Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-04-22

sugur bosom equally hard but Marion was. in
reality, man Of a sIngularly mild temperament;
and the usually passionless expression Of his face
rather from the firmness Of his charace., aud
the responsibilities Of his station. than from any
lack Of human sympathy. His eyes we're dark,
small, and piercing but ct times they kindIed
with enthusiasm. This, indeed was the only evil
dence that physiognomist could have found of
genius in Marion; but when those eyes flashed in
Elegantly at wrong. blind, indeed. must he have
been, who did not the master spirit within. 10
attire. this great partisan leader wss simple and
modest. His words generally were few and, az
ter the exeriion he made IN welcoming Preston, he
sank back into silence which he maintained until
the conference was breaking up, only, as each Of
hceF delivered his opinion, Marion would cas-, on
him rnomeutary glance. il to read his soul, aud
then sink his head on his breast, thoughtful and
distracted.
In few words, Capt Horny explained the por.
pose for which the council had been convened A
spy had Just come in with the intelligence that the
garrison Of Georgviown had been considerably re.
duced on which Col Lee had proposed thai an
attack should be made upon the place. since the
country expected some bold and decisive stroke
now that his forces and Mariou's were a-iied--
Tie plan he suggested was, that a portion Of the
brigade should drop down the Pedee BY night, and
lie in ambush below the town tha, on the succeed
ing night this party should enter the town on ihat
defenceless side aud taking by surprise, open an
entrance for these comrades, who, led BY Lee and
Marion an person, would be ready al the signal 10
assal The entertainments on the landwsrd side.
The heart Of Preston leaped into his throat as he
heard this proposal. Perhaps Kate may yet be
saved he said 10 himself - ~
Accordingly, when Horny ceased, and Marion,
BY nod, sgnihed his desire for our hero TO speak,
Presion's eyes kindled. and he answered.
My voice is for the attack. Whatever be the
odds. The opportunity for bold, sresols,e as
sault, is all that ask for. We will die to nai,
or succeed. l viii undertake, IL necessary, 10
charge with my company up to The very muzzles
OF the battery which defends the town
Lee turned TO Horny and nodded spprovingly al
these words. "A lad OF spirit, be whispered apart.
4 have heard Of his daring at Blakeey's Had
there been more such al Camden, we never would
have LOST that day. Marion, however, took no
further notice Of Prestons fiery speech than
TO the next officer Al the table; but very close
observer might have detected sudden CLEAN OF
the generals eye, like FASH gone in a moment
The opinions Of the other officers were in the
main less favorable TO the enierprize than Presons
and so many obstacles were mentioned as necessary
TO be overcome, that he in torture lest the IN
dertaking should be abandoned, Even Lee seemed
to hesitate startled at the difficulties brought for
ward. Had military discipline permitted il. Preston
would have broken in on the conference but he
was forced 10 SIT silent, hearing obstacle aier OBJ
s'aeie eonrassed as unconqueraoei yet his flashing
eye, and the agitation OF his countenanee, sold how
o'meu'' was 70 restrain n'mseh
a. ieng,n az hsu oense'eu 'ne'' opinions eAeeP'
spoke, and his words fell on GREATNESS auditory.
vim Preston .he eAe"emen' was intense 70 near
the generals oec's'on'
4 ind,' said Marion that am in the minority