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diff --git a/45944-h/45944-h.htm b/45944-h/45944-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..576eef5 --- /dev/null +++ b/45944-h/45944-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9911 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Elsie Yachting with the Raymonds, by Martha Finley</title> + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h4 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +p.quotsig { /* author signature at end of letter */ + margin-left: 35%; + text-indent: -4em; /* gimmick to move 2nd line right */ + } + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +hr.full {width: 95%; margin-left: 2.5%; margin-right: 2.5%} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + visibility: hidden; + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.mt2 {margin-top: 2em;} + +.titlepage {font-size: 2.5em; font-weight: bold; + page-break-before: always} + +ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} +.tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; + padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + +.big {font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: bold;} + +.block {text-align: center;} + +.block-contents {display: inline-block; text-align: left;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem .verse +{ + text-indent: -3em; + padding-left: 3em; +} + +.poem .indent2 +{ + text-indent: -2em; +} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + +@media handheld /* Place this at the end of the CSS */ +{ + body + { + margin: 0; + padding: 0; + width: 95%; + } + + .block-contents + { + display: block; + margin-left: 1.5em; + } + .poem + { + display: block; + margin-left: 1.5em; + } +} + + hr.pg { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 45944 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Elsie Yachting with the Raymonds, by Martha +Finley</h1> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive. See + <a href="https://archive.org/details/elsieyachtingwit00finl"> + https://archive.org/details/elsieyachtingwit00finl</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<hr class="pg" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS</h1> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<p class="center"><span class="big">A LIST OF THE ELSIE BOOKS.</span></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Arranged in the order of their +publication.</i></p> + +<div class="block"> +<p class="block-contents"> +ELSIE DINSMORE.<br /> +ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS.<br /> +ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD.<br /> +ELSIE'S WOMANHOOD.<br /> +ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.<br /> +<br /> +ELSIE'S CHILDREN.<br /> +ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD.<br /> +GRANDMOTHER ELSIE.<br /> +ELSIE'S NEW RELATIONS.<br /> +ELSIE AT NANTUCKET.<br /> +<br /> +THE TWO ELSIES.<br /> +ELSIE'S KITH AND KIN.<br /> +ELSIE'S FRIENDS AT WOODBURN.<br /> +CHRISTMAS WITH GRANDMA ELSIE.<br /> +ELSIE AND THE RAYMONDS.<br /> +<br /> +ELSIE YACHTING WITH THE RAYMONDS.<br /> +ELSIE'S VACATION.<br /> +ELSIE AT VIAMEDE.<br /> +ELSIE AT ION.<br /> +</p></div> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> + <img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="600" height="382" alt="frontis" /> + </div> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<div class="titlepage center"> +<p class="center">ELSIE YACHTING</p> + +<p class="center">WITH THE RAYMONDS</p> + + +<p class="center mt2"><small>BY</small></p> + +<p class="center">MARTHA FINLEY</p></div> + +<p class="center"><i>AUTHOR OF</i></p> + +<p class="center">"ELSIE DINSMORE," "ELSIE'S WOMANHOOD," "ELSIE'S KITH AND<br /> +KIN," "ELSIE AND THE RAYMONDS," "THE MILDRED<br /> +BOOKS," "WANTED—A PEDIGREE," ETC.</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p class="center mt2"><span class="big">NEW YORK<br /> +DODD, MEAD, AND COMPANY</span><br /> +PUBLISHERS</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<p class="center"> +<i>Copyright, 1890</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">By Dodd, Mead, and Co.</span><br /> +<br /> +<i>All rights reserved.</i><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + + +<h2>PREFATORY NOTE.</h2> + + +<p>The Author, having received many letters +from young and interested readers, has decided +to acknowledge them in this way, +because feeble health and much work for +the publishers make it impossible to write a +separate reply to each gratifying epistle.</p> + +<p>She also desires to freely acknowledge indebtedness +for much information regarding +Revolutionary times and incidents, to Bancroft +and Lossing; and for the routine at +West Point, to an article in Harper's Magazine +for July, 1887, entitled "Cadet Life at +West Point," by Charles King, U. S. A.</p> + +<p class="right">M. F.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + + +<p>The train, which for some hours had been +running very fast and too noisily to admit of +much conversation, suddenly slackened its speed, +and Lulu turned upon her father a bright, eager +look, as though some request were trembling on +her tongue.</p> + +<p>"Well, daughter, what is it?" he asked, with +an indulgent smile, before she had time to utter +a word.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa!" she began in a quick, excited +way, and quite as if she expected her request +would be granted, "I know we're going through +New York State, and I've just been thinking +how much I would like to see Saratoga,—especially +the battle-field where the Americans gained +that splendid victory over the British in the Revolutionary +War."</p> + +<p>"Ah! and would Max like it, too?" the Captain +asked, with a smiling glance at his son, who, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>sitting directly in front of them, had turned to +listen to their talk just as Lulu began her reply +to their father's query.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; yes, indeed!" Max answered eagerly, +his face growing very bright. "And you, +Papa, would you enjoy it, too?"</p> + +<p>"I think I would," said the Captain, "though +it would not be for the first time; but showing +the places of interest to two such ardent young +patriots will more than compensate for that.—And +there have been changes since I was +there last," he continued, musingly. "Mount +McGregor, for instance, has become a spot of +historic interest. We will visit it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes! where dear General Grant died," +said Lulu. "I would like to go there."</p> + +<p>"So you shall," returned her father. "This +is Friday; we shall reach Saratoga Saturday +night, should no accident detain us, spend Sunday +there resting, according to the commandment, +then Monday and Tuesday in sight-seeing."</p> + +<p>"How nice, Papa," Lulu said with satisfaction. +"I only wish Mamma Vi and Gracie +could be there with us."</p> + +<p>"It would double our pleasure," he replied. +"I think we must go again some time, when we +can have them along."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am glad to hear you say that, Papa! +for I am quite sure I shall enjoy going twice to +so interesting a place," said Lulu.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> +<p>"I, too," said Max. "I don't know of anything +that would please me better."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear it, and hope there will be +no disappointment to either of you," their father +said.</p> + +<p>But the train was speeding on again, too fast +and too noisily for comfortable conversation, +and they relapsed into silence, the Captain returning +to his newspaper, Max to a book which +he seemed to find very interesting, while his sister +amused herself with her own thoughts.</p> + +<p>Lulu was feeling very happy; she had been +having so pleasant a summer out in the West +with Papa and Maxie, and was enjoying the +homeward journey,—or rather the trip to the +sea-shore, where the rest of the family were, and +where they all expected to remain till the end +of the season,—the prospect of seeing Saratoga +and its historical surroundings, and other places +of interest,—a view of which could be had +from the boat as they passed down the Hudson; +for she and Max had both expressed a preference +for that mode of travel, and their father +had kindly consented to let them have their +wish. She thought herself a very fortunate little +girl, and wished with all her heart that Gracie +could be there with them and share in all their +pleasures.</p> + +<p>Dear Gracie! they had never been separated +for so long a time before, and Lulu was in such +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>haste for the meeting now that she could almost +be willing to resign the pleasure of a visit to +Saratoga that they might be together the sooner. +But no, oh, no, it would never do to miss a visit +there! It would defer their meeting only a day +or two, and she should have all the more to tell; +not to Gracie only, but to Evelyn Leland and +Rosie Travilla. Ah, how enjoyable that would +be! Oh, how full of pleasure life was now that +Papa was with them all the time, and they had +such a sweet home of their very own!</p> + +<p>With that thought she turned toward him, +giving him a look of ardent affection.</p> + +<p>He was still reading, but glanced from his +paper to her just in time to catch her loving +look.</p> + +<p>"My darling!" he said, bending down to +speak close to her ear, and accompanying the +words with a smile full of fatherly affection. +"I fear you must be growing very weary with +this long journey," he added, putting an arm +about her and drawing her closer to him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, not so very, Papa!" she answered +brightly; "but I'll be ever so glad when we get +to Saratoga. Don't you think it will be quite a +rest to be out of the cars for a day or two?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and I trust you will find them less +wearisome after your three days at Saratoga."</p> + +<p>"What time shall we reach there, Papa?" +asked Max.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> +<p>"Not long before your bed-time, I understand," +replied the Captain.</p> + +<p>"Then we cannot see anything before Monday?"</p> + +<p>"You will see something of the town in walking +to church day after to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"And we can start out bright and early on +Monday to visit places of interest," added Lulu; +"can't we, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you will be careful to be ready in +good season. We want to see all we can in the +two days of our stay."</p> + +<p>"And I don't believe we'll find Lu a hindrance, +as some girls would be," said Max. +"She's always prompt when anything is to be +done."</p> + +<p>"I think that is quite true, Max," their father +remarked, looking from one to the other with a +smile that was full of paternal love and pride; +"and of you as well as of your sister."</p> + +<p>"If we are, Papa, it is because you have +trained us to punctuality and promptness," returned +the lad, regarding his father with eyes +full of admiring filial affection.</p> + +<p>"And because you have heeded the lessons I +have given you," added the Captain. "My dear +children, when I see that you are doing so, it +gives me a glad and thankful heart."</p> + +<p>They reached Saratoga the next evening more +than an hour earlier than they had expected; and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>as the moon was nearly full, they were, much to +the delight of Max and Lulu, able to wander +about the town for an hour or more after tea, +enjoying the sight of the beautiful grounds and +residences, and the crowds of people walking +and driving along the streets, or sitting in the +porches. They visited Congress Park also, +drank from its springs, strolled through its +porches out into the grounds, wandered along +the walks, and at length entered the pavilion.</p> + +<p>Here they sat and rested for awhile; then the +Captain, consulting his watch, said to his children, +"It is nine o'clock, my dears; time that +tired travellers were seeking their nests."</p> + +<p>He rose as he spoke, and taking Lulu's hand, +led the way, Max close in the rear.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Papa, I'm tired enough to be very willing +to go to bed," said Lulu; "but I hope we +can come here again on Monday."</p> + +<p>"I think it altogether likely we shall be able +to do so," he replied.</p> + +<p>"If we are up early enough we might run +down here for a drink of the water before +breakfast on Monday," said Max. "Can't we, +Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, all three of us," replied the Captain. +"Let us see who will be ready first."</p> + +<p>They passed a quiet, restful Sabbath, very +much as it would have been spent at home; +then, on Monday morning, all three were up +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>and dressed in season for a visit to some of the +nearer springs before breakfast.</p> + +<p>They went to the Park together, took their +drinks, returned after but a few minutes spent +in the garden, breakfasted, and shortly after +leaving the table were in a carriage on their +way to Schuylerville.</p> + +<p>They visited the battle-ground first, then the +place of surrender, with its interesting monument.</p> + +<p>"We will look at the outside first," the Captain +said, as they drew near it. "It is called the +finest of its kind, and stands upon the crowning +height of Burgoyne's intrenched camp."</p> + +<p>"I wonder how high it is," Max said inquiringly, +as they stood at some distance from the +base, he with his head thrown back, his eyes +fixed upon the top of the shaft.</p> + +<p>"It is said to be more than four hundred and +fifty feet above the level of the river," replied +his father.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wonder if we couldn't see the battle-field +from the top!" exclaimed Lulu, excitedly. +"I suppose they'll let us climb up there, won't +they, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, for a consideration," returned the Captain, +smiling at her eager look; "but first let us +finish our survey of the outside."</p> + +<p>"What kind of stone is this, sir?" asked +Max, pointing to the base.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> +<p>"Light granite," replied his father. "And +the shaft is of dark granite, rough hewn, as you +will notice."</p> + +<p>"And there are gables," remarked Lulu,—"great +high ones."</p> + +<p>"Yes; nearly forty feet high, and resting at +their bases upon granite eagles with folded +wings. Observe, too, the polished granite columns, +with carved capitals, which all the cornices +of doors and windows rest upon."</p> + +<p>"And the niches over the doors," said Max, +still gazing upward as they walked slowly around +the shaft, "one empty I see, each of the others +with a statue in it. Oh, they are the generals +who commanded our troops in the battle!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said his father, "Generals Schuyler, +Morgan, and Gates,—who by the way was hardly +worthy of the honour, as he gave evidence of +cowardice, remaining two miles away from the +field of battle, all ready for a possible retreat, +while Burgoyne was in the thickest of the fight. +The fourth and empty one, do you not see, has +the name of Arnold carved underneath it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Arnold the traitor!" exclaimed +Max. "How <em>could</em> he turn against his country? +But, Papa, he did do good service in this battle +and some of the earlier ones, and it's such a +pity he turned traitor!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, a very great pity!" assented the Captain, +heaving an involuntary sigh. "While detesting +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>his treachery, I have always felt that he +has not received deserved credit for his great +services in the earlier part of the war,—the expedition +to Canada, and besides smaller engagements, +the terrible battle of Valcour Island, +Lake Champlain, in which he was defeated only +by the great superiority of the enemy in numbers +of both men and vessels. Though beaten, he +brought away to Ticonderoga his remaining +vessels and surviving troops. His obstinate +resistance so discouraged the British general, +Carleton, that he retired to Montreal for the +winter, which made it possible for the Northern +army to spare three thousand troops to help +Washington in striking his great blows at +Princeton and Trenton."</p> + +<p>"And after all that, as I remember reading," +said Max, "Congress treated Arnold shamefully, +promoting other officers over his head +who neither stood so high in rank nor had done +half the service he had. I'm sure his anger at +the injustice was very natural; yet he still fought +bravely for his country,—didn't he, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and all that occurred some months +before this battle of Saratoga, in which he did +such service. Ah, if his career had ended there +and then, what a patriot he would now be considered! +It is almost certain that if he had +been properly reinforced by Gates, he would +have inflicted a crushing defeat upon Burgoyne +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>at, or shortly after, the battle of Freeman's +farm. But Gates was very jealous of Arnold, +disliking him as a warm friend of General Schuyler, +and the two had a fierce quarrel between +that battle and the one of Saratoga, occasioned +by Gates, prompted by his jealousy, taking +some of Arnold's best troops from his command. +Arnold then asked and received permission to +return to Philadelphia; but the other officers, +perceiving that another and decisive battle was +about to be fought, persuaded Arnold to remain +and share in it, as they had no confidence in +Gates, who was, without doubt, a coward. He +showed himself such by remaining in his tent +while the battle was going on, though Burgoyne +was, as I have said, in the thick of it. It was a +great victory that crowned our arms on the 7th +of October, 1777, and was due more to Arnold's +efforts than to those of any other man, though +Morgan also did a great deal to win it."</p> + +<p>"Wasn't Arnold wounded in this battle, +Papa?" asked Max.</p> + +<p>"Yes, severely, in the leg which had been +hurt at Quebec. It was just at the close of the +battle. He was carried on a litter to Albany, +where he remained, disabled, till the next spring. +One must ever detest treason and a traitor; yet +I think it quite possible—even probable—that +if Arnold had always received fair and just treatment, +he would never have attempted to betray +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>his country as he afterward did. Now we will +go inside, and see what we can find of interest +there."</p> + +<p>The Captain led the way as he spoke.</p> + +<p>They lingered awhile in the lower room examining +with great interest the tablets and historical +pictures, sculptured in bronze, <i xml:lang="it" lang="it">alto rilievo</i>, +which adorned its walls.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, see!" cried Lulu; "here is Mrs. +Schuyler setting fire to a field of wheat to keep +the British from getting it, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Yes," her father said; "these are Revolutionary +scenes."</p> + +<p>"Here is George III.," said Max, "consulting +with his ministers how he shall subdue the +Americans. Ha, ha! they did their best, but +couldn't succeed. My countrymen of that day +would be free."</p> + +<p>"As Americans always will, I hope and believe," +said Lulu. "I feel sure your countrywomen +will anyhow."</p> + +<p>At that her father, giving her a smile of mingled +pleasure and amusement, said, "Now we +will go up to the top of the shaft, and take a +bird's-eye view of the surrounding country."</p> + +<p>They climbed the winding stairway to its top, +and from thence had a view of not only the battle-field, +but of other historic spots also lying in +all directions.</p> + +<p>Max and Lulu were deeply interested, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>had many questions to ask, which their father +answered with unfailing patience.</p> + +<p>But, indeed, ardent patriot that he was, he +keenly enjoyed making his children fully acquainted +with the history of their country, and +there was much connected with the surrounding +scenes which it was a pleasure to relate, or remind +them of, as having happened there.</p> + +<p>From the scenes of the fight and the surrender +they drove on to the Marshall place, the Captain +giving the order as they reseated themselves in +the carriage.</p> + +<p>"The Marshall place, Papa? What about +it?" asked Max and Lulu in a breath.</p> + +<p>"It is a house famous for its connection with +the fighting in the neighbourhood of Saratoga," +replied the Captain. "It was there the Baroness +Riedesel took refuge with her children on the +10th of October, 1777, about two o'clock in the +afternoon, going there with her three little girls, +trying to get as far from the scene of conflict as +she well could."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, sir!" said Max. "I remember, +now, that there was a Baron Riedesel in the +British army,—a Hessian officer, in command +of four thousand men; wasn't he, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and his wife seems to have been a +lovely woman. She nursed poor General Frazer +in his dying agonies. You may remember that he +was killed by one of Morgan's men in the battle +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>of Bemis Heights, or Saratoga, fought on the +7th,—or rather, I should say, he was mortally +wounded and carried to the Taylor House, where +the Baroness Riedesel had prepared a dinner for +the officers, which was standing partly served +upon the table. He lay there in great agony +until the next morning, and then died."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Papa, I remember about him!" +said Lulu; "and that he was buried the same +evening in the Great Redoubt, which was a part +of the British intrenchments on the hills near +the river."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the strongest part," said Max. "I +remember reading of it, and that the Americans +opened fire on the procession from the other side +of the river, not understanding what it was; so +that while the chaplain was reading the service +at the grave, hostile shots were ploughing up the +ground at his feet, and covering the party with +dust."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, won't you take us to see his +grave?" asked Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Yes, daughter, if we have time."</p> + +<p>"Here we are, sir. This is the Marshall +place," announced the driver, reining in his +horses in front of a modest-looking farm-house; +"and here comes a lad that'll show you +round, and tell you the whole story of what +happened in and about here in the time of the +Revolution."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> +<p>The Captain quickly alighted, helped Lulu out, +and Max sprang after them.</p> + +<p>The lad had already opened the gate, and +lifted his hat with a bow and smile. "Good-morning!" +he said.</p> + +<p>Captain Raymond returned the salutation, +adding, "I would like very much to show my +children those parts of your house here connected +with Revolutionary memories, if—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, sir; yes!" returned the boy, pleasantly. +"I'll take you in and about; it's quite +the thing for visitors to Saratoga to come over +here on that errand."</p> + +<p>He led the way into the house as he spoke, +the Captain, Max, and Lulu following.</p> + +<p>They passed through a hall, and on into the +parlour, without meeting any one.</p> + +<p>"This," said the lad, "is the northeast room, +where Surgeon Jones was killed by a cannon-ball; +perhaps you may remember about it, sir. +The doctors were at work on him, cutting off a +wounded leg, when a ball came in at that northeast +corner and took off his other leg in its way +diagonally across the room. They gave up trying +to save him, then, and left him to die in yon +corner," pointing to it as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow!" sighed Lulu. "I can't help +feeling sorry for him, though he was an enemy +to my country."</p> + +<p>"No, Miss, it was a pity, and does make one +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>feel sorry; for I suppose he really had no choice +but to obey the orders of his king," returned the +lad. "Well, the ball passed on, broke through +the plank partition of the hall, and buried itself +in the ground outside. They say eleven cannon-balls +passed through the house in just a little +while. For my part, I'd rather have been in a +battle than keeping quiet here to be shot at."</p> + +<p>"I certainly would," said the Captain.</p> + +<p>"I, too," said Max. "I should say there was +very little fun in standing such a fire with no +chance to return it."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and our people would never have fired +on them if they had known they were women, +children, and wounded men; but you see they—the +Americans—saw people gathering here, and +thought the British were making the place their +headquarters. So they trained their artillery on +it, and opened such a fire as presently sent everybody +to the cellar. Will you walk down and look +at that, sir?" addressing the Captain.</p> + +<p>"If it is convenient," he returned, following +with Max and Lulu as their young guide led the +way.</p> + +<p>"Quite, sir," he answered; then, as they +entered the cellar, "There have been some +changes in the hundred years and more that +have passed since that terrible time," he said. +"You see there is but one partition wall now; +there were two then, but one has been torn +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>down, and the floor cemented. Otherwise the +cellars are just as they were at the time of the +fight; only a good deal cleaner, I suspect," he +added, with a smile, "for packed as they were +with women, children, and wounded officers and +soldiers, there must have been a good deal of +filth about, as well as bad air."</p> + +<p>"They certainly are beautifully clean, light, +and sweet now, whatever they may have been +on that October day of 1777," the Captain said, +glancing admiringly at the rows of shining milk-pans +showing a tempting display of thick yellow +cream, and the great fruit-bins standing ready +for the coming harvest.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; to me it seems a rather inviting-looking +place at present," returned the lad, +glancing from side to side with a smile of satisfaction; +"but I've sometimes pictured it to myself +as it must have looked then,—crowded, you +know, with frightened women and children, and +wounded officers being constantly brought in for +nursing, in agonies of pain, groaning, and perhaps +screaming, begging for water, which could +be got only from the river, a soldier's wife bringing +a small quantity at a time."</p> + +<p>"Yes, a woman could do that, of course," +said Lulu; "for our soldiers would never fire +on a woman,—certainly not for doing such a +thing as that."</p> + +<p>"No, of course not," exclaimed Max, in a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>scornful tone. "American men fire on a woman +doing such a thing as that? I should say not!"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, I should hope not!" returned +their young conductor, leading the way from the +cellar to the upper hall, and out into the grounds. +"Yonder," he said, pointing with his finger, +"away to the southwest, Burgoyne's troops were +stationed; the German auxiliaries, too, were +resting from their fight, near Bemis Heights. +Away to the west there, Morgan's famous riflemen +were taking up their position along Burgoyne's +front and flank, while Colonel Fellows +was over yonder," turning to the east and again +pointing with his finger, "bringing his batteries +to bear upon the British. Just as the Baroness +Riedesel in her calash with her three little girls +stopped before the house, some American sharpshooters +across the river levelled their muskets, +and she had barely time to push her children to +the bottom of the wagon and throw herself down +beside them, before the bullets came whistling +overhead. Neither she nor the little folks were +hurt, but a soldier belonging to their party was +badly wounded. The Baroness and her children +spent the night there in the cellar. So did other +ladies from the British army who followed her to +this retreat that afternoon. They were in one +of its three divisions, the wounded officers in +another, and the common soldiers occupied the +third."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> +<p>"It must have been a dreadful night to the +poor Baroness and those little girls," remarked +Lulu, who was listening with keenest interest.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," responded the lad; "the cries +and groans of the wounded, the darkness, dampness, +and filth and stench of the wounds, all +taken together, must have made an awful night +for them all. I wonder, for my part, that the +women and children weren't left at home in +their own countries."</p> + +<p>"That's where they ought to have been, I +think," said Lulu. "Was it that night Surgeon +Jones was killed?"</p> + +<p>"No, Miss, the next day, when the Americans +began firing again harder than ever."</p> + +<p>"Where were they firing from then?" Lulu +asked.</p> + +<p>"The other side of the river, Miss; probably +from some rising ground a little north of Batten +Kil."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, what more have you to show us?" +asked the Captain, pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"A plank cut and shattered at one end, probably +by the ball that killed the Surgeon. This +way, if you please; here it is. And here is a +rafter which you see has been partly cut in two +by a shell. It was taken out of the frame of the +house while they were repairing in 1868. Here +are some other bits of shot and shell that have +been ploughed up on the farm at different times. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>Ah! there are some things at the house I should +have shown you."</p> + +<p>"We will not mind going back so short a distance," +said the Captain, "and would be glad to +see everything you have to show us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; and I think you will say these +things are worth looking at."</p> + +<p>He led them back into the house and exhibited, +first, a gold coin with the figure and +inscription of George III. on one side, the British +arms and an inscription with the date 1776 +on the other, then a curious old musket, with +bayonet and flint lock, which was carried in the +Revolutionary War by an ancestor of the family +now residing there.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>"You may take us now to Frazer's grave," +Captain Raymond said to the driver as they +re-entered their carriage after a cordial good-by +and liberal gift to their young guide.</p> + +<p>"Please tell us something more about Frazer, +Papa, won't you?" requested Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Willingly," returned her father. "Frazer +was a brave and skilful officer; made brigadier-general +for America only, by Carleton, in June, +1776. He helped to drive the Americans out of +Canada in that year. Burgoyne chose him to +command the light brigade which formed the +right wing of the British army, so that he was +constantly in the advance. In the fight of October +7th he made a conspicuous figure, dressed in +the full uniform of a field-officer, mounted on a +splendid iron-gray gelding, and exerting himself +to encourage and cheer on his men. Morgan +saw how important he was to the British cause, +pointed him out to his sharpshooters, and bade +them cut him off. 'That gallant officer,' he said, +'is General Frazer. I admire and honour him; +but it is necessary he should die, because victory +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>for the enemy depends upon him. Take your stations +in that clump of bushes, and do your duty!' +They obeyed, and in five minutes Frazer fell +mortally wounded, and was carried from the field +by two grenadiers. Only a few moments before +he was hit, the crupper of his horse was cut by a +rifle-ball, and directly afterward another passed +through the horse's mane, a little back of his +ears. Then his <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">aide</i> said, 'General, it is evident +that you are marked out for particular aim; +would it not be prudent for you to retire from +this place?' 'My duty forbids me to retire from +danger,' Frazer answered; and the next moment +he fell. That is Lossing's account; and he goes +on to say that Morgan has been censured for the +order by some persons, professing to understand +the rules of war, as guilty of a highly dishonourable +act; also by others, who gloat over the horrid +details of the slaying of thousands of humble +rank-and-file men as deeds worthy of a shout for +glory, and have no tears to shed for the slaughtered +ones, but affect to shudder at such a cold-blooded +murder of an officer on the battle-field. +But, as Lossing justly remarks, the life of an +officer is no dearer to himself, his wife, and children, +than that of a private to his, and that +the slaying of Frazer probably saved the lives +of hundreds of common soldiers."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Papa," returned Max, thoughtfully; +"and so I think Morgan deserves all praise for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>giving that order to his men. If Frazer did not +want to lose his life, he should not have come +here to help crush out liberty in this country."</p> + +<p>"Papa, do you think he hated the Americans?" +asked Lulu.</p> + +<p>"No, I presume not; his principal motive in +coming here and taking an active part in the +war was probably to make a name for himself +as a brave and skilful officer,—at least, so I +judge from his dying exclamation, 'Oh, fatal +ambition!'"</p> + +<p>"How different he was from our Washington," +exclaimed Max. "He seemed to want nothing +for himself, and sought only his country's good. +Papa, it does seem to me that Washington was +the greatest mere man history tells of."</p> + +<p>"I think so," responded the Captain; "he +seems to have been so entirely free from selfishness, +ambition, and pride. And yet he had +enemies and detractors, even among those who +wished well to the cause for which he was doing +so much."</p> + +<p>"Such a burning shame!" cried Lulu, her eyes +flashing. "Was Gates one of them, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; to his shame, be it said, he was. He +treated Washington with much disrespect, giving +him no report whatever of the victory at Saratoga. +It was not until early in November that +he wrote at all to the commander-in-chief, and +then merely mentioned the matter incidentally. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>In that month Gates was made president of the +new Board of War and Ordnance, and during +the following winter he joined with what is +known as the 'Conway cabal' in an effort to +supplant Washington in the chief command of +the army."</p> + +<p>"What a wretch!" exclaimed Lulu. "It +would have been a very bad thing for our cause +if he had succeeded,—wouldn't it, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Without doubt," answered the Captain; +"for though Gates had some very good qualities, +he was far from being fit to fill the position +held by Washington."</p> + +<p>"He wasn't a good Christian man, like Washington, +was he, Papa?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"No, not by any means at that time, though +it is said—I hope with truth—that he afterward +became one. He was arrogant, untruthful, and +had an overweening confidence in his own ability. +Yet he had some noble traits; he emancipated +his slaves, and provided for those who were unable +to take care of themselves. Also, he was, +it is said, a good and affectionate husband and +father."</p> + +<p>"Papa, wasn't it known whose shot killed +Frazer?" queried Max.</p> + +<p>"Yes; it was that of a rifleman named Timothy +Murphy. He was posted in a small tree, +took deliberate aim, and saw Frazer fall. Frazer, +too, told some one he saw the man who shot him, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>and that he was in a tree. Murphy was one of +Morgan's surest shots."</p> + +<p>"I should think he must always have felt +badly about it, only that he knew he did it to +help save his country," said Lulu.</p> + +<p>"It seemed to be necessary for the salvation +of our country," replied her father; "and no +doubt that thought prevented Murphy's conscience +from troubling him."</p> + +<p>"Didn't the Americans at first fire on the +funeral procession, Papa?" asked Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but ceased as soon as they understood +the nature of the gathering, and at regular intervals +the solemn boom of a single cannon was +heard along the valley. It was a minute-gun, +fired by the Americans in honour of their fallen +foe, the gallant dead. Ah, here we are at his +grave!" added the Captain, as horses and +vehicle came to a standstill and the carriage-door +was thrown open.</p> + +<p>They alighted and walked about the grave and +its monument, pausing to read the inscription on +the latter.</p> + +<p>"Though an enemy to our country, he was a +gallant man, a brave and good soldier," remarked +the Captain, reflectively.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Papa; and I can't help feeling sorry +for him," said Lulu. "I suppose he had to obey +his king's orders of course; he couldn't well +help it, and probably he had no real hatred to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>the people of this country. It does seem hard +that he had to die and be buried so far away +from all he loved."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Max; "but he had to be killed +to save our country, since he would use his time +and talents in trying to help reduce her to slavery. +I'm sorry for him, too; but as he would put his +talents to so wrong a use, there was no choice +but to kill him,—isn't that so, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"I think so," replied the Captain; "but it +was a great pity. Frazer was a brave officer, +idolized by his own men, and respected by even +his enemies."</p> + +<p>"It seems sad he should lie buried so far +away from all he loved,—all his own people; +and in a strange land, too. But he could hardly +lie in a lovelier spot, I think," remarked Lulu; +"the hills, the mountains, the beautiful river, +the woods, the fields, and these tall twin pine-trees +standing like sentinels beside his grave,—oh +I think it is just lovely! I think he showed +excellent taste in his choice of a burial-place."</p> + +<p>"Yes, nice place enough to lie in, if one could +only be on top of the ground and able to see +what it's like," came in hollow tones, seemingly +from the grave.</p> + +<p>The Captain glanced at his son with a slightly +amused smile.</p> + +<p>Lulu was startled for an instant; then, with a +little laugh, as her father took her hand and led +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>her back to the waiting carriage, "Oh, Maxie, +that was almost too bad, though he was an enemy +to our country!" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have done it if I'd thought it +would hurt his feelings," returned Max, in a tone +of mock regret; "but I really didn't suppose +he'd know or care anything about it."</p> + +<p>"Where now, sir?" asked the driver as the +Captain handed Lulu to her seat.</p> + +<p>"To the Schuyler mansion," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm glad we're going there!" exclaimed +Lulu. "I've always liked everything I've heard +about General Schuyler; and I'll be ever so glad +to see the house he used to live in."</p> + +<p>"It isn't the same house that Burgoyne caroused +in the night after the battle of Bemis +Heights, is it, Papa?" asked Max.</p> + +<p>"No; that was burned by Burgoyne's orders +a few days later," replied the Captain.</p> + +<p>"And when was this one built?" asked +Lulu.</p> + +<p>"That is a disputed point," said her father. +"Some say it was shortly after the surrender in +1777; others, not until soon after the peace of +1783."</p> + +<p>"Anyhow it was General Schuyler's house, +and so we'll be glad to see it," she said. "Papa, +is it on the exact spot where the other—the first +one—was? The one Burgoyne caroused in, I +mean."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> +<p>"They say not, quite; that it stands a little +to the west of where the first one did."</p> + +<p>"But General Schuyler owned and lived in it, +which makes it almost, if not quite, as well worth +seeing as the first one would have been," said +Max.</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented the Captain. "It was on his +return from Bemis Heights that Burgoyne took +possession of the mansion for his headquarters; +that was on the evening of the 9th of October. +His troops, who had been marching through mud, +water, and rain for the last twenty-four hours, +with nothing to eat, encamped unfed on the wet +ground near Schuylerville, while he and his cronies +feasted and enjoyed themselves as though +the sufferings of the common soldiery were nothing +to them."</p> + +<p>"Wasn't that the night before the day the +Baroness Riedesel went to the Marshall place?" +queried Max.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied his father. "Her husband, +General Riedesel, and others, urgently remonstrated +against the unnecessary and imprudent +delay, and counselled hasty retreat; but Burgoyne +would not listen to their prudent advice. +While the storm beat upon his hungry, weary +soldiers lying without on the rain-soaked ground, +he and his mates held high carnival within, +spending the night in merry-making, drinking, +and carousing."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> +<p>"What a foolish fellow!" said Max. "I +wonder that he didn't rather spend it in slipping +away from the Americans through the +darkness and storm."</p> + +<p>"Or in getting ready to fight them again the +next day," added Lulu.</p> + +<p>"I think there was fighting the next day,—wasn't +there, Papa?" said Max.</p> + +<p>"Yes; though not a regular battle. Burgoyne +was attempting a retreat, which the Americans, +constantly increasing in numbers, were preventing,—destroying +bridges, obstructing roads +leading northward, and guarding the river to +the eastward, so that the British troops +could not cross it without exposure to a murderous +artillery fire. At last, finding his provisions +nearly exhausted, himself surrounded +by more than five times his own number of +troops, and all his positions commanded by his +enemy's artillery, the proud British general +surrendered."</p> + +<p>"And it was a great victory,—wasn't it, +Papa?" asked Lulu.</p> + +<p>"It was, indeed! and God, the God of our +fathers, gave it to the American people. The time +was one of the great crises of history. Before +that battle things looked very dark for the people +of this land; and if Burgoyne had been victorious, +the probability is that the struggle for liberty +would have been given up for no one knows +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>how long. Perhaps we might have been still +subject to England."</p> + +<p>"And that would be dreadful!" she exclaimed +with warmth,—"wouldn't it, Max?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed!" he assented, his cheek flushing, +and his eye kindling; "the idea of this +great country being governed by that bit of +an island away across the sea! I just feel +sometimes as if I'd like to have helped with +the fight."</p> + +<p>"In that case," returned his father, with an +amused look, "you would hardly be here now; +or, if you were, you would be old enough to be +my grandfather."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm glad I wasn't, sir," laughed Max; +"for I'd rather be your son by a great deal. +Papa, wasn't it about that time the stars and +stripes were first used?"</p> + +<p>"No, my son; there was at least one used +before that," the Captain said with a half smile,—"at +Fort Schuyler, which was attacked by St. +Leger with his band of British troops, Canadians, +Indians, and Tories, early in the previous +August. The garrison was without a flag when +the enemy appeared before it, but soon supplied +themselves by their own ingenuity, tearing shirts +into strips to make the white stripes and stars, +joining bits of scarlet cloth for the red stripes, +and using a blue cloth cloak, belonging to one +of the officers, as the groundwork for the stars. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>Before sunset it was waving in the breeze over +one of the bastions of the fort, and no doubt +its makers gazed upon it with pride and +pleasure."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that was nice!" exclaimed Lulu. "But +I don't remember about the fighting at that fort. +Did St. Leger take it, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"No; the gallant garrison held out against +him till Arnold came to their relief. The story +is a very interesting one; but I must reserve it +for another time, as we are now nearing Schuyler's +mansion."</p> + +<p>The mansion was already in sight, and in a +few moments their carriage had drawn up in +front of it. They were politely received, and +shown a number of interesting relics.</p> + +<p>The first thing that attracted their attention +was an artistic arrangement of arms on the wall +fronting the great front door.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what are those?" Lulu asked in eager +tones, her eyes fixed upon them in an intensely +interested way. "Please, sir, may I go and +look at them?" addressing the gentleman who +had received them and now invited them to +walk in.</p> + +<p>"Yes, certainly," he answered with a smile, +and leading the way. "This," he said, touching +the hilt of a sword, "was carried at the +battle of Bennington by an <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">aide</i> of General +Stark. This other sword, and this musket +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>and cartridge-box, belonged to John Strover, +and were carried by him in the battles of the +Revolution."</p> + +<p>"Valuable and interesting souvenirs," remarked +Captain Raymond.</p> + +<p>They were shown other relics of those troublous +times,—shells, grape, knee and shoe +buckles, grubbing-hooks, and other things that +had been picked up on the place in the years +that had elapsed since the struggle for independence. +But what interested Max and Lulu +still more than any of these was a beautiful +teacup, from which, as the gentleman told +them, General Washington, while on a visit +to General Schuyler, had drunk tea made from +a portion of one of those cargoes of Boston +harbour fame.</p> + +<p>"That cup must be very precious, sir," remarked +Lulu, gazing admiringly at it. "If +it were mine, money couldn't buy it from +me."</p> + +<p>"No," he returned pleasantly; "and I am +sure you would never have robbed us, as some +vandal visitor did not long ago, of a saucer +and plate belonging to the same set."</p> + +<p>"No, no, indeed!" she replied with emphasis, +and looking quite aghast at the very +idea. "Could anybody be so wicked as +that?"</p> + +<p>"Somebody was," he said with a slight sigh; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>"and it has made us feel it necessary to be more +careful to whom we show such things. Now let +me show you the burial-place of Thomas Lovelace," +he added, leading the way out into the +grounds.</p> + +<p>"I don't remember to have heard his story, +sir," said Max, as they all followed in the gentleman's +wake; "but I would like to very much +indeed. Papa, I suppose you know all about +him."</p> + +<p>"I presume this gentleman can tell the story +far better than I," replied the Captain, with an +inquiring look at their guide.</p> + +<p>"I will do my best," he said in reply. "You +know, doubtless," with a glance at Max and his +sister, "what the Tories of the Revolution were. +Some of them were the bitterest foes of their +countrymen who were in that fearful struggle +for freedom,—wicked men, who cared really for +nothing but enriching themselves at the expense +of others, and from covetousness became as +relentless robbers and murderers of their neighbours +and former friends as the very savages of +the wilderness. Lovelace was one of these, and +had become a terror to the inhabitants of this his +native district of Saratoga. He went to Canada +about the beginning of the war, and there confederated +with five other men like himself to +come back to this region and plunder, betray, +and abduct those who were struggling for freedom +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>from their British oppressors,—old neighbours, +for whom he should have felt only pity and +kindness, even if he did not see things in just +the same light that they did. These miscreants +had their place of rendezvous in a large swamp, +about five miles from Colonel Van Vetchen's, cunningly +concealing themselves there. Robberies +in that neighbourhood became frequent, and several +persons were carried off. General Stark, +then in command of the barracks north of Fish +Creek, was active and vigilant; and hearing +that Lovelace and his men had robbed General +Schuyler's house, and were planning to carry off +Colonel Van Vetchen, frustrated their design by +furnishing the Colonel with a guard. Then +Captain Dunham, who commanded a company +of militia in the neighbourhood, hearing of the +plans and doings of the marauders, at once summoned +his lieutenant, ensign, orderly, and one +private to his house. They laid their plans, +waited till dark, then set out for the big swamp, +which was three miles distant. There they separated +to reconnoitre, and two of them were lost; +but the other three kept together, and at dawn +came upon the hiding-place of the Tory robbers. +They were up, and just drawing on their stockings. +The three Americans crawled cautiously +toward them till quite near, then sprang upon a +log with a shout, levelled their muskets, and +Dunham called out, 'Surrender, or you are all +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>dead men!' The robbers, thinking the Americans +were upon them in force, surrendered at +once, coming out one at a time without their +arms, and were marched off to General Stark's +camp, and given up to him as prisoners. They +were tried by a court-martial as spies, traitors, +and robbers; and Lovelace, who was considered +too dangerous to be allowed to escape, was +condemned to be hanged. He complained that +his sentence was unjust, and that he should +be treated as a prisoner of war; but his claim +was disallowed, and he was hanged here amid +a violent storm of wind, rain, thunder, and +lightning."</p> + +<p>"They hung him as a spy, did they, sir?" +asked Max.</p> + +<p>"As a spy and murderer. He was both; +and," pointing out the precise spot, "after his +execution he was buried here in a standing +posture."</p> + +<p>"And his bones are lying right under here +are they, sir?" asked Lulu, shuddering as she +glanced down at the spot the gentleman had +indicated.</p> + +<p>"No," was the reply; "his bones, and even +his teeth, have been carried off as relics."</p> + +<p>"Ugh! to want such things as those for +relics!" Lulu exclaimed in a tone of emphatic +disgust.</p> + +<p>"They are certainly not such relics as I would +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>care to have," returned the gentleman, with a +smile. Then he told the Captain he had shown +them everything he had which could be called a +souvenir of the Revolutionary War, and with +hearty thanks they took their leave.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + +<p>It was dinner-time when Captain Raymond +and his children reached their hotel, and at the +conclusion of the meal they went immediately to +the station of the Mount McGregor road. There +was just time for the buying of the tickets and +seating themselves comfortably in the cars before +the train started.</p> + +<p>"Papa, how long will it take us to go there?" +asked Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Thirty-five minutes," he answered. "It is +about ten miles to the mountain; then we go +up about eleven hundred feet above Saratoga +Springs."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," said Max; "and here on this +time-table it says that in some places the grade +is as high as two hundred and forty-six feet to +the mile."</p> + +<p>"Set that down in your memory," returned +his father, with a smile. "Now look out of the +windows, Max and Lulu; the country is well +worth seeing."</p> + +<p>The ride seemed very short,—it was so enjoyable,—and +Lulu was quite surprised when the +car stopped and all the passengers hurried out.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> +<p>Every one went into the Drexel Cottage, which +was close at hand. A man showed them about, +pointing out the objects of special interest,—the +bed where General Grant died, the candle he had +extinguished but a few minutes before breathing +his last, and so on.</p> + +<p>They spent some time in the cottage, going +quietly about, looking with a sad interest at +everything which had any connection with the +dear departed great man, then went on up to +the mountain top, where stood a large hotel. +They passed it, and went on to the edge of the +mountain, which overlooks the Hudson River +valley.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a lovely view!" cried Lulu, in delight. +"What mountains are those, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Those to the east," he replied, pointing in +that direction as he spoke, "are the Green +Mountains, those to the north are the Adirondacks, +and those to the south the Catskills."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lu, look yonder!" cried Max. "There's +Schuylerville with its monument, I do believe,—isn't +it, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you are right,—the place of Burgoyne's +surrender, which we visited this morning," the +Captain answered. "Now suppose we go to the +observatory at the top of the hotel, and take +the view from there."</p> + +<p>Max and Lulu gave an eager assent to the +proposal. There were a good many stairs to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>climb, but the view fully repaid them for the +exertion. They spent some minutes in gazing +upon it, then descended and wandered through +the woods till the train was ready to start down +the mountain.</p> + +<p>Max and Lulu were tired enough to go to bed +at dark; and the next morning they took an +early train to Albany, where they boarded a fine +steamer, which would carry them down the Hudson +River to West Point, where, to the children's +great delight, their father had promised to stay +a day or two, and show them all of historical +interest connected with the spot.</p> + +<p>It was the first trip on the Hudson that Max +or his sister had ever taken, and they enjoyed it +greatly,—all the more because their father was +sufficiently familiar with the scenes through +which they were passing to call their attention +to whatever was best worth noticing, and give +all desired information in regard to it, doing so +in the kindest and pleasantest manner possible. +The weather was all that could be desired,—cloudy, +with an occasional shower, seldom heavy +enough to obscure the view to any great extent, +and just cooling the air pleasantly, as Lulu remarked +with much satisfaction.</p> + +<p>It was not raining when they landed at West +Point, though clouds still veiled the sun. They +took a carriage near the wharf, and drove to the +hotel. As they alighted, some gentlemen were +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>talking upon its porch, one of whom was in military +uniform.</p> + +<p>"Raymond, this is a meeting as delightful +as unexpected,—to me at least!" he +exclaimed, coming hastily forward with out-stretched +hand.</p> + +<p>"Keith, I don't know when I have had a +pleasanter surprise!" returned Captain Raymond, +taking the offered hand and shaking it +heartily, while his eyes shone with pleasure. +"You are not here permanently?"</p> + +<p>"No; only on a furlough. And you?"</p> + +<p>"Just for a day or two, to show my children +our military academy and the points +of historical interest in its vicinity," replied +Captain Raymond, glancing down upon them +with a smile of fatherly pride and affection. +"Max and Lulu, this gentleman is Lieutenant +Keith, of whom you have sometimes heard me +speak, and whom your mamma calls Cousin +Donald."</p> + +<p>"Your children, are they? Ah, I think I +might have known them anywhere from their +remarkable resemblance to you, Raymond!" Mr. +Keith said, shaking hands first with Lulu, then +with Max.</p> + +<p>He chatted pleasantly with them for a few +minutes, while their father attended to engaging +rooms and having the baggage taken up to +them. When he rejoined them Keith asked, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>"May I have the pleasure of showing you about, +Raymond?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you; no better escort could be desired," +replied the Captain, heartily, "you being +a valued friend just met after a long separation, +and also an old resident here, thoroughly competent +for the task, and thoroughly acquainted +with all the points of interest."</p> + +<p>"I think I may say I am that," returned +Keith, with a smile; "and it will give me the +greatest pleasure to show them to you,—as +great, doubtless, as you seemed to find some +years ago in showing me over your man-of-war. +But first, let us take a view from the porch here. +Yonder," pointing in a westerly direction, "at +the foot of the hills, are the dwellings of the officers +and professors. In front of them you see +the parade-ground: there, on the south side, are +the barracks. There is the Grecian chapel, +yonder the library building, with its domed +turrets, and there are the mess hall and hospital." +Then turning toward the west again, +"That lofty summit," he said, "is Mount +Independence, and the ruins that crown it are +those of 'Old Fort Put.' That still loftier +peak is Redoubt Hill. There, a little to the +north, you see Old Cro' Nest and Butter +Hill. Now, directly north, through that magnificent +cleft in the hills, you can see Newburgh +and its bay. Of the scenery in the east we +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>will have a better view from the ruins of +'Old Put.'"</p> + +<p>"No doubt," said the Captain. "Shall we go +up there at once?"</p> + +<p>"If you like, Raymond. I always enjoy the +view; it more than pays for the climb. But," +and Mr. Keith glanced somewhat doubtfully at +Lulu, "shall we not take a carriage? I fear the +walk may be too much for your little girl."</p> + +<p>"What do you say, Lulu?" her father asked +with a smiling glance at her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'd rather walk, Papa!" she exclaimed. +"We have been riding so much for the last week +and more; and you know I'm strong and well, +and dearly love to climb rocks and hills."</p> + +<p>"Very well, you shall do as you like, and +have the help of Papa's hand over the hard +places," he said, offering it as he spoke.</p> + +<p>She put hers into it with a glad look and smile +up into his face that almost made Donald Keith +envy the Captain the joys of fatherhood.</p> + +<p>They set off at once. Lulu found it a rather +hard climb, or that it would have been without +her father's helping hand; but the top of Mount +Independence was at length reached, and the little +party stood among the ruins of Fort Putnam. +They stood on its ramparts recovering breath +after the ascent, their faces turned toward the +east, silently gazing upon the beautiful panorama +spread out at their feet.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> +<p>It was the Captain who broke the silence. +"You see that range of hills on the farther side +of the river, children?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," both replied with an inquiring look +up into his face.</p> + +<p>"In the time of the Revolution every pinnacle +was fortified, and on each a watch-fire burned," +he said.</p> + +<p>"They had a battery on each, Papa?" queried +Max.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but yonder, at their foot, stands something +that will interest you still more,—the +Beverly House, from which Arnold the traitor +fled to the British ship 'Vulture,' on learning +that André had been taken."</p> + +<p>"Oh, is it, sir?" exclaimed Max, in a tone of +intense interest. "How I would like to visit it,—can +we, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"I too; oh, very much!" said Lulu. "Please +take us there,—won't you, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"I fear there will be hardly time, my dears; +but I will see about it," was the indulgent reply.</p> + +<p>"You have been here before, Raymond?" Mr. +Keith said inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"Yes; on my first bridal trip," the Captain +answered in a low, moved tone, and sighing +slightly as the words left his lips.</p> + +<p>"With our own mother, Papa?" asked Lulu, +softly, looking up into his face with eyes full of +love and sympathy.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yes, daughter; and she enjoyed the view +very much as you are doing now."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad; I like to think she saw it once."</p> + +<p>An affectionate pressure of the hand he held +was his only reply. Then turning to his friend, +"It is a grand view, Keith," he said; "and one +that always stirs the patriotism in my blood, inherited +from ancestors who battled for freedom +in those Revolutionary days."</p> + +<p>"It is just so with myself," replied Keith; +"and the view is a grand one in itself, though +there were no such association,—a superb panorama! +The beautiful, majestic river sweeping +about the rock-bound promontory below us there, +with its tented field; yonder the distant spires +of Newburgh, and the bright waters of its bay, +seen through that magnificent cleft in the hills," +pointing with his finger as he spoke,—"ah, how +often I have seen it all in imagination when out +in the far West scouting over arid plains, and +among desolate barren hills and mountains, +where savages and wild beasts abound! At +times an irrepressible longing for this very view +has come over me,—a sort of homesickness, +most difficult to shake off."</p> + +<p>"Such as years in the ports of foreign lands +have sometimes brought upon me," observed the +Captain, giving his friend a look of heartfelt +sympathy.</p> + +<p>"Dear Papa, I'm so glad that is all over," +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>Lulu said softly, leaning lovingly up against him +as she spoke, and again lifting to his eyes her +own so full of sympathy and affection. "Oh, +it is so pleasant to have you always at home +with us!"</p> + +<p>A smile and an affectionate pressure of the little +soft white hand he held were his only reply.</p> + +<p>"Ah, my little girl, when Papa sees a man-of-war +again, he will be likely to wish himself back +in the service once more!" remarked Keith, in a +sportive tone, regarding her with laughing eyes.</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I don't believe it," she returned +stoutly. "Papa loves his home and wife and +children too well for that; besides, he has resigned +from the navy, and I don't believe they'd +take him back again."</p> + +<p>"Well, Lu," said Max, "that's a pretty way +to talk about Papa! Now, it's my firm conviction +that they'd be only too glad to get him +back."</p> + +<p>"That's right, Max; stand up for your father +always," laughed Keith. "He is worthy of it; +and I don't doubt the government would be +ready to accept his services should he offer +them."</p> + +<p>"Of course," laughed the Captain; "but I intend +to give them those of my son instead," +turning a look upon Max so proudly tender and +appreciative that the lad's young heart bounded +with joy.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> +<p>"Ah, is that so?" said Keith, gazing appreciatively +into the lad's bright young face. "Well, +I have no doubt he will do you credit. Max, my +boy, never forget that you have the credit of an +honourable name to sustain, and that in so doing +you will make your father a proud and happy +man."</p> + +<p>"That is what I want to do, sir," replied Max, +modestly. Then hastily changing the subject, +"Papa, is that town over there Phillipstown?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; what do you remember about it?"</p> + +<p>"That a part of our Revolutionary army was +camped there in 1781. And there, over to the +left, is Constitution Island,—isn't it, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered his father; then went on to +tell of the building of the fort from which the +island takes its name, and its abandonment a +few days after the capture by the British of +Forts Clinton and Montgomery, near the lower +entrance to the Highlands, in 1777.</p> + +<p>"Such a pity, after they had been to all the +expense and trouble of building it!" remarked +Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Yes, quite a waste," said Max; "but +war's a wasteful business anyway it can be +managed."</p> + +<p>"Quite true, Max," said, Mr. Keith; "and +soldier though I am, I sincerely hope we may +have no more of it in this land."</p> + +<p>"No, sir; but the best way to keep out of it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>is to show ourselves ready for self-defence. That +is what Papa says."</p> + +<p>"And I entirely agree with him. Shall we go +now, Raymond, and see what of interest is to be +found in the buildings and about the grounds of +the academy?"</p> + +<p>The Captain gave a ready assent, and they +retraced their steps, he helping Lulu down the +mountain as he had helped her up.</p> + +<p>Keith took them, first, to the artillery laboratory +to see, as he said, some trophies and relics +of the Revolution. Conducting them to the centre +of the court, "Here," he remarked, "are some +interesting ones," pointing, as he spoke, to several +cannon lying in a heap, and encircled by some +links of an enormous chain.</p> + +<p>"Oh," exclaimed Max, "is that part of the +great chain that was stretched across the Hudson, +down there by Constitution Island, in the +time of the Revolution?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Keith. "And these two brass +mortars were taken from Burgoyne at Saratoga; +this larger one, Wayne took from the British at +Stony Point. I dare say you and your sister are +acquainted with the story of that famous exploit."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, sir!" they both replied; and Lulu +asked, "Is that the English coat-of-arms on the +big cannon?"</p> + +<p>Her look directed the query to her father, and +he answered, "Yes."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> +<p>"And what do these words below it mean, +Papa,—'Aschaleh fecit, 1741'?"</p> + +<p>"Aschaleh is doubtless the name of the maker; +'<i xml:lang="la" lang="la">fecit</i>' means he executed it, and 1741 gives the +time when it was done."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," she said. "Is there any +story about that one?" pointing to another cannon +quite near at hand.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said; "by its premature discharge, +in 1817, a cadet named Lowe was killed. In +the cemetery is a beautiful monument to his +memory."</p> + +<p>"Here are two brass field-pieces, each marked +'G. R.,'" said Max. "Do those letters stand +for George Rex,—King George,—Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; that was the monogram of the +king."</p> + +<p>"And the cannon is fourteen years younger +than those others," remarked Lulu; "for, see +there, it says, 'W. Bowen fecit, 1755.'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, here's an inscription!" exclaimed Max, +and read aloud, "'Taken from the British +army, and presented, by order of the United +States, in Congress assembled, to Major-General +Green, as a monument of their high sense of the +wisdom, fortitude, and military talents which +distinguished his command in the Southern department, +and of the eminent services which, +amid complicated dangers and difficulties, he +performed for his country. October 18th, 1783.' +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>Oh, that was right!" supplemented the lad, "for +I do think Green was a splendid fellow."</p> + +<p>"He was, indeed!" said the Captain; "and +he has at last been given such a monument as he +should have had very many years sooner."</p> + +<p>"Where is it, Papa?" asked Lulu.</p> + +<p>"In Washington. It is an equestrian statue, +by Henry Kirke Brown."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and very glad I am that even that +tardy act of justice has been done him,—one of +the bravest and most skilful commanders of our +Revolutionary War," remarked Mr. Keith. Then +he added, "I think we have seen about all you +will care for here, Raymond, and that you might +enjoy going out upon the parade-ground now. +The sun is near setting, and the battalion will +form presently, and go through some interesting +exercises."</p> + +<p>"Thank you!" the Captain said. "Let us, +then, go at once, for I see Max and his sister +are eager for the treat," he added, with a smiling +glance from one brightly expectant young face +to the other.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + + +<p>They reached the parade-ground just in time +to see the battalion forming under arms, and +Max and Lulu watched every movement with +intense interest and delight,—the long skirmish +lines firing in advance or retreat, picking off distant +imaginary leaders of a pretended enemy in +reply to the ringing skirmish calls of the key-bugles, +deploying at the run, rallying at the +reserves and around the colours.</p> + +<p>That last seemed to delight Lulu more than +anything else. "Oh," she exclaimed, "isn't it +lovely! Wouldn't they all fight for the dear old +flag if an enemy should come and try to tear it +down!"</p> + +<p>"I'm inclined to think they would," returned +Mr. Keith, smiling at her enthusiasm. "Now +look at the flag waving from the top of the staff +yonder."</p> + +<p>The words had scarcely left his lips when there +came the sudden bang of the sunset gun, and the +flag quickly fluttered to the earth.</p> + +<p>Then followed the march of the cadets to their +supper, and our little party turned about and +went in search of theirs.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> +<p>On leaving the table they went out upon the +hotel porch and seated themselves where the +view was particularly fine, the gentlemen conversing, +Max and Lulu listening, both tired +enough to be quite willing to sit still.</p> + +<p>The talk, which was principally of ordnance +and various matters connected with army and +navy, had greater interest for the boy than for +his sister, and Lulu soon laid her head on her +father's shoulder, and was presently in the land +of dreams.</p> + +<p>"My poor, tired, little girl!" he said, low and +tenderly, softly smoothing the hair from her forehead +as he spoke.</p> + +<p>At that she roused, and lifting her head, said +coaxingly, "Please don't send me to bed yet, +Papa! I'm wide awake now."</p> + +<p>"Are you, indeed?" he laughed. "I think +those eyes look rather heavy; but you may sit +up now if you will agree to sleep in the morning +when Max and I will probably be going out to +see the cadets begin their day. Would you like +to go, Max?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, sir!" answered Max, in eager +tones; "it's about five o'clock we have to start,—isn't +it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Max. Lieutenant Keith has kindly +offered to call us in season, and become our +escort to the camp."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, mayn't I go too?" pleaded Lulu, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>in the most coaxing tones. "I won't give you +the least bit of trouble."</p> + +<p>"You never do, daughter, in regard to such +matters; you are always prompt, and ready in +good season."</p> + +<p>"Then do you say I may go, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you will go to bed at once, in order +to secure enough sleep by five o'clock in the +morning."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, sir! Yes, indeed, I will," +she said, hastily rising to her feet, and bidding +good-night to Mr. Keith.</p> + +<p>"I too," said Max, following her example.</p> + +<p>"Good children," said their father; then noticing +the longing look in Lulu's eyes, he excused +himself to his friend, saying he would join him +again presently, and went with them.</p> + +<p>"That is a beautiful, bright, engaging, little +girl of yours, Raymond,—one that any father +might be proud of," remarked Keith when the +Captain had resumed the seat by his side.</p> + +<p>"She seems all that to me; but I have sometimes +thought it might be the blindness of parental +affection that makes the child so lovely +and engaging in her father's eyes," returned the +Captain, in tones that spoke much gratification.</p> + +<p>"I think, indeed I am sure, not," returned +Keith. "About how old is she?"</p> + +<p>"Thirteen. Actually, she'll be a woman before +I know it!" was the added exclamation in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>a tone of dismay. "I don't like the thought of +losing my little girl even in that way."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you'll be likely to lose her in another +before many years!" laughed his friend. "She'll +make a lovely woman, Raymond!"</p> + +<p>"I think you are right," answered the father; +"and I confess that the thought of another gaining +the first place in her heart—which I know is +mine now—is far from pleasant to me. Well, +it cannot be for some years yet, and I shall try +not to think of it. Perhaps she may never care +to leave her father."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe she will if she is wise. You +are a fortunate man, Raymond! Your son—the +image of his father—is not less attractive than +his sister, and evidently a remarkably intelligent +lad. He will make his mark in the navy; and I +dare say we shall have the pleasure of seeing him +an admiral by the time we—you and I—are +gray-headed, old veterans."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so," returned the Captain, with a +pleased smile; "but promotion is slow in the +navy in these days of peace."</p> + +<p>"Quite true; and as true of the army as of +the navy. But even that is to be preferred to +war,—eh, Raymond?"</p> + +<p>"Most decidedly," was the emphatic reply.</p> + +<p>"You leave for home to-morrow evening, I +think you said?" was Keith's next remark, made +in an inquiring tone.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> +<p>"That is my plan at present," replied the +Captain, "though I would stay a little longer +rather than have the children disappointed in +their hope of seeing everything about here that +has any connection with the Revolution."</p> + +<p>"They seem to be ardent young patriots," +said Keith. "It does one good to see their +pride and delight in the flag. How their eyes +shone at the sight of the rally round the colours."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and they feel an intense interest in +everything that has any connection with the +Revolutionary struggle. They get it in the +blood; and it has been their father's earnest +endeavour to cultivate in them an ardent love of +country."</p> + +<p>"In which he has evidently been remarkably +successful," returned Keith. "I am much mistaken +if that boy does not do you great credit +while in the Naval Academy, and, as I remarked +a moment since, after fairly entering +the service."</p> + +<p>"A kind and pleasant prediction, Keith," the +Captain said, giving his friend a gratified look.</p> + +<p>"How many children have you, Raymond?" +was the next question.</p> + +<p>"Only five," the Captain said, with a happy +laugh,—"five treasures that should, it seems +to me, make any man feel rich; also, a sweet, +beautiful, young wife, who is to her husband +worth far more than her weight in gold. 'Her +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>price is above rubies.' And you, Keith,—you +have not told me whether you have yet found +your mate."</p> + +<p>"No, not yet. I sometimes think I never shall, +but shall soon become a confirmed old bachelor," +Keith replied. Then, after an instant's pause, +"I wonder if Lulu's father would give her to me +should I wait patiently till she is old enough to +know her own mind in such matters, and then +succeed in winning her heart?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, Keith, is that a serious thought or a +mere idle jest?" queried the Captain, turning a +surprised and not altogether pleased look upon +his friend.</p> + +<p>"A sort of mixture of the two, I believe, Raymond," +was the laughing reply; "but I haven't +the least idea of putting any such mischief into +your daughter's head,—at least, not at present. +But if I ask your permission half a dozen years +hence to pay my court to her, I hope it will not +be refused."</p> + +<p>"Well, Keith," the Captain said, after a moment's +silence, "I should be very loath to stand +in the way of your happiness,—still more of +that of my dear daughter; but the time is so far +off that we need not discuss the question now. +My little girl seems still the merest child, with +no thought of the cares, pleasures, and duties of +womanhood; and I wish to keep her so as long +as I can. That is one reason why I rejoice in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>being able to educate her myself in our own +home; and thus far the loves of the dear ones in +it have seemed all-sufficient for her happiness. +And I own to being particularly pleased with +her oft-repeated assurance that she loves Papa +better than she does any one else in all the wide +world."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I do not wonder that she does, for her +father is altogether worthy of all the love she can +give him!" Keith said, with a half-sigh, thinking +of the loneliness of his lot compared with that of +the Captain.</p> + +<p>"Keith," the Captain said, after a moment's +silence, "you tell me your furlough will not expire +for some weeks yet. Can you not spend +them with us at the sea-shore?"</p> + +<p>Donald demurred a little at first, saying he +had made other plans; and besides, his going +might interfere with his cousins' arrangements.</p> + +<p>"Not the slightest danger of that," the Captain +averred; "and I am certain that one and +all will be delighted to see you."</p> + +<p>"And I own to being fairly hungry for a sight +of them," laughed Donald. "So, Raymond, +your invitation is accepted, and on your own +head be the consequences."</p> + +<p>"No objection to that; I'm delighted to have +you on any terms, reasonable or otherwise," the +Captain said, with his pleasant smile.</p> + +<p>Max and Lulu had an hour or more of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>good refreshing sleep before the two gentlemen +separated for the night.</p> + +<p>Captain Raymond went very softly into Lulu's +room, and stood for a moment by the bedside +looking fondly down into the rosy, sleeping face, +then, bending over her, kissed her tenderly on +cheek and lip and brow.</p> + +<p>Her eyes opened wide and looked up into his, +while a glad smile broke over her face.</p> + +<p>"You dear, good Papa, to come in and kiss +me again!" she said, putting her arm round his +neck and returning his caresses. "Oh, I do +think I have just the very dearest, kindest, best +father in the whole wide world!"</p> + +<p>"That's rather strong, isn't it?" he returned, +laughing, but at the same time gathering +her up in his arms for a moment's petting +and fondling. Then, laying her down again, +"I did not mean to wake you," he said; "and +I want you now to go to sleep again as fast +as you can, because, though to-morrow will, I +hope, be a very enjoyable day to you and Max, +it is probable you will find it quite fatiguing +also."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; but I don't mean to think about it +now, else I'd be wide awake presently, and maybe +not sleep any more to-night," Lulu answered +drowsily, her eyes closing while she spoke.</p> + +<p>He was turning away, when she roused sufficiently +to ask another question. "Papa, will +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>you please wake me when the time comes to +get up?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, daughter," he replied. "Do not let +the fear of not waking in season rob you of a +moment's sleep. I think you may safely trust to +your father to attend to that for you."</p> + +<p>It seemed to Lulu that but a few moments had +passed when her father's voice spoke again close +to her side.</p> + +<p>"Wake up now, little daughter, if you want +to go with Papa and Max to see what the cadets +will be doing in their camp for the next hour +or so."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, indeed, I do!" she cried, wide +awake in an instant. "Good-morning; and +thank you ever so much for calling me, dear +Papa!" and with the words her arms were round +his neck, her kisses on his cheek.</p> + +<p>He gave her a hearty embrace in turn; and +then, with a "Now, my darling, you must make +haste, we have only ten minutes; but I shall +bring you back to rearrange your toilet before +going down to breakfast," he released her and +went back to his own room.</p> + +<p>Lulu made quick work of her dressing, and +when her father tapped at her door to say it was +time to go, was quite ready.</p> + +<p>They found Mr. Keith waiting on the porch, +exchanged a pleasant "good-morning" with him, +and at once started for the camp.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> +<p>Max and Lulu were in gayest spirits, and were +allowed to laugh and talk till the little party +drew near the camp, when their father bade +them be quiet, and amuse themselves for the +present by looking and listening.</p> + +<p>He spoke in a kind, pleasant tone, and they +obeyed at once.</p> + +<p>Down by the guard-tents they could see a dim, +drowsy gleam, as of a lantern; the gas-jets along +the way seemed to burn dimly, too, as the daylight +grew stronger, and up about the hill-tops +on the farther side of the river the sky was growing +rosy and bright with the coming day. But +all was so quiet, so still, where the tents were +that it seemed as if everybody there must be still +wrapped in slumber; and Lulu was beginning to +think Mr. Keith must have called for them a little +earlier than necessary, when a sudden gleam +and rattle among the trees almost made her +jump, so startled was she, while at the same +instant a stern, boyish voice called out, "Who +comes there?" and a sentry stood before them +wrapped in an overcoat,—for the morning was +very cool up there among the mountains,—and +with the dew dripping from his cap.</p> + +<p>"Friends, with the countersign," replied Mr. +Keith.</p> + +<p>"Halt, friends! Advance one with the countersign," +commanded the sentry; and while the +Captain and his children stood still where they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>were, Mr. Keith stepped up to the levelled bayonet +and whispered a word or two in the ear of +the young sentinel which at once caused a change +in his attitude toward our party,—respectful attention +taking the place of the fierce suspicion. +"Advance, friends!" he said, bringing his heels +together and his rifle to the carry, then stood like +a statue while they passed on into the camp he +guarded.</p> + +<p>Max and Lulu, remembering their father's +order to them to keep quiet, said nothing, but +were careful to make the very best use of their +eyes.</p> + +<p>Down by the tents, on the south and east sides, +they could see sentries pacing their rounds, but +there was as yet no sound or movement among +the occupants.</p> + +<p>Some drummer-boys were hurrying over the +plain toward the camp, while a corporal and two +cadets were silently crossing to the northeast +corner, where stood a field-piece dripping with +dew.</p> + +<p>Max motioned to Lulu to notice what they +were doing, and as he did so they had reached +the gun, and there was a dull thud as they +rammed home their cartridge.</p> + +<p>The drummer-boys were chattering together in +low tones, glancing now and again at the clock +in the "Academic" tower over on the other side +of the plain. Suddenly a mellow stroke began +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>to tell the hour, but the next was drowned in the +roar of the gun as it belched forth fire and smoke, +while at the same instant drum and fife broke +forth in the stirring strains of the reveille.</p> + +<p>Lulu almost danced with delight, looking up +into her father's face with eyes shining with +pleasure. His answering smile was both fond +and indulgent as he took the small white hand +in his with a loving clasp; but it was no time +for words amid the thunder of the drums playing +their march in and about the camp.</p> + +<p>Lulu could see the tent-flaps raised, drowsy +heads peering out, then dozens of erect, slender +lads, in white trousers and tight-fitting coatees, +coming out with buckets, and hurrying away to +the water-tanks and back again.</p> + +<p>Presently the drums and fifes ceased their +music; there was a brief interval of silence, +while the streets of the camp filled up with gray +and white coated figures. Then came another +rattle of the drums like a sharp, quick, imperative +call.</p> + +<p>"Fall in!" ordered the sergeants; and like +a flash each company sprang into two long +columns.</p> + +<p>"Left face!" ordered each first sergeant, +while the second sergeant, answering to his own +name, was watching with eagle eye a delinquent +who came hurrying on, and took his place in the +ranks too late by a full half-second.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> +<p>"Ah," exclaimed Keith, "that poor lad will +be reported as too late at reveille!"</p> + +<p>Lulu gave him a look of surprise. "Dear +me," she said to herself, "if Papa was that +strict with his children what ever would become +of me?"</p> + +<p>But the first sergeant was calling the roll, and +she listened with fresh astonishment as he rattled +off the seventy or eighty names without +so much as an instant's pause, using no list, and +seeming to recognize each lad as he answered +"Here."</p> + +<p>It took scarcely a minute; then at a single +word the ranks scattered, the lads hurrying away +to their tents, while the first sergeant made a +brief report to the captain, who stood near, then +the captain to the officer of the day.</p> + +<p>Our little party had now seated themselves +where a good view of the camp might be obtained, +and Max and Lulu watched with great +interest what was going on there. They could +see the lads pull off their gray coats, raise their +tent-walls to give free circulation through them +to the sweet morning air, pile up their bedding, +and sweep their floors.</p> + +<p>Lulu gave her father an inquiring look, and he +said, "What is it, daughter? You may talk +now, if you wish."</p> + +<p>"I was just wondering if you had to do such +work as that at Annapolis," she said in reply.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> +<p>"I did," he responded, with a smile, "and +thought you had heard me speak of it."</p> + +<p>"Maybe I have," she said, with a tone and +look as if trying to recall something in the past. +"Oh, yes, I do remember it now! And I suppose +that's the reason you have always been so +particular with us about keeping our rooms nice +and neat."</p> + +<p>"Partly, I believe," he returned, softly patting +the hand she had laid on his knee; "but +my mother was very neat and orderly, and from +my earliest childhood tried to teach me to be the +same."</p> + +<p>"And I think I'll find it easier because of your +teachings, sir," remarked Max.</p> + +<p>"I hope so," the Captain said; "you'll find +you have enough to learn, my boy, without +that."</p> + +<p>"A good father is a great blessing, Max, as +I have found in my own experience," said Mr. +Keith.</p> + +<p>But the roll of the drums began again, now +playing "Pease upon a Trencher;" again the +ranks were formed, rolls called; the sergeants +marched their companies to the colour line, officers +took their stations; first captain ordered +attention, swung the battalion into column of +platoons to the left, ordered "Forward, guide +right, march!" and away they went, to the stirring +music of the fifes and drums, away across +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>the plain till the main road was reached, down +the shaded lane between the old "Academic" +and the chapel, past the new quarters, and the +grassy terrace beyond. Then each platoon +wheeled in succession to the right, mounted the +broad stone steps, and disappeared beneath the +portals of the mess hall.</p> + +<p>Our party, who had followed at so slight a +distance as to be able to keep the cadets in +sight to the door of entrance, did not attempt +to look in upon them at their meal, but hurried +on to the hotel to give attention to their +own breakfasts,—the keen morning air and the +exercise of walking having bestowed upon each +one an excellent appetite.</p> + +<p>Max and Lulu were very eager to "get back +in time to see everything," as they expressed it, +so began eating in great haste.</p> + +<p>Their father gently admonished them to be +more deliberate.</p> + +<p>"You must not forget," he said, "that food +must be thoroughly masticated in order to digest +properly; and those who indulge in eating at +such a rapid rate will be very likely soon to +suffer from indigestion."</p> + +<p>"And we may as well take our time," added +Mr. Keith, "for it will be an hour or more before +anything of special interest will be going on +among the cadets."</p> + +<p>"What do they do next, sir?" asked Max.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> +<p>"Morning drill, which is not very interesting, +comes next; then the tents are put in order."</p> + +<p>"That must take a good while," remarked +Lulu.</p> + +<p>"From three to five minutes, perhaps."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" she cried in surprise; "how can they +do it so quickly? I'm sure I couldn't put my +room at home in good order in less than ten +minutes."</p> + +<p>"But, then, you're not a boy, you know," +laughed Max.</p> + +<p>"I'm quite as smart as if I were," she returned +promptly. "Isn't that so, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"I have known some boys who were not particularly +bright," he answered, with an amused +look. "Perhaps you might compare quite favourably +with them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa!" she exclaimed; "is that the +best you can say about me?"</p> + +<p>"I can say that my daughter seems to me to +have as much brain as my son, and of as good +quality," he replied kindly, refilling her plate as +he spoke; "and I very much doubt his ability +to put a room in order more rapidly than +she can, and at the same time equally well," he +concluded.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a sort of womanish work anyhow,—isn't +it, Papa?" queried Max, giving Lulu +another laughing look.</p> + +<p>"I don't see it so," replied his father. "I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>would be sorry to admit, or to think, that women +have a monopoly of the good qualities of +order and cleanliness."</p> + +<p>"I, too, sir," said Max; "and I'm quite resolved +to do my father credit in that line as well +as others, at the academy and elsewhere."</p> + +<p>"Are we going at once, Papa?" Lulu asked +as they left the table.</p> + +<p>"No; but probably in ten or fifteen minutes. +Can you wait so long as that?" he asked, with a +humorous smile, and softly smoothing her hair +as she stood by his side.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, sir!" she answered brightly. "I +hope I'm not quite so impatient as I used to be; +and I feel quite sure you'll not let Max or me +miss anything very interesting or important."</p> + +<p>"Not if I can well help it, daughter," he said. +"I want you and Max to see and hear all that I +think will be instructive, or give you pleasure."</p> + +<p>A few moments later they set out; and they +had just reached the grove up by the guard-tents, +and seated themselves comfortably, when the +drum tapped for morning parade, and the cadets +were seen issuing from their tents, buttoned to +the throat in faultlessly fitting uniforms, their +collars, cuffs, gloves, belts, and trousers of spotless +white, their rifles, and every bit of metal +about them gleaming with polish.</p> + +<p>"How fine the fellows do look, Lu!" remarked +Max, in an undertone.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yes," she replied; "they couldn't be neater +if they were girls."</p> + +<p>"No, I should think not," he returned, with +a laugh. "Oh, see! yonder comes the band. +Now we'll soon have some music."</p> + +<p>"And there come some officers," said Lulu; +and as she spoke the sentry on No. 1 rattled his +piece, with a shout that re-echoed from the hills, +"Turn out the guard, Commandant of Cadets!" +and instantly the members of the guard were +seen hastily to snatch their rifles from the racks, +form ranks, and present arms.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Maxie, isn't that fine!" whispered +Lulu, ecstatically. "Wouldn't you like to be +that officer?"</p> + +<p>"I'd ten times rather be captain of a good +ship," returned Max.</p> + +<p>"I believe I'd rather be in the navy, too, if I +were a boy," she said; "but I'd like the army +next best."</p> + +<p>"Yes, so would I."</p> + +<p>But the drum again tapped sharply, the cadets +in each street resolved themselves into two long +parallel lines, elbow to elbow, and at the last +tap faced suddenly outward, while the glistening +rifles sprang up to "support arms;" every first +sergeant called off his roll, every man as he answered +to his name snapping down his piece to +the "carry" and "order."</p> + +<p>That done, the sergeant faced his captain, saluting +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>in soldierly fashion, and took his post; the +captain whipped out his shining sword; the lieutenants +stepped to their posts.</p> + +<p>"This is the morning inspection," Mr. Keith +said in reply to an inquiring look from Max and +Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Are they very particular, sir?" queried +Max.</p> + +<p>"Very; should a speck of rust be found on a +cadet's rifle, a single button missing from his +clothing, or unfastened, a spot on his trousers, +a rip or tear in his gloves, or dust on his shoes, +it is likely to be noted on the company delinquency-book +to-day, and published to the battalion +to-morrow evening."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if they're as strict and hard on a +fellow as that at Annapolis," thought Max to +himself. "I mean to ask Papa about it."</p> + +<p>The inspection was soon over.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Mr. Keith, "there'll be a moment's +breathing spell, then more music by the +band while the cadets go through some of their +exercises, which I think you will find well worth +looking at."</p> + +<p>They did enjoy it extremely,—the music, the +manœuvres of the cadets under the orders now +of the adjutant, and again of the officer in +command.</p> + +<p>There followed a half-hour of rest, in which +Mr. Keith introduced his friend, Captain Raymond, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>to some of the other officers, and they all +had a little chat together.</p> + +<p>But as the clock struck nine the cadets were +again in ranks.</p> + +<p>"What are they going to do now, Mr. Keith?" +asked Lulu.</p> + +<p>"This is the hour for battery drill," was the +reply.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I'm glad we're going to see that!" +said Max. "I'd rather see it than anything +else."</p> + +<p>"The cadets are dividing and going in different +directions," said Lulu. "Some of them seem +to be going down by the river."</p> + +<p>"Yes; some members of the senior class. +They are going to what is called the 'sea-coast +battery' at the water's edge, and presently you +will hear the thunder of great guns coming from +there."</p> + +<p>"Oh, can we go and look at them?" asked +Lulu, excitedly. "May we, Papa?" turning to +him.</p> + +<p>"I think we shall have a finer sight up +here," he replied. "Am I not right, Mr. +Keith?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I think we would better remain where +we are. I would like you to see what daring +horsemen these youngsters are. See yonder are +the seniors in riding-dress, with gauntlets and +cavalry sabres. Watch how easily they mount, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>and how perfectly at home they are upon their +steeds."</p> + +<p>With intense interest and no little excitement +Max and Lulu watched and listened to all that +followed,—the rapid movements of column, line, +and battery, the flash of sabres, the belching of +flame and smoke, accompanied by the thundering +roar of the great guns, the stirring bugle blasts, +the rearing of the horses when brought to a sudden +halt. Even the gentlemen showed unmistakable +symptoms of interest and excitement.</p> + +<p>The hour of battery drill passed very quickly. +When it was over the Captain called a carriage, +and he, Mr. Keith, Max, and Lulu drove from +one point of interest to another, occupying in +this way the time till the hour for the boat from +Albany to touch at the point. They took passage +on it to New York City, where they left it +to board a Sound steamer,—a few hours' journey +in which would take them to that part of +the sea-coast of Rhode Island which had been +selected as the summer resort of the family +connection.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + + +<p>Early the next morning our party landed at +Newport, where they took a carriage for their +sea-side home. It was early when they arrived, +but they found everybody up, and ready with a +joyful welcome, in both that house and the +next two, occupied by the Dinsmores, Travillas, +and Lelands. The delight of all the Raymonds, +from the Captain down to the baby boy, was a +pretty thing to see.</p> + +<p>The occupants of the other cottages were present, +and rejoiced with them; and from one and +all Cousin Donald received a very warm welcome. +They were evidently much pleased to see +him, and soon made him feel quite at home +among them.</p> + +<p>They all sat down to breakfast together, almost +immediately upon the arrival of the travellers, +and lingered over the table in pleasant +chat, talking of what had occurred to one and +another during the absence of the Captain, Max, +and Lulu, questioning Cousin Donald in regard +to loved ones more nearly related to him +than to themselves, and laying plans for his and +their own entertainment during his stay among +them.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> +<p>"I hope," remarked the Captain, "that some +naval vessel will come within reach, so that we +may have a chance to visit her in your company, +Donald."</p> + +<p>"Thank you; I would greatly enjoy so doing," +Donald answered. "I suppose a visit from such +a vessel is by no means rare in these parts at this +time of year."</p> + +<p>"No," the Captain replied, glancing through a +window looking upon the sea, as he spoke. "Why, +there is one in plain view at this moment!" he +cried, starting to his feet.</p> + +<p>They all hastily left the table and gathered +upon a porch which gave them a good view of +the sea and the man-of-war, hardly a mile away.</p> + +<p>"My spy-glass, Max, my son," the Captain +said.</p> + +<p>"Here, Papa," answered Max, putting it into +his father's hand. "I knew it would be wanted."</p> + +<p>"Good boy," returned the Captain. "Ah, +yes," looking through the glass, "just as I +thought. It is the 'Wanita,' Captain Wade, an +old friend of mine; we were boys together in the +Naval Academy." His face shone with pleasure +as he spoke. "We must visit her," he added, +passing the glass to Donald.</p> + +<p>Max and Lulu exchanged glances of delight,—Papa +was so kind and indulgent they were +almost sure he would take them along if he knew +they wished to go.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> +<p>"Not to-day, Levis? I am sure you must be +too much fatigued with your long journey," Violet +said, with a look into her husband's eyes that +seemed to add, "I could not be content to part +from you for an hour just yet."</p> + +<p>His answering look was as fond as her own.</p> + +<p>"No, dearest," he said, low and tenderly, +"nor do I intend to go at all without my little +wife, unless she absolutely refuses to accompany +me; we will stay quietly at home to-day, if you +wish, and perhaps visit the 'Wanita' to-morrow."</p> + +<p>It was a bit of private chat, the others being +quite engrossed with the 'Wanita,' taking turns in +gazing upon her through the glass.</p> + +<p>The next moment Lulu was by her father's +side, asking in eager beseeching tones, "Papa, +if you go on board that war vessel won't you take +Max and me with you?"</p> + +<p>"I think it highly probable, in case you should +both wish to go," he said, smiling at the look of +entreaty in her face and its sudden change to one +of extreme delight as she heard his reply.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, thank you ever so much!" she +cried, fairly dancing with delight. "There's +nothing I'd like better; and I hope we can +all go."</p> + +<p>"You would enjoy it, my dear?" asked the +Captain, turning to his wife.</p> + +<p>"I would enjoy going anywhere with you, +Levis; and your company is particularly desirable +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>on a man-of-war," Violet answered with a happy +laugh.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," he returned, with a bow and +smile. "We must have them—Wade and his +officers—here too. It will be a pleasure to entertain +them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, how delightful!" cried Lulu, +clapping her hands.</p> + +<p>"Ah, my child, let me advise you not to be +too much elated," laughed her father; "they may +have or receive orders to leave this port for some +other before our plan can be carried out."</p> + +<p>"What plan is it?" "To what do you refer, +Captain?" asked several voices; for nearly +every one had now taken a look at the man-of-war, +and was ready to give attention to something +else.</p> + +<p>The Captain explained.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how delightful!" exclaimed Zoe. "Will +it be a dinner, tea, or evening party, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"That question remains open to discussion, +Sister Zoe," he returned, with a twinkle of fun +in his eye. "What would you advise?"</p> + +<p>"Oh," she said laughingly, "I am not prepared +to answer that question yet."</p> + +<p>Then the others joined in with proposals and +suggestions, but nothing was positively decided +upon just at that time.</p> + +<p>The day was spent restfully in wandering along +the shore, sitting on the beach or the cottage +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>porches, chatting and gazing out over the sea, or +napping,—most of the last-named being done by +the lately returned travellers.</p> + +<p>The little girls of the family, occasionally +joined by Max Raymond and Walter Travilla, +spent much of the day together, rather apart +from their elders,—Lulu most of the time +giving an account of her trip out West and +weeks of sojourn in the town of Minersville, +the acquaintances she had made, and all that +had happened during the stay there, especially +of the sad occurrence which so seriously +marred the enjoyment of the last days +of their visit, Max now and then taking part +in the narrative.</p> + +<p>Both had a great deal to tell about West +Point and Saratoga, and the places of historical +interest in their vicinity. Evidently the +trip to the far West and back again, with their +father, had been one of keen enjoyment to +both of them.</p> + +<p>So the day passed and evening drew on. The +little ones were in bed, the others all gathered +upon the porches enjoying the delicious sea-breeze, +and the view of the rolling waves, crested +with foam, and looking like molten silver where +the moonbeams fell full upon them.</p> + +<p>Every one seemed gay and happy, and there +was a good deal of cheerful chat, particularly +on the porch of the Raymond cottage, where +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>were Grandma Elsie, Edward Travilla, Donald +Keith, the Captain, with Violet and his older +children, and some of the other young persons.</p> + +<p>The sound of approaching wheels attracted +their attention. A carriage drew up in front of +the house, and from it alighted a gentleman in +the uniform of a captain in the navy.</p> + +<p>"Wade!" exclaimed Captain Raymond, hurrying +out to meet him. "My dear friend, this is +very kind in you. I had hardly hoped to see +you until to-morrow, and not then without hunting +you up. You are as welcome as this delicious +sea-breeze."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Raymond, that's quite a compliment," +laughed the other, shaking hands heartily; +"but I deserve no thanks, as I came quite as +much for my own satisfaction as for yours. I +understand you have been here for some weeks, +but I only heard of it accidentally this morning."</p> + +<p>"But it was only this morning I arrived," +Captain Raymond said in a tone of amusement; +then, as they had stepped into the midst of the +group upon the porch, he proceeded to introduce +his friend to the ladies and gentlemen composing +it.</p> + +<p>There followed an hour of lively, pleasant +chat, during which Captain Wade made acquaintance +with not only the grown people, but the +younger ones also, seeming to take a great deal +of interest in them,—Max especially,—listening +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>with attention and evident sympathy as Captain +Raymond told of his son's prospect of soon becoming +a naval cadet.</p> + +<p>"You have my best wishes, Max," said Captain +Wade. "I hope to live to see you a naval +officer as brave, talented, and as much beloved as +your father was, and still is."</p> + +<p>Max's eyes sparkled, and turned upon his +father with a look of deepest respect and affection +as he replied, "I could ask nothing better +than that, sir, I am sure."</p> + +<p>"And I could wish you nothing better than +that you may prove a son worthy of such a +father," returned Captain Wade. "I have known +him since he was a boy of your age, and never +knew him to be guilty of a mean or dishonourable +act."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," said Max, his cheeks flushing, +and his eyes again seeking his father's face +with a look of reverence and filial love; "it is +very kind in you to tell me that, though it's no +news to me that I'm so fortunate as to be the +son of a man any boy might be proud to own +as his father."</p> + +<p>"Bravo, Max!" exclaimed Mr. Keith, with a +pleased laugh. "I like to hear a boy talk in that +way of his father, and certainly you have a good +right to do so."</p> + +<p>"No boy ever had a better right than Max has +to speak well of his father," remarked Violet, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>lightly, but with an earnest undertone in her +sweet voice, "and no one is more capable of +judging of that than I, who have lived with them +both for years."</p> + +<p>"And no one could speak too well of Papa," +said Lulu, with impulsive warmth, "for there +couldn't be a better man than he is."</p> + +<p>"I should be sorry to believe that, little daughter," +he said, putting an arm round her as she +stood close at his side. Then he changed the +subject of conversation.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later Captain Wade took leave, +giving all a cordial invitation to return his call +by a visit to the "Wanita."</p> + +<p>"We had talked of giving you a call to-morrow," +said Captain Raymond, "but that +would be a very prompt return of your visit."</p> + +<p>"None too prompt," returned Wade. "Our +time here together, Raymond, is likely to be +all too short, and we would better make the +most of it."</p> + +<p>"So I think," returned the person addressed; +"and I hope we shall have the pleasure of seeing +you here frequently."</p> + +<p>"I think he's just as nice as he can be," remarked +Rosie Travilla, as the carriage drove +away with Captain Wade, "and I hope he'll +visit us again soon."</p> + +<p>"So do I," said Lulu, "I believe naval officers +are the very nicest gentlemen in the world."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> +<p>"That's rather strong, isn't it?" laughed her +father; "and as you have made the acquaintance +of only two or three in the course of your life, +I fear you are hardly a competent judge."</p> + +<p>"And what of army officers, my little lady?" +asked Donald Keith, with a good-humoured laugh. +"Have you nothing to say for them?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, sir!" she said. "I forgot them at +the moment, and I do really think they are <em>almost</em> +equal to the naval ones."</p> + +<p>"Almost!" he repeated. "Well, even that +is saying a good deal for us if your father is a +fair sample of those belonging to the navy."</p> + +<p>But it was growing late, and the little party +soon separated for the night.</p> + +<p>Lulu was nearly ready for bed when her father +came to her room to bid her good-night in the old +way she liked so much. He took her in his arms +with a fond caress, asking, "Does it seem pleasant +to be at home—or with the home folks—again?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, Papa," she answered, putting +an arm about his neck and laying her cheek +to his, "but you are always a great deal more +than half of home to me. Oh, I do love you so +dearly!"</p> + +<p>"And I you, my own darling," her father +replied, caressing her again and again.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather have you to love me, Papa, than +have all the money in the world without you, or +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>with a father that didn't care much about me," +she continued.</p> + +<p>"Dear child," he said in tender tones, "I +value you, and each one of my children, more +than words can express. Now I must bid you +good-night, for you need all the sleep you can +get between this and sunrise."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I do hope to-morrow +will be clear, so we can go to see the 'Wanita;' +or at least that it won't rain. Perhaps it would +be all the pleasanter for a few clouds to keep the +sun from being so hot on us."</p> + +<p>"No doubt," he replied; "but we must take +the weather our heavenly Father sends, and be +content and thankful."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, I'll try to do so; but I do hope it +will be such that we can go."</p> + +<p>"I hope it will, daughter; but if you should +have to give up the trip for the time, I hope and +expect to see you do so pleasantly,—which you +well may, considering that we are very likely to +have other opportunities."</p> + +<p>"Well, if anything should happen to keep +me at home, and I'm cross or sulky about it, I +just hope you'll punish me well for my naughtiness," +she said so earnestly that he could scarcely +refrain from smiling.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure that in that case I should punish +myself quite as much as you," he said, giving +her another hug. "My dear child, if you care +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>at all for Papa's happiness,—as I am sure you +do,—try to be so good that he will never have +the pain of inflicting any kind of punishment +upon you."</p> + +<p>Then he bade her good-night, and left her to +her rest.</p> + +<p>Lulu's head was scarcely on the pillow before +she was fast asleep. When she woke, it was already +broad daylight. She sprang up and ran to +the window to take an observation of the weather.</p> + +<p>"Cloudy, but not raining," she said, half-aloud. +"Just as I'd like to have it, if only it +will keep so, and not turn to actual rain."</p> + +<p>With that she began making a rapid toilet, +thinking she would like to take a little run on +the beach before the summons to breakfast; +but when she reached the porch below, the rain +was falling pretty fast.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" she sighed, "why couldn't it +keep off for a few hours longer?"</p> + +<p>"What, daughter,—the rain?" asked her +father's voice close at her side, while his hand +was laid caressingly upon her head.</p> + +<p>"Oh, good-morning, Papa!" she returned, +lifting to his a sorely disappointed face. "I +didn't know you were here. Yes, sir, it is the +rain I'm mourning over,—I do so want to visit +that man-of-war to-day; it's really a great disappointment!"</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry you should feel it so!" he returned +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>in a sympathizing tone; "but we won't +despair yet. I think this is but a passing shower, +which will make the trip all the more enjoyable +by cooling the air nicely for us. However, should +it prove too inclement for our contemplated little +jaunt, we must try to remember that our kind +and loving heavenly Father orders all these +things, and to be patient and content,—more +than content, thankful for whatever He sends!"</p> + +<p>"I'll try to be content and thankful, Papa; +I certainly ought, when I have so many, <em>many</em> +blessings, and don't really deserve any of them," +she answered, putting her hand into his, and letting +him lead her back and forth along the porch, +which they had to themselves for the time.</p> + +<p>"No; that is true of each one of us," he said. +"Did you sleep well?"</p> + +<p>"Just as well as possible, Papa," she answered, +smiling up into his face. "I didn't +know anything from the time my head touched +the pillow till I woke to find it broad daylight."</p> + +<p>"That is something to be very thankful for, +daughter, as you will discover should sickness +and pain ever give you long hours of wakefulness, +such as fall to the lot of many a poor +sufferer."</p> + +<p>"I hope that time will never come to either of +us, Papa," she said; "but I'd rather it would +come to me than to you. Oh, it was so hard to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>see you suffer that time you were sick here, and +that other time, when Thunderer threw you!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, I shall never forget how tenderly affectionate +and helpful my children were to me then," +he said, with a look and smile that made her heart +bound.</p> + +<p>Now others of the family began to join them. +Mr. Keith came out upon the porch too, and +after exchanging a good-morning with those +who had preceded him, remarked that it seemed +doubtful if they would be able to take their proposed +trip to visit Captain Wade and his man-of-war. +But by the time breakfast and family +worship were over, the clouds began to scatter; +and in another hour the carriages were at the +door ready to convey them to the wharf, whence +a boat would take them to the "Wanita."</p> + +<p>Every one did not care to go that day; the +party consisted of Grandma Elsie, Edward, Zoe, +Rosie Travilla, Evelyn Leland, Mr. Keith, and +the Raymonds, not including the very little +ones, who were left at home in the care of their +nurse.</p> + +<p>It was pronounced by all a most enjoyable little +excursion. The weather proved favourable, +clouds obscuring the sun, but no rain falling; +the officers of the "Wanita" were very polite +and attentive, taking them about the vessel, and +showing them everything likely to interest ladies +and children.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> +<p>They, particularly Grandma Elsie and Violet, +were charmed with the perfect neatness everywhere +noticeable; the decks, the store-rooms, +the magazine and shell rooms, the passages, the +engine and fire rooms (into which they took a +peep),—indeed, all parts of the vessel shown +them,—were most beautifully neat and clean.</p> + +<p>The battery, which contained some new guns, +seemed to interest Captain Raymond and Mr. +Keith more than anything else, while the ladies +and little girls greatly admired their brilliant +polish.</p> + +<p>When they returned to the shore there was still +time for a delightful drive before dinner, which +they took,—the best hour for bathing coming in +the afternoon.</p> + +<p>Captain Wade and his officers took dinner and +tea with them the next day by invitation. A +great interest in the navy had been aroused in +the breasts of the young people, and they +watched the officers furtively, and listened with +attention to all they said that had any bearing +upon that subject.</p> + +<p>Max was more and more in love with the prospect +before him, and quite resolved to make the +very best of his opportunities should he be so +fortunate as to gain admission to the Naval +Academy.</p> + +<p>His father had told him he might have this +week entirely for recreation, but on the coming +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>Monday must begin to review his studies preparatory +to the examination he would be called +upon to pass through at Annapolis.</p> + +<p>"I'm very willing, Papa," he replied. "I've +had a long and delightful vacation already out +West with you; and as I'm very anxious to pass +as good an examination as possible, I want to +study hard to get ready for it. And I think it's +ever so kind in you to help me by hearing my +lessons."</p> + +<p>"Well, my boy," the Captain said, with a +pleased look, "make the most of your holidays +while they last, though I do not mean that it +shall be all work and no play even after this +week; a couple of hours given to study each day +will probably be all-sufficient."</p> + +<p>"And may I get up early and take them before +breakfast when I choose, sir?" Max asked +in an eager tone, that told how delightful he +would esteem it to be ready to join in the pastimes +of the rest of their party,—driving, boating, +fishing, bathing, and strolling along the beach +and through the woods.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my son, if you can manage to get +enough sleep in season for that," the Captain +replied in an indulgent tone.</p> + +<p>"I think I can, sir," said the boy. "I'll take +an afternoon <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">siesta</i> if I don't get enough sleep +without."</p> + +<p>"That will do," said his father. "Remember +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>health and study must be well attended to, and +the more fun and frolic you can manage to get +besides, the better I shall be pleased."</p> + +<p>Bent on carrying out his plan, Max went early +to bed Sunday night, and was up at his books +working hard for a couple of hours before breakfast. +It still wanted fifteen or twenty minutes of +that time when he went down to the porch with +his book in his hand.</p> + +<p>His father was alone there, looking over the +morning paper.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, Papa," Max said. "I am +ready to recite whenever you want to hear me."</p> + +<p>"Ah! are you, indeed?" the Captain said, +taking the book; "then I shall hear this lesson +at once."</p> + +<p>Max recited very creditably. His father commended +him kindly, then said, "I am going in to +the city directly after we have had breakfast and +family worship, and shall take you with me if you +would like to go."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir; indeed I would!" returned +Max, his eyes shining, for he esteemed it one of +his greatest pleasures and privileges to be permitted +to go anywhere with his father.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think you will enjoy it," the Captain +said, smiling to see how pleased the boy was; "I +have an errand which I shall tell to no one but +Cousin Donald and you. See here," pointing to an +advertisement in the paper he had been reading.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> +<p>"A yacht for sale!" exclaimed Max; "Oh, +Papa, are you going to buy it?"</p> + +<p>"That is a question I am not prepared to +answer till I have seen it, my boy," replied his +father. "I shall take you and Cousin Donald, +if he will go, to look at it and help me to decide +whether to buy it or not."</p> + +<p>Mr. Keith joined them at that moment, and +was greeted with a pleasant good-morning and +shown the advertisement, the Captain telling him +that if the yacht proved such as he would like +to own, he meant to buy it, and if the plan was +agreeable to his wife, to spend the rest of the +summer on board, taking his family and friends +with him, making short voyages along the coast +and perhaps some distance out to sea.</p> + +<p>"Taking the opportunity to give my son some +lessons in navigation," he added, with a smiling +glance at Max.</p> + +<p>"Papa! I couldn't ask anything better!" exclaimed +Max, hardly able to contain his delight.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear it, my boy," his father +said. "But now remember that our errand is +a secret between us three until we return from +the city."</p> + +<p>"Then you'll tell Mamma Vi and the rest, +sir?" asked Max.</p> + +<p>"If I have made the purchase, yes."</p> + +<p>The call to breakfast came at that moment and +was promptly obeyed.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> +<p>Max could hardly eat, so excited was he over +the prospect of going to the city with his father +on so delightful an errand, but he said not a +word on the subject.</p> + +<p>The coachman had been given his order in good +season, and by the time family prayers were over +the carriage and horses were at the gate.</p> + +<p>"My dear," Captain Raymond said to Violet, +"a business matter calls me to the city, but I +hope to return in season to take my wife in +bathing, or out driving, or wherever she may +wish to go."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," she said, smiling up into +his eyes; "I'll try to be ready for either by the +time you return. But is not this a sudden move? +I had heard nothing of it before."</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dear; but as I am in some haste, +I must defer my explanation until I get home +again."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't ask for an explanation," she returned +laughingly, as he gave her a hasty good-by +kiss; "you have always been so good since +my first acquaintance with you, that I am quite +sure you may be trusted."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I'm much obliged for your good opinion," +he answered, with a twinkle of fun in his +eye, as he hastily kissed the children, then hurried +with Donald and Max to the carriage.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + + +<p>The "Dolphin" proved a trim little craft, +beautifully finished and furnished, a schooner-rigged +sailing-yacht, gracefully modelled and +nearly new; but her former owner had died, +and the yacht was to be sold as a necessary +measure for the settling of the estate.</p> + +<p>Max went into raptures over her; and the Captain +was evidently pleased, though he said very +little as he went about examining every part of +her with keen scrutiny.</p> + +<p>"Isn't she all right, Papa?" Max at length +ventured to ask.</p> + +<p>"I think she is, my son," was the prompt, +pleasant-toned reply. "What is your opinion, +Keith?"</p> + +<p>"It exactly coincides with yours, Raymond; +and if I wanted, and could afford so expensive a +luxury, I think I shouldn't hesitate to make an +offer for her."</p> + +<p>"We seem to be quite agreed in our estimate +of her," said Captain Raymond; "and I shall +take your advice."</p> + +<p>"You are quite sure of her speed?" queried +Keith.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yes; I have seen accounts of her in the +papers, showing that she is a fine sailer, as I +should feel confident she would be, judging +merely from her appearance. She is a beautifully +modelled, well-built little craft."</p> + +<p>"Looks rather small to you after the naval +vessels you were wont to command?" queried +Donald Keith, with a good-humoured laugh.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but quite captivating to a lover of +the sea, nevertheless, and as I see she is such +to Max, and have no doubt that she will be to +the rest of my family, I am about decided to +make the purchase."</p> + +<p>Max drew a long breath, while his eyes sparkled +with pleasure.</p> + +<p>They at once sought the agent whose business +it was to attend to the sale of the vessel. It did +not take long for him and the Captain to come +to an agreement; and the "Dolphin" quickly +changed owners.</p> + +<p>Max was enraptured, his cheeks glowing, his +eyes fairly dancing with delight. He managed, +with some difficulty, to keep quiet till they were +in the carriage again on the way home, then +burst out, "Papa, I think it's just splendid +that you're the owner of such a beautiful vessel! +And I hope to learn a great deal about the proper +management of one while we're sailing round +in her."</p> + +<p>"I shall try to teach you all I can, my boy," +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>was his father's smiling reply; "and your pleasure +in the purchase doubles my own."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," said Max. "I intend to +pay good heed to your instructions, and learn as +much as possible, so that I may pass a good examination +at Annapolis, and do my father credit."</p> + +<p>"But, Max, you might do him as much credit +in the army as in the navy; and how you could +resist the fascinations of West Point, I don't +see," remarked Donald Keith, with a twinkle of +fun in his eye.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, I suppose it's because I am the +son of a seaman; love for the sea runs in the +blood,—isn't that so, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Altogether likely," laughed the Captain. "I +have been supposed to inherit it from my father, +and he from his."</p> + +<p>Violet, and the other members of the family, +with some of the relatives from the adjacent cottages, +were all on the porch as the carriage drew +up in front of the house, and its occupants +alighted.</p> + +<p>"Papa! Papa!" shouted little Elsie and the +baby boy, running to meet him.</p> + +<p>"Papa's darlings!" the Captain said, stooping +to caress and fondle them; then, taking them +in his arms, he followed Donald up the porch-steps, +Max close in his rear.</p> + +<p>"Take a seat, Cousin Donald," said Violet. +"We are glad to see you all back again. I have +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>been wondering, my dear, what important business +you had to keep you so long away from me +and your children."</p> + +<p>"It was rather important," returned the Captain, +pleasantly. "Max," with an indulgent +smile into the lad's eager face, "you may have +the pleasure of telling where we have been and +what we have done."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, sir!" cried Max, and proceeded +to avail himself of the permission, going +into an enthusiastic description of the beautiful +"Dolphin," and winding up with the news that +Papa had bought her, and expected to take their +whole party—or, at least, as many of them as +would like to go—coasting along the shores of +all the Atlantic States of New England, and for +some distance out to sea.</p> + +<p>Lulu was dancing with delight, hugging and +kissing her father in a transport of joy, before +Max's story came to an end.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, how good,—how good and kind +you are!" she exclaimed. "I don't think anything +could be pleasanter than such a trip as +that. It'll be the greatest fun that ever was. +And you'll command the vessel yourself, won't +you? I do hope so; for I am sure nobody else +could do it half so well."</p> + +<p>"What a flatterer my eldest daughter can +show herself to be!" he said, with a good-humoured +laugh. "Yes, I do expect to take +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>command of the dainty little craft,—a small +affair, indeed, compared with a man-of-war. +My dear," turning to Violet, "we have yet to +hear from you on this subject. I hope you +approve of your husband's purchase."</p> + +<p>"Entirely, Levis. In fact, I am quite as much +delighted as Lulu seems to be," she answered, +smiling up into his face. "What could be more +enjoyable than sailing about in such a vessel, +with a retired naval officer in command? When +am I to see your 'Dolphin'?"</p> + +<p>"Yours quite as much as mine, my dear," +he replied. "You have only to say the word +at any time, and I will take you over to look +at her."</p> + +<p>"Oh, will you?" she exclaimed. "Then suppose +we all go over this afternoon, and see what +she is like."</p> + +<p>"Agreed!" the Captain said; then glancing +round at the eager faces, "How many of you +would like to go with us?" he asked.</p> + +<p>He was answered by a prompt and unanimous +acceptance of his invitation. They all wanted to +see that beautiful "Dolphin;" and after a little +discussion of the matter, it was decided that they +would give up the bath for that day, and start +for Newport harbour immediately upon leaving +the dinner-table.</p> + +<p>They made a very jovial party, and were delighted +with the vessel and the prospect of sailing +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>in her under the command of one so kind and +competent as her new owner.</p> + +<p>For the next few days Captain Raymond was +busy with his preparations for the voyage,—engaging +a crew and getting everything on +board that would add to the comfort and enjoyment +of his family and guests; the ladies also +were occupied with theirs, which were not sufficiently +great to interfere with the usual pleasures +of a sojourn by the sea-side; then one +bright morning saw them all on board,—a +merry, happy party.</p> + +<p>"Where are we going first, Papa?" asked Lulu, +when they were fairly under way.</p> + +<p>"On a little trial trip along the coast," he +answered.</p> + +<p>"And then coming back to Newport?" questioned +Gracie.</p> + +<p>"Possibly," he said, with a smile into the +bright, eager face.</p> + +<p>"I think I know, though I'm not right sure," +Max said, looking at his father with a rather +mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "what Papa is +thinking about."</p> + +<p>"Do you, indeed?" laughed his father. +"Well, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, I overheard Captain Wade telling +you he expected the rest of the squadron would +be in soon,—in a day or two, I think he said,—and +I have a notion it would be a fine sight for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>us all, and that my father kindly means to give +it to us."</p> + +<p>"Ah, indeed! you seem to have a great deal +of confidence in your father's desire to give +pleasure to you all," laughed the Captain. +"Well, my boy, events may perhaps show +whether you are right."</p> + +<p>The three had followed their father to a portion +of the deck at some little distance from the +rest of the party, so that their talk was not overheard +by them.</p> + +<p>"A squadron?" repeated Grace. "What is +that? Oh, it's a good many ships belonging together,—isn't +it, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"That will answer very well for a definition, +or description," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how glad I am!" exclaimed Lulu, +clapping her hands in delight. "And will they +go through all their manœuvres, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"As I am not the admiral whose orders are +to be obeyed, I cannot say exactly what will +be done, my child," the Captain replied. "I +can only say I intend to have you in the vicinity +in season to see all that may be done. Does that +satisfy you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, sir! and I thank you very, very +much!" she said, taking his hand in both of hers +and squeezing it affectionately.</p> + +<p>"I too, Papa," said Grace. "I'm sure we'll +enjoy it ever so much."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> +<p>"I hope so," he answered. "And now can +you three keep the secret from the others, that +they may have a pleasant surprise?"</p> + +<p>"If we can't, or don't, I think we ought never +to be told a secret again," exclaimed Lulu, in her +vehement way.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you would not be intrusted with one +very soon again," her father said; "but," he +added, with a look from one to the other of mingled +pride and affection, "I feel quite safe in +trusting a secret to the keeping of the eldest +three of my children. I am quite sure no one +of you would tell anything you knew your father +wished kept secret."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, Papa!" said Max. "We would +certainly deserve to be severely punished, and +never trusted by you again, if we should ever so +abuse your confidence."</p> + +<p>"Just what I think," said Lulu.</p> + +<p>"I too," added Grace. "And, Papa, it's so +nice and kind in you to trust us!" looking up into +his face with a loving smile as she spoke.</p> + +<p>"Is it?" he asked, smoothing her hair with +fond, caressing hand. "Well, my pet, it is a +very great pleasure to me to be able to do so."</p> + +<p>At that moment they were joined by Mr. Keith. +The two gentlemen entered into conversation; +the two little girls ran down into the cabin to see +that the maid was making such disposition of +their effects as they desired; while Max, joined +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>by Walter Travilla, made the tour of the vessel +for perhaps the fiftieth time,—for ever since the +purchase, he had spent at least half of every +week-day there, learning from his father and others +all he could of her different parts and of her +management.</p> + +<p>Walter, too, had been there again and again, +spending hours at a time in climbing about with +Max, who took much pleasure in handing over to +him the lessons just learned by himself.</p> + +<p>The rest of the party were seated on deck +enjoying the breeze and the beauties of sea and +land,—for the latter was not yet out of sight, +though fast receding.</p> + +<p>The weather was lovely, every one in the best +of spirits, the younger ones full of fun and +frolic, and the day passed most enjoyably to all. +The evening was enlivened by music from a +very sweet-toned piano in the cabin, by singing, +conversation, promenading the deck, and +gazing out over the water, watching the rise +and fall of the waves, and the passing of ships +and steamers.</p> + +<p>But the day had been an exciting one, especially +to the children, and they were willing +enough to retire at an early hour. They gathered +on deck, each repeated a verse of Scripture, +after which they united in singing a hymn, and +Mr. Dinsmore led in prayer. Then the good-nights +were said, and all the young people, with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>some of the older ones, retired to their pretty, +cosey state-rooms and their berths.</p> + +<p>Great was the surprise of nearly everybody +when, coming on deck the next morning, they discovered +that they were again in Narragansett Bay. +There were many exclamations and questions, +"How did it happen?" "Whose mistake was it +that instead of being away out at sea, we are +back at our starting-point again?" These and +other like queries were propounded to the owner +and commander of the yacht.</p> + +<p>He pointed, with a good-humoured smile, to a +number of war-vessels lying quietly at anchor at +no very great distance.</p> + +<p>"The squadron is in, you see; and I thought +my passengers would not like to miss the sight +of its evolutions, so brought them back to view +them. There will be time afterward for a pleasant +little voyage along the coast, or where you +will."</p> + +<p>The explanation was entirely satisfactory to +every one, and there was great rejoicing among +the lads and lasses.</p> + +<p>"What is it they're going to do, Papa?" +asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"I have not been let into that secret, daughter," +he answered; "but we may find out after +awhile by keeping a close watch upon their +movements."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, you can read their signals, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>tell us what's coming, can't you? Won't you?" +exclaimed Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my child, I can and will," he replied. +"But there is the call to breakfast, and you +needn't hurry through your meal; for they are +not likely, for some hours yet, to begin anything +you would want to see."</p> + +<p>Encouraged by that assurance, no one cared +to make undue haste in eating all that appetite +called for of the excellent breakfast presently +set before them. But an hour later found them +all on deck, young and old keeping a sharp +watch on every movement of the vessels composing +the squadron, several spy-glasses being +constantly turned in their direction.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed the Captain, at length, while +at the same instant Max asked eagerly, "Papa, +what is it they are doing there on the 'Wanita'?"</p> + +<p>"Getting ready for inspection by the Admiral," +was the reply. "See, the men have donned their +uniforms and are taking their places on the deck. +And yonder—do you see?—the Admiral and +his staff are pushing off from the flag-ship."</p> + +<p>The boatswain's whistle and the roll of a drum +were now heard coming from the "Wanita."</p> + +<p>"Oh, and is that the executive officer on the +bridge of the 'Wanita,' Papa?" asked Max, excitedly. +"And what is he doing?"</p> + +<p>"Giving an order to the gunner, doubtless to +fire a salute in honour of the Admiral."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> +<p>Before the words had fairly left the Captain's +lips, the loud boom of the first gun burst upon +the ear.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Max, wouldn't you like to be in that +Admiral's place?" queried Walter Travilla; "I +would."</p> + +<p>"Oh, our Maxie means to be an admiral one +of these days; and I'm sure I hope he will," +said Rosie.</p> + +<p>"Very good in you, Rosie," returned Max, +smiling and blushing; "but I'm afraid I'll be +an old man before that happens, if it ever +does."</p> + +<p>"But you may comfort yourself that you can +be very useful in maintaining your country's +honour without waiting to be made an admiral," +remarked Evelyn Leland, smiling pleasantly at +Max.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, returning the smile, "and it +<em>is</em> a comfort. We'd any of us feel it an honour +to be useful to our country."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to be," remarked Gracie, "if little +girls could do anything."</p> + +<p>"Little girls are sometimes a very great blessing +and comfort to their fathers," the Captain +said, smiling down into her eyes while he laid his +right hand tenderly on her pretty head, with its +sunny curls streaming in the wind.</p> + +<p>In the mean while the firing of the salute had +gone on, the Admiral and his staff had reached +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>the deck of the "Wanita," the marines presenting +arms, and—</p> + +<p>"There, what is he going to do now, Papa?" +queried Lulu,—"the Admiral, I mean."</p> + +<p>"Inspect the ship," replied her father.</p> + +<p>"What for, Papa?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"To see that every part of it is in perfect +order."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure he will find it so," said Lulu; "for +when we were there and were taken all over it, +every part was as clean and neat as any lady's +parlour."</p> + +<p>Captain Raymond now turned away and began +talking with Mr. Keith on some subject that did +not interest the children, but they continued a +close watch of the "Wanita."</p> + +<p>The Admiral presently disappeared from the +deck, but at length they saw him there again, +talking with Captain Wade and his officers; then, +in a few moments he and his staff re-embarked +and returned to the flag-ship.</p> + +<p>"What's going to be done now?" asked one +and another.</p> + +<p>"Watch, and you will see presently," said +Captain Raymond. "If you do not wish to +miss something, I advise you to keep both eyes +and ears open."</p> + +<p>The advice seemed to be promptly followed. +All eyes gazed intently in the direction of the +"Wanita" and the flag-ship.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> +<p>Presently a signal was shown by the flag-ship +which Captain Raymond promptly interpreted +for the enlightenment of those about him,—"Abandon +ship."</p> + +<p>"What does that mean, Papa?" asked +Grace.</p> + +<p>"Look and see if you can't find out for yourself," +he answered in a pleasant tone.</p> + +<p>The signal seemed to have caused a commotion +on the deck of each vessel belonging to the +squadron. Then there was a great splashing of +boats into the water, and of other craft which the +Captain explained were life-rafts and catamarans; +while at the same time men and boys were +scampering about with various articles which he +said were provisions, nautical instruments, etc., +such as would be needed if the ships were really +abandoned out at sea.</p> + +<p>"But why would they ever do that, Papa?" +Grace asked wonderingly. "I should think it +would always be better to stay in their ships, +wouldn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Not always, daughter. The ship might be +on fire, or leaking so badly that she would be +in danger of sinking."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, sir! I didn't think of that," she +responded.</p> + +<p>"Oh, see!" said Rosie; "they've all pushed +off away from their ships, and the 'Wanita's' +boats are ahead of all the others."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> +<p>"Now what are they going to do, Papa?" +asked Lulu.</p> + +<p>"I can tell that only when I see the flag-ship's +next signal," he replied. "Ah, there it is, and +tells them to go round the harbour under sail."</p> + +<p>The children watched with interest and delight +as the order was obeyed. It was a very pretty +sight, but soon came another signal from the +flag-ship, which the Captain told them was one +of recall; and the boats returned to their ships.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + + +<p>The squadron steamed out to sea, the "Dolphin" +keeping most of the time within sight of +the naval vessels, its passengers being anxious to +see more of the evolutions of the men-of-war, and +their commanding officer very willing to indulge +their wish. They were out simply for pleasure, +and were free to turn in any desired direction.</p> + +<p>The weather was all that could possibly be +wished; and in the evening everybody was on +deck except the very little ones, who were +already in their nests. The vessels of the +squadron were in sight, and all eyes turned +frequently in their direction.</p> + +<p>"Do you think they'll do anything to-night, +Papa?" asked Grace, taking possession of her +father's knee, for at the moment he was sitting +among the others.</p> + +<p>"Who, daughter?" he asked, smoothing her +hair with caressing hand.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the Admiral and the rest of them on those +war-ships. What do they do at such times when +they seem to be sailing around just for pleasure?"</p> + +<p>"I rather think it is for profit too," he said. +"'In time of peace prepare for war.'"</p> + +<p>"But how do they prepare for war, Papa?"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> +<p>"By having sham fights: going through the +motions in a way to do harm to no one; firing +what we call blank cartridges,—powder but no +balls; getting the men so familiar with their guns +that they can handle them rapidly and without +making mistakes even in the dark. Ah, see! +there it comes!" as at that instant a signal-light +from the flag-ship shot up several hundred feet +into the air, speedily followed by another and +another, till the whole sky seemed bright with +them; while Captain Raymond, the only one on +the yacht who understood the messages, read +them off to the others and called their attention +to the movements of the ships in prompt obedience +to the orders.</p> + +<p>"What is that they're doing, Papa?" asked +Grace, presently.</p> + +<p>"Arranging themselves in different orders of +battle," he replied, and proceeded to explain each +movement as it was made.</p> + +<p>"It's ever so nice to see them," she said, +"though I do hope they won't ever have to do +any real fighting."</p> + +<p>"I hope not, indeed," her father said; "but in +this wicked, quarrelsome world the only way to +secure peace is to show that we are ready for +self-defence in case of attack."</p> + +<p>"How beautifully and promptly every signal +is obeyed!" remarked Grandma Elsie. "It is a +sight worth coming a long distance to see."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yes, Mamma," said Violet; "and I'm proud +of our navy, even though it is so inferior in size +to that of England."</p> + +<p>"Inferior in size, but in nothing else, I believe, +Mamma Vi," said Max, speaking with some +excitement. "You know we've whipped the +British twice on the sea in spite of their navy +being so very much larger than ours."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Maxie, I believe I'm as proud of that +fact as even you can be," laughed Violet, while +his father gave him a look of mingled amusement +and pride.</p> + +<p>"I think," remarked Edward Travilla, "that +from the beginning of our national life our navy +has been one to be proud of."</p> + +<p>"In which I entirely agree with you," said the +Captain. "But the exhibition seems to be over +for to-night, and the hour is a late one to find +our young people out of bed."</p> + +<p>"Must we go now, Papa?" Lulu asked in a +coaxing tone which seemed to add, "I hope you +will let us stay at least a little longer."</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said; "my little girls may say +good-night now and go at once."</p> + +<p>They obeyed promptly and cheerfully, and +before long the others followed their example, +till Mr. Keith and the Captain had the deck to +themselves.</p> + +<p>They lingered there for quite a long while, +seeming to have fallen upon some very interesting +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>topic of conversation; but it was suddenly +broken in upon by the sound of the +flag-ship's drum, instantly followed by those of +all the other vessels of the squadron.</p> + +<p>"Ah, what is the meaning of that, Raymond?" +asked Keith, gazing toward the war-ships with +keen interest and excitement. "It sounds to me +like a call to battle."</p> + +<p>"So it is," replied the Captain,—"a night exercise +at the great guns, training the men so that +they may be ready for all the surprises of a time +of war."</p> + +<p>Even as he spoke his passengers came hurrying +from the cabin, the ladies and young girls wrapped +in dressing-gowns and shawls, hastily thrown on +to conceal their night-dresses, one and another +asking excitedly what was going to be done now. +But even as the words left their lips the thunder +of cannon burst upon their ears, drowning +the Captain's voice when he would have replied.</p> + +<p>"Oh, is it war, brother Levis, <em>really</em> war?" +queried little Walter, in great excitement.</p> + +<p>"No, my boy; only a playing at war, I am +thankful to be able to say. You may look and +listen without fear that any one is to be killed, or +even wounded, unless through carelessness."</p> + +<p>But the cannon were thundering again, ship +after ship firing off whole broadsides at some +imaginary foe. At length, however, it was all +over, and the passengers of the "Dolphin" returned +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>to their berths to stay there for the remainder +of the night.</p> + +<p>"Why, we are anchored, are we not, Levis?" +Violet asked of her husband on awakening the +next morning.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dear," he answered; "we are riding +at anchor in Gardiner's Bay. I suspected that +would prove the destination of the squadron, it +being about the best place for naval exercises in +our Northern waters; and it seems I was right. +The squadron is at anchor now at no great distance +from us."</p> + +<p>"And what do you suppose they will do here?"</p> + +<p>"Probably fight some sham battles on sea and +land. Do you care to witness such?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, very much! I should greatly prefer +witnessing a sham battle to a real one. But +they won't be likely to begin it immediately, I +suppose?"</p> + +<p>"No; I presume we shall have time for a +hearty breakfast first," replied her husband, with +a slight look of amusement. "Don't allow the +prospect of witnessing a battle to spoil your appetite +for your morning meal, little wife."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," she answered, with a pleasant laugh. +"I really am not now so much of a child as all +that would come to."</p> + +<p>It was not long before she and nearly every +other passenger had sought the deck to take a +look at their surroundings.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> +<p>They found Gardiner's Bay a beautiful body of +water bounded by islands on nearly every side, +that forming its eastern shore bearing the same +name. There were a large number of vessels in +the bay,—several sloops, schooners, and a yacht +or two beside the "Dolphin," to say nothing of +the squadron of war-ships. But all were lying +quietly at anchor, and our friends willingly responded +to the call to breakfast.</p> + +<p>Yet no one cared to linger at the table; and +when all had finished their repast they quickly +repaired to the deck to watch the movements of +the squadron. But for a while there seemed to +be none, the vessels all riding quietly at anchor.</p> + +<p>"Dear me!" Rosie at length exclaimed, "I +wish they'd begin to do something!"</p> + +<p>"I think they are going to," said Max. "See, +there's a boat leaving the flag-ship; I suppose to +carry a message to one of the others."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll go and ask Papa about it!" exclaimed +Lulu.</p> + +<p>"About what, daughter?" asked the Captain's +voice close at her side.</p> + +<p>"That boat that has just left the flag-ship, +sir," she answered. "Do you know where it's +going, and what for?"</p> + +<p>"I can only conjecture that it carries some +message, probably from the Admiral to the commander +of one of the other vessels."</p> + +<p>"It's pulling for the 'Wanita,'" said Max; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>"and see, there are other boats going about +from one vessel to another."</p> + +<p>"Yes," his father said, "and see yonder are +several boats filled with marines, pulling for the +shore of Gardiner's Island. Evidently there is +to be a sham fight."</p> + +<p>"I'm ever so glad it won't be a real one, +Papa," said Grace. "It would be so dreadful +to see folks killed."</p> + +<p>"It would indeed," he answered. "But you +may enjoy the show as much as you can, for +no one will be hurt unless by accident."</p> + +<p>"All the ships seem to be getting boats ready +packed with things," remarked Lulu; "I wonder +what they are."</p> + +<p>"Quite a variety," replied her father,—"great +guns, baggage, arms, provisions, and boxes that +doubtless contain materials and tools for repairs, +compasses, and other articles too numerous to +mention. There! the vessels are signalling that +they are ready."</p> + +<p>"They are getting into the boats!" exclaimed +Max, clapping his hands in delight; "and the +other fellows that went first to the island seem to +be waiting and all ready to fight them."</p> + +<p>Every one on the "Dolphin" was now watching +the embarkation with interest, the children in a +good deal of excitement; it was like a grand +show to them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's a beautiful sight!" said Eva. "How +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>bright their guns and bayonets are, with the sun +shining on them! And there are the beautiful +stars and stripes flying from every boat. But +they are all in now,—at least I should think so; +the boats look full,—and why don't they start?"</p> + +<p>"They are waiting for the Admiral's inspection +and order," replied Captain Raymond. "Ah, +see, there he is on the bridge of the flag-ship, with +his field-glass, looking them over. And now the +signal is given for them to proceed."</p> + +<p>The boats moved off at once in the direction of +the island where the marines had preceded them. +Captain Raymond's explanations making all their +movements well understood by the young people +around him, who thought they had never witnessed +so fine a sight as the mimic fight that +presently ensued, opened by the marines firing a +volley of blank cartridges from the shore, which +was immediately replied to by the approaching +boats with musketry, howitzers, and Gatling guns.</p> + +<p>Soon they reached the shore and landed, the +marines meanwhile pouring forth an unceasing +fire from behind their breastworks.</p> + +<p>A fierce battle followed; there were charges +and counter-charges, advances and retreats, men +falling as if wounded or killed, and being carried +off the field by the stretcher-men.</p> + +<p>That last-mentioned sight brought the tears to +Gracie's blue eyes, and she asked in tremulous +tones, "Are they really hurt or killed, Papa?"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> +<p>"No, darling," he said, pressing the small hand +she had put into his, "it is all pretence, just to +teach them what to do in case of actual war."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I hope that won't ever come!" she exclaimed, +furtively wiping away a tear. "Do you +think it will, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly," he said; "but it would be the +height of folly not to prepare for such a contingency."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried Max, throwing up his cap, +"our side's whipped and the other fellows are +retreating!"</p> + +<p>"Which do you call our side? And do you +mean it <em>is</em> whipped, or <em>has</em> whipped?" asked +Rosie, with a laughing glance at the boy's excited +face.</p> + +<p>But the Captain was speaking again, and Max +was too busy listening to him to bestow any +notice upon Rosie's questions.</p> + +<p>"Yes," the Captain said, "the marines are +retreating; the battle is about over. Our side, +as Max calls it, you see, is throwing out advance-guards, +rear-guards, and flankers."</p> + +<p>"What for, brother Levis?" asked Walter.</p> + +<p>"To make sure that they have taken the island."</p> + +<p>"And what will come next, Captain?" asked +Grandma Elsie, who was watching the movements +of the troops with as much interest as +the children.</p> + +<p>"Fortification, doubtless," he replied. "Ah, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>yes; they are already beginning that work. They +must fortify the island in order to be able to hold +it."</p> + +<p>"How, Papa?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"By throwing up breastworks, digging rifle-pits, +planting guns, and so forth. If you watch +closely, you will see what they do."</p> + +<p>The children—to say nothing of the older +ones—watched closely and with keen interest +all the movements of the troops until interrupted +by the call to dinner.</p> + +<p>They had scarcely returned to their post of +observation on the deck, having had barely time +to notice the completed fortifications, the tents +pitched, and the troops at their midday meal, +when a tiny strip of bunting was seen fluttering +at the flag-ship's main.</p> + +<p>Captain Raymond was the first to notice it. +"Ah!" he said, "the fun on the island is over,—at +least for the present,—for there is the +Admiral's signal of recall."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet the fellows are sorry to see it!" exclaimed +Max; "for I dare say they were going to +have some fun there on the island they've taken."</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + + +<p>Things were rather quiet for the rest of the +day, much to Max's disgust, though at his +father's bidding he tried to forget the +disappointment in study.</p> + +<p>Toward evening Captain Raymond learned +something of the Admiral's plans. Two of the +vessels were to take possession of a part of the +bay set off as a harbour, the others to blockade +the entrance.</p> + +<p>In reporting the matter to his passengers, +"Now," he said, "the preparations will take +them two or three days, and the question is, shall +we stay to see it all, or turn about and seek entertainment +elsewhere? Let us have the opinion of +all the older people, beginning with Grandpa +Dinsmore," looking pleasantly at the old gentleman +as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"My preference would be rather for going +at once," replied Mr. Dinsmore; "yet I am entirely +willing to have the matter decided by your +younger people. I shall be quite content to +stay on if it seems desirable to the rest of the +company."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> +<p>The vote of the ladies and gentlemen was then +taken, when it appeared that the majority were +in favour of immediate departure; and the children, +though at first disappointed, grew quite +reconciled when a little time had been spent in +considering what might be seen and done in +other quarters.</p> + +<p>"I think, Ned," Zoe said to her husband, +"that we would better go back to our cottage, +because Laurie and Lily are growing fretful,—tired +of the sea, I think."</p> + +<p>"Very well, my dear, we will do so if you +wish it," was the good-natured reply. "Strange +as it may seem, I too am quite desirous to make +our twin babies as comfortable as possible," he +added, with a pleasant laugh.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry you should miss the sight of further +operations here, Cousin Donald," remarked +Grandma Elsie, turning to her kinsman.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Cousin Elsie," he replied; "but +though that would be an interesting sight to me, +I expect to find almost if not equal enjoyment in +a run out to sea or along shore with my friend +Raymond in command of the vessel."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think that'll be just splendid," exclaimed +Max, "and that before we get back, +Cousin Donald, you'll be ready to own up that +the navy is a more desirable place to be in than +the army."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he wouldn't own up even if he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>thought so," remarked Rosie, with a merry look +at her cousin; "I don't believe I should if I +were in his place."</p> + +<p>"Possibly I might," he returned, laughingly, +"but I certainly do not expect to fall quite so +deeply in love with a 'life on the ocean wave,' +though I hope to be always willing and anxious +to serve my country wherever and whenever I +may be needed. I think both army and navy +always have been, and always will be, ready to +defend her on land or sea."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, I believe that's so," said Max. +"And if ever we should have another war, I +hope I'll be able to help defend her."</p> + +<p>"I hope so, my boy," the Captain said, regarding +the lad with an expression of fatherly +pride and affection.</p> + +<p>An hour later the "Dolphin" was sailing +out of the bay, all her passengers gathered on +deck, taking a farewell look at the vessels belonging +to the squadron, and on awaking in the +morning they found themselves lying at anchor +in Newport harbour.</p> + +<p>They returned to their cottages for a day or +two; then the Raymonds, Grandma Elsie, with +the youngest two of her children, and Donald +Keith, again set sail in the "Dolphin."</p> + +<p>The weather was all that could be desired, +every one well and in the best of spirits.</p> + +<p>Max was required to devote a part of each day +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>to study, and recitation to his father, but did not +grumble over that, and took great delight in the +lessons in practical navigation given him daily +by the Captain.</p> + +<p>"Papa," he asked one day, "what's the need +of a boy going to the Naval Academy when he +can learn everything he needs to know on shipboard +with a father like you?"</p> + +<p>"But he can't," replied the Captain; "how +to sail a ship is by no means all he needs to know +to fit him to be an officer in the navy."</p> + +<p>"Why, what else is necessary, sir?" asked +Max, with a look of surprise.</p> + +<p>"A number of things which you saw done at +Newport and at Gardiner's Bay are quite necessary. +He must know how to fight a battle, take +charge of an ordnance foundry, and conduct an +astronomical observatory; must have a good +knowledge of history, be an able jurist and linguist, +and a good historian,—besides knowing +how to manage a ship in calm or storm."</p> + +<p>"Whew! what a lot of things to cram into +one head!" laughed Max, with a slightly troubled +look on his bright young face.</p> + +<p>"Isn't yours big enough to hold it all?" +asked his father, with an amused smile.</p> + +<p>"I dare say it is, sir," replied Max, "but the +difficulty is to pack it all in right. I presume the +teachers will help me to do that, though."</p> + +<p>"Certainly; and if you follow their directions +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>carefully you will have no need to fear +failure."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir. That's very encouraging," +said Max; "and I am fully determined to try +my very best, Papa, if it was only not to disgrace +my father."</p> + +<p>"My dear son," the Captain said, a trifle +huskily, and taking the boy's hand in a warm +clasp, "I don't doubt that you intend to do +as you have said; but never forget that your +only safety is in keeping close to Him who +has said, 'In Me is thine help.'"</p> + +<p>It was Saturday evening,—the first that had +found them on the broad ocean, out of sight of +land. They were all on deck, enjoying the delicious +evening breeze and a most brilliant sunset.</p> + +<p>"Papa," Gracie said, breaking a momentary +silence, "what are we going to do about keeping +the Lord's Day to-morrow? We can't go to +church, you know, unless you can sail the 'Dolphin' +back to land in the night."</p> + +<p>"I cannot do that, daughter," he answered; +"but I can conduct a service here on the deck. +How will that do, do you think?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Papa," she replied, with some +hesitation, blushing and looking fearful of hurting +his feelings; "I s'pose you couldn't preach +a sermon?"</p> + +<p>"Why not?" he asked, smiling a little at her +evident embarrassment.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p> +<p>"Because you're not a minister, Papa."</p> + +<p>"Why, Gracie! Papa's as good as any minister, +I'm sure," exclaimed Lulu, half reproachfully, +half indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Of course he is; I didn't mean that!" +returned Gracie, just ready to burst into tears; +"I didn't mean he wasn't as good as anybody in +this whole world,—for of course he is,—but I +thought it was only ministers that preach."</p> + +<p>"But I can read a sermon, my pet," the Captain +said, "or preach one if I choose; there is +no law against it. And we can pray and sing +hymns together; and if we put our hearts into +it all, our heavenly Father will be as ready to +listen to us as to other worshippers in the finest +churches on the land."</p> + +<p>"That is a very comforting truth," remarked +Grandma Elsie; "it is very sweet to reflect that +God is as near to us out on the wide and deep +sea as to any of his worshippers on the dry +land."</p> + +<p>"You will hold your service in the morning, I +suppose, Captain?" Mr. Keith said inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"That is what I had thought of doing, sir," +was the reply. "Have you any suggestions to +make?"</p> + +<p>"Only that we might have a Bible class later +in the day."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; that was a part of my programme,—at +least I had thought of teaching my own +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>children, as is customary with me at home; but +if the suggestion meets with favour, we will resolve +ourselves into a Bible class, each one able +to read taking part. What do you all say to the +proposition?"</p> + +<p>"I highly approve," said Grandma Elsie; "I +am sure the day could not be better spent than +in the study of God's Holy Word."</p> + +<p>"Nor more delightfully," said Violet.</p> + +<p>"I think we would all like it, Captain," Evelyn +remarked in her quiet way.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I shall," said Lulu; "Papa always +makes Bible lessons very interesting."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Max; "I was never taught +by any minister or Sunday-school teacher that +made them half so interesting."</p> + +<p>"It is quite possible that your near relationship +to your teacher may have made a good deal +of difference, my children," the Captain said +gravely, though not unkindly. "But who shall +act as teacher on this occasion is a question still +to be decided. I propose Grandma Elsie, as the +eldest of those present, and probably the best +qualified."</p> + +<p>"All in favour of that motion please say ay," +added Violet, playfully. "I am sure no better +teacher could be found than Mamma, though I +incline to the opinion that my husband would +do equally well."</p> + +<p>"Much better, I think," Grandma Elsie said; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>"and I would greatly prefer to be one of his +pupils."</p> + +<p>"I can hardly consider myself wise enough to +teach my mother," said the Captain, colouring +and laughing lightly, "even though she is far too +young to be own mother to a man of my age."</p> + +<p>"But you may lead a Bible class of which she +forms a part, may you not?" queried Donald +Keith.</p> + +<p>"I suppose that might be possible," the Captain +replied, with a humourous look and smile.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure you can and will, since such is +your mother's wish," Grandma Elsie said in a +sportive tone, "and so we may consider that +matter settled."</p> + +<p>"And Mamma's word having always been law +to her children, we will consider it so," Violet +said. "Shall we not, Levis?"</p> + +<p>"As good and dutiful children I suppose we +must, my dear," he returned in the playful tone +she particularly liked.</p> + +<p>Sunday morning dawned clear and beautiful, a +delicious breeze filling the sails and wafting the +vessel swiftly onward over the sparkling water.</p> + +<p>An hour or so after breakfast, captain, passengers, +and crew, except the man at the helm, +gathered on deck, every one in neat and appropriate +dress. The ladies, gentlemen, and children +sat on one side, the crew on the other, Captain +Raymond standing between. A Bible and a pile +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>of hymn-books lay on a stand before him, and +Max was directed to distribute the latter. They +were a part of the supplies Captain Raymond +had laid in for the voyage.</p> + +<p>A melodeon also stood near the stand, and +Violet, seating herself before it, led the singing +with which the service opened.</p> + +<p>The Captain then offered a short prayer, read a +portion of Scripture, a second hymn was sung; +then he gave them a short discourse on the text, +"They hated Me without a cause."</p> + +<p>With much feeling and in simple language that +the youngest and most ignorant of his hearers +could readily understand, he described the lovely +character and beneficent life of Christ upon +earth,—always about His Father's business, +doing good to the souls and bodies of men,—and +the bitter enmity of the scribes and Pharisees, +who "hated Him without a cause." Then +he went on to tell of the agony in the garden, the +betrayal by Judas,—"one of the twelve,"—the +mockery of a trial, the scourging and the crown +of thorns, the carrying of the cross and the +dreadful death upon it.</p> + +<p>"All this He bore for you and for me," he concluded +in tones tremulous with emotion; "constrained +by His great love for us, He died that +dreadful death that we might live. And shall +we not love Him in return? Shall we not give +ourselves to Him, and serve Him with all our +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>powers? It is a reasonable service, a glad service,—a +service that gives rest to the soul. He +says to each one of us, 'Take My yoke upon +you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly +in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. +For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.'</p> + +<p>"Ah, do not refuse or neglect His invitation, +for the only choice is between His service and +that of Satan,—that malignant spirit whose +fierce desire and effort is to drag all souls down +to his own depths of sin and misery; and Jesus +only can save you from falling into his cruel +hands. But He—the Lord of Life and Glory—invites +us all to come and be saved, and +'now is the accepted time; now is the day of +salvation.' Delay is most dangerous; life is +very uncertain. We are sure of no time but +now."</p> + +<p>He closed the Bible and sat down; and Violet, +again seating herself before the melodeon, softly +touched the keys and sang in sweet, low tones, +but so distinctly that every word reached the +farthest listener,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Come to Jesus, come to Jesus;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Come to Jesus just now, just now;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Come to Jesus, come to Jesus just now."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then, at a sign from the Captain, Mr. Keith +followed with an earnest prayer; and with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>another hymn in which all united, the services +closed.</p> + +<p>Among the crew was one young man in whom +the Captain and Grandma Elsie had both come +to feel a peculiar interest. He was evidently an +American, and possessed of more intelligence +and education than the average sailor before +the mast. He had listened with close attention +to the Captain's discourse, and with a +troubled countenance, as Mrs. Travilla had +noticed.</p> + +<p>"The Holy Spirit is striving with him, I have +little doubt," she said to herself. "Ah, if I +could but help him to find Jesus, and to know +the sweetness of His love!"</p> + +<p>It was not long before the desired opportunity +offered. The young man was at the wheel and +no one near, while she paced the deck slowly +and alone. Gradually she approached, and +when close at his side made some pleasant +remark about the vessel and the course they +were steering.</p> + +<p>He responded in a polite and respectful +manner.</p> + +<p>Then she spoke of the service of the morning, +said she had noticed the attention he paid +to the Captain's short sermon, and asked in +kindest words and tones if he, like herself, +was one who loved Jesus, and trusted in Him +for salvation from sin and eternal death.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> +<p>He sighed deeply, then said with emotion, +"No, madam, but—I wish I were."</p> + +<p>"But what is to hinder, my friend, since He +says, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise +cast out'?" she asked gently, feelingly.</p> + +<p>He was silent for a moment, evidently from +emotion, then said, rather as if thinking aloud +than addressing her, "If I only knew just +how!"</p> + +<p>"He is very near, and His omniscient eye +reads the heart," she said low and feelingly. +"Speak to Him just as if you could see Him,—as +if you were kneeling at His feet,—and He +will hear.</p> + +<p>"The Bible says. 'If we confess our sins, He +is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to +cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' Do you +want that cleansing, my friend?"</p> + +<p>He bowed a silent assent.</p> + +<p>"Then go to Jesus for it," she said. "He, and +He alone, can give it. He shed His blood for us +that 'God may be just and the justifier of him +that believeth in Jesus;' for 'the blood of Jesus +Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.'"</p> + +<p>There was a moment's silence; then, "I'd +like to be a Christian, ma'am," he said, "such +as I see you and the Captain are, but—"</p> + +<p>The sentence was left unfinished; and after a +moment's pause. "I should like you to be a better +one than I am," she said, "but Jesus only +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>can make you such. The work is too difficult for +any human creature; but Jesus is all-powerful,—'able +to save them to the uttermost that come +unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make +intercession for them.' Is not that a precious +assurance?"</p> + +<p>"It is indeed, ma'am, if—if I only knew it +meant me."</p> + +<p>"You certainly will be one of those of whom it +speaks if you 'come unto God by Him;' and He +invites you to come: 'Come unto Me all ye that +labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you +rest.'"</p> + +<p>"Could you tell me just how, ma'am,—as +if you were pointing out the right road to a traveller, +for instance?"</p> + +<p>"I will try," she said. "You must remember +that He is always near,—close to us, though we +cannot see Him; and you may speak to Him +as readily, and with as much assurance that you +will be heard, as you have been speaking to me.</p> + +<p>"He is full of love and compassion,—love so +infinite, compassion so great that He was willing +to endure all the agony of death upon the +cross, and the far greater suffering caused by the +burden of the sins of the world and the consequent +hiding of His Father's face; therefore +He will not cast you out, will not turn away from +you, if you come in true penitence and faith.</p> + +<p>"Make confession of your sins and plead for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>pardon and acceptance as you would if you could +see Him while kneeling at His feet; and He will +grant it, will forgive all your transgressions and +adopt you into His family to be His own child +forever."</p> + +<p>But others of the passengers were now drawing +near, and he had only time to thank her for +her kindly interest in him, and promise to think +of what she had been saying, before Walter and +Max were at her side, calling her attention to a +passing vessel.</p> + +<p>A very interesting Bible lesson filled up most +of the afternoon, both adults and children taking +part; and in the evening hymns were sung and +conversation held such as was suited to the +sacredness of the day.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + + +<p>A few days longer the "Dolphin" kept on her +eastward course, then was headed for the shore +of Massachusetts, bound for Boston, where Mr. +Keith must leave her, his furlough having now +nearly expired. He and his cousins would be +sorry to part; but there was no help for it, as +Uncle Sam's orders must be obeyed.</p> + +<p>The young folks of the party had particularly +enjoyed the little trip out to sea, but expected to +find a sail along the coast of the New England +States quite as much to their taste, particularly +as it would give them an opportunity to look +upon some of the scenes of incidents in the two +wars with England.</p> + +<p>They had come in sight of the coast and were +all gathered upon the deck.</p> + +<p>"That is Scituate, is it not, Captain?" asked +Grandma Elsie, indicating a town that had just +come into view.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied, "and I presume you remember +the story of the last war with England, connected +with it?"</p> + +<p>"I do," she answered; "but I presume it +would be new to some at least of these young +people."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> +<p>Then entreaties for the story poured in upon +her and the Captain from both boys and girls.</p> + +<p>"It is but a short one; and I would prefer +to have the Captain tell it," Mrs. Travilla +replied.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, please do!" exclaimed Lulu; and +he complied.</p> + +<p>"It was, as I have said, during the last war +with England that the occurrence I am about to +tell of took place. At that time there was a +light-house in the harbour kept by a man named +Reuben Bates, who had a family of grown-up +sons and daughters.</p> + +<p>"He and his sons were members of a militia +company of the town, and one day during the +war they were all absent from home on that +business, leaving the light-house in charge of +the daughters, Abigail and Rebecca.</p> + +<p>"The girls, who were no doubt keeping a +vigilant watch for the approach of the enemy, +saw a British ship entering the harbour, and +conjectured that it was the design of those on +board of her to destroy the fishing-boats in the +harbour and perhaps burn the town, or at least +rob its inhabitants.</p> + +<p>"They must have been brave girls, for at once +they began to consider what they could do to +drive away the would-be invaders.</p> + +<p>"I presume Abigail exclaimed, 'Oh, if we +could only make them think there were troops +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>ready to defend the town, and so frighten them +away!' And very likely Rebecca replied, 'Perhaps +we can. If you can play the fife, I'll beat +the drum; and if we are hidden from sight they +may think there are troops ready to receive +them if they come ashore, and so be afraid to +land.'</p> + +<p>"So they went around behind some sand-hills +and played 'Yankee Doodle' in a lively way +that had exactly the desired effect.</p> + +<p>"The British ship had sent out boats filled +with armed men who were pulling for the shore; +but on hearing the music of the drum and fife, +they evidently concluded that there might be a +large force of American soldiers ready to receive +them, and thinking 'discretion the better part of +valour,' turned about and pulled back to their ship +again without attempting to land."</p> + +<p>"Oh, wasn't that good?" exclaimed Lulu; +"I think the fathers and brothers of those girls +must have been proud of them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I dare say they were," said Max.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what became of them—those +girls—afterward?" said Rosie. "Of course +they must have been dead and gone long before +this."</p> + +<p>"No," replied the Captain, "Abigail died only +recently at the advanced age of eighty-nine."</p> + +<p>"Papa, won't you stay awhile in Boston and +take us to see some of the places connected +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>with Revolutionary times,—Bunker Hill and its +monument, and maybe some others?" asked +Max.</p> + +<p>"I shall be pleased to do so, my son, if nothing +happens to prevent," was the pleasant-toned +reply. "It is my strong desire to have my +children well-informed in regard to the history +of their own country."</p> + +<p>"And ardent patriots too, Papa, ready to defend +her to the utmost of their ability should she +be attacked by any other power?" queried Max, +looking smilingly up into his father's face.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my son; particularly the boys," replied +the Captain, smiling in his turn at the lad's +enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's one of your girls that I am +sure would find a way to help, Papa,—nursing the +wounded soldiers perhaps, or carrying despatches +or something," said Lulu; "perhaps giving information +of an intended attack by the enemy, +as Lydia Darrah did."</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt you would do all you could, +daughter, and might perhaps be of more assistance +than many a man," her father answered +kindly.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I shouldn't be brave enough to +do such things as that," remarked Grace, with a +look that seemed to say she felt herself quite +inferior to her braver sister; "but I could pray +for my country, and I know that God hears +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>and answers prayer,—so that would be helping, +wouldn't it, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dear child; the Bible tells us a great +deal about the power of prayer; 'Call upon Me +in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and +thou shalt glorify Me,' is one of its promises."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Grandma Elsie, "a cry to God, +the Ruler of the universe, for help, may accomplish +more than any effort on the part of man +to do for himself."</p> + +<p>"But people must help themselves too, +Mamma?" Walter said, half in assertion, half +inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my son, if they can; 'Faith without +works is dead,' the Apostle says. The right way +is to do all we can to help ourselves, at the +same time asking God's blessing upon our +efforts."</p> + +<p>"As General Washington did," remarked +Mr. Keith. "He was a man of both works +and prayer,—a blessing to his country, and to +the world; in my estimation the greatest mere +man that ever lived. 'First in peace, first in +war, first in the hearts of his countrymen.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Grandma Elsie, "I like the +toast given by some one,—I have forgotten who +it was,—'Washington: Providence left him +childless that his country might call him father.' +He seems to me to have been as nearly perfect as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>one of the sinful race of man could be!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," responded Captain Raymond; "thoroughly +unselfish, just, generous, modest, self-denying +and self-sacrificing, charitable to the poor, +forgiving, fearless and heroic; a God-fearing man +who sought nothing for himself, but was ready to +do or die for his country; true to her, to his friends, +to his God; a sincere and earnest Christian,—where +can a more noble character be found?"</p> + +<p>"I think," said Mrs. Travilla, "he was an +instrument raised up and prepared of God for +the work that he did in securing to our beloved +country the liberties she now enjoys."</p> + +<p>"I very much like what Lord Brougham says +of him," remarked Violet.</p> + +<p>"Oh, can you repeat it, Mamma Vi?" queried +Lulu, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think I can," returned Violet, who +was blessed with an excellent memory.</p> + +<p>"'It will be the duty of the historian and sage +in all ages to let no occasion pass of commemorating +this illustrious man; and until time +shall be no more, will a test of the progress +which our race has made in wisdom and virtue +be derived from the veneration paid to the immortal +name of Washington!'"</p> + +<p>"I like that," said Rosie, her eyes sparkling +with pleasure and enthusiasm, "and it's none the +worse for having come from an Englishman."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit," assented Keith.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, was Washington commander at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>the battle of Bunker Hill?" asked Walter. +"I ought to know; but I can't remember just +now."</p> + +<p>"No, my son," she answered, "it was fought +before he reached Boston,—in fact, the very +day, June 17, that Congress agreed to his commission +as commander-in-chief of all the Continental +forces raised, or to be raised; and on the +21st he set out on horseback from Philadelphia +for Boston to take command of the American +army encamped there,—or rather around it, the +British being in possession of the town itself. +News did not fly then as it does in these days, +by any means; and it was not till he arrived in +New York, on the 25th, that the tidings reached +him.</p> + +<p>"The next day he was in the saddle again, +pushing on toward the scene of conflict. He +reached Cambridge on the 2d of July, and the +next day took command of the army, drawing +his sword under an ancient elm."</p> + +<p>"Why, just think!" exclaimed Walter, "it +took him nearly two weeks to travel from Philadelphia +to Boston, while now we could do it in +less than two days. No wonder it took so long +to fight the British and drive them out of our +country!"</p> + +<p>"I think we'd do it in less than half that time +now," said Max. "We could move so much +faster, besides raising a great deal bigger army; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>to say nothing of the navy, that I believe has +done better in every one of our wars than the +land forces. I remember to have read that the +army Washington took command of then consisted +of only seventeen thousand men, only +fourteen thousand five hundred of them fit for +duty; that they were without needed supplies of +tents or clothing or as much as nine cartridges +to a man."</p> + +<p>"Yes; it's a wonder Washington wasn't +completely discouraged," remarked Evelyn. "I +think he surely would have been if he had not +put his trust in God and the righteousness of +our country's cause."</p> + +<p>"No doubt it was that which strengthened +him for the long and arduous struggle," said +Mrs. Travilla. "Washington was, as I said a +moment since, a man of prayer; he looked to +God for help in the hour of his country's sorest +need, and surely his prayers were heard and +answered."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mamma," said Rosie; "I remember +reading that he would go into the woods to pray +privately for his bleeding country and his suffering +soldiers; that some one happened to see him +alone there in prayer with the tears coursing +down his cheeks. Oh, it's no wonder that with +such a leader and in so righteous a cause, our +arms were victorious in spite of the fearful +odds against us!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> +<p>"And it was God who gave us such a +leader," responded her mother, "and gave +him wisdom and courage for his work, and +final success in carrying it on to the desired +end."</p> + +<p>"Wasn't he a member of the Continental +Congress before his election as commander-in-chief +of the armies?" asked Rosie.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied her mother. "So was Patrick +Henry; and he, when asked whom he considered +the greatest man in that body, replied, 'If you +speak of eloquence, Mr. Rutledge, of South Carolina, +is by far the greatest orator; but if you +speak of solid information and sound judgment, +Colonel Washington is unquestionably the +greatest man on that floor.'"</p> + +<p>"How long did Washington stay there close +to Boston, Papa?" asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"He carried on the siege for eight months, +then on the 17th of March, 1776, succeeded in +driving the British away."</p> + +<p>"Then did he take possession of the town and +stay there awhile?"</p> + +<p>"He stayed until April, then went to New +York, reaching there on the 13th. Soon after +he went to Philadelphia to confer with Congress, +then back to New York.</p> + +<p>"While he was there anxiously awaiting an +attack from the British, the Declaration of Independence, +just passed by Congress, was sent him. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>The troops were quickly paraded, and the Declaration +read at the head of the army.</p> + +<p>"In the orders of the day Washington said to +the troops, 'The General hopes that this important +event will serve as a fresh incentive to +every officer and soldier to act with fidelity and +courage, as knowing that the peace and safety +of his country depend, under God, solely on +the success of our arms.'</p> + +<p>"But I cannot tell you now the whole story of +Washington's services to his country in the war +for independence, to say nothing of all that he +did for her afterward."</p> + +<p>"I think we will read about it after we go +home to Woodburn," the Captain said.</p> + +<p>"Frederick the Great was a great admirer of +Washington," remarked Mr. Keith. "He is said +to have pronounced Washington's masterly movements +on the Delaware the most brilliant achievements +recorded in military annals. And Lossing +tells us of a portrait of himself which Frederick +sent to Washington accompanied by the very +gratifying words, 'From the oldest general in +Europe to the greatest general in the world.' +As for myself, I must say that I think Washington's +success, in spite of all the difficulties and +discouragements he had to encounter, was something +most wonderful, and was given him in +answer to prayer, and because he put his trust in +God and looked to Him for wisdom and for help."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> +<p>"He was certainly one of the most unselfish +of men," remarked Violet. "What other man +would have refused with scorn and indignation, +as he did, the suggestion that his army would +like to make him a king?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, did they want to make him king, and +tell him so?" asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"Yes; didn't you know that?" returned +Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Papa, won't you tell about it?" Grace asked, +turning to her father.</p> + +<p>"I will, daughter," he answered in a kindly, +affectionate tone, and taking in his the hand she +had laid upon his knee.</p> + +<p>"The battle of Yorktown, which practically +secured the independence of our country, was +fought in October, 1781, but the treaty of peace +was not signed till Jan. 20, 1783; so our +armies were not disbanded, and officers and +soldiers were sorely tried by their pay being +delayed, and feared, not without reason, that they +might be disbanded without Congress making +proper provision for meeting their just claims.</p> + +<p>"Some of the officers began to doubt the efficiency +of the Government, and of all republican +institutions, and talked among themselves as to +whether it might not be better to establish a +monarchy instead; and at length one of them +was deputed to confer with Washington on the +subject.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> +<p>"He did so,—it seems in writing,—and even +ventured to suggest for him the title of king.</p> + +<p>"But, as you have just heard, Washington +rebuked the writer severely, saying he was at a +loss to conceive what part of his conduct could +have given encouragement to an address that +seemed to him big with the greatest mischiefs +that could befall his country; that if he was +not deceived in the knowledge of himself, they +could not have found a person to whom their +schemes were more disagreeable.</p> + +<p>"He also conjured the writer, if he had any +regard for his country, concern for himself or +posterity, or respect for him, to banish these +thoughts from his mind, and never communicate +a sentiment of such a nature from himself or +any one else."</p> + +<p>"Did they give it up then, Papa?" Gracie +asked.</p> + +<p>"Nothing more was ever said about making +Washington king," he answered; "but the next +December they sent to Congress a memorial on +the subject of their pay. A resolution was +adopted by that body, but such as did not satisfy +the complainants. Then a meeting of officers +was arranged for; and anonymous addresses, +commonly known as the Newburg addresses, +were sent out to rouse the army to resentment.</p> + +<p>"Washington insisted on attending the meeting, +and delivered an impressive address.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> +<p>"He had written down what he wished to say, +and after reading the first paragraph paused to +put on his spectacles, saying most touchingly, as +he did so, that he had grown gray in the service +of his country, and now found himself growing +blind.</p> + +<p>"He then went on to read a most noble paper +which he had prepared for the occasion. In it +he acknowledged the just claims of the army +against the Government, and assured them that +they would not be disregarded; then he entreated +them 'to express their utmost horror and detestation +of the man who wishes, under any specious +pretences, to overturn the liberties of our country, +and who wickedly attempts to open the floodgates +of civil discord and deluge our rising empire in +blood.'</p> + +<p>"Then, having finished his address, he retired +from the meeting; but resolutions were at once +offered by General Knox, seconded by General +Putnam and adopted by the meeting, agreeing +with all he had said and reciprocating his expressions +of esteem and affection. They were +relieved of their doubts and fears and restored +to their wonted love for their country."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that was nice, Papa!" exclaimed Gracie, +her cheeks flushing and her eyes shining. "How +good and great our Washington was! It seems +to me we would never have got free from Great +Britain if we hadn't had him to help."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yes: it does seem very doubtful," her father +replied. "As Grandma Elsie has said, God +seems to have raised up and prepared him for +that very work."</p> + +<p>"And how soon after that was the war really +over, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"The treaty of peace was signed in Paris +on the 20th of January, 1783, as I remarked a +moment since; but as it took a long while in +those days for people and news to cross the +ocean, it was not till the 17th of the following +April that Washington received the proclamation +of Congress for the cessation of +hostilities. Then on the 19th—which, as you +may remember, was the eighth anniversary of +the battle of Lexington, the opening conflict of +the war—the cessation was proclaimed at the +head of every regiment."</p> + +<p>"What joyful news it must have been to +the poor, weary soldiers!" said Violet. "I +trust their hearts were full of gratitude to God, +who had prospered the right in spite of the +fearful odds against those who were battling +for it."</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned her husband; "and no heart +could have been more thankful than that of the +commander-in-chief, who said in the general orders, +'The chaplains of the several brigades will +render thanks to Almighty God for all His mercies, +particularly for His overruling the wrath of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>man to His own glory, and causing the rage of +war to cease among the nations.'"</p> + +<p>"What a good, good Christian man Washington +was, Papa!" exclaimed Gracie.</p> + +<p>"And yet he had enemies; and there are still +some among his own countrymen who are far +from appreciating him,—can even speak evil of +him. But even our Lord Jesus Christ had enemies +and detractors—bitter and implacable foes—among +his own countrymen; and 'the servant +is not greater than his Lord,'" was the Captain's +reply.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Papa, I remember that Washington +had enemies,—Gates for one, and that infamous +Conway for another," said Max. "How glad I +was to read of the Continental Congress accepting +the resignation he offered in a fit of anger, so +that he had to leave the army for good, though +he didn't want to!"</p> + +<p>"I think it was for good, Max," remarked +Mr. Keith, with a slightly amused smile,—"for +the good of the country, though perhaps not for +his own. Conway was a man America was well +rid of; and the same may be as truly said of +Charles Lee. What would have become of our +liberties had that infamous cabal succeeded in +getting the command taken from Washington and +given to any one of themselves!"</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + + +<p>Evelyn Leland was the only one of the party +on the "Dolphin" who had never seen Boston; +but to all the young people entering the city +from the sea was a new experience, and as the +vessel neared the harbour they gazed about +them with great interest, while the Captain +pointed out and named the forts and the islands +as they came into view.</p> + +<p>"Yonder is Boston Light," he said, "two +miles east of Fort Warren,—on George's Island, +which I will point out presently; it is a revolving +light, ninety-two feet above the level of the sea. +And yonder is Spit or Bug Light; it is only thirty-five +feet high, and stands upon iron pillars fixed +in the rock. They show a red fixed light there +which can be seen at the distance of seven miles.</p> + +<p>"Then there is Long Island Light, named from +the island on which it stands. The tower is only +twenty-two feet above the ground, but eighty +feet above the sea.</p> + +<p>"Yonder," again pointing with his finger, "is +Fort Independence (called in Revolutionary times +Castle William) just at the entrance of the main +channel; and opposite it is Fort Winthrop. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>And yonder is George's Island with its fortification,—Fort +Warren."</p> + +<p>"And this was the harbour where the Boston +Tea-party was held!" remarked Evelyn, in a half-musing +tone. "What an exciting time that +must have been! I think it was grand in the +people to give up the tea they so enjoyed drinking, +rather than submit to 'taxation without +representation.'"</p> + +<p>"Which all women possessed of landed property +do to this day," returned Rosie, mischievously.</p> + +<p>Eva laughed. "Oh, well," she said, "you +know American women can influence the voters +to whom they are related,—their brothers, husbands, +and sons."</p> + +<p>"If they have any, and they happen to be +particularly tractable," laughed Rosie. "But +how about poor fatherless and brotherless single +women? The men may vote as heavy taxes +upon their property as they please, while they +can't lift a finger to prevent it, or say a word +as to what is to be done with the money taken +from their purses without their consent."</p> + +<p>"Why, Rosie, are you turning into a woman's +rights woman?" queried Max, laughing.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Maxie; those ideas just happened +to suggest themselves," she answered. +"I'll take time to think it all out one of these +days, though; and I'll not promise not to turn +into an advocate of women's right to have some +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>say about the taxing of their own property. I +see no reason why a man's rights in that direction +should be considered superior to a woman's."</p> + +<p>"No; nor I either," Max said. "And I'm as +willing as possible that American women should +have all their rights; but I shouldn't like to let +ignorant women—foreign or coloured ones—vote."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's the trouble," laughed Rosie; "I +shouldn't like that either. But I can't see that +it's any better to let foreign men who are too +ignorant to understand much or anything about +our institutions, have a vote. I must say it +strikes me as exceedingly insulting to educated, +intelligent ladies, who are native Americans, to +refuse a vote to <em>them</em>, and at the same time give +it to <em>such foreign-born men</em>, or to male natives +who know nothing, can't read or write, and have +no property at all."</p> + +<p>"Coloured men, for instance?" queried Max.</p> + +<p>"Yes, coloured or white; it's the education +I'm concerned about, not the colour. Mamma, +do not you agree with me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do," Mrs. Travilla answered. "I +have no desire to vote myself; but I think only +native-born citizens, or those who have been +twenty-one years in the country, should have a +vote, and not even they unless able to read and +write, capable of understanding our form of government, +and possessed of some little property,—that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>last in order that they may appreciate more +fully the burdens of taxation, and be less ready +to make them heavier than need be."</p> + +<p>"Papa," asked Gracie, "where abouts were +the tea ships when the folks went on board and +threw the tea into the water?"</p> + +<p>"They were moored at Griffin's Wharf," he +replied; "I can point it out to you directly."</p> + +<p>"What is it, Papa, Gracie's talking about? +A story?" queried little Elsie. "Please, Papa, +tell it to us."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you would hardly understand, +Papa's darling," the Captain said, stroking the +soft, shining, golden curls as he spoke, and +smiling down into the bright, eager little face.</p> + +<p>"I think I should, Papa. Wasn't it something +'bout a tea-party?" she asked coaxingly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Papa, please do tell the story; we'd all +like to hear it over again now when we're just +at the place where it happened," added Gracie.</p> + +<p>"Well, my darlings, to please you," he said; +"also because I want you to be thoroughly +grounded in the history of your own country.</p> + +<p>"You must remember that these States,—or +rather the original thirteen, there were only so +many at that time,—were then called colonies, +and were ruled by England. The English Government +claimed the right to tax the colonies just +as they pleased. That right the people of the +colonies denied.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> +<p>"They were not allowed to send any members +to Parliament to help decide who in America +should be taxed and how much; so they determined +that rather than pay a tax put upon the +article without their knowledge and consent, +they would do without tea.</p> + +<p>"Then the English Government tried to force +it on them; and these ships came into their harbour +loaded with the tea, which they intended +to land.</p> + +<p>"One of those tea-laden ships, called the +'Dartmouth,'—Captain Hall in command,—came +to anchor yonder, near the Castle, as it +was then called. It was on Sunday the 'Dartmouth' +came in; and as you may suppose, +the sight of her caused a great excitement in +Boston.</p> + +<p>"Early on Monday morning a placard was +posted all over the town. I committed it to +memory when a school-boy. It said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"'Friends! Brethren! Countrymen! That worst +of plagues, the detested tea shipped for this port by +the East India Company, is now arrived in the harbor; +the Hour of Destruction, or manly opposition to the +Machinations of Tyranny, stares you in the face; +every Friend to his Country, to himself, and to Posterity, +is now called upon to meet at Faneuil Hall, at +nine o'clock This Day (at which time the bells will ring), +to make united and successful resistance to this last, +worst, and most destructive measure of administration.'</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> +<p>"That was the handbill; its date was November +29, 1773."</p> + +<p>"Was that the 'vite to the tea-party?" asked +little Elsie.</p> + +<p>"Not to what proved to be the principal one," +he answered.</p> + +<p>"In response to the call they met that day at +Faneuil Hall, but the excitement was so great +and brought so many people together that they +adjourned to the Old South Meeting-house which +was larger.</p> + +<p>"At that meeting it was resolved that the tea +should not be landed, that no duty should be paid +on it, and that it should be sent back in the same +vessel it had come in; also they notified the +owner and the commander of the vessel that +to land and enter the tea was at their own peril, +ordered the ship to be moored at Griffin's +Wharf, and appointed a guard of twenty-five +men to watch her.</p> + +<p>"At the meeting a letter was received from +the consignees offering to store the tea till they +could hear from England; but the people were +determined not to allow it to be landed, so rejected +the offer with scorn.</p> + +<p>"Then the sheriff read a proclamation from +the governor ordering them to disperse; but it +was received with hisses, and they went on with +the business that had called them together.</p> + +<p>"They passed a resolution ordering the vessels +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>of Captains Coffin and Bruce, which were hourly +expected to arrive with their loads of tea, to be +moored at Griffin's Wharf."</p> + +<p>"Did they come, Papa? and did the men +watch all the ships that had tea?" asked Elsie, +who was listening with a look of interest and intelligence +that seemed to say she understood a +great deal, if not all her father had been +saying.</p> + +<p>"Yes; and about two weeks afterward +another meeting was held in the Old South +Church, when it was resolved that Mr. Roch +must immediately apply for a clearance for his +ship and send her out to sea again. But the +governor had already taken measures to prevent +him from doing that, ordering Admiral +Montague to fit out two armed vessels and station +them at the entrance to the harbour, and Colonel +Leslie, who was in command of the Castle, not to +allow any vessel to pass out under the guns of +the fortress, unless she could show a permission +signed by himself."</p> + +<p>"I should think," remarked Max, "that Mr. +Roch and Captain Hall must have been quite +puzzled to know how to act to suit all parties."</p> + +<p>"What happened next, Papa?" asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"Two days later there was another meeting in +the Old South,—the largest meeting that had +then ever been known in Boston; for the people +were greatly excited.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> +<p>"Several persons made addresses, but Josiah +Quincy was the principal speaker. He advised +the people to weigh and consider before +they took measures that would bring on a trying +and terrible struggle such as had never been +seen in this country."</p> + +<p>"Why, Papa," exclaimed Lulu, "I thought +Mr. Quincy was one of the patriots!"</p> + +<p>"So he was, my child; but he wanted the +people to look before they leaped.</p> + +<p>"When he had finished his speech the question +was put, 'Will you abide by your former resolutions +with respect to not suffering the tea to be +landed?'"</p> + +<p>"And what did they say?" asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"That they would; the whole vast assembly +speaking as with one voice."</p> + +<p>"I hope Mr. Roch was there to hear them," +said Lulu.</p> + +<p>"No," said her father. "The governor +was at his country-house, a few miles out of +Boston, and Mr. Roch had been sent to him +to ask a permit for his vessel to leave the +harbour.</p> + +<p>"He returned late in the afternoon, before +the meeting at the Old South had broken up, +and reported to them that the governor refused +a permit until a clearance should be shown him; +and the collector refused that until the tea should +be landed."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> +<p>"What a fuss about nothing!" exclaimed +little Elsie, with a look of disgust.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," her father said, stroking her hair +as she leaned upon his knee; "some day when +my little girl is older and wiser, she will understand +that it was very far from being about +nothing.</p> + +<p>"The people were very much excited. It was +beginning to grow dark in the old church and +somebody called for candles; but just then +somebody in the gallery showed himself disguised +like a Mohawk Indian, raised the Indian +war-whoop, and was answered in the same fashion +by some one outside the building,—for the +throng a good deal more than filled the church; +then another voice in the gallery shouted, +'Boston harbour a teapot to-night! Hurrah for +Griffin's Wharf!'</p> + +<p>"At that there was an instant motion to +adjourn, and the people crowded into the streets.</p> + +<p>"It was a clear, moonlight evening, still quite +early, and the British squadron not more than a +mile away; British troops were near too, but +neither interfered with what was going on.</p> + +<p>"It is probable that everything had been arranged +beforehand; and seeing several persons +disguised as Indians going toward Griffin's +Wharf, the people hurried thither. Some fifteen +or twenty were so disguised, but about sixty +boarded the vessels in the first place; and it is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span>said that as many as a hundred and forty were +engaged in the work before it was finished.</p> + +<p>"A man named Lendall Pitts acted as leader; +and under his direction the 'Dartmouth' was +boarded first, the hatches were taken up, and her +cargo of one hundred and fourteen chests of tea +brought on deck, where the boxes were broken +open and the tea was thrown into the water.</p> + +<p>"Then the other two vessels were boarded +and their cargoes of tea also thrown into the +harbour."</p> + +<p>"And that's what is called the 'Boston Tea +Party,'" remarked Max with satisfaction. "I'd +wish I'd been there to help, only that I'd rather +be here now."</p> + +<p>"That's just the way I feel about it," said +Walter.</p> + +<p>"You may be thankful, my dear boys, that +you live in these days," remarked Grandma +Elsie, smiling kindly upon them. "War times +are more interesting to tell about, but far harder +to live in. Our hearts may well be filled with +thankfulness to God for the success of our +fathers in securing the blessings of liberty for +not themselves only, but for us also. We assuredly +have more to be thankful for than any +other nation, and ought therefore to be better +and more earnest Christians, doing all we possibly +can to spread abroad through all the earth +the glad news of salvation by Christ, and to help +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>the down-trodden and oppressed to share with +us the inestimable blessings of freedom,—life, +liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as our +Declaration of Independence has it."</p> + +<p>But the "Dolphin" was fast approaching the +city, and there was so much to look at and talk +about, relating to the present, that for a time +the past was well-nigh forgotten, except when +the Captain pointed out as nearly as he could, +the precise spot where the never-to-be-forgotten +"tea party" had been held.</p> + +<p>When he had done so, Max broke out into a +song to the tune of "Yankee Doodle," the other +young folks joining in with a will on the +chorus.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Once on a time old Johnny Bull flew in a raging fury,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And swore that Jonathan should have no trial, sir, by jury;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That no elections should be held across the briny waters;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And now said he, 'I'll tax the Tea of all his sons and daughters.'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then down he sate in burly state, and blustered like a grandee,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And in derision made a tune called 'Yankee Doodle Dandy.'<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Yankee doodle,—these are facts,—Yankee doodle dandy!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">My son of wax, your tea I'll tax; you—Yankee doodle dandy!<br /></span> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"John sent the tea from o'er the sea, with heavy duties rated;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But whether hyson or bohea I never heard it stated.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then Jonathan to pout began,—he laid a strong embargo,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'I'll drink no Tea by Jove!' so he threw overboard the cargo.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then Johnny sent a regiment, big words and looks to bandy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose martial band, when near the land played 'Yankee Doodle Dandy.'<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Yankee doodle,—keep it up,—Yankee doodle dandy!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I'll poison with a tax your cup; <em>you</em>—Yankee doodle dandy!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"A long war then they had, in which John was at last defeated;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And 'Yankee Doodle' was the march to which his troops retreated.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Cute Jonathan, to see them fly, could not restrain his laughter;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'That time,' said he, 'suits to a T. I'll sing it ever after.'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Old Johnny's face, to his disgrace, was flushed with beer and brandy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">E'en while he swore to sing no more this 'Yankee Doodle Dandy.'<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Yankee doodle,—ho, ha, he,—Yankee doodle dandy!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">We kept the tune, but not the tea; Yankee doodle dandy!<br /></span> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I've told you now the origin of this most lively ditty,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which Johnny Bull dislikes as 'dull and stupid'—what a pity!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With 'Hail Columbia' it is sung, in chorus full and hearty.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On land and main we breathe the strain John made for his 'tea party;'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No matter how we rhyme the words, the music speaks them handy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And where's the fair can't sing the air of 'Yankee Doodle Dandy'?<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Yankee doodle, firm and true,—Yankee doodle dandy!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Yankee doodle, doodle do, Yankee doodle dandy!"<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + + +<p>A few days were spent in Boston, principally +in visiting places of historical interest,—Christ +Church on Salem Street, where as the Captain +told the children, Paul Revere's signal was +hung out from the steeple, in the Revolutionary +War, by Captain Pulling, a Boston merchant; +and the Old South Church, about which they had +already heard so much.</p> + +<p>"In 1775," the Captain said, as the little +group stood gazing about it in deep interest, +"the British soldiers desecrated this place by +using it for cavalry drill, having first torn out +the galleries and covered the floor with earth. +It is now no longer used as a church, but, as you +see, is a historical museum. Now we will go to +Faneuil Hall,—'the cradle of liberty.'"</p> + +<p>They did so; and next visited the Old State +House.</p> + +<p>As the Captain told them, the Boston Massacre +occurred in the street before it; and there, +during the excitement in regard to the Stamp +Act, the stamped clearances were burned by the +mob. From the balcony the Declaration of Independence +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>was read. Many town-meetings +were held there, and many patriotic speeches +made,—among them those of Otis, who foretold +probable war, and urged resistance to tyranny +"even unto blood" if necessary.</p> + +<p>"Who was Otis, Papa?" asked Lulu.</p> + +<p>"A Boston lawyer of that time, a patriot,—as +evidenced by even the few words of his I have +just quoted. He was advocate-general with a +good salary at the time when the revenue officers +in Boston took out search-warrants to look for +smuggled goods, and called upon him to defend +their cause; but he at once resigned his office +and took the other side,—that of the merchants +of Boston, who were protesting against the writs. +They offered him a large fee, but he refused it, +saying, 'In such a cause I despise all fees.'"</p> + +<p>"That case was tried in this old State House; +and Otis made a grand speech of such length that +it took him five hours to deliver it."</p> + +<p>"What was it all about, Papa?" asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"It was on the question whether Americans +were bound to obey laws which they had no share +in making, and all the arguments in the wonderful +speech answered doggedly, 'No.'</p> + +<p>"John Adams, who heard the speech, afterward +said that on that day 'the child Independence +was born;' and no doubt the argument +assisted the popular leaders very much in furnishing +them with weapons for their work."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> +<p>"Weapons, Papa?" Grace asked with a puzzled +look.</p> + +<p>"Yes, daughter; arguments with which to +show the people what the English Government +was doing to take away our liberties.</p> + +<p>"Otis afterward, when Governor Bernard +called upon the General Assembly of Massachusetts +to rescind the resolution it had passed +against the right of the English Parliament to +tax the colonies without their consent,—which +they boldly disregarded,—made a powerful +speech in which he said, 'When Lord Hillsborough +knows that we will not rescind <em>our</em> acts, +he should apply to Parliament to rescind <em>theirs</em>. +<em>Let Britons rescind their measures, or they are +lost forever!</em>' He went on speaking in that way +for nearly an hour, till even the Sons of Liberty +began to tremble lest he should go too far, and +be charged with treason."</p> + +<p>"And did he fight for the country, Papa?" +asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"No, poor fellow!" replied the Captain, +with a slight sigh; "before the war had fairly +begun he became insane from injuries inflicted +by one Robinson, a commissioner of customs, +who, with several army or navy officers set upon, +beat, and otherwise injured him, inflicting a +sword-cut on his head from which he never +recovered."</p> + +<p>"And he didn't have the pleasure of seeing +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>his country free and separated from England?" +Lulu said, half inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"No; he was killed by a stroke of lightning +in 1778, which you will remember was several +years before the war was over."</p> + +<p>Our little party next visited Lexington and +Concord.</p> + +<p>"How far must we travel to get there, +Papa?" queried Gracie, as they took their +seats in the car.</p> + +<p>"Only a few miles to Lexington, and a little +farther to reach Concord," he answered.</p> + +<p>"That won't seem very far by rail," remarked +Max; "but it must have seemed quite a distance +to the soldiers who marched there in Revolutionary +times."</p> + +<p>"I find we are early," the Captain said, looking +at his watch; "and as we have the car nearly +to ourselves, it may be well for us to talk over +what occurred in 1775 at the places we are about +to visit. I think it will make the visit more interesting +to you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do tell us the whole story, Papa," +requested Gracie, with a look of pleased +anticipation.</p> + +<p>The others all joined in her petition, and the +Captain good-naturedly complied.</p> + +<p>"Matters had been growing worse and worse +between the British Government and the colonies," +he said, "till a struggle seemed almost +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>inevitable. General Gage discovered that the +patriots were privately conveying arms out of +Boston, that some brass cannon and field-pieces +were at Salem; and on a Sunday in February, +1775, he sent some troops to seize them.</p> + +<p>"An express from Marblehead arrived at Salem +while the people were in church, with the news that +British troops were landing from a transport at +that place, and were about to march to Salem.</p> + +<p>"The congregations were at once dismissed, +and, led by Colonel Pickering, stopped the British +at a drawbridge. Pickering succeeded in +effecting a compromise, and the troops marched +back again to Marblehead without having done +the errand upon which they had been sent.</p> + +<p>"Let me see," continued the Captain, meditatively; +"I think I can recall some lines by Trumbull, +referring to that incident:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'Through Salem straight, without delay,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The bold battalion took its way:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Marched o'er a bridge, in open sight<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of several Yankees arm'd for fight;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then, without loss of time or men,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Veer'd round for Boston back again,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And found so well their prospects thrive,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That every soul got back alive.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"It was some two months after this that the +battles of Lexington and Concord took place. +On April 18, the patriots learned that the next +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>day British troops were to visit Concord for +the purpose of destroying some military stores +there, and passing through Lexington seize the +persons of John Hancock and Samuel Adams, +who were both in that town at the house of +the Rev. Jonas Clark.</p> + +<p>"Gage had tried to keep all this a profound secret, +but somehow the patriots had learned what +he was attempting, and were making their preparations +accordingly. Warren and his friends +had gone, Paul Revere and William Dawes had +just rowed across the river to Charlestown, taking +a message from Warren to Adams and Hancock. +They were very near being captured by the +guard at Charlestown, but escaped, and reached +Lexington a little after midnight.</p> + +<p>"They went at once to Mr. Clark's house, but +found a guard of eight minute-men placed about +it to protect Adams and Hancock.</p> + +<p>"These refused to let Revere and Dawes into +the house, as orders had been given not to allow +the inmates to be disturbed by noise.</p> + +<p>"'Noise!' exclaimed Revere, 'you'll have +noise enough before long; the regulars are +coming!'</p> + +<p>"They were quickly admitted then, roused +Hancock and Adams, and knowing how unlikely +to escape being taken prisoners they were, +should they remain in Lexington, persuaded +them to retire to Woburn.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> +<p>"Then Revere and Dawes pushed on to Concord +to give the alarm there.</p> + +<p>"By two o'clock in the morning a hundred and +thirty of the Lexington militia were collected at +the meeting-house upon the green. The roll was +called; then, as the early morning air was very +chilly, they were dismissed with orders to remain +within drum-beat."</p> + +<p>"Papa, the British marched very quietly, +didn't they?" asked Max.</p> + +<p>"Yes, in perfect silence; hoping and believing +that none of the Americans were aware of their +movements."</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha, how mistaken they were!" laughed +Max.</p> + +<p>"Yes," his father said, "there were vigilant +eyes upon them. As they passed through West +Cambridge they were seen by Lee, Gerry, and +Orne,—members of the Provincial Congress,—and +as I have told you, others learned the secret +also.</p> + +<p>"As the British neared Lexington their ears +were greeted by the sound of bells and guns, +warning them that their expedition was known."</p> + +<p>"I s'pose they didn't like that," observed +Gracie, "but what did they do about it, +Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Colonel Smith dispatched six companies +of troops under Major Pitcairn, with orders to +press on to Concord and secure the two bridges. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>He also sent a messenger to Boston for reinforcements.</p> + +<p>"Pitcairn hastened on toward Lexington, capturing +several persons on his way. One of them—a +man named Bowman—escaped, hurried into +Lexington on horseback, and notified Captain +Parker, commander of the minute-men, that the +enemy was approaching."</p> + +<p>"And did they make a great fuss and wake up +all the people, Papa?" asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"They rang the bells, fired guns, and beat the +drum, so that doubtless everybody was soon +aroused.</p> + +<p>"It was between four and five in the morning. +About one hundred of the militia were quickly +collected on the green; but being raw troops, and +uncertain how large a force was coming against +them, they were in some confusion.</p> + +<p>"And indeed it was an overwhelming force +they presently saw marching toward them, their +scarlet uniforms gleaming out through the early +morning mist.</p> + +<p>"The British halted within a few rods of the +meeting-house and loaded their pieces. But the +Americans stood firm and undismayed.</p> + +<p>"Their orders were not to pull a trigger till fired +upon by the enemy, and for a moment there was +silence and hesitation on both sides; neither +Americans nor British seemed willing to become +the aggressors.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But it was only for a moment; Pitcairn and +other officers galloped forward, waving their +swords over their heads, and followed by their +troops in double-quick time.</p> + +<p>"'Disperse you villains!' they shouted, 'lay +down your arms and disperse. Why don't you +disperse, you rebels? Disperse!' And as the +patriots did not instantly obey the command, +Pitcairn wheeled his horse, waved his sword, and +gave orders to press forward and surround the +militia.</p> + +<p>"At that instant some random shots were fired +by the British, and promptly returned by the +Americans."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, was anybody killed?" asked +Gracie.</p> + +<p>"Not by those shots," replied her father; +"but the next minute Pitcairn drew a pistol +and discharged it, at the same time shouting +'Fire!'</p> + +<p>"His troops instantly obeyed that order. +Four of the patriots were killed, and the rest +dispersed. They were fired upon again while +retreating, and several of them halted and returned +the shots, then concealed themselves behind +buildings and stone walls.</p> + +<p>"Eight Americans were killed, three British +soldiers and Major Pitcairn's horse were +wounded."</p> + +<p>"I thought you said only four Americans were +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>shot, Papa," said Gracie, looking up inquiringly +into his face.</p> + +<p>"Four by the first discharge of musketry, +and as many more while trying to escape over +the fences," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Did the British care for having killed those +poor men?" she asked, tears of sympathy shining +in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"If so they gave no evidence of it," her father +replied. "They hurried on to Concord in high +spirits. But the news of their approach had +been communicated, and a formidable body of +militia was waiting to receive them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" said Rosie, "I remember that +Dawes and Revere had hurried on to warn them +after doing the Lexington people the same +service."</p> + +<p>"Yes," the Captain said, "but on the way +they were taken prisoners by some British officers. +They had stopped to tell the news to Dr. Samuel +Prescott, who escaped over a wall, they being +captured. Prescott made his way to Concord, +reaching there about two o'clock in the morning, +and gave the alarm. Then the bells were +rung, and the people armed themselves, so that +before daylight they were ready to receive the +British."</p> + +<p>"They knew what the British were after, and +made haste to conceal the stores of powder, shot, +and so forth,—didn't they, Papa?" asked Max.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes; the whole male population and some +of the women assisted in that work, and succeeded +in concealing them in a safe place in the +woods before the arrival of the British."</p> + +<p>"That was good," remarked Gracie. "And +didn't the British get anything at all, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, a little. They knocked off the trunnions +of three iron twenty-four-pound cannon, +cut down a liberty-pole, set the Court House +on fire, and burned a few barrels of wooden +trenchers and spoons, and sixteen new carriage-wheels. +Also they threw five hundred pounds +of balls into a mill-pond, and broke open about +sixty barrels of flour; but the people succeeded +in saving a good deal of that, and Mrs. Moulton +put out the fire in the Court House before much +damage was done."</p> + +<p>"But was there no fighting, Papa?" Gracie +asked.</p> + +<p>"There was fighting," the Captain answered. +"While the British were at the mischief I have +been telling you of, the American party was +rapidly increasing by the coming in of minute-men +from the neighbouring towns. They formed +into line as fast as they came. There were +nearly four hundred of them.</p> + +<p>"From the place where they were forming they +could see the fire the British had started in the +centre of the town, and of course the sight greatly +increased their excitement.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> +<p>"Joseph Hosmer, the adjutant, made a stirring +appeal, after a brief consultation with prominent +citizens and members of the Committee of +Safety, who were present, and ready to take part +in repelling the British.</p> + +<p>"It was agreed to dislodge them from the North +Bridge. Captain Davis saying, 'I haven't a +man that's afraid to go.'</p> + +<p>"They wheeled into marching order, and +joined by other companies, pushed forward to +the bridge, under the command of Major John +Buttrick, of Concord.</p> + +<p>"The British guard were on the west side of +the river, but crossed to the east on seeing the +Americans approaching, and began taking up +the planks of the bridge.</p> + +<p>"Major Buttrick called to them to stop, and +urged his men on to try to save the bridge.</p> + +<p>"The British formed for action as the Americans +drew near, and some of the regulars +fired, killing Captain Davis, Abner Hosmer, and +wounding another man.</p> + +<p>"Then Buttrick shouted, 'Fire fellow soldiers! +for God's sake fire!' and instantly they gave +the British a full volley.</p> + +<p>"In a few minutes the British retreated, and +the Americans took possession of the bridge.</p> + +<p>"Their volley had killed three British soldiers, +two of whom were left on the ground. The +Americans afterward buried them, and we shall +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>find their graves only a few feet from the +monument."</p> + +<p>But other passengers had entered the car, +and the train was now in motion.</p> + +<p>"There, that must do for the present," the +Captain said; "the story will have to be finished +after we leave the train."</p> + +<p>Their first halt was at Lexington where they +viewed with much interest the ground where the +skirmish took place, the monument commemorating +the devotion of those who fell, and everything +to be found that had any connection with +the events which have made the place famous in +the annals of our country.</p> + +<p>Evelyn Leland gazed long at the inscription +on the monument, then read aloud,—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"Sacred to the Liberty and the Rights of Mankind!!! +The Freedom and Independence of America—sealed +and defended with the blood of her sons—This +Monument is erected by the Inhabitants of Lexington ... to +the memory of their fellow citizens ... the +first victims of the sword of British Tyranny and +Oppression, on the morning of the ever-memorable +nineteenth of April, A. D. 1775. The Die was Cast!!! +The blood of these Martyrs in the Cause of God and +their Country was the Cement of the Union of these +States, then Colonies, and gave the Spring to the Spirit, +Firmness and Resolution of their Fellow citizens. +They rose as one man to revenge their Brethren's +blood and at the point of the sword to assert and defend +their native Rights. They nobly dared to be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>Free!!! The contest was long, bloody and affecting. +Righteous Heaven approved the Solemn Appeal; +Victory crowned their Arms, and the Peace, Liberty +and Independence of the United States of America +was their glorious Reward. Built in the year 1799."</p></div> + +<p>"You didn't read it all, Eva," said Walter; +"you skipped the names."</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, "because I didn't want to +take time to read it all; though I'd be ever so +unwilling to rob the poor, dear, brave fellows of +any of the credit that belongs to them."</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + + +<p>From Lexington our little party went on at +once to Concord. There they saw the monument, +and near it the graves of the two British +soldiers of whom the Captain had spoken as +having fallen in the fight.</p> + +<p>"The British entered Concord in two divisions," +he said; "one by the main road, the +other passing over the hill north of it. Captain +Beeman, of Petersham, and other Tories had +given them information in regard to the stores +secreted in Concord, and Captain Parsons with +six companies was sent to destroy them."</p> + +<p>"Sent where, Papa?" asked Lulu.</p> + +<p>"To the house of Colonel Barrett," replied +her father. "Captain Lawrie, with three companies +was stationed at the North Bridge, just +here. The monument stands upon the very +spot where the British stood, and on yon plain +across the river is where the American militia +were when the fire of the British killed Hosmer +and Davis.</p> + +<p>"Colonel Smith, in the village, heard the firing, +and sent a reinforcement to Lawrie's help; but +seeing that the militia were increasing in numbers, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>they turned about and joined in the retreat. +Then the party under Captain Parsons, who, you +will remember, had gone to Colonel Barrett's to +destroy the secreted stores, returned, and were +allowed by the militia to pass the bridge unmolested."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't they attack them, Captain?" +asked Eva, "weren't they strong enough?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but war had not yet been declared, and +the colonists had been enjoined to act only on +the defensive and let Great Britain be the +aggressor.</p> + +<p>"Besides, the militia at Concord had not yet +heard of the slaughter of their brethren at Lexington. +They themselves had just killed three +British soldiers, to be sure, but it was purely in +self-defence."</p> + +<p>"The British started back to Boston pretty +soon after that, didn't they, Papa?" asked +Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Yes; Colonel Smith thought it prudent, seeing +how rapidly the militia were gathering, to return +at once, and a little after twelve o'clock +began his retreat toward Lexington, covering +his main column by strong flanking guards.</p> + +<p>"As you may suppose, the people had become +intensely excited by this time, and I dare say very +many were burning to avenge the slaughter of +their comrades. They no longer adhered to the +cautious counsels given them at Concord, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>secreting themselves behind barns and fences, +fired upon the British troops as they passed. +All along the line of march to Lexington the +British were terribly galled in this way. Guns +were fired with sure aim from every house, barn, +and stone wall. As we noticed in coming here +the road between this town and Lexington passes +through a hilly country, as well calculated as +possible for such work. At almost every wooded +defile numbers of the British were picked off by +concealed marksmen, and at Hardy's Hill there +was a severe skirmish.</p> + +<p>"There was no longer any military order +among the Americans, but each man fought as he +deemed best. Some of them were killed by the +British flankers coming suddenly upon them in +their places of concealment, but their numbers +were comparatively small.</p> + +<p>"Several of the British were shot near the +battle-ground of the morning at Lexington, and +Colonel Smith was badly wounded in the leg at +Fiske's Hill, near the town."</p> + +<p>"So they didn't have a very good time on +their march back to Boston," remarked Max.</p> + +<p>"No, very far from it," replied his father. +"You will remember they had been marching +the night before, marching and fighting pretty +much all that day, and attacked every now and +then by a concealed foe, who shot down one after +another; they became at last so fatigued that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>they must have surrendered to the Americans if +reinforcements had not reached them.</p> + +<p>"I have said a request for help had been sent +to General Gage from Lexington early in the +morning, and he had responded with about nine +hundred men under Lord Percy,—three regiments +of infantry and two divisions of marines. +These left Boston about nine o'clock in the +morning and marched toward Lexington.</p> + +<p>"As they passed through Roxbury they played +'Yankee Doodle' in derision, having before used +it as a Rogue's March."</p> + +<p>"Papa," Gracie asked, "did the Roxbury +people know about the fight at Lexington and +Concord?"</p> + +<p>"They had heard vague rumours of a fight at +Lexington, and the marching in that direction +of these Boston troops confirmed their worst +fears."</p> + +<p>"What an excitement the marching of those +British troops must have caused all along the +way as they went!" exclaimed Eva.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Captain Raymond, "one of +their officers said, 'they [the Americans] seemed +to drop from the clouds.'"</p> + +<p>"Percy's brigade met them about half a mile +from Lexington. He formed a hollow square, +and for its defence, planted a cannon on high +ground near Monroe's tavern, and received into +his enclosure the wearied troops of Smith. Some +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>of them were so heated and worn out that they +lay exhausted and panting upon the ground, +their tongues hanging out of their mouths, as a +dog's does when he is tired and overheated.</p> + +<p>"But Percy did not dare allow them to rest long, +for the militia had gathered from all quarters, +and the woods were swarming with minute-men. +They were given a little refreshment, a brief +rest, then hurried on their way, committing as +they went deeds of ruffianism of which they had +reason to be heartily ashamed; property was destroyed, +houses were plundered, and several innocent +persons were murdered.</p> + +<p>"Of course the Americans were filled with indignation +as well as grief for the sufferings of +friends and neighbours, some of them their near +kindred."</p> + +<p>"Yes; oh, it was just dreadful, Papa!" exclaimed +Gracie, her eyes filling with tears. "I +think the British of those days were very, very +cruel."</p> + +<p>"Very true," replied her father; "there were +very many deeds of blood and violence, for +which there was no excuse, committed by them +during that war. Rawdon, Tarleton, and even +Cornwallis showed themselves men of savage +cruelty."</p> + +<p>"Yes," exclaimed Rosie, "I perfectly detest +and abhor that brutal Tarleton! No Indian was +ever more heartless and cruel than he!"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> +<p>"I think that is true," the Captain said. "He +treated American prisoners so unfortunate as +to fall into his hands, with most inhuman +cruelty; also he was so vain, conceited, and +untruthful that in a 'History of the Campaigns +of 1780 and 1781 in the Southern Provinces of +North America,' which he wrote after his return +to England, he distorts events for his self-glorification +to such a degree as has seldom been +paralleled. Yes, take him all together he was, +I think, one of the most despicable characters of +the Revolution."</p> + +<p>"I have always been so glad over his defeat +by Morgan at the battle of the Cowpens," said +Eva, "and have always admired the reminders +of it given him by some of the Southern ladies, +particularly of the wound on his hand that Colonel +Washington gave him in chasing him from +that battle-field."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember," said Rosie. "The ladies +were great admirers of Colonel Washington, +talked a great deal about him, and at least two +or three times gave that vain, boastful, cruel +Tarleton a rub about that wound."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the Captain, "those sallies of wit +were expended on him by two sisters,—daughters +of Colonel Montfort, of Halifax County, North +Carolina. When Cornwallis was there on his +way to Virginia, Colonel Washington was the +subject of conversation one evening; and Tarleton, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>nettled doubtless by the admiration freely +expressed by the ladies, began talking against +him, saying that he was an illiterate fellow, +hardly able to write his own name.</p> + +<p>"The remark was made in the presence of +Mrs. Willie Jones, one of the sisters I have +spoken of, and she replied, 'Ah, Colonel, you +ought to know better, for you bear on your +person proof that he knows very well <em>how to +make his mark</em>.'"</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't have liked to be in his place," +remarked Max. "I dare say he felt like shooting +Mrs. Jones for her compliment."</p> + +<p>"That is not at all unlikely," said his father. +"It is said that when her sister, Mrs. Ashe, +twitted him in like manner, he showed his temper +plainly. He had been talking again, sarcastically +of Colonel Washington, in her presence, +and finally said with a sneer, 'I would be happy +to see Colonel Washington.' To which she instantly +replied, 'If you had looked behind you, +Colonel Tarleton, at the battle of the Cowpens, +you would have enjoyed that pleasure.'"</p> + +<p>"That was just good for him!" exclaimed +Lulu. "I wonder what he said to it,—if he +answered her at all."</p> + +<p>"He was very angry (for no doubt the words +stung him) and laid his hand on the hilt of his +sword, while he regarded her with a frown," +replied the Captain. "But General Leslie, his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>superior officer said, 'Say what you please, Mrs. +Ashe; Colonel Tarleton knows better than to +insult a lady in my presence.'"</p> + +<p>"Did Tarleton ever insult a lady, Papa?" +asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"I have read that he once insulted an American +woman,—one who was large and strong,—and +that she knocked him down upon the floor, +seized him by the throat, and choked him till he +was black in the face; she probably would have +killed him if some one had not come to his assistance +and pulled her off."</p> + +<p>"Surely he must have been proud of <em>that</em> +encounter," laughed Max.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + + +<p>There were several more souvenirs of the +Revolution shown the young people by Captain +Raymond that morning,—among them Boston's +"Liberty Tree," or rather the sculptured representation +of it set within a niche on the front of +a house, and exactly over the spot on which the +tree stood before its destruction by the British +during the siege of Boston.</p> + +<p>"It was under that tree the association calling +themselves 'Sons of Liberty' used to hold their +meetings," he said. "They met there in the +summer of 1765 when there was a great excitement +over the passage of the Stamp Act by the +British Parliament, and continued to do so until +the destruction of the tree by the British during +the siege of Boston, 1775. It was called 'Liberty +Tree' and the ground under it 'Liberty +Hall.'</p> + +<p>"A newspaper of that time, the 'Essex Gazette,' +of Aug. 31st, 1775, describes the destruction of +the tree. It says, 'They made a furious attack +upon it and after a long spell of laughing, grinning, +sweating and foaming with malice diabolical +they cut down the tree because it bore the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>name of Liberty. A soldier was killed by falling +from one of its branches during the operation.'"</p> + +<p>It was dinner time when our party reached the +hotel, where they had left Grandma Elsie and +Violet with the little ones and their maids. The +ladies had not cared to join in the morning's +excursion as they wanted to do a little shopping, +and had already seen Concord, Lexington, and +the places of historical interest in the city itself.</p> + +<p>But Bunker Hill was to be visited that afternoon, +and from that little trip neither lady asked +to be excused. They all went together, starting +directly after leaving the table.</p> + +<p>Every one greatly enjoyed the view from the +top of the monument: it was like a vast painting, +showing them the city of Boston with its +harbour, where could be seen vessels from almost +every part of the world, and the many towns +and villages in its vicinity, each with its own +story of its struggles for liberty in "the days that +tried men's souls." Far in the northwest the +higher peaks of New Hampshire's White Mountains +were visible: on the northeast they could +discern the peninsula of Nahant, while still +farther in the distance was Cape Ann.</p> + +<p>The Captain gave them a brief account of the +erection of the monument.</p> + +<p>"It was not till 1824 that a movement was +made to that end," he said. "General La Fayette +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>was at the time the nation's guest, and was invited +to lay the corner-stone, which he did on the +17th of June, 1825, the fiftieth anniversary of the +battle.</p> + +<p>"The Hon. Daniel Webster made an oration +on the subject to an immense crowd which had +gathered for the occasion. There were forty of +the survivors of the battle present, and probably +La Fayette met more of his fellow-soldiers of +that war then than at any other time or place."</p> + +<p>"Was it finished in that year, Papa?" asked +Lulu.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, my child; not for seventeen +years. The last stone was raised about six +o'clock on the morning of the 23d of July, 1842, +and with it—waving the American Flag as he +went up—was Mr. Edward Carnes, Jr., of +Charlestown, the roar of cannon at the same +time announcing the event to the surrounding +country."</p> + +<p>"But that wasn't the anniversary of the battle?" +remarked Rosie, in a tone of inquiry.</p> + +<p>"No," the Captain said; "but on the next +anniversary,—June 17th, 1843,—the monument +was dedicated. Daniel Webster was the orator +on that occasion also, addressing a vast audience +composed of citizens and soldiers."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how I would have liked to hear his +speech, if only he could have waited till I was in +this world and old enough to understand what he +was talking about!" exclaimed Rosie.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> +<p>A remark which called forth a good-humoured +laugh from her hearers.</p> + +<p>"Now, Papa, the next thing is to tell us about +the battle of Bunker Hill,—isn't it?" Lulu said +with a bright, coaxing look up into his face.</p> + +<p>"I suppose so," he replied, with an indulgent +smile. "But first let us look at these cannon,—the +'Hancock' and the 'Adams;' you will readily +understand for whom they were named. They +belonged formerly to the Ancient and Honourable +Artillery Company. This one—the 'Adams'—you +see is not sound; it was burst in firing a +salute. You also see that they bear an inscription, +which I shall read aloud for the benefit of +the company:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"Sacred to Liberty. This is one of four cannons +which constituted the whole train of field-artillery +possessed by the British colonies of North America at +the commencement of the war, on the nineteenth of +April, 1775. This cannon and its fellow, belonging to +a number of citizens of Boston, were used in many engagements +during the war. The other two, the property +of the government of Massachusetts, were taken +by the enemy. By order of the United States in +Congress assembled, May nineteenth, 1788."</p></div> + +<p>"What strong faith in God and the righteousness +of their cause they must have had, to begin +a war with Great Britain with only four cannon +in their possession!" remarked Grandma +Elsie.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes," responded the Captain; "and it was +by His good help that they conquered in spite of +the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their +way. It was a fearful struggle, but with God +and the armies of heaven on their side they could +not fail.</p> + +<p>"The events of that ever-memorable 19th of +April were speedily heralded over the whole land, +from the scenes of their occurrence down to South +Carolina and Georgia, west to the first settlers of +Kentucky, and north to Montreal and Quebec.</p> + +<p>"It electrified its hearers, and with one impulse +they of the colonies—soon to become States—sprang +to arms. As Bancroft says, 'With one +spirit they pledged themselves to each other to be +ready for the extreme event.' With one heart +the continent cried, 'Liberty or death!'</p> + +<p>"The Massachusetts Committee of Safety sent +a circular to the several towns of that State, +conjuring them to encourage enlistments by +every means in their power, and send the troops +forward to headquarters at Cambridge with the +expedition that the urgency and importance of +the affair demanded. But the people had not +waited for the call.</p> + +<p>"Hearing of the slaughter of their brethren, +men snatched their firelocks from the walls and +rushed to the camp, often with scarcely any preparation, +some of them with almost no provision, +no money in their pockets, and only the clothes +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>on their backs. They were hastening to the +defence of their country and their endangered +brethren.</p> + +<p>"So Boston was besieged; Prescott of Pepperell +and his Middlesex minute-men kept watch over +the entrance to that city. Gage was forced to +fortify the town at all points, while the Americans +talked of driving him and his troops into the sea.</p> + +<p>"New Hampshire sent men under the command +of John Stark, a noble fellow well known +as brave, fearless, and worthy of all confidence.</p> + +<p>"Israel Putnam was another, who, hearing the +cry from Lexington, which reached him on the +morning after the battle, while he was helping +his hired men to build a stone wall on his farm, +hurried thither without waiting to so much as +change the check shirt he was wearing in the +field; though first he roused the militia officers of +the nearest towns.</p> + +<p>"He reached Cambridge by sunrise the next +morning, having ridden the same horse a hundred +miles in eighteen hours. He was full of +courage and love for his country, and hundreds +had already chosen him for their leader.</p> + +<p>"Benedict Arnold was still another who made +haste to Boston to assist in the siege. By the +21st of April it was estimated that twenty thousand +men were collected about that city.</p> + +<p>"The battle of Bunker Hill, you will recollect, +was not fought till the 17th of June. During +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>all the intervening time the Americans had kept +the British officers and their troops besieged +in Boston, and they were beginning to be much +ashamed of their confinement.</p> + +<p>"The Americans had decided to throw up a +breast-work across the road near Prospect Hill, +and to fortify Bunker Hill as soon as a supply +of powder and artillery could be obtained; but +learning that Gage had planned to extend his +lines north and south over Dorchester and +Charlestown, and had fixed upon the eighteenth +of June for so doing, they decided to anticipate +his movement, and on the fifteenth of that month +the Massachusetts Committee of Safety informed +the Council of War that, in their opinion, Dorchester +Heights should be fortified; and they +recommended unanimously the establishing of a +post on Bunker Hill.</p> + +<p>"The choice of an officer to conduct the enterprise +fell upon William Prescott, who was +colonel of a regiment; and the next evening a +brigade of a thousand men was put under his +command.</p> + +<p>"Soon after sunset they paraded on Cambridge +Common. They were not in uniform as American +troops would be in these days, nor had they +such arms; for the most part they had fowling-pieces,—no +bayonets to them,—and only a +small supply of powder and bullets, which they +carried in horns and pouches.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> +<p>"Four days previously a proclamation had been +issued threatening all persons in arms against +their sovereign with death under martial law, +by the cord as rebels and traitors. That +menace these men were the first to defy; and +he, Prescott, was resolved 'never to be taken +alive.'</p> + +<p>"Langdon, the president of Harvard College, +prayed fervently with them. Then as it began to +grow dark on that summer night, they marched +silently and without noise across the narrow +isthmus, taking with them their wagons with intrenching +tools; and Prescott, calling around +him his officers and Richard Gridley, an experienced +engineer, consulted with them as to +the spot on which they should erect their earthworks.</p> + +<p>"Bunker Hill had been proposed by the committee, +but Prescott had received orders to march +to Breed's Hill, and obeyed them. It was nearer +Boston, and he and his companions thought it +better suited than the other for annoying the +British in the town and the shipping in the +harbour.</p> + +<p>"So the engineer drew there, by the light of +the stars, the lines of a redoubt nearly eight rods +square. The bells of Boston had struck twelve +before they began their work by turning the first +sod, but every man of the thousand plied the +pickaxe and spade in turn, and so rapidly that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>the parapet soon assumed form and height +sufficient for defence, and Prescott said to +himself, 'We shall keep our ground if some +screen, however slight, can be completed before +discovery.'</p> + +<p>"He set a watch to patrol the shore, and +twice went down to the margin of the water, on +which three British vessels lay at anchor,—the +'Lively' in the ferry between Boston and Charlestown, +and a little to the eastward of her the +'Falcon,' sloop-of-war, and the 'Somerset,' a ship-of-the-line,—and +listening intently he could hear +the drowsy cry of the sentinels on their decks, +'All is well.'"</p> + +<p>Captain Raymond paused and looked at his +watch.</p> + +<p>"It is time we were going," he said. "I will +just point out to you all the localities made interesting +by the events of that day, and finish my +story on board the 'Dolphin,' to which we are +just about to return. We may be in the way of +other visitors here, but there will be quite to +ourselves, and an annoyance to no one."</p> + +<p>They went back to their hotel, where the +Captain left them for a little, saying he had some +purchases to make for use on the voyage, but +would return shortly to see them on board the +yacht.</p> + +<p>He was not gone very long, and on his return +the entire party—with the exception of Donald +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>Keith who had bidden them farewell early that +morning—returned with him to the "Dolphin," +which presently sailed out of the harbour and +pursued her way up along the New England +coast.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + + +<p>The evening proved a rainy one and cool for +the season; but the "Dolphin's" cabin was found +an agreeable resort. All gathered there, and at +once there was an urgent request from the young +people that the interrupted story of the battle of +Bunker Hill might be resumed.</p> + +<p>"You know, Papa, we left off just where +Prescott's men were digging and making a redoubt," +said Lulu. "The night before the battle, +wasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied. "The British were greatly +astonished when daylight revealed the work that +had been going on during the hours of darkness; +for it was done so quietly that their suspicions +had not been aroused.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"No shout disturbed the night<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Before that fearful fight;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There was no boasting high,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No marshalling of men<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who ne'er might meet again;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No cup was filled and quaffed to victory!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No plumes were there,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No banners fair,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No trumpets breathed around;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor the drum's startling sound<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Broke on the midnight air."<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> +<p>"What nice verses, Papa!" said Gracie. +"Did you make them yourself?"</p> + +<p>"No, daughter," he replied, "it was merely +a quotation from John Neal, one of our own +American poets.</p> + +<p>"But to go on with my story. As soon as the +British discovered the redoubt our men had constructed +on Breed's Hill, the captain of the 'Lively' +put springs on his cables and opened a fire upon +it without waiting for orders.</p> + +<p>"The noise of the cannon aroused the sleeping +people of Boston, and by the time the sun was up +every eminence and roof in the city swarmed +with them, all gazing with astonished eyes upon +the strange apparition on Breed's Hill. The +'Lively's' shots did no harm, and the Americans +went on as before with their work. They were +behind their intrenchments busied in strengthening +them, and toiled on till pick and shovel had to +be laid aside for guns to defend them with.</p> + +<p>"The firing presently ceased for a little, by +order of Admiral Graves, the British naval commander-in-chief, +but was soon resumed by the +shipping, while a battery of six guns on Copp's +Hill in the city joined in with them.</p> + +<p>"Early that morning the British general, Gage, +called a council of war, and it was decided to +drive the Americans out of their works, and that +the attack should be made in front.</p> + +<p>"Boston was full of excitement, drums were +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>beating, dragoons galloping about the streets, +regulars and royalists marching and counter-marching, +artillery trains rumbling and church-bells +ringing."</p> + +<p>"Ah, how the hearts of wives and mothers, +brothers and sisters, must have been torn at +thought of the terrible struggle just at hand!" +sighed Grandma Elsie, as the Captain paused for +a moment in his narrative.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied, "then and still more when +from the roofs, steeples, and every sort of elevation, +they watched with streaming eyes the progress +of the fight after it had actually begun."</p> + +<p>"Oh," exclaimed Gracie, "how glad and +thankful I am that God let us live in these +later days when there is no war in our dear +country!</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear child, we should thank God for +peace," her father responded, softly smoothing +her hair and pressing his lips to her cheek for an +instant as she stood by his side, her head resting +lovingly on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"The Americans worked faithfully on their +intrenchments all the morning," he continued, +"Prescott doing all he could to encourage them +by his voice and example, even walking leisurely +around upon the parapet in full view of the British +officers who were still in Boston.</p> + +<p>"It is said that Gage was looking at the +American works through a field-glass, and saw +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>Prescott, who was a tall man of commanding +appearance, going his rounds, and that he inquired +of Counsellor Willard, a brother-in-law of +Prescott, who was standing near, who it was.</p> + +<p>"'That is Colonel Prescott,' was the reply.</p> + +<p>"'Will he fight?' asked Gage.</p> + +<p>"'Yes, sir,' answered Willard, 'he is an old +soldier, and will fight as long as a drop of blood +remains in his veins.'</p> + +<p>"'The works must be carried immediately,' +was Gage's rejoinder, and he at once proceeded to +give the order for the attack.</p> + +<p>"He sent between two and three thousand +picked men under the command of Generals Howe +and Pigot. They crossed the water in twenty-eight +barges, and landed at Morton's Point beyond +the eastern foot of Breed's Hill, covered by +the guns of the 'Falcon' and other vessels. There +they waited for reinforcements, which were sent +Howe about two o'clock.</p> + +<p>"While the troops of Howe and Pigot were +waiting, they dined; but the poor Americans behind +their intrenchments, at which they had been +working all the morning as well as from twelve +o'clock of the previous night, had little or nothing +to eat or drink, and were suffering with hunger, +thirst, and the extreme heat of the weather as +well as fatigue, for the day was one of the hottest +of the season.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Besides, the reinforcements sent to their assistance +were so few and feeble that a dreadful +suspicion arose in their minds that they were the +victims of treachery.</p> + +<p>"Still they could not doubt the patriotism of +their principal officers; and before the battle +began, the arrival of their beloved Dr. Warren +and General Pomeroy entirely relieved their +doubts.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Warren was suffering from sickness and +exhaustion; and Putnam, who was at Cambridge +forwarding reinforcements and provisions to +Charlestown, tried to persuade him not to take +part in the coming fight. But his heart was in +the cause, and he was not to be induced to give +up doing all he could to help in the approaching +struggle for freedom.</p> + +<p>"He mounted a horse, sped across the neck, +and just as Howe gave orders to advance, entered +the redoubt amid the loud cheers of the men who +so loved and trusted him."</p> + +<p>"Such a lovely man, and ardent patriot as he +was!" exclaimed Violet. "Oh, it makes my +heart ache to think that he was killed in that +battle."</p> + +<p>"It was a very great loss to the American +cause," responded her husband, taking a book +from a table near at hand as he spoke. "This," +he said, "is Bancroft's History, which I bought +this afternoon that I might have his help in going +over the story of the battle of Bunker Hill and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>other interesting events of the Revolution. This +is what he says of Joseph Warren:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"In him were combined swiftness of thought and resolve, +courage, endurance, and manners which won +universal love. He opposed the British government +not from interested motives nor from resentment. +Guileless and intrepid, he was in truth a patriot. As +the moment for the appeal to arms approached, he +watched with joy the revival of the generous spirit of +New England's ancestors; and wherever the peril was +greatest he was present animating not by words alone, +but ever by his example.</p> + +<p>"His integrity, the soundness of his judgment, his +ability to write readily and well, his fervid eloquence, +his exact acquaintance with American rights and +the infringements of them, gave authority to his advice +in private and in the provincial congress. Had +he lived, the future seemed burdened with his honors; +he cheerfully sacrificed all for the freedom of his +country and the rights of man."</p></div> + +<p>"He left some children, if I remember right?" +remarked Violet in a tone of inquiry, as her +husband paused in his reading.</p> + +<p>"Yes, four of them," answered the Captain; +"and his wife having died about two years before, +they were now left orphans, in straitened +circumstances.</p> + +<p>"And that reminds me of a good deed done by +Gen. Benedict Arnold. He was a warm friend +of Warren, and for that reason came to their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>relief, himself contributing five hundred dollars +for their education, and obtaining from Congress +the amount of a major-general's half pay, to be +applied to their support from the time of their +father's death until the youngest child should be +of age.</p> + +<p>"But to go on with the account of the battle. +Warren had been entreated not thus to expose +his life. His answer was, 'It is sweet and becoming +to die for one's country.' He saw all +the difficulties in the way of his countrymen, and +desired to give all the help in his power.</p> + +<p>"Putnam expressed himself as ready to receive +his orders; but Warren declined to take the command +from him, and passed on to the redoubt +which seemed likely to be the chief point of attack +by the enemy.</p> + +<p>"Prescott there offered the command to him, +as Putnam had just done; but Warren again +declined, saying, 'I come as a volunteer, to +learn from a soldier of experience.' This though +three days before he had been elected a provincial +major-general.</p> + +<p>"After the British had landed and before the +battle began, Col. John Stark arrived with his +New Hampshire troops. Except Prescott he +brought the largest number into the field. He +was a very brave man, and so cool and collected +that he marched leisurely across the isthmus, +raked by the cannon of the enemy; and when +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>one of his captains advised a quickstep, he +replied, 'One fresh man in action is worth ten +fatigued ones.'</p> + +<p>"There was not time for him to consult with +Prescott. They fought independently,—Prescott +at his redoubt, Stark and Knowlton, and +Reed's regiment to protect its flank.</p> + +<p>"Months before that,—two days after the +battle of Concord,—Gage had threatened to +burn Charlestown in case the Americans should +occupy the heights. So an order was now given +to set it on fire, and it was done by shells from +Copp's Hill; the houses being mostly of wood, +two hundred of them were soon in flames.</p> + +<p>"The British thought to be protected in their +advance by the smoke of the burning houses, +but a gentle breeze, the first that had been felt +that day, arose and wafted it aside, so that +they were not hidden from the eyes of the +Americans.</p> + +<p>"It was somewhere between two and three +o'clock when the British began their approach. +They were in two columns, one led by Howe, +the other by Pigot, Howe no doubt expecting +to get into Prescott's rear and force him to a +surrender. But I will give another extract from +Bancroft.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"As they began to march, the battery on Copp's +Hill, from which Clinton and Burgoyne were watching +every movement, kept up an incessant fire, which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>was seconded by the 'Falcon' and the 'Lively,' the +'Somerset' and the two floating batteries; the town +of Charlestown, consisting of five hundred edifices of +wood, burst into a blaze; and the steeple of its only +church became a pyramid of fire. All the while the +masts of the British shipping and the heights of the +British camp, the church towers, the house tops of a +populous town, and the acclivities of the surrounding +country, were crowded with spectators to watch the +battle which was to take place in full sight on a conspicuous +eminence."</p></div> + +<p>"Oh, Papa," pleaded Gracie, as he paused +for an instant, "please tell it. I like that so +much better than listening to reading."</p> + +<p>"Quite a compliment to me as a reader," he +returned with an amused look.</p> + +<p>"No, sir, as a talker. I like to hear you tell +things," she responded, with a sweet, engaging +smile.</p> + +<p>"Do you, dear child? Very well, I'll try to +gratify you.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"When Prescott saw the red-coats moving +toward his redoubt he ordered two separate detachments +to flank the enemy, then went through +his works encouraging his men, to whom this +was an entirely new experience. 'The red-coats +will never reach the redoubt,' he said, 'if +you will but withhold your fire till I give the +order; and be careful not to shoot over their +heads.' Then he waited till the enemy had come +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>within a few rods, when waving his sword over +his head he gave the word, 'Fire!'</p> + +<p>"Every gun was instantly discharged, and +nearly the whole of the front rank fell; the rest, +astonished at this unexpected resistance, stood +still. Then for some minutes the fire of the +Americans continued, answered by the British, +till at last they staggered, wavered, then fled +down the hill toward their boats.</p> + +<p>"Howe had been treated to a like reception +by Stark's and Knowlton's troops, cheered on by +Putnam who, like Prescott, bade them reserve +their fire till the best moment, when they poured +in one as deadly and destructive as that which +came from Prescott's redoubt."</p></div> + +<p>"Wasn't Prescott's order to his men to reserve +their fire till they could see the whites of +the British soldier's eyes?" queried Violet.</p> + +<p>"Yes, so Lossing tells us; and that he added, +'Then aim at their waistbands; and be sure to +pick off the commanders, known by their handsome +coats.'</p> + +<p>"His men were filled with joy when they saw +the British fly, and wanted to pursue them, some +even leaping the fence; but their more prudent +officers restrained them, and in a few minutes +they were all within their works again, and +ready to receive and repulse a second attack.</p> + +<p>"Colonel Prescott praised and encouraged them +while Putnam rode over to Bunker Hill to urge +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>on reinforcement; but 'few additional troops +could be brought to Breed's Hill before the +second attack was made.' Before that the British +were reinforced by four hundred marines +from Boston, then they moved against the redoubt +in the same order as at first, their artillery +doing more damage to the Americans than in +the first assault."</p> + +<p>"Papa," asked Gracie, "what had become +of the wounded men they'd left lying on the +ground?—those the Americans shot down at +their first fire over the redoubt?"</p> + +<p>"They were still lying there on the ground +where they had fallen, poor fellows! and the +others marched over them. Ah, war is a dreadful +thing, and those who forced it upon the +patient, long-suffering Americans were either +very thoughtless or exceeding cruel."</p> + +<p>"Yes," exclaimed Rosie, "I don't know what +George III. could have been made of to be willing +to cause so much suffering even to innocent +defenceless women and children, just that he +might play the tyrant and forcibly take from the +Americans their own hard earnings to pay his +way."</p> + +<p>"He was perhaps not quite so wicked as +weak," replied her mother; "you know, I think, +that he afterward lost his mind several times. +Indeed he had done so once before this,—in +1764."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> +<p>"He had been wicked and cruel enough for a +guilty conscience to set him crazy, I should +think," remarked Max.</p> + +<p>"Please go on, again, Papa, won't you?" +entreated Lulu.</p> + +<p>"I will," he said. "The British fired as they +drew near, but with little effect; and the Americans, +reserving their fire as before, till the foe +was within five or six yards of the redoubt, then +poured it on them with deadly aim, as at the +first attack. It told with terrible effect; whole +ranks of officers and men fell dead."</p> + +<p>"Oh, didn't they run then, Papa?" queried +Gracie with a shudder of horror as she seemed +to see the ground strewed with the dead and +dying.</p> + +<p>"They were thrown into confusion and retreated +to the shore," the Captain replied,—"retreated +in great disorder. It seemed that the +American fire was even more fatal than before. +In telling the story afterward Prescott said, +'From the whole American line there was a +continuous stream of fire.'</p> + +<p>"The British officers exposed themselves fearlessly, +and urged their soldiers on with persuasions, +threats, and even blows; but they could +not reach the redoubt, and presently gave way, +and, as I have said, retreated in great disorder.</p> + +<p>"At one time Howe was left nearly alone for +a few seconds, so many of his officers had been +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span>killed or wounded; while 'the dead,' as Stark +said in his account of the battle, 'lay as thick +as sheep in a fold.'</p> + +<p>"Now I think my little Gracie will have to put +up with some more reading," added the Captain, +with a smiling glance at her; then opening his +book, read aloud,—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"At intervals the artillery from the ships and batteries +was playing, while the flames were rising over +the town of Charlestown and laying waste the places +of the graves of its fathers, and streets were falling together, +and ships at the yards were crashing on the +stocks, and the kindred of the Americans, from the +fields, and hills and house-tops around, watched every +gallant act of their defenders. 'The whole,' wrote +Burgoyne, 'was a complication of horror and importance +beyond anything it ever came to my lot to be +witness to. It was a sight for a young soldier that the +longest service may not furnish again."</p></div> + +<p>"If," remarked Captain Raymond, again closing +the book, "it was so dreadful a sight for +soldiers accustomed to the horrors of war, what +must it not have been to the American farmers +taking their first lesson in war? But not +one of them shrank from duty. I think we may +be very proud of those countrymen of ours. +Prescott said to his men, 'If we drive them back +once more they cannot rally again.' At that his +men cheered him, and shouted. 'We are ready +for the red-coats again.'</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> +<p>"But alas! the officers now discovered that +the supply of gunpowder was nearly exhausted. +Prescott had sent in the morning for more, but it +had not come; and there were not fifty bayonets +in his party."</p> + +<p>"They were wonderfully brave to stand for a +third attack under such circumstances," remarked +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"They were indeed," responded the Captain. +"No one of the seven hundred men with Prescott +seems to have thought of giving up the contest +without another effort. Some gathered stones +from the redoubt to use as missiles, those who +had no bayonets resolved to club their guns and +strike with them when their powder should be +gone; all were determined to fight as long as a +ray of hope of success could be discerned. And +they did.</p> + +<p>"They waited with quiet firmness the approach +of the enemy who came steadily on with fixed +bayonets, while their cannon were so trained that +they swept the interior of the breast-work from +one end to the other, obliging the Americans to +crowd within their fort.</p> + +<p>"The Americans were presently attacked on +three sides, at once; and there were, as I have +said, but seven hundred of them, some of whom +had no more than one round of ammunition, none +of them more than four. But they did not quail, +and Prescott calmly gave his directions.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> +<p>"He bade his men wait, reserving their fire +till the enemy was within twenty yards. Then +they poured in a deadly volley. Every shot told. +Howe was wounded in the foot, and several of his +officers were killed besides the common soldiers. +But they pressed on to the now nearly silent redoubt, +for the American fire had slackened and +begun to die away.</p> + +<p>"And now there was only a ridge of earth between +the combatants, and the first of the British +who reached it were assailed with a shower of +stones. Then some of them scaled the parapet +and were shot down in the act. One of these +was Major Pitcairn, who had led the troops at +Lexington. As he mounted the parapet he cried +out, 'Now for the glory of the marines!' and was +answered by a shot from a negro that gave him a +mortal wound. His son carried him to a boat, +conveyed him to Boston, and there he soon died."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Gracie, "I hope that brave +Colonel Prescott didn't get killed, Papa!"</p> + +<p>"No; he escaped unhurt, though his coat and +waistcoat were pierced and torn in several places +by the bayonets of the British, which he parried +with his sword.</p> + +<p>"It was now a hand-to-hand fight, British and +Americans mingled together, our men walking +backward and hewing their way out, dealing +deadly blows with their muskets.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Fortunately the British were too much exhausted +to use their bayonets with vigour; and so +intermingled were they and the Americans that +the use of firearms would have been dangerous to +their own men as well as to ours."</p> + +<p>"Oh," sighed Rosie, "I have always been so +sorry that our men didn't have plenty of gunpowder! +I don't think there's a doubt that if +they had been well supplied with it, they would +have won a grand victory."</p> + +<p>"Yes; they did wonders considering all they +had to contend with," said the Captain. "Their +courage, endurance, and skill as marksmen astonished +the British, and were never forgotten by +them during the long war that followed.</p> + +<p>"The number engaged in the battle of Bunker +Hill was small, all taken together not more than +fifteen hundred of the Americans,—less than +seven hundred in the redoubt,—while of the +British there were, according to Gage, more than +two thousand; other and accurate observers said, +'near upon three thousand.'</p> + +<p>"But in spite of the smallness of the numbers +engaged, the battle was one of the severest and +most determined on record. Neither side could +claim a victory, but both displayed great courage +and determination."</p> + +<p>"And Joseph Warren was one of the killed!" +sighed Grandma Elsie, "one of the bravest, best, +and most lovable of men, as those who knew him +have testified. I remember reading that Mrs. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>John Adams said of him and his death, 'Not all +the havoc and devastation they have made has +wounded me like the death of Warren. We +want him in the Senate; we want him in his profession; +we want him in the field. We mourn +for the citizen, the senator, the physician, and +the warrior.' General Howe said, 'His death was +worth more to the British than that of five hundred +of the provincial privates.'"</p> + +<p>"And that was not an over-estimate, I think," +said the Captain. "It was indeed a sad loss to +the cause of the colonies when he was slain."</p> + +<p>"But there were more of the British killed +than of our men,—weren't there, Papa?" asked +Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Yes, very many more. By Gage's own account +the number of killed and wounded in his +army was at least one thousand and fifty-four. +The oldest soldiers had never seen anything like +it,—so many officers killed and wounded. Bancroft +tells us that the battle of Quebec, which +won a continent, did not cost the lives of so +many officers as the battle of Bunker Hill, which +gained nothing 'but a place of encampment.'</p> + +<p>"The American loss was one hundred and +forty-five in killed and missing, three hundred +and four wounded. No doubt the loss would +have been very much greater but for the brave +conduct of the men at the rail fence and the +bank of the Mystic, who kept the enemy at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>bay while the men from the redoubt retreated. +You may remember that they were Stark's men +from New Hampshire and Knowlton's from +Connecticut."</p> + +<p>"I hope the result of the battle encouraged +the Americans as much as it discouraged the +British," remarked Rosie, "and I think I have +read that it did."</p> + +<p>"Yes," the Captain replied, "it did. In his +general order, thanking the officers and soldiers +for their gallant behaviour at Charlestown, Ward +said, 'We shall finally come off victorious, +and triumph over the enemies of freedom and +America.'"</p> + +<p>"Did they fight any more that night, Papa?" +asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"No," he said, "though Prescott went to +headquarters and offered to recover his post if he +might have three fresh regiments. He did not +seem to think he had done anything more than +his duty, and asked for neither praise nor promotion, +though others gave him unstinted praise +for what he had done.</p> + +<p>"Putnam was absent from the field, engaged +in trying to collect reinforcements, when the +third attack was made, and the retreating party +encountered him on the northern declivity of +Bunker Hill. He tried to stop and turn them +about,—commanded, pleaded, and used every +exertion in his power to rally the scattered corps, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>swearing that victory should crown the American +arms. 'Make a stand here; we can stop them +yet!' he exclaimed. 'In God's name, fire, +and give them one shot more!'</p> + +<p>"It is said that after the war was over he +made a sincere confession to the church of which +he was a member; but he said, 'It was almost +enough to make an angel swear to see the cowards +refuse to secure a victory so nearly won.'"</p> + +<p>"And couldn't he stop them, Papa?" asked +Gracie.</p> + +<p>"He succeeded with some few," replied her +father, "joined them to a detachment which had +not reached the spot till the fighting was over, +and with them took possession of Prospect Hill, +where he encamped for the night."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, what did they do with all those +Americans and British who had been killed?" +asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"There must have been many a sad funeral," +the Captain said in reply, "many a widow and +fatherless child to weep over the slain. Ah, let +us thank our heavenly Father for the liberty and +security bought for us at so fearful a price."</p> + +<p>"Yes," responded Grandma Elsie; "and let +us keep them for ourselves and our children +by the eternal vigilance which is the price of +liberty.'"</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + + +<p>To the great delight of the young people on +board the "Dolphin" the sun shone in a clear +sky the next morning.</p> + +<p>Soon after breakfast they were all on deck, as +usual in pleasant weather, enjoying the breeze, +the sight of passing vessels, and a distant view +of the land.</p> + +<p>The Captain and Violet sat near together with +the two little ones playing about them, while +Grandma Elsie, in a reclining chair, at no great +distance, seemed absorbed in a book.</p> + +<p>"Mamma is reading something sad, I know +by the look on her face," said Walter, hurrying +toward her, the others following. "What is it +you are reading, Mamma, that makes you look +so sorry?" he asked, putting an arm about her +neck, and giving her a kiss. "Oh, that's Bancroft's +History!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, "I was just looking over +his account of the battles of Lexington and +Concord, and some things he tells do make me +sad though they happened more than a hundred +years ago."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> +<p>"Oh, please read them to us!" pleaded several +young voices, all speaking at once.</p> + +<p>"I will give you some passages," she said; +"not the whole, because you have already been +over that ground. It is what he tells of Isaac +Davis that particularly interests me," and she +began reading.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"At daybreak the minute-men of Acton crowded, +at the drum-beat, to the house of Isaac Davis, their +captain, who 'made haste to be ready.' Just thirty +years old, the father of four little ones, stately in his +person, a man of few words, earnest even to solemnity, +he parted from his wife, saying, 'Take good care of +the children;' and while she gazed after him with +resignation, he led off his company.</p> + +<p>"Between nine and ten the number of Americans on +the rising ground above Concord Bridge had increased +to more than four hundred. Of these there were +twenty-five minute-men from Bedford, with Jonathan +Wilson for their captain; others were from Westford, +among them Thaxter, a preacher; others from Littleton, +from Carlisle, and from Chelmsford. The +Acton company came last and formed on the right. +The whole was a gathering not so much of officers and +soldiers as of brothers and equals, of whom every one +was a man well known in his village, observed in the +meeting-house on Sundays, familiar at town meetings +and respected as a freeholder or a freeholder's son.... +'The Americans had as yet received only uncertain +rumors of the morning's events at Lexington. At the +sight of fire in the village, the impulse seized them to +march into the town for its defence.' But were they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>not subjects of the British king? Had not the troops +come out in obedience to acknowledged authorities? +Was resistance practicable? Was it justifiable? By +whom could it be authorized? No union had been +formed, no independence proclaimed, no war declared. +The husbandmen and mechanics who then stood on the +hillock by Concord river were called on to act, and +their action would be war or peace, submission or independence. +Had they doubted they must have despaired. +Prudent statesmanship would have asked for time to +ponder. Wise philosophy would have lost from hesitation +the glory of opening a new era on mankind. The +train-bands at Concord acted and God was with them.</p> + +<p>"The American revolution grew out of the soul of +the people, and was an inevitable result of a living affection +for freedom, which set in motion harmonious +effort as certainly as the beating of the heart sends +warmth and color through the system. The rustic +heroes of that hour obeyed the simplest, the highest, +and the surest instincts, of which the seminal principle +existed in all their countrymen. From necessity they +were impelled toward independence and self-direction; +this day revealed the plastic will which was to attract +the elements of a nation to a centre, and by an innate +force to shape its constitution.</p> + +<p>"The officers, meeting in front of their men, spoke +a few words with one another, and went back to their +places. Barrett, the colonel, on horseback in the rear, +then gave the order to advance, but not to fire unless +attacked. The calm features of Isaac Davis, of Acton, +became changed; the town school-master of Concord, +who was present, could never afterward find words +strong enough to express how deeply his face reddened +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>at the word of command. 'I have not a man that is +afraid to go,' said Davis, looking at the men of Acton, +and drawing his sword, he cried, 'March!' His company, +being on the right, led the way toward the bridge, +he himself at their head, and by his side Major John +Buttrick, of Concord, with John Robinson, of Westford, +lieutenant-colonel in Prescott's regiment, but on +this day a volunteer, without command.</p> + +<p>"These three men walked together in front, followed +by minute-men and militia, in double file, trailing +arms. They went down the hillock, entered the byroad, +came to its angle with the main road, and there +turned into the causeway that led straight to the +bridge. The British began to take up the planks; to +prevent it, the Americans quickened their step. At +this the British fired one or two shots up the river; +then another, by which Luther Blanchard and Jonas +Brown were wounded. A volley followed, and Isaac +Davis and Abner Hosmer fell dead. Three hours before, +Davis had bid his wife farewell. That afternoon +he was carried home and laid in her bedroom. His +countenance was pleasant in death. The bodies of two +others of his company, who were slain that day, were +brought to her house, and the three were followed to +the village graveyard by a concourse of the neighbors +from miles around. Heaven gave her length of days +in the land which his self-devotion assisted to redeem. +She lived to see her country reach the Gulf of Mexico +and the Pacific; when it was grown great in numbers, +wealth, and power, the United States in Congress bethought +themselves to pay honors to her husband's +martyrdom, and comfort her under the double burden +of sorrow and of more than ninety years."</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p> +<p>"Ninety years!" exclaimed Walter. "Oh +what an old, <em>old</em> woman she was! I think they +ought to have given it to her a great deal sooner,—don't +you, Mamma?"</p> + +<p>"I do, indeed," she replied. "What a dreadful +time it was! The British soldiery behaved like +savages or demons,—burning houses, murdering +innocent unarmed people. One poor woman—a +Mrs. Adams, ill in bed, with a baby only a week +old—was driven out of her bed, out of her +house, and had to crawl almost naked to a corn-shed +with her little one in her arms, while the +soldiers set fire to her house.</p> + +<p>"They shot and killed an idiot perched on a +fence looking at them as they passed; and they +brutally murdered two aged, helpless, unarmed +old men, stabbing them, breaking their skulls and +dashing out their brains."</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder the Americans shot down +as many of them as they could!" exclaimed +Max, in tones of hot indignation. "Men that +did such things were not brave soldiers, but worse +savages than the Indians. Oh, how I wish our +people had had the abundance of good weapons +and powder and balls that we have now! Then +they'd have taught the insolent British a good +lesson; they would soon have driven Gage and +all his savage soldiery into the sea."</p> + +<p>"I presume they would," said Mrs. Travilla; +"but poor fellows! they were very destitute of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>such needed supplies. This is what Bancroft +says about it:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"All the following night, the men of Massachusetts +streamed in from scores of miles around, old men as +well as young. They had scarce a semblance of +artillery or warlike stores, no powder, nor organization, +nor provisions; but there they were, thousands +with brave hearts, determined to rescue the liberties +of their country.</p> + +<p>"The night preceding the outrages at Lexington +there were not fifty people in the whole colony that +ever expected any blood would be shed in the contest; +the night after, the king's governor and the king's +army found themselves closely beleaguered in Boston."</p></div> + +<p>"Did the news fly very fast all over the +country, Mamma?" asked Walter.</p> + +<p>"Very fast for those times," she replied; +"you must remember that then they had neither +railroads nor telegraph, but as Bancroft says, +'Heralds by swift relays transmitted the war +messages from hand to hand, till village repeated +it to village; the sea to the backwoods; the +plains to the highlands; and it was never suffered +to droop till it had been borne north and +south, east and west, throughout the land.'"</p> + +<p>"But there wasn't any more fighting till the +battle of Bunker Hill, was there, Mamma?" +asked Walter.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she replied, "there was the taking of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>Ticonderoga and Crown Point early in May, by +a party under the command of Ethan Allen; +there were about a hundred 'Green Mountain +Boys' and nearly fifty soldiers from Massachusetts +besides the men of Connecticut. The thing +was planned in Connecticut, and the expense +borne there.</p> + +<p>"Allen marched in the night to the shore of +the lake opposite to Ticonderoga. A farmer +named Beman offered his son Nathan as a guide, +saying that he (the lad) had been used to playing +about the fort with the boys of the garrison, and +knew of every secret way leading into it.</p> + +<p>"Allen accepted the offer, but there was a +difficulty about getting boats in which to cross +the lake. They had but few and day began to +dawn. If the garrison should be aroused their +expedition was likely to fail, for a great deal +depended upon taking them by surprise; so +Allen decided not to wait for the rear division +to cross, but to make the attempt with the officers +and eighty-three men who were already on +that side. He drew up his men in three ranks +on the shore and made them a little speech in +a low tone: 'Friends and fellow-soldiers, we +must this morning quit our pretensions to valour, +or possess ourselves of this fortress; and inasmuch +as it is a desperate attempt, I do not urge +it on, contrary to will. You that will undertake +voluntarily, poise your firelock.'</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> +<p>"Instantly every firelock was poised. 'Face +to the right!' he cried, putting himself at +their head, Benedict Arnold close at his side, +and they marched quietly and steadily up to +the gate.</p> + +<p>"The sentinel there snapped his fusee at Allen, +but it missed fire, and he retreated within the +fort. The Americans rushed in after him, another +sentinel made a thrust at one of them, but +they ran upon the guard, raising the Indian war-whoop, +Allen giving the sentinel a blow upon +the head with his sword that made him beg for +quarter.</p> + +<p>"Of course the shout of our men had roused +the garrison; and they sprang from their beds, +and came rushing out only to be made prisoners.</p> + +<p>"Then young Beman guided Allen to the door +of the sleeping apartment of Delaplace, the commander. +The loud shout of the Americans had +waked him and his wife, and both sprang to the +door as Allen gave three loud raps upon it with +his sword and thundered out an order for the +commander to appear if he wouldn't have his +whole garrison sacrificed.</p> + +<p>"Delaplace threw open the door, showing himself +only half dressed, in shirt and drawers, with +his pretty wife standing behind him peering over +his shoulder. He immediately recognized Allen, +for they were old friends, and assuming an air +of authority, demanded his errand.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> +<p>"Allen pointed to his men and said sternly, +'I order you instantly to surrender.'</p> + +<p>"'By what authority do you demand it?' asked +Delaplace.</p> + +<p>"'In the name of the Great Jehovah and the +Continental Congress,' thundered Allen, and +raising his sword over his prisoner's head, commanded +him to be silent and surrender immediately.</p> + +<p>"Delaplace saw that it was useless to refuse, +so surrendered, ordered his men to parade without +arms, and gave them up as prisoners. There +were forty-eight of them; and they, with the +women and children, were sent to Hartford as +prisoners of war."</p> + +<p>"And what did our men get besides the soldiers +and women and children, Mamma?" asked +Walter.</p> + +<p>"Cannon, and guns of various kinds, other +munitions of war, a quantity of provisions and +material for boat building, and so forth, besides +the fortress itself, which Bancroft says had 'cost +the British nation eight millions sterling, a succession +of campaigns, and many lives, yet was +won in ten minutes by a few undisciplined volunteers, +without the loss of life or limb.'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that was the very best of it, I think," +said Gracie. "War wouldn't be so very, very +dreadful if it was all like that,—would it, Grandma +Elsie?"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> +<p>"No dear," Mrs. Travilla replied, smiling lovingly +upon the little girl, and softly smoothing +her golden curls.</p> + +<p>"Was there any other fighting before the battle +of Bunker Hill, Mamma?" queried Walter.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, "there were some encounters +along this New England coast."</p> + +<p>"And Crown Point was taken too,—wasn't +it, Mamma?" asked Rosie.</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes! I had forgotten that part of my +story," replied her mother. "It was taken two +days later than Ticonderoga, also without any +bloodshed. About the same time that Ticonderoga +was taken, there was a British ship called the +'Canceaux' in the harbour of Portland. The captain's +name was Mowat. On the 11th of May +he and two of his officers were on shore, when a +party of sixty men from Georgetown seized them.</p> + +<p>"The officer who had been left in command of +the vessel threatened what he would do if they +were not released, and even began to bombard +the town. Mowat was released at a late hour, +but felt angry and revengeful, and succeeded in +rousing the same sort of feeling in the admiral +of the station.</p> + +<p>"A month later the people of a town called +Machias seized the captain of two sloops that +had come into their harbour to be freighted with +lumber, and convoyed by a king's cutter called +the 'Margaretta.' The lumber was for the British +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>army at Boston, and they, the Americans, got +possession of the sloops, after taking the captain, +whom they seized in the 'meeting-house.' The +'Margaretta' didn't fire on the town, but slipped +away down the harbour in the dark that night, +and the next morning sailed out to sea.</p> + +<p>"Then forty men, under the command of Capt. +Jeremiah O'Brien, pursued her in one of the captured +sloops, and as she was a dull sailer, soon +overtook her. An obstinate sea-fight followed; +the captain of the cutter was mortally wounded, +six of his men not so badly, and after an hour's +fight the 'Margaretta's' flag was struck. It was +the first time the British flag was struck on the +ocean to Americans."</p> + +<p>"But not the last by any means!" cried Max, +exultantly; "whatever may be said of our land +forces, America has always shown herself superior +to Great Britain on the sea. I'm very proud +of the fact that though at the beginning of the +last war with England we had but twenty vessels +(exclusive of one hundred and twenty gun-boats), +while England had ten hundred and sixty, we +whipped her."</p> + +<p>"Quite true, Max," Mrs. Travilla said, smiling +at the boy's ardent patriotism, "and I am as +proud of the achievements of our navy as you +can be; but let us give all the glory to God +who helped the oppressed in their hard struggle +against their unjust and cruel oppressor."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yes, ma'am, I know," he answered; "America +was most shamefully oppressed, and it was +only by God's help that she succeeded in putting +a stop to the dreadful treatment of her poor +sailors. Just to think of the insolent way the +British naval officers used to have of boarding +our vessels and carrying off American-born men, +who loved their own country and wanted to serve +her, and forcing them even to serve against her, +fairly makes my blood boil!" Max had in his +excitement unconsciously raised his voice so that +his words reached his father's ear.</p> + +<p>The captain looked smilingly at Violet, "My +boy is an ardent patriot," he said in a pleased +tone. "Should we ever have another war (which +Heaven forbid!), I hope he will do his country +good service."</p> + +<p>"I am sure he will if he lives to see that day," +returned Violet; "but I agree with you in hoping +the need of such service will never arise."</p> + +<p>"But let us always remember," Evelyn said +in reply to Max, "that those cruel, unjust deeds, +and the feelings that prompted them, were not +those of the English people, but of their Government +and the aristocracy,—I suppose because +of their hatred of republicanism, their desire to +keep the masses of the people down, and themselves +rich and powerful."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Rosie, "it was just pure pride +and selfishness. They didn't like the doctrine of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>our Declaration of Independence that 'all men +are created equal.'"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Travilla was turning over the leaves of +her book again.</p> + +<p>"Mamma," said Walter, "haven't you something +more to read to us?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she replied, and began at once.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"On the ninth (of June) the 'Falcon,' a British +sloop of war, was seen from Cape Ann in chase of +two schooners bound to Salem. One of these was +taken; a fair wind wafted the other into Gloucester +harbor. Linzee, the captain of the 'Falcon,' followed +with his prize, and, after anchoring, sent his lieutenant +and thirty-six men in a whale-boat and two +barges to bring under his bow the schooner that had +escaped.</p> + +<p>"As the barge men boarded her at her cabin windows, +men from the shore fired on them, killing three +and wounding the lieutenant in the thigh. Linzee +sent his prize and a cutter to cannonade the town. +They did little injury; while the Gloucester men, +with the loss of but two, took both schooners, the +barges, and every man in them, Linzee losing half his +crew."</p></div> + +<p>"How vexed he must have been!" laughed +Lulu. "Did he ever go back to take revenge, +Grandma Elsie?"</p> + +<p>"No, I think not," she said, "though Gage +and the British admiral planned to do so, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>also to wreak vengeance on the people of Portland,—then +called Falmouth,—where, as you +probably remember, Mowat had been held prisoner +for a few hours in May of that same +year.</p> + +<p>"On the morning of the 16th of October Mowat +again appeared in their harbour in command of +a ship of sixteen guns, attended by three other +vessels, and at half-past nine in the morning +began firing upon the town.</p> + +<p>"In five minutes several houses were in a +blaze; then a party of marines landed and +spread the conflagration. He burned down about +three fourths of the town,—a hundred and thirty +dwelling-houses, the public buildings, and a +church,—and shattered the rest of the houses +with balls and shells. The English account +makes the destruction still greater. So far north +winter begins early, and it was just at the beginning +of a severe one that he thus turned the poor +people of that town out of house and home into +the cold, in poverty and misery."</p> + +<p>"That was a Christian deed worthy of a +Christian king," remarked Rosie, scornfully.</p> + +<p>"Bancroft says," continued her mother, "that +the indignation of Washington was kindled by +'these savage cruelties, this new exertion of despotic +barbarity.' General Green said, 'Death +and destruction mark the footsteps of the enemy; +fight or be slaves is the American motto.'"</p> + +<p>"And who wouldn't rather fight and die +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>fighting, than be a slave?" cried Max, his eyes +flashing. "Grandma Elsie," he said, "you +haven't told us a word about the American navy. +Didn't they begin one about that time?"</p> + +<p>"I think they did, Max," was her reply; +"but suppose we call upon your father to tell +us about it. He is doubtless better informed +than I in everything relating to that branch of +the service."</p> + +<p>"Papa, will you?" asked the lad, turning +toward the Captain and raising his voice a little.</p> + +<p>"Will I do what, my son?"</p> + +<p>"Tell us about the doings of the navy in +Revolutionary times, sir," replied Max, "as +Grandma Elsie has been telling of the fights +on land."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do, Papa; won't you?" pleaded Lulu, +hastening to his side, the other girls and Walter +following, while Max gallantly offered to move +Grandma Elsie's chair nearer to his father and +Violet, which she allowed him to do, thanking +him with one of her rarely sweet smiles.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + + +<p>The Captain, gently putting aside the two little +ones who were hanging lovingly about him, +saw every one seated comfortably, and near +enough to hear all he might say, then resuming +his own seat, began the account they had asked +for of the early doings of the embryo navy of +their common country.</p> + +<p>"We had no navy at all when the Revolutionary +War began," he said. "Rhode Island, the +smallest State in the Union, was the first of the +colonies to move in the matter of building and +equipping a Continental fleet. On October 3, +1775, its delegates laid before Congress the instructions +they had received to do what they +could to have that work begun.</p> + +<p>"They met with great opposition there; but +John Adams was very strongly in its favour, and +did for it all in his power.</p> + +<p>"On the 5th of October, Washington was authorized +to employ two armed vessels to intercept +British store-ships, bound for Quebec; +on the 13th, two armed vessels, of ten and of +fourteen guns, were voted; and seventeen days +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>later, two others of thirty-six guns. That was +the beginning of our navy; and it was very +necessary we should have one to protect our +seaport towns and destroy the English ships sent +against us, also to make it more difficult and +hazardous for them to bring over new levies of +troops to deprive us of our liberties, and from +using their vessels to destroy our merchantmen, +and so put an end to our commerce.</p> + +<p>"Rhode Island had bold and skilful seamen, +some of whom had had something to do with +British ships before the war began,—even as +early as 1772.</p> + +<p>"In that year there was a British armed +schooner called the 'Gaspee,' in Narragansett Bay, +sent there to enforce obnoxious British laws.</p> + +<p>"Its officers behaved in so tyrannical a manner +toward the Americans of the neighbourhood that +at length they felt it quite unbearable; and one +dark, stormy night in June, Capt. Abraham +Whipple, a veteran sailor, with some brother +seamen, went down the bay in open whale-boats, +set the 'Gaspee' on fire, and burned her.</p> + +<p>"The British Government of course wanted to +punish them, but all engaged in the work of +destruction were so true to each other that it +was impossible to find out who they were; but +three years later—in 1775, the year that the war +began—the bay was blockaded by an English +frigate, and in some way her commander learned +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>that Whipple had been the leader of the men +who destroyed the 'Gaspee.' He then wrote +him a note."</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"You, Abraham Whipple, on the seventeenth of +June 1772, burnt his Majesty's vessel the 'Gaspee,' +and I will hang you to the yard-arm."</p></div> + +<p>"Whipple replied with a note."</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p> +<i>To Sir James Wallace</i>:<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—Always catch a man before you hang him.</p> + +<p class="quotsig"> +<span class="smcap">Abraham Whipple.</span><br /> +</p></div> + +<p>"Good!" laughed Max; "and I think he +never did catch him,—did he, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"No, though he made every effort to do so, +being greatly angered by the impudent reply."</p> + +<p>"But you don't blame Whipple for answering +him in that way,—do you, Papa?" queried +Lulu.</p> + +<p>"I can't say that I do," her father said with +a slight smile. "And I think the legislature of +Rhode Island did a right and wise thing in fitting +out two armed vessels to drive Sir James and +his frigate out of Narragansett Bay, giving the +command of them, and thus the honour of firing +the first gun in the naval service of the Revolution, +to Captain Whipple."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that was splendid!" cried several young +voices.</p> + +<p>"That gave Washington a hint," continued +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>the Captain, "and he authorized the fitting out +of several vessels as privateers, manning them +with these sailor-soldiers."</p> + +<p>"What is a privateer, Papa?" asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"A vessel belonging to some private person, +or to more than one, sailing in time of war, with +a license from Government to seize, plunder, and +destroy the vessels of the enemy, and any goods +they may carry, wherever found afloat."</p> + +<p>"And how do they differ from transports, +brother Levis?" asked Rosie.</p> + +<p>"Transports are vessels used for the carrying +of troops, stores, and materials of war," he +answered.</p> + +<p>"Did they do their work well, Captain?" +asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Some did, and some did not," he answered. +"The most successful was Capt. John Manly, +who had been thirty years, or nearly that, on the +sea. He was a skilful fisherman of Marblehead, +and Washington commissioned him as captain.</p> + +<p>"He was doubtless well acquainted with the +qualifications of the sailors of that part of the +coast, and knew how to select a choice crew, at +all events he was very successful in annoying the +enemy, and soon had captured three ships as they +entered Boston Harbour. One of them was laden +with just such things as were badly needed by the +Americans, then besieging Boston,—heavy guns, +mortars, and intrenching tools.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> +<p>"Manly became a terror to the British, and +they tried hard to catch him."</p> + +<p>"If they had, I suppose they'd have hung him," +remarked Lulu, half inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"No doubt they would have been glad to do +so," her father replied. "They sent out an +armed schooner from Halifax to take him; but +he was too wary and skilful a commander to be +easily caught, and he went on roaming along the +seacoast of New England, taking prize after +prize from among the British ships."</p> + +<p>"What was the name of his vessel, Papa?" +asked Max.</p> + +<p>"The 'Lee.' It was not long before Congress +created a navy, and Manly was appointed a captain +in it. He did gallant service until he was +taken prisoner by Sir George Collier in the +'Rainbow.'"</p> + +<p>"Did they hang him, Papa?" asked Gracie, +with a look of distress.</p> + +<p>"No; he was kept a prisoner, first on that +vessel, then in Mill prison, Halifax, exchanged after +a while, then again taken prisoner while in +command of the 'Pomona,' held a prisoner at Barbadoes, +but made his escape and took command +of the privateer 'Jason.' He was afterward attacked +by two privateers, ran in between them, +giving both a broadside at once and making them +strike their colours.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Later he was chased by a British seventy-four, +and to escape capture ran his ship aground +on a sand-bar; afterward he succeeded in getting +her off, fired thirteen guns as a defiance, and +made his escape."</p> + +<p>"Please tell us some more, brother Levis," +urged Walter, as the Captain paused in his narrative; +"we'd be glad to hear all the doings of +our navy."</p> + +<p>"That would make a long story indeed, my +boy," the Captain said with a smile; "longer +than could be told in one day or two. I will +try to relate some few more occurrences of particular +interest; and I advise you all to consult +history on the subject after we get home. The +coming winter will be a good time for that.</p> + +<p>"In October, 1775, as I have already said, +Congress resolved that a swift sailing-vessel, to +carry ten carriage-guns and an appropriate number +of swivels, should be fitted out for a cruise +of three months for the purpose of intercepting +British transports. They also formed a Marine +Committee consisting of seven members, and +ordered another vessel to be built,—the Marine +Committee performing the duties now falling to +the share of our Secretary of the Navy.</p> + +<p>"Later in that same year Congress ordered thirteen +more vessels to be built. They were the +'Washington,' 'Randolph,' 'Warren,' 'Hancock,' +'Raleigh,' each carrying thirty-two guns; the 'Effingham,' +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>'Delaware,' 'Boston,' 'Virginia,' 'Providence,' +'Montgomery,' 'Congress' and 'Trumble;' +some of these were armed with twenty-eight, +others with twenty-four guns."</p> + +<p>"They made Abraham Whipple captain of one,—didn't +they, Papa?" asked Max.</p> + +<p>"Yes; Nicholas Biddle, Dudly Saltonstall and +John B. Hopkins captains of the others, and +Esek Hopkins commander-in-chief. He was +considered as holding about the same rank +in the navy that Washington did in the army, +and was styled indifferently admiral or commodore.</p> + +<p>"Among the first lieutenants appointed was +John Paul Jones, who became a famous commander +before the war was over,—a great +naval hero. But you have all heard of him I +think."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said Rosie. "It was he who commanded +the 'Bonhomme Richard' in that hard-fought +battle with the British ship 'Serapis.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the Captain. "It was one +of the most desperate conflicts on record, and +resulted in victory for Jones and the 'Bonhomme +Richard,' though she was so badly damaged,—'counters +and quarters driven in, all her +lower-deck guns dismounted, on fire in two +places, and six or seven feet of water in the hold'—that +she had to be abandoned, and sank the +next morning.</p> + +<p>"Pearson the captain of the 'Serapis,' though +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>defeated, had made so gallant a fight that he was +knighted by the king. When Jones heard of it +he said, 'He deserves it; and if I fall in with him +again I'll make a lord of him.'</p> + +<p>"I think he—Pearson—was more gallant than +polite or generous; for on offering his sword to +Jones after his surrender he said, 'I cannot, sir, +but feel much mortification at the idea of surrendering +my sword to a man who has fought +me with a rope round his neck.'"</p> + +<p>"Just like an Englishman!" exclaimed Max, +hotly; "but what did Jones say in reply, +Papa?"</p> + +<p>"He returned the sword, saying, 'You have +fought gallantly, sir, and I hope your king will +give you a better ship.'"</p> + +<p>"That was a gentlemanly reply," said Lulu, +"and I hope Jones got the credit he deserved +for his splendid victory."</p> + +<p>"Europe and America rang with his praises," +said her father. "The Empress of Russia gave +him the ribbon of St. Ann, the King of Denmark +a pension, and the King of France a gold-mounted +sword with the words engraved upon +its blade, 'Louis XVI., rewarder of the valiant +assertor of the freedom of the sea.' He also +made him a Knight of the Order of Merit.</p> + +<p>"Nothing ever occurred afterward to dim his +fame, and he is known in history as the Chevalier +John Paul Jones."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> +<p>Just here a passing vessel attracted the attention +of the captain and the others, and it +was not until some hours later that the conversation +in regard to the doings of the navy was +resumed.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + + +<p>Toward evening the young people again gathered +about the captain, asking that his story of +naval exploits might be continued.</p> + +<p>"I am not sure," he said pleasantly, "that to +recount naval exploits is the wisest thing I can +do; it stirs my blood, and revives the old love +for the service."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, please don't ever, ever go back to +your ship and leave us!" exclaimed Gracie, +tears starting to her eyes at the very thought.</p> + +<p>"I am not at all sure that I would be accepted +should I offer my services again, my +darling," he answered, drawing her into his arms +and caressing her tenderly; "but really I have +no serious thought of so doing."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm glad of that, you dear Papa!" she +said with a sigh of relief, putting her arm about +his neck and kissing him with ardent affection.</p> + +<p>"So am I," said Lulu. "I don't know what +I wouldn't rather have happen than to be parted +again for months and maybe years from my +dear father."</p> + +<p>A loving look was his reply as he drew her +to his other side and caressed her with equal +tenderness.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> +<p>At that little Elsie came running toward +them. "Me too, Papa," she said, "kiss me +too, and let me sit on your knee while you tell +'bout things that happened a long while ago."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the baby girl has the best right to sit +on Papa's knee when she wants to," said Lulu, +good-naturedly making way for the little one.</p> + +<p>A loving look and smile from her father as he +lifted the baby girl to the coveted seat and gave +her the asked for caress, amply rewarded her +little act of self-denial.</p> + +<p>"I cannot begin to tell you to-day all the exploits +of our navy even during the first war with +England," the Captain said; "you will have to +read the history for yourselves, and I trust will +enjoy doing so, but I shall try to relate some of +the more prominent incidents in a way to entertain +you."</p> + +<p>"What kind of flag did our naval vessels +carry at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, +Captain?" asked Evelyn. "It was not till 1777, +if my memory serves me right, that our present +flag was adopted by Congress."</p> + +<p>"You are quite right," the Captain said, "and +up to that time each vessel of the little Continental +navy carried one of her own choosing; or +rather each commander was allowed to choose a +device to suit himself. It is claimed for John +Paul Jones that he raised with his own hands +the first flag of a regular American cruiser. The +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>vessel was Hopkins's flag-ship the 'Alfred.' It +was at Philadelphia, early in 1776 the banner +was raised. It had a white field, with the words +'Liberty Tree' in the centre above a representation +of a pine tree; beneath were the words, +'Appeal to God.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; but didn't some one about that +time raise a flag composed of thirteen stripes?" +queried Eva.</p> + +<p>"Quite true," replied the Captain, "and +across it a rattlesnake; underneath that, the +words, 'Don't Tread On Me.'</p> + +<p>"Both Continental vessels and privateers were +very successful, and by mid-summer of 1776 they +had captured more than five hundred British +soldiers. There was a Captain Conyngham, a +brave and skilful seaman, who sailed from Dunkirk +in May, 1777, in the brig 'Surprise,' under +one of the commissions which Franklin carried +with him to France for army and navy officers. +(Those of you who have studied geography will, +I suppose, remember that Dunkirk is in the +north of France.) Conyngham was very successful; +had in a few days captured the British +packet ship 'Prince of Orange' and a brig, and +returned with them to Dunkirk. The English +ambassador at Paris complained very strongly, +and to appease the wrath of the English, the +French Government put the captain and his crew +in prison."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> +<p>"Oh, what a shame!" cried Lulu.</p> + +<p>Her father smiled slightly at that. "They +were not kept there very long," he said, "but +were soon released, and Conyngham allowed to +fit out another cruiser, called the 'Revenge.'"</p> + +<p>"A very suitable name," laughed Max.</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented his father, and went on with +his history. "The British Government had sent +two vessels to arrest Conyngham and his men +as pirates, but when they reached Dunkirk he +had already sailed. Had the British succeeded +in taking them, they would no doubt have been +hanged as pirates; for both Government and people +of Great Britain were at that time much exasperated +by the blows Americans were dealing +their dearest interest, commerce. 'The Revenge' +was doing so much injury,—making prizes of +merchantmen, and so putting money into the +hands of the American commissioners for public +use,—that the British were at their wit's end; the +people in the seaports were greatly alarmed, and +insurance on cargoes went up to twenty-five per +cent. Some of the British merchants sent out +their goods in French vessels for greater security,—so +many of them, in fact, that at one +time there were forty French vessels together in +the Thames taking in cargoes.</p> + +<p>"At that time British transports were engaged +in carrying German troops across the Atlantic to +fight the Americans. Conyngham was on the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>look-out for these, but did not succeed in meeting +with any of them."</p> + +<p>"Such a despicable business as it was for +George III to hire those fellows to fight the +people here!" exclaimed Max. "I wish Conyngham +had caught some of them. Papa, didn't +he at one time disguise his ship and take her into +an English port to refit?"</p> + +<p>"So it is said," replied the Captain; "it was +for repairs, after a storm. It is said also that +he obtained supplies at one time in an Irish +port."</p> + +<p>"Didn't British ships take ours sometimes, +Papa?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied, "victory was not always +on the side of the Americans. The fast-sailing +British frigates captured many privateersmen and +merchantmen, and considering their great superiority +of numbers it would have been strange +indeed had that not been the case. The war on +the ocean was very destructive to both parties; +yet the Americans were, with reason, amazed and +delighted with their measure of success, astonishing +in proportion to the odds against them.</p> + +<p>"During that year—1776—they had captured +three hundred and forty British vessels; +four had been burned, forty-five recaptured, and +eighteen released.</p> + +<p>"It was in the fall of that year that Benedict +Arnold commanded some stirring naval operations +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>on Lake Champlain. In the previous spring the +British had made preparations to invade the +Champlain and Hudson valleys, hoping thus to +effect a separation between New England and the +other colonies which would naturally make it an +easier task to conquer both sections.</p> + +<p>"To ward off that threatened danger the +Americans holding Ticonderoga and Crown +Point—both on the lake as you will remember—constructed +a small squadron, the command +of which was given to Arnold, who knew +more about naval affairs than any other available +person. Three schooners, one sloop, and five +gondolas were armed and manned, and with this +little squadron Arnold sailed down to the foot of +the lake and made observations.</p> + +<p>"In the mean time the British had heard of +what was going on, and they, too, had prepared +a small squadron on the river Sorel, the outlet of +the lake. Their navy consisted of twenty-four +gun-boats, each armed with a field-piece or carriage-gun, +and a large flat-bottomed boat called +the 'Thunderer,' carrying heavy guns.</p> + +<p>"It was not till the middle of October that the +fight took place. Arnold, with his flotilla, was +then lying between the western shore of the lake +and Valcour Island. The 'Congress' was his flag-ship. +The British attacked him, and a very severe +fight followed. It was brought to a conclusion +only by the coming of a very dark night. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>The Americans had lost the 'Royal Savage' in the +action; the rest of the flotilla fled up the lake, +eluding the British in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"The next morning the British followed; and +all that day and the following night the chase +continued. Early the next morning the British +succeeded in coming up with the Americans, and +another battle followed. Arnold, who was on +the galley 'Congress,' fought hard until his vessel +was nearly a wreck, then ran her and four others +into a creek and set them on fire to prevent their +falling into the hands of the foe.</p> + +<p>"Those who were left of the crews escaped +and made their way to Crown Point."</p> + +<p>"Arnold did do good work for his country in +the early part of the war," exclaimed Rosie. "If +he had been killed in that fight he would always +have been considered as great a patriot as any +other man of the time."</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the Captain with an involuntary +sigh, "if he had fallen then, or even some years +later, his memory would have been as fondly +cherished as that of almost any other soldier of +the Revolution. He would have been considered +one of the noblest champions of liberty. Ah, +what a pity he should turn traitor and make himself +the object of infamy, as lasting as the history +of his native land, which he attempted to betray +into the hands of her foes!"</p> + +<p>"Doubtless after years must have brought him +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>many an hour of bitter regret," said Mrs. Travilla, +echoing the Captain's sigh. "Poor fellow! I +hope he repented and was forgiven of God, +though his countrymen could never forgive him. +He had a pious mother who tried to train him +up aright, and certainly must have often prayed +earnestly for her son; so I hope he may have repented +and found forgiveness and salvation +through the atoning blood of Christ."</p> + +<p>"I would be glad indeed to know that he had, +Mamma," said Violet.</p> + +<p>"I too," added the Captain. "I think he +must have been a very wretched man in the latter +years of his life."</p> + +<p>"Was he treated well in England, Papa?" +asked Lulu.</p> + +<p>"Not by every one," replied her father; +"some of the noble-minded there showed him +very plainly that they despised him for his +treason. George III. introduced him to Earl +Balcarras, who had been with Burgoyne at the +battle of Bemis's Heights; but the earl refused +his hand, and turned on his heel saying, 'I know +General Arnold, and abominate traitors.'"</p> + +<p>"How Arnold must have felt that!" exclaimed +Rosie. "I would not have liked to be in his +shoes."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," said her mother. "The British +officers thoroughly despised him, and there is an +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>anecdote of a meeting he once had with Talleyrand +which must have been trying to his feelings, +if he had any sense of honour left.</p> + +<p>"It seems that Talleyrand, who was fleeing +from France during the revolution there, inquired +at the hotel where he was at the time, for some +American who could give him letters of introduction +to persons of influence here. He was told +that an American gentleman was in an adjoining +room. It seems it was Arnold, though no one, +I suppose, knew who he was. Talleyrand sought +an interview with him, and made his request for +letters of introduction, when Arnold at once +retreated from the room, as he did so saying +with a look of pain on his face, 'I was born in +America, lived there till the prime of my life, +but, alas! I can call no man in America my +friend.'"</p> + +<p>"I should feel sorry for him in spite of that +black act of treason," Violet said, "if he had not +followed it up by such infamous deeds against +his countrymen, even those of them who had +been his neighbours and friends in his early years. +I remember Lossing tells us that while New +Haven—set on fire by Arnold's band of Tories +and Hessians—was burning, he stood in the +belfry of a church watching the conflagration +with probably the same kind of satisfaction that +Nero felt in the destruction of Rome. Think of +such a murderous expedition against the home +and friends of his childhood and youth! the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>wanton destruction of a thriving town! It showed +him to be a most malicious wretch, worthy of the +scorn and contempt with which he was treated +even by many of those who had profited by his +treason."</p> + +<p>"Yes; 'the way of transgressors is hard,'" +quoted her mother.</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + + +<p>For some days the "Dolphin" rode at anchor +in Bar Harbour, Mount Desert, while its passengers +found great enjoyment in trips here and +there about the island, visiting the Ovens, Otter +Cliffs, Schooner Head, and other points of +interest.</p> + +<p>But the time was drawing near when Max +must show himself to the examiners of applicants +for cadetship in Annapolis, and early one +bright morning, a favourable land breeze springing +up, the yacht weighed anchor and started +southward.</p> + +<p>They were to touch at Newport on their way +and take on board any of their party left there +who might care to visit Annapolis with them.</p> + +<p>As usual all gathered upon deck shortly after +breakfast, and again the young people besieged +the Captain with requests for something more +about the doings of Revolutionary days.</p> + +<p>"You know, Papa," said Lulu, "we've been +so busy visiting all those lovely places on Mount +Desert that we haven't had time for anything +about the wars since you told us how Arnold +fought the British on Lake Champlain."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yes, I remember," he said. "How would +you like now to hear of some of the doings +and happenings of those times in and about +Newport?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, please do tell of them! We'd like +it ever so much," answered several young +voices, and the Captain good-naturedly complied.</p> + +<p>"I will begin," he said, "with a bold and +brave exploit of Major Silas Talbot, in the fall +of 1778. The British had converted a strong +vessel into a galley, named it the 'Pigot,' in +honour of their general of that name, and anchored +it in the channel between the eastern side +of the island bearing the same name as the +State, and the main land. It was armed with +twelve eight-pounders and ten swivels, making +a formidable floating battery, the object of which +was to close up the channel against the French +fleet which lay off Newport.</p> + +<p>"It also effectually broke up the local trade of +that section; therefore its destruction was very +desirable, and Major Talbot proposed to head +an expedition to accomplish that, or its capture. +General Sullivan thought the thing could not be +done, but finally gave consent that the effort +should be made.</p> + +<p>"Sixty resolute patriots were drafted for the +purpose and on the 10th of October they set +sail in a coasting-sloop called the 'Hawk,' +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>armed with only three three-pounders, beside +the small arms carried by the men.</p> + +<p>"They passed the British forts at Bristol Ferry +and anchored within a few miles of the 'Pigot.' +Major Talbot then procured a horse, rode down +the east bank and reconnoitred. He saw that +the 'Pigot' presented a formidable appearance, +but he was not too much alarmed thereby +to make the proposed attempt to capture her.</p> + +<p>"At nine o'clock that same evening he hoisted +his anchor, and favoured by a fair wind, started +on his perilous errand. He had with him Lieutenant +Helm, of Rhode Island, with a small reinforcement. +He had also a kedge-anchor, lashed +to his jib-boom, with which to tear the nettings +of the 'Pigot.' The darkness of the night +enabled him to drift past Fogland Ferry Fort +under bare poles, without being discovered; he +then hoisted sail and ran partly under the stern +of the 'Pigot.'</p> + +<p>"The sentinels hailed him, but no answer was +returned; and they fired a volley of musketry +at the 'Hawk,' which fortunately hit no one, +while her kedge-anchor tore the 'Pigot's' nettings +and grappled her, and so gave the Americans +a free passage to her deck. They poured +on it from the 'Hawk,' with loud shouts, and +drove every man from the deck except the captain. +He, in shirt and drawers, fought desperately +till he found that resistance was useless, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>when he surrendered his vessel with the officers +and crew.</p> + +<p>"The Americans secured the prisoners below +by coiling the cables over the hatchways, weighed +anchor, and started for the harbour of Stonington, +which they entered the next day with their prize."</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Max. "I'd have liked to be +one of those brave fellows, and I hope Congress +rewarded them for their gallant deed."</p> + +<p>"It did," said the Captain; "presented Talbot +with a commission of lieutenant-colonel in the +army of the United States, and complimented +both him and his men."</p> + +<p>"I suppose they'd have given them some +money if they'd had it to spare," remarked +Lulu; "but of course they hadn't, because the +country was so dreadfully poor then."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said her father, "it was poor, and +Newport, Rhode Island, was suffering greatly +from the long-continued occupation of the British. +The people of that colony had from the +first taken a bold and determined stand in opposition +to the usurpations of King George and +his ministers, and the oppressions of their tools +in this country.</p> + +<p>"In the summer of 1769 a British armed sloop, +sent there by the commissioners of customs, lay +in Narragansett Bay, she was called 'Liberty,' +certainly a most inappropriate name. Her errand +was similar to that of the 'Gaspee' about the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>destruction of which I have already told you,—though +that occurred some three years later. +The commander of the 'Liberty,' was a Captain +Reid. A schooner and brig belonging to Connecticut +had been seized and brought into +Newport; also the clothing and the sword of the +captain, Packwood, commander of the brig, had +been taken, and carried aboard the 'Liberty.' +He went there to recover them, was badly maltreated, +and as he left the sloop in his boat, +was fired upon with a musket and a brace of +pistols.</p> + +<p>"This occurrence greatly exasperated the people +of Newport, who demanded of Reid that the +man who had fired upon Captain Packwood +should be sent ashore.</p> + +<p>"Reid again and again sent the wrong man, +which of course exasperated the people, and they +determined to show him that they were not to be +trifled with. Accordingly, a number of them +boarded the 'Liberty,' cut her cables, and set her +adrift. The tide carried her down the bay and +drifted her to Goat Island, where the people, +after throwing her stores and ammunition into the +water, scuttled her, and set her on fire. Her +boats were dragged to the common, and burned +there."</p> + +<p>"Was she entirely burned, Papa?" asked +Gracie.</p> + +<p>"Almost, after burning for several days."</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> +<p>"And that was nearly six years before the +battle of Lexington," Evelyn remarked in a half +musing tone. "How wonderfully patient and +forbearing the Americans were, putting up for +years with so much of British insolence and +oppression!"</p> + +<p>"I think they were," responded the Captain. +"Nor was it from cowardice, as they plainly +showed when once war with Great Britain was +fairly inaugurated.</p> + +<p>"And the little State of Rhode Island had her +full share in the struggle and the suffering it +brought. Let us see what Bancroft says in regard +to the action of her citizens at the beginning +of the conflict, immediately after the battles +of Lexington and Concord," he added, taking up +and opening a book lying near at hand. All +waited in silence as he turned over the leaves and +began to read,—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"The nearest towns of Rhode Island were in motion +before the British had finished their retreat. At the +instance of Hopkins and others, Wanton, the governor, +though himself inclined to the royal side, called an +assembly. Its members were all of one mind; and +when Wanton, with several of the council, showed +hesitation, they resolved, if necessary, to proceed alone. +The council yielded and confirmed the unanimous vote +of the assembly for raising an army of fifteen hundred +men. 'The colony of Rhode Island,' wrote Bowler, the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>speaker, to the Massachusetts congress, 'is firm and determined; +and a greater unanimity in the lower house +scarce ever prevailed.' Companies of the men of +Rhode Island preceded this early message."</p></div> + +<p>"The little State took a noble stand," remarked +Violet, as her husband finished reading +and closed the book.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "and their consequent sufferings +from British aggressions promptly began. +Admiral Wallace, an inhuman wretch, that summer +commanded a small British fleet lying in +Newport harbour. It was he who promised to +hang Abraham Whipple, but never caught him. +It was discovered by the Americans that he +(Wallace) was planning to carry off the livestock +from the lower end of the island to supply +the British army at Boston."</p> + +<p>"Going to steal them, Papa?" asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but the people were too quick for him. +Some of them went down one dark night in +September and brought off a thousand sheep and +fifty head of cattle; and three hundred minute-men +drove a good many more to Newport, so +saving them from being taken by Wallace and +his men.</p> + +<p>"Wallace was very angry, ordered the people +to make contributions to supply his fleet with +provisions, and to force them to do so took care +to prevent them from getting their usual supplies +of fuel and provisions from the mainland.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> +<p>"The people were much alarmed, and about +half of them left the town. Shortly afterward +a treaty was made by which they engaged +to supply the fleet with provisions and beer, +and Wallace allowed them to move about as +they pleased. But soon, however, he demanded +three hundred sheep of the people of Bristol, +and upon their refusal to comply, bombarded +their town.</p> + +<p>"He began the bombardment about eight o'clock +in the evening. The rain was pouring in torrents; +and the poor women and children fled +through the darkness and storm, out to the open +fields to escape from the flying shot and shell of +the invaders."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how dreadful for the poor things!" exclaimed +Gracie.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there was great suffering among them," +replied her father. "The house of Governor +Bradford was burned, as also were many others. +Wallace played the pirate in Narragansett Bay +for a month, wantonly destroying the people's +property, seizing every American vessel that +entered Newport harbour and sending it to Boston,—which, +as you will remember, was then +occupied by the British general, Gage, and his +troops,—plundering and burning all the dwellings +on the beautiful island of Providence, and +all the buildings near the ferry at Canonicut.</p> + +<p>"He kept possession of the harbour till the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>spring of 1776; but in April of that year some +American troops came to try to drive him away. +Captain Grimes brought two row-galleys, each +carrying two eighteen-pounders, from Providence. +Provincial troops brought two more +eighteen-pounders and planted them on shore +where the British, who were anchored about a +mile above Newport, could see them.</p> + +<p>"Wallace evidently thought the danger too +great and immediate, for he weighed anchor, and +with his whole squadron sailed out of the harbour +without firing a shot."</p> + +<p>"He must have been a coward like most men +who revel in such cruelty," remarked Max sagely. +"Not much like the Wallace of Scotland who +fought the English so bravely in early times."</p> + +<p>"I quite agree with you in that thought, +Max," his father said with a slight smile. "This +Wallace was the same who, later in the war, +plundered and destroyed the property of the +Americans on the Hudson, desolating the farms +of innocent men because they preferred freedom +to the tyrannical rule of the English government, +and laying the town of Kingston in ashes.</p> + +<p>"Soon after he sailed out of Narragansett +Bay another British vessel called the 'Glasgow,' +carrying twenty-nine guns, came into the harbour +and anchored near Fort Island. She had just +come out of a severe fight with some American +vessels, held the same day that Wallace left +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>Newport. Probably her officers thought he was +still there so that their vessel would be safe in +that harbour, but they soon discovered their mistake. +The Americans threw up a breast-work +on Brenton's Point, placed some pieces of heavy +artillery there, and the next morning opened upon +her and another vessel so vigorous a fire from +their battery that they soon cut their cables and +went out to sea again."</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + + +<p>"Had the land troops of the British gone +away also, Captain?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"No," he replied. "Early in May the British +troops left the houses of the town and returned +to their camp. It was some relief to +the poor, outraged people whose dwellings had +been turned into noisy barracks, their pleasant +groves, beautiful shade-trees and broad forests +destroyed, their property taken from them, their +wives and children exposed to the profanity, low +ribaldry, and insults of the ignorant and brutal +soldiery; but there was by no means entire relief; +they were still plundered and insulted.</p> + +<p>"Clinton had gone to New York with about one +half the troops, but a far worse tyrant held command +in his place, Major-General Prescott by +name; he was a dastardly coward when in danger, +the meanest of petty tyrants when he felt it +safe to be such, narrow minded, hard hearted +and covetous,—anything but a gentleman. A +more unfit man for the place could hardly have +been found.</p> + +<p>"When he saw persons conversing together as +he walked the streets, he would shake his cane +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>at them and call out, 'Disperse, ye rebels!' +Also, he would command them to take off their +hats to him, and unless his order was instantly +obeyed, enforce it by a rap with his cane."</p> + +<p>"That must have been hard indeed to bear," +remarked Violet.</p> + +<p>"Yes," cried Max hotly. "I'd have enjoyed +knocking him down."</p> + +<p>"Probably better than the consequences of +your act," laughed his father; then went on: +"Prescott was passing out of town one evening, +going to his country quarters, when he overtook +a Quaker, who of course did not doff his hat. +Prescott was on horseback; he dashed up to the +Quaker, pressed him up against a stone wall, +knocked off his hat, and then put him under +guard.</p> + +<p>"He imprisoned many citizens of Newport without +giving any reason. One was a man named +William Tripp, a very respectable citizen, who +had a wife and a large and interesting family, +with none of whom was he allowed to hold any +communication.</p> + +<p>"But Tripp's wife had contrivance enough +to open a correspondence with her husband by +sending him a loaf of bread with a letter baked +in the inside. Whether he could find means to +send a reply I do not know, but it must have +been some consolation to hear from her and his +children.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> +<p>"While Tripp was still in prison she tried to +see Prescott, to beg that her husband might be +set free, or she allowed a personal interview with +him. She was told to come again the next day. +Her application had been made to a Captain +Savage, the only person through whom she might +hope to gain the coveted interview with Prescott; +but when she again went to him, at the appointed +time, he treated her very roughly, refusing her +request to see the general, and as he shut the +door violently in her face, telling her with fiendish +exultation that he expected her husband would +be hung as a rebel in less than a week."</p> + +<p>"Truly, his was a most appropriate name," +remarked Grandma Elsie.</p> + +<p>"And did they hang the poor man, Papa?" +asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"I do not know, my darling," he answered, +"but I hope not. Would you all like to hear +something more about his persecutor, Prescott?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, yes," came promptly from several +young voices.</p> + +<p>"You may be sure," the Captain went on, +"that the people of Newport grew very tired of +their oppressor, and devised various plans for +ridding themselves of him. None of these proved +successful, but at length a better one was contrived +and finally carried out by Lieutenant-Colonel +Barton, of Providence. Lossing speaks +of it as one of the boldest and most hazardous +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>enterprizes undertaken during the war. It was +accomplished on the night of the 10th of July, +1777.</p> + +<p>"At that time Prescott was quartered at +the house of a Quaker named Overing, about +five miles above Newport, on the west road +leading to the ferry, at the north part of the +island.</p> + +<p>"Barton's plan was to cross the bay under +cover of the darkness, seize Prescott, and carry +him off to the American camp. But it was a very +dangerous thing to attempt, because three British +frigates, with their guard-boats, were lying in the +bay almost in front of Overing's house. But +taking with him a few chosen men, in four whale-boats, +with muffled oars, Barton embarked from +Warwick Point at nine o'clock, passed silently +between the islands of Prudence and Patience +over to Rhode Island, hearing on the way the cry +of the British sentries from their guard-boats, +'All's well.'</p> + +<p>"They—the Americans—landed in Coddington's +Cove, at the mouth of a small stream which +passed by Overing's. Barton divided his men +into several squads, and assigned to each its +station and duty. Then in the strictest order +and profound silence they made their way to the +house, the larger portion of them passing between +a British guard-house and the encampment +of a company of light-horse, while the rest of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>party were to reach the same point by a circuitous +route, approaching it from the rear, then +to secure the doors.</p> + +<p>"As Barton and his men drew near the +gate they were hailed by a sentinel stationed +there. He hailed them twice, and then demanded +the countersign. Barton answered, +'We have no countersign to give,' then +quickly asked, 'Have you seen any deserters +here to-night?'</p> + +<p>"That query allayed the sentinel's suspicions, +so putting him off his guard, and the next moment +he found himself seized, bound, and +threatened with instant death if he attempted to +give the alarm.</p> + +<p>"While Barton and his party had been thus +engaged the division from the rear had secured +the doors, and Barton now walked boldly into the +front passage and on into a room where he found +Mr. Overing, seated alone, reading, the rest +of the family having already retired to their +beds.</p> + +<p>"Barton asked for General Prescott's room, +and Overing silently pointed to the ceiling, intimating +that it was directly overhead. Barton +then walked quietly up the stairs, four strong +white men and a powerful negro named Sisson, +accompanying him. He gently tried Prescott's +door, but found it locked. There was no time to +be lost; the negro drew back a couple of paces, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>and using his head for a battering-ram, burst open +the door at the first effort.</p> + +<p>"Prescott, who was in bed, thought the intruders +were robbers, and springing out, seized +his gold watch which hung upon the wall. But +Barton, gently laying a hand on his shoulder, +said, 'You are my prisoner, sir, and perfect +silence is your only safety.'</p> + +<p>"Prescott asked to be allowed to dress, but +Barton refused, saying there was not time; for +he doubtless felt that every moment of delay was +dangerous to himself and his companions, and as +it was a hot July night there was no need for his +prisoner to fear taking cold. He therefore threw +a cloak about him, placed him and his <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">aide</i>, Major +Barrington (who, hearing a noise in the general's +room, had taken the alarm and leaped from a +window to make his escape, but only to be captured +by the Americans) between two armed men, +hurried them to the shore where the boats were +in waiting, and quickly carried them over the +water to Warwick Point. When they reached +there Prescott ventured to break the silence that +had been imposed upon him by saying to Colonel +Barton, 'Sir, you have made a bold push to-night.'</p> + +<p>"'We have been fortunate,' replied Barton +coolly.</p> + +<p>"Prescott and Barrington were then placed +in a coach which Captain Elliott had waiting +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>there for them, and taken to Providence, arriving +there about sunrise."</p> + +<p>"I wonder," remarked Lulu, "if Prescott +received the harsh treatment from our men that +he deserved."</p> + +<p>"No," replied her father, "I am proud to be +able to say that American officers rarely, if ever, +treated their prisoners with anything like the +harshness and cruelty usually dealt out by the +British to theirs. Prescott was kindly treated +by General Spencer and his officers, and shortly +after his capture was sent to Washington's headquarters +at Middlebrook, on the Raritan.</p> + +<p>"But it seems that at a tavern on the way he +received something better suited to his deserts. +At Lebanon a Captain Alden kept a tavern, and +there Prescott and his escort stopped to dine. +While they were at the table Mrs. Alden brought +on a dish of succotash."</p> + +<p>"What's that, Papa?" queried little Elsie, +who had climbed to her favourite seat upon her +father's knee.</p> + +<p>"Corn and beans boiled together," he replied; +"a dish that is quite a favourite with most +people in that part of the country; but was, I +presume, quite new to Prescott, and he exclaimed +indignantly, 'What! do you treat me +with the food of hogs?' Then taking the dish +from the table he strewed its contents over the +floor.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p> +<p>"Some one presently carried the news of his +doings to Captain Alden, and he walked into the +dining-room armed with a horse-whip and gave +Prescott a severe flogging."</p> + +<p>"I think it served him right," remarked Lulu, +"for his insolence, and for wasting good food +that somebody else would have been glad to +eat."</p> + +<p>"Prescott must surely have been very badly +brought up," said Rosie, "and was anything +but a gentleman. I pity the poor Newport people +if he was ever restored to his command +there. Was he, brother Levis? I really have +quite forgotten."</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately for them, he was," replied the +Captain. "He was exchanged for General +Charles Lee the next April, and returned to his +former command.</p> + +<p>"While he was still there the Newport people +sent a committee—Timothy Folger, William +Rotch and Dr. Tupper—to him to arrange +some matters concerning the town. They +found some difficulty in gaining an interview; +and when at length Folder and the doctor +succeeded in so doing, Prescott stormed so +violently at the former that he was compelled +to withdraw.</p> + +<p>"After the doctor had told his errand and +Prescott had calmed down, he asked, 'Wasn't +my treatment of Folger very uncivil?'</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> +<p>"The doctor answered in the affirmative, and +Prescott went on to say, 'I will tell you the +reason; he looked so much like a Connecticut +man that horse-whipped me that I could not +endure his presence.'"</p> +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + + +<p>There was time for only a brief stay in the +cottages near Newport before the "Dolphin" +must sail for Annapolis, in order that Max might +be there in season for the examination of applicants +for cadetship in the United States Navy. +He had not changed his mind, but was looking +forward with delight to the life that seemed to +be opening before him; for he loved the sea, and +thought no profession could be more honourable +than that chosen by his father, who was in his +eyes the impersonation of all that was noble, +good, and wise.</p> + +<p>He was not sorry that his suspense in regard +to acceptance would soon be ended, though both +he and the other young people of the party +would have liked to visit places in the neighbourhood +of Newport made memorable by the occurrence +of events in the Revolutionary War; but +the Captain encouraged the hope that they would +all be able to do so at some future time; also +said they would find at Annapolis some souvenirs +of the struggle for independence quite as well +worth attention as those they were for the present +leaving behind.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> +<p>So they started upon their southward way in +excellent spirits, Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore accompanying +them.</p> + +<p>On the first evening of their renewed voyage +the young people gathered around the Captain +and begged for some account of Revolutionary +occurrences in the State they were now about to +visit.</p> + +<p>"I will go back a little further than that," he +said pleasantly, drawing Gracie to a seat upon +his knee,—"to the action of the people of Maryland +upon hearing of the passage of the Stamp +Act. In August, 1765, there was a meeting at +Annapolis of the 'Assertors of British American +privileges' held 'to show their detestation of +and abhorrence to some late tremendous attacks +on liberty, and their dislike to a certain late +arrived officer, a <em>native of this province</em>.'</p> + +<p>"The person to whom they referred was a Mr. +Hood, who had been appointed stamp-master +while in England shortly before. Dr. Franklin +had recommended him for the place; but the +people were so angry that no one would buy +goods of him, though offered at a very low price. +He learned that they intended to give him a coat +of tar and feathers, but escaped to New York in +time to save himself from that.</p> + +<p>"As they couldn't catch him they made an +effigy of him, dressed it oddly, put it in a cart, +like a malefactor, with some sheets of paper +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>before it, and paraded it through the town, the +bell tolling all the while. They then took it to +a hill, punished it at the whipping post and +pillory, hung it on the gibbet, then set fire to a +tar-barrel underneath and burned it."</p> + +<p>"Oh," gasped Gracie, "how dreadful if it +had been the man himself!"</p> + +<p>"But it wasn't, Gracie dear," laughed Lulu; +"and if it had been, I'm not sure it was worse +than he deserved."</p> + +<p>"But I suppose they had to use the stamps +for all that,—hadn't they?" asked Rosie.</p> + +<p>"The people refused to use them, and for a +time all business was at an end," said the Captain, +going on with his narrative. "Governor +Sharpe sent back some of the stamped paper +which arrived in December, informing the colonial +secretary of the proceedings of the people, +and said that if they got hold of any stamped +paper they would be pretty sure to burn it.</p> + +<p>"On the 31st of October the 'Maryland +Gazette' appeared in mourning, and said, 'The +times are Dreadful, Dismal, Doleful, Dolorous +and Dollarless.' On the 10th of December the +editor issued 'an apparition of the late "Maryland +Gazette,"' and expressed his opinion that +the odious Stamp Act would never be carried +into effect.</p> + +<p>"There was great rejoicing when the intelligence +reached Annapolis that the Act had been +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>repealed. There were many manifestations of +mirth and festivity; but, as you all know, that +rejoicing was short-lived, for the king and his +ministers continued their aggressions upon the +liberties of the American people.</p> + +<p>"In the autumn of 1774 the people of Annapolis +were greatly excited over the Boston Port +Bill, and ripe for rebellion. They also resolved +that no tea should be landed on their shores; +and when on Saturday, October 15, the ship +'Peggy,' Captain Stewart, arrived from London, +bringing among other things, seventeen +packages of tea, the citizens were summoned to +a general meeting.</p> + +<p>"It was the first arrival of tea since it had +become a proscribed article. It was ascertained +that it was consigned to T. C. Williams & Co., +of Annapolis, that they had imported it, and +that Antony Stewart, proprietor of the vessel, +had paid the duty on it. This the meeting +looked upon as an acknowledgement of the right +claimed by King and Parliament to tax the tea +brought to the colonies, and it was resolved not +to permit the tea to be landed.</p> + +<p>"The people of the surrounding country were +summoned to a meeting in the city, to be held on +the following Wednesday. Mr. Stewart published +a handbill of explanation of his connection +with the affair, saying that he had no intention +of violating the non-importation pledges, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>regretted that the article had been placed on +board his ship.</p> + +<p>"But the people had been deceived on former +occasions, and knew that when men got into +trouble they were apt to whine and pretend innocence; +therefore they were more disposed to +punish than forgive Mr. Stewart, and at their +Wednesday meeting resolved to destroy the vessel +with its packages of tea.</p> + +<p>"But Mr. Stewart, by the advice of some of +his friends, decided to destroy the vessel and the +tea himself, and did so. He ran the ship aground +near Windmill Point and set her on fire. That +satisfied the people and the crowd dispersed.</p> + +<p>"A historian of the time says, 'the destruction +of tea at Boston has acquired renown as an +act of unexampled daring, but the tea burning +of Annapolis, which occurred the ensuing fall, +far surpassed it in the apparent deliberation, +and utter carelessness of concealment, attending +the bold measures which led to its accomplishment.'"</p> + +<p>"Did the Americans hold any other such 'tea +parties,' Papa?" asked Lulu with a humorous +look.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said; "in New York and New +Jersey; but I will reserve the stories of those +doings for another time, and go on now with +what occurred in Maryland,—principally at Annapolis,—in +the times now under consideration.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p> +<p>"There was a small tea-burning at Elizabethtown—now +called Hagerstown,—the Committee +of Vigilance obliging a man named John Parks to +go with his hat off and a lighted torch in his +hand and set fire to a chest of tea in his possession. +The committee also recommended entire +non-intercourse with Parks; but that did not +seem sufficient to the people, and they added to +it the breaking of his doors and windows. It +is said too, that tar and feathers were freely +used in various places.</p> + +<p>"Maryland was not ready quite so soon as +some of the other colonies to declare herself free +and independent; but Charles Carroll, William +Paca, Samuel Chase, and others, called county +conventions, and used their influence to persuade +their fellow-citizens of the wisdom and necessity +of such a course, and on the 28th of June, the +Maryland Convention empowered their delegates +to concur with the other colonies in a declaration +of independence.</p> + +<p>"As you all know, that declaration was drawn +up and signed by Congress shortly afterward, and +the men whose names I have mentioned were all +among the signers."</p> + +<p>"Was there any fighting in or about Annapolis, +Papa?" asked Lulu.</p> + +<p>"No," he said, "but it was frequently the scene +of military displays."</p> + +<p>"I'd have liked that a great deal better if I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>had been there," remarked Gracie. "But won't +you please tell us about them, Papa?"</p> + +<p>"I will," he answered, smiling upon her and +softly smoothing her hair. "Washington passed +through Annapolis on his way northward after +the battle of Yorktown, which, as you will all +remember, virtually ended our struggle for independence, +though there was still fighting going +on in different parts of the country. Business +was suspended in Annapolis when Washington +was known to be coming, and the people crowded +streets and windows to gain a sight of the chief +as he passed. A public address was made him, +and everything done to show their appreciation, +respect, and esteem.</p> + +<p>"Again he was there when, the war at an +end, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief +of the American forces.</p> + +<p>"'The State House at Annapolis, now venerated +because of the associations which cluster +around it, was filled with the brave, the fair, +and the patriotic of Maryland, to witness the +sublime spectacle of that beloved chief resigning +his military power wielded with such mighty +energy and glorious results for eight long years +into the hands of the civil authority which gave +it,' says Lossing."</p> + +<p>"But why did Washington go to Maryland to +do that, Papa?" asked Gracie.</p> + +<p>"Because the Continental Congress was then +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>in session there," replied her father. "It was +a most interesting scene which then took place in +the Senate Chamber of the Capitol. The time +was noon of the 23d of December, 1783. Beside +the congressmen there were present the +governor, council and legislature of Maryland, +general officers, and the representative of France. +Places were assigned to all these, while spectators +filled the galleries and crowded the floor.</p> + +<p>"Bancroft tells, us that 'rising with dignity, +Washington spoke of the rectitude of the common +cause; the support of Congress; of his country-men; +of Providence; and he commended the interests +of our dearest country to the care of Almighty +God. Then saying that he had finished the +work assigned him to do, he bade an affectionate +farewell to the august body under whose orders he +had so long acted, resigned with satisfaction the +commission which he had accepted with diffidence, +and took leave of public life. His emotion was +so great that, as he advanced and delivered up +his commission, he seemed unable to have uttered +more.'</p> + +<p>"Washington still stood while the president of +Congress, turning pale from emotion, made a +short address in reply, only a sentence or two of +which I will quote:"—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"Having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict +and those who feel oppression, with the blessings of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span>your fellow-citizens you retire from the great field of +action; but the glory of your virtues will continue to +animate remotest ages. We join you in commending +the interests of our dearest country to the protection +of Almighty God, beseeching him to dispose the hearts +and minds of its citizens to improve the opportunity +afforded them of becoming a happy and respectable +nation."</p></div> + +<p>"Which I think we have become," added Max, +with satisfaction, as his father paused in his +narrative.</p> + +<p>"By God's blessing upon the work of our +pious forefathers," added the Captain, with a look +of mingled gratitude and pride in the land of his +birth.</p> + +<p>"I think we must all visit the State House when +in Annapolis," remarked Grandma Elsie, who +sat near and had been listening with almost as +keen interest as that shown by the younger ones.</p> + +<p>"Certainly we must," said Mr. Dinsmore. +"Some of us have been there before, but a +second visit will not prove uninteresting, especially +along with the young folks, to whom it +will be quite new," and he glanced smilingly +around upon the bright, eager faces.</p> + +<p>His suggestion was followed by expressions +of pleasure in the prospect. Then the Captain +was besieged with entreaties that he would go on +with his account of things of historical interest +to be found in Annapolis.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p> +<p>"There is the little gallery in which Mrs. +Washington and other ladies stood to witness the +scene I have tried to describe," he continued. "It +is said to be unchanged, as are also the doors, windows, +cornices, and other architectural belongings. +I confess it sent a thrill through me when I first +saw them all, to think they were the very same +which echoed the voice of the Father of his Country +on that memorable occasion.</p> + +<p>"Also the very spot where Mifflin, the president, +and Thomson, the secretary, of Congress +sat when the treaty of peace with Great Britain +was ratified, can be pointed out to the interested +observer, which I certainly was."</p> + +<p>"It is a fine building," remarked Mr. Dinsmore, +"much admired for its style of architecture +and the beauty of its situation."</p> + +<p>"It is indeed," assented the Captain. "It is +built of brick, has a fine dome, surmounted by +two smaller ones, with a cupola of wood. As +it stands upon an elevation in the centre of the +city, there is a magnificent prospect from its +dome. One sees the city and harbour, while far +away to the southeast stretches Chesapeake Bay, +with Kent Island and the eastern shore looming +up in the distance."</p> + +<p>"I remember two incidents which I have +heard were connected with the building of that +State House," remarked Mrs. Dinsmore. "One +is, that when the corner-stone was laid by +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>Governor Eden, just as he struck it with a mallet +a severe clap of thunder burst over the city out +of a clear sky; the other, that the man who +executed the stucco-work of the dome, fell from +the scaffold and was killed just as he had completed +his centre-piece."</p> + +<p>"Yes," the Captain said, "I have heard those +incidents were traditional, but am not able to +vouch for their truth."</p> + +<p>"Is there not a portrait of Washington there?" +asked Violet.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied her husband, "in the House +of Delegates; it is a full-length likeness, and he is +attended by La Fayette and Colonel Tilghman, +the Continental army passing in review. It +was painted by Peale as commemorative of the +surrender at Yorktown, having been ordered by +the Assembly of Maryland.</p> + +<p>"There are also full-length portraits of Carroll, +Stone, Paca, and Chase on the walls of the +Senate Chamber. The first two were painted by +Sully, the other two by Bordley,—both +native artists. There is also a full-length portrait +of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, in +Roman costume. Peale painted that also, and +presented it to Maryland, his native State, in +1794. The work was done in England, and is +of a high order.</p> + +<p>"The only other portrait I recollect as being +there is one of John Eager Howard, who, you +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span>doubtless remember, was one of the heroes of +the Revolution."</p> + +<p>Favourable winds and weather enabled the +"Dolphin" to reach her destination a day or +two earlier than the Captain had expected, so +giving our party a little more time for sight-seeing +than they had hoped for. They made good +use of it, going about and visiting all the places +of interest. Almost the first that received their +attention was the State House, with its mementos +of the Revolutionary days, of which the +Captain had been telling them.</p> + +<p>They lingered long over the portraits and in +the Senate Chamber, where the Father of his +Country had resigned his commission as commander-in-chief +of the Continental armies.</p> + +<p>They ascended to the cupola also, and gazed +with delight upon the beautiful landscape spread +out at their feet,—Max manifesting great interest +in the vessels lying in the harbour, particularly +the practice-ship "Constellation" and the school-ship +"Santee," and scarcely less in the monitor +"Passaic" and the steam-sloop "Wyoming," +swinging at their anchorage in the river.</p> + +<p>"Papa, can I visit them?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my boy, I hope to take you to see them +all," was the pleasant-toned reply. "I intend +that you and all the party shall see everything +that is worth their attention."</p> + +<p>"That's very kind of you, Captain," remarked +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span>Evelyn in a lively tone. "I for one am very +desirous to see the Naval Academy, its grounds +and the drills,—one at least. I so enjoyed +seeing those on Gardiner's Island."</p> + +<p>"You shall," replied the Captain, with his +pleasant smile. "It will give me pleasure to +take any of you who wish to go."</p> + +<p>"I think that will be all of us," remarked +Violet, with a bright and happy glance up into +her husband's face.</p> + +<p>They were descending the stairs as they talked, +and presently had all passed out into the State +House grounds. There they met a gentleman in +undress naval uniform who, coming forward with +a look of extreme pleasure, warmly grasped the +hand of Captain Raymond, calling him by name, +and saying, "I do not know when I have had +so agreeable a surprise."</p> + +<p>The Captain returned the salutation as warmly +as it was given, then introduced the rest of his +party, telling them that this friend of his was +commander-commandant of cadets.</p> + +<p>At that Max's eyes opened very wide and +fixed themselves upon the gentleman with as +eager interest as if he had been a king.</p> + +<p>Captain Raymond noted it with a look of +mingled amusement and pride in the lad.</p> + +<p>"This is my son Max, sir, a candidate for +cadetship," he said, laying a hand affectionately +upon Max's shoulder, "and I see he is much +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>interested in this his first sight of one who will, +he hopes, soon be his commander."</p> + +<p>"Ah! a son of yours, Raymond? But I +might have guessed it from his striking likeness +to his father," the commandant said in a pleased +and interested tone, grasping the boy's hand +warmly as he spoke. "I have little doubt that +he will pass," he added with a smile, "for he +should inherit a good mind, and he looks bright +and intelligent,—his father's son mentally as +well as physically."</p> + +<p>Max coloured with pleasure. "It is exactly +what I want to be, sir," he said,—"as like my +father as possible." And his eyes sought that +father's face with a look of love and reverence +that was pleasant to see.</p> + +<p>The Captain met it with a smile of fatherly +affection. "One's children are apt to be partial +judges," he said; then changing the subject of +conversation, he stated the desire of those under +his escort to see the Naval Academy and the +Naval vessels lying at anchor in the harbour.</p> + +<p>The commandant, saying he had some hours +at his disposal, undertook to be their escort; +and thus they saw everything under the most +favourable auspices.</p> + +<p>The drill of the artillery battalion seemed to +Max and Lulu very similar to that they had +witnessed at West Point, but was scarcely the +less exciting and interesting. They watched it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span>all with sparkling eyes and eager, animated +looks, Max hoping soon to take part in it, and +not at all regretting his choice of a profession. +He was not a bashful lad, though by no means +conceited or forward, and his father had assured +him that if he retained his self-possession, not +giving way to nervousness or fright, he was fully +competent to pass.</p> + +<p>The boy had unbounded confidence in his +father's word, which helped him to so fully retain +his self-possession that he found little or no +difficulty in answering every question put to him,—for +the Captain had been very careful to drill +him perfectly, making him thorough in all the +branches required,—and passed most successfully.</p> + +<p>He was also pronounced by the examining +physician physically sound and of robust constitution. +He was accepted, took the oath of allegiance, +and felt himself several inches taller than +before.</p> + +<p>Captain Raymond attended to all the business +matters, saw the room and room-mate selected for +his son, and did all that could be done to secure +the boy's comfort and welfare. The parting from +Mamma Vi, his sisters, and baby brother was +quite hard for the lad's affectionate heart, but he +managed to go through it almost without shedding +tears, though one or two would come when +Gracie clung weeping about his neck; but the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span>last, the final farewell to his father, was hardest +of all. In vain he reminded himself that it +was not a final separation, that he might hope +for long visits at home at some future time, that +letters would pass frequently between them, and +a visit be paid him now and then by that dearly +loved, honoured, and revered parent; just now he +could only remember that the daily, hourly intercourse +he had found so delightful was over, +probably forever in this world.</p> + +<p>The Captain read it all in his boy's speaking +countenance, and deeply sympathized with his +son; indeed his own heart was heavy over the +thought that this, his first-born and well-beloved +child was now to pass from under his protecting +care and try the world for himself. He felt that +he must bestow upon him a few more words of +loving, fatherly counsel.</p> + +<p>They were leaving together the hotel where +the remainder of their party were domiciled for +the present. "Max, my son," he said kindly, +looking at his watch as he spoke, "we have still +more than an hour to spend as we like before you +must be at the Academy. Shall we spend it on +board the yacht?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, if you can spare the time to me," +answered the lad, making a great effort to speak +brightly and cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"Then we will go there," the Captain said, +giving his son an affectionate look and smile. "I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span>can find no better use for the next hour than devoting +it to a little talk with my first-born, on +whom I have built so many hopes."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later they were sitting side by +side in the "Dolphin's" cabin, no human creature +near to see or overhear what might pass between +them.</p> + +<p>For a little while there was silence, each busy +with his own thoughts. It was Max who ended +it at last.</p> + +<p>"Papa," he said brokenly, his hand creeping +into his father's, "you—you have been such a +good, <em>good</em> father to me; and—and I want to +be a credit and comfort to you. I"—</p> + +<p>But there he broke down completely, and the +next moment—neither ever knew exactly how it +came about—he was sobbing in his father's arms.</p> + +<p>"I—I wish I'd been a better boy, Papa," he +went on, "it 'most breaks my heart to think +now of the pain and trouble I've given you at +times."</p> + +<p>"My boy, my dear, dear boy," the Captain +said in moved tones, pressing the lad to his +heart, "you have been a great joy and comfort +to me for years past, and words would fail me to +tell how dear you are to your father's heart. It +seems scarcely longer ago than yesterday that I +first held my dear boy in my arms, and prayed +God that if his life was spared he might grow up +into a good, useful, Christian man, a blessing +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span>to his parents, to the church, and to the world. +Oh, my boy, never be afraid or ashamed to own +yourself one who fears God and tries to keep his +commandments, who loves Jesus, trusts in Him +for salvation from sin and death, and tries to +honour Him in all his words and ways. Strive to +keep very near to the Master, Max, and to honour +Him in all things. Never be ashamed to own +yourself His disciple, His servant, and Him as +your Lord and King. Remember His words, +'Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and +of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, +of him shall also the Son of man be ashamed +when He cometh in the glory of His Father with +the holy angels.' Doubtless it will at times bring +the ridicule of your companions upon you, but he +is only a coward who can not bear that when undeserved; +and what is it compared to Christ's +sufferings on the cross for you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, nothing, nothing at all compared +to what Jesus bore for me! He will give me +strength to be faithful in confessing Him before +men, and your prayers will help me, too."</p> + +<p>"Yes, my boy, and you may be sure that +you will be ever on your father's heart, which +will be often going up in prayer to God for a +blessing on his absent son. It is to me a joyful +thought that He is the hearer and answerer +of prayer, and will be ever near my son, to +keep him in the hour of trial and temptation, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>though I may know nothing of his danger or +distress.</p> + +<p>"Let us kneel down now and ask Him to be +your guard and guide through all life's journey, +to help you to be His faithful servant in all +things, and to bring you safe to heaven at last."</p> + +<p>They knelt side by side, and in a few well +chosen words the Captain commended his beloved +son to the care, the guardianship, and the +guidance of the God of his fathers, asking that +he might be a faithful follower of Jesus through +all life's journey, and afterward spend an eternity +of bliss in that happy land where sin and +sorrow and partings are never known.</p> + +<p>A hearty embrace followed, some few more +words of fatherly counsel and advice, then they +left the vessel, wended their way to the Naval +Academy and parted for the time, the Captain +comforting the heart of the more than half homesick +lad with the promise of a visit from him at +no very distant day and frequent letters in the +mean time.</p> + +<p>The "Dolphin" was to sail northward again +that evening; and as Max watched his father out +of sight it required a mighty effort to keep back +the tears from his eyes at the thought that he +should behold that noble form and dearly loved +face no more for months or—"Oh, who could +say that some accident might not rob him forever +of his best and dearest earthly friend?"</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p> +<p>But he struggled with himself, turned resolutely +about, and entered into lively chat with +some of his new comrades, all the while the +cheering thought in his heart that nothing could +separate him from the presence and loving care of +his heavenly Father; also that he surely would +be permitted, before many months had passed, +to see again the dear earthly one he so loved +and honoured. And in the meanwhile he was +resolved to do everything in his power to win +that father's approbation, and make him proud +and happy in his first-born son.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<div class="transnote"> + <h2>Transcriber's Note</h2> + <p>Obvious punctuation errors were corrected.</p> +</div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 45944 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/45944-h/images/cover.jpg b/45944-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9ab6492 --- /dev/null +++ b/45944-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/45944-h/images/frontis.jpg b/45944-h/images/frontis.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f0ebdc4 --- /dev/null +++ b/45944-h/images/frontis.jpg |
