The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-09-29
Vol. vi.
pride, received the silver guerdon for his

Why, the Indians only do these things,
but not with lead. | say, Charles, you
must turn the great talent of yours to ac-
count. Never relinquish its practice"
"Not l." exclaimed Piggott, pocketing
the silver, "When I die, it aoiH be rifle in
hand!"
After few unimportant trials of the sub
stance of the well-riddled target, the party
shoudered their arms, and came across
the Kings farm into the city. The scene
described actually occurred, and the last
mentioned remark Of the young rifeman
was often spoken Of at later and more
interesting period. by his friends and rela-
tives.
Ten years after the time of the above
scene, Washington's forces lay encamped
on New York and Long Island, awaiting
the sanguinary battle in which we lost
about 100 men, and during which more
heroism and bravery was evinced than in
any other action that took place on the A.
merican Continent.
On the 25th of August. 1776, small
groupe Of rifemen were collected on the
road to the narrows. There was every
sign Of suffering among them. They were
badly clad, uncleanly, and looked as if
rest and food were luxuries they had not
been INDUCED with for many day. A.
mong them was tall, muscular, fierce
whiskered man, whose brilliant eye and
forid complexion, thin lips and aquiline
nose, betokened the eagerness Of his feel
ings and the frmness of purpose with
which he addressed his comrades. He
made known his determin alton to engage
in. the expected contest of death. Give
him. he declared, protected position,
where he might remain undiscovered dur
ing the action, and he would kill as many
of the enemy as he had hairs on his head.
He was the STRIPPING, who, ten years be-
fore, had astonished Locksley; but now
how changed! Instead of the mild light
which then shone from his eye. the con-
centrated fires of hatred and revenge, shot
their rays from his optics, and he clutched
his weapon with the blood-thirsty air sup
posed to belong to pirate.
.'Why do you hate these Englshmen,
worse than the rest of us!" asked one
"We love freedom, and are assembled to
resist oppression; but you appear to have
personal motive in your actions, and
seem to thirst for blood"
vengeance is sweet" exclaimed Pig
gott, with convulsive effort to smother
his emotions. vengeance is sweet, and
| desire tell hare it-even though it
costs me my own lile."
"Vengeance! vengeance!" said another
of the men, named Randall, "what have
you to avenge more than |, or each of us!"
''I'll tell you," replied Piggott, the lines
of his face deepening, and his whole form
shadowing forth Mephstophilist. 81 had
an only brother, a lad whom | loved bet
ter than myself He was the last remnant
of our stock, and | looked upon him as
the only being that enabled me to feel that
| was not distinctive feature in commu.
nity--a piece of humanity alone and un-
cared for! He went to Boston, and there
engaged among the patriots who resisted
the efforts of the British at Bunker's Hill.
He was brought down in the early part of
the action by ball which deprived him
of the use of his lower cxtremities As he
Law in this helpless condition, British
officer, to whom he appealed, looked saw
agelyon, and saw corporal crush out
nis life with bayonet. My brothers.
nearest comrade Witnessing the murder
gave me the account oft, and told me the
officers words after the boy had appealed
foi mercy These words--they are brand
ed upon my heart--were: No mercy should
be Shown TO an insurrectionist taken Nth
arms in his hanis against his Majesty's
loyal subjects. | have heard those words
ringing in my ears, day and night, ever
since, and imagination pictures my help
less brother mangled by, and struggling
beneath the cruel bayonet that sent his
soul to heaven. have sworn to avenge
that murder! Now you can account for
the feeling that has given me character
of late never before sustained by me--that
of cruelty. Have l not cause?'
81 think so," exclaimed one of the rifle
men, sand had half as much should be
worse than you"
"Well, you'll stand chance Of trying
the extent Of your courage and principles
ere long; SO let's talk Of something else;''
remarked tall fellow, whose nasal twang
pronounced ''Connecticut'' plainly.
"Hark!" said Piggott, ..the drums call
us in. A truce to all this. Let us act,
not mouth. Let us make the very name
of rihemen dreaded while red coat har-
bors in America" Aaeaa 9Gl
On the following day, it wasplain, from
the movements of the roya. forces, and
from the preparations made by the Ameri-
can commander and his officers, that a
battle was near at hand All that day and
night the utmost activity prevailed, while
the American army exhibited the greatest
courage and alacrity. When Lord Howe
landed at Gravesend Bay, near Fort Ham,
ilton, every man was ready to receive
him. A description ofthe battle would be
superAuous. inasmuch as It has been graph
ically told in other pl .ces. We will there.