“I repeat it, sir, let it come! It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter! Gentlemen may cry Peace, peace! but there is no peace. The war is actually begun. The next gale that sweeps from the North, will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms. Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? “Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me Liberty or give me Death!” _Charles Morris_ (_Condensed_) FACING DANGER It was the last day of August, 1774. The Potomac was flowing lazily past Mount Vernon. The door of the large mansion on the high river-bank stood open. Before it were three horses saddled and bridled. Three men came out of the house. One was George Washington, large, handsome, resolute, dressed for a long journey. With him, was a tall, angular, raw-boned man, slightly stooping, carelessly dressed, whose dark, deep-set eyes flashed with peculiar brilliance. The third man was equally striking in appearance, well-proportioned and graceful, his face serene and thoughtful. The tall raw-boned man with deep glowing eyes, was Patrick Henry; the elegant stranger, Edmund Pendleton. They were two of Virginia’s most devoted Patriots. As the three vaulted into their saddles, Washington’s wife stood in the open doorway, trying to conceal her anxiety for him under a cheerful manner. Her heart was very heavy. But as the three gave spurs to their horses, she called out:-- “God be with you, Gentlemen!” And so they rode away. It was dangerous business on which they were bent, as Martha Washington well knew. They were going to attend the First Continental Congress at Philadelphia. They were about to defy England. But the three rode away from Mount Vernon fearlessly, with her words ringing in their ears:-- “God be with you, Gentlemen!” JUNE 9 FRANCISCO DE MIRANDA OF VENEZUELA THE FLAMING SON OF LIBERTY _He took part in three great political movements of his age:--the Independence of the United States of North America; the French Revolution; and the Independence of South America._ _From an inscription to Miranda, by the Venezuelan Government_ _The Prince of Filibusters, the Chief of the Apostles of Spanish-American Independence, and one of the founders of the Republic of Venezuela, Francisco de Miranda will long live in song and story._ ... _The career of this Knight-Errant of Venezuela has fired the imagination of many filibusters and revolutionists._ WILLIAM SPENCE ROBERTSON MIRANDA was born in Venezuela, June 9, 1756 Flew Venezuela’s first flag of Freedom, the Red, Yellow, and Blue, March 12, 1806 Signed the Declaration of Independence of Venezuela, July 5, 1811 He died in Spanish chains, July 14, 1816 THE SPANISH GALLEONS I