CHAPTER IX
The Buford mansion reached, I was at once assisted to my room, and putto bed, a special servant being assigned to attend upon me. A week laterI was able to sit up each morning in a cushioned chair before mycheerful fire, and presently to walk about my room. I spent many of mywaking hours listening to the voices which floated up to me from thelower floor, trying to distinguish Nelly's gay sweet tones among them.Now and then I recognized a light footfall, as she flitted past my door,and hoped vainly that she would stop to speak to me. At last I grewdesperate, demanded paper and quill of my man, Hector, and wrote this inscrawling characters:
"Am I never to have the honor and privilege of thanking my generous deliverer? The weight of my gratitude oppresses me; will you not add another deed of gracious kindness to my debt, and give me the opportunity to ease my soul by expressing a part of the thankfulness and devotion which fill it to overflowing? Only let me see you, and I shall be, for as long as it pleases you, sweet Nelly.
"Your most willing captive,
"DONALD MCELROY."
Then I sealed, and addressed the note, and bade Hector take it to hisyoung mistress. He came back in a few moments with the message that"Miss Nelly would see me in half an hour." The interim was spent by mein making as careful a toilet as any young girl robing for her firstball. I had had Captain Buford purchase for me two suits of citizens'clothes of latest cut and pattern, and I flattered myself that the plumcolored breeches and coat, the sprigged velvet waistcoat, black silkstockings, and silver buckles set off my heroic proportions to someadvantage. I had been daily clean shaven since I had been strong enoughto stand it, and my "curling chestnut locks," had grown long enough toadmit of their being gathered into a respectable resemblance to a queue,which I tied with a black satin ribbon.
Just as I had satisfied myself that I was not ill to look at, a liveriedfootman came to my door to say that Miss Buford awaited me in the secondfloor reception room, and that I was to follow him thither. I found herstanding by the window, a plume covered brown felt scoop hiding all herblonde head, except the airy curls upon her forehead, and about herthroat a dark fur tippet, from which her fair face rose, like a flowerset in rich leaves.
"I'm just going out, Captain McElroy," she said, after she had given mea gracious greeting, "but I could not resist your gallant appeal, nor gountil I had relieved you of your heavy burden--though I'm sorry, sir,you should feel it as a burden, the small service it has been ourpleasure to render you."
"I feel not your kindness as a burden, Miss Nelly, it has been acceptedas freely as bestowed--'twas the longing to see and to thank you that Icould endure no longer. I have now no further cause for unrest, savethis threat of yours to leave me, before I have had time to clothe mygratitude in adequate words."
"Will't say you're glad I'm a Tory--and that even a Tory may be honestand a Christian? If you will, I shall call it fair quittance of all youowe me," and she laughed the rippling saucy laugh that had been ringingthrough my dreams for months.
"That a Tory may be honest and a Christian, I admit most freely,--butthat I am glad you are one is more than I can say, with aught of truth.I would have you all on my side if I could; still more, I would have noone with half so good a claim to you as I."
"But 'tis the other way, Sir Patriot--no one else has so good a claim toyou as have I; since you are my paroled prisoner. Do they treat youwell, poor captive?"
"As an honored guest, fair jailer; there's but one thing lacking to mycomfort."
"And what may that be? It shall be supplied."
"A daily interview, and a long one, with my jailer."
"You have been very slow, sir, to signify a wish to see her. Two weeksago to-day it has been since you came, and this is the first intimationI have had that my presence would be welcome."
"And daily I have hoped you would stop at my threshold to ask of myimprovement--you could not fail to know that I have been pining for onelook at your bright face."
"Young women must not take things for granted, sir; you, however, arenot like the British officers and the city macaronis, you are bothhonest and modest, and if you have not made great haste to be gallant, Ifeel sure you are sincere. But I must say good-by for the present, askating party waits for me, down stairs."
"When may I hope to see you again?"
"To-morrow, if you wish."
"At what hour, that I may count the minutes!"
"Eleven o'clock, shall we say? If I might read to you an hour eachmorning, would that help you to pass less irksomely the tedious days ofyour captivity?"
She called this back to me over her shoulder, her saucy face fairer forits frame of soft plumes and rich fur.
"'Twould make me rejoice in the midst of my misfortunes, most mercifuljailer," I answered, striking an attitude with my hand upon my heart.
The hours crawled by like a slow procession of half torpid serpents tillI fell asleep, and the next morning passed in eager expectancy.
"Which of these shall I read from?" began Miss Nelly, entering the smallreception room with her arms full of books.
"I have chosen a variety, one of which will, I hope, suit both yourtaste and your mood. Here is Ossian, if your literary appetite calls forthe mystic and lyric; or Pope if it demands the caustic and humorous; orLady Mary Montague if you have a weakness for gossip; or Shakespeare's'Romeo and Juliet,' Ben Jonson's 'Mourning Bride,' should your mood betragic; or 'Evelina,' the most popular of the new novels, if you have afancy for fiction. Which shall it be this morning?"
"First, a few extracts from Ossian, then, a bit of Lady Mary, andlastly, a chapter from the new novel," I answered with shameless greed.
But we did not get to the novel that morning, for the reading of Ossianended in an animated discussion of the claims of McPherson that hispoems were a genuine translation from the old Gaelic. I stronglymaintained, that the true spirit of the ancient Gaelic people was inthese poems, and that it would be well nigh impossible for a modern toconceive or to reproduce the feelings and sentiments of these primitivebards with such absolute truth of conception. Miss Nelly, however, heldstoutly to the views of the critics, as became her conservative habit ofmind.
Then came a few extracts from "Lady Mary" after which she seemed weary,so that I picked up her volume of plays and read from it some of myfavorite quotations.
"Why, Captain McElroy," she exclaimed, "you read well. After this youshall read to me, sir, while I finish hemstitching my ruffles."
"I have a favor to ask of you, Captain McElroy," said Miss Nelly onemorning when my hour of bliss was about to end. "I want you to take apart in the play we are rehearsing,--'tis the latest comedy written bythe late great London playwright, Sheridan, and you could do the part ofSir Peter Teazle to perfection."
"But I have never so much as seen a play, Miss Nelly," I answered inconsternation.
"Never mind that, you will be sure to say your lines with trueexpression, and the rest I can teach you. Do consent, Sir Patriot, Ihave told the girls and the British officers about you, and they alldesire greatly to meet you; even the belle and beauty, Miss MargaretShippen, said last evening to me, 'I hear, Miss Nelly, you have captureda rebel captain, and hold him imprisoned in your castle--are not we tohave the pleasure of meeting him? 'Tis said he is a Goliath for size; aDavid for skill, though with rifle instead of sling; and an Absalom forbeauty of person.' Now, Sir, can you resist a compliment like that fromthe fairest Tory maiden in Philadelphia; will you not come in thedrawing room this evening, and be introduced to her?"
"And meet British officers, who might resent my impertinence!"
"All who come to this house are gentlemen, sir--nor would they show theleast disrespect to a friend of mine."
"I am not fit for polite society, Miss Nelly, and I wish not to play thepart of Samson--to make sport for my enemies."
"The suggestion is insulting, Captain McElroy, and I urge you no more,"and Miss Nelly left the room, her head poised haughtily.
Next morningshe did not join me in the library at the usual time, and after anhour's waiting I sent to beg her presence.
"I apologize with deep humility of soul for my rudeness of yesterday," Isaid, as soon as she came in. "I'll meet your friends gladly, and trythe part of Sir Peter if 'twill gratify you. Do not I owe my life toyou, and have you not made my very captivity a time of delight? Will younot forgive me, since the speech was prompted by the stupidity of ablunt soldier, and not by any doubt of you or your friends?"
"Only upon condition that you stop abusing yourself, will I forgive you,sir, and moreover that you speak before these British, and Tory friendsof mine with the same bold spirit of independence you have ever used tome. I like you for it, though, at times, it nettles me."
"You need have no fear of that," I laughed, "but I shall endeavor so toact that you may not blush for having honored me with the name offriend."
"You know well that I shall be proud of you, Captain McElroy, there'snot so handsome a man in the British army. I would give a great deal tosee you in a British captain's uniform, that I might show them such menas this land, which they sometimes flaunt and laugh at, produces. Thougha Tory, Captain McElroy, I love America, and Americans, and allow no oneto slur either at our country, or our people."
O wily, bewitching Nelly; how was it possible to resist you. And yet Icannot believe that you were from the first playing a part, nor that youcoldly schemed to entrap me. You were my true friend when much I neededone, and if afterward you became a snare, it was greatly my own fault.
That evening I donned my best, having sent Hector out to purchase awhite silk vest embroidered with pink rosebuds, and a white silk, lacetrimmed stock, that I might be behind none of the macaronis, nor givethe foppish British officers cause to scoff at my provincial appearance.A man of gentle blood and sound principles needs scant time foracquiring society polish, and by saying little, and watching andlistening closely, I soon learned the approved ways of doing the littlethings. They thought me shy, and kindly left me a good deal to myself,at first. Miss Shippen--a stately, beautiful, and most gracious manneredmaiden--called me to her side the second evening, and entered into aconversation in regard to the comedy. "Like you the part of Sir Peter?"she asked.
"Rather better than any of the others, I think."
"Then I infer you do not find the other characters to your liking?" andshe smiled, and glanced sideways at the officer who sat on her otherhand.
"The comedy is doubtless a fine satire upon certain gay London circles,"I replied, "but there are but two characters one can like. Maria, andSir Peter, and both are shamefully cozened. I must except too the olduncle, he is quite likable."
"And you like not that fascinating rake, Charles Surface, nor deliciousLady Teazle, with her boisterous snobbery, and her irrepressible goodnature? Are you of Quaker faith, Captain McElroy?"
"No, Miss Shippen, I'm a Scotch Irish Presbyterian."
"Then we shall shock you, I fear."
"But whatever may be your religious views, sir, you wish surely to knowsomething of life?" put in the British officer, a well made blonde manwith straight nose, and large mouth. "Would you take advantage of yourpresent opportunities, you shall learn things you have not dreamed of inyour mountain wilds."
"Adventure has ever appealed to me, sir, and lately my life has beeno'er tame," I answered, determined to be no milksop among these British."So you do not ask me to go a backbiting with Sir Benjamin, and therest, there's little you can offer me, promising excitement, that youwill not find me ready for."
"Glad am I to hear it, Mr. McElroy--
"Captain McElroy, an' you please; having won my humble title by hardservice, and not by court favor, I am very proud of it, sir."
"Beg your pardon," somewhat haughtily; "I was about to say I like not asoldier, Captain McElroy, who cants and prays between battles, as didthe hypocritical Cromwellians. A gay life in barracks is proper rewardfor arduous work during a campaign;--to-morrow, an' you will, I shallcall to take you to our quarters, where you may lunch with four as jollygood fellows as are to be found in the British army."
I had just assented to this invitation of Captain Wheaton's, when MissShippen introduced me to the latest comer, as Colonel Forbes; he was asmall, wiry, swarthy man who had been making the round of the room, andnow leaned over Miss Shippen's chair, whispering in her ear.
"One of Morgan's Riflemen, said you, Miss Margaret?" eyeing me with mostevident curiosity, as I rose to return his salutation; "a famous leader,and brave troops; they did the work for us at Saratoga. To your coloneland his men belongs the glory of that victory, Captain McElroy--yet Ihear it has been filched from you by that braggart Gates, and thatColonel Morgan has not even been accorded a promotion. This so-calledContinental Congress knows naught of the art of warfare, nor canrecognize the qualities of a true leader, or else it has its favoriteswhom it is determined to advance, regardless of merit."
Though all this was true, I burned inwardly to hear him say it;determined, however, to repress the rash words which rose to my lips, Iset them firmly, folded my arms, and bowed in grave silence.
"Captain Morgan is devotedly loved by his men, I hear," put in MissShippen. "Is he very genial with them, Captain McElroy?"
"He treats them as sons, or as brothers; there's not one but wouldfollow him cheerfully to certain death."
"But," said Miss Shippen, "I am much more interested in the comedy, thanin any talk of war, or comparison of leaders, for Captain McElroy it isI who am to act Maria--do you not think I'll look and act the characterto the life?"
"To perfection, and now I wish I were to play Charles Surface."
"Hear him, Nelly," called Miss Shippen to that young lady, crossing theroom to the spinet, attended by half a dozen gallants. "He pretends towish that he were going to be Charles Surface in our comedy, didst everhear of such shameless deceit?"
"Or such base ingratitude, for I see he has already transferred hisallegiance--but why should we be surprised by any fresh evidence ofmasculine perfidy--have we not long since learned that 'Men weredeceivers ever'?" and Nelly's manner and tone showed that she would beno amateur upon the stage.
"And women were ever our innocent victims, I suppose. There's not acoquette among you!" jeered Captain Buford, who had just joined ourcircle, a brown haired Quakeress upon his arm, who was going to singduets with Miss Nelly.
"We but use nature's weapons for our just defense, Captain Buford,"answered Miss Shippen. "The more skillful and wary one's enemy, the moreadroit one needs be. Women have learned to guard, to parry, and tothrust by long practice in the art of self-defense."
* * * * *
The lunch in Captain Wheaton's quarters the next day was not the last ofthe entertainments proffered me by my hospitable enemies, especially byBuford's and Wheaton's mess. Not only did I lunch with them, dine withthem, and drink with them; I also diced and played with them, and wasinvited to join their riding parties. Once Wheaton, who seemed to haveconceived a liking for me which I returned heartily, carelessly allowedme to inspect with him the city's fortifications, and to see howinadequate they were to resist attack from any strong, well equippedforce. Afterwards this incident, which was purely accidental, and seemedof small importance as I thought at the time, counted heavily againstme, and proved to be the small silent hinge on which turned the dooropening to me the high road of my destiny. Far more important eventshave turned upon still smaller hinges.
* * * * *
The British soldiers were most of them fine soldiers, and genialcomrades, and their treatment of me was all courtesy and kindness.Through an odd streak of luck attending me, for surely skill had nothingto do with my triumph, I won at nearly all the games of chance soprevalent among them. Quinze, Piquet, Hazard, and other games, besidesall sorts of wild betting, were their chief diversions. They even bet atwhist, a slow, deep thinking game, well worth the playing without awager. Whatever the game, I won indifferently, a
nd soon my depletedpockets jingled merrily with English gold pieces.
"The Scotchman's luck" became a proverb in the captain's messes. But inall the dissipation of that time I was watchful never to drink toexcess. I am not fanatical against strong drinks, and to this day canfind no harm in one's warming and cheering himself with a cup of goodsack, or a finger of rum, but it has ever filled me with disgust to seea man's legs wabbling and tangling as he walked, and to hear maudlinwords mixing themselves in unintelligible gibberish upon a thick andlolling tongue.
And all this time my infatuation for Nelly Buford took daily strongerpossession of me. I spent in her society every hour she would allow me,and became the slave of each of her pretty, womanish caprices. Herdeference to me as her captive guest led me on as subtly as hercoquetry, and so little skill or wish had I to hide my infatuation, thatI must have seemed to all Miss Nelly's acquaintances to stand to her inthe attitude of an accepted lover. Once or twice I did venture to tellher that I loved her, but was easily checked by a doubting word, or anattempt to change the subject. Now, at any rate, I considered, I couldnot ask her to marry me, and to avow my love for other purposes weredishonorable. I yet had not the courage to resign hope, nor the will tosee less of her.
My habit to drink sparingly has more than once stood me in good stead,but never more so than at a banquet given to General Howe by theofficers, about the first of February, to which I was most graciouslyinvited; and to which, being urged by Buford and Wheaton, I foolishlyconsented to go. I did not realize the unpleasantness of the position inwhich I had put myself until the time came for toasts and speeches.First the health of the king was drunk with enthusiasm, all standingwith heads held proudly, and brimming glasses tossed high, while a lustycheer went up from many throats. I stood, also, not to make myselfconspicuous, but neither drank nor cheered. To General Howe's health, Idrank for courtesy's sake, but when "Success to British arms" wasproposed, I found my stock of politeness completely exhausted, and satdown abruptly, to the amusement of Forbes on my left and the scorn ofthe officer opposite.
And now began the serious business of the evening; brave soldiers, andcultivated gentlemen set themselves valorously to the task of drinkingeach other under the table; as gradually they waxed uproarious, freetalk was interchanged as to the supposed plans of the Britishgovernment, and its unswerving determination to subdue the revoltingcolonies at whatever cost of men or money. Meantime Colonel Forbes andthe captain next to him diverted me from the general talk by askingquestions as to the part Morgan and his men had taken in the attackagainst Quebec, and the battles which led to Saratoga; throwing infrequent adroit compliments to the riflemen, and expressions ofadmiration and sympathy for Colonel Morgan. Finding me noncommittal asto the treatment Arnold and Morgan had received from the ContinentalCongress, they branched off into an argument meant to convince me of thehopelessness of our cause, and the uselessness of sacrificing life andproperty by further resistance; declaring that Great Britain was willingto yield all we asked and wanted, short of complete independence, andthat only a few fanatics believed that to be possible, or desirable.
To this I responded, with perfect calmness, that nothing less thancomplete independence from autocratic will would satisfy the Americanpeople and that since we could never be conquered at such distance itwould be wiser to grant us the independence we claimed and to make of usloyal allies. That we were not warring against the British nation whichwe honored and esteemed above all other souls, but against thetyrannical notions of the King and his courtiers, themselves aliens tothe English blood. That our independence would but hasten theirs andbring the sooner that freedom of the human race and that universaldemocracy which was the dream of all true men and real patriots. Indeed,I affirmed, waxing more and more enthusiastic for my most cherishedbelief, "It would yet be the proud privilege of England and America tostand side by side for the cause of liberty and self-government."
Colonel Forbes but laughed at my wild theories and as he got drunker anddrunker grew more and more friendly 'til, presently, he wished I werehis comrade, since I was too good a fellow for a rebel; and then, withthe effusive confidence of a man deep in his cups, began a jumble ofprotestations and insinuations, hinting at the high honors, and richemoluments which awaited me if I would only consent to give up myfoolish devotion to rebellion and become once more a loyal Britishsubject.
I thought his talk but the foolish babble of a drunken man, and turnedit aside with jest and banter.
When presently the more sober arose to depart, the officer who had satnext to Colonel Forbes, and who, since the latter had waxed soconfidential, had lapsed into silence, took me by the arm and asked meto go with him to a small cloak room adjoining the banqueting hall.
"Captain McElroy," he said when we were seated and alone, "ColonelForbes has prematurely made you an offer we have been contemplating forsome days, and in regard to which I was authorized to sound you. We havegood reason to believe there is an officer in the rebel ranks wellaffected to our cause; we need some one who can freely communicate withhim--if you will consent to help us, a captain's commission in theBritish army, with promise of speedy promotion, and any sum of readymoney you may name is yours. Only sign this paper, and the compact isclosed."
I took the paper he handed me, opened and read it, then rose to my feet,and slowly tore it into bits, throwing them, as I did so, into the fire.
"YOU HAVE EVIDENTLY MISTAKEN ME FOR A VILLAIN."]
"Captain Forsythe," I said, while my hand and my voice shook with thestrain I put upon myself to control my anger, "you and others haveevidently mistaken me for a villain of that low and despicable typecapable of treason to his country. For the present I condone the insultfor the sake of other British officers who have seemed to consider me aman of honor. I bid you good night, sir," and reaching for cloak andhat, I hastened into the street, where the freshness and purity of theearly morning air and the calming message of the steadfaststars--shining on in their clear, soft beauty, whether men pray andsleep like Christians, or dice and plot, and drink like devils, on thechangeful earth beneath them--cooled my fevered brow, and helped me torestrain a seething desire to take violent vengeance upon my insulter.But I realized clearly the foolhardiness of such course, and moreoverthe ingratitude and disrespect to my friends it would seem to imply.
Donald McElroy, Scotch Irishman Page 9