An attempt was now made on the wood by a strong party of infantry, while the cavalry in great force made an attack upon the centre;but a strong palisade had been raised among the trees, from which the citizens, in almost perfect security, poured a deadly fire upon the advancing columns, which thinned their ranks rapidly; and the national guards having formed into square, as the cavalry advanced, received them with such streams of bullets, that they staggered and fell back. They repeated the attack several times, and always met with the same result. While these proceedings had been going on, Oriel Porphyry had given orders for the sailors to pass the bridge, whom he supported with his cavalry, and they fell with irresistible impetuosity upon the left wing of the enemy, which had been considerably weakened by its unsuccessful attacks upon the bridge.
The young merchant dashed on at the head of his dragoons, exhibiting the most daring valour. He had had three horses killed under him during the battle, and had been wounded in several places, but he continued his brilliant career, making both cavalry and infantry fly before him. The left wing, after a brief resistance, gave way, and they were in full retreatwhen they were met by the soldiers who had been on guard in the quadrangle. Immediately they fled, he made a desperate attack upon the enemy’s rear, and the national guards making a charge at the same moment all along their line, the imperial troops were thrown into inextricable confusion, and the reinforcement which made its appearance only came in time to be mixed up in the general rout. They were pursued from street to street without the slightest cessation; and so general was the panic that spread among them on their retreat, that they flung away their arms, and dispersed in every direction.
A few days after the transactions just narrated the city seemed as if dressed for a festival. The houses were decorated with garlands of flowers, flags, and pieces of rich tapestry, and the windows and house-tops were crowded with elegantly dressed females, and the citizens in their holyday-dresses. Every face seemed breathing gladness, and every eye beamed with delight. The long thoroughfares were thronged with spectators, all of whom wore the samejoyful expression of countenance; they were waiting the expected return of Oriel Porphyry from his last battle with the enslavers of his country, in which the emperor had been slain, and his forces completely discomfited.
Distant shouts of triumph announced the approach of the young conqueror; and every neck was stretched out, and every eye turned in the direction from whence the sounds proceeded. The cheers of the excited citizens became gradually more loud, and the impatience of the inhabitants of the houses more conspicuous. At last the measured sound of military music came upon the ear, and in a few minutes the whole force of the metropolitan national guards marched by; every regiment with its band playing and its ensigns waving; after them came a car, drawn by four milk-white horses, on which lay the body of the philanthropist in his robe of honour; it was followed by Oriel Porphyry, or, to give him his proper title, the prince of Philadelphia, bare-headed, on a powerful war-charger, who seemed by his prancings and curvettings, proud of the noble burden he carried. Blessings were showered upon himfrom every side; flowers descended on his head, and all hailed him as the deliverer of his country. His handsome countenance and manly figure never appeared impressed with such a nobility of character as when he bowed in acknowledgment of the universal enthusiasm which was excited in his favour. Eureka rode at his side, expressing by her beautiful countenance the delight she experienced. His own regiment of cavalry came next, and they were followed by the crew of the Albatross, and of the other merchant vessels that had assisted him in the struggle. Nothing was heard among the people but cheering and exclamations of praise; nothing was seen but the waving of caps and handkerchiefs.
In the course of the same day Oriel Porphyry was declared emperor of the Columbians; and when he ascended the throne of his country Eureka shared in his glory.
THE END.
London:Printed byA. Spottiswoode,New-Street-Square.
Transcriber’s NoteThe cover of this book was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.A table of Contents has been added.Some punctuation errors have been corrected silently. Inconsistent use of quotation marks in some parts of the book has not been changed.The following corrections have been made, on page15 “Chinberkin” changed to “Climberkin” (the strong grasp of Boggle and Climberkin that prevented)32 “ome” changed to “some” (I offended some and surprised others)98 “shrunkback” changed to “shrunk back” (She shrunk back from)109 “acknowment” changed to “acknowledgement” (from my acknowledgement of these sentiments)129 “because” changed to “became” (and the farmers became fishermen)178 “n” changed to “in” (in evident confusion)178 “trange” to “strange” (can there be strange or unaccountable)182 “Lilya’” changed to “Lilya’s” (such hearts as yours and Lilya’s)200 “thumber” changed to “number” (or the mere number of books comparatively useless)279 “misable” changed to “miserable” (a very shocking miserable sinner).Otherwise the original was preserved, including archaic and inconsistent spelling and hyphenation.
Transcriber’s Note
The cover of this book was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
A table of Contents has been added.
Some punctuation errors have been corrected silently. Inconsistent use of quotation marks in some parts of the book has not been changed.
The following corrections have been made, on page15 “Chinberkin” changed to “Climberkin” (the strong grasp of Boggle and Climberkin that prevented)32 “ome” changed to “some” (I offended some and surprised others)98 “shrunkback” changed to “shrunk back” (She shrunk back from)109 “acknowment” changed to “acknowledgement” (from my acknowledgement of these sentiments)129 “because” changed to “became” (and the farmers became fishermen)178 “n” changed to “in” (in evident confusion)178 “trange” to “strange” (can there be strange or unaccountable)182 “Lilya’” changed to “Lilya’s” (such hearts as yours and Lilya’s)200 “thumber” changed to “number” (or the mere number of books comparatively useless)279 “misable” changed to “miserable” (a very shocking miserable sinner).
Otherwise the original was preserved, including archaic and inconsistent spelling and hyphenation.