Martha Finley

“ Also that it is represented as a sea of glass like unto crystal, to denote the spotless innocence of our Lord Jesus Christ, in his sufferings; that his was not the blood of a malefactor, but of an innocent person."
"One suffering not for his own sins, but for the sins of others," sighed Grandma Elsie. "What wondrous love and condescension; and, oh, what devoted, loving, faithful servants to him should we ever be!"
"We should, indeed," said the captain, then motioned to Lucilla that it was her turn. ”

“ Hugh Lilburn had come for his father and Annis, Edward Travilla for his mother and Evelyn, and the Woodburn carriage was there to take the captain and his family to their home.
"It is delightful to have you at home again, mother," Edward said as they drove off; "we have all been looking forward to your coming—from grandpa down to the babies that can hardly lisp your name."
"It is most pleasant to be so loved," she said with a joyful smile, "especially by those who are so dear as my father, children, and grandchildren are to me. Are all well at Fairview?" ”

“ When the Shawnee hunters came home, saw their dead women, and heard the sad story, they were very angry, crossed the river, and attacked the Delawares. A bloody battle followed; the Shawnees were beaten, and retreated to the banks of the Ohio, where lived a larger portion of their tribe."
"There are not many more historic scenes in this State that we will care to visit at this time, are there, papa?" asked Grace.
"I think not," he said; "we are going west, and most of them are already east of us."
"But, father," said Lucilla, "we have hardly touched upon the history of Wyoming." ”

“ The yacht was again in motion at an early hour—even before any of her passengers were out of their beds. The sun had not yet appeared above the horizon when the captain was joined upon the deck by Percy Landreth.
"Ah, good-morning, Percy," he said in his usual pleasant tones. "Showing yourself so early a bird makes me fear you have not found your berth as comfortable a couch as could be desired." ”

“ Then Violet read, "'But godliness with contentment is great gain; for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.'"
"A Christian may well be content and joyful, even though he have but the bare necessaries of life," remarked Grandma Elsie, "for he may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.'"
"No," said Mr. Leland, "those who belong to Jesus need fear nothing; for he will never forsake his own, and he has all power in heaven and in earth." ”

“ Grandma Elsie.
CHAPTER VI. "We have had a nice day—a very nice one, I think," remarked Elsie Raymond, as they sat on the deck of the Dolphin pursuing their homeward way.
"Where are you going to take us to-morrow, papa?"
"That is a question for the majority of the older people to decide," replied the captain, softly stroking her curls—for she was seated upon his knee—and smiling down affectionately into her eyes.
"That means grandma and mamma, and uncle and aunt, I suppose," said the little girl, looking round inquiringly upon them. "Please, dear, good folks, won't you all say what you want?" ”

“ When those who still remained alive had got within the fort, the savages raised the war-whoop, and began reloading their guns with the evident intention of resuming their horrid onslaught on the defenceless prisoners, when Tecumseh, being told of what was going on, hurried to the fort as fast as his horse could carry him. 'Where is General Proctor?' he demanded; then seeing him near, he asked why he had not put a stop to the massacre. 'Your Indians cannot be commanded,' replied Proctor, trembling with fear at the rage he saw in the chief's countenance. ”

“ And his disciples came to him and awoke him, saying, Lord save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him.'"
"It is such a pretty story," said Little Elsie. "How kind Jesus was never to get angry, though they waked him out of his sleep when he must have been so very, very tired. ”

“ British," said Edward Leland. "What dreadful times those were!"
"Yes," said Grandma Elsie; "we may be very thankful that we live in these better days. And in the best and freest country in the world; which it wouldn't have been, if God had not been for us in those days of trial."
It was a pleasant morning, and all sat under an awning on the deck, preferring it as the breeziest spot and affording the best view of the beautiful country on either side with its many historical associations. Captain Raymond drew attention to Verplanck's and Stony points as they passed them. ”

“ The idea was Washington's. He had learned that Arnold's quarters in New York were next door to those of Sir Henry Clinton, and that the traitor seemed to feel so safe that he was not very cautious and watchful. Major Henry Lee was the commandant of a brave legion of cavalry, a man in whose prudence, patriotism, and judgment Washington knew he could confide; for he had already intrusted to him the delicate service of ascertaining the truth of flying rumors that other officers of high rank were likely to follow Arnold's wicked example. ”

“ They answered indignantly that they had come aboard under a flag of truce and had a right to be allowed to go back free. Arnold coolly told them they must remain on board. Captain Sutherland did not interfere; but, despising Arnold's meanness, he gave the coxswain a parole to go on shore and get such things as he wanted, and when they arrived at New York Sir Henry Clinton set them all at liberty."
"Arnold was one mean wretch! I am sorry to have to own him as an
American!" exclaimed Lucilla.
"Didn't the British despise him, papa?" asked Elsie. ”

“ He addressed his soldiers eloquently in a general order.
"'Can the citizens of a free country, who have taken arms to defend its rights,' he said, 'think of submitting to an army composed of mercenary soldiers, reluctant Canadians goaded to the field by the bayonet, and of wretched, naked savages? Can the breast of an American soldier, when he casts his eye to the opposite shore, the scene of his country's triumphs over the same foe, be influenced by any other feeling than the hope of glory? ”

“ Then they went out, fell upon the savages furiously, drove them half a mile into the woods at the point of the bayonet, and utterly routed them. So zealous were the victors that they would in all probability have made the same mistake that poor Dudley did, had not Harrison, watching them through a spyglass, on one of his batteries, and seeing a body of British and Indians gliding swiftly along the borders of the wood, sent an aide to recall them. ”

“ Lilburn gallantly.
"And that, I presume, is about the way with these younger folk," remarked the captain, glancing around in a kindly way upon them.
"Yes, captain," said Evelyn; "we are all ready, I am sure, to go or stay, as seems best to you."
"One can always find enjoyment wherever you are, father," said
Lucilla.
"Yes, indeed," said Grace. "But now, good folks, please all come down to the saloon and see our preparations for your arrival." ”

“ I think we can go and come back again before the summons to breakfast," he replied, leading the way as he spoke. They reached the landing just as the Dolphin had anchored and thrown out a plank to the shore.
"Oh, how bright and fresh she looks!" exclaimed Lulu.
"Yes—outside," laughed her father. "We will go aboard and see whether the same can be said of the inside," he added, leading her carefully onward till they reached the deck.
"Lovely!" she exclaimed as they stepped upon it; "everything is as spick-and-span as possible." ”

“ The captain pointed out the sites of forts Montgomery and Clinton as they passed, and told of their building by the Americans during the War of the Revolution and their destruction by the British in 1777.
"As Lossing tells us," said Captain Raymond, "'They fell beneath one heavy blow suddenly and artfully dealt by a British force from New York, and the smitten garrison were scattered like frightened sheep upon the mountains.'"
"Oh, papa, surely they didn't surrender without fighting at all?" exclaimed Lulu.
"No indeed, daughter; they fought long and desperately. ”

“ At half-past eleven o'clock that night the Americans began a silent march toward the fort. Two strong men disguised as farmers, and the negro Pompey, went first. There was no barking of dogs to arouse the garrison, for they had all been killed—all in that neighborhood—the day before. Pompey gave the countersign to the first sentinel on the high ground west of the morass, then the two disguised men suddenly seized and gagged him. ”

“ Yes; the storming and capture of Stony Point was esteemed one of the most brilliant exploits of the war,—an exhibition of skill and indomitable courage,—and General Wayne, the leader of the enterprise, was everywhere greeted with rapturous applause. Congress gave him a vote of thanks. It also resolved that a gold medal, emblematic of that action, be struck and presented to General Wayne. ”

“ Ned colored up. "I'm a good deal bigger now than I was once," he said.
"And hoping to grow a good deal bigger yet," added his father, smiling down into the little flushed, excited face.
"Yes, papa, I hope to be as big as brother Max, or you, some of these days," returned the child.
"Don't be in a hurry about growing up," said the voice that had spoken a moment before.
"Grown folk have troubles and trials the little ones know nothing about."
"But the grown-ups may hope to do more in the world than the little ones," said Walter.
"Is that why you are growing up, Uncle Walter?" asked Ned. ”

“ Yes; when life and liberty are in peril it is right to fight for their preservation. Especially when it is not for ourselves only, but for our children and future generations. If our fathers had weakly given up to the tyranny of the British Government, we would not be the free people we are to-day. ”

“ He was badly treated by Congress and by Gates. After that he got into serious trouble through his own reckless extravagance. He was deeply in debt and ready to do almost anything for money. He had married into a Tory family, too, and perhaps they had an influence in lessening his love for the cause of freedom and making him willing to betray his country for the money he coveted—for filthy lucre. He learned that Sir Henry Clinton so coveted West Point that almost any sum of money and any honors would be given the man who should enable the British to get possession of that post. ”

“ But presently a trail was discovered leading to Bergen; they hurried on, and in a few moments caught sight of Champe near the water's edge, making signals to the British galley. He had his valise containing his clothes and his orderly book lashed to his back. When Middleton was within a few hundred yards of him he leaped from his horse, threw away the scabbard of his sword, and, with the naked blade in his hand, sped across the marsh, plunged into the deep waters of the bay, and called to the galley for help. ”

“ We would hardly wish to go in a storm."
"Oh, no!" exclaimed several voices; "especially as we have plenty of time to wait for a pleasant day."
"Yes," the captain said; "but there is every indication that we will not have to do so—that to-morrow will prove as fine a day as we could wish; and I suggest that our young people—and all older ones who desire plenty of sleep—should retire pretty soon; for we will need to rise early if we want abundance of time for our expedition. The trip on the river will be short, but we will probably want to spend at least half the day on shore." ”

“ Lilburn in a tone of inquiry.
"Old enough to reasonably expect to be allowed to take his ease, and let women and children be cared for by younger men," returned the captain pleasantly.
"Such as I, for instance," laughed Walter. "Mother, dear, I hope you feel willing to trust me; and that Vi does also."
"My dear boy, I am entirely willing to trust you to do anything in your power for me and any of our dear ones," Grandma Elsie answered with a loving look and smile into her son's eyes.
"And on the journey to Pleasant Plains I shall certainly do my best for you all, Cousin Elsie," said Percy. ”

“ He was not allowed to escape, and when, soon afterward, Governor Clinton marched with his troops to the help of the people of Esopus, or Kingston, he took the spy with him; and at Hurley, a few miles from Kingston, they tried, condemned the spy, and hung him on an apple tree near the old church. The British had reached Kingston first, and it was then in flames."
"Oh, what a dreadful thing war is!" sighed Grace. "So many people are killed, and so many others robbed of everything but life."
"It is, indeed, an awful thing," assented Grandma Elsie. ”

“ General Harrison heard that the British were moving against Fort Stephenson. He had visited the fort, and felt convinced that it could not be held against an attack with heavy artillery, so had said to Major Croghan: 'Should the British approach you in force with cannon, and you can discover them in time to effect a retreat, you will do so immediately, destroying all the public stores. You must be aware that to attempt a retreat in the face of an Indian force would be vain. ”

“ No one is likely to care to start on the homeward journey before that time."
"I wish they were here now," said Grace; "but we have hours to wait before we can hope to see them."
"Have patience, daughter," her father said in cheerful tones. "The time will soon pass; and, to make it go faster, shall we not row over to one of the islands and have a stroll on the beach?"
The girls all seemed pleased with that proposal; the captain gave the order to have the boat made ready, and in a few moments they were on their way. ”

“ Sir, for God's sake surrender, and prevent the dreadful massacre that will be caused by your resistance!'
"'When the fort shall be taken there will be none to massacre,' Shipp coolly replied, for it was not long since, at Fort Meigs, he had had dealings with the same foe. 'It will not be given up while a man shall be able to resist.'
"He was just turning to go back to the fort, when an Indian sprang from a bushy ravine near at hand and tried to snatch his sword from him. The indignant Shipp was about to despatch the Indian, when Dixon interfered. ”

“ God knows what is best for us, and we do not, but often desire what would be very bad for us."
"Well, papa, I'll try to ask that way," said the little boy. "But I'm very tired of these dark, rainy days, and of staying still in one place where we don't see anything, and I hope our Heavenly Father will let us start away to-morrow."
"Neddie, dear," said his grandmother, "don't forget what a blessing it has been that we had this safe harbor close at hand when the storm was coming, so that we could run right into it. If we had been away out upon the lake our vessel might have been wrecked." ”

“ It was that the Indians should be landed several miles below the fort, march through the woods to the road leading from the Maumee to Lower Sandusky, in the rear of Fort Meigs, and there engage in a sham fight. That, he thought, would give the troops in the fort the idea that re-enforcements were coming to them and had been attacked. Then the garrison would sally forth to aid their friends, and would at once be attacked in their turn by Indians lying in ambush, while the other Indians would rush into the fort and take possession before the gates could be closed. ”

“ It was in the direction of the Vulture."
"Fired by the Americans, papa, or by the British?" asked Elsie.
"The Americans," replied her father. "It was an attack upon the British ship Vulture. Colonel Livingston had heard that she lay so near the shore as to be within cannon shot and had conceived the idea of destroying her, and during the night had sent a party with cannon from Verplanck's Point; and at dawn, from Teller's Point, they opened fire upon the Vulture; so severe a one that the vessel's crew raised her anchor and moved down the river. ”