The Rangers; or, The Tory's Daughter: A Tale Illustrative of the Revolutionary History of Vermont and the Northern Campaign of 1777Thompson, Daniel P. (Daniel Pierce)
History
The Rangers; or, The Tory's Daughter: A Tale Illustrative of the Revolutionary History of Vermont and the Northern Campaign of 1777
Thompson, Daniel P. (Daniel Pierce)
Vermont -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Fiction
“You cannot seriously think of accepting this appointment father,” she
said, with a look of concern; “you cannot think of leaving your quiet
and comfortable home, and engaging, at your age, in the fatigues and
dangers of the camp?”
“Why not, Sabrey?” replied the other, reprovingly. “From my knowledge of
the country, I can be of great use in procuring the supplies which the
army will need, as the general doubtless foresaw; and I consider it my
duty to the king to lend my feeble aid when called. The post is not, it
is true, a very high one; but it is honorable and lucrative, and I shall
accept it.”
'If this is Miss Sabrey Haviland, I have a letter for her also,' here
interposed the messenger, rising and presenting the letter in question.
Sabrey broke open the proffered letter, which proved to be from her
friend Miss McRea, and ran thus:--
“You remember your promise, Sabrey, to visit me the first opportunity.
That opportunity now occurs. Captain Jones and other friends have
presented your father's name at head-quarters for promotion; and he has
now, I am informed, received an appointment. If he accepts, as I am sure
he will, I hope you will accompany him, and remain with me. I have just
received one of those letters so precious to me: he says the army will
probably move on to Fort Edward next week, the obstructions in the road
being mostly removed; so that, by the time you arrive, I shall probably
be enabled to introduce you to the beautiful and accomplished ladies
of whom he has so much to say,--such as the Countess of Reidesel,
Lady Harriet Ackland, and others, who accompany their husbands in the
campaign. But you will perhaps say that he is interested in praising
these ladies for the love and heroism which prompt them to brave such
fatigues and dangers for the sake of their lords, since he is warmly
urging me to consent to an immediate union, that I may follow their
example. He says, in his last letter,--and I think truly,--that I cannot
long remain where I am, in a section which he evidently anticipates,
will soon become a frightful scene of strife and bloodshed; and that I
must therefore go away with my friends, and leave him, perhaps forever,
or put myself under his protection in the army. And he seems hurt that
I hesitate in a choice of the alternatives. On the other hand, my
connections and friends here think it would be little short of madness
in me to yield to my lover's proposal. The people about here are greatly
alarmed at the expected approach of the British army, which is known to
be accompanied by a large body of Indians, Many are already removing and
nearly all preparing to go The crisis hastens, and yet I am undecided.
Prudence points one way, love the other. What shall I do? O Sabrey what
shall I do? Should you come on with your father, I think I should feel
a confidence in going with you to the British encampment. Come then,
my friend, come quickly, for I feel as if I could not go on without
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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