With glad hearts we then got up our carriages and mounted our guns,
of which twelve were 18 pounders -- twelve 24's, and twelve French 36's,
equal to English 42's.

A general joy was spread over the faces of our regiment,
as we looked along our battery of thunderers.

But our glorifying, under God, was chiefly in our two and forty pounders.
And indeed their appearance was terrible, where they lay
with wide Cerberean mouths, hideously gaping over the roaring waves,
and threatening destruction to the foes of liberty.

They were soon called to a trial of their metal. -- For on the 31st of May,
while we were all busily driving on with our fort, suddenly a cry was heard,
"a fleet! a fleet, ho!" Looking out to sea, we all at once beheld,
as it were, a wilderness of ships, hanging, like snow-white clouds
from the north-east sky. It was the sirs Parker and Clinton,
hastening on with nine ships of war and thirty transports,
bearing three thousand land forces, to attack Charleston.

Such an armament was an awful novelty, that produced on us all
a momentary flutter; but, thank God, no serious fear. On the contrary,
it was very visible in every glowing cheek and sparkling eye, as we looked,
LAUGHING, on one another, that we considered the approaching conflict
as a grand trial of courage, which we rather desired than dreaded.
And to their equal praise, our gallant countrymen in Charleston,
as we learned daily, by the boats, were all in fine spirits,
and constantly making their best preparations to receive the enemy.
And still my pen trembles in my hand; even after this long lapse of time,
it trembles with wonder and delight, to tell of that immortal fire,