least hesitation,
and all would be lost.

"Captain Hartwell threw aside his heavy watch-cloak and said--

"'Madam, let this uniform be the warrant for our honour--our object is
to take your husband alive, if possible--that depends, however, on your
silence.'

"At this moment General Sullivan awoke, and finding his wife in the
hands of men whose calling he knew not, his good sword was soon in his
hand, but a strong arm wrested it from him--handcuffs were placed on his
wrists, and he stood their prisoner.

"He enquired by what right they entered his house! 'Our object, sir,'
replied the officer, 'is to convey you to Long Island--the least
expression of alarm from you, that moment you breathe your last--if
peaceable, no violence will be offered.' Mrs. Sullivan threw herself
before them, and entreaties for mercy gushed from her agonized heart.
'Oh! spare him--take what money is here, but leave me my husband, the
father of my children. Think, if you have wives or families, what their
sense of bereavement would be to see some murderous band tear you from
their arms, and they left in horrid uncertainty as to your fate. Take
all that we have, but leave him.' A sneer of scorn curled the officer's
lip, as he coolly replied--

"'Madam, we are neither robbers nor assassins--the compliment on our
part is quite undeserved. We are British officers.'

"'Then, sir,' exclaimed Mrs. Sullivan starting to her feet--her eyes
flashing, her proud form trembling, as her own wrongs were forgot in
those of her country--'Shame on the cause that sanctions such a deed as
this--in the silence of night to enter a peaceful dwelling and take an
unoffending man from the arms of his wife and family--Truly, such an act
as this would well need the covering of darkness. You may call
yourselves servants of Britain--that is your fit appellation. Take
him--another victim is required for my country. But the vengeance of
Heaven is abroad, and, ere long, the men who war for the price of blood,
will find the arm of him who fights for his fireside and liberty, nerved
by a stronger consciousness of right.'

"'Madam,' interrupted the officer, awed by the stern majesty of her
manner, 'I came not here to interchange words with a woman, or, I might
speak about warring against our lawful king.--But you know, Tom,'
turning to his companion, 'I never was good at preaching.' 'Not to a
woman, certainly,' said Tom, laughing, 'or rather you could never bring
one to yo