Eastern times., 1851-05-01

On them shall light at midnight,
A strange and sudden fear;
t When waking to their tents on ire,
. They grasp their arms in vain.
And they who stand TO face US,
Are beat TO earth again:
And they who ay in terror deem
A mighty host behind,
And hear the tramp of thousands
Upon the hollow wind.-Bryari.
A gloomy, threatening cloud lcomed sullen-
" upon the darkest era in the DAYS that tried
mems souls The ebon pail Of blasted fortune
lay heavily over the cherished hopes of the
nursing liberty, and the chilling Consciousness
Of an utter inability to revive the dropping ten
dril. 50 fercely struggled for, and SO dearly
loved, appeared crossing the hitherto indomi-
table spirit Of the American soldlery Sur
rounded and menaeed on every side BY the in-
sUltng minions Of foreign rule, aud subject
to continued and overwhelming defeats, they
slckened under the terrible reverse, aud the
loved object Of their lives seemed fast digging
its own grave, mid the accumulated wreck of
freedoms scattered temple. Still. like the
meteor fash OF a dark stormy night, ray
would CLEAN out from the dark mass, and
momeniary enthusiasm would kindle in the
bosoms Of a few iron-nerved adherents, and
send its enervating influence to the bleeding
hearts Of their dispirIted companions, till lit
tie host would again gather round the imper-
ishable standard of nations rights, boldly re-
solved upon the maintenance of the immacu-
late will. Again from the sacred altar, the
smouldering embers would burst into bright
fame like the day king, as he breaks through
the thick sable mantle of the huge water cloud,
when midway DER the arched canopy of Heav-
en-, and spreads holy lght-a beacon TO the
gathering patriots. The thunder-toned war
cry wonld again reverberate through trackless
forests, warning and call to their hidden
inmates, or would mount the rough hewn
mountain side to claim some lingering, yet
steady soul, or pierce down into the depths of
the dark abyss, and rouse from lethargic list
lessness the cropping figure of some sorroving
adherent, or send its reiterated echoes DER the
broad river and the CLASSY lake, lending new
born brilliancy TO their silver surfaces, while
fancy curled the ripping water drops, and hid
the slumbering wave to fall in gentle undula-
tions as it reused TO animation by the perfumed
zephyrs that emanated from that soul thrilling
tone. Clad in rustic garments and with vari-
egated weapons which fortune gave them,
these fearless hearts again would congregate
amid their sacred retreats and with a wary,
watchful eve, followed every movement of the
enemy, till, by chance or purpose, they were
decoved, unwittingly, within the bounded pre-
cints, and then, with the quick -limbed motion
of crouched panther, they sprung upon the
unsuspectng myriads of their foes, and the et
feet told wonderfully upon the frightened,
scampering Britons, and many time had this
little band of heroes put to fight host that
might have completely annihllated them, had
they for an instant turned defensive front on
their assailers. But panic struck, they igno-
miniously fled, and England blood-stained
escutcheoa became of darker hue, when added
TO its crimes, the cowardce of her mlnlons
stamped shameful blot upon lis over-fraught
blazonry. When the odds were in their favor
BY thrice trebled numbers, they would murder
for it were no contest where resistance
could not avail, save in the name-but when
confronted man TO man, they shrunk from the
encounter, with timdity, or absolute fear,
which would have beftted less vaunting foe
than the kings hege subjects y
South Carolina, in the wear 1880, might
literally have been dcnominated British prov
ince. There is no time during that struggle
Of the Revolutionary War, when the aspect of
American affairs presents more deplorable
appearance, than it did at the period to which
we refer Charleston was made their head
quarters-and at Camden a victorious army
revelled in riotous excess. Georgetown and
scores of bloody-minded tories filled the vacan-
cies, with not one intervening spot where lib
erty could have planted resting foot 1t was
truly a terrible crisis, and in the end was
parked with like effect to an invading foe
Secure in ill-go,ten power, they imagined, the
British put forth show Of confidence in them
selves that was entirely inconsistent, and which
resulted in their entire discontinue.
A calm. clear twilight succeeded day Of
unusual splendor, as the tired day-god sank
slowly into cloudy bed Of gold and crimson.
finging sombre shadow Of rare and eIqui-
site beauty over the darkening landscape
The gentle emotion Of tiny riEuler. as it purl-
ed on amid pebbIy host Of eaudy-tinled i'm
pediments, gave forth a lulling echo to the
wearjed mind. and refreshing influence To
the bowed in spirit; and as the light Of day
waxed fainter and fainter. as the gorgeous
mapnifceuce of the setting sun sank deeper
into its rspsse, merry throng of gliriering
stars came out cheering and bright, and the
full moon rose and cast new light Of paler
brilliancy around the beautiful scenery. till the
whole earth glowed, and all nature appeared
dancing with delight, at SO rare gala night
AT the very base Of a long hill that sloPed
gradually down to the margin of beautiful
stream, stood a neat, snow-white outage, with
green laiticed window shutters, and huge oak
door, full ofquaintly carved grooves and iuden-
tations, with nicely gathered honey-suckle
creeping over its top, and hanging down, till
the rich red blossoms fell into the doorway
A fine row of venerable looking old oaks stood
IL -~~~rI A.