CHAPTER XXII--FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY
"Our country's welfare is our first concern: He who promotes that best, best proves his duty."
--Harvard's Regulus.
Westward rode Peggy at a brisk pace. There were not many peoplestirring, the hour was so early. The few who were abroad merely glancedcuriously after her, as she passed, without speaking. With a feeling ofthankfulness she soon left the deserted streets, and, passing thecollege with its broad campus of green where the golden buttercupsseemed to wave a cheerful greeting, increased her speed as she reachedthe cleared space of the road which stretched bare and dusty between thetown and the forest.
"At last we are started," exulted the girl, drawing a deep breath as sheentered the confines of the great woods. "We ought not to get lost if wefollow the road, Star. And too I have been over every bit of it, and mydiary will tell the places we went through in case I should forget. Butfirst----" She pulled the pony into a walk; then, letting the reins hangloosely, drew forth a little white flag made of linen, and fastened itto the bridle.
"Clifford said we could not get through without a flag," she mused."Well, that should show that we are non-combatants. And we do not wishharm to any; do we, Star?"
The forest was on every hand. The narrow road wound deviously undergreat trees of fir, and pines, and beech, shady, pleasant and cool.Suddenly there came a medley of bird notes from out of the woods; clear,sweet and inexpressibly joyous, the song of the mocking-bird. As themorning hours passed and Peggy found that she was still the onlytraveler upon the road, her spirits rose, and she became agreeablyexcited over the prospects of the journey.
"We will ride hard, Star, until to-morrow night," she cried catching ata fragrant trailer of wild grape that hung from an overarching tree."To-morrow night should find us at Fredericksburg, if we go as fast aswe did coming down in the cabriolet. And I know we can do that."
And so, talking sometimes to Star as though the little mare understood,sometimes listening to the call of birds, the whirr of insects or themurmur of the wind in the tree tops, the day passed. It was drawing nearnightfall when Peggy rode into New Castle, a small village on thePamunkey River, tired but happy. She had not been molested and the firstday was over. Peggy went immediately to the house where she had stoppedwith Nurse Johnson on the way down.
There were no signs of the British, she was told at this place. It wasrumored that the Marquis de Lafayette had crossed the river further tothe west on his way to join General Wayne. Peggy rejoiced at the news.
"We have timed our going just right, Star," she told the little mare asshe made an early start the next morning. "Lord Cornwallis will notreach Richmond until the last of the week, and the Marquis hath justpassed on. I could not have chosen better."
Filled anew with hope as the prospects seemed more and more favorablePeggy rode briskly toward Hanover Court House, for she planned to reachthis place by noon. The road wound along the banks of the Pamunkey,under large tulip trees so big and handsome that she was lost in wonderat their magnificence.
In this happy frame of mind she proceeded, marveling often at the factthat she seemed to be the only one on the road. It was the second day,and she had met no one nor had any one passed her. 'Twas strange, butfortunate too, she told herself.
The morning passed. The road, which had been for the greater part of theway shaded by the great trees, now suddenly left the woods and stretchedbefore her in a flood of sunshine. A lane branched off to the right,running under a double row of beech trees to a large dwelling standingin the midst of a clover field not more than half a mile distant. Thecountry was thinly settled throughout this section, the houses soscattering that this one seemed to beckon invitingly to the tiredmaiden.
"Methinks 'twould be the part of wisdom to bait ourselves there, Star,"she said musingly. "I think we will take an hour's rest."
With that she turned into the shady lane, and soon drew rein in front ofthe house.
"Friend," she said as an elderly, pleasant-looking woman came to thedoor, "would thee kindly let me have refreshment for myself and horse;refreshment and rest also, friend?"
"Light, and come right in," spoke the woman heartily. "A girl like youshouldn't be riding about alone when the British are abroad in theland."
"But the British have not yet crossed the James," answered Peggycheerfully.
"Why, a detachment passed here not an hour ago, bound for Hanover CourtHouse," spoke the woman abruptly. "Didn't you know that Cornwallis wasfollowing the Marquis de Lafayette trying to keep him from meetingGeneral Wayne?"
"I did not know," answered the maiden paling. "Why, I am going throughHanover Court House myself. I want to reach Fredericksburg to-night."
"You'd better bide with me until we hear whether they have left there,and in what direction they ride, my dear. I should not like a daughterof mine abroad at such a time. Where are you from?"
"I came from Williamsburg, and I am trying to get home," Peggy told her."I live in Philadelphia, and came down to nurse a cousin who waswounded. There was no one to come with me, and it seemed a good time tostart, as I thought Lord Cornwallis was still at Petersburg."
"Bless you, child! it never takes them long to scatter for mischief whenthey enter a state," exclaimed the woman. "I think 'twill be best tohide that mare of yours, if you want to keep her. There's no tellingwhen others of the thieving, rascally English will be along. Here,Jimmy," to a youngster of ten who stood peeping at Peggy from behind thedoor, "take the nag down to the grove behind the mills, and don't forgetto feed her. You are the second person from tide-water to ask for restin the last twenty-four hours," she continued leading the way into thedwelling. "The other was a lad from the militia who came last night.Most sick the poor fellow is, too."
"What became of him?" asked Peggy interested on the instant. "I hope theBritish did not get him."
"Well, then, they didn't," was the laconic response. "I've got him herehidden in the garret. We'll go up to see him as soon as you havesomething to eat. The boy needs looking after a bit."
"I have some skill in nursing, friend," spoke Peggy modestly. "If Itarry with thee until 'tis wise to go on I might be of assistance incaring for him."
"Have you now? Then between us we will bring him round nicely. It'sprovidential that you came. I was wondering how to give him proper carewithout attracting too much attention from the darkies. There are notmany left me, and they seem faithful, but 'tis just as well not to relytoo much on them."
The attic was a roomy garret extending over the entire main building.Two large windows, one in each end of the gambrel roof, afforded lightand air. Boxes, trunks, old furniture, and other discarded rubbish of afamily filled the corners and sides, affording many recesses that couldbe utilized as hiding-places in an emergency. A large tester bed spreadwith mattress and light coverlids stood in the center of the space, andupon it reposed the lithe form of a youth. Peggy gave an ejaculation ofastonishment as her hostess led her to the bed.
"'Tis Fairfax Johnson," she cried. "Oh, friend, how does thee do? Thymother told me that thee was not well. How strange that I should findthee here!"
"Why, 'tis Mistress Peggy!" exclaimed the young fellow, sitting upquickly, a deep flush dyeing his face. "How, how did you get here?"
"I am trying to get home," she told him. "I left Williamsburg yesterdaymorning, and hoped to reach Fredericksburg to-night, but our good friendhere tells me that the British are at Hanover Court House. I am to bidewith her until they pass on."
"That is best," he said. "'Twas but an advance force on a reconnoiteringexpedition that passed this morning. The rest will be along later. Youshould not be here at all."
"I know," replied Peggy, surprised by this speech from Fairfax. It wasthe longest he had ever made her. "Or rather I didn't know, FriendFairfax, else I would not be here. And how does thee do? I am to helpcare for thee."
"You!" again the red blood flushed the lad's cheek and bro
w. "Why, why,I'm all right. A little rest is all I need."
"I shall care for thee none the less," answered the maiden demurely, thefeeling of amusement which she always felt at his shyness assailing hernow.
"And here is cool milk and toast with sweet butter and jam," spoke thehostess. "Boys all like jam, so I brought that for a tid-bit. With theeggs it should make a fairish meal. Now, my lad, I'll leave you to themercy of your young friend while I run down to see about things. It ispleasant for you to know each other. Come down when you like, my dear,"she added turning to Peggy as she left the room.
"Oh!" uttered Fairfax in such evident dismay that Peggy found itimpossible to suppress the ripple of laughter that rose to her lips.
"I shall tell thee all about thy mother while thee eats," she saidarranging the viands before him temptingly. "Thy mother is worried anentthee, friend, but she herself is well. She----"
"Listen," he said abruptly.
A blare of bugles, the galloping of horses, the jingle of spurs andsabres filled the air. Peggy ran to the front window and looked out.
"'Tis a body of men in white uniforms," she cried. "They are mountedupon fine horses, and are clattering down the lane toward the house."
"'Tis Tarleton with his dragoons," he exclaimed hastening to the windowfor a view of them.
"Then thee must hide," ejaculated Peggy. "Quickly! They may search theplace. Hurry, friend!"
"But you," he said, making no move toward secreting himself.
"Go, go," cried she impatiently. "I know Colonel Tarleton, and fearnaught from him or his troopers. Hide, friend! Here, take the food withthee. 'Tis as well to eat while thee can."
So insistent was she that the lad found himself hurried to a retreatbehind some boxes in spite of himself. Peggy then hastened down-stairsto the good woman below. A quick glance at the girl told her that theboy was in hiding.
"And do you go to my room, child," she said pointing to a door under thestairway. "We will make no attempt at concealment, but 'tis moreretired. It may be that they will not stop long. Goodness knows, thereis not much left to take."
Peggy had scarcely gained the seclusion of the room ere the Britishcavalry dashed up.
"In the name of the king, dinner," called Colonel Tarleton, loudly.
"Of course if you want dinner, I suppose that I'll have to get it,"Peggy heard the mistress of the dwelling reply, grumblingly. "But someof your people have already been here, and you know 'tis against theirprinciples to leave much."
A great laugh greeted this sally as the troopers dismounted, tying theirhorses to trees, or fences as was convenient.
"Get us what you have, my good woman, and be quick about it," Tarletoncried in answer. "We've come seventy miles in twenty-four hours, andmust be in the saddle again in an hour's time. Now be quick about thatdinner."
The dragoons, seemingly too weary for anything but rest, flungthemselves upon the grass to await the meal. Tarleton and one of hislieutenants stretched out upon the sward directly under the window ofthe room where Peggy was. For a time they lay there in silence, then thejunior officer spoke:
"Will it be possible for us to reach Charlottesville to-night, colonel?"
"Charlottesville!" Peggy's heart gave a great bound as she heard thename. Charlottesville was the place where the Assembly was in session atthat very time. But Colonel Tarleton was speaking:
"Not to-night, lieutenant. But to-morrow we'll swoop upon the Assemblyand take it unawares. By St. George, 'twill be rare sport to see theirfaces when they find themselves prisoners. Although I care more forJefferson and Patrick Henry than all the others together. We'll hangthose two."
The girl wrung her hands as she listened. Jefferson, the governor of thestate, the writer of the Declaration of Independence; and Patrick Henry,he who had been termed the Voice of the Revolution! Oh! it must not be!But how, how could it be prevented? They should be warned.
"If I but knew where Charlottesville is," cried the girl anguished byher helplessness. "What shall be done? Oh, I'll ask Fairfax."
Up to the garret she sped unnoticed by any one. The troopers wereoutside, the members of the household busily engaged in preparing thedinner.
"Friend Fairfax," she called.
"Yes," answered the lad rising from behind the boxes.
"Colonel Tarleton is after the Assembly at Charlottesville. He wantsespecially to capture the governor and Patrick Henry."
"Why, they'll hang them if they do," cried Fairfax excitedly. "How doyou know, Mistress Peggy?"
"I heard him say so," answered Peggy. "Friend, what shall we do? Theyshould be warned."
"Yes," he answered. "That is what I must do."
"Thee?" she cried, amazed. "Why, thee is weak and sick, Friend Fairfax.Thee cannot go."
"I must. Oh," he groaned. "If I but had a horse. If I but had a horse Icould get to Charlottesville before them."
"It might cost thee thy life," the girl reminded him. "Thee is too illto go."
"What am I but one among many?" he said. "I must try to steal one oftheir horses."
"Thee need not run such risk. Thee shall have my own little Star," criedPeggy thrillingly. "We can go now to the room under the stairs, andwhile the troopers are at dinner, slip through the window and down tothe grove where she lies hidden. Come, friend."