d be as merry as the day is long.'

Duty is the prison which at last keeps man from enjoying his own happier
inclination."

"There you are wrong, Hansford," said Bacon, "duty is the poor drudge,
which, patient in its harness, pursues the will of another. Glory is the
wild, unconfined eagle, that impatient of restraint would soar to a
heaven of its own."

"And is it such an object as this that actuates you in our present
enterprise?" asked Hansford.

"Both," replied the enthusiastic leader. "Man, in his actions, is
controlled by many forces--and duty is chiefly prized when it waits as
the humble handmaiden on glory. But in this enterprise other feelings
enter in to direct my course. Revenge against these relentless wolves of
the forest for the murder of a friend--revenge against that proud old
tyrant, Berkeley, who, clothed in a little brief authority, would
trample me under his feet,--love of my country, which impels me to aid
in her reformation, and to secure her liberty--and, nay, don't
frown,--desire for that fame which is to the mere discharge of plain
duty what the spirit is to the body--which directs and sustains it here,
but survives its dissolution. Are not these sufficient motives of
action?"

"Pardon me, General," said Hansford, "but I see only one motive here
which is worthy of you. Self-preservation, not revenge, could alone
justify an assault upon these misguided savages--and your love of
country is sufficient inducement to urge you to her protection and
defence. But these motives are chiefly personal to yourself. How can you
expect them to affect the minds of your followers?"

"Look ye, Major Hansford," said Bacon, "I speak to you as I do not to
most men--because I know you have a mind and a heart superior to
them--I would dare not attempt to influence you as I do others; but do
you see those poor trusting fellows that are following in our wake?
These men help men like you and me to rise, as feathers help the eagle
to soar above the clouds. But the proud bird may moult a feather from
his pinion without descending from his lofty pride of place."

"And this then is what you call liberty?" said Hansford, a little
offended at the overbearing manner of the young demagogue.

"Certainly," returned Bacon, calmly, "the only liberty for which the
mass of mankind are fitted. The instincts of nature point them to the
man most worthy to control their destinies. Their brute force aids in
elevating him to power