one.--Then I'm a squire, and a county judge, and a
_brevet_ ossifer in the militia besides; and a devil of a fellow at an
election to boot. Not have me? damme, that's an insult. Besides,
sergeant Jasper, I've been to the wars since I've seen ye--got
experience, laurels and lilies, and all them there things.

JASPER. Indeed!

JERRY. Yes--sarved a campaign, and was at the battle of Queenstown. What
do you think of that?

JASPER. And did you share in the glory of that spirited battle?

JERRY. O yes, I shared in all the glory--that is--I didn't fight. I'll
tell you how it was: I marched at the head of my village sogers,
straight as the peacock in my farm yard, and I had some of the finest
lads in our county, with rifles--well, we march'd and camp'd, and camp'd
and march'd, and were as merry as grigs until we arrived at the river:
half the troops had cross'd and were fighting away like young devils:
ods life, what a smoke! what a popping of small arms, and roaring of big
ones! and what a power of red coats!

JASPER. Well, and you panted to be at them? clubb'd your rifles, and
dashed over?

JERRY. Oh no, I didn't--I was afear'd that in such a crowd, nobody would
see how I fought, so I didn't cross at all. Besides, some one said, it
were contrary to law and the constitution, to go into the enemy's
country, but if they com'd into our country, it were perfectly lawful to
flog 'em.

JASPER. And you did not cross?

JERRY. Oh no, I stood still and look'd on; it were contrary to the
constitution of my country, and my own constitution to boot--so I took
my post out of good gun shot, and felt no more fear nor you do now.

JASPER. No doubt. Admirable sophistry, that can shield cowards and
traitors, under a mistaken principle of civil government! I've heard of
those scruples, which your division felt when in sight of the enemy. Was
that a time to talk of constitutions--when part of our gallant army was
engaged with unequal numbers? Could you calmly behold your fellow
citizens falling on all sides, and not avenge their death? Could you,
with arms in your hands, the enemy in view, with the roar of cannon
thundering on your ear, and the flag of your country waving amidst fire
and smoke--could you find a moment to think of constitutions? Was that a
time to pause and suffer coward scruples to unnerve the arm of freemen?

JERRY. Bravo! bravo! sergeant Jasper; that's a very fine speech--I'll
vote for you for our assemblyman; now ju