Peggy Owen and Liberty Part 45

Clifford sat there safe, safe. The provost-marshal stood with his hand on the rope, arrested in the very act of performing his awful duty by John Drayton's hoa.r.s.e shout:

"Forbear! Forbear in the name of Congress! A reprieve!"

CHAPTER x.x.x

AND THEN THE END

"Here the free spirit of mankind, at length, Throws its last fetters off; and who shall place A limit to the giant's unchained strength, Or curb his swiftness in the forest race."

--_Bryant._

A mighty shout went up from the people as they heard the words. It was followed by another, and still another until the Jersey hills echoed with the sound. Men flung their hats in the air and were not ashamed that tears, all unchecked, lay on their cheeks. The extreme youth, the beauty of the unfortunate young man had gone straight to their hearts.

He was one of the enemy, but his manly bearing in the face of an ignominious death commanded respect and admiration, and had produced the stern joy that is felt by warriors toward a foeman worthy of their steel.

In compliment to the occasion, the band struck up a lively English air, and in the general enthusiasm which followed there was a rush for the cart. Clifford was lifted bodily to their shoulders and borne, amid boisterous acclamations, to his relatives.

A true Briton has an abhorrence of any display of emotion; so now, although more moved than he had been of the menace of death, the youth struggled to retain his composure. His features worked convulsively, and his lips quivered. He could not trust himself to speak, but stood, white and trembling, endeavoring to maintain an appearance of calm.

Colonel Dayton saw his agitation, and made his way at once to his side.

"Friends," he said lifting his hand for silence, "we all rejoice at this most fortunate outcome of a most unfortunate matter. But it hath been very trying to those deeply concerned, so I would suggest that we give three cheers for Captain Williams, who hath shown us how gallantly a brave man may face death, and then leave him with his friends."

At that the tumultuous concourse stretched their throats and cheered with all their might. Then followed three cheers for Congress, and three for the commander-in-chief, General Was.h.i.+ngton. By this time Clifford had mastered himself sufficiently to speak, and he said something in a low tone to Colonel Dayton. Again the officer raised his hand.

"Captain Williams proposes three cheers for Captain Drayton, who brought the reprieve," he said.

Then pandemonium broke loose. Cheer after cheer rent the very air.

Hoa.r.s.e shouts of "Drayton!" "Drayton!" sounded, but no Drayton appeared. Under the confusion incident to the delivering of the reprieve he had slipped away to give his well-nigh spent horse the attention of which the n.o.ble animal stood in need. Then, being in want of rest himself, he had thrown himself p.r.o.ne on the gra.s.s under a tree, and was at that very moment fast asleep. So, finding their calls for him vain, the crowd finally dispersed in high good humor.

Yet these were Jersey people. People who but a few short months before had cried to Congress for retaliation for the cruel murder of Fairfax Johnson. Had Lippencott, the murderer, stood before them to pay the penalty of his dastardly deed, the situation would have been different. They were a kindly people as well as a just one; so now compa.s.sion, respect and admiration led them to rejoice that this fair young life was not to be offered as a sacrifice in a blood reprisal.

At length Clifford was left alone with his relatives. For a time their hearts were too full to do more than utter e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.ns of thankfulness, or lavish terms of endearment upon him. When calm finally prevailed both he and Peggy were eager to know all that had occurred.

"As ye know, I expected to return in a short time when I left here,"

began David Owen. "When I reached Lancaster, however, I found that the enemy had been unusually active in the matter of contraband goods, so that my department was almost overwhelmed with goods to be examined, seized, or distributed. A soldier's duty comes before everything, and even though one who is dear should be in peril, he must perform it. I could have put Drayton in charge had he been there, but it seems that he felt that he must exert himself in Clifford's behalf, and so had obtained leave of absence a few days after our departure. Major Dale had a.s.sumed Drayton's duty in addition to his own, but despite that fact he gave me what a.s.sistance he could, so that at last I was able to leave. I found Harriet at Philadelphia----"

"Found Harriet where?" exclaimed Peggy amazed.

"She must tell how she came to be there," smiled her father. "We pa.s.sed through Morristown yesterday, by the west road, on our way to Pompton, where we expected to see the Marquis de Chastellux; the reason for this will come in Harriet's narrative. We missed him by a day, so bode there for the night, expecting to come here to-day. Just as we were ready to start for this camp this morning Captain Drayton dashed into the yard, calling for a change of horses. You may imagine our feelings when he told us that the execution was set for this morning. Had it not been that he also told us that he held a reprieve I do not know what Harriet would have done. There was no time to be lost, if we would reach here in time, so, as soon as his horse was ready, we were off with what result ye know. Drayton hath worked tirelessly in the matter. He hath come from headquarters with but little rest either for himself, or his horses, and was in the saddle all night after riding all of yesterday."

"But why, why?" asked Clifford bewildered. "Why should Drayton so concern himself about me?"

"And now 'tis my turn to explain," broke in Harriet. She did not tell him that Drayton had been actuated by grat.i.tude toward her because she had a.s.sisted him in escaping from a similar plight at Yorktown. She did not wish her brother to know the part she had taken in that affair, so now she ignored his question, and began her explanation. "I gave up hope that day you and Peggy left me at the inn, my brother. I knew of nothing more that could be done, so resolved to go back to father. Judge of my surprise when, a few miles beyond Morristown, Captain Drayton overtook me. He was on his way to headquarters then. I told him all that had occurred, and the exact state of affairs. He advised me to go back to Philadelphia to try to enlist Count de Rochambeau's aid. The Congress and General Was.h.i.+ngton held their French allies in high esteem, he said. If their sympathies could be enlisted it would have great weight. He had been in Philadelphia himself seeing gentlemen whose standing was such as might be expected to exert influence. He was urging that memorials and pet.i.tions should be sent Congress in such numbers that their appeal could not be overlooked. At the Highlands he intended seeing the princ.i.p.al men of the army, and last of all General Was.h.i.+ngton, to relate how I had----"

She checked herself quickly, and bit her lip. After a moment she continued:

"Of course I went to Philadelphia. There was no one at the house but the servants, so I asked Sally Evans to stay with me. Peggy," turning toward her cousin suddenly, "I never can tell you what a help she was.

That I had been a spy at Middlebrook was against me. That I had been banished the city just the year before militated against anything that I undertook. I realized keenly the difference in being there with my kindred, and then without them. I almost despaired of doing anything, but Sally would not let me give up. She was full of suggestions. The gentlemen of Congress would not see me, so Sally cornered Mr. Jacob Deering, and coaxed, and pleaded until, for very peace, the poor man told her that he would do what he could for us. Through him I got a letter before the Congress.

"Then Sally went to see Betty Williams. Betty's Frenchman, it seems, is an attache to the French Minister. This gave us access to both the Minister and Count de Rochambeau. Meantime, Captain Drayton's work began to take effect, and letters poured in upon the Congress urging clemency. The French gentlemen advised seeing the Marquis de Chastellux, who is a great favorite with your general; so, as Cousin David had come by this time we set out for Pompton, where we expected to find him. 'Twas there that we met Captain Drayton, of which Cousin David hath told you. Clifford," speaking with impressiveness, "'tis thought that you will be sent to Philadelphia to be under the eye of the Congress while the matter receives due deliberation. If you are, I want you to go to Sally Evans, and thank her for what she hath done."

"It will give me great pleasure, my sister," he answered. A smile, winsome in its radiance, parted his lips, and he gazed across the valley at the distant hills. At the hills? Or did he see instead a pair of blue eyes swimming in tears through which divinest pity shone?

Did he see a saucy, piquant face framed in ringlets that escaped in bewitching wilfulness from under the dainty cap of a Quakeress? Did he see---- Harriet's voice, tremulous from a mist of tears in its laughter, broke in upon his musings.

"And oh, John Drayton's hat," she was saying. "You should have seen it, Peggy. When we started this morning 'twas nearly straight. Oh, not entirely! That would be impossible. Somehow I could not take my eyes from it. The harder he rode the further on the side it got. I remembered that Cousin David had said that all through the battle of Hobkirk's Hill he had fought with it on his ear, and had been made a captain for valor. Peggy, it came to me that with him it meant confidence, and a determination to succeed. I knew that he would reach here in time so long as that hat was at a perilous angle. If he had put it straight I should have died."

"Harriet," said Clifford in determined tones, "I want to know why Captain Drayton was so interested? Why should he exert himself to avert an untoward fate from me?"

"Because," answered Harriet. "Oh, because, Clifford. He did it for me.

Now don't ask questions, there's a good fellow!"

Clifford's face became thoughtful.

"I see, my sister," he said gently. Harriet flashed a glance at Peggy, then laughed. Her brother's inference was plain.

"I wonder where John is?" cried Peggy.

"He hath been asleep under a tree, my dear," spoke the colonel's wife.

"And 'tis time for dinner. Will you ask him to come in?"

"Let me go, Peggy," said Clifford hastily. "I would like to speak with him." And knowing that her cousin would prefer to see Drayton alone, Peggy a.s.sented.

Drayton lay on the gra.s.s, lazily stretching himself, as Clifford approached. He rose and began to brush off his dusty uniform.

"I'd be sent to the guard-house if this uniform were to make its appearance on parade, wouldn't I, captain?" he asked easily.

"Captain Drayton," said Clifford huskily, "you have given me no chance to thank you for the service you rendered me. I want to do so now----"

"Don't," said Drayton. "It gave me great pleasure to be of service.

Why need we speak of it further?"

"But I owe you my life, sir," cried Clifford.

"Nay," smiled Drayton. "You owe it to your sister. I did it for Harriet."

Clifford winced perceptibly as John Drayton used his sister's name without the usual prefix. It had been unconsciously done, but this of course he could not know. He started to speak, but before he could do so, Drayton was speaking:

"You need not fear a repet.i.tion of to-day, Captain Williams. Anxiety and suspense are not pleasant companions, and I'd like to tell you just how things are. The temper of the people all over the nation hath changed regarding this affair. 'Tis beginning to be openly talked that mercy should supersede the necessity for retaliation. Then too a letter hath come to General Was.h.i.+ngton from your own general in which he deplores the action of Lippencott. He asks for further time for investigation, and promises that no more such atrocities shall be perpetrated upon American prisoners, which was our chief motive for reprisal. And your father, Colonel Owen, hath protested strongly against thus using a prisoner of the Capitulation of Yorktown, claiming that such an one cannot be used as hostage in any manner. Our chief, sir, is exceedingly jealous of his honor. He would do naught that would savor of a breach of faith with the enemy. For this reason, and others, he hath consented that more time shall be taken by all parties for deliberation. In fact, Captain Williams, everything points to a pleasant termination of the matter; although you may find the waiting necessary for deliberation long and irksome."

"Sir," spoke Clifford with emotion, "you have made me twice your debtor: First, in bringing the reprieve; and now, by relieving me of anxiety. A man may meet death with fort.i.tude; no man can bear an indefinite suspense which may have the gallows for its termination. I cannot thank you as I would wish. Words cannot express my grat.i.tude.

But, sir, I believe that I can contribute toward promoting your happiness. You have said that you did this for my sister; Harriet acknowledges that it was for her. I have always been persuaded that a deeper feeling existed between you than either would confess. Our first altercation was, I believe, regarding this very fact. That I have been prejudiced, I'll admit frankly. But now, sir, I want to tell you that any objection that I may have had against your suit to my sister is withdrawn. More, I will use whatever of influence I may have with my father to advance your happiness."

"Eh! What?" stammered Drayton in confusion. His face had been a study with its varying expressions as Clifford talked. "Er--a---- Well, you see----"

"Do you mean that your feelings have changed, sir?" demanded Clifford his brow darkening.

"On the contrary," exclaimed Drayton settling his neck ruffles hastily, "my esteem for Miss Harriet hath increased. But, captain, in America 'tis customary to consult the lady before such matters are arranged. I shouldn't like anything done until her wishes are expressed."