|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 19
"That ride was but one of a whole life of such deeds," said Kinnison.
"There never was a man who dared more than Putnam. In the old French
War, he astonished the boldest savages and rangers by his feats, often
throwing himself into the arms of death, as it were, and escaping
without any serious hurt."
"It was a great pity," said Colson, "that Putnam was not a younger man
when the revolutionary war broke out. He had spent his best years in
fighting for the old country, against the French and Indians."
"Perhaps it was better as it was," said Davenport. "I think there were
brave men enough in our army." It was clear that Davenport was disposed
to argue the respective merits of the generals of the revolution. Hand
thought argument might check the flow of good-feeling, and therefore
suggested that they should have more drum and fife music. Brown and
Hanson agreed, and upon request struck up the "White Cockade." This was
spirit-stirring, and called forth much applause. Another song was called
for, and one of the young men sang the following song, written for the
occasion, but which his modesty had hitherto held back. The music was
that of "Rule, Brittania!"
When our great sires this land explored,
A shelter from tyrannic wrong!
Led on by heaven's Almighty Lord,
They sung--and acted well the song,
Rise united! dare be freed!
Our sons shall vindicate the deed.
In vain the region they would gain
Was distant, dreary, undisclosed;
In vain the Atlantic roar'd between;
And hosts of savages opposed;
They rush'd undaunted, Heaven decreed
Their sons should vindicate the deed.
'Twas Freedom led the veterans forth,
And manly fortitude to bear;
They toil'd, they vanquished I such high worth
Is always Heaven's peculiar care.
Their great example still inspires,
Nor dare we act beneath our sires.
'Tis ours undaunted to defend
The dear-bought, rich inheritance;
And spite of each invading hand,
We'll fight, bleed, die, in its defence!
Pursue our fathers' paths of fame,
And emulate their glorious flame.
As the proud oak inglorious stands,
Till storms and thunder root it fast,
So stood our new unpractised bands,
Till Britain roar'd her stormy blast;
Then, see, they vanquish'd! fierce led on
By Freedom and great Washington.
The song had very little poetry and less music in it; but patriotism
applauded its spirit. Mr. Hand again directed the conversation in such a
manner as to glean as much information from the veteran patriots as
possible, and enquired if any of them had seen the hero of
Bennington--General John Stark.
"Oh! yes," replied Timothy Ransom, "There was very few of the
right-side-up men in Vermont, that I didn't see and know too. See
General Stark! I guess I did; and seen a leetle of him at Bennington,
too."
"I thought General Stark belonged to New Hampshire," said Hand.
"So he did," replied Ransom. "The country that now makes the states of
Varmount and New Hampshire was then called the New Hampshire Grants, and
was governed by one assembly and one council."
"What sort of a looking man was Stark?" enquired Pitts.
"Well, he weren't much to look at," said Ransom. "He was about the
middle height, and strongly built. He had a firm look about the face,
and you might have been sure of his doing what he said he would do,
just from hearing him talk. Blunt and downright, he was--and didn't
stop to pick words. He had seen a tougher life than any of his
neighbours--fighting as a ranger and regular soldier--and you might
suppose there was no nice affectation in his dress and manners like you
find in some of our generals. He was a man made for service."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|