O;
 
 O ii= 
 
 & '& 
 
 -* V 
 
 ~ I *- 
 
 iaNv-sffl^ 
 
 :-UNIVER% ^ 
 o e> ^ 

 
 LEGENDS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 THIRTEEN REPUBLICS, 
 
 Why, I will fiiT ht with bim "P on ""* theme 
 Until my eyelids will no longer wag." .
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN; 
 
 0*3 
 
 THE LEAGUER. OF BOSTON. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 First let me talk with this Philosopher." 
 
 .BY THE AUTHOR OF THE PIONEERS, PILOT, Sic. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 NEW-YORK : 
 
 PUBLISHED BY CHARLES WILEY. 
 
 D. FANSHAW, PRINTER; 
 
 1825.
 
 Southern Oittrict of Nftu-York, ss. 
 
 it IRetttembetCBj that ou the seventh day of De 
 cember, in the 49th year of the Independence of the United 
 States of America, Charles Wiley, of Uie said district, hath 
 deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof 
 he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit: 
 
 " Lionel Lincoln ; or, the Leaguer of Boston. In Two Volumes. ' First 
 let me talk with this Philosopher.' By the Author of Pioneers, Pilot, &c." 
 
 In conformity to the Act of Congress of the United States, entitled " An 
 Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, 
 Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during 
 the time therein mentioned." And also to an Act, entitled " an Act, sup 
 plementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement of Learning 1 , 
 by securing th copies of Maps, Charts, aud Books, to the authors ailtl 
 proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and ex 
 tending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and 
 etching- historical and other prints." 
 
 JAMES DILL, 
 Clerk of the Southern District of New- York.
 
 '. . i 
 
 WILLIA1VI JAY, 
 
 BEDFORD, WEST-CHESTER. 
 
 ESQUIRE. 
 
 MY DEAR JAY, 
 
 An unbroken intimacy of four-arid- 
 twenty years may justify the present 
 use of your name. A man of readier 
 wit than myself, might, on such a sub 
 ject, find an opportunity of saying some 
 thing clever, concerning the exalted ser 
 vices of your father. No weak testimony 
 of mine, however, can add to a fame 
 that belongs already to posterity And. 
 one like myself, who has so long known 
 the merits, and has so often experienced 
 the friendship of the son, can find even 
 better reasons for offering these Legends 
 to yeur notice. 
 
 Very truly and constantly, 
 Yours, 
 
 THE AUTHOR 
 
 Q-" *1 
 
 *-_J_C-- :
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THE manner in which the author be 
 came possessed of the private incidents,, 
 the characters, and the descriptions, con 
 tained in these tales, will, most probably, 
 ever remain a secret between himself 
 and his publisher. That the leading 
 events are true, he presumes it is un 
 necessary to assert ; for should inherent 
 testimony, to prove that important point, 
 be wanting, he is conscious that no ano 
 nymous declaration can establish its cre 
 dibility. 
 
 But while he shrinks from directly 
 yielding his authorities, the author has no 
 hesitation in furnishing all the negative 
 testimony in his power. 
 
 In the first place, then, he solemnly 
 declares, that no unknown man, nor 
 woman, has ever died in his vicinity, of 
 whose effects he has become the possess 
 or, by either fair means or foul. No dark- 
 looking stranger, of a morbid tempera 
 ment, and of inflexible silence, has ever 
 transmitted to him a single page of illegi 
 ble manuscript. Nor has any landlord fur 
 nished him with materials to be worked
 
 $iii PREFACE, 
 
 up into a book, in order that the profits 
 might go to discharge the arrearages of a 
 certain consumptive lodger, who made 
 his exit so unceremoniously as to leave 
 the last item in his account, his funeral 
 charges. 
 
 He is indebted to no garrulous tale-tel 
 ler for beguiling the long winter eve 
 nings ; in ghosts he has no faith ; he never 
 had a vision in his life ; and he sleeps 
 too soundly to dream. 
 
 He is constrained to add, that in no 
 " puff," " squib," " notice," " article," 
 nor " review," whether, in daily, week 
 ly, monthly, or quarterly publication, has 
 he been able to find a single hint that 
 his humble powers could improve. No 
 one regrets this fatality more than him 
 self; for these writers generally bring 
 such a weight of imagination to their 
 several tasks, that, properly improved, 
 might secure the immortality of any book;, 
 by rendering it unintelligible. 
 
 He boldly asserts that he has derived 
 no information from any of the learned 
 societies and without fear of contra 
 diction ; for w r hy should one so obscure 
 be the exclusive object of their favours ! 
 
 Notwithstanding he occasionally is
 
 PREFACE. IK 
 
 sfcen in that erudite and abstemious 
 association, the " Bread-and-Cheese 
 Lunch," where he is elbowed by law 
 yers, doctors, jurists, poets, painters, 
 editors, congressmen, and authors of 
 every shade and qualification, whether 
 metaphysical, scientific, or imaginative, 
 he avers, that he esteems the lore which 
 is there culled, as far too sacred to be 
 used in any work less dignified than ac 
 tual history. 
 
 Of the colleges it is necessary to 
 speak with reverence ; though truth pos 
 sesses claims even superior to gratitude. 
 He shall dispose of them by simply 
 saying, that they are entirely innocent of 
 all his blunders ; the little they bestow 
 ed having long since been forgotten. 
 
 He has stolen no images from the deep, 
 natural poetry of Bryant ; no pungency 
 from the wit of Halleck ; no felicity of 
 expression from the richness of Percival j 
 no satire from the caustic pen of Pauld- 
 ing ; no periods, nor humour from Irving; 
 nor any high finish from the attain 
 ments exhibited by Verplanck. 
 
 At the " soirees" and " coteries des 
 bas bleus" he did think he had obtained 
 a prize, in the dandies of literature.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 . 
 
 who haunt them. But experiment and 
 analysis detected his error ; as they prov 
 ed these worthies unfit for any better pur 
 pose than that which their own instinct 
 had already dictated. 
 
 He has made no impious attempt to 
 rob Joe Miller of his jokes; the senti 
 mentalists of their pathos ; nor the news 
 paper Homers of their lofty inspira 
 tions. 
 
 His presumption has not even imagin 
 ed the vivacity of the eastern states ; he 
 has not analyzed the homogeneous cha 
 racter of the middle ; and he has left the 
 south hi the undisturbed possession of 
 all their saturnine wit. 
 
 In short he has pilfered from no 
 black-letter book,, nor any six- penny 
 pamphlet ; his grandmother unnaturally 
 refused her assistance to his labors; and, 
 to speak affirmatively, for once, he wishes 
 to live in peace, and hopes to die in the 
 fear of God.
 
 PREFACE 
 
 TO 
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 IN this tale there are one or two slight 
 anachronisms; which, if unnoticed, might, 
 with literal readers, draw some unpleasant 
 imputations on its veracity. They relate 
 rather to persons than to things. As they 
 are believed to be quite in character, con 
 nected with circumstances much more 
 probable than facts, and to possess ail 
 the harmony of poetic colouring, the 
 author is utterly unable to discover the 
 reason why they are not true. 
 
 He leaves the knotty point to the in 
 stinctive sagacity of the critics. 
 
 The matter of this " Legend" may be 
 pretty equally divided into that which is 
 publicly, and that which is privately eer- 
 tain. For the authorities of the latter, 
 the author refers to the foregoing preface ; 
 but he cannot dispose of the sources 
 whence he has derived the former, wit!) 
 so little ceremony.
 
 XII PREFACE. 
 
 The good people of Boston are aware 
 of the creditable appearance they make 
 in the early annals of the confederation, 
 and they neglect no commendable means 
 to perpetuate the glories of their ances 
 tors. In consequence, the inquiry af 
 ter historical facts, is answered, there, by 
 an exhibition of local publications, that 
 no other town in the union can equal. Of 
 these means the author has endeavoured 
 to avail himself; collating with care, 
 and selecting, as he trusts, with some of 
 that knowledge of men and things which 
 is necessary 10 present a faithful picture. 
 Wherever he may have failed, he has 
 done it honestly. 
 
 He will not take leave of the * cradle of 
 liberty,' without expressing his thanks 
 for the facilities which have been so free 
 ly accorded to his undertaking. If he has 
 not been visited by aerial beings, and 
 those fair visions that poets best love to 
 create, he is certain he will not be mis 
 conceived when he says, that he has been 
 honoured by the notice of some resem 
 bling those, who first inspired their fan 
 cies.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN; 
 
 OR 
 
 THE LEAGUER OF BOSTON. 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " My weary soul they seem to soothe, 
 " And, redolent of joy and youth, 
 " To breathe a second spring." 
 
 Gray. 
 
 No American can be ignorant of the principal 
 events that induced the parliament of Great 
 Britain, in 1774, to lay those impolitic restrictions 
 on the port of Boston, which so effectually de 
 stroyed the trade of the chief town in her western 
 colonies. Nor should it be unknown to any Ame- ' 
 rican, how nobly, and with what devotedness to 
 the great principles of the controversy, the in 
 habitants of the adjacent town of Salem refused to 
 profit by the situation of their neighbours and fel- 
 io\v-subjects. In consequence of these impolitic 
 measures of the English government, and of the 
 laudable unanimity among the capitalists of the 
 times, it became a rare sight to see the canvass of 
 any other vessels than such as wore the pennants 
 of the king, whitening the forsaken waters of Mas* 
 sachusetts bay. 
 
 VOL. I. 2
 
 2 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 Towards the decline of a day in April, 177o t 
 however, the eyes of hundreds had been fastened 
 on a distant sail, which was seen rising from the 
 bosom of the waves, making her way along the 
 forbidden track, and steering directly for the 
 mouth of the proscribed haven. With that deep 
 solicitude in passing events which marked the 
 period, a large group of spectators was collected 
 on Beacon-Hill, spreading from its conical summit, 
 far down the eastern declivity, all gazing intently 
 on the object of their common interest. In so 
 large an assemblage, however, there were those 
 who were excited by very different feelings, and 
 indulging in wishes directly opposite to each other. 
 While the decent, grave, but wary citizen was en 
 deavouring to conceal the bitterness of the sensa 
 tions which soured his mind, under the appearance 
 of a cold indifference, a few gay young men, who 
 mingled in the throng, bearing about their person? 
 the trappings of their martial profession, were 
 loud in their exultations, and hearty in their con 
 gratulations on the prospect of hearing from their 
 distant homes and absent friends. But the long', 
 loud rolls of the drums, ascending on the evening 
 air, from the adjacent common, soon called these 
 idle spectators, in a body, from the spot, when the 
 hill was left to the quiet possession of those who 
 claimed the strongest right to its enjoyment. It 
 was not, however, a period for open and unreserv 
 ed communications. Long before the mists of 
 evening had succeeded the shadows thrown from 
 the setting sun, the hill was entirely deserted ; the 
 remainder of the spectators having descended from 
 the eminence, and held their several courses, singly, 
 silent, and thoughtful, towards the rows of dusky 
 roofs that covered the lowland, along the eastern 
 side of the peninsula. Notwithstanding this ap 
 pearance of apathy, rumour, which, in times of 
 great excitement, ever finds means to convey it*
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 3 
 
 whisperings, when it dare not bruit its information 
 aloud, was busy in circulating the unwelcome in 
 telligence, that the stranger \vas the first of a fleet, 
 bringing stores and reinforcements to an army 
 already too numerous, and too confident of its 
 power, to respect the law. No tumult or noise 
 succeeded this unpleasant annunciation, but the 
 doors of the houses were sullenly closed, and the 
 windows darkened, as if the people intended to 
 express their dissatisfaction, alone, by these silent 
 testimonials of their disgust. 
 
 In the mean time the ship had gained the rocky 
 entrance to the harbour, where, deserted by the 
 breeze, and met by an adverse tide, she lay inac 
 tive, as if conscious of the unwelcome reception 
 she must receive. The fears of the inhabitants of 
 Boston had, however, exaggerated the danger; 
 for the vessel, instead of exhibiting the confused 
 and disorderly throng of licentious soldiery which 
 would -have crowded a transport, was but thinly 
 peopled, and her orderly decks were cleared of 
 every incumbrance that could interfere with the 
 comfort of those she did contain. There was an ap 
 pearance, in the arrangements of her external ac 
 commodations, which would have indicated to an 
 observant eye, that she carried those who claimed 
 the rank, or possessed the means, of making others 
 contribute largely to their comforts. The few sea 
 men who navigated the ship, lay extended on differ 
 ent portions of the vessel, watching the lazy sails 
 as they flapped against the masts, or indolently 
 bending their looks on the placid waters of the bay; 
 while several menials, in livery, crowded around a 
 young man who was putting his eager inquiries to 
 the pilot, that had just boarded the vessel off the 
 Graves. .The dress of this youth was studiously 
 neat, and* fro in the excessive pains bestowed on its 
 adjustment, it was obviously deemed, by its wearer, 
 to be in the height of the prevailing customs^
 
 4 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 From the place where this inquisitive party stood, 
 nigh the main-mast, a wide sweep of the quarter 
 deck was untenanted ; but nearer to the spot where 
 the listless seaman hung idly over the tiller of the 
 ship, stood a being of a! together different mould and 
 fashion. He was a man who would have seemed 
 in the very extremity of age, had not his qiuck, 
 vigorous steps, and the glowing, rapid glances 
 from his eyes, as he occasionally paced the deck, 
 appeared to deny the usual indications of many 
 years. His form was bowed, and attenuated nearly 
 to emaciation. His hair, which fluttered a little 
 wildly around his temples, was thin, and silvered to 
 the whiteness of at least eighty winters. Deep fur 
 rows, like the lines of great age and long endured 
 cares united, wrinkled his hollow cheeks, and ren 
 dered the bold haughty outline of his prominent fea 
 tures still more remarkable. He was clad in a sim 
 ple and some \v hat tarnished suit of modest gray, 
 which bore about it the ill-concealed marks of long 
 and neglected use. Whenever he turned his pierc 
 ing look from the shores, he moved swiftly along- 
 the deserted quarter deck, and seemed entirely 
 engrossed with the force of his own thoughts, his 
 lips moving rapidly, though no sounds were heard 
 to issue from a mouth that was habitually silent. 
 He was under the influence of one of those sud 
 den impulses in which the body, apparently, 
 sympathized so keenly with the restless activity of 
 the mind, when a young man ascended from the 
 Cabin, and took his stand among the interested and 
 oxcited gazers at the land, on the upper deck. 
 The age of this gentleman might have been five 
 and twenty. He wore a military cloak, thrown 
 carelessly across his form, which, in addition to 
 such parts of his dress as were visible through its 
 Open folds, sufficiently announced that his profes 
 sion was that of arms. There was an air of east^
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 5 
 
 and high fashion gleaming about his person, though 
 his speaking countenance, at times, seemed melan 
 choly, if not sad. On gaining the deck, this young 
 officer, encountering the eyes of the aged and rest 
 less being who trod its planks, bowed courteously 
 before he turned away to the view, and in his turn 
 became deeply absorbed in studying its fading 
 beauties. 
 
 The rounded heights of Dorchester were radiant 
 with the rays of the luminary that had just sunk 
 behind their crest, and streaks of paler light were 
 playing along the waters, and gilding the green 
 summits of the islands which clustered across the 
 mouth of the estuary. Far in the distance were 
 to be seen the tall spires of the churches, rising out 
 of the deep shadows of the town, with their vanes 
 glittering in the sun-beams, while a few rays of 
 strong light were dancing about the black beacon, 
 which reared itself high above the conical peak 
 that took its name from the circumstance of sup 
 porting this instrument of alarms. Several large 
 vessels were anchored among the islands and be 
 fore the town, their dark hulls, at each moment, 
 becoming less distinct through the haze of even 
 ing, while the summits of their long lines of 
 masts were yet glowing with the marks of day. 
 From each of these sullen ships, from the low for 
 tification which rose above a small island deep in 
 the bay, and from various elevations in the town 
 itself, the broad, silky folds of the flag of England 
 were yet waving in the currents of the passing 
 air. The young man was suddenly aroused from 
 gazing at this scene, by the quick reports of the 
 evening guns, and while his eyes were yet tracing 
 the descent of the proud symbols of the British 
 power, from their respective places of display, he 
 felt his arm convulsively pressed by the hand of 
 his aged fellow-passenger.
 
 O LIONEL LINCOLN'. 
 
 " Will the day ever arrive," said a low, hollotf 
 voice at his elbow, " when those flags shall be 
 lowered, never to rise again in this hemisphere!" 
 
 The young soldier turned his quick eyes to the 
 countenance of the speaker, but bent them instantly 
 in embarrassment on the deck, to avoid the keen, 
 searching glance he encountered in the looks of 
 the other. A long, and on the part of the young 
 man, a painful silence succeeded this remark. At 
 length the youth, pointing to the land, said 
 
 " Tell me, you, who are of Boston, and must 
 have known it so long, the names of all these 
 beautiful places I see." 
 
 " And are you not of Boston, too ?" asked his 
 old companion. 
 
 " Certainly by birth, but an Englishman by- 
 habit and education." 
 
 " Accursed be the habits, and neglected the 
 education, which would teach a child to forget its 
 parentage !" muttered the old man, turning sud 
 denly, and walking auay so rapidly as to be soon 
 lost in the forward parts of the ship. 
 
 For several minutes longer, the youth stood ab 
 sorbed in his own musings, when, as if recollecting 
 his previous purposes, hecalled aloud "Meriton.'' 
 
 At the sounds of his voice the curious group 
 around the pilot instantly separated, and the highly 
 ornamented youth, before mentioned, approached 
 the officer, with a manner in which pert familia 
 rity and fearful respect were peculiarly blended. 
 Without regarding the air of the other, however, 
 or indeed without even favouring him with a 
 glance, the young soldier continued 
 1 " I desired you to detain the boat which boarded 
 u$, in order ta convey me to the town, Mr. Meii 
 tan ; see if it be in readiness." 
 
 The valet flew to execute this commission, and in 
 an instant returned with a reply in the affirmative-.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 7 
 
 ft But, sir," he continued, " you will never think 
 Of going in that boat, I feel very much assured, 
 sir." 
 
 " Your assurance, Mr. Meriton, is not the least 
 of your recommendations ; why should I not ?" 
 
 " That disagreeable old stranger has taken pos 
 session of it, with his mean, filthy bundle of rags ; 
 and" 
 
 " And what ? you must name a greater evil, 
 to detain me here, than mentioning the fact that 
 the only gentleman in the ship is to be my com 
 panion." 
 
 " Lord, sir !" said Meriton, glancing his eye up 
 ward in amazement; "but, sir, surely you know 
 best as to gentility of behaviour but as to gen 
 tility of dress " 
 
 " Enough of this," interrupted his master, a little 
 angrily; "the company is such as I am content 
 with ; if you find it unequal to your deserts, you 
 have rny permission to remain in the ship until 
 the morning the presence of a coxcomb is by no 
 means necessary to my comfort for one night." 
 
 Without regarding the mortification of his dis- . 
 concerted valet, the young man passed along the 
 deck to the place where the boat was in waiting. 
 By the general movement among the indolent me 
 nials, and the profound respect with which he was 
 attended by the master of the ship to the gangway, 
 it was sufficiently apparent, that notwithstanding 
 his youth, it was this gentleman whose presence had 
 exacted those arrangements in the ship, which have 
 been mentioned. While all around him, however, 
 were busy in facilitating the entrance of the officep 
 into the boat, the aged stranger occupied its princi 
 pal seat, with an air of deep abstraction, if nqt oi 
 cool indifference. A hint from the pliant Meriton. 
 who had ventured to follow his master, that it would 
 be more agreeable if he would relinquish his place,
 
 8 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 was disregarded, and the youth took a seat by the 
 side of the old man, with a simplicity of manner 
 that his valet inwardly pronounced abundantly 
 degrading. As if this humiliation were not suffi 
 cient, the young man perceiving that a general 
 pause had succeeded his own entrance, turned to 
 hi? companion, and courteously inquired if he were 
 ready to proceed. A silent wave of the hand was 
 the reply, when the boat shot away from the ves 
 sel, leaving the ship steering for an anchorage in 
 Nantasket. 
 
 The measured dash of the oars was uninterrupt 
 ed by any voice, while, stemming the tide, they pull 
 ed laboriously up among the islands; but by the 
 time they had reached the castle, the twilight had 
 melted into the softer beams from a young moon, 
 and the surrounding objects becoming more dis 
 tinct, the stranger commenced talking with that 
 quick and startling vehemence which seemed his 
 natural manner. He spoke of the localities, with the 
 vehenjence and fondness of an enthusiast, and with 
 the familiarity of one who had long known their 
 beauties. His rapid utterance, however, ceased as 
 they approached the naked wharves, and he sunk 
 back gloomily in the boat, as if unwilling to trust 
 his voice on the subject of his country's wrongs. 
 Thus left to his own thoughts, the youth gazed, 
 with eager interest, at the long ranges of buildings, 
 which were now clearly visible to the eye, though 
 with softer colours and more gloomy shadows. A 
 few neglected and dismantled ships were lying at 
 different points; but the hum of business, the forests 
 of masts, and the rattling of wheels which at that 
 early hour should have distinguished the great mart 
 of the colonies, were wanting. In their places 
 were to be heard, at intervals, the sudden bursts of 
 distant, martial music, the riotous merriment of the 
 soldiery who frequented the taverns at the water's
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN, 9 
 
 edge, or the sullen challenges of the sentinels from 
 the vessels of war, as they vexed the progress of 
 the few boats which the inhabitants still used in 
 their ordinary pursuits. 
 
 " Here indeed is a change !" the young officer 
 exclaimed, as they glided swiftly along this deso 
 late scene; "even my recollections, young and 
 fading as they are, recall tfcie difference !" 
 
 The stranger made no reply, but a smile of sin 
 gular meaning gleamed across his wan features, 
 imparting, by the moonlight, to their remarkable 
 expression, a character of additional wildness. 
 The officer was again silent, nor did either speak 
 until the boat, having shot by the end of the long 
 Wharf, across whose naked boundaries a sentinel 
 was pacing his measured path, inclined more to 
 ihe shore, and soon reached the place of its 
 destination. 
 
 Whatever might have been the respective feel 
 ings of the two passengers at having thus reached in 
 safety the object of their tiresome and protracted 
 voyage, they were not expressed in language. The 
 old man bared his silver locks, and concealing his 
 face with his hat, stood as if in deep mental thanks 
 giving at the termination of his toil, while his 
 more youthful companion trod the wharf on which 
 they landed with the air of a man whose emotions 
 were too engrossing for the ordinary use of words. 
 
 " Here we must part, sir," the officer at length 
 said; " but I trust the acquaintance which has been 
 thus accidentally formed between us, is not to be 
 forgotten now there is an end to our common pri 
 vations." 
 
 " It is not in the power of a man whose days, like 
 mine, are numbered," returned the stranger, " to 
 mock the liberality of his God, by any vain pro 
 mises that must depend on time for their fulfilment. 
 I am one, young gentleman 3 who has returned from
 
 10 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 a sad, sad pilgrimage in the other hemisphere, to 
 lay his bones in this, his native land ; but should 
 many hours be granted me, you will hear further 
 of the man whom your courtesy and kindness have 
 so greatly obliged." 
 
 The officer was sensibly affected by the softened 
 but solemn manner of his companion, and pressed 
 liis wasted hand fervently as he answered 
 
 "Do; I ask it as a singular favour; I know 
 not why, but you have obtained a command of my 
 feelings that no other being ever yet possessed 
 and yet 'tis a mystery, 'tis like a dream! 1 feel 
 that I not only venerate, but love you !" 
 
 The old man stepped back, and held the youth at 
 the length of his arm for a moment, while he fast 
 ened on him a look of glowing interest, and then 
 raising his hand slowly, he pointed impressively 
 Upward, and said 
 
 " 'Tis from heaven, and for God's own pur 
 poses smother not the sentiment, boy, but cherish 
 it in your heart's core !" 
 
 The reply of the youth was interrupted by 
 sudden and violent shrieks, that burst rudely on 
 the stillness of the place, chilling the very blood 
 of those who heard them, with their piteousness. 
 The quick and severe blows of a lash were, blended 
 ^vith the exclamations of the sufferer, and rude 
 oaths, with hoarse execrations, from various voices, 
 were united in the uproar, which appeared to be at 
 no great distance. By a common impulse, the 
 \vhole party broke away from the spot, and moved 
 yapi'lly up the wharf in the direction of the sounds. 
 As they approached the buildings, a group was 
 Seen collected around the man who thus broke the 
 charm of evening by his cries, interrupting his 
 \vailings with their ribaldry, and encouraging his 
 tormentors to proceed.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. ll 
 
 " Merey, mercy, for the sake of the blessed God, 
 have mercy, and don't kill Job !" again shrieked 
 the sufferer; "Job will run your a'r'nds ! Job is 
 half-witted ! Mercy on poor Job ! Oh! you make 
 his flesh creep !" 
 
 " I'll cut the heart from the mutinous knave,*' 
 interrupted a hoarse, angry voice ; " to refuse to 
 drink the health of his majesty !" 
 
 " Job does wish him good health Job loves the 
 king, only Job don't love rum." 
 
 The officer had approached so nigh as to per 
 ceive that the whole scene was one of disorder 
 and abuse, and pushing aside the crowd of excited 
 and deriding soldiers, who composed the throng, 
 he broke at once into the centre of the circle.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 > 
 
 'They'll have me whipped for speaking true ; 
 
 " Thoul't have me whipped for lying; 
 
 " And sometimes I'm whipped for holding my peace. 
 
 ' I had rather be any kind of a thing 
 
 'Than a fool." Lear ' 
 
 "WHAT means this outcry?" demanded the 
 young man, arresting the arm of an infuriate 
 ioldier who was inflicting the bows; "by what 
 authority is this man thus abused ? 
 
 Bv what authority dare you to lay hands on a 
 British grenadier!" cried the fellow turning in 
 his fury, and raising his lash against the supposed 
 townsman. But when, as the officer stepped aside 
 to avoid the threatened indignity, the fight of the 
 moon fell full upon his glittering dress, through 
 the opening folds of his cloak the arm of he 
 brutal soldier was held suspended in air, with the 
 surprise of the discovery. 
 
 "Answer, I bid you," contmned the young offi 
 cer, his frame shaking with passion ; why is this 
 man tormented, and of what regiment are ye ? 
 
 We belong to the grenadiers of the brave 
 47th your honour," returned one of the bystan 
 ders' in a humble, deprecating tone, " and we was- 
 just 'polishing this 'ere natural, because as he re- 
 fases to drink the health of his majesty. 
 
 -He's a scornful sinner, that don't fear his 
 Maker," cried the man in duresse, eagerly b
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 13 
 
 ing his face, down which big tears were roll- 
 ing, towards his protector. Job loves the kin? 
 but Job don't love rum !" 
 
 The officer turned away from the cruel spec 
 tacle, as he bid the men untie their prisoner. 
 Knives and fingers were instantly put in requisi 
 tion, and the man was liberated, and suffered to 
 resume his clothes. During this operation, the 
 tumult and bustle which had so recently dis 
 tinguished the riotous scene, were succeeded by 
 a stillness that rendered the hard breathing of the 
 suite rer painfully audible. 
 
 " Now sirs, you heroes of the 47th !" said the 
 young man, when the victim of their rage was 
 again clad, " know you this button ?" The sol- 
 :r to whom this question was more particularly 
 addressed, gazed at the extended arm, and, to his 
 vast discomfiture, he beheld the magical number 
 )t ins own regiment reposing on the well-known 
 white facings that decorated the rich scarlet of the 
 vestment. No one presumed to answer this appeal 
 and after an impressive silence of a few moments' 
 he continued 
 
 "Ye are noble supporters of the well-earned fame 
 of Wolfe s own !' fit successors to the gallant men 
 who conquered under the walls of Quebec ! away 
 with ye ; to-morrow it shall be looked to." 
 
 " I hope your honour will remember he refused 
 his majesty's health. I'm sure, sir, that if colonel 
 iNesbitt was here himself 
 
 " Dog ! do you dare to hesitate ! go, while 
 you have permission to depart." 
 
 The disconcerted soldiery, whose turbulence 
 iiad thus van.shed, as if by enchantment, before 
 the frown of their superior, slunk away in a body, 
 lew of the older men whispering to their com 
 rades the name of the officer who had thus unex 
 pectedly appeared in the midst of them. The 
 
 VOL. I.
 
 14 LIONEL LIXCOLK. 
 
 angry eye of the young soldier followed their re 
 tiring forms, while a man of them was visible; 
 after which, turning to an elderly citizen, who, sup 
 ported on a crutch, had been a spectator of the 
 scene, he asked 
 
 " Know you the cause of the cruel treatment 
 this poor man has received ? or what in any 
 manner has led to the violence ?" 
 
 " The boy is weak," returned the cripple ; 
 " quite an innocent, who knows but little good, but 
 does no harm. The soldiers have been carousing 
 in yonder dram-shop, and they often get the poor 
 lad in with them, and sport with his infirmity. If 
 these sorts of doings an't checked, I fear much 
 trouble will grow out of them ! Hard laws from 
 t'other side of the water, and tarring and feathering 
 on this, with gentlemen like colonel Nesbitlat their 
 head, will" 
 
 " It is wisest for us, my friend, to pursue thi- 
 subject no further," interrupted the officer ; " I 
 belong myself to ' Wolfe's own,' and will en 
 deavour to see justice done in the matter; as you 
 will credit, when I tell you that I am a Boston 
 boy. But though a native, a long absence ha? 
 obliterated the marks of the town from my me 
 mory ; and I am at a loss to thread these crooked 
 streets. Know you the dwelling of Mrs. Leeh- 
 mere ?" 
 
 " The house is well known to all in Boston/' 
 Returned the cripple, in a voice sensibly altered by 
 the information that he was speaking to a towns 
 man. "Job, here, does but little else than run of 
 errands, and he will show you the way out of 
 gratitude ; wont you Job r" 
 
 The idiot, for the vacant eye and unmeanJHg, 
 boyish countenance of the young man who had 
 just been liberated, but too plainly indicated that 
 lie was to be included in that miserable class or* 
 human beinjgs, answered with a caution and re-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 15* 
 
 Juctance that were a little remarkable, consider 
 ing the recent circumstances. 
 
 " Ma'am Lechmere's ! Oh! yes, Job knows 
 the way, and could go there blindfolded, if if " 
 
 ' ; If what, you simpleton !" exclaimed the 
 zealous cripple. 
 
 " VVHy, if 'twas daylight." 
 
 " Blindfolded, and daylight ! do but hear the 
 silly, child! come, Job, you must take this gen 
 tleman to Tremont-street, without further words. 
 'Tis but just sundown, boy, and you can go there 
 and be home and in your bed before the Old 
 South strikes eight !" 
 
 " Yes ; that all depends on which way you 
 .go," returned the reluctant changeling. "Now, I 
 know, neighbour Hopper, you couldn't go to 
 Ma'am Lechmere's in an hour, if you went along 
 Lynn-street, and so along Prince-street, and back 
 through Snow-Hill ; and especially if you should 
 Stop any time to look at the graves on Copps." 
 
 " Pshaw ! the fool is in one of his sulks now, 
 with his Copps-Hill, and the graves !" interrupted 
 the cripple, whose heart had wanned to his youth 
 ful townsman, and who would have volunteered to 
 show the way himself, had his infirmities permit 
 ted the exertion. " The gentleman must call the 
 grenadiers back, to bring the child to reason." 
 
 " 'Tis quite unnecessary to be harsh with the un 
 fortunate lad," said the young soldier; "my recol 
 lections will probably aid me as I advance ; and 
 should they not, I can inquire of any passenger 
 I meet." 
 
 '" If Boston was what Boston has been, you 
 might ask such a question of a civil inhabitant, at 
 any corner;" said the cripple; " but it's rare to see 
 many of our people in the streets at this hour, 
 since the massacre. Besides, it is Saturday night, 
 you know; a fit time for these rioters to choose 
 for their revelries ! For that matter, the soldiers
 
 16 LIONEL LINCOLN*. 
 
 have grown more insolent than ever, since they have 
 met that disappointment about the cannon down 
 at Salem ; but I needn't tell such as you what the 
 soldiers are when they get a little savage." 
 
 "I know my comrades but indifferently well, 
 if their conduct to night be any specimen of their 
 ordinary demeanour, sir," returned the officer; 
 " but follow, Meriton; I apprehend no great diffi 
 culty in qur path." 
 
 The pliant valet lifted the cloakr-bag he carried, 
 from the ground, and they were about to proceed^, 
 when the natural edged himself in a sidelong, slo 
 venly manner, nigher to the gentleman, and looked 
 earnestly up in his face for a moment, where he 
 seemed to be gathering confidence, to say " Job 
 will show the officer Ma'am Lechmere's. if the offi 
 cer wont let the grannies catch Job afore he gets off 
 the North End ag'in." 
 
 " Ah !" said the young man. laughing, " there 
 is something of the cunning of a fool in that ar 
 rangement. Well, I accept the conditions; but 
 beware how you take me to contemplate the graves 
 by moonlight, or I shall deliver you not only to 
 the grannies, but to the light infantry, artillery, 
 and all." 
 
 With this good-natured threat, the officer fol 
 lowed his nimble conductor, after taking a friend 
 ly leave of the obliging cripple, who continued 
 his admonitions to the natural, not to wander from 
 the direct route, while the sounds of his voice 
 were audible to the retiring party. The progress 
 of his guide was so rapid as to require the young 
 officer to confine his survey of the narrow and 
 crooked streets through which they passed, to ex 
 tremely hasty and imperfect glances.- No very 
 minute observation, however, was necessary to 
 perceive that he was led along one of the most 
 filthy and inferior sections of the town ; and where, 
 notwithstanding his efforts, he found it impossible
 
 LIONEL LINCOLS". It 
 
 to recall a single feature of his native place to his 
 remembrance. The complaints of Meriton, who 
 followed close at the heels of his master, were 
 loud and frequent, until the gentleman, a little 
 doubting the sincerity of his intractable conductor, 
 exclaimed 
 
 " Have you nothing better than this to show a 
 townsman, who has been absent seventeen years, 
 on his return ! Pray let us go through some better 
 streets than this, if any there are in Boston which 
 can be called better." 
 
 The lad stopped short, and looked up in the 
 face of the speaker, for ah instant, with an air of 
 Undisguised amazement, and then, without re 
 plying, he changed the direction of his route, and 
 after one or two more deviations in his path, sud 
 denly turning again, he glided up an alley, so nar- 
 TOW that the passenger might touch the buildings 
 on either side of him. The officer hesitated an 
 instant to enter this dark and crooked passage, 
 Taut perceiving that his guide was already hid by a 
 bend in the houses, he quickened his steps, and 
 immediately regained the ground he had lost. 
 They soon emerged from the obscurity of the 
 place, and issued on a street of greater width. 
 
 "There!" said Job, triumphantly, when they 
 had effected this gloomy passage, " does the king 
 live in so crooked and narrow a street as that !" 
 
 " His majesty must yield the point in your 
 favour," returned the officer. 
 
 " Ma'am Lechmere is a grand lady!" continued 
 the lad, seemingly following the current of his 
 own fanciful conceits, " and she wouldn't live 
 in that alley for the world, though it is narrow, 
 like the road to heaven, as old Nab says; I suppose 
 they call it after the Methodies for that reason." 
 
 "I have heard the road you mention termed 
 narrow, certainly, but it is also called strait," rei- 
 
 3*
 
 ! 18 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 turned the officer, a little amused with the humour 
 of the lad; "but forward, the time is slipping 
 away, and we loiter." 
 
 Again Job turned, and moving onward, he led 
 the way, with swift steps, along another narrow 
 and crooked path, which, however, better deserv 
 ed the name of a street, under the projecting sto 
 ries of the wooden buildings, which lined its sides. 
 After following the irregular windings of their 
 route for some distance, they entered a triangular 
 area, of a few rods in extent, where Job, disregard 
 ing the use of the narrow walk, advanced direct 
 ly into the centre of the open space. Here he 
 stopped once more, and turning his vacant face 
 with an air of much seriousness, towards a building 
 which composed one side of the triangle, he said, 
 with a voice that expressed his own deep admira 
 tion 
 
 "There that's the ' old North !' did you ever 
 see such a meetin'us' afore ! dors the king wor 
 ship God in such a temple !" 
 
 The officer did not chide the idle liberties of the 
 fool, for in the antiquated and quaint architecture 
 of the wooden edifice, he recognized one of those 
 early effort's of the simple, puritan builder*, whose 
 rude tastes have been transmitted to their posterity 
 with so many deviations in the style F the same 
 school, but so little of improvement. Blended 
 with these considerations, were the dawnings of 
 revived recollections; and he smiled, as he recall 
 ed the time when he also used to look up at the 
 building with feelings somewhat allied to the pro 
 found admiration of the idiot. Job watched his 
 countenance narrowly, and easily mistaking its 
 expression, he extended his arm toward one of 
 the narrowest of the avenues that entered the 
 area, where stood a few houses of more than com* 
 mon pretension.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. J9 
 
 " And there ag'in !" he continued, " there's 
 palaces for you ! stingy Tommy lived in the one 
 with the pile-axters, and the flowers hanging to 
 their tops ; and see the crowns on them too ! stin 
 gy Tommy loved crowns, they say; but Pro- 
 vince'us' wasn't good enough for him, and he lived 
 here no\\ they say he lives in one of the king's 
 cupboards !" 
 
 " And who was stingy Tommy, and what right 
 had he to dwell in Province- House, if he would ?" 
 
 " What right has any governor to live in Pro- 
 vince'us' ! because its the king's ! though the 
 people paid for it." 
 
 " Pray, sir, excuse me," said Meriton, from 
 behind, " but do the Americans usually call all 
 their governors stingy Tommies ?" 
 
 The officer turned his head, at this vapid ques 
 tion, from his valet, and perceived that he had 
 been accompanied thus far by the aged stranger, 
 who stood at his elbow, leaning on his staff, 
 studying with close attention the late dwelling of 
 Hulchinson, while the light of the moon fell? un 
 obstructed, on the deep lines of his haggard face. 
 During the first surprise of this discovery, he for 
 got to reply, and Job took the vindication of his 
 language into his own hands. 
 
 " To be &re they do they call people by their 
 right names," he said. " Insygn Peck is called 
 Insygn Peck ; and you call Deacon Winslow any 
 thing but Deacon VVinslow, and see what a look 
 he'll give you! and I am Job Pray, so called; and 
 why shouldn't a governor be called stingy Tom 
 my, if he is a stingy Tommy ?" 
 
 " Be careful how you speak lightly of the king's 
 representative," said the young officer, raising his 
 light cane with the affectation of correcting the 
 changeling. " Forget you that I am a soldier f " 
 
 The idiot shrunk back a little, timidly, and then 
 leering from under his sunken brow, he answered
 
 29 LIONETL LINCOLN. 
 
 "I heard you say you were a Boston boyV 
 
 The gentleman was about to make a playful 
 reply, when the aged stranger passed swiftly be 
 fore him, and took his stand at the side of the 
 lad, with a manner so remarkable for its earnest 
 ness, that it entirely changed the current of his 
 thoughts. 
 
 " The young man knows the ties of blood and 
 country," the stranger muttered, "and I honour 
 bim !" 
 
 It might have been the sudden recollection of 
 the danger of those allusions, which the officer so 
 well understood, and to which his accidental asso 
 ciation with the singular being who uttered them, 
 had begun to familiarize his ear, that induced the 
 youth to resume his walk, silently, and in deep 
 thought, along the street. By this movement, he 
 escaped observing the cordial grasp of the hand 
 which the old stranger bestowed on the idiot, 
 while he muttered a few more terms of commenda 
 tion. Job soon took his station in front, and the 
 whole party moved on, again, though with less 
 rapid strides. As the lad advanced deeper into 
 the town, he evidently wavered once or twice in 
 his choice of streets, and the officer began to sus 
 pect that the changeling contemplated one of lijs 
 wild circuits, to avoid the direct route to a house 
 that he manifestly approached with great reluc 
 tance. Once or twice the young soldier looked 
 about him, intending to inquire the direction, of 
 the first passenger he might see ; but the quiet of 
 deep night already pervaded the place, and not an 
 individual but those who accompanied him, ap 
 peared in the long ranges of streetsthey had passed. 
 The air of the guide was becoming so dogged, 
 and hesitating, that his follower had just deter 
 mined to make an application at one of the 
 doors, when they emerged from a dark, dirty, and 
 gloomy street, on an open space, of much greater
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 21 
 
 extent than the one they had so recently left. Pass 
 ing under the walls of a blackened dwelling, Job led 
 the way to the centre of a swinging bridge, which 
 was thrown across an inlet from the harbour, that 
 extended a short distance into the area, forming a 
 shallow dock. Here he took his stand, arid allow 
 ed the view of the surrounding objects to work its 
 own effect on those he had conducted thither. The 
 square was composed of rows of low, gloomy, and 
 irregular houses, most of which had the appearance 
 of being but little used. Stretching from the end of 
 the basin, and a little on one side, a long, narrow 
 edifice, ornamented with pilasters, perforated with 
 arched windows, and surmounted by a humble 
 cupola, reared its walls of brick, under the light 
 of the moon. The story which held the rows of 
 silent, glistening windows, was supported .on abut 
 ments and arches of the same material, through 
 the narrow vistas of which were to be seen the 
 shambles of the common market-place. Heavy 
 cornices of stone were laid above and beneath the 
 pilasters, and something more than the unskilful 
 architecture of the dwelling houses they had pass 
 ed, was affected throughout the whole structure. 
 While the officer gazed at this scene, the idiot 
 watched his countenance with a keenness exceed 
 ing his usual observation, until impatient at hear 
 ing no words of pleasure or of recognition, he ex 
 claimed 
 
 "l! you don't know Funnel-Hall, you are no 
 Boston boy !" 
 
 " But I do know Fanueil-Hall, and I am a Bos 
 ton boy," returned the amused gentleman ; " the 
 place begins to freshen on my memory, and I now 
 recall the scenes of my childhood." 
 
 "This, then," said .the aged stranger, "isthespot 
 where liberty has found so many bold advocates !" 
 
 " It would do the king's heart good to hear the 
 people talk in old Funnel, sometimes," said Job j.
 
 22 LIONEL LINCOLN, 
 
 "I was on the cornishes, and looked into the wift- 
 ders, the last town-meetin'-da', and if there was 
 soldiers on the common, there was them in the hall 
 that did'nt care for them !" 
 
 " All this is very amusing, no doubt," said the 
 Officer, gravely, " but it does not advance me a 
 foot on my \vay to Mrs. Lech mere's." 
 
 " It is also instructing," exclaimed the stranger : 
 " go on, child ; I love to hear his simple feelings 
 thus expressed ; they indicate the state of the pub' 
 lie mind." 
 
 " Why," said Job, " they \vere plain spoken, 
 that's all, and it would be better for the king to 
 come over, and hear them it would pull dowu 
 his pride, and make him pity the people, and then 
 he wouldn't think of shutting up .Boston harbour. 
 Suppose he should stop the water from coming in 
 by the narrows, why we should get it by Broad 
 Sound ! and if it didn't come by Broad Sound, it 
 would by Nantasket ! He needn't think that the 
 Boston folks are so dumU as to be cheated out of 
 God's water by acts of Parliament, while old Fun 
 nel stands in the dock square !" 
 
 " Sirrah!" exclaimed the officer, a little angri-* 
 ly, " we have already loitered until the clocks 
 are striking eight." 
 
 The idiot lost his animation, and lowered io 
 liis looks again, as he answered 
 
 " Well, I told neighbour Hopper there was 
 more ways to ma'am Lechmere's than straight 
 forward ! but every body knows Job's business 
 better than Job himself! now you make me for- 
 
 fet the road ; let us go in and ask old Nab, she 
 nows the way too well !" 
 " Old Nab ! you wilful dolt ! who is Nab, and 
 
 have I to do with any but yourself r" 
 " Every body in Boston knows Abigail Pray." 
 " What of her f" asked the startling voice
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. K$ 
 
 of the stranger;*" what of Abigail Pray, boy; is 
 she not honest ? " 
 
 " Yes, as poverty can make her," returned the 
 natural, gloomily; " now the king has said there 
 shall be no goods but tea sent to Boston, and the 
 people won't have the bohea, its easy living rent- 
 free. Nab keeps her huckster-stuff in the old 
 ware'us', and a good place it is too Job and 
 his mother have each a room to sleep in, and they 
 say the king and queen haven't more !" 
 
 While he was speaking, the eyes of his listeners 
 were drawn by his gestures toward the singular 
 edifice to which he alluded. Like most of the 
 others adjacent to the square, it was low, old. 
 dirty, and dark. Its shape was triangular, a 
 street bounding it on each side, and its extremities 
 were flanked by as many low hexagonal towers, 
 which terminated, like the main building itself, in 
 high pointed roofs, tiled, and capped with rude or 
 naments. Long ranges of small windows were to 
 be seen in the dusky walls, through one of which 
 the light of a solitary candle was glimmering, the 
 <?nly indication of the. presence of life about the 
 silent and gloomy building. 
 
 " Nab knows ma'am Lcchmere belter lhaft 
 Job," continued the idiot, after a moment's pause, 
 " and she will know whether ma'am Lech mere will 
 have Job whipped for bringing company on Satur 
 day-night ; though they say she's so full of scoffe- 
 ry as to talk, drink tea, and laugh on that night, 
 just the same as any other time." 
 
 " 1 will pledge myself to her courteous treat 
 ment," the officer replied, beginning to be weary of 
 the fool's delay. 
 
 " Let us see this Abigail Pray," cried the aged 
 stranger, suddenly seizing Job by the arm, and lead 
 ing him, with a sort of irresistible power, toward 
 the walls of the building, through one of the low 
 doors of which they immediately disappeared.
 
 24 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 Thus left on the bridge, with his valet, the young 
 officer hesitated a single instant how to act ; but 
 yielding to the secret and powerful interest which 
 the stranger had succeeded in throwing around all 
 liis movements and opinions, he bid Meriton await 
 his return, and followed his guide and the old 
 man into the cheerless habitation of the former. 
 On passing the outer door he found himself in a 
 spacious, but rude apartment, which, from its ap 
 pearance, as well as from the few articles of heavy 
 but valueless merchandise it now contained, would 
 seem to have been used once as a store-house. 
 "The light drew his steps toward a room in one of 
 the towers, where, as he approached its open door, 
 he heard the loud, sharp tones of a woman's voice, 
 exclaiming 
 
 " Where have you been, graceless, this Satur 
 day-night! tagging at the heels of the soldiers, 
 or gazing at the men-of-war, with their ungodly 
 fashions of music and revelry at such a time, I 
 dare to say ! and you knew that a ship was in the 
 bay, and that madam Lechmere had desired me 
 to send her the first notice of its arrival. Here 
 have I been waiting for you to go up to Tremont- 
 street since sun-down, with the news, and you are 
 out of call you, that know so well who it is she 
 expects !" 
 
 " Don't be cross to Job, mother, for the grannies 
 have been cutting his back with cords, till the blood 
 runs ! ma'am Lechmere ! I do believe, mother, that 
 ma'am Lechmere has moved; for I've been trying 
 to find her house this hour, because there's a gen 
 tleman who landed from the ship wanted Job to 
 show him the way." 
 
 " What means the ignorant boy !" exclaimed 
 his mother. 
 
 " He alludes to me," said the officer, entering 
 the apartment; " I am the person, if any, expected
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. , 25 
 
 by Mrs. Lechmere, and have just landed from the 
 Avon, of Bristol;, but your son has led me a cir 
 cuitous path, indeed ; at one time he spoke of 
 visiting the graves on Copps-Hill." 
 
 "Excuse the ignorant and witless child, sir," ex 
 claimed the matron, eyeing the young man keen 
 ly through her spectacles ; " he knows the way as 
 well as to his own bed, but he is wilful at times. 
 This will be a joyful night in Tremont-street ! 
 So handsome, and so stately too ! excuse me. 
 young gentleman," she added, raising the candle 
 to his features with an evident unconsciousness of 
 the act " he has the sweet smile of the mother, 
 and the terrible eye of his father! God forgive us 
 all our sins, and make us happier in another world 
 than in this place of evil and wickedness !" As 
 she muttered the latter words, the woman set aside 
 her candle with an air of singular agitation. 
 Each syllable, notwithstanding her secret inten 
 tion, was heard by the officer, across whose coun 
 tenance there passed a sudden gloom that doubled 
 its sad expression. He, however, said 
 
 " You know me, and my family, then." 
 
 "I was at your birth, young gentleman, and 
 a joyful birth it was ! but madam Lechmere 
 waits for the news, and my unfortunate child 
 shall speedily conduct you to her door; she will 
 tell you all that it is proper to know. Job, you 
 Job, where are you getting to, in that corner ! 
 take your hat, and show the gentleman to Tre 
 mont-street directly; you know, my son, you 
 love to go to madam Lechmere's !" 
 
 u Job would never go, if Job could help it," 
 muttered the sullen boy ; " and if Nab had never 
 gone, 'twould have been better for her soul." 
 
 " Do you dare, disrespectful viper !" exclaim 
 ed the angry quean, seizing, in the violence of 
 
 VOL. i. 4
 
 26 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 her fury, the tongs, and threatening the head of 
 her stubborn child. 
 
 " Woman, peace !" said a voice behind. 
 
 The dangerous weapon fell from the nerveless 
 hand of the vixen, and the hues of her yellow 
 and withered countenance changed to the white 
 ness of death. She stood motionless, for near a 
 minute, as if riveted to the spot by a super 
 human power, before she succeeded in mutter 
 ing, u who speaks to me r" 
 
 " It is I," returned fche stranger, advancing 
 from the shadow of the door into the dim light 
 of the candle ; " a man who has numbered ages, 
 and who knows, that as God loves him, so is 
 he bound to love the children of his loins." 
 
 The rigid limbs of the woman lost their sta 
 bility, in a tremour that shook every fibre in 
 her body ; she sunk in her chair, and her eyes 
 rolled from the face of one visiter to that of 
 the other, while her unsuccessful efforts to utter, 
 denoted that she had temporarily lost the com 
 mand of speech. Job stole to the side of the 
 stranger, in this short interval, and looking up 
 in his face piteously, he said 
 
 " Don't hurt old Nab read that good saying 
 to her out of the Bible, and she'll never strike 
 Job with the tongs ag'in ; will you, mother ? 
 See her cup, where she hid it under the towel, 
 when you came in ! ma'am Lechmere gives her 
 the p'ison tea t< drink, and then Nab is never 
 so good to Job, as Job would be to mother, if 
 mother was half-witted, and Job was old Nab.'' 
 
 The stranger considered the moving counte 
 nance of the boy, while he pleaded thus ear 
 nestly in behalf of his mother, with marked at 
 tention, and when he had done, he stroked the 
 head of the natural compassionately, and said
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 27 
 
 " Poor, imbecile child ! God has denied the 
 most precious of his gifts, and yet his spirit 
 hovers around thee ; for tbou canst distinguish be 
 tween austerity and kindness, and thou hast learnt 
 to know good from evil. Young man, see you no 
 moral in this dispensation ! Nothing, which says 
 that Providence bestows no gift in vain ; while 
 it points to the difference between the duty that 
 is fostered by indulgence, and that which is ex 
 torted by power !" 
 
 The officer avoided the ardent looks of the 
 stranger, and after an embarrassing pause of a 
 moment, he expressed his readiness, to the re 
 viving woman, to depart on his way. The ma 
 tron, whose eye had never ceased to dwell on 
 the features of the old man, since her faculties 
 were restored, arose slowly, and in a feeble voice, 
 directed her son to show the road to Tremont- 
 street. She had acquired, by long practice, a 
 manner that never failed to control, when ne 
 cessary, the wayward humours of her child, and 
 on the present occasion, the unwonted solemnity 
 imparted to her voice, by deep agitation, aided 
 in effecting her object. Job quietly arose, and 
 prepared himself to comply. The mariners of 
 the whole party wore a restraint which impli 
 ed they had touched on feelings that it would 
 be wiser to smother, and the separation would 
 have been silent, though courteous, on the part 
 of the youth, had he not perceived the passage 
 still filled by the motionless form of the stranger." 
 " You will precede me, sir," he said ; " the 
 hour grows late, and you, too, may need a 
 guide to find your dwelling." 
 
 " To me, the streets of Boston have long been 
 familiar," returned the old man. " I have noted 
 the increase of the town as a parent notes the 
 .'.ncreasing stature of his child ; nor is my love
 
 28 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 for it less than paternal. It is enough that I am 
 within its limits, where liberty is prized as the 
 greatest good ; and it matters not under what 
 roof I lay my head this will do as well as an 
 other." 
 
 " This !" echoed the other, glancing his eyes 
 over the miserable furniture, and scanning the air 
 of poverty that pervaded the place ; " why this 
 house has even less of comfort than the ship we 
 have left !" 
 
 " It has enough for my wants," said the stranger, 
 seating himself with composure, and deliberately 
 placing his bundle by his side. " Go you to your 
 palace, in Tiemont-street : it shall be my care 
 that we meet again." 
 
 The officer understood the character of his 
 companion too well to hesitate, and bending low, 
 he quitted the apartment, leaving the other leaning 
 his head on his cane, in absent musing, while the 
 amazed matron was gazing at her unexpected 
 guest, with a wonder that was not unmingled 
 with dread.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 iv ' From silver spouts the gratetul liquors glide, 
 " While China's earth receives the smoking tide ; 
 " At once they gratify their scent and taste, 
 " And frequent cups prolong the rich repast-" 
 
 Rape oftlie Lock. 
 
 THE recollection of the repeated admonitions 
 of his mother, served to keep Job to* his purpose. 
 The instant the officer appeared, he held his way 
 across the bridge, and after proceeding for a short 
 distance* further, along the water's edge, they 
 entered a broad and well built avenue, which led 
 from the principal wharf into the upper parts of 
 the town. Turning up this street, the lad was 
 making his way, with great earnestness, when 
 sounds of high merriment and conviviality, break 
 ing from an opposite building, caught his atten 
 tion, and induced him to pause. 
 
 " Remember your mother's injunction," said the 
 officer; " what see you in that tavern, to stare at?" 
 
 " 'Tis the British Coffee-house !" said Job, sha 
 king his head; "yes, any body might know that 
 by the noise they make in't on Saturday-night! see, 
 it's filled now, with Lord Boot's officers, flaring 
 afore the windows, just like so many red devils ; 
 but to-morrow, when the Old South bell rings, 
 they'll forget their Lord and maker, every sinner 
 among them !" 
 
 " Fellow!" exclaimed the officer, " this is tres 
 passing too far proceed to Tremont-street, or 
 leave me, that I may, at once, procure another 
 guide*" 
 
 4*
 
 Sd LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 The changeling cast a look aside at the angry 
 eye of the other, and then turned and proceeded,, 
 muttering; so loud as to be overheard 
 
 " Every body that's raised in Boston knows 
 how to keep Saturday-night ; and if you're a Bos 
 ton boy, you should love Boston ways." 
 
 The officer did not reply, and as they now pro 
 ceeded with great diligence, they soon passed 
 through King and Queen-streets, and entered that 
 of Tremont. At a little distance from the turning, 
 Job stopped, and pointing to a building near them, 
 he said 
 
 " There ; that house with the court-yard afore 
 it, and the 'pile-axters, and the grand looking 
 door, that's ma'am Lechmere's ; and every body 
 says she's a grand lady, but I say it is a pity she 
 sn't a better woman." 
 
 " And who are you, that ventures thus boldly to 
 speak of a lady so much your superior r" 
 
 " I !" said the idiot, looking up simply into the 
 face of his interrogator, " I am Job Pray, so 
 called." 
 
 " Well, Job Pray, here is a crown for you. 
 The next time you act as guide, keep more to 
 your business. I tell you lad, I offer a crown." 
 
 " Job don't love crowns they say the king 
 wears a crown, and it makes him flaunty and 
 proud like." 
 
 " The disaffection must have spread itself wide 
 indeed, if such as he refuse silver, rather than 
 offend their principles !" muttered the officer to 
 himself. "Here then is half a guinea, if you like 
 gold better." 
 
 The natural continued kicking a stone about 
 with bis toes, without taking his hands from the 
 pockets where he wore them ordinarily, with a 
 sort of idle air, as he peered from under his 
 douched hat at (his renewed offer, answering
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 31 
 
 " You wouldn't let the grannies whip Job, and 
 Job won't take your money." 
 
 " Well boy, there is more of gratitude in that 
 than a wiser man would always feel ! Come, Meri- 
 ton, I shall meet the poor fellow again, and will 
 not forget this. I commission you to see the lad 
 better dressed, in the beginning of the week," 
 
 " Lord, sir," said the valet, " if it is your plea 
 sure, most certainly ; but I declare I don't know in 
 what style I should dress such a figure and counte 
 nance, to make any thing of them !" 
 
 " Sir, sir," cried the lad, running a few steps 
 after the officer, who had already proceeded, " if 
 you won't let the grannies beat Job any more, Job 
 will always show you the way through Boston ; 
 and run your a'r'nds too !" 
 
 "Poor fellow ! well, 1 promise that you shall not 
 be again abused by any of the soldiery. Good night, 
 my honest friend let me see you again." 
 
 The idiot appeared satisfied with this assurance, 
 for he immediately turned, and gliding along the 
 street with a sort of shuffling gait, he soon disap 
 peared round the first corner. In the meantime the 
 young officer advanced to the entrance which led 
 into the court-yard of Mrs. Lechmere's dwelling. 
 The house was of bricks, and of an exterior 
 altogether more pretending than most of those 
 in the lower parts of the town. It was heavily 
 ornamented, in wood, according to the taste of a 
 somewhat earlier day, and presented a front of 
 seven windows in its two upper stories, those at 
 the extremes being much narrower than the others. 
 The lower floor had the same arrangement, with 
 the exception of the principal door. 
 
 Strong lights were shining in many parts of the 
 iiouse, winch gave it, in comparison with the 
 gloomy and darkened edifices in its vicinity, an 
 air of peculiar gaiety and life. The rap of the gen 
 tleman was answered instantly by an old black.
 
 82 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 dressed in a becoming, and what, for tbe colonies, 
 was, a rich livery. The inquiry for Mrs. Lech- 
 mere was successful, and the youth conducted 
 through a hall of some dimensions, into an apart 
 ment which opened from one of its sides. This 
 room would be considered, at the present day, as- 
 much too small to contain the fashion of a countn 
 town; but what importance it wanted in size, was 
 amply compensated for ui the richness and labour 
 of its decorations. The" walls were divided into 
 compartments, by raised panel-work, beautifully 
 painted with imaginary landscapes and ruins. The 
 glittering, varnished surfaces of these pictures were 
 burthened with armorial bearings, which were 
 intended to illustrate the alliances of the family. 
 Beneath the surbase were smaller divisions of 
 panels, painted witb various architectural devices; 
 and above it rose, between the compartments, 
 iluted pilasters of wood, with gilded capitals. 
 A heavy wooden, and highly ornamented cornice, 
 stretched above the whole, furnishing an appropri 
 ate outline to the walls. The use of carpets was, at 
 that time, but little known in the colonies, though 
 the wealth and station of Mrs. Lechmere would 
 probably have introduced the luxury, had not 
 her age, and the nature of the building, tempted 
 her to adhere to ancient custom. The floor, 
 which shone equally with the furniture, was tessel 
 lated with small alternate squares of red-cedar and 
 pine, and in the centre wen- the 'saliant Lions' of 
 Lechmere, attempted by the blazonry of the joiner. 
 On either side of the ponderous and laboured 
 mantel, were arched compartments, of plainer 
 work, denoting use, the sliding panels of one of 
 which, being raised, displayed a beatifet, groaning 
 with massive plate. The furniture was old, rich, 
 and heavy, but in perfect preservation. In the midst 
 of this scene of colonial splendour, which was ren 
 dered as impressive as possible by the presence of
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 33 
 
 numerous waxen lights, a lady, far in the decline 
 of life, sat, in formal propriety, on a small settee. 
 The officer had thrown his cloak into the hands 
 of Meriton, in the hall, and as he advanced up the 
 apartment, his form appeared in the gay dress of 
 a soldier, giving to its ease and fine proportions, 
 the additional charm of military garnish. The 
 hard, severe eye of the lady, sensibly softened with 
 pleased surprise, as it dwelt on his person for an 
 instant after she arose to receive her guest, but the 
 momentary silence was first broken by the youth, 
 who said 
 
 " I have entered unannounced, for my impa 
 tience has exceeded my breeding, madam, while 
 each step 1 have taken in this house recalls the 
 days of my boyhood, and of my former freedom 
 within its walls." 
 
 " My cousin Lincoln !" interrupted the lady, 
 who was Mrs. Lechuiere; " that dark eye, that 
 smile, nay, your very step announces you ! I must 
 have forgotten my poor brother, and one also 
 who is still so dear to us, not to have known you 
 a true Lincoln !" 
 
 There was a distance in the manner of both, at 
 meeting, which might easily have been imparted 
 by the precise formula of the provincial school, of 
 which the lady was so distinguished a member, but 
 which was not sufficient to explain the sad expres 
 sion that suddenly and powerfully blended with 
 the young man's smile, as she spoke. The change, 
 however, was but momentary, and he answered 
 courteously to her assurances of recognition 
 
 " I have long been taught to expect a second 
 home in Tremont-street, and I find by your flat 
 tering remembrance of myself and parents, dear 
 madam, that my expectations are justified." 
 
 The lady was sensibly pleased at this remark, 
 and she suffered a smile to unbend her rigid brow, 
 3$ she answered
 
 34 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " A home, certainly, though it be not such 
 a one as the heir of the wealthy house of Lin 
 coln may have been accustomed to dwell in. 
 It would be strange, indeed, could any allied 
 to that honourable family, forget to entertain 
 its representative with due respect." 
 
 The youth seemed conscious that quite as much 
 had now been said as the occasion required, and 
 he raised his head from bowing respectfully on her 
 hand, with the intention of changing the subject 
 to one less personal, when his eye caught a glimpse 
 of the figure of another, and more youthful female, 
 who had been concealed, hitherto, by the drapery 
 of a window-curtain. Advancing to this young 
 lady, he said, with a quickness that rather betray 
 ed his willingness to suspend further compliment 
 
 "And here I see cue also, to whom I have the 
 honor of being related ; .Miss Dynevor ?" 
 
 "Though it be not my grand-child," said Mrs. 
 Lechmere, " it is one who claim an equal affinity 
 to you, Major Lincoln; it is Agnes Danforth, the 
 daughter of my late niece." 
 
 " 'Twas my eye then, and not my feelings that 
 were mistaken/' returned the young soldier ; " I 
 hope this lady will admit my claim to call her 
 cousin ?" 
 
 A simple inclination of the body was the only 
 answer he received, though she did not decline the 
 hand which he offered with his salutations. After 
 a few more of the usual expressions of pleasure, 
 and the ordinary inquiries that succeed such 
 meetings, the party became seated, and a more 
 regular discourse followed. 
 
 *' I am pleased to find you remember us the:). 
 cousin Lionel," said Mrs. Lechmere ; " we have- 
 so little in this remote province that will compare 
 with the mother country, I had feared no vestiges 
 of the place of your birth could remain on yow 
 mind."
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 35 
 
 " I find the town greatly altered, it is true, but 
 ihere are many places in it which I still remem 
 ber, though certainly their splendour is a little 
 diminished, in my eyes, by absence and a famili 
 arity with other scenes." 
 
 " Doubtless, an acquaintance with the British 
 court will have no tendency to exalt our humble 
 customs in your imagination ; neither do we pos 
 sess many buildings to attract the notice of a tra 
 velled stranger. There is a tradition in our family, 
 that your seat in Devonshire is as large as any 
 dozen edifices in Boston, public or private j nay, 
 we are proud of saying, that the king himself is 
 lodged as well as the head of the Lincoln family, 
 only when at his castle of Windsor !" 
 
 " Ravenscliffe is certainly a place of some mag 
 nitude," returned the young man, carelessly, 
 " though you will remember his majesty affects 
 but little state at Kew. I have, however, spent 
 so little of rny time in the country, that I hardly 
 know its conveniences or its extent." 
 
 The old lady bowed with that sort of compla 
 cency which the dwellers in the colonies were apt 
 to betray, whenever an allusion was made to the 
 acknowledged importance of their connexions in 
 that country toward which they all looked as the 
 fountain of honour ; and then, as quickly as if the 
 change in her ideas was but a natural transition in 
 the subject, she observed 
 
 " Surely Cecil cannot know of the arrival of 
 our kinsman ! she is not apt to be so remiss in 
 paying attention to our guests !" 
 
 " She does me the more honour, that she con 
 siders me a relative, and one who requires no for 
 mality in his reception." 
 
 " You are but cousins twice removed," return 
 ed the old lady, a little gravely ;" and there is 
 surely no affinity in that degree which can justify
 
 
 36 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 any forgetfulness of the usual courtesies. You see, 
 cousin Lionel, how much we value the consan 
 guinity, when it is a subject of pride to the most 
 remote branches of the family!" 
 
 "I am but little of a genealogist, madam ; though. 
 if I retain a true impression of what I have heard, 
 Miss Dynevor is of too good blood, in the direct 
 line, to value the collateral drops of an inter 
 marriage." 
 
 " Pardon me, major Lincoln; her father, colonel 
 Dynevor, was certainly an Englishman of an an 
 cient and honourable name, but no family in the 
 realm need scorn an alliance with our own. I say 
 our own, cousin Lionel, for I would never have you 
 forget that I am a Lincoln, and was the sister of 
 your grandfather." 
 
 A little surprised at the seeming contradiction 
 in the language of the good lady, the young man 
 bowed his head to the compliment, and cast his 
 eyes at his younger companion with a sort of 
 longing, to change the discourse, by addressing the 
 reserved young woman nigh him, that was very 
 excusable in one of his sex and years. He had not 
 time, however, to make more than one or two 
 common-place remarks, and receive their answers, 
 before Mrs. Lechmere said, with some exhibition 
 of staid displeasure against her grandchild 
 
 " Go, Agnes, and acquaint your cousin of this- 
 happy event. She has been sensibly alive to your 
 safety, during the whole time consumed by your 
 voyage. We have had the prayers of the church, 
 for a ' person gone to sea,' read each Sunday, since 
 the receipt of your letters, announcing your inten 
 tion to embark; and I have been exceedingly 
 pleased to observe the deep interest with which 
 Cecil joined in our petitions." 
 
 Lionel mumbled a few words of thanks, and 
 leaning back in his chair, threw his eyes upward.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 37 
 
 but whether in pious gratitude or not, we conceive 
 it is not our province to determine. During the 
 delivery of Mrs. Lechmere's last speech, and the 
 expressive pantomime that succeeded it, Agnes 
 Danforth rose and left the room. The door had 
 been some little time closed before the silence was 
 again broken ; during which, Mrs. Lechmere evi 
 dently essayed in vain, once or twice, to speak. 
 Her colour, pale and immovable as usually seem 
 ed her withered look, changed in its shades, 
 and her lip trembled involuntarily. She, how 
 ever, soon found her utterance, though the first 
 tones of her voice were choked and husky. 
 
 " I may have appeared remiss, cousin Lionel," 
 she said, " but there are subjects that can be dis 
 cussed with propriety, only between the nearest 
 relatives. Sir Lionel you left him in as good a 
 state of bodily health,! hope, as his mental illness 
 will allow ?" 
 
 " It is so represented to me." 
 
 " You have seen him lately ?" 
 
 " Not in fifteen years ; my presence was said to 
 increase his disorder, and the physicians forbade 
 any more interviews. He continues at the private 
 establishment near town, and, as the lucid inter 
 vals are thought to increase, both in frequency and 
 duration, I often indulge in the pleasing hope of 
 being restored again to my father. The belief is 
 justified by his years, which, you know, are yet un 
 der fifty." 
 
 A long and apparently a painful silence suc 
 ceeded this interesting communication ; at length 
 the lady said, with a tremour in her voice, for 
 which the young man almost reverenced her, as 
 it so plainly bespoke her interest in her nephew, 
 as well as the goodness of her heart 
 
 VOL. i. 5
 
 38 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " I will thank you for a glass of that water in 
 the beaufet. Pardon me, cousin Lionel, but this 
 melancholy subject always overcomes me. I will 
 retire a few moments, with your indulgence, and 
 hasten the appearance of my grandchild. I pine 
 that you may meet." 
 
 Her absence just at that moment was too agree 
 able to the feelings of Lionel, for him to gainsay 
 her intention ; though, instead of following Agnes 
 Danforth, who had preceded her on the same 
 duty, the tottering steps of Mrs Lechmere con 
 ducted her to a door which communicated with her 
 own apartment. For several minutes the young 
 man trampled on the ' salient lions' of Lech- 
 mere, with a rapidity that seemed to emulate 
 their own mimic speed, as he paced to and fro 
 across the narrow apartment, his eye glancing 
 vacantly along the laboured wainscots, embracing 
 the argent, azure and purpure fields of the differ 
 ent escutcheons, as heedlessly, as if they were nol 
 charged with the distinguishing symbols of so 
 many honourable names. This mental abstraction 
 was, however, shortly dissipated by the sudden 
 appearance of one who had glided into the room, 
 and advanced to its centre, before he becamu 
 conscious of her presence. A light, rounded* 
 and exquisitely proportioned female form, ac 
 companied by a youthful and expressive coun 
 tenance, with an air in which womanly grace- 
 blended so nicely with feminine delicacy as to 
 cause each motion and gesture to command re 
 spect, at the same time that it was singularly insi 
 nuating, was an object to suspend, even at a first 
 glance, provided that glance were by surprise, th- 
 steps of a more absent and less courteous youth 
 than the one we have attempted to describe..
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 39 
 
 Major Lincoln knew tbat this young lady could 
 be no other than Cecil Dynevor, the daughter 
 of a British officer, long since deceased, by the 
 only child of Mrs. Lechmere, who was also in her 
 grave; and consequently that she wa one to 
 whom he was so well known by character, and so 
 nearly allied by blood, as to render it an easy 
 task for a man accustomed to the world as he had 
 been, to remove any little embarrassments which 
 might have beset a less practised youth, by acting 
 as his own usher. This he certainly attempted, 
 and at first, with a freedom which his affinity, and 
 the circumstances, would seem to allow, though it 
 was chastened by easy politeness. But the restraint 
 visible in the manner of the lady was so marked, that 
 by the time his salutations were ended, and he had 
 handed her to a seat, the young man felt as much 
 embarrassment as if he had found himself alone, 
 for the first time, with the woman whom lie had been 
 pining, for months, to favour with a very particu 
 lar communication. Whether it is that nature 
 has provided the other sex with a tact for these 
 occasions, or that the young lady became sen 
 sible that her deportment was not altogether such 
 as was worthy either of herself, or the guest -of 
 her grandmother, she was certainly the first to 
 relieve the slight awkwardness that was but too 
 apparent in the commencement of the interview. 
 
 " My grandmother has long been expecting this 
 pleasure, major Lincoln," she said, " and your ar 
 rival has been at a most auspicious moment. The 
 state of the country grows each day so very alarm 
 ing, that I have indeed long urged her to visit our 
 relatives in England, until the disputes shall have 
 terminated." 
 
 The tones of an extremely soft and melodious 
 voice, and a pronunciation quite as exact as if the
 
 40 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 speaker had acquired the sounds in the English 
 court, and which was entirely free from the slight 
 vernacular peculiarity which had offended his ear, 
 in the few words that fell from Agnes Danforth, 
 certainly aided a native attraction of manner, which 
 it seemed impossible for the young lady to cast 
 entirely aside. 
 
 " You, who are so much of an English woman, 
 would find great pleasure in the exchange," he 
 answered ; ' k and if half what I have heard from 
 a fellow passenger, of the state of the country be 
 true, 1 shall be foremost in seconding your re 
 quest. Both Ravenscliffe and the house in Soho. 
 would be greatly at the service of Mrs. Lechmere." 
 
 " It was my wish that she would accept the 
 pressing invitations of my father's relative, Lord 
 Cardonnel, who has long urged me to pass a few 
 years in his own family. A separation would be 
 painful to us both, but should my grandmother, in 
 such an event, determine to take her residence in 
 the dwellings of her ancestors, i could not be cen 
 sured for adopting a resolution to abide under 
 the roofs of mine." 
 
 The piercing eye of major Lincoln fell full 
 upon her own, as she delivered this intention, and 
 as it dropped on the floor, the slight smile that 
 played round his lip, was produced by the pass 
 ing thought, that the provincial beauty had inhe 
 rited so much of her grandmother's pride of gene 
 alogy, as to be willing to impress on his mind that 
 the niece of a viscount was superior to the heir of a 
 baronetcy. But the quick, burning flush that in 
 stantly passed across the features of Cecil Dynevor, 
 might have taught him, that she was acting under 
 the impulse of much deeper feelings than such an 
 unworthy purpose would indicate. The effect, 
 however, was such as to make the young man
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 41 
 
 glad to see Mrs. Lechmere re-enter the room, 
 leaning on the arm of her niece. 
 
 " I perceive, my cousin Lionel." said the lady, 
 as she moved with a feeble step toward the settee, 
 " that you and Cecil have found each other out, 
 without the necessity of any other introduction than 
 the affinity between you. I surely do not mean the 
 affinity of blood altogether, you know, for that can 
 not be said to amount to any thing ; but I believe 
 there exist certain features of the mind that are 
 transmitted through families quite as distinctly as 
 any which belong to the countenance." 
 
 " Could I flatter myself with possessing the 
 slightest resemblance to Miss Dynevor, in either 
 of those particulars, I should be doubly proud of 
 the connexion," returned Lionel, while he assisted 
 the good lady to a seat, with a coolness that suffi 
 ciently denoted how little he cared about the 
 matter. 
 
 " But I am not disposed to have my right to 
 claim near kindred with cousin Lionel, at all dis 
 puted," cried the young lady, with sudden anima 
 tion. " It has pleased our fore-fathers to order 
 such 
 
 " Nay, nay, my child," interrupted her grand 
 mother, " you forget that the term of cousin can 
 only be used in cases of near consanguinity, and 
 where familiar situations will excuse it. But 
 major Lincoln knows, that we in the colonies are 
 apt to make the most of the language, and count 
 our cousins almost as far as if we were members of 
 the Scottish clans. Speaking of the clans, reminds 
 me of the rebellion of '45. It is notthought in Eng 
 land, that our infatuated colonists will ever be so 
 Fool -hardy as to assume their arms in earnest?" 
 
 " There are various opinions on that subject," 
 said Lionel. " Most military men scout the idea ; 
 though I find, occasionally, an officer that has 
 
 5*
 
 42 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 served on this continent, who thinks not only that 
 the appeal will be made, but that the struggle will 
 be bloody." 
 
 " Why should they not !" said Agnes Danforth, 
 abruptly; " they are men, and the English are no 
 more !" 
 
 Lionel turned his looks, in a little surprise, on 
 the speaker, to whose countenance an almost im 
 perceptible cast in one eye, imparted a look of 
 arch good nature that her manner would seem 
 to contradict, and smiled as he repeated her 
 words 
 
 " Wh'y should they not, indeed ! I know no 
 no other reasons than that it would be both 
 a mad and an unlawful act. I can assure you that 
 1 am not one of those who affect to undervalue 
 my own countrymen; for you will remember that 
 I too am an American." 
 
 " I have heard it said that such of our volun 
 teers as wear uniforms at all," said Agnes, " ap 
 pear in blue, and not in scarlet." 
 
 " 'Tis his majesty's pleasure that his 47th foot 
 should wear this gaudy colour," returned the 
 young man, laughing ; " though, for myself, I am 
 quite willing to resign it to the use of you ladies^ 
 and to adopt another, could it well be." 
 
 " It might be done, sir." 
 
 " In what manner ?" 
 
 " By resigning your commission with it.'' 
 
 Mrs. Lechmere had evidently permitted her 
 
 1, /. . , J f 
 niece to proceed thus tar, without interruption, to 
 
 serve some purpose of her own ; but perceiving 
 that her guest by no means exhibited that air of 
 pique which the British officers were so often 
 weak enough to betray, when the women took into 
 their hands the defence of their country's honour- 
 she rang the bell, as she observed
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 43 
 
 " Bold language, major Lincoln ! bold lan 
 guage for a young lady under twenty. But Miss 
 Danforth is privileged to speak her mind freely, 
 for some of her father's family are but too deeply 
 implicated in the unlawful proceedings of these 
 evil times. We have kept Cecil, however, more to 
 her allegiance." 
 
 " And yet even Cecil has been known to refuse 
 the favour of her countenance to the entertainments 
 given by the British officers!" said Agnes, a little 
 piquantly. 
 
 " And would you have Cecil Dynevor frequent 
 balls and entertainments unaccompanied by a pro 
 per chaperon," returned .Mrs. Lerhmere ; " or is 
 it expected that, at seventy, 1 can venture in pub 
 lic to maintain the credit of our family. But we 
 keep major Lincoln from his refreshments with 
 our idle disputes. Cato, we wait your movements." 
 
 Mrs. Lechmere delivered her concluding inti 
 mation to the black, in attendance, with an air that 
 partook somewhat of mystery. The old domes 
 tic, who. probably from long practice, understood, 
 more by the expression of her eye than by any 
 words she had uttered, the wishes of his mistress, 
 proceeded to close the outer shutters of the win 
 dows, and to draw the curtains with the most 
 exact care. When this duty was performed, he 
 raised a small oval table from its regular posi 
 tion among the flowing folds of the drapery that- 
 shrouded the deep apertures for light, and placed 
 it in front of Miss Dynevor. A salver of massive 
 silver, containing an equipage of the finest Dres 
 den, followed, and in a few minutes a hissing urn 
 of the same precious metal garnished the polish 
 ed surface of the mahogany. During these arrange 
 ments, Mrs. Lechmere and her guest had main 
 tained a general discourse, touching chiefly on the 
 welfare and condition of certain individuals of their
 
 44 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 alliance, in England. Notwithstanding the de 
 mand thus made on his attention, Lionel was able 
 to discover a certain appearance of mystery and 
 caution in each movement of the black as he pro 
 ceeded leisurely in his duty. Miss Dvnevor per 
 mitted the disposition of the tea-table to be made 
 before her, passively, and her cousin Agnes Dan- 
 forth threw herself back on one of the settees, 
 with a look that indicated cool displeasure. When 
 the usual compound was made in two little fluted 
 cups, over whose pure white a few red and green 
 sprigs were sparingly scattered, the black present 
 ed one containing the grateful beverage to his mis 
 tress, and the other to the stranger. 
 
 " Pardon me, Miss Danforth," said Lionel, re 
 collecting himself after he had accepted the offer 
 ing ; " I have suffered my sea-breeding to obtain 
 the advantage." 
 
 " Enjoy your error, sir, if you can find any gra 
 tification in the indulgence," returned the young 
 lady. 
 
 " But I shall enjoy it the more, could I see you 
 participating in the luxury." 
 
 "You have termed the idle indulgence well; 
 'tis nothing but a luxury, and such a one as can 
 be easily dispensed with : 1 thank you, sir, I do 
 not drink tea." 
 
 " Surely no lady can forswear her Bohea! be 
 persuaded." 
 
 "I know not how the subtle poison may operate 
 on your English ladies, major Lincoln, but it is no 
 difficult matter for an American girl to decline the 
 use of a detestable herb, which is one, among many 
 other, of the causes that is likely to involve her 
 country and kindred in danger and strife." 
 
 The young man, who had really intended no 
 more than the common civilities due from his sex 
 to the other, bowed in silence, though, as he turned
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 45 
 
 from her, he could not forbear looking toward the 
 table to see whether the principles of the other 
 young American were quite as rigid. Cecil sat 
 bending over the salver, playing idly with a curi 
 ously wrought spoon, made to represent a sprig of 
 the plant whose fragrance had been thus put in re 
 quisition to contribute to his indulgence, while the 
 steam from the china vessel before her was wreath 
 ing in a faint mist around her polished brow. 
 
 " You at least, Miss Dynevor," said Lionel, 
 " appear to have no dislike to the herb,, you 
 breathe its vapour so freely." 
 
 Cecil cast a glance at him which changed the 
 demure and somewhat proud composure of her 
 countenance into a look of sudden, joyous humour, 
 that was infinitely more natural, as she answered 
 laughingly 
 
 " I own a woman's weakness. I must believe it 
 was tea that tempted our common mother in Para 
 dise !" 
 
 " It would show that the cunning of the serpent 
 has been transmitted to a later day, could that be 
 proved," said Agnes, " though the instrument of 
 temptation has lost some of its virtue." 
 
 " How know you that?" said Lionel, anxious to 
 pursue the trifling, in^rder to remove the evident 
 distance which had existed between them ; " had 
 Eve shut her ears as rigidly as you close your 
 mouth against the offering, we might yet have en 
 joyed the first gift to our parents." 
 
 " Oh, sir, 'tis no such stranger to me as you may 
 imagine from the indifference I have assumed on 
 the present occasion ; as Job Pray says, Boston 
 harbour is nothing but a ' big tea-pot !' ' 
 
 " You know Job Pray, then, Miss Danforth !" 
 said Lionel, not a little amused by her spirit. 
 
 " Certainly; Boston is so small, and Job so use- 
 fill, that every body knows the simpleton,"
 
 46 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " He belongs to a distinguished family, then, for 
 I have his own assurance that every body knows 
 bis perturbed mother, Abigail." 
 
 " You !" exclaimed Cecil, again, in that sweet, 
 natural voice that had before startled her auditor j 
 " what ran you know of poor Job, and his almost 
 equally unfortunate mother ! : ' 
 
 " Now, young ladies, I have you in my snares !" 
 cried Lionel; " you may possibly resist the steams 
 of tea, but what woman can withstand the impulse 
 of her curiosity ! not to be too cruel with rny fair 
 kinswomen on so short an acquaintance, however, 
 I will go so far as to acknowledge that I have 
 already had an interview with Mrs. Pray." 
 
 The reply which Agnes was about to deliver 
 was int< rrupted by a slight crash, and on turning, 
 they beheld the fragments of a piece of the splendid 
 set of Dresden, lying at the feet of Airs. Lechmere. 
 
 " My dear grand- mama is ill !" cried Cecil, 
 springing to the assistance of the old lady. 
 " Hasten, Cato -major Lincoln, you are more ac 
 tive for heaven's sake a glass of water Agnes, 
 your salts." 
 
 The amiable anxiety of her grand-child was 
 not, however, so necessary as first appearances 
 would have indicated, and Mrs. Lechmere gently 
 put aside the salts, though she did not decline the 
 glass, which Lionel offered for the second time in 
 so short a period. 
 
 " I fear you will mistake me for a sad invalid, 
 cousin Lionel," said the old lady, when she had 
 become a little composed; " but I believe it is this 
 very tea, of which so much has been said, and 
 which 1 drink to excess, from pure loyalty, that 
 unsettles my nerves I must refrain, like the 
 girls, though from a very different motive. We 
 are a people of early hours, major Lincoln, but you
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 47 
 
 are at home here, and will pursue your pleasure ; 
 I must, however, claim an indulgence for three 
 score- and-ten, and be permitted to wish you a 
 good rest after your voyage. Cato has his orders 
 to contribute all he can to your comfort." 
 
 Leaning on her two assistants, the* old lady 
 withdrew, leaving Lionel to the full possession of 
 the apartment. As the hour was getting late, 
 and from the compliments they had exchanged, he 
 did not expect the return of the younger ladies, 
 he called for a candle, and was shown to his own 
 room. As soon as the few indispensables, which 
 rendered a valet necessary to a gentleman of that 
 period, were observed, he dismissed Meriton, and 
 throwing himself in the bed, courted the sweets of 
 tKe pillow. 
 
 Many incidents, however, had occurred during 
 the day, that induced a train of thoughts, which 
 for a long time prevented his attaining the na 
 tural rest he sought. After indulging in long 
 and uneasy reflections on certain events, too close 
 ly connected with his personal feelings to be light 
 ly remembered, the young man began to muse on 
 his reception, and on the individuals who had 
 been, as it were, for the first time, introduced to 
 him. 
 
 It was quite apparent that both Mrs. Lechmere, 
 and her grand-daughter were acting their several 
 jjarts, though whether in concert or not, remained 
 to be discovered. But in Agnes Danforth, with all 
 his subtlety, he could perceive nothing but the plain 
 and direct, though a little blunt, peculiarities of 
 her nature and education. Like most very young 
 men, who had just been made acquainted with two 
 youthful females, both of them much superior to the 
 generality of their sex in personal charms, he fell 
 asleep musing on their characters. Nor, consi 
 dering the circumstances, will it be at all surpris 
 ing when we add, that before morning, he was
 
 48 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 dreaming of the Avon, of Bristol, on board which 
 stout vessel he even thought that he was discuss 
 ing a chowder on the Banks of Newfoundland, 
 which had been unaccountably prepared by the 
 fair hands of Miss Danforth, and which was 
 strangely flavoured with tea ; while the Hebe* 
 looking countenance of Cecil Dynevor was laugh 
 ing at his perplexities with undisguised good-hu 
 mour, and with all the vivacity of girlish merri 
 ment.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 f< A gfood portly man, i'faith, and a corp ulent." 
 
 King Henry JF. 
 
 THE sun was just stirring the heavy bank of 
 fog, which had rested on the waters during the 
 night, as Lionel toiled his way up the side of 
 Beacon-Hill, anxious to catch a glimpse of his 
 native scenery while it was yet glowing with the 
 first touch of day. The islands raised their green 
 heads above the mist, and the wide amphitheatre 
 of hills that encircled the bay was still visible, 
 though the vapour was creeping in places along 
 the vallies now concealing the entrance to 
 some beautiful glen, and now wreathing itself fan 
 tastically around a tall spire that told the site of a 
 suburban village. Though the people of the towa 
 were awake and up, yet the sacred character of 
 the day, and the state of the times, contributed to 
 suppress these sounds which usually distinguish 
 populous places. The cool nights and warm 
 days of April, had generated a fog more than 
 usually dense, which was deserting its watery 
 bed, and stealing insidiously along the land, 
 to unite with the vapours of the rivers and 
 "brooks, spreading a wider curtain before the 
 placid view. As Lionel stood on the brow of the 
 platform that crowned the eminence, the glimpses 
 
 VOL. i. 6
 
 50 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 of houses and hills, of towers and ships, of places 
 known and places forgotten, passed before his 
 vision, through the openings in the mist, like phan 
 toms of the imagination. The whole scene, 
 animated and in motion as it seemed by its 
 changes, appeared to his excited feelings like 
 a fanciful panorama, exhibited for his eye alone, 
 when his enjoyment was interrupted by a voice 
 apparently at no great distance. It was a man 
 singing to a common English air, fragments of 
 some ballad, with a peculiarly vile nasal cadency. 
 Through the frequent pauses, he was enabled to 
 comprehend a few words, which, by their recur-, 
 rence, were evidently intended for a chorus td 
 the rest of the production. The reader will un 
 derstand the character of the whole from these 
 lines, which ran as follows: 
 
 And they that would be free, 
 
 Out they go ; 
 
 While the slaves, as you may see, 
 Stay, to drink their p'ison tea, 
 
 Down below ! 
 
 Lionel, after listening to this expressive ditty for 
 a moment, followed the direction of the sounds 
 until he encountered Job Pray, who was seated on 
 one of the flights of steps which aided the ascent 
 to the platform, cracking a few walnuts on the 
 boards, while he employed those intervals, when his 
 itiouth could find no better employment, in utter 
 ing the above-mentioned strains. 
 
 " How now, master Pray, do you come here to 
 sing your orisons to the goddess of liberty, on a 
 Sunday morning," cried Lionel; "or are you the 
 town lark, and for want of wings take to this 
 height to obtain an altitude for your melody f" 
 
 " There's no harm in singing psalm tunes or 
 continental songs, any day in the week," said the 
 lad, without raising his eyes from his occupation ;
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 51 
 
 " Job don't know what a lark is, but if it belongs 
 to the town, the soldiers are so thick, they can't 
 keep it on the common." 
 
 " And what objection can you have to the sol 
 diers possessing a corner of your common." 
 
 "They starve the cows, and then they wont 
 give milk ; grass is sweet to beasts in the spring 
 of the year." 
 
 " But my life for it, the soldiers don't eat the 
 grass; your briridles and your 'blacks, your reds 
 and your whites, may have the first offering of the 
 spring, as usual." 
 
 " But Boston cows don't love grass that British 
 soldiers have trampled on," said the sullen lad. 
 
 ; ' This is, indeed, carrying notions of liberty to 
 refinement !" exclaimed Lionel, laughing. 
 
 Job shook his bead, threateningly, as he looked 
 Up and said, " Don't you let Ralph hear you say 
 any thing ag'in liberty !" 
 
 ' " Ralph ! who is he, lad ? your genius ! where 
 do you keep the invisible, that there is danger of 
 his overhearing what I say ?" 
 
 " He's up there in the fog," said Job, pointing 
 significantly toward the foot of the Beacon, which 
 a dense volume of vapor wasenwrapping, probably 
 attracted up the tall post that supported the grate. 
 
 Lionel gazed at the smoky column for a mo 
 ment, when the mists began to dissolve, and, amid 
 their evolutions, be beheld the dim figure of his 
 aged fellow passenger. The old man was still rlad 
 in his simple, tarnished vestments of gray, which 
 harmonized so singularly with the mists as to im 
 part a look almost ethereal to his wasted form. As 
 the medium through which he was seen became 
 less cloudy, his features grew visible, and Lionel* 
 could distinguish the uneasy, rapid glances of his 
 eyes, which seemed to roam over the distant ob 
 jects with an earnestness that appeared to mock the
 
 52 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 misty veil that was floating before so much of 
 the view. While Lionel stood fixed to the spot, 
 gazing at this irregular being with that secret 
 awe which the other had succeeded in inspiring^ 
 the old man waved his hand impatiently, as if he 
 would cast aside his shroud. At that instant a 
 bright sun-beam darted into the vapour, illuminat 
 ing his person, and melting the mist into thin air. 
 The anxious, haggard, and severe expression of his 
 countenance changed at the touch of the ray, and 
 he smiled with a softness and attraction that thrilled 
 the nerves of the other, as he called aloud to 
 the sensitive young soldier 
 
 " Come hither, Lionel Lincoln, to the foot of 
 this beacon, where you may gather warnings, 
 which, if properly heeded, will guide you through 
 many and great dangers, unharmed." 
 
 " 1 am glad you have spoken," said Lionel, 
 advancing to his side ; " you appeared like a 
 being of another world, wrapped in that mantle 
 of fog, and I felt tempted to kneel, and ask a 
 benediction." 
 
 " And am I not a being of another world t 
 most of my interests are already in the grave, 
 and I tarry here only for a space, because there 
 is a great work to be done, which cannot be per 
 formed without me. My view of the world of 
 spirits, young man, is much clearer and more 
 distinct than yours of this variable scene at your 
 feet. There is no mist to obstruct the eye, nor 
 any doubts as to the colours it presents." 
 
 " You are happy, sir, in the extremity of your 
 age to be so assured. But I fear your sudden de 
 termination last night subjected you to incon 
 venience in the tenement of this changeling." 
 
 " The boy is a good boy," said the old man, 
 stroking the head of the natural complacently ; 
 *' we understand each other, major Lincoln, and.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 53. 
 
 that shortens introductions, and renders commu 
 nion easy." 
 
 "That you feel alike on one subject, I have 
 already discovered ; but there I should think the 
 resemblance and the intelligence must end." 
 
 " The propensities of the mind in its infancy and 
 in its maturity are but a span apart," said the stran 
 ger ; " the amount of human knowledge is but to 
 know how much we are under the dominion of 
 our passions ; and he who has learned by expe 
 rience how to smother the volcano, and he who 
 never felt its fires, are surely fit associates." 
 
 Lionel bowed in silence to an opinion so hum 
 bling to the other, and after a pause of a moment, 
 adverted to their situation. 
 
 " The sun begins to make himself felt, and 
 when he has driven away these ragged remnants 
 of the fog, we shall see those places each of us have 
 frequented, in his day." 
 
 " Shall we find them as we left them, think 
 3 7 ou ? or will you see the stranger in possession of 
 the haunts of your infancy ?" 
 
 " Not the stranger, certainly, for we are the sub 
 jects of one king ; children who own a common 
 parent." 
 
 " I will not reply that he has proved himself an 
 unnatural father," said the old man, calmly; " the 
 gentleman who now fills the British throne is 
 less to be censured than his advisers, for the op 
 pression of his reign." 
 
 " Sir," interrupted Lionel, " if such allusions 
 are made to the person of my sovereign, we must 
 separate ; for it ill becomes a British officer to hear 
 his master mentioned with levity." 
 
 " Levity !" repeated the other, slowly. '* It is 
 a fault indeed to accompany gray locks and wast 
 ed limbs ! but your jealous watchfulness betrays 
 you into error. I have breathed in the atmos-
 
 04 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 phere of kings, young man, and know how fa 
 separate the individual and his purpose, from the 
 policy of his government. 'Tis the latter that 
 will sever this great empire, and deprive the 
 third George of what has so often and so well 
 been termed ' the brightest jewel in his crown'. " 
 
 " I must leave you, sir," said Lionel ; " the 
 Opinions you so freely expressed during our pas 
 sage, were on principles which I can hardly call 
 opposed to our own constitution, and might bo 
 heard, not only without offence, but frequently 
 with admiration ; but this language approaches 
 to treason !" 
 
 " Go then," returned the unmoved stranger, 
 "descend to yon degraded common, and bid 
 your mercenaries seize me 'twill be only the 
 blood of an old man, but 'twill help to fatten 
 the land; or send your merciless grenadiers to 
 torment their victim before the axe shall do its 
 work.; a man who has lived so long, can surely 
 spare a little of his time to the tormentors !" 
 
 " I could have thought, sir,jthatyou might spare 
 such a reproach to me," said Lionel. 
 
 " I do spare it, and I do more ; I forget my 
 years, and solicit forgiveness. But had you known 
 slavery, as I have done, in it's worst of forms, you 
 would know how to prize the inestimable blessing 
 of freedom." 
 
 " Have you ever known slavery, in your travel^ 
 more closely than in what you deem the violation? 
 of principle?" 
 
 " Have I not !" said the stranger, smiling bit 
 terly ; " I have known it as man should never 
 know it; in act and will. I have lived days, 
 months, and even years, to hear others coldly 
 declare my wants ; to see others dole out their 
 jpeager pittances to my necessities, and to hear
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 5i? 
 
 Others assume the right, to express the sufferings, 
 and to control the enjoyments of sensibilities that 
 God had given to me only !" 
 
 " To endure such thraldom, you must have fal 
 len into the power of the infidel barharians !" 
 
 "Ay ! boy, I thank you for the words; they 
 were indeed most worthy of the epithets ! infidels 
 that denied the precepts of our blessed Redeemer; 
 and barbarians that treated one having a soul, and 
 possessing reason like themselves^ as a beast of 
 the field." 
 
 " Why didn't you come to Boston, Ralph, and 
 (ell that to the people in Funnel-Hall ?" exclaim 
 ed Job; " ther'd ha' been a stir about it !" 
 
 " Child, I did come to Boston, again and again, 
 in thought; and the appeals that I made to my 
 townsmen would have moved the very roof of 
 old Fanueil, could they have been uttered within 
 her walls. But 'twas in vain ! they had the power, 
 and like demons or rather like miserable men. 
 they abused it." 
 
 Lionel, sensibly touched, was about to reply in 
 a suitable manner, when he heard a voice calling 
 his own name aloud, as if the speaker were as 
 cending the opposite acclivity of the hill. The 
 instant; the sounds reached his ears, the old man 
 rose from his seat, on the foundation of the bea 
 con, and gliding over the brow of the platform, 
 followed by Job, they descended into a volume 
 of mist that was still clinging to the side of the 
 hill, with amazing swiftness. 
 
 " Why, Leo ! thou lion in name, and deer in 
 activity!" exclaimed the intruder, as he surmount 
 ed the steep ascent, " what can have brought you 
 up into the clouds so early! whew a man needs a 
 New-Market training to scale such a precipice. 
 JBut, Leo, my 'dear 'fellow, I rejoice to see you 
 we knew yoli were expected in the first ship, and
 
 56 LIONEL LINCOLN 7 . 
 
 as I was coming from morning parade, I met a 
 eouple of grooms in the ' Lincoln green,' you 
 know, leading each a blooded charger faith, 
 one of them would have been quite convenient to 
 elitnb this accursed hill on whew and whevv-w, 
 again well, I knew the liveries at a glance ; as 
 to the horses, 1 hope to be better acquainted with 
 them hereafter. Pray, sir, said I, to one of the 
 liveried scoundrels, whom do you serve ?" " Ma 
 jor Lincoln, of Ravenscliffe, sir," said he, with a 
 look as impudent as if he could have said, like 
 you and I, his sacred majesty the king. That's 
 the answer of the servants of your ten thousand 
 a year men ! Now, if my fool had been asked 
 such a question, his answer would have been, 
 craven dog as he is, captain Polwarth, of the 47th; 
 leaving the inquirer, though it should even be some 
 curious maiden who had taken a fancy to the tout 
 ensemble of my outline, in utter ignorance that 
 there is such a place in the world as Polwarth- 
 Hall!" 
 
 During this voluble speech, which was inter 
 rupted by sundry efforts to regain the breath lost 
 in the ascent, Lionel Shook his friend cordially by 
 the hand, and attempted to express his own plea 
 sure at the meeting. The failure of wind, how 
 ever, which was a sort of besetting sin with cap 
 tain Polwarth, had now compelled him to pause, 
 and gave time to Lionel for a reply. 
 
 " This hill is the last place where I should have 
 expected to meet you," he said. " I took it for 
 granted you would not be stirring until nine or 
 ten at least, when it was my intention to inquire 
 you out, and to give you a call before I paid my 
 respects to the commander-in-chief." 
 
 " Ah ! you may thank his excellency, the ' Hon. 
 Thomas Gage, governor and commander-in-chief, 
 in and over the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, 
 and vice-admiral of the same,' as he styles himself
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 55 
 
 in his proclamations, for this especial favour; 
 though, between ourselves, Leo, he is about as 
 much governor over the Province, as he is owner 
 of those hunters you have just landed." 
 
 " But why am I to thank him for this inter 
 view r" 
 
 " Why ! look about you, and tell me what you 
 behold nothing but fog nay, I see there is a 
 steeple, and yonder is the smoking sea, and here 
 are the chimneys of Hancock's house beneath us, 
 smoking too, as if their rebellious master were at 
 home, and preparing his feed ! but every thing in 
 sight is essentially srnoky, and there is a natural 
 aversion, in us epicures, to smoke. Nature dictates 
 that a man who has as much to do in a day, in 
 carrying himself about, as your humble servant, 
 should not cut his rest too abruptly in the morning. 
 But the honourable Thomas, governor, and vice- 
 admiral, &tc. has ordered us under anus with the 
 sun ; officers, as well as men !" 
 
 " Surely that is no great hardship to a soldier," 
 returned Lionel ; " and moreover, it seems to 
 agree with you marvellously ! Now 1 look again, 
 Polwarth, I am amazed! Surely you are not in a 
 light-infantry jacket !" 
 
 " Certes what is there in that so wonderful,'* 
 returned the other, with great gravity ; " don't I 
 become the dress ? or is it the dress which does not 
 adorn me, that you look ready to die with mirth ? 
 Laugh it out Leo. I am used to it these three 
 days but what is there, after all, so remarkable 
 in Peter Polwarth's commanding a company of 
 light infantry. Am I not just five feet, six and 
 one eighth of an inch the precise height !" 
 
 " You appear to have been so accurate in your 
 longitudinal admeasurement, that you must carry 
 one of Harrison's time-pieces in your pocket ; did 
 it ever suggest itself to yon to use the quadrant 
 also f"
 
 08 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " For my latitude ! I understand you, Leo j 
 because I am shaped a little like mother earth, 
 does it argue that I cannot command a light-infan 
 try company .'" 
 
 " Ay, even as Joshua commanded the sun. 
 But the stopping of the planet itself, is not a 
 greater miracle in my eyes, than to see you in 
 that attire." 
 
 " Well, then, the mystery shall be explained ; 
 but first let u-- be seated on this beacon," said cap 
 tain Pol warth, establishing himself with great 
 method in the place so lately" occupied by the 
 attenuated form of the stranger; "a true soMier 
 husbands his resources for a time of need ; that 
 word, husbands, brings me at once to the point 
 I am in love." 
 
 " That is surprising !" 
 
 * But what is much more so, I would fain be 
 married." 
 
 It must be a woman of no mean endowments 
 that could exrite such desires in Captain Pol wart h, 
 Of the 47th. and of Polwarth-Hall !" 
 
 " She is a woman of great qualifications, major 
 Lincoln," said the lover, with a sudden gravity 
 that indicated his gaiety of manner was not 
 entirely natural. " In figure she may be said to 
 be done to a turn. When she is grave, she 
 walks with the stateliness of a show beef; when 
 she runs, 'tis with the activity of a turkey ; and 
 when at rest, I can only compare her to a dish 
 of venison, savory, d*licate, and what one can, 
 never get enough of." 
 
 " You have, to adopt your own metaphors, given 
 Such a ' rare' sketch of her person, I am, ' burning' 
 to hear something of her mental qualifications." 
 
 " My metaphors are not poetical, perhaps, but 
 they are the first that ofier themselves to my mind, 
 and they are natural. Hep accomplishments ex
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 59 
 
 Ceed her native gifts greatly. In the first place she 
 is witty ; in the second, she is as impertinent as the 
 devil; and in the third, as inveterate a little traitor 
 to king George as there is in all Boston." 
 
 " These are strange recommendations to your 
 favour !" 
 
 "The most infallible of all recommendations. 
 They are piquant, like savoury sauces, which ex 
 cite the appetite, and season the dish. Now her 
 treason (for it amounts to that in fact) is like 
 olives, and gives a gusto to the generous port of 
 my loyalty. Her impertinence is oil to the cold 
 sallad of my modesty, and her acid wit mingles 
 with the sweetness of my temperament, in that sort 
 of pleasant combination with which sweet and 
 sour blend in sherbet." 
 
 " It would be idle for me to gainsay the charms 
 of such a woman," returned Lionel, a good deal 
 amused with the droll mixture of seriousness and 
 humour in the other's manner ; " now for her 
 connexion with the light-infantry she is not of 
 the light corps of her own sex, Polwarth ?" 
 
 Pardon me, major Lincoln, I cannot joke on 
 this subject. Miss Danforth is of one of the best 
 families in Boston." 
 
 " Danforth ! not Agnes, surely !" 
 
 " The very same !" exclaimed Polwarth, in stuv 
 prise ; " what do you know of her?" 
 
 " Only that she is a sort of cousin of rny own, 
 and that we are inmates of the same house. We 
 bear equal affinity to Mrs. Lechmere, and the 
 good lady has insisted that I shall make rny home 
 in Tremont-street." 
 
 " I rejoice to hear it ! At all events, our intima 
 cy may now be improved to some better purpose 
 than eating and drinking. But to the point there 
 were certain damnable innuendoes getting into 
 circulation, concerning my proportions, whieh I 
 considered it prudent to look down at once."
 
 60 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " In order to do which, you had only to look 
 thinner." 
 
 " And do I not, in this appropriate dress ? 
 To be perfectly serious with you, Leo, for to 
 you I can freely unburthen myself, you- know what 
 a set we are in the 47th let them once fasten an 
 opprobrious term, or a nick name on you, and you 
 take it to the grave, be it ever so burthensome." 
 
 " There is a way, certainly, to check ungentle- 
 man-like liberties," said Lionel, gravely. 
 
 " Poh ! poh ! a man wouldn't wish to fight 
 about a pound more or a pound less of fat ! still 
 the name is a great deal, and first impressions are 
 every thing. Now, whoever thinks of Grand 
 Cairo as a village ; of the Grand-Turk and Great 
 Mogul, as little boys ; or, who would believe, by 
 hearsay, that captain Polwarth, of the light infan 
 try, could weigh one hundred and eighty !" 
 
 " Add twenty to it." 
 
 " Not a pound more, as I am a sinner. I was 
 weighed in the presence of the whole mess no 
 later than last week, since when I have rather lost 
 than gained an ounce, for this early rising is no 
 friend to a thriving condition. 'Twas in my night 
 gown, you'll remember, Leo, for we, who tally so 
 often, can't afford to throw in boots, and buckles, 
 and all those sorts of things, like your feather 
 weights." 
 
 " But I marvel how Nesbit was induced to 
 consent to the appointment," said Lionel ; " he 
 loves a little display." 
 
 " I am your man for that," interrupted the cap 
 tain ; " we are embodied you know, and I make 
 more display, if that be what you require, than 
 any captain in the corps. But I will whisper a 
 secret in your ear. There has been a nasty busi 
 ness here, lately, in which the 47th has gained 
 'no new laurels a matter of tarring and feather 
 ing, about an old rusty musket."
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 61 
 
 " I have heard something of the affair alrea 
 dy," returned Lionel, " and was grieved to find 
 the men justifying some of their own brutal con 
 duct last night, by the example of their com 
 mander." 
 
 " Murn 'tis a delicate matter well, that tar 
 has brought the Colonel into particularly bad 
 odour in Boston, especially among the women, 
 in whose good graces we are all of us lower than 
 I have ever known scarlet coats to stand before. 
 Why, Leo, the Mohairs are altogether the better 
 men, here! But there is not an officer in the whole 
 army who has made nrore friends in the place 
 than your humble servant. I have availed my 
 self of my popularity, which just now is no trifling 
 thing, and partly by promises, and partly by secret 
 interest, I have the company; to which you know 
 my rank in the regiment gives me an undoubted 
 title." 
 
 " A perfectly satisfactory explanation ; a most 
 commendable ambition on your part, and a cer 
 tain symptom that the peace is not to be disturb 
 ed ; for Gage would never permit such an arrange 
 ment, bad he any active operations in his eye." 
 
 " Why, there I think you are more than half 
 right ; these yankees have been talking, and re 
 solving, and approbating their resolves, as they 
 call it, these ten years past, and what does it all 
 amount to ? To be sure, things grow worse and 
 worse every day but Jonathan is an enigma to 
 me. Now you know when we were in the caval 
 ry together God forgive me the suicide I com 
 mitted in exchanging into the foot, which I never 
 should have done, could I have found in all Eng 
 land such a thing as an easy goer, or a safe leap- 
 er but then, if the commons took offence at a 
 new tax, or a stagnation in business, why they got 
 together in mobs, and burnt a house or two, fright- 
 
 VOL. i. 7
 
 62 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 ened a magistrate, and perhaps hustled a consta 
 ble ; then in we came at a hand gallop, you know, 
 flourished our swords, and scattered the ragged 
 devils to the four winds ; when the courts did the 
 rest, leaving us a cheap victory at the expense ol' 
 a little wind, which was amply compensated by 
 an increased appetite for dinner. But here it i? 
 altogether a different sort of thing." 
 
 " And what are the most alarming symptoms, 
 just now, in the colonies ?" asked major Lincoln, 
 with a sensible interest in the subject. 
 
 " They refuse their natural aliment to uphold 
 what they call their prindiples ; the women ab 
 jure tea, and the men abandon their fisheries ! 
 There has been hardly such a thing as even a wild- 
 duck brought into the market this spring, in con 
 sequence of the Port-Bill, and yet they grow 
 more stubborn every day. If it should come to 
 blows, however, thank God we are strong enough 
 to open a passage for ourselves to any part of the 
 continent where provisions may be plentier ; and 
 I hear more troops are already on the way." 
 
 " If it should come to blows, which heaven for 
 bid," said major Lincoln, " we shall be besieged 
 where we now are." 
 
 " Besieged !" exclaimed Polwarth, in evident 
 alarm ; " if I thought there was the least pros 
 pect of such a calamity I would sell out to 
 morrow. It is bad enough now ; our mess-table 
 is never decently covered, but if there should 
 come a siege 'twould be absolute starvation. No. 
 no, Leo, their minute men, and their long-tailed 
 rabble, would hardly think of besieging four thou 
 sand British soWiers with a fleet to back them. 
 Four thousand ! If the regiments I hear named 
 are actually on the way, there will be eight thou 
 sand of us as good men as ever wore "
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN'. 63 
 
 Ci Light-infantry jackets," interrupted Lionel. 
 H But the regiments are certainly coming ; Clin 
 ton, Burgoyne, and Howe, had an audience to take 
 leave, on the same day with myself. The service 
 is exceedingly popular with the king, and our re 
 ception, of course, was most gracious ; though I 
 thought the eye of royalty looked on me as if it 
 remembered one or two of my juvenile votes in 
 the house, on the subject of these unhappy dis 
 sensions." 
 
 " You voted against the Port-Bill," said Pol- 
 warth, " out of regard to me f" 
 
 "No, there I joined the ministry. The con 
 duct of the people of Boston had provoked the 
 measure, and there were hardly two minds in par 
 liament on that question." 
 
 " Ah ! major Lincoln, you are a happy man," 
 said the captain ; " a seat in Parliament at five- 
 and-twenty ! I must think that I should prefer just 
 such an occupation to all others the very name is 
 taking; a seat! you have two members for your 
 borough : who fills the second now ? 
 
 " Say nothing on that subject, I entreat you," 
 whispered Lionel, pressing the arm of the other, 
 as he rose ; " 'tis not filled by him who should 
 occupy it, as you know shall we descend to the 
 common ? there are many friends that I could 
 wish to see before the bell calls us to church." 
 
 " Yes, this is a church-going, or rather meeting- 
 going place ; for most of the good people forswear 
 the use of the word church as we abjure the supre 
 macy of the Pope," returned Polwarth, following 
 in his companion's foot-steps; "I never think of at 
 tending any of their schism-shops, for I would any 
 day rather stand sentinel over a baggage-wagon, 
 than stand up to hear one of their prayers. I can 
 do very well at the king's chapel, as they call it; for 
 xvhen I am once comfortably fixed on my knees.
 
 64 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 I make out as well as my lord archbishop of Can 
 terbury ; though it has always been matter of sur 
 prise to me, how any man can find breath to go 
 through their work of a morning." 
 
 They descended the hill, as Lionel replied, 
 and their forms were soon blended with those of 
 twenty others who wore scarlet coats, on the 
 common. 

 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 te For us, and for our tragedy, 
 " Here stooping to your clemency, 
 " We beg your hearing patiently." 
 
 Harnlel. 
 
 We must, now, carry the reader back a centu 
 ry, in order to clear our tale of every appearance 
 of ambiguity. Reginald Lincoln was a cadet of 
 an extremely ancient and wealthy family, whose 
 possessions were suffered to continue as appen 
 dages to a baronetcy, throughout all the changes 
 which marked the eventful periods of the com 
 monwealth, and the usurpation of Cromwell. He 
 had himself, however, inherited little more than 
 a morbid sensibility, which, even in that age, ap 
 peared to be a sort of heir-loom to his family. 
 While still a young man he had married a woman 
 to whom he was much attached, who died in giv 
 ing birth to her first child. The grief of the hus 
 band took a direction towards religion ; but un 
 happily, instead of deriving from his researches 
 that healing consolation, with which our faith 
 abounds, his mind became soured by the preva 
 lent but discordant views of the attributes of the 
 Deity ; and the result of his conversion was to 
 leave him an ascetick puritan, and an obstinate 
 predestinarian, That such a roan, finding but lif* 
 
 T*
 
 66 LIONEL LINCOLN, 
 
 tie to connect him with his native country, should 
 revolt at the impure practices of the Court of 
 Charles, is not surprising ; and accordingly, 
 though not at all implicated in the guilt of the 
 regicides, he departed for the religious province 
 of Sfossachusetts-Bay, in the first years of the 
 rei^fef that merry prince. 
 
 It was not difficult for a man of the rank and 
 reputed sanctity of Reginald Lincoln, to obtain 
 both honourable and lucrative employments in 
 the plantations; and after the first glow of his 
 awakened ardour in behalf of spiritual matters had 
 a little abated, he failed not to improve a due por 
 tion of his time by a commendable attention to 
 temporal things. To the day of his death, how 
 ever, he continued a gloomy, austere, and bigot 
 ed religionist, seemingly too regardless of the vani 
 ties of this world to permit his pure imagination to 
 mingle with its dross, even while he submitted to 
 discharge its visible duties. Notwithstanding this 
 elevation of mind, his son, at the decease of his 
 father, found himself in the possession of many 
 goodly effects ; which were, questionless, the ac 
 cumulations of a neglected use, during the days 
 of his sublimated progenitor. 
 
 Young Lionel so far followed in the steps of his 
 worthy parent, as to continue gathering honours 
 and riches into his lap ; though, owing to an ear 
 ly disappointment, and the inheritance of the 
 ' heir-loom' already mentioned, it was late in life 
 before he found a partner to share his happiness. 
 Contrary to all the usual calculations that are 
 made on the choice of a man of self-denial, he was 
 then united to a youthful and gay Episcopalian, 
 who had uttle, besides her exquisite beauty and 
 good blood, to recommend her. By this lady he 
 had four children, three sons and a daughter, 
 when he also was laid in the vault, by the side ot
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 67 
 
 his deceased parent. The eldest of these sons 
 was yet a boy when he was called to the mother- 
 country, to inherit the estates and honours of his 
 family. The second, named Reginald, who was 
 bred to arms, married, had a son, and lost his life 
 in the wilds where he was required to serve, be 
 fore he was five-and-twenty. The third was the 
 grandfather of Agnes Danforth ; and the daugh 
 ter was Mrs. Lechmere. 
 
 The family of Lincoln, considering the shortness 
 of their marriages, had been extremely prolific, 
 while in the colonies, according to that wise allot 
 ment of providence, which ever seems to regulate 
 the functions of our nature by our wants ; but the 
 instant it was reconvened to the populous island oi< 
 Britain, it entirely lost its reputation for fruitful- 
 ness. Sir Lionel lived to a good age, married, but 
 died childless, notwithstanding when his body lay in 
 state, it was under a splendid roof, and in halls so 
 capacious that they would have afforded comfort 
 able shelter to the whole family of Priam. 
 
 By this fatality it became necessary to cross the 
 Atlantic once more, to find an heir to the wide do 
 mains of Ravenscliffe, and to one of the oldest 
 baronetcies in the kingdom. 
 
 We have planted and reared this genealogical 
 tree, to but little purpose, if it be necessary to tell 
 the reader, that the individual who had now be 
 come the head of his race, was the orphan son of 
 the deceased officer. He was married, and the 
 father of one blooming boy, when this elevation, 
 which was not unlooked for, occurred. Leaving 
 his wife and child behind him, Sir Lionel imme 
 diately proceeded to England, to assert his rights 
 and secure his possessions. As he was the nephew, 
 and acknowledged heir of the late incumbent, he 
 met with no opposition to the more important parts 
 of his claims. Across the character and fortunes of
 
 68 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 this gentleman, however, a dark cloud had early 
 passed, which prevented the common eye from 
 reading the events of his life, like those of other 
 men, in its open and intelligible movements. Af 
 ter his accession to fortune and rank, but little was 
 known of him, even by his earliest and most inti 
 mate associates. It was rumoured, it is true, that 
 he had been detained in England, for two years, 
 by a vexatious contention for a petty appendage 
 to his large estates, a controversy which was, how 
 ever, known to have been decided in his favour, 
 before he was recalled to Boston by the sudden 
 death of his wife. This calamity befell him during 
 the period when the war of '56 was raging in its 
 greatest violence : a time when the energies of the 
 colonies were directed to the assistance of the mo 
 ther-country, who, according to the language of 
 the day, \vas zealously endeavouring to defeat the 
 ambitious views of the French, in this hemisphere; 
 or, what amounted to the same thing in effect, in 
 struggling to advance her own. 
 
 It was an interesting period; when the mild and 
 peaceful colonists were seen to shake off their 
 habits of forbearance, and to enter into the 
 strife with an alacrity and spirit that soon emu 
 lated the utmost daring of their more practised 
 confederates. To the amazement of all who 
 knew his fortunes, Sir Lionel Lincoln was seen to 
 embark in many of the most desperate adven 
 tures that distinguished the war, with a hardihood 
 that rather sought death than courted honour. 
 He had been, like his father, trained to arms, but 
 the regiment in which he held the commission of 
 Lieutenant Colonel, was serving his master in the 
 most eastern of his dominions, while the uneasy 
 soldier was thus rushing from point to point, haz 
 arding his life, and more than once shed'ding 
 his blood, in the enterprises that signalized the 
 war in his most western.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 69 
 
 This dangerous career, however, was at length 
 suddenly and mysteriously checked. By the in 
 fluence of some powerful agency, that was never 
 explained, the Baronet was induced to take his 
 son, and embark once more f =r the land of their 
 fathers, from which the former had never been 
 known to return. For many years, all those in 
 quiries which the laudable curiosity of the towns 
 men and towns- women of Mrs. Lechmere, prompt 
 ed them to make, concerning the fate of her ne 
 phew, (and we leave each of our readers to deter 
 mine their numbers,) were answered by that lady 
 with the most courteous reserve ; and sometimes 
 with such exhibitions of emotion, as we have al 
 ready attempted to describe in her first interview 
 with his son. But constant dropping will wear 
 away a stone. At first there were rumours that 
 the Baronet had committed treason, and had been 
 compelled to exchange RavensclifFe for a less 
 comfortable dwelling in the Tower of London. 
 This report was succeeded by that of an unfor 
 tunate private marriage with one of the Prin 
 cesses of the House of Brunswick ; but a refer 
 ence to the calendars of the day, showed that 
 there was no lady of a suitable age disengaged, 
 and this amour, so creditable to the provinces, 
 was necessarily abandoned. Finally, the asser 
 tion was made with much more of the confidence 
 of thath, that the unhappy Sir Lionel was the ten 
 ant of a private mad-house. 
 
 The instant this rumour was circulated, a film 
 fell from every eye, and none were so blind as not 
 to have seen indications of insanity in the Baro 
 net long before ; and not a few were enabled to 
 trace his legitimate right to lunacy through the 
 hereditary bias of his race. To account for its 
 sudden exhibition, was a more difficult task, and 
 exercised the ingenuity of an exceedingly inge 
 nious people, for a long period.
 
 70 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 The more sentimental part of the community, 
 such as the maidens and bachelors, and those 
 votaries of Hymen who had twice and thrice 
 proved the solacing power of the god, did not 
 fail to ascribe the misfortune of the Baronet to 
 the unhappy loss of his wife ; a lady to whom he 
 was known to be most passionately attached. A 
 few, the relicts of the good old school, under 
 whose intellectual sway the incarnate persons of 
 so many godless dealers in necromancy had been 
 made to expiate for their abominations, pointed 
 to the calamity as a merited punishment on the 
 backslidings of a family that had once known the 
 true faith ; while a third, and by no means a small 
 class, composed of those worthies who braved the 
 elements in King-street, in quest of filthy lucre, 
 did not hesitate to say, that the sudden acquisition 
 of vast wealth had driven many a better man 
 mad. But the time was approaching, when the 
 apparently irresistible propensity to speculate on 
 the fortunes of a fellow-creature was made to yield 
 to more important considerations. The hour soon 
 arrived when the merchant forgot his momentary 
 interests to look keenly into the distant effects 
 that were to succeed the movements of the day ; 
 which taught the fanatic the wholesome lesson, 
 that providence smiled most beneficently on those 
 who most merited, by their own efforts, its favours ; 
 and which even purged the breast of the senti 
 mentalist of its sickly tenant, to be succeeded by 
 the healthy and ennobling passion of love of 
 country. 
 
 It was about this period that the contest for 
 principle between the parliament of Great Bri 
 tain, and the colonies of North America, com 
 menced, that in time led to those important re 
 sults which have established a new era in political 
 liberty, as well as a mighty empire. A brief glance 
 at the nature of this controversy may assist in rert-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 71 
 
 dering many of the allusions in this legend more 
 intelligible to some of its readers. 
 
 The increasing wealth of the provinces had at 
 tracted the notice of the English ministry so early 
 as the year 1763. In that year the first effort 
 to raise a revenue which was to meet the exigen 
 cies of the empire, was attempted by the passage 
 t)f a law to impose a duty on certain stamped pa 
 per, which was made necessary to give validity to 
 contracts. This method of raising a revenue was 
 not new in itself, nor was the imposition heavy in 
 amount. But the Americans, not less sagacious 
 than wary,- perceived at a glance the importance 
 of the principles involved in the admission of a 
 right as belonging to any body to lay taxes, in 
 which they were not represented. The ques 
 tion was not without its difficulties, but the direct 
 and plain argument was clearly on the side of the 
 colonists. Aware of the force of their reasons, 
 and perhaps a little conscious of the strength of 
 their numbers, they approached the subject with 
 a spirit which betokened this consciousness, but 
 with a coolness that denoted the firmness of their 
 purpose. After a struggle of nearly two years, 
 during which the law was rendered completely 
 profitless by the unanimity among the people, as 
 well as by a species of good-humoured violence 
 that rendered it exceedingly inconvenient, and 
 perhaps a little dangerous, to the servants of the 
 crown to exercise their obnoxious.functions, the 
 ministry abandoned the measure. But, at the? 
 same time that the law was repealed, the parlia 
 ment maintained its right to bind the colonies 
 in all cases whatsoever, by recording a resolution 
 to that effect in its journals. 
 
 That an empire, whose several parts were sepa 
 rated by oceans, and whose interests \vere so often 
 conflicting, should become unwieldy, and fall, in
 
 72 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 time, by its own weight, was an event that all wise 
 men must have expected to arrive. But, that the 
 Americans did not contemplate such a division at 
 that early day, may be fairly inferred, if there were 
 no other testimony in the matter, by the quiet and 
 submission that pervaded the colonies the instant 
 that the repeal of the stamp act was known. Had 
 any desire for premature independence existed, 
 the parliament had unwisely furnished abundant 
 fuel to feed the flame, in the very resolution 
 already mentioned. But, satisfied with the solid 
 advantages they had secured, peaceful in their 
 habits, and loyal in their feelings, the colonists 
 laughed at the empty dignity of their self-consti 
 tuted rulers, while they congratulated each other 
 on their own more substantial success. If the 
 besotted servants of the king had learned wis 
 dom by the past, the storm would have blown 
 over, and another age would have witnessed the 
 events which we are about to relate. Things 
 were hardly suffered, however, to return to their 
 old channels again, before the ministry attempted 
 to revive their claims by new impositions. The 
 design to raise a revenue had been defeated in the 
 case of the stamp act, by the refusal of the colo 
 nists to use the paper; but in the present instance, 
 expedients were adopted, which, it was thought, 
 would be more effective as in the case of tea,, 
 where the duty was paid by the East-India Compa 
 ny in the first instance, and the exaction was to be 
 made on the Americans, through their appetites. 
 These new innovations on their rights, were met by 
 the colonists with the same promptitude, but with 
 much more of seriousness than in the former in 
 stances. All the provinces south of the Great Lakes, 
 acted in concert on this occasion; and preparations 
 were made to render not only their remonstrances 
 and petitions more impressive by a unity of action 3 ,
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 73 
 
 but their more serious struggles also, should an 
 appeal to force become necessary. The tea was 
 stored or sent back to England, in most cases, 
 though in the town of Boston, a concurrence of 
 circumstances led to the violent measure, on the 
 part of the people, of throwing a large quantity of 
 the offensive article into the sea. To punish this 
 act, which took place in the early part of 1774, the 
 port of Boston was closed, and different laws were 
 enacted in parliament, which were intended to 
 bring the people back to a sense of their depen- 
 dence on the British power. 
 
 Although the complaints of the colonists were 
 hushed during the short interval that had succeed 
 ed the suspension of the efforts of the ministry to 
 tax them, the feelings of alienation which were en 
 gendered by the attempt, had not time to be lost 
 before the obnoxious subject was revived in its 
 new shape. From 1763, to the period of our 
 tale, all the younger part of the population of the 
 provinces had grown into manhood, but they were 
 no longer imbued with that profound respect for 
 the mother country which had been transmitted 
 from their ancestors, or with that deep loyalty to 
 the crown that usually characterizes a people who 
 view the pageant of royalty through the medium 
 of distance. Still, those who guided the feelings, 
 and controlled the judgments of the Americans, 
 xvere averse to a dismemberment of the empire, a 
 measure which they continued to believe both im 
 politic and unnatural. 
 
 In the mean time, though equally reluctant to 
 shed blood, the adverse parties prepared for that 
 .final struggle which seemed to be unavoidably ap 
 proaching. The situation of the colonies was now 
 so peculiar, that it may be doubted whether histo 
 ry furnishes a precise parallel. Their fealty to 
 the prince was everywhere acknowledged, while
 
 T4 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 the laws which emanated from his counsellors 
 were sullenly disregarded and set at naught. 
 Each province possessed its distinct government, 
 and in most of them the political influence of the 
 crown was direct and great ; but ihe time had 
 arrived when it was superseded by a moral feel 
 ing that defied the machinations and intrigues of 
 the ministry. Such of the provincial legislature? 
 as possessed a majority of the " Sons of Liberty," 
 as they who resisted the unconstitutional attempts 
 of the ministry were termed, elected delegates to 
 meet in a general congress to consult on the ways 
 and means of effecting the common objects. In one 
 or two provinces where the inequality of represen 
 tation afforded a different result, the' people suppli 
 ed the deficiencies by acting in their original capa 
 city. This body, meeting, unlike conspirators, with 
 the fearless confidence of integrity, and acting un 
 der theexcitementof a revolution in sentiment, pos 
 sessed an influence, which, at a later day, has been 
 denied to their more legally constituted successors. 
 Their recommendations possessed all the validity 
 of laws, without incurring their odium. While, as 
 the organ of their fellow-subjects, they still con 
 tinued to petition and remonstrate, they did not, 
 forget to oppose, by such means as were then 
 thought expedient, the oppressive measures of th<- 
 ministry. 
 
 An association was recommended to the peo 
 ple, for those purposes that are amply expresseti 
 in the three divisions which were significantly 
 given to the subjects, in calling them by thr 
 several names of ' non-importation,' ' non-expor 
 tation,' and 'non-consumption resolutions.' Theso 
 negative expedients were all that, was constitu 
 tionally in their power, and throughout the whole 
 controversy, there had been a guarded care. 
 not to exceed the limits which the laws had affix-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 75 
 
 cd to the rights of the subject. Though no overt 
 act of resistance was committed, they did not, 
 however, neglect such means as were attaina 
 ble, to be prepared for the last evil, whenever 
 it should arrive. In this manner a feeling of re 
 sentment and disaffection was daily increasing 
 throughout the provinces, while in Massachusetts 
 Bay, the m-ire immediate scene of our story, the 
 disorder in the body politic seemed to be inevit- 
 ^ably gathering to its head. 
 
 The great principles of the controversy had 
 teen blended, in different places, with various 
 causes of local complaint, and in none more than 
 in the town of Boston. The inhabitants of this 
 place had been distinguished for an early, open, 
 and fearless resistance to the ministry. An armed 
 force had long been thought necessary to intimi 
 date this spirit, to effect which the troops were 
 drawn from different p-.irts of the provinces, and 
 concentrated in this devoted town. Early in 1774, 
 a military man was placed in the executive chair of 
 the province, and an attitude of more determina 
 tion was assumed by the government. One of the 
 first acts of this gentleman, who held the high 
 station of Lieutenant-General, and who com 
 manded all the forces of the king in America, 
 \vas to dissolve the colonial assembly. About the 
 same time a new charter was sent from England, 
 and a material change was contemplated in the 
 polity of the colonial government. From this 
 moment the power of the king, though it was not 
 denied, became suspended in the province. A pro 
 vincial congress was elected, and assembled with 
 in seven leagues of the capital, where they con 
 tinued, from time to time, to adopt such measures 
 as the exigencies of the times were thought to 
 render necessary. Men were enrolled, disciplin 
 ed, and armed, as well as the imperfect means of 
 the colony would allow. These troops, who
 
 76 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 were no more than the elite of the inhabitants, 
 had little else to recommend them besides their 
 spirit, and their manual dexterity with fire-arms. 
 From the expected nature of their service, they 
 were not unaptly termed " minute-men." The 
 munitions of war were seized, and hoarded with a 
 care and diligence that showed the character of 
 the impending conflict. 
 
 On the other hand, General Gage adopted a 
 similar course of preparation and prevention, by 
 fortifying himself in the strong hold which he 
 possessed, and by anticipating the intentions of 
 the colonists, in their attempts to form magazines, 
 whenever it was in his power. He had an easy 
 task in the former, both from the natural situation 
 of the place IIP occupied, and thfi species offeree 
 he commanded. 
 
 Surrounded by broad and chiefly by deep 
 waters, except at one extremely narrow point, 
 and possessing its triple hills, which are not 
 commanded by any adjacent eminences, the 
 peninsula of Boston could, with a competent 
 garrison, easily be made impregnable, especial 
 ly when aided by a superior fle^et. The works 
 erected by the English General were, however. 
 by no means of magnitude, for it was well known 
 that the whole park of the colonists could not ex 
 ceed some half dozen pieces of field artillery, 
 with a small battering train that must be entirely 
 composed of old and cumbrous ship guns. Conse 
 quently, when iLionel arrived in Boston, he found a 
 few batteries thrown up on the eminences, some of 
 which were intended as much to control the town, 
 as to repel an enemy from without, while lines 
 were drawn across the neck which communicated 
 with the main. The garrison consisted of some 
 thing less than five thousand men, besides which, 
 there was a fluctuating force of seamen and ma 
 rines, as the vessels of war arrived and departed.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 77 
 
 All this timp, there was no other interruption to 
 the intercourse between the town and the country, 
 than such as unavoidably succeeded the stagnation 
 of trade, and the distrust engendered by the aspect 
 of affairs. Though numberless families had de 
 serted their homes, many known whigs continued 
 to dwell in their habitations, where their ears were 
 deafened by the sounds of the British drums, and 
 where their spirits were but too often galled by 
 the sneers of the officers, on the uncouth military 
 preparations of their countrymen. Indeed an im 
 pression had spread further than among the idle 
 and thoughtless youths of the army, that the colo 
 nists were but little gifted with martial qualities; 
 and many of their best friends in Europe were in 
 dread lest an appeal to force should put the con 
 tested points forever at rest, by proving the in- 
 competency of the Americans to maintain them 
 to the last extremity. 
 
 In this manner both parties stood at bay ; the 
 people living in perfect order and quiet, without 
 the administration of law, sullen, vigilant, and, 
 through their leaders, secretly alert ; and the ar 
 my, gay, haughty, and careless of the consequen 
 ces, though far from being oppressive or inso 
 lent, until after the defeat of one or two abortive 
 excursions into the country in quest of arms. 
 Each hour, however, was rapidly adding to the 
 disaffection on one side, and to the contempt and 
 resentment on the other, through numberless pub 
 lic and private causes, that belong rather to his* 
 tory than to a legend like this. All extraordinary 
 occupations were suspended, and men awaited 
 the course of things in anxious expectation. It was 
 Jinown that the parliament, instead of retracing 
 their political errors, had imposed new restraints, 
 and, as has been mentioned, it was also rumoured
 
 78 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 (hat regiments and fleets were on their way to en 
 force them. 
 
 How long a country could exist in such a pri 
 meval condition, remained to be seen, though it 
 was difficult to say when or how it was to termi 
 nate. The people of the land appeared to slum 
 ber, but, like vigilant and wary soldiers, they might 
 be said to sleep on their arms ; while the troops 
 assumed each day, more of that fearful prepara 
 tion, which gives, even to the trained warrior, a 
 more martial aspect though both parties still 
 continued to manifest a becoming reluctance to 
 shed blood.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 C! Would he were fatter : but I fear him not : 
 " Seldom he smiles ; and smiles in such a sort, 
 " As if he mocked himself, and scorned his spirit 
 " That could be moved to smile at any thing." 
 
 Julius 
 
 IN the course of the succeediag week Lione* 
 acquired a knowledge of many minor circum 
 stances relating to the condition of the colonies, 
 which may be easily imagined as incidental to 
 the times, but which would greatly exceed our 
 limits to relate. He was received by his brethren 
 in arms with that sort of cordiality that a rich, 
 high-spirited, and free, if notajovial comrade, was 
 certain of meeting among men who lived chiefly 
 fbr pleasure and appearance. Certain indications 
 of more than usually important movements were 
 discovered among the troops, the first day of the 
 week, and his own condition in the army was in 
 some measure affected by the changes. Instead 
 of joining his particular regiment, he was order 
 ed to hold himself in readiness to take a com 
 mand in the light corps which had begun its 
 drill for the service that was peculiar to such 
 troops. As it was well known that Boston was 
 Major Lincoln's place of nativity, the 'com- 
 mander-in-chief, with the indulgence and kind 
 ness of his character, granted to him, how-
 
 30 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 ever, a short respite from duty, in order that 
 he might indulge in the feelings natural to his 
 situation. It was soon generally understood, that 
 major Lincoln, though intending to serve with the 
 army in America, should the sad alternative of an 
 appeal tu arms become necessary, had permis 
 sion to amuse himself in such a manner as he 
 saw fit, for two months from the date of his ar 
 rival. Those who affected to be more wise than 
 common, saw, or thought they saw, in this ar 
 rangement, a deep laid plan on the part of Gage, 
 to use the influence and address of the young pro 
 vincial among his connexions and natural friends, 
 to draw them back to those sentiments of loyalty 
 which it was feared so many among them had for 
 gotten to entertain. But it was the characteristic 
 of the times to attach importance to trifling inci 
 dents, and to suspect a concealed policy in move 
 ments which emanated only in inclination. 
 
 There was nothing, however, in the deport 
 ment, or manner of life adopted by Lionel, to 
 justify any of these conjectures. He continued 
 to dwell in the house of Mrs. Lechmere, in per 
 son, though, unwilling to burthen the hospitality 
 of his aunt too heavily, he had taken lodging? 
 in a dwelling at no great distance, where his ser 
 vants resided, and where, it was generally under 
 stood, that his visits of ceremony and friendship 
 were to be received. Captain Pohvarth did not 
 fail to complain loudly of this arrangement, a 
 paralyzing at once all the advantages he had 
 anticipated from enjoying the entre to the dwell 
 ing of his mistress, in the right of his friend. But 
 as the establishment of Lionel was supported with 
 much of that liberality which was becoming in n 
 youth of his large fortune, the exuberant light- 
 infantry officer found many sources of consola 
 tion in the change, which could not have existed,
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 81 
 
 had the staid Mrs. Lechmere presided over the 
 domestic department. Lionel and Polwarth had 
 been boys together at the same school, members of 
 the same college at Oxford, and subsequently for 
 many years, comrades in the same corps. Though, 
 perhaps, no two men in their regiment were more 
 essentially different, in mental as well as physical 
 constitution, yet, by that unaccountable caprice 
 which causes us to like our opposites, it is certain 
 that no two gentlemen in the service were known 
 to be on better terms, or to maintain a more close 
 and unreserved intimacy- It is unnecessary to 
 dilate here on this singular friendship ; it occurs 
 every day, between men still more discordant, 
 the result of accident and habit, and is often, 
 as in the present instance, cemented by uncon 
 querable good nature in one of the parties. For 
 this latter qualification, captain Polwarth was 
 eminent, if for no other. It contributed quite as 
 much as his science in the art of living, to the 
 thriving condition of the corporeal moiety of the 
 man, and it rendered a communion with the less 
 material part at all times inoffensive, if not agree 
 able. 
 
 On the present occasion, the captain took 
 charge of the internal economy of Lionel's lodg 
 ings, with a zeal which he did not even pretend 
 was disinterested. By the rules of the regiment he 
 was compelled to live nominally with the mess, 
 where he found his talents and his wishes fetter 
 ed by divers indispensable regulations, and eco 
 nomical practices, that could not be easily over 
 leaped; but with Lionel, just such an oppor 
 tunity offered for establishing rules of his own, 
 and disregarding expenditure, as he had been 
 long pining for in secret. Though the poor of 
 the town were, in the absence of employment, ne 
 cessarily supported by large contributions of mo 
 ney, clothing, and food, which were transmitted to
 
 tf2 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 their aid from the furthermost parts of the colo 
 nies, the markets were not yet wanting in all the 
 necessaries of life, to those who enjoyed the means 
 of purchasing. With this disposition of things, 
 therefore, he became well content, and within the 
 first fortnight after the arrival of Lionel, it be 
 came known to the mess, that captain Polwarth 
 took his dinners regularly with his old friend, ma 
 jor Lincoln ; though in truth the latter was enjoy 
 ing, more than half the time, the hospitality of the 
 respective tables of the officers of the stair. * 
 
 In the mean time Lionel cultivated his ac 
 quaintance in Tremont-street, where he still slept, 
 with an interest and assiduity that the awkwardness 
 of his first interview would not have taught us to 
 expect. With Mrs. Lechrnere, it is true, he made 
 but little progress in intimacy ; for, equally for 
 mal, though polite, she was at all times enshrouded 
 in a cloud of artificial, but cold management, 
 that gave him little opportunity, had he possess 
 ed the desire, to break through tl>e reserve of her 
 calculating temperament. VV'ith his more youth 
 ful kinswomen, the case was, however, in a very 
 few days, entirely reversed. Agnes Danforth, who 
 had nothing to conceal, began insensibly to yield 
 to the manliness and grace of his manner, and be 
 fore the end of the first week, she maintained the 
 rights of the colonists, laughed at the follies of the 
 officers, and then acknowledged her own prejudi 
 ces, with a familiarity and good-humour that soon 
 made her, iii her turn, a favourite with her Eng 
 lish cousin, as she termed Lionel. But he found 
 the demeanor of Cecil Dynevor much more em 
 barrassing, if not inexplicable. For days she 
 would be distant, silent, and haughty, and then 
 again, as it were by sudden impulses, she be 
 came easy and natural ; her whole soul beam 
 ing in her speaking eyes, or her innocent and
 
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 merry humour breaking through the bounds of" 
 her restraint, and rendering not only herself, but 
 all around her, happy and delighted. Full many 
 an hour did Lionel ponder on this unaccount 
 able difference in the manner of this young lady, 
 at different moments. There was a secret excite 
 ment in the very caprices of her humours, that 
 had a piquant interest in his eyes, and which, 
 aided by her exquisite form and intelligent face, 
 gradually induced him to become a more close 
 observer of their waywardness, and consequently 
 a more assiduous attendant on her movements. 
 In consequence of this assiduity, the manner of 
 Cecil grew, almost imperceptibly, less variable, 
 and more uniformly fascinating, while Lionel, by 
 some unaccountable oversight, soon forgot to note 
 its changes, or even to miss the excitement. 
 
 In a mixed society, where pleasure, company, 
 and a multitude of objects conspired to distract 
 the attention, such alterations would be the re 
 sult of an intercourse for months, if they ever 
 occurred ; but in a town like Boston, from which 
 most of those with whom Cecil had once mingled 
 were already fled, and where, consequently, those 
 who remained behind, lived chiefly for themselves 
 and by themselves, it was no more than the obvi 
 ous effect of very apparent causes. In this man 
 ner something like good-will, if not a deeper 
 interest in each other, was happily effected with 
 in that memorable fortnight, which was teeming 
 with events vastly more important in their result? 
 than any that can appertain to the fortunes of 
 a single family. 
 
 The winter of 1774-5 had been as remarkable 
 for its mildness, as the spring was cold and linger 
 ing. Like every season in our changeable climate, 
 however, the chilling days of March and April 
 were intermingled with some, when a genial sUn
 
 84 LIONET. LINCOLN. 
 
 recalled the ideas of summer, which, in their 
 turn, were succeeded by others, when the torrents 
 of cold rain that drove before the easterly gales, 
 would seem to repel every advance toward a 
 milder temperature. Many of those stormy days 
 occurred in the middle of April, and during their 
 continuance Lionel was necessarily compelled to 
 keep himself housed. 
 
 He had retired from the parlour of Mrs. Lech- 
 mere, one evening, when the rain was beating 
 against the windows of the house, in nearly hori 
 zontal lines, to complete some letters which, 
 before dining, he had commenced to the agent 
 of his family, in England. On entering his 
 own apartment, he was startled to find the 
 room, which he had left vacant, and which he 
 expected to find in the same state, occupied in a 
 manner that he could not anticipate. The light 
 of a strong wood fire was blazing on the hearth, 
 and throwing about, in playful changes, the flick 
 ering shadows of the furniture, and magnifying 
 each object into some strange and fantastical figure. 
 As he stepped within the door his eye fell upon one 
 of these shadows, which extended along the wall, 
 and bending against the cieling, exhibited the gi 
 gantic but certain outlines of the human form. Re 
 collecting that he had left his letters open, and a 
 little distrusting the discretion of Meriton, Lionel 
 advanced lightly, for a few feet, so far as to be 
 able to look round llie drapery of his bed. and to 
 his amazement, perceived that the intruder wan 
 7iot his valet, but the aged stranger. The old man 
 sat holding in his hand the open letter which 
 Lionel had been writing, and continued so deeply 
 absorbed in its contents, that the footsteps of the 
 ether were still disregarded. A large, coarse 
 over-coat, dripping with water, concealed most of 
 his person, though the white hairs that strayed
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 86 
 
 about his face, and the deep lines of his remarka 
 ble countenance could not be mistaken. 
 
 " I was ignorant of this unexpected visit," said 
 Lionel, advancing quickly into the centre of the 
 room, " or I should not have been so tardy in re 
 turning to my apartment, where, sir, I fear you 
 must have found your time irksome, with ne- 
 thing but that scrawl to amuse you." 
 
 The old mat) dropped the paper from before 
 his features, and betrayed, by the action, the large 
 drops that followed each other down his hollow 
 cheeks, until they fell even to the floor. The 
 haughty and displeased look disappeared from 
 the countenance of Lionel at this sight, and he 
 was on the point of speaking in a more con 
 ciliating manner, when the stranger, whose eye 
 had not quailed before the angry frown it encoun 
 tered, anticipated his intention. 
 
 " I comprehend you, major Lincoln," he said, 
 calmly ; " but there can exist justifiable reasons 
 for a greater breach of faith than this, of which 
 you accuse me. Accident, and not intention, 
 has put me in possession, here, of your most 
 secret thoughts on a subject that has deep in 
 terest for me. You have urged me often, during 
 our voyage, to make you acquainted with all 
 that you most desire to know, to which request, 
 as you may remember, I have ever been silent." 
 
 " You have said, sir, that you were master of a 
 secret in which my feelings, I will acknowledge, 
 are deeply interested, and I have urged you to re 
 move m\ doubts by declaring the truth ; but I do 
 not perceive" 
 
 " How a desire to possess my secret, gives 
 Hie a claim to inquire into yours, you would 
 say," interrupted the stranger; " nor does it. But 
 an interest in your affairs, that you cannot yet 
 understand, and which is vouched for by these 
 
 VOL. i. 9
 
 86 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 scalding tears, the first that have fallen in years 
 from a fountain that I had thought dried, should, 
 and must satisfy you." 
 
 " It does," said Lionel, deeply affected by the 
 melancholy tones of his voice, " it does, it does, 
 and 1 will listen to no further explanation on the 
 unpleasant subject. You see nothing there, I am 
 sure, of which a son can have reason to be 
 ashamed." 
 
 " I see much here, Lionel Lincoln, of which a 
 father would have reason to be proud," returned 
 the old man. "It was the filial love which you have 
 displayed in this paper which has drawn these 
 drops from my eyes ; for he who has lived as 
 1 have done, beyond the age of man, without 
 knowing the love that the parent feels for its 
 offspring, or which the child bears to the au 
 thor of its being, must have outlived his natu 
 ral sympathies, not to be conscious of his mis 
 fortune, when chance makes him sensible of 
 affections like these." 
 
 "You have never been a father, then?" said 
 Lionel, drawing a chair nigh fo his aged com 
 panion, and seating himself with an air of power 
 ful interest, that he could not control. 
 
 " Have I not told yon that I am alone ?" re 
 turned the old man, with a solemn manner. Af 
 ter an impressive pause, he continued, though his 
 tones were husky and low " I have been both 
 husband and parent, in my day, but 'tis so long 
 since, that no selfish tie remains to bind me to 
 earth. Old age is the neighbour of death, and the 
 chill of the grave is to be found in its warmest 
 breathings." 
 
 " Say not so," interrupted Lionel, " for you dt 
 injustice to your own warm nature you forget 
 your zeal in behalf of what you deem these 
 oppressed colonies."
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 87 
 
 " 'Tis no more than the flickering of the dy 
 ing lamp, which flares and dazzles most, when 
 its source of hrat is niftiest to extinction. But 
 though I may not infuse into your bosom a 
 warmth that I do not possess myself, 1 can point 
 out the dangers with which life abounds, and 
 serve as a beacon, when no longer useful as a 
 pilot. It is for such a purpose, Major Lincoln, 
 that I have braved the tempest of to-night." 
 
 " Has any Uiiug occurred, which, by rendering 
 danger pressing, can make such an exposure ne 
 cessary '" 
 
 " Look at me," said the old man earnestly 
 " I have seen most of this flourishing country a 
 wilderness ; my recollection goes back into those 
 periods when the savage, and the beast of the 
 forest, contended with our fathers for much of that 
 soil which now supports its hundreds of thou 
 sands in plenty ; ai-d my time is to be numbered, 
 not by ye HFS, hut Hy ag^s For such a being, 
 think you there can yet be many months, or 
 weeks, or even days in store ?" 
 
 Lionel dropped his eyes, in embarrassment, to 
 the floor, 41 s he answered 
 
 " You cannot have very many years, surely, to 
 hope for; but uiih the activity and temperance 
 you possess, days and m'onths confine you, 1 trust, 
 in limits much too small." 
 
 " What !" exclaimed the other, stretching forth 
 a colourless hand, in which even the prominent 
 veins partook in the appearance of a general de 
 cay of nature; "with these wasted limbs, these 
 gray hairs, and this sunken and sepulchral cheek, 
 would you talk to me of years ! to me, who have 
 not the effrontery to petition for even minutes, 
 were they worth the prayer so long already has 
 been my probation !"
 
 38 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 "It is certainly time to think of the change, 
 when it approaches so very near." 
 
 " Well, then, Lionel Lincoln, old, feeb'e, and 
 on the threshold of eternity as I stand, yet am I 
 not nearer to my grave than that c.-untry to 
 which you have pledged your blood is to a 
 mighty convulsion, whirh will shake her institu 
 tions to their foundations." 
 
 "I cannot admit the signs of the times to be quite 
 so portentous as your fears would make them," 
 said Lionel, smiling a little proudly. "Though the 
 worst that is apprehended should arrive, England 
 will feel the shock uut as the earth bears an 
 eruption of one of its volcanoes ! But we talk in 
 idle figures, Sir ; know you any thing to justify 
 the apprehension of immediate danger?" 
 
 The fa< -e of the stranger lighted with a sudden 
 and startling gleam of intelligence, and a sarcas 
 tic smile parsed across his wan features, as he an 
 swered slowly 
 
 " They only have cause to fear v\ho will be the 
 losers by the change ! A youth who casts off the 
 trammels of his guardian* is not apt to doubt his 
 abiht) to govern himself. England has held these 
 colonies so long in leading-strings, that she forgets 
 her offspring is able to go alone." 
 
 "Now, Sir, you exceed even the wild projects 
 of the most daring among those who rail them 
 selves the ' Sons of Liberty' as if liberty existed 
 in any place more favoured or more nurtured than 
 under the bitted constitution of England ! The 
 utmost required is what they term a redress 
 of grievances, many of which, I must think, exist 
 only in imagination." 
 
 " Was a stone ever known to roll upward ! Let 
 there be but one drop >f American blood spilt 
 in anger, and its stain will become indelible."
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 89 
 
 " Unhappily, the experiment has been already 
 tried ; and yet years have rolled by, while Eng 
 land keeps her footing and authority good." 
 
 " Her authority !" repeated the old man ; " see 
 you not, Major Lincoln, in the forbearance of this 
 people, when they felt themselves in the wrong, 
 the existence of the very principles that will ren 
 der them invincible and unyielding when right ? 
 But we wa^te our time I came to conduct you 
 to a place where, with your own ears, and with 
 your own eyes, you may hear, and see a little of 
 that spirit which pervades the land You will 
 follow ?" 
 
 " Not surely in such a tempest !" 
 
 "This tempest is but a trifle to that which is 
 about to break upon you, unless you retrace your 
 steps ; but follow, 1 repeat; if a man of my years 
 disregards the night, ought an English soldier to 
 hesitate !" 
 
 The pride of Lionel was touched; and remem 
 bering an engagement he had previously made 
 with his aged friend to accompany him to a scene 
 like this, he made such changes in his dress 
 as would serve to conceal his profession, threw 
 on a large cloak to protect his person, and 
 was about to lead the way himself, when he was 
 aroused by the voice of the other. 
 
 " You mistake the route," he said ; " this is to 
 be a secret, and I hope a profitable visit none 
 must know of your presence ; and if you are a 
 worthy son of your honourable father, I need 
 hardly add that my faith is pledged for your dis 
 cretion." 
 
 " The pledge will be respected, Sir," said Lio 
 nel, haughtily ; " but in order to see what you 
 wish, we are not to remain here ?" 
 
 " Follow, then, and be silent," said the old 
 9*
 
 90 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 man, turning and opening the doors which led in 
 to a little apartment lighted by one of those small 
 er windows, already mentioned in describing the 
 exterior of the building. The passage was dark 
 and narrow, but, observing the warnings of bis 
 companion, Lionel succeeded in descending, in 
 safety, a flight of steps which formed a private 
 communication between the offices of the dwelling 
 and its upper apartments. They paused an in 
 stant at the bottom of the stairs, where the youth 
 expressed his amazement that a stranger should 
 be so much more familiar with the building than 
 he who had for so many days made it his home. 
 
 " Have I not often told you," returned the old 
 man, with a severity in his voice which was even 
 apparent in its suppressed tones, " that I have 
 known Boston for near an hundred years ! how 
 many edifices like this does it contain, that I 
 should not have noted its erection ! But follow in 
 silence, and be prudent." 
 
 He now opened a door which conducted them 
 through one end of the building, into the court 
 yard in which it was situated. As they emerged 
 into the open air, Lionel perceived the figure of a 
 man, crouching under the walls, as if seeking a 
 shelter from the driving rain. The moment they 
 appeared, this person arose, and followed as they 
 moved towards the street. 
 
 " Are we not watched ?" said Lionel, stopping 
 to face the unknown ; " whom have we skulking in 
 our footsteps f" 
 
 " 'Tis the boy," said the old man, for whom we 
 must adopt the name of Ralph, which it would 
 appear was the usual term used by Job when ad 
 dressing his mother's guest " 'tis the boy, and 
 he can do us no harm. God has granted to him 
 a knowledge between much of what is good and
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 91 
 
 that which is evil, though the mind of the child 
 is, at times, sadly weakened by his bodily ailings. 
 His heart, however, is with his country, at a 
 moment when she needs all hearts to maintain 
 her rights." 
 
 The young British officer bowed his head to 
 meet the tempest, and smiled scornfully within the 
 folds of his cloak, which he drew more closely 
 around his form, as they met ti-e gale in the 
 open streets of the town. They had passed 
 swiftly through many narrow and crooked ways, 
 before another word was uttered between the ad 
 venturers. Lionel mused on the singular and in 
 definable interest that he took in the movements 
 of his companion, which could draw him at a time 
 like this from the shelter of Mrs. Lechmere's 
 roof, to wander he knew not whither, and on an 
 errand which might even be dangerous to his per 
 son. Still he followed, unhesitatingly, for with 
 these passing thoughts were blended the recol 
 lection of the many recent and interesting commu 
 nications he had held with the old man during 
 their long and close association in the ship ; nor 
 was he wanting in a natural interest for all that 
 involved the safety and happiness of the place of 
 his birth. He kept the form of his aged guide in 
 his eye, as the other moved before him. careless 
 of the tempest which beat on his withered frame, 
 and he heard the heavy footsteps of Job in his 
 rear, who had closed so near his own person as to 
 share, in some measure, in the shelter of his am 
 ple cloak. But no other living being seemed to 
 have ventured abroad ; and even the few sentinels 
 they passed, instead of pacing in front of those 
 doors which it was their duty to guard, were con 
 cealed behind the angles of walls, or sought shel 
 ter under the projections of some favouring roof. 
 At moments the wind rushed into the narrow
 
 92 LIONEL LINCOLN 
 
 avenue^ of the streets, along which it swept, with 
 a noist not unlike the hollow roaring of the sea, 
 and with a violmre which was nearly irresistible. 
 At sucli times Lionel was compelled to pause, and 
 even frequently to recede a little from his path, 
 while his t-uide, supported by his high purpose, 
 and but little obstructed by his garments, seemed, 
 to the bewildered imagination of his follower, to 
 glide through the night with a facility that was 
 supernatural. At length the old man, who had 
 got some distance ahead of his followers, sudden 
 ly paused, and allowed Lionel to approach to his 
 side. The latter observed with surprise, that 
 he had stopped before the root and stump of 
 a tree which had once grown on the borders of 
 the street, and which appeared to have been re 
 cently felled. 
 
 " Do you see this remnant of the Elm r" said 
 Ralph, when the others had stopped also ; "their 
 axes have succeeded in destroying the mother- 
 plant, but her scions are flourishing throughout a 
 continent !" 
 
 " I do not comprehend you !" returned Lionel ; 
 " I see here nothing but the stump of some tree; 
 surely the ministers of the king are not answera 
 ble that it stands no longer f" 
 
 "The ministers of the king are answerable to 
 their master that it has ever become what it 
 is but speak to the boy at your side, he will 
 tell you of its virtues." 
 
 Lionel turned towards Job, and perceived, by 
 the obscure light of the moon, to his surprise, 
 that the changeling stood with his head bared 
 to the storm, regarding the root with an extraor 
 dinary degree of reverence. 
 
 " This is all a mystery to me !" he said ; " what 
 do you know about this stump to stand in awe of, 
 boy ?"
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 93 
 
 "'Tis the root of * Liberty -tree,' " said Job, 
 " and 'tis wicked to pass it without making your 
 manners!" 
 
 " And what has this tree done for liberty, that it 
 has merited so much respect f" 
 
 " Whal ! why did you e?ersee a tree afore this 
 that could write and give notices of town meetin- 
 da's, or that could tell the people whal <he king 
 meant to do with the tea and his stamps !" 
 
 " And could this marvellous trei 1 work such 
 miracles ?" 
 
 " To be sure it could, and it did too you let 
 stingy Tommy think to get above the people 
 with any of his cunning "t-er night, and yon might 
 come here n<-xt morning and read a warning on 
 the bark of this tree, that would tell all about it, 
 and how 10 put down his deviltries, written out 
 fair, in a hand as good as master Loweii himself 
 could put on paper, the best day of his grand 
 scholarship." 
 
 " And who put the paper there ?" 
 
 "Who! 1 ' exclaimed Job, a little positively; 
 " why Liberty came in the night, and pasted it 
 up herself. When Nab couldn't get a i souse to 
 live in, J<b used to sleep under the tree, some 
 times, and many a night has he seen Liberty with 
 his own eyes co < e and put up the paper." 
 
 " And was it a woman?" 
 
 " Do you think Liberty was such a fool as to 
 come every time in woman's clothes, to be follow 
 ed by the rake-belly soldiers about the streets!" 
 said Job, with great contempt in his manner. 
 "Sometimes she did, though, and sometimes she 
 didn't; just as it happened. And Job was in the 
 tree when old Noll had to give up his ungodly 
 stamps ; though he didn't do it till the ' rto'js of 
 Liberty' had chucked his stamp-shop in the dock, 
 and hung hi.n and Lord Boot together, ou the 
 branches of the old Elm!"
 
 94 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " Hung !" said Lionel, unconsciously drawing 
 back from the spot ; " was it ever a gallows !" 
 
 44 Yes, tor irfigies," said Job, laughing; "I 
 wish you could have been here to see how the 
 old boot, with Satan sticking out on't, whirled 
 about when they swung it off! they give the old 
 boy a big shoe to put his cloven huff in !" 
 
 Lionel, who wa- familiar with the peculiar 
 sound that his townsmen gave to the letter 
 M, now comprehended the allusion to the Earl 
 of Bute, and beginning lo understand more clear 
 ly the nut ure <>f the transactions, and the uses to 
 which that m^m fi'able tree had been applied, he 
 expressed hi:- desire lo proceed. 
 
 The ol,l rnu'i had suffered Job to make his 
 own explanations, though not without a curious 
 interest in the. eM'eet they would produce on Lio 
 nel ; but the inslant the request was made to ad 
 vance, he turned, and once more led the way. 
 Their course was n >-.v directed mre towards the 
 wharves; n->r was it lung before their conductor 
 turned into a narrow court, and entered a house 
 of rather mean appearance, without even observ 
 ing the formality of announcing his visit by the 
 ordinary <imimons of rapping at its door. A long, 
 narrow, and ttfinly-fighted passage, conducted 
 them to a spacou> apartment far in the court, 
 which appeared to have been fitted as a place for 
 the rect',itio;i of large assemblages of people. In 
 this room were collected at least a hu.-idreJ men, 
 seemingly inleiu on some object of more than usual 
 interest, by the gravity and seriousness of de 
 meanor apparent u every countenance. 
 
 As it vas Sunday, the first impression of Lionel, 
 on entering <he room, was that his old friend, who 
 often betrayed a keen sensibility on subjects of 
 religion, had bi ought him there with a design to 
 listen to some favourite exhorter of his owu pecu-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 9 
 
 liar tenets, and as a tacit reproach for a neglect of 
 the usual ordinances of that holy day, >f which 
 the conscience of the young man suddenly accus 
 ed him, on finding himself unexpectedly mingled 
 in such a throng. But after he had forced his 
 person among a dense body of men, who stood at 
 the lower end of the apartment, and brcame a si 
 lent observer of the scene, he was scon made to 
 perceive his error. The weather had induced all 
 present to appear in such garments as were best 
 adapted to protect them from its furv ; and their 
 exteriors were rough, and perhaps a little forbid 
 ding ; but there was a composure and decency in 
 the air common to the whole assembly, which de 
 noted that they were men who possessed in a high 
 degree the commanding quality of self-respect. 
 A very few minutes sufficed to teach Lione! that 
 he was in the midst of a meeting collected to dis 
 cuss questions connected with the political move 
 ments of the times, though he felt himself a little 
 at a loss to discover the precise results it was in 
 tended to produce. To every question, there were 
 one or two speakers, men who expressed their 
 ideas in a familiar manner, and with the peculiar 
 tones and pronunciation of the province, that 
 left no room to believe them to be orators of a 
 higher character than the mechanics and trades 
 men of the town. Most, if riot all of them, wore 
 an air of deliberation and coldness that would 
 have rendered their sincerity in the cause they 
 had apparently espoused, a little equivocal, but 
 for occasional expressions of coarse, and some 
 times biting invective that they expended on 
 the ministers of the crown, and for the per 
 fect and firm unanimity that was manifested, as 
 each expression of the common feeling was taken 
 after the manner of deliberative bodies. Certain 
 resolutions, in which the most respectful remon-
 
 96 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 strances were singularly blended with the boldest 
 assertions of constitutional prinripl- s, were read, 
 and pa>sed without a dissenting voice, though 
 with a calmness that indicated no very strong ex 
 citement. Lionel was peculiarly siruck with the 
 language of these written < -pinions, which were ex 
 pressed with a purity, and sometime* with an ele 
 gance of style, which plainly showed that the ac 
 quaintance of the sober artisan \\ith the instru 
 ment through whose periods he was blundering, 
 was quite recent, and far from being very inti 
 mate. The eyes of the young soldier wandered 
 from face to face, with a strong desire to de 
 tect the secret movers of the ?e< ne he was wit 
 nessing; nor was he long without selecting one 
 individual as an object peculiarly deserving of his 
 suspicions. It was a man apparently but just 
 entering into middle age, of an appearance, both 
 In person, and in such parts of his dress as esca 
 ped from beneath his over-coat, that denoted him 
 to be of a class altogether superior to the mass of 
 the assembly. A deep but manly respect was evi 
 dently paid to this gentleman, by those who stood 
 nearest to his person ; and once or twice there 
 were close and earnest communications passing 
 between him and the more ostensible leaders of 
 the meeting, which roused the suspicions of Lio 
 nel in the manner related. Notwithstanding the 
 secret dislike that the English officer suddenly con 
 ceived against a man that he fancied was thus abu 
 sing his power?, by urging others to acts of insub 
 ordination, he could not conceal from himself the 
 favourable impression made by the open, fearless, 
 and engaging countenance of the stranger. Lionel 
 was so situated as to be able to keep his person, 
 which was partly concealed by the taller forms 
 that surrounded him, in constant view ; nor was 
 it long before his earnest and curious gaze caught
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 97 
 
 / 
 
 the attention of the other. Glances of marked 
 meaning were exchanged between them during 
 the remainder of the evening, until the chairman 
 announced that the objects of the convocation 
 were accomplished, and dissolved the meeting. 
 
 Lionel raised himself from his reclining atti 
 tude against the wall, and submitted to be carried 
 by the current of human bodies into the dark 
 passage through which he had entered the room. 
 Here he lingered a moment, with a view to reco 
 ver his lost companion, and with a secret wish 
 to scan more narrowly the proceedings of the 
 man whose air and manner had so long chained 
 Ins attention. The crowd had sensibly diminish 
 ed before he was aware that few remained be 
 side himself, nor would he then have discover 
 ed that he was likely to become an object of sus 
 picion to those few, had not a voice at his elbow 
 recalled his recollection. 
 
 " Does Major Lincoln meet his countrymen to 
 night as one who sympathizes in their wrongs, or 
 as the favoured and prosperous officer of the 
 crown ?" asked the very man for whose person he 
 had so long been looking in vain. 
 
 "Is sympathy with the oppressed incompatible 
 with loyalty to my Prince . ? " demanded Lionel. 
 
 " That it is not," said the stranger, in a 
 friendly accent, "is apparent from the con 
 duct of many gallant Englishmen among us, who 
 espouse our cause but we claim Major Lincoln 
 as a countryman." 
 
 " Perhaps, sir, it would be indiscreet just now 
 to disavow that title, let my dispositions be as 
 they may," returned Lionel, smiling a little, 
 haughtily; "this may not be as secure a spot in 
 which to avow one's sentiments, as the town-com 
 mon, or the palace of St. James." 
 
 VOL. I. 10
 
 98 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " Had the king been present to-night, Major 
 Lincoln, would he have heard a single sen 
 tence opposed to that constitution which has de 
 clared him a member too sacred to be offended ?" 
 
 " Whatever may have been the legality of your 
 sentiments, sir, they surely have not been express 
 ed in language altogether fit fora royal ear." 
 
 " It may not have been adulation, or even flatte 
 ry, but it is truth a quality no less sacred than the 
 rights of kings." 
 
 " This is neither a place nor an occasion, sir," 
 said the young soldier, quickly, " to discuss the 
 rights of our common master ; but if, as from 
 your manner and your language, I think not im 
 probable, we should meet hereafter in a higher 
 sphere, you will not find me at a loss to vindi 
 cate his claims." 
 
 The stranger smiled with meaning, and as he 
 bowed before lie fell back and was lost in the 
 darkness of the passage, he replied 
 
 " Our fathers have often met in such society, 
 I believe ; God forbid that their sons should ever 
 encounter in a less friendly manner." 
 
 Lionel now finding himself alone, groped his 
 way into the street, where he perceived Ralph 
 and the changeling in waiting for his appearance. 
 Without demanding the cause of the other's de 
 lay, the old man proceeded by the side of his 
 companions, with the same indifference to the 
 tempest as before, towards the residence of Mrs. 
 Lechmere. 
 
 "You have now had some evidence of the spirit 
 that pervades this pecple." said Ralph, after a 
 few moments of silence; " think you still there is 
 no danger that the volcano will explode ?" 
 
 " Surely every thing I have heard and seen to 
 night, confirms such an opinion," returned Lio 
 nel. "Men on the threshold of rebellion sel- 
 
 .
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 99 
 
 dom reason so closely, and with such moderation. 
 Why, the very fuel for the combustion, the rabble 
 themselves, discuss their constitutional principles, 
 and keep under the mantle of law, as though they 
 were a club of learned Templars." 
 
 " Think you that the fire will burn less steadily, 
 because what you call the fuel has been prepared 
 by the seasoning of time," returned Ralph. "But 
 this comes from sending a youth into a foreign 
 land for his education ! The boy rates his sober 
 and earnest countrymen on a level with the pea 
 sants of Europe." 
 
 So much Lionel was able to comprehend, but 
 notwithstanding the old man muttered vehemently 
 to himself for some time longer, it was in a tone too 
 indistinct for his ear to understand his meaning. 
 When they arrived in a part of the town with 
 which Lionel was familiar, his aged guide pointed 
 out his way, and took his leave, saying 
 
 " I see that nothing but the last, and dreadful 
 argument of force, will convince you of the 
 purpose of the Americans to resist their oppres 
 sors. God avert the evil hour! but when it shall 
 come, as come it must, you will learn your error, 
 young man, arid, I trust, will not disregard the 
 natural ties of country and kindred." 
 
 Lionel would have spoken in reply, but the ra 
 pid steps of Ralph rendered his wishes vain, for 
 before he had time to utter, his emaciated form 
 was seen gliding, like an immaterial being, 
 through the sheets of driving rain, and was soon 
 lost to the eye, as it vanished in the dim shades 
 of night, followed by the more substantial frame 
 of the icfeot.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 '' Sergeant, you shall Thus are poor servitorSj 
 
 c< When others sleep upon their quiet beds, 
 
 " Constrained to watch in darkness, rain, and cold." 
 
 King Henry VI 
 
 Two or three days of fine, balrny, spring wea 
 ther succeeded to the storm, during which Lionel 
 saw no more of his aged fellow-voyager. Job. 
 however, attached himself to the British soldier 
 with a confiding helplessness that touched the 
 heart of his young protector, who gathered from 
 the circumstance a just opinion of the nature 
 of the abuses that the unfortunate changeling 
 was frequently compelled to endure from the bru 
 tal soldiery. Meriton performed the functions 
 of master of the wardrobe to the lad, by Lio 
 nel's express commands, with evident disgust, but 
 with manifest advantage to the external ap 
 pearance, if with no very sensible evidence of 
 additional comfort to his charge. During this 
 short period, the slight impression made on Lio 
 nel by the scene related in the preceding chap 
 ter, faded before the cheerful changes of the 
 season, and the increasing interest which he 
 felt in the society of his youthful kinswomen. 
 Polvvarth relieved him from all cares of a do 
 mestic nature, and the peculiar shade of sadness, 
 which at times had been so very per<jpptible in
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 101 
 
 his countenance, was changed to a look of a more 
 brightening and cheerful character. Polwarth 
 and Lionel had found an officer, who had former 
 ly served in the same regiment with them in the 
 British Islands, in command of a company of 
 grenadiers, which formed part of the garrison of 
 Boston. This gentleman, an Irishman of the 
 name of M'Fuse, was qualified to do great 
 honour to the culinary skill of the officer of light- 
 infantry, by virtue of a keen natural gusto for 
 whatever possessed the inherent properties of a 
 savoury taste, though utterly destitute of any of 
 that remarkable scientific knowledge which might 
 be said to distinguish the other in the art. He 
 was, in consequence of this double claim on the 
 notice of Lionel, a frequent guest at the nightly 
 banquets prepared by Polwarth. Accordingly 
 we find him, on the evening of the third day in 
 the week, seated with his two friends, around a 
 board plentifully garnished by the care of that 
 gentleman, on the preparations for which, more 
 than usual skill had been exerted, if the repeated 
 declarations of the disciple of Heliogabulus, to 
 that effect, were entitled to any ordinary credit. 
 
 " In short, Major Lincoln," said Polwarth, in 
 continuance of his favourite theme, while seated 
 before the table, " a man may live any where, 
 provided he possesses food in England, or out 
 of England, it matters not. Raiment may be 
 necessary to appearance, but food is the only 
 indispensable that nature has imposed on the ani 
 mal world ; and in my opinion there is a sort of 
 obligation on every man to be satisfied, who has 
 wherewithal to appease the cravings of his appe 
 tite Captain M'Fuse, I will thank you to cut that 
 surloin with the grain." 
 
 " What matters it Polly" said the captain of 
 
 grenadiers, with a slight Irish accent, and with 
 
 10* *
 
 102 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 the humour of his countrymen strongly depicted 
 in his fine, open, manly features, " which way a 
 bit of meat is divided, so there be enough to al 
 lay the cravings of the appetite, you will re 
 member !" 
 
 " It is a collateral assistance to nature that 
 should never be neglected," returned Pohvarth, 
 whose gravity and seriousness at his banquets 
 were not easily disturbed ; " it facilitates masti 
 cation and aids digestion, two considerations of 
 great importance to military men, sir, who have 
 frequently such little time for the former, and no 
 rest after their meals to complete the latter." 
 
 " He reasons like an army contractor, who 
 wishes to make -one ration do the work of two, 
 when transportation is high," said M'Fuse, wink 
 ing to Lionel. " According to your principles, 
 then, Polly, a potato is your true campaigner, 
 for that is a cr'ature you may cut any way with 
 out disturbing the grain, provided the artirle be a 
 little m'aly." 
 
 "Pardon me, captain M'Fuse," said Polwarth. 
 " a potato should be broken, and not cut at all 
 there is no vegetable more used, and less under 
 stood than the potato." 
 
 "And is it you, Pater Polwarth, of Nesbitt's 
 light infantry," interrupted the grenadier, laying 
 down his knife and fork with an air of infinite 
 humour, "that will tell Dennis M'Fuse how to 
 carve a potato ! I will yield to the right of an 
 Englishman over the chivalry of an ox, your sir 
 loins, and your lady-rumps, if you please, but in 
 my own country, one end of every farm is a 
 bog, and the other a potato-field 'tis an Irish 
 man's patrimony that you are making so free with, 
 sir!" 
 
 " The possession of a thing, and the know- 
 t ledge how to use it, are two very different pro 
 perties "
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 108 
 
 " Give me the property of possession, then," 
 again interrupted the ardent grenadier, " espe 
 cially when a morsel of the green island is in dis 
 pute; and trust an old soldier of the Royal Irish to 
 carve his own enjoyments. Now, I'll wager a 
 month's pay, and that to me is as much as if the 
 Major should say, done for a thousand, that you 
 can't tell how many dishes can be made, and are 
 made every day in Ireland, out of so simple a 
 thing as a potato." 
 
 " You roast and boil ; and use them in stuffing 
 tame birds, sometimes, and " 
 
 "All old woman's cookery!" interrupted 
 M'Fuse, with an affectation of great contempt 
 in his manner " now, sir, we have them with 
 butter, and without butter, that counts two ; 
 then we have the fruit p'aled ; and " 
 
 " Impaled," said Lionel, laughing. " I believe 
 this nice controversy must be referred to Job, 
 who is amusing himself in the corner there^ I 
 see, with the very subject of the dispute transfixed 
 on his fork, in the latter condition." 
 
 " Or suppose, rather," said M'Fuse, " as it is a 
 matter to exercise the judgment of Solomon, we 
 make a potato umpire of master Seth Sage, yon 
 der, who should have some of the wisdom of the 
 royal Jew, by the sagacity of his countenance, as 
 well as of his name." 
 
 " Don't you call Seth r'yal," said Job, sus 
 pending his occupation on the vegetable. " The 
 king is r'yal and fla'nty, but neighbour Sage lets 
 Job come in and eat, like a Christian." 
 
 " That lad there, is not altogether without rea 
 son, Major Lincoln," said Polwarth ; " on the 
 contrary, he discovers an instinctive knowledge of 
 good from evil, by favouring us with his company 
 at the hour of meals." 
 
 "The poor fellow finds but little at home to
 
 104 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 tempt him to remain there, 1 fear," said Lionel ; 
 " and as he was one of the first acquaintances I 
 made on returning to my native land, 1 have de 
 sired Mr. Sage to admit him at all proper hours; 
 and especially, Polvvarth, at those times when he 
 can have an opportunity of doing homage to your 
 skill." 
 
 " I am glad to see him," said Polwarth, " for 
 I love an uninstructed palate, as much as 1 admire 
 naivete in a woman. Be so good as to favour me 
 with a cut from the breast of that wild-goose, 
 M'Fuse not quite so far forward, if you please ; 
 your migratory birds are apt to be tough about the 
 wing but simplicity in eating is, after all, the 
 great secret of life ; that and a sufficiency of food." 
 *' You may be right this time," replied the gre 
 nadier, laughing, " for this fellow made one of 
 the flankers of the flock, and did double duty in 
 whet-ling, I believe, or 1 have got him against 
 the grain too ! But, Polly, you have not told us 
 how you improve in your light- infantry exercises 
 of late." 
 
 By this time Polwarth had made such progress 
 in the essential part of his meal, as to have reco 
 vered in some measure his usual tone of good-na 
 ture, and he answered with less gravity 
 
 "If Gage does not work a reformation in our 
 habits, he will fag us all to death. I suppose you 
 know, Leo, that all the flank companies are re 
 lieved from the guards to learn a new species of 
 exercise. They call it relieving us, but the only 
 relief I find in the matter, is when we lie down to 
 fire there is a luxurious moment or two then, I 
 must confess !" 
 
 "I have known the fact, any time these ten 
 days, by your moaning?," returned Lionel ; " but 
 what do you argue from this particular exercise, 
 captain M'Fuse? does Gage contemplate more 
 than the customary drills ? "
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 105 
 
 " You question me now, sir, on a matter in 
 which I am uninstructed," said the grenadier ;. 
 "I am a soldier, and obey my orders, without 
 pretending to inquire into their objects or merits ; 
 all 1 know is, that both grenadiers and light-in 
 fantry are taken from the guards; and that we 
 travel over a good deal of solid earth each day, 
 in the way of marching and counter- marching, to 
 the manifest discomfiture and reduction of Polly 
 there, who loses flesh as fast as he gains ground." 
 
 "Do you think so, Mac ?" cried the delighted 
 captain of light-infantry ; " then I have not all the 
 detestable motion in vain. They have given us 
 little Harry Skip as a drill officer, who I believe 
 has the most restless foot of any man in his majes 
 ty's service. Do you join with me in opinion, mas 
 ter Sage ? you seem to meditate on the subject as 
 if it had some secret charm." 
 
 The individual to whom Polwarth addressed 
 this question, and who has been already named, 
 was standing with a plate in his baud, in an attitude 
 that bespoke close attention, with a sudden and 
 deep interest in the discourse, though his eyes 
 were bent on the floor, and his face was averted 
 as if, while listening earnestly, he had a particu 
 lar desire to be unnoticed. He was the owner of 
 the house in which Lionel had taken his quarters. 
 His family had been some time before removed 
 into the country, under the pretence of his inabi 
 lity to maintain them in a place destitute of busi 
 ness and resources like Boston ; but he remain 
 ed himself, for the double purpose of protecting 
 his property and serving his guests. This man 
 partook, in no small degree, of the qualities, both 
 of person and mind, which distinguish a large class 
 among his countrymen. In the former he was 
 rather over than under the middle stature ; was 
 thin, angular, and awkward, but possessing an un-
 
 106 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 usual proportion of sinew and bone. His eyes 
 were small, black, scintillating, and it was not 
 easy to fancy tbat the intelligence they manifested 
 was unmingled with a large proportion of shrewd 
 cunning. The rest of his countenance was mea 
 ger, sallow, and rigidly demure. Thus called 
 upon, on a sudden, by Polwarth for an opinion, 
 Seth answered, with the cautious reserve with 
 which he invariably delivered himself 
 
 "The adjutant is an uneasy man, but that, I 
 suppose, is so much the better for a light-infan 
 try officer. Captain Polwarth must find it consi 
 derable jading to keep the step, now the General 
 has ordered these new doings with the soldiers." 
 
 "And what may be your opinion of these do 
 ings, as you call them, Mr. Sage," asked M'Fuse ; 
 " you who are a man of observation, should under 
 stand your countrymen; will they fight?" 
 
 " A rat will fight if the cats pen him," said Seth, 
 without raising his eyes from his occupation. 
 
 " But do the Americans conceive themselves 
 to be penned?" 
 
 " Why, that is pretty much as people think, 
 captain ; the country was in a great toss about 
 the stamps and the tea, but I always said such 
 folks as didn't give their notes- of-hand, and had 
 no great relish for any thing more than country 
 food, wouldn't find themselves cramped by the 
 laws, after all." 
 
 '' Then you see no great oppression in being 
 asked to pay your bit of a tax, master Sage," 
 cried the grenadier, " to maintain such a worthy 
 fellow as myself in a dacent equipage to fight 
 your battles." 
 
 " Why, as to that captain, 1 suppose we can 
 do pretty much the whole of our own fight 
 ing, when occasion calls; though I don't think 
 there is much stomach for such doings among the 
 people, without need."
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. iOT 
 
 " But what do you think the Committee of 
 Safety, and your ' Sons of Liberty,' as they call 
 themselves, really mean, by their parades of ' mi 
 nute-men,' their gathering of provisions, carry 
 ing off the cannon, and such other formidable 
 and appalling 1 preparations ha ! honest Seth, do 
 they think to frighten British soldiers with the roll 
 of a drum, or are they amusing themselves, like 
 boys in the holy days, with playing war." 
 
 " I should conclude," said Seth, with undis 
 turbed gravity and caution, " that the people are 
 pretty much engaged, and in earnest." 
 
 " To do what?" demanded the Irishman; "to 
 forge their own chains, that we may fetter them 
 in truth ?" 
 
 "Why, seeing that they have burnt the stamps, 
 and thrown the tea into the harbour," returned 
 Seth, " and since that have taken the manage 
 ment into their own hands, I should rather con 
 clude that they have pretty much determined to 
 do what they think best." 
 
 Lionel and Pohvarth laughed aloud, and the 
 former observed 
 
 " You appear not to come to conclusions with 
 our host, captain M'Fuse, notwithstanding so 
 much is determined. Is it well understood, Mr. 
 Sage, that large reinforcements are coming to 
 the colonies,, and to Boston in particular ?" 
 
 " Why yes," returned Seth, " it seems to be 
 pretty generally contemplated on." 
 
 " And what is the result of these contempla 
 tions?" 
 
 Seth paused a moment, as if uncertain whether 
 he was master of the other's meaning, before he 
 replied 
 
 " Why, as the country is considerably engaged 
 in the business, there are sOme who think if the
 
 108 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 ministers don't open the Port, that it will be 
 done without much further words by the people." 
 
 " Do you know," said Lionel, gravely, " that 
 such an attempt would lead directly to a civil 
 war ?" 
 
 " I suppose it is safe to calculate that such do 
 ings would bring on disturbances," returned his 
 phlegmatic host. 
 
 ' And you speak of it, sir, as a thing not to be 
 deprecated, or averted by every possible means 
 in the power of the nation !" 
 
 " If the Port is opened and the right to tax 
 given up," said Seth, calmly, " I can find a man 
 in Boston who'll engage to let them draw all the 
 blood that will be spilt, from his own veins, for 
 nothing." 
 
 "And who may that redoubtable individual 
 be, master Sa2;e ?" cried M'Fuse ; "your own ple 
 thoric person f How now, Doyle, to what am I 
 indebted for the honour of this visit ?" 
 
 This sudden question was put by the captain 
 of grenadiers to the orderly of his own company, 
 who at that instant filled the door of the apart 
 ment with his huge frame, m the attitude of 
 military respect, as if about to address his officer. 
 
 " Orders have come down, sir, to parade the 
 men at half an hour after tattoo, and to be in 
 readiness for active service." 
 
 The three gentlemen rose together from their 
 chairs at this intelligence, while M'Fuse, exclaim 
 ed " A night march ! Pooh ! We are to be sent 
 back to garrison-duty 1 suppose; the companies 
 in the line prow sleepy, and wish a relief Gage 
 might have taken a more suitable time, than to put 
 gentlemen on their march so soon after such a 
 feast as this of yours, Polly." 
 
 " There is spme deeper meaning to so extra 
 ordinary an order," interrupted Lionel ; " there
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 109 
 
 goes the tap of the tattoo, this instant ! Are 
 no other troops but your company ordered to 
 parade ?" 
 
 " The whole battalion is under the same or 
 ders, your honour, and so is the battalion of 
 Light Infantry ; I was commanded to report it 
 so to Capt. Polwarth, if I saw him." 
 
 " This bears some meaning, gentlemen," said 
 Lionel, " and it is necessary to be looked to if 
 either corps leaves the town to-night, I will 
 march with it as a volunteer, for it is my busi 
 ness, just now, to examine into the state of the 
 country." 
 
 " That we shall march to-night, is sure, your 
 honour," added the sergeant, with the confidence 
 of an old soldier ; " but how far, or on what road, 
 is known only to the officers of the Staff; though 
 the men think \ve are to go out by the colleges." 
 
 " And what has put so learned an opinion in 
 their silly heads ?" demanded his captain. 
 
 " One of the men who has been on leave, has 
 just got in, and reports that a squad of gentlemen 
 from the army dined near them, your honour, 
 and that as night set in they mounted and began 
 to patrole the roads in that direction. He was 
 met and questioned by four of them as he crossed 
 the flats." 
 
 " All this confirms my conjectures," cried Lio 
 nel "there is a man who might now prove of 
 important service Job where is the simpleton, 
 Meriton?" 
 
 " He was called out, sir, a minute since, and 
 has left the hou>e." 
 
 "Then send in Mr. Sage," continued the young 
 man, musing as he spoke. A moment after it 
 was reported to him that Seth had strangely dis 
 appeared also. 
 
 " Curiosity has led him to the barracks," said 
 
 VOL. i. 11
 
 110 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 Lionel, " where duty calls you, gentlemen. 1 will 
 despatch a little business, and join you there in 
 an hour; you cannot march short of that time." 
 
 The bustle of a general departure succeeded; 
 Lionel threw his cloak into the arms of Meriton, 
 to whom he delivered his orders, took his arjns, 
 and making his apologies to his guests, he left the 
 house with the manner of one who saw a pressing 
 necessity to be prompt. M'Fuse proceeded to 
 equip himself with the deliberation of a soldier 
 who was too much practised to be easily discon 
 certed. Notwithstanding his great deliberation, 
 the delay of Polwarth, however, eventually van 
 quished the patience of the grenadier, who ex 
 claimed, on hearing the other repeat, for the 
 fourth time, an order concerning the preservation 
 of certain viands, to which be appeared to cling 
 in spirit, after a carnal separation was directed by 
 fortune. 
 
 "Poh! poh ! man," exclaimed the Irishman, 
 " why will you bother yourself on the eve of a 
 march, with such epicurean propensities. It's the 
 soldier who should show your hermits and ancho 
 rites an example of mortification; besides, Polly., 
 this affectation of care and provision is the less ex 
 cusable in yourself, you who have been well aware 
 that we were to march on a secret expedition this 
 very night on which you seem so much troubled." 
 
 " I !" exclaimed Polwarth ; " as I hope to eat 
 another meal, I am as ignorant as the meanest 
 corporal in the army of the whole transaction 
 why do you suspect otherwise ?" 
 
 " Trifles tell the old campaigner when and 
 where the blow is to be struck," returned M'Fuse, 
 coolly drawing his military over-coat tighter to 
 his large frame; " have I not, with my own eyes, 
 seen you within the hour, provision a certain cap 
 tain of light-infantry after a very heavy fashion! 
 Damn it, man, do you think I have served these
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. Ill 
 
 iive-and-twenty years, and do not know that when 
 :i garrison begins to fill its granaries, it expects a 
 siege ?" 
 
 " I have paid no more than a suitable compli 
 ment to the entertainment of Major Lincoln," 
 returned Polwarth ; " but so far from having had 
 any very extraordinary appetite, I have not found 
 myself in a condition to do all the justice I could 
 wish to several of the dishes. Mr. Meriton, I 
 will thank you to have the remainder of that bird 
 sent down to the barracks, where my man will re 
 ceive it; and as it may be a long march, and 
 a hungry one, add the tongue, and a fowl, and 
 some of the ragout ; we can warm it up at any 
 farm-house we'll take the piece of beef, Mac 
 Leo has a particular taste for a cold cut ; and you 
 might put up the ham, also ; it will keep better 
 than any thing else, if we should be out long and 
 and I believe that will do, Meriton." 
 
 " I am as much rejoiced to hear it as I should 
 be to hear a proclamation of war read at Charing- 
 Cross," cried M'Fuse " you should have been a 
 commissary, Polly nature meant you for an ar 
 my suttler!" 
 
 " Laugh as you will, Mac," returned the good- 
 humoured Polwarth, " I shall hear your thanks 
 when we halt for breakfast; but I attend you now." 
 
 As they left the house, he continued, " 1 hope 
 Gage means no more than to push us a little in 
 advance, with a view to protect the foragers and 
 the supplies of the army such a situation would 
 have very pretty advantages ; for a system might 
 be established that would give the mess of the 
 light corps the choice of the whole markt." 
 
 " 'Tis a mighty preparation about some old iron 
 gun, which would cost a man his life to put a match 
 to," returned M'Fuse, cavalierly ; " for my part, 
 captain Polwarth, if we are to fight these colo- 
 ijists at all, I would do the thing like a man, and
 
 112 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 allow the lads to gather together a suitable arsenal, 
 that when we come to blows it may be a military 
 affair as it now stands, 1 should be ashamed, as 
 I am a soldier and an Irishman, to bid my fellows 
 pull a trigger, or make a charge, on a set of pea 
 sants whose fire-arms look more like rusty water- 
 pipes than muskets, and who have half a dozen 
 cannon with touch-holes that a man may put hi^ 
 head in, with muzzles just large enough to throw 
 marbles." 
 
 "I don't know, Mac," said Polwarth, while 
 they diligently pursued their way towards the 
 quarters of their men ; " even a marble may de 
 stroy a man's appetite for his dinner ; and the 
 countrymen possess a great advantage over us in 
 commanding the supplies the difference in equip 
 ments would not more than balance the odds." 
 
 " I wish to disturb no gentleman's opinion on 
 matters of military discretion, captain Polwarth, 3 ' 
 said the grenadier with an air of high martial 
 pride ; " but 1 take it there exists a material dif 
 ference between a soldier and a butcher, though 
 killing be a business common to both I repeat, 
 sir, I hope that this secret expedition is for a more 
 worthy object than to deprive those poor devils, 
 with whom we are about to fight, of the means of 
 making a good battle, and I add, sir, that such L- 
 sound military doctrine, without regarding who 
 may choose to controvert it." 
 
 " Your sentiments are generous and manly, 
 Mac ; but, after all, there is both a physical and 
 moral obligation on every man to eat ; and if star 
 vation be the consequence of permitting your ene 
 mies to bear arms, it becomes a solemn duty to 
 deprive them of their weapons no no I will 
 support Gage in such a measure, at present, as 
 highly military." 
 
 " And he is much obliged to you, sir, for your
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 113 
 
 support," returned the other " I apprehend, cap 
 tain Polwarth, whenever the Lieutenant-Gene 
 ral Gage finds it necessary to lean on any 
 one for extraordinary assistance, he will remem 
 ber that there is a regiment called the Royal Irish 
 in the country, and that he is not entirely igno 
 rant of the qualities of the people of his own. na 
 tion. You have done well, captain Polwarth, to 
 choose the light-infantry service they are a set 
 of foragers, and can help themselves; but the gre 
 nadiers, thank God, love to encounter men, ani 
 not cattle in the field." 
 
 How long the good-nature of Polwarth would 
 have endured the increasing taunts of the Irish 
 man, who was exasperating himself, gradually, by 
 his own arguments, there is no possibility of de 
 termining, for their arrival at the barracks put 
 an end to the controversy and to the feelings it 
 was beginning to engender. 
 
 11*
 
 CHAPTER Vllf. 
 
 " Preserve thy sighs, unthrifty girl ! 
 
 " To purify the air ; 
 " Thy tears, to thread, instead of pearl, 
 
 " On bracelets of tliy hair." Devaunl. 
 
 LIONEL might have blushed to acknowledge the 
 secret and inexplicable influence which his un 
 known and mysterious friend, Ralph, had obtain 
 ed over his feelings, but which induced him, on 
 leaving his own quarters thus hastily, to take his 
 way into the lower parts of the town, in quest of 
 the residence of Abigail Pray. He had not visited 
 the sombre tenement of this woman since the night 
 of his arrival, but its proximity to the well-known 
 town-hall, as well as the quaint architecture of the 
 building itself, had frequently brought its exterior 
 under his observation, in the course of his rambles 
 through the place of his nativity. A guide be 
 ing, consequently, unnecessary, he took the 
 most direct and frequented route to the dock- 
 square. When Lionel issued into the street, he 
 found a deep darkness already enveloping the 
 peninsula of Boston, "as if nature bad lent herself 
 to the secret designs of the British commandant. 
 The fine strain of a shrill fife was playing among 
 the naked hills of the place, accompanied by the 
 occasional and measured taps of the sullen drum ;
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. J15 
 
 and, at moments, the full,' rich notes of the horns 
 would rise from the common, and borne on the 
 night-air, sweep along the narrow streets, causing' 
 the nerves of the excited young soldier to thrill 
 with a stern pleasure, as he stepped proudly along. 
 The practised ear, however, detected no other 
 sounds in the music than the usual nightly signal of 
 rest; and when the last melting strains of the horns 
 seemed to be lost in the clouds, a stillness fell upon 
 the town, like the deep and slumbering quiet 
 of midnight. He paused a moment before the 
 gates of Province-house, and, after examining, 
 with an attentive eye, the windows of the build 
 ing, he spoke to the grenadier, who had stopped 
 in his short walk, to note the curious stranger. 
 
 " You should have company within, sentinel," 
 he said, " by the brilliant light from those win 
 dows." 
 
 The rattling of Lionel's side-arms as he pointed 
 with his hand in the direction of the illuminated 
 apartment, taught the soldier that he was address 
 ed by his superior, and he answered respectfully 
 
 " It does not become one such as I, to pretend 
 to know much of wnat his betters do, your honour, 
 but I stood before the quarters of General Wolfe 
 the very night we went up to the Plains of Abram; 
 and I think an old soldier can tell when a move 
 ment is at hand, without asking his superiors any 
 impertinent questions." 
 
 "I suppose, from your remark, the General 
 holds a council to-night ?" said Lionel. 
 
 " No one has gone in, sir, since I have been 
 posted," returned the sentinel, ll but the Lieu 
 tenant-Colonel of the I Oth, that great Northum 
 brian Lord, and the old Major of marines ; a great 
 war-dog is that old man, your honour, and it is 
 not often he comes to Province-house for no 
 thing."
 
 116 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " A good-night to you, my old comrade," said 
 Lionel, walking away ; " 'tis probably some con 
 sultation concerning the new exercises that you 
 practise." 
 
 The grenadier shook his head, as if unconvin 
 ced, and resumed his march with his customary 
 steadiness. A very few minutes now brought 
 Lionel before the low door of Abigail Pray, 
 where he again stopped, struck with the contrast 
 between the gloomy, dark, and unguarded thresh 
 old over which he was about to pass, and the gay 
 portal he had just left. Urged, however, by his 
 feelings, the young man paused but a" moment 
 before he tapped lightly for admission. After re 
 peating his summons, and hearing no reply, he 
 lifted the latch, and entered the building without 
 further ceremony. The large and vacant apart 
 ment in which he found himself, was silent 
 and dreary as the still streets he had quitted. 
 Groping his way towards the little room in the 
 tower, where he had met the mother of Job, as 
 before related, Lionel found that apartment also 
 tenantless, and dark. He was turning in dis 
 appointment, to quit the place, when a feeble 
 ray fell from the loft of the building, and set 
 tled on the foot of a rude ladder which formed the 
 means of communication with its upper apart 
 ments. Hesitating a single moment how to de 
 cide, he then yielded to his anxiety, and ascend 
 ed to the floor above, with steps as light as ex 
 treme caution could render them. Like the base 
 ment, the building was subdivided here, into a 
 large, open ware-room, and a small, rudely-finish 
 ed apartment in each of its towers. Following the 
 rays from a candle, he stood on the threshold 
 cf one of these little rooms-, in which he found the 
 individual of whom he was in quest. The old man 
 was seated on the only broken chair which the
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 117 
 
 loft contained, and before him, on the simple bun 
 dle of straw which would seem, by the garments 
 thrown loosely over the pile, to be intended as his 
 place of rest, lay a large map, spread for inspec 
 tion, which his glazed and sunken eyes appeared 
 to be intently engaged in making. Lionel hesita 
 ted again, while he regarded the white hairs which 
 fell across the temples of the stranger, as he bow 
 ed his head in his employment, imparting a wild 
 and melancholy expression to his remarkable 
 countenance, and seeming to hallow their pos 
 sessor by the air of great age and attendant 
 care that they imparted. 
 
 " I have come to seek you," the young man 
 at length said, " since you no longer deem me 
 worthy of your care." 
 
 " You come too late," returned Ralph, without 
 betraying the least emotion at the suddenness of 
 the interruption, or even raising his eyes from the 
 map he studied so intently ; " too late at least to 
 avert calamity, if not to learn wisdom from its 
 lessons." 
 
 " You know, then, of the secret movements of 
 the night ?" 
 
 " Old age, like mine, seldom sleeps," returned 
 Ralph, looking for the first time at his visiter. 
 "for the eternal night of death promises a speedy 
 repose. I too served an apprenticeship in my 
 youth to your trade of blood." 
 
 " Your watchfulness and experience have then 
 detected the signs of preparation in the garrison ? 
 Have they also discovered the objects, and proba 
 ble consequences of the enterprise ?" 
 
 " Both ; Gage weakly thinks to crush the 
 germ of liberty which has already quickened in 
 the land, by lopping its feeble branches, when it 
 is rooted in the hearts of the people. He thinks
 
 44-S LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 that bold thoughts can be humbled by the destruc 
 tion of magazines. 
 
 " It is then only a measure of precaution that 
 he is about to take ?" 
 
 The old man shook his head mournfully as he 
 answered 
 
 " It will prove a measure <>f blood." 
 
 " I intend to accompany the detachment into the 
 country," said Lionel '' it will probably take 
 post at some little distance in the interior, and it 
 will afford me a fitting opportunity to make those 
 inquiries which you know are so near rny heart, 
 and in which you have promised to assist it is to 
 consult on the means that I have now sought you." 
 
 The countenance of the stranger seemed to lose 
 its character of melancholy reflection, as Lionel 
 spoke, and his eyes moved, vacant and unmean 
 ing, over the naked rafters above him, passing in 
 their wanderings across the surface of the unheed 
 ed map again, until they fell full upon the face of 
 the astonished youth, where they remained set 
 tled for more than a minute, fixed in the glazed, 
 rivetted look of death. The lips of Lionel had al 
 ready opened in anxious inquiry, when the ex 
 pression of life shot again into the features of 
 Ralph, with the suddenness, and with an appear 
 ance of the physical reality with which light flashes 
 from the sun when emerging from a cloud. 
 
 "You are ill !" Lionel exclaimed. 
 
 " Leave me," said the old man, " leave me." 
 
 " Surely not at such a moment, and alone." 
 
 " I bid you leave me we shall meet as you de 
 sire, in the country." 
 
 " 5Tou would then have me accompany the 
 troops, and expect your coming?" 
 
 "Both." 
 
 " Pardon me," said Lionel, dropping his eyes 
 in embarrassment, and speaking with hesitation^
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 119 
 
 " but your present abode, and the appearance of 
 your attire, is an evidence that old age has come 
 upon you when you are not altogether prepared 
 to meet its sufferings." 
 
 " You would offer me money ?" 
 
 " By accepting it, I shall become the obliged 
 party." 
 
 " When my wants exceed my means, young 
 man, your offer shall be remembered. Go, now ; 
 there is no time for delay." 
 
 " But I would not leave you alone ; the woman, 
 the termagant is better than none?" 
 
 " She is absent." 
 
 " And the boy the changeling has the feelings 
 of humanity, and would aid you in extremity." 
 
 " He is better employed than in propping the 
 steps of a useless old man. Go then, I entreat 
 I command, sir, that you leave me." 
 
 The firm, if not haughty, manner in which the 
 other repeated his desire, taught Lionel that he 
 had nothing more to expect at present, and he 
 obeyed reluctantly, by slowly leaving the apart 
 ment, and as soon as he had descended the ladder 
 he began to retrace his steps towards his own quar 
 ters. In crossing the light draw-bridge thrown oven 
 the narrow dock, already mentioned, his con 
 templations were first disturbed by the sounds 
 of voices, at no great distance, apparently con 
 versing in tones that were not intended to be heard 
 by every ear. It was a moment when each unu 
 sual incident was likely to induce inquiry, and 
 .Lionel stopped to examine two men. who, at 
 a little distance, held their secret and suppressed 
 communications. He had, however, paused but an, 
 instant, when the whisperers separated, one walk 
 ing leisurely up the centre of the square, entering 
 cinder one of the arches of the market-place, and
 
 120 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 the other coming directly across the bridge on 
 which he himself was standing. 
 
 " What, Job, do I find you here, whispering 
 and plotting in the dock-square !" exclaimed Lio 
 nel ; " what secrets can you have, that require 
 the cover of night ?" 
 
 "Job lives there, in the old ware'us','' said the 
 lad sullenly " Nab has plenty of house room, 
 now the king wont let the people bring in their 
 goods." 
 
 "J3ut whither are you going into the water ! 
 surely the road to your bed cannot be through 
 the town dock." 
 
 " Nab wants fish to eat, as well as a ruff to keep 
 off the rain," said Job, dropping lightly from the 
 bridge into a small canoe, which was fastened to 
 one of its posts, " and now the king has closed 
 the harbour the fish have to come up in the dark; 
 for come they will ; Boston fish an't to be shut 
 out by acts of Parliament !" 
 
 " Poor lad !" exclaimed Lionel, " return to 
 your home and your bed; here is money to buy 
 food for your mother if she suffers you will 
 draw a shot from some of the sentinels by going 
 about the harbour thus at night." 
 
 " Job can see a ship farther than a ship can see 
 Job," returned the other ; " and if they should 
 kill Job, they need'u't think to shoot a Boston 
 boy without some stir." 
 
 Further dialogue was precluded ; the canoe 
 gliding along the outer dock into the harbour,, 
 with a stilhies^ aad swiftness that showed the idiot 
 was not ignorant of the business which he had un 
 dertaken. Lionel resumed his walk, and was pass 
 ing the head of th* square when he encountered,, 
 face to face, under the light of a lamp, the man 
 whose figure he had seen but a minute before to
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 121 
 
 issue from beneath the town-hall. A mutual de>- 
 sire to ascertain the identity of each other drew 
 them together. 
 
 " We meet again, Major Lincoln," said the in 
 teresting stranger Lionel remembered to have 
 seen at .the political meeting. " Our interviews 
 appear ordained to occur in secret places." 
 
 " And Job Pray would seem to be the presiding 
 spirit," returned the young soldier. " You part 
 ed from him but now ?" 
 
 " I trust, sir," said the stranger gravely, " that 
 this is not a land, nor have we fallen on times when 
 and where an honest man dare not say that he 
 has spoken to whom he pleases." 
 
 " Certainly, sir, it is not for me to prohibit the 
 intercourse," returned Lionel. "You spoke of 
 our fathers ; mine is well known to you, it would 
 seem, though to me you are a stranger." 
 
 " And may be so yet a little longer," said the 
 other, " though I think the time is at hand when, 
 men will be known in their true characters ; until 
 then, Major Lincoln, 1 bid you adieu." 
 
 Without waiting for any reply, the stranger 
 took a different direction from that which Lionel 
 was pursuing, and walked away with the swiftness 
 of one who was pressed with urgent business. 
 Lionel soon ascended into the upper part of the 
 town, with the intention of going into Tremont- 
 street, to communicate his design to accompany 
 the expedition. It was now apparent to the young 
 man, that a rumour of the contemplated move 
 ment of the troops was spreading secretly, but 
 swiftly, among the people. He passed several 
 groups of earnest and excited townsmen, confer 
 ring together at the corners of the streets, from 
 some of whom he overheard the startling intelli 
 gence that the neck, the only approach to the 
 place by land, was closed by a line of sentiijels ; 
 
 VOL. i. 12
 
 122 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 and that guard -boats from the vessels of war, were 
 encircling the peninsula in a manner to intercept 
 the communication with the adjacent country. 
 Still no indications of a military alarm could be 
 discovered, though, at times, a stifled hum, like the 
 notes of busy preparation, was borne along by the 
 damp breezes of the night, and mingled with 
 those sounds of a Spring evening, which increased 
 as he approached the skirts of the dwellings. In 
 Tremont-street Lionel found no appearance of 
 that excitement which was spreading so rapidly in 
 the old and lower parts of the town. He passed in 
 to his own room without meeting any of the fami 
 ly, and having completed his brief arrangements, 
 he was descending to inquire for his kinswomen, 
 when the voice of Mrs. Lechmere, proceeding 
 from a small apartment, appropriated to her own 
 use, arrested his steps. Anxious to take leave in 
 person, he approached the half-open door, and 
 would have asked permission to enter, had not his 
 eye rested on the person of Abigail Pray, who was 
 in earnest conference with the mistress of the 
 mansion. 
 
 " A man aged, and poor, say you ?" observed 
 Mrs. Lechmere, at that instant. 
 
 " And one that seems to know all," interrupted 
 Abigail, glancing her eyes about with an expres 
 sion of superstitious terror. 
 
 "All!" echoed Mrs. Lechmere, lifer lip trem 
 bling more with apprehension than age ; " and 
 he arrived with Major Lincoln, say you ?" 
 
 " In the same ship ; and it seems that heaven 
 has ordained that he shall dwell with me in my 
 poverty, as a punishment for my great sins !" 
 
 " But why do you tolerate his presence, if it be 
 irksome," said Mrs. Lechmere; ".you are at least 
 .'he mistress of your own dwelling." 
 
 "It has pleased God that my home shall be thr
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 123 
 
 home of any who are so miserable as to need one. 
 He has the same right to live in the warehouse 
 that I have." 
 
 " You have the rights of a woman, and of first 
 possession," said Mrs. Lechmere, with that un 
 yielding severity of manner that Lionel had often 
 observed before; "1 would turn him into the 
 street, like a dog." 
 
 "" Into the street !" repeated Abigail, again 
 looking about her in secret terror ; " speak lower, 
 madam Lechmere, for the love of heaven I dare 
 not even look at him be reminds me of all I have 
 ever known, and of all the evil 1 have ever done, by 
 his scorching eye and yet I cannot tell why and 
 then Job worships him as a god, and if I should 
 offend him, he could easily worm from the child 
 all that you and I wish so much " 
 
 " How!" exclaimed Mrs. Lechmere, in a voice 
 husky with horror, " have you been so base as to 
 make a confident of that fool !" 
 
 " That fool is the child of my bosom," said 
 Abigail, raising her hands, as if imploring par 
 don for the indiscretion. "Ah! madam Lech 
 mere, you who are rich, and great, and happy, and 
 have such a sweet and sensible grandchild, can 
 not know how to love one like Job ; but when 
 the heart is loaded and heavy, it throws its bur 
 den on any that will bear it; and Job is my child, 
 though he is but little better than an ideot !" 
 
 It was by no trifling exertion of his breeding 
 that Lionel was enabled to profit by the inability 
 of Mrs. Lechmere to reply, and to turn away 
 from the spot, and cease to listen to a con 
 versation that was not intended for his ear. He 
 reached the parlour, and threw himself on one 
 of its settees before he was conscious that he was 
 no longer alone or unobserved. 
 
 " What ! Major Lincoln returned from his
 
 124 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 revels thus early, and armed like a bandit, to 
 his teeth !" exclaimed the playful voice of Cecil 
 Dynevor, who, unheeded, was in possession of the 
 opposite seat, when he entered the room. 
 
 Lionel started, and rubbed his forehead, like a 
 man awaking from a dream, as he answered 
 
 " Yes, a bandit, or any other opprobrious name 
 you please ; I deserve them all." 
 
 " Surely," said Cecil, turning pale. " none 
 other dare use such language of Major Lincoln, 
 and he does it unjustly !" 
 
 " What foolish nonsense have I uttered, Miss 
 Dynevor?" cried Lionel, recovering his recollec 
 tion; "I was lost in thought, and heard your 
 language without comprehending its meaning." 
 
 " Still you are armed ; a sword is not a usual 
 instrument at your side, and now you bear even 
 pistols !" 
 
 " Yes," returned the young soldier, laying aside 
 his dangerous implements) ; ' yes, I am about to 
 march as a volunteer, with a party that go into 
 the country to-night, and I take these because I 
 would affect something very warlike, though you 
 well know how peaceably I am disposed." 
 
 " March into the country and in the dead of 
 night !" said Cecil, catching her breath, and turn 
 ing pale " And does Lionel Lincoln volunteer 
 on such a duty?" 
 
 " I volunteer to perform no other duty than to 
 be a witness of whatever may occur you are not 
 more ignorant yourself of the nature of the ex 
 pedition than I am at this moment." 
 
 " Then remain where you are," said Cecil, 
 firmly, " and enlist not in an enterprise that may 
 be unholy in its purposes, and disgraceful in its 
 results." 
 
 " Of the former I am innocent, whatever they 
 may be, nor will they be affected by my presence
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 125 
 
 or absence. There is little danger of disgrace in 
 accompanying the grenadiers and light-infantry 
 of this army, Miss Dynevor, though it should be 
 against treble their numbers of chosen troops." 
 
 " Then it would seem," said Agnes Danforth, 
 speaking as she entered the room, " that our 
 friend Mercury, that feather of a man, captain Pol-, 
 warth, is to be one of these night depredators ! 
 heaven shield the hen-roosts !" 
 
 "You have then heard the intelligence, Agnes?" 
 
 " I have heard that men are arming, and that 
 boats are rowing round the town in all directions, 
 and that it is forbidden to enter or quit Boston, 
 as we were wont to do, Cecil, at such hours and 
 in such fashion as suited us plain Americans," 
 said Agnes, endeavouring to conceal her deep 
 vexation in affected irony " God only can tell 
 in what all these oppressive measures will end." 
 
 " If you go only as a curious spectator of the 
 depredations of the troops," continued Cecil, 
 " are you not wrong to lend them even the sanc 
 tion of your name ?" 
 
 " I have yet to learn that there will be depre 
 dations." 
 
 " You forget, Cecil," interrupted Agfles Dan>- 
 forth, scornfully, " that Major Lincolp did not ar 
 rive until after the renowned roarcb trom Roxbu- 
 ry to Dorchester ! Then the tfoops gathered 
 their laurels under the face (V the sun ; but it 
 is easy to conceive how /nuch more glorious 
 their achievements wi/1 become when darkness 
 shall conceal their blu?nes!" 
 
 The blood rushed across the fine features of 
 Lionel, but he laughed as he arose to depart, 
 saying 
 
 " You compel me to beat the retreat, my spi 
 rited coz. If I have my usual fortune in this 
 forage, your larder, however, shall be the better 
 13 *
 
 126 LIONEL LINCOLN'. 
 
 for it. I kiss my hand to you, for it would be ne 
 cessary to lay aside the scarlet to dare to approach 
 with a more peaceable offering. But here 1 may 
 make an approach to something like amity." 
 
 He took the hand of Cecil, who frankly met 
 his offer, and insensibly suffered herself to be led 
 to the door of the building while he continued 
 speaking. 
 
 " I would, Lincoln, that you were not to go," 
 she said, when they stopped on the threshold 
 " it is not required of you as a soldier ; and as a 
 man your own feelings should teach you to be 
 tender of your countrymen." 
 
 " It is as a man that I go. Cecil," he answered; 
 "I have motives that you cannot suspect." 
 
 " And is your absence to be long?" 
 
 " If not for days, my object will be unaccom 
 plished ;" but he added, pressing her hand gently, 
 " you cannot doubt my willingness to return when 
 occasion may offer." 
 
 " Go, then," said Cecil, hastily, and perhaps 
 unconsciously extricating herself '' go, if you 
 have secret reasons for your conduct ; but remem 
 ber that the acts of every officer of your rank are 
 keenly noted. 5 ' 
 
 " Do yot then distrust me, Cecil !" 
 
 ' No no--I distrust no one, Major Lincoln 
 go go and *nd we shall see you, Lionel, 
 the instant you rei\rn." 
 
 He had not time lo rtply, for she glided into 
 the building so rapidly as to give the young man 
 an opportunity only to observe, that instead of 
 rejoining her cousin, her light form passed up the 
 gveat stairs with the swiftness and grace of a fairy.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 " Hang out our banners on the outward walls : 
 " The cry is still, Tliey come." 
 
 Macbeth. 
 
 LIONEL had walked from the dwelling of Mrs, 
 Lech mere to the foot of Beacon-Hill, and bad 
 even toiled up some part of the steep ascent, be 
 fore he recollected why he was thus wandering 
 by himself at that unusual hour. Hearing, how 
 ever, no sounds that denoted an immediate move 
 ment of the troops, he then yielded, unconsciously, 
 to the nature of his sensations, which just at thai 
 moment rendered his feelings jealous of commu 
 nication with others, and continued to ascend un 
 til he gained the summit of the eminence. From 
 this elevated stand he paused to contemplate the 
 scene which lay in the obscurity of night at his 
 feet, while his thoughts returned from the flattering 
 anticipations in which he had been indulging, to 
 consider the more pressing business of the hour. 
 There arose from the town itself a distant 
 buzzing, like the hum of suppressed agitation, and 
 lights were seen to glide along the streets, or flit 
 across the windows, in a manner which denoted 
 that a knowledge of the expedition had become
 
 128 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 general within its dwellings. Lionel turned his 
 head toward the common, and listened long and 
 anxiously, but in vain, to detect a single sound 
 that could betray any unusual stir among the sol 
 diery. Towards the interior, the darkness of night 
 had fallen heavily, dimming the amphitheatre of 
 hills that encircled the place, and enshrouding 
 the vales and lowlands between them and the wa 
 ter with an impenetrable veil of gloom. There 
 were moments, indeed, when he imagined he over 
 heard some indications among the people of the 
 opposite shore that they were apprised of the im 
 pending descent, but on listening more attentively, 
 the utmost of which his ear could assure him. 
 was the faint lowing of cattle from the meadows, 
 or the plash of oars from a line of boats, which, by- 
 stretching far along the shores, told both the na 
 ture and the extent of the watchfulness that was 
 deemed necessary for the occasion. 
 
 While Lionel stood thus, on the margin of the 
 little platform of earth that had been formed by 
 levelling the apex of the natural cone, musing on 
 the probable results of the measure his superiors 
 had been resolving to undertake, a dim light shed 
 itself along the grass, ajid glancing upward, danced 
 upon the beacon with strong and playful rays. 
 
 " Scoundrel!" exclaimed a man, springing from 
 his place of concealment, at the foot of the post, 
 and encountering him face to face, " do you dare 
 to fire the beacon ?" 
 
 " I would answer by asking how you dare to 
 apply so rude an epithet to me, did I not see the 
 cause of your error,'* said Lionel. " The light is 
 from yonder moon, which is just emerging from 
 tiie oceau." 
 
 " Ah! I see my error," returned his rough as 
 sailant " by heavens, I would have sworn at first, 
 'twas the beacon."
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 129 
 
 "You must then believe in the traditional 
 witchcraft of this country, for nothing short of ne 
 cromancy could have enabled me to light those 
 combustibles at this distance." 
 
 " I don't know ; 'tis a strange people we have 
 got amongst they stole the cannon from the gun- 
 house here, a short time since, when I would have 
 said the thing was impossible. It was before your 
 arrival, sir ; for I now believe I address myself to 
 Major Lincoln, of the 27th." 
 
 "You are nearer the truth, this time, than in 
 your first conjecture as to my character," said 
 Lionel ; " but have I met one of the gentlemen of 
 our mess ?" 
 
 The stranger now explained that he was a sub 
 altern in a different regiment, but that he well 
 knew the person of the other. .He added that he 
 had been ordered to watch on the hill to prevent 
 any of the inhabitants lighting the beacon, or 
 making any other signal which might convey into 
 the country a knowledge of the contemplated in 
 road. 
 
 " This matter wears a more serious aspect than 
 I had supposed," returned Lionel, when the young 
 man had ended his apologies and explanation ; 
 " the commander-in-chief must intend more than 
 we are aware of, by employing officers in this 
 manner, to do the duties of privates." 
 
 " We poor subs know but little, and care less 
 what he means," cried the ensign ; " though I will 
 acknowledge that I can see no sufficient reason 
 why British troops should put on coats of darkness 
 to march against a parcel of guessing, canting, 
 countrymen, who would run at the sight of their 
 uniforms under a bright sun. Had I my will, 
 the tar above us, there, should blase a mile high, 
 to bring down the heroes from Connecticut river ; 
 the dogs would cow before two full companies o
 
 130 LIONEL LINCOLN'. 
 
 grenadiers ha ! listen, sir ; there they go, now, 
 the pride of our army ! I know them by their 
 heavy tread." 
 
 Lionel did listen attentively, and plainly distin 
 guished the measured step of a body of disciplined 
 men, moving rapidly across the common, as if 
 marching towards the water-side. Hastily bidding 
 his companion good-night, he threw himself over 
 the brow of the hill, and taking the direction of 
 the sounds, he arrived at the shore at the same in 
 stant with the troops. Two dark masses of hu 
 man bodies were halted in order, and as Lionel 
 skirted the columns, his experienced eye judged 
 that the force collected before him, could be but 
 little short of a thousand men. A group of officers 
 was clustered on the beach, and he approached 
 it, rightly supposing that it was gathered about 
 the leader of the party. This officer proved to 
 be the Lieutenant-Colonel of the 10th, who was 
 in close conversation with the old Major of Ma 
 rines, alluded to by the sentinel who stood before 
 the gates of Province-house. To the former of 
 these the young soldier addressed himself, de 
 manding leave to accompany the detachment as a 
 rolunteer. After a few words of explanation, his 
 request was granted, though each forbore to touch 
 in the slightest manner on the secret objects of the 
 expedition. 
 
 Lionel now found his groom, who had followed 
 the troops vvith his master's horses, and after giv 
 ing his orders to the man, he proceeded in quest 
 of his friend Polwarth, whom he soon discovered, 
 posted in all the stiffness of military exactness, at 
 the head of the leading platoon of the column of 
 light-infantry. As it WHS apparent, both from the 
 position they occupied, as well as by the boats that 
 had been collected at the point, that the detach 
 ment was not to leave the peninsula by its ordinary 
 channel of communication with the country, there
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 131 
 
 remained no alternative but to await patiently the 
 order to embark. The delay was but short, and, 
 as the most perfect order was observed, the troops 
 were soon seated, and the boats pulled heavily 
 from the land, just as the rays of the moon, which 
 had been sometime playing among the hills, and 
 gilding the spires of the town, diffused them 
 selves softly over the bay, and lighted the busy 
 scene, with an effect not unlike the sudden rising 
 of the curtain at the opening of some interesting 
 drama. Polwarth had established himself by the 
 side of Lionel, much to the ease of his limbs, and 
 as they moved slowly into the light, all those mis 
 givings which had so naturally accompanied his 
 musings on the difficulties of a partisan irruption, 
 vanished before the loveliness of the time, and 
 possibly before the quieiude of the action. 
 
 " There are moments when I could fancy the 
 life of a sailor," he said, leaning indolently back, 
 and playing with one hand in the water " this 
 pulling about in boats is easy work, and must be 
 capital assistance for a heavy digestion, inasmuch 
 as it furnishes air with as little violent exercise as 
 may-be your marine should lead a merry life 
 of it !" 
 
 " They are said to murmur at the clashing of 
 their duties with those of the sea-officers," said 
 Lionel; "and I have often heard them complain of 
 a want of room to make use of their legs." 
 
 " Humph !" ejaculated Polwarth; "the leg is 
 a part of a man for which I see less actual neces 
 sity than for any other portion of his frame. J 
 often think there has been a sad mistake in the 
 formation of the animal ; as, for instance, one 
 can be a very good waterman, as you see, with 
 out legs a good fiddler, a first-rate tailor, a law 
 yer, a doctor, a parson, a very tolerable cook, and 
 in short, any thing but a dancing master, I see
 
 132 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 no use in a leg unless it be to have the gout at 
 any rate, a leg of twelve inches is as good as one 
 a mile long, and the saving might be appropriated 
 to the nobler parts of the animal; such as the brain 
 and- the stomach." 
 
 "You forget the officer of light-infantry," said 
 Lionel, laughing. 
 
 " You might give him a couple of inches more ; 
 though, as every thing in this wicked world, is ex 
 cellent only by comparison, it would amount to the 
 same thing, and on my system a man would be 
 just as fit for the light-infantry without, as with 
 legs ; and he would get rid of a good deal of trou 
 blesome manoeuvring, especially of this new ex 
 ercise. It would then become a delightful ser 
 vice, Leo ; for it may be said to monopolize all the 
 poetry of military life, as you may see. Neither 
 the imagination nor the body can require more 
 than we enjoy at this moment, and of what use, 1 
 would ask, are our legs? if any thing, they are in- 
 cumbrances in this boat. Here we have a soft 
 moon, and softer seats smooth water, and a sti 
 mulating air on one side a fine country, which, 
 though but faintly seen, is known to be fertile, 
 and rich to abundance ; and on the other a pic 
 turesque town, stored with the condiments of 
 every climate even those rascally privates look 
 mellowed by the moon-beams, with their scarlet 
 coats and glittering arms ! Did you meet Miss 
 Danforth in your visit to Tremont-street, Major 
 Lincoln ?" 
 
 " That pleasure was not denied me." 
 
 " Knew she of these martial proceedings . ? " 
 
 " There was something exceedingly belligerent 
 in her humour." 
 
 " Spoke she of the light-infantry, or of any who 
 serve in the light corps?" 
 
 " Your name was certainly mentioned," return-
 
 LIONF.L LINCOLN. 133 
 
 ed Lionel, a little dryly " she intimated that the 
 hen-roosts were in danger." 
 
 " Ah ! she is a girl of a million ! her very 
 acids are sweet! the spices were not forgotten 
 when the dough of her composition was mixed ; 
 would that she were here five minutes of moon 
 shine to a man in love is worth a whole summer 
 of a broiling sun 'twould be a master-stroke to 
 entice her into one of our picturesque marches; 
 your partisan is the man to take every thing by 
 surprise women and fortifications ! Where now 
 are your companies of the line ; your artillery 
 and dragoons; your engineers and staff! night- 
 capped and snoring to a man, while we enjoy here 
 the very dessert of existence I wish I could hear 
 a nightingale !" 
 
 " You have a solitary whip-poor-will whistling 
 his notes, as if in lamentation at our approach." 
 
 " Too dolorous, and by far too monotonous ; 
 'tis like eating pig for a month. But why are our 
 fifes asleep ?" 
 
 " The precautions of a whole day should hard 
 ly be defeated by the tell-tale notes of our music," 
 said Lionel ; "your spirits get the better of your 
 discretion. I should think the prospect of a fa 
 tiguing march would have lowered your vein." 
 
 " A fico for fatigue !" exclaimed Polwarth 
 '' we only go out to take a position at the colleges 
 to cover our supplies we are for school, Leo 
 only fancy the knapsacks of the men to be satchels, 
 humour my folly, and you may believe yourself 
 once more a boy." 
 
 The spirits of Polwarth had indeed undergone 
 a sudden change, when he found the sad anticipa 
 tions which crossed his mind on first hearing of a 
 night inroad, so agreeably disappointed by the 
 comfortable situation he occupied ; and he conti 
 nued conversing in the manner described, until 
 
 VOL. i. is
 
 134 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 the boats reached an unfrequented point that 
 projected a little way into that part of the Bay 
 which washed the western side of the peninsula of 
 Boston. Here the troops landed, and were again 
 formed with all possible despatch. The company 
 of Polwarth was posted, as before, at the head of 
 the column of light-infantry, and an officer of the 
 staff riding a short distance in front, it was direct 
 ed to follow his movements. Lionel ordered his 
 groom to take the route of the troops with the 
 horses, and placing himself once more by the side 
 of the captain, they proceeded at the appointed 
 signal. 
 
 " Now for the shades of old Harvard !" said 
 Polwarth, pointing towards the humble buildings 
 of the university ; " you shall feast this night on 
 reason, while I will make a more sub ha ! what 
 can that blind quarter-master mean by taking this 
 direction ! Does he not see that the meadows are 
 half covered with water!" 
 
 " Move on, move on with the light-infantry,' 1 
 cried the stern voice of the old major of marines, 
 who rode but a short distance in their rear. " Do 
 you falter at the sight of water !" 
 
 " We are not wharf-rats," said Polwarth. 
 
 Lionel seized b'un by the arm, and before thr 
 disconcerted captain had time to recollect him 
 self, he was borne through a wide pool of stag 
 nant water, mid-leg deep. 
 
 " Do not let your romance cost your commis 
 sion," said the major, as Polwarth floundered 
 out of his difficulties ; " here is an incident at 
 once for your private narrative of the campaign." 
 
 "Ah! Leo," said the captain, with a sort of 
 comical sorrow, " I fear we are not to court the 
 muses by this hallowed moon to-night !" 
 
 " You can assure yourself of that, by observing 
 that we leave the academical roofs on our left 
 our leaders take the high-way."
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 135 
 
 They had by this time extricated themselves 
 from the meadows, and were moving on a road 
 which led into the interior. 
 
 "You had better order up your groom, and 
 mount, Major Lincoln," said Polwarth, sullenly; 
 " a man need husband his strength, I see." 
 
 " 'Twould be folly now ; I am wet, and must 
 walk for safety." 
 
 With the departure of Polwarth's spirits the 
 conversation began to flag, and the gentlemen 
 continued their march with only such occasional 
 communications as arose from the passing inci 
 dents of their situation. It very soon became ap 
 parent, both by the direction given to the columns, 
 as well as by the hurried steps of their guide, that 
 the march was to be forced, as well as of some 
 length. But asythe air was getting cool, even Pol 
 warth was not reluctant to warm his chilled blood 
 by more than ordinary exertion. The columns 
 opened for the sake of ease, and each man was 
 permitted to consult his own convenience, provid 
 ed he preserved his appointed situation, and kept 
 even pace with his comrades. In this manner the 
 detachment advanced swiftly, a general silence 
 pervading the whole, as the spirits of the men 
 settled into that deep sobriety which denotes 
 much earnestness of purpose. At first the whole 
 country appeared buried in a general sleep, but 
 as they proceeded, the barking of the dogs, and 
 the tread of the soldiery, drew the inhabitants of 
 the farm-houses to their windows, who gazed in 
 mute wonder at the passing spectacle, across 
 which the mellow light of the moon cast a glow 
 of brilliancy. Lionel had turned his head from 
 studying the surprise depicted in the faces of 
 the members of one of these disturbed families, 
 when A he deep tones of a distant church -bell 
 came sweeping down the valley in which they
 
 136 LIONEL LINCOLN* 
 
 marched, ringing peel on peel, in the quick, spi 
 rit-stirring sounds of an alarm. The men raised 
 their heads in wondering attention, as they ad 
 vanced ; but it was not long before the reports of 
 fire-arms were heard echoing among the hills, and 
 bell began to answer bell in every direction, until 
 the sounds blended with the murmurs of the night- 
 air, or were lost in distance. The whole country 
 was now filled with every organ of sound that the 
 means of the people furnished, or their ingenuity 
 could devise, to call the population to arms. Fires 
 blazed along the heights, the bellowing of the 
 conchs and horns, mingled with the rattling of the 
 muskets and the varied tones of the bells, while 
 the swift clattering of horses' hoofs began to be 
 heard, as if their riders were dashing furiously 
 along the flanks of the party. 
 
 " Push on, gentlemen, push on," shouted the 
 old veteran of marines, amid the din. " The 
 Yankees have awoke, and are stirring we have 
 yet a long road to journey push on, light-infan 
 try, the grenadiers are on your heels !" 
 
 The advance quickened their steps, and the 
 whole body pushed for their unknown object with 
 as much rapidity as the steadiness of military 
 array would admit. In this manner the detach 
 ment continued to proceed for some hours, with 
 out halting, and Lionel imagined that they had 
 advanced several leagues into the country. The 
 sounds of the alarm had now passed away, having 
 swept far inland, until the faintest evidence of its 
 existence was lost to the ear, though the noise of 
 horsemen, riding furiously along the by-ways, 
 yet denoted that men were still hurrying past 
 them, to the scene of the expected strife. As the 
 deceitful light of the moon was blending with 
 the truer colours of day, the welcome sound 
 of 'halt!' was passed from the rear up to the 
 :head of the column of light-infantry.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 137 
 
 "Halt!" repeated Polwarth, with instinctive 
 readiness, and with a voice that sent the order 
 through the whole length of their extended line ; 
 " hait, and let the rear close ; if my judgment in 
 walking be worth so much as an anchovy, they 
 are some miles behind us, by this time ! a man 
 needs to have crossed his race with the blood of 
 Flying Childers for this sort of work ! The next 
 command should be to break our fasts Tom, 
 you brought the trifles I sent you from Major 
 Lincoln's quarters ?" 
 
 " Yes, Sir," returned his man ; " they are on 
 the Major's horses, in the rear, as " 
 
 "The Major's horses in the rear, you ass, when 
 food is in such request in the front ! I wonder, 
 Leo, if a mouthful couldn't be picked up in yon 
 farm-house ?" 
 
 " Pick yourself off that stone, and make the 
 men dress j here is Pitcairn closing to the front 
 with the whole battalion." 
 
 Lionel had hardly spoken before an order was 
 passed to the light-infantry to look to their arms, 
 and for the grenadiers to prime and load. The 
 presence of the veteran who rode in front of 
 the column, and the hurry of the moment, sup 
 pressed the complaints of Polwarth, who was in 
 truth an excellent officer as it respected what he 
 himself termed the ' quiescent details of service.' 
 Three or four companies of the light-corps were 
 detached from the main body, and formed in 
 the open marching order of their exercise, when 
 the old marine, placing himself at their head, gave 
 forth the order to advance again at a quick step. 
 The road now led into a vale, and at some dis 
 tance a small hamlet of houses was dimly seen 
 through the morning haze, clustered around one 
 of the humble, but decent temples, so common 
 in Massachusetts. The halt, and tke brief pre- 
 13*
 
 138 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 parations that succeeded, had excited a pow 
 erful interest in the whole of the detachment, who 
 pushed earnestly forward, keeping on the heels 
 of the charger of their veteran leader, as he pass 
 ed over the ground at a small trot. The w 
 partook of the scent of morning, and the eye 
 was enabled to dwell distinctly on surrounding 
 objects, quickening, aided by the excitement of 
 the action, the blood of the men who had been 
 toiling throughout the night in uncertain obscuri 
 ty along an unknown, and, apparently, intermina 
 ble road. Their object now seemed before them 
 and attainable, and they pressed forward to 
 achieve it in animated but silent earnestness. 
 The plain architecture of the church and of its 
 humble companions had just become distinct, 
 when three or four armed horsemen were seen 
 attempting to anticipate their arrival, by crossing 
 the head of the column, from a by-path. 
 
 " Come in," cried an officer of the staff in front, 
 <c come in, or quit the place." 
 
 The men turned, and rode briskly off, one of 
 their party flashing his piece in a vain attempt to 
 give the alarm. A low mandate was now passed 
 through the ranks to push on, and in a few mo 
 ments they entered on a full view of the hamlet, 
 the church, and the little green on which it stood. 
 The forms of men were seen moving swiftly across 
 the latter, as a roll of a drum broke from the spot ; 
 and there were glimpses of a small body of coun 
 trymen, drawn up in the affectation of military- 
 parade. 
 
 " Push on, light-infantry !" cried their leader, 
 spurring his horse, and advancing with the staff 
 at so brisk a trot, as to disappear round an angle 
 of the church. 
 
 Lionel pressed forward with a beating heart, 
 for a crowd of horrors rushed across his imagina^
 
 LIONEL LItfCfLN. 139 
 
 tion at the moment, when the stern voice of the 
 major of marines was again heard, shouting 
 
 " Disperse, ye rebels, disperse ! throw down 
 your arms, and disperse !" 
 
 These memorable words were instantly follow 
 ed by the reports of pistols, and the fatal man 
 date of ' fire !' when a loud shout arose from the 
 whole body of the soldiery, who rushed upon the 
 open green, and threw in a close discharge on all 
 before them. 
 
 " Great God !" exclaimed Lionel, " what is it 
 you do ? ye fire at unoffending men ! is there no 
 law but force! beat up their pieces, Polwarth 
 stop their fire." 
 
 " Halt!" cried Polwarth, brandishing his sword 
 fiercely among his men ; " come to an order, or 
 I'll fell ye to the earth." 
 
 But the excitement which had been gathering 
 to a head for so many hours, and the animosity 
 which had so long been growing between the 
 troops and the people, were not to be repressed at 
 a word. It was only when Pitcairn himself rode 
 in among the soldiers, and, aided by his officers, 
 beat down their arms, that the uproar was gra 
 dually quelled, and something like order was 
 again restored. Before this was effected, how 
 ever, a few scattering shot were thrown back 
 from their flying adversaries, though without ma 
 terial injury to the British. 
 
 When the firing had ceased, officers and men 
 stood gating at each other for a few moments, as 
 if even they could foresee some of the mighty 
 events which were to follow the deeds of that hour. 
 The smoke slowly arose, like a lifted veil from 
 the green, and mingling with the fogs of morning, 
 drove heavily across the country, as if to commu 
 nicate the fatal intelligence that the final appeal 
 to arms had been made. Every eye was bent
 
 140 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 inquiringly on the fatal green, and Lionel beheld, 
 with a feeling allied to anguish, a few men at a dis 
 tance, writhing and struggling in their wounds, 
 while some five or six bodies lay stretched upon 
 the grass, in the appalling quiet of death. Sick 
 ening at the sight, he turned, and walked away by 
 himself, while the remainder of the troops', alarm 
 ed by the reports of the arms, were eagerly press 
 ing up from the rear to join their comrades. Un 
 wittingly he approached the church, nor did he 
 awake from the deep abstraction into which he 
 had fallen, until he was aroused by the extraordi 
 nary spectacle of Job Pray, issuing from the edi 
 fice with an air in which menace was singu 
 larly blended with resentment and fear. The 
 changeling pointed earnestly to the body of a man, 
 who, having been wounded, had crept for refuge 
 near to the door of the temple in which he had so 
 often worshipped that being to whom he had been 
 thus hurriedly sent to render his last and great 
 account, and said solemnly 
 
 " You have killed one of God's creatures ; and 
 he'll remember it!" 
 
 " I would it were one only," said Lionel ; 
 " but they are many, and none can tell where the 
 carnage is to cease." 
 
 " Do you think," said Job, looking furtively 
 around to assure himself that no other over 
 heard him, " that the king can kill men in the 
 .Bay-colony as he can in London ? They'll take 
 this up in old Funnel, and 'twill ring again, from 
 the north-end to the Neck." 
 
 " What can they do, boy, after all," said Lio 
 nel, forgetting at the moment that he whom he ad 
 dressed had been denied the reason of his kind 
 " the power of Britain is too mighty for these 
 -cattered and unprepared colonies to cope will).
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 141 
 
 and prudence would tell the people to desist from 
 resistance while yet they may." 
 
 " Does the king believe there is more prudence 
 n London than there is in Boston?" returned 
 the simpleton ; " he needn't think, because the 
 people were quiet at the massacre, there'll be no 
 stir about this you have killed one of God's 
 creatures," added the lad, " and he'll remem 
 ber it!" 
 
 " How came you here, sirrah ?" demanded Lio 
 nel, suddenly recollecting himself ; "did you not 
 tell me that you were going out to fish for your 
 mother." 
 
 " And if I did," returned the other, sullenly, 
 " an't there fish in the ponds as well as in the 
 bay, and can't Nab have a fresh taste ? Job don't 
 know there is any act of Parliament ag'in taking 
 brook trout." 
 
 " Fellow, you are attempting to deceive me ? 
 Some one is practising on your ignorance, and 
 knowing you to be a fool, is employing you on 
 errands that may one day cost your life." 
 
 " The king can't send Job on a'r'nds," said 
 the lad proudly j " for there is no law for it, and 
 Job wont go." 
 
 "Your knowledge will undo you, simpleton 
 who should teach you these niceties of the law ?" 
 
 " Why, do you think the Boston people so 
 dumb as not to know the law !" asked Job, with 
 unfeigned astonishment " and Ralph, too he 
 knows as much law as the king he told me 
 it was ag'in all law to shoot at the minute-men, 
 unless they fired first, because the colony has 
 a right to train whenever it pleases." 
 
 " Ralph !" said Lionel, eagerly "can Ralph 
 be with you, then ! 'tis impossible ; I left him ill, 
 and at home neither would he mingle in .such 
 a business as this, at his years."
 
 142 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 "I expect Ralph has seen bigger armies than 
 the light-infantry, and grannies, and all the sol 
 diers left in town put together," said Job, eva 
 sively. 
 
 Lionel was far too generous to practise on the 
 simplicity of his companion, with a view to extract 
 any secret which might endanger his liberty, but 
 he felt a deep concern in the welfare of a young 
 man who had been thrown in his way in the man 
 ner already related. He therefore pursued the 
 subject, with the double design to advise Job 
 against any dangerous connexions, and to relieve 
 his own anxiety on the subject of the aged stran 
 ger. But to all his interrogatories the lad answer 
 ed guardedly, and with a discretion which denot 
 ed that he possessed no small share of cunning, 
 though a higher order of intellect had been de 
 nied him. 
 
 " I repeat to you," said Lionel, losing his 
 patience, " that it is important for me to meet 
 the man you call Ralph in the country, and I 
 wish to know if be is to be seen near here." 
 
 " Ralph scorns a lie," returned Job " go 
 where he promised to meet you, and see if he 
 don't come." 
 
 " But no place was named and this unhappy 
 event may embarrass him, or frighten him " 
 
 " Frighten him !" repeated Job, shaking his 
 head with solemn earnestness; " you can't frighten 
 Ralph!" 
 
 " His daring may prove his misfortune. Boy, 
 I ask you for the last time whether the old 
 man " 
 
 Perceiving Job to shrink back timidly, and 
 lower in his looks, Lionel paused, and casting a 
 glance behind him, beheld the captain of grena 
 diers standing with folded arms, silently contem 
 plating the body of the American.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 143 
 
 " Will you have the goodness to explain to me, 
 Major Lincoln," said the captain, when he per 
 ceived himself observed, " why this man lies here 
 dead ?" 
 
 " You' see the wound in his breast?" 
 
 " It is a palpable and baistly truth that he has 
 been shot but why, or with what design ?" 
 
 " I must leave that question to be answered by 
 our superiors, captain M'Fuse," returned Lionel. 
 " It is, however, rumoured that the expedition is 
 out to seize certain magazines of provisions and 
 arms, which the colonists have been collecting, it 
 is feared, with hostile intentions." 
 
 "I had my own sagacious thoughts that we 
 were bent on some such glorious errand !" said 
 M'Fuse, with strong contempt expressed in his 
 hard features. " Tell me, Major Lincoln you 
 are certainly but a young soldier, though, being of 
 the staff, you should know does Gage think we 
 can have a war with the arms and ammunition 
 all on one side ? We have had a long p'ace, Ma 
 jor Lincoln, and now when there is a small pros 
 pect of some of the peculiarities of our profession 
 arising, we are commanded to do the very thing 
 which is most likely to def'ate the object of war." 
 
 " I do not know that 1 rightly understand you, 
 sir," said Lionel ; " there can be but little glory 
 gained by such troops as we possess, in a contest 
 with the unarmed and undisciplined inhabitants of 
 any country." 
 
 " Exactly my maining, sir; it is quite obvious 
 that we understand each other thoroughly, with 
 out a world of circumlocution. The lads are do 
 ing very well at present, and if left to themselves 
 a few months longer, it may become a creditable 
 affair. You know, as well as I do, Major Lin 
 coln, that time is necessary to make a soldier, 
 arid if they are hurried into the business, you
 
 144 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 might as well be chasing a mob up Ludgate hill, 
 for the honour you will gain. A discrate officer 
 would nurse this little matter, instead of resorting 
 to such precipitation. To my id'a'a's, sir, the 
 man before us has been butchered, and not slain 
 in honourable battle !" 
 
 " There is much reason to fear that others may 
 use the same term in speaking of the affair," re 
 turned Lionel ; " God knows how much cause 
 we may have to lament the death of the poor 
 man !" 
 
 " On that topic, the man may be said to have 
 gone through a business that was to be done, and is 
 not to be done over again," said the captain very 
 coolly, " and therefore his death can be no very 
 great calamity to himself, whatever it may be to 
 us. If these minute-men, and as they stand but 
 minute they 'arn their name like worthy fellows 
 if these minute-men, sir, stood in your way, 
 you should have whipped them from the green 
 with your ramrods." 
 
 " Here is one who may tell you that they arr 
 not to be treated like children either," said Lio 
 nel, turning to the place which had been so re 
 cently occupied by Job Pray, but which, to his 
 surprise, he now found vacant. While he was 
 yet looking around him, wondering whither the 
 lad could so suddenly have withdrawn, the drums 
 beat the signal to form, and a general bustle 
 among the soldiery, showed them to be on the 
 eve of further movements. The two gentlemen 
 instantly rejoined their companions, walking 
 thoughtfully towards the troops, though influ 
 enced by such totally different views of the recent 
 transactions. 
 
 During the short halt of the advance, the whole 
 detachment was again united, and a hasty meal 
 had been taken. The astonishment which sue-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 145 
 
 ceeded the rencontre, had given place, among 
 the officers, to a military pride, capable of sus 
 taining them in much more arduous circumstan 
 ces. Even the ardent looks of professional excite 
 ment were to be seen in most of their countenances, 
 as with glittering arms, waving banners, and 
 timing their march to the enlivening music of their 
 band, they wheeled from the fatal spot, and advan 
 ced again, with proud and measured steps, along 
 the highway. If such was the result of the first 
 encounter on the lofty and tempered spirits of the 
 gentlemen of the detachment, its effect on the 
 common hirelings in the ranks, was still more pal 
 pable and revolting. Their coarse jests, and taunt 
 ing looks, as they moved by the despised victims 
 of their disciplined skill, together with the fierce 
 and boastful expression of brutal triumph, which 
 so many among them betrayed, exhibited the infal 
 lible evidence, that having tasted of blood, they 
 were now ready, like tigers, to feed on it till they 
 were glutted. 
 
 VOL. i. 14
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 ' There was mounting 'mong Graemes of the Netherby clan ; 
 " Fosters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran : 
 " There was racing, and chasing, on Cannobie Lea. " 
 
 Marmion. 
 
 THE pomp of military parade with which the 
 troops marched from the village of Lexington, 
 as the little hamlet was called, where the forego 
 ing, events occurred, soon settled again into the 
 sober and business-like air of men earnestly bent 
 on the achievement of their object. It was no 
 longer a secret that they were to proceed two 
 leagues further into the interior, to destroy the 
 stores already mentioned, and which were now 
 known to be collected at Concord, the town where 
 the Congress of Provincial Delegates, who were 
 substituted by the colonists for the ancient legisla 
 tures of the Province, held their meetings. As the 
 march could not now be concealed, it became ne 
 cessary to resort to expedition, in order to ensure 
 its successful termination. The veteran officer of 
 marines, so often mentioned, resumed his post in 
 front, and at the head of the same companies of 
 the light corps which he had before led, pushed 
 in advance of the heavier column of the grenadiers. 
 Polwartb, by this arrangement, perceived himself
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 147 
 
 again included among those on whose swiftness of 
 foot so much depended. When Lionel rejoined 
 his friend he found him at the head of his men, 
 marching with so grave an air, as at once induced 
 the Major to give him credit for regrets much 
 more commendable than such as were connected 
 with his physical distress. The files were once 
 more opened for room, as well as for air, which 
 was becoming necessary, as a hot sun began to 
 dissipate the mists of the morning, and shed that 
 enervating influence on the nv-n so peculiar to the 
 first warmth of an American Spring. 
 
 " This has been a hasty business altogether, 
 Major Lincoln," said Poiwarth, as Lionel took 
 his wonted station at the side of the other, and 
 dropped mechanically into the regular step of 
 the party " I know not that it is quite as lawful 
 to knock a man in the head as a bullock." 
 
 "You then agree with me in thinking our at 
 tack hasty, if not cruel ?" 
 
 " Hasty ! most unequivocally. Haste may be 
 called the distinctive property of the expedition; 
 arid whatever destroys the appetile of an honest 
 man, may be set down as cruel. I have not been 
 able to swallow a mouthful of breakfast, Leo. A 
 man must have the cravings of a hyena, and the 
 stomach of an ostrich, to eat and digest with such 
 work as this of ours before his eyes." 
 
 " And yet the men regard their acts with 
 triumph !" 
 
 "The dogs are drilled into it. But you saw 
 how sober the Provincials looked in the matter; 
 we must endeavour to sooth their feelings in the 
 best manner we can." 
 
 " Will they not despise our consolation and apo 
 logies, and look rather to themselves for redress 
 and vengeance f"
 
 148 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 Polwarth smiled contemptuously, and there was 
 an air of pride about him that gave an appearance 
 of elasticity even to his heavy tread, as he an 
 swered 
 
 " The thing is a bad thing, Major Lincoln, and, 
 if you will, a wicked thing but take the assurance 
 of a man who knows the country well, there will 
 be no attempts at vengeance ; and as for redress, 
 in a military way, the thing is impossible." 
 
 "You speak with a confidence, sir. that should 
 find its warranty in an intimate acquaintance with 
 the weakness of the people." 
 
 " I have dwelt two years, Major Lincoln, in 
 the very heart of the country," said Polwarth. 
 without turning his eyes from the steady gaze he 
 maintained on the long road which lay before 
 him, "even three hundred miles beyond the in 
 habited districts; and 1 should know the charac 
 ter of the nation, as well as its resources. In re 
 spect to the latter, there is no esculent thing 
 within its borders, from a humming-bird to a 
 buffalo, or from an artichoke to a water-me 
 lon, that I have not, on some occasion or other, 
 had tossed up, in a certain way therefore, I can 
 speak with confidence, and do not hesitate to say. 
 that the colonists will never fight ; nor, if they 
 had the disposition, do they possess the means to 
 maintain a war." 
 
 " Perhaps, sir," returned Lionel sharply, "you 
 have consulted the animals of the country too 
 closely to be acquaintf-d with its spirits?" 
 
 " The relation between them is intimate tell 
 me what food a man diets on, and I will furnish 
 you with his character. 'Tis morally impossible 
 that a people who eat their pudding before the 
 meats, after the fashion of these colonists, can 
 over make good soldiers, because the appetite is
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 149 
 
 appeased before the introduction of the succulent 
 nutriment of the flesh, into " 
 
 " Enough! spare me the remainder," interrupt 
 ed Lionel " too much has been said already to 
 prove the inferiority of the American to the Eu 
 ropean animal, and your reasoning is conclusive." 
 
 " Parliament must do something for the fami 
 lies of the sufferers." 
 
 " Parliament!" echoed Lionel, with bitter em 
 phasis ; " yes, we shall be called on to pass reso 
 lutions to commend the decision of the General, 
 and the courage of the Iroops ; and then, after 
 we have added every possible insult to the injury, 
 under the conviction of our imaginary supremacy, 
 we may hear of some paltry sum to the widows and 
 orphans, cited as an evidence of the unbounded 
 generosity of the nation !" 
 
 "The feeding of six or seven broods of young 
 Yankees is no such trifle, Major Lincoln," re 
 turned Polwarth ; " and there 1 trust the unhap 
 py affair will end. We are now marching on 
 Concord, a place with a most auspicious name, 
 where we shall find repose under its shadow, as 
 well as the food of this home-made parliament, 
 which they have gotten together. These consi 
 derations alone support me under the fatigue of 
 this direful trot with which old Pitcairn goes 
 over the ground does the man think he is hunt 
 ing with a pack of beagles at his heels !" 
 
 The opinion expressed by his companion, con 
 cerning the martial propensities of the Americans, 
 was one too common among the troops to excite 
 any surprise in Lionel, but disgusted with the illi- 
 berality of the sentiment, and secretly offended at 
 the supercilious manner with which the other ex 
 pressed these injurious opinions of his countrymen, 
 he continued his route in silence, while Polwarth 
 
 14*
 
 150 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 speedily lost his loquacious propensity, in a sense 
 of the fatigue that assailed every muscle and 
 joint in his body. 
 
 That severe training of the corps, concerning 
 which the captain vented such frequent com 
 plaints, now stood the advance in good service. 
 It was apparent that the whole country was in a 
 state of high alarm, and small bodies of armed 
 men were occasionally seen on the heights that 
 flanked their route, though no attempts were 
 made to revenge the deaths of those who fell at 
 Lexington. The march of the troops was ac 
 celerated rather with a belief that the colonists 
 might remove, or otherwise secrete the stores, 
 than from any apprehension that they would 
 dare to oppose the progress of the chosen troops 
 of the army. The slight resistance of the Ame 
 ricans in the rencontre of that morning, was al 
 ready a jest among the soldiers, who sneering- 
 ly remarked, that the term of " minute-men," was 
 deservedly applied to warriors who had proved 
 themselves so dexterous at flight. In short, every 
 opprobrious and disrespectful epithet that con 
 tempt and ignorance could invent, were freely 
 lavished on the forbearing mildness of the sutFer- 
 ing colonists. In this temper the troops reached 
 a point whence the modest spire and roofs of 
 Concord became visible. A small body of the 
 colonists retired through the place as the English 
 advanced, and th^ detachment entered the town 
 without the least resistance, and with the appear 
 ance of conquerors. Lionel was not long in dis 
 covering from such of the inhabitants as remain 
 ed, that, notwithstanding their approach had been 
 known for some time, the events of that morn 
 ing were yet a secret from the people of the vil 
 lage. Detachments from the light corps were 
 immediately sent in various directions; some to
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 151 
 
 search for the ammunition and provisions, and 
 some to guard the approaches to the place. One, 
 in particular, followed the retreating footsteps 
 of the Americans, and took post at a bridge, 
 at some little distance, which cut off the com 
 munication with the country to the northward. 
 In the meantime, the work of destruction was 
 commenced in the town, chiefly under the su- 
 perintendance of the veteran officer of the ma 
 rines. The few male inhabitants who remained 
 in their dwellings, were of necessity peaceable, 
 though Lionel could read in their flushed cheeks 
 and gleaming eyes, the secret indignation of men, 
 who, accustomed to the protection of the law, 
 now found themselves .subjected to the insults and 
 wanton abuses of a military inroad. Every door 
 was flung open, and no place was held sacred 
 from the rude scrutiny of the licentious soldiery. 
 Taunts and execrations soon mingled with the 
 seeming moderation with which the search had 
 commenced, and loud exultation was betrayed, 
 even among the officers, as the scanty provisions 
 of the colonists were gradually brought to light, 
 It was not a moment to respect private rights, 
 and the freedom and ribaldry of the men were on 
 the point of becoming something more serious, 
 when the report of fire-arms was heard suddenly 
 to issue from the post held by the light-infan 
 try, at the bridge. A ft-w scattering shot were 
 succeeded by a volley, which was answered by 
 another, with the quickness of lightning, and then 
 the air became filled with the incessant rattling of 
 a sharp conflict. Every arm was suspended, and 
 each tongue became mute with astonishment, 
 and the men abandoned their occupations as these 
 unexpected sounds of war broke on their ears. 
 The chiefs of the party were seen in consultation, 
 and horsemen rode furiously into the place, to
 
 152 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 communicate the nature of this new conflict. The 
 r-ink of Major Lincoln soun obtained for him a 
 knowledge thatit was thought impolitic to commu 
 nicate to the whole detachment. Notwithstanding 
 it was apparent that they v\ho brought the in 
 telligence were anxious to give it the most fa 
 vourable aspect, he soon discovered that the 
 same body of Aiiieticans which had retired at 
 their approach, having attempted to return to 
 their homes in the town, had been fired on at the 
 bridge, and in the skirmish which succeeded, the 
 troops had bern compelled to give way with 
 loss. The effect of this prompt and spirited 
 conduct on the part uf the provincials produced 
 a sudden alteration, not only in the aspect, but 
 also in the proceedings of the troops. The de 
 tachments were recalled, the drums beat to arms, 
 and, for the first time, both officers and men 
 seemed to recollect that they had six leagues 
 to march through a country that hardly con 
 tained a friend. Still few or no enemies were visi 
 ble, with the exception of those men of Concord, 
 who had already drawn blood freely from the 
 invaders of their domestic sanctuaries. The dead, 
 and all the common wounded, were left where 
 they had fallen, and it was thought an unfavoura 
 ble omen among the observant of the detachment, 
 that a wounded young subaltern, of rank and 
 fortune, was also abandoned to the mercy of the 
 exasperated Americans. The privates caught the 
 infection from their officers, and Lionel saw, that 
 in place of the higii and insulting confidence 
 with which the troops had wheeled into the 
 streets of Concord, that they left them, when 
 the order was given to march, with faces bent 
 anxiously on the surrounding heights, and with 
 looks that bespoke a consciousness of the dan 
 gers that were likely to beset the long road which 
 lay before them.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 153 
 
 Their apprehensions were not groundless. The 
 troops had hardly commenced their march be 
 fore a volley was fired upon them from the pro 
 tection of a barn, and as they advanced, volley 
 succeeded volley, and musket answered musket 
 from behind every cover that offered 1 to their 
 assailants. At first these desultory and feeble 
 attacks were but little regarded ; a brisk charge, 
 and a smart fire of a few moments never fail 
 ing to disperse their enemies, when the troops 
 again proceeded for a short distance unmolested. 
 But the alarm of the preceding night had gather 
 ed the people over an immense extent of country ; 
 and, having waited for information, those nearest 
 to the scene of action were already pressing 
 forward to the assistance of their friends. There 
 was but little order, and no concert among the 
 Americans ; but each party, as it arrived, pushed 
 into the fray, hanging on the skirts of their ene 
 mies, or making spirited though ineffectual efforts 
 to stop their progress. While the men from the 
 towns behind them, pressed upon their rear, the 
 population in their front accumulated in bodies, 
 like a rolling ball of snow, and before half the 
 distance between Concord and Lexington was 
 accomplished, Lionel perceived that the safety 
 of their boasted power was in extreme jeopardy. 
 During the first hour of these attacks, while they 
 were yet distant, desultory, and feeble, the young 
 soldidr had marched by the side of M'Fuse, 
 who shook his head disdainfully whenever a shot 
 whistled near him, and did not fail to comment 
 freely on the folly of commencing a war thus pre 
 maturely, which, if properly nursed, might, to use 
 his own words, " be in time brought to some- 
 th'.ng pretty and interesting." 
 
 " You perceive, Major Lincoln," he added, 
 " that these Provincials have got the first ele-
 
 154 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 ments of the art, fur the rascals fire with exceed 
 ing accuracy, when the distance is considered; 
 and six months or a year of close drilling would 
 make them gooil for something in a regular 
 charge. They h;tve got a smart crack to their 
 p'aces, and a pretty whiz to iheir lead already; 
 if they could but learn to deliver their fire in pla 
 toons, the lads might make some impression on 
 the light-infantry even now ; and in a year or two, 
 sir, they would not be unworthy of the favours of 
 the grenadiers." 
 
 Lionel listened to thi-, and much other similar 
 discourse, with a vacant ear ; but as the combat 
 thickened, the blood of the young man began 
 to course more -^viftly through his veins; and 
 at length, excited b\ the noise and the danger 
 which was pressing more closely around them, 
 he mounted, and -riding to the commander of 
 the detachment, tendered his assistance as a vo 
 lunteer aid, having lo*t every other sensation in 
 youthful blood, and the pride of arms. He 
 was immediately charged \\ith oniers for the 
 advance, and driving his spurs into his steed, 
 he dashed through the scattered line of fighting 
 and jaded troops, and galloped to its head. 
 Here he found several companies, diligently 
 employed in clearing the way for their com 
 rades, as new foes appeared at every few rods 
 that they advanced. Even as Lionel approach 
 ed, a heavy sheet of fire flashed from a close 
 barn-yard, full in the faces of the leading files, 
 sending the swift engines of death into the very 
 centre of the party. 
 
 " Wheel a company of the light-infantry, cap 
 tain Polwarth," cried the old major of marines, 
 who battled stoutly in the van, " and drive the 
 skulking scoundrels from their ambush."
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 155 
 
 " Oh ! by the sweets of ease, and the hopes of 
 a halt ! but here is another tribe of these white 
 savages !" responded the unfortunate captain 
 " Look out, my brave men ! blaze away over the 
 Avails on your left give no quarter to the an 
 noying rascals get the first shot give them a 
 foot of your steel." 
 
 While venting such terrible denunciations and 
 commands, which were drawn from the peaceable 
 captain by the force of circumstances, Lionel 
 beheld his friend disappear amid the buildings 
 of the farm-yard in a cloud of smoke, followed 
 by his troops. In a few minutes afterwards, as 
 the line toiled its way up the hill on which this 
 scene occurred, Polwaitb re-appeared, issuing 
 from the fray with his fare blackened and grimed 
 with powder, while a sheet of flame arose from 
 the spot which soon laid the devoted buildings of 
 the unfortunate husbandman in ruins. 
 
 " Ha ! Major Lincoln." he cried, as he ap 
 proached the other, " do you call these light-in 
 fantry movements ! to me they are the torments 
 of the damned ! Go, you who have influence, 
 and what is better, a horse, go to Smith, and tell 
 him if he will call a halt, I will engage, with 
 my single company, to seat ourselves in any field 
 he may select, and keep these blood-suckers at 
 bay for an hour, while the detachment can rest 
 and satisfy their hunger trusting that he will 
 then allow time for his defenders to perform the 
 same necessary operations. A night-march, no 
 breakfast a burning sun mile after mile no 
 halt, and nothing but fire fire 'tis opposed to 
 every principle in physics, and even to the ana 
 tomy of man to think he can endure it !" 
 
 Lionel endeavoured to encourage his friend to 
 new exertions, and turning away from their
 
 
 156 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 leader, spoke cheeringly, and with a martial tone, 
 to his troops. The men cheered as they passed, 
 and dashed forward to new encounters ; the Ame 
 ricans yielding sullenly, but necessarily, to the 
 constant charges of the bayonet, to which the re-* 
 gulars resorted to dislodge them. As the advance 
 moved on again, Lionel turned to contemplate 
 the scene in the rear. They had now been march 
 ing and fighting for two hours, with little or no 
 cessation, and it was but too evident that the 
 force of the assailants was increasing, both in num 
 bers and in daring, at each step they took. On 
 either side of the highway, along the skirts of eve 
 ry wood or orchard, in the open fields, and from 
 every house, barn, or cover in sight, theflash of fire- 
 arms was to be seen, while the shouts of the Eng 
 lish grew, at each instant, feebler and less inspirit 
 ing. Heavy clouds of soioke rose above the val 
 ley, into which he looked, and mingled with the 
 dust of the march, drawing an impenetrable 
 veil before the view; but as the wind, at moments, 
 shoved it aside, he caught glimpses of the wor 
 ried and faltering platoons of the party, some 
 times breasting and repulsing an attack with spi 
 rit, and SL\ others shrinking from the contest, with 
 an ill-concealed desire to urge their retreat to the 
 verge of an absolute flight. Young as he was, 
 Major Lincoln knew enough of his profession 
 to understand that nothing but the want of con 
 cert, and of a unity of command among the 
 Americans, saved the detachment from total 
 destruction. The attacks were growing extreme 
 ly spirited, and not unfrequently close and bloody, 
 though the discipline of the troops enabled them 
 still to bear up against this desultory and divided 
 warfare, when Lionel heard, with a pleasure,- he 
 could not conceal, the loud shouts that arose from 
 the van, as the cheering intelligence was proclaim-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 157 
 
 ed through the ranks, that the cloud of dust in 
 their front was raised by a chosen brigade of 
 their comrades, which had come most timely to 
 their succour, with the Heir of Northumberland 
 at its head. The Americans gave way as the 
 two detachments joined, and the artillery of the 
 succours opened upon their flying parties, giving 
 a few minutes of stolen rest to those who needed 
 it so much. Polwarth threw himself flat on the 
 earth, as Lionel dismounted at his side, and his 
 example was followed by the whole party, who 
 lay panting, under the heat and fatigue, like wor 
 ried deer, that had succeeded in throwing the 
 hounds from their scent. 
 
 " As I am a gentleman of simple habits, and a 
 man innocent of all this bloodshed, Major Lin 
 coln," said the captain, "I pronounce this march to 
 be a most unjust draft on the resources of human 
 nature. I have journeyed at least five leagues 
 between this spot and that place of discord that 
 they falsely call Concord, within two hours, 
 amidst dust, smoke, groans, and other infernal 
 cries, that would cause the best trained racer in 
 England to bolt; and breathing an air, all the 
 time, that would boil an egg i two minutes and 
 a quarter, if fairly exposed to it." 
 
 "You overrate the Distance 'tis but two 
 leagues by the stones " 
 
 " Stones !" interrupted Polwarth " I scorn 
 their lies I have a leg here that is a better in 
 dex for miles, feet, or even inches, than was ever 
 chiseled in stone." 
 
 " We must not contest this idle point," r,eturn- 
 ed Lionel, "for I see the troops are about to dine; 
 and we have need of every moment to reach Bos 
 ton before the night closes around us." 
 
 "Eat! Boston! night!" slowly repeated Pol 
 warth, raising himself on one arm, and staring 
 
 VOL. i. 13
 
 
 158 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 wildly about him. "Surely no man among us 
 is so mad as to talk of moving from, this spot 
 short of a week it would take half that time 
 to receive the internal refreshment necessary to 
 our systems, and the remainder to restore us heal 
 thy appetites." 
 
 " Such, however, are the orders of the Earl 
 Percy, from whom I learn that the whole coun 
 try is rising in our front." 
 
 "Ay, but they are fellows who slept peace 
 fully in their beds the past night; and I dare 
 say that every dog among them ate his half-pound 
 of pork, together with additions suitable for a 
 breakfast, before he crossed his threshold this 
 morning. But with us the case is different. 
 It is incumbent on two thousand British troops 
 to move with deliberation, if it should be only 
 for the credit of his majesty's arms. No, no 
 the gallant Percy too highly respects his princely 
 lineage and name to assume the appearance of 
 flight before a mob of base-born hinds !" 
 
 The intelligence of Lionel was nevertheless 
 true ; for after a short halt, allowing barely time 
 enough to the troops to eat a hasty meal, the 
 drums again lieat the signal to march, and Pol- 
 warth, as well as many hundred others, was reluc 
 tantly compelled to resume his feet, under the 
 penalty of being abandoned to the fury of the 
 exasperated Americans. While the troops were 
 in a state of rest, the field-pieces of the- reinforce 
 ment kept their foes at a distance, but the in 
 stant the guns were limbered, and the files had 
 once more opened for room, the attacks were 
 renewed from every quarter, with redoubled fury. 
 The excesses of the troops, who had begun t 
 vent their anger by plundering and firing the 
 dwellings that they passed, added to the bitter- 
 of the attacks, and the march had not
 
 LIONEL LIfiJCOLS. 159 
 
 been renewed many minutes, before a fiercer 
 conflict raged along its skirts than bad been be 
 fore witnessed on that day. 
 
 " Would to God that the great Northumbrian 
 xvould form us in order of battle, and make a fail- 
 field with the Yankees," groaned Polwarth, as 
 he toiled his way once more with the advance 
 " half an hour would settle the matter, and a 
 man would then possess the gratification of see 
 ing himself a victor, or at least of knowing that 
 he was comfortably and quietly dead." 
 
 " Few of us would ever arrive in the morn 
 ing, if we left the Americans a night to gather 
 in ; and a halt of an hour would lose us the advan 
 tages of the whole march," returned Lionel 
 "Cheer up, my old comrade, and you will esta 
 blish your reputation for activity for ever here 
 comes a party of the Provincials over the crest 
 of the hill to keep you in employment." 
 
 Polwarth cast a look of despair at Lionel, as 
 he muttered in reply 
 
 " Employment ! God knows that there has not 
 been a single muscle, sinew, or joint in my body 
 in a state of wholesome rest for four-and-twenty 
 hours!" Then tuiulug to his men, he cried, with 
 tones so cheerful and animated, that they seemed 
 to proceed from a final and closing exertion, as 
 he led them gallantly into the approaching fray 
 " Scatter the dogs, my brave friends away with 
 them like gnats, like moscheltos, like leeches, as 
 they are give it them lead and steel by hands- 
 ful" 
 
 " On push on with the advance!" shouted the 
 old major of marines, who observed the leading 
 platoons to stagger. 
 
 The voice of Polwarth was once more heard in 
 the din, and their irregular assailants sullenly 
 yielded before the charge.
 
 160 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 "On on with the advance!" cried fifty voices 
 out of a cloud of smoke and dust that was moving 
 up the hill, on whose side this encounter occurred. 
 
 In this manner the war continued to roll slow 
 ly onward, following the weary and heavy foot 
 steps of the soldiery, who had now toiled for 
 many miles, surrounded by the din of battle, and 
 leaving in their path the bloody impressions of 
 their footsteps. Lionel was enabled to trace their 
 route, far towards the north, by the bright red 
 spots, which lay scattered in alarming numbers 
 along the highway, and in the fields through 
 which the troops occasionally moved. He even 
 found time, in the intervals of rest, to note the 
 difference in the characters of the combatants. 
 Whenever the ground or the circumstances ad 
 mitted of a regular attack, the dying confidence 
 of the troops would seem restored, and they 
 moved up to the charge with the bold carriage 
 which high discipline inspires, rending the air 
 with shouts, while their e demies melted before 
 their power in sullen silence, never ceasing to 
 use their weapons however, with an expertness 
 that rendered them doubly dangerous. The di 
 rection of the columns frequeiftly brought the 
 troops over ground that had been sharply contest 
 ed in front, and the victims of these short struggles 
 came under the eyes of the detachment. It was 
 necessary to turn a deaf ear to the cries and 
 prayers of many wounded soldiers, who, with hor 
 ror and abject fear written on every feature of 
 their countenances, were the helpless witnesses 
 of the retreating files of their comrades. On the 
 other hand, the American lay in his blood, re 
 garding the passing detachment with a stern and 
 indignant eye, that appeared to look far beyond 
 his individual suffering. Over one body, Lionel 
 pulled the reins of his horse, and he paused a,
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 161 
 
 moment to consider the spectacle. It was the 
 lifeless form of a man, whose white locks, hollow 
 cheeks, and emaciated frame, denoted that the 
 bullet which had stricken him to the earth had 
 anticipated the irresistible decrees of time but 
 a very few days. He had fallen on his back, 
 and his glazed eye expressed, even in death, the . 
 honest resentment he had felt while living ; and 
 his palsied hand continued to grasp the fire-lock, 
 old and time-worn, like its owner, with which he 
 had taken the field in behalf of his country. 
 
 " Where can a contest end which calls such 
 champions' ttf v its aid !" exclaimed Lionel, observ 
 ing that tl& shadow of another spectator fell 
 across the wan features of the dead " who can 
 tell where this torrent of blood can be stayed, or 
 how many are to be its victims!" 
 
 Receiving no answer, he raised his eyes, and dis 
 covered that he had unwittingly put this search 
 ing question to the very man whose* rashness had 
 precipitated the war. It was the major of marines, 
 who sat looking at the sight, for a minute, with an 
 eye as vacant as the one that seemed to throw 
 back his wild gjjize, and then rousing from his 
 trance, he buried his rowels in the flanks of his 
 horse, and disappeared in the smoke that envelo 
 ped a body of the grenadiers, waving his sword 
 on high, and shouting 
 
 " On push on with the advance !" 
 
 Major Lincoln slowly followed, musing on the 
 scene he had witnessed, when, to his surprise, he 
 encountered Pplwarth, seated on a rock by the 
 roadside, looking with a listless and dull eye at 
 the retreating columns. Checking his charger, 
 he inquired of his friend if he were hurt. 
 
 " Only melted," returned the captain j " 1 have 
 outdone the speed of man this day, Major Lin 
 coln, and can do no more. If you see any of 
 15*
 
 
 
 162 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 my friends in dear England, tell them that I met 
 my fate as a soldier should, stationary ; though I 
 am actually melting away in rivulets, like the 
 snows of April." 
 
 " Good God ! you will not remain here to be 
 slain by the Provincials, by whom you see we are 
 completely enveloped f" 
 
 " I am preparing a speech for the first Yankee 
 who may approach. If he be a true man he wilt 
 melt into tears at my sufferings this day if a 
 savage, my heirs will be spared the charges of 
 my funeral." 
 
 Lionel would have continued his remonstrances, 
 but a fierce encounter between a flanking party of 
 the troops and a body of Americans, drove the 
 former close upon him, and leaping the wall he 
 rallied his comrades, and turned the tide of battle 
 in their favour. He was drawn far from the spot 
 by the vicissitpdes of the combat, and there wa: 
 a moment, while passing from one body^of the 
 troops to another, that he found himself unexpect 
 edly alone, in a most dangerous vicinity to a small 
 wood. The hurried call of "pick off that officer,' 7 
 first aroused him to his extreme danger, and he 
 had mechanically bowed himself on the neck of 
 his charger, in expectation of the fatal messen 
 gers, when a voice was heard among the Ameri 
 cans, crying, in tones that caused every nerve in 
 his body to thrill 
 
 " Spare him ! for the love of that God you 
 worship, spare him !" 
 
 The overwhelming sensations of the moment 
 prevented flight, and the young man beheld Ralph, 
 running with frantic gestures, along the skirts oi 
 the cover, beating up the fire-arms of twenty 
 Americans, and repeating his cries in a voice 
 that did not seem to belong to a human being 
 then, in the confusion which whirled through his 
 brain, Lionel thought himself a prisoner, as a
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN* 
 
 man, armed with a long rifle, glided from the 
 wood, and laid his hand on the rein of his 
 bridle, saying earnestly 
 
 " 'Tis a bloody day, and God will remember 
 it ; but if Major Lincoln will ride straight down 
 the hill, the people wont fire for fear of hitting 
 Job and when Job fires, he'll shoot that granny 
 who's getting over the wall, and there'll never be 
 a stir about it in Funnel-Hall." 
 
 Lionel wheeled away quicker than thought, 
 and as his charger took long and desperate leaps 
 down the slight declivity, he heard the shouts of 
 the Americans behind him, the crack of Job's 
 rifle, and the whizzing of the bullet which the 
 changeling sent, as he had promised, in a direc 
 tion to do him no harm. On gaining a place 
 of comparative safety, he found Pitcairn in the 
 act of abandoning his bleeding horse, the close 
 and bitter attacks of the Provincials rendering it 
 no longer safe for an officer to be seen riding on 
 the flanks of the detachment. Lionel, though he 
 valued his steed highly, had also received so many 
 intimations of the dangerous notice he had at 
 tracted, that he was soon obliged to follow this 
 example, and he saw, with deep regret, the noble 
 animal scouring across the fields with a loose rein, 
 snorting and snuffing the tainted air. He now 
 joined a party of the combatants on foot, and 
 continued to animate them to new exertions dur 
 ing the remainder of the tedious way. 
 
 From the moment the spires of Boston .met 
 the view of the troops, the struggle became in 
 tensely interesting. New vigour was imparted to 
 their weary frames by the cheering sight, and 
 assuming once more the air of high martial 
 training, they bore up against the assaults of 
 their enemies with renewed spirit. On the other 
 hand, the Americans seemed aware that the mo 
 ments of vengeance were passing swiftly away,.
 
 164 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 and boys, and grey-headed men, the wounded and 
 the active, crowded around their invaders, as if 
 eager to obtain a parting blow. Even the peace 
 ful ministers of God were known to take the field 
 on that memorable occasion, and, mingling with 
 their parishioners, to brave every danger in a 
 cause which they believed in consonance with 
 their holy calling. The sun was sinking over the 
 land, and the situation of the detachment had be 
 come nearly desperate, when Percy abandoned 
 the idea of reaching the Neck, across which he 
 had proudly marched that morning from Boston, 
 and strained every nerve to get the remainder of 
 his command within the peninsula of Charlestown. 
 The crests and the sides of the heights were alive 
 . with men, and as the shades of evening closed 
 about the combatants, the bosoms of the Ame 
 ricans beat high with hope, while they witness 
 ed the faltering steps and slackened fire of the 
 troops. But high discipline, ^finally so far pre 
 vailed as to snatch the English from the very 
 grasp of destruction, and enabled them to gain 
 the narrow entrance to the desired shelter, just as 
 night had come apparently to seal their doom. 
 
 Lionel stood leaning against a fence, as this 
 fine body of men, which a few hours before had 
 thought themselves equal to a march through the 
 colonies, defiled slowly and heavily by him, 
 dragging their weary and exhausted limbs up the 
 toilsome ascent of Bunker-Hill. The haughty 
 eyes of most of the officers were bent to the 
 earth in shame; and the common herd, even 
 in that place of security, cast many an anxious 
 glance behind them, to assure themselves that the 
 despised inhabitants of the Province were no 
 longer pressing on their footsteps. Platoon after 
 platoon passed, each man compelled to depend on 
 his own wearied limbs for support, until Lionel at
 
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN, . 165 
 
 last saw a solitary horseman slowly ascending 
 among the crowd. To his utter amazement 
 and great joy, as this officer approached, he 
 beheld Polwarth, mounted on his own steed, 
 riding towards him, with a face of the utmost, 
 complacency and composure. The dress of the 
 captain was torn in many places, and the hous 
 ings of the saddle were cut into ribands, while 
 here and there a spot of clotted blood, on 
 the sides of the beast, served to announce the 
 particular notice the rider had received from the 
 Americans. The truth was soon extorted from 
 the honest soldier. The love of life had returned 
 with the sight of the abandoned charger. He ac 
 knowledged it had cost him his watch to have the 
 beast caught ; but once established in the saddle, 
 no danger, nor any remonstrances, could induce 
 him to relinquish a seat which he found so con 
 soling after all the fatigue and motion of that evil 
 day, in which he had been compelled to share in 
 the calamities of those who fought on the side of 
 the crown, in the memorable battle of Lexington*
 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 " FLud. Is it not lawful, an' please your majesty, 
 " To tell how many is killed." 
 
 King Henry V. 
 
 WHILE a strong party of the royal troops 
 took post on the height which commanded the 
 approach to their position, the remainder pene 
 trated deeper into the peninsula, or were trans 
 ported by the boats of the fleet to the town of 
 Boston. Lionel and Polwartfi passed the strait 
 with the first division of the wounded, the former 
 having no duty to detain him any longer with 
 the detachment, and the latter stoutly main 
 taining that his corporeal sufferings gave him 
 an undoubted claim to include bis case among 
 the casualties of the day. Perhaps no officer 
 in the army of the king felt less chagrin at the 
 result of this inroad than Major Lincoln ; for 
 notwithstanding his attachment to his Prince, 
 and adopted country, he was keenly sensitive on 
 the subject of the reputation of his real country 
 men; asentiment that is honourable to our nature, 
 and which never deserts any that do not become 
 disloyal to its purest and noblest impulses. Even 
 while he regretted the price at which his com 
 rades had been taught to appreciate the charac 
 ters of those whose long and mild forbearance
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 167 
 
 had been misconstrued into pusillanimity, he re 
 joiced that the eyes of the more aged would 
 now be opened to the truth, and that the mouths 
 of the young and thoughtless were to be for ever 
 closed in shame. Although the actual losses of the 
 two detachments were probably concealed from 
 motives of policy, it was early acknowledged to 
 amount to about one-sixth of the whole number 
 employed. 
 
 On the wharf, Lionel and Polwarth separated ; 
 the latter agreeing to repair speedily to the pri 
 vate quarters of his friend, where he promised 
 himself a solace for the compulsory abstinence 
 and privations of his long march, and the for 
 mer taking his way towards Tremont-street, with 
 a view to allay the uneasiness which the secret and 
 flattering whisperings of hope taught him to believe 
 his fair young kinswomen would feel in his behalf. 
 At every corner he encountered groups of earnest 
 townsmen, listening with greedy ears to the par 
 ticulars of the contest, a few walking away de 
 jected at the spirit exhibited by that country they 
 had villified to its oppressors, but most of them 
 regarding the passing form of one whose disor 
 dered dress announced his participation in the 
 affair, with glances of stern satisfaction. As Lio 
 nel tapped at the door of Mrs. Lechmere, he for 
 got his fatigue ; and when it opened, and he be~ 
 held Cecil standing in the hall, with every linea 
 ment of her fine countenance expressing the 
 power of her emotions, he no longer remembered 
 those trying dangers he had so lately escaped. 
 
 " Lionel !" exclaimed the young lady, clasping 
 her hands with joy " himself, and unhurt !" The 
 blood rushed from her heart across her face to 
 her forehead, and burying her shame in her hands, 
 she burst into a flood of tears, and fled his pre 
 sence.
 
 168 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 Agnes Danforth received him with undisguised 
 pleasure, nor would she indulge in a single question 
 to appease her burning curiosity, until thorough 
 ly assured of his perfect safety. Then, indeed, 
 she remarked, with a smile of triumph seated on 
 her arch features 
 
 " Your march has been well attended, Major 
 Lincoln ; from the upper windows I have seen 
 some of the honours which the good people of 
 the Massachusetts have paid to their visiters." 
 
 " On my soul, if it were not for the dreadful 
 consequences which must follow, I rejoice as 
 well as yourself, in the events of the day," said 
 Lincoln ; " for a people are never certain of their 
 rights, until they are respected." 
 
 " Tell me then all, cousin Lincoln, that I may 
 know how to boast of my parentage." 
 
 The young man gave her a short, but distinct 
 and impartial account of all that had occurred, 
 to vhich his fair listener attended with undis 
 guised interest. 
 
 " Now, then," she exclaimed, as he ended, "there 
 is an end for ever of those biting taunts that have 
 so long insulted our ears ! But you know," she 
 added, with a slight blush, and a smile most co 
 mically arch, " I had a double stake in the for 
 tunes of the day my country and my true love !" 
 
 * l Oh! be at ease ; your worshipper has return 
 ed, whole in body, and suffering in mind only 
 through your cruelty he performed the route 
 with wonderful address, and really showed him 
 self a soldier in danger." 
 
 " Nay, Major Lincoln," returned Agnes, still 
 blushing, though she laughed, " you do not mean 
 to insinuate that Peter Polwarth has walked forty 
 miles between the rising and setting of the sun." 
 
 " Between two sun-sets he has done the deed,,, 
 if you except a trifling promenade a cheval, on 
 my own steed, whom Jonathan compelled me to
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 169 
 
 Abandon, and of whom he took, and maintained 
 the possession, too, in spite of dangers of every 
 kind." 
 
 " Really," exclaimed the wilful girl, clasping 
 her hands in affected astonishment, though Lio 
 nel thought he could read inward satisfaction at 
 his intelligence " the prodigies of the man ex 
 ceed belief! one wants the faith of father Abra 
 ham to credit such marvels ! though, after the re 
 pulse of two thousand British soldiers by a body 
 of husbandmen, I am prepared for an exceeding 
 use of my credulity." 
 
 " The moment is then auspicious for my friend," 
 whispered Lionel, rising to follow the flitting 
 form of Cecil Dynevor, which he saw gliding 
 into the opposite room, as Polwarth himself en 
 tered the apartment " credulity is said to be the 
 great weakness of your sex, and I must leave you 
 a moment exposed to the failing, and that, too, 
 in the dangerous company of the subject qjf our 
 discourse." 
 
 "Now would you give half your hopes of pro 
 motion, and all your hopes of a war, captain Pol 
 warth, to know in what manner your character 
 Jias been treated in your absence," cried Agnes, 
 blushing slightly. " I shall not, however, satisfy 
 the cravings of your curiosity, but let it serve 
 as a stimulant to better deeds than have employ 
 ed you since we met last." 
 
 " I trust Lincoln has done justice to my ser 
 vice," returned the good-humoured captain, "and 
 that he has not neglected to mention the man 
 ner in which I rescued his steed from the rebels." 
 " The what, sir," interrupted Agnes, with a 
 frown " how did you style the good people of 
 Massachusetts-Bay ?" 
 
 " I should have said the excited dwellers in the 
 land, I believe. Ah! Miss Agnes, I have suffer- 
 
 VOL. I. 16
 
 170 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 ed this day as man never suffered before, and all 
 on your behalf " 
 
 " On my behalf! your words require explana 
 tion, captain Polwarth." 
 
 " 'Tis impossible," returned the captain 
 " there are feelings and actions connected with 
 the heart that will admit of no explanation. All 
 I know is, that I have suffered unutterably on 
 your account, to-day ; and what is unutterable is 
 in a great degree inexplicable." 
 
 " I shall set this down for what I understand 
 occurs regularly in a certain description of tete-a- 
 tetes the expression of an unutterable thing ! 
 Surely, Major Lincoln had some reason to be 
 lieve he left me at the mercy of my credulity!" 
 
 " You slander your own character, fair Agnes," 
 said Polwarth, endeavouring to look piteously ; 
 "you are neither merciful nor credulous, or you 
 would long since have believed my tale, and 
 taken pity on my misery." 
 
 " Is not sympathy a sort a kind in short, 
 is not sympathy a dreadful symptom in a certain 
 disease ?" asked Agnes, resting her eyes on the 
 floor, and affecting a girlish embarrassment. 
 
 " Who can gainsay it !" cried the captain ; 
 " 'tis the infallible way for a young lady to disco 
 ver the bent of her inclinations. Thousands have 
 lived in ignorance of their own affections until 
 their sympathies have been awakened. But what 
 means the question, my fair tormentor ? May I 
 dare to flatter myself that you at length feel 
 for my pains !" 
 
 " I am sadly afraid 'tis but too true, Polwarth," 
 returned Agnes, shaking her head, and continuing 
 to look exceedingly grave. 
 
 Polwarth moved, with something like anima 
 tion again, nigher to the amused girl ; and at 
 tempted to take her hand, as he said
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 171 
 
 " You restore me to life with your sweet ac 
 knowledgments I have lived for six months like 
 a dog under your frowns, but one kind word acts 
 like a healing balm, and restores me to myself 
 again !" 
 
 " Then my sympathy is evaporated !" returned 
 Agnes. " Throughout this long and anxious 
 day have I fancied myself older than my good, 
 staid, great-aunt ; and whenever certain thoughts 
 have crossed my mind, t have even imagined a 
 thousand of the ailings of age had encircled me 
 rheumatisms, gouts, asthmas, and numberless 
 other aches and pains, exceedingly unbecoming to 
 a young lady of nineteen. But you have enlight 
 ened me, arid given vast relief to my apprehen 
 sions, by explaining it to be no more than sympa 
 thy. You see, Polwarth, what a wife you will 
 obtain, should I ever, in a weak moment, accept 
 you, for i have already sustained one-half your 
 burthens !" 
 
 " A man is not made to be in constant motion, 
 like the pendulum of that clock, Miss Danforth, 
 and yet feel no fatigue," said Polwarth, more 
 vexed than he would permit himself to betray; 
 " yet I flatter myself there is no officer in the 
 light-infantry you understand me to say the 
 light-infantry who has passed over more ground 
 within four-and-twenty hours, than the man who 
 hastens, notwithstanding his exploits, to throw 
 himself at your feet, even before he thinks of his 
 ordinary rest." 
 
 "Captain Polwarth," said Agnes, rising, "for 
 the compliment, if compliment it be, I thank you; 
 but," she added, losing her affected gravity in a 
 strong natural feeling that shone in her dark eye, 
 and illuminated the whole of her fine countenance, 
 as she laid her hand impressively on her heart 
 " the man who will supplant the feelings which
 
 172 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 nature has impressed here, must not come to 
 my feet, as you call it, from a field of battle, 
 where he has been contending with my kinsmen, 
 and helping to enslave rny country. You will 
 excuse me, sir, but as Major Lincoln is at home 
 here, permit me, for a few minutes, to leave you 
 to his hospitality." 
 
 She withdrew as Lionel re-entered, passing 
 him on the threshold. 
 
 "I would rather be a leader in a stage-coach, 
 or a running footman, than in love !" cried Pol- 
 warth " 'tis a dog's life, Leo, and this girl treat? 
 me like a cart-horse ! But what an eye she has ! 
 I could have lighted my segar by it my heart is 
 a heap of cinders. Why, Leo, what aileth thee ! 
 throughout the whole of this damnable day, I 
 have not before seen thee bear such a troubled 
 look !" 
 
 " Let us withdraw to my private quarters/' 
 muttered the young man, whose aspect and air ex 
 pressed the marks of extreme disturbance " 'tis 
 time to repair the disasters of our march." 
 
 " All that has been already looked to," said 
 Polwarth, rising and limping, with sundry gri 
 maces, in the best manner he was able, in a vain 
 effort to equal the rapid strides of his companion. 
 " My first business on leaving you was to borrow 
 a conveyance of a friend, in which 1 rode to your 
 place; and my next was to write to little Jimmy 
 Craig, to offer an exchange of my company for 
 his for from this hour henceforth I denounce all 
 light-infantry movements, and shall take the first 
 opportunity to get back again into the dragoons, 
 as soon as I have effected which, major Lincoln, 
 I propose to treat with you for the purchase of 
 that horse after that duty was performed, for, it 
 self-preservation be commendable, it became a
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 173 
 
 iiuty, I made out a bill of fare for Meriton, in 
 order that nothing might be forgotten ; after 
 which, like yourself Lionel, I hastened to the 
 feet of my mistress Ah! Major Lincoln, you are 
 a happy man ; for you, there is no reception but 
 smiles and charms so" 
 
 " Talk not to me sir, of smiles," interrupted 
 Lionel, impatiently, " nor of the charms of wo 
 man. They are all alike, capricious and unac 
 countable." 
 
 " Bless me !" exclaimed Polwarth, staring 
 about him in wonder ; " there is then favour for 
 none, in this place, who battle for th'e King! 
 There is a strange connexion between Cupid and 
 Mars, love and war ; for here did I, after fighting 
 all day like a Saracen, a Turk, JenghisKhan, or, in 
 short, any thing but a good Christian, come with 
 full intent to make a serious offer of my hand, 
 commission, and of Pol \varth-Hall, to that trea 
 sonable vixen, when she repulses me with a frown 
 and a sarcasm as biting as the salutation of a hun 
 gry man. But what an eye the girl has, and 
 what a bloom, when she is a little more seasoned 
 than common ! Then you, too, Lionel, have been 
 treated like a dog !" 
 
 " Like a fool, as t am," said Lionel, pacing 
 haughtily over the ground at a rate that soon 
 threw his companion too far in the rear to ad 
 mit of further discourse until they reached the 
 place of their destination. Here, to the no small 
 surprise of both gentlemen, they found a com 
 pany collected that neither was prepared to 
 meet. At a side-table, sat M'Fuse, discussing, 
 with singular relish, some of the cold viands 
 of the previous night's repast, and washing 
 down his morsels with deep potations of the best 
 wine of his host. In one corner of the room, 
 Seth Sage was posted, with the appearance of 
 
 16*
 
 174 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 man in duresse, his hands being tied before him, 
 rom which depended a long cord that might, 
 on emergency, be made to serve the purpose of a 
 halter. Opposite to the prisoner, for such in truth 
 he was, stood Job, imitating the example of the 
 Captain of Grenadiers, who now and then tossed 
 some fragment of his meal into the hat of the 
 simpleton. Meriton and several of th'e menials 
 of the establishment were in waiting. 
 
 " What have we here !" cried Lionel, regarding 
 the scene with a curious eye; " of what offence has 
 Mr. Sage been guilty, that he bears those bonds f"' 
 
 " Of the small crimes of tr'ason and homi 
 cide," returned M'Fuse, " if shooting at a man. 
 with a hearty mind to kill him, can make a 
 murder." 
 
 "It can't," said Seth, raising his eyes from the 
 floor, where he had hitherto kept them in de 
 mure silence ; " a man must kill with wicked in 
 tent to commit murder" 
 
 " Hear to the blackguard, datailing the law as 
 if he were my Lord Chief Justice of the King's 
 Bench !" interrupted the grenadier ; " and what 
 was your own wicked intention, ye skulking va 
 gabond, but to kill me ! I'll have you tried and 
 hung for the same act." 
 
 " It's ag'in reason to believe that any jury will 
 convict one man for the murder of another that 
 a'nt dead," said Seth " there's no jury to be 
 found in the Bay-colony, to do it." 
 
 " Bay-colony ! ye murdering thief and rebel !" 
 cried the Captain ; " I'll have ye transported to 
 England ; ye shall be both transported and hung. 
 By the Lord, I'll carry ye back to Ireland with 
 me, and I'll hang ye up in the green Island itself, 
 and bury ye, in the heart of winter, in a bog" 
 
 " mit what is the offence," demanded Lionel. 
 (i that calls forth these severe threats ?"
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN". 175 
 
 " The scoundrel has been out" 
 
 " Out !" 
 
 " Ay, out damn it, sir, has not the 
 whole country been like so many bees in search 
 of a hive ! Is your memory so short that ye 
 forget, already, Major Lincoln, the tramp the 
 blackguards have given you over hill and dale, 
 through thick and thin ?" 
 
 " And was Mr. Sage, then, found among our 
 enemies to-day?" 
 
 " Didn't I see him pull trigger on my own 
 stature, three times within as many minutes !" 
 returned the angry captain ; "and didn't he break 
 the handle of my sword ?and have not I a bit of 
 lead he calls a buck-shot in my shoulder as a pre 
 sent from the thief?" 
 
 " It's ag'in all law to call a man a thief," said 
 Job, " unless you can prove it upon him ; but it 
 an't ag'in law to go in and out of Boston as often 
 as you choose." 
 
 " Do you hear the rascals ! They know every 
 angle of the law as well, or better than I do my 
 self, who am the son of a Cork counsellor. I 
 dare to say, you were among them too, and 
 that ye deserve the gallows as well as your com 
 mendable companion, there." 
 
 "How is this!" said Lionel, turning quickly 
 away from Job, with a view to prevent a reply 
 that might endanger the safety of the changeling j 
 " did you not only mingle in this rebellion, Mr. 
 Sage, but also attempt the life of a gentleman 
 who may be said, almost, to be an inmate of 
 your own house ?" 
 
 "I conclude," returned Seth, "it's best not 
 to talk too much, seeing that no one can foretell 
 what may happen." 
 
 " Hear to the cunning reprobate ! he has nol 
 the grace to acknowledge his own sins, like an 
 honest man," interrupted M'Fuse ; " but I can
 
 176 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 save him that small trouble I got tired, you 
 must know. Major Lincoln, of being shot at like 
 noxious vermin, from morning till night, without 
 making some return to the compliments of those 
 gentlemen who are out on the hills ; and I took 
 advantage of a turn, ye see, to double on a party 
 of the uncivilized demons ; this lad, here, got 
 three good pulls at me, before we closed and 
 made an end of them with the steel, all but this 
 fellow, who having a becoming look for a gal 
 lows, I brought him in, as you see, for an ex 
 change, intending to hang him the first favoura 
 ble opportunity." 
 
 " If this be true we -must give him into the 
 hands of the proper authorities," said Lionel, 
 smiling at the confused account of the angry cap 
 tain " for it remains to be *een-yet what course 
 will be adopted with the prisoners in this singular 
 contest." 
 
 " I should think nothing of the matter," re 
 turned M'Fuse, " if the reprobate had not tr'ated 
 me like a beast of the field, uith his buck-shot, 
 and taking his aim each time, as though I had 
 been a mad-dog. Ye villain, do you call your 
 self a man, and aim at a fellow-creature as 
 you would at a brute f" 
 
 " Why," said Seth, sullenly, " when a man has 
 pretty much made up his mind to fight, I con 
 clude it's best to take aim, in order to save ammu 
 nition and time." 
 
 " You acknowledge the charge, then !" de 
 manded Lionel. 
 
 " As the major is a moderate man, and will 
 hear to reason, I will talk the matter over with 
 him rationally," said Seth, disposing himself to 
 speak more to the purpose. " You see I had a 
 call to Concurd early this morning" 
 
 " Concord !" exclaimed Lionel 
 
 " Yes, Concurd," returned Seth, laying great
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 177 
 
 stress on the first syllable, and speaking with an 
 air of extreme innocence " it lies here-away, 
 say twenty or one-and-tvventy miles" 
 
 " Damn your Concords and your miles too," 
 cried Polwarth ; " is there a man in the army 
 who can forget the deceitful place ! Go on with 
 your defence, without talking to us of the distance, 
 who have measured the road by inches." 
 
 " The captain is hasty and rash !" said the de 
 liberate prisoner " but being there, I went out 
 of the town with some company that I happened 
 in with ; and after a time we concluded to return 
 and so, as we came to a bridge about a mile be 
 yond the place, we received considerable rough 
 treatment from some of the king's troops, who 
 were standing there " 
 
 "What did they?" 
 
 " They fired at us, and killed two of our com 
 pany, besides other threatening doings. There 
 were some among us that took the matter up in 
 considerable earnest, and there was a sharp toss 
 about it for a few minutes ; though finally the law 
 prevailed." 
 
 " The law !" 
 
 " Certain 'tis ag'in all law, I believe the major 
 will own, to shoot peaceable men on the public 
 highway !" 
 
 " Proceed with your tale in your own way." 
 
 " That is pretty much the whole of it," said 
 Seth, warily. " The people rather took that, 
 and some other things that happened at Lexing 
 ton, to heart, and I suppose the major knows the 
 rest." 
 
 " But what has all this to do with your at 
 tempt to murder me, you hypocrite?" demanded 
 M'Fuse " confess the whole, ye thief, that I 
 may hang you with an aisy conscience." 
 
 " Enough," said Lionel; " the man has acknow 
 ledged sufficient already to justify us in transfer-
 
 178 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 ring him to the custody of others let him be 
 taken to the main guard, and delivered as a pri 
 soner of this day." 
 
 " I hope the major will look to the things," said 
 Seth, who instantly prepared to depart, but stop 
 ped on the threshold to speak " I shall hold 
 him accountable for all." 
 
 " Your property shall be protected, and I hope 
 your life may not be in jeopardy," returned Lio 
 nel, waving his hand for those who guarded him 
 to proceed. Seth turned, and left his own dwell 
 ing with the same quiet air which had distinguish 
 ed him throughout the day ; though there were 
 occasional flashes from his quick, dark eyes, 
 that looked like the glimmerings of a fading 
 fire. Notwithstanding the threatening denunci 
 ation he* had encountered, he left the house 
 with a perfect conviction, that if his case were 
 to be tried by those principles of justice which 
 every man in the Colony so well understood, it 
 would be found that both he and his fellows had 
 kept thoroughly on the windy side of the law. 
 
 During this singular and characteristic dis 
 course, Polwarth, with the solitary exception we 
 have recorded, had employed his time in for 
 warding the preparations for the banquet. 
 
 As Seth and his train disappeared, Lionel 
 cast a furtive look at Job, who was a quiet 
 and apparently an undisturbed spectator of the 
 scene, and then turned his attention suddenly 
 to his guests, as if fearful the folly of the change 
 ling might betray his agency also in the deeds 
 of the day. The simplicity of the lad, however, 
 defeated the kind intentions of the major, for he 
 immediately observed, without the least indica 
 tion of fear 
 
 "The king can't hang Seth Sage for firing 
 back, when the rake-helly soldiers began first. 5 '
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 179 
 
 " Perhaps you were out too, master Solomon," 
 cried M'Fuse, " amusing yourself at Concord, 
 with a small party of select friends !" 
 
 " Job didn't go any further than Lexington," 
 returned the lad, " and he hasn't got any friend, 
 except old Nab." 
 
 " The devil has possessed the minds of the 
 people !" continued the grenadier " lawyers and 
 doctors praists and sinners old and young 
 big- and little, beset us ir our march, and here is 
 a fool to be added to the number ! I dare say 
 that fellow, now, has attempted murder in his 
 day too." 
 
 "Job scorns such wickedness," returned the 
 unmoved simpleton ; " he only shot one gran 
 ny, and hit an officer in the arm." 
 
 " D'ye hear that, Major Lincoln !" cried 
 M'Fuse, jumping from the seat, which, notwith 
 standing the bitterness of his language, he had 
 hitherto perseveringly maintained ; " d'ye hear 
 that shell of a man, that effigy, boasting of hav 
 ing killed a grenadier !" 
 
 " Hold" interrupted Lionel, arresting his ex 
 cited companion by the arm " remember, we 
 are soldiers, and that the boy is not a responsible 
 being. No tribunal would ever sentence such an 
 unfortunate creature to a gibbet ; and in general 
 he is as harmless as a babe " 
 
 " The devil burn such babes a pretty fellow 
 is he to kill a man of six feet ! and with a ducking 
 gun I'll engage. I'll not bang the rascal, Major 
 Lincoln, since it is your particular wish I'll only 
 have him buried alive." 
 
 Job continued perfectly unmoved in his chair, 
 and the captain, ashamed of his resentment 
 against such unconscious imbecility, was soon 
 persuaded to abandon his intentions of revenge, 
 though he continued muttering his threats against 
 the provincials, and his denunciations against
 
 180 LIONEL LINCOLN'. 
 
 such " an unmanly spacies of warfare," until the 
 much-needed repast was ended. 
 
 Polwarth having restored the equilibrium of 
 his system by a hearty meal, hobbled to his 
 bed, -and M'Fuse, without any ceremony, look 
 possession of another of the apartments in the 
 tenement of Mr. Sage. The servants withdrew 
 to their own entertainment, and Lionel, who had 
 been sitting for the last half hour in melancholy 
 silence, now unexpectedly found himself alone 
 with the changeling. Job had waited for this 
 moment with exceeding patience, but when the 
 door closed on Meriton, who was the last to 
 retire, he made a movement that indicated some 
 communication of more than usual importance, 
 and succeeded in attracting the attention of his 
 companion. 
 
 " Foolish boy !" exclaimed Lionel, as he met 
 the unmeaning eye of the other, " did I not warn 
 you that wicked men might endanger your life ! 
 how was it that I saw you in arms to-day, against 
 the troops?" 
 
 " How carne the troops in arms ag'in Jobr : ' 
 returned the changelint " they needn't think to 
 wheel about the Bay-Province, clashing their 
 godless drums and trumpet^, burning housen, and 
 shooting people, and find no stir about it !" 
 
 " Do you know that your life has been twice 
 forfeited within twelve hours, by your own con 
 fession ; once for murder, and again for treason 
 against your king ? You have acknowledged kill 
 ing a man !" 
 
 " Yes," said the lad, with undisturbed simplici 
 ty, " Job shot the granny ; but he didn't let the 
 people kill Major Lincoln." 
 
 " True, true," said Lionel, hastily " I owe my 
 life to you, and that debt shall be cancelled at 
 every hazard. But why have you put yourself
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 181 
 
 into the hands of your enemies so thoughtlessly 
 what brings you here to-night r"' 
 
 " Ralph told me to come ; and if Ralph told 
 Job to go into the king's parlour, he would go." 
 
 " Ralph !" exclaimed Lionel, stopping in his 
 hurried walk across the room, and where is he ?" 
 
 " In the old ware-'us', and he has sent me to 
 tell you to come to him and what Ralph says 
 must be done." 
 
 " He here too ! is the ruan crazed would not 
 his fears teach him " 
 
 " Fears !" interrupted Job, with singular dis 
 dain " you can't frighten Ralph ! The gran 
 nies couldn't frighten ,him, nor the light-infantry 
 couldn't hit him, though he eat nothing but 
 their smoke the whole day Ralph's a proper 
 warrior!" 
 
 " And he waits me, you say, in the tenement 
 of your mother ?" 
 
 " Job don't know what tenement means, but 
 he's in the old ware-'us'." 
 
 " Come, then," said Lionel, taking his hat, 
 " let us go to him I must save him from the 
 effects of his own rashness, though it cost my 
 commission !" 
 
 He left the room while speaking, and the sim 
 pleton followed close at his heels, well content 
 with having executed his mission without en 
 countering any greater difficulties. 
 
 VOL.
 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 '- This play is the image of a murder done i Vienna . 
 " Gonzago is the Duke's name ; his wife, Bapiista : 
 " You shall see, anon ; 'tis a kwAvish piece of work.' 1 
 
 Hamlet, 
 
 THE agitation and deep excitement produced 
 by the events of the day, had not yet subsided 
 in the town, when Lionel found himself again 
 in its narrow streets. Men passed swiftly by him, 
 as if bent on some unusual and earnest business; 
 and more than once the young soldier detected 
 the triumphant smiles of the women, as the\ 
 looked curiously out on the scene, from their half- 
 open windows, and their eyes detected the pro 
 fessional trappings of his dress. Strong bodies of 
 the troops" were marching in different directions, 
 and in a manner which denoted that the guards 
 were strengthening, while the few solitary officers 
 he met watched his approaching figure with 
 cautious jealousy, as if they apprehended a dan 
 gerous enemy in every form they encountered. 
 
 The gates of Province-house were open, and, 
 as usual, guarded by armed men. As Lionel 
 passed leisurely along, he perceived that the gre 
 nadier to whom he had spoken OH the preceding
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 183 
 
 e'vening, again held his watch before the portal 
 of the governor. 
 
 " Your experience did not deceive you, my 
 old comrade," said Lionel, lingering a moment 
 to address him " we have had a warm day." 
 
 " So it is reported in the barracks, you* 
 honour," returned the soldier " our company 
 was not ordered out, and we are to stand douWe 
 duty. I hope to God the next time there is 
 
 any thing to do, the grenadiers of the th may 
 
 not be left behind it would have been for the 
 credit of the army had they been in the field 
 to-day." 
 
 " Why do you think so, my veteran ? The 
 men who were out are thought to have behaved 
 well ; but it was impossible to make head against 
 a multitude in arms." 
 
 " It is not my place, your honour, to say this 
 man did well, and that man behaved amiss," re 
 turned the proud old soldier ; " but when I hear 
 of two thousand British troops turning their backs, 
 or quickening their march before all the rabble 
 this country can muster, I want the flank compa 
 nies of the th to be at hand, if it should be 
 
 only that I may say I have witnessed the disgrace 
 ful sight with my own eyes." 
 
 "There is no disgrace where there is no mis 
 conduct," said Lionel. 
 
 "There must have been misconduct some 
 where, your honour, or such a thing could not 
 have happened consider, your honour, the very 
 flower of the army ! Something must have been 
 wrong, and although I could see the latter part of 
 the business from the hills, I can hardly believe it 
 to be true." As he concluded, he shook his head, 
 and continued his steady pace along his allotted 
 ground, as if unwilling to pursue the humiliating 
 subject any further. Lionel passed slowly on.
 
 184 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 musing on that deep-rooted prejudice, which had 
 even taught this humble menial of the crown to 
 regard with contempt a whole nation, because 
 they were believed to be dependants. 
 
 The dock-square was stiller than usual, and 
 the sounds of revelry, which it was usual to hear at 
 that hour from the adjacent drinking-houses, 
 \?ere no longer audible. The moon had not yet 
 risen, and Lionel passed under the dark arches of 
 the market with a quick step, as he now remem 
 bered that one in whom he felt so deep an interest 
 awaited his appearance. Job, who had followed 
 in silence, glided by him on the drawbridge, and 
 stood holding the door of the old building in his 
 hand, when he reached its threshold. Lionel 
 found the large space in the centre of the ware 
 house, as usual, dark and empty, though the dim 
 light of a candle glimmered through the fissures in 
 a partition which separated an apartment in one of 
 the little towers that was occupied by Abigail 
 Pray, from the ruder parts of the edifice. Low 
 voices were also heard issuing from this room, and 
 Major Lincoln, supposing he should find the old 
 man and the mother of Job in conference to 
 gether, turned to request the lad would precede 
 him, and announce his name. But the change 
 ling had also detected the whispering sounds, and 
 it would seem with a more cunning ear, for he 
 turned and darted through the door of the build 
 ing with a velocity that did not abate until Lio 
 nel, who watched his movements with amazement, 
 saw his shuffling figure disappear among the 
 shambles of the market-place. Thus deserted by 
 his guide, Lionel groped his way towards the 
 place where he believed he should find the door 
 which led into the tower. The light deceived 
 him, for as he approached it, his eye glanced 
 through one of the crevices of the wall, and he
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 185 
 
 again became an unintentional witness of an 
 other of those interviews which evinced the sin 
 gular and mysterious affinity between the fortunes 
 of the affluent and respected Mrs. Lechmere and 
 the miserable tenant of the warehouse. Until 
 that moment, the hurry of events, and the crowd 
 of reflections which had rushed over the mind of 
 the young man throughout the busy time of the 
 last twenty-four hours, had prevented his recalling 
 the hidden meaning of the singular discourse of 
 which he had already been an auditor. But now, 
 when he found his aunt led into these haunts of 
 beggary, by a feeling he was not weak enough to 
 attribute to her charity, he stood rooted to the 
 spot by a curiosity, which, at the same time that he 
 found it irresistible, he was willing to excuse, un 
 der a strong impression that these private com 
 munications were in some way connected with 
 himself. 
 
 Mrs. Lechmere had evidently muffled her per 
 son in a manner that was intended to conceal 
 this mysterious visit from any casual observer of 
 her movements; but the hoops of her large calash 
 were now so far raised as to admit a distinct view 
 of her withered features, and of the hard eye which 
 shot forth its selfish, worldly glances, from amid 
 the surrounding decay of nature. She was seat 
 ed, both in indulgence to her infirmities, and 
 from that assumption of superiority she never ne 
 glected in the presence of her inferiors, while her 
 companion stood before her, in an attitude that 
 partook more of restraint than of respect. 
 
 " Your weakness, foolish woman," said Mrs. 
 Lechmere, in those stern, repulsive tones she so 
 well knew how to use when she wished to intimi 
 date, " will yet prove your ruin. You owe it to 
 respect for yourself, to your character, and even 
 to your safety, that vou should exhibit more firm- 
 17"
 
 186 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 ness, and show yourself above this weak and 
 idle superstition." 
 
 " My ruin ! and my character !" returned Abi 
 gail, looking about her with a haggard eye and a 
 trembling lip ; " what is ruin, Madam Lechmere, 
 if this poverty be not called so! or what loss of 
 character can bring upon me more biting scorn 
 than I am now ordained to suffer for rny sins !" 
 
 " Perhaps," said Mrs. Lechmere, endeavouring 
 to affect a kinder tone, though dislike was still too 
 evident in her manner, "in the hurry of my grand- 
 nephew's reception, I have forgotten rny usual 
 liberality." 
 
 The woman look the piece of silver which 
 Mrs. Lechmere slowly placed in her hand, and 
 held it in her open palm for several moments, re 
 garding it with a vacant look, which the other 
 mistook for dissatisfaction. 
 
 " The troubles, and the decreasing value ol 
 property, have sensibly affected my income," con 
 tinued the richly clad and luxurious Mrs. Lech 
 mere ; " but if that should be too little for your 
 immediate wants, I will add to it another crown." 
 
 " ''Twill do 'twill do," said Abigail, clenching 
 her hand over the money, with a grasp that wa<- 
 convulsive " yes, yes, 'twill do. Oh ! Madam 
 Lechmere, humbling and sinful as that wicked 
 passion is, would to God that no motive worse 
 than avarice had proved my ruin!" 
 
 Lionel thought his aunt cast an uneasy and 
 embarrassed glance at her companion, which he 
 construed into an expression that betrtiyed there 
 were secrets even between these strange con 
 fidants ; but the momentary surprise exhibited in 
 her features, soon gave place to her habitual look 
 of guarded and severe formality; and she replied, 
 with p.n air of (!o:dnes. as if she would repulse
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 187 
 
 any .approach to an acknowledgment of their 
 common transgression 
 
 " The woman talks like one who is beside her 
 self! of what crime has she been guilt)', but such 
 as those to which our nature is liable !" 
 
 " True, true," said Abigail Pray, with a half- 
 stifled, hysterical laugh " 'tis our guilty, guilty 
 nature, as you say. But I grow nervous, I believe. 
 as 1 grow old and feeble, Madam Lechmere ; and 
 I often forget myself. The sight of the grave so 
 very near, is apt to bring thoughts of repentance 
 to such as are more hardened even than I." 
 
 " Foolish girl !" said Mrs. Lechmere, endea 
 vouring to skreen her pallid features, by drawing 
 down her calash, with a hand that trembled 
 more with terror than with age, " why should you 
 speak thus freely of death, who are but a child !" 
 
 Lionel heard the faltering, husky tones of his 
 aunt, as they appeared to die in her throat, but 
 nothing more was distinctly audible, until, after a 
 long pause, she raised her face, and looked about 
 her again with her severe, unbending eye, and 
 continued 
 
 " Enough of this folly, Abigail Pray I have 
 come to learn more of your strange inmate " 
 
 " Oh! 'tis not enough, Madam Lechmere," in 
 terrupted the conscience-stricken woman; "we 
 have so little time left us for penitence and prayer, 
 that there never can be enough, I fear, to an 
 swer our mighty transgressions. Let us speak of 
 the grave, Madam Lechmere, while we can yet 
 do it on this side of eternity." 
 
 " Ay ! speak of the grave, while out of its 
 damp cloisters; 'tis the home of the aged," said 
 a third voice, whose hollow tones might well 
 have issued from some tomb. " and I am here 
 to join in the wholesome theme." 
 
 "Who who in the name of God. who art
 
 I8S LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 thou !" exclaimed Mrs. Lechmere, forgetting her 
 infirmities, and her secret compunctions, in new 
 emotions, and rising involuntarily from her seat; 
 " tell me, I conjure thee, who art thou ?" 
 
 "One, aged like thyself, Priscilla Lechmere, 
 and standing on the threshold of that final home 
 of which you would discourse. Speak on, then, 
 ye widowed women ; for if ever ye have done 
 aught that calls for forgiveness, 'tis in the grave ye 
 shall find the heavenly gift of mercy offered to your 
 unworthiness." 
 
 By changing the position of his body a little, 
 Lionel was now enabled to command a view of 
 the whole apartment. In the door-way stood 
 Ralph, immovable in his attitude, with one 
 hand raised high towards heaven, and the other 
 pointing impressively downward, as if about to 
 lay bare the secrets of that tomb of which his 
 wasted limbs, and faded lineaments marked him 
 as a fit tenant, while his searching eye-balls 
 glared about him, from the face of one to the 
 other, with that look of quickness and penetra 
 tion, that Abigail Pray had so well described as 
 'scorching.' Within a few feet of the old man, 
 JVJrs. Lechmere remained standing, rigid and 
 motionless as marble, her calash fallen back, 
 and her death-like features exposed, with hor 
 ror and astonishment rooted in every muscle, 
 as with open mouth, and eyes riveted on the 
 intruder, she gazed as steadily as if placed in 
 that posture by the chisel of the statuary. Abi 
 gail shaded her eyes with her hand, arid buried 
 her face in the folds of her garments, while 
 strong convulsive shudderings ran through her 
 frame, and betrayed the extent of the emotions 
 she endeavoured to conceal. Amaxed at what 
 he had witnessed, and concerned for the ap 
 parent insensibility of his aunt, whose great age
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 189 
 
 rendered such scenes dangerous, Lionel was about 
 to rush into the apartment, when Mrs. Lech- 
 mere so far recovered her faculties as to speak, 
 and the young man lost every consideration in a, 
 burning curiosity, which was powerfully justified 
 by his situation. 
 
 " Who is it that calls me by the name of Pris- 
 eilla?" said Mrs. Lechmere ; "none now live who 
 can claim to be so familiar." 
 
 " Priscilla Priscilla," repeated the old man, 
 looking about him, as if he would require the. 
 presence of another ; " it is a soft and pleasant 
 sound to my ears, and there is one that owns it 
 besides thee, as thou knowest." 
 
 " She is dead ; years have gone by since I saw 
 her in her coffin ; and I would forget her, and all 
 like her, who have proved unworthy of my blood." 
 
 " She is not dead !" shouted the old man, in 
 a voice that rung through the naked rafters of 
 the edifice like the unearthly tones of sr-rne spirit 
 of the air ; " she lives she lives av ! she yet 
 lives !" 
 
 " Lives!" repeated Mrs. Lechmere, recoiling 
 a step before the forward movement of the other j 
 " why am I so weak as to listen! 'tis impossible." 
 
 " Lives !" exclaimed Abigail Pray, clasping 
 her hands with agony ; " Oh ! would to God she 
 did live ! but did I not see her a bloated, dis 
 figured corpse! did I not with these very hands 
 place the grave-clothes about her once lovely 
 
 frame ! Oh ! no she is dead dead and I am. 
 a 
 
 " 'Tis some madman that asserts these idle 
 tales," exclaimed Mrs. Lechmere, with a quick 
 ness that interrupted the criminal epithet the other 
 was about to apply to herself. " The unfortunate 
 girl is long since dead, as we know ; why should 
 we reason with a maniac ?"
 
 190 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " Maniac !" repeated Rafph, with an expres 
 sion of the most taunting irony; "no no no 
 such an one there is, as you and I well know, 
 but 'tis not [ who am mad thou art rather 
 crazed thyself, woman ; thou hast made one 
 maniac already, wouldst thou make another ?" 
 
 " I !" said Mrs. Lechmere, without quailing 
 before the ardent look she encountered " that 
 God who bestows reason, recalls his gift at will j 
 'tis not I who exercise such power." 
 
 " How say'st thou, Priscilla Lechmere ?" cried 
 Ralph, stepping with an inaudible tread so nigh 
 as to grasp, unpcrceived, her motionless arm with 
 his, own wasted fingers ; " yes 1 will call thee 
 Priscilla, little as thou deserves! such a holy name 
 dost thou deny the power to craze where, 
 then, is the head of thy boasted race? the proud 
 Baronet of Devonshire, the wealthy, and respect 
 ed, and once happy companion of Princes thy 
 nephew Lionel Lincoln? Is he in the halls of his 
 fathers? leading the armies of his king? ruling 
 and protecting his household ? or is he the te 
 nant of a gloomy cell ? thou knowest he is 
 thou knowest he is and, woman, thy vile ma 
 chinations have placed him there !" 
 
 " Who is it that dare thus speak to me !" de 
 manded Mrs. Lechmere, rallying her faculties 
 with a mighty effort, to look down this charge 
 " if my unhappy nephew is indeed known to thee y 
 thy own knowledge will refute this base accusa 
 tion" 
 
 "Known to me ! I would ask what is hid from 
 me? I have looked at thee, and observed thy 
 conduct, woman, for the life of man, and nothing 
 that thou hast done is hid from me I tell thee, 
 I know all. Of this sinful woman here also, I know 
 all have I not told thee, Abigail Pray, of thy 
 most secret transgressions ?"
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 191 
 
 " Oh ! yes yes ; he is indeed acquainted 
 with what I had thought was now concealed 
 from every eye but that of God" cried Abigail, 
 with superstitious terror 
 
 "Norofthee am I ignorant, thou miserable 
 widow of John Lechmere ; and of Priscilla, too, 
 do I not know all ?" 
 
 11 All !" again exclaimed Abigail 
 
 "All!" repeated Mrs. Lechmere in a voice 
 barely audible, when she sunk back in her chair, 
 in a state of total insensibility The breathless inte 
 rest he felt in all that had passed, could detain 
 Lionel no longer from rushing to the assistance of 
 his aunt. Abigail Pray, who, it would seem, had 
 been in some measure accustomed to such scenes 
 with her lodger, retained, however, sufficient self- 
 command to anticipate his motions, and when he 
 had gained the door he found her already support 
 ing, and making the usual applications to Mrs, 
 Lechmere. It became necessary to divest the suf 
 ferer of part of her attire, and Abigail assuring 
 Lionel of her perfect competency to act by herself, 
 requested him to withdraw, not only on that ac 
 count, but because she felt assured that nothing 
 could prove more dangerous to her reviving pa 
 tient, than his unexpected presence. After linger 
 ing a moment, until he witnessed the signs of 
 returning life, Lionel complied with the earnest 
 entreaties of the woman ; and leavirlg the room, 
 he groped his way to the foot of the ladder, with 
 a determination to ascend to the apartment of 
 Ralph, in order to demand at once an explana 
 tion of what he had just seen and heard. He 
 found the old man seated in his little tower, hip 
 hand shading his eyes from the feeble light of 
 the miserable candle, and his head drooping upon 
 his bosom, like one in pensive musing. Lionel 
 approached him, without appearing to attract
 
 192 L10SEL LINCOLN* 
 
 his attention, and was compelled to speak, ia or 
 der to announce his presence. 
 
 " I have received your summons, by Job,'-' 
 he said, " and have obeyed it." 
 
 " 'Tis well," returned Ralph. 
 
 "Perhaps I should add that I have been an as 
 tonished witness of your interview with Mrs. 
 Lechmere, and have heard the bold and unac 
 countable language you have seen proper to use 
 to that lady." 
 
 The old man now raised his head, and Lionel 
 saw the bright rays from his eyes quicken, as 
 he answered 
 
 " You then heard the truth, and witnessed its 
 effects on a guilty conscience." 
 
 " I also heard what you call the truth, in con 
 nexion, -as you know, with the names most dear 
 to me." 
 
 " Art certain of it, boy ?" returned Ralph, 
 looking the other steadily in the face; "has 
 no other become dearer to you, of late, than 
 the authors of your being speak, and remember 
 that you answer one of no common knowledge." 
 
 "What mean you, sir! is it in nature to love 
 any as we do a parent ?" 
 
 "Away with this childish simplicity, "continued 
 the other sternly; "the grandchild of that 
 wretched woman below do you not love her, 
 and can I put trusi in thee !" 
 
 " What trust is there incompatible with affec 
 tion for a being so pure as Cecil Dynevor ?" 
 
 " Ay," murmured the old man in an under 
 tone, "her mother was pure, and why may not the 
 child be worthy of its parentage ?" He paused, 
 and a long, and on the part of Lionel, a painful 
 and embarrassed silence succeeded, which was at 
 length broken by Ralph, who said, abruptly 
 *' you were in the field to-day, Major Lincoln."
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 193 
 
 ' Of that you must be certain, as I owe my life 
 to your kind interposition. But why have you 
 braved the danger of an arrest, by trusting your 
 person in the power of the troops? Your presence 
 and activity among the Americans must be 
 known to many in the army besides myself." 
 
 " And would they think of searching for theii 
 enemies within the streets of Boston, when the hills 
 without are filling with armed men! My residence 
 in this building is known only to the woman below, 
 who dare not betray me, her worthy son, and to 
 you. My movements are secret and sudden 
 when men least expect them. Danger cannot 
 touch such as I." 
 
 "But," said Lionel, hesitating with embar 
 rassment, " ought I to conceal the presence of 
 one whom I know to be inimical to my king ?" 
 
 "Lionel Lincoln, you overrate your courage," 
 interrupted Ralph, smiling in scorn " you 
 dare not shed the blood of him who has spared 
 your own; 1 but enough of this we understand 
 each other, and one old as I should be a stranger 
 to fear ?" 
 
 " No, no," said a low, solemn voice, from a 
 dark corner of the apartment, where Job had 
 stolen unseen, and was now nestled in security 
 "you can't frighten Ralph !" 
 
 " The boy is a worthy boy, and he knows good 
 from evil ; what more is necessary to man in this 
 wicked world !" muttered Ralph, in those quick 
 and indistinct tones that characterized his manner. 
 
 " Whence came you, fellow, and why did you 
 abandon me so abruptly f" demanded Lionel. 
 
 " Job has just been into the market to see if he 
 couldn't find something that might be good for 
 Nab." returned the lad. 
 
 " Think not to impose on me with this non- 
 
 VOL. I. l g
 
 194 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 sense! Is food to be purchased at any hour of 
 the night, though you had the means !" 
 
 " Now that is convincing the king's officers 
 don't know every thing," said the simpleton, 
 laughing within himself" here's as good a 
 pound bill, old tenor, as was ever granted by 
 the Bay-Colony, and meat's no such rarity, 
 that a man, who has a pound-bill, old tenor, in 
 his pocket, can't go under old Funnel when he 
 pleases, for all their acts of parliament." 
 
 " You have plundered the dead !" cried Lio 
 nel, observing that Job exhibited in his hand 
 several pieces of silver, besides the note he had 
 mentioned. 
 
 "Don't call Job a thief!" said the lad, with 
 a threatening air ; " there's law in the Bay 
 yet, though the people don't use it; and right 
 will be done to all, when the time cornes. Job 
 shot a granny, but he's no thief." 
 
 " You were then paid for your secret errand, 
 last night, foolish boy ; and have been tempted 
 to run into danger by money. Let it be the 
 last time in future, when you want, come to me 
 for assistance." 
 
 "Job won't go of a'r'nds for the king if he'd 
 give him his golden crown, with all its di'monds 
 and flauntiness, unless Job pleases, for there's no 
 law for it." 
 
 Lionel, with a view to appease the irritated 
 lad, now made a few kind and conciliating 
 remarks, but the changeling did not deign to re 
 ply, falling back in his corner in a sullen manner, 
 as if he would repair the fatigue of the day by a 
 few moments of sleep. In the mean time, Ralph 
 had sunk into a profound reverie, when the youni 
 soldier remembered that the hour was late, 
 and he had yet obtained no explanation of the 
 mysterious charges. He therefore alluded to
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 195 
 
 the subject, in a manner \vhich he thought 
 best adapted to obtain the desired intelligence. 
 The instant Lionel mentioned the agitation of his 
 aunt, his companion raised his head again, and a 
 smile like thai of fierce exaltation lighted the 
 wan face of the old man, who answered, pointing 
 with an emphatic gesture to his own bosom 
 
 " 'Twas here, boy, 'twas here nothing short 
 of the power of conscience, and a knowledge 
 like that of mine, could strike that woman speech 
 less in the presence of any thing human." 
 
 "But what is this extraordinary knowledge? 
 I am in some degree the natural protector of 
 Mrs. Lechmere, and independent of my indivi^ 
 dual interest in your secret, have a right, in her 
 behalf, to require an explanation of such serious 
 allegations." 
 
 " In her behalf!" repeated Ralph. " Wait, im 
 petuous young man, until she bids you push the 
 inquiry it shall then be answered, in a voice 
 of thunder." 
 
 " If not in justice to my aged aunt, at least re 
 member your repeated promises to unfold that 
 sad tale of my own domestic sorrows, of which 
 you claim to be the master." 
 
 " Ay, of that, and much more, am I in posses 
 sion," returned the old man, smiling, as if con 
 scious of his knowledge and power ; " if you 
 doubt it, descend and ask the miserable tenant 
 of this, warehouse or the guilty widow of John 
 Lechmere." 
 
 " Nay, I doubt nothing but my own patience ; 
 the moments fly swiftly, and 1 have yet to learn 
 all I wish to know." 
 
 " This is neither the time, nor is it the place, 
 where you are to hear the tale," returned Ralph ; 
 " I have already said that we shall meet be 
 yond the colleges for that purpose."
 
 196 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " But after the events of this day, who can tell 
 when it will be in the power of an officer of the 
 crown to visit the colleges in safety ?" 
 
 " What !" cried the old man, laughing aloud, 
 in the bitterness of his scorn " has the boy found 
 the strength and the will of the despised colonists 
 so soon ! But I pledge to thee my word, that 
 thou shall yet see the place, and in safety. Yes, 
 yes, Priscilla Lechmere, thy hour'is at hand, and 
 thy doom is sealed for ever !" 
 
 Lionel again mentioned his aunt, and alluded 
 to the necessity of his soon rejoining her, as 
 he already heard footsteps below, which indicated 
 that preparations were making for her departure. 
 But his petitions and remonstrances were now 
 totally unheeded, his aged companion was pacing 
 swiftly up and down his small apartment, mutter 
 ing incoherent sentences, in which the name of 
 Priscilla was alone audible, and his countenance 
 betraying the inward workings of absorbing and 
 fierce passions. In a few moments more, the 
 shrill voice of Abigail was heard calling upon her 
 son, in a manner which plainly denoted her know 
 ledge that the changeling was concealed some 
 where about the building. Job heard her calls re 
 peated, until the tones of her voice became angry 
 and threatening, when he stole slowly from his 
 corner, and moved towards the ladder, with a 
 sunken brow and lingering steps. Lionel now 
 knew not how to act. His aunt was still ignorant 
 of his presence, and he thought if Abigail Pray 
 had wished him to appear, he would in some 
 manner be soon included in the summons. He had 
 also his own secret reasons for wishing his visits 
 to Ralph unknown ; accordingly, he determined 
 to watch the movements below, under the favour 
 of the darkness, and to be governed entirely 03
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 197 
 
 circumstances. He took no leave of his compa 
 nion on departing, for long use had so far accus 
 tomed him to the eccentric manner of the old 
 man, that he well knew any attempt to divert 
 his attention from his burning thoughts, would be 
 futile at a moment of such intense excitement. 
 
 From the head of the ladder where Lionel 
 took his stand, he saw Mrs. Lechmere, preced 
 ed by Job with a lantern, walking with a firmer 
 step than he could have hoped for, towards the 
 door, and he overheard Abigail cautioning her 
 wilful son to light her visiter to a neighbouring 
 corner, where it appeared a conveyance was in 
 waiting. On the threshold, his aunt turned, and 
 the light from the candle of Abigail falling on her 
 features, Lionel caught a full view of her cold, 
 hard eye, which had regained all its worldly ex 
 pression, though softened a little by a deeper 
 shade of thought than usual. 
 
 " Let the scene of to-night be forgotten, my 
 good Abigail," she said. " Your lodger is a 
 nameless being, who has gleaned some idle tale, 
 and wishes to practise on our credulity to en 
 rich himself. I will consider more of it; but 
 on no account do you hold any further com 
 munion with him I must remove you, my trusty 
 woman ; this habitation is unworthy of you, and 
 of your dutiful son, too I must see you better 
 lodged, rny good Abigail, indeed I must." 
 
 Lionel could distinguish the slight shudder that 
 passed through the frame of her companion, as 
 she alluded to the doubtful character of Ralph; 
 but without answering, Abigail held the door open 
 for the departure of her guest. The instant Mrs. 
 Lechmere disappeared, Lionel glided down the 
 ladder, and stood before the astonished woman. 
 
 " When I tell you 1 have heard all that passed 
 to-night," he abruptly said, "you will see the folly 
 18 *
 
 198 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 of any further attempt at concealment I now 
 demand so much of your secret as affects the hap 
 piness of rne or mine." 
 
 " No no not of me, Major Lincoln," sawl 
 the terrified female " not of me, for the love oi 
 God, not of me I have sworn to keep it, and 
 
 one oath " her emotions choked her, and her 
 
 voice became indistinct. 
 
 Lionel regretted his vehemence, and ashamed 
 to extort a confession from a woman, he attempt 
 ed to pacify her feelings, promising to require no 
 further communication at that time. 
 
 " Go go" she said, motioning him to depart. 
 " and I shall be well again leave me, and then 
 I shall be alone with that terrible old man, and 
 my God !" 
 
 Perceiving her earnestness, he reluctantly com 
 plied, and meeting Job on the threshold, he ceas 
 ed to feel any further uneasiness for her safety. 
 
 During his rapid walk to Tremont-street, Major 
 Lincoln thought intently on all he had heard and 
 witnessed. He remembered the communications 
 by which Ralph had attained such a powerful 
 interest in his feelings, and he fancied he could 
 discover a pledge of the truth of the old man's 
 knowledge in the guilt betrayed by the manner 
 of his aunt. From Mrs. Lechmere his thought? 
 recurred to her lovely grandchild, and for a mo 
 ment he was .perplexed, by endeavouring to ex 
 plain her contradictory deportment towards him 
 self; at one lime she was warm, frank, and 
 even affectionate; and at another, as in the short 
 and private interview of that very evening, 
 cold, constrained, and repulsive. Then, again, 
 he recollected the object which had chiefly in 
 duced him to follow his regiment to his native 
 country, and the recollection was attended 
 by that shade of dejection which such reflection?
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 199 
 
 never failed to cast across his intelligent fea 
 tures. On reaching the house, he ascertained 
 the safe return of Mrs. Lechmere, who had 
 already retired to her room, attended by her 
 lovely relatives. Lionel immediately followed 
 their example, and as the excitement of that 
 memorable and busy day subsided, it was suc 
 ceeded by a deep sleep, that fell on his senses 
 like the forgetfulness of the dead.
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 (i Now let it work : Mischief thou art afoot,. 
 " Take thou what course thou wilt !" 
 
 Shakspeare. 
 
 THE alarm of the inroad passed swiftly ty 
 the low shores of the Atlantic, and was heard 
 echoing among the rugged mountains west of 
 the rivers, as if borne along on a whirlwind. The 
 male population, between the rolling waters of 
 Massachusetts-Bay and the limpid stream of the 
 Connecticut, rose as one man ; and as the cry 
 of blood was sounded far inland, the hills and 
 valleys, the highways and footpaths, were seen co 
 vered with bands of armed husbandmen, pressing 
 eagerly toward the scene of the war. Within 
 eight-and-forty hours after the fatal meeting at 
 Lexington, it was calculated that more than a 
 hundred thousand men were in arms; and near 
 one-fourth of that number was gathered before 
 the Peninsulas of Boston and Charlestown. 
 They who were precluded by distance, and a 
 want of military provisions to support such a 
 concourse, from participating in the more im 
 mediate contest, lay by in expectation of the ar 
 rival of that moment when their zeal might also
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 201 
 
 be put to severer trials. In short, the sullen 
 quietude in which the colonies had been slum 
 bering for a year, was suddenly and rudely broken 
 by the events of that day; and the patriotic among 
 the people rose with such a cry of indignation 
 on their Ijps, that the disaffected, who were no 
 insignificant class in the more southern pro 
 vinces, were compelled to silence, until the first 
 burst of revolutionary excitement had an oppor 
 tunity to subside, under the never-failing influ 
 ence of time and suffering. 
 
 Gage, secure in his positions, and supported 
 by a constantly increasing power, as well as the 
 presence of a formidable fleet, looked on the 
 gathering storm with a steady eye, and with that 
 calmness which distinguished the mild benevo 
 lence of his private character. Though the at 
 titude and the intentions of the Americans could 
 no longer be mistaken, he listened with reluctant 
 ears to the revengeful advice of his counsellors, 
 and rather strove to appease the tumult, than to 
 attempt crushing it by a force, which, though a 
 month before, it had been thought equal to the 
 united power of the peaceful colonists, he now 
 prudently deemed no more than competent to 
 protect itself within its watery boundaries. Pro 
 clamations were, however, fulminated against the 
 rebels; and such other measures as were thought 
 indispensable to assert the dignity and authority 
 of the crown, were promptly adopted. Of course, 
 these harmless denunciations were disregarded, 
 and all his exhortations to return to an allegiance 
 which the people still denied had ever been im 
 paired, were lost amid the din of arms, and the 
 popular cries of the tirue. These appeals of the 
 British General, as well as sundry others, made 
 by the royal governors who yet held their rule 
 throughout all the provinces, except the one in
 
 202 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 which the scene of our tale is laid, were answered 
 by the people in humble, but manly petitions to 
 the throne for justice ; and in loud remonstrances 
 to the Parliament, requiring to be restored to the 
 possession of those rights and immunities which 
 should be secured to all who enjoyed the protec 
 tion of their common constitution. Still the power 
 arid prerogatives of the Prince were deeply re 
 spected, and were alluded to, in all public docu 
 ments, with the veneration which was thought due 
 to the sacredness of his character and station. 
 But that biting, though grave sarcasm which the 
 colonists knew so well how to use, was freely 
 expended on his ministers, who were accused of 
 devising the measures so destructive to the peace 
 of the empire. In this manner passed some weeks 
 after the series of skirmishes which were called 
 the battle of Lexington, from the circumstance 
 of commencing at the hamlet of that name, 
 both parties continuing to prepare for a mightier, 
 exhibition of their power and daring. 
 
 Lionel had by no means been an unconcern 
 ed spectator of these preparations The morn 
 ing after the return of the detachment, he applied 
 for a command, equal to his just expectations. 
 But while he was complimented on the spirit 
 and loyalty he had manifested on the late oc 
 casion, it was intimated to the young man that 
 he might be of more service to the cause of his 
 Prince, by devoting his time to the cultivation of 
 his interest among those powerful colonists with 
 whom his family was allied by blood, or con 
 nected by long and close intimacies. It was 
 even submitted to his own judgment whether it 
 would not be well, at some auspicious moment, 
 to trust his person without the defences of the 
 army, in the prosecution of this commendable 
 design. There was so much thai was flatter-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 203 
 
 Ing to the self-love, and soothing to the pride 
 of the young soldier, artfully mingled with these 
 ambiguous proposals, that he became content 
 to await the course of events, having, how 
 ever, secured a promise of obtaining a suitable 
 military command in the case of further hostili 
 ties. That such an event was at hand, could not 
 well be concealed from one much less observing 
 than Major Lincoln. 
 
 Gage had already abandoned his temporary 
 position in Charlestown, for the sake of procur 
 ing additional security by concentrating his 
 force. From the hills of the Peninsula of Bos 
 ton, it was apparent that the colonists were 
 fast assuming the front of men who were re 
 solved to beleaguer the army of the King. 
 Many of the opposite heights were already 
 crowned with hastily-formed works of earth, and 
 a formidable body of these unpractised warriors 
 had set themselves boldly down before the en 
 trance to the isthmus, cutting off all communica 
 tion with the adjacent country, and occupying 
 the little village of Roxbury, directly before the 
 muzzles of the British guns, with a hardiness that 
 would not have disgraced men much longer tried 
 in the field, and more inured to its dangers. 
 
 The surprise created in the army by these ap 
 pearances of skill and spirit among the hitherto 
 despised Americans, in some measure ceased 
 when the rumour spread itself in their camp, that 
 many gentlemen of the Provinces, who had served 
 with credit in the forces of the crown, at former 
 periods, were mingled with the people in sta 
 tions of responsibility and command. Among 
 others, Lionel heard the names of Ward and 
 Thomas; men of liberal attainments, and of some 
 experience in arms. Both were regularly com 
 missioned by the Congress of the colony as 
 leaders of their forces; and under their orders
 
 204 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 were numerous regiments duly organized ; pos 
 sessing all the necessary qualifications of sol 
 diers, excepting the two indispensible requisites 
 of discipline and arms. Lionel heard the name 
 of Warren mentioned oftener than any other 
 in the circles of Province-house, and with 
 that sort of bitterness, which, even while it 
 bespoke their animosity, betrayed the respect of 
 his enemies. This gentleman, who, until the last 
 moment had braved the presence of the royal 
 troops, and fearlessly advocated his principles, 
 while encircled with their bayonets, was now 
 known to have suddenly disappeared from 
 among them, abandoning home, property, and a 
 lucrative profession; and by' sharing in the 
 closing scenes of the day of Lexington, to have 
 fairly cast his fortunes on the struggle. But 
 the name which in secret possessed the greatest 
 charm for the ear of the young British soldier, 
 was that of Putnam, a yeoman of the neighbour 
 ing colony of Connecticut, who, as the uproar 
 of the alarm whirled by him, literally deserted 
 his plough, and mounting a beast from its team, 
 made an early halt, after a forced march of a 
 hundred miles, in the foremost ranks of his coun 
 trymen. While the name of this sturdy American 
 was passing in whispers among the veterans who 
 crowded the levees of Gage, a flood of melan 
 choly and tender recollections flashed through 
 the brain of the young man. He remembered 
 the frequent and interesting communications 
 which in his boyhood, he had held with his own 
 father, before the dark shade had passed across 
 the reason of Sir Lionel, and, in every tale of 
 murderous combats with the savage tenants of 
 the wilds, in each scene of danger and of dar 
 ing that had distinguished the romantic warfare 
 of the wilderness, and even in strange and fearful
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 encounters with the beasts of the forest, the name 
 of this man was blended with a species of chival 
 rous fame that is seldom obtained in an enlighten 
 ed age, and never undeservedly. The great 
 wealth of the family of Lincoln, and the high 
 expectations of its heir, had obtained for the latter 
 a military rank which at that period was rarely 
 enjoyed by any but such as had bought the dis 
 tinction by long and arduous services. Conse 
 quently, many of his equals had shared in those 
 trials of his father, in which the ' Lion heart' of 
 America had been so conspicuous for his deeds. 
 By these grave veterans, who should know him 
 besl, the name of Putnam was always mentioned 
 with strong and romantic affection; and when the 
 notable scheme of detaching him, by the pro 
 mise of office and wealth, from the cause of the 
 colonists was proposed by the cringing coun 
 sellors who surrounded the commander-in-chief, 
 it was listened to with a contemptuous incre 
 dulity by the former associates of the old par 
 tisan, that the result of the plan fully justified. 
 Similar inducements were offered to others among 
 the Americans, whose talents were thought wor 
 thy of purchase ; but so deep root had the prin 
 ciples of the day taken, that not a man of any note 
 was found to listen to the proposition. 
 
 While these subtle experiments were adopted 
 in the room of more energetic measures, troops 
 continued to arrive from England, and, before 
 the end of May, many leaders of renown ap 
 peared in the councils of Gage, who now pos 
 sessed a disposable force of not less than eight 
 thousand bayonets. With the appearance of these 
 reinforcements, the fallen pride of the army be 
 gan to revive, and the spirits of the haughty 
 young men who had so recently left the gay 
 parades of their boasted island, were chafed by 
 
 VOL. i. 19
 
 206 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 the reflection that such an army should be coop 
 ed within the narrow limits of the peninsula 
 by a band of half-armed husbandmen, destitute 
 alike of the knowledge of war and of most of 
 its munitions. This feeling was increased by 
 the taunts of the Americans themselves, who 
 now turned the tables on their adversaries, ap 
 plying, among other sneers, the term of "elbow- 
 room" freely to Burgoyne, one of those chief 
 tains of the royal army, who had boasted un 
 wittingly of the intention of himself and his 
 compeers, to widen the limits of the army im 
 mediately on their arrival at the scene of the 
 contest. The aspect of things within the Bri- 
 ish camp began to indicate, however, that their 
 leaders were serious in the intention to extend 
 their possessions, and all eyes were again turned 
 to the heights of Charlestown, the spot most like 
 ly to be first occupied. 
 
 No military positions could be more happily 
 situated, as respects locality, to support each 
 other, and to extend and weaken the lines of 
 their enemies, than the two opposite peninsulas 
 so often mentioned. The distance between them 
 was but six hundred yards, and the deep and 
 navigable waters by which they were nearly 
 surrounded, rendered it easy for the royal gene 
 ral to command, at any time, the assistance of 
 the heaviest vessels of the fleet, in defending 
 either place. With these advantages before them, 
 the army gladly heard those orders issued, 
 which, it was well understood, indicated an ap 
 proaching movement to the opposite shores. 
 
 It was now eight weeks since the commence 
 ment of hostilities, and the \var had been confined 
 to the preparations detailed, with the exception 
 of one or two sharp skirmishes on the islands of 
 the harbour, between the foragers of the army.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 207 
 
 and small parties of the Americans, in which 
 the latter well maintained their newly acquired 
 reputation for spirit. 
 
 With the arrival of the regiments from Eng 
 land, gaiety had once more visited the town, 
 though such of the inhabitants as were com 
 pelled to remain against their inclinations, con 
 tinued to maintain that cold reserve, in their 
 deportment, which effectually repelled all the 
 efforts of the officers to include them in the wan 
 ton festivities of the time. There were a few, 
 however, among the colonists, who had been 
 bribed, by offices and emoluments, to desert the 
 good cause of the land ; and as some of these had 
 already been rewarded by offices which gave 
 them access to the ear of the royal governor, 
 who was thought to be unduly and unhappily in 
 fluenced by the pernicious councils with which 
 they poisoned his mind and prepared him for 
 acts of injustice and harshness, that both his 
 unbiassed feelings and ordinary opinions would 
 have condemned. A few days succeeding the 
 affair of Lexington, a meeting of the inhabitants 
 had been convened, and a solemn compact was 
 made between them and the governor, that such 
 as chose to deliver up their arms, might leave 
 the place, while the remainder were promised a 
 suitable protection in iheir own dwellings. The 
 arms were delivered, but that part of the con 
 ditions which related to the removal of the inha 
 bitants was violated, under slight and insufficient 
 pretexts. This, and various other causes inciden 
 tal to military rule, imbittered the feelings of the 
 people, and furnished new causes of complaint; 
 while, on the other hand, hatred was rapidly 
 usurping the place of contempt, in the breasts 
 of those who had been compelled to change 
 their sentiments with respect to a people that
 
 208 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 they could never love. In this manner, re 
 sentment and distrust existed, with all the vio 
 lence of personality, within the place itself, 
 affording an additional reason to the troops for 
 wishing to extend their limits. Notwithstand 
 ing these inauspicious omens of the character 
 of the contest, the native kindness of Gage, and 
 perhaps a desire to rescue a few of his own 
 men from the hands of the colonists, induced 
 him to consent to an exchange of the prisoners 
 made in the inroad ; thus establishing, in the 
 onset, a precedent to distinguish the controversy 
 from an ordinary rebellion against the loyal au 
 thority of the sovereign. A meeting was held, 
 for this purpose, in the village of Charlestown, at 
 that time unoccupied by either army. At the 
 head of the American deputation appeared 
 Warren, and the old partisan of the wilderness, 
 already mentioned, who, by a happy, though not 
 uncommon constitution of temperament, was as 
 forward in deeds of charity as in those of daring. 
 At this interview, several of the veterans of the 
 royal army were present, having passed the 
 strait to hold a last? friendly converse with their 
 ancient comrade, who received them with the 
 frankness of a soldier, while he rejected their sub 
 tle endeavours to entice him from the banners 
 under which he had enlisted, with a sturdiness 
 as unpretending as it was inflexible. 
 
 While these events were occurring at the great 
 scene of the contest, the hum of preparation was 
 to be heard throughout the whole of the wide ex 
 tent of the colonies. In various places slight acts 
 of hostility were committed, the Americans no 
 longer waiting for the British to be the aggres 
 sors, and everywhere such military stores as 
 could be reached, were seized, peaceably or by 
 violence, as the case required. The concentration 
 of most of the troops in Boston, had, however.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 209 
 
 left the other colonies comparatively but little to 
 achieve, though, while they still rested, nominal 
 ly, under the dominion of the crown, they ne 
 glected no means within their power to assert 
 their rights in the last extremit} 7 . 
 
 At Philadelphia "the Congress of the Delegates 
 from the United Colonies," the body that control 
 led the great movements of a people who now first 
 began to act as a 'distinct nation, issued their ma 
 nifestos, supporting, in a masterly manner, their 
 principles, and -proceeded to organize an army 
 that should be as competent to maintain them as 
 circumstances would allow. Gentlemen who had 
 been trained to arms in the service of the king, 
 were invited to resort to their banners, and the re 
 mainder of the vacancies were filled by the names 
 of the youthful, the bold, and adventurous, who 
 were willing to risk tht-ir lives in a cause where 
 even success promised so little personal advantage. 
 At the head of this list of untrained warriors, the 
 Congress placed one of their own body, a man 
 already distinguished for his services in the field, 
 and who has sipoe bequeathed to his country the 
 glory of an untarnished name.
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 " Thou shall meet me at Philippi. 1 ' 
 
 Julius Caesar. 
 
 DURING this period of feverish excitement, 
 while the appearance and privations of war ex 
 isted with so little of its danger or its action, Lio 
 nel had not altogether forgotten his personal feel 
 ings, in the powerful interest created by the state 
 of public affairs. Early on thenorning succeed 
 ing the night of the scene between Mrs. Lech- 
 mere and the inmates of the warehouse, he had 
 repaired again to the spot, to relieve the intense 
 anxiety of his mind, by seeking a complete expla 
 nation of all those mysteries which had been the 
 principal ligament that bound him to a man. 
 little known, except for his singularities. 
 
 The effects of the preceding day's battle 
 were already visible in the market-place, where, 
 as Lionel passed, he saw few, or none of the 
 countrymen who usually crowded the square at 
 that hour. In fact, the windows of the shops 
 were opened with caution, and men looked out 
 upon the face of the sun, as if doubting of its 
 appearance and warmth, as in seasons of ordi-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 211 
 
 nary quiet ; jealousy, and distrust, having com 
 pletely usurped the place of security within the 
 streets of the town. Notwithstanding the hour, 
 few were in their beds, and those who appeared 
 betrayed by their looks that they had passed the 
 night in watchfulness. Among this number was 
 Abigail Pray, who received her guest in her lit 
 tle tower, surrounded by every thing as he 
 had seen it on the past evening, nothing alter 
 ed, except her own dark eye, which at times 
 looked like a gem of price sat in her squalid 
 features, but which now appeared haggard and 
 sunken, participating more markedly than com 
 mon, in the general air of misery that pervaded 
 the woman. 
 
 " I have intruded at a somewhat unusual hour, 
 Mrs. Pray," said Lionel, as he entered ; " but 
 business of the last moment requires that I should 
 see your lodger I suppose he is above ; it will 
 be well to announce my visit." 
 
 Abigail shook her head with an air of solemn 
 meaning, as she answered in a subdued voice, 
 " he is gone !" 
 
 " Gone !" exclaimed Lionel " whither, and 
 when ?" 
 
 " The people seem visited by the wrath of 
 God, sir," returned the woman " old and young, 
 the sick and well, are crazy about the shedding 
 of blood; and it's beyond the might of man to 
 say where the torrent wiil be stayed !" 
 
 " But what has this to do with Ralph ! where is 
 he ? Woman, you are not playing me false !" 
 
 " I ! heaven forbid that I should ever be false 
 again ! and tc you least of all God's creatures ! 
 No, no, Major Lincoln; the wonderful man, who 
 seems to have lived so long that he can even read 
 our secret thoughts, as I had supposed man could
 
 212 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 never read them, has left me, and I know not 
 whether he will ever return." 
 
 " Ever ! you have not driven him by violence 
 from under your miserable roof?" 
 
 " My roof is like that of the fowls of the air 
 'tis the roof of any who are so unfortunate as to 
 need it. There is no spot on earth, Major Lin 
 coln, that I can call mine but one day there 
 will be one yes, yes there will be a narrow 
 house provided for us all ; and God grant that 
 mine may be as quiet as the coffin is said to be ! 
 I lie not, Major Lincoln no, this time I am 
 innocent of deceit Ralph and Job have gone 
 together, but whither, I know not, unless it he to 
 join the people without the town they left me 
 as the moon rose, and he gave me a parting and 
 a warning voice, that will ring in iuy ears until 
 they are deafened by the damps of the grave !" 
 
 " Gone to join the Americans, and with Job !" 
 returned Lionel, musing, and without attending 
 to the closing words of Abigail. " Your boy will 
 purchase peril with this madness, Mrs. Pray, and 
 should be looked to." 
 
 "Job is not one of God's accountables, nor 
 is he to be treated like other children," returned 
 the woman. " Ah ! Major Lincoln, a healthier, 
 and a stouter, and a finer boy was not to be 
 seen in the Bay-Province, till the child had reach 
 ed his fifth year! then, then it was that the judg 
 ment of heaven fell on mother and son sick 
 ness made him what you see, a being with the 
 form, but without the reason of man, and I have 
 grown the wretch I am. But it has all been fore 
 told, and warnings enough have I had of it all ! 
 for is it not said, that he " will visit the sins of 
 the fathers upon the children until the third and 
 fourth generation !" Thank God, my sorrows and
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 213 
 
 sius will end with Job, for there never can be a 
 third to suffer !" 
 
 " If," said Lionel, " there be any sin which 
 lies heavy at your heart, every consideration, 
 whether of justice or repentance, should induce 
 you to confess your errors to those whose hap 
 piness may be affected by the knowledge, if any 
 such there be?" 
 
 The anxious eye of the woman raised itself 
 to meet the look of the young man ; but quail 
 ing before the piercing gaze it encountered, she 
 quickly turned it upon the litter and confusion 
 of her disordered apartment. Lionel waited 
 some time for a reply, but finding that she re 
 mained obstinately silent, he continued 
 
 " From what has already passed, you must be 
 conscious that 1 have good reason to believe 
 that my feelings are deeply concerned in your 
 secret ; make, then, your confession of the guilt 
 which seems to bear you down so heavily ; and 
 in return for the confidence, I promise you my 
 forgiveness and protection." 
 
 As Lionel pressed thus directly the point so 
 near his heart, the woman shrunk away from her 
 situation near him, and her countenance lost, as 
 he proceeded, its remarkable expression of com 
 punction, in a forced look of deep surprise, that 
 showed she was no novice in dissimulation, what 
 ever might be the occasional warnings of her 
 conscience. 
 
 " Guilt !" she repeated, in a slow and tremu 
 lous voice ; " we are all guilty, and would be 
 lost creatures, but for the blood of the Medi 
 ator." 
 
 "Most true; but you have spoken of crimes 
 that infringe the laws of man, as well as those 
 of God."
 
 214 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " I ! Major Lincoln I, a disorderly law 
 breaker !" exclaimed Abigail, affecting to busy 
 herself in arranging her apartment " it is not 
 such as I, that have leisure or courage to 
 break the laws ! Major Lincoln is trying a 
 poor lone woman, to make his jokes with the 
 gentlemen of his mess this evening 'tis certain, 
 we all of us have our burthens of guilt to an 
 swer for surely Major Lincoln couldn't have 
 heard minister Hunt preach his sermon, the last 
 Sabbath, on the sins of the town !" 
 
 Lionel coloured highly at the artful impu 
 tation of the woman, that he was practising on 
 her sex and unprotected situation ; and greatly 
 provoked, in secret, at her duplicity, he became 
 more guarded in his language, endeavouring to 
 lead her on, by kindness and soothing, to the de 
 sired communications. But all his ingenuity was 
 met by more than equal abilities on the part of 
 Abigail, from whom he only obtained expressions 
 of surprise that he could have mistaken her 
 language for more than the usual acknowledg 
 ment of errors, that are admitted to be common 
 to our lost nature. In this particular the woman 
 was in no respect singular ; the greater number 
 of those who are loudest in their confessions and 
 denunciations on the abandoned nature of our 
 hearts, commonly resenting, in the deepest man 
 ner, the imputation of individual offences. The 
 inure earnest and pressing his inquiries became, 
 the more wary she grew, until disgusted with her 
 pertinacity, and secretly suspecting her of foul 
 play with her lodger, he left the house in anger, 
 determining to keep a close eye on her move 
 ments, and, at a suitable moment, to strike such 
 a blow as should bring her not only to confession, 
 but to shame.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 215 
 
 Under the influence of this momentary resent 
 ment, and unable to avoid harboring the most 
 unpleasant suspicions of his aunt, the young 
 man determined, that very morning, to with 
 draw himself entirely, as a guest, from her 
 dwelling. Mrs. Lechmere, who, if she knew at all 
 that Lionel had been a witness of her inter 
 course with Ralph, must have received the in 
 telligence from Abigail, received him, at break 
 fast, with a manner that betrayed no such con 
 sciousness. She listened to his excuses for re 
 moving, with evident concern; and more than 
 once, as Lionel spoke of the probable nature of 
 his future life, now that hostilities had com 
 menced the additional trouble his presence 
 would occasion to her habits and years of his 
 great concern in her behalf and, in short, of all 
 that he could devise in the way of apology for 
 the step, he saw her eyes turned anxiously on 
 Cecil, with an expression which, at another time, 
 might have led him to distrust the motives of her 
 hospitality. The young lady herself, however, 
 evidently heard the proposal with great satisfac 
 tion, and when her grandmother appealed to her 
 opinion, whether he had urged a single good rea 
 son for the measure, she answered with a vivacity 
 that had been a stranger to her manner of late 
 
 " Certainly, my dear grandrnama the best of 
 all reasons his inclinations. Major Lincoln tires 
 of us, and of our hum-drum habits, and, in my 
 eyes, true politeness requires that we should suf- 
 ferhim to leave us for his barracks, without a word 
 of remonstrance." 
 
 " My motive must be greatly mistaken, if a 
 desire to leave you " 
 
 u Oh ! sir, the explanation is not required. 
 You have urged so many reasons, cousin Lionel, 
 that the true and moving motive is yet kept be-
 
 210 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 hind the curtain. It must, and can be no other 
 than ennui" 
 
 " Then I will remain." said Lionel; " for any 
 thing is better than to be suspected of insensi 
 bility." 
 
 Cecil looked both gratified and disappointed 
 she played with her spoon a moment in embar 
 rassment, bit her beautiful lip with vexation, and 
 then said, in a more friendly tone 
 
 " I must then exonerate you from the imputa 
 tion go to your own quarters, if it be agree 
 able, and we will believe your incomprehensible 
 reasons for the change besides, as a kinsman, 
 we shall see you every day, you know." 
 
 Lionel had now no longer any excuse for not 
 abiding by his avowed determination ; and not 
 withstanding Mrs. Lechmere parted from her 
 interesting nephew with an exhibition of reluc 
 tance that was in singular contrast with her usually 
 cold and formal manner, the desired removal 
 was made in the course of that very morning. 
 
 When this change was accomplished, week after 
 week slipped by, in the manner related in the 
 preceding chapter, during which the reinforce 
 ments continued to arrive, and general after gene 
 ral appeared in the place to support the unenter 
 prising Gage in the conduct of the war. The 
 timid amongst the colonists were appalled as they 
 heard the long list of proud and boasted names re 
 counted. There was Howe, a man spftmg from a 
 noble race, long known for their deeds in arms, 
 and whose chief had already shed his blood on 
 the soil of America. Clinton, another cadet of 
 an illustrious house, better known for his personal 
 intrepidity and domestic kindness, than for the 
 rough qualities of the warrior. And the elegant 
 and accomplished Burgoyne, who had already 
 purchased a name in the fields of Portugal and
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 217 
 
 Germany, which he was destined soon to lose in the 
 wilds of America. In addition to these might be 
 mentioned Pigot, Grant, Robertson, and the heir 
 of Northumberland, each of whom led a brigade 
 in the cause of his prince; besides a host of men 
 of lesser note, who had passed their youth in arms, 
 and were now about to bring their experience to 
 the field, in opposition to the untrained husband 
 men of the plains of New-England. As if this 
 list were not sufficient to overwhelm their in 
 experienced adversaries, the pride of arms had 
 gathered many of the young among the noble 
 and chivalric in the British empire, to the point 
 on which all eyes were turned, amongst whom 
 the one who afterwards added the fairest wreath 
 to the laurels of his ancestors, was the joint heir 
 of Hastings and Moira, the gallant but, as yet, 
 untried boy of Rawdon. Amongst such com 
 panions, many of whom had been his associates 
 in England, the hours of Lionel passed swiftly 
 by, leaving him but little leisure to meditate on 
 those causes which had brought him also to the 
 scene of contention. 
 
 One warm evening, towards the middle of 
 June, Lionel became a witness of the following 
 scene, through the open doers which communi 
 cated between his private apartment and the 
 room which Polvvarth had dedicated to what he 
 called " the knowing mess." M'Fuse was seated 
 at a table, with a ludicrous air of magisterial 
 authority, while Polwarth held a station at his 
 side, which appeared to partake of the double 
 duties of a judge and a scribe. Before this for 
 midable tribunal Seth Sage was arraigned, as it 
 would seem, to answer for certain offences al 
 leged to have been committed in the field of bat 
 tle. Ignorant that his landlord had not received 
 
 VOL. i. 20
 
 218 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 the benefit of the late exchange, and curious to 
 know what all the suppressed roguery he could 
 detect in the demure countenances of his friends 
 might signify, Lionel dropped his pen, and listen 
 ed to the succeeding dialogue. 
 
 " Now answer to your offences, thou silly fel 
 low, with a wise name," M'Fnse commenced, in 
 a voice that did not fail, by its harsh cadences, 
 to create some of that awe, which, by the ex- 
 
 Eression of the speaker's eye, it would seem he 
 iboured to produce " speak out with the free 
 dom of a man, and the compunctions of a Chris 
 tian, if you have them. Why should I not send 
 you at once to Ireland, that ye may get your de 
 serts on three pieces of timber, the one being laid 
 cross-wise for the sake of convenience. If yon 
 have a contrary reason, bestow it without delay, 
 for the love you bear your own angular dai- 
 formities." 
 
 The wags did not altogether fail in their ob 
 ject, Seth betraying a good deal more uneasiness 
 than it was usual for the man to exhibit even in 
 situations of uncommon peril. After clearing his 
 throat, and looking about him, to gather from the 
 eyes of the spectators which way their sympa 
 thies inclined, he answered with a very commen 
 dable fortitude 
 
 " Because it's ag'in all law." 
 
 " Have done with your interminable perplexi 
 ties of the law," cried M'Fuse, "and do not 
 bother honest gentlemen with its knavery, as if 
 they were no more than so many proctors in big 
 wigs! 'tis the gospel you should be thinking of, 
 you godless reprobate, on account of that final 
 end you will yet make, one day, in a most in 
 decent hurry." 
 
 "To your purpose, Mac," interrupted Pd-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 219 
 
 warth, who perceived that the erratic feelings of 
 his friend were beginning already to lead him 
 from the desired point ; " or I will propound 
 the matter myself, in a style that would do cre 
 dit to a mandamus counsellor." 
 
 " The mandamuses are all ag'in the charter, 
 and the law too," continued Seth, whose courage 
 increased as the dialogue bore more directly upon 
 his political principles "and to my mind it's 
 quite convincing that if ministers calculate largely 
 on upholding them, there will be great disturb 
 ances, if not a proper fight in the land ; for the 
 whole country is in a blaze !" 
 
 " Disturbances, thou immoveable iniquity ! 
 thou quiet assassin !" roared M'Fuse ; " do ye 
 not call a fight of a day a disturbance, or do ye 
 tar'm skulking behind fences, and laying the 
 muzzle of a musket on the head of Job Pray, 
 and the breech on a mullen-stalk, while ye draw 
 upon a fellow-creature, a commendable method 
 of fighting ! Now answer me to the truth, and 
 disdain all lying, as ye would 'aling any thing 
 but cod on a Saturday, who were ,the two men 
 that fired into my very countenance, from the 
 unfortunate situation among the mullens that I 
 have datailed to you f" 
 
 " Pardon me, captain M'Fuse," said Polwarth, 
 " if I say that your zeal and indignation run 
 ahead of your discretion. If we alarm the pri 
 soner in this manner, we may defeat the ends of 
 justice. Besides, sir, there is a reflection con 
 tained in your language, to which I must dissent. 
 A real dumb is not to be despised, especially when, 
 served up in wrapper, and between two coarser 
 fish to preserve the steam I have had my private 
 meditations on the subject of getting up a Sa 
 turday's club, in order to enjoy the bounty
 
 220 LIONEL LINCOLST, 
 
 of the Bay, and for -improving the cookery of 
 the cod !"(?- 
 
 " And let me tell you, captain Polwarth," re 
 turned the grenadier, cocking his eye fiercely at 
 the other, " that your epicurean propensities lead 
 you to the verge of cannibalism ; for sure it may 
 be called that, when you speak of 'ating while the 
 life of a fellow cr'ature is under a discussion for 
 its termination " 
 
 " I conclude," interrupted Seth, who was great 
 ly averse to all quarreling, and who thought he 
 saw the symptoms of a breach between his 
 judges, " the captain wishes to know who the 
 two men were that fired on him a short time be 
 fore he got the "hit in the shoulder ?" 
 
 " A short time, ye marvellous hypocrite ! 
 'twas as quick as pop and slap could make it." 
 
 "Perhaps there might be some mistake, for a 
 great many of the troops were much disguised " 
 
 " Do ye insinuate that I got drunk before the 
 enemies of my king !" roared the grenadier 
 "Harkye, Mister Sage, 1 ask you in a genteel way, 
 who the two men were that fired on me, in the 
 manner datailed, and remember that a man may 
 tire of putting questions which are never answer 
 ed?" 
 
 " Why," returned Seth, who, however expert 
 at prevarication, eschewed with religious hor 
 ror, a direct lie " I pretty much conclude that 
 they the captain is sure the place he means was 
 just beyond Menotomy f " 
 
 O" NOTE. It may be a fit matter of inquiry for the anti 
 quarian, to learn whether the captain ever put his project in 
 execution ; and if so, whether he has not the merit of founding 1 
 that famous association, which, to this hour, maintains the Ca 
 tholic custom of the East, by feasting on the last day of the 
 week on the staple of New-England ; and which is said to as 
 semble regularly, with much good-fellowship, around moregoort 
 wine than is ever encountered at any other board in the known*, 
 world.
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 221 
 
 " As sure as men can be," said Polwarth, " who 
 possess the use of their eyes." 
 
 " Then captain Pohvarth can give testimony 
 to the fact ?" 
 
 " I believe Major Lincoln's horse carries a small 
 bit of your lead to this moment, Master Sage." 
 
 Seth yielded to this accumulation of evidence 
 against him, and knowing, moreover, that the 
 grenadier had literally made him a prisoner in the 
 fact of renewing his fire, he sagaciously deter 
 mined to make a merit of necessity, and can 
 didly to acknowledge his agency in inflicting the 
 wounds. The utmost, however, that his cautious 
 habits would permit him to say, was 
 
 " Seeing there can't well be any mistake, I seem 
 to think, the two me.n were chiefly Job and I." 
 
 " Chaifly, you lath of uncertainty !" exclaimed 
 M'Fuse; "if there was any chaif in that coward 
 ly assassination of wounding a Christian, and of 
 also hurting a horse, which, though nothing but 
 a dumb baste, has better blood than runs in your 
 own beggarly veins, 'twas your own ugly propor 
 tions. But I rejoice that you have come to the 
 confessional ! I can now see you hung with fe 
 licity if you have any thing to say, urge it 
 at once, why I should not embark you for Ire 
 land by the first vessel, in a letter to my Lord- 
 Lieutenant, with a request that he'll give you am 
 early procession, and a dacent funeral." 
 
 Seth belonged to a class of his countrymen, 
 amongst whom, while there was a superabund 
 ance of ingenuity, there was literally no joke. 
 Deceived by the appearance of anger which had 
 in reality blended with the assumed manner of the 
 grenadier, as he dwelt upon the irritating subject 
 of his own injuries, the belief of the prisoner in the 
 sacred protection of the laws became much sha 
 ken, and he began to reflect very seriously on the 
 
 20*
 
 222 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 insecurity of the times, as well as on the despotic 
 nature of the military power. The little humour 
 he had inherited from his puritan ancestors, was, 
 though exceedingly quaint, altogether after a dif 
 ferent fashion from the off-hand, blundering wit o( 
 the Irishman ; and that manner which he did not 
 possess, he could not entirely comprehend, so that 
 as far as a very visible alarm furthered the views 
 of the two conspirators, they were quite successful. 
 Polwarth now took pity on his evident embarrass 
 ment, and observed, with a careless manner 
 
 " Perhaps I can make a proposal by which 
 Mr. Sage may redeem his neck from the halter, 
 nd at the same time essentially serve an old 
 friend." 
 
 " Hear ye that, thou confounder of men and 
 bastes !" cried M'Fuse " down on your knees, 
 and thank Mr. Paiter Polwarth for the charity of 
 his insinuation." 
 
 Seth was not displeased to hear such amicable 
 intentions announced ; but habitually cautious in 
 all bargaining, he suppressed the exhibition of his 
 satisfaction, and said, with an air of deliberation 
 that would have done credit to the keenest trader 
 in King-street that " he should like to hear the 
 terms of the agreement, before he gave his con 
 clusion." 
 
 " They are simply these," returned Polwarth 
 " you shall receive your passports and freedom 
 to-night, on condition that you sign this bond, 
 whereby you will become obliged to supply our 
 omess, as usual, during the time the place is in 
 vested, with certain articles of food and nourish 
 ment, as herein set forth, and according to the 
 prices mentioned, which the veriest Jew in 
 Duke's-place would pronounce to be liberal. 
 Here ; take the instrument, and ' read, and mark/ 
 in order that we may ' inwardly digest.' "
 
 LIONEL LIKCOLS. 223 
 
 Seth took the paper, and gave it that man 
 ner of investigation that he was wont to be 
 stow on every thing which affected his pecunia 
 ry interests. He objected to the price of every 
 article, all of which were altered in compliance 
 with his obstinate resistance, and he moreover 
 insisted that a clause should be inserted to ex 
 onerate him from the penalty, provided the inter 
 course should be prohibited by the authorities of 
 the colony ; after which, he continued 
 
 " If the captain will agree to take charge of 
 the things, and become liable, I will conclude 
 to make the trade." 
 
 " Here is a fellow who wants boot in a bargain 
 for his life !" cried the grenadier ; " but we will 
 humour his covetous inclinations, Polly, and take 
 charge of the chattels. Captain Polwarth and 
 myself, pledge our words to their safe-keeping. 
 Let me run my eyes over the articles," con 
 tinued the grenadier, looking very gravely at the 
 several covenants of the bond " faith, Paiter, 
 you have bargained for a goodly larder ! Baif, 
 mutton, pigs, turnips, potatos, melons, and other 
 fruits there's a blunder, now, that would keep 
 an English mess on a grin for a month, if an 
 Irishman had made it ! as if a melon was a fruit, 
 and a potato was not ! The devil a word do I see 
 that you have said about a mouthful, except 
 aitables either! Here, fellow, clap your learning 
 to it, and I'll warrant you we yet get a meal out 
 of it, in some manner or other." 
 
 " Wouldn't it be as well to put the last agree 
 ment in the writings, too," said Seth, " in case 
 f accidents ?" 
 
 "Hear how a knave halters himself!" cried 
 M'Fuse ; " he has the individual honour of two 
 captains of foot, and is willing to exchange it for 
 their joint bond ! The request is too raisouable to
 
 224 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 be denied, Polly, and we should be guilty of pe 
 cuniary suicide to reject it ; so place a small arti 
 cle at the bottom, explanatory of the mistake the 
 gentleman has fallen into." 
 
 PoUvarth did not hesitate to comply, and in a 
 very few minutes every thing was arranged to 
 the perfect satisfaction of the parties, the two sol 
 diers felicitating themselves on the success of a 
 scheme which seemed to avert the principal evils 
 of the leaguer from their own mess ; and Seth, 
 finding no difficulty in complying with an agree 
 ment which was likely to prove so profitable, 
 however much he doubted its validity in a court 
 of justice. The prisoner was now declared at li 
 berty, and was advised to make his way out of 
 the place, with as little noise as possible, and un 
 der favour of the pas? he held. Seth gave the bond 
 a last and most attentive perusal, and then depart 
 ed, well contented to abide by its conditions, and 
 not a little pleased to escape from the grenadier, 
 the expression of whose half-comic, half-serious 
 eye, occasioned him more perplexity than any other 
 subject which had ever before occupied his as 
 tuteness. After the disappearance of the prison 
 er, the two worthies repaired to their nightly ban 
 quet, laughing heartily at the success of their no 
 table invention. 
 
 Lionel suffered Seth to pass from the room, 
 without speaking, but as the man left his own 
 abode with a lingering and doubtful step, the 
 young soldier followed him into the street, with 
 out communicating to any one that he had wit 
 nessed what had passed, with the laudable inten 
 tion of adding his own personal pledge for the se 
 curity of the household goods in question. He, 
 however, found it no easy achievement to equal 
 the speed. of a man who had just escaped from 
 a long confinement, and who now appeared
 
 LIONEL LINCOLSf. 225 
 
 inclined to indulge his limbs freely in the pleasure 
 of an unlimited exercise. The velocity of Seth 
 continued unabated, until he had conducted Lio 
 nel far into the lower parts of the town, where the 
 latter perceived him to encounter a man with 
 whom he turned suddenly under an arch which 
 led into a dark and narrow court. Lionel instant 
 ly increased his speed, and as he entered beneath 
 the passage, he caught a glimpse of the lank figure 
 of the object of his pursuit, gliding through the 
 opposite entrance to the court, and, at the same 
 moment, he encountered the man who had ap 
 parently induced the deviation in his route. As 
 Lionel stepped a little on one side, the light of a 
 lamp fell full on the form of the other, and he re 
 cognised the person of the active leader of the 
 caucus, (as the political meeting he had attended 
 was called,) though so disguised and muffled, that, 
 but for the accidental opening of the folds of his 
 cloak, the unknown might have passed his near 
 est friend without discovery. 
 
 " We meet again !" exclaimed Lionel, in the 
 quickness of surprise ; " though it would seem 
 that the sun is never to shine on our interviews." 
 
 The stranger started, arid betrayed an evident 
 wish to continue his walk, as though the other 
 had mistaken his person ; then, as if sudden 
 ly recollecting himself, he turned and approach 
 ed Lionel, with easy dignity, and answered 
 
 " The third time is said to contain the charm ! 
 I am happy to find that I meet Major Lincoln, 
 unharmed, after the dangers he so lately en 
 countered." 
 
 " The dangers have probably been exaggera 
 ted by those who wish ill to the cause of our 
 master," returned Lionel, coldly. 
 
 There was a calm, but proud smile on the face 
 of the stranger, as he replied
 
 226 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " I shall not dispute the information of one who 
 bore so conspicuous a part in the deeds of that 
 day still you will remember, though the march 
 to Lexington was, like our own accidental ren 
 contres, in the dark, that a bright sun shone upon 
 the retreat, and nothing has been hid." 
 
 " Nothing need be concealed," replied Lionel, 
 nettled by the proud composure of the other 
 "unless, indeed, the man I address is afraid to 
 walk the streets of Boston in open day." 
 
 " The man you address, Major Lincoln," said 
 the stranger, advancing in his warmth a step near 
 er to Lionel, "has dared to walk the streets of Bos 
 ton both by day and by night, when the bullies of 
 him you call your master, have strutted their 
 hour in the security of peace ; and -now a nation 
 is up to humble their pretensions, shall he shrink 
 from treading his native soil when he will !" 
 
 " This is btffir language for an enemy within a 
 British camp ! Ask yourself what course my duty 
 requires of me . ? " 
 
 " That is a question which lies between Major 
 Lincoln and his conscience," returned the stran 
 ger " though," he added, after a momentary 
 pause, and in a milder tone, as if he recollect 
 ed the danger of his situation " the gentle 
 men of his name and lineage were not apt to be 
 informers, when they dwelt in the land of their 
 birth." 
 
 " Neither is their descendant. But let this be 
 the last of our interviews, until we can meet as 
 friends, or as enemies should, where we may dis 
 cuss these topics at the points of our weapons." 
 
 " Amen," said the stranger, seizing the hand of 
 the young man, and pressing it with the warmth 
 of a generous emulation " that hour may not be 
 far distant, and may God smile only on the just 
 cause."
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 227 
 
 Without uttering more, he drew the folds of his 
 dress more closely around his form, and walked 
 so swiftly away that Lionel, bad he possessed 
 the inclination, could not have found an opportu 
 nity to arrest his progress. As all expectation 
 of overtaking Seth was now lost, the young 
 soldier returned slowly and thoughtfully towards 
 his quarters. 
 
 The two or three succeeding days were distin 
 guished by an appearance of more than usual pre 
 paration among the troops, and it became known 
 that officers of rank had closely reconnoitred 
 the grounds of the opposite peninsula. Lionel 
 patiently awaited the progress of events; but as 
 the probability of active service increased, his 
 wishes to make another effort to probe the se 
 cret of the tenant of the warehouse revived, and 
 he took his way towards the dock-square, with 
 that object, on the night of the fourth day from 
 the preceding interview with the stranger. It 
 was long after thf tattoo had laid the town in that 
 deep quiet which follows the bustle of a garrison ; 
 and as he passed along he saw none but the 
 sentinels pacing their short limits, or an occa 
 sional officer, returning at that late hour from his 
 revels or his duty. The windows of the ware 
 house were dark, and its inhabitants, if any it 
 had, were wrapped in deep sleep. Restless, 
 and excited, Lionel pursued his walk through the 
 narrow and gloomy streets of the North-end, 
 until he unexpectedly found himself issuing upon 
 the open space that is tenanted by the dead, on. 
 Copp's-hill. On this eminence the English gene 
 ral had caused a battery of heavy cannon to be 
 raised, and Lionel, unwilling to encounter the 
 challenge of the sentinels, inclining a little to one 
 side, proceeded to the brow of the hill, and seat-
 
 228 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 ing himself on a stone, began to muse deeply on 
 his own fortunes, and the situation of the country. 
 The night was obscure, but the thin vapours 
 which appeared to overhang the place opened 
 at times, when a faint star-light fell from the hea 
 vens, and rendered the black hulls of the vessels 
 of war that lay moored before the town, and the 
 faint outlines of the opposite shores, dimly vi 
 sible. The stillness of midnight rested on the 
 scene, and when the loud calls of " all's-well" 
 ascended from the ships and batteries, the mo 
 mentary cry was succeeded by a quiet as deep as 
 if the universe slumbered under this assurance 
 of safety. At such an instant, when even the 
 light breathings of the night air were audible, 
 the sound of rippling waters, like that occasioned 
 by raising a paddle with extreme caution, was 
 borne to the ear of the young soldier. He listen 
 ed intently, and then bending his eyes in the direc 
 tion of the faint sounds, he saw a small canoe glid 
 ing along on the surface of the water, and soon 
 shoot upon the gravelly shore, at the foot of the 
 hill, with a motion so easy and uniform as scarce 
 ly to curl a wave on the land. Curious to know who 
 could be moving about the harbour at this hour, in 
 such a secret manner, Lionel was in the act of 
 rising to descend, when he saw the dim figure of a 
 man land from the boat, and climb the hill, direct 
 ly in a line with his own position. Suppressing 
 even the sounds of his breath, and drawing his bo 
 dy back within the deep shadow cast from a point 
 of the hill, a little above him, Lionel waited until 
 the figure had approached within ten feet of him, 
 when it stopped, and appeared, like himself, to 
 be endeavouring to suppress all other sounds and 
 feelings in the absorbing act of deep attention. 
 The young soldier loosened his sword in its 
 sheath, before he said
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 229 
 
 " We have chosen a private spot, and a secret 
 hour, sir, for our meditations!" 
 
 Had the figure possessed the impalpable nature 
 of an immaterial being, it could not have received 
 this remark, so startling from its suddenness, with 
 greater apathy than did the man to whom it was 
 addressed. He turned slowly towards the speaker, 
 and seemed to look at him earnestly, before he 
 answered, in a low, menacing voice 
 
 " There's a granny on the hill, with a gun and 
 baggonet, walking among the cannon, and if he 
 hears people talking down here, he'll make them 
 prisoners, though one of them should be Major 
 Lincoln." 
 
 " Ha! Job," said Lionel " and is it you I meet 
 prowling about like a thief at night ! on what 
 errand of mischief have you been sent this time?" 
 
 " If Job's a thief for roming to see the graves 
 on Copp's," returned the lad sullenly, " there's 
 two of them." 
 
 " Well answered boy !" said Lionel, with a. 
 smile ; " but I repeat, on what errand have you 
 returned to the town at this unseasonable and 
 suspicious hour f " 
 
 "Job loves to come up among the graves, be 
 fore the cocks grow ; they say the dead walk 
 when living men sleep." 
 
 " And would you hold communion with the 
 dead, then ?" 
 
 " 'Tis sinful to ask them many questions, and 
 such as you do put should be made in the Holy 
 name," returned the lad, in a tone so solemn, that, 
 connected with the place and the scene, it caused 
 the blood of Lionel to thriJJ " but Job loves 
 to be near them, to use him to the damps, 
 ag'in the time he shall be called to walk himself 
 in a sheet at midnight." 
 
 VOL. t. *1
 
 230 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 " Hush !" said Lionel " what noise is that r" 
 
 Job stood a moment, listening as intently as his 
 companion, before he answered 
 
 " There's no noise but the moaning of the wind 
 in the bay, or the sea tumbling on the beaches of 
 the jslands ?" 
 
 "'Tis neither," said Lionel ; " I heard the 
 low hum of a hundred voices, or my ears have 
 played me falsely." 
 
 " May be the spirits speak to each other," said 
 the lad " they say their voices are like the rush 
 ing winds." 
 
 Lionel passed his hand across his brow, and 
 endeavoured to recover the tone of his mind, 
 which had been strangely disordered by the so 
 lemn manner of his companion, and walked slow 
 ly from the spot, closely attended by the silent 
 changeling. He did not stop until he had reach 
 ed the inner angle of the wall that enclosed the 
 field of the dead, when he paused, and leaning on 
 the fence, again listened intently. 
 
 " Boy, I know not how your silly conversation 
 may have warped my brain," he said, " but there 
 are surely strange and unearthly sounds lingering 
 about this place, to-night ! By heavens! there is 
 another rush of voices, as if the air above the wa 
 ter were. filled with living beings ; and then again, 
 I think I hear a noise as if heavy weights were 
 falling to the earth !" 
 
 " Ay." said Job, " 'tis the clods on the coffins ; 
 the dead are going into their graves ag'in, and 
 'tis time that we should leave them their own 
 grounds." 
 
 Lionel hesitated n longer, but he rather run 
 than walked from the spot, with a secret horror 
 that, at another moment, he would have blushed to 
 acknowledge, nor did he perceive that he was still
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 231 
 
 attended by Job, until he had descended some dis 
 tance down Lynn -street. Here he was address 
 ed by his companion, in his usually quiet and un 
 meaning tones 
 
 " There's the house that the governor built 
 who went down into the sea -for money!" he 
 said v 'he was a poor boy once, like Job, and 
 now they say his grandson is a gre at lord, and 
 the king knighted the grand'tht-r too. It's 
 pretty much the same thing whether a man 
 gets his money out of the sea or out of the 
 earth ; the king will make him a lord for it." 
 
 " You hold the favours of royalty cheap, fel 
 low," returned Lionel, glancing his eye carelessly 
 at the ' Phipp's house,' as he passed "you for 
 get that I am to be some day one of your despised 
 knights!" 
 
 " I know it," said Job ; " and you come from 
 America too it seems to me that all the poor 
 boys go from 'America to the king to be great 
 lords, and all the sons of the great lords come to 
 America to be made poor boys Nab says Job 
 is the son of a great lord too !" 
 
 "Then Nab is as great a. fool as her child," 
 said Lionel ; " but boy, I would see your mother 
 in the morning, and I expect you to let me know 
 at what hour I may visit her." 
 
 Job did not answer, and Lionel, on turning 
 his head, perceived that he was suddenly deserted 
 by the changeling, who was already gliding back 
 towards his favourite haunt among the graves. 
 Vexed at the wild humours of the lad, Lionel 
 hastened to his quarters, and threw himself in 
 his, bed, though he heard the loud cries of " all's 
 well," again and again, before the strange phan 
 tasies which continued to cross his mind would 
 permit him to obtain the rest he sought.
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 <c We arc finer gentlemen, no doubt, than the plain farmers 
 '' we are about to encounter. Our hats carry a smarter cock, 
 " our swords hang more gracefully by our sides, and we make 
 " an easier figure in a ball-room ; hut let it be remembered. 
 " that the most finished maccaroni amongst us, would pass for 
 " an arrant clown at Pekin." 
 
 Letter from a Veteran Officer, tft, 
 
 WHEN the heavy sleep of morning fell upon his 
 senses, visions of the past and future mingled with 
 wild confusion in the dreams of the youthful sol 
 dier. The form of his father stood before him, as 
 he had known it in his childhood, fair in the 
 proportions and vigour of manhood, regarding 
 him with those eyes of benignant, but melancho 
 ly affection, which characterized their e xpression 
 after he had become the sole joy of his widowed 
 parent. While his heart was warming at the sight, 
 the figure melted away, and was succeeded by 
 fantastic phantoms, which appeared to dance 
 among the graves on Copp's, led along in those 
 gambols, which partook of the ghastly horrors of 
 the dead, by Job Pray, who glided among the 
 tombs like a being of another world. Sudden and 
 loud thunder then burst upon them, and the sha 
 dows fled into their secret places, from whence 
 he could see, ever and anon, some glassy eyes
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 233 
 
 and spectral faces s peering out upon him, as If 
 conscious of the power they possessed to chill the 
 blood of the living. His visions now became 
 painfully distinct, and his gleep was oppressed 
 with their vividness, when his senses burst their 
 unnatural bonds, and he awoke. The air of morn 
 ing was breathing through his open curtains, and 
 the light of day had already shed itself upon the 
 dusky roofs of the town. Lionel arose from his 
 bed, and had paced his chamber several times, in 
 a vain effort to shake off the images that had 
 haunted his slumbers, when the sounds which 
 broke upon the stillness of the air, became too 
 plain to be longer mistaken by a practised ear. 
 
 " Ha !" he muttered to himself, " I have been 
 dreaming but by halves these are the sounds of 
 no fancied tempest, but cannon, speaking most 
 plainly to the soldier!" 
 
 He opened his window, and looked out upon 
 the surrounding scene. The roar of artillery 
 was now quick and heavy, and Lionel bent his 
 eyes about him to discover the cause of this unu 
 sual occurrence. It had been the policy of Gage 
 to await the arrival of his reinforcements, before 
 he struck a blow which was intended to be deci 
 sive ; and the Americans were well known to 
 be too scantily supplied with the munitions of 
 war, to waste a single charge of powder in any of 
 the vain attacks of modern sieges. A knowledge 
 of these facts gave an additional interest to the 
 curiosity with which Major Lincoln endeavoured 
 to penetrate the mystery of so singular a distur 
 bance. Window after window in the adjacent 
 buildings soon exhibited, like his own, its wonder 
 ing and alarmed spectator. Here and there a 
 half-dressed soldier, or a busy townsman, was seen 
 hurrying along the silent streets, with steps that 
 denoted the eagerness of his curiosity. Women, 
 21*
 
 234 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 began to rush wildly from their dwellings, and 
 then, as the sounds broke on their ears with 
 ten-fold heaviness in the open air, they shrunk 
 back into their habitations in pallid dismay. Lio 
 nel called to three or four of the men as they 
 hurried by, but turning their eyes wildly to 
 wards bis window, they passed on without an 
 swering, as if the emergency were too pressing 
 to admit of speech. Finding his repeated inqui 
 ries fruitless, he hastily dressed himself, and de 
 scended to the street. As he left his own door, 
 a half-clad artillerist hurried past him, adjusting 
 his garments with one hand, and bearing in the 
 other some of the lesser implements of the parti 
 cular corps in which he served. 
 
 " What means the firing, sergeant," demanded 
 Lionel, " and whither do you hasten with those 
 fuses ?" 
 
 " The rebels, your honour, the rebels !" return 
 ed the soldier, looking back to speak, without 
 ceasing his speed ; " and 1 go to my guns !" 
 
 "The rebels!" repeated Lionel "what can 
 we have to fear, from a mob of countrymen, in 
 such a position --that fellow has slept from his 
 post, and apprehensions for himself mingle with 
 this zeal for bis king !" 
 
 The towns-people now began to pour from 
 their dwellings in scores; and Lionel imilate'd 
 their example, and took his course towards the 
 adjacent height of Beacon-hill. He toiled his 
 way up the steep ascent, in company with twen 
 ty more, without exchanging a syllable with men 
 who appeared as much astonished as himself at 
 this early interruption of their slumbers, and in 
 a few minutes he stood on the little grassy plat 
 form, surrounded by a hundred interested gazers. 
 The sun had just lifted the thin veil of mist from 
 the bosom of the waters,, and the eye was permit-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 235 
 
 ted to range over a wide field beneath the light 
 vapour. Several vessels were moored in the 
 channels of the Charles and My stick, to cover the 
 northern approaches to the place ; and as he be 
 held the column of white smoke that was wreath 
 ing about the masts of a frigate among them, Lio 
 nel was no longer at a loss to comprehend whence 
 the firing proceeded. While he was yet gazing, 
 uncertain of the reasons which demanded this 
 show of war, immense fields of smoke burst from 
 the side of a ship of the line, who also opened 
 her deep-mouthed cannon, and presently her ex 
 ample was followed by several floating batteries, 
 and lighter vessels, until the wide amphitheatre 
 of hills that encircled Boston were filled with the 
 echoes of a hundred pieces of artillery. 
 
 " What can it mean, sir !" exclaimed a young 
 officer of his own regiment, addressing Major 
 Lincoln " the sailors are in downright earnest, 
 and they scale their guns with shot, I know, by 
 the rattling of the reports !" 
 
 " 1 can boast of a vision no better than your 
 own," returned Lionel ; " for no enemy can I 
 see. As the guns seem pointed at the opposite 
 peninsula, it Ls probable a party of the Americans 
 are attempting to destroy the grass which lies 
 newly mown in the meadows." 
 
 The young officer was in the act of assenting 
 to this conjecture, when a voice was heard above 
 their heads, shouting 
 
 " There goes a gun from Copp's ! They 
 needn't think to frighten the people with their 
 rake-helly noises ; let them blaze away till the 
 dead get out of their graves the Bay-men will 
 keep the hill ! 
 
 Every eye was immediately turned upward, 
 and the wondering and amused spectators disco 
 vered Job Pray, seated in the grate of the Bea-
 
 236 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 con, his countenance, usually so vacant, gleam 
 ing with exultation, while he continued waving 
 his hat high in air, as gun after gun was added to 
 the uproar of the cannonade. 
 
 " How now, fellow !" exclaimed Lionel; " what 
 see you? and where are the. Bay-men of whom 
 you speak?" 
 
 " Where," returned the simpleton, clapping his 
 hands with childish delight " why, where they 
 came at dark midnight, and where they'll stand 
 at open noon-day ! The Bay-men can look 
 into the windows of old Funnel at last, and now 
 let the reg'lars come on, and they'll teach the 
 godless murderers the law !" 
 
 Lionel, a little irritated with the bold language 
 of Job, called to him in an angry voice 
 
 " Come down from that perch, fellow, and ex 
 plain yourself, or this grenadier shall lift you 
 from your seat, and transfer you to the post for 
 n. little of that wholesome correction which you 
 need." 
 
 "You promised that the grannies should never 
 flog Job ag'in," said the changeling, crouching 
 down in the grate, whence he looked out at his 
 threatened chastiser with a lowering and sullen 
 eye " and Job agreed to run your a'r'nds, 
 and not take any of the king's crowns in pay." 
 
 " Come down, then, this instant, and I will re 
 member the compact." 
 
 Comforted by this assurance, which was made 
 in a more friendly tone, Job threw himself care 
 lessly from his iron seat, and clinging to the post, 
 he slid swiftly to the earth, where Major Lincoln 
 immediately arrested him by the arm, and de 
 manded 
 
 " Where are those Bay-men, I once more 
 ask ?"' 
 
 " There !" repeated Job, pointing over the
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 237 
 
 low roofs of the town, in the direction of the op 
 posite peninsula. " They dug their cellar on 
 Breeds, and now they are fixing the underpinning 
 and next you'll see what a raising they'll invite 
 the people to !" 
 
 The instant the spot was named, all those eyes 
 which bad hitherto gazed at the vessels them 
 selves, instead of searching for the object of 
 their hostility, were turned on the green eminence 
 which rose a little to the right of the village of 
 Charlestowu, and every 'doubt was at once remov 
 ed by the discovery. The high, conical summit 
 of Bunker-hill lay naked, and unoccupied, as on 
 the preceding day ; but on the extremity of a more 
 humble ridge, which extended within a short 
 distance of the water, a low bank of earth had 
 been thrown up, for purposes which no military 
 eye could mistake. This redoubt, small and in 
 artificial as it was, commanded by its position 
 the whole of the inner harbour of Boston, and 
 even endangered, in some measure, the occupants 
 of the town itself. It was the sudden appearance 
 of this magical mound, as the mists of the morn 
 ing had dispersed, which roused the slumbering 
 seamen ; and it had already become the target 
 of all the guns of the shipping in the bay. Amaze 
 ment at the temerity of their countrymen, held 
 the townsmen silent, while Major Lincoln, 
 and the few officers who stood nigh him, saw at a 
 glance, that this step on the part of their adversa 
 ries would bring the affairs of the leaguer to an 
 instant crisis. In vain they turned their wonder 
 ing looks on the neighbouring eminence, and 
 around the different points of the peninsula, in 
 quest of those places of support with which sol 
 diers generally entrench their defences. The 
 husbandmen opposed to them, had seized upon 
 the point best calculated to annoy their foes,
 
 238 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 without regard to the consequences ; and in a few 
 short hours, favoured by the mantle of night, had 
 thrown up their work with a dexterity that was 
 only exceeded by their boldness. The truth 
 flashed across the brain of Major Lincoln with his 
 first glance, and he felt his cheeks glow as he re 
 membered the low and indistinct murmurs which 
 the night air had wafted to his ears, and those in 
 explicable fancies, which had even continued to 
 haunt him till dispersed by truth and the light 
 of day. Motioning to J<>b to follow, he left 
 the hill with a hurried step, and when they gain 
 ed the common, he turned, and said, sternly, to 
 his companion 
 
 " Fellow, you have been privy to this midnight 
 work !" 
 
 " Job has enough to do in the day, without 
 labouring in the night, when none but the dead 
 are out of their places of rest," returned the lad, 
 with a look of mental imbecility, which immedi 
 ately disarmed the resentment of the other. 
 
 Lionel smiled as he again remembered his own 
 weakness, and repeated to himself 
 
 "The dead! ay, these are the works of the 
 living, and bold men are they who have dared te 
 do the deed. But tell me, Job, for 'tis in vain 
 to attempt deceiving me any longer, what num 
 ber of Americans did you leave on the hill when 
 you crossed the Charles to visit the graves on 
 Copp's, the past night ?" 
 
 " Both hills were crowded," returned the 
 other " Breeds with the people, and Copp's with 
 the ghosts Job believes the dead rose to see 
 their children digging so nigh them !" 
 
 " 'Tis probable," said Lionel, who believed it 
 wisest to humour the wild conceits of the lad, in 
 order to disarm his cunning ; " but though the 
 dead are invisible, the living may be counted.'"
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 239 
 
 "Job did count five hundred men, marching 
 over the nose of Bunker, by star-light, with their 
 picks and spades ; and then he stopped, for he 
 forgot whether seven or eight hundred came 
 next." 
 
 " And after you ceased to count, did many 
 others pass ?" 
 
 " The Bay-colony isn't so poorly off for men, 
 that it can't muster a thousand at a raising." 
 
 " But you had a master workman on the occa 
 sion; was it the wolf-hunter of Connecticut?" 
 
 " There is no occasion to go from the pro 
 vince to find a workman to lay out a cellar ! 
 Dicky Gridley is a Boston boy !" 
 
 " Ah ! he is the chief! we can have nothing to 
 fear then, since the Connecticut woodsman is not 
 at their head . ? " 
 
 " Do you think old Prescott, of Pepperel, will 
 quit the hill while he has a kernel of powder to 
 burn ! QO, no, Major Lincoln, Ralph himself 
 an't a stouter warrior ; and you can't frighten 
 Ralph !" 
 
 " But if they fire their cannon often, their 
 small stock of ammunition will be soon consum 
 ed, and then they must unavoidably run." 
 
 Job laughed tauntingly, and with an appear 
 ance of high scorn, before he answered 
 
 " Fes, if the Bay-men were as dumb as the 
 king's troops, and used such big guns ! but the 
 cannon of the colony want but little brimstone, 
 and there's but few of them let the rake-hel- 
 lies go up to Breeds ; the people will teach 
 them the law !" 
 
 Lionel had now obtained all he expected to 
 learn from the simpleton concerning the force 
 and condition of the Americans; and as the mo 
 ments were too precious to be wasted in vain dis-
 
 240 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 course, he bid the lad repair to his quarters that 
 night, and left him. On entering bis own lodg 
 ings, Major Lincoln shut himself up in his private 
 apartment, and passed several hours in writing, 
 and examining important papers. One letter, in 
 particular, was written, read, torn, and rewritten 
 five or six times, until at length he placed his 
 seal, and directed the important paper with a sort 
 of carelessness that denoted his patience was ex 
 hausted by repeated trials. These documents 
 were entrusted to Meriton, with orders to deliver 
 them to their several addresses, unless counter 
 manded before the following day, and the young 
 man hastily swallowed a late and light breakfast. 
 While shut up in his closet, Lionel had several 
 times thrown aside his pen to listen, as the hum of 
 the place penetrated to his retirement, and an 
 nounced the excitement and bustle which pervad 
 ed the streets of the town. Having at length 
 completed the task he had assigned himself, he 
 caught up his hat, and took his way, with hasty 
 steps, into the centre of the place. 
 
 Cannon were rattling over the rough pave 
 ments, followed by ammunition wagons, and of 
 ficers and men of the artillery were seen in swift 
 pursuit of their pieces. Aide-de-camps were 
 riding furiously through the streets, charged with 
 important messages ; and here and there an officer 
 might be seen issuing from his quarters, with a 
 countenance in which manly pride struggled 
 powerfully with inward dejection, as he caught 
 the last glance of anguish which followed his 
 retiring form, from eyes that had been used to 
 meet his own with looks of confidence and love. 
 There was, however, but little time to dwell on 
 these flitting glimpses of domestic wo, amid the 
 general bustle and glitter of the scene. Now and 
 then the strains of martial music broke up through
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 the windings of the crooked avenues, and detach 
 ments of the troops wheeled by on their way to 
 the appointed place of embarkation. While Lio 
 nel stood a moment at the corner of a street, ad 
 miring the firm movement of a body of grena 
 diers, his eye fell on the powerful frame and 
 rigid features of M'Fuse, marching at the head of 
 his company with that gravity which regarded 
 the accuracy of the step amongst the important 
 incidents of life. At a short distance from him 
 was Job Pray, timing his paces to the tread of 
 the soldiers, and regarding the gallant show with 
 stupid admiration, while his ear unconsciously 
 drank the inspiriting music of their band. As 
 this fine body of men passed on, it was immedi 
 ately succeeded by a battalion in which Lionel 
 instantly recognised the facings of his own regi 
 ment. The warm-hearted Polwarth led its for 
 ward files, and waving his hand, he cried 
 
 " God bless you, Leo, God bless you we shall 
 make a fair stand up fight of this j there is an end 
 of all stag-hunting." 
 
 The notes of the horns rose above his voice, 
 and Lionel could do no more than return his 
 cordial salute ; when, recalled to his purpose by 
 the sight of his comrades, he turned, and pur 
 sued his way to the quarters of the commander-in- 
 chief. 
 
 The gate of Province-house was thronged with 
 military men ; some waiting for admittance, and 
 others entering and departing with the air of 
 those who were charged with the execution of 
 matters of the deepest moment. The name of 
 Major Lincoln was hardly announced before an 
 aid appeared to conduct him into the presence 
 of the governor, with a politeness and haste that 
 several gentlemen, who had been in waiting for 
 hours, deemed in a trifling degree unjust. 
 
 VOL. I.
 
 242 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 Lionel, however, having little to do with 
 murmurs which he did not hear, followed his con 
 ductor, and was immediately ushered into the 
 apartment, where a council of war had just closed 
 its deliberations. On the threshold of its door 
 he was compelled to give way to an officer who 
 was departing in haste, and whose powerful frame 
 seemed bent a little in the intensity of thought, 
 as his dark, military countenance lighted for an 
 instant with the salutation he returned to the low 
 bow of the young soldier. Around this chief 
 a group of younger men immediately clustered, 
 and as they departed in company, Lionel was en 
 abled to gather from their conversation that they 
 took their way for the field of battle. The room 
 was filled with officers of high rank, though here 
 and there was to be seen a man in civil attire, 
 whose disappointed and bitter looks announced 
 him to be one of those mandamus counsellors, 
 whose evil advice had hastened the mischief their 
 wisdom could never repair. From out a small cir 
 cle of these mortified civilians, the unpretending 
 person of Gage advanced to meet Lionel, form 
 ing a marked contrast by the simplicity of its 
 dress, to the military splendour that was glittering 
 around him. 
 
 " In what can I oblige Major Lincoln ?" he 
 said, taking the young man by the hand cordial 
 ly, as if glad to be rid of the troublesome coun 
 sellors he had so unceremoniously quitted. 
 
 " ' Wolfe's own' has just passed me on its way 
 to the boats, and I have ventured to intrude on 
 your excellency to inquire if it were not time its 
 Major had resumed his duty f" 
 
 A shade of thought was seated for a moment on 
 the placid features of the general, and he then an 
 swered with a friendly smile
 
 LIONEL LINdOLN. 243 
 
 " 'Twill be no more than an affair of out-posts, 
 and must be quickly ended. But should 1 grant 
 the request of every brave young man whose 
 spirit is up to-day, it might cost his majesty's ser 
 vice the life of some officer that would make the 
 purchase of the pile of earth too dear." 
 
 " But may I not be permitted to say, that the 
 family of Lincoln is of the Province, and its 
 example should not be lost on such an occasion ?" 
 
 " The loyalty of the colonies is too well repre 
 sented here to need the sacrifice," said Gage, 
 glancing his eyes carelessly at the expecting group 
 behind him. " My council have decided on the 
 officers to be employed, and I regret that Major 
 Lincoln's name was omitted, since 1 know it will 
 give him pain ; but valuable lives are not to be 
 lightly and unnecessarily exposed." 
 
 Lionel bowed in submission, and after commu 
 nicating the little he had gathered from Job Pray, 
 he turned away, and found himself near another 
 officer of high rank, who smiled as he observed his 
 disappointed countenance, and taking him by the 
 arm, led him from the room, with a freedom suit 
 ed to his fine figure and easy air. 
 
 " Then, like myself, Lincoln, you are not to 
 battle for the king to-day," he said, on gaining 
 the anti-chamber. " Howe has the luck of the 
 occasion, if there can be luck in so vulgar an 
 affair. Buta//ons; accompany me to Copp's, as 
 a spectator, since they deny us parts in the drama ; 
 and perhaps we may pick up materials for a pas 
 quinade, though not for an epic." 
 
 " Pardon me, General Burgoyne," said Lio 
 nel, " if I view the matter with more serious eyes 
 than yourself." 
 
 " Ah ! I had forgot that you were a follower 
 of Percy in the hunt of Lexington !" interrupted 
 the other ; " we will call it a tragedy, then, if
 
 244 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 it better suits your humour. For myself, Lincoln, 
 I weary of these crooked streets and gloomy 
 houses, and having some taste for the poetry of 
 nature, would have long since looked out upon 
 the deserted fields of these husbandmen, had the 
 authority, as well as the inclination, rested with 
 me. But Clinton is joining us : he, too, is for 
 Copp's, where we can all take a lesson in arms, by 
 studying the manner in which Howe wields his 
 battalions." 
 
 A soldier of middle age now joined them, whose 
 stout frame, while it wanted the grace and ease 
 of the gentleman who still held Lionel by the arm. 
 bore a martial character to which the look of the 
 quiet and domestic Gage was a stranger; and fol 
 lowed by their several attendants, the whole party 
 immediately left the government-bouse to take 
 their destined position on the eminence so often 
 mentioned. 
 
 As they entered the street, Burgoyne relin 
 quished the arm of his companion, and moved 
 with becoming dignity by the side of his brother 
 General. Lionel gladly availed himself of this 
 alteration to withdraw a little from the group, 
 whose steps he followed at such a distance as per 
 mitted him to observe those exhibitions of feeling 
 on the part of the inhabitants, which the pride of 
 the others induced them to overlook. Pallid and 
 anxious female faces were gleaming out upon 
 them from every window, while the roofs of the 
 houses, and the steeples of the churches, were be-]lk 
 ginning to throng with more daring, and equally ^ 
 interested spectators. The drums no longer roll 
 ed along the narrow streets, though, occasionally, 
 the shrill strain of a fife was heard from the wa 
 ter, announcing the movements of the troops to 
 the opposite peninsula. Over all was heard the 
 incessant roaring of the artillery, which, untired, 
 had not ceased to rumble in the air since the ap-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 245 
 
 pearance of light, until the ear, accustomed to its 
 presence, had learnt to distinguish the lesser 
 sounds we have recorded. 
 
 As the party descended into the lower passages 
 of the town, it appeared deserted by every thing 
 having life, the open windows and neglected doors 
 betraying the urgency of the feelings which had 
 called the population to situations more favoura 
 ble for observing the approaching contest. This 
 appearance of intense curiosity excited the sym 
 pathies of even the old and practised soldiers ; 
 and quickening their paces, the whole soon 
 rose from among the gloomy edifices to the open 
 and unobstructed view from the hill. 
 
 The whole scene now lay before them. Nearly 
 in their front was the village of Charlestown, 
 with its deserted streets, and silent roofs, looking 
 like a place of the dead ; or, if the signs of life 
 were visible within its open avenues, 'twas mere 
 ly some figure moving swiftly in the solitude, like 
 one who hastened to quit the devoted spot. On 
 the opposite point of the south-eastern face of 
 the peninsula, and at the distance of a thousand 
 yards, the ground was already covered by masses 
 of human beings, in scarlet, with their arms glit 
 tering in a noon-day sun. Between the two, though 
 in the more immediate vicinity of the silent town, 
 the rounded ridge already described, rose abrupt 
 ly from a flat that was bounded by the water, 
 until, having attained an elevation of some fifty or 
 sixty feet, it swelled gradually to the little crest, 
 where was planted the humble object that had 
 occasioned all this commotion. The meadows, on 
 the right, were still peaceful and smiling as in the 
 most quiet days of the province, though the ex 
 cited fancy of Lionel imagined that a sullen still 
 ness lingered about th e neglected kilns in their
 
 246 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 front, and over the whole landscape, that was in 
 gloomy consonance with the approaching scene. 
 Far on the left, across the waters of the Charles, 
 the American camp had poured forth its thou 
 sands to the hills ; and the whole population of the 
 country for many miles inland, bad gathered to a 
 point, to witness a struggle charged with the fate 
 of their nation. Beacon-hill rose from out the ap 
 palling silence of the town of Boston, like a pyra 
 mid of living faces, with every eye fixed on the 
 fatal point, and men hung along the yards of the 
 shipping, or were suspended on cornices, cupolas, 
 and steeples, in thoughtless security, while every 
 other sense was lost in the absorbing interest of 
 the sight. The vessels of war had hauled deep 
 into the rivers, or more properly, those narrow 
 arms of the sea which formed the peninsula, and 
 sent their iron missiles with unwearied industry 
 across the low passage which alone opened the 
 means of communication between the self-devoted 
 yeomen on the hill, and their distant countrymen. 
 While battalion landed after battalion on the 
 point, cannon-balls from the battery of Copp's. 
 and the vessels of war, were glancing up the na 
 tural glacis that surrounded the redoubt, burying 
 themselves in its earthen parapet, or plunging 
 with violence into the deserted sides of the loftier 
 height which lay a few hundred yards in its rear; 
 and the black and smoking bombs appeared to^ 
 hover above the spot, as if pausing to select the 
 places in which to plant their deadly combusti 
 bles. 
 
 Notwithstanding these appalling preparations, 
 and ceaseless annoyances, throughout that long 
 and anxious morning, the stout husbandmen 
 on the hill had never ceased their steady efforts 
 to maintain, to the uttermost extremity, the post 
 they had so daringly assumed. In vain the Eng-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 247 
 
 lish exhausted every means to disturb their 
 stubborn foes ; the pick, the shovel, and the spade 
 continued to perform their offices, and mound rose 
 after mound, amidst the din and danger of the 
 cannonade, steadily, and as well as if the fanciful 
 conceits of Job Pray embraced their real objects, 
 and the labourers were employed in the peaceful 
 pursuits of their ordinary lives. This firmness, 
 however, was not like the proud front which high 
 training can impart to the most common mind ; 
 for ignorant of the glare of military show ; in the 
 simple and rude vestments of their calling ; arm 
 ed with such weapons as they had seized from the 
 hooks above their own mantels ; and without 
 even a banner to wave its cheering folds above 
 their heads, they stood, sustained only by the 
 righteousness of their cause, and those deep 
 moral principles which they had received from, 
 their fathers, and which they intended this day 
 should show, were to be transmitted untarnish 
 ed to their children. It was afterwards known 
 that they endured their labours and their dangers 
 even in want of that sustenance which is so es 
 sential to support animal spirits in moments of 
 calmness and ease ; while their enemies, on the 
 point, awaiting the arrival of their latest bands, 
 were securely devouring a meal, which to hun 
 dreds amongst them proved to be their last. The 
 fatal instant now seemed approaching. A gene 
 ral movement was seen among the battalions 
 of the British, who began to spread along the 
 shore, under cover of the brow of the hill 
 the lingering boats having arrived with the rear 
 of their detachments and officers hurried from 
 regiment to regiment with the final mandates 
 of their chief. At this moment a body of Ame 
 ricans appeared on the crown of Bunker-hill, 
 and descending swiftly by the road, disappear-
 
 248 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 ed in the meadows to the left of their own 
 redoubt. This band was followed by others, 
 who, like themselves, had broken through the 
 dangers of the narrow pass, by braving the 
 fire of the shipping, and who also hurried to 
 join their comrades on the low land. The Bri 
 tish General determined at once to anticipate the 
 arrival of further reinforcements, and gave forth 
 the long-expected order to prepare for the attack
 
 CHAP. XVf. 
 
 ' l TV imperious Briton, on the well-fought ground, 
 " No cause for joy, or wanton triumph found, 
 " But saw, with grief, their dreams of conquest vain, 
 " Felt the deep wounds, and mourn 'd their vet'rans slain 
 
 Humphreys. 
 
 THE Americans had made a show, in the 
 course of that fearful morning, of returning the 
 fire of their enemies, by throwing a few shot from 
 their light field-pieces, as if in mockery of the 
 tremendous cannonade which they sustained. 
 But as the moment of severest trial approached, 
 the same awful stillness which had settled upon 
 the deserted streets of Charlestown, hovered 
 around the redoubt. On the meadows, to its 
 left, the recently arrived bands hastily threw 
 the rails of two fences into one, and covering 
 the whole with the mown grass that surrounded 
 them, they posted themselves along the frail 
 defence, which ansxvered no better purpose than 
 to conceal their weakness froro, their adversaries. 
 Behind this characteristic rampart, several bodies 
 of husbandmen from the neighbouring provinces 
 of New-Hampshire and Connecticut, lay on their 
 arms, in sullen expectation. Their line extended 
 from the shore to the base of the ridge> where it
 
 256 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 terminated several hundred feet behind the 
 works ; leaving a wide opening in a diagonal di 
 rection, between the fence and an earthen breast 
 work, which ran a short distance down the de 
 clivity of the hill, from the north-eastern angle 
 of the redoubt. A few hundred yards in the 
 rear of this rude disposition, the naked crest 
 of Bunker-hill rose unoccupied and undefended, 
 and the streams of the Charles and Myslick 
 sweeping around its ba<e, approached so near 
 each other as to blend the sounds of their rip 
 pling. It was across this low and narrow isthmus, 
 that the royal frigates poured a stream of fire, 
 that never ceased, while around it hovered the 
 numerous parties of the undisciplined Americans, 
 hesitating to attempt the dangerous passage. 
 
 In this manner Guge had. in a great degree, 
 surrounded the devoted peninsula with his power ; 
 and the bold men who had so daringly planted 
 themselves under the muzzles of his cannon, 
 were left, as already stated, unsupported, without 
 nourishment, and with weapons from their own 
 gun-hooks, singly to maintain the honour of their 
 nation. Including men of all ages and conditions, 
 there might have been two thousand of them ; 
 but as the day advanced, small bodies of their 
 countrymen, taking counsel of their feelings, and 
 animated by the example of the old Partisan of 
 the Woods, who crossed and recrossed the neck, 
 loudly scoffing at the danger, broke through the 
 fire of the shipping in time to join in the closing 
 and bloody business of the hour. 
 
 On the other hand, Howe led more than an 
 equal number of the chosen troops of his Prince; 
 and as boats continued to ply between the two 
 peninsulas throughout the afternoon, the relative 
 disparity continued uudiminished to the end o.(
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 the struggle. It was at this point in our narrative 
 that, deeming himself sufficiently strong to force 
 the defences of his despised foes, the arrange?- 
 ments immediately preparatory to such an un 
 dertaking were made in full view of the ex 
 cited spectators. Notwithstanding the security 
 with which the English General marshalled his 
 warriors, he felt that the approaching contest 
 would be a battle of no conimuii incidents. The 
 eyes of tens of thousands were fastened on his 
 movements, and the occasion demanded the rich 
 est display of the pageantry of war. 
 
 The troops formed with beautiful accuracy, 
 and the column 1 - moved steadily along the shore, 
 and took their assigned stations under cover of 
 the brow of the eminence. Their force was in 
 some measure divided ; one moiety attempting 
 the toilsome ascent of the hill, and the other mov 
 ing along the beach, or in the orchards of the 
 more level ground, towards the husbandmen on 
 the meadows. The latter soon disappeared be 
 hind some fruit-trees and the brick-kilns just 
 mentioned. The advance of the royal columns 
 up the ascent was slou and measured, giving 
 time to their field-guns to add their efforts to 
 the uproar of the cannonade, which broke out 
 with new fury as the battalions prepared to 
 march. When each column arrived at the allotted 
 point, it spread the gallant array of its glittering 
 warriors under a bright sun. 
 
 " It is a glorious spectacle," murmured the 
 graceful chieftain by the side of Lionel, keenly 
 alive to all the poetry of his alluring profession j 
 " how exceeding soldier-like ! and with what 
 accuracy his ' first-arm ascends the hill,' towards 
 his enemy !" 
 
 The intensity of his feelings prevented Major 
 Lincoln from replying, and the other soon forgot
 
 252 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 that he had spoken, in the overwhelming anxiety 
 f the moment. The advance of the British 
 line, so beautiful and slow, resembled rather 
 the ordered steadiness of a drill than an approach 
 to a deadly struggle. Their standards fluttered 
 proudly above them, and there were moments 
 when the wild music of their bands was heard 
 rising on the air, and tempering the ruder sounds 
 of the artillery. The young and thoughtless in their 
 ranks turned their faces backward, and smiled 
 exuhingly, as they beheld steeples, roofs, masts, 
 and heights, teeming with their thousands of eyes, 
 bent on the show of their bright array. As the Bri 
 tish lines moved in open view of the little redoubt, 
 and began slowly to gather around its different 
 faces, gun after gun became silent, and the 
 curious artillerist, or tired seaman, lay extended 
 on his heated piece, gazing in mute wonder at 
 the spectacle. There was just then a minute 
 when the roar of the cannonade seemed passing 
 away like the rumbling of distant thunder. 
 
 "They will not fight, Lincoln," said the ani 
 mated leader at the side of Lionel " the military 
 front of Howe has chilled the hearts of the knaves, 
 and our victory will be bloodless !" 
 
 " We shall see, sir we shall see !" 
 
 These words were barely uttered, when platoon 
 after platoon, among the British, delivered its 
 fire, the blaze of musketry flashing swiftly around 
 the brow of the hill, and was immediately follow 
 ed by heavy volleys that ascended from the 
 orchard. Still no answering sound was heard 
 from the Americans, and the royal troops were 
 soon lost to the eye as they slowly marched into 
 the white cloud which their own fire had alone 
 created. 
 
 " They are cowed, by heavens the dogs are 
 cowed !" once more cried the gay companion of
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 253 
 
 * 
 
 Lionel, " and Howe is within two hundred feet of 
 them, unharmed !" 
 
 At that instant a sheet of flame glanced through 
 the smoke, like lightning playing in a cloud, 
 while at one report a thousand muskets were 
 added to the uproar. It was not altogether fan 
 cy which led Lionel to imagine that he saw the 
 smoky canopy of the hill to wave as if the trained 
 warriors it enveloped faltered before this close 
 and appalling discharge ; but in another instant, 
 the stimulating war-cry, and the loud shouts of 
 the combatants were borne across the strait to 
 his ears, even amid the horrid din of the combat. 
 Ten breathless minutes flew by like a moment of 
 time, and the bewildered spectators on Copp's 
 were still gazing intently on the scene, when a 
 voice was raised among them, shouting 
 
 "Hurrah! let the rake-hellies go up to Breed's; 
 the people will teach 'em the law !" 
 
 "Throw the rebel scoundrel from the hill! 
 Blow him from the muzzle of a gun !" cried 
 twenty soldiers in a breath. 
 
 " Hold !" exclaimed Lionel " 'tis a simple 
 ton, an idiot, a fool !" 
 
 But the angry and savage murmurs as quickly 
 subsided, and were lost in other feelings, as the 
 bright red lines of the royal troops were seen 
 issuing from the smoke, waving and recoiling 
 before the still vivid fire of the'ir enemies. 
 
 " Ha !" said Burgoyne " 'tis some feint to 
 draw the rebels from their hold !" 
 
 " 'Tis a palpable and disgraceful retreat !" 
 muttered the stern warrior nigh him, whose truer 
 eye detected at a glance the discomfiture of the 
 assailants" 'Tis another base retreat before the 
 rebels !" 
 
 " Hurrah !" shouted the reckless changeling 
 again ; " there come the reg'tars out of the 
 
 VOL. i. 2S
 
 254 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 orchard too ! see the grannies skulking behind 
 the kilns ! Let them go on to Breed's, the peo 
 ple will teach 'em the law !" 
 
 No cry of vengeance preceded the act this 
 time, but fifty of the soldier) rushed, as by a com 
 mon impulse, on their prey. Lionel had not time 
 to utter a word of remonstrance, before Job ap 
 peared in the air, borne on the uplifted arms of 
 a dozen men, and at the next instant he was 
 seen rolling down the steep declivity, with a ve 
 locity that carried him to the water's edge. 
 Springing to his feet, the undaunted changeling 
 once more waved his hat in triumph, and shout 
 ed forth again his offensive challenge. Then 
 turning, he launched his canoe from its hiding 
 place among the adjacent lumber, amid a shower 
 of stones, and glided across the strait ; his little 
 bark escaping unnoticed in the crowd of boats 
 that were rowing in all directions. But his pro 
 gress was watched by the uneasy eye of Lionel, 
 who saw him land and disappear, with hasty steps, 
 in the silent streets of the town. 
 
 While this trifling by-play was enacted, the 
 great drama of the day was not at a stand. The 
 smoky veil which clung around the brow of the 
 eminence, was lifted by the air, and sailed hea 
 vily away to the south-west, leaving the scene of 
 the bloody struggle again open to the view. Lio 
 nel witnessed the grave and meaning glances 
 which the two lieutenants of the king exchanged 
 as they simultaneously turned their glasses from 
 the fatal spot, and taking the one proffered by 
 Burgoyne, he read their explanation in the num 
 bers of the dead that lay profusely scattered in 
 front of the redoubt. At this instant, an officer 
 from the field held an earnest communication 
 with the two leaders, when, having delivered bis 
 .orders, he hastened back to his boat, like one
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 who felt himself employed in matters of life and 
 death. 
 
 " It shall be done, sir," repeated Clinton, as 
 the other departed, his own honest brow sternly 
 knit under high martial excitement. " The artil 
 lery have their orders, and the work will be ac 
 complished without delay." 
 
 " This, Major Lincoln !" cried his more so 
 phisticated companion. k ' this is one of the trying 
 duties of the soldier ! To fight, to bleed, or 
 even to die, for his prince, is his happy privilege; 
 but it is sometimes his unfortunate lot to become 
 the instrument of vengeance." 
 
 Lionel waited but a moment for an explana 
 tion the flaming balls were soon seen taking 
 their wide circuit in the air, and carrying their 
 desolation among the close and inflammable 
 roofs of the opposite town. In a very few minutes 
 a dense, black smoke arose from the deserted 
 buildings, and forked flames played actively along 
 the he<ued shingles, as though rioting in their 
 unmolested possession of the place. He regard 
 ed the gathering destruction in painful silence j 
 and on bending his looks towards his companions, 
 he fancied, notwithstanding the language of the 
 other, that he read the deepest regret in the avert 
 ed eye of him who had so unhesitatingly uttered 
 the fatal mandate to destroy. 
 
 In scenes like these we are attempting to de 
 scribe, hours appear to be minutes, and time flies 
 as imperceptibly as life slides from beneath the 
 feet of age. The disordered ranks of the British 
 had been arrested at the base of the hill, and 
 were again forming under the eyes of their lead* 
 ers, with admirable discipline, and extraordinary 
 care. Fresh battalions, from Boston, marched 
 with high military pride inlo the line, and every 
 thing betokened that a second assault was at hand.
 
 256 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 When the moment of stupid amazement which 
 succeeded the retreat of the royal troops had 
 passed, the troops and batteries poured out their 
 wrath with tenfold fury on their enemies. Shot 
 were incessantly glancing up the gentle acclivity, 
 madly ploughing across its grassy surface, while- 
 black and threatening shells appeared to hover 
 above the work like the monsters of the air, about 
 to stoop upon their prey. 
 
 Still all lay quiet and immoveable within the 
 low mounds of earth, as if none there had a stake 
 in the issue of the bloody day. For a few mo 
 ments only, the tall figure of an aged man was 
 seen slowly moving along the summit of the 
 rampart, calmly regarding the dispositions of the 
 English general in the more distant part of his 
 line, and after exchanging a few words with a 
 gentleman who joined him in his dangerous look 
 out, they disappeared together behind the grassy 
 banks. Lionel soon detected the name of Pres- 
 cott of Peppereil, passing through the crowd in 
 low murmurs, and his glass did not deceive him 
 when he thought, in the smaller of the two, he 
 had himself descried the graceful person of the 
 unknown leader of the ' caucus.' 
 
 All eyes were now watching the advance of the 
 battalions, which once more drew nigh the point of 
 contest. The heads of the columns were already 
 in view of their enemies, when a man was seen 
 swiftly ascending the hill from the burning town : 
 he paused amid the peril, on the natural glacis, 
 and swung his hat triumphantly, and Lionel even 
 fancied he heard the exulting cry, as he recog 
 nised the ungainly form of the simpleton, before 
 it plunged into the work. 
 
 The right of the British once more disappear 
 ed in the orchard, and the columns in front of the 
 redoubt again opened with all the imposing exact-
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 257 
 
 ness of their high discipline. Their arms were 
 already glittering in a line with the green faces of 
 the mound, and Lionel heard the experienced 
 \varrior at his side, murmuring to himself 
 
 " Let him hold his fire, and he will go in at 
 the point of the bayonet !" 
 
 But the trial was too great for even the prac 
 tised courage of the royal troops. Volley suc 
 ceeded volley, and in a few moments they had 
 again curtained their ranks behind the misty 
 skreen produced by their own fire. Then came the 
 terrible flash from the redoubt, and the eddying 
 volumes from the adverse hosts rolled into one 
 cloud, enveloping the combatants in its folds, 
 as if to conceal their bloody work from the spec 
 tators. Twenty times in the short space of as 
 many minutes, Major Lincoln fancied he heard 
 the incessant roll of the American musketry die 
 away before the heavy and regular volleys of the 
 troops, and then he thought the sounds of the lat 
 ter grew more faint, and were given at longer 
 intervals. 
 
 The result, however, was soon known. The 
 heavy bank of smoke which now even clung along 
 the ground, was broken in fifty places, and thedis- 
 ordered masses of the Britisji were seen driven 
 before their deliberate foes, in wild confusion. 
 The flashing swords of the officers in vain at 
 tempted to arrest the torrent, n ->r did the flight 
 cease with many of the regiments until they had 
 even reached their boats. At this moment a hum 
 was heard in Boston like the sudden rush of wind, 
 and men gazed in each other's faces with undis 
 guised amazement. Here and there a low sound 
 of exultation escaped some unguarded lip, and 
 many an eye gleamed with a triumph that could 
 no longer be suppressed. Until this moment the 
 feelings of Lionel had vacillated between the 
 
 23*
 
 258 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 pride of country and his military spirit, but 
 losing all other feelings in the latter sensation, 
 he now looked fiercely about him, as if he would 
 seek the man who dare exult in the repulse of 
 his comrades. The poetic chieftain was still at 
 his side, biting his nether lip in vexation ; but his 
 more tried companion had suddenly disappeared. 
 Another quick glance fell upon his missing form 
 in the act of entering a boat at the foot of the hill. 
 Quicker than thought, Lionel was on the shore, 
 crying as he flew to the water's edge 
 
 " Hold ! for God's sake, hold ! remember the 
 47th is in the field, and that I am its Major !" 
 
 " Receive him," said Clinton, with that grim 
 satisfaction with which men acknowledge a valu 
 ed friend in moments of great trial ; " and then 
 row for your lives, or what is of more value, for 
 the honour of the British name." 
 
 The brain of Lionel whirled as the boat shot 
 along its watery bed, but before it had gained the 
 middle of the stream he had time to consider the 
 whole of the appalling scene. The fire had spread 
 from house to house, and the whole village of 
 Cbarlestown, with its four hundred buildings, 
 was just bursting into flames. The air seemed 
 filled with whistling balls, as they hurtled above 
 his head, and the black sides of the vessels of war 
 were vomiting their sheets of flame with un 
 wearied industry. Amid this tumult the Eng 
 lish General and his companions sprung to land. 
 The former rushed into the disordered ranks, and 
 by his presence and voice recalled the men of one 
 regiment to their duty. But long and loud ap 
 peals to their spirit and their ancient fame were 
 necessary to restore a moiety of their former con 
 fidence to men who had been thus rudely repuls 
 ed, and who now looked along their thinned and 
 exhausted ranks, missing in many instances mon
 
 LIONEL -LINCOLN. . 259 
 
 than half the well-known countenances of then- 
 fellows. In the midst of the faltering troops 
 stood their stern and unbending chief; but of all 
 those gay and gallant youths who followed in his 
 train as he had departed from Province-house 
 that morning, not one remained, but in his blood. 
 He alone seemed undisturbed in that disordered 
 crowd ; and his mandates went forth as usual, 
 cairn and determined. At length the panic, in 
 some degree, subsided, and order was once more 
 restored as the high-spirited and mortified gentle 
 men of the detachment regained their lost au 
 thority. 
 
 The leaders consulted together, apart, and the 
 dispositions were immediately renewed for the 
 assault. Military show was no longer affected, 
 but the soldiers laid down ail the useless imple 
 ments of their trade, and many even cast aside 
 their outer garments, under the warmth of a broil 
 ing sun, added to the heat of the conflagration 
 which began to diffuse itself along the extremity 
 of the peninsula. Fresh companies were placed 
 in the columns, and rnqst of the troops were with 
 drawn from the meadows, leaving merely a few 
 skirmishers to amuse the -mericans who lay be 
 hind the fence. When each disposition was com 
 pleted, the final signal was given to advance. 
 
 Lionel had taken post, in his regiment, but 
 marching on the skirt of the column, he com 
 manded a view of most of the scene of battle. 
 In his front moved a battalion, reduced to a 
 handful of men in the previous assaults. Behind 
 these came a party of the marine guards, from 
 the shipping, led by their own veteran Major ; 
 and next followed the dejected Nesbitt and his 
 corps, amongst whom Lionel looked in vain for 
 the features of the good-natured Polwarth. Simi 
 lar columns marched on their right and left, encir 
 cling three sides of the redoubt by their Battalions.
 
 260 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 A few minutes brought him in full view of tha* 
 humble and unfinished mound of earth, for the, 
 possession of which so much blood had that day 
 been spilt in vain. It lay, as before, still as if none- 
 breathed within its bosom, though a terrific row 
 oCdark lubes were arrayed along its top, follow 
 ing the movements of the approaching columns, 
 as the eyes of the imaginary charmers of our own 
 wilderness are said to watch their victims. As 
 the uproar of the artillery again grew fainter, the 
 crash of falling streets, and the appalling sounds 
 of the conflagration, on their left, became more 
 audible. Immense volumes of black smoke issued 
 from the smouldering ruins, and bellying outward, 
 fold beyond fold, it overhung the work in a hide 
 ous cloud, casting its gloomy shadow across the 
 place of blood. 
 
 A strong column was now seen ascending, as if 
 from out the burning town, and the advance of the 
 whole became quick and spirited. A low call ran 
 through the platoons, to note the naked weapons 
 of their adversaries, and it was followed by the 
 cry of " to the bayonet ! to the bayonet !" 
 
 "Hurrah! for the (loyal Irish!" shouted 
 M'Fuse, at the head of the dark column from the 
 conflagration. 
 
 " Hurrah !" echoed a well-known voice from 
 the silent inoun<J ; " let them come on to Breed's ; 
 the people will teach 'em the law !" 
 
 Men think at such moments with the rapidity 
 of lightning, and Lionel had even fancied his 
 comrades in possession of the work, when the ter 
 rible stream of fire flashed in the faces of the men 
 in front. 
 
 " Push on with the th," cried the veteran 
 
 Major of Marines " push on, or the 18th will get 
 the honour of the day !" 
 
 " We cannot," murmured the soldiers of the 
 -th ; " their fire is too heavy !"
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 261 
 
 you '" 
 
 Then break, and let the marines pass through 
 
 you !" 
 
 The feeble battalion melted away, and the 
 warriors of the deep, trained to conflicts of. hand 
 to hand, sprang forward, with a loud shout, in 
 their places. The Americans, exhausted of their 
 ammunition, now sunk sullenly back, a few hurl 
 ing stones at their foes, in desperate indignation. 
 The cannon of the British had been brought t< 
 enfilade their short breast-work, which was no 
 longer tenable ; and as the columns approached 
 closer to the low rampart, it became a mutu 
 protection to the adverse parties. 
 ' " Hurrah ! for the Royal Irish !" again shout 
 ed M'Fuse, rushing up the trifling ascent, whicl 
 was but of little more than his own height. 
 
 "Hurrah!" repeated Pitcairn, waving his 
 sword on another angle of the work" the day s 
 
 our own !" , 
 
 One more sheet of flame issued out of the t 
 som of the work, and all those brave men, who 
 had emulated the examples of their officers, were 
 swept away, as though a whirlwind had passe 
 along. The grenadier gave his war-cry once more 
 before he pitched headlong among his enemies ; 
 while Pitcairn fell back into the arms of his own 
 child The cry of ' forward, 47th,' rung through 
 their'ranks, and in their turn this veteran batta 
 lion gallantly mounted the ramparts. In the sba 
 low ditch Lionel passed the dying marine, ani 
 caught the dying and despairing look from his 
 eyes, and in another instant he found himself in 
 the presence of his foes. As company followed 
 company into the defenceless redoubt, the Ame 
 ricans sullenly retired by its rear, keeping the 
 bayonets of the soldiers at bay with clubbed mus 
 kets and sinewy arms. When the whole issued 
 upon the open ground, the husbandmen receivec
 
 262 LIONEL LINCOLN. 
 
 a close and fatal fire from the battalions which 
 were now gathering around them on three sides. 
 A scene of wild and savage confusion then suc 
 ceeded to the order of the fight, and many fatal 
 blows were given and taken, the melee rendering 
 the use of fire-arms nearly impossible for several 
 minutes. 
 
 Lionel continued in advance, pressing on the 
 footsteps of the retiring foe, stepping over many 
 a lifeless body in his difficult progress. Not 
 withstanding the hurry, and vast disorder of the 
 fray, his eye fell on tht- form of tht- graceful stran 
 ger, stretched lifele-s on the parched grass, which 
 had greedily drank his blood. Amid the fero 
 cious cries, and fiercer passions of the moment, 
 the young man paused, and glanced his eyes 
 around him with an expression that said, he 
 thought the work of death >hould cease. At this 
 instant the trappings of his attire caught the gla 
 ring eye-balls of a dying )eoman, whot-xerted his 
 wasting strength to sacrifice one more worthy 
 victim to the rnanes of his countrymen. The 
 whole of the tumultuous scene vanished from the 
 senses of Lionel at the flash of the musket of this 
 man, and he sunk beneath the feet of the combat 
 ants, insensible of further triumph, and of every 
 danger. 
 
 The fall of a single officer, in such a contest, 
 was a circumstance not to be regarded, and regi 
 ments passed over him, without a single man 
 stooping to inquirt' into his fate. When the Ame 
 ricans had disengaged themselves from the troops, 
 they descended into the little hollow between the 
 two hills, swiftly, and like a disordered crowd, 
 bearing off most of their wounded, and leaving 
 but few prisoners in the hands of their foes. The 
 formation of the ground favoured their retreat, as 
 hundreds of bullets whistled harmlessly above
 
 LIONEL LINCOLN. 263 
 
 their heads ; and by the time they gained the 
 acclivity of Bunker's, distance was added to their 
 security. Finding the field lost, the men at the 
 fence broke away in a body from their position, 
 and abandoned the meadows ; the whole moving 
 in confused masses behind the crest of the adja 
 cent height. The shouting soldiery followed in 
 their footsteps, pouring in fruitless "and distant 
 volleys ; but on the summit of Bunker their tired 
 platoons were halted, and they beheld the throng 
 move fearlessly through the tremendous fire that 
 enfiladed the low pass, as little injured as though 
 most of them bore charmed lives. 
 
 The day was now drawing to a close. With the 
 disappearance of their enemies, the ships and 
 batteries ceased their cannonade, and presently 
 not a musket was heard in that place where so 
 fierce a contest had so long raged. The troops 
 commenced fortifying the outward eminence on 
 which they rested, in order to maintain their bar 
 ren conquest, and nothing further remained for 
 the achievement of the royal lieutenants but to 
 go and mourn over their victory. 
 
 END OF VOL. I.

 
 w% 
 
 ^ u? 
 
 ^l-UBRARY0/r 
 
 VERS/A vvlOS-ANGEtfj> ^-LIBRARY* 
 
 ^ t/Or-- 1 1(7 
 
 JK o SsfftlL.B S LJ 10 
 
 
 ^l-LIBRARY^, 
 
 ^1 ir^ 
 
 S LJIo i
 
 3 1158 01125 3126 
 
 *omm 
 ^IOSANC 
 
 -D 
 
 ,,M^l ^ GIONAL L| BRARY FACILITY 
 
 5 = 
 
 x>