevent honest merchantmen -suffering at the hands of the British cruisers. - -The afternoon wore away and the sun had set before there was breeze -enough to fill a sail. Just as the vessel began to glide slowly away -from the small island not more than two miles distant, the mate, who had -ascended to the lookout's position cried: - -"Boat, ho!" - -"Where away?" - -"To leeward, heading direct for us." - -The captain seized his glass and turned it toward the island. The sombre -shades of twilight had already gathered over the scene; but he saw -through them quite distinctly a boat pulled by four men, while a fifth -sat in the stern holding the tiller. The steersman kept the small island -between them and the vessel Captain Parson had discovered. - -As the breeze grew stiffer and the _Dover_ began to fill away, the mate, -who had never taken his glass off the approaching boat, suddenly cried: - -"Captain Parson, they are signalling us to heave to!" - -"So they are, by zounds!" the puzzled captain exclaimed. - -"What will you do?" - -After a moment's hesitation, the captain said: - -"Heave to, by Jove, and see what they want!" - -The order was given, and the vessel rocked idly on the waves, while the -boat drew rapidly nearer. At last it was near enough for them to make -out the five men dressed in the uniform of British marines. - -"Brown, I don't like this. Those fellows are from his majesty's frigate, -there is no doubt, and they mean us trouble." - -"Wait and see, captain," the mate answered, coming down to the deck. -"There are but five of them, and, so far as I can see, all are unarmed." -The deck by this time was crowded with the crew, all waiting in anxious -expectation and dread. - -"It am de press gang!" said the cook, who was a negro black as the ace -of spades named Job. "Dey am comin' to take off everybody dat looks like -a Britisher. Golly! do I look like a Britisher?" - -Notwithstanding the gravity of the situation, a smile flitted -momentarily over the faces of the officers and crew. The boat by this -time was within hailing distance, though it had grown so dark the -inmates of it could be only dimly seen. - -"Boat, ahoy!" cried the captain. - -"Aye, aye, sir!" came back the response. - -"What boat is that?" - -"A boat from his majesty's ship the _Sea-Wing._ We wish to come aboard -your vessel." - -When the captain asked them their business, they frankly confessed that -they were deserters and had been secreted all day on the island watching -an opportunity to reach the American brig. - -Their story was a probable one, and the captain and his officers -believed it. A rope was tossed to them, and in a few moments five -stalwart jack tars in the uniform of the British Navy stood on the deck. - -One tall, fine-looking seaman, who was every inch a gentleman, and whose -conversation was evidence of education and refinement, told their story. - -Three of them were Americans, and two were Swedes. They had been seized -by the press gang and made slaves on board the frigate. - -"It has been many years," said the tall sailor, "since I saw my native -land. I am a native of Hartford, Connecticut." - -"Why didn't you escape sooner?" the Captain asked. - -"Escape, captain, is no easy matter, and is attended with serious -consequences. They usually hang one who tries to desert. I am a gunner, -by profession, and but for the fact they need my services against the -French, I would have been hung long since for trying to desert." - -The gunner impressed Captain Parson favorably. He was a man between -forty and forty-five years of age. His eyes were deep blue, his hair -light. His round, full face was smooth shaven. As he stood on the deck, -his brawny arms folded across his massive chest, he looked a perfect -model of a man and a tower of strength. - -Captain Parson led him aside and said: - -"You are no common sailor." - -"I'm only a gunner now, captain." - -"But in the past?" - -"I once commanded a ship. I will tell you my story on the morrow. It is -a sad one, but, thank God, there's nothing in it at which I need blush. -For the present, however, let us get along as fast as your ship can make -it, for the _Sea-Wing_ is a swift vessel, and if we are not beyond reach -of her vision before the dawn of day, we shall be overhauled." - -Captain Parson knew that some evil consequences might result from being -overhauled by the _Sea-Wing,_ and consequently every stitch of canvas -was spread and the brig sped away with a good stiff breeze. It was a -long and anxious night; master and crew were all on deck. No one slept. -The coming dawn would tell the story. If the frigate were in sight, -then they might expect the very worst; even the ship might be captured -and borne away as a prize and the entire crew enslaved. - -Dawn came at last. Each anxious heart welcomed and yet dreaded to see -the new day. Sailors and officers swept the sea as it grew lighter, and, -to their dread, just as the sun rose over the glossy surface of the sea, -a snowy speck appeared far off to the westward. - -The lookout at the mast-head first called their attention to it, and as -it drew nearer and nearer the tall handsome gunner went aloft with a -glass to see if he could recognize it. In a few moments he came back -and said: - -"It is the frigate, sir." - -That she was in full chase, there could not be a doubt. Captain Parson -had little hope of escaping; but he put the _Dover_ on her best sailing -point and scudded away before the wind with every stitch of canvas they -could carry. - -"Oh, golly! I hope dey won't mistake--dey won't mistake dis chile for a -Britisher!" groaned Job the cook, who was trembling from head to foot, -and whose black skin was almost pale. - -The five deserters were pale but calm. They seemed to read their fate -and bore it like men. A flogging was the very least they could expect; -but the chances were that every one would hang. The frigate was the -swifter sailor and overhauled them so rapidly, that, in two hours and a -half, she was within a mile of the brig. - -Suddenly a wreath of white smoke curled up from the forecastle, and a -moment later a ball came skipping over the water under their larboard -deck, while the boom of a cannon sounded over the sea. As the fine spray -clipped from the crested waves by the shot, flew over the deck, Mr. -Brown said: - -"Captain, it's no use, she will be near enough to sink us in ten -minutes." - -"Heave to, Brown. Oh! I wish I had arms and a crew!" - -"Captain," interposed the tall, handsome gunner, "I--I know their skill -and metal. If you had a gun--a single gun of proper calibre, I could -sink her. I am called the best shot in the English navy." - -"We have only a six pounder," answered the captain, ruefully, pointing -to their only gun. It was but an inferior piece, and when the gunner -examined it, he turned to his four anxious companions and said: - -"It would be suicide." - -Then the five sailors stood near the main gangway with arms folded, -heads erect, and resigned like brave men to their fate. The frigate came -bearing down upon them like a great mountain, and soon lay alongside. -The captain and a score of marines all armed with muskets, came aboard. - -"So ho!" cried the captain, "you have my live runaways snug enough. -Seize them and carry them aboard, lieutenant." - -A young officer with ten men now seized the five deserters, handcuffed -them and led them to their ship which lay alongside. As they went over -the rail, the brutal captain said something about swinging at the yard -arm. Turning to Parson, he said: - -"Captain, muster your crew and have them pass before me." - -Much as the captain disliked to do so, he was in the power of the brutal -Englishman and forced to do his bidding. As the sailors passed slowly -before him, the Briton eyed each carefully. Suddenly he pointed to a -stout young sailor named Tom, and cried: - -"Stop sir, you are an Englishman!" - -"I am not, capen, ye's mistaken, I was born at Plymouth, Massachusetts." - -"Don't dispute my word, sir. I know you, seize him!" - -Though three of Tom's messmates offered to swear that he was a native of -Massachusetts, he was seized, ironed and hurried away. Two more were -selected, despite the protests of Captain Parson, who was raging like a -madman, and hurried aboard the frigate. The fourth man halted in the -procession was Job, the colored cook. - -"Stop, sir, I want you!" said the English officer. - -[Illustration: "DO YOU THINK DAR IS ANY ANGLER SAXUN BLOOD IN DESE -VEINS?"] - -"Want me, Capen? oh, golly! I ain't a Britisher!" cried Job, -gesticulating wildly. "Do I look like I war a Britisher? Do you think -dar is any Angler Sacksun blood in dese veins?" - -Job howled and appealed in vain. The commander of the _Sea Wing_ -declared him to be an English negro, and he was hurried away to try the -hard service on board a British war vessel. - -Having culled the crew of the _Dover_ to his heart's content, the -haughty Briton went aboard his own ship and continued his cruise, -leaving Captain Parson expressing his ideas in such language as no -parson should use. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -FERNANDO'S JOURNEY EAST. HE MEETS WITH QUEER PEOPLE. - -From the day Fernando Stevens began to read and learn of the great world -beyond the narrow confines of his western home, he was filled with the -laudable ambition to know more about it. The solitude of the wilderness -may be congenial for meditation; but it is in the moving whirl of -humanity that ideas are brightened. Fernando was promised that if he -would master the common school studies taught in their log schoolhouse, -he should be sent to one of the eastern cities to have his education -completed. Albert Stevens, the lad's father, was becoming one of the -most prosperous farmers of the west. He had purchased several tracts of -land which rapidly increased in value, and his flocks and herds -multiplied marvelously. He was in fact regarded as "rich" in those days -of simplicity. He had sent several flatboats loaded with grain down the -Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans and sold the cargoes at great -profit, so that, in addition to his fields, his stock and houses, he -had between three and four thousand dollars in money. - -Fernando grew to be a tall, slender youth, and in 1806 having finished -his education, so far as the west could afford, his father determined to -send him to the East, where it was hoped he would develop into a lawyer -or a preacher. The mother hoped the latter. His brother and sister had -grown up, married and were settled on farms in the neighborhood, taking -on the same existence of their parents; living honest, peaceful and -unambitious lives. - -The youth Fernando was more inclined to mental than physical activity, -and his parents, possessing an abundance of common sense, decided not to -force him to engage in an occupation distasteful to him. - -What school should he enter? was a question which the father long -debated. There were Harvard and Yale, both famous seats of learning, and -there were any number of academies all over the country. Captain Stevens -finally decided to allow the youth to make his own selection, giving him -money sufficient to take a little tour in the eastern States, before -settling down. - -Captain Stevens had a well-to-do neighbor, who lived across Bear Creek, -by the name of Winners. Old Zeb Winners was one of those quaint -products of the West. He was an easy-going man, proverbially slow of -speech and movement, and certainly the last person on earth one would -expect to become rich; yet he was wealthy. With all his slothfulness he -was shrewd, and could drive a better bargain than many men twice as -active in mind and body. One morning after it had become noised abroad -that Fernando was going away to college, Mr. Winners rode up to the -house on his big sorrel mare, her colt following, and, dismounting, tied -the mare to the rail fence and entered the gate. - -"Good mornin', cap'in, good mornin'," said the visitor. - -"Come in, Mr. Winners. Glad to see you. Hope you are all well!" - -"Oh, yes, middlin' like," answered the farmer entering the house without -the ceremony of removing his hat. A chair was offered, and he sat for a -moment with his hands spread out before the fireplace, his hat still on -his head. There was no fire in the fireplace, for it was late in May; -but Mr. Winners held his hands before it, from habit. - -"Wall, cap'in, I do hear as how yer goin' ter send yer boy Fernando to -college." - -"I am." - -"Wall, that air a good notion. Now I ain't got no book larnin' myself; -but I don't object to nobody else gittin' none. I've made up my mind to -send one of my boys along with 'im, ef ye've no objection." - -Of course Captain Stevens had no objection. Which of his boys was he -going to send? - -"I kinder thought az how I'd send Sukey." - -Sukey was a nickname given a tall, lazy youth named Richard Winners. Why -he had been nicknamed Sukey we have never been able to ascertain; but -the sobriquet, attached to him in childhood, clung to him all through -life. Sukey was like his father, brave, slow, careful, but a steadfast -friend and possessed of considerable dry humor. He took the world easy -and thought "one man as good as another so long as he behaved himself." - -It was arranged that Sukey and Fernando should start in a week for New -York, from which point they might select any college or school they -chose. The mail stage passed the door of farmer Winners, crossed the big -bridge and then passed the home of Captain Stevens. Captain Stevens' -house was no longer a cabin in the wilderness. It was a large, -substantial two-story farm mansion, with chimneys of brick instead of -sticks and mud. The forests had shrunk back for miles, making place for -vast fields, and the place had the appearance of a thrifty farm. - -Fernando's trunk was packed, and he sat on the door-step in his best -clothes awaiting the appearance of the stage. At last the rumbling -thunder of wheels rolling over the great bridge smote his ears, and a -few moments later the vehicle came up to the gate. The six prancing -horses were drawn up, and the vehicle stopped, while the driver cried: - -"All aboard!" - -Sukey was in the stage, his dark eyes half closed. He roused himself to -drawl out: - -"Come on, Fernando, we're off now, for sure." - -While two farm hands, assisted by the driver, placed the trunk in the -boot, Fernando bade father and mother adieu. Sister had come over with -her husband and the baby. His brother with his young wife were present -to bid the young seekers after knowledge adieu. They followed Fernando -to the stage coach and cried: - -"Good bye, Sukey! take good care of Fernando!" and Sukey drawled out: - -"Who'll take keer o' me?" - -The last good bye's were said, and the great stage coach rolled on. The -impressions of the young frontiersmen on approaching the first town were -strange and indescribable. The number of houses and streets quite -confused them. There seemed to be little or no order in the construction -of streets, and everybody seemed in a bustle and confusion. They -stopped over night at a tavern, and at early dawn the stage horn awoke -them, and after a hasty breakfast they were again on their journey. - -Several weeks were spent in traveling from town to town, and on -September 1st, 1807, they found themselves in New York City, still -undecided where they would go. - -One morning Fernando went for his usual walk toward the river, when a -large crowd of people at the wharf attracted his attention. Drawing -near, he saw a curious-looking boat on the water, the like of which he -had never seen before. It was one hundred feet long, twelve feet wide -and seven feet deep. There was a staff or mast at the bow, another at -the stern. From a tall chimney there issued volumes of smoke, while from -a smaller pipe there came the hissing of boiling water and white steam. -Two great, naked paddle-wheels were on the boat, one on each side near -the middle. Fernando thought this must be the toy of which he had heard -so much, being constructed by Robert Fulton and Chancellor Livingston. -On one side of the boat was painted the name _Clermont_. - -"What is that?" Fernando asked of a rollicking, fun-loving young -Irishman about twenty-two or three years of age, who stood near. - -"Faith, sir, it's a steamboat. We have all come to see her launched. -They call her the _Clermont_; but it's mesilf as thinks she ought to be -_Fulton's Folly_, for divil a bit do I believe she'll go a -cable's length." - -Fernando and his new acquaintance drew nearer. The hissing of the steam -and the roaring of the furnaces were fearful. - -"Do you know Robert Fulton?" Fernando asked. - -"Indade, I do. Would you like to see the greatest lunatic out of Bedlam? -Then it's mesilf as will point him out to yez." - -"I should like to see him." - -There were a number of men at work on the boat, all expressing the -wildest eagerness and anxiety. They were rushing forward and aft, above -and below, to those ponderous engines and boilers; but no one could see -what they did. At last Mr. Fulton, the great inventor, appeared. He was -a large, smooth-shaved gentleman, with a long head and melancholy gray -eye. On his nose was a smut spot from the machinery. Thousands were now -assembled to witness the trial voyage. Mr. Livingston gave the order to -cast off, and start the vessel. The lines were loosed and the steam -turned on. Loud hissed the confined monster; but the wheels did not -move. What was the matter? - -"Failure!" was on every tongue, and the crowd assembled already began -to hoot and jeer. Mr. Fulton's face expressed the deepest anxiety. He -ran below to inspect the machinery. A bolt had caught. This was removed, -and then the ponderous wheels began to move. The great paddles churned -the water to a mass of foam, and the boat glided forward against wind -and tide at a rate of speed astonishing. Fernando saw Robert Livingston -standing in the stern waving his handkerchief at the crowd which was now -sending up cheer after cheer. The American flag was run up on the staff, -and the steamboat continued on her course up the river to Albany, making -the distance of one hundred and sixty miles in thirty-six hours against -wind and tide; and from that time until now, navigation by steam, travel -and commerce, has been steadily increasing in volume and perfection, -until such vessels may be seen on every ocean and in almost every harbor -of the globe, even among the ice packs of the polar seas. This was the -second of the great and beneficent achievements which distinguished -American inventors at that early period of our country's struggles. The -cotton-gin, invented by Eli Whitney, was the first; an implement that -could do the work of a thousand persons in cleaning cotton wool of the -seeds. That machine has been one of the most important aids in the -accumulation of our national wealth. - -[Illustration] - -Fernando Stevens stood on the wharf among the assembled thousands, -watching the steamer until it disappeared far up the river. He was lost -in wonder and amazement and was first aroused from his reverie by the -young man at his side saying: - -"Don't she bate the divil?" - -It was his skeptical Irish friend. - -Fernando turned to him and asked, "What do you think of it now?" - -"Faith, she's a bird, so she is. Don't she cleave the water?" - -From this time, the two became acquainted, and Fernando learned that the -young Hibernian's name was Terrence Malone. Terrence was a true Irishman -of the good old type. He was brave as a lion, full of native wit and -humor, and yet an intelligent gentleman. From the first, he took a great -fancy to Fernando and when he learned that he had come from the West to -enter some academy or college, he informed him that he knew of the -place--the very place. It was the Baltimore Academy. He was a member of -the Baltimore school himself and he was sure there was not another like -it in the world. In short, the dashing young Irishman soon persuaded -Fernando to try the Baltimore school. - -He went back to the tavern where he had left Sukey writing letters. - -"What was all that catterwaulin' and yellin' about down at the river?" -Sukey asked. - -"The new steamboat began her trial trip," answered Fernando. - -"Wonder if that thing I saw with a stovepipe in it was a steamboat?" - -"It was." - -Sukey shook his head sagely and remarked: - -"It don't look as if it would ever amount to much." - -"Sukey, I have found a school for us at last." - -"Where?" - -"At Baltimore." - -"What d'you want to go there for?" - -"I met a young man who belongs there, and he advised us to go." - -"Who is he?" - -"His name is Terrence Malone, an Irishman." - -"That name's not French any way. How are we going to Baltimore?" - -"A schooner sails to-morrow." - -"Can we go in her?" - -"Yes." - -"Plague take the sea! I never tried it, and I don't want to." - -"It will be a short voyage." - -"Short, yes, but long enough to make me sick. I don't want to be in the -game. I am not a water dog. Keep me on the dry land, and I'm all right." - -But Fernando knew that a journey by land would take much longer than by -sea. Terrence Malone came to see them that evening and informed them -that the schooner would sail next day. He was a jolly young fellow and -had so many droll stories and jokes, that he kept his companions in a -roar of laughter. One joke followed another in such rapid succession -that the youngsters had scarce done laughing at one, before he fired -another at them. - -"Baltimore is the most wonderful city in the world, barin Cork," the -fair-haired son of the Emerald Isle declared. "There you find gallant -gintlemen and the prettiest girls on earth. Ah! if you could but see my -Kitty Malone! She's a beauty, just a trifle older than mesilf, but every -inch a darlint. Her head is red, her face a trifle freckled, her body's -so stout that the girt of a mule wouldn't encircle her waist," and here -Terrence winked, "She plays on the wash-board an illigant tune, for -which she charges a half a dime a garment." - -"Did you ever meet with such a jolly fellow?" laughed Fernando when he -was gone. - -"No," Sukey answered. "He has made my sides ache." - -Next day found the westerners on board the schooner sailing out from -the harbor of New York. The skipper was half tipsy, his crew -insubordinate, and for awhile no one seemed to know or care whither they -went. The captain had such frequent recourse to his demijohn, that it -was evident that he would soon be wholly unfit for duty. At last -Terrence declared he would have to take matters in hand himself. - -The sea was rough, and both Fernando and Sukey were too sick to leave -their bunks long at the time. - -"Jist ye lie still there, like a darlint, and lave the skipper to me," -said Terrence to Fernando. "Not another divil of a drop shall he have, -until we are safe in Baltimore." - -Then he went away, leaving Fernando wholly in ignorance of his plan. At -last, becoming anxious about him, he went out to see what he was doing. -The schooner was rolling heavily and Fernando was so sick he could -scarcely stand, yet he crept out under the lee of the cabin and saw a -sight that made him smile. - -Terrence and the captain were sitting on the deck playing cards. The -young Irishman had won two demijohns and three jugs of rum from the -captain, and he was now playing for the last pint flask the skipper -possessed. The young Irishman won it and carried his property to his -stateroom, and when the skipper next applied for a drink, -Malone answered: - -"Divil a drop will ye get, till we are safe in Baltimore." The captain -plead in vain. Terrence was firm, and the skipper in time became sober. - -Next morning it was discovered that owing to the drunkenness and -carelessness of the captain and crew, they had drifted far out to sea. -The waves rolled high, and the little schooner plunged about in a manner -frightful to a landlubber. - -Fernando was awakened by a groan. It was Sukey, and going to his berth -Terrence asked: - -"What's the matter, Sukey?" - -"I am dying!" he answered. - -"Courage, courage, me boy, ye'll get over it." - -"I don't want to get over it," answered Sukey, with a hollow groan. - -A few moments later the skipper came to beg for a morning dram. - -"Divil a drop, cap'in, until we are in Baltimore." - -"How long will it take to reach Baltimore, captain?" asked the seasick -Sukey. - -"Twenty-four hours." - -"Oh, Heavens!" groaned Sukey. "Can't you sink the ship?" - -"What do you want to sink for?" demanded the astounded skipper. - -"I'd rather drown than live twenty-four hours longer in this blamed -boat." - -"You'll live over it," growled the thirsty skipper. - -"I don't want to live over it. I want to die." - -Terrence roared with laughter, then he told a funny story which seemed -to increase the pangs of poor Sukey. - -By the middle of the afternoon, Fernando had recovered enough to go out -on deck. He found the captain and his crew huddled up in the fore part -of the deck, discussing a large, square-rigged ship, which was bearing -toward them. He heard one of the sailors say: - -"She flies English colors." - -A little later there was a puff of smoke from her forecastle and a ball -dashed into the water athwart their bow. - -"It's a cruiser, and that means to heave to; but blow my eyes if I do -it!" cried the captain, who was opposed to search and impressment. He -put the schooner about and, with all sail spread, flew over the water at -a rate of speed which defied pursuit. The cruiser fired several shots -after them. - -"Who is that shootin'?" Sukey asked unconcernedly, as Fernando entered -the wretched cabin. - -"A British man-of-war." - -"What is it shootin' at?" - -"At us." - -"I hope she will hit us and put me out o' this misery," groaned Sukey. - -Fortunately for the chief characters of this story, the man-of-war did -not hit them, and next day they reached Baltimore. Sukey recovered his -health with remarkable rapidity, and a few hours on shore made him -quite himself. - -Terrence, who seemed to know the town thoroughly, conducted them to an -inn where they were to remain until arrangements could be made for -entering the school. Terrence took the two young men under his care in a -fatherly way, assuring them it would be bad luck to any who spoke ill of -them; but Terrence could not be with them for several days. He had -urgent business in Philadelphia, which would require his absence. - -For a week after their arrival at Baltimore, their lives were of the -most dreary monotony. The rain, which had begun to fall soon after their -arrival, continued to descend in torrents, and they found themselves -close prisoners in the sanded parlors of the miserable inn. They could -but compare this wretched place with the grand old forests and broad -prairies of the West, and Sukey began to sigh for home. - -"Are you homesick already, Sukey?" asked Fernando. - -"I am not homesick--blast such a place as this--give me a country where -it don't rain 365 days out o' the year, and I'm content, home or -abroad," growled Sukey. - -Their situation was by no means pleasant. Their front window looked out -upon a long, straggling, ill-paved street, with its due proportion of -mud heaps and duck pools. The houses on either side were, for the most -part, dingy-looking edifices, with half-doors, and such pretensions to -being shops as the display of a quart of meal, salt, or string of red -peppers confers. A more wretched, gloomy-looking picture of woe-begone -poverty one seldom beheld. - -It was no better if they turned for consolation to the rear of the -house. There their eyes fell upon the dirty yard of a dirty inn, and the -half-covered cowshed, where two famishing animals mourned their hard -fate as they chewed the cud of "sweet and bitter fancy." In addition, -they saw an old chaise, once the yellow postchaise, the pride and glory -of the establishment, now reduced from its wheels and ignominiously -degraded to a hen house. On the grass-grown roof, a cock had taken his -stand, with an air of protective patronage to the feathered -inhabitants beneath. - -Sukey stood at the narrow window gazing out on the dreary and melancholy -scene, while he heaved an occasional sigh. - -"If this is what you call gitten an education I don't want it," he -drawled at last. "I would rather go back to Ohio and hunt for deer or -black bear, than enjoy such amusement as this is." - -"Oh, it will get better," said Fernando. - -"It has great room for growing better." - -"But it might be worse." - -"Yes, we might be at sea." - -Their landlady, a portly woman with two marriageable daughters, did all -in her power to make their stay pleasant. She praised Baltimore for its -beauty and health, its picturesqueness and poetry. It was surely -destined to be the greatest city in the United States. - -When they were alone, Sukey pointed to the mud heaps and duck pools and -gravely asked: - -"Do they show the poetry and picturesk of which she speaks? Is that old -chaise a sign of health or prosperity?" - -"Be patient, Sukey; we have seen little or none of Baltimore." - -"Plague take me if I haven't seen more than I want to see of it now," -growled Sukey. - -At last the weather cleared a little, and the sun shone brilliantly on -the pools of water and muddy street. The young gentlemen strolled forth -to look about the town. - -When about to start from the inn, Sukey asked: - -"Say, Fernando, how are we goin' to find our way back?" - -This was a serious question for even Fernando. He reflected over it a -moment and then said: - -"It's the house at the foot of the second hill with the road or street -that winds around the cliff." - -"Wouldn't it be better to take hatchets and blaze the corners of the -houses as we go along?" suggested Sukey. Fernando smiled and thought the -owners might raise some serious objections to having their houses -blazed. They were still somewhat undecided in regard to the matter, when -their landlady, with a movement about as graceful as the waddle of a -duck, came down the rickety stairs, and they in despair appealed to her. -She relieved them of their trouble in short order. On a piece of tin -over her door was the number 611. She told them the name of the street, -and assured them if they would remember that and the number, any one -would point it out to them. Besides they had only to remember the widow -Mahone, everybody in the town knew the widow Mahone. - -With this assurance of safe return, the two youngsters ventured forth -into the city. They were not as verdant as the reader may imagine. Both -had been reared in the western wilderness and retained much of the -pioneer traits about them; but books had been society for them, and -their four months spent in New York and Boston had given them an urbane -polish. Sukey, however, had many inherent traits, which all the schools -could not wholly eradicate. - -"I don't like towns," he declared, as they ascended a hill, which gave -them an excellent view of the harbor and shipping. "They are too close. -I want elbow room, and as soon as I get through my college course, I am -going back to the woods." - -"Won't your education be lost there?" - -"No; can't I be a lawyer, or a doctor, or a preacher as well there as -here? Besides, if we only sit down and wait awhile in Ohio, the cities -will come to us." - -"Yes, Sukey, you are right. Civilization is going West, and in course of -time the largest part of the republic will be west of the mountains." Of -course Fernando referred to the Alleghany Mountains, for the Rocky -Mountains were hardly thought of at this date. "But come; we don't seem -to be in the most populous part of the town. Let us go over the hill -where the houses are better and look cleaner." - -"I am willing, for, to tell you the truth, this place smells too much of -the sea." - -They went along a narrow street, which had a decidedly fishy odor, for -there were two markets on it. They passed an old woman carrying on her -back a great bag which seemed filled with rags and waste papers gathered -up from the refuse of the street. Sukey wondered if that was the way she -made her living. At the corner was a low public house in which were some -sailors drinking and singing songs. - -"Fernando, there is a fellow with a plaguy red coat on!" suddenly cried -Sukey, seizing his companion's arm. - -"Yes, he is an officer of the English army or navy." - -"Do they allow him here?" - -"Of course; we are at peace with England." - -"Well, I'd like to take that fellow down a bit. He walks too straight. -Why he thinks he could teach Alexander somethin' on greatness." - -"Never mind him; come on." - -Next they met a party of half-drunken marines, who began to chafe them, -and Sukey, though slow to wrath, was about to give them an exhibition of -frontier muscle, when his friend got him away, and they hastened to a -better part of the city. - -Here they found beautiful residences, and on the next street were -magnificent stores and shops. Elegant carriages, drawn by horses in -shining harness, indicating wealth, were seen. Elegantly dressed ladies -and gentlemen were premenading the street, or exchanging -congratulations. Sukey thought this would "sort o' do," and he wondered -why Terrence Malone had quartered them down in that miserable frog pond, -when there was higher ground and better houses. - -While standing on the corner watching the gay equipages and handsomely -dressed people, a carriage drawn by a pair of snow-white horses came -suddenly dashing down the street. The equipage, though one of the finest -they had ever seen, was stained with travel as if it had come from -a distance. - -"There, Fernando, by zounds, there is some rich fellow you can be sure!" -said Sukey as the vehicle drove by. "Egad! I would like to see who is -inside of it." - -He had that privilege, for the carriage paused only half a block away, -and an elderly man with a rolling, sailor-like movement got out and -assisted a young girl of about sixteen to alight. - -"Jehosophat--Moses and Aaron's rod, my boy! do you see her?" gasped -Sukey. - -"Yes." - -"Ain't she pretty?" - -"Hush! she may hear you." - -"Well, if she'd get mad at that, she is different from most girls." - -"Her father might not think it much of a compliment." - -The coachman, closing the door of the carriage mounted his box and took -the reins, while the pretty girl took her father's arm and came down the -street passing the young men, who, we fear, stared at her rudely. They -were hardly to be blamed for it, for she was as near perfection as a -girl of sixteen can be. Tall, willowy form, with deep blue eyes, soft as -a gazelle's, long, silken lashes and arched eyebrows, with golden hair, -and so graceful that every movement might be set to music. - -Fernando gazed after her until she disappeared into a fashionable shop, -and then, uttering a sigh, started as if from a dream. - -"What do you say now, old fellow?" asked Sukey. - -"Let us go home." - -"Home?" - -"Well, back to the widow Mahone's inn." - -"All right; now let us try to find the trail." - -It was no easy matter, although they had the street and number well -fixed in their mind. Finally they asked a watchman (policemen were -called watchmen in those days) and he conducted them to the abode of -Mrs. Mahone. - -The first person to greet them was Terrence. There was a bright smile on -his jolly face as he cried: - -"It's right plazed I am to see ye lookin' so cheerful, boys; and it's a -good time ye be having roaming the streets and looking at the beauty of -Baltimore. Much of it you'll find, to be sure. To-morrow we'll go to the -academy, pay our entrance fee and begin business." - -[ILLUSTRATION: AS NEAR PERFECTION AS A GIRL OF SIXTEEN CAN BE.] - -"Terrence," said Fernando in a half whisper, "Can't we find a more -comfortable place than this to live in?" - -"Oh, be aisy, me frind, for it's an illegant a house I've got for all -of us, and we'll be as comfortable there as a banshee." - -Not knowing what a "banshee" was, Fernando, of course, could draw no -conclusion from the comparison. When the three young men had entered -their room, Terrence began to tell them of a beautiful "craythur" he had -that day seen in town, and on inquiry learned she lived a few miles away -on the coast. She was the daughter of an old sea captain and came almost -daily to the city. - -"What is her name?" asked Fernando. - -"Lane." - -"Great Jehosiphat, Fernando! Lane was on that carriage we saw," cried -Sukey, starting suddenly from a couch on which he had been reclining. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -WAR FEELING OF 1811. - -Mr. James Madison seems to have been one of the many great Americans -capable of changing his political views without losing public favor. Mr. -Madison, as a delegate to the constitutional convention held at -Philadelphia in May, 1787, was beyond question a Federalist. Of the -convention, a writer of the highest authority says: - -"Mr. Madison was prominent in advocating the constitution, and took a -leading part in the debates, of which he kept private notes, since -published by order of congress. His views in regard to the federal -government are set forth at length in a paper still extant in the -handwriting of Gen. Washington. This paper contains the substance of a -letter written to Washington by Mr. Madison before the meeting of the -convention, and proposes a scheme of thorough centralization. The writer -declares that he is equally opposed to the individual independence of -the States and to 'the consolidation of the whole in one simple -republic.' He is nevertheless in favor of investing congress with power -to exercise a negative in all cases whatever on the legislative acts of -the States, as heretofore exercised by the kingly prerogative. He says -further that the right of coercion should be expressly declared; but the -difficulty and awkwardness of operating by force on the collective will -of a State render it particularly desirable that the necessity of it -should be precluded. From these extreme views, Mr. Madison afterward -conscientiously departed; but in the convention he supported them with -zeal and vigor." - -It was feared at first that Madison would perpetuate the policy of -Jefferson; but the tone and temper of his inaugural address, delivered -March 4th, 1809, fell like oil on troubled waters. His most implacable -enemies could not refrain from uttering words of approbation; and the -whole nation entertained hopes that his measures might change the gloomy -aspect of public affairs. - -Madison's administration was now sustained by a larger majority of the -American people than that of Jefferson had ever been, and the -Federalists, or the opposition, were in a hopeless minority. The -continued aggressions of the British were increasing the Democratic -strength every day; and in 1811, circumstances seemed to make war with -Great Britain an imperative necessity for the vindication of the honor, -rights and independence of the United States. - -The Indian tribes on the northwestern frontiers of the United States -became very uneasy, and the machinations of British traders and -government emissaries had stimulated the growth of that discontent into -a decidedly hostile feeling toward the nation of Republicans, then -pressing upon the domain of the savages. The suspension of the world's -commerce had diminished the amount of their traffic in furs, and the -rapid extension of American settlements northward of Ohio was narrowing -their hunting grounds and producing a rapid diminution of game. The -introduction of intoxicating liquors among the savages by white traders -and speculators had widely spread demoralization, with consequent -disease and death. - -English emissaries made the savages to believe that all these evils had -been brought upon them by the encroachments of the Americans; and in the -spring of 1811, it became evident that a league was forming among the -tribes for the extermination of the frontier settlers. - -Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief, shrewd, crafty and intrepid, endeavored to -emulate Pontiac, the great Ottowa chief, in the formation of an Indian -confederacy in the Northwest, for making war upon the United States. He -had a shrewd twin brother, called the prophet, whose mysterious -incantation and predictions and pretended visions and spiritual -intercourse had inspired the savage mind with great veneration for him -as a wonderful "medicine man." He and Tecumseh possessed almost -unbounded influence over the Delawares, Shawnees, Wyandots, Miamis, -Kickapoos, Winnebagoes and Chippewas. - -The celebrated Shawnee chief Tecumseh, according to Drake, was born a -few years before the Revolution, at the Indian village of Piqua, on Mad -River, about six miles below the site of Springfield, Clark County, -Ohio. His tribe removed from Florida about the middle of the last -century. His father, who was a chief, fell at the bloody battle of Point -Pleasant, in 1774. From his youth, he showed a passion for war. He early -acquired an unbounded influence over his tribe for his bravery, his -sense of justice and his commanding eloquence. Like his great prototype, -Pontiac, humanity was a prominent trait in his character. He not only -was never known to ill-treat or murder a prisoner, but indignantly -denounced those who did, employing all his authority and eloquence in -behalf of the helpless. In 1798, Tecumseh removed with his followers to -the vicinity of White River, Indiana, among the Delawares, where he -remained for a number of years. In 1805, through the influence of -Laulewasikaw, the brother of Tecumseh, a large number of Shawnees -established themselves at Greeneville. Very soon after, Laulewasikaw -assumed the office of a _prophet_; and forthwith commenced that career -of cunning and pretended sorcery, which always enables the shrewd -hypocrite to sway the ignorant, superstitious mind. Throughout the year -of 1806, the brothers remained at Greeneville and were visited by many -Indians from different tribes, not a few of whom became their followers. -The prophet dreamed many wonderful dreams and claimed to have had many -supernatural revelations made him. The great eclipse of the sun that -occurred in the summer of this year, a knowledge of which he had by some -means attained, enabled him to carry conviction to the minds of many of -his ignorant followers, that he was really the earthly agent of the -Great Spirit. He boldly announced to the unbelievers, that, on a certain -day, he would give them proof of his supernatural powers by bringing -darkness over the sun. When the day and hour of the eclipse arrived, and -the earth, even at midday, was shrouded in the gloom of twilight, the -prophet, standing in the midst of his party, significantly pointed to -the heavens and cried out: - -"Did I not prophesy truly? Behold! darkness has shrouded the sun!" - -It may readily be supposed that this striking phenomenon, thus adroitly -used, produced a strong impression on the Indians, and greatly increased -their belief in the sacred character of their prophet. - -In the spring of 1808, Tecumseh and the prophet removed to a tract of -land on the Tippecanoe, a tributary of the Wabash, where the latter -continued his efforts to induce the Indians to forsake their vicious -habits, while Tecumseh was visiting the neighboring tribes and quietly -strengthening his own and the prophet's influence over them. The events -of the early part of the year 1810 were such as to leave but little -doubt of the hostile intentions of the brothers. The prophet was -apparently the most prominent actor, while Tecumseh was in reality the -mainspring of all the movements, backed, it is supposed, by the -insidious influence of British agents, who supplied the Indians gratis -with powder and ball, in anticipation, perhaps, of hostilities between -the two countries, in which event a union of all the tribes against the -Americans was desirable. Tecumseh had opposed the sale and cession of -lands to the United States, and he declared it to be his unalterable -resolution to take a stand against the further intrusion of the whites -upon the soil of his people. - -So menacing had the Indians become in the Spring of 1810, that General -W.H. Harrison, a son of Benjamin Harrison, one of the signers of the -Declaration of Independence, and then governor of the Territory of -Indiana, invited the brothers to a council at Vincennes, in August. -Tecumseh appeared with four hundred well-armed warriors. The inhabitants -were greatly alarmed at this demonstration of savage military power. -Harrison was cool and cautious, while the bearing of the chief was bold -and haughty. He refused to enter the place appointed for holding the -council saying: - -"Houses were built for you to hold councils in; Indians hold theirs in -the open air." He then took a position under some trees in front of the -house, and, unabashed by the large concourse of white people before him, -he opened the business with a speech marked by great dignity and native -eloquence. When he had concluded, one of the governor's aids said to -him, through an interpreter, as he pointed to a chair by the side of -General Harrison: - -"Your father requests you to take a seat by his side." - -The chief drew his blanket around him and, standing erect, said, with a -scornful tone: - -"My father! The sun is my father, and the earth is my mother; on her -bosom I will recline;" and he seated himself on the ground. - -The chief declared it his intention to form a confederacy for the -purpose of preventing any further cessions of lands to the white -people, and to recover what had been ceded. - -"Return those lands," he said, "and Tecumseh will be the friend of the -Americans. He likes not the English, who are continually setting the -Indians on the Americans." The governor replied that the lands had been -received from other tribes, and that the Shawnees had no business to -interfere. Tecumseh sprang to his feet, cast off his blanket and, with -violent gestures, pronounced the governor's words false. He accused the -United States of cheating and imposing upon the Indians; and then, -giving a sign to his warriors near him, they sprang to their feet, -seized their war clubs and brandished their tomahawks. The governor -started from his seat and drew his sword, while the citizens seized any -weapons or missiles they could find. It was a moment of great peril to -the white people. A military guard of twelve men, under some trees a -short distance off, was ordered up. A friendly Indian, who had secretly -loaded his pistol while Tecumseh was speaking, now cocked it to shoot -the chief. The guards were also about to fire when Harrison restrained -them and prevented a bloody encounter. The interpreter, whom all the -Indians respected, told Tecumseh that he was a bad man. The council was -broken up. Tecumseh expressed regret that his violent temper had gotten -the better of him; but prudent men knew from his conduct that war was -inevitable. - -In the spring of 1811, the hostile savages began to roam over the Wabash -region, in small parties, plundering the white settlers and -friendly Indians. - -Soon after the council at Vincennes, Tecumseh went South among the -Creeks to extend the confederacy of the people of Indiana among them. -There is a tradition among the Tuckabachees that Tecumseh, failing to -enlist them in his enterprise, in his wrath said: - -"When I return to the North, I will stamp on the earth and make it -tremble." When the effects of the earthquake of New Madrid were felt, -the Tuckabachees said: - -"Tecumseh has reached the North." - -The hostile demonstrations on the part of the Indians in Indiana alarmed -the people of that territory, and General Harrison therefore took -measures to increase his regular force. He warned the Indians to obey -the treaty at Greeneville; but at the same time he prepared to break up -the prophet's establishment if necessary. In September, the prophet sent -assurances to the governor that his intentions were pacific. About the -same time, he dispatched a message to the Delawares, who were friendly, -asking them to join him in a war against the United States, stating that -he had taken up the tomahawk and would not lay it down but with his -life, unless their wrongs were redressed. The Delaware chiefs -immediately visited the prophet to dissuade him from commencing -hostilities and were grossly insulted. On the 6th of November, 1811, -Governor Harrison, with about nine hundred and fifty effective troops, -composed of two hundred and fifty of the 4th Regiment U. S. Infantry, -one hundred and thirty volunteers and a body of militia, being within a -mile and a half of the prophet's town, was urged to make an immediate -assault upon the village; but this he declined, as his instructions from -the president were positive not to attack the Indians as long as there -was a probability of their complying with the demands of the government. -The Indians, in the course of the day, endeavored to cut off his -messengers and evinced other hostile symptoms, which determined Harrison -to at once march upon the town, when he was met by three Indians, one of -them a principal counselor of the prophet, who avowed that the prophet's -designs were pacific. Accordingly a suspension of hostilities was agreed -upon, and the terms of peace were to be settled on the following morning -by the governor and the prophet's chief. At night the army encamped -about three fourths of a mile from the prophet's town. - -The governor was well convinced of the hostility of the prophet. He -believed that after attempting to lull his suspicions he intended to -make a treacherous attack on the Americans. Little anticipation of a -night attack was indulged, yet every precaution was taken to resist one -if made. All the guards that could be used in such a situation, and all -such as were used by Wayne, were employed on this occasion. That is, -camp guards, furnishing a chain of sentinels around the whole camp at -such a distance as to give notice of the approach of an enemy in time -for the troops to take their position, and yet not far enough to prevent -the sentinels from retreating to the main body if overpowered. The usual -mode of stationing picket guards at a considerable distance in advance -of the army or camp, would be useless in Indian warfare, as they do not -require roads to march upon, and such guards would be inevitably cut -off. Orders were given in the event of a night attack, for each corps to -maintain its position at all hazards until relieved or further orders -were given to it. The whole army was kept during the night in the -military position called lying on their arms. The regular troops lay in -their tents with their accoutrements on, and their guns at their sides. -The militia had no tents, but slept with their clothes and bullet -pouches on, and their guns under them, to keep them dry. The order of -the encampment was a line of battle to resist a night attack; and so, -as every man slept opposite to his post in the line, there was nothing -for the troops to do, in case of an assault, but to rise and take their -position a few steps in the rear of the fires around which they had -reposed. The guard of the night consisted of two captains' commands of -forty-two men and of four non-commissioned officers each and two -subalterns' guards of twenty men and non-commissioned officers each--the -whole amounting to about one hundred and thirty men, under command of a -field officer of the day. The night was dark and cloudy, and after -midnight there was a drizzling rain. - -At four o'clock in the morning of Nov. 7, 1811, Governor Harrison, -according to practice, had risen, preparatory to the calling up of the -troops, and was engaged, while drawing on his boots by the fire, in -conversation with General Wells, Colonel Owens, and Majors Taylor and -Hurst. The orderly drum had been roused to sound the reveille for the -troops to turn out, when there came the report of a sentry's rifle on -the left flank, followed by a score of shots, and the morning air rang -loud with the wild war-whoops of savages. - -In an instant the army was in line, the campfires were extinguished, and -the governor mounted his horse and proceeded to the point of attack. -Several companies had taken their places in the line within forty -seconds after the report of the first gun, and in two minutes the whole -army was ready for action; a fact as creditable to their own activity -and bravery, as to the skill and energy of their officers. The battle -soon became general, and was maintained on both sides with signal and -even desperate valor. The Indians advanced or retreated by the aid of a -rattling noise, made with deer hoofs, and persevered in their -treacherous attack with an apparent determination to conquer or die on -the spot. The battle raged with unabated fury and mutual slaughter until -daylight, when a gallant and successful charge by the troops drove the -enemy into the swamp, and put an end to the conflict. - -Prior to the assault, the prophet had given his followers assurance, -that, in the coming contest, the Great Spirit would render the arms of -the Americans unavailing; that their bullets would fall harmless at the -feet of the Indians; that the latter should have light in abundance, -while the former would be involved in thick darkness. Availing himself -of the privilege conferred by his peculiar office, and, perhaps, -unwilling in his own person to test the rival powers of a sham prophecy -and a real American bullet, he prudently took a position on an adjacent -eminence; and, when the action began, he entered upon the performance -of certain mystic rites, at the same time singing a war song. Soon after -the engagement commenced, he was informed that his men were falling. He -told them to fight on, it would soon be as he predicted; and then in, -wilder and louder strains, his inspiring battle song was heard -commingling with the sharp crack of the rifle and the shrill war-whoop -of his brave but deluded followers. Some of the Indians who were in the -conflict, subsequently informed the agent at Fort Wayne, that there were -more than a thousand warriors in the battle, and that the number of -wounded was unusually great. In the precipitation of their retreat, they -left thirty-eight on the field. Some were buried during the engagement -in their town. Others no doubt subsequently died of their wounds. Drake -places their number in killed at not less than fifty. - -Of the whites, thirty-five were killed in the action, and twenty-five -died subsequently. The total number of killed and wounded was one -hundred and eighty-eight,--probably as great and possibly greater than -the loss of the Indians. Among the slain were Colonel Abraham Owen and -Major Joseph Hamilton Davies of Kentucky. - -Though the battle of Tippecanoe, considered as a conflict from the -losses on each side, would to-day be regarded only as a skirmish, yet it -had a great moral influence in restraining the savages in the -northwest, and, but for the meddling of the British agents, a permanent -peace with the Indians could have been established. - -Harrison burned the prophet's town. The prophet lost caste with his -people. When reproached for his falsehoods, he cunningly told them that -his predictions had failed of fulfilment, because, during his -incantations, his wife touched the sacred vessels and broke the charm. -His followers, superstitious as they were, would not accept such a -flimsy excuse and deserted him, flying to secure hiding-places where the -white man could not find them. After his town was burned, the prophet -took shelter among the Wyandots. - -The events in the northwest aroused a war spirit among the patriotic -Americans, which could not be suppressed. Not only did British -emissaries incite the Indians to make war, but British orders in council -continued to be vigorously enforced. Insult was offered to the American -flag by British cruisers, and the press of Great Britain insolently -declared that the Americans "could not be kicked into a war." - -Forbearance ceased to be a virtue; it became cowardice. President -Madison found himself the standard-bearer of his party, surrounded by -irrepressible young warriors eager for fight. Like a cautious -commander, he sounded a careful war note in his annual message to -congress at the beginning of November, 1811. The young and ardent -members of the house of representatives, who had elected Henry Clay, -then thirty-four years of age, speaker, determined that indecision -should no longer mark the councils of the nation. The committee on -foreign relations, of which Peter B. Porter was chairman, intensified -that feeling by an energetic report submitted on the 29th of November, -in which, in glowing sentences, the British government was arraigned on -charges of injustice, cruelty, and wrong. They said: - -"To sum up, in a word, the great cause of complaint against Great -Britain, your committee need only say, that the United States, as a -sovereign and independent power, claims the right to use the ocean, -which is the common and acknowledged highway of nations, for the -purposes of transporting, in their own vessels, the products of their -own soils and the acquisition of their own industry to any market in the -ports of friendly nations, and to bring home, in return, such articles -as their necessities or convenience may require, always regarding the -rights of belligerents as defined by the established laws of nations. -Great Britain, in defiance of this incontestable right, captures every -American vessel bound to or returning from a port where her commerce is -not favored; enslaves our seamen, and, in spite of our remonstrances, -perseveres in these aggressions. To wrongs so daring in character and so -disgraceful in their execution, it is impossible that the people of the -United States should remain indifferent. We must now tamely and quietly -submit, or we must resist by those means which God has placed within our -reach.... The sovereignty and independence of these States, purchased -and sanctified by the blood of our fathers, from whom we received them, -not for ourselves only, but as the inheritance of our posterity, are -deliberately and systematically violated. And the period has arrived -when, in the opinion of your committee, it is the sacred duty of -congress to call forth the patriotism and the resources of the country. -By the aid of these and with the blessing of God, we confidently trust -we shall be able to procure that redress which has been sought for by -justice, by remonstrance and forbearance, in vain." - -The report went over the land as fast as the mails in that day of stage -coaches could carry it, and made a profound impression on the minds of -the people. Resolutions, drawn in accordance with the spirit of the -report, were appended to it, and these led to earnest debates. In these -debates, the brilliant John C. Calhoun, then less than thirty years of -age, engaged. It marked the beginning of his long and illustrious -career. He made his maiden speech in favor of war, and charmed his -listeners. John Randolph, always happy when in opposition to everybody, -spoke vehemently against the report and resolutions. - -The Federalists, having always advocated a policy of being prepared for -war, could not from principle oppose these resolutions as they -recommended only such preparations. The resolutions were adopted and -bills prepared for augmenting the military force of the country. - -The regular army was increased to twenty-five thousand men; also two -major-generals and live brigadier-generals, in addition to those then in -office were authorized. A million dollars were appropriated for the -purchase of arms, ammunition and stores for the army, and four hundred -thousand dollars for powder, cannon and small arms for the navy. - -War was not yet declared, and, with a proper course of treatment from -Great Britain, it would not have been; yet the war feeling of 1811 was -strong. It needed but a breath to fan the flame to a terrible -conflagration. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -FERNANDO'S FRIEND GETS HIM INTO A SERIOUS SCRAPE. - -In due time Fernando and Sukey were entered in the college. They were -transferred to more comfortable quarters than the wretched inn of Mrs. -Mahone. Terrence superintended everything and was, in truth, the good -angel of the boys. He had a warm heart, was a genuine friend, and would -have shed his last drop of blood for them; but Terrence was, after all, -a young scamp, whose dearest friend was not free from a practical joke. -His jokes often became serious affairs and involved himself as well as -friends in trouble, though he never intended anything unpleasant. - -Fernando had been in college but a few months, and was already making -excellent progress, when one day Terrence came to his room and said: - -"Me frind, d'ye want to see a bit of good society?" - -Laying down a heavy mathematical work, Fernando smilingly answered: - -"I don't know, Terrence; I've hardly time for society." - -"What's the need of worryin' yer brains out over Latin, Greek and -astronomy, when there's my amount of fun to be had? Come; a little mite -of society will brighten up yer ideas. Now listen to me, lad. There's -goin' to be a big ball given at the mayor's, and d'ye remimber the -darlint little craythur ye met on the street that day?" - -Remember her? of course Fernando remembered her. She had scarcely been -out of his mind day or night since he had seen her. She had been the -angel of his dreams, the princess of countless air castles; but he had -never indulged a hope that he might see her again. - -"Will she be at the ball, Terrence?" - -"To be sure. It's mesilf as heard it, and thin if ye'll look over the -Baltimore papers, ye'll see her name Morgianna Lane, the daughter of -Captain Felix Lane of Mariana, whose entree into society is to be the -ninth, chaperoned by Madame Barnhart." - -Terrence Malone evinced a wonderful ability at picking up information on -any question that took his fancy. He had a bold way of insinuating -himself into people's affections, for no one could dislike the -light-hearted, merry Irishman. - -"Now there is no need for ye to say ye won't go, because ye will," said -Terrence. "It's a grand occasion to be sure. One of his majesty's ships -o' war is in port, and some of the officers from her will be there, -every alderman in the town, some congressmen and ex-President Jefferson -will be there." - -Fernando looked at him in amazement and, after a moment, he said: - -"Terrence, if the ball is to be such a grand affair, please to inform me -how we are to gain admission." - -"Now, me boy, lave that to me. Will ye go?" - -"Yes." - -"And ye don't mind it if it's a thrifle of an adventure, do yez?" - -"No." - -"That's it. I always said ye was a lad after me own heart; but, -Fernando, don't yez say one word to Sukey. He's too slow and careful. He -might make trouble with us and upset all our plans." - -At first, Fernando, who hated anything like deceit, opposed secresy; but -his Irish friend brought so many excellent arguments to bear, that he -virtually carried his point. - -"Terrence, I fear I will make an awkward figure in a ball room!" -declared Fernando. "I am not accustomed to such things." - -"A glass or two of champagne will do it for ye." - -"But I never danced in my life." - -"I'll teach ye mesilf, and, bedad, ye'll be as foine a terpechorian -artist be the toime, as will be at the ball." - -The last objection swept away, Fernando began secretly to take lessons -in the waltz, cotillon and other dances of the day. - -Whatever may be said against Terrence, one thing is quite certain, he -was no bad dancing master, and Fernando was an apt pupil. Somehow, there -was a spice of adventure in the escapade, which seemed to thrill -Fernando with pleasure, and he entered into it with a zeal that was -remarkable. - -The English man-of-war in the harbor was the _Xenophon_, Captain -Conkerall commander. The captain had some acquaintances and friends in -Baltimore, and this event transpired before the war spirit became so -strong that English officers dared not venture on shore. The captain and -his officers were of course invited to the ball. - -The day of the ball, the captain came ashore and was snugly quartered at -the Baltimore House, getting ready for the affair. - -The captain was in his room talking with some citizens of Baltimore and -a congressman; a decanter and glasses were on a sideboard, and the -captain's face was somewhat flushed, when there entered a neat, -well-dressed young gentleman, whose language and features were slightly -Hibernian. - -"I beg pardon, gintlemen, but this is Captain Conkerall? Sure I make no -mistake, for the very bearin' tells me he is a son of Neptune." - -As the captain was in full uniform, of course there was no trouble about -recognizing him. The captain rose and, taking the hand of the young man, -tried hard to remember where he had seen him before. - -"Sure, ye don't remember me. I am Lord Kildee, the son of the ould baron -of Kildee Castle, who was a schoolmate of yer father." - -The captain, delighted at having so noted an acquaintance, took great -pleasure in introducing a scion of such a noble family as Kildee. One -would have thought, from Captain Conkerall's manner, that he had been on -intimate terms with the house of Kildee all his life, while in reality -he had never until that moment known that there lived such a being as -the Lord of Kildee. Wine and vanity work wonders, and the captain felt -great pride in being recognized at Baltimore by Lord Kildee, whose -father was, as the new acquaintance assured him, a member of the -house of lords. - -The visiting aldermen of the town and the congressman were introduced to -the Lord Kildee, who had the air of a genuine nobleman, with just enough -of the rich brogue to entitle him to the name of Irishman. - -Would his lordship have a glass of wine with them. To be sure he would. - -Captain Conkerall, who was expected to be the lion of the evening, -indulged rather freely, and the more he indulged the more he had a -desire to. - -At last the congressman rose to make a speech. He was rather unsteady on -his legs, but exceedingly eloquent on the question of Jefferson's -embargo act. He thought it an outrage designed to foster the unfortunate -estrangement between the mother country and America. He, as a -Federalist, had opposed Jefferson and Jeffersonianism. - -How much longer his harangue might have lasted, no one could have told, -but the captain was warned that the hour for the ball was drawing near, -and he gently insinuated that the speech be deferred for an after-dinner -talk. Just as the captain's guests were on the point of retiring, Lord -Kildee, by a gentle hint, suggested that if he had an invitation he -would be glad to meet them at the ball. Of course so noted a person as -Lord Kildee could not be neglected, and, as one of the invitation -committee was present, he issued a ticket at once. Then the captain and -his lordship were left alone. - -His lordship hinted that he had much to say to the captain in -confidence, having just come from the fleet of Vice Admiral Berkeley. -Over their wine, he informed the captain that he was on intimate terms -with the vice admiral and that the captain of the _Xenophon_ was down -for an early promotion. Captain Conkerall was delighted. He drank deep -to the health of Vice Admiral Berkeley, Lord Kildee and himself. By this -time, the captain was ready to drink to the health of anybody. The Lord -Kildee, strange to say, imbibed very little, and soon the captain was -insensible on the floor, while his lordship was as sober as a judge. - -"Faith, it's a dacint bit of work," he said, eyeing the prostrate -captain. "Now to the rest of the plan." - -Lord Kildee was none other than the rollicking Irish student Terrence -Malone. In a few moments, he had divested the captain of his coat, -trousers and vest, which, with his chapeau, he rolled up in a neat -bundle and hurried away to his friend Fernando Stevens. The hour was -late, and Fernando had almost given up going to the ball, when Terrence -bolted into his room, his cheeks aglow with excitement. - -"Here, me lad, don the royal robes at once. Begorra, it's noblemen we -are goin' to be to-night!" - -"What does this mean, Terrence?" Fernando asked, as Malone unrolled the -bundle containing the elegant uniform of a British officer. - -"Divil a question need ye be askin'; put on the uniform; it will fit ye -to an exactness." - -In vain Fernando expostulated; his friend forced him into compliance, -and, almost before he knew it, he was encased in a British uniform, and -a handsome looking officer he made. Terrence then gave him a drink at -his bottle to "steady his nerves," and told him that it was one of the -"divil's own toimes" they would have. - -Fernando, despite all his staid qualities and Puritanic instincts, loved -an adventure which promised fun, and finally entered into the scheme -with a zest second only to his friend. The very idea of playing a prank -on the captain of a man-of-war was enough to induce him to engage in -almost any enterprise. They managed to escape the house without being -detected by Sukey, who was puzzling his brain over deep questions in -philosophy, and hastened down the street to a carriage which Terrence -engaged to take them to the mayor's. - -There was a ticket of admission in the captain's vest, which Fernando -used, and Lord Kildee had one for himself. - -As Terrence contemplated his young friend, whom the uniform fitted as -neatly as if he had grown in it, he declared that he was perfection. - -Arrived at the door, Fernando, whose brain was in a whirl, found himself -suddenly hurried up a flight of marble steps to the great vestibule -where there was a flood of subdued light. The wine made him bold, -reckless, and when he was introduced as Lieutenant Smither, of his -majesty's vice admiral's flag-ship, he half believed he was that person -and, assuming what he supposed to be the manner and carriage of so high -an official, received the bows and smiles of the fair ladies assembled -with the grace of a veteran seaman. - -There were a few officers from the _Xenophon_ present, among them a -Lieutenant Matson, who was dividing his time between a very pretty girl -and asking why Captain Conkerall was so late. - -Fernando played his part remarkably well, considering that he was new in -the role. Whenever he was in danger of "making a bad break," Lord -Kildee, who was the lion of the hour, was at hand to aid him, and with -consummate grace and ease helped him through the worst difficulties. A -few glasses of champagne made Fernando bolder. - -At last he met that beautiful creature whom he had seen alight from the -carriage and was introduced to Miss Morgianna Lane. Morgianna, young as -she was, detected the deception. Fernando talked without reserve on any -and every topic. Those he knew the least about, he discussed with most -fluency, until he bid fair to become the centre of attraction. - -When they were alone, Morgianna, with one of her sweetest smiles, said: - -"I don't believe you are an Englishman." - -"I'll be honest with you, Miss Lane," said he. "I am not." - -"Who are you?" - -"If you will keep my secret, I will tell you all." Morgianna, as fond of -mischief as Terrence, agreed to do so, and he told her everything. She -laughed until the tears coursed down her pretty cheeks. She said it was -a good joke and as soon as she got home, she would tell her papa and he -would, she knew, enjoy it. - -"But you must not drink any more wine," she added. "It affects your -head." Fernando admitted that he was not used to it, and he promised to -desist. After waltzing for an hour with her and getting a tender squeeze -of the hand, he restored her to an affable old lady who acted as -Morgianna's chaperon, and then Fernando retired to new conquests, his -head in a whirl and his heart in a flutter. - -Lord Kildee soon had him under his care and introduced him to some -friends, among them Lieutenant Matson, who had early in the evening made -so many unsuccessful attempts to attract Miss Lane's favorable notice -that Fernando had come to regard him as a dangerous rival. Despite the -injunction of the fair Morgianna, he found himself half unconsciously -quaffing three or four glasses to the good health of somebody; he really -did not know whether it was King George or President Jefferson. - -Fernando, naturally witty, soon ingratiated himself into this well -occupied clique, and he dosed them with glory to their heart's content. -He resolved at once to enter into their humor, and as the wine mounted -up to his brain, he gradually found his acquaintance and politics -extending to every country and political creed. - -"Did you know Thomas Matson of his majesty's ship _Spit-Fire?"_ asked -the lieutenant. - -"Tom Matson!" cried Fernando. "Indeed I did sir, and do still! and there -is not a man in the British navy I am prouder of knowing." Of course he -had never heard of Thomas Matson until this moment. - -"You don't say, sir?" said the lieutenant in astonishment. "Has he any -chance of promotion, sir?" - -"Promotion!" cried Fernando, in well-feigned astonishment. "Why, have -you not heard that he is already in command of a ship? You cannot -possibly have heard from him lately, or you would have known that!" - -"That's true, sir; I have not heard from him since he quitted the _Black -Cloud_ in the South, I think they said for his health; but how did he -get the step?" - -"Why, as to the promotion, that was remarkable enough," said Fernando, -quaffing off a tumbler of champagne to aid his inventive faculties; but -Fernando, despite his native shrewdness and wonderful inventive powers, -was liable to get into trouble. He knew as little about a ship as a -landlubber might be supposed to know, and his companion saw at once that -he would make a mess of the story, so he came to his rescue by informing -the assembly that a fine vocalist at the other end of the room was going -to sing, and asked that the story be deferred until after the song. They -all hurried away save Fernando, who, overcome by too deep potations, -sank upon a sofa temporarily unconscious. - -He was roused from his stupor by his companion shaking him and saying: - -"Fernando, me boy, it's a divil's own mess ye are makin' of this! Wake -up and get out!" - -He roused himself and looked about. The room they were in was a small -apartment off the great saloon, and through the half-open folding-door, -he could see that the festivities still continued. The music and gay -forms of dancers reminded him where he was. - -"Fernando, we've played this game jist as long as we can, successfully; -we had better go." - -"I am ready," and Fernando got up and started diagonally across the -room, stepping with his feet very wide apart. The pretended Lord Kildee -took his arm, and they got to the door, where Fernando missed his -footing and went tumbling down the steps in a very undignified manner. -His lordship, Kildee, having imbibed rather freely himself, kept him -company, and for a few seconds they remained at the bottom of the -flight, dividing their time between studying astronomy and the laws of -gravitation. - -Fernando had badly smashed the captain's chapeau and one fine plume was -gone. They had not gone far before they ran upon a watchman, who -threatened to run them in; but the police of those days were as -susceptible to a bribe as they are to-day, and after donating liberally -to the cause of justice and protection, they were taken to their rooms -instead of the calaboose. - -Young Stevens had no definite recollection of how he ever got to bed; -but he awoke next morning with a wretched headache and found himself in -a red coat, with the epaulets and gold lace of an officer. By degrees, -the whole thing came back to him. - -Terrence came in a few moments later, a smile on his face, as he -remarked they were in "the divil's own scrape." - -"Why?" asked Fernando. - -"We should have taken the clothes back to the captain." - -Fernando, who was in total ignorance of the manner in which the uniform -was procured, asked: - -"How did you get them?" - -Terrence told him the whole story, and Fernando, despite his wretched -headache, laughed until the tears coursed down his cheeks. - -"That's not all, me foine boy. The whole thing is out. The papers -printed this morning are full of it. They say the captain was seen just -before daylight goin' down the street to his boat with a sheet wrapped -about him." - -Again the youngsters roared. It was such a madcap frolic as students, -utterly reckless of consequences, might engage in; but, after all, it -was a serious affair. The clothes had to be returned; then the -perpetrators of the outrage would be known at the college, and they -might be expelled from the institution in disgrace. - -The clothes were returned. That was a point of honor which Fernando -insisted upon, as he would neither agree to steal or wear stolen goods. -For a day or two he was indisposed, and good, honest Sukey was afraid -his friend was "going to be real sick." On the evening of the second day -after their madcap frolic, Fernando told Sukey all about it and asked -his advice. After the tall young westerner had heard him through, -he said: - -"Well, Fernando, I am sorry you were in the game at all; but you are in -it, and now the best thing is to go to the college and make a clean -breast of it to the president. It's your first, you know, and then a -fellow just from the woods like us is liable to stumble into bad -scrapes. Make a clean breast of it and keep out of such games in -the future." - -This was really the best advice that could have been given, and -Fernando, after consulting Terrence, decided to follow it. Consequently -they all three presented themselves to the president of the faculty and, -in the best way they could, laid the story before him. Terrence brought -all the pathos and eloquence which he naturally possessed to the aid of -his friend and got both of them off pretty well. - -The old professor was one of the best-hearted men in the world, and when -he came to contemplate the lonely condition of the boys so far from -home, he forgave them freely, and Fernando went out of his presence -resolved never to be guilty of another unseemly trick again. - -"Now, if that divil's own ship the _Xenophon_ would only lave port, I'd -fale better," remarked Terrence as they wended their way to their -rooms. Fernando could not see any harm the _Xenophon_ could do them. -The president of the college had forgiven them, and surely they need not -care for the ship. - -The students entered ardently into their studies, and Fernando tried to -forget everything about the mayor's ball save the beautiful face of -Morgianna Lane. She was the only sweet picture in that wild dream, and -he would not have forgotten her for the world. Time wore slowly on. A -week had passed, and all the papers in the country were nagging the -captain about going to his vessel in a winding sheet. A wag wrote some -verses which must have been galling to the pride of the haughty Briton. - -At last it leaked out that two students had played the trick on Captain -Conkerall. A newspaper reporter came to see Fernando, who gave him a -truthful history of the affair. - -"You've played the divil now," said Terrence, when he read the interview -in the next issue of the _Baltimore Sun_. - -"Why?" - -"Never moind, Fernando, I'll not desert ye, and if my one comes to ye -about satisfaction, or inything of the kind, and asks you to mintion -your frind, sind thim to Terrence Malone, and he will make the -arrangements, that's all." - -Fernando had no more idea what he meant than if he had addressed him in -Hindoo, and he gave the matter little or no further thought. He was in -his room poring over his books the second day after the interview, when -there came a rap at his door. - -"Come in!" he cried in his broad, western fashion. - -The door opened, and, to his surprise, a young English officer entered -the apartment. - -"Is this Mr. Fernando Stevens?" he asked politely. - -"It is." - -"I am the bearer of a message from Lieutenant Matson." - -"Pray who is Lieutenant Matson?" - -"Of his majesty's ship the _Xenophon_." - -Fernando thought he must be mistaken, as he had not the least -recollection of ever hearing of Lieutenant Matson; but the ensign -assured him that he was the person with whom the lieutenant had to deal, -and then asked if he could refer him to some friend with whom the -business might be arranged. Then the youthful American remembered -Terrence Malone's strange instructions and sent the ensign at once to -the young Irishman. - -Just how Terrence would settle the matter, he did not know; but he who -had such remarkable ability for getting one into a scrape could surely -devise some means to get him out, and Fernando was perfectly willing to -trust him. So, deeming the matter wholly settled, he sat down to his -books once more, and had actually forgotten the officer, when Terrence -bolted into the room his face expressive of anxiety. - -"It's all arranged, me boy. Ye did right in lavin' it to me. The young -Britisher and I have made all arrangements." - -"Arrangements? what arrangements?" asked Fernando with guileless -innocence. - -"Arrangements for the meeting, to be sure." - -"What meeting?" - -"Meeting with Lieutenant Matson." - -Throwing down his book, Fernando started up impatiently said: - -"I don't want to meet the infernal lieutenant. I thought you had settled -it." - -"So I did, and right dacintly, too. Now what weapons do ye want?" - -"Weapons!" cried Fernando, the truth at last beginning to dawn upon him. -"Great Heavens! Terrence, do you mean a duel?" - -"Certainly, me frind, nothin' ilse. There's no way to get out of it, -honorably." - -Fernando reeled as if he had been struck a blow. He had read of duels, -but, in the solitude of his western home on the farm, he had never known -of any. They were the bloody inventions of more polite civilization. -One had been fought between two trappers at a trading post, not over -forty miles away, in which rifles at thirty paces were used, and both -men were killed. The preacher had said it was murder. Fernando was -brave; but he shrank from a duel, and it was not until his pride had -been appealed to, that he determined to fight. Then Terrence assured him -the lieutenant's friend was waiting; all that was wanting was -the weapons. - -"I must talk with Sukey." - -Sukey was sent for, and when the tall, lanky fellow entered the -apartment, Fernando told him all. - -"Don't you be in the game, Fernando. Let me tell you, don't you be in -it," Sukey answered. - -But he was informed that he must, or be forever disgraced. Besides, his -enemy was a hated Briton, whom their country was almost on the verge of -war with, and it would not be a bad thing to kill him in advance. - -"Well, if you must be in the game, Fernando, fight with hatchets. You -know you used to throw a hatchet twenty steps and split a pumpkin every -time. Fight with hatchets." - -It was a novel mode of dueling; but Terrence took the proposition to the -lieutenant's friend. The Briton said his friend was a gentlemen, -willing to fight with any of the weapons which civilized gentlemen -used, and if Mr. Stevens would not consent to the same, the lieutenant -would publish him as a barbarian and a coward. Pistols were settled on -as a compromise, and Terrence went away to settle the final -arrangements. He returned with a smile on his face and, rubbing his -hands, said: - -"Cheer up, me boy, it's all settled." - -"What? won't we fight?" - -"Yes, it's settled that you will fight." - -For a long time, Fernando was silent, and then he said: - -"When will it take place, Terrence?" - -"To-morrow morning at sunrise." - -Fernando did not go to school that day. Sukey was enjoined to keep the -matter a secret, and he went to his classroom as if nothing unusual were -about to happen. Fernando spent the day in writing letters to be sent -home in case he should not survive the affair which, after all, he -believed to be disgraceful. Dueling he thought little better than -murder; but he was in for it and determined not to show the white -feather. Don't blame Fernando, for he lived in a barbarous age, when the -"code of honor" was thought to be honorable. His chief remorse was for -his madcap, drunken freak, which had been the provocation for the -event, and yet, when he came to think of the ludicrousness of his -adventures, he smiled. - -More than once on that gloomy day he thought of Morgianna, whom in -reality he loved at first sight. Would he ever see her again, or was she -only the evening star, which had risen on the last hours of his -existence? When Sukey returned, he held a long interview with him and -gave him a bundle of letters and papers to send home if--he could not -finish the sentence. - -"Ain't there no way to get out of it, Fernando?" asked Sukey, his droll -face comical even in distress. - -"Not honorably." - -"Well, now that you're in the game, just shoot that infernal -Englishman's head right off his shoulders, that's my advice. I've read -lots about duels, and it all depends on who is quickest at the trigger. -Take good aim and don't let him get a second the advantage of you." - -They went to bed early, and Fernando slept soundly. It was Terrence who -awoke them and said it would not do to be late. He had engaged a sailor -called Luff Williams to take them in his boat to the spot, a long sandy -beach behind a high promontory some five or six miles from the city. The -spot was quite secluded, and Terrence declared it a love of a place for -such little affairs. - -"What are ye thinkin' of, Fernando?" asked Terrence, when the boat with -the three young men was under way. - -"I'm thinking, sir, if I were to kill him, what I must do after." - -"Right, my boy; nothing like it; but 1811 will settle all for ye. I -don't believe, now that America is on the verge of war with the British, -that my one will make much of a row for killin' the murdherin' baste. -Are ye a good shot?" - -"I am with a rifle; but I never could do anything to speak of with a -pistol." - -"I don't moind that. Ye've a good eye; never take it off him after -you're on the ground; follow him everywhere. I knew a fellow in Ireland -who always shot his man that way. Look without winkin'; it's fatal at a -short distance--a very good thing to learn, when ye've a little -spare time." - -As they came in sight of the beach where the duel was to be fought, they -perceived, a few hundred yards off, a group of persons standing on the -sands, whom they recognized as their opponents. - -"Fernando," said Terrence, grasping his arm firmly, as if to instill -into him some of his own hope and confidence, "Fernando, although you're -only a boy, I've no fear of your courage; but this Lieutenant Matson is -a famous duelist, and he will try to shake your nerve. Now remember that -ye take everything that happens quite with an air of indifference; -don't let him think he has iny advantage over ye, and you'll see how the -tables will be turned in your favor." - -"Trust me, Terrence, I'll not disgrace you," Stevens answered. - -"You are twelve minutes late, Mr. Malone," said the ensign, who acted as -the lieutenant's second; "but we shall all be able to get back to -breakfast--those that will care to eat." - -Not to be outdone, Terrence said: - -"All will be at supper; but your friend will be where he is eaten, -rather than eats." - -"Don't be too sure; the lieutenant has killed his sixth man in affairs -like this." - -The remark was of course intended for Fernando's ears. Sukey heard it -and said: - -"Fernando, that's a lie; don't you believe it. Aim at his plaguy head, -and you can hit it. You used to snuff a candle that distance." - -Fernando smiled while he kept his eye on the lieutenant. That smile and -that eternal stare disconcerted the English officer, and he turned a -little pale. There was something about the imperturbable youth which -made him dread the meeting. Fernando was strangely, unnaturally calm. -Ten minutes more, and he might be in eternity. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE BELLE OF THE BEACH. - -No experienced duelist ever entered into the business with more -earnestness or zeal than Terrence Malone. He and the lieutenant's second -were some distance away settling points of position, he saw three or -four men in the uniform of British officers coming around the bluff, -among them the ship's surgeon with a case of instruments and medicines -in his hand. Captain Conkerall, though the real injured party, was not -on the scene. His lieutenant readily took up his quarrel, on account of -his jealousy of Fernando who had completely usurped his place as the -favorite of Miss Morgianna Lane. - -Arrangements were made at last, and Terrence came to his friend, took -his arm and walked him forward. - -"Fernando, me boy, we've loaded the pistols. He loaded this and I the -one for the lieutenant, I put in a thumpin' heavy charge, so he'll -overshoot, I am to give the word; but don't look at me at all. I'll -manage to catch the lieutenant's eye, and do ye watch him steadily, aim -at his middle and fire when he does, and all will be right." - -They were all the while moving to the place selected for the duel. - -"I think the ground we are leaving behind us is rather better," said -someone. "So it is," answered the lieutenant with a sneer; "but it might -be troublesome to carry the young gentleman down that way; here all is -fair and easy." - -In a few moments they were at the spot; the ground was measured off, and -each man was placed, and Fernando thought there was no chance for -either escaping. - -"Now thin," said Terrence. "I'll walk twelve paces, count 'one, two, -three, fire!' and you are both to fire at the word 'fire.' The man who -reserves his shot or shoots a second before falls by my hand!" - -This stern injunction seemed actually to awe the Britons, and Fernando -fancied that he saw the lieutenant trembling. It was only fancy however. -The lieutenant was really calm. Notwithstanding the advice of Terrence, -Fernando could not help turning his eyes from the lieutenant to watch -the figure of his retiring friend. At last he stopped--a second or two -elapsed--he wheeled rapidly around. Fernando now turned his eyes toward -his antagonist. - -Lieutenant Matson was a slender man, and when he turned his right side -toward Fernando, he was not much thicker than a rail. - -"One--two--three--fire!" - -Fernando watched his opponent, and, at the word, raised his pistol and -fired. His hat flew from his head, the crown torn completely out, while -his antagonist leaped into the air, clapped his hand to the seat of his -trousers and fell howling upon the ground. The people around Fernando -all rushed forward, save Sukey, who came to his friend and, seeing that -he was unhurt, began a mild reproof: - -"Why didn't you aim higher, Fernando?" - -Terrence came back a moment later and, bursting into laughter, said: - -"Begorra! this will interfere with his sedentary habits for a month. -Arrah, me boy, it's proud o' ye I am." - -Fernando caught two or three glances thrown at him with expression of -revengeful passion. Half a score of marines were seen coming around the -rocks, and Terrence left off laughing. The three were alone against five -times their number. - -Fernando felt some one grasp him around the waist and hurry him from the -spot, and ten minutes later they were in the boat skimming over the -water back toward Baltimore. - -"Put on ivery divilish stitch o' canvas yer tub 'll carry," said -Terrence to Luff Williams. "The Johnny Bulls won't like this a bit, and -bad luck to us if they git their hands on us." - -Fernando, now that the nervous strain was over, sank back in the boat, -almost completely exhausted. - -"Fernando, ye did it illegintly," said the young Irishman. - -"Will he die?" - -"Not unless the doctors kill him trying to dig it out." - -"I hope they won't." - -"What the divil's the difference? Before this toime next year, we'll be -shootin' redcoats for sport." - -"Say, what's that, shipmate?" drawled out Luff Williams. - -"Where?" - -"Look ahead." - -"A long boat full o' British marines!" cried Terrence. "Boys, I don't -like that. Mr. Luff Williams, if ye want a whole skin over yer body pull -about and sail down the coast like the divil was after ye!" - -In less than two minutes' time their craft was put about and went flying -before the wind, under a full stretch of canvas. The boat impelled by -eight stout oarsmen pressed hard in their wake. - -"Heave to! heave to!" cried an officer in the pursuing boat. "Heave to, -or we will fire on you!" - -"Niver mind him, me frind," said Terrence to the man at the rudder. -"I'll tell ye when to lay low." - -They were in long musket shot distance, and Williams assured them that -if they could round a headland, they would get a stiffer breeze and -outsail their pursuer. - -"Are they gaining on us?" Fernando asked. - -"Not much, if any," was the response. - -Again the officer in the bow, making a speaking trumpet of his hands, -shouted: - -"Heave to, or I swear I'll fire on you!" - -"To the divil with you," roared Terrence. "We've downed one redcoat in -fair light; what more do ye want, bad luck to ye?" - -The officer spoke to some one behind him, and a musket was handed him. - -Terrence sprang to the stern saying: - -"Now look out! lay low, ye lubbers! the blackguard's goin' to shoot!" - -The officer raised his musket, and a moment later a puff of smoke issued -from the muzzle. - -"Down!" cried Terrence. All laid low, and the next second the report of -a musket came on the air, and a bullet dropped in the water, a little to -the larboard. - -"They are coming agin," cried Terrence. - -"Haven't you sweeps which we could work?" asked Fernando. - -There was a pair of sweeps in the craft, and Terrence and Fernando -manned them. Though Fernando was a little awkward at first, he soon came -to use the sweep quite effectively and helped the little craft along. - -"Do we gain on them?" asked Fernando. - -"Not much, if any;" the helmsman answered. - -At this moment, three or four muskets were fired from the boat, and the -balls whistled among the sails or spattered in the water. Should they -meet with one of those sudden calms which frequently overtook vessels -off the bay, they knew they would be lost. The British marines were -laying to their oars right lustily, and the boat flew over the waves. - -"Have you no arms in the boat?" asked Fernando. - -"Nothin' but a fowlin' piece and some goose shot." - -"Just the thing for me!" declared Sukey. "I was always good at killin' -geese on the wing." - -Sukey hunted up the gun and loaded both barrels heavily with shot and -slugs. Then he took up his post in the stern, ready to rake the long -boat fore and aft, should it come within range of his formidable gun. -The officer and three or four marines continued to load and fire, until -the boat was out of the harbor, when a strong breeze struck her sails -and sent her spinning over the water. - -"Huzzah! huzzah! we are gainin' on' em now!" cried Sukey, flourishing -his gun in the air. - -The British fired half a dozen more shots at the fleeing boat; but the -bullets began dropping behind. They were out of reach of their longest -range muskets. - -"There ain't no danger now," declared Sukey. "They are not in the game." - -The breeze continued strong, and the little craft boldly cleft the -waters, as it sped forward over the bounding waves. - -"It's no use to be wearing ourselves out, Fernando," said Terrence. "The -good breeze is doin' more for us than a hundred oars could do." - -They put in their sweeps and, mounting the rail aft, clung to rigging, -and shouted derision and defiance at their pursuers. - -Although the Britons had little hope or expectation of overtaking them, -yet, with that bull-dog tenacity characteristic of Englishmen, they -continued the chase. - -"That danger is over," said Terrence, as they once more resumed their -seats in the boat. - -"What would they have done with us, Terrence, had they captured us?" - -"Faith, it's hard telling; but I think we'd found it unpleasant." - -"Wasn't the fight fair?" - -"As fair as iver one saw; but, begorra, it didn't turn out the way they -expected." - -"Why, la sakes, they didn't think Fernando was goin' to miss, did they?" -said Sukey. "He ain't been shootin' squirrels out o' the tallest trees -in Ohio for nothin'." - -"This lieutenant thought he was going to have some sport with a -greenhorn." - -"Can you see them yet?" asked Fernando of Williams, who sat well up in -the stern holding the helm. - -"Yes." - -"How far are they away?" - -"Two or three miles." - -"And still a-coming?" - -"Yes." - -"Plague take 'em!" growled Sukey, "why do they follow us so -persistently?" - -"May be they think to get us when we go ashore; but, bad luck to thim, -they'll find it tough if they come afther us." - -"Fernando, I wish we had our rifles," growled Sukey. "Wouldn't we make -it unprofitable for the redcoats!" - -Fernando was rather non-communicative, and sat in the bow of the boat -lost in painful meditation. He had shed blood. It was the first, and, -although in that age it was thought highly honorable, he felt an inward -consciousness that dueling was both cowardly and brutal. Fear of being -branded a coward had nerved him to face the pistol of his antagonist. It -is not true courage that makes the duelist. There is no more honor, -gentility, or courage in dueling than in robbing a safe. The greatest -coward living may be a burglar, so he may, from fear of public scorn, -fight a duel. Fernando had much to regret. He felt that his social -standing had been lowered; yet he was happy in the thought that the duel -had had no fatal results. Could he ever return to the school? Could he -ever return to his home and face his Christian mother? He was roused -from his painful reverie by a loud laugh on the part of Terrence. He -turned his eyes toward the jolly fellow and found him convulsed -with mirth. - -"What ails you, Terrence?" he asked. - -"Did you aim at the spot you hit?" - -"No; I aimed at a more vital part; but, thank God, I missed, and now I -am happy." - -"It's more than the lieutenant is, I'm thinkin'." - -"But, Terrence, the most serious question is, what are we going to do?" - -"Now that's sensible. Let me see, Misther Williams, what's the nearest -port? Isn't there a town above on this coast?" - -"Yes, not more than ten miles away around that point o' land we'll find -a willage." - -"Why not put in there?" - -"Yes, we kin; but, hang it, how am I a-goin' to git back to Baltimore?" - -"Oh, that's aisy enough. Run in after night." - -"Yes, an' be sunk by the blasted Britishers!" - -"He won't know ye after dark." - -"But, Terrence, what are we to do?" asked Fernando. - -"It's do, is it?--faith, do nothin'!" - -"But the academy?" - -"It will get along without us." - -"But can we get along without it?" - -"Aisy, me frind; don't be alarmed. We'll be back in a week or a -fortnight at most. It will all blow over, and no one will ask us any -questions. Lave it all to me." - -Fernando had almost come to the conclusion that he had left too much to -his friend. Terrence had only got him out of one scrape into another, -until he had come to mistrust the good judgment and sound discretion of -his friend. Not that he doubted the good intentions of Terrence. He had -as kind a heart as ever beat in the breast of a young Irishman of -twenty-three; but his propensity to mischievous pranks was continually -getting him and his friends into trouble. - -Fernando went to the fore part of the boat and sat by Sukey. - -For a few moments both were silent. Fernando was first to speak. - -"Sukey, how is all this to end?" he asked with a sigh. - -"I don't know," Sukey answered, in his peculiar, drawling way. "We -needn't complain, though; because we came out best so far." - -"But it was terrible, shooting at him. I might have killed him." - -"He might have killed you, and that would have been worse." - -"I never thought of that." - -"No doubt he did." - -"I wish we were back in the college; but I greatly fear we will be -expelled in disgrace. It would kill our mothers." - -"No; I think they would get over it; but I tell you, Fernando, my -opinion is, it don't make much difference." - -"Why?" - -"The United States and England are going to fight. I got a paper last -night, and it was chock full of fight, and as for your shootin' the -lieutenant, I am sure everybody, even your mother and the faculty, will -be glad of it. I only blame you for one thing." - -"What is that, Sukey?" - -"When you had such a good chance, why didn't you aim higher?" - -The expression on Sukey's face was too ludicrous for even the young -duelist, and he laughed in spite of himself. - -"Helloa, there's the town," cried Sukey, as they rounded a headland and -entered the mouth of a broad bay, standing in toward a beautiful -village. This village has wholly disappeared. Railroads shunned it, and -the water traffic being too small to support it, it degenerated into a -village of fishermen, which, in 1837, was totally destroyed by fire, and -has never been rebuilt. Before the war of 1812, it was a neat, -flourishing little town. - -"Is this the town you were spakin' about?" asked Terrence of the -boatman. - -"Yes, zur." - -"What place is it?" - -"Mariana." - -"Mariana," repeated Fernando, "I have heard that name before. Where was -it? Mariana,--Mariana." - -Terrence came forward to his companions and said: - -"Now, lads, like as not the frinds of Matson may be afther following -us. Lave it all to me. We'll change our names and go up to the tavern, -where we'll hire rooms and be gintlemen traveling for pleasure." - -"Would they dare follow us on shore?" - -"No; I think not; but if they should, my plan will answer." - -When they ran into shore, Terrence paid the boatman and discharged him. -Terrence was the son of a rich Irish merchant in Philadelphia, who kept -his son liberally supplied with money, who, with corresponding -liberality, spent it. - -Terrence felt that this was his scrape, and he resolved to bear the -expenses. - -With his friends, he went to the tavern, where they engaged rooms. -Fernando and Sukey retired to their rooms, while Terrence remained in -the tap-room, where there was a crowd of Marylanders. He began telling -them a most horrible story of the impressment of himself and his friends -by a British vessel and of their recent escape. He stated that they had -been closely pursued, and he would not be surprised if the Britishers -sent a boat on shore to take them away. - -He could not have chosen a better theme to inflame those Marylanders. -One tall, raw-boned man, who carried a rifle and bullet pouch with -him, said: - -"Boys, that reminds us mightily o' Dick Long." - -Every Marylander assembled in the tap-room knew the sad story of poor -Dick Long. He was a fisherman with a wife and four children and was -loved by all who knew him. Dick was honest and peaceable, kind-hearted -and brave. One day his fishing smack was driven by a gale some distance -out at sea, when a British cruiser captured him, and he was impressed -into his majesty's service. Dick managed after many weary months to get -a letter to his wife. At Halifax, he tried to desert, was caught, -brought back and lashed to the "long tom" and received a flogging with -the cat-o'-nine-tails. He struck the cruel boatsman, and was lashed to -the mast and flogged until he died. A deserter from the ship brought -home his dying words, which were these: "Tell my American brothers to -avenge me." - -"Remember Dick Long, boys, and ef they come to Mariana, let us make 'em -wish they had stayed away." - -The artful Terrence kindled the flame, and a short time after sunset, -Fernando and Sukey were awakened from a doze by hearing a wild uproar on -the streets. They sprang to their feet and ran to the window. - -Fifteen or twenty officers and seamen had just landed and were making -their way toward the public house, when they were assailed by a hundred -infuriated Marylanders with sticks, clubs, stones, dirt, old tin buckets -and almost every conceivable weapon. The officer in command was trying -to explain that their intentions were pacific, that, after rowing for -ten hours against the wind and tide, they were tired and hungry; but the -inexorable Marylanders continued to shout: - -"Dick Long, Dick Long! Don't forget Dick Long!" - -Now there was not one of those Britons who had ever heard of Dick Long -before, and they could not conceive what that had to do with their -landing; nor was this the boat crew which chased our friends; yet -Terrence continued to agitate the matter. The truth is Terrence had -personally declared war against Great Britain in advance of the United -States and had commenced hostilities. - -"Down with the bloody backs!" he cried. "Drive thim into the bay." - -The officers were forced to return to their boats and, tired as they -were, pull down the coast to Baltimore. - -Next morning, Fernando rose early and, after breakfast, went out alone -to look about the village. It was located in a picturesque and beautiful -spot. On the East was the broad bay and sea. On the West were undulating -hills covered with umbrageous forests. To the South were some -promontories and romantic headlands, against which the restless waters -lashed themselves into foam. On a hill about a fourth of a mile from the -village, was a large, elegant mansion built of granite, looking like a -fairy castle in the distance. A broad carriage-drive, leading through an -avenue of chestnuts, led up to the great front gate. The mansion was -almost strong enough for a fort and was surrounded by a stone wall five -feet high, with an iron picket fence on top of this. - -"Who lives in the great house on the hill?" Fernando asked a man. - -"Old Captain Lane." - -"Captain Lane. I have heard of him. Has he a daughter?" - -"Yes, Morgianna." - -"It's the same," he thought, as he wandered away to the beach. "What -strange providence has brought me here?" Fernando's regrets were in a -moment changed to rejoicing. He was glad he had quarrelled with the -lieutenant and had been driven away to Mariana. - -He went to the tavern and informed Sukey of his discovery and said: - -"I am going to contrive in some way to speak with her again." - -"Well, don't take that plaguey Irishman in the game, Fernando," said -Sukey. "If you do, he'll make a precious mess o' the whole thing." - -Terrence was enjoying himself. Before he had been in the town two days, -he knew every person in it. All were his friends, and he was quite a -lion. Terrence only hoped that a man-of-war would come to Mariana. He -vowed he would lead the citizens against her, capture the ship and keep -her for coast defence of Maryland. - -It was the fourth day after their arrival, that, as Fernando was -strolling alone according to his habit on the beach, his eyes fixed on -the sands meditating on the recent stirring events, he suddenly became -conscious of some one a short distance down the beach. He looked, up and -saw a young lady with a parasol in one hand tripping along the sands, -now and then picking up a shell. In an instant he knew her. His heart -gave a wild bound and then seemed for a instant to stand still. Then it -commenced a rapid vibration which increased as she approached. She was -coming toward him, all unconscious of his presence and only intent on -securing the most beautiful shells. - -Suddenly, raising her eyes, she saw a handsome young man close to her. -He tipped his hat, smiled and said: "Good morning, Miss Lane." - -"Oh, it's you, is it?" she answered with a little laugh. "Why, I -declare, how you frightened me!" - -"I am sorry for it." - -"Never mind; I will survive the shock; but I know why you came to -Mariana," and there was a roguish twinkle in her blue eyes. - -"Do you?" - -"Yes, you fought the lieutenant and had to run away." - -"Miss Lane, how did you learn this?" - -"Learn it! Don't you know the papers are full of it? Papa read it this -morning at breakfast, and he laughed until he cried. Where is that -Irishman who gets you into so many funny scrapes?" - -"He is at the tavern." - -"Well, papa says he must see you. He has fought duels in his day, and he -thinks you a splendid shot; but it was naughty of you to fight without -consulting me. He might have killed you." - -Fernando was now the happiest man on earth. - -"Miss Lane, don't think because I did not consult you, I did not think -of you. You were in my mind as much as any other person at that trying -ordeal, unless it was my mother." - -"Oh, don't grow sentimental. Now that it is all over and not much harm -done, let us laugh at it;--but I want to scold you." - -"Why?" - -"You did not obey me on that night. I told you to drink no more wine, -and after I left, you drank too much, which provoked the quarrel." - -Fernando, who really had no clear idea of the subject-matter of the -quarrel, answered: - -"I plead guilty, Miss Lane, to being disobedient. Forgive me, and I -promise to make amends in the future. Do you know him, Lieutenant -Matson?" - -"Know Lieutenant Matson? Certainly I do; I have known him for four -years. Father has known him longer." - -[Illustration: "YOU SURRENDER EASILY."] - -"Does he ever come here?" - -"Frequently." - -"If he comes while I am here, we will have the fight out." - -"No you won't." - -"Why?" - -"I forbid it." - -"Then I yield." - -"You surrender easily," and the saucy blue eyes glanced slyly at his -face. Fernando was at a loss for some answer. Suddenly she broke -in with: - -"I must go now. There, I see father on the hill. Won't you come to tea -this evening? Father would like so much to see you." - -Of course he would. He stammered out his thanks, while the fairy-like -creature tripped away across the sands, leaving him in a maze of -bewilderment. At the crest of the hill, she paused to wave her -handkerchief, smiled with ravishing sweetness, and disappeared over the -hill with her father. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE ENGLISHMAN'S DILEMMA. - -Morgianna Lane was the brightest gem in the little Maryland village. The -romantic mystery which enshrouded her birth seemed only to add to the -charm about her. Of course Fernando could not long be in the village -without learning that she was not the daughter of Captain Lane, but -a sea waif. - -Frequently foundlings have some birth mark or scar about them, or there -is some letter or significant mark about their clothing by which in -after years they may be identified and their parentage made known; but -in the case of Morgianna there was no probability of her identity ever -being discovered. Her plump little arms were utterly devoid of scar or -mark; the clothes found upon the infant had no initial whatever, and -were cast aside, just as other worn-out garments. - -Fernando Stevens, in due time, called on Captain Lane, whom he found to -be as jolly an old Jack Tar as lives. He was greatly amused at the -escapade of the student, but cautioned him against his Irish friend. - -"I have no doubt this Terrence Malone is a good, noble young fellow; but -he has too much native mischief in his composition, and will get you -from one scrape into another with marvellous regularity. I don't mean -that you should cut him adrift; but though you sail in company with him, -do not allow him to get too far windward of you. When you see he's going -to fly right into the teeth of some rash fate, get on the other tack, -that's all. You did honorably, however, in fighting the duel with -Lieutenant Matson, even if he is my friend." - -"Is he your friend?" - -"Yes; his father and I shipped afore the mast when we were boys -together. When the war broke out, he entered the British navy while I -went aboard a Yankee privateer. I am glad to say we never met -in battle." - -Fernando felt himself growing just a little bit uneasy. He did not like -this friendship between the captain and Lieutenant Matson; and he could -see that the old seaman was glad the lieutenant's wound was not fatal. - -What strange emotion stirred the Ohio student's soul, when he met the -soft eyes of Morgianna, words cannot express. She talked on a variety of -subjects, and at times Fernando flattered himself that she was pleased -to have him with her; but the next moment he reasoned that it might be -only her good breeding which made her appear to tolerate him. Fernando -was not foolish enough to be conceited. He lived in hope and doubt and -was the happiest man at times, and at others the most miserable. Though -he took Sukey into his confidence, Fernando was a little shy -of Terrence. - -The reader will remember that Terrence had, on entering the village, -suggested the propriety of going under assumed names. Fernando had -forgotten, if he ever knew, that he was registered at the tavern as Mr. -Phil. Magrew of Hartford, and that good, innocent Sukey was George -Molesworth, while Terrence was Larry O'Connor, a name quite in keeping -with his nationality. A ludicrous mistake, which came near being fatal -to Fernando's respectability at Mariana, resulted from this incident. - -They had been a week at the tavern, and Fernando, who had lived a -thousand years of alternating bliss and agony in that short period, was -sitting in the bar-room in front of a great roaring fire, which the -chill evening of early autumn made comfortable, utterly oblivious of the -grumbling of the landlord, who was saying: - -"When people stay a whole week 'thout any luggage, it be high time they -pay up. I wonder Mr. Magrew don't take notice on't." - -The supposed Mr. Magrew, however, did not hear what he said. He was -gazing into the blazing fire, weaving bright pictures from which the -eyes of Morgianna seemed gazing at him. Fernando had forgotten the -academy, home, parents and all in this new inspiration. Terrence and -Sukey entered while the landlord was still grumbling and looking hard at -Fernando, who was utterly oblivious of his wrath. - -"Mister Magrew, be ye a man o' honor?" demanded mine host; but "Mr. -Magrew" was as indifferent as a statue of stone. "The wagabond sits -there an' hears himself abused an' be too heedless to answer. By the -mass, I will even tweak his nose! Magrew--Magrew--I'll wake you!" - -All the while Terrence, Sukey, and everybody else was wondering whom the -enraged landlord meant. Suddenly Terrence recollected that he had -registered Fernando under the name of Philip Magrew. He hastened to meet -the landlord before he reached Fernando, and thus prevented a collision, -which would have been violent indeed. - -"Me frind, the honorable Misthur Magrew, is hard o' hearing," explained -the Irishman in an undertone. - -"Be hard o' hearin'? then he be hard o' payin' too," answered the -landlord. "He 'ave been a whole veek in my 'ouse and not one pickyunne -'ave paid." - -"Lave all to me," said the Irishman in his conciliatory manner, gently -leading the landlord to another part of the room. "Ye see me frind, -knowing his infirmity, asked mesilf to pay all bills for Misthur Magrew, -and he gave me the money, I clear forgot it, or I should have paid you." - -Then Terrence drew forth a well-filled purse, which greatly mollified -the landlord, and when all differences were squared, he was completely -satisfied, smiling and agreeable. - -Thus Fernando passed over a dangerous period in his life and never knew -how near he came having his nose pulled; nor did the landlord ever know -how near he came to being knocked down for such an attempt. - -Morgianna had spoken on one occasion of the beauty of moonlight on the -seashore, and Fernando was bold enough to ask the pleasure of rowing -herself and father to the headlands some evening. She assented. The old -sailor had a friend visiting at his house, an old ex-sea-captain like -himself, and the four decided to make the voyage across the little bay -and sit for an hour on the rocky promontory and listen to the "dashing -waves." Fernando willingly welcomed the acquaintance as a fourth to the -party, for he was shrewd enough to see that the old sailors would be so -wholly engrossed with each other, that they would scarcely notice the -young people, and Morgianna and he would be left quite to themselves. - -Fernando, though an amateur at the oar, would on no account be dissuaded -from rowing the small boat to the promontory; and, having helped -Morgianna, who was lightest, into a seat in the bow (inexpressible -happiness) he cheerfully took his seat at the oars with the old men in -the stern facing each other. Then the little craft was cast loose, and -the young westerner bent to his oars and sent the boat swiftly through -the water. Of course Fernando's back was toward Morgianna, and he could -not see her, save when he twisted his head "quite off," which he did -frequently; but he could hear her silvery voice humming snatches of a -song, or her dimpled hand playing in the phosphorescent water which -sparkled like flashes of fire in their wake. The old men kept up a -continual talk, for which Fernando was exceedingly grateful. Finally the -promontory was gained, and in a quiet little cove Fernando beached his -boat and, springing out, took the small, white hand of Morgianna and -assisted her to the dry sands, so gallantly that her dainty little -slippered foot did not touch the water. - -Then the whole party ascended the hill to the opposite side of the -promontory where the sea was beating furiously. Fernando was almost -beside himself with joy to find Morgianna clinging to his arm in the -ascent, and to hear her sweet voice in low, gentle tones breathing in -his ear. It was a fine, clear night, and for all her lowness of spirits, -Morgianna kept looking up at the stars in a manner so bewitching that -Fernando was clear out of his senses, and plainly showed that, if ever a -man were over head and ears in love, that man was himself. The path they -were ascending was quite steep, and Fernando could not help glancing at -the pretty little hand, encased in a cream-colored kid glove, resting on -his arm. If Fernando had known that an executioner were behind him with -an axe raised, ready to cut off his head if he touched that hand, he -could not have helped doing it. From putting his own right hand upon it -as if by chance, and taking it away again after a minute or so, and then -putting it back again, he got to walking along without taking it off at -all, as if he, the escort, were bound to do that as an important duty, -and had come for that purpose. The most curious thing about this little -incident was, that Morgianna did not seem to know it. She looked so -innocent and unconscious when she turned her eyes on Fernando, that it -was quite provoking. - -She talked about the sea, the hills, the rocks, the sky, the stars, -while the old men went on ahead, and when she slipped on the verge of a -precipice three feet high and came near falling into a pool of dirty -water, and he saved her from the fall by his coolness and daring, she -thanked him and told him how grateful she was that he was near, and he -said something about how happy he would be to be always near her, to -guard her footsteps along life's rugged pathway. Then she said something -to the effect that it would be pleasant if one could always have one's -friends near, and that she hoped they would always be friends from that -time forth. And when Fernando said, "not friends" he hoped, Morgianna -was quite surprised and said not enemies she hoped; and when Fernando -suggested that they might be something better than either, Morgianna, -all of a sudden, found a star, which was brighter than all the other -stars, and begged to call his attention to the same, and was ten times -more innocent and unconscious than ever. - -In this way, they journeyed up the steep ascent, talking very little -above a whisper, and wishing that the promontory was a dozen times -higher--at least, such was Fernando's wish--when they finally reached -the top and saw the two old men under the lee cliff listening to the -ocean's hollow roar. - -Fernando carried a robe and some wraps for Morgianna, and he conducted -her to a sheltered spot below the first ledge of rocks, where he spread -a robe for her to sit on, and then, with loving fingers that thrilled -with each touch, adjusted the wraps about her shapely little shoulders. -For a long time they sat listening to the wild roar of the angry waters -below, gazing on the phosphorescent flashes, where the swelling waves -broke in crested splendor on the well-worn rocks. - -He was first to break the silence. - -"Miss Lane," he said, "had I known that Lieutenant Matson was your -personal friend, I would have suffered disgrace rather than -encountered him." - -With a smile, she answered: - -"It all turned out right. The lieutenant was scarcely injured at all." - -"Have you heard of him?" - -"I have heard from him," she answered, glancing slyly at Fernando from -the corners of her roguish eyes. "He wrote me a letter which I -received to-day." - -Fernando felt a pain at his heart, but it was nothing to compare with -the shame and mortification which followed. She informed him that -Lieutenant Matson was so slightly wounded, that his seconds decided on a -second fire, and sent a boat to inform them as they had left the beach, -but that, although they chased the Americans for miles, they could not -bring them back. Fernando was stunned by the information, and filled -with mortification and chagrin. - -"Do you think I am afraid to meet him again?" he asked, his voice -trembling with ill-suppressed excitement. - -"I don't know; but you won't, anyway--you are both my friends, and my -friends shall not fight." - -Fernando made no answer, but at that moment he would very much have -liked to knock her friend on the head. Of course a second meeting with -the Briton would now have been highly pleasing to the student; but it -was out of the question. The hour on the promontory was passed in -alternating bliss and misery, and when the time came to return, he was -no nearer the subject dearest of all subjects than before. - -He hastened back to the tavern, where he found his Irish friend playing -cards with the landlord and winning several weeks' board in advance. - -"Terrence, it is a fine fix you got me in by hurrying away from the -sands so soon that morning," he said angrily, when he got him to -his room. - -"Why, me boy, what d'ye mane?" - -"That lieutenant was only slightly wounded, and that boat was chasing us -to bring us back for another shot." - -"So ye've heard it at last, me frind?" - -"Certainly I have, and now I will be branded as a coward." - -"Lave it all to me. The Britishers are in trouble enough. Sure, haven't -ye read the Baltimore papers? Captain Conkerall is to be tried by a -court-martial for gettin' bastely drunk and goin' abroad with no garment -but his shirt, and a sheet with a hole in it." Terrence laughed until -the tears trickled down his cheeks. Fernando could not see how he could -help fighting the lieutenant again if he demanded satisfaction; but the -Irishman was quite sure the lieutenant would have enough to do to keep -his captain out of his dilemma. Sukey, who had entered during their -conversation, said: - -"Oh, Fernando, why didn't you aim higher and blow his head off?" - -"Why did the lieutenant challenge me, when the captain was the injured -party?" asked Fernando. - -Terrence explained that, while the Captain was really the injured party, -it was a matter of courtesy that his officer lower in rank should take -the quarrel upon himself, more especially as Fernando had been his -successful rival at the ball. From this, the conversation gradually led -to Morgianna herself, and Terrence laughed and winked; and called -Fernando a lucky dog. - -"Go in, me boy, and if ye nade any help, I am at hand." - -"I fear I have injured my prospects there," said Fernando. - -"How?" - -"By the duel. Lieutenant Matson is an old friend of the captain, and I -believe a suitor for the hand of his daughter. What show has a schoolboy -against a lieutenant in the English navy?--none." - -"Yes he has," declared Terrence. - -"What show can he have?" - -"Lave it all to me, me frind, and I will bring ye out all right, see if -I don't." - -"I have left too many things to you, Terrence, and you have a most -remarkable faculty for getting me into trouble." - -Terrence assured him that he would yet aid him to outgeneral the -Englishman, and he only wished that he might come into port during -their stay. - -"Terrence, you must take no advantage of the public hatred of the -English to accomplish your purpose. Remember, Lieutenant Matson is the -son of Captain Lane's friend. You might raise a mob and have him driven -away; but I will not consent to it." - -"Indade, I don't mane it, me boy. Lave it to me. If he comes ashore, -faith, we'll out-gineral him, sure." - -Next day there came letters for the runaways. Terrence's father, being -wealthy and influential, had gone to Baltimore, interceded with the -faculty and had the runaway scapegraces retained. There were also -letters from the parents of the young men, condemning, but at the time -forgiving and warning them to be more careful in the future. - -It was some distance by the road to Baltimore, and the boys decided to -take passage in a coasting schooner which was loading with barley and -would be ready to go in three days. - -One morning, two days before their intended departure, Fernando, on -going out upon the street, was surprised and really alarmed to see an -English man-of-war anchored in the little harbor of Marianna. His -uneasiness was greatly increased on reading the name _Xenophon_ on the -broad pennant floating from the main mast. His enemy was in port, and he -could guess his object, especially when he saw Captain Lane's carriage -waiting on the sands while Lieutenant Matson was being rowed ashore. -Fernando gnashed his teeth and there were some ugly thoughts in -his heart. - -Sukey who had come out hastened to his side and reading his thoughts -said: - -"Now don't you wish you had aimed higher?" - -The citizens, noticing the approach of an English war vessel, began to -congregate in a large body on the north side of the village, and their -demonstrations were decidedly hostile to the landing of the Briton. -Suddenly Captain Lane appeared among them, waving his staff and -shouting. Having gained their attention, the old sea-captain mounted the -stile near the village store and said: - -"Shipmates and friends, the man coming ashore is the son of a man whom I -loved. I have sent my carriage down to bring him to my house where he is -to be my guest. You have all heard me tell how his father saved my life. -Would you injure him now, when he comes to pay me a friendly visit?" In -a short time the crowd dispersed, and Lieutenant Matson landed, entered -the carriage and was driven to the house of Captain Lane. - -From the street, Fernando, with bitter feelings in his heart, saw the -carriage ascend the hill. He turned about and entered the tavern, went -to his room and shut himself up. Here he remained until the middle of -the afternoon, when there came a knock at the door, and, on opening it, -he was astonished to find one of the negroes of Captain Lane's house. He -was dressed in livery and held a note in his hand, which he gave to -"Mistah Stevens," bowed politely and awaited his answer. - -The utter amazement of Fernando can better be imagined than described -at finding the note from Miss Morgianna Lane inviting himself and his -friends to tea that evening with themselves, Lieutenant Matson and -ensign Post of his majesty's ship _Xenophon_. Had Fernando been summoned -to a command in his majesty's navy, he could not have been more -astonished. He hesitated a moment and then decided to accept. This -Englishman should neither out-do him in generosity nor affrontery. -Besides, the invitation came from Morgianna, and he could not refuse. He -wrote a polite answer, accepting the kind invitation and went to find -Sukey and Terrence. Sukey thought it would be a little odd for Fernando -to meet a man with whom he had exchanged shots; but Terrence declared it -was the only "dacint" thing to do. They were not "haythin," to -bear grudges. - -Consequently they went. The minds of the Americans were filled with -doubt and perplexity, while the Irishman was chuckling at a plan his -cunning brain was evolving, and which he determined to put in execution. -The Englishmen met the Americans very cordially, and Lieutenant Matson, -who was every inch a gentleman, did not dare be other than genteel in -the presence of the lady he loved; for he was as passionately in love -with Morgianna as was Fernando. The lieutenant was of a romantic turn of -mind, and the mystery of the sea waif had interested him. He was quite -sure she was the daughter of some nobleman. He had read in romances so -many cases similar to hers, that he could not believe this would turn -out otherwise. - -When Fernando and the lieutenant had shaken hands and mutually agreed to -bury all past differences, had they not been rivals they might have -become friends, for each recognized in the other some qualities that -were admirable. - -The beauty of a lovely woman is like music, rich in cadence and sweet in -rhythm; but that beauty must be for one alone. It cannot, like music, be -shared with others. The best of friends may, as rivals, become the -bitterest foes. Fernando did not like the Englishman, for, with all his -blandness, he thought he could observe a pompous air and -self-consciousness of superiority, disgusting to sensible persons. This -might have been prejudice or the result of imagination, yet he realized -that he was in the presence of an ambitious rival, who would go to any -length to gain his purpose. - -The most careful and disinterested observer could not have discovered -any preference on the part of Morgianna. When they came to the table, -she had the lieutenant on one side and Fernando on the other. The old -captain at the head engrossed much of Lieutenant Matson's time talking -about his father, greatly to the annoyance of the officer. When Matson -came to take his seat at the table, Terrence, who sat on the opposite -side of the lieutenant, whispered: - -"Aisy!" - -The lieutenant bit his lips and his face flushed angrily, while Sukey, -who sat on the opposite side of the Irishman, snickered, and Morgianna -bit her pretty lip most cruelly in trying to conceal the merriment which -her roguish eyes expressed. - -This was the only break made by the Irishman that evening. He played his -part with consummate grace and had such a way of winning the favor of -people, that, before the evening was over, the Englishman actually came -to like him. He praised the country about Mariana, and talked of the -harbors and islands, declaring he knew them all from Duck Island to the -Chesapeake. He found Lieutenant Matson somewhat of a sport, and soon -interested him in stories of duck shooting, all of which were inventions -of his own ingenious brain. Miss Morgianna praised the wild ducks of -Maryland and thought their flesh equal to English Capons. The -lieutenant, in his gallantry, vowed she should have half a dozen brace -of fowls before he left, and Terrence volunteered to assist him. - -Fernando was amazed at the course of his friend. The man-of-war was to -sail the same day their schooner did, and he had just determined, by the -aid of Terrence, to bag five dozen brace of ducks for the belle of -Mariana, when his friend went boldly over to the enemy. - -"I'll give it to him, when I get a chance," he thought. - -There was only one more night in which they could shoot ducks, and -Terrence was engaged for that occasion. Fernando sighed and ground his -teeth in rage and disappointment, while Morgianna, with Sukey on one -side and Ensign Post on the other, went to a large Broadwood piano, -where she soon entertained all with her music. - -As they went to their tavern that night, Fernando said: - -"A nice way you have treated me, Terrence, you who profess to be my -friend." - -"What the divil ails the boy?" asked Terrence. - -"You have volunteered to aid the lieutenant go ducking--" - -"Aisy me boy! While the lieutenant is after ducks, lose no time with the -girl. Don't ye see I'm getting him out of yer way?" - -Fernando had not thought of it in that light. On the next evening, the -last they were to spend at Mariana, the lieutenant was rowed ashore -attired for sporting, with top-boots and a double-barrelled fowling -piece. Terrence, who claimed to be an experienced hunter, advised him to -"kape their intintions sacrit," as too many might want to go, and that -would spoil the sport. Ducks could best be hunted after night. He would -show him how it was done. - -It was almost dark, when they set off in a small rowboat for Duck -Island, and twenty minutes later Fernando was on his way to his farewell -visit to Morgianna. - -The sun had set, but it was not yet dark when Fernando reached the broad -piazza. He asked himself if she would be at home or away. He had said -nothing of his coming. This visit was wholly on his own account. He had -walked up and down the piazza two or three times, when through the open -door he caught the flutter of a garment on the stairway. It was -Morgianna's--to whom else could it belong? No dress but hers had such a -flow as that. He gathered up courage and followed it into the hallway. - -His darkening the door, into which the sombre shadows of twilight were -already creeping, caused her to look around. "Oh that face! If it hadn't -been for that," thought Fernando, "I could never have faced the Briton. -She is twenty times handsomer than ever. She might marry a Lord!" - -He didn't say this. He only thought it--perhaps looked it also. -Morgianna was glad to see him and was _so_ sorry her father was away -from home. Fernando begged she would not worry herself on any account. - -Morgianna hesitated to lead the way into the parlor, for there it was -nearly dark. At the same time she hesitated to stand talking in the -hall, which was tolerably light from the open door. They still stood in -the hall in an embarrassing position, Fernando holding her hand in his -(which he had no right to do, for Morgianna had only given it to him to -shake), and yet both hesitated to go or stay anywhere. - -"I have come," said Fernando, "to say good-bye--to say good-bye, for I -don't know how many years; perhaps forever. I am going away." - -Now this was exactly what he should not have said. Here he was, talking -like a gentleman at large, who was free to come and go and roam about -the world at his pleasure, when he had expressed both in actions and -words that Miss Lane held him in adamantine chains. - -Morgianna released her hand and said: - -"Indeed!" - -She remarked in the same breath that it was a fine night and, in short, -betrayed not the least emotion. With despair still settling over his -heart, Fernando said: - -"I couldn't go without coming to see you. I hadn't the heart to." - -Morgianna was more sorry than she could tell that he had taken the -trouble. It was a long walk up the hill, and as he was to sail next day, -he must have a deal to do; as if she did not know that he had not -brought even a trunk with him. Then she wanted to know how Mr. Winners -was and Mr. Malone. She thought the Irishman a capital good fellow, and -was sure no one could help liking him. - -"Is this all you have to say?" Fernando asked. - -All! Good gracious, what did the man expect? She was obliged to take her -apron in her hand and run her eyes along the hem from corner to corner, -to keep herself from laughing in his face;--not because his gaze -confused her--not at all. - -This was Fernando's first experience in love affairs, and he had no idea -how different young ladies are at different times. He had expected a far -different scene from the one which was being enacted. All day long he -had buoyed himself up with an indistinct idea that she would certainly -say, "Don't go," or "Don't leave us," or "Why do you go?" or "Why do you -leave us?" or would give him some little encouragement of that sort. He -had even entertained the possibility of her bursting into tears, of her -throwing herself into his arms, or falling down in a fainting fit, -without previous word or sign; but any approach to such a line of -conduct as this was evidently so far from her thoughts, that he could -only look at her in silent wonder. The hated English rival had won her -heart, and she was even glad he was going; yet it was so hard to -give her up. - -Morgianna, in the meanwhile, turned to the corners of her apron and -measured the sides, and smoothed out the wrinkles, and was as silent as -he. At last, after a long pause, he said good-bye. - -"Good-bye," answered Morgianna with as pleasant a smile as if he were -only going for a row on the water and would return after supper; -"good-bye." - -"Come," said Fernando, putting out his hands, "Morgianna, dear -Morgianna, let us not part like this. I love you dearly, with all my -heart and soul, with as much sincerity and truth as man ever loved -woman. I am only a poor student; but in this new world every thing is -possible. You have it in your power to make me a grand and noble man, or -crush from this heart every ambitious hope. You are wealthy, beautiful, -admired, loved by everybody and happy;--may you ever be so! Heaven -forbid I should ever make you otherwise; but give me one word of -comfort. Say something kind to me. I have no right to expect it of you, -I know; but I ask it because I love you, and I shall treasure the -slightest word from you all through my life. Morgianna, dearest, have -you nothing to say to me?" - -No, nothing. Morgianna was a coquette by nature, and a spoilt child. She -had no notion of being carried off by storm in this way. Fernando had no -business to be going away. Besides, if he really loved her, why did he -not fall on his knees like lovers in romance or on the stage, and tug -wildly at his cravat, or talk in a wild, poetic manner? - -"I have said good-bye twice," said Morgianna. "Take your arm away, or I -will call some one." - -"I will not reproach you," Fernando sadly answered. "It's no doubt my -fault," he added with a sigh. "I have thought sometimes that you did not -quite despise me; but I was a fool to do so. Every one must, who has -seen the life I have led of late--you most of all, for it was he at -whose life I aimed. God bless you!" - -He was gone, actually gone. She waited a little while, thinking he would -return, peeped out of the door, looked down the broad carriage drive as -well as the increasing darkness would allow, saw a hastily retreating -shadow melt into the general gloom, came in again, waited a little -longer, then went up to her room, bolted herself in, threw herself on -her bed and cried as if her heart would break. - - * * * * * - -Meanwhile, Terrence Malone and the lieutenant, Fernando's rival, were -rowing toward Duck Island fire or six miles away. The island was -reached. It was a dismal affair little more than an elevated marsh. When -the tide was out on Duck Island, its extended dreariness was potent. Its -spongy, low-lying surface, sluggish, inky pools and tortuous sloughs, -twisting their slimy way, eel-like, toward the open bay were all hard -facts. Occasionally, here and there, could be seen a few green tussocks, -with their scant blades, their amphibious flavor and unpleasant -dampness. And if you chose to indulge your fancy, although the flat -monotony of Duck Island was not inspiring, the wavy line of scattered -drift gave an unpleasant consciousness of the spent waters and made the -certainty of the returning tide a gloomy reflection, which sunshine -could not wholly dissipate. The greener salt meadows seemed oppressed -with this idea and made no positive attempt at vegetation. In the low -bushes, one might fancy there was one sacred spot not wholly spoiled by -the injudicious use of too much sea water. - -The vocal expressions of Duck Island were in keeping with its general -appearance, melancholy and depressing. The sepulchral boom of the -bittern, the shriek of the curlew, the scream of the passing brent, the -wrangling of quarrelsome teal, the sharp, querulous protest of the -startled crane, were all beyond powers of written expression. The aspect -of these mournful fowls was not at all cheerful or inspiring, as the -boat containing the Irishman and lieutenant approached the island. -Through the gathering gloom of night could be seen a tall blue heron, -standing midleg deep in water, obviously catching cold in his reckless -disregard for wet feet and consequences. The mournful curlew, the -dejected plover and the low-spirited snipe, who sought to join him in -his suicidal contemplations, the raven, soaring through the air on -restless wings, croaking his melancholy complaints were not calculated -to add to the cheerfulness of the scene. - -[ILLUSTRATION: He sat down on a broken mast.] - -It was evident that even the inhabitants of Duck Island were not happy -in its possession and looked forward with pleasure to the season of -migration. - -The boat touched the north shore, and Lieutenant Matson jumped out in -mud up to his knees, frightening some wild fowls which flew screaming -away. The Englishman gave vent to some strong language, and desired to -know if there was not a better landing place. Terrence assured him there -was not, and complained that ducks never sought a "dacint place" for -their habitation. Nothing but the glorious reflection that he was making -himself a martyr for Morgianna's sake could have induced the officer to -take the torches and wade to the low bushes, where he was instructed to -make a light and wait until his companion rowed around the island and -drove the ducks in great flocks to the light, which he assured the -Briton would attract them, and they would fall at his feet as if begging -to be bagged. - -Slowly the officer waded through the dismal marsh to the higher land, -where grew the low bushes, and by the use of his tinder box kindled a -light and, wrapping his boat cloak about him, sat down on a broken mast, -which some storm had driven to the highest part of the island. - -The minutes passed on, and neither the Irishman nor the expected flock -of birds came. Minutes grew into hours, and only the sobbing waves and -melancholy cries of birds broke the silence. Surely something had -happened to his companion. About midnight a dense fog settled over the -island, and the alarm and discomfiture of the Englishman became -supreme. At one moment he was cursing Terrence, and the next offering -prayer for his soul. Never did man pass a more dreary night. - -At last dawn came, and he could see, far across the water, his ship but -a speck in the distance. It was to sail that forenoon, and he intended -to call on Morgianna and propose; but here he was on this infernal -island, hungry, damp and miserable. He knew the vessel would pass near -enough for him to hail it and have a boat sent for him; but then he -would miss his intended visit to Captain Lane's, and his future -happiness depended on that visit. - -While he was indulging in these bitter reflections, a schooner suddenly -flew past the island, and, to his amazement, he saw the Irish student, -Terrence Malone, whom he had been alternately praying for and cursing -all night, standing on the deck apparently in the best of health and -spirits. The scoundrel even had the audacity to wave him an adieu as -he passed. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE SILENT GUNNER. - -Of course, Terrence Malone had played a practical joke on the English -lieutenant, and while the latter was passing the night on the gloomiest -island of all the Maryland coast, the former was sweetly dreaming of -dear old Ireland, in the most comfortable bed the tavern afforded. Next -morning the captain of the _Xenophon_ sent ashore for Lieutenant Matson -to come aboard, as they were about to hoist anchor. Terrence, Fernando -and Sukey were just going aboard the schooner as the messenger came. -Fernando had passed the most miserable night of his existence, and now, -pale and melancholy, went aboard the schooner utterly unconscious of the -fact that some one was watching him through a glass from the big house -on the hill. - -Terrence was as jolly as usual and had almost forgotten the lieutenant. -Just as the schooner was about to sail, ensign Post came aboard and -asked for Mr. Malone. Terrence was sitting aft the main cabin smoking a -cigar, when the ensign, approaching, asked: - -"Where is Lieutenant Matson? I was told he went shooting with you last -evening." - -"Sure he did. You will find him on Duck Island enjoying the sport I've -no doubt. Faith, I had almost forgotten to tell ye to touch at the -island and take him off, as ye sailed out of the harbor." - -The ensign looked puzzled at this and said: - -"This is strange,--this is certainly very extraordinary! Would he stay -on the island all night?" - -Terrence assured him that the lieutenant was a great sport and that the -best shooting was just before day. The Englishman returned to his boat -and was rowed to the man-of-war to report, while the schooner weighed -anchor and sailed out of the harbor. The _Xenophon_ followed two hours -later, having first sent a boat to Duck Island for the lieutenant, who -swore to shoot the Irishman at sight. There was no time for him to call -on Morgianna and explain why he had not brought her the ducks, for soon -after his arrival the ship departed for Halifax, where the commander had -to give an account of his conduct at Baltimore. - -Meanwhile, the schooner on which the three students had taken passage -stood out to sea and started down the coast. - -A strong breeze blowing from off land swept her out of sight of the -coast, when the wind suddenly shifted, until the skipper declared they -had it right in their teeth, and, despite all the skill of master and -crew, the vessel continued to drift farther out to sea, while Sukey once -more bewailed his fate at risking his life on the water. - -"Don't count me in this game again," he groaned. "If I live to get on -shore, I'll never risk myself on water broader than the Ohio." - -With such headwinds, the schooner could not possibly reach Baltimore -that night. All night long she struggled first on one tack and then on -the other, and at dawn only the blue mist, seen like a fog in the West, -marked the line of the Maryland coast. - -"Don't be discouraged, lads," said the skipper cheerfully. "Come down to -breakfast, and afore night I'll have ye snug in port." - -They went to breakfast, and when they returned found the master and -three seamen in the forecastle holding a very earnest conversation. The -fourth sailor was at the wheel. Fernando, glancing off to their larboard -saw a large ship, flying English colors, bearing down upon them, and he -had no doubt that this vessel was the subject of discussion. - -She signalled to the schooner to heave to, and as they were within range -of her powerful guns, the skipper was forced to obey. This vessel was -the English frigate _Macedonian_ cruising along the American coast, and -at this time short of hands. In a few moments, the frigate came near and -hove to, while a boat with a dozen marines and an officer came alongside -the schooner. - -"What is your business?" asked the skipper. - -"We are looking for deserters and Englishmen." - -"Well, here are my crew," said the skipper pointing to his sailors. -"Every one I will swear is American born!" - -"But who are these young men?" - -"Three passengers I am taking to Baltimore." - -The three students began to entertain some grave apprehensions. Terrence -for once was quiet. His dialect he knew would betray him, and when he -was asked where he lived and where he was from, he tried hard to conceal -his brogue; but it was in vain. - -Sukey came forward and tried to explain matters, but only made them -worse. The result was that all three were in a short hour transported to -the _Macedonian_ in irons. Protest was useless; the _Macedonian_ was -short of hands and they were forced to go. - -They were not even permitted to write letters home. However, the skipper -had their names, and the whole affair was printed in the _Baltimore -Sun_, and copies were sent to the parents of the young men. - -Captain Snipes of the English frigate was one of those barbarous, -tyrannical sea captains, more brute than human, and, in an age when the -strict discipline of the navy permitted tyranny to exist, he became -a monster. - -The three recruits were added to his muster-roll and gradually initiated -into the mysteries of sailor's life on a war vessel. - -Poor Sukey for several days was fearfully seasick; but he recovered and -was assigned to his mess. Fortunately they were all three assigned to -the same mess. The common seamen of the _Macedonian_ were divided into -thirty-seven messes, put down on the purser's book as Mess No. 1, Mess -No. 2, Mess No. 3. The members of each mess clubbed their rations of -provisions, and breakfasted, dined and supped together at allotted -intervals between the guns on the main deck. - -They found that living on board the _Macedonian_ was like living in a -market, where one dresses on the door-step and sleeps in the cellar. -They could have no privacy, hardly a moment seclusion. In fact, it was -almost a physical impossibility ever to be alone. The three impressed -Americans dined at a vast _table d'hôte_, slept in commons and made -their toilet when and where they could. Their clothes were stowed in a -large canvas bag, painted black, which they could get out of the "rack" -only once in twenty-four hours, and then during a time of utmost -confusion, among three hundred and fifty other sailors, each diving into -his bag, in the midst of the twilight of the berth-deck. - -Terrence, in order to obviate in a measure this inconvenience, suggested -that they divide their wardrobes between their hammocks and their bags, -stowing their few frocks and trowsers in the former, so that they could -change at night when the hammocks were piped down. They knew not whither -they were bound, and they cared little about the object of the voyage. - -"How are we to get out of this any way?" asked Sukey one day, when the -three were together for a moment. - -"Lave it all to me!" said Terrence. - -"I am perfectly willing to leave it all to you, Terrence. Do just as you -will, so you get me on shore." - -Before they had been a month on the ship, they chased a French -merchantman for twenty-four hours, and at times were near enough to fire -a few shots with their long bow-chaser; but a fresh breeze sprang up, -quickly increased to a gale, and the Frenchman escaped. - -This was the nearest approach to a naval engagement they experienced -during their stay on the war frigate. They cruised along the coast of -Ireland and Scotland, went to Spain, entered the waters of the -Mediterranean for a few weeks, and then returned to the Atlantic, -sailing for the West Indies. - -Not only were the officers of the _Macedonian_ brutal; but the crew was -made up of a motley class of human beings of every class of viciousness -and brutality. - -"Now boys, if ye want to kape out of trouble," said Terrence, "do'nt ye -get into any fights with thim divils, or ye'll be brought up to the -quarter-deck and flogged." - -His advice was appreciated, and both Fernando and Sukey did their best -to avoid trouble with any of their quarrelsome neighbors. They submitted -to insults innumerable; but at last Sukey was one morning assailed by a -brutal sailor whom he knocked down. Two other sailors were guilty of a -similar offence, and all four were put under arrest. Fernando was -shocked and alarmed for his friend, and hastened to ascertain the facts -concerning the charge. - -"I couldn't help it," declared Sukey, whom he found in irons. "Plague -take him! he hit me twice before I knocked him down. I didn't want to be -in the game." - -The culprits could expect nothing but a flogging at the captain's -pleasure. Toward evening of the next day, they were startled by the -dread summons of the boatswain and his mates at the principal -hatchway,--a summons that sent a shudder through every manly heart in -the frigate: - -"_All hands witness punishment, ahoy_!" - -The hoarseness of the cry, its unrelenting prolongation, it being caught -up at different points and sent to the lowest depths of the ship, -produced a most dismal effect upon every heart not calloused by long -familiarity with it. However much Fernando desired to absent himself -from the scene that ensued, behold it he must; or, at least, stand near -it he must; for the regulations compelled the attendance of the entire -ship's company, from the captain himself to the smallest boy who -struck the bell. - -At the summons, the crew crowded round the mainmast. Many, eager to -obtain a good place, got on the booms to overlook the scene. Some were -laughing and chatting, others canvassing the case of the culprits. Some -maintaining sad, anxious countenance, or carrying a suppressed -indignation in their eyes. A few purposely kept behind, to avoid looking -on. In short, among three or four hundred men, there was every possible -shade of character. All the officers, midshipmen included, stood -together in a group on the starboard side of the mainmast. The first -lieutenant was a little in advance, and the surgeon, whose special duty -it was to be present at such times, stood close at his side. Presently -the captain came forward from his cabin and took his place in the centre -of the group, with a small paper in his hand. That paper was the daily -report of offenses, regularly laid upon his table every morning -or evening. - -"Master-at-arms, bring up the prisoners," he said. A few moments -elapsed, during which the captain, now clothed in his most dreadful -attributes, fixed his eyes severely upon the crew, when suddenly a lane -formed through the crowd of seamen, and the prisoners advanced--the -master-at-arms, rattan in hand, on one side, and an armed marine on the -other,--and took up their stations at the mast. - -"You, John, you, Richard, (Richard was Sukey) you Mark, you Antone," -said the captain, "were yesterday found fighting on the gun-deck. Have -you any thing to say?" - -Mark and Antone, two steady, middle-aged men, who had been admired for -their sobriety, replied that they did not strike the first blow; they -had submitted to much before they yielded to their passions; but as they -acknowledged that they had at last defended themselves their excuse was -overruled. John--a brutal bully, who in fact was the real author of the -disturbance was about entering into a long harangue, when the captain -cut him short, and made him confess, irrespective of circumstances, that -he had been in the fray. Poor Sukey, the youngest and handsomest of the -four, was pale and tremulous. He had already won the good will and -esteem of many in the ship. That morning Fernando and Terrence had gone -to his bag, taken out his best clothes and, obtaining the permission of -the marine sentry at the "brig," had handed them to him, to be put on -before he was summoned to the mast. This was done to propitiate Captain -Snipes, who liked to see a tidy sailor; but it was all in vain. To all -the young American's supplications, Captain Snipes turned a deaf ear. -Sukey declared he had been struck twice before he had returned a blow. - -"No matter," cried the captain, angrily, "you struck at last, instead of -reporting the case to an officer. I allow no man to fight on this ship -but myself. I do the fighting. Now, men," he added fixing his dark stern -eye on them, "you all admit the charge; you know the penalty. Strip! -Quartermaster, are the gratings rigged?" - -The gratings were square frames of barred woodwork, sometimes placed -over the hatches. One of these squares was now laid on the deck, close -to the ship's bulwarks, and while the remaining preparations were being -made, the master-at-arms assisted the prisoners to remove their jackets -and shirts. This done, their shirts were loosely thrown over their -shoulders as a partial protection from the keen breeze, until their turn -should come. - -At a sign from the captain, John, with a shameless leer, stepped forward -and stood passively on the grating, while the bareheaded old -quarter-master, with his gray hair streaming in the wind, bound his feet -to the cross-bars and, stretching out his arms over his head, secured -them to the hammock netting above. He then retreated a little space, -standing silent. Meanwhile, the boatswain stood solemnly on the other -side with a green bag in his hand. From this he took four instruments of -punishment and gave one to each of his mates; for a fresh "cat," applied -by a fresh hand, was the ceremonious privilege accorded to every -man-of-war culprit. Through all that terrible scene, Fernando Stevens -stood transfixed with horror, indignation and a thousand bitter, -indescribable feelings. At another sign from the captain, the -master-at-arms, stepping up, removed the shirt from the prisoner. At -this juncture, a wave broke against the ship's side and dashed the spray -over the man's exposed back; but, though the air was piercing cold, and -the water drenched him, John stood still without a shudder. - -Captain Snipes lifted his finger, and the first boatswain's-mate -advanced, combing out the nine tails of his "cat" with his fingers, and -then, sweeping them round his neck, brought them with the whole force of -his body upon the mark. Again, and again, and again; at every blow, -higher and higher and higher rose the long purple bars on the prisoner's -back; but he only bowed his head and stood still. A whispered murmur of -applause at their shipmate's nerve went round among the sailors. One -dozen blows were administered on his bare back, and then he was taken -down and went among his messmates, swearing: - -"It's nothing, after you get used to it." - -Antone, who was a Portuguese, was next, and he howled and swore at every -blow, though he had never been known to blaspheme before. Mark, the -third, was in the first stage of consumption and coughed and cringed -during the flogging. At about the sixth blow he bowed his head and -cried: "Oh! Jesus Christ!" but whether it was in blasphemy or -supplication no one could determine. He was taken with a fever a few -days later and died before the cruise was over, as much perhaps of -mortification as from the inroads of the disease. - -The, fourth was poor Sukey. When told to advance, he made one more -appeal to the captain, avowing that he was an American. The captain, -with an oath, said that was the more reason for flogging him. He -appealed until the marine guard was ordered to prod him with his -bayonet. They had to actually drag Sukey to the gratings. Sukey's cheek, -which was usually pale, was now whiter than a ghost. As he was being -secured to the gratings, and the shudderings and creepings of his -dazzling white back were revealed, he turned his tear-stained face to -the captain and implored him to spare him the disgrace, which he felt -far more keenly than the pain. - -"I would not forgive God Almighty!" cried the brutal captain. The fourth -boatswain's mate, with a fresh cat-o-nine-tails swung it about his head -and brought the terrible scourge hissing and crackling on the young and -tender back. Fernando turned his face away and wept. - -"_My God! oh! my God_!" shouted Sukey, and he writhed and leaped, until -he displaced the gratings, scattering the nine-tails of the scourge all -over his person. At the next blow, he howled, leaped and raged in -unendurable agony. - -"What the d---l are you stopping for?" cried the captain as the -boatswain's-mate halted. "Lay on!" and the whole dozen were applied, -though poor Sukey fainted at the tenth stroke. - -Reader, this was on an English war vessel,--the vessel of a nation -professing a high state of civilization. We blush to say it, it was no -better on an American man-of-war, if nautical writers of high authority -are to be believed, and, even to-day, the brute often holds a commission -in the American army and navy. Although flogging is of the past, -punishment equally severe is inflicted. The necessities of discipline -are taken advantage of by men without hearts. An American naval officer -in Washington City told the author that it was a common thing for -officers on an American man-of-war to swing the hammock of the sailor or -middy whom they disliked, where he would have all the damp and cold, -ending in consumption and death. If this be true, it is far more brutal -than flogging. Congressional investigations are usually farces. -Congressmen place their friends in the army and navy, and their -investigations usually result in the triumph of their friends. - -For several days, Sukey was too ill to leave his hammock. "I don't want -to get well," the poor boy said. "I want to die. I never want to see -home or mother again after that." - -"Faith, me lad, live but to kill the d---d captain," suggested Terrence. - -"I would live a thousand years to do that." - -There was a negro named Job on the vessel, who was a cook. He early -formed a liking for the three. He stole the choicest dainties from the -officers' table for the sick youth. - -"I ain't no Britisher," he declared. "Dar ain't no Angler Saxon blood -in dese veins, honey, an' I thank de good Lawd for dat. I know what it -am to be flogged. Golly, dey flog dis chile twice already. Nex' time, I -spect dat sumfin' am a-gwine to happen." - -"When and where were you impressed?" Fernando asked. - -"I war wid Cap'n Parson on de _Dover_, den de _Sea Wing_ came, an' de -leftenant swear dis chile am a Britisher, and he tuk me away. Den me an' -Massa St. Mark, de gunner, were transferred to de _Macedonian_." - -Sukey was sullen and melancholy. A few days after he was on duty, he -breathed a threat against Captain Snipes. A tall, fine-looking sailor, -who was known as the chief gunner, said: - -"Young man, keep your thoughts to yourself. For heaven's sake, don't let -the officers hear them!" - -They were now in the vicinity of the West Indies and touched at -Barbadoes. While lying here, Fernando witnessed another act of British -cruelty. Tom Boseley, an American who had been impressed into the -service of Great Britain deserted, but was pursued and brought back. He -was flogged and, on being released struck the captain, knocking him -down. For this act, he was tried by a "drumhead court martial" and -sentenced to die. Tom had a wife and children in New York, but was not -permitted to write to them. Only one prayer was granted, and that was -that he might be shot instead of hung, and thrown into the sea. - -Fernando, almost at the risk of his own life, visited Boseley the night -before his execution. He seemed indifferent to his fate, declaring it -preferable to service on an English war ship. "I would rather die a free -man, than live a slave," he declared. Fernando asked if he would not -rather live for his family. - -"Oh! Stevens, say nothing about my family to-night!" - -He then requested him to take possession of some letters he would try to -write and, if possible, send them. Fernando said he would do so, and he -then asked him to remain with him through the night. This Fernando -declared was impossible. The young American was greatly weighed down by -the terrible mental strain the whole affair had produced, and he had -double duty to screen the unfortunate Sukey. - -"Won't you be with me when it is done?" Boseley asked. Money would not -have tempted him to witness that sight; but he could not refuse the -dying request. He visited him early next morning and found him dressed -in the best clothes his poor wardrobe could afford, a white shirt and -black cravat. He was a fine-looking man in features as well as stature. -As Fernando gazed on him he thought, "_Dressed for eternity_!" - -The doomed man gave him three letters, which Fernando secreted about his -person and subsequently sent to their destination. Twelve marines were -drawn as executioners. Four muskets were loaded with balls and eight -with blank cartridges. Then the party went ashore. Boseley bore up well -until the woods were reached, where he found an open grave. According to -promise, Fernando went with him. Captain Snipes accompanied the sergeant -of the marines to see that the prisoner was properly executed. He still -stung under the blow he had received, and Boseley was slain more to -gratify the vengeance of the captain than for any violated law. A number -of Boseley's shipmates were permitted to come and witness the -terrible scene. - -The captain said to Boseley: - -"What is your distance?" - -"Twelve steps." - -"Step off your ground," added the captain. - -"I cannot do it; you do it for me." - -"I will do it with you." - -The prisoner's hands were tied behind his back, and the captain, taking -his arm, walked him off twelve steps, as coolly as if they were only -pacing the quarter-deck. The captain then took a blanket, spread it on -the ground and told Boseley to kneel on it, and he did so, facing his -executioners. The ship's chaplain came and offered a prayer, after which -the sergeant asked Boseley if he wished to have his eyes bandaged. - -"No; I am not afraid to face my executioners," he answered. It was an -intensely solemn occasion, and among all those hardy, rough-mannered -sailors, there was not one, unless it was Captain Snipes, who was not -deeply affected. The captain's face was flushed, and his breath was -strong with brandy, and he seemed but little moved. - -"Go ahead, and have this done with," he said to the officer in charge of -the affair. - -"Are you quite ready now?" asked the sergeant. - -"Yes," was the answer in a faltering tone. - -"Make ready!" and the twelve glittering muskets were leveled at this -sacrifice to the wrath of Captain Snipes. - -"Take aim!" and the gunners steadied themselves for the fatal word, to -send a fellow being to eternity. - -"Fire!" and instantly flashed a volley, reverberating a wild and -unearthly death knell among the crags that looked down upon that awful -scene. In the clear morning air, the smoke of the guns curled up lazily -and hung like a funeral pall over the mangled, bleeding form. Four -bullets had pierced his body. He fell on his face and lay motionless for -a few seconds. Then he began to slowly raise his head. Fernando came -near and stood in front of him. Ten thousand years could not efface that -scene from his mind. He continued to raise his head and body without a -struggle. He looked the captain in the eye, and his mouth was in motion -as though he were trying to speak,--to utter some dying accusation. -Never did human eye behold a scene so pitiful as this dying man gazing -on his destroyer, gasping to implore or to denounce him. In an instant a -dimness came over his eyes, and he fell dead. - -"Oh, Heaven!" groaned Fernando, and he hurried away to the ship. For -weeks, he saw that awful face every time he closed his eyes to sleep. - -Two years on board the British frigate had made Fernando, Sukey and -Terrence tolerably fair sailors. Their hearts were never in the work, -and they often dreamed of escape from this life of slavery. Fernando, by -judicious attention to business, had never yet won the positive -displeasure of the officers. One day the boatswain's mates repeated the -commands at the hatchways: - -"All hands tack ship, ahoy!" - -It was just eight bells, noon, and, springing from his jacket, which he -had spread between the guns for a bed on the main deck, Fernando ran up -the ladders, and, as usual, seized hold of the main-brace which fifty -hands were streaming along forward. When "maintopsail haul!" was given -through the trumpet, he pulled at this brace with such heartiness and -good will, that he flattered himself he would gain the approval of the -grim captain himself; but something happened to be in the way aloft, -when the yards swung round, and a little confusion ensued. With anger on -his brow. Captain Snipes came forward to see what occasioned it. No one -to let go the weather-lift of the main-yard. The rope was cast off, -however, by a hand, and, the yards, unobstructed, came round. When the -last rope was coiled away, the captain asked the first lieutenant who it -might be that was stationed at the weather (then the starboard) -main-lift. With a vexed expression of countenance, the first lieutenant -sent a midshipman for the station bill, when, upon glancing it over, the -name of Fernando Stevens was found set down at the post in question. At -the time, Fernando was on the gundeck below, and did not know of these -proceedings; but a moment after, he heard the boatswain's-mates bawling -his name at all the hatchways and along all three decks. It was the -first time he had ever heard it sent through the furthest recesses of -the ship, and, well knowing what this generally betokened to other -seamen, his heart jumped to his throat, and he hurriedly asked Brown, -the boatswain's-mate at the fore-hatchway, what was wanted of him. - -"Captain wants ye at the mast," he answered. "Going to flog ye, I -fancy." - -"What for?" - -"My eyes! you've been chalking your face, hain't ye?" - -"What am I wanted for?" he repeated. - -But at that instant, his name was thundered forth by the other -boatswain's-mates, and Brown hurried him away, hinting that he would -soon find out what the captain wanted. Fernando swallowed down his heart -as he touched the spardeck, for a single instant balanced himself on his -best centre, and then, wholly ignorant of what was going to be alleged -against him, advanced to the dread tribunal of the frigate. The sight of -the quarter-master rigging his gratings, the boatswain with his -detestable green bag of scourges, the master-at-arms standing ready to -assist some one to take off his shirt was not calculated to allay his -apprehensions. With another desperate effort to swallow his whole soul, -he found himself face to face with Captain Snipes, whose flushed face -showed his ill humor. At his side was the first lieutenant, who, as -Fernando came aft, eyed him with some degree of conscientious vexation -at being compelled to make him the scapegoat of his own negligence. - -"Why were you not at your station, sir?" asked the captain. - -"What station do you mean, sir?" Fernando asked, forgetting the -accustomed formality of touching his hat, by way of salute, while -speaking with so punctilious an officer as Captain Snipes. This little -fact did not escape the captain's attention. - -"Your pretension to ignorance will not help you sir," the Captain -retorted. - -The first lieutenant now produced the station bill, and read the name of -Fernando Stevens in connection with the starboard main-lift. - -"Captain Snipes," said Fernando in a voice firm and terrible in its -sincerity, "it is the first time I knew I was assigned to that post." - -"How is this, Mr. Bacon?" the captain asked turning to the first -lieutenant with a fault-finding expression. - -"It is impossible, sir, that this man should not know his station," -replied, the lieutenant. - -"Captain Snipes, I will swear, I never knew it before this moment," -answered Fernando. - -With an oath, the captain cried: - -"Do you contradict my officer? I'll flog you, by--!" - -Fernando had been on board the frigate for more than two years and -remained unscourged. Though a slave in fact, he lived in hope of soon -being a free man. Now, after making himself a hermit in some things, -after enduring countless torments and insults without resentment, in -order to avoid the possibility of the scourge, here it was hanging over -him for a thing utterly unforeseen,--a crime of which he was wholly -innocent; but all that was naught. He saw that his case was hopeless; -his solemn disclaimer was thrown in his teeth, and the boatswain's-mate -stood curling his fingers through the "cat." There are times when wild -thoughts enter a man's heart, when he seems almost irresponsible for his -act and his deed. The captain stood on the weather side of the deck. -Sideways on an unoccupied line with him, was the opening of the -lee-gangway, where the side-ladders were suspended in port. Nothing but -a slight bit of sinnate-stuff served to rail in this opening, which was -cut down to a level with the captain's feet, showing the far sea beyond. -Fernando stood a little to windward of him, and, though Captain Snipes -was a large, powerful man, it was quite certain that a sudden rush -against him, along the slanting deck, would infallibly pitch him -headforemost into the ocean, though he who rushed must needs go over -with him. The young American's blood seemed clotting in his veins; he -felt icy cold at the tips of his fingers, and a dimness was before his -eyes; but through that dimness, the boatswain's-mate, scourge in hand, -loomed like a giant, and Captain Snipes and the blue sea, seen through -the opening at the gangway, showed with an awful vividness. He was never -able to analyze his heart, though it then stood still within him; but -the thing that swayed him to his purpose was not altogether the thought -that Captain Snipes was about to degrade him, and that he had taken an -oath within his soul that he should not. No; he felt his manhood so -bottomless within him, that no word, no blow, no scourge of Captain -Snipe's could cut deep enough for that. He but clung to an instinct in -him,--the instinct diffused through all animated nature, the same that -prompts the worm to turn under the heel. Locking souls with him, he -meant to drag Captain Snipes from this earthly tribunal of his, to that -of Jehovah, and let Him decide between them. No other way could he -escape the scourge. - -"To the gratings, sir!" cried Captain Snipes. "Do you hear?" - -Fernando's eye measured the distance between him and the sea, and he was -gathering himself together for the fatal spring-- - -"Captain Snipes," said a voice advancing from the crowd. Every eye -turned to see who spoke. It was the remarkably handsome and gentlemanly -gunner, Hugh St. Mark, who was scarcely ever known to break the silence, -and all were amazed that he should do so now. "I know that man," said -St. Mark, touching his cap, and speaking in a mild, firm, but extremely -deferential manner, "and I know that he would not be found absent from -his station, if he knew where it was." - -This speech was almost unprecedented. Never before had a marine dared to -speak to the captain of a frigate in behalf of a seaman at the mast; but -there was something unostentatiously forcible and commanding in St. -Mark's manner. He had once saved the captain's life, when a French -boarder was about to slay him. Then the corporal, emboldened by St. -Mark's audacity, put in a good word. Terrence, who had been promoted to -a small office, poured forth a torrent of eloquence, and, almost before -he knew it, Fernando was free. As he was going to his quarters, his -brain in a whirl, he heard Job the cook say: - -"He ain't no Britisher! Dar ain't no more Angler Saxon blood in his -veins dan in dis chile!" - -An hour later, when he stood near a gun carriage, still dizzy from his -narrow escape from the double crime of murder and suicide, St. Mark -passed Fernando. He grasped the hand of the silent gunner, held it a -moment in his own and whispered: "Thank you!" - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -SHIPWRECK--ESCAPE AND RETURN TO OHIO. - -Ship's rules, stringent as they were on the war frigate, and officers -severe as were those of the _Macedonian_ could not wholly curb the -rollicking spirit of Terrence. His exuberance of spirits constantly got -the better of any good intentions he might have formed. Any wholesome -dread he may have entertained of that famous feline of nine tails, known -to sailors of that day, was overcome by his love of pranks. - -What guardian spirit protects the bold and mischievous has never yet -been discovered; but it is a well authenticated fact that wild, harum -scarum fellows like Terrence Malone seldom come to grief or disaster. - -He was always the innocent lamb of the ship, whom no one would suspect -of mischief. The chaplain of the ship was not more grave and -sanctimonious than he. If the hammock netting were left so as to trip up -the dignified captain and throw him on the deck in a very undignified -manner, no one could possibly have suspected that the harmless Terrence -had any thing to do with it. - -The quarter-master was one day snoring in his hammock. Terrence, who -was on duty scrubbing the gun deck, had a large tub filled with water, -which was unconsciously left just under the head of the hammock of the -quarter-master. No one could tell how it happened; but the supports were -all cut save two or three, which the swaying of the hammock gradually -loosened until, just as the officer went to "change sides," down he came -with a frightful splash head first into the tub. - -Terrence, who was near, ran to his rescue and quickly pulled him out. - -"It's bastely carelessness to lave the water there," cried Terrence. -"Faith, I hope the captain will give the shpalpeen two dozen as did it." - -"Who cut my hammock down?" roared the quarter-master. - -"Cut yer hammock, indade?" - -The quarter-master was in a rage and swore like a trooper. Wiping the -water from his face, he roared: - -"Yes, cut down my hammock! Don't you see the netting has been cut?" - -"The truth ye tell, quarter-master; some haythin has surely been -cutting yer netting. Now who could have done that? I hope the culprit -may be found, that's all." - -And the face of the quarter-master himself did not evince more savage -fury than the Irishman. He was the first to report it to the lieutenant, -and in his zeal actually burst in on the captain himself and told of the -disaster, volunteering his services to hunt down the culprit. - -"Find him!" thundered the captain, his face white with rage. "Find him, -and, by the trident of Neptune, I swear I'll see his backbone!" - -No one in the whole ship was as zealous as the Irishman in searching for -the culprit; but he took care never to find him. - -Captains of men-of-war are fond of delicacies, and the captain had a -fine fat pig, which he intended for a special feast to be given for his -officers. Terrence, through his zeal, became such a favorite, that he -was even permitted to superintend the cooking. - -The quarter-master's favorite dog, which was as fat as the pig, suddenly -disappeared the day before the feast, and Terrence had a search -instituted for him without avail, and gave it out as his opinion that -the dog had fallen overboard. On the same day the officers feasted on -roast pig, Terrence's mess had roast pig. The officers declared that -their roast pig was very tender, but that the flavor was strong and -peculiar! The ship's surgeon afterward said he never saw the bones of a -pig so resemble the bones of a dog. There had been but one pig aboard, -and had it been known that Terrence dined on roast pig also, there might -have been some grave suspicions. - -Shortly after this event, there were some changes in the British navy. -Captain Snipes was supplanted in command of the _Macedonian_ by Captain -Carden. Fernando, Terrence and the negro were shortly after transferred -to the war-sloop _Sea Shell_, Captain Bones, while poor Sukey was still -left aboard the _Macedonian_. Shortly after these changes Captain Snipes -and Mr. Hugh St. Mark, the silent gunner, were transferred to the -man-of-war _Xenophon_. Thus we see, by those interminable and -inexplicable changes constantly going on in the royal navy the friends -were separated. There may be some reason for those constant changes in -the navy; but they are not apparent to the sagest landsman living. - -Captain Conkerall had made himself so ridiculous in Baltimore, that he -had been forced to quit the service in order to escape he ridicule of -his fellow officers. This left Lieutenant Matson in command of the -_Xenophon_ until Captain Snipes was assigned to that duty. - -Fernando Stevens felt some regrets in leaving the _Macedonian_. One's -very sufferings may endear them to a place. But Fernando's chief regret -was in leaving the friend of his childhood. Sukey and he shed manly -tears as each saw the face of his friend fade from view. - -Terrence soon ingratiated himself into the favor of Captain Bones, who -had a weakness for punch and whist. Terrence knew how to brew the punch -to the taste of the captain, and could play whist so artistically, that -the captain could, by the hardest sort of playing, just win. - -Terrence boasted of excellent family connection, and gave as his reason -for his not having a mid-shipman's commission, that his father objected -to the sea, and he had been impressed instead of entering the navy of -his own accord. Bones was not as punctilious as most captains, -especially when Terrence could brew such excellent punch, and Terrence -soon became a favorite and came and went at pleasure in the captain's -cabin. When the captain imbibed quite freely, he often hinted at a -promotion for Terrence. - -Fernando paid little attention to the course of the vessel. He had been -in nearly all the parts of the world, and seldom asked which continent -they were on, or in what waters they sailed. He was sober, silent and -melancholy. - -One bright August day in 1811, they were off some coast, he knew not -what. All day the weather had been glorious. Toward sunset, the clouds -began to gather in heavy masses to the southeast, and a little later a -heavy breeze sprang up from that direction. As darkness came on, the -wind increased, blowing a strong gale, and it blew all night. As morning -dawned a dense fog settled down over the vessel and completely obscured -everything. Soundings were taken; but the captain, who had yielded to -the seductive punch of Terrence Malone, could not determine where they -were. When daylight came the sea had changed color, which proved that -they were in shallow water. On heaving the lead it was ascertained that -they were only in twelve fathoms water. - -"Wear ship!" shouted Captain Bones in a tone of thunder. The vessel was -then under such small sail that she had not headway enough to stay her. -As she answered to her helm and payed off, bringing the wind aft, high -land was seen astern. Suddenly the fog lifted. At the same instant, the -wind changed to the southwest, blowing harder. A cloud of canvas flew -into the air, and, looking up, Fernando saw it was the jib. The vessel -lost what little headway she had and drifted heavily to leeward. As the -fog cleared toward the land, they looked early in that direction and to -their dismay and horror, they saw heavy breakers beating so close to -them, that there was no room to wear the ship round. The captain at once -gave orders to clear away the anchors. A seaman went forward with an axe -to cut the lashings of the one on the port side. As soon as the cable -had been cut, the starboard anchor was sent adrift and thirty fathoms of -cable ran out. The order was given to "hold on," and as it was obeyed -the port cable broke. The sloop immediately swung around, bringing all -her weight on the starboard cable, which, being unable to stand the -strain, parted, and then they were left entirely to the mercy of the -wind and sea. - -The suspense was short. A tremendous sea came rolling toward the sloop, -struck it with terrific force, lifted it high on its crest and carried -it forward toward the breakers. In another instant the vessel was driven -with a crash on the sandy bottom. At the same moment down came the -foremast, taking with it the jib-boom and bowsprit, all disappearing -into the sea. Wave after wave washed over them in quick succession. The -mainmast was split, and the noise made by it, as it was beaten about by -the gale was deafening. All the poor wretches on board the _Sea Shell_ -could do was to hold on for dear life. - -The captain ordered their only life-boat lowered, and, turning to the -crew, he shouted, for the roaring of the wind was terrible, that he with -twelve men would set out for shore, and after landing eight with himself -and officers, would send the boat back for others. The captain had no -notion that so excellent a punch brewer as Terrence should be lost, and -insisted that he go with the first boatload. The others had no -alternative. They were compelled to submit. The captain, his -lieutenants, Terrence and a dozen sailors sprang over the side, took -their places and pushed off. As the little craft rose and fell in that -frightful sea, it seemed doubtful if they would reach the shore. - -Dumb with terror, Fernando had watched the whole proceeding. He could -only hold on to a sail and, by the sheer strength of his hands and arms, -save himself from being carried overboard, as sea after sea swept over -them. He strained his eyes until it seemed as though they would burst, -to follow the movements of that boat on which their lives depended. It -seemed but a mere speck on the waves. Suddenly it rose to a surprising -height, and then disappeared altogether. The next moment he saw the men -struggling in the water. The boat was broken into pieces and the -fragments were brought out to them. Every man for himself was now the -cry throughout the ship. How far they were from the shore no one could -tell. They had to take their chances. Although a strong swimmer, -Fernando knew that in such a tremendous sea he would be powerless. There -was, however, but the one thing to do. - -Raising his hands before him and pressing them firmly together, -Fernando drew a long breath, then sprang from the sloop's rail into the -water beneath. When he rose to the surface he tried to swim. It was -impossible, as he had foreseen. He was like a child in the grasp of a -monster. The waves tossed him up like a plaything and carried him on ---he could not tell how far or where. Suddenly a great black object -loomed up before him. It was a part of the wreckage. He tried to ward it -off; but he might as well have tried to ward off the sloop itself, for -the sea lifted him up and dashed him onward, and the great mass struck -him a heavy blow over the eye--a flash of lightning gleamed, then all -was darkness and a blank. - -How long after he could not tell, a strange sensation came creeping -slowly over him. A low murmur of voices reached his ears. He was -bewildered and benumbed; but soon the truth began to dawn, and he knew -that, wherever he might be, he was not dead. Powerless to move, he -opened his eyes and fastened them on the objects about him. He now -discovered that he was lying on a bed of straw in a large barn. How he -could have gotten there was yet a mystery. To his great delight, he -recognized the face of Terrence Malone bending over him. - -"Well, me boy, ye're not dead yet, are ye?" "Where are we, Terrence?" he -faintly inquired. - -"Whist, me lad, an' I'll tell ye!" said Terrence, in an undertone. -Terrence first looked round to assure himself that there was no one -within hearing and then said, "Safe on mother earth, me lad, and, what's -best of all, American soil!" American soil!--the very announcement sent -a thrill of hope and joy through his heart. Terrence then informed him -that they had been wrecked on the coast of Maine, that most of the crew -were saved, and the captain intended to march, as soon as the men were -able, over the line into Canada. Terrence assured Fernando that, so far -as he was concerned, he had no intention of leaving America; but the -matter had to be handled carefully. They were on a thinly populated -coast and Captain Bones had enough English marines to enforce his -authority. - -"Then how can we escape?" asked Fernando. - -"Lave it all to me!" said the Irishman. As Fernando was incapable of -doing anything himself, he very naturally left it all to his Irish -friend. "Now I want ye to be too sick to travel for a week. By that -time, I'll have the captain all right and snug enough." - -Though badly bruised and stunned, Fernando had no bones broken. At any -time within three days after the shipwreck he could have left the barn, -but, following the advice of Terrence, he assumed a stupid state and -refused to talk with any of the officers who called to see him. -Terrence became nurse to the invalid as well as the brewer of punch for -the captain. Only one other person was taken into the secret plans of -the Irishman, that was the negro Job. - -Job was delighted. - -"Gwine ter run away!" he chuckled, "yah, yah, yah, dat am glorious! I -tell yer, dis chile ain't no Britisher. I tole yer dar ain't no Angler -Saxun blood in dese veins." - -Job was installed assistant nurse over Fernando, and when the captain -asked the negro about him, the black face became sober, and Job shook -his woolly head, saying: - -"Dun no, massa, spect he am gwine ter die. He am awful bad." - -Captain Bones gave utterance to a burst of profanity and seriously hoped -the wounded sailor would either get well or die, and be very quick about -it. Fernando heard him as he lay in the barn loft and could not refrain -from chuckling. - -"We've got to move soon," growled the captain. "No ship will ever put -into this port for us. We must march to Halifax." - -"Golly! guess dis chile see himself marchin' ter Halifax," the negro -murmured, when the captain had left the barn. - -Captain Bones was quartered at the best fisherman's cabin in the -neighborhood. It was not much of a shelter, but it was the best he could -find. Captain Bones was provoked at the delay in Fernando's recovery. He -knew he was an impressed American, and if he left him, he would be lost -to the service, and yet he dared not much longer delay going to Halifax. - -He was bargaining with a coasting schooner to take himself and crew to -Halifax, when one evening Terrence came to him with a very serious face, -as if the fortunes of Great Britain were in peril. - -"Captain, it's bad news I have for ye," said Terrence. "The brandy is -all gone, and divil a bit o' whiskey can be had for love or money." This -was alarming to Captain Bones; but Terrence suggested that three miles -away lived a farmer Condit, whose cellar abounded with kegs of apple -jack and cider. Condit was a rabid republican and would not give a -Briton a drop if he were dying for it; but, if the captain would be -taken into his confidence, he had a little scheme to propose which had a -trifle of risk in it, just enough to give spice to it. - -His plan was nothing more than to dress in citizen's clothes, enter the -cellar after night and carry away some, if not all, of the kegs of -apple jack. - -Captain Bones, who enjoyed a frolic, thought the plan an excellent one. - -But he begged to allow the first lieutenant to become a party to the -frolic. This was just as Terrence wished, for he had intended to suggest -the first lieutenant himself. It was agreed that on Saturday night next, -the three, dressed in citizen's clothes, were to go to the home of the -farmer, enter his cellar and secure enough apple jack and hard cider to -alleviate the thirst of Captain Bones, during his stay in the -neighborhood. - -Farmer Condit, the day before the intended burglary, received a very -mysterious letter in a very mysterious manner. It read as follows: - -"Farmer Condit: Saturday night your house is to be robbed. I am one of a -band of robbers who are to rob you. I was forced to join them or be -killed, and will have to go with them that night. Have a few constables -ready to seize them. They will not fight; but let the man in tall, -peaked, brown hat, white trousers and gray coat escape, for that is me. -If you could let me escape and seize the others, you would set at -liberty a poor fellow creature, who warns you at the risk of his life. - - Your friend." - -On the night in question, Terrence wore a tall, peaked brown hat, with -black band. He also wore white trousers and a gray coat. The three set -off in a cart which Terrence hired to bring back the treasure. It was -dark before they commenced their journey, for the officers did not want -the men to know of the affair. - -They reached the farm house of Mr. Condit and prepared to enter it and -begin operations. The cart and mule were left under some trees. It was -now ten o'clock, and the house was quite dark. Slowly they crept up to -it, Terrence asking himself if the farmer had heeded his warning. Like -many farm-house cellars, there was a trap door opening on the outside. -To this cellar door they made their way. Terrence, who was accustomed to -such affairs, had provided himself with a lantern, which he was to light -when they entered the cellar. - -They descended the steps and had scarcely reached the floor, when -footsteps were heard descending a flight of steps from the inside of -the house. - -"Hide behind the barrels and boxes, ivery mother's son of ye!" whispered -the Irishman. The officers were concealing themselves, when suddenly the -door opened and a portly elderly gentleman in his shirt sleeves, knee -breeches and slippers, carrying a lighted candle in one hand and a -pistol in the other descended. He saw Captain Bones and his lieutenant -trying to hide behind a barrel. The captain, in his excitement, had -drawn a pistol and was cocking it. Terrence at this moment escaped. - -With a yell, the old gentleman dropped the candle, which lay on the -floor, the thin blaze ascending upward and dimly lighting the scene. At -his yell, there suddenly rushed into the cellar half a dozen stout men, -armed with guns and pistols, and the supposed burglars were arrested. -Next morning, Captain Bones and his chief officer were snugly reposing -in the county jail, while Terrence, Fernando and Job set out across the -country for Augusta. From this point they took passage in a swift -coaster for New York. At New York they separated, Terrence going to -Philadelphia, Job to Baltimore, and Fernando to his home in Ohio. - -His journey was long and tedious. At the close of a hot day in autumn, -1811, the old stage coach came in sight of the dear old home. The past -four years seemed like a terrible dream. The old familiar spot, where -every tree and flower was endeared by sacred remembrances, was never -half so precious as now. His gray-haired father and sorrowful mother, -who had long given him up for dead, wept over him and thanked God that -he had returned to again bless their home. Friends, relatives and -neighbors, hearing of the sudden return of Fernando, all gathered on -that evening, and the youth told the sad story of his impressment and -slavery. He told all save his love affair. That secret was too sacred. -When he had finished, good old Mrs. Winners was weeping bitterly, and -there was scarce a dry eye in the house; for all remembered that poor -Sukey was still a slave to the rapacity and cruelty of an -ambitious monarch. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -WAR. - -The story of the impressment, service and sufferings of Fernando Stevens -and his friends are no exaggerations. Well authenticated history shows -that there were thousands of cases similar, and even worse than theirs. -The conduct of England was without precedent and unbearable. Their great -need of men might have been some excuse for impressment of Americans; -but there was a spice of hatred in their cruel treatment of the -unfortunate sailors. - -We read much about the rulers moulding the destiny of the people; but in -our republic the people mould the destiny of the rulers. Long before the -president had dared express a thought of war, there were staid old -western farmers, level-headed old fellows, who declared that war was -inevitable. America is not a country to be ruled by one man. The people -rule it, and every man thinks for himself, so that out of the conflict -of opinions the truth is usually reached. Before even the fiery congress -of 1812 had taken up the subject of hostilities, the legislatures of -the several States, urged by their farmer constituency, had by -concurrent resolutions declared in favor of war; but the timid -president, influenced by his own convictions and the opinions of his -cabinet, still hesitated. Finally a committee of Democrats waited on Mr. -Madison and told him plainly, in substance, that the supporters of his -administration had determined upon war with England, that the patience -of the people had become exhausted at his delay, and that unless a -declaration of war should soon be made, his renomination and re-election -would probably not be accomplished. The president consented to yield his -own convictions to the will of his political friends. Thus we see that -President Madison was not moved through patriotic motives to declare war -against Great Britain, but from personal ambition. Patriotic motives -follow personal convictions, be they right or wrong. - -On the first of April, 1812, he sent a confidential message to congress, -proposing, as a measure preliminary to a declaration of war, the passage -of a law laying an embargo upon all commerce with the United States for -the space of sixty days. This was done on the fourth of April, and on -the eighth, Louisiana was admitted into the Union as a State. - -At the end of the sixty days embargo, Madison sent a message to congress -in which he reviewed the difficulties with Great Britain, portrayed the -aggressions of that power, and intimated the necessity of war for the -maintenance of the honor and dignity of the republic. The message was -referred to the committee on foreign relations, when a majority of -them--John C. Calhoun of South Carolinia, Felix Grundy of Tennessee, -John Smillie of Pennsylvania, John A. Harper of New Hampshire, Joseph -Desha of Kentucky and Seaver of Massachusetts reported, June 3, a -manifesto as the basis of a declaration of war. On the next day, a bill -to that effect, drawn by Attorney-General Pinckney in the following form -was adopted and presented by Mr. Calhoun: - -"That war be, and the same is hereby, declared to exist between the -United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies -thereof, and the United States of America and their Territories, and -that the president of the United States is hereby authorized to use the -whole land and naval force of the United States to carry the same into -effect, and to issue to private armed vessels of the United States -commissions, or letters of marque and general reprisal, in such form as -he shall think proper, and under the seal of the United States, against -the vessels, goods and effects of the government of the said United -Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the subjects thereof." - -Pending these proceedings, congress sat with closed doors. The bill -passed the house of representatives by a vote of 75 to 49, and the -senate by 19 to 13. The president's immediate signature made it a law; -and two days later, June 19, 1812, Mr. Madison issued a proclamation, in -which he formally declared war against the offending government -and people. - -Thus began the second war with Great Britain, generally known in the -annals of history as the War of 1812, though it was in reality the -second war for independence. It was the war which established -independence beyond the cavil of a doubt and sustained the honor of -the nation. - -Immediate measures were taken by congress to sustain the declaration of -war. The president was authorized to enlist 25,000 men for the regular -army, accept 50,000 volunteers and call out 100,000 militia for the -defence of the seacoast. About $3,000,000 were appropriated for -the navy. - -There were very few men in the United States trained in the art of war -at this time. West Point was in its infancy, having been authorized only -ten years before, and as yet had not been able to accomplish anything. -The older officers of the Revolution were already in their graves, and -the younger ones were far advanced in life; yet to the latter alone, the -government felt compelled to look for its military leaders. Henry -Dearborn, a meritorious New Hampshire colonel in the continental army, -was commissioned major-general and commander-in-chief. His principal -brigadiers were James Wilkinson, who was on the staff of General Gates -in the capture of Burgoyne, Wade Hampton, who had done good partisan -service with Marion, Sumter, and others in South Carolinia, William -Hull, who had served as colonel in the old war for independence, and -Joseph Bloomfield, who had been a captain in the New Jersey line. - -At that time, Hull was a governor of the territory of Michigan. -Satisfied that the American navy could not cope with that of Great -Britain, the Americans based their hopes for success largely upon the -supposed dissatisfaction of the inhabitants of Canada and other British -colonial possessions on their border. It was believed that the Canadians -would flock to the American standard as soon as it was raised on their -soil. The American people have always clung to the belief that Canadians -were not loyal to Great Britain. It was the mistake of 1775, it was the -mistake of 1812, and strange to say Americans still hug the delusion to -their breasts that Canada favors annexation. They have reason for their -belief only in the doctrine that such an annexation would be in the -interests of Canada, disregarding the stubborn fact that in political -matters, prejudices, rather than interests, control. - -Canada was then divided into the Upper and Lower Provinces, the former -extending westward from Montreal, along the shores of the St. Lawrence -and Lake Ontario, to Lake Huron and the Detroit River. It included about -one hundred thousand inhabitants, who were principally the families of -American loyalists, who had been compelled to abandon their homes in the -States at the close of the war of the Revolution, and had since lived -under the fostering care of the British government. They were loyal to -Great Britain from lingering resentment to the Americans, and because of -the kindness of the English government. - -In 1812, George, Prince of Wales, was really the monarch of Great -Britain, for the court physicians had pronounced his father, George -III., hopelessly insane. Great Britain was waging a tremendous war -against Napoleon, having just formed an alliance with Russia against the -ambitious Corsican. England's naval armament on the American stations, -Halifax, Newfoundland, Jamaica and the Leeward Islands, then consisted -of five ships-of-the-line, nineteen frigates, forty-one brigs and -sixteen schooners and some armed vessels on Lakes Ontario and Erie, with -several others building. The British land forces in the two Canadian -provinces were about seven thousand five hundred, while the number of -Canadian militia did not exceed forty thousand with a frontier of seven -hundred miles to guard. - -The governor of Michigan went to Washington City in the winter of 1812 -and heard the question of the invasion of western Canada discussed. He -informed the president that the success of such an enterprise depended -on having armed vessels on Lake Erie, with a competent force in the -northwest to protect the American frontier against the Indians. In the -spring, Governor Meigs of Ohio summoned the militia of that State to -rendezvous at Dayton, to meet the impending danger. Hull accepted the -commission of brigadier, and late in May arrived at Dayton, Ohio, and -took command of the troops at that place. Hull had under him such noted -officers as Colonels Duncan McArthur, James Findlay and Lewis Cass. With -these forces, he marched to Detroit, through an almost trackless -wilderness. While on the march with about two thousand men, Hull was -informed of the declaration of war, which news at the same time reached -the British posts in Canada, and his little army was in imminent peril. -The government gave Hull discretionary power for invading Canada. - -General Sir Isaac Brock, Lieutenant Governor of upper Canada, was in -command of the British forces. On July 12, 1812, Hull crossed the -Detroit River with his whole force and encamped at some unfinished works -at Sandwich, preparatory to an attack on Fort Malden near the present -Amherstburg. From this point, Hull issued a proclamation, promising -protection to the inhabitants who would remain at home and death to all -who should side with the Indians, then gathering under Tecumseh at -Malden. General Proctor was sent to take command at Fort Malden, while -Brock began to assemble a force about him at Fort George. Here he was -joined by John Brant, son of the great Mohawk chief with one hundred -warriors from Grand River. - -By his extreme caution and delay, Hull lost his opportunity to capture -Fort Malden, which was soon strongly reinforced by British and Indians. -Meanwhile, information reached Hull of the fall of the fort on Mackinaw. -He also learned that Fort Dearborn at Chicago was invested, while a -detachment under Major Van Horne, sent down to the West side of the -Detroit River to escort a supply train from Ohio, was attacked by the -British and Indians, and after a sharp fight defeated. Hull decided to -retreat to Detroit. The order was a surprise and disappointment to the -army, and drew from some of the young officers very harsh remarks -concerning the imbecility and even treachery of General Hull. Sullenly -the army crossed the river, and on the morning of the 8th of August -encamped under the shelter of Fort Detroit. On the same day Colonel -Miller and several hundred men were sent to accomplish what Van Horne -had failed to do. They met and defeated the Indians under Tecumseh and a -small British force near the scene of Van Horne's disaster, and were -about to press forward to meet the supply party and escort them to camp, -when the commander-in-chief recalled them. - -On the 13th of August, Gen. Brock, a brave, energetic officer reached -Malden with reinforcements. Aware of the character of Hull, he prepared -for the conquest of Detroit. On the 14th, he planted batteries at -Sandwich, opposite the fortress of Detroit and demanded its surrender, -stating that otherwise he should be unable to restrain the fury of the -savages. Instigated by his officers, Hull answered this by a spirited -refusal and a declaration that the fort and town would be defended to -the last extremity. The British commenced a cannonade, and Hull was -greatly distressed at the number of women and children in the fort, -exposed to the fire of the enemy. The more charitably inclined historian -interprets his acts as the result of tender regard for the helpless and -innocent, rather than cowardice, especially as his daughter and her -little children came near being slain by a ricocheting cannon-ball, -which almost annihilated a group of officers in front of the door of the -house in which the mother and her children were. The firing continued -until next day. The alarm and consternation of General Hull had now -become extreme. On the 12th, the field officers, suspecting that the -general intended to surrender the fort, had determined on his arrest. -This was probably prevented, in consequence of Col. McArthur and Cass, -two very active and spirited officers, being detached, on the 13th, with -four hundred men, on a third expedition to the river Raisin. - -Early on the morning of the 16th, the British landed at Springwell, -three miles below the town, without opposition, and marched up in solid -column toward the fort along the river bank. The troops were strongly -posted, and cannon loaded with grape stood on a commanding eminence -ready to sweep the advancing columns. The troops, anticipating a -brilliant victory, waited in eager expectation the advance of the -British. What was their disappointment and mortification at the very -moment, when it was thought the British were advancing to certain -destruction, orders were given for them to retire within the fort, and -for the artillery not to fire. Then, the men were ordered to stack their -arms, and, to the astonishment of all, a white flag was suspended from -the walls, and Hull, panic stricken, surrendered the fortress without -even stipulating the terms. The surrender included, beside the troops at -Detroit, the detachments under Cass and McArthur, and the party under -Captain Brush at the river Raisin. No provision was made for the -unfortunate Canadians who had joined General Hull, and several of them -were hung as traitors. - -The disgraceful surrender of Detroit, excited universal indignation -throughout the country. When McArthur's sword was demanded, he -indignantly broke it, tore the epaulettes from his shoulders and threw -himself upon the ground. When General Hull was exchanged, he was tried -by a court-martial, found guilty of cowardice and sentenced to be shot; -but, in consequence of his revolutionary services and his advanced age, -the president pardoned him. His fair fame, however, has ever since been -blasted with the breath of cowardice. - -While General Hull was in Canada, he dispatched Winnemeg, a friendly -Indian, to Captain Heald, the commander of Fort Dearborn, at the small -trading post of Chicago, with the information of the loss of Mackinaw, -and directed him to distribute his stores among the Indians, and return -to Fort Wayne. Captain Heald had ample means of defence; but the order -received on the 9th of August left nothing to his discretion. The -Pottawatomies, however, having obtained intelligence of the war from a -runner sent by Tecumseh, collected, to the number of several hundred, -around the fort. Notwithstanding the evident hostile demonstration of -the Indians, Captain Heald proceeded to obey his superior's orders. He -distributed his stores among the Indians, excepting what was most -wanted; while liquors and ammunition which they could not take, were -thrown into the lake. This act enraged the Pottawatomies. On the 14th, -Captain Wells arrived with fifteen friendly Miamies from Fort Wayne. -This intrepid warrior, who had been bred among the Indians, hearing that -his friends at Chicago were in danger, had hastened thither to avert the -fate, which he knew must ensue to the little garrison, if they evacuated -the fort; but he was too late; the ammunition and provisions both being -gone, there was no alternative. The next day (August 15th), all being -ready, the garrison left the fort with martial music and in -military array. - -Captain Wells, at the head of the Miamies, led the van, his face -blackened after the manner of the Indians. - -The garrison, with loaded arms, followed, and the wagons with the -baggage, the women and children, the sick and the lame closed the rear. -The Pottawatomies, about five hundred in number, who had promised to -escort them in safety to Fort Wayne, leaving a little space, afterward -followed. The party in advance took the beach road. They had no sooner -arrived at the sand-hills, which separated the prairie from the beach, -about a half mile from the fort, when the Pottawatomies, instead of -continuing in the rear of the Americans, left the beach and took to the -prairie. The sand-hills intervened and presented a barrier between the -Pottawatomies and the American and Miami line of march. This divergence -had scarcely been effected, when Captain Wells, who, with the Miamies, -was considerably in advance, rode back and exclaimed: - -"They are about to attack us; form instantly and charge upon them." - -The words had scarcely been uttered, before a volley of musketry from -behind the sand-hills was poured in upon them. The troops were brought -immediately into line and charged up the bank. One man, a veteran of -seventy, fell as they ascended. The battle at once became general. The -Miamies fled in the outset. - -The American troops behaved gallantly. Though few in number, they sold -their lives as dearly as possible. While the battle was raging, the -surgeon, Doctor Voorhes, who was badly wounded, and whose horse had been -shot under him, approaching Mrs. Helm, the wife of Lieutenant Helm, -with his face the picture of dread and despair, asked: - -"Do you think they will take our lives? I am badly wounded, but I think -not mortally. Perhaps we can purchase safety by offering a large reward. -Do you think there is any chance?" - -"Doctor Voorhes," the brave little woman answered, "let us not waste the -few moments which yet remain, in idle or ill-founded hopes. Our fate is -inevitable. We must soon appear at the bar of God. Let us make such -preparations as are in our power." - -"Oh, I cannot die! I am unfit to die! If I had a short time to -prepare!--oh, death, how awful!" - -At this moment, Ensign Ronan was fighting at a little distance with a -tall and portly Indian. The former, mortally wounded, was nearly down -and struggling desperately on one knee. Mrs. Helm, pointing her finger -and directing the attention of the doctor to him, cried: - -"Look at that young man; he dies like a soldier!" - -"Yes," said the doctor, "but he has no terrors of the future; he is an -unbeliever." - -A young savage sprang at Mrs. Helm, whose horse had been shot, and -raised his tomahawk to strike her. She instantly sprang aside, and the -blow intended for her head, fell upon her shoulders. She thereupon -seized him around his neck, and, while exerting all her efforts to get -possession of his scalping knife, was seized by another Indian and -dragged forcibly from his grasp. The latter bore her, struggling and -resisting, toward the lake. Notwithstanding, however, the rapidity with -which she was hurried along, she recognized, as she passed, the form of -the unfortunate doctor stretched lifeless on the prairie. She was -plunged into the water and held there, despite her resistance, with a -strong hand. It soon became evident, however, that it was not the -intention of her captor to drown her, as he took care to keep her head -above the water. Thus reassured, she gave him a careful look and -recognized him, despite his disguise, as "Black Partridge, the white -man's friend." It was this friendly savage who had warned Captain Heald -to beware of the march. Through the interpreter he said: - -"Linden birds have been singing in my ears to-day; be careful on the -march you are going to take." - -The troops, having fought with desperation until two-thirds of their -number were slain, the remainder, twenty-seven in all, borne down by an -overwhelming force, and exhausted by efforts hitherto unequaled, at -length surrendered. They stipulated, however, for their own safety and -for the safety of their remaining women and children. The wounded -prisoners, however, in the hurry of the moment were forgotten, and were, -therefore, regarded by the Indians as having been excluded. - -[ILLUSTRATION: IT SOON BECAME EVIDENT THAT HE DID NOT INTEND TO DROWN -HER.] - -One of the soldiers' wives, having been told that prisoners taken by the -Indians were put to terrible tortures, resolved from the first not to -surrender. When a party of savages approached her, she fought with -desperation, although assured of kind treatment, and, exciting the anger -of the Indians, was killed and left on the field. After the surrender, -twelve children in one of the baggage wagons were slain by a -single savage. - -Mrs. Rebecca Heald, the young captain's wife, like Mrs. Helm was mounted -on a horse. She carried a rifle with which she shot a savage dead. -During the massacre, an Indian, with the fury of a demon in his -countenance, advanced to her with his tomahawk raised. She had been -accustomed to danger and, knowing the temper of the Indians, with great -presence of mind, looked him in the face and, smiling, said: - -"Truly, you will not kill a squaw?" - -His arm fell powerless at his side. The conciliating smile of an -innocent female, appealing to the magnanimity of a warrior, reached the -heart of the savage and subdued the barbarity of his soul. - -Captain Heald and his wife, by the aid and influence of To-pa-na-hee -and Kee-po-tah, were put into a bark canoe and paddled by the chief of -the Pottawatomies and his wife to Mackinaw, three hundred miles distant, -along the eastern coast of Lake Michigan, and delivered to the British -commander. They were kindly received and afterward sent as prisoners to -Detroit, where they were finally exchanged. - -Lieutenant Helm was wounded in the action and taken prisoner. He was -afterward taken by some friendly Indians to Au Sable, and from thence -to St. Louis, and was liberated from captivity through the intervention -of Mr. Thomas Forsyth, an Indian trader. Mrs. Helm was slightly wounded -in the ankle, and had her horse shot from under her, when assailed by -the savage from whom Black Partridge rescued her. After passing through -many trying scenes and ordeals, she was finally taken to Detroit and -subsequently joined her husband. The soldiers, with their wives and -children, were dispersed among the Pottawatomies on the Illinois, the -Wabash and the Rock Rivers, and some were taken to Milwaukee. In the -following spring, they were principally collected at Detroit and -ransomed. A part of them, however, remained in captivity another year, -and during that period experienced more kindness than they or their -friends had expected. - -Captain Wells, the intrepid leader of the Miamies, remained with the -Americans after his warriors fled and fell in the massacre. On the spot -where this massacre occurred a little over two generations ago, now -stands a city, whose growth is one of the marvels in the history of the -progress of our great nation within the present century. It is the -centre of a railway system connecting the East with the West by fully -twelve thousand miles of railroad, all tributary to Chicago; and that -city, which was only the germ of a small village fifty years ago, now -has more than a million inhabitants, and is the great grain market of -the western continent. - -On the bloody sands where Captain Heald's small command fought so nobly -is now (1893) being held a great international exposition, the "World's -Columbian Exposition" in celebration of the discovery of the New World -by Columbus. - -Thus far, the war with England had not been encouraging to Americans. -Within two months from the time of this declaration, the whole -northwest, excepting Forts Harrison and Wayne in the Indian Territory, -were in possession of the enemy. Alarm and astonishment prevailed -throughout the West. The great mass of Indians, ever ready to join the -successful party, were flocking to the British; but by the spirited -exertion of the governors of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, three thousand -volunteers were quickly raised and placed under command of General W.H. -Harrison, for the purpose of subduing the Indians and regaining what was -lost at Detroit. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE PEACE PARTY. - -Terrence Malone, with all his frivolity and tendency toward -ludicrousness, had a remarkable amount of shrewdness in his composition. -He was a bold, harum scarum fellow, as liable to pull the beard of a -king, as to kick a pauper. Though he had fared well for an impressed -seaman, Terrence had no love for Great Britain. Like others of his race, -he made a noble American. One can scarcely find, a more patriotic -American than the Irish American, who, driven by tyranny from the land -of his birth, transfers his love to the land of his adoption. America -has never had a war in which the brave sons of the Emerald Isle have not -been found under the star-spangled banner, musket in hand, risking their -lives for their adopted country. - -Young Malone had a double cause to hate England. His father had been -driven from Ireland, when Terrence was but a child, by the tyranny of -the British, and he had been made to give almost four of the best years -of his life to the service of King George. - -In January, 1812, Terrence announced to his father his intention of -going to Washington City. - -"What the divil be ye goin' to Washington City for, me boy?" - -"To see the prisident," was the answer. - -"You'd better be goin' to school, I'm thinkin'." - -"School, father!" said Terrence, with an impatient shrug of his -shoulders. "Faith, don't talk to me of schools and colleges, when it's a -war we are goin' to have, sure. My next school will be breakin' heads." - -"Be the times, you'll have yer own cracked!" - -"Not before I've got even with some of the divilish Britons, methinks." - -"What be ye goin' to see the prisident about?" - -This interview, the reader will bear in mind, was before war had been -declared. - -"I am going to tell Prisident Madison to give Johnny Bull a good -whippin'." - -"Prisident Madison will tell yez to moind yer own business," the -Hibernian answered. - -"We'll see about that!" - -Terrence was determined on making the journey, and he set out next day -by the mail coach for Washington City. Public houses in Washington were -not numerous then, yet there were a few good hotels, and he put up at -the old Continental House. Terrence, with all his reckless impetuosity, -proceeded carefully to his point. Where boldness won success, he was -bold; where caution and prudence were essential to win, he was cautious -and prudent. - -He noticed a door opening into a room from the main corridor, over which -was tacked a strip of white canvas bearing in large black letters -the words: - -"HEADQUARTERS OF THE PEACE PARTY." - -Men were coming and going from this apartment with grave and serious -faces and corrugated brows, as if they had the weight of all the world -on their shoulders. Terrence watched the comers and goers awhile and -then halted a colored chambermaid, and, in an awe-inspiring whisper, -asked who was sick in the room "ferninst." He was told no one. He -thought some one must be dangerously ill, people went in and out so -softly and talked in such low tones; but she assured him it was the room -where the "peace party" met to discuss means to prevent President -Madison and congress from declaring or prosecuting war against Great -Britain. That those men were congressmen or merchants from Boston and -other New England towns, who opposed war. - -Terrence was opposed to peace, and he knew no better way to declare war -than to begin it on the peace party. A bull was never made more furious -at sight of a red flag, than Terrence Malone at the streamer of the -peace party. One who knows what Terrence had suffered cannot blame him. -At the very outset of the war, the government encountered open and -secret, manly and cowardly opposition. The Federalists in congress, who -had opposed the war scheme of the administration from the beginning, -published an address to their constituents in which they set forth the -state of the country at that time, the course of the administration, and -its supporters in congress, and the minority opinion for opposing the -war. This was fair and, if they acted on their convictions and not from -political prejudices, was honorable; but outside and inside of congress -there was a party of politicians composed of Federalists and disaffected -Democrats, organized under the name of the Peace Party, whose object was -to cast obstructions in the way of the prosecution of war, and to compel -the government, by weakening its resources and embarrassing the -operations, to make peace. They tried to derange the public finances, -discredit the faith of the government, prevent enlistment, and in every -way to cripple the administration and bring it into discredit with the -people. It was an unpatriotic and mischievous faction, and the great -leaders of the Federalists, like Mr. Quincy and Mr. Emot, who, when the -war began, lent their aid to the government in its extremity, frowned -upon these real enemies of their country; but the machinations of the -Peace Party continued until the close of the war, and did infinite -mischief unmixed with any good. [Footnote: Lossing's "Our Country," Vol. -V., Page 1203.] - -This was the contemptible Peace Party at whose headquarters Terrence -Malone stood gazing. He determined to venture into the den and see what -it was like. The hour for the opening of congress had arrived, and men -with bundles of papers in their hands and anxious looks on their faces -hurried away to the capitol building. Some were congressmen, but most of -them were New England merchants. Terrence waited until all were gone, -then, as the door of the headquarters stood wide open inviting him to -enter, he walked boldly into the apartment. - -A man about thirty-five, dressed very neatly, with glasses on, was -writing at a table littered with papers. - -"Good morning to yez," said Terrence entering. - -"Good morning, sir," said the writer, giving him a glance and resuming -his writing as if the fate of the nation depended on it. - -"An' so this is the place where ye make peace?" - -"It's the place where we keep peace. It's the place where we oppose the -foolish and suicidal policy of President Madison," was the curt answer. - -"Who are you, misther?" - -"I am Ebenezer Crane, sir, secretary of the Peace Party." - -"Well, Misther Ebenezer Crane," and Terrence glanced at the secretary's -long legs, as if he thought the name no misnomer, "will yez answer me a -few questions?" - -"Certainly," and Mr. Crane threw down his pen, wheeled his chair about -and looked vastly important. "What have you to ask?" - -"Why do you oppose the war?" - -"Why should I favor it?" - -"Don't the government promise protection to its citizens? Is not the -blissed stars and stripes insulted by the British? Have not they set the -murdherin' haythin to killin' innocent women and children on the -frontier, and have they surrendered the posts as they should?" - -Mr. Crane, with one wave of his hand, swept away every objection. - -"That is all nothing!" he cried. - -"Nothing! howly mother, sir! do you call it nothing for Americans to be -knocked down, carried aboard British ships, to be made slaves, to be -flogged until they die, and shot if they object?" - -"Oh, those are all senseless, sensational stories, told for effect." - -"But I say they are true. I have jist returned from nearly four years -service on a British man-o-war." - -"But, sir, we must look to the welfare of our country. What are the -lives of a few sailors--common fellows--compared to the rich commerce -we enjoy with England? The wealthy men of New England would surely be -ruined by war." - -"Ye blackguard! do ye set up the riches of New England against the life -of men because they are poor?" - -"Certainly," answered Mr. Crane, taking a cigar from his case, lighting -it and proceeding to smoke. "What do Drake and Smoot, whom I represent, -care for sailors like yourself? Why, if England wants such wretches, let -her have them. We would sell them by the hundred, if we had our way. -Caleb Strong, William Palmer and Roger Griswold, three of New England's -leaders, will never allow a soldier to march from their states to fight -the English--oh, no!" - -Terrence was now almost beside himself with rage. He vividly recalled -the tyranny of Snipes, and remembered that many of his friends were -still slaves aboard the man-of-war. His cheek flamed, and his eye -flashed. Slowly rising, he said: - -"Do yez set up yer riches aginst the poor lads, better than yerself, -who are dyin' by the hundreds in British slavery? Do ye? Why, ye -spalpeen, ye have no more heart than a stone!" - -"I don't believe your stories in the first place, sir, and I don't care -if they are true in the second. What is the life or happiness of such a -low creature as yourself to the prosperity of Strong, Palmer or -Griswold? I think that impudence has mounted its topmost round, when you -dare enter these headquarters." - -"So yer for peace?" cried Terrence, his eyes dancing. - -"Yes." - -"Well, I'm for war!" and with this he struck Mr. Crane a blow between -his eyes which smashed his glasses, lifted him from the chair and sent -him head first into a waste basket. When Mr. Crane recovered, he was at -a loss for awhile to tell whether the house had fallen upon him, or he -had been struck with a six pounder. Terrence disappeared from the -Continental House, and on the next day applied at the white house to see -the president. - -"The president's engaged," said the servant. Next day, the next, and the -next, he applied for admission and was always met with the same story -that the president was engaged, until Terrence began to believe that the -door of the administration was closed to him, while he saw members of -congress constantly admitted to the inaccessible man. - -At last, a gentleman who had witnessed his frequent calls, suggested -that he send his card. The Irishman wrote: - -"Terrence Malone, Irish American, late impressed seaman on H.B.M. ship -_Macedonian_." - -President Madison read the card and appointed a meeting with Terrence, -and at the hour appointed the Irishman was at the white house. A servant -told him he would have to wait a few moments until Mr. Clay and Mr. -Calhoun had finished a discussion with the president. Madison finally -decided to have these young members of the house hear the Irishman's -story, and he was sent for. Terrence found himself in the presence of -two of America's greatest statesmen, Clay and Calhoun. - -"Are you the prisident?" he asked of Mr. Madison. - -"Yes, sir; these are our friends, Mr. Henry Clay, speaker of the house, -and Mr. John C. Calhoun." - -"Are you for war or peace?" asked Terrence. - -Mr. Madison, smiling, assured him they would much prefer peace, if it -could be obtained honorably, but that Great Britain would have to make -amends for some of the wrongs she had committed. He urged Terrence to -give a detailed account of his impressment and captivity. He did so, -omitting nothing from the time he was captured on the schooner bound to -Baltimore to his escape. He was summoned a day or two later before a -committee of investigation, and narrated the story in all its -horrid details. - -[Illustration: HENRY CLAY.] - -The indignation against the Peace Party, who, in the face of all the -evidence, would protest against war, was scarcely less than the -indignation against Great Britain. The governor of Massachusetts (Caleb -Strong), of New Hampshire (William Plumer) and of Connecticut (Roger -Griswold), refused to allow the militia of their respective States to -march to the northern frontier on the requisition of the president of -the United States. They justified their course with the plea that such a -requisition was unconstitutional, and that the war was unnecessary. - -Terrence had frequent interviews with the president. His audacity and -his intense zeal won the admiration of President Madison and his -cabinet, as well as many congressmen. One day, while waiting in the -anteroom, he noticed a man whose features were evidently Hibernian. - -"Do yez want to see the prisident?" asked Terrence. - -"To be sure; but I've waited long," he answered, with just the least -brogue in his speech. - -[Illustration: JOHN C. CALHOUN.] - -"Are ye fer war or peace?" asked Terrence, leading the stranger into a -far corner. The stranger looked the young Hibernian in the face for a -moment and answered: - -"I am not an American; but if President Madison knew what I have to say, -he'd give me an attentive ear." - -Terrence was shrewd enough to read the face of the stranger, and he knew -he had something of great importance to communicate. - -"Do yez want to see the prisident, really?" asked young Malone. - -"Certainly, I do." - -"Lave it all to me," the Irishman answered. Then he explained that he -was on the best of terms with President Madison and could get the ear of -the president, when an audience would be denied everybody else. He urged -the stranger to give him an intimation of his business with Mr. Madison. -One Irishman will nearly always trust another, so the two Hibernians -repaired to a hotel and, in a close room, the stranger told Terrence -that his name was John Henry, and that he had lived for several years in -Canada. He told Terrence a story of the perfidy and treason of New -Englanders; which produced many uncomplimentary ejaculations from the -young Irishman. - -Terrence at once sent a note to President Madison, in which he hinted -that he had new and strange developments to make. Madison again admitted -Terrence, and they arranged for a meeting between the president and Mr. -John Henry, who had a letter from Mr. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts. - -[Illustration: "IT ALL TO ME."] - -Late on a stormy night in February, 1812, Terrence conducted Henry to -the mansion of President Madison. But little was done at this first -meeting. Henry said he had some secrets to divulge which were of very -great importance to the people of the United States. An interview was -arranged for the next evening. Again Terrence conducted Henry to the -president's mansion. - -On the way he said: - -"Say what you say for war. I want to meet Captain Snipes on say or -shore." - -When they were closeted in the president's private office, Mr. Madison -asked: - -"Now, sir, who are you, and what is your business?" - -"I'm John Henry, an Irishman, sir," said Henry. "And I want to tell you -that for two years efforts have been in progress on the part of British -authorities in Canada, sanctioned by the home government, to effect a -separation of the eastern States from the Union, and attach them to -Great Britain." - -"Can that be possible?" cried the president. It was no news to him; for -he had heard the rumor before; yet he had always regarded it as -groundless;--at least he had doubted the disloyalty of his opponents -in the East. - -"It is every word true, Mr. President, and I have the very best proof in -the world of it." - -"What proofs have you?" - -"Can I speak freely?" - -"Certainly." - -"Without danger of arrest or imprisonment?" - -"You can." - -With this assurance, Henry said: - -"I was in the employ of Sir James Craig, governor-general of Canada, in -1809, as a British spy to visit Boston and ascertain the temper of the -people of New England." - -"You did so?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"What was the temper of the people of New England?" - -"At that time, sir, they seemed to be in a state of incipient rebellion, -because of the passage of the embargo act. I was satisfied that the New -Englanders were ripe for revolt and separation." - -"Well, was any action taken on your report?" asked the president. - -"No, sir. My performances in the matter so pleased Sir James, that he -promised to give me lucrative employment in the colonial government; but -I waited and waited for the fulfillment of that promise, and in the -meanwhile Sir James died. I went to England last year to seek -remuneration for my services from the home government. I was flattered -and cajoled for awhile, and introduced into the highest circles of -society; but what did I want of society? I wanted money, and money I -must have." - -"Did they not pay you?" - -"Not a cent." - -"What did you ask?" - -"I demanded thirty thousand pounds sterling and not a farthing less. I -had done the odious duty of a spy for my government. I had risked my -fortune, my liberty and my life in the service of England, and she -requited me with empty promises." - -"They made you no offers?" - -"None. I offered to take a lucrative position in Canada." - -"And they offered you none?" - -"No. At last they seemed to grow weary with my demands, and hinted very -strongly that the disaffection in New England toward the government of -the United States was nothing more serious than a local partisan -feeling, and, as a polite way of dismissing me and getting rid of my -demand, they referred me to Sir George Prevost, the successor of Sir -James Craig." - -"And have you called on Sir George?" asked Mr. Madison, coolly. - -"No, sir; I have had enough of their delaying and dallying, and instead -of sailing for Quebec, I sailed for Boston, determined, if the -government of the United States would pay me for it, to divulge the -whole secret of British perfidy to this government." - -"We'll pay ye, won't we, Misther Madison?" put in Terrence, with his -characteristic impertinence. - -"What proofs have you of the perfidy of Great Britain?" asked the -president. - -"I have letters, sir, and official documents which would make any -honorable man blush." - -"No doubt of it, yer honor," put in Terrence. - -"Have you those papers with you, Mr. Henry?" asked the careful -president. - -"Some of them." - -"Will you produce them, so I may judge what they are?" - -"Yes, the prisident and mesilf want to get a squint at the dockymints," -put in Terrence. - -The very impertinence of Terrence was his success. Mr. Madison could not -repress a smile. - -Henry laid before the president the strong documentary evidence, which -clearly proved that Great Britain, while indulging in the most friendly -expressions toward the United States, and negotiating treaties, was -secretly engaged in efforts to destroy the young republic of the West, -by fomenting disaffection toward it among a portion of the people, and -intriguing with disaffected politicians with an expectation, with the -aid of British arms, to be able to separate New England from the Union -and re-annex that territory to the British dominions. - -Madison, who was just about to declare war against Great Britain, was -well satisfied of the importance of Henry's disclosures. Examining them -carefully, he asked: - -"What do you ask for these papers?" - -"Lave that all to me, Misther Madison," said Terrence with an -earnestness which caused the grave Mr. Madison to smile; but Mr. Madison -was not inclined to leave so important a matter with Terrence. He again -asked Henry how much he asked for those papers. - -"I want one hundred thousand dollars." - -"It's too much, Misther Madison; we can't give it," declared Terrence. - -Madison, glancing at the impetuous Irishman, said that he could not pass -on such an important matter without consulting his cabinet and taking -their advice in the matter, and consequently he dismissed his visitors -for the present, assuring Mr. Henry that he would give the matter of -purchasing his documents serious consideration, and in the course of -three or four days at most hold another conference with them. The secret -service fund was at the disposal of the president, and he determined to -purchase the documents with this fund, if his cabinet would so advise. -The advice was given, and he sent a proposition to Henry, offering him -fifty thousand dollars for his documents, which consisted chiefly of the -correspondence of the parties to the affair in this country and -in England. - -Henry accepted the offer and was paid the sum for his papers. - -Terrence obtained an interview with the president and said: - -"Misther Madison, why the divil did yez pay him such a price? If ye'd -'a' left it all to me, I'd won the papers in three games of poker." - -The president thanked him and assured him that the government of the -United States could well afford to purchase such valuable documents. - -"And now, Misther Madison, I am about to lave ye for awhile," said -Terrence, "and I want to ask ye a very important question!" - -"What is it?" - -"Mind ye, if ye say yes, I'm goin' to stand by ye through thick and -thin." Mr. Madison assured him that his time was very much taken up, and -begged that he would be as brief as possible. - -"Are ye going to declare war, Misther Madison? Now ye needn't do any of -the fighting yersilf. All I ask is that ye just turn me loose. I've got -a frind, poor Sukey, who is still on board the English ship, and I just -want permission to go and bring him back." - -President Madison assured him that the public would be notified in due -time what course the administration would pursue, and that it was his -intention to maintain the honor and dignity of the nation to the last -extremity. - -Terrence left the president and went over to the Continental House to -see how Mr. Crane, the worthy secretary, looked with a rotten apple -bandaged over each eye. Terrence was arrested for assault and battery, -plead guilty, and the patriotic Democrats took up a collection and -paid his fine. - -The disclosures of the documents procured from Henry, when made public, -intensified the indignation of the Americans against Great Britain. The -inhabitants of New England were annoyed by the implied disparagement of -the patriotism of their section of the Union. Both parties tried to make -political capital out of the affair. The Democrats vehemently reiterated -the charge that the Federalists were a "British party" and -"disunionists," while the opposition declared it was only a political -move of the administration to damage their party, insure the re-election -of Madison in the Autumn of 1812, and offer an excuse for the war. The -acrimony caused by these partisan feelings was at its height, when the -New England governors refused to send their militia to the frontier; and -the British government, in declaring the blockade of the American coast, -discriminated in favor of that section. That the British, mistaking -partisan feeling for unpatriotic disaffection, hoped to carry out their -plan for disunion, there is no doubt; but the suspicion that the New -England people contemplated disunion and annexation to the English -colonies was probably without foundation. - -Terrence Malone remained in Washington City during the fierce contest -between the Peace Party and the War Party. He was a constant thorn in -the side of the peace faction, and more than once came to blows with -some of the members. When war was declared, he sent the word to -president that he was ready to set out at once, and shortly after took -command of a privateer, which his father fitted out. - -While New England was halting in its support of the war, the people of -the South and West were alive with enthusiasm in favor of prosecuting it -with sharp and decisive vigor. They had already suffered much from the -Indians under British control, and the massacre at Chicago kindled a -flame of indignation not easily to be controlled by prudence. - -The government resolved to retrieve the disaster at Detroit, by an -invasion of Canada on the Niagara frontier. For this purpose, a -requisition was made upon the governor of New York for the militia of -that State. He patriotically responded to the call, and Stephen Van -Rensselaer, the last of the Patroons and a patriotic Federalist retired -from public life, was commissioned a major-general and placed in command -of the militia. The forces were concentrated at Lewiston on the Niagara -River, Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain, and at Greenebush, -opposite Albany. - -The British had, meanwhile, assembled a considerable force on Queenstown -Heights, opposite Lewiston. At midsummer, hostile demonstrations had -been made on Lake Ontario and on the St. Lawrence frontier. Both parties -early sought to get control of those waters, and the preparation of -armed vessels on them was vigorously begun. - -An armistice was concluded by General Dearborn. This armistice enabled -Brock to concentrate forces at Detroit and compel Hull to surrender. - -On the morning of the 13th of October, just after a heavy storm, Colonel -Soloman Van Rensselaer passed over the river near Lewiston with less -than three hundred men. They routed the British there, who fled toward -Lewiston pursued by Captain John E. Wool, who, though wounded, did not -relinquish the pursuit. - -General Brock and his staff at Fort George hastened to the scene, but -were compelled to fly, not having time even to mount their horses. In a -few minutes, the American flag was waving over the fort. - -Brock rallied his forces and, with fresh troops, pressed up the hill -after the Americans, but, after a terrible struggle, was driven back and -mortally wounded. General Sheaffe, who succeeded Brock, rallied the -troops. Only two hundred and forty Americans were on the heights. -Lieutenant-Colonel (afterward Major-General) Winfield Scott had passed -over the river to act as a volunteer. At request of General Wadsworth he -took active command. The Americans, reinforced to six hundred, were -assailed by a horde of Indians under John Brandt. Scott led a charge -against them and drove them to the woods; but overwhelming forces of -British poured in on the Americans, and Van Rensselaer, who had gone to -send over militia, found they would not cross the river, their excuse -being that they were not compelled to serve out of their own State. - -Overwhelming numbers compelled the Americans to surrender. All the -prisoners were marched to New Ark, where Scott came near having an -encounter with two Indian chiefs. - -On the 13th of October, 1812, the Americans lost, in killed, wounded and -prisoners, about eleven hundred men. General Van Rensselaer left the -service in disgust and was succeeded by Alexander Smythe of Virginia, -who accomplished nothing of importance during the remainder of the -season. The situation of the Americans at the close of 1812 was this: -The army of the northwest was occupying a defensive position among the -snows of the wilderness on the banks of the Maumee River; the army of -the centre, under General Smythe, was resting on the defensive on the -Niagara frontier, and the army of the north, under General Bloomfield, -was also resting on the defensive at Plattsburgh. - -So far, the advantages had been altogether with the enemy, who were no -more gratified than the Peace Party, with their excellent excuse for -saying, "I told you so!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -FERNANDO SEES SERVICE. - -The trump of war stirred two passions in the heart of Fernando Stevens, -revenge and patriotism. One was a noble and the other a very human but -ignoble passion; but Fernando was only a common mortal with mortal -weaknesses. When he reflected on the wrongs he had suffered; when he -remembered the death of poor Boseley, slain to gratify the malice of -Captain Snipes, and poor Sukey still the slave of the British monarch, -he could not be other than revengeful. - -"Mother," he said one day, shortly after they had heard of war. "I am -going to enter the army." - -The mother, who was plying her needle, sat for several moments in -silence. She was not surprised at the declaration. For several days, she -had watched her son with the care and anxiety of a mother. She had noted -that he read the papers regularly. He pored over any news which hinted -of war and was an eager listener to the latest rumor which his father -brought from town. The parents had talked the matter over frequently, -and Captain Stevens, himself a veteran, said: - -"I can't blame him; no, I can't blame him. Poor boy, he has suffered -enough to know the wrongs done to our flag." - -"But would it be for the flag, or revenge?" said the mother. - -"Both," answered the practical father. "He is only human, wife, and -human hearts can't endure what he endured without human resentment." - -The mother hoped it was more patriotism than revenge, for she was a -Christian lady, and while war might be proper, even for Christian -people, she thought it should be purely a conflict of principle and not -of revenge. - -"Fernando," said the mother laying aside her knitting and taking off her -glasses and wiping them, "do you really mean to go?" - -"Yes, mother. My country needs my services. There are thousands of -unfortunate Americans, still in bondage. I seem to hear their pitiful -cries calling on their country to send brave men to their rescue." - -"I have expected this," sighed Mrs. Stevens, and tears gathered in her -eyes. - -"Mother, would you have me stay?" - -It was hard for a mother to say it; but she had to do so. She was -patriotic, and she answered: - -"No." - -"Then I will go." - -"When?" - -"They are beating up for volunteers at town, and I am going there to -enlist in a day or two. First I must help father drain the flat and -clear off a few timber patches." - -It soon became rumored all over the neighborhood that Fernando was going -to enlist. Many friends came to see him, bid him good-by and wish him -God-speed. The day before he went away, he was chopping wood, when he -saw a large man riding a large bay mare followed by a large colt, cross -the old bridge a few hundred paces below and ascend the hill toward the -house. The visitor was Mr. Winners. He had grown older and stouter, and -the mare was older and heavier, and this was her fourth colt since he -had come over to talk with his neighbor about sending his son to college -with Fernando. The kind, good face of the old farmer expressed sadness, -and his eye, always dull, seemed melancholy. - -He rode slowly up the hill to where Fernando was chopping wood. Fernando -saw him coming and laid down his axe, for it was quite evident that Mr. -Winners wanted to speak with him. The old man, drawing rein close by -Fernando, said: - -"Mornin', Fernando, how's all?" - -"We are all well, Mr. Winners. How are yourself and family?" - -"Oh, we are just middlin' like." - -"Won't you alight and come into the house?" - -"No; I ain't got time, Fernando. I just came to see you, that's all. -Fernando, I hear as how you're goin' t' ther war." - -"I am, Mr. Winners. I am a young man with no wife or children. My -country just now stands in need of young men." - -"Ya-as, it does, an' I don't come t' blame ye for it,--mind ye, I don't -blame ye fur it. I'm sometimes tempted to go myself, old as I am." - -"No, no, Mr. Winners, there is no occasion. Let the younger men do the -service." - -"I don't blame ye, for goin', Fernando; but I hope ye won't furgit one -thing." - -"What?" - -"My Sukey's on t'other side. Now that fightin's begun, he'll have to -light his own flag; but he won't do it with a very good grace, lem me -tell ye. No, he won't. Now, Fernando, I don't want to ask ye to ease -down on the British a bit; but when ye come to the crowd that Sukey's -with, won't ye kind a shoot easy?" - -Fernando promised to do all he could to aid Sukey to escape, and assured -him that, when once he was free, the cruel masters should pay for their -tyranny. The old man seemed partially satisfied, and, as he rode away, -he twisted himself half way round in the saddle to say: - -"Now, Fernando, if ye meet Sukey's crowd, I want ye to remember to shoot -easy." - -"I will not harm Sukey, if I can help it," Fernando answered. Next -morning, he bade his parents farewell and, with his clothes tied up in a -little bundle, set out on his way to the town. - -A flag was streaming from a long pole, and Fernando heard the roll of -the drum and the shrill notes of a fife. The company was more than half -made up when he arrived. He enlisted at once and four days later the -company was ready to march. - -As yet the armies of the United States were not organized, and for some -time Captain George Rose was at a loss what to do with his volunteers. -They were riflemen, ready for any detached service to which they might -be assigned. The militia forces raised were, of course, to serve in -their own respective States; but the volunteers were allowed to attach -to any regiment they chose. For some time, it was doubtful whether -Captain Rose would be sent West under Hull and Harrison, or to the North -to act under General Jacob Brown. - -The latter course was at last decided upon, and they hurried to the -northern frontier of New York. But small preparations had been made for -the defence of this portion of the frontier. From Oswego to Lake St. -Francis, an expansion of the St. Lawrence, General Brown's forces were -scattered. The length of this territory was about two hundred miles. -There was only one American war-vessel (the _Oneida_) on Lake Ontario. -This was commanded by Lieutenant Melancthon Woolsey; while the British, -in anticipation of difficulties, had built at Kingston, at the foot of -the lake, a small squadron of light vessels-of-war. Brown and Woolsey -were authorized to defend the frontier from invasion, but not to act on -the offensive except in certain emergencies. - -About the 20th of July, Fernando's company joined the regiment of -Colonel Bellinger at Sackett's Harbor, at the eastern end of Lake -Ontario. Nine days later, the British squadron composed of the _Royal -George_, 24 guns, _Prince Regent_, 22 guns, _Earl of Moira_, 20 guns, -_Simcoe_, 12 guns, and _Seneca_, 4 guns, appeared and bore down on the -American forces there. Fernando was sleeping when the discovery was -made, but was soon roused and saw soldiers hauling in the _Oneida_ so as -to lay her broadside to the approaching enemy. Colonel Bellinger's -militia were many of them raw recruits, and the approach of a fleet -unnerved a few of them; but the majority were cool as veterans. - -"Take that thirty-two pound gun up on the bluff," commanded the -colonel, pointing out an old iron cannon down by the shore. - -Fernando assisted them to drag it to the rocky bluff, and the whole -battery was placed in charge of Captain Vaughn, a sailing master in the -navy. Slowly the fleet bore in, the _Royal George_, having the heaviest -guns, coming ahead of the others. A wreath of smoke curled up from her -forecastle, and a ball, skipping over the water, struck the sandy beach. - -Captain Rose and his company of riflemen took up their station on the -high bluff, where, should the troops attempt to land, they might do -effective work. Fernando had been promoted to sergeant in the company -and was quite popular with both officers and men. - -For two hours, a cannonade between the _Royal George_ and the big guns -on shore was kept up, with very little effect, when a 32 pound ball from -the former came over the bluff and ploughed a furrow near where the -riflemen were standing. Fernando ran and caught up the ball and, running -with it to Captain Vaughn, said: - -"Captain Vaughn, I've been playing ball with the redcoats, and I have -caught them out." - -"That will just fit our gun," said the captain. "Hand it to the gunner." - -Fernando did so. The gunner said: - -"Captain, it fits better than our own balls. The shot we have been -firing were all too small." - -"Send it back to them," said Captain Vaughn. - -The gun was trained and fired. The heavy boom rang out over the bluffs -and water. The ball went through the _Royal George_ from stern to stem, -sending splinters as high as her mizzen topsail yard, killing fourteen -men and wounding eighteen. - -This ended the bombardment. The squadron, alarmed, sailed out of the -harbor. - -Eight merchant schooners were at Ogdensburg, being converted into -American war vessels, and, immediately after being repulsed at Sackett's -Harbor, two of the British armed vessels started to Ogdensburg to -destroy them. The American schooner _Julia_ was armed and, with sixty -volunteers from the _Oneida_ and Fernando's company of riflemen in a -boat, set out to overtake the British. They caught up with them among -the Thousand Islands, on the 31st of July, fought for three hours with -the enemy, and then, in the shadows of an intensely dark night, relieved -occasionally by flashes of lightning, reached Ogdensburg in safety -before morning. - -During the armistice which was granted shortly after this, the _Julia_ -and her consort and the six schooners made their way to the lake, where -the latter were converted into vessels-of-war. - -On the 8th of November, Chauncey appeared in those waters with a fleet -of seven armed war-schooners and, after a short cruise, disabled the -_Royal George_ and blockaded the British harbor of Kingston. Fernando, -meanwhile, was at Ogdensburg under General Brown, who had about fifteen -hundred troops, including the militia. On the 1st of October, the very -day of General Brown's arrival, a large flotilla of British bateaux, -escorted by a gun-boat, appeared at Prescott, on the opposite side of -the river. This flotilla contained armed men, who, on the 4th of -October, attempted to cross the river and attack Ogdensburg, but were -repulsed by the Americans. Eight days later, Fernando was with Major -G.D. Young when he captured a large portion of a British detachment at -St. Regis, an Indian village on the line between the United States and -Canada. Fernando was close at the side of Lieutenant William L. Marcy -(afterward governor of New York), when he captured a British flag, the -first trophy of the kind taken on land in the war. - -While lying at Ogdensburg, Fernando heard of the daring feat of -Lieutenant Jesse Elliott, who, with a picked party of seamen and -riflemen, had at Black Rock, under the British heavy guns, captured the -war-schooner _Caledonia_ and burned the _Detroit_. While these many -stories of the bravery of Americans were thrilling the hearts of -patriots, the cowardice of the pompous General Smythe at Buffalo caused -much ridicule and humiliation. - -Despite all his boasts and threats to invade Canada, he remained on -American soil. He was finally dismissed from the service, and, in a -petition to congress to reinstate him, he prayed for permission to "die -for his country." His petition excited much ridicule, and, at a public -celebration of Washington's birthday, a wit proposed the following: - -"General Smythe's petition to congress to die for his country. May it be -ordered that the prayer of said petition be granted!" - -Early in January, 1813, Fernando Stevens' company, being Ohio -volunteers, was for some reason, he never knew what, transferred to the -army of the West. General William H. Harrison had succeeded Hull in -command of this army. Historians do not accord to General Harrison the -distinction of greatness, though he was one of the successful generals -of the last war with England. It was under him that first victories were -gained over the British in the Northwest. Though his name goes down to -posterity connected with the battle of the Thames, Colonel Richard M. -Johnson was the real hero of that conflict. Johnson's Kentucky riflemen -fought and won the battle, though Harrison received the credit. Harrison -was even more honorably remembered for his Indian wars, and, as the hero -of Tippecanoe, gained a fast hold on the public heart; but Tippecanoe -was only a skirmish and, viewed in the light of a battle, could hardly -be considered a great victory. The American losses were probably as -great, if not greater than the Indians, and it was only an accident that -Harrison was not surprised. Tippecanoe was fought by the soldiers, and -to their coolness and courage belonged the victory. Critically speaking, -General Harrison was inferior in military genius to both Jackson and -Brown. He wanted the terrible energy, the almost reckless bravery which -characterized these two leaders. He belonged to a different school -altogether. His was a policy of Fabius rather than of Marcellus, and -this not from necessity but for choice. The bent of his mind was to be -prudent, economic of means, willing to listen to advice, a very -excellent qualification for a general or a statesman. - -The dispute between Harrison and Winchester had been settled before -Captain Rose with his company reached the army and joined General -Winchester, then on his march to the Raisin, January 21, 1813. As -Winchester's volunteers were mostly Kentuckians, Fernando found many -friends among them. Some had formerly lived in Ohio. On the same -evening, they reached Frenchtown, where they found Colonel Lewis, who, -with Allen and six hundred men, had defeated and routed a force of -British and Indians under Major Reynolds. - -The troops were in the highest spirits, and all were anxious to press on -to drive General Proctor from Malden. - -The day had been cold, and Fernando was wearied with long marches -through snow, ice and mud. The ground was covered with snow which had -but a thin frozen crust over it, and the soldiers frequently broke -through, especially in the swampy regions they crossed. Their second -lieutenant was sick; the first lieutenant, being wounded, was left -behind, and the management of the company fell upon Captain Rose and his -orderly sergeant, Fernando Stevens. - -Captain Rose, though a brave man, loved his ease and comfort, so the -most irksome duty fell upon the orderly. He saw that quarters as -comfortable as were possible were made for the men. Boards, canvas, -brush and everything possible to make a shelter were provided. The -wintry sky was clear, and when night came on the stars came out one by -one. The moon shone on the snow-covered earth, so soon to be crimsoned -with patriotic blood. - -Fernando Stevens and Captain Rose were quartered in an old shed -building, with a roaring fire in the broad fireplace. Their quarters -were quite comfortable, and, after having made all the necessary -arrangements for the company's comfort, Fernando partook of a light -supper and, wrapping himself in a blanket, lay down on the left side of -the broad fireplace to sleep. Corporal Mott entered and told Captain -Rose, who sat smoking his pipe, that Colonels Wells and Lewis were -having some trouble about their positions. - -"Why should they quarrel over that?" asked Captain Rose taking his pipe -from his mouth. - -"Wells, who is colonel of regulars, claims to outrank Lewis, and demands -to be posted on the right." - -"That's in an open field." - -"Yes; Lewis thinks that, in case of an attack, Wells should be posted in -some gardens on the left." - -"Lewis knows more about it than Wells or Winchester either," growled -Captain Rose. - -"Yes; but Winchester decided in favor of Wells. There is also a rumor -that Proctor is on his way from Malden to attack us." - -"I hope it is so," said Captain Rose. "If he will come here and take his -whipping like a man, it will save us going to Malden to give it to him." - -Then they wondered what General Harrison was doing and when they would -join him; but Fernando left off listening to their conversation and -gazed into the glowing fire before which he lay stretched on -his blanket. - -His mind was busy with his own sad life. All through the long years of -trying events, he had never forgotten Morgianna. Her sweet face had -haunted him while a slave on the British war-ship. In the camp, or on -the battle field, she was ever near him. A thousand times he had said -to himself: - -"Oh, why can I not forget her? Morgianna is nothing to me. No doubt, -long ere this she has married Lieutenant Matson and is happy. May God -bless her in her happiness, and may Heaven spare her husband." - -It never once entered his mind that she could possibly care for him. She -had been so cool, so careless, and seemed so unconcerned on the night of -their parting, that he thought she must be glad that he was away and had -ceased to annoy her. - -Yet her face, as he remembered it that night, lying gazing into the -fire, half asleep and half awake, was lovely, and she was blameless. To -him, she was a goddess to be worshipped, one incapable of wrong. If she -had rejected him, it was right. If she had loved the lieutenant, it was -perfectly right; yet he could not crush her image out of his heart. It -was indelibly stamped there, and had become a part of his existence. - -The bleak northeast wind swept through the woods and howled about the -rude shanty, rattling the boards and causing the sentries to shiver, as -they drew their cloaks about their shoulders. Fernando felt almost -comfortable in this retreat, and the fire burned low, still giving out a -generous heat. - -Two officers from another company came to their quarters, and the last -Fernando remembered was hearing them talking of the disposition of the -troops and the probability of meeting the enemy and sharing the glory -which Lewis and Allen had won but three days before. - -Their voices were low and indistinct and finally became mingled with his -dreams of the past, forming a mass of events, sights and sounds which at -first had no meaning. At last the scene changed. The officers ceased -talking, the firelight disappeared, and his dreaming fancy, which had -been struggling with these realities, was freed to take what course -it chose. - -He was once more on the sands of Mariana. He saw the great white stone -house on the hill and the form of Morgianna descending toward the -seashore. He knew he had been gone for years, was conscious that their -parting had been unpleasant, and yet her appearance seemed to inspire -his heart with hope. The sun's golden rays fell upon the bright, -fairy-like being as, with a glad smile she hastened toward him. - -"You have come at last," she said, with a happy smile. "I have waited so -long, oh, so long, that I feared you would never come." - -"Morgianna!" he cried, starting forward and clasping her in his arms. -"Are you pleased to see me?" - -"I am happy, Fernando, oh, so happy----" - -Then he was partially awakened by some one throwing logs of wood on the -fire, and he had an indistinct impression of hearing a soldier say: - -"It's four o'clock and has begun to snow a little. We'll have it cold as -blazes by morning." - -As the fire roared, and the wind whistled about their miserable -barracks, he sank away into dreamland again. He had hardly been -sufficiently awakened to break the thread of his dreams. His mind -however was disturbed by the entrance of the officer, and though he -wooed back the gentle dream, it had lost much of its charm and -brightness. - -He saw Morgianna no longer wreathed in sweet smiles; her face was -expressive of distress and agony. The joy and sunlight had given place -to sorrow and gloom. What had occasioned this change? - -"Morgianna, do you not love me?" - -She bowed her head and wept. - -"What is amiss?" - -She pointed to her once beautiful home, and he discovered that it was in -flames. Painted demons, whose yells seemed to make the earthquake, were -dancing about the blazing, crackling building. Then wild cheers came -from the ocean, with the boom of a cannon. - -He saw British marines, headed by Captain Snipes and Lieutenant Matson, -leap from boats and rush toward them as they stood on the beach. - -"Fly! Morgianna, fly!" he cried. - -She turned to run, and Fernando, all unarmed as he was, wheeled to face -the foe. Suddenly there came a rattling crash of firearms. He saw -Morgianna throw up her arms, and he sprang toward her, as she fell -bleeding at his feet. He uttered a cry of horror and became conscious of -some one shaking his shoulder. - -"Wake up, for Heaven sake, awake! we are attacked!" cried the voice of -Captain Rose. - -On his ear, there still came a confused noise of cries, shouts, reports -of firearms and boom of artillery. - -"Sergeant Stevens, awake!" - -He sprang to his feet and seized his rifle. The roaring of the battle -could be plainly heard, and a cannon-ball came crashing through the top -of their miserable shanty. - -They leaped out to find all in utter confusion. General Winchester, who, -despite his faults, was no coward, was mounted on his horse rallying his -men at every point. Wells was forming on the open fields, and Lewis, in -a very disadvantageous position, was making a strong fight. It was -scarcely daylight yet. The air was sharp and frosty; but the snow had -ceased falling. Day was dawning; but in the deeper shadows of the wood -the night lingered in patches. - -From the forest came those streams of fire, those storms of grape-shot -and the yells of savage demons. A bombshell came screaming through the -air and fell into one of the shanties, exploding and scattering the -loose boards in every direction. - -"Who has attacked us?" some of the officers asked Winchester. - -"Proctor from Malden," was the answer. - -It was just as day began to dawn, that Proctor, with his combined force -of British, Canadians and Indians, attacked the Americans, while -Fernando was still lost in the mazes of a troubled dream. With his right -covered with artillery, and his flanks with marksmen, Proctor advanced -at first gallantly; but when he approached within musket-shot of the -pickets, he was met by such a galling and incessant fire, that the -centre of his army fell back in confusion. On the left, however, he was -more successful. Perceiving the exposed situation of the detachment -under Wells, Proctor hastened to concentrate all his forces against it. -A furious conflict ensued on this part of the field. Sharp and rapid -volleys followed in quick succession from either side, while high and -clear above the terrible din of battle, rose the war-whoop of savages -and the wild cheers of the Kentuckians. That little band, unprotected as -it was, could not long hold out against overwhelming numbers. The sun -rose over the bleak woods, and, after a short fight of twenty minutes, -Winchester ordered Wells to fall back and gain the enclosures of Lewis. - -At the first symptom of retreat, the enemy redoubled their exertions and -pressed so obstinately on the Americans, that the little line was soon -thrown into disorder. A panic seized the Kentuckians, who had just -defended themselves so bravely, and mistaking the command to fall back, -for directions to retreat, they rushed to the river, which they crossed -on the ice, and began to fly through the woods, in the direction of the -Maumee Rapids. Exhilarated by victory, the British gave pursuit, the -chase being led by the savages, who tasted, in anticipation, the blood -of the fugitives. In vain Winchester, riding among the men, endeavored -to rally them; in vain Colonels Lewis and Allen, hurrying from their -enclosures with a company of fifty men each, struggled to check the -torrent of defeat. Nothing would avail. Allen fell, bravely fighting in -the desperate attempt; while Winchester, with Lewis and other officers -were taken prisoners. The rout now became a massacre. The Indians, like -hungry tigers, pursued the soldiers and brought them down with rifle or -tomahawk. Of the whole of that chivalrous band which had left the Raisin -with Winchester two days before, all were slaughtered except forty who -were taken prisoners and twenty-eight who escaped. The troops at -Frenchtown, about six hundred able-bodied men, surrendered. Sixty-four -wounded prisoners were burned in a house. - -Why dwell on the horrors of the River Raisin? They are matters of -history which had better be forgotten than remembered. Fernando Stevens' -company did excellent work until the retreat began. Captain Rose, with -his sharpshooters, sought to cover the retreat of the Americans, but -discovered that they were about to be flanked. - -"Sergeant, Sergeant!" cried Captain Rose, "we must fly!" - -The two officers were almost alone on the field; but, taking to their -heels, they soon outstripped three big Indians who were trying to head -them off. Fernando shot one of the savages with his pistol and, dodging -the hatchets which the others threw at him, charged them with his -clubbed rifle and knocked one down. The other fled. Fernando did not -attempt to pursue him, but flew as fast as his legs could carry him to -the river. - -He had reached the middle of the frozen stream, which was covered with -ghastly forms, when Captain Rose suddenly clasped his hand to his side -and uttered a groan. - -"Captain, are you hit?" he asked. - -Captain Rose made no answer, but turned partially around. His eyes were -closed; his jaw fell, and Fernando saw he was sinking. He caught him in -his arms; but Captain Rose was dead before he touched the ice. - -There was no time to waste with dead friends, and Fernando fled to the -wood beyond. - -For a long time, the Indians were close at his heels. Once they were so -near that he heard a tomahawk as it came fluttering through the air past -his head. Then the sounds of pursuit grew less, and at last he found -himself alone on a hill. Three Indians were following on his trail, and -he concealed himself behind a tree until they were within range of his -rifle, and then fired. - -One of them fell, and his companions ran away. - -Fernando continued his flight until nearly night, when he fell in with -four Kentuckians, who had escaped the massacre, and they proceeded to -the Maumee Rapids, where General Harrison was building Fort Meigs. - -Fernando was in the fort when it was besieged several weeks later by -Proctor and Tecumseh with fully two thousand men. General Clay coming to -his assistance on the 5th of May, Proctor retreated. - -Colonel Dudley made a sortie from Fort Meigs on the same day and was -drawn into an ambuscade. He was mortally wounded and lost six hundred -and fifty men. - -Mr. Madison, who had been re-elected president of the United States, -showed a disposition to prosecute the war with great vigor. While the -success of the Americans on land was not very encouraging, to the -surprise of everybody, their greatest achievements were on water. -England's boasted navies seemed to have become second to the American -war-vessels. On Lake Erie, Commodore Oliver Perry, in command of an -inferior fleet, had won a signal victory over Commodore Barclay after a -long and hotly contested battle. There has never been such a remarkable -naval victory on fresh water. Perry's famous dispatch to General -Harrison, "We have met the enemy and they are ours," has become -a proverb. - -Shortly after the repulse of Proctor, Fernando, who had taken a place in -another company, was sent to Fort Stephenson, then commanded by Major -George Croghan, a regular army officer only twenty-one years of age. -Proctor's dusky allies marched across the country to assist the British -in the siege of the fort; and when, on the afternoon of the 31st, the -British transports and gunboats appeared at a turn in the river a mile -from the fort, the woods were swarming with Indians. - -[Illustration: JAMES MADISON.] - -Within the fort, all were calm, pale, yet determined. Only one hundred -and sixty men were there to oppose the hosts of Proctor and Tecumseh. -Proctor sent a demand to the fort for surrender, accompanied by the -usual threat of massacre by the Indians in case of refusal. To his -surprise, Major Croghan sent a defiant refusal. A cannonade from the -gunboats and howitzers which the British had landed commenced. - -All night long the great guns played upon the fort without any serious -effect, occasionally answered by the solitary six-pound cannon of the -garrison, which was rapidly shifted from one block house to another, to -give the impression that the fort was armed with several guns. During -the night, the British dragged three six-pound cannon to a point higher -than the fort to open on it in the morning. - -It was a trying night for Fernando. All night long, the incessant -thunder of cannon shook the air, and the great balls, striking the sides -of the earthworks, or bursting over their heads, presented a scene grand -but awful. - -Morning came slowly and wearily to the besieged. As the gray dawn melted -into the rosy hues of sunrise, many a brave man within that fort looked -up for the last time, as he thought, but still with no unmanly fear, -only with that sad feeling which the boldest will experience when he -sees himself about to be immolated. Such a feeling, perhaps, crossed the -heart of Leonidas, when he fastened on his buckler and waited for the -Persian thousands. Fernando stood near Croghan, who was in front of his -men, calm in that hour of extreme peril. It soon became apparent that -the enemy did not intend an immediate assault, for, with the battery of -six pieces, they began a fearful cannonade. - -"Lie under the breastworks," said Croghan to his men as the balls were -hurled about the fort, or bounded from the ramparts. The surface of the -ground in the line of fire, soon became covered with smoke, which every -few moments was rent by a whistling ball. - -All that long forenoon Fernando Stevens remained behind the works -occasionally picking off a gunner at long range. When the hot August sun -began to decline in the West, the roar of artillery seemed to increase -rather than diminish. At last he heard the young commander say: - -"They are concentrating on the northwest corner of the fort; that is the -point from which the attack will be made." He called to Fernando and a -dozen other sharpshooters and hastened to the threatened spot. Every man -who could be spared from other quarters was put in requisition, and -every bag of sand and flour that could be found was hurriedly collected -and sent to strengthen the angle. - -"Lieutenant Stevens," said Major Croghan, "get your riflemen together -and pick off those fellows as fast as you can. Never mind those bags of -sand. Others will attend to them." - -Fernando and his score of sharpshooters soon began dropping the redcoats -as fast as they could see them. The solitary cannon, the only hope of -the defenders, was loaded to its fullest capacity and trained so as to -enfilade the enemy. The gunner who rammed home the charge said: - -"By thunder, she's almost full to the muzzle. Shouldn't wonder if she'd -bust." Each soldier took his position. A tremendous volley of cannon -shots suddenly rained on the fort. It seemed as if the British had fired -every gun at the same instant. A profound silence succeeded within, -which lasted for perhaps two minutes, at the end of which time the enemy -was seen to advance through the smoke, in one compact column, with the -steady tread of assured victors. When Croghan gave the order to fire, -such a withering volley was poured in by the garrison, that the British -reeled and fell into disorder. Whatever others may have done in that -fire, Fernando's sharpshooters wasted no bullets. For a moment, the -Britons wavered and were about to fly, when Lieutenant-Colonel Short, -who led the British in assault, sprang to the front of his soldiers and, -waving his sword above his head, cried: - -"Cut away the pickets, my brave boys, and show the d--d Yankees no -quarter!" - -A wild, angry shout answered this appeal, and the ranks recovering their -order, the head of the column rushed forward, and leaped down into the -ditch, which was soon densely crowded. This was the time for which -Croghan had waited. Another minute and the fort would have been -captured. The over-loaded six-pounder, so trained as to rake the -assailants, now bore fully on the masses of soldiery in the ditch. The -dark mask which had concealed it was suddenly jerked aside, and -Croghan cried: - -"Fire!" - -The match was applied. A clap of thunder, a sheet of flame, a hissing -sound of grape, shrieks and groans, and Fernando saw whole ranks mowed -down, as the white smoke arose for a moment hiding the prospect from -view. When the veil of battle blew aside, he saw such a scene of horror -as he had never before witnessed. At first a lane was perceptible -extending through the densest portion of the assaulting mass, marking -the path traversed by the shot; but as the distance from the gun -increased, and the grape scattered, this clearly defined line gave place -to a prospect of the wildest confusion. One third of those who had -entered the ditch lay there a shapeless, quivering mass. In many -instances, the dead had fallen on the wounded, and as the latter -struggled to extricate themselves, the scene resembled that depicted in -old paintings of the final judgment, where fiends and men wrestle in -horrible contortions. Groans, shrieks and curses more terrible than all -rose from that Golgotha. Lieutenant-Colonel Short was among the slain. -The few who retained life and strength, after the first second of -amazement, rushed from the post of peril, leaped wildly upon the bank, -and, communicating their terror to the rest of the column, the whole -took flight and buried itself in the neighboring woods; while such a -shout went up to heaven from the conquerors as had never been heard on -that wild shore before. Well might the Americans exult, for the -successful resistance was against ten times their own number. The -British loss was one hundred and fifty. That hot day, August 2, 1813, at -five o'clock in the evening, George Croghan by one cannon-shot -immortalized himself. - -Fernando Stevens had been under a terrible strain all the day and the -night before, and no sooner was the enemy gone, than he sank exhausted -on the ground with scores of others. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -ON LAND. - -Shortly after the gallant and successful defence of Fort Stephenson, -Fernando, with a detached squad of twenty riflemen, joined General -Harrison, and was subsequently assigned to the regiment of Colonel -Richard M. Johnson, whose Kentuckians won the battle of the Thames. - -After his signal defeat at Fort Stephenson, Proctor with his British -troops returned to Malden by water, while Tecumseh with his followers -passed over by land, round the head of Lake Erie, and joined him at that -point. Discouraged by want of success, and having lost all confidence in -General Proctor, Tecumseh seriously meditated a withdrawal from the -contest, but was induced by Proctor to remain. - -From a distant shore, Tecumseh witnessed Perry's wonderful naval battle; -but of course could not determine which had been victorious. Proctor, to -reconcile the chief, said: - -"My fleet has whipped the Americans; but the vessels being much -injured, have gone into Put-in Bay to refit and will be here in a -few days." - -[Illustration: TECUMSEH.] - -This base falsehood did not deceive the wily Indian. The sagacious eye -of Tecumseh soon perceived indications of a retreat. He finally -demanded, in the name of the Indians under his command, to be heard, and -on September 18, 1813, delivered to Proctor, as the representative of -their great father, the king, the following speech: - -"Father, listen to your children. You have them now all before you. The -war before this, our British father gave the hatchet to his red -children, when our old chiefs were alive. They are now dead. In that war -our father was thrown on his back by the Americans, and our father took -them by the hand without our knowledge, and we are afraid that our -father will do so again at this time. Summer before last, when I came -forward with my red brethren and was ready to take up the hatchet in -favor of our British father, we were told not to be in a hurry, that he -had not yet determined to fight the Americans. Listen! when war was -declared, our father stood up and gave us the tomahawk, and told us that -he was ready to strike the Americans; that he wanted our assistance, -and that he would certainly get our lands back which the Americans had -taken from us. Listen! you told us at that time, to bring forward our -families to this place, and we did so; and you promised to take care of -them, and they should want for nothing, while the men would go and fight -the enemy; that we need not trouble ourselves about the enemies' -garrisons; that we knew nothing about them, and that our father would -attend to that part of the business. You also told your red children -that you should take good care of your garrison here, which made our -hearts glad. Listen! when we were last at the rapids, it is true, we -gave you little assistance. It is hard to fight people who live like -ground-hogs. Father, listen! Our fleet has gone out; we know they have -fought; we have heard their great guns; but we know nothing of what has -happened to our father (Commodore Barclay) with one arm. - -"Our ships have gone one way, and we are much astonished to see our -father tying up everything and preparing to run away the other, without -letting his red children know what his intentions are. You always told -us to remain here and take care of our lands; it made our hearts glad to -hear that was your wish. Our great father, the king, is the head, and -you represent him. You always told us you would never draw your foot off -British ground; but now, father, we see that you are drawing back, and -we are sorry to see our father doing so without seeing the enemy. We -must compare your conduct to a fat dog, that carries its tail on its -back, but when affrighted, drops it between its legs and runs off. -Father, listen! the Americans have not yet defeated us by land, neither -are we sure that they have done so by water; we, therefore, wish to -remain here and fight our enemy, should they make their appearance. If -they defeat us, we will then retreat with our father. At the battle of -the rapids, the Americans certainly defeated us, and when we returned to -our father's fort at that place, the gates were shut against us. We were -afraid that it would now be the case; but instead of that, we now see -our British father preparing to march out of his garrison. Father, you -have got the arms and ammunition which our great father sent for his red -children. If you have any idea of going away, give them to us, and you -may go and welcome, for us. Our lives are in the hands of the Great -Spirit. We are determined to defend our lands, and, if it be his will, -we wish to leave our bones upon them." - -Unless the unscrupulous Proctor was utterly lost to shame, his cheek -must have burned as he listened to the stinging reproof of the noble -Indian Chief. Ever since the white men began their political struggles -for power on the American continent, the unfortunate Indian has been -their tool, and their scapegoat. Cheated, deceived by falsehoods and -false friends, he was ever thrust forward as a sacrifice to the hatred -of contending white men. Spanish, English and French were all alike -equally guilty. - -Proctor and Tecumseh fled from Malden at the approach of the Americans. -They had been gone scarce an hour, when the head of the American column -appeared playing Yankee Doodle. - -Fernando Stevens was with Colonel Johnson's riflemen, when, on the 29th -of September, they reached Detroit, while Harrison was encamped at -Sandwich. Informed that Proctor and Tecumseh were flying eastward toward -the Moravian town on the river Thames, or La Tranche, as the French -called the stream, eighty miles from Detroit, the American forces, about -thirty-five hundred strong, on October 2, 1813, began pursuit. Johnson's -mounted riflemen led the van, while General Selby, a hero of King's -Mountain, followed with his Kentuckians, eager to avenge the slaughter -of their friends at River Raisin. For three days the pursuit continued. -At last, on the morning of the 5th of October, the army came up with -Proctor. Fernando was with the advance guard when they came on a small -party of Indians. The sharp crack of their rifles warned the armies to -prepare for action, and both began to form. - -The victory which followed properly belonged to Johnson and his mounted -Kentuckians, though, as historians seldom know any one save the heads of -armies, it has been accorded to Harrison. - -Fernando galloped back to Colonel Johnson and informed him that the -enemy was posted on a narrow strip of dry land, with the river Thames on -the left, and a swamp on the right. Tecumseh, with about twelve hundred -savages, occupied the extreme right on the eastern margin of the swamp. -The infantry, eight hundred in number, were posted between the river and -swamp, the men drawn up in open order. They waited for Harrison's orders -to attack. The general at first designed to attack with infantry; but, -perceiving the position of the British regulars to be favorable for a -charge, he turned to Johnson and asked: - -"Will you undertake it?" - -"I have accustomed my men to it from the first," he answered. - -"Then charge!" - -Galloping to the head of his regiment, Johnson said: - -"My brave Kentucky lads, to us is accorded the honor of winning this -battle. Forward!" The whole cavalcade, more than a thousand strong, -went thundering over the solid plain. In the whole range of modern -warfare, perhaps there has never been a charge which, for reckless, -romantic courage, could compare to this. The Kentuckians were armed only -with long-barrelled rifles, hatchets and knives. None had sabres, so -essential to cavalry; few had pistols, and there was not a carbine among -them; but, as Johnson had said, they were accustomed to those charges on -horseback, and could load and fire those long rifles with marvellous -rapidity even while in the saddle. Their hatchets and knives were as -deadly as the sabre. As they thundered down on the enemy, leaving the -infantry and General Harrison a mile behind, Johnson discovered that the -ground on which the British were drawn was too narrow for his whole -regiment to charge abreast, so he divided his force, sending his brother -Lieutenant-Colonel James Johnson with one division, against the -regulars, while he with the other turned off into the swamp, and fell -like a tornado upon the Indians under Tecumseh. - -Fernando went with the division against the British; but he heard the -splashing of mud and water, the cracking of rifles and wild shouts of -combatants, as, through smoke, spray, mud and low bushes, the -Kentuckians under Colonel Johnson charged the ambushed Indians. His own -division continued galloping forward, until they were close on the -British, who opened a heavy fire. The fire checked them; but -Johnson shouted: - -"Forward, Kentuckians!" - -Ashamed of their momentary hesitation, the men shook their bridles and, -with wild huzzahs, dashed right through the enemy, shooting right and -left. Wheeling rapidly about, as soon as the British line was passed the -Kentuckians poured in a destructive volley on their rear, and they fled, -or threw down their guns and cried for quarter, which was granted. -Proctor, with a part of his command, escaped, leaving his carriage -and papers. - -Fernando's horse had been wounded in the shoulder, and as he dismounted -to try to alleviate the suffering of the poor beast, he heard the -conflict still raging on his right. Colonel Johnson with his half of the -Kentuckians had struck Tecumseh and was routing his entire force. The -Indians fought stubbornly until Tecumseh fell, and hearing his voice no -longer they fled in confusion. A complete victory was gained before -General Harrison reached the field. - -Some historians of good authority state that Johnson shot Tecumseh with -his pistol, just as his own horse fell dead under him;--that as the -colonel's horse was sinking under innumerable wounds, he discovered a -large Indian, whose regal feathers denoted his rank, coming toward him -with uplifted tomahawk. He drew a pistol and shot him through the -heart. This has been denied. [Footnote: Seventeen years ago an aged man, -who was in the conflict, informed the author that he saw Tecumseh fall, -that he was shot through the head by a private soldier; "a big -Kentuckian."] - -Fernando accompanied the army of General Harrison to Niagara to join the -army of the centre; but Harrison, becoming offended at General -Armstrong, secretary of war, resigned and quit the service. Fernando -with his detached party, seven only of Captain Rose's original company, -joined the army under Gen. Boyd on November 10th, 1813, was with them on -the next day, the 11th, when they fought the enemy five hours at -Chrysler's farm in Canada. The Americans were driven from the field with -a loss of three hundred and thirty-nine. - -The writer must pause a moment to mention some of the stirring incidents -in which Fernando did not participate. On March 4th, 1813, Mr. Madison -was inaugurated for his second term. Terrence, who chanced to be in -Washington, greeted the president with: "Now Misther Prisident, we'll -whip the British sure." - -The Emperor of Russia having offered his services as mediator between -the United States and Great Britain, the president, on March 8th, 1813, -appointed commissioners to treat for peace. On the 10th of April, the -British attacked Lewiston, Delaware, but after several days bombardment -abandoned the siege. On April 27, the Americans under General Pike -besieged upper York under General Sheaffe. The British, deserted by -their Indian allies, who fled before the roar of artillery, took post -with the garrison near the governor's house and opened a fire of grape -and round-shot on the invader. The battery was silenced and all thought -the British had surrendered. General Pike was sitting on the stump of a -tree talking with a captive British officer, when a tremor of the earth -was felt, 'immediately followed by a tremendous explosion near by. The -British, unable to hold the fort had fired a magazine of gunpowder on -the edge of the lake. The effect was terrible. Fragments of timber and -huge stones, of which the magazine walls were built, were scattered in -every direction over a space of several hundred feet. When the smoke -floated away, the scene was appalling. Fifty-two Americans lay dead, and -one hundred and eighty others were wounded. Forty of the British were -also slain. General Pike, two of his aides and the captive officer were -mortally hurt. The dying general was taken to one of Chauncey's vessels. -His benumbed ears heard the shout of victory, when the British ensign -was pulled down at York. Just before he died, the captured British flag -was brought to him. He smiled and made a sign for it to be placed under -his head. This was done, and he expired. Though Sheaffe and the larger -part of his force escaped, the civil authorities and a larger part of -the militia formally surrendered York. The American loss in killed and -wounded was two hundred and eighty-six; the British lost one hundred and -forty besides prisoners. - -On May 27, General Scott and Commodore Perry captured Fort George at -Niagara, and at the same time Sir George Prevost was repulsed at -Sackett's Harbor, New York, by General Brown. On June 6th, Generals -Chandler and Winder were surprised and captured, though their troops -retired. On the 23d, Colonel Boerstler with six hundred men was captured -at Beaver Dam by a superior force of British. - -While Perry was defeating the enemy on Lake Erie, and the Johnson -brothers were defeating Proctor and slaying Tecumseh, the discontent -which that redoubtable chief had stirred up in the South was beginning -to have its effect among the Creeks. On August 30, 1813, they attacked -Fort Mimms, which they set on fire and captured, massacring all but -twenty out of four hundred men, women and children. The British agent at -Pensacola, it is said, had offered five dollars each for scalps, and -many of the savages carried the scalps of women and children there to -claim their reward. - -A cry for help went northward and the brave Tennesseeans flew to the -relief of their neighbors. General Andrew Jackson, military commander of -that region, was disabled by a wound received from a brilliant but -brutal ruffian named Thomas H. Benton, who was afterward United States -Senator from Missouri. - -Late in September, Colonel John Coffee, at the head of five hundred -cavalry, hurried to the Creek frontier. He rendezvoused at Fayetteville, -where Jackson joined him early in October. On the 3d, Coffee attacked -the Indians at Tallahatchee (near Jacksonville, Benton county, Alabama) -and killed two hundred warriors;--not a warrior escaped. On the 8th of -November, Jackson defeated the Indians with great slaughter at -Talladega. Late in November, General Floyd with nine hundred Georgians -and four hundred friendly Indians attacked the hostile savages at -Autossee and drove them from the holy ground. - -Weatherford, the Tecumseh of the South, was attacked, on the 23d of -November, at Econachaca. Weatherford was defeated and escaped by leaping -his horse from a precipice into the river and swimming to the -other side. - -On January 21, 1814, General Jackson was fiercely attacked by the -Creeks at Emucfau on the west bank of the Tallapoosa River. Though he -repulsed the Indians, he thought it best to retire from the field. - -The Creeks were gathered in great numbers at the "Horse-shoe Bend" of the -Tallapoosa. A strong breastwork, composed mostly of hickory logs, was -built across the neck of the peninsula. The Indians had great stores of -provisions and supplies at this place. - -On the 27th of March, the Americans, led by Sam Houston, stormed this -fort and routed the Indians, whom they shot down like wild beasts. The -power and spirit of the Creeks was broken, and even the haughty -Weatherford sued for peace. Save the trouble caused by the Spanish and -British, the war in the South was practically ended. - -Fernando, who was still with the northern army, had been shifted about -so much, that he had received but one or two letters from home. He had -participated in the affair at Black Rock, had seen Buffalo burned, and -while lying in camp near the ruins, learned of the ravages of the enemy -on the Delaware and Chesapeake bays. As yet the British, perhaps out of -respect for the Peace Party, had done little damage to the coast of New -England. Fernando often thought of the Maryland Coast, of Baltimore and -Mariana, and wondered if she were there yet, in the great, white stone -house on the hill. - -One day, about March 1st, 1813, he received a letter from his mother. It -was the first news from home for nearly a year, for the facilities for -fast mails were not so good then as now. - -"I have glorious news to tell you, Fernando." she said, among other -things. "Your friend Sukey is at home. His ship the _Macedonia_ was -captured by the frigate _United States_. He says if he can learn where -you are, he is coming to you." - -There was a slip of paper in his mother's letter on which was written in -a well-known hand, - -"Fernando, I am coming soon, for I am in the game now. SUKEY." - -Fernando answered the letter, saying that he was soon to march under -General Wilkinson into Canada. A few days later, the Americans under -Wilkinson invaded Canada and, on March 30th, were repulsed at La Colle. -Fernando returned with others to the American side. He was near Oswego, -New York, when the British captured and destroyed it. He was assigned to -Brown's command and was with it in the capture of Fort Erie, on July 3d. -Fort Erie was the chief impediment to the invasion of Canada. - -Prompt measures were taken to secure the advantages gained by this -victory; for it was known that General Riall, who was then the chief -commander of the British on the frontier, was moving on Fort Erie. Early -on the morning of the 3d, learning of the peril of the fort, he sent -forward some royal Scots to reinforce the garrison. At Chippewa they -heard of the fall of the fort, and Riall determined to attack the -Americans next day. To meet this force, General Brown sent General Scott -forward with Towsen's artillery. - -At noon on the 5th, Scott was joined by Porter with his volunteers and -Indians. The British also were reinforced. Nearly half the day was spent -by the two armies feeling of each other. Skirmishers were deployed and -an occasional shot fired; but it was not until afternoon that they came -together in an earnest struggle. The fight was long and desperate; but -the Americans triumphed and defeated Riall and the veterans of -Wellington. They lost one hundred and thirty-three killed and forty-six -missing, while the Americans' loss was sixty killed and two hundred and -sixty-eight wounded and missing. - -The English troops in that portion of Canada hastened to concentrate. On -the 25th of July, General Brown, being informed that a detachment of the -enemy had invaded American soil, hurried General Scott forward to -attack the party at the mouth of the Niagara, hoping by this division to -recall the foe. General Scott at the head of thirteen hundred men came -suddenly across a superior force at Lundy's Lane, under Generals -Drummond and Riall. A desperate conflict ensued, during which General -Brown arrived at dark, and, withdrawing Scott's brigade, the fight was -resumed. On a height at the head of the lane the enemy had posted a -battery. General Brown asked Colonel Miller if he could take it. - -"I will try," he answered. - -Amid a storm of grape, canister and leaden balls, the battery was taken -and victory won. Several unsuccessful efforts were made by the foe to -regain this elevation. The combat, which had begun before dark, raged -until midnight. By this time, both Generals Brown and Scott were wounded -and forced to retire from the field. The command now devolved on General -Ripley. The enemy being repulsed, Ripley concluded to retire to camp, -whence, after refreshing his men, he was directed to march by daylight -and engage the foe; but, finding the enemy's force had been much -increased during the night, Ripley thought it advisable to retreat, and -accordingly retired to Fort Erie, destroying the bridges as he went. The -loss of the British at Lundy's Lane was eighty-five killed, five -hundred and fifty-five wounded and two hundred and fifty-four missing. -The American loss in killed, wounded and missing was eight hundred -and sixty. - -General Ripley used every exertion to strengthen Fort Erie before the -enemy should arrive. - -At midnight during the battle of Lundy's Lane, Fernando Stevens and -about fifty sharpshooters became separated from the American army in the -darkness, and at dawn, when the retreat began to Fort Erie, they found -themselves cut off by the enemy. Three or four hundred British -grenadiers were sent in pursuit of them, and they continued to retreat -skirmishing along the way for three days, until they fell in with some -New York militia hurrying to the southern part of the State. There was -nothing better than to go with them. Fernando was chosen captain of the -company, and recruits soon swelled his numbers to a hundred. On reaching -New York he reported to Brown, for being a detached company, he had no -colonel to whom he could report. Brown had received orders by this time -to send all forces available to Washington, which was being threatened -by General Boss, and Fernando's riflemen were ordered South. The -Americans under Ripley were besieged at Fort Erie on August 4th. On the -15th, they repulsed the enemy with a heavy loss (962 men). On the 11th -of September, Commodore McDonough of the American navy captured the -British fleet under Commodore Downie. A simultaneous attack on -Plattsburgh by Provost miscarried by failure of the fleet and panic of -the soldiers. On the 17th, a sortie was made from Fort Erie, and the -British works were surprised and taken with a loss of one thousand to -the enemy. - -The New England coast, which had, in the early part of the war, been -exempt from the ravages of the English, was now threatened. England came -to the conclusion that the New Englanders were blinding them with -professions of friendship, in order to preserve their own peace and -prosperity. Despite their professed objections to the war, New England -continually sent volunteers to the aid of the country's cause. The -British attacked various points on the New England coast. At Stonington, -on August 9, 1814, they were repulsed. Though Boston was threatened, it -was not bombarded. - -Fernando Stevens with over one hundred men reached Philadelphia, where -he found two regiments of regulars marching to Washington. He -accompanied them. The second day's march from Philadelphia, they were -overtaken by two mounted men dressed in citizen's clothes, who inquired -for Captain Stevens. They proved to be Sukey and Terrence. - -"I've been runnin' all over creation looking for you," Sukey declared. -"How can you skip from one side o' the earth to the other as easily as a -flea can cross a hammock? I went within sixty miles of Fort Erie the day -after the fight,--lost you;--heard you were in New York,--went after -you,--lost you; heard you were in Philadelphia,--went there,--lost you -and found Terrence. We supposed you were with the soldiers and came -after you." - -Terrence had just returned from a cruise; and his ship _Privateer Tom_ -had been so badly damaged in a gale, that it would take weeks to repair -her, so he came with Sukey. - -Sukey had a terrible story to tell of captivity and service on the -_Macedonian_, which we reserve for the next chapter. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -ON WATER. - -The English navy was the pride of that great nation in 1812, as it is -now. When war with the United States was discussed, the idea that -America without a navy, and with but few if any trained naval officers -could cope with England, caused the Briton to smile; but a great -surprise was in store. The first American victories were on the high -seas. Tradition, discipline, ships and training seemed all of no avail. -While the English were carrying everything on land, where it was -supposed they were weakest, they were losing everything on water, where -thought to be strongest. Everybody was surprised. They supposed the -first three or four American victories were accidents; but as success -after success continued to follow the American arms at sea, they were -dumfounded. England's boasted navy had lost its power. - -The first naval engagement of any consequence was on August 19, 1812. -Captain Hull of the United States frigate _Constitution_ captured an -English frigate, _The Guerriere_, after a hard fought battle. _The -Guerriere_ had made herself very obnoxious in her way of challenging -American vessels. In this engagement she lost seventy-nine killed and -wounded, while the _Constitution_ lost but thirteen. There were ten -impressed Americans on _The Guerriere_. On the 7th of September, the -United States frigate _Essex_ captured the _Alert_ in a fight of eight -minutes. The American sloop-of-war _Wasp_, on the 18th of October, -encountered the British sloop-of-war _Frolic_, a much larger and -stronger ship. The fight was terrible, and only three officers and one -seaman on the _Frolic_ remained unhurt; almost a hundred were killed and -wounded, while the Americans lost but ten. The _Wasp_ did not long enjoy -her triumph, however. On that same evening the British man-of-war -_Poicters_, Captain Beresford, captured the _Wasp_ and her prize. - -The phrase "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights," borne on the banner at the -masthead of the _Essex_, soon became the war-cry of the American seaman. - -The 25th of October, 1812, one week after the victory and loss of the -gallant _Wasp_, dawned bright and clear on the English frigate -_Macedonian_ sailing westward of Canary Islands. Little change had come -to the _Macedonian_ since Fernando Stevens had been transferred from her -to the sloop. At this time there were but three impressed Americans on -the _Macedonian_, Sukey, a negro sailor called Tawney and a man -named Rogers. - -Notwithstanding their difference in race and social standing, Sukey and -Tawney were attached to each other. Both were Americans, and both loved -the star-spangled banner. - -It was a holy Sabbath morning, and every sailor, according to Captain -Garden's orders, was dressed in his best, when the cry of, "Sail ho!" -rang out from the masthead. It was ascertained that the stranger was an -American, and the ship was cleared for action. As the _Macedonian_ bore -down on the American--her men at their quarters--Sukey and Tawney, who -happened to be stationed at the quarter-deck battery, respectfully -accosted the captain, as he passed them in his rapid promenade, his -spyglass under his arm. - -"Say, look here," said Sukey, "we are not Englishmen; we don't want to -be in the game. It's a bitter thing to lift a hand against the flag of -that country which harbors our parents. Please release us from this -contest and let us remain neutral during the fight; I tell you, I don't -want to be in the game." - -When a ship of any nation is running into action, there is no time for -argument, small time for justice, and not much for humanity. Snatching a -pistol from the belt of a boarder standing by, the captain leveled it -at the heads of the sailors, and commanded them instantly to their -quarters, under penalty of being shot on the spot. So, side by side with -their country's foes, Sukey, Tawney and Rogers toiled at the guns, and -fought out the fight to the last; with the exception of Rogers who was -killed by one of his country's balls. - -The conflict was terrible. Sukey was stationed on the gun deck, abreast -the mainmast. This part of the ship they called the slaughter-house, for -men fell five and six at a time. An enemy nearly always directs his shot -at this point in order to cut away the mast. The beams and carlines were -spattered with blood and brains. About the hatchways it looked like a -butcher's stall; bits of human flesh were sticking in the ring-bolts. A -pig that ran about the deck, though unharmed, was so covered with blood, -that the sailors threw it overboard, swearing it would be rank -cannibalism to eat it. A goat, kept on board for her milk, had her legs -shot away, and was thrown into the sea. - -The sailors who were killed were, according to the usual custom, ordered -to be thrown overboard as soon as they fell; for the sight of so many -corpses lying around might appall the survivors at the guns. A shot -entering one of the portholes cut down two-thirds of a gun's crew. The -captain of the next gun, dropping his lock string, which he had just -pulled, turned over the heap of bodies to see who they were; when, -perceiving an old messmate, who had sailed with him in many cruises, he -burst into tears, and, taking the corpse up in his arms and going with -it to the side, he held it over the water a moment, gazed on the silent -pale face and cried: - -"Oh, God! Tom--Tom, has it come to this at last----" - -"D--n your prayers! over with that thing! overboard with it and down to -your gun!" roared a wounded lieutenant. The order was obeyed, and the -heart-stricken sailor returned to his post. - -At last, having lost her fore and maintopmasts, her mizzenmast having -been shot away to the deck, and her foreyard lying in two pieces on her -shattered forecastle, having been hulled in a hundred places with round -shot, the _Macedonian_ was reduced to the last extremity. Captain Garden -ordered his signal quarter-master to strike the flag. - -Never did Sukey hear a command with greater joy. Never was a sailor so -happy at being defeated. When the order was given to strike the flag, -one of Captain Garden's officers, a man hated by the seamen for his -tyranny, howled the most terrific remonstrances, and swore he would -rather sink alongside than surrender. Had he been captain, probably he -would have done so. - -Sukey and Tawney were among the boat's crew which rowed Captain Garden -to the enemy. As, he touched the deck, Captain Garden saluted his -captor, Captain Decatur, and offered him his sword; but it was -courteously declined. The victor remembered the dinner parties he and -Captain Garden had enjoyed in Norfolk, previous to the breaking out of -hostilities, and while both were in command of the very frigates now -crippled on the sea. The _Macedonian_ had gone into Norfolk with -despatches; while Decatur was in that port. Then they had laughed and -joked over their wine, and a wager of a beaver hat was said to have been -made between them upon the event of the hostile meeting of their ships. - -This was their next meeting. Sukey and Tawney went home in the American -frigate _United States_. With Sukey's return to his native country, the -reader's interest in the naval operations perhaps ceases. Naval battles -are the same, bloody and desperate, and the details of the fight with -the _Macedonian_ are the details of all others. After briefly noticing -the principal victories and defeats on sea, we shall take up again the -characters in our story. - -On November 22d, the United States brig _Vixen_ was captured by the -English frigate _Southampton,_ and both were subsequently shipwrecked -on December 29th, the United States frigate _Constitution_, under -Commodore Bainbridge, captured the British frigate _Java_, off the coast -of Brazil. The American loss was 44 and the British 151. The American -victories of the year of 1812 with such little loss produced much -exultation in America and surprise and mortification in England. -American seamen had been the greatest sufferers at the hands of the -British, and they had long burned to avenge the insults of the English -Navy. They fought for patriotism, glory and vengeance. - -The year 1813 was noted for the continued success of the American Navy. -On February 24th, the _Hornet_ captured the British brig _Peacock_ on -the coast of South America. On June 1st, the British frigate _Shannon_ -captured the _Chesapeake_ after a terrible battle, in which the -Americans lost 133 and the British half as many. Captain Lawrence of the -_Chesapeake_ was mortally wounded, and his dying command, "Don't give up -the ship!" has been the motto for many worthy enterprises. - -In August, Captain Porter, with the American frigate _Essex_, cruising -in the Pacific Ocean, captured twelve armed British whalers. In the same -month, the American sloop-of-war _Argus_, cruising in the English -channel, captured twenty-one British merchantmen, but on the 13th was -herself captured by the British man-of-war _Pelican_ after a severe -engagement. On the 3d of September, the American brig _Enterprise_ -captured the British _Boxer_ off the coast of Maine. Perry's victory on -Lake Erie, which occurred on the 10th of this month, has already -been noticed. - -The year 1814 was not a line of unbroken success, though American -victories were many and brilliant. On the 28th of March, the brilliant -career of the United States frigate _Essex_, in the Pacific Ocean, was -terminated by her capture by two British war vessels at Valparaiso. On -April 21st, the United States sloop-of-war _Frolic_ was captured by the -British frigate _Orpheus_. On the 27th of the same month, the United -States sloop-of-war _Peacock_ captured the British brig-of-war -_Epervier_ with $118,000 in specie on board. On June 9th, the United -States sloop-of-war _Rattlesnake_ was captured by a British man-of-war. -This reverse was followed by the loss of the United States sloop _Syren_ -on the 12th. On the 28th, the American sloop _Wasp_ captured the British -sloop _Reindeer_, in the British channel. On the 1st of September, the -_Wasp_ captured the British sloop _Avon_, and after taking three other -prizes, this remarkably successful vessel mysteriously disappeared. Her -fate was never known, though it is supposed she was lost at sea. - -On January 15, 1815, the United States frigate _President_ was captured -by four English vessels. On the 28th of February, although peace was -declared, the United States frigate _Constitution_ captured two British -vessels of war, off the island of Madeira. In March, the United States -frigate _Hornet_ captured the British brig _Penguin_, off the coast -of Brazil. - -The last hostile act at sea took place in the Straits of Sunda, in the -East Indies, where the United States brig-of-war _Peacock_ captured the -_Nautilus_, a British sloop-of-war. The three American vessels at sea -when the war closed each came home crowned with laurels. The part taken -by the American privateers during the war was considerable and a -detailed history of them would fill a volume larger than this. During -the war there were I,750 British vessels captured, against a loss of -I,683 American ships. The spirit and energy of the American seamen, -under all their embarrassments, gave an unmistakable indication of the -future greatness of the power of the United States Navy. - -On the first night after Sukey and Terrence joined Fernando, the three -sat about the bivouac fire, while all save the sentries slept, talking -over the past which, to Fernando, seemed like a troubled dream. - -"Did either of you ever meet Captain Snipes?" asked Fernando. - -"Bad luck to him, I did not," said Terrence. "It's bad it would have -fared with the spalpeen if I had." - -At mention of Captain Snipes, there came an expression over Sukey's face -which is indescribable. His face grew pale, and his brow contracted, his -teeth set, and his eyes seemed to have the glitter of steel, while he -shrugged his shoulders, as if he again felt the cat-o'-nine-tails -about them. - -"Did he never come aboard the _Macedonian_ again?" asked Fernando. - -"No." - -"Did you hear of him?" - -"Yes." - -"Where was he?" - -"He was transferred to the _Xenophon_." - -"The _Xenophon_? was not Lieutenant Matson in command of that vessel?" - -"For awhile." - -"Was he not promoted?" - -"No; it seems his affair with you got to England." - -"Just in time to spoil a nate little promotion, too," put in Terrence. -"I heard all about it from the captain of the merchantman I captured. He -told me when we were playing poker one night." - -Fernando looked sadly into the smouldering bivouac and heaved a sigh. -Almost five years had elapsed since he had seen Morgianna, and he had -not heard a word from her since he left her in the great stone house on -the hill that night,--she laughing at his misery. - -After a long silence Fernando asked: - -"Is he married?" - -"Who?" asked Sukey. - -"Faith, the captain's absent minded," put in Terrence. - -"I mean Lieutenant Matson." - -"Not as I know of." - -"Did you see him after we left Mariana?" - -"Yes." - -"When?" - -"Only six days before we were captured by Decatur. We touched at the -Canary Islands, and the _Xenophon_ was there. He came aboard our -vessel." - -"Did he recognize you?" - -"No," Sukey answered. "Had he known me he wouldn't a-talked with a -common sailor." - -"Was he married then?" - -"No; I heard him tell Captain Garden that he was still single." - -Fernando heaved another sigh and asked: - -"Did he say--did he say anything about her?" - -"Who?" - -Fernando heaved another sigh and asked: - -"Did he say--did he say anything about her?'7 - -"Who?" - -The conversation was not interesting to Terrence and he had gone to -another part of the camp, to engage in a game of cards with a sentry. - -"Morgianna," Fernando said. - -"Morgianna? no--she is the girl at Mariana, isn't she?" - -"Yes." - -"I didn't hear him mention her name." - -"They are not married yet?" - -"No." - -"Perhaps I was mistaken after all," said Fernando thoughtfully. "May be -she don't care for him." - -Then Fernando sighed again and gazed into the smouldering fire. After -several minutes more, he said: - -"Sukey, she must be in love with him." - -"I thought so." - -Fernando sighed and remarked: - -"She may have married some one else, though." - -"No, she ain't." - -"Have you heard of her?" - -"I saw her!" Sukey declared. - -"When?" - -"When I was in Baltimore last winter." - -"Did you talk with her, Sukey?" - -"No." - -"Then how did you know she was not married?" - -"When I was in Baltimore last winter." - -"Did you talk with her, Sukey?" - -"No." - -"Then how did you know she was not married?" - -"I was in a store and overheard two women who knew her gossiping. One -asked the other if Morgianna Lane was married yet. One said: - -"'I thought she would marry the English lieutenant.' - -"The other said: - -"'No, not yet. I suppose they are waiting till the war is over.' - -"'Has she no other lover?' asked the other. Then the other woman said -she believed not, at least none ever came to see her." - -Fernando was quite sure she must have lovers by the score. Such a -glorious woman as Morgianna could not but have an abundance to -choose from. - -"You saw Morgianna, Sukey, how did she look?" - -"Just as when we left. Not a day older." - -"You knew her at sight?" - -"Of course; but she didn't know me. I suspect I was a hard-looking case -then; for I had just come from the ship and had on my English -pea-jacket, and my linen was not the cleanest." - -Fernando sat silent for such a long time, that Sukey, who was tired, -nodded awhile in silence, then, rolling up in his blanket, lay down -under a tree and slept. Fernando still sat gazing into the fire and -saying to himself: - -"Oh, if it could have been, if it could have been!" - -A young woman does a rash thing when she rejects such a warm, manly -heart as that of Fernando Stevens. Not all men are capable of such -unselfish devotion as his, and Morgianna little dreamed how much she was -casting aside. - -He was still gazing into the smouldering fire, when Terrence, who had -won all the money from the soldier with whom he was playing cards, came -to him and said: - -"Captain, are ye goin' to spend the night gazing into the fire?" - -"No, Terrence; I am not sleepy; but I will lie down." - -"Captain, do ye remember the little girl at Mariana five years ago, the -one yersilf and the Englishman were about to break heads over?" - -"You mean Morgianna Lane, Terrence?" - -"To be sure I do. I saw the swate craythur not two months since." -Fernando, who was anything but sleepy, asked: - -"Where did you see her, Terrence?" - -"In Baltimore. She is prettier than whin you used to stroll over the -beach in the moonlight with her." - -"Is she married?" - -"Divil a bit. I talked with her, and, d'ye belave me, almost the first -question she asked me was about yersilf. Aye, Fernando, it was a grand -story I told her about ye making a hero of yersilf. I told her how ye -defeated Tecumseh and killed the thief with yer own hand, and how ye -conquered at Chippewa and Lundy's Lane." - -Fernando's heart gave a tremendous bound. Had she really asked about -him? Then she had not forgotten him in five long years. Could this be -true? Terrence had not the strictest regard for truth, and he might be -only telling this out of mischief. - -"Terrence, are you telling me the truth?" he asked. - -"Ivery blissid word of it is the gospel truth, me frind," Terrence -answered. "The little girl still lives at the village beyant Baltimore, -and if ye want her, ye kin win her." - -"Terrence, you are trifling with me; Morgianna cares nothing for me." - -"Don't ye belave it. If she didn't, why did she ask about ye the very -first chance she had? Me boy, whin a girl remembers a fellow after five -years, it's some sign. Now if ye want that blushin' damsel, lave it -all to me." - -"Terrence, let us go to sleep, we have a hard march before us -to-morrow." - -"I take it at yer word, captain." - -In less than ten minutes the light-hearted Irishman was buried in -slumber. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -THE CRUISER'S THREAT. - -Terrence and Sukey both volunteered to accompany Fernando's detached -riflemen in the vigorous campaign which was before them. Fernando's -riflemen now numbered one hundred and sixty-two, composed mostly of -frontiersmen, all dead shots. Sukey declared that he was in the game and -would kill a British officer for every stripe Captain Snipes had caused -to be laid on his shoulders. - -"There were twelve blows, nine stripes each. Nine times twelve are one -hundred and eight." - -"And have ye got the job all before ye, Sukey?" asked Terrence. - -"I've commenced. Eight have been blotted out. Only a hundred remains," -Sukey answered solemnly. - -No one asked when the eight had been blotted out, but Fernando knew he -must have done it while the _Macedonian_ was fighting the American -frigate. Sailors, driven to desperation, frequently take advantage of -such occasions to wreak vengeance on cruel officers. The boatswain's -mate who had flogged Sukey was found dead on the gun deck at the close -of the fight. - -The American forces were hurried forward to Washington, where everything -was in the wildest confusion. The contemptible Peace Party had done all -by way of ridicule and argument to keep off the war, and were now doing -all in their power to prevent its prosecution. General Winder and -Commodore Barney were in command of the land and naval forces of the -United States, for the defence of Washington. In vain Winder had called -on the government for more troops and supplies. - -When Fernando arrived at Washington, Barney had already blown up his -flotilla at Pig Point, and with his soldiers and marines joined -General Winder. - -General Ross, the commander of the British land forces and one of the -most active of Wellington's officers, on finding the American flotilla a -smoking ruin, marched to upper Marlborough with his troops, where a road -led directly to Washington City, leaving Cockburn in charge of the -British flotilla. Winder had but three thousand men, most of them -undisciplined, to oppose this force; and he prudently retreated toward -Washington followed by Ross, who, on the 23d of August, was joined by -Cockburn and his seamen. - -Uncertain whether Washington City or Fort Washington was the -destination of the enemy, Winder left a force at Bladensburg about four -miles from the capitol, and with other troops watched the highways -leading in other directions, while he hastened to the city to inform the -president that the enemy were camped in ten miles of the capitol. - -Neither President Madison nor his cabinet slept that night. Fernando and -his riflemen were sent to Bladensburg at midnight, and on the morning of -August 24, 1814, a small scouting party sent down the road came back -reporting that the British army was on the advance. - -Fernando with his riflemen went to meet the enemy and hold them in check -as long as possible. About ten o'clock, they came in sight of the -advance of the enemy. About two hundred redcoats were led by an officer -on horseback. - -Sukey saw that officer, and he also saw an old tree about a hundred -yards nearer the enemy and twenty paces to the left of the road. From -it, one would be in long rifle range of the British. - -"Fernando, I want to go there," said Sukey, hugging his long rifle as if -it were his dearest friend. - -"Go." - -He went with arms trailed, stooping as he ran, to keep the enemy from -seeing him, and gained the tree, which stood on an eminence that -overlooked the narrow valley below. The British saw the Americans and -halted. The officer was riding up and down the line giving directions, -wholly unconscious of the rifle behind the old tree. - -Suddenly a little puff of smoke curled up from where Sukey was crouched, -and the crack of a rifle rang out. The officer in his gay uniform -dropped his sword and fell from his saddle, while Sukey took a small day -book from his pocket and wrote "nine" in it. - -Fernando's company fell back to Bladensburg, where he deployed them so -as to cover the Americans' line, and awaited the approach of the enemy. - -It was afternoon before they advanced, and the skirmishers for ten -minutes held them in check, then, as they fell back to the main line, -Fernando saw Sukey write "twelve" in his book. The fight began in -earnest just below Bladensburg in an old field. The roar of cannon and -rattling crash of musketry filled the air. General Winder, who had been -in Washington the night before, returned just before the battle began. -The militia broke and fled in confusion; and the brave Barney, with -Captain Stevens' riflemen, sustained the brunt of the battle, until -Barney was severely wounded, when Winder, seeing no hope of winning a -victory, ordered a retreat. The troops remaining fell back toward -Montgomery Courthouse, in Maryland, leaving the battlefield in -possession of the invaders. The battle had lasted more than four hours, -and the victory was won at fearful cost, for more than five hundred -Britons were dead or wounded on the field, among them several officers -of distinction, Sukey had added several numbers in his book. - -The president and his secretaries of war and state had come to witness -the conflict and give assistance if possible. When the day was lost, -they mounted swift horses and dashed back to the city. Terrence, who had -captured the steed of a British officer, overtook the president's -advance party. Whipping his horse alongside the president, he cried: - -"Misther Madison, wasn't that as illegant a knock down as iver a man saw -in all his life? I enjoy such." - -"How are we to save Washington without an army?" cried the president, -whose mind was wholly occupied with the safety of the capital. - -To this, Terrence responded with his stereotyped: - -"Lave it all to me." - -Mrs. Madison, at the White House, had already been apprised of danger, -by a messenger sent by her husband on the flight of the militia. Her -carriage was at the door ready for flight, and she had already sent -away to a place of safety silver plate and other valuables. While -waiting anxiously for her husband, she cut out of the frame for -preservation a full length portrait of Washington, by Stuart. At this -moment, her husband's messengers, Mr. Jacob Barker and another man, -entered the house. Mr. Barker cried: - -"Fly, Mrs. Madison, the day is lost, and the British are coming!" - -"Where is my husband?" she asked. - -"Safe, and he will join you beyond the Potomac." - -Pointing to Washington's picture on the floor, she cried: - -"Save that picture! save or destroy it, but do not let it fall into the -hands of the British!" - -Then, snatching up the precious parchment on which the Declaration of -Independence was written, and which contained the names of the fifty-six -signers of that document, she entered the carriage with her sister and -two others, and the four were driven away to a place of safety beyond -the Potomac. The picture was saved, and it now adorns one of the -reception rooms in the White House. - -The British entered Washington at sunset, August 24, 1814, and at once -began to plunder, burn and destroy. The capitol, president's house, -treasury buildings, arsenal and barracks were burned, and of the public -buildings only the patent office was saved. Some private houses were -plundered and others were burned. While these buildings were blazing in -the city, the public vessels and other government property at the navy -yard were in flames, for Commodore Tingey, who was in command there, had -been ordered to destroy this property in case it was likely to fall into -the hands of the invaders. Two millions of dollars' worth of public -property were destroyed on that night. - -On the 27th of August, three days later, Alexandria was plundered of her -public stores by the British. Having taken an enormous amount as ransom -for the city, the British sailed down the Potomac, annoyed part of the -way by the guns from the American forts. - -Fernando Stevens' riflemen, after the battle of Bladensburg, hastened -toward Baltimore, which they knew to be also threatened. Here they found -the people energetically making every possible effort to defend the -city. Fort McHenry, which commanded the harbor, was garrisoned by about -a thousand men, under Major Armistead, and was supported by redoubts. -Fernando's riflemen were assigned to General Stricker. - -On September 11, 1814, the enemy appeared off Patapsco Bay, and before -sunrise on the 12th had landed, nine thousand strong, at North Point, -twelve miles from Baltimore. When news came that the British were -landing on North Point, General Smith, who had about nine thousand men -under his command, sent General Stricker with more than three thousand -of them, to watch the enemy, and act as circumstances might require. - -Fernando Stevens' riflemen accompanied Stricker, and were sent forward -down a rocky ravine, where they might watch the enemy. Fernando left his -men in the deepest hollow while he, with only ten or twelve, crept -forward behind some large stones which lay at the roadside. About ten -paces to the right of Fernando was Sukey, with his formidable rifle -resting in the hollow of his left arm. Soon the head of the long column -could be seen advancing up the broad thoroughfare. Fernando saw two -gayly-dressed officers riding at the head. He afterward learned that -they were Generals Ross and Cockburn. - -"Say, Fernando," said Sukey, "those fellows are officers, ain't they?" - -"Yes." - -"Must be generals by the clothes they wear?" - -"Perhaps." - -Ross was riding gayly along by the side of Cockburn, laughing and -jesting about making Baltimore his winter quarters, when on their left -there suddenly rang out the sharp crack of a rifle, while a little puff -of smoke curled up from the great black rock almost two hundred -paces distant. - -"Oh!" groaned the general, and jerking his rein, until his horse reared -in the air, his chin fell on his chest, and he began to sink from the -saddle. Cockburn caught him and called for assistance. They hurried him -back to the boats, where he might have surgical aid; but he died before -the boats were reached. - -Fernando Stevens heard the sharp report on his right, as Ross fell, and, -turning his eyes in that direction, saw the smoke slowly curling up from -the muzzle of Sukey's rifle. - -"Say, Fernando, I ought to count three or four for that one, shouldn't -I?" Sukey coolly asked. "He was a big one." [Footnote: The reader will -pardon this slight deviation from history. The real slayers of General -Ross were two Baltimore mechanics, Wells and McComas, both of whom fell -in the conflict on the same day, and to whose memory a monument has been -erected by the citizens of Baltimore.] - -The British were thrown into momentary confusion by the sudden death of -General Ross; but Colonel Brooke rallied them, and Fernando's riflemen -fell back until they joined General Stricker's men. - -The British came on and a severe fight, which lasted two hours, ensued, -when Stricker ordered a retreat to his reserve corps. There he reformed -a brigade and fell back toward the city, as far as Worthington's Mill, -where they were joined by General Winder and some fresh troops. - -Fernando witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry during that terrible -night, when Mr. Francis S. Key, a prisoner on board an English vessel, -composed the song which immortalized him,--"The Star-Spangled Banner." - -Not only Baltimore, but all the Chesapeake and coast was threatened by -the British. Cruisers by the score were threatening almost every -seaport town. - -The day after the unsuccessful bombardment of Fort McHenry, General -Smith sent for Fernando Stevens, and when he was in the general's head -quarters, that officer said: - -"Captain Stevens, I would like to have you do a little detached duty." - -"General, I am willing to do whatever you wish. You can command me at -your pleasure." - -"There is a cruiser on the coast threatening a little town where some -government stores have been placed for safety. Will you undertake the -defence of the town?" - -"Certainly; I will do the best I can; but success will depend on my -means." - -"How many men have you?" - -"One hundred and fifty." - -"I will send fifty marines with you." - -"But artillery?" - -"There are some nine-pounders and one long thirty-two at the village. -Muster your men, hasten there at once, and do the best you can." - -"But, general, you have not yet told me the name of the village." - -"Mariana." - -"What?" gasped Fernando, starting to his feet. "Did you say Mariana. -Perhaps I misunderstood you."' - -"No; I mean Mariana. Captain Lane, an old privateer officer of the -Revolution, is there. He has organized a company of Marylanders on the -peninsula on which Mariana is situated, and will be able to help you -some. You will find an abundance of ammunition for your artillery." - -Fernando left the general's quarters with his heart beating in a way -which he could not explain. Terrence had just returned to the company. -Fernando ordered his men to be ready to march at dark, and was hastening -across the street to a tavern for his supper, when he was suddenly -accosted by a familiar voice with: - -"Golly! massa Stevens, am dat you?" - -"Job, where have you come from?" - -"Everywhar, Massa. I done been rovin' de worl' over huntin' for de massa -I belong to when I war taken by de Britishers; but I can't find him. -Whar ye gwine?" - -Fernando explained, and the negro said: - -"Golly! ye goin' dar?" - -"Yes, Job." - -"De ship what am goin' ter bombard dat town am de _Xenophon_." - -"_Xenophon_!" cried Fernando; "surely Providence must be in this." - -Job volunteered at once to accompany the riflemen, and, having some -knowledge of gunnery, his services were very acceptable. - -At dusk, with competent guides, Fernando set out for the village. - - * * * * * - -Five years had been added to the weight with which time was crushing -Captain Lane; but his spirit was still as undaunted as ever, and when he -found the town threatened by a British cruiser, he hastily organized the -people into militia companies, and began throwing up a line of -earthworks, which extended from his own house to the lowest extremity of -the village. - -The plan of the breastwork was well laid and executed; but the artillery -was poorly mounted and they were sadly in need of experienced gunners. - -"Father, don't exert yourself until you are sick!" said Morgianna, when -her father came home one evening exhausted. "Surely, if the British -come, they will not harm us." - -"My child, the plunderers have sacked other towns and insulted the -inhabitants, and why not ours?" - -"But no ship is in sight." - -"No; yet one has been hovering about the coast and Tris Penrose, who was -far out in his fishing smack to reconnoitre, says it is the _Xenophon_." - -"The _Xenophon_!" and the pretty face grew pale. She remembered that -that vessel, five years before, had paid the village a friendly visit. -Captain Lane was watching her closely. She knew it and guessed the -reason. After a moment's silence, she asked: - -"Father, isn't Lieutenant Matson on the _Xenophon_?" - -"I suppose he is." - -"Surely he is your friend." - -"In war there are no friends among the enemy, child, and no enemy among -friends. We are simply Americans or British." - -"Yet, father, there are personal ties stronger than loyalty to nation or -political party." - -The old man heard her argument with evident anxiety. He loved his little -sea-waif as ardently as ever father loved a child, and for five years -he fancied and feared she loved the lieutenant of the _Xenophon_. - -"True, child, you speak the truth, yet my heart tells me that we cannot -trust to friendship now, seeing that this quarrel has grown so bitter." -He was sorry to say this, for he felt that every word he uttered was -like a dagger at the heart of Morgianna. After a painful silence, the -old, white-haired seaman added, "Forgive me, Morgianna; but I am an old -man, and I may not look at things as you do. I love my country and her -flag. I have seen our poor sailors too often enslaved to be a friend to -any Englishman while the war lasts." - -"What do you mean, father?" - -"You love him, Morgianna. I felt it, I knew it all along, but I couldn't -help it. I knew I ought to do something, but, child, I didn't know what -to do. If you had had a mother she could have advised you, but -I didn't." - -"Father, you talk so strangely; what do you mean?" - -"I knew all along, my child, that you loved him; but Lieutenant Matson -is a bad one, even if he is the son of my old friend. I could see the -devil glinting in his eyes, and the mock of his smile, when he met the -young Ohioan here five years ago. He's a bad man accompanied with foul -weather wherever he goes, and I know it just so long as I know the -cat's paw, the white creeping mist, like a dirty thing which makes me -cry out to my crew, 'All hands to reef! Quick! All hands to reef!'" The -old man was silent for a moment, smoking his pipe, while his eyes were -on the floor. Had he looked up, he would have seen a decidedly -mischievous look in the face of Morgianna, which certainly did not -indicate that she was seriously affected. After a few moments, without -looking up, the old man with a sigh continued: - -"Ah, my little maid, if you could only have listened a bit to the noble -Ohioan;--if it could have been him instead of Matson, love and -patriotism could have gone hand in hand. The night we went to the cliff, -I thought you did like him; but it was not to be. 'Tis dreadful! -dreadful! why did God make woman so? Poor Fernando; there was good love -going a-begging and getting nothing for it but a frown and a hard word; -while--" he did not finish the sentence, for a pair of white arms were -put around his neck, and a voice as sweet as the rippling music of the -hillside brook said: - -"Never fret yourself, father, for Morgianna loves you first of all and -best of all," and she slipped on his knee and kissed away the anxious -cloud gathering on his brow. The old man was quite overcome by this -caress, and before he could make any answer there came a heavy tread on -the piazza, a heavy knock, and a moment later a servant announced, Tris -Penrose and John Burrel. They were admitted and Penrose, who had made -another reconnoisance that afternoon in his fishing yacht, said: - -"Aw, captain, I be just returned, and having somewhat of importance to -impart I came to tell you." - -Captain Lane asked the Cornish fisherman to be seated and asked: - -"What have you seen, Tris?" - -"You see, captain, it be like this. I be out at sea beyond the bay, and -I see a great ship beating up in the bay against wind and tide, and I -watch her for a long time as she do go first on one tack and then on the -other, until I make sure she be heading for Mariana, and I hasten to -tell, with all sail." - -Burrel explained that from the farthest point of Duck Island the vessel -had been sighted, and that there was no longer any question of her -destination. Captain Lane rose to go down to the village, where the -greatest excitement prevailed. Turning to Morgianna, he asked: - -"Will you be afraid to remain here, my gem o' the sea?" - -"No, father." - -The captain went and quieted the people. A strong breeze was blowing -from the land, and he knew full well that the _Xenophon_ could not -possibly come near enough to harm them for several hours. He gave some -directions concerning the strengthening of the fort, and went home and -retired to bed. - -Next morning the ship-of-war, the _Xenophon_ was reported lying without -the harbor, and at noon, being unable, owing to contrary winds, to enter -the harbor, they saw her long-boats landing troops on the northern point -of land. Soldiers to the number of two hundred were landed on the point -of land, which, two miles north of Duck Island, projected far out into -the sea and was called O'Connor's Point. Mariana was situated on a -peninsula from half a mile to two miles wide and the troops hurried to -the narrowest neck of this peninsula where they halted and proceeded to -throw up light earthworks, so as to completely cut off all retreat of -the inhabitants. - -That evening some officers and a marine guard with a white flag were -seen coming down the great road leading from the neck of the peninsula -to the mainland and thence to Baltimore. Many of the inhabitants -recognized Lieutenant Matson before he came to the fort. They were -halted and asked what they wanted. - -Lieutenant Matson stated that it was his wish to see Captain Lane. - -Mounting the earthworks, Captain Lane asked: - -"Do you come in peace or in war?" - -"In peace." - -"Then, as the son of an old friend, you are welcome. You can send back -your guard and flag of truce, for I am sufficient surety for -your safety." - -The lieutenant told his guard to retire, while he went over the parapet -and ascended the hill to the great white house. Lieutenant Matson was -very grave and silent, when they reached the house, which was lighted, -for it was now growing dark. Captain Lane asked his visitor to be -seated and said: - -"Now, Lieutenant Matson, you may proceed with your business." - -A pair of soft, dark eyes were fixed on them from a door which was -slightly ajar, and even the darkness seemed lighter from the glow of -golden hair. The lieutenant's back was toward this room, and he did not -see the beautiful, anxious face and roguish eyes. Lieutenant Matson, -after a brief silence, said: - -"Captain Lane, I am come on a matter of business in which friendship and -regard are mingled. Believe me that, had it not been for my great esteem -for yourself and Morgianna, I should have sent an under officer with my -message instead of bringing it myself." - -Captain Lane bowed and hoped that Lieutenant Matson would not allow -friendship to stand in the way of duty. Lieutenant Matson continued: - -"First, I have come, captain, to demand of you the surrender of this -post,--that is, of all the government stores in it, assuring you that -private property shall not be molested, and the men in arms shall be -treated as prisoners of war." - -Without a moment's hesitation, the old sea captain answered: - -"I refuse to comply with your demand." - -"Surely, Captain Lane, you must know that you cannot hope to resist the -_Xenophon_. Her heavy guns will soon batter down your walls and destroy -your houses." - -"When that is done, it will be time enough to think of surrendering." - -"Surely you do not know that Washington is burned and Baltimore -surrounded. All night long the fleet bombarded the town." - -"Yes, we could hear the roar of cannon even here." - -"Well, you must ultimately surrender." - -Lieutenant Matson was greatly distressed by the stubbornness of Captain -Lane. He reminded him of the helpless women and children in the town, -and asked him, for their sakes, to consider the crime of resisting; but -it was all in vain. Captain Lane had been chosen by the people to defend -them, and he swore he was no Hull to yield at the sight of an enemy. - -"No, sir; when our guns are dismounted, our walls battered down, our -houses burned, and there is not a man able to hold a lanyard, then it is -time to think of surrendering." - -"Very well, Captain, if such is your resolution, I must leave you; but -permit me to conduct Miss Morgianna to a place of safety. She would be -safe on board the _Xenophon_ and I offer her----" - -"What!" interrupted Captain Lane, his eyes flashing fire. "Lieutenant -Matson, do you wish to insult me?" - -"No, Captain Lane, I merely wish to secure the safety of Morgianna." - -"Morgianna! Morgianna!" called the old man, starting to his feet and -pacing the floor anxiously. - -"Here, father!" and, clothed in spotless white, looking like some -celestial being just reached this earth, Morgianna entered the room. -"What do you want, father?" she asked, paying no heed to the lieutenant, -who had risen to his feet with a most gracious smile and bow. - -"Morgianna, Lieutenant Matson announces that the English frigate -_Xenophon_ is coming to destroy our town and kill our people. He offers -you a place on board that vessel where he says you will be safe. Do you -accept it?" - -[Illustration: "MY FATHER WILL PROTECT ME; I WANT NO OTHER PROTECTION."] - -"No!" she answered, stamping one little slippered foot on the floor. -Then going to the captain's side, she laid her head on his shoulder -and said: - -"My father will protect me; I want no other protection." - -"Morgianna," began the baffled lieutenant, "I would like a word with -you in private--" - -"Lieutenant Matson, I don't care to hear you--I will not listen to you. -As my father's friend, I once did tolerate you; but now, as my country's -enemy, I have no forbearance with you. Begone!" and her white, jeweled -hand pointed to the door. - -The Briton's face flushed crimson, as he retorted: - -"Morgianna, you may regret--" - -"Lieutenant Matson!" interrupted the captain fiercely. "Not another -word, lest I forget your father was my mate. Begone!" - -With an oath, Matson left the town and returned to his men on the neck -of the peninsula. When he was gone, Captain Lane turned to his daughter -and was surprised to see a look of contempt instead of the grief he had -expected. That one glance convinced him that he had been mistaken, and -that she did not love the Englishman after all. - -"Father, that man's true spirit was revealed to-night. Even though he is -your old friend's son, he is a villain." - -Next day some of the Marylanders had a skirmish with the British on the -neck of land, and one of the villagers was wounded. The _Xenophon_ still -hovered near the mouth of the narrow harbor and only waited a favorable -wind to enter the bay, and commence the siege which could have but -one result. - -Captain Lane strove hard to be cheerful; but his heart was heavier than -lead. Again night came, with the _Xenophon_ anchored off Mud Island. The -night was dark, and the wind from shore strong, so that Captain Lane -knew she could not enter the harbor. - -He was sitting at his fireside, when suddenly from the narrow inlet -south of the peninsula there rang out a volley of musketry followed by -wild cries and cheers. The volley was followed by heavy firing, and -Captain Lane, donning his hat, snatched his sword and ran down to the -works, where the drum was beating, and the Marylanders were seizing -muskets and falling into line. - -"What is it? whom have they attacked?" was the general query asked by -all. The pickets were called in and the only sentries were the chain -guards just outside the parapet. Suddenly the sound of footsteps came -from the darkness, and the sentries knew that two or three men were -running toward them. Zeb Cole, a large, powerful Marylander, finding one -of them coming directly at him, dropped his musket and, seizing the -fellow's throat, hurled him to the ground. - -"Halt! ye wanderin' Israelite. Stop an' tell me who you are?" - -"Oh, let go me, massa, lem me up!" pleaded the captive, struggling to -his feet. "I ain't no Britisher! dar ain't no Angler Saxun blood in dese -veins. I is a Yankee nigger, massa, bet I am." - -Another man who had come up at a run cried in language in which the -Hibernian was plainly distinguishable: - -"Hould hard, ye haythin! The redcoats are afther us!" - -"Who be ye?" demanded Zeb. - -"The advance guard of two hundred Americans comin' to help ye whip the -Britisher. Jist as we landed, afther crossing the mouth of the creek, -the dirthy spalpeens fired on us; but we drove thim back, and here come -our boys at double quick." - -Terrence was correct, for Fernando and his riflemen having cut their way -through the British, hurried into the fort. Captain Lane was amazed to -find their friends led by the young Ohioan, whom he had entertained at -his house five years before. - -"Did you lose any of your men in the skirmish?" asked Captain Lane. - -"Two were wounded, none killed or missing. Has the _Xenophon_ commenced -the bombardment yet?" - -"No; but she will as soon as the wind shifts to bring her in." - -"How many men have you capable of bearing arms, Captain Lane?" asked -Fernando. - -"Almost two hundred." - -"I have two hundred more, we will die together or beat off the ship." - -"Did General Winder send you to defend the town?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Then I will serve under you. Captain Stevens." - -Fernando tried to get the old captain to assume command; but he said he -was too old; that he would gladly advise him and serve with him and -under him; but he did not want the responsibility of the command. Then, -all being quiet, Captain Lane went to his house to sleep and rest. - -"He is gone," said Fernando when left alone near the big gun; "gone and -not a word said about Morgianna. What will she say, what will she think, -when she knows it is I who came to defend her?" - -Fernando sighed and was very unhappy. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE SAVING SHOT. - -Little or nothing could be done by Captain Stevens that night. His men -were exhausted, and threw themselves down anywhere and everywhere. The -proprietor of the tavern took Fernando, Sukey, Terrence and Lieutenant -Willard of the marines to his house, where they were furnished beds and -slept soundly. - -The morning of September 14, 1814, came. Fernando, at his request, was -awakened early, and with Lieutenant Willard went out to examine the fort -and artillery. It was scarcely daylight when they mounted the works and -gazed off the bay. They could not see as far as Duck and Mud Islands, -and sat down upon the gun carriages to await the rising of the sun. - -A hundred stalwart Marylanders came from their houses with axes, picks -and shovels, ready to resume work on the redoubt. - -"Lieutenant Willard." said Fernando, "your judgment is perhaps better -than mine. Will you give these men direction in regard to the works?" - -Lieutenant Willard mounted the earthworks and walked along the entire -line, closely inspecting them and directing the improvement of what was -already quite a formidable fortification. - -The guns were next examined and changed so as to more completely sweep -the bay. While the lieutenant was doing this, Fernando, with three or -four fishermen went down to the water with a glass to take a look for -the _Xenophon_. She could be seen still anchored off Mud Island. - -"The vind be strong off shore," said Tris Penrose the Cornish fisherman. -"Aw, she cannot sail in the teeth o' it." - -"How far is it to Mud Island?" asked Fernando. - -"It be about five mile," the fisherman answered. - -"I am going out to that headland!" he said pointing to the rocky -promontory. - -"It be dangerous, Capen; the ship's big guns, they reach to the -headland;" but Fernando insisted on being rowed to the headland, and -four fishermen, including Tris Penrose, took him to it in a boat. The -memories this early morning visit awoke in his breast are indescribable. -Years seemed to have been rolled back, and he was once more with -Morgianna, within the pale of hope. Ascending the promontory, he saw the -_Xenophon_ lying at anchor not over three or four miles away. Two boats -loaded down with marines put off from the ship and rowed to the point -of land half a mile away. There they landed, formed, and marched to -reinforce Matson on the neck of the peninsula. Three hundred men and two -small cannon were now on land. - -Fernando went back, convinced that for some hours at least the attack -would be delayed. Lieutenant Willard was working with a will to -strengthen the redoubt. Bomb-proof apartments were made for the women -and children. They were still uncertain of the fate of Baltimore, and -knew that the whole coast was threatened by the British fleet. - -While sitting at breakfast, Fernando received a note from Captain Lane -informing him that a sudden attack of rheumatism prevented him from -leaving his bed, and asked him to call at the house if he wished to -consult him. Never in his life was Fernando more glad to receive a -summons, and never did he so dread answering it. - -"I am foolish!" he thought. "She cares nothing for me. She has told me -as much, and she cannot have changed her mind. I will go, but as the -commandant and not as a supplicant--or lover." - -Fernando was in the uniform of a captain of infantry of 1812, the -handsomest uniform ever adopted by the American army. His dark blue -coat, buttoned to his chin, his sash, his belt and gilt sword, his -chapeau-bras with flowing plume, set off his manly form. - -Fernando, as he ascended the path to the house, did not dream that he -was heroic or fine-looking. - -When he reached the house, he paused a moment on the piazza, just as he -had on that evening five years before, to school his rebellious heart. -To his knock a servant answered, and he was hurried up to the room of -Captain Lane. At every corner he expected Morgianna; but she did not -appear. Perhaps she was with her father; but no, the captain was alone. - -"It's too bad, Captain Stevens," the old sea-dog declared. "Here I am -with this infernal rheumatism holding me down like an anchor, when we -are threatened with a squall." - -"Don't trouble yourself, captain," said Fernando. "I fancy there are -young men enough to fight our battles." - -"But one likes to have a hand in such affairs, you know." - -"Certainly, but don't worry yourself. The wind is still off shore, and -the bay is so narrow that, unless they get out a warp, they cannot haul -in the _Xenophon_." - -"I have wondered they did not do that before," said the old sailor. "It -could be done." - -"Perhaps they have some other plan. They landed a hundred more men this -morning." - -"They can't be going to make a land attack." - -"No, the land forces are to cut off retreat." - -"It's that infernal Matson--Lieutenant Matson--curse him! He is the son -of my friend; but I say curse him, for all that!" cried the old sea-dog, -his face expressing mingled rage and agony. - -"Is he in command?" asked Fernando. Before either could speak, a light -tread warned Fernando that a third person had entered the room. He -started to his feet and, turning about, bowed to Morgianna. - -"Captain Stevens, I am proud to welcome you back to Mariana; but I am -sorry it could not have been under other circumstances." She was -beautiful--more beautiful than when he left; but there was not expressed -by either voice, eye, or flushed cheek any symptom of a more tender -regard than friendship. Fernando had so schooled himself, that, as he -took her hand, he said in a most commonplace manner: - -"I was sent here, Miss Lane. I am a soldier, and wherever duty calls, I -go, be it pleasant or unpleasant." - -Morgianna was not prepared for this. The cool, off-hand manner seemed to -hardly indicate the respect of friendship. Her face grew deathly pale -for a moment, and she almost ceased breathing; but she gained her -self-control, and, in a tone as commonplace and cool as his own, hoped -he was well and that he would not be killed in the coming struggle. The -coming struggle with the _Xenophon_ was nothing compared to his present -struggle. Fernando still loved Morgianna. Five years had only added to -the intensity of his love; but he had once made a simpleton of himself, -and he determined not to do so again. Thus two hungry souls, thirsting -for each other's love, acted the cold part of casual acquaintances. -Could the veil have been lifted, could the barriers have been broken -down, what misery might have been spared! but it is ever thus. Humanity -is contradictory and the heart's impulses are held in check. - -"Miss Lane, this house cannot be a safe place in the coming struggle," -said Fernando. "We have prepared bomb-proof shelters for the women and -children, and I hope you will accept refuge in one." - -She said something about her father. - -"He shall be cared for. I hope you will let me send a sergeant with a -dozen men to convey you both to a place of safety." - -She assented, and he left. Her face was still white, her chin was -quivering, and her eyes were growing moist. - -"What's the matter, Morgianna?" asked Captain Lane. - -She did not venture an answer, but running to her own room, fell weeping -on the couch. - -"After five long years, to return so changed--so cold--oh, God, this -punishment is greater than I can bear!" she sobbed. - -By the middle of the afternoon, the wind changed slightly, shifting to -the northeast, and some activity was evinced on board the _Xenophon_. -Fernando thought longer delay was dangerous. Captain Lane and his -daughter, with all other women and children, were conveyed to the -bomb-proof houses, which had been constructed for them. He was so busy -all that day, that he only caught an occasional glimpse of Morgianna. - -When night came, the _Xenophon_ had left her moorings, and Fernando -predicted she would be brought in broadside to begin the cannonade at -daybreak. He retired to his bed at eleven o'clock and at four Lieutenant -Willard came to him and said: "Captain, the wind has shifted due east." - -"How is the night?" - -"Dark and cloudy." - -"Can anything be seen of the _Xenophon_?" - -"No." - -"Send a dozen men to the promontory and build a fire. The light would -show her to us." - -A dozen bold fishermen, who knew the coast well, went out in their -boats, hugging the rocky shore until the promontory was gained, and -gathering up great heaps of driftwood on the edge of the bluff, set it -on fire, and pulled back. - -As the flames shot up, they revealed the _Xenophon_ slowly and carefully -feeling her way into the bay. Not a shot was fired, for she was -still far away. - -Thus the night wore on. Day began to dawn slowly, and as the first light -fell on bay and sea it revealed the dread enemy lying like a monster -sea-bird in the bay, not a mile away. - -The _Xenophon_ was in no hurry to commence. She had her prey so that -there was no possible chance of escape, and the officers and men ate -breakfast and walked about the deck, talking and joking on the work -before them. Through a powerful glass, which Captain Lane furnished him, -Fernando recognized Captain Snipes standing on the quarter deck, -smoking a cigar. - -Fernando had the guns loaded and shotted. They were sighted and ready -when the _Xenophon_ should take the initiative. - -"Say, Capen, dat Britisher doan git dis chile no more," said Job. "I -can't find my real massa, but, by golly, I've saved up fifty dollars to -buy a new one, 'fore I go for to be a Britisher agin." - -Before Fernando could answer, Sukey came running along the breastwork -and said: - -"Fernando! Fernando--he is there! Captain Snipes is aboard that ship!" - -Sukey's face was deathly white, and his fingers convulsively clutched -the air as if grasping at an imaginary throat. - -Fernando was standing on the parapet, when a wreath of smoke curled up -from the ship's side, followed by the boom of a heavy gun, and a ball -came whizzing through the air, and struck the breastwork. - -It was nine minutes after ten o'clock when the first shot was fired. -This shot was the signal for a broadside, and a shower of balls with -three or four shells came screaming through the air striking the walls -of the fort, or exploding over it. One of the shells buried itself in -the sand but a few feet from Fernando, and burst, scattering sand and -gravel over him. - -"Fire!" cried Fernando, without moving from his position. - -Immediately the thirty-two pounder and four smaller guns belched forth -fire and thunder. Fernando watched the effect through the glass. The -thirty-two went wild, and the shots from the smaller pieces fell short. -He turned and gave some instructions to the gunners, while a shell came -screaming over his head and burst a short distance away, killing one of -the marines. - -"Fernando, there ain't no need of you standing up there!" cried Sukey. -"You ain't in the game, till we get near enough to use rifles." - -"Divil a bit will the blackguards iver come near enough for that," cried -Terrence, boldly mounting the breastwork. "Captain, lave me have a -squint through yer glass," and Terrence, assuming a liberty which he -only could, took the glass from his hand. The screaming shell and -whistling shot continued to come from the _Xenophon_. "Faith, thim bees -buzz nicely round a fellow's ears," added Terrence. - -Fernando seized his glass, when the thirty-two was again sighted and -fixed it on the ship. As the heavy boom shook the earth, he saw a great -splash of water twelve feet from the bow. - -"Let some one else train the gun," he cried. "You miss the mark." - -All appeals to Fernando to come down from his dangerous position were -unavailing. His anxiety to pierce the _Xenophon_ with the thirty-two -kept him on the parapet directing the gunners, while balls and shells -shrieked about him. Job tried three shots; but only one did any injury, -and that was some insignificant damage to the rigging. Fernando saw at -once their disadvantage. - -"Oh, if we only had one experienced gunner, he would drive the ship -from the harbor," he thought. - -Lieutenant Willard tried three or four shots, and one struck the bow. -With glass in hand, Fernando remained on the earthworks, watching the -effect of their balls and giving orders to the gunners, while balls and -shells flew screaming around him. One shell exploded near the embrasure -of one of the smaller guns killing one and wounding four. As yet, they -had not touched one of the enemy, and the young commandant was -chagrined, anxious and annoyed. He lost his temper and raved at the -gunners, who were doing their best. They lacked science. - -His brave riflemen stood under the earthworks, grasping their guns which -were useless now, while they lamented that the Britons were not -in range. - -Officers, citizens and even privates implored Fernando to come down. A -shell exploded in the air, and a piece grazed his shoulder, yet he kept -his place on the rampart. Terrence Malone, who could see no reason for -courting death, had sought shelter behind a gun carriage. Fernando's -anxiety and mortification increased as he witnessed the repeated -failures of his gunners to hull the _Xenophon_. Amid smoke, dust and -whizzing missiles, he kept his post. The thunder of guns, the whizzing -balls, and shrieking shells were unheard in his great anxiety to defeat -the British. - -Suddenly a hand clutched his arm, and a silvery voice, which he -recognized in an instant, cried: - -"This is folly! Come down--come down from this certain death!" - -"Morgianna, you here!" he cried. "For Heaven's sake, go to the -bomb-proof shelter. You must not expose yourself here." - -"I will not go a step until you come from the rampart." She clung to -him, and appealed so earnestly, the tears of anxiety and fear starting -from her eyes, while her white, pleading face was upturned to his, that -he could not deny her. All other appeals had been unheeded, but -Morgianna's he could not refuse. - -A wild cheer went up from the Americans within the fort as Morgianna -descended from the redoubt with the daring captain. He hurried her away -to the bomb-shelter, where her father lay raging and fuming, because his -infirmity would not allow him to take part in the contest. Fernando -obtained a promise from Morgianna that she would not venture from the -shelter, by promising in return to keep off the redoubt. - -The British shells were telling on the American fort. Though the walls -were strong and resisted their balls, several men had fallen beneath -their shells. Two solid shot and one shell struck Captain Lane's -elegant mansion on the hill, fired from spite, as the house was far -removed from the fort, and no one was near it. A cannon-ball entered the -great, broad bay window overlooking the sea, made a wreck of the -furniture in the parlor, crashed through the wall, shivering a tall -mirror and spreading havoc in the room beyond. - -The siege continued all day long, and late in the afternoon, just one -hour before sunset, the redcoats appeared on the wooded hill back of the -town, and opened fire with two small pieces and muskets. Fernando's -riflemen had been waiting for this, and, with wild yells, they leaped -the redoubts, deployed along the stone fences and houses and picked off -the redcoats so rapidly, that they fled pell mell to their own works, -glad to escape the bullets of those unerring riflemen. - -The cannonade kept up until long after midnight. The sky was ablaze with -circling shells, and the headlands reverberated with ten -thousand echoes. - -All the guns in the fort save the thirty-two were silent, for the -smaller cannon at that range were useless. The soldiers in the fort lay -on their arms, and Fernando slept none. With anxious face he went the -rounds of the fort, occasionally watching through an embrasure the ship -beyond and the circling shells. During the night, three more of their -number were killed and six wounded, while as yet they had done the -enemy no hurt. - -Shortly after midnight, the firing grew slower and an hour later ceased -altogether. Morning dawned slowly, and the flag still floated over the -badly battered fort. A sullen, gloomy silence had fallen over the -officers and men. They watched the enemy, who at daylight began to warp -the ship in a little nearer, that her guns might be more effective. -Fernando was silent and his brow dark. There seemed but one thing -possible and that was defeat. Reinforcements need not be expected. - -The _Xenophon_ came a little nearer to shore, then let go her anchors -again and lay broadside to the fort. It was quite evident that she was -afraid to come too close, lest some blundering shot would strike her. -All of a sudden, a sheet of flame and cloud of smoke from her side -concealed the ship from view, and balls once more rained about the fort. -The fire this day was more destructive than on the preceding. One house -within the enclosure was completely battered down. The church which had -been converted into a hospital was set on fire. Fernando discovered it -in flames and ran thither to hurry out the wounded. Entering the burning -building, through which a shell went screaming, he was horror-stricken -and amazed to find Morgianna at one of the bunks, binding up the wounds -of a sufferer. - -"Morgianna, Morgianna!" he cried, "why do you risk your life here?" - -"There is suffering and death here!" she answered. "Am I better than -those who risk their lives for me?" - -"Morgianna, you must not, yours is no common life--" he began. In the -excitement of the moment he almost forgot himself. She was about to -answer, when he said, "Noble woman! do not, for Heaven's sake, run -needless danger." - -They hurried the wounded from the burning building. Another house, lower -down the hill, was also on fire. It was so near to the great gun, that -the heat almost blistered the men who worked it, and for awhile their -magazine was in great peril. - -The soldiers did all in their power to extinguish the flames; but both -church and house burned to the ground. - -Night came once more, and the Americans were reduced to the sorest -straits. Soon after dark, the cannonading ceased and a silence of death -fell over the fort, broken only by the groans of some poor, wounded -fellow. The people within the fort went about talking in whispers. Three -bodies, which they had not had time to bury, lay, stark and silent under -the shed, and there were nine fresh graves on the hillside. In -addition, more than thirty of the defenders were disabled from wounds. - -Captain Stevens, Sukey, Terrence and Lieutenant Willard were holding a -consultation in a room of the old tavern. Lieutenant Willard said: - -"Captain Stevens, there is no other alternative, we must surrender. To -hold out longer is murder. If we had a few competent gunners we might -drive her away, but with our inexperienced men, we are wasting -ammunition and life to resist." - -"There is one chance," said Fernando. "Perhaps we could carry the ship -by the board." - -"By the board! divil a bit!" put in Terrence. "Why they'd sink us all -before we could get within a hundred yards of the plagued ship." - -Sukey, remembering that Captain Snipes, his avowed enemy, was on board -the _Xenophon_, was eager to make the effort to carry her by the board. - -"It will be a desperate undertaking," said Lieutenant Willard. "If we -had sailors instead of riflemen it might be done very easily; but it is -a desperate chance; yet we are in a desperate situation." - -"And faith ye'll come to a desperate end, if ye thry to carry that ship -by the board," interrupted Terrence. - -Fernando mustered three hundred men and, ascertaining there were boats -to take them to the _Xenophon_, was about to give the orders to march -to the water, when, suddenly, volley after volley of muskets and pistols -rang out from the ship. The Americans had passed from the works and were -drawn up on the sands. When they heard the firing at the _Xenophon_, -they came to a halt, to guess and wonder at the cause. - -It was decided to march the men by a round-about course to the -promontory and embark in boats for the ship. By doing this, they could -come upon the vessel from the side opposite to the fort, and effect a -more complete surprise. Two dozen bold fishermen were entrusted to take -the boats along the rocky shore to the point of embarkation. The night -was quite dark, and, the water rough, so it required great skill to -accomplish this difficult feat. - -Fernando and his troops had gained the neck of land reaching to the -promontory, and, fearing that the enemy might have landed a force there, -and that they would be drawn into an ambuscade, he halted his troops in -a dense growth of wood and left them with Lieutenant Willard, while he, -with Sukey, Terrence and Job, crept forward to reconnoitre. They had -almost reached the promontory, and, convinced that there was no one in -ambush, were about to return to the main force, when suddenly an object -presented itself to their eyes, which absolutely rooted them to the -spot. At about twenty or thirty yards distant, where but the moment -before the long line of horizon terminated the view, there now stood a -strange figure, which might be six and might be twelve feet in height. -It had evidently risen up out of the ground and was floating in the air, -as there seemed to be nothing to connect it with the earth. There was a -body of spotless white, an obscure mass which might be a head, and two -long, white, straight arms, spread apart like a cross. This strange -creature was advancing toward them. - -"Oh, golly! massa, look ye dar! dat am a ghost!" whispered the darkey. - -"A banshee, begorra!" said Terrence. - -Fernando was impressed that the strange vision was the result of some -English trickery, while Sukey, cocking his gun, declared: - -"If it's mortal, I'll soon make it immortal." - -"Hold, Sukey!" whispered Fernando, "let us see what it is before you -fire." - -"Golly! massa, it am comin' dis way!" - -Fernando could see that the object, with its strange incongruous head, -its long arms, of which it now seemed to have three or four, was -advancing toward them over the uneven ground; and he gave the order to -fall back until they were nearer the troops. - -When within about one hundred paces, Fernando made a stand and cried: - -"Halt!" - -This was the first word uttered loud enough to reach the strange -four-armed, one-headed, but legless spectre. It produced a wonderful -effect, for the odd figure wheeled about and started off at something -like a run. Sukey brought his gun to his shoulder and fired. - -The report of the gun was the signal for the riflemen under Lieutenant -Willard to charge, and all gave chase to the spectre. - -"Don't fire another shot!" cried Fernando. The spectre had not gone a -hundred paces, before it stumbled over a loose stone and fell. In a -moment, Terrence Malone had seized it and cried: - -"Huzzah! boys, I've caught the divil himsilf." - -The spectre proved to be a very material like person in the form of a -tall sailor with a white jacket and cap and blue trousers. His -superabundance of arms could be accounted for by the long, white oar, -which he had been carrying on his shoulder, and which he explained was -his only weapon, offensive or defensive. - -"Where are you from?" asked Fernando. - -"I am from his majesty's frigate _Xenophon_," he answered. - -"Are you a deserter?" asked Fernando. - -"Yes, sir; I am an American by birth, and will die before I raise my -hand against my country. To-day, because I refused to work at the guns, -I was arrested, to be flogged in the morning, hung or shot at the -pleasure of Captain Snipes." - -"I believe I know that voice--" began Captain Stevens. - -"Holy golly! it am Massa St. Mark!" yelled a voice behind them, and Job -tore his way through the crowd and, flinging his arms about the sailor, -cried: "Massa St. Mark! Massa St. Mark! am it you?" - -"Faith, it's the best gunner in the British navy!" cried Terrence. - -Fernando had no trouble in recognizing in the stranger the gentlemanly -gunner of the _Macedonian_, who had saved him from being flogged. -Terrence, Fernando, Job and Sukey crowded about the newcomer and for a -moment plied him with questions. He explained that, having slipped his -handcuffs, he rushed on deck, seized the oar, which he still carried, -knocked down two sentries and leaped overboard. They fired a hundred -shots at him; but, being an excellent swimmer, and the night being dark, -he managed to escape. Lying on his back, holding to the oar, he watched -for the flash of their guns and pistols, and, when they fired, ducked -his head under the water. - -The appearance of Mr. Hugh St. Mark naturally caused another -consultation. He discouraged their desperate attempt to carry the ship -by the board, and Fernando, after sending six fishermen to the headland -to acquaint their companions there with the change, marched with his -force back to the fort. An hour later the others came. - -When day dawned, the _Xenophon_ renewed her cannonading. Mr. Hugh St. -Mark was given charge of the thirty-two, and after carefully measuring -the distance with an experienced eye, he weighed the powder and loaded -the gun. Fernando watched the flight of the first ball, which went -whizzing over the leeward rail across the deck and out at the opposite -port into the sea. The second shot cut some of the rigging. The British -supposed those two shots accidents, but after the third, they were -convinced that there was an experienced hand at the gun. - -Fernando, in his anxiety to mark the effect of the third shot, forgot -his promise to Morgianna and, with the glass in hand, mounted the -rampart. The heavy boom of the cannon shook sea and shore. There was no -need of a glass to mark the effects. The ball crashed through from side -to side sending the splinters flying in every direction. A wild cheer -rose from the fort, and Fernando saw five or six carried below the deck, -while one of the guns was dismounted and useless. In a few seconds the -great gun was again loaded. This, time the ball crashed through the -hull. The fifth shot struck the mizzenmast about four feet above deck, -and cut it almost away. - -"Victory is ours!" cried Fernando, waving his sword in the air. - -"Hurrah for ould Ireland and the United States foriver!" shouted -Terrence, leaping on the embankment, and dancing a jig. But the -_Xenophon_ had not given up the contest yet. She continued to fire her -balls and shells with murderous intent until the balls from St. Mark's -direction had cut her mainmast down. It fell over on the lee side -dragging with it the fore mainstay and crippling the rigging to such an -extent that Captain Snipes began to fear he could not get his vessel out -of the harbor. The weight of the mainmast hanging over the side of the -vessel was so great that the vessel heeled over to leeward. A dozen -carpenters with axes flew to cut away the wreck and the ship -righted herself. - -While others were rejoicing, Hugh St. Mark was busy sending ball after -ball crashing into the _Xenophon_ as if he had many old scores to -settle. Sukey, who stood by his side, said: - -"Mr. St. Mark, don't hit the captain--leave him for me." - -The wind and tide bore the _Xenophon_ to the mouth of the harbor just -beyond the point of Duck Island, where she was temporarily safe from the -balls of the avenging thirty-two. - -It soon became evident that the land force under Lieutenant Matson -intended to march to the point of land, embark, and return to the ship. -Fernando determined to spoil their plan. He mustered two hundred and -fifty of his soldiers, marines and militia and started to head them off. -Lieutenant Willard was left alone in charge of the fort. - -A villager who knew a nearer route guided them by it to a pass between -two hills, where the Britons would be compelled to march. Sukey and -Terrence were sent forward to reconnoitre, and as they came in sight of -the narrow valley surrounded by hills they saw the head of the column of -redcoats coming, their banner upheld to the breeze. Terrence wheeling -about, ran with all speed back to the advancing soldiers, and cried: - -"Come on, me boys! it's a divil's own time we'll have of it in the -valley, all to ourselves." - -"Halt! fix bayonets!" commanded Fernando. In a moment, the gleaming -bayonets were on each gun. "Forward!--Double--Quick!" - -The soldiers, at a run, dashed into the valley just as the British -appeared, two volleys delivered in quick succession and they were at it -steel to steel. Fernando, bareheaded, engaged a stout Briton in a -hand-to-hand struggle, which a quick thrust from Sukey's bayonet ended. -Next, Captain Stevens found himself hotly engaged with his old enemy -Lieutenant Matson. Their blades flashed angrily for a moment, but as the -lieutenant's men threw down their arms and begged for quarters, he -realized the folly of resisting longer and yielded. His stubborn pride -made the struggle hard. He offered his sword to his victor, which he -politely declined. - -"Keep your sword, lieutenant," said Fernando. "Though you are my enemy, -I trust you have not forgotten that you are a gentleman." - -"I trust not." - -"You shall be paroled as soon as we reach the fort." - -The Britons stacked their arms, and marched in double file under a guard -to the fort. Oxen and carts were sent out for the arms and two pieces of -artillery which were brought into the fort. - -Silent and majestic as an uncrowned prince, seeming neither elated nor -depressed by the victory, stood the gunner Hugh St. Mark by the side of -the old thirty-two, with which he had fired the shots that saved -the fort. - -He was tall, straight, broad-shouldered, with hair once chestnut, but -now almost gray. His age might be anywhere between forty and fifty -years. So calm, majestic and mysterious did he seem, as, with folded -arms, he stood gazing unconcernedly about him, that Fernando was -constrained to ask himself: - -"Who is he?" - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -NEW ORLEANS. - -Amid the exciting scenes which followed in such rapid succession, no one -had noticed that the weather had undergone a wonderful change. By the -time the prisoners were comfortably quartered the sun had set, and the -sky was obscured with dark clouds from which constant flashes of -lightning were emitted. The distant roll of thunder and the sighing of -the wind gave warning of the approach of a storm. - -"The _Xenophon_ is in a poor condition to weather a storm to-night," -said Lieutenant Willard. "With her hull raked fore and aft a dozen -times, her mizzen gone, her foremast shot through, and her rigging so -cut to pieces, she can hardly be managed in good weather. A storm would -surely drive her on the rocks." - -The vessel could be seen by the flashes of lightning, struggling to get -to sea. At last she disappeared. The storm rose and the wind blew a -perfect hurricane. Fernando had gone to see Captain Lane to make a full -report. It was midnight, and he was still with the captain, when the -boom of a gun at sea was heard. That was no gun of battle but a signal -of distress. - -"What is it?" cried Captain Lane. - -"It's the _Xenophon_. I fear she cannot weather the storm." - -Then they listened for an hour or more to the occasional boom of a -cannon. - -"She's comin' right in on the stony point sou'east o' the bay," cried -Captain Lane. - -Fernando started to his feet and said: - -"We must go to their rescue." - -At this Morgianna, who had been ministering to the wounded, entered and -said: - -"Are they not enemies?" - -"Yes, but fellow-creatures, also. Those signal guns call out humanity, -and the bravest are the most humane," said Fernando. - -"I am glad you said that!" she remarked as Fernando hurriedly left the -shelter in which the captain lay. - -Day dawned and the _Xenophon_ was a broken wreck scattered along the -Maryland coast. Occasionally a bruised and bleeding form was picked up -senseless or dead among the rocks, or on the beach. Sukey was busiest -among the searchers; but the scenes of horror and suffering which -everywhere met his view changed his hatred to pity. - -At last he came upon a poor, bruised, thoroughly soaked, -wretched-looking man lying among some rocks, where the angry waves and -receding tide had left him. His once elegant uniform was now rotten, -dirty rags. One gold epaulet was gone, and the other was so -mud-besmeared that one could scarce tell what it was composed of. - -[Illustration: SUKEY'S THUMB LIFTED THE HAMMER OF HIS GUN.] - -It required a second look for Sukey to recognize in that miserable -creature, drawing every breath in pain, the haughty Captain Snipes, who -had scourged and disgraced him. Snipes had severe internal injuries and -was dying. Sukey's thumb lifted the hammer of his gun, then he gazed on -the agonized face of his enemy, and, the tears starting to his eyes, he -let down the hammer. At this moment Fernando came up, and Sukey cried: - -"I can't do it, Fernando,--I can't do it! I've prayed for this, for -years, but now that it's given me, I can't. It's Captain Snipes, but -he's too bad hurt to kill." - -"God has punished him," said Fernando, solemnly. "Verily, 'vengeance is -mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.'" - -They lifted their enemy as gently as if he had been their dearest friend -and bore him to a fisherman's cottage, where Sukey did all in his power -to alleviate his suffering; but his time on earth was short. Captain -Snipes sank rapidly. That he was conscious and recognized his nurse no -one can doubt, for just half an hour before he died, he took Sukey's -hand and spoke the only words he was heard to utter after the wreck. - -"Forgive me!" he said. - -"I do, captain, God knows I do!" Sukey cried warmly, and the haughty, -cruel Captain Snipes passed away, the victim of God's vengeance. - -The day after the wreck of the _Xenophon_, news came from Baltimore of -the repulse of the British fleet and army. It was a day of general -rejoicing. A squadron was to be sent to guard the coast and relieve -Fernando at Mariana. For some time he had been asking to be attached to -some western regiment with his recruits. He received official notice -that he had been assigned to a Kentucky regiment under Colonel Smiley, -and, with the notice, came a commission to the rank of major. Fernando -was ordered to join the regiment at Nashville, Tenn., to act under -General Jackson in the South. - -The war was shifting to the South; and the western and southern troops -were hastening to its defence. Fernando notified his men of the order -and Sukey volunteered to go with them. Job also enlisted as cook; but -Terrence, having been notified that _Privateer Tom_ ready for sea, once -more bade them adieu, and departed for Philadelphia, taking Mr. Hugh St. -Mark the gunner with him. - -Fernando went to the great white stone house, which had been repaired -and again occupied by Captain Lane and his daughter. Captain Lane and -Morgianna were alone in the large sitting-room when he entered. The -captain was convalescent, but not wholly recovered from his attack of -rheumatism. - -"So you are going away?" said Captain Lane when Fernando had told him of -his last order. - -"Yes, captain, a soldier belongs to his country." - -"I know it. I don't blame you one bit. So you will serve under Jackson. -Well, I don't think another ship will venture to bombard Mariana. Have -you sent the prisoners to Baltimore?" - -"Yes, sir, all save Lieutenant Matson. I took his parole, and he still -remains in the village, I presume, during his pleasure. He will be -required to report once a week to Baltimore, but that need not be -in person." - -The captain was silent. While speaking, Fernando kept his eyes from the -face of Morgianna. He could not look at her and be a witness to the glow -of joy which he knew must warm her cheek on being informed that her -lover was to remain. She quietly left the apartment while he was -conversing with the captain, and when he left, he found her alone in -the hall. - -It was almost dark; but her face in its beauty seemed to illumine the -hall. He took her hand in his own, and felt that same old thrill of five -years before. - -"I am going away, Miss Lane," he said, "and I cannot go without bidding -you adieu and telling you how much I appreciate your brave, noble, -self-sacrificing efforts in caring for the wounded." - -Fernando really had a different opinion of Morgianna from that he had -at first entertained. He had thought of her only as a gay, frivolous -girl, witty, brilliant and beautiful; but the scenes of death, the siege -and carnage had shown him a new Morgianna;--it was Morgianna the -heroine. She made several efforts to speak before she could fully -control herself. - -"Major Stevens," she faintly said after a struggle, "the people of this -poor little village can never feel too grateful to you, for your brave -and unselfish defence of their homes!" - -"I am a soldier, Miss Lane, and I trust I did my duty." - -Then they stood silent. Fernando would have given worlds to speak the -promptings of his heart: but stubborn pride forbade him. - -"Whither do you go?" she asked. - -"To the South; what point I do not know, save that we join our regiment -at Nashville." - -"Will you ever come back, major?" - -"If duty calls me--" - -"But have you no friends," she asked slowly, "no friends here, whom you -would like to see after the war is over?" - -"Many, Miss Lane. These brave men and noble women, who have shared my -toils and dangers, are very dear to my heart, and when the Britons have -been driven from our country, nothing would give me greater pleasure -than to renew my acquaintance with them." - -"You are always welcome, major," she said, deeply moved. "Will you make -me a promise?" - -"What is the promise?" - -"That you will come as soon as the war is over." - -"It is only a polite way of inviting me to her wedding," he thought; -then he asked: - -"Will you be here?" - -"If heaven spares me, I shall." - -"Then I will return, Miss Lane, if I live." - -Their discourse had been friendly, but cold and formal. Fernando had -once overstepped the bounds when he declared his love; but he was -careful not to do so again. Notwithstanding she had leaped to the -redoubt amid screaming shells and whistling balls, to persuade him back -to the trenches, he could see nothing more tender than love of humanity -in her act. He was so thoroughly convinced that she would wed Lieutenant -Matson, that he was once on the point of asking her when the marriage -would take place, but the subject was too painful to mention. - -She followed him quite to the door, and here he said in a voice that was -husky despite his efforts to prevent it: - -"Miss Lane,--Morgianna, I had him paroled for your sake. He can remain -in the village." - -He was gone before she could make any response. His men were mustered -at peep of day and marched away to Baltimore. - -General Andrew Jackson, to whom Fernando Stevens was marching, was the -hero of the war of 1812 in the South. Having utterly crushed the Creek -power and wrung from them a treaty which extinguished them politically -as a nation, he set about securing that portion of the country against -further molestation. The belief that the war in the South was ended -proved a deception when the British suddenly appeared in a large force -in the Gulf of Mexico. By permission of the Spanish governor of Florida, -the British took possession of one of the forts at Pensacola, where they -fitted out an expedition for the capture of Fort Bowyer, [Footnote: Now -Fort Morgan.] on the eastern shore of the entrance to Mobile Bay. The -British attacked the fort, but were repulsed. Jackson, who was at -Mobile, hastened to Pensacola and demanded of the Spanish governor a -surrender of the forts. The officer sent with the flag to demand the -surrender was fired upon, and next day Jackson with his troops charged -into the town; when the frightened governor offered to surrender the -forts. This was done, and the British blew up one, and abandoned -the others. - -On his return to Mobile, Jackson found a message from New Orleans, -urging him to hasten to the defence of that city, as the British -commander in the gulf had declared his intention to invade Louisiana, -and sent an inflammatory proclamation among the inhabitants. - -Jackson arrived at New Orleans, December 2, 1814, and found the city -utterly defenceless, and the people filled with alarm and distracted by -petty factions. Danger was imminent. The British troops that left -Chesapeake Bay after their repulse at Baltimore had gone to the West -Indies, where they were joined by about four thousand veterans under the -brave Irish General Keane. The combined forces sailed in the direction -of New Orleans, late in November. The wives of many of the officers -accompanied them, for not a man doubted that the speedy conquest of -Louisiana would be the result of the expedition. The dullness of the -voyage was enlightened by music and dancing, and all anticipated -exquisite pleasures to be found in the paradise before them. It is said -that the British officers had promised their soldiers the privilege of -the city, when captured, for three days, and that "booty and beauty," -was their watchword. - -Fernando Stevens, with his experienced marksmen, joined Jackson at New -Orleans on the very day that Jean Lafitte, the pirate of the Gulf, came -to offer the services of himself and band to Jackson. The British -General had tried to engage the services of this band of outlaws. -Lafitte was a shrewd Frenchman, and he and his band had been outlawed by -legal proceedings, though their crimes were only violations of the -revenue and neutrality laws of the United States. When the invitation of -the British was put into his hands, he feigned compliance; but as soon -as the bearer had departed, he called his followers around him on the -border of the sea, and said: - -"Comrades, I am an adopted citizen of the United States, and will never -violate the confidence placed in me by serving the enemies of my -country. We have been outlawed; perhaps we deserve it by our -irregularities. No matter; I am ready to serve my adopted country, and -ask you to join me. What say you, comrades?" - -His brawny followers threw up their hats and responded: - -"We will! we will!" - -Fernando was at the headquarters of General Jackson when the famous -buccaneer held his interview with him. Fernando's regiment shortly after -his arrival was assigned to the brigade of General Coffee. - -The British forces halted at the entrance to Lake Borgne, between which -and the Mississippi New Orleans stands. Here, on December 14th, they -captured a flotilla under Captain Jones, which secured to them complete -command of the lake. - -Meanwhile Jackson placed New Orleans under martial law, and carried on -his measures of defence so vigorously, that the citizens began to pluck -up courage. When he heard of the capture of the flotilla, he sent -couriers to General Coffee and others at the head of Tennessee and -Kentucky troops, urging them to hasten to New Orleans. His efforts were -timely, for, on the 22d of December, General Keane, with more than two -thousand five hundred men, reached the banks of the Mississippi through -a bayou, nine miles below the city and prepared to take New Orleans by -surprise. Vigilant eyes were watching his movements; and a prisoner whom -he had taken, escaping, hastened to New Orleans and gave General Jackson -notice of the near approach of the foe. At the same time, Coffee and -Carroll arrived with the Tennesseeans, and Jackson put a column in -motion to meet the invaders. Early on the evening of the 23d of -December, they marched, eighteen hundred strong, led by Jackson in -person, and at the same time the armed schooner _Carolinia_ dropped down -the river to within musket range of the British camp. Shot from that -vessel first revealed the fact to the British that their presence was -known at New Orleans. The shells and shot from the vessel broke up -their camp, when they were attacked in the dark by Jackson and his -followers. The combat that followed was indecisive, except in making the -invaders more cautious and discreet. In this night conflict, the -Americans lost about two hundred men, while the British loss was -twice as many. - -New Orleans was saved from surprise; now it had to be saved from open -invasion. The events of the 23d dispirited the British, and in this -condition General Packenham found the troops on his arrival on Christmas -day with reinforcements, to take the chief command. He was a veteran, -fresh from the Spanish peninsula, and was delighted to find under his -control some of the best of Wellington's regiments. - -He immediately prepared to effect the capture of New Orleans and the -subjugation of Louisiana without delay. With hot shot the annoying -_Carolinia_ was burned, and the _Louisiana_ was the only American vessel -left on the river. - -Jackson was wide awake, however, and began throwing up a line of -intrenchments from the banks of the Mississippi to an almost -impenetrable swamp in the rear, four miles from New Orleans. - -There has been some dispute in regard to the redoubt which defended New -Orleans. There was an old story that a part of the redoubt was composed -of cotton bales taken from a rich planter named Mulanthy, and that the -cotton bales were afterward sold with hundreds of pounds of British -bullets in them. General Harney, in the Washington _Sunday Herald_, -several years ago denied this story. General Harney said: - -"I asked General Jackson, General Adair and General Coffee, the latter -having the immediate command of a brigade of Tennessee and Kentucky -sharpshooters, whose long rifles mainly did the work of death, if there -were cotton bales used at all, and they all answered that the only works -the Americans had were of earth, about two and a half feet high, rudely -constructed of fence-rails and logs laid twenty-four inches apart, and -the space between them filled with earth, and if there had been any -works constructed from cotton bales they must have known it." General -Harney was made by the Washington _Herald_ to say that in 1825 he was -promoted to captain in the first infantry, and sent to Nashville, -Tennessee, to recruit for his regiment, and while there he met with -Generals Jackson and Coffee, from whom he obtained many points of the -battle which have never been in print. - -Fernando had seen no service since leaving Mariana on the Maryland -coast. His riflemen were eager to meet the foe; but in the night -encounter they had been detailed to guard the city, and preserve the -peace. Day by day they had expected the enemy to advance to the attack; -but the 7th of January, 1815, passed, and the British had not yet moved -to the attack, further than some skirmishing and cannonading. On the -night of the 7th, the Americans slept on their arms, for they knew -Packenham would not long delay. The memorable morning of January 8, -1815, dawned at last. - -There was a heavy fog on the river, and the British troops had actually -formed and were advancing before Jackson had made his arrangements. -Fernando had just roused Sukey, who, having been on guard most of the -night, slept late, when he saw General Jackson on his white horse gallop -up to where General Coffee and his staff stood. At this moment the fog -lifted a little, and the formation of the British army was seen, and -Fernando heard Jackson exclaim: - -"By G--, they are ours!" - -"They are coming, Sukey!" said Fernando. "Get your gun!". - -"Won't they give me time to eat my breakfast?" Sukey asked. - -"I am afraid not." - -At this moment, Job, who was Fernando's cook, came running forward with -some broiled beefsteak on the end of a ramrod. He gave it to Sukey -and said: - -"Heah, massa, take dis an' chomp um down foh dey git near enough to -fight. I's gwine ter git my gun an' teach 'em dis chile ain't got no -Angler Saxun blood in his veins." - -Sukey presented an odd figure, for he wore no uniform. His head was -covered with an old, low, broad-brimmed hat. He sat on the carriage of a -brass gun near and ate his breakfast, while watching the enemy advance -to the attack. - -Coffee's part of the line, to which Fernando was attached, was on the -flank extending to the swamp. About a quarter of a mile from it, there -was a huge plantation drainage canal, such as are common in Louisiana -lowlands. At this, General Packenham formed his first attacking column. -His formation was a column in mass of about fifty files front. This was -formed under the fire of the regular artillerists in a little redoubt in -Coffee's front and that of some cannon taken from a man-of-war, placed -in a battery on the river and served by sailors. Coffee, seeing the -direction of the attack, which was intended to turn his flank, dashed -down the line saying to his men: - -"Hold your fire until you can see their belt-buckles." - -The riflemen were formed in two ranks so that one rank would load while -the other was firing. - -Fernando's position behind the earthworks was near an old oak tree, -which threw out its branches about his head. Sukey stood at his side -holding his long rifle in one hand and his broiled meat and sea-biscuit -in the other. The enemy came boldly forward, and a finer display was -never seen on review. Their lines were well dressed and Packenham, on -his snow white charger, rode as boldly as if he had no fear of death. As -Sukey munched his hard biscuit, his eyes were steadfastly fixed on Lord -Packenham. - -"Say, Fernando, ain't that fellow on the big horse General Packenham?" - -"No doubt of it, Sukey." - -"He'd wipe out the score of what's left of one hundred and eight," said -Sukey, swallowing his last bite of biscuit at one gulp and examining the -priming in his gun. - -Colonel Smiley was first to give orders to fire from Fernando's part of -the work, and there rang out a volley all along the line. The brass -pieces on their right began blazing away with the heavy iron cannon down -toward the river, which with the rattling of small arms almost made the -ground quake under their feet. Directly after the firing began, Captain -Patterson, from Knox County, Kentucky, came running along. He leaped on -the breastwork, and, stooping a moment to look through the darkness, as -well as he could, shouted: - -"Shoot low, boys! shoot low! rake them! rake them! They're comin' on -their all-fours!" - -It was so dark that little could be seen, until just about the time the -battle ceased. The morning had dawned, but the dense fog and thick smoke -obscured the sun. The Kentuckians did not seem to appreciate their -danger, but loaded and fired, and swore, laughed and joked as though it -were a frolic. All ranks and sections were soon broken and after the -first volley every man loaded and fired at will. Sukey did not fire as -often as some of the others, but at every shot he went up to the -breastwork, looked over until he could see a redcoat, and then taking -aim blazed away. After each shot he paused to write in his book. -Lieutenant Ashby, who had had a brother killed at the River Raisin, -seemed frantic with rage and fiendish glee. He ran up and down the -line yelling: - -"We'll pay you now for the River Raisin! We'll give you something to -remember the River Raisin!" When the British came up on the opposite -side of the breastwork, having no gun, he picked up a rifle barrel which -had been broken from the stock and threw it over at them. Then finding -an iron bar he leaped upon the breastwork and threw it at the mass of -heads crowding forward to scale their works. - -While the conflict was at its height, when Packenham was leading the -last grand charge against the earthworks. Major Stevens' attention was -directed by repeated and vociferous shouts to "come down," to an object -on his right. Turning his eyes in that direction, he saw Sukey, standing -coolly on the top of the breastwork peering into the darkness for -something to shoot at. The balls were whistling as thick as hail around -him, and cutting up the dirt at his feet. - -"Come down, Sukey, come down!" Fernando commanded. Sukey turned round -and, holding up the flap of his old, broad-brimmed hat with one hand, to -see who was speaking to him, answered: - -"Oh, never mind, Fernando--here's Sukey--I don't want to waste my -powder, and I'd like to know how I'm to shoot until I see something. I'm -watching for that man on the big white horse." - -It was not long until Sukey got his eye on the man on the big white -horse, and leveling his rifle pulled the trigger. At that instant -Packenham fell, bleeding and dying, into the arms of Sir Duncan -McDougall, his favorite aid, who performed a similar service for General -Ross when he was mortally wounded a few months before. Sukey coolly -descended from the breastwork and, sitting down at the root of a tree, -took out his book and said: - -"I've balanced the score. They flogged me; but, by the eternal, I'm more -than even." - -During the action some of the Tennesseeans became mixed with Smiley's -regiment. One of them was killed about five yards from where Fernando -stood. A ball passed through his head, and from the range of British -bullets it seemed quite probable that he was accidentally shot by some -of the Americans. This was the only man killed near where Fernando -stood. The firing began to slacken when he fell. While three or four men -were carrying the body away, a white flag was raised on the opposite -side of the breastwork, and the firing ceased. The white flag was a -handkerchief on a sword or stick. It was raised by a British major, who -was cut off and unable to retreat with the main army. When the firing -ceased, he came over the breastwork. A little Tennesseean, who looked as -if he had spent his days in the fever-infested swamps, demanded his -sword; but the officer was looking about for some commissioned officer -to give it to, when Colonel Smiley, whose democratic principles were at -enmity with punctilio, ordered him to hand over the sword to "Paleface," -as the youth was called. A great many who were unable to escape in the -retreat, came over and surrendered. Among them, Fernando saw a very -neatly dressed young man, standing on the edge of the breastwork -offering his hand as if for some one to assist him down. He was not over -nineteen years of age, and his language and manner indicated the -gentleman. - -Major Stevens took his musket and set it against the breastwork and -assisted him to the ground. He at once began to take off his cartouch -box, and the major noticed a red spot on his clean, white under jacket. - -"Are you wounded?" Fernando asked. - -"Yes, sir, and I fear badly." - -"Let me help you, my man!" said the major, unbuckling his belt. - -"Please don't take my canteen, for it contains my water." - -"I shall not take anything that does not encumber you." - -Just then one of the Tennesseeans who had gone down to the river for -water came along with some in a coffee-pot. The wounded man saw him, -and said: - -"I am very thirsty, sir, will you please give me a drop?" - -"Oh, yes," said the Tennesseean. "I will treat you to anything I have -got." The young man took the coffee-pot and swallowed two or three -mouthfuls out of the spout, and handed it back. In an instant, Fernando -saw him sinking backward. He called to Sukey, who was near, and they -eased him down against the side of a tent, where he gave two or three -gasps and was dead. He had been shot through the breast. - -A number of British soldiers and officers had sought shelter from the -fire of the Americans in the ditch on the other side of the breastwork. -These, of course, being unable to retreat came in and surrendered. When -the smoke lifted from the battlefield it disclosed a terrible spectacle. -The field looked like a sea of blood, for it was literally covered with -redcoats. Straight out before their position, the entire space occupied -by the British troops was covered with dead or wounded. In some places, -where the lines had made a stand, they lay in piles like winrows of hay, -while the intervals between were more thinly sprinkled. About two -hundred yards directly in front of their position, lay a large dapple -gray horse, which was said to have belonged to Packenham. Nearly half -way between the horse and the breastworks was a heap of slain, marking -the spot where Packenham fell; his horse having retreated some distance -before it went down. - -The battle was over, and Sukey sat down to finish his breakfast which -had been interrupted by the stirring event. - -The British left seven hundred dead and fourteen hundred wounded on the -field, while five hundred were made prisoners making a loss of -twenty-six hundred. The Americans lost eight killed and -thirteen wounded. - -Packenham and three of his general officers slain in the fight were sent -to England in casks of rum for burial. The British troops under General -Lambert stole noiselessly away on the night of the 19th across Lake -Borgne, in small transports, and escaped to the fleet. They then -besieged Fort Bowyer for two days, February 20th and 21st, when Major -Lawrence, who was in command, was compelled to surrender, and the -victors were about to push on to Mobile, when they were arrested by -tidings of peace. - -The treaty of peace was signed at Ghent on December 24th, 1814, but, -owing to the slow means of communication in those days, it was not known -in America until the following February, or the battle of New Orleans -would never have been fought. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -CONCLUSION. - -Though the United States of America had sustained their honor in the war -of 1812, the fight was never fought to a finish, nor were the results as -satisfactory as might have been hoped. - -Had peace been made a little later, America might have obtained much -better terms. The war had been waged under great difficulties by the -Americans, who were not wholly united, and lacked money, men, arms, -ships and experience, yet, under all these great difficulties, the -United States came out of the war with the respect of the world, such as -it had never before enjoyed. It became formidable to Europe as a great -and vigorous power, with which it was not safe to trifle. - -This was still more apparent, when the government declared war on the -dey of Algiers, one of the pirate princes of North Africa, who, for -hundreds of years, had made war on the commerce of all nations almost -with impunity. Having violated their treaty, President Madison sent a -naval force to the Mediterranean, which, on June 17th and 19th, -captured two Algerian vessels-of-war and threatened Algiers. The dey -made peace and gave liberty to all prisoners without ransom, and full -satisfaction for damages to commerce. - -The people of the new republic, learning by experience, in the year -1816, began improving their coast defences and increasing their navy. -Commerce and manufacturers were encouraged. In the autumn of 1816, James -Monroe was elected president of the United States. On December 11,1816, -Indiana was admitted to the Union as a State. - -With Monroe's administration, a new era dawned for America. The failure -of the French revolution, and, finally, the failure of Napoleon -Bonaparte and the re-establishment of the old monarchy in France, as the -result first of the excesses of the French republic, and then of the -military interference of Bonaparte with the existing state of things in -Europe, had an important influence in modifying the politics of the -Republican party in the United States; so they came, partially in -Jefferson's administration and completely by the close of Madison's, to -follow the wise and vigorous policy pursued by Washington and the -Federal party; while the general government and the institutions of the -country became deeply imbued with the regard to popular rights, and -attention to the interests and will of the people that formed the -leading idea of Jefferson and the original Democratic, or, as it was -then called, Republican party. - -The leading events of Monroe's two administrations were the attention -given to internal improvements, among which may be mentioned the Erie -canal in New York, the encouragement of manufactures, the acquisition of -Florida by treaty, the Seminole war, the Missouri compromise, December -14th, 1819, the Monroe Doctrine, promulgated in 1822, and the visit of -General Lafayette to the United States, in August, 1824. - -But little explanation of these events is necessary. In December, 1817, -Mississippi was admitted into the Union, and Alabama became a territory. -On March 2, 1819, Arkansas was organized into a territory, and on -December 14, Alabama was admitted to the Union. In this year commenced -the earnest and acrimonious discussion between the North and South in -regard to the extension of slavery. Both Maine and Missouri sought -admission as States. Maine was admitted, March 15th, 1820, and, after a -two years' wild debate, it was thought the whole question of slavery was -settled by the Missouri Compromise, February 27, 1821. This compromise -was the adoption of a provision in the bill for the admission of -Missouri, that in all territory south of thirty-six degrees and thirty -minutes north latitude (the southern boundary of the State of Missouri) -slavery might exist; but it was prohibited in the region north of that -line. A member of congress from Georgia prophetically said in the course -of the debate: - -"A fire has been kindled, which all the waters of the ocean cannot put -out, and which only seas of blood can extinguish." Had the Missouri -Compromise been kept inviolate to the present day, slavery might still -have existed below thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north latitude. - -The commerce of the United States was greatly injured by swarms of -privateers under Spanish-American flags, who had degenerated into -pirates, and so became outlaws, subject to chastisement by any nation. - -They infested the West Indian seas and the northern coast of South -America. Against these pirates and to protect American commerce, the -United States sent Commodore Perry, with two ships of war, in the spring -of 1819. Perry died of yellow fever soon after his arrival in southern -waters. In June, 1822, Captain Allen, of the United States schooner -_Alligator_, successfully fought a band of pirates in the West Indies, -captured one of their schooners, and recaptured five American vessels; -but Captain Allen was subsequently killed in an encounter with the bold -buccaneers. The next year Commodore Porter, with a larger force, -entered the pirate infested waters and almost completely destroyed the -buccaneers. It was the policy of the government of the United States to -favor the revolt of the Spanish-American provinces, whose flag these -pirates had dishonored, as a means for preventing the establishment, in -the future, of monarchical powers on the American continent. The latter -policy was avowed by the president, and has never been lost sight of by -our government, and is known in history as the "Monroe Doctrine." -Accordingly, on the recommendation of the president, congress, early in -1822, resolved by a unanimous vote to recognize the independence of five -of the revolted colonies, and appropriated $100,000 to defray the -expenses of envoys to the seat of government of each, whom the president -soon afterward appointed. - -The year 1824 was marked by the visit of Washington's and America's best -friend General Lafayette. As every boy has read of the visit of this -good man, only a brief mention of so important an event is necessary. He -arrived at New York August 15, 1824, and never did visitor receive so -warm welcome by any nation. - -"Many interesting incidents occurred during Lafayette's tour through the -country. A touching one was related to the writer, many years ago, by -George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of General Washington. -In October, 1824, Lafayette visited Mount Vernon and the tomb of -Washington. He was conveyed to the shore from the steamboat in a barge, -accompanied by his son (who had lived at Mount Vernon with Custis when -they were boys), secretary John C. Calhoun, and Mr. Custis. At the -shore, he was received by Lawrence Lewis, a nephew of Washington, and -the family of Judge Bushrod Washington, who was absent on official -business. He was conducted to the mansion where, forty years before, he -took his last leave of the patriot, whom he most sincerely loved as a -father. Then the company proceeded to the tomb of Washington (the old -one on the brow of the hill), when Mr. Custis, after a brief speech, -presented the general with a gold ring containing a lock of Washington's -hair. Lafayette received it with emotion, and, after thanking the donor, -he affectionately embraced him and the other gentlemen present. Then he -fervently pressed his lips to the door of the vault. It was opened and -there were displayed the coffins of Washington and his wife, decorated -with flowers. The general descended the steps, kissed the leaden -caskets, while tears suffused his cheeks, and then reverently retired." -[Footnote: Lossing's "Our Country," Vol. V., p. 1327.] - -Shortly after peace was declared, Fernando's regiment was mustered out -of the service, and he and Sukey went to their homes in Ohio. Both had -done their share toward preserving the honor of their country and wished -to retire to private life. A great change had come over Sukey. The text -quoted by Fernando on the morning when they found Captain Snipes dead -among the rocks seemed ever to ring in his ear. - -"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord." He proceeded to a -careful study of the sentence, and from that became a student of the -Bible. A few days after their return, he said: - -"Fernando, what I did during the war was right, but was not done in the -right spirit. I shot from revenge. I killed because I hated the British -officers. I seemed to feel the stinging cuts of the cat on my back. That -flogging made a devil of me. I hated the sight of a redcoat. It's all -gone now--not that my revenge is satiated, but because I am changed. A -new light has been opened up to my mind, and I can see it was no -disgrace to be flogged for freedom. It was the ignorance of my enemies -that I should have pitied instead of condemned." - -Fernando suspected the bent of Sukey's mind long before he made the -announcement that he intended to enter the ministry. Back to the -Maryland Academy at Baltimore went Sukey. He entered the theological -department, and four years later began a long and successful -ministerial career. - -Major Stevens had not forgotten his promise to pay the Maryland village -a visit. If he had been disposed to forget his promise, which he was -not, he would have been reminded of it by a letter which he received -shortly after he returned home. The envelope was small, and the -superscription was written in a neat feminine hand. Small as the -envelope was, the letter contained much, for it was closely written and -every page filled from top to bottom. There were other letters and -petitions from the grateful citizens asking him to be present at the -barbecue and Fourth of July celebration at the town of Mariana. None of -these letters or invitations had stronger effect to induce him to take a -journey to Maryland, than the closely penned missive did, though it was -only a friendly letter. - -Fernando set out the first of June. Peace again reigned over the fair -land, and the country was all ablaze with glory. The ploughboy's whistle -was heard in every field in harmony with the lark. The journey by mail -coach was a pleasant one, for, being in no great haste, he traveled by -easy stages, stopping over frequently to rest. He saw on every hand -evidence of awakening interest and prosperity. New houses were building; -new towns were laid out; new fields were inviting the ploughman; the -busy hum of industry everywhere filled the heart of the patriot, and he -more than once exclaimed: - -"What a great country is ours!" - -He arrived at Baltimore at the close of a delightful day, and alighted -in front of the principal tavern. Some one, rushing across the street, -pushed pedestrians right and left and howled in a voice loud enough to -be heard three blocks away: - -"Tear and ages! Clear the track!--that's himself--divil a one else!" - -This exclamation came from Terrence Malone, who, bareheaded and in shirt -sleeves, was rushing through the throng of people on the street in -reckless disregard of high hats and crinoline. Women screamed and one -hysterical creature tried to faint, but was restrained by the fear that -her elegant costume might be soiled. - -"Call the watchman! Take that fellow and lock him up! knock him down! -Who is the wretch?" - -These are only a part of the imprecations heaped on the devoted head of -Terrence Malone, who, regardless of everything and everybody, burst his -way through the crowd and reached Fernando's side. - -"O, murther! O; holy mother! O, Moses! Is it yersilf safe afther all?" - -The poor fellow could say no more, but burst into tears, for a more -tender heart never beat in any breast. Terrence had just arrived an hour -before in Baltimore, having come from a long cruise in which he brought -four prizes, for the privateers were slow to learn that the war was -over. He had put up at a rival house across the street and just removed -his coat for a bath, when, looking out of the window, he recognized his -old friend alighting from the stage coach. - -All former arrangements were cancelled and Fernando and Terrence that -evening occupied the same room. There was much to talk about. Terrence -told him that Mr. Hugh St. Mark the "illigant" gunner had served in the -last cruise on his vessel, and he never seemed to tire of talking about -him. He was a "gintleman," from the sole of his foot to the crown of his -head. Mr. St. Mark was on the ship in the harbor, and next day came -ashore. He greeted the major with his kind quiet smile. Fernando learned -that neither had been to Mariana since the bombardment and destruction -of the _Xenophon_. He prevailed on them to accompany him, and next day -in a swift yacht they sailed out of the harbor and down the coast. The -scenery revived many recollections of Fernando's early experience. They -passed the point where he had fought his duel, and he could not repress -a smile at the ludicrous termination of what had so nearly proved a -serious affair. Terrence did most of the talking, for Fernando was busy -with his own reflections. He was asking himself if it might be possible -that he would be just in time to witness the nuptials of Matson and -Morgianna. He had never freed himself from the thought that she loved -the lieutenant. Her regard for himself was gratitude not love. He would -not allow himself to believe that she entertained a more tender -sentiment. - -When they arrived at Mariana the people congregated in a great crowd on -the beach, and the local martial band, consisting of three drums and a -fife, played "Yankee Doodle." while Fernando and his friends were -escorted to the tavern. Here a local orator, who had been three times an -unsuccessful candidate for a seat in the halls of the legislature, made -a short speech. This had scarcely terminated in three rousing cheers, -when a carriage from Captain Lane's house came rattling down the street. -The captain was in the vehicle. - -"Why are you cheering? Who has arrived?" he demanded. - -"Major Stevens, who saved Mariana, when the British were about to take -it," the orator answered. - -"Where is he?" - -"In the tavern." - -"But he is not going to stay there!" thundered the old sailor, rolling -out of his carriage and rushing on the piazza. "I have made room in my -own house for him, and, by the trident of Neptune! he shall come -with me." - -Fernando, hearing the voice of his old friend, came out to grasp his -hand; and Captain Lane, pointing to his carriage, swore he had come to -take him bag and baggage to his house. Fernando explained that he had -two friends; but the captain did not care if he had a dozen, and in less -time than the whole matter could be told the three travellers found -themselves in the vehicle whirling up the avenue of trees, many of which -still bore the marks of shells and cannon shot. - -The greeting between Fernando and Morgianna was warm, but formal. -Terrence impulsively grasped the little hand of the "maid o' the beach," -as he called her, and paid her some pretty compliment, which caused her -to blush, enhancing her beauty a hundred fold. - -She was formally introduced to Mr. St. Mark, the gunner whose skill had -saved them. She had seen the quiet man at a distance during the siege, -but had never talked with him. - -"Say, Fernando, do yez mark how Misther St. Mark stares at Miss -Morgianna?" asked Terrence that evening. "Bad luck to his ill manners, -if he wasn't so ould, I'd think he was in love with her." - -Fernando made no response. Captain Lane, during the evening, engaged -St. Mark in a discussion about General Jackson, who was undergoing a -trial by the civil courts of New Orleans for the violation of the civil -laws in saving the city. Captain Lane was loud in his condemnation of -the Peace faction, which, not satisfied with having thrown every -possible obstacle in the way of the administration in the prosecution of -the war, was now ridiculing the manner in which it had terminated. - -Fernando and Morgianna, during the course of the evening, found -themselves alone, and he ventured to ask: - -"Is Lieutenant Matson in America?" - -"I think not," she answered, in a careless way that astonished him. He -fixed his eyes on the floor for a moment, and then ventured to say: - -"Pardon me, Miss Lane, but as your friend I am interested in your -affairs;--when is it to come off?" - -"When is what to come off?" she asked in real surprise. - -"Your marriage with Lieutenant Matson." - -She gazed at him a moment in astonishment, and then her old native -mischievousness got control, and she laughed outright. His very -earnestness gave the affair an air of ludicrousness. - -"I am in earnest, Miss Lane," said Fernando, seriously. - -"So I perceive," and she still laughed provokingly. - -"May I ask if you have not been engaged all along to Lieutenant Matson?" - -"No." - -"When was it broken off?" - -"It never was made." - -Fernando turned his face away to hide his confusion and said half aloud: - -"Have I been a fool all along? If it was not the lieutenant, then who in -the name of reason was it?" The roguish creature seemed really to enjoy -this discomfiture. Fernando's cheek had never blanched in battle, but in -the presence of this little maiden he was a coward. After several -efforts in which he found the old malady of something rising in his -throat returning, he said: - -"But, Morgianna, was he not your lover?" - -"No, he was father's friend; but I could never love him, though I -treated him respectfully." She was serious now. - -"Then, Morgianna, who was it?" he asked impulsively. She was silent. He -waited but a second or two and went on. "Some one surely stood in the -way of our--my happiness. I had hoped that you did not despise me. I -scarce dared to think you loved me, but it was some one,--who stood -in my way?" - -Her cheek grew crimson as the rich blood mounted to neck and face, and -in a voice scarce audible she answered: - -"No one!" - -"Morgianna!" he whispered, "dare I hope--dare I for one minute--" he had -risen to his feet and was standing at her side with wildly beating -heart. She made no answer, but her long drooping lashes almost concealed -her eyes, as she gazed on the floor. - -He advanced a step nearer, bent over and took one little trembling hand -in his own. She did not attempt to withdraw it this time, and, gently -slipping his disengaged arm about her waist, he murmured: - -"Morgianna!" - -Still she was silent. He went on: - -"You know how I have loved you all these years;--you must have known how -I have suffered and braved dangers untold. I sought--defied death, -because I deemed you lost. I spared the man I thought my rival, because -I believed you loved him. Though a young man, there are gray hairs in my -head, for it has been a living death since that night, Morgianna. Why -have you----" - -"Oh, don't, don't!" she plead, tears starting to her beautiful eyes. -"Don't speak that way--forgive me." - -"Morgianna!" cried Fernando, "Morgianna!" - -"Call me that; aye call me that always," exclaimed the captain's little -daughter; "never speak coldly to me, never be distant, never again -reprove me for the follies I have long repented, or I shall die, -Fernando." - -"I reprove you!" said Fernando. - -"Yes, for every kind and honest word you uttered went to my heart. For -you who have borne so much from me--for you, who owe your suffering to -my caprice--for you to be so kind--so noble to me--oh, Fernando!" - -He could say nothing, not a syllable. There was an odd sort of eloquence -in his arm, which had crept further round her waist, and their lips met. - -The barbecue and celebration was next day. Fernando was present, but a -little absent-minded. When called on for a speech, his ideas were -confused, and he was about to break down, when a voice behind him -whispered: - -"Ye're makin' a divil's own mess of it, Fernando, lave it to me." - -He took Terrence at his word, and announced that his Irish friend, one -of the defenders of Mariana, would now address them, and gave way to the -orator. Terrence did the subject justice. With the rich brogue of -Ireland rolling from his tongue, he avowed himself an American. He -declared that he was a better American than many present, as he was an -American from choice, and they by necessity. Terrence was an orator, and -with his ready wit, soon had the audience roaring and wild with -enthusiasm. - -Fernando did not hear much of the speech, for he and Morgianna had -stolen away to the rocky promontory to listen to the sad sea waves, -while they built air castles for the future. - -Next day, Mr. St. Mark expressed a wish to see Captain Lane in private. -The request was granted, and when they were alone in the apartment of -the old sea-captain, St. Mark said: - -"Pardon me, Captain Lane; but I wish to speak to you on family matters, -which may seem not to concern me." - -"Heave ahead, shipmate, for I have no family secrets." - -"Will you tell me the maiden name of your wife?" - -"I never had a wife." - -This announcement brought St. Mark to his feet, and his usually placid -features exhibited the wildest excitement. "Never married! But your -daughter--" - -"Only daughter by adoption, shipmate. She is no blood relation to me, -though I love her as dearly as any father could." - -"But her father--her mother?" - -"I don't know who either of them are, I can only suspect." - -"Don't you know their names?" - -"I never did." - -"This is remarkable!" and the features of the usually quiet man betrayed -the greatest excitement. "Where did you find her and when?" - -"I found her at sea when she was a baby, too young to speak or remember -anything of herself." - -"Captain Lane, do you mind telling me all about the finding of her?" - -The captain did not, and proceeded to tell him the story of Morgianna, -which the reader already knows. St. Mark had regained his composure at -the conclusion of the story and, in a calm, clear voice, said: - -"Captain, I may have the sequel to your story. I am a native of Vermont -and, at the age of twenty-two, married Bertha Rigdon of Boston, whose -brother Alfred, like myself, was a sea captain. We were both young, -ardent lovers of liberty, and thoroughly imbued with the ideas of Thomas -Jefferson in regard to the French Revolution. When our government -refused to take up the quarrel with France, we determined to espouse her -cause ourselves. Both our fathers had died prisoners on board the old -_Jersey_ prison ship, and we felt that our lives should be devoted to -avenging them. This resolution was wicked, and perhaps the punishment -which followed we deserved. - -"We each commanded a vessel which began a warfare on English commerce, -defying all their embargo acts and neutrality laws. We were soon -declared outlaws and prices set on our heads. Not only Great Britain, -but Spain, Prussia and Austria declared us pirates, and our own -government dared not shelter us. - -"My wife, with our infant child, accompanied me on my last voyage. I was -sailing in company with her brother, Captain Alf Rigdon, when we were -chased by some British cruisers off Rio in June, 1796, and Alf's brig -being the swiftest sailer, I sent my wife and child aboard his vessel, -with a large sum of money to have them conveyed to the United States and -cared for until we could return. - -"I parted from the ship and after a three days' chase was overhauled by -the British cruisers and captured. I was forced to join her navy to save -my life, and served Great Britain until I deserted during the siege of -Mariana. I have never heard of my brother-in-law, my wife or -child since." - -Captain Lane prided himself on being able to control his feelings under -all circumstances; but it required no little effort for him to do so -now. After a few moments, he asked: - -"What was the name of your brother-in-law's ship?" - -"_Morgianna_!" - -Captain Lane did not start, for he expected this. - -"Was he a free mason?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Can you describe how he looked then?" - -"He was about thirty-five years of age, a little above middle height, -with a broad forehead, over which fine brown hair fell in careless -folds; he wore his beard and mustache long, the beard extending in a -point two or three inches below the throat. His eyes were brown, large -and full of expression while in conversation. He was brave, noble, and -all that goes to make up a grand man." - -"And your wife, can you describe her?" - -"She was an exact counterpart of your daughter." - -Captain Lane rose and with considerable emotion grasped the hand of St. -Mark, and said: - -"My daughter is your daughter." - -Then came the serious task of breaking the intelligence to Morgianna. - -It was done deliberately and quietly, without any sensational scene. Yet -her joy at discovering her father increased her happiness almost to -overflowing. "I am more blest than most girls," she declared. "I have -two fathers, and while I will learn to love my new father, I will not -forget to love my old father." - -The marriage of Fernando and Morgianna was celebrated the following -autumn at the new church which had been erected over the Ashes of the -former one. Both of Morgianna's fathers were present; but to her real -father was consigned the honor of giving away the bride. - -Terrence and Sukey were present. The Irishman declared the matter might -have been consummated long ago if they had only left it to him. - -The wedding day was made a public holiday in the village. Never in all -its existence was the little hamlet so gay. Bands played, choruses sang, -and the old cannon, still left at the tumble-down fort, fired a salute, -while American flags waved from every house. The local orator, who still -entertained hopes of the legislature, delivered a stirring address. - -Job, who heard of the happy event, came all the way from Baltimore to -shake the hand of "Massa Stevens" and wish him much joy. - -"I iz all right now, massa," he declared. "I iz found my own sure enough -massa agin, an' I'm goin' back to work for him all de time. No more -goin' to sea fer me; I iz no Britisher." - -Fernando and his father-in-law, soon after his marriage, engaged in -manufacturing enterprises in New England, with Captain Lane as the -silent partner and moneyed man of the enterprise. Home industries having -been fostered by the war, American manufactures promised a -bright future. - -Sukey was for many years a prominent minister of the Gospel in Ohio. -Terrence studied law and became a leading member of the -Philadelphia bar. - -Mariana is now no more. Time and disaster have swept it from the -peninsula, and to-day it remains only in the memory of the oldest -inhabitants. The Stevens family, though subjected to many disasters, has -grown, and become a part of the history of the country. The humble part -played by Fernando in sustaining the honor of his country has never been -recorded by the general historian; but it lingers in the memory of the -grateful posterity of many of the heroic men and women who lived in the -trying days of the early history of the Great Republic of the New World. - -THE END. - - - - -HISTORICAL INDEX. - - * * * * * - -Adams, John, first minister to Court of St. James - -Adams' proposition of reciprocity rejected by England - -Alabama and Arkansas organized as Territories and Alabama becomes - a State - -_Alert_ captured by the _Essex_ - -Alexandria plundered by British - -Algerians force Americans to pay tribute - -American army at Detroit - -Americans attacked at River Raisin - -Americans return to Detroit - -Americans repulsed at La Colle - -American troops at Bladensburg - -Attack by British on Plattsburg fails - -Bainbridge forced to convey the Algerine ambassador to Constantinople - -Baltimore threatened by the enemy - -Barclay, Commodore, defeated at Lake Erie - -Barker, Mr., warns Mrs. Madison to fly - -Barron, Commodore, suspended from the navy - -Battle of Bladensburg - -Battle of Chicago - -Battle of Chippewa - -Battle of Chrysler's Farm - -Battle of Emucfau - -Battle of Fort Stephenson - -Battle of Horse-shoe Bend - -Battle of Lake Erie - -Battle of Lundy's Lane - -Battle of New Orleans - -Battle of Queenstown - -Battle of River Raisin - -Battle of Sackett's Harbor - -Battle of the Thames and death of Tecumseh - -Battle of Tippecanoe - -Black Partridge saves Mrs. Helm at Chicago - -Blockades of French and English - -Bonaparte conquers almost all of Europe - -Boerstler, General, captured at Beaver's Dam - -British agent at Pensacola offers Indians five dollars for each scalp - -British arraigned by committee on foreign relations - -British at Lake Borgne - -British capture Washington, and burn Capitol - -British discrimination in favor of New England States - -British impressment of American seamen - -British repulsed at Fort Erie - -British instigate Indians to an uprising - -Brock, General, proceeds to attack Detroit - -Brown, General Jacob, at Kingston - -Brown repulses Prevost at Sackett's Harbor - -Brown, General, at Lundy's Lane - -Burr's, Aaron, conspiracy - -Calhoun, John C., in debate favors war - -Camp meeting in the old pioneer days - -Canada divided into Upper and Lower Canada - -Canada, invasion of - -Chandler and Winder, Generals, captured - -Chauncey, Commodore, blockading British at Kingston - -_Chesapeake_ attacked by _Leopard_ - -_Chesapeake_ captured by _Shannon_ - -Citizen Genet, insolence of - -Clay, Henry, speaker of the house of representatives - -_Clermont_, Fulton's first steamboat - -Coffee, General, defeats Indians at Tallahatchee - -Committee of Democrats inform Madison he must declare war - -Contraband munitions of war - -_Constitution_, the, captures _Guerriere_ - -_Constitution_, the, captures the _Java_ - -_Constitution_, February 28, 1815, captures two British vessels - -Creek Indians in South attack Fort Mimms - -Croghan, Major George, in command of Fort Stephenson - -Dearborn commissioned major-general - -Decatur, Stephen, destroys ship _Philadelphia_ - -Defeat of the prophet - -Democratic party, how organized - -Detroit besieged - -Detroit surrendered by Hull - -"Don't give up the ship" - -Dudley, Colonel, mortally wounded near Fort Meigs - -Effects of the Embargo Act - -Embargo Act of 1807 - -Embargo laid on commerce for forty days before declaring war - -Emigrants to the Ohio--the journey - -Emperor of Russia offers himself as a mediator between the United States - and Great Britain - -England's idea of American independence of colonies - -_Enterprise_, the, captures the British _Boxer_ - -_Essex_ captures the _Alert_ in a fight of eight minutes - -_Essex_ captures twelve British whalers - -_Essex_ captured by two British men-of-war - -Federal party, how organized - -Floyd, General, defeats Indians at Autossee - -Fort Stephenson, British repulsed at - -Fort George captured by General Scott and Commodore Perry - -Fort Erie strengthened by General Ripley - -Fort McHenry bombarded - -Fort Bowyer, British repulsed at - -"Free Trade and Sailors' Eights," motto of _Essex_ - -French Revolution, its effect on American politics - -_Frolic_, British ship, captured by American _Wasp_ - -_Frolic_ captured by _Orpheus_ - -Great Britain holds her posts in violation of treaty - -Greenville, the prophet at - -_Guerriere_ captured by Hull - -Hamilton, Alexander, leader of the Federalists - -Hamilton, Alexander, murdered by Aaron Burr - -Harrison, General W.H., invites Tecumseh and the prophet to a council - at Vincennes - -Harrison prepares to attack the prophet - -Harrison at Tippecanoe - -Harrison attacked at 4 o'clock A.M. - -Harrison succeeds Hull - -Harrison, General, at Fort Meigs - -Harrison, offended at General Armstrong, the secretary of war, resigns - -Heald, Captain, at Fort Dearborn, notified of the fall of Mackinaw - -Heald attacked near Fort Dearborn or Chicago - -Heald, Captain, and wife saved from massacre - -Helm, Mrs., saved by Black Partridge - -Henry, John, gets admission to Madison by a letter from Elbridge Gerry - -Henry sells President Madison his papers - -Houston's, Sam, General, victory at Horse-shoe Bend - -_Hornet_ captures the _Peacock_ - -_Hornet_ captures the _Penguin_ - -Hull, Governor of Territory of Michigan - -Hull in Washington, made Brigadier-General - -Hull invades Canada; retreats - -Hull at Detroit - -Hull surrenders Detroit - -Hull convicted of cowardice but pardoned - -Hull, Captain, captures the _Guerriere_ - -Indians, treaty with, for Ohio lands - -Indians, instigated by British to uprising - -Indians plundering on the Wabash - -Indiana and Illinois become Territories - -Inhabitants of the Great West - -Internal improvements after the war of 1812 - -Irish-American patriotism - -Jackson, General Andrew, in command in the South - -Jackson defeats Creeks at Emucfau - -Jackson charging into Pensacola - -Jackson at New Orleans - -Jackson attacks the British camp - -Jefferson, Thomas, founder of Democratic party, moved by French Revolution - -Jefferson and Hamilton's opposing views on French Revolution - -Jefferson, Thomas, elected President - -Jefferson, description of; his policy - -Jefferson's cabinet - -Jefferson's ideas of peace and war - -Johnson, R.M., Colonel, at the Thames - -Keane, General, threatening New Orleans - -Key, Mr. Francis S., the poet, composing the "Star Spangled Banner" - while a prisoner - -King George III. hopelessly insane; Prince of Wales ruler - -Lafayette's, General, visit to America - -Lafitte, Jean, pirate of the Gulf, offers his services to Jackson - -Lake Erie, battle of - -Lambert, General, retreats from New Orleans - -Laulewasikaw, the prophet, Tecumseh's twin brother - -Lawrence, Captain, death of - -Legislatures by concurrent resolutions ask Congress to declare war - -Lewistown, Delaware, bombarded - -Louisiana purchased from France - -Louisiana admitted to the union - -Mackinaw captured - -_Macedonian_ captured by Decatur - -Madison, James, President; his cabinet - -Madison's political changes - -Madison's inaugural address makes him popular - -Madison's message to Congress to declare war against Great Britain - -Madison re-elected President of the United States - -Madison's second inauguration - -Madison and cabinet flying from Bladensburg - -Madison, Mrs., saves Washington's picture and parchment of the - Declaration of Independence - -Maine becomes a State - -Maiden captured by Americans - -Marcy, Wm. L., captures first British colors - -Massacre at River Raisin - -Maumee Rapids, Harrison building Fort Meigs at - -Measures taken to sustain the declaration of war - -Miller defeats Indians - -Miller, Colonel, at Lundy's Lane - -Ministers of the Gospel on the frontier - -Missouri Compromise - -Monroe, James, elected President of United States - -Monroe Doctrine - -_Nautilus_ captured by _Peacock_, the last naval -engagement of war - -Naval forces on lakes - -Napoleon, influence of, on United States gone - -New England governors (Caleb Strong, William Plummer, and Roger Griswold) - refuse their militia to serve the United States - -New England coast threatened - -New Orleans, Jackson at - -New Orleans under martial law - -Ohio valley opened up to settlers - -Ohio becomes a State, in 1802 - -Ontario, naval force on - -_Orpheus_ captured by _Frolic_ - -Oswego, New York, destroyed by British - -Packenham, General, death of - -_Peacock_ captures the _Nautilus_, the last naval engagement - -_Peacock_ captures _Epervier_ - -Peace party - -_Pelican_ captures _Argus_ - -People forcing the war on the leaders - -Perry's victory on Lake Erie - -Pioneer's home - -Pike, General, death of - -Pottawattomies attack Americans near Chicago - -Pirates of the West Indies - -Preparations for war made - -_President_ and the _Little Belt_ - -_President_ captured by English vessels - -Prevost, Sir George, repulsed at Sackett's Harbor - -Proctor attacks General Winder at River Raisin - -Questions of wrong reviewed in Madison's message - -Queenstown, battle of - -Raisin River, Americans at - -Raisin River, Winchester attacked at - -_Rattlesnake_ captured by a British man-of-war - -Redoubts at New Orleans - -Rial, General, defeated by General Scott - -Ripley, General, in command at Lundy's Lane, retreats. - -Rodgers, Commodore, insulted by _Little Belt_ - -Ross, General, and Cockburn, threaten Washington City - -Ross, General, death of - -Sackett's Harbor, siege of - -Scott, Winfield, at Queenstown - -Scott, General, at Lundy's Lane - -Shawnees under Tecumseh roused - -Short, Lieutenant-Colonel, killed at Fort Stephenson - -Smythe, General, dismissed from service - -"Star Spangled Banner," how composed - -Stephenson, British repulsed at - -Stonington, British repulsed at - -Strong, Caleb, Governor of Massachusetts, refused to allow militia - of his State to defend northern Territory against British - -Tecumseh rousing Indians to resistance - -Tecumseh opposing sale of lands - -Tecumseh demands a return of lands - -Tecumseh's speech to Proctor - -Tecumseh and Proctor abandon Maiden - -Tecumseh, death of - -Treaty with Indians for Ohio valley lands - -United States commerce a prey to British cruisers - -United States offers to register seamen - -Van Horne defeated - -Van Rensselaer, Stephen, Brigadier-General New York militia - -"Victor and spoils" theory inaugurated by Jefferson in 1801 - -_Vixen_, United States brig, captured by the _Southampton_ - -War declared by Congress - -War of 1812 waged under difficulties - -War with Algiers - -Washington's wisdom and conservative policy - -Washington, George, laying corner-stone of capitol building, 1793 - -Washington City, seat of government removed to - -Washington City, threatened by British - -Washington City, captured by British, pillaged and capitol building burned - -_Wasp_ captures _Frolic_ and is captured - -Wasp captures _Reindeer, Avon_ and three other prizes and - mysteriously disappears - -Whitney, Eli, inventor cotton gin - -Winder, General, trying to raise troops to defend capitol - -_Xenophon_, the, on the Maryland coast - -Young members in Congress who favor war with England elect Henry Clay - speaker - -York, siege of - -Zeal of Jefferson to aid French - - - - -CHRONOLOGY. - - -PERIOD X.--AGE OF LIBERTY ESTABLISHED. - -A.D. 1800 TO A.D. 1824. - -18OO. INDIANA TERRITORY formed,--July 4. - -LOUISIANA ceded to France by Spain by secret treaty,--Oct. 1. - -SEAT OF GOVERNMENT removed to Washington, D.C.; Congress met,--Nov. 17. - -1801. THOMAS JEFFERSON inaugurated president,--March 4. - -MILITARY ACADEMY established at West Point, N.Y.,--March 10. - -TRIPOLI declared war against the United States,--June 10. - -1802. GEORGIA'S cession of territory to General - Government,--April 24. - -OHIO admitted to the Union,--Nov. 22. - -1803. LOUISIANA ceded to the United States by France for - 80,000,000 francs,--April 30. (By this cession the United States - claimed to the present western boundary of Florida.) - -1804. The _Philadelphia_ destroyed by Decatur at - Tripoli,--Feb. 16. - -DUEL between Hamilton and Burr, at Hoboken, N.J.,--July 11. - -TWELFTH AMENDMENT to the Constitution declared in force,--Sept. 25. - -ORLEANS TERRITORY formed,--Oct. I. - -DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA formed, same as Louisiana cession, less Orleans - Territory,--Oct. I. - -1805. LOUISIANA TERRITORY formed,--March 3. - -JEFFERSON'S second presidential term began,--March 4. - -TREATY OF PEACE concluded with Tripoli,--June 4. - -MICHIGAN TERRITORY formed,--June 30. - -1806. BONAPARTE'S Berlin Decree,--Nov. 21. - -1807. BRITISH "ORDERS IN COUNCIL" requiring goods to land in - Great Britain,--Jan. 7. - -THE _Chesapeake_ attacked by the _Leopard_ off the coast of - Virginia,--June _22_. - -AARON BURR tried for treason, at Richmond, Va.; acquitted,--Sept. 1. - -FULTON successfully applied steam navigation on the Hudson,--Sept. 14. - -BRITISH "ORDERS IN COUNCIL" prohibited trade with France and - allies,--Nov. 17. - -BONAPARTE'S Milan decree prohibited trade with English - colonies,--Dec. 17. - -1808. BONAPARTE'S Bayonne decree ordered seizure of United States - vessels,--April 17. - -1809. NON-INTERCOURSE ACT, prohibiting trade with Great Britain - and France, passed,--Feb. 27. - -ILLINOIS TERRITORY formed,--March 1. - -JAMES MADISON inaugurated president,--March 4. - -1810. BONAPARTE'S Ramboulliet decree; 132 American vessels seized - and sold,--March 23. - -1811. GEORGE, Prince of Wales, appointed regent of Great - Britain,--Feb. 3. - -BATTLE between the _President_ and _Little Belt_, off - Virginia,--May 16. - -BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE, Ind.; Harrison defeats Indians,--Nov. 7. - -1812. LOUISIANA admitted into the Union,--April 30. - -WAR with Great Britain proclaimed by the United States,--June 19. - -HULL'S EXPEDITION against Fort Maiden, Canada,--July. - -FORT MACKINAW captured by British and Indians,--July 17. - -FIRST BATTLE of Brownstown, Mich.; British defeated Van Horn,--Aug. 5. - -SECOND BATTLE of Brownstown, or Manaugua; American victory,--Aug. 9. - -BRITISH sloop _Alert_ taken by the _Essex_, off - Newfoundland,--Aug. 13. - -HULL surrendered Detroit,--Aug. 16. - -THE _Guerriere_, British frigate, captured by the - _Constitution_, off Massachusetts,--Aug. 19. - -BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN, Canada; Van Rensselaer wounded, Brock - killed,--Oct. 13. - -BATTLE OF LEWISTON, N. Y.; Cowardly conduct of American - militia,--Oct. 13. - -BRITISH ship _Poictiers_ captured the _Frolic_ and Wasp, - off North Carolina,--Oct. 18. - -BRITISH ship _Macedonia_ captured by _United States_, off - Canary Islands,--Oct. 25. - -MISSOURI TERRITORY formed,--Dec. 7. - -BRITISH frigate _Java_ captured by the _Constitution_, -off Bahia, Brazil,--Dec. 29. - -1813. BATTLE OF FRENCHTOWN, Mich.; Winchester defeated by - Proctor,--Jan. 22. - -BRITISH brig _Peacock_ captured the _Hornet_ off the - Demarara, South America,--Feb. 24. - -MADISON began second presidential term,--March 4. - -BATTLE OF YORK, Canada (now Toronto); explosion of British - magazine,--April 27. - -FORT MEIGS besieged by 2,000 British and Indians under Proctor,--May 1. - -GENERAL CLAY and I,200 Kentuckians dispersed besiegers,--May 5. - -PBEVOST made an unsuccessful attack on Sackett's Harbor,--May 29. - -THE _Chesapeake_, Captain Lawrence, captured by _the Shannon_, - in Massachusetts Bay,--June I. - -DEFENCE OF FORT STEPHENSON (now Lower Sandusky, O.) by Major - Crogan,--Aug. 3. - -AMERICAN brig _Argus_ captured by the _Pelican_, in the - English Channel,--Aug. 14. - -THE CREEK WAR; Massacre of Fort Mimms, Ala.,--Aug. 30. - -BRITISH brig _Boxer_ captured by the _Enterprise_, off - Maine,--Sept. 5. - -PERRY'S victory at west end of Lake Erie,--Sept. 10. - -BATTLE OF THE THAMES, or Moravian town, Canada; Tecumseh - killed,--Oct. 5. - -BATTLE OF TALLADEGA, Ala.; Jackson defeated the Creeks,--Nov. 9. - -BATTLE OF CHRYSLER'S FIELD, Canada; British repulsed,--Nov. 11. - -PORTER made a successful cruise in the Pacific with the _Essex_. - -1814. BATTLE OF TOHOPEKA, or Horse-Shoe Bend, Ala.; last of the - Creek War,--March 27. - -AMERICAN frigate _Essex_ captured off Chile,--March 28. - -WILKINSON repulsed at La Colle Mill, Canada,--March 30. - -_Peacock_ captured British brig _Epervier_, off - Florida,--April 29. - -_Wasp_ captured British sloop _Reindeer_, near English - Channel,--June 18. - -GENERALS SCOTT AND RIPLEY captured Fort Erie,--July 3. - -BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA, Canada; Scott defeated Riall,--July 5. - -BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE, Canada, the most obstinate of the war,--July 25. - -FIRST BATTLE of Fort Erie, Drummond repulsed,--Aug. 15. - -Ross dispersed Americans at Bladensburg, Md.,--Aug. 24. - -WASHINGTON D. C., captured; public buildings burned,--Aug. 24. - -BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN; American victory, Sept. 11. - -BATTLE OF PLATTSBURG, N. Y.; Prevost, British, defeated by - McComb,--Sept. 11. - -Ross defeated Americans at North Point, Md.; death of Ross,--Sept. 12. - -BROOKS' unsuccessful bombardment of Fort McHenry, Md.,--Sept. 13. - -BRITISH bombarded Fort Boyer, Mobile Bay, without success,--Sept. 15. - -SECOND BATTLE of Fort Erie; Brown dispersed besiegers,--Sept. 17. - -JACKSON drove British from Pensacola, Fla.,--Nov. 7. - -AMERICAN flotilla surrendered to the British, at Lake Borgne, - La.,--Dec. 14. - -CONVENTION at Hartford, Conn., opposed to the war,--Dec. 15. - -BATTLE nine miles from New Orleans; Jackson retired to - intrenchments,--Dec. 23. - -TREATY OF GHENT, Belgium (peace), signed,--Dec. 24. - -1815. BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS, fourteen days after treaty of - peace,--Jan. 8. - -BRITISH squadron captured the frigate _President_, off New - Jersey,--Jan. 15. - -BRITISH _Cyane_ and _Levant_ captured by _Constitution_, - off Madeira Islands,--Feb. 20. - -WAR against Algiers declared by Congress,--March 3. - -_Hornet_ captured British brig _Penguin_, off - Brazil,--March 23. - -1816. BANK OF UNITED STATES re-chartered for twenty years; - capital, $35,000,000,--April 10. - -INDIANA admitted into the Union,--Dec. 11. - -1817. ALABAMA TERRITORY formed,--March 3. - -JAMES MONROE inaugurated president; "era of good feeling,"--March 4. - -SEMINOLES and Creeks began depredations in Georgia and Alabama. - -MISSISSIPPI admitted into the Union,--Dec. 10. - -1818. JACKSON seized Spanish forts in Florida. - -JOINT occupation of Oregon by United States and Great Britain - agreed upon. - -PENSACOLA, Fla., seized by Jackson; Spanish officials sent to - Cuba,--May 25. - -ILLINOIS admitted into the Union,--Dec. 8. - -1819. FLORIDA ceded to the United States by Spain,--Feb. 22. - -ARKANSAS TERRITORY formed,---July 4. - -ALABAMA admitted into the Union,--Dec. 14. - -1820. ACCESSION of George IV. to throne of Great - Britain,--Jan. 29. - -MISSOURI COMPROMISE ACT passed,--March 3. - -MAINE admitted into the Union,--March 15. - -1821. MEXICO became independent of Spain,--Feb. 24. - -MONROE began second presidential term,--March 5. - -MISSOURI admitted into the Union,--Aug. 10. - -1823. FLORIDA TERRITORY formed,--March 3. - -"MONROE DOCTRINE" enunciated in the annual message,--Dec. 2. - -1824. LAFAYETTE visited the United States.--Aug. 15. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Sustained honor, by John R. 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