“’No such thing, Gilbert.  I tell you that the zeal, fortitude, undaunted courage, and invincible resolution, which encompass our little band of patriots, will prove a shield of strength that will make every single man of them equal to at least a dozen British soldiers.  And having once risen up in defence of their rights, they will persevere to the last extremity before they will submit to the disgraceful terms of a despotic government.  It grieves me that you should be among the tories.  Come, I entreat you, and share in the glory of the triumph which I am persuaded will eventually be ours.’

“’Then you really do believe, Murray, that God will work a modern miracle in favor of America!  My dear friend, I wish you would abandon this vain chimera of your imagination, and let common sense and reason convince you of the folly of this mad rebellion.’

“’And what then?  Should I sit down in cowardly inaction, while others are sacrificing their lives in the struggle?  No—­that shall never be said of Vincent Murray!  My resolution is taken; I will rise or fall with my country!’

“‘And perhaps the next time we meet,’ said Lester, ’it may be on the field of battle.’

“’God forbid!  But should it even be the case, Gilbert, I should know no friend among my country’s enemies.  Farewell—­you will think better of this subject; and remember, that no one but a Republican will ever win Jane Hatfield,’ said Murray.

“The young men wrung each other’s hands, and each went his way.”

“Murray thought he would put in the last remark by way of strengthening the effect of the vision in the clouds, I suppose,” remarked Mr. Jackson Harmar.

“Yes; the promise of the hand of a lovely girl has a great influence on the opinions of a young man,” replied Morton.  “But in this case, if you will wait till my story is through, you will see that Jane Hatfield had but little to do with Lester’s conversion.  The next morning after the occurrence of the wonderful phantom in the clouds, Murray left his home, and soon after enlisted in the army under General Montgomery.  He was in the unlucky expedition against Quebec.

“After the death of Montgomery, and the uniting of the different detachments under Arnold, as their head, Murray, to his marvellous astonishment, encountered his friend Gilbert Lester among the Pennsylvania riflemen, under Captain Morgan.  By some strange accident, and each being ignorant of the proximity of the other, they had not met before the attack on Quebec.  Great, therefore, was Murray’s surprise and pleasure; for, since the evening of their last conversation on the banks of the Lehigh, he had no opportunity of learning whether there had been any change in the political sentiments of his friend.  With the utmost fervor of delight he grasped his hand as he exclaimed:  “’I rejoice to see you,—­but, my dear friend, what is the meaning of this meeting?  And how, in the name of wonder, came you here?’