Instead of producing his pass, Andre, with a want of self-possession which can be attributed only to a kind of providence, asked the man hastily where he belonged; and, being answered, "to below," replied immediately," and so do I." He then declared himself to be a British officer, on urgent business, and begged that he might not be detained. The other two militia men coming up at this moment, he discovered his mistake; but it was too late to repair it.

He offered a purse of gold, and a valuable watch, to which he added the most tempting promises of ample reward, and permanent provision from the government, if they would permit him to escape; but his offers were rejected without hesitation. The names of the militia men who apprehended Andre, were John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Vanevert; who, immediately after searching, carried him before their commander, Colonel Jamison.

On the 29th of September, 1780, General Washington appointed a board of fourteen general officers, part of whom were General Greene, the Marquis de la Fayette, and Baron de Steuben, with the assistance of the judge advocate, John Lawrence. After the most mature deliberation, they pronounced Major Andre a spy from the enemy, and that, agreeably to the laws of nations, he ought to suffer death.

When his sentence was announced to him, he remarked, that, since it was his lot to die, as there was a choice in the mode, which would make a material difference in his feelings, he would be happy, if it were possible to be indulged with a professional death: but the indulgence of being shot, rather than hanged, was not granted, because it was considered contrary to the custom of war.

When he was led out to the place of execution, he bowed familiarly to all those with whom he had been acquainted during his confinement; a smile of complacency expressed the serene fortitude of his mind.

Upon seeing the preparations at the spot, he asked, with some emotion, 66 Must I die in this manner?" He was told it was unavoidable. "I am reconciled to my fate," said he, "but not to the mode.' Soon after, however, recollecting himself, he added, "It will be but a momentary pang;" and, springing upon the cart, performed the last office to himself, with a composure that excited the admiration, and melted the hearts of all the spectators.

Being told that the fatal moment was at hand, and asked if he had any thing to say, he answered, "Nothing but to request that you will witness to the world that I die like a brave man." Thus died Major An dre, universally esteemed and regretted.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND.

Paternal Affection.

1

How mildly beams a father's face!

How true and tender his embrace!

Heaven blends the hearts of sire and son;
Their kindred souls are joined in one;
No stay is like a father's arm;

No eye so quick to guard from harm;
And more the heart his counsels move,
Than pleasure's voice or woman's love.

Hath fickle passion wronged thy youth?
Cling to his side whose love is truth;
Have friends thy innocence beguiled?
Guileless a father guides his child;
Or hast thou vainly wandered far,
To search for truth's directing star?
Return, and claim thy sire's embrace;
His bosom be thy resting place.

Or hast thou aimed to soar in skies,
Where mightier spirits fearless rise,
And, feeble as the bird that springs

Toward heaven, ere time had nerved his wings,
With flagging plumes too soon returnest,
All drooping, to the ground thou spurnest?
Fly to thy father's tranquil breast,
Thou weary bird, make there thy nest.

Alas, for orphan hearts! that mourn
The dearest ties of nature torn;
They gaze not on a father's eye;
No more upon his bosom lie;

For them, life's surest friend is gone;
In grief, in hope, their heart's are lone;
And e'en should love still light its fires,
What earthly love is like a sire's?

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THIRD.

Serjeant Jasper.

At the commencement of the revolutionary war, Serjeant Jasper enlisted in the second South Carolina regiment of infantry, commanded by Colonel Moultrie. He distinguished himself in a particular manner, the attack which was made upon Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island, on the 25th of June, 1776.

at

In the warmest part of the contest, the flag staff was severed by a cannon ball, and the flag fell to the bottom of the ditch, on the outside of the works. This accident was considered, by the anxious inhabitants of Charleston, as putting an end to the contest, by striking the American flag to the enemy.

The moment that Jasper made the discovery that the flag had fallen, he jumped from one of the embrasures, and mounted the colc rs, which he tied to a

sponge staff, on the parapet, where he supported the until another flag was procured. The subsequent enterprise and activity of this patriot induced Colonel Moultrie to give him a sort of a roving commission, to go and come at pleasure, confident that he was always usefully employed.

He was privileged to select such men from the regiment as he should choose, to accompany him in his enterprises. His parties consisted generally of five or six, and he often returned with prisoners before Moultrie was apprised of his absence. Jasper was distinguished for his humane treatment, when an enemy fell into his power. His ambition appears to have been limited to the characteristics of bravery, humanity, and usefulness to the cause in which he was engaged.

When it was in his power to kill, but not to capture, it was his practice not to permit a single prisoner to escape. By his sagacity and enterprise, he often succeeded in the capture of those who were lying in ambush for him. In one of his excursions, an instance of bravery and humanity occurred, as recorded by the biographer of Gen. Marion, which would stagger credulity, if it were not well attested.

While he was examining the British camp at Ebenezer, all the sympathy of his breast was awakened by the distresses of Mrs. Jones, whose husband, an American by birth, had taken the king's protection, and had been confined in irons, for deserting the royal cause after he had taken the oath of allegiance. The well founded belief was, that nothing short of the life of her husband would atone for the offence with which he was charged.

The anticipation of the awful scene of a beloved husband expiring upon a gibbet, had excited the severest emotions of grief and distraction. Jasper secretly consulted with his companion, Serjeant Newton, whose feelings for the distressed female and

the

child were equally excited with his own, upon practicability of releasing Jones from his impending fate.

Though they were unable to suggest a plan of operation, they were determined to watch for the most favorable opportunity, and make the effort. The departure of Jones and several others, (all in irons,) to Savannah, for a trial, under a guard, consisting of a serjeant, corporal, and eight men, was ordered upon the succeeding morning.

Within two miles of Savannah, about thirty yards from the main road, is a spring of fine water, surrounded by a deep and thick underwood, where travellers often halt, to refresh themselves with a cool draught from the pure fountain. Jasper and his companion considered this spot the most favorable for their enterprise. They accordingly passed the guard, and concealed themselves near the spring.

When the enemy came up, the corporal, with his guard of four men, conducted the prisoners to the spring, while the serjeant, with the other four, having grounded their arms near the road, brought up the rear. The prisoners, wearied with their long walk, were permitted to rest themselves on the earth. Two of the corporal's men were ordered to keep guard, and the other two to give the prisoners drink out of their canteens.

The two last approached the spring where our heroes lay concealed, and, resting their muskets against a tree, dipped up water; and, having drunk themselves, turned away, with replenished canteens, to give to the prisoners also. "Now, Newton, is our time!" said Jasper. Then, bursting from their concealment, they snatched up the two muskets that were rested against the tree, and instantly shot down the two soldiers that kept guard.

By this time, the serjeant and corporal, a couple of brave Englishmen, recovering from their panic, had