Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-04-09
From Graham's Magazine.
The Oath Of Marion; a Revolutionary tale.
CHAPTER VII.
BY cHARLEs ]. PETERsoN.

chspter, and the scene was Oneof wildand wooo-
land beauty. Huge expresses rose on every
hand, fesiooned with parasite plants; broad glades
opened here and there in all directions and vast
.arcades stretched off in the distance grolned ana
vaulted like q Gothic minister. IL was just such
Aspot as Robin Hood might have chosen in old
Sherwood. Here we're gnarled monarchs OF the
forests which had braVed the lightnings and the
storms of thousand years; here were natural
bowers. formed by the interlacing branches Of the
,roes. such as fair Rosamond might have been
sheltered in; here were vines, drocping from the
huge branches, like curtains, or hanging in fes-
,oons across the way, like the draped banners of
a mighty host. The whole scene was full of pic
Iuresque beauty. And the effect was heightened
by fires, which glimmering here and there be-
tween the trees, cast wild and Pickering shades
along the sward, and gave the prospect the air of
an enchanted forest. Fragrant plants filled the
evening atmosphere with delicious perlume---the
laurel, the shrub, and, more exquisite than all,
the sweet-scented jessamine.
This, as the reader may have imagined, was
Marion's celebrated camp at Snow Island. 1t
was q piece Of high river swamp, nearly atogeth-
er enclosed by water, and defended by its natu-
raj position from surprise and seige alike. Here,
after his famous expeditions, he was accustomed
10 refine and recruit his men, exhausted by the
long and rapid marches, often sixty miles day,
which they had been called on to endure. Per-
haps the great secret Of this renowned parlisans'
success, next TO his indomitable courage, which
reminds us Of that of a knight Of chyalry, was
the care which he took to give his followers suf-
cient rest between his enterprises. His maxim
was to lie low and feed high until the hour came
20 strike; but then his motions were as rapid, and
the blow he struck as decisive as the thunderbot.
The present occasion was one Of those on which
his men, having returned from successful expe-
diton, were resigning themselves, like true SOL
dierS, 10 the pleasure of the moment. The sen.
tnels were indeed posted at the outskirts; but in
side the camp itself was universal wasslil and
song. The rens Of discipline seemed for the
time, to have been relaxed. The different mess.
es were gathered together over their meals; the
cheerful cup circulated from hand to hand; and
many merry jest was told, or lyric of war or
love was sung by those jovial boon companions.
One Of these groups seemed even more merry
than the rest. twas composed of about a dozen
men, prominent among whom was Preston's SER
peant, Macdonald, who acted as the director of
. the ceremonies for the time being, and saw espe-
ciaIly to the circulation Of the cup.
"Keep it up, boys" he said, handing around
the bottle, "t isn't often we get such real old stuff
MS this, for it's not every day we have the rining
of rich Tory's cellars, as we had last week.
A short life and merry one, ismy motto. Hlo!
my excellent friend, Jacob, why don't you drink!
You needn't sit showing us your teeth all the
time, though they are so handsome. Comrades,
here's the health Of jacob Snow-that's you, my
old chap, suppose-he serves as pretty mis-
tress as there in the thirteen colonies, and boasts
shin-bone that curves like reapng. hook
Jacob Snow, standing, egadF'
"Lor, Massa Macdonald, I'm deeply obligated
for dis honor" said the old butler, forn was in
deed he. 81 am discumfounded for words to
distress my feelings" here he laid his hand on
his heart.
"That's it--blaze away, old fellow" said the
sereant, slapping him on the back, 81 knew you
could talk as glib as parson. So you were al
Mrs. Blakeley's when we were before that place
were youl You remember my sending in for my
baggage!"
"Gor Almighty, yes!" said old Jacob, full o
reverential admiration. Sand you'se de gentle.
man too dat shot Lieut.. Torrano at three hun.
dred yards. Yaw! yaw! yaw! dat made 'em ll-
rious. Major Lindsay said you were an Injun
and no better dan cannon-ball--he, yaw!"
"Ha ha! cannbal you mean, my old brave
Isuppose. But that hitting of the lieutenant was
trife to the way served Gainey. Wasn't it
ladsl"
GAY, was i'll" echoed half dozen voices
"Tell it to him--tel it,"
"Shall Il'' said the serieant, addressing Jacot
with somethngof drunken gravity; for the whole
party, by this time, had done ample Justice BY
their fagons.
Old Jacob nodded, and Macdonald begun.
"Well, thenyou mustknow, my jolly old blade
but fill your cup again, and drink perdtOn tC
the Englishmen-that party of us had brust
down by Georgetown, not long ago, with some o
the British regulars, who were killing beeves a
Whites Bridge. Wesoonwhpped the red-coats
and then chased them towards the town. Blu
their friends there, hearing the firing, came swar
ming out like bees, and so we went at it again
hip and thigh as the good book says, and for
while it was the toss of sixpence which shoult
win. We fought a pretty smart bit of the day
but at last the red'coats gave ground again.
had noticed among them IN officer whom | too
for Major Ganey, fellow that had the impu
dence TO boast he'd carry Marion a prisoner OF
his saddle into Georgetown: andso singled hin
out, resolving TO try his pluck, and comb hin
down spell. But no sooner did he see me, com
ing down on Black Bess, than he clapped spur
to his horse--and cursedly good one it was
and made straight for the town, like an old won
an who sees a mad.dog Down the road w
went, clatterng and numbering; but devil b
for long while could gain on the Major.
might have cut down half dozen srapping fel
lows as | dashed along, but had made up m
mind to have nothing short of the leader himself
Old Black Bess did wonders that day! The tree
and fences shot past as if running u race. Tn
MAJORS blooded horse went as never saw bea
90 before, but was close behind, and begnnin
to gain on hin. We were now almost to the er
france ol 1eo'EG'own. SIll M heid on, whooE