in the preservation of the youth, -- looking to his future usefulness --
the agency of a special providence. The boy was preserved
for other times and fortunes; and, in returning to his mother, was perhaps
better prepared to heed her entreaties that he should abandon all idea
of an element, from which his escape had been so hazardous and narrow.
It was well for himself and country that he did so. It can scarcely
be conjectured that his achievements on the sea would have been
half so fortunate, or half so honorable to himself and country,
as those which are now coupled with his name.

Returning to his home and parents, young Marion sunk once more
into the humble condition of the farmer. His health and strength
had continued to improve. His adventures by sea had served, seemingly,
to complete that change for the better, in his physical man, which had been
so happily begun on land; and, subduing his roving inclinations,
we hear of him only, in a period of ten years, as a tiller of the earth.
In this vocation he betrayed that diligent attention to his duties,
that patient hardihood, and calm, equable temper, which distinguished
his deportment in every part of his career. He is represented as equally
industrious and successful as a farmer. The resources of his family
seem to have been very moderate. There were several children,
and before Francis was yet twenty-five years of age, he lost his father.
In 1758 he was planting with his mother and brother Gabriel,
near Friersons Lock on the Santee Canal. In 1759 they separated.
Gabriel removed to Belle Isle -- the place where the mortal remains
of Francis Marion now repose -- while the latter settled at a place
called Pond Bluff in the Parish of St. John.* This place he continued to hold
during life. It is still pointed out to the traveller as Marion's plantation,
and is the more remarkable, as it lies within cannon shot of the battle ground
of Eutaw, which his valor and conduct contributed to render so justly famous