Unhappily, our country had but too many pupils that fitted exactly
such a preceptor. The lazy, dram-drinking, plunder-loving tories, all gloried
in major Weymies: and were ever ready, at the winding of his horn,
to rush forth with him, like hungry bloodhounds, on his predatory excursions.
The dogs of hell were all now completely uncoupled,
and every devilish passion in man had its proper game to fly at.
Here was a fine time for MALICE to feed her ancient grudges;
for AVARICE to cram her maw with plunder; and REVENGE to pay off
her old scores, with bloody interest.
A thievish tory, who had been publicly whipped by a whig magistrate,
or had long coveted his silver tankard, or his handsome rifle,
or his elegant horse, had but to point out his house to major Weymies,
and say, "There lives a d----d rebel." The amiable major and his myrmidons,
would surround the noble building in a trice; and after gutting it
of all its rich furniture, would reduce it to ashes. It was in vain
that the poor delicate mother and her children, on bended knees,
with wringing hands and tear-swimming eyes implored him to pity,
and not to burn their house over their heads. Such eloquence,
which has often moved the breasts of savages, was all lost
on major Weymies and his banditti. They no more regarded
the sacred cries of angel-watched children than the Indians do
the cries of the young beavers, whose houses they are breaking up.
But, oh, joy eternal! "THE LORD IS KING." His law is love,
and they who sin against this law, soon or late, shall find
that they have sinned against their own souls.
A planter, in his fields, accidentally turning towards his house,
suddenly discovers a vast column of smoke bursting forth,
and ascending in black curling volumes to heaven. "Oh my God! my house!"
he exclaims, "my poor wife and children!" Then, half bereft of his senses,
he sets off and runs towards his house. -- Still, as he cuts the air,
he groans out, "Oh, my poor wife and children!" Presently he hears
their cries: he sees them at a distance with outstretched arms
flying towards him. Oh, pa! pa! pa! his children tremblingly exclaim;
while his wife, all pale and out of breath, falls on his bosom,
and, feebly crying out, "The BRITISH! oh the British," sinks into a swoon.