The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-04-17

we will employ the interval in drawing his
picture. Marion, at that time, was about
forty-eight years Of age; small Of stature,
swarthy in visage. and having face cross.
ed by many lines Of thought. Without be-
ing positively stern is aspect, there was a
hard expression In bis couDtenance. which
at first might seem to augur a bosom equal.
~ hardJ but Marion was in reality, man Of
singhlarly mild temperament; and the usually
passiohless expression Of HE face rose rather
from the Rrmness of hip character, and the re.
sponsibilities of bis station, than from any
lack of human sympathy. His eyes were
dark, shall, and piercing, but at times they
kindled with enthusiasm. This, Indeed was
the only evidence that pkysiognomist could
have found genius In Marion; but when those
eyes flashed Indignantly at wrSng, blind in:
deed must he have been, who did not see
the master spirit within. In attire this great
partizan leader was modest and simple
His words were generally few; and after the
exertion he made in welcoming Preston, he
sank back into silence which he maintained
until the conference was up, only as each
officer delivered his opinion, Marion would
cast upon him momsntary glance, as ifto
read his soul, and then sink his head on his
breast, thoughtful and distracted.
In a few words Capt. Horny explained
the purpose for which the council had been
convened. A spy has just come in with the
intelligence that the garrison of Georgetown
had been considerably reduced; on which
Col. lee had proposed that an attack should
be made Upon The place. since the country
expected some bold and decisive stroke, now
that hs forces ana Mariof's were united.-
The plan he suggested was, that portion
Of the brigade shoaa dfep down the Pedee
by night and lie in ambush below the town;
that on the succeeding night, this party
should enter the town on the defenceless
side, and taking it by surprise, open an en-
trance for their comrades, who, led by Lee
and Marion in person, would be ready, al
the signal to assail the entertainments or
the landward side. .... -.
/ The heart of Preston leaped into his throa
as he heard this proposal. "Perhaps Kate
may yet be saved" he said to himself.
Accordingly. when Horny ceased. snt
Marion, by nod signiied his desire for oul
hero to speak, Preston's eyes kindled and he
answered.: ....
"My voice is for the attack, whatever be
the odds. The opportunity for bold, res
Dilute attack is all ask for. I will under
take if necessary, to chorge with my compa.
ny, up to the very mzzies, Of the battery
which defends the town"
Lee turned to Horny and nodded approx
ingly at these words. IA lad of spirit" he
whispered apart. II have heard of his dar.
ing Ut Biakely's. Had there been more
such at Camden, we never would have los
that day" Marion, however, took no fur.
ther notice Of Preston's firery speech than
to turn to the next officer at the table; but O
very close observer might have detect
ed a sudden CLEAN Of the Generals eye, like
1ss flash, gone in a moment. ..... ..
The opinion of the other officers were ii
the main lees favorable to the enterprise
than Preston's; aud SO many obst acles wer'
mentioned as'necessary to overcome, tina
he was in torture lest the undertaking shodl
be abandoned. Even Bee seemed to hesi
tate, startled at the difficulties brought for
ward Had military discipline permitted it
Preston would have broken III on the confer
ence, bit he was forced to sit silent, hear
ing obstacle after obst icle canvassed as un
coaquerable; yet bis flashing eye, and the
agitation Of his codhtenance, told how diff
cult he found it TO retain himself.
Atlength all had delivered their opinion
except Marion. He glanced around tn,
board before he spoke, and his words fsl
on breathless auditory. With Preston
the excitement was intense to hear the Gen
erals opinion.
81 find, said Marion, "that am in the min
ority here; and that except Col. Lee andCap
tains Horny and Preston, am almost alone
do not 60 quite SO far as these two latter
In considering the enterprise as certain 0
success; but think it affords fair chance
and bravery can do the rest. Besides
gentlemen" said he solemnly, "you know
it was in an attempt or Georgetown that
my nephew lost his lifey and you all know
too, that have sworn to avenge him.
have not forgotten my VOW. Before God.
he shall be avenged before tomorrow nigh,
is past. This very night part of the troop.
shall set'forth." With these words he rose
and dismissed the council.
Every heart was now alive for the enter
prise. The memory Of the outrage alluded
to strung all TO pitch Indignation little shor
Of frenzy, The wstchworda-" The Oath o
Marionl" was adopted BY general cohsen
and passed from lip to lip.
Preston, il may we'll bs stipposed, wal
even more excited than his commander
his only fear was that succor would srriv,
too late. Agitated by this thought he toss
ed d and fro on bis couch, vainly seeking
slumber. Many muttered imprecation fel
from his Iips on the villain who had destroy
ed his hsppinsss and that Of Kate. Ere
quentlt be half breathed aloud the wish tina