To draw Cornwallis's attention from a blow meditated against the British post at Ninety-Six, Greene detached Morgan to Paulet's river, near the neighbourhood of Cornwallis and Tarleton. Immediately the pride of Tarleton rose. He begged of his friend, lord Rawdon, to obtain for him the permission of the commander in chief to go and attack Morgan. "By heavens, my lord," said he, "I could not desire a finer feather in my cap than Col. Morgan. Such a prisoner would make my fortune." "Ah, Ben," replied Rawdon very coolly, "you had better let the old wagoner alone." As no refusal could satisfy, permission at length was granted him: and he instantly set out. At parting, he said tc jord Rawdon with a smile, "My lord, if you will be so obliging as to wait dinner, the day after to-morrow, till four o'clock, Col. Morgan shall be one of your lordship's guests." "Very well, Ben," said the other, "we shall wait. But remember, Morgan was brought up under Washington." Tarleton was followed to battle by about 1000 choice infantry and 250 horse, with two field pieces. To oppose this formidable force, Morgan had but 500 militia, 300 regulars, and 75 horse. His militia were but militia. His regulars were the famous Maryland line led by Howard; men who would have done honour to the plains of Austerlitz. The intrepid Desaix, who turned the tide of war in the bloody strife of Marengo, was only equal to Washington, Col. of the horse. Morgan had no wish to fight. But Tarleton compelled him; for about two hours before day, on the 17th of January, 1781, some of Washington's cavalry came galloping into camp with news that the British were but eight miles off, and would be up by day break. Instantly Morgan called a council of war, composed only of Howard, Washington, and himself. "Well, gentlemen," said he, "what's to be done? shall we fight or fly? shall we leave our friends to our enemies; and burning our meal and bacon, so hardly

decided the conflict. The ground was covered with the dead. The tops of the aged pines shook with the ascending ghosts. With feeble cries and groans, at once they rose, like flocks of snow-white swans when the cold blast strikes them on the lakes of Canada, and sends them on wide-spread wings, far to the south to seek a happier clime.

Washington pursued Tarleton 20 miles! and, during the race, was often so near him, that he could easily have killed him with a pistol shot. But having

strictly forbidden his men to fire a pistol that day, he could not resolve to break his own orders. However, there was one of his men who broke them. At one time Washington was 30 or 40 yards ahead of his men. Tarleton observing this, suddenly wheeled with a couple of his dragoons to cut him off. Washington, with more courage than prudence, perhaps, dashed on, and rising on his stirrups, made a blow at Tarleton, with such force, that it beat down his guard and mutilated one or two of his fingers. In this unprotected state, one of the British dragoons was aiming a stroke which must have killed him. But the good genii, who guard the name of Washington, prevailed for in that critical moment a mere dwarf of a Frenchman rushed up, and with a pistol ball shivered the arm of the Briton. The other dragoon attempted to wheel off; but was cut down. Tarleton made his escape.

Tarleton was brave, but not generous. He could not bear to hear another's praise. When some ladies in Charleston were speaking very handsomely of Washington, he replied with a scornful air, that, "He would be very glad to get a sight of Col. Washington. He had heard much talk of him," he said, "but had never seen him yet." "Why, sir," rejoined one of the ladies, "if you had looked behind you at the battle of the Cowpens, you might easily have enjoyed that pleasure.”

While in the neighbourhood of Halifax, Nort

Carolina, Tarleton dined in a large company. The elegant and witty Mrs. Wiley Jones happened to be of the party. The ladies, who were chiefly whigs, were frequently praising the brave Col. Washington. Tarleton with looks considerably angry, replied, "that he was very much surprised that the Americans should think so highly of Col. Washington; for, from what he could learn, he was quite an illiterate fellow and could hardly write his own name." "That may

be very true (replied Mrs. Jones) "but I believe, sir you can testify that he "knows how to make his mark." Poor Tarleton looked at his crippled finger, and bit his lips with rage.

General Washington continued the war against the British till 1781; when Cornwailis pushed into Virginia, and fortified himself at York-Town. But the eye of Washington was upon him; and with an address, which, the British historians say, was never equalled, he concerted a plan that ended in the total destruction of Cornwallis. He artfully wrote letters to Greene, informing him, that, "in order to relieve Virginia, he was determined immediately to attack New York." These letters were so disposed as to fall into the right hands. Clinton took the alarm. But while the British general was in daily expectation of a visit from him, Washington and his army, were now across the Delaware, with full stretch to the south, darkening the day with their clouds of rolling dust. Cornwallis saw that the day of his fall was at hand. He had done all that a brave (would to God we could add, a humane) man could do ; but all in vain. On the last day of September, Washington sat down before York, with 100 pieces of heavy artillery. On the 7th of October this dreadful train began to thunder: and the British works sunk before them. Lord Cornwallis, unwilling to expose his army to the destruction of a general assault, agreed on the 17th to surrender. This was justly considered .he close of the war; which having been begun with

supplication, Washington piously ordered to be finish ed with thanksgiving.

In the siege of Yorktown, the behaviour of the Americans was, as usual, generous and noble. The amiable Col. Scammel, adjutant-general of the American army, and uncommonly beloved by them, was dangerously wounded and taken prisoner by some British dragoons, who barbarously trotted him on before them, three miles, into town, where he pre. sently died of fever and loss of blood. Great was the mourning for Scammel. In a few nights after, Washington gave orders to storm two of the enemy's redoubts, which were carried almost in an instant. The British called for quarters: A voice of death was heard, "Remember poor Scammel!"-" Remember, gentlemen, you are Americans!" was rejoined by the commander: and instantly the points of the American bayonets were thrown up towards heaven! The conduct of the French also, was such as to entitle them to equal praise.

For when the British marched out to lay down their arms, the French officers were seen to shed tears. They condoled with the British, and tendered them their purses!-Glorious proof, that God never intended men to be, as some wickedly term it, natural enemies.

On hearing in Congress the fall of Cornwallis, the door-keeper swooned with joy-on hearing the same news announced in parliament, lord North fell back in his chair, in the deepest distress. On receipt of the glad tidings, Congress broke forth into songs of praise to God: Parliament into execrations against their Prime Minister-Congress hastened to the temple to pay their vows to the Most High; the Parliament went to St. James's with a petition to the King for a change of men and measures. The King

was graciously pleased to hear the voice of their prayer. Men and measures were changed; and a decree was passed that whoever should advise war