LESSON LXX. STORY AND SPEECH OF LOGAN. 1. In the spring of the year 1774, a robbery was committed by some Indians on certain land adventurers on the Ohio river. The whites in that quarter, according to their custom, undertook to punish this outrage in a summary way. Captain Michael Cresap, and a certain Daniel Greathouse, leading on these parties, surprised, at different times, traveling and hunting parties of the Indians, having their women and children with them, and murdered many. Among these were, unfortunately, the family of Logan, a chief, celebrated in peace and war, and long distinguished as the friend of the whites. 2. This unworthy return provoked his vengeance. He ac cordingly signalized himself in the war which ensued. In the autumn of the same year, a decisive battle was fought at the mouth of the Great Kenawha, between the collected forces of the Shawanese, Mingoes, and Delawares, and a detachment of the Virginia militia. The Indians were defeated, and sued for peace. Logan, however, disdained to be seen among the sup pliants. But lest the sincerity of a treaty should be distrusted, from which so distinguished a chief absented himself, he sent by a messenger the following speech, to be delivered to Lord Dunmore. 3. "I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry, and he gave him not meat; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites, that my countrymen pointed as they passed, and said, 'Logan is the friend of white men.' 4. "I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan, There runs not a not even sparing my women and children. drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it; I have killed many; I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace; but do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Lo gan? Not one." LESSON LXXI. THE ORPHAN SISTERS. ANONYMOUS, 1. Two sisters, one a little child, Which through the casement shone. 2. They waited in their lonely home, 3. And thus they stood, their twining arms About each other wound, In token of affection's ties, By which their hearts were bound. 4. The bridal company arrived, And they went forth to meet Their father and their father's wife, 5. A beauteous and a gentle bride, They gazed upon her face; With sweet and native grace: 5. "A welcome, for my father's sake, 7. The younger clasped the lady's neck, "I'm glad you have come back again, 8. These simple greetings touched a chord 9. Her promise she has well fulfilled The mother lost has been in her LESSON LXXII. DESCRIPTION OF BYRON. POLLOK. 1. He touched his harp, and nations heard, entranced. As some vast river of unfailing source, Rapid, exhaustless, deep, his numbers flowed, 2. And soared untrodded heights, and seemed at home, The loftiest thought; and proudly stooped, as though With nature's self He seemed an old acquaintance, free to jest Suns, moons, and stars, and clouds his sisters were; 3. As some fierce comet of tremendous size, To which the stars did reverence as it passed; So he through learning and through fancy took His flight sublime; and on the loftiest top Of fame's dread mountain sat; not soiled, and worn, But as some bird of heavenly plumage fair, 4. Great man! the nations gazed and wondered much, He died he died of what? Of wretchedness. Of fame; drank early, deeply drank; drank draughts LESSON LXXIII. JOHN ADAMS AND THE DECLARATION. WEBSTER. 1. SIR, the declaration will inspire the people with increased courage. Instead of a long and bloody war for restoration of privileges, for redress of grievances, for chartered immu nities, held under a British king, set before them the glori ous object of entire independence, and it will breathe into them anew the breath of life. 2. Read this declaration at the head of the army; every sword will be drawn from its scabbard, and the solemn vow uttered, to maintain it or to perish on the bed of honor. Publish it from the pulpit; religion will approve it, and the love of religious liberty will cling around it, resolved to stand with it, or fall with it. Send it to the public halls; proclaim it there; let them hear it, who heard the first roar of the enemy's cannon; let them see it, who saw their brothers and their sons fall on the field of Bunker Hill, and in the streets of Lexington and Concord,— and the very walls will cry out in its support. |