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BATTLE OF THE KEGS.

"Twas early day, as poets say,
Just when the sun was rising,
A soldier stood on a log of wood,
And saw a sight surprising.
As in amaze, he stood to gaze,
(The truth can't be denied, sir,)
He spied a score of KEGS or more
Come floating down the tide, sir.
A sailor, too, in jerkin blue,

The strange appearance viewing,
First damn'd his eyes, in great surprise;
Then said, some mischief's brewing.

"These KEGs now hold the rebels bold,
'Pack'd up like pickled herring;
'And they're come down t' attack the town
In this new way of ferry'ng.'

The soldier flew-the sailor too-
And, scar'd almost to death, sir,
Wore out their shoes, to spread the news;
And ran till out of breath, sir.

Now up and down, throughout the town,
Most frantic scenes were acted:

And some ran here, and some ran there,
Like men almost distracted.

Some Fire' cry'd; which some deny'd,
But said the earth had quaked:
And girls and boys with hideous noise,
Ran through the town half naked.

Sir William* he, snug as a flea,
Lay all this time a snoring;

Nor dreamt of harm, as he lay warm
In bed with Mrs. L

Sir William Howe.

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BATTLE OF THE KEGS.

Now in a fright, he starts upright,
Awak'd by such a clatter:

He rubs both eyes; and boldly cries,
'For God's sake, what 's the matter?
At his bed-side, he then espy'd

Sir Erskine at command, sir;
Upon one foot, he had one boot,
And t' other in his hand, sir.
'Arise! arise!' sir Erskine cries:
"The rebels-more 's the pity-
Without a boat, are all on float,
'And rang'd before the city.
The motley crew in vessels new,
"With Satan for their guide, sir,
Pack'd up in bags, or wooden KEGS
'Come driving down the tide, sir.
Therefore, prepare for bloody war:
"These KEGs must all be routed:
Or surely we, despis'd shall be,
'And British courage doubted.'
The royal band, now ready stand,
All rang'd in dread array, sir;
With stomachs stout to see it out,
And make a bloody day, sir.

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The cannons roar, from shore to shore;
The small arms make a rattle.
Since war 's began, I'm sure no man
E'er saw so strange à battle.

The rebelt vales, the rebel dales,
With rebel trees surrounded,

* Sir William Erskine.

The British officers were so fond of the word rebel, that they often applied it most absurdly.

THE NEW-ENGLAND SABBATH-DAY CHACE.

The distant woods, the hills and floods,
With rebel echoes sounded.

The fish below swam to and fro,
Attack'd from ev'ry quarter:

"Why sure,' thought they, the dev'l's to pay
'Mongst folks above the water.'

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The KEGS, 'tis said, though strongly made
Of rebel staves and hoops, sir,
Could not oppose their powerful foes,
The conqu❜ring British troops, sir.

From morn to night, those men of might
Display'd amazing courage;
And when the sun was fairly down,
Retir'd to sup their porridge.

An hundred men with each a pen,
Or more, upon my word, sir,
It is most true, would be too few,
Their valour to record, sir.

Such feats did they perform that day,
Upon those wicked KEGS, sir,
That years to come, if they get home,
They'll make their boasts and brags, sir.

NEW ENGLAND SABBATH-DAY CHACE.

(P. FRENEAU.)

ON a fine Sunday morning I mounted my steed And southward from HARTFORD had meant to pro

ceed;

My baggage was stow'd in a cart very snug, Which RANGER, the gelding, was destined to lug;

18 THE NEW ENGLAND SABBATH-DAY CHACE.

With his harness and buckles he loom'd very grand,
And was drove by young Darby, a lad of the land,
On land, and on water, most handy was he,
A jockey on shore, and a sailor at sea;
He knew all the roads, he was so very keen,
And the Bible by heart, at the age of fifteen.

As thus I jogg'd on, by my saddle confined,
With Ranger and Darby a distance behind;
At last in full view of a steeple we came
With a cock on the spire (I suppose he was game;
A dove in the pulpit may suit your grave people,
But always remember-a cock on the steeple)
Cries Darby Dear master, I beg you to stay;
Believe me there's danger in driving this way;
Our deacons on Sundays have power to arrest
And lead us to church, if your honour thinks best,
Though still I must do them the justice to tell,
They would choose you should pay them the fine,
full as well.'

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The fine (said I) Darby, how much may it be— A shilling or sixpence? why, now let me see, Three shillings are all the small pence that remain, And to change a half joe would be rather profane. Is it more than three shillings, the fine that you speak on;

What say you, good Darby-will that serve the deacon.'

'Three shillings! (cried Darby) why master, you're jesting!

Let us luff while we can and make sure of our west

ing

Forty shillings, excuse me, is too much to pay;
It would take my month's wages-that's all I've to

say.

By taking this road that inclines to the right
The squire and the sexton may bid us good night,

THE NEW ENGLAND SABBATH-DAY CHACE. 19

If once to old Ranger I give up the rein
The parson himself may pursue us in vain,'

'Not I, my good DARBY (1 answer'd the lad) Leave the church on the left! they would think we were mad;

I would sooner rely on the heels of my steed,
And pass by them all, like a Jehu indeed:
As long as I'm able to lead in the race

Old Ranger, the gelding, will go a good pace,
As the deacon pursues he will fly like a swallow,
And you in the cart, must, undoubtedly, follow.'

Then approaching the church, as we pass'd by the door

The sexton peep'd out, with a saint or two more,
A deacon came forward and waved us his hat,
A signal to drop him some money--mind that!-
Now Darby (I halloo'd be ready to skip,
Ease off the curb bridle-give Ranger the whip:
While you have the rear, and myself lead the way
No doctor or deacon can catch us this day.'

By this time the deacon had mounted his poney And chaced for the sake of our souls, and our money:

The saint as he followed, cried-Stop them, hal

loo!

As swift as he followed, as swiftly we flew.

'Ah master! (said Darby) I very much fear We must drop him some money to check his career He is gaining upon us and waves with his hat, There's nothing dear master will stop him but that. Remember the Beaver (you well know the fable) Who flying the hunters as long as he's able, When he finds that his efforts can nothing avail, But death and the puppies are close at his tail, Instead of desponding at such a dead lift,

Hle bites off their object, and makes a free gift-

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