The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-05-05

trees and logs. Burr, who was with
Jacataque at her tent, which fortunately
had been pitched some distance back
from the swollen river on high ridge
near his own, jumped up and rushing
outside, cried: "My God, our encampment
is entirely covered with water by this
sudden flood" ooh what a fearful
sight" cried Jacataque, as the rays of
the lantern which Burr held in his hands
shone over the angry waters as they
swept by carrying along trees and bushes
in their mad flight. Just then Arnold
rushed by and shouted an order to Burr,
and his voice was heard above the roar
OF the torrent giving orders to his officers
and men. 81 believe Arnold has eyes like
a cat, " said Jacataque, cor else he could
not get about so well in the storm and
darkness. 81 guess you are right,
replied Burr. ''It never seems to make
any difference to him as to his move
ments, whether it is day or night But l
wonder where Mrs Grier is" he con-
tinued. 'Here l am, with the Ser
geant," cried Mrs. Grier, rushing up
and grasping Jacataque by the hand.
''Thank goodness you are not drowned, ;"
she said. "Oh what shall we do,' she
cried, 'tour campfires have all been
quenched by the flood and the whole re-
gion around US is covered with water. 1t is
enough to discourage the stoutest heart. !"
'There, there DEAR spoke up Sergeant
Grier as he placed his arm fondly around
his wife's waist. 1.-The storm has ceas-
ed and the worst is over, the river will
now subside and we will then push on
again towards Quebec" yes" said
Burr, that is what we will do; so keep
up good courage, like Jacataque, he con-
tinued, as he looked, at Mrs. Grier
''Now, please remain with her while l
go with your husband to help Arnold and
his officers in this confusion So say
ing he walked away in the darkness with
the sergeant, who was no less brave
man than himself. Occasionally sheet
of rain fell, but the storm was over for
the present. The darkness was so in
tense that Burr could hardly see the Off
Ger at his side, so he ran back to his tent
and got a lantern. 81 hope" he said, as
he again joined the sergeant, lantern in
hand, that we will not be overtaken
again in the wilderness by such fearful
storm as this. "And so do ~ replied
the sergeant, as he stumbled over a
stump. cit is no joke finding your way
around through these wilds on such
terrible night. ""Oh let US die and be out
Of our misery" cried the sick and suffer
ing soldiers who were being removed to
higher ridge of ground above the roar
ing waters. ''What is life worth to US
now in this far-otf wilderness with no
hope that we will ever see OR loved ones
again. and their tears fell thick and
fast. "Good-bye, wife and little ones, and
to the dear old home among the hills in
Massachusetts,, feebly whispered poor
dying soldier stretched out on the wet
bushes back from the angry river. 81
am dying, and it is so dark, dark and the
way so lonely, but God provides world
for those who die in his faith. "A shudder
crept over his limbs, and the soldier had
fought his last battle. Never again
would his lips speak; never again would
he be refreshed by the sweet slumber of
health or trot his children upon his knee.
No, death had overtaken him in the dark,
stormy wilderness, and his trembling
mouth was stilled forever. What
cruel thing is war; how it devastates
and impoverishes a nation causing
hearts to bleed with anguish and
with sorrow. Arnold and his brave SOL
diers did not wait for the river to lower
but pushed on up the swollen stream as
best they could through the submerged
wilderness. Over thirty miles had yet
to be Travelled before the army could
reach the Chaudiere, and every minute
had to be improved if they were to reach
Quebec alive. On, on, the tired and
weary soldiers pressed their boats, when
all at once seven of them were caught in
swift eddy and upset and all the pro-
visions they contained sank to the bot
tom of the river. This disaster greatly
reduced the supply of provisions, and soon
famine would overtake the army unless
Arnold could speedily reach the French
settlements in Canada and send back
supplies. To add to the hardships and
horrors of the march a binding snow
storm began to rage through the forest,
filling the river with snow and ice, and
the hearts of the soldiers, who were now
constantly falling sick and many of them
dying, with fear and terror. But bark!
Arnold is speaking to his officers in coun-
Gil. With that courage which never fail
ed him he pointed his sword towards the
north and gave the word of command:
''Forward, we will live to fight with
Montgomery on the blood-stained plains
of Abraham"