When the ships had closed up the ports of the great cities, and their marts were desolate;
When the damsels that had aforetime walked in fine linen and purple, and precious stones, were clad in homespun and went to indigenous parties; When the Mississippi was blockaded by the Preble and Vincennes, and many more and several such;
[pg 235]
Then HOLLINS got himself ready for battle: with great boasting and mighty words did he gird on his armor,
Saying, 'Be not afraid, it is I who will unfold the terrors of my wrath; the Yankees shall utterly wither away, their ships will I burn, and their captains will I take captive, in a highly extra manner.
'Did I not burn Greytown? was it not I who made the niggers run? who shall stand before me?'
Now they had made a thing which they called a steam-ram, an iron-covered boat, like unto a serpent, even like unto the evil beast which crawleth upon its belly, eating dirt, as do many of those who made it.
And all the South rejoiced over it, the voices of many editors were uplifted,
According to the Revised Statutes,