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Fenimore Cooper. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + td {vertical-align: top;} + + hr.large {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + hr.medium {width: 45%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + + div.centered {text-align:center;} /*work around for IE centering with CSS problem part 1 */ + div.centered table {margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:left;} /* work around for IE problem part 2 */ + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-size: 108%;} + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .bbox {border: none;} + .centerbox {width: 90%; /* heading box */ + margin: 0 auto; + text-align: center;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + .right {text-align: right;} + .smallgap {margin-top: 1.25em;} + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .7em; text-decoration: none;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spy, by J. Fenimore Cooper + +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 Spy + Condensed for use in schools + +Author: J. Fenimore Cooper + +Release Date: May 31, 2010 [EBook #32632] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPY *** + + + + +Produced by D Alexander, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 326px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="326" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +<h3 class="u"><i>STANDARD LITERATURE SERIES</i></h3> + +<h1>THE SPY</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>J. FENIMORE COOPER</h2> + +<h3>CONDENSED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS</h3> + +<h4><i>WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND EXPLANATORY NOTES</i></h4> + +<p class="smallgap"> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 40px;"> +<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="40" height="33" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="smallgap"> </p> + +<h3>NEW YORK AND NEW ORLEANS</h3> +<h2>UNIVERSITY PUBLISHING CO.</h2> +<h3>1898</h3> + +<hr class="large" /> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1895, by</span><br /> +UNIVERSITY PUBLISHING CO.<br /> +<br /> +Press of J. J. Little & Co.<br /> +Astor Place, New York</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" width="70%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" summary="CONTENTS"> + +<tr> +<td align="left"> .</td> +<td align="left"><span class="smcap">INTRODUCTION AND HISTORICAL NOTE.</span></td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_3">3</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">I.</td> +<td align="left"><span class="smcap">A RURAL SCENE IN 1780.</span></td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">II.</td> +<td align="left">THE PEDDLER.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">9</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">III.</td> +<td align="left">THE STRANGER’S WARNING AND THE PEDDLER’S RETURN.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">16</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">IV.</td> +<td align="left">CAPTAIN WHARTON’S CAPTURE.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">20</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">V.</td> +<td align="left">DUNWOODIE’S INVESTIGATION.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">25</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">VI.</td> +<td align="left">THE SKIRMISH AND ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN WHARTON.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">29</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">VII.</td> +<td align="left">DUNWOODIE’S TRAP AND THE RECAPTURE OF CAPTAIN WHARTON.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">35</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">VIII.</td> +<td align="left">THE PURSUIT.—BIRCH’S ESCAPE.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">39</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">IX.</td> +<td align="left">THE UNWELCOME VISITORS.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">42</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">X.</td> +<td align="left">A COLONIAL REPAST.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">48</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XI.</td> +<td align="left">THE PEDDLER’S CAPTURE.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">50</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XII.</td> +<td align="left">HOTEL FLANAGAN AND ITS INTRUDERS.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">54</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XIII.</td> +<td align="left">THE SKINNERS’ REWARD.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">60</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XIV.</td> +<td align="left">THE DOUBLE WARNING.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">64</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XV.</td> +<td align="left">MISS WHARTON’S MARRIAGE INTERRUPTED.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">69</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XVI.</td> +<td align="left">HELP WELL TIMED.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">72</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XVII.</td> +<td align="left">CAPTAIN WHARTON’S TRIAL.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">77</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XVIII.</td> +<td align="left">MR. HARPER IS SOUGHT BUT NOT FOUND.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">86</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XIX.</td> +<td align="left">WHAT CAME OF A REVEREND GENTLEMAN’S VISIT TO +CAPTAIN WHARTON.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">92</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XX.</td> +<td align="left">THE ALARM AND THE PURSUIT.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">100</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XXI.</td> +<td align="left">FRANCES REMINDS MR. HARPER OF HIS PROMISE.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">105</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XXII.</td> +<td align="left">DUNWOODIE GAINS HIS SUIT, AND CAPTAIN WHARTON HIS +FREEDOM.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">113</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XXIII.</td> +<td align="left">WASHINGTON’S LAST MEETING WITH THE SPY.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">118</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XXIV.</td> +<td align="left">DEATH OF THE SPY.—A REVELATION.</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">123</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> +<h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + +<p>James Fenimore Cooper was born in Burlington, N. J., in 1789—the year +in which George Washington was inaugurated first President of the +United States. His boyhood was passed at Cooperstown, N. Y., a village +founded by his father. After completing his studies at Yale, young +Cooper entered the American navy as midshipman, subsequently obtaining +the rank of lieutenant. He also made some voyages in a merchant +vessel, and in this service acquired that knowledge of sea life of +which he made good use in many of his novels.</p> + +<p>Cooper has been styled the Walter Scott of America. It is hardly an +exaggeration to rank him so high, for he has done for America what +Scott did for Scotland: he has illustrated and popularized much of its +history and many of its olden traditions in stories that will have +appreciative readers so long as the English language is spoken. As a +recent writer observes, he “wrote for men and women as well as for +boys and girls,” and the best of his stories are “purely American, +native born, and native bred.”</p> + +<p>Another distinction must be assigned to Cooper, and it is a mark of +high merit: he was the first American novelist who became widely known +and esteemed in foreign countries. “The Spy” appeared in 1821—a time +when American literature was in its infancy. Though but the second of +the author’s works, it immediately became popular on both sides of the +Atlantic. It was translated into several European languages, and may +even, we are told, be read in the Persian tongue.</p> + +<p>Other stories quickly followed. “The Pioneer” was published in 1822. +This and “The Deerslayer,” “The Pathfinder,” “The Last of the +Mohicans,” and “The Prairie” belong to the series known as the +Leatherstocking Tales, so called from Leatherstocking Natty, the most +celebrated of the characters introduced. These deal with life and +adventure among the Indians, in description of which Cooper surpassed +all other writers. The sea tales include “The Pilot,” published in +1823; “The Red Rover,” in 1827; “The Waterwitch,” in 1830; “The Two +Admirals,” in 1842, and “The Sea Lions,” in 1849. Altogether, Cooper +wrote thirty-three novels, many of them universally recognized as +entitled to first rank in that field of literature, and all full of +interest to the lover of romance.</p> + +<p>In 1826 Cooper visited Europe, and remained for several years, +continuing <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>his literary work and producing, in addition to novels, +some volumes of sketches of European society. He returned to America +in 1833. His last book, “The Ways of the Hour,” which deals with +abuses of trial by jury, was published in 1850. He died on the 14th of +September the following year at Cooperstown.</p> + +<h3>HISTORICAL NOTE.</h3> + +<p>The events of the patriot Revolution afforded ample and excellent +subject-matter for the genius of Cooper; and in “The Spy” he treats +his material in a manner which has made the work a favorite with all +lovers of fiction. The scene of the story is laid chiefly in that part +of New York State lying immediately north and northeast of Manhattan +Island. At the period referred to New York was held by the British, +under command of Sir Henry Clinton, having been taken after the defeat +of the Americans at the Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776. At +the same time the Americans possessed nearly all the rest of the +State. The district lying between the British and the American lines, +and extending over the greater part of Westchester County, was known +as the “neutral ground.” Here the principal events of the story are +placed.</p> + +<p>This district having then practically no government, the inhabitants +suffered much, not only through the military operations of the hostile +forces, but from bands of marauders known as “cowboys” and “skinners.” +The latter, professing to be supporters of the American cause, roamed +over the neutral ground, robbing Tories (friends of the British) and +others who refused to take an oath of fidelity to the new republic, +while those consenting to take the oath were attacked and plundered by +the cowboys, who carried on their depredations as British partisans.</p> + +<p>The hero of “The Spy” is not altogether a fictitious character. In the +introduction to one of the editions of the book the author tells us +that he took the idea of Harvey Birch from a real person who was +actually engaged in the secret service of the American Committee of +Safety—a committee appointed by Congress to discover and defeat the +various schemes projected by the Tories in conjunction with the +British to aid the latter against the republican government. Spies +were, of course, employed on both sides during the struggle, and it +may readily be believed that among the patriot Americans there were +many who were willing, without desire of earthly reward, not only to +encounter hardships and danger to life for their country’s cause, but +to risk even loss of reputation, as Harvey Birch did.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> +<h1><a name="THE_SPY" id="THE_SPY"></a>THE SPY.</h1> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>A RURAL SCENE IN 1780.</h3> + +<p>It was near the close of the year 1780 that a solitary traveller was +seen pursuing his way through one of the numerous little valleys of +Westchester. The county of Westchester, after the British had obtained +possession of the island of New York, became common ground, in which +both parties continued to act for the remainder of the War of the +Revolution. A large portion of its inhabitants, either restrained by +their attachments or influenced by their fears, affected a neutrality +they did not feel. The lower towns were, of course, more particularly +under the domain of the crown, while the upper, finding a security +from the vicinity of the Continental<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> troops, were bold in asserting +their revolutionary opinions and their right to govern themselves. +Great numbers, however, wore masks, which even to this day have not +been thrown aside; and many an individual has gone down to the tomb +stigmatized as a foe to the rights of his countrymen, while, in +secret, he has been the useful agent of the leaders of the Revolution; +and, on the other hand, could the hidden repositories of divers +flaming patriots have been opened to the light of day, royal +protections would have been discovered concealed under piles of +British gold.</p> + +<p>The passage of a stranger, with an appearance of somewhat <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>doubtful +character, and mounted on an animal which, although unfurnished with +any of the ordinary trappings of war, partook largely of the bold and +upright carriage that distinguished his rider, gave rise to many +surmises<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> among the gazing inmates of the different habitations; and +in some instances, where conscience was more than ordinarily awake, to +a little alarm.</p> + +<p>Tired with the exercise of a day of unusual fatigue, and anxious to +obtain a speedy shelter from the increasing violence of the storm, +that now began to change its character to large drops of driving rain, +the traveller determined, as a matter of necessity, to make an +application for admission to the next dwelling that offered.</p> + +<p>Sufficient light yet remained to enable the traveller to distinguish +the improvements which had been made in the cultivation and in the +general appearance of the grounds around the building to which he was +now approaching. The house was of stone, long, low, and with a low +wing at each extremity. A piazza, extending along the front, with +neatly turned pillars of wood, together with the good order and +preservation of the fences and out-buildings, gave the place an air +altogether superior to the common farm-houses of the country. After +leading his horse behind an angle of the wall, where it was in some +degree protected from the wind and rain, the traveller threw his +valise over his arm, and knocked loudly at the entrance of the +building for admission. An aged black soon appeared, and without +seeming to think it necessary, under the circumstances, to consult his +superiors, first taking one prying look at the applicant by the light +of the candle in his hand, he acceded to the request for +accommodations. The traveller was shown into an extremely neat parlor, +where a fire had been lighted to cheer the dulness of an easterly +storm and an October evening. After giving the valise into the keeping +of his civil attendant, and politely repeating the request to the old +gentleman who rose to receive him, and paying his compliments <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>to the +three ladies who were seated at work with their needles, the stranger +commenced laying aside some of the outer garments which he had worn in +his ride.</p> + +<p>After handing a glass of excellent Madeira to his guest, Mr. Wharton, +for so was the owner of this retired estate called, resumed his seat +by the fire, with another in his own hand. For a moment he paused, as +if debating with his politeness, but at length he threw an inquiring +glance on the stranger, as he inquired:</p> + +<p>“To whose health am I to have the honor of drinking?”</p> + +<p>The young ladies had again taken their seats beside the work-stand, +while their aunt, Miss Jeanette Peyton, withdrew to superintend the +preparations necessary to appease the hunger of their unexpected +visitor.</p> + +<p>The traveller had also seated himself, and he sat unconsciously gazing +on the fire while Mr. Wharton spoke; turning his eyes slowly on his +host with a look of close observation, he replied, while a faint tinge +gathered on his features:</p> + +<p>“Mr. Harper.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Harper,” resumed the other, with the formal precision of that +day, “I have the honor to drink your health, and to hope you will +sustain no injury from the rain to which you have been exposed.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Harper bowed in silence to the compliment, and he soon resumed the +meditations from which he had been interrupted, and for which the long +ride he had that day made, in the wind, might seem a very natural +apology.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wharton had in vain endeavored to pierce the disguise of his +guest’s political feelings. He arose and led the way into another room +and to the supper-table. Mr. Harper offered his hand to Sarah Wharton, +and they entered the room together; while Frances followed, greatly at +a loss to know whether she had not wounded the feelings of her +father’s inmate.</p> + +<p>The storm began to rage in greater violence without, when <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>a loud +summons at the outer door again called the faithful black to the +portal. In a minute the servant returned, and informed his master that +another traveller, overtaken by the storm, desired to be admitted to +the house for shelter through the night.</p> + +<p>Some of the dishes were replaced by the orders of Miss Peyton, and the +weather-beaten intruder was invited to partake of the remains of the +repast, from which the party had just risen. Throwing aside a rough +great-coat, he very composedly took the offered chair, and +unceremoniously proceeded to allay the cravings of an appetite which +appeared by no means delicate. But at every mouthful he would turn an +unquiet eye on Harper, who studied his appearance with a closeness of +investigation that was very embarrassing to its subject. At length, +pouring out a glass of wine, the newcomer nodded significantly to his +examiner, previously to swallowing the liquor, and said, with +something of bitterness in his manner:</p> + +<p>“I drink to our better acquaintance, sir; I believe this is the first +time we have met, though your attention would seem to say otherwise.”</p> + +<p>“I think we have never met before, sir,” replied Harper, with a slight +smile on his features, rising and desiring to be shown to his place of +rest. A small boy was directed to guide him to his room; and, wishing +a courteous good-night to the whole party, the traveller withdrew. The +knife and fork fell from the hands of the unwelcome intruder as the +door closed on the retiring figure of Harper; he rose slowly from his +seat; listening attentively, he approached the door of the room, +opened it, seemed to attend to the retreating footsteps of the other, +and, amidst the panic and astonishment of his companions, he closed it +again. In an instant the red wig which concealed his black locks, the +large patch which hid half his face from observation, the stoop that +had made him appear fifty years of age, disappeared.</p> + +<p>“My father, my dear father!” cried the handsome young <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>man; “and you, +my dearest sisters and aunt!—have I at last met you again?”</p> + +<p>“Heaven bless you, my Henry, my son!” exclaimed the astonished but +delighted parent; while his sisters sunk on his shoulders, dissolved +in tears.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>THE PEDDLER.</h3> + +<p>A storm below the highlands of the Hudson, if it be introduced with an +easterly wind, seldom lasts less than two days. Accordingly, the +inmates of the Locusts assembled on the following morning around their +early breakfast, as the driving rain, seen to strike in nearly +horizontal lines against the windows of the building, forbade the idea +of exposing either man or beast to the tempest. Harper was the last to +appear; after taking a view of the state of the weather, he apologized +to Mr. Wharton for the necessity that existed for his trespassing on +his goodness for a longer time. Henry Wharton had resumed his disguise +with a reluctance amounting to disgust, but in obedience to the +commands of his parent. No communications passed between him and the +stranger after the first salutations of the morning.</p> + +<p>While seated at the table, Cæsar entered, and laying a small parcel in +silence by the side of his master, modestly retired behind his chair, +where, placing one hand on its back, he continued, in an attitude half +familiar, half respectful, a listener.</p> + +<p>“What is this, Cæsar?” inquired Mr. Wharton, turning the bundle over +to examine its envelope,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> and eying it rather suspiciously.</p> + +<p>“The ’baccy, sir; Harvey Birch, he got home, and he bring you a little +good ’baccy from York.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p><p>“Harvey Birch!” rejoined the master, with great deliberation, stealing +a look at his guest. “I do not remember desiring him to purchase any +tobacco for me; but as he has brought it, he must be paid for his +trouble.”</p> + +<p>Sarah Wharton bade the black show Birch into the apartment; when, +suddenly recollecting herself, she turned to the traveller with an +apologizing look, and added, “If Mr. Harper will excuse the presence +of a peddler.”</p> + +<p>Harvey Birch had been a peddler from his youth; at least, so he +frequently asserted,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> and his skill in the occupation went far to +prove the truth of the declaration. He was a native of one of the +Eastern colonies; and, from something of superior intelligence which +belonged to his father, it was thought they had known better fortune +in the land of their nativity. Harvey possessed, however, the common +manners of the country, and was in no way distinguished from men of +his class but by his acuteness,<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> and the mystery which enveloped his +movements. Ten years before, they had arrived together in the vale, +and, purchasing an humble dwelling, continued peaceful inhabitants, +but little noticed and but little known. Until age and infirmities had +prevented, the father devoted himself to the cultivation of the small +spot of ground belonging to his purchase, while the son pursued with +avidity<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> his humble barter. Their orderly quietude had soon given +them so much consideration in the neighborhood as to induce a maiden +(Katy Haynes by name) of five-and-thirty to forget the punctilio<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> of +her sex, and to accept the office of presiding over their domestic +comforts.</p> + +<p>Harvey was in the frequent habit of paying mysterious visits in the +depth of the night to the fire-place of the apartment that served for +both kitchen and parlor. Here he was observed by Katy; and, availing +herself of his absence and the occupation of the father, by removing +one of the hearth-stones she discovered <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>an iron pot, glittering with +a metal that seldom fails to soften the hardest heart. Katy succeeded +in replacing the stone without discovery, and never dared to trust +herself with another visit.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes after receiving the commands of his young mistress, +Cæsar reappeared, ushering into the apartment a man above the middle +height, spare, but full of bone and muscle. At first sight his +strength seemed unequal to manage the unwieldy burden of his pack; yet +he threw it on and off with great dexterity,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> and with as much +apparent ease as if it had been filled with feathers. His eyes were +gray, sunken, restless, and, for the flitting moments that they dwelt +on the countenance of those with whom he conversed, they seemed to +read the very soul. They possessed, however, two distinct expressions, +which in a great measure characterized the whole man. When engaged in +traffic, the intelligence of his face appeared lively, active, and +flexible, though uncommonly acute; if the conversation turned on the +ordinary transactions of life, his air became abstract and restless; +but if, by chance, the revolution and the country were the topic, his +whole system seemed altered—all his faculties were concentrated;<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> +he would listen for a great length of time without speaking, and then +would break silence by some light remark that was too much at variance +with his former manner not to be affectation. But of the war and of +his father he seldom spoke, and always from some obvious necessity. To +a superficial<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> observer, avarice<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> would seem his ruling passion.</p> + +<p>On entering the room the peddler relieved himself from his burden, +which, as it stood on the door,<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> reached nearly to his shoulders, +and saluted the family with modest civility. To Harper he made a +silent bow, without lifting his eyes from the carpet; but the curtain +prevented any notice of the presence <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>of Captain Wharton. At length, +Sarah, having selected several articles, observed in a cheerful voice:</p> + +<p>“But, Harvey, you have told us no news. Has Lord Cornwallis beaten the +rebels again?”</p> + +<p>The question seemed not to have been heard, for the peddler, burying +his body in the pack, brought forth a quantity of lace of +exquisite<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> fineness, and, holding it up to view, he required the +admiration of the young lady. Finding a reply was expected, he +answered, slowly:</p> + +<p>“There is some talk, below, about Tarleton<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> having defeated General +Sumpter<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> on the Tiger River.”<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p> + +<p>“Indeed!” cried the exulting Sarah; “Sumpter—Sumpter—who is he? I’ll +not buy even a pin until you tell me all the news,” she continued, +laughing and throwing down a muslin she had been examining.</p> + +<p>For a moment the peddler hesitated; his eye glanced toward Harper, who +was yet gazing at him with settled meaning, and the whole manner of +Birch was altered. Approaching the fire, he took from his mouth a +large allowance of the Virginian weed, and depositing it, with its +juices, without mercy to Miss Peyton’s andirons,<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> he returned to +his goods.</p> + +<p>“He lives among the colored people in the south, and he has lately had +a scrimmage with this Colonel Tarleton”—</p> + +<p>“Who defeated him, of course?” cried Sarah, with confidence.</p> + +<p>“So say the troops at Morrisania.”<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a></p> + +<p>“But what do <i>you</i> say?” Mr. Wharton ventured to inquire, yet speaking +in a low tone.</p> + +<p>“I repeat but what I hear,” said Birch, offering a piece of cloth to +the inspection of Sarah, who rejected it in silence, evidently +determined to hear more before she made another purchase.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p><p>“They say, however, at the Plains,”<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> the peddler continued, first +throwing his eyes again around the room and letting them rest for an +instant on Harper, “that Sumpter and one or two more were all that +were hurt, and that the rig’lars<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> were all cut to pieces, for the +militia were fixed snugly in a log barn.”</p> + +<p>“Not very probable,” said Sarah, contemptuously,<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> “though I make no +doubt the rebels got behind the logs.”</p> + +<p>“I think,” said the peddler, coolly, again offering the silk, “it’s +quite ingenious to get a log between one and a gun, instead of getting +between a gun and a log.”</p> + +<p>The eyes of Harper dropped quietly on the pages of the volume in his +hand, while Frances, rising, came forward with a smile on her face, as +she inquired, in a tone of affability<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> that the peddler had never +witnessed from the younger sister:</p> + +<p>“Have you more of the lace, Mr. Birch?”</p> + +<p>The desired article was produced, and Frances became a purchaser also.</p> + +<p>“So it is thought that Colonel Tarleton has worsted General Sumpter?” +said Mr. Wharton.</p> + +<p>“I believe they think so at Morrisania,” said Birch, dryly.</p> + +<p>“Have you any other news, friend?” asked Captain Wharton, venturing to +thrust his face without the curtains.</p> + +<p>“Have you heard that Major André<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> has been hanged?”</p> + +<p>Captain Wharton started, and for a moment glances of great +significance<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> were exchanged between him and the trader, when he +observed, with affected indifference, “that it must have been some +weeks ago.”</p> + +<p>“Is there any probability of movements below, my friend, that will +make travelling dangerous?” asked Harper, looking steadily at the +other in expectation of his reply.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p><p>Some bunches of ribbon fell from the hands of Birch; his countenance +changed instantly, losing its keen expression in intent meaning, as he +answered slowly: “It is some time since the rig’lar cavalry were out, +and I saw some of DeLancey’s<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> men cleaning their arms as I passed +their quarters; it would be no wonder if they took the scent soon, for +the Virginia horse are low in the county.”</p> + +<p>“Are they in much force?” asked Mr. Wharton.</p> + +<p>“I did not count them.”</p> + +<p>Frances was the only observer of the change in the manner of Birch, +and on turning to Harper, he had resumed his book in silence. She +said, blushing with a color that suffused<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> her neck:</p> + +<p>“I thought the Southern horse had marched towards the Delaware.”</p> + +<p>“It may be so,” said Birch; “I passed the troop at a distance.”</p> + +<p>Cæsar had now selected a piece of calico, in which the gaudy colors of +yellow and red were contrasted on a white ground, and, after admiring +it for several minutes, he laid it down with a sigh, as he exclaimed: +“Berry pretty calico.”</p> + +<hr class="medium" /> + +<p>The party sat in silence for many minutes after the peddler had +withdrawn, when the stranger suddenly broke it by saying:</p> + +<p>“If any apprehensions<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> of me induce Captain Wharton to maintain his +disguise, I wish him to be undeceived; had I motives for betraying +him, they could not operate under present circumstances.”</p> + +<p>The younger sister sank into her seat colorless and astonished. Miss +Peyton dropped the tea-tray she was lifting from the table, and Sarah +sat with her purchases unheeded in her lap, speechless with surprise. +Mr. Wharton was stupefied; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>but the captain, hesitating a moment from +astonishment, sprang into the middle of the room, and exclaimed, as he +tore off the instruments of disguise:</p> + +<p>“I believe you, from my soul, and this tiresome imposition shall +continue no longer. Yet I am at a loss to conceive in what manner you +should know me.”</p> + +<p>“You really look so much better in your proper person, Captain +Wharton,” said Harper, with a slight smile, “I would advise you never +to conceal it in future. There is enough to betray you, if other +sources of detection were wanting.” As he spoke, he pointed to a +picture suspended over the mantelpiece, which exhibited the British +officer in his regimentals.</p> + +<p>“I had flattered myself,” cried young Wharton, with a laugh, “that I +looked better on the canvas than in a masquerade. You must be a close +observer, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Necessity has made me one,” said Harper, rising from his seat.</p> + +<p>Frances met him as he was about to withdraw, and, taking his hand +between her own, said with earnestness, her cheeks mantling with the +richest vermilion<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a>: “You cannot—you will not betray my brother!”</p> + +<p>For an instant Harper paused in silent admiration of the lovely +pleader, and then, folding her hands on his breast, he replied +solemnly: “I cannot, and I will not.” He released her hands, and +laying his own on her head, gently, continued: “If the blessing of a +stranger can profit you, receive it.” He turned, and bowing low +retired, with a delicacy that was duly appreciated by those he +quitted, to his own apartment.</p> + +<p>The whole party were deeply impressed with the ingenuous<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> and +solemn manner of the traveller, and all but the father found immediate +relief in his declaration.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>THE STRANGER’S WARNING AND THE PEDDLER’S RETURN.</h3> + +<p>On the afternoon of the succeeding day, the party were assembled in +the parlor around the tea-table of Miss Peyton, when a change in the +weather occurred. The rushing winds had ceased, the pelting of the +storm was over, and, springing to the window, Frances saw a glorious +ray of sunshine lighting up the opposite wood. The foliage glittered +with the checkered beauties of the October leaf, reflecting back from +the moistened boughs the richest lustre of an American autumn. In an +instant, the piazza, which opened to the south, was thronged with the +inmates of the cottage. The air was mild, balmy, and refreshing; in +the east, clouds, which might be likened to the retreating masses of a +discomfited<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> army, hung around the horizon in awful and increasing +darkness. At a little elevation above the cottage, the thin vapor was +still rushing towards the east with amazing velocity; while in the +west the sun had broken forth and shed his parting radiance on the +scene below, aided by the fullest richness of a clear atmosphere and a +freshened herbage.</p> + +<p>“What a magnificent scene!” said Harper, in a low tone; “how grand! +how awfully sublime! May such a quiet speedily await the struggle in +which my country is engaged, and such a glorious evening follow the +day of her adversity!”</p> + +<p>“There can be no danger apprehended from such a man,” thought Frances; +“such feelings belong only to the virtuous.”</p> + +<p>The musings of the party were now interrupted by the sudden appearance +of the peddler. “Fine evening,” he said, saluting the party, without +raising his eyes; “quite warm and agreeable for the season.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p><p>Mr. Wharton assented to the remark, and inquired kindly after the +health of his father. Harvey answered with a slight tremor in his +voice:</p> + +<p>“He fails fast; old age and hardships will do their work.” The peddler +turned his face from the view of most of the family, but Frances +noticed his glistening eyes and quivering lips, and for the second +time Harvey rose in her estimation.</p> + +<p>The valley in which the residence of Mr. Wharton stood ran in a +direction from northwest to southeast, and the house was placed on the +side of a wall which terminated<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> its length in the former +direction. A small opening, occasioned by the receding of the opposite +hill, and the fall of the land to the level of the tide water, +afforded a view of the Sound<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> over the tops of the distant woods on +its margin. The surface of the water, which had so recently been +lashing the shores with boisterous fury, was already losing its +ruffled darkness in the long and regular undulations<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> that succeed +a tempest, while the light air from the southwest was gently touching +their summits, lending its feeble aid in stilling the waters. Some +dark spots were now to be distinguished, occasionally rising into +view, and again sinking behind the lengthened waves which interposed +themselves to the sight. They were unnoticed by all but the peddler. +He seated himself on the piazza, at a distance from Harper, and +appeared to have forgotten the object of his visit. His roving eye, +however, soon caught a glimpse of these new objects in the view, and +springing up with alacrity<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> gazed intently towards the water. He +changed his place, glanced his eye with marked uneasiness on Harper, +and then said with great emphasis:</p> + +<p>“The rig’lars must be out from below.”</p> + +<p>“Why do you think so?” inquired Captain Wharton, eagerly. “God send it +may be true; I want their escort in again.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p><p>“Them ten whaleboats would not move so fast unless they were better +manned than common.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps,” cried Mr. Wharton in alarm, “they are—they are +Continentals returning from the island.”</p> + +<p>“They look like rig’lars,” said the peddler, with meaning.</p> + +<p>“Look!” repeated the captain, “there is nothing but spots to be seen.”</p> + +<p>Harvey, disregarding his observation, said in an undertone, “They came +out before the gale—have laid on the island these two days—horse are +on the road—there will soon be fighting near us.” During this speech, +Birch several times glanced towards Harper, with evident uneasiness, +who stood in silent contemplation<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> of the view, and seemed enjoying +the change in the air. As Birch concluded, however, Harper turned to +his host, and mentioned that his business would not admit of +unnecessary delay; he would, therefore, avail himself of the fine +evening to ride a few miles on his journey. Mr. Wharton made many +professions of regret, but was too mindful of his duty not to speed +the parting guest, and orders were instantly given to that effect.</p> + +<p>Every preparation being completed, Harper proceeded to take his leave. +There was a mutual exchange of polite courtesy between the host and +his parting guest; but as Harper frankly offered his hand to Captain +Wharton, he remarked, in a manner of great solemnity:</p> + +<p>“The step you have undertaken is one of much danger, and disagreeable +consequences to yourself may result from it; in such a case, I may +have it in my power to prove the gratitude I owe your family for its +kindness.”</p> + +<p>“Surely, sir,” cried the father, “you will keep secret the discovery +which your being in my house has enabled you to make?”</p> + +<p>Harper turned quickly to the speaker, and answered mildly, “I have +learned nothing in your family, sir, of which I was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>ignorant before; +but your son is safer from my knowledge of his visit than he would be +without it.”</p> + +<p>He bowed to the whole party, and without taking any notice of the +peddler, other than by simply thanking him for his attentions, +mounting his horse, and riding steadily and gracefully through the +little gate, was soon lost behind the hill which sheltered the valley +to the northward.</p> + +<p>All the members of the Wharton family laid their heads on their +pillows that night with a foreboding of some interruption to their +ordinary quiet. Uneasiness kept the sisters from enjoying their usual +repose, and they rose from their beds, on the following morning, +unrefreshed and almost without having closed their eyes.</p> + +<p>The family were already assembled around the breakfast table when the +captain made his appearance, though the untasted coffee sufficiently +proved that by none of his relatives was his absence disregarded.</p> + +<p>“I think I did much better,” he cried, taking a chair between his +sisters, and receiving their offered salutes, “to secure a good bed +and such a plentiful breakfast, instead of trusting to the +hospitality<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> of that renowned corps, the Cow-Boys.”</p> + +<p>“If you could sleep,” said Sarah, “you were more fortunate than +Frances and myself. Every murmur of the night air sounded to me like +the approach of the rebel army.”</p> + +<p>“Why,” said the captain, laughing, “I do acknowledge a little +inquietude<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> myself. But how was it with you?” turning to his +younger and evidently favorite sister, and tapping her cheek; “did you +see banners in the clouds, and mistake Miss Peyton’s Æolian<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> harp +for rebellious music?”</p> + +<p>“Nay, Henry,” rejoined the maid, “much as I love my country, the +approach of her troops just now would give me great pain.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p><p>The brother made no reply; when Cæsar exclaimed, with a face that +approached something like the hues of a white man:</p> + +<p>“Run, Massa Harry, run—if he love old Cæsar, run. Here come a rebel +horse.”</p> + +<p>“Run!” repeated the British officer, gathering himself up in military +pride; “no, Mr. Cæsar, running is not my trade.” While speaking, he +walked deliberately to the window, where the family were already +collected in the greatest consternation.<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a></p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>CAPTAIN WHARTON’S CAPTURE.</h3> + +<p>At the distance of more than a mile about fifty dragoons were to be +seen, winding down one of the lateral<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> entrances of the valley. In +advance, with an officer, was a man attired in the dress of a +countryman, who pointed in the direction of the cottage. A small party +now left the main body and moved rapidly toward the object of their +destination.</p> + +<p>On reaching the road which led through the bottom of the valley, they +turned their horses’ heads to the north.</p> + +<p>Reaching the dwelling of Birch, they made a rapid circle around his +grounds, and in an instant his house was surrounded by a dozen +sentinels.</p> + +<p>Two or three of the dragoons now dismounted and disappeared; in a few +minutes they returned to the yard, followed by Katy, from whose +violent gesticulations<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> it was evident that matters of no trifling +concern were on the carpet. A short communication with the housekeeper +followed the arrival of the main body of the troop, and the advancing +party remounting, the whole moved towards the Locusts with great +speed.</p> + +<p>As yet none of the family had sufficient presence of mind to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>devise +any means of security for Captain Wharton; but the danger now became +too pressing to admit of longer delay, and various means of secreting +him were hastily proposed.</p> + +<p>At length his sisters, with trembling hands, replaced his original +disguise. This arrangement was hastily and imperfectly completed as +the dragoons entered the lawn and orchard of the Locusts, riding with +the rapidity of the wind; and in their turn the Whartons were +surrounded.</p> + +<p>The leader of the horse dismounted, and, followed by a couple of his +men, he approached the outer door of the building, which was slowly +opened for his admission by Cæsar.</p> + +<p>A man, whose colossal<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> stature manifested the possession of vast +strength, entered the room, and, removing his cap, he saluted the +family with a mildness his appearance did not indicate as belonging to +his nature. His dark hair hung around his brow in profusion, though +stained with the powder that was worn at that day, and his face was +nearly hid in the whiskers by which it was disfigured. Still the +expression of his eye, though piercing, was not bad, and his voice, +though deep and powerful, was far from unpleasant. Frances ventured to +throw a timid glance at his figure as he entered, and saw at once the +man from whose scrutiny Harvey Birch had warned them there was so much +to be apprehended.</p> + +<p>“You have no cause for alarm, ladies,” said the officer; “my business +will be confined to a few questions, which, if freely answered, will +instantly remove us from your dwelling.</p> + +<p>“Has there been a strange gentleman staying with you during the +storm?” continued the dragoon, speaking with interest.</p> + +<p>“This gentleman—here—favored us with his company during the rain, +and has not yet departed.”</p> + +<p>“This gentleman!” repeated the other, turning to Captain Wharton. He +approached the youth with an air of comic <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>gravity, and, with a low +bow, continued, “I am sorry for the severe cold you have in your head, +sir.”</p> + +<p>“I!” exclaimed the captain, in surprise; “I have no cold in my head.”</p> + +<p>“I fancied it, then, from seeing you had covered such handsome black +locks with that ugly old wig. It was my mistake; you will please to +pardon it.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Wharton groaned aloud; but the ladies, ignorant of the extent of +the visitor’s knowledge, remained in trembling yet rigid silence. The +captain himself moved his hand involuntarily to his head, and +discovered that the trepidation of his sisters had left some of his +natural hair exposed. The dragoon watched the movement with a +continued smile, when, seeming to recollect himself, turning to the +father, he proceeded:</p> + +<p>“Then, sir, I am to understand there has not been a Mr. Harper here +within a week?”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Harper,” echoed the other; “yes—I had forgotten; but he is gone, +and if there be anything wrong in his character, we are in entire +ignorance; to me he was a total stranger.”</p> + +<p>“You have little to apprehend from his character,” answered the +dragoon, dryly; “but he is gone—how, when, and whither?”</p> + +<p>“He departed as he arrived,” said Mr. Wharton, gathering renewed +confidence from the manner of the trooper, “on horseback last evening, +and he took the northern road.”</p> + +<p>The officer listened with intense interest, his countenance gradually +lighting with a smile of pleasure, and the instant Mr. Wharton +concluded his laconic<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> reply he turned on his heel and left the +apartment. In a few moments orders were given to some of the troop, +and horsemen left the valley, at full speed, by its various roads.</p> + +<p>The suspense of the party within, who were all highly interested +witnesses of this scene, was shortly terminated; for the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>heavy tread +of the dragoon soon announced his second approach. He bowed again +politely as he reëntered the room, and, walking up to Captain Wharton, +said with mock gravity:</p> + +<p>“Now, sir, my principal business being done, may I beg to examine the +quality of that wig?”</p> + +<p>The British officer imitated the manner of the other, as he +deliberately uncovered his head, and handing the wig observed, “I +hope, sir, it is to your liking.”</p> + +<p>“I cannot, without violating the truth, say it is,” returned the +dragoon; “I prefer your ebony hair, from which you seem to have combed +the powder with great industry. But that must have been a sad hurt you +have received under this enormous black patch.”</p> + +<p>“You appear such a close observer of things, that I should like your +opinion of it, sir,” said Henry, removing the silk, and exhibiting the +cheek free from blemish.</p> + +<p>“Upon my word, you improve most rapidly in externals,” added the +trooper; “if I could but persuade you to exchange this old surtout<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> +for that handsome blue coat by your side, I think I never could +witness a more agreeable metamorphosis,<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> since I was changed myself +from a lieutenant to a captain.”</p> + +<p>Young Wharton very composedly did as he was required, and stood an +extremely handsome, well-dressed young man. The dragoon looked at him +for a minute with the drollery that characterized his manner, and then +continued:</p> + +<p>“This is a newcomer in the scene; it is usual, you know, for strangers +to be introduced; I am Captain Lawton, of the Virginia horse?”</p> + +<p>“And I, sir, am Captain Wharton, of his Majesty’s Sixtieth regiment of +foot,” returned Henry, bowing stiffly, and recovering his natural +manner.</p> + +<p>The countenance of Lawton changed instantly, and his assumed +quaintness vanished. He viewed the figure of Captain Wharton, as he +stood proudly swelling with a pride that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>disdained further +concealment, and exclaimed with great earnestness:</p> + +<p>“Captain Wharton, from my soul I pity you!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, then,” cried the father, in agony, “if you pity him, dear sir, +why molest him? He is not a spy; nothing but a desire to see his +friends prompted him to venture so far from the regular army, in +disguise. Leave him with us; there is no reward, no sum, which I will +not cheerfully pay.”</p> + +<p>“Sir, your anxiety for your friend excuses your language,” said +Lawton, haughtily; “but you forget I am a Virginian, and a gentleman.” +Turning to the young man, he continued, “Were you ignorant, Captain +Wharton, that our pickets have been below you for several days?”</p> + +<p>“I did not know it until I reached them, and it was too late to +retreat,” said Wharton, sullenly. “I came out, as father has +mentioned, to see my friends, understanding your parties to be at +Peekskill,<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> and near the Highlands, or surely I would not have +ventured.”</p> + +<p>“All this may be very true; but the affair of André has made us on the +alert. When treason reaches the grade of general officers, Captain +Wharton, it behooves<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> the friends of liberty to be vigilant.”</p> + +<p>Henry bowed to this remark in distant silence, but Sarah ventured to +urge something in behalf of her brother. The dragoon heard her +politely, and answered mildly:</p> + +<p>“I am not the commander of the party, madam; Major Dunwoodie will +decide what must be done with your brother. At all events, he will +receive nothing but kind and gentle treatment. May I presume so far as +to ask leave to dismount and refresh my men, who compose a part of his +squadron?”</p> + +<p>There was a manner about the trooper that would have made the omission +of such a request easily forgiven by Mr. Wharton; but he was fairly +entrapped by his own eagerness to conciliate, and it was useless to +withhold a consent which he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>thought would probably be extorted; he +therefore made the most of necessity, and gave such orders as would +facilitate<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> the wishes of Captain Lawton.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>DUNWOODIE’S INVESTIGATION.</h3> + +<p>After sufficient time had passed to make a very comfortable meal, a +trumpet suddenly broke on the ears of the party, sending its martial +tones up the valley, in startling melody. The trooper rose instantly +from the table, exclaiming:</p> + +<p>“Quick, gentlemen, to your horses; there comes Dunwoodie;” and, +followed by his officers, he precipitately<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> left the room.</p> + +<p>With the exception of the sentinels left to guard Captain Wharton, the +dragoons mounted, and marched out to meet their comrades.</p> + +<p>In the advancing troop, one horseman seemed to be distinguished in +particular from those around him. Even the steed of this youthful +soldier seemed to be conscious that he sustained the weight of no +common man. The dragoon sat in the saddle with a firmness and ease +that showed him master of himself and horse, his figure uniting the +just proportions of strength and activity, being tall, round, and +muscular. To this officer Lawton made his report, and side by side +they rode into the field opposite to the cottage.</p> + +<p>The officer gave a few hasty orders to his second in command, walked +rapidly into the lawn, and approached the cottage. The dragoon +ascended the steps of the piazza, and had barely time to touch the +outer door, when it opened to his admission.</p> + +<p>Frances silently led the way into a vacant parlor, opposite <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>to the +one in which the family were assembled, and turning to the soldier +frankly, placing both her hands in his own, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Ah, Dunwoodie, how happy on many accounts I am to see you! I have +brought you in here to prepare you to meet an unexpected friend in the +opposite room.”</p> + +<p>“To whatever cause it may be owing,” cried the youth, pressing her +hands to his lips, “I, too, am happy in being able to see you alone. +Frances, the probation<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> you have decreed is cruel; war and distance +may separate us forever.”</p> + +<p>“We must submit to the necessity which governs us. But it is not love +speeches I would hear now: I have other and more important matter for +your attention.”</p> + +<p>“What can be of more importance than to make you mine by a tie that +will be indissoluble!<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> Frances, you are cold to me—me—from whose +mind, days of service and nights of alarm have never been able to +banish your image for a single moment.”</p> + +<p>“Dear Dunwoodie,” said Frances, softening nearly to tears, “you know +my sentiments. This war once ended, and you may take my hand forever; +but I cannot consent to tie myself to you by any closer union, so long +as you are arrayed against my only brother. Even now, that brother is +waiting your decision to restore him to liberty, or to conduct him to +a probable death.”</p> + +<p>“Your brother!” cried Dunwoodie, starting and turning pale; “Frances! +what can I do?”</p> + +<p>“Do!” she repeated, gazing at him wildly; “would Major Dunwoodie yield +to his enemies his friend, the brother of his betrothed wife? Do you +think I can throw myself into the arms of a man whose hands are +stained with the blood of my only brother!”</p> + +<p>“Frances, you wring my very heart; but, after all, we may be torturing +ourselves with unnecessary fears, and Henry, when <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>I know the +circumstances, may be nothing more than a prisoner of war; in which +case, I can liberate him on parole.”</p> + +<p>Frances now led the way to the opposite room. Dunwoodie followed her +reluctantly, and with forebodings of the result.</p> + +<p>The salutations of the young men were cordial and frank, and, on the +part of Henry Wharton, as collected as if nothing had occurred to +disturb his self-possession.</p> + +<p>After exchanging greetings with every member of the family, Major +Dunwoodie beckoned to the sentinel to leave the room. Turning to +Captain Wharton, he inquired mildly:</p> + +<p>“Tell me, Henry, the circumstances of this disguise in which Captain +Lawton reports you to have been found; and remember—remember—Captain +Wharton, your answers are entirely voluntary.”</p> + +<p>“The disguise was used by me, Major Dunwoodie,” replied the English +officer, gravely, “to enable me to visit my friends without incurring +the danger of becoming a prisoner of war.”</p> + +<p>“But you did not wear it until you saw the troop of Lawton +approaching?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no!” interrupted Frances, eagerly, “Sarah and myself placed them +on him when the dragoons appeared; it was our awkwardness that led to +the discovery.”</p> + +<p>The countenance of Dunwoodie brightened, as, turning his eyes in +fondness on the speaker, he listened to her explanation.</p> + +<p>“Probably some articles of your own,” he continued, “which were at +hand, and were used on the spur of the moment.”</p> + +<p>“No,” said Wharton, with dignity; “the clothes were worn by me from +the city; they were procured for the purpose to which they were +applied, and I intended to use them again in my return this very day.”</p> + +<p>“But the pickets—the party at the Plains?” added Dunwoodie, turning +pale.</p> + +<p>“I passed them, too, in disguise. I made use of this pass, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>for which +I paid; and, as it bears the name of Washington, I presume it is +forged.”</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie caught the paper eagerly, and stood gazing on the signature +for some time in silence, during which the soldier gradually prevailed +over the man; then he turned to the prisoner with a searching look, as +he asked:</p> + +<p>“Captain Wharton, whence did you procure this paper?”</p> + +<p>“This is a question, I conceive, Major Dunwoodie has no right to ask.”</p> + +<p>“Your pardon, sir; my feelings may have led me into an impropriety. +This name is no counterfeit. Captain Wharton, my duty will not suffer +me to grant you a parole; you must accompany me to the Highlands.”</p> + +<p>“I did not expect otherwise, Major Dunwoodie.”</p> + +<p>“Major Dunwoodie,” said Frances, “I have already acknowledged to you +my esteem; I have promised, Dunwoodie, when peace shall be restored to +our country, to become your wife; give my brother his liberty on +parole, and I will this day go with you to the altar, follow you to +the camp, and, in becoming a soldier’s bride, learn to endure a +soldier’s privations.”</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie seized the hand which the blushing girl extended towards +him, and pressed it for a moment to his bosom; he paced the room in +excessive agitation.</p> + +<p>“Frances, say no more, I conjure you, unless you wish to break my +heart.”</p> + +<p>“Then you reject my proffered hand?” she said, rising with dignity.</p> + +<p>“Reject it! Have I not sought it with entreaties, with tears? But to +take it under such conditions would be to dishonor both. Henry must be +acquitted; perhaps not tried. No intercession of mine shall be +wanting, you must well know; and believe me, Frances, I am not without +favor with Washington.”</p> + +<p>“That paper, that abuse of his confidence, will steel him to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>my +brother’s case. If threats or entreaties could move his stern sense of +justice, would André have suffered?” As Frances uttered these words, +she fled from the room in despair.</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie remained for a minute nearly stupefied; and then he followed +with a view to vindicate<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> himself, and to relieve her +apprehensions. On entering the hall that divided the two parlors, he +was met by a ragged boy, who looked one moment at his dress, and +placing a piece of paper in his hands, immediately vanished through +the outer door of the building. The soldier turned his eyes to the +subject of the note. It was written on a piece of torn and soiled +paper, and in a hand barely legible; but, after much labor, he was +able to make out as follows:</p> + +<p>“The rig’lars are at hand, horse and foot.”</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie started; and, forgetting everything but the duties of a +soldier, he precipitately left the house. While walking rapidly +towards the troops, he noticed on a distant hill a vidette<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> riding +with speed; several pistols were fired in quick succession, and the +next instant the trumpets of the corps rang in his ears with the +enlivening strain of “To arms.” By this time he had reached the ground +occupied by his squadron; the major saw that every man was in active +motion. Lawton was already in the saddle, eying the opposite extremity +of the valley with the eagerness of expectation.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>THE SKIRMISH AND ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN WHARTON.</h3> + +<p>The videttes and patrols now came pouring in, each making in +succession his hasty report to the commanding officer, who gave his +orders coolly and with a promptitude that made obedience certain.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p><p>Major Dunwoodie had received from his scouts all the intelligence +concerning the foe which was necessary to enable him to make his +arrangements. The bottom of the valley was an even plain, that fell +with a slight inclination from the foot of the hills on either side to +the level of a natural meadow that wound through the country on the +banks of a small stream. This brook was easily forded, and the only +impediment it offered to the movements of the horse was in a place +where its banks were more steep and difficult of access than common. +Here the highway crossed it by a rough wooden bridge.</p> + +<p>The hills on the eastern side of the valley were abrupt, and +frequently obtruded themselves in rocky prominences into its bosom. +One of these projections was but a short distance in the rear of the +squadron of dragoons, and Dunwoodie directed Captain Lawton to +withdraw with two troops behind its cover. Dunwoodie knew his man, and +had selected the captain for this service both because he feared his +precipitation in the field, and knew, when needed, his support would +never fail to appear. On the left of the ground on which Dunwoodie +intended to meet his foe was a close wood, which skirted that side of +the valley for the distance of a mile. Into this, then, the guides +retired, and took their station near its edge, in such a manner as +would enable them to maintain a scattering but effectual fire on the +advancing column of the enemy.</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie’s men now sat panting to be led once more against foes whom +they seldom charged in vain. A few minutes enabled the major to +distinguish their character. In one troop he saw the green coats of +the Cow-Boys and in the other the leathern helmets and wooden saddles +of the yagers.<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> Their numbers were about equal to the body under +his immediate orders.</p> + +<p>On reaching the open space near the cottage of Harvey Birch, the enemy +halted and drew up his men in line, evidently <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>making preparations for +a charge. At this moment a column of foot appeared in the vale, and +pressed forward to the bank of the brook we have already mentioned.</p> + +<p>Major Dunwoodie at once saw his advantage, and determined to profit by +it. The column he led began slowly to retire from the field, when the +youthful German who commanded the enemy’s horse, fearful of missing an +easy conquest, gave the word to charge. The Cow-Boys sprang eagerly +forward in the pursuit; the Hessians followed more slowly, but in +better order. The trumpets of the Virginians now sounded long and +lively; they were answered by a strain from the party in ambush that +went to the hearts of their enemies. The column of Dunwoodie wheeled +in perfect order, opened, and, as the word of charge was given, the +troops of Lawton emerged from their cover, with their leader in +advance, waving his sabre over his head, and shouting in a voice that +was heard above the clamor of the martial music.</p> + +<p>The charge threatened too much for the refugee troop. They scattered +in every direction, flying from the field as fast as their horses +could carry them. It was upon the poor vassals of the German tyrant +that the shock fell. Many of them were literally ridden down, and +Dunwoodie soon saw the field without an opposing foe.</p> + +<p>Captain Wharton had been left in the keeping of two dragoons, one of +whom marched to and fro on the piazza with a measured tread, and the +other had been directed to continue in the same apartment with the +prisoner.</p> + +<p>The lawn in front of the Locusts was hidden from the road by a line of +shrubbery, and the horses of the two dragoons had been left under its +shelter to await the movements of their masters.</p> + +<p>At this moment two Cow-Boys, who had been cut off from a retreat to +their own party, rode furiously through the gate, with an intention of +escaping to the open wood in the rear of the cottage. Feeling +themselves in the privacy of the lawn, relieved from any immediate +danger, they yielded to a temptation <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>that few of the corps were ever +known to resist—opportunity and horseflesh—and made towards their +intended prizes by an almost spontaneous movement. They were busily +engaged in separating the fastenings of the horses, when the trooper +on the piazza discharged his pistols, and rushed, sword in hand, to +the rescue.</p> + +<p>This drew the wary dragoon in the parlor to the window.</p> + +<p>He threw his body out of the building, and with dreadful imprecations +endeavored by threats and appearance to frighten the marauders from +their prey. The moment was enticing. Three hundred of his comrades +were within a mile of the cottage; unridden horses were running at +large in every direction, and Henry Wharton seized the unconscious +sentinel by his legs and threw him headlong into the lawn. Cæsar +vanished from the room, and drew a bolt of the outer door.</p> + +<p>Recovering his feet, the sentinel turned his fury for a moment on his +prisoner. To scale the window in the face of such an enemy, was, +however, impossible, and on trial he found the main entrance barred.</p> + +<p>His comrade now called loudly upon him for aid, and forgetting +everything else, the discomfited trooper rushed to his assistance. One +horse was instantly liberated, but the other was already fastened to +the saddle of a Cow-Boy, and the four retired behind the building, +cutting furiously at each other with their sabres, and making the air +resound with their imprecations. Cæsar threw the outer door open, and +pointing to the remaining horse, that was quietly biting the faded +herbage of the lawn, he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Run, now, run—Massa Harry, run!”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” cried the youth, as he vaulted into the saddle, “now indeed, my +honest fellow, is the time to run.”</p> + +<p>When the fortune of the day was decided, and the time arrived for the +burial of the dead, two Cow-Boys and a Virginian were found in the +rear of the Locusts, to be included in the number.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p><p>Wharton’s horse was of the best Virginian blood, and carried him with +the swiftness of the wind along the valley; and the heart of the youth +was already beating tumultuously with pleasure of his deliverance, +when a well-known voice reached his startled ear, crying loudly:</p> + +<p>“Bravely done, captain! Don’t spare the whip, and turn to your left +before you cross the brook.”</p> + +<p>Wharton turned his head in surprise, and saw, sitting on the point of +a jutting rock that commanded a bird’s-eye view of the valley, his +former guide, Harvey Birch. The English captain took the advice of +this mysterious being, and finding a good road which led to the +highway that intersected the valley, turned down its direction, and +was soon opposite to his friends. The next minute he crossed the +bridge, and stopped his charger before his old acquaintance, Colonel +Wellmere.</p> + +<p>“Captain Wharton!” exclaimed the astonished commander of the English +troops.</p> + +<p>“Thank God!” cried the youth, recovering his breath, “I am safe, and +have escaped from the hands of my enemies.”</p> + +<p>The captain briefly explained to the group of listeners the manner of +his capture, the grounds of his personal apprehensions, and the method +of his escape. By the time he had concluded his narration, the +fugitive Germans were collected in the rear of the column of infantry, +and Colonel Wellmere cried aloud:</p> + +<p>“From my soul I congratulate you, my brave friend; prepare yourself to +grant me your assistance, and I will soon afford you a noble revenge.”</p> + +<p>“I do not think it altogether prudent to cross this brook into the +open plain, in the face of those Virginian horse, flushed as they must +be with the success they have just obtained,” returned young Wharton.</p> + +<p>“Do you call the rout of those irregulars and these sluggish Hessians +a deed to boast of?” said the other.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p><p>“And I must be allowed to say, Colonel Wellmere, that if the +body-guards of my king were in yon field, they would meet a foe that +it would be dangerous to despise. Sir, Mr. Dunwoodie is the pride of +Washington’s army as a cavalry officer,” cried Henry, with warmth.</p> + +<p>Colonel Wellmere inquired with a supercilious<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> smile:</p> + +<p>“You would not have us retire, sir, before these boasted horsemen, +without doing something that may deprive them of part of the glory +which you appear to think they have gained?”</p> + +<p>“I would have you advised, Colonel Wellmere, of the danger you are +about to encounter.”</p> + +<p>“Danger is but an unseemly word for a soldier,” continued the British +commander, with a sneer.</p> + +<p>“And one as little dreaded by the 60th as any corps who wear the royal +livery,” cried Henry Wharton, fiercely; “give but the word to charge, +and let our actions speak.”</p> + +<p>“Now again I know my friend,” cried Wellmere, soothingly; “but if you +have anything to say before we fight that can in any manner help us in +our attack, we’ll listen. You know the force of the rebels; are there +more of them in ambush?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” replied the youth, chafing still under the other’s sneers; “in +the skirt of the wood on our right are a small party of foot; their +horse are all before you.”</p> + +<p>“Where they will not continue long,” cried Wellmere, turning to the +few officers around him. “Gentlemen, we will cross the stream in +column and display on the plain beyond, or else we shall not be able +to entice these valiant Yankees within the reach of our muskets. +Captain Wharton, I claim your assistance as an aide-de-camp.”</p> + +<p>The youth shook his head in disapprobation of a movement which his +good sense taught him was rash, but prepared with alacrity to perform +his duty in the impending trial.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>DUNWOODIE’S TRAP AND THE RECAPTURE OF CAPTAIN<br /> WHARTON.</h3> + +<p>During this conversation, which was held at a small distance in +advance of the British column, and in full view of the Americans, +Dunwoodie had been collecting his scattered troops, securing his few +prisoners, and retiring to the ground where he had been posted at the +first appearance of his enemy.</p> + +<p>Captain Lawton suddenly exclaimed: “How’s this! a blue coat among +those scarlet gentry? As I hope to live to see old Virginia, it is my +masquerading friend of the 60th, the handsome Captain Wharton, +escaping from two of my best men!”</p> + +<p>He had not done speaking when the survivor of these heroes joined his +troop, bringing with him his own horse and those of the Cow-Boys; he +reported the death of his comrade, and the escape of his prisoner.</p> + +<p>This intelligence made an entire change in the views of Major +Dunwoodie. He saw at once that his own reputation was involved in the +escape of the prisoner, and he now joined with Lawton, watching for an +opening to assail his foe to advantage.</p> + +<p>“There,” cried the delighted captain, as he pointed out the movement +of Wellmere crossing the brook into the open plain; “there comes John +Bull into the mousetrap, and with his eyes wide open.”</p> + +<p>“Surely,” said Dunwoodie, eagerly, “he will not display his column on +that flat. Wharton must tell him of the ambush. But if he <span style="white-space: nowrap;">does——”</span></p> + +<p>“We will not leave him a dozen sound skins in his battalion,” +interrupted the other, springing into his saddle.</p> + +<p>The truth was soon apparent; for the English column, after advancing +for a short distance on the level land, displayed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>with an accuracy +that would have done them honor on a field-day in their own Hyde +Park.<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a></p> + +<p>“Prepare to mount—mount!” cried Dunwoodie.</p> + +<p>As the British line advanced slowly and in exact order, the guides +opened a galling fire. It began to annoy that part of the royal troops +which was nearest to them. Wellmere listened to the advice of the +veteran who was next to him in rank, and ordered two companies to +dislodge the American foot from their hiding-place. The movement +created a slight confusion, and Dunwoodie seized the opportunity to +charge. No ground could be more favorable for the manœuvres<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> of +horse, and the attack of the Virginian was irresistible. It was aimed +chiefly at the bank opposite the wood, in order to clear the Americans +from the fire of their friends who were concealed; and it was +completely successful. Wellmere, who was on the left of the line, was +overthrown by the impetuous<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> fury of his assailants. Dunwoodie was +in time to save him from the impending blow of one of his men, and +raised him from the ground, had him placed on a horse, and delivered +to the custody of his orderly.</p> + +<p>The left of the British line was outflanked by the Americans, who +doubled in their rear, and thus made the rout in that quarter total. +Henry Wharton, who had volunteered to assist in dispersing the guides, +was struck on his bridle-arm by a ball, which compelled him to change +hands. His charger became ungovernable, and his rider, being unable +with his wounded arm to manage the impatient animal, Henry Wharton +found himself, in less than a minute, unwillingly riding by the side +of Captain Lawton. The dragoon comprehended at a glance the ludicrous +situation of his new comrade, but he had only time to cry aloud before +they plunged into the English line:</p> + +<p>“The horse knows the righteous cause better than his rider. Captain +Wharton, you are welcome to the ranks of freedom.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p><p>No time was lost, however, by Lawton, after the charge was completed, +in securing his prisoner again; and perceiving him to be hurt, he +directed him to be conveyed to the rear.</p> + +<p>Captain Lawton called to a youth, who commanded the other troop, and +proposed charging the unbroken line of the British. The proposition +was as promptly accepted as it had been made, and the troops were +arrayed for the purpose. The eagerness of their leader prevented the +preparations necessary to insure success, and the horse, receiving a +destructive fire as they advanced, were thrown into additional +confusion. Both Lawton and his more juvenile comrade fell at this +discharge. Fortunately for the credit of the Virginians, Major +Dunwoodie reëntered the field at this critical instant. The eye of the +youthful warrior flashed fire. At his feet lay Captain Singleton and +Captain Lawton. Riding between his squadron and the enemy, in a voice +that reached the hearts of his dragoons, he recalled them to their +duty. His presence and words acted like magic. The line was formed +promptly and with exactitude; the charge sounded; and, led on by their +commander, the Virginians swept across the plain with an impetuosity +that nothing could withstand, and the field was instantly cleared of +the enemy; those who were not destroyed sought a shelter in the woods. +Dunwoodie slowly withdrew from the fire of the English, who were +covered by the trees, and commenced the painful duty of collecting the +dead and wounded.</p> + +<p>The guides took charge of Wharton, and, with a heavy heart, the young +man retraced his steps to his father’s cottage.</p> + +<p>The English had lost in the several charges about one-third of their +foot, but the remainder were rallied in the wood; and Dunwoodie, +perceiving them to be too strongly posted to assail, had left a strong +party with Captain Lawton, with orders to watch their motions, and to +seize every opportunity to harass them before they reëmbarked.</p> + +<p>Intelligence had reached the major of another party being <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>out by way +of the Hudson, and his duty required that he should hold himself in +readiness to defeat the intentions of these also. Captain Lawton +received his orders with strong injunctions to make no assault on the +foe, unless a favorable chance should offer.</p> + +<p>The injury received by this officer was in the head, being stunned by +a glancing bullet; and parting with a laughing declaration from the +major, that if he again forgot himself, they should all think him more +materially hurt, each took his own course.</p> + +<p>It became incumbent on Dunwoodie to arrange the disposal of his +prisoners. Sitgreaves he determined to leave in the cottage of Mr. +Wharton, in attendance on Captain Singleton. Henry came to him with a +request that Colonel Wellmere might also be left behind, under his +parole. To this the major cheerfully assented.</p> + +<p>Captain Wharton voluntarily gave a pledge to his keepers not to +attempt to escape, and then proceeded to execute those duties, on +behalf of his father, which were thought necessary in a host.</p> + +<p>His duty to the wounded performed, Dunwoodie proceeded to the field +where his troops had halted. The remnant of the English were already +seen, over the tops of the trees, marching along the heights towards +their boats, in compact order and with great watchfulness.</p> + +<p>The party under Lawton had watched the retiring foe to his boats with +the most unremitting vigilance, without finding any fit opening for a +charge. The dragoons lingered on the shore till the last moment, and +then they reluctantly commenced their own retreat back to the main +body of the corps, which had retired to a small hamlet a short +distance above the Locusts, where several roads intersected each +other. This was a favorite halting place of the horse, and frequently +held by light parties of the American army, during their excursions +below.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE PURSUIT.—BIRCH’S ESCAPE.</h3> + +<p>The gathering mists of the evening had begun to darken the valley, as +the detachment of Lawton made its reappearance at its southern +extremity. The march of the troops was slow and their line extended, +for the benefit of ease. In the front rode the captain, side by side +with his senior subaltern,<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> apparently engaged in close conference, +while the rear was brought up by a young cornet, humming an air, and +thinking of the sweets of a straw bed after the fatigues of a hard +day’s duty.</p> + +<p>“Well, Tom, a slanderous propensity<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> is incurable—but,” stretching +his body forward in the direction he was gazing, as if to aid him in +distinguishing objects through the darkness, “what animal is moving +through the field on our right?”</p> + +<p>“’Tis a man,” said Mason, looking intently at the suspicious object.</p> + +<p>“By his hump ’tis a dromedary!” added the captain, eying it keenly. +Wheeling his horse suddenly from the highway, he exclaimed, “Harvey +Birch!—take him, dead or alive!”</p> + +<p>A dozen of the men, with the lieutenant at their head, followed the +impetuous Lawton, and their speed threatened the pursued with a sudden +termination of the race.</p> + +<p>Birch prudently kept his position on the rock, where he had been seen +by the passing glance of Henry Wharton, until evening had begun to +shroud the surrounding objects in darkness. It was with difficulty +that he had curbed his impatience until the obscurity of night should +render his moving free from danger. He had not, however, completed a +fourth of his way to his own residence, when his quick ear +distinguished the tread of the approaching horse. Trusting to the +increasing darkness, he determined to persevere. By crouching, and +moving quickly along the surface of the ground, he hoped to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>escape +unseen. Captain Lawton was too much engrossed in conversation to +suffer his eyes to indulge in their usual wandering; and the peddler, +perceiving by the voices that the enemy he most feared had passed, +yielded to his impatience, and stood erect, in order to make greater +progress. The moment his body rose above the shadow of the ground it +was seen, and the chase commenced. For a single instant Birch was +helpless, his blood curdling in his veins at the imminence<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> of the +danger, and his legs refusing their natural and necessary office. But +it was only for a minute; casting his pack where he stood, and +instinctively tightening the belt he wore, the peddler betook himself +to flight. He knew that by bringing himself in line with his pursuers +and the wood, his form would be lost to sight. This he soon effected, +and he was straining every nerve to gain the wood itself, when several +horsemen rode by him but a short distance on his left, and cut him off +from this place of refuge. The peddler threw himself on the ground as +they came near him, and was passed unseen. But delay now became too +dangerous for him to remain in that position. He accordingly rose, and +still keeping in the shadow of the wood, along the skirts of which he +heard voices crying to each other to be watchful, he ran with +incredible speed in a parallel line, but in an opposite direction, to +the march of the dragoons.</p> + +<p>At this instant the voice of Lawton rang through the valley, shouting:</p> + +<p>“Harvey Birch!—take him, dead or alive!”</p> + +<p>Fifty pistols lighted the scene, and the bullets whistled in every +direction around the head of the devoted peddler.</p> + +<p>A feeling of despair seized his heart, and in the bitterness of that +moment he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Hunted like a beast of the forest!”</p> + +<p>These considerations, with the approaching footsteps of his pursuers, +roused him to new exertions. A fragment of wall, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>that had withstood +the ravages made by the war in the adjoining fences of wood, +fortunately crossed his path. He hardly had time to throw his +exhausted limbs over this barrier before twenty of his enemies reached +its opposite side. Their horses refused to take the leap in the dark, +and amid the confusion Birch was enabled to gain a sight of the base +of the hill, on whose summit was a place of perfect safety. The heart +of the peddler now beat high with hope, when the voice of Captain +Lawton again rang in his ears, shouting to his men to make room. The +order was obeyed, and the fearless trooper rode at the wall at the top +of his horse’s speed, plunged the rowels in his charger, and flew over +the obstacle in safety.</p> + +<p>The triumphant hurrah of the men, and the thundering tread of the +horse, too plainly assured the peddler of the emergency<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> of his +danger. He was nearly exhausted, and his fate no longer seemed +doubtful.</p> + +<p>“Stop, or die!” was uttered above his head, and in fearful proximity +to his ears.</p> + +<p>Harvey stole a glance over his shoulder, and saw, within a bound of +him, the man he most dreaded. By the light of the stars he beheld the +uplifted arm and the threatening sabre. Fear, exhaustion, and despair +seized his heart, and the intended victim fell at the feet of the +dragoon. The horse of Lawton struck the prostrate peddler, and both +steed and rider came violently to the earth.</p> + +<p>As quick as thought Birch was on his feet again, with the sword of the +discomfited dragoon in his hand. All the wrongs of the peddler shone +on his brain with a dazzling brightness. For a moment the demon within +him prevailed, and Birch brandished the powerful weapon in the air; in +the next it fell harmless on the reviving but helpless trooper. The +peddler vanished up the side of the friendly rock.</p> + +<p>“Help Captain Lawton, there!” cried Mason, as he rode up, followed by +a dozen of his men; “and some of you dismount <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>with me and search +these rocks; the villain lies here concealed.”</p> + +<p>“Hold!” roared the discomfited captain, raising himself with +difficulty on his feet; “if one of you dismount, he dies. Tom, my good +fellow, you will help me to straddle Roanoke again.”</p> + +<p>The astonished subaltern complied in silence, while the wondering +dragoons remained as fixed in their saddles as if they composed a part +of the animals they rode.</p> + +<p>Lawton and Mason rode on in silence, the latter ruminating<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> on the +wonderful change produced in his commander by his fall, when they +arrived opposite to the gate before the residence of Mr. Wharton. The +troop continued its march, but the captain and his lieutenant +dismounted, and, followed by the servant of the former, they proceeded +slowly to the door of the cottage.</p> + +<p>A few words from Mason explained the nature and manner of his +captain’s hurts, and Miss Peyton cheerfully accorded the required +accommodations. While the room intended for the trooper was getting +ready, and the doctor was giving certain portentous<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> orders, the +captain was invited to rest himself in the parlor.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>THE UNWELCOME VISITORS.</h3> + +<p>The house of Birch had been watched at different times by the +Americans with a view to his arrest, but never with success, the +reputed spy possessing a secret means of intelligence that invariably +defeated their schemes. Once, when a strong body of the Continental +army held the Four Corners for a whole summer, orders had been +received from Washington himself never to leave the door of Harvey +Birch unwatched. The command was rigidly obeyed, and during this long +period <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>the peddler was unseen; the detachment was withdrawn, and the +following night Birch reëntered his dwelling.</p> + +<p>The father of Harvey had kept his dying situation a secret from the +neighborhood, in the hope that he might still have the company of his +child in his last moments. The confusion of the day, and his +increasing dread that Harvey might be too late, helped to hasten the +event he would fain arrest for a little while. As night set in his +illness increased to such a degree that the dismayed housekeeper sent +a truant boy, who had shut up himself with them during the combat, to +the Locusts in quest<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> of a companion to cheer her solitude. Cæsar +alone could be spared, and, loaded with eatables and cordials by the +kind-hearted Miss Peyton, the black had been despatched on his duty. +The dying man was past the use of medicines, and his chief anxiety +seemed to centre in a meeting with his child.</p> + +<p>The old man had closed his eyes, and his attendants believed him to be +asleep. The house contained two large rooms and many small ones. One +of the former served as kitchen and sitting-room; in the other lay the +father of Birch; of the latter one was the sanctuary of the vestal, +and the other contained the stock of provisions. A huge chimney of +stone rose in the centre, serving of itself for a partition between +the large rooms; and fireplaces of corresponding dimensions were in +each apartment. A bright flame was burning in that of the common room, +and within the very jambs of its monstrous jaws sat Cæsar and Katy. +The African was impressing his caution on the housekeeper, and +commenting on the general danger of indulging an idle curiosity, when +his roving eyes suddenly became fixed, and his teeth chattered with +affright. Katy, turning her face, saw the peddler himself standing +within the door of the room.</p> + +<p>“Is he alive?” asked Birch, tremulously, and seemingly afraid to +receive the answer.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p><p>“Surely,” said Katy, rising hastily, and officiously offering her +chair; “he must live till day, or till the tide is down.”</p> + +<p>Disregarding all but the fact that his father still lived, the peddler +stole gently into the room of his dying parent. The tie which bound +father and son was of no ordinary kind. In the wide world they were +all to each other. Approaching the bedside, Harvey leaned his body +forward, and, in a voice nearly choked by his feelings, he whispered +near the ear of the sick:</p> + +<p>“Father, do you know me?” A noise in the adjoining room interrupted +the dying man, and the impatient peddler hastened to learn the cause. +The first glance of his eye on the figure in the doorway told the +trader but too well his errand, and the fate that probably awaited +himself. The intruder was a man still young in years, but his +lineaments<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> bespoke a mind long agitated by evil passions. His +dress was of the meanest materials, and so ragged and unseemly as to +give him the air of studied poverty. His hair was prematurely +whitened, and his sunken, lowering eye avoided the bold, forward look +of innocence. There was a restlessness in his movements and an +agitation in his manner that proceeded from the workings of the foul +spirit within him. This man was a well-known leader of one of those +gangs of marauders<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> who infested the country with a semblance of +patriotism, and who were guilty of every grade of offence, from simple +theft up to murder. Behind him stood several other figures, clad in a +similar manner, but whose countenances expressed nothing more than the +indifference of brutal insensibility. They were well armed with +muskets and bayonets, and provided with the usual implements of +foot-soldiers. Harvey knew resistance was in vain, and quietly +submitted to their directions. In the twinkling of an eye both he and +Cæsar were stripped of their decent garments, and made to exchange +clothes with two of the filthiest of the band. They were then placed +in separate corners of the room, and, under the muzzles of the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>muskets, required faithfully to answer such interrogatories<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> as +were put to them.</p> + +<p>“Where is your pack?” was the first question to the peddler.</p> + +<p>“Hear me,” said Birch, trembling with agitation; “in the next room is +my father, now in the agonies of death; let me go to him, receive his +blessing, and close his eyes, and you shall have all—aye, all.”</p> + +<p>“Answer me as I put the questions, or this musket shall send you to +keep the old driveller<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> company; where is your pack?”</p> + +<p>“I will tell you nothing, unless you let me go to my father,” said the +peddler resolutely.</p> + +<p>His persecutor raised his arm with a malicious sneer and was about to +execute his threat when one of his companions checked him.</p> + +<p>“What would you do?” he said; “you surely forget the reward. Tell us +where are your goods, and you shall go to your father.”</p> + +<p>Birch complied instantly, and a man was despatched in quest of the +booty; he soon returned, throwing the bundle on the floor, swearing it +was as light as a feather.</p> + +<p>“Aye,” cried the leader, “there must be gold somewhere for what it did +contain. Give us your gold, Mr. Birch; we know you have it; you will +not take continental,<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> not you.”</p> + +<p>“You break your faith,” said Harvey.</p> + +<p>“Give us your gold,” exclaimed the leader furiously, pricking the +peddler with his bayonet until the blood followed his pushes in +streams. At this instant a slight movement was heard in the adjoining +room, and Harvey cried, imploringly:</p> + +<p>“Let me—let me go to my father, and you shall have all of it.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p><p>“I swear you shall go then,” said the Skinner.</p> + +<p>“Here, take the trash,” cried Birch, as he threw aside the purse, +which he had contrived to conceal, notwithstanding the change in his +garments.</p> + +<p>The robber raised it from the floor with a fiendish laugh.</p> + +<p>“Aye, but it shall be to your father in heaven.”</p> + +<p>“Monster! have you no feeling, no faith, no honesty?”</p> + +<p>“To hear him, one would think there was not a rope around his neck +already,” said the other laughing. “There is no necessity for your +being uneasy, Mr. Birch; if the old man gets a few hours the start of +you in the journey, you will be sure to follow him before noon +to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>This unfeeling communication had no effect on the peddler, who +listened with gasping breath to every sound from the room of his +parent, until he heard his own name spoken in the hollow, sepulchral +tones of death. Birch could endure no more, but shrieking out:</p> + +<p>“Father! hush—father! I come—I come!” he darted by his keeper, and +was the next moment pinned to the wall by the bayonet of another of +the band. Fortunately, his quick motion had caused him to escape a +thrust aimed at his life, and it was by his clothes only that he was +confined.</p> + +<p>“No, Mr. Birch,” said the Skinner, “we know you too well for a +slippery rascal, to trust you out of sight—your gold, your gold!”</p> + +<p>“You have it,” said the peddler, writhing in agony.</p> + +<p>“Aye, we have the purse, but you have more purses. King George<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> is +a prompt paymaster, and you have done him many a piece of good +service. Where is your hoard? Without it you will never see your +father.”</p> + +<p>“Remove the stone underneath the woman,” cried the peddler, eagerly; +“remove the stone.”</p> + +<p>“He raves! He raves!” said Katy, instinctively moving her position to +a different stone from the one on which she <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>had been standing. In a +moment it was torn from its bed, and nothing but earth was seen +underneath.</p> + +<p>“He raves! you have driven him from his right mind,” continued the +trembling spinster; “would any man in his senses keep gold under a +hearth?”</p> + +<p>“Peace, babbling fool!” cried Harvey. “Lift the corner stone, and you +will find that which will make you rich, and me a beggar.”</p> + +<p>“And then you will be despisable,” said the housekeeper bitterly. “A +peddler without goods and without money is sure to be despisable.”</p> + +<p>“There will be enough left to pay for his halter,” cried the Skinner, +who was not slow to follow the instructions of Harvey, soon lighting +upon a store of English guineas. The money was quickly transferred to +a bag, notwithstanding the declarations of the spinster that her dues +were unsatisfied, and that, of right, ten of the guineas were her +property.</p> + +<p>Delighted with a prize that greatly exceeded their expectations, the +band prepared to depart, intending to take the peddler with them, in +order to give him up to the American troops above, and to claim the +reward offered for his apprehension. Everything was ready, and they +were about to lift Birch in their arms—for he resolutely refused to +move an inch—when a form appeared in their midst, which appalled the +stoutest heart among them. The father had risen from his bed, and he +tottered forth at the cries of his son. Around his body was thrown the +sheet of the bed, and his fixed eye and haggard face gave him the +appearance of a being from another world. Even Katy and Cæsar thought +it was the spirit of the elder Birch, and they fled the house, +followed by the alarmed Skinners in a body.</p> + +<p>The excitement, which had given the sick man strength, soon vanished; +and the peddler, lifting him in his arms, reconveyed him to his bed. +The reaction of the system hastened to close the scene. The glazed eye +of the father <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>was fixed upon the son; his lips moved, but his voice +was unheard. Harvey bent down, and, with the parting breath of his +parent, received the parting benediction.</p> + +<p>The Skinners had fled precipitately to the wood, which was near the +house of Birch, and once safely sheltered within its shades, they +halted, and mustered their panic-stricken forces.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>A COLONIAL REPAST.</h3> + +<p>The family at the Locusts had slept, or watched, through all the +disturbances at the cottage of Birch, in perfect ignorance of their +occurrence. Additional duties had drawn the ladies from their pillows +at an hour somewhat earlier than usual.</p> + +<p>Henry Wharton awoke from a sleep in which he had dreamt of suffering +amputation; and Dr. Sitgreaves pronounced that he would be a well man +within a fortnight. Colonel Wellmere did not make his appearance; he +breakfasted in his own room, and the surgeon was free to go to the +bedside of Captain Singleton, where he had watched during the night +without once closing his eyes. Captain Lawton had been received with +many courteous inquiries after the state of his health.</p> + +<p>A single horse chaise was seen approaching the gate. Miss Peyton +advanced to receive their guest. She was young, and of a light and +graceful form, but of exquisite proportions. As Dr. Sitgreaves +supported her from the chaise, she turned an expressive look at the +face of the practitioner.</p> + +<p>“Your brother is out of danger, and wishes to see you, Miss +Singleton,” said the surgeon.</p> + +<p>By the time the afternoon sun had travelled a two hours’ journey from +the meridian, the formal procession from the kitchen to the parlor +commenced, under the auspices of Cæsar, who led the van, supporting a +turkey on the palms of his withered hands with the dexterity of a +balance-master.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p><p>Next followed the servant of Captain Lawton, bearing, as he marched +stiffly, a ham of true Virginian flavor, a present from the spinster’s +brother in Accomac. The supporter of this savory dish kept his eye on +his trust with military precision; and it might be difficult to say +which contained the most juice, his own mouth or the bacon.</p> + +<p>Third in the line was to be seen the valet of Colonel Wellmere, who +carried in either hand chickens fricasseed, and oyster patties.</p> + +<p>After him marched the attendant of Dr. Sitgreaves, who instinctively +seized an enormous tureen and followed on in place, until the steams +of the soup so completely bedimmed his glasses that he was compelled +to deposit his freight on the floor, until, by removing them, he could +see his way through the piles of reserved china and plate-warmers.</p> + +<p>Next followed another trooper, conveying a pair of roast ducks. The +white boy who belonged to the house brought up the rear, groaning +under a load of sundry dishes of vegetables that the cook, by the way +of climax, had unwittingly heaped on him.</p> + +<p>Cæsar had no sooner deposited his bird than he turned mechanically on +his heel, and took up his line of march again for the kitchen. In this +evolution the black was imitated by his companions in succession, and +another procession to the parlor followed in the same order. By this +admirable arrangement, whole flocks of pigeons, certain bevies of +quails, shoals of flat-fish, bass, and sundry woodcock, found their +way into the presence of the company.</p> + +<p>A third attack brought suitable quantities of potatoes, onions, beets, +cold-slaw, rice, and all the other minutiæ<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> of a goodly dinner.</p> + +<p>The board now fairly groaned with American profusion, and Cæsar, +glancing his eye over the show with a most approving conscience after +readjusting every dish that had not been <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>placed on the table by his +own hands, proceeded to acquaint the mistress of the revels that his +task was happily accomplished.</p> + +<p>Much time and some trouble were expended before the whole party were, +to the joy of Cæsar, comfortably seated around the table.</p> + +<p>Though the meat and vegetables had made their entrance with perfect +order and propriety, their exeunt<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> was effected much in the manner +of a retreat of militia. The point was to clear the board something +after the fabled practice of the harpies; and by dint of scrambling, +tossing, breaking, and spilling, the remnants of the overflowing +repast disappeared. And now another series of processions commenced, +by virtue of which a goodly display of pastry, with its usual +accompaniments, garnished the table.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>THE PEDDLER’S CAPTURE.</h3> + +<p>In the confusion and agitation produced by the events we have +recorded, the death of the elder Birch had occurred unnoticed; but a +sufficient number of the immediate neighbors were hastily collected, +and the ordinary rites of sepulture<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> were paid to the deceased. +Birch supported the grave and collected manner that was thought +becoming in a male mourner.</p> + +<p>The muscles of the peddler’s face were seen to move, and as the first +clod of earth fell on the tenement of his father, sending up that +dull, hollow sound that speaks so eloquently the mortality of man, his +whole frame was for an instant convulsed. He bent his body down, as if +in pain, his fingers worked, while the hands hung lifeless by his +side, and there was an expression in his countenance that seemed to +announce <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>a writhing of the soul; but it was not unresisted, and it +was transient. He stood erect, drew a long breath, and looked around +him with an elevated face, that seemed to smile with a consciousness +of having obtained the mastery. The grave was soon filled; a rough +stone, placed at either extremity, marked its position, and the turf, +whose faded vegetation was adapted to the fortunes of the deceased, +covered the little hillock with the last office of seemliness. +Uncovering his head, the peddler hesitated a moment to gather energy, +and spoke.</p> + +<p>“My friends and neighbors,” he said, “I thank you for assisting me to +bury my dead out of my sight.”</p> + +<p>A solemn pause succeeded the customary address, and the group +dispersed in silence. The peddler and Katy were followed into the +building by one man, however, who was well known to the surrounding +country by the significant term of “a speculator.” Katy saw him enter, +with a heart that palpitated with dreadful forebodings; but Harvey +civilly handed him a chair, and evidently was prepared for the visit.</p> + +<p>The peddler went to the door, and, taking a cautious glance about the +valley, quickly returned and commenced the following dialogue:</p> + +<p>“The sun has just left the top of the eastern hill; my time presses +me; here is the deed for the house and lot; everything is done +according to law.”</p> + +<p>The other took the paper, and conned its contents with a deliberation +that proceeded partly from caution, and partly from the unlucky +circumstances of his education having been much neglected when a +youth. The time thus occupied in this tedious examination was employed +by Harvey in gathering together certain articles which he intended to +include in the stores that were to leave the habitation with himself.</p> + +<p>“I’m rather timersome about this conveyance,” said the purchaser, +having at length waded though the covenants<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> of the deed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p><p>“Why so?”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid it won’t stand good in law. I know that two of the +neighbors leave home to-morrow morning, to have the place entered for +confiscation;<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> and if I should give forty pounds and lose it all, +’twould be a dead pull back to me.”</p> + +<p>“They can only take my right,” said the peddler; “pay me two hundred +dollars, and the house is yours; you are a well-known Whig,<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> and +you at least they won’t trouble.” As Harvey spoke, there was a strange +bitterness of manner, mingled with the shrewd care expressed +concerning the sale of his property.</p> + +<p>“Say one hundred and it is a bargain,” returned the man with a grin +that he meant for a good-natured smile.</p> + +<p>“A bargain!” echoed the peddler, in surprise; “I thought the bargain +was already made.”</p> + +<p>“Nothing is a bargain,” said the purchaser, with a chuckle, “until +papers are delivered, and the money paid in hand.”</p> + +<p>“You have the paper.”</p> + +<p>“Aye, and will keep it, if you will excuse the money; come, say one +hundred and fifty, and I won’t be hard; here—here is just the money.”</p> + +<p>The peddler looked from the window, and saw with dismay that the +evening was fast advancing, and knew well that he endangered his life +by remaining in the dwelling after dark; yet he could not tolerate the +idea of being defrauded in this manner, in a bargain that had already +been fairly made; he hesitated.</p> + +<p>“Well,” said the purchaser, rising, “mayhap you will find another man +to trade with between this and morning; but, if you don’t, your title +won’t be worth much afterwards.”</p> + +<p>“I agree to the price,” he said; and, turning to the spinster, he +placed a part of the money in her hand, as he continued, “had I other +means to pay you, I would have lost all, rather than suffer myself to +be defrauded of part.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p><p>“You may lose all yet,” muttered the stranger, with a sneer, as he +rose and left the building.</p> + +<p>“Have you another house to go to?” inquired Katy.</p> + +<p>“Providence will provide me with a home.”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said the housekeeper; “but maybe ’twill not be to your liking.”</p> + +<p>“The poor must not be difficult.”<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> As the peddler spoke he dropped +the article he was packing from his hand, and seated himself on a +chest, with a look of vacant misery.</p> + +<p>“It is painful to part with even you, good woman,” he continued; “but +the hour has come, and I must go. What is left in the house is yours; +to me it could be of no use, and it may serve to make you comfortable. +Farewell—we may meet hereafter.”</p> + +<p>“In the regions of darkness!” cried a voice that caused the peddler to +sink on the chest from which he had risen, in despair.</p> + +<p>“What! another pack, Mr. Birch, and so well stuffed so soon!”</p> + +<p>“Have you not done evil enough?” cried the peddler, regaining his +firmness, and springing on his feet with energy; “is it not enough to +harass the last moments of a dying man—to impoverish me; what more +would you have?”</p> + +<p>“Your blood!” said the Skinner, with cool malignity.</p> + +<p>“And for money,” cried Harvey, bitterly; “like the ancient Judas, you +would grow rich with the price of blood!”</p> + +<p>“Aye, and a fair price it is, my gentleman; fifty guineas; nearly the +weight of that scarecrow carcass of yours in gold.”</p> + +<p>A figure stood in the shadow of the door, as if afraid to be seen in +the group of Skinners; but a blaze of light, aided by some articles +thrown in the fire by his persecutors, showed the peddler the face of +the purchaser of his little domain. Occasionally there was some +whispering between this man and the Skinner nearest to him, that +induced Harvey to suspect <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>he had been the dupe of a contrivance in +which that wretch had participated. It was, however, too late to +repine; and he followed the party from the house with a firm and +collected tread, as if marching to a triumph, and not to a gallows. In +passing through the yard, the leader of the band fell over a billet of +wood, and received a momentary hurt from the fall. Exasperated at the +incident, the fellow sprang to his feet, filling the air with +execrations.</p> + +<p>“The curse of heaven light on the log!” he exclaimed; “the night is +too dark for us to move in. Throw that brand of fire in yon pile of +tow, to light up the scene.”</p> + +<p>“Hold!” cried the speculator; “you’ll fire the house.”</p> + +<p>“And see the farther,” said the other, hurling the brand in the midst +of the combustibles. In an instant the building was in flames. “Come +on; let us move towards the heights while we have light to pick our +road.”</p> + +<p>“Villain!” cried the exasperated purchaser, “is this your +friendship—this my reward for kidnapping the peddler?”</p> + +<p>“’Twould be wise to move more from the light, if you mean to entertain +us with abuse, or we may see too well to miss our mark,” cried the +leader of the gang. The next instant he was as good as his threat, but +happily missed the terrified speculator and equally appalled spinster, +who saw herself reduced from comparative wealth to poverty, by the +blow.</p> + +<p>Prudence dictated to the pair a speedy retreat; and the next morning +the only remains of the dwelling of the peddler was the huge chimney.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>HOTEL FLANAGAN AND ITS INTRUDERS.</h3> + +<p>The position held by the corps of dragoons, we have already said, was +a favorite place of halting with their commander.</p> + +<p>A cluster of some half-dozen small and dilapidated<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> buildings +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>formed what, from the circumstances of two roads intersecting each +other at right angles, was called the Four Corners. As usual, one of +the most imposing of these edifices had been termed, in the language +of the day, “a house of entertainment for man and beast.” On a rough +board, suspended from the gallows-looking post that had supported the +ancient sign, was written in red chalk, “Elizabeth Flanagan, her +hotel,” an ebullition<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> of the wit of some of the idle wags of the +corps. The matron was the widow of a soldier who had been killed in +the service, and who, like herself, was a native of a distant island, +and had early tried his fortune in the colonies of North America. She +constantly migrated with the troops, and it was seldom that they +became stationary for two days at a time but the little cart of the +bustling woman was seen driving into the encampment, loaded with some +articles she conceived would make her presence welcome. With a +celerity<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> that seemed almost supernatural, Betty took up her ground +and commenced her occupation. Sometimes the cart itself was her shop; +at others the soldiers made her a rude shelter of such materials as +offered. But on the present occasion she seized on a vacant building +and formed what she herself pronounced to be “most illigant lodgings.” +The men were quartered in the adjacent barns, and the officers +collected in the “Hotel Flanagan,” as they facetiously<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> called +headquarters. Betty was well known to every trooper in the corps, +could call each by his Christian or nickname, as best suited her +fancy; and although absolutely intolerable to all whom habit had not +made familiar with her virtues, was a general favorite with these +partisan warriors. Her faults were, a trifling love of liquor, +excessive filthiness, a total disregard of all the decencies of +language; her virtues, an unbounded love for her adopted country, +perfect honesty when dealing on certain known principles with the +soldiery, and a great good-nature. Added to these, Betty had the merit +of being the inventor of that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>beverage which is so well known, at the +present hour, to all the patriots who make a winter’s march between +the commercial and the political capitals of this great State, and +which is distinguished by the name of “cock-tail.” Such then was the +mistress of the mansion, who, reckless of the cold northern blasts, +showed her blooming face from the door of the building to welcome the +arrival of her favorite, Captain Lawton, and his companion, her master +in surgery.</p> + +<p>Lawton and his companion now entered the building. A long table, made +from boards torn from the side of an out-building, was stretched +through the middle of the largest apartment, or the bar-room, and on +it was a very scanty display of crockery ware. The steams of cookery +arose from an adjoining kitchen, but the principal attraction was a +demijohn of fair proportions, which had been ostentatiously placed on +high by Betty as the object most worthy of notice.</p> + +<p>Lawton soon learned that it was teeming with the real amber-colored +juice of the grape, and had been sent from the Locusts, as an offering +to Major Dunwoodie, from his friend Captain Wharton, of the royal +army.</p> + +<p>The group within were all young men and tried soldiers; in number they +were about a dozen, and their manners and their conversation were a +strange mixture of the bluntness of the partisan with the manners of +gentlemen. Some were endeavoring to sleep on the benches which lined +the walls, some were walking the apartments, and others were seated in +earnest discussion on subjects connected with the business of their +lives. All this time Dunwoodie sat by himself, gazing at the fire, and +lost in reflections which none of his officers presumed to disturb.</p> + +<p>A loud summons at the door of the building, and the dragoons +instinctively caught up their arms to be prepared for the worst.</p> + +<p>The door was opened and the Skinners entered, dragging the peddler, +bending beneath the load of his pack.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p><p>“Which is Captain Lawton?” said the leader of the gang, gazing around +him in some little astonishment.</p> + +<p>“He waits your pleasure,” said the trooper, dryly.</p> + +<p>“Then here I deliver to your hands a condemned traitor; this is Harvey +Birch, the peddler spy.”</p> + +<p>Lawton started as he looked his old acquaintance in the face, and +turning to the Skinner with a lowering look, he asked:</p> + +<p>“And who are you, sir, that speak so freely of your neighbors? But,” +bowing to Dunwoodie, “your pardon, sir; here is the commanding +officer; to him you will please address yourself.”</p> + +<p>“No,” said the man, sullenly, “it is to you I deliver the peddler, and +from you I claim my reward.”</p> + +<p>“Are you Harvey Birch?” said Dunwoodie, advancing with an air of +authority that instantly drove the Skinner to a corner of the room.</p> + +<p>“I am,” said Birch, proudly.</p> + +<p>“And a traitor to your country,” continued the major, with sternness; +“do you not know that I should be justified in ordering your execution +this night?”</p> + +<p>“’Tis not the will of God to call a soul so hastily to his presence,” +said the peddler, with solemnity.</p> + +<p>“You speak truth,” said Dunwoodie; “but as your offence is most odious +to a soldier, so it will be sure to meet with the soldier’s vengeance; +you die to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>“’Tis as God wills.”</p> + +<p>“I have spent many a good hour to entrap the villain,” said the +Skinner, advancing from his little corner; “and I hope you will give +me a certificate that will entitle us to the reward; ’twas promised to +be paid in gold.”</p> + +<p>“Major Dunwoodie,” said the officer of the day, entering the room, +“the patrols report a house to be burnt near yesterday’s +battle-ground.”</p> + +<p>“’Twas the hut of the peddler,” muttered the leader of the gang; “we +have not left him a shingle for shelter; I should <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>have burned it +months ago, but I wanted his shed for a trap to catch the sly fox in.”</p> + +<p>“You seem a most ingenious patriot,” said Lawton. “Major Dunwoodie, I +second the request of this worthy gentleman, and crave the office of +bestowing the reward on him and his fellows.”</p> + +<p>“Take it;—and you, miserable man, prepare for the fate which will +surely befall you before the setting of to-morrow’s sun.”</p> + +<p>“Life offers but little to tempt me with,” said Harvey, slowly raising +his eyes and gazing wildly at the strange faces in the apartment.</p> + +<p>“Come, worthy children of America!” said Lawton, “follow and receive +your reward.”</p> + +<p>The gang eagerly accepted the invitation, and followed the captain +towards the quarters assigned to his troop.</p> + +<p>The officer to whose keeping Dunwoodie had committed the peddler, +transferred his charge to the custody of the regular sergeant of the +guard. After admonishing the non-commissioned guardian of Harvey to +omit no watchfulness in securing the prisoner, the youth wrapped +himself in his cloak, and, stretched on a bench before a fire, soon +found the repose he needed. A rude shed extended the whole length of +the rear of the building, and from off one end had been partitioned a +small apartment that was intended as a repository for many of the +lesser implements of husbandry. The considerate sergeant thought this +the most befitting place in which to deposit his prisoner until the +moment of execution.</p> + +<p>Several inducements urged Sergeant Hollister to this determination, +among which was the absence of the washerwoman, who lay before the +kitchen fire, dreaming that the corps was attacking a party of the +enemy, and mistaking the noise that proceeded from her own nose for +the bugles of the Virginians sounding the charge. Another was the +peculiar opinions that the veteran entertained of life and death, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>by which he was distinguished in the corps as a man of most exemplary +piety and holiness of life. Captain Lawton had rewarded his fidelity +by making him his orderly.</p> + +<p>Followed by Birch, the sergeant proceeded in silence to the door of +the intended prison, and, throwing it open with one hand, he held a +lantern with the other to light the peddler to his prison.</p> + +<p>Harvey thoroughly examined the place in which he was to pass the +night, and saw no means of escape. He buried his face in both hands, +and his whole frame shook; the sergeant regarded him closely, took up +the lantern, and, with some indignation in his manner, left him to +sorrowful meditations on his approaching fate. Birch sank, in +momentary despair, on the pallet of Betty, while his guardian +proceeded to give the necessary instructions to the sentinels for his +safe-keeping.</p> + +<p>Hollister concluded his injunctions to the man in the shed by saying, +“Your life will depend on his not escaping. Let none enter or quit the +room till morning.”</p> + +<p>“But,” said the trooper, “my orders are to let the washerwoman pass in +and out as she pleases.”</p> + +<p>“Well, let her then; but be careful that this wily peddler does not +get out in the folds of her petticoats.” He then continued his walk, +giving similar orders to each of the sentinels near the spot.</p> + +<p>For some time after the departure of the sergeant, silence prevailed +within the solitary prison of the peddler, until the dragoon at his +door heard his loud breathings, which soon rose into the regular +cadence of one in deep sleep. The man continued walking his post, +musing on an indifference to life which could allow nature its +customary rest, even on the threshold of the grave.</p> + +<p>His meditations were, however, soon interrupted by the approach of the +washerwoman, who came staggering through the door that communicated +with the kitchen, muttering execrations against the servants of the +officers, who, by their <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>waggery, had disturbed her slumbers before +the fire. The sentinel understood enough of her curses to comprehend +the case; but all his efforts to enter into conversation with the +enraged woman were useless, and he suffered her to enter her room +without explaining that it contained another inmate. The noise of her +huge frame falling on the bed was succeeded by a silence that was soon +interrupted by the renewed respiration of the peddler, and within a +few minutes Harvey continued to breathe aloud, as if no interruption +had occurred. The relief<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> arrived at this moment, and at the same +time, the door of the prison was opened and Betty reappeared, +staggering back again toward her former quarters.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE SKINNERS’ REWARD.</h3> + +<p>The Skinners followed Captain Lawton with alacrity towards the +quarters occupied by the troop of that gentleman. They soon arrived at +a better sort of farm-house, the very extensive out-buildings of which +were in tolerable repair, for the times. Lawton excused himself for a +moment, and entered his quarters. He soon returned, holding in his +hand one of the common stable-lanterns, and led the way towards a +large orchard that surrounded the buildings on three sides. The gang +followed the trooper in silence. Approaching the captain, the Skinner +said, “Do you think the colonies will finally get the better of the +king?”</p> + +<p>“Get the better!” echoed the captain, with impetuosity; then checking +himself, he continued, “no doubt they will. If the French<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> will +give us arms and money, we can drive out the royal troops in six +months.”</p> + +<p>“Well, so I hope we shall soon; and then we shall have <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>a free +government, and we, who fight for it, will get our reward.”</p> + +<p>“Oh!” cried Lawton, “your claims are indisputable; while all these +vile Tories<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> who live at home peaceably, to take care of their +farms, will be held in the contempt they merit. You have no farm, I +suppose?”</p> + +<p>“Not yet; but it will go hard if I do not find one before the peace is +made.”</p> + +<p>“Right; study your own interests, and you study the interests of your +country; press the point of your own services and rail at the Tories, +and I’ll bet my spurs against a rusty nail that you get to be a county +clerk at least. Men who have nothing, act as if the wealth of the +Indies depended on their fidelity; all are not villains like yourself, +or we should have been slaves to England years ago.”</p> + +<p>“How!” shouted the Skinner, starting back, and dropping his musket to +the level of the other’s breast; “am I betrayed, and are you my +enemy?”</p> + +<p>“Miscreant!” shouted Lawton, his sabre ringing in its steel scabbard +as he struck the musket of the fellow from his hands; “offer but again +to point your gun at me, and I’ll cleave you to the middle.”</p> + +<p>“And you will not pay us, then, Captain Lawton?” said the Skinner, +trembling in every joint, for just then he saw a party of mounted +dragoons silently encircling his whole party.</p> + +<p>“Oh! pay you—yes, you shall have the full measure of your reward. +There is the money that Colonel Singleton sent down for the captor of +the spy,” throwing a bag of guineas with disdain at the other’s feet. +“But ground your arms, you rascals, and see that the money is truly +told.”<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a></p> + +<p>The intimidated band did as they were ordered, and while they were +eagerly employed in this pleasing avocation, a few of Lawton’s men +privately knocked the flints out of their muskets.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p><p>“Well,” cried the impatient captain, “is it right—have you the +promised reward?”</p> + +<p>“There is just the money,” said the leader, “and we will now go to our +homes, with your permission.”</p> + +<p>“Hold! so much to redeem our promise—now for justice; we pay you for +taking the spy, but we punish you for burning, robbing, and murdering. +Seize them, my lads, and give each of them the law of Moses—forty +save one.”</p> + +<p>This command was given to no unwilling listeners, and in the twinkling +of an eye the Skinners were stripped and fastened by the halters of +the party to as many of the apple trees as were necessary to furnish +one to each of the gang. Swords were quickly drawn, and fifty branches +were cut from the trees like magic; from these were selected a few of +the most supple of the twigs, and a willing dragoon was soon found to +wield each of the weapons.</p> + +<p>Captain Lawton gave the word, humanely cautioning his men not to +exceed the discipline prescribed by the Mosaic law, and the uproar of +Babel commenced in the orchard. The flagellation<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> was executed with +great neatness and despatch, and it was distinguished by no +irregularity, excepting that none of the disciplinarians began to +count until he had tried his whip by a dozen or more blows, by the +way, as they said themselves, of finding out the proper place to +strike. As soon as this summary operation was satisfactorily +completed, Lawton directed his men to leave the Skinners to replace +their own clothes and to mount their horses, for they were a party who +had been detached for the purpose of patrolling lower down in the +county.</p> + +<p>“You see, my friend,” said the captain to the leader of the Skinners, +after he had prepared himself to depart, “I can cover you to some +purpose when necessary. If we meet often, you will be covered with +scars, which, if not honorable, will at least be merited.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p><p>The fellow made no reply. He was busy with his musket, and hastening +his comrades to march; when, everything being ready, they proceeded +sullenly towards some rocks at no great distance, which were overhung +by a deep wood. The moon was just rising, and a troop of dragoons +could easily be distinguished where they had been left. Suddenly +turning, the whole gang levelled their pieces and drew their triggers. +The action was noticed, and the snapping of the locks was heard by the +soldiers, who returned their futile attempt with a laugh of derision, +the captain crying aloud:</p> + +<p>“Ah! rascals, I knew you, and have taken away your flints.”</p> + +<p>“You should have taken away that in my pouch, too,” shouted the +leader, firing his gun in the next instant. The bullet grazed the ear +of Lawton, who laughed as he shook his head, saying: “A miss is as +good as a mile.” One of the dragoons had seen the preparations of the +Skinner—who had been left alone by the rest of the gang as soon as +they had made their abortive<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> attempt at revenge—and was in the +act of plunging his spurs into his horse as the fellow fired. The +distance to the rocks was but small, yet the speed of the horse +compelled the leader to abandon both money and musket to effect his +escape. The soldier returned with his prizes, and offered them to the +acceptance of his captain; but Lawton rejected them, telling the man +to retain them himself until the rascal appeared in person to claim +his property.</p> + +<p>The patrol departed, and the captain slowly returned to his quarters +with an intention of retiring to rest. A figure moving rapidly among +the trees in the direction of the wood whither the Skinners had +retired caught his eye, and, wheeling on his heel, the cautious +partisan approached it, and, to his astonishment, saw the washerwoman +at that hour of the night, and in such a place.</p> + +<p>As the captain entered his quarters the sentinel at the door <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>inquired +if he had met Mrs. Flanagan, and added that she had passed there +filling the air with threats against her tormentors at the “Hotel?” +and inquiring for the captain in search of redress. Lawton heard the +man in astonishment, appeared struck with a new idea—walked several +yards towards the orchard, and returned again; for several minutes he +paced rapidly to and fro before the door of the house, and hastily +entering it, he threw himself on a bed in his clothes and was soon in +a profound sleep.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE DOUBLE WARNING.</h3> + +<p>While his comrades were sleeping in perfect forgetfulness of their +hardships and dangers, the slumbers of Dunwoodie were broken and +unquiet. After spending a night of restlessness he arose, unrefreshed, +from the rude bed where he had thrown himself in his clothes, and +without awaking any of the group around him he wandered into the open +air in search of relief. In this disturbed state of mind the major +wandered through the orchard, and was stopped in his walk by arriving +at the base of those rocks which had protected the Skinners in their +flight, before he was conscious whither his steps had carried him. He +was about to turn and retrace his path to his quarters, when he was +startled by a voice, bidding him—</p> + +<p>“Stand or die!”</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie turned in amazement, and beheld the figure of a man placed +at a distance above him on a shelving rock with a musket levelled at +himself. The light was not sufficiently powerful to reach the recesses +of that gloomy spot, and a second look was necessary before he +discovered, to his astonishment, that the peddler stood before him. +Comprehending in an instant the danger of his situation, and +disdaining to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>implore mercy or retreat, had the latter been possible, +the youth cried firmly:</p> + +<p>“If I am to be murdered, fire! I will never become your prisoner.”</p> + +<p>“No, Major Dunwoodie,” said Birch, lowering his musket, “it is neither +my intention to capture nor to slay.”</p> + +<p>“What then would you have, mysterious being?” said Dunwoodie, hardly +able to persuade himself that the form he saw was not a creature of +the imagination.</p> + +<p>“Your good opinion,” answered the peddler, with emotion; “I would wish +all good men to judge me with lenity.<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> Major Dunwoodie, danger is +near them you love most—danger within and without—double your +watchfulness—strengthen your patrols—and be silent. With your +opinion of me, should I tell you more, you would suspect an ambush. +But remember and guard them you love best.”</p> + +<p>The peddler discharged his musket in the air, and threw it at the feet +of his astonished auditor. When surprise and the smoke allowed +Dunwoodie to look again on the rock where he had stood, the spot was +vacant.</p> + +<p>The youth was aroused from the stupor which had been created by this +strange scene, by the trampling of horses, and the sound of bugles. A +patrol was drawn to the spot by the report of the musket, and the +alarm had been given to the corps. Without entering into any +explanation with his men, the major returned quickly to his quarters, +followed by many of his officers, and preceded by Sergeant Hollister, +went to the place which was supposed to contain the peddler.</p> + +<p>“Well, sir,” said the major to the sentinel who guarded the door, “I +trust you have your prisoner in safety.”</p> + +<p>“He is yet asleep,” replied the man, “and he makes such a noise, I +could hardly hear the bugles sound the alarm.”</p> + +<p>“Open the door and bring him forth.”</p> + +<p>The order was obeyed; but, to the utter amazement of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>honest +veteran who entered the prison, he found the room in no little +disorder—the coat of the peddler where his body ought to have been, +and part of the wardrobe of Betty scattered in disorder on the floor. +The washerwoman herself occupied the pallet, in profound mental +oblivion, clad as when last seen, excepting a little black bonnet, +which she so constantly wore that it was commonly thought she made it +perform the double duty of both day and night cap. The noise of their +entrance, and the exclamations of the party, awoke the woman.</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie turned to leave the apartment, and he saw Captain Lawton +standing with folded arms, contemplating the scene with profound +silence. Their eyes met, and they walked together for a few minutes in +close conversation, when Dunwoodie returned and dismissed the guard to +their place of rendezvous.<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a></p> + +<p>Dr. Sitgreaves, who had been carousing at the “Hotel Flanagan,” +suddenly declared his intention of visiting the Locusts, and inquiring +into the state of the wounded. Lawton was ready for the excursion; and +mounting, they were soon on the road, though the surgeon was obliged +to submit to a few jokes from the washerwoman before he could get out +of hearing.</p> + +<p>“Listen!” said Lawton, stopping his horse. He had not done speaking, +when a stone fell at his feet and rolled harmlessly across the path.</p> + +<p>“A friendly shot, that,” cried the trooper; “neither the weapon, nor +its force, implies much ill-will. Oh! here is the explanation along +with the mystery.” So saying, he tore a piece of paper that had been +ingeniously fastened to the small fragment of rock which had thus +singularly fallen before him; and opening it, the captain read the +following words, written in no very legible hand:</p> + +<p>“A musket ball will go farther than a stone, and things more dangerous +than yarbs for wounded men lie hid in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>rocks of Winchester. The +horse may be good, but can he mount a precipice?”</p> + +<p>“Thou sayest the truth, strange man,” said Lawton, “courage and +activity would avail but little against assassination<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> and these +rugged passes.” Remounting his horse, he cried aloud, “Thanks, unknown +friend; your caution will be remembered.”</p> + +<p>A meagre hand was extended for an instant over a rock, in the air, and +afterwards nothing further was seen or heard in that quarter, by the +soldiers.</p> + +<p>The penetrating looks of the trooper had already discovered another +pile of rocks, which, jutting forward, nearly obstructed the highway +that wound directly around the base.</p> + +<p>“What the steed cannot mount, the foot of man can overcome,” exclaimed +the wary partisan. Throwing himself again from the saddle, and leaping +a wall of stone, he began to ascend the hill at a pace which would +soon have given him a bird’s-eye view of the rocks in question, +together with all their crevices. This movement was no sooner made +than Lawton caught a glimpse of the figure of a man stealing rapidly +from his approach and disappearing on the opposite side of the +precipice.</p> + +<p>“Spur, Sitgreaves—spur!” shouted the trooper, dashing over every +impediment in pursuit, “and murder the villain as he flies.”</p> + +<p>The former part of the request was promptly complied with; and a few +moments brought the surgeon in full view of a man armed with a musket, +who was crossing the road, and evidently seeking the protection of the +thick wood on its opposite side.</p> + +<p>“Stop, my friend—stop until Captain Lawton comes up, if you please,” +cried the surgeon, observing him to flee with a rapidity that baffled +his horsemanship. But, as if the invitation contained new terrors, the +footman redoubled his efforts, nor paused even to breathe until he had +reached his goal, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>when, turning on his heel, he discharged his musket +towards the surgeon, and was out of sight in an instant. To gain the +highway and throw himself in the saddle, detained Lawton but a moment, +and he rode to the side of his comrade just as the figure disappeared.</p> + +<p>“Which way has he fled?” cried the trooper.</p> + +<p>“John,” said the surgeon, “am I not a non-combatant?”<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a></p> + +<p>“Whither has the rascal fled?” cried Lawton, impatiently.</p> + +<p>“Where you cannot follow—into the wood. But I repeat, John, am I not +a non-combatant?”</p> + +<p>The disappointed trooper, perceiving that his enemy had escaped him, +now turned his eyes, which were flashing with anger, upon his comrade, +and gradually his muscles lost their rigid compression, his brow +relaxed, and his look changed from its fierce expression to the covert +laughter which so often distinguished his countenance. The surgeon sat +in dignified composure on his horse, his thin body erect and his head +elevated with the indignation of one conscious of having been unjustly +treated.</p> + +<p>Their desultory discourse was soon interrupted by their arrival at the +cottage of Mr. Wharton. No one appearing to usher them into an +apartment, the captain proceeded to the door of the parlor, where he +knew visitors were commonly received. On opening it, he paused for a +moment, in admiration of the scene within. The person of Colonel +Wellmere first met his eye, bending towards the figure of the blushing +Sarah with an earnestness of manner that prevented the noise of +Lawton’s entrance from being heard by either party. Certain +significant signs, which were embraced at a glance by the trooper, at +once made him a master of their secret, and he and the surgeon retired +as silently as they had advanced.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>MISS WHARTON’S MARRIAGE INTERRUPTED.</h3> + +<p>They were met by Miss Peyton, who acquainted them of the approaching +marriage of her eldest niece and Colonel Wellmere, and invited them to +be present. The gentlemen bowed; and the good aunt, with an inherent +love of propriety, went on to add that the acquaintance was of an old +date, and the attachment by no means a sudden thing; that the consent +to this sudden union of Sarah and Wellmere, and especially at a time +when the life of a member of the family was in imminent jeopardy,<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a> +was given from a conviction that the unsettled state of the country +would probably prevent another opportunity to the lovers of meeting, +and a secret dread on the part of Mr. Wharton that the death of his +son might, by hastening his own, leave his remaining children without +a protector.</p> + +<p>Miss Peyton now led them to the room where Lawton had left Sarah and +Colonel Wellmere, and awaited the nuptials.</p> + +<p>Wellmere, offering Sarah his hand, led her before the divine, and the +ceremony began. The first words of this imposing office produced a +dead stillness in the apartment; and the minister of God was about to +proceed when a figure, gliding into the midst of the party, at once +put a stop to the ceremony. It was the peddler. His look was bitter +and ironical,<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a> while a finger raised towards the divine seemed to +forbid the ceremony to go any further.</p> + +<p>“Can Colonel Wellmere waste the precious moments here, when his wife +has crossed the ocean to meet him? The nights are long, and the moon +bright; a few hours will take him to the city.”</p> + +<p>Aghast at the suddenness of his extraordinary address, Wellmere for a +moment lost the command of his faculties. To <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>Sarah, the countenance +of Birch, expressive as it was, produced no terror; but the instant +she recovered from the surprise of his interruption, she turned her +anxious gaze on the features of the man to whom she had pledged her +troth. They afforded the most terrible confirmation of all that the +peddler affirmed; the room whirled round, and she fell lifeless into +the arms of her aunt.</p> + +<p>The confusion enabled the peddler to retreat with a rapidity that +would baffle pursuit, had any been attempted, and Wellmere stood with +every eye fixed on him, in ominous silence.</p> + +<p>“’Tis false—’tis false as hell!” he cried, striking his forehead. “I +have ever denied her claim; nor will the laws of my country compel me +to acknowledge it.”</p> + +<p>“But what will conscience and the laws of God do?” asked Lawton.</p> + +<p>“’Tis well, sir,” said Wellmere, haughtily, and retreating towards the +door, “my situation protects you now; but a time may come—”</p> + +<p>He had reached the entry, when a slight tap on his shoulder caused him +to turn his head; it was Captain Lawton, who, with a smile of peculiar +meaning, beckoned him to follow. They reached the stables before the +trooper spoke, when he cried aloud:</p> + +<p>“Bring out Roanoke!”</p> + +<p>His man appeared with the steed caparisoned<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> for its master. +Lawton, coolly throwing the bridle on the neck of the animal, took his +pistols from the holsters, and continued, “Here are weapons that have +seen good service before to-day—aye, and in honorable hands, sir. In +what better way can I serve my country than in exterminating a wretch +who would blast one of her fairest daughters?”</p> + +<p>“This injurious treatment shall meet its reward,” cried the other, +seizing the offered weapon; “the blood lie on the head of him who +sought it!”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p><p>“Amen! but hold a moment, sir. You are now free, and the passports of +Washington are in your pocket; I give you the fire; if I fall, there +is a steed that will outstrip pursuit, and I advise you to retreat +without delay.”</p> + +<p>“Are you ready?” asked Wellmere, gnashing his teeth with rage.</p> + +<p>“Stand forward, Tom, with the lights; fire!” Wellmere fired, and the +bullion flew from the epaulette of the trooper.</p> + +<p>“Now the turn is mine,” said Lawton, deliberately leveling his pistol.</p> + +<p>“And mine!” shouted a voice as the weapon was struck from his hand. +“’Tis the mad Virginian!—fall on, my boys, and take him; this is a +prize not hoped for!”</p> + +<p>Unarmed, and surprised as he was, Lawton’s presence of mind did not +desert him; he felt that he was in the hands of those from whom he was +to expect no mercy; and, as four of the Skinners fell upon him at +once, he used his gigantic strength to the utmost.</p> + +<p>The struggle was short but terrific; curses and the most dreadful +imprecations were uttered by the Skinners, who in vain called on more +of the band, who were gazing on the combat in nerveless horror, to +assist. A difficulty of breathing, from one of the combatants, was +heard, accompanied by the stifled moanings of a strangled man; and +directly one of the group arose from his feet, shaking himself free +from the wild grasp of the others. Both Wellmere and the servant of +Lawton had fled—the former to the stables, and the latter to give the +alarm, leaving all in darkness.</p> + +<p>The figure that stood erect sprang into the saddle of the unheeded +charger; sparks of fire, issuing from the armed feet of the horse, +gave a momentary light by which the captain was seen dashing like the +wind towards the highway.</p> + +<p>“He’s off!” cried the leader, hoarse with rage and exhaustion; +“fire!—bring him down—fire, or you’ll be too late!”</p> + +<p>“He would not fall if you had killed him,” muttered one; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>“I’ve known +these Virginians sit their horses with two or three balls through +them; aye, even after they were dead.”</p> + +<p>“A short half hour will bring down that canting sergeant and the guard +upon us,” cried the leader. “’Twill be lucky if the guns don’t turn +them out. Quick, to your posts, and fire the house in the chambers; +smoking ruins are good to cover evil deeds.”</p> + +<p>Wellmere availed himself of the opportunity, and stealing from the +stable with his own charger, he was able to gain the highway +unnoticed. For an instant he hesitated whether to ride towards the +point where he knew the guard was stationed and endeavor to rescue the +family, or, profiting by his liberty, to seek the royal army. Shame, +and a consciousness of guilt, determined him to take the latter +course, and he rode towards New York.</p> + +<p>The report of the fire-arms first roused the family to the sense of a +new danger, and but a moment elapsed before the leader and one more of +the gang entered the room.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>HELP WELL TIMED.</h3> + +<p>But to return to the party at the Four Corners. The veteran got his +men mounted, when firing was heard.</p> + +<p>“Hark! What is that?” said Hollister, pricking up his ears. “I’ll +swear that was a human pistol, and one from our regiment. Rear rank, +close to the front!” A volley of musketry now rattled in the night +wind, and the sergeant exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“March!—Quick time!”</p> + +<p>The next instant the trampling of a horse was heard coming up the road +at a rate that announced a matter of life or death.</p> + +<p>“Stand! Who goes there?” shouted Hollister.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p><p>“Ha! Hollister, is that you?” cried Lawton; “ever ready and at your +post; but where is the guard?”</p> + +<p>“At hand, sir, and ready to follow you through thick and thin.”</p> + +<p>“’Tis well!” said the trooper, riding up to his men; then, speaking a +few words of encouragement, he led them down the valley at a rate but +little less rapid than his approach.</p> + +<p>On arriving near the gates of the Locusts, the trooper halted his +party and made his arrangements for the assault. Dismounting, he +ordered eight men to follow his example, and, turning to Hollister, +said:</p> + +<p>“Stand you here and guard the horses; if any attempt to pass, stop it, +or cut it down, and—” The flames at this moment burst through the +dormer-windows<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> and cedar roof of the cottage, and a bright light +glared on the darkness of the night. “On!” shouted the trooper, “on! +Give quarter when justice is done!”</p> + +<p>There was a startling fierceness in the voice of the trooper that +reached to the heart, even amid the horrors of the cottage. The leader +dropped his plunder and for a moment he stood in nerveless dread; +then, rushing to the window, he threw up the sash. At this instant +Lawton entered, sabre in hand, into the apartment.</p> + +<p>“Die, miscreant!” cried the trooper, cleaving a marauder to the jaw; +but the leader sprang into the lawn and escaped his vengeance.</p> + +<p>The shrieks of the females restored Lawton to his presence of mind, +and the earnest entreaty of the divine induced him to attend to the +safety of the family. One more of the gang fell in with the dragoons +and met his death, but the remainder had taken the alarm in season.</p> + +<p>A loud crash in the upper apartments was succeeded by a bright light +that glared through the open door, and made objects as distinct as +day. Another dreadful crash shook the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>building to its centre. It was +the falling of the roof, and the flames threw their light abroad so as +to make objects visible around the cottage through the windows of the +room. Frances, who was with Sarah, flew to one of them and saw the +confused group that was collected on the lawn. Among them was her +aunt, pointing with distraction to the fiery edifice, and apparently +urging the dragoon to enter it. For the first time she comprehended +their danger, and, uttering a wild shriek, she flew through the +passage without consideration or object.</p> + +<p>A dense and suffocating smoke opposed her progress. She paused to +breathe, when a man caught her in his arms and bore her, in a state of +insensibility, through the falling embers and darkness to the open +air. The instant that Frances recovered her recollection she perceived +that she owed her life to Lawton, and, throwing herself on her knees, +she cried:</p> + +<p>“Sarah! Sarah! Sarah! Save my sister, and may the blessing of God +await you!”</p> + +<p>Her strength failed, and she sank on the grass in insensibility.</p> + +<p>By this time the flames had dispersed much of the suffocating vapor, +so that the trooper was able to find the door, and in its very +entrance he was met by a man supporting the insensible form of Sarah. +There was but barely time to reach the lawn again before the fire +broke through the windows and wrapped the whole building in a sheet of +flame.</p> + +<p>“God be praised!” ejaculated<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a> the preserver of Sarah; “it would +have been a dreadful death to die.”</p> + +<p>The trooper turned from gazing at the edifice to the speaker, and, to +his astonishment, he beheld the peddler.</p> + +<p>“Captain Lawton,” said Birch, leaning in momentary exhaustion against +the fence to which they had retired from the heat, “I am again in your +power, for I can neither flee nor resist.”</p> + +<p>“The cause of America is as dear to me as life,” said the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>trooper; +“but she cannot require her children to forget gratitude and honor. +Fly, unhappy man, while yet you are unseen, or it will exceed my power +to save you.”</p> + +<p>“May God prosper you, and make you victorious over your enemies!” said +Birch, grasping the hand of the dragoon with iron strength that his +meagre figure did not indicate.</p> + +<p>“Hold!” said Lawton; “but a word—are you what you seem?—can you—are +you?——”</p> + +<p>“A royal spy,” interrupted Birch, averting his face, and endeavoring +to release his hand.</p> + +<p>“Then go, miserable wretch,” said the trooper, relinquishing his +grasp; “either avarice or delusion has led a noble heart astray!”</p> + +<p>The bright light from the flames reached a great distance around the +ruins, but the words were hardly past the lips of Lawton, before the +gaunt form of the peddler had glided over the visible space, and had +plunged into the darkness beyond.</p> + +<p>The walls of the cottage were all that was left of the building; and +these, blackened by smoke, and stripped of their piazzas and +ornaments, were but dreary memorials of the content and security that +had so lately reigned within. The roof, together with the rest of the +wood-work, had tumbled into the cellars, and pale and flitting light, +ascending from their embers, shone faintly through the windows. The +early flight of the Skinners left the dragoons at liberty to exert +themselves in saving much of the furniture which lay scattered in +heaps on the lawn, giving the finishing touch of desolation to the +scene.</p> + +<p>“Come,” said the surgeon, “the night air can do no service to these +ladies, and it is incumbent on us to remove them where they can find +surgical attendance and refreshment.”</p> + +<p>To this rational proposition no objection could be raised, and the +necessary orders were issued by Lawton to remove the whole party to +the Four Corners.</p> + +<p>The brief arrangements of the dragoons had prepared two <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>apartments +for the reception of the ladies, the one being intended as a +sleeping-room, and situated within the other.</p> + +<p>While leaning in the doorway, Lawton’s ear caught the sound of a +horse, and the next instant a dragoon of his own troop appeared +dashing up the road, as if on business of vast importance. The steed +was foaming, and the rider had the appearance of having done a day’s +service. Without speaking, he placed a letter in the hand of Lawton, +and led his charger to the stable. The trooper knew the hand of the +major, and ran his eye over the following:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I rejoice it is the order of Washington, that the family of +the Locusts are to be removed above the Highlands. They are +to be admitted to the society of Captain Wharton, who waits +only for their testimony to be tried. You will communicate +this order, and with proper delicacy I do not doubt. The +English are moving up the river; and the moment you see the +Whartons in safety, break up and join your troop. There will +be good service to be done when we meet, as Sir Henry<a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> is +reported to have sent out a real soldier in command. Reports +must be made to the commandant at Peekskill, for Colonel +Singleton is withdrawn to headquarters, to preside over the +inquiry upon poor Wharton. Fresh orders have been sent to +hang the peddler if we can take him, but they are not from +the commander-in-chief. Detail a small guard with the +ladies, and get into the saddle as soon as possible.</p> + +<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 7em;">“Yours sincerely,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;">“<span class="smcap">Peyton Dunwoodie.</span>”</span></p></div> + +<p>This communication changed the whole arrangement. A new stimulus was +given to the Whartons by the intelligence conveyed in the letter of +Dunwoodie; and Cæsar, with his horses, was once more put in +requisition.</p> + +<p>The word to march was given; and Lawton, throwing a look of sullen +ferocity at the place of the Skinners’ concealment, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>led the way, +accompanied by the surgeon in a brown study; while Sergeant Hollister +and Betty brought up the rear. The day’s march was performed chiefly +in silence, and the party found shelter for the night in different +farm-houses.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>CAPTAIN WHARTON’S TRIAL.</h3> + +<p>The following morning the cavalcade<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> dispersed. The wounded +diverged towards the river, with the intention of taking water at +Peekskill, in order to be transported to the hospital of the American +army above.</p> + +<p>The road taken by our party was not the one that communicates between +the two principal cities of the State, but was a retired and +unfrequented pass, that to this hour is but little known, and which, +entering the hills near the eastern boundary, emerges into the plain +above, many miles from the Hudson.</p> + +<p>It would have been impossible for the tired steeds of Mr. Wharton to +drag the heavy chariot up the lengthened and steep ascents which now +lay before them; and a pair of country horses was procured, with but +little regard to their owner’s wishes, by the two dragoons, who still +continued to accompany the party. With their assistance, Cæsar was +enabled to advance, by slow and toilsome steps, into the bosom of the +hills.</p> + +<p>The day had been cloudy and cool, and thin fleecy clouds hung around +the horizon, often promising to disperse, but as frequently +disappointing Frances in the hope of catching a parting beam from the +setting sun. At length a solitary gleam struck the base of the +mountain on which she was gazing, and moved gracefully up its side, +until, reaching the summit, it stood for a minute, forming a crown of +glory to the sombre pile. With a feeling of awe at being thus +unexpectedly admitted, as it <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>were, into the secrets of that desert +place, Frances gazed intently, until, among the scattered trees and +fantastic rocks, something like a rude structure was seen. It was low, +and so obscured by the color of its materials, that but for its roof, +and the glittering of a window, it must have escaped her notice. While +yet lost in the astonishment created by discovering a habitation in +such a spot, on moving her eyes she perceived another object that +increased her wonder. It apparently was a human figure, but of +singular mould and unusual deformity. It stood on the edge of a rock, +a little above the hut, and it was no difficult task for our heroine +to fancy it was gazing at the vehicles that were ascending the side of +the mountain beneath her. The distance, however, was too great for her +to distinguish with precision. She continued to gaze at the mysterious +residence, when the tones of a bugle rang through the glens and +hollows, and were reëchoed in every direction, and directly a party in +the well-known uniform of the Virginians came sweeping round the point +of a rock, and drew up at a short distance.</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie dashed by the party of dragoons, threw himself from his +charger, and advanced to her side. His manner was earnest and +interested. In a few words he explained that he had been ordered up, +with a party of Lawton’s men, in the absence of the captain himself, +to attend the trial of Henry, which was fixed for the morrow, and +that, anxious for their safety in the rude passes of the mountain, he +had ridden a mile or two in quest of the travellers. A short half-hour +brought them to the door of the farm-house which the care of Dunwoodie +had already prepared for their reception, and where Captain Wharton +was anxiously expecting their arrival.</p> + +<p>The friends of Henry Wharton had placed so much reliance on his +innocence, that they were unable to see the full danger of his +situation. The moment at length arrived, and the different actors in +the approaching investigation assembled. The judges, three in number, +sat by themselves, clad in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>vestments of their profession, and +maintaining a gravity worthy of the occasion and becoming their rank. +In the centre was a man of advanced years, and whose whole exterior +bore the stamp of early and long-tried military habits. This was the +president of the court; and Frances, after taking a hasty and +unsatisfactory view of his associates, turned to his benevolent +countenance as to the harbinger<a name="FNanchor_100_100" id="FNanchor_100_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_100_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a> of mercy to her brother. There +was a melting and subdued expression in the features of the veteran, +that, contrasted with the rigid decency and composure of the others, +could not fail to attract her notice. His associates were selected +from the Eastern troops, who held the fortresses of West Point<a name="FNanchor_101_101" id="FNanchor_101_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_101_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a> +and the adjacent passes; they were men who had attained the +meridian<a name="FNanchor_102_102" id="FNanchor_102_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_102_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a> of life, and the eye sought in vain the expression of +any passion or emotion on which it might seize as an indication of +human infirmity. In their demeanor there was a mild, but a grave, +intellectual reserve.</p> + +<p>Before these arbiters of his fate Henry Wharton was ushered under the +custody of armed men. A profound and awful silence succeeded his +entrance, and the blood of Frances chilled as she noted the grave +character of the whole proceedings. Two of the judges sat in grave +reserve, fixing their eyes on the object of their investigation; but +the president continued gazing round with uneasy, convulsive motions +of the muscles of the face, that indicated a restlessness foreign to +his years and duty. The silence, and the expectation in every eye, at +length struck him, and making an effort to collect himself, he spoke, +in the tone of one used to authority.</p> + +<p>“Bring forth the prisoner,” he said, with a wave of the hand.</p> + +<p>Frances turned for a moment, in grateful emotion, as the deep and +perturbed breathings of Dunwoodie reached her ears; but her brother +again concentrated all her interest in one feeling of intense care. In +the background were arranged the inmates of the family who owned the +dwelling, and behind <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>them, again, was a row of shining faces of +ebony, glistening with pleased wonder. Among these was the faded +lustre of Cæsar Thompson’s countenance.</p> + +<p>“You are said,” continued the president, “to be Henry Wharton, a +captain in his Britannic Majesty’s Sixtieth regiment of foot.”</p> + +<p>“I am.”</p> + +<p>“It is an accusation against you, that, being an officer of the enemy, +you passed the pickets of the American army at the White Plains, in +disguise, on the 29th of October last, whereby you are suspected of +views hostile to the interests of America, and have subjected yourself +to the punishment of a spy.”</p> + +<p>The mild but steady tones of the speaker, as he slowly repeated the +substance of this charge, were full of authority. The accusation was +so plain, the facts so limited, the proof so obvious, and the penalty +so well established, that escape seemed impossible. But Henry replied +with earnest grace:</p> + +<p>“That I passed your pickets in disguise is true; but——”</p> + +<p>“Peace!” interrupted the president; “the usages of war are stern +enough in themselves; you need not aid them in your own condemnation.”</p> + +<p>“The prisoner can retract that declaration, if he please,” remarked +another judge. “His confession, if taken, goes fully to prove the +charge.”</p> + +<p>“I retract nothing that is true,” said Henry, proudly.</p> + +<p>“You are at liberty to explain what your motives were in entering the +ground held by our army, in disguise,” said the other judge, with a +slight movement of the muscles of his face.</p> + +<p>“I am the son of this aged man before you,” continued Henry. “It was +to visit him that I encountered the danger. Besides, the country below +is seldom held by your troops, and its very name implies a right to +either party to move at pleasure over its territory.”</p> + +<p>“Its name as neutral ground is unauthorized by law; it is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>an +appellation<a name="FNanchor_103_103" id="FNanchor_103_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_103_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a> that originates with the condition of the country. +But wherever an army goes, it carries its rights along, and the first +is the ability to protect itself.”</p> + +<p>“I am no casuist,<a name="FNanchor_104_104" id="FNanchor_104_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_104_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a> sir,” returned the youth; “but I feel that my +father is entitled to my affection, and I would encounter greater +risks to prove it to him in his old age.”</p> + +<p>“A very commendable spirit,” cried the veteran. “Come, gentlemen, this +business brightens. I confess, at first it was very bad, but no man +can censure him for desiring to see his parent.”</p> + +<p>“And have you proof that such only was your intention?”</p> + +<p>“Yes—here,” said Henry, admitting a ray of hope; “here is proof—my +father, my sister, Major Dunwoodie, all know it.”</p> + +<p>“Then, indeed,” returned the immovable judge, “we may be able to save +you. It would be well, sir, to examine further into this business.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” said the president, with alacrity. “Let the elder Mr. +Wharton approach and take the oath.”</p> + +<p>The father made an effort at composure, and, advancing with a feeble +step, he complied with the necessary forms of the court.</p> + +<p>“You are the father of the prisoner?” said Colonel Singleton, in a +subdued voice.</p> + +<p>“He is my only son.”</p> + +<p>“And what do you know of his visit to your house on the twenty-ninth +day of October last?”</p> + +<p>“He came, as he told you, to see me and his sisters.”</p> + +<p>“Was he in disguise?” asked the other judge.</p> + +<p>“He did not wear the uniform of the Sixtieth.”</p> + +<p>“To see his sisters, too!” said the president, with great emotion. +“Have you daughters, sir?”</p> + +<p>“I have two. Both are in this house.”</p> + +<p>“Had he a wig?” interrupted the officer.</p> + +<p>“There was some such thing, I do believe, upon his head.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p><p>“And how long had you been separated?” asked the president.</p> + +<p>“One year and two months.”</p> + +<p>“Did he wear a loose great-coat of coarse materials?” inquired the +officer, referring to a paper that contained the charges.</p> + +<p>“There was an overcoat.”</p> + +<p>“And you think it was to see you only that he came out?”</p> + +<p>“Me and my daughters.”</p> + +<p>“A boy of spirit,” whispered the president to his silent comrade. “I +see but little harm in such a freak; ’twas imprudent, but then it was +kind.”</p> + +<p>“Do you know that your son was intrusted with no commission from Sir +Henry Clinton, and that his visit to you was not merely a cloak to +other designs?”</p> + +<p>“How can I know it?” said Mr. Wharton, in alarm. “Would Sir Henry +trust me with such business?”</p> + +<p>“Know you anything of this pass?” exhibiting the paper that Dunwoodie +had retained when Wharton was taken.</p> + +<p>“Nothing—upon my honor, nothing,” cried the father, shrinking from +the paper as from contagion.<a name="FNanchor_105_105" id="FNanchor_105_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_105_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a></p> + +<p>“On your oath?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing.”</p> + +<p>“Have you other testimony? This does not avail you, Captain Wharton. +You have been taken in a situation where your life is forfeited. The +labor of proving your innocence rests with yourself. Take time to +reflect, and be cool.”</p> + +<p>There was a frightful calmness in the manner of this judge that +appalled the prisoner. In the sympathy of Colonel Singleton, he could +easily lose sight of his danger; but the obdurate and collected air of +the others was ominous of his fate. He continued silent, casting +imploring glances towards his friends.</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie understood the appeal, and offered himself as a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>witness. He +was sworn, and desired to relate what he knew. His statement did not +materially alter the case, and Dunwoodie felt that it could not. To +him personally but little was known, and that little rather militated +against the safety of Henry than otherwise. His account was listened +to in silence, and the significant shake of the head that was made by +the silent member too plainly told what effect it had made.</p> + +<p>“Still you think that the prisoner had no other object than what he +has avowed?” said the president, when he had ended.</p> + +<p>“None other, I will pledge my life,” cried the major.</p> + +<p>“Will you swear it?” asked the immovable judge.</p> + +<p>“How can I? God alone can see the heart. But I have known this +gentleman from a boy; deceit never formed part of his character. He is +above it.”</p> + +<p>“You say that he escaped and was taken in open arms?” said the +president.</p> + +<p>“He was; nay, he received a wound in the combat.”</p> + +<p>To Henry there now remained but little hope; his confidence in his +security was fast ebbing, but with an indefinite expectation of +assistance from the loveliness of his sister he fixed an earnest gaze +on the pallid features of Frances. She arose, and, with a tottering +step, moved towards the judges; the paleness of her cheek continued +but for a moment, and gave place to a flush of fire, and with a light +but firm tread she stood before them.</p> + +<p>“To you, then, your brother previously communicated his intention of +paying your family a secret visit?”</p> + +<p>“No, no!” said Frances, pressing her hand to her head, as if to +collect her thoughts; “he told me nothing—we knew not of the visit +until he arrived. But can it be necessary to explain to gallant men +that a child would incur hazard to meet his only parent, and that in +times like these, and in a situation like ours?”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p><p>“But was this the first time? Did he never even talk of doing so +before?” inquired the colonel, leaning towards her with paternal +interest.</p> + +<p>“Certainly, certainly,” cried Frances, catching the expression of his +own benevolent countenance. “This is but the fourth of his visits.”</p> + +<p>“I knew it!” exclaimed the veteran, rubbing his hands with delight; +“an adventurous, warm-hearted son—I warrant me, gentlemen—a fiery +soldier in the field! In what disguises did he come?”</p> + +<p>“In none, for none were then necessary; the royal troops covered the +country and gave him safe passage.”</p> + +<p>“And was this the first of his visits out of the uniform of his +regiment?” asked the colonel, in a suppressed voice, avoiding the +penetrating looks of his companions.</p> + +<p>“Oh, the very first!” exclaimed the eager girl; “his first offence, I +do assure you, if offence it be.”</p> + +<p>“But you wrote him—you urged the visit; surely, young lady, you +wished to see your brother?” added the impatient colonel.</p> + +<p>“That we wished for it, and prayed for it—oh, how fervently we prayed +for it!—is true; but to have communion with the royal army would have +endangered our father, and we dared not.”</p> + +<p>“Did he leave the house until taken, or had he intercourse with any +out of your own dwelling?”</p> + +<p>“With no one excepting our neighbor, the peddler Birch.”</p> + +<p>“With whom?” exclaimed the colonel, turning pale, and shrinking as +from the sting of an adder.</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie groaned aloud, and, striking his head with his hand, cried +out in piercing tones, “He is lost!” and rushed from the apartment.</p> + +<p>“But Harvey Birch,” repeated Frances, gazing wildly at the door +through which her lover had disappeared.</p> + +<p>“Harvey Birch!” echoed all the judges. The two immovable <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>members of +the court exchanged looks, and threw an inquisitive glance at the +prisoner.</p> + +<p>“To you, gentlemen, it can be no new intelligence to hear that Harvey +Birch is suspected of favoring the royal cause,” said Henry, again +advancing before the judges, “for he has already been condemned by +your tribunals to the fate that I see now awaits myself. I will +therefore explain that it was by his assistance I procured the +disguise and passed your pickets; but to my dying moments and with my +dying breath I will avow that my intentions were as pure as the +innocent beings before you.”</p> + +<p>“Captain Wharton,” said the president, solemnly, “the enemies of +American liberty have made mighty and subtle efforts to overthrow our +power. A more dangerous man, for his means and education, is not +ranked among our foes than this peddler of Westchester. He is a +spy—artful, delusive, and penetrating beyond the abilities of his +class. Indeed, young man, this is a connection that may prove fatal to +you.”</p> + +<p>The honest indignation that beamed on the countenance of the aged +warrior was met by a look of perfect conviction on the part of his +comrades.</p> + +<p>“I have ruined him!” cried Frances, clasping her hands in terror.</p> + +<p>“Gentlemen, what is your pleasure?” asked the president.</p> + +<p>One of the judges placed in his hand a written sentence, and declared +it to be the opinion of himself and his companion.</p> + +<p>It briefly stated that Henry Wharton had been detected in passing the +lines of the American army as a spy, and in disguise.</p> + +<p>That thereby, according to the laws of war, he was liable to suffer +death, and that this court adjudge him to the penalty, recommending +him to be executed, by hanging, before nine o’clock on the following +morning.</p> + +<p>“This is short notice,” said the veteran, holding the pen in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>his +hand, in a suspense that had no object; “not a day to fit one so young +for heaven.”</p> + +<p>“The royal officers gave Hale<a name="FNanchor_106_106" id="FNanchor_106_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_106_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> but an hour,” returned his comrade; +“we have granted the usual time. But Washington has the power to +extend it, or to pardon.”</p> + +<p>“Then to Washington will I go,” cried the colonel, returning the paper +with his signature; “and if the services of an old man like me, or +that brave boy of mine, entitle me to his ear, I will yet save the +youth.”</p> + +<p>So saying, he departed, full of the generous intentions in favor of +Henry Wharton.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>MR. HARPER IS SOUGHT BUT NOT FOUND.</h3> + +<p>The sentence of the court was communicated with proper tenderness to +the prisoner, and after giving a few necessary instructions to the +officer in command, and despatching a courier to headquarters with +their report, the remaining judges mounted and rode to their own +quarters.</p> + +<p>A few hours were passed by the prisoner, after his sentence was +received, in the bosom of his family.</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie, from an unwillingness to encounter the distress of Henry’s +friends, and a dread of trusting himself within its influence, had +spent the time walking by himself, in keen anxiety, at a short +distance from the dwelling. To him the rules of service were familiar, +and he was more accustomed to consider his general in the capacity of +a ruler than as exhibiting the characteristics of the individual.</p> + +<p>While pacing with hurried step through the orchard, laboring under +these constantly recurring doubts, Dunwoodie saw the courier +approaching; leaping the fence, he stood before the trooper.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p><p>“What news?” cried the major, the moment the soldier stopped his +horse.</p> + +<p>“Good!” exclaimed the man; and feeling no hesitation to trust an +officer so well known as Major Dunwoodie, he placed the paper in his +hands, as he added: “But you can read it, sir, for yourself.”</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie paused not to read, but flew, with the elastic spring of +joy, to the chamber of the prisoner. The sentinel knew him, and he was +suffered to pass without question.</p> + +<p>“O Peyton,” cried Frances, as he entered the apartments, “you look +like a messenger from heaven. Bring you tidings of mercy?”</p> + +<p>“Here, Frances—here, Henry—here, dear cousin Jeanette,” cried the +youth, as with trembling hands he broke the seal; “here is the letter +itself, directed to the captain of the guard. But listen!”</p> + +<p>All did listen with intense anxiety; and the pang of blasted hope was +added to their misery, as they saw the glow of delight which had +beamed on the countenance of the major give place to a look of horror. +The paper contained the sentence of the court, and underneath was +written these simple words:</p> + +<p class="center">“<i>Approved—Geo. Washington.</i>”</p> + +<p>“He’s lost, he’s lost!” cried Frances, sinking into the arms of her +aunt.</p> + +<p>“My son, my son!” sobbed the father, “there is mercy in heaven, if +there is none on earth. May Washington never want that mercy he thus +denies to my innocent child!”</p> + +<p>“There is yet time to see Washington again,” said Miss Peyton, moving +towards the door; and then, speaking with extreme dignity, she +continued: “I will go myself; surely he must listen to a woman from +his own colony; and we are in some degree connected with his family.”</p> + +<p>“Why not apply to Mr. Harper?” said Frances, recollecting the parting +words of their guest for the first time.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p><p>“Harper!” echoed Dunwoodie, turning towards her with the swiftness of +lightning; “what of him? Do you know him?”</p> + +<p>“It is in vain,” said Henry, drawing him aside; “Frances clings to +hope with the fondness of a sister. Retire, my love, and leave me with +my friend.”</p> + +<p>But Frances read an expression in the eye of Dunwoodie that chained +her to the spot. After struggling to command her feelings, she +continued:</p> + +<p>“He stayed with us for a few days; he was with us when Henry was +arrested.”</p> + +<p>“And—and—did you know him?”</p> + +<p>“Nay,” continued Frances, catching her breath as she witnessed the +intense interest of her lover, “we knew him not; he came to us in the +night, a stranger, and remained with us during the severe storm; but +he seemed to take an interest in Henry, and promised him his +friendship.”</p> + +<p>“What!” exclaimed the youth, in astonishment; “did he know your +brother?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly; it was at his request that Henry threw aside his +disguise.”</p> + +<p>“But,” said Dunwoodie, turning pale with suspense, “he knew him not as +an officer of the royal army?”</p> + +<p>“Indeed he did,” cried Miss Peyton; “and he cautioned us against this +very danger.”</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie caught up the fatal paper, that lay where it had fallen from +his own hands, and studied its characters intently. Something seemed +to bewilder his brain. He passed his hand over his forehead, while +each eye was fixed on him in dreadful suspense—all feeling afraid to +admit those hopes anew that had been so sadly destroyed.</p> + +<p>“What said he? what promised he?” at length Dunwoodie asked, with +feverish impatience.</p> + +<p>“He bid Henry apply to him when in danger, and promised to requite the +son for the hospitality of the father.”</p> + +<p>“Said he this, knowing him to be a British officer?”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p><p>“Most certainly; and with a view to this very danger.”</p> + +<p>“Then,” cried the youth aloud, and yielding to his rapture, “then you +are safe—then I will save him; yes, Harper will never forget his +word.”</p> + +<p>“But has he the power to?” said Frances. “Can he move the stubborn +purpose of Washington?”</p> + +<p>“Can he! If he cannot,” shouted the youth, “if he cannot, who can? +Greene,<a name="FNanchor_107_107" id="FNanchor_107_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_107_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a> and Heath,<a name="FNanchor_108_108" id="FNanchor_108_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_108_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a> and the young Hamilton<a name="FNanchor_109_109" id="FNanchor_109_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_109_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a> are nothing +compared to this Harper. But,” rushing to his mistress, and pressing +her hands convulsively, “repeat to me—you say you have his promise?”</p> + +<p>“Surely, surely, Peyton; his solemn, deliberate promise, knowing all +the circumstances.”</p> + +<p>“Rest easy,” cried Dunwoodie, holding her to his bosom for a moment, +“rest easy, for Henry is safe.”</p> + +<p>He waited not to explain, but darting from the room, he left the +family in amazement. They continued in silent wonder until they heard +the feet of his charger as he dashed from the door with the speed of +an arrow.</p> + +<p>A long time was spent after this abrupt departure of the youth, by the +anxious friends he had left, in discussing the probability of his +success. The confidence of his manner had, however, communicated to +his auditors something of his own spirit. Each felt the prospects of +Henry were again brightening, and with their reviving hopes they +experienced a renewal of spirits, which in all but Henry himself +amounted to pleasure. Frances reposed in security on the assurance of +Dunwoodie; believing her lover able to accomplish everything that man +could do and retaining a vivid recollection of the manner and +benevolent appearance of Harper, she abandoned herself to all the +felicity of renovated hope.</p> + +<p>From the window where she stood, the pass that they had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>travelled +through the Highlands was easily to be seen; and the mountain which +held on its summit the mysterious hut was directly before her. Its +sides were rugged and barren; huge and apparently impassable barriers +of rocks presenting themselves through the stunted oaks, which, +stripped of their foliage, were scattered over its surface. The base +of the hill was not half a mile from the house, and the object which +attracted the notice of Frances was the figure of a man emerging from +behind a rock of remarkable formation, and as suddenly disappearing. +The manœuvre was several times repeated, as if it were the +intention of the fugitive (for such by his air he seemed to be) to +reconnoitre the proceedings of the soldiery, and assure himself of the +position of things on the plain. Notwithstanding the distance, Frances +instantly imbibed the opinion that it was Birch, who had so connected +himself with the mysterious deportment of Harper, within her +imagination, that under circumstances of less agitation than those in +which she had labored since her arrival, she would have kept her +suspicions to herself. After gazing for a long time at the point where +she had last seen the figure, in the vain expectation of its +reappearance, she turned to her friends in the apartment.</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie soon made his appearance, but his air was that of neither +success nor defeat, but of vexation. He took the hand of Frances, in +the fulness of her heart extended towards him, but instantly +relinquishing it, threw himself into a chair, in evident fatigue.</p> + +<p>“You have failed,” said Wharton, with a bound of his heart, but an +appearance of composure.</p> + +<p>“Have you seen Harper?” cried Frances, turning pale.</p> + +<p>“I have not; I crossed the river in one boat as he must have been +coming to this side in another. I returned without delay to relieve +your uneasiness. I will this night see him and bring a respite for +Henry.”</p> + +<p>“But you saw Washington?” asked Miss Peyton.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p><p>“The commander-in-chief had left his quarters.”</p> + +<p>“But, Peyton,” cried Frances, in returning terror, “if they should not +see each other, it will be too late. Harper alone will not be +sufficient.”</p> + +<p>“You say that he promised to assist Henry?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, of his own accord, and in requital for the hospitality he +had received.”</p> + +<p>“I like not that word ‘hospitality’—it has an empty sound; there must +be something more reasonable to tie Harper. I dread some mistake: +repeat to me all that passed.”</p> + +<p>Frances, in a hurried and earnest voice, complied with his request. +She related particularly the manner of his arrival at the Locusts, the +reception that he received, and the events that passed, as minutely as +her memory could supply her with the means.</p> + +<p>As she alluded to the conversation that occurred between her father +and his guest, the major smiled but remained silent. She then gave a +detail of Henry’s arrival, and the events of the following day. She +dwelt upon the part where Harper desired her brother to throw aside +his disguise, and recounted, with wonderful accuracy, his remarks upon +the hazard of the step that the youth had taken. She even remembered a +remarkable expression of his to her brother, “that he was safer from +Harper’s knowledge of his person, than he would be without it.” +Frances mentioned, with the warmth of youthful admiration, the +benevolent character of his deportment to herself, and gave a minute +relation of his adieus to the whole family.</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie at first listened with grave attention; evident satisfaction +followed as she proceeded. When she spoke of herself in connection +with her guest, he smiled with pleasure, and as she concluded, he +exclaimed with delight:</p> + +<p>“We are safe!—we are safe!”</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>WHAT CAME OF A REVEREND GENTLEMAN’S VISIT TO<br /> +CAPTAIN WHARTON.</h3> + +<p>But he was interrupted by the opening of the door by the corporal of +the guard, who stated that the woman of the house desired admittance.</p> + +<p>“Admit the woman,” said Dunwoodie, sternly.</p> + +<p>“Here is a reverend gentleman below, come to soothe the parting soul, +in place of our own divine, who is engaged with an appointment that +could not be put aside.”</p> + +<p>“Show him in,” said Henry, with feverish impatience.</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie spoke a few words with Henry in an undertone, and hastened +from the apartment, followed by Frances. The subject of their +conversation was a wish expressed by the prisoner for a clergyman of +his own persuasion.</p> + +<p>The person who was ushered into the apartment, preceded by Cæsar, and +followed by the matron, was a man beyond the middle age, or who might +rather be said to approach the down-hill of life.</p> + +<p>In stature he was above the ordinary size of men, though his excessive +leanness might contribute in deceiving as to his height; his +countenance was sharp and unbending, and every muscle seemed set in +rigid compression. No joy or relaxation appeared ever to have dwelt on +features that frowned habitually, as if in detestation of the vices of +mankind. The brows were beetling, dark, and forbidding, giving the +promise of eyes of no less repelling expression; but the organs were +concealed beneath a pair of enormous green goggles, through which he +glared around with a fierceness that denounced the coming day of +wrath. All was fanaticism,<a name="FNanchor_110_110" id="FNanchor_110_110"></a><a href="#Footnote_110_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a> uncharitableness, and denunciation. +Long, lank hair, a mixture of gray and black, fell down his neck, and +in some degree obscured the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>sides of his face, and, parting on his +forehead, fell in either direction in straight and formal screens. On +the top of this ungraceful exhibition was laid, impending forward, so +as to overhang in some measure the whole fabric, a large hat of three +equal cocks. His coat was of a rusty black, and his breeches and +stockings were of the same color; his shoes without lustre, and half +concealed beneath huge plated buckles.</p> + +<p>He stalked into the room, and giving a stiff nod with his head, took +the chair offered him by the black, in dignified silence. For several +minutes no one broke this ominous pause in the conversation; Henry +feeling a repugnance<a name="FNanchor_111_111" id="FNanchor_111_111"></a><a href="#Footnote_111_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a> to his guest that he was endeavoring to +conquer, and the stranger himself drawing forth occasional sighs and +groans that threatened a dissolution of the unequal connection between +his sublimated<a name="FNanchor_112_112" id="FNanchor_112_112"></a><a href="#Footnote_112_112" class="fnanchor">[112]</a> soul and its ungainly tenement. During this +deathlike preparation, Mr. Wharton, with a feeling nearly allied to +that of his son, led Sarah from the apartment. His retreat was noticed +by the divine, in a kind of scornful disdain, who began to hum the air +of a popular psalm tune, giving it the full richness of the twang that +distinguished the Eastern psalmody.</p> + +<p>“My presence disturbs you,” said Miss Peyton, rising; “I will leave +you with my nephew, and offer those prayers in private that I did wish +to mingle with his.”</p> + +<p>So saying, she withdrew, followed by the landlady.</p> + +<p>The minister stood erect, with grave composure, following with his eye +the departure of the females. A third voice spoke.</p> + +<p>“Who’s that?” cried the prisoner, in amazement, gazing around the room +in quest of the speaker.</p> + +<p>“It is I, Captain Wharton,” said Harvey Birch, removing the +spectacles, and exhibiting his piercing eyes shining under a pair of +false eyebrows.</p> + +<p>“Good Heaven—Harvey!”</p> + +<p>“Silence,” said the peddler, solemnly; “’tis a name not to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>be +mentioned, and least of all here, within the heart of the American +army.” Birch paused and gazed around him for a moment, with an emotion +exceeding the base passion of fear, and then continued in a gloomy +tone: “There are a thousand halters in that very name, and little hope +would there be left me of another escape, should I be again taken. +This is a fearful venture that I am making; but I could not sleep in +quiet, and know that an innocent man was about to die the death of a +dog, when I might save him.”</p> + +<p>“No,” said Henry, with a glow of generous feeling on his cheek; “if +the risk to yourself be so heavy, retire as you came, and leave me to +my fate. Dunwoodie is making, even now, powerful exertions in my +behalf; and if he meets with Mr. Harper in the course of the night, my +liberation is certain.”</p> + +<p>“Harper!” echoed the peddler, remaining with his hands raised, in the +act of replacing his spectacles; “what do you know of Harper, and why +do you think he will do you service?”</p> + +<p>“I have his promise; you remember our recent meeting in my father’s +dwelling, and he then gave me an unasked promise to assist me.”</p> + +<p>“Yes; but do you know him?—that is, why do you think he has the +power, or what reason have you for believing he will remember his +word?”</p> + +<p>“If there ever was the stamp of truth or simple honest benevolence in +the countenance of man, it shone in his,” said Henry; “besides, +Dunwoodie has powerful friends in the rebel army, and it would be +better that I take the chance where I am, than thus to expose you to +certain death, if detected.”</p> + +<p>“Captain Wharton,” said Birch, “if I fail, you all fail. No Harper nor +Dunwoodie can save your life; unless you get out with me, and that +within the hour, you die to-morrow on the gallows of a murderer. Cæsar +met me as he was going on <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>his errand this morning, and with him I +laid the plan which, if executed as I wish, will save you—otherwise +you are lost; and again I tell you, that no power on earth, not even +Washington, can save you.”</p> + +<p>“I submit,” said the prisoner, yielding to his earnest manner, and +goaded by his fears that were thus awakened anew.</p> + +<p>The peddler beckoned him to be silent, and walking to the door, opened +it, with the stiff, formal air with which he had entered the +apartment.</p> + +<p>“Friend, let no one enter,” he said to the sentinel; “we are about to +go to prayer, and would wish to be alone.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know that any will wish to interrupt you,” returned the +soldier, with a waggish leer of the eye; “but, should they be so +disposed, I have no power to stop them, if they be of the prisoner’s +friends.”</p> + +<p>“Have you not the fear of God before your eyes?” said the pretended +priest. “I tell you, as you will dread punishment at the last day, to +let none of the idolatrous communion enter, to mingle in the prayers +of the righteous.”</p> + +<p>“If you want to be alone, have you no knife to stick over the +door-latch, that you must have a troop of horse to guard your +meeting-house?”</p> + +<p>The peddler took the hint, and closed the door immediately, using the +precaution suggested by the dragoon.</p> + +<p>“A faint heart, Captain Wharton, would do but little here. Come, here +is a black shroud for your good-looking countenance,” taking, at the +same time, a parchment mask, and fitting it to the face of Henry. “The +master and the man must change places for a season.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t t’ink he look a bit like me,” said Cæsar, with disgust, as he +surveyed his young master with his new complexion.</p> + +<p>“Stop a minute, Cæsar,” said the peddler, with a drollery that at +times formed part of his manner, “till we get on the wool.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p><p>“He worse than ebber now,” cried the discontented African. “A t’ink +colored man like a sheep! I nevver see sich a lip, Harvey; he most as +big as a sausage!”</p> + +<p>“There is but one man in the American army who could detect you, +Captain Wharton,” said the peddler.</p> + +<p>“And who is he?”</p> + +<p>“The man who made you prisoner. He would see your white skin through a +plank. But strip, both of you; your clothes must be exchanged from +head to foot.”</p> + +<p>Cæsar, who had received minute instructions from the peddler in their +morning interview, immediately commenced throwing aside his coarse +garments, which the youth took up and prepared to invest himself with.</p> + +<p>In the manner of the peddler there was an odd mixture of care and +humor. “Here, captain,” he said, taking up some loose wool, and +beginning to stuff the stockings of Cæsar, which were already on the +legs of the prisoner; “some judgment is necessary in shaping this +limb. You will display it on horseback; and the southern dragoons are +so used to the brittle-shins that, should they notice your well-turned +calf, they’d know at once it never belonged to a black.”</p> + +<p>“Golly!” said Cæsar, with a chuckle that exhibited a mouth open from +ear to ear, “Massa Harry breeches fit.”</p> + +<p>“Anything but your leg,” said the peddler, coolly pursuing the toilet +of Henry. “Slip on the coat, captain, over all. And here, Cæsar, place +this powdered wig over your curls, and be careful and look out of the +window whenever the door is open, and on no account speak, or you will +betray all.”</p> + +<p>“I s’pose Harvey t’ink a colored man has no tongue like oder folk,” +grumbled the black, as he took the station assigned him.</p> + +<p>Everything was now ready for action, and the peddler very deliberately +went over the whole of his injunctions to the two actors in the scene. +The captain he conjured to dispense with his erect military carriage, +and for a season to adopt the humble paces of his father’s negro; and +Cæsar he enjoined to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>silence and disguise, so long as he could +possibly maintain them. Thus prepared, he opened the door and called +aloud to the sentinel, who had retired to the farthest end of the +passage.</p> + +<p>“Let the woman of the house be called,” said Harvey, in the solemn key +of the assumed character; “and let her come alone. The prisoner is in +a happy train of meditation, and must not be led from his devotions.”</p> + +<p>Cæsar sank his face between his hands; and when the soldier looked +into the apartment, he thought he saw his charge in deep abstraction. +Casting a glance of huge contempt at the divine, he called aloud for +the good woman of the house. She hastened at the summons, with earnest +zeal, entertaining a secret hope that she was to be admitted to the +gossip of a death-bed repentance.</p> + +<p>“Sister,” said the minister in the authoritative tones of a master, +“have you in the house ‘The Christian Criminal’s Last Moments, or +Thoughts on Eternity, for them who die a violent death’?”</p> + +<p>“I never heard of the book!” said the matron in astonishment.</p> + +<p>“’’Tis not unlikely; there are many books you have never heard of; it +is impossible for this poor penitent to pass in peace, without the +consolation of that volume. One hour’s reading in it is worth an age +of man’s preaching.”</p> + +<p>“Bless me, what a treasure to possess!—when was it put out?”</p> + +<p>“It was first put out at Geneva<a name="FNanchor_113_113" id="FNanchor_113_113"></a><a href="#Footnote_113_113" class="fnanchor">[113]</a> in the Greek language, and then +translated at Boston. It is a book, woman, that should be in the hands +of every Christian, especially such as die upon the gallows. Have a +horse prepared instantly for this black, who shall accompany me to my +brother, and I will send down the volume yet in season; brother, +compose thy mind, you are now in the narrow path to glory.”</p> + +<p>Cæsar wriggled a little in his chair, but he had sufficient +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>recollection to conceal his face with hands that were, in their turn, +concealed by gloves. The landlady departed, to comply with this very +reasonable request, and the group of conspirators were again left to +themselves.</p> + +<p>“This is well,” said the peddler; “but the difficult task is to +deceive the officer who commands the guard—he is lieutenant to +Lawton, and has learned some of the captain’s own cunning in these +things. Remember, Captain Wharton,” continued he with an air of pride, +“that now is the moment when everything depends on our coolness.”</p> + +<p>“My fate can be made but little worse than it is at present, my worthy +fellow,” said Henry; “but for your sake I will do all that in me +lies.”</p> + +<p>The man soon returned, and announced that the horses were at the door. +Harvey gave the captain a glance, and led the way down the stairs, +first desiring the women to leave the prisoner to himself, in order +that he might digest the wholesome mental food that he had so lately +received.</p> + +<p>A rumor of the odd character of the priest had spread from the +sentinel at the door to his comrades; so that when Harvey and Wharton +reached the open space before the building, they found a dozen idle +dragoons loitering about with waggish intention of quizzing the +fanatic and employed in affected admiration of the steeds.</p> + +<p>“A fine horse!” said the leader in this plan of mischief; “but a +little low in flesh; I suppose from hard labor in your calling.”</p> + +<p>“What are you at there, scoundrels?” cried Lieutenant Mason, as he +came in sight from a walk he had taken to sneer at the evening parade +of the regiment of militia. “Away with every man of you to your +quarters, and let me find that each horse is cleaned and littered when +I come round.” The sound of the officer’s voice operated like a charm, +and no priest could desire a more silent congregation, although he +might possibly have wished for one that was more numerous. Mason had +not done speaking, when it was reduced to the image of Cæsar only. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>The peddler took the opportunity to mount, but he had to preserve the +gravity of his movements, for the remark of the troopers upon the +condition of their beasts was but too just, and a dozen dragoon horses +stood saddled and bridled at hand to receive their riders at a +moment’s warning.</p> + +<p>“Well, have you bitted the poor fellow within,” said Mason, “that he +can take his last ride under the curb of divinity, old gentleman?”</p> + +<p>“There is evil in thy conversation, profane man,” cried the priest, +raising his hands and casting his eyes upwards in holy horror; “so I +will depart from thee unhurt, as Daniel<a name="FNanchor_114_114" id="FNanchor_114_114"></a><a href="#Footnote_114_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a> was liberated from the +lions’ den.”</p> + +<p>“Off with you, for a hypocritical,<a name="FNanchor_115_115" id="FNanchor_115_115"></a><a href="#Footnote_115_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a> psalm-singing, canting rogue +in disguise,” said Mason scornfully. “By the life of Washington! it +worries an honest fellow to see such voracious<a name="FNanchor_116_116" id="FNanchor_116_116"></a><a href="#Footnote_116_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a> beasts of prey +ravaging a country for which he sheds his blood. If I had you on a +Virginian plantation for a quarter of an hour, I’d teach you to worm +the tobacco with the turkeys.”</p> + +<p>“I leave you, and shake the dust off my shoes, that no remnant of this +wicked hole may tarnish the vestments of the godly!”</p> + +<p>“Start, or I will shake the dust from your jacket, designing knave! +But hold! whither do you travel, master blackey, in such godly +company?”</p> + +<p>“He goes,” said the minister, “to return with a book of much +condolence to the sinful youth above. Would you deprive a dying man of +the consolation of religion?”</p> + +<p>“No, no; poor fellow, his fate is bad enough. But harkee, Mr. +Revelations, my advice is that you never trust that skeleton of yours +among us again, or I will take the skin off and leave you naked.”</p> + +<p>“Out upon thee for a reviler and scoffer of goodness!” said Birch, +moving slowly, and with a due observance of clerical dignity, down the +road, followed by the imaginary Cæsar.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>THE ALARM AND THE PURSUIT.</h3> + +<p>“Corporal of the guard! corporal of the guard!” shouted the sentinel +in the passage to the chambers, “corporal of the guard! corporal of +the guard!”</p> + +<p>The subaltern flew up the narrow stairway that led to the room of the +prisoner, and demanded the meaning of the outcry.</p> + +<p>The soldier was standing at the open door of the apartment, looking in +with a suspicious eye on the supposed British officer. On observing +his lieutenant, he fell back with habitual respect; and replied, with +an air of puzzled thought:</p> + +<p>“I don’t know, sir, but just now the prisoner looked queer. Ever since +the preacher has left him, he don’t look as he used to do—but,” +gazing intently over the shoulder of his officer, “it must be him, +too! There is the same powdered head, and the darn in the coat, where +he was hit the day we had the last brush with the enemy.”</p> + +<p>“And then all this noise is occasioned by your doubting whether that +poor gentleman is your prisoner or not, is it, sirrah? Who do you +think it can be else?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know who else it can be,” returned the fellow, sullenly; “but +he has grown thicker and shorter, if it is he; and see for yourself, +sir, he shakes all over, like a man in an ague.”</p> + +<p>This was but too true. Cæsar was an alarmed auditor of this short +conversation, and, from congratulating himself upon the dexterous +escape of his young master, his thoughts were very naturally beginning +to dwell upon the probable consequences to his own person. The pause +that succeeded the last remark of the sentinel in no degree +contributed to the restoration of the faculties. Lieutenant Mason was +busied in examining <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>with his own eyes the suspected person of the +black, and Cæsar was aware of the fact by stealing a look through a +passage under one of his arms, that he had left expressly for the +purpose of reconnoitering.<a name="FNanchor_117_117" id="FNanchor_117_117"></a><a href="#Footnote_117_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a></p> + +<p>Captain Lawton would have discovered the fraud immediately, but Mason +was by no means so quick-sighted as his commander. He therefore turned +rather contemptuously to the soldier, and, speaking in an undertone, +observed:</p> + +<p>“That anabaptist, methodistical, Quaker, psalm-singing rascal has +frightened the boy with his farrago<a name="FNanchor_118_118" id="FNanchor_118_118"></a><a href="#Footnote_118_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a> about flames and brimstone. +I’ll step in and cheer him with a little rational conversation.”</p> + +<p>“I have heard of fear making a man white,” said the soldier, drawing +back, and staring as if his eyes would start from their sockets, “but +it has changed the royal captain to a black!”</p> + +<p>The truth was that Cæsar, unable to hear what Mason uttered in a low +voice, and having every fear aroused in him by what had already +passed, incautiously removed the wig a little from one of his ears, in +order to hear the better, without in the least remembering that the +color might prove fatal to his disguise. The sentinel had kept his +eyes fastened on his prisoner, and noticed the action. The attention +of Mason was instantly drawn to the same object; and, forgetting all +delicacy for a brother officer in distress, or, in short, forgetting +everything but the censure that might alight on his corps, the +lieutenant sprang forward and seized the terrified African by the +throat; for no sooner had Cæsar heard his color named than he knew +that his discovery was certain, and, at the first sound of Mason’s +heavy boot on the floor, he arose from his seat and retreated +precipitately<a name="FNanchor_119_119" id="FNanchor_119_119"></a><a href="#Footnote_119_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a> to a corner of the room.</p> + +<p>“Who are you?” cried Mason, dashing the head of the man against the +angle of the wall at each interrogatory. “Who are you, and where is +the Englishman? Speak, thou thunder-cloud! <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>Answer me, you jackdaw, or +I’ll hang you on the gallows of the spy!”</p> + +<p>Cæsar continued firm. Neither the threats nor the blows could extract +any reply, until the lieutenant, by a very natural transition in the +attack, sent his heavy boot forward in a direction that brought it in +direct contact with the most sensitive part of the negro—his shin. +The most obdurate heart could not have exacted further patience, and +Cæsar instantly gave in. The first words he spoke were:</p> + +<p>“Golly! Massa, you t’ink I got no feelin’?”</p> + +<p>“By heavens!” shouted the lieutenant, “it is the negro himself! +Scoundrel! where is your master, and who was the priest?”</p> + +<p>While he was speaking as if about to renew the attack, Cæsar cried +aloud for mercy, promising to tell all he knew.</p> + +<p>“Who was the priest?” repeated the dragoon, drawing back his +formidable<a name="FNanchor_120_120" id="FNanchor_120_120"></a><a href="#Footnote_120_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a> leg and holding it in threatening suspense.</p> + +<p>“Harvey, Harvey!” cried Cæsar, dancing from one leg to the other, as +he thought each member in turn might be assailed.</p> + +<p>“Harvey who, you black villain?” cried the impatient lieutenant, as he +executed a full measure of vengeance by letting his leg fly.</p> + +<p>“Birch!” shrieked Cæsar, falling on his knees, the tears rolling in +large drops over his face.</p> + +<p>“Harvey Birch!” echoed the trooper, hurling the black from him and +rushing from the room. “To arms! To arms! Fifty guineas for the life +of the peddler spy—give no quarter to either. Mount! Mount! To arms! +To horse!”</p> + +<p>The first impulse of Henry was, certainly, to urge the beast he rode +to his greatest speed at once. But the forward movement that the youth +made for this purpose was instantly checked by the peddler. Henry +reluctantly restrained his impatience and followed the direction of +the peddler. His <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>imagination, however, continually alarmed him with +the fancied sounds of pursuit.</p> + +<p>“What see you, Harvey?” he cried, observing the peddler to gaze +towards the building they had left with ominous interest; “what see +you at the house?”</p> + +<p>“That which bodes us no good,” returned the peddler. “Throw aside the +mask and wig; you will need all your senses without much delay. Throw +them in the road. There are none before us that I dread, but there are +those behind who will give us a fearful race! Now ride, Captain +Wharton, for your life, and keep at my heels.”</p> + +<p>The instant that Harvey put his horse to his speed, Captain Wharton +was at his heels urging the miserable animal he rode to the utmost. A +very few jumps convinced the captain that his companion was fast +leaving him, and a fearful glance thrown behind informed him that his +enemies were as speedily approaching.</p> + +<p>“Had we not better leave our horses?” said Henry, “and make for the +hills across the fields on our left? The fence will stop our +pursuers.”</p> + +<p>“That way lies the gallows,” returned the peddler; “these fellows go +three feet to our two, and would mind the fences no more than we do +these ruts; but it is a short quarter to the turn, and there are two +roads behind the wood. They may stand to choose until they can take +the track, and we shall gain a little upon them there.”</p> + +<p>“But this miserable horse is blown already,” cried Henry, urging his +beast with the aid of the bridle, at the same time that Harvey aided +his efforts by applying the lash of a heavy riding-whip he carried; +“he will never stand it for half a mile farther.”</p> + +<p>“A quarter will do; a quarter will do,” said the peddler; “a single +quarter will save us, if you follow my directions.”</p> + +<p>Somewhat cheered by the cool and confident manner of his companion, +Henry continued silently urging his horse forward. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>Soon the captain +again proposed to leave their horses and dash into the thicket.</p> + +<p>“Not yet, not yet,” said Birch in a low voice; “the road falls from +the top of this hill as steep as it rises; first let us gain the top.” +While speaking, they reached the desired summit, and both threw +themselves from their horses, Henry plunging into the thick underwood, +which covered the side of the mountain for some distance above them. +Harvey stopped to give each of their beasts a few severe blows of his +whip, that drove them headlong down the path on the other side of the +eminence, and then followed his example.</p> + +<p>The peddler entered the thicket with a little caution, and avoided, as +much as possible, rustling or breaking the branches in his way. There +was but time only to shelter his person from view, when a dragoon led +up the ascent, and on reaching the height, he cried aloud:</p> + +<p>“I saw one of their horses turning the hill this minute!”</p> + +<p>“Drive on; spur forward, my lads,” shouted Mason; “give the Englishman +quarter, but cut the peddler down, and make an end of him.”</p> + +<p>“Now,” said the peddler, rising from the cover to reconnoitre, and +standing for a moment in suspense, “all that we gain is clear gain; +for, as we go up, they go down. Let us be stirring.”</p> + +<p>“But will they not follow us, and surround the mountain?” said Henry +rising, and imitating the labored but rapid progress of his companion; +“remember they have foot as well as horse, and, at any rate, we shall +starve in the hills.”</p> + +<p>“Fear nothing, Captain Wharton,” returned the peddler with confidence; +“this is not the mountain that I would be on, but necessity has made +me a dexterous pilot among these hills. I will lead you where no man +will dare to follow.”</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>FRANCES REMINDS MR. HARPER OF HIS PROMISE.</h3> + +<p>Frances could no longer doubt that the figure she had seen on the hill +was Birch, and she felt certain that, instead of flying to the +friendly forces below, her brother would be taken to the mysterious +hut to pass the night. Therefore she held a long and animated +discussion with her aunt; when the good spinster reluctantly yielded +to the representation of her niece, and folding her in her arms, she +kissed the cold cheek and fervently blessing her allowed her to depart +on an errand of fraternal love.</p> + +<p>The night had set in dark and chilling as Frances Wharton, with a +beating heart but light step, moved through the little garden that lay +behind the farm-house which had been her brother’s prison, and took +her way to the foot of the mountain, where she had seen the figure of +him she supposed to be the peddler.</p> + +<p>Without pausing to reflect, however, she flew over the ground with a +rapidity that seemed to bid defiance to all impediments, nor stopped +even to breathe, until she had gone half the distance to the rock that +she had marked as the spot where Birch made his appearance on that +very morning.</p> + +<p>When she heard the footsteps of a horse moving slowly up the road, she +shrank timidly into a little thicket of wood which grew around the +spring that bubbled from the side of a hillock near her. Frances +listened anxiously to the retreating footsteps of the horse; and, as +they died upon her ear, she ventured from her place of secrecy and +advanced a short distance into the field, where, startled at the gloom +and appalled with the dreariness of the prospect, she paused to +reflect on what she had undertaken.</p> + +<p>Throwing back the hood of her cardinal,<a name="FNanchor_121_121" id="FNanchor_121_121"></a><a href="#Footnote_121_121" class="fnanchor">[121]</a> she sought the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>support +of a tree and gazed towards the summit of the mountain that was to be +the goal of her enterprise. It rose from the plain like a huge +pyramid, giving nothing to the eye but its outlines.</p> + +<p>Frances turned her looks towards the east, in earnest gaze at the +clouds which constantly threatened to involve her again in comparative +darkness. Had an adder stung her, she could not have sprung with +greater celerity than she recoiled from the object against which she +was leaning, and which she had for the first time noticed. The two +upright posts, with a cross-beam on their tops and a rude platform +beneath, told but too plainly the nature of the structure; even the +cord was suspended from an iron staple, and was swinging to and fro in +the night air. Frances hesitated no longer, but rather flew than ran +across the meadow, and was soon at the base of the rock, where she +hoped to find something like a path to the summit of the mountain. She +soon found a sheep-path that wound round the shelving rocks and among +the trees.</p> + +<p>Nearly an hour did she struggle with the numerous difficulties that +she was obliged to overcome; when, having been repeatedly exhausted +with her efforts, and, in several instances, in great danger from +falls, she succeeded in gaining the small piece of table-land on the +summit.</p> + +<p>No hut nor any vestige of human being could she trace. The idea of her +solitude struck on the terrified mind of the affrighted girl, and +approaching to the edge of a shelving rock she bent forward to gaze on +the signs of life in the vale; when a ray of keen light dazzled her +eyes, and a warm ray diffused itself over her whole frame. Recovering +from her surprise, Frances looked on the ledge beneath her, and at +once perceived that she stood directly over the object of her search. +A hole through its roof afforded a passage to the smoke which, as it +blew aside, showed her a clear and cheerful fire crackling and +snapping on a rude hearth of stone. The approach to the front of the +hut was by a winding path around the point of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>the rock on which she +stood, and by this she advanced to its door.</p> + +<p>Three sides of this singular edifice were composed of logs laid +alternately on each other, to a little more than the height of a man, +and the fourth was formed by the rock against which it leaned. The +roof was made of the bark of trees, laid in long strips from the rock +to its eaves; the fissures<a name="FNanchor_122_122" id="FNanchor_122_122"></a><a href="#Footnote_122_122" class="fnanchor">[122]</a> between the logs had been stuffed with +clay, which in many places had fallen out, and dried leaves were made +use of as a substitute to keep out the wind. A single window of four +panes of glass was in front, but a board carefully closed it in such a +manner as to emit no light from the fire within. After pausing some +time to view this singularly constructed hiding-place, for such +Frances knew it to be, she applied her eye to a crevice to examine the +inside.</p> + +<p>There was no lamp or candle, but the blazing fire of dry wood made the +interior of the hut light enough to read by. In one corner lay a bed +of straw with a pair of blankets thrown carelessly over it, as if left +where they had last been used.</p> + +<p>In an angle against the rock and opposite to the fire which was +burning in the other corner, was an open cupboard, that held a plate +or two, a mug, and the remains of some broken meat.</p> + +<p>Before the fire was a table, with one of its legs fractured, and made +of rough boards; these, with a single stool, composed the +furniture—if we except a few articles of cooking. A book that, by its +size and shape, appeared to be a Bible, was lying on the table +unopened. But it was the occupant of the hut in whom Frances was +chiefly interested. This was a man, sitting on the stool, with his +head leaning on his hand in such a manner as to conceal his features, +and deeply occupied in examining some open papers. On the table lay a +pair of curiously and richly mounted horseman’s pistols, and the +handle of a sheathed rapier,<a name="FNanchor_123_123" id="FNanchor_123_123"></a><a href="#Footnote_123_123" class="fnanchor">[123]</a> of exquisite workmanship, protruded +from between the legs of the gentleman, one of whose <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>hands carelessly +rested on its guard. The tall stature of this unexpected tenant of the +hut, and his form, much more athletic than that of either Harvey or +her brother, told Frances, without the aid of his dress, that it was +neither of those she sought. A close surtout<a name="FNanchor_124_124" id="FNanchor_124_124"></a><a href="#Footnote_124_124" class="fnanchor">[124]</a> was buttoned high in +the throat of the stranger, and parting at the knees showed breeches +of buff, with military boots and spurs. His hair was dressed so as to +expose the whole face, and, after the fashion of that day, it was +profusely powdered. A round hat was laid on the stones that formed a +paved floor to the hut, as if to make room for a large map which, +among other papers, occupied the table.</p> + +<p>This was an unexpected event to our adventurer. She had been so +confident that the figure twice seen was the peddler, that, on +learning his agency in her brother’s escape, she did not in the least +doubt of finding them both in the place, which, she now discovered, +was occupied by another and a stranger. She stood, earnestly looking +through the crevice, hesitating whether to retire, or to wait with the +expectation of yet meeting Henry, as the stranger moved his hand from +before his eyes and raised his face, apparently in deep musing, when +Frances instantly recognized the benevolent and strongly marked, but +composed features of Harper.</p> + +<p>All that Dunwoodie had said of his power and disposition, all that he +himself had promised her brother, and all the confidence that had been +created by his dignified and paternal manner, rushed across the mind +of Frances, who threw open the door of the hut, and falling at his +feet, clasping his knees with her arms, as she cried: “Save him, save +him—save my brother; remember your promise, and save him!”</p> + +<p>Harper had risen as the door opened, and there was a slight movement +of his hand towards his pistols; but it was cool, and instantly +checked. He raised the hood of the cardinal, which had fallen over her +features, and exclaimed with some uneasiness:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p><p>“Miss Wharton! But you cannot be alone?”</p> + +<p>“There is none here but my God and you; and by his sacred name, I +conjure you to remember your promise, and save my brother!”</p> + +<p>Harper gently raised her from her knees and placed her on the stool, +begging her at the same time to be composed, and to acquaint him with +the nature of her errand. This Frances instantly did, and after a +short pause added:</p> + +<p>“We can depend much on the friendship of Major Dunwoodie; but his +sense of honor is so pure, that—that—notwithstanding +his—his—feelings—his desire to serve us—he will conceive it to be +his duty to apprehend<a name="FNanchor_125_125" id="FNanchor_125_125"></a><a href="#Footnote_125_125" class="fnanchor">[125]</a> my brother again. Besides, he thinks there +will be no danger in so doing, as he relies greatly on your +interference.”</p> + +<p>“On mine?” said Harper, who appeared slightly uneasy.</p> + +<p>“Yes, on yours. When we told him of your kind language, he at once +assured us all that you had the power, and, if you had promised, would +have the inclination, to procure Henry’s pardon.”</p> + +<p>“Said he more?” asked Harper.</p> + +<p>“Nothing but reiterate assurances of Henry’s safety; even now he is in +quest of you.”</p> + +<p>“Miss Wharton, that I bear no mean part in the unhappy struggle +between England and America, it might now be useless to deny. You owe +your brother’s escape, this night, to my knowledge of his innocence, +and the remembrance of my word. Major Dunwoodie is mistaken when he +says that I might openly have procured his pardon. I now, indeed, can +control his fate, and I pledge to you a word which has some influence +with Washington, that means shall be taken to prevent his recapture. +But from you, also, I exact a promise, that this interview, and all +that has passed between us, remain confined to your own bosom, until +you have my permission to speak upon the subject.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p><p>Frances gave the desired assurance, and he continued:</p> + +<p>“The peddler and your brother will soon be here, but I must not be +seen by the royal officer, or the life of Birch might be the +forfeiture.”<a name="FNanchor_126_126" id="FNanchor_126_126"></a><a href="#Footnote_126_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a></p> + +<p>“Never!” cried Frances, ardently; “Henry never could be so base as to +betray the man who saved him.”</p> + +<p>“It is no childish game we are now playing, Miss Wharton. Men’s lives +and fortunes hang upon slender threads, and nothing must be left to +accident that can be guarded against.”</p> + +<p>While Harper was speaking he carefully rolled up the map he had been +studying, and placed it, together with sundry papers that were open, +in his pocket. He was still occupied in this manner, when the voice of +the peddler, talking in unusually loud tones, was heard directly over +their heads.</p> + +<p>“Stand farther this way, Captain Wharton, and you can see the tents in +the moonshine. But let them mount and ride; I have a nest here that +will hold us both, and we will go in at our leisure.”</p> + +<p>“And where is this nest? I confess that I have eaten but little the +last two days, and I crave some of the cheer you mention.”</p> + +<p>“Hem!” said the peddler, exerting his voice still more, “hem!—this +fog has given me a cold; but move slow, and be careful not to slip, or +you may land on the bayonet of the sentinel on the flats; ’tis a steep +hill to rise, but one can go down it with ease.”</p> + +<p>Harper pressed his finger on his lip, to remind Frances of her +promise, and taking his pistols and hat, so that no vestige of his +visit remained, he retired deliberately to the far corner of the hut, +where, lifting several articles of clothing, he entered a recess in +the rock, and letting them fall again was hid from view. Frances +noticed, by the strong firelight, as he entered, that it was a natural +cavity, and contained nothing but a few more articles of domestic use.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p><p>The surprise of Henry and the peddler, on entering and finding Frances +in possession of the hut, may be easily imagined. Without waiting for +explanations or questions, the warm-hearted girl flew into the arms of +her brother, and gave vent to her emotions in tears. But the peddler +seemed struck with different feelings. His first look was at the fire, +which had been recently supplied with fuel; he then drew open a small +drawer of the table, and looked a little alarmed at finding it empty.</p> + +<p>“Are you alone, Miss Fanny?” he asked in a quick voice; “you did not +come here alone?”</p> + +<p>“As you see me, Mr. Birch,” said Frances, raising herself from her +brother’s arms, and turning an expressive glance towards the secret +cavern, that the quick eye of the peddler instantly understood.</p> + +<p>“But why and wherefore are you here?” exclaimed her astonished +brother; “and how knew you of this place at all?”</p> + +<p>Frances entered at once into a brief detail of what had occurred at +the house since their departure, and the motives which induced her to +seek them.</p> + +<p>“But,” said Birch, “why follow us here, when we were left on the +opposite hill?”</p> + +<p>Frances related the glimpse she had caught of the hut and the peddler, +in her passage through the Highlands, and her immediate conjecture +that the fugitives would seek shelter of this habitation for the +night.</p> + +<p>The peddler seemed satisfied; for he drew back, and watching his +opportunity, unseen by Henry, slipped behind the screen, and entered +the cavern.</p> + +<p>Frances and her brother, who thought his companion had passed through +the door, continued conversing on the latter’s situation for several +minutes, when the former urged the necessity of expedition on his +part, in order to precede Dunwoodie, from whose sense of duty they +knew they had no escape. The captain took out his pocket-book, and +wrote a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>few lines with his pencil; then folding the paper, he handed +it to his sister.</p> + +<p>“Frances,” he said, “you have this night proved yourself to be an +incomparable woman. As you love me, give that unopened letter to +Dunwoodie, and remember that two hours may save my life.”</p> + +<p>“I will—I will; but why delay? Why not fly, and improve these +precious moments?”</p> + +<p>“Your sister says well, Captain Wharton,” exclaimed Harvey, who had +reëntered unseen; “we must go at once. Here is food to eat as we +travel.”</p> + +<p>“But who is to see this fair creature in safety?” cried the captain. +“I can never desert my sister in such a place as this.”</p> + +<p>“Leave me! leave me!” said Frances; “I can descend as I came up. Do +not doubt me; you know not my courage nor my strength.”</p> + +<p>“Captain Wharton,” said Birch, throwing open the door, “you can trifle +with your own lives, if you have many to spare; I have but one, and +must nurse it. Do I go alone, or not?”</p> + +<p>“Go, go, dear Henry!” said Frances, embracing him; “go! Remember our +father; remember Sarah.” She waited not for his answer, but gently +forced him through the door, and closed it with her own hands.</p> + +<p>For a short time there was a warm debate between Henry and the +peddler; but the latter finally prevailed, and the breathless girl +heard the successive plunges as they went down the side of the +mountain at a rapid rate.</p> + +<p>Immediately after the noise of their departure had ceased, Harper +reappeared. He took the arm of Frances in silence, and led her from +the hut and down the mountain.</p> + +<p>Wondering who this unknown but powerful friend of her brother could +be, Frances glided across the fields, and using due precautions in +approaching the dwelling, regained her residence undiscovered and in +safety.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>DUNWOODIE GAINS HIS SUIT, AND CAPTAIN WHARTON HIS<br /> +FREEDOM.</h3> + +<p>On joining Miss Peyton, Frances learnt that Dunwoodie was not yet +returned; although, with a view to relieve Henry from the +importunities of the supposed fanatic, he had desired a very +respectable divine of their own church to ride up from the river and +offer his services. This gentleman was already arrived.</p> + +<p>To the eager inquiries of Miss Peyton, relative to her success in her +romantic excursion, Frances could say no more than that she was bound +to be silent, and to recommend the same precaution to the good maiden +also. There was a smile playing around the beautiful mouth of Frances, +while she uttered this injunction, which satisfied her aunt that all +was as it should be. She was urging her niece to take some refreshment +after her fatiguing expedition, when the noise of a horseman riding to +the door announced the return of the major. The heart of Frances +bounded as she listened to his approaching footsteps. She, however, +had not time to rally her thoughts before he entered.</p> + +<p>The countenance of Peyton was flushed, and an air of vexation and +disappointment pervaded his manner.</p> + +<p>“’Twas imprudent, Frances! nay, it was unkind,” he cried, throwing +himself in a chair, “to fly at the very moment that I had assured him +of safety! There was no danger impending. He had the promise of +Harper, and it is a word never to be doubted. Oh! Frances! Frances! +had you known the man, you would never have distrusted his assurance, +nor would you have again reduced me to the distressing alternative.”</p> + +<p>“What alternative?” asked Frances, pitying his emotions deeply, but +eagerly seizing upon every circumstance to prolong the interview.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p><p>“What alternative! Am I not compelled to spend this night in the +saddle to recapture your brother, when I had thought to lay my head on +its pillow, with the happy consciousness of having contributed to his +release?”</p> + +<p>She bent toward him, and timidly took one of his hands, while with the +other she gently removed the curls from his burning brow. “Why go at +all, dear Peyton?” she asked; “you have done much for your country, +and she cannot exact such a sacrifice as this at your hand.”</p> + +<p>“Frances! Miss Wharton!” exclaimed the youth, springing on his feet +and pacing the floor with a cheek that burned through its brown +covering, and an eye that sparkled with wounded integrity; “it is not +my country, but my honor, that requires the sacrifice. Has he not fled +from a guard of my own corps?”</p> + +<p>“Peyton, dear Peyton,” said Frances, “would you kill my brother?”</p> + +<p>“Would I not die for him?” exclaimed Dunwoodie, as he turned to her +more mildly. “You know I would; but I am distracted with the cruel +surmise to which this step of Henry’s subjects me. Frances, I leave +you with a heavy heart; pity me, but feel no concern for your brother; +he must again become a prisoner, but every hair of his head is +sacred.”</p> + +<p>“Stop! Dunwoodie, I conjure you,” cried Frances, gasping for breath, +as she noticed that the hand of the clock still wanted many minutes to +the desired hour; “before you go on your errand of fastidious<a name="FNanchor_127_127" id="FNanchor_127_127"></a><a href="#Footnote_127_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a> +duty, read this note that Henry has left for you, and which, +doubtless, he thought he was writing to the friend of his youth.”</p> + +<p>“Where got you this note?” exclaimed the youth, glancing his eyes over +its contents. “Poor Henry, you are indeed my friend! If any one wishes +me happiness, it is you.”</p> + +<p>“He does, he does,” cried Frances, eagerly; “he wishes you every +happiness. Believe it; every word is true.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p><p>“I do believe him, lovely girl, and he refers me to you for its +confirmation. Would that I could trust equally to your affections!”</p> + +<p>“You may, Peyton,” said Frances, looking up with innocent confidence +to her lover.</p> + +<p>“Then read for yourself, and verify your words,” interrupted +Dunwoodie, holding the note towards her.</p> + +<p>Frances received it in astonishment, and read the following:</p> + +<p>“Life is too precious to be trusted to uncertainties. I leave you, +Peyton, unknown to all but Cæsar, and I recommend him to your mercy. +But there is a care that weighs me to the earth. Look at my aged and +infirm parent. He will be reproached for the supposed crime of his +son. Look at those helpless sisters that I leave behind me without a +protector. Prove to me that you love us all. Let the clergyman whom +you will bring with you unite you this night to Frances, and become at +once brother, son, and husband.”</p> + +<p>The paper fell from the hands of Frances, and she endeavored to raise +her eyes to the face of Dunwoodie, but they sank abashed to the floor.</p> + +<p>“Speak, Frances,” murmured Dunwoodie; “may I summon my good kinswoman? +Determine, for time presses.”</p> + +<p>“Stop, Peyton! I cannot enter into such a solemn engagement with a +fraud upon my conscience. I have seen Henry since his escape, and time +is all-important to him. Here is my hand; if, with this knowledge of +the consequences of delay, you will not reject it, it is freely +yours.”</p> + +<p>“Reject it!” cried the delighted youth; “I take it as the richest gift +of Heaven. There is time enough for us all. Two hours will take me +through the hills; and at noon to-morrow I will return with +Washington’s pardon for your brother, and Henry will help to enliven +our nuptials.”<a name="FNanchor_128_128" id="FNanchor_128_128"></a><a href="#Footnote_128_128" class="fnanchor">[128]</a></p> + +<p>“Then meet me here in ten minutes,” said Frances, greatly relieved by +unburdening her mind, and filled with the hope of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>securing Henry’s +safety, “and I will return and take those vows which will bind me to +you forever.”</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie paused only to press her to his bosom, and flew to +communicate his wishes to the priest.</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie and the clergyman were soon there. Frances, silently, and +without affectation<a name="FNanchor_129_129" id="FNanchor_129_129"></a><a href="#Footnote_129_129" class="fnanchor">[129]</a> of reserve, placed in his hand the +wedding-ring of her own mother, and after some little time spent in +arranging Mr. Wharton and herself, Miss Peyton suffered the ceremony +to proceed.</p> + +<p>The clock stood directly before the eyes of Frances, and she turned +many an anxious glance at the dial; but the solemn language of the +priest soon caught her attention, and her mind became intent upon the +vows she was uttering. The ceremony was quickly over, and as the +clergyman closed the words of benediction the clock told the hour of +nine. This was the time that was deemed so important, and Frances felt +as if a mighty load was at once removed from her heart.</p> + +<p>The noise of a horseman was heard approaching the house, and Dunwoodie +was yet taking leave of his bride and aunt, when an officer was shown +into the room by his own man.</p> + +<p>The gentleman wore the dress of an aid-de-camp, and the major knew him +to be one of the military family of Washington.</p> + +<p>“Major Dunwoodie,” he said, after bowing to the ladies, “the +commander-in-chief has directed me to give you these orders.”</p> + +<p>He executed his mission, and, pleading duty, took his leave +immediately.</p> + +<p>“Here, indeed,” cried the major, “is an unexpected turn in the whole +affair. But I understand it: Harper has got my letter, and already we +feel his influence.”</p> + +<p>“Have you news affecting Henry?” cried Frances, springing to his side.</p> + +<p>“Listen, and you shall judge.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p><div class="blockquot"><p>“Sir,—Upon the receipt of this, you will concentrate your +squadron, so as to be in front of a covering party which the +enemy has sent up in front of his foragers, by ten o’clock +to-morrow on the heights of Croton,<a name="FNanchor_130_130" id="FNanchor_130_130"></a><a href="#Footnote_130_130" class="fnanchor">[130]</a> where you will find +a body of foot to support you. The escape of the English spy +has been reported to me, but his arrest is unimportant, +compared with the duty I now assign you. You will, +therefore, recall your men, if any are in pursuit, and +endeavor to defeat the enemy forthwith. Your obedient +servant,</p> + +<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 3em;">“<span class="smcap">Geo. Washington.</span>”</span></p></div> + +<p>“Thank God!” cried Dunwoodie, “my hands are washed of Henry’s +recapture; I can now move to my duty with honor.”</p> + +<p>“And with prudence, too, dear Peyton,” said Frances, with a face as +pale as death. “Remember, Dunwoodie, you leave behind you claims on +your life.”</p> + +<p>The youth dwelt on her lovely but pallid features with rapture, and, +as he folded her to his heart, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“For your sake I will, lovely innocent!” Frances sobbed a moment on +his bosom, and he tore himself from her presence.</p> + +<p>The peddler and his companion soon reached the valley, and, after +pausing to listen, and hearing no sounds which announced that pursuers +were abroad, they entered the highway. After walking at a great rate +for three hours they suddenly diverged from the road, which inclined +to the east, and held their course directly across the hills in a due +south direction. This movement was made, the peddler informed his +companion, in order to avoid the parties who constantly patrolled in +the southern entrance of the Highlands, as well as to shorten the +distance by travelling in a straight line.</p> + +<p>The peddler became more guarded in the manner in which <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>they +proceeded, and took divers precautions to prevent meeting any moving +parties of the Americans.</p> + +<p>A steep and laborious ascent brought them from the level of the +tide-waters to the high lands that form, in this part of the river, +the eastern banks of the Hudson. The day was now opened, and objects +could be seen in the distance with distinctness. To Henry and the +peddler the view displayed only the square yards and lofty masts of a +vessel of war riding a few miles below them.</p> + +<p>“There, Captain Wharton,” said the peddler—“there is a safe +resting-place for you; America has no arm that can reach you if you +gain the deck of that ship.”</p> + +<p>By following the bank of the river, Birch led the way free from +observation until they reached a point opposite to the frigate,<a name="FNanchor_131_131" id="FNanchor_131_131"></a><a href="#Footnote_131_131" class="fnanchor">[131]</a> +when, by making a signal, a boat was induced to approach.</p> + +<p>Some time was spent and much precaution used before the seamen would +trust themselves ashore; but Henry having finally succeeded in making +the officer in command of the party credit his assertions, he was able +to rejoin his companions in arms in safety.</p> + +<p>Before taking leave of Birch, the captain handed him his purse, which +was tolerably well supplied for the times.</p> + +<p>The boat pulled from the shore, and Birch turned on his heel, drawing +his breath like one relieved, and shot up the hills with the strides +for which he was famous.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>WASHINGTON’S LAST MEETING WITH THE SPY.</h3> + +<p>It was at the close of a stormy day in September that a large +assemblage of officers was collected near the door of a building that +was situated in the heart of the American troops, who <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>held the +Jerseys. The age, the dress, and the dignity of deportment of most of +these warriors indicated them to be of high rank, but to one in +particular was paid a deference<a name="FNanchor_132_132" id="FNanchor_132_132"></a><a href="#Footnote_132_132" class="fnanchor">[132]</a> and obedience that announced him +to be of the highest. His dress was plain, but it bore the usual +military distinctions of command. He was mounted on a noble steed of a +deep bay, and a group of young men, in gayer attire, evidently awaited +his pleasure and did his bidding. Many a hat was lifted as its owner +addressed this officer, and when he spoke, a profound attention, +exceeding the respect of mere professional etiquette,<a name="FNanchor_133_133" id="FNanchor_133_133"></a><a href="#Footnote_133_133" class="fnanchor">[133]</a> was +exhibited on every countenance. At length the general raised his own +hat and bowed gravely to all around him. The salute was returned, and +the party dispersed, leaving the officer without a single attendant +except his body servants and one aid-de-camp. Dismounting, he stepped +back a few paces, and for a moment viewed the condition of his horse +with the eye of one who well understood the animal; then, casting a +brief but expressive glance at his aid, he retired into the building, +followed by that gentleman.</p> + +<p>On entering the apartment that was apparently fitted for his +reception, he took a seat, and continued for a long time in a +thoughtful attitude, like one in the habit of communing much with +himself. During this silence, the aid-de-camp stood in expectation of +orders. At length the general raised his eyes, and spoke in those low, +placid tones that seemed natural to him:</p> + +<p>“Has the man I wished to see arrived, sir?”</p> + +<p>“He waits the pleasure of your excellency.”</p> + +<p>“I will receive him here, and alone, if you please.”</p> + +<p>The aid bowed and withdrew. In a few minutes the door again opened, +and a figure, gliding into the apartment, stood modestly at a distance +from the general, without speaking. His entrance was unheard by the +officer, who sat gazing at the fire, still absorbed in his own +meditations. Several minutes passed, when he spoke to himself in an +undertone:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p><p>“To-morrow we must raise the curtain, and expose our plans. May Heaven +prosper them!”</p> + +<p>“Harvey Birch,” he said, turning to the stranger, “the time has +arrived when our connection must cease; henceforth and forever we must +be strangers.”</p> + +<p>The peddler dropped the folds of the great-coat that concealed his +features, and gazed for a moment earnestly at the face of the speaker; +then, dropping his head upon his bosom, he said, meekly:</p> + +<p>“If it be your excellency’s pleasure.”</p> + +<p>“It is necessary. Since I have filled the station which I now hold, it +has become my duty to know many men who, like yourself, have been my +instruments in procuring intelligence. You have I trusted more than +all; I early saw in you a regard to truth and principle that, I am +pleased to say, has never deceived me. You alone know my secret agents +in the city, and on your fidelity depend, not only their fortunes, but +their lives.”</p> + +<p>He paused, as if to reflect in order that full justice might be done +to the peddler, and then continued:</p> + +<p>“I believe you are one of the very few that I have employed who have +acted faithfully to our cause; and, while you have passed as a spy of +the enemy, have never given intelligence that you were not permitted +to divulge. To me, and to me only of all the world, you seem to have +acted with strong attachment to the liberties of America.”</p> + +<p>During this address, Harvey gradually raised his head from his bosom, +until it reached the highest point of elevation; a faint tinge +gathered in his cheeks, and, as the officer concluded, it was diffused +over his whole countenance in a deep glow, while he stood, proudly +swelling with his emotions, but with eyes that modestly sought the +feet of the speaker.</p> + +<p>“It is now my duty to pay you for these services; hitherto you have +postponed receiving your reward, and the debt has become a heavy one. +I wish not to undervalue your dangers; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>here are a hundred +doubloons;<a name="FNanchor_134_134" id="FNanchor_134_134"></a><a href="#Footnote_134_134" class="fnanchor">[134]</a> you will remember the poverty of our country, and +attribute to it the smallness of your pay.”</p> + +<p>The peddler raised his eyes to the countenance of the speaker; but, as +the other held forth the money, he moved back, as if refusing the bag.</p> + +<p>“It is not much for your services and risks, I acknowledge,” continued +the general, “but it is all that I have to offer; at the end of the +campaign it may be in my power to increase it.”</p> + +<p>“Does your excellency think that I have exposed my life and blasted my +character for money?”</p> + +<p>“If not for money, what then?”</p> + +<p>“What has brought your excellency into the field? For what do you +daily and hourly expose your precious life to battle and the halter? +What is there about me to mourn, when such men as you risk their all +for our country? No, no, no—not a dollar of your gold will I touch; +poor America has need of it all.”</p> + +<p>The bag dropped from the hand of the officer, and fell at the feet of +the peddler, where it lay neglected during the remainder of the +interview. The officer looked steadily at the face of his companion, +and continued:</p> + +<p>“You will soon be old; the prime of your days is already past; what +have you to subsist on?”</p> + +<p>“These!” said the peddler, stretching forth his hands, that already +were embrowned with toil.</p> + +<p>“But those may fail you; take enough to secure a support to your age. +Remember your risks and care. I have told you that the characters of +men who are much esteemed in life depend on your secrecy; what pledge +can I give them of your fidelity?”</p> + +<p>“Tell them,” said Birch, advancing and unconsciously resting one foot +on the bag—“tell them that I would not take the gold!”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p><p>The composed features of the officer relaxed into a smile of +benevolence, and he grasped the hand of the peddler firmly.</p> + +<p>“Now, indeed, I know you; and although the same reasons which have +hitherto compelled me to expose your valuable life will still exist, +and may prevent my openly asserting your character, in private I can +always be your friend. Fail not to apply to me when in want or +suffering, and so long as God giveth to me, so long will I freely +share with a man who feels so nobly and acts so well. If sickness or +want should ever assail you, and peace once more smile upon our +efforts, seek the gate of him whom you have so often met as Harper, +and he will not blush to acknowledge you in his true character.”</p> + +<p>“It is little that I need in this life,” said Harvey; “so long as God +gives me health and honest industry, I can never want in this country; +but to know that your excellency is my friend, is a blessing that I +prize more than all the gold of England’s treasury.”</p> + +<p>The officer stood for a few moments in the attitude of intense +thought. He then drew to him the desk, and wrote a few lines on a +piece of paper, and gave it to the peddler.</p> + +<p>“That Providence destines this country to some great and glorious fate +I must believe, while I witness the patriotism that pervades the +bosoms of her lowliest citizens,” he said. “It must be dreadful to a +mind like yours to descend into the grave branded as a foe to liberty; +but you already know the lives that would be sacrificed, should your +real character be revealed. It is impossible to do you justice now, +but I fearlessly entrust you with this certificate; should we never +meet again, it may be serviceable to your children.”</p> + +<p>“Children!” exclaimed the peddler. “Can I give to a family the infamy +of my name?”</p> + +<p>The officer gazed at the strong emotion he exhibited with pain, and he +made a slight movement towards the gold; but it was arrested by the +expression of his companion’s face. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>Harvey saw the intention, and +shook his head, as he continued more mildly:</p> + +<p>“It is, indeed, a treasure that your excellency gives me; it is safe, +too. There are men living who could say that my life was nothing to +me, compared to your secrets. The paper that I told you was lost I +swallowed when taken last by the Virginians. It was the only time I +ever deceived your excellency, and it shall be the last. Yes, this is, +indeed, a treasure to me. Perhaps,” he continued, with a melancholy +smile, “it may be known after my death who was my friend; but if it +should not, there are none to grieve for me.”</p> + +<p>“Remember,” said the officer, with strong emotion, “that in me you +will always have a secret friend; but openly I cannot know you.”</p> + +<p>“I know it, I know it,” said Birch; “I knew it when I took the +service. ’Tis probably the last time that I shall ever see your +excellency. May God pour down his choicest blessings on your head!” He +paused, and moved towards the door. The officer followed him with eyes +that expressed deep interest. Once more the peddler turned, and seemed +to gaze on the placid but commanding features of the general with +regret and reverence, and then, bowing low, withdrew.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>DEATH OF THE SPY.—A REVELATION.</h3> + +<p>It was thirty-three years after the interview which we have just +related that an American army was once more arrayed against the troops +of England; but the scene was transferred from the banks of the Hudson +to those of the Niagara.<a name="FNanchor_135_135" id="FNanchor_135_135"></a><a href="#Footnote_135_135" class="fnanchor">[135]</a></p> + +<p>It was the evening of the 25th of July of that bloody year, when two +young officers were seen standing on the table-rock, contemplating the +great cataract with an interest that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>seemed to betray that they were +gazing for the first time at the wonder of the western world. A +profound silence was observed by each, until the companion of the +officer suddenly started, and pointing eagerly with his sword into the +abyss<a name="FNanchor_136_136" id="FNanchor_136_136"></a><a href="#Footnote_136_136" class="fnanchor">[136]</a> beneath, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“See, Wharton, there is a man crossing in the very eddies of the +cataract, and in a skiff no bigger than an egg-shell.”</p> + +<p>“He has a knapsack—it is probably a soldier,” returned the other. +“Let us meet him at the ladder, Mason, and learn his tidings.”</p> + +<p>Some time was expended in reaching the spot where the adventurer was +intercepted. Contrary to the expectations of the young soldiers, he +proved to be a man far advanced in life, and evidently no follower of +the camp.</p> + +<p>A few words of salutation, and, on the part of the young men, of +surprise that one so aged should venture so near the whirlpools of the +cataract, were exchanged, when the old man inquired, with a voice that +began to manifest the tremor of age, the news from the contending +armies.</p> + +<p>“We whipped the red-coats here the other day, among the grass on the +Chippewa<a name="FNanchor_137_137" id="FNanchor_137_137"></a><a href="#Footnote_137_137" class="fnanchor">[137]</a> plains,” said the one who was called Mason.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you have a son among the soldiers,” said his companion, with +a milder demeanor,<a name="FNanchor_138_138" id="FNanchor_138_138"></a><a href="#Footnote_138_138" class="fnanchor">[138]</a> and an air of kindness; “if so, tell me his +name and regiment, and I will take you to him.”</p> + +<p>The old man shook his head, and answered:</p> + +<p>“No; I am alone in the world!”</p> + +<p>“You should have added, Captain Dunwoodie,” cried his careless +comrade, “if you could find either; for nearly half our army has +marched down the road, and may be, by this time, under the walls of +Fort George,<a name="FNanchor_139_139" id="FNanchor_139_139"></a><a href="#Footnote_139_139" class="fnanchor">[139]</a> for anything that we know to the contrary.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p><p>The old man stopped suddenly, and looked earnestly from one of his +companions to the other; the action being observed by the soldiers, +they paused also.</p> + +<p>“Did I hear right?” the stranger uttered, raising his hand to screen +his eyes from the rays of the setting sun. “What did he call you?”</p> + +<p>“My name is Wharton Dunwoodie,” replied the youth, smiling.</p> + +<p>The stranger motioned silently for him to remove his hat, which the +youth did accordingly, and his fair hair blew aside like curls of +silk, and opened the whole of his ingenuous countenance to the +inspection of the other.</p> + +<p>“’Tis like our native land!” exclaimed the old man with vehemence; +“improving with time. God has blessed both.”</p> + +<p>“Why do you stare thus, Lieutenant Mason?” cried Captain Dunwoodie, +laughing a little; “you show more astonishment than when you saw the +falls.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, the falls! they are a thing to be looked at on a moon-shiny +night, by your aunt Sarah and that gay old bachelor, Colonel +Singleton.”</p> + +<p>“Come, come, Tom, no jokes about my good aunt, I beg; she is kindness +itself; and I have heard it whispered that her youth was not +altogether happy.”</p> + +<p>“Why, as to rumor,” said Mason, “there goes one in Accomac, that +Colonel Singleton offers himself to her regularly every Valentine’s +Day; and there are some who add that your old great-aunt helps his +suit.”</p> + +<p>“Aunt Jeanette!” said Dunwoodie, laughing; “dear, good soul, she +thinks but little of marriage in any shape, I believe, since the death +of Dr. Sitgreaves.”</p> + +<p>“The last time I was at General Dunwoodie’s plantation, that yellow, +sharp-nosed housekeeper of your mother’s took me into the pantry, and +said that the colonel was no despicable match, as she called it.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p><p>“Quite likely,” returned the captain; “Katy Haynes is no bad +calculator.”</p> + +<p>The old man listened to each word as it was uttered, with the most +intense interest; but, toward the conclusion of the dialogue, the +earnest attention of his countenance changed to a kind of inward +smile. Mason paid but little attention to the expression of his +features, and continued:</p> + +<p>“To me she is selfishness embodied.”</p> + +<p>“Her selfishness does but little harm,” returned Dunwoodie. “One of +her greatest difficulties is her aversion to the blacks. She says that +she never saw but one that she liked.”</p> + +<p>“And who was he?”</p> + +<p>“His name was Cæsar; he was a house-servant of my late grandfather +Wharton. My mother always speaks of him with great affection. Both +Cæsar and Katy came to Virginia with my mother when she married. My +mother <span style="white-space: nowrap;">was——”</span></p> + +<p>“An angel!” interrupted the old man, in a voice that startled the +young soldiers by its abruptness and energy.</p> + +<p>“Did you know her?” cried the son, with a glow of pleasure on his +cheek.</p> + +<p>The reply of the stranger was interrupted by sudden and heavy +explosions of artillery, which were immediately followed by continued +volleys of small-arms, and in a few minutes the air was filled with +the tumult of a warm and well-contested battle.</p> + +<p>Everything in the American camp announced an approaching struggle. The +troops were in motion, and a movement made to support the division of +the army which was already engaged. Night had set in before the +reserve and irregulars reached the foot of Lundy’s Lane,<a name="FNanchor_140_140" id="FNanchor_140_140"></a><a href="#Footnote_140_140" class="fnanchor">[140]</a> a road +that diverged from the river and crossed a conical eminence at no +great distance from the Niagara highway. The summit of the hill was +crowned with the cannon of the British, and in the flat beneath was +the remnant of Scott’s<a name="FNanchor_141_141" id="FNanchor_141_141"></a><a href="#Footnote_141_141" class="fnanchor">[141]</a> gallant brigade, which for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>a long time +had held an unequal contest with distinguished bravery. A new line was +interposed, and one column of the Americans directed to charge the +hill, parallel to the road. This column took the English in flank, and +bayoneting their artillerists, gained possession of the cannon. They +were immediately joined by their comrades, and the enemy was swept +from the hill.</p> + +<p>But large reënforcements were joining the English general momentarily, +and their troops were too brave to rest easy under defeat. Repeated +and bloody charges were made to recover the guns, but in all they were +repulsed with slaughter. During the last of these struggles, the ardor +of the youthful captain whom we have mentioned urged him to lead his +men some distance in advance, to scatter a daring party of the enemy. +He succeeded, but in returning to the line missed his lieutenant from +the station that he ought to have occupied. Soon after this repulse, +which was the last, orders were given to the shattered troops to +return to the camp. The British were nowhere to be seen, and +preparations were made to take in such of the wounded as could be +moved.</p> + +<p>At this moment Wharton Dunwoodie, impelled by affection for his +friend, seized a lighted fusee,<a name="FNanchor_142_142" id="FNanchor_142_142"></a><a href="#Footnote_142_142" class="fnanchor">[142]</a> and taking two of his men, went +himself in quest of his body, where he was supposed to have fallen.</p> + +<p>Mason was found on the side of the hill, seated with great composure, +but unable to walk from a fractured leg. Dunwoodie saw and flew to the +side of his comrade, exclaiming:</p> + +<p>“Ah! dear Tom, I knew I should find you the nearest man to the enemy.”</p> + +<p>“Softly, softly; handle me tenderly,” replied the lieutenant. “No; +there is a brave fellow still nearer than myself, and who he can be I +know not. He rushed out of our smoke, near my platoon, to make a +prisoner or some such thing, but, poor fellow, he never came back; +there he lies just over the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>hillock. I have spoken to him several +times, but I fancy he is past answering.”</p> + +<p>Dunwoodie went to the spot, and to his astonishment beheld the +stranger.</p> + +<p>“It is the old man who knew my father and mother,” cried the youth; +“for their sake he shall have honorable burial. Lift him, and let him +be carried in; his bones shall rest on native soil.”</p> + +<p>The men approached to obey. He was lying on his back, with his face +exposed to the glaring light of the fusee; his eyes were closed, as if +in slumber; his lips, sunken with years, were slightly moved from +their position, but it seemed more like a smile than a convulsion +which had caused the change. A soldier’s musket lay near him; his +hands were pressed upon his breast, and one of them contained a +substance that glittered like silver. Dunwoodie stooped, and moving +the limbs, perceived the place where the bullet had found a passage to +his heart. The subject of his last care was a tin box, through which +the fatal lead had gone; and the dying moments of the old man must +have been passed in drawing it from his bosom. Dunwoodie opened it, +and found a paper in which, to his astonishment, he read the +following:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Circumstances of political importance, which involve the +lives and fortunes of many, have hitherto kept secret what +this paper now reveals. Harvey Birch has for years been a +faithful and unrequited<a name="FNanchor_143_143" id="FNanchor_143_143"></a><a href="#Footnote_143_143" class="fnanchor">[143]</a> servant of his country. Though +man does not, may God reward him for his conduct!</p> + +<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 3em;">“<span class="smcap">Geo. Washington.</span>”</span></p></div> + +<p>It was the <span class="smcap">Spy of the Neutral Ground</span>, who died as he had lived, +devoted to his country, and a martyr to her liberties.</p> + +<div class="centerbox bbox"> +<hr class="large" /> +<h2>· Standard · Literature · Series ·</h2> + +<p>Works of standard authors for supplementary reading in +schools—complete selections or abridgments—with introductions and +explanatory notes. Single numbers, 64 to 128 pages, stiff paper sides +12½ cents, cloth 20 cents; double numbers, 160 to 224 pages, stiff +paper sides 20 cents, cloth 30 cents.</p> + +<p>CONTENTS OF THE FIRST TWENTY-FOUR (24) NUMBERS, ARRANGED BY COUNTRIES +AND AUTHORS</p> + +<p class="u">Starred numbers are DOUBLE. All the works are complete, or contain +complete selections, except those marked “abr.”</p> + +<h3>American Authors</h3> + +<p><b>COOPER—The Spy</b>, No. 1, single (abr.), 128 pp.; *<b>The Pilot</b>, No. 2 +(abr.), 181 pp.; *<b>The Deerslayer</b>, No. 8 (abr.), 160 pp.</p> + +<p><b>DANA, R. H., Jr.—*Two Years Before the Mast</b>, No. 19 (abr.), 173 pp.</p> + +<p><b>HAWTHORNE—Twice-Told Tales</b>, No. 15, single, complete selections, 128 +pp.: The Village Uncle; The Ambitious Guest; Mr. Higginbotham’s +Catastrophe; A Rill from the Town Pump; The Great Carbuncle; David +Swan; Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment; Peter Goldthwaite’s Treasure; The +Threefold Destiny; Old Esther Dudley.</p> + +<p><b>A Wonder-Book</b>, for Girls and Boys, No. 16, single, complete +selections, 121 pp.: The Golden Touch; The Paradise of Children; The +Three Golden Apples; The Miraculous Pitcher.</p> + +<p><b>The Snow-Image</b> and other Twice-Told Tales, No. 20, single, complete +selections, 121 pp.: The Snow-Image; The Great Stone Face; Little +Daffydowndilly; The Vision of the Fountain; The Seven Vagabonds; +Little Annie’s Ramble; The Prophetic Pictures.</p> + +<p><b>IRVING—The Alhambra</b>, No. 4, single, complete selections, 128 pp.: +Palace of the Alhambra; Alhamar, the Founder of the Alhambra; Yusef +Abul Hagig, the Finisher of the Alhambra; Panorama from the Tower of +Comares; Legend of the Moor’s Legacy; Legend of the Rose of the +Alhambra; The Governor and the Notary; Governor Manco and the Soldier; +Legend of Two Discreet Statues; Legend of Don Munio Sancho de +Hinojosa; The Legend of the Enchanted Soldier.</p> + +<p><b>The Sketch-Book</b>, No. 17, single, complete selections, 121 pp.: The +Author’s Account of Himself; The Broken Heart; The Spectre Bridegroom; +Rural Life in England; The Angler; John Bull; The Christmas Dinner; +Stratford-on-Avon.</p> + +<p><b>Knickerbocker Stories</b>, No. 23, single, complete selections, 140 pp.: +I. Broek, or the Dutch Paradise; II. From Knickerbocker’s New York, +(a) New Amsterdam under Van Twiller, (b) How William the Testy +Defended the City, (c) Peter Stuyvesant’s Voyage up the Hudson; III. +Wolfert’s Roost; IV. The Storm Ship; V. Rip Van Winkle; VI. A Legend +of Sleepy Hollow.</p> + +<p><b>KENNEDY, J. P.—*Horse-Shoe Robinson,</b> a Tale of the Revolution, No. 10 +(abr.), 192 pp.</p> + +<p><b>LONGFELLOW—Evangeline</b>, a Tale of Acadie, No. 21, single, complete, +102 pp.</p> + +<h3>English Authors</h3> + +<p><b>BULWER-LYTTON—*Harold</b>, the Last of the Saxon Kings, No. 12 (abr.), +160 pp.</p> + +<p><b>BYRON—The Prisoner of Chillon</b> and Other Poems, No. 11, single, +complete selections, 128 pp.: The Prisoner of Chillon; Mazeppa; Childe +Harold.</p> + +<p><b>DICKENS—Christmas Stories</b>, No. 5, single (abr.), 142 pp.: A Christmas +Carol; The Cricket on the Hearth; The Child’s Dream of a Star.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>Little Nell</b> (from Old Curiosity Shop), No. 22, single (abr.), 123 pp.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>Paul Dombey</b> (from Dombey and Son), No. 14, single (abr.), 128 pp.</span></p> + +<p><b>SCOTT—*Ivanhoe</b>, No. 24 (abr.), 180 pp. *Kenilworth, No. 7 (abr.), 164 +pp.; *Lady of the Lake, No. 9, complete, 192 pp.; Rob Roy, No. 3, +single (abr.), 130 pp.</p> + +<p><b>SWIFT—Gulliver’s Travels</b>, Voyages to Lilliput and Brobdingnag, No. +13, single (abr.), 128 pp.</p> + +<p><b>TENNYSON—Enoch Arden</b> and Other Poems, No. 6, single, complete +selections, 110 pp.: Enoch Arden; The Coming of Arthur; The Passing of +Arthur; Columbus; The May Queen; New Year’s Eve; Conclusion; Dora; The +Charge of the Light Brigade; The Defence of Lucknow; Lady Clare; +Break, Break, Break; The Brook; Bugle Song; Widow and Child; The Days +That Are No More; I Envy Not; Oh, Yet We Trust; Ring Out, Wild Bells; +Crossing the Bar (Tennyson’s last poem).</p> + +<h3>French Authors</h3> + +<p><b>HUGO, VICTOR—*Ninety-Three</b>, No. 18 (abr.), 157 pp.</p> + +<p><b>Grading.</b>—<b>For History Classes</b>: Spy, Pilot, Deerslayer, Horse-Shoe +Robinson, Knickerbocker Stories, Harold, Kenilworth, Rob Roy, Ivanhoe, +Ninety-Three, Alhambra. <b>Geography</b>: Two Years Before the Mast. <b>English +Literature</b>: Evangeline, Lady of the Lake, Enoch Arden, Prisoner of +Chillon, Sketch-Book. <b>Lower Grammar Grades</b>: Christmas Stories, Little +Nell, Paul Dombey, Gulliver’s Travels, Twice-Told Tales. <b>Primary +Grades</b>: Wonder-Book, Snow-Image.</p> + +<h3>Numbers 25 to 40</h3> + +<p class="center">Each with Introduction and Notes. Starred numbers, double.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>25. ROBINSON CRUSOE. Defoe.</b> Illustrated. For Young Readers.</span></p> + +<p><b>*26. POEMS OF KNIGHTLY ADVENTURE.</b> <b>Tennyson</b>, <b>Arnold</b>, <b>Macaulay</b>, <b>Lowell</b>. +Four Complete Selections.</p> + +<p><b>*27. THE WATER WITCH. Cooper.</b> With Map.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>28. TALES OF A GRANDFATHER. Scott.</b> Complete Selections.</span><br /> +<b>*29. THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS. Cooper.</b> With Map.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>30. THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS. Bunyan.</b> For Young Readers.</span><br /> +<b>*31. BLACK BEAUTY. Sewell.</b> Complete.<br /> +<b>*32. THE YEMASSEE. Cooper.</b> With Map.<br /> +<b>*33. WESTWARD HO! Kingsley.</b> With Map.<br /> +<b>*34. ’ROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS.</b> Verne.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>35. SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON. Wyss.</b> Illustrated.</span><br /> +<b>*36. THE CHILDHOOD OF DAVID COPPERFIELD. Dickens.</b><br /> +<b>*37. THE SONG OF HIAWATHA. Longfellow.</b> Complete.<br /> +<b>*38. THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII. Bulwer-Lytton.</b><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>39. FAIRY TALES.</b> Second School Year. Selected Tales.</span><br /> +<b>*40. THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. Scott.</b> Complete.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 76px;"> +<img src="images/i131.jpg" width="76" height="33" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h3>WHAT PROMINENT EDUCATORS SAY</h3> + +<p><b>W. T. Harris</b>, <i>Commissioner of Education, Washington, D. C.</i>: “I have +examined very carefully one of the abridgments from Walter Scott, and +I would not have believed the essentials of the story could have been +retained with so severe an abridgment. But the story thus abridged has +kept its interest and all of the chief threads of the plot. I am very +glad that the great novels of Walter Scott are in course of +publication by your house in such a form that school children, and +older persons as yet unfamiliar with Walter Scott, may find an easy +introduction. To read Walter Scott’s novels is a large part of a +liberal education, but his discourses on the history of the times and +his disquisitions on motives render his stories too hard for the +person of merely elementary education. But if one can interest himself +in the plot, and skip these learned passages, he may, on a second +reading, be able to grasp the whole novel. Hence I look to such +abridgments as you have made for a great extension of Walter Scott’s +usefulness.”</p> + +<p><b>William H. Maxwell</b>, <i>Superintendent of Public Instruction, New York +City</i>: “I take great pleasure in commending to those who are seeking +for good reading in the schools, the Standard Literature Series. The +editors of the series have struck out a new line in the preparation of +literature for schools. They have taken great works of fiction and +poetry, and so edited them as to omit what is beyond the +comprehension, or what would weary the attention, of children in the +higher grades of elementary schools.”</p> + +<p><b>Walter B. Gunnison</b>, <i>Principal Erasmus Hall High School, Brooklyn, N. +Y.</i> “I have watched with much interest the issues of the new Standard +Literature Series, and have examined them all with care. I regard them +as a distinct addition to the school literature of our country. The +selections are admirable—the annotations clear and comprehensive, and +the form convenient and artistic.”</p> + +<p><b>A. E. Winship</b>, <i>Editor “Journal of Education,” Boston, Mass.</i> “I +desire to acknowledge, after many days, the volumes ‘Kenilworth’ and +‘Harold,’ in the Standard Literature Series. I am much pleased with +these books. It is a great service which you are rendering the +schools. Our children must read all the British-American classics +which have any bearing upon history, and, with all that is absolutely +required of them in this day, they <i>cannot</i> do what they must do. +There is a conflict of ‘oughts.’ You make it possible, here, for the +child to get all he needs of each of all the books he must read. It is +a great service. I admire the appreciation of the editors of their +text.”</p> + +<p><b>C. B. Gilbert</b>, <i>Superintendent of Schools, Newark, N. J.</i> “The +Standard Literature Series bids fair to prove a most valuable addition +to literature available for use in schools. The books are well +selected, carefully edited, and supplied with valuable notes and maps. +‘Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings,’ may serve as a type. For +classes in English history it will prove invaluable, giving, as it +does in the language of a master, a most vivid picture of early +England; its struggles and its people. The Introduction paves the way +for what is to follow. The portions omitted can be spared, and the +notes are just enough to clear up difficult passages, but not enough +to be burdensome.”</p> + +<p><b>R. E. Denfeld</b>, <i>Superintendent of Schools, Duluth, Minn.</i> “I have +carefully read many of the numbers of the Standard Literature Series +and do not hesitate to say that they are exceptionally well edited. +One in particular I have in mind which was so carefully condensed as +to make it of convenient size for a school reading book, and yet no +part of the essentially connected matter was omitted.”</p> + +<p><b>Henry R. Sanford</b>, <i>Institute Conductor for New York State, Penn Yan, +N. Y.</i> “You are doing a good thing in thus giving to the public cheap +editions of standard literature.”</p> + +<hr class="medium" /> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" width="85%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" summary="PUBADDRESS"> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">Correspondence is invited. Special discounts to schools and dealers. +Address</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><h2>University · Publishing · Company</h2></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">New York</span>: 43-45-47 East Tenth St.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Boston</span>: 352 Washington St</td> +<td align="right"><span class="smcap">New Orleans</span>: 714-716 Canal St.</td></tr> +</table></div></div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Footnotes:</span></h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The term “Continental” was applied to the army of the +Colonies, to their Congress, to the money issued by Congress, etc.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> guesses.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> wrapper.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> declared.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> sharpness.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> eagerness.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> exactness in conduct.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> quickness and skill.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> centred upon one thing.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> looking at the surface only.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> love of gain.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> a door cut into halves, upper and lower.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> extreme.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> a British colonel.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> an American general; also spelled Sumter.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> a branch of the Broad, which is a branch of the Congaree +River, South Carolina.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> irons for supporting wood in a fire-place.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> a village in Westchester County, north of the Harlem +River.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> White Plains.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> regular troops, British.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> with scorn.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> readiness to converse.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> British spy, captured near Tarrytown, and hanged near +Tappan.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> The glances conveyed a hidden meaning.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> DeLancey was a British officer in command of the +Cow-Boys (see note, p. <a href="#Page_30">30</a>).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> overspread.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> fears.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> a bright red color.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> open; frank.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> defeated.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> ended.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Long Island Sound.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> waves.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> readiness.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> thinking.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> entertaining guests without pay.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> disturbed condition of mind.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> a stringed instrument that is caused to sound by the +impulse of the air.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> fright.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> from the side.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> signs or motions.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> very great.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> using but few words.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> overcoat.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> change.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> on the Hudson, forty miles north of New York.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> is the duty of.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> to make easy.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> very hastily.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> trial.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> never to be loosened.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> free from blame.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> a mounted sentinel.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> These were Hessian soldiers (from Hesse-Cassel, in +Germany) hired by Great Britain. The Cow-Boys were Americans enlisted +as soldiers in the British army. On the next page they are referred to +as the “refugee troop.”</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> haughty.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> a noted park in London.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> changes in position.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> violent; fierce.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> that is, here, first lieutenant.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> inclination.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> threatening nature.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> It was a danger demanding immediate action.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> thinking quietly.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> foreshadowing something serious.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> search.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> lines of the face.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> They were known as “Skinners.”</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> questions.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> fool.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> notes issued by the Continental Congress, worth but +little.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> George III., King of England.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> little details.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> departure (literally, <i>they go out</i>).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> burial.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> agreements.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> forfeiting to the public treasury.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> supporter of the American cause.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> hard to suit.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> falling into decay.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> outburst.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> quickness.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> jocosely.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> change of sentinel.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> French aid was given the Americans.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> Colonists, who favored the British.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> counted.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> whipping.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> unsuccessful.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> gentleness, kindness.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> place of meeting.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> murder by secret assault.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> one not fighting.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_93_93" id="Footnote_93_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> risk or danger.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_94_94" id="Footnote_94_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> expressing one thing and meaning another.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_95_95" id="Footnote_95_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> covered with a decorated cloth.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_96_96" id="Footnote_96_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> upright windows built on a sloping roof.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_97_97" id="Footnote_97_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> exclaimed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_98_98" id="Footnote_98_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_98_98"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> Sir Henry Clinton, commander of the English forces.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_99_99" id="Footnote_99_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_99_99"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> a procession of persons on horseback.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_100_100" id="Footnote_100_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_100_100"><span class="label">[100]</span></a> messenger.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_101_101" id="Footnote_101_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_101_101"><span class="label">[101]</span></a> a stronghold on the Hudson.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_102_102" id="Footnote_102_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_102_102"><span class="label">[102]</span></a> middle age.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_103_103" id="Footnote_103_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_103_103"><span class="label">[103]</span></a> name.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_104_104" id="Footnote_104_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_104_104"><span class="label">[104]</span></a> one who studies cases of conscience.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_105_105" id="Footnote_105_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_105_105"><span class="label">[105]</span></a> communication of disease by contact.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_106_106" id="Footnote_106_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106_106"><span class="label">[106]</span></a> an American officer who was detected within the British +lines in disguise.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_107_107" id="Footnote_107_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_107_107"><span class="label">[107]</span></a> General Nathanael Greene, a noted American commander.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_108_108" id="Footnote_108_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_108_108"><span class="label">[108]</span></a> William; a general in the American army, who organized +the forces at Cambridge before the battle of Bunker Hill.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_109_109" id="Footnote_109_109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_109_109"><span class="label">[109]</span></a> Alexander Hamilton, aide-de-camp to Washington.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_110_110" id="Footnote_110_110"></a><a href="#FNanchor_110_110"><span class="label">[110]</span></a> wild and extravagant notions.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_111_111" id="Footnote_111_111"></a><a href="#FNanchor_111_111"><span class="label">[111]</span></a> aversion, dislike.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_112_112" id="Footnote_112_112"></a><a href="#FNanchor_112_112"><span class="label">[112]</span></a> refined—exalted.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_113_113" id="Footnote_113_113"></a><a href="#FNanchor_113_113"><span class="label">[113]</span></a> a city of Switzerland.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_114_114" id="Footnote_114_114"></a><a href="#FNanchor_114_114"><span class="label">[114]</span></a> read account in the book of Daniel (Bible).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_115_115" id="Footnote_115_115"></a><a href="#FNanchor_115_115"><span class="label">[115]</span></a> not sincere.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_116_116" id="Footnote_116_116"></a><a href="#FNanchor_116_116"><span class="label">[116]</span></a> very hungry.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_117_117" id="Footnote_117_117"></a><a href="#FNanchor_117_117"><span class="label">[117]</span></a> surveying the situation with his eye.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_118_118" id="Footnote_118_118"></a><a href="#FNanchor_118_118"><span class="label">[118]</span></a> medley.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_119_119" id="Footnote_119_119"></a><a href="#FNanchor_119_119"><span class="label">[119]</span></a> with haste.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_120_120" id="Footnote_120_120"></a><a href="#FNanchor_120_120"><span class="label">[120]</span></a> exciting fear.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_121_121" id="Footnote_121_121"></a><a href="#FNanchor_121_121"><span class="label">[121]</span></a> a woman’s short cloak.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_122_122" id="Footnote_122_122"></a><a href="#FNanchor_122_122"><span class="label">[122]</span></a> clefts or openings.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_123_123" id="Footnote_123_123"></a><a href="#FNanchor_123_123"><span class="label">[123]</span></a> sword.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_124_124" id="Footnote_124_124"></a><a href="#FNanchor_124_124"><span class="label">[124]</span></a> overcoat.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_125_125" id="Footnote_125_125"></a><a href="#FNanchor_125_125"><span class="label">[125]</span></a> arrest.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_126_126" id="Footnote_126_126"></a><a href="#FNanchor_126_126"><span class="label">[126]</span></a> penalty.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_127_127" id="Footnote_127_127"></a><a href="#FNanchor_127_127"><span class="label">[127]</span></a> She thought his sense of duty too exacting.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_128_128" id="Footnote_128_128"></a><a href="#FNanchor_128_128"><span class="label">[128]</span></a> marriage.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_129_129" id="Footnote_129_129"></a><a href="#FNanchor_129_129"><span class="label">[129]</span></a> pretence.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_130_130" id="Footnote_130_130"></a><a href="#FNanchor_130_130"><span class="label">[130]</span></a> a river flowing into the Hudson about thirty-two miles +above New York; high ground bordering on this river.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_131_131" id="Footnote_131_131"></a><a href="#FNanchor_131_131"><span class="label">[131]</span></a> a ship of war.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_132_132" id="Footnote_132_132"></a><a href="#FNanchor_132_132"><span class="label">[132]</span></a> respect.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_133_133" id="Footnote_133_133"></a><a href="#FNanchor_133_133"><span class="label">[133]</span></a> forms required by good breeding.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_134_134" id="Footnote_134_134"></a><a href="#FNanchor_134_134"><span class="label">[134]</span></a> a former Spanish coin, worth about $8.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_135_135" id="Footnote_135_135"></a><a href="#FNanchor_135_135"><span class="label">[135]</span></a> name of river and falls between New York and Canada.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_136_136" id="Footnote_136_136"></a><a href="#FNanchor_136_136"><span class="label">[136]</span></a> bottomless depth.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_137_137" id="Footnote_137_137"></a><a href="#FNanchor_137_137"><span class="label">[137]</span></a> a village in Canada, twenty-one miles northwest of +Buffalo.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_138_138" id="Footnote_138_138"></a><a href="#FNanchor_138_138"><span class="label">[138]</span></a> manner.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_139_139" id="Footnote_139_139"></a><a href="#FNanchor_139_139"><span class="label">[139]</span></a> a fort on the Canada side of the Niagara River, where +it flows into Lake Ontario.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_140_140" id="Footnote_140_140"></a><a href="#FNanchor_140_140"><span class="label">[140]</span></a> a road leading west from Niagara River, near Niagara +Falls.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_141_141" id="Footnote_141_141"></a><a href="#FNanchor_141_141"><span class="label">[141]</span></a> General Winfield Scott, commander of the American +forces.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_142_142" id="Footnote_142_142"></a><a href="#FNanchor_142_142"><span class="label">[142]</span></a> torch.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_143_143" id="Footnote_143_143"></a><a href="#FNanchor_143_143"><span class="label">[143]</span></a> unrewarded.</p></div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Transcriber’s Notes:</span></h3> + +<p>1. Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters’ errors; otherwise, every +effort has been made to remain true to the author’s words and intent.</p> + +<p>2. The original of this book did not have a Table of Contents; one has been added +for the reader’s convenience.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spy, by J. Fenimore Cooper + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPY *** + +***** This file should be named 32632-h.htm or 32632-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/6/3/32632/ + +Produced by D Alexander, Juliet Sutherland and the 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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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