Peggy Owen and Liberty

by Lucy Foster Madison

  CHAPTER XX

  A SLIGHT EMPHASIS ON "THAT"

  "Of all the numerous ills that hurt our peace, That press the soul, or wring the mind with anguish, Beyond comparison, the worst are those Which to our folly or our guilt we owe."

  --_John Strange Winter._

  "And you will take Peggy and me to see Clifford this morning, won'tyou, Cousin David?" Harriet smiled brightly over the breakfast tableat David Owen as she spoke. Despite the long journey the girls hadawakened betimes, and appeared looking so radiant and so thoroughlywholesome that Mr. Owen had declared that they surpassed the morningitself in brightness.

  "Thou wilt have to wait until about noon, Harriet," he answeredsmiling at her kindly. "I have some work which must be attended tofirst. When that is done I shall be at thy service."

  "And when thee does go, Harriet, try to persuade thy brother to givehis parole, that he may visit us," exclaimed Mrs. Owen. "I quite longto see the lad, and John said that there was no reason why he shouldnot be at large, if he would but give his word not to go beyond thelimits of the town."

  "I'll make Clifford see reason," said Harriet confidently. "He doesn'tlike John Drayton, and therefore does not wish to accept any favorfrom him."

  "But why should he dislike him, lass? Drayton hath been kindnessitself to him."

  "You see, Cousin David," explained Harriet with a charming blush,"Clifford cannot rid himself of the idea that Captain Drayton may havebeen in favor with me. Once I made a shirt which I gave to the captainin sport. It seems that he twitted Clifford about it, and Cliffordtore the garment up. I believe they came to blows over the matter, andthere hath been bad feeling between them ever since."

  "That would explain many things," spoke Mr. Owen musingly. "There iscertainly strong dislike on Clifford's part. Thou art sure that thouhast given no cause for the feeling, lass?"

  "Why, I dislike John Drayton extremely, Cousin David. He wears hisbeaver in what he supposes is a jaunty fashion over his right eye, andhe swaggers when he walks. How could one show him favor?"

  Mr. Owen laughed.

  "The lad does swagger a bit, Harriet, but 'tis not an offensiveswagger. As to his hat: 'tis a standing joke of the army as to how hekeeps it on in battle. The hotter the fight the further on the side itgets. I saw a letter that General Greene writ to His Excellency inwhich he declared that Drayton fought with it on his right ear allthrough the battle of Hobkirk's Hill. John was made a captain forvalor shown during that engagement. General Greene says that if itever gets an inch further down he will be a general, sure. Thee ispleased over that, Peggy?"

  "Oh, Peggy is hopeless where Captain Drayton is concerned," criedHarriet. "I have never known her to do aught but stand up for him,except when she thought him a deserter at Yorktown. Even then shewould not talk against him."

  "Well, he is very deserving, lass. All his mannerisms are those ofyouth. Underneath them I agree with Peggy that thee will find JohnDrayton of sterling worth."

  "To my mind he does not compare with Major Dale," said Harriet. "Hehath obtained the rank of major, and hath not found it necessary tobring his ear into service as a resting place for his hat, either."

  Even Peggy joined in the laugh which this remark caused.

  "Well, I must to work, to work," ejaculated Mr. Owen rising. "I wouldmuch prefer to stay with you, but I must get to work. Be ready atnoon, girls."

  "What is his work?" questioned Harriet as the door closed behind him.

  "'Tis in regard to thy people, Harriet," Mrs. Owen told her. "I makeno doubt but that thee knows already that there is a great deal ofillicit trade carried on betwixt thy people in New York and some ofour citizens. 'Tis David's duty to examine all goods that are broughtinto the town to see that none are contraband."

  "Then would he have to examine the wagon load of stores which I camewith before it could be given to our soldiers?" asked Harriet.

  "Of course, child. If there is naught contraband in it thee need haveno uneasiness. As soon as they are passed upon they are turned over toMajor Gordon, a paroled British officer who hath charge of theprisoners here. He distributes them according to the need of theprisoners. The table stores are divided equally."

  "Oh!" uttered Harriet thoughtfully. After a moment she turned toPeggy. "And how shall we amuse ourselves, Peggy, until 'tis time to goto Clifford?"

  "Let's go through the house and grounds," suggested Peggy. "Thee wouldlike to see them, would thee not?"

  "Yes," answered the girl. "Shall we go now, Peggy?"

  The house was roomy enough to house the family comfortably withouttoo much care in its ordering, having a wide piazza in front,with a kitchen, bakehouse and oven in the rear. There were largegrounds,--part orchard, part garden, and part meadow-land. But themaidens were most pleased with the great number of flowering shrubsabout the grounds.

  "There are going to be heaps and heaps of roses, Harriet," cried Peggydelightedly. "Just see the buds! The color is already beginning toshow through the green."

  "I see," replied her cousin, pausing beside a lilac bush to break offa fragrant cluster of blossoms. "I do wish I had brought my horse,Fleetwood. Your father spoke of rides, Peggy, but I see not how I cango with you."

  "Father will, no doubt, get thee a mount, Harriet. Of course 'twillnot be Fleetwood, but thee won't mind that, will thee?"

  "No, Peggy."

  It was just noon when David Owen came for them. The prisoners confinedat Lancaster were for the most part kept in barracks, but many werepermitted at large on parole so that the streets swarmed with them.The house was but a half mile from the barracks, and this distance wassoon traversed.

  A strong stockade with four blockhouses, one on each corner, enclosedthe barracks. Captain Drayton met them just as they passed through thestockade gates.

  "This way," he said, leading them across the parade-ground where acompany was drilling. "I sent for Captain Williams to be in theanteroom. He should be there waiting for you. I did not tell him whowished to see him."

  Major Dale was standing at the entrance of the barracks, and the partystopped for a moment's chat with him. Presently Peggy passed on intothe anteroom. Clifford was sitting disconsolately by a table with hishead resting on his hand. He was pale, and thinner than she had everseen him, but his resemblance to her father was more marked than ever.He cried out at sight of her.

  "Peggy," he cried springing to his feet, "is this what that Yankeecaptain meant by sending for me? Cousin David said that he expectedyou, but he did not tell me that you had come."

  "I just came last night, my cousin," she answered scanning his facewith deep concern. "And how is thee?"

  "Oh, I'm all right," he answered carelessly. "That is," he addedhastily, "as right as one well can be who is a prisoner."

  "Mother is here too, Clifford. She wishes to see thee so much. We wantthee to be with us, my cousin, while we are here, and Captain Draytonhath said that thee might come and go at thy pleasure if thee wouldgive thy word not to try to escape."

  "Drayton is very kind," he remarked, his lip curling. "I give no wordto him of any sort. Why, Harriet!" he broke off abruptly. "How did youget here?"

  "Hasn't Peggy told you all about it?" cried Harriet running to him."Oh, Cliff, 'twas such a good joke that I played on her. I made astricter Quakeress than she does. You see we had not heard from youfor so long that 'twas quite time that some of us looked you up. Sitdown, and I'll tell you about it."

  "Father ought not to have permitted it," he observed, when she hadfinished the recital. "I don't see why he did. I like it not, mysister."

  "Nonsense, Cliff! there was no danger. Peggy can tell you that therewas no risk of my being thought other than I seemed."

  "I like it not," he repeated. "And now, Harriet, what will you do? Itdoth not seem wise to me, or right for you to return to New York."

  "I shall stay with Peggy for a time," she told him easily.

  "We shall be pleased to have her with us, my cousin," spoke Peggyin
stantly, noting his troubled glance.

  "But she may have to remain until peace, which may be long in coming,Peggy."

  "I think not, Clifford," spoke Harriet, before Peggy could make anyresponse. "If we enforce the new policy which Sir Guy Carleton hathinaugurated, America will be glad to have peace on any terms."

  "I have heard of no new policy," he said somewhat curtly. "What isit?"

  "You have scarcely been in the way of hearing new things, my brother.Know then that the colonies are to be so harassed from all sides thatthey will sue for peace. On the frontiers," she exulted, seeminglyunmindful of Peggy's presence, "and on the coasts."

  "There hath been too much of that already," he said grimly. "It hathbrought us into disfavor with the entire world. Take the death ofFairfax Johnson, for instance, which was the direct result of such apolicy. 'Twas a base and ignoble act to murder him; for it wasmurder."

  "Englishmen did not do that, Clifford. 'Twas the loyalists."

  "Englishmen sanction the act while they retain Lippencott, themurderer," he answered. "Have they given him up yet?"

  "No, of course not," she responded. "The court-martial exonerated him.You would not feel about the matter as you do, Cliff, if you had notknown Fairfax. Sir Guy hath also another plan of which I am not atliberty to speak. And, Cliff, I wish you would have Major Gordon comein here. I have something to say to him."

  "Why, Harriet, you do not know him," exclaimed Clifford, turning astartled glance upon her. "What could you possibly have to say tohim?"

  "I want to tell him about the goods that I brought, my brother," shemade answer.

  "I did not understand that you brought them," he said. "I thought youmerely took advantage of the fact that they were being sent to comewith them."

  "Why, so I did, Cliff."

  "Then there is no need to send for the major," he said firmly. "Thegoods pass through Cousin David's hands, and are then turned over toMajor Gordon for distribution among us. He will get them without youtroubling about them."

  "Very well," she said. "Then let us talk about ourselves. Madam ourcousin wishes you to take dinner with her to-day. Cousin David wascalled away by some matter pertaining to his work just as we werecoming in, but he said that he would join us presently to insist uponyour going. You must not refuse, Clifford. 'Twould be churlish."

  "Clifford, do come," pleaded Peggy. "There is so much to talk aboutthat we cannot begin to say half of it here. And Sally. I havesomewhat to tell thee of Sally."

  "I do not care to hear anything concerning Mistress Sally," he saidloftily. "Naught that you can say anent the lady interests me."

  "Thee is unjust, my cousin," began Peggy, when Harriet interruptedher.

  "That is simply pig-headedness, Cliff. If Sally Evans said that shedid not betray you, then she didn't. That's all there is to it. Whenyou come to know these Quakers as I do you will find that they alwaysspeak truth."

  "Thank thee, Harriet," said Peggy gratefully, not a little delightedthat her cousin should speak so warmly. "But I won't say anything moreto thy brother anent Sally if he does not wish to hear it. Sally wouldnot like it."

  "'Tis close in these barracks," cried Harriet rising. "Let's call JohnDrayton, so that you can give him your parole, Clifford. We are tohave dinner at two. It will be ready by the time we are there."

  Clifford Owen's lips set in a straight line of determination, butbefore he could speak the door opened to admit David Owen, RobertDale, and John Drayton. The countenances of all three were veryserious, and Peggy felt her heart begin to throb with anticipation ofapproaching disaster. Something had gone amiss. What could it be?Harriet noticed nothing unusual in their appearance, and flashed abrilliant smile at them.

  "You are just in time, Cousin David," she cried, "to help us persuadethis obstinate brother of mine to give his parole to Captain Drayton."

  "A moment first, lass." David Owen's voice was very grave. "Tell mewhat was in the wagon in which thee came?"

  "There were supplies for our soldiers, sir," she answered. "Tablestores and clothing. Why do you ask? Your Congress permits them to besent."

  "True, lass," he said. "True. Does thee know what my work here is?"

  "I did not know until this morning," she told him gazing at himfearfully. "Then I learned that it was to check the contraband tradewhich is held betwixt your people and mine."

  "That is it exactly," Mr. Owen made answer. "Harriet, it gives me muchpain, but I must ask thee if thee----"

  But at this point Clifford Owen went quickly to his sister's side, andfaced Mr. Owen boldly.

  "Of what do you accuse my sister, sir?" he asked. "Hath she not justsaid the wagon contained stores for our soldiers?"

  "Yes, lad; but it also contains many pounds of goods which are illegalto bring to thy soldiers."

  "And if it does contain such articles she knows naught of how theycame there," spoke the youth wrathfully, his face white with anger."We are not traders, sir. Harriet would not stoop to smuggle goodshere. Why do you not ask the driver concerning the matter?"

  "He hath disappeared, Clifford. I pray thee to permit thy sister toanswer for herself." Mr. Owen spoke with great mildness but none theless firmly.

  Harriet's face became pale as he turned toward her. Her gaze clung tohis as though fascinated.

  "What did you find, Cousin David?" she half whispered.

  "A false bottom in the wagon, together with false sides, which gavethe vehicle capacity for five hundred pounds of contraband goods," hetold her.

  "Truly?" she cried, sitting bolt upright. Her wonder and amaze weresuch that none could doubt her sincerity. "Why, they did not tell meabout that. Truly, truly, Cousin David, I knew naught about that."

  Was there the slightest emphasis on the "that"? Peggy asked thequestion of herself almost unconsciously. She glanced at the others.The faces of her father and Robert Dale were glowing with relief andsatisfaction. Clifford's belligerent attitude had relaxed slightly athis sister's declaration. John Drayton's glance alone met hers withunderstanding.

  "I believe thee, lass," cried Mr. Owen heartily. "Robert here wouldhave it that thee knew naught of the matter. Thee understands that'twas my duty to probe the affair."

  "Why, it's all right, Cousin David," she returned sweetly. "You had todo your duty, of course, and there's no harm done. And I thank you,Major Dale, for your belief in me. I shall never forget it." The tearscame into her lovely eyes as she spoke, making them lovelier thanever.

  "I knew that you would not be guilty of such a thing," exclaimedRobert Dale fervently.

  "And now let's go home for dinner, and forget all about this littleunpleasantness," exclaimed Mr. Owen. "Clifford, lad, we can't leavethee here. My wife will not forgive us if we do so."

  Again Clifford's lips set in an obstinate line, but Drayton spokequickly:

  "Captain Williams, I know how it irks you to be obliged to give meyour parole; so, if you will go with Mr. Owen, or the major here, toGeneral Hazen, he will receive your parole."

  For a moment Clifford struggled with himself. Then he said, and theeffort it cost him was plainly visible:

  "I can be as generous as you, sir. I give you my word of honor that Iwill make no attempt to escape while I am at large."

  "Thank you," said Drayton simply. "You are at liberty to go with yourrelatives, sir."

  Peggy lingered for a second behind the others.

  "Isn't thee coming too, John?" she asked.

  "Not to-day, Peggy. Clifford will enjoy it more if I am not there.Odds life! he did well to give that parole. He deserves to have oneday free of me. But, Peggy, I'll come out to-night, if I may. Anddon't worry about that wagon. I'll take it in hand while your fatheris not here."

  "Was there anything else contraband in the wagon, John?" she queriedanxiously that evening when the two found themselves alone on thepiazza.

  "Yes. The quartermaster was about to turn it over to Major Gordon whenI told him I would take another look through the contents. Peggy, in abarrel of vi
negar was a water tight cask just filled with goods. Thatslight emphasis on 'that' lost the British a pretty penny. I was alonewhen 'twas found, Peggy, so that no one knows about it but us two. Wewon't let your father, her brother, or Dale know about it. They allbelieve in her so, and I owe her something for what she did for me atYorktown."

  "Perchance she really does not know any more about this than she didabout the false bottom to the wagon, John."

  "It may be, Peggy. We will give her the benefit of the doubt, but itdoes look suspicious. She is not so high minded as her brother is."

  "John!" Peggy hesitated and then spoke quickly: "Thee knows how proudI am of her, and that I am fond of her. She is so beautiful andbrilliant that I cannot help but be glad when she is with us. Butthere is always an uneasy feeling too. Is there any mischief to thecause that could be done here?"

  "No," he answered emphatically. "Aside from bringing in goods for theillicit trade there is but one thing that could be done now, Peggy,and that thing Harriet will never do. 'Twould be to peddle thoseillegal goods to the country folk about here. Harriet won't do that,Peggy."

  "No, she would not do that," agreed Peggy.

  "Then set your mind at rest concerning her. We have the goods whichshe was sent to bring. She will never know that all have been found;so there is mutual satisfaction on both sides. If you can get anyenjoyment out of her presence, Peggy, do so."

  "Thank thee, John. Thee has set my mind completely at rest," saidPeggy.