Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-04-08

from Orahams Magartne.
THE OATH OF MARION.
A STORY OF THE REVOLUTION.
CHAPTER III.

BY CHARLES ,. PETERSON.

The war meanwhile went with increased
ferocity The tide OF battle which at first ran in
Maron's favor, had now turned, and his enemies
were everywhere in the ascendant. The army Of
Greene was in North Carolina, occupied in watch
ing CORVALLIS. Lord Rawdon held Camden with
a strong force. All the other important posts we're
in the hands Of the British Marion, for the first
time disheartened, talked Of retiring behind the
mountains. Armed bodies OF Tories, in the mean
time, uaversed the country. pundering at will, and
hanging, without even the form Of trial, those Of
their unfortunate prisoners they had found in arms
Mr. Mowbray had long contemplated rising in
favor of his country again, and no time seemed 10
him proper as the present, when all others were
becoming dshearened His daughter he knew
TO be in safety with her aunt who had always main
tanned strict neutrality; so there was nothing TO
withhold him longer from his purpose. He had
accordingly secretly exerted himself TO raise troop
among the young men of his neghborhood, and
his recruiting had been attended with such success
that their rising only awaited the removal Of large
body Of armed forces who had lately infested the
vicinity. On the first signal from Mr. Mowbary,
they were TO rendezvous at the Hall.
Mowbray Hall was one Of these fine old man.
sions few Of which yet lnger in South Carolina,
fast fading monuments Of the departing spendors
Of her old provincial nobility. The building stood
at the head Of long avenue Of trees, and was
large uouDie nouse WIN an luUtnSe nan III tue
centre. The out houses had suffered considerably
since the war began, and many Of the fields lay
bare and uncultivated; but the mansion itself was
still in a remarkably fine state Of preservation, and
the architectural boast OF the country.
| IL was fine, clear morning When Mr. Mowbray
stood on the steps Of his house, TO welcome the
recruits who, in obedience TO his long expected
signal, were on that day TO repair TO the rendezvous
His feelings, as one stout yeoman after another
Al e I..sl.
perhaps with regret for having ever despaired Of
his country.
How fortunate that Capt Ball, with his Tories,
has moved up the river said his leutenent, who
stood beside him. we shall have time to discipline
our men, and rally greater number to our ranks.
Our twenty tall fellows though brave enough, could
scarcely make head against his hundred troops
We have good week before u.s.
Very true aud we have assurances Of nearly
thirty more, provided we display our banner
Three days OF quiet is all ask Then, hope, we
shall be able TO give good account OF ourselves
even if Balls Tories RETURN said Mr. Mowbray.
1--WE are gone when he comes back, my deaI
| sir, he will wreak his vengeance, ] fear ouI
homes said the other with something Of sigh.
4 hope you do not think OF drawing back, re-
piled Mr. Mowbray. In this cause a man must be
willing TO sacrifice father and mother, house and
land good repute. and all else he holds dear in the
/ "ono ooa heip us 800 s 81 =
i am with you ill DEATH said the lieutenant
thinking at that moment how much more his So
perior had to lose than himself, and Affected b.
such heroic and sell sacrihclng patriotism
Al this instant a horseman seen galopinl
iuriously down the avenue, and as he came onward
he waved his cap as II DESTROYS TO call their aten
ton 10 something IN the road which he had lefl.-
Mr. Mowbray looked in that direction, but cluml
OF woodland shut out the highway from sight ; how
ever, after moments delay, the voice Of one o
the recruits called his attention TO what seemed
cloud OF dust rising above the tree tops. Amos
at the same instant number OF troops appeared q
the head OF the avenue. The approaching horsema
now hadreached the lawn.
We are betrayed he cried, almost exhausted
Balls Tories are behind, aud have chased me &c
two miles 10 arms-io arms rrna
The time was too short 10 allow Of barricadin
the house but the great hall was speedily turne
into a iorihcalion The doors at either end wef
closed, barred, and further defended by chains an
tables piled against them; while the entrance
into the parlors were closed elfectually in u
same way, The great window at the head OF n
staircase, and The one at the other extremity Of u
upper hall we're guarded by proper force. TheI
dispositions bad scarcely been completed when q
Tories galoped up to the lawn, on which they d.
mounted with loud shouts, and began instant pr
lparatlons for the attack.
"nen NJ, Moworay's scanty troop was mus'ere
was ioano 70 contain put Ten exclusive o. MI