Ordering her to be to be removed to the lawn, the commander gave the hall up to be plundered by his followers. In a moment all was confusion, every room crowded with rapacious men. In the midst of the disorder an officer appeared. "Colonel Dayton, there is not a bit of plate or jewelery to be found."

"Is that so, then we shall learn where it is hid."

Advancing towards Lady Johnson he demanded to know where the valuables were concealed. She smiled and said she did not know. The colonel insisted. "Why, you are unreasonable; you do not expect me to assist in robbing my own house?"

"Ten gold pieces to any of you women who will tell," he shouted to the maids who cowered round their mistress. They shook their heads. When the hall was stripped of everything of value that could be found, and the plunder covered the lawn, fire was set to it. As the flames wreathed upwards the colonel remarked it would never conceal another traitor—one Tory nest had been destroyed. While the main body remained to carry out their orders to burn the houses of Sir John’s tenants, a small party left for Albany, taking Lady Johnson, who was kept a prisoner there for six months.

Morven, who had watched the destruction of the hall from the adjoining bush, was joined by an Indian, whom he had met frequently and knew only by the name of John Blanket. "Come, can do no more here," and following him Morven was led through the woods to a comfortable log-house, the home of the Indian’s parents. He was hospitably received and as he watched their domestic life he was impressed, as he had been repeatedly during his visit, with the difference between the saturnine and relentless ferocity of the Indian on the war-path, and the kindliness and affection that marks their home-life. All eyes were turned in the direction of Johnson hall and as the smoke from it grew less fresh columns burst forth from different points near it. "They are burning out the Highlanders," said John Blanket.

"Where will they and their families go?" asked Morven.

"The men are away by this time to join Sir John—the women and children will have to suffer."

"God help them," said Morven, "this is dreadful. Burning the homes of the kindly people I visited last week."

Blanket shook his head. "The Yankees will pay for this. Sir John will come back and have his revenge."

All night the sky was lit up for miles by the fires from scores of farms, everything that would burn having the torch set to it.

Morven’s talk with this intelligent Indian, who had attended school when a boy, was not all about what was happening. He told him of his friends in Virginia and of what he had arranged with Sir John Johnson about getting lots of land for them, and how this irruption of the enemy made the contract useless. In the morning Morven was preparing to resume his journey to New York.

"Come with me," said Blanket, as he took his own rifle and handed Morven another. As they tramped together Morven was repeatedly called on to take note of the landmarks. The path chosen led over much rough land, until, gaining the top of a hill, they came in sight of a vale, which ran northwards. Apparently, at some distant period, the bed of a lake, of which a brook was the only remnant, there was a stretch of flat land between it and the heights which bounded the valley. In the far distance there was the glimmer of a lake. "How would this do?" asked the Indian.

Morven gazed long and keenly at the scene. Nothing better could be desired for the settlement he had fondly hoped for. "Who owns this?" he at length asked.

"The widow of our old white chief; you can see her." Descending the hill, Morven traversed the valley and he found it even better than he expected. The bush was composed of large trees, so widely set apart that a wagon could drive between them, while the banks of the brook were grassy. That the soil was rich the size of the trees indicated. The Indian pointed out that, from its sequestered situation, lying north of the Mohawk valley and on the edge of the Adirondack wilderness, the Whigs would not be apt to trouble them unless they gave special offence. The next day Morven sought out the owner, who was as remarkable in intellect and character as her brother, Chief Brant. Sir William Johnson had married her

as his second wife, and, despite her origin, she did credit to his high position. She received Morven’s proposal favorably. "You know," she said, "what is mine today may not be tomorrow, but the land is at your service, and I shall be glad to have Highlanders as my tenants." Morven saw the danger, yet how could he better himself? Where could he go to find homes for the people whom he hoped to rescue where they would be safe from the partizans of the revolution? The picture of that little valley possessed imagination, and to it he was resolved he should lead his people. He thanked her ladyship, and accepted her offer.

Strong in the faith that a way would open to enable him to accomplish his purpose he set out for New York. That New York was in the hands of the British he took for granted, as the movements of Lord Howe on Long Island could have no other end, but as he went on his way he learned differently, and willingly tarried wherever he could find work. Assuming the character of a carpenter looking for employment he escaped suspicion. Twice he was held by committees of vigilance, whom he satisfied by his straightforward story—that he was going to the seaboard to seek for friends. Staying a week here and a fortnight there he saw much of what was going on of the persecution of those who would not fall in with the revolution. One night never left his memory, that of the richest man of the village he was staying in, taken out of his bed, coated with tar and feathers, and borne on a rail up the main-street crowded with people who cheered and jested. Following the old man was a girl, his grandchild, crying, amid her sobs, to let grandpa go. The crime of the old man was his sending a letter to his daughter in New York, in which he had made some uncomplimentary remarks about his Whig neighbors. The letter, by the faithlessness of its carrier, had got into the hands of the committee.

When he heard the American troops had left New York Morven pushed on without delay. The bad news they had received had relaxed the vigilance of the Republican outposts, and he had no difficulty in reaching the British lines. Once within them he was forwarded with all speed to headquarters as a supposed bearer of despatches. It was late in the day when he got to New York, but being still light he went direct to the commandant’s residence, and sent in his letter. The secretary came downstairs and told Morven the general could not see him, as he was preparing to attend a ball. Returning next day at the hour set by the secretary Morven found a number of people waiting to see the general. They were kept so long that several grew tired and left, their places being taken by others. It was wearing into the afternoon when the secretary opened the door and beckoned to Morven, whom he led into a spacious room.

The general, in full uniform, was seated at the table gazing out of a window at the movements of a troop of cavalry.

"This is the man who has come from Sir John Johnson with a letter asking that you see him as he can give valuable information of what is going on in the Albany district."

Without turning his head, the general petulantly asked, "What has the fellow to say?"

"Both Sir John and your messenger, the major, have sent by me several messages they considered of value."

The general turned and stared at him. "Ha, a civilian. Fellow, do you not know that you should only speak when I address you?"

"Sir," was Morven’s reply," "I know naught about military etiquette, but I have much information that it is in the King’s interest his officers should know, and I also wish to beg help to rescue certain of his subjects held as slaves on the Potomac."

With a contemptuous shrug the general turned to his secretary. "Strainer, what is the Potomac?"

"It is a river."

"River! ah, refer the fellow to the admiral."

At that moment a servant announced his horse was waiting at the door; when the general put on his cocked hat and stalked out. A minute later, Morven, looking out on the street, saw him mount his horse, his aides fall in, and the troop of cavalry gallop after as his escort. The secretary went on writing. "Here," he said, "is a letter to the port-captain, who may be able to do something for your friends in Virginia"

Grasping the big letter Morven left. Donald Bane was waiting for him on the street. "What did the general do?" he asked. Morven was too indignant at his reception to answer. They walked straight to the office of the port-captain. An old sailor, who acted as orderly, on receiving the letter, led them directly into his presence. The captain was in his shirt-sleeves, smoking a long clay pipe. On observing Donald’s empty sleeve, a kindly look relaxed his stern face, and he motioned to the orderly to give them chairs. After glancing over the letter, he questioned his visitors until he understood how matters stood and then abruptly asked,

"What do you want me to do?"

"To instruct the captains of the cruisers off the Virginia capes to give them passage to New York."

"What benefit would that be, seeing these people are far up the river where no ship-of-war can go?"

"We will see to getting them down to the mouth of the Potomac if you promise a cruiser will be in waiting."

"I will have to see Strainer before I can promise."

Taking the address of Donald, he told them he would send word in a few days. Early on the third day the orderly knocked at their door, and said that the captain was waiting to see them before he went to breakfast. "His majesty’s ships along the coast are doing a good deal to help fleeing loyalists to save their lives from the rebels," said the captain as they hurried into the office. "However, none are near Chesapeake bay at present. A yacht with despatches for our friends in Virginia and Carolina is going to sail at noon today, and if big enough to hold your friends she could receive them."

Morven expressed his thanks and the captain said his orderly would see them sent on board. Donald was overjoyed until he saw the yacht, when he whispered Morven, she was too small to hold half of their party.

"Hush," replied Morven, "say nothing; it is a last chance."

On the evening of the second day the yacht was off Cape Charles. "How do you want landed?" asked the skipper. "If I send you ashore in a boat rowed by blue jackets, the rebels may put you in jail as spies."

"We must run the risk," answered Morven, and so next day, the yacht being well into the river, Donald and Morven were put ashore at a lonely spot, out of sight of all houses. On striking a road they thought they had escaped being seen. In this they were mistaken, for from the moment the yacht was sighted she had been watched, and a party was hurriedly made up to arrest the two men they saw landed, and into whose ranks Donald and Morven walked. Taken to a little village, whose chief building was a com bined store and tavern, they were searched, nothing being found except their money, and then questioned. Morven gave the name of the yacht and of her skipper. Knowing she was coming this way, he had asked for passage for himself and his companion. They agreed his story was a fair-sounding one, but they did not know anything about him, when Morven remarked that one of them had met him before. "Don’t you remember the young man who came to you with a letter when your ship, the Jasper Daggett, was lying off Boston light?" he asked his chief questioner. The man started, looked closely, and recognized Morven.

"I do: you brought a letter that changed my port and got me a return cargo."

"And do you not remember my asking if your ship ever went into the Potomac, and telling you I had friends there I would like to find."

"To be sure I do, and my getting you into the tavern and telling them to give you a hot supper, for you were cold. It is all right; you are no spy."

Released Donald went and found a schooner was loading at the landing for the upper Potomac and expected to be ready next day. When she sailed, both Donald and Morven were on board. As knowing the ground, Morven left his friend to make. arrangements. They were simple. He was going to land Morven a mile or so below the place where the Men and their families dwelt, and he was to arrange for their stealing away on the barge which Donald, who would go ahead, expected to hire. The winds were not favorable and the sail took longer than they counted on. At break-of-day Morven was awakened by Donald telling him to get ready.

The boat had no cargo for a landing they were approaching and nobody was to be seen. Going close enough for him to leap, Morven went on shore and sought the cover of the scrubby bush. Cautiously stepping he made his way upwards until he came to a large clearance and recognized the place Donald had described. He saw the row of huts that sheltered the Men and their children, watched their coming out, and, finally, when a bell rang, men and boys trooping off to their day’s work. Some he recognized, but so terribly changed that he shuddered. To get unobserved to the huts to reveal his presence and errand perplexed him, for they were in full view of the manager’s residence and he would be seen if he dared to approach them. He watched for an opportunity all forenoon but none presented itself. Women and children moved about, none, however, straying his way. In the middle of the day the heat grew overpowering, and everybody disappeared indoors. . He saw a slave-girl come out of the manager’s house, close the one or two shutters that had been left open for light and then draw the door after her. He waited until he felt sure all were enjoying their mid-day nap. Creeping, at times crawling, along the river bank, availing himself of whatever cover there was, he gained the hut nearest the river. Door and window were closed to keep out the beat. Lifting the latch he quietly stepped in. "Is that you my dear child?" asked a voice in Gaelic. Dazzled by the sunshine he had left Morven could not see at first. When he did he saw an old woman seated beside the bed, and recognized her. "Auntie McNeish, don’t you see who I am?"

"See! I have not seen a face for four years. Come near, and let me feel you."

She passed her hands gently over Morven’s face. "The voice sounded like that of a lad I knew well, but this is the face of a big man. I know you not."

"People grow old, auntie. The lad you knew may be grown a man. Who was the lad?"

"Morven, who was cruelly treated and who we all believed died."

"No, auntie, he did not die. I am he, and I am come to save you all."

Astonished she sank back in her chair, then clasping her hands and raising her sightless eyes, Morven heard her pouring out thanks to God. "Long have I waited for this hour and now, when Salvation has come to those I love, I am ready to join those who await me beyond the grave."

"Nay," replied Morven, "you shall live to walk from the house of bondage." He then quickly told her of his plan. She was to tell the Men when they returned for the night of his presence, and to gather in her house an hour after dark, when he would meet them. "Must you go so soon?" she asked as she heard him rise. "If I was discovered all would be lost."

"I know you are Morven, but there is a new generation who doubt everybody, and they have had sorrowful reason to do so. Have you no token that will convince those who doubt you? Our people, often deceived, are full of evil suspicions."

Morwen pulled from his breast a book. "Do you know that?" She felt it, she opened it, she smelt it. "It is fragrant with peat-reek and with the memory of the saint who owned it; I know it, this is the psalm-book the minister gave you. Often did I handle it on the ship as the last link of the chain that had been broken. This book is proof enough."

"Do you not grow weary sitting here all alone?"

"Alone! you do not know what you say. I am never alone. My mind goes back to Scotland and I recall everything that happened to me from childhood. All my old friends and those who were dearer to me than friends, come trooping round me. I hear the sounding waves, I feel the caller breeze on my cheeks, I hear the peesweep on the muir, and the skirlin of Sandy’s pipes ayont the hill. Then, whiles I am sitting in the kirk, seeing all the folk, and hearing the minister give out the psalm. And when these fade and are gone in the gloaming, my Saviour comes, and oh the comfortable hours I spend with him. I am poor and useless, am like seaweed the tide of time leaves to dry and rot on the shore, but Christ does not despise me and he is the comfort of my life."

"Do you never think over what has happened since you came to America?"

"Hush, God forbid! What has our life here been save sorrow and trials beyond belief?"

Pressing her hand Morven left as cautiously as he had come, and regained his place of concealment. He watched if his visit had been discovered, and was satisfied it had not when he saw the inmates begin to move again about the manager’s house.

The evening star had set before Morven started. Altho a dark night he moved as carefully as before. On gaining the house, the door opened to let him in, and his hand was grasped. The interior was so intensely dark he could see nothing, though sensible the room was crowded. In a low voice he told of the plan Donald and he had formed for their escape, and asked if they were ready. The conversation so far had been subdued, but at that question the eagerness of the response, that they were, was startling. Morven told them the success of the plan depended on their being prompt and secret. They were to be ready to move the following night—the inmates of each hut to walk out with their little belongings when the barge reached the landing. There must be no lights and no noise. A voice came from the darkness, "What about the bloodhounds?" and another voice replied the young men would look to them. Morven stole away to his place of concealment, leaving the Men to complete arrangements.

The next day all went as before, the men to work in the fields, the women and children clustering round the huts. Not a sign was given to arouse suspicion, but hope glowed in every heart. Donald had gone to a landing a few miles farther up the river, where boats tied up when nights were dark or stormy, confident he could hire one that would call. When the sun set nobody went to bed, all remained in their huts waiting for the boat. Morven came, and spoke with the Men in the dark, and a lookout was sent to watch for the boat. He was told the hounds that nightly roamed round the buildings had been caught by looped ropes thrown over their necks and their throats cut while choking. It had been done without a single yell. There had been no light in the Overseer’s house for quite a while. The night grew chill and a thin mist swept from the river. It was a weary wait before a young man came with the word they could make out the coming boat. It was being poled, and was silently brought alongside the landing. Then from each hut glided the people, who, without word or sign, made for the barge and got aboard. The two young men named to wait ashore to the last, and go through each house to find that no one was forgotten, came aboard, saying none were left. The ropes were cast-off and the boat moved into the current. The sweeps were got out, and men tugged at them as became men venturing their lives to be free. When the night was drawing to the end, and it grew light enough to recognize one another, Donald, who stood by the helm was hugged, and had his one arm nearly pulled out of joint with the heartiness of those who wrung his hand. They were a sorry looking lot of people, in rags and the slavemark of utter hopelessness stamped on their faces.

They told how when the Men caine back from prison they had brought the infection of yellow-fever, and had it not been that frost came one night they would have all perished, for in three days seven died. On the rebellion breaking out a change was made in their treatment. The young men were often asked to join the army, but not one would enlist. Said one of the Men, "We were proud it was so, though we dared not say so. We had no cause to love King George or any other German king but we would not help the enemies of Old Scotland in seeking separation from the land we loved, and we despised the men who were talking so loudly about independence who yet held us in bondage. One recruiting-sergeant brought with him a keg of whiskey, which he opened in the overseer’s kitchen and invited us all to come in and have a drink, but none went. We had cause to hate rum it had led us into slavery."

What most impressed Morven was the number who spoke English and the change in the young people —those whom he had known as boys now men and girls women. Among the old he missed many, mostly of the men. Their joy over their escape knew no bounds and to the difficulties of the future, which weighed on Morven’s spirits, they gave not a thought. On one point he had no misgiving, they could not be overtaken. He knew pursuit by the river was hopeless, but there was a possibility of a rider going across country reaching a lower port in time to secure a boat to intercept them. As the sun increased in strength a breeze sprung up, sails were hoisted, and that danger every hour grew less, for the boat made good speed. The arrangement he had made with the captain of the yacht was, on the sixth day, to sail up the river and keep on until he met them. This was the sixth day and Morven had no doubt he was now beating up the Potomac. The day passed without her coming in sight, and towards nightfall the breeze that had helped them so well died away, and, later on, gave place to one from the east. The anchor had to be dropped, and the coming of the yacht awaited. It was late in the night before a green light was sighted, when a lantern at the end of a pole was swung from the barge. So guided, the yacht steered alongside and the People, who had been eagerly waiting, before she was lashed, clambered into her. The skipper was surprised at their number, for they more than filled his deck, so that the hatches had to be lifted and women and children crowded into the hold. With the ebbing tide the barge drifted down stream, for her destination was the mouth of James river, while the yacht remained at anchor During the night the breeze fell and a dead calm followed. With sunrise a light breeze sprang up, the anchor was heaved and the yacht ran quickly down the river.

In due course they reached Chesapeake bay and headed for the gap. Morven was pleased to see everything going so well when the skipper motioned him to come aft "You see that brig ahead?" he ask ed. Morven nodded. "Well, I’m afraid she’s up to mischief. Were she what she looks, an honest merchantman, she would take this wind to carry her to Baltimore. Instead, she has kept dodging back and forth as if waiting till we come up, and always keeping the windward side."

"There is no war outside the colonies," answered Morven, "so she cannot be from over the sea. She may want to speak us."

"There are French and Spanish captains who do not need the authority of a declaration of war to seize vessels smaller than themselves. If she prove to be a privateer can we rely on your crowd to fight?"

"Yes, not a man but will die rather than go back to slavery."

"All right, we leave you to do with them as you can, and give you the few cutlasses we have on board. My mate and I will stay here, and with our muskets pick off the men round the helm. The five sailors will be needed to look to the sails."

Morven determined on his plan. The women and children were told to get into the hold and stay there. The Men, they were alas, now few, were posted behind the deck - house with the order to take care of boarders. The young men were got in line behind the weather bulwark to follow Morven. Both were cautioned to keep concealed, so that the crew of the brig would not suspect there were more than the small crew they saw pulling at the ropes. The yacht held on her course, while the brig made a short tack to keep the weather-guage. On wearing she was nearly abreast, when she came down on the yacht with foaming bows, elewing her sails to reduce her speed. In her fore-rigging about half-a-dozen sailors were clinging ready to jump aboard the yacht. A port dropped and a cannon sent a ball across the bows of the yacht, when her captain shouted to let go her mainsail, and she came up in the wind. Down swooped the brig, and as her side grated boarding irons were thrown and the sailors in the rigging sprang to her deck. They were instantly grappled by the Men. At the same time Morven with a shout leaped on the brig, with his youthful followers. The men who had remained on the brig were unprepared for attack, and, in their astonishment, threw up their hands for quarter. While this was passing the muskets of the skipper and mate rang out in quick succession, and when Morven rushed aft, he saw the bodies of three men lying on the little quarter-deck, one that of the steersman. It was all over in five minutes. The skipper of the yacht joined him to examine the prize. The brig was seen to be armed with six carronades. The crew were French, and the only one who could speak English was the cook, a darkey from Jamaica. He said he had joined from a prize the ship had captured off Savannah. That man, pointing to one of the corpses, is an American, and it was he who fitted out the ship as a privateer. The crew were told he had a commission from the United States congress, and, if captured, they would be treated as prisoners-of-war and not as pirates.

They had in a week taken two British merchant vessels, which were sent back as prizes, which accounted for the smallness of the crew. The yacht they looked on as easy prey and had not prepared for fight. The skipper issued his orders rapidly. The People whom he had as passengers would be placed on the brig, with his boatswain in charge, while he would make all sail for New York, where he was overdue. He hesitated over what he should do with the crew of the brig. To take them with him was out of the question, to leave them on the might lead to her recapture. "What would you do, Morven?"

"I would give them their long boat and send them ashore."

"Better than they deserve, but the best that can be done. If taken to New York they would be hanged as pirates."

The longboat was got into the water and the Frenchmen eagerly jumped into her, glad to escape with their lives. The black cook remained. Staying only long enough to make a hurried search of the cabin of the brig, the skipper returned to the yacht with the log-book and what money and papers he had found. Getting under way the yacht speedily passed the capes. When the people were disposed of in their new quarters, Morven turned to placing the brig in order, and faced the unwelcome duty of geting rid of the corpses. Donald was told to see them rolled in canvas and dropped in the sea. Before it became dark the brig had cleared the bay and was steering north for New York.

The capture of the brig struck Morven as a windfall that solved the difficulty that had been perplexing him for weeks, where the money was to come from to convey the People when they got to New York to the valley that was waiting for them. His first expectation was, that the commander of the forces at New York would see to that, but his reception by him had dashed that plan. The brig was valuable, she would fetch a good price, and the Men would be entitled to a share of it. He went to his bunk happy that so unexpected a way had been found out of the difficulty, and in that he rested secure.

On entering New York harbor many ships of war and transports were found, and the brig anchored at the place signalled to her. On stepping ashore, Morven made for the port-captain’s office. On the gallery in front of it he found the captain seated with a number of officers surveying the vessels that were lying in the harbor before them, among them the brig. Morven was warmly welcomed and complimented on the part he played in the capture of the brig, for the yacht had arrived ahead by a day and her skipper told what had happened. "A tidy boat," remarked the port-captain, "that will be useful for coast service."

Morven told the captain of the people on board, how they were destitute, lacking even clothes, that there were no means to convey them to the lands secured for them, so that immediate payment of their share of prize-money was needed. The captain replied there was no prize-money coming to them, and was sorry for it; only those enlisted in the King’s service were entitled to prize-money.

"That cannot be so in this case," urged Morven, "We not only captured the brig, but saved the yacht. Surely something is due us for such service."

"By rights you ought to get a share; but there are the King’s regulations and there is no getting round them. The prize-money of the brig goes to the crew of the yacht."

The other officers confirmed this. Morven left, perplexed and sick-at-heart. He walked the streets, angry at the injustice done his People, and thinking what next he should do. The chimes of Trinity warned him the day was wearing on and he turned down a lane which he knew must take him to the harbor. As he walked along there came out of a drinking-place a number of soldiers. Linking arms they filled the width of the lane and drove the people who were on it before them. On they came, shouting and singing. Morven was in no mood to give way to them, and, instead of retracing his steps to Broadway, kept right on, arid presently was face to face with the line of swaggering redcoats. Disregarding the shout of one of their number, "Turn back—the King’s soldiers hold the highway," he stood for them to open their line to let him pass. The soldier nearest him caught Morven by the collar and tried to pull him down. On the impulse of the moment, Morven caught him, pitched him aside, and walked on. Another soldier ran after him with clenched fists and shouting he was a damned colonial, out of whom he would punch the treason. In a flash Morven had him by the shoulders and left him sprawling on the road. His comrades, too tipsy to make haste to catch him, contented themselves with sending after him curses and derisive cries.

On reaching the landing-place, Morven found no boat to take him to the brig and sat down until one should appear. While waiting, somebody touched his arm and turning he saw a man in a blue coat with brass buttons. "You are my prisoner" said the man.

"For what?" asked Morven in astonishment.

"For assaulting the King’s servants. Follow me— if you make trouble I shall call help."

Morven walked beside the man to a house near the Battery. Entering they came into a large room, with a magistrate seated at one end listening to evidence against a ragged fellow evidently charged with disorderly conduct while drunk. He was quickly disposed of, and the magistrate asked, "Anything more today?"

"Yes, your honor, I have a prisoner here guilty of assaulting the King’s soldiers. As I saw him com mit the deed there was no need of a warrant," and he went on to describe Morven’s conduct in the lane.

The magistrate turned to Morven. "In these days of rebellion, disrespect towards the King’s soldiers is a most serious offence, and to preserve the peace of the town has to be severely dealt with. What have you to say for yourself?"

Morven related how he was walking down the lane, when the soldiers blocked his passage, and one of them laid violent hands upon him, as his coat, shirt, and tie would show. In self-defence he had pushed him down and went on his way. Another soldier followed to strike him, when he again had to defend himself. All the soldiers had been drinking and were a menace to the King’s subjects."

"Do you claim to be a loyalist?"

"I do," answered Morven, "and have suffered much at the hands of the Whigs."

"What proof can you give of your principles?"

Morven gave the name of the port—captain. The magistrate was perplexed. "The soldiers being drunk, as you allege, is no excuse for your assaulting them. The King’s uniform must be respected and by your own admission you insulted it. However, as you allege yourself to be a loyalist I shall remand you until tomorrow to permit of enquiry."

To Morven’s remonstrance that his presence was required at once on board a ship, the magistrate answered by leaving the bench, and the officer, who had never left his side, took hold of him and led him into a room where he was searched, and then taken to a cell, so abominably filthy that he dare not sit, much less lie down. The hours crept on, the only sound being when a prisoner was brought to be locked up. Several were drunk, but occasionally one was heard weeping over his fate or another protesting his innocence. The bells were ringing for 6 o’clock when the door opened and the officer appeared. "What are you willing to pay to get out now?" he asked abruptly.

"I have broken no law and ought to have my liberty without payment."

"That is not the way we do here. The port-captain certifies to your loyalty and you will be acquitted tomorrow, but is it not worth your while to give something to get out of this place right away."

Morven hesitated, for it looked like submitting to imposition. "Come," said the officer, "be quick, I want to go to supper. Say you will give me a pound." Morven nodded and followed into the room where he had been searched. The clerk produced his purse and watch, and with it a bill of costs, which included a fee to the magistrate. Evidently the money in his purse had been counted, for, including the pound to the officer, it took everything in it except two shillings and the coppers. All he had heard of the extortion of crown officials, of their fees, their combining to rob those who fell within their power, their making their offices hereditary, and of their adding office to office, rushed upon him, and Morven realized how those who wore the King’s cloth had been the King’s worst enemies, for their conduct had helped to foster the discontent that had ended in armed rebellion.

Securing a boatman to row him to the brig, Morven was surprised to see a sloop alongside and the People moving into it. Donald was superintending the change. "What does this mean?"

"Never mind just now; I will tell you again. If you have anything in the brig go and fetch it."

In half an hour the sloop cast off and was sailing up the Hudson, for there was some wind and the tide was making. "Donald, tell me how you managed this?"

"When we boarded the brig, there were three dead men at the stern. The blue-jackets from the yacht went through their pockets, and then pitched the corpses into the lee scupper, leaving them for us to bury, and they were left there until we were on our course to New York, and the yacht was out of sight. I sent boys for bits of old canvas and three cannon balls and while they were away I turned over the bodies and straightened them. It was then I noticed the one whom the cook called the American agent had a wide belt round his waist, and feeling it found it was hollow and full of coin. Cutting it quickly off I slipped it under my coat. We sewed the bodies decently in canvas and, putting shot at their feet, dropped them overboard. When I went to my cabin I examined the belt and found it full of guineas, likely the coin the rascal got when he made prizes of the two merchant-ships. With that money I hired this sloop and bought food for the journey. There are as many gold pieces over as will buy what we need to begin bush-farming. I will give it you when we are alone."

‘No," said Morven, "the money is honestly yours. Had you not discovered the belt, the gold would have gone to the bottom of the Atlantic. You shall have the spending of it for the good of our People."

On reaching the American lines a boat came off to examine the sloop, but when the officer saw what a poverty-stricken lot of passengers she had, and was told they were immigrants on their way to the valley of the Mohawk; he passed them at once, and there were no more interruptions. The winds being mostly westerly there was much tacking, and twice the boat tied up at little towns overnight. At these places Donald bought clothing for those most in need, as well as food. When the boat had got as far as the depth of water would permit, we landed. Donald hired wagons to carry those who could not walk, and we started on the road for the Mohawk.

Every care being taken to keep by ourselves and nothing done to excite suspicion, we were left alone, the Americans glad to see such a beggarly looking lot of people moving past their neighborhood. It was a toilsome journey, but no whisper of complaint was heard, for hard as the road was it led to freedom. As we advanced, Morven learned, by cautious enquiries, that Sir John Johnson and the men of his tenantry were in Canada, while the women and children were dispersed all over the country. Whigs occupied their farms. The Indians had vanished. If one was seen he was shot at sight.

When the point was come to where the road had to be left, the wagons were sent back, and Morven led the company through the woods to the little valley he had destined for us. Everybody was pleased with it, and at once set to work. Our training in Virginia came in well. We had learned how to use tools and cultivate the soil, and best of all, to work regular hours each day had become to us a second nature. We had a new motive for exertion, in that we were now working for our own profit and not for that of a stranger planter. We felled trees, built shanties, grubbed the soil, and even sowed some winter rye and wheat. Before snow came we were further advanced than other settlers we found south of us, lacking our industrious habits, who had arrived in the spring. It was Donald who bought axes and other tools and who bargained for the food that tided us over until our first crop was ready to harvest. During the winter soft wood trees were felled and sawn into planks and boards.

The first summer was the happiest of our lives. There was scarcity of food and many necessaries we had to do without, but with all the pinching and paring there was no grumbling. Instead, each one of us was pleasant with his neighbor and what he had he shared with his neighbor without grudging. It may have been the deep joy of having regained our freedom, or it may have been the knowledge we could only succeed by helping one another, that spread the happy spirit over us all, or it may have been both, but that summer, though many of the grown-up people had often one meal a day that the children and the aged might have enough, was looked back upon as the brightest and most joyous we knew. As the season advanced and Mother Earth began to yield her increase of what we had sown, the pinch lessened. We had a bountiful harvest, and when it was stored we felt rich. It was that fall the settlement had its first marriage. The couple had loved from childhood, but would not marry in Virginia. It was the first chance for a merrymaking since we left Scotland and the whole of us, young and old, joined to make the most of it. Malcolm McKillop had finished his barn, the biggest yet built, and it was agreed the marriage should be there. It was emptied and Morven boarded it for the occasion. There was difficulty in getting a minister, for we were all of one mind that a rebel was out of the question. There was a German settlement twenty miles south of us that had a minister and he agreed to come. The road was worse than he counted on, and he was long in coming, but we did not mind, for there was plenty adoing. Oh the pranks that were played on the young couple while waiting for the minister, the lassies washing the bridegroom’s feet and the lads pretending to steal the bride, sending groom and his bestman on a goose hunt all over the settlement. When the minister arrived we all agreed it would be no marriage unless the couple were "cried," and so we took him out of doors and he cried them three times in German, for he had only a few words of English and no Gaelic, and it was hoped the squirrels and crows took notice. When he had married them, and we were sorry the minister used a book to do so, he made out the "lines" for the bride and left to sleep in the house of Auntie McNeish. Then the fun began in real earnest, and the floor was cleared. We sorely missed a piper, and had it not been that our lads had been taught to play the fiddle by an old darky on the plantation, we would have had no music. The spirit that had slept from the sorrowful hour we had set foot in Virginia came to life that night, and we lived again in the Highlands. We were ourselves again. Fingers snapped, and men jumped high and cried "Hoich" who never expected to join in fling or reel All our trials were forgotten and when Angus and his wife, the oldest couple we had, took the floor to show us how to dance the Highland Fling our shouts and cheers were like to raise the roof. Oh, it was joyous, all innocent, all friendly, all of one heart and mind. And we had songs, the fine old Gaelic songs, some so funny and some so sad, with no singer equal to Morven, for he put his heart into whatever he did. And such a supper, oatcake and cheese, the first since we left Scotland, the crowdy and the white and black puddings, the singed sheepshead and the haggis! And after supper Roddy, the tailor, danced Ghillie Callum, and had to do it three times, and then the reels began. It was Scotland again and we were sorry when daylight came and ended our merry gathering. Oh, it was a great splore.

The second harvest had been reaped when Auntie McNeish fell ill. While Morven was resting after a laborious day, a boy came in haste with the message that she wanted to see him. He went at once, for he suspected the end had come. Her chair had been moved to the grass in front of the door and Eppie was seated at her feet. The slant rays of the October sun fell on her face and Morven saw a change had taken place.

"I sent for you for I am going away, Morven, and I had a token to leave you."

"Surely not, auntie; you will stay with us a while yet."

"No, my hour has come, and why should I wish to tarry? The Friend I have talked with so many years I will now see."

"We are not tired of you, auntie; your words are good to us."

"And I am not tired of you; all have been good to me, past all my deservings."

"Even in Virginia?"

"Even there I knew of the goodness of my God, and thanked and praised Him. You, Morven, I would hearten in your work. A great deliverance for our people has been wrought, and I trust

you will not grow weary with them. I hear of evil days having come, of strife and bloodshed around us—do not desert them."

"That I shall not," said Morven.

"It is the promise of a man of honor. I will now give you something I never showed from the hour I got it." Thrusting her hand into her bosom, she held out to him something wrapped in a silken rag. Unrolling it, he found a large silver brooch.

"When Prince Charlie was being hunted as if he were a wild beast, he and Locheil came to the house where I was a servant. There was word of a French ship being off the coast waiting to receive them and they wanted to get across to the next loch. It was night, but to tarry might mean capture. There was no man in the house, just my mistress and myself. I offered to row them and we got into the boat. Locheil took the oars and I steered, for the night was dark with driving showers, but I knew the landmarks. As we neared the other side of the loch and the course to where we were to land was plain, I took the oars, for Locheil’s strength had been spent with his wounds and his long wandering. On leaving the boat, I led the way across the strip of land to within sight of the loch they sought. I turned to go. The prince shook my hand, saying he had nought to reward me save words of thanks. Locheil unclasped the brooch from his plaid. "It is the last bit I have of any value. I will not need it more, for we will be on board ship within an hour. Take it, lassie, as proof of my gratitude," and he turned away. Morven, be as true to the task to which God has called you as the gentle Locheil was to his prince."

She sank back exhausted with speaking so much. "Morven, sing to me." As Morven sang psalm after psalm, the people came from their shanties and joined. During a pause, as they were watching the sun sink beyond the woods, the dying woman, who had lain as in a trance, whispered, "Eppie, do not cry. When I was born into the world my father rejoiced that I had come. I am about to be born into a better world and have assurance that the Father I have known so long, though I have never seen Him, but soon shall, will welcome me. We are twice born, and the second birth, if we have washed our robes in the blood of the Lamb, should be the gladdest hour of our lives. In a little while I will no longer be poor, frail, sightless woman, for I will leave this wornout body to be returned to earth, while I, in glorified body, shall see all I have loved and lost and abide with them forever."

Morven signed to kneel and poured out his heart in prayer. When they rose, the spirit had gone.

That was the lightest of the afflictions that befell the settlement. In the spring it became known Sir John Johnson was lurking in the neighborhood, enlisting a regiment to take part in the coming campaign. Despite all Morven’s warnings, a number of our young men stole away to join him. Then there were rumors of fighting and not all who left us came back; they had fallen on the battle-field. Of those who did return to the settlement five were suffering from wounds, and of these one died before the new year. News of how the war was going was difficult to get, but Morven learned enough to satisfy him the day was lost. No braver armies had Britain ever placed in the field but they were commanded by court favorites, whose recommendation was their titles and family influence. Had General Fraser been in command instead of Sir John Burgoyne the disgrace of Saratoga would have been spared us and we would not have mourned for two of our lads. Calamity followed calamity, we thought, when we heard the King of France had acknowledged the new republic, had given its congress a loan of money, and was going to help them by sea and land—this he did not from love of the republic but from hatred of Britain. Seeing an opportunity of crushing an old enemy, Spain had joined France, and was preparing a second armada to invade England. Fighting to beat off these enemies from her shore, Britain was unable to maintain her armies in America, which was more necessary than ever seeing they had now to face the rebels and the French combined. These latter years of the war were the worst for us, for irregular fighting took the place of campaigns, and bands of Whigs and Loyalists alternately ravaged each others settlements. The raids that came nearest us, were those of Sir John on his old estate and of Brant on the Whigs who had taken up their abode on the lands of his tribe. In one of his raids Sir John came to the ruins of Johnson hall and took the opportunity to dig up the silver-plate that had lain for four years concealed. Dividing it up among forty of his soldiers, it was safely conveyed back to Canada to once again grace his table, for his lady had taken up house in Montreal.

It was after Brant’s raid, when fifty-three families had their homes burned, that Murdoch Cameron found two children. His cow had failed to appear for two days and he rose before sunrise and went in search of her. After a long and weary tramp he found her tracks and, following them, got up with her, pleased enough to recover her. On his homeward way Murdoch saw his dog smelling round a tree and then bark in a joyful way. Murdoch whistled for him, but he did not leave the spot, but kept barking and jumping round as if pleased with what he had found. Murdoch went over to see what it was. Collie wagged his tail and came to his master as if to lead him to the spot. Beneath an oak, in a bed of leaves, lay two children asleep, clasped in each other’s arms. Murdoch stooped and by the shaft of sunlight that fell on their faces, saw by their hollow cheeks, tracked with tears, that they were in the last stage of starvation. He shook the boy, who was the older, and he opened his eyes to close them again. "It is the stupor of death," said Murdoch to himself, "and they must have something to revive them." A bush-farmer is never at a loss. Stripping a wide sheet of bark from a birch tree he twisted it into a cone and going to his cow milked her. Lifting the boy by his left arm and resting his limp body on his knee, he raised the cone to his lips. As the warm milk touched his tongue his mouth opened and he drank his fill. Replenishing the cone, he took the other child, and did the same by her. As he gazed on her sweet face his heart went out to her and he pressed her to his bosom, for she reminded him of a girl bairn he had buried in Virginia. The boy was sitting up, with collie licking his face, but it was long before the wandering senses of the girl came back. When her eyes did open and they met those of Murdoch beaming down on her, she cried "Pa" and tried to raise her head to kiss him. "I am not your pa, my dear one, but I shall be as one to you," and he cuddled her in his arms. It was a slow journey homeward, for both had to be carried. It was nightfall when the lowing of the cow brought his wife to the door.

"You have found the cow," she shouted to Murdoch approaching in the dark.

"I have found more than her. I have found the bairn we lost, and God has given us with her a pretty boy," and he put them both in her arms.

The word soon went over the settlement of Murdoch finding two children in the bush, and early next morning his house was crowded. Mrs Cameron proudly welcomed each new-corner and led them to the settle where the two children lay asleep, with Collie watching over them. They had been near death, an hour or two more would have put them past recovery, and it was quite a while before the boy was strong enough to tell us how they had come to be where they had been found. They had not been lost. While all were sleeping at home, the boy said, there was a loud yell, the door was burst in, and painted men filled the house. Father picked up a chair and hit one over the head, when they killed him. While the scuffle was going on in the dark, mother dropped me and Jenny out of the back window, and told us to run, and there was a big light and our house was on fire. We heard a cry that sounded like mother— just one. We waited for her until it was daylight. The Indians were all gone; we saw them go to the next farm. We went up to our house, it was all smoking. We saw father lying near the door, and mother, all black, in a corner. Jenny was afraid, but I went up to her, and her head was bloody and no hair. And Jenny and I cried till we got sick and slept. ~. When I woke, I told Jenny the Indians might come back and kill us too and we had better go. I found in the milk-house the bread-jar with a loaf in it and I took it and we went to the bush and walked away. And we walked lots of days, maybe a year, and. we were so tired, and hungry and came to no house, and Jenny said I was strong and could travel, to leave her and save myself, she would just lie down and die and be with mother. I said I would not leave her, that God was in the bush just the same as in our home, and we fell asleep, and I was dreaming father was stroking my face the way he used to do and had me on his knee, and I wakened and saw it was that man.

"That was me," cried Murdoch, "and God help us, neither you nor Jenny shall want father or mother so long as my good wife and I live."

Our settlement was so remote from the road and, indeed, so little known, that no party of raiders came near us, and we went on sowing and reaping. It was a dark day to us when the word came that the war was over, that the surrender at Yorktown had caused the King to seek peace, and we wondered what would be the fate of us who were on the defeated side. There were months of anxiety, ending in grievous disappointment when it was learned all we had to rely on was a promise by congress that its influence would be used with the legislatures of the several States to see that the loyalists would be dealt with justly. That pledge, we feared, was worthless, and experience proved it was. The excuse given for the breaking of this solemn engagement with Britain was, that those who made it and signed the treaty, had, under the constitution, no power to dictate to the State legislatures. These legislatures had no mercy. The loyalists were robbed of their property, tarred and feathered, imprisoned, and hounded to death. Morven knew full well the turn of his People would come and waited with drawn breath for their sentence. The state of suspense in which we lived had the effect of stopping all improvements. If we had to give up our lots there was no sense in our making them of more value to the Republicans who would take possession of them. There were daily talks among ourselves, but never did man or woman suggest we ought to try and make friends with the vic torious party in the hope of keeping our properties. There was just one mind among us, that we would take no oath of allegiance to the Republic, and as to where we would go when compelled to leave there was no choice but to try and reach Canada. There was not a day that summer on which some preparation was not made for what we all felt would be a long and dangerous journey. Morven and Donald had many a talk by themselves, and we knew they were trying to gather all the information they could about Canada and the best way to get to it. We were satisfied we would have to move that fall, but the warning came sooner than looked for, and before we had harvested all our crops.

It was late in August Morven was crossing the woods at the head of the settlement, when he heard the crackling of footsteps behind him. He turned to see who it was, and his heart sank as he recog nized in the stranger an Albany lawyer, who, after glancing him over, abruptly said— "From the description supplied to me I take you to be the party I have come to see. You are the fellow who passes by the name of Morven, and who is agent for this settlement?"

"I am, and you are lawyer Hoover of Albany, for I have seen you in court and heard you speak at Whig meetings."

Hoover—You are correct, only I am now the Honorable Douw Hoover. I have ridden from Albany, and it has been a weary ride, to arrange with you, as the reputed leader of the settlement, for the change you must have been expecting. The lands of’ the people you represent are included in the Confiscation Act of New York State, and I have been commissioned by the Governor to see to the seizure and transfer of these lands in due form to their new and rightful owners. Here are copies of the documents that certify this, and, for their own sakes, I hope the People will quietly obey the orders they contain and obviate the use of force. To effect a peaceable transfer I have come in person instead of sending an officer with a posse comitatus.

Morven - I do not wish to read them. I take your word for having authority and that our farms are confiscated. One winter, when out of work, I often visited the Albany court-room and heard you plead. As a lawyer, I ask you if it is justice to rob us of our land?"

Hoover—Robbery! Is that the word you use regarding a solemn deliverance of our New York Legislature? What could you and your traitorous crew expect? You refused to take the oath of allegiance when proclamations were posted. Instead, you made war on the American people, and joined with the Indians in their hellish deeds. Justice! Were justice done you, the hangman’s rope would be the due of every mother’s son of you. The commonwealth, in its benign clemency, spares you your worthless lives on condition that you leave the country.

Morven—Are we not part of the American people? Of course we are? How then could we make war on them? When the first gun was fired at Lexington not half of the people of America were for separation and we resisted. The struggle that ended at Yorktown was not between Britain and America. It was a civil war, waged between two sections of the people of these colonies, with Britain aiding the party who were for continuing the government as it was. It was brother against brother, father against son, who fought, and the loyalist side lost. I deny that we loyalists ever made war on the American people. We stood for the old way, for things as they were, and it was you who were for changing them and used the sword to force your opinions on us.

HOOVER—Never mind what was true when the patriots of Lexington dared to withstand the tyrant. The strong fact of the case, and the only one that concerns you, is, that the progress of events so convinced all right-minded people that they came round to support the glorious party of freedom— MORVEN —Not all. Tens of thousands of the best class of Americans are being compelled to leave the country which is just as much their country as yours.

It is reported one hundred thousand loyalists have left New York.

Hoover—They are the despicable enemies of our noble republic and may be thankful they are allowed to leave.

Morven—You have stripped them of all they possessed: they go forth penniless to seek new homes.

Hoover—It is the law of nations, that the property of rebels becomes confiscate to the state.

Morven—They are not rebels to the government of their fathers or to the government that had been established in this land for nigh two centuries. You reproach myself and my people for refusing to change our allegiance. Could we turn against the land of our birth? The wretch who, for gain, forswears the land of his fathers and turns his hand against it, is a traitor to the best instincts of human nature.

Hoover—See here, law is law and has to be obeyed. The sovereign people of these United States decided on independence, and whoever, at the proper time, refused to take the oath of allegiance to it is a rebel and to be treated as rebels deserve.

Morven-—Look out on that plain at our feet. You see men and women cutting grain, Hark, you may hear the song they sing in Scotland when harvesting. These people found that plain a forest They felled the trees, they brought it into cultivation, they built those houses—every improvement you see is the fruit of their industry. Is it right that, because you, and a number like you, rebelled against the government these people found established when they came to America, and have substituted one of your own device in its place, that you should rob them of their homes? Why should a change in form of government deprive them of the property they created by their labor?

Hoover—They had their option. Had they united with the sovereign people in resisting the tyrant George they would not now be disturbed.

Morven—So; it is a crime, then, not to think as you decree; a crime to be punished by being robbed of what they own and expelled from the country.

Hoover—Certainly, that is the law, and you get off easily, for seeing part of you bore arms against the republic and all of you gave aid and comfort to its enemies, your lives as well as your property are justly forfeit.

Morven—In your declaration of independence you affirm all men are born free and equal. Why, then, question our right to think for ourselves? Is it in accordance with the doctrine you take as the base of your republic, that we could not form an opinion as to the government we preferred? Because of our opinion that we wished no change in the government you rob us of the property that is ours. Is that either freedom or equality?

Hoover—You are quibbling with eternal truths. In congress assembled the representatives of the sovereign people of the United States of America decided what was to be the government, and whoever rejected that government is a traitor and deserves a traitor’s sentence and a traitor’s treatment.

Morven—There is no freedom in that. Whoever thinks differently from you is to be treated as a criminal and stripped of what he possesses. That is a forcing of men’s consciences. You say I quibble. What about Washington, Jefferson, Lee, Harrison, Carroll, and a host of your leading men declaring life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to be the inalienable right of all men, when they own slaves?

Hoover—The term "men" applies to whites alone. All jurisconsults so define it.

Morven—And we Tories are to be classed with negroes in being denied life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness because of our opinion that we preferred connection with the Motherland to your newly fledged government! Your declaration of independence has strange limitations—one of color, another of opinion. Affecting an exclusive zeal for liberty, you use the sacred word to rob and hound those who do not think as you do. Drop this veil of words, Mr Hoover, and say flatly and plainly those you represent covet our farms and homes, and having the power on your side you are going to have then, but do not rob us with the words independence and equality in your mouths. We may have to submit to robbery, but, for heaven’s, sake, spare us hypo crisy. We did no wrong in standing for British connection: we had a right to our opinion and to defend it. We have been beaten, we recognize you as victors, we renounce all idea of further resistance, and giving our pledged word that we will live quietly, ask to be left alone on the farms we have redeemed from the wilderness.

Hoover—I love to hear you Tories speak so sweetly when you have been licked and cannot help yourselves. You snakes in the grass who sought to betray our glorious cause to our oppressors, you wolves who pounced on the weak when you found a chance, showing no mercy even to sucklings; you pretenders to manhood, who were not ashamed to have merciless Indian savages as your allies; you beg now for mercy and you shall have the measure of mercy you dealt out to the inhabitants of Schoharie, of Wyoming and Cherry valleys. Rights you ask, you shall have the rights you fought to deny us patriots. Had you won the day, how would we have been treated? Answer, you miserable Tory. You cannot. Get out of our way before vengeance for your deeds overtakes you.

Morven—I answer with a clear conscience. I do not believe in war and never sought any man’s life. None of the people whose homes you mean to seize had anything to do with Indians. The young men who enlisted fought fairly in the open. It is false that the British government would have harmed you had they won the day. General after general made it known that if you laid down your arms, there would be at once issued a proclamation of amnesty and oblivion.

Hoover—And we scorned the offer for we knew we could whip your generals and set up for ourselves among the nations of the world—the latest born and the best.

Morven—You did not whip our generals. You were on the point of giving in, when France and Spain joined their forces to yours and gave you the victory you had failed to win alone. Nice allies of a free republic, the crowned tyrants of France and Spain!

Hoover—Our glorious cause was so palpably just, and the course of Britain so execrable, that even the despots of Europe could not refuse us their aid.

Morven—Then you are determined to have our farms?

Hoover—That is the decree of the legislature and I am commissioned to carry it out. If your People do not go quickly and quietly, I will fetch soldiers who will drive you into the northern wilderness at the point of the bayonet.

Morven—Put yourself in the place of any one of these farmers, and tell me, with such an order in your ears, how you would feel?

Hoover—That is impossible for me to do, as I cannot conceive of my being a traitor to our glorious republic.

Morven—But you were a traitor when you rose in rebellion against the government of the land.

Hoover—Read our declaration of independence, and learn that when sufficient cause is given it is a duty to throw off the yoke of a detested government. Study the enumeration of abuses and usurpations that justified tearing down the flag that had become the symbol of tyranny and giving to the winds of heaven our starry symbol, studded with stars snatched from the sky to which all look, that the hour of the emancipation of humanity had arrived.

Morven—Speaking as man to man, let your conscience, if not your lips, admit that Britain has not deserved the treatment she has received at your hands. She nourished your colonies in their youth, her war-ships guarded your coasts in time of war, her help was ready when French or Indians raided your borders. It was you who forced her, sorely against her will, into the seven years’ war. It was for your sake she sent fleets and armies to overthrow French dominion on this continent. She lavished millions of treasure and the lives of thousands of her soldiers to take away that standing menace to your peace, that obstacle to your expansion, and when she had accomplished the gigantic task and asked you to pay a trifling part of the cost, you refused and called it patriotism to repudiate a just debt. Had the French power remained in America you would never have sought separation from Britain. When her strong arm was no longer needed to protect you, you stabbed the bosom that had nursed you.

Hoover—You benighted Tory, you are ignorant of constitutional law. There were grave questions of jurisprudence involved in Britain’s methods of attempting to collect taxes without our consent.

Morven - And so, because the creditor took a wrong method, you repudiated a just debt! The letter to be obeyed, not the spirit. Easier to throw tea into saltwater than meet your obligations. What admirable patriotism, to exact all the benefits you could wring from the Motherland by pledges to share her outlay, and then, when enjoying the benefits she obtained for you, button your pockets! I tell you, Mr Hoover, you are now doing to individuals what you have done to the Motherland. You even refuse to pay the merchants for the goods you bought from them because they are Tories. How can a nation prosper that starts with dishonesty?

Hoover—Congress did right to declare these claims of British merchants illegal. Would you have us help our enemies by paying them their accounts and so enabling them to crush us? No, sir; our acts of confiscation and of repudiation were justifiable means to secure public safety.

Morven—Quibbles may satisfy your conscience, but a day will come when you shall answer Him who thundered, "Thou shalt not steal." Your appeals to what your congress, legislatures, and courts have decreed will then prove a flimsy shield. By brute force you can drive the people I speak for from their farms, you can hunt them into yonder mountains to perish, but you cannot escape the retribution of broken moral laws.

Hoover—Stop that. As an agent and representative of the legislature and executive of tlre State of New York I demand whether you are going to obey its order passed in due form?

Morven —You may go back to your masters and tell them we have the spirit of true men and ask of them no favor. We will abandon to them the vine yard they covet.

Hoover—What assurance do you give me; what pledge you will keep your word?

Morven—Know this, you are dealing with Highlanders and the Highlander whose word is not as good as his oath or written bond is no better than one of your patriots who traffics in his principles for gain and wordly advancement.

Hoover—I pass by your insults to decide this business at once. When and where do you go?

Morven—We go to that true North where virgin soil awaits us to build a new nation which will cherish the name of the land whence we came—a nation where honor shall be the boast of its people and not riches, where trickery shall be held in contempt and oppression shall not put forth its claws from under the cloak of freedom, where no man shall be held to be a mark for plunder because of his opinions, and where the humblest and poorest shall not cry in vain for justice. Forms of government go for nothing where the people seek not each other’s good and the spirit of brotherhood does not fold its arms around all humanity.

Hoover—How beautiful! And when do you saints propose to leave. for your frozen, paradise?

Morven—Not a day later than is needed to prepare for so long a journey.

Hoover—Fix a date.

Morven - I cannot, there are women and children to be considered. Be sure of this, we shall not delay Ieaving a land that has fallen under the control of a government that sanctions robbery. Your new-born nation starts with the taint of thievery and thieves will prey on its vitals for generations to come.

Hoover—Too long have I listened to your insults, and will bear no more. Call you me a thief?

Morven—You are a lawyer. What do you call a man who takes what belongs to another? You are joined in a conspiracy to steal our farms and what-ever else we own.

Hoover—Were you not a cursed Tory I would challenge you, but that would be too much honor to you. I will kick and spit upon you, and make you swallow your words.

Purple with rage, Hoover rushed towards Morven, who lifted him bodily and pitched him into a bed of forest litter. Hoover rose, drew a pistol, and fired, missing Morven., who wrenched the pistol from his hand and another he made a move to draw, when he .had again thrown him on his back.

Morven—Get up; know that a Highlander takes not vengeance on a fallen foe. Go back to your masters in Albany and say to them, the Highlanders whose farms they covet will rather perish of cold and hunger in the wilderness than forswear the land of their birth.