Elsie Yachting with the Raymonds. Finley Martha

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      "That is what I want to do, sir," replied Max, modestly. Then hastily changing the subject, "Papa, is that town over there Phillipstown?"

      "Yes; what do you remember about it?"

      "That a part of our Revolutionary army was camped there in 1781. And there, over to the left, is Constitution Island, – isn't it, sir?"

      "Yes," answered his father; then went on to tell of the building of the fort from which the island takes its name, and its abandonment a few days after the capture by the British of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, near the lower entrance to the Highlands, in 1777.

      "Such a pity, after they had been to all the expense and trouble of building it!" remarked Lulu.

      "Yes, quite a waste," said Max; "but war's a wasteful business anyway it can be managed."

      "Quite true, Max," said, Mr. Keith; "and soldier though I am, I sincerely hope we may have no more of it in this land."

      "No, sir; but the best way to keep out of it is to show ourselves ready for self-defence. That is what Papa says."

      "And I entirely agree with him. Shall we go now, Raymond, and see what of interest is to be found in the buildings and about the grounds of the academy?"

      The Captain gave a ready assent, and they retraced their steps, he helping Lulu down the mountain as he had helped her up.

      Keith took them, first, to the artillery laboratory to see, as he said, some trophies and relics of the Revolution. Conducting them to the centre of the court, "Here," he remarked, "are some interesting ones," pointing, as he spoke, to several cannon lying in a heap, and encircled by some links of an enormous chain.

      "Oh," exclaimed Max, "is that part of the great chain that was stretched across the Hudson, down there by Constitution Island, in the time of the Revolution?"

      "Yes," replied Keith. "And these two brass mortars were taken from Burgoyne at Saratoga; this larger one, Wayne took from the British at Stony Point. I dare say you and your sister are acquainted with the story of that famous exploit."

      "Oh, yes, sir!" they both replied; and Lulu asked, "Is that the English coat-of-arms on the big cannon?"

      Her look directed the query to her father, and he answered, "Yes."

      "And what do these words below it mean, Papa, – 'Aschaleh fecit, 1741'?"

      "Aschaleh is doubtless the name of the maker; 'fecit' means he executed it, and 1741 gives the time when it was done."

      "Thank you, sir," she said. "Is there any story about that one?" pointing to another cannon quite near at hand.

      "Yes," he said; "by its premature discharge, in 1817, a cadet named Lowe was killed. In the cemetery is a beautiful monument to his memory."

      "Here are two brass field-pieces, each marked 'G. R.,'" said Max. "Do those letters stand for George Rex, – King George, – Papa?"

      "Yes; that was the monogram of the king."

      "And the cannon is fourteen years younger than those others," remarked Lulu; "for, see there, it says, 'W. Bowen fecit, 1755.'"

      "Oh, here's an inscription!" exclaimed Max, and read aloud, "'Taken from the British army, and presented, by order of the United States, in Congress assembled, to Major-General Green, as a monument of their high sense of the wisdom, fortitude, and military talents which distinguished his command in the Southern department, and of the eminent services which, amid complicated dangers and difficulties, he performed for his country. October 18th, 1783.' Oh, that was right!" supplemented the lad, "for I do think Green was a splendid fellow."

      "He was, indeed!" said the Captain; "and he has at last been given such a monument as he should have had very many years sooner."

      "Where is it, Papa?" asked Lulu.

      "In Washington. It is an equestrian statue, by Henry Kirke Brown."

      "Yes; and very glad I am that even that tardy act of justice has been done him, – one of the bravest and most skilful commanders of our Revolutionary War," remarked Mr. Keith. Then he added, "I think we have seen about all you will care for here, Raymond, and that you might enjoy going out upon the parade-ground now. The sun is near setting, and the battalion will form presently, and go through some interesting exercises."

      "Thank you!" the Captain said. "Let us, then, go at once, for I see Max and his sister are eager for the treat," he added, with a smiling glance from one brightly expectant young face to the other.

      CHAPTER IV

      They reached the parade-ground just in time to see the battalion forming under arms, and Max and Lulu watched every movement with intense interest and delight, – the long skirmish lines firing in advance or retreat, picking off distant imaginary leaders of a pretended enemy in reply to the ringing skirmish calls of the key-bugles, deploying at the run, rallying at the reserves and around the colours.

      That last seemed to delight Lulu more than anything else. "Oh," she exclaimed, "isn't it lovely! Wouldn't they all fight for the dear old flag if an enemy should come and try to tear it down!"

      "I'm inclined to think they would," returned Mr. Keith, smiling at her enthusiasm. "Now look at the flag waving from the top of the staff yonder."

      The words had scarcely left his lips when there came the sudden bang of the sunset gun, and the flag quickly fluttered to the earth.

      Then followed the march of the cadets to their supper, and our little party turned about and went in search of theirs.

      On leaving the table they went out upon the hotel porch and seated themselves where the view was particularly fine, the gentlemen conversing, Max and Lulu listening, both tired enough to be quite willing to sit still.

      The talk, which was principally of ordnance and various matters connected with army and navy, had greater interest for the boy than for his sister, and Lulu soon laid her head on her father's shoulder, and was presently in the land of dreams.

      "My poor, tired, little girl!" he said, low and tenderly, softly smoothing the hair from her forehead as he spoke.

      At that she roused, and lifting her head, said coaxingly, "Please don't send me to bed yet, Papa! I'm wide awake now."

      "Are you, indeed?" he laughed. "I think those eyes look rather heavy; but you may sit up now if you will agree to sleep in the morning when Max and I will probably be going out to see the cadets begin their day. Would you like to go, Max?"

      "Yes, indeed, sir!" answered Max, in eager tones; "it's about five o'clock we have to start, – isn't it?"

      "Yes, Max. Lieutenant Keith has kindly offered to call us in season, and become our escort to the camp."

      "Oh, Papa, mayn't I go too?" pleaded Lulu, in the most coaxing tones. "I won't give you the least bit of trouble."

      "You never do, daughter, in regard to such matters; you are always prompt, and ready in good season."

      "Then do you say I may go, Papa?"

      "Yes, if you will go to bed at once, in order to secure enough sleep by five o'clock in the morning."

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