The North-Carolina standard., 1842-11-23

4
equalled by but few. The petition was signed by
about two hundred persons, some of whom, a:
has already been said, were amongst the best
friends Of the Kings cause
1 A suitable person was now wanted. by whom
the petition could be presented, and the cause oi
| the unfortunate Dudley advocated, with as much
ingenuity yet deEcacy and perseverance as posi-
| bic, without compromising the honor Of the one,
or touching the dignity of the other During
these deliberations and proceedings, an old Indian,
named Sure Shot, whose sons life Dudley had
once saved, from the appraised sword Of the very
person whose prisoner he now was, might have
been seen vending his way steadily, yet quickly,
to and from the large open square where the meet
was being held, and Zada's domicile. Amon the
old Indian was seen to run, 4 gait at which he
was never known to go before. Zada was in wait
ing on the piazza, ready to receive the account OF
4 progress Of the friends of her botrothcd from
the trusty lips of the old warrior. As soon as he
darted into her sight she saw from his hurried
step, that m thing i'm portant either hal, was
about to take place, before however, she had time
to ask him the import Of his tdngs, he sprang
upon the piazza, aud taking her han1 somewhat
rudcly, exclaimed, 'Zada betrothed Of the youth
Of noble heart, and noble deeds, tic light Of
MyAte depends on thy haste, thy fnnncsS, and
thy tongue The friends of Dudley want hand
to carry the petition, and a tongue to plead his
Without uttering a word, Zada followed Sure
Shot as if by instinct, 10 the square where the as
sembly were met, and there with the irinncss ola
stole, made known her wish to be the bearer Of
the petition for the liberation Of Dudley, to the
commander of the British forces. A few words
from Sure Shot, soon convinced the meeting that
Zada was the person most likely to succeed the
the petition was thereupon placed in her hands,
without any instructions whatever, she having
tod that, fHpFN
rose to depart on her solemn mission, followed on
ly by Sure Shot, whom, she had requested to at
tend her; as she passed through the crowd that
had collected to aid in the deIiberaton of the meet
ing, simultaneous shout of God speed Zada"
burst from the lips of the multitude, that made the
wclkin ring
They passed from thence TO the quarters OF the
commander in silence. When they arrived at the
camp they were hailed by the sentry; soon how
ever they were ushered into the presence of that
august parsonage, the commander, whose nod
depended the life of one of Gods nobiest creatures
for doing that, which every man in his heat mast
apfrove-fehting, for liberty,
The prcliminarcs being gone through Zada
stretched out her hand, and said, in the sweetest
accents that ever were breathed to man, "May it
please your ExcpI~ncy to receive this package, it
is petition for the exchange, or liberation, of
young Dudley, who in the chances of war, COM
mon to all who follow it, has fallen into the hands
of his adversares; if your Excellency will deign
to read it, it will explain why the petitioners have
intruded their notice upon you" The eye of the
commander ran hastily over the petition, without
however deigning to look at the signatures attach
cd thereto. Sure Shot closely watched every
gesture of the commander and just the latter.
was about to hand back the petition to Zada, Sure
Shot observed, 'Your Excellency hath not MOTTO
ed the names that are affixed to the petition" the
commander made no reply but called guard to
stake out the rude forest bear, and teach him. for
the future, TO know the respect that is due TO the
commander of his majcsty's forces" the guard
proceeded TO execute his masters orders, when
Sure Shot seized him blythe collar, ana dashed
him to the ground like sapling, observing to the
commander that she would wait GIltsdc till his
conference with Zada was ended ~ then lowering
his voice he added, s'Your Excellency had best
grant the young woman prayer, for should Dud
ley die his last breath will be the commanders
death warrant" at the same time, making low
bow, he withdrew outside the tnt, leaving thf.
PROSTATE guard to pick himself up as best he
might
The commander AMI Zada, being now alone,
Zada, with that noble bearing, and heroic fortude
for which the daughters of Carolina have ever
been Justly famed proceeded to her frlitless task,
of softening the heart of the hardened and blood
thirsty commander. He remained incXorable to
all her eloquent appealS-anu all neT aHeCtiondte
and affecting solicitations passed by him as the
idle wind His only reply to her was, that
DudIeys very virtues, nobleness heroism, and
high descent, make me doubly proud to have the
traitor in my power; his noble bearing added
he 'and heroic acts of daring gallantry are known
to the whole British forces throughoutthe Colonies;
and glory in the thought Of having captured the
daring spirit that defeated all my plans and SIT at
nought the majesty of Englancl' He expatiatcd
also on the salutary effect his execution would
have in deterrng others of his rank and fortune
from Joining the rebels in their vain and fanatcal
efforts, las he termed it) to gain the independence
of the Colonies "Finally," said he, with as
much song froid as he would decide wager
''aIl further arguments or persuasion in favor Of
Dudley will be in vain, fair Zada, for he is al
ready tried and condemned, and tomorrow at sun
RISE on the banks ofthe Cooper, he will be shot, as
a base and traitorous rebel.', "Base said thou,
foul demon?" shouted Zada rs if all the fury Of
maniac had taken possession of her heretofore
sweet and gentle spirit. "Base dost not fear that
the righteous God will strike thy venomed tongue
with palsy Base2 thou degraded tool of tyran-
mic oppression honor's throne is seated on, my
Dudey's heart Ba--" she could utter no more;
the excitement caused by the unmanly insult on
her beloved Dudley was too much for her harrass-
L r.