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points along the American coast. Some were landed at Philadelphia, and some were carried to Louisiana. Four hundred were sent to Georgia. The British had many acts of cruelty to answer for in those days, but none more infamous than this treatment of the gentle and helpless 5 Acadians. It stands in history to-day a stain upon the British name.

Another fact that leads to the belief that Robert Sallette was a descendant of the unfortunate Acadians was the ferocity with which he pursued the British and the Tories. 10 The little that is told about him makes it certain that he never gave quarter to the enemies of his country.

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His name was a terror to the Tories. One of them, a man of considerable means, offered a reward of one hundred guineas to any person who would bring him the head of 15 Robert Sallette. The Tory had never seen Sallette, but his alarm was such that he offered a reward large enough to tempt some one to assassinate the daring partisan. When Sallette heard of the reward, he disguised himself as a farmer, and provided himself with a pumpkin, which 20 he placed in a bag. With the bag swinging across his shoulder, he made his way to the house of the Tory. He was invited in, and deposited the bag on the floor beside him, the pumpkin striking the boards with a thump.

"I have brought you the head of Robert Sallette," said 25 he. "I hear that you have offered a reward of one hundred guineas for it."

"Where is it?" asked the Tory.

"I have it with me," replied Sallette, shaking the loose end of the bag. "Count out the money and take the head." 30 The Tory, neither doubting nor suspecting, counted out the money and placed it on the table.

"Now show me the head," said he.

Sallette removed his hat, tapped himself on the forehead, and said, "Here is the head of Robert Sallette!"

The Tory was so frightened that he jumped from the 5 room, and Sallette pocketed the money and departed.

1. Who was Sallette? What guess does the author make as to his nationality? Why?

2. Relate the incident told.

3. Explain the meaning of: Tory, Acadians, chronicled, "never gave quarter," assassinate, partisan.

4. Joel Chandler Harris (1848–1908) was born, and spent most of his life, in Georgia. For many years he was editor of The Atlanta Constitution. You are doubtless acquainted with his charming Uncle Remus stories.

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SONG OF THE PIONEERS

A

BY W. D. GALLAGHER

SONG for the early times out West,
And our green old forest home,
Whose pleasant memories freshly yet
Across the bosom come;

A song for the free and gladsome life,
In those early days we led,

With a teeming soil beneath our feet,
And a smiling heaven o'erhead!

Oh, the waves of life danced merrily,
And had a joyous flow,

In the days when we were pioneers,
Seventy years ago!

The hunt, the shot, the glorious chase,
The captured elk or deer;

The camp, the big, bright fire, and then
The rich and wholesome cheer:

The sweet, sound sleep, at dead of night,
By our camp fire, blazing high,
Unbroken by the wolf's long howl,
And the panther springing by.
Oh, merrily passed the time, despite
Our wily Indian foe,

In the days when we were pioneers,
Seventy years ago!

Our forest life was rough and rude,
And dangers closed us round;
But here, amid the green old trees,

Freedom was sought and found.

Oft through our dwellings wintry blasts
Would rush with shriek and moan;

We cared not though they were but frail,
We felt they were our own!

Oh, free and manly lives we led,

'Mid verdure or 'mid snow,

In the days when we were pioneers,
Seventy years ago!

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1. In your own community how many years past are the days of pioneering?

2. What pleasant things about pioneer life does the author recall? 3. Imagine that you are a pioneer man or woman.

day of your life is like.

Tell what one

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15

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SPECIAL DAYS

There come days in the lives of men, of nations, of races, and in the life of civilization itself which are of such conspicuous importance that they are set apart from the ordinary run of days and the events they stand for are duly remembered each recurring year on the proper date. Birthdays, religious feast days, days of battle-many are the occasions commemorated. The value to us of such special days is in their observance that we dedicate ourselves to the spirit they perpetuate.

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