and set out on some pretended errand to the upper country.

They had scarcely, however, got out of sight of Ebenezer, before they struck into the woods and pushed hard after the prisoners and their guard, whom they closely dogged for several miles, anxiously watching an opportunity to strike a blow. The hope, indeed, seemed extravagant;-for what could two unarmed men do against ten, equipped with loaded muskets and bayonets? However, unable to give up their countrymen, our heroes still traveled on.

About two miles from Savannah there is a spring, well known to travelers, who often stop there to quench their thirst. "Perhaps," said Jasper, "the guard may halt there."

Hastening on through the woods they gained the spring, as their last hope, and there concealed themselves among the thick bushes that grew around it. Presently the mournful procession came in sight of the spring, where the sergeant ordered a halt. Hope sprung afresh in the breasts of our heroes, though no doubt mixed with great alarm; for it was a fearful odds against them.

The corporal, with his guard of four men, conducted the prisoners to the spring, while the sergeant, with the other four, having grounded their arms near the road, brought up the rear. The prisoners, wearied with their long walk, were permitted to rest themselves on the earth. Poor Mrs. Jones, as usual, took her seat opposite her husband, and her little boy, overcome with fatigue, fell asleep in her lap.

Two of the corporal's men were ordered to keep

guard, and the other two to give the prisoners drink out of their canteens. These last approached the spring, where our heroes lay concealed, and, resting their muskets against a pine-tree, dipped up water. Having quenched their thirst, they turned away with replenished canteens, to give to the prisoners also.

"Now, Newton, is our time," said Jasper.

Then, bursting like lions from their concealment, they snatched up the two muskets that were resting against the pine, and in an instant shot down the two soldiers who were upon guard. It was now a contest who should get the loaded muskets that fell from the hands of the slain; for by this time a couple of brave Englishmen, recovering from their momentary panic, had sprung upon and seized the muskets; but, before.they could use them, the swifthanded Americans, with clubbed guns, leveled a final blow at the heads of their brave antagonists.

Down they sunk, pale and quivering, without a groan. Then hastily seizing the muskets, which had thus a second time fallen from the hands of the slain, they flew between their surviving enemies, and their weapons which were grounded near the road, and ordered them to surrender; which they instantly did. They then snapped the handcuffs of the prisoners, and armed them with muskets.

At the commencement of the fight, poor Mrs. Jones had fallen to the earth in a swoon, and her little son stood screaming piteously over her. But, when she recovered, and saw her husband and his friends freed from their fetters, she behaved like one frantic with joy.

For fear of being retaken by the English, our heroes seized the arms and regimentals of the dead, and, with their friends and captured foes, re-crossed the Savannah, and safely joined the American army, to the great astonishment and joy of all.

FREEMAN HUNT.

Biography. For a sketch of the life of Freeman Hunt, see page 163.

Notes.-The Revolutionary Army was the army of the American Colonies at the time of the war with England in which the independence of the colonies was achieved.

King George III. (1738-1820)* was king of England during the War for American Independence.

General Lincoln was commander of a small American army in the Southern States. He was appointed by General Washington to receive the sword of the British commander, Lord Cornwallis, at the surrender of Yorktown in 1782.

King's bounty was money paid by the English government to men who entered the army or navy.

Elocution. In the description of the attack of Jasper and Newton upon the British soldiers, what rate should be employed?

66.-ON CONVERSATION.

e quiv'o cātē, use words of

doubtful meaning.

op pō'nent, antagonist.

pêr'ti nent, suitable.

In' of fen'sive, harmless.
ere dū'li ty, easiness of belief.

ful'some, offensive.

re proved', rebuked.

ex ǎs' per āte, provoke.

eom pōş'ure (zhur), calmness.
eon jeet'ūre (yur), guess.
a měnd'ment, reformation.

Never speak any thing for truth which you know or believe to be false. Lying is a great sin against God, who gave us a tongue to speak truth and not falsehood. It is a great offense against humanity

* (1738-1820) means that he was born in 1738 and died in 1820.

itself. For where there is no regard for truth, there can be no safe society between man and man. And it is an injury to the speaker; for besides the disgrace which it brings upon him, it occasions so much baseness of mind, that he can scarcely tell truth, or avoid lying even when he has no reason for it; and in time he comes to such a pass, that as other people can not believe he speaks truth, so he himself scarcely knows when he tells a falsehood.

As you must be careful not to lie, so you must avoid coming near it. You must not equivocate, nor speak any thing positively for which you have no authority but report, or conjecture, or opinion.

Let your words be few, especially when your superiors or strangers are present, lest you betray your own weakness and rob yourselves of the opportunity which you might otherwise have had to gain knowledge, wisdom, and experience, by hearing those whom you silence by your impertinent talking.

Be not too earnest, loud, or violent in your conversation. Silence your opponent with reason,

not with noise.

Be careful not to interrupt another when he is speaking; hear him out, and you will understand him the better, and you will be able to give him the better answer.

Consider before you speak, especially when the business is of moment; weigh the sense of what you mean to utter, and the expressions you intend to use, that they may be significant, pertinent, and inoffensive. Inconsiderate persons do not think till they speak; or they speak and then think.

Some men excel in husbandry, some in gardening, some in mathematics. In conversation learn, as near as you can, where the skill or excellence of any person lies. Put him to talking upon that subject; observe what he says; keep it in your memory, or commit it to writing. By this means you will glean the worth and knowledge of everybody you converse with, and in an easy and natural manner acquire what may be of use to you on many occasions.

When you are in company with light, vain, impertinent persons, let the observing of their failings make you the more cautious, both in your conversation with them and in your general behavior, that you may avoid their errors.

If

If any one whom you do not know to be a person of truth, sobriety, and weight, relates strange stories, be not too ready to believe or report them; and yet be not too forward to contradict him. the occasion requires you to declare your opinion, do it modestly and gently, not bluntly nor coarsely. By this means you will avoid giving offense, or being abused for too much credulity.

If a man whose integrity you do not very well know, makes great and extraordinary professions to you, do not give too much credit to him. Probably you will find that he aims at something besides kindness to you, and that when you have served his turn, or disappointed his hopes, his regard for you will grow cool.

Beware also of him who flatters you and commends you to your face, or to one he thinks will tell you of it. Most probably he has either deceived or abused you, or means to do so. Remember the