The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-11-08

bui lew minutes To four active young men,
accustomed to such service. Ii was done
none too speedily, for scarce had they time
TO congratulate themselves on their escape,
ere shower of bullets from the guns of
the Hessians, told them they had escaped
from no slight peril. Mertonn with his
usual impetuosiiy would have Immediately
returned their fire, had he not been restrain
cd by Augustus, who wished 10 see no
more bloodshed il il could be avoided. But
II was not fated that the evening which had
been hegun in bloodshed should end in
peace, for the soldiers finding their prey be-
yond the reach of their guns, had launched
another and larger boat, and were crowd
ing into il to pursue their revenge. For a
time, although their boat was pulled by
four oars, while the pursued could use but
two, they could not perceplably gain on
those, whom IL seemed they were bent on
destroying; but at length, becoming more
accustomed TO the use uf the oars, they be-
gan to lessen the distance between the boats,
and in short time they had approached
so near, that the two who were unoccupied
with the oars, began to fire on the chase |;
hut unused To the motUn of the boat, aud
the short, quick swell, in which they now
found themselves, their efforts To destroy
only drew forth n laugh Of derision from
Mcrtonu, as he saw one ball strike the wa
ter within few yards Of the boat from
whence it was discharged, while the other
passed harmlessly over their heads. But
still the boat continued to gain on them,
and they saw that it would he throwing n
way their own lives, any longer to spare
those Of their yindictys enemies Again
did u shot from their pursuers whistle past
them, and the next moment another past
through the hat Of Meronn. Though
harmless To him, il was fatal To him who
sent it: for shot from Augustus sent him
TO his last account, while that Of Mer,onn
severely wounded one Of the rowcrs. This
seemed to give a check to the pursucrs
they ceased rowing, but still continued I,
fire: and ii was NOT until aaother Of thei
, number had fallen. that they gave up the
pursuit, aud our heroes were allowed tn
pursue their way in triumph.
shall nol weary your patience. cour-
tcous reader, with n description Of journey
unintcrestiug Of itself Neither shall try
to describe the many campaigns in which
they served: nor The many feats Of indiyid.
ual prowess which every hero is supposed
to perform. 1t is enough for us to say,
thrt in a very short time they arrived At
camp, presented themselves, and were en-
rolled among whose who achieved that In-
dependence which is tho wonder and pride
of the civilized world.
Our story next finds them after battle !;
in which Augustus was SO severely wound
ed ms to he untitled for active service, and
he accordingly prepared to return home.
| The parting between him and Mertonn
was affecting in the extreme, fur II was
then first parting, nnd might be their last
meeting. But Mt length the word farewell
was spoken, aud Augustus found him
self on the road to that home, which con-
tanned all of happiness or misery to him !;
while Thomas was left to the busile of a
camp, and the solitude Of a heart bereft
Of all it held mos. dear. But, strong as
his affection was for Augustus, he did not
so much regret his departure, us it gave
him an opportunity of putting into execu-
ZION plan, which he had long formed in
his own mind, but which would have been
difficult Of accomplishing had Augustus
been present. But we must for the present
leave him, the camp, and his plans, and
follow Augustus to the now penceful home
of his childhood. We need not inform our
readers, that ia spite Of his friends absence
the journey was performed without many
melancholy thoughts, for he could only think
Of bis father and Amelia and his only re-
gret seemed to be, that his wounds would
not let him keep pace with bis wishes. lie
thought Of the changes which four ycnrs
might have made in those whom he so soon
expected to see. At length bis journey was
accomplished and in the affcctionaic well
come Of his father, aud more than friend
ly one of Amelia, he felt himself richly
ovcrpsid for the n,iseries Of absence. And
now, while visiting bis old bnun,s with A.
mels, love seemed nt times to scorn re-
strnini, and often was lie on the point Of con-
Tossing his passion; bot the ibough Of
bis absent friend kept him mute, for Au-
gosius was the last one to prof, by the ab-
sence Of another tn further his own suit.
Blu, though the tongue was KEEP, silent by