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into a narrow cell, formed of hewed logs closely fitted together, apparently constructed for the purposes of confinement. At a glance, Jarvis saw that there was neither window, nor opening of any kind to allow a chance for escape. He thought for a moment of his comrade, Fighting Tom, the sergeant; but the many chances to operate against his finding where he was concealed, rendered all hopes from that quarter desperate. The lieutenant pointed to a heap of straw in the corner, and informed Jarvis that he might sleep on that till morning, or amuse himself by kneeling to prayers. The ruffian's continued strain of brutal raillery, raised the storm of fury in the Virginian's bosom, almost to bursting. "Begone from this place," he exclaimed, "lest I might be tempted to murder you, you miserable, cold-blooded tool of malice, you cowardly villain, who can, in the last hours of a fellow-creature, trample upon his feelings, and insult his impotence." So saying, he threw himself upon the miserable couch in the corner, and maintained a sullen silence. "Young man," said the Tory after a pause, "I admire your spirit, and were you upon the right side of the question, you would be a noble fellow; but as it is, you are gone. Good night."

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The door closed, and Jarvis heard the key turn in the lock, and then a push against it, to be certain that it was secure. Immediately a sentinel commenced his measured tread, and convinced him that all vigilant measures were taken, to prevent his escape. He lay for some time in that death-like stillness, almost bordering upon stupor, the consequence

of exhausted animal excitement, and fixed immovable despair. "Here I am," he at length exclaimed, "in the hands of a foe, whose creed is indiscriminate, unprincipled murder. Without any recourse, upon to-morrow's dawn, will my carcase be suspended like that of a felon to the tree of death, and my bones, denied the rites of sepulture, will whiten in the summer's dew and winter's blast. Almighty Heavens! Is this the consummation of all my bright visions of glory and fame? Was it for this, that I left the home and endearments of an affectionate mother, and darling sister? But, why do I repine? If my fate will assist the cause of freedom, if it will rouse the spirits of my countrymen to revenge and resistance, then freely will I become a martyr. But, to be deprived of life, to be cut off from joy and happiness when my body is in its highest state of vigour, and my youthful spirits buoyed up by hopes of brilliant distinction, the thought is pregnant with horror." His feelings were too much racked, to allow of his remaining in one position. He rose hastily upon his feet and walked in a hurried manner across the narrow floor; a flood of tears came to his relief, and the last words of his comrade again flitted like a ray of comfort across his mind: Hope, the heavenly comforter, buoyed up his spirits, and by degrees he became entirely calm. The hours had passed rapidly around; the fire in the next apartment, which for some time cast a gleam through the narrow chink at the bottom of his prison door, had now sunk into embers. Through a crevice in the roof of the apartment, he at intervals caught a glimpse

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of the moon, which at length was fully displayed in the centre of the heavens, and announced that the hour of midnight had passed. Suddenly the low hum of the sentinel's song ceased, and he appeared to stop, as in conversation. Jarvis listened, and imagined that he recognized the voice of the young lady, his preserver. The door of his prison was carefully opened, and she entered, bearing in one hand a wax taper, and in the other, a waiter with a goblet of wine and a plate, upon which was a cold fowl and some bread. Having placed the light and waiter upon a low settle in the corner, the lady advanced to the door as if leaving the room. vis who till this time had looked upon her, as he would have done upon a supernatural being sent to his comfort, astonished though delighted, now sprung towards her: "Stop, madam," he exclaimed, "I know that the pity which incited you a few hours since to save the life of an enemy will prompt you now to comply with the last request which he can ever make alive." The lady turned her face as he spoke, and displayed to his view, features, which, though shadowed by a large black veil and of almost celestial paleness, were still exquisitely beautiful; although melting in tears, her eyes were of the most brilliant black, and her form although weighed down by sorrow, was light and elegant. "Unfortunate stranger," she replied, "my stay must be short, as the good nature of the guard who suffered me to bring you some refresment, might operate to his own disadvantage. Would to God, that it was in my power to release you, and that you

might be able to return to friends and kindred to whom you are doubtless dear." "Kind lady," said Jarvis, "could I but venture to express a wish connected with life, it would be that I might live and make some return for the kindness, you have this night rendered me." "Sir," replied the maiden, "the feelings of nature and humanity, are not to be repressed by circumstances. The act of saving your life was prompted by that kindness for my species, which all the horrors I have suffered in this unnatural contest, have not been able to suppress. My whole family," she exclaimed, with a burst of feeling, "have perished by the hands of your fellow partizans at the fatal battle of King's Mountain, my unfortunate father and youngest brother were taken prisoners. They were recognized as loyalists, or tories as they are called, and by the commands of Colonel Campbell, were hung without the formality of a trial. My only remaining brother and sole uncle, burning with revenge for the loss of their kindred, joined Colonel Tarleton's troop, and were the first who fell beneath the swords of Washington's troop at the battle of the Cowpens. My aged widowed mother, who with myself, is the only proprietor of this wretched place, is now lying upon her bed of death, and I shall be shortly left a lone, but I hope a brief wanderer in this world of misery." She seemed completely overpowered by the bare recital of her sorrows, and sunk exhausted upon the low settle by which she stood. In spite of his own perilous situation, Jarvis found his feelings completely absorbed in the misery of his kind

hostess. There was no reproach in her language, no excitement in her manner, as she detailed the cruelties inflicted by his countrymen. It seemed as though some celestial spirit was breathing forth the mournful tale of miseries and sorrow, encountered by it while trammelled in the bonds of flesh. "Have you no kindred," enquired Jarvis, "to whom you can apply for protection in this time of difficulty ?" "My grandfather," she replied, "lives at Yorktown, in Virginia; but I am informed that he is a firm supporter of the Whig party, and after my father and brothers have lost their lives in contending against that cause, I should be unwilling to apply to him for protection. But, Sir, 1 must go; by his uneasy, hurried walk, the guard is becoming impatient, and 1 must leave you." "Take this ring," said Jarvis, "it was given me by my aged mother, when I left home to join Colonel Lee: keep it; you may see her, perhaps, on some day, when it will be an unfailing passport to her heart. Think on me when you see it, and remember it is the gift of one who would have gladly perished in your cause, but was denied the death of a freeman." The lady hesitated, but in a moment she took the ring from his extended hand, and with a faint farewell, turned to depart.

At this moment, the blast of a bugle, with the loud shouts of a troop at the door, rung through the house, and in a moment the front door was burst open. The door of his cell was rapidly closed and locked, and the clashing of sabres, with the firing of a volley of pistol-shots, for a few moments succeeded. "Down with the Tories," roared out a voice, which Jarvis

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