The native American., 1837-09-23

olu,ion He had married, and was the father Of
and daughter.
The times which tried mems souls came on, and
severe as the struggle TO rend from his heart
strings all that he had most venerated he failed not to
do it. He gave himself to his suffering country; he
cast his all into I! scale and though inrmies pre-
vented him from personally engaging in her canse, his
advice and consul were not wanting. He had sent his
son, noble youth of twenty, TO join Sumpter, with
such hardy spirits as would follow him, and himself
retired to his family mansion, TO rouse the western
mounianeers.
His daughter-Maria Edwards-how can describe
her! have seen faces more delicately fair, but never
calculated to express the varying emotions eff
the soul. The eye that now slumbered under that
dark and beaunfuy-penciled brow, and now instinct
with life and spirit, flashed with sudden light, how
beautiful il was! at time awing by its deep and
pune tranquility, at another startling by it's brliancy
Why should Iuy so vain task, as to note down the
items of that spiritual loveliness which one may feel
but not portray! Do you most Imaginative reader,
spare me the pains OF so futile an attempt; recall to
your memory the vision of her who sone in your
eyes the polar star of your afecors; the rich and
perfect form that gided before you in your moments
Of purest and holiest feeling, while your rapt sight
rested entranced upon her every molten, and your
head was dizzy with excess Of lovelIness, and your
full soul throbhed IN your bounding pulses, you
followed the object OF your idolary The eye, which
beamed upon you with nsuferabe light the bright
ness Of whose glance your lille, and which, when
it tell upon yon thrilled through blood and bone. The
more strongy than that Of giant, and whose gentle
pressure was more to you than all the world beside;
The tair, calm brow, whose polished surface heaven
had set the impress OF ts own purity and innocence.
Does memory recall such being! Such, but more
spiritually beautiful, was Maria Ed wards. Such she
was, worthy to be daughter, sister, bride. of the men
Of olden times. She indeed qualified to rouse the
sleep ng spirit OF civa,:y into actlon-ntode firm,
and unchangng devctedness to the cause u truth aud
principle. Startled from aprophetic reyerie of the u-
L. y 80.
and clash of steel without, she at once comprehehded
the horror of her situation Her father, her idozed
father ad long been the object Of suspicion TO the in
vaders, and nothing but the danger Of sending de-
tachment into the neghl OF The moAain fast
resses, had prevented him from being long Since
prisoner; but now, after the defeat OF Sumpter, at
Hanging Rock, they deemed the spirit of the country
broken. Now the hour Of peril was come, and that
fair girl bIaced herself TO do and dare. The rich
color passed from her face, but resolution enthroned
itself that high, pale brow. She descended calmly
to the room where her parents were, and found her
mother, with more of woman in her composition, cling
ing in wild terror the of her husband. Fear
knew place in Mr.. Edwards mind, but the sight of
his weeping and fainting wife, she hung upon him
in despair, well nigh unnamed him.
Maria gently nnclasped heI mothers hand, and twi-
ming her own fond arms around her, whispered, s.Mo
ther, if you love my father, let him prepare hmself
for this emergency" She felt the appeal, and with
violent oifor, subduing her emotion, permitted him to
leave the room, though her fearful and staining ewes
followed his reireating form with ardent gaze. Mr..
Edwards turned he reached the doof for one more
look, and for moment stood iresoluie but the vio-
lent knocking without reused him into action. As he
tuned away, the clear, calm voice OF his daughter
thrilled on his " Remember, my father, you have
name, a country, and Godn' - do, will! was
his energetic reply, as he ordered the open
the door, which now rang with redoubled blows,
1t opened, and the venerable form and silver hair of
the old stood in strong with the infaIned
features and violent gestures of the officer who com
manoed the party. Violent and ruthless as he was,
he retreaed with involuntary respect; but recove-
ring his roughness Of manner, he demanded why an
officer of the king forced stand SO long before
the door Of his subject. aa.
9. thank heaven, sir" said Mr.. Edwards, that your
king has few subjects here and among those few, you
are much mistaken If you number me. You are the
first, sir, who has ever had occasion to impsach the
hospitality OF my house; the first whom could moi
heartily Did wecome.'
"sris very well, sir" replied Captain c. g but
by heaven! carry with the means Of making myself
at home, and sco to accept favor the forced hos
pitality of hoary and ungratefu traitor when can
command il as my due. AS long rebellion finds a
place in this land at tree quarters. You, sir, and
your reasonable practices, are well known, and you
will prepare yourself to accompany me, within this
hour, to meet the doom Of traitor.''
SHOW me your warrant, even from your illegal au-
thores, if Indeed you cover your violence under the
pretence of law!" SID
Here is one warrant said the officer, touching
his sword, aud there are fifty more without, it you
wish to see them"
"A most convincing authority, sir, and one which,
as cannot resist, must yield to. few minutes
prepare. and then --''
.'Well, sir, yourself and family must be ready with
in an hour. Collins, let the men dismount, and take
care OF their horses; and ark ye, put careful fellows
round the house, and if you can get any Of the
dark skins to Join you. Promise freedom, you know,
and all that; and when we get to head quarters, VIC
will about shipment to jamaica" DO you hear
me, sirl' ~
Yes, please your honor" said the orderly; " but
we have tried the nggers every way, and they won't
joins they say they'd rather stay in their sarvi,nde."
And such was the fact TO the slaves of the south
states, the British, r-stroke of policy Of
fi'red their freedom. Many accepted it, joined the ar
my, and were regularly dvisioned off 10 the West
Indies, there in the sugar plantations, to find their
boased liberty But by far the greatest number pre-
erred their old and kind masters, and stood by them
to the last Such were the negroes on Mr.. Edwards's
estate. many of whom would have given their lives
freely for their master, and their adoIed Young
missis."
When Mr.. Edwards communicated to his wife and
daughter the order for their immediate departure The
one received it with fearful resignation and oy that
in veal or they we're not to be divded the other,
with high determination to let nothing pass which
gave hope Of relief Suddenly it burst upon her mind
n A.