We have seen worse, I'll own.
_3d Sol_. And what becomes of our young nation here, with its congress
and its army, and all these presidents, and generals, and colonels, and
aide-de-camps?--wont it look like a great baby-house when the hubbub is
over, and the colonies settle quietly down again?
_2nd Sol_. Faith, you take it very coolly. Before that can happen, do
you know what must happen to you?
_1st Sol_. Nothing worse than this, I reckon.
_2nd Sol_. (_makes a gesture to denote hanging_.)
_4th Sol_. What would they hang us though? Do you think they would
really hang us, John?
_2nd Sol_. Wait and see.
_1st Sol_. Nonsense! nonsense! A few of the ringleaders, Schuyler, and
Hancock, and Washington, and a few such, they will hang of course,--but
for the rest,--we shall have to take the oath anew, and swallow a few
duties with our sugar and tea, and----
_2nd Sol_. You talk as if the matter were all settled already.
_1st Sol_. There is no more doubt of it, than that you and I stand here
this moment. Why, they are flocking to Skeensborough from all quarters
now, and this poor fragment,--this miserable skeleton of an army, which
is the only earthly obstacle between Burgoyne and Albany, why, even this
is crumbling to pieces as fast as one can reckon.
Pages:
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93