Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 8.djvu/45

 Roused from Dreams.

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��Finding hypocrisy no longer available, sometime in August, 1776, he accepted a commission of Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, signed by General Howe and empowering him to raise a battal- ion of Rangers for the British Army. To this work he now applied himself and with success.*

On the twenty-first of October, 1776, Rogers fought his last battle, so far as I have been able to discover, on American soil. His Regiment was attacked at Mamaronec, New York, and routed by a body of American troops. Contem- porary accounts state that he did not display his usual valor in this action and personally withdrew before it was over.

The next year he returned to Eng-


 * Journals, p. 277.

��land,* where, after a disreputable life of some twenty-two or twenty-three years, of which little is known, he is said to have died in the year 1800.

Such are some of the more salient points in the career of Major Robert Rogers, the Ranger. When another centur)'^ shall have buried in oblivion his frailties, the valor of the partizan commander will shine in undinuied lustre. When the historian gives place to the novelist and the poet, his des- perate achievements portrayed by their pens will render as romantic the borders of Lake George, as have the daring deeds of Rob Roy McGregor, rehearsed by Walter Scott, made enchanting the Shores of Lock Lomond.


 * Parker's History of Londonderry, p. 238.

��ROUSED FROM DREAMS.

By Adelaide Cilley Waldron.

Through the gorges leaps the pealing thunder ; Lurid flashes rend the sky asunder ; On my window-pane, making wild refrain. Sharply strikes the rain.

Wind in furious gusts with angry railing Follows the unhappy restless wailing Of the sobbing sea, and drives ships a-lee None to save nor see.

��Dreaming souls are startled from their slumbers, Though sleep still their trembling frames encumbers ; Helplessly they wait, fearing portent fate, Shrieking prayers too late !

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