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oak limb. If I thought there were any danger of his discovering you, before the plot was made known to him, I should request you to remain in the rear; but as it is, you can continue where you are." Jarvis bowed, and with a feeling of stern pleasure, recognized the form of his hated foe, as he slowly rode towards the head of the Tory line.

The

In his own chaste and elegant description of this adventure, Lee relates, that he rode along the side of the enemy, "with a smiling countenance, and with complimentary expressions, extolled the good looks, and commendable conduct of his friends." two lines were now ranged exactly opposite, with the head of their horses locked in with each other, and the legion troopers sat anxiously awaiting the result, with their sabres erected, and their spurs almost touching the flanks of their steeds. The loyalists, totally blind to their situation, and perfectly unsuspicious of danger, with their rifles on their shoulders, sat gazing in vacant admiration at the meeting of the two commanders. Jarvis was now within a few feet of the man, for one blow at whom he would have readily sacrificed his life. Pyle was almost immediately in front of him, but so engrossed was he at the approaching interview, with the supposed Colonel Tarleton, that he remarked not the gaze of deadly and fixed hatred which flashed from the eyes of Templeton. Lee had advanced towards the loyalist, and grasping his hand, was just about to consummate his plan, when a heavy firing in the rear, caused the eyes of all above to turn in that direction. Captain Eggleston first, and Rudolph next,

were seen charging into the Tory ranks, and in a moment, the whole column followed their example. In a second, Colonel Pyle was stretched upon the earth, beneath the sword of Jarvis: He arose, and his dark features writhed in pain and horror as he recognized in his conqueror, the prisoner whom the evening previous, he had sentenced to the halter. "Quarters," screamed the miserable loyalist, but too late was the appeal, a half dozen sabres flashed upon his head, and he lay a corpse upon the earth. The yell of surprise and terror, with the blast of the bugle, sounded but for a moment through the forest, and all was still. The Tory party had been broken in every direction. No pursuit was made; ninety lay dead upon the field, and a large number were desperately wounded. Enquiry was made by Lee into the cause of Eggleston's attack; when it was discovered, that Pickens had not sufficiently concealed his militia in the woods; they were discovered by the Tories, who at once commenced a fire upon the rear of the cavalry, commanded by Eggleston. None of Lee's party were even wounded; one horse only belonging to a young private by the name of Harvey, afterwards Col. Harvey of Botetourt, was killed, and his rider slightly hurt by the fall. Tarleton escaped; the intervention of Pyle's party, saved him and his whole corps from the chastisement, which on account of their wanton cruelties and unfeeling atrocities, they so richly deserved. The lateness of the day, prevented Lee and his party from proceeding any farther, and upon that night, three successive couriers from Lord

THE SOLDIER'S GRATITUDE.

41

Cornwallis, forced Tarleton to make a retreat, though rapid retreat to Hillsborough, with Lee's army in full pursuit.

The war of 1781 still continued, and many and sanguinary were the conflicts, with which it was accompanied. The battle of Guilford had passed, in which the impossibility of conquering the Colonies was clearly displayed. But, far from resigning the conflict, the British commander in chief adopted a mode of warfare, which not only rendered the prospects of accommodation forever desperate, but rendered his name a synonyme with infamy. The traitor Arnold, by his directions, invaded the State of Virginia, with a powerful land and sea armament; and like his renowned successor and worthy imitator Cockburn, contented himself with a petty though destructive warfare, not only against public but private property of every description. His ravages extended from the sea coast to Richmond, and his march was one constant scene of destructive rapine, and of incendiary illuminations.Strange as it may appear, yet Providence suffered this doubly perjured villain and traitor, to roam in his career of destruction, not only unpunished, but completely unmolested; and his revenge and malice were glutted to their full extent without any attempt at interruption.

The day of October at last arrived, and found the Marquis Cornwallis, who with his army had rolled like a flood from the Carolinas to Virginia, hemmed in at York-town, by the combined forces of France and the United States. Jarvis had

accompanied Lee throughout the whole southern campaign. He had assisted in the reduction of Forts Watson and Motte; had been engaged in the skirmish at Monks Corner, and with the Legion had followed Cornwallis into Virginia. Although engaged in constant, active and arduous service, where his gallantry had secured the esteem of the commander, and promotion to a lieutenancy in the corps, yet did his mind often revolve upon the fair maiden who had saved him from death upon the night before Pyle's defeat. In his dreams, would her image like a seraph, often flit through his fancies; and when awake, the melting tones of her voice while beseeching for pity from the ruthless loyalist, would come like "sweet music upon his soul." With a sigh, he often reflected upon the probability of her being sacrificed to the brutality and revenge of some of the desperate spirits so frequent in the partizan armies. Fond hope would sometimes suggest that she might be safe, and that he might see her again; but in the nerveless struggle, the piteous groan of every victim that fell before the swords of the legion, would that fond expectation be weakened. The siege proceeded with vigour; the entrenchments of Cornwallis crumbled into ashes before the sulphureous blaze of the American artillery, and day after day was the deadly discharge continued. Jarvis with the legion, was constantly engaged in the most active service. In the storming of the redoubts upon the 11th of October, he was a volunteer under the command of La Fayette, and distinguished himself by his address and gallantry. The siege concluded, and Cornwallis with his whole ar

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my became prisoners of war. sion, and great the triumph which succeeded it. A few days after the capitulation, Jarvis with a party of the officers was walking through the streets of the village, and curiously examining the entrenchments. It was a scene of distress; one which even in times of warfare and blood-shed, must always excite sympathy and commiseration. In many places, the dead bodies of the enemy yet lay unburied, and the shattered roofs, the crumbling walls, the desolation which reigned throughout the place, showed how far the resistance of the besieged had conducted the punishment. In passing by a cottage somewhat protected from the range of the American cannon, and exhibiting a strong contrast in point of neatness and comfort to the surrounding houses, Jarvis was struck by the sound of a voice which he could not mistake. It was warbling a song, and every note struck to his heart with the most exquisite rapture. He passed for a short distance with his companions, and framing some excuse for leaving them, returned to the cottage. He gently knocked at the door; the voice ceased, and a light footstep tripped across the floor, the door opened, and the face of his fair preserver, blooming in health and beauty, struck upon his sight. As soon as she saw him, she screamed aloud with surprize and rapture, and rushed into the room. He followed her into a neat parlour, and as soon as feelings would allow him to speak, he burst into the most enthusiastic strain of delight, at once more beholding her. By the deep flush of her countenance, and the tumul

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