I Wear the Uniform

On that same evening my father brought to me a musket with the newly invented lock, a bandolier, ornamented with Indian work of beads, and a smoke-tanned pouch; a cartridge bag with ample supply of ammunition; a belt for the hunting knife that Jacob Savage, the smith, had made for me out of a file; and, if you please, a uniform such as Captain Cornwallis's men wore, being made of my Lord Baltimore's colors.

I had not counted on so much attention as this, and there was a certain tugging at my heart, as I realized that now in good truth was I become a man, and no longer a child who would receive the tender care of his father.

"You are to remember, my lad," he said to me, taking my hand in his, "that any ungentle act disgraces the uniform you wear, in addition to leaving its stain upon your character. The men of our family have always remained loyal and true, and you, being the youngest among us, must take good care to keep our name untarnished."

That night, instead of sharing my father's bed, I was given a couch by myself, and it was by no means pleasing, even though my vanity had been greatly stirred, to be thus shut off from those loving privileges which were mine before I had become a man.

It was a long hour ere I fell asleep that night, for what with gentle grief because of thus being thrown upon myself, as it were, and the keen desire to do some noble deed that would bring a flush of pride to my father's cheek, my mind was in a whirl. When finally I closed my eyes in slumber, it was to dream of struggling against overwhelming forces of Kent Islanders who were speedily getting the better of me, much to my sorrow and my shame.

The sun had not yet risen next morning when I was astir in all the bravery of uniform and equipment, forgetting the mild sorrow which had come to me the night previous, in the pride I felt because the other lads of St. Mary's gathered around in open-mouthed surprise and envy to see me thus blossomed out as a Maryland warrior.

Of the breakfast which was prepared by our Indian women, I could scarce eat a mouthful, so excited was I, and there were not above four or five of our people gathered on the shore ready to embark when I, with so much of dignity as it was possible to assume, marched gravely down to take my place among them.