And when the day came up the stair Like shadows in the evening gray With broken boots and ragged coats, Was Betsy's battle flag. When fell the battle's leaden rain, The snowy stripes, and scarlet bars The simple stone of Betsy Ross And every man is proud to yield For Betsy's battle flag! Minna Irving HOW OUR NATION GREW DANIEL BOONE, THE KENTUCKY PIONEER In the year 1735, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a little boy was born who was destined to become the greatest of American pioneers. His name was Daniel Boone. His parents were very poor, and he grew up without knowledge of books. His special delight was to wander in the woods, and most of his time was spent in hunting and fishing. This wild life trained him for his future career as fearless hunter and woodsman. When he was thirteen years old his people took him to a new home in North Carolina, on the banks of the Yadkin River, where he grew to manhood. From his home he could see the line of the Alleghany Mountains and used to gaze at them longingly, wondering what sort of country lay on the other side. At last this restlessness grew to great desire, and he, with six other woodsmen, started into the wilderness. For weeks they traveled through tangled woods, over mountains and streams, until at last, arriving at the summit of a high hill, the whole region, now known as Kentucky, lay before them. Here they built a rude shelter of logs and spent their time in hunting and exploring. After two years in this wilderness, he returned to his home on the Yadkin to make preparations for removal. Many became enthusiastic over his reports of the fertile country, and by the time he was ready for his departure, there were, besides his wife and five children, five families and forty men, with sufficient horses and cattle. They were attacked on the way by Indians, and the party, becoming discouraged, returned to the nearest settlement. Boone was unflinching in his purpose to settle in Kentucky, and some time afterward he was sent in charge of thirty men to open a road over Cumberland Gap to the Kentucky River. Many thousands of settlers afterwards found their way over this place, which is still known as the "Wilderness Road." On reaching the Kentucky River they built a fort, which they named Boonesborough. He then returned to North Carolina for his family, and arrived with them some months later. Many were the hardships these settlers endured, and many interesting stories are told of Boone's escapes from the Indians. At one time he was captured and taken to Detroit, where the English offered five hundred dollars for his ransom. The Indians admired him so much that they refused to let him go, but adopted him into their tribe. He was dressed in real Indian fashion in war-paint and feathers. He lived with them for several months, until he heard them planning an attack upon Boonesborough, when he made his escape, and after traveling for days through the tangled woods, he reached the fort and warned the settlers. This was only one of his many escapes and adventures, but from all he came out safely. Many people began to come to Kentucky. They cut down the trees; they built houses and towns, and established large farms. Boone had never lost his love for the wilderness, so with his family he went in search of woods, finding them at last in what is now known as the State of Missouri. Here he lived, in the midst of the things he loved, until his death, which occurred in 1820. He was the leader in the early pioneer life of Kentucky, and but for him the settlement of this part of the country could not have been made for many years. HAIL, COLUMBIA Norma H. Deming In the summer of 1798, Congress was in session in Philadelphia. England and France were at war. The people of the United States were divided, some wishing to take the part of England, some that of France. War seemed inevitable. Just about this time Joseph Hopkinson, a young lawyer, was asked to write a song to the tune of the President's March for a friend of his who was to make his first public appearance on the stage in Philadelphia. He knew that if he could get words for this popular air that his success would be assured. The song, Hail Columbia, was read for him the next morning, and night after night, the theater was crowded to overflowing. It was also sung in the streets by crowds of citizens. Besides doing this for his friend, Mr. Hopkinson had another object in view when he wrote the words. He wished a song that would find favor with both parties, and to arouse an American spirit that would be above the petty dislikes and interests. His object was secured, and every American responded to it. HAIL, Columbia! happy land, Hail, ye heroes, heav'n-born band, Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause, And when the storm of war was gone, Enjoyed the peace your valor won. Let independence be our boast, Chorus Firm, united, let us be, Immortal patriots! rise once more; Behold the chief who now commands, Joseph Hopkinson LEWIS AND CLARK, THE PATHFINDERS SOME twenty years after the Revolution France sold to the United States the country between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains. The Government asked Meriwether |