CHAPTER XXIII.
IN TARLETON'S TOILS.
"The brave man is not he who feels no fear, For that were stupid and irrational; But he whose noble soul its fear subdues, And bravely dares the danger nature shrinks from." --JOANNA BAILLIE.
After a troubled sleep that brought little rest, Joscelyn opened hereyes on what she supposed would be a day of danger,--certainly a day ofsmall deceptions. But in one way fortune favoured her; the morning wascold and raw, with now and then a flurry of snow, so she would have nooccasion to leave the house, and need worry over no excuse for biding athome. But the early hours were full of quavers and starts; the leastquick noise sent her blood racing through its channels. Her first realfright came when the guard in the back yard discovered bits of fresh mudupon the trellis of the porch.
"'Tis nothing," she said, with a touch of asperity when he showed it toher; "the maid threw a broken flower pot from the upper window, and thisearth was no doubt spilled out as it fell--there are the remnants of thejar by the fence."
The guard bowed and withdrew; but there was a supercilious smile on hisface, which filled her with nervous apprehension. In a hasty resentmentthat the man perhaps guessed at her duplicity, she could have struckhim.
And yet a second time was she thrown into consternation, when her motherdiscovered the loss of the attic key from her bunch.
"Oh, it is not lost! I broke the string yesterday night, and doubtless Imissed this one when I strung them up again. It is in my room thisminute, I dare swear. Is there aught you need in the attic now?"
"Nay, I but feared the key was lost."
"Well, let me first finish this round of knitting and I will hunt it.Mother," she went on, after a pause, during which she picked up herstitches industriously, "had you not better go over and make my peacewith Aunt Clevering? She was most angry with me last night."
"And good cause she had, Joscelyn; methinks I never heard any one makeso rude a speech. What put you to it?"
"In faith, mother, I cannot tell. It was cruel and unwarranted, and youmay tell her I say so, and that I am bitterly sorry. Make any excuse youplease, only make it at once, for you know Aunt Clevering's displeasuregrows like a mushroom when left to itself."
She had small hope that her aunt would be appeased, but she wanted hermother out of the way that she might carry her prisoner something toeat. It was close upon one o'clock, and not a morsel had she been ableto give him. She drew the bolt of the front door after her mother, whowas nothing loath to go upon this peace errand; and hurrying to thedining room, made hasty preparation to relieve Richard's needs. She wasnot used to doing things upon the sly, and her heart was in hotrebellion that she must stoop to such a thing among her own servants.There were hard lines of determination about her mouth, but the handsthat sliced the meat and buttered the bread shook a little. Even when onthe stair, she turned back, startled by a sound in the hall; but it wasonly the cat romping with her little ones, and so once more she went on.Softly she unlocked the attic door, and stepped in. The room was inpartial twilight, having no window, but she saw Richard coming to meether.
"No May-day sunshine was ever half so welcome," he whispered, taking herhand in both of his. "Tell me how matters have gone this morning. I havefretted myself into a fever lest I bring some annoyance upon you. Andnow you must promise me that if discovery comes, you will forswear allknowledge of my being here. I shall claim that the key was in the lock,and after I was inside, some one came and closed the door. Thus will yoube free from blame."
"And think you any one will believe so flimsy a story? Nay, the onlysafety for either of us lies in your not being discovered. I understandthat Tarleton is furious over his failure, and has already ordered anew search. I rely upon my own loyalty, and upon his lordship's orderfor our exemption. But if the worst comes, we must be prepared."
"I am." He touched his pistols and drew himself up until his magnificentfigure was at perfect pose. "I shall die, Joscelyn, but like a soldier;not on the gallows."
She shuddered, and her eyes lost their coldness; the woman in her wastouched by his cool courage in face of such a danger.
"Yes," she said, with a hesitating gentleness, "but I pray it come notto that. By being prepared I meant we must leave no tell-tale traceshere such as these,"--she pointed to the platter and pitcher. "I shalltake these away; your dinner I have brought in this bit of paper--leaveno crumbs when you have finished. This jug contains water and thisbottle wine; stand them in that corner with those empty bottles, andthey will attract no attention."
"It shall be done, Joscelyn."
"Watch under the door; if there is an order given to search the house, Iwill try and warn you by a note."
"Joscelyn, desperate as I was, I should have sought some other shelter,had I not thought your loyalty would put your house beyond the shadow ofsuspicion. Will you not say you forgive me before you go? We may nevermeet again."
"There is nothing to forgive; you but put it in my power to requite anobligation," she said very gently.
"That is scarce a pardon. I would have you speak as though theforgiveness came from your heart, rather than from your head. Between usthere can be no question of a debt; my love makes me your bondservant,and as such my service is yours rightfully."
"Your name is not known," she broke in hastily, "but I understand it issuspected that my rescuer of yesterday is the escaped spy."
"That accounts for Tarleton's doubt of you. Joscelyn, I will not stayhere a moment longer and expose you thus. My mother's house has alreadybeen searched--"
"And will be again ere nightfall. What you propose is folly,--worse thanfolly; it is death to you and betrayal to me. There are double guardseverywhere, for Colonel Tarleton is as much policeman as soldier. Youcould not leave this house and cross the street alive!"
"Then what must I do?"
"Why, in sooth, since you cannot go, you must remain." There was just atouch in her voice and smile which made him think of their early days ofquarrel and make-up. It was such an intoxicating change from her mannerof a moment ago that he lost his head and caught her for a moment in hisstrong arms. But she broke away, and gathering up the pitcher andplatter prepared to go.
"There is just one thing," she said hesitatingly, "your despatches--?"He tapped his forehead. Again she paused irresolutely, the colour comingand going in her delicate cheeks. "I am saving you, not your despatches;do you understand?"
"You do not mean--?"
"Yes, I mean that Greene must learn nothing from you if you escape."
But his hand was over her mouth before she could go on. "You cannot makea request so unworthy of you and of me! Think you for one instant that Iwould buy my safety with the information that may save my comrades? No,no, Joscelyn dear; you did not ask such a thing of me, for you would notdishonour me, although you say you do not love me. I make no suchbargain with you; either I carry my despatches to my general, or I walkout of your house this minute, and let the first ball that can hit meput an end to my life."
His hand was on the door, but she dragged him back; her face like ashes."No, no, Richard; I will not ask it--indeed, I will not!"
Silently he kissed the hand upon his sleeve, and as they stood thuslooking into each other's eyes, there came a sharp rapping at the doorbelow. She went deathly pale for a moment, then waving him back, shestepped out into the hallway.
"It is only mother," she said, after listening a moment; "she has beenover to Aunt Clevering's to make my peace for last night's rudeness.What I said was in desperation; I know not what evil genius put me toit."
He took her hand reverently for a moment. "'Twas no evil genius, but abrave spirit of self-sacrifice."
She locked the door, and went down the stair singing. At the foot shecalled out, "Coming, mother!" and ran to hide the dishes she carried,then back to the door and undid it, still singing her merry ditty.
"Why should you bolt the door, my daughter, seeing I was to be gone onlya few mi
nutes?"
"I was upstairs straightening things a bit, and the town is so full ofconfusion that I felt a trifle nervous."
"But here was the sentinel to protect you."
"Oh, I quite forgot him!" she smiled with deprecating politeness at thesentinel, who had paused at the steps and was watching her with an uglyfrown upon his sullen face. He touched his hat with a shrug, and movedon upon his beat.
But a new terror came to the girl; evidently the man suspected her, andof course his suspicion would be carried to Tarleton. Why had shelingered upstairs talking with Richard? Everything she did worked thewrong way. Would the day never end? She strove to make amends for herfalse step by singing Tory songs as she went about the house, and bysending the guard a dainty luncheon. It was perhaps an hour before sheremembered to ask her mother the result of her interview with AuntClevering.
"Oh, but I had a sad scene of it! Joscelyn, your tongue will be the ruinof us; I know it, I know it! Neighbour after neighbour has taken offenceat your outspoken Toryism; and now Ann Clevering, dear to me as asister, says she hopes you will never darken her door again. And if yougo not, why, neither can I; and so I am cut off from my best friend byyour unneighbourly caprice! And think what we have been to each other!"Here sobs choked the unhappy woman's utterance, and she could only turnher eyes reproachfully upon her daughter.
Joscelyn was deeply moved, as she always was, to wound her mother; butshe put the best face possible on it in order to cheer the disconsolateold lady.
"There, mother dear, 'tis not worth crying over. Not go to see AuntClevering because I cannot go? Why, that is nonsense. Of course you willgo, and she will come here just the same. I will keep out of her wayuntil she forgives me--for she will forgive me, never you fear. I am notsurprised at her anger, but it will all come out right in the end; sodon't cry, little mother, you break my heart with your tears."
But in her heart was serious question whether she would ever again bereceived upon friendly footing in the house over the way, which had beento her as a second home. She would never tell that she had made thatspeech to turn inquiry from her own house, where Richard was hiding; andshe now doubted much if he would escape to tell the story himself. Shesang no more that afternoon, but sat silently over her knitting. Theweather did not tend to mend her spirits; for the drizzle of the morninghad turned into a steady downpour, and the wind moaned about the gablesand up the throat of the wide chimney like a lost spirit hopelesslyseeking its reincarnation. Her mother was still brooding over the breakwith the Cleverings, and now and then lifting her kerchief to her facein a gesture that was a reproach to Joscelyn, who strove not to see it;and yet she watched for it persistently out of the tail of her eye. Shegrew more miserable each moment; and so hailed with delight the entranceof Barry and a fellow-officer, who had come to bask in the warmth of hersmile.
"Your visit is a charity, gentlemen," she said gayly, as she gave themchairs; "this weather serves one's spirits and one's ruffles alike, inthat it leaves them both limp and frowsy."
"Your mother seems more out of sorts than you."
"Yes; mother is doing penance for my sin of last night, Captain Barry."
"Your sin? Why, methinks you never committed anything more heinous thana misdemeanour. Come, make me your confessor, and I promise you completeand immediate absolution."
"'Tis not your absolution, but Mistress Clevering's that I need; she hasexcommunicated me for telling of the attic closet," she spoke with anair of mock penitence that set her visitors off in a roar.
But Mistress Cheshire stopped them with a fresh burst of tears, "'Tis nomatter for jesting with me, sirs. I am a subject of King George and wishhim well, but he cannot take the place of Ann Clevering in my heart!"
"True, true," said Joscelyn, still with her air of pretence, only now itwas playful; "she loves her king, but, you see, she lives not neighbourswith him; and so, forsooth, she cannot compare her loaves with his on abaking day, nor ask the loan of his pie pans, nor offer her mixing bowlin return. Ah, gentlemen, there is a homely charm in proximity of whichthe poets wot not!"
And so the talk ran on for a few minutes, and the visitors agreed theyhad never found Mistress Joscelyn so charming or so witty. Then theyfell to talking of the military news, of Tarleton's determination toferret out the hidden spy, and of the burning of the Reverend HughMcAden's library by that division of the army stationed at Red House, afew miles distant. To all of the first she listened with an outward showof indifference, but with an inward quaking. The other news interestedher less; but for obvious reasons was also less embarrassing.
"I pray you, Captain Barry, why should the soldiers burn the reverendgentleman's library? 'Twas innocent enough, and he himself has been deadthis twelvemonth."
"Well, they found from his books he was a Presbyterian; and being that,he must perforce be also a rebel."
"And they consigned his books to the same fate they believed him to beenjoying--the fire? Pray you, sir, were the flames _blue_? Being thevery essence of Presbyterianism, they should have been blue, you know."
"Capital! I shall tell his lordship of your excellent joke."
She hated herself for her little pleasantry, for she had sincerelyadmired the minister, whom she had known since childhood; but she mustkeep up a show of gayety, that these young men might carry a good reportof her to headquarters.
With the growing cloudiness the day was visibly shortened. Joscelyn,glancing now and then at the window, watched the going of the light withsecret satisfaction. Already the opposite houses were becomingindistinct, and as the shadows grew apace, just in proportion did herspirits rise; the danger was drifting away, and the man upstairs now hada chance for life. But just as she was congratulating herself that theordeal was past, there came a trampling of hoofs at the door; andTarleton's voice, giving some order, made her realize that the crisishad perchance but just now come. For one awful moment the power ofmotion forsook her; then with a masterly effort at calmness, shesaid:--
"Mother, entertain the gentlemen while I see why Samuel does not bringthe lights."
She managed to walk with becoming leisure to the parlour door; but onceoutside she almost flew up the stairs. Down on her knees before the firein her room, she wrote rapidly upon a scrap of paper:--
"Be ready. Tarleton has come. They shall search _my room first_; that must be your refuge. When I open the attic door, stand thou close behind it; I will direct attention to the chest and shelves at the far end--then, if any, is your chance."
She rose to her feet; the hall below was full of manly voices, abovewhich her mother called, "Joscelyn, Joscelyn, come at once, here aremore visitors."
"Yes, mother." Then with a crash she dropped the key basket, which shehad snatched up, just in front of the attic door, and while gathering upthe spilled keys with one hand, she slipped the note under the door withthe other, and instantly felt it grasped and drawn away to the otherside. She knew Richard could read it by means of his tinder-box. Thenflinging the keys into the basket, she ran downstairs. As she enteredthe parlour, and saw before the hearth the short, square figure ofTarleton, the tremor passed out of her limbs. All day she had beenstarting and quaking; now in the presence of the real danger, shewas calm and collected. She greeted the colonel with a fair show ofhospitality, and fell immediately to talking of those ill-fated volumesof McAden. It was anything to gain time that the last lingering daylightmight go. Tarleton let her run on for a few minutes, even let Barryrepeat her poor little joke about the blue flames; then he cleared histhroat and began:--
"Mistress Joscelyn, it behooves--"
But she interrupted him. "Why, dear me, did not mother give you a cup oftea? You must have one at once to kill that cold in your throat. What aterrible ride you must have had to-day in this storm. A soldier's lifeis indeed a hard one, and nobly does he win the fame which illumines hisname! Two lumps, or three? Ah, you have a sweet tooth."
But she could not stave him off after he had drained his cup. She want
edto tell him how they came by the tea since the tax had stopped its sale,but he cut her short.
"Another time, Mistress Joscelyn, I shall be glad to listen to yourstory, which is no doubt an interesting one. But just now I have gravermatters to discuss with you."
"Grave matters with me?" she repeated, with feigned surprise and aripple of laughter that was like the tinkle of a silver bell. "That isan unusual kind of discussion for a soldier to hold with a woman. Areyou going to ask my advice about your morning coffee or your nextcampaign? But I pray you, sir, proceed; I am all attention."
There was not a glimmer of daylight through the unshuttered window-sash.She felt the sinews in her hands and arms grow like iron, and her pulsesbeat with the perfection of rhythm. So does a great crisis sometimessteady a woman's nerves.
The short colonel rocked himself from toe to heel a moment as he lookedat her half in unbelief, half in admiration of her coolness. Truly shewas superb. Then he said:--
"The spy of yesterday has not been taken."
"So these gentlemen were telling me," smiling over at Barry.
"But it is most important to the safety of our command and the good ofour cause that he be found--dead or alive."
She merely nodded, never taking her steady gaze from his face.
"That he could have gotten out of the town is impossible. My men ran himin from the west side, over the bridge of the Eno. The sentinels were attheir posts upon the north, east, and south sides of the village; hecould not have passed them without detection."
Again he paused; and finding that something was expected of her shesaid, in a most matter-of-fact way, "I see."
"Then the only conclusion to come to is, that he is still in the town.Well, now, every house in this vicinity, where he was last seen, hasbeen thoroughly searched save yours. I have talked with LordCornwallis--"
She stood up suddenly, with a dignity of movement that well-nighdisconcerted him. "I pray you, Colonel Tarleton, cut your explanationshort."
"Then in short, madam, I have here an order from his lordship to examineyour house and premises."
She stretched out her hand for the paper silently, imperiously.
Barry had risen and come to her side.
"You will see," Tarleton made haste to add, "that your own loyalty isnot impugned. The paper states explicitly that it is not believed youhave any knowledge of the man's whereabouts; but it is thought possiblehe may have concealed himself secretly in your house. I have spoken tohis lordship, and--"
"It were unnecessary to say so--I know full well, without the telling,who has so poisoned his lordship's mind against me. Every man, woman,and child in this community knows that I have never wavered in myallegiance to the king. I have been a target for Whig criticism, almostof persecution, because of that allegiance--and this is my reward!" shestruck the paper sharply with her other hand. "Well, sir, I recognizethe source!" she turned her eyes scornfully upon the man on the rug.
Tarleton ground his teeth, but his private orders were to use the ladywith all gentleness, and he knew how to obey--under provocation. Hebegan some sullen disclaimer, but she broke in imperiously:--
"Enough, sir; such paltry excuses weary me. Let us to business."
"You interpose no objection?"
"None, sir. In this house the mandates of his majesty's representativesare obeyed. Let me see; is it your wish to begin upstairs? Very well.Perhaps these gentlemen will be kind enough to watch the stair; theflight below the landing comes down just at this door."
"May I not come with you?" pleaded Barry, who was loath to have her outof his sight with the brusque colonel, lest some rude word be spoken toher,--a discourtesy he would have been hot to revenge even upon hissuperior officer.
Tarleton nodded assent, but Joscelyn laughingly interposed, "Nay, goodcaptain, your boots show the effects of the weather; it would grieve mymother's housewifely heart to know they were leaving their impress uponher carpets. Wait here and guard the stair--are we three not enough tocapture one?" She pointed as she spoke from herself and Tarleton to hisorderly who had been standing at attention just inside the door. "I takeit, Colonel Tarleton, that we shall be sufficient?" He bowed; andthrusting her knitting into her pocket, she moved out of the room,followed by the officer and his orderly. "Mother, look you to thecomfort of these other guests; I shall return presently."
There was a threat in Barry's eyes as they met Tarleton's in a fleetingglance; but he merely saluted in silence as that officer passed out. Oneday Tarleton should pay for this needless offence to a girl sounprotected and so beautiful. It was most evident from her bearing tosee that she had nothing to fear from an investigation. Yes, one day heshould pay for it.
In the hall Joscelyn stopped to pick up the key-basket and the onecandle in its tall brass candlestick. Thus did she leave the lower hallunlighted save from the open parlour door, for she wanted no radiancethrown upward to the story above. She talked unceasingly as they mountedthe steps, raising her voice presumably to over-top the noise of theheavy boots, but really as a warning to the man hiding above. Not for amoment did she allow herself to consider the probably fatal outcome ofthis search. She needed every faculty of mind and body to meet themoments as they came. In the narrow upper entry she paused and liftedher candle; a few chairs, a spinning-wheel, and a table formed its onlyfurniture. A cat could scarcely have hidden there.
"Proceed, I pray you," said Tarleton, after one glance around.
Three doors opened on this passage; the nearest of these, which was theone toward the front, she threw open. The white bed, the frilledcurtains, the dainty toilet articles upon the dresser, were heraldsenough to proclaim the occupant. Even Tarleton hesitated.
"To search here were useless."
"Nay, sir; I insist that you carry out your instructions."
She placed the candle on the table and waited haughtily while theinspection was made, nodding toward the wardrobe, "Open the doors andsee if Betty Clevering knew whereof she spoke."
"There is no one here," said Tarleton, following her instructions, hisbig hand looking awkward enough among the pretty feminine garments. Shepicked up the light and opened the connecting door to her mother's room.Tarleton went with her first, however, nodding to the orderly to returnby way of the passage, that none might creep by that means from therear.
"An excellent precaution; I had not thought of it," said Joscelyn,detecting the unspoken order.
There was a bright fire on her mother's hearth, and she stood as thoughwarming herself while the two men made their investigation. Her mannerwas so perfectly frank and unconcerned that Tarleton began to cursehimself for a fool. At headquarters the other officers had opposed hisplan, laughing at the evidence his guards had gathered--a little mud ona trellis in rainy weather, a locked door when a woman was left alone inher house in such troublous times! Truly, the short colonel wasover-credulous to attach any significance to such trifles. Only by themost masterly persuasion had he wrung that order from Cornwallis. He didnot relish the laugh he knew his failure would provoke, so he lingeredsomewhat in this room, examining the closet, and making the orderlyclimb up and look to see that no one was hidden on top of the talltester. Finally, he announced himself satisfied.
Joscelyn's hands were like ice as she took up the light and led the wayinto the hall, and there stopped in front of the attic door.
"This is the only other apartment on this floor. It is the attic overthe pantry and kitchen, and extends to the right the length of this halland of mother's room, which you have just quitted. There is no otherentrance but this door in the corner, as you will see."
"Take the light, orderly," said Tarleton, as she turned over the keys inthe basket. This was not what she wanted, but she yielded it without ademurrer.
The key turned easily, and opening the door she stepped in, stillkeeping her hand upon the knob, which action brought her within a footand a half of the wall behind. Still holding the door and facing aboutshe pointed down the long, narrow apartment.
"Will you make yourselves at home, gentlemen?"
Tarleton's spirits rose; the shadows and heaped-up odds and ends in thefar side of the room seemed a covert for noble game. There was nofurniture at this end against which the door opened, only bags of seedand dried peppers and herbs hanging along the wall in rear of thegirlish figure. His quick glance took this in; then motioning hisorderly to follow, he went down the length of the apartment, the lightglinting on the pistols in each man's hand. On the shelves werecarefully folded piles of bedclothes, and behind the chest a smooth rollof carpet powdered with dust. The hair trunks and the broken bureau gaveup no guest, nor did the deep shelves reveal anything suspicious.
All this while a hand had been plucking at Joscelyn's skirt, butTarleton had kept his side face to her so that any action wasimpossible. Now, however, he called sharply to his aide to place thecandle on the floor and help him search the big chest, remarking in alow tone that "Caskets like that sometimes held living jewels."
Joscelyn laughed. "Then will it be in the shape of mice, of whichcapture I wish you joy. A rat hunt is noble sport for one of hisMajesty's gallant officers!"
As she intended it should, this speech but spurred Tarleton on togreater exertions. They would soon be coming back to the door, and shedared not risk the closing of it with what she knew was behind. Butthere was not much time left for action; for, obeying orders, the aideplaced the candle on the floor, and opening the lid of the chest beganoverhauling the contents; his chief's back was also toward the door.Now, if at all, was the moment for action. Joscelyn's hand had been onthe yarn ball in her pocket; quick as a flash it was out and the threadsnapped apart. The floor slanted straight from her to the candle. With adeft cast she sent the noiseless ball down the room; it struck thenarrow-bottomed candlestick, which careened and rocked over--and thenext moment the room was in total darkness.
A cry broke from her and Tarleton simultaneously; his was an oath uponthe orderly, hers a nervous relaxation of the strain that had been uponher.
"Colonel Tarleton, come quickly and guard the door whilst I find anotherlight!" she cried, suppressing the dry sob in her throat; for in themomentary darkness she had felt a warm body crush past her on its way tothe hall.
But at that instant the orderly found his tinder-box.
"'I HAVE SEEN NO HUMAN BEING SAVE OUR PARTY OF THREE.'"]