grown almost fetid in the sunlight: but even this was a luxury; and falling upon our knees, we laved our burning lips in the warm liquid, and sucked the miry mass between our teeth. Each day our numbers increased by the acquisition of little bands of our dismembered army, who were all traveling to one point; and when we had reached within about two leagues of the villa, our force numbered about seven hundred, almost famished and dying men. Gen. Ramarez, whom we had supposed lost, was among the last to join us, having, with a part of his staff, and a few soldiers, kept the rear on the whole route, and thus in a manner covered our retreat.

We now looked upon the moment of rest and relief as at hand, and the spirits of all rose in proportion. Our body was halted at night, for the purpose of making preparation to enter the town in a becoming and appropriate manner; and at sunrise the line was formed, the regiment reviewed, and the column about to move, when a caravan of traders, who had just left the villa, reached the spot which we occupied on the road. From them we learned, to our infinite horror, that Echagua, whom we had left in command of the post at Rajada, had raised the standard of sedition, and was then quartered at the Villa de la Ranchos, halting on his way to meet us, and expecting to hem us between his own force and that of Carrere, by whom we had just been defeated. We now considered all as lost. Escape was impossible, defense hopeless, and death to all seemed inevitable. Consternation was depicted on every face; but indignation for the traitor soon took the place of dread; and every heart gave a determined response, as our leader exclaimed, "My friends, but one way is left: we must now fight for our lives!" Our first step was to secure the carts of the caravan, which were about thirty in number, and very large. Of these we formed a barricade, leaving a hollow square, intended as a place of retreat, if driven to such a necessity. Three or four of the bullocks by which the carts had been drawn, furnished a meal for our almost starving company; and be

fore Echagua was aware of our position, we were greatly improved in condition, both of body and mind. In the course of the morning, a foraging party from Echagua rode within half a mile of us, and, after a moment's halt, wheeled, and returned to the villa on a full gallop. They had discovered us; and at nine o'clock we heard the longexpected clarion of the traitor. He was approaching us from the town; and when at the distance of about a quarter of a mile, halted his column, and sent in a flag of truce, demanding an unconditional surrender. The reply of our brave general was, that we would never surrender to a traitor! As we had expected, this reply brought down upon us an immediate and heavy assault. Our little complement of seven hundred men were drawn up outside of our barricade, to oppose a force of near three thousand. But our situation was one which drives men to desperate deeds; besides, we were too proud to exhibit to the minions of treachery the slightest indication of dread.

The assault was bravely met by our noble fellows, and if we suffered from the onslaught, our enemies were not unscathed, for many a miserable traitor at that hour bit the earth in the agonies of death.. Our ammunition was soon nearly exhausted, and, . after the first show of resistance, we took shelter, from their overpowering numbers, within the enclosure of our breastwork. Here, from loopholes cut through the bottoms of the carts, which had been placed upon their sides, we poured such a welldirected fire, that our assailants found it prudent to retire beyond the range of our guns. They had secured the remaining bullocks belonging to the caravan, and sat down. at a short distance, determined to starve us to death. Thus imprisoned, we remained all that day, and the following night, without food or drink. The sufferings of the wounded were extreme; and early next morning a council was called, at which it was proposed that we should send a flag of truce, with an offer of capitulation. The proposition was at first strenuously opposed;:

1

but the agonizing cries of our suffering companions, begging, with their dying gasp, for "water! water!" wrought upon the hearts of our most determined men, and we at last reluctantly consented to adopt that course. The brave and beloved Captain Boedo, of whom I have before spoken, was selected as our messenger for the occasion; and he left the breastwork just as a large body of Echagua's troops had commenced a movement towards us. Seeing the flag, they halted at a distance of about three hundred yards. Boedo met them, delivered his message, and was instantly brought out in front of their column, his hands were tied behind him, and, without further ceremony, he was shot before our eyes! This murder was instantly followed by a headlong assault, and at the same time arose from our retreat the agonizing yell of hopeless vengeance. The coldblooded act of cruelty and perfidy rendered. most of our companions almost frantic with rage, and they fought with such desperation and slaughter that our enemies were once more forced to retire; and with them, to our astonishment, some forty of our own men rushed from the enclosure, and attempted to cover their desertion in the general retreat: few, however, accomplished their design, for they were a close mark, and the carbines of our indignant troops brought many of them to a disgraceful death. Another council was now called: the sufferings of the whole body had become intense; officers and men had become perfectly desperate; and it was resolved that, rather than stay there, dying inch by inch, we would make a sortie, and fall upon the sabres of our enemy. General Ramarez, the good, the brave man, was alone in opposition to this measure. "Gladly," said he, "would I give my own life as a hostage for so brave a gang, would such an act appease yon bloody monster." His words were interrupted at this moment by the discovery that our barricade was on fire, whether by accident or design I know not, but the flames rose and crackled so fiercely among the dry timbers and wood-work of the carts, that to stay them was impossible.

The whole body rushed forth; and in an instant we were fighting for life on every hand, the enemy having completely hemmed us in a common centre. During the fray I received a blow upon my breast from the buttend of a musket, which fractured my ribs and felled me to the ground. In attempting to rise, I was instantly seized by two men, and, on looking about me, I discovered several of our friends prisoners like myself, and among them General Ramarez.

The fight lasted but a few moments, yet the ground was strewn about with the dead and dying; for so long as a man had been found in the attitude of resistance, he was put to the sword. Poor Ramarez! his fate we all knew. No ceremony was required by these butchers, and without trial, or even the calling of a council to give his death the color of an execution, as soon as the skir mish was over, he was led before the little remnant of his own army, his arms pinioned, a guard at his side, and a file of soldiers following in his rear. Clasping my hands to heaven, I whispered a prayer for his soul. No word was spoken; but as the brave man knelt before his murderers, he cast upon me a long and earnest look, which I shall never forget, and at the next instant fell dead be fore me. The butchery of the gallant officer was accomplished, but the hellish purpose of his murder was not appeased. The lifeless head of Ramarez was severed from his body on the spot, and, as I afterwards learned, was sent as a trophy through the seditious towns of the republic.

The prisoners were now all stripped of their clothing, expecting momentary death; an expectation not at all allayed by the repeated assurance of our captors, that they would "shoot us by and by." The merchandize of the caravan, which Ramarez had ordered to be held sacred to its owners, was now taken possession of by the soldiers of Echagua; the prisoners were placed under an escort, and we left the place of blood, not knowing at what moment we should be called upon to join our lost comrades in the regions of eternity.

THE A

M B U 8 H.

My memory does not serve me sufficiently now, to enable me to locate facts; but Colonel, afterwards General Morgan, was dispatched by General Washington on a very important mission, that required great tact, energy, and speed. The party was composed of thirty persons, chosen for their well-tried bravery, fleetness of foot, and knowledge of the surrounding country, one of whom was my grandfather; and it was particularly enjoined upon Colonel Morgan not to fire under any circumstances, unless it was for unavoidable self-defense, as it would have betrayed General Washington's position. General Washington was moving secretly upon the British army, and had planned one of those beautiful surprises with which he so often astonished their skillful leaders, and Colonel Morgan's duty was to ascertain something, which I have now forgotten, but which was necessary for the perfection of his designs.

The little band moved noiselessly from the American camp, passed the pickets, the advance sentinels, and disappeared in the depths of the nearest forest toward the British lines. Threading deep defiles, crawling along behind the stunted bushes in barren places, wading through swamps and over streams, and obeying their leader faithfully, who gave his commands in a whisper, and sometimes merely by a sign, they arrived at the point from which were centred their operations; and, closely concealed in a secret place, well known to the party, and within musket-shot of the enemy's outposts, they watched every opportunity to carry out their designs, and finally left with the same

secresy, having fully accomplished their mission.

Colonel Morgan had returned about three fourths of the way to the American headquarters, and, feeling secure from any surprise, had left the bushes and taken to the public road, and was hurrying on in order to reach the camp before night-fall, when word was passed from the rear that a party of red-coats was following. Immediately every man took to a tree, examined hist priming, and gazed fixedly on the advancing party. Colonel Morgan scrutinized them as they came on towards him, and found that they were about fifty in number, and were dragoons, with several field-officers at their head. From the manner of their riding, he concluded that they were not aware of his presence, but, having heard of the position of General Washington, were on their way to reconnoitre and learn his plans. The men on leaving the road had taken to the trees on each side, and, as the horsemen neared, betrayed a feverish inclination to let fly at them.

The commands of General Washington had been told them, and they would have obeyed at all hazards, but still instinctively each man leveled his rifle, steadied it against a tree, over some log, or rested it in the crotch of a bush, with the eye steadily on the forward sight, and moving the body gently around as the advancing of the British obliged a change of position to bring the rifle in range. The party of horsemen came dashing forward at a quick pace, their beautiful uniforms and polished swords in strong contrast with the tattered clothes and

rusty rifles of the rangers, enlivening the landscape with their brilliant colors, and breaking the silence of the seeming solitude with clattering of hoofs, and voices in merriment. Colonel Morgan watched them with a look so intense, one might have thought he looked into their very hearts, and told their doom; and as they came nearer and nearer, while the memory of his country's wrongs and sufferings came crowding on his mind, he scowled with a look of defiance and hatred that showed how deeply he felt for every wound inflicted upon her. He burned to take vengeance upon them, but the express order of Washington, not to fire, rang in his ears, and he was powerless. He cast his eyes around upon his little party; a semicircle of black-barreled rifles pointed their long muzzles towards the advancing British; the men stood still as death, and their faces were pale with suspended desire; not a foot moved, nor an eye dropped its lashes; there seemed to be no breath, but the intense gaze, like a stud of glass, was fixed and rigid. At every step they advanced, and as their voices were heard louder and more distinctly, and expressions in contempt of the "Yankees" came from their lips, each word seemed to sear into the very heart of Colonel Morgan. He had his hand upon a small conch-shell that hung by his side, with which he always gave the order to fire, and his fingers appeared to itch, as he clasped it more tightly.

The scene grew more and more exciting; and, as he cast his eyes quickly over his little party, and then at the forces of his country's oppressors, hardly could the orders of Washington withhold him from giving the fatal command. Every man fired according to an understood rule. Rangers never waste their fire by several aiming at the same mark, but, by a certain understanding, each selects his man. The party of British had now approached to within fifty yards, and were all in fair view. Colonel Morgan's excitement had not in the least abated, and the men still stood motionless, and with their deadly rifles still pointing towards their foes.

Their voices were perfectly distinct, and probably they might have been allowed to pass by unmolested, had not one of the officers, with a sneering laugh, said something derogatory to the truth and justice of the American people and their cause, when Colonel Morgan, no longer able to contend with his feelings, quickly applied the shell to his lips, and, almost simultaneously with the note that rang from it, burst the shrill, deathly scream from the rifles, as if fired by one man. Reloading instantly, another fire was poured into them, causing additional destruction. Thirty saddles were emptied, and thirty frightened and riderless horses scoured through the woods, or, whirling, dashed in amongst the survivors, adding more confusion to the panic. When those who had not been killed recovered somewhat, they immediately put spurs to escape; but the unfailing ball followed them, and but few escaped to carry back the sad tidings of the unsuccessful adventure. After all had become quiet, and the excitement passed, Colonel Morgan recollected with agony the command of Washington, and he bowed his head, grieved and ashamed; and the men, feeling for their commander, and knowing the exactness with which General Washington always required the fulfilment of an order, relieved themselves by starting in different directions to catch the horses, and, gathering the other booty together, prepared to return to camp, only waiting the order to march.

Without opening his lips, Morgan gave the signal, and, on reaching the camp, dispatched an officer to report to head-quarters, and then sat down, apparently overwhelmed with the burden of his feelings. The officer returned, but bearing with him no word from the General; and an hour or more passed, leaving him in deeper suspense. He arose and paced before his tent with uneasy and irregular steps. At length an aid-de-camp stood before him, and, respectfully touching his hat, presented the compliments of General Washington, requesting his presence at his quarters. Without a moment's hesitation, he started, anxious, as any brave man

would be, to meet whatever should come, and, if necessary, suffer for his dereliction of duty. He stopped before the General's tent, heard his name announced, and the order, "Bid him to enter," repeated by that clear, majestic tone, which, once heard, never was forgotten. And in a moment more, as the curtain was drawn aside, he stepped forward, and stood boldly up in the presence of the great commander, determined to acknowledge his fault like a man, and receive his reprimand like a man also. But what was his astonishment, instead of seeing on the General's face the cold, stern expression that always awed all to silence in his presence, and entirely forbade the least familiarity, keeping every one at a respectful distance, he beheld that pleasant smile which sometimes overspread his face, like the sun, when it suddenly lights up some mountain, and

which the belles of that day thought their utmost endeavors well paid for, if they could win but one from him in the course of an evening. At the same time, rising from his seat, he stepped towards Colonel Morgan, shook him warmly by the hand, and said, "Colonel, I have, for us, quite an unusual thing-a good supper; and I have sent for you to enjoy it with me, and pass the evening over a bottle of wine." Colonel Morgan sat down with a light heart. The load that had weighed so heavily upon him, seeming sufficient to crush him to the earth, fell and was forgotten. It was late in the night before they parted; the conversation was animated; no allusion whatever was made to the occurrence of the day; and Colonel Morgan always referred with particular pleasure to the evening he spent with General Washington.

How like the smile of her I love,
The pale moon's gentle beams,
Far floating from their home above
In soft and silvery dreams.

Slant through the lattice on my face
They throw their shadowy light,

And strange, sweet visions, o'er me trace
Their wizard shapes all night.

The fondly loved, the early flown,
The friends of many a year,
Cold sleepers in the dust alone,
In beauty reappear.

And on my father's cottage lawn,

I trip it as of yore,

Nor find a single vestige gone
That hallowed it before.

The mossy pump is by the stile,

A little brook beyond,

And through the meadow, half a mile,

The lily-covered pond,

Where, in the hazy summer nights,
To childhood's simple eye,
The fearful Jack-o'-lanthorn lights
Went floating strangely by.
And yonder, on the pleasant hill,
The village church was seen;
And down below, the village mill-
Beyond, the village green.
And low, and softly musical,
Remembered sounds are near;
The chiming of the Sabbath-bell,
That trembles on the ear.

They pass me, old and holy men,
And youths, with smiles of joy,
All thronging to the church again,
As when I was a boy.

And whoop! hurra! 'tis frolic-time;

The hour of school is o'er;

We shout amid the brake and thyme
Around the cabin door.

I build my tiny shingle boat,
And launch it on the spring,
And watch it, full of pebbles, float,

As happy as a king.

As happy?-ay, and happier;
For in my guileless breast
As yet, no sting of grief or care
Its heavy weight has pressed.

Ah! Memory, like a loosened bee,
Released from Age's power,
Plucks fruit from every boyhood tree
And every boyhood flower.

The spring's soft breath has touched my cheek,
The summer days are o'er,

And sweet, low, autumn voices speak,

As sadly as of yore;

And I, from childhood's years, have grown
To strength of hand and heart,
And, 'neath the elm, with one alone,
Have met to smile and part.

And must I breathe the faint farewell,
And launch on life's rude stream?

It fades! it fades! a broken spell!
I wake 'tis all a dream!