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TheSpyCondensedforuseinschools

JamesFenimoreCooper

MacraeSmithCompany,Philadelphia,1849

STANDARDLITERATURESERIES

THESPYBY

J.FENIMORECOOPER

CONDENSEDFORUSEINSCHOOLS

WITHANINTRODUCTIONANDEXPLANATORYNOTES

NEWYORKANDNEWORLEANS

UNIVERSITYPUBLISHINGCO.

1898

COPYRIGHT,1895,BYUNIVERSITYPUBLISHINGCO.

PressofJ.J.Little&Co.AstorPlace,NewYork

CONTENTS

. INTRODUCTIONANDHISTORICALNOTE. 3I. ARURALSCENEIN1780. 5II. THEPEDDLER. 9III. THESTRANGER’SWARNINGANDTHE

PEDDLER’SRETURN.16

IV. CAPTAINWHARTON’SCAPTURE. 20V. DUNWOODIE’SINVESTIGATION. 25VI. THESKIRMISHANDESCAPEOFCAPTAIN

WHARTON.29

VII. DUNWOODIE’STRAPANDTHERECAPTUREOFCAPTAINWHARTON.

35

VIII. THEPURSUIT.—BIRCH’SESCAPE. 39IX. THEUNWELCOMEVISITORS. 42X. ACOLONIALREPAST. 48XI. THEPEDDLER’SCAPTURE. 50XII. HOTELFLANAGANANDITSINTRUDERS. 54XIII. THESKINNERS’REWARD. 60XIV. THEDOUBLEWARNING. 64XV.MISSWHARTON’SMARRIAGE

INTERRUPTED.69

XVI. HELPWELLTIMED. 72XVII. CAPTAINWHARTON’STRIAL. 77XVIII. MR.HARPERISSOUGHTBUTNOTFOUND. 86XIX.WHATCAMEOFAREVEREND

GENTLEMAN’SVISITTOCAPTAINWHARTON.

92

XX. THEALARMANDTHEPURSUIT. 100XXI. FRANCESREMINDSMR.HARPEROFHIS

PROMISE.105

XXII. DUNWOODIEGAINSHISSUIT,ANDCAPTAINWHARTONHISFREEDOM.

113

XXIII. WASHINGTON’SLASTMEETINGWITHTHESPY.

118

XXIV. DEATHOFTHESPY.—AREVELATION. 123

INTRODUCTION.

JamesFenimoreCooperwasborninBurlington,N.J.,in1789—theyearinwhichGeorgeWashingtonwasinauguratedfirstPresidentoftheUnitedStates.HisboyhoodwaspassedatCooperstown,N.Y., a village founded by his father.After completing his studies atYale, youngCooper entered theAmerican navy asmidshipman, subsequently obtainingthe rank of lieutenant. He also made some voyages in a merchant vessel, and in thisservice acquired that knowledgeof sea life ofwhichhemadegooduse inmanyof hisnovels.

CooperhasbeenstyledtheWalterScottofAmerica.Itishardlyanexaggerationtorankhimsohigh,forhehasdoneforAmericawhatScottdidforScotland:hehasillustratedandpopularizedmuchof itshistoryandmanyof itsolden traditions in stories thatwillhaveappreciative readers so longas theEnglish language is spoken.Asa recentwriterobserves,he“wroteformenandwomenaswellasforboysandgirls,”andthebestofhisstoriesare“purelyAmerican,nativeborn,andnativebred.”

AnotherdistinctionmustbeassignedtoCooper,anditisamarkofhighmerit:hewasthefirst American novelist who became widely known and esteemed in foreign countries.“TheSpy”appearedin1821—atimewhenAmericanliteraturewasinitsinfancy.Thoughbutthesecondoftheauthor’sworks,itimmediatelybecamepopularonbothsidesoftheAtlantic.ItwastranslatedintoseveralEuropeanlanguages,andmayeven,wearetold,bereadinthePersiantongue.

Other stories quickly followed. “The Pioneer” was published in 1822. This and “TheDeerslayer,”“ThePathfinder,”“TheLastoftheMohicans,”and“ThePrairie”belongtotheseriesknownastheLeatherstockingTales,socalledfromLeatherstockingNatty,themost celebratedof the characters introduced.Thesedealwith life andadventureamongthe Indians, in description of which Cooper surpassed all other writers. The sea talesinclude“ThePilot,”publishedin1823;“TheRedRover,”in1827;“TheWaterwitch,”in1830;“TheTwoAdmirals,” in1842,and“TheSeaLions,” in1849.Altogether,Cooperwrotethirty-threenovels,manyofthemuniversallyrecognizedasentitledtofirstrankinthatfieldofliterature,andallfullofinteresttotheloverofromance.

In 1826 Cooper visited Europe, and remained for several years, continuing his literaryworkandproducing,inadditiontonovels,somevolumesofsketchesofEuropeansociety.HereturnedtoAmericain1833.Hislastbook,“TheWaysoftheHour,”whichdealswithabuses of trial by jury, was published in 1850. He died on the 14th of September thefollowingyearatCooperstown.

HISTORICALNOTE.

Theeventsof thepatriotRevolutionaffordedampleandexcellentsubject-matter for thegeniusofCooper;andin“TheSpy”hetreatshismaterialinamannerwhichhasmadethe

workafavoritewithallloversoffiction.Thesceneofthestoryislaidchieflyinthatpartof NewYork State lying immediately north and northeast ofManhattan Island. At theperiod referred to New York was held by the British, under command of Sir HenryClinton,havingbeentakenafterthedefeatoftheAmericansattheBattleofLongIslandonAugust27,1776.AtthesametimetheAmericanspossessednearlyalltherestoftheState.Thedistrict lyingbetweentheBritishand theAmerican lines,andextendingoverthe greater part of Westchester County, was known as the “neutral ground.” Here theprincipaleventsofthestoryareplaced.

This district having then practically no government, the inhabitants sufferedmuch, notonly through themilitary operations of the hostile forces, but frombands ofmaraudersknown as “cowboys” and “skinners.” The latter, professing to be supporters of theAmericancause, roamedover theneutralground, robbingTories (friendsof theBritish)and others who refused to take an oath of fidelity to the new republic, while thoseconsentingtotaketheoathwereattackedandplunderedbythecowboys,whocarriedontheirdepredationsasBritishpartisans.

Theheroof“TheSpy”isnotaltogetherafictitiouscharacter.IntheintroductiontooneoftheeditionsofthebooktheauthortellsusthathetooktheideaofHarveyBirchfromarealpersonwhowasactuallyengagedinthesecretserviceoftheAmericanCommitteeofSafety—acommitteeappointedbyCongress todiscoveranddefeat thevariousschemesprojected by the Tories in conjunction with the British to aid the latter against therepublicangovernment.Spieswere,ofcourse,employedonbothsidesduringthestruggle,and itmay readily bebelieved that among thepatriotAmericans thereweremanywhowerewilling,withoutdesireofearthlyreward,notonlytoencounterhardshipsanddangertolifefortheircountry’scause,buttoriskevenlossofreputation,asHarveyBirchdid.

THESPY.

CHAPTERI.

ARURALSCENEIN1780.

Itwasnearthecloseoftheyear1780thatasolitarytravellerwasseenpursuinghiswaythroughoneofthenumerouslittlevalleysofWestchester.ThecountyofWestchester,aftertheBritishhadobtainedpossessionoftheislandofNewYork,becamecommonground,inwhichbothpartiescontinuedtoactfortheremainderoftheWaroftheRevolution.Alargeportionofitsinhabitants,eitherrestrainedbytheirattachmentsorinfluencedbytheirfears, affected a neutrality they did not feel. The lower towns were, of course, moreparticularlyunder thedomainof thecrown,while theupper, findingasecurityfromthevicinity of theContinental[1] troops,were bold in asserting their revolutionary opinionsandtheirrighttogovernthemselves.Greatnumbers,however,woremasks,whicheventothisdayhavenotbeenthrownaside;andmanyanindividualhasgonedowntothetombstigmatized as a foe to the rights of his countrymen, while, in secret, he has been theuseful agent of the leaders of theRevolution; and, on the other hand, could the hiddenrepositories of divers flaming patriots have been opened to the light of day, royalprotectionswouldhavebeendiscoveredconcealedunderpilesofBritishgold.

The passage of a stranger, with an appearance of somewhat doubtful character, andmountedonananimalwhich,althoughunfurnishedwithanyoftheordinarytrappingsofwar,partooklargelyoftheboldanduprightcarriagethatdistinguishedhisrider,gaverisetomanysurmises[2] among thegazing inmatesof thedifferenthabitations; and in someinstances,whereconsciencewasmorethanordinarilyawake,toalittlealarm.

Tiredwiththeexerciseofadayofunusualfatigue,andanxioustoobtainaspeedyshelterfromtheincreasingviolenceofthestorm,thatnowbegantochangeitscharactertolargedrops of driving rain, the traveller determined, as a matter of necessity, to make anapplicationforadmissiontothenextdwellingthatoffered.

Sufficientlightyetremainedtoenablethetravellertodistinguishtheimprovementswhichhadbeenmadeinthecultivationandinthegeneralappearanceofthegroundsaroundthebuildingtowhichhewasnowapproaching.Thehousewasofstone,long,low,andwithalowwingateachextremity.Apiazza,extendingalongthefront,withneatlyturnedpillarsofwood, togetherwith thegoodorderandpreservationof the fencesandout-buildings,gavetheplaceanairaltogethersuperiortothecommonfarm-housesofthecountry.Afterleadinghishorsebehindanangleofthewall,whereitwasinsomedegreeprotectedfromthewindandrain, thetraveller threwhisvaliseoverhisarm,andknockedloudlyat theentranceofthebuildingforadmission.Anagedblacksoonappeared,andwithoutseemingto think it necessary, under the circumstances, to consult his superiors, first taking oneprying look at the applicant by the light of the candle in his hand, he acceded to therequestforaccommodations.Thetravellerwasshownintoanextremelyneatparlor,whereafirehadbeenlightedtocheerthedulnessofaneasterlystormandanOctoberevening.

Aftergiving thevalise into thekeepingofhiscivil attendant, andpolitely repeating therequesttotheoldgentlemanwhorosetoreceivehim,andpayinghiscomplimentstothethreeladieswhowereseatedatworkwith theirneedles, thestrangercommencedlayingasidesomeoftheoutergarmentswhichhehadworninhisride.

AfterhandingaglassofexcellentMadeiratohisguest,Mr.Wharton,forsowastheownerofthisretiredestatecalled,resumedhisseatbythefire,withanotherinhisownhand.Foramomenthepaused,asifdebatingwithhispoliteness,butatlengthhethrewaninquiringglanceonthestranger,asheinquired:

“TowhosehealthamItohavethehonorofdrinking?”

Theyoungladieshadagaintakentheirseatsbesidethework-stand,whiletheiraunt,MissJeanettePeyton,withdrewtosuperintendthepreparationsnecessarytoappeasethehungeroftheirunexpectedvisitor.

The travellerhadalsoseatedhimself,andhesatunconsciouslygazingon the firewhileMr.Whartonspoke;turninghiseyesslowlyonhishostwithalookofcloseobservation,hereplied,whileafainttingegatheredonhisfeatures:

“Mr.Harper.”

“Mr.Harper,”resumedtheother,withtheformalprecisionofthatday,“Ihavethehonortodrinkyourhealth,and tohopeyouwill sustainno injury from the rain towhichyouhavebeenexposed.”

Mr. Harper bowed in silence to the compliment, and he soon resumed themeditationsfromwhichhehadbeeninterrupted,andforwhichthelongridehehadthatdaymade,inthewind,mightseemaverynaturalapology.

Mr.Whartonhadinvainendeavoredtopiercethedisguiseofhisguest’spoliticalfeelings.Hearoseandledthewayintoanotherroomandtothesupper-table.Mr.Harperofferedhishand to Sarah Wharton, and they entered the room together; while Frances followed,greatlyatalosstoknowwhethershehadnotwoundedthefeelingsofherfather’sinmate.

Thestormbegantorage ingreaterviolencewithout,whenaloudsummonsat theouterdoor again called the faithful black to the portal. In aminute the servant returned, andinformedhismasterthatanothertraveller,overtakenbythestorm,desiredtobeadmittedtothehouseforshelterthroughthenight.

Someof thedisheswerereplacedby theordersofMissPeyton,and theweather-beatenintruderwasinvitedtopartakeoftheremainsoftherepast,fromwhichthepartyhadjustrisen.Throwingasidearoughgreat-coat,heverycomposedlytooktheofferedchair,andunceremoniously proceeded to allay the cravings of an appetite which appeared by nomeans delicate. But at every mouthful he would turn an unquiet eye on Harper, whostudiedhisappearancewithaclosenessofinvestigationthatwasveryembarrassingtoitssubject.Atlength,pouringoutaglassofwine,thenewcomernoddedsignificantlytohisexaminer,previously to swallowing the liquor,andsaid,withsomethingofbitterness inhismanner:

“Idrinktoourbetteracquaintance,sir;Ibelievethisisthefirsttimewehavemet,though

yourattentionwouldseemtosayotherwise.”

“Ithinkwehavenevermetbefore,sir,”repliedHarper,withaslightsmileonhisfeatures,risinganddesiringtobeshowntohisplaceofrest.Asmallboywasdirectedtoguidehimto his room; and, wishing a courteous good-night to the whole party, the travellerwithdrew.Theknifeandforkfellfromthehandsof theunwelcomeintruderas thedoorclosedontheretiringfigureofHarper;heroseslowlyfromhisseat;listeningattentively,heapproachedthedooroftheroom,openedit,seemedtoattendtotheretreatingfootstepsoftheother,and,amidstthepanicandastonishmentofhiscompanions,hecloseditagain.Inaninstanttheredwigwhichconcealedhisblacklocks,thelargepatchwhichhidhalfhis face from observation, the stoop that had made him appear fifty years of age,disappeared.

“Myfather,mydearfather!”criedthehandsomeyoungman;“andyou,mydearestsistersandaunt!—haveIatlastmetyouagain?”

“Heavenblessyou,myHenry,myson!”exclaimed theastonishedbutdelightedparent;whilehissisterssunkonhisshoulders,dissolvedintears.

CHAPTERII.

THEPEDDLER.

A storm below the highlands of theHudson, if it be introducedwith an easterlywind,seldomlastslessthantwodays.Accordingly,theinmatesoftheLocustsassembledonthefollowingmorningaroundtheirearlybreakfast,asthedrivingrain,seentostrikeinnearlyhorizontal linesagainst thewindowsof thebuilding,forbadetheideaofexposingeithermanorbeasttothetempest.Harperwasthelasttoappear;aftertakingaviewofthestateof the weather, he apologized to Mr. Wharton for the necessity that existed for histrespassingonhisgoodness fora longer time.HenryWhartonhadresumedhisdisguisewithareluctanceamountingtodisgust,butinobediencetothecommandsofhisparent.Nocommunicationspassedbetweenhimandthestrangerafterthefirstsalutationsofthemorning.

Whileseatedatthetable,Cæsarentered,andlayingasmallparcelinsilencebythesideofhis master, modestly retired behind his chair, where, placing one hand on its back, hecontinued,inanattitudehalffamiliar,halfrespectful,alistener.

“What is this, Cæsar?” inquired Mr. Wharton, turning the bundle over to examine itsenvelope,[3]andeyingitrathersuspiciously.

“The’baccy,sir;HarveyBirch,hegothome,andhebringyoualittlegood’baccyfromYork.”

“HarveyBirch!”rejoinedthemaster,withgreatdeliberation,stealingalookathisguest.“Idonotrememberdesiringhimtopurchaseanytobaccoforme;butashehasbroughtit,hemustbepaidforhistrouble.”

SarahWhartonbadetheblackshowBirchintotheapartment;when,suddenlyrecollectingherself,sheturnedtothetravellerwithanapologizinglook,andadded,“IfMr.Harperwillexcusethepresenceofapeddler.”

HarveyBirchhadbeenapeddlerfromhisyouth;atleast,sohefrequentlyasserted,[4]andhisskillintheoccupationwentfartoprovethetruthofthedeclaration.HewasanativeofoneoftheEasterncolonies;and,fromsomethingofsuperiorintelligencewhichbelongedtohis father, itwas thought theyhadknownbetter fortune in the landof their nativity.Harvey possessed, however, the common manners of the country, and was in no waydistinguished from men of his class but by his acuteness,[5] and the mystery whichenvelopedhismovements.Tenyears before, theyhad arrived together in the vale, and,purchasinganhumbledwelling,continuedpeacefulinhabitants,butlittlenoticedandbutlittle known.Until age and infirmities had prevented, the father devoted himself to thecultivationof thesmallspotofgroundbelongingtohispurchase,whilethesonpursuedwithavidity[6] his humble barter. Their orderly quietude had soon given them somuchconsiderationintheneighborhoodastoinduceamaiden(KatyHaynesbyname)offive-

and-thirty to forget thepunctilio[7]ofhersex,and toaccept theofficeofpresidingovertheirdomesticcomforts.

Harveywasinthefrequenthabitofpayingmysteriousvisitsinthedepthofthenighttothe fire-place of the apartment that served for both kitchen and parlor. Here he wasobservedbyKaty;and,availingherselfofhisabsenceandtheoccupationofthefather,byremovingoneofthehearth-stonesshediscoveredanironpot,glitteringwithametalthatseldom fails to soften the hardest heart. Katy succeeded in replacing the stonewithoutdiscovery,andneverdaredtotrustherselfwithanothervisit.

Inafewminutesafterreceivingthecommandsofhisyoungmistress,Cæsarreappeared,ushering into the apartment amanabove themiddleheight, spare, but full ofbone andmuscle.Atfirstsighthisstrengthseemedunequaltomanagetheunwieldyburdenofhispack;yethethrewitonandoffwithgreatdexterity,[8]andwithasmuchapparenteaseasifithadbeenfilledwithfeathers.Hiseyesweregray,sunken,restless,and,fortheflittingmoments that they dwelt on the countenance of those with whom he conversed, theyseemedtoreadtheverysoul.Theypossessed,however,twodistinctexpressions,whichinagreatmeasurecharacterizedthewholeman.Whenengagedintraffic,theintelligenceofhis face appeared lively, active, and flexible, though uncommonly acute; if theconversation turned on the ordinary transactions of life, his air became abstract andrestless;butif,bychance,therevolutionandthecountrywerethetopic,hiswholesystemseemedaltered—allhisfacultieswereconcentrated;[9]hewouldlistenforagreatlengthoftimewithoutspeaking,and thenwouldbreaksilencebysome light remark thatwas toomuchatvariancewithhisformermannernottobeaffectation.Butofthewarandofhisfather he seldom spoke, and always from some obvious necessity. To a superficial[10]

observer,avarice[11]wouldseemhisrulingpassion.

Onenteringtheroomthepeddlerrelievedhimselffromhisburden,which,asitstoodonthedoor,[12] reachednearly tohisshoulders,andsalutedthefamilywithmodestcivility.ToHarperhemadeasilentbow,withoutliftinghiseyesfromthecarpet;butthecurtainprevented any notice of the presence of Captain Wharton. At length, Sarah, havingselectedseveralarticles,observedinacheerfulvoice:

“But,Harvey,youhavetoldusnonews.HasLordCornwallisbeatentherebelsagain?”

Thequestionseemednottohavebeenheard,forthepeddler,buryinghisbodyinthepack,brought forth a quantity of lace of exquisite[13] fineness, and, holding it up to view, herequired the admiration of the young lady. Finding a replywas expected, he answered,slowly:

“Thereissometalk,below,aboutTarleton[14]havingdefeatedGeneralSumpter[15]ontheTigerRiver.”[16]

“Indeed!”criedtheexultingSarah;“Sumpter—Sumpter—whoishe?I’llnotbuyevenapinuntilyoutellmeallthenews,”shecontinued,laughingandthrowingdownamuslinshehadbeenexamining.

Foramomentthepeddlerhesitated;hiseyeglancedtowardHarper,whowasyetgazingat

himwithsettledmeaning,and thewholemannerofBirchwasaltered.Approaching thefire,he tookfromhismoutha largeallowanceof theVirginianweed,anddepositing it,withitsjuices,withoutmercytoMissPeyton’sandirons,[17]hereturnedtohisgoods.

“Helivesamongthecoloredpeopleinthesouth,andhehaslatelyhadascrimmagewiththisColonelTarleton”—

“Whodefeatedhim,ofcourse?”criedSarah,withconfidence.

“SosaythetroopsatMorrisania.”[18]

“Butwhatdoyousay?”Mr.Whartonventuredtoinquire,yetspeakinginalowtone.

“IrepeatbutwhatIhear,”saidBirch,offeringapieceofclothtotheinspectionofSarah,who rejected it in silence, evidently determined to hearmore before shemade anotherpurchase.

“Theysay,however,atthePlains,”[19]thepeddlercontinued,firstthrowinghiseyesagainaroundtheroomandlettingthemrestforaninstantonHarper,“thatSumpterandoneortwomorewereall thatwerehurt, and that the rig’lars[20]wereall cut topieces, for themilitiawerefixedsnuglyinalogbarn.”

“Notveryprobable,”saidSarah,contemptuously,[21]“thoughImakenodoubttherebelsgotbehindthelogs.”

“Ithink,”saidthepeddler,coolly,againofferingthesilk,“it’squiteingenioustogetalogbetweenoneandagun,insteadofgettingbetweenagunandalog.”

TheeyesofHarperdroppedquietlyonthepagesofthevolumeinhishand,whileFrances,rising,cameforwardwithasmileonherface,asshe inquired, ina toneofaffability[22]thatthepeddlerhadneverwitnessedfromtheyoungersister:

“Haveyoumoreofthelace,Mr.Birch?”

Thedesiredarticlewasproduced,andFrancesbecameapurchaseralso.

“SoitisthoughtthatColonelTarletonhasworstedGeneralSumpter?”saidMr.Wharton.

“IbelievetheythinksoatMorrisania,”saidBirch,dryly.

“Haveyouanyothernews,friend?”askedCaptainWharton,venturingtothrusthisfacewithoutthecurtains.

“HaveyouheardthatMajorAndré[23]hasbeenhanged?”

Captain Wharton started, and for a moment glances of great significance[24] wereexchangedbetweenhimandthetrader,whenheobserved,withaffectedindifference,“thatitmusthavebeensomeweeksago.”

“Is there any probability of movements below, my friend, that will make travellingdangerous?”askedHarper,lookingsteadilyattheotherinexpectationofhisreply.

SomebunchesofribbonfellfromthehandsofBirch;hiscountenancechangedinstantly,losingitskeenexpressioninintentmeaning,asheansweredslowly:“Itissometimesince

therig’larcavalrywereout,andIsawsomeofDeLancey’s[25]mencleaningtheirarmsasIpassedtheirquarters;itwouldbenowonderiftheytookthescentsoon,fortheVirginiahorsearelowinthecounty.”

“Aretheyinmuchforce?”askedMr.Wharton.

“Ididnotcountthem.”

Franceswas theonlyobserverof the change in themannerofBirch, andon turning toHarper, he had resumed his book in silence. She said, blushing with a color thatsuffused[26]herneck:

“IthoughttheSouthernhorsehadmarchedtowardstheDelaware.”

“Itmaybeso,”saidBirch;“Ipassedthetroopatadistance.”

Cæsarhadnowselectedapieceofcalico, inwhich thegaudycolorsofyellowand redwerecontrastedonawhiteground, and, after admiring it for severalminutes,he laid itdownwithasigh,asheexclaimed:“Berryprettycalico.”

The party sat in silence for many minutes after the peddler had withdrawn, when thestrangersuddenlybrokeitbysaying:

“Ifanyapprehensions[27]ofmeinduceCaptainWhartontomaintainhisdisguise,Iwishhim to be undeceived; had I motives for betraying him, they could not operate underpresentcircumstances.”

Theyoungersistersank intoherseatcolorlessandastonished.MissPeytondropped thetea-trayshewasliftingfromthetable,andSarahsatwithherpurchasesunheededinherlap, speechless with surprise.Mr.Wharton was stupefied; but the captain, hesitating amomentfromastonishment,sprangintothemiddleoftheroom,andexclaimed,ashetoreofftheinstrumentsofdisguise:

“Ibelieveyou,frommysoul,andthistiresomeimpositionshallcontinuenolonger.YetIamatalosstoconceiveinwhatmanneryoushouldknowme.”

“You really look somuchbetter inyourproperperson,CaptainWharton,” saidHarper,withaslightsmile,“Iwouldadviseyounevertoconcealitinfuture.Thereisenoughtobetray you, if other sources of detection were wanting.” As he spoke, he pointed to apicture suspended over the mantelpiece, which exhibited the British officer in hisregimentals.

“Ihadflatteredmyself,”criedyoungWharton,withalaugh,“thatIlookedbetteronthecanvasthaninamasquerade.Youmustbeacloseobserver,sir?”

“Necessityhasmademeone,”saidHarper,risingfromhisseat.

Francesmethimashewasabouttowithdraw,and,takinghishandbetweenherown,saidwith earnestness, her cheeksmantlingwith the richest vermilion[28]: “You cannot—you

willnotbetraymybrother!”

ForaninstantHarperpausedinsilentadmirationofthelovelypleader,andthen,foldingherhandsonhisbreast,herepliedsolemnly:“Icannot,andIwillnot.”Hereleasedherhands,andlayinghisownonherhead,gently,continued:“Iftheblessingofastrangercanprofityou,receiveit.”Heturned,andbowinglowretired,withadelicacythatwasdulyappreciatedbythosehequitted,tohisownapartment.

Thewholepartyweredeeplyimpressedwiththeingenuous[29]andsolemnmannerofthetraveller,andallbutthefatherfoundimmediatereliefinhisdeclaration.

CHAPTERIII.

THESTRANGER’SWARNINGANDTHEPEDDLER’SRETURN.

Ontheafternoonofthesucceedingday,thepartywereassembledintheparloraroundthetea-tableofMissPeyton,whenachangeintheweatheroccurred.Therushingwindshadceased, thepeltingof the stormwasover, and, springing to thewindow,Frances sawaglorious ray of sunshine lighting up the opposite wood. The foliage glittered with thecheckered beauties of theOctober leaf, reflecting back from themoistened boughs therichestlustreofanAmericanautumn.Inaninstant,thepiazza,whichopenedtothesouth,wasthrongedwiththeinmatesofthecottage.Theairwasmild,balmy,andrefreshing;intheeast,clouds,whichmightbelikenedtotheretreatingmassesofadiscomfited[30]army,hungaroundthehorizoninawfulandincreasingdarkness.Atalittleelevationabovethecottage,thethinvaporwasstillrushingtowardstheeastwithamazingvelocity;whileinthewestthesunhadbrokenforthandshedhispartingradianceonthescenebelow,aidedbythefullestrichnessofaclearatmosphereandafreshenedherbage.

“What a magnificent scene!” said Harper, in a low tone; “how grand! how awfullysublime!Maysuchaquiet speedilyawait thestruggle inwhichmycountry isengaged,andsuchagloriouseveningfollowthedayofheradversity!”

“Therecanbenodangerapprehendedfromsuchaman,”thoughtFrances;“suchfeelingsbelongonlytothevirtuous.”

Themusingsofthepartywerenowinterruptedbythesuddenappearanceofthepeddler.“Fine evening,” he said, saluting the party, without raising his eyes; “quite warm andagreeablefortheseason.”

Mr.Wharton assented to the remark, and inquired kindly after the health of his father.Harveyansweredwithaslighttremorinhisvoice:

“Hefailsfast;oldageandhardshipswilldotheirwork.”Thepeddlerturnedhisfacefromtheviewofmostofthefamily,butFrancesnoticedhisglisteningeyesandquiveringlips,andforthesecondtimeHarveyroseinherestimation.

ThevalleyinwhichtheresidenceofMr.Whartonstoodraninadirectionfromnorthwesttosoutheast,andthehousewasplacedonthesideofawallwhichterminated[31]itslengthintheformerdirection.Asmallopening,occasionedbytherecedingoftheoppositehill,andthefallofthelandtothelevelofthetidewater,affordedaviewoftheSound[32]overthe tops of the distant woods on its margin. The surface of the water, which had sorecently been lashing the shores with boisterous fury, was already losing its ruffleddarknessinthelongandregularundulations[33]thatsucceedatempest,whilethelightairfromthesouthwestwasgentlytouchingtheirsummits,lendingitsfeebleaidinstillingthewaters.Somedarkspotswerenowtobedistinguished,occasionallyrisingintoview,andagainsinkingbehindthelengthenedwaveswhichinterposedthemselvestothesight.They

wereunnoticedbyallbutthepeddler.Heseatedhimselfonthepiazza,atadistancefromHarper, andappeared tohave forgotten theobjectofhisvisit.His rovingeye,however,sooncaughtaglimpseofthesenewobjectsintheview,andspringingupwithalacrity[34]gazed intently towards the water. He changed his place, glanced his eye with markeduneasinessonHarper,andthensaidwithgreatemphasis:

“Therig’larsmustbeoutfrombelow.”

“Whydoyouthinkso?”inquiredCaptainWharton,eagerly.“Godsenditmaybetrue;Iwanttheirescortinagain.”

“Them ten whaleboats would not move so fast unless they were better manned thancommon.”

“Perhaps,”criedMr.Wharton inalarm,“theyare—theyareContinentalsreturningfromtheisland.”

“Theylooklikerig’lars,”saidthepeddler,withmeaning.

“Look!”repeatedthecaptain,“thereisnothingbutspotstobeseen.”

Harvey, disregarding his observation, said in an undertone, “They came out before thegale—havelaidontheislandthesetwodays—horseareontheroad—therewillsoonbefightingnearus.”During this speech,Birch several timesglanced towardsHarper,withevident uneasiness, who stood in silent contemplation[35] of the view, and seemedenjoying thechange in theair.AsBirchconcluded,however,Harper turned tohishost,and mentioned that his business would not admit of unnecessary delay; he would,therefore,availhimselfofthefineeveningtorideafewmilesonhisjourney.Mr.Whartonmademanyprofessionsofregret,butwastoomindfulofhisdutynottospeedthepartingguest,andorderswereinstantlygiventothateffect.

Every preparation being completed, Harper proceeded to take his leave. There was amutualexchangeofpolitecourtesybetweenthehostandhispartingguest;butasHarperfranklyofferedhishandtoCaptainWharton,heremarked,inamannerofgreatsolemnity:

“Thestepyouhaveundertakenisoneofmuchdanger,anddisagreeableconsequencestoyourself may result from it; in such a case, I may have it in my power to prove thegratitudeIoweyourfamilyforitskindness.”

“Surely,sir,”criedthefather,“youwillkeepsecretthediscoverywhichyourbeinginmyhousehasenabledyoutomake?”

Harper turned quickly to the speaker, and answeredmildly, “I have learned nothing inyourfamily,sir,ofwhichIwasignorantbefore;butyoursonissaferfrommyknowledgeofhisvisitthanhewouldbewithoutit.”

Hebowedtothewholeparty,andwithouttakinganynoticeofthepeddler,otherthanbysimply thanking him for his attentions, mounting his horse, and riding steadily andgracefullythroughthelittlegate,wassoonlostbehindthehillwhichshelteredthevalleytothenorthward.

AllthemembersoftheWhartonfamilylaidtheirheadsontheirpillowsthatnightwithaforebodingofsomeinterruption to theirordinaryquiet.Uneasinesskept thesistersfromenjoying their usual repose, and they rose from their beds, on the following morning,unrefreshedandalmostwithouthavingclosedtheireyes.

Thefamilywerealreadyassembledaroundthebreakfasttablewhenthecaptainmadehisappearance, though the untasted coffee sufficiently proved that by none of his relativeswashisabsencedisregarded.

“IthinkIdidmuchbetter,”hecried,takingachairbetweenhissisters,andreceivingtheirofferedsalutes,“tosecureagoodbedandsuchaplentifulbreakfast,insteadoftrustingtothehospitality[36]ofthatrenownedcorps,theCow-Boys.”

“If you could sleep,” said Sarah, “you were more fortunate than Frances and myself.Everymurmurofthenightairsoundedtomeliketheapproachoftherebelarmy.”

“Why,” said thecaptain, laughing, “Idoacknowledgea little inquietude[37]myself.Buthowwasitwithyou?”turningtohisyoungerandevidentlyfavoritesister,andtappinghercheek;“didyouseebannersintheclouds,andmistakeMissPeyton’sÆolian[38]harpforrebelliousmusic?”

“Nay,Henry,”rejoinedthemaid,“muchasIlovemycountry,theapproachofhertroopsjustnowwouldgivemegreatpain.”

The brother made no reply; when Cæsar exclaimed, with a face that approachedsomethinglikethehuesofawhiteman:

“Run,MassaHarry,run—ifheloveoldCæsar,run.Herecomearebelhorse.”

“Run!”repeatedtheBritishofficer,gatheringhimselfupinmilitarypride;“no,Mr.Cæsar,running isnotmy trade.”While speaking,hewalkeddeliberately to thewindow,wherethefamilywerealreadycollectedinthegreatestconsternation.[39]

CHAPTERIV.

CAPTAINWHARTON’SCAPTURE.

Atthedistanceofmorethanamileaboutfiftydragoonsweretobeseen,windingdownoneofthelateral[40]entrancesofthevalley.Inadvance,withanofficer,wasamanattiredin thedressofacountryman,whopointed in thedirectionof thecottage.Asmallpartynowleftthemainbodyandmovedrapidlytowardtheobjectoftheirdestination.

Onreachingtheroadwhichledthroughthebottomofthevalley,theyturnedtheirhorses’headstothenorth.

Reaching thedwellingofBirch, theymadea rapidcirclearoundhisgrounds,and inaninstanthishousewassurroundedbyadozensentinels.

Two or three of the dragoons now dismounted and disappeared; in a fewminutes theyreturned to the yard, followed by Katy, from whose violent gesticulations[41] it wasevidentthatmattersofnotriflingconcernwereonthecarpet.Ashortcommunicationwiththe housekeeper followed the arrival of themain body of the troop, and the advancingpartyremounting,thewholemovedtowardstheLocustswithgreatspeed.

AsyetnoneofthefamilyhadsufficientpresenceofmindtodeviseanymeansofsecurityforCaptainWharton;but thedangernowbecametoopressing toadmitof longerdelay,andvariousmeansofsecretinghimwerehastilyproposed.

At length his sisters, with trembling hands, replaced his original disguise. ThisarrangementwashastilyandimperfectlycompletedasthedragoonsenteredthelawnandorchardoftheLocusts,ridingwiththerapidityofthewind;andintheirturntheWhartonsweresurrounded.

Theleaderofthehorsedismounted,and,followedbyacoupleofhismen,heapproachedtheouterdoorofthebuilding,whichwasslowlyopenedforhisadmissionbyCæsar.

Aman,whosecolossal[42]staturemanifestedthepossessionofvaststrength,enteredtheroom,and,removinghiscap,hesalutedthefamilywithamildnesshisappearancedidnotindicate as belonging to his nature. His dark hair hung around his brow in profusion,thoughstainedwiththepowderthatwaswornatthatday,andhisfacewasnearlyhidinthewhiskersbywhichitwasdisfigured.Stilltheexpressionofhiseye,thoughpiercing,wasnotbad,andhisvoice,thoughdeepandpowerful,wasfarfromunpleasant.Francesventuredtothrowatimidglanceathisfigureasheentered,andsawatoncethemanfromwhosescrutinyHarveyBirchhadwarnedthemtherewassomuchtobeapprehended.

“Youhavenocauseforalarm,ladies,”saidtheofficer;“mybusinesswillbeconfinedtoafewquestions,which,iffreelyanswered,willinstantlyremoveusfromyourdwelling.

“Has therebeena strangegentlemanstayingwithyouduring thestorm?”continued thedragoon,speakingwithinterest.

“This gentleman—here—favored uswith his company during the rain, and has not yetdeparted.”

“This gentleman!” repeated the other, turning to CaptainWharton. He approached theyouthwithanairofcomicgravity,and,witha lowbow,continued,“Iamsorry for theseverecoldyouhaveinyourhead,sir.”

“I!”exclaimedthecaptain,insurprise;“Ihavenocoldinmyhead.”

“Ifanciedit,then,fromseeingyouhadcoveredsuchhandsomeblacklockswiththatuglyoldwig.Itwasmymistake;youwillpleasetopardonit.”

Mr. Wharton groaned aloud; but the ladies, ignorant of the extent of the visitor’sknowledge,remainedintremblingyetrigidsilence.Thecaptainhimselfmovedhishandinvoluntarilytohishead,anddiscoveredthatthetrepidationofhissistershadleftsomeofhis natural hair exposed. The dragoon watched the movement with a continued smile,when,seemingtorecollecthimself,turningtothefather,heproceeded:

“Then,sir,IamtounderstandtherehasnotbeenaMr.Harperherewithinaweek?”

“Mr. Harper,” echoed the other; “yes—I had forgotten; but he is gone, and if there beanythingwronginhischaracter,weareinentireignorance;tomehewasatotalstranger.”

“Youhavelittletoapprehendfromhischaracter,”answeredthedragoon,dryly;“butheisgone—how,when,andwhither?”

“Hedeparted as he arrived,” saidMr.Wharton, gathering renewed confidence from themannerofthetrooper,“onhorsebacklastevening,andhetookthenorthernroad.”

Theofficerlistenedwithintenseinterest,hiscountenancegraduallylightingwithasmileofpleasure,andtheinstantMr.Whartonconcludedhislaconic[43]replyheturnedonhisheelandlefttheapartment.Inafewmomentsordersweregiventosomeofthetroop,andhorsemenleftthevalley,atfullspeed,byitsvariousroads.

Thesuspenseofthepartywithin,whowereallhighlyinterestedwitnessesofthisscene,was shortly terminated; for the heavy tread of the dragoon soon announced his secondapproach.Hebowedagainpolitelyashereënteredtheroom,and,walkinguptoCaptainWharton,saidwithmockgravity:

“Now, sir,my principal business being done,may I beg to examine the quality of thatwig?”

TheBritishofficerimitatedthemanneroftheother,ashedeliberatelyuncoveredhishead,andhandingthewigobserved,“Ihope,sir,itistoyourliking.”

“Icannot,withoutviolatingthetruth,sayitis,”returnedthedragoon;“Ipreferyourebonyhair,fromwhichyouseemtohavecombedthepowderwithgreatindustry.Butthatmusthavebeenasadhurtyouhavereceivedunderthisenormousblackpatch.”

“Youappearsuchacloseobserverofthings,thatIshouldlikeyouropinionofit,sir,”saidHenry,removingthesilk,andexhibitingthecheekfreefromblemish.

“Uponmyword,youimprovemostrapidlyinexternals,”addedthetrooper;“ifIcouldbut

persuadeyoutoexchangethisoldsurtout[44]forthathandsomebluecoatbyyourside,Ithink I never could witness a more agreeable metamorphosis,[45] since I was changedmyselffromalieutenanttoacaptain.”

Young Wharton very composedly did as he was required, and stood an extremelyhandsome, well-dressed youngman. The dragoon looked at him for aminutewith thedrollerythatcharacterizedhismanner,andthencontinued:

“Thisisanewcomerinthescene;itisusual,youknow,forstrangerstobeintroduced;IamCaptainLawton,oftheVirginiahorse?”

“And I, sir, amCaptainWharton, of hisMajesty’s Sixtieth regiment of foot,” returnedHenry,bowingstiffly,andrecoveringhisnaturalmanner.

ThecountenanceofLawtonchangedinstantly,andhisassumedquaintnessvanished.Heviewed the figure of CaptainWharton, as he stood proudly swelling with a pride thatdisdainedfurtherconcealment,andexclaimedwithgreatearnestness:

“CaptainWharton,frommysoulIpityyou!”

“Oh,then,”criedthefather,inagony,“ifyoupityhim,dearsir,whymolesthim?Heisnota spy; nothing but a desire to see his friends prompted him to venture so far from theregulararmy,indisguise.Leavehimwithus;thereisnoreward,nosum,whichIwillnotcheerfullypay.”

“Sir,your anxiety foryour friendexcusesyour language,” saidLawton,haughtily; “butyouforgetIamaVirginian,andagentleman.”Turningtotheyoungman,hecontinued,“Wereyouignorant,CaptainWharton, thatourpicketshavebeenbelowyouforseveraldays?”

“I did not know it until I reached them, and it was too late to retreat,” saidWharton,sullenly. “I came out, as father has mentioned, to see my friends, understanding yourpartiestobeatPeekskill,[46]andneartheHighlands,orsurelyIwouldnothaveventured.”

“Allthismaybeverytrue;buttheaffairofAndréhasmadeusonthealert.Whentreasonreaches the grade of general officers, Captain Wharton, it behooves[47] the friends oflibertytobevigilant.”

Henrybowed to this remark indistant silence,butSarahventured tourge something inbehalfofherbrother.Thedragoonheardherpolitely,andansweredmildly:

“Iamnotthecommanderoftheparty,madam;MajorDunwoodiewilldecidewhatmustbe done with your brother. At all events, he will receive nothing but kind and gentletreatment.May I presume so far as to ask leave to dismount and refreshmymen,whocomposeapartofhissquadron?”

There was a manner about the trooper that would have made the omission of such arequesteasilyforgivenbyMr.Wharton;buthewasfairlyentrappedbyhisowneagernesstoconciliate,anditwasuselesstowithholdaconsentwhichhethoughtwouldprobablybeextorted; he therefore made the most of necessity, and gave such orders as wouldfacilitate[48]thewishesofCaptainLawton.

CHAPTERV.

DUNWOODIE’SINVESTIGATION.

After sufficient time had passed tomake a very comfortablemeal, a trumpet suddenlybrokeontheearsoftheparty,sendingitsmartialtonesupthevalley,instartlingmelody.Thetrooperroseinstantlyfromthetable,exclaiming:

“Quick, gentlemen, to your horses; there comes Dunwoodie;” and, followed by hisofficers,heprecipitately[49]lefttheroom.

WiththeexceptionofthesentinelslefttoguardCaptainWharton,thedragoonsmounted,andmarchedouttomeettheircomrades.

Intheadvancingtroop,onehorsemanseemedtobedistinguishedinparticularfromthosearound him. Even the steed of this youthful soldier seemed to be conscious that hesustained theweightofnocommonman.Thedragoonsat in thesaddlewithafirmnessand ease that showed him master of himself and horse, his figure uniting the justproportions of strength and activity, being tall, round, and muscular. To this officerLawtonmadehisreport,andsidebysidetheyrodeintothefieldoppositetothecottage.

Theofficergavea fewhastyorders tohis second in command,walked rapidly into thelawn,andapproachedthecottage.Thedragoonascendedthestepsofthepiazza,andhadbarelytimetotouchtheouterdoor,whenitopenedtohisadmission.

Francessilentlyledthewayintoavacantparlor,oppositetotheoneinwhichthefamilywere assembled, and turning to the soldier frankly, placing both her hands in his own,exclaimed:

“Ah,Dunwoodie,howhappyonmanyaccountsIamtoseeyou!Ihavebroughtyou inheretoprepareyoutomeetanunexpectedfriendintheoppositeroom.”

“Towhatevercauseitmaybeowing,”criedtheyouth,pressingherhandstohislips,“I,too,amhappyinbeingabletoseeyoualone.Frances,theprobation[50]youhavedecreediscruel;waranddistancemayseparateusforever.”

“Wemustsubmit to thenecessitywhichgovernsus.But it isnot lovespeechesIwouldhearnow:Ihaveotherandmoreimportantmatterforyourattention.”

“Whatcanbeofmoreimportancethantomakeyouminebyatiethatwillbeindissoluble![51]Frances,youarecold tome—me—fromwhosemind,daysof serviceandnightsofalarmhaveneverbeenabletobanishyourimageforasinglemoment.”

“Dear Dunwoodie,” said Frances, softening nearly to tears, “you knowmy sentiments.This war once ended, and youmay takemy hand forever; but I cannot consent to tiemyself toyoubyanycloserunion, so longasyouarearrayedagainstmyonlybrother.Evennow,thatbrotheriswaitingyourdecisiontorestorehimtoliberty,ortoconducthim

toaprobabledeath.”

“Yourbrother!”criedDunwoodie,startingandturningpale;“Frances!whatcanIdo?”

“Do!”sherepeated,gazingathimwildly;“wouldMajorDunwoodieyieldtohisenemieshis friend, the brother of his betrothedwife?Doyou think I can throwmyself into thearmsofamanwhosehandsarestainedwiththebloodofmyonlybrother!”

“Frances, you wring my very heart; but, after all, we may be torturing ourselves withunnecessaryfears,andHenry,whenIknowthecircumstances,maybenothingmorethanaprisonerofwar;inwhichcase,Icanliberatehimonparole.”

Francesnowledthewaytotheoppositeroom.Dunwoodiefollowedherreluctantly,andwithforebodingsoftheresult.

The salutations of the young men were cordial and frank, and, on the part of HenryWharton,ascollectedasifnothinghadoccurredtodisturbhisself-possession.

Afterexchanginggreetingswitheverymemberofthefamily,MajorDunwoodiebeckonedtothesentineltoleavetheroom.TurningtoCaptainWharton,heinquiredmildly:

“Tellme,Henry,thecircumstancesofthisdisguiseinwhichCaptainLawtonreportsyouto have been found; and remember—remember—Captain Wharton, your answers areentirelyvoluntary.”

“Thedisguisewasusedbyme,MajorDunwoodie,” replied theEnglishofficer,gravely,“toenablemetovisitmyfriendswithoutincurringthedangerofbecomingaprisonerofwar.”

“ButyoudidnotwearituntilyousawthetroopofLawtonapproaching?”

“Oh,no!”interruptedFrances,eagerly,“Sarahandmyselfplacedthemonhimwhenthedragoonsappeared;itwasourawkwardnessthatledtothediscovery.”

The countenance of Dunwoodie brightened, as, turning his eyes in fondness on thespeaker,helistenedtoherexplanation.

“Probablysomearticlesofyourown,”hecontinued,“whichwereathand,andwereusedonthespurofthemoment.”

“No,”saidWharton,withdignity;“theclotheswerewornbymefromthecity;theywereprocuredforthepurposetowhichtheywereapplied,andIintendedtousethemagaininmyreturnthisveryday.”

“Butthepickets—thepartyatthePlains?”addedDunwoodie,turningpale.

“Ipassedthem,too,indisguise.Imadeuseofthispass,forwhichIpaid;and,asitbearsthenameofWashington,Ipresumeitisforged.”

Dunwoodiecaughtthepapereagerly,andstoodgazingonthesignatureforsometimeinsilence,duringwhichthesoldiergraduallyprevailedovertheman;thenheturnedtotheprisonerwithasearchinglook,asheasked:

“CaptainWharton,whencedidyouprocurethispaper?”

“Thisisaquestion,Iconceive,MajorDunwoodiehasnorighttoask.”

“Your pardon, sir;my feelingsmay have ledme into an impropriety. This name is nocounterfeit.CaptainWharton,mydutywillnotsuffermetograntyouaparole;youmustaccompanymetotheHighlands.”

“Ididnotexpectotherwise,MajorDunwoodie.”

“MajorDunwoodie,” said Frances, “I have already acknowledged to youmy esteem; Ihavepromised,Dunwoodie,whenpeaceshallberestoredtoourcountry,tobecomeyourwife;givemybrotherhis libertyonparole,and Iwill thisdaygowithyou to thealtar,follow you to the camp, and, in becoming a soldier’s bride, learn to endure a soldier’sprivations.”

Dunwoodieseizedthehandwhichtheblushinggirlextendedtowardshim,andpresseditforamomenttohisbosom;hepacedtheroominexcessiveagitation.

“Frances,saynomore,Iconjureyou,unlessyouwishtobreakmyheart.”

“Thenyourejectmyprofferedhand?”shesaid,risingwithdignity.

“Reject it! Have I not sought it with entreaties, with tears? But to take it under suchconditions would be to dishonor both. Henrymust be acquitted; perhaps not tried. Nointercessionofmineshallbewanting,youmustwellknow;andbelieveme,Frances,IamnotwithoutfavorwithWashington.”

“Thatpaper,thatabuseofhisconfidence,willsteelhimtomybrother’scase.Ifthreatsorentreatiescouldmovehissternsenseofjustice,wouldAndréhavesuffered?”AsFrancesutteredthesewords,shefledfromtheroomindespair.

Dunwoodieremainedforaminutenearlystupefied;andthenhefollowedwithaviewtovindicate[52]himself,and to relieveherapprehensions.Onentering thehall thatdividedthe twoparlors,hewasmetbya raggedboy,who lookedonemomentathisdress,andplacingapieceofpaperinhishands,immediatelyvanishedthroughtheouterdoorofthebuilding.Thesoldierturnedhiseyestothesubjectofthenote.Itwaswrittenonapieceoftornandsoiledpaper,andinahandbarelylegible;but,aftermuchlabor,hewasabletomakeoutasfollows:

“Therig’larsareathand,horseandfoot.”

Dunwoodiestarted;and,forgettingeverythingbutthedutiesofasoldier,heprecipitatelyleft the house.Whilewalking rapidly towards the troops, he noticed on a distant hill avidette[53] ridingwithspeed;severalpistolswerefiredinquicksuccession,andthenextinstantthetrumpetsofthecorpsranginhisearswiththeenliveningstrainof“Toarms.”By this time he had reached the ground occupied by his squadron; themajor saw thateverymanwas in activemotion.Lawtonwas already in the saddle, eying the oppositeextremityofthevalleywiththeeagernessofexpectation.

CHAPTERVI.

THESKIRMISHANDESCAPEOFCAPTAINWHARTON.

Thevidettesandpatrolsnowcamepouringin,eachmakinginsuccessionhishastyreporttothecommandingofficer,whogavehisorderscoollyandwithapromptitudethatmadeobediencecertain.

Major Dunwoodie had received from his scouts all the intelligence concerning the foewhichwasnecessary toenablehimtomakehisarrangements.Thebottomof thevalleywasanevenplain,thatfellwithaslightinclinationfromthefootofthehillsoneithersidetothelevelofanaturalmeadowthatwoundthroughthecountryonthebanksofasmallstream. This brook was easily forded, and the only impediment it offered to themovementsofthehorsewasinaplacewhereitsbanksweremoresteepanddifficultofaccessthancommon.Herethehighwaycrosseditbyaroughwoodenbridge.

Thehillsontheeasternsideofthevalleywereabrupt,andfrequentlyobtrudedthemselvesinrockyprominencesintoitsbosom.Oneoftheseprojectionswasbutashortdistanceinthe rear of the squadron of dragoons, and Dunwoodie directed Captain Lawton towithdrawwith two troopsbehind itscover.Dunwoodieknewhisman,andhadselectedthecaptainforthisservicebothbecausehefearedhisprecipitationinthefield,andknew,whenneeded,hissupportwouldneverfailtoappear.OntheleftofthegroundonwhichDunwoodie intended tomeet his foe was a close wood, which skirted that side of thevalleyforthedistanceofamile.Intothis,then,theguidesretired,andtooktheirstationnearitsedge,insuchamanneraswouldenablethemtomaintainascatteringbuteffectualfireontheadvancingcolumnoftheenemy.

Dunwoodie’smennowsatpanting tobe ledoncemoreagainst foeswhomtheyseldomcharged in vain.A fewminutes enabled themajor to distinguish their character. In onetroophesawthegreencoatsoftheCow-Boysandintheothertheleathernhelmetsandwoodensaddlesoftheyagers.[54]Theirnumberswereaboutequal tothebodyunderhisimmediateorders.

OnreachingtheopenspacenearthecottageofHarveyBirch,theenemyhaltedanddrewuphismeninline,evidentlymakingpreparationsforacharge.Atthismomentacolumnoffootappearedinthevale,andpressedforwardtothebankofthebrookwehavealreadymentioned.

MajorDunwoodieatoncesawhisadvantage,anddeterminedtoprofitbyit.Thecolumnheledbeganslowlytoretirefromthefield,whentheyouthfulGermanwhocommandedthe enemy’s horse, fearful of missing an easy conquest, gave the word to charge. TheCow-Boyssprangeagerlyforwardinthepursuit;theHessiansfollowedmoreslowly,butin better order.The trumpets of theVirginiansnow sounded long and lively; theywereansweredbya strain from theparty inambush thatwent to theheartsof theirenemies.

ThecolumnofDunwoodiewheeledinperfectorder,opened,and,asthewordofchargewasgiven,thetroopsofLawtonemergedfromtheircover,withtheirleaderinadvance,wavinghissabreoverhishead,andshoutinginavoicethatwasheardabovetheclamorofthemartialmusic.

Thechargethreatenedtoomuchfortherefugeetroop.Theyscatteredineverydirection,flyingfromthefieldasfastastheirhorsescouldcarrythem.Itwasuponthepoorvassalsof theGerman tyrant that the shock fell.Manyof themwere literally riddendown,andDunwoodiesoonsawthefieldwithoutanopposingfoe.

CaptainWhartonhadbeenleftinthekeepingoftwodragoons,oneofwhommarchedtoandfroonthepiazzawithameasuredtread,andtheotherhadbeendirectedtocontinueinthesameapartmentwiththeprisoner.

ThelawninfrontoftheLocustswashiddenfromtheroadbyalineofshrubbery,andthehorsesofthetwodragoonshadbeenleftunderitssheltertoawaitthemovementsoftheirmasters.

At thismoment twoCow-Boys,whohadbeencutoff froma retreat to theirownparty,rodefuriouslythroughthegate,withanintentionofescapingtotheopenwoodintherearofthecottage.Feelingthemselvesintheprivacyofthelawn,relievedfromanyimmediatedanger, they yielded to a temptation that fewof the corpswere ever known to resist—opportunity and horseflesh—and made towards their intended prizes by an almostspontaneous movement. They were busily engaged in separating the fastenings of thehorses,whenthetrooperonthepiazzadischargedhispistols,andrushed,swordinhand,totherescue.

Thisdrewthewarydragoonintheparlortothewindow.

He threw his body out of the building, and with dreadful imprecations endeavored bythreats and appearance to frighten the marauders from their prey. The moment wasenticing. Three hundred of his comrades were within a mile of the cottage; unriddenhorses were running at large in every direction, and Henry Wharton seized theunconscioussentinelbyhis legsand threwhimheadlong into the lawn.Cæsarvanishedfromtheroom,anddrewaboltoftheouterdoor.

Recoveringhisfeet,thesentinelturnedhisfuryforamomentonhisprisoner.Toscalethewindowinthefaceofsuchanenemy,was,however,impossible,andontrialhefoundthemainentrancebarred.

His comrade now called loudly upon him for aid, and forgetting everything else, thediscomfited trooper rushed to his assistance.One horsewas instantly liberated, but theotherwas already fastened to the saddle of aCow-Boy, and the four retiredbehind thebuilding,cuttingfuriouslyateachotherwiththeirsabres,andmakingtheairresoundwiththeirimprecations.Cæsarthrewtheouterdooropen,andpointingtotheremaininghorse,thatwasquietlybitingthefadedherbageofthelawn,heexclaimed:

“Run,now,run—MassaHarry,run!”

“Yes,”criedtheyouth,ashevaultedintothesaddle,“nowindeed,myhonestfellow,isthe

timetorun.”

Whenthefortuneofthedaywasdecided,andthetimearrivedfortheburialofthedead,twoCow-BoysandaVirginianwerefoundintherearoftheLocusts,tobeincludedinthenumber.

Wharton’shorsewasofthebestVirginianblood,andcarriedhimwiththeswiftnessofthewindalongthevalley;andtheheartoftheyouthwasalreadybeatingtumultuouslywithpleasure of his deliverance, when a well-known voice reached his startled ear, cryingloudly:

“Bravelydone,captain!Don’tsparethewhip,andturntoyourleftbeforeyoucrossthebrook.”

Wharton turnedhishead in surprise, and saw, sittingon thepointof a jutting rock thatcommandedabird’s-eyeviewofthevalley,hisformerguide,HarveyBirch.TheEnglishcaptaintooktheadviceofthismysteriousbeing,andfindingagoodroadwhichledtothehighway that intersected thevalley, turneddown itsdirection,andwassoonopposite tohisfriends.Thenextminutehecrossedthebridge,andstoppedhischargerbeforehisoldacquaintance,ColonelWellmere.

“CaptainWharton!”exclaimedtheastonishedcommanderoftheEnglishtroops.

“ThankGod!”criedtheyouth,recoveringhisbreath,“Iamsafe,andhaveescapedfromthehandsofmyenemies.”

The captain briefly explained to the group of listeners the manner of his capture, thegroundsofhispersonalapprehensions,andthemethodofhisescape.Bythetimehehadconcludedhisnarration,thefugitiveGermanswerecollectedintherearofthecolumnofinfantry,andColonelWellmerecriedaloud:

“Frommy soul I congratulate you,my brave friend; prepare yourself to grantme yourassistance,andIwillsoonaffordyouanoblerevenge.”

“Idonotthinkitaltogetherprudenttocrossthisbrookintotheopenplain,inthefaceofthoseVirginianhorse,flushedastheymustbewiththesuccesstheyhavejustobtained,”returnedyoungWharton.

“DoyoucalltheroutofthoseirregularsandthesesluggishHessiansadeedtoboastof?”saidtheother.

“AndImustbeallowedtosay,ColonelWellmere,thatifthebody-guardsofmykingwerein yon field, they would meet a foe that it would be dangerous to despise. Sir, Mr.Dunwoodie is the pride ofWashington’s army as a cavalry officer,” cried Henry, withwarmth.

ColonelWellmereinquiredwithasupercilious[55]smile:

“You would not have us retire, sir, before these boasted horsemen, without doingsomethingthatmaydeprivethemofpartoftheglorywhichyouappeartothinktheyhavegained?”

“Iwouldhaveyouadvised,ColonelWellmere,ofthedangeryouareabouttoencounter.”

“Dangerisbutanunseemlywordforasoldier,”continuedtheBritishcommander,withasneer.

“And one as little dreaded by the 60th as any corps whowear the royal livery,” criedHenryWharton,fiercely;“givebutthewordtocharge,andletouractionsspeak.”

“NowagainIknowmyfriend,”criedWellmere,soothingly;“butifyouhaveanythingtosaybeforewefightthatcaninanymannerhelpusinourattack,we’lllisten.Youknowtheforceoftherebels;aretheremoreoftheminambush?”

“Yes,”repliedtheyouth,chafingstillundertheother’ssneers;“intheskirtofthewoodonourrightareasmallpartyoffoot;theirhorseareallbeforeyou.”

“Wheretheywillnotcontinuelong,”criedWellmere, turningto thefewofficersaroundhim.“Gentlemen,wewillcrossthestreamincolumnanddisplayontheplainbeyond,orelseweshallnotbeabletoenticethesevaliantYankeeswithinthereachofourmuskets.CaptainWharton,Iclaimyourassistanceasanaide-de-camp.”

Theyouthshookhisheadindisapprobationofamovementwhichhisgoodsensetaughthimwasrash,butpreparedwithalacritytoperformhisdutyintheimpendingtrial.

CHAPTERVII.

DUNWOODIE’STRAPANDTHERECAPTUREOFCAPTAINWHARTON.

During this conversation,whichwas held at a small distance in advance of theBritishcolumn,andinfullviewoftheAmericans,Dunwoodiehadbeencollectinghisscatteredtroops,securinghisfewprisoners,andretiringtothegroundwherehehadbeenpostedatthefirstappearanceofhisenemy.

CaptainLawtonsuddenlyexclaimed:“How’sthis!abluecoatamongthosescarletgentry?As I hope to live to see old Virginia, it is my masquerading friend of the 60th, thehandsomeCaptainWharton,escapingfromtwoofmybestmen!”

Hehadnot done speakingwhen the survivor of these heroes joinedhis troop, bringingwithhimhisownhorseandthoseoftheCow-Boys;hereportedthedeathofhiscomrade,andtheescapeofhisprisoner.

ThisintelligencemadeanentirechangeintheviewsofMajorDunwoodie.Hesawatoncethathisownreputationwasinvolvedintheescapeoftheprisoner,andhenowjoinedwithLawton,watchingforanopeningtoassailhisfoetoadvantage.

“There,”criedthedelightedcaptain,ashepointedoutthemovementofWellmerecrossingthebrook into theopenplain; “there comes JohnBull into themousetrap, andwithhiseyeswideopen.”

“Surely,”saidDunwoodie,eagerly,“hewillnotdisplayhiscolumnonthatflat.Whartonmusttellhimoftheambush.Butifhedoes——”

“We will not leave him a dozen sound skins in his battalion,” interrupted the other,springingintohissaddle.

Thetruthwassoonapparent;fortheEnglishcolumn,afteradvancingforashortdistanceonthelevelland,displayedwithanaccuracythatwouldhavedonethemhonoronafield-dayintheirownHydePark.[56]

“Preparetomount—mount!”criedDunwoodie.

AstheBritishlineadvancedslowlyandinexactorder,theguidesopenedagallingfire.Itbegantoannoythatpartoftheroyaltroopswhichwasnearesttothem.Wellmerelistenedtotheadviceoftheveteranwhowasnexttohiminrank,andorderedtwocompaniestodislodge the American foot from their hiding-place. The movement created a slightconfusion, andDunwoodie seized the opportunity to charge.No ground could bemorefavorableforthemanœuvres[57]ofhorse,andtheattackoftheVirginianwasirresistible.Itwasaimedchieflyatthebankoppositethewood,inordertocleartheAmericansfromthefireoftheirfriendswhowereconcealed;anditwascompletelysuccessful.Wellmere,whowas on the left of the line,was overthrown by the impetuous[58] fury of his assailants.

Dunwoodiewas in time to save him from the impending blow of one of hismen, andraisedhimfromtheground,hadhimplacedonahorse,anddeliveredtothecustodyofhisorderly.

The leftof theBritish linewasoutflankedby theAmericans,whodoubled in their rear,andthusmadetheroutinthatquartertotal.HenryWharton,whohadvolunteeredtoassistindispersingtheguides,wasstruckonhisbridle-armbyaball,whichcompelledhimtochange hands. His charger became ungovernable, and his rider, being unable with hiswoundedarmtomanagetheimpatientanimal,HenryWhartonfoundhimself,inlessthanaminute,unwillinglyridingbythesideofCaptainLawton.Thedragooncomprehendedata glance the ludicrous situation of his newcomrade, but he hadonly time to cry aloudbeforetheyplungedintotheEnglishline:

“The horse knows the righteous cause better than his rider. CaptainWharton, you arewelcometotheranksoffreedom.”

No timewas lost, however,byLawton, after the chargewascompleted, in securinghisprisoneragain;andperceivinghimtobehurt,hedirectedhimtobeconveyedtotherear.

Captain Lawton called to a youth, who commanded the other troop, and proposedchargingtheunbrokenlineoftheBritish.Thepropositionwasaspromptlyacceptedasithadbeenmade,andthetroopswerearrayedforthepurpose.Theeagernessoftheirleaderprevented the preparations necessary to insure success, and the horse, receiving adestructivefireastheyadvanced,werethrownintoadditionalconfusion.BothLawtonandhis more juvenile comrade fell at this discharge. Fortunately for the credit of theVirginians,MajorDunwoodie reëntered the field at this critical instant. The eye of theyouthful 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 hisdragoons,he recalled them to theirduty.Hispresenceandwordsacted likemagic.Thelinewasformedpromptlyandwithexactitude; thechargesounded;and, ledonby theircommander,theVirginianssweptacrosstheplainwithanimpetuositythatnothingcouldwithstand,andthefieldwasinstantlyclearedoftheenemy;thosewhowerenotdestroyedsoughtashelterinthewoods.DunwoodieslowlywithdrewfromthefireoftheEnglish,whowere coveredby the trees, andcommenced thepainfuldutyof collecting thedeadandwounded.

TheguidestookchargeofWharton,and,withaheavyheart,theyoungmanretracedhisstepstohisfather’scottage.

TheEnglishhadlostintheseveralchargesaboutone-thirdoftheirfoot,buttheremainderwere rallied in thewood;andDunwoodie,perceiving them tobe too stronglyposted toassail, had left a strongpartywithCaptainLawton,withorders towatch theirmotions,andtoseizeeveryopportunitytoharassthembeforetheyreëmbarked.

IntelligencehadreachedthemajorofanotherpartybeingoutbywayoftheHudson,andhisdutyrequiredthatheshouldholdhimselfinreadinesstodefeattheintentionsofthesealso.CaptainLawtonreceivedhisorderswithstronginjunctionstomakenoassaultonthefoe,unlessafavorablechanceshouldoffer.

Theinjuryreceivedbythisofficerwasinthehead,beingstunnedbyaglancingbullet;andpartingwitha laughingdeclaration from themajor, that ifheagain forgothimself, theyshouldallthinkhimmoremateriallyhurt,eachtookhisowncourse.

ItbecameincumbentonDunwoodietoarrangethedisposalofhisprisoners.Sitgreaveshedetermined to leave in the cottageofMr.Wharton, in attendanceonCaptainSingleton.HenrycametohimwitharequestthatColonelWellmeremightalsobeleftbehind,underhisparole.Tothisthemajorcheerfullyassented.

CaptainWhartonvoluntarilygaveapledge tohiskeepersnot to attempt to escape, andthen proceeded to execute those duties, on behalf of his father, which were thoughtnecessaryinahost.

Hisdutytothewoundedperformed,Dunwoodieproceededtothefieldwherehistroopshad 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 greatwatchfulness.

The party under Lawton had watched the retiring foe to his boats with the mostunremittingvigilance,withoutfindinganyfitopeningforacharge.Thedragoonslingeredontheshoretillthelastmoment,andthentheyreluctantlycommencedtheirownretreatbacktothemainbodyofthecorps,whichhadretiredtoasmallhamletashortdistanceabovetheLocusts,whereseveralroadsintersectedeachother.Thiswasafavoritehaltingplaceofthehorse,andfrequentlyheldbylightpartiesoftheAmericanarmy,duringtheirexcursionsbelow.

CHAPTERVIII.

THEPURSUIT.—BIRCH’SESCAPE.

Thegatheringmistsoftheeveninghadbeguntodarkenthevalley,asthedetachmentofLawtonmadeitsreappearanceatitssouthernextremity.Themarchofthetroopswasslowandtheirlineextended,forthebenefitofease.Inthefrontrodethecaptain,sidebysidewithhisseniorsubaltern,[59]apparentlyengaged incloseconference,while therearwasbroughtupbyayoungcornet,humminganair,andthinkingofthesweetsofastrawbedafterthefatiguesofahardday’sduty.

“Well,Tom,aslanderouspropensity[60]isincurable—but,”stretchinghisbodyforwardinthedirectionhewasgazing,asiftoaidhimindistinguishingobjectsthroughthedarkness,“whatanimalismovingthroughthefieldonourright?”

“’Tisaman,”saidMason,lookingintentlyatthesuspiciousobject.

“Byhishump’tisadromedary!”added thecaptain,eying itkeenly.Wheelinghishorsesuddenlyfromthehighway,heexclaimed,“HarveyBirch!—takehim,deadoralive!”

Adozenofthemen,withthelieutenantattheirhead,followedtheimpetuousLawton,andtheirspeedthreatenedthepursuedwithasuddenterminationoftherace.

Birch prudently kept his position on the rock, where he had been seen by the passingglanceofHenryWharton,untileveninghadbegun toshroud thesurroundingobjects indarkness. Itwaswithdifficulty thathehadcurbedhis impatienceuntil theobscurityofnightshouldrenderhismovingfreefromdanger.Hehadnot,however,completedafourthof his way to his own residence, when his quick ear distinguished the tread of theapproaching horse. Trusting to the increasing darkness, he determined to persevere.Bycrouching, and moving quickly along the surface of the ground, he hoped to escapeunseen. Captain Lawton was toomuch engrossed in conversation to suffer his eyes toindulgeintheirusualwandering;andthepeddler,perceivingbythevoicesthattheenemyhemost fearedhadpassed,yielded tohis impatience, and stooderect, inorder tomakegreaterprogress.Themomenthisbodyroseabovetheshadowofthegrounditwasseen,andthechasecommenced.ForasingleinstantBirchwashelpless,hisbloodcurdlinginhis veins at the imminence[61] of the danger, and his legs refusing their natural andnecessary office. But it was only for a minute; casting his pack where he stood, andinstinctively tightening the belt hewore, the peddler betook himself to flight.He knewthatbybringinghimselfinlinewithhispursuersandthewood,hisformwouldbelosttosight. This he soon effected, and hewas straining every nerve to gain thewood itself,whenseveralhorsemenrodebyhimbutashortdistanceonhisleft,andcuthimofffromthisplaceofrefuge.Thepeddlerthrewhimselfonthegroundastheycamenearhim,andwas passed unseen. But delay now became too dangerous for him to remain in thatposition.Heaccordinglyrose,andstillkeepingintheshadowofthewood,alongtheskirts

ofwhichheheardvoicescryingtoeachothertobewatchful,heranwithincrediblespeedinaparallelline,butinanoppositedirection,tothemarchofthedragoons.

AtthisinstantthevoiceofLawtonrangthroughthevalley,shouting:

“HarveyBirch!—takehim,deadoralive!”

Fiftypistolslightedthescene,andthebulletswhistledineverydirectionaroundtheheadofthedevotedpeddler.

Afeelingofdespairseizedhisheart,andinthebitternessofthatmomentheexclaimed:

“Huntedlikeabeastoftheforest!”

Theseconsiderations,withtheapproachingfootstepsofhispursuers,rousedhimtonewexertions. A fragment of wall, that had withstood the ravages made by the war in theadjoiningfencesofwood, fortunatelycrossedhispath.Hehardlyhad time to throwhisexhaustedlimbsoverthisbarrierbeforetwentyofhisenemiesreacheditsoppositeside.Their horses refused to take the leap in the dark, and amid the confusion Birch wasenabled togaina sightof thebaseof thehill, onwhose summitwasaplaceofperfectsafety. The heart of the peddler now beat high with hope, when the voice of CaptainLawtonagainranginhisears,shoutingtohismentomakeroom.Theorderwasobeyed,andthefearlesstrooperrodeatthewallatthetopofhishorse’sspeed,plungedtherowelsinhischarger,andflewovertheobstacleinsafety.

The triumphant hurrah of the men, and the thundering tread of the horse, too plainlyassuredthepeddleroftheemergency[62]ofhisdanger.Hewasnearlyexhausted,andhisfatenolongerseemeddoubtful.

“Stop,ordie!”wasutteredabovehishead,andinfearfulproximitytohisears.

Harveystoleaglanceoverhisshoulder,andsaw,withinaboundofhim,themanhemostdreaded.By the light of the stars he beheld the uplifted arm and the threatening sabre.Fear,exhaustion,anddespairseizedhisheart,andtheintendedvictimfellatthefeetofthedragoon.ThehorseofLawtonstrucktheprostratepeddler,andbothsteedandridercameviolentlytotheearth.

As quick as thought Birch was on his feet again, with the sword of the discomfiteddragoon in his hand.All thewrongs of the peddler shone on his brainwith a dazzlingbrightness. For a moment the demon within him prevailed, and Birch brandished thepowerfulweaponintheair;inthenextitfellharmlessontherevivingbuthelplesstrooper.Thepeddlervanishedupthesideofthefriendlyrock.

“HelpCaptainLawton, there!” criedMason, as he rodeup, followedby adozenof hismen; “and some of you dismountwithme and search these rocks; the villain lies hereconcealed.”

“Hold!”roaredthediscomfitedcaptain,raisinghimselfwithdifficultyonhisfeet;“ifoneof youdismount, he dies.Tom,mygood fellow, youwill helpme to straddleRoanokeagain.”

Theastonishedsubalterncompliedinsilence,whilethewonderingdragoonsremainedas

fixedintheirsaddlesasiftheycomposedapartoftheanimalstheyrode.

LawtonandMasonrodeoninsilence, the latterruminating[63]onthewonderfulchangeproducedinhiscommanderbyhisfall,whentheyarrivedoppositetothegatebeforetheresidence of Mr. Wharton. The troop continued its march, but the captain and hislieutenantdismounted,and,followedbytheservantoftheformer,theyproceededslowlytothedoorofthecottage.

AfewwordsfromMasonexplainedthenatureandmannerofhiscaptain’shurts,andMissPeyton cheerfully accorded the required accommodations.While the room intended forthetrooperwasgettingready,andthedoctorwasgivingcertainportentous[64]orders,thecaptainwasinvitedtoresthimselfintheparlor.

CHAPTERIX.

THEUNWELCOMEVISITORS.

ThehouseofBirchhadbeenwatchedatdifferenttimesbytheAmericanswithaviewtohis arrest, but never with success, the reputed spy possessing a secret means ofintelligence that invariably defeated their schemes. Once, when a strong body of theContinental armyheld theFourCorners for awhole summer, orders hadbeen receivedfrom Washington himself never to leave the door of Harvey Birch unwatched. Thecommandwas rigidly obeyed, and during this long period the peddlerwas unseen; thedetachmentwaswithdrawn,andthefollowingnightBirchreënteredhisdwelling.

ThefatherofHarveyhadkepthisdyingsituationasecretfromtheneighborhood,inthehopethathemightstillhavethecompanyofhischildinhislastmoments.Theconfusionof theday, andhis increasingdread thatHarveymightbe too late,helped tohasten theeventhewouldfainarrestforalittlewhile.Asnightsetinhisillnessincreasedtosuchadegree that the dismayed housekeeper sent a truant boy,who had shut up himselfwiththemduringthecombat,totheLocustsinquest[65]ofacompaniontocheerhersolitude.Cæsaralonecouldbespared,and, loadedwitheatablesandcordialsbythekind-heartedMissPeyton,theblackhadbeendespatchedonhisduty.Thedyingmanwaspasttheuseofmedicines,andhischiefanxietyseemedtocentreinameetingwithhischild.

Theoldmanhadclosedhiseyes,andhisattendantsbelievedhimtobeasleep.Thehousecontainedtwolargeroomsandmanysmallones.Oneoftheformerservedaskitchenandsitting-room;intheotherlaythefatherofBirch;ofthelatteronewasthesanctuaryofthevestal,andtheothercontainedthestockofprovisions.Ahugechimneyofstoneroseinthe centre, serving of itself for a partition between the large rooms; and fireplaces ofcorrespondingdimensionswereineachapartment.Abrightflamewasburninginthatofthecommonroom,andwithintheveryjambsofitsmonstrousjawssatCæsarandKaty.The African was impressing his caution on the housekeeper, and commenting on thegeneral danger of indulging an idle curiosity, when his roving eyes suddenly becamefixed,andhisteethchatteredwithaffright.Katy,turningherface,sawthepeddlerhimselfstandingwithinthedooroftheroom.

“Ishealive?”askedBirch,tremulously,andseeminglyafraidtoreceivetheanswer.

“Surely,”saidKaty,risinghastily,andofficiouslyofferingherchair;“hemustlivetillday,ortillthetideisdown.”

Disregarding all but the fact that his father still lived, the peddler stole gently into theroomofhisdyingparent.Thetiewhichboundfatherandsonwasofnoordinarykind.Inthewideworld theywereall toeachother.Approaching thebedside,Harvey leanedhisbodyforward,and,inavoicenearlychokedbyhisfeelings,hewhisperedneartheearofthesick:

“Father,doyouknowme?”Anoiseintheadjoiningroominterruptedthedyingman,andtheimpatientpeddlerhastenedtolearnthecause.Thefirstglanceofhiseyeonthefigureinthedoorwaytoldthetraderbuttoowellhiserrand,andthefatethatprobablyawaitedhimself. The intruder was aman still young in years, but his lineaments[66] bespoke amindlongagitatedbyevilpassions.Hisdresswasofthemeanestmaterials,andsoraggedand unseemly as to give him the air of studied poverty. His hair was prematurelywhitened, and his sunken, lowering eye avoided the bold, forward look of innocence.Therewasarestlessnessinhismovementsandanagitationinhismannerthatproceededfromtheworkingsofthefoulspiritwithinhim.Thismanwasawell-knownleaderofoneofthosegangsofmarauders[67]whoinfestedthecountrywithasemblanceofpatriotism,andwhowereguiltyofeverygradeofoffence, fromsimple theftup tomurder.Behindhim stood several other figures, clad in a similar manner, but whose countenancesexpressednothingmorethantheindifferenceofbrutalinsensibility.Theywerewellarmedwith 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 thetwinklingofaneyebothheandCæsarwerestrippedoftheirdecentgarments,andmadeto exchange clothes with two of the filthiest of the band. They were then placed inseparatecornersoftheroom,and,underthemuzzlesofthemuskets,requiredfaithfullytoanswersuchinterrogatories[68]aswereputtothem.

“Whereisyourpack?”wasthefirstquestiontothepeddler.

“Hearme,”saidBirch,tremblingwithagitation;“inthenextroomismyfather,nowintheagoniesofdeath;letmegotohim,receivehisblessing,andclosehiseyes,andyoushallhaveall—aye,all.”

“Answer me as I put the questions, or this musket shall send you to keep the olddriveller[69]company;whereisyourpack?”

“Iwilltellyounothing,unlessyouletmegotomyfather,”saidthepeddlerresolutely.

Hispersecutorraisedhisarmwithamalicioussneerandwasabouttoexecutehisthreatwhenoneofhiscompanionscheckedhim.

“Whatwould you do?” he said; “you surely forget the reward. Tell uswhere are yourgoods,andyoushallgotoyourfather.”

Birch complied instantly, and a man was despatched in quest of the booty; he soonreturned,throwingthebundleonthefloor,swearingitwasaslightasafeather.

“Aye,”criedtheleader,“theremustbegoldsomewhereforwhat itdidcontain.Giveusyourgold,Mr.Birch;weknowyouhaveit;youwillnottakecontinental,[70]notyou.”

“Youbreakyourfaith,”saidHarvey.

“Giveusyourgold,”exclaimedtheleaderfuriously,prickingthepeddlerwithhisbayonetuntil the blood followed his pushes in streams. At this instant a slight movement washeardintheadjoiningroom,andHarveycried,imploringly:

“Letme—letmegotomyfather,andyoushallhaveallofit.”

“Iswearyoushallgothen,”saidtheSkinner.

“Here,takethetrash,”criedBirch,ashethrewasidethepurse,whichhehadcontrivedtoconceal,notwithstandingthechangeinhisgarments.

Therobberraiseditfromthefloorwithafiendishlaugh.

“Aye,butitshallbetoyourfatherinheaven.”

“Monster!haveyounofeeling,nofaith,nohonesty?”

“Tohear him, onewould think therewas not a rope aroundhis neck already,” said theother laughing. “There isnonecessity foryourbeinguneasy,Mr.Birch; if theoldmangetsafewhoursthestartofyouinthejourney,youwillbesuretofollowhimbeforenoonto-morrow.”

This unfeeling communication had no effect on the peddler,who listenedwith gaspingbreathtoeverysoundfromtheroomofhisparent,untilheheardhisownnamespokeninthehollow,sepulchraltonesofdeath.Birchcouldendurenomore,butshriekingout:

“Father! hush—father! I come—I come!” he darted by his keeper, and was the nextmomentpinnedtothewallbythebayonetofanotheroftheband.Fortunately,hisquickmotionhadcausedhimtoescapeathrustaimedathislife,anditwasbyhisclothesonlythathewasconfined.

“No,Mr.Birch,”said theSkinner,“weknowyou toowell foraslippery rascal, to trustyououtofsight—yourgold,yourgold!”

“Youhaveit,”saidthepeddler,writhinginagony.

“Aye, we have the purse, but you have more purses. King George[71] is a promptpaymaster,andyouhavedonehimmanyapieceofgoodservice.Whereisyourhoard?Withoutityouwillneverseeyourfather.”

“Remove the stone underneath the woman,” cried the peddler, eagerly; “remove thestone.”

“He raves!He raves!” saidKaty, instinctivelymoving her position to a different stonefromtheoneonwhichshehadbeenstanding.Inamomentitwastornfromitsbed,andnothingbutearthwasseenunderneath.

“Heraves!youhavedrivenhimfromhis rightmind,”continued the tremblingspinster;“wouldanymaninhissenseskeepgoldunderahearth?”

“Peace,babblingfool!”criedHarvey.“Liftthecornerstone,andyouwillfindthatwhichwillmakeyourich,andmeabeggar.”

“And then you will be despisable,” said the housekeeper bitterly. “A peddler withoutgoodsandwithoutmoneyissuretobedespisable.”

“Therewillbeenoughlefttopayforhishalter,”criedtheSkinner,whowasnotslowtofollow the instructions of Harvey, soon lighting upon a store of English guineas. Themoneywasquickly transferred toabag,notwithstanding thedeclarationsof thespinster

thatherdueswereunsatisfied,andthat,ofright,tenoftheguineaswereherproperty.

Delighted with a prize that greatly exceeded their expectations, the band prepared todepart,intendingtotakethepeddlerwiththem,inordertogivehimuptotheAmericantroopsabove,andtoclaimtherewardofferedforhisapprehension.Everythingwasready,andtheywereabouttoliftBirchintheirarms—forheresolutelyrefusedtomoveaninch—when a form appeared in theirmidst,which appalled the stoutest heart among them.Thefatherhadrisenfromhisbed,andhetotteredforthatthecriesofhisson.Aroundhisbodywas thrownthesheetof thebed,andhisfixedeyeandhaggardfacegavehimtheappearanceofabeingfromanotherworld.EvenKatyandCæsarthoughtitwasthespiritoftheelderBirch,andtheyfledthehouse,followedbythealarmedSkinnersinabody.

Theexcitement,whichhadgiventhesickmanstrength,soonvanished;andthepeddler,liftinghiminhisarms,reconveyedhimtohisbed.Thereactionofthesystemhastenedtoclosethescene.Theglazedeyeofthefatherwasfixedupontheson;hislipsmoved,buthis voice was unheard. Harvey bent down, and, with the parting breath of his parent,receivedthepartingbenediction.

TheSkinnershadfledprecipitatelytothewood,whichwasnearthehouseofBirch,andonce safely sheltered within its shades, they halted, and mustered their panic-strickenforces.

CHAPTERX.

ACOLONIALREPAST.

ThefamilyattheLocustshadslept,orwatched,throughallthedisturbancesatthecottageofBirch,inperfectignoranceoftheiroccurrence.Additionaldutieshaddrawntheladiesfromtheirpillowsatanhoursomewhatearlierthanusual.

HenryWhartonawokefromasleepinwhichhehaddreamtofsufferingamputation;andDr. Sitgreaves pronounced that he would be a well man within a fortnight. ColonelWellmeredidnotmakehisappearance;hebreakfastedinhisownroom,andthesurgeonwasfreetogotothebedsideofCaptainSingleton,wherehehadwatchedduringthenightwithout once closing his eyes.CaptainLawtonhad been receivedwithmany courteousinquiriesafterthestateofhishealth.

A single horse chaisewas seen approaching the gate.Miss Peyton advanced to receivetheirguest.Shewasyoung,andofalightandgracefulform,butofexquisiteproportions.AsDr.Sitgreavessupportedherfromthechaise,sheturnedanexpressivelookatthefaceofthepractitioner.

“Yourbrotherisoutofdanger,andwishestoseeyou,MissSingleton,”saidthesurgeon.

Bythetimetheafternoonsunhadtravelledatwohours’ journeyfromthemeridian, theformalprocessionfromthekitchentotheparlorcommenced,undertheauspicesofCæsar,wholedthevan,supportingaturkeyonthepalmsofhiswitheredhandswiththedexterityofabalance-master.

NextfollowedtheservantofCaptainLawton,bearing,ashemarchedstiffly,ahamoftrueVirginianflavor,apresentfromthespinster’sbrotherinAccomac.Thesupporterofthissavorydishkepthiseyeonhistrustwithmilitaryprecision;anditmightbedifficulttosaywhichcontainedthemostjuice,hisownmouthorthebacon.

ThirdinthelinewastobeseenthevaletofColonelWellmere,whocarriedineitherhandchickensfricasseed,andoysterpatties.

AfterhimmarchedtheattendantofDr.Sitgreaves,whoinstinctivelyseizedanenormoustureenandfollowedoninplace,untilthesteamsofthesoupsocompletelybedimmedhisglassesthathewascompelledtodeposithisfreightonthefloor,until,byremovingthem,hecouldseehiswaythroughthepilesofreservedchinaandplate-warmers.

Next followed another trooper, conveying a pair of roast ducks. The white boy whobelonged to the house brought up the rear, groaning under a load of sundry dishes ofvegetablesthatthecook,bythewayofclimax,hadunwittinglyheapedonhim.

Cæsarhadnosoonerdepositedhisbirdthanheturnedmechanicallyonhisheel,andtookuphislineofmarchagainforthekitchen.Inthisevolutiontheblackwasimitatedbyhiscompanions in succession, and another procession to the parlor followed in the same

order.By thisadmirablearrangement,whole flocksofpigeons, certainbeviesofquails,shoalsof flat-fish,bass,andsundrywoodcock, found theirway into thepresenceof thecompany.

Athirdattackbroughtsuitablequantitiesofpotatoes,onions,beets,cold-slaw,rice,andalltheotherminutiæ[72]ofagoodlydinner.

TheboardnowfairlygroanedwithAmericanprofusion,andCæsar,glancinghiseyeovertheshowwithamostapprovingconscienceafterreadjustingeverydishthathadnotbeenplacedonthetablebyhisownhands,proceededtoacquaintthemistressoftherevelsthathistaskwashappilyaccomplished.

Much timeand some troublewereexpendedbefore thewholepartywere, to the joyofCæsar,comfortablyseatedaroundthetable.

Thoughthemeatandvegetableshadmadetheirentrancewithperfectorderandpropriety,theirexeunt[73]waseffectedmuchinthemannerofaretreatofmilitia.Thepointwastoclear the board something after the fabled practice of the harpies; and by dint ofscrambling, tossing, breaking, and spilling, the remnants of the overflowing repastdisappeared. And now another series of processions commenced, by virtue of which agoodlydisplayofpastry,withitsusualaccompaniments,garnishedthetable.

CHAPTERXI.

THEPEDDLER’SCAPTURE.

Intheconfusionandagitationproducedbytheeventswehaverecorded,thedeathoftheelderBirchhadoccurredunnoticed;butasufficientnumberof the immediateneighborswerehastily collected, and theordinary ritesof sepulture[74]werepaid to thedeceased.Birch supported the grave and collectedmanner that was thought becoming in a malemourner.

Themusclesofthepeddler’sfacewereseentomove,andasthefirstclodofearthfellonthetenementofhisfather,sendingupthatdull,hollowsoundthatspeakssoeloquentlythemortalityofman,hiswholeframewasforaninstantconvulsed.Hebenthisbodydown,asifinpain,hisfingersworked,whilethehandshunglifelessbyhisside,andtherewasanexpression inhiscountenance that seemed toannounceawrithingof thesoul;but itwasnotunresisted,and itwas transient.Hestooderect,drewa longbreath,and lookedaroundhimwith anelevated face, that seemed to smilewith a consciousnessofhavingobtainedthemastery.Thegravewassoonfilled;aroughstone,placedateitherextremity,marked itsposition,and the turf,whosefadedvegetationwasadapted to thefortunesofthedeceased,coveredthelittlehillockwiththelastofficeofseemliness.Uncoveringhishead,thepeddlerhesitatedamomenttogatherenergy,andspoke.

“Myfriendsandneighbors,”hesaid,“Ithankyouforassistingmetoburymydeadoutofmysight.”

Asolemnpausesucceededthecustomaryaddress,andthegroupdispersedinsilence.Thepeddler andKatywere followed into thebuildingbyoneman, however,whowaswellknowntothesurroundingcountrybythesignificanttermof“aspeculator.”Katysawhimenter,with a heart that palpitatedwith dreadful forebodings; butHarvey civilly handedhimachair,andevidentlywaspreparedforthevisit.

The peddler went to the door, and, taking a cautious glance about the valley, quicklyreturnedandcommencedthefollowingdialogue:

“Thesunhasjustleftthetopoftheeasternhill;mytimepressesme;hereisthedeedforthehouseandlot;everythingisdoneaccordingtolaw.”

Theothertookthepaper,andconneditscontentswithadeliberationthatproceededpartlyfrom caution, and partly from the unlucky circumstances of his education having beenmuchneglectedwhen a youth.The time thus occupied in this tedious examinationwasemployedbyHarveyingatheringtogethercertainarticleswhichheintendedtoincludeinthestoresthatweretoleavethehabitationwithhimself.

“I’mrathertimersomeaboutthisconveyance,”saidthepurchaser,havingatlengthwadedthoughthecovenants[75]ofthedeed.

“Whyso?”

“I’mafraiditwon’tstandgoodinlaw.Iknowthat twooftheneighborsleavehometo-morrowmorning,tohavetheplaceenteredforconfiscation;[76]andifIshouldgivefortypoundsandloseitall,’twouldbeadeadpullbacktome.”

“Theycanonly takemy right,” said thepeddler; “payme twohundreddollars, and thehouseisyours;youareawell-knownWhig,[77]andyouat least theywon’t trouble.”AsHarvey spoke, therewas a strange bitterness ofmanner,mingledwith the shrewd careexpressedconcerningthesaleofhisproperty.

“Sayonehundredand it isabargain,” returned themanwithagrin thathemeant foragood-naturedsmile.

“Abargain!”echoedthepeddler,insurprise;“Ithoughtthebargainwasalreadymade.”

“Nothingisabargain,”saidthepurchaser,withachuckle,“untilpapersaredelivered,andthemoneypaidinhand.”

“Youhavethepaper.”

“Aye,andwillkeepit,ifyouwillexcusethemoney;come,sayonehundredandfifty,andIwon’tbehard;here—hereisjustthemoney.”

The peddler looked from the window, and saw with dismay that the evening was fastadvancing,andknewwellthatheendangeredhislifebyremaininginthedwellingafterdark;yethecouldnottoleratetheideaofbeingdefraudedinthismanner,inabargainthathadalreadybeenfairlymade;hehesitated.

“Well,” said the purchaser, rising, “mayhap you will find another man to trade withbetweenthisandmorning;but,ifyoudon’t,yourtitlewon’tbeworthmuchafterwards.”

“Iagreetotheprice,”hesaid;and,turningtothespinster,heplacedapartofthemoneyinherhand,ashecontinued,“hadIothermeanstopayyou,Iwouldhavelostall,ratherthansuffermyselftobedefraudedofpart.”

“Youmayloseallyet,”mutteredthestranger,withasneer,asheroseandleftthebuilding.

“Haveyouanotherhousetogoto?”inquiredKaty.

“Providencewillprovidemewithahome.”

“Yes,”saidthehousekeeper;“butmaybe’twillnotbetoyourliking.”

“Thepoormustnotbedifficult.”[78]Asthepeddlerspokehedroppedthearticlehewaspackingfromhishand,andseatedhimselfonachest,withalookofvacantmisery.

“Itispainfultopartwithevenyou,goodwoman,”hecontinued;“butthehourhascome,andImustgo.Whatisleftinthehouseisyours;tomeitcouldbeofnouse,anditmayservetomakeyoucomfortable.Farewell—wemaymeethereafter.”

“In the regionsof darkness!” cried a voice that caused thepeddler to sinkon the chestfromwhichhehadrisen,indespair.

“What!anotherpack,Mr.Birch,andsowellstuffedsosoon!”

“Haveyounotdoneevilenough?”criedthepeddler,regaininghisfirmness,andspringingonhisfeetwithenergy;“isitnotenoughtoharassthelastmomentsofadyingman—toimpoverishme;whatmorewouldyouhave?”

“Yourblood!”saidtheSkinner,withcoolmalignity.

“And formoney,” criedHarvey, bitterly; “like the ancient Judas, youwould grow richwiththepriceofblood!”

“Aye, and a fair price it is, my gentleman; fifty guineas; nearly the weight of thatscarecrowcarcassofyoursingold.”

Afigurestoodintheshadowofthedoor,asifafraidtobeseeninthegroupofSkinners;butablazeoflight,aidedbysomearticlesthrowninthefirebyhispersecutors,showedthe peddler the face of the purchaser of his little domain.Occasionally therewas somewhispering between this man and the Skinner nearest to him, that induced Harvey tosuspecthehadbeen thedupeof a contrivance inwhich thatwretchhadparticipated. Itwas,however,toolatetorepine;andhefollowedthepartyfromthehousewithafirmandcollectedtread,asifmarchingtoatriumph,andnottoagallows.Inpassingthroughtheyard,theleaderofthebandfelloverabilletofwood,andreceivedamomentaryhurtfromthe fall. Exasperated at the incident, the fellow sprang to his feet, filling the air withexecrations.

“Thecurseofheavenlightonthelog!”heexclaimed;“thenightistoodarkforustomovein.Throwthatbrandoffireinyonpileoftow,tolightupthescene.”

“Hold!”criedthespeculator;“you’llfirethehouse.”

“Andseethefarther,”saidtheother,hurlingthebrandinthemidstofthecombustibles.Inaninstantthebuildingwasinflames.“Comeon;letusmovetowardstheheightswhilewehavelighttopickourroad.”

“Villain!” cried the exasperated purchaser, “is this your friendship—thismy reward forkidnappingthepeddler?”

“’Twouldbewisetomovemorefromthelight,ifyoumeantoentertainuswithabuse,orwemayseetoowelltomissourmark,”criedtheleaderofthegang.Thenextinstanthewasasgoodashisthreat,buthappilymissedtheterrifiedspeculatorandequallyappalledspinster,whosawherselfreducedfromcomparativewealthtopoverty,bytheblow.

Prudencedictatedtothepairaspeedyretreat;andthenextmorningtheonlyremainsofthedwellingofthepeddlerwasthehugechimney.

CHAPTERXII.

HOTELFLANAGANANDITSINTRUDERS.

Thepositionheldbythecorpsofdragoons,wehavealreadysaid,wasafavoriteplaceofhaltingwiththeircommander.

Acluster of somehalf-dozen small anddilapidated[79] buildings formedwhat, from thecircumstances of two roads intersecting each other at right angles,was called the FourCorners.As usual, one of themost imposing of these edifices had been termed, in thelanguage of the day, “a house of entertainment forman and beast.”On a rough board,suspendedfromthegallows-lookingpostthathadsupportedtheancientsign,waswrittenin redchalk,“ElizabethFlanagan,herhotel,”anebullition[80] of thewitof someof theidlewagsofthecorps.Thematronwasthewidowofasoldierwhohadbeenkilledintheservice, andwho, like herself, was a native of a distant island, and had early tried hisfortuneinthecoloniesofNorthAmerica.Sheconstantlymigratedwiththetroops,anditwas seldom that theybecame stationary for twodays at a timebut the little cart of thebustling woman was seen driving into the encampment, loaded with some articles sheconceived would make her presence welcome. With a celerity[81] that seemed almostsupernatural,Betty took up her ground and commenced her occupation. Sometimes thecartitselfwashershop;atothersthesoldiersmadeherarudeshelterofsuchmaterialsasoffered.Butonthepresentoccasionsheseizedonavacantbuildingandformedwhatsheherselfpronouncedtobe“mostilligantlodgings.”Themenwerequarteredintheadjacentbarns, and the officers collected in the “Hotel Flanagan,” as they facetiously[82] calledheadquarters.Bettywaswellknowntoeverytrooperinthecorps,couldcalleachbyhisChristianornickname,asbestsuitedherfancy;andalthoughabsolutelyintolerabletoallwhom habit had not made familiar with her virtues, was a general favorite with thesepartisan warriors. Her faults were, a trifling love of liquor, excessive filthiness, a totaldisregardofallthedecenciesoflanguage;hervirtues,anunboundedloveforheradoptedcountry,perfecthonestywhendealingoncertainknownprincipleswiththesoldiery,andagreat good-nature. Added to these, Betty had the merit of being the inventor of thatbeverage which is so well known, at the present hour, to all the patriots who make awinter’smarchbetweenthecommercialandthepoliticalcapitalsofthisgreatState,andwhich is distinguished by the name of “cock-tail.” Such then was the mistress of themansion,who, recklessof the coldnorthernblasts, showedherblooming face from thedoor of the building to welcome the arrival of her favorite, Captain Lawton, and hiscompanion,hermasterinsurgery.

Lawtonandhiscompanionnowenteredthebuilding.Alongtable,madefromboardstornfrom the side of an out-building, was stretched through the middle of the largestapartment, or the bar-room, and on itwas a very scanty display of crockeryware. Thesteams of cookery arose from an adjoining kitchen, but the principal attraction was ademijohnoffairproportions,whichhadbeenostentatiouslyplacedonhighbyBettyasthe

objectmostworthyofnotice.

Lawtonsoonlearned that itwas teemingwith therealamber-colored juiceof thegrape,andhadbeensentfromtheLocusts,asanofferingtoMajorDunwoodie,fromhisfriendCaptainWharton,oftheroyalarmy.

The groupwithinwere all youngmen and tried soldiers; in number theywere about adozen,andtheirmannersandtheirconversationwereastrangemixtureofthebluntnessofthe partisan with the manners of gentlemen. Some were endeavoring to sleep on thebencheswhichlinedthewalls,somewerewalkingtheapartments,andotherswereseatedinearnestdiscussiononsubjectsconnectedwiththebusinessoftheirlives.AllthistimeDunwoodie sat by himself, gazing at the fire, and lost in reflectionswhich none of hisofficerspresumedtodisturb.

Aloudsummonsatthedoorofthebuilding,andthedragoonsinstinctivelycaughtuptheirarmstobepreparedfortheworst.

ThedoorwasopenedandtheSkinnersentered,draggingthepeddler,bendingbeneaththeloadofhispack.

“WhichisCaptainLawton?”saidtheleaderofthegang,gazingaroundhiminsomelittleastonishment.

“Hewaitsyourpleasure,”saidthetrooper,dryly.

“ThenhereIdelivertoyourhandsacondemnedtraitor;thisisHarveyBirch,thepeddlerspy.”

Lawtonstartedashelookedhisoldacquaintanceintheface,andturningtotheSkinnerwithaloweringlook,heasked:

“And who are you, sir, that speak so freely of your neighbors? But,” bowing toDunwoodie, “your pardon, sir; here is the commanding officer; to him youwill pleaseaddressyourself.”

“No,”saidtheman,sullenly,“itistoyouIdeliverthepeddler,andfromyouIclaimmyreward.”

“Are you Harvey Birch?” said Dunwoodie, advancing with an air of authority thatinstantlydrovetheSkinnertoacorneroftheroom.

“Iam,”saidBirch,proudly.

“Anda traitor toyourcountry,”continued themajor,with sternness; “doyounotknowthatIshouldbejustifiedinorderingyourexecutionthisnight?”

“’TisnotthewillofGodtocallasoulsohastilytohispresence,”saidthepeddler,withsolemnity.

“Youspeaktruth,”saidDunwoodie;“butasyouroffenceismostodioustoasoldier,soitwillbesuretomeetwiththesoldier’svengeance;youdieto-morrow.”

“’TisasGodwills.”

“Ihavespentmanyagoodhourtoentrapthevillain,”saidtheSkinner,advancingfromhis little corner; “and I hope you will give me a certificate that will entitle us to thereward;’twaspromisedtobepaidingold.”

“MajorDunwoodie,”said theofficerof theday,entering theroom,“thepatrolsreportahousetobeburntnearyesterday’sbattle-ground.”

“’Twasthehutofthepeddler,”mutteredtheleaderofthegang;“wehavenotlefthimashingleforshelter;Ishouldhaveburneditmonthsago,butIwantedhisshedforatraptocatchtheslyfoxin.”

“You seem a most ingenious patriot,” said Lawton. “Major Dunwoodie, I second therequestofthisworthygentleman,andcravetheofficeofbestowingtherewardonhimandhisfellows.”

“Take it;—and you, miserable man, prepare for the fate which will surely befall youbeforethesettingofto-morrow’ssun.”

“Lifeoffersbutlittletotemptmewith,”saidHarvey,slowlyraisinghiseyesandgazingwildlyatthestrangefacesintheapartment.

“Come,worthychildrenofAmerica!”saidLawton,“followandreceiveyourreward.”

Thegangeagerlyaccepted the invitation, and followed thecaptain towards thequartersassignedtohistroop.

The officer to whose keeping Dunwoodie had committed the peddler, transferred hischarge to the custody of the regular sergeant of the guard.After admonishing the non-commissionedguardianofHarvey toomitnowatchfulness in securing theprisoner, theyouthwrappedhimselfinhiscloak,and,stretchedonabenchbeforeafire,soonfoundthereposeheneeded.Arudeshedextendedthewholelengthoftherearofthebuilding,andfromoffoneendhadbeenpartitionedasmallapartmentthatwasintendedasarepositoryformanyofthelesserimplementsofhusbandry.Theconsideratesergeantthoughtthisthemostbefittingplaceinwhichtodeposithisprisoneruntilthemomentofexecution.

SeveralinducementsurgedSergeantHollistertothisdetermination,amongwhichwastheabsenceofthewasherwoman,wholaybeforethekitchenfire,dreamingthatthecorpswasattackingapartyoftheenemy,andmistakingthenoisethatproceededfromherownnosefor thebuglesof theVirginianssounding thecharge.Anotherwas thepeculiaropinionsthat theveteranentertainedof life anddeath, andbywhichhewasdistinguished in thecorps as a man of most exemplary piety and holiness of life. Captain Lawton hadrewardedhisfidelitybymakinghimhisorderly.

FollowedbyBirch, thesergeantproceededinsilenceto thedoorof the intendedprison,and,throwingitopenwithonehand,heheldalanternwiththeothertolightthepeddlertohisprison.

Harvey thoroughly examined the place inwhich hewas to pass the night, and saw nomeans of escape. He buried his face in both hands, and his whole frame shook; thesergeant regarded him closely, took up the lantern, and, with some indignation in hismanner, 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 thenecessaryinstructionstothesentinelsforhissafe-keeping.

Hollister concluded his injunctions to the man in the shed by saying, “Your life willdependonhisnotescaping.Letnoneenterorquittheroomtillmorning.”

“But,” said the trooper, “my orders are to let thewasherwoman pass in and out as shepleases.”

“Well,letherthen;butbecarefulthatthiswilypeddlerdoesnotgetoutinthefoldsofherpetticoats.”Hethencontinuedhiswalk,givingsimilarorderstoeachofthesentinelsnearthespot.

For some time after the departure of the sergeant, silence prevailed within the solitaryprisonofthepeddler,untilthedragoonathisdoorheardhisloudbreathings,whichsoonroseintotheregularcadenceofoneindeepsleep.Themancontinuedwalkinghispost,musingonanindifferencetolifewhichcouldallownatureitscustomaryrest,evenonthethresholdofthegrave.

Hismeditationswere, however, soon interrupted by the approach of thewasherwoman,who came staggering through the door that communicated with the kitchen, mutteringexecrationsagainsttheservantsoftheofficers,who,bytheirwaggery,haddisturbedherslumbersbeforethefire.Thesentinelunderstoodenoughofhercursestocomprehendthecase;butallhisefforts toenter intoconversationwiththeenragedwomanwereuseless,andhesufferedhertoenterherroomwithoutexplainingthatitcontainedanotherinmate.Thenoiseofherhugeframefallingonthebedwassucceededbyasilencethatwassooninterruptedby the renewed respirationof thepeddler, andwithina fewminutesHarveycontinuedtobreathealoud,asifnointerruptionhadoccurred.Therelief[83]arrivedatthismoment,andat thesametime,thedooroftheprisonwasopenedandBettyreappeared,staggeringbackagaintowardherformerquarters.

CHAPTERXIII.

THESKINNERS’REWARD.

TheSkinnersfollowedCaptainLawtonwithalacritytowardsthequartersoccupiedbythetroop of that gentleman. They soon arrived at a better sort of farm-house, the veryextensiveout-buildingsofwhichwerein tolerablerepair, for thetimes.Lawtonexcusedhimselfforamoment,andenteredhisquarters.Hesoonreturned,holdinginhishandoneof thecommonstable-lanterns,and led thewaytowardsa largeorchard thatsurroundedthebuildingson three sides.Thegang followed the trooper in silence.Approaching thecaptain, the Skinner said, “Do you think the colonies will finally get the better of theking?”

“Get the better!” echoed the captain, with impetuosity; then checking himself, hecontinued, “no doubt theywill. If the French[84] will give us arms andmoney,we candriveouttheroyaltroopsinsixmonths.”

“Well,soIhopeweshallsoon;andthenweshallhaveafreegovernment,andwe,whofightforit,willgetourreward.”

“Oh!”criedLawton,“yourclaimsareindisputable;whileallthesevileTories[85]wholiveathomepeaceably,totakecareoftheirfarms,willbeheldinthecontempttheymerit.Youhavenofarm,Isuppose?”

“Notyet;butitwillgohardifIdonotfindonebeforethepeaceismade.”

“Right; studyyourown interests, andyou study the interestsofyour country;press thepointofyourownservicesandrailattheTories,andI’llbetmyspursagainstarustynailthatyougettobeacountyclerkatleast.Menwhohavenothing,actasifthewealthoftheIndiesdependedontheirfidelity;allarenotvillainslikeyourself,orweshouldhavebeenslavestoEnglandyearsago.”

“How!” shouted theSkinner, startingback, anddroppinghismusket to the level of theother’sbreast;“amIbetrayed,andareyoumyenemy?”

“Miscreant!” shouted Lawton, his sabre ringing in its steel scabbard as he struck themusketof the fellow fromhishands; “offerbut again topoint yourgunatme, and I’llcleaveyoutothemiddle.”

“Andyouwill not payus, then,CaptainLawton?” said theSkinner, trembling in everyjoint,forjustthenhesawapartyofmounteddragoonssilentlyencirclinghiswholeparty.

“Oh!payyou—yes,youshallhavethefullmeasureofyourreward.ThereisthemoneythatColonelSingleton sent down for the captor of the spy,” throwing a bagof guineaswith disdain at the other’s feet. “But ground your arms, you rascals, and see that themoneyistrulytold.”[86]

Theintimidatedbanddidastheywereordered,andwhiletheywereeagerlyemployedinthispleasingavocation,a fewofLawton’smenprivatelyknocked the flintsoutof theirmuskets.

“Well,”criedtheimpatientcaptain,“isitright—haveyouthepromisedreward?”

“Thereisjustthemoney,”saidtheleader,“andwewillnowgotoourhomes,withyourpermission.”

“Hold!somuchtoredeemourpromise—nowforjustice;wepayyoufortakingthespy,butwepunishyou for burning, robbing, andmurdering.Seize them,my lads, andgiveeachofthemthelawofMoses—fortysaveone.”

This commandwas given to no unwilling listeners, and in the twinkling of an eye theSkinnerswere strippedand fastenedby thehaltersof theparty to asmanyof theappletreesaswerenecessary tofurnishone toeachof thegang.Swordswerequicklydrawn,andfiftybrancheswerecutfromthetreeslikemagic;fromthesewereselectedafewofthemostsuppleofthetwigs,andawillingdragoonwassoonfoundtowieldeachoftheweapons.

CaptainLawtongavetheword,humanelycautioninghismennottoexceedthedisciplineprescribedby theMosaic law, and theuproar ofBabel commenced in theorchard.Theflagellation[87]wasexecutedwithgreatneatnessanddespatch,anditwasdistinguishedbynoirregularity,exceptingthatnoneofthedisciplinariansbegantocountuntilhehadtriedhiswhipbyadozenormoreblows,bytheway,astheysaidthemselves,offindingouttheproperplace to strike.As soonas this summaryoperationwas satisfactorily completed,LawtondirectedhismentoleavetheSkinnerstoreplacetheirownclothesandtomounttheirhorses, for theywereapartywhohadbeendetached for thepurposeofpatrollinglowerdowninthecounty.

“Yousee,myfriend,”saidthecaptaintotheleaderoftheSkinners,afterhehadpreparedhimselftodepart,“Icancoveryoutosomepurposewhennecessary.Ifwemeetoften,youwillbecoveredwithscars,which,ifnothonorable,willatleastbemerited.”

Thefellowmadenoreply.Hewasbusywithhismusket,andhasteninghiscomradestomarch;when,everythingbeingready, theyproceededsullenlytowardssomerocksatnogreat distance,whichwereoverhungby adeepwood.Themoonwas just rising, and atroop of dragoons could easily be distinguished where they had been left. Suddenlyturning, the whole gang levelled their pieces and drew their triggers. The action wasnoticed,andthesnappingofthelockswasheardbythesoldiers,whoreturnedtheirfutileattemptwithalaughofderision,thecaptaincryingaloud:

“Ah!rascals,Iknewyou,andhavetakenawayyourflints.”

“Youshouldhavetakenawaythatinmypouch,too,”shoutedtheleader,firinghisguninthenextinstant.ThebulletgrazedtheearofLawton,wholaughedasheshookhishead,saying:“Amissisasgoodasamile.”OneofthedragoonshadseenthepreparationsoftheSkinner—whohadbeen leftaloneby therestof thegangassoonas theyhadmadetheirabortive[88] attempt at revenge—andwas in the act of plunging his spurs into his

horse as the fellow fired.Thedistance to the rockswasbut small, yet the speedof thehorsecompelledtheleadertoabandonbothmoneyandmuskettoeffecthisescape.Thesoldier returnedwith his prizes, and offered them to the acceptance of his captain; butLawtonrejectedthem,tellingthemantoretainthemhimselfuntiltherascalappearedinpersontoclaimhisproperty.

Thepatroldeparted,and thecaptainslowly returned tohisquarterswithan intentionofretiring to rest. A figure moving rapidly among the trees in the direction of the woodwhither theSkinnershad retiredcaughthiseye,and,wheelingonhisheel, thecautiouspartisanapproachedit,and,tohisastonishment,sawthewasherwomanatthathourofthenight,andinsuchaplace.

As the captain enteredhis quarters the sentinel at thedoor inquired if he hadmetMrs.Flanagan, and added that she had passed there filling the air with threats against hertormentorsatthe“Hotel?”andinquiringforthecaptaininsearchofredress.Lawtonheardthemaninastonishment,appearedstruckwithanewidea—walkedseveralyardstowardstheorchard,andreturnedagain;forseveralminuteshepacedrapidlytoandfrobeforethedoorofthehouse,andhastilyenteringit,hethrewhimselfonabedinhisclothesandwassooninaprofoundsleep.

CHAPTERXIV.

THEDOUBLEWARNING.

Whilehiscomradesweresleepinginperfectforgetfulnessoftheirhardshipsanddangers,the slumbers of Dunwoodie were broken and unquiet. After spending a night ofrestlessnesshearose,unrefreshed,fromtherudebedwherehehadthrownhimselfinhisclothes,andwithoutawakinganyofthegrouparoundhimhewanderedintotheopenairinsearchofrelief.Inthisdisturbedstateofmindthemajorwanderedthroughtheorchard,andwasstoppedinhiswalkbyarrivingatthebaseofthoserockswhichhadprotectedtheSkinnersintheirflight,beforehewasconsciouswhitherhisstepshadcarriedhim.Hewasabouttoturnandretracehispathtohisquarters,whenhewasstartledbyavoice,biddinghim—

“Standordie!”

Dunwoodie turned in amazement, and beheld the figure of aman placed at a distanceabove him on a shelving rock with a musket levelled at himself. The light was notsufficiently powerful to reach the recesses of that gloomy spot, and a second lookwasnecessary before he discovered, to his astonishment, that the peddler stood before him.Comprehendinginaninstantthedangerofhissituation,anddisdainingtoimploremercyorretreat,hadthelatterbeenpossible,theyouthcriedfirmly:

“IfIamtobemurdered,fire!Iwillneverbecomeyourprisoner.”

“No,MajorDunwoodie,”saidBirch, loweringhismusket,“it isneithermy intention tocapturenortoslay.”

“Whatthenwouldyouhave,mysteriousbeing?”saidDunwoodie,hardlyabletopersuadehimselfthattheformhesawwasnotacreatureoftheimagination.

“Yourgoodopinion,”answeredthepeddler,withemotion;“Iwouldwishallgoodmentojudgemewithlenity.[89]MajorDunwoodie,dangerisnearthemyoulovemost—dangerwithin andwithout—doubleyourwatchfulness—strengthenyour patrols—andbe silent.With your opinion of me, should I tell you more, you would suspect an ambush. Butrememberandguardthemyoulovebest.”

The peddler discharged hismusket in the air, and threw it at the feet of his astonishedauditor.WhensurpriseandthesmokeallowedDunwoodietolookagainontherockwherehehadstood,thespotwasvacant.

Theyouthwasarousedfromthestuporwhichhadbeencreatedbythisstrangescene,bythe tramplingofhorses,and thesoundofbugles.Apatrolwasdrawnto thespotby thereportofthemusket,andthealarmhadbeengiventothecorps.Withoutenteringintoanyexplanationwithhismen,themajorreturnedquicklytohisquarters,followedbymanyofhisofficers,andprecededbySergeantHollister,wenttotheplacewhichwassupposedto

containthepeddler.

“Well, sir,” said themajor to the sentinelwhoguarded thedoor, “I trustyouhaveyourprisonerinsafety.”

“Heisyetasleep,”repliedtheman,“andhemakessuchanoise,Icouldhardlyhearthebuglessoundthealarm.”

“Openthedoorandbringhimforth.”

Theorderwasobeyed;but,totheutteramazementofthehonestveteranwhoenteredtheprison,he found the room inno littledisorder—thecoatof thepeddlerwherehisbodyought tohavebeen,andpartof thewardrobeofBettyscatteredindisorderonthefloor.Thewasherwomanherselfoccupiedthepallet,inprofoundmentaloblivion,cladaswhenlast seen, excepting a little black bonnet, which she so constantly wore that it wascommonly thoughtshemade itperformthedoubledutyofbothdayandnightcap.Thenoiseoftheirentrance,andtheexclamationsoftheparty,awokethewoman.

Dunwoodie turned to leave the apartment, and he saw Captain Lawton standing withfolded arms, contemplating the scene with profound silence. Their eyes met, and theywalkedtogetherforafewminutes incloseconversation,whenDunwoodiereturnedanddismissedtheguardtotheirplaceofrendezvous.[90]

Dr. Sitgreaves,who had been carousing at the “Hotel Flanagan,” suddenly declared hisintentionofvisitingtheLocusts,andinquiringintothestateofthewounded.Lawtonwasready for theexcursion; andmounting, theywere soonon the road, though the surgeonwasobligedtosubmit toafewjokesfromthewasherwomanbeforehecouldgetoutofhearing.

“Listen!”saidLawton,stoppinghishorse.Hehadnotdonespeaking,whenastonefellathisfeetandrolledharmlesslyacrossthepath.

“Afriendlyshot,that,”criedthetrooper;“neithertheweapon,noritsforce,impliesmuchill-will.Oh!hereistheexplanationalongwiththemystery.”Sosaying,hetoreapieceofpaper that had been ingeniously fastened to the small fragment of rockwhich had thussingularlyfallenbeforehim;andopeningit,thecaptainreadthefollowingwords,writteninnoverylegiblehand:

“Amusket ballwill go farther than a stone, and thingsmore dangerous than yarbs forwoundedmen lie hid in the rocks ofWinchester. The horse may be good, but can hemountaprecipice?”

“Thousayestthetruth,strangeman,”saidLawton,“courageandactivitywouldavailbutlittle against assassination[91] and these rugged passes.”Remounting his horse, he criedaloud,“Thanks,unknownfriend;yourcautionwillberemembered.”

Ameagrehandwasextendedforaninstantoverarock,intheair,andafterwardsnothingfurtherwasseenorheardinthatquarter,bythesoldiers.

Thepenetratinglooksofthetrooperhadalreadydiscoveredanotherpileofrocks,which,juttingforward,nearlyobstructedthehighwaythatwounddirectlyaroundthebase.

“What the steed cannot mount, the foot of man can overcome,” exclaimed the warypartisan.Throwinghimselfagainfromthesaddle,andleapingawallofstone,hebegantoascendthehillatapacewhichwouldsoonhavegivenhimabird’s-eyeviewoftherocksin question, together with all their crevices. This movement was no sooner made thanLawtoncaughtaglimpseof the figureofamanstealing rapidly fromhisapproachanddisappearingontheoppositesideoftheprecipice.

“Spur,Sitgreaves—spur!”shoutedthetrooper,dashingovereveryimpedimentinpursuit,“andmurderthevillainasheflies.”

Theformerpartoftherequestwaspromptlycompliedwith;andafewmomentsbroughtthesurgeoninfullviewofamanarmedwithamusket,whowascrossingtheroad,andevidentlyseekingtheprotectionofthethickwoodonitsoppositeside.

“Stop,myfriend—stopuntilCaptainLawtoncomesup,ifyouplease,”criedthesurgeon,observinghimtofleewitharapiditythatbaffledhishorsemanship.But,asiftheinvitationcontainednewterrors,thefootmanredoubledhisefforts,norpausedeventobreatheuntilhehadreachedhisgoal,when,turningonhisheel,hedischargedhismuskettowardsthesurgeon,andwasoutofsightinaninstant.Togainthehighwayandthrowhimselfinthesaddle,detainedLawtonbutamoment,andherodetothesideofhiscomradejustasthefiguredisappeared.

“Whichwayhashefled?”criedthetrooper.

“John,”saidthesurgeon,“amInotanon-combatant?”[92]

“Whitherhastherascalfled?”criedLawton,impatiently.

“Where you cannot follow—into the wood. But I repeat, John, am I not a non-combatant?”

The disappointed trooper, perceiving that his enemy had escaped him, now turned hiseyes,whichwere flashingwithanger,uponhiscomrade,andgraduallyhismuscles losttheirrigidcompression,hisbrowrelaxed,andhislookchangedfromitsfierceexpressionto the covert laughterwhich sooftendistinguishedhis countenance.The surgeon sat indignified composure on his horse, his thin body erect and his head elevated with theindignationofoneconsciousofhavingbeenunjustlytreated.

Their desultory discourse was soon interrupted by their arrival at the cottage of Mr.Wharton.Nooneappearingtousherthemintoanapartment,thecaptainproceededtothedoor of the parlor,where he knewvisitorswere commonly received.Onopening it, hepausedforamoment,inadmirationofthescenewithin.ThepersonofColonelWellmerefirstmethiseye,bendingtowardsthefigureoftheblushingSarahwithanearnestnessofmanner thatprevented thenoiseofLawton’sentrance frombeingheardbyeitherparty.Certainsignificantsigns,whichwereembracedataglancebythetrooper,atoncemadehim a master of their secret, and he and the surgeon retired as silently as they hadadvanced.

CHAPTERXV.

MISSWHARTON’SMARRIAGEINTERRUPTED.

TheyweremetbyMissPeyton,whoacquaintedthemoftheapproachingmarriageofhereldestnieceandColonelWellmere,andinvitedthemtobepresent.Thegentlemenbowed;andthegoodaunt,withaninherentloveofpropriety,wentontoaddthattheacquaintancewasofanolddate,andtheattachmentbynomeansasuddenthing;thattheconsenttothissuddenunionofSarahandWellmere,andespeciallyatatimewhenthelifeofamemberofthefamilywasinimminentjeopardy,[93]wasgivenfromaconvictionthattheunsettledstateofthecountrywouldprobablypreventanotheropportunitytotheloversofmeeting,andasecretdreadonthepartofMr.Whartonthatthedeathofhissonmight,byhasteninghisown,leavehisremainingchildrenwithoutaprotector.

Miss Peyton now led them to the room where Lawton had left Sarah and ColonelWellmere,andawaitedthenuptials.

Wellmere,offeringSarahhishand,ledherbeforethedivine,andtheceremonybegan.Thefirst words of this imposing office produced a dead stillness in the apartment; and theministerofGodwasabouttoproceedwhenafigure,glidingintothemidstoftheparty,atonceputastopto theceremony.Itwas thepeddler.His lookwasbitterandironical,[94]whileafingerraisedtowardsthedivineseemedtoforbidtheceremonytogoanyfurther.

“CanColonelWellmerewastethepreciousmomentshere,whenhiswifehascrossedtheoceantomeethim?Thenightsarelong,andthemoonbright;afewhourswilltakehimtothecity.”

Aghast at the suddenness of his extraordinary address,Wellmere for amoment lost thecommand of his faculties. To Sarah, the countenance of Birch, expressive as it was,producednoterror;buttheinstantsherecoveredfromthesurpriseofhisinterruption,sheturnedheranxiousgazeon the featuresof theman towhomshehadpledgedher troth.They afforded themost terrible confirmation of all that the peddler affirmed; the roomwhirledround,andshefelllifelessintothearmsofheraunt.

Theconfusionenabledthepeddlertoretreatwitharapiditythatwouldbafflepursuit,hadanybeenattempted,andWellmerestoodwitheveryeyefixedonhim,inominoussilence.

“’Tis false—’tis false as hell!” he cried, striking his forehead. “I have ever denied herclaim;norwillthelawsofmycountrycompelmetoacknowledgeit.”

“ButwhatwillconscienceandthelawsofGoddo?”askedLawton.

“’Tiswell,sir,”saidWellmere,haughtily,andretreating towards thedoor,“mysituationprotectsyounow;butatimemaycome—”

Hehadreachedtheentry,whenaslighttaponhisshouldercausedhimtoturnhishead;itwas Captain Lawton, who, with a smile of peculiarmeaning, beckoned him to follow.

Theyreachedthestablesbeforethetrooperspoke,whenhecriedaloud:

“BringoutRoanoke!”

Hismanappearedwith thesteedcaparisoned[95] for itsmaster.Lawton,coolly throwingthe 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 honorablehands,sir.InwhatbetterwaycanIservemycountrythaninexterminatingawretchwhowouldblastoneofherfairestdaughters?”

“This injurious treatment shall meet its reward,” cried the other, seizing the offeredweapon;“thebloodlieontheheadofhimwhosoughtit!”

“Amen!butholdamoment,sir.Youarenowfree,andthepassportsofWashingtonareinyourpocket;Igiveyouthefire; if I fall, there isasteedthatwilloutstrippursuit,andIadviseyoutoretreatwithoutdelay.”

“Areyouready?”askedWellmere,gnashinghisteethwithrage.

“Standforward,Tom,withthelights;fire!”Wellmerefired,andthebullionflewfromtheepauletteofthetrooper.

“Nowtheturnismine,”saidLawton,deliberatelylevelinghispistol.

“Andmine!” shouted a voice as the weapon was struck from his hand. “’Tis themadVirginian!—fallon,myboys,andtakehim;thisisaprizenothopedfor!”

Unarmed,andsurprisedashewas,Lawton’spresenceofminddidnotdeserthim;hefeltthathewasinthehandsofthosefromwhomhewastoexpectnomercy;and,asfouroftheSkinnersfelluponhimatonce,heusedhisgiganticstrengthtotheutmost.

Thestrugglewasshortbutterrific;cursesandthemostdreadfulimprecationswereutteredbytheSkinners,whoinvaincalledonmoreoftheband,whoweregazingonthecombatinnervelesshorror, toassist.Adifficultyofbreathing, fromoneof thecombatants,washeard,accompaniedby the stifledmoaningsofa strangledman;anddirectlyoneof thegrouparose fromhis feet, shakinghimself free from thewildgraspof theothers.BothWellmereandtheservantofLawtonhadfled—theformertothestables,andthelattertogivethealarm,leavingallindarkness.

Thefigurethatstooderectsprangintothesaddleoftheunheededcharger;sparksoffire,issuingfromthearmedfeetofthehorse,gaveamomentarylightbywhichthecaptainwasseendashinglikethewindtowardsthehighway.

“He’soff!”criedtheleader,hoarsewithrageandexhaustion;“fire!—bringhimdown—fire,oryou’llbetoolate!”

“Hewouldnotfallifyouhadkilledhim,”mutteredone;“I’veknowntheseVirginianssittheirhorseswithtwoorthreeballsthroughthem;aye,evenaftertheyweredead.”

“Ashorthalfhourwillbringdownthatcantingsergeantandtheguarduponus,”criedtheleader.“’Twillbeluckyifthegunsdon’tturnthemout.Quick,toyourposts,andfirethehouseinthechambers;smokingruinsaregoodtocoverevildeeds.”

Wellmere availed himself of the opportunity, and stealing from the stablewith his owncharger,hewasabletogainthehighwayunnoticed.Foraninstanthehesitatedwhethertoridetowardsthepointwhereheknewtheguardwasstationedandendeavortorescuethefamily,or,profitingbyhisliberty,toseektheroyalarmy.Shame,andaconsciousnessofguilt,determinedhimtotakethelattercourse,andherodetowardsNewYork.

Thereportofthefire-armsfirstrousedthefamilytothesenseofanewdanger,andbutamomentelapsedbeforetheleaderandonemoreofthegangenteredtheroom.

CHAPTERXVI.

HELPWELLTIMED.

But to return to thepartyat theFourCorners.Theveterangothismenmounted,whenfiringwasheard.

“Hark!What is that?” saidHollister,prickinguphis ears. “I’ll swear thatwasahumanpistol, andone fromour regiment.Rear rank, close to the front!”Avolleyofmusketrynowrattledinthenightwind,andthesergeantexclaimed:

“March!—Quicktime!”

The next instant the trampling of a horsewas heard coming up the road at a rate thatannouncedamatteroflifeordeath.

“Stand!Whogoesthere?”shoutedHollister.

“Ha!Hollister,isthatyou?”criedLawton;“everreadyandatyourpost;butwhereistheguard?”

“Athand,sir,andreadytofollowyouthroughthickandthin.”

“’Tis well!” said the trooper, riding up to his men; then, speaking a few words ofencouragement, he led them down the valley at a rate but little less rapid than hisapproach.

On arriving near the gates of the Locusts, the trooper halted his party and made hisarrangements for theassault.Dismounting,heorderedeightmen to followhisexample,and,turningtoHollister,said:

“Standyouhereandguardthehorses;ifanyattempttopass,stopit,orcutitdown,and—”Theflamesatthismomentburstthroughthedormer-windows[96]andcedarroofofthecottage,andabrightlightglaredonthedarknessofthenight.“On!”shoutedthetrooper,“on!Givequarterwhenjusticeisdone!”

Therewasastartlingfiercenessinthevoiceofthetrooperthatreachedtotheheart,evenamidthehorrorsofthecottage.Theleaderdroppedhisplunderandforamomenthestoodin nerveless dread; then, rushing to the window, he threw up the sash. At this instantLawtonentered,sabreinhand,intotheapartment.

“Die,miscreant!”criedthetrooper,cleavingamaraudertothejaw;buttheleadersprangintothelawnandescapedhisvengeance.

The shrieks of the females restored Lawton to his presence of mind, and the earnestentreatyofthedivineinducedhimtoattendtothesafetyofthefamily.Onemoreofthegangfellinwiththedragoonsandmethisdeath,buttheremainderhadtakenthealarminseason.

Aloudcrashintheupperapartmentswassucceededbyabrightlightthatglaredthroughthe open door, and made objects as distinct as day. Another dreadful crash shook thebuildingtoitscentre.Itwasthefallingoftheroof,andtheflamesthrewtheirlightabroadso as to make objects visible around the cottage through the windows of the room.Frances,whowaswithSarah,flewtooneofthemandsawtheconfusedgroupthatwascollected on the lawn.Among themwas her aunt, pointingwith distraction to the fieryedifice,andapparentlyurgingthedragoontoenterit.Forthefirsttimeshecomprehendedtheir danger, and, uttering a wild shriek, she flew through the passage withoutconsiderationorobject.

Adenseandsuffocatingsmokeopposedherprogress.Shepausedtobreathe,whenamancaughtherinhisarmsandboreher,inastateofinsensibility,throughthefallingembersand darkness to the open air. The instant that Frances recovered her recollection sheperceivedthatsheowedherlifetoLawton,and,throwingherselfonherknees,shecried:

“Sarah!Sarah!Sarah!Savemysister,andmaytheblessingofGodawaityou!”

Herstrengthfailed,andshesankonthegrassininsensibility.

Bythis timetheflameshaddispersedmuchof thesuffocatingvapor,sothat thetrooperwasable to find thedoor,and in itsveryentrancehewasmetbyamansupporting theinsensibleformofSarah.Therewasbutbarelytimetoreachthelawnagainbeforethefirebrokethroughthewindowsandwrappedthewholebuildinginasheetofflame.

“Godbepraised!”ejaculated[97] the preserver ofSarah; “itwould have been a dreadfuldeathtodie.”

Thetrooperturnedfromgazingattheedificetothespeaker,and,tohisastonishment,hebeheldthepeddler.

“Captain Lawton,” said Birch, leaning in momentary exhaustion against the fence towhichtheyhadretiredfromtheheat,“Iamagaininyourpower,forIcanneitherfleenorresist.”

“ThecauseofAmericaisasdeartomeaslife,”saidthetrooper;“butshecannotrequireherchildrentoforgetgratitudeandhonor.Fly,unhappyman,whileyetyouareunseen,oritwillexceedmypowertosaveyou.”

“MayGodprosperyou,andmakeyouvictoriousoveryourenemies!”saidBirch,graspingthehandofthedragoonwithironstrengththathismeagrefiguredidnotindicate.

“Hold!”saidLawton;“butaword—areyouwhatyouseem?—canyou—areyou?——”

“Aroyalspy,”interruptedBirch,avertinghisface,andendeavoringtoreleasehishand.

“Thengo,miserablewretch,”saidthetrooper,relinquishinghisgrasp;“eitheravariceordelusionhasledanobleheartastray!”

Thebrightlightfromtheflamesreachedagreatdistancearoundtheruins,butthewordswerehardlypastthelipsofLawton,beforethegauntformofthepeddlerhadglidedoverthevisiblespace,andhadplungedintothedarknessbeyond.

Thewalls of the cottagewere all thatwas left of thebuilding; and these, blackenedbysmoke, and stripped of their piazzas and ornaments, were but drearymemorials of thecontentandsecuritythathadsolatelyreignedwithin.Theroof,togetherwiththerestofthewood-work,had tumbled into thecellars,andpaleandflitting light,ascendingfromtheirembers,shonefaintlythroughthewindows.TheearlyflightoftheSkinnersleftthedragoonsatlibertytoexertthemselvesinsavingmuchofthefurniturewhichlayscatteredinheapsonthelawn,givingthefinishingtouchofdesolationtothescene.

“Come,” said the surgeon, “the night air can do no service to these ladies, and it isincumbent on us to remove them where they can find surgical attendance andrefreshment.”

To this rationalpropositionnoobjectioncouldbe raised,and thenecessaryorderswereissuedbyLawtontoremovethewholepartytotheFourCorners.

Thebriefarrangementsofthedragoonshadpreparedtwoapartmentsforthereceptionoftheladies,theonebeingintendedasasleeping-room,andsituatedwithintheother.

While leaning in the doorway, Lawton’s ear caught the sound of a horse, and the nextinstantadragoonofhisowntroopappeareddashinguptheroad,asifonbusinessofvastimportance.The steedwas foaming, and the riderhad the appearanceofhavingdone aday’s service.Without speaking, he placed a letter in the hand of Lawton, and led hischarger to the stable.The trooperknew thehandof themajor, and ranhiseyeover thefollowing:

“IrejoiceitistheorderofWashington,thatthefamilyoftheLocustsaretoberemovedabovetheHighlands.TheyaretobeadmittedtothesocietyofCaptainWharton,whowaitsonly for their testimony tobe tried.Youwillcommunicate this order, and with proper delicacy I do not doubt. TheEnglisharemovingup theriver;and themomentyousee theWhartons insafety,breakupandjoinyourtroop.Therewillbegoodservicetobedonewhenwemeet,asSirHenry[98]isreportedtohavesentoutarealsoldierincommand. Reports must be made to the commandant at Peekskill, forColonelSingletoniswithdrawntoheadquarters,topresideovertheinquiryuponpoorWharton.Freshordershavebeensent tohangthepeddlerifwecantakehim,buttheyarenotfromthecommander-in-chief.Detailasmallguardwiththeladies,andgetintothesaddleassoonaspossible.

“Yourssincerely,“PEYTONDUNWOODIE.”

This communication changed thewhole arrangement.A new stimuluswas given to theWhartonsby the intelligence conveyed in the letterofDunwoodie; andCæsar,withhishorses,wasoncemoreputinrequisition.

Thewordtomarchwasgiven;andLawton,throwingalookofsullenferocityattheplaceoftheSkinners’concealment,ledtheway,accompaniedbythesurgeoninabrownstudy;whileSergeantHollisterandBettybroughtup therear.Theday’smarchwasperformedchieflyinsilence,andthepartyfoundshelterforthenightindifferentfarm-houses.

CHAPTERXVII.

CAPTAINWHARTON’STRIAL.

The followingmorning the cavalcade[99] dispersed. Thewounded diverged towards theriver, with the intention of taking water at Peekskill, in order to be transported to thehospitaloftheAmericanarmyabove.

Theroadtakenbyourpartywasnottheonethatcommunicatesbetweenthetwoprincipalcitiesof theState,butwasa retiredandunfrequentedpass, that to thishour isbut littleknown, andwhich, entering the hills near the eastern boundary, emerges into the plainabove,manymilesfromtheHudson.

It would have been impossible for the tired steeds of Mr.Wharton to drag the heavychariot up the lengthened and steep ascentswhich now lay before them; and a pair ofcountry horseswas procured,with but little regard to their owner’swishes, by the twodragoons,whostill continued toaccompany theparty.With their assistance,Cæsarwasenabledtoadvance,byslowandtoilsomesteps,intothebosomofthehills.

Thedayhadbeencloudyandcool,andthinfleecycloudshungaroundthehorizon,oftenpromising todisperse,butas frequentlydisappointingFrances in thehopeofcatchingaparting beam from the setting sun. At length a solitary gleam struck the base of themountainonwhichshewasgazing,andmovedgracefullyupitsside,until,reachingthesummit,itstoodforaminute,formingacrownofglorytothesombrepile.Withafeelingofaweatbeingthusunexpectedlyadmitted,asitwere,intothesecretsofthatdesertplace,Francesgazedintently,until,amongthescatteredtreesandfantasticrocks,somethinglikearudestructurewasseen.Itwaslow,andsoobscuredbythecolorofitsmaterials,thatbutforitsroof,andtheglitteringofawindow,itmusthaveescapedhernotice.Whileyetlostintheastonishmentcreatedbydiscoveringahabitationinsuchaspot,onmovinghereyessheperceivedanotherobjectthatincreasedherwonder.Itapparentlywasahumanfigure,butofsingularmouldandunusualdeformity.Itstoodontheedgeofarock,alittleabovethehut,anditwasnodifficulttaskforourheroinetofancyitwasgazingatthevehiclesthatwereascendingthesideofthemountainbeneathher.Thedistance,however,wastoogreat for her to distinguish with precision. She continued to gaze at the mysteriousresidence, when the tones of a bugle rang through the glens and hollows, and werereëchoed in every direction, and directly a party in the well-known uniform of theVirginianscamesweepingroundthepointofarock,anddrewupatashortdistance.

Dunwoodie dashed by the party of dragoons, threw himself from his charger, andadvancedtoherside.Hismannerwasearnestandinterested.Inafewwordsheexplainedthathehadbeenorderedup,withapartyofLawton’smen,intheabsenceofthecaptainhimself,toattendthetrialofHenry,whichwasfixedforthemorrow,andthat,anxiousfortheirsafetyintherudepassesofthemountain,hehadriddenamileortwoinquestofthetravellers.Ashorthalf-hourbroughtthemtothedoorofthefarm-housewhichthecareof

Dunwoodie had already prepared for their reception, and where CaptainWharton wasanxiouslyexpectingtheirarrival.

The friendsofHenryWhartonhadplaced somuch relianceonhis innocence, that theywereunabletoseethefulldangerofhissituation.Themomentatlengtharrived,andthedifferentactorsintheapproachinginvestigationassembled.Thejudges,threeinnumber,sat by themselves, clad in the vestments of their profession, andmaintaining a gravityworthy of the occasion and becoming their rank. In the centrewas aman of advancedyears, andwhosewhole exterior bore the stamp of early and long-triedmilitary habits.Thiswas thepresidentof thecourt;andFrances,after takingahastyandunsatisfactoryview of his associates, turned to his benevolent countenance as to the harbinger[100] ofmercytoherbrother.Therewasameltingandsubduedexpressioninthefeaturesoftheveteran,that,contrastedwiththerigiddecencyandcomposureoftheothers,couldnotfailtoattracthernotice.Hisassociateswereselected fromtheEastern troops,whoheld thefortressesofWestPoint[101]andtheadjacentpasses;theyweremenwhohadattainedthemeridian[102]oflife,andtheeyesoughtinvaintheexpressionofanypassionoremotiononwhichitmightseizeasanindicationofhumaninfirmity.Intheirdemeanortherewasamild,butagrave,intellectualreserve.

BeforethesearbitersofhisfateHenryWhartonwasusheredunderthecustodyofarmedmen. A profound and awful silence succeeded his entrance, and the blood of Franceschilledasshenotedthegravecharacterofthewholeproceedings.Twoofthejudgessatingrave reserve, fixing their eyes on the object of their investigation; but the presidentcontinuedgazingroundwithuneasy,convulsivemotionsofthemusclesoftheface,thatindicatedarestlessnessforeigntohisyearsandduty.Thesilence,andtheexpectationineveryeye,atlengthstruckhim,andmakinganefforttocollecthimself,hespoke,inthetoneofoneusedtoauthority.

“Bringforththeprisoner,”hesaid,withawaveofthehand.

Francesturnedforamoment,ingratefulemotion,asthedeepandperturbedbreathingsofDunwoodie reached her ears; but her brother again concentrated all her interest in onefeelingof intensecare. In thebackgroundwerearranged the inmatesof the familywhoowned the dwelling, and behind them, again, was a row of shining faces of ebony,glisteningwithpleasedwonder.AmongthesewasthefadedlustreofCæsarThompson’scountenance.

“Youaresaid,”continuedthepresident,“tobeHenryWharton,acaptaininhisBritannicMajesty’sSixtiethregimentoffoot.”

“Iam.”

“Itisanaccusationagainstyou,that,beinganofficeroftheenemy,youpassedthepicketsof the American army at the White Plains, in disguise, on the 29th of October last,wherebyyouaresuspectedofviewshostiletotheinterestsofAmerica,andhavesubjectedyourselftothepunishmentofaspy.”

The mild but steady tones of the speaker, as he slowly repeated the substance of this

charge,werefullofauthority.Theaccusationwassoplain,thefactssolimited,theproofsoobvious,andthepenaltysowellestablished,thatescapeseemedimpossible.ButHenryrepliedwithearnestgrace:

“ThatIpassedyourpicketsindisguiseistrue;but——”

“Peace!”interruptedthepresident;“theusagesofwararesternenoughinthemselves;youneednotaidtheminyourowncondemnation.”

“The prisoner can retract that declaration, if he please,” remarked another judge. “Hisconfession,iftaken,goesfullytoprovethecharge.”

“Iretractnothingthatistrue,”saidHenry,proudly.

“Youareatlibertytoexplainwhatyourmotiveswereinenteringthegroundheldbyourarmy,indisguise,”saidtheotherjudge,withaslightmovementofthemusclesofhisface.

“Iamthesonofthisagedmanbeforeyou,”continuedHenry.“ItwastovisithimthatIencounteredthedanger.Besides,thecountrybelowisseldomheldbyyourtroops,anditsverynameimpliesarighttoeitherpartytomoveatpleasureoveritsterritory.”

“Itsnameasneutralgroundisunauthorizedbylaw;itisanappellation[103]thatoriginateswiththeconditionof thecountry.Butwhereveranarmygoes, itcarries itsrightsalong,andthefirstistheabilitytoprotectitself.”

“Iamnocasuist,[104]sir,”returnedtheyouth;“butIfeelthatmyfatherisentitledtomyaffection,andIwouldencountergreaterriskstoproveittohiminhisoldage.”

“A very commendable spirit,” cried the veteran. “Come, gentlemen, this businessbrightens.Iconfess,atfirst itwasverybad,butnomancancensurehimfordesiringtoseehisparent.”

“Andhaveyouproofthatsuchonlywasyourintention?”

“Yes—here,” saidHenry,admittinga rayofhope;“here isproof—myfather,mysister,MajorDunwoodie,allknowit.”

“Then,indeed,”returnedtheimmovablejudge,“wemaybeabletosaveyou.Itwouldbewell,sir,toexaminefurtherintothisbusiness.”

“Certainly,” said the president,with alacrity. “Let the elderMr.Wharton approach andtaketheoath.”

Thefathermadeaneffortatcomposure,and,advancingwithafeeblestep,hecompliedwiththenecessaryformsofthecourt.

“Youarethefatheroftheprisoner?”saidColonelSingleton,inasubduedvoice.

“Heismyonlyson.”

“Andwhat doyouknowof his visit to your houseon the twenty-ninthdayofOctoberlast?”

“Hecame,ashetoldyou,toseemeandhissisters.”

“Washeindisguise?”askedtheotherjudge.

“HedidnotweartheuniformoftheSixtieth.”

“To see his sisters, too!” said the president, with great emotion. “Have you daughters,sir?”

“Ihavetwo.Bothareinthishouse.”

“Hadheawig?”interruptedtheofficer.

“Therewassomesuchthing,Idobelieve,uponhishead.”

“Andhowlonghadyoubeenseparated?”askedthepresident.

“Oneyearandtwomonths.”

“Didheweara loosegreat-coatofcoarsematerials?” inquired theofficer, referring toapaperthatcontainedthecharges.

“Therewasanovercoat.”

“Andyouthinkitwastoseeyouonlythathecameout?”

“Meandmydaughters.”

“Aboyofspirit,”whisperedthepresidenttohissilentcomrade.“Iseebutlittleharminsuchafreak;’twasimprudent,butthenitwaskind.”

“DoyouknowthatyoursonwasintrustedwithnocommissionfromSirHenryClinton,andthathisvisittoyouwasnotmerelyacloaktootherdesigns?”

“HowcanIknowit?”saidMr.Wharton,inalarm.“WouldSirHenrytrustmewithsuchbusiness?”

“Know you anything of this pass?” exhibiting the paper that Dunwoodie had retainedwhenWhartonwastaken.

“Nothing—uponmyhonor,nothing,”cried the father, shrinking from thepaperas fromcontagion.[105]

“Onyouroath?”

“Nothing.”

“Have you other testimony?This does not avail you,CaptainWharton.You have beentakeninasituationwhereyourlifeisforfeited.Thelaborofprovingyourinnocencerestswithyourself.Taketimetoreflect,andbecool.”

Therewasafrightfulcalmnessinthemannerof this judgethatappalledtheprisoner.Inthe sympathy of Colonel Singleton, he could easily lose sight of his danger; but theobdurate and collected air of the others was ominous of his fate. He continued silent,castingimploringglancestowardshisfriends.

Dunwoodieunderstoodtheappeal,andofferedhimselfasawitness.Hewassworn,anddesired to relate what he knew. His statement did not materially alter the case, and

Dunwoodie felt that it couldnot.Tohimpersonallybut littlewasknown,and that littlerathermilitatedagainstthesafetyofHenrythanotherwise.Hisaccountwaslistenedtoinsilence, and the significant shake of the head thatwasmade by the silentmember tooplainlytoldwhateffectithadmade.

“Stillyouthinkthattheprisonerhadnootherobjectthanwhathehasavowed?”saidthepresident,whenhehadended.

“Noneother,Iwillpledgemylife,”criedthemajor.

“Willyouswearit?”askedtheimmovablejudge.

“HowcanI?Godalonecanseetheheart.ButIhaveknownthisgentlemanfromaboy;deceitneverformedpartofhischaracter.Heisaboveit.”

“Yousaythatheescapedandwastakeninopenarms?”saidthepresident.

“Hewas;nay,hereceivedawoundinthecombat.”

To Henry there now remained but little hope; his confidence in his security was fastebbing,butwithanindefiniteexpectationofassistancefromthelovelinessofhissisterhefixed an earnest gazeon the pallid features ofFrances.She arose, and,with a totteringstep,moved towards the judges; thepalenessofhercheekcontinuedbut foramoment,andgaveplacetoaflushoffire,andwithalightbutfirmtreadshestoodbeforethem.

“Toyou,then,yourbrotherpreviouslycommunicatedhisintentionofpayingyourfamilyasecretvisit?”

“No,no!”saidFrances,pressingherhand toherhead,as if tocollecther thoughts;“hetoldme nothing—we knew not of the visit until he arrived.But can it be necessary toexplaintogallantmenthatachildwouldincurhazardtomeethisonlyparent,andthatintimeslikethese,andinasituationlikeours?”

“Butwas this the first time?Did he never even talk of doing so before?” inquired thecolonel,leaningtowardsherwithpaternalinterest.

“Certainly, certainly,” cried Frances, catching the expression of his own benevolentcountenance.“Thisisbutthefourthofhisvisits.”

“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 whatdisguisesdidhecome?”

“Innone,fornonewerethennecessary;theroyaltroopscoveredthecountryandgavehimsafepassage.”

“Andwasthisthefirstofhisvisitsoutoftheuniformofhisregiment?”askedthecolonel,inasuppressedvoice,avoidingthepenetratinglooksofhiscompanions.

“Oh,theveryfirst!”exclaimedtheeagergirl;“hisfirstoffence,Idoassureyou,ifoffenceitbe.”

“But you wrote him—you urged the visit; surely, young lady, you wished to see your

brother?”addedtheimpatientcolonel.

“Thatwewishedfor it,andprayedfor it—oh,howferventlyweprayedfor it!—is true;but tohavecommunionwith the royalarmywouldhaveendangeredour father,andwedarednot.”

“Did he leave the house until taken, or had he intercourse with any out of your owndwelling?”

“Withnooneexceptingourneighbor,thepeddlerBirch.”

“Withwhom?”exclaimedthecolonel,turningpale,andshrinkingasfromthestingofanadder.

Dunwoodie groaned aloud, and, striking his head with his hand, cried out in piercingtones,“Heislost!”andrushedfromtheapartment.

“ButHarveyBirch,”repeatedFrances,gazingwildlyatthedoorthroughwhichherloverhaddisappeared.

“Harvey Birch!” echoed all the judges. The two immovable members of the courtexchangedlooks,andthrewaninquisitiveglanceattheprisoner.

“Toyou,gentlemen,itcanbenonewintelligencetohearthatHarveyBirchissuspectedoffavoring theroyalcause,”saidHenry,againadvancingbefore the judges,“forhehasalreadybeencondemnedbyyourtribunalstothefatethatIseenowawaitsmyself.Iwilltherefore explain that it was by his assistance I procured the disguise and passed yourpickets; but to my dying moments and with my dying breath I will avow that myintentionswereaspureastheinnocentbeingsbeforeyou.”

“CaptainWharton,”said thepresident,solemnly,“theenemiesofAmerican libertyhavemademightyandsubtleefforts tooverthrowourpower.Amoredangerousman,forhismeansandeducation,isnotrankedamongourfoesthanthispeddlerofWestchester.Heisa spy—artful, delusive, and penetrating beyond the abilities of his class. Indeed, youngman,thisisaconnectionthatmayprovefataltoyou.”

Thehonestindignationthatbeamedonthecountenanceoftheagedwarriorwasmetbyalookofperfectconvictiononthepartofhiscomrades.

“Ihaveruinedhim!”criedFrances,claspingherhandsinterror.

“Gentlemen,whatisyourpleasure?”askedthepresident.

Oneofthejudgesplacedinhishandawrittensentence,anddeclaredittobetheopinionofhimselfandhiscompanion.

It briefly stated that Henry Wharton had been detected in passing the lines of theAmericanarmyasaspy,andindisguise.

Thatthereby,accordingtothelawsofwar,hewasliabletosufferdeath,andthatthiscourtadjudgehim to thepenalty, recommendinghim tobeexecuted,byhanging,beforenineo’clockonthefollowingmorning.

“Thisisshortnotice,”saidtheveteran,holdingthepeninhishand,inasuspensethathadnoobject;“notadaytofitonesoyoungforheaven.”

“TheroyalofficersgaveHale[106]butanhour,”returnedhiscomrade;“wehavegrantedtheusualtime.ButWashingtonhasthepowertoextendit,ortopardon.”

“ThentoWashingtonwillIgo,”criedthecolonel,returningthepaperwithhissignature;“andiftheservicesofanoldmanlikeme,orthatbraveboyofmine,entitlemetohisear,Iwillyetsavetheyouth.”

Sosaying,hedeparted,fullofthegenerousintentionsinfavorofHenryWharton.

CHAPTERXVIII.

MR.HARPERISSOUGHTBUTNOTFOUND.

Thesentenceofthecourtwascommunicatedwithpropertendernesstotheprisoner,andafter giving a few necessary instructions to the officer in command, and despatching acouriertoheadquarterswiththeirreport,theremainingjudgesmountedandrodetotheirownquarters.

Afewhourswerepassedbytheprisoner,afterhissentencewasreceived,inthebosomofhisfamily.

Dunwoodie, from an unwillingness to encounter the distress of Henry’s friends, and adreadof trustinghimselfwithin its influence,hadspent the timewalkingbyhimself, inkeen anxiety, at a short distance from the dwelling. To him the rules of service werefamiliar, andhewasmoreaccustomed toconsiderhisgeneral in thecapacityofa rulerthanasexhibitingthecharacteristicsoftheindividual.

While pacing with hurried step through the orchard, laboring under these constantlyrecurring doubts, Dunwoodie saw the courier approaching; leaping the fence, he stoodbeforethetrooper.

“Whatnews?”criedthemajor,themomentthesoldierstoppedhishorse.

“Good!”exclaimedtheman;andfeelingnohesitationtotrustanofficersowellknownasMajorDunwoodie,heplacedthepaperinhishands,asheadded:“Butyoucanreadit,sir,foryourself.”

Dunwoodiepausednottoread,butflew,withtheelasticspringofjoy,tothechamberoftheprisoner.Thesentinelknewhim,andhewassufferedtopasswithoutquestion.

“OPeyton,”criedFrances,asheenteredtheapartments,“youlooklikeamessengerfromheaven.Bringyoutidingsofmercy?”

“Here, Frances—here, Henry—here, dear cousin Jeanette,” cried the youth, as withtremblinghandshebroketheseal;“hereistheletteritself,directedtothecaptainoftheguard.Butlisten!”

Alldidlistenwithintenseanxiety;andthepangofblastedhopewasaddedtotheirmisery,astheysawtheglowofdelightwhichhadbeamedonthecountenanceofthemajorgiveplacetoa lookofhorror.Thepapercontainedthesentenceof thecourt,andunderneathwaswrittenthesesimplewords:

“Approved—Geo.Washington.”

“He’slost,he’slost!”criedFrances,sinkingintothearmsofheraunt.

“Myson,myson!”sobbedthefather,“thereismercyinheaven,ifthereisnoneonearth.MayWashingtonneverwantthatmercyhethusdeniestomyinnocentchild!”

“ThereisyettimetoseeWashingtonagain,”saidMissPeyton,movingtowardsthedoor;andthen,speakingwithextremedignity,shecontinued:“Iwillgomyself;surelyhemustlisten toawoman fromhisowncolony;andweare in somedegreeconnectedwithhisfamily.”

“WhynotapplytoMr.Harper?”saidFrances,recollectingthepartingwordsoftheirguestforthefirsttime.

“Harper!”echoedDunwoodie,turningtowardsherwiththeswiftnessoflightning;“whatofhim?Doyouknowhim?”

“Itisinvain,”saidHenry,drawinghimaside;“Francesclingstohopewiththefondnessofasister.Retire,mylove,andleavemewithmyfriend.”

ButFrancesreadanexpressionintheeyeofDunwoodiethatchainedhertothespot.Afterstrugglingtocommandherfeelings,shecontinued:

“Hestayedwithusforafewdays;hewaswithuswhenHenrywasarrested.”

“And—and—didyouknowhim?”

“Nay,”continuedFrances,catchingherbreathasshewitnessedtheintenseinterestofherlover, “weknewhimnot; he came to us in the night, a stranger, and remainedwith usduringtheseverestorm;butheseemedtotakeaninterestinHenry,andpromisedhimhisfriendship.”

“What!”exclaimedtheyouth,inastonishment;“didheknowyourbrother?”

“Certainly;itwasathisrequestthatHenrythrewasidehisdisguise.”

“But,”saidDunwoodie,turningpalewithsuspense,“heknewhimnotasanofficeroftheroyalarmy?”

“Indeedhedid,”criedMissPeyton;“andhecautionedusagainstthisverydanger.”

Dunwoodiecaughtupthefatalpaper,thatlaywhereithadfallenfromhisownhands,andstudied its characters intently. Something seemed to bewilder his brain. He passed hishandoverhisforehead,whileeacheyewasfixedonhimindreadfulsuspense—allfeelingafraidtoadmitthosehopesanewthathadbeensosadlydestroyed.

“Whatsaidhe?whatpromisedhe?”atlengthDunwoodieasked,withfeverishimpatience.

“He bid Henry apply to him when in danger, and promised to requite the son for thehospitalityofthefather.”

“Saidhethis,knowinghimtobeaBritishofficer?”

“Mostcertainly;andwithaviewtothisverydanger.”

“Then,”criedtheyouthaloud,andyieldingtohisrapture,“thenyouaresafe—thenIwillsavehim;yes,Harperwillneverforgethisword.”

“But has he the power to?” said Frances. “Can he move the stubborn purpose ofWashington?”

“Canhe!Ifhecannot,”shoutedtheyouth,“ifhecannot,whocan?Greene,[107]andHeath,[108]andtheyoungHamilton[109]arenothingcomparedtothisHarper.But,”rushingtohismistress, and pressing her hands convulsively, “repeat to me—you say you have hispromise?”

“Surely,surely,Peyton;hissolemn,deliberatepromise,knowingallthecircumstances.”

“Rest easy,” criedDunwoodie, holding her to his bosom for amoment, “rest easy, forHenryissafe.”

Hewaited not to explain, but darting from the room, he left the family in amazement.Theycontinuedinsilentwonderuntiltheyheardthefeetofhischargerashedashedfromthedoorwiththespeedofanarrow.

Alongtimewasspentafterthisabruptdepartureoftheyouth,bytheanxiousfriendshehadleft, indiscussing theprobabilityofhissuccess.Theconfidenceofhismannerhad,however, communicated to his auditors something of his own spirit. Each felt theprospectsofHenrywereagainbrightening,andwiththeirrevivinghopestheyexperiencedarenewalofspirits,whichinallbutHenryhimselfamountedtopleasure.Francesreposedin security on the assurance of Dunwoodie; believing her lover able to accomplisheverything that man could do and retaining a vivid recollection of the manner andbenevolent appearance ofHarper, she abandoned herself to all the felicity of renovatedhope.

Fromthewindowwhereshestood,thepassthattheyhadtravelledthroughtheHighlandswaseasilytobeseen;andthemountainwhichheldonitssummitthemysterioushutwasdirectly before her. Its sides were rugged and barren; huge and apparently impassablebarriersofrockspresentingthemselvesthroughthestuntedoaks,which,strippedoftheirfoliage,werescatteredoveritssurface.Thebaseofthehillwasnothalfamilefromthehouse, and the object which attracted the notice of Frances was the figure of a manemergingfrombehindarockofremarkableformation,andassuddenlydisappearing.Themanœuvrewasseveraltimesrepeated,asifitweretheintentionofthefugitive(forsuchby his air he seemed to be) to reconnoitre the proceedings of the soldiery, and assurehimself of the position of things on the plain. Notwithstanding the distance, Francesinstantly imbibed theopinion that itwasBirch,whohad soconnectedhimselfwith themysteriousdeportmentofHarper,withinherimagination,thatundercircumstancesoflessagitationthanthoseinwhichshehadlaboredsinceherarrival,shewouldhavekepthersuspicionstoherself.Aftergazingforalongtimeatthepointwhereshehadlastseenthefigure, in the vain expectation of its reappearance, she turned to her friends in theapartment.

Dunwoodiesoonmadehisappearance,buthisairwasthatofneithersuccessnordefeat,butofvexation.HetookthehandofFrances,inthefulnessofherheartextendedtowardshim,butinstantlyrelinquishingit,threwhimselfintoachair,inevidentfatigue.

“You have failed,” said Wharton, with a bound of his heart, but an appearance ofcomposure.

“HaveyouseenHarper?”criedFrances,turningpale.

“Ihavenot; Icrossed theriver inoneboatashemusthavebeencoming to thisside inanother.Ireturnedwithoutdelaytorelieveyouruneasiness.IwillthisnightseehimandbringarespiteforHenry.”

“ButyousawWashington?”askedMissPeyton.

“Thecommander-in-chiefhadlefthisquarters.”

“But,Peyton,”criedFrances,inreturningterror,“iftheyshouldnotseeeachother,itwillbetoolate.Harperalonewillnotbesufficient.”

“YousaythathepromisedtoassistHenry?”

“Certainly,ofhisownaccord,andinrequitalforthehospitalityhehadreceived.”

“Ilikenotthatword‘hospitality’—ithasanemptysound;theremustbesomethingmorereasonabletotieHarper.Idreadsomemistake:repeattomeallthatpassed.”

Frances,inahurriedandearnestvoice,compliedwithhisrequest.SherelatedparticularlythemannerofhisarrivalattheLocusts,thereceptionthathereceived,andtheeventsthatpassed,asminutelyashermemorycouldsupplyherwiththemeans.

As she alluded to the conversation that occurred between her father and his guest, themajorsmiledbutremainedsilent.ShethengaveadetailofHenry’sarrival,andtheeventsofthefollowingday.ShedweltuponthepartwhereHarperdesiredherbrothertothrowasidehisdisguise,andrecounted,withwonderfulaccuracy,hisremarksuponthehazardofthestepthattheyouthhadtaken.Sheevenrememberedaremarkableexpressionofhistoherbrother,“thathewassaferfromHarper’sknowledgeofhisperson,thanhewouldbewithoutit.”Francesmentioned,withthewarmthofyouthfuladmiration,thebenevolentcharacter of his deportment to herself, and gave aminute relation of his adieus to thewholefamily.

Dunwoodie at first listened with grave attention; evident satisfaction followed as sheproceeded. When she spoke of herself in connection with her guest, he smiled withpleasure,andassheconcluded,heexclaimedwithdelight:

“Wearesafe!—wearesafe!”

CHAPTERXIX.

WHATCAMEOFAREVERENDGENTLEMAN’SVISITTOCAPTAINWHARTON.

Buthewasinterruptedbytheopeningofthedoorbythecorporaloftheguard,whostatedthatthewomanofthehousedesiredadmittance.

“Admitthewoman,”saidDunwoodie,sternly.

“Hereisareverendgentlemanbelow,cometosoothethepartingsoul,inplaceofourowndivine,whoisengagedwithanappointmentthatcouldnotbeputaside.”

“Showhimin,”saidHenry,withfeverishimpatience.

Dunwoodie spoke a few words with Henry in an undertone, and hastened from theapartment, followedbyFrances.Thesubjectof theirconversationwasawishexpressedbytheprisonerforaclergymanofhisownpersuasion.

Thepersonwhowasusheredintotheapartment,precededbyCæsar,andfollowedbythematron,wasamanbeyondthemiddleage,orwhomightratherbesaid toapproachthedown-hilloflife.

In stature hewas above the ordinary size ofmen, though his excessive leannessmightcontribute indeceivingas tohisheight; his countenancewas sharp andunbending, andeverymuscleseemedsetinrigidcompression.Nojoyorrelaxationappearedevertohavedweltonfeaturesthatfrownedhabitually,asifindetestationofthevicesofmankind.Thebrowswerebeetling,dark,andforbidding,givingthepromiseofeyesofnolessrepellingexpression; but the organs were concealed beneath a pair of enormous green goggles,throughwhichheglaredaroundwithafiercenessthatdenouncedthecomingdayofwrath.Allwasfanaticism,[110]uncharitableness,anddenunciation.Long,lankhair,amixtureofgrayandblack,felldownhisneck,andinsomedegreeobscuredthesidesofhisface,and,partingonhisforehead,fellineitherdirectioninstraightandformalscreens.Onthetopofthis ungraceful exhibition was laid, impending forward, so as to overhang in somemeasurethewholefabric,alargehatofthreeequalcocks.Hiscoatwasofarustyblack,andhisbreechesandstockingswereofthesamecolor;hisshoeswithoutlustre,andhalfconcealedbeneathhugeplatedbuckles.

Hestalkedintotheroom,andgivingastiffnodwithhishead,tookthechairofferedhimbytheblack,indignifiedsilence.Forseveralminutesnoonebrokethisominouspauseintheconversation;Henryfeelingarepugnance[111]tohisguestthathewasendeavoringtoconquer, and the stranger himself drawing forth occasional sighs and groans thatthreatenedadissolutionoftheunequalconnectionbetweenhissublimated[112]soulanditsungainlytenement.Duringthisdeathlikepreparation,Mr.Wharton,withafeelingnearly

allied to that of his son, led Sarah from the apartment. His retreat was noticed by thedivine,inakindofscornfuldisdain,whobegantohumtheairofapopularpsalmtune,givingitthefullrichnessofthetwangthatdistinguishedtheEasternpsalmody.

“Mypresencedisturbsyou,”saidMissPeyton,rising;“Iwillleaveyouwithmynephew,andofferthoseprayersinprivatethatIdidwishtominglewithhis.”

Sosaying,shewithdrew,followedbythelandlady.

Theministerstooderect,withgravecomposure,followingwithhiseyethedepartureofthefemales.Athirdvoicespoke.

“Who’s that?”cried theprisoner, inamazement,gazingaround theroominquestof thespeaker.

“ItisI,CaptainWharton,”saidHarveyBirch,removingthespectacles,andexhibitinghispiercingeyesshiningunderapairoffalseeyebrows.

“GoodHeaven—Harvey!”

“Silence,” said thepeddler, solemnly;“’tisanamenot tobementioned,and leastofallhere,within theheartof theAmericanarmy.”Birchpausedandgazedaroundhimforamoment, with an emotion exceeding the base passion of fear, and then continued in agloomytone:“Thereareathousandhaltersinthatveryname,andlittlehopewouldtherebeleftmeofanotherescape,shouldIbeagaintaken.ThisisafearfulventurethatIammaking;butIcouldnotsleepinquiet,andknowthataninnocentmanwasabouttodiethedeathofadog,whenImightsavehim.”

“No,”saidHenry,withaglowofgenerousfeelingonhischeek;“iftherisktoyourselfbesoheavy,retireasyoucame,andleavemetomyfate.Dunwoodieismaking,evennow,powerful exertions inmy behalf; and if hemeetswithMr.Harper in the course of thenight,myliberationiscertain.”

“Harper!”echoedthepeddler,remainingwithhishandsraised,intheactofreplacinghisspectacles;“whatdoyouknowofHarper,andwhydoyouthinkhewilldoyouservice?”

“I havehis promise; you rememberour recentmeeting inmy father’s dwelling, andhethengavemeanunaskedpromisetoassistme.”

“Yes;butdoyouknowhim?—thatis,whydoyouthinkhehasthepower,orwhatreasonhaveyouforbelievinghewillrememberhisword?”

“Ifthereeverwasthestampoftruthorsimplehonestbenevolenceinthecountenanceofman,itshoneinhis,”saidHenry;“besides,Dunwoodiehaspowerfulfriendsintherebelarmy,anditwouldbebetterthatItakethechancewhereIam,thanthustoexposeyoutocertaindeath,ifdetected.”

“CaptainWharton,”saidBirch,“ifIfail,youallfail.NoHarpernorDunwoodiecansaveyourlife;unlessyougetoutwithme,andthatwithinthehour,youdieto-morrowonthegallowsofamurderer.Cæsarmetmeashewasgoingonhiserrandthismorning,andwithhimIlaidtheplanwhich,ifexecutedasIwish,willsaveyou—otherwiseyouarelost;andagainItellyou,thatnopoweronearth,notevenWashington,cansaveyou.”

“Isubmit,”saidtheprisoner,yieldingtohisearnestmanner,andgoadedbyhisfearsthatwerethusawakenedanew.

Thepeddlerbeckonedhimtobesilent,andwalkingtothedoor,openedit,withthestiff,formalairwithwhichhehadenteredtheapartment.

“Friend,letnooneenter,”hesaidtothesentinel;“weareabouttogotoprayer,andwouldwishtobealone.”

“Idon’tknow thatanywillwish to interruptyou,” returned the soldier,withawaggishleeroftheeye;“but,shouldtheybesodisposed,Ihavenopowertostopthem,iftheybeoftheprisoner’sfriends.”

“HaveyounotthefearofGodbeforeyoureyes?”saidthepretendedpriest.“Itellyou,asyouwilldreadpunishmentatthelastday,toletnoneoftheidolatrouscommunionenter,tomingleintheprayersoftherighteous.”

“Ifyouwant tobealone,haveyounoknife to stickover thedoor-latch, thatyoumusthaveatroopofhorsetoguardyourmeeting-house?”

The peddler took the hint, and closed the door immediately, using the precautionsuggestedbythedragoon.

“Afaintheart,CaptainWharton,woulddobutlittlehere.Come,hereisablackshroudforyourgood-lookingcountenance,”taking,atthesametime,aparchmentmask,andfittingittothefaceofHenry.“Themasterandthemanmustchangeplacesforaseason.”

“Idon’tt’inkhelookabit likeme,”saidCæsar,withdisgust,ashesurveyedhisyoungmasterwithhisnewcomplexion.

“Stopaminute,Cæsar,”saidthepeddler,withadrollerythatattimesformedpartofhismanner,“tillwegetonthewool.”

“Heworse thanebbernow,”criedthediscontentedAfrican.“At’inkcoloredmanlikeasheep!Inevverseesichalip,Harvey;hemostasbigasasausage!”

“There isbutoneman in theAmericanarmywhocoulddetectyou,CaptainWharton,”saidthepeddler.

“Andwhoishe?”

“Themanwhomadeyouprisoner.Hewould seeyourwhite skin through aplank.Butstrip,bothofyou;yourclothesmustbeexchangedfromheadtofoot.”

Cæsar,whohadreceivedminuteinstructionsfromthepeddlerintheirmorninginterview,immediatelycommencedthrowingasidehiscoarsegarments,whichtheyouthtookupandpreparedtoinvesthimselfwith.

Inthemannerofthepeddlertherewasanoddmixtureofcareandhumor.“Here,captain,”hesaid,takingupsomeloosewool,andbeginningtostuffthestockingsofCæsar,whichwere already on the legs of the prisoner; “some judgment is necessary in shaping thislimb. You will display it on horseback; and the southern dragoons are so used to thebrittle-shins that, should theynoticeyourwell-turnedcalf, they’dknowatonce itnever

belongedtoablack.”

“Golly!”saidCæsar,withachucklethatexhibitedamouthopenfromeartoear,“MassaHarrybreechesfit.”

“Anythingbutyourleg,”saidthepeddler,coollypursuingthetoiletofHenry.“Sliponthecoat,captain,overall.Andhere,Cæsar,placethispowderedwigoveryourcurls,andbecarefulandlookoutofthewindowwheneverthedoorisopen,andonnoaccountspeak,oryouwillbetrayall.”

“Is’poseHarveyt’inkacoloredmanhasnotonguelikeoderfolk,”grumbledtheblack,ashetookthestationassignedhim.

Everything was now ready for action, and the peddler very deliberately went over thewholeofhisinjunctionstothetwoactorsinthescene.Thecaptainheconjuredtodispensewithhiserectmilitarycarriage,andforaseasontoadoptthehumblepacesofhisfather’snegro; and Cæsar he enjoined to silence and disguise, so long as he could possiblymaintain them.Thusprepared,heopenedthedoorandcalledaloudto thesentinel,whohadretiredtothefarthestendofthepassage.

“Letthewomanofthehousebecalled,”saidHarvey,inthesolemnkeyoftheassumedcharacter; “and let her come alone. The prisoner is in a happy train ofmeditation, andmustnotbeledfromhisdevotions.”

Cæsarsankhisfacebetweenhishands;andwhenthesoldierlookedintotheapartment,hethoughthesawhischargeindeepabstraction.Castingaglanceofhugecontemptat thedivine,hecalledaloudforthegoodwomanofthehouse.Shehastenedat thesummons,withearnestzeal,entertainingasecrethopethatshewastobeadmittedtothegossipofadeath-bedrepentance.

“Sister,” said theminister in theauthoritative tonesofamaster,“haveyou in thehouse‘TheChristian Criminal’s LastMoments, or Thoughts on Eternity, for themwho die aviolentdeath’?”

“Ineverheardofthebook!”saidthematroninastonishment.

“’’Tisnotunlikely;therearemanybooksyouhaveneverheardof;itisimpossibleforthispoorpenitenttopassinpeace,withouttheconsolationofthatvolume.Onehour’sreadinginitisworthanageofman’spreaching.”

“Blessme,whatatreasuretopossess!—whenwasitputout?”

“ItwasfirstputoutatGeneva[113]intheGreeklanguage,andthentranslatedatBoston.Itisabook,woman, thatshouldbe in thehandsofeveryChristian,especiallysuchasdieuponthegallows.Haveahorsepreparedinstantlyforthisblack,whoshallaccompanymetomybrother,andIwillsenddownthevolumeyetinseason;brother,composethymind,youarenowinthenarrowpathtoglory.”

Cæsarwriggledalittleinhischair,buthehadsufficientrecollectiontoconcealhisfacewithhandsthatwere,intheirturn,concealedbygloves.Thelandladydeparted,tocomplywith this very reasonable request, and the group of conspirators were again left to

themselves.

“This is well,” said the peddler; “but the difficult task is to deceive the officer whocommandstheguard—heis lieutenant toLawton,andhas learnedsomeof thecaptain’sowncunningin thesethings.Remember,CaptainWharton,”continuedhewithanairofpride,“thatnowisthemomentwheneverythingdependsonourcoolness.”

“Myfatecanbemadebutlittleworsethanitisatpresent,myworthyfellow,”saidHenry;“butforyoursakeIwilldoallthatinmelies.”

Themansoonreturned,andannouncedthatthehorseswereatthedoor.Harveygavethecaptainaglance,and led thewaydown thestairs, firstdesiring thewomen to leave theprisonertohimself,inorderthathemightdigestthewholesomementalfoodthathehadsolatelyreceived.

Arumoroftheoddcharacterofthepriesthadspreadfromthesentinelatthedoortohiscomrades;sothatwhenHarveyandWhartonreachedtheopenspacebeforethebuilding,theyfoundadozen idledragoons loiteringaboutwithwaggish intentionofquizzing thefanaticandemployedinaffectedadmirationofthesteeds.

“Afinehorse!”saidtheleaderinthisplanofmischief;“butalittlelowinflesh;Isupposefromhardlaborinyourcalling.”

“Whatareyouatthere,scoundrels?”criedLieutenantMason,ashecameinsightfromawalkhehadtakentosneerattheeveningparadeoftheregimentofmilitia.“Awaywitheverymanofyoutoyourquarters,andletmefindthateachhorseiscleanedandlitteredwhenIcomeround.”Thesoundoftheofficer’svoiceoperatedlikeacharm,andnopriestcoulddesireamoresilentcongregation,althoughhemightpossiblyhavewishedforonethatwasmorenumerous.Masonhadnotdonespeaking,whenitwasreducedtotheimageof Cæsar only. The peddler took the opportunity to mount, but he had to preserve thegravityofhismovements,fortheremarkofthetroopersupontheconditionoftheirbeastswasbuttoojust,andadozendragoonhorsesstoodsaddledandbridledathandtoreceivetheirridersatamoment’swarning.

“Well,haveyoubittedthepoorfellowwithin,”saidMason,“thathecantakehislastrideunderthecurbofdivinity,oldgentleman?”

“There is evil in thyconversation,profaneman,” cried thepriest, raisinghishandsandcastinghiseyesupwardsinholyhorror;“soIwilldepartfromtheeunhurt,asDaniel[114]wasliberatedfromthelions’den.”

“Off with you, for a hypocritical,[115] psalm-singing, canting rogue in disguise,” saidMason scornfully. “By the life ofWashington! it worries an honest fellow to see suchvoracious[116]beastsofpreyravagingacountryforwhichheshedshisblood.IfIhadyouonaVirginianplantationforaquarterofanhour,I’dteachyoutowormthetobaccowiththeturkeys.”

“I leaveyou,andshakethedustoffmyshoes, thatnoremnantof thiswickedholemaytarnishthevestmentsofthegodly!”

“Start,or Iwillshake thedust fromyour jacket,designingknave!Buthold!whitherdoyoutravel,masterblackey,insuchgodlycompany?”

“He goes,” said theminister, “to return with a book ofmuch condolence to the sinfulyouthabove.Wouldyoudepriveadyingmanoftheconsolationofreligion?”

“No,no;poor fellow,his fate isbadenough.Butharkee,Mr.Revelations,myadvice isthatyounevertrustthatskeletonofyoursamongusagain,orIwilltaketheskinoffandleaveyounaked.”

“Outupontheeforarevilerandscofferofgoodness!”saidBirch,movingslowly,andwithadueobservanceofclericaldignity,downtheroad,followedbytheimaginaryCæsar.

CHAPTERXX.

THEALARMANDTHEPURSUIT.

“Corporaloftheguard!corporaloftheguard!”shoutedthesentinelinthepassagetothechambers,“corporaloftheguard!corporaloftheguard!”

The subaltern flew up the narrow stairway that led to the room of the prisoner, anddemandedthemeaningoftheoutcry.

Thesoldierwasstandingattheopendooroftheapartment,lookinginwithasuspiciouseyeonthesupposedBritishofficer.Onobservinghislieutenant,hefellbackwithhabitualrespect;andreplied,withanairofpuzzledthought:

“Idon’tknow,sir,butjustnowtheprisonerlookedqueer.Eversincethepreacherhaslefthim,hedon’tlookasheusedtodo—but,”gazingintentlyovertheshoulderofhisofficer,“itmustbehim,too!Thereisthesamepowderedhead,andthedarninthecoat,wherehewashitthedaywehadthelastbrushwiththeenemy.”

“And thenall thisnoise isoccasionedbyyourdoubtingwhether thatpoorgentleman isyourprisonerornot,isit,sirrah?Whodoyouthinkitcanbeelse?”

“Idon’tknowwhoelseitcanbe,”returnedthefellow,sullenly;“buthehasgrownthickerandshorter,ifitishe;andseeforyourself,sir,heshakesallover,likeamaninanague.”

Thiswasbuttootrue.Cæsarwasanalarmedauditorofthisshortconversation,and,fromcongratulatinghimselfuponthedexterousescapeofhisyoungmaster,histhoughtswereverynaturallybeginningtodwellupontheprobableconsequencestohisownperson.Thepause that succeeded the last remark of the sentinel in no degree contributed to therestorationofthefaculties.LieutenantMasonwasbusiedinexaminingwithhisowneyesthe suspected person of the black, andCæsarwas aware of the fact by stealing a lookthrough a passage under one of his arms, that he had left expressly for the purpose ofreconnoitering.[117]

Captain Lawton would have discovered the fraud immediately, but Mason was by nomeanssoquick-sightedashiscommander.Hethereforeturnedrathercontemptuouslytothesoldier,and,speakinginanundertone,observed:

“Thatanabaptist,methodistical,Quaker,psalm-singingrascalhasfrightenedtheboywithhisfarrago[118]aboutflamesandbrimstone.I’llstepinandcheerhimwithalittlerationalconversation.”

“Ihaveheardoffearmakingamanwhite,”saidthesoldier,drawingback,andstaringasifhiseyeswouldstartfromtheirsockets,“butithaschangedtheroyalcaptaintoablack!”

ThetruthwasthatCæsar,unabletohearwhatMasonutteredinalowvoice,andhavingevery fear aroused in himbywhat had alreadypassed, incautiously removed thewig a

littlefromoneofhisears,inordertohearthebetter,withoutintheleastrememberingthatthecolormightprovefataltohisdisguise.Thesentinelhadkepthiseyesfastenedonhisprisoner,andnoticedtheaction.TheattentionofMasonwasinstantlydrawntothesameobject;and,forgettingalldelicacyforabrotherofficerindistress,or,inshort,forgettingeverythingbut the censure thatmight alightonhis corps, the lieutenant sprang forwardand seized the terrifiedAfrican by the throat; for no sooner hadCæsar heard his colornamed than he knew that his discoverywas certain, and, at the first sound ofMason’sheavybootonthefloor,hearosefromhisseatandretreatedprecipitately[119]toacorneroftheroom.

“Whoareyou?”criedMason,dashingtheheadofthemanagainsttheangleofthewallateach interrogatory. “Who are you, andwhere is the Englishman? Speak, thou thunder-cloud!Answerme,youjackdaw,orI’llhangyouonthegallowsofthespy!”

Cæsarcontinuedfirm.Neitherthethreatsnortheblowscouldextractanyreply,untilthelieutenant, by a very natural transition in the attack, sent his heavy boot forward in adirection that brought it indirect contactwith themost sensitivepart of thenegro—hisshin.Themostobdurateheartcouldnothaveexactedfurtherpatience,andCæsarinstantlygavein.Thefirstwordshespokewere:

“Golly!Massa,yout’inkIgotnofeelin’?”

“Byheavens!”shoutedthelieutenant,“it is thenegrohimself!Scoundrel!whereisyourmaster,andwhowasthepriest?”

While he was speaking as if about to renew the attack, Cæsar cried aloud for mercy,promisingtotellallheknew.

“Whowas the priest?” repeated the dragoon, drawing back his formidable[120] leg andholdingitinthreateningsuspense.

“Harvey,Harvey!” cried Cæsar, dancing from one leg to the other, as he thought eachmemberinturnmightbeassailed.

“Harvey who, you black villain?” cried the impatient lieutenant, as he executed a fullmeasureofvengeancebylettinghislegfly.

“Birch!”shriekedCæsar,fallingonhisknees,thetearsrollinginlargedropsoverhisface.

“Harvey Birch!” echoed the trooper, hurling the black from him and rushing from theroom.“Toarms!Toarms!Fiftyguineasforthelifeofthepeddlerspy—givenoquartertoeither.Mount!Mount!Toarms!Tohorse!”

ThefirstimpulseofHenrywas,certainly,tourgethebeastherodetohisgreatestspeedatonce. But the forward movement that the youth made for this purpose was instantlychecked by the peddler. Henry reluctantly restrained his impatience and followed thedirection of the peddler. His imagination, however, continually alarmed him with thefanciedsoundsofpursuit.

“What see you,Harvey?” he cried, observing the peddler to gaze towards the buildingtheyhadleftwithominousinterest;“whatseeyouatthehouse?”

“Thatwhichbodesusnogood,”returnedthepeddler.“Throwasidethemaskandwig;youwill need all your senseswithoutmuchdelay.Throw them in the road.There are nonebeforeusthatIdread,buttherearethosebehindwhowillgiveusafearfulrace!Nowride,CaptainWharton,foryourlife,andkeepatmyheels.”

The instant that Harvey put his horse to his speed, CaptainWharton was at his heelsurging the miserable animal he rode to the utmost. A very few jumps convinced thecaptain that his companion was fast leaving him, and a fearful glance thrown behindinformedhimthathisenemieswereasspeedilyapproaching.

“Hadwenotbetterleaveourhorses?”saidHenry,“andmakeforthehillsacrossthefieldsonourleft?Thefencewillstopourpursuers.”

“Thatwayliesthegallows,”returnedthepeddler;“thesefellowsgothreefeettoourtwo,andwouldmindthefencesnomorethanwedotheseruts;butitisashortquartertotheturn,andtherearetworoadsbehindthewood.Theymaystandtochooseuntil theycantakethetrack,andweshallgainalittleuponthemthere.”

“Butthismiserablehorseisblownalready,”criedHenry,urginghisbeastwiththeaidofthebridle,atthesametimethatHarveyaidedhiseffortsbyapplyingthelashofaheavyriding-whiphecarried;“hewillneverstanditforhalfamilefarther.”

“Aquarterwilldo;aquarterwilldo,”saidthepeddler;“asinglequarterwillsaveus, ifyoufollowmydirections.”

Somewhatcheeredbythecoolandconfidentmannerofhiscompanion,Henrycontinuedsilentlyurginghishorse forward.Soon the captain againproposed to leave their horsesanddashintothethicket.

“Notyet,notyet,”saidBirch ina lowvoice;“the roadfalls fromthe topof thishillassteep as it rises; first let us gain the top.” While speaking, they reached the desiredsummit, and both threw themselves from their horses, Henry plunging into the thickunderwood, which covered the side of the mountain for some distance above them.Harvey stopped togive eachof their beasts a few severeblowsofhiswhip, that drovethemheadlongdown thepathon theother sideof the eminence, and then followedhisexample.

The peddler entered the thicketwith a little caution, and avoided, asmuch as possible,rustlingorbreakingthebranchesinhisway.Therewasbuttimeonlytoshelterhispersonfromview,whenadragoonleduptheascent,andonreachingtheheight,hecriedaloud:

“Isawoneoftheirhorsesturningthehillthisminute!”

“Driveon;spurforward,mylads,”shoutedMason;“givetheEnglishmanquarter,butcutthepeddlerdown,andmakeanendofhim.”

“Now,”saidthepeddler,risingfromthecovertoreconnoitre,andstandingforamomentin suspense, “all thatwe gain is clear gain; for, aswe go up, they go down.Let us bestirring.”

“Butwilltheynotfollowus,andsurroundthemountain?”saidHenryrising,andimitating

the labored but rapid progress of his companion; “remember they have foot aswell ashorse,and,atanyrate,weshallstarveinthehills.”

“Fearnothing,CaptainWharton,” returned thepeddlerwith confidence; “this is not themountain that Iwouldbeon,butnecessityhasmademeadexterouspilot among thesehills.Iwillleadyouwherenomanwilldaretofollow.”

CHAPTERXXI.

FRANCESREMINDSMR.HARPEROFHISPROMISE.

FrancescouldnolongerdoubtthatthefigureshehadseenonthehillwasBirch,andshefeltcertainthat,insteadofflyingtothefriendlyforcesbelow,herbrotherwouldbetakentothemysterioushuttopassthenight.Thereforesheheldalongandanimateddiscussionwith her aunt; when the good spinster reluctantly yielded to the representation of herniece,and foldingher inherarms, shekissed thecoldcheekand ferventlyblessingherallowedhertodepartonanerrandoffraternallove.

ThenighthadsetindarkandchillingasFrancesWharton,withabeatingheartbutlightstep,movedthroughthelittlegardenthatlaybehindthefarm-housewhichhadbeenherbrother’sprison, and tookherway to the footof themountain,where shehad seen thefigureofhimshesupposedtobethepeddler.

Withoutpausingtoreflect,however,sheflewoverthegroundwitharapiditythatseemedtobiddefiancetoallimpediments,norstoppedeventobreathe,untilshehadgonehalfthedistancetotherockthatshehadmarkedasthespotwhereBirchmadehisappearanceonthatverymorning.

Whensheheard thefootstepsofahorsemovingslowlyup theroad,sheshrank timidlyintoalittlethicketofwoodwhichgrewaroundthespringthatbubbledfromthesideofahillocknearher.Franceslistenedanxiouslytotheretreatingfootstepsofthehorse;and,asthey died upon her ear, she ventured from her place of secrecy and advanced a shortdistanceintothefield,where,startledatthegloomandappalledwiththedrearinessoftheprospect,shepausedtoreflectonwhatshehadundertaken.

Throwingback thehoodofhercardinal,[121] shesought thesupportofa treeandgazedtowardsthesummitofthemountainthatwastobethegoalofherenterprise.Itrosefromtheplainlikeahugepyramid,givingnothingtotheeyebutitsoutlines.

Francesturnedherlookstowardstheeast,inearnestgazeatthecloudswhichconstantlythreatened to involve her again in comparative darkness. Had an adder stung her, shecouldnothavesprungwithgreaterceleritythansherecoiledfromtheobjectagainstwhichshewasleaning,andwhichshehadforthefirsttimenoticed.Thetwouprightposts,withacross-beamontheirtopsandarudeplatformbeneath,toldbuttooplainlythenatureofthestructure;eventhecordwassuspendedfromanironstaple,andwasswingingtoandfro in the night air. Frances hesitated no longer, but rather flew than ran across themeadow,andwassoonatthebaseoftherock,whereshehopedtofindsomethinglikeapath to thesummitof themountain.Shesoonfoundasheep-path thatwoundround theshelvingrocksandamongthetrees.

Nearly an hour did she strugglewith the numerous difficulties that shewas obliged toovercome; when, having been repeatedly exhausted with her efforts, and, in several

instances, ingreat danger from falls, she succeeded ingaining the small pieceof table-landonthesummit.

Nohutnoranyvestigeofhumanbeingcouldshetrace.Theideaofhersolitudestruckontheterrifiedmindoftheaffrightedgirl,andapproachingtotheedgeofashelvingrockshebentforwardtogazeonthesignsoflifeinthevale;whenarayofkeenlightdazzledhereyes,andawarmraydiffuseditselfoverherwholeframe.Recoveringfromhersurprise,Franceslookedontheledgebeneathher,andatonceperceivedthatshestooddirectlyovertheobjectofhersearch.Aholethroughitsroofaffordedapassagetothesmokewhich,asitblewaside,showedheraclearandcheerfulfirecracklingandsnappingonarudehearthofstone.Theapproachtothefrontofthehutwasbyawindingpatharoundthepointoftherockonwhichshestood,andbythissheadvancedtoitsdoor.

Threesidesofthissingularedificewerecomposedoflogslaidalternatelyoneachother,toa littlemorethantheheightofaman,andthefourthwasformedbytherockagainstwhichitleaned.Theroofwasmadeofthebarkoftrees,laidinlongstripsfromtherocktoits eaves; the fissures[122] between the logs had been stuffedwith clay,which inmanyplaceshad fallenout,anddried leavesweremadeuseofasasubstitute tokeepout thewind.Asinglewindowoffourpanesofglasswasinfront,butaboardcarefullycloseditinsuchamannerastoemitnolightfromthefirewithin.Afterpausingsometimetoviewthis singularlyconstructedhiding-place, for suchFrancesknew it tobe, sheappliedhereyetoacrevicetoexaminetheinside.

Therewasnolamporcandle,buttheblazingfireofdrywoodmadetheinteriorofthehutlightenoughtoreadby.Inonecorner layabedofstrawwithapairofblankets throwncarelesslyoverit,asifleftwheretheyhadlastbeenused.

Inanangleagainsttherockandoppositetothefirewhichwasburningintheothercorner,wasanopencupboard,thatheldaplateortwo,amug,andtheremainsofsomebrokenmeat.

Beforethefirewasatable,withoneofitslegsfractured,andmadeofroughboards;these,with a single stool, composed the furniture—ifwe except a few articles of cooking.Abookthat,byitssizeandshape,appearedtobeaBible,waslyingonthetableunopened.But itwas theoccupant of thehut inwhomFranceswas chiefly interested.Thiswas aman,sittingonthestool,withhisheadleaningonhishandinsuchamannerastoconcealhisfeatures,anddeeplyoccupiedinexaminingsomeopenpapers.Onthetablelayapairofcuriouslyandrichlymountedhorseman’spistols,andthehandleofasheathedrapier,[123]ofexquisiteworkmanship,protrudedfrombetweenthelegsofthegentleman,oneofwhosehandscarelesslyrestedonitsguard.Thetallstatureofthisunexpectedtenantofthehut, and his form, much more athletic than that of either Harvey or her brother, toldFrances, without the aid of his dress, that it was neither of those she sought. A closesurtout[124]wasbuttonedhighinthethroatofthestranger,andpartingatthekneesshowedbreechesofbuff,withmilitarybootsandspurs.Hishairwasdressedsoastoexposethewholeface,and,afterthefashionofthatday,itwasprofuselypowdered.Aroundhatwaslaidonthestonesthatformedapavedfloortothehut,asiftomakeroomforalargemapwhich,amongotherpapers,occupiedthetable.

Thiswasanunexpectedeventtoouradventurer.Shehadbeensoconfidentthatthefiguretwiceseenwas thepeddler, that,on learninghisagency inherbrother’sescape,shedidnotintheleastdoubtoffindingthembothintheplace,which,shenowdiscovered,wasoccupied by another and a stranger. She stood, earnestly looking through the crevice,hesitatingwhether toretire,or towaitwith theexpectationofyetmeetingHenry,as thestranger moved his hand from before his eyes and raised his face, apparently in deepmusing, when Frances instantly recognized the benevolent and strongly marked, butcomposedfeaturesofHarper.

All that Dunwoodie had said of his power and disposition, all that he himself hadpromisedher brother, and all the confidence that hadbeen createdbyhis dignified andpaternalmanner,rushedacrossthemindofFrances,whothrewopenthedoorofthehut,andfallingathisfeet,claspinghiskneeswithherarms,asshecried:“Savehim,savehim—savemybrother;rememberyourpromise,andsavehim!”

Harperhadrisenasthedooropened,andtherewasaslightmovementofhishandtowardshis pistols; but it was cool, and instantly checked. He raised the hood of the cardinal,whichhadfallenoverherfeatures,andexclaimedwithsomeuneasiness:

“MissWharton!Butyoucannotbealone?”

“There is none here but my God and you; and by his sacred name, I conjure you torememberyourpromise,andsavemybrother!”

Harpergently raisedher fromherkneesandplacedheron thestool,beggingherat thesametimetobecomposed,andtoacquainthimwiththenatureofhererrand.ThisFrancesinstantlydid,andafterashortpauseadded:

“WecandependmuchonthefriendshipofMajorDunwoodie;buthissenseofhonorissopure, that—that—notwithstanding his—his—feelings—his desire to serve us—he willconceiveittobehisdutytoapprehend[125]mybrotheragain.Besides,hethinkstherewillbenodangerinsodoing,ashereliesgreatlyonyourinterference.”

“Onmine?”saidHarper,whoappearedslightlyuneasy.

“Yes,onyours.Whenwetoldhimofyourkindlanguage,heatonceassuredusall thatyou had the power, and, if you had promised, would have the inclination, to procureHenry’spardon.”

“Saidhemore?”askedHarper.

“NothingbutreiterateassurancesofHenry’ssafety;evennowheisinquestofyou.”

“MissWharton, that I bearnomeanpart in theunhappy strugglebetweenEnglandandAmerica, itmightnowbeuseless todeny.Youoweyourbrother’sescape, thisnight, tomyknowledgeofhisinnocence,andtheremembranceofmyword.MajorDunwoodieismistakenwhenhesaysthatImightopenlyhaveprocuredhispardon.Inow,indeed,cancontrolhisfate,andIpledgetoyouawordwhichhassomeinfluencewithWashington,thatmeansshallbetakentopreventhisrecapture.Butfromyou,also,Iexactapromise,that this interview, and all that has passed between us, remain confined to your own

bosom,untilyouhavemypermissiontospeakuponthesubject.”

Francesgavethedesiredassurance,andhecontinued:

“The peddler and your brother will soon be here, but I must not be seen by the royalofficer,orthelifeofBirchmightbetheforfeiture.”[126]

“Never!”criedFrances,ardently;“Henrynevercouldbesobaseastobetraythemanwhosavedhim.”

“Itisnochildishgamewearenowplaying,MissWharton.Men’slivesandfortuneshanguponslenderthreads,andnothingmustbelefttoaccidentthatcanbeguardedagainst.”

While Harper was speaking he carefully rolled up themap he had been studying, andplacedit,togetherwithsundrypapersthatwereopen,inhispocket.Hewasstilloccupiedinthismanner,whenthevoiceofthepeddler,talkinginunusuallyloudtones,washearddirectlyovertheirheads.

“Standfartherthisway,CaptainWharton,andyoucanseethetentsinthemoonshine.Butletthemmountandride;Ihaveanestherethatwillholdusboth,andwewillgoinatourleisure.”

“Andwhereisthisnest?IconfessthatIhaveeatenbutlittlethelasttwodays,andIcravesomeofthecheeryoumention.”

“Hem!” said thepeddler, exertinghisvoice stillmore, “hem!—this foghasgivenmeacold;butmove slow, andbe carefulnot to slip, oryoumay landon thebayonetof thesentinelontheflats;’tisasteephilltorise,butonecangodownitwithease.”

Harper pressed his finger on his lip, to remind Frances of her promise, and taking hispistolsandhat,so thatnovestigeofhisvisit remained,heretireddeliberately to thefarcornerofthehut,where,liftingseveralarticlesofclothing,heenteredarecessintherock,andlettingthemfallagainwashidfromview.Francesnoticed,bythestrongfirelight,asheentered,thatitwasanaturalcavity,andcontainednothingbutafewmorearticlesofdomesticuse.

ThesurpriseofHenryandthepeddler,onenteringandfindingFrances inpossessionofthehut,maybeeasilyimagined.Withoutwaitingforexplanationsorquestions,thewarm-heartedgirlflewintothearmsofherbrother,andgaveventtoheremotionsintears.Butthepeddlerseemedstruckwithdifferentfeelings.Hisfirstlookwasatthefire,whichhadbeen recently supplied with fuel; he then drew open a small drawer of the table, andlookedalittlealarmedatfindingitempty.

“Areyoualone,MissFanny?”heaskedinaquickvoice;“youdidnotcomeherealone?”

“As you seeme,Mr.Birch,” saidFrances, raising herself fromher brother’s arms, andturninganexpressiveglancetowardsthesecretcavern,thatthequickeyeofthepeddlerinstantlyunderstood.

“Butwhyandwhereforeareyouhere?”exclaimedherastonishedbrother;“andhowknewyouofthisplaceatall?”

Francesenteredatonce intoabriefdetailofwhathadoccurredat thehousesince theirdeparture,andthemotiveswhichinducedhertoseekthem.

“But,”saidBirch,“whyfollowushere,whenwewereleftontheoppositehill?”

Frances related the glimpse she had caught of the hut and the peddler, in her passagethroughtheHighlands,andherimmediateconjecturethatthefugitiveswouldseekshelterofthishabitationforthenight.

Thepeddlerseemedsatisfied;forhedrewback,andwatchinghisopportunity,unseenbyHenry,slippedbehindthescreen,andenteredthecavern.

Frances and her brother, who thought his companion had passed through the door,continuedconversingonthelatter’ssituationforseveralminutes,whentheformerurgedthenecessityofexpeditiononhispart,inordertoprecedeDunwoodie,fromwhosesenseofdutytheyknewtheyhadnoescape.Thecaptaintookouthispocket-book,andwroteafewlineswithhispencil;thenfoldingthepaper,hehandedittohissister.

“Frances,”hesaid,“youhavethisnightprovedyourselftobeanincomparablewoman.Asyouloveme,givethatunopenedlettertoDunwoodie,andrememberthattwohoursmaysavemylife.”

“Iwill—Iwill;butwhydelay?Whynotfly,andimprovethesepreciousmoments?”

“Yoursistersayswell,CaptainWharton,”exclaimedHarvey,whohadreënteredunseen;“wemustgoatonce.Hereisfoodtoeataswetravel.”

“Butwhoistoseethisfaircreatureinsafety?”criedthecaptain.“Icanneverdesertmysisterinsuchaplaceasthis.”

“Leaveme!leaveme!”saidFrances;“IcandescendasIcameup.Donotdoubtme;youknownotmycouragenormystrength.”

“CaptainWharton,” saidBirch, throwing open the door, “you can triflewith your ownlives,ifyouhavemanytospare;Ihavebutone,andmustnurseit.DoIgoalone,ornot?”

“Go,go,dearHenry!”saidFrances,embracinghim;“go!Rememberourfather;rememberSarah.”Shewaitednotforhisanswer,butgentlyforcedhimthroughthedoor,andcloseditwithherownhands.

Forashort timetherewasawarmdebatebetweenHenryandthepeddler;but the latterfinallyprevailed,andthebreathlessgirlheardthesuccessiveplungesastheywentdownthesideofthemountainatarapidrate.

Immediatelyafterthenoiseoftheirdeparturehadceased,Harperreappeared.HetookthearmofFrancesinsilence,andledherfromthehutanddownthemountain.

Wonderingwhothisunknownbutpowerfulfriendofherbrothercouldbe,Francesglidedacross the fields, and using due precautions in approaching the dwelling, regained herresidenceundiscoveredandinsafety.

CHAPTERXXII.

DUNWOODIEGAINSHISSUIT,ANDCAPTAINWHARTONHISFREEDOM.

On joiningMissPeyton,Frances learnt thatDunwoodiewasnotyet returned;although,with a view to relieve Henry from the importunities of the supposed fanatic, he haddesiredaveryrespectabledivineoftheirownchurchtorideupfromtheriverandofferhisservices.Thisgentlemanwasalreadyarrived.

Totheeager inquiriesofMissPeyton,relativetohersuccess inherromanticexcursion,Francescouldsaynomore than that shewasbound tobesilent,and to recommend thesameprecautiontothegoodmaidenalso.TherewasasmileplayingaroundthebeautifulmouthofFrances,whilesheutteredthisinjunction,whichsatisfiedherauntthatallwasasit should be. She was urging her niece to take some refreshment after her fatiguingexpedition,whenthenoiseofahorsemanridingtothedoorannouncedthereturnofthemajor. The heart of Frances bounded as she listened to his approaching footsteps. She,however,hadnottimetorallyherthoughtsbeforeheentered.

The countenance of Peyton was flushed, and an air of vexation and disappointmentpervadedhismanner.

“’Twasimprudent,Frances!nay,itwasunkind,”hecried,throwinghimselfinachair,“toflyattheverymomentthatIhadassuredhimofsafety!Therewasnodangerimpending.HehadthepromiseofHarper,anditisawordnevertobedoubted.Oh!Frances!Frances!hadyouknowntheman,youwouldneverhavedistrustedhisassurance,norwouldyouhaveagainreducedmetothedistressingalternative.”

“Whatalternative?”askedFrances,pityinghisemotionsdeeply,buteagerlyseizinguponeverycircumstancetoprolongtheinterview.

“Whatalternative!AmInotcompelledtospendthisnightinthesaddletorecaptureyourbrother,whenIhadthoughttolaymyheadonitspillow,withthehappyconsciousnessofhavingcontributedtohisrelease?”

Shebenttowardhim,andtimidlytookoneofhishands,whilewiththeothershegentlyremovedthecurlsfromhisburningbrow.“Whygoatall,dearPeyton?”sheasked;“youhavedonemuch for your country, and she cannot exact such a sacrifice as this at yourhand.”

“Frances!MissWharton!”exclaimedtheyouth,springingonhisfeetandpacingthefloorwith a cheek that burned through its brown covering, and an eye that sparkled withwoundedintegrity;“itisnotmycountry,butmyhonor,thatrequiresthesacrifice.Hashenotfledfromaguardofmyowncorps?”

“Peyton,dearPeyton,”saidFrances,“wouldyoukillmybrother?”

“WouldInotdieforhim?”exclaimedDunwoodie,asheturnedtohermoremildly.“Youknow Iwould;but I amdistractedwith the cruel surmise towhich this stepofHenry’ssubjectsme.Frances,Ileaveyouwithaheavyheart;pityme,butfeelnoconcernforyourbrother;hemustagainbecomeaprisoner,buteveryhairofhisheadissacred.”

“Stop!Dunwoodie,Iconjureyou,”criedFrances,gaspingforbreath,asshenoticedthatthehandof theclockstillwantedmanyminutes to thedesiredhour;“beforeyougoonyourerrandoffastidious[127]duty,readthisnotethatHenryhasleftforyou,andwhich,doubtless,hethoughthewaswritingtothefriendofhisyouth.”

“Wheregotyouthisnote?”exclaimedtheyouth,glancinghiseyesoveritscontents.“PoorHenry,youareindeedmyfriend!Ifanyonewishesmehappiness,itisyou.”

“Hedoes,hedoes,”criedFrances, eagerly; “hewishesyoueveryhappiness.Believe it;everywordistrue.”

“Idobelievehim,lovelygirl,andherefersmetoyouforitsconfirmation.WouldthatIcouldtrustequallytoyouraffections!”

“Youmay,Peyton,”saidFrances,lookingupwithinnocentconfidencetoherlover.

“Thenreadforyourself,andverifyyourwords,”interruptedDunwoodie,holdingthenotetowardsher.

Francesreceiveditinastonishment,andreadthefollowing:

“Lifeistooprecioustobetrustedtouncertainties.Ileaveyou,Peyton,unknowntoallbutCæsar, and I recommendhim to yourmercy.But there is a care thatweighsme to theearth.Lookatmyagedandinfirmparent.Hewillbereproachedforthesupposedcrimeofhisson.LookatthosehelplesssistersthatIleavebehindmewithoutaprotector.Provetomethatyouloveusall.LettheclergymanwhomyouwillbringwithyouuniteyouthisnighttoFrances,andbecomeatoncebrother,son,andhusband.”

ThepaperfellfromthehandsofFrances,andsheendeavoredtoraisehereyestothefaceofDunwoodie,buttheysankabashedtothefloor.

“Speak, Frances,” murmured Dunwoodie; “may I summon my good kinswoman?Determine,fortimepresses.”

“Stop, Peyton! I cannot enter into such a solemn engagement with a fraud upon myconscience.IhaveseenHenrysincehisescape,andtimeisall-importanttohim.Hereismyhand;if,withthisknowledgeoftheconsequencesofdelay,youwillnotrejectit,itisfreelyyours.”

“Rejectit!”criedthedelightedyouth;“ItakeitastherichestgiftofHeaven.Thereistimeenoughforusall.Twohourswilltakemethroughthehills;andatnoonto-morrowIwillreturn withWashington’s pardon for your brother, and Henry will help to enliven ournuptials.”[128]

“Thenmeetmehere in tenminutes,” saidFrances, greatly relievedbyunburdeninghermind,andfilledwiththehopeofsecuringHenry’ssafety,“andIwillreturnandtakethose

vowswhichwillbindmetoyouforever.”

Dunwoodiepausedonlytopresshertohisbosom,andflewtocommunicatehiswishestothepriest.

Dunwoodie and the clergyman were soon there. Frances, silently, and withoutaffectation[129] of reserve, placed in his hand thewedding-ring of her ownmother, andaftersomelittletimespentinarrangingMr.Whartonandherself,MissPeytonsufferedtheceremonytoproceed.

The clock stood directly before the eyes of Frances, and she turned many an anxiousglanceatthedial;butthesolemnlanguageofthepriestsooncaughtherattention,andhermindbecameintentuponthevowsshewasuttering.Theceremonywasquicklyover,andastheclergymanclosedthewordsofbenedictiontheclocktoldthehourofnine.Thiswasthetimethatwasdeemedsoimportant,andFrancesfeltasifamightyloadwasatonceremovedfromherheart.

Thenoiseofahorsemanwasheardapproachingthehouse,andDunwoodiewasyettakingleaveofhisbrideandaunt,whenanofficerwasshownintotheroombyhisownman.

Thegentlemanworethedressofanaid-de-camp,andthemajorknewhimtobeoneofthemilitaryfamilyofWashington.

“Major Dunwoodie,” he said, after bowing to the ladies, “the commander-in-chief hasdirectedmetogiveyoutheseorders.”

Heexecutedhismission,and,pleadingduty,tookhisleaveimmediately.

“Here, indeed,” cried the major, “is an unexpected turn in the whole affair. But Iunderstandit:Harperhasgotmyletter,andalreadywefeelhisinfluence.”

“HaveyounewsaffectingHenry?”criedFrances,springingtohisside.

“Listen,andyoushalljudge.”

“Sir,—Uponthereceiptofthis,youwillconcentrateyoursquadron,soastobeinfrontofacoveringpartywhichtheenemyhassentupinfrontofhisforagers,byteno’clockto-morrowontheheightsofCroton,[130]whereyouwill findabodyoffoot tosupportyou.Theescapeof theEnglishspyhasbeenreportedtome,buthisarrestisunimportant,comparedwiththedutyInowassignyou.Youwill, therefore,recallyourmen, ifanyare inpursuit,andendeavortodefeattheenemyforthwith.Yourobedientservant,

“GEO.WASHINGTON.”

“ThankGod!”criedDunwoodie,“myhandsarewashedofHenry’srecapture;Icannowmovetomydutywithhonor.”

“And with prudence, too, dear Peyton,” said Frances, with a face as pale as death.“Remember,Dunwoodie,youleavebehindyouclaimsonyourlife.”

Theyouthdweltonherlovelybutpallidfeatureswithrapture,and,ashefoldedhertohisheart,exclaimed:

“ForyoursakeIwill,lovelyinnocent!”Francessobbedamomentonhisbosom,andhetorehimselffromherpresence.

Thepeddlerandhiscompanionsoonreachedthevalley,and,afterpausingtolisten,andhearingnosoundswhichannouncedthatpursuerswereabroad,theyenteredthehighway.Afterwalkingatagreatrateforthreehourstheysuddenlydivergedfromtheroad,whichinclinedtotheeast,andheldtheircoursedirectlyacrossthehillsinaduesouthdirection.This movement was made, the peddler informed his companion, in order to avoid thepartieswhoconstantlypatrolled in thesouthernentranceof theHighlands,aswellas toshortenthedistancebytravellinginastraightline.

Thepeddlerbecamemoreguardedinthemannerinwhichtheyproceeded,andtookdiversprecautionstopreventmeetinganymovingpartiesoftheAmericans.

Asteepand laboriousascentbrought themfrom the levelof the tide-waters to thehighlandsthatform,inthispartoftheriver,theeasternbanksoftheHudson.Thedaywasnowopened, and objects could be seen in the distance with distinctness. To Henry and thepeddlertheviewdisplayedonlythesquareyardsandloftymastsofavesselofwarridingafewmilesbelowthem.

“There, Captain Wharton,” said the peddler—“there is a safe resting-place for you;Americahasnoarmthatcanreachyouifyougainthedeckofthatship.”

By following the bank of the river, Birch led theway free from observation until theyreachedapointoppositetothefrigate,[131]when,bymakingasignal,aboatwasinducedtoapproach.

Sometimewasspentandmuchprecautionusedbeforetheseamenwouldtrustthemselvesashore;butHenryhavingfinallysucceededinmakingtheofficerincommandofthepartycredithisassertions,hewasabletorejoinhiscompanionsinarmsinsafety.

BeforetakingleaveofBirch,thecaptainhandedhimhispurse,whichwastolerablywellsuppliedforthetimes.

Theboatpulledfromtheshore,andBirchturnedonhisheel,drawinghisbreathlikeonerelieved,andshotupthehillswiththestridesforwhichhewasfamous.

CHAPTERXXIII.

WASHINGTON’SLASTMEETINGWITHTHESPY.

ItwasatthecloseofastormydayinSeptemberthatalargeassemblageofofficerswascollectednearthedoorofabuildingthatwassituatedintheheartoftheAmericantroops,whoheldtheJerseys.Theage,thedress,andthedignityofdeportmentofmostofthesewarriors indicated them to be of high rank, but to one in particular was paid adeference[132]andobediencethatannouncedhimtobeofthehighest.Hisdresswasplain,butitboretheusualmilitarydistinctionsofcommand.Hewasmountedonanoblesteedofadeepbay,andagroupofyoungmen,ingayerattire,evidentlyawaitedhispleasureanddidhisbidding.Manyahatwasliftedasitsowneraddressedthisofficer,andwhenhespoke,aprofoundattention,exceedingtherespectofmereprofessionaletiquette,[133]wasexhibited on every countenance. At length the general raised his own hat and bowedgravely toall aroundhim.Thesalutewas returned,and thepartydispersed, leaving theofficer without a single attendant except his body servants and one aid-de-camp.Dismounting,hesteppedbackafewpaces,andforamomentviewedtheconditionofhishorse with the eye of one who well understood the animal; then, casting a brief butexpressiveglanceathisaid,heretiredintothebuilding,followedbythatgentleman.

Onenteringtheapartmentthatwasapparentlyfittedforhisreception,hetookaseat,andcontinued for a long time in a thoughtful attitude, like one in the habit of communingmuchwithhimself.Duringthissilence,theaid-de-campstoodinexpectationoforders.Atlengththegeneralraisedhiseyes,andspokeinthoselow,placidtonesthatseemednaturaltohim:

“HasthemanIwishedtoseearrived,sir?”

“Hewaitsthepleasureofyourexcellency.”

“Iwillreceivehimhere,andalone,ifyouplease.”

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, withoutspeaking. His entrance was unheard by the officer, who sat gazing at the fire, stillabsorbedinhisownmeditations.Severalminutespassed,whenhespoketohimselfinanundertone:

“To-morrowwemustraisethecurtain,andexposeourplans.MayHeavenprosperthem!”

“Harvey Birch,” he said, turning to the stranger, “the time has arrived when ourconnectionmustcease;henceforthandforeverwemustbestrangers.”

Thepeddlerdroppedthefoldsofthegreat-coatthatconcealedhisfeatures,andgazedforamomentearnestlyatthefaceofthespeaker;then,droppinghisheaduponhisbosom,hesaid,meekly:

“Ifitbeyourexcellency’spleasure.”

“Itisnecessary.SinceIhavefilledthestationwhichInowhold,ithasbecomemydutytoknowmanymenwho,likeyourself,havebeenmyinstrumentsinprocuringintelligence.YouhaveItrustedmorethanall;Iearlysawinyouaregardtotruthandprinciplethat,Iampleasedtosay,hasneverdeceivedme.Youaloneknowmysecretagentsinthecity,andonyourfidelitydepend,notonlytheirfortunes,buttheirlives.”

Hepaused,asiftoreflectinorderthatfulljusticemightbedonetothepeddler,andthencontinued:

“IbelieveyouareoneoftheveryfewthatIhaveemployedwhohaveactedfaithfullytoour cause; and, while you have passed as a spy of the enemy, have never givenintelligencethatyouwerenotpermittedtodivulge.Tome,andtomeonlyofalltheworld,youseemtohaveactedwithstrongattachmenttothelibertiesofAmerica.”

Duringthisaddress,Harveygraduallyraisedhisheadfromhisbosom,untilitreachedthehighest point of elevation; a faint tinge gathered in his cheeks, and, as the officerconcluded, itwas diffused over hiswhole countenance in a deep glow,while he stood,proudly swellingwith his emotions, butwith eyes thatmodestly sought the feet of thespeaker.

“It isnowmydutytopayyoufortheseservices;hithertoyouhavepostponedreceivingyourreward,andthedebthasbecomeaheavyone.Iwishnottoundervalueyourdangers;here are a hundred doubloons;[134] youwill remember the poverty of our country, andattributetoitthesmallnessofyourpay.”

Thepeddlerraisedhiseyestothecountenanceofthespeaker;but,astheotherheldforththemoney,hemovedback,asifrefusingthebag.

“Itisnotmuchforyourservicesandrisks,Iacknowledge,”continuedthegeneral,“butitisallthatIhavetooffer;attheendofthecampaignitmaybeinmypowertoincreaseit.”

“Does your excellency think that I have exposedmy life and blastedmy character formoney?”

“Ifnotformoney,whatthen?”

“What has brought your excellency into the field? For what do you daily and hourlyexposeyourpreciouslifetobattleandthehalter?Whatisthereaboutmetomourn,whensuchmenasyourisktheirallforourcountry?No,no,no—notadollarofyourgoldwillItouch;poorAmericahasneedofitall.”

Thebagdroppedfromthehandoftheofficer,andfellatthefeetofthepeddler,whereitlayneglectedduringtheremainderoftheinterview.Theofficerlookedsteadilyatthefaceofhiscompanion,andcontinued:

“Youwillsoonbeold; theprimeofyourdays isalreadypast;whathaveyou tosubsiston?”

“These!”said thepeddler,stretchingforthhishands, thatalreadywereembrownedwithtoil.

“But thosemay fail you; take enough to secure a support to your age.Remember yourrisksandcare.Ihavetoldyouthatthecharactersofmenwhoaremuchesteemedinlifedependonyoursecrecy;whatpledgecanIgivethemofyourfidelity?”

“Tell them,”saidBirch,advancingandunconsciouslyrestingonefooton thebag—“tellthemthatIwouldnottakethegold!”

Thecomposedfeaturesoftheofficerrelaxedintoasmileofbenevolence,andhegraspedthehandofthepeddlerfirmly.

“Now,indeed,Iknowyou;andalthoughthesamereasonswhichhavehithertocompelledmetoexposeyourvaluablelifewillstillexist,andmaypreventmyopenlyassertingyourcharacter,inprivateIcanalwaysbeyourfriend.Failnottoapplytomewheninwantorsuffering,andso longasGodgiveth tome, so longwill I freelysharewithamanwhofeelssonoblyandactssowell.Ifsicknessorwantshouldeverassailyou,andpeaceoncemoresmileuponourefforts,seekthegateofhimwhomyouhavesooftenmetasHarper,andhewillnotblushtoacknowledgeyouinhistruecharacter.”

“It is little that I need in this life,” saidHarvey; “so long asGod givesme health andhonestindustry,Icanneverwantinthiscountry;buttoknowthatyourexcellencyismyfriend,isablessingthatIprizemorethanallthegoldofEngland’streasury.”

Theofficerstoodforafewmoments in theattitudeof intense thought.He thendrewtohimthedesk,andwroteafewlinesonapieceofpaper,andgaveittothepeddler.

“That Providence destines this country to some great and glorious fate Imust believe,whileIwitnessthepatriotismthatpervadesthebosomsofherlowliestcitizens,”hesaid.“Itmustbedreadful toamind likeyours todescend into thegravebrandedasa foe toliberty;butyoualreadyknowthelivesthatwouldbesacrificed,shouldyourrealcharacterberevealed.It is impossible todoyoujusticenow,butIfearlesslyentrustyouwiththiscertificate;shouldwenevermeetagain,itmaybeserviceabletoyourchildren.”

“Children!”exclaimedthepeddler.“CanIgivetoafamilytheinfamyofmyname?”

The officer gazed at the strong emotion he exhibited with pain, and he made a slightmovementtowardsthegold;butitwasarrestedbytheexpressionofhiscompanion’sface.Harveysawtheintention,andshookhishead,ashecontinuedmoremildly:

“Itis,indeed,atreasurethatyourexcellencygivesme;itissafe,too.Therearemenlivingwhocouldsaythatmylifewasnothingtome,comparedtoyoursecrets.ThepaperthatItoldyouwas lost I swallowedwhen taken lastby theVirginians. Itwas theonly time Ieverdeceivedyourexcellency,anditshallbethelast.Yes,thisis,indeed,atreasuretome.Perhaps,”hecontinued,withamelancholysmile,“itmaybeknownaftermydeathwhowasmyfriend;butifitshouldnot,therearenonetogrieveforme.”

“Remember,” said theofficer,with strong emotion, “that inmeyouwill alwayshave asecretfriend;butopenlyIcannotknowyou.”

“Iknowit,Iknowit,”saidBirch;“IknewitwhenItooktheservice.’TisprobablythelasttimethatIshalleverseeyourexcellency.MayGodpourdownhischoicestblessingsonyourhead!”Hepaused,andmovedtowardsthedoor.Theofficerfollowedhimwitheyes

that expressed deep interest.Oncemore the peddler turned, and seemed to gaze on theplacid but commanding features of the general with regret and reverence, and then,bowinglow,withdrew.

CHAPTERXXIV.

DEATHOFTHESPY.—AREVELATION.

Itwasthirty-threeyearsaftertheinterviewwhichwehavejustrelatedthatanAmericanarmywasoncemorearrayedagainstthetroopsofEngland;butthescenewastransferredfromthebanksoftheHudsontothoseoftheNiagara.[135]

Itwastheeveningofthe25thofJulyofthatbloodyyear,whentwoyoungofficerswereseen standing on the table-rock, contemplating the great cataract with an interest thatseemed to betray that theywere gazing for the first time at thewonder of thewesternworld. A profound silence was observed by each, until the companion of the officersuddenly started, and pointing eagerly with his sword into the abyss[136] beneath,exclaimed:

“See,Wharton,thereisamancrossingintheveryeddiesofthecataract,andinaskiffnobiggerthananegg-shell.”

“Hehasaknapsack—itisprobablyasoldier,”returnedtheother.“Letusmeethimattheladder,Mason,andlearnhistidings.”

Some time was expended in reaching the spot where the adventurer was intercepted.Contrarytotheexpectationsoftheyoungsoldiers,heprovedtobeamanfaradvancedinlife,andevidentlynofollowerofthecamp.

Afewwordsofsalutation,and,onthepartoftheyoungmen,ofsurprisethatonesoagedshouldventuresonearthewhirlpoolsofthecataract,wereexchanged,whentheoldmaninquired, with a voice that began to manifest the tremor of age, the news from thecontendingarmies.

“We whipped the red-coats here the other day, among the grass on the Chippewa[137]plains,”saidtheonewhowascalledMason.

“Perhaps you have a son among the soldiers,” said his companion, with a milderdemeanor,[138]andanairofkindness;“ifso,tellmehisnameandregiment,andIwilltakeyoutohim.”

Theoldmanshookhishead,andanswered:

“No;Iamaloneintheworld!”

“Youshouldhaveadded,CaptainDunwoodie,”criedhiscarelesscomrade,“ifyoucouldfindeither;fornearlyhalfourarmyhasmarcheddowntheroad,andmaybe,bythistime,underthewallsofFortGeorge,[139]foranythingthatweknowtothecontrary.”

Theoldmanstoppedsuddenly,and lookedearnestly fromoneofhiscompanions to theother;theactionbeingobservedbythesoldiers,theypausedalso.

“DidIhearright?”thestrangeruttered,raisinghishandtoscreenhiseyesfromtheraysofthesettingsun.“Whatdidhecallyou?”

“MynameisWhartonDunwoodie,”repliedtheyouth,smiling.

Thestrangermotionedsilentlyforhimtoremovehishat,whichtheyouthdidaccordingly,and his fair hair blew aside like curls of silk, and opened the whole of his ingenuouscountenancetotheinspectionoftheother.

“’Tislikeournativeland!”exclaimedtheoldmanwithvehemence;“improvingwithtime.Godhasblessedboth.”

“Whydoyoustarethus,LieutenantMason?”criedCaptainDunwoodie,laughingalittle;“youshowmoreastonishmentthanwhenyousawthefalls.”

“Oh,thefalls!theyareathingtobelookedatonamoon-shinynight,byyourauntSarahandthatgayoldbachelor,ColonelSingleton.”

“Come,come,Tom,nojokesaboutmygoodaunt,Ibeg;sheiskindnessitself;andIhavehearditwhisperedthatheryouthwasnotaltogetherhappy.”

“Why, as to rumor,” saidMason, “there goes one in Accomac, that Colonel Singletonoffers himself to her regularly everyValentine’sDay; and there are somewho add thatyouroldgreat-aunthelpshissuit.”

“Aunt Jeanette!” said Dunwoodie, laughing; “dear, good soul, she thinks but little ofmarriageinanyshape,Ibelieve,sincethedeathofDr.Sitgreaves.”

“The last time I was at General Dunwoodie’s plantation, that yellow, sharp-nosedhousekeeperofyourmother’s tookme into thepantry,andsaid that thecolonelwasnodespicablematch,asshecalledit.”

“Quitelikely,”returnedthecaptain;“KatyHaynesisnobadcalculator.”

Theoldmanlistenedtoeachwordas itwasuttered,with themost intense interest;but,towardtheconclusionofthedialogue,theearnestattentionofhiscountenancechangedtoakindof inwardsmile.Masonpaidbut littleattention to theexpressionofhis features,andcontinued:

“Tomesheisselfishnessembodied.”

“Her selfishness does but little harm,” returned Dunwoodie. “One of her greatestdifficulties is her aversion to the blacks. She says that she never saw but one that sheliked.”

“Andwhowashe?”

“His name was Cæsar; he was a house-servant of my late grandfather Wharton. Mymotheralwaysspeaksofhimwithgreataffection.BothCæsarandKatycametoVirginiawithmymotherwhenshemarried.Mymotherwas——”

“An angel!” interrupted the oldman, in a voice that startled the young soldiers by itsabruptnessandenergy.

“Didyouknowher?”criedtheson,withaglowofpleasureonhischeek.

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 fewminutestheairwasfilledwiththetumultofawarmandwell-contestedbattle.

EverythingintheAmericancampannouncedanapproachingstruggle.Thetroopswereinmotion, and amovementmade to support the division of the armywhichwas alreadyengaged.Nighthad set inbefore the reserveand irregulars reached the footofLundy’sLane,[140]aroadthatdivergedfromtheriverandcrossedaconicaleminenceatnogreatdistancefromtheNiagarahighway.ThesummitofthehillwascrownedwiththecannonoftheBritish,andintheflatbeneathwastheremnantofScott’s[141]gallantbrigade,whichfora long timehadheldanunequalcontestwithdistinguishedbravery.Anew linewasinterposed, andone columnof theAmericansdirected to charge thehill, parallel to theroad. This column took the English in flank, and bayoneting their artillerists, gainedpossession of the cannon. They were immediately joined by their comrades, and theenemywassweptfromthehill.

ButlargereënforcementswerejoiningtheEnglishgeneralmomentarily,andtheir troopswere too brave to rest easy under defeat. Repeated and bloody charges were made torecover the guns, but in all theywere repulsedwith slaughter.During the last of thesestruggles, theardorof theyouthfulcaptainwhomwehavementionedurgedhimto leadhismensomedistanceinadvance,toscatteradaringpartyoftheenemy.Hesucceeded,but in returning to the linemissedhis lieutenant from the station that heought to haveoccupied.Soonafter this repulse,whichwas the last,ordersweregiven to theshatteredtroopstoreturntothecamp.TheBritishwerenowheretobeseen,andpreparationsweremadetotakeinsuchofthewoundedascouldbemoved.

AtthismomentWhartonDunwoodie,impelledbyaffectionforhisfriend,seizedalightedfusee,[142] and taking twoof hismen,went himself in quest of his body,wherehewassupposedtohavefallen.

Masonwasfoundonthesideofthehill,seatedwithgreatcomposure,butunabletowalkfromafracturedleg.Dunwoodiesawandflewtothesideofhiscomrade,exclaiming:

“Ah!dearTom,IknewIshouldfindyouthenearestmantotheenemy.”

“Softly, softly; handleme tenderly,” replied the lieutenant. “No; there is a brave fellowstillnearerthanmyself,andwhohecanbeIknownot.Herushedoutofoursmoke,nearmyplatoon,tomakeaprisonerorsomesuchthing,but,poorfellow,henevercameback;thereheliesjustoverthehillock.Ihavespokentohimseveraltimes,butIfancyheispastanswering.”

Dunwoodiewenttothespot,andtohisastonishmentbeheldthestranger.

“It is theoldmanwhoknewmyfatherandmother,”cried theyouth;“for their sakeheshall have honorable burial.Lift him, and let himbe carried in; his bones shall rest onnativesoil.”

Themen approached to obey. Hewas lying on his back, with his face exposed to the

glaring light of the fusee; his eyeswere closed, as if in slumber; his lips, sunkenwithyears,were slightlymoved from their position, but it seemedmore like a smile than aconvulsionwhichhadcausedthechange.Asoldier’smusketlaynearhim;hishandswerepresseduponhisbreast,andoneof themcontainedasubstance thatglittered likesilver.Dunwoodie stooped, and moving the limbs, perceived the place where the bullet hadfoundapassagetohisheart.Thesubjectofhislastcarewasatinbox,throughwhichthefatal lead had gone; and the dyingmoments of the oldmanmust have been passed indrawing it from his bosom. Dunwoodie opened it, and found a paper in which, to hisastonishment,hereadthefollowing:

“Circumstancesofpoliticalimportance,whichinvolvethelivesandfortunesofmany,havehithertokeptsecretwhatthispapernowreveals.HarveyBirchhas for years been a faithful and unrequited[143] servant of his country.Thoughmandoesnot,mayGodrewardhimforhisconduct!

“GEO.WASHINGTON.”

ItwastheSPYOFTHENEUTRALGROUND,whodiedashehadlived,devotedtohiscountry,andamartyrtoherliberties.

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NEWYORK:43-45-47EastTenthSt.BOSTON:352WashingtonSt NEWORLEANS:714-716CanalSt.

FOOTNOTES:

[1]The term“Continental”wasapplied to thearmyof theColonies, to theirCongress, to themoneyissuedbyCongress,etc.

[2]guesses.

[3]wrapper.

[4]declared.

[5]sharpness.

[6]eagerness.

[7]exactnessinconduct.

[8]quicknessandskill.

[9]centredupononething.

[10]lookingatthesurfaceonly.

[11]loveofgain.

[12]adoorcutintohalves,upperandlower.

[13]extreme.

[14]aBritishcolonel.

[15]anAmericangeneral;alsospelledSumter.

[16]abranchoftheBroad,whichisabranchoftheCongareeRiver,SouthCarolina.

[17]ironsforsupportingwoodinafire-place.

[18]avillageinWestchesterCounty,northoftheHarlemRiver.

[19]WhitePlains.

[20]regulartroops,British.

[21]withscorn.

[22]readinesstoconverse.

[23]Britishspy,capturednearTarrytown,andhangednearTappan.

[24]Theglancesconveyedahiddenmeaning.

[25]DeLanceywasaBritishofficerincommandoftheCow-Boys(seenote,p.30).

[26]overspread.

[27]fears.

[28]abrightredcolor.

[29]open;frank.

[30]defeated.

[31]ended.

[32]LongIslandSound.

[33]waves.

[34]readiness.

[35]thinking.

[36]entertainingguestswithoutpay.

[37]disturbedconditionofmind.

[38]astringedinstrumentthatiscausedtosoundbytheimpulseoftheair.

[39]fright.

[40]fromtheside.

[41]signsormotions.

[42]verygreat.

[43]usingbutfewwords.

[44]overcoat.

[45]change.

[46]ontheHudson,fortymilesnorthofNewYork.

[47]isthedutyof.

[48]tomakeeasy.

[49]veryhastily.

[50]trial.

[51]nevertobeloosened.

[52]freefromblame.

[53]amountedsentinel.

[54]ThesewereHessiansoldiers(fromHesse-Cassel,inGermany)hiredbyGreatBritain.TheCow-BoyswereAmericansenlistedassoldiers in theBritisharmy.Onthenextpagetheyarereferredtoasthe“refugeetroop.”

[55]haughty.

[56]anotedparkinLondon.

[57]changesinposition.

[58]violent;fierce.

[59]thatis,here,firstlieutenant.

[60]inclination.

[61]threateningnature.

[62]Itwasadangerdemandingimmediateaction.

[63]thinkingquietly.

[64]foreshadowingsomethingserious.

[65]search.

[66]linesoftheface.

[67]Theywereknownas“Skinners.”

[68]questions.

[69]fool.

[70]notesissuedbytheContinentalCongress,worthbutlittle.

[71]GeorgeIII.,KingofEngland.

[72]littledetails.

[73]departure(literally,theygoout).

[74]burial.

[75]agreements.

[76]forfeitingtothepublictreasury.

[77]supporteroftheAmericancause.

[78]hardtosuit.

[79]fallingintodecay.

[80]outburst.

[81]quickness.

[82]jocosely.

[83]changeofsentinel.

[84]FrenchaidwasgiventheAmericans.

[85]Colonists,whofavoredtheBritish.

[86]counted.

[87]whipping.

[88]unsuccessful.

[89]gentleness,kindness.

[90]placeofmeeting.

[91]murderbysecretassault.

[92]onenotfighting.

[93]riskordanger.

[94]expressingonethingandmeaninganother.

[95]coveredwithadecoratedcloth.

[96]uprightwindowsbuiltonaslopingroof.

[97]exclaimed.

[98]SirHenryClinton,commanderoftheEnglishforces.

[99]aprocessionofpersonsonhorseback.

[100]messenger.

[101]astrongholdontheHudson.

[102]middleage.

[103]name.

[104]onewhostudiescasesofconscience.

[105]communicationofdiseasebycontact.

[106]anAmericanofficerwhowasdetectedwithintheBritishlinesindisguise.

[107]GeneralNathanaelGreene,anotedAmericancommander.

[108]William;ageneralintheAmericanarmy,whoorganizedtheforcesatCambridgebefore

thebattleofBunkerHill.

[109]AlexanderHamilton,aide-de-camptoWashington.

[110]wildandextravagantnotions.

[111]aversion,dislike.

[112]refined—exalted.

[113]acityofSwitzerland.

[114]readaccountinthebookofDaniel(Bible).

[115]notsincere.

[116]veryhungry.

[117]surveyingthesituationwithhiseye.

[118]medley.

[119]withhaste.

[120]excitingfear.

[121]awoman’sshortcloak.

[122]cleftsoropenings.

[123]sword.

[124]overcoat.

[125]arrest.

[126]penalty.

[127]Shethoughthissenseofdutytooexacting.

[128]marriage.

[129]pretence.

[130] a river flowing into theHudson about thirty-twomiles aboveNewYork; high groundborderingonthisriver.

[131]ashipofwar.

[132]respect.

[133]formsrequiredbygoodbreeding.

[134]aformerSpanishcoin,worthabout$8.

[135]nameofriverandfallsbetweenNewYorkandCanada.

[136]bottomlessdepth.

[137]avillageinCanada,twenty-onemilesnorthwestofBuffalo.

[138]manner.

[139]afortontheCanadasideoftheNiagaraRiver,whereitflowsintoLakeOntario.

[140]aroadleadingwestfromNiagaraRiver,nearNiagaraFalls.

[141]GeneralWinfieldScott,commanderoftheAmericanforces.

[142]torch.

[143]unrewarded.

TRANSCRIBER’SNOTES:

1.Minorchangeshavebeenmadetocorrecttypesetters’errors;otherwise,everyefforthasbeenmadetoremaintruetotheauthor’swordsandintent.

2.TheoriginalofthisbookdidnothaveaTableofContents;onehasbeenaddedforthereader’sconvenience.