West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-06-24
THE SWAMP FOX.


he had to depend on MS guide for
assistance. Al Last they came To u
halt. and the young man had the
bandage removed from his eyes
lie gi5ed around him in astonish-
ment. lie had come long way to
see the famous Swamp Fox, ;" for
his business was with him, but this
is what he saw : 4 handful OF
men lying around; some were busy
baking sweet potatoes in the ashes,
Others asleep. Thun little man
clad in homcspun ASKED him what
he wished.
81 wish TO see General Marion, 3"
WAS the answer.
"Weil, am he"
Again the young man gazcd in
surprise. This little dried mp m IN
the famous General Marion WHY.
he had expected TO see some one
grand, with fine clothing.
Their business was soon con.
cludcd satisfactorily. and the Gen
eral asked the young officer to dine
with HIM. lie had seen no prep.
arations for dinner, but consented
to be his guest.
The General called one OF the
men to bring their dinner, which
proved to be some Of the roasted
potatoes served to them on pieces
Of bark.
am afraid the Englishman,
used to every luxury, made poor
meal from this fare, but it was all
orr General had to offer. On in
qniry he found 1T was all they had
AT any time.
"What," lie cried, nothing but
potatoes -
yes" answered the otkor, "and
often not enough of those.
you must get splendid pay,
then" said the other.
"Not q cent, SIR" answered Mar.
ion.
"Iou don't mean it ! No provi-
slons and no pay | don't believe
should care to do much fighting
on those terms. don't see how
you Gun stand 1t, General"
"Well," answered he, cit is just
feeling, you see. | am in love with
our country. ] want to see it free.
! want to see men around me who
are free-meu who SOW aud reap
aud build homes. | want no mon
arch and no tax-gathers. l want
to be my own master, to do as
please. This, sir, is what | long
for"
The officer replied that he must
subscribe to this happy state of
affairs.
Happy" said Marion, eyes, /
would rather fight for my country
than have the riches of Solomon.
| think of generations to come, and
glory in the thought that / shall
help secure their freedom, although
they may never hear my name"
1t was rs strange sentiment to
the young officer as the surround
ings were strange, but he babe
good by" to General Marion with
u great deal of respect.
Back through the woods he was
taken again, back to the command.
err who had sent him.
lie was asked at once why be
looked SO serious. 81 have reason
to-" he said.
what" he was asked, "has tho
General refused to treat ?''
one" he answered, "but | have
seen an American General and his
men without pay, with hardly
clothes to cover them, and nothing
to eat but potatoes, and nothing to
drink but water, fighting for lib
crty. We have no chance az inst
such men as these"
History docs not say whether the
commander was much plea sod with
this speech or not, but think 10 is
safe TO say he wIsnot Nevertheless,
the young officer resigned bis com
mission and went home, giving MS
his reason for s, doing. that be
would net fght against such men
as those Americans we're.
Such was General Marion, the
Swamp Fox, beloved by bis friends.
respected by his enemies, and held
10 grateful remembrance by the
postarity whose freedom ne so va
lIanuy fought f5r. Ills life was
molly offered 10 bis country. Ills