THE FAIR COURIER. 69

 

heart could only throb with noble feelings,
while her hands were not able to strike
a blow for her country.

“Tf I were only a man!” murmured the
young girl again and again, as she mused
on what she had heard, long after the neigh-
bour had departed.

In the mean time, General Greene, who
had heard through messengers from Colonel
Lee of the proposed abandonment of Nine-
ty-six, and the division of the British and
tory forces, was making preparations to re-
trace his steps, and strike, if possible, a de-
cisive blow against Lord Rawdon. In
order to make certain of victory, it was ne-
cessary to inform Sumter of his designs,
and effect a junction with him before at-
tacking the enemy. But, thus far, no one
offered to perform the dangerous service.

On the morning of the day upon which
the army was to commence retracing its
steps, General Greene sat in his tent lost in
deep thought. Since taking command of the
southern army, he had been struggling at