LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SECOND.

Compassion and Forgiveness.

I hear the voice of wo;

A brother mortal mourns:

My eyes with tears, for tears o'erflow;
My heart his sighs return.

I hear the thirsty cry;

The famished beg for bread:
O let my spring its streams supply;
My hand its bounty shed.-

And shall not wrath relent,

Touched by that humble strain,
My brother crying, "I repent,
Nor will offend again!"

How else, on sprightly wing,

Can hope bear high my prayer,
Up to thy throne, my God, my King,
To plead for pardon there?

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THIRD.

The Bears of Missouri.

To render the purchase of Louisiana of the utmost benefit, as well as to extend the field of natural science, Messrs. Lewis and Clarke, both officers of the regular army, were sent by the president, Mr. Jefferson, with instructions drawn by himself, to explore the river Missouri and the contiguous countries, and discover the best communication with the Pacific ocean. Never was an arduous enterprise accomplished with more ability and prudence. Accompanied by thirtyfive persons, mostly soldiers, they embarked at St.

Louis, in suitable boats, in May, 1804, and ascended the Missouri to its stupendous falls, a distance of three thousand miles; thence crossed the Rocky Mountains, impeded by its everlasting snows, and descended various streams, until, after travelling four hundred miles, they reached the navigable waters of the Columbia; and, following its course six hundred and forty, were recompensed for all their toils and privations by a view of the Pacific. They reached St. Louis, on their return, in September, 1806, after an absence from all civilisation, of more than twentyseven months. The journey from St. Louis was above four thousand miles; in returning, thirty-five hundred; making in the whole seven thousand five hundred miles. Only one of their party, of a sickly constitution, had died. Amongst all the Indian nations through which they passed, they were only once incommoded by a skirmish, in defending a rifle.

Their most dangerous enemies were the bears. These are described as most formidable animals, and frequently assailed them. One evening the men discovered a large brown bear lying on the open ground, about three hundred paces from the river. Six good hunters immediately went to attack him, and concealing themselves by a small eminence, approached within forty yards. Four of their number now fired, and each lodged a ball in his body-two of them directly through his lungs.

The furious beast sprang up, and ran at them with open mouth. As he came near, the two hunters who had reserved their fire, gave him two wounds; one of which, having broken his shoulder, retarded his motion for an instant: but, before they could reload, he was so close that the whole party were compelled to run towards the river, and before they reached it, he had almost overtaken them.

Two jumped into the canoe; the remaining four separated, and, hiding amongst the willows, fired as

fast as they could reload. They struck him several times, but instead of weakening the monster, or causing him to retreat, each shot seemed to invigorate him, and direct him towards the hunters: till at length, he pursued two of them so closely, that they threw aside their guns and pouches, and jumped down a perpendicular bank, twenty feet, into the river. The bear sprang after them, and was within a few feet of the hindmost, when one of the hunters on shore shot him through the head, and killed him. Captain Lewis, himself, was exposed to a similar peril. Having shot a buffalo, one of at least a thousand which formed a herd, before he could reload, he was chased by a huge bear for three hundred yards; when, plunging into the river, and presenting his spear, the animal was deterred; and, wheeling about, retreated in as much haste as he had pursued.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOURTH.

Baron de Kalb.

Among the enthusiastic foreigners who generously espoused our cause, and at an early period of the revolution, resorted to the American army, I will name some whose meritorious services entitle them to the grateful recollection of the present and future generations. Baron de Kalb was by birth a German.

He had attained a high reputation in military service, and was a Knight of the order of Merit, and a Brigadier General in the armies of France. He ac

companied the Marquis de la Fayette to this country, and having proffered his services to Congress, he was, in September, 1777, appointed to the office of Major General. In the summer of 1780, he was second in command in our southern army, under Major General Gates.

When arrangements were making for the battle of Camden, which proved so disastrous to our arms, in August, 1780, this heroic officer, it was said, cautioned General Gates against a general action under present circumstances. But that unfortunate commander was heard to say, that "Lord Cornwallis would not dare to look him in the face.' And in the evening preceding the battle, an officer, in the presence of General Gates, said, "I wonder where we shall dine to-morrow?" "Dine, sir," replied the confident general, "why at Camden to be sure, I would not give a pinch of snuff, sir, to be insured a beef-steak, to-morrow in Camden, and Lord Cornwallis at my table." Baron de Kalb was decidedly opposed to the proceedings of General Gates, and frequently foretold the ruin that would ensue, and expressed a presentiment that it would be his fate to fall in that battle. In a council of war, while the enemy was approaching, the baron advised that the army should fall back and take a good position, and wait to be attacked; but this was rejected by General Gates, who insinuated that it originated from fear.

De Kalb instantly leaping from his horse placed himself at the head of his command on foot, and with some warmth retorted, "Well sir, a few hours, perhaps, will prove who are brave." It was the intention of General Gates to surprise the enemy in their encampment, while at the same time Cornwallis had commenced his march to surprise his antagonist. The contending armies had scarcely engaged in the conflict when our militia broke, and leaving their guns and bayonets behind, fled with the greatest precipitation.

General Gates immediately applied spurs to his horse, and pursued, as he said, "to bring the rascals back, ," but he actually continued his flight till he reached Charlotte, eighty miles from the field of battle In this measure he was in some degree jus

tified, as his object was, if possible, to rally and collect the militia with the hope of making a stand

The Baron de Kalb, at the head of a few hundred of continental troops, was left to cope with the whole British army, and he sustained the dreadful shock for more than an hour; hundreds of the bravest men had fallen around this undaunted hero, he himself in personal conflict was seen to parry the furious blows and plunge his sword into many opposing breasts. But alas! the hero is overpowered, having received eleven bayonet wounds, he faints and falls to the ground.

Several individuals of both armies were killed over him as they furiously strove to destroy or to defend. His Aid de Camp, Chevalier de Buysson, rushed through the clashing bayonets, and stretching his arms over the body of the fallen hero, exclaimed, save the Baron de Kalb! save the Baron de Kalb!" The British officers interposed and prevented his immediate destruction, but he survived the action but a few hours.

To a British officer, who kindly condoled with him on his misfortune, he replied, "I thank you for your generous sympathy, but I die the death I always prayed for; the death of a soldier fighting for the rights of man. His last moments were spent in dictating a letter concerning the continental troops which supported him in the action, after the militia had fled, of whom he said, he had no words to express his love and admiration of their valor.

General Washington, many years after, on a visit to Camden, inquired for the grave of De Kalb. After looking on it awhile, with a countenance marked with thought, he breathed a deep sigh and exclaimed, "so there lies the brave De Kalb; the generous stranger who came from a distant land to fight our battles, and to water with his blood the tree of liberty. Would to God he had lived with us to share its fruits."