Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-02-24
A PASSAGE OF THE CIVIL WAR.
Eraaal LIE 8. Uinker,a Wreathn


ridge near to, and commanding view of the sea
co asst. He proceeded slowly; and at length resting
on his staff he contemplated with intense interest
the scene which lay before HIM. And it was scene
on which travellers eye might well rest 1t was,
indeed, in some respects, bleak; for the high land
Ihave mentioned, extending for some distance to
the right and left inclined its dun irregular surface
towards the waters edge, unadorned by one strag-
Cling patch of verdure. Atits base, on the one side
flat sandy beach stretched as far as the eye could
follow on the other, lay a broad tract OF marshy
land. On the most elevated part of the ridge stood
lonely watch tower or beacon; and below the stran-
ger,--almost under hisfeet-a small fortified town,
with its rude walls and ancient castle, looked yet
more gloomy from the deep shadow in which 1t lay
obscured. But whatever might be the detects OF
the foreground of the picture, they were amply re-
deemed by the distance, where broad, noble river
poured its full tribute to the the whole magnl
fcent expanse giving back the splendour OF the
evening sun, in one unDroken sheet OF dazzling glo
nv The town was situated on its banks about
miles from the en,bouchatre on the opposite side,
and commanding the entrance OF the channel, three
or four vessels rode at anchor under long low rock
or ather point of land. which uted out tar into the
water-the tips of their taper masts just glded by
the yellow light which streamed in full radiance over
the open sea beyond. Far away to the southwest
a range of blue hills bounded the cloudless horizon,
until their aerial tints were blended with the sur
rounding sky.
The individual who gazed on the prospect which
have attempted to describe, was man of slight
cure, below the middle height, whose black silkcap
Geneva cloak and band, distinguished him, a once,
as Puritan anda preacher. Full seventy summers
had withered his palid cheek. and banched his thin
hars but the fire which burned brightly in his small
clear blue eye, bore witness to spirit unquenched
by age and unsubducd by suffering. His wasted
features were prominent, strongly marked, and ex-
pressiye but their prevailing cast was mild and
| melancholy. And such was his character With
firm faith, undaunted courage, and untrcd zeal
but with little of the stern bigotry which character
lied his mporares-IieZekiah Standfast had
spoken his message throughout the stormy period
preceded the downfall ot the unfortunate Charles the
First He was among the first who had preached
the Presbyterian doctrines in England he had bra
we'd reoiced in privation--and borne up I'M
der imprisonment ;-one prayer alone, for himself,
assembled with his daily orlsons-one hope sustain
ed him ;-and far spent as his sands now were, he
still chung to it with the sangune eagerness OF youth
that he might see the good cause triumph-and
then die
At the present moment, his faded countenance
glowed with exultaton, as he behold the flag OF the
Parliament float proudly in the evening breeze from
the tower of the Castle below land folding his
hands, he looked upwards, as in silent thanksgiv-
ing.
Ills mediatons were, ere long, interrupted by
the distant trampng of horses he looked round
but could only observe dense cloud of dust which
while it totally enveloped those who approached
told an appalling tale of their numbers
In the dreadful hour of civil discord, " the trav
eller," to borrow Eastern provelb, 'rarely meet
a friend - the strong are prepared to combat-th
J. feeble to fly and the preacher gazed anxiousl,
around him, to discover some means OF escape. II
effect this by mere bodily actvlty,hc well knew wa
impossible. 1t might have been achieved by scram
bling down the broken side of the hill, and making
: straight for the town. But while he yet looke
upon the difficulties of the steep, rugged ground,th
time for fight was past. A shout, commanding hin
to halt, informed him that he had been dscovere
by the party of horsemen the foremost riders Q
which were now within hundred yards of the spo
where he stood. As they approached, he perceive
that his worst fears were justified they ca,
alters and, as far he could judge, in considers
bic numbers but the main body halted on the bro
is of the hiIl while small troop, which rode little
te advance, spurred towards him.
The riders appeared by their dresses to be off
GERS, men of high rank. The lew troopers VIII
attended them were well. equipped and mounted
and some there were of unusual stature, whose fo
eien uniforms and golden hair. belonged to tt
shores of the Rhine. But the officer, who rode
nj the centre of this little group.was figure renar
IN able and commanding as to rvet the attention Q
himself alone. Less in size than his colossal bod
guard, and in form graceful, though athletic, /
was, nevertheless much taller than the English Ca
: alters by whom he was surrounded. A quantity
light brown hair escaped from under his helme
tell on his shoulders, and clustered round his dro
ping feather. His fair, open conntenance, and fl
blue eve bespoke his Teutonic origin and were e
pressve of pride, courage, and that reckless gaiet
which is the distinguishing characteristic ofthc SC
- der by profession He wore Il steel breast-pla
th and buff coa at his side hung long Spanish swor
rs he had pistols at his saddlebow, and in his belt
re carried short ponard or dagger. The rest of
e. equipment was in the picturesque fashion of Il
er time, but covered with dust and foam from plume
SUR and The faded chargers, and travelsoll