CHAPTER XXIV--AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER
"Then each at once his falchion drew, Each on the ground his scabbard threw, Each look'd to sun, and stream, and plain, As what they ne'er might see again; Then foot, and point, and eye opposed, In dubious strife they darkly closed."
--"Lady of the Lake," Scott.
There followed some days of quiet at the farmhouse. Their peacefulnesswas gladly welcomed by the inmates after the turmoil caused by passingtroops, and Peggy and her hostess, Mrs. Weston, hoped for a continuanceof the boon. But if the days were tranquil they were far from idle.
Beside the household tasks there were Fairfax Johnson to be cared for,and the little mare to be brought back to condition. Peggy found herselfalmost happy in assisting in these duties, so true is it that occupationbrings solace to sorely tried hearts.
The youth's illness soon passed, but there remained the necessity forrest and nourishment. Rest he could have in plenty, but they were hardpressed to furnish the proper nourishment. The place had been strippedof almost everything, and had it not been for the grove where a few cowsshared Star's hiding-place, and an adjoining swamp in whose recessesMrs. Weston had prudently stored some supplies the household must havesuffered for the lack of the merest necessities. Still if they couldremain unmolested they could bear scanty rations; so cheerfully theyperformed their daily tasks, praying that things would continue as theywere.
If there was peace at the farmhouse it was more than could be said forthe rest of the state. Hard on the heels of Lafayette Cornwallisfollowed, cutting a swath of desolation and ruin. Tarleton and Simcoerode wherever they would, committing such enormities that the peopleforgot them only with death. Virginia, the last state of the thirteen tobe invaded, was harried as New Jersey had been, but by troops made lessmerciful by the long, fierce conflict.
Hither and thither flitted Lafayette, too weak to suffer even defeat,progressing ever northward, and drawing his foe after him fromtide-water almost to the mountains. Finding it impossible to come upwith his youthful adversary, or to prevent the junction of that sameadversary's forces with those of Wayne, Cornwallis turned finally, andleisurely made his way back toward the seacoast. He had profited byGreene's salutary lesson, and did not propose to be drawn again from abase where reinforcements and supplies could reach him. Information ofthese happenings gradually reached the farmhouse, filling its inmateswith the gravest apprehensions.
One warm, bright afternoon in June Peggy left the house for her dailyvisit to Star. With the caution that she always used in approaching thehiding-place of her pet the girl reached the grove by a circuitousroute. A sort of rude stable, made of branches and underbrush setagainst ridge poles, had been erected for the pony's accommodation, andas she drew near this enclosure Peggy heard the voice of some onespeaking. Filled with alarm for the safety of her mare she stole softlyforward to listen. Yes; there was certainly some one with the animal. Asshe stood debating what was to be done, she was amazed to hear thefollowing speech made in a wondering tone:
"Now just why should you be down here in Virginia when your proper placeis in a stable in Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Star? Hath some magicart whisked you here, or what hath happened? I wish thee could speak, asPeggy would say, so that thee could unravel the matter for me."
"John! John Drayton!" screamed Peggy joyfully running forward. "How didthee get here? I thought thee was in South Carolina. 'Tis Peggy, John."
"Peggy?" exclaimed Drayton, issuing from the enclosure. "Peggy! I see itis," he said regarding her with blank amazement. "But how did you gethere? I thought you safe at home in Philadelphia?"
"'Tis a long story," cried she, half crying. "And oh, John! does theeknow that Cornwallis is fast approaching this point with his army? Is'tnot dangerous for thee to be here?"
"Nay," he replied. "I seek his lordship."
"Thee what?" she cried, amazed.
"Never mind about it now, Peggy," he said drawing her under the shade ofa tree. "Sit down and tell me how you came here. Is it the 'cousins'again?"
"Yes, 'tis the cousins," answered the maiden flushing. "I could not doother than come, John. Mother and I did not know that the enemy hadinvaded the state. At least," correcting herself quickly, "we did knowthat General Arnold had made a foray in January, but 'twas deemed bymany as but a predatory incursion, and, as we heard no more of it, wethought he had returned to New York. I saw him, and spoke with him,John," she ended sadly.
"But the cousins, Peggy! The rest can wait until you tell me what newquidnunc tale was invented to lure you here."
"Thee must not speak so, John," she reproached him. "Thee will be sorrywhen I tell thee about Clifford's illness. He was nigh to death, intruth, but 'twas not for me he sent, but his own sister Harriet."Forthwith she related all the occurrences that had led to her coming.Drayton listened attentively.
"I wish that you and your mother were not so kind hearted," he remarkedwhen she had finished her narrative. "No, I don't mean that exactly. Icould not, after all that you did for me. But from the bottom of myheart I do wish that those relatives of yours would go back to Englandand stay there. They are continually getting you into trouble."
"Would thee have us refuse my kinsman's plea?" she asked him. "'Twouldhave been inhuman not to respond to such an appeal."
"I suppose it would," he replied grumblingly. "But I don't like it onebit that you are here among all the movements of the two armies. Seehere, Peggy! The thing to do is to get you home, and I'm going to takeyou there."
"Will thee, John?" cried Peggy in delight. "How good thee is! Oh, 'tis away opened at last. But won't it cause thee a great deal of trouble?"
"So much, my little cousin, that we will not permit him to undertakeit," spoke the wrathful tones of her cousin. "I am sorry to interrupt sointeresting a conversation, but 'tis necessary to explain to this,--well,gentleman, that 'tis not at all necessary for him to trouble concerningyour welfare. I am amply able to care for you."
"Clifford!" ejaculated Peggy starting up in surprise, and confrontingthe youth, who had approached them unnoticed.
"Yes, Clifford," returned the lad who was evidently in a passion. "'Tisquite time that Clifford came, is it not? As I was saying, 'twill not doto take this gentleman from his arduous duties. This Yankee captainmeddles altogether too much in our private affairs. It is not at all tomy liking."
"So?" remarked Drayton cheerfully. He had not changed his position, butsat slightly smiling, eyeing the other youth curiously.
"No, sir," repeated Clifford heatedly. "We will not trouble you, sir.Further, we can dispense with your presence immediately."
"That," observed Drayton shifting his position to one of more ease,"that, sir, is for Peggy to decide."
"My cousin's name is Mistress Margaret Owen," cried Clifford. "You willoblige me by using it so when 'tis necessary to address her. Betterstill, pleasure me by not speaking to her at all."
"Clifford, thou art beside thyself," cried Peggy who had been tooastonished at the attitude of her cousin to speak. "John is a dearfriend. I have known him longer than I have thee, and----"
"Peggy, keep out of this affair, I beg," cried he stiffly. "The matterlies betwixt this fellow and myself. Captain, I cry you pardon,sir,"--interrupting himself to favor Drayton with an ironic bow,--"I fearme that I rank you too high. Lieutenant, is't not?"
"Nay, captain. Captain Drayton, at your service, sir." The Americanarose slowly, and made a profound obeisance. "Methinks at our lastlittle chat I remarked that perchance another victory would so honor me.'Twas at Hobkirk's Hill."
"You said a victory, sir," cried the other with passion. "Hobkirk's Hillwas a defeat for the rebels."
"A defeat, I grant you." Drayton picked a thread of lint from hissleeve, and puffed it airily from him. "A defeat so fraught withdisaster to the victors that many more such would annihilate the wholeBritish army. A defeat so calamitous in e
ffect that Lord Rawdon could nolonger hold Camden after inflicting it, and so evacuated that place."
"'Tis false," raged Clifford Owen. "If Lord Rawdon held Camden, he stillholds it. He would evacuate no post held by him."
"Perchance there are other war news that might be of interest," went onDrayton provokingly, evidently enjoying the other's rage. "I have thehonor to inform you, sir, that Fort Watson, Fort Motte and Granby allhave surrendered to the rebels. They have proceeded to Ninety Six, andare holding that place in a state of siege. The next express willdoubtless bring intelligence of its fall. Permit me, sir, to felicitateyou upon the extreme prowess of the British army."
"And what, sir, is the American army?" stormed Clifford. "A company oftinkers and locksmiths. A lot of riffraff and ragamuffins. What is yourWashington but a planter? And your much-lauded commander in the South?What is he but a smith? A smith?" he scoffed sneeringly. "Odds life,sir! can an army be made of such ilk?"
"The planter hath sent two of your trained generals packing," retortedDrayton. "The first left by the only 'Gate' left open by the siege; theother did not know 'Howe' to take root in this new soil. The thirdremains in New York like a mouse in a trap, afraid to come out lest heshould be pounced upon. Our smith----" he laughed merrily. "His hammerhath been swung to such purpose that my Lord Cornwallis hath beenknocked out of the Carolinas, and the South is all but retaken.Training! Poof! 'Tis not needed by tinkers and locksmiths to fight theEnglish."
"Draw and defend yourself," roared the English lad, whipping out hissword furiously. "Such insult can only be wiped out in blood."
"Thou shalt not," screamed Peggy throwing herself before him. "Thoushalt not. I forbid it. 'Twould be murder."
"This is man's affair, my cousin," he said sternly. "Stand aside."
"I will not, Clifford," cried the girl. "I will not. Oh, to draw swordon each other is monstrous. For a principle, in defense of liberty, thenit may be permitted; but this deliberate seeking of another's life inprivate quarrel is murder. Clifford! John! I entreat ye both to desist."
"DRAW AND DEFEND YOURSELF!"]
"She is right, sir," spoke Drayton. "This is in truth neither time norplace to settle our differences."
"And where shall we find a better?" cried Clifford, who was besidehimself with rage. "If you wish not to bear the stigma of cowardice, youmust draw."
But Drayton made no motion toward his sword.
"Nay," he said. "'Tis not fitting before her. I confess that I was wrongto further provoke you when I saw you in passion. In truth you were soheated that to exasperate you more gave me somewhat of pleasure. I cryyou pardon. There will no doubt be occasion more suitable----"
"I decline to receive your apology, sir," retorted Clifford Owen hotly."Perchance a more suitable occasion in your eyes would be when I am atthe disadvantage of being a prisoner. Or, perchance, you find itconvenient to hide behind my cousin's petticoats. Once more, sir; forthe last time: If you have honor, if you are not a poltroon as well as abraggart and a boaster, draw and defend yourself."
"It will have to be, Peggy," said Drayton leading her aside. "There willbe bad blood until this is settled, and your cousin hath gone too far.Suffer it to go on, I entreat."
"'Tis murder," she wailed weeping. "Thou art my dear friend. Clifford ismy dear cousin. Oh, I pray ye both to desist."
"If you flout me longer I will cut you down where you stand," roared theBritish youth fiercely. "Is it not enough that I must beg for thesatisfaction that gentlemen usually accord each other upon a hint?"
Drayton wheeled, and faced him jauntily.
"'Tis pity to keep so much valor waiting," he said saluting. "On guard,my friend."