words that speak of such a purpose."

"It is to spare the shedding of blood, Mr. Lindsay, and to bring speedy
peace to a distracted country that we invoke you and other friends to
counsel. A single battle may decide the question of mastery over the
province. We are well assured that the moment Lord Cornwallis reaches
the Roanoke"--

"Cornwallis has yet to win the ground he stands upon," interrupted
Lindsay: "there may be many a deadly blow struck before he slakes his
thirst in the waters of that river: many a proud head may be low before
that day."

"Think you, sir," said Tyrrel, rising as he spoke, "that this patched
and ragged levy--this ague-stricken army that is now creeping through
the pines of North Carolina, under the command of that pompous
pretender, Gates, are the men to dispute with his majesty's forces their
right to any inch of soil they choose to occupy? It will be a merry day
when we meet them, Mr. Lindsay. We have hitherto delayed our campaign
until the harvest was gathered: that is now done, and we shall speedily
bring this hero of Saratoga to his reckoning. Then, following at the
heels of the runagates, his Lordship, you may be prepared to hear,
within two months from this day, will be within friendly hail of the
Dove Cote."

"You speak like a boastful soldier, Mr. Tyrrel. It is not unlikely that
his lordship may foil Gates and turn him back; such I learn to be the
apprehension of the more sagacious amongst the continental officers
themselves; but whether that mischance is to favor your incursion into
this province may be worth a soberer study than, I doubt, you have given
the question. The path of invasion is ever a difficult road when it
leads against a united people. You mistake both the disposition and the
means of these republicans. They have bold partisans in the field, and
eloquent leaders in their senates. The nature of the strife sorts well
with their quick and earnest tempers; and by this man's-play of war we
breed up soldiers who delight in the game. Rebellion has long since
marched beyond the middle ground, and has no thought of retreat. What
was at first the mere overflow of popular passion has been hardened into
principle, like a fiery stream of lava which first rolls in a flood, and
then turns into stone. The delusion of republicanism, like all
delusions, is embraced with more enthusiasm than men ever embrace truth.
We deem too lightly of these men and their cause, and we have alread