Peggy Owen and Liberty Part 39

At this David Owen laughed heartily, but his daughter's cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkled.

"Thee amuses me, la.s.s. Thy att.i.tude is England's precisely. The king and his counselors know that they are beaten, but are loath to sign articles of peace, acknowledging our independence, because by so doing they surrender their last hold upon what they are pleased to still term 'colonies.' But it must come."

"A truce, a truce," she cried laughing. "How can we acknowledge that we are beaten? When did England ever confess such a thing? At any rate you never could have been victorious had you not been English yourselves."

Peggy joined her father's laughter, and Harriet too was merry.

"Get all the consolation thou canst out that fact, Harriet," said Mr.

Owen. "So long as independence is acknowledged we care not what sop England throws to her pride. But," he added with a deep sigh, "I do wish most earnestly that peace would come."

And so, in such frame of mind, for Harriet's confidence was so great that it could not but infect them, Dobbs Ferry was reached. The girl waved them a lively farewell as she stepped aboard the barge which was to take her across the river.

"It won't be a week ere I shall be back, Peggy," she cried. "I don't mind saying now that I have reason for my belief that Sir Guy will do as I wish in this. A week, my cousin, and you, and Clifford, and I will start again for Lancaster." She secreted her pa.s.sport as she waved again to them.

"I pray so, Harriet," returned Peggy.

"She builds too strongly upon the belief that the British commander will help her, I fear me," remarked Mr. Owen as the ferry pushed away for the far sh.o.r.e. Peggy turned to him quickly.

"Has thee no hope, father?"

"Very little, la.s.s. General Washington warned Sir Henry Clinton what the consequences would be if he did not give up the perpetrators of the murder of Captain Johnson. Sir Henry responded by ordering a court-martial. When Sir Guy came he communicated the findings of the court, and seemed to feel bound by the fact that it returned a verdict of not guilty against the leaders. I see not how Harriet can change the att.i.tude of the British commander."

"If she fails will General Washington carry out the execution, father?" Peggy's lips tremblingly put the question.

"He must, child. He must do what is right at whatever cost to his feelings. This whole affair hath distressed him greatly, but justice to the army and to the public require that the measure be carried out in full. He did not come to his determination without mature deliberation, and his course hath been sanctioned by Congress, and supported by the approbation of the princ.i.p.al officers of the army.

The general explained the matter at some length to me last night. It is peculiarly distressing to us, la.s.s, because the victim happens to be of kin. Still, however painful the matter is, we must acknowledge the justice of the proceeding."

"Ye-es, father." But Peggy's voice was very faint, and she looked white and spent.

Just? Oh, yes; it was just, but granting justice; granting that it was the method of procedure in warfare, what comfort could that give to those who loved the boy? Peggy was greatly downcast in spirits when, as Harriet's figure became a mere speck on the farther sh.o.r.e, she and her father resumed their journey to Chatham.

Colonel Dayton was greatly pleased over the report from headquarters.

"I hope that the guilty may be brought to punishment instead of this youth," he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed fervently. "I cannot tell you, Mr. Owen, how exceedingly distasteful this whole affair is to all of us. If it were not right and just we could not proceed with it. I believe that I voice the thought of every American when I say that I hope the sister will succeed in her efforts. Did the general send any message regarding the young man's treatment?"

"There is a letter, colonel," exclaimed David Owen, drawing forth the missive. "I had nigh forgotten it."

"This is most kind of the general," exclaimed the colonel with an expression of relief as he perused the letter. "I will call the young man to hear it."

In a few moments an orderly with Clifford in charge entered the room.

The youth greeted his cousins affectionately, and listened attentively to the officer as he read the epistle:

"You will treat Captain Williams with every tenderness and politeness consistent with his present situation which his rank, fortune and connections together with his private estate demand. Further, inform the young gentleman that his sister hath been permitted to go to New York to place the matter in the hands of Sir Guy Carleton. No further steps in the matter will be taken until his commander is heard from."

Colonel Dayton looked up benignantly.

"So there is hope that you may not suffer for the guilty, Captain Williams," he said. "If Sir Guy will but let us have Captain Lippencott, you, young sir, will not have to pay the penalty for this most atrocious deed. Let us hope that your sister will be successful."

Clifford smiled rather wearily.

"'Tis but a prolongation of the suspense," he remarked. "She won't succeed. Sir Guy can't give up any man after a court-martial absolves him from blame. Still, I am glad that Harriet is well away. 'Twill be just as well for her to be with father until this whole miserable business is brought to a conclusion."

"Then, lad, thou hast no hope?" questioned Mr. Owen.

"None whatever, Cousin David. How long a time hath your chief given Harriet?"

"Two weeks, Clifford."

"Two weeks! Why, that is a lifetime," exclaimed he. "Much may happen in two weeks."

"True, Captain Williams; and, provided you will give your word of honor that you will make no attempt to escape, you shall be free to go and come at your pleasure," spoke Colonel Dayton.

"I give it, sir, and thank you," returned Clifford. "You have been and are most kind."

"Then we shall begin by leaving you with your cousins," said the colonel. "Come, orderly."

"Is there aught that thou wouldst have me attend to, my lad?" asked Mr. Owen as Colonel Dayton left them. "If there is anything that can be done I should be glad to do it."

"There is something, Cousin David." Clifford looked at him eagerly. "I suppose the end will come soon after the two weeks are up, therefore I wish you would stay until 'tis over. You and Peggy. When I was in Virginia last year wounded, as I thought, unto death, Peggy came to me there that I might have some of my kindred near me in my last hours.

My need is greater now than it was then. It won't be very long. I'd like a friendly face near me at the last."

Mr. Owen was almost overcome by the plea.

"My lad," he replied huskily, "it distresses me to refuse thee aught at this time, but I cannot stay. I am a soldier, as thou art, and under orders. Leave was given for a few days, but 'tis nearly gone. I will make an effort to come again before the two weeks are up."

"Then let Peggy stay, sir. Accommodations are easily procured either in the village, or out here with one of the officers' families. She would be well cared for, and 'twould be a comfort to me."

The boyish face was full of pleading. He was very young. David Owen's eyes misted suddenly as his youth came home to him.

"It must be as Peggy says, lad," he rejoined, turning toward his daughter with concern. He had noted her pallor and sadness when he told her that there was but little hope for the boy, and he knew that if she stayed it must of necessity be a tax upon her strength. Peggy met his anxious glance with a brave smile. She was ever ready to sink self if by so doing she could give comfort to another.

"Certainly I will stay, if Clifford wishes it, father," she said. "I think I should like to, and Harriet would wish it, I know."

"Can thee bear it, la.s.s, knowing that thy cousin's time may be short?"

"Cousin David," spoke Clifford quickly, "there isn't going to be anything melancholy about these two weeks. 'Twould benefit neither my cousin nor myself to dwell upon the approach of death; so----"

"She shall stay, lad," interrupted Mr. Owen. "Thy words remove the last scruple I had anent it. Would that I might be with thee also, but I shall try to come back."

Accordingly when David Owen started on his return to Lancaster Peggy was left at Chatham. Mrs. Dayton had declared that she must make her home with them, and gratefully the maiden accepted the hospitality.

Clifford, conformable to the instructions sent by General Washington, was subjected to little restraint. Relying upon the safeguard of his honor the American colonel let him come and go through the cantonment, the village, and about the surrounding country at his pleasure.

Peggy had her own little mare with her, and Clifford having procured a mount, it came about that they spent long hours in the saddle, exploring the neighboring hills, the roads and byways around the camp.

At no time did Clifford exhibit sadness or melancholy. Had it not been for the knowledge ever present in the background of their consciousness of what was to come it would have been a happy period.

The days pa.s.sed. Ten had gone by, but there came no word from Harriet.

Peggy found herself growing apprehensive. Would Harriet succeed? she asked herself again and again. No word had come from her. Did it mean failure? She had been so sure. And Peggy was glad that General Washington had insisted that two weeks be the period given for the mission. That Clifford was not insensible of the flight of time was made known to her the day before the two weeks were up.