| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Astoria by Washington Irving: thirty-three miles they had nothing to sup on but a little
parched corn.
The next day brought them to the banks of a beautiful little
stream, running to the west, and fringed with groves of
cottonwood and willow. On its borders was an Indian camp, with a
great many horses grazing around it. The inhabitants, too,
appeared to be better clad than usual. The scene was altogether a
cheering one to the poor half-famished wanderers. They hastened
to their lodges, but on arriving at them met with a check that at
first dampened their cheerfulness. An Indian immediately laid
claim to the horse of Mr. Hunt, saying that it had been stolen
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from My Aunt Margaret's Mirror by Walter Scott: am prepared to show?"
"I own, sir," said Lady Bothwell, "that your words strike me with
some sense of fear; but whatever my sister desires to witness, I
will not shrink from witnessing along with her."
"Nay, the danger only consists in the risk of your resolution
failing you. The sight can only last for the space of seven
minutes; and should you interrupt the vision by speaking a single
word, not only would the charm be broken, but some danger might
result to the spectators. But if you can remain steadily silent
for the seven minutes, your curiosity will be gratified without
the slightest risk; and for this I will engage my honour."
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death by Patrick Henry: guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength but
irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance
by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until
our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make
a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.
The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a
country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy
can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will
raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the
strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir,
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