At that far hight none dared to go— 5. We gazed, but not a man could speak! In groups, with pallid brow and cheek, 6. The atmosphere grew thick and hot, As, riveted unto the spot, Stood officers and crew. 7. The father came on deck!—he gasped— And aimed it at his son. 8. "Jump! far out, boy! into the wave- "That only chance your life can save! 9. He sunk, he rose, he lived, he moved - 10. His father drew, in silent joy, Those wet arms round his neck, GEO. P. MORRIS. LESSON CLXXXIII. VOCAL GYMNASTICS. REFER TO CAUTION 4.-The errors against which you are here put on your guard are errors that most easily beset young readers. Study them well, and make constant reference to the dictionary when you are in doubt. (1.) The leaves of the hazel began to shrivel. (2) Give me the shovel to dig out the weasel. (3.) See the gravel. (4.) This novel furnishes a model of style. (5.) He is about to travel. (6.) The rebels attacked the chapel from their vessel. (7.) The sloven lost his mitten. (8.) The women wore linen dresses. (9) On a sudden the marten ran into the kitchen. (10.) The flower has more than one stamen. (11.) The door was open. (12.) It was broken in seven pieces. (13.) The raven flew away. (14.) He saw heaven open. (15.) Dig the gravel with the shovel. (16.) The weasel is the deadly enemy of the squirrel and the chicken. (17.) You may unravel that woolen stocking. (18.) Linen cloth is better than cotton. PRONUNCIATION -Be-neath', 15, shrink'ing 23, ac-cept'ed 1, fol'low-ing 6, du’el 18, En'glish-man 33, and 29. THE DUEL. 1. DURING the campaign of 1779, Washington had established his head-quarters at West Point, while Gen. Putnam was stationed with several bodies of troops about two miles below. 2. It chanced one day that Gen. Putnam made some remark within hearing of an English officer, then a prisoner on parole, in which he commented somewhat severely upon the character of the British. 3. The officer received the remark as a personal insult, and immediately sent the general a challenge. 4. Fatigued with his arduous duties, Putnam had just retired to his quarters. Having removed by plentiful ablutions the dust and heat of a day's toil, he had seated himself at the door of his tent, and was indulging in the luxury of a pipe. 5. At this moment the challenge of the English officer was handed to him. Putnam glanced his keen eye over the missive, and, impatiently throwing it down, exclaimed: "Challenged, as I am alive! Challenged, eh? Why, the fellow is a greater fool than I took him to be. Well, well, I will humor the puppy!" 6. Coolly finishing his pipe, he called for pen and ink,-accepted the challenge,-appointed the place of meeting,-time, an early hour the following morning. 7. After dispatching a messenger to the quarters of the Englishman he strolled around the barracks, inspecting the garrison and stores. Among the stores were several barrels filled with onions. The barrels looked exactly like the casks used for holding gunpowder. At sight of them a new idea struck the humorous general. 8. He immediately ordered one of the barrels to be transported to an adjoining field and placed in a particular spot which he pointed out to the subaltern. 9. It was at an early hour of a glorious morning that the British officer took his way over the fields on his murderous errand. The dew lay thick and heavy on the short grass, spangling the bright autumn flowers. Far down below, calm and silvery, thridded the waters of the Hudson, and the mountain-passes echoed with the notes of the bugle and the roll of the "spirit-stirring drum" beating the morning call. As 10. But the Englishman had no heart for the glorious scene. he drew near the place of meeting he perceived his antagonist already on the ground; and certainly, for one whose moments were perhaps numbered, he seemed to be taking things easy. 11. Seated on a low camp-stool, beneath the wide-spreading branches of a large sycamore, was Gen. Putnam, one elbow resting on the top of a barrel, his legs carelessly stretched out, his eyes half-closed, as he sat composedly enjoying his favorite pipe. 12. The officer advanced somewhat hastily, amazed at the indifference of one whose life hung on the chance of a bullet. Not until his antagonist was within a few feet of the place did Putnam take the least notice of him; and then he merely made a slight inclination of the head to direct him to take the seat on the opposite side of the barrel. 13. In the head of the barrel there was a small opening, in which a match had been inserted. No sooner was the officer seated, than Putnam proceeded to ignite the match with his pipe, coolly remarking as he did so, "You see there is the same chance for both of us!" He then resumed his smoking. 14. The Englishman was horrified. He could face danger on the battle-field; he could, without shrinking, bare his breast to the bullet of the duelist; but to be blown up into the air, to die by such an unsoldierlike and terrible mode of warfare, was more than his courage could dare; yet honor forbade retreat. 15. According to the duelist's code he must abide by the decision of Putnam, who had the right to choose the weapons. "But,' said he to himself, "what has the daring, reckless Yankee chosen? A barrel of gunpowder!" 16. With indescribable terror the Englishman watched the slow burning of the match, and the gradual down-creeping of that flame which he expected would in a few moments send him into eternity 17. As the fire reached the opening there was a fizzing, crackling sound a slight explosion accompanied by a strange odor. Brave as he was, the officer could endure no more. "I will not be murdered in this manner!" he exclaimed, precipitately rising to make his retreat. 18. "Ho! ho! brave sir!" shouted Putnam, coolly knocking the ashes from his pipe, "you are just the man I took you for. This is but a barrel of onions with a few grains of powder scattered on the top to try you. But I see you do not like the smell." ANONYMOUS. LESSON CLXXXV. ARCH'ER, one who shoots with a bow. EB'ON, like ebony, black. EM'E-RALD, a precious stone of a green FIL'LET, a little band to tie about the RU BY, a precious stone of a red color. WAN'TON-NESS, spirit of mischief. PRONUNCIATION.-Tar'get (g hard), glit'ter-ing 3b, knew 16, dew'y 16, and 29, clear 22, fractured 16 & 18. THE STORK AND THE RUBY. 1. A CERTAIN prince-I have forgot his name 2. Thrice had he pierced the target in the eye 3. What next to hit he knew not. Looking round, The dewy walk in which it stood was bright, 4. "I'll shoot the silly bird," the prince exclaimed; The lucky arrow missed a vital part, (Or was it some kind wind that pushed it by ?) 5. It marked the changing color of the flowers, This done, it struggled up, and flew away, 6. Beyond the city walls, a league or more, Singing old songs to cheer the long day's work. 7. She fetched it water from a neighboring spring, 8. That night the prince, as usual, went to bed, Beside him stood a casket full of gems, The spoil of conquered monarchs' diadems. a gem divine! 9. Through these he ran his fingers carelessly, 10. Meantime the watchful stork was in his bowers; And saw the walks, the fountain's shaft in air, 11. Passing the lighted windows, row by row, And, spreading then its rapid wings in flight, 12. Night slowly passed, and morning broke again; 13. The bird's look said, "I thank you!" plain as words; The virgin's look was brighter than the bird's, |