CHAPTER VI. I am as free as nature first made man, WHEN the British commenced their retreat, the American general, pursuing his plans of prudence and circumspection by which he finally established the freedom of his native country, contented himself with hanging for some time on their disordered rear, more with the wish of seeing them seek a distant resting-place than with the hope of capturing them. The fort surrendered, the garrison, wasted by war and hardship, followed slowly and unarmed after the baffled army,-and General Washington, seating himself upon his military cloak on the ground, laid his hat at his feet, his sword by his side, put his hand reverently to his brow, and asked a blessing over a cake of Indian corn and a cup of water. His chief officers sat apart, and, within a lance's length, two Indian chieftains leaned upon their war-spears as composed and motionless as stones of the desert, gazing upon the American commander, and ranking him with the heroes of their tribes, with Tamanend and Taduskend, the demigods of the Dela wares. Paul, leaving the charge of the captured vessel to Macgubb, came ashore and stood before Washington, who looked up and said,—“ Commodore Paul Jones, I thank you for the good service you have rendered the cause of freedom ;-it was a deed promptly and gallantly done, there is my hand,―here is a corner of my cloak, a piece of my cake, and a drink of water,—a ration not always found in our deserts;—when we have tasted such food as fortune has sent us, we will have patience for speech." Paul seated himself beside the illustrious American, and partook of his refreshment in silence. The officers and soldiers gathered round, and at a respectful distance contemplated those two remarkable men, - the one calm, sagacious, and wise, who trusted to wisdom more than to fortune, and was unmatched in the art of conquering the strong by means of the weak and the undisciplined; while the other was no less famed for his fiery ecstacy of nature, his vehement courage, and daring precipitation. "There he sits," said an officer from Philadelphia, "who never feared the face nor the arms of man; and yet observe him,-see how meek and composed he is, a man without the passions of our nature, the heroic founder of a vast and glorious empire, which will extend over the whole western continent.' "And there sits beside our hero," said a brother officer, "a man made after the old martial republican nature of Greece or England,-one as sudden in his attacks as fire from heaven, and as sure of being resistless,—his deeds are more like magic than like the actions of man.”"It is a pity to see him where he is, for his own sake," said a third officer, " for he has some noble qualities. But gloss the matter over as ye may with philanthropy, love of liberty, universal citizenship, or any other gilding which may be current for the day, the blackness of the traitor will dim it all. Britain has for ever thrown him from her bosom, will America ever take him kindly to hers ?" Speak low, Logan," said a fourth officer; "he hears you, by heaven!"-" He shall hear something worse," said a fifth American ;-" what brings the renegade here? Let not the banners of our country shelter the unquiet and discontented children of Britain, who come with their own private animosities, in the hope that we will aid them in wreaking their wrongs. I say now, as I have ever said, we and we alone have a quarrel with the islanders; and the man who curses England, quits it, and aids us in fighting against it, is unworthy of fame-ay of life-though he had the skill of Arnold and the bravery of Paul Jones." 66 Washington shook the crumbs of his repast from his cloak, looked on Paul, and said in a low serious tone of voice,-" No one feels more warmly your worth and your genius than myself;your courage, your capacity, and your actions, all claim our admiration and gratitude. It was this feeling which induced Franklin to propose to place the fleet of France under your command; but the Bourbon was embarrassed by the vanity of his nation. Now you are in America; but we are not yet a maritime people, we are holding a daily contest for existence in the deserts, and our rifles and pick-axes enable us to purchase a bare respite. You have commendations from Louis and Franklin ;-our Congress, on reading them, will say that you are an useful servant; but be assured that they cannot use you as they would. In every country there is "A party race, A jostle by dark intrigue for place :" you will find it in the cabinet of a monarchy and in the noisy halls of the republic. American-born as I am, fortunate in most of my actions, and beloved, as I believe I am, for justice and moderation, I hold command of the army as a child holds a wilful horse, in terror and with trembling. To restrain the licentious, confirm the wavering, support the weak,-to bring moderation into our councils, and carry our resolutions into effect, require good fortune and talent to unite in accom plishing. That I say these words in the ear of a stranger, is a proof how little I can get my heart safely unburthened, and it also assures that stranger of the sincerity of the counsel I am about to give." The fiery and intractable spirit of Paul endured with a sad composure and a painful grace the tranquil and severe disclosures of the stern American. He thought that the darkness in which he dipt the present boded little brightness for the future. Washington meanwhile arose, clasped on his warcloak, examined his pistols, looked his watch, gave orders for the movement of the army, and, taking Paul by the arm, said," My counsel, Commodore Paul Jones, is this: Take quietly what fortune sends you till this unhappy war be finished, and America has gained her independence. You cannot well retire from the contest now; but put yourself as seldom in the front as you can,gain reputation for forbearance, moderation, meekness, and mercy. The blood which I shed in the hour of battle is that of a stranger,-the blood which you spill is that of a brother. You have left your native place in anger,-you have allied yourself with its enemies,-your sword is stained with Scottish blood,-the tongue of America may be with you, but her heart is against you; and the moment her deliverance is achieved she will cast aside many of the weapons by which it was wrought, and the conqueror of the Serapis amongst |