The great tide of feeling
reached the locality where the lesser events of our narrative were
occurring. A meeting of the citizens was instantly called. The
venerable Father Pemberton opened it with a prayer that filled every soul
with courage and high resolve. The young farmers and mechanics of that
whole region joined the companies to which they belonged, or organized in
squads and marched at once, or got ready to march, to the scene of
conflict.
The contagion of warlike patriotism reached the most peacefully inclined
young persons.
"My country calls me," Gifted Hopkins said to Susan Posey, "and I am
preparing to obey her summons. If I can pass the medical examination,
which it is possible I may, though I fear my constitution may be thought
too weak, and if no obstacle impedes me, I think of marching in the ranks
of the Oxbow Invincibles. If I go, Susan, and I fall, will you not
remember me . . . as one who . . . cherished the tenderest . . .
sentiments . . . towards you . . . and who had looked forward to the
time when . . . when . ."
His eyes told the rest. He loved!
Susan forgot all the rules of reserve to which she had been trained.
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