Page:The Partisan, v1.djvu/57

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54 THE PARTMAN. CHAPTER V. _ “ It needs but to be holds-·be bold——be bolde- Everywbere bold. "l`is every virtue told;

  • ' Courage and truth, humanity and skill,

The noblest cunning that the mind can will, And the best charity." Ir was not long before Singleton reached the tav- ern, which he now found crowded. The villagers of all conditions and politics had there assembled, either to mutter over theirdoubts or discontents, or to gather counsel for their course in future, from the many, wiser than themselves, in their own predicamem. There, also, came the true loyalist, certain to End deference and favour from the many around him, not so happy or so secure as himself in the confidence `of the existing powers. The group was motley enough, and the moods at work among them not less o. Some had already determined upon submission,—some of the weak-+the time-serving—such as every old community will be found to furnish, where indolent habits, which have be- come inveterate, forbid all sort of independence. Some iluctuated, and knew not what to do, or even what to think. But there were others, Singleton imagined, as he looked into their grave, sullen features, full of thought and pregnant with determination, who felt no- thing so strongly as the sen se of injustice, and the rebel- daring which calls for defiance at every hazard. ‘• Ven· geance ! my men !" he muttered to himselh as, passing full into the apartment, he became at once visible to the group. 'I`he old landlord himself was the first per- son who confronted him after that familiar fashion which had already had its rebuke from the same quarter. ‘* Ah, captain! (the brow of Singleton darkened)- sqnire I mean-—I ask pardon, squire; but here, where