der difficulties. The sailors of a coasting vessel once lying
in a Scotch port frequently observed two sparrows flying about the
topmast. One morning the vessel put to sea, when, to the astonishment of
the sailors, the sparrows followed, evidently bent upon making the
voyage. Crumbs being thrown on the deck, they soon became familiar, and
came boldly to eat, hopping about as freely as if on shore. A nest was
soon discovered built among the rigging. Fearing it might be demolished
by a high wind, at the first landing the sailors took it carefully down,
and finding that it contained four little ones, they carried it on shore
and left it in the crevice of a ruined house. The parent birds followed,
evidently well pleased with the change, and when the vessel sailed away
they remained with their young family.

Much has been written about the mischievous doings of the sparrow, and
war has been waged against it to a certain extent both here and in
England. But the sparrow holds its ground well, and proves in many ways
that even if it may drive away robins, and injure grain fields now and
then, it more than balances these misdeeds by the thousands of
caterpillars, mosquitoes, and other insects which it destroys, thus
saving the life of countless trees and plants. The whole year round it
is the same active, bustling, jolly creature, and our cities would be
lonely and desolate without this little denizen of the street.

A BRAVE PATRIOT.

In 1780, after the fall of Charleston, the British commander had issued
a proclamation to the people of South Carolina, calling upon them to
return to their allegiance, and offering protection to all who did so.
The men inhabiting the tract of country stretching from the Santee to
the Pedee selected one of their number to repair to Georgetown, the
nearest British post, to ascertain the exact meaning of the offer, and
what was expected of them.

In accordance with his instructions, Major John James sought an
interview with Captain Ardesoif, the commandant of Georgetown, and
demanded what was the meaning of the British protection, and upon what
terms the submission of the citizens was to be made.

He was informed roughly that the only way to escape the hanging which
they so justly deserved was to take up arms in his Majesty's cause.

James, not relishing the tone and manner of the British officer, coolly
replied that "the people whom he came to represent would scarcely submit
on such co