Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-02-24

lowers, proved that they had made long anu I'd
pid march.
As they approached, two of the troopers, at a
sign from their leader, dismounted and leaving
their horses in the of their comrades, sprang
forward and seized the preacher. Resistance was
worse than useless. Standfast knew this, and sub
mitted to his fate in silence. Meanwhile, the cava-
lier drawing up, bestowed long and carnast gaze
on the scene which the preacher had regarded with
feelings SO different, moment before.
"This them he at length exclaimed, " is Leve-
pole and fair enough she looks from hence, with
the goodIy river beyond. She is well fortified too
doubt me not-and hath the vantage OF her seq
defence. ''But," after a moments pause, "we have
here brave position for our battering train, and
will surely destroy this crows nest of roundheads
in two days at farthest. Forward, cavaliers we
must even seek quarters for the night" then turn
ing to one of the soldiers who held the prisoner
durance. Look well to your preacher Baldwin !;
spy, warrant me, his trade have ever been such
will examine ere sleep" Standfast was hastil,
secured on horseback, before of the troopers
the party proceeded with the main body, which hat
halted at little distance.
| After short consultation between the Prince
! ((or the commander was no less) and the officers
of his staff, the army made preparations for encamp
ing around the beacon while Rupert himself ad
vanced little to the southwest, where small low
farm house stood, under the shade OF few elm
trees; upon the brow ofthe ACTIVITY. This hous
had already been selected for his accommodation
and his followers were soon busted in making sucl
internal arrangements for his comfort as the plac
allowed. The baggage and artillery of the army
with their usual accompaniment OF rabbe, began
now to arrive the air rung with martial sounds
and bosterous mirth and the scene late so placit
and SILENT was instinct with life, and with prepare
! ton for the work of death.
| Another evening, calm and lovely as the former
sank down the sandy hill, casted town, ant
broad river. But month had passed away, ant
the aspect ofthe landscape was somewhat changed
/ The face of the hill was white with tents at 1t
foot deep trenches had been cut and batteries
erected, thicIly planted with cannon. Thesurfac,
of the ground was broken up by the feet of the hor
ses and the deep ruts ofthe heavy artillery. Tn
town lay dark and still as before but, though it
Notifications had hitherto resisted all attacks. the
we're pierced with cannon balls, and scorched wit
the black traces of fire.
Evening had, as hitherto, suspended the opera
tons Of the besicgers and their leader rested q
the door of his cottage shelter. He, too, ha
undergone change. The natural gaicty his cour
enance had given place to an expression OF extrem
anxiety and rpexity.-Provoked and disappoin
ed by the obstinate resistance of the town; hara:
sed, at the same time, by repeated and impatien
York, Rupert felt his inactivity before Levepole II
tolerably irksome. As warrior and Prince h
spurned the idea ola retreat. yet, certain that hi
presence was much needed elsewhere irritated hi
beyond endurance. He now gazed on the seen
before him trying to school his proud spirit int
yielding to the exigency Of the time 81 abandoning th
enterprise. AT his side, watching every turn
his countenance, stood lieZekiah Standfast wh
was still his prisoner, and whom he kept at his qua
tiers, partly for security, and partly from kindness
the old man, who had won the Princes regard.
y spite ofthe earnestness with which he from time
4 time acclaimed against the errors of prelacy. So
diers were standing in detached groups at the Ell
: trance of their tents or lay baskng in the rays
the setting sun and. at distance, the sent
. EeIs, who had mounted guard for the night in tt
e trenches, might be observed pacing slowly to al
n fro
d The Prince looked long and earnestly on the tov
4 and its Notifications. At last, starting from his
II vere he exclaimed, " A crows nest it were ht
d ter called nest of eagles, or den of lions
= will we try it one day longer. The ramParts
l. defence are sorely maltreated;- they cannot mu
W longer abide the shooting ofour great guns 6
n Jude not thyself, great Prince interrupted t
preacher, ''by supposing that they will yield ,wh
j. one stone of that castle remains upon another Nh
10 bers may overpower them famine may subd
them,-but fear never! If their walls be c.
r down, they will flee into their strong hold, and
,e fend it with therves. More looketh not back VIII
in his hand is to the plough-hc doeth not the Lor
X work negligently !"
IN As Standtast spoke, he cast his eyes triumphan
v on the tower from whence the banner of the P
lie lament dlspayedts heavy folds to the breeze.
v his attention was insenslbly attracted to the op
of sea beyond, now filled with the face of Heaven
It, and the uncertain chances of battle. the trun
O. of victory.-nay, even the recollection of his o.
i'll dubious situation. we're swallowed up in the &C
X temptation Of that Being whose grandeur was
y, family imagined by the wide waters before hin
d. and who had promised that the righteous sh
tie shine forth even as the glory of that bright su
d; which looked yet more resplendent, the nearer
he approached its temporary extinction in the wave