life of francis marion(弗朗西丝·马利翁传)-第17章
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and lately that of Gabriel Marion。 Such provocations were no longer to be
borne。 Henceforth； there commenced such a bloody warfare between the
whigs and tories； as is seldom recorded in the annals of even civil
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Life of Marion。
commotion。* Besides the provocations mentioned； when a tory was taken
prisoner； there were no means of securing him； and he commonly soon
made his escape； and thereafter became a guide to his associates。 It was
not so with whigs who were made prisoners； for they could be sent to
Georgetown or Camden。 But now； seldom were prisoners made on either
side； and if made； that was no security for their lives： they were sure to be
put to death； either openly or privately； by a few infuriated men； who
could be subjected to no subordination。 Enough is said。 Let the rest be
buried in oblivion。
* Bella； plus quam civilia； bella； nullos habitura triumphos。
At and near Snow's island； Gen。 Marion secured what boats he wanted；
and burnt those more remote。 To prevent the approach of an enemy； he fell
upon a plan of insulating as much as possible the country under his
command。 For this purpose he broke down bridges； and felled trees across
causeways and difficult passes。 As there was no market in that day； and the
vicinity of a road was dangerous； the inhabitants aided him much in this
design。 History furnishes innumerable instances of the good effect of such
a system of defensive warfare。 His scouting parties moved principally in
the night； and in all directions； and to whatever course they turned an
enemy was easily found。 The British had posts at Nelson's ferry； Scott's
lake； and Georgetown； and the tories on Lynch's creek； and Little Pedee；
were more numerous； but not so well directed as Marion's party。
Col。 P。 Horry and Maj。 John Postell； with detachments； were posted；
the first on Waccamaw creek； the second on the neck between Black and
Pedee rivers； with orders to take all boats and canoes； and all horses； from
friends or foes； to impress negroes as boat hands and pioneers； to seize all
arms and ammunition； to prevent provisions from being sent to the enemy
in Georgetown； and to send up as much rice and salt to Snow's island； as
possible。 （30th Dec。 1780。） All who would not join them were to be taken
prisoners； and all who supplied the enemy with stock； or grain； were to be
treated as traitors。 Thus martial law was fully established； and； for self
defence； never was it more necessary。 When Gen。 Marion himself； or any
of his parties； left the island on an expedition； they almost invariably
struck into the woods towards the heads of the larger water courses； and
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Life of Marion。
crossed them near their source； and if in haste； they swam over them。
Many of the general's trails remained for a long time after； and some are
now roads。 When it is said hereafter that Gen。 Marion crossed a river； for
instance the Santee； it is not to be understood that he stopped； like Caesar
at the Rhine； to build a bridge over it； or that he was provided with the
convenient modern apparatus of pontoons； or oftentimes with a common
flat； even the last would have been too slow for the usual rapidity of his
motions。 He seldom waited for more than a single canoe； along side of
which his sorrel horse Ball；* was usually led into the river； and he floated
over like an amphibious animal。 The rest of the horses soon learned to
follow instinctively。 Where a canoe was not to be had； the general swam
over frequently on the back of this uncommon horse。 No leader； in ancient
or modern times； ever passed rivers with more rapidity。 His plans were
laid； and his movements conducted； with the most uncommon secrecy。
After making a movement； his most confidential officers and men have
had to search for him for days together； perhaps without finding him。 His
scouts； when returning； and at a loss； used a loud and shrill whistle； as a
signal； which could be heard in the night to an astonishing distance。 It is
well described in Scott's Lady of the Lake： 〃He whistled shrill； And
he was answered from the hill； Wild as the scream of the curlew； From
crag to crag； the signal flew。〃
* He was taken from Capt。 Ball； at Black Mingo。
As an instance of the secrecy with which Gen。 Marion's plans were
always adopted and conducted； the following may be regarded as a
specimen in his progress throughout。 His men having been several times
unexpectedly led out upon long expeditions； without preparation； and
suffering for the want of food on such occasions； after some time； were in
the habit of watching his cook； and if they saw him unusually busied in
preparing any of the frugal fare then in use； they prepared accordingly。
The general's favourite time for moving was at the sitting sun； and then it
was expected the march would continue all night。 But the present time；
and afterwards； before striking any sudden blow； he has been known to
march sixty or seventy miles； without taking any other refreshment； than a
meal of cold potatoes and a drink of cold water； in twenty…four hours。
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Life of Marion。
During this period men were but badly clothed in homespun； which
afforded little warmth。 They slept in the open air； according to their means；
either with or without a blanket。 They had nothing but water to drink。
They fed chiefly upon sweet potatoes； either with or without fresh beef。
And they submitted to this without a murmur； but all sighed for salt！ for
salt！ that first article of necessity for the human race。 Little do the
luxurious of the present day know of the pressure of such a want。 Salt was
now ten silver dollars the bushel； when brought more than thirty miles
from the Waccamaw sea shore； where it was coarsely manufactured。 It was
harder to get one silver dollar then； than ten now； so that on a low
calculation； a bushel of coarse bay salt； sold at that time for one hundred
dollars value of the present day。 As soon as Gen。 Marion could collect a
sufficient quantity of this desirable article at Snow's island； he distributed
it out in quantities； not exceeding a bushel to each whig family； and thus
endeared himself the more to his followers。
Thus closed the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty； over the
head of Gen。 Marion。 We will leave him for a moment； to such repose as
the island afforded； and state some matters to carry on the chain of events。
On the 12th July； General Sumter commenced his brilliant career。 On
the west of the Catawba； he defeated a large party of tories； and a party of
British； and killed Col。 Ferguson； who commanded the former； and Capt。
Huck； at the head of the latter。 This man had shocked the good
Presbyterians in that part of the country by his profanity； he burnt their
church； their parsonage； and their bibles； and treated them with insult and
cru
