it. Though the attack was bravely made, the Americans and French were driven back with loss. The brave Jasper lost his life in trying to save the flag of his regiment.

7. The patriots of the south suffered a still more serious reverse the next year, A strong force of British collected around Charleston, which was defended by General Lincoln, with a large army. The Americans held out till their houses were nearly battered down by the British cannon, but were obliged to yield at last. Five thousand men, with stores and artillery, thus fell into the hands of the enemy.

8. One of the British posts in Georgia was held by a Captain French, with forty men and five vessels. Colonel White, with four men, set out to capture them. Near the British post they kindled a number of fires, as if a large camp were there, and then, quickly riding round, gave various orders in a loud tone of voice, as if they were directing the movements of a large army. They completely deceived Captain French, who thought there was no use of attempting to resist such a host, and surrendered his men and vessels.

9. But how were the five men to secure their prisoners? There was danger that the latter would discover the artifice,“ and overwhelm them with numbers. So Colonel White told them that his men were very angry at the British on account of their outrages, and that they had better keep out of sight. He would send them ahead with three or four of his men as guides, while he remained to restrain his army. Then, hastening off, he collected the militia of the neighborhood, who soon overtook the others, and led the British in triumph to the nearest American post.

close of 1778? What city did they take? By whom vere they attacked in Savannah? What was the result of the attack? Who lost his life in this battle ?-7. What serious reverse did the patriots of the south suffer, the next year? What fell into the hands of the enemy at Charleston ?-C. Relate the stratagem practised by Colonel White.-9. How did White secure his prisoners?

1779]

PAUL JONES.

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LESSON XXXVIII.

PAUL JONES.-FRANCIS MARION.

1. On the ocean, the United States could do but little against the great navy of England. Many fast-sailing little vessels, however, were armed and sent out by private persons. They were called privateers. Cruising wherever there was a chance of taking a prize, they were of great service in cutting off English merchant-vessels, capturing stores, &c. Congress managed from time to time to procure a few vessels. These were intrusted to skilful commanders, who gained some important victories. Among the most famous of these commanders was Paul Jones.

2. Paul Jones was the son of a Scottish gardener. From early boyhood he was fond of the sea. After making various voyages, he settled in Virginia. When the Revolution broke out, he walked to Philadelphia and offered his services to Congress. They were accepted, and he had the honor of hoisting the first flag that ever floated over an American man-of-war. It was of yellow silk, and bore the device of a pine-tree and a rattlesnake, with the words Don't tread on me. Jones was soon off to Nova Scotia, running into the harbors, destroying the shipping, and capturing prizes.

3. Jones afterwards cruised about the English coasts, to repay the enemy for their outrages in American ports. He was so successful in his descents that his very name became a terror. At one point of the coast, when his dreaded vessel was seen in the offing, the minister went down with his congregation to the shore, and made a strange but fervent prayer for deliverSoon afterwards the wind rose, white caps appeared on

ance.

1. How did the power of the United States compare with that of England on the ocean? What are privateers? How did they annoy the English? Who was among the most famous officers employed by Congress ?-2. Give an account of the early life of Paul Jones. What did he do when the Revolution broke out? What honor did he enjoy? Describe this flag. What was Jones soon doing? -3. Where did Jones afterwards cruise? How was he looked upon? What

the sea, and Jones had to change his course,-owing, as the people believed, to their minister's prayer.

6 4. Jones's most famous battle was with the British frigate Ser-a-pis (September, 1779). After one of the most terrible actions ever fought, the British struck their colors. Finding his vessel sinking, Jones took his men on board of the Serapis. She was on fire, but he succeeded in saving her. The captain of the Serapis was made a knight by the King for his bravery in this battle. "Well, he deserved it," said Paul Jones; "and, if I fall in with him again, I'll make a lord of him."

5. During the winter of 1778-9, General Putnam was stationed with some troops in Connecticut. Early one morning,

happened at one point of the coast?-4. What was Jones's most famous battle? What was the result of the engagement? What honor did the King confer on

1779]

PARTISAN WARFARE IN THE SOUTH.

117

But they

his sword, mounted his horse, and roused his men.
were too few to oppose the enemy,
retreat.

and the order was given to

6. The soldiers fled in different directions. Putnam found himself, hotly pursued by some dragoons, at the top of a steep descent, consisting of about a hundred steps, cut in the rock for the convenience of those who attended church on the hill. Down this perilous descent he dashed, turning to wave defiance at the dragoons, who durst not follow. They fired at him, but he escaped with a bullet through his hat.

7. We left the British in possession of Savannah and Charleston. Sending out parties, they soon overran the whole of South Carolina. The people were required to acknowledge the King's authority. But even those who did so were often robbed and driven from their homes. Such outrages roused many of the brave people of Carolina. They formed small parties, took to the swamps and woods, and resolved to fight till their country was free. Wherever a British detachment was to be cut off, or a band of tories to be dispersed, they appeared when least expected. They often went into battle with only three charges of powder apiece. Some were without guns, and would have to wait for those of their companions who fell.

8. No braver men ever lived than the leaders of these parties. Among them were Sumter, called from his courage "the Carolina Game-cock", and Marion, the cunning "Swamp Fox". Marion was one of the heroes of the palmetto fort. He was also in Charleston under Lincoln, and escaped being taken by a singular accident. Shortly after the enemy appeared, he was dining with some friends, who insisted on his drinking with them to excess. To avoid doing so, he jumped to the street from the second-story window, and broke his ankle. Unfit for duty, he was conveyed from the city by a road that was still open, and thus escaped to serve his country.

the commander of the Serapis ? What did Jones say ?-5, 6. Give an account of Putnam's escape from the dragoons -7. What state was overrun by the British in 1780? What were the people required to do? What outrages were committed? What was their effect ?-8. Name two famous partisan leaders.

9. Marion and his men were the terror of the British and tories. They seemed to rest neither day nor night. Making their home in forests which the enemy could not penetrate, they lived on what scanty food they could there procure. A British officer once visited Marion, to arrange for an exchange of prisoners. He was invited to stay to dinner, and presently a few roasted sweet potatoes were brought in on a shingle. The officer could hardly believe that this was all his dreaded enemy had to live on. On his return, he resigned his commission in the British army, saying that such men could not be subdued.

10. The high-souled women of Carolina did their part also. They tried to provide their brave defenders with clothes, and keep them informed of the enemy's movements. To save a party of whigs, a Miss Moore, only fifteen years old, set out in a boat at night, with her little brother and a female friend, and, after rowing for miles at the risk of her life, delivered her message and returned. In one district, a company of young women went round in harvest-time to the different farms, and, whereever they found that the owner was away, fighting for his country, they cut and garnered his grain.

LESSON XXXIX.

HANGING ROCK.-CAMDEN. -ARNOLD'S TREASON.

1. Marion and his men met with many an adventure. The famous leader was once nearly surrounded in a corn-field by British dragoons. His only chance of escape lay in leaping a fence seven feet high, with a wide ditch beyond it. The dragoons thought they had caught the Swamp Fox at last.

Where had Marion served? How had he escaped capture at Charleston ?-9. What is said of Marion and his men? Relate the story of Marion and the British officer.-10. How did the women of Carolina help their defenders? Tell the story of Miss Moore. What was done by one company of young women?

1. Give an account of Marion's escape from some British dragoons.-2. Tell