CHAPTER X
The second evening after the banquet was the one set for the performanceof our carefully rehearsed comedy, and all the Tory society ofPhiladelphia was agog with interest and curiosity to see the latestLondon hit, played by the belles of the city and the most popular of theBritish officers. I was told, moreover, that the story had gone abroadthat the part of Sir Peter would be taken by a youthful Virginiamountaineer, whose giant proportions and unusual gifts of person andbearing--considering his backwoods breeding--made him the feature of theperformance. I was no little annoyed by this talk, though I creditedWheaton, who retailed it to me, with a good deal of banteringexaggeration. In truth, being still sore from the insult offered me atthe banquet, I wanted to throw up my part; but, after consideration ofthe difficulties it would entail upon my entertainers, and others whohad been courteous to me, I forced myself to stick to my rolecheerfully, and to do my best at it.
Rigged out in all the toggery of a stage Sir Peter, I presented myselfto Miss Nelly. "Perfect," she exclaimed taking me by the elbow with thetips of her fingers, and slowly turning me around at arm's length, whileshe inspected critically my pompous finery. "Now must they all admitthat there's not so handsome a figure of a man in the British army," andshe nodded approval bewitchingly, with her puffed, powdered, and plumedhead. She was altogether charming in her rich brocade gown and yellowlaces, and I managed to tell her so in words that pleased her.
The play was pronounced a London success, and the players universallycomplimented. Twice were Lady Teazle and Sir Peter called before thecurtain, and such flattering compliments were showered upon me in thegreen room that I was quite puffed with vanity and forgot my inwardsoreness. After the performance, Colonel Forbes entertained the playersat a supper where sherry, Burgundy, and sparkling white wines of Francewere as free as spring water. Wheaton was made to sing his hit of theevening--Sheridan's jolly drinking song over again, and did so with evenbetter voice and expression.
"Here's to the maiden of bashful fifteen, Here's to the widow of fifty, Here's to the flaunting, extravagant queen And here's to the housewife that's thrifty.
(And all joined in the chorus:--)
"Let the toast pass, Drink to the lass, I'll warrant she'll prove an excuse for the glass.
"Here's to the charmer whose dimples we prize, Now to the maid who has none, sir; Here's to the girl with a pair of blue eyes, And here's to the nymph with but one, sir.
"Let the toast pass, etc.
"Here's to the maid with a bosom of snow, Now to her that's as brown as a berry; Here's to the wife with a face full of woe, And now to the girl that is merry.
"Let the toast pass, etc
"For let them be clumsy, or let them be slim, Young or ancient, I care not a feather, So fill a pint bottle quite up to the brim And let us e'en toast them together.
"Let the toast pass, etc."
Even Miss Nelly, and the stately Miss Shippen had drunken till theirfair faces were a little flushed, and they joined with noticeableabandon in the chorus. The men presently became too hilarious, therebeing ladies present, and I suddenly realized that I also had imbibedmore freely than I usually allowed myself. Just then I caught MissShippen's eye, saw that she observed my change of manner, and took iteither for reproof or warning. Not to appear either rude or Puritanicalin her eyes, I silently rebuked myself for my Presbyterianstraight-lacedness, and began again to drink and to make noisily merrywith the rest. A moment later Miss Shippen leaned over to us and asked,in an undertone, if Nelly and I would escort her home--the recent JosephSurface being, she feared, already incapacitated for that duty. Weslipped out almost unobserved, being followed soon after, I think, bythe rest of the ladies, and the few gallants in fit condition to escortthem.
My brain cooled but slowly, even in the fresh night air, and, after wehad safely delivered Miss Shippen at her home, and driven to the Bufordmansion, I begged Nelly to sit with me, in the library, till I felt moreready to welcome sleep. A single candle burned still in the silver stickon the candlestand, but through the shutterless French windows givingupon the rear balcony, a bath of opal-rayed moonlight flooded the room.I blew out the candle, as Nelly sank into a deep chair within the circleof the moon's softer radiance, and bade me find something to talk of,other than the play, for she was sick of it.
"Then give me a subject your ladyship will be pleased to hear discourseupon," I said, placing a chair for myself in front of her.
"The one nearest your heart, sir."
"That would be the one most accessible to my present satisfied vision."
"I--and what could you say upon so meager a topic?"
"Meager? To recount your goodness to me would furnish material for anhour's discourse; to enumerate your charms and graces another; yourqualities and accomplishments a third. Give me leave and I'll talk tillcock crow upon one subdivision of my theme--how much I love you! Butalways you hush me when I approach that subject."
"Because I know you love me not--that only you love to flatter me. Howlearned you such arts of the world, thou whilom backwoodsman?"
"From instinct. Needs a man ever to learn how to tell a woman he lovesher? How to descant upon charms and graces he sees limned in beautybefore his eyes? How can you say I do not love you?"
"Have you read of King Arthur's knights, and how they dared mighty deedsof prowess for the damsels they loved?"
"Yes, and so would I--were there deeds of prowess to be done. But I, aprisoner," and then I stopped, ashamed that I should complain, like awhining stripling, of the fortunes of war,--which in truth had used mebut too kindly in all save enforced inactivity.
"True, there are no deeds of prowess you may do now, but one single actof self-sacrifice would convince me of your love."
"Only name it, dear Nelly," and I leaned nearer and caught in mine thehands that folded in her lap.
"It will serve to prove the value of your protestations--though I knowbeforehand you will not consent."
"First name my reward; were it but one kiss from those sweet lips, I'llengage to earn it at any cost."
"It might be something more lasting than a kiss, an' you would," andNelly blushed adorably, and dropped the soft fringe of her eyes upon herglowing cheeks.
"Your dear self, Nelly, your love?" I questioned ardently, kissing thehands I still imprisoned, and dropping on my knees beside her, that Imight force her eyes to meet mine.
"Even my own poor self--nor is the sacrifice I would ask so great;indeed it carries with it a compensation which by many would be deemedample reward, were all you are now bargaining for left out of thecontract. Can you not guess what proof of your sincerity I would claim?"
"Thick headed soldier that I am, I cannot--" but I scarcely knew what Isaid, for my arm was about Nelly's warm, pliant form, her soft cheekrested against mine, her fragrant breath was in my nostrils, and myheart thumped audibly, while all my blood was in a hot tumult ofblissful agitation.
"Simply to don the uniform of a British captain, and then to teach theseluxurious laggards how to put a speedy end to this fratricidal contest.By doing so you will the sooner bring to this distracted country theblessing of restored peace, and for yourself win quick promotion, honor,fame, fortune--and if you love me, Donald, that which will make youhappiest."
As soon as I had realized the full meaning of Nelly's rapidly pouredforth persuasions, I gently released her, and rose to my feet, thenstood silently by, for a moment, looking down upon her, with a conscioustenseness of all my muscles, as of one who inwardly strengthens himselffor a wrenching effort. Beneath my fixed gaze Nelly paled, and flushed,and paled again, and the fingers of her freed hands were locked andloosed alternately, while from beneath her lowered lids two big tearsslipped, and fell unheeded.
Meantime I thought of Colonel Morgan, and the indignation with which hehad repelled an offer of treason when a prisoner in Canada; then of myfather, and his perfect trust in me--h
is only son, bearer of a yetuntarnished name to future generations; and then, most strangely, came asudden vision of Ellen O'Niel, as last I had seen her poised like aspirit upon the rock above the spring; and with the vision came a newand more complete understanding of her feelings of fierce loyalty to herparents' religion, and of all that it meant to her.
"And you could give yourself to a traitor," I said, at last--"or wouldyou play Delilah to my Samson, Jael to my Sisera, Judith to myHolofernes? But I am roused from my well nigh fatal slumber; I havebroken my bonds. To-morrow I resign my parole, and deliver myself aprisoner. I must indeed have sunk low, since twice in forty-eight hoursinfamous proposals of treason have been made to me!" Then my heartsoftened to Nelly, now shaken with sobs, her face covered with herhands.
"But I can well believe you meant it not for insult, Miss Nelly; youwere set on by others to offer me love and luxury at the price of myhonor. Women have no place in intrigue; I shall forget the nightmare ofthis hour, and remember only your goodness to me, and my happiness inyour home. Farewell, thou sweet and gracious Nelly of my heart; the onlyNelly I shall ever remember." And then I stooped and kissed the bowedhead with reverent tenderness--as one kisses the face of a dyingcomrade.
The soft moon radiance which had caressed Nelly so becomingly, in theroom below, streamed through my opened window, and I kneeled in it, andprayed, earnestly, that the God of my fathers would protect me againsttemptation, as he had hitherto protected me against all other dangers.As I did so the quavering voice of my grandmother seemed to sound in myears, and I could hear her chanting in tones of solemn rapture herfavorite song:
"The man hath perfect blessedness, Who walketh not astray In counsel of ungodly men, Nor stands in sinners' way, Nor sitteth in the scorner's chair But placeth his delight Upon God's law, and meditates On His law day and night.
"He shall be like a tree that grows Near planted by a river, Which in his season yields his fruit, And his leaf fadeth never. And all he doth shall prosper well. The wicked are not so, But like they are unto the chaff, Which wind drives to and fro."
Often had I sung with her these words, but now they took on a newmeaning. I had chosen to enjoy luxury with the enemies of my country,rather than endure the hardships of prison life with other captives, andhad allowed myself to become so entangled with them that the wrench oftotal separation must cost me much of regret and suffering. I had walkedastray--therefore God's blessing was no longer upon me.
All night I tossed, regretting past weakness, and planning an honorableretreat. I could see, now, how they had played upon my conceit, and evenupon my sociability, and, with writhings of spirit, I was compelled toadmit that Nelly herself had measured my weaknesses, and used them togain her ascendancy over me.
* * * * *
The household was still wrapped in the slumber of early morning when Iarose, packed my belongings, and leaving a note of thanks and farewellto Madam Buford, betook myself to Captain Wheaton's quarters.
"He was still asleep," his man said; so I stretched myself upon a setteein his smoking room, fell into a doze, and then asleep.
"In the name of Pluto, and all the other gods of the lower region, howcame you here, McElroy! Had you to bring me home, and were you too drunkto go farther?" were the first words which aroused me; and they camefrom Wheaton, who stood in the middle of the room, unshaven, anduncombed, his fine figure wrapped in a gay Turkish chamber-robe.
"I know not how drunk you may have been before the feast ended,Wheaton," I answered, laughing, "but I slept in my own bed, rose atsun-up, and have dozed here an hour or so waiting for you."
"Then you have the stomach and the head of Charles Fox himself. I knownot how, or when I got to bed, and my head is as big and as tight as adrum. But you came avisiting full early--what's to pay?"
"I wish to ask a last favor, Captain, though already your courtesy to aprisoner passeth thanks."
"Out with it, man,--though why last, I can no way surmise. 'Tis done ifcan be."
As briefly as possible I told him of the offer which had been made me atthe officers' banquet, and of my growing conviction that my own conducthad made me liable to the insult; so that, though I felt no sentimentbut one of gratitude to the officers, I could no longer remain amongthem, as a guest. I wished him, therefore, to ask Colonel Forbes togrant me an exchange as soon as possible, and meantime I would hand inmy parole, and go to prison. "I tell you truth, Wheaton," I concluded,"when I say that I scorn myself for my conduct during the past twomonths."
"You take a most exaggerated view of the situation, McElroy, and yourdecision is quixotic," answered Wheaton. "I'll ask for your immediateexchange, but, meantime, why not make yourself comfortable? I'll gladlyshare my quarters with you, if you feel indisposed to accept theBufords' hospitality longer."
"Thank you from my heart, Wheaton," and I laid my hand upon his arm ingrateful affection. "You British are good fellows, as well as brave andgenerous enemies; would there had never been cause of quarrel betweenus. But my resolution is taken; to prison I will go till exchanged. Willyou be so good as to consider me your prisoner, and to send me underguard to your most comfortable resort for the enemy? Here is my parole."
"Damn your foolishness, McElroy! I'll not have your parole, nor will Isend you to prison. If you are set to do this absurd thing, and no doubtyou are, for you are as stubborn as--as--a Scotch Irishman, and I knowof no other breed of animal worthy to be compared with him for thatvirtue, march yourself over to the general prison, find a cell, lockyourself in, and throw the key out of the window."
I laughed, wrung Wheaton's hand in farewell, and took his advice; exceptthat I had no need to lock myself in, the astonished prison officerdoing that for me with due courtesy.
My fare that day, and my couch that night were as poor and as hard as myaroused conscience could have suggested, but I took them as penance, andalmost with pleasure. The very next day, Wheaton came to tell me that myexchange was, for the present, refused on the ground that I knew toomuch of the state of the defenses of Philadelphia; but that my parolewas extended for a year, and I was requested to return to my home untilmy exchange could be allowed, as provisions were growing scarce, and thefeeding of prisoners had become well-nigh impossible.
Unless exchanged in the meantime I could not bear arms against theBritish under any circumstances for six months, and I was not permittedto join my old command under a fixed period of twelve months from thefirst day of the present month. The terms seemed to me unduly severe,but upon Wheaton's assurance that they were the best I could hope for, Idetermined to accept them, and to start at once for home. The last wasno unwelcome prospect, more than two years having expired, since I hadseen the dear valley and the faces of loved ones.
I had still a dozen gold sovereigns in my pocket--fruits of the lastgame of Hazard I had played--and Wheaton assisted me in buying thatafternoon, a sorrel horse, a saddle, and a pair of saddle pockets whichI stocked with a bottle of rum, a package of biscuits, and a change ofgarments. By sunrise next morning, equipped with proper passports, myparole, and a pistol, presented to me by Wheaton, I rode southward tothe Virginia border line; then deflected my course eastward, towardsWilliamsburg.
Governor Henry was an acquaintance of my father and a warm friend ofColonel Morgan. It might be worth my while to ask his influence insecuring my early exchange, and to let him understand how irksome to mewere the terms of my parole. When so many were ready to shirk there werethose who would ask nothing better than an honorable excuse to stay athome. I would see Governor Henry, and ask that he transfer me to somefrontier service where at least I could help defend the Virginia borderagainst Indians, during the months of forced inactivity against theBritish.
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