Braddock; A Story of the French and Indian Wars (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER X. WASHINGTON. Can tyrants but by tyrants conquered be. And freedom find no champion and no child, Such as Columbia saw arise when she Sprung forth a Pallas, armed and undefiled? Or must such minds be nourished in the wild, Deep in the unpruned forest, 'midst the roar Of cataracts, where Nature smiled On infant Washington? Hath earth no more Such deeds within her breast, or Europe no such shore? --BYRON After the destruction of Jamestown, Virginia, during Bacon's rebellion, Williamsburg became tbe seat of government for the colony, and was the largest town in the dominion. It remained the seat of government until the War of the Revolution, when it'became the capital, until 1779. At the time of our storv, Williamsburg was a thriving little town, and the centre of fashion and commerce. Noah Stevens, who had led a sort of roving life, returned to Williamsburg in the winter of 1747 and 174S, with the intention of taking a course in the William and Mary's college. The youth had scarcely commenced his studies, when one. evening, as he was taking a stroll about the suburbs of the town, he encountered a pair of soft brown eyes peering at him from beneath a hood. He turned quickly to see a shy and modest maiden in a sleigh driven by a negro slave, hastening away. Only one glance, --but a second, --yet that was sufficient for cupid to fasten his dart into his heart. "Who is she?" he asked himself again and again. The maiden was, beyond question, a stranger in Williamsburg. Noah questioned his mother, but neither she nor his sister knew aught of her. "I will make inquiry," said Rebecca, "and ascertain who she is." Rebecca Stevens was one of the best sisters brother ever had. She seemed to anticipate the wishes of her older brother and to...