Peggy Owen and Liberty Part 20

"Nay, mother," he said. "Uncle Tom's place is here. You are in more danger than I am, for the raiders may come back. You had your way last night; this morning 'tis my turn."

With this he was gone. Some hours later when he returned, astride a bay mare of great beauty, he headed quite a cavalcade. Behind him rode the little company of twelvemonth men and militia of which he was captain; back of these came two large wagons.

"What think you?" he cried waving a folded doc.u.ment excitedly in greeting. "The Council of Safety hath confirmed my commission as captain, and hath ordered me to take the company to Tom's River to garrison the fort there. The salt works are threatened, and there is some contraband trade to be checked. We came to take you with us."

"To do what, nevvy?" gasped the farmer, bewildered by the suddenness of the matter.

"To take all of you with us," repeated the youth, dismounting. "Think you that I could go, and leave you here unprotected? You will be safe there. At least," he corrected himself, "as safe as 'tis possible to be in Monmouth County. The garrison will afford more security than you would have here. I brought these wagons for the very purpose of taking you. There must be haste, Uncle Tom. We must be off in an hour."

"But----" began Thomas Ashley protestingly, when his wife interrupted him.

"Why, father! that's where Charley is. 'Tis the very thing."

So the youth had his way, and there ensued a busy hour. The wagons were sh.o.r.e wagons, owned by oystermen of Tom's River who were returning to that village after bringing fish and oysters to the interior, he told them in explanation of the odor that clung to the vehicles. It was great good fortune that they could be had just at this time. Presently, here they were, with Nurse Johnson, comfortably installed upon a feather-bed, Mrs. Ashley and the two girls in one wagon, while the farmer rode in the other to look after such household effects as they were taking.

Both because of Nurse Johnson and the sandy nature of the soil they were obliged to proceed in a leisurely manner, but the family, rejoicing in the sense of security afforded by the presence of an armed escort, minded neither the manner nor the mode of travel. With the buoyancy of youth, Peggy and Sally soon regained their accustomed spirits, and chatted gaily.

Above was the blue and white woof of the spring sky. The plaint of the meadow-lark and the note of the robin sounded sweetly against the stillness of the air. A trio of crows sailed athwart the blue, their great wings beating the air to slow, solemn measure. The pine woodland added shelter and picturesqueness to the road, and to the light breeze its sweet resinous odor. And Fairfax was here, there, everywhere, looking after things with all the zeal of a young officer.

"You are merry," he said after a time, accommodating the speed of his horse to that of the wagon in which the girls rode. His manner had brightened perceptibly since the beginning of the journey, and he spoke lightly. "Yet I feared that you might be annoyed by the smell of fish. They are oyster wagons, you know."

"Is it fish that we smell?" cried Sally, laughing for very joyousness, and forgetting to wonder at the unusualness of his addressing them.

"Methought it was the pines."

"Nay; 'tis fish," he declared. "At what are you looking, Mistress Peggy?"

"I am admiring thy horse," she replied. "'Tis a beauty. Almost as pretty as my own little mare."

"Nay," he protested. "Few animals are that. Star hath not many equals."

Peggy flushed with pleasure. Praise of her little mare always delighted her.

"Thee can afford to be unstinted in thy praise when thine own mount hath so much of beauty," she remarked.

"And what has thee named her?" questioned Sally. "It should be something charming."

"A name hath just occurred to me that is both charming and uncommon,"

he responded, meeting her glance without blushing. It was the first time that she had seen him so much at ease in ordinary intercourse, Peggy reflected marveling. "I think," continued the youth, "that no other horse ever bore it."

"Then it must be unusual," declared Sally. "Thee makes me very curious, Friend Fairfax. What is it?"

"Marsal," he answered. A twinkle came into his eyes as he added: "After Margaret and Sally: Marsal!" Saluting, he pa.s.sed on to the head of the column.

There was a gasp of surprise from the maidens, then a peal of laughter followed, so mirthful that Nurse Johnson and her sister joined it.

"He hath the best of us, Peggy," cried Sally. "But who would have dreamed that he had it in him?"

"Of a truth he hath improved markedly," agreed Peggy. "I fear me that we shall have to change our tactics, Sally."

"'Tis not that he hath lost his diffidence, girls, but the reaction from fear of danger to us hath rendered him light-hearted," declared the lad's mother. "He is so relieved that 'tis easy to jest."

And this was the case with them all. So merrily the journey proceeded.

The incubus of fear was lifted from them for the time, and a certain joyousness of expression was the natural result. It was twenty-five miles from Monmouth Court House to Tom's River, and so slowly did they travel that it was not until the next evening that they emerged from the forest into a long stretch of cleared road at the end of which lay the thriving little town.

About a hundred yards to the east of the road, on a slight eminence in the center of cleared ground, stood the blockhouse. It was a rude structure, unfinished, about six or seven feet high, built of logs with loopholes between them, and a number of bra.s.s swivels on the top, which was entirely open. Indeed there was no way of entering save by climbing. A short distance beyond the fort a bridge spanned the river, for the village was situated on both banks of the stream. Four miles away the tides of Barnegat Bay swelled and ebbed through Cranberry Inlet into the ocean. It was the nearness of this inlet that gave the little place its importance. It was at this time perhaps the best inlet on the coast except Little Egg Harbor, and was a favorite base of operations for American privateers on the outlook for British vessels carrying supplies to New York.

In the near vicinity of the village a gristmill, a sawmill, and salt works gave evidence of the occupations of the inhabitants; while on the river, which at this point broadened into a bay, floated the barges and boats of the fishermen, and the rafts and scows from the sawmills. The town proper consisted of about a dozen houses beside an inn, around which the dark forest seemed to crowd and press. The place had been subjected to attack several times by the British, owing chiefly to the desirability of the inlet, and the possession of the salt works. An unusual characteristic of the town was the fact that not a Tory, nor Tory sympathizer was allowed to dwell in it; which was an exceedingly uncommon feature of any place in Monmouth County.

As the company drew near the blockhouse there came a sharp command from within, and over its walls scrambled a few men who drew up at attention, while drum and fife sounded a welcome to the new captain. A dazzling light of pleased surprise came into the young man's eyes, and he squared his shoulders with an involuntary movement. From the village came the people to give welcome also; for the intrepidity with which the young man fulfilled his duties, his recent exploit in capturing the noted Edwards had given him a reputation, and the town rejoiced that he had been sent to take command of the post.

With blushing modesty the lad made a stammering response to the welcome, while Thomas Ashley beamed with gratification, and his mother could scarce conceal her pride. The ceremony was ended presently, and the company took formal possession of the blockhouse.

The family pa.s.sed on into the village.

"'Tis so interesting to be with the military," sighed Sally ecstatically as she and Peggy were preparing for bed. They had found quarters with the family of Justice Green, old friends of Mrs. Ashley.

"Just think, Peggy Owen! Thee had a whole winter of it at Middlebrook.

And with the main army at that. I should think thee could never find contentment in our quiet city again."

"Were we there, Sally, I'd never wish to leave it," spoke Peggy so earnestly that her friend looked up in surprise.

"What is it?" she asked quickly. "Has thee the migraine, Peggy?"

"No, Sally." Peggy was thoughtful for a moment before she explained: "These people are so grateful because the company hath come.

Were there not great cause for fear they would not have so much appreciation. It looks as though they lived in dread of attack."

"And I have been feeling so secure because the blockhouse was here,"

exclaimed Sally. "Hasn't thee?"

"I did for a time, but I am not so sure that I do now," was Peggy's response.

"Is not Fairfax a fine fellow?" queried Sally after a moment's silence.

"I wonder if thee knows how often thee says that, Sally?" Peggy turned, and gazed searchingly into Sally's face.

"I don't say it any oftener than he deserves it, miss," retorted Sally, brushing her hair composedly. "He is all that valor and modesty can make him. I heard Friend Pendleton say once that humility was the sweetest flower that grew in the human breast. Fairfax thinks so little of himself; yet he is so brave, and modest, and kind; and his uncle declares that he fights like a tiger."

"Yes?" gasped Peggy, regarding her friend with amazement. "He is all that. And what then, Sally?"

Sally laughed.

"I was just thinking, Peggy mine, that some time--oh, years and years from now, after the war is over, thee knows--we girls might want to make some additions to the Social Select Circle in the form of---- Well, partners for life," she ended, blushing adorably.

"And was thee thinking of annexing Fairfax?" cried Peggy in a paroxysm of merriment. "Oh, Sally, Sally! that I should live to hear thee say such things!"

"I? Oh, no! I was thinking of Betty. Thee knows that he would require some management, he is so bashful, and Betty----"

"I am not so sure, Sally." Peggy was laughing so that she could scarcely talk, but she continued mirthfully: "Has thee not noticed that he is always equal to an emergency, and that he is cool and collected in danger? Sally, Sally! thee'd best give o'er such match-making plans."

"Well, I do think 'twould be monstrously nice," said Sally. "So there!"