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diff --git a/20678-h/20678-h.htm b/20678-h/20678-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c59c03d --- /dev/null +++ b/20678-h/20678-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6842 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Tory Maid, by Herbert Baird Stimpson. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: .8em; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tory Maid, by Herbert Baird Stimpson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Tory Maid + +Author: Herbert Baird Stimpson + +Release Date: February 26, 2007 [EBook #20678] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TORY MAID *** + + + + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Diane Monico, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + + +<p class="figcenter" style="width: 418px;"> +<img src="images/image001.jpg" width="418" height="580" alt="(cover)" title="" /> +</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p class="figcenter" style="width: 344px;"> +<img src="images/image002.jpg" width="344" height="580" alt="(frontispiece)" title="" /> +</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p class="figcenter" style="width: 333px;"> +<img src="images/image003.jpg" width="333" height="600" alt="(title page)" title="" /> +</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + +<h1>The<br /> +Tory Maid</h1> + +<h3>By</h3> +<h2>HERBERT BAIRD<br /> +STIMPSON<br /><br /><br /><br /></h2> + + +<h4>New York</h4> +<h4>Dodd, Mead and Company</h4> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 33%;" /> +<p class="center">Copyright, 1898, by <span class="smcap">H. B. Stimpson</span>.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 33%;" /> +<p class="center"> +<i>To<br /> +Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Hall Harrison<br /> +this volume<br /> +is affectionately inscribed by<br /> +the Author</i><br /> +</p> +<hr style="width: 33%;" /> + + + +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="toc"> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Chapter</span></td><td align='left'></td><td align='right'><span class="smcap">Page</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>I. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">We Start for the War</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>II. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">We Meet the Maid</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>III. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Flash of Steel</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>IV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Red Cockade</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>V. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Sir Squire of Tory Dames</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Tale is Told</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Defiance of the Tory</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Black Cockade</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>IX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Red Tide of Blood</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>X. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Harrying of the Tory</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_107">107</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Council of Safety</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Veto of a Maid</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Greeting of Fair Lips</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XIV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Return of the Tory</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Flag of Truce</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XVI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Ball of My Lord Howe</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XVII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">An Exchange of Courtesies</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_187">187</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XVIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Crossing of Swords</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XIX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Sands of Monmouth</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In the Lines of the Enemy</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XXI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Passing of Years</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_230">230</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XXII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Coming of the Maid</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_238">238</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> +<h1><a name="The_Tory_Maid" id="The_Tory_Maid"></a>The Tory Maid</h1> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>WE START FOR THE WAR</h3> + + +<p>I, James Frisby of Fairlee, in the +county of Kent, on the eastern shore +of what was known in my youth as the +fair Province of Maryland, but now +the proud State of that name, growing +old in years, but hearty and hale withal, +though the blood courses not through +my veins as in the days of my youth, +sit on the great porch of Fairlee watching +the sails on the distant bay, where +its gleaming waters meet the mouth of +the creek that runs at the foot of Fairlee. +A julep there is on the table +beside me, flavoured with mint gathered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +by the hands of John Cotton early +in the morning, while the dew was still +upon it, from the finest bank in all +Kent County.</p> + +<p>So with these old friends around me, +with the julep on my right hand and +the paper before me, I sit on the great +porch of Fairlee to write of the wild +days of my youth, when I first drew +my sword in the Great Cause. To +write, before my hand becomes feeble +and my eyes grow dim, of the strange +things that I saw and the adventures +that befell me, of the old Tory of the +Braes, of the fair maid his daughter, +and of the part they played in my life +during the War of the Deliverance. +To write so that those who come after +me, as well as those who are growing +up around my knees, may know the +part their grandfather played in the +stirring times that proclaimed the birth +of a mighty nation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + +<p>The first year of the great struggle, +ah, me! I was young then, and the +wild blood was in my veins. I was +broad of shoulder and long of limb, +with a hand that gripped like steel and +a seat in the saddle that was the envy +of all that hard-riding country. I was +hardy and skilled in all the outdoor +sports and pastimes of my race and +people, and being light in the saddle I +often led the hardest riders and won +from them the brush, while every creek +for fifty miles up and down the broad +Chesapeake, and even the farther shore +as far as Baltimore, knew my canoe, +and the High Sheriff himself was no +finer shot than I.</p> + +<p>You, who bask in the sunshine of +long and dreary years of peace, who +never hear the note of the bugle nor +see the flash of the foeman's steel from +one year's end to another, know not +what it was to live in those stirring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> +times and all the joy of the strife. +You should have seen us then, when +the whole land was aflame.</p> + +<p>The fiery signal had come like a +rush of the wind from the north, with +the cry of the dying on the roadsides +and fields of Lexington.</p> + +<p>All along the western shore the men +of Anne Arundel, of Frederick, and +Prince George were mustering fast and +strong. Then the Kentish men and +those of Queen Anne and all the lower +shore were mounting fast and mustering, +while from the Howard hills came +riding down bold and hardy yeomen.</p> + +<p>Then, and as it has always been in +the old province of Maryland, the gentlemen +led the people, and everywhere +the spirit of fire ran like molten steel +through the veins of the gathering +hosts, and the people took up the +gauntlet of war with a laugh and a +cheer and shook their clenched hands<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> +at the King who was over the sea; so +it was the length and breadth of the +province, and so it was with me.</p> + +<p>And so one day the signal came, and +I mounted my black colt Toby and +rode away to the Head of Elk in the +county of Cecil, where the mustering +was, to take my place, as it was my +duty and right to do, side by side with +the bravest gentlemen of the province +in the coming struggle for the Great +Cause.</p> + +<p>I was eighteen in the month of +March of that year and considered myself +a man, and, having reached man's +estate, I bade good-bye to my mother +and rode from out the sheltering walls +and groves of Fairlee.</p> + +<p>But just before I rode within the +shadow of the great woods I turned in +my saddle and waved my hand to the +small, quaint figure that stood on the +broad porch watching me disappear;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +and she bravely—for the women were +brave in those days—waved her hand +in return, and then I rode on, for the +moment saddened at the parting, for +the die that day would be cast, and, +though there would be mustering and +drilling for many weeks before we took +up our march to the northward, the +hand of the cause would claim me as +its own.</p> + +<p>I was riding thus through the forest +when I heard hoof-beats behind me +and a cheery halloo, and who should +ride up but Dick Ringgold of Hunting +Field, a lad of my own age and my +true friend?</p> + +<p>"Why such a long face?" he laughed. +"You look as if you were going to a +funeral and not to a hunt that will beat +all the runs to the hounds in the world. +We are going to hunt redcoats and fair +ladies' smiles and not foxes now; so +cheer up, man."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Plague on it, Dick, you are ten +miles from home and I am only one," +I retorted. "You ought to have seen +how bravely her ladyship tried to smile, +too."</p> + +<p>"We will increase the number of +miles then," said he, and reaching over +he struck Toby across the flank. Well, +Toby needs the curb at best, and it +was a full half-mile before I brought +him up and had a chance to give Dick +a rating.</p> + +<p>But Dick only laughed.</p> + +<p>And so we rode on, across the low-lying +plains of Kent, northward toward +the borders of Cecil.</p> + +<p>For miles we would ride under the +shadow of the dense forest, and then +we would come to the wide-reaching +fields of some great manor or plantation, +the manor house itself generally +crowning some gently rising knoll amid +a grove of trees, with a view of the distant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +bay, or creek, or river, as the case +might be; the cluster of houses, the +quarters for the slaves, the stables and +the barns, making little villages and +hamlets amid the wide expanse of farm +lands and the distant circle of the dark +green forests.</p> + +<p>Then, again, a creek or river would +bar our course, and we would have to +ride for miles until we turned its head, +or found a ferry or a ford, and so overcome +its opposition. So on we rode +until, as the day waxed near the noon +hour, we came to the little hamlet of +Georgetown, nestling amid the hills on +the banks of the Sassafras. Crossing +the river at the ferry, we began the last +stage of our journey.</p> + +<p>The trail now skirted the broad lands +of Bohemia Manor, and crossed the +beautiful river of that name, embedded +between the hills and wide-stretching +farm lands.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<p>As we approached the banks of the +Elk the country grew more rolling and +wilder—in our front the Iron Hills +rose up before us, crowned with forests, +in sharp contrast to the low-lying +country through which we had been +passing.</p> + +<p>And now, as our appetites became +pressing, we urged our horses on, for +we had still many miles to travel.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>WE MEET THE MAID</h3> + + +<p>We had just come in sight of the +blue waters of the Elk, as it rolled +between the forest-clad hills on either +side, basking here for a moment in the +sunshine, then lost in the deeper shadows +of the overhanging forest.</p> + +<p>"There rolls the Elk," cried Dick. +"Only ten miles more, and a stroke +upon a piece of paper, and then, my +boy, you are done for. A pain that +eats its way ever inward, a thirst that +never slackens, and over all the black +night lowering down. Aye, so it is, +Sir Monk of the Long Face; but we +will have some fun before we are put +under the sod or our bones are left to +whiten on the sands."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That we will, Sir Richard. And +now we are in for it, for here comes +our first adventure. Is she ugly or is +she fair? Which, Sir Richard?"</p> + +<p>For, as we reached the point where +our road joins the river road, we saw, +approaching along the lower road, a +gentleman riding on a powerful horse, +while behind him on a pillion sat a +slight girlish figure, hidden in part by +the broad shoulders of the rider.</p> + +<p>"By Jove, it is Gordon of the +Braes," said Dick.</p> + +<p>"What, the suspected Tory?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and that must be his daughter. +They say she is the fairest lass in all +the county of Cecil."</p> + +<p>"Tory or no Tory," said I, "with +a fair face at stake, I will speak to +him."</p> + +<p>They were as yet some distance off, +but as the rider drew nearer to us we +saw that he was a splendid specimen of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +manhood, such as I had but seldom +seen before.</p> + +<p>While strong of frame and above the +medium height, he carried himself and +rode with a courtliness and ease that +bespoke the accomplished horseman +and gentleman. His splendid head +and face showed the marks of an +adventurous career, and all bespoke the +blood of the family from which he had +sprung, the Gordons of Avochie.</p> + +<p>But striking as was the figure of the +rider, the glimpse we caught of the fair +burden behind made us for the moment +forget him.</p> + +<p>A slender figure it was that sat upon +the pillion, with wonderful eyes of the +darkest blue and hair of the deepest +brown that waved and clustered around +the temples—a mouth that was winsome +and sweet, a small and aristocratic +nose, a chin that was slightly determined, +giving her altogether a queenly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +air, as she sat so straight and prim +behind her father.</p> + +<p>"Sir," said I, making Toby advance +and bowing to his mane, "as we are +travelling the same way, will you permit +us to accompany you? My friend is +Richard Ringgold of Hunting Field +and I am James Frisby of Fairlee."</p> + +<p>"It will give me pleasure," he +replied, saluting courteously, "to have +your company to the Head of Elk. I +know your families and your houses +well, and you, no doubt, have heard of +me, Charles Gordon of the Braes."</p> + +<p>"That we have," said Dick Ringgold. +"It was only a week ago that +my mother spoke of your first coming +to old Kent."</p> + +<p>"It was kind of her to remember +me," he replied. "She was a great +belle and a beauty in her youth."</p> + +<p>Dick smiled with pleasure, and I, +taking advantage of a narrow place in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +the road, fell behind, and rode so I +could talk to Mistress Jean, much to +Master Richard's secret indignation. +But she received me with a show of +displeasure, and though I courteously +asked her of her journey, it was some +minutes before I knew the cause thereof.</p> + +<p>"Are you not," said she, and her +aristocratic little head was in the air, +"afraid to be seen riding with suspected +Tories, you who wear the black +cockade?"</p> + +<p>And then I remembered that I wore +the emblem of our party.</p> + +<p>"Afraid!" I replied. "Afraid! We +who have bearded the Ministers of +the Crown in the broad light of day? +Do you think I am afraid of our own +men? Why, if Mistress North herself +were half as fair as your ladyship of the +Braes, I would ride with her through +all the armies of the patriots, and no +man would dare say me nay."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> + +<p>A merry twinkle came into her eyes. +"Would you wear the red cockade if +she should ask you?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, Mistress Jean, would you +seduce me from my allegiance to the +cause of the patriots?"</p> + +<p>"To the cause of the patriots? +What of your allegiance to the King?"</p> + +<p>"But the King himself has broken +that, and forced us in self-defence to +take up arms in revolt. Would you +have me true to my people, or to the +King, who is over the sea?"</p> + +<p>"To the King," she answered +promptly, "for the King's Ministers +may be bad men to-day and good to-morrow, +but if you once strike a blow +at the mother country and win, then +the ties of love, of friendship, and of +interest are severed for ever."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but she should have thought +of that before she forced us to it."</p> + +<p>"What spoiled children you are,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +she cried. "Because the taffy is not as +good as usual you want to pull the +house down about our ears."</p> + +<p>Thus receiving and parrying thrusts, +we rode along the banks of the Elk, and +as we neared the ferry we met numbers +of men travelling the same way with us, +all bound for the great mustering, and +though they returned our salutations, +seeing the black cockade in our hats, +they scowled on Gordon of the Braes.</p> + +<p>"There goes that dog of a Tory," I +would hear them growl to one another +as we passed.</p> + +<p>But Gordon rode on with a cool, indifferent, +almost contemptuous manner, +which made the frowns grow blacker, +and the mutterings deeper and louder. +But no man as yet sought to beard him, +for his courage and his daring were +well known throughout the shore, and +it would have taken a bold man indeed +to cross Gordon of the Braes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> + +<p>At last we came to the ferry and saw +on the hillside, among the forest trees, +the white tents, already taking on the +appearance of a well-regulated camp. +The little town amid the trees, busy +with the life of the moving crowd, and +bright with the uniforms of the Maryland +Line, which we were soon to +don, formed a curious spectacle as we +entered.</p> + +<p>Every part of the province was represented. +Here was a tall backwoodsman +in his coonskin cap, buckskin +shirt and leggings, with his long and +deadly rifle, totally unadorned by the +glint of silver or chasing on the barrel +to betray him to his redskin neighbour—and +you knew that one of Cresap's +riflemen was before you.</p> + +<p>By his side, for the moment, was a +young tobacco planter from Prince +George. The youngster to whom he +was talking, clad in the scarlet and buff<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +of the Maryland Line, was a young +dandy from Annapolis.</p> + +<p>And so it was all through the crowd, +the frontiersman, the hard-riding country +squire, and the city swell, all mingled +together, and all animated with one all-pervading +and all-engrossing thought—how +best to secure the freedom of +the country and resist the tyranny of +the King.</p> + +<p>As we made our way through the +crowd the faces grew dark as they saw +the Tory, but as Dick and I rode on +either hand, with our black cockades, +the crowd murmuringly gave way before +us, and though all the people were +hostile to him, and he could not help +but see it, he coolly looked them over +and rode as if he had no enemy within +a hundred miles.</p> + +<p>But the colour in Mistress Jean's +cheek flamed high, and I saw her little +hands clenched together, as if she would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +like to tell these rebels what she +thought of their treatment of her father. +And I, seeing the war signal so clearly +on her cheek, and daring not the batteries +of her eyes and wit, was discreet +and said not a word.</p> + +<p>We took our way to the inn, kept +by one John McLean, a genial host +and Scotchman, who was well known +in three provinces, and kept the finest +inn for many miles around.</p> + +<p>He received us in a jovial way, for +though he was a stanch patriot, he and +Gordon had been friends for many +years.</p> + +<p>"So, Mistress Jean, you have +deigned to honour my roof with your +presence. Welcome, welcome, all of +you."</p> + +<p>And though I had swung myself off +Toby to assist Mistress Jean to dismount, +he was before me and swung +her lightly to the ground.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I declare," he said, "you grow +bonnier every day, lassie," which +brought a blush to her cheek. Then, +turning, he called his wife and placed +Mistress Jean in her charge.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to say, gentlemen, that +the inn is very crowded, as you see, +but I think I can find a place for +you." Then drawing the Tory aside +for a little way, we heard him remonstrating +with him for coming to the +town at such a time, when the feeling +ran so strong and high against the +Loyalist.</p> + +<p>"You risk your life," he said, "for +the slightest spark or indiscretion will +bring a mob, boiling and seething +around you. The officers will not be +able to hold the men in, as they are +only volunteers, and have not yet felt +the hand of discipline."</p> + +<p>But Charles Gordon shrugged his +shoulders, and his reply came distinct<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +and clear: "I thought you knew me +better, McLean. I would not hide my +head for a hundred or a thousand of +them;" and he turned and went into +the inn.</p> + +<p>The innkeeper made a gesture of +despair. "That is always the way," +said he, "both in this country and the +old; tell a Gordon of a danger and he +will rush right into it, and then expect +to come out safe and sound."</p> + +<p>We laughed, for the expression on +the old Scotchman's face was so +droll.</p> + +<p>"But now for your room, gentlemen;" +and he led the way to a small +room under the gable roof. "It is the +only room I have left," he said, "but +you are welcome to it."</p> + +<p>It was now somewhat late in the +afternoon, but having made ourselves +presentable and partaken of a lunch, we +went to report ourselves to Captain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +Ramsay of the 1st Regiment of the +Maryland Line.</p> + +<p>He received us at his tent door with +a warm grasp of the hand. "You are +the very lads I have been waiting for," +he said. "I have two Lieutenancies to +fill, and you are the men to fill +them."</p> + +<p>"But, Captain," said Dick Ringgold, +"we have not been tried yet. Let us +go into the ranks and fight our way up, +as so many better men than we are +doing."</p> + +<p>I could not help admiring Dick for +his modesty, and though I, too, said +the same thing, I confess I hoped the +Captain would not hear of it, and so it +proved.</p> + +<p>"No, no," he said, and patted Dick +on the shoulder. "I must have you; +I know the blood that runs in your +veins, lads, and that I will have no +better fighting stock in the army."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +And thus it was settled, and we became +officers in that Maryland Line, +and—I say it with all due modesty—the +most famous of all the fighting +regiments in the struggle for the Great +Cause.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>A FLASH OF STEEL</h3> + + +<p>That night we sat at the long table +in the dining-room of the inn. All up +and down its great length sat the officers +of the Line—country gentlemen from +Cecil, Kent, and as far south as Queen +Anne, who had ridden thus far to see +the mustering and to give it their countenance +and their favour. Grave and +sedate gentlemen many of them, men +of affairs, the leaders of their counties, +and delegates to the Convention and to +Congress—men of the oldest and +bluest blood in the province, of wide +estates and famous names, whose families +wielded a mighty influence in the +cause of the patriots and gave it stability +and great strength.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then there was the parson, a merry +old gentleman, stout of form, with a +round face and twinkling eyes, who in +his youth was a mighty fox-hunter in +spite of his cloth; even then, stout as +he had grown, when he heard the music +of the hounds, it was with difficulty he +restrained the inclination to follow, +which now, alas! was made impossible +by his great weight. We who loved +hard riding, hard fighting, and a strong +will, admired him, and no man was +more popular throughout the three +counties than the fox-hunting parson. +He knew the people and their ways, +and was one of them.</p> + +<p>"I hear you are fire-eaters here," he +said to a vestryman upon being installed.</p> + +<p>"Then we are well matched," came +the reply, "for they say you are a +pepperbox."</p> + +<p>So no gathering throughout the +county was a success without the parson,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +and by the unanimous voice of the +Line he was called to be their chaplain.</p> + +<p>We sat there in the long dining-room +amid the hum of many voices, the glare +of many lights, and the click of the +glasses, as the wine was going around, +when a young man who sat across the +table from me rose with his glass poised +between his fingers.</p> + +<p>He was a handsome man, of twenty-one +or twenty-two, of dark and swarthy +features, thick lips and nose, and hair as +black as night, telling of the Indian +blood in his veins.</p> + +<p>His name was Rodolph, and he was +the son of a man more noted for his +wealth than for his principles, but who +was then at the city of Annapolis, a +delegate from the county of Cecil.</p> + +<p>"I propose a toast," he cried, "that +all true patriots should drink. A +toast to the delegates of this county, +who at the convention of the province<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +in the city of Annapolis are standing +as the bulwarks of liberty against the +tyranny of the Crown."</p> + +<p>We were all on our feet in an instant +to drink the toast, with a right goodwill, +all except Charles Gordon, who sat +at my right hand. He kept his seat +and watched us with a cool, sarcastic +smile upon his lips.</p> + +<p>"Is not the toast good enough for +you?" cried Rodolph, with an ugly +sneer upon his face.</p> + +<p>All eyes now turned to where Charles +Gordon sat, and he slowly rose.</p> + +<p>"Drink to your delegates?" said he. +"Not I. They are the scum of the +county of Cecil, and you know it. I +would as soon be governed by my slaves +at the Braes as by such men as they are. +I wish you joy of them." And bowing, +he turned and left the room by a door +that was near at hand.</p> + +<p>For an instant there was silence, then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +an uproar broke forth, and Rodolph +sprang around the table to follow him, +with several of the young men at his +heels. But I, seeing the danger, with +possibly a thought of a fair maid's +eyes, threw myself before the door with +drawn sword.</p> + +<p>"No man passes through this door," +I cried, "unless he passes over me."</p> + +<p>The crowd drew back in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Since when," I shouted, for they +hesitated, "have Maryland gentlemen +learned to fight in mobs? If any one +has an insult to resent, let him fight as +becomes a gentleman, man to man."</p> + +<p>"Stand aside," shouted Rodolph, +who was now before me, "and let me +get at the traitor."</p> + +<p>"Put up your swords, gentlemen." +I found I had a new ally in a tall, dignified +gentleman, who took his place +beside me, a Mr. Wilmer of the White +House in Kent.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The lad is right," he said; "and +you, Rodolph, I should think, would +have had enough of Charles Gordon of +the Braes."</p> + +<p>At this there was a laugh, which at +the time I did not understand; but the +company good-naturedly put back their +swords and resumed their places at the +table, all except Rodolph, who slipped +away from the room.</p> + +<p>That night, as I lay upon my bed, +dreaming, boylike, of the fair eyes of +the Tory maid, and hoping that the +part I had played in the matter of the +toast might come to her ears and cause +her to give me a smile at our next meeting, +I heard the sound of footsteps coming +down the passageway.</p> + +<p>"There is great danger," said a voice, +which I recognised as the landlord's, +as they were passing by my door. +"Rodolph is stirring up the crowd, and +though you might brave the mob,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +Mistress Jean—" and then the voices +died away.</p> + +<p>"The mob" and "Mistress Jean." +Clearly something must be afoot. +Springing from my bed, I swore to +myself, that, if anything happened to +the Tory maid, I would make Phil +Rodolph feel the edge of my sword. +Hastily throwing on my clothes, I went +to the window and looked out. The +night was dark, the sky being full of +drifting clouds, through which the moon +faintly struggled; everything lay quiet +and still in the village and the camp. +Steps were heard upon the porch below, +and then a horse was brought around +from the stables. A moment later a +horseman mounted, and I saw a slender +figure on the pillion behind him.</p> + +<p>"Keep to the south road," said a +voice, "they have only one sentry +there."</p> + +<p>I did not wait to hear more, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +slipped downstairs and out of a side +door, and the next moment I was running +softly through the camp to the +outpost on the south road, for one of +my own men was stationed there, and +I knew that without orders or the countersign +no man would pass that way +that night. It was well I did, for as I +drew near I heard the challenge "Who +goes there?" and the answer "A +friend."</p> + +<p>"Advance, friend, and give the +countersign."</p> + +<p>"Maryland." But the Tory had +missed it, and the next moment the +sentry's rifle was at his shoulder, and I +knew the cry for the officer of the guard +would follow; so I stepped out from +the shadow, and the sentry, seeing me, +brought his rifle to a salute.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant," he said, "he wants to +pass, and has given the wrong countersign."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes," said I, drawing my hat over +my eyes, for I did not wish to be recognised +by Mistress Jean. "I heard. +But I know them; let them pass."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Lieutenant."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said the rider, and a +still softer "Thank you" came from +his companion. I bowed, but said +nothing, and stood there watching them +disappear down the dark road until the +sound of the horse's hoofs was lost in +the distance.</p> + +<p>"Queer time of the night to ride, +sir," said the sentinel.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but they have far to go."</p> + +<p>"Kent or Queen Anne's, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Down by Bohemia Manor."</p> + +<p>"That is where that old Tory Gordon +lives; they say they are going to rout +him out in the morning for insulting +the committee last night. He is +up at the inn, there, and Phil Rodolph +says he is going to make it hot for him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mere talk, I expect. Good-night."</p> + +<p>"Good-night, sir."</p> + +<p>I took my way back to the inn, and +when I crawled to my room once more +and into bed, Dick Ringgold raised +himself on his arm and said in a sleepy +voice: "What's up, Frisby?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing," I replied; "go to +sleep." And I soon followed my own +advice.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE RED COCKADE</h3> + + +<p>The stirring notes of the bugle made +us spring up in the morning, to find, +when we were again downstairs, that +every one was talking of the disappearance +of Charles Gordon of the Braes.</p> + +<p>Master Richard marvelled much at +the disappearance of the Tory, and, +though I knew it was of the Tory maid +he was thinking, I said not a word, +but went on with my duties; and +manifold they were for many days to +come. The drilling of the raw recruits, +who, though they were full of fire and +<i>élan</i>, were not used to the strict obedience +of orders, was at first very difficult. +But soon there came the spirit +and the pride that were to make them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +the best drilled troops, the dandies and +macaronies of the army. And so, with +the drilling of recruits and assisting +Captain Ramsay in the formation of +the regiment, a week passed by before +a day came when Dick and I found +a few spare hours on our hands. And +having certain plans and purposes in +view, and not wishing them to be +known to Dick, I sat and watched for +an opportunity to slip away.</p> + +<p>Master Richard, it was evident, had +also some plans on foot, for after moving +from the chair to the top of a box +and then back again, he stretched his +arms above his head, and, yawning, +said: "I believe I will take a little +canter down the south road; come +along?"</p> + +<p>"No," I replied; "I am going to ride +a short distance down the east road."</p> + +<p>"All right," said he, and springing +from his chair, he went to order his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +horse. I soon followed, and, having +seen Dick well on his way, rode for +a short distance on the east road, +then turned, rode back, and entered +the road which runs along the bank +of the Elk, by which we had entered +the town on our journey from Kent. +As I rode, I hummed a jovial hunting-song +and touched Toby with the spur, +for I was quite jubilant at having got +rid of Dick and so well on the road to +my adventure.</p> + +<p>My time was short and it was good +twelve miles to the Braes, but Toby's +sire was a son of old Ranter, and I knew +he could do it in an hour and a half. +So Toby felt the spur, and I barely +noticed the miles as we flew along, +until we came to the road that leads +south to the Braes. Down this road +we turned, and as we were so near the +end of our journey I began to think +of the reasons and excuses I should<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +give for my visit. Reason! Pshaw! +What better reason does a Marylander +want than a pair of blue eyes? And +if Mistress Jean should so much as +demand it by the merest glance of those +eyes, I would tell her so. Aye, but +she is a Tory and wears the red cockade. +True, but the fairer the enemy the +more difficult the prize, the greater the +glory and effort to win.</p> + +<p>And so, having justified my invasion +of the stronghold of the Tory, I pricked +Toby with the spur and rode on more +rapidly, when, on turning a bend in +the road where it is intersected by +one from the east, whom should I come +face to face with but Master Richard? +For a moment he stared at me with +open mouth, and I at him; then his +brow grew dark.</p> + +<p>"I thought," he cried; but suddenly +the humour of our meeting came over +him. Thrusting his hands into his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +pockets, he broke out into a hearty burst +of laughter, and I could do nothing but +follow.</p> + +<p>"And so, Master Frisby, you rode +down the east road."</p> + +<p>"And you, methinks, rode down +the south." Again our laughter rang +through the woods.</p> + +<p>"Come," he cried, "which is it to +be? So fair a maid deserves two +cavaliers, but we would be at sword +points within a week, and I do not +wish to lose the friendship of Mr. James +Frisby of Fairlee."</p> + +<p>"A chance has brought us here, so +let chance decide."</p> + +<p>"Agreed," said Dick, pulling out a +sovereign, and with a twitch of the +thumb, he sent it high in the air. +"Heads, you win. Tails, I win." +Then catching it as it fell: "By Jove, +you have it. Present my compliments +to Mistress Jean," he cried, with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +grandiloquent bow, "and tell her how +near she came to being Mrs. Dick +Ringgold of Hunting Field."</p> + +<p>"That I will, Sir Richard." But +Dick was gone, and I was left to ride +on to the Braes.</p> + +<p>A long, rambling house it was, standing +white amid the trees, a wide lawn +around it stretching down to the creek +at its foot; while beyond could be seen +the sunlight gleaming on the bay. A +quaint, old-fashioned place, the low +roof already growing dark with age; +the quiet air of ease and comfort brooding +over all, making a fitting setting +for the quaint, slender little lady that +ruled its destinies.</p> + +<p>A negro took my horse; another +showed me across the broad hall, with +its hunting whips and trophies on the +wall, to the parlour, and there I awaited +the coming of the Tory maid. And +as I sat there, gently stroking the toe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +of my boot with my whip, and thinking +of that night at the inn, of that soft +"Thank you" on the old south road, +I heard the soft swish of her skirts, +and, looking up, saw Mistress Jean +standing in the doorway. A beautiful +picture it was, like some old portrait +of Lely's, the maid standing there +framed in the old oak. And I, though +I had been to the balls at the Governor's +house the winter before, and was therefore +a man of the world, sat staring for a +moment. But she advanced, and I was +on my feet with a low and sweeping bow.</p> + +<p>"Father is away," said she, "but +in his name I wish to thank you for +defending us at the inn that night."</p> + +<p>So she knew.</p> + +<p>"It was to save the honour of Maryland +gentlemen," I replied modestly. +"Heretofore they have not fought in +mobs. But will you not thank me for +yourself?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> + +<p>"When you turn loyalist, yes," said +she.</p> + +<p>"Almost thou persuadest me to +become a traitor."</p> + +<p>"You are that already," she said +with spirit.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is the way they have +written 'Patriot' since Tyranny first +stalked across the world. But patriot +or traitor, Mistress Jean, I have already +won one 'Thank you,' and I hope +some day to win another."</p> + +<p>"Won one 'Thank you'—when +and where?" and she looked at me with +wide open eyes.</p> + +<p>Now every Marylander will admit +that there are no more gallant fellows +in the world than we are, and if any +one chooses to dispute it, well and good, +we are willing to cross swords with him +any day, and so reprove him for his +recklessness. Indeed, we have been +called with truth the Gascons of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +South, and, like those gallant gentlemen +of old France, we have never hidden our +light under a bushel, to use a homely +phrase; and so when I saw Mistress +Jean's air of surprise, the spirit of my +race came over me.</p> + +<p>"Yes," I replied, "it was the sweetest +'Thank you' I ever heard."</p> + +<p>Again the mystified look.</p> + +<p>"But where?" said she again.</p> + +<p>"It was rather dark," I replied, +"and the clouds were drifting across +the sky, and you, I am afraid, did not +know who it was who received that +soft 'Thank you.'"</p> + +<p>"Were you the Lieutenant?"</p> + +<p>I bowed.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she said, and she stamped +her tiny foot, "if you were only not a +rebel!"</p> + +<p>"But even rebels have their uses."</p> + +<p>Thus it was we became good friends +in spite of the traitor stamped upon my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +brow. Ere I knew it, the time approached +when I had to mount and +ride. But before I left, her soft hand +rested for a moment in mine.</p> + +<p>"We march in a few days," said I, +"to the North, to the Leaguer of Boston. +There will be fighting there and bloody +work. Can I not carry a single +token?"</p> + +<p>Her nimble fingers flew to her hair, +and took from thence a blood-red rose, +and pinned it to my coat.</p> + +<p>"There," said she, "my red cockade;" +and turning quickly, she ran into +the house.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>SIR SQUIRE OF TORY DAMES</h3> + + +<p>"Well, Sir Squire of Tory Dames, +did she smile on you?" The voice +was harsh and rasping; looking across +the table, I saw the sneer upon his lips. +I had but entered a moment before the +dining-room of the inn, after my long +ride, and was about to take my seat, +when Rodolph's sneering question +made me pause.</p> + +<p>"That is more than you could ever +win, my Mighty Lord from Nowhere," +I retorted. At this there was a laugh +from those about. An angry flush +showed through even his dark and +swarthy skin; for, being a burly bully +of the border, he liked not being +bearded thus by a youth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You damned impudent puppy!" +he cried, rising.</p> + +<p>But there stood a glass at my right +hand, full to the brim, and ere he could +say another word the red wine flew +across the table straight into his face.</p> + +<p>"Take that!" I cried, "with the +compliments of James Frisby of +Fairlee!"</p> + +<p>A dozen men were now around us, +and Rodolph, spluttering through the +wine and swearing many oaths, demanded +to be released from the hands +upon his shoulders, shouting that he +would shoot me like a dog.</p> + +<p>"It will give me pleasure to let you +have an opportunity," I replied coolly. +"It will be a rare chance for you to +become a gentleman."</p> + +<p>And so, still muttering and swearing, +his friends took him from the room, +while I took my seat at the table. But +I was not allowed to eat my meal in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +peace; for many gentlemen came to +offer their services and to thank me. +Rodolph's overbearing manners had +long been unpopular among them, and +the wonder was that he had not been +forced to fight before. But I was determined +that Dick should be my second, +and so, thanking them all for their +kind offers, I placed my hand on +Dick's shoulder, and we went out together +amid a volley of advice and +friendly warning.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later, as I was examining +my sword and Dick his pistols, +there came a rap on my door, and two +gentlemen entered; one was Captain +Brooke, the other Lieutenant Barry of +the Line.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Frisby," said Captain +Brooke, as he advanced and bowed, "it +is my painful duty to deliver you this +challenge."</p> + +<p>"It is a pleasure to receive it from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +your hands," I replied, returning his +courtesy. "Lieutenant Ringgold and +Harry Gresham of Kent will act as my +seconds, permit me to refer you to them."</p> + +<p>Dick now went out with them to +Harry Gresham's room near by, where +they would be safe from interruption, +Gresham having volunteered with Dick +to be one of my seconds, and I went +on polishing my sword, waiting for the +issue. At last Dick came back.</p> + +<p>"Well," he cried, "it is all settled. +You are to fight to-morrow morning at +sunrise down in the little meadow below +the creek."</p> + +<p>"Swords, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"No; pistols. I insisted on swords +at first, it being our privilege; but Captain +Brooke said that Rodolph had +broken his arm the year before, and +that it was still too weak to fight with. +So I waived the swords and agreed to +the pistols."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is not quite as gentlemanly a +weapon, but just as deadly. I have +put a bullet through the head of a wild +duck flying, and I think I can hit Phil +Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"That you can," said Dick.</p> + +<p>It was a bright, clear morning as we +slipped out of the inn on our way to +the little meadow. The eastern sky +was already tinged with crimson, and +the blood-red lances across the heavens +told of the coming dawn. The air was +fresh and cool as it blew up the river +from the bay, and our lungs drew in +great draughts of it as we felt the breeze +in our faces.</p> + +<p>"A splendid morning to die on," +said Harry Gresham.</p> + +<p>"And to live on, too," I replied.</p> + +<p>"Stop your croaking, Gresham," put +in Dick Ringgold. We walked on +silently to the meadow, where we found +that we were the first to arrive.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> + +<p>Though I have stood on many a +field of honour since that day, though I +have felt the bullet tearing and burning +its way through the flesh, and the sudden, +sharp pain of the sword thrust, I +shall never forget that encounter on the +meadow beside the Elk, when I first +faced the muzzle of a hostile pistol, and +knew that the will behind it sought my +life.</p> + +<p>It was not fear that I felt as I stood +there, waiting for the coming of my adversary, +for fear has always been foreign +to my family, but a sort of secret elation. +For that day, if I survived, +though the down upon my lip was as +yet imperceptible, I could take my +place as a man among men. No longer +would my boyish face keep me out of +the councils of my elders, but I would +have the right to take my stand and +ruffle it with the best of them all. I +was there to win my spurs as a man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +and a duellist, and to show to all the +world that I had the courage of my +race. For then, as it has ever been in +the fair province of Maryland, we love +above all else courage in a man; and so +it was I waited with impatience Rodolph's +approach, for it meant the casting +off of the boy and the making of +the man.</p> + +<p>We did not have long to wait, for +Rodolph and his seconds soon followed +us down the path, and each party +saluted. Then Captain Brooke and +Dick Ringgold measured off the paces, +and threw for the choice of positions. +Dick won, and I found myself standing +near a small sapling, with my back to +the rising sun, which as yet had not +climbed over the tree tops, and so did +not interfere with Rodolph's position. +Facing me, twelve paces away, stood +Rodolph, his dark, swarthy face darker, +more Indian-like, and forbidding than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +ever; behind him stretched away the +small glade, and the smooth green +waters of the river, as they wound their +way between the tall forests on either +side. I remember watching a wild duck +as he went swiftly flying down the +Elk, when Dick Ringgold's "Are you +ready?" suddenly recalled me to my +position. "Yes," I nodded. Then came +the even counting, "One, two;" but +ere "two" had been uttered, I saw the +flash of Rodolph's pistol, and felt the +sharp pain of the bullet tearing its way +into my side. While I, taken by surprise +at such rank treachery, fired not +so accurately as usual, and my bullet +clipped his ear. Dick's sword was out +in an instant, and I verily believe he +would have run Rodolph through on +the spot, as it was his duty and right to +do, so base was the crime of firing before +the time—a thing that had never +been known among Maryland gentlemen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +before. But seeing me reel, he +came to my assistance, and threw his +arm around me.</p> + +<p>"Tie me to the sapling, Dick," said +I, "and give me one more shot."</p> + +<p>"But no gentleman should fight +with such a scoundrel!" cried Dick +hotly.</p> + +<p>"I waive that, just one more shot."</p> + +<p>So, with Harry Gresham's assistance, +they took Dick's sash and tied me to +the sapling, and in this way enabled me +to keep an upright position. Captain +Brooke had come forward to inquire as +to my injury, but Dick met him and +demanded another exchange of shots. +"My principal," he said, "waives the +treachery that places your principal beyond +the pale of men of honour. But," +continued Dick, "if he should dare to +fire again before the time, I will shoot +him down where he stands."</p> + +<p>Captain Brooke flushed, and though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +we saw that it was painful to him as a +man of honour to be the second of such a +principal, he could do nothing but accept. +"I will shoot him down myself," +said he, "if he dares again to do it."</p> + +<p>He then returned to his party, and +we saw by his angry gestures that he +was warning Rodolph of the penalty if +he should a second time transgress the +rules of honour.</p> + +<p>Again we faced, and I could feel the +strength ebbing fast from me, but I +could see that Rodolph's face was pale, +even through his swarthy skin. "One, +two, three, Fire," came again the fateful +words; but I had nerved myself for +the final effort, and glancing down the +polished barrel, I fired, at the same +moment that Rodolph's pistol rang out.</p> + +<p>For a moment I saw him standing +there, and then he lurched forward, with +his arms in the air, and fell face downward +as the mortally wounded do.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +With that there came a mist before +my eyes, my hand fell to my side, and +I remembered nothing more. They +told me afterward that they carried me +to the inn in the village, Captain Brooke +assisting, after they had seen that Rodolph +was dead. "Leave him there for +awhile," said the Captain, as he came to +assist Dick in my removal. "The dog +had a better death than he deserved."</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>A TALE IS TOLD</h3> + + +<p>I lay there at the inn, I do not know +how long, but they told me afterward it +was for many days, hanging on the brink +between life and death, until one day I +heard in my dreams the music of the +fife and the rattle of the drums, and +awoke to life and hope again. The sunlight +was streaming through the south +window across the counterpane of the +bed, and outside could be heard the +steady tread of marching men.</p> + +<p>"What troops are those?" I asked +somewhat hazily, for I was still on the +borderland of dreams.</p> + +<p>"They are the Maryland Line marching +away to the North to join General +Washington."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Marching to the North? Then I +must join them." And I tried to rise +in my bed, for it came back to me with +a rush that I was a Lieutenant in the +Line. But strong hands pushed me +gently back upon my pillow, and I recognised +now the voice of my nurse, +Mrs. McLean.</p> + +<p>"No, no, Mr. Frisby; be still. You +are a regular little bantam, but your +spurs are clipped for some time yet."</p> + +<p>"Why, what is the matter, Mrs. McLean? +How did I come here?"</p> + +<p>"Law bless the boy!" said the good +old soul. "He has clean forgot."</p> + +<p>But the dull pain in my side soon +brought back to me that clear, fresh +morning on the bank of the Elk, and +for a moment I lay still.</p> + +<p>"Did I kill Rodolph?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"That you did, lad; and no man +deserved it more."</p> + +<p>Then I heard a heavy step in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>passageway +outside, and then a lighter one. +The next moment the door opened and +I saw my mother, more pale and fairy-like +than ever, and behind her came +Captain Ramsay, bluff and hearty, but +looking very solemn at that moment. +But they saw the news on Mrs. McLean's +good-natured face, and when I +spoke to my lady, the old-time happy +look came back again, as she came to +my bedside and kissed me, while the +great voice of the Captain came hearty +and strong.</p> + +<p>"Aye, lad, I told them that you would +pull through; make a gallant fight, my +boy, and you will have a shot at the +redcoats yet."</p> + +<p>"But, Captain, you are marching +away without me."</p> + +<p>"You will be in time for the fighting, +never worry; lie still and get well. +Half the young men in the Line are +envying you, you rogue, for becoming<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +a hero before them all." And the +Captain took my hand, and bade me +good-bye, for he must hurry away to join +his regiment.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later there came the +clank of a sword and a hurried step, +and then the door burst open and in +marched Master Dick in all the glory +of his full regimentals. And so brave +was the show that he made in his cocked +hat, scarlet coat, with its facings of buff, +and the long clanking sword, that I +longed to spring up and don my own +then and there. But my mother's finger +on her lip caused him to stop the cheery +greeting, and he came forward on his +tiptoes, holding his sword carefully to +keep it from clanking, for by this time +I was growing weak again. Master +Dick shook my hand gently and murmured, +"Cheer up, old fellow, you +will soon be with us again," but I could +only give him a slight smile, for I was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +again on the borderland of dreams. +Dick stood for awhile looking down on +me; then he, too, had to depart. Gradually +the steady tramp of marching feet +died away, and everything became quiet +and still again.</p> + +<p>The days passed by, week followed +week, and though at first I gained +strength but slowly, the process seeming +a long and dreary one, the vigour of +a youthful frame soon asserted itself, +and I could feel the returning tide of +health and strength. But as yet I lay +there upon the great four-post bed, with +my mother sitting near by, her dear face +bending over the embroidery frame, as +her deft fingers weaved beautiful designs +with the silk. As I lay there, I would +wander back again to that day before +the duel, to the swift challenging glance +of a pair of blue eyes as a blood-red +rose was pinned to my coat. But that +was so long ago, years it seemed to me,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +away back in the past, a memory as it +were of a fairy tale heard from the lips +of a grandmother before the big open +fire in the great hall on a winter night; +a fairy tale, aye, and she the Princess, +with her blue eyes and hair of waving +brown, with her step as light as the dew-drop, +and her voice as low and soft as +the breath of the Southern breeze in the +spring; and then I would be her Prince +Charming, with my coal-black horse. +But, pshaw! I am becoming a child +again; whereas I am a man, who has +fought his duel as becomes a man, with +a right to the sword by his side. And +yet those blue eyes, what fate was in +store for them? And would their challenging +glance ever meet mine again? +But here my mother stopped the trend +of my thoughts for a moment.</p> + +<p>"James," she said, "John Cotton +tells me that an old darky comes to +inquire for you every night. Strange,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +is it not? We know so few people +here."</p> + +<p>"Yes," I replied. "Does John Cotton +know who he is?"</p> + +<p>"No; he refuses to tell, and all +John Cotton can find out is that he +leaves town by the river road. He +appears to be a stranger to all the +other darkies, and nobody seems to +know him."</p> + +<p>By the river road! Could it possibly +be, then, that it was the Tory +maid who sent those many miles to +see if I were in the land of the living +or the dead? Ah, it was too pleasant +a thing to dream of; too pleasant to +have it shattered by the rough hand of +fact. And so I said dreamily, "It is +only one of John Cotton's stories, I +suppose."</p> + +<p>Yet I would not have believed it +otherwise for all of John Cotton's +weight in gold. Thus it was I was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +thinking one day of the Tory maid, +when the door opened, and a tall, dignified +gentleman came in—the man +who had stood by my side that day +when with drawn sword I held the door +against Rodolph and his followers—Mr. +Lambert Wilmer of the White +House in Kent.</p> + +<p>He came forward and greeted me +with many kind phrases. While he +sat talking to me of the duel and its +cause, I thought of that great burst of +laughter when he told Rodolph to put +up his sword, as by this time he should +have had enough of Gordon of the +Braes, and I asked the reason for it +all.</p> + +<p>"It is a long story, lad," said he, +"but I will tell it to you."</p> + +<p>Then he told me how, many years +before, Mistress Margaret Nicholson +had been the loveliest girl in Kent, and +the belle of the whole shore, and how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +there was not a bachelor within three +counties who did not seek her as his +bride, or who would not have sold his +soul for a glance of her eyes or the soft +pressure of her hand; and how when +James Rodolph of Charlestown Hundred +came riding down from Cecil and +boasted of his wealth, his horses, and +his slaves, swearing that he would win +her or no one would, the suitors stood +aside to see how he would fare with +this the proudest of Kent beauties. To +their dismay, he seemed to prosper +well, until one day there disembarked +from a vessel that came sailing up the +broad Chester a young gentleman of +distinguished appearance, who asked +his way to Radcliffe, the home of the +Nicholsons.</p> + +<p>"Now, the Nicholsons, as you +know," said Mr. Wilmer, "are Scotch, +and this young gentleman was Scotch, +for his accent betrayed him, and we,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +thinking he might be a cousin and have +brought news from over the water, welcomed +him, and showed him the way +to Radcliffe. He, though he was very +reserved, told us that he had indeed +come from over the sea, and bore a letter +to the Nicholsons, who were old +friends of his family, but of himself he +would say no more. And so, when he +strode off, we turned to Captain Hezekiah +Brown of the Maid of Perth, who +was a man who delighted to talk. From +him we learned that his name was Gordon, +and that there was a mystery about +him, as people suspected him of being +one of the young chiefs who had led +that famous clan in the recent rebellion +against the King. But this we held +not to his injury, for there were still +many lovers of the White Rose in the +fair province of Maryland, and we +afterward welcomed him the more +heartily for it. From the advent of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +the stranger the good fortune of James +Rodolph began to wane; for the rich +planter of the border, with his wild and +boisterous manners, was no match for +the Scottish cavalier. It is true that +he was penniless, but he was very handsome, +of distinguished manners and address, +and when it became known that +he was out in 'forty-five' the mantle +of romance that fell around Prince +Charles was shared as well by him, and +he became the hero of many a pair of +fair eyes.</p> + +<p>"James Rodolph soon saw this, and +his hatred grew from day to day, as his +rival became more successful. One day +there was a quarrel, and next morning, +upon the smooth, sandy shore of the +river, they met and fought it out. +Rodolph was fiery, quick, and fierce; +Gordon cool and steady; until Rodolph, +growing weary and desperate, tried a foul +and dangerous stroke, to find his rapier<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +flying through the air, to fall with a +splash into the river.</p> + +<p>"'I would not stain my blade by +killing you,' said Gordon; and turning +with the other gentlemen who had seen +the foul stroke, he walked away, leaving +him there.</p> + +<p>"And so it was that Rodolph came +back to Cecil with a blot upon his name, +and Gordon married the maid, and became +in time the owner of the Braes, +for she was an heiress as well as a great +beauty. From that time has grown the +feud which we may some day see the +end of. And that is why the people +laughed and Rodolph slunk away. For +the old story is known throughout the +shore, and Rodolph proved, in his +fight with you, the bad blood in his +veins. It never does to cross the white +blood with the red, for the treachery +of the Indian will taint the race for +generations."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thus it was, by the light of this old +tale of thirty years before, I saw and +read the cause and reason of it all—of +his fatal course, of our quarrel, and of +the meeting by the banks of the river +Elk.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE DEFIANCE OF THE TORY</h3> + + +<p>A few weeks later I was up and out, +fast gaining strength and courage for +the long ride to the northward to join +the gallant fellows of the Maryland +Line, who had taken up their line of +march soon after the accident befell me. +And though I was eager to be off, the +surgeon would not let me go, and so, +until I could gather strength for the +long journey, I served as best I could +my country and the commands of the +Committee of Public Safety sitting at +the Head of Elk. Thus it was I rode +one day by the side of Edward Veasey, +High Sheriff of the county of Cecil, +carrying the writ and command of the +Committee of Public Safety to Charles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +Gordon of the Braes, now a suspected +Tory and a malcontent. And as I rode +by the side of the High Sheriff on this +most unpleasant task, I longed to turn +back and let the Sheriff ride on alone; +but duty held me as a point of honour. +For as it was, I was carrying I knew +not what ruin and destruction to the +roof of the very house that once had +received me as a guest and that sheltered +the fairest eyes that had ever gazed in +mine. And now I was to appear before +that house as the bearer of ill-tidings. +Ah, duty often wears a gruesome countenance; +yet it is a sign of courage to +face this duty down, and I sat more +firmly in my saddle and rode nearer to +the High Sheriff. He was a stern and +determined man; he was short of stature, +stout of frame, and sat his powerful +horse like the fox-hunter that he was. +But, though it was the height of summer, +and the hills and the forests were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +green, the air laden with the odour of +flowers, and the streams full and rushing, +there was anything but a smile on +the High Sheriff's face. For though +he was no friend to Gordon of the +Braes, he liked not the errand on which +he rode, and would gladly have turned +his horse's head with me.</p> + +<p>"If they want to fight," said he to +me, "why don't they join the Maryland +Line and leave men alone who are disposed +to be quiet? They will have +enough to do in repulsing the redcoats, +and should not stir up opposition in the +rear of our armies, which this persecution +of private individuals will certainly +do. I wish some other carried this +writ, and I was with the lads fighting +in the North."</p> + +<p>"Aye, so do I, but it is the order of +the committee," said I grimly.</p> + +<p>"True, and as such must be obeyed."</p> + +<p>We had come to where the ferry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +crosses the Elk, and hailing it we were +soon on the south bank and taking up +again the road that leads to the Braes. +Over the hills and dales of Cecil, the +forest, streams, and rivers, the soft warm +sunlight played, and nature blessed +with lavish hand the harvest of the +year. Seldom had she been more +pleasing, the earth bursting with flowers +and the very trees welcoming with +outstretched arms the soft breezes wafted +from the bay. And then, after some +hours' travelling, we came to the Braes +and I saw again the long rambling +house amid the trees. I took a firmer +grip upon my sense of duty and rode +on. The clatter of our horses' hoofs as +we rode up to the door announced us. +A moment later Charles Gordon came +through the open doorway on to the +porch. Though I had seen him before, +it seemed to me, as I saw him standing +there, with the memory of the old tale<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +in my mind, that I saw not the Tory, +but one of those figures of romance that +stepped out from the mystery and the +haze of the North, when Prince Charles +raised his standard in the Highlands, +one of those heroic men who drew +swords with Wallace and with Bruce, +rallied with Montrose, and went to +death with a cheer behind Bonnie +Dundee at Killiecrankie, of such gallant +bearing and bold and open countenance +was he.</p> + +<p>"What brings you here, Mr. Sheriff, +riding so fast?"</p> + +<p>"I come, Charles Gordon of the +Braes," replied the Sheriff, "to serve +on you the writ and summons of the +Committee of Public Safety." And +here he unfolded the summons and read +aloud, sitting on his horse as he was:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>Whereas</i>, Great complaints have this day +been made against Charles Gordon of the +Braes, for that he has infamously reflected on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +the membership of this Committee and the +deputies of this county who lately attended +the Provincial Convention,</p> + +<p>"These are therefore requiring the said +Charles Gordon of the Braes that he appear +before this Committee, at the house of Thomas +Savin at the Head of Elk, to-morrow at two +o'clock <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>, to answer unto said complaints.</p> + +<p>"Hereto fail not on your peril.</p></div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="smcap">"James Rodolph</span>, Chairman.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">"To Charles Gordon</span> of the Braes."<br /> +</p></div> + +<p>Then spoke Charles Gordon:</p> + +<p>"Go tell those who sent you, Mr. +Sheriff, that if they wish to see Charles +Gordon they will have to come to the +Braes to do so; that I will give them a +right warm welcome, as my plantation +is large enough to hold them all; but +that if any of their rascally crew dare to +approach the house, there will be lives +lost; for I say to you, Mr. Sheriff, as I +have said before and will say again, that +James Rodolph and his committee are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +a set of infamous scoundrels, who have +usurped such power and authority in +troublous times as the King himself +would not dare to claim. Tell them +that I am at their defiance, that I do +not recognise their authority, and that +I have as much contempt for them as I +have for their dogs."</p> + +<p>The old gentleman, for he must have +been nearly sixty, looked splendid in +his wrath, as he denounced the Committee +of Public Safety. The ring in +his voice told that the ire of the Scot +was rising.</p> + +<p>For an instant the High Sheriff hesitated, +as if he would turn and go, but +then he said:</p> + +<p>"Charles Gordon, I spoke to you a +moment ago as an officer of the law. I +speak to you now as one who does not +wish you an injury. Obey the order +of the committee, and I will see that +you have fair speech before it. Refuse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +and you will be declared a traitor and +an outlaw, and the edict will go forth +through all the province that no man +shall buy of you, that no man shall sell +to you, and he that shows you kindness +will become an outlaw like yourself."</p> + +<p>Charles Gordon laughed.</p> + +<p>"Do you think I care a snap of a +finger for their edict? There has not +been a generation of my family that +has not been at the Horn at Edinburgh +for high treason. Do you think that I +care when my neck has been on the +block for the part I took at Preston +Pans and Culloden? Go frighten the +children with their edicts, but not an +old Scot who has seen the claymores +flash and led the charge for the King +who is over the sea."</p> + +<p>"If you fought against the father, +why not against the son?"</p> + +<p>"A fair question deserves a fair answer. +When my head was on the block<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +my life was saved by the intercession of +the Duchess of Gordon, but upon conditions, +and those conditions are these: +That I should nevermore bear arms +against the King, that I should leave +the realm of Scotland, sail across the +sea to the province of Maryland, there +remain and never return. So, though +I love not the King nor his race, I will +not draw sword against him, for never +yet has a Gordon broken faith with +friend or foe. Yet for all that I will +not take up arms for the King's cause +unless I am forced to do so by such +rascals as compose your Committee of +Public Safety."</p> + +<p>"So be it, then, but I wish it were +otherwise," said the Sheriff; and, turning, +we rode away, leaving him standing +there. As I entered the woods I +looked back again, my eyes searching +every window in the old house, but +never a sign of the Tory maid did I see.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE BLACK COCKADE</h3> + + +<p>It was two o'clock next day when we +rode up to the house where the Committee +of Public Safety held its meetings, +dismounted, and entered the room. +Six gentlemen sat at the long table, and +the room was crowded with hangers-on. +They were men who stayed behind +while the others went to the war; they +fought the fight with their tongues, +with writs of forfeiture for high treason, +became great statesmen, and in time +aspired to become members of the committee. +How the worthy High Sheriff +regarded them could be seen by the +manner in which he brushed past them +to stand before the committee.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What right have you to talk of +liberty and of freedom, if you will not +fight for it? Why are you not with +Howard, Gist, Smallwood, and the +other heroes who are making the name +of the Maryland Line ring through the +army?" he would ask, and they would +turn away.</p> + +<p>The burly form and dark, swarthy +face of the Chairman dominated the +committee. As we entered and stood +before him his dark eyes flashed.</p> + +<p>"Do you bring the body of Charles +Gordon with you?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"No; I do not. I bring his defiance, +instead;" and the High Sheriff +delivered the message of Charles Gordon +to the committee.</p> + +<p>The committee glanced from one to +another, and there was a big stir in the +room. Then the Chairman was on his +feet.</p> + +<p>"By a thousand devils," he swore,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +"Charles Gordon shall suffer for this. +I will not stop until the Braes is razed +to the ground, and I have driven him +from the province. He is a Tory and +a traitor, and a danger to the peace of +the county. He will be up in arms +next. Mr. Sheriff, summon a posse +and ride to the Braes and bring us the +body of Charles Gordon, dead or +alive."</p> + +<p>"You will not accept the invitation +to go to the Braes yourself, then?" +asked the High Sheriff gravely, though +there was the suggestion of a smile +around the corners of his mouth.</p> + +<p>The Chairman hesitated. "No," +he said; "it is absolutely necessary for +the welfare of the county of Cecil that +we should remain where we are and not +engage in any brawls or tumults, for if +we are killed who will take our places?"</p> + +<p>"That is true," said the High +Sheriff ironically, "but have you <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>considered, +gentlemen, that Charles Gordon's +wife was of the Nicholsons of +Kent, who, as you know, are the leaders +of the patriots in that county? How +will they like it when they hear of your +burnings and your razings?"</p> + +<p>The Chairman frowned. "You are +right," he said; "we must proceed +about it in a legal way, which is slow +but sure. Mr. Clerk, institute proceedings +against Charles Gordon for +the forfeiture of his lands for high treason, +and meanwhile we will publish +him throughout the province as a Tory +and a traitor. We will teach this +Charles Gordon and all Tories what +it means to contemn the authority +and dignity of this province and its +committee."</p> + +<p>And then applause broke out from +the crowd; but the High Sheriff, who +left the room with me, shrugged his +shoulders and said: "If they had half<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +of the courage of that Scot they would +not be loafing around here, applauding +James Rodolph. I am tired of it; I +am going to resign and go to the front." +He was as good as his word, for that +very day he resigned the office of High +Sheriff of the county of Cecil, packed +his saddle-bags, gathered some volunteers +about him, and rode away to the +North, becoming in time a noted officer. +But it was not until the month of +August of that year that I was ready to +follow him and felt equal to the length +of the journey. On the night of the +day before I took my departure I called +John Cotton and ordered him to saddle +Toby.</p> + +<p>John Cotton received the order with +wide-open eyes, as it was growing somewhat +late.</p> + +<p>"Fo' de Lord's sake, Mars Jim, what +do you want Toby fo'? It's after ten +o'clock."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ask no questions, you black rascal, +and bring Toby around in a hurry."</p> + +<p>Then his eyes fell on a cluster of red +roses on my table, and a broad grin +crept from ear to ear.</p> + +<p>"Sartin, Mars Jim, sartin;" and he +was out of the door before my flying +boot could repay the impertinence of +that grin. A few minutes later I +slipped out of the house to the stables, +and, mounting Toby, was soon riding +out of the silent town, having hit that +rascal John Cotton across the shoulders +with my whip for the snickering laugh +he could not restrain as I was riding off.</p> + +<p>Have you ever ridden by the silent +river after the night has fallen, and +when it is far advanced? The great +trees, rising far above you like the +vaulted arch of a cathedral, overhanging +the path down which you ride; the +smooth flowing waters of the river, the +towering dark mass on the farther shore,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +and over all the glorious moon shining +down flooding everything with its silvery +light, weird and fantastic, glinting +now like polished steel upon the waters, +now deepening the shadows of the +forest, or flooding again with its glorious +radiance some wide and sweeping +stretch of water. And then, the unearthly +silence of it all, the mournful +howl of the wolf in the hills, and the +piercing shrill cry of the wildcat, like +that of a child tortured by the demons +of hell; then the horror of its beauty, +its stillness and its loneliness, comes +over you; nervous chills become distinctly +apparent, and you put spurs to +your horse and ride on more rapidly, +and the night is broken first by your +whistle and then by your song. So it +was, as I rode by the banks of the Elk, +that night in early August, and my +voice rang across the waters, as I sang +the old Highland ballad:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The Gordons cam', and the Gordons ran,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And they were stark and steady,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And aye the word among them a'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Was, Gordons, keep you ready.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>A ballad that I heard a young girl +sing one day not long before. Thus +the length of my ride passed quickly +away until Toby felt the soft grass +under his feet as I rode silently across +the lawn. Her window was high, it is +true, but it was open to admit the +fresh, cool breeze from the bay, and +then I had not thrown quoits in my +youth not to be able to surmount so +small a difficulty. So I fastened a +black cockade amid the blood-red of +the roses, and, rising in my stirrups, +threw them firmly and gently, and saw +them rise in the air, top the window-sill, +and fall with a slight thud upon +the floor. I did not wait for more, +but turned and rode away; but it +seemed to me that as I gained the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +shadow of the forest and looked back I +saw the faint suggestion of a girlish +form standing at the open window. I +looked once again and rode on.</p> + +<p>When morning came, I bade good-bye +to my mother, mounted my black colt +Toby, and rode away to join the Maryland +Line, which was marching now +from Boston, to meet the British before +New York. As that day I crossed the +line into the province of Delaware, I +saw nailed to a great oak the proclamation +of the Committee of Public Safety, +denouncing Charles Gordon as a Tory +and a traitor, and calling upon all persons +to have no dealings with him, +either in public or private, at their peril. +And thus it was at every cross-roads +in the county of Cecil, and in all the +counties to the south and west, the +edict had gone forth.</p> + +<p>Now in Maryland, as I have said +before, we love, above all else, courage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +in a man, and so I rode under the oak, +and tore down the proclamation, for I +knew the courage of Charles Gordon, +Tory though he was. I knew also that +the proceedings of forfeiture had been +instituted against him in the High +Court of the Province, and that ere I +set foot on the soil of Maryland again, +he would be driven from the province, +and it was for this that I paid this +courtesy to the courage of an enemy, +as I left my native plains behind me.</p> + +<p>It was a long road for a lad, but the +people received me with open arms and +urged me on when I told them whither +I was riding. After several days of +travelling along the shore of the Delaware +and across the low-lying plains of +New Jersey, I came to the banks of +the Hudson, and saw across the water +the great city of New York, its clustering +houses and steeples. And then it +was not long before I was on the ferry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +that conveyed me across the river, and +heard the sharp ring of the pavement +under my horse's feet as I rode toward +the great common where lay the encampment +of the troops. It was near +twelve o'clock when I came to the camp +of the patriots and asked my way of +an officer to the quarters of the Maryland +Line.</p> + +<p>"You must be a stranger," he said, +"or you would know that the Maryland +Line always has the place of honour in +the camp;" and he showed me where +their quarters lay.</p> + +<p>I felt aglow with pride when I heard +this tribute to my countrymen. I +thanked him and rode on. A few +minutes later I was among them. The +great voice of the Captain was giving +me greeting; Dick Ringgold's hand +was on my shoulder, as he took charge +of me; and many of my kith and kin, +old friends and neighbours who belonged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +to that famous corps, came forward to +greet and welcome me to the camp. +Thus, after many days of sickness and +of travel, I took my place among the +men who were about to face the great +storm. True, at the time quiet reigned +all along our front, which lay over beyond +the heights of Brooklyn; but hot +work was soon expected, as the British +fleet had been seen in the offing, and it +was only a question of time when the +army would be landed and the attack +begun.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE RED TIDE OF BLOOD</h3> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Spruce Macaronies, and pretty to see,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tidy and dapper and gallant were we;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Blooded, fine gentlemen, proper and tall,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bold in a fox-hunt and gay at a ball;<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Tralara! Tralara! now praise we the Lord,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For the clang of His call and the flash of His sword.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tralara! Tralara! now forward to die;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For the banner, hurrah! and for sweethearts, good-bye!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">J<small>OHN</small> W<small>ILLIAMSON</small> P<small>ALMER</small>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<p>It was on the 22d day of August +that the rumour flew through the camp +that the enemy had landed and was +preparing to attack. But the hours +flew by, and still no orders came, until +the Line became restless, and the fear +grew that the fight would begin before +we could reach the field of battle. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +sun began to sink over the Heights of +Harlem when an aide rode into our +lines. It was Tench Tilghman, who +swung his hat and shouted as he went +by: "You will have warm work in a +day or two, boys!"</p> + +<p>We gave him a yell in reply, and +started with renewed interest the preparations +for the coming fight. A few +minutes later came the orders that we +were to march at dawn. The men +received the news joyfully, and it was +wonderful to see the change in their +bearing; for while the doubt hung +over them, they were restless and +murmuring was heard all through the +camp; but now all was laughter and +gaiety. They prepared for the fight as +one would prepare for the next county +ball or a fox-hunt on the morrow.</p> + +<p>The stirring notes of the bugle ringing +over the camp brought me to my +feet with a bound, and I looked out of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +the tent to see a heavy mist over everything, +and hear the sound of men's +voices coming through it all around +me. It does not take a soldier long +to don his uniform, and I was soon out +attending to my duties. At seven +o'clock we were on our march to the +ferry, crossing the East River at the +foot of the main street of the small +town of Brooklyn; then we took a +road leading over a creek called Gowanus, +and knew that we were marching +to guard the right of the American +line. Low-lying hills, heavily wooded, +lay before us; it was in these woods +that our line was called to a halt, and +we took up our position for the battle. +We lay there several days, with +constant rumours flying through the +camp of the enemy's advance, but yet +they would not come.</p> + +<p>It was on the morning of the 27th +of August that the great battle of Long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +Island, so disastrous for the patriot +forces, broke upon us. The scattering +shots of the skirmishers first made us +spring to arms; then the sharp rattle +of the musketry of Atlee's men and +the boom of Carpenter's cannon on our +immediate right told that the enemy +was pushing them hard. Then through +the forest trees came the line of the +British advance. The fire extended +along our whole front, while far over, +to our left came the distant roar of +cannon and musketry.</p> + +<p>"They are having a hot time over +there," said Dick, "but why don't +these fellows charge us?"</p> + +<p>"They will charge us soon enough," +I replied. But it seemed as if they +never would, for what promised to be +an attack along our whole line dwindled +down to a mere exchange of shots. +Hour after hour went by, and yet they +never advanced beyond a certain point<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +except when a company or so would +dash forward and a sharp skirmish would +break forth for a moment or two, and +then die away again. But far over to +our left the sound of the battle came +rolling nearer and nearer, telling the +tale of Sullivan's men being driven in.</p> + +<p>"I do not like that," said Dick. +"They are doing all the fighting, while +we are merely exchanging courtesies +with our friends six hundred yards +away. Hello! There comes news."</p> + +<p>I looked behind us to a small hill, +where Lord Stirling stood with his staff, +and saw Tench Tilghman riding up at +full speed. There was a hurried movement +among the staff, and Stirling's +glasses swept the country to our left +and rear. A moment later an order +was given and the aides came dashing +down our lines, and then, to our disgust, +came the order to retire.</p> + +<p>"Retreat!" cried one of the men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +"Why, we haven't begun to fight +yet!"</p> + +<p>"Steady, men," cried Captain Ramsay; +"you form the rear guard and +must hold the enemy in check," for +they were beginning to advance as the +regiments on each side of us withdrew. +Then we began slowly to withdraw, but +there came an aide riding swiftly to +Major Gist. Pennsylvania and Delaware +regiments took our place in the +rear, and we were marched rapidly to +the front. The heavy woods had heretofore +prevented our seeing what was +taking place, but now that we had +come out to the opening a wild scene +of terror and dismay lay before us. +Gowanus Creek, deep and unfordable, +with its sullen tide rising fast, lay +like a great ugly serpent across our +path, while over the meadow and far in +our front the broken streams of fugitives +were swarming, flying toward the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +bridge at the mill, the only hope of crossing +Gowanus Creek. And as I looked, +to my horror, the mill and the bridge +burst into flames, catching the routed +army as it were between the rising tide +and the advancing legions of the victorious +English. Then, as we watched +it, a rumour grew and spread through +the ranks, as such things will in battle, +that a New England Colonel had fired +the bridge to save himself and his regiment. +How we cursed New England +then, and swore that if we ever escaped +we would have our reckoning with her +and her people.</p> + +<p>"There they come!" cried Dick at +my side, pointing to where a large +stone house crowned a hill immediately +in the rear and commanded the whole +field of the terror-stricken fugitives.</p> + +<p>I saw the brilliant scarlet of their +coats as they took possession of the +hill and prepared to open fire.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They will have to be driven from +there or we are lost," I answered.</p> + +<p>Then, as the prospect looked the +darkest and the long line of the British +formed to make their last advance, +Lord Stirling rode up to our line.</p> + +<p>"Men of Maryland!" he shouted, +"charge that hill, hold Cornwallis in +check and save the army!"</p> + +<p>We answered with a yell, as he +sprang from his horse to lead us.</p> + +<p>Ah, I shall never forget the pride +with which we stepped out of the mass +of flying fugitives, four hundred Marylanders, +the greatest dandies and bluest +blood in all the army, for this, the +proudest service of the day. We +formed for the charge as if on the drill +ground; our evolutions and lines were +perfect, and would have done credit +to the grenadiers of the later empire. +Stirling's sword was in the air, the +drums were beating the charge, when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +there broke from the throats of our +Marylanders the wild, thrilling yell of +the southern provinces, and we leaped +to the charge up the long hill, straight +into the face of Cornwallis's army, a +handful against thousands. Up, up the +hill we dashed. A fire as of hell broke +upon us and rattled and roared about +our ears, thinning our ranks and strewing +our pathway with the dead. Men +fell to the right and to the left of me, +and I strode across the bodies of the +slain in my path; but still, over the +roar of the cannon and the rattle of +musketry, high and shrill rose the yell +of the charging line. We swept up +the hill, the crest was gained, and the +British fell back before us, when we +were met by a sheet of flame, a storm +of lead and smoke and fire. We were +raised as it were in the air and held +there gasping for breath, and then we +were swept back down the hill, struggling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +desperately to gain a foothold to +make a stand.</p> + +<p>Again we saw Stirling glance over +the meadow and the marsh behind us +as we re-formed our line. His voice +came ringing down our ranks.</p> + +<p>"Once again, men of Maryland."</p> + +<p>Once again! Aye, we knew how to +answer that call, for the bodies of our +comrades lay dotting the long hillside.</p> + +<p>"Once again, and charge home!" +cried Ramsay.</p> + +<p>We sprang to the charge, and wilder, +shriller, fiercer, more terrible, rose the +yell—the yell of vengeance that seemed +to pick the line up bodily and hurl it +up the hill through the scorching, blistering +storm and hail of lead, fire, and +smoke. I remembered naught till the +crest was gained, and Edward Veasey crying, +"Charge home! Charge home!" +and we dashed in upon the scarlet line. +Ah me, for a moment, then it was glorious,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +as steel met steel, and we drove +them, ten times our number, back, and +rolled them up against the house and +forced them off the plain. And then +our hands were on the ugly muzzles of +the guns, and Edward Veasey, springing +on the carriage, cheered on his men. +But ere it had died on his lips, so desperate +was the struggle, the English Captain +of the guns fired, and Veasey fell. I was +but a dozen steps away, and, seeing +Veasey fall, I dashed through the press +of bayonets to where the English Captain +fought.</p> + +<p>"Another one!" he cried, as we met +face to face.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and the last;" and our swords +met.</p> + +<p>"No time for that!" cried a voice +at my side; then there was a flash, and +the Englishman fell back into the arms +of his men, and the guns were won for +an instant. But only for an instant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +Our men melted away under the storm +of lead from the Cortelyou house, and +the weight of the advancing regiments +forced us back to the crest of the hill. +Then slowly, step by step, down the +hill they forced us, until we rested once +more at its foot.</p> + +<p>But still the meadow, the marsh, and +the creek were black with the mass of +flying men seeking eagerly, desperately +to escape, while between them and the +victorious British stretched the ranks +of the Maryland Line, now sadly +thinned, for one-third of our men were +dyeing the long dank grass with their +blood. But that line, thin as it was, +closed up the wide gaps in the ranks +with as jaunty a step and as gallant a +carriage as when they first stepped out +for the charge. Their faces looked +grim, it is true, for with the smoke and +the fire, and the blood and the dust, the +genius of battle had sketched thereon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> + +<p>For a few minutes we rested at the +foot of the hill, for we knew that our +work was not half done, and until the +last fugitive was over Gowanus Creek +we must check the British advance. A +glance from Lord Stirling told us to +charge, as he pointed up the long hill +with his sword.</p> + +<p>Again there came the answering yell, +the requiem for many a gallant soul, +and the line once more swung forward +to breast the hill. Up the long hill +we toiled again, straight into the teeth +of the fire.</p> + +<p>Again we gained the crest and fought +them, man to man; again by weight of +numbers they forced us off the crest, +and sent us staggering, reeling down +the hill, desperate now.</p> + +<p>Yet again Lord Stirling called on us +to follow, and yet again we charged +them home.</p> + +<p>Men lay wounded, men lay dying,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +all across the long hillside, and more +than half our number were dead or +sorely stricken.</p> + +<p>Yet it was for a fifth time that Stirling's +voice rang clear, over the roar of +the battle, and for the fifth time we +picked up the gauge of their challenge, +and swept forward in the charge.</p> + +<p>Thus for the last time we reached the +crest, and for one heroic moment held +our own, and then came reeling back +from the shock. And, as I was carried +down the hill with the retreating line, I +saw the tall figure of Lord Stirling +standing upright and alone amid the +storm of bullets, courting death and +disdaining to retreat.</p> + +<p>"To the rescue of Lord Stirling," I +cried to the few soldiers who were +around me. Dick, who was near, +echoed my shout, and we dashed forward, +determined to bring him off by +force if no other way could be found.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> + +<p>But we had not advanced a dozen +yards before every man that was with us +had fallen and only Dick and I reached +Lord Stirling, who was calmly awaiting +the end.</p> + +<p>"The day is lost, my lord," I cried, +"but we have yet time to save you."</p> + +<p>"Save yourselves, lads," he replied; +"you have done everything that men +can do, but it remains for me either to +die or surrender."</p> + +<p>"My lord," I cried; but at this +moment Dick reeled. "Struck, by +George!" he exclaimed, and I caught +him as he fell.</p> + +<p>"See to your comrade," said Lord +Stirling; "you have yet time to escape."</p> + +<p>So, throwing Dick's arms around my +neck, for there was no time to parley +under that rain of lead, I bore him +quickly down the hill.</p> + +<p>But our work had not been in vain, +for as a soldier came to my assistance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +I saw that the last of the +fugitives had reached the other side, +and the army for the moment was +saved.</p> + +<p>And so, when we reached the banks +of Gowanus Creek, we formed in line +once more and gave a parting yell of +defiance; then, turning, we plunged into +the creek and swam to the other side, +while the shot and grape from the English +on the hill tore across the whole +surface of the water.</p> + +<p>Dick was badly wounded, but, with +the soldier's assistance, I swam with him +across the creek and bore him safely +out of the range of the fire.</p> + +<p>Ah, it was but a shadow of our former +line when we formed once more, but the +great General himself came to thank us, +and that shadow of a line was worth +a thousand men.</p> + +<p>Thereafter we claimed as our own the +post of honour in advance or in retreat;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +during the famous march on the night +after the battle, and in the retreat to +White Plains, we formed the rear guard, +and the army felt secure.</p> + +<p>There came a breathing time one day +during the retreat, and the General rode +up to our lines. We greeted him with +the yell he loved to hear, for it brought +back to him the Southland and the +hunting fields of Old Virginia.</p> + +<p>Then he told our officers that he +wanted us to pick out the youngest of +our line to carry a special despatch to +the Committee of Public Safety, sitting +at Annapolis, announcing the battle and +the famous part we had taken therein. +The choice fell on me, as poor Dick +was groaning in the hospital, but luckily +out of danger from his wound.</p> + +<p>"Well, my boy, how old are you?" +said the General, smiling down upon +me, as I saluted.</p> + +<p>"Eighteen, General."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you think you can carry this +safely?"</p> + +<p>"I was in the charge at Gowanus +Ford, General," said I modestly.</p> + +<p>"I see," laughed the General, "you +are a true Marylander. I wish I had +more of you in the army."</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>THE HARRYING OF THE TORY</h3> + + +<p>I was soon riding southward, the +bearer of the message from General +Washington to the Council of Safety, sitting +at Annapolis; and as I rode, the +people hailed me for my news, and gave +me food and drink, so I could hurry on.</p> + +<p>At last I reached the borders of +Maryland, and again rode under the +old oak from which I had torn the +proclamation. It was only a few weeks +before, and I wondered what had been +the fate of Charles Gordon.</p> + +<p>So, as I rode through the Head of +Elk late that afternoon and came to +the ferry there, I asked the boatman +what they had done with him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Forfeiture has been decreed," he +answered, "and the new High Sheriff +and James Rodolph have gone to-day +with a posse and many men to root the +traitor out."</p> + +<p>"How long ago did they start?"</p> + +<p>"About an hour."</p> + +<p>"What road did they take?"</p> + +<p>"The river road. They expect to +reach there about nine o'clock. Jupiter! +I'd like to be there and see the flames +reddening the sky. It will be a grand +sight." He looked longingly through +the forest toward the Braes.</p> + +<p>"Something else will be dyed crimson, +if I know that Tory right."</p> + +<p>"That there will be, sir; it will be +a lovely scrimmage;" and he sighed at +the lost opportunity.</p> + +<p>The boat grounded on the south +bank, and I mounted Toby.</p> + +<p>"A pleasant ride, sir."</p> + +<p>"Thanks; good-night."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Toby," said I, as I patted his neck, +"you have travelled many a mile to-day, +old fellow; but you will have to +cover the ground to-night as you never +covered it before. They have an hour's +start, and we have a longer distance to +go; so double your legs under you, my +boy, and go."</p> + +<p>Toby rising to the occasion, and the +spirit of old Ranter proving true, he +broke into the long even gallop that +makes the miles pass swiftly. It was +a race against time, against James Rodolph +and his crew. I knew if once +they gained the Braes, black death would +stalk among the ruins, for Charles Gordon +would never surrender.</p> + +<p>The night fell rapidly as we raced +along and the miles flew by.</p> + +<p>As Toby and I drew near Bohemia +Manor, where the road joined the one +on which the posse was marching, I +reined him in and rode more cautiously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +It was well that I did so, for as I +approached I heard the low murmur +of men's voices and saw their figures in +the dim light as they were marching +by.</p> + +<p>I brought Toby to a halt. The +road was cut off that way, so I wheeled +him around to ride back a short distance +to where the road skirted the +open fields of Bohemia Manor. As +Toby plunged forward in answer to my +spur, I heard a cry and then a shot +came whistling by. But I left them +behind, and coming to the open fields, +I put Toby at the fence and raced +across the open country, through the +lower fields to the Braes, Toby taking +the fences in his stride.</p> + +<p>Then I dashed once more across the +green lawn of the Braes and drew my +sword hilt across the shutter.</p> + +<p>There was a stir in the room above +me; the shutter was cautiously opened<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +and I was covered by the muzzle +of a pistol.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" demanded a voice +which I knew to be Charles Gordon's.</p> + +<p>"James Frisby of Fairlee," I replied. +"I have ridden to warn you, +Mr. Gordon. You have only a few +minutes to escape in; James Rodolph, +with a hundred men behind him, will +be here in ten minutes."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, lad, for the information. +I will give them a warm +reception."</p> + +<p>"But you cannot hold the Braes +against a hundred men; they will burn +you out, and then Mistress Jean."</p> + +<p>"Hum; that is so, lad. Ride round +to the rear of the house."</p> + +<p>I did so, and a moment later, they +came out on the little porch. The old +gentleman had buckled on his sword, +and there were pistols in his belt. And +she, ah! she never looked more <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>bewitching. +Her beautiful hair flowed +wild about her shoulders, over the light +dark mantle in which she was wrapped. +By the flicker of the candle, I saw that +a bright flush mantled her cheek, as +she spoke rapidly.</p> + +<p>"Father, there is an English vessel +a few miles down the bay. Call the +slaves and escape to it."</p> + +<p>"But I cannot take you there."</p> + +<p>"I will carry her through the lines," +I cried, "and see her safe in the hands +of her aunt in Kent."</p> + +<p>They hesitated, but the noise in +front of the house told of the approaching +mob, and there was no time for +parley. So, true to my race, I acted +quickly, and stooping from my saddle I +caught her up gently and placed her +on Toby before me.</p> + +<p>"It is the only chance, lad. See +that you carry her safely."</p> + +<p>"I will carry her through or die," I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +replied with deep conviction. At the +touch of the spur Toby sprang forward +under his double burden.</p> + +<p>"The creek," she cried.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but we can swim it."</p> + +<p>Indeed it was our only way, as the +mob blocked the other roads of escape, +so we rode boldly in and swam for the +other side. The creek was several +hundred yards wide, but Toby bore +us bravely until we reached the southern +shore, then he plunged forward, +threw himself up the bank, and we +were out of immediate danger.</p> + +<p>There we halted for a moment under +the shadow of a great tree and looked +back across the water.</p> + +<p>We heard the sound of many voices, +the howling of the mob, and through +the trunks of the trees flickered the +glare of the torches. Suddenly shots +rang out, a cry of dismay and rage +followed, and then the flash of guns<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +and a rattling volley crashed around +the house.</p> + +<p>"By Jove, he is fighting it out!" +But the slender figure on my arm +trembled, and I saw that her face was +white through the darkness.</p> + +<p>"He will escape, Mistress Jean," I +said reassuringly; "trust an old Highlander +for that." And I saw that her +eyes were bright and tense, watching +the scene across the water.</p> + +<p>"There he goes," she exclaimed joyfully; +and there, gliding swiftly through +the waters, where the shadow of the +trees made the darkness more intense, +was a long low boat rowed by stalwart +slaves. The sound of the oars was +drowned by the clamour of the mob.</p> + +<p>"If he passes the neck," I exclaimed, +"he will be safe;" for the creek narrowed +at its mouth until it was but a +hundred yards wide.</p> + +<p>"Ride quick to the point," she said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + +<p>So Toby plunged forward again at +the pressure of my knees, and though +he still went gallantly on, I could tell +that the strain and the toil of the long +march from the north, and his dash +from the Head of Elk, were beginning +to tell on him.</p> + +<p>At last we reached the mouth of the +creek, and I brought Toby to a halt +under the shadow of a clump of trees, +where we could see and yet not be +seen. I glanced for a moment out +over the waters of the bay, and I +saw, several miles to the southward, +the gleam of a light as it fell on the +waves; I knew it was the English +man-of-war.</p> + +<p>But Mistress Jean's eyes were eagerly +searching the waters of the creek, and +she was straining her ears to catch the +sound of the oars. Then we were rewarded. +For at that moment we heard +the long sweep of the oars in the water,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +and out from the mouth of the creek +came the boat, the brawny negroes +bending to their task.</p> + +<p>The commanding figure of the old +Tory stood in the stern, looking back +up the creek whence they came. Unconsciously +my glance followed his, and +I saw that the sky was crimson, and +high above the tree-tops the flames +licked the skies.</p> + +<p>"The Braes!" I exclaimed, and +Mistress Jean was about to call out, +when there came the sound of galloping +hoofs on the other side. A horseman +dashed into view, and rode into +the water up to the saddle-girths. +There was a flash, and the crack of a +pistol broke the stillness of the night; +then with a gesture of rage, the horseman +rose in his stirrups and hurled the +pistol far over the water; we heard the +splash as it fell.</p> + +<p>Then the figure in the boat raised<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +his clenched hand and shook it at the +horseman and the flames.</p> + +<p>"You fired too quick, Mr. Rodolph," +said the ferryman.</p> + +<p>"Yes, damn him, he has escaped." +He turned his horse and rode into the +darkness, while a soft voice whispered +in my ear,—</p> + +<p>"Thank God."</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY</h3> + + +<p>The sun had risen when we came +once more in view of the groves of +Fairlee. Toby's pace had degenerated +into a walk, as if not to disturb the fair +burden he bore, for she, overcome with +fatigue and excitement, was quietly +sleeping with her head on my shoulder. +Toby picked his way like a dancing-master, +and though the road was +rough, never once did he stumble; he +still bore himself gallantly for the old +House of Fairlee. Ah! Toby, that +road was miles too short for your master. +Willingly would he have ridden +thus, aye, until his hair had turned as +white as snow on his brows, until the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +hand that guided the reins became too +feeble to grasp them; aye, even unto +the end of time.</p> + +<p>But before us lay Fairlee, and beyond +that lay duty and the army. +"Look once more, my cavalier," said +I to myself; "look once more, for the +moments are short, and in the days to +come, in the dreary bivouacs and on +the long marches, when the world +seems bare and cold, the memory of +that sweet face will brighten up with +sunshine your existence and make it all +glorious again. Oh, hang it, here is +Fairlee!"</p> + +<p>"Mistress Jean," I whispered. I +was loath to wake her, but it had to be +done. "Mistress Jean!" I said, this +time louder, and she awoke with a +start. "This is Fairlee, and you can +rest here with my mother, while I push +on."</p> + +<p>"Fairlee? Why, where am I? Oh,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +I remember now. Did I go to sleep, +Mr. Frisby?"</p> + +<p>"You did, Mistress Jean."</p> + +<p>A quick, blush came.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she said, "how can I thank +you? I don't deserve——"</p> + +<p>"Ah, Mistress Jean, it is I who do +not deserve that pleasure. I would go +through a hundred fights to be able to +do it again; but you are tired, and I +will rouse the house."</p> + +<p>So, hammering on the door, I soon +brought John Cotton to it. His woolly +hair almost went straight on seeing me, +and he started back, for he thought he +saw my ghost.</p> + +<p>"Good Lord, Mars Jim," he stammered, +"does that be you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you black scamp." And I +soon convinced him of my real personality.</p> + +<p>"But, Mars Jim, who is dat you +got wid you? It ain't one of dem<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +Yankee ladies, is it?" For, I am +sorry to say, John Cotton did not approve +of the ladies in question, and +was afraid I would "disgrace de +family" if I married one of them. +Before I could answer I heard a glad +little cry, and there was my mother, +coming down the stairway of the great +hall.</p> + +<p>"How is my little lady?" said I, as +I picked her up and kissed her, and +then I introduced Mistress Jean to +her and told her of our adventure at +the Braes.</p> + +<p>Then my mother went up to her, +in her stately little way, and took her +hands in hers, and kissed and welcomed +her to the House of Fairlee.</p> + +<p>So they made friends with each +other then and there, as women do, +and my mother led her away, up the +broad stairs, and I stood looking after +them. Then I turned to my own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +room, and, throwing myself on the +bed, I slept the sleep of exhaustion +for many hours.</p> + +<p>When the hour of my awakening +came I sprang up, for there lay the +despatch which I was to bear to the +Council of Safety.</p> + +<p>Drawing on my riding-boots and +buckling on my sword, I called John +Cotton to bring my horse to the door, +for several miles lay between Fairlee +and Rock Hall, where the boat lay to +take me to Annapolis.</p> + +<p>I walked across to the hall and on +to the old porch, where I saw Mistress +Jean standing, gazing wistfully out on +the broad bay.</p> + +<p>"He is safe now, Mistress Jean."</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said with a sad smile, +"but when shall I ever see him +again?"</p> + +<p>"Just as soon as we whip them," I +replied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then it will never be," came her +retort.</p> + +<p>"Oh, ho! What will your uncle, +Captain Nicholson, say when he finds +he has such a fiery little Tory in his +house? He will have to give up chasing +the redcoats to suppress the Goddess +of Sedition in his own camp."</p> + +<p>But at this Mistress Jean gave her +head a toss and walked away to the +end of the porch.</p> + +<p>Then John Cotton brought the +horse to the steps.</p> + +<p>"Are you going so soon, Mr. +Frisby?"</p> + +<p>"I must," I answered; "I am a +bearer of despatches to the Council of +Safety. I would gladly desert my +trust to be your escort to Chestertown, +but—"</p> + +<p>"The honour of the House of +Fairlee stands in the way," said she +mockingly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not that, my lady," I replied, +bowing courteously, "but the fact that +I would fall even lower in your good +graces."</p> + +<p>"Well said, cavalier," she retorted, +with a sweeping courtesy. "'Tis a +pity that so fine a gentleman should be +a rebel."</p> + +<p>"Or so fair a maid a Tory."</p> + +<p>"Is this a minuet?" came the +laughing voice of my mother from the +door.</p> + +<p>"Nay, mother, I am only bidding +Mistress Jean good-bye with all due +ceremony."</p> + +<p>A few moments later I was in the +saddle, trotting slowly off, while behind +me fluttered their handkerchiefs, waving +good-bye.</p> + +<p>Rock Hall lies on a bluff, looking +out across the bay. To the southward +lies the Isle of Kent, with its fertile +fields of waving grain, and off there on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +the horizon the greenish ribbon near +the sky line tells where the hills of +Anne Arundel lay.</p> + +<p>Down below, under the bluff, lay a +long, slender boat, shaped like a canoe, +but much larger, stouter, stronger, and +far swifter, when the wind filled its sails +and carried it like a bird skimming over +the waters.</p> + +<p>"An English man-of-war is lying off +the Isle of Kent now," said the old +waterman in answer to my question, +"but we can walk all around her in this +boat."</p> + +<p>"Then we will start immediately," I +replied, and placing my things on board +we were soon under way.</p> + +<p>The wind caught our sails; we stood +out into the bay gloriously, and she +fairly flew through the water. As we +rounded the Isle of Kent we saw, lying +almost in our track, the English man-of-war, +lazily rolling with the tide.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then there was a great bustle on +board, and the sailors flew to the rigging, +the sails filled with the wind, and +through the port hole was run the ugly +muzzle of a Long Tom. The waterman +with me laughed merrily.</p> + +<p>"They think they can stop us," said +he, but he never altered his course.</p> + +<p>So we bore down on her until there +came a flash; a cannon ball came ricochetting +across the water, but fell short +by a hundred yards.</p> + +<p>The waterman chuckled. "That is +about the right distance," said he; and +the boat answering the helm, fairly +danced around his Majesty's representative, +always, by a saving grace, just +beyond cannon shot.</p> + +<p>And when his Majesty's ship actually +gave chase and sent a broadside after +our impertinent piece of baggage the +waterman fairly danced with delight and +led her a merry chase down the bay<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +until we were opposite Annapolis. +Then with a flirt of her sail we bade +them good-bye and ran for the mouth +of the Severn. Gaining that, we soon +passed the charred hulk of the Peggy +Stewart and ran up beside the wharf, +and I found myself walking the streets +of that gay little capital.</p> + +<p>It was growing somewhat late, but I +made my way at once to the State +House, where the Convention of the +Freemen of the Province sat, hoping +still to find them at their deliberations. +I paused for the moment when I came +to the foot of the knoll on which the +State House stands, for it had only +recently been completed, and was the +noblest building in America. Its massive +proportions towered high above +me, overawing the town at its feet, and +commanding the country for miles +around. But it was not a time for halting. +Hurrying up the long flights of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +steps, I found myself in the great lobby, +with its lofty ceilings and its air of +vastness.</p> + +<p>The Convention had adjourned but +a short time before, and the lobby was +still filled with men. As I threaded my +way through them my dusty uniform +and muddy boots marked me out as a +bearer of despatches.</p> + +<p>"News from the army—victory or +defeat?" cried eager voices around me. +Answer them I would not, but hurried +on to the room where sat the Council +of Safety, who held the fate and the +fortunes of the province in its hand and +was the heart and soul of the great +revolt.</p> + +<p>An usher stood at the door, but, seeing +my uniform, threw it wide open, +and, as I entered, softly swung it to +behind me. It was a lofty room in +which I found myself, with immense +windows looking out over the town and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> +the sweep of the waters of the bay to +the distant line of the eastern shore. A +long, broad table extended down the +centre of the room. Around it were +seated some sixteen or eighteen gentlemen. +Staid men and grave they were, +past the middle age of life, for the +younger men had gone to fight the battles +of the republic; men who were +fitted by experience to guide the province +through the stormy scenes of the +civil war.</p> + +<p>At their head sat a venerable gentleman +whom I knew to be Matthew +Tilghman, the patriarch of the Colony. +At his right hand sat a man of sturdy +build, ruddy countenance, and dark hair +and eyes, more like a prosperous planter +with many acres and numerous slaves +than the man who was soon to become +the Great War Governor of Maryland. +All down the table on either side sat +men with strong, determined faces,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +whose names bespoke the chieftainship +of many a powerful family. A movement +of interest ran down the table as +I entered and delivered to the venerable +Chairman the despatch. He broke +the seal with nervous fingers, and then +rising, read General Washington's despatch +aloud amid intense interest.</p> + +<p>"Battle," "defeat," "rout," "Cortelyou +House," "the Maryland Line." +"Good, I see the boys did their duty," +were among the many exclamations I +heard around the table and when the +despatch ended.</p> + +<p>"The bearer will describe the battle."</p> + +<p>They all turned to me, and Thomas +Johnson said: "Come, young gentleman, +tell us everything you saw and +heard."</p> + +<p>So I took my place by the Chairman +and told them of what I had seen and +done, amid many interruptions and +eager questions from the Council.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thus for a time, as I stood there, I +became a man of importance, telling the +tale of the battle, of the defeat and the +rout, of the fiery charges, the death, +the pain and the anguish of it all, until +long after the night had fallen. But an +end comes to all things, and Thomas +Johnson, laying his hand on my shoulder, +said:</p> + +<p>"Young gentleman, you must stay +with me to-night."</p> + +<p>I accepted gladly, for the inns were +crowded, and it was somewhat late in +the evening to find a friend to take me +in. We strolled across the State House +grounds under the soft September skies, +through the wide, dusty streets, until we +came to the future Governor's house. +Though it was late, we talked for yet +another hour, and then, with a cheery +good-night, I was shown to my room.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>THE VETO OF A MAID</h3> + + +<p>Ah, I am afraid the clean white +sheets, the soft springy bed, and the +balmy September air proved traitor to +me, after the hardships of a soldier's +life in the field, the rough bivouac, and +the hard ride from the North, for when +I awoke with a start, I found the sun +high in the heavens and the music of +birds coming through the open window +from the trees outside. Hurriedly +dressing, I opened my door and went +down the broad stairway into the old +hall. Everything was quiet, not a soul +was around. I wandered across the +hall and parlour, and there I stood for a +few minutes, looking out into the street, +when a merry burst of laughter across<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +the hall attracted my attention. The +door of the room opposite was slightly +ajar, and I saw that it was the library +of the house; so crossing the hall, I +gently rapped on the panel. A cheery +"Come in!" was my answer. I obeyed +the summons, threw the door open, and +entered.</p> + +<p>"Why, it is our feather-bed soldier," +came a merry voice from the broad +window-sill, where sat two young ladies. +A peal of ringing laughter followed; +for, indeed, I was somewhat non-plussed +to thus come upon two such +laughing, merry girls.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">One was dark, the other fair;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Both were sweet and debonair.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Indeed they were very pretty, sitting +there amid the quaint old surroundings, +the heavy old book-presses, with solid +oak doors, the wainscoting extending +to the ceiling, the broad window-seats,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +the green trees, and quiet garden beyond. +I knew at once that they must +be daughters of my host, Mistress +Polly and Mistress Betsy Johnson, at +that time the reigning belles of the +western shore.</p> + +<p>"Now I know what awaited me I +shall never forgive that feather-bed," +I replied, recovering from my confusion +and making my best bow. "I would +never have proved such a traitor to my +cloth."</p> + +<p>"That is better," said Mistress Polly, +the black-haired, dark-eyed one. "Come +and report to us, sir. Do you not know +that no officer returns from the army +who does not immediately report to us?"</p> + +<p>"I understand their alacrity in doing +so. I shall be among the first to obey +the order hereafter."</p> + +<p>"Then, sir, come tell us of the battle, +and what brought you hither so fast +that the mud is still upon your boots?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now, telling the account of the battle +to two charming young ladies, whose +bright eyes and eager faces told of the +interest they took in my narrative, was +a far different thing from telling the +same tale before the powerful Council +of Safety, and I am free to confess that +I enjoyed the last far more than the +first.</p> + +<p>Their exclamations and excited questions +spurred me on, and I drew the +picture of the battle with a stronger +hand and painted myself a hero, which +I am afraid I was far from being.</p> + +<p>But Mistress Betsy suddenly sat up +straight, exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Bless me, Polly, Mr. Frisby has not +had his breakfast, and here it is near ten +o'clock"—an outrageous late hour in +those days.</p> + +<p>At this both Mistress Polly and Mistress +Betsy sprang to their feet, and I +was duly conducted to the dining-room,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +where a delightful breakfast awaited me, +which I endeavoured to eat amid their +sallies and their questioning.</p> + +<p>We were having a very gay time of it, +when there came a heavy step through +the hall into the room, and a cheery +voice asked: "How is the soldier to-day? +In good hands, I see." It was +Thomas Johnson.</p> + +<p>"That he is, sir," I replied, rising, +"and he thoroughly enjoys it too."</p> + +<p>"Spoken like a soldier," replied our +future Governor, "and like a soldier you +must leave at once, for the Council desire +you to carry these despatches posthaste +to General Washington."</p> + +<p>"No; he shall not," cried Mistress +Polly, with a stamp of her foot. "He +has promised to drive our four-in-hand +to the races this afternoon, and I am not +going to let that Council of old fogies +rob us of the only soldier in town who +has seen service for at least one day."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So that is the way the wind blows," +said her father, pinching her cheek and +laughing. "I will tell the great Council +of Public Safety that they have been +overruled by a maid."</p> + +<p>"It will not be the first time," she +retorted. "Their wives overrule them +every day."</p> + +<p>"I will ride all night to make it up," +I suggested.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, my boy," he replied, +"you deserve a little holiday; you need +not leave Annapolis until nightfall, and +Kent the following night, which will +give you a chance to see your mother +again. There, I hope this little minx +will give me some peace now."</p> + +<p>The treaty was quickly sealed by a +kiss, and Mistress Polly ran off to give +the order for the coach-and-four, for the +races began at one o'clock and the course +was a short distance out of the city.</p> + +<p>There soon came a clatter of hoofs, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +rattle, a slam and a bang, a whoaing, a +yelling, and a confusion of noises.</p> + +<p>"They have put the colts in," cried +Mistress Betsy with glee, and Mistress +Polly was at the door crying, "Come +on."</p> + +<p>"Great Jove!" said I to myself, as I +seized my hat and followed after, for +though I had driven many a wild team +I had never done so through a town +before. And four devils they were for +a certainty, a little under size, but making +up for that by the fire and vim of +their proceedings.</p> + +<p>The heels of the wheelers were playing +like castanets on the dashboard, +while the leaders were in the air half +the time as they swayed above the crowd +of darkies, who, hanging on everywhere, +were trying to hold them down, while +the great coach swayed and rocked +behind.</p> + +<p>There was a flash of skirts, a gleam<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +of the smallest feet in the world, and +Mistress Polly and Mistress Betsy were +in their places, and I had sprung to my +seat and gathered the reins in my hands.</p> + +<p>"All ready, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"Ready. Let go." They scattered +like chaff. There was a flash of hoofs +and they were off like a shot, their +bodies stretched low to the ground, the +great coach rolling and rocking behind.</p> + +<p>Luckily the street ended in a country +road, for the street and the houses were +gone in an instant, and we were rushing +along between green fields. A column +of dust rose up and whirled behind us, +and the road stretched like a ribbon +before, while the young ladies at my +side laughed and clapped their hands +in glee. After several miles the pace +began to tell, I slowly brought them +under control, and by the time I had +come to the race-course I had them well +in hand. We had gone several miles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +out of our way, but by taking a short +cut we arrived at the races on time. I +brought the four colts into the field +with a dash and a flourish as they were +preparing for the first race.</p> + +<p>The course was a great level field of +greensward, oval in shape, with the +track in beautiful condition. Far down +the track on either hand, almost encircling +the field, stretched the lines +of the coaches, chariots, gigs, and +wagons. Gentlemen on horseback and +on foot, an eager, bustling crowd, gay +with colours and bright faces, already +tingling with the excitement of the +coming race, made a stirring scene; +for the Trinity of the Marylanders +in the early days of my youth were +the horse, the hounds, and a fight.</p> + +<p>But though the faces were fair, +merry, and pleasant to look upon, +though the chariots and four-in-hands +were gorgeous and bedecked, there was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +a woful lack of cavaliers to make those +damask cheeks mantle with a blush, for +they were away fighting in the North. +Thus it was, as I drove down the line +in my uniform of scarlet and buff, to +find a stand, that Mistress Polly and +Mistress Betsy had their triumph, and +many a fair face turned our way as we +drove by, until I brought the coach to +a halt in a good place next to the parson, +where he sat his cob, watching the +preliminaries.</p> + +<p>"Find the parson," said Mistress +Polly judiciously, "and you will have +found the best place in the field."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mistress Polly, you are a +minx," said that reverend gentleman. +"How in the world could I make the +youngsters come to church if they did +not know I was a good judge of horseflesh +as well as a minister?"</p> + +<p>"They are off," cried Mistress Betsy. +The race had begun; but why describe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +the race? Those who have never seen +a race are mere worthless creatures +deserving no consideration, and those +who have seen a race do not need a +description. At the mere name they +see the grand thoroughbreds at the line, +their coats shining like satin in the sun, +eager and ready to be off. Then the +flag falls, and, amid the rustling of skirts +and craning of necks, they are off. Ah, +and then comes the glorious excitement +of it all as you watch with eager eyes +that ribbon of a track, and see now this +one, now that one, slowly draw away +from the bunch at the start, and the +closing of the space again, until they +become mere moving spots on the far +side of the field. And then, that home +stretch, with its thunder of hoofs, its +roar of voices, and cheers and yells, as +the grand beasts, with straining nerves +and neck to neck, make the last great +effort; and afterward the triumph, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> +waving of handkerchiefs, the great cheer +that greets the victor, and the smiles of +merry lips and laughing eyes. Those +were the prizes we raced for, when +racing was the pastime of gentlemen, +and not an excuse for blackguardism +and gambling, as to-day it is fast becoming. +So my kind hosts and I +made our little bets, and enjoyed ourselves +right thoroughly, until the last +race, which was won by a grandson of +the great Selim, was over and done. +Then I swung my four colts into the +road again, and at a rattling pace +returned to town.</p> + +<p>It was late now, and the sun was +preparing to take its last dip behind +the western hills; so I was forced to +bid my charming hostesses adieu, and +amid many good wishes and a waving +of handkerchiefs, departed to seek my +waterman, to begin my trip across the +bay.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> + +<p>The town became a blur, a dark +mass behind us, broken by the twinkling +of the lights through the gloom, +as we swiftly glided down the Severn +before the wind. Out upon the bay it +was still light, and we steered for the +north point of the Isle of Kent. The +wind was fresh. With all sail set we +skimmed the water before it, and ere +many hours had passed we saw the +light through the gloom of Rock Hall +straight ahead. But the old waterman +suddenly brought his helm around +hard, and pointed her nose for the wide +mouth of the Chester close at hand.</p> + +<p>"What is wrong?" I asked, and for +an answer he pointed with his arm to +where against the sky were outlined the +tapering masts of a large vessel lying +between us and Rock Hall.</p> + +<p>"That is a man-of-war," he said, +"we will have to run up the river to +Chestertown."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Agreed," said I, right readily, for I +thought I might see Mistress Jean +once more before I went back to the +front.</p> + +<p>The mouth of the Chester was soon +gained, and for hours, through the +stillness of the night, we glided over its +smooth waters, between low, heavily +wooded banks, or the broad sweeping +fields of some plantation, whose boundaries +were lapped by the waters of the +river. In the early morning, in the +dusky gray hours, we ran along beside +the wharf of the old county seat of +Kent.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>THE GREETING OF FAIR LIPS</h3> + + +<p>After wandering through the streets +of this old town during the early hours +of the morning, seeing it gradually +wake into life and take on the quiet +bustle of the day, I at last found myself +before the inn, which had just been +opened.</p> + +<p>The host was an old friend, and we +were soon fighting over the battles +again, when a shadow fell across us +and I sprang to my feet.</p> + +<p>It was Capt. James Nicholson, one +of the three brothers who fought their +ships in sunshine and in storm, while +there was a plank left for them to stand +upon, carrying dismay through the +English fleets by their desperate courage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +and daring. He was a man about +forty years old, over medium height, +but slender and of fair complexion, with +light blue eyes and reddish hair, a typical +descendant of that old Viking, +Nicholson, who fought some famous +fights under King Haco, and harried +the coasts of Scotland until he gained a +foothold there and founded the Scottish +family of the name. The same open, +bold countenance of the Admiral, the +same frank and manly bearing, showed +him to be a sailor and a fighter.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Frisby," said he, shaking +my hand cordially. "With the dove +so near I knew that the hawk would +not be far away."</p> + +<p>I stammered out, as the landlord +smiled, that I was forced to come to +Chestertown to avoid the man-of-war +lying off Rock Hall.</p> + +<p>"She is off Rock Hall, is she? Well, +I shall have to chase her away with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +Defence next week. But is that your +only excuse for coming so far out of +your way?"</p> + +<p>And when I protested that it was, he +laughed genially, and, turning to the +landlord, said: "He does not look like +a knight-errant who flies to the rescue +of maids, and Tory maids at that, does +he? But see here, youngster, since you +have brought this little traitress into +my household, you will have to do your +share in converting her to the true +principles of liberty and democracy."</p> + +<p>"Keep that for the men, Captain," +cried the landlord. "Keep that for the +men; the women give us no peace, as +it is, and if they once get those notions +there will be no living with them."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you old reprobate, you had +better not let your wife hear you."</p> + +<p>With this we left the inn, and going +through some quiet streets, we at last +came to Water Street, with its square<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +brick houses, gardens and flowers, and +green lawns leading to the river. Very +substantial were the buildings, quaint +and old-fashioned. A number of white +steps led from the street to the porch +of the Captain's house. When, at his +motion, I opened the door and stepped +into the hall, which was somewhat dark +after the glare of the street, there came +a flurry of lace, and soft arms were +around my neck. And—well, what +could a man do but return that kiss +with interest? But the best things are +but fleeting, for, when she glanced at +my face, and saw who I was, she gave +a little cry, broke from my arms, and +vanished in confusion up the stairway, +followed by the merry laughter of the +real uncle, not the proxy.</p> + +<p>"You surely cannot object to that +welcome, Frisby; but I must tell Mistress +Jean to be more careful, or the +army will lose a promising officer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +They will not be able to keep you away +from the town if this keeps on."</p> + +<p>So saying, he led the way to the rear +porch where it overlooked the lawn and +the river.</p> + +<p>Here we sat and talked until the +breakfast-bell rang, and we went into +the dining-room. I was as hungry as +a trooper by this time, after my all-night +experience on the Chester.</p> + +<p>The dining-room was a long room, +with open windows looking out across +the river and the fields.</p> + +<p>We had not as yet taken our seats, +when through another door came Mistress +Jean and Mistress Nancy Nicholson, +her bosom friend and confidante, +with their arms around each other's +waists—a charming picture.</p> + +<p>The colour mantled high on Mistress +Jean's cheek, and I am sure that mine +played the traitor also, but Mistress +Nancy came to the rescue by demanding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +news and particulars of her cavalier, +for such she declared Mr. Richard +Ringgold of Hunting Field to be.</p> + +<p>Answering, I told her that I had left +him covered with blood and with glory, +but on the fair road to recovery. And +so, though Mistress Jean still showed +a heightened colour, in telling of Master +Richard's fortunes and escapes we broke +the embarrassment of the meeting, and +were soon fast friends again. It was a +merry breakfast. Afterward the two +young ladies and I walked in the garden +by the river's edge and talked of +many things,—of war and campaigning, +for I claimed to be an authority by +now, and quite a veteran,—of love; +but that was too dangerous, for Mistress +Nancy would look at me slyly and +laugh as she asked if I was as great an +authority upon the one as I was upon +the other.</p> + +<p>I retorted that I had heard many a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +lecture on the subject from Master +Richard, but otherwise knew nothing +of the art, and then I begged her to +take me as a pupil, so that in time I +might become as great a scholar as +Dick himself. But she roguishly recommended +me to her Assistant Professor +Mistress Jean Gordon, who, she +told me, knew more of the art than she +did herself. And then, having come +to some boxwood alleys, she slipped +away and left Mistress Jean and me +alone.</p> + +<p>"They tell me, Mistress Jean, that +love is war; may I ask what the fate +of the prisoners is?"</p> + +<p>"As in real war," she replied, +"those who surrender at discretion +receive but scant courtesy, but those +who make a gallant resistance are often +victorious in their defeat."</p> + +<p>"I see that you love the old Highland +fashion, where the bridegroom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +came with force and arms and bore the +bride away."</p> + +<p>"Better swords and daggers, and +hearts that are true, than silks and +satins, Lowland fops and perfidy."</p> + +<p>"English swords have crossed ere this +with Highland steel, and English hearts +are as tried and as true as those that beat +beneath the plaid," said I, coming to +the defence of my English ancestry.</p> + +<p>"So ho! Sir Rebel!" she cried in +glee, "what means this defence of the +hated redcoat? Do you not fear the +shadow of the great committee that +you preach treason so openly?" And +she looked so bewitching in her little +triumph that I had to thrust my hands +into my pockets and turn away, so +great was the temptation.</p> + +<p>"I will turn Highlander," said I, +"if you do not stop."</p> + +<p>"Stop?" she said with the most innocent +air in the world.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Aye," said I, "for if your Highlanders +have ever been sturdy knaves, +the Frisbys have ever been quick where +bright eyes and ruby lips are concerned, +and there is no telling what might happen." +And I looked so determined +and fierce that she broke into merry +laughter in my face.</p> + +<p>"Your fate be upon you," said I +solemnly; and—well, at that moment, +I heard Captain Nicholson calling that +my horse was at the door, waiting for +me.</p> + +<p>"That means that I must go, Mistress +Jean," and the laughter died on +her lips, "go to join my comrades in +the North in their struggle for the +Great Cause. When you hear of battles +and sieges and sudden deaths, will +you sometimes think of the young +rebel who rode with you from the +Braes to Fairlee? For wherever he +may be, whether in the glory of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +rush and the sweep of the charge, or +the gloomy and dismal retreat; whether +in the camp on the bleak hillside, +with the cold north wind blowing, or +bivouacked in the Southern savannahs +warmed by the rays of the sun; in the +fatigue and the toil of the marches, amid +the groans and cries of the dying, or +the joy and triumph of the hour when +the fight has been fought and won, +your smile shall always be with him, +the light of your eye in his heart. +Will you think of him, or forget, Mistress +Jean?"</p> + +<p>"I will think of him." Her voice +was very low and sweet. Then I +stooped and kissed her hand, the fairest +hand that man ever looked upon.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>THE RETURN OF THE TORY</h3> + + +<p>As I turned to ride away, after bidding +good-bye to the Captain, I heard +a voice calling me, and looking up, I +saw Mistress Nancy at a window, and +riding under it she commanded me to +convey to Master Richard a tiny case +wrapped in many papers.</p> + +<p>"And now, sir," said she, "here is +something for you;" and she threw +me a little case, which, on opening +quickly, I saw contained a miniature +of a fair young girl, with a wealth of +dark brown hair, the loveliest eyes and +the sweetest face.</p> + +<p>"Mistress Nancy," I cried, "you +are my guardian angel." Placing the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +miniature over my heart, I threw her a +kiss, and rode on my way rejoicing.</p> + +<p>I rode from Chestertown to Fairlee, +where I bade my mother good-bye, and +from there I took up the trail to the +North, riding into camp one evening +just as the sun was setting.</p> + +<p>I reported immediately to the great +General, who thanked me for the speed +with which I had carried the despatches +and returned. And then I was once more +among my old comrades of the Line.</p> + +<p>They crowded around me, one and +all, for I had messages for many of +them, and they were eager for the news +of old Kent and the shore, and my +welcome was right royal.</p> + +<p>And now, for a month or so, disasters +came crowding upon our arms; defeat +and death stalked through our ranks, +and cast a gloom over the cause.</p> + +<p>We fought the fight at White Plains, +and when Fort Washington fell many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +of our Maryland boys went to the +hulks of old Jersey to find a last resting-place +under the cold gray waters of +Wallabout Bay. Amid constant marching, +skirmishes, and defeats the months +slipped away, and the cold gloomy winter +was upon us. Ah, how cold and +bleak and barren the hillsides looked +after the smiling fields of Maryland, +touched and warmed by the Southern +sun! And then the cold, the bitter +cold of it all, the white winding sheet +of the snow and the ice made us shiver +and hug the fire of dry fence-rails and +button our threadbare coats more +tightly around us, while we looked in +despair at the toes peeping through the +ends of our boots. But the great General +knew how to warm the blood in our +veins and drive the despair from our +hearts, when on that bitterly cold Christmas +night he led us across the Delaware +and hurled us against the Hessians.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is true that we left a trail of blood +as we marched, dyeing the snow with +its crimson. Yet the fight itself was +glorious, and when we came back in +our triumph the cold and the snow were +as nothing. We made sport of our rags +and tatters and laughed the English to +scorn.</p> + +<p>Then again when we struck them at +Princeton seven days later, threw the +dust in Cornwallis's eyes, and played +with him as we willed, we were ready +to follow our leader wherever he pointed +the way.</p> + +<p>And so, after humbling the English, +we returned to our camp for the winter, +and there made ready for the spring, +when we saw my Lord Cornwallis back +on the Hudson again.</p> + +<p>Then we lay in Jersey, watching +them over in New York, until far into +the summer, ready to take up the +march when the news should come of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> +the destination of the English fleet that +lay off Sandy Hook.</p> + +<p>At last one day there came a horseman +spurring fast from the southward, +bearing the news of a vast fleet that +covered the waves of the Chesapeake +and lay at that moment off the harbor +of Baltimore, threatening it with fire and +sword.</p> + +<p>Then there was a mighty bustle in +the camp, and we whose homes were +now in danger took up the march to +the southward, eager to meet the foe.</p> + +<p>When we reached Philadelphia we +found that the enemy had entered the +Elk, and was now marching on the city, +while the hastily called Maryland and +Delaware volunteers threw themselves +in the way, cutting off straggling parties +and obstructing the advance.</p> + +<p>So we hurried on to assist them, and +found ourselves on the evening of the +10th of September at the Brandywine,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +with the English advance but a few +miles away.</p> + +<p>It was here that I met with one of +the volunteers, who on hearing the +English were in the Chesapeake had +taken his rifle from the rack and joined +in the defence. He came from lower +Kent, but told me of the devastation all +through the county of Cecil, wherever +the enemy had laid its blighting hand.</p> + +<p>"They tell me," he said, "that the +old Tory, Charles Gordon, whom they +ran out of Cecil, is with Lord Howe, +and high in his counsels. When they +arrived in the Elk, Gordon, with a +body of troops, marched all night and +attacked the house of James Rodolph +at dawn. Rodolph was away from +home, and that is the only thing that +saved him, for they say that Gordon +swore that he would hang him if he +once caught him. As it was, he gave +Rodolph's house to the flames, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +burned everything on the place. 'An +eye for an eye,' said he, 'is a Highland +saying as well as a Jewish one. I +regret that I cannot destroy the land as +well.' Rodolph, when he heard of it, +stormed and swore, but he has not +dared to venture within the confines of +Cecil since."</p> + +<p>"Did Gordon do anything else?" +I asked.</p> + +<p>"No. After he burnt Rodolph out +he tried to stop Lord Howe from pillaging, +but his lordship answered, 'You +have had your turn, and now you must +let the others have theirs,' and so the +pillaging went on."</p> + +<p>But the planters and the yeomen +who had risen at the first alarm hung +on the flanks of Lord Howe's army, +cutting off stragglers and scouting-parties, +and confining the belt of desolation +within narrow lines.</p> + +<p>At last came the 11th of September,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +the day when we met Lord Howe at +the Brandywine, and were sent reeling +back in disorderly retreat, when by a +skilful march they outflanked our right +wing and rolled it up.</p> + +<p>And then disaster followed disaster. +Paoli came, that grim and bloody surprise +at the dead of night. We had +marched with Wayne and gained the +rear of the British column, and lay for +the night in a dense wood, waiting for +the recruits under Smallwood, who was +marching to join us, before we began +our attack on the British rear.</p> + +<p>It was in the early hours of the +morning, the blackest of the night, the +hour before the dawn, when there came +sudden shots from our pickets, and +before we could spring to arms the +Highland war-cry rang through the +forest and the Black Watch swept over +us. The wild forms of the Highlanders, +the intense darkness, the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>surprise, +the din and noise of the strife as +those who could grasp their muskets +made a desperate stand, struck terror +through the camp, and ere the men +could rally we were swept into the +woods beyond. It seemed to me, as I +was borne along in the press, I heard, +high over the charging cry of the Scots, +the voice of the old Tory cheering his +men on. Certain it is that I saw him +for a moment by the light of a camp-fire, +sword in hand, urging on his wild +Scots, who seemed to grow wilder under +his leadership, as our line melted away +before their advance.</p> + +<p>Ah! but it was grim and terrible. +Our men, overcome by the surprise +and the rout, carried terror into the +camp of Smallwood's recruits, which was +near at hand, and they, too, gave way.</p> + +<p>But the dawn came: with it we gathered +our shattered forces together and +marched back to join Washington.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + +<p>Philadelphia fell, but the tide soon +turned; for at Germantown we once +more met them and avenged the surprise +at Paoli.</p> + +<p>But the thing that thrilled us through +and through and set our banners high +was the courage of our brothers of the +Line, who, thrown into Fort Mifflin, +held it in the teeth of the enemy's fire +until every gun was dismounted and the +fort itself levelled to the earth, leaving +nothing to defend. It was a brave and +gallant action, and we envied them for +their good fortune.</p> + +<p>We had avenged Paoli at Germantown, +yet this added another wreath to +our banner. It was a thing to stir the +blood and to set the pulses bounding +to hear how those heroes fought under +the crumbling walls of Mifflin, and +prayed for the friendly cover of night +to fall to hide them from that storm of +fire and shell, and yet fought on.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>THE FLAG OF TRUCE</h3> + + +<p>The long hard winter soon came on, +and we retired to Valley Forge to suffer +and to bear what was far more deadly +than the English bullets—the terrible +cold and desolation of that dreary place. +Cold, bitterly cold it was, as the wind +came down from the mountains, swept +over the broad fields, pierced through +our torn and tattered garments, and +racked our frames with pain. And yet, +terrible as the exposure was, there +stands out one bright day in all that +dreary winter, one day, one hour in +which I forgot all the cold and the +hardships and would not have been +elsewhere for anything in the wide +world.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was near the setting of the sun on +one of the bleakest and coldest days of +the year. The sun itself was sinking +behind the distant hills, and the sky +was brilliant with its fiery javelins, +which threw a lurid light across the +cold gray heavens, the last protest of +departing day against the approach of +the chill dismal night. The snow lay +heavy upon the ground, and spread +like a great white pall over the sins and +sorrows of the world. Before us stretched +the road, unbroken and trackless; not a +man had passed that way, for we stood +guard at the outpost, and the flicker of +the foeman's fire could be seen six hundred +yards away, through the gloom.</p> + +<p>"Lucifer, but it is cold!" said one +of the guard, as he threw another rail +on the fire and held his hands out over +the flames to warm them.</p> + +<p>"Aye; Old Nick himself would not +be a bad acquaintance now—his smell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +of brimstone and sulphur might warm +us up a bit," said another.</p> + +<p>We were making the best we could +of it, under the lee of a high bank by +the side of the road, where we had +cleared a space and stacked a good +supply of dry fence-rails to feed the +fire during the night. The wind from +the northwest swept over our heads, +sheltered as we were by the bank, and +we would have defied the cold that +crept ever upward but for the rags and +tatters that covered our frames. The +men themselves were cheerful, as they +sat hugging the fire, and laughed and +joked at their hardships.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if those Highland devils +will bother us to-night?" asked one, +for the Black Watch held the outpost +down the road.</p> + +<p>"They will be too busy warming +their knees," came the reply from +across the fire, and a laugh followed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hello, what is that?" for the thud +of hoofs was heard on the road coming +from the camp.</p> + +<p>"A flag of truce, by George!" said +the sergeant. "Who on earth wants +to go through the lines on a night like +this?"</p> + +<p>The party, consisting of several +troopers, an officer, and what appeared +to be a woman on horseback, was soon +within hailing distance, and I heard +Ringgold's voice call out:</p> + +<p>"I say, Frisby, are you in charge +here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," I replied. "What's up?"</p> + +<p>"We have a prisoner here who wishes +to go through the lines, but I don't +know whether you will permit her or +not."</p> + +<p>"Is she fair?" I asked. "For in +that case she shall not pass unless she +gives us a smile by way of tribute as +she rides by."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not even if George Washington +so orders, sir," said a voice that I +knew.</p> + +<p>"By the saints, my lady!" I cried, +and I was by her side in an instant. +"What brings you here, and why +are you going within the English +lines?"</p> + +<p>"Should not a daughter be with her +father?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"But those bloody English, with all +their fine trappings and their feathers! +Nay, my lady, you have been disrespectful +to the Continental Congress, +as I can vouch for. You are our prisoner, +and I will not let you escape thus, +to smile on the wearers of his Majesty's +uniform."</p> + +<p>But she laughed quite merrily, and +answered my threat with "Lieutenant +Ringgold, pray ride on with the flag +of truce."</p> + +<p>"Dick Ringgold," I cried in my turn,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +"if you take less than ten minutes I +shall be your deadly enemy for life."</p> + +<p>"All right, old fellow." Dick rode +on toward the enemy's campfire with +the bugler until he had gone about half +the way, and then we heard the parley +sounded and saw a stir in the opposite +camp.</p> + +<p>"Mistress Jean," said I, returning to +the charge, "you are perfectly heartless, +and though I know the redcoats cannot +help but fall in love with you, I warn +you that if you smile on any one of +them I shall go through the lines and +seek him out, even into the heart of the +city itself, though I have to swing for +it."</p> + +<p>"You will never try anything so +rash;" and now the laughter had gone +from her voice.</p> + +<p>"That I will, my lady," I replied, "for +I would rather dance on nothing than +know that you belonged to another."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But you must not," said she. +"You must not think of such a thing. +You must promise me never to attempt +it."</p> + +<p>"Nay, Mistress Jean, that I cannot +promise. It would drive me mad to +stand here on guard all the winter +night and see the lights of Philadelphia +off there in the east; to know +amid all the gayety and the balls +you reign supreme; to know I could +not see you because of the miserable +redcoats that guard the city. If they +were ten times their number I would +find my way through them to be once +more at your side, Mistress Jean."</p> + +<p>Before she could reply the Highland +officer broke in, for he had ridden up +with Ringgold.</p> + +<p>"Mistress Jean, it gives me pleasure +to be the first to welcome you to our +lines. Your father told us of your coming, +and there has been a rivalry between<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +us as to who should be the one to escort +you to the city."</p> + +<p>"That was kind of all of you; but +how did you leave my father?"</p> + +<p>"Well, and eager for your coming."</p> + +<p>He was a splendid-looking young +fellow, tall, broad-shouldered, and somewhat +bony, with a voice that rang frank +and true. He was a Highlander, every +inch of him, and carried himself with a +free and graceful carriage, and when I +heard him tell Mistress Jean that he +was a Farquharson and an old ally of +her house, I knew I had at last met a +dangerous rival. For, out of romances, +it is not the villain, but the brave and +frank gentleman who is most dangerous +to the peace of mind of lovers, for they +see in him what they themselves most +admire, and by which they hope to win +their ladies' love.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Ringgold, now," said +Farquharson, "I am ready to receive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +Mistress Gordon from your hands, and +to conduct her within our lines."</p> + +<p>"Far more ready than we are to let +her go," answered Dick gallantly; "but +it is the fortune of war." And then the +two officers saluted and the exchange +was made.</p> + +<p>So Mistress Jean bade us all good-bye +right prettily, and I, being on the off +side of her horse from the others, seized +her hand as it hung by her side and +kissed it several times. She at first did +not withdraw it, and then, bending over, +whispered, "Do not try to enter the +city, for they will hang thee, and I would +not lose so true a friend." Here her +voice was very soft and low. I kissed +her hand once again and she was +gone.</p> + +<p>We watched their dark shadows down +the road to the Highland outpost, as +they moved like great blots across the +snow. I stood, I do not know how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +long, gazing after them, when Dick's +hand was on my shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Frisby," said he, "we +shall win the city in the spring, and then +you may win her also."</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>THE BALL OF MY LORD HOWE</h3> + + +<p>Many a night after that last parting +I stood guard on that dreary outpost, +gazing out across the snow at the dim +lights of the city far to the eastward. +Aye, for the city was gay that winter, +gay with parties and dances, balls and +dinners, and the bells rang as merrily +as if we were not starving and dying +out on the bleak, hillsides. Aye, those +old burghers were warm and comfortable +as they sat by their fires, with a glass +of their wine or toddy at their side.</p> + +<p>True, my Lord Howe ruled the city +with an iron hand, but he was a gallant +gentleman, and his officers made good +partners for their fair daughters at the +balls. They were handsome in their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +scarlet uniforms, with their epaulets and +their sabres, making, indeed, a very gallant +show, while those ragged patriots +out upon the snow had not shoes to their +feet, and were altogether too disreputable +to be admitted even to the kitchens +of their houses. Then, again, runs +not the Quaker law, "Thou shalt not +fight"? And so the good old burghers +threw another log on the fire and sat +down to enjoy the cheerful blaze.</p> + +<p>The news came to us, sifted through +the lines; we heard of their dances and +their balls, and everywhere we heard +that Mistress Jean Gordon was the belle +of them all. The old Tory held high +rank in the counsels of Lord Howe, +and the daughter, by her grace and +beauty, reigned it over the hearts of +every gallant gentleman of his army.</p> + +<p>We heard of her refusing my Lord +Paulet and several other gentlemen, +noted among us for their hard fighting,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +whenever by chance we were opposed +to them. And I, standing guard on the +outpost, chafed in vain when I heard +these tales, until one day chance decided +me to risk all, to see her once more +with my own eyes, and perhaps speak +to her.</p> + +<p>There had been a skirmish on the +outposts that day, and our men had +captured an English officer, a Captain +of the line. He was a talkative man, +and while he was waiting to be sent to +the rear as a prisoner we entertained +him at our mess table, and he in turn +told us the news of the town.</p> + +<p>"That must be a wonderful country, +what do you call it, that eastern shore +of yours?" said he, "if it contains +any more beauties like Mistress Jean +Gordon."</p> + +<p>"Ah, the Tory's daughter?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. She is the reigning belle of the +whole town, and all our fellows are wild<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +about her. I never saw so many fellows +in love with one girl before, but Farquharson +seems to have the best of it, +while Lord Paulet stamps and swears."</p> + +<p>Now, we were loyal Marylanders—loyal, +at least, to her wit and beauty, so +then and there we proposed and drank +the health of the Tory maid, while Dick +chimed in with the amendment, "May +she never marry a Britisher, but a patriot +tried and true," at which our English +Captain good-naturedly protested; and +while they drank the toast I made a +vow that ere a week was past I would +be within that city.</p> + +<p>Fortune came my way, for as I left +the mess-room that night I ran against +Tom Jones of Cresap's old company +of riflemen from the mountains of the +West, the most daring and desperate +spy in all our army. He was a man of +powerful strength, as lithe and active as +a panther, while his face was as immovable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +as that of an Indian, with never a +sign thereon of the thoughts and passions +of the man within. He was clad +for the moment in the dress of the riflemen, +a full suit of buckskin, leggings, +hunting-shirt, and all, while carelessly +thrown across one arm was his rifle, and +in his belt was sheathed the long hunting-knife.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant," said he, "I expect to +return through your lines to-morrow +night, so do not fire before you challenge."</p> + +<p>"Come this way, Jones," said I, +leading him aside from the others. "I +do not know which way you are going, +but I want you to help me through the +lines into the city. Can you do so?"</p> + +<p>"But, Lieutenant, they will be wanting +to hang you if you are caught."</p> + +<p>"I will take that risk. I must be in +the city within a week."</p> + +<p>Jones, like most great frontiersmen,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +was a man of quick decision and few +words.</p> + +<p>"Meet me in an hour," said he, "at +the Yellow Tavern."</p> + +<p>An hour later found me at the tavern +in full uniform, for it was the only suit +I possessed in which it would be possible +to present myself before a lady, so +dilapidated, torn, and ragged was my +wardrobe. But I had a great storm-coat +which hid the uniform and was an +admirable disguise.</p> + +<p>The tavern was crowded. As I +stood by the fire I did not at once notice +a quiet, unassuming traveller who +had just entered, until he brushed past +my arm and whispered, "Follow me." +I did so a few minutes later, for it was +Tom Jones, who looked for all the +world as if he was a quiet city merchant, +born and bred within its limits. Yet +you had but to notice his walk, and you +saw at once that he was a mountaineer,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +for he threaded his way through the +crowd as noiselessly as he did among +his native forests, where the crack of a +dead twig might mean his death by a +hostile bullet.</p> + +<p>I followed him out into the night, +and a dark and dismal night it was; +the snow was falling heavily and you +could not see three rods away.</p> + +<p>"We will follow the pike," said he, +"until we see their camp-fire. They +will not keep strict watch to-night, and +we will have to keep in touch with the +landmarks."</p> + +<p>We trudged along through the snow +past the outpost where I had commanded +so many nights, keeping the +vigils by the weary hours; then we +became more careful, as the Highland +outpost was but a few yards away.</p> + +<p>"They will have their backs to the +storm," said the spy, "and though it is +dangerous to go to the windward of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +foe, yet he is not so apt to hear us as +he would be to see us if we tried the +leeward side. Those Highlanders have +keen eyes."</p> + +<p>So we flanked the outpost to the +windward and passed them safely, and +then Jones led me by many little bypaths +and lanes until we came to the +outskirts of the town. And though the +guard at one time could have touched +us as they passed, so dense was the +storm that never for a moment was our +safety jeoparded.</p> + +<p>At last the houses became closer and +we found ourselves in the town, while +every now and then a belated traveller +met us, glanced our way and passed on, +for by now it was far into the night. +But when we reached the heart of the +town, even at that hour, the streets +became filled with carriages, and we met +many officers and gentlemen, returning +from a ball. My Lord Howe entertained<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +that night, and it was a sign of +loyalty and good faith for every one to +attend.</p> + +<p>Though I became interested in seeing +the muffled figures pass us, and the carriages +hurrying through the street, I +grew uneasy as I saw that Jones was +making his way to the centre of the +town, to the very door of Lord Howe's +mansion. At last I remonstrated with +him, but Jones growled in answer: +"How can you throw the dogs off your +track, if the snow does not fill it, but by +mixing it with other tracks?"</p> + +<p>This was unanswerable. I followed +him along the street until we were among +the crowd before Lord Howe's door.</p> + +<p>It was a gay and brilliant scene, that +ball of my Lord Howe, and though it +was near the end, the music of the dance +still floated through the wide entrance, +while the figures of the dancers flitted +across the windows, which were ablaze<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +with lights. The guests were fast leaving; +fair ladies and officers bravely uniformed +were coming down the steps. +There was a calling of carriages and of +names, the slamming of doors and the +muffled roll of the wheels as they drove +off. I was about to move on with +Jones, when I heard the major-domo, a +sergeant of the guard, call out the carriage +of Colonel Charles Gordon, and then +I would have drawn back, as I had been +forced into the front rank; for, though +I knew that she must be at the ball, I +had not thought to be brought so suddenly +face to face with her. But ere I +could do so, she came down the carpeted +stairs leaning on her father's arm, +graceful and beautiful, while by her side +walked Farquharson in full Highland +costume, eager and attentive. A smile +was upon her lips as she listened, and +then her eyes met mine. Her face went +pale, and she was near fainting. Her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +father caught her as she slightly reeled, +and Farquharson looked fiercely around +to see what the cause was. But I was +muffled up, and before he could demand +the cause Mistress Jean was eagerly +declaring that it was a mere nothing; +and, as if to prove what she said was +true, she hurried on to the carriage.</p> + +<p>Farquharson leaned for a moment +into the carriage to bid them good-night, +and then it rolled off into the +darkness.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>AN EXCHANGE OF COURTESIES</h3> + + +<p>"A narrow escape that for you, +Lieutenant," said Jones. "But she +was a plucky lass, and now it is time +for us to be looking for cover."</p> + +<p>He turned down a narrow, quiet +street until we came to a house set +somewhat back in the yard.</p> + +<p>Jones now rapped very gently on +the door; it swung open as if he was +expected, and a moment later we found +ourselves heartily welcomed by an old +Quaker lady in a little room with a +bright fire burning.</p> + +<p>"I thought thee would come, +Brother Jones," said she, "and who +is this braw lad thou hast brought with +thee?" And she smiled on me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He is one of our Lieutenants, who +has a sweetheart in town, and is willing +to risk his neck to see her," said Jones +gruffly, but there was a twinkle in his +eye.</p> + +<p>This completed my conquest, and +the motherly old soul proceeded to +take charge of me.</p> + +<p>"Who is thy lady love thou hast +come to see?" And when I told her +that she was a Tory she was much distressed, +but eager to help me.</p> + +<p>"The Good Book says thou must +not fight, but it also says thou must +help thy friends and neighbours, so I +will help thee."</p> + +<p>But at last, after chattering awhile +she took a candle and showed us to our +rooms. I was soon lost in the almost +blissful comfort of clean white sheets +and a feather-bed.</p> + +<p>When I awoke next morning Jones +had already departed on his mission,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> +leaving me a note telling me where to +meet him the next night on our return +to camp.</p> + +<p>All that day I kept close to the +house, for I did not dare to venture +forth in the broad day, as I was known +to many, and it would not have gone +well with me if I had met with those +I knew.</p> + +<p>But at last the night began to fall, +and, bidding my kind hostess good-bye, +I made my way through the streets to +the Tory's house.</p> + +<p>I soon found it—a square brick +structure in a quiet street. I noticed, +as I approached it, several dark alleys +just at the right places for a rapid retreat +if the worse should come to the +worst.</p> + +<p>Then my hand was on the knocker, +and its fall startled me as the clatter +echoed far down the street and seemed +to wake the very dead.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> + +<p>A slave opened the door, who, +though he glanced at me suspiciously, +told me that his mistress was at home.</p> + +<p>Then in a moment my storm-coat +was off, and I stood in the door of the +drawing-room.</p> + +<p>It was a beautiful picture, the great +strong Highlander on his knees at the +feet of Mistress Jean begging for her +hand, which she seemed to be denying +him, for he was growing more and +more passionate.</p> + +<p>For a moment, as I stood there, I +could feel my hair grow gray, but the +tumult and the conflict within me were +short and I turned to go, for it seemed +to me that she could not but care for +so gallant a gentleman.</p> + +<p>But her eyes met mine, and then for +a moment there was terror in them, +and a cry broke forth from her lips.</p> + +<p>Farquharson, startled by her gaze, +turned also, and, seeing me, was quickly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +on his feet, his face aflame with passion.</p> + +<p>"Sir," said he, advancing toward me, +"do you not know the fate of eavesdroppers"—and +then for the first +time noticing my uniform, added, "and +spies?"</p> + +<p>"I know the fate of those who call +a gentleman by such names," I retorted +coolly.</p> + +<p>"A gentleman?" and he laughed. +"I will have you hanged for a dog of +a spy before sunrise."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, sir, but you are my +prisoner until it shall suit me to let +you go free."</p> + +<p>At this he laughed merrily.</p> + +<p>"Well said, Sir Rebel," he cried; +"but permit me to pass before I spit +you on my sword." And he drew and +advanced upon me.</p> + +<p>"Permit me, sir, to use another argument;" +and I drew my pistol and covered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +him. "Advance another step and +I will blow your brains out."</p> + +<p>He glanced at me for a moment, but +did not advance. "And further, let me +suggest that we are in the presence of +a lady, and it is not seemly for her to +see the flash of weapons."</p> + +<p>At this he put up his sword.</p> + +<p>"To whom do I owe a lesson in +gallantry?" he asked with a low and +sweeping bow.</p> + +<p>"James Frisby, of Fairlee, a Lieutenant +in the Maryland Line," I replied +with equal courtesy.</p> + +<p>Mistress Jean had stood as though +she were turned to stone during our +exchange of courtesies, but now she +seemed to recover.</p> + +<p>"Captain Farquharson," she cried, +and she came and stood between us, +"this is an old friend of mine. He +saved my life at the Braes when we +were raided by the rebels. You must<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +promise me to let him go free out of +the city."</p> + +<p>"Your wishes, Mistress Jean, are +law," said he, "and shall be obeyed. I +shall give him till morning to escape in."</p> + +<p>"Which I promptly accept," said I, +"with the hope that I may be able to +repay your courtesy if fortune should +bring you within our lines some day."</p> + +<p>And so he bade Mistress Jean farewell, +but as he passed me, I whispered +to him:</p> + +<p>"Sir, some words have been said that +need an explanation."</p> + +<p>"It will give me pleasure to offer +you one at any place you may appoint."</p> + +<p>"Then meet me," I said, "two days +hence at sunrise on the pike, half-way +between the lines."</p> + +<p>"With swords or pistols?"</p> + +<p>"Swords."</p> + +<p>"I will be there;" and he passed on +out.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> + +<p>When he had gone, I turned to Mistress +Jean, who urged me to leave at +once.</p> + +<p>"You must go," said she, "for at +any moment you may be tracked and +discovered, and then——"</p> + +<p>"And then—what?" I answered, +smiling. "Do you think, Mistress +Jean, that I, who travelled for miles +through the snow and the storm last +night to catch one glimpse of your face, +that I, who at last stand in your presence, +would give a thought to the noose +around my neck?"</p> + +<p>But she would not let me say her +nay, and then her terror grew, until at +last she told me that Lord Howe sometimes +came home with her father at +nine o'clock to talk over the plans of +the spring campaign, and that every +moment she expected to hear their +voices in the hall.</p> + +<p>"The sight of your face, Mistress<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> +Jean, has repaid me for my journey; +but if you bid me go, why, then, it is +fate, and go I must." Then a thought +came to me. "Mistress Jean, tell me +this before I leave in the enemy's camp +all that is dearest on earth to me: tell +me if you love that Highlander, if you +care for him." And she, who a moment +before was urging me to leave, +stood silent, with her face turned away +from me, with never a word to say.</p> + +<p>And I, seeing how matters stood, +took my courage in my hands, and, +with a low bow, wished her good-bye.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE CROSSING OF SWORDS</h3> + + +<p>Sunrise, two days later, found Mr. +Richard Ringgold and myself stamping +our feet in the snow on the pike, half-way +between the hostile lines.</p> + +<p>"I suppose they will let us fight here +without interruption," said Dick.</p> + +<p>"No danger from that," I replied. +"We will fight in that little hollow, +where the outposts cannot see us."</p> + +<p>"Here they come," said Dick. We +saw two officers approaching across the +snow from the Highland outpost.</p> + +<p>They soon came up, and we saluted, +while Dick and Captain Forbes, Farquharson's +second, soon agreed upon +the preliminaries.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Will you lead the way, gentlemen?" +said Forbes.</p> + +<p>Dick and I led them to the little +hollow between the hills, where a slight +meadow formed a platform, as it were, +for us to act our drama upon.</p> + +<p>Since my first duel with Rodolph on +the banks of the Elk I had seen something +of war and of battles, and considered +myself an old hand in such +encounters.</p> + +<p>And so I found myself looking +Farquharson over and estimating his +strength and his skill, for I knew him +to be one of the best swordsmen among +the Highlanders, while I could claim, +with all due modesty, to be the best in +the Maryland Line.</p> + +<p>He was a notable swordsman, you +could see that at a glance; the powerful +figure, yet as light and active as a +cat, the muscles of his sword arm +telling of long and patient handling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +of the weapon, while his cold gray +eye spoke for his coolness and determination.</p> + +<p>He glanced at me, as we threw off +our coats, in almost an indifferent manner, +as if he had a duty to perform, +which was to be done as quickly as possible, +the mere suppression of a country +bumpkin by a gentleman of fashion. I +knew that would change as soon as our +swords crossed, and smiled to myself. +Then, being stripped to our shirts, we +took our places and saluted.</p> + +<p>Click, and our swords rang true. +Though he fenced somewhat carelessly +at first, there came a surprised look +and a sudden change in his manner, as +I parried a skilful thrust and touched +him lightly on the shoulder. He +seemed to realise that he had no ordinary +swordsman opposed to him, and +quickly brought into play all his skill +and fierceness in attack, throwing me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +on the defensive and forcing me gradually +back.</p> + +<p>It could not last; no strength could +stand it. When he found that the +steel guard met every attack, that every +thrust was parried, he relaxed the fierceness +of his attack and began to fence +with more skill and caution.</p> + +<p>Thus it was we fenced for several +minutes, the clash of the steel ringing +out in the cold, crisp air across the +snow, and it came to my opponent that +he had at last met a swordsman who +was his equal in skill. From this on +every moment he developed some new +feint, some new attack, and, though I +met them every one, it took my utmost +skill to do so.</p> + +<p>But at last there came the end. He +had assumed the offensive again and +was pressing hard upon me, when he +placed his foot upon a loose stone in +the snow, which rolled. The sword<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +flew from out his hand and he was +down upon his knee.</p> + +<p>My sword was at his throat, and +then my hand was stayed, for there +came before me the vision of the Tory +maid, standing with face averted in the +square brick house in the city. That +she might care, that she might be in +terror then as to the fate that might +befall him, flashed through my brain. +I brought my sword to a salute, and +returned it to its scabbard.</p> + +<p>"Sir," said I, as Farquharson rose, +"it is a pleasure to have fought with so +gallant a gentleman."</p> + +<p>"And I, sir," he returned, "am +happy to have met so skilful a +swordsman." And then, like gallant +men who have fought and know each +other's worth, we shook hands on +the spot where a moment before our +blades were thirsting for each other's +blood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It gives me pleasure," he continued, +"to withdraw my remarks at +Colonel Gordon's, as they arose from +a misapprehension."</p> + +<p>"I will consider them as if they had +never been said," I replied, "and I +beg of you, on your return, to present +my compliments to Mistress Gordon, +and tell her that I send you to her as +my wedding gift."</p> + +<p>"Why, is she to be married?" he +asked in a startled way.</p> + +<p>"I believe so," I answered, "but she +will tell you all about it."</p> + +<p>And so we returned to the pike, +where we all saluted again, and retraced +our steps to the lines.</p> + +<p>The spring was late that year. April +had come before there came a soft +warm breeze from the Southland, waking +nature into life, and covering the +hard frozen face of mother earth +with wreaths and clouds of mist and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +moisture. From every hillside, from +every frost-bound plain, the smoke of +spring arose, and through the air there +breathed the spirit of the reincarnated +life of the world.</p> + +<p>How we of the Southland hailed it +with joy, and drank in with our lungs +this promise of a new life! We who +loved the sunshine and the balmy +breezes, the great joy of living amid +fragrant fields and green-clad forests, +we who hated the storms, the wind +and cold of the North,—ah, how the +blood in our veins welcomed this soft +caress of the South! We threw off +the terror of the winter, looked forward +with glee to the opening of the spring +campaign, and counted in anticipation +the honours we were to win, the glory +that would be ours.</p> + +<p>New life sprang up all through the +camp; the troops left the busy duty +of hugging the fires, the ranks filled up,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +and order and discipline once more became +the order of the day.</p> + +<p>Rumours soon came creeping through +the lines of a change in the leadership +of the enemy's forces, but as yet they +lay quietly within the city and showed +not the teeth of offence. Thus we lay +on the green hillsides of Valley Forge, +busily preparing for the struggle which +was certain to come, until far into the +spring, without a sign of a movement +on the part of the enemy.</p> + +<p>But with May came their new Commander-in-Chief, +Sir Henry Clinton, +and the departure of Lord Howe, and +we knew that the time had at last come +when some bold stroke would be +played in the game of war.</p> + +<p>The gaps in our ranks had been +somewhat filled, and we were ready +and eager for active service as soon +as the great General would give the +command.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> + +<p>At last came rumours of a retreat, +that the English were preparing to desert +the city and march across the plains +of Jersey to where New York lay, sheltered +by the waters of the sea and the +rivers. We marched toward the Delaware +to be ready to strike them when +they moved.</p> + +<p>So, one day, as I stood on the outpost, +guarding the nearest road to the +city, I saw Jones approaching at full +speed on an old horse, which he had +evidently borrowed. I was ready for +his news.</p> + +<p>"The British are crossing the Delaware; +we will catch them in Jersey +now or never," he cried, and then +he had dashed past on his way to headquarters.</p> + +<p>My little guard received the news +with a yell, and we looked forward +eagerly for the order to join our regiment +on the march.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was not long in coming, and on +that night, the 18th of June, we crossed +the Delaware, and started on the race +across Jersey that was to end at +Monmouth.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>THE SANDS OF MONMOUTH</h3> + + +<p>For a week we hung on the flank of +the enemy, waiting for an opportunity +to strike, as we saw the immense train +form on the right bank of the Delaware +and take up its cumbersome march +across the Jersey plains.</p> + +<p>With it marched the whole force of +the British army of seventeen thousand +men, who did their duty so well that we +longed for an opening in vain.</p> + +<p>All through those blazing hot +days of June we marched through the +sands of Jersey, ankle deep as we +trudged along, and it seemed as if the +time for a trial of strength would never +come. All to the east and south of us +the great train of their wagons crawled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +along through the heat and the dust, +and the sun glinted and gleamed on the +points of the bayonets as the mass of +their troops marched on.</p> + +<p>Slowly they crawled through the +dusty roads of Jersey, and slowly they +were crawling beyond the reach of our +arms into the haven of safety.</p> + +<p>At last, on the 27th of the month, +they reached the heights of Monmouth, +within a day's march of their +journey's end, while we lay five miles +away at Englishtown, swearing low and +earnestly at our luck.</p> + +<p>That night there came news to the +camp that put new life in the men, and +made them forget the heat and the toil +of the march; the news that the great +General had decided to risk a throw in +the morning, and that our regiment was +to be with the advance.</p> + +<p>And so, when Lee rode up to take +command, we gave him a cheer, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +though we disliked and distrusted the +man, yet his coming meant a fight in +the morning.</p> + +<p>Then there was a great stir in the +camp; the men saw to their muskets, +and the signs everywhere told of their +eager preparations for the deadly +struggle in the morning, while the +cheery laugh and the snatches of song +spoke well for the spirits of the men after +the long, toilsome march of the day.</p> + +<p>The sun comes up out of the ocean +early in Jersey, but even before its rays +had cleared the pine tops our camp +was stirring with life, the men preparing +for the advance.</p> + +<p>But there seemed to be a fatality +about it all; a hand, as it were, covered +us and held us back, paralyzing the +spirit of the men. Delay followed +delay, and when at last the regiments +took up the line of march, ours was +held back until almost the last. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +New Jersey volunteers had the post of +honour, as they longed to revenge their +ruined homesteads and devastated farms, +and then our turn came.</p> + +<p>We marched out of Englishtown +into the dreary country beyond. On +every side sand dunes, former barriers +of the ocean, raised their crests, covered +with a straggling forest of stunted pines +and scrub trees, which, in the passes in +the hills, came down to the road, disputing +the passageway, while in the +shallow valleys lay the open fields and +marshes. A dreary country withal, +but where a small body of troops could +hold the passes in the hills against +many hundreds and make good their +defence.</p> + +<p>We passed through the defile in the +first range of hills, crossed the low +valley, and then, after passing through +the second defile, we had only to cross +the one before us to be on the heights<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +overlooking the enemy's position at +Freehold.</p> + +<p>As we approached this last pass in +the hills we were surprised to see a +steady stream of our troops coming +back in disorder through the gap. +The men were retreating doggedly in +broken ranks, and turning, as they +trudged along, to look back, as if with +half a mind to return.</p> + +<p>As they came streaming past our +advance I called to a sergeant, an old +backwoodsman whose courage I knew, +and asked him of the battle and why +he was not fighting.</p> + +<p>"Fight?" he cried indignantly, +"why, damn it, Lieutenant, they will +not let us fight. They ordered us to +retreat before a musket was fired."</p> + +<p>At that moment Captain Mercer, an +aide of the staff of General Lee, rode up +to Colonel Ramsay, who was near me.</p> + +<p>He delivered an order rapidly, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> +then I heard Ramsay's voice ring out +angrily. "Retreat?" he cried. "By +whose order?"</p> + +<p>"By the order of General Lee."</p> + +<p>"But," he protested hotly, "we have +not seen the enemy yet."</p> + +<p>Mercer shrugged his shoulders. "I +only carry the order," he said.</p> + +<p>The stream of fugitives grew rapidly, +becoming more disorderly, showing at +every step the spread of the panic and +the rout, as Colonel Ramsay stopped the +advance and gave the order to retreat.</p> + +<p>Slowly and reluctantly we obeyed, +and as we retired through the second +pass in the hills we saw the British gain +the opposite ridge and advance with +cheers on the disorderly flying mass in +the sandy valley behind.</p> + +<p>Every moment the press of the fugitives +grew greater, and though we still +maintained our formation and marched +as on parade the retreat had turned into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> +a rout. On every side and in our rear +the broken ranks of the army poured +past, demoralised and in despair, and +ever nearer came the musketry and the +cheers of the advancing English.</p> + +<p>"They will catch us before we get +through the gap," said Dick, looking +at the pass in front of us.</p> + +<p>"Then we will fight anyhow," I +replied, "and General Lee can go to +the devil."</p> + +<p>Whereupon our spirits began to pick +up, and the men retreated more slowly +than ever, glancing over their shoulders +to see how near the head of the British +column was.</p> + +<p>At last we came to the foot of +the first pass, with its hills heavily +covered with scrub pines. Behind us +stretched the fields of broken troops, and +we could see the red line of the British +as they debouched upon the plain +and drove the patriots before them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was a wild scene of confusion and +disorder, of demoralised retreat and +rout; and then something happened.</p> + +<p>There was a stir in the pass in our +front, a clatter of hoofs, and there +appeared before us the General with +his staff. He towered there with his +great figure, a veritable god of war and +of wrath.</p> + +<p>For a moment his eye swept the +field, and his face flushed crimson with +indignation and anger, as he saw the +best troops of his army flying like +sheep before the enemy. There was +a storm in the air, and then, as Lee +rode up, it broke.</p> + +<p>We heard his excited "Sir, sir!" +and the General's angry tones, and +then dismissing him contemptuously, +he called to Hamilton to ask if there +was a regiment which could stop the +advance.</p> + +<p>Ramsay sprang forward.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My regiment is ready, General."</p> + +<p>"If you stop them ten minutes until +I form, you will save the army."</p> + +<p>"I will stop them or fall," cried +Ramsay, and, turning to us, he gave +the order to "About face," and then +crying that the General relied on us +to save the army, he led us in the +charge.</p> + +<p>Not a moment too soon, for, as the +press of the fugitives was brushed aside +by our advance, mingling in the midst +of the disorderly mass, came the red line +of the British, cheering and victorious.</p> + +<p>But suddenly the flying mass disappeared, +and in their place came the +yell of the Maryland Line, the long +array of their bayonets bent to the +charge, with all the fury and weight of +their onset.</p> + +<p>For a moment the red line hesitated; +then an officer, who looked strangely +familiar, sprang forward, shouting:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They are nothing but dogs of +rebels; charge and break them."</p> + +<p>The red line answered with a cheer, +for their fighting blood was up, and +they dashed forward to meet us.</p> + +<p>Then came such a clash of steel as is +seldom heard, as the King's Grenadiers +and the Maryland Line met in the +shock of the charge. For a moment +so close was the press that we could +not wield our arms, and men fell, +spitted on each other's bayonets.</p> + +<p>Then came a deadly struggle, as men +fought desperately, hand to hand, and +the lines swayed backward and forward +as the weight of the numbers told. +The ground was lost and gained, struggled +for and won over and over, while +the dead lay in heaps under our feet.</p> + +<p>It was in the midst of this deadly +struggle, when I was fighting sword in +hand amid the press of bayonets for +my very life, that I saw Ramsay, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +was near, cheering on his men, come +face to face with the officer who led the +charge of the Grenadiers. Then, in +that storm centre, around which the +roar of battle raged, there was a flash +of steel and the swords crossed. But +in the fury of the battle duels are short +and fierce, and I saw Ramsay, who was +already covered with wounds, falter for +a moment, as the other lunged, and +then he was down among the slain.</p> + +<p>Our line hesitated as Ramsay fell, +and the English pressed on with a +cheer. But I sprang forward, shouting +to the men to save their Colonel, and +they, answering my call, forced the +English back, until I stood by Ramsay's +body. But only for a moment; +before we could raise Ramsay gently +up and bear him off the field, there +came another charge of the Grenadiers +that forced us off our feet and hurled +us backward, fighting desperately, leaving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> +the body of our Colonel in the +hands of the enemy. But in the <i>mêlée</i> +I found my sword crossing that of the +officer who had fought with Ramsay, +and instantly I attacked him fiercely, +for I was burning to avenge Ramsay's +fall. But he, with ease and coolness, +parried all my thrusts and played with +me as if I were but a child. Then, as +I was growing desperate, he called to me, +"Nay, lad, go try your sword on some +one else and leave an old Scot alone. +I would not hurt you for the world."</p> + +<p>I started and let the point of my +sword fall, for it was the voice of the +old Tory, whom I had not before recognised +in the confusion of the fight. +This slight hesitation almost led to my +capture, for I had been fighting in advance +of our line, and now I found +myself in the midst of the English +troops. So, saluting the old Tory +hastily, I regained our lines.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then, fighting foot by foot and inch, +by inch, we contested their advance, as +the weight of numbers bore us backward +up the hill into the pines. But +every minute gained meant the salvation +of the army.</p> + +<p>Ah, it was hot work there, ankle +deep in the sand, with the broiling sun +above us, while the smoke and the dust +of the conflict filled our throats and +eyes; but we staggered on and fought +blindly, desperately, amid the din and +the carnage.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes, twenty minutes—ah, +there it is at last, and the roar of the +opening battle broke out to the right +and left of us, as the re-formed regiments +went into the fight.</p> + +<p>Then to our left came the high piercing +yell of our brothers of the Line, and +we knew that the British were falling +back before them. The Grenadiers +struggled on for a moment longer, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +the force of their charge was spent, and +the fire of the new regiments forced +them back in turn.</p> + +<p>But it was only for awhile, for they +re-formed, and, under the leadership +of the gallant Monkton, hurled themselves +upon us once again.</p> + +<p>Monkton fell, and their lines shrivelled +up under our fire. Then, as it +was near the setting of the sun, Washington, +glancing over the field, saw that +the time had come and ordered the +advance.</p> + +<p>Our whole line sprang forward, and, +though we had borne the brunt, the toil, +and heat of the day, not a man faltered. +As the long line swept forward the +British slowly retreated before us. We +drove them across the plain and through +the second pass, where night overtook +us and stopped our pursuit.</p> + +<p>But then, when the fever of the +battle left us, a great fatigue seized<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> +hold of our limbs, the men sank to the +earth as they stood, and slept from very +exhaustion.</p> + +<p>But we were soon to be aroused.</p> + +<p>Through the darkness came the +sound of a horse's hoofs, and a voice, +asking for Ramsay's regiment. I sprang +up, answering, and saw approaching a +body of horsemen. The foremost rider +seemed an immense figure, as he advanced +in the darkness; but I, who had +seen him often before, knew him to be +the great General.</p> + +<p>I immediately gave the alarm, and +the men sprang to their feet and presented +arms.</p> + +<p>And then, there under the pines, by +the light of the stars, the General rode +down our line, and, coming to the +centre, we felt his glance fall over our +ranks.</p> + +<p>"Men of Maryland," spoke Washington, +and his voice rang clear through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> +the pines, "once before at Long Island +you saved the army, and to-day, for a +second time, you have done so by your +courage and tenacity. I thank you in +the name of the army and the nation; +I thank you for myself."</p> + +<p>A wild yell that broke from the Line +was his answer. We forgot our fatigue +and our wounds in the pride of the +moment.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY</h3> + + +<p>It was near the end of the first watch +when an order came to me to pick out +several men, go forward, feel the enemy's +outposts, and see if the enemy +was still retreating.</p> + +<p>Making my choice, I passed our +pickets with three men, and made my +way cautiously to the last pass in the +hills which was in the enemy's possession +at nightfall. But not a sign of +their pickets or troops could I find; so +I boldly advanced in the pass, and, +crossing the ridge, found myself on the +heights overlooking Freehold. It was +a small town of scattered houses, and +beyond it I could see the lights of the +British camp-fires.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> + +<p>But as the heights were not near +enough for our purpose, we descended +into the plain, and carefully made our +way toward the town, where I knew +certain patriots were, who, if I could +once get speech with them, would tell +me the whole plans of the enemy.</p> + +<p>We could hear the tramp of feet at +the further side of the village, and all +the sounds of an army in retreat. Being +now so close to them, and in great +danger, we moved with the utmost caution. +Near at hand, on the outskirts +of the town, stood a large, square stone +house, separated from the rest of the +houses by an immense garden. Having +found a break in the hedge, we entered.</p> + +<p>It was an old garden, filled with boxwood +walks and flowers run wild. Very +prim at one time it must have been; +but, now that the war had helped the +return to nature, it was a wild and +tangled mass.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> + +<p>Making our way through the garden, +a light was suddenly thrown upon our +path, and, glancing up, I saw that it +came from a window which, though it +was on the first floor of the house, was +yet some distance from the ground.</p> + +<p>Then the figure of a woman crossed +the window, stopping for a moment to +look out, while we stood in the shadow +of the hedge, holding our breath. But +she passed on, and I, determining to +see into the room to discover whether +it contained friend or foe, quickly +gained the shelter of the wall of the +house. The wall was of rough hewn +stone, and with the help of my comrades' +shoulders, I raised myself high +enough to glance over the window-sill, +and what I saw there made me drop to +the ground quickly.</p> + +<p>Then, whispering to my comrades to +stay where they were, I made my way +to the rear entrance of the house, and,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> +finding the door unfastened, softly entered +the hall; and then I was standing +in the door of the room from which the +light came.</p> + +<p>A lamp stood on a table near a long +horse-hair sofa with spindle legs, on +which lay the figure of a man. The +coat had been cut from his shoulder, +which was swathed in many bandages, +while the blood-stained rags on the +table and the floor told of the seriousness +of the wound.</p> + +<p>A slender figure was bending over +him, gently arranging a pillow under +his head.</p> + +<p>"Do you feel easier now, father?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, lassie." Then, a moment +later, "Why does not Clinton send me +a carriage? He surely does not intend +to desert me here."</p> + +<p>"Captain Farquharson is searching +for one," she answered. And then +turning to the table, she saw me standing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> +in the doorway. The colour left her +face; she gave a little cry, for she +thought there were many men behind +me, and that all was lost. So, quickly +putting my finger to my lips, I stepped +back into the darkness of the hall, and +as I did so, I heard the old Tory ask, +"What's that?"</p> + +<p>"It was nothing," she answered. "I +thought I saw a ghost."</p> + +<p>I stood there in the broad window +waiting, for I knew she would come.</p> + +<p>Below me was the garden, heavy-scented +with the odour of flowers, and +the hum of the night insects was everywhere +in the air. Close to the wall I +saw the figures of my scouts. The +noise of the tramp of feet, the creak of +waggons, and the voice of command +came to me from the village street.</p> + +<p>At last she came and stood before +me. In her eyes were great pain and +fear and suffering.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Tell me," she asked anxiously, +"is there any danger for him?"</p> + +<p>"More danger for me than for him," +I replied. "The whole American advance +guard consists of three men and myself; +the rest will follow in the morning."</p> + +<p>"Ah," she cried, and there was hope +once more in her voice; "then we can +escape."</p> + +<p>"If you can move your father by +sunrise, yes," I replied.</p> + +<p>"But you," she said, and there was +new anxiety in her voice; "you are in +great danger here. When the soldiers +come to remove father they will take +you prisoner."</p> + +<p>"I care not, Mistress Jean," I answered, +"for your eyes have held me +prisoner for many a long day, and all +the prison bars in the world are nothing +to me so long as I can look into them."</p> + +<p>"Nay," she said, "you must not +say such things to me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p> + +<p>And I, taking this as a confirmation +of all my fears and that at last Farquharson +had succeeded in his suit, would +have bade her good-bye and gone my +way. But before I went I told her of +my wishes for her happiness, and that +I had met Farquharson and knew of +his skill and courage.</p> + +<p>"Farquharson?" and her eyes were +wide open in surprise. "I really believe +you think I am going to marry +him;" and she laughed so softly, bewitchingly, +that—</p> + +<p>"Jean, Jean," I cried, now that hope +and life had come back with a rush, +"Jean, do you know that I love you; +that I love the very ground on which +you walk, the sunbeams in your hair, +the very air you breathe? Ah! Jean—" +But at that moment came the voice of +the Tory calling her and the tramp of +feet on the porch.</p> + +<p>"Let me go," she cried, for I held<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +her hands in mine; "and fly,—that is +the guard."</p> + +<p>"Nay," said I, "not till you give +me a kiss. I will stay here and be +captured first."</p> + +<p>There was a moment's hesitation, +and then a flash of white arms, and the +softest caress—ah, such a caress that +the memory of it will go with me to +the grave. And then she was gone.</p> + +<p>And I, not wishing to be captured +now, slipped through the rear door to +my men, and a short time later, having +satisfied ourselves of the retreat of the +enemy's forces, we made our way back +over the hills to report to the General.</p> + +<p>We followed the enemy closely the +next day, and did not draw off until we +saw them beyond our reach at Sandy +Hook.</p> + +<p>Then we took our way to the Jersey +hills, and lay there for a time watching +the enemy in New York.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>THE PASSING OF YEARS</h3> + + +<p>Then came a long period when it +seemed almost as if peace had settled +over the land, so seldom did the rattle +of musket fire or the angry flash of +guns break the quiet repose of the +Jersey plains and farms.</p> + +<p>Far across the marshes lay New +York, and behind its walls and the +broad sweep of the waters the British +army rested safe, while the army of the +patriots, scattered among the forests, +woods, and hills of Jersey and New +York, lived, like Robin Hood's followers +of old, and waited while the wheel +of fortune turned.</p> + +<p>A year went by, when at the taking +of Paulus Hook I first heard news<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +of the welfare of the Tory and the +maid, since the night of the Monmouth +retreat.</p> + +<p>It was after an all-night march through +the marshes of Jersey, often breast-high +in the water, that we made a silent, +deadly charge with the bayonet on the +enemy's fort, and carried it before the +sun had risen.</p> + +<p>We were retiring rapidly, after securing +our prisoners, when one of my men +called to me: "Captain, here's one +of those Highland chiefs knocked on +the head."</p> + +<p>I went to him and found that it was +Farquharson, who had received an ugly +blow on the head from a clubbed +musket.</p> + +<p>A little whiskey between his teeth +and water on his face revived him, and +I was able, with the help of several +men, to carry him along with our +party.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> + +<p>We made good our retreat, and when +several days later I was in the main +camp of the army, I went to the quarters +where the prisoners were detained, +and there I again met Farquharson.</p> + +<p>"Captain," said he, smiling, for he +had almost recovered from his wound, +"there is no entering a contest against +you; fortune is always on your side."</p> + +<p>"My turn will come," I answered; +"but is there anything I can do for +you?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid not, unless you bribe +the guards to let me escape."</p> + +<p>"That would be clear against the +articles of war," I replied. We fell to +talking, and then it was I heard of the +Tory and his daughter.</p> + +<p>"It was about Christmas time," said +Farquharson, "that the King sent a +message over the sea, granting him a +pardon for the part he had taken in +'45, for you know he was out then.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +The Sea Raven was about to clear in a +week for Glasgow, and a sudden longing +seemed to seize him to see once +more the dash of the waters through +the Braes of Mar and the heather-crowned +hills of old Aberdeen; and so, +within a week, they had sailed away; +and as he left he said to me: 'A +revolt drove me from old Scotland; +another sends me back again. I wonder +where fortune will end my days.' +It is a strange fortune that has followed +him through life."</p> + +<p>"It is, indeed," I replied.</p> + +<p>So they sailed away over the seas, +gone back to their own land and +people; and between that land and +mine burned high the flame of war. +But through the flame and across the +broad stretch of the waters, I saw the +form of the maid beckoning me on, +and though my hope was well-nigh +gone, I buckled tight my sword-belt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> +and doggedly went on,—went on, +through the long march to the southward, +the toil, the hunger, and the +defeat of the Camden campaign.</p> + +<p>The great triumph of Eutaw Springs +and Cowpens, as we drove back Cornwallis +from the hill country to the +shore, rolled back the tide of invasion +and drowned it in the sea.</p> + +<p>A year went by, bringing me adventures +not a few, and with the adventures +came wounds and honours; and +when there came the news of the +leaguer of Yorktown, it found me a +full Colonel in the army of the South.</p> + +<p>It was not my fortune to be present +at that last great feat of our arms, when +the great General struck the blow that +freed us for ever from the tyranny of +the King.</p> + +<p>But when the news came down to +us in the savannahs of the South we +hailed it with joy, for we saw once<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> +more before us the quiet, smiling fields +of Maryland, with the ease and comfort +and plenty of it all that awaited +but our coming to repay us for the +years of strife and blood.</p> + +<p>And then at last came the order for +us to take up the homeward march. +The men took up the trail with as +jaunty a step as when they first +marched to the northward, long years +before. The gay uniforms were faded +and gone; rags and tatters had taken +their places, while of the brave banner +that was flung to the breeze at the +Head of Elk nothing remained but +the staff and a few ribbons that flaunted +therefrom.</p> + +<p>But every tatter told the tale of a +fight where the shot and shell had torn +it as it waved above the charging line, +the deadly struggle of the hand to +hand, or marked the slow and sullen +retreat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> + +<p>The men themselves were hardy and +bronzed; from their ragged caps to +their soleless shoes they bore the stamp +of veterans. They showed the signs of +their training in the angry school of war; +wide indeed was the difference between +the gay volunteers of '76 and the hardy +veterans of '82. We swung along in +our homeward march with a right goodwill, +and at last came to the broad +Potomac and saw the hills of Maryland +beyond.</p> + +<p>Now the river itself to the low water-line +of the southern bank is within the +boundaries of Maryland. Wishing to +be the first across the line, I rode my +horse in to the saddle-girths, and let +him drink thereof.</p> + +<p>A day later brought us to Annapolis, +where we received the thanks of the +State authorities, and with all due form +and ceremony obtained our discharge +and then dispersed to our homes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> + +<p>That very day I took a canoe, and, +crossing the bay, found myself again on +the steps of Fairlee.</p> + +<p>Once more my mother leaned on my +arm, and, looking up at her tall, broad-shouldered +son, with his epaulets of a +Colonel, bronzed face, and hardy bearing, +seemed proud and happy.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>THE COMING OF THE MAID</h3> + + +<p>Many months had passed away, +spring had come again, and the fair city +of Annapolis lay in a mass of flowers. +The vivid green of the old trees cast a +delightful shade over all, tempting one +to stroll through the quiet streets and +byways, past the moss-grown walls, the +old-fashioned gardens, buried in roses, +and the stately, proud mansions of many +of Maryland's best and bravest.</p> + +<p>I was standing on a step and above +me stood Mistresses Polly and Betsy +Johnson, who were railing at me now +that I no longer wore a uniform and +was simply a plain member of the +Legislature.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He looked so fine in his brass +buttons," said Mistress Polly.</p> + +<p>"A brave, bold, quite proper-looking +young fellow," added Mistress +Betsy.</p> + +<p>"And now just look at him," continued +Mistress Polly pathetically; and +they surveyed me sorrowfully, while +malicious mischief played around the +corners of their eyes.</p> + +<p>I laughed outright. I could not help +it, so droll was the expression on their +faces.</p> + +<p>"True, your ladyship," I said; "the +toga does not fit a young man so well +as the buckled sabre and glittering +epaulets. But now that dull peace has +come, the hall of the Legislature is the +only place where you can throw the +weight of your sword in the conflict and +wield some influence in the great struggles +of the country; would you have +me idle?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nay, I would not have that," said +Mistress Polly judiciously. "But your +round head and big hands are just the +things for a fight, and though your +voice is—well—can be heard a considerable +distance, I am afraid——" +She paused, as if doubtful about its being +put to any good use in the hall of +the Assembly.</p> + +<p>Decidedly I was getting the worst +of it.</p> + +<p>At this moment Dick Ringgold, who +represented Kent with me, came swinging +up the street, and, seeing me standing +on the steps, hailed me with—</p> + +<p>"Hello, Frisby, have you heard the +news?"</p> + +<p>"What news?"</p> + +<p>"Your old Tory friend Gordon is +on the Sally Ann, from London, which +has just come up the harbour."</p> + +<p>"Any one with him?" I asked +anxiously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well," said Dick, maliciously drawling +it out, "I heard some one say there +was a young lady with him."</p> + +<p>I did not stop to protest against the +laughter that followed me as I dashed +down the street, or to Dick's shout as +he called something after me. A few +minutes later I was on the wharf.</p> + +<p>Out in the stream, swaying with +the current of the tide, lay the Sally +Ann, her tall spars tapering high in air, +her decks full of bustle and activity, +showing the journey's end and that the +final preparations for disembarkation +were under full headway.</p> + +<p>As I arrived a boat was pulling off +from her side containing two passengers. +As I saw them my heart gave a great +bound; my hand went to my hat and +swung it around my head. In answer +to my signal came the fluttering of a +handkerchief.</p> + +<p>"Sir," said I, as the old Tory stepped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> +ashore, "let me be the first to welcome +you back to old Maryland."</p> + +<p>"Would that all my enemies were +like you!" he replied. "I hesitated +long about returning, but Jean would +have it so."</p> + +<p>And Mistress Jean said not a word +as I took her hand in mine, but her +face was mantled in scarlet and her eyes +were downcast.</p> + +<p>The prim old garden of the Nicholsons +never looked more charming, the +flowers more sweet and beautiful, or the +green boxwood hedges more suggestive +of rest and repose; the lazy waters of +the Chester rolled along at its foot, +gently lapping the grass. Ah! the sun +was shining on a glorious world that +day, for Mistress Jean walked beside +me.</p> + +<p>"Mistress Jean," said I, as we stood +where the waters met the grass and +looked out over the broad and silent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> +river, flowing on and on as if to eternity, +"our lives have been more like mountain +torrents than the broad smooth +river here. We have lived through +the battles and sieges, seen blood and +death and all the horrors of a great war, +but now that peace has come, and our +course lies through pleasant fields and +verdant meadows, would it not be best +for them to join and flow on as this +great river does, Jean? Ah, Jean, you +know how much I love you."</p> + +<p>And then she placed her hand in +mine; her eyes spoke that which I +most wished to know, and the very +earth seemed glorious.</p> + +<p>I know not how long we stood +there, when there came Mistress Nancy +Nicholson's voice through the garden, +calling, "Jean, Jean, where are you?"</p> + +<p>"Here," she answered; and with that +Mistress Nancy came running round +the hedge.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Jean," she cried, "Dick has +proposed."</p> + +<p>And then, seeing me, she stamped +her little foot, and cried, "Oh, bother!" +blushing meanwhile as red as one of her +roses.</p> + +<p>"And so have I, Mistress Nancy," +I replied.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>And now, my children, I end this +tale, sitting here on the old porch at +Fairlee. The pen drops from my hand, +but my eyes are not too dim to see +the flash of the sunlight on the waters +of the great bay through the break in +the trees.</p> + +<p>Nor are they too dim, Miss Jean, in +spite of the impertinent toss of your +head, to see in you the likeness of the +maid that led me such a wild dance in +the days of my youth. And I promise +you, if you do not smile on young +Dick Ringgold and stop your <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>outrageous +treatment of him, I will not +leave you a cent in my will.</p> + +<p>There, there; I retract every word +that I said. Was there ever so audacious +a monkey in the world?</p> + +<p>There, I have finished. Oh, yes, I +forgot—</p> + +<p>"John Cotton, bring me some more +mint."</p> + + + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tory Maid, by Herbert Baird Stimpson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TORY MAID *** + +***** This file should be named 20678-h.htm or 20678-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/6/7/20678/ + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Diane Monico, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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