We left the dell, we scaled the fell, And up the crest we sprang, When swift and sharp along the scarp A deadly volley rang; And down went Leitch of Weedon's corps! Deep hurt, but gallant still; And down went Knowlton!--he that bore The sword of Bunker Hill. I raised his head. But this he said, Death-wounded as he lay: "Lead on the fight! I hold it light If we but get the day!" In open rank we struck their flank, And oh! the fight was hot! Up came the Hessian Yagers! Up came the kilted Scot! Up came the men of Linsingen, Von Donop's Grenadiers! But soon we sped the vengeful lead A-whistling 'bout their ears! They buckled front to Varnum's brunt; We crumpled up their right, And hurling back the crimson wrack We swept along the height. The helmets of the Hessians Are tumbled in the wheat; The tartan of the Highlander Shall be his winding-sheet! A mingled rout, we drove them out From orchard, field, and glen; In goodly case it seemed to chase Our hunters home again! We flaunted in their faces The flag they thought to scorn, And left them with a loud "Hurrah!" To choke their bugle-horn! Upon a ledge embattled Above the Hudson's shore We dug the grave for Knowlton And Leitch of Weedon's corps. And though in plight of War's despite We yield this island throne, Upon that ledge we left a pledge That we shall claim our own! ARTHUR GUITERMAN. At this time occurred the first of the two most dramatic and moving tragedies of the Revolution. It was important that Washington should obtain detailed and accurate information as to the position and intentions of the British, and Nathan Hale, a captain in Knowlton's regiment, volunteered for the service, and passed into the British lines in disguise. He was captured and taken before Sir William Howe, to whom he frankly acknowledged his errand. Howe ordered him hanged next day. NATHAN HALE [September 22, 1776] The breezes went steadily thro' the tall pines, A-saying "Oh! hu-ush!" a-saying "Oh! hu-ush!" As stilly stole by a bold legion of horse, For Hale in the bush; for Hale in the bush. "Keep still!" said the thrush as she nestled her young, In a nest by the road; in a nest by the road. "For the tyrants are near, and with them appear What bodes us no good; what bodes us no good." The brave captain heard it, and thought of his home, In a cot by the brook; in a cot by the brook. With mother and sister and memories dear, He so gayly forsook; he so gayly forsook. Cooling shades of the night were coming apace, The tattoo had beat; the tattoo had beat. The noble one sprang from his dark lurking-place, To make his retreat; to make his retreat.