XXI
We hired team and wagon of the innkeeper, and a man to paddleup-river and return with the horses.
I had a brief talk with our tall prisoner while they were makingready.
"A word of business, your Lordship," I said as he came out,yawning, with the guard.
"Ah, well," said he, with a shiver, "I hope it is not so cold asthe air."
"It is hopeful; it is cheering," was my answer.
"And the topic?"
"An exchange--for the ladies."
He thought a moment, slapping the dust off him with a glove.
"This kind of thing is hard on the trousers," he remarkedcarelessly. "I will consider; I think it could be arranged.Meanwhile, I give you my word of honor, you need have no worry."
We were off at daybreak with our prisoners; there were six of themin all. We put a fold of linen over the eyes of each, and ropedthem all together, so that they could sit or stand, as might pleasethem, in the wagonbox.
"It's barbarity," said his Lordship, as we put on the fold. "YouYankees never knew how to treat a prisoner."
"Till you learnt us," said D'ri, quickly. "Could n't never fergitthet lesson. Ef I hed my way 'bout you, I 'd haul ye up t' th' topo' thet air dead pine over yender, 'n' let ye slide down."
"Rather too steep, I should say," said his Lordship, wearily.
"Ye wouldn't need no grease," said D'ri, with a chuckle.
We were four days going to the Harbor. My father and his men camewith us, and he told us many a tale, that journey, of hisadventures in the old war. We kept our promise, turning over theprisoners a little before sundown of the 16th. Each was given agreat room and every possible comfort. I arranged soon for therelease of all on the safe return of the ladies.
In the evening of the 17th his Lordship sent for me. He was a bitnervous, and desired a conference with the general and me. DeChaumont had been over to the headquarters that day in urgentcounsel. He was weary of delay and planning an appeal to theFrench government. General Brown was prepared to give the matterall furtherance in his power, and sent quickly for the Englishman.They brought him over at nine o'clock. We uncovered his eyes andlocked the door, and "gave him a crack at the old Madeira," as theyused to say, and made him as comfortable as might be at the cheeryfireside of the general.
"I've been thinking," said his Lordship. after a drink and a wordof courtesy. I never saw a man of better breeding or more courage,I am free to say. "You may not agree it is possible, but, anyhow,I have been trying to think. You have been decent to me. I don'tbelieve you are such a bad lot, after all; and while I should besorry to have you think me tired of your hospitality, I desire tohasten our plans a little. I propose an exchange of--of--"
He hesitated, whipping the ashes off his cigar.
"Well--first of confidence," he went on. "I will take your word ifyou will take mine."
"In what matter?" the general inquired.
"That of the ladies and their relief," said he. "A littleconfidence will--will--"
"Grease the wheels of progress?" the general suggested, smiling.
"Quite so," he answered lazily. "To begin with, they are notthirty miles away, if I am correct in my judgment of this locality."
There was a moment of silence.
"My _dear_ sir," he went on presently, "this ground is quitefamiliar to me. I slept in this very chamber long ago. But thatis not here nor there. Day after to-morrow, a little beforemidnight, the ladies will be riding on the shore pike. You couldmeet them and bring them out to a schooner, I suppose--if--"
He stopped again, puffing thoughtfully.
"If we could agree," he went on. "Now this would be my view of it:You let me send a messenger for the ladies. You would have to takethem by force somehow; but, you know, I could make it easy--arrangethe time and place, no house near, no soldiers, no resistence butthat of the driver, who should not share our confidence--no danger.You take them to the boats and bring them over; but, first--"
He paused again, looking at the smokerings above his head in adreamy manner.
"'First,'" my chief repeated.
"Well," said he, leaning toward him with a little gesture, "to methe word of a gentleman is sacred. I know you are both gentlemen.I ask for your word of honor."
"To what effect?" the general queried.
"That you will put us safely on British soil within a day after theladies have arrived," said he.
"It is irregular and a matter of some difficulty," said thegeneral. "Whom would you send with such a message?"
"Well, I should say some Frenchwoman could do it. There must beone here who is clever enough."
"I know the very one," said I, with enthusiasm. "She is as smartand cunning as they make them."
"Very well," said the general; "that is but one step. Who is tocapture them and take the risk of their own heads?"
"D'ri and I could do it alone," was my confident answer.
"Ah, well," said his Lordship, as he rose languidly and stood withhis back to the fire, "I shall send them where the coast isclear--my word for that. Hang me if I fail to protect them."
"I do not wish to question your honor," said the general, "orviolate in any way this atmosphere of fine courtesy; but, sir, I donot know you."
"Permit me to introduce myself," said the Englishman, as he rippedhis coat-lining and drew out a folded sheet of purple parchment.
"I am Lord Ronley, fifth Earl of Pickford, and, cousin of his MostExcellent Majesty the King of England; there is the proof."
He tossed the parchment to the table carelessly, resuming his chair.
"Forgive me," said he, as the general took it. "I have littletaste for such theatricals. Necessity is my only excuse."
"It is enough," said the other. "I am glad to know you. I hopesometime we shall stop fighting each other--we of the same race andblood. It is unnatural."
"Give me your hand," said the Englishman, with heartier feelingthan I had seen him show, as he advanced. "Amen! I say to you."
"Will you write your message? Here are ink and paper," said thegeneral.
His Lordship sat down at the table and hurriedly wrote theseletters:--
"PRESCOTT, ONTARIO, November 17, 1813.
"To SIR CHARLES GRAVLEIGH, The Weirs, above Landsmere, Wrentham,Frontenac County, Canada.
"MY DEAR GRAVLEIGH: Will you see that the baroness and her twowards, the Misses de Lambert, are conveyed by my coach, on theevening of the 18th inst, to that certain point on the shore pikebetween Amsbury and Lakeside known as Burnt Ridge, there to waitback in the timber for my messenger? Tell them they are to bereturned to their home, and give them my very best wishes. Lamsonwill drive, and let the bearer ride with the others.
"Very truly yours, "RONLEY."
_To whom it may concern_.
"Mme. St. Jovite, the bearer, is on her way to my house atWrentham, Frontenac County, second concession, with a despatch ofurgent character. I shall be greatly favored by all who give herfurtherance in this journey.
"Respectfully, etc., "Ronley, "Colonel of King's Guard."
For fear of a cipher, the general gave tantamount terms for eachletter, and his Lordship rewrote them.
"I thought the name St. Jovite would be as good as any," heremarked.
The rendezvous was carefully mapped. The guard came, and hisLordship rose languidly.
"One thing more," said he. "Let the men go over withoutarms--if--if you will be so good."
"I shall consider that," said the general.
"And when shall the messenger start?"
"Within the hour, if possible," my chief answered.
As they went away, the general sat down with me for a moment, todiscuss the matter.