CHAPTER II.
"Ah! show them where in ambush stand,
To seize their prey, the murderous band!
Ah! tell them they are men."
Gray.
Reigning as a monarch in that strong but confined fortress, every eye watched the motions of the General, all submitted themselves with implicit confidence to his control. Though thus in the plenitude of power, the task he had to perform was not the less weighty, as, like so many links in a chain, every subordinate rank depended upon him for support and direction. To avoid confusion and trouble to his officers, he daily admitted them to partake of his repasts, sumptuously distributed, where, without excess, the glass was freely circulated, and quaffed to the General's loyal toasts. His ease and suavity, his gracious and condescending manners, won the good-will of all.
The whole adjacent country continued in a state of commotion, yet the General did not deprive himself of his usual horse exercise beyond the pre-
