The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1838-11-16

when his anger is upon hIml he is lion
thea; his wrath is terrible, aud stops not
at the common obstacles Of calculating
courage. am iimid man; yet my soul
was once nerved up to deeds of inlmiiable
daring, and my fancy filed with a vision
Of exceeding glory. But, Oh how vain are
all our dreams Of earthly Immortality |
cannot, even at this day, look back with
calmness on the bloody consequences of
that one hasty deed. Here thought the
old mans lip curIed With smile of peculiar
btierness.)
When youth | AWAY dreaded the name
Of coward; yet ifthc-e occurred any thing
in the shape Of day:ng To be done IN the
neighborhood, | Stood out Of harms way
and calculated censequences Till some more
hardy man brased the danger and put on
tho glory. However my acquaintance
miahtiose me for certain amiabIe qualities
which fancy possessed, felt that they
knew one for a white llyered bastard. They
never coldly called me coudrd, but their
sneers aud indifference, which no doubt
greatly magnltied, pierced my diseased soul
Ny scffniy haunted me day and night
l l i0rmed thousand schemes both in my
walking and dreaming hours, 10 retrieve
Imy character--or rather my nature. Thus
u plodded on 10 manhood, carefully eschew
ing all possible approaches TO personal dan.
! ger,-unnotlced, unknown, unhated, aud al.
most ualoyed.
The war of the revolution had been for
some time raging ~ the northern colonies i,
and the howl Of war was now raised on the
hitherto quiet plans OF the South. Al
length news Of real and fearful danger 10
cur own neighborhood smole upon my stun.
bcnug ears. 4 body Of tories, and a strong
sell disciplined regiment of Brush lnlan.
try, under command IT the soterlaus Col.
f itavcrs, we're marching through the set.
llemeni, recklessly destroying property aud
+ lifa slih tire and sword. A veteran colonel
Of the coutneuia hue, Nhr had been some
tine among us, hastily raised a volunteer
corps, among whom aere sone hliy or SIX.
" mounted tnea, ia check lie cfurlilrs 81
thus hcariless Toe. | felt an unwuuted FIRE
kudied IN ms soul AS ! leaped oul Of bed,
and determined TO J1n the little baud oi
patriots. No one noilced OF thought OF the
an the hurried preparations lor var; vet
even coward as had been To ughi-
appeared, hy the side of my brave old faith.
er aud among my bravny brothers and
cousins, 10 the hasly array before The enc.
mes camp. We we're standing on the
ground with the bride rcins upon our arms,
aud ! was adjusting the belt OF heavy
bfoadsWofd,
"What under the sun arc you gong to
10 With that sword, Ralph 7"
intend 10 FIGHT With Il, SAID | calmly,
peal of broad moulhed laughter gree.
ted lhls first valiant proposal Of nv ISr.
Ny father was a brave man, aud a slight
expression of contempt curled his hp when
he behelj me 10 such soldlcry trim but he
loved his son and Eel, for his nhrmlly, and
the expression Ct has cornreaance changed
to that Of pity and compassion.
"Ralph, my son, 60 home and keep com.
pauy Tor your mother and sisters; they are
frightened. Nature never intended you
for such scenes as this. Go, Ralph"
looked him straight 10 the eye. My
soul was slung up TO desperation. 4 new
splrt sirove within me Tins sword, salc
|, and ! shook IT tall It quIvered IN my hand
like reed" tins sword shall dunk deep
er Of British blood this DAY than any blade
that's welded here and Colt shall bear a.,
where no other charger VIII dare to 20.
stepped aside, and the wld colt stood be-
fore The astonlshed group; his glossy neck
arched high, his ears prICkcd tiercey for.
ward, and his hmbs quverlng with Unborn
energy.
How did you catch Colt, Ralph Nc
man ever laid hands on his wild name be-
fore Y
al thought Celt too brave an animal Il
waste ms fire IN the barrens," said i" bu
bark N'--the drums aud huges OF the enc
my sounded the signal Of attack, and then
long dazzling lines moved forward, with the
precision of veterans and the alacrlty of an
, tlc,pa,ed victory. We vauted into oul
, saddles anG formed our hasty line.
Men y erred my father Eve know lit
, tie of the arts or stratasems of war W,
, must depend on our own stout hearts an'
strong arms to protect the dear and helpless.
, Coli pranced with the hghlness of der,
] when he heard the heavy roll Of the drums
. but governed hun with an easy rein, toI
e my arm was strong with new born ener
2 ~. Presently the crash Of dlscharglns
musketry, mingled with the shrIeks OF ou