"The pine-tree flag, ere day is passed, Shall float from the Margaretta's mast." III They ran to a sloop that lay near by; They roused their neighbors, with hue and cry; They doffed their hats, gave three loud cheers, And called for a crew of volunteers. Their bold, brave spirit spread far and wide, And men came running from every side. Curious armed were the dauntless ones, With axes, pitchforks, scythes, and guns; They shouted, "Ere yet this day be passed, The pine-tree grows from the schooner's mast!" IV With sails all set, trim as could be, The Margaretta stood out to sea. With every man and boy in place, The gallant Yankee sloop gave chase. Rippled and foamed the sunlit seas; Freshened and sung the soft May breeze; And came from the sloop's low deck, "Hurray! We're gaining on her! We'll win the day!" A sound of thunder, echoing wide, Came from the Margaretta's side; A deadly crash, and a loud death-yell, And one of the brave pursuers fell. They aimed a gun at the schooner then, And sent the compliment back again; He who at the helm of the schooner stood, Covered the deck with his rich life-blood. V Each burning to pay a bloody debt, The crews of the hostile vessels met; The Western nation now to be, Made her first fight upon the sea. And not till forty men were slain, Did the pine-tree flag a victory gain; But at last the hearts of the Britons quailed, And grandly the patriot arm prevailed. One of the youths, the deed to crown, Grasped the colors and pulled them down; And raised, 'mid cries of wild delight, The pine-tree flag of blue and white. And the truth was shown, for the world to read, That men may follow and boys may lead. WILL CARLETON. [4] From _Poems for Young Americans_, published by Harper & Bros. In North Carolina, the men of Mecklenburg County met, May 31, and adopted their famous "Resolves," declaring that each provincial congress was invested with all legislative and executive powers for the government of the colonies, and should exercise them independently of Great Britain, until Parliament should resign its arbitrary pretensions. It was from these "Resolves" that the legend of the Mecklenburg "Declaration of Independence, said to have been signed May 20," originated. THE MECKLENBURG DECLARATION [May 20, 1775] Oppressed and few, but freemen yet, The men of Mecklenburg had met Determined to be free, And crook no coward knee, Though Might in front and Treason at the back Brought death and ruin in their joint attack. The tyrant's heel was on the land When Polk convoked his gallant band, And told in words full strong The bitter tale of wrong, Then came a whisper, like the storm's first waves: "We must be independent, or be slaves!"