lock for levying war against
the commons of England: and through all that disastrous time, have I
read that Charles promised the cavaliers splendid victories, and derided
the feeble means of those who were in arms against him; yet Hampden
shrunk not from the struggle. To me it seems there is a strange
resemblance between the congress now sitting at Philadelphia and the
parliament of 1640; and this George Washington might claim kindred with
John Hampden. I will not seek for further likenesses."

"If I read that history right," replied Tyrrel, "Hampden met his reward
at Chalgrove, and Cromwell turned his crop-eared parliament out of
doors. We may, perhaps, find a Chalgrove on this continent;--and Sir
Henry Clinton will most probably save the wiseacres at Philadelphia from
the intrusion of an upstart Cromwell."

"It would be too bold in us to count on that, Mr. Tyrrel. I am the enemy
of these men and their purpose, but I cannot deem otherwise of them than
as misguided subjects of the king, frenzied by the imagination of
grievances. They are men of good intellects and honest hearts, misled by
passion. I would that we could give their tempers time to cool. I would,
even now, preach moderation and compromise to his majesty's ministers."

"The die is long since cast," said Tyrrel, "and all that remains now is
to take the hazard of the throw. At this moment, whilst we debate,
friend and foe are whetting their swords for a deadly encounter on the
fields of Carolina. It is too late to talk of other arbitrement.
Assuredly, my good friend, our destiny directs us to this province: and
the time has come when you must decide what course you will take. It has
been our earnest wish--Sir Henry's letters, there upon the table,
anxiously unfold it--to have you up and active in the cause. Why will
you disappoint so fair a hope?"

"Alas! Mr. Tyrrel,--it is a thorny path you would have me tread. Think
you I am the man to win my way through these intricacies? I that live in
the shelter of these woods by sufferance merely--an unmolested outlaw,
to speak soberly, whom these fanatics of liberty have forborne for the
sake of past acquaintance and present peaceful habits? Am I not girded
round about with the hot champions of independence? Look amongst these
hills--there is not a cabin, not a woodman's hut, no, nor stately
dwelling, whose roof defends one friend to the royal cause, but my own.
My lips are sealed; my very thoughts are guarded, les