CHAPTER XXXIV
'Midst furs, and silks, and jewels' sheen, He stood, in simple Lincoln green, The center of the glittering ring; And Snowdon's knight is Scotland's king! --_Lady of the Lake_.
The commencement of the following year was passed, on the part of theAmericans, in making great preparations, in conjunction with theirallies, to bring the war to a close. In the South, Greene and Rawdonmade a bloody campaign, that was highly honorable to the troops of thelatter, but which, by terminating entirely to the advantage of theformer, proved him to be the better general of the two.
New York was the point that was threatened by the allied armies; andWashington, by exciting a constant apprehension for the safety of thatcity, prevented such reenforcements from being sent to Cornwallis aswould have enabled him to improve his success.
At length, as autumn approached, every indication was given that thefinal moment had arrived.
The French forces drew near to the royal lines, passing through theneutral ground, and threatened an attack in the direction of King'sBridge, while large bodies of Americans were acting in concert. Byhovering around the British posts, and drawing nigh in the Jerseys, theyseemed to threaten the royal forces from that quarter also. Thepreparations partook of the nature of both a siege and a storm. But SirHenry Clinton, in the possession of intercepted letters from Washington,rested within his lines, and cautiously disregarded the solicitations ofCornwallis for succor.
It was at the close of a stormy day in the month of September, that alarge assemblage of officers was collected near the door of a buildingthat was situated in the heart of the Americans troops, who held theJerseys. The age, the dress, and the dignity of deportment of most ofthese warriors, indicated them to be of high rank; but to one inparticular was paid a deference and obedience that announced him to beof the highest. His dress was plain, but it bore the usual militarydistinctions of command. He was mounted on a noble animal, of a deepbay; and a group of young men, in gayer attire, evidently awaited hispleasure and did his bidding. Many a hat was lifted as its owneraddressed this officer; and when he spoke, a profound attention,exceeding the respect of mere professional etiquette, was exhibited onevery countenance. At length the general raised his own hat, and bowedgravely to all around him. The salute was returned, and the partydispersed, leaving the officer without a single attendant, except hisbody servants and one aid-de-camp. Dismounting, he stepped back a fewpaces, and for a moment viewed the condition of his horse with the eyeof one who well understood the animal, and then, casting a brief butexpressive glance at his aid, he retired into the building, followed bythat gentleman.
On entering an apartment that was apparently fitted for his reception,he took a seat, and continued for a long time in a thoughtful attitude,like one in the habit of communing much with himself. During thissilence, the aid-de-camp stood in expectation of his orders. At lengththe general raised his eyes, and spoke in those low, placid tones thatseemed natural to him.
"Has the man whom I wished to see arrived, sir?"
"He waits the pleasure of your excellency."
"I will receive him here, and alone, if you please."
The aid bowed and withdrew. In a few minutes the door again opened, anda figure, gliding into the apartment, stood modestly at a distance fromthe general, without speaking. His entrance was unheard by the officer,who sat gazing at the fire, still absorbed in his own meditations.Several minutes passed, when he spoke to himself in an undertone,--
"To-morrow we must raise the curtain, and expose our plans. May Heavenprosper them!"
A slight movement made by the stranger caught his ear, and he turnedhis head, and saw that he was not alone. He pointed silently to thefire, toward which the figure advanced, although the multitude of hisgarments, which seemed more calculated for disguise than comfort,rendered its warmth unnecessary. A second mild and courteous gesturemotioned to a vacant chair, but the stranger refused it with a modestacknowledgment. Another pause followed, and continued for some time. Atlength the officer arose, and opening a desk that was laid upon thetable near which he sat, took from it a small, but apparently heavy bag.
"Harvey Birch," he said, turning to the stranger, "the time has arrivedwhen our connection must cease; henceforth and forever we must bestrangers."
The peddler dropped the folds of the greatcoat that concealed hisfeatures, and gazed for a moment earnestly at the face of the speaker;then dropping his head upon his bosom, he said, meekly,--
"If it be your excellency's pleasure."
"It is necessary. Since I have filled the station which I now hold, ithas become my duty to know many men, who, like yourself, have been myinstruments in procuring intelligence. You have I trusted more than all;I early saw in you a regard to truth and principle, that, I am pleasedto say, has never deceived me--you alone know my secret agents in thecity, and on your fidelity depend, not only their fortunes, buttheir lives."
He paused, as if to reflect in order that full justice might be done tothe peddler, and then continued,--
"I believe you are one of the very few that I have employed who haveacted faithfully to our cause; and, while you have passed as a spy ofthe enemy, have never given intelligence that you were not permitted todivulge. To me, and to me only of all the world, you seem to have actedwith a strong attachment to the liberties of America."
During this address, Harvey gradually raised his head from his bosom,until it reached the highest point of elevation; a faint tinge gatheredin his cheeks, and, as the officer concluded, it was diffused over hiswhole countenance in a deep glow, while he stood proudly swelling withhis emotions, but with eyes that sought the feet of the speaker.
"It is now my duty to pay you for these services; hitherto you havepostponed receiving your reward, and the debt has become a heavy one--Iwish not to undervalue your dangers; here are a hundred doubloons;remember the poverty of our country, and attribute to it the smallnessof your pay."
The peddler raised his eyes to the countenance of the speaker; but, asthe other held forth the money, he moved back, as if refusing the bag.
"It is not much for your services and risks, I acknowledge," continuedthe general, "but it is all that I have to offer; hereafter, it may bein my power to increase it."
"Does your excellency think that I have exposed my life, and blasted mycharacter, for money?"
"If not for money, what then?"
"What has brought your excellency into the field? For what do you dailyand hourly expose your precious life to battle and the halter? What isthere about me to mourn, when such men as you risk their all for ourcountry? No, no, no--not a dollar of your gold will I touch; poorAmerica has need of it all!"
The bag dropped from the hand of the officer, and fell at the feet ofthe peddler, where it lay neglected during the remainder of theinterview. The officer looked steadily at the face of his companion, andcontinued,--
"There are many motives which might govern me, that to you are unknown.Our situations are different; I am known as the leader of armies--butyou must descend into the grave with the reputation of a foe to yournative land. Remember that the veil which conceals your true charactercannot be raised in years--perhaps never."
Birch again lowered his face, but there was no yielding of the soul inthe movement.
"You will soon be old; the prime of your days is already past; what haveyou to subsist on?"
"These!" said the peddler, stretching forth his hands, that were alreadyembrowned with toil.
"But those may fail you; take enough to secure a support to your age.Remember your risks and cares. I have told you that the characters ofmen who are much esteemed in life depend on your secrecy; what pledgecan I give them of your fidelity?"
"Tell them," said Birch, advancing and unconsciously resting one foot onthe bag, "tell them that I would not take the gold!"
The composed features of the officer relaxed into a smile ofbenevolence, and he grasped the hand of the
peddler firmly.
"Now, indeed, I know you; and although the same reasons which havehitherto compelled me to expose your valuable life will still exist, andprevent my openly asserting your character, in private I can always beyour friend; fail not to apply to me when in want or suffering, and solong as God giveth to me, so long will I freely share with a man whofeels so nobly and acts so well. If sickness or want should ever assailyou and peace once more smile upon our efforts, seek the gate of himwhom you have so often met as Harper, and he will not blush toacknowledge you."
"It is little that I need in this life," said Harvey; "so long as Godgives me health and honest industry, I can never want in this country;but to know that your excellency is my friend is a blessing that I prizemore than all the gold of England's treasury."
The officer stood for a few moments in the attitude of intense thought.He then drew to him the desk, and wrote a few lines on a piece of paper,and gave it to the peddler.
"That Providence destines this country to some great and glorious fate Imust believe, while I witness the patriotism that pervades the bosomsof her lowest citizens," he said. "It must be dreadful to a mind likeyours to descend into the grave, branded as a foe to liberty; but youalready know the lives that would be sacrificed, should your realcharacter be revealed. It is impossible to do you justice now, but Ifearlessly intrust you with this certificate; should we never meetagain, it may be serviceable to your children."
"Children!" exclaimed the peddler, "can I give to a family the infamy ofmy name?"
The officer gazed at the strong emotion he exhibited with pain, and hemade a slight movement towards the gold; but it was arrested by theexpression of his companion's face. Harvey saw the intention, and shookhis head, as he continued more mildly,--
"It is, indeed, a treasure that your excellency gives me: it is safe,too. There are men living who could say that my life was nothing to me,compared to your secrets. The paper that I told you was lost I swallowedwhen taken last by the Virginians. It was the only time I ever deceivedyour excellency, and it shall be the last; yes, this is, indeed, atreasure to me; perhaps," he continued, with a melancholy smile, "it maybe known after my death who was my friend; but if it should not, thereare none to grieve for me."
"Remember," said the officer, with strong emotion, "that in me you willalways have a secret friend; but openly I cannot know you."
"I know it, I know it," said Birch; "I knew it when I took the service.'Tis probably the last time that I shall ever see your excellency. MayGod pour down His choicest blessings on your head!" He paused, and movedtowards the door. The officer followed him with eyes that expressed deepinterest. Once more the peddler turned, and seemed to gaze on theplacid, but commanding features of the general with regret andreverence, and, bowing low, he withdrew.
The armies of America and France were led by their illustrious commanderagainst the enemy under Cornwallis, and terminated a campaign intriumph that had commenced in difficulties. Great Britain soon afterbecame disgusted with the war; and the States' independence wasacknowledged.
As years rolled by, it became a subject of pride among the differentactors in the war, and their descendants, to boast of their efforts inthe cause which had confessedly heaped so many blessings upon theircountry; but the name of Harvey Birch died away among the multitude ofagents who were thought to have labored in secret against the rights oftheir countrymen. His image, however, was often present to the mind ofthe powerful chief, who alone knew his true character; and several timesdid he cause secret inquiries to be made into the other's fate, one ofwhich only resulted in any success. By this he learned that a peddler ofa different name, but similar appearance, was toiling through the newsettlements that were springing up in every direction, and that he wasstruggling with the advance of years and apparent poverty. Deathprevented further inquiries on the part of the officer, and a longperiod passed before he was again heard of.