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diff --git a/old/62181-0.txt b/old/62181-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ed3b946..0000000 --- a/old/62181-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10981 +0,0 @@ -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 62181 *** - -[Illustration: “This is a great pleasure to see you again.”] - - - - - ARNOLD’S - TEMPTER - - _By_ - Benjamin F. Comfort - - [Illustration] - - THE C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING CO. - BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - 1908 - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1908 - BY - THE C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING CO. - BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - U. S. A. - - All Rights Reserved - - - - - _Dedicated to - My Wife - A. C. C._ - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - - _Frontispiece_, “This is a great pleasure to see you again” - - _Page_ - - Mollie Greydon 34 - - Two girls were seeking wild strawberries on the banks - of the Wingohocking 148 - - “Have we the pleasure of the gentleman’s name and - occupation?” quizzed the old man 178 - - Barclugh simply sat back and laughed till he was tired out 222 - - Captain Risk engaged two seamen, cutlass in one hand - and pistol in the other 275 - - She noticed how longingly he watched her depart 333 - - Mollie put down her needle-work and ran to meet her 360 - - - - -ARNOLD’S TEMPTER - - - - -CHAPTER I - - -Roderick Barclugh was invited to dine with the FitzMaurices and -Benedict Arnold was to meet him. - -The arrival in Philadelphia of a gentleman with credentials from Dr. -Franklin to the Secretary of Congress, who had much influence with the -French Court, and who had bills of exchange for twenty thousand pounds -sterling created stirring comment among the fashionables. He was to -meet without delay the choice spirits on the inside of Philadelphia’s -aristocratical party. - -Robert FitzMaurice’s mansion, to which had been made great additions, -to suit the tastes of the new proprietor, was an old Colonial landmark. -The ambition of this merchant prince and financier had ever been to -establish his family and his fortunes under the English system of -aristocracy, upon such a grand scale of magnificence that he could -claim all the blandishments of a crest and a title which, of course, -belong to a person of substance. His entertainments were numerous, -and there gathered all the intriguers in and out of Congress,--those -who sanctioned the Revolution on political grounds but who shuddered -at the utterance of the word ‘democracy.’ The clergy, the judiciary, -the lawyers, the knights-errant and the financiers, found congenial -atmosphere and hospitality in this house; for schemes were there laid -to win independence, but, once won, the English Constitution and its -institutions of aristocracy and finance were the only safeguards of -prosperity and liberty which the common people should consider. - -Upon the occasion of the dinner for Roderick Barclugh, the guests most -suitable for an affair of such financial and political importance were -to be Judge Shippen and his charming daughter, Bessie; General Arnold -and his bride, formerly Miss Peggy Shippen; Reverend Mr. White, Rector -of St. Peter’s and brother to Mrs. FitzMaurice; Thomas Milling and Mrs. -Milling; Mr. Wilson, a lawyer, and chief coadjutor in aristocratic -plans. Besides the foregoing, Colonel Hamilton, the aide of General -Washington, being in Philadelphia on business, and Roderick Barclugh -completed the list of the older set. A bevy of young and attractive -belles of the day were invited to give spirit to the party. These -were Miss Chew, daughter of Judge Chew, a suspected Tory; Miss Logan, -a representative of an old and distinguished Quaker family; and Miss -Greydon, a beauty and wit, who, by the way, was the only personage -present of advanced democratic belief. - -At half-past five the coach-and-four of General Arnold rolled into the -_porte cochere_ of the FitzMaurice mansion, and the General, dressed -with wine-colored coat and knee breeches, buckles and velvet waistcoat, -lace frills in his sleeves and bosom, gallantly escorted his young and -brilliant wife up the steps into the spacious hallway. - -Roderick Barclugh arrived with Mr. Wilson in the latter’s carriage. -Liveried lackeys bowed and scraped at every turn as the guests arrived -and retired to the dressing-rooms, and afterwards presented themselves -to the hostess and host in the reception room. The elegant apparel and -polished manners of Roderick Barclugh impressed everybody present with -a feeling that he was a man of affairs. - -As General Arnold came into the room bearing on his arm Mrs. -Arnold,--blushing, beautiful and _distingue_--, both stepping up -urbanely to greet the hostess and host, Roderick Barclugh read family -domination in the hauteur and firm mouth of the young dame. - -As the hostess turned to Roderick Barclugh she said: - -“General Arnold, may I present to you and Mrs. Arnold, Mr. Barclugh?” - -Roderick Barclugh bowed twice, very low, and Mrs. Arnold took pains to -say most cordially: - -“It is with much pleasure we meet you, Mr. Barclugh,” as she smiled -most sweetly and passed on to the other part of the room to greet -friends. - -Colonel Hamilton and Roderick Barclugh were the only ones who were not -intimately acquainted with every one else, so the party at once took on -a most free and jolly air. The young ladies at once lionized Colonel -Hamilton, who was a very popular beau of his time. Miss Greydon was -already making a few good-natured sallies at the Colonel. - -Mr. Wilson held the attention of Roderick Barclugh by saying: - -“Why, sir, Congress has had so many hot-headed and rabid Democrats that -the people of wealth and substance in the Colonies have dreaded the -issue of the Revolution for fear that the rabble and ignorance of the -country would rule,--in fact, I have no love for the so-called inherent -rights of the people, sir.” - -“But why are the influential people of substance encouraging the -Revolution then, if they can see nothing except disorder and anarchy -result therefrom?” was the inquisitive rejoinder of Barclugh. - -“Why, sir, those New England delegates under Samuel Adams and -the Southern delegates under Thomas Jefferson were so rabid that -Robert FitzMaurice and myself and our party of conservatives in the -Continental Congress were overwhelmed and compelled to sign the -Declaration of Independence. We did so reluctantly and after a bitter -contest, for the commercial and Quaker interests of Philadelphia -opposed the declaration. If the commercial interests of our country -could have the decision, there would have been no Declaration of -Independence. We would have settled our differences amicably with King -George, maintained our allegiance to the British Crown, and held the -Colonies under the British Constitution,” was the dramatic response of -the Philadelphia lawyer. - -“Yes, and every one of you would bargain away your rights as free men -for the sake of so-called commercial interests, which will breed a -class of tyrants more potent than kings,” was the spirited retort of -Miss Greydon, who had been an attentive listener to the doctrines of an -advocate who, she knew, was paid for his opinions. - -“Well, well, at politics already! Why it seems, Mr. Barclugh, as though -the Americans were born for politics,--even the ladies have their -opinions,” laughingly remarked the host as he offered his arm to Mrs. -Milling, and then turned to the guests with the words: - -“James announces dinner.” - -The hostess escorted Mr. Barclugh to Mrs. Arnold for her dinner -partner, and General Arnold to Miss Chew. Colonel Hamilton was selected -to accompany Miss Greydon, and the Reverend Mr. White, Miss Logan. Mr. -Wilson offered his arm to Miss Shippen and then Mr. Thomas Milling his -to the Rector’s wife, Mrs. White. The hostess graciously took the arm -of the eldest of the guests, Judge Shippen, and led the party to table -in the spacious dining-hall. - -Mrs. Arnold at once put Roderick Barclugh at his ease by entering into -a lively conversation. Her young and gay spirits shone out serenely as -she said: - -“I do wish, Mr. Barclugh, that this horrid war were ended, so that we -could once more live in peace and enjoy our homes and society. Do you -not think some good man could convince the best Americans of the folly -of their cause? Why, I believe I could if I were a man,” as she archly -tossed her head smilingly toward her escort. - -“You could charm them into your way of thinking, madam, at all events. -I believe seriously, however, much might be gained for society by such -a course. Against such resources as the Bank of England controls, this -war does seem a hopeless task,” concluded Barclugh. - -At table the Reverend Mr. White invoked the divine blessing upon the -assembled guests and prayed that “the havocs of war would cease by the -intercession of the divine wisdom; that the mother country would be -brought to a just realization of the needs of the Colonies; and that -the Colonies would find their true welfare in the safety and protection -of the British Constitution and laws,”--these were the sentiments of -the Chaplain of Congress expressed in private. - -Mrs. FitzMaurice watched Colonel Hamilton’s face to ascertain how -these sentiments of her reverend brother affected one so close to the -Commander-in-Chief, but seeing that the Colonel was very enthusiastic -in paying his gallantries to the bevy of young ladies around him, she -became convinced that the British Constitution had Hamilton’s good will. - -The hostess turned to Colonel Hamilton, however, and remarked: - -“Now, Colonel, we know that you get to see the young ladies very seldom -from your camp, but, come, do let us hear of the Commander-in-Chief, -and what the news is about him.” - -“Indeed, madam, I beg your forbearance,” replied Hamilton, “General -Washington is quite well, but he feels very much discouraged. He -complains bitterly about the principal men of the Colonies being -detained at home by private and Colonial affairs, so that the -responsible positions of Congress have fallen into the hands of -incapable and indifferent men. Everything drifts aimlessly along, while -many of our able men retire from Congress in order to prosecute schemes -for private gain instead of devoting their energies to the welfare of -the nation.” - -Robert FitzMaurice took a lively interest in the last few remarks and -spiritedly replied: - -“Yes, I presume we ought to ruin ourselves for the benefit of an -irresponsible government. Even though we gain our independence, the -government will be dominated by the rabid Whigs in whom we can have -no confidence. There will be no stability of government under such -demagogues as Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson. There will be no sound -financial system, nor anything for society to respect but the rag-tag -and bob-tail descended from everywhere and kin to nobody.” As he -concluded the last sally, everybody joined in a general laugh. - -“Where could we expect to find any _grandes dames_ or any examples -of gentlemen? We know too well already what would become of a nation -ruled by shopkeepers and bushwhackers. I can see no virtue in the -so-called schemes of self-government; society could never submit to -such indignities. We would have to go to England to escape from such -a rabble,” was the bitter homily of Mrs. Arnold, as she spoke in well -measured language, and showed the fire of her dark eyes, and the charms -of her long lashes and beautiful neck. - -“Bravo, madam,” was the challenge of Mr. Wilson, the lawyer, as he -lifted his wine-glass, and all the gentlemen followed to drink to the -sentiments of General Arnold’s blushing bride. - -As the General drained his glass, he beamed with satisfaction; the -attention paid his bride tickled the vanity of his nature. - -“I am convinced,” remarked Roderick Barclugh, “that if all the ladies -could so successfully convince their friends, the war would soon be -over.” - -“Yes, and it will soon be over if Congress does not change for the -better the treatment of the army,”--said Arnold, pointing to himself, -while everybody laughed. “There is no gratitude for soldiers in a -government by the people,” said Arnold. - -“You will receive the plaudits of a great people, as an heritage to -your children, General,” slyly, with a chuckle, put in Judge Shippen, -his father-in-law. - -“Yes, but applause does not buy bread and butter and pay the bills, -Judge,” was Arnold’s reply. - -“But patriots should restrict their needs of money for the sake of -their country,” was the advice of the Reverend Mr. White, the Rector of -St. Peter’s Church. - -“Certainly, but patriotism, like patience, ceases to be a virtue when -one’s family must suffer ignominiously as a consequence,” was the -rejoinder of the Commander of Philadelphia. - -“But, my dear General,” said Miss Greydon, “what would our cause do if -it were not for the sacrifices of our noble mothers, who say to their -sons: ‘Take this Bible and keep it in your breast as your guide; care -not for me. God will care for the brave and true; pursue your destiny -and return not till the tyrant is driven from our shores,’--like the -Spartan mother who said: ‘Come back with your shield or upon it.’” - -“Ah, Miss Greydon,” said Arnold, “such sentiment is very fine, but very -poor business.” - -“Ha, ha! that’s it, that’s it. There’s far too much sentiment in our -ideas of government,” said the lawyer, Wilson. “Sentiment can never -overcome Britain’s power and wealth.” - -Now that the dinner was well along, and Miss Greydon saw that if any -one was to show loyalty to the cause of the Colonies at this gathering -of choice aristocratic spirits, she must assume the task, thus she -essayed to reply to the lawyer: - -“But, Mr. Wilson, the day will be a very sad one for our government -and for our countrymen when we can surrender our cardinal virtues of -patriotism and self-denial in order to let personal gain shape the -destiny of our government. If mere arms and money are more powerful -than the ideas of freedom, of equality and of justice, then wealth and -brute force will rule the world. But if every true American stands -firmly for self-government and an independent system of finance and our -own social relations, Britain can never conquer us. Our nation will -prosper and put Britons to shame for the selfishness and audacity of -their claims. Were I possessed of the powers of an orator, I would not -rest until our Colonies were free to govern themselves in behalf of -human rights--not wealth.” - -Everybody looked toward Mrs. Arnold, and those who knew her well -expected an outburst of her fiery nature, but the hostess, feeling -it was now time for the ladies to retire, arose and interposed very -gracefully: - -“I think we had better retire in favor of the gentlemen, who can settle -those questions of state by means of wine and song.” - -No sooner had the ladies gone, than the host said to the butler at his -side: - -“James, you will now bring in the ‘jolly mariner.’” - -At once the head waiter appeared bearing a huge punch-bowl laden with a -concoction,--the pride of the host. Besides slices of tropical fruits -and a foundation of rare old Burgundy, it was made smooth with sugar -and Jamaica rum. Then by way of a backbone to “stiffen” it a little, -James had put in a good portion of _Cognac_. - -General Arnold had already drunk with everybody whom he could induce; -he was just beginning to feel his importance when the “jolly mariner” -arrived, and glasses were filled; then Arnold gave vent to the toast -nearest his heart. He arose and proposed, - -“Here’s success to privateering.” - -Standing, everybody drank deeply to this sentiment, for the host was -enriching himself on it, and Arnold hoped to support his extravagance -by it. The punch was so smooth that even the old heads desired another -bumper. - -Old Thomas Milling, the head of the host’s trading-firm, was now -beginning to feel rather mellow and when he reflected that privateering -smacked of the gay sea-rover he sang a couple of stanzas of the old -ballad: - - “My name was Captain Kidd, - “When I sail’d, when I sail’d, - “My name was Captain Kidd, - “When I sail’d, when I sail’d, - “I roamed from sound to sound - “And many a ship I found, - “That I sank or ran aground, - “When I sail’d, when I sail’d; - “That I sank or ran aground, - “When I sail’d, when I sail’d.” - -“By George, that punch has the magic in it, Robert, to make Milling -turn loose,” said Wilson. - -“Bravo, Milling.” - -“Encore, encore.” - -“Ha, ha! We’ll have the next,” rang out a medley of voices. - -“All’s well, gentlemen, if it pleases you,” continued the old merchant: - - “My name was Captain Kidd, - “When I sail’d, when I sail’d, - “My name was Captain Kidd, - “When I sail’d, when I sail’d, - “Farewell to young and old - “All jolly seamen bold, - “You’re welcome to my gold, - “I must die, I must die. - “You’re welcome to my gold, - “I must die, I must die.” - -“Here’s to the gold, gentlemen, he says we’re welcome--hic--to it,” -said Arnold as he extended a wobbling wine-glass. - -“Captain Kidd must have been a bold rover of the seas,” remarked -Roderick Barclugh, “to have been commissioned by the British Admiralty -to clear the seas of pirates and then to have turned to the plundering -himself. I rather admire the audacity of character. His riches would -have made him a great man if he had escaped the gallows, like many -another before and since his time. The riches are what we must have, no -matter so much how they come.” - -“Hear, hear, gentlemen,” said Arnold, as he stupidly raised his -wine-glass and drank again, “we _must_ have the riches.” - -At this moment the butler came quietly into the room and touching -General Arnold on the arm, delivered a message. - -The Commander of Philadelphia took his leave, and everybody smiled as -he made extra efforts to steady his steps out of the room. - -While the gentlemen were discussing privateers and the “jolly mariner,” -the ladies had gone to the drawing-room to have coffee served. - -Mrs. FitzMaurice by an opportune retirement of the ladies from the -table had evaded an impending storm, for she had known Mrs. Arnold -from girlhood, and saw that a conflict of sentiment between her and -Miss Greydon was inevitable. As the hostess had a premonition of the -impending clash, she thought best to have the scene among the ladies -alone, for they all knew the hysterical temper of the General’s wife. - -As soon as the ladies had been seated at the tables for coffee, Mrs. -Arnold’s ire began to gather headway. - -“I should think,” she said, “that examples of the Spartan woman were -good enough for the common people, but for the gentry to give up their -birth-rights and fortunes, and to sacrifice themselves and their future -for a miserable system of self-government, such statements are vulgar -and indecent. Why, just to think! General Arnold asked the Committee -on Military Affairs and the Commander-in-Chief to be transferred to -the command of West Point, and thus far they have ignored his request. -Surely he deserves _some_ honors.” - -“Why, Mrs. Arnold, I believe the proper thing to do, entertaining such -sentiments toward our principles of free government, instead of seeking -West Point, that General Arnold ought to resign, or in fact join the -other party,” flashed from Miss Greydon’s ready tongue. - -“That’s too much. I--I--I can’t stand it. O General! O Papa! I must -leave this room. Somebody, somebody better come here,” shrieked -the General’s wife as the hostess led the unfortunate lady to the -dressing-room, and sent for General Arnold. - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -Bitterness of feeling between the Tories and Whigs was mollified in -Philadelphia by the gayety and social qualities of the French Minister. - -M. de la Luzerne had rare social tact. He flattered the Tories and -dazzled the Whigs by fine dinners and balls to which all factions were -invited. The _salon_ of his residence was a favorite meeting-place. -Political feuds and family jars were settled by the benign smiles -and courtesy of the host and hostess. Times were stirring; the -checker-board of war held sway in the drawing-room; the social ills -of the body politic were cured by this representative of the French -monarch, and the Revolution prospered. - -As the guests arrived, the liveried butler announced their names in -stentorian tones and Mollie Greydon and her father, Dr. Greydon, -entered when the music was starting for the cotillion. Roderick -Barclugh met Mollie as she came down the staircase, and announced to -her that she was to be his partner since her name by lot fell to him. - -“May I have the pleasure of dancing with you this evening, Miss -Greydon?” Barclugh asked her. - -She had taken a parting glance in the mirror. Her reflected -_pompadour_, ribbons, and the lace handkerchief around her sloping -white shoulders satisfied her. Her bodice was square-cut and her head, -which was stately, poised on a well-rounded neck, added dignity to her -well-formed figure. When she appeared on the staircase and approached -Roderick Barclugh with a firm but elastic step she felt perfectly calm -and comfortably gowned. - -“Certainly, Mr. Barclugh,” replied Mollie when asked to dance the -cotillion, “I shall deem it an honor.” - -She took her partner’s arm and bowed to Alexander Hamilton, General -Washington’s aide. He was waiting to invite Mrs. Arnold for the -cotillion. Roderick Barclugh’s pulse beat fast with delight, when he -stepped into the ball-room, filled with America’s choicest spirits. -They swiftly passed among the couples, seated in a semicircle, waiting -for the leader to start the dancing; then they sat down, and he began -to talk to his beautiful partner. - -Anne Milling, herself a belle, ran over to Mollie and whispered, - -“You are fortunate in your lot for a partner. He is simply grand.” - -Comte de Noailles was the leader of the cotillion, and his selection of -figures and favors was both bold and unique. His art had been learned -at the French Court, and the Colonists went into ecstacies over his -innovations. - -Both Mollie and Mrs. Arnold were dancing in the first figure which was -a complicated affair requiring eight couples. Mrs. Arnold was standing -with her partner, Colonel Hamilton, watching the others when she said: - -“Just look at those eyes of Mr. Barclugh,”--and she gave her head a -saucy toss,--“he is simply devouring that young Quakeress.” - -“But you know, my dear Madam,” said the Colonel, “Miss Greydon has -had a beautiful life at Dorminghurst. She has cultivated the classics -and is gifted as a linguist. Those accomplishments along with her -personal charms are reflected in every movement of her form, which is -beautiful.” - -“Now, Colonel, I am surprised to have you express yourself so -enthusiastically over that young prodigy. She is too ordinary for -me. She makes a companion of a young Indian maiden who lives on her -father’s estate. I believe her name is _Segwuna_ and she has much -influence over Mollie. She also has ideas about the rights of the -people. So there! What can you expect? She knits for the soldiers, and -attends the dairy at Dorminghurst for her mother!” - -“Now! Now! Madam Arnold, you do not feel ungrateful--” Hamilton began. - -“For my life, I can not see what Mr. Barclugh can see in a girl of her -tastes!” interrupted the General’s wife. - -“But,” argued the Colonel, “Mr. Barclugh has seen the jaded life of -rouge and power and _effete ennui_ in Paris and this young, beautiful -and surprising belle of our Colonies appeals to him.” - -“Oh, Colonel, you must be in love yourself,” said Mrs. Arnold archly; -“men are such untutored creatures.” She laughed heartily. - -“_Salut de la Court!_” called Comte de Noailles, the leader. - -The dancers began the merry round which wound up with Mrs. Arnold being -in the _promenade_ with Roderick Barclugh, and Colonel Hamilton with -Mollie Greydon. - -“You have a fine partner, Miss Greydon,” remarked Hamilton. - -“Really, do you think so?” asked Mollie. - -“All the ladies are in ecstacies over him. It is a new face and a title -that attract.” - -“You misunderstand me then,” said Mollie. - -“But you are the exception that proves the rule,” enjoined the Colonel, -who was handsome in his gay uniform. - -“Are men the infallible judges?” parried Mollie. - -“When it comes to beauty,” replied the Colonel gayly. - -The figure changed and Mollie found herself swinging in the arms of -Roderick Barclugh and out of breath she sat down with a swirl of satin -skirts that showed a dainty slipper. - -Now Colonel Hamilton and Mrs. Arnold had a chance for a _tete-a-tete_ -as she sat down with a heaving breast which gave effect to her low-cut -corsage of black velvet. Her white hand held a dainty fan which she -used vigorously as she said: - -“I must tell you something about Roderick Barclugh. He will some day -have a title, and he is seeking his fortune in privateering. He is -engaged in this business along with FitzMaurice and Milling, and has -twenty thousand pounds sterling to his credit with them.” - -“Why, how do you happen to know so much about him,” asked the Colonel. - -“General Arnold told me. They have some business ventures in -privateering together. You know, we do not get enough from Congress for -our station.” - -“Very true, Madam, but your lot is cast with a man of arms and he must -take the fortunes of war,” said Alexander Hamilton sternly. - -“Oh, Colonel, you are so severe!” exclaimed the General’s wife as John -Milling came up and favored her with the next figure in the cotillion. - -Little did Mollie and Barclugh know that they were the observed of all -observers in the ball-room. The French Minister came up to them and -shook his finger slyly at Barclugh and said: “_Une fille par excellence -de la belle France_.” - -Barclugh colored slightly and rose to give the host a chance to speak -to Mollie and bowed very low. He then made his way to the side of Madam -Arnold. - -“This is so sweet of you, _ma chere_, to grace our assembly with -your presence,” smilingly remarked the fat and jolly minister, while -rubbing his hands together nervously. “My compliments to your mama,” -continued the diplomat, “but look out and do not lose your heart to my -countryman, Mr. Barclugh. He is very gay, very gay.” He then passed on -to General Arnold. - -“No dancing for you, _mon cher general_, eh?” - -“_Certainment! Certainment!_” replied the diplomat as the General -pointed to his wounded knee, a relic of Saratoga. - -Mollie now had a chance to pause for a few minutes from the gay whirl -of the dance, but she wished that she had never been allowed the -opportunity. She grew pale as she saw Roderick Barclugh talking with -Mrs. Arnold in a confidential manner. There was just one nod of her -head that spoke volumes to Mollie. Hot and cold tremors coursed through -her veins, for she could not fathom Mrs. Arnold, therefore she was a -mystery to her and Mollie did not like her. - -“Is it Tuesday, then?” queried Mrs. Arnold in a voice above the music -of the dance. - -“Tuesday,” nodded Barclugh in reply, just loud enough for Mollie to -hear it. - -“Pardon me, Miss Mollie,” came from Barclugh as he took his seat, “I -was just making an appointment to ride out with the Commandant and his -wife next Tuesday.” - -She made no reply, but looked displeased. - -The intermission for refreshments ensued, and instead of going directly -to the tables where the coffee and chocolate were served, Barclugh and -Mollie continued their _tete-a-tete_. - -“I missed your presence so much at Dorminghurst when we had our last -tea party, Mr. Barclugh,” said Mollie with much emphasis. - -“I am flattered, Miss Greydon,” was all Barclugh could reply. His -manner was agitated. - -Barclugh did not know why this mere girl should have such an influence -upon him. She was a surprise to his soul. Used to the artificial -manners of the French Court he could not believe his own eyes when he -beheld such grace of person, stately courtesy and dignity in any living -being as the one before him. - -“But, you know, I do not give flattery,” flashed from the pretty lips. - -“Maybe, if I stayed away from your tea party you would not care for -that?” queried Barclugh with intensity in his voice. - -“Ah, but you know that I said ‘I missed you,’” answered Mollie with a -merry glance over the top of her fan. - -At this juncture the Comte de Noailles happened along and urged on the -dancers: - -“Here! Here! We need you. Get your partners for the country reel.” - -Barclugh and Mollie stopped their confidences and laughed heartily at -each other as they hurried to the refreshment table and returned with -glee for the reel. - -The Comte danced with Anne Milling and led the couples out into the -middle of the floor. Eight couples faced each other and the reel began. - -“First couple forward and back!” - -“Second couple the same!” - -The young now had their chance and the dowagers and the old macaronis -filled up the ball-room and looked on with zest and zeal. - -Mrs. Arnold while dancing with her partner, Colonel Hamilton, could -not keep her eyes from Roderick Barclugh and Mollie. She was simply -desperate to think that her sister, Bessie, did not have Barclugh for -her evening’s partner. She watched the expression on Barclugh’s face -as he bowed and swung in the changes of the dance, and she was so -preoccupied that when the Comte called: - -“First couple up and down the center!”--she did not recognize her -partner’s bow until in self-defense Colonel Hamilton said: - -“Pardon me, Madam!” - -Startled with her inattention she blushed guiltily and took the -proffered hand of Colonel Hamilton and promenaded up and down between -the lines to the rhythm of the violins and the clapping of hands. - -As the turn for Mollie and Barclugh came, it was noticeable to all -how Barclugh beamed with pride as he led Mollie, with her hand raised -high, and in dainty step passed between the merry dancers. He bowed -deferentially as they turned to retrace their steps. Mollie looked all -aglow as she stood _vis-a-vis_ to Barclugh. There was intoxication in -her manner, her face was illumined with success, but no one recognized -this triumph of Mollie Greydon with such envy as Mrs. Arnold. She could -not bear to think Barclugh was lost from _her_ influence. - -The reel concluded with the Comte bowing and courtesying to the -onlookers as they applauded. He gave the call for the last figure: - -“All join hands forward and back!” - -“Salute!” - -“Swing!” - -Barclugh swung his partner with an abandon that Mollie could not -resist, and then escorted her to Dr. Greydon. - -When Mollie had seated herself he finished the evening’s pleasure by -saying to her: - -“The dance is the language of love.” - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -On the morning after the assembly Barclugh awoke as though from a -dream. After leaving the French Minister’s mansion he went to his -bachelor’s quarters on Front Street and sat in his chair trying to -dispel the pictures of Mollie Greydon. Reason as he might--that she was -a mere girl and he a man of the world, and he ought not to allow his -fancy to dwell upon affairs of his heart when he had sterner duties to -perform--still the image of that being who had awakened a new life for -him clung to his brain and he could not forget it. It gave him no rest. - -But the morning of the following Thursday when he was to see her again, -he bounded out of bed and felt as though he could not wait for the hour -to arrive. To take the carriage to Dorminghurst was his overpowering -desire. - -The old Colonial mansion of Dorminghurst had been the scene of many -brilliant receptions; but this one, when Mollie felt that her fate was -to be settled, seemed of far-reaching influence. The servants arranged -the china and the tea-urn on a round mahogany table in the center of -the drawing-room. Tables and chairs arranged for groups of ladies and -gentlemen to sit around and sup their tea and gossip, were placed in -the corners of the large room. Mollie was taking a last look at her -gown when she heard the first carriage rattle along the roadway and -came down the grand staircase to take her place with her parents. - -The Greydons held a position of unquestionable influence in the upper -society of Philadelphia. James Greydon, Mollie’s grandfather, had been -Secretary of William Penn, the founder; then deputy Governor, then -executor of Penn’s vast landed estate. Consequently, the Greydons were -lordly proprietors, for the thrifty grandfather had bought his lands -from the Indians. Thus a card for a reception at Dorminghurst became -almost a command. - -On this serene afternoon in May the broad avenue of hemlocks seemed -more beautiful than ever. The liveried equipages of the FitzMaurices, -the Millings, the Redmans, the Binghams, the Adamses, the Chews, the -Carrolls, the Pinckneys, the Shippens, the Peterses, the Arnolds came -rolling up to the pillared entrance and gay guests alighted, passed -hurriedly to the _boudoirs_ and came down to greet Dr. and Mrs. -Greydon, and not the least,--Miss Mollie. - -That young lady was in an anxious mood. She greeted each arrival in a -very sweet and cordial manner, but she cast constant glances out into -the arched hallway to see if Roderick Barclugh were among the latest -arrivals. She eagerly scanned every face and at last saw him come with -James Wilson, the lawyer. - -Mollie watched him ascend the curved staircase on one side and return -with the line of guests on the other. He was fashionably dressed in -his powdered wig and queue and his shining buckles and lace frills. No -gentlemen present bore a more distinguished appearance than Roderick -Barclugh. She watched him shake the hand of her father and her mother, -and, when her turn came, she offered her hand with delight in her eyes -as she said: - -“I am so glad that you remembered my special invitation.” - -There was a slight flush in her cheeks, and she knew that Barclugh -approved of her gown and her hair by the satisfied glances that his -eyes made. He looked into her eyes as he said softly: - -“This is a great pleasure, to see you again.” - -Roderick Barclugh bowed profoundly and passed among the guests. He was -in the midst of a group who were gossiping about the Arnolds. - -“What do you think, Mr. Barclugh,” asked Anne Milling, approaching -Barclugh in her most bewitching manner, “the court-martial of General -Arnold has found him guilty of misconduct in his office as Commander of -Philadelphia and General Washington has been ordered to make a public -reprimand. The dear, brave General! He has been made to endure more -than he can stand. Don’t you think so, Mr. Barclugh?” - -“General Arnold surely is brave, but has he not been extravagant?” was -Barclugh’s reply in a tone indicating his aversion to the subject. - -“I have little sympathy with him as he has become very imperious and -overbearing of late, since he married Peggy Shippen. He did not have -the fortune or the position in society to marry such an ambitious girl -as Margaret; she needed a baronet,” volunteered Mrs. FitzMaurice, who -had the faculty of speaking her mind. - -“It is a question which one has the most ambition, Mrs. Arnold or the -General, since they have moved into their new country home, ‘Mount -Pleasant’ on the Schuylkill. Have you attended any of their gorgeous -entertainments? No wonder his ambition runs away with him. They both -love luxury and they need money,” chimed in Sally Redman, who loved to -have people realize that she knew a few things about the gay world. - -“Let me whisper something. It must never be repeated. The French -Minister refused General Arnold a loan. I have it from very direct -sources,” volunteered Charles Bingham. - -“Did he go to the French Minister himself?” queried Barclugh. - -“Yes,” replied Bingham, and the whole group laughed heartily. - -“Hush! Here they come now,” whispered Anne Milling as she gave Mr. -Bingham a touch on his arm. - -The General and his wife came up arm in arm, all smiles when the group -just referring to them turned and greeted the Commander of Philadelphia -and his wife most cordially: - -“Why, how do you do, General? How do you do, Peggy, my dear? I am so -glad to see you,” said Mrs. FitzMaurice in her sweetest tones and with -a smile for both of them. - -Mrs. Arnold at once addressed herself to Roderick Barclugh and the -General to M. de la Luzerne, who had just joined the group. - -“I hope that we may see you out to ‘Mount Pleasant’ very soon, Mr. -Barclugh. My sister, Bessie, is now visiting me and it would give us -the greatest pleasure to see you. Tuesdays are our days. Then, I must -tell you”--in her most pleasing tones--“the General has taken a very -great interest in you of late.” - -“I thank you, Madam; it will be not your pleasure alone, but mine.” - -In times of war very little of the drawing-room satisfied the men of -affairs; so, when the ladies and the macaronis were fairly aglow with -gossip over the tea-cups, John Adams, Dr. Greydon and Charles Thompson -found themselves together in the doctor’s office and began to discuss -serious affairs over their pipes and mugs of home ale. - -“By thunder! That trading house of Milling and FitzMaurice brought -home a fat prize, William,” remarked Charles Thompson. “One of their -privateers secured a British ship worth eighty thousand pounds -sterling.” - -“Is it possible? No wonder they can live in luxury. They are growing -fat out of the war. That one prize would pay back one half that they -have loaned to Congress,” continued John Adams. - -“I always was opposed to war on general principles,” argued Dr. -Greydon, “but if we must fight, all right. Yet, when private -individuals can go out on the high seas and take other private -individuals’ substance it seems like licensed robbery.” - -“I venture to say riches thus gained will never profit the gainer. -Robert FitzMaurice has made fabulous riches out of his piratical -enterprise but he will lose it all, some day,” reasoned the Secretary -of Congress. - -“Heigho there!” exclaimed John Adams, “do you know that FitzMaurice and -Milling are now planning to start a bank and to do all the financing -for Congress? They want a charter.” - -“That’s fine,” began Dr. Greydon. “First, Congress grants letters of -Marque and Reprisal to these enterprising merchants, in order for -them to hold up their neighbors’ ships and rob them; now, when they -grow rich out of the war, we will license them to hold our hands when -they can go into _our_ pockets and rob _us_. Oh! That’s a fine scheme -to throttle our war. They could tell us then to lay down our arms if -the bank was not pleased. Never let us get into the clutches of these -financiers. The power of the purse must always belong to Congress, the -representatives of the people.” - -Thus spoke Dr. Greydon, and then Charles Thompson added: - -“The money of our Congress maybe depreciated, but if the people of our -country accept it, which the patriots do--maybe the Tories do not--we -will prosper; but if we give ourselves into the hands of the bank, they -would take nothing but specie for payment and we would be paralyzed. We -could do nothing but surrender.” - -“Here! Here! William, we are forgetting our ladies,” said John Adams, -and they arose and joined the guests in the drawing-room. - -Mollie was helping her mother serve the tea; the guests were seated at -the tables; but she did not lose sight of Barclugh. Although the large -drawing-room and the library were thronged with guests, she could not -let him out of her sight. Members of Congress, generals, their sons and -daughters, and French diplomats thronged the rooms but they soon began -to depart. - -At the first opportunity Barclugh left his tea-cup and found his way to -the side of Mollie. She turned and said spiritedly: - -“You must miss your gay society in Paris, Mr. Barclugh? They must be -so different from our society? I would be delighted to travel abroad -again; I was so young when papa took me to England.” - -“Society is very much the same the world over,” answered Barclugh,--“so -insincere.” - -“Are all people insincere, Mr. Barclugh?” returned Mollie. - -“By no means. There is one whom I know to be sincere.” - -“But, do you really, Mr. Barclugh, enjoy your sojourn in America?” -insisted Mollie. - -“I would leave to-morrow if it were not for the _tete-a-tetes_ that I -have with one whom I meet too seldom.” - -[Illustration: Mollie Greydon.] - -“That is exasperating, Mr. Barclugh. Who can it be? Is it Mrs. Arnold?” -sallied Mollie. - -“Oh! no! no! She is too imperious. Can you not guess?” and Barclugh -looked so appealingly into Mollie’s eyes that her pulse seemed to cease. - -She grew pale and could scarcely venture a reply. - -“I would not dare to guess,” she said softly, “for fear that I might be -mistaken.” - -The Secretary of Congress, Charles Thompson, came up to Mollie at this -juncture to bid her good-bye and she was drawn into the duties of -bidding the guests farewell; Roderick Barclugh left Dorminghurst that -afternoon, determined to win the heart of Mollie Greydon; but little -did he know what stirring events would intervene before he could offer -himself to the one he loved. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -“That game, Charles, last night, upset our plans, and we must recoup -our fortunes from government,” suggested young Lord Carlisle bitterly, -on the morning after he had lost ten thousand pounds sterling at a -single cast at hazard in Brooks’ Club. - -He was addressing his two cronies, Charles Fox and George Selwyn. Both -were members of Parliament and included within the inner Cabinet and -Councils of the government of Lord North. Both were powerful in the set -that obtained favors (for the chosen few) from the monarch, George III. - -In order that no one might observe them, the three were alighting -from the chariot of Lord Carlisle and entering the “Old Cock” Tavern, -a resort for literary drudges and solicitors of Temple Court. They -entered at the side entrance in Apollo Court, just off Fleet Street. -They had come directly from the gaming-table, dejected and desperate -from heavy loss, to a place where they could retire securely to one of -the cosy corners for breakfast and repose. - -Having been all night in the great room at Brooks’, nerved to high -tension at the hazard of great stakes, this sorry set of cronies sought -refreshment and a reckoning of their shattered fortunes. One of those -reposeful havens for the “weary and heavy laden,” in old London’s jaded -life, now appealed to these gaming spirits and leaders of government. - -The “Old Cock” boasted of a respectable antiquity even at this time, -1777. The old gossip, Samuel Pepys, had graced its haunts in the time -of the Stuarts; it survived the ravages of the Plague, and even the -great fire of Old London; the entrance was a passageway that passed -a flight of stairs and a bar into a large, well-lighted coffee-room. -Skylights furnished air and sunshine whenever London could lay claim -to the latter. Bright sea-sand glistened on the faultless floor. Rows -of mahogany boxes, formed by high-backed seats on three sides and open -toward the center, surrounded the entire room, except where the huge -fireplace added good cheer in its restful, blazing wood. - -In one of these boxes a party could be quite secluded. The tops of -the settles were higher than one’s head and a bandy-legged table of -mahogany sat between the benches. The mantel of the fireplace was -massive oak, carved after the fashion of the Elizabethan age, and the -atmosphere of the place was presided over by a heroic representation of -an “Old Cock” perched high at the farther end in the act of hailing the -morn. - -Noted for its wine and for those “who knew what was good and could -afford to pay for it,” the “Old Cock” was justly celebrated for the -solace within its walls. - -Life swirled in Old London, around the young bloods at Brooks’. The -great room where hazard ran riot beheld noted encounters between Fox, -March, Burgoyne, Carlisle, Rodney and Selwyn. These revels afforded -gossip in coffee-houses, taverns and drawing-rooms. Many a bottle -of good, old port tickled the cockles of a Londoner’s heart, while -Fox’s debts, Carlisle’s losses and Selwyn’s witticisms afforded old -London-town an excuse to gossip about people to one’s heart’s content. -A reckoning, however, was sure to come. No bulls and bears were in -existence then, but their progenitors revelled in high play at the club. - -“Charles,” began Carlisle in a cozy nook of the “Old Cock,” “you know -that Burgoyne’s return from his disaster affects our situation most -seriously. What can be done to meet our disappointments? If Burgoyne -had simply reached New York, the King would have elevated him to the -vacant peerage of S---- as was promised us; and Parliament would have -voted him one hundred thousand pounds sterling so that he could have -paid me his debt of twenty-five thousand pounds.” - -Fox, who had been in Lord North’s cabinet, and as Junior Lord of the -Treasury had opposed the estrangement of the Colonies, foresaw the -disaster in war as carried on by Lord North. His powerful influences -were directed to stop the war more by diplomacy than by force. But -his gambling proclivities kept all of his friends in jeopardy. Now -something must be done to stop the disastrous war and at the same -stroke recoup the waning fortunes of himself and his cronies. - -Therefore, turning to his two friends in distress, he mildly argued: - -“Well Carlisle, I shall go to my friend, Mr. Prince, Governor of the -Corporation of the Bank of England, and ask him to insist with that -old fool, Lord North, that if our soldiers can not whip the Colonists, -we must _buy_ the leaders. We can appoint a commission with yourself, -Carlisle, at its head to go to America and settle the conflict with a -_coup d’etat_.” - -Selwyn listened most eagerly to whatever Charles advised at all times, -but now he smiled graciously as he exclaimed: - -“Zounds! that’s good! My Lord, if you once get to America to show your -bags of gold to the hungry dogs, the woods will ring with the yelps -of the hungry pack. They would give up the chase and devour the bones -that you might throw to them,” exclaimed Selwyn, who sat in the corner -sipping his well-brewed coffee. - -“Such a stroke,” continued Selwyn, lazily, “to win the Colonies, would -bring us the King’s favor and two hundred thousand pounds sterling by -Parliament, my Lord; and we would once more recoup our fortunes. Then -Charles could satisfy the Shylocks and kick them down the stairs.” - -While these gentlemen of plots on the government exchequer were -scheming in their corner, the rest of the coffee-room of the old tavern -was humming with groups of customers, who were drinking, smoking, and -eating to their hearts’ content. - -Lingering over tankards of ale, or puffing at long pipes of tobacco, -tables were surrounded by wise-visaged solicitors discussing the -possible phases of the trial of the Duchess of Kingsley, who was on -trial for bigamy. - -Having married, clandestinely, the second son of Lord Ker, and the -marriage being disowned, the Duchess had lived publicly with the Duke -of Kingsley, and finally married him during Mr. Ker’s lifetime. But -at the death of the Duke, proceedings were instituted by which she -was found guilty of the crime charged, and thus lost all the property -left her by the Duke. If such subjects did not afford gossip at the -coffee-houses others did. - -In one corner were the literary characters, among whom was Dr. Johnson, -and, of course, his friend Boswell,--surrounded by a company of -satellites, all of whom paid court to the old autocrat, the leader of -all criticism, and the arbiter of all opinions on the passing literary -productions. - -Oh, how the “old growler” delighted in a pint of port! When his soul -grew mellow how that charmed circle delighted to hear him repeat for -the five hundredth time those favorite lines from rare old Ben Jonson: - - “Wine, it is the milk of Venus, - - * * * - - That cheers the brains, makes wit the quicker, - Pays all debts, cures all diseases, - And at once three senses pleases.” - -Selwyn was a great admirer of Fox, and was one of his life-long -friends, but a courtier first and last. - -His friendship for Lord Carlisle also was of the most tender nature. -He stood between his two friends as the adviser of Carlisle and -the guardian of Fox. The latter was a brilliant politician, and a -passionate gamester, who needed the good offices of a diplomat like -Selwyn. - -Yet Selwyn’s most concern was to keep Fox within a sphere of -usefulness, in order that Fox could pay back to Carlisle money that was -loaned at the gaming-table. The interests of the three were so involved -that one had to maintain the other in order to preserve himself; they -repeated the story of Cæsar and Pompey. - -“I have the scheme,” ejaculated Selwyn, who was by this time growing -enthusiastic over the idea of stopping the American War with the -English valor that wins their battles when bayonets fail. “I am -acquainted with a young man who is the secret agent of the Bank of -England in France and has brought us the innermost information from the -French Court by reason of his skill as a diplomat, and his pretended -friendship for the American cause. - -“He is a personal friend of Dr. Franklin. In America he could be -recognized as a supporter of the cause of independence while he kept -your Commission informed as to the weakness within the American ranks. - -“You could induce him,” continued Selwyn spiritedly, “to undertake -the mission by promising the highest position, that of Viceroy in the -Colonies. You could also offer a peerage and vast landed estates in -America for his success.” - -“No man could resist such inducements,” concluded Carlisle, as he drank -in the plans with evident satisfaction. - -Fox sat there unconcerned as to details, but awakening out of a reverie -on last night’s game remarked to Selwyn: - -“George, I am agreed. You talk well, but what is the man’s name?” - -As a matter of fact, Fox did not have so much concern about the -Colonies, as he did about the vast sum of money that he owed Carlisle. -He was ready for any expedient to pacify his creditor and give some -excuse to put off demands on his depleted fortunes. - -If Carlisle should succeed in retaining the Colonies within the -empire, and at the same time receive great personal treasures from -the government, Fox’s personal obligations would be cancelled and a -disastrous war would be ended. - -Selwyn, replying to Fox’s question, said persuasively: - -“His name, my dear Charles, is Roderick Barclugh, but for purposes -of state it must be withheld until the plans are working. If you are -agreed you can submit your plan to the King through the bank. I am sure -that the King will take up your ideas as his own. Then he has to listen -to those people that control his purse-strings, anyway.” - -Lord Carlisle, young and ambitious to recoup his severe losses, arose -from the breakfast and said decisively: - -“Gentlemen, the plan is well conceived. If it fails to subdue the -rebels, my name will sink to the depths of ignominy; but if it -succeeds, I shall have the honor of serving my King as well as Warren -Hastings at all events.” - -Whereupon the three plotters departed for their lodgings, to be ready -for the game at Brooks’ that night. - -Selwyn, the diplomat of the trio, set the plans to working. He -interviewed Mr. Prince, the Governor of the Bank of England, who -consented to influence the King. - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -“Your Majesty, I am informed that the French monarch has decided to -recognize the independence of the Americans and put all the resources -of France against Great Britain.” - -“Whence comes your information, Mr. Prince?” asked George III, as he -sat in his private study of St. James’s, October, 1777. - -“Your Majesty, the secret service of the Bank of England has kept -Roderick Barclugh in the French Court. He is on terms of intimacy with -Louis XVI. He associates with Benjamin Franklin and the Colonial party; -he keeps us informed as to every phase of their affairs.” - -George III rubbed his hands in each other and looked impatient but -gracious, yet his eyes had an anxious gleam as he nervously asked: - -“Is the recognition of the independence of the Colonies possible and -has it come at last? What shall we do about it then, Mr. Prince?” - -“There is but one way to reconcile the Americans, since Burgoyne’s -surrender, your Majesty,” replied the Bank Governor. “We must convince -the leaders of the army and the men of substance in the Colonies, -that a long-drawn-out war will ruin the country--that the return of -peace will establish commerce and prosperity; and that allegiance to -your Majesty’s person and crown will give the protection that a young -commonwealth needs.” - -“Very well, very well, sir, but what means are you going to use to -convince these rebels?” queried the monarch, impatiently, as he began -to comprehend the undertaking that began to develop. - -“Not by warlike means, your Majesty, which has cost your exchequer -twenty thousand pounds sterling for each and every rebel so far killed, -but by the most subtle subjection--that of diplomacy and finance,” -replied Mr. Prince (who knew that the King had used this policy to -carry his desires through Parliament). - -“Ah, that is good,” exclaimed the King. “But whom can we trust with -such a delicate mission? I have learned to depend upon the wisdom -of your money, but not upon persons. Can you lay a plan that will -accomplish the result? I have so few men of the genius that you -display, Mr. Prince.” - -Mr. Prince now had the ear of the monarch, and as George III showed -his abject helplessness, the holder of England’s purse-strings took -advantage of the situation to carry out the plot planned in the “Old -Cock” Tavern: - -“Your Majesty, we must send a Commission to treat with the Colonists -on the spot, when we have turned the men of substance to a desire for -peace. We must send a skilled diplomat among the Colonists, who will -keep us informed as to what the Colonists will do for peace if we -were to grant all their demands except independence. This undertaking -will be dangerous and delicate. Our agent must gain the confidence of -the leaders within the rebel lines. He must be one who can go without -the least suspicion. If he succeeds we must reward him by making him -Viceroy (an echo of the conspirators in the ‘Old Cock’ Tavern) and by -granting him a peerage and a landed estate befitting his dignity of -office.” - -“Agreed, Mr. Prince, but whom can you recommend for such delicate -commissions?” asked the King, as he grew enthusiastic over the plot, -for George III loved intrigue. - -“Ah!” exclaimed “the arbiter of the power of the purse” (the one great -security of the rights of Englishmen), as he bowed very low to the -monarch: - -“May it please your Majesty to entrust your humble servant with so -much privilege as to name the one who is to save your Colonies. There -is no one that will respect your royal will with as much diligence as -your faithful diplomat, Roderick Barclugh. Then for the commissioner to -conclude your terms of peace, I would humbly beg that you entrust such -matters of importance to your Lord Carlisle.” - -“Excellent! Excellent! Sir,” exclaimed the King, “but where are these -gentlemen? Command them into my presence. My plans shall be carried -out at once. All that was needed was to have a suggestion, for these -have always been my ideas, I now stand firmly on this idea since you -have seconded me; I have always stood for it; England shall not lose -her Colonies. I am not to be outdone by the French. Where are these -gentlemen, sir?” asked the subtle monarch of the President of the Bank -of England. - -Mr. Prince bowed and left the King, for he knew his character so well -that there was nothing more for him to do. He had carried his plans, -although His Majesty had finally claimed them as his own. - -However, when the King asked for Roderick Barclugh and Lord Carlisle, -these worthy gentlemen were close at hand (not by accident) but by -means of the finesse of the worthy George Selwyn, who was a courtier -of no mean order. He had his pawns ready for the next move on the -checker-board. - -The King had now grown more self-conceited, and when these worthy -gentlemen came into his private audience and both approached and knelt -in obeisance to his commands (for Mr. Prince had given the cue of what -was to happen when he passed out), the King arose and said: - -“Lord Carlisle, arise. Mr. Barclugh, arise. It is at your Sovereign’s -commands that you shall proceed to the shores of his rebellious -Colonists and use your persuasion to insure their allegiance to the -British Realm. Gentlemen, no means must be spared to preserve the -integrity of the British Empire. May the blessings of God pursue your -endeavors. Follow the plans that hath pleased the Almighty to have your -Sovereign prepare.” - -At the conclusion of this inspired speech, His Majesty stepped toward -Lord Carlisle and Mr. Barclugh, and shook each by the hand and -spoke of the great pleasure that his duty gave, whereupon these two -representatives of royalty retired in due form and respect from his -royal presence. - -When our commissioner and our secret agent emerged from the august -presence of George III, they made straightway to the chariot of Lord -Carlisle and were driven post-haste to Brooks’ Club. Carlisle alighted, -but Barclugh went to the house of his chief, Mr. Prince, for he was in -London incognito. - -Fox at the head of the faro table was banker, and Selwyn sat opposite, -in the great green room at Brooks’. The play was highly interesting -when Carlisle entered the room. The Bank was two thousand pounds -sterling to the good and the night was but begun. Lord Carlisle went -to the side of Fox and spoke to him, who turned the deal over to Gilly -Williams. Selwyn arose at a sign from Fox, and the three conspirators -left for a private room to discuss the new phase of American politics. - -Fox, who was easily the leader of the Whig coterie that centered in -Brooks’ Club, opened the discussion by remarking: - -“Has the ‘lunatic’ (George III) carried out the plan?” - -“He has,” replied Carlisle, who had just left his Majesty. - -“But who is this Barclugh? Can we depend upon him? His task is almost -superhuman,” commented Fox to his cronies. - -“Barclugh is the grandson of Sir George Barclugh of the plot to murder -William of Orange,” remarked Carlisle. - -“He will do, then,” assented Fox. “For the followers of the Stuarts -were the most remarkable zealots of any age.” - -“Yes, and Barclugh has been the secret agent of Mr. Prince, the -President of the Bank of England, at the court of Louis for five years -past. His reports have been reliable and I can vouch for anything that -he undertakes,” contended Selwyn, who was the balance-wheel and the -diplomat of these choice spirits of Brooks’ high play. - -“Very well, very well,” exclaimed Charles, “you and Carlisle fix up the -details; I must be back, Gilly will ruin me. You and Carlisle fix up -these matters--whatever you do will suit me. You know I must not leave -the game,” contended Fox, as he nervously spoke and returned to the -green room and hurried to his seat at the head of the table where the -banker sat turning the cards for the coterie of gamesters. - -Selwyn now had an opportunity to go calmly over the points at issue -with Carlisle. - -“This war must be ended, my Lord,” said Selwyn. “Give Barclugh every -opportunity to win the leaders. Keep the army, under that drawing-room -general, Sir Henry, at a respectful distance from the wily Washington; -let Barclugh ply his arts among the substantial Colonists, and you will -return as the savior of the Colonies and a Parliamentary grant will -await you.” - -“But suppose the plans fail, George, what then?” anxiously queried -Carlisle. - -“Nothing fails that Britons put their hands and hearts to,” -expostulated Selwyn. “Start to-morrow; be on the scene--Barclugh will -follow. Nothing daunts the ambitious Briton; we must succeed, or ruin -stares us in the face. The continuous drain upon our resources at -the gaming-table has sapped our substance,--we must have funds from -government or give up our life at the Club. Carlisle, the game depends -upon you.” - -Thus reasoned Selwyn, for he knew that the select few who practised -high play at Brooks’ had exhausted the resources of their set, and the -only legitimate prey at hand was the funds of government to be won at -the game of Colonial politics. - -Carlisle left on the first ship for New York, and Barclugh was to leave -as soon as Lord Germaine could fix up the funds and credentials for him -to carry to the scene of war in America. - -Roderick Barclugh was fitted by environment and education to become -a diplomat of no mean order. Born in 1749, his parentage a Scotch -father and a French mother--the rare combination of shrewdness and -finesse--whose traditions on one side led back to the cause of the -Stuarts, and a line of court favorites of the French monarch on the -other--distinguished him for a life of bold intrigue. - -His grandfather, Sir George Barclugh, quit his native land with the -Pretender, James II. His father was reared in Paris, and married the -French Queen’s lady-in-waiting, Marie La Fitte. The union was happy -and two sons were the issue. The older was named George Barclugh and -the younger Roderick. The boys grew up surrounded by all the elegant -manners of the French Court at this period. - -At twenty-two years of age Roderick Barclugh could speak English, -French and Spanish. He was tall and vigorous in constitution; endowed -with shrewd, steely-blue eyes and a prominent aquiline nose. Firmness -and fortitude were in every expression of his eyes and mouth. His hair -was reddish-brown in color--partaking of the auburn locks of his Scotch -grandfather, and the black of his mother’s race. - -He was faultless in his easy manner when in society of ladies, and -when among men inclined to be brusque and haughty. His eyes had a -merry assurance of good will; yet therein could be found firmness, -determination and passion. His voice was trained for the dulcet tones -of persuasion, and, at will, he could command the robust tones of his -father’s race. - -Without effort Roderick Barclugh could control his feelings and be -nonchalant to sentiment, and on necessary occasions be frivolous and -gay. His composition had all the artful diplomacy of a French courtier -and the canny ways of an ingenious and bold Scotsman--altogether, a -brilliant and dangerous being. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - - -Revolutionary New York was enveloped in an atmosphere of sombre unrest. -The English had driven out the patriot families; some loyalists, -however, who were persecuted in other colonies sought refuge in New -York, but they simply became hangers-on at a huge military camp. - -Gayety was forced. The monotony of military cares bore heavily upon -the British leaders and at length desperation was traced upon their -faces. There was no enterprise. Something must be done or the spirit of -militarism would die. - -Sir Henry Clinton, the Commander-in-Chief, was fat and short. -Punctilious with his officers, formal,--even distant, in his -manners--he was not one to inspire enthusiasm. His face was full, his -nose was large and prominent, and although an expression of animated -intelligence at times pervaded his countenance, still he lacked the -rare ability to inspire confidence and conviction. He was simply in -command because favoritism had placed him there; he was a drawing-room -general. - -On a crisp day in November, General Clinton and Lord Carlisle were -surveying the landscape from the drawing-room of the Beekman mansion, -which was a beautiful seat of revolutionary times, and the chosen -country residence of the British Commander. - -The blue waters of the bay were whipped into white waves as the -nor’east gale swept over the water. The energy of the wind broke forth -in sparkling waves upon the bosom of the harbor and Sir Henry explained -to Lord Carlisle how the commerce of the new continent would center in -this haven that was now controlled by his British forces. He gestured -confidently as he maintained that the admiralty had a base in New York -harbor from which to fit out its men-of-war and carry on the conflict -in any direction. - -In the midst of his laborious arguments Sir Henry exclaimed: - -“My Lord, there comes one of our forty-four-gun frigates! Zounds! She’s -standing right up to the inner anchorage. She may be a messenger from -our War Lord, Germaine.” - -Sir Henry took up his spying-glass and stepped out upon the portico to -see what ship it might be. - -Lord Carlisle walked back and forth impatiently, while Sir Henry -closely watched the movements of the ship. - -These two men differed in their plans for the conduct of the war. -Lord Carlisle wished to offer a proclamation to the Colonists, -openly conceding everything that the people demanded except absolute -independence. But Sir Henry chafed under this means of procedure. He -saw that such a course implied the failure of the military to deal with -the problem of subduing the Americans. He contended that a decisive -stroke must be made by the army before any terms should be offered the -rebellious Colonists. - -Carlisle spoke impatiently when the ship was looming up in full view: - -“I hope that Germaine has sent Barclugh with definite instructions as -to our course. We are losing valuable time and opportunity here by -reason of our inactivity.” - -This last word was a distinct challenge to Clinton, who lowered his -glass long enough to look squarely at Carlisle and remark spiritedly: - -“There is no use to waste words, my Lord. We cannot afford to sacrifice -the reputation of English arms; it would be suicidal. Treat with the -rascals? Yes, when they have felt the force of our power. Now that they -have formed an alliance with our ancient enemy we must deal them a -crushing blow, first.” - -Carlisle, however, was insisting upon the right of the commissioners to -dictate the policy, yet he did not care how the results were attained -so long as his mission to America was successful. Fox and Selwyn would -see that he was properly rewarded, provided the Colonies were not lost. - -“Very good, Sir Henry,” retorted Carlisle, when the General stood -before him in an attitude of defiance, “but the longer that we wait, -the farther apart we drift. I am intent upon activities in one way or -another.” - -“There she comes to,” continued Sir Henry, as he resumed his spying -investigations. “By the speed that she comes up the bay, I believe that -she may be the Prince Harry, the fastest cruiser of the Admiralty’s -register.” - -“How deluded these rebels are to hold out against such odds on the -sea,” exclaimed Sir Henry, with animation. “How magnificent to behold -the seamanship of our sailors! Behold them swarm the yard-arms! There -go the anchors to the catheads! She swings to the cable! Her sails are -stowed in a twinkling! What discipline! I maintain our sovereignty of -the seas and we have no business to beg a settlement except at our own -terms,” concluded General Clinton as he turned upon Lord Carlisle, -waving his little fat hands and arms majestically. - -Carlisle saw where Sir Henry had placed him when he appealed to an -Englishman’s vanity, his ships; but he looked at General Clinton -through those blue eyes for an instant and fell back upon the only -argument that an Englishman could never withstand. - -“But, Sir Henry, you do not comprehend,” argued Carlisle, “what an -expenditure of treasure this war has already cost the King’s exchequer. -Mr. Prince, the Governor of the Bank of England, says: ‘We shall all be -paupers by this everlasting drain on our gold.’ Sir Henry, I represent -the financial side of this problem.” - -“Well, my Lord,” retorted Sir Henry, “all that I can say to your -argument is, that with your money power, as now constituted, having -your Bank Governor at the throat of our nation, you will make cowards -of us all. We shall lose the toil of two centuries and the sacrifices -of twenty generations of Englishmen in colonizing a wilderness. For -what? For the dross called pounds sterling! The Colonists are unruly -children. Chastise them and then bring them back home and treat them -generously.” - -Carlisle now paced nervously up and down the portico, evidently -thinking of how he would turn the last argument of Sir Henry, when the -little fat body of the General fairly bubbled over with pugnacity as he -grew red in the face and exclaimed: - -“If the War Lord would give me the men to chastise the rebels well, and -not listen to the whining Bank Governor, we could wage a successful -campaign and make an honorable peace.” - -Lord Carlisle held his peace and glared at Clinton. - -Now General Clinton turned toward the bay and there beheld events -transpiring that turned the temper of his conversation. - -“Zounds!” he exclaimed. “They have lowered a boat and are making for -the Battery. There must be despatches or important personages aboard.” - -He raised his glass and looked upon the boat’s crew approaching the -shore. - -“We need not bother ourselves,” contended Sir Henry, “Andre will -forward anything of importance to us.” - -The two representatives of government then returned to the drawing-room -to get out of the biting wind and to indulge in a bottle of Madeira for -old England’s sake. - -At the office of the Commander-in-Chief, No. 1 Broadway, was Major John -Andre who had come from the capture of Charleston with General Clinton -as Adjutant General of the English Army. He was unmarried and young and -affable. His lodgings were in the same house as the General’s office -and he dined at the King’s Arms Tavern, No. 9 Broadway, a few doors -from his quarters. - -As soon as the boat could land from the Prince Harry, no time was lost -in forwarding the despatches to headquarters. - -A passenger came ashore, a young man dressed in the style of a Parisian -of fashion. He had travelled under an assumed name, for even the -British naval officers were not to know his mission. The arrangement -of his queue was faultless. His satins and sword, his laces and -high-heeled shoes, indicated the courtier. But Pierre La Fitte was none -other than Roderick Barclugh on his mission for the King of England. - -When Major Andre appeared in the ante-room of the headquarters of -General Clinton, he extended his hand to this strange gentleman -cordially and said: - -“I believe that I have the honor of addressing M. Pierre La Fitte.” - -“That’s what I am called,” replied the stranger. - -“Very well, sir,” continued Andre. “I will take you to my quarters as I -understand that you are on a secret mission.” - -When Major Andre had received the despatches there was one in cipher -marked “important” and it read as follows: - - “Whitehall, Sept. 25, 177-- - - “Sir: I have the honor to send on a particular secret Mission to - America, our esteemed Friend, M. Pierre La Fitte. - - “He accompanies this despatch and his Identity must be kept a - profound Secret. - - “Provide him with secret and suitable Quarters and put him in - communication with General Clinton and Lord Carlisle at the earliest - possible moment. - - “Geo. Germaine. - “Adj’t. Gen. John Andre.” - -As soon as Major Andre had conducted M. La Fitte to sleeping apartments -adjoining his own, and had made the stranger welcome, he sent a courier -with despatches and information to the Beekman House that M. La Fitte -would be accompanied by himself to meet Lord Carlisle and the General. - -La Fitte rested until nightfall when darkness would conceal his -movements. - -A post-chaise drew up in front of the headquarters and two gentlemen -disguised in great-coats emerged from the building and made their way -to the carriage. - -The three miles to the Beekman House were quickly covered and the -secret agent alighted with Major Andre. The two approached the mansion -and a sentry challenged them, but the Adjutant was recognized and -allowed to enter. A liveried footman announced the two to the General -who greeted them eagerly in the reception room. - -“We are gratified to have you with us, Mr. Barclugh, and we believe -that the nature of your mission will not let you remain in our midst -very long.” - -“I am glad to hear you address me by my own name, General Clinton,” -responded Barclugh. “My voyage has been tedious, indeed, under my -assumed name of M. La Fitte.” - -The sealed instructions on Barclugh’s mission had been forwarded by -Major Andre to the Beekman House and they were as follows: - - “Whitehall, 24 Sept, 177-- - - “Sir: I have the great Pleasure of conveying the King’s Commands, by - introducing to you Mr. Roderick Barclugh who is commissioned to act - as the Special Secret Agent of His Majesty to the Men of Substance - among his Rebellious Colonists. - - “When the Duration of the Rebellion is considered, it has been - mortifying to his Majesty to have no decisive Blow inflicted to - speedily suppress the rebels; and His Majesty commands me to - instruct that your Assistance to the Diplomacy of Mr. Barclugh and - Lord Carlisle would be most gratifying to His Royal Pleasure. - - “It is a great Pleasure to me to have another Occasion of obeying - the King’s Commands by desiring you to convey to Lord Carlisle, His - Majesty’s approbation of His Lordship’s mission to America. - - “I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, - - “Geo. Germaine. - “Sir Henry Clinton, K. B.” - -Lord Carlisle was much flattered by the receipt of the King’s -encouragement, although Clinton noted in the letter a slight expression -of unrest over the lack of results in the war. - -However, Clinton did not take all of the burden of blame on himself; -Lords Howe and Cornwallis had made some of the mistakes in the Jersey -Campaigns and he was willing for the diplomatists to take a hand at the -subjugation of the rebels, for a while, at least. They had talked much, -as usual; now let them try their skill at results. - -Sir Henry had to give some instructions to his Adjutant, so he turned -to Roderick Barclugh as he remarked: - -“Excuse me for a few moments, Mr. Barclugh. I have some urgent matters -to dispose of.” - -“Certainly,” returned Barclugh as he took up a discussion of affairs -with Lord Carlisle, asking: - -“What is the situation here, my Lord?” - -“Oh, it’s hard to convince these military people,” answered Carlisle -as he pointed his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of General -Clinton and Andre. - -“I presume so,” assented Barclugh, dryly, as he shrugged his shoulders. -“But what have you done, my Lord, on _your_ mission?” asked Barclugh. - -“Oh, nothing but to wait for you,” answered Carlisle disgustedly. - -“Well, we must do something very soon, or know the cause,” declared -Barclugh as General Clinton approached them. - -“Gentlemen,” remarked General Clinton, “we might better retire to the -Council Chamber and discuss our matters there. Shall I send for Mr. -Eden, my Lord?” - -“Never mind Eden, General,” replied Carlisle. “Mr. Barclugh is anxious -to conclude with us and be about his own mission. I know that he is -impatient at least to be out of New York,” replied Carlisle bluntly. - -“Very well, very well, gentlemen,” assented Clinton as he led the way -to the staircase and bowed to the other two in Pickwickian fashion as -he said: - -“After you,” and he bowed and gestured toward the staircase with his -chubby hand. - -A bright fire crackled in the fireplace of a nearly square room where -the diplomats were to hold council with the Commander-in-Chief; a round -table in the center contained a large map of the Colonies; a half -dozen straight-backed bandy-legged chairs stood around carelessly; -and a corner closet with a glass door was well stocked with a choice -selection of Madeira. - -Here were three representatives of English authority presented with the -problem of subduing the rebellious Colonies. Each one, however, had his -own pet theory of serving the King, ostensibly for the glory of the -King, but primarily to gain glory for himself. - -Clinton could see no means of ending the war except by military -subjugation; Carlisle was entirely for conciliation and Barclugh was -bent on subornation. All of these theories were launched upon the -Colonists at the same time by the subtle minds of George III and his -advisers. - -Barclugh was impatient to begin the discussion, so he pulled his chair -up to the table and began to tell his story unceremoniously: - -“Gentlemen, my mission is to create a diversion among the men of -substance in the Colonies, and I shall do it on a commercial basis. -If the military can do its part and pound the army of Mr. Washington -into a defensive position and at the same time subjugate the southern -Colonies as is planned by the War Lord, I will overcome the men of -substance by means of finance and commerce. Their commercial instincts -will overshadow the phantom of independence. The merchants will desire -peace and the old order of stable money and settled commerce. They -cannot resist the consideration of self-interests. Then Lord Carlisle -and his commissioners can proclaim that the Colonists may have all of -the political freedom and the representation that they desire, as long -as they keep up their allegiance to the throne of England. - -“But above all where the Colonists will fail,” concluded Barclugh, -“will be in their lack of gold. When the gold of England is put in the -balance, the men of substance will see the hopelessness of their cause.” - -“Right you are, Mr. Barclugh!” exclaimed Lord Carlisle. “We can grant -them a few titles of nobility also which they will not be able to -resist.” - -“But gentlemen,” added Clinton, “the military could put the forces of -Mr. Washington on the defensive at once if we could only take that -stronghold of West Point. That is our stumbling-block. Our ships could -control the Hudson and cut New England off from the rest, if we could -ascend above West Point. There lies the key to the military situation. -West Point is the Gibraltar of America. - -“But,” continued Clinton, “how do you propose to reach Philadelphia, -Mr. Barclugh?” - -“My plan is, General Clinton,” replied Barclugh, “to embark here, -on one of your ships which will take me to the east shore of the -Chesapeake Bay and land me in the night. I shall make my way by land -through Delaware to Wilmington, thence to Philadelphia. My story shall -be that I was landed by a French privateer that was cruising in these -waters.” - -“Very well laid, sir!” exclaimed General Clinton, rubbing his hands. “I -have the very ship, the Vulture, Captain Sutherland, that can take you -on board at once and proceed on the mission.” - -“Gentlemen, I can conceive of nothing but success in the plans of Mr. -Barclugh,” said Lord Carlisle, “and I propose that we drink to his -success.” - -The three plotters stood around the table and General Clinton filled -each one’s glass from the buffet with his rarest Madeira, then raising -his glass, the Commander of His Majesty’s forces in America, proposed -a toast, which was drunk in silence: - - “Confound their politics, - Frustrate their knavish tricks, - God save the King.” - -After a few civilities exchanged by the King’s representatives, -Roderick Barclugh was conducted aboard the sloop-of-war, Vulture, which -was commanded to sail for the Capes of the Chesapeake and land its -passenger at the earliest possible moment. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - -Philadelphia was in a curious state of unpatriotic sentiment during -the winter of 1778. The merchants, the Quakers and wealthy landowners -(whose fortunes were established) had sentiments that were decidedly -pro-English. Only the leadership and influence of such men as Franklin, -Mifflin, Thomson and the influx of patriotism from other Colonies -through such men as Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Jefferson, Livingston, -and the peerless actions of Washington alone saved the least spark -of independence among the leading citizens. Philadelphia reeked with -Loyalists. After the evacuation of the town by the British army, it -was impossible for the Whigs to celebrate such a glorious event by an -exclusively Whig ball. All the belles of the town embraced a list of -those who had attended every social function of the British officers. -They dined where the King was toasted; attended theatricals where our -native land was ridiculed. Even the glorious heraldic pageant of the -Meschianza claimed homage, from the belles of the leading families. - -The meekness of the Quakers and their horrors of war (upon religious -principle) were changed to loud acclamations of joy when the British -occupied their town. Quakers shook their heads and looked religiously -solemn whenever the patriots asked for money and provisions; but when -the British presented their demands for supplies, the Philadelphia -Quakers smiled graciously and gave without stint. The actions of many -of these good people were very questionable during the trying times of -the Revolution. - -Into this atmosphere of Toryism Roderick Barclugh arrived from New -York. Besides the secret instructions of the Governor of the Bank -of England and the King’s Minister of War, Lord George Germaine, -Barclugh brought with him a passport into the confidence of the leading -patriots. The British secret agent had secured a letter of introduction -to Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress, from Benjamin Franklin. The -French monarch had secured these credentials for Barclugh on account of -the former fidelity of his family to the Pretender. - -The letter was addressed as follows: - - “Paris, Nov. 20, 1777. - - “My dear Sir: - - “With much personal satisfaction, the interests and influence of - our friend M. Roderick Barclugh have been enlisted in our cause. He - comes to us with the best of credentials of the French Monarch. - He will represent the interests of some of France’s leading men of - wealth, and is desirous of securing Letters of Marque and Reprisal - from our Congress for the purpose of engaging in privateering. - - “Your cordial co-operation in his affairs is solicited. - - “Believe me, sir, with sentiments of unabated esteem, - - “Your most obedient servant, - “B. Franklin. - - “Mr. Charles Thomson, - “Secretary of Congress, - “Philadelphia, Pa.” - -Thus protected with the best passport obtainable, a representative -of the Bank of England and of the War Lord took up his abode in -Philadelphia. - -Roderick Barclugh was at once introduced to the leading firm of traders -and privateersmen, Milling & FitzMaurice. They received him very -cordially, especially when he asked them if they would honor his drafts -on account of his Bills of Exchange on the Bank of Amsterdam for twenty -thousand pounds sterling. The senior member of this firm, Mr. Thomas -Milling, was very gracious at once. He invited Roderick Barclugh to -make any convenience out of his compting-rooms, at least, until such -times as he could settle himself in his own quarters. - -In 1777 Philadelphia contained about thirty thousand souls. Front -Street, which ran parallel with the Delaware River, and Market -Street, which ran at right angles to the river, were the principal -thoroughfares for both business and residence. The merchants, traders, -lawyers and doctors were principally to be found on Front Street and a -few on Market Street. There were no banks in Philadelphia at that time. -All the merchants had strong boxes of their own. - -Roderick Barclugh engaged a house on Front Street near Market Street, -one of those commodious Colonial houses used by traders at that time -for both business and lodging purposes. The room on the first floor -fronting on the street was used as an office for general business; and -immediately in the rear of this room was the private office of Roderick -Barclugh, wherein all the infamy of commercialism that “excludes alike -the virtues and the prejudices that stand in the way of its interest,” -held sway. - -The second story of this building contained the sleeping apartments -of the British agent. He had a clerk for his compting-room and a -man-servant to be general lackey. He maintained no household as his -meals were served him in a private dining-room at the Boar’s Head -Tavern, next door. All of his affairs were maintained in great privacy. -Therefore, the clerk and servant performed their daily services and -lived apart from their master. - -Thus situated, business began to open up for Roderick Barclugh, -Financier. Characters through whom negotiations were to be developed -were not lacking. Philadelphia society rankled with Toryism that threw -itself into the dust at any pretext for aristocratic government. Even -some of the leaders in the Whig party of the town openly supported -Congress because it was to their interest, but privately could see no -good in the advanced theories of democracy as upheld by Samuel Adams. - -The merchant princes who had privateers scouring the seas for booty -had reason for the war to continue and give them license to prey -on commerce, but when order should be re-established, wished an -aristocratic government for the enjoyment of their gains. - -Roderick Barclugh was soon a high favorite among the merchants. Robert -FitzMaurice was the Financier General of Congress, and his commercial -house of Milling & FitzMaurice was being enriched in every possible -channel. The credit that this public position gave him, advanced -his gains in trade and privateering. His credit allowed him to build -ships. Nearly every week a privateer of his commission was bringing in -a richly-laden merchantman as a prize to his wharves in the Delaware. -These cargoes enriched Milling & FitzMaurice to the amount of 800,000 -pounds sterling while the war lasted. Is it any wonder that this firm -should make loans to the Continental Congress since they were merely -putting capital into their stock in trade? - -One man at this time standing in the light of public opinion as the -antithesis of Thomas Paine in his philosophy of _Common Sense_, was -James Wilson, a leading lawyer of Philadelphia, and a writer of no mean -abilities. He was the intimate friend of Robert FitzMaurice, and an -adviser in the aristocratic plans of the financier. Whatever were the -plans of the men of substance for monarchial forms in government, this -clever lawyer was ever ready to advocate these principles by means of -pamphlets and after-dinner speeches. He was making a fortune in the -practice of law when the country was in the very throes of despair, but -this Scotchman knew wherein his fat fees lay. - -But Roderick Barclugh did not confine his attention to the merchants -and lawyers alone in pursuing his plans. One of the channels through -which he pursued the objects of his mission was a fishmonger of the -town,--Sven Svenson. - -In a raging snowstorm of the winter of 1772, a small Norwegian bark was -making its course to the Swedish settlements of the Delaware, with a -company of Swedish emigrants. The ship met an undeserved fate on the -sands of the Jersey Coast. The whole ship’s company perished in the -frigid blasts of a northeast gale in January, save one,--Sven Svenson, -a young and vigorous Swede, eighteen years of age. He was found numb, -and almost exhausted, by a party of Jersey fishermen. They cared for -him and took him to their homes. - -These fishermen plied in the oyster trade of Philadelphia with -the oysters at that time found in the estuaries of the mouth of -the Delaware River. Two trips a week with a sloop were made from -Philadelphia to the oyster beds and back. In this trade, Sven at once -turned his hand. He was a handy sailor-man,--industrious and saving. - -At the time when Roderick Barclugh arrived in Philadelphia, one of -the best known and happiest men in the town was Sven Svenson. He -had taken hold of the responsible end of the oyster trade himself. -Any day, in oyster season, one could find this flaxen-haired Swede -pushing a wheel-barrow up and down Market Street and through Front -Street,--opening a dozen here and a dozen there for passers-by. -Everybody ate them on the half-shell, tempered with a squirt of -pepper-“sass” from a three-cornered bottle having a goosequill through -the cork. Every one liked Sven; not alone for the happy smile with -which he opened you an oyster; but he gave it with a sly wink and an -extra squirt of “sass,” that pleased. - -The mistresses of the best households held Sven as a prime favorite, -since, whenever they gave an order for a feast, they could depend upon -having their orders filled. He also supplied their tastes with the best -in the market. - -There were no family secrets but Sven heard them through the servants, -or else he happened upon those little wordy duels which occur in the -best of families. Moreover, as many Swedish girls were in domestic -service it was an easy matter for Sven to hear all the choice gossip of -the town. - -After settling himself into his bachelor quarters, one of the first -things that Roderick Barclugh undertook was to take early morning walks -all over the town for knowledge of the people. On several of these -observation journeys, he had passed this pumpkin-faced Swede, who, on -general principles, saluted every person of note with a most gracious -courtesy and removal of his hat. - -Barclugh, noticing how good-naturedly everybody stopped Sven’s -wheel-barrow, and how many patronized his fresh oysters, recognized -in this guileless vender of shellfish a master-key to all the town’s -frailties. Following up his observations, the next day when he met -Sven on his morning rounds,--merrily pushing his wheel-barrow up -Market Street, dressed in leather breeches, white cap and apron,--the -fishmonger stopped and bowed low, half recognizing Barclugh’s desire to -speak. - -“How do you sell your wares, my good man?” spoke Barclugh. - -“Sax pence ahl vat you eet, sahr,” was the prompt reply. - -“All right, let us have some of the smallest, with no pepper-sauce, my -man. I like them briny. Are these from the deep salt water?” continued -Barclugh, thus to draw out Sven, who bustled around to please his new -customer. - -With a jerky motion he opened a choice bivalve and held it up for -Barclugh to eat on the half-shell. - -A roguish twinkle gleamed in his eye when his customer had taken the -oyster with a smack of his lips. Sven held out the other half of the -shell and with his oyster knife pointing to the fine purplish coloring -of the inside, said: - -“Das wass a he-oeystar, and ahl maan got some by me. Van maan eet -plaanty he-oeystar and papper-saass he feel strang ahl daay. Das wass -samting vat halps fadder and strangtans modder.” - -The Swede could have gone on about his oysters at any length as long -as his customer would eat, but getting enough “he-oysters,” Barclugh -handed him a sixpence and at the same time slipping a crown piece into -his hand, asked: - -“Do you know General Arnold?” - -“Yah,” replied Sven, who looked startled and astonished as he grasped -the coin, and squared himself up to tell _all_ that he knew. - -“I haf baan in dis kontry sax yahr and sax monts. My name is Sven -Svenson, and my brodder’s garl varks for Mrs. Arnold. Ganral Arnold -eats plaanty he-oeystar and owes me tan pound starling. Mrs. Arnold haf -a strang tongue and talks to the Ganral to yump his yob and vark for -dee Angleesh.” - -Barclugh smiled and left Sven still eager to tell more, showing -unconcern by hastily departing, yet when walking briskly along he -thought to himself: - -“The Swede loves money and his knowledge must be mine. Arnold can not -long resist his wife and my offers too.” - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - -After the dinner party at the FitzMaurice’s, the next morning was -ominous with sullen clouds in the Arnold homestead. The servants were -gliding from room to room in sober mien; conversations were carried on -in whispers. The Madam was served with breakfast in her room, and the -General had no appetite. The office of the Commandant of Philadelphia -was streaked with strata of dark blue vitriolic language. - -The first caller was Sven Svenson, who approached the sentinel before -the General’s office door. The two fell into conversation. - -“Haf Ganral Arnold been up?” asked Sven as he came near the sentinel, -with his hat in his hand. - -“I reckon not, Sven, he was mighty weak-kneed when he came home last -night,” was the sentinel’s reply. - -“Das varking maan haf to vark and vark for hees pay, and de Ganral eets -and dreenks ahl day ant ahl night. Hee talks so hard at mee I haf to -valk oudt ant svore I vas beat.” - -“How much does the General owe you now, Sven?” asked the sentinel in an -undertone. - -“Tan pound starling for goot oeystar vat Mistrees Arnold vants for hair -beeg koumpanee.” - -“Ha, ha! Sven, you are in luck it’s not more,” blurted out the -honest-faced Virginian who was standing guard at the Commandant’s -office. “This Connecticut apothecary and horse-trader has succeeded to -a position where he can gratify his desires for extravagant living, but -if he keeps on in his present course, he will ruin our cause; but he -has a spouse who leads him a good race, Sven.” - -“Yah, Mistrees Arnold vent to ahl dee baals and deenirs vid Major -Andre and dee Angleesh offeecirs as vas here een Pheeladalpheeia laast -veentir,” said the Swede. - -“Hush, hush, Sven, here comes the General,” whispered the sentinel, as -he came to attention and saluted General Arnold who passed to his small -office building next his residence. - -Arnold did not look at Sven, but a scowl came over his brow as he -passed into the little office room, slamming the door behind him. - -Sven then approached the door very cautiously and rapped. An imperious -voice inside roared: - -“Come in.” - -The first greeting Sven got was: - -“What the devil you want here? Haven’t I told you not to come around -here and bother me? I haven’t any money. So that settles it. Get right -out of here.” - -“But, Ganral Arnold, I need some maaney to----” - -“Money, money,” roared the Commander as he arose from his seat and -paced up and down the floor, never heeding the Swede. “Money! It is the -nightmare of my life. I went to that dinner to drown the thoughts of -the cursed stuff, but the only thing said by the nabobs was to get it, -and the need of it comes upon me at arising. By thunder! I shall get -it! I was never born to bear these pangs. - -“Sven,” turning to the Swede, “go and tell Johnson, in the kitchen, to -bring me a hot rum and have one yourself.” - -“Ahl right, Ganral,” replied Sven, as he rubbed his hands gleefully, -and made his retreat, glad to have a whole skin left. - -The next caller was Captain Samuel Risk, of the Privateer Holker. - -“Good morning, General. I’ve just come in with the snuggest kind of -a prize,--a West Indian brig loaded out for home with sugar, rum -and coffee for London merchants. She will net the firm of Milling & -FitzMaurice ten thousand pounds sterling, and I have a neat little -share besides.” - -“What! ten thousand pounds sterling? Is it possible? Why, that firm of -Milling & FitzMaurice must be very prosperous. I wish I could get into -a little of that kind of business myself. My expenses of living are -very great, Captain, and I must make something by commerce.” - -“Well, well, General, that is a very easy matter.” - -“Why, Captain, are there any chances?” - -“Chances? Bless your soul, plenty, sir, plenty sir,” said the Captain. -“All that we need are stern men, not too scrupulous and who can do a -thing in such a way that the right hand will not know what the left -hand does.” - -“Ha! ha!” laughed Arnold. “Why, sir, you know I used to be a trader -myself at one time,--a New England trader, sir. Before the war, sir, I -used to drive my team and sleigh by way of Lake George to Canada and -trade Yankee notions for horses. Then I would drive the horses overland -and take them on a brig to the West Indies and trade them there for -sugar, rum and molasses. So you see I am a trader, sir,--a New England -horse-trader.” - -“Well, if you are a horse-trader, General, you will do. We have an -order from a merchant in New York for two thousand barrels of flour -and we need a passport for the proper individual to pass through our -lines to New York and return in order to effect the necessary business -arrangements. If the trade goes through successfully we can afford to -give you one third of the profits. We expect confidently to make about -$10,000 out of the transaction in gold, and your share, General, will -surely be $3000.” - -“That’s merely a business transaction between private individuals and -it will harm no one. But, Captain, could you make any advances on the -profits, for I am very much in need of $1000 to-day and if it matters -not to you, I will ask you for this amount now?” eagerly questioned -Arnold. - -“I would willingly make it $1000, General, only I have just $500 of -gold with me; but I can give you that,” as he counts out the gold on -the desk for General Arnold and keenly looks at him. - -“Very well, Captain, that will help me out. It is settled,” said -Arnold, as he grasped the gold and put it into his pockets with avidity. - -“But remember, simply give me the name of the individual and I will -furnish him with the passport through our lines, but do not let me know -anything about his business.” - -“That’s well, General, for commerce knows no country,” were the -concluding remarks of Captain Risk as he bowed and started for the -door. “I will be here to-morrow for the document. Good day, sir.” - -“Good day, sir, but bring the other $500 if possible; I need it,” -contended Arnold. - -“If possible, General,” was the response, and the privateersman left -Arnold to go directly to the office of Roderick Barclugh. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - - -The FitzMaurice dinner and the reception at Dorminghurst were -revelations to Roderick Barclugh. He learned that Arnold had a passion -for luxury and no discretion as to its cost; then he became convinced -that the lawyers and clergy and merchants feared a democratic form of -government. - -Roderick Barclugh was possessed of wonderful resources to accomplish -his ends. The next morning very early he sent his clerk for Captain -Samuel Risk of the Privateer Holker, in which ship he held the -controlling interest. Arnold’s cupidity must be tried at once. - -As Captain Risk came into Barclugh’s private office, the first sound -that greeted his ears was: - -“Good morning, Captain Risk, can you depend on your crew to transfer -two thousand barrels of flour to a neutral ship flying the ensign of -Holland in a convenient harbor off Long Island? There’s $20,000 to be -divided up in it.” - -“Yes, sir, I can do it. State your necessities in the case. What will -be the ship’s share?” was the prompt answer of the intrepid Captain. - -“From private advices, a merchant in New York wants the flour for -his account. I need a passport to get to New York to have the money -advanced and the business concluded. Arnold needs money and his -share in the transaction will be $3000, the ship’s share $10,000 and -protection from capture guaranteed. See Arnold at once, and here is -$500 to advance him for his promise to deliver the passport.” - -“Agreed, Mr. Barclugh, and I’ll have that vainglorious upstart tied up -in this business within an hour. I shall return here at once with the -prize,” was the reply of the gingery, little, red-faced Captain as he -went out the door on his mission. - -Barclugh turned to his clerk in the compting-room and sent him to -engage two thousand barrels of flour for export on the Brigantine -Holker from Milling & FitzMaurice, who now held merchandise for the -account of Roderick Barclugh in large sums--the result of successful -privateering cruises. But as a matter of fact the flour shipment was -merely a cloak to carry on a deeper scheme. Barclugh had constant -communication with Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander, but he -needed a safe passport for himself to New York and return in order to -explain the details of his plot to ensnare Arnold with British gold. He -must go in person to the British Commander-in-Chief for the matter was -of such delicate and intricate nature that there must be no mishaps. - -The flour transaction would simply pay the expenses of the enterprise, -because the difference in the price of flour between New York and -Philadelphia was twelve dollars a barrel, and the supply was very short -at the former place. - -While Barclugh was revolving these problems in his mind, Captain Risk -returned and stated in his straightforward manner: - -“The shark is securely hooked, and is desperately in need of money. -That young and gay wife of his is an expensive luxury. He has promised -the passport, taken the $500 and wants $500 more.” - -“That is too much to advance. He will have to wait for the balance till -your return. The $3000 promised him will lead him on to new hopes in -extravagance and he will be eager for more when he gets his full share. -Ha, ha! so he took the gold eagerly, did he? Prosperity intoxicates -him. He has desperate courage, and cares not for consequences to -himself,--nor to others. He is capable of as much evil as good to his -cause. Let’s see, Captain, I’ll have the name for the passport ready -to-morrow. You may get your ship ready and load on the flour; for, if -the trade falls through, you can slip down to Havana with your cargo.” - -“That’s well, Mr. Barclugh, I’ll have my crew shipped and the cargo -loaded and be lying in the stream awaiting your orders inside the week.” - -“Very well, Captain, if you should go to Havana you will bring home one -of those West Indian fellows and then you will be able to retire and -buy an estate,” was the mirthful turn of Barclugh’s planning. - -“Ay, ay, sir. Then when I’m land-sick I can sell a farm and go to sea. -What a luxury that would be! But I was never born to be a land-lubber, -sir. Good day, I’ll get the passport to-morrow.” - -“Good day, Captain,” said Barclugh, as he followed the skipper to the -door. - -“We must use Arnold for our business,” rang in the ears of Captain Risk -from Barclugh, while he walked jauntily off to go aboard his ship. - - - - -CHAPTER X - - -Captain Risk was astir early next morning, called at the office of -Roderick Barclugh, and secured the fictitious name for the passport. He -then at once went to the office of General Arnold on Market Street. - -Arnold was in a happier mood than the day previous. The expectancy -of an easy $3000 had given him a chance to see some relief from his -hopeless financial entanglements. - -From the developments of the past few days he thus reasoned to himself, -as he paced nervously up and down his small office floor: - -“Wherever that $3000 is to come from there surely must be more for me -if my part of the contract were zealously performed. But who can be -the person or persons that are carrying through these transactions? -Captain Risk is only the skipper of the Privateer Holker; who has the -money? I’ll find out, by thunder! Just give Arnold a chance. These -pangs of debt gnaw at the very core of my mental existence. I would -be honorable, but the slavery of financial obligations drives me to -desperate means of relief. Money! money!! money!!! What would I not do -just now for 20,000 pounds in gold? Ha, ha! General Washington would -not dare to reprimand me for my extravagance. I would not dodge every -one then, fearing a demand for that which I have not. Then,--O God, my -wife’s social position would be secure. To get money nowadays you must -look for it among those who have it,--not among the poverty-stricken -Colonists. The English have money and, by thunder, they have gratitude -for the services of their generals. If I had been fighting on the -English side I would not now have been begging. I would have had a -title,--Lord Arnold of Saratoga,--an estate, a pension, and a settled -position for myself and family for such services as I rendered at -Bemis Heights. Bah! what reward have I now in fighting for the rights -of mankind? I ought to fight for the glory of a King; then I would be -sensible; Mrs. Arnold tells me so, and she must be right. But then, -could I have fought in blinding snowstorm from cake to cake of ice, and -travelled over snow in bare and bleeding feet, starved and bled from -gaping wounds, for money? Never! never!! But then I was free, reckless, -and wedded to the profession of a soldier,--now I am linked to the -ambition and tastes of an aristocratic lady. As a man to whom shall be -my duty,--to my country or to my wife? Arnold was never a coward,--my -wife shall prevail!” - -In such a reverie of conflicting thoughts was Arnold wrapped, when a -loud rap at the office door caused him to face about and, assuming a -military posture, sharply command: - -“Come in.” - -“Good morning, General Arnold, I am here for the passport, and we are -ready to load the flour and to start the messenger to New York. The -messenger’s name is Pierre La Fitte,” was the direct, businesslike way -in which the little sea-captain approached Arnold. - -“Very well, Captain Risk, but who are ‘_we_’ of whom you speak? You -realize that you are simply a sea-faring man, and very likely to turn -up in Davy Jones’ locker; if, by any possible mishap, this messenger, -Pierre La Fitte, be intercepted, and any suspicions aroused by any -papers found, I could be compromised at once, and I would have no -guarantee of fair treatment. I must deal with your principal, whoever -he is.” - -“Well said, General Arnold, you must be secured and protected. Remain -here and you will have this business all settled within an hour, and -you may have protection or whatever else you want for that matter. Good -day, sir,” was the snappy answer of the little skipper, as he read the -whole import of Arnold’s fears, when he suddenly departed to let him -wonder what was to happen next. - -When the skipper gained the outside, he explained the situation to -himself, as he reasoned it out. - -“Ah, he’s a shark! At first he wanted to know nothing of the -transaction, now he wants to know all. But, howsomever, that Barclugh -knows his business and now that I have hooked the fish, Barclugh will -land him, shark and all that he is.” - -When the door shut behind Captain Risk, and Arnold had found himself -addressed, explained, and answered all in one jerk, so to speak, he -drew a long breath and said to himself: - -“Whew! what’s up now? What must these people believe me to be? There -must be money where Risk does his business. Those privateersmen are the -only ones who are getting rich in Philadelphia to-day. There’s Robert -FitzMaurice, Financier General of Congress, his warehouses are full of -captured merchandise and I know that he would sell flour to anybody, -even indirectly to the enemy, if he could thereby show a good balance -on his ledger account. Philadelphia, in traffic with the enemy, is -rotten. I must now know where it is going on, and who is at it. Maybe, -I was too eager with Captain Risk. He’s gone without leaving a clue. -I guess my chance is up. When I actually must have money, what a fool -I was to ask for his principal in the matter. I might have known that -Risk would not have divulged his principal. But I wonder why they sent -Risk to me for a passport, anyway? This business has been done before -and they did not need a passport. For some reason they need me. Therein -lies my chance, and by thunder, Mrs. Arnold will be rich yet, even -though I used to be a New England horse-trader.” - -While Arnold had fears and hopes of his success in mind, Barclugh had -listened to Arnold’s request as given by Captain Risk and after the -concise narrative, Barclugh simply said: - -“Captain, you have done your duty. Leave the rest to me. Load your -ship, and sail with the flour to the appointed rendezvous at the -entrance of Sag Harbor.” - -“That’s well, Mr. Barclugh. I’m better at running a blockade or -overhauling a lime-juicer than in handling a horse-trading shark,” was -the blurting opinion of the Yankee skipper, as he tripped out of the -compting-room of Roderick Barclugh,--little knowing that he had played -the preliminary part in a nation’s drama. - -The time was momentous on Arnold’s hands as he pulled at his hair to -think that he had lost his opportunity with Captain Risk, when the -door of the office opened, and there stood Roderick Barclugh. - -Arnold, wondering who was Risk’s principal, stared in amazement at -Barclugh’s presence. But Barclugh at once knew that boldness was his -weapon to use. - -“Why, good morning, Mr. Barclugh, I am very glad to see you,” said -Arnold. “Will you be seated?” as he walked to the door and told the -orderly to admit no one, and then bolted the door behind him. - -“General Arnold,” said Barclugh, “do you mean business about this flour -transaction?” - -Arnold put on his most gracious air and replied: - -“I am entirely in _touch_ with the enterprise, Mr. Barclugh, but I -was obliged to require some token of good faith on the part of the -principals. So you see I could not give Captain Risk the passport until -I had arranged with the responsible parties as to the ways and means of -getting out of the scrape in case of complications arising.” - -“What token do you require, General Arnold, on my part?” coolly asked -Barclugh. - -“Oh, that is a simple matter for men of substance, Mr. Barclugh. You -see I have bought an estate on the Schuylkill and am in debt; I keep up -my house in town and my pay is entirely inadequate for the tastes of my -family, so, if you could loan me a few thousand pounds in gold, I could -serve you on this occasion and possibly on others.” - -“You are very right, General, about your pay being too small to support -a gentleman’s family. To be candid with you, what you need is money. -If I were to put you in the way of securing twenty thousand pounds -sterling, would you accept the proposition? Merely a proposition to do -your country a lasting benefit.” - -“My dear Mr. Barclugh, I am dying daily of chagrin, and money is my -only salvation. I would be willing to die ignominiously if I could only -secure my wife that much fortune.” - -“Arnold, would you go over to the other party? Would you consider -consequences? Would you honor the obligation?” - -“Barclugh, a man that is the slave of the need of money has no country, -has no conscience, has no will of his own. I am a slave. My wife’s -desires torment me as a lash. The abyss opens before my eyes. My -country’s cause can never prevail against the wealth and resources of -Britain. To be loyal to America I would die a pauper in a lost cause. -To serve Britain I would gain my desires,--victory and riches. The die -is cast, sir, command me!” - -“You have now arrived at a sensible conclusion, General Arnold,” argued -Barclugh. “There is no use for you to be a beggar after such abilities -as you have shown and such services as you have rendered your country. -I am the direct representative of His Majesty, George III. You prepare -the passports. Be candid with me, and I can relieve your financial -difficulties. I will communicate with you in a few days; in the -meantime, come down to my office, and I will loan you whatever money -you need temporarily. - -“Good day, sir,” concluded Barclugh, as he left Arnold’s office, -rejoicing to himself at Arnold’s total subjection to money. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - - -Whenever conspirators engage to carry out a plot, they at once begin to -construct arguments justifying means to their ends. - -At the present day we observe oily worded arguments made in the public -press to gild the corruption of virtue by the influence and power -of money; and no flight of the imagination is required to determine -exactly the same influence at work to-day in our money-bag circles -which shows its corruption in the following letter addressed to Arnold -in 1778: - -“Dear General: - -“Among the Americans who have joined the rebel standard, there are -very many good citizens whose only object has been the happiness of -their country. Such, then, will not be influenced by motives of private -interest to abandon the cause they have espoused. They are now offered -everything which can render the Colonies really happy and this is the -only compensation worthy their virtue. - -“The American Colonies shall have their Parliament, composed of two -Chambers, with all its members of American birth. Those of the upper -house shall have titles and rank similar to those of the House of Peers -in England. All their laws, and particularly such as relate to money -matters, shall be the production of this assembly, with the concurrence -of a Viceroy. Commerce in every part of the globe subject to British -sway shall be as free to the people of the thirteen Colonies as to the -English of Europe. They will enjoy, in every sense of the phrase, the -blessings of good government. They shall be sustained, in time of need, -by all the power necessary to uphold them, without being themselves -exposed to the dangers or subjected to the expenses that are always -inseparable from the conditions of a state. - -“Such are the terms proffered by England at the very moment when she -is displaying extraordinary efforts to conquer the obedience of her -Colonies. - -“Shall America remain, without limitation of time, a scene of -desolation,--or are you desirous of enjoying peace and all the -blessings of her train? Shall your provinces, as in former days, -flourish under the protection of the most puissant nation of the world? -Or will you forever pursue that shadow of liberty which still escapes -from your hands, even when in the act of grasping it? And how soon -would that very liberty, once obtained, turn into licentiousness, if -it be not under the safeguards of a great European power? Will you rely -upon the guarantee of France? They among you whom she has seduced may -assume that her assistance will be generous and disinterested, and that -she will never exact from you a servile obedience. They are frantic -with joy at the alliance already established, and promise you that -Spain will immediately follow the example of France. Are they ignorant -that each of these has an equal interest in keeping you under, and -will combine to accomplish their end? Thousands of men have perished; -immense resources have been exhausted; and yet since that fated -alliance the dispute has become more embittered than ever. Everything -urges us to put a conclusion to dissensions,--not less detrimental -to the victors than to the vanquished; but desirable as peace is, it -cannot be negotiated between us as between two independent powers; -it is necessary that a decisive advantage should put Britain in a -condition to dictate the terms of reconciliation. It is her interest, -as well as her policy, to make these as advantageous to one as the -other; but it is at the same time advisable to arrive at it without any -unnecessary waste of that blood of which we are already as sparing as -though it were again our own. - -“There is but General Arnold who can surmount obstacles so great as -these. A man of so much courage will never despair of the Republic, -even when every door to a reconciliation seems sealed. - -“Render then, brave General, this important service to your country! -The Colonies can not sustain much longer the unequal strife. Your -troops are perishing in misery. They are badly armed, half naked and -crying for bread. The efforts of Congress are futile against the -languor of the people. Your fields are untilled, trade languishes, -learning dies. The neglected education of a whole generation is an -irreparable loss to society. Your youth, torn by thousands from their -rustic pursuits of useful employments, are mown down by war. Such as -survive have lost the vigor of their prime or are maimed in battle; -the greater part bring back to their families the idleness and corrupt -manners of the camp. Let us put an end to so many calamities; you and -ourselves have the same origin, the same language, the same laws. We -are inaccessible in our island; and you, the masters of a vast and -fertile territory, have no other neighbors than the people of our -loyal Colonies. We possess rich establishments in every quarter of the -globe, and reign over the fairest portions of Hindustan. The ocean is -our home, and we pass across it as a monarch traversing his dominions. -From the Northern to the Southern pole, from the East to the West -our vessels find everywhere a neighboring harbor belonging to Great -Britain. So many islands, so many countries acknowledging our sway, are -all ruled by a uniform system that bears on every feature the stamp of -liberty, yet it is well adapted to the genius of different nations and -various climes. - -“While the continental powers ruin themselves by war, and are exhausted -in erecting the ramparts that separate them from each other, our -bulwarks are our ships. They enrich us; they protect us; they provide -us as readily with the means of invading our enemies as of succoring -our friends. - -“Beware, then, of breaking forever the link and ties of friendship -whose benefits are proven by the experience of a hundred and fifty -years. Time gives to human institutions a strength which what is new -can only attain in its turn, by the lapse of ages. Royalty itself -experiences the need of this useful prestige, and the line that has -reigned over us for the past sixty years has been illustrious for ten -centuries. - -“United in equality, we will rule the universe; we will hold it bound, -not by arms and violence, but by the ties of commerce,--the lightest -and most gentle bonds that human kind can wear.” - -Allowing sufficient time for the arguments of this letter to -crystallize his determination, Arnold was entrapped. Barclugh had -analyzed what effect the document would have on Arnold’s mind; he knew -that vanity alone would lead him to commit treason on the pretext that -he might save his country from desolation and ruin, so that he could -be the master-key in the great drama. To end the war at one stroke and -receive the pecuniary gratitude of the English government and to stand -out in history like Brutus, or Monk, or Marlborough, as the creator of -kings or governments, was the dream of an adventurous spirit. Arnold -loved dramatic display. Battlefields had provided him a theatre for the -exercise of his valor; garrison duty at Philadelphia had given him the -allurements of social dissipations; the need of money and the glitter -of kingly promises were for him the crucial tests of honor which sunk -his career. - -Roderick Barclugh was in Arnold’s office the next day at midnight, and -thus addressed his victim: - -“General Arnold, you of all Americans can end this cruel war with the -mother country. So if you receive twenty thousand pounds in gold and -a commission as General in the British Army, and a pension of two -thousand pounds sterling per annum for life, what can you do to endow -your countrymen with the blessings of peace?” - -“Mr. Barclugh,” said Arnold, “I shall be inflicting enduring good upon -humanity to stop the vain sacrifices of Americans in a forlorn cause. -I would re-establish trade and friendly relations at home and abroad. -The name of Arnold would be a synonym for the savior of this country. -There would be no need, then, for a Washington. I would be the founder -of great prosperity and happiness, and my natal day would be cherished -by the,--well, by the nobility, anyway. - -“However, I have thought of the best way for us to accomplish the -object: you see, West Point is the citadel of American military hopes; -if they were to lose that stronghold, New England could be cut off -from the rest of the Colonies. The control of the upper Hudson falls -with West Point. Communications would then be cut between New England -and the Southern Colonies. The rebel forces would then be merely local -bands, and the commanders partisan leaders. Then another British force -could invade Virginia and each section be subdued in detail, but after -the fall of West Point the Colonists would be glad to make terms of -peace. Bloodshed would then be stopped. - -“I can secure the command of West Point from the Commander-in-Chief, -and when once in the coveted position, then Americans and American -destiny will be at my feet.” - -“Your plan is an inspired one, General Arnold, and here are two -thousand pounds in Bills of Exchange on the Bank of Amsterdam, which -you can get cashed at my office as a token of my faith in you. Now, -with my passport in my pocket I shall start at once by way of West -Point for New York, and carry the good news to General Clinton. Be sure -and communicate with General Washington at once for your assignment to -your new command,” were the parting words of Roderick Barclugh, as he -mounted his horse at daylight to begin his journey through the Jersey -Highlands, under the disguise and name of Pierre La Fitte. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - - -When Roderick Barclugh left the office of General Arnold, he mounted -his horse and took the Germantown road. The hour was just before dawn, -and much fatigue after the exciting negotiations with the traitor -caused Barclugh to ride briskly, while serious meditations flitted -through his brain: - -“What will Washington think of Arnold’s request for assignment to West -Point? I must pave the way for Arnold’s success. If I could only meet -General Washington, being armed with the letter of Robert FitzMaurice, -I would encourage the General to favor Arnold and explain away his -unrest at Philadelphia. I could praise his deeds at Saratoga; how he -longed for active service; his marriage and its financial obligations. -The desire to please his wife entangled Arnold in unwarranted -expenditures. To assign such a valuable leader to a post away from all -allurements of society would preserve a valuable leader for active -service after his wound had healed.” - -Thus he mused, while his horse alternately galloped and walked, until -he realized that the sun had risen, and he found that he had reached -the seat of his friend, Dr. William Greydon, who had urged him to stop -at Dorminghurst, whenever he should have business that way. - -Knowing that he might have greater need of his horse later on in the -course of his perilous journey, he considered it wisdom to stop and -spend the day for rest and gather his thoughts and energy for a long -ride the next day. He also wished to travel incognito and the less he -stopped at public houses, the better his purpose was helped along. - -To stop at Dorminghurst did not require any length of argument, as -Barclugh was young and still susceptible. Neither had he forgotten Miss -Mollie Greydon who was at the dinner party of the Financier General; -Barclugh recalled her beauty and intellectual qualities. - -Riding between the hemlocks to the mansion, Roderick Barclugh was -struck with the taste of this American home. As he dismounted he was -greeted by the master of the house on the portico, while his horse was -attended by a watchful black servant. The welcome he received was in -true Colonial fashion: - -“At last, Mr. Barclugh, you have made good your promise to break bread -with me. I know that you must have risen early, so we can breakfast at -once,” was the greeting of Dr. William Greydon. - -Turning to the servant, Dr. Greydon continued: - -“Care for Mr. Barclugh’s horse and bring his saddle-bags into the -house.” - -“Really,” replied Barclugh, “starting on this journey last night, I was -detained with a friend arranging my business until early morning. I am -on a long journey to the Commander-in-Chief at Fishkill, and I thought -best to make my journey in short stages at first.” - -“You are wise, Mr. Barclugh,” replied his host, “and I am sure -Dorminghurst is honored with your presence.” Bowing courteously as Mr. -Barclugh entered the great hallway, Dr. Greydon ushered his guest to -the staircase, and left him in the hands of a trusted man-servant who -led the way to the guest-chamber. - -After the customary formalities of presenting himself to his host and -family in the library, breakfast was served in the rear hall. - -The easy manners of gentlemen’s families during the Revolution were a -blessing to travelers. Open houses, hearty welcome to soldiers, was -the rule among patriots, and hospitality was as free and unpolluted as -sparkling spring water. - -What impressed Roderick Barclugh as remarkable, was the frank and -unaffected manner in which he was greeted by the daughter and -brilliant wife of Dr. Greydon. Their “thee’s” and “thou’s” were not -assumed in addressing a guest who happened in; for the Greydons had -traveled in Europe, and Dr. Greydon was a graduate in Medicine of -Cambridge University. - -There is risk to young women in early morning calls. If ever a young -woman is seen in her true self, that time is at her own breakfast -table. No one appreciated such a fact more keenly than Roderick -Barclugh. Therefore, when he presented himself for this early breakfast -he greeted Mrs. Greydon and Miss Mollie with these words: - -“Miss Mollie, I am surprised to find you astir so early.” - -“Why!” exclaimed the young Quakeress, “Mr. Barclugh, I have already -translated forty lines of Horace for father, as well as directed the -churning for mother.” - -“Wonderful! Bravo!! Miss Greydon, I have much respect for the young -woman who can combine the graces of odes of the greatest Latin poet -along with the duties of domestic economy, and all before breakfast,” -exclaimed Barclugh. “I believe, however, that Horace sings of the vine, -the bees, the grain, the cattle, and the thrifty housewife. I am really -delighted to find some one so practically refined,” continued the -guest. - -Mollie Greydon was a perfectly happy and healthy girl, who enjoyed -being busy and useful. She was dressed this morning in a neat and -becoming homespun of her father’s loom. Her form was well rounded and -her face was animated and possessed of one of those kindly benevolent -expressions that are heaven-born. Her eyes were hazel-brown, large and -deep-set, which indicated stable character and mental penetration. Her -hair was brown, and worn combed back, high and plain. - -There was nothing of the ascetic or complaining nature about her. -She was a wholesomely good and reasonable girl, ready and willing to -accept any station in life in which she happened to be cast,--always -ready to perform her full duty, no matter in what sphere. If she were -linked to the fortunes of an honorable pioneer or to the luxury of -a Colonial gentleman, she would have no grievances. Mollie Greydon -was conscious of her ability to render her full duty in life and -therefore the equipoise of her countenance and the grace of her mind -and body were discernible in whatever she did. She had much energy, -but still had discretion to keep much in reserve. She had lively -passions and a temper which any worthy person must respect, but the -judgment in its use was the work of a master mind. She quarreled -with no one but the open enemies of her country, and the advocates -of aristocracy. Her young days had been intermingled with all the -contemporary men of ideas, since she was her father’s companion, and -always at his side. The social and domestic life of Dorminghurst, the -intellectual atmosphere of her home, and the advantages of meeting all -the distinguished men of the times around her father’s fireside, had -rounded out the qualities of a gifted young woman, which she was. - -The breakfast was plain and substantial, composed of hominy and -milk, and sugar-cured ham, with a corn cake and a cup of coffee; -also potatoes that were boiled. Roderick Barclugh had an unerring -opportunity to study the bearing of Miss Mollie in all its details. He -asked her several pointed questions for the only purpose of sounding -her philosophy on current affairs, and on her views of life in the -colonies. - -Among other questions one was addressed to her with an earnest gaze -from Barclugh’s penetrating eyes: - -“Miss Mollie, have you no young lady companions near at hand to help -you pass the time?” - -“No, Mr. Barclugh,” came the prompt and decided answer of the young -Quakeress. “I have very few. My father and my mother are my most -constant companions. One tutors me in the classics, almost daily, -and the other instructs me in all the duties of our household. I am, -therefore, very busy at my books, the spinning, the weaving, the -oversight of the dairy and the poultry-yards. I have my circle of -friends in Philadelphia and I attend some of the entertainments given -there; but in these stirring times, when our countrymen need clothes -and food, I owe all of my energy to them.” - -“Well, well, Miss Greydon, you are truly in earnest about this war. Let -me see,” laughingly remarked Barclugh, “do you really believe that the -Colonists can possibly succeed in their efforts to win independence? -Will not your zeal have been spent in vain?” - -“Why, Mr. Barclugh,” came her reply in girlish enthusiasm, “you -remember that Wolsey, in the time of Henry VIII, said: - - ‘Had I but serv’d my God with half the zeal - ‘I serv’d my king, he would not in mine age - ‘Have left me naked to mine enemies.’ - -And I can assure you that I believe when I serve this country for the -principles of independence and equality of the people, I am serving my -God. So I have heard Mr. Franklin say to father, and he must be right.” - -Turning to his host and hostess at each end of the breakfast table, -and to Miss Greydon, who sat opposite, Barclugh looked at each one -earnestly, while he remarked: - -“This young lady must be inspired.” - -With the purpose of disclaiming any credit to herself, the young lady, -with all the sincerity of a child, laughed with animation, as she tried -to explain her wisdom: - -“No, Mr. Barclugh, you must not think so. For the past five years we -have heard nothing discussed at our tables, at our firesides, and on -every occasion, nothing but the ‘Rights of Man,’ ‘Common Sense,’ ‘Age -of Reason,’ ‘The Declaration of Independence,’ ‘The Tyranny of Kings,’ -and ‘The Corruption of Aristocracy,’ until their doctrines have become -household words. I have imbibed them, absorbed them, and discussed -them, so I feel that every word I utter is the truth.” - -Dr. and Mrs. Greydon let the younger people occupy each other’s -attention and listened with smiles of satisfaction at the readiness -with which their only daughter was able to expound the sentiments of -the household. - -However, Dr. Greydon turned to his guest, saying: - -“Mr. Barclugh, I must let you know that Mollie is my boy.” - -“Well, Miss Greydon, there is no mistaking two things; that you are -right and that you are sincere. After this, you may be sure that -you have my respect and my esteem,” were the admissions of Roderick -Barclugh, and a deep emotion came over his whole frame, as the crimson -blush of blood rose out of his body, and enveloped his neck and ears -and face. - -Here was an unaffected and honest Colonial girl of nineteen, who had -brought this diplomat to bay. - -While thinking of his journey and mission the thought flashed through -his mind: - -“Magna est veritas et prevalibit.” - -Nothing but monosyllables could Barclugh utter after this upheaval in -his breast, produced by the wisdom and truth stated by the innocent -young soul who sat opposite him at table. Small-talk about the farm and -city relieved his predicament until breakfast was over. - -Dr. Greydon and Barclugh enjoyed a social pipe in the library after -breakfast, until the Doctor suggested: - -“Since you have been awake all night the best thing for you to do is to -take a rest.” - -The suggestion was eagerly taken up by Barclugh, for he needed rest and -seclusion. Therefore, he excused himself, and went to his chamber and -sat down in a large chair with a resignation becoming a better cause -than his. - -He began to think of the excitement of ensnaring Arnold the night -before, and then the voice of that beautiful girl: - - “Had I but serv’d my God with half the zeal - “I serv’d my king....” - -rang in his ears. - -He jumped up and placed his clenched fists in his hair, and exclaimed: - -“My God, I am blushing again! What ails me? I tremble. Oh, that face! -that voice! those words deep in wisdom! Great God! I am in love!” - - * * * * * - -He paced up and down his chamber. He took off his shoes and outer -garments and lay down to sleep, but he could not. He tossed from side -to side; he jumped up and sat on the chair, but no repose could he find. - -“What can I do? Shall I throw everything overboard? Shall I renounce -my mission, and ask Miss Greydon to be my wife? No, I can not do that, -for the traitor, Arnold, has me in his power. If I proceed in this -nefarious business, my life will not be right to meet this pure and -innocent soul on an equality.” - -Straightening himself up and gazing out of the window, Barclugh saw -the birds carrying straws to build their nests, and the bees bringing -honey to the hive in the garden, and he mused no longer but walked to -and fro as he resolved: - -“Come, Barclugh, brace thyself. Ah, I shall proceed. I shall attempt -both ends. If one fail, perhaps the other will succeed. I know which -one I most desire. - -“But I must not linger here. To hear her voice again I shall be lost. I -must go very soon; yes, at once.” - -Barclugh had now calmed and he lay down again and slept soundly for two -hours. - -Awakening with a start, he dressed in haste, and found his host and -informed him that the urgency of this business would not let him rest -longer. - -Leaving his compliments for his hostess and Miss Mollie with the -Doctor, Barclugh mounted his horse and galloped down the avenue of -hemlocks to the public road, and took the direction of Trenton on the -Delaware. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - - -The dearest thought of an American patriot is the fact that, no matter -how deep and powerful the plots for aristocratic forms of government, -these ideas wither and die in embryo on the free soil of America. -The dreams of a Fairfax in Virginia, the Patroons in New York, a -Blennerhasset in the Ohio Valley, were never to be realized in the -free air of America. The principle of primogeniture found no favor -in the new land of hope and refuge. The Covenanters in Pennsylvania -and the valley of Virginia, the Puritans in New England, the Quakers -in Pennsylvania, the Catholics in Maryland, the Debtors in Georgia, -all left British soil with grievances which were to be righted in the -wilderness. - -All of those who were favored with prosperity remained at home, -and they were largely the first-born sons, or entailed heirs. The -underlings cleared out to the wild-woods. How could the mother -country expect, therefore, conformity to her system of aristocratic -estates, if those who sought the Colonies left home smarting under -the inequality shown to the younger sons? The laws of Britain had, -through generations, elevated the first-born and pauperized the junior -offspring, till at last the American Revolution could with propriety -be named the uprising of the younger sons of Britain for equality. Can -Englishmen wonder, therefore, to-day, that Americans have no patience -with English aristocracy and royalty? Any statesman who would emulate -English social systems in America may be prepared for an avalanche. - -However, there is one relic of old England’s musty law tomes with which -the younger sons may again have to measure swords, if not settled by -peaceful and constitutional means. That is a law analogous to the law -of entailed estates, which maintains inequality in like manner between -individuals. The growth has been gradual and unseen until recent years; -but at the same time producing rumblings in the hearts of the unfavored -persons. _Primogeniture_ maintained inequality between brothers and -sisters in the family; the other creates an inequality in finance and -commerce, _in perpetuo_, by means of an artificial person, endowed with -a legal immortality which destroys all individualism. That fiction of -vested rights is the stock corporation under the genius and authority -of the Common Law of England. - -No matter how safe Americans may feel against the introduction of -aristocratic laws and forms of government, still, spasmodically and -industriously, attempts have been made to supplant the idea of equality -before the law, by legislation for the favored ones. - -The mission of Roderick Barclugh to the new world was to crush out -the struggle for liberty by means of bribery and at the same time to -imitate those laws of England, which would bind the social conditions -of England upon the Colonists forever. Against the rebels, the outcome -of the War for Independence seemed such a foregone conclusion, that -already Roderick Barclugh was scheming to advance his own social -prestige which his zeal for the King of England promised. He expected -to be Viceroy of the Colonies, and to receive the title of Lord -Barclugh of Allegheny. - -The matter had been so far decided and planned that the letter to -Arnold explicitly stated that the Parliament of the Colonies would have -an upper house of Lords of the Realm who were to receive their patents -of nobility from the King of England. The thought of independence -was ridiculed by the English; so what could more properly occupy the -thoughts of Barclugh than his exalted position when England should -subdue the rebels? - -His mind was set upon creating one of the most extensive landed -estates to which noble blood could lay claim. He would receive one -of those royal grants of land out of the public domain in Western -Pennsylvania, equal to a principality. He would build such a castle -that its renown would live through ages. The tenantry would be bound -to the soil from generation to generation, paying their rents for -the privilege of bare existence upon the lands of a noble lord. The -miller’s son would be a miller, the blacksmith’s boy would be a -blacksmith, the ploughman’s boy would be a ploughman, toiling without -hope and without ambition; for the privilege of equality would be -denied them under the English social system. - -The consuming thought of Barclugh in all these stirring panoramas -was the founding of a noble family that would emblazon the crest of -Barclugh high in the fields of statesmanship and war. - -But how was such a problem to be accomplished? Should he wait until his -honors had fallen to him, and then go home and ally his name with one -of the great houses and names of English nobility? Or should he seek -among the best blood in the Colonies, a lady out of the representatives -of wealth, gentility, and intellect, because such an one would be -inured to the customs and privations of pioneers which a _grande -dame_ from ancestral halls could never endure? Either one course or -the other must be chosen. For land and heirs are necessary appendages -to successful nobles. Land without heirs is a misfortune; but heirs -without lands or wealth, among aristocrats, had better been unborn. - -Roderick Barclugh was not in the habit of jumping at conclusions. -Thus in the selection of his bride he had weighed every influence -upon the future of his posterity and his estate. He had calculated -that his helpmate must be capable of maintaining, by means of her -accomplishments, grace of person, and intellect, his exalted social -eminence. She must be respected by the Colonial social leaders in -order that the administration of the vice-regal office should be -deservedly popular. Though to make doubly sure of his results, Barclugh -had determined to wed before his mission to America was divulged and -before his emoluments and honors were known. If he were to be accepted -in his proposals for marriage he would be desired for himself, and -not as Viceroy of the most powerful monarch on earth. Once settled -in his marital affairs he could open up to his bride the honors of -his position, and the power which would rest in her hands. Dreams -of William the Conqueror parcelling out estates and titles to his -favorites welled up in the mind of Barclugh. - -“What woman would not enjoy such a position?” thought he. “Not a -vestige of the former principles of equality and democracy would be -tolerated; every semblance of the principles of the Declaration of -Independence would be crushed.” - -But who was to be the fortunate or unfortunate object of all these -plans and conceptions of power and grandeur,--the one on whom would -devolve all the prestige of founding a new order of barons,--whose will -might be the arbiter and maker of titles for American families in the -new regime of nobility and aristocracy? - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - - -In 1699 the ebb and flow of the Delaware’s tide were slipping placidly -by the City of Brotherly Love, when the founder of Dorminghurst first -saw the sphere of his future labors. He was but five and twenty years -of age, and the good ship Canterbury brought him hither as secretary of -the Proprietor and Governor of Pennsylvania. - -He was tall and athletic; a fine scholar, versed in Latin, Greek, -French and Spanish. He was a member of the Society of Friends. Imbued -with all the ambition of a young, vigorous and refined manhood, James -Greydon prospered under the patronage of his benefactor, William -Penn. He attended to all the official correspondence of the Colony -of Pennsylvania, and to all the private accounts and business of the -Proprietor of the Colony. He was a faithful steward to a good and -liberal man. He attended all the meetings which William Penn held -with the Indian tribes for the purpose of buying lands west of the -Susquehanna. The details of these vast transactions rested in the able -hands of James Greydon. - -All that tract of land lying on both sides of the Susquehanna and the -lakes adjacent, in or near the Province of Pennsylvania, was confined -at this time by several treaties entered into with the Conostogas, the -Shawnees, the Iroquois, the Susquehannas and the Onondagas,--all of -whom loved Penn and his friends; so that the language of the treaty had -these remarkable words of brotherly relationship: - -“They shall for ever hereafter be as one head and one heart, and live -in true friendship and amity as one people.” - -When Penn was obliged to return to England in 1701, the management of -his personal and real estate in the Colony was left to James Greydon. -Greydon, therefore, had to receive the Indian deputations, as well as -to superintend all the fur traffic with the tribes for the benefit -of the proprietor’s estate. He could hardly escape becoming a large -landlord by the opportunities thrust into his way in the routine of his -duties. - -However, the mere acquirement of riches was not gratifying to James -Greydon. He not only wished to establish his family comfortably in the -enjoyments of a large estate, but he cherished even more highly those -graces of mind and body, which accompany the love of books and learning. - -Consequently, a few years after his establishment in the Colony and -his marriage to a daughter of a wealthy merchant, he consolidated -his earnings into several large tracts of land between Philadelphia -and the settlement of Friends called Germantown. He named the estate -“Dorminghurst.” - -The mansion was finished in 1728. At the start, the family occupied the -beautiful spot for a summer resort. Many times its master rode from -Philadelphia on his finely-bred horse to superintend the clearing of -fields, the planting of fruit trees and the setting out of rare shrubs -for landscape effects. His pride was aroused in laying out and adorning -with hemlocks an avenue which was to be the grand approach to his -mansion. While out in the wilderness west of the Susquehanna surveying -his possessions, the beauty of the native hemlocks amazed him so -forcibly that he gathered, with his own hands, one hundred young trees, -and upon his return to Dorminghurst in the autumn had them re-planted -for the glory of his own handiwork. Hawthorns, walnuts, hazels and -fruit trees sent out by William Penn from England found appropriate -spots each year for the embellishment of James Greydon’s home. - -Nature had provided Dorminghurst with many attractive features. The -primeval forest of oaks, elms and maples needed only the exercise -of taste and the use of artistic judgment to convert the undulating -natural landscapes into lasting impressions of the beautiful. To cull -out the obtruding exuberance of the primitive woodland was a triumph -of art. To create a vista of the rivulet, Wingohocking, crooking up a -little valley, and to present expanding miles of swelling meadows over -which grazed sleek cattle, sometimes resting under a lone magnolia or a -group of beeches, were passions in the heart of a devotee of Virgil’s -Georgics. The sloping of the ground in all directions from the site -of the mansion-house allowed the broad avenue between the hemlocks to -curve around each side of the buildings. One way a serpentine road -descended through a dense wild-wood grove, and then meandered through -the gully, giving perspectives or vistas through the shadowy treetops; -the other way skirted enclosures for fruits and esculents on one side, -and on the other passed broad lawns rising and falling in harmony -’midst the clumps of spruces, pines and firs. - -The development of a family seat in the early Colonial times aroused -all the latent energies and pride of its founder. All the true domestic -instincts found gratification in first choosing a picturesque location -and then unfolding plans for landscape gardening. Problems arose. The -manufacture of the brick, and the hewing of the timbers, from off the -proprietor’s own soil, the construction of a mill on the stream to -grind his own grain, and the building of his smoke-house, brew-house, a -place for his loom, his dairy, and his ashery, rounded out the domestic -economy of a Colonial gentleman. - -The realizations of every domestic felicity were found in these -establishments. The capital sprung from the soil, and the labor -bestowed brought forth bountiful fruits of the earth, which are sweet -to all true men. These treasuries of a home and the securities for -a future were sounder and more human than an up-to-date gentleman’s -commercial assets which are artificial and sometimes of fictitious -origin. No market quotations ruined the Colonial home. - -After the needs of the home were supplied from the soil, from the -spinning-wheel and loom and the dairy and the poultry-yard, the -surplus could be traded for the small needs of money. The Colonist was -supported by nature’s products direct from the soil; the man of the -present is the offspring of artificial institutions of money and of -corporations--the slave of vested rights, whose origins have mostly -been the unearned increment. - -But, aside from the domestic felicity of the Colonial families, the -social phases of their lives were no less distinguished than their -hospitable homes. After the mansion was built and the servants or -slaves well ordered; after the smoke-house was full of meat; after -the mill was full of grain; the home-made ale or cider in the cellar; -the spinners and weavers busy at the warp and woof; the travelling -shoemaker busy at the year’s foot-wear (made from the home-tanned -leather), what could deter the natural social proclivities of these -people? The cares of an artificial man were unknown. The dames had -quilting and spinning-bees, while the men had hunting contests, which -were decided by the best filled bags. Entertainment and hospitality -shown to house-parties would last for days. The housewives vied with -each other to see their husbands and families clothed in the finest -textures of their own manufacture. Each household tried to produce the -finest ale of its own brewing, and to establish reputations for its -cakes, mince pies and doughnuts. The gossip of the neighborhood was -exchanged by the housewives; the men traded horses and sheep and swine; -they all danced, dined, played games and made merry; so, then, what -more could they ask for pleasure? - -Dorminghurst grew out of the forest under the influence of a master -mind. The mansion was one of those plain, square, two-storied brick -structures,--dormer windows for the attic rooms, and a detached -kitchen in the rear (connected with the large dining-hall by a -covered passageway). The office was built in line of the eastern -elevation of the dwelling, and connected with the house by a covered -way. The store-house, smoke-house, brew-house and bakery, besides -the servants’ quarters and the stables, were all built of brick and -formed a quadrangle enclosure and a court in the center. The doors of -all buildings were massive oak and secured by the heaviest fastenings -of iron. All windows on the ground floor had heavy shutters, and an -underground, secret passageway led from the house to a door under the -stables. The structures were enclosed thus to guard against Indian -attacks. - -A handsome porch and steps led up to the massive front door, which -entered into the great hall that extended through the middle of the -building. A double staircase, starting in the middle of the great -central hall, met on a common landing, which led to the sleeping -chambers. Large double parlors on each side of the hallway were -connected by folding doors. The large, well-lighted front room on the -east side was used as the library, and the large hallway to the rear -of the staircase was used as the dining and living-room. All the -apartments had vast chimney-places, commodious enough in the openings -to receive huge logs of wood for good cheer in winter. Grotesque -blue and white tiles, imported from Holland, embellished the massive -brick-work of the chimney, and above the mantels were arched niches -adorned with rare old china and heavy silver-ware, which on state -occasions saw service at table. - -The furniture of a Colonial house in 1730 partook, like the house -itself, of simplicity, and in design was more useful than ornamental. -Mahogany was little known in Pennsylvania, yet used to some extent -in the West Indies; oak and black walnut served for the cabinet -woods. Chairs in profusion were found only in the houses of the -most substantial. Choicely carved chests-of-drawers, cupboards, -high-backed chairs and tables found their way from Europe only by -the grace of ship-masters, so that imported Colonial furniture was -rare and expensive. However, each town of importance had its list of -cabinet-makers and joiners who fashioned their handiwork after the -design of articles imported and thus supplied the needs of the new -country. - -At Dorminghurst everything which was possible to be constructed from -material found on the estate was made and fashioned right there. The -timbers for the mansion and outbuildings were hewn in the forest, and -the lumber for finishing the interior was sawed by hand on the spot. -Any pieces of oak or walnut that were choice were saved and seasoned -for the cabinet-work and for the furniture. Half a dozen skilled -artisans were hired by the year and the workmanship put upon the doors, -the wainscotting and the staircase was marvellous. - -The front part of the great hallway had a lofty ceiling, and was -lighted by windows in the second story. - -The great double staircase flared out at the foot and ascended by -graceful curves, thus forming an elliptical center space between the -two banisters. The effect upon entering the well-lighted and lofty -hallway was to command respect for the mansion. After passing between -two massive and richly-carved newel posts, the elliptical opening -between the two staircases had hall seats in comfortable nooks and -the rear hall had a huge fireplace and mantel at the very end. Two -massive oak settles, high in back, faced each other on each side of the -chimney-place, and one could stretch out and lie down on either one of -them and be comfortable. A lengthy oaken table with bandy legs stood -in the center of the hall. Two long forms or benches without backs -were on each side, and two massive, high-backed chairs were at each end -of the table. A damask cover was on the table, and the floor was bare -and scrupulously white. In entertaining company the great hall was in -popular favor. - -At this table James Greydon used to entertain his intimates, and he -loved to sit and discourse upon topics of the day. He was a Latin -scholar and scientific writer of no mean ability. In the ripeness of -his attainments he produced a translation of Cicero’s “De Senectute,” -which was the first production in America of classical scholarship. -At Dorminghurst he collected, for a Colonist, a wonderful library of -classical authors. - -The well-lighted front room on the first floor was lined with shelves, -on which rested shining lights of literature, to guide the effort -and ambition of struggling genius in the wilderness of Pennsylvania. -An untimely accident had crippled James Greydon, so that for thirty -years of his latter life his time was spent almost entirely among his -books and in his farming pursuits. He wrote valuable treatises on -agriculture, for the then primitive Colonists, and collected precious -editions of Cicero, Virgil, Seneca, Pliny and Horace, to say nothing of -the lesser lights of Latin literature. - -He also collected valuable editions of Greek writers on philosophy, -history, verse and the drama. These were the most distinguished -collections of classical works to be used at this early date for the -benefit of American learning. James Greydon was one of the fathers -of scholarship in the New World. He was in correspondence with many -scholars and men of letters in Europe. He was the great friend and -co-laborer of Franklin, who acquired his knowledge of Latin and Greek -from Greydon’s hands. - -The quadrant, of such benefit to mariners and explorers, was invented -by an artisan under the encouragement of Greydon, at Dorminghurst. - -The numerous pamphlets and treatises produced by Greydon on the science -of agriculture and on politics were the products of Franklin’s press. -Even the noted work of the translation of “De Senectute” which was -printed by Franklin (to whom credit at the time was sometimes given for -the authorship of the work) was performed by James Greydon. - -But the crowning distinction for which Dorminghurst shall be known, -was the reverence in which its master was held by the red men of -the forest. Keen in the detection and appreciation of true manhood, -the native instincts of the Indian shunned the commercialism of the -grasping English office-holder; but the pure and simple line of -conduct of the scholar and philosopher commanded the respect and -esteem of those children of nature--the Indians. Deputations of the -fierce Iroquois and the Shawnees and the Susquehannas travelled far -and long to listen to the counsel and wisdom of the distinguished sage -and philosopher of Dorminghurst. The Indians learned to trust his word -and advice so well that his estate became, at length, the Mecca for an -annual gathering of his forest friends, and the permanent abode of a -few of the descendants of Altamaha. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - - -Many times the long avenue of hemlocks was honored by the gathering of -the tribes of red men at Dorminghurst. - -Before entering the city for their business with the Governor and -Council at Philadelphia, the Indians invariably camped on the estate -of the big white chief, James Greydon, as a mark of respect to their -friend. Usually the exchange of courtesies could best be accomplished -by preparing a feast for the assembled tribesmen. - -On the day set apart for the feast, the tribesmen approached the -mansion through the avenue of hemlocks. They were clothed in their -best buckskin leggings, skin robes and moccasins, and bedecked with -plumage and trinkets. No arms or tomahawks were carried, because -the Indians respected the Quakers’ dislike of war. They seated -themselves in respectful silence on each side of the avenue under the -spreading trees, while the servants were busied covering the white -tables with dozens of roasted turkeys, ducks, chickens, saddles of -venison,--roasted before an open fire,--roasts of beef, pyramids of -doughnuts and apples, great pies and cakes, and then light bread cut -into slices. All this provision met the eyes of the hungry savage, as -he sat smoking his kin-ni-kin-nick. - -An occasional grunt of satisfaction issued out of the shade of the -hemlocks, whenever a chief, between puffs at his pipe, assented to -the monosyllables of the others. The groups were picturesque, seated -and grouped around the trees of the spacious lawn. Dignity, becoming -a noble race, was written in the lofty mien and countenance of every -face. If ever Indians were happy, they were, in partaking of the -generous hospitality of this noble Quaker, who was the successor of -their great father, William Penn. - -The importance of a tribal feast to the Colonists, in 1732, had much -weight with the principal men of the State. The distinguished men of -the province travelled long distances to be present at these gatherings -given by the master of Dorminghurst. - -The feast began when the Secretary led out of his mansion an assemblage -of gay ladies and gentlemen. James Greydon led them down the wide -avenue of hemlocks, bowing and smiling to the natives. They all -proceeded to a lofty and spreading oak, accompanied by the great Chief, -Altamaha. When the ladies were seated and the gentlemen grouped about, -the Chief of the Onondagas, Altamaha, stepped forward and gave a short -command. At once the whole body of Indians came forward and squatted -on the ground in the form of a half-moon, facing the white people. The -chiefs formed a group distinct from the other tribesmen within the -circle facing James Greydon. - -When the Indians had taken their places James Greydon advanced with -solemnity to address his guests: - -“My children: The spirit of our great father, William Penn, calls us -together again. I welcome you as his children. We are all his children. -We have been driven from our homes by the persecutions of the English. -We seek our homes among the children of the Great Spirit of the forest, -the red men; we are brothers. - -“We love our brothers; if they come to our wigwams, hungry, we give -them food; we do not make war upon them in their hunting-grounds; we -love peace. - -“The Great Spirit who rules the heavens and the earth knows that the -children of William Penn have a hearty desire to live in peace and -friendship with you. Your friend and great father, William Penn, -retained a warm affection for all the Indians and commanded all those -whom he sent to govern the Quakers to treat the Indians as his -children; he continued in this love for them until his death. - -“My brethren: Your hearts have been clean and you have preserved the -pledge of friendship long ago made for your great father’s children, -and the chain has no breaks or rust; you have never forgotten the great -love which our father, William Penn, had for you. - -“My friends: May your young men learn from you what your great father -said to you before he went to his happy hunting-grounds. May our chain -of friendship never be broken and may it endure between our children -and our children’s children, and may it last while the creeks and -rivers run and while the sun, moon and stars do shine. - -“I make you welcome to my home.” - -Altamaha stood up in his place, and with stolid mien, looking toward -his people and the whites, began to reply, at first slowly, while his -voice grew in volume as he proceeded: - -“Father: Listen to your children; you have them now before you. - -“We all belong to our great father, William Penn; we all are children -of the Great Spirit; we walk in the same path; slake our thirst at -the same spring; and now our great father wishes us to smoke the pipe -around the same fire. - -“Brothers: We must love each other; we must smoke the same pipe; we -must help each other; and more than all we must love the Great Spirit; -he is for us; he will destroy our enemies, the King’s dogs; he will -make all his red children and the children of our great father happy -together. - -“Brothers: We are friends; we must assist each other to bear our -burdens. The blood of many of our fathers and brothers has run like -water on the ground to satisfy the avarice of the King. We, the red -men, are threatened with great evil; nothing will pacify the King but -the destruction of all the Indians. - -“When the English first set foot on our grounds they were hungry; they -had no place on which to spread their blankets or kindle their fires. -They were feeble; they could do nothing for themselves. Our fathers -commiserated their distress and shared freely with them whatever the -Great Spirit had given his red children. They gave them food when -hungry; medicine when sick; spread skins for them to sleep on, and gave -them ground that they might hunt and raise corn,--Brothers: Our enemies -are like poisonous serpents; when chilled they are feeble and harmless; -but invigorate them with warmth and they sting their benefactors to -death. - -“Brothers: Our enemies came among us feeble and now that we have made -them strong, they wish to kill us or drive us back as they would wolves -and panthers. - -“Brothers: The King is not a friend to the Indians. At first he only -asked for lands sufficient for a wigwam; but now nothing will satisfy -him but the whole of our hunting-grounds from the rising to the setting -sun. - -“The King wants more than our hunting-grounds; he wishes to kill all -our old men, women and little ones. - -“Our enemies despise and cheat the Indians; they abuse and insult them; -they do not think the red men sufficiently good to live. - -“Brothers: Who are our enemies that we should fear them? They can -not run fast, and are good marks to shoot at; they are only men; our -fathers have killed many of them; we are not squaws, and we will stain -the earth red with their blood. - -“Brothers: We must compare our enemies to a fat dog that carries its -tail upon its back; but when affrighted it drops its tail between its -legs and runs away. - -“O Brothers: The children of our great father Penn are different; they -do not love war; they love peace and happiness. When I heard the voice -of my great father coming up the valley of the mountains, calling me to -this feast, it seemed as a murmuring wind. I got up from my mat where I -sat musing, and hastened to obey it. My pathway hither has been clear -and bright. There is not a cloud to darken it. Truly it is a pleasant -sky above our heads to-day. I have nothing but pleasant words for my -father’s children. The raven is not waiting for his prey. I hear no -eagle cry. Come, brothers, let us go, the feast is ready.” - -The whites, at the conclusion of this burst of native eloquence, were -visibly affected. The delivery was impassioned and clear. For the -moment all seemed to be transfixed by the impressive character of the -speech. James Greydon, however, walked up to the savage chieftain, -shook him by the hand, saying: “Good, good, my friend,” and then -escorted him by the arm to the tables. The whole assemblage arose and -followed in order. When the Indians were all arranged by themselves on -each side of the table, the sachem stepped to the head and gave thanks -to the Great Spirit in loud and earnest tones by some word of their -dialect which sounded to the European ear like “Wah, Wah,” and when he -had finished, in no less earnest tones, the whole assembly of natives -replied by words which sounded like “Swe, Swe.” At once thereafter the -solemnity of the occasion was at an end. The Indians began to talk and -laugh. The feast began. - -In Indian fashion the natives sat on the ground and waited for the -attendants to serve them with portions of everything on the table. The -younger people, especially the squaws, would point at the different -delicacies and dishes. One feature which attracted the notice and -remarks of the entire deputation was a small pig, which had been -stuffed and roasted, standing on all fours. At the other end was -a large beaver, dressed and cooked in like manner. The center was -embellished by placing a coon and a ’possum, dressed and cooked to a -turn, which were standing on all fours and facing each other, as though -they were ready to fight. These preparations of their own popular -dishes immensely pleased the Indians. But when huge pewter mugs of cool -ale were passed, then there was fun. The old men and warriors drank it -with satisfaction. When the young people and women were urged to take -a draught they would shrink from it at first, and when they had tasted -it they would make wry faces at which all the others laughed. When the -cakes and pies came around, however, the women looked at them curiously -and ate them with enjoyment, for they were produced by an art of -cookery unknown to the squaws. - -The whole feast passed off gayly, yet modestly. An Indian abhors -familiarity and vulgarity. The conversation was pleasant but never -hilarious. They sat on the ground, Indian fashion, and ate with their -hands and fingers, but, withal, there was no greediness. They were -polite to each other and waited in silence for their turn to be served. -Courtesy to each other is a cardinal practice and they respect the -proprieties of intercourse between themselves on all occasions. - -However, in a group under a tree by themselves were the chiefs and -James Greydon and his white friends. The whites were eating like -Indians, seated on the ground and joining in the pleasures of the -feast. When everybody had eaten and had drunk all that was needed, -Altamaha brought out a new pipe and filled it with tobacco from his -pouch. He lighted the tobacco with his steel and flint. After taking -several puffs of the smoke, he passed the pipe first to the white -chief, James Greydon. Then after a few puffs, Greydon passed it to his -white friends. The pipe was then passed to all the chiefs and sachems. -After all the principal men of the tribes had smoked the pipe of -friendship and peace, Altamaha took it to James Greydon, saying: - -“Your brother gives you his pipe of friendship and peace. You must keep -it and never again let it be used. Never let the fire be put out which -Altamaha has kindled for you.” - -Standing up, James Greydon took the pipe, saying in reply: - -“My good friend: The most noble of his race is Altamaha. His pledge -of friendship to me to-day shall never be broken. The pipe shall be a -token to me and my children of the love of Altamaha and his people. His -fire shall burn forever in my heart. But come, Altamaha, let us all be -merry. Let the young men dance. Our white friends will be pleased.” - -At a sign for the dance, the great sachem, Pisquagon, stepped out into -an open space on the lawn and began to shake his shell rattles and -let out some vocal gyrations. The young men and women applauded by -screeching and clapping of hands. The whole concourse gathered around -Pisquagon and in unison joined in his chant: - -“Yo! ho! ha! ha!-- - -“Yo! ho! ha! ha!-- - -“Yo! ho! ha! ha!-- - -“Yo! ho! ha! ha!” And to the rhythm made by the shell rattles, one -warrior with feathered war-cap waving above him, shoulders and limbs -bare, lets out a whoop and starts over the green by jerking his two -feet together over the ground. Presently another, “dressed in Georgia -fashion,”--little else on than a collar and a pair of spurs,--starts -off sideways, moving his feet over the ground by jerks, in unison with -the shell rattles. Suddenly he faces the other performer and the two -proceed in unison, one forward and the other backward, following the -same direction around in a circle. As if by magic, yells come from the -others, and pairs join the moving circle in manner like the first two. - -The circle is completed. The noisy stamping of their feet and the -shrieks of enthusiasm are startling. At certain cadences in the chant, -each one faces about and continues the moving circle in the same -direction as before, dancing and contorting with renewed spirit and -energy. The dusky throng performs all manner of grotesque movements. -Every conceivable posture of the human frame is kept up while moving to -the beats and rhythm of the shells. The men were dancing alone, but a -young squaw, desiring to join, presents herself at the side of the one -whom she wishes to favor, and quietly dances in the circle. There was -no cessation of the spirit of the dance till sheer exhaustion stopped -it. Some sort of superstitious frenzy seemed to possess their souls. To -the whites the most amusing part of it all was to observe the solemn -and serious faces of those who were in the performance of the most -grotesque antics. Not a smile softened their somber mien. - -A well-contested foot-race for a necklace of beads was run between the -Indian girls to conclude the festivities, and when the setting sun had -drawn near, James Greydon’s Indian friends had withdrawn so silently -and without ceremony, that he remarked to his guests when he looked -around to find them: - -“The earth must have swallowed them up.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - - -“Segwuna, Segwuna, here are the berries,” sang out the sweet voice of -Mollie Greydon, on a balmy June day, as two girls were seeking wild -strawberries on the banks of the Wingohocking. The year was 1776, and -the day was one of lasting memory at Dorminghurst. - -Dr. Greydon had invited Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson to -Dorminghurst to spend a Sunday during the deliberations of the -Continental Congress. The change and rest in the country would give -these earnest workers the time in which to ponder over their labors and -to consult as to measures that Congress ought to adopt. - -When distinguished guests were to grace the home of the Greydons -frequently Miss Mollie was busy for days providing the table with -all the delicacies of the season, and leaving nothing undone for the -comfort of her father’s friends. - -For the purpose of gathering a goodly supply of wild strawberries, she -went to the lodge of Kaubequa, the mother of her favorite companion, -Segwuna, to enlist the Indian woman and her daughter in her task. -The three worked tirelessly on the day before Sunday, as the -distinguished statesmen were to be present for supper, and she knew -that wild strawberries would be such a treat for her father’s guests. - -[Illustration: Two girls were seeking wild strawberries on the banks of -the Wingohocking.] - -Ever since the killing of Kaubequa’s brave by the whites, when Segwuna -was a small child, this lone Indian family had made their home on -Dr. Greydon’s estate, Dorminghurst. The child had been nurtured and -educated as his own, since she was the grandchild of Altamaha, the -great friend of James Greydon, his father. - -The Greydons had cherished these children of the forest as a heritage -of the soil. The family of Altamaha had always been privileged Indians -at Dorminghurst. After the death of Altamaha, and the killing of his -son in the valley of the Monongahela, Kaubequa, her infant daughter and -boy made the long journey to Dr. Greydon’s estate alone. - -The white settlers had killed her brave, and had driven her tribe from -the beautiful valley in the mountains, and the mother had wearied of -war. She knew that if she could once get to the old friends of Altamaha -she could rest in safety and rear her two children in peace. She oft -murmured to herself in the plaintive language of her race as she gazed -upon her two fatherless children: - -“I care not again to hear the eagle scream on high. The war manitou -has left me alone, alone and destitute. Every day, thou, star of my -destiny, I gaze at thee. Whither shall I fly? - -“He was still standing on a fallen tree that had fallen into the -water,--my sweetheart! - -“Alas, when I think of him! when I think of him! It is when I think of -him!--Oh, _disquagummee_!” - -Her mind rebelled and indignation took the place of sadness as she -thought of the happy wigwam that her warrior supplied so well with -game and fish; and how she used to enjoy the security of their forest -home. While her brave was out after the chase, she was grinding the -corn and tanning the skins. When he journeyed far in his favorite -hunting-grounds she was cultivating the maize and potatoes for her -loved ones, so that there would be plenty for her lord upon his return. - -Many times did she swing her baby girl to sleep while her boy played -about the lodge and gazed at her with love in his young eyes as she -sang: - - “Swinging, swinging, lullaby, - “Sleep thou, sleep thou, sleep thou, - “Little daughter, lullaby. - “Swinging, swinging, swinging, - “Little daughter, lullaby. - - “Your mother cares for you, - “Sleep, sleep, sleep, lullaby. - “Do not fear, my little daughter, - “Sleep, sleep, sleep, - “Do not fear, my little daughter. - - “Swinging, swinging, lullaby, - “Not alone art thou. - “Your mother is caring for you. - “Sleep, sleep, my little daughter, - “Swinging, swinging, lullaby, - “Sleep, sleep, sleep.” - -But she could not, in the care of her children, dispel the sadness of -her mind, knowing that she must give up the joys of her forest life. -Everything had been so full of hope when he was beside her, but now she -could lie on her couch of boughs and mats and ponder upon the sad fate -to which she had been cast by the relentless white man. Her mind oft -reflected what has been well written: - - “’Tis not enough. That hated race - “Should hunt us out from grove and place, - “And consecrated shore,--where long - “Our fathers raised the lance and song.” - -The inevitable had come to Kaubequa, and she sought her white friends, -whose religion abhorred war. She set up her lodge on the estate of Dr. -Greydon,--not even asking leave to do so. - -The first evidence that the master of Dorminghurst had of the newly -arrived family, was the presentation of a _mokuk_ of maple sugar to the -household by a comely young squaw. She carried an infant daughter on -her back, bound up in an Indian’s cradle. - -She desired to obtain some meat, and her way was to exchange with the -white people. - -Her son was a dextrous lad of nine years, who had learned to fish and -trap small animals for food and fur. - -The infant daughter of Kaubequa grew like a young fawn around her -mother’s lodge. When the child had reached the age verging upon -womanhood, she possessed a tall, slender form, a beautiful olive -complexion and large expressive eyes, much like the wild doe,--in that -the haughty restlessness of the wilderness child could be discerned in -her glance. - -Her name was Segwuna, the daughter of Springtime, and when about -thirteen summers, her mother advised her that a sign made by the Great -Spirit to her would mean that she was to be a great woman, if she only -would do whatever her mother required of her. - -Consequently, early one morning in mid-winter, an unusual sign -appeared to Segwuna in her dreams. She arose from her couch and ran as -far from her lodge as her strength allowed and remained there until her -mother found her. - -Her mother knew what had happened, and directed her to come nearer the -family abode, and instructed her to help prepare a lodge out of the -boughs of the hemlock. - -She was told not to taste anything for two days, not even snow. As a -diversion, she was to twist and prepare the bark of the linden into -twine. She could gather wood, build herself a fire, lie down and keep -warm. - -Segwuna did as directed and at the end of the two days her mother came -to see her, but did not bring a morsel to eat. Her thirst was greater -than her hunger, yet the pangs of hunger were very violent. - -Kaubequa sat down with her child, after she had ascertained that -nothing had passed Segwuna’s lips for two days, and said: - -“My child, you are my only daughter. Now, my daughter, listen to me and -try to obey. Blacken your face and fast faithfully, so that the Master -of Life may have pity on you and me, and on us all. Do not in the least -deviate from my counsels, and in two days more I will come to you.” - -Segwuna continued to fast for two days more, when her mother came to -the lodge and melted some snow and told her to drink the water. Her -desires were for more, but her mother would not allow anything more to -drink or anything to eat. But she instructed Segwuna to ask the Great -Spirit to show her a vision that would not only do them good, but also -benefit mankind. - -The night of the fifth day a voice called to Segwuna in her slumber, -and said: - -“Poor child, I pity your condition. Come, you are called into my -service on earth. I give you my power and the life everlasting. I give -you long life on earth and skill in bringing others to my kingdom of -life everlasting in the happy hunting-grounds.” - -In her vision she saw a shining path like a silver cord and it led -upward to an opening in the sky, where stood the Great Spirit, in a -brilliant halo, encircled with glistening stars. - -“Look at me,” saith the spirit, “my name is the Bright Blue Sky. I am -the veil that covers the earth. Do not fear. You are a pure and dutiful -maiden. You have come to the limit which mortals cannot pass. Now -return. There is a conveyance for you. Do not fear to ride on its back, -and when you get to your lodge, you must take that which sustains the -human body.” - -Segwuna saw a snow-white bird soaring like the frigate bird in the -sky, and when she got on its back, she was wafted through the air,--her -hair streaming behind,--and as soon as she arrived at her lodge her -vision ceased. - -Upon awakening, Segwuna arose and returned as fast as she could to her -mother’s lodge, where she was fed cautiously by her mother. One could -see that she had undergone a serious transformation. The same tall -willowy form and elastic step were there, but the eyes had changed -their innocent fawn-like gaze to a tense and determined far-away look -that could be interpreted as seriousness and reflection combined. - -She went about her duties around the wigwam as though some great -task or burden were weighing her down. And well might those about -her observe her changed manners, for she now deserted the company of -her former playmates and took long and lonely walks through the deep -woods,--resolving silently to serve the Great Spirit the rest of her -life by rendering happy those whom she loved. - -The Great Spirit of her forefathers had now wrought in her soul deep -convictions of the duty that she owed to her mother, her brother, -and especially to her kind young friend who lived in the great -mansion-house. The stories that she had heard recited around the -lodge’s fire of the presents made by the great white chief, James -Greydon, to her people, surged through her mind. How kind and gentle -he had always been to the Indians! her kinsfolk! Those were happy days -before the white men had learned the beauties of their old home on the -Monongahela! All the native traits of her race were aroused. - -Many times she reasoned thus: - -“I can never forgive an injury, nor can I ever forget hospitality and -kindness. My heart bleeds to show the King, our father across the sea, -what great wrong has been done my loved ones, when he sent the great -white birds across the sea that caused the eagle to scream on high. - -“My Manitou will bless his Segwuna and teach his daughter to show the -King that when my sky was clear he ought not to send his warlike birds -on the long journey across the water. The King’s warriors shall not -prosper on this side of the great water. Segwuna, the handmaid of the -Great Spirit, shall take her friends over the river, across which the -King’s warriors can not pass. While her friends shall be happy and have -plenty, from this time forth the King shall remain on the other side of -the river and wither and die, because he was so avaricious.” - -The small band of Indians at Dorminghurst learned to love and revere -Segwuna. As she grew older she stored up the herbs of the forest and -showed great skill in nursing and curing the young and old of lesser -ailments. - -The test of the young prophetess came in the year 1774. The severe -storms and heavy snows of the winter made game very scarce and the -Indians were near starvation. They had, therefore, occasion to try the -arts of Segwuna to determine the range of the game. - -So the chief of the band came into the lodge of Segwuna’s mother and -requested that her daughter be allowed to try her skill to relieve -them. The mother laid the request before Segwuna and gained her consent. - -The prophetess directed the chief to build the prophet’s lodge of ten -posts or saplings, each of different kinds of wood that she named. When -finished and tightly wound with skins, Segwuna went inside and took a -small drum and rattles with her. The whole band assembled around. - -The chief put the question to the prophetess: - -“Where shall game be found?” - -As if from some supernatural power the drum sounded within the lodge, -and a voice was heard chanting, while the whole structure began to -shake violently, and the people without began to shriek and moan -as though to recognize the presence of the Great Spirit that was -consulted. - -A silence fell suddenly upon the lodge, and the people now looked for -an answer to their question. - -A voice then arose as from the top of the lodge, which said in slow and -sepulchral tones: - -“How short-sighted, you. If you will go in the direction of the south, -game in abundance you will find.” - -Next day the camp was taken up, and they all moved to the southward, -led by the hunters. Proceeding not far beyond their former -hunting-grounds a doe and two fawns were killed, and the little band -thereafter found an abundance of food for the rest of the winter. - -The reputation of Segwuna was thus established among her own people, -but still greater undertakings were awaiting this handmaiden of the -Great Spirit, not alone for the good that she did for her own people, -but for the benefit of a nation. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - - -The distinguished members of the Continental Congress reached -Dorminghurst during the afternoon when Mollie Greydon and Segwuna had -been gathering the wild strawberries for supper. They were weary with -their deliberations during the hot June days, and the freshness of the -country air was a tonic to soul and body. - -Dr. Franklin had known Dr. Greydon since the latter’s childhood, and he -walked around the grounds examining the garden with characteristic good -comradeship, as he said: - -“William,” addressing Dr. Greydon, “are these cherries from the trees -brought over by William Penn and planted by your father?” - -“How fine,” exclaimed Mr. Jefferson, “are these roses! I shall have to -get some cuttings for my garden at Monticello,” as they sauntered along -the path bordered by box, on the way to the sun-dial. - -“Yes,” replied Dr. Greydon to Benjamin Franklin, “father planted the -originals of most of these trees and we have grafted the scions to -perpetuate the memory of our dear friend, William Penn. But do you -see those columbines on the wall? Those were brought from Monongahela -by Altamaha. That honeysuckle was brought from England by our friend, -George Fox,” as he pointed to a beautiful vine embowering the gate of -the wall surrounding the house court. - -The three made their way through rows of hollyhocks, feverfew, -rhododendrons, tulips, peonies, narcissi, rows of homely bee-hives, the -spot for the physic and pot-herbs, where pennyroyal, tansy, spearmint, -anise, dill, horse-leek, bitter-sweet, hyssop and boneset were growing, -when they reached the apple orchard beyond the garden. - -A large orchard seat under one of those homely old apple trees, -savoring of domesticity, brought them to a quiet nook where the three -sat down for a discussion of affairs. - -“Do you believe that the delegates from Pennsylvania will vote for a -Declaration, Doctor Franklin?” asked Mr. Jefferson of his associate. - -“I, for one, shall vote for the Declaration,” replied Benjamin -Franklin, emphatically, “but the other delegates from Pennsylvania, -Robert Morris and James Wilson, I am convinced will never do so. -They love riches too well to disturb present institutions. They are -too close to, and too much interested in the commercial element of -Philadelphia to be so radical. If they could see money in the venture -they would not hesitate.” - -“But do you not think that they can see the great benefits to mankind -in free institutions and in the doctrine that all men are created free -and equal?” continued Mr. Jefferson. - -“Never, sir, so long as they think that there is any reason to stand -on the argument of non-interference with settled usage and present -commercial relations. They believe that a Declaration would bring war -and an upheaval in trade. You know they represent great commercial -houses in London, and they think that they would be ruined to cut off -their condition of agent and hireling. They are thoroughly whipped into -line by a policy of commercial cowardice and dependence. They cannot -see that to be independent of England’s merchants would be for their -own benefit,” argued Franklin to his listeners’ delight. - -“I believe that they will see the error of their way,” continued Dr. -Greydon. - -“Yes, when they find that they are overwhelmingly outvoted by the rest -of us,” remarked Jefferson. “But those commercial people think that the -world revolves around them and that we farmers are mere satellites, -reflecting their wisdom,” continued Jefferson lightly. - -“But what about the printers?” inquired Franklin with a smile. - -“Oh, they have no right to exist, when they print the truth about these -lords of creation,” insisted Jefferson. - -“When they speak of themselves as men of substance, I find that they -are mighty small potatoes, when they require a man of physic to keep -body and soul together,” happily joined in Dr. Greydon. - -“Really, these commercial people are to be pitied,” said Franklin. -“Their glory is of short duration. To-day they are princes of commerce, -and to-morrow they are paupers. So we must be charitable with them and -let them show how little they know, as they usually do in a bombastic -way. Like a ‘tinkling cymbal’ and ‘a sounding brass’ their glory -passeth as the night.” - -By this time a servant announced supper, and the three retraced their -steps in jolly good humor to the mansion, for their appetites were -unusually keen. - -At supper Dr. Franklin exclaimed when he tasted the wild fruit that -Mollie had provided: - -“William, where did you get such delicious wild fruit?” - -“Why, sir, our daughter, Mollie, and Segwuna, the Indian maiden, -gathered the best on the estate,” as he indicated Miss Mollie with a -gesture of his hand, whereupon Mollie blushed inordinately as the two -distinguished guests smiled graciously upon her. - -“Did I understand you to say ‘Segwuna’?” asked the philosopher. -“Segwuna, Segwuna,” he continued. “Why, Mr. Jefferson, we have heard -that name before. It is so peculiar.” - -“Certainly, certainly, Doctor,” was Mr. Jefferson’s response. “She is -the mysterious Indian maiden that has been such a constant attendant -upon our meetings of Congress. Why, she would be at our door as we -passed in, and still there as we passed out. She has been observed -by several gentlemen. At all times she looks eagerly into our faces -as though anxious for some sign or news that would please her. Her -face lights up with an intelligence that haunts me ever since I first -met her gaze. She seemed so pure and noble that I have been more -than once moved at the presence of this lone Indian girl,--the sole -representative of her race among the curious throng that have watched -our deliberations. If she lives near by,” continued the statesman with -much earnestness in his tone, “I would like to question her, and learn -her purpose at the doors of Congress.” - -Dr. Greydon was surprised at this information and he replied with -lively interest: - -“You certainly may see our forest child, Mr. Jefferson, and in fact, -this very evening; for Segwuna has grown up on our estate, and if any -honor attaches to the meeting, Dorminghurst shall claim it,” concluded -the host as he turned to Dr. Franklin with a merry twinkle in his eye. - -“May I take you to the lodge of Segwuna, Mr. Jefferson?” -enthusiastically questioned Miss Mollie, as her eyes danced with joy at -the mention of her favorite companion by these distinguished gentlemen. -“Segwuna,” she added, “has told me that great events were going to -happen within the present moon and that great leaders of men were to -come forth and proclaim the sweetest message from the Great Spirit that -human kind had ever heard. - -“She has been to the meetings of Congress,” innocently burst out -Segwuna’s companion, “to watch for what the Manitou has told her would -come to pass, because she has told me all about it.” - -“How do you suppose the Indian maiden can foretell such great matters, -Miss Mollie?” asked the venerable Dr. Franklin, who was really affected -by the enthusiasm of his young friend. - -“Why, Mr. Franklin, there is much that is good and wise in Segwuna. She -seeks out the poor and sick in the city and carries them medicine and -game. She says that the rich are too proud and grasping to remember the -poor. - -“She says such wise things and tells me that her Manitou has sent -her as a guiding star to me, and that she will protect me from much -danger,” continued Miss Mollie, with a tinge of real sentiment in her -voice. - -As the question had been answered most interestingly by Miss Mollie, -Mr. Jefferson seemed to be seriously taken up with the philosophy of -Segwuna, and turned to Dr. Greydon suggesting that they might go to the -lodge of Segwuna and interview her upon the glowing topics of the day -as the sage of Monticello remarked: - -“For we know not from what source we may gather wisdom that shall -illumine our path.” - -When the meal had been finished, and the gentlemen had relished their -pipes under the hemlocks, the whole party strolled on their way with -Mollie as leader. They took the path past the mill on the Wingohocking -and through the wild-wood trail in the soft light of the early evening -to the lodge of Segwuna. - -Nothing could be more peaceful or simple in nature than the lone wigwam -in a rift of the woods, approached by a well-beaten path through the -underbrush. The curling smoke of a lazy fire was streaming skyward in -the still evening air, with an atmosphere broken by no sound except the -barking of an Indian’s dog. - -There sat the mother on a mat before the wigwam, and peering from the -inside was Segwuna, standing shyly out of sight, but able to perceive -the approach of the party with Dr. Greydon. - -Kaubequa sat quietly at her wigwam entrance and when Dr. Greydon -approached and greeted her in her own tongue, she replied and smiled as -she asked Segwuna to step out and greet them. - -As the daughter obeyed, Mollie ran and took Segwuna by both hands, and -led her toward Dr. Franklin and Mr. Jefferson,--both of whom bowed very -low when Miss Mollie presented her shy Indian companion. - -As Dr. Franklin could discern serious eagerness in Mr. Jefferson’s -countenance, he volunteered to unravel the Indian girl’s mind. - -“Segwuna, we have observed you at the meetings of Congress, and may -we ask why you are so much interested in the proceedings?” asked Dr. -Franklin, when he had been presented to Segwuna. - -“Certainly, Mr. Franklin,” answered the Indian maid, “Segwuna never -misses a day. The Great Spirit is watching every word said in Congress. -I am bound to do His bidding. He wishes Americans to be free and make -all men equal. The Indians love liberty. The soil which the white man -has adopted for his home, in the beginning was given by the Great -Spirit to His children, the Indians. Each Indian was to be his own lord -and master, and whoever lives on the Indian’s land shall derive the -same right. What the Great Spirit hath given shall never be taken away.” - -When Mr. Jefferson had found much force in the first answer, he -nervously continued with a question: - -“Do you believe, Segwuna, that this land of ours shall be free and -prosperous forever?” - -“Yes, Mr. Jefferson, the Great Spirit in the first place gave the -Indians this land. He told them that they would be given the means -of subduing all of the earth, if they would only be industrious and -cultivate the gift of corn and make good use of His gift. - -“If they did not make good use of the gift, his white brother would -come and take his birth-right away. So, as the Indians heeded not what -the Great Spirit commanded, his white brother has succeeded to all the -good that the Indian’s corn was intended to be for the land.” - -Dr. Greydon was amazed at the answers already given and thought that -something more than common knowledge was her heritage, so he attempted -a question: - -“Is the Indian’s white brother to resist his enemy, the King across the -water?” - -“Yes, Dr. Greydon, if the Great Spirit had given this land to all men -alike and all men are to be equal in His sight no King can prosper on -the soil where Indian corn is grown; for when the King’s soldiers eat -the corn of the Great Spirit, they shall turn upon their King and fight -for liberty like the Indian and the Indian’s white brother.” - -“O Segwuna, will you tell the gentlemen what the Great Spirit says -shall come to the land of the Indians when the King shall cease to hold -sway over it?” was the question of Mollie, who had heard Segwuna talk -about these things before. - -“Yes, my sweetheart, I love to look upon my native land, the land of my -forefathers, as the most powerful of the nations. But the Great Spirit -must be obeyed, or the white brother of the Indian shall lose all like -the Indian. - -“The Indians have lost their beautiful land because they did not make -good use of the Great Spirit’s gift,--the Indian corn. They left the -planting of it to the women, while they followed the chase. But the -Indian’s white brother must make good use of this gift and become very -powerful as the Great Spirit promised. Yet when the white man shall get -too proud to eat the Indian’s corn for food, he then also shall lose -this beautiful land. - -“The King laughs at the Indian’s corn and at the Indian’s skins for -raiment and at the Indian’s love for equality; but the King must learn -to give freely to his unfortunate brother. All of this the King and his -white brother must learn from the Indian. When any one starves in the -tribe, the chief must starve also. - -“If the King takes all of the corn away from his hunters and gives it -to the chiefs, the Great Chief will become angry and take his corn away -from his land so that the King and his chiefs shall have to become -hunters too.” - -At the conclusion of this last answer, Mr. Jefferson stepped up to -Segwuna and thanked her for her kindness, and handed her a silver coin. - -But at this last act Segwuna smiled and with polite dignity returned -the coin and said: - -“The Great Spirit hath no token of worth except His bounteous love and -kindness.” - -In return Mr. Jefferson seemed greatly pleased as he politely shook the -hand of Segwuna and replied: - -“My dear child, you have a noble spirit and I shall remember what you -have told us.” - -The other gentlemen shook the hand of Segwuna and Mollie kissed her as -they left to return to the mansion. - -On the way all turned to Dr. Franklin to learn his opinion of the -philosophy of the Indian girl. - -After a short period of silent reflection on the part of all, the -good-humor of the old printer could not be held in as he solemnly said: - - -“If the King of Great Britain does not subdue the Americans, he shall -have to acknowledge the corn.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - - -Barclugh started on his long and perilous ride to Washington’s -headquarters at Fishkill; thence to New York. - -He was oblivious to all that passed him on the road. He travelled -on, and on, to the ferry at Trenton, conscious of nothing but his -own thoughts. The more that he willed to divorce the image of Mollie -Greydon from his mind, the more his soul rebelled. He at last reasoned -that another existence than his own had entered his life, and he could -not explain the cause. But should he only let his thoughts dwell -unrestricted on his business, at least he might be able to dismiss her, -as he had many times the existence of the gay infatuations of his life -in Paris. - -However, her beauty of face, her form and her carriage not only -enthralled him, but he dwelt upon the character that he found in the -kindly twinkle of her deep hazel eyes; her understanding of the great -principles of human liberty; her patriotism; her devotion to the -soldiery of her native land. All were grand conceptions to dwell upon. - -In her there was no first consideration of self, like the frivolous -woman of fashion. She knew that a mission in life was the proper -destiny for one to follow; and in the trying needs of her country she -knew that clothes and food for the Continentals needed her best and -undivided effort. - -She knew that every dozen of eggs, every fowl, every blanket, every -pair of woolen socks, every yard of homespun, spoke volumes to the -patient, ill-fed, and ill-clothed Continental who was serving for the -principles of the Declaration,--serving with no pay and expecting -none. She was happy in the pursuit of her humble mission; she had no -grievance with which to worry others. Her mission was to render some -one happy with her deeds; consequently her life was full of elements -that daily exemplified the sweetness of her existence to others. - -The natural tendency of a commonplace intellect would be to sternly -rebuke others who expressed opinions opposed to his own ambitions; -but the philosophy of human nature carried Barclugh into deeper -considerations. He had his particular objects to accomplish and had his -plans matured to effect them; therefore, he kept quiet about his own -principles and tried to learn every detail about the opinions of the -opposition. Thus he would be prepared to use the weak points of his -adversary to his own advantage. - -He thought he knew that Colonial gentlemen were much like their -Anglo-Saxon ancestry, honest, fearless and loyal to their convictions; -but if, after a protracted struggle, they found their cause defeated -and their case hopeless, they would submit. Their love of peace and -tranquillity would overcome their feelings about independence. They -would be satisfied with the forms of liberty without the substance. He -reasoned that history repeats itself among his countrymen. When the -Normans conquered the Anglo-Saxon, his submission to the regime of -William the Conqueror was complete. He reasoned that a decisive stroke -of the English arms would reconcile the Colonists to the helplessness -of their cause. - -These convictions led him more seriously than ever to conclude that the -dominant party at the end of the war would have the allegiance of the -whole country. Therefore Roderick Barclugh was more resolute than ever -to seize West Point by means of gold and afterwards ally himself and -his fortunes to the virtues and zeal of Mollie Greydon. - -He travelled on the main turnpike that led northward from Philadelphia, -along the Delaware, until he reached Bristol, which commands a -beautiful view of the river. He stopped at an inn kept by a Mr. -Benezet, and announced himself thus: - -“My name is Pierre La Fitte. I am a merchant from Philadelphia, and -travelling to Boston. Have no news, am tired and hungry. Have you -provender for my horse and dinner for me?” - -The landlord looked up in astonishment at the brusque preclusion of -prying questions as to the business, destination and knowledge of a -stranger. Even the servants tiptoed when they came into the presence of -their august guest. - -However, the dinner and lodging were most excellent, and the breakfast -was more than could be expected at a country inn, but when Barclugh -paid his bill in the morning the innkeeper had charged double prices -for his guest’s exclusiveness. As Barclugh got what he desired,--no -questions,--he did not mind the payment, but before he had been many -more days on this journey he learned that Colonial hospitality was -not always dealt out on a money basis, and he was exceedingly glad to -change his mannerisms. - -The refreshing sleep at the Bristol inn was excellent to Barclugh, and -the next morning he started out with his spirits in high glee. The -enthusiasm of his nature was now working out the possibilities of his -mission, and he was calculating the possibilities of danger in his -journey, all of which acted upon him as a stimulant, while his horse -was cantering along the Delaware road, in the fresh morning air, toward -Trenton. - -A ferry crosses the Delaware three miles below the town, and Barclugh -took it to the Jersey side and went to an inn at Trenton that had -a sign swinging on a high post, representing a beaver at work with -his teeth, gnawing down a large tree, underneath which was written, -“Perseverando.” - -Barclugh was inclined to stop at the tavern to give his horse a rest -and to refresh himself while he would be feeling his ground about his -journey northward. - -The hour was about ten o’clock in the morning, when the old men of the -town began to gather at the tavern for a gossip over the war news, -and to indulge in their daily allowance of rum in the tap-room. As -Barclugh dismounted and sauntered up the steps which led into the -public house, all eyes were turned upon the stranger. He seated himself -in an arm-chair at a round table. A large square room having a low -ceiling and settles standing at right angles to the fireplace met his -glance; the smoke was curling slowly from smouldering logs into the -chimney-space; a lazy, fat, round-faced Swede was lolling at the end of -the bar, and several casks of wine and liquor placed upon racks to the -left of the counter were labelled, “Rum,” “Madeira,” “Canary,” “Cherry -Bounce,” “Perry,” and “Cider.” - -A brace of old cronies whose only cares now were to meet each other -in the tap-room daily and talk over the prowess among men in their -youthful days, and despair about the effeminate youth of the present; -and wonder what the world was coming to, were seated at a table and -gazed at the stranger. - -“He, he, he!” chuckled old Samuel Whitesides, as Barclugh seated -himself and ordered a hot rum punch, for the morning air was chilly. -“I declare, those whippersnappers daown in Philadelphia are makin’ a -fool aout of Ben Arnold,--he’s got a mighty high snortin’ kind of a gal -that he’s hitched up to,--and I b’leave, brother Hopper, that he would -like to be out of the clutches of them money-grabbers. He’s too good a -fighter to be gallavantin’ around in silks and satins.” - -“How queer! how queer!” squeaked out old Jonathan Hopper, as he leaned -over and poked his old companion in the ribs. “Say, Sam, if we were -young agin like Ben, we would not prefer to stay ’round with aour wife -in the city than to be chasing those redcoats from Dan to Beshabee, -partic’larly if we had been married less than a year, eh, Sam’l! Wall, -I guess not! He, he, he! Eh, Samuel?” as he poked old Sam in the ribs -again with his cane. - -“Wa’al, Jonathan, when we were boys, thar was no time for this -high-fa-lutin’ keepin’ honey-moon, keepin’ honey-moon. What we had to -do was to git married and leave Betsy at home while we went to work -to git som’thin’ to keep body and soul together. But naow, even in -these war times, our Ginerals are snoopin’ araound in these high jinks -fashion, waitin’ on their leedies in taown.” - -“Quite keerect, quite keerect, Sam’l, but I calcalate if you and I were -to live it over agin and had a chanc’t to git into all these doin’s -that the young sprouts now have, in the large taowns, I b’leeve we -would be as keen as ennybody for pleesure. For what’s the use of you, -you old rascal, skrewin’ yourself up into a pritty pass over the young -uns, for natur’ is natur’ and let natur’ take its course, Sam’l. But -how queer! how queer!” said old Jonathan as he again poked Samuel in -the ribs and took another sip out of the rum glass. - -By the time the pint of rum was consumed by these relicts of the reign -of Queen Anne, they were generally ready to go up the road arm in arm, -each with a cane, just mellow enough to show the young sprouts that -nobody need show them how to step off with the dignity of an Indian. - -However, on this day matters took a different turn. - -Barclugh stepped up to the old gentlemen and inquired modestly: - -“Gentlemen, may I ask you the best road to Princeton?” - -“To be sure, sir,” replied old Samuel, as he turned toward Barclugh, -leaning forward with both hands on his walking-stick as he sat gazing -into Barclugh’s face: - -“But have we the pleasure of the gentleman’s name and occupation?” -quizzed the old man. - -Barclugh was not quite ready for the inquisitive familiarity of the -reply, but as he commenced with a question there was no alternative in -his case but to answer up cheerfully: - -“My name is Pierre La Fitte; I am a merchant of Philadelphia on my way -to Fishkill Landing.” - -“Humph, you got a pretty skittish ride before you, Mr. La Fitte, and I -b’leeve the longest road is the shortest for you. You just keep right -on to Princeton and then to Morristown Heights and when you git five -miles beyond Morristown you ask for my son-in-law, Benjamin Andrews, -and he will take good care of you and all you need to tell him is that -you met old Samuel Whitesides and it won’t cost you a farthing for your -keep.” - -However, as this conversation was proceeding, old Jonathan kept his -eye closely on the stranger as he sat with his chin on both hands which -were resting on his cane before him. - -[Illustration: “Have we the pleasure of the gentleman’s name and -occupation?” quizzed the old man.] - -Barclugh noticed that he was being scrutinized very sharply and he did -not relish his position, but he looked out at his horse and turned -to go with a parting bow to the two old men, while he thanked his -informant twice. - -No sooner had the stranger mounted than the old men arose to watch him -disappear up the road. - -“Sam’l,” said Hopper, “what d’ye think of that ’ere stranger? I b’leeve -he has no good around these parts. He had an uneasy and restless look -in his eye. He’s got some deep-laid business on his mind and I don’t -think that was his name that he told us. Mabbee he’s one of those -consarned British spies that we hear so much about these times.” - -“Yes, yes, you got to git yourself all worked up naow, Jonathan, and -all on account of that gentleman addressing me to the hexclusion of -yourself. If you thought that he was a spy why didn’t you step up to -him and demand his passports? Now that he is gone you can concoct all -kinds of dreams about him; that’s cowardly, Jonathan, that’s cowardly.” - -“Sam’l,” came the hot reply, “you and I have been boys and men -together, but when you impeach the bravery of an old soldier,--one who -has been at Crown Point and Ticonderogy, too! Why, sir, that is beyond -endurance, and before I shall be seen coming down this road again with -you, may bunions like onions grow out of my toes. I shall leave you, -sir, I shall leave you,” sputtered old Jonathan as he hobbled to his -feet, livid and glaring at Samuel with rage. - -As he shuffled across the room with the aid of his cane, he made -for the door and straightway, as fast as his bunions would allow -him, striding up the road, he cut the air with his hands and cane, -muttering: “I’ll be damned first, I’ll be damned first.” - -However, Jonathan had not gone very far before he met a young Indian -girl going in the opposite direction. She stopped and very quietly -asked: - -“Sir, could you tell me if you have seen a gentleman on a black horse -go along the road this morning travelling for Fishkill to General -Washington’s headquarters? He was tall and dark and wore a velvet -waistcoat of dark blue.” - -“Why, my girl, yes, that’s right. He was going to Fishkill. Certainly, -you just come with me, I’ll show you a man that knows all about him. -He was just talking with him. I b’leeve that ’ere man you ask for is a -rascal, and Samuel can’t turn my head abaout it neethur.” - -“Yes, sir, I believe he has no good purposes in taking this journey. I -have seen him and General Arnold meet after midnight alone.” - -“Look at that! look at that!” continued old Jonathan. “Mabbee Sam’l -won’t listen to that. You come along with me, my girl. I want you to -show that old wiseacre a thing or two. Come along with me, my girl.” - -When they arrived at the door of the tap-room, the Indian girl -hesitated and paused at the doorway while Jonathan bolted up to Samuel -as though he were going to eat him up. - -But Jonathan said in his most persuasive tones: - -“Samuel, there’s a young lady here, that wants to ask you about that -gentleman on his way to Fishkill.” - -“Certainly, certainly, Jonathan. I’ll do anything to please you,” -returned Samuel as he rose and went to the Indian girl, who stood at -the doorway of the tavern, as she asked: - -“Has this gentleman told you where he was going?” - -“Yes,” spoke up Samuel as he straightened to his full height to answer. -“He sid he was goin’ to Feeshkill.” - -“I b’leeve he was lyin’,” interjected Jonathan, with a snap in his -voice. “I think he’s goin’ somewhere else and he wanted to put us off -his tracks. Now, what do you think, young lady?” - -“It’s hard to tell, sir, but I saw him visit General Arnold. - -“What name did he give you, sir?” - -“He said: ‘My name is Pierre La Fitte, and I am a merchant of -Philadelphia on my way to Feeshkill,’” replied Samuel. - -“Why, that’s not his real name,” returned Segwuna. “His name is -Roderick Barclugh.” - -“Look at that, look at that,” said Jonathan, glaring at Samuel. “I knew -that you would be up to great bizness when you asked that rascal to -stop at Ben Andrews’. He may be a reg’lar cut-throat.” - -“Now, look a’ here, Jonathan, I think that you’re a-pokin’ your nose -too far into my way of doin’ things, d’ye hear?” ejaculated Samuel, as -he pounded on the floor with his walking-stick, by way of emphasis. - -Jonathan Hopper glared at Samuel as he strode off indignantly toward -the other part of the room, while Segwuna talked to Samuel Whitesides -about Barclugh. - -Segwuna immediately took her departure on the road to Princeton as soon -as she learned that Barclugh had left for that direction. - -The two old cronies agreed that the stranger was more mysterious after -they had learned that this Indian girl was following his footsteps. - -For weeks afterward Uncle Sam and his friend Jonathan had an incident -of consequence to discuss in the queer occurrences of that morning at -the inn. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - - -As Barclugh mounted his steed and cantered through Trenton, he saw -happy children and old men, chickens and ducks at every household. -Occasionally the housewife came to the side door and gazed with arms -akimbo at the strange horse and rider. - -There was much to occupy Barclugh’s thoughts as he rode over this road. -A little over a year previous here the hirelings of George III laid -down their arms to the intrepid Washington, and his mission was to -overcome by means of money what Britain’s generals had lost at arms. -The irony of the situation aroused his red blood. He quickened the pace -of his horse as the blood surged through his body at the thoughts of -the enormity of his undertaking. - -Quickly he left the town and turned his direction toward Princeton. He -knew that he was travelling on martial ground. He soon came to and had -to cross the identical bridge that Washington had so gallantly defended -against Cornwallis, whom he had sent to camp; but ere the morning, -the thunder of American artillery in the rear at Princeton awoke the -British to the fact that they were out-generalled. - -Also the sleepy town of Princeton presented its scenes of disaster to -Barclugh, who was riding along on his solitary journey of intrigue. -Here he had to pass in view of Nassau Hall, where Washington’s force -surrounded two hundred British and compelled them to surrender. On his -way thither he had to pass over the road that Washington’s rear-guard -had so successfully blocked to the British advance by chopping down -timber across the roadway and by burning the bridges behind him. - -The British representative gnashed his teeth to actually see how -helpless was the situation of Washington’s band of barefooted patriots -one day at Trenton, and the next how triumphant under the daring leader -as he marched his little force to safety at Morristown Heights. - -The question never was so vividly presented to mortal mind as now -to Barclugh, to learn the foundation for such intrepid feats in the -presence of thoroughly disciplined European forces. Americans had no -training or discipline; so, how did they maintain such superiority with -such inferior numbers? - -As Barclugh had not journeyed in the heart of American territory -without being wide-awake to every bit of character, he had not -forgotten the injunction of old Samuel Whitesides to visit his -son-in-law, Benjamin Andrews. His home was five miles north of -Morristown. Here he could rest and perhaps learn something. - -North of Princeton the country begins to grow abruptly hilly, and at -Morristown veritable mountains occur, with broad valleys stretching to -the northeast and southwest. But beyond Morristown the country grows -hard to travel through. The ridges grow steeper, the settlers fewer, -and the timber thicker. The streams find a chance to gurgle around -the rocks and roar over the falls. The wilderness impressed Barclugh. -As his horse, that was now jaded, carried him upon a ridge, he stood, -to take in the extensive landscape. When ridge upon ridge met his eye -the immensity of the Colonial territory grew to a realization upon -his mind. His journey was more than a revelation to him; it was a -conviction of how little the King’s advisers knew about the conditions -in America, while gaming around the green tables at Brooks’. - -Nestling among the timber in the valley of the Whippany River was a -settler’s log-house. It stood back from the roadside and was approached -by a serpentine road, crude at present, but designed some day to grace -more pretentious grounds. But what a pity the settler’s axe had not -spared a few of those giants of the forest, whose degradation was -evidenced by the blackened stumps of the clearing. - -However, the pioneer had no time to consider anything but present -utility in those days, and as Barclugh turned his horse down the road -toward this house, he was met in the dooryard by Benjamin Andrews, -whose six feet four of brawn and sinew had unmistakable characteristics -of force and endurance. Simplicity of life and hard labor developed -such men. - -“May I have lodging and fodder for my horse?” said Barclugh as he -rode up to the settler. “I have been directed to you by Mr. Samuel -Whitesides, while travelling through Trenton.” - -“Wal, I b’leeve you kin, if daddy Whitesides sent you here. Thomas, -take the gentleman’s horse. Bless me, come in and get warm. My Nancy -will be glad to hear from daddy. What’s the news from south’ard?” were -the words of welcome of the settler, as he led the way to the latched -door. He pulled on the string that opened into the large room that -answered for kitchen, dining-room and sleeping-room, except for the -loft that was used by the children to sleep in. - -As Barclugh entered the log-house, he found Mrs. Andrews standing -in the middle of the room, shyly holding her apron, and shielding a -four-year-old boy who was holding on to her skirt and gazing at the -stranger in amazement. - -“Nancy, this gentleman was sent to us by daddy,” was the introduction -of the stranger by the husband, and the wife curtsied, nodding her -head as the youngster began to cry. But no name was necessary to be -mentioned so long as he knew daddy. - -However, Barclugh accepted the native hospitality, and cheerfully took -the chair proffered him before the comfortable fireplace, while the -housewife went silently about her duties. - -Benjamin Andrews had been on his farm in the Whippany valley nearly two -years, and he had a comfortable log-house well chinked and roofed with -shakes riven out of white pine. A good-sized log-barn, thatched with -straw, six head of cattle,--three cows and three yearlings,--one full -sow and three porkers running about the yard,--two indifferent horses -worth about four guineas each, constituted Andrews’ belongings. His -land was one hundred and eighty acres, for which he paid forty pounds -sterling, and about thirty-five acres of which was under tillage. - -With willing hands, he and his family had started in the primitive -forest to make a home. They had left the parental roof with three -children and about thirty pounds in ready money, saved by several -years of hard labor. They had two cows and a heifer, a pair of old -horses, a sow, utensils, and a provision of flour and cider to take to -their new home. - -That night Barclugh sat in a large arm-chair before a blazing log fire, -after he had done full justice to a bowl of fresh milk and cornmeal -mush, also a plentiful portion of fried pork and boiled potatoes with -their jackets on. Relays of creamy bread and rich, wholesome butter had -done him more service, after his weary journey, than a dinner _à la -carte_ at the Café Rochefoucauld in his native Paris. - -However, what rankled in the brain of Barclugh was the collection of so -much real contentment and the enjoyment of much comfort and plenty in -the wilderness in so short a time. Whence had it sprung? Could one man -accomplish much in so short a period? Barclugh could not restrain his -anxiety for enlightenment. He began to ask questions: - -“How have you built such a fine home in so short a time, Mr. Andrews?” -were the words addressed to the settler, who sat smoking his pipe, -while the two older children hung around their father, gazing at the -stranger from behind their father’s chair. - -“Wal, it’s ben pritty hard work, but you see we’ve ben pritty -lucky. When we fust came on the land, nigh on to two year ago, our -neighbors,--” - -“What, have you neighbors, Mr. Andrews?” interjected Barclugh. - -“Wal, a few, sir. After we got on to the land, as I was sayin’, four of -them came with their oxen and axes, and in two days we hed this here -house put up and the floor hewed and the chimney built and then in the -fall they came agin, but more on ’em, and we hed a barn-raisin’ and -daddy was here and we hed a rip-roarin’ old time with that barrel of -cider that I kept over and that five gallon of rum that daddy brought -from taown.” - -“But didn’t it cost you anything to do all of this?” was the inquiry of -Barclugh, as he sat listening in amazement. - -“Nary a farthing, ’cept the cider the boys had and the grub. But -that summer I hed raised lots of ’taters and a good piece of corn -and a piece of wheat in the clearance, the milk of the cows kept the -sow goin’ and the chickens gave us lots of eggs. Nancy here” (who -stopped and smiled at the mention of her name) “raised all those -chickens,--but the first winter I hed a close shave on the cattle and -horses, but I kinder looked ahead for that and the spring before I -found a nat’ral medder down the river and I mowed abaout six acres of -r’al good hay and stacked it up for caow feed. That was mighty lucky, -for thet winter was hard and browsing was short in the woods for the -cattle and the horses.” - -“Oh, do you let your stock run loose in the winter, Mr. Andrews?” was -the next interrogation. - -“Why, sir, them old pelters of horses will find a bit o’ grass if -it’s kivered six inches in snow, and two mile away. They’ll paw right -through a crust of snow for a bite of nat’ral grass. But I keep them up -at night and feed ’em in the stable. Cattle and horses do better to run -out when the weather isn’t too cold.” - -“But tell me, Mr. Andrews, how do you raise crops among those stumps?” -was the question from Barclugh’s puzzled mind that broke the serenity -of his amazement. - -“Wal, Mister,’scusin’ my curiosity, but where were you raised? I guess -they didn’t know much in them parts. For, I’d rather have ’taters on a -piece of new ground. Then corn grows taller en your head in new ground. -At fust we go in and cut out all the small trees, and girdle the big -ones so that we can go in and clear and break up the new soil, for it’s -meller and rich. Then we have loggin’-bees when a new settler comes -into the neighborhood. In that way he gets a good boost.” - -“Do you have to get up these bees, as you call them? What are bees?” -continued our interrogator, who desired to make the most of his -opportunity. - -“Wal, that’s mighty queer you don’t know what bees are. Why they’re -very common in these parts. But say, Mister, you must come from some -seaport town where there’s no sich things. I guess you’re mighty green -ennyhow, for bees ain’t new aroun’ here. Where air you from? I hain’t -seed sich a greeny in all my life,” were the concluding words of -Andrews, as he actually laughed aloud. - -“I am from Philadelphia, Mr. Andrews,” replied Barclugh, who fully -appreciated the confiding nature of the settler. - -“But you’re not raised thar,” continued Andrews. - -“No, in Paris.” - -“But you’re not French.” - -“Yes, I speak the language.” - -“Do you know Mr. Franklin?” - -“Certainly, I came here for him.” - -“You did?” queried Andrews. “Look at that, Nancy,” continued Andrews, -addressing his wife who sat knitting at the table listening to the -men’s conversation. “This gentleman knows Benjamin Franklin. How’s the -French takin’ up the cause?” - -“Oh, they’re helping the Colonies,” replied Barclugh, but continuing, -in order to get at his own line of thought, he asked: - -“Do you need much money to buy these lands and start a home in the -wilderness, Mr. Andrews?” - -“Wal,” replied Andrews, “as far as money is consarned, nary a shilling -have I made in two year, but I hed some to start on,--mighty lettle -though, for I paid most on’t for the first payment on my land, and -then I’ll have to wait till I git crops off this summer for the next -payment. But you see, we raise our livin’ and the old folks at home -make us some cloth for clothes while we’re startin’, so that by next -year we can help ourselves right along.” - -“So you have no use for money at home, but you get your pay for -supplies furnished Mr. Washington, don’t you?” queried Barclugh. - -“Wal, that’s all well understood among our people. When we have some -pork or flour for the army, or beef or grain, we take it to our nearest -depot and get a receipt for the stuff at the price paid, and when it’s -signed by General Washington’s commissary that’s all the money we want -for our transactions. Our receipts will be redeemed if Congress gains -independence, and if we fail we shall not need the receipts, for we -shall all be dead.” - -This last bit of information killed all the enthusiasm in Barclugh’s -breast, and, as he had observed Andrews’ children and wife ascend the -ladder in the corner, leading to the loft, he yawned and began to -wonder where he would sleep for the night. - -Andrews noticed his evident desires and remarked: - -“Mister, I b’leeve you better turn in for the night, and you will find -your bed prepared in the corner where Nancy and I sleep, but we allus -give it up to company,” were the parting remarks of Barclugh’s host, -who turned and climbed the ladder into the loft. - -Dawn was barely visible when the Andrews household was astir. Barclugh -was up first, for he occupied the sole living-room. Then a good -breakfast was soon steaming on the table,--consisting of fried pork, -fried eggs, potatoes and bread and butter, and bowls of milk. - -After doing full justice to the frugal meal, Barclugh started to -prepare for departure. He found his horse, well groomed, standing -hitched in the dooryard. - -Going up to Mrs. Andrews, Barclugh thanked her for such a fine bed -and such wholesome meals. He then took the little boy in his arms and -kissed him while he congratulated the mother upon her well-behaved -children. - -As Barclugh stepped into the dooryard, he drew a guinea from his pocket -and placed it in the hand of Benjamin Andrews, remarking while he did -so: - -“Mr. Andrews, you have been so kind and considerate of me, I wish to -leave you my name and give you a small token of my appreciation of your -generous and hearty hospitality. My name is Roderick Barclugh; I am on -my way to General Washington’s headquarters, and I hope that I may see -you again. If I can be of any service to you, I shall gladly be at your -command.” - -“Wal, Mr. Barclugh, I thought mebbee you had some desire to not give -your name, and I couldn’t be rude enough to ask you. But you have -mistaken Benjamin Andrews, when you offer him gold for his simple -services to a friend of General Washington. I could not and I would not -be guilty of this kind er hospitality. You may need this money before -the war is over. I can git along fust-rate without it,” were the words -of Andrews, as he looked straight into Barclugh’s eyes and held out the -coin for its return. - -Barclugh reluctantly took the piece of gold and being completely -nonplussed at the sterling qualities of his backwoods host, he grasped -him by the hand, and said with much earnestness: - -“Sir, I honor your courtesy and your sentiments. May we meet again so -that I can return your kindness. I thank you.” At that the rider turned -and rode toward the gate. - -But before Barclugh could reach the gate, little Sammy Andrews was on -foot before him, and as the horse passed through the gate, already -opened by Sammy, Barclugh beckoned the boy to come near him and pressed -into his hand a small buckskin wallet containing two guineas, telling -the boy at the same time: - -“Sammy, take this to your mother with the best wishes of Mr. Barclugh.” - -The boy flew toward the house, as Barclugh rode up the road, and soon -disappeared over the hill, among the timber. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - - -Passing through scenes which impressed upon Barclugh the virtues -and the hardihood of the Colonists, he rode the whole day wondering -how such noble souls as Benjamin Andrews were to be conquered. They -were resourceful, self-reliant, and the peer of any Englishman in -gentlemanly virtues. So long as they had no need or desire for the -artificial demands of society their character remained absolutely -unassailable. But in the cities, where luxury and old-world customs -were imbued, there the power of money would be felt, and only there. - -However, after six days of travel, the suborner of American character -had had several good-sized shocks to his theories, and one of these -was the fact that one hundred years ago or less, the ground over which -he had travelled had been an unbroken wilderness, and now flourishing -settlements and homes were met at every turn. What was Britain to do -with four millions of earnest, fearless people launched in a war for -independence? Oh, that the King’s advisers had known what he had seen! -They would have paused and considered the demands of their people -across the sea. - -Such reveries were suddenly to cease, however, for passing out of New -Jersey on the mountain road, Barclugh had passed into the confines of -Ulster County, New York, when he was abruptly confronted by three armed -men. He had been walking ahead and leading his horse after a long day’s -travel and had no thoughts of war: - -“Halt! Friend? or foe? Advance and give the countersign,” thundered out -the leader of the three. - -As Barclugh looked up he saw three gun-barrels levelled at him, and not -losing his nerve replied: - -“Friend! I will present my passport.” - -The passport was the one from Arnold, commandant at Philadelphia. It -ran as follows: - - “Philadelphia, May 20, 1780. - - “To Commander of American Outposts: - - “The bearer of this passport, Mr. Pierre La Fitte, will be granted - safe convoy and allowed to pass American outposts on his way to - Fishkill. - - “He has important business with the Commander-in-Chief, General - Washington. - - “(Signed) B. Arnold. - “Major-General & Com. at Phil.” - -“All’s well, Mr. La Fitte,” came from the leader. “I spose you’re from -the south’ard, and what news is there, sir?” - -“No news, sir. What is the shortest road to Fishkill?” was the -impatient answer of Barclugh. - -“Methinks,” rejoined the leader, “that you are in a mighty haste. What -be your profession, stranger?” - -Drawing himself up to his full height, Barclugh replied: - -“I am a financier.” Hoping thus to overawe the rustic soldiers. - -“Ah, a financier, a financier, eh? Wal, you are the fust one that ever -struck these parts. I guess you are too rare a bird to be travelling -among our folks for no pains. I b’leeve we better pick your feathers a -little and see what kinder skin you got!” - -“Boys, if we scratch his skin we might find a Tartar, eh?” said the -eldest of the three, and the other two laughed at his wit. - -“Wal, I b’leeve if he’s a fi-an-cee man he oughter have a lackey or -two along to black his boots,” said the second soldier as he nudged -the leader in the ribs, “and powder his hair. Ha! ha! ha! Eh? boys?” -continued the latter. - -“Look here, you will be punished for these indignities, when I report -you,” spoke up Barclugh, threateningly. - -“Never mind, Mr. Feet, we know who is boss in this ’ere neck of the -mountains, and we’ll apply first American principles to your case. I -b’leeve the majority rules in this taown meetin’.” - -“I say this feller is Mr. La Blackleg, and oughter peel off for a -little inwestergation,--and all of those in favor of that motion will -say ‘_aye_’!” Up went three hands and a mighty “_aye_” in unison. - -“Carried,” yelled the leader. - -Then the three laid strong hands on Barclugh. - -Resistance seemed in vain for Barclugh, and he submitted, since he had -prepared for just such an emergency. He was calm, and said: - -“Gentlemen, I am perfectly agreed you should examine all of my papers, -and take me to your headquarters.” - -Barclugh took off his coat and handed it over; then he took off his -brace of pistols, boots, socks and hat. - -There were but two papers in his coat,--one the passport of Arnold, and -another which the leader read, who then danced around in high glee, -holding the letter high up in the air and shouting: - -“Yi! yi! yi! We’ve got him, boys! Nary a bit of honest bizness are -these fiancee men up to. How be it, he may be in-cog-ni-to, but I -b’leeve he’s pritty nigh to findin’ out he’s in the wrong bizness for -this country. Listen to this: - -As read: - - “Philadelphia, May 20, 1780. - - “Sir: - - “I take pleasure to recommend to your kindly consideration, Mr. - Roderick Barclugh, who is a gentleman of substance and of good parts. - - “He is on a secret mission for me to New York, to learn of the - arrival of some important treasure ships of the English, and also to - assist in our mutual business of privateering. - - “He is traveling _incognito_ and if you can further him on his - journey, our common cause will be very materially assisted. - - “With every sentiment of esteem and regard, I am, dear General, - - “Your most obedient servant, - “(Signed) R. FitzMaurice. - - “To His Excellency, General Washington.” - -“I told you! I told you!” said the leader, “he calls himself Mr. La -Fitte, and here’s Mr. Barclugh on a secret mission to New York about -some treasure ships. I wonder if he has any treasure aboard naow. Boys, -you jest peel off that feller’s clothes a little more.” - -The other two went at Barclugh with surprising energy, and examined -every seam of his clothing, and brought off a buckskin belt that was -around his waist, and the three went at its contents. - -First they brought off fifty gold pieces, English guineas. - -Then they felt some papers in a small pocket and lo, here were bills of -exchange on the Bank of Amsterdam for eighty thousand pounds in gold. - -The leader held the bills up and counted three each for twenty thousand -pounds and two each for ten thousand pounds, and then turning to his -companions, said seriously: - -“That beats my reckonin’. Boys, this fellow is an infernal rascal, for -he has more money on his person than any one man can honestly earn. -Say, Mr. Feet, where did you git this treasure? Did you earn it? Did -you find it? Does it belong to you?” - -“Gentlemen,” replied Barclugh, “if you will conduct me to the camp of -General Washington, I will present you with the guineas I have and any -reasonable reward you may ask.” - -“Nary a guinea will an American soldier ask from a stranger to perform -his duty. You will be conducted safely, with every guinea you have, -to Captain Thomas Storm and he will turn you over to Colonel Abraham -Brinkerhoff, who has command of our precinct,” were the soldierly words -of the spokesman of the party as he continued: - -“Fall in, boys.” - -They now took up the march in silence, leading the horse which carried -their prisoner, bootless and sockless, on the saddle. - -Their journey led Barclugh to Newburg, the headquarters of Colonel -Brinkerhoff, who at once ordered the important prisoner with his papers -to the headquarters of General Washington. - -The Commander-in-Chief received the papers and went at once to his -office, whither Roderick Barclugh had been conducted, and very -graciously returned the bills and gold after reading the letter from R. -FitzMaurice, the financier, with no remark except: - -“I am very sorry, Mr. Barclugh, that you were handled so roughly -yesterday by our outpost, but you will understand that they have orders -to stop all travellers and search everybody that they do not know -personally. The road is much used by the Tories and British going to -and from Canada.” - -“Our Colonel Hamilton has told me that he has met you at dinner at -Mr. FitzMaurice’s and we would be pleased to have you stop over night -with us. Our fare is plain, but we shall be pleased to make you as -comfortable as possible.” - -“I shall take great pleasure in accepting your kind offer, General, yet -I shall be compelled to be away soon in the morning, since my business -is urgent,” replied Barclugh as he looked squarely into the eyes of -General Washington in order to drink in every word that this great and -good man uttered. - -“You shall be at your own pleasure, Mr. Barclugh. Colonel Hamilton will -furnish you passports. - -“Please excuse me further at present; Colonel Hamilton will be here -to take you to our quarters. I will see you later on,” were the -simple words of the Commander, as he left Barclugh and mounted his -Virginia-bred horse for a review of a new battalion from Connecticut. - -The town of Fishkill was one of those sleepy little settlements during -the Revolutionary War, nestling in the shadow of a high promontory -projecting into the Hudson. However, in a military way it was of great -importance, since the great highway between New England and the Western -States crossed the Hudson here; and an important depot of supplies was -maintained there to furnish the needs of the northern army. The prison, -strongly palisaded, the workshops for casting shot and cannon and the -mills for making powder were maintained at this convenient spot. - -The headquarters of General Washington and his staff while on a tour of -inspection were generally assigned to one of the commodious farmhouses -of the time on the highroad skirting the Hudson north of Fishkill. -Washington and his military family were finely quartered. A short -distance from the activities of the camp stood the commodious Colonial -residence of Colonel Hay, on high ground overlooking a most wonderful -scope of surrounding country. There was Newburg across the broad river; -Storm King and Crow’s Nest loomed up in the vision out of the Hudson; -and tier upon tier of the hazy blue Catskills rose in the northwest to -soothe a soul’s longing for enchantment. - -While seated in a tent on the grounds of the mansion, and while musing -on the scene that lay before him, Barclugh was approached by the urbane -and talented Colonel Hamilton, who escorted him to the house. - -There Colonel Tilghman, one of the aides, was met. He conversed most -delightfully with Barclugh for an hour or more, until dinner was spread -and the General had arrived. - -With the General came Generals Knox and Wayne to dine, and after a -short presentation and exchange of compliments they all sat down to -dinner. - -The repast was simple,--served in the English fashion, eight or ten -dishes filled with meat, poultry and vegetables, placed on the table -and followed by a course of pastry. After this, the cloth was removed -and apples and nuts in profusion were served. They were eaten during -toasting and calm conversation. The General was very fond of this -after-dinner intercourse, and prolonged it sometimes for two hours. - -Barclugh now had the opportunity of his whole journey,--to observe the -caliber of the men who held the fate of the Colonies in their hands. -He was amazed at the bearing and conversation of Washington and his -military family. The dignity and the ease with which they made one feel -at his best, still, the reserve used, the high tone of the sentiments -expressed, commanded not only respect but esteem for Washington and his -cause. - -The Commander conversed pleasantly with Barclugh,--but to penetrate -the General’s business or to divine his plans was to attempt the -impossible. There was a certain point to which one could approach in -Washington’s confidence, but beyond that arose a barrier which no one -could essay to surmount. - -Such a feeling of remorse arose within Barclugh that his previous -intentions of setting forth the virtues of Arnold waned and he could -not muster the moral force to open upon Arnold’s assignment to West -Point, unless the General asked about Arnold himself. - -However, at eight o’clock Barclugh was summoned from his room to supper -after the English custom. - -The supper was simple also. It consisted of three or four light dishes, -some fruit and above all a great abundance of nuts, which were as well -received as at dinner. - -After Washington, his military attaches and Barclugh had partaken of -this light repast, the cloth was removed and a few bottles of claret -and Madeira were placed on the table. - -The toasts this evening were given by Colonel Hamilton, who was -particular to mention several of the belles of Philadelphia, whom -Barclugh had met. When it came the turn of Barclugh to propose a -sentiment or a toast, he asked them, gracefully, to drink to the -welfare and happiness of Miss Greydon of Dorminghurst, all of which was -well received by those present. - -Exactly at ten o’clock the members of the General’s staff presented -themselves to Mr. Barclugh, and after customary formalities retired -gracefully for the night, and left the General alone with his guest. - -Washington filled the glass of Barclugh and then his own and while -nibbling a few kernels of hickory nuts he said to his guest: - -“When you left France, Mr. Barclugh, did you think that the French -monarch would maintain an army for our cause?” - -“There was no question about it, General Washington. Mr. Franklin -told me as much when the full effects of Burgoyne’s surrender and the -failure of Cornwallis and Howe to hold Philadelphia were realized. -The French monarch was then encouraged to throw all of his resources -against England,” replied Barclugh, hoping to put Washington off his -guard, and have him grow enthusiastic for his cause. - -But Barclugh was to be disappointed in this result. Washington again -asked him a leading question: - -“Mr. Barclugh, do you believe that the British can use heroic measures -to offset the French aid?” - -“Oh, yes, General. The British will be sure to exert themselves more -than ever in that event. You know that the British have a great navy -and great resources of money. When the power of money is put in the -balance, the weaker force will have to succumb. That is the manner in -which the Britons argue,” contended Barclugh, as he looked intently at -Washington, waiting for his reply. - -“Well,” replied the patriot patiently, “if the English reason that -way, they forget that men have souls. Here is a nation of four million -souls waging war against the most powerful of monarchs, and no money -of our own. We came to America because we had no money; the nobility -had control of it. We have built up a nation without money. However, -we shall defend it without the Englishman’s money. Our people take the -quartermaster’s receipts as eagerly as they would British sovereigns, -and they pass current for all dues, because we have grown up in the -confidence of mutual helpfulness. Destroy that confidence and the -Englishman’s guinea becomes mere dross. If a ship were loaded with gold -and human beings, in case of distress, the Englishman would sacrifice -the human beings to save the gold, whereas the American would throw -overboard the gold to save the human beings. - -“But when a soldier fights on the battlefield simply to gain gold, he -begins to think which is more valuable, life or gold, and he loses -confidence in the gold; but when a soldier fights on a battlefield for -civil or religious liberty, he becomes reckless of life and is willing -to sacrifice all for liberty. - -“Now, sir, we fear not the war of gold.” - -“But, General,” argued Barclugh, “will not the commercial classes and -the men of wealth be influenced by considerations of Britain’s gold?” - -“The men of large wealth are already Tories, Mr. Barclugh, and against -us. The commercial classes will be on whichever side their trade is -encouraged. But the great mass of Colonists are agriculturists, whose -virtue is above reproach and on whose hardihood and honesty of purpose -this nation must place its reliance. If they stand firm and fight for -the principles of our Declaration of Independence, this nation shall -never perish, but if they allow artificial allurements of gold to buy -their liberty, then we shall have expedience for our principles and -laughter at our pretensions.” - -Barclugh saw that principles had firm root in the Commander’s mind, but -he thought that he would sound for any petty prejudice that might be -lurking in his heart, so he cunningly said: - -“However, you know, General Washington, that a great many -Philadelphians seem to be ambitious after wealth. I have noticed some -lukewarmness for the cause there.” - -Whereupon Washington at once began to get reserved and continued the -conversation by asking: - -“Mr. Barclugh, have you any news of General Arnold?” - -“Yes, the last time I met General Arnold, he complained about the great -social demands upon him, and that to meet his expenses he was driven -almost to distraction. I could think that this good man might be ruined -in Philadelphia, by too much gayety. Then you know, General, that he -was never before used to it.” - -The Commander-in-Chief did not express an opinion about Arnold, but -Barclugh observed that very careful mental note was made on what was -said of Arnold. However, he continued by asking: - -“When you have completed your mission in New York, how do you propose -to return, Mr. Barclugh? I shall be pleased to serve you. I presume -your mission is entirely of a business nature and you will fight shy of -the military people,” in his most gracious and pleasing manner. - -“I wish to return by way of the Jerseys, General. However, I may not -be able to return at all.” Desiring to impress upon Washington the -seriousness of his intentions, these were the concluding remarks of -Barclugh’s important conversation. - -After the exchange of a few civilities about Philadelphia people and -the exchange of mutual compliments for the pleasant evening spent -together, Roderick Barclugh arose and retired to his bed, determined to -start early in the morning for New York,--a journey of sixty miles. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - - -At sunrise, the next morning after the conversation with Washington, -Roderick Barclugh started with his passport signed by Colonel Hamilton. -He took up his journey on the road that leads south through the -highlands on the east side of the Hudson to New York. - -From Fishkill the road is hemmed in on both sides by steep hills. -Glimpses of the river are obtained occasionally as a traveller reaches -some vantage-point. An hour’s ride brought Barclugh to a view of a -broad stretch of the Hudson, and there lay before him the object of all -his travels and labors,--West Point in full view. - -He leaped off his horse eagerly, and fastened him to a sapling. Then -with spying-glass in hand, he found a seat which, in a commanding -position on a high cliff, overlooked the scene like an amphitheatre -below him. - -Proceeding to sketch the redoubts, approaches and armament of West -Point, Barclugh admired the location as a military stronghold and -thought as he critically surveyed the situation: - -“If that palladium of liberty can be assaulted and won with gold, -General Washington may then admit that gold is mightier than either the -sword or pen.” - -However, he stood in thrilling admiration of this wonderful work of -engineering skill which had been built by a nation that the English -King had been wont to call barbarous. Here, frowning with cannon, were -works that had risen out of a desert in less than two years, and which -would have cost the English government five hundred thousand pounds -sterling, but they had been built by Americans who did not expect pay. - -Immediately above West Point the Hudson flows through two precipitous -headlands almost face to face,--one upon the east and the other upon -the west bank. After passing these two promontories the river makes a -quick turn to the eastward, and then to the southward, thus forming a -short bend and then stretching out into a straight reach of several -miles. - -On the point of land thus projecting into the bend of the river, six -redoubts were bristling with cannon. They were located in the form of -an amphitheatre, beginning at the lowest ground and extending to the -highest summits. As the river here is surrounded by mountains, the -construction was planned so that one redoubt commanded the next lower -and also the river both up and down stream. A chain was stretched -across the channel to stop ships of war. Two lofty heights opposite -West Point protected the eastern bank with frowning cannon that -overlooked the whole valley. One hundred and fifty cannon were counted -by Barclugh in these strongholds, and a goodly part of them were the -spoils of the American victory over Burgoyne. - -“Was he to succeed in his plans to cause the downfall of such a -military position?” recurred to his mind as he sought his horse and -nervously turned his steps to the highway. There were now only fifty -miles of a journey to King’s Bridge, the first British outpost. - -His plans seemed to be working admirably, and he was thanking his luck -that he had travelled thus far and no mishaps to block his game had -occurred. As his horse galloped nearer the British position his hopes -mounted higher, and he saw visions of the future, where he would be -emulated for his part in the subjugation of the rebellious Colonists. -Surely they would be better off under the protection of the powerful -mother country than to pursue the mad career of independence. His -reverie was suddenly brought to a termination when he came to a fork in -the road where the question as to the wisest course to follow had to be -determined. - -The roads fork below West Point, and form two parallel routes to New -York,--one following close to the Hudson, and the other, five miles -back, taking the same direction. Barclugh had to rely on his chart and -on his own judgment,--he thought the back road would be less frequented -and consequently more to his liking,--so he chose the back road. - -Everything went along serenely this day with Barclugh. He passed the -last American outpost by simply presenting his passport from Colonel -Hamilton and entered the neutral territory infested by roving bands of -“cow-boys,” and “skinners,” as they were termed. - -Arriving at the Croton River near sundown, Barclugh stopped at an inn -kept by a Connecticut dame, whose husband, it was learned afterward, -had gone to war to escape death at home from the length of his wife’s -tongue. - -When Barclugh arrived in sight of the inn he had visions of a square -meal; for his ride since sunrise had aroused the demands of nature. But -as he dismounted, somewhat of a surprise awaited him at the doorsteps -in the person of a smallish woman, having a weazened face, a short, -whittled-off nose, little, steel-blue eyes and a large mouth. The lips -were thin, colorless and compressed in such a manner that no man dared -to dispute her ability to bear down and insist upon her own, sweet way. - -Without any preliminaries the woman commenced at Barclugh as soon as -she saw him approach: - -“I don’t b’leeve I can care for any strangers. Are you from the -eastward? All my rooms are full. If I keep you at all I shall have to -give up my own bed. Dunno what to do. Have you ready money or orders? -If you have ready money I might take you, but I would have to charge -you more. Are you a stranger in these parts? The next inn? Oh, that -is thirteen miles beyond. You couldn’t reach it to-night. If you did, -you would not like it anyway. The people there haven’t any family -tree. Have I anything to eat? Oh, yes, but I wasn’t brought up to do -this kind of work. Since Joshua went to the war I have had to wash the -dishes and I am spoiling my hands. You are from Paris, eh? I always -did like to entertain real gentlemen. I like Frenchmen, too; they are -so polite--I suppose you are hungry. It’s La Fitte? Why that’s real -aristocratic. My maiden name was Hopper. I was born in Haddam, old -Haddam in Connecticut. My father was selectman in that town for forty -years, and he was deacon nigh on to the same. ’Pears to me I used to -know some French people. Yes, their name was, lemme see--oh, yes, they -could not have been any kin of yours. Their name was La,--La Porte. If -I had only known that I was going to have a real gentleman to-night -from Paris, I might had a nice chicken and some ham and eggs.--You are -a financier, eh? Oh, that’s real nice. I s’pose you’re married? No? -Well, how delighted I am that you have come this way; come right in. -You know I haven’t heard from Joshua for nigh on to two years--the -poor man may be dead. Have I any children? Oh, no, Joshua and I always -thought we ought to have had one and we were going to call him little -Eli,” was the introduction Barclugh had to the Red Squirrel Inn -presided over by Mrs. Charity Puffer. - -Being put on his guard by the first onslaught, but concluding that -she was harmless, Barclugh determined to learn more of the American -phenomenon before his departure. - -Mrs. Puffer led her guest to the sitting-room, flew up stairs, told her -cook that a gentleman of quality was there for supper, put on a clean -dress, spread a clean table-cloth, flew out to have a chicken killed, -brought out a couple of pieces of silver that used to be in Deacon -Hopper’s family and then came in and sat down before her guest. - -Every moment of talk that was wasted in getting supper ready seemed an -irretrievable loss to her existence,--especially when she had some one -on whom to ply her vocation. - -“Don’t you think that I would make a smart wife for a nice rich man?” -she began again. “This life in the country nearly kills me. You know -I never had to live this way before I married Mr. Puffer. He brought -me out here and I have had to work my fingernails off. Don’t you see -how poor I am? I was a beautiful young woman and he couldn’t furnish -me any servants. I worked and worked, for I was so industrious. -What was he doing all this time? Poor man, he was laid up with a -disorder like a fever, and I had to nurse him and care for him. Then -he got discouraged. Well, I couldn’t teach him anything. He was so -obstinate.--He wouldn’t dress himself up like I wanted and I had the -hardest time to get him to take me to meeting.--He didn’t want to wear -gloves, so I used to say to him: ‘Father, you must try and look nice,’ -and he would say: ‘Jest so, Charity.’ He would hold his hands and arms -straight down by his sides and his fingers out stiff when I put gloves -on him. Well, I used to get so provoked, because he knew better than -that. When I used to say: ‘Father, you must let your hands hang kind -o’ natural,’ he would say: ‘Jest so, Charity.’ Well, I want to tell -you, when the war broke out I just made up my mind that father had to -go to war or I would go myself. So he went one day, when I hit him with -the boot-jack, and I haven’t seen him since. - -“Oh, yes, supper will be ready in a very short time. It takes so long -for supper to cook when the fire don’t burn. Did I ever have any beaux? -Yes, I was forgetting to tell you about a beau I once had, when I was a -gay and young woman. His name was Nehemiah, and he used to come around -before I knew Joshua. Well, Nehemiah came one evening to see me and I -was not in good humor at all. After the old folks had left us to spark -a little, I moved over to one end of the settle, and when Nehemiah -moved toward me, I sat up as stiff as a stake and I turned my back on -him and never spoke once to him that whole evening. Well, at last when -I wouldn’t speak or stir, he got skeered and I haven’t seen his face -from that day to this. Well, I must tell you, Mr. La,--LaFeet, I don’t -like men anyway.” - -“Oh, yes, I perceive you don’t, nor anything to eat either,” chuckled -Barclugh. - -“Oh, yes, you see it is such a pleasure for me to converse with a -gentleman that understands my better qualities and can appreciate the -fact that he comes into the environment of a refined and well-bred -lady. You know that there are so many inn-keepers who are vulgar. They -haven’t any china that has been in the family for two generations,--no -plate, nor manners. My sakes! I have been forgetting all about supper -with my stories,--” - -“About yourself,” interjected Barclugh. - -“Jest so, Mr. Feet. I’ll go out and see if Betty has the supper on the -table.” - -As soon as Mrs. Puffer disappeared, Barclugh drew a long breath and -exclaimed: - -“Whew! whew! I’ll have a time to get something to eat here!” - -“Why! what do you think, Mr. Feet? Supper has been ready a long time. -My Betty can cook a chicken, boil a ham and make tea quicker than -anybody I ever knew. Come right along this way. - -“I’ll sit down with you and I know you will enjoy your supper. Will -you be seated right there? Here is some chicken. I never eat any meat -for supper, myself, before going to bed. I drink my cup of tea. Oh, -can’t you cut the chicken? Oh, that’s too bad. Just sharpen the knife a -little. That’s it. Just put a little muscle into it.--Well, I declare, -Betty just half boiled that chicken. If you can wait a little I shall -take it out and boil it a little more.” - -“No, thank you, Mrs. Puffer,” said Barclugh, as he sat down out of -breath, after he had stood up to carve the fowl. - -“Here’s some bread and butter, Mr. Feet. I do enjoy Betty’s bread and -butter. It’s about all I care to take for my supper.” - -“Madam, is that some ham, on the other side of the table?” queried -Barclugh, as he saw that he would have to take matters into his own -hands, if he were to have any supper. - -For the first time, Mrs. Puffer looked embarrassed, as she replied: - -“Yes, that is one of those celebrated hams that are cured in -Connecticut. It came from old Haddam, and it is well seasoned. Yes, my -father used to cure those hams fifty years ago.” - -“Not that one, I hope, Mrs. Puffer?” helplessly queried Barclugh. - -“Oh, no, not that one, Mr. Feet, but he used to cure them just like -that.--Will you have some more tea? There’s plenty of tea. Oh, yes, -I knew you would. Just one drop of milk and I wonder if Betty put on -enough sugar? Well, you can excuse the sugar this time. There, I told -Betty to cook you some eggs, but she has forgotten. I know that you -wouldn’t care for any ham if you didn’t have eggs to eat with it. You -will have some more bread and butter, I know you will.” - -“Yes, madam, if you please, I will take some of that ham also, and make -myself a sandwich,” insisted Barclugh, for matters were desperate for -his stomach’s sake. - -“Very well, Mr. Feet. I will take it over to the sideboard, and prepare -you one, myself,” was the offer of Mrs. Puffer, expecting her guest to -say: “No, thank you, it will be too much bother.” - -But not that way for Barclugh. He arose from the table and said: - -“Allow me to assist you. I will take it over to the sideboard for you,” -wishing to be agreeable. - -“No! No! you mustn’t do that! I couldn’t allow you! I will do that -myself,” interposed Mrs. Puffer, as she jumped up hastily and grabbed -the platter to take the ham off the table, when the so-called ham -rolled to the floor and bounced up like a rubber ball, for it was as -hollow as a fiddle, and made of wood. - -Barclugh simply sat back and laughed till he was tired out. - -Mrs. Puffer picked up the wayward morsel and placed it on the sideboard. - -She sat down as coolly as though she had used the ham before, and broke -the silence by saying: - -“Mr. La Fitte, you know how it is when you have to trust to servants. I -have that dish of ham for an ornament on the sideboard, but Betty had -to place it on the table this evening. That is just like those girls. -They do not know better.” - -[Illustration: Barclugh simply sat back and laughed till he was tired -out.] - -There was nothing for Barclugh to do now but to eat bread and butter, -and fill up on tea and talk. - -When a man is disappointed in his meal he begins to get ugly. So -Barclugh arose from the table, went into the sitting-room and demanded -his bill and declared that he would have to leave for the next -stopping-place. - -But Mrs. Puffer objected, by saying: - -“Oh, no, Mr. La Fitte, you know that these roads are infested with -‘cow-boys’ and ‘skinners,’ and you may be captured and robbed.” - -“Which party is it that you belong to, Mrs. Puffer?” asked Barclugh. “I -should think that you belonged to the latter.” - -From without the house loud shouts of “Hello!” “Hello!” were heard on -the road. - -Mrs. Puffer turned to Barclugh exclaiming: - -“Some of those rascals are there now. You better hide yourself -somewhere.” - -“Never mind, madam,” replied Barclugh, and handing over a sovereign to -pay his fare, continued, “I can take care of myself.” - -At that instant a burly fellow in the uniform of a Continental walked -in. - -“Any strangers here to-night, Mrs. Puffer?” came in heavy tones from -the soldier. - -“There’s one gentleman here, Mr. La Fitte. I believe he can give a good -account of himself,” replied the landlady. - -“What’s your business here, Mr. La Fitte? Where are you going?” -demanded the soldier. - -“Here’s my passport, sir,” was the reply, and Barclugh handed out the -Colonel’s document. - -“You’re the sort of a party we want!” remarked the fellow, as he went -to the door and whistled, meanwhile holding his pistol ready and eying -Barclugh. - -Four of his companions came into the room, and at once the spokesman -ordered: - -“Fasten his arms, men. He’s a spy.” - -Barclugh submitted while wondering why his passport was not sufficient. - -After the squad had searched Barclugh and disarmed him, they marched -him out and ordered him to mount his horse and ride between them. - -However, when the troopers started off their course led them to the -southward. They acted queerly to Barclugh. They crossed the Croton at -Pine Bridge and went toward the Hudson. In any event he was all right -unless the scamps were bent on robbery. However, he did not lose his -nerve. Finally, after an hour’s ride and silence, the prisoner ventured -this question: - -“Gentlemen, I am a prisoner in the hands of which party?” - -“You are a prisoner of His Majesty King George III. No talking, sir, we -are on dangerous ground.” - -Barclugh’s spirits at once mounted high. As soon as he reached a -British post, he would despatch a cipher message to General Clinton -in New York and he knew that at once he would be escorted to secret -quarters in the town. - -To understand Barclugh’s perilous position in the country through which -he was now passing, a few facts concerning the conditions existing in -the spring of 1780 must be stated. - -From the upper part of Manhattan Island or King’s Bridge to the Croton -River was neutral ground, during the British occupancy of New York. The -British sent out reconnoitering parties toward the American lines and -the Americans would reconnoitre toward the British. Independent bands -of Tories called “cow-boys” raided into this territory, and foraged -upon the inhabitants who did not sign allegiance to the King. Then the -American bands called “skinners” raided upon the loyalists. The real -warfare of these parts consisted in these lawless bands watching each -other when on raids and if the “cow-boys” had a good drove of animals, -the “skinners” attempted to disperse the band and appropriate the -spoils. The whole of the lower part of Westchester County was thus kept -in distress during nearly all of the Revolutionary War by the ravages -of these bands. - -On the night in question, when Barclugh was a prisoner in the hands -of his friends, the party was ascending a steep hill in silence and -surrounded by dense forest, when suddenly out of the night air and -darkness rang a voice within a hundred feet: - -“Surrender, you devils!” and the clicking of a dozen flintlocks sounded -in quick succession. - -At the sound of such a number of clicks, the five British whirled on -their horses and dashed down the hill and Barclugh did as the rest, but -he was in the rear since he did not understand their tactics of retreat. - -A volley followed the foe, retreating in the dark. Barclugh’s horse -was shot, and threw his rider headlong with such violence that he was -stunned and rendered unconscious. One of the fleeing British dropped -his flintlock in the fracas. - -The attacking party chased the fleeing British, yelling and exchanging -pistol shots. They returned when sure that the “cow-boys” were out of -harm’s way and picked up the unconscious form of Barclugh. He was still -unconscious when placed against a tree next to the roadside. - -After being administered a good drink of rum, Barclugh opened his eyes -and asked: - -“Gentlemen, where am I?” - -“You are a prisoner,” replied the leader. - -“I was a prisoner,” insisted Barclugh. - -“You are still one,” came the sharp reply. - -A fire had been lighted by this time and all were warming their fingers -in the chilly air of the May night. - -Barclugh gazed around and noticed that all wore the red coats of the -British. He realized that he might better be good-natured over his -captivity. He turned to his captors, with the remark: - -“Gentlemen, I have been a prisoner twice since sundown,--once the -prisoner of King George by a party in Continental uniform, and now a -prisoner a second time by a party of redcoats. Please inform me whose -prisoner I may be now.” - -“Where did they git you?” asked the leader. “Did they git you in that -Red Squirrel Inn?” at which the whole party laughed. - -“I b’leeve he tried to git a piece of that wooden ham,” sung out one of -the party, and there was another burst of laughter. - -“Could you cut that chicken?” repeated another. - -“Well, gentlemen, I gave up the chicken as a bad job, broke the ham, -paid Mrs. Puffer a sovereign and got no change, being glad to escape -alive; for she told me she had hit Joshua with a boot-jack,” at which -recital the whole party roared and some of the younger fellows rolled -on the ground in delight. - -“Did she tell you how beautiful she used to be and how she froze out -Nehemiah?” was the next question that gave them all a chance to laugh -again. - -“Yes, indeed, and she asked me if I ‘didn’t think she would make a -smart wife for a nice rich man?’ but I didn’t get a chance for a word -in edgewise for an answer,” related Barclugh to the intense delight of -the whole party. - -“Wal, stranger, I guess you are a purty good fellow. Where did you come -from and where are you going?” asked the leader of Barclugh. - -“I came from the headquarters of General Washington this morning and -gave my passport to those scamps and now they have carried it off.” - -“Wal, if you are able to travel we will take you to General -Washington’s headquarters right away; for you are a prisoner of the -Westchester Independents, and General Washington is at Verplancks Point -to-night.” - -Barclugh was not much the worse for his mishap, except that his -shoulder was strained and he was bruised on the side of his face where -he had slid down the hill. - -He procured a new horse, proceeded to headquarters under the escort of -two troopers, and being recognized by Colonel Hamilton, proceeded on -his journey next morning. - -He rode through the American lines by way of Tarrytown and was not -molested by either party until he surrendered himself to the sentinel -of King George at King’s Bridge. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - - -When Barclugh arrived at King’s Bridge, the time was midnight, and as -he was muffled and his name was assumed he had little risk of meeting -any person who would suspect his business. - -He informed the sentinel that he must see the officer of the guard at -once. - -Upon the officer coming to the guard house, Barclugh requested that a -note be sent without delay to General Clinton, the British Commander, -as information of the first importance must be sent to headquarters. - -So the officer despatched a horseman to the Beekman House at full speed -with the following note: - - “King’s Bridge, May 28, 1780. - - “Sir: I have the honor to announce my arrival at King’s Bridge. I - must be conducted to a safe retreat at once. My plans have carried - but I am very much battered by travel and narrow escapes. - - “(Signed) Pierre La Fitte. - “To General Clinton, - “Commander of H. M. Forces in America. - “Beekman House.” - -Within three hours Major Andre arrived alone with an extra horse at -Fort Knypthausen, the defense at King’s Bridge, and after a few subdued -words with the officer of the guard, Barclugh was hurried to a horse. -His former animal was turned loose on the road to find its way back -to Verplancks Point. Thus no trace of Barclugh could be followed on -account of the horse that he had ridden. - -Not a word was spoken by Andre to Barclugh in the guard house. Andre -ordered the officer to release the stranger. The officer told Barclugh -that he was to leave the guard house and follow Major Andre until the -horses were found, and to not speak until well out of hearing. - -After Andre had travelled a few hundred yards away from Fort -Knypthausen, Major Andre grasped Barclugh by the hand and said: - -“Mr. Barclugh, I am glad to see you. How are you?” - -“I am nearly dead, Major Andre,” replied Barclugh, “I have been -captured and made prisoner three times. I was fired on last night and -my horse was killed. But after a hard journey, I am here with my plans -working. - -“Arnold is committed to treason. I have the plans and strength of West -Point, and a great amount of information for the Commissioners.” - -“Grand! Magnificent!!” exclaimed Andre. “We need a stroke like this to -arouse the nation, and counteract the French coalition with America. -I am devoted to your plan. I believe patents of nobility and grants -of land are the only means that will subdue the Americans. Of course, -results must first be brought about by the judicious use of gold to -gain the leaders. - -“However, Mr. Barclugh,” continued Andre gaily. “How is my friend, -Mrs. Arnold? We used to have such gay times while in Philadelphia. -Does she not sympathize with our social life? I have heard that after -our evacuation of Philadelphia, the event was celebrated by a grand -ball given by the Whig element, but, when it came to a list of those -who should be invited, enough belles could not be found unless the -Tories were included. So the whole list of ladies that attended our -grand heraldic pageant, the Mischianza, had to be invited to be present -to have a success. The Shippens, the Chews, the Bonds, the Redmans, -the Willings and the whole list of our friends were there. Any of the -ladies of the first circles who will not stand for the principles of -aristocracy is a _rara avis_.” - -“But you forget, Major Andre,” argued Barclugh, “that when you do find -such a lady, you will have a gem of the finest brilliancy. Such a one -will be a Whig out of principle, whereas a woman becomes a Tory out of -sentiment,” as he recalled the argument between Mollie Greydon and Mrs. -Arnold at the dinner party at Robert FitzMaurice’s. - -Andre’s quarters were reached after the exchange of many pleasantries, -and the soldier showed the financier a room and bed and gave the key -to Barclugh to guard himself against any intrusion. Barclugh was now -safely quartered where he could carry out his business with the utmost -secrecy. - -The remainder of that night and the next day were spent in bed by -Barclugh. He was suffering severely from the fall off of his horse, the -night before his arrival. - -Major Andre had meals brought to his own room, and then quietly carried -the meals to Barclugh himself. - -After two days and two nights of rest and nursing and a supply of clean -linen, Barclugh was sufficiently recovered to be escorted, in the dead -of the night,--when nothing was astir in the old Dutch town but the -solitary sentinel--to the Beekman mansion, the present location of 52nd -Street and Broadway. Here were the quarters of General Clinton. - -Major Andre had his permanent quarters at No. 1 Broadway, and when -he and Barclugh walked out of the rear of these quarters a chaise and -postillion were ready for the financier and his escort to be driven in -haste to General Clinton. - -Sir Henry Clinton, the Commander of the British forces in North -America, spent much of his time at his country house, the former -mansion of Dr. Beekman, and on the night in question he was anxiously -waiting to greet Roderick Barclugh. - -His career had been unfruitful of results in America thus far, as he -had failed to aid Burgoyne, and, after evacuating Philadelphia, and -retreating by land to New York, had suffered disaster at Monmouth; he -had failed in his attack on Fort Moultrie, and now his whole career was -centered upon the capture of West Point by intrigue. - -Seated in one of the upper chambers of the Beekman house were Sir -Henry Clinton, the Commander, Lord Carlisle and William Eden, M. P., -Commissioners of the British government to America. - -Lord Carlisle was the life-long friend of George Selwyn,--the wag of -English society and court circles in London at this time. William -Eden, a mere figure-head and courtier, was the intimate friend and -political supporter of both Carlisle and Selwyn. Charles Fox was the -brains and political force for this entire coterie, so that the -presence of Carlisle in America on his mission is obvious, since Fox -was irretrievably in debt to Carlisle and Selwyn. Furthermore, Fox -had been the associate of Carlisle at Eton and they had grown up to -be inseparable cronies; both were involved in all the noted gambling -escapades at Brooks’ and Almack’s for the previous ten years. - -Besides the Commander and the two Commissioners, the room contained -a large round table and a sideboard well supplied with Madeira and -claret. This chamber was used for councils of war by General Clinton. -A map of the thirteen Colonies and the seaboard was lying carelessly -on the table. Carlisle and Clinton were discussing the losses at -the gaming table the night before and Eden was snuggling up to a -newly-opened bottle of Madeira, while seated in a large arm-chair, -enjoying a pipe of tobacco. - -Barclugh entered the room, following Major Andre, and was received by -the three very, very cordially, but with much formality, as they had -met on serious business. - -Here were five men authorized to treat with the Colonists in any manner -that would win them back to the allegiance of the King. They could wage -war, confiscate property, starve prisoners, offer rewards for treason, -offer to concede every demand of the Colonies for their political -welfare except independence. The utmost desire of the Commissioners -was to effect some compromise with the leaders of the revolution and -preserve allegiance to the mother country. - -Roderick Barclugh was a very important personage in this council. He -had done important service in Paris for the financial interests of the -English government, and was now working out plans to stop the war for -the benefit of England’s Exchequer, so that, whatever he said had much -weight. - -They all listened most intently to the recital of his advent into -Philadelphia’s commercial circles,--because he had much capital at -his command. How he became acquainted with the weakness of Arnold, -through the oyster vender, Sven Svenson, and how he interested Arnold -in privateering enterprises, all was heard with much interest. Then the -final surrender of Arnold to the proposition of treason, for twenty -thousand pounds sterling and a brigadier’s commission in the British -army, was received with profound satisfaction. - -When Barclugh told of his journey, his being captured three times and -his interview with Washington, they listened with wonder; but when he -told of the experience with the Connecticut dame at the Red Squirrel -Inn and the wooden ham, the whole party laughed long and heartily. - -At the conclusion of the narrative, Barclugh turned to General Clinton -and said brusquely: - -“General Clinton, Arnold has been paid part of his price, and I shall -turn the military end of the business over to you. He will get his -assignment to West Point and you must carry out the details of the -plans already entered into. He will correspond with you under an -assumed name, and his language will have the _entente_ of carrying out -some large commercial transactions.” - -“Mr. Barclugh, the conception and execution of your plans have been -magnificent, and I shall entrust the fulfilment of them to my able, -young adjutant, Major Andre,” graciously assented General Clinton, as -he turned with beaming eyes and countenance to his staff officer. - -“But, gentlemen,” continued Barclugh, “my task at Philadelphia is -but commenced. My desires are to finish my business here as soon as -possible and return to start my next enterprise. I have the people and -plans engaged to start a bank in this country. It is to be known as the -Bank of North America. The model is to be our Bank of England, and we -shall have the government of this country so closely allied with this -institution that only safe measures of legislation will be allowed. - -“Our great obstacle in overcoming the rebellion in our Colonies is the -lack of any centralizing power to draw all the men of substance into -one party and the poor devils into another. The reason is that there -are no organizations to control the accumulation of property. - -“Life and industry create property, and money has been sanctioned -by custom to represent property; but an artificial system can be -established to control money; therefore, whoever controls the money of -a nation controls its life and industry. - -“Commissary receipts answer as well for money now as gold, but if -we have a corporation of leading men of substance who lose their -individual interests in the policy of the bank, why, we can issue -a dictum that gold only will be received as money; then the vital -interests of thousands at once are merged into the centralized body. - -“Let me establish a bank in Philadelphia, and I shall lay the -foundations of a rich man’s party that will bring the Colonists to the -institutions of the mother country more effectually than armies or -navies ever can. - -“If the armies will conquer and hold the valley of the Hudson, and if -the military will conquer and hold the southern provinces, the power of -money will take Philadelphia with no loss of life. Then the Americans -will tire of the war and be glad to surrender to the fair offers of His -Majesty’s Commissioners.” - -Lord Carlisle rubbed his hands with an excited air of satisfaction and -said enthusiastically: - -“Mr. Barclugh, you have outlined the whole matter. Nothing more is -necessary. Eden and I are mere figureheads here, waiting for a decisive -blow, so that we can ply our vocation. - -“The army must act now on your initiative and the results are sure to -be forthcoming,” continued Carlisle. - -“Gentlemen,” proposed Lord Carlisle, as he arose with his glass partly -filled with Madeira, “success to Mr. Barclugh and his enterprise.” - -They all drank their Madeira, standing, in honor of Barclugh. - -The financier arose after the compliment paid to him and said modestly: - -“Gentlemen, I thank you for your expression of regard.” Then, raising -his glass he continued: “My best wishes for a speedy conclusion of war -between Great Britain and her Colonies on constitutional grounds.” - -The sentiment was received heartily by the others, and with glasses -raised high all drank deeply as only Englishmen can drink,--with no -“heel-taps.” - -The conference being over, General Clinton took Barclugh by the arm -and escorted him to another room for his arrangements to return to -Philadelphia. The other three remained in the council chamber, to see -that King George, the aristocracy and British sordidness, were well -remembered with innumerable glasses of Madeira. - -Lord Carlisle and William Eden were ordinary representatives of English -hangers-on to royalty’s apron strings. Both were fat and lymphatic. No -enterprise thrilled their souls. They were more than pleased to accept -the established order of their condition so long as the government was -good,--to them and theirs. They were as pliable as putty in the hands -of the controlling influence of the monarchy. They wanted a fat living -out of government with little service in return. - -William Eden had his hobby, especially when a chance to tell it over -his Madeira offered. Filling his glass, and turning to Carlisle, he -stupidly rehearsed his theories: - -“My Lord, you know I have very decided policy in regard to subduing the -King’s enemies. (By Jove, that’s good Madeira.) - -“To make it the interest of Congress to close with us (the King’s -Commissioners) will be of the first consequence. (How’s that, Andre?) - -“Well, from the many conversations which I have held with the men of -substance here in New York and from the nature of things, you know -that we ought to propose a scheme of government (My Lord, a government -as is a government), by a Parliament in the Colonies, composed of an -order of nobles or patricians,--and a lower house of delegates from the -different Colonial assemblies,--to be given to the provinces upon their -return to allegiance to our King.” - -“That’s it, that’s it, Eden, allegiance is what we want,” interjected -Carlisle, enthusiastically. - -Another glass of Madeira and Eden laboriously gathered up his -avoirdupois and continued: - -“That form of government would have a general influence upon the -minds of those who now possess authority in America, as their present -precarious power would be by this means secured to themselves and -handed down to their descendants.” - -“You have the idea all right, Mr. Eden,” said Carlisle, as he slyly -winked at Andre, “but we must have some others to listen to us than -these bottles of Madeira and Major Andre. - -“Now, Eden,” continued Carlisle, “let’s have one glass to the words of -Dr. Johnson: - -“‘That patriotism is the first business of scoundrels.’” - -After this last appeal to Bacchus for inspiration, these two pillars of -British statesmanship found that they needed the assistance of Major -Andre to help them to their bed-chambers. - -While the commissioners were exchanging empty platitudes, and drinking -the wine furnished by the Crown, the real business of the evening -was being concluded between General Clinton and Barclugh. As soon as -General Clinton had led the way to an airy bed-chamber Barclugh began -to unfold his plans: - -“General Clinton, I must not delay here one minute longer than -necessary, for Washington has this town filled with spies, and my -detection here, at this house, means disaster.” - -“How do you propose to return to Philadelphia?” asked General Clinton. - -“My plan,” replied Barclugh concisely, “is to return as far as possible -by water. I wish that you could put me aboard one of your small armed -cruisers and send me down into one of those numerous inlets that are -opposite Philadelphia on the Jersey coast. I can be furnished a small -boat, and in case of capture I can pretend to have escaped from an -English vessel. In any event I shall be taken to Philadelphia and -turned over to Arnold.” - -“That’s an excellent plan, Barclugh, and I have just the man to -perform the task,” said Clinton, “Captain Sutherland of the Sloop -Albatross. I shall send for him at once, and have you secreted on board -to-night, and then you can rest from your former journey. I know that -Washington’s spies are among us, and that you must be spirited away or -you will surely be traced to us.” - -While the two were waiting for Captain Sutherland, for whom an order -had been despatched to report at the Beekman house for duty orders, -Barclugh went over the details for the fruition of Arnold’s plot. The -correspondence was to be conducted between Barclugh and Major Andre. -Barclugh would sign as Gustavus; Andre would reply as John Anderson. -Barclugh would turn over his letters to Arnold so that no traces could -be found for detection. As Barclugh was known among his commercial -associates to be in touch with merchants in New York, he could -correspond with little suspicion. - -When Captain Sutherland was announced in the office below, General -Clinton brightened up and arose as he addressed his associate: - -“Well, well, Mr. Barclugh, have you all of your effects ready to -depart? I dislike to have you leave us so informally, but duty calls -and there we are.” - -“Oh, I’m ever ready,” was Barclugh’s prompt reply. “My whole wardrobe -and effects are on my person.” - -Captain Sutherland was ordered to proceed down the coast of Jersey, and -land his passenger on the Jersey coast opposite Philadelphia, but in no -case to sacrifice the safety of the passenger. Obey the passenger as -to the place and manner of landing, and in no case to let his presence -on the ship be known. Not even Captain Sutherland could be informed as -to the business or name of Barclugh; he was simply introduced as Mr. -Gustavus. - -The Captain of the Albatross and Barclugh mounted their horses and -proceeded to Paules’ Hook landing in the early hours of the morning. - -When Barclugh and his companion had reached the landing and were -walking briskly to the ship’s boat, out of the darkness came the figure -of a female, who walked up to the two and touched Barclugh on the arm. - -Barclugh stopped in amazement and looked upon the creature inquiringly, -and asked: - -“My good woman, what can I do for you?” - -“Nothing, sir,” sweetly replied the mysterious woman, “I was looking -for my brother who was coming down to the ferry, and I thought that you -were he,” she continued in the voice of a well-trained Indian girl. - -Barclugh was in a hurry to embark and did not make any note of the -incident, for he could not clearly see the face of his questioner in -the darkness. He passed on and boarded the Albatross, as he thought to -himself, to perfect his security. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - - -“Say, Bill, if this brig gets into blue water without a tussle I miss -my reckonin’,” dryly remarked one of the old sea-dogs to his companion, -as the two leaned on the ship’s rail next to the cat-head. “The coast -is swarming these days with lime-juicers and if we fall into their net, -we’d wish to have our grog sent down to Davy Jones’ locker, where we’ll -all be if Sammy Risk has a thing to do with it. He’d blow us all up -before he’d strike.” - -“Look a’ here, Hank, you old growler, if Sammy Risk can’t show as -clear a pair of heels to them Britishers as ever vanished out of a -spying-glass,” replied old Bill Weathergage, “then I’ll take all the -jobs of slushin’ and swabbin’ that the boys ought’er do for a for’night -on the cruise.” - -“Mind what ye’re sayin’, Bill.” - -“I’ll do it, you old figger-head.” - -The privateersmen were discussing probabilities as the Holker lay in -the stream below Philadelphia awaiting Captain Risk to fill out his -complement of sixty-five men. Roderick Barclugh had started on his -journey and the flour was all on board. The Holker stood up like a -church steeple with her cargo stowed away in her hold and hatches all -battened down, waiting for a passage outside the capes. Her armament -was three short six-pounders forward, and three long nine-pounders aft, -being the batteries on port and starboard; a long twelve-pounder bow -chaser and a long eighteen-pound quarter-deck stern chaser. A heavy -eighteen-pound swivel amidships completed the ship’s metal. - -She was equal to many of the King’s cruisers in armament, and excelled -two-thirds of them in sailing qualities. - -Word came up the river that a brace of the King’s cruisers were -standing off Cape May, ready to pounce upon any Yankee that chanced to -run the blockade. - -The best chance was for Captain Risk to run the gauntlet in the dark, -so that the tenth day after Barclugh had left Philadelphia, he quietly -weighed anchor and slipped past the forts and stood off into the -roadstead, waiting for a chance to slip out. - -The night came on dark and boisterous, so that word was passed to get -under weigh, as the weather looked nasty from the sou’-sou’east, and as -the enemy would have to stand off the coast for sea-room, Captain Risk -took advantage of the opportunity to make blue water. - -Setting his foresail, main and fore-topsail, and reefing down for a -scud up the coast, Captain Risk jammed into the wind from the cover of -the river and made for the offing. - -All lights were out and the binnacle was hooded. A double watch was -called on deck and the Holker tacked into the teeth of the gale until -the capes were fully two hours astern. The wind was moderating when -orders came to make her course nor’east by north. The yards were braced -in, and as the wind now came from abaft the beam, she was bounding -before the gale and scudding from wave to wave. - -The moon was two hours high, and was peering through rifts in the -clouds. The sea was settling to a long swell. Every one on deck began -to feel that no danger was near, when the lookout sang sharply: - -“Sail, ho.” - -“Where away?” asked Captain Risk, as he stood on the port quarter, -glass in one hand, and the other on the main shrouds. - -“Three miles on the lee bow. He is bearing down on the port tack, sir,” -returned the man aloft. - -“That’s well. All hands!” commanded Captain Risk, as he turned to his -lieutenant, Mr. Ripley, saying with assurance: - -“We have the weather and can keep him guessing.” - -All hands were called and sent to quarters and both broadsides were -loaded with grape and round shot for close action. - -When the enemy bore down within easy hailing distance, he asked through -his trumpet: - -“What ship is that and where away?” - -“This is the Privateer Holker, sir,” replied Captain Risk. - -“You better haul down those colors, or I’ll blow you to smithereens,” -returned the man-o-war’s man. - -“Not yet, my hearty. Fire away, Flannagan,” shouted Captain Risk to the -Englishman. - -“Now then, let them have it, my lads!” commanded the privateersman -sharply. - -The bright moonlight afforded good aim and the execution of the -broadside spread consternation among the enemy and cut into his -foreshrouds. - -The enemy’s broadside flew high, and cut into the Holker’s rigging as -the ship rolled, with no serious damage. - -The Holker’s crew now braced in their yards and shot under the stern -of the enemy, who had to come about on the starboard tack to ease his -injured shrouds. - -Captain Risk now had the Englishman at his mercy. When under full -headway, he wore ship and brought the starboard battery into short -range, thus raking the cruiser from stem to stern. - -Both ships were now on the starboard tack and the Holker in the weather -position. The Englishman came up on the port tack to cross the Holker’s -bow for a rake, but the foxy Risk brought his ship up for the port -tack, too, and filled away so fast that the broadside went astern. - -The chance now came for Risk. The Englishman would have to wear ship, -to bring his starboard broadside into action. As quick as a flash, Risk -came about on the starboard tack, passed astern and raked the cruiser a -second time from stem to stern. The execution was so severe that every -one of the starboard main-shrouds was carried away and the Englishman -was thrown into utter confusion on his deck. - -The Holker had the Englishman so that his only chance was to wear ship, -but his masts could not stand the strain. So the privateer came around -on the port tack and came booming alongside, within pistol range, and -delivered another broadside of grape that cut the crew to pieces and -sent a large part of them writhing on his deck. - -But the cruiser’s crew was plucky, for now a running fight commenced. -The Englishman got in a telling broadside, that cut the binnacle from -under Captain Risk’s feet, and killed Mr. Ripley at his side. The -privateer, on account of her superior sailing qualities, had to tack -to bear up to her antagonist and keep from running out of range. The -fire of the cruiser was getting nervous and irregular and the privateer -delivered a terrific broadside that drove the men that were splicing -the shrouds, under the bulwarks. As the Holker was closing in to board -under cover of the smoke, a voice on the privateer’s foretop sang out: - -“’Vast firing. She has struck.” - -Captain Risk ordered his second lieutenant to board and find out her -name and the damage inflicted. - -The ship was the General Monk, a brig of two hundred tons, commanded by -Lieutenant Churchill of His Majesty’s service. She carried sixteen long -nine-pounders and two long twelve-pounders for stern and bow chasers, -with a full complement of eighty men. - -When the privateer’s crew boarded the General Monk, the decks were -literally strewn with dead and wounded, and the scuppers were running -blood. The grape at short range had killed fifteen and wounded twenty -more, among whom was Lieutenant Churchill. All the shrouds of the -foremast, and the head-sails were shot away. The foremast and bowsprit -were cut one-quarter through. The halyards and standing rigging were -shot adrift, and the running-gear was cut to pieces. - -The Holker had lost the first lieutenant and six men killed, while -ten were wounded, and much injury had been done to the sails and -gear. A prize crew of fifteen were put aboard the General Monk, and -ordered back to Philadelphia, taking the prisoners and valuable stores -found aboard. The Holker had left, forty men effective for service, -and needed her rigging overhauled before making for the Long Island -rendezvous given by Barclugh. So Captain Risk thought best to put -into Egg Harbor for a short time to repair his rigging and get into -ship-shape for the run over to Long Island. - -There seems to be a strange fatality among ships as well as among -men. In the height of success is the period of gravest fear of the -unexpected to occur. - -The prize crew on the General Monk were busy setting up and splicing -rigging and fishing the spars as the prisoners were put below when -daylight stole upon the scene. The sound of the guns had borne down on -the other ship of the blockade. The crew of the Holker were tricing up -stays and shrouds in order to keep the Holker’s sticks from rolling out -of her, when about four miles, dead astern, loomed up a heavy frigate -under a cloud of canvas, making for the scene of action. - -Captain Risk had to be served now by his wits rather than by his guns, -for, if he took to his heels, the prize would be left to the mercy of -the frigate. - -Risk mounted his shrouds, trumpet in hand, and signalled his prize to -run before him on a course opposite to the Holker’s while he ordered -deliberately, in notes clear and strong: - -“Ready, about! - -“Mainsail haul! - -“Raise tacks and sheets! - -“Helm’s a-lee! - -“’Vast bracing!” - -The doughty little captain brought his ship over on the starboard tack, -and stood into the wind to draw off the stranger and try his speed. - -Captain Risk now had his gear well cleared up and the shrouds well set -up to stand a run before the ten-knot breeze. - -With sprightly bounds the crew of the Holker obeyed the commands: - -“Stand by main and fore-tacks! - -“Let her pay off! - -“Man her weather braces! - -“Haul!” - -As she sheered off, the ship now staggered before the wind sooner than -the Englishman could realize the tactics of the brig. - -The Holker had spirited away for half a mile before the lumbering yards -of the frigate could be trimmed to meet the Yankee’s course. - -The chase was now on, for better or for worse. Nothing less than -heroic means could save the Holker. Her main-topsail, foresail, and -fore-topsail, were all set and she was laboring hard under her cargo -of flour; yet if Captain Risk could hold his own until he reached Egg -Harbor Inlet, he would show the frigate, Roebuck, the most devilish -piece of Yankee seamanship this side of Davy Jones’ locker. - -On came the Roebuck with huge wings like a monstrous demon, yawing -wildly on each crest from the enormous stretch of her after-canvas, but -she was surely closing the gap between the ships. In another half-hour -she would be within short range of the Holker. A chance shot might -bring down the privateer’s topmast, and then all would be lost. - -Captain Risk stood on the port quarter with glass in hand, watching -every rope and sail as he turned to his men and commanded sharply: - -“Man that main-stay garnet, with a luff-tackle, bullies, and overboard -cargo with a will. No time to lose, my lads.” - -“Ay, ay, sir,” came from twenty throats, as every man jumped to his -station. - -The hatches came off in a trice, and the flour came swinging out, two -barrels at a heave. - -“No hell-hole of a British prison for us this day,” came out from the -heart of every privateersman when he swung on the cargo with might and -main. - -A puff of smoke now appeared out of the bow of the Roebuck, which the -crew of the Holker watched with bated breath, until the eighteen-pound -shot fell three hundred feet astern. - -A cheer rang from the watch on the Holker’s deck. - -“Now, men, heave over the six-pounders!” ordered the unruffled Risk. -“Every inch of free board means our bacon saved,” continued Risk, as he -stepped to the wheel and ordered the helmsman to lighter ship. - -Just then another puff of white smoke curled out of the frigate’s fore -bulwarks and an eighteen-pound shot came crushing through the captain’s -cabin, and buried itself among the flour barrels in the hold. - -“That is close shavin’,” said Risk dryly. “Unbend that long tom and -we’ll try that lime-juicer’s topsail!” ordered the little captain -restlessly. - -Six of the lads on deck swung on the watch-tackle, and the long tom -was trained astern for Captain Risk to sight a life-saving shot at the -Roebuck’s rigging. The little privateersman took off his coat and hat -and elevated the piece for a long shot. He took a careful squint while -he signalled with either hand to haul on the side-tackles and when the -mark was sure, he ordered: - -“Fire!” - -The gunner applied the match and the Holker quivered as the old -reliable tom dealt out its rebuke to the Englishman. Captain Risk -shaded his eyes with both hands as he watched for the results of his -gunnery. The shot rose in parabolic beauty of flight while instants -seemed moments to Captain Risk and his crew, but true to its aim the -eighteen-pounder cut the enemy’s fore-topsail and yard, both of which -went by the board. - -“I’ll show that rapscallion that he’s not on a pleasure cruise,” -chuckled the proud Risk, as he rubbed his little chubby hands and -paced the quarter-deck nervously. The gleam of delight in the little -skipper’s eye had no bounds, for he had saved, for a time at least, -his heart’s desire, the Holker, from humiliation. - -Now there was excitement on the deck of the frigate. The huge hulk -yawed up into the wind as her sails came aback after the head-sail -power was cut down, but the nimble jackies soon swarmed aloft and -cleared away the wreckage, and the other sails were trimmed for a fresh -run before the whole-sail breeze. - -The Holker had not yet gained security by any means, for the captain -of the Roebuck was one of those thoroughbred English sea-dogs who had -earned his promotion from a middy’s berth to the command of one of the -fleetest ships on the English Admiralty register. Captain Risk must -earn his safety, if he were to save his ship. - -Yet minutes meant precious advantage to the Holker, and while the -frigate was losing headway, the brig’s crew was heaving cargo overboard -and the privateer was leaping on the waves like a hound as she -staggered under every stitch of canvas that she could bear. The gain on -the enemy was perceptible as each inch of free board gave her life. She -rose on the huge waves with more ease and labored less on each crest. - -The gale had begun to increase rather than fall, so that when the -frigate steadied up before it once more she had her courses all set, -her main-topsail and main-topgallant sail, and the fore-topmast -stay-sail to hold her head up. A mighty cheer went up as the frigate -leaped into the wind again in full pursuit of the brig. - -“Just give us two hours more,” said Captain Hamilton of the Roebuck -to Lieutenant Nelson, “and we will have that devilish rebel under our -lee,” as the British commander took a long look through his glass at -the brig about five miles ahead. - -“That’s well, sir, if we can catch him,” replied Lieutenant Nelson. -“But he seems to be making wonderful headway and I believe those -Yankees are charmed.” - -“We had one, once, point-blank under our starboard battery on the Sir -John, but the rascal took to his heels and ran us out of sight too -quickly to tell about it. He came into the wind and shot under our -stern while we expected nothing but for him to strike; and before we -could bring our battery to bear, we had to wear ship, so he escaped -with only a few scattering shots. Lord Ralston cut off the grog for a -fortnight to get even with his chagrin and disappointment.” - -Captain Risk now had one chance to evade the Roebuck. That was to -lighter his cargo enough to let his ship weather the bar at Egg Harbor -Inlet. The Roebuck would then be outside, pounding away in the deep -water, waiting for his prey to come out. - -Extending along the Atlantic Coast from Sandy Hook to the Gulf of -Mexico, are numerous inlets or openings between low, sandy islands -back of which is deep water and safety; but only light-draught vessels -can enter these inlets. The ebb and flow of the tides keep a shallow -channel open, but the heavy seas of the ocean wash the sands into a bar -and the tide is not powerful enough to cut a very deep channel. - -One of these sand-bars was at the entrance of Egg Harbor Inlet. A deep -channel led from behind the low-lying islands, until the outflowing -tide met the action of the sea-ways and there formed an eddy that -deposited the sands into the bar, which was about one hundred feet -wide, and on each side of which was deep water. The current was -deflected to the southward, outside the bar, so that the channel was -like the letter “L,” the bar being in the angle. - -When steering into the inlet the pilot must approach for a considerable -distance, parallel to the beach and at the critical point turn sharply -to port, or else land high and dry on as ugly a beach as ever lured a -mariner. - -But, driven like a fox seeking cover, Captain Risk made straight for -this hole at Egg Harbor Inlet. The seas were going over the bar and -breaking into foam at every wave; a mile of breakers roared on each -side of the thread-like channel from the deep water to the sandy beach -of the islands. - -The Roebuck was now hauling grandly into the chase. Thirty minutes more -and the Holker would be under the batteries of a forty-four-gun ship. - -“Now, lads,” remarked the little Yankee skipper, “if you heave out that -cargo with a will and nary an eyebolt lets loose, I’ll put the Holker -into that hole yonder or we’ll pound our lives out on the treacherous -Jersey sands,” as he stepped forward and took the wheel into his own -hands. - -“All hands at stations!” was the last command after guns were lashed -and hatches battened down. - -The seas were running fearfully high from the sou’east after the -all-night gale. The breakers could be seen for unlimited stretches -right ahead, rolling surge upon surge. The ship followed a streak of -blue water midst the white foam. - -When the Holker struck the channel the ebb-tide was setting out, and, -instead of driving fast ahead, the Holker seemed to hold up and simply -rise and fall on the choppy seas. - -The hearts of all were in their throats, for now the Roebuck loomed up -and everybody saw the Englishman luff and a broadside belched forth at -the struggling Holker. Down came her main-topsail, but as long as her -head-sails hung out she could keep before the gale, and try to weather -the bar. - -The frigate was desperately near; another raking broadside might take -the Holker’s foremast, and then she would be a helpless wreck at the -mercy of the breakers. - -But the smoke hid the Holker from the frigate for an instant, and the -valiant Risk held his ship right upon the bar. As a huge surge came -athwart the quarter to throw the brig upon the sands, the skipper put -the wheel hard up. The ship at once broached to on the crest of a -wicked sea and rolled on her beams’ ends. As the keel scraped on the -bar a burly seaman grasped the wheel with the captain, and by wonderful -dexterity the rudder was put hard over. The next surge saw the Holker -right herself before the wind and launch safely in the still water -beyond the bar. - -When the Holker accomplished this daring feat of seamanship, the crew -of the Roebuck were so thrilled that they let out a lusty cheer for the -Yankee and bore off into the blue water to ride out the gale. - -Now that the Holker was speeding in smooth water to a safe anchorage, -the crew were clearing away the wreckage and admiring the little -captain, who had saved them again from the horrors of an English -prison. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - - -When the Holker made the inlet at Little Egg Harbor, she came to an -anchorage behind one of the low-lying islands. Her only chances for an -escape were a high tide and darkness, or a fog that would let her slip -out and pass the Roebuck. If a boarding party from the English frigate -did not attack him, Captain Risk was preparing his ship for a chance -to escape. There was much to keep his crew busy, for he had rigging to -overhaul and spars to mend. - -At the time Roderick Barclugh was boarding the Albatross, the Holker -was waiting to escape, and little did he think that he was to run -across the privateer. He gladly went to his bunk and indulged in much -needed rest. All he knew was that he was to be put ashore on the New -Jersey coast near Little Egg Harbor inlet, and then he must make his -way to Philadelphia as best he could. - -He felt that nothing ought to worry him when his mission to New York -had been accomplished. Thus far no drawback had occurred. Arnold simply -needed close watching and a small bait of gold now and then to keep him -working. He had arranged to sell the Holker when she had delivered the -flour, so that after the captain and crew were paid the prize money, -they could find other adventures. - -The Albatross was one of those small, armed cruisers used by General -Clinton to execute raiding commissions up and down the coast. She was -of light enough draft to enter small inlets, travel the sounds and -bays, and assist in the guerilla warfare. She was a sloop armed with -eight nine-pound carronades, and one twelve-pound swivel. The crew -numbered forty men. As the orders given Captain Sutherland were to -convey his passenger to a harbor on the Jersey coast, the Albatross was -under way very soon, and started tacking into the sou’east gale for the -Narrows and Sandy Hook. - -The watch on deck was busy bringing the sloop into stays and the men -off watch were sleeping soundly in their hammocks below decks. Barclugh -slept well until the Narrows were passed, and the Albatross began to -pound her nose into the sea-way, then he awoke and peered out of the -cabin to see where this commotion came from. - -Greatly refreshed, Barclugh’s mind was active and alert. Whether the -change from the shore to the realm of Neptune had caused an undue -influence upon his affairs, only time could tell; however, there -seems to be a weak point in the affairs of all men; as though a farmer -were to sell his land and buy a ship to go to sea; or as though each -realm of nature had deities that rebelled upon the invasion of their -particular sphere by the patrons of the others. - -At all events, Barclugh felt a restlessness from the influence of the -sea as he sat in the cabin and pondered upon the working of his plot. -He now had time to think about Captain Risk and the Holker. He wondered -where she could be and what would he do with Captain Risk, who was the -sole Colonist acquainted with his dealings with Arnold. He reasoned -thus: - -“Captain Risk is devoted to the fickle fortunes of privateering.” (And -so he was.) “After Risk’s present enterprise shall have been closed, -he could take another ship and probably would be captured by a British -cruiser. Thus I do not need to fear on that score.” - -Neptune loves a true sailor. But when a land-lubber enters nautical -enterprises to carry out plots, the old Sea-god sets his Nereides upon -the novice to give him a taste of wind and wave. Only the true and -tried presume to propitiate the nymphs of Father Neptune. Neither gold -nor titles influences the Nereides of wind and wave. The hurricane -in its mighty wrath levels the potentate to the same sphere as the -peasant. When the ship sinks, both exclaim in anguish: - -“Lord, have mercy upon us!” - -The Albatross made but slow progress against the sou’east gale. The -night of the second day she was abreast of Barnegat inlet. Before -morning Little Egg Harbor inlet was reached, but since the moon did not -rise clear after midnight, Captain Sutherland stood on and off until -daylight. In the daytime he could make the channel and go over the bar. - -Early that morning the lookout forward sang out: - -“Sail, ho!” - -“Where away?” - -“Two points on the weather bow, sir.” - -Captain Sutherland took his glass and made out a full-rigged frigate -bearing down upon him. He had no fears, however, for he knew that the -Roebuck was in these waters, and no cruiser of the enemy would likely -be around. As the frigate bore down alongside, within close range, a -voice from a trumpet out of the mizzen shrouds was heard to say: - -“What ship is that and where away?” - -Captain Sutherland trumpeted back: - -“His Majesty’s sloop, the Albatross, bound for Little Egg Harbor inlet.” - -“All’s well,” returned the frigate. “This is His Majesty’s man-of-war, -Roebuck. We shall send aboard important news.” The frigate came up into -the wind and lowered a boat to come aboard. - -No sooner had the first trumpet-sound reached the Albatross than -Barclugh was up and on deck; if he were to be captured on board -an English armed sloop, his plans would miscarry. When he saw His -Majesty’s cruiser he was reassured. As he paced up and down the deck, -he saw the lieutenant of the frigate come aboard and go into the cabin -of the Albatross. - -After customary formalities, Lieutenant Nelson of the Roebuck stated -his business: - -“Captain Sutherland, we are blockading a Yankee privateer inside the -inlet; she had captured the General Monk; we have chased her into this -harbor. - -“If you will attack her, we will send you a full complement of men. We -will send the boats and you can take her by boarding. - -“She can not man[oe]uvre inside the harbor, and she is crippled. Her -forward battery is gone, and she is short of crew.” - -“It’s well, Lieutenant Nelson, I shall obey Captain Atherton’s orders,” -replied Captain Sutherland, and then he remarked quizzically: “Shall -we appease the sea-nymphs, Lieutenant?” - -“Certainly, certainly,” returned Nelson, when he observed Captain -Sutherland go to the locker and take out a decanter of Madeira and two -long glasses. - -“Got your eye?” proposed Sutherland, as the two raised their glasses, -and took a long pull at the “Milk of Venus” for the sake of good -comradeship. - -During the day not a word could Barclugh ask about the business of the -two ships, for his security depended upon his own counsel being kept; -but at daylight the next morning, there was no more question in his -mind. - -Lying at anchor behind the island was a crippled brig with main-topmast -gone. The frigate was lying a mile on the weather bow, and all was -activity on her decks. Three boats’ crews were boarding the small -boats; he saw them strike out for the Albatross. The wind had now -settled to a steady breeze from the south. - -Lieutenant Nelson was in command of the boats’ crews from the frigate, -and as they came alongside, sixty brawny men, armed to the teeth, -mounted the deck of the sloop. With the boats in tow, the Albatross now -made over the bar toward the Holker. - -When the Holker escaped the Roebuck and weathered the bar, Captain Risk -commenced at once to replace the injured topmast, and get his sails -repaired so that he could slip out in the dark of night, and show his -heels to the frigate. But when Risk saw the armed sloop make the inlet -with the three boats in tow, he knew what was ahead for his crew; -therefore, he called them all on deck and pointing to the sloop, said: - -“Men, there come those lime-juicers to take this brig. They outnumber -us two to one. Shall we make them pay for their pains?” - -“Ay, ay,” came from every throat, and the boatswain stepped forward and -said: - -“Captain, wherever you lead us we will go.” - -Captain Risk was now on his mettle. His ship was crippled; his -main-topmast was gone, he had thrown overboard his six-pounders, and he -was short his two lieutenants; his prize crew was on the General Monk, -and the killed and wounded in the engagement depleted his numbers; -however, he was determined that if he were compelled to strike to the -enemy he would make them pay two for one. - -Mounting the quarter-deck, he first ordered a spring-line on his kedge -to windward, his bower anchor to leeward so that he could spring his -stern in a semicircle and bring his battery of twelve-pounders to bear, -no matter from what point the enemy approached. - -Next he ordered the boarding-nets in place, loaded all the muskets -and pistols, and placed everything handy for fighting close aboard. -Cutlasses and pikes were made ready and the deck was sanded. The -battery was double-shotted with grape for close execution. - -The Albatross came up with a fair breeze from the south’ard as though -they were on a pleasure excursion. When the sloop drew up into the -inlet, Barclugh got the glass from Captain Sutherland and critically -examined the lines and rig of the Holker. - -He then began to think. The whole matter came before his view. The -Holker could be taken. The crew and Captain Risk could be confined -until his plot was carried through. Yet he did not wish any harm to -come to Risk during the fight. - -When Barclugh returned the spying-glass to Captain Sutherland, he -remarked earnestly: - -“Captain Sutherland, I see that fellow is getting ready to give us a -warm reception, and may I have the honor of leading one of your boats’ -crews against him?” - -“No, sir,” replied the captain imperatively. “I have strict orders to -land you safely on the Jersey shore in Little Egg River, and I can not -take any risks. You better repair at once to your cabin, and remain -there during the engagement, sir,” continued the captain, as he turned -to order his men. Barclugh could say nothing to these orders, and he -went below to mingle with the crew of the frigate. - -Among the men he noticed a good-natured looking fellow; going up to -him, he said in an undertone: - -“I want to speak to you, my good man. Kindly come to my cabin.” - -“Certainly, sir,” replied the man-o’-war’s man, as he ambled along with -Barclugh. - -When they reached his cabin, Barclugh said: - -“For certain private reasons, I desire to go aboard that brig when she -is taken. Here are five guineas, my man, if you exchange your uniform -for my suit. You remain closely in my cabin and keep the door fastened -until I return. Give me your name and station and I will take your -place in the boarding party.” - -“My name is William Atkinson, hand as hit’s to obleege a gentleman I’m -willin’. We ’ave more’n this business than a poor man’s pay allows. Hi -belongs to boat’s crew number one,” replied the sailor as he hitched up -his trousers and put the guineas in a bag around his neck. - -When Barclugh had changed his garb, Atkinson looked at him and -remarked: - -“Keep in the dark and go along with the rest. Hin the hexcitement you -will not be knownst. Howsomever, you better get a little grease to -blacken ’em hup a little.” - -Barclugh took his place among the armed men below, and kept in the dark -corners until the command was passed to man cutter number one. - -As the sloop boomed up with a spanking breeze, every available space -was occupied by the one hundred armed men on her decks, so that -they looked like black birds. Captain Risk did not intend to remain -idle while this array was coming on. Instead, he trained his long -eighteen-pound pivot, and opened the fracas by giving the Englishman a -good shot between wind and water. - -The sloop then manned the cutters and while they were advancing on the -brig, the sloop luffed up and delivered a broadside at long range, but -most of the shot fell short. - -However, four boats’ crews, three from the frigate and one from the -sloop, advanced on the Holker with loud cheers. Barclugh took his place -unnoticed; the frigate’s men thought a man from the sloop had gotten -into their crew by mistake. The spy was intent on gaining the deck of -the Holker so that he might protect Risk if possible. - -As the four boats’ crews came up to the Holker’s bow within close -range, Captain Risk swung off on the kedge-spring line, and brought -his broadside up to the boats and a sheet of flame burst out of the -Holker’s side. A score of men lay prostrate on the bottom of the boats. -Barclugh escaped. - -The boats opened up a hot fire and took different courses,--one to the -forward chains,--one on each quarter, and one astern. - -The boat’s crew astern cut the spring-line on the kedge, but that only -let the Holker drift with the wind. - -Now commenced the fight with small arms, when the cannon could not -bear. The crew of the Holker stationed themselves on the forecastle and -on the quarter-deck. - -A rush was made by the attacking party at the forward chains, but every -time a head showed itself above the bulwarks, it was met with a cutlass -or marlin-spike. - -Two different rushes were made by the British at the stern, but each -attack was repulsed, and after forty minutes of ineffectual work the -English boats retired amidst loud cheers from the Holker’s crew. - -The English lost fifteen killed and twenty wounded. They went back to -the sloop severely crippled,--so much so, in fact, that signals were -at once made to the Roebuck, and two boat-loads of crippled and dead -sent off to the frigate. - -That evening Captain Risk saw four boat-loads come back from the -frigate to the sloop. He knew that he was to have a night attack from -more men than before, and he had lost six men in the fight that day. -His force was now reduced to thirty-four men. - -Risk prepared for an emergency by placing his long tom amidships so -that if the enemy gained the deck forward or aft, he could turn them a -point-blank charge of grape, and, with a rally of his men, drive them -overboard. - -As Captain Risk expected, however, at midnight he could see six -boat-loads approaching in the moonlight. He stationed his men, and they -knew that before Captain Risk would strike to the enemy he would apply -a match to the magazine, so every man determined to die at his station. - -As soon as the enemy’s boats were distinguishable in their dim -outlines, a rapid discharge of the twelve-pounders and the muskets -began. The English separated and dashed forward. The plan was well -executed, since almost at once the six boats came alongside at -different points. - -[Illustration: Captain Risk engaged two seamen, cutlass in one hand and -pistol in the other.] - -Fighting like demons, the crews of the boats were determined to avenge -the day’s repulse and gain the deck. The English were driven back -amidships and astern where Captain Risk led his men; but in the forward -chains the English were in such numbers that they clambered up so fast -that the Yankees were driven back. - -When Captain Risk saw the English gathering for a rush from the -forecastle, he grabbed a match and turning the long tom forward, he -applied the fire. He then called his men to his side to drive the -English back into their boats. - -But the English had too many. When the long tom dealt its carnage, -enough remained to rush upon Risk and his little band, where a -hand-to-hand encounter ensued. - -Rushing at the head of his men into the fight, Captain Risk engaged -two seamen, and with cutlass in one hand and pistol in the other, he -shot one through the shoulder and sent the other reeling to the deck -with a cutlass stroke on his head. Being now pressed on all sides, -Risk rushed with a match to the companion-way to throw it into the -magazine; but he was shot in the forehead and killed before he could -accomplish his object. The Americans, now officerless, were forced upon -the quarter-deck; the crew was overpowered from all sides, and the -colors hauled down by the enemy. But the victory was dearly bought by -the English. In this last encounter twenty Englishmen were killed and -thirty-two wounded. - -Among those that were wounded was Barclugh. When Captain Risk rushed -upon the two seamen that were advancing upon him, the one that he shot -in the shoulder was Barclugh. Faint with the loss of blood, and stunned -by the shock, Barclugh crawled very humbly back into his boat, and sat -there until he was carried to the sloop. He was not fatally hurt, but -his arm pained him severely. - -When the sloop was reached, Barclugh got aboard without the assistance -of his mates, but, once below, he crawled to his cabin door. He found -William Atkinson soundly asleep, snoring like a porpoise blowing. When -he awoke the man-o’-war’s man, Atkinson exclaimed: - -“Lor’ bless me, sir, you’re shot! I was dreamin’ how’s somethin’ was -happenin’ to you, sir. So let me ’elp you to bed and get you some water -or brandy. Here, let me get on my own clothes, as I am sure to be -blamed for these ’appenin’s. - -“That’s it,--off with the blouse and trousers. I’m into them in a -jiffy. You’ll be better now, as you lie down a bit.” - -“Atkinson,” requested Barclugh feebly, “you will find some brandy in -the locker there,--give me a little.” - -“Ah, yes, sir. I was trying a wee bit in your absence, sir. It’s werry -good. - -“Here you are,” continued the jacky. “Take that. Now lie down sir, and -I’ll go and notify the captain, sir. But before I go, sir, I wants to -leave these guineas with you. For, as you ’ad the trouble to get shot -in my place, I can’t take your money.” But when Atkinson looked at -Barclugh, he saw that he was unconscious, so, putting the money under -the pillow, he hastened on deck. - -There every one was busy. Groans, curses, the dead laid out in rows -on the forecastle deck,--the wounded placed aboard the Roebuck’s -boats,--commands for cutters’ crews to man their boats, confronted -Atkinson on every hand. When his ensign ordered the crew of Atkinson’s -cutter to give way on the oars, he was at his station, and poor -Barclugh was left unattended in his cabin. - -Every circumstance now turned against Barclugh and his plans. - -Captain Risk was killed, but he had inflicted a serious wound in the -heat of battle, upon the plotter of the scheme. Thus the fate of a -nation was in the balance. - -The representative of British gold received pay for his pains when he -was heartlessly left by the seaman in his cabin. When he aroused from -his spell of unconsciousness, in a dazed condition, he looked around -and found himself quite alone. After a short period of reflection, he -remembered the capture of the Holker, the encounter with Risk and the -death of the intrepid little captain as he attempted to blow up his -ship and all on board. - -“My God!” muttered Barclugh to himself. “Ever since I came aboard this -craft, the fates seem to have worried me and to have been set against -my enterprise. Zounds! I had tried to be of some service to Risk, but -he has put me in my present predicament. - -“Oh, Lord, have mercy upon me! Oh, that shoulder is done for! I cannot -raise my left arm. I better try and call for some assistance.” - -When Barclugh tried to raise himself, the loss of blood made his head -light, and everything seemed to grow dark when he raised himself. He -lay back in his berth, consoling himself by exclaiming: - -“I had better remain where I am, and thank God that I am not worse off!” - -Barclugh lay quietly in his berth for hours,--in fact until the -morning after the fight. Captain Sutherland had thought of Barclugh -as fast asleep, little thinking that his passenger would disobey -orders. However, when Captain Sutherland had left a crew aboard the -Holker to fit her out and take her to New York, he began to look after -his passenger. Not finding him astir and nobody having seen him for -twenty-four hours, he went to Barclugh’s stateroom and rapped on the -door. - -A voice within responded feebly: - -“Come in.” - -As the captain entered, he exclaimed: - -“What’s the matter, Mr. Gustavus?” - -“Well, Captain, I disobeyed your orders. I could not resist going to -that ship and fighting for the King; but here I am with my shoulder -shot to pieces.” - -“I am very sorry, Mr. Gustavus,” replied Captain Sutherland. “Are you -hurt very badly? I will send the ship’s surgeon to you.” - -The surgeon came and dressed the wound and set the collar-bone, that -had been broken. He put Barclugh under strict orders that he must not -move out of bed for two or three days. - -These three days were like sackcloth and ashes to Barclugh. He was -feverish to get to Philadelphia, but the wound chastened his soul. He -grew sick at heart, when he lay bandaged up, and the words of Mollie -Greydon rang in his ears: - - “Had I but serv’d my God with half the zeal - “I serv’d my king,--” - -He tossed restlessly, smarting under the pangs of a contrite heart, and -muttered to himself again and again: - -“If I only had half of the simplicity and happiness of the new settler, -Benjamin Andrews, all the drafts on the Bank of Amsterdam that I have -on my person would be freely given. If my life were linked with a pure -and lofty spirit like Mollie Greydon, and living on some lovely estate -like Dorminghurst, how free from all of this turmoil and strife my -life would be! No war!! No great need of money!!! No jealousy!!!! Just -living serenely for the happiness of those around me and for the glory -of my Creator!” - -If the sublime presence of a sweet and tender woman had been able to -minister to Barclugh at this crisis of his soul, the better nature -within him would have triumphed over his sordidness, and he would have -given up to the better dictates of his conscience. However, he fell -into a deep slumber, and when he awoke his body had become rested and -refreshed. Stern ambition was uppermost in his mind again, and he began -to plan to get back to Philadelphia. - -The next day Barclugh commenced to recover from the shock of his wound; -he chafed under the restraint that he was in; then he sent for Captain -Sutherland. As soon as Captain Sutherland entered the cabin where the -spy was sitting in an arm-chair, having his arm in a sling, he spoke -cautiously: - -“Good morning, Captain Sutherland. I am behind on my calculations two -days already, and I am very desirous of returning to Philadelphia.” - -“How do you propose to return, sir?” quizzed the captain. - -“I have resolved on two possible means,” answered Barclugh. “One is to -engage a passage on a fishing sloop; the other to go overland. - -“I used to be acquainted with a Swedish fisherman who sold oysters in -that city. He had two sloops that plied to this inlet. If I could be -fortunate enough to find him, I could return most comfortably. - -“Then I could be taken up Little Egg River as far as a small boat could -go and thereafter depend on my own wits to reach Philadelphia overland. -I prefer the water route in a sloop. - -“Put me ashore at some fisherman’s hut and I will take care of myself,” -concluded Barclugh. - -“Do you think that you are well enough to make the journey?” asked the -captain. - -“I shall be as well off as I am waiting here,” continued Barclugh. - -“If you will give me two trusty men in a boat to land me at the mouth -of Little Egg Harbor River, I shall stop with the first fisherman that -I can find. I can buy his boat, if necessary, to take me on my journey. -A few guineas will look big in his eyes,” argued Barclugh. - -“Very well, Mr. Gustavus, I shall undertake to land you whenever you -are ready,” stated Captain Sutherland, as he arose to leave. - -“I shall be ready at sunrise,” replied Barclugh, whereupon the captain -left the cabin for the deck. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - - -Barclugh had been landed, as agreed, by the crew of the Albatross at -the mouth of the Little Egg River, and had made his way to the hut of a -Swedish fisherman; not a soul had seen whence he came. - -The fisherman’s hut was small, having been built out of the logs that -were found on the beach and which had drifted from some lumberman’s -raft of distant Maine or New Hampshire; yea, some claimed greater -distinction. An experienced eye could distinguish the mahogany log that -had floated from the West Indies with the Gulf Stream, and had been -blown on the Jersey sands by a nor’east or sou’east gale. These logs -were all smoothly hewn and chinked with a mortar made from the lime of -the oyster shell and the sands cast up by the waves. - -The house sat on the shelving bank of the river, surrounded by ragged -nets, tar-smeared cauldrons, floats and spars. A rather young woman -stood in the doorway, while two children with bare feet played about -and a yellow dog barked vociferously at the stranger’s approach. - -The children ran to the protection of their mother’s skirt when they -saw the man come near. Two calves stopped their pranks to gaze at the -new-comer. Loneliness stuck out from every corner of the habitation, -and stolid contentment was evident in every pore of the buxom young -Swedish mother. - -Barclugh was at his wit’s ends when he strode up to the doorway, after -side-stepping a few times to escape the charges of the dog. The woman -stamped her foot and ordered the dog off, in a language foreign to -Barclugh’s comprehension. - -Bowing in his most gracious manner and holding his hat in his one free -hand, Barclugh said graciously: - -“Good morning, Madam. Is your husband at home?” - -No answer, except a dubious shake of the head, accompanied by a most -pleasant smile. She walked into the one room of the house, and offered -Barclugh a chair when she had a good look at his crippled arm and -bandaged shoulder. - -Everything about the fisherman’s home was plain, yet scrupulously -clean. The floor was glistening with the purest of sand. The large -fireplace took up nearly the whole end of the house. A kettle, a -skillet, and a three-legged, shallow pot sat on the hearth. A broad -table was on one side, which had been scoured with sand and soft soap -until the knots alone showed what character the wood once had. - -Without any ceremony, the good wife began to prepare a meal. First she -put a pot on with fresh water, then went out to the river bank where -her husband kept lobsters and crabs in a small trap. By using a small -dipping-net, she brought out a large lobster and a half a dozen crabs. - -These were hurried into the steaming kettle, and there sat Barclugh -watching his meal cook, while he became acquainted with the children by -making grimaces at them. - -Barclugh ate his sea food, potatoes, and coarse bread with much relish. -He offered the good housewife a piece of silver, but she only shook her -head in the negative. - -The day wore on and Barclugh sat on the river bank, watching the -children build houses in the sand, and the dog pant in the broiling -sun. He knew that the fisherman must come home, and then he would find -some one with whom he could converse. However, a foreign-tongued woman -and guileless children suited his purpose, for the less that he had to -talk the better for him. - -The sun was setting over the broad expanse of sea-marsh, when a -well-rigged fishing sloop drew into the river’s mouth and landed at -the fisherman’s hut. Two gnarly Swedes and a lad jumped ashore. The -older one was the husband of the young woman, evidently, for she went -to the landing and in a few words explained to him the presence of the -stranger. - -The Swede approached Barclugh, who noticed that the fisherman’s face -was much weather-beaten, his beard shaggy and unkempt. - -“Meester, you have been shot?” - -“Yes, sir,” replied Barclugh anxiously. “I am wounded and came -near being captured by those English ships of war. I want to go to -Philadelphia.” - -“Vaal, I go to Pheeladelpheea with my feesh right avay. Eef you----” - -“I’ll give you two guineas to take me there, and two guineas more to -keep silent, and let no one know where I came from,” nervously added -Barclugh. - -“Aal right, I say nothing. I geeve you goot passage.” - -Barclugh then handed him four guineas. The Swede smiled and went into -the house, where he gave the gold to his wife, and got his bag of clean -clothes. - -There were no delays in the Swede’s movements. He jumped on board the -sloop with the other Swede and left the lad to stay with the family. - -The sloop was well loaded amidships. An assorted cargo of crabs, -lobsters, bluefish, flounder, and mackerel were all packed in ice, -and covered over with moss. Hatches were fastened athwart-ship and -bulkheads protected the cuddy and the cockpit from the cargo of sea -food. - -The cuddy was forward of the mast, and a square hatchway let the crew -below to the bunks, which were on each side of the keel between the -stem and the bulkhead. - -The cockpit had seats all around it in the shape of a half-circle. A -barrel of fresh water rested on the keel under the seat next to the -after bulkhead; little drawers were arranged under the seats where -dishes and food were stored; a small charcoal stove was used to furnish -heat in cold weather and to cook the meals. - -Barclugh was taken aboard and informed that he could bunk in the -cuddy until morning. Then the fishermen hoisted sail and cast off the -moorings. He gladly accepted the offer, for he had been well fed by the -Swede’s wife, and what he most needed was rest. - -A long bag full of marsh grass was in the bunk to lie upon, and a -dunnage bag made his pillow. The cuddy was as neat and clean as one -could expect aboard a fisherman’s craft. When the water went swishing -by on the sloop’s planking, Barclugh fell into a sound sleep. - -The two Swedes were brothers. One was married, and the other was his -partner in the fishing trade. The lad was a nephew that had come from -Sweden to live with his uncles. They plied their occupation between -Little Egg Harbor inlet and Philadelphia, and sold their catch to Sven -Svenson. In the summer season they took out enough ice each trip to -keep their fish until their return, and when Barclugh boarded their -sloop they were in a hurry to get to Philadelphia in the shortest time -possible. - -The wind was light when the sun went down, but with the rising of the -moon the wind freshened and carried them down the coast at eight knots -an hour. - -Nothing disturbed the serenity of the trip. When everything was sailing -smoothly, the older one crawled into the cuddy and occupied the bunk -opposite Barclugh. He slept soundly until after midnight, when he -relieved his brother and let him turn in. - -At sunrise Barclugh arose and after freshening up with a good wash, -he looked around to see where they were. He saw the sloop heading -northwest, and a low-lying point of land astern. - -“Where are we now?” he asked, as he took a good long breath of fresh -air. - -“Wee aare finfe hoors sail fram Pheeladalpheea, Meester,” was the reply -of the Swede at the tiller. - -The younger one was busy at the cooking of the morning meal. Barclugh -discouraged talk and the Swedes knew what they had been given the -guineas for. - -The British spy took a seat forward and began to swell with exultation -when he pondered over his journey to New York, his interview with -General Clinton, and his participation in the capture of the Holker. -Now he was speeding to the conclusion of his journey,--the sloop -skimmed over the rolling waves of the Atlantic, as his enthusiasm grew -apace, and he thought of the subjugation of West Point by intrigue. - -When the sloop reached the fishmonger’s landing in Philadelphia and -Barclugh stepped ashore, he walked unnoticed to his lodgings and -inwardly exclaimed: - -“Victory! Victory!” - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - - -No sooner was Barclugh settled in his lodgings, than he began to resume -his business duties. - -“Mr. Hopewell,” he ordered, calling his clerk from the accounting room -to his private office, “go, and inform General Arnold that Mr. Barclugh -has arrived and that he wishes to see him at five o’clock in his -private office. - -“Inform any personage of importance that I had a fall from my horse and -broke my collar-bone; be careful to whom you impart this information.” - -“Very well, sir,” replied the faithful clerk, as he bowed himself out -of the stern-visaged presence. - -With his going, Barclugh threw himself upon his couch, and rested -his weary body. The twenty days of exploit had been most eventful -and full of activities. Now that he had performed his mission to New -York, Arnold’s part alone had to be carried out and the plot would be -executed. - -Weariness overcame Barclugh, and he slept soundly until he heard a -knock on his door. - -Starting up with a dazed memory, he arose and found Mr. Hopewell at the -door, who informed him that General Arnold was in the outside office, -waiting to see him by appointment. - -“Oh, yes! Oh, yes! Very well! I’ll see General Arnold in a very few -minutes,” said Barclugh, reflecting for an instant. - -Barclugh hurriedly washed and dressed and as he passed through the -accounting room, he quietly said to his clerk: - -“You may go now, Mr. Hopewell.” - -When the door opened upon General Arnold he arose nervously, and, as he -beheld Barclugh with his arm in a sling, he rushed forward and seized -Barclugh’s right hand in both of his, exclaiming: - -“Why, how do you do, Mr. Barclugh? I hope that you are not seriously -injured? What,--what hurt you?” - -“This is nothing serious,” replied Barclugh, as he languidly took a -seat. His wan and weather-beaten face had placed ten years upon his -shoulders. - -The two conspirators sat down and for an instant each gazed at the -other to learn if there were any sign of the white feather. To the -steady gaze of Barclugh’s steely blue eyes, Arnold returned their -inquisitive glance with a set jaw and a determined look that could not -be mistaken for backsliding. - -“How have you made out?” inquired Arnold hesitatingly. - -“All right,” replied Barclugh firmly. “I saw Washington; I saw Clinton; -I saw Risk killed.” - -“Good enough for that little pudgy piece of conceit. He thought that -he could whip all Christendom with that Holker and fifty men. So he’s -killed! How did that happen?” - -Barclugh briefly related the whole journey,--the capture of the General -Monk, and the loss of the Holker. - -When it came to the capture of the Holker, General Arnold became very -much interested, for his profits were in the cargo. He asked: - -“Well, Mr. Barclugh, shall I receive anything out of this Holker -business now?” - -“Oh, we have sold the ship and cargo to the English for whom it was -intended, and the telltale crew is disposed of. I will guarantee your -share. You need not worry about that. All that you need to do now is to -secure the command of West Point. We will carry out the money part of -the agreement.” - -“Very good, Mr. Barclugh,” continued Arnold, “but you see I am -suffering for money; my debts of five thousand pounds sterling are -driving me to destruction, and I wish that you could advance me some -to-day.” - -Barclugh now saw his opportunity to crush the independence of Arnold. -At this pitiable appeal for money, he arose with fist clenched, and -struck the table as he spoke: - -“General Arnold, I have advanced you $3000! I have undertaken the -Holker enterprise for your benefit! I have arranged to secure you -twenty thousand pounds for the delivery of West Point! I have even -secured for you the assurance of a General’s commission in His -Majesty’s service, and all that has been asked of you is to deliver -West Point! Now you ask me to advance more of His Majesty’s funds? No, -sir, not until you have done more of your part. You must secure West -Point!” - -The man who had suffered the privations and starvation of an expedition -at the head of a half-clad army to capture Quebec in mid-winter, and -never lost heart, now quailed before this ostentation of money. He hung -his head and in half-choking tones he arose and said: - -“I have written to General Washington, and I may hear from him very -soon. I do hope that you can help me.” - -As Arnold finished the last sentence, he walked out of the rooms of -Roderick Barclugh with the most forlorn expression. His chin was -resting on his breast as he walked to his home, there, maybe, to -receive another imperious demand for money. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - - -“General Arnold, I can not and shall not be subjected to these -miserable indignities any longer,” exclaimed Mrs. Arnold, as she -hysterically left her husband at the breakfast table and went to her -bed-chamber. - -On the day after Barclugh had arrived in Philadelphia, the Commander -of the town had been presented with the demands for the servants’ -wages, bills for two gowns, and pay for the oysters and fish from Sven -Svenson, by his wife at breakfast, and his reply was: - -“My dear, I have no money to-day.” - -Arnold was brave in the midst of battle, but in the presence of an -imperious and unreasoning wife he was an abject coward. A look from -his wife was a command to Arnold, and he allowed his domestic expenses -to ruin him and drive him into desperation, because he did not dare to -curb within his means an unreasonably extravagant woman. - -After Mrs. Arnold, in a fit of temper, had left her husband, Arnold -arose in dismay, then sat down dejectedly in his chair. His brow was -wrinkled; his eyes wore an expression of the fox, driven to bay; his -frame shook with anguish; his hands clenched his hair; and he sought -relief mentally, by reasoning out his situation to himself: - -“My love for my wife causeth me to do foolish things, but I can not -deny her anything that pleases her. Her very look is a command to me. -When we married I thought our position demanded a country-seat, and I -bought it. When she asked for a carriage and postilion, I furnished -them. When she wished to dine her friends of the Tory party, I -consented. - -“But where has it led me at length? I am a Major-General of the -Continentals, and living like a prince. Been married two years and five -thousand pounds in debt. Oh, that I could end these pangs of pride! -Yes, I shall end them. I shall again see Roderick Barclugh. I shall -write again to General Washington and demand my assignment to West -Point,” concluded Arnold as he arose and went to his wife’s chamber. He -tried to enter but the door was fastened. - -An angry voice from within asked: - -“Who’s that?” - -“Margaret, my dear, may I speak to you?” meekly replied Arnold. - -“I shall not have any explanation, General Arnold,” savagely replied -his wife; but she opened the door and imperiously walked to the other -side of the room, where she stood with her back to him. - -“My dear,” began Arnold, “I find that,----” - -“Yes, you’ll find that I and my child will leave this house and you -will find----” interjected Mrs. Arnold. - -“If you will let me explain?” continued Arnold. - -“I sha’n’t allow you to explain to me any more. You have done nothing -but explain ever since you met me. - -“What shall become of me and my child, if things do not improve?” -continued Mrs. Arnold as she began sobbing. - -“I know that you will be ordered off to active service and then you -will be killed and what shall become of me? There will be nothing left -for me to survive upon under this government.” - -“Never mind, my dear, I shall try and get West Point. Then our fortunes -will soon change. We will not have all of the expenses of living in the -city; we can then pay off our debts. Besides I have some commercial -ventures that I expect to bring in some returns very soon. I know how -you must feel when you see how much money the FitzMaurices and the -Millings and the Redmans have and we do not have anything but my meagre -pay to live upon. - -“But remember, my dearest, I shall do all in my power to make you -happy,--even to giving up my life. Oh! Margaret, bear up a little -longer and I shall be able to gratify every desire that you may have. -You know how much I love you, and how happy we have been with our boy!” - -Quickly turning toward her husband, the beautiful and young Mrs. Arnold -put her face poutingly up to his to be kissed, as she said: - -“Benedict, I know that you love me, and I am afraid that you love me -more than I deserve.” - -The Arnold household had to contend with two conditions that are -sure to disrupt the tranquility of a home. One was the imperious, -unreasoning ambition of the wife to shine socially, and the other was -the recognition, by the husband, that his own social position was not -equal to the position that his wife was entitled to hold by reason of -education, family and environment. - -Arnold had won fame in a few years on account of his brilliant and -daring military exploits, but his reckless and obstinate nature had -brought him into disrepute. He lacked finesse and diplomacy. His home -and social surroundings demanded wisdom that he did not possess. - -He had been an apothecary, a horse trader, and a sea captain. His -enterprise in business had been of the adventurous order. He had -rubbed against the _hoi polloi_ of Colonial times. He was at home in a -country dance among French Canadians on his journeys to trade Yankee -notions for ponies, but when he entered the ultra-aristocratic circles -of Philadelphia as the military commandant, he soon succumbed to the -wiles of the beautiful women and the luxury of gay living; his head -soon swam with the fantastic notions of a new and gilded life. - -He was an unsophisticated Adam, partaking of the sweets of life with -no preparation of the appetite. His ardent nature was not tempered -with the prudence of experience. He glutted himself like the gamin -who enters a pie contest. The wine was red and he desired to indulge -himself in its flavor. No consequences appealed to him in his mad -intoxication; he had no wisdom; his gentility was crude. Although -he was bold, he was reduced by circumstances to a parasite; he even -surrendered his political principles to those of his wife and her -friends. - -When these two social forces had met and were joined in matrimony, an -abject imitation was made of the husband, and a tyrannical boaster of -the wife. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - - -Leaving his wife’s chamber, Arnold went to the office of Roderick -Barclugh. - -He was smarting under the findings of the court-martial at Morristown, -and under the monetary demands of a gay and ambitious wife. He had -proposed to resign his commission in the army and settle upon an estate -in the wilds of Western New York, and let history right the wrongs -that had been heaped upon him, but the ambition of his wife intervened -again. Her love of social distinction would not allow her to consent to -a home in the wilderness. What a glorious record of heroism was thus -turned into the wormwood of infamy! - -Desperation was written on his face when Arnold reached the office of -Roderick Barclugh, who shook the General’s hand, saying: - -“I hope, General Arnold, that you do not think seriously of my heated -discourse toward you yesterday, for I was weary and suffering from my -wound. I was then ill-humored and out of patience. Anything that I can -do to relieve your financial difficulties, you may command of me.” - -This unexpected liberality on the part of Barclugh now won the heart of -Arnold. The ointment for a wounded spirit was in these words. - -Arnold sat down and smiled as he rubbed his hands and began to relate -confidingly to Barclugh: - -“Mr. Barclugh, my life, thus far, has been full of hardship and -bitterness. My honors have been won with a heart true to my country; no -stigma yet rests upon my name; but my motives have been misjudged and -maligned; the designs and calumny of wicked rivals have filled my life -with despair. - -“Then, my enemies have attacked the idol of my soul,--my wife and the -mother of my child. Enough to arouse the bitterness of my being were -the attacks upon my own actions, but when the opinions of my wife and -her friends have to be scored and laid up against me I am driven to -seek satisfaction. - -“The one burden of my soul that bears me down to the depths of -desperation, however, is that of my debts. I have always been used to -having plenty for my simple needs, but the war has impoverished me, and -I can not get my just dues from Congress. I owe the butcher, the baker -and the footman. My wife’s social ambition I am not able to curtail. I -am in the depths of embarrassment over my debts. - -“If it were not for what I owe I could not consent to treason to -extricate myself; but I am too deeply involved. Indeed, too deeply!” -concluded Arnold as his voice choked, and huge tears trickled down his -cheeks. - -Not a word passed the lips of these men of iron for a period that -seemed oppressively long. - -At length Barclugh broke the silence, remarking compassionately: - -“My dear General Arnold, your life has been worried to distraction -by men of small and ungenerous natures. They have sought to elevate -themselves by your undoing; but what must you expect from a government -such as you have in these Colonies? There is no authority, no -responsible head. You, in your case, have no appeal from a backbiting -set of adventurers. - -“But in government at home such services as you have rendered have the -reward of a peerage and a grant from Parliament for the benefit of your -family. - -“There is no use talking further, you can serve your countrymen far -more, by trying to put an end to these injustices, perpetrated by an -irresponsible rabble upon personages of substance, than by trying to -win independence,--for what?--A worse government, perhaps, than the one -you have had as Colonists.” - -“In any event, the Commissioners of His Majesty are willing to grant -all the demands that the Colonists have asked for. - -“Now, General Arnold, you will pardon me, but if I were to put two -thousand pounds sterling to your credit, as a loan, and leave it here -for your convenience, would that be of any service to you?” - -“My dear Mr. Barclugh,” replied Arnold most graciously, “you have -befriended me generously--I am in need of friends. - -“I shall not forget your kindness, but may I ask you to let me have -five hundred pounds to-day?” - -“Certainly, certainly,” returned Barclugh, and he counted him out the -amount in Bank of England notes. - -“But there is only one matter I wish to impress upon you, General -Arnold, before you go,” continued Barclugh, as he arose and took Arnold -by the hand. “I hope that you will press the matter about West Point -with General Washington, and let me know at the very first moment what -news you get. I know that General Washington desires to befriend you.” - -“Of course, Mr. Barclugh, I will keep you posted. I expect news any -day; still there is a feeling within me that Washington is under the -influence of my enemies. He does not show the cordiality to me now, -that he used to. - -“But never mind, I shall be able to give them all a lesson in the -manner of treating a gentleman, when the war is over.” - -“Good day, Mr. Barclugh, I am more than grateful.” - -“Come down at any time, General. We shall arrange all details when you -hear from headquarters. - -“Good day,” concluded Roderick Barclugh. - - * * * * * - -“Segwuna, where have you been, my dear? I have missed you so much,” -were the words of Mollie Greydon, when she saw Segwuna for the first -time in two weeks. Segwuna was in the winding path leading to the old -mill on the Wingohocking at Dorminghurst. - -Segwuna turned around at the sound of Mollie’s voice, and walking -toward her, put an arm around the waist of her friend and replied: - -“I have been to New York selling some moccasins and leggings,” for she -did not desire to let Mollie know the whole of her reasons for going to -New York. - -Segwuna continued spiritedly: - -“While there I saw General Clinton and Major Andre. They live in such -grand style,--a coach and postilion, just like General Arnold. - -“Those grand people have no love for an Indian girl like me.” - -“Oh, never mind, my sweetheart! I love you,” retorted Mollie sweetly, -as she embraced her friend and kissed her on the cheek. - -“Oh, let’s go down to the mill, Segwuna,” continued Mollie. “We can sit -down and relieve our hearts to each other.” - -Mollie had been much agitated ever since Mr. Barclugh’s visit to -Dorminghurst. She had been affected by the very peculiar and earnest -look in his eyes at the breakfast table. She had seen neither Barclugh -nor Segwuna since then, and her delicate nature had dwelt upon the -tender gaze in Barclugh’s eyes and thoughts of what it might mean had -haunted her by day and by night. If she could have told Segwuna, she -would have found relief, but Segwuna had left the same day that Mr. -Barclugh had gone to New York. - -The two life-long friends, with arms around each other’s waists, now -sauntered down to a lonely spot around the old mill to tell of their -fears and their hearts’ desires. Mollie believed that Segwuna had -wisdom, so that the Indian maiden was the oracle that Mollie consulted -when she had burdens on her mind. - -These two childlike natures had that implicit confidence in each other -that is born of God. They sat on the mill-race, under the shade of a -huge elm. As Mollie buried her head in Segwuna’s bosom, the fountains -of pent-up grief broke out and Mollie wept and wept until Segwuna -pacified her by stroking her brow and sweetly asking: - -“What is the matter, my loved one? Has Segwuna offended you, -sweetheart? What makes my love so unhappy?” - -“Oh, Segwuna, I thought that you had been lost or killed or that -something terrible had happened to you. You never stayed away so long -before. I have been looking for you every day, and you did not return. - -“Now that you have returned and you have not changed,--you still love -me?--I cry for joy. But then, Segwuna, I have a secret to tell you, and -you must not laugh at me, for then I shall think that you do not love -me. - -“Do you know,” continued Mollie, “that the day that Mr. Barclugh was -here, and we were talking at breakfast about the King’s courtiers, I -happened to repeat those lines of Shakespeare: - - ‘Had I but served my God with half the zeal - ‘I serv’d my king, he would not in mine age - ‘Have left me naked to mine enemies.’ - -“When I had finished these lines, the eyes of Mr. Barclugh gazed at me, -and such a light shone out of them, I have not been able to rid myself -of the look that he gave me. - -“Segwuna, what does it mean? I am troubled by day in my thought and by -night in my dreams. - -“I could not find you, my darling, to let you know what troubled me. I -have been unhappy every minute since then.” - -“Well, my sweetheart,” replied Segwuna, “I shall pray to the -Great Spirit to protect you from harm; but there can be only one -interpretation of what you have told me,--it means that Mr. Barclugh is -in love with you.” - -A thunderstorm had arisen from the southwest, while the two girls were -occupied in their heart to heart communion, and the two ran into the -old mill for protection. The terrific wind and downpour of rain shook -the old mill. When the sharp bolts of lightning and the heavy crash of -thunder seemed very near, Mollie clutched Segwuna by the arm, and hung -to her spasmodically, as fear seemed to multiply in her already much -agitated breast. - -When Segwuna turned at last to leave for her mother’s lodge, she kissed -Mollie on the cheek, and whispered gently: - -“Segwuna will pray to her Great Spirit to protect her sweetheart from -all harm. Good night, darling.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - - -Barclugh took his meals regularly at the Boar’s Head Tavern, and -lived industriously attending to his plot, and to his speculations in -privateering. - -He was busy organizing his bank, the capital of which was mostly -subscribed and whose charter was drawn and placed before the Council -of Pennsylvania for legal authority to do business. The corporation -was to be known as the Bank of North America; Thomas Milling was to -be its first President. Every detail was copied as closely after the -corporation of the Bank of England as possible; that was Barclugh’s -plan. - -If Barclugh had confined himself to his plot with Arnold and to -his plans in financiering, he would have been better off. But the -allurements of commerce had also attracted his attention. - -Ships of all descriptions were in the stream, awaiting a berth to -load or unload. Some were at the wharves of Milling & FitzMaurice, -loading or unloading merchandise and munitions of war. Privateers and -merchantmen, brigs and barques, full-rigged ships and sloops,--all -were a kaleidoscope of the cosmopolitan elements of Philadelphia. -The Malay, the Portuguese, the Negro, the Indian, the Caucasian, the -Creole, were all bartering and seeking adventure on the seas. They were -in a harbor where war now offered all of the prizes and all of the -calamities of life. The calamities claimed the greater share in the -final results. - -Among all this motley crew lurked disease, lust, and greed. The leaders -of the enterprises reeked in greed, the hirelings exceeded in lust, but -disease had no favorites. - -Diseases were cosmopolitan like the people. Cholera from the Orient, -_peste_ from the West Indies, scurvy from the Antipodes, fevers from -the ships and the camps of armies kept the city in continuous mourning. -Though disease played the heavy role in this drama of life, still it -acted its part when least expected. - -Barclugh desired to buy a ship of Milling and FitzMaurice, and send her -out to the West Indies with a cargo of flour, and return with rum and -sugar. The profits would be large. He now had much money at command and -no use for it. He thought that a few dollars turned over for a profit -would not come amiss when he began his career after the Colonies were -turned over to the mother country. - -There was a ship, the Sea Nymph, lying in the Delaware, a prize -belonging to Milling & FitzMaurice which had been bound from Havana to -London, laden with rum and molasses; but her crew was attacked with the -_peste_ and inside of a week two thirds of her men were stricken with -the disease. - -In this critical condition the Independence, privateer of Milling & -FitzMaurice, ran upon the Sea Nymph, and she struck with no resistance. -Enough of the crew of the Independence who were immune to the disease -were put aboard to take her into Philadelphia. The Sea Nymph was a new -and handsome ship. She was lying in the stream waiting for her turn to -discharge cargo, when Barclugh learned about her, and, although advised -of the perils of the dreaded _peste_, he offered to buy her. Barclugh’s -impatience to be doing business prevailed against his friends’ -judgment, and he went aboard of her to inspect the ship. - -His weakened physical condition put him under susceptible conditions -to take the disease, and in ten days thereafter, Roderick Barclugh was -stricken with the _peste_. - -However, before this event, matters had culminated fast in Barclugh’s -affairs. The tenth day of July, 1780, had arrived, and communication -had been opened up between Barclugh and Andre at New York. By means of -a few hundred pounds sterling, Barclugh had arranged to have letters -addressed to John Anderson, Esq., New York, delivered to a boat from -the Albatross, that landed at the Swede’s fishing hut on the Little Egg -River. In return the fisherman brought a sealed package addressed to -Mr. Gustavus, Philadelphia. Gustavus was the name of the Swede. - -This line of communication was maintained at regular -intervals,--whenever a load of fish came from Little Egg Harbor inlet, -a sealed letter was delivered to Barclugh and an answer returned. - -When Roderick Barclugh fell ill, he awoke in the early morning with -terrible pains in his back and loins. He found that he was unable -to arise, suffering intensely with a fever and pains in his joints. -His man-servant went as usual to the door of Mr. Barclugh’s sleeping -apartment but he did not find him astir, and as he listened, he heard -slight groans. When he gently opened the door, there was Barclugh, -helpless, breathing heavily, his eyes bulging. The only thing to do was -to bring Doctor Biddle. - -When Dr. Biddle arrived, a hurried examination of pulse, eyes and -tongue soon convinced his experienced eye that the patient had the most -dreaded of diseases in the seaport of Philadelphia,--the _peste_. By -this time the sick man was unconscious, and the Doctor turned to the -servant and said: - -“I am sorry to inform you, but this gentleman has the _peste_. Who -has charge of his affairs? We shall have to procure him nurses and -medicines.” - -As though a thunderbolt had come out of a clear sky, James, the -servant, stood speechless and perfectly colorless at this announcement. -At last he regained his self-possession and said: - -“I will notify Mr. Milling; he knows Mr. Barclugh best. But I can not -stay here and nurse him myself. My wife and children would die of -fright.” - -“But,” remarked the Doctor, “you have been exposed.” - -“All right! all right! Doctor, but you see there’s a mighty difference -betwixt the nursing of it and the staying away from it. Let these rich -men who can afford to die, be having the risks. I will go and tell Mr. -Milling.” - -With that he put on his hat and ran to the office of Milling & -FitzMaurice, and without any ceremony rushed into the presence of Mr. -Milling, simply announcing: - -“Mr. Barclugh, my master, has the _peste_.” - -James then rushed out of the office of the merchant prince, and up -Front street, telling every person that he met: - -“My master, Mr. Barclugh, has the _peste_.” - -Thus, inside of an hour, the whole town was put in a fever of -excitement. Soon the number of cases was reported as a score; rumor had -it that every one had been exposed. - -At the office of Milling & FitzMaurice, a hasty consultation was held -between the partners. The conditions under which the ship, Sea Nymph, -had come into port, and how Mr. Barclugh had inspected her and had -arranged to buy her, were discussed. The cargo of the Sea Nymph was in -their warehouse, and no one could foretell the consequences. - -During this discussion of their own affairs, Milling & FitzMaurice did -not think of Barclugh. The Doctor waited and waited for some one to -come, but no one came to his relief. The accountant, Mr. Hopewell, had -heard the news on his way to the office, then had gone home to consult -with his wife. - -At last the Doctor became worried, and leaving his patient alone, he -went to the office of Milling & FitzMaurice. - -As he entered the accounting room, he walked quietly up to Mr. Milling -and said: - -“Sir, I sent Mr. Barclugh’s servant to tell you that that gentleman had -the _peste_, and that he must have nurses and attention for he is a -very sick man.” - -“Oh, the man did not ask us for nurses,” contended Mr. Milling. “He -simply told us that Mr. Barclugh was sick with the _peste_, and we had -no idea that our services were needed for a mission of that kind.” - -“There is no time to talk, gentlemen. Mr. Barclugh lies unconscious -with fever, and I do not know to whom he can appeal in his distress but -your house. Good day, gentlemen, I must be with my patient.” - -As soon as the Doctor had left, Mr. Milling looked at Robert -FitzMaurice as he said: - -“Robert, what shall we do about this? I can not tie myself up for three -weeks and be exposed to this fever, and neither can you. Our affairs -can spare neither you nor me. Is there not some poor devil whom we can -get to nurse him? Barclugh has plenty of money with us.” - -“Yes,” responded FitzMaurice. “There is Barton, he needs the money, -and he owes us; he ought to go and do this; he could then square our -account.” - -Barton was one of the men in the warehouse of the firm and had a young -wife and four children. When the offer was made to him in the office -of his employers, he answered: - -“Gentlemen, my life and my family are just as dear to me as either -of yours. I would not risk my life in that service for all of your -combined wealth. My life is exactly as dear to me as to any prince or -potentate.” - -Mr. Milling looked at Robert FitzMaurice with a dissatisfied air, as he -followed Barton’s footsteps and closed the door behind him, while he -said: - -“I believe Barclugh will be in pretty bad shape, before we can get any -one to nurse him.” - -In the meantime, however, the news of the fever began to travel outside -of Philadelphia. Express messengers went on horseback to the north and -to the south, and on the way to Germantown, the news of Barclugh’s -fever reached Dorminghurst. - -Dr. Greydon at once notified his wife and daughter. In less than -half an hour his carriage was ready, and he had left, prepared with -delicacies and medicines to succor a fellow being. There was no -calculation of consequences on his part. - -Mollie asked her father if she might accompany him, but he explained -that she could be of little assistance, so she stood on the portico, -and watched her father’s carriage until it had reached the road through -the avenue of hemlocks. - -But no sooner had her father’s carriage vanished through the trees, -than she ran with all of her might to the lodge of Segwuna. - -With eyes full of despair, she ran up to Segwuna, and exclaimed: - -“Segwuna! Segwuna! I have just learned that Mr. Barclugh has been -stricken with the _peste_, and father has started to go to him. - -“Oh! Segwuna! what shall I do? What shall I do? I am fearful that -something will happen to him, and father would not let me go to help -nurse him,” as she burst into a fit of heart-rending sobs and buried -her head on Segwuna’s breast. - -“Do not weep, my sweetheart. If you cannot go, Segwuna can go. I will -go and take the medicine that will save him. Do not fear, my dear. - -“Segwuna will nurse him back to you. Be calm and let me get ready. It -will not take me long to reach his side.” - -Segwuna went to her mother and gave her a few directions; in a few -minutes she was ready with a bundle of herbs, and with light step, and -the light of a guardian angel shining out of her beautiful eyes, she -and Mollie took the winding path down to the Wingohocking, then through -the avenue of hemlocks to the highway that led to Philadelphia. - -Mollie stopped at the huge gate at the roadside and kissed Segwuna -thrice, as she bade her Godspeed, and prayed silently: - -“That the sick one would have the protection of Divine Providence in -his affliction, and that God would bless the efforts of her friend, -Segwuna, to lead the sick one out of the ‘valley of the shadow of -death,’ and bring him nearer to his God and His Son, Jesus Christ.” - -“God bless you,” was the parting salutation to Segwuna as Mollie stood -and watched the Indian maiden go lightly on her mission of mercy. - -She watched her until Segwuna was a mere speck in the roadway, and then -turned silently to go to her bed-chamber to pray for the man, whom she -felt was dear to her, yet she could not tell why. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - - -When Dr. Greydon reached the bedside of Roderick Barclugh, Dr. Biddle -was bathing his patient’s hands and arms, and laboring over him to -reduce the temperature. As the two doctors met in the sick-room, Dr. -Biddle arose and quietly addressed his friend: - -“Dr. Greydon, I am glad that you have come. This gentleman is suffering -from a severe wound in the shoulder, and this fever has attacked him in -a virulent form, and unless we can reduce the temperature, his chances -are very slim for recovery.” - -“Well, I am surprised to learn that he is wounded,” replied Dr. -Greydon, “but I heard that he undertook a perilous adventure to pass -through the enemy’s lines into New York, on a business enterprise; but -where did he get this fever? Are you sure that it is _vomito negro_? - -“I presume that he met with some hair-breadth escape when he undertook -to get out of New York. How long has this paroxysm been running?” -continued Dr. Greydon. - -“Ever since early this morning,” replied Dr. Biddle. “He was in his -usual health yesterday, his servant told me.” - -Dr. Greydon quietly bent over the patient, and went through all the -formalities of a medical examination. When he had finished he looked at -Dr. Biddle and dubiously shook his head, as he said: - -“Doctor, your diagnosis is correct. He certainly has _vomito negro_, -and the depressed condition of his system from the shock that the wound -has caused, must make his case critical, very critical.” - -“Yes,” continued Dr. Biddle, “if we can reduce the fever, he will have -to receive careful nursing and I have notified Milling & FitzMaurice -that they shall have to send this gentleman a nurse, but none has come -yet; and it is four hours ago that I saw them.” - -“Well, well, this matter must be attended to at once,” contended Dr. -Greydon, “and if you can remain a while, I will go and try to procure -the necessary person and bring him here at once.” - -“That is good, Doctor,” replied Dr. Biddle. “I can continue the -bathing, and I can relieve the congestion by bleeding.” - -Just as Dr. Greydon reached the street, and was about to enter his -carriage, he heard a voice calling: - -“Doctor! Oh Doctor!” - -The Doctor turned and there was Segwuna. - -“What is it, Segwuna?” asked Dr. Greydon. - -“I have come to help nurse Mr. Barclugh.” - -“Are you not afraid, my child?” - -“Segwuna is not afraid to do her duty, Doctor.” - -“You are right, Segwuna,” replied Dr. Greydon. “Then we will go in.” - -Leading the way to the Barclugh apartments, Dr. Greydon conducted -Segwuna to the sick-room on the second floor, and as they entered, the -other medical man remarked: - -“Well, our wishes were quickly answered.” - -“Let me introduce Segwuna, the granddaughter of Altamaha; she resides -on our estate and she has volunteered to help rescue the afflicted--I -know that no one could do it better,” were the words of Dr. Greydon, -as he took off his coat and began to get ready for the care of Mr. -Barclugh. - -Segwuna immediately straightened out the room. She went with Dr. -Greydon through the house, and they found a large fireplace in the -kitchen of the residence where Barclugh had his business offices and -sleeping apartments. - -There were a few pieces of wood so that a fire was soon going on the -hearth. Then a memorandum of necessary articles of household utility -was made, and in a very few minutes it seemed as though an angel had -flown into the former desolate house. As Segwuna went from room to -room, silently arranging a piece of furniture, and opening the windows -and shutters, sunshine seemed to drive chaos away. - -The life that Barclugh led seemed to be wrong; when sickness came upon -him, money was mute. There was no loving kindness ready to be shown -to him, except what came from God’s messengers. Poor mortal! He was -lying unconsciously helpless, ignorant of the loving hands that now -administered kindnesses unto him. - -At the end of the day, the household was settled down to a routine; -Segwuna had medicines, delicacies, linen and food for a long and -tedious battle with the dreaded _peste_, but better still she had the -instincts of a true nurse. - -The sleeping-room on the second story, being the sick-room, she closed -the shutters to let in a minimum of light; she placed a pure white -linen cloth on the table; she kept cloths wet with vinegar on the -parched brow of the patient. A vase of pinks that had been sent by -Mollie from Dorminghurst was tastefully placed upon the table. In the -restful moments of the sick man, she slipped down stairs to the kitchen -and prepared a hot mustard bath for the feet, to relieve the congestion -in the brain. Wrapping the patient in a woolen blanket, she placed his -extremities in the hot bath, and then put him between clean linen to -cool his burning body. - -During the first twenty-four hours, the paroxysm of the fever was -intense. The temperature was 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and as Barclugh -lay suffering on his back the groans and tossing of the sick one -were heart-rending. He was only semi-conscious most of the time, but -Segwuna never flagged in her attentions. After Dr. Biddle had first -administered a simple emetic, and then performed the customary bleeding -for the first stages of the disease, a large dose of calomel and -subsequently a half-tumblerful of _oleum ricinum_ was administered to -relieve the alimentary canal. It was then a fight of physical endurance -against disease. - -However, Segwuna knew that the doctors were groping in the dark in -treating this disease, so she felt that much depended upon her skill in -keeping down the temperature, and keeping up the sick one’s strength, -in order to stand the ravages on his vital organs. When Barclugh tossed -and raved in his delirium, she saw that he placed his hand upon his -chest and stomach, and she felt that the fever must be burning the -vital organs. So she prepared a hot plaster of mustard and placed it on -the pit of his stomach. In a short time the patient seemed to get more -quiet, and he rested easily until morning. - -The second day Dr. Greydon arrived very early; as soon as he saw the -patient, he remarked: - -“Well, Segwuna, how is the gentleman this morning? I see that he is not -quite as flushed as he was yesterday. If his strength will hold out -to-day and to-morrow, we can hope to get him up.” - -“Yes, Dr. Greydon, Mr. Barclugh is easier this morning, but he was -very sick at midnight. He was nervous and in great distress so I put a -mustard plaster on his stomach and it immediately quieted him.” - -“You did perfectly right, Segwuna, my child. This fever seems to attack -the membranes of the stomach, and if you apply external applications, -you draw the congestion from the vital spot. - -“Now, Segwuna,” continued Dr. Greydon, “you go and rest yourself, while -I remain here. Then you will be able to stand another night’s vigil.” - -“Very well, I shall do so,” and Segwuna went to the couch that she had -prepared for herself in the former dining-room, where she slept soundly -until late in the afternoon. - -In the meantime, Dr. Biddle came and relieved Dr. Greydon at the -bedside of Roderick Barclugh, so that he was not a minute without -constant watching at his side. - -Between the two doctors a consultation was held, and they both -agreed that the sick man had a fighting chance for recovery, if his -constitution could stand the wear on his stomach and heart. No food -was to be administered until the fever was reduced, and then slight -stimulants were to be given to re-enforce the action of the heart. -Segwuna could nurse him by night, and the two doctors agreed to divide -their time during the day with the patient. - -When Segwuna awoke from her sound sleep, she made her way to the -sick-room, and found Dr. Biddle taking his temperature with his -thermometer. - -The temperature was 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and the pulse was 95 and a -glassy stare was noticeable in the eyes of the sick man who lay there -in a condition of stupor. His face was of a purplish-red hue, and his -cheeks began to lose that full and lively glow of health; a parched -and drawn appearance of the skin over the cheek-bones began to be -noticeable. - -Also during the day he had suffered a few attacks of the _vomito negro_ -that taxes the strength of the human organism to the utmost. - -Dr. Biddle whispered to Segwuna as she came beside the sick-bed: - -“He is very sick and you better give him a teaspoonful of this solution -in that tumbler every half-hour. If he can hold his own for the next -thirty-six hours, he will begin to gain. This paroxysm of the fever -usually reaches its crisis within three days, and after that, if his -strength is sufficient to sustain vital action, his case is hopeful. -But Segwuna, it all depends on the heart. This high temperature and -this terrible pulse! If it lasts too long, there can be no hope.” - -“Yes, Doctor, I know that this _peste_ is a very grave disorder, and I -shall not neglect your instructions,” replied Segwuna, as Dr. Biddle -gathered up his medicine case and left. - -The pride and power of man vanish when dread disease lays him low and -brings him next to dissolution! - -As Segwuna arranged all matters for her night’s vigil, she suddenly -turned toward Barclugh, for, as he lay prostrate, his arms were waving -wildly in the air as he exclaimed in his delirium: - -“Arnold loves money! Yes, he loves money! Yes, General Clinton, he -will get West Point from General Washington. I have offered him twenty -thousand pounds sterling, and a General’s commission in the British -army. Oh, that I had served my God with half the zeal I served my King. -Yes, she is beautiful in her virtue. Oh! that wound will be the death -of me! Yes, Risk shot me. There! There! All hands! Steady! Lads! Aim -low! - -“Oh say, Miss, was I talking?” - -“Not much, Mr. Barclugh, be calm,” replied Segwuna, as she held the -hand of the spy, and stroked his head, as he closed his eyes and dozed -off into a semi-conscious state. - -These words of Barclugh in his delirium, though disconnected, agitated -Segwuna beyond measure. She had seen Barclugh leave on the Sloop-of-War -Albatross when she spoke to him at Paule’s Hook in the dark. She had -followed him to New York after he had visited at Dorminghurst. She had -traced him to the Beekman House, and now she heard him in his delirium. - -Segwuna knew that this referred to Arnold. She reasoned thus: - -“What conspiracy was this that had been divulged to her? Must she -inform Congress? No. She had come here because she loved Mollie -Greydon, and she must save Mr. Barclugh’s life. The Great Spirit had -given her this knowledge, and she must find out all she could about -Arnold and Mr. Barclugh. She could serve Congress by wisely learning -all she possibly could. She must not blast Mollie’s hopes until the -whole truth is known.” - -The night augured badly for Barclugh. He awoke from his stupor about -ten o’clock, and his eyes showed intense suffering and sadness. He not -only suffered intense physical agonies, but when his mind regained -lucidity, thoughts of his plot with Arnold surged through his mind, and -the look of anguish on his face was most pitiable. - -As the hour of eleven o’clock drew near, Segwuna noticed that the eyes -of her patient glistened more than before, and an expression of abject -helplessness came over his face. His face was flushed perceptibly and -the nervous stroking of his stomach indicated to Segwuna that her -applications of mustard ought to be applied. - -After these were administered to the feet and stomach, quietude -succeeded the restless spell and the sick man lay peacefully until -Dr. Greydon arrived in the morning. He noted a material reduction in -the patient’s temperature. It was now down to 100 degrees, and the -crisis seemed passed; but still the lower temperature did not indicate -assurance of recovery. - -When the fever begins to decline a period of low fever and depression -follows. If a relapse now occurs, the patient succumbs; but Segwuna -watched over her charge for ten days, until he was able to sit up and -partake of some solid food. - -During the period of calm succeeding the paroxysm of fever, an event -occurred which threw more mystery than ever around the career of -Roderick Barclugh. - -One morning very early before the break of day, when not a sound -disturbed the sick-room but the tick of the clock, and an occasional -ship’s bell announcing the change of the watch, a loud rap sounded on -the front door. Segwuna was all alone. - -She went to the door, and there stood a burly Swedish fisherman whose -eyes bulged in astonishment to see a woman appear. - -“What do you want?” asked Segwuna sweetly. - -“I want to see Maister Baarkloo,” drawled the Swede. - -“He is very sick with the _peste_, I do not believe that he is able to -see any one,” spoke up Segwuna. - -“I haf sam lettar for heem, aand I give to heem--nobodday alse. I keep -not mysalf,” argued the Swede doggedly, as he started to come in. - -Segwuna stood in the doorway attempting to block his passage, but the -Swede brushed her to one side and went straight for Barclugh’s room, -and Segwuna followed closely after him. - -When the Swede reached the door of the sick man’s room, he raised his -hat and tiptoed up to the bedside of Barclugh. - -As he stood beside the bed he drew out of his pocket a long sealed -envelope, addressed: - - “Mr. Gustavus, - “Philadelphia. - - “From John Anderson, Esq., Merchant.” - -The Swede hesitatingly looked at Barclugh and saw him lying there and -staring with a glassy look in his eyes, unable to speak or to recognize -the Swede. - -The fisherman turned stolidly to Segwuna as he said: - -“I do my duty. I gav to nobodday alse.” As he said this he left the -packet on the bed, turned with a sad air, and walked out of the house -as mysteriously as he had come. - -Segwuna took up the envelope and examined the address. She knew that -the Swede was a fisherman from the New Jersey coast. She had seen -Roderick Barclugh walk to the sloop of war at Paules’ Hook with Major -Andre, and she had seen them both leave General Clinton’s house -together. - -She found Roderick Barclugh in Philadelphia, when she returned from -New York. He could not reach here by the sloop-of-war, so he must have -landed on the coast and have been brought here by the fisherman. As -these thoughts ran through her mind, she exclaimed: - -“I have found it! The letter has traveled the same course, and John -Anderson is John Andre.” - -What this shrewd woman could fathom out of the statements in Barclugh’s -delirium and what she had seen in New York, was that Arnold was to go -over to the British. If Arnold got West Point, she could put two and -two together and connect him with the twenty thousand pounds sterling -and the General’s commission in the British army. - -Segwuna reasoned to herself as she watched the sick man, and thought of -what she ought to do: - -“I have the clew to this poor man’s secret. His villainy must be -stopped. I shall not leave one stone unturned to fathom his plans. This -letter contains important facts. I shall deliver it when he recovers -and watch my opportunity to learn its contents after he has broken the -seal himself. Any other course would arouse his suspicions.” - -So she took the letter and placed it in the drawer of an escritoire and -resolved to deliver it as soon as Roderick Barclugh regained enough -strength to read it. - -When the episode of the letter delivered by the Swede had been well -considered, Segwuna reasoned to herself again: - -“I must not arouse the suspicions of Mr. Barclugh. If I let him go on -he will weave a net to entrap himself.” - -Later, Segwuna was enabled to learn the contents of the secret -correspondence after it had been given to Barclugh, who was too feeble -and too sick to think that the simple Indian maiden was interested in -his affairs. - -At the end of two weeks, Roderick Barclugh was strong enough to -be moved from his quarters. Consequently, after a most thorough -destruction and cleansing of his effects, Dr. Greydon insisted upon -taking Roderick Barclugh to Dorminghurst to recuperate his depleted -body. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - - -Barclugh, a mere shadow of his former self, was driven in the carriage -of Dr. Greydon to Dorminghurst. As he passed along Front Street and up -Market Street, he was saluted by General Arnold who smiled graciously -to see his friend convalescing and out of doors. - -When Dorminghurst was reached, there could be no mistaking the evident -gratitude in Barclugh’s wan features as he saw Mollie rush out of the -door and down to the carriage, extending both of her hands to him, as -she said: - -“How glad we are to see you with us again, Mr. Barclugh! I know that -you will get strong very soon.” - -“How kind of you to greet me so cordially, Miss Greydon. I owe my being -here to-day to your esteemed father and to Segwuna,” replied Barclugh -soberly as he arose with difficulty and got out of the carriage with -the assistance of Dr. Greydon. - -Dr. Greydon walked with Barclugh and assisted his feeble footsteps to -the bright and airy room overlooking the Wingohocking. - -Mrs. Greydon greeted him on the portico with such kindly words of -welcome, and the black servants stood looking on with such respectful -silence, that Barclugh could not help but wonder if it were not his own -mother in his own home who was now greeting him. - -The Doctor soon made him lie down on the snowy white bed, and ordered -an egg-nog for his refreshment. - -Sentiments of the tenderest feelings welled up in his breast upon the -receipt of such hospitality, and he murmured to himself as he lay on -his bed, peacefully resting: - -“This kindness to me passeth all understanding. How shall I ever -express my gratitude and return this compliment that has been paid me? -No, I never expected such treatment as this from the hands of those -whose cause I am endeavoring to defeat. Well, my turn will come, and -then I shall show them my breeding.” - -For the next few days Dr. Greydon would not allow Roderick Barclugh to -move out of his bed, for his strength was not enough yet to allow very -much exertion; but the new surroundings, and especially the beautiful -presence of Mollie Greydon, were an inspiration to him. - -Mollie took a lively interest in the welfare of her father’s guest and -patient. Every morning she brought a fresh bouquet of the brightest -flowers from the garden and placed them in the sick-room herself; -then in the afternoon, she brought her Latin works along with her, and -read selections to him. - -[Illustration: She noticed how longingly he watched her depart.] - -In the sweet modulations of her voice, Barclugh found repose as he lay -on his bed,--weak and emaciated. His strength was not enough to allow -him to converse at much length, so that after Mollie had read these -classics to him, his heart throbbed with tender emotions and the words -that left his lips when she had finished: - -“I thank you, Miss Greydon,” had the pathos of a heart full of -gratitude. - -As he lay with mind so clear but his body so weak, he often dreamed to -himself: - -“Oh! if my God will only restore me to my full powers again, I shall -live only to be worthy of the love of Mollie Greydon. She must be all -that is worth living for,--beauty, grace and loving kindness.” - -Each day as Mollie brought the fresh flowers to the sick-room, and on -each occasion that she read to the sick, she noticed how longingly he -watched her depart, and how he beamed with joy whenever she entered his -sick-chamber to read some well-chosen classic. - -In the course of a week, Roderick Barclugh began to recover his -appetite, and at the end of two weeks, he was strong enough to ride -out in the carriage with Mollie and the Doctor. - -The three would drive in the morning and in the latter part of the -afternoon as far as Germantown, and along the banks of the Delaware. - -These drives greatly benefited Barclugh’s health; he had also a most -excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the one who was the desire -of his heart. - -One day as they drove toward Philadelphia they met Segwuna. Nothing -would satisfy Mollie unless she rode with them. - -Mollie made room for her on the seat in the carriage that faced Dr. -Greydon and Mr. Barclugh. - -“Don’t you think that our patient looks much improved, Segwuna?” -queried Dr. Greydon, good-naturedly, as the carriage rolled along the -highway. - -“Yes, Dr. Greydon,” answered Segwuna, uncomfortably, as she sat looking -vacantly into the carriage top. - -The others attempted to be gay, but Segwuna’s presence cast a gloom -over the ride; she neither smiled nor talked except in monosyllables. - -“Have you learned anything of importance to-day in the city, about our -affairs of war, Segwuna?” cheerily asked Mollie, turning to the Indian -maiden with her happiest smile. - -“Nothing, Miss Greydon, except what traitors would be interested in,” -spoke out Segwuna, sternly. - -At the mention of the word “traitor,” Segwuna looked straight at -Roderick Barclugh, and she noticed a twitching of his lips and a -visible blush mounting his neck and ears. - -To allay any possible attention to himself, Barclugh now entered into -lively conversation with Dr. Greydon and Miss Mollie, and utterly -ignored Segwuna, who sat stolidly in a brown study during the rest of -the carriage ride. - -“Dr. Greydon,” began Barclugh spiritedly, “I am much interested in the -agriculture of the Colonies. There seems to be a wonderful fertility to -the soil, for a settler can go upon land with no capital but his hands -and a yoke of oxen, and inside of a year have a comfortable plantation -established. How can it be done? I do not understand it.” - -“The soil is rich in the first place,” replied Dr. Greydon; “then our -American products of Indian corn and potatoes provide abundance for -man and animals, so that there is no difficulty in subsistence. The -natural meadow and the grasses of the woods provide for sleek cattle -and horses; then the abundance of wild pigeons, ducks, and turkeys and -the fish of the rivers and lakes also provide food; the hides of the -deer, bear, coons and squirrel provide raiment and robes. There is no -reason for man to suffer in this wonderfully prosperous country, if he -be industrious,” argued Dr. Greydon, with much satisfaction to himself, -but evidently to the discomfiture of Barclugh, for he remarked: - -“This is all so strange to me. I cannot understand how the settlements -start up like mushrooms in the wilderness.” - -“It is the promise of the Great Spirit,” contributed Segwuna. “But our -soil must be forever free from the tyranny of kings and potentates, -or the corn would not grow and the potatoes would wither and a famine -would devastate the land.” - -“Segwuna is our prophetess, Mr. Barclugh,” declared Mollie, exultingly, -“and we all love her dearly,” continued Mollie, as she turned to -Segwuna, and putting her arms around her neck, kissed her. - -Barclugh did not relish the affection that Mollie showed for Segwuna, -so he remarked emphatically: - -“We cannot rely on superstition, Miss Greydon.” - -The latent fire of the Indian character gleamed in Segwuna’s eyes, and -she longed in her heart to wither Roderick Barclugh, but the time was -not ripe. Segwuna simply kept silent and abided her time. - -After the carriage had arrived at Dorminghurst, Dr. Greydon and -Barclugh sat upon the portico and conversed upon sundry subjects while -Mollie and Segwuna strolled off together toward Segwuna’s lodge, Mollie -remarked: - -“Something has made you unhappy, Segwuna. What has happened to you?” - -“Oh, nothing, my sweetheart. Your Segwuna’s heart bleeds for her -country’s welfare, and I can see that something is to happen during the -next moon that will make us all unhappy; but your Segwuna can not tell -her sweetheart now. It might make me wish that I had not spoken about -it, if it should not happen. - -“I wish that my dearest one would excuse Segwuna and let her go to her -lodge, and pray to her Manitou to clear her sky and bring happiness -to her spirit, for her heart is very sad to-day,--very sad to-day,” -repeated Segwuna. - -“Yes, yes, my loved one,” replied Mollie. “Your Mollie loves you -and knows how pure and noble her Segwuna is. Good night, dearest. -Good night,” were the parting words of Mollie Greydon, as she kissed -Segwuna, and left her to return to the mansion. - -While the two were strolling on the winding path, Roderick Barclugh and -Dr. Greydon sat on the portico and conversed freely. Barclugh resolved -to confess the longings of his heart before his departure, as he knew -that he must soon leave Dorminghurst. - -He opened the difficult subject by saying: - -“Dr. Greydon, I have now been a guest at your house for two weeks, and -under trying circumstances to your household. I feel that I owe my life -to your tender care and solicitation. My father could do no more for -me; but I hope that you will not consider I am presuming on your good -nature, when I unfold to you an affair of my heart; and ask of you one -of the greatest favors that one man can bestow upon another. - -“Dr. Greydon,” continued Barclugh, “ever since I first met your -daughter, I have esteemed her as one of the most talented and beautiful -women in this country, and since I first was a guest in your home, I -have learned to love her; I ask you to give her to me for my wife. My -position and means and prospects warrant me in making this request and -I hope that I may deserve the great honor that I ask you to confer upon -me.” - -After a moment of silent reflection, Dr. Greydon replied most -reverently and in the peculiar language of his Quaker persuasion, which -he used only on occasions of great emotion: - -“Thou hast been good enough for me to invite thee to my home. If I had -not thought thee good enough to be my son, thou shouldst not have been -my guest; but my daughter must give thee her own consent before thou -canst have mine.” - -At the conclusion of these solemn injunctions, Barclugh arose, silently -shook the hand of Dr. Greydon and retired to his bed-chamber for -meditation. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - - -During the evening after Barclugh had asked the consent of Dr. Greydon, -an air of expectancy pervaded all except Mollie. Dr. Greydon had told -his wife about Barclugh’s request and she realized the importance of -this day to her darling daughter, who was one of the flowers of the -earth in her sight. - -A mother rejoices in the proper selection of a husband by her daughter, -and Mrs. Greydon, one of those good, wholesome souls, believed in -whatever her husband proposed, so that when the Doctor informed his -wife of Barclugh’s intentions, she simply said: - -“Thou knowest best what is right, William;” and was satisfied to rest -on his wisdom. - -Mollie was utterly oblivious to the ordeal in store for her on -this particular evening. She was more witchy and poked more lively -sallies at Barclugh during the dinner than she ever had before on -any one occasion, but Barclugh blushed and took the pleasantries -good-naturedly. Yet Mollie noticed that she was doing most of the -talking, and wondered to herself why everybody was so sober and she so -lively. Nevertheless, her buoyancy of spirits could not be downed and -she continued her play of wit and humor throughout the dinner. - -When the dinner was finished, Mollie said: - -“I have the prettiest ode of Horace that I was translating before -dinner, and I must have papa and mamma and you, Mr. Barclugh, come to -the library and I will read it to you.” - -So Barclugh offered Mollie his arm, and Dr. Greydon his to his wife, -and the four went up the great staircase to the library. - -Mollie went to the book-shelves, while the others seated themselves on -the carved oak settles, facing each other before the great fireplace. -Mollie took the edition of Horace and seated herself at the head of the -large library table and began to read: - - INTACTIS OPULENTIOR - - “Though India’s virgin mine, - And wealth of Araby be thine; - Though thy wave-circled palaces - Usurp the Tyrrhene and Apulian seas, - When on thy devoted head - The iron hand of Fate has laid - The symbols of eternal doom, - What power shall loose the fetters of the dead? - What hope dispel the terrors of the tomb? - - “Happy the nomad tribes whose wains - Drag their rude huts o’er Scythian plains; - Happier the Gaetan horde - To whom unmeasured fields afford - Abundant harvests, pastures free: - For one short year they toil, - Then claim once more their liberty, - And yield to other hands the unexhausted soil. - - “The tender-hearted stepdame there - Nurtures with all a mother’s care - The orphan babe: no wealthy bride - Insults her lord, or yields her heart - To the sleek suitor’s glozing art. - The maiden’s dower is purity, - Her parent’s worth, her womanly pride, - To hate the sin, to scorn the lie, - Chastely to live, or, if dishonored, die. - - “Breathes there a patriot, brave and strong, - Would right his erring country’s wrong, - Would heal her wounds and quell her rage? - Let him, with noble daring, first - Curb Faction’s tyranny accurst, - So may some future age - Grave on his bust with pious hand, - The Father of his Native Land, - Virtue yet living we despise, - Adore it, lost and vanished from our eyes. - - “Cease idle wail! - The sin unpunished, what can sighs avail? - How weak the laws by man ordained - If Virtue’s law be unsustained. - A second sin is thine. The sand - Of Araby, Gaetulia’s sun-scorched land; - The desolate regions of Hyperborean ice, - Call with one voice to wrinkled Avarice: - He hears; he feels no toil, nor sword, nor sea, - Shrinks from no disgrace but virtuous poverty. - - “Forth! ’mid a shouting nation bring - Thy precious gems, thy wealth untold; - Into the seas or temple fling - Thy vile unprofitable gold. - Roman, repent, and from within - Eradicate thy darling sin; - Repent, and from thy bosom tear - The sordid shame that festers there. - - “Bid thy degenerate sons to learn - In rougher schools a lesson stern. - The high-born youth, mature in vice, - Pursues his vain and reckless course, - Rolls the Greek hoop, or throws the dice, - But shuns and dreads the horse. - His perjured sire, with jealous care, - Heaps riches for his worthless heir, - - “Despised, disgraced, supremely blest, - Cheating his partner, friend, and guest, - Uncounted stores his bursting coffers fill; - But something unpossessed is ever wanting still.” - -At the conclusion of the ode, Dr. Greydon remarked: - -“Mollie, there is much wisdom in our Latin poets. Simplicity and -virtuous lives are the safeguards of nations. When Horace sang, the -Roman people began to feel the dangers of wealth and riotous living; -may our own country escape these baneful influences.” - -Mrs. Greydon looked at her daughter with loving eyes when she had -finished her translation, and turning to Mr. Barclugh, said as she -arose to leave the young people to themselves: - -“Mr. Barclugh, we take much pleasure in our Mollie’s preaching. We hope -that she will not bore you. - -“You will pardon the Doctor and me for retiring so soon, but we have -many duties to perform.” - -The Doctor and Mrs. Greydon then left the library to allow the young -people to have their own conversation. - -When Dr. and Mrs. Greydon had left Roderick Barclugh and their daughter -to their fates, Barclugh sat on the settle with his arms folded on his -breast, and looking squarely at Mollie Greydon, ventured the words that -were burning within his heart: - -“Miss Greydon, I wish to address you on a subject that is most dear to -my life. I----” - -“Why, Mr. Barclugh, what is it that you mean?” interrupted Mollie as -she put down her book. - -“Miss Greydon, I believe that I could recover my former health more -quickly if I could settle one thing in my mind,” continued Barclugh. - -“I am sure that if there is anything to be done you ought to do so at -once, Mr. Barclugh, for you have been a very ill man,” returned Mollie, -as she looked at him and saw that peculiar expression that she had -noticed in his eyes when he sat opposite her at the breakfast table two -months before. - -Roderick Barclugh now looked at Mollie, who instantly felt that some -great ordeal was impending. He arose and took Mollie’s hands in both of -his as he knelt at her side, and pleaded: - -“Miss Greydon, I have loved you since that day I first met you at your -father’s table. My life is a void without your presence at my side. -Will you be my wife?” he asked as he took Mollie’s hand and pressed it -to his lips. - -Mollie sat in her chair as though she were fashioned from marble. Her -beautiful face was transfixed away from Barclugh, and her gaze was that -of a frightened fawn. She could not answer. - -At length Barclugh pleaded: - -“Speak! Mollie, speak! My heart and my life go out to you with -sincerity and love! Will you consent to be my bride, and make me the -most favored man on earth?” - -Mollie arose and went to the other end of the library table, and -looking at her lover said: - -“It is impossible that you could love me, Mr. Barclugh. I am a -Quakeress.” - -“That matters not, my dear Mollie. I have learned that God’s loving -kindness resides within the hearts of your people. I was saved from an -untimely death by the love and kindness of your dear father, and I know -that you had no less to do with it than he. So I feel that I am the one -to be unworthy of any affection that your heart possesses,” contended -Barclugh. - -“I am highly complimented, Mr. Barclugh, by your kindly and unexpected -attentions to me, but I feel so unable to render any one happy that -I could not answer you at once. I must have time for meditation and -consultation with my parents.” - -“There is no reason, dearest, why you ought not to have time. If -you will only consent to consider my love, so that I shall have an -opportunity to prove my worthiness, I shall be more than happy. Promise -me this much, Mollie. I shall then have a chance to show you how much I -love you?” pleaded Barclugh passionately. - -Mollie sat down at the end of the table, buried her face in her arms -and began to sob and weep pitifully, and Barclugh stood disconsolately -at the other end of the table. - -At length Barclugh went to the end of the table where Mollie sat, and -taking her hand in his, he knelt at her side, and pleaded earnestly: - -“Mollie, will you satisfy the longing of my heart by promising me that -you will answer me in a month? Just give me a ray of hope, that I may -live for your sake. Mollie, just promise me, just promise.” - -Between the sobs that fairly tore the heart’s moorings of Barclugh, -Mollie replied, feebly: - -“In a month, Mr. Barclugh.” - -Barclugh then took her hand and kissed it until he was beside himself; -then he arose and left Mollie alone in the library. - -He resolved to go to his own lodgings the next morning, determined to -win his loved one by the ardor of his attentions. - -Mollie’s supersensitive mind was overcome by the appalling nature of -the question that was made to her; and she thought how unworthy she was -to make another mortal happy for a lifetime. She needed the guidance of -reflection and the help of prayer to the All-wise Being that cares for -the most humble of His creatures. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII - - -When Barclugh arrived at his office on the day that he departed from -Dorminghurst, Benedict Arnold was there. - -Dr. Greydon had left his guest at the door and before entering his -carriage, shook Barclugh heartily by the hand, as he said: - -“Thou hast my blessing, my friend, and may our happiness always -continue as bright as it has been in the past fortnight.” - -Barclugh was so overcome by the sincerity of his former host and -benefactor that he was visibly affected when he replied: - -“I thank you sincerely, Dr. Greydon, for all that you have done for me. -I owe my life to your attentions. - -“Give my love to Miss Mollie,” were the parting words of Roderick -Barclugh, as he turned to enter upon the sterner duties of his business. - -Greeting Arnold by the salutation: “Good morning, General,” Barclugh -walked into his private office, followed by Arnold who shut the door -behind them. - -“I am delighted to see you so well, Mr. Barclugh,” began Arnold. “It -does seem more than four weeks since you were taken ill. - -“But I have good news for you, Mr. Barclugh. My commission as commander -of West Point has been promised. I have seen the Commander-in-Chief -personally. - -“I shall move my headquarters there this week. Now all that we need to -do is to arrange the details of the surrender when I get there.” - -“That’s all right,” interrupted Barclugh. “I can communicate with you -and forward your correspondence through our old channel until you wish -to arrange the details, when you can plan to meet Major Andre and make -out a plan of attack and surrender.” - -“That’s it, that’s it, there need be no hurry until I get on the ground -and fix things,” continued Arnold enthusiastically. “But Mr. Barclugh, -before I can decently leave this town, I must settle all my household -debts. So, if you can favor me with five hundred pounds to-day, I -shall be pleased. I will simply consider it as an advance in the total -amount. I need it for expenses, you know.” - -“Certainly, certainly, General Arnold, you must get away as soon and as -decently as possible,” replied Barclugh, going to the iron safe on the -other side of the office to get the money. - -When General Arnold had received the money and arose to depart, he -smiled significantly to Barclugh, as he remarked: - -“I am feeling like my old self once more. My fighting blood is up. No -use talking, the sinews of war put the nerve in a man. - -“I am sorry to go at once, Mr. Barclugh, but my duties are pressing, -and I must close up my affairs here at the earliest possible moment. -Good day, Mr. Barclugh. I feel very grateful for your assistance,” -concluded Arnold as he left Barclugh’s office. - -Roderick Barclugh called his clerk into his private office, as soon as -General Arnold departed, to give his orders: - -“Mr. Hopewell, you may see Messrs. Milling & FitzMaurice and close -all of my privateering and other accounts with them except the Bank -of North America matter. Tell them that my illness has necessitated -my giving up everything except the banking business, which shall now -receive my exclusive attention.” - -“Very well, Mr. Barclugh,” answered the faithful clerk, as he proceeded -to carry out these injunctions. - -Roderick Barclugh now had accomplished the purposes for which his -dealings with Milling & FitzMaurice had been started. He had used -this channel to ensnare Arnold and to procure an introduction to the -leaders of society in Philadelphia, Tory and Whig, alike. - -But there was only one question, if he were to withdraw his whole -account from Milling & FitzMaurice, they might be embarrassed. Having -planned to put this amount into the bank, he could let it lie in their -hands, as a loan, until the bank was established. - -General Clinton must now be advised of the turn of affairs, so Barclugh -busied himself at the task of writing a complete history of the -transactions since the beginning of his illness and despatched the -letters by the Little Egg Harbor inlet route. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV - - -After Segwuna read the letters of John Anderson that had been brought -from New York by the Swedish fisherman, she could not bear the sight -of Roderick Barclugh. The thought of Mollie Greydon ever loving this -man who was visiting General Clinton and Major Andre, and conspiring -with General Arnold and at the same time visiting the Greydon family, -was repulsive to her. She did not yet possess knowledge positive -enough about Barclugh to inform Mollie of its nature; nor did she yet -really know that Mollie was in love with Mr. Barclugh. Still she fully -intended to devote her attentions to this conspiracy and expose its -operations, if possible. - -As Segwuna lay on her couch of mats in her mother’s lodge, on the day -that she had been invited to ride in the carriage with Mollie and Mr. -Barclugh, she went over and over again all that she had learned: - -“I first saw Mr. Barclugh after Mollie had met him at the dinner party -given by Robert FitzMaurice. Every day that I went to Philadelphia -I found Mr. Barclugh at the office of Milling & FitzMaurice or at -General Arnold’s. In watching him I followed him to the office of -General Arnold on the night before he visited Dorminghurst. I learned -that he was going to New York to visit General Clinton and get a -commission for General Arnold in the British army if Arnold turned over -West Point. The next morning he stopped at Dorminghurst and visited -my friends. I could not inform any one of what I knew for fear of -implicating my friends, for I did not know what the relations were -between Dr. Greydon and Mr. Barclugh. - -“Now, it is all clear to me. Dr. Greydon does not know anything about -Mr. Barclugh’s business. Mr. Barclugh pretends to favor independence, -but he is striving to overthrow it. When I followed him to New York, I -suspected more; when I heard his exclamations in the delirium of fever, -I was convinced. The letters brought by the fisherman have shown that -he is in communication with the English. - -“Segwuna must not rest night nor day until this spy is foiled in his -designs; if I should inform anybody, suspicion might fall upon my -friends at Dorminghurst who have befriended Mr. Barclugh and saved his -life. That course would never do, so the duty falls upon Segwuna alone -to overthrow the spy’s work and save her friends!” - -She set about her task of thwarting Barclugh with much zeal. She walked -to Philadelphia and went immediately to Front Street near Barclugh’s -lodgings. The first thing that met her eyes was the departure of -General Arnold from the office of the British agent. - -Segwuna kept her own counsel, but she was alert and active. She went -to the Halls of Congress and watched for any news that might be of -importance to her task. She heard Mr. Livingston talking to General -Schuyler about West Point, so she stopped to listen. - -The conversation was about the report of the committee on army affairs, -and Mr. Livingston stopped General Schuyler in front of Carpenter’s -Hall. - -“General Schuyler, have you done anything on your committee about -Arnold’s assignment?” asked Mr. Livingston. “I have written to the -Commander-in-Chief and asked him to assign Arnold to West Point. His -wounded knee will not allow him to ride a horse and that fact unfits -him for active service in the field.” - -“Yes, you are right, Mr. Livingston,” replied General Schuyler, -“Arnold is a valuable man. The soldiers admire him. We will assign him -to post duty and recommend giving him West Point, if he declines to -take the field. The Commander-in-Chief wishes him to be active in the -coming campaign, but if Arnold insists upon garrison duty, he may get -whatever he wishes.” - -This settled the matter in the mind of Segwuna, for she knew that -Arnold desired West Point. Now Segwuna must determine what she ought -to do to keep her eyes on Arnold and Barclugh at the same time. She -learned from the fish-vender, Sven Svenson, another point that put her -on her guard. - -Sven was ambling along Market Street with his fish cart, when Segwuna -stopped him and said: - -“Good morning, Sven, what is the news in town?” - -“Val, I hap gude news, Miss Segwuna; Ganral Arnold has pade me up tan -pound starling an’ sax pance,” answered Sven as he showed the guineas -and smiled blandly at Segwuna. - -“He vas going to da army to vark. I gass he vaants Vast Point. My -saster who varks for Mistrees Arnold, she tald mee so mach.” - -“Do you think that he will get it, Sven?” asked Segwuna. - -“Ah! He gats vat he vants,” retorted Sven, smiling more than ever. - -“Thank you, Sven,” replied Segwuna knowingly, as she started on up the -street. - -Philadelphia’s streets contained little knots of men and women -discussing the latest news, and everybody had it on his tongue that -General Arnold was about to leave town, and no one was sorry, for his -cold and overbearing manners had disgusted even his friends with him. - -His extravagance and debts had brought unsavory gossip upon himself -and household. As Segwuna went through the market-place where two old -women,--seasoned gossips of the town,--stood and regaled each other, -she paused to hear their chatter: - -“Have you heard about General Arnold and his spouse?” quizzed the first. - -“What? About paying off his debts?” questioned the second. - -“I wonder where he got the money? I heard that he sold merchandise to -the enemy,” continued the first one. - -“No, he went to Connecticut last month and has just returned. He must -have had property there and sold it,” argued the second one. - -“Have you heard what they named their boy?” - -“No, what is it?” - -“It’s Edward Shippen.” - -“What? That old Tory?” - -“Yes, that’s it. Those Shippens have turned Ben Arnold’s head. He’s not -the same since he became mixed up with that lot.” - -“Well, Ben Arnold used to be a fine soldier before he knew those -Shippens. Now he doesn’t want to fight, he wants to lie around and play -the dandy.” - -“Yes, I heard that General Washington wanted him to join the army, but -his wife is afraid that he will be shot. That’s a pretty pass. I wonder -if she’s better than any of the rest of us? We have husbands and sons -fighting.” - -“I wonder where they will put him? I heard that he wanted to go to West -Point.” - -“Yes, if I were General Washington, I wouldn’t do anything like that. -There must be some fire where there is so much smoke. He doesn’t want -West Point for any good purpose.” - -“Well, I believe Ben Arnold is all right at heart if those Shippens -didn’t have a noose around his neck.” - -“Poor man! I feel sorry for him.” - -“But, do you know that I started to go to market, and here I am talking -yet.” - -“Yes, that’s my case too, I must go.” - -“Come over to see me.” - -“Yes, I will.” - -“Good-bye.” - - * * * * * - -Segwuna came into Philadelphia every few days. She kept close watch -on the movements of General Arnold. She knew that as soon as he got -stationed at West Point, matters would begin to move between him and -Major Andre. Accordingly, she learned when Arnold left Philadelphia. -She also heard about ten days thereafter that he had taken command at -West Point, August 3. - -There was nothing for Segwuna to do when she had learned that Arnold -was stationed at West Point except to be on the ground where she knew -the dealings between Arnold and Andre would take place. The next move -that she made was to get her affairs at home all arranged, and tell her -mother that she was going to New York. - -She could meet Major Andre and advise him against his plot. If that -plan failed, she could make her way to General Washington and advise -him of the advance of the British troops. Thus her friends would have -no suspicions cast upon them for their intimacy with Barclugh. Then -when the plot had been foiled, she could return to Philadelphia and -advise Dr. Greydon about Barclugh’s participation in the plot. - -Mollie Greydon was sitting on the portico at Dorminghurst just after -a visit from Mr. Barclugh one warm afternoon in the latter part of -August. She had just been receiving the most marked attentions from her -lover. He never missed paying his respects to her at least three or -four times a week. - -On this afternoon, Segwuna came tripping down the avenue of hemlocks, -and before she got to the portico, Mollie put down her needle-work, and -ran to greet her. - -“Why, Segwuna,” she said, “you have been so mysterious of late, I have -not seen you for over two weeks. What has been the matter? I have -something to tell you, my dear.” - -“I have come, my sweetheart, to tell you that Segwuna is going away.” - -“Going away?” cried Mollie. “What for?” - -“I am going to New York for General Washington,” replied Segwuna. “His -enemies are conspiring to defeat his plans and Segwuna’s duty calls -her to go. I have studied out what my duty is and I have worked to get -ready to go now. But before I go, I thought that I would come and tell -you. - -“You must not let any one know where I am going, not even your father,” -cautioned Segwuna. - -“Very well, Segwuna. Now I must tell you a secret of mine,” returned -Mollie. “Do you know, Mr. Barclugh has asked me to marry him?” - -“Have you promised him?” demanded Segwuna impulsively, as her face -became the picture of solicitude. - -[Illustration: Mollie put down her needle-work and ran to meet her.] - -“Why do you look so eager and ask me that question?” asked Mollie -impatiently. - -“But tell me, have you promised? If you have, I know that you would -have told me,” argued Segwuna. - -“No, I have not promised. I asked a month to consider. - -“I also wish to learn about his family and his business. I believe that -he loves me, and I believe that I could love him. He is so handsome, -and a perfect gentleman,” continued Mollie. - -“Very true, my dear Mollie. I know that he loves you. He may be very -rich too, but you must know all about his business. He has been in -Philadelphia less than a year. He was introduced by Benjamin Franklin, -but his business is unsettled. Privateering is very precarious,” argued -Segwuna. - -“Now, my dear Mollie, Segwuna’s life is devoted to yours. Promise me -just one thing. Do not give your consent until Segwuna returns. If you -promise him in this moon, your life may be unhappy. Wait until the next -moon and everything will be clear.” - -“I believe that your advice is good. I must be certain that he loves me -and that I could make him happy, before I consent. Because, when I once -promise, my lot is cast,” reasoned Mollie, as Segwuna kissed her, and -walked sprightly down the avenue of hemlocks. - -Mollie was resigned to wait. The wisdom of the Quaker character was -sufficiently grounded in her to cause her to be sure of her step before -she made one, and there were so many things to be considered before she -could promise. - -Segwuna looked a perfect picture of nobility of character this evening, -when she left Mollie at Dorminghurst. Her tall, lithe figure and -elastic step, her dark hair hanging in a braid upon her back, her -long, oval face, firm mouth, deep-set eyes, aquiline nose, bare head -and olive complexion combined to produce a distinguished presence. Her -dress consisted of a tunic of buckskin, a short skirt, leggings and -moccasins of the same material. She wore no ornaments and the only -thing that encumbered her on her journey was a bag or knapsack made -of fine buckskin suspended on her back by means of a strap over her -shoulders and breast. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV - - -Barclugh grew impatient and chafed under the uncertainties of his -position. He had restricted all of his business since his illness to -the plot with Arnold and to the establishment of a bank among the -merchants. Arnold was now at West Point and had been joined by his -wife. The latest despatch that Barclugh had in Philadelphia from Andre -was that negotiations had been opened up with Arnold and that he -expected to have the whole matter consummated within a week. - -In spite of the apparent serenity of his affairs, he paced the floor by -day and tossed in his bed at night. The thoughts of Mollie Greydon’s -demeanor of late disturbed him. - -“She does not enter into conversation with her former frankness and -abandon. There must be some restraining influence at work. I must -have this uncertainty off my mind. I shall go to her to-morrow and -have my mind clear about her love for me. Her time of a month for -the consideration of my proposal will be up in a week, but I cannot -postpone this longer. I must settle the matter to-morrow.” - -On the day succeeding his resolution, Barclugh went to Dorminghurst -early in the afternoon and invited Mollie to accompany him on a -horseback ride to the Delaware. - -Mollie received her suitor with a gracious smile, as it was perfectly -evident that she admired Mr. Barclugh (for in spite of his despicable -secret mission he was worthy of better things) and the two very soon -were on their way, gayly cantering down the avenue of hemlocks. - -The afternoon was one of those sere, autumn days in late October. The -sun shone through a hazy smoke and the air was crisp and bracing. The -smoke curled out of the chimneys, lazily ascending, loath to leave the -environment of its former condition in the fireplace; but the calm -atmosphere allowed the ethereal vapor to hover about the old chimney -and house and to fill the hemlocks with a pungent incense. - -This pungency of the smoky atmosphere oppressed Barclugh but to Mollie -it was like a sweet odor. She rattled off small-talk, as, aglow with -her buoyant spirits, she rode her prancing bay. - -Barclugh never had such a task to perform as now confronted him. To -broach the subject nearest his heart would cast a gloom over the one -whom he loved better than his own life. As he rode closely to the -side of his companion, he could feel his heart throb violently, and -as he sat stolidly in his saddle, between his monosyllabic answers to -Mollie’s gayety, he thought: - -“What ails you, old soul? Are you losing the power of speech? What -a pity to molest the happy life of such a perfect being! But we are -selfish. Yes; her life must be linked with mine. She can make me a -better man. Is it something in the poise of her head? is it something -in the way that she rides her horse? No, it is what she thinks, her -unconscious nobility of soul, that enthralls me.” - -“Well, Mr. Barclugh, let us take a spurt on this fine stretch of road. -My Prince is chafing for a dash,” suggested Mollie as she looked up -into her companion’s face, who evidently was in a reverie. - -“Good!” exclaimed Barclugh, somewhat startled. “Let’s go!” So he -spurred his horse and as if by magic the two finely-bred steeds -responded to the spirit of their riders and leaped into the air for a -brush. - -Barclugh at once was on his mettle. To be challenged for a race by the -one whom he adored was the tonic needed for his soul. The somber spell -that depressed him was gone as he turned and saw Mollie urge on her -steed. She was a daring horse-woman; her mount was peerless. Barclugh -felt the blood mount to his hair as Mollie came up and rode past and -smiled roguishly at her lover as she distanced him. - -Mollie reined in and turned around with her face full of animation as -she asked spiritedly: - -“How’s that for my Prince, Mr. Barclugh?” - -“Splendid! splendid!” exclaimed Barclugh in admiration of the restless -steed and the aristocratic form of Mollie, who, breathing fast, glanced -at her whip with which she struck her habit, for she intuitively felt -the ardor of Barclugh’s gaze and the blood mounted to her cheeks. - -Here was the moment for Barclugh to ask the question uppermost in his -mind. But he did not. The power to encroach upon the sacred precincts -of the innermost soul of the one whom a refined nature loves is like -admiring the rose and then tearing up the roots that give it being. A -refined nature pauses at desecration. - -Barclugh had offered himself, and Mollie had asked a month to answer. -The gnawings at a man’s heart often lead him through labyrinths of -impatience and indiscretion that are hard to untangle and bring him -into paths that are serene and pure. But on the other hand, it often -happens that the woman withholds her answer to a man’s avowal because -she must satisfy the questionings of a heart that needs more than a -mere avowal to convince her that the man is sincere and thoroughly in -earnest. - -However, the exhilaration of the gallop with Mollie had cleared the -cobwebs from Barclugh’s brain. He looked upon Mollie as magnificently -noble and pure. She would certainly answer him at the end of the month -and if then she could not declare herself, he would know that some -further proof of his devotion must be made. - -“Yet after all of the fine calculations that one can make,” thought he, -“love thrives without reason.” - -Their way now lay through a wooded glen. The horses stepped smartly and -pranced proudly as their nostrils extended out of their classic heads. - -“How beautiful this day!” exclaimed Mollie with enthusiasm. “I rejoice -to be here!” as she stroked the arched neck of her steed with her -shapely gloved hand. Mollie rode her horse as though she were mistress -of the situation. Her feminine intuition told her that her lover was -craving to declare his devotion, but she would have despised him for -it. She knew that the ground on which she trod was sacred until the -four weeks had passed. Yet she was fearful lest the promise to Segwuna -could not be kept. Her party was to be held in two days and she was to -dance in the minuet with Mr. Barclugh. She was satisfied as things were. - -“What makes you so happy and beautiful this evening, Miss Mollie?” -ventured Barclugh at last. - -“I don’t know,” replied Mollie archly. - -“May I guess?” queried Barclugh after some reflection. - -“Don’t guess. I don’t like guessing,” retorted Mollie impatiently. - -“But you _will_ allow me this time?” returned Barclugh in his most -dulcet tones. - -“No; I can not,” replied Mollie, as she spurred her horse and started -on a canter, Barclugh following her lead. - -“Look! Mr. Barclugh, there is the Delaware!” exclaimed Mollie as she -pointed toward a broad expanse of the river, at the same time looking -at Barclugh with a roguish twinkle in her eyes. - -“Confound those four weeks,” thought Barclugh; then he said: - -“I don’t see so much in that to rave over. I am interested in better -views. I am interested in you, just now.” - -“Nonsense! Mr. Barclugh,” protested Mollie. “You ought to have better -sense,” while she good-naturedly laughed at the evident discomfiture of -her lover. - -Barclugh now colored, for he felt sheepish in his awkward position. -In another instant, however, he smiled, himself, and they rode down -the banks of the Delaware discussing pleasantly the beauties of the -landscape. - -Barclugh recognized the fact that the fates were against him and -he concluded that the better part of valor was to wait for a more -propitious time. However, something within told him that the present -was his opportunity, for he thought: - -“He who hesitates is lost.” - -The road now took them over the Wingohocking as the crimson setting -of the sun shone over the rippling water and the autumnal hues of the -landscape mellowed the disappointment in his breast. - -When the avenue of hemlocks at Dorminghurst was passed and he led -Mollie from her horse up to the portico, Miss Mollie smiled more than -graciously as she said: - -“Now, Mr. Barclugh, I shall depend upon you at my party for the minuet.” - -“Thank you, Miss Greydon,” replied Barclugh, bowing very low, “but -don’t forget that I shall claim my answer in another week.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI - - -We next find Segwuna in New York. She was well acquainted with the -way thither, for she had traversed it many times. While pursuing her -purpose in New York, Segwuna lived with a small band of Iroquois on -Staten Island. - -Segwuna found much favor among the ladies of the English officers, for -her skill as a prophetess was already established. - -She now made it her particular business to call often upon the ladies -of General Clinton and General Knypthausen; and, also, upon Major Andre -in his office, one afternoon, when the principal business of the day -was over. - -The offices of the Adjutant-General of the British Army were at No. 1 -Broadway, in one of those old Dutch houses the entrance of which led up -a short flight of steps to a huge door having an iron knocker. - -Dormer windows faced the street in the second story, and the hip -roof was covered with shingles that were coated with moss and -lichens,--evidences of an ancient construction. - -When Segwuna rapped with the iron knocker on the huge door, a -red-coated English Sergeant opened it, and the prophetess modestly -inquired: - -“Is Major Andre in?” - -“Yes, Madam,” was the reply. - -“May I see him?” - -“He is very busy,” returned the Sergeant. “Will you give your name, and -state your business?” - -“Tell him that Segwuna, the Indian prophetess, has news to tell him.” - -“Will you come in and be seated?” continued the military man, who -ushered her into the outer office of the Adjutant-General. - -Segwuna went into the outer office and sat down while the Sergeant -rapped on the door of the private office, and a voice within said: - -“Come in.” - -The Sergeant opened the door carefully and walked up to the desk of the -Adjutant-General and stood at attention until Major Andre turned from a -letter on his desk and glanced up at the soldier, who saluted: - -“What is it?” brusquely asked Andre. - -“A young Indian woman, who calls herself Segwuna, the prophetess, -wishes to bring you news.” - -“Show her in, Sergeant Donovan,” ordered Andre. - -The Sergeant went to the outer office, and politely informed Segwuna: - -“The Adjutant says that he will see you, Madam.” - -Segwuna tripped lightly to the door and entered the presence of one of -the most polished and handsome gentlemen of the British army. Dressed -in the most fastidious manner, his young and pleasing face shone -out with an animated expression of good-will as he arose and bowed -gracefully to Segwuna and said: - -“Be seated, Miss Segwuna. I have heard very pleasing accounts of you -from Madam Clinton. Do you wish to tell me what my fate will be, this -evening?” - -He had heard the ladies of his acquaintance raving over the wise and -peculiar speeches of this Indian maiden, and Major Andre thought that -he also ought to have something to relate. - -A weak point in the military composition of Andre was his romantic and -artistic disposition. He loved the society of ladies. His graceful -manners and polished speech and writings gained him friends among the -ladies of his associates; but his love of foibles and gossip led him -into channels that detracted from his military achievements. - -When Segwuna proposed to tell his fortune, he yielded from the very -constitution of his nature. He desired to have a good tale to tell -his lady friends at the next dinner party, where he was sure to be -lionized. - -Segwuna simply replied to Major Andre’s question, modestly: - -“Yes, Major Andre.” - -“I hope that I have no very bad omen in my fortune, Miss Segwuna?” said -Andre, quizzically. - -“Well, Segwuna shall have to tell you the truth, Major Andre,” replied -Segwuna soberly. - -“All right, do you believe that I am going to succeed in my enterprise, -Segwuna?” asked Andre, bluntly. - -“That depends on the will of the Great Spirit, Major Andre,” began -Segwuna, as she started to relate her account to the Adjutant-General. - -“Segwuna sees that something very momentous to you and your cause is -going to happen this moon. The nature of your business concerns the -fate of a great fortress and a brave general. I can see the general -walking up and down the bank of a great river, waiting to speak to you. -He wants you to come to him, but if you go to him, he is sure to give -you directions that will bring ruin to you. - -“These enterprises will require you to travel by land and by water. If -you keep on the water, you will have no harm come to you, but beware of -the land. - -“The Great Spirit has been kind to you, but he does not love your -cause. You are fighting against the will of the Great Spirit when you -try to subdue the land to which he gave the Indian corn. The Great -Spirit hath decreed that every man is to be his own master, and there -is to be no distinction between men, in the land of the Indian’s corn. -If the hunters starve, the chiefs are to starve also. - -“I can see that you expect a letter of importance. It is to be brought -by a boat and a fisherman from a distant city. The letter comes from a -gentleman that has your secrets. He writes under a different name from -his own. - -“There are many trials for you to pass through during the next moon, -and if you leave the city on a journey to the general walking on the -banks of the great river, you shall lose your life.” - -Segwuna paused and said no more. - -Andre sat as though fixed to his chair. His thoughts were afar off. -The words of the Indian maiden seemed to stun him, and confound his -understanding. He started to rise and to speak, but he sat down again, -turned away and began to think. - -At last he regained enough presence of mind to state to Segwuna: - -“I am profoundly impressed with what you say. I shall be pleased to -consult you again. I hope that I shall reward you sufficiently by -giving you this small token of my esteem,” as he arose and held out in -his hand a guinea for Segwuna to accept. - -Segwuna arose and declined the proffer of the gold by declaring with -dignity: - -“I thank you, Mr. Andre, but the Great Spirit hath no token of worth, -except His bounteous love and kindness.” - -Major Andre could say nothing. He was dumbfounded. He simply bowed -Segwuna out, overwhelmed by the startling revelations made by this -sagacious Indian prophetess. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII - - -Major Andre went back to his desk, and sat down for serious reflection. - -He reasoned with himself: - -“Here was a picture of Arnold and Barclugh. How did this simple Indian -maiden get such knowledge of my secret affairs? She can have no means -of gaining this knowledge. She is simply inspired.” - -During the next week, Andre could not dispel the visions of Segwuna’s -prophecy. He did not dare to tell his friends, not even General -Clinton, for they would think him ridiculous. He was naturally timid, -and these words made him doubly so. They made him hesitate more than -once as to what he ought to do. Whereas he was formerly all enthusiasm -about his plot with Arnold, he now began to be doubtful and suspicious -of his own ability. The thought of the ire of the Great Spirit of the -Indian maiden being brought to bear against the project that he had in -hand worked upon the fancy of Andre’s poetical nature and unnerved him. - -However, the Commander-in-Chief, General Clinton, had ordered Andre to -carry out these plans of ensnaring Arnold and taking West Point by -bribery, for it had been through the correspondence started by Andre -himself, that Arnold was led into correspondence with the enemy. The -whole plan had to carry or fall by the exertions of Andre’s own skill. - -A letter was received by Major Andre at this time which read as follows: - - Phila., August 20, 1780. - - “Sir: I have heard from Mr. P---- about the arrangements to sell you - the goods that you spoke of in your last favor. - - “He has every detail arranged, but he must meet you to make the - contract in person. My authority in the matter has now come to an end. - - “He is still of opinion that his first proposal is by no means - unreasonable, and makes no doubt, when he has a conference with you, - that you will close with it. He expects when you meet that you will - be fully authorized from your house; that the risks and profits of - the co-partnership might be fully and clearly understood. - - “I am in behalf of Messrs. M---- and Co. - - “Sir, Your Obedt. & Hble. Servant, - - “_Gustavus_. - - “Mr. John Anderson, Merchant.” - -John Anderson answered the above letter. Then, a few days thereafter, -information was received from Gustavus, agreeing to meet him at any -convenient point, if he, John Anderson, would make his way to the -American outposts above White Plains; that he would be secure under the -protection of Colonel Sheldon, who was prepared to meet him. - -Arnold had informed Colonel Sheldon that a person was to come from New -York, to the latter’s quarters, whom he desired to meet for the purpose -of establishing a channel of secret intelligence with New York. - -Accordingly, Colonel Sheldon received the following letter, which was -so uncertain and enigmatical that Colonel Sheldon despatched it at once -to General Arnold: - - “New York, September 7, 1780. - - “Sir: - - “I am told my name is made known to you and that I may hope your - indulgence in permitting me to meet a friend near your outposts. I - will endeavor to go out with a flag, which will be sent to Dobb’s - Ferry on Monday next, the 11th instant, at twelve o’clock, where I - shall be happy to meet Mr. G----. Should I not be allowed to go, the - officer who is to command the escort, between whom and myself no - distinction need be made, can speak on the affair. Let me entreat - you, sir, to favor a matter so interesting to the parties concerned, - and which is of so private a nature that the public on neither side - can be injured by it. - - “(Signed) John Anderson.” - - To Colonel Sheldon, - Salem. - -Sheldon was confused by the mention of an officer taking the place -of John Anderson, and therefore sent the letter to Arnold, who tried -to explain the mysticisms in the letter to Colonel Sheldon as best -he could; and replied that he would meet the flag and the gentleman -himself at Dobb’s Ferry. - -Arnold also instructed his subordinate that if he did not meet John -Anderson, by any mishap, word must be sent to headquarters of the -arrival of the gentleman within the lines, and that John Anderson must -be sent to his headquarters with an escort of two or three horsemen. - -Arnold went down the river in his barge as far as King’s Ferry on the -afternoon of the 10th instant, and remained over night at the house of -Joshua H. Smith, who resided near the Ferry. - -Early on the morning of the 11th instant, Arnold proceeded by barge to -Dobb’s Ferry for the purpose of meeting Andre. An accident prevented -the interview. As Arnold was approaching the destination, his barge was -fired upon by British gunboats and pursued closely enough to endanger -his life and possibly result in his capture. - -He landed, therefore, on the west or opposite side of the river to -Dobb’s Ferry, and went down to the ferry landing, where he remained -till night, hoping to see Andre. At all events, he failed to have a -meeting on this journey. - -The astonishing forecast of Segwuna had made Andre over-cautious and -timid. He did not choose to hazard his mission by land to Colonel -Sheldon. He chose the safer communication by water. He went to Dobb’s -Ferry with Colonel Beverly Robinson, and looked for Arnold to come in -his barge, but the firing upon the barge makes clear why Arnold did not -get to the rendezvous. - -The timidity of Andre now explains the ultimate failure of the plot. -Arnold was obliged to explain his public journey down the Hudson, by -writing to General Washington to the effect that guard boats and signal -lights were necessary precautions to warn the country of the approach -of the enemy up the river. - -The object of Segwuna’s visit to New York had been accomplished. She -had intimidated Major Andre, and foiled the treachery of Arnold. If the -interview as first planned at Dobb’s Ferry had taken place the recital -of subsequent events would have been unnecessary. - -Now complications arose. Every fresh move that Arnold made required -explanations as to the movements of John Anderson. A second attempt -to have Andre meet with him by means of the overland route was not -considered favorably by Andre. He would not attempt to meet Arnold, -except under the pretense of an exchange of flags. - -The only way for General Arnold to successfully accomplish his -treachery was to meet Major Andre personally, plan the surrender of -West Point and have his emoluments and rewards guaranteed. He depended -upon such a meeting and was bold enough himself, but his first -attempt at Dobb’s Ferry was empty of results and he was now thrown -into cautious movements. He had to explain to the Commander-in-Chief -about his public trip down the river; and the fact that he had been -fired upon and pursued by the enemy’s gunboats gave notoriety to his -whereabouts. The failure of the Dobb’s Ferry interview must rest upon -Andre, for Arnold was truly bold and fearless in his approach within -the enemy’s lines; Andre must have been intimidated by the warning of -Segwuna. - -Arnold returned to his headquarters from Dobb’s Ferry disappointed and -nonplussed. He wrote from Robinson House at once to Major Andre: - -“I have no confidant here. I have made one too many already who has -prevented some profitable speculations.” - -Arnold’s anxiety for a meeting was now only exceeded by that of the -British, after the first failure; so Arnold stated that he would send -a trusty person to the east side of Dobb’s Ferry, Wednesday evening, -September 20th, who would conduct Major Andre to a place of safety -where a meeting between the principals could be held without fear. - -Arnold added: - -“It will be necessary for you to be in disguise. I cannot be more -explicit at present. Meet me if possible. You may rest assured that, if -there is no danger in passing your lines, you will be perfectly safe -where I propose a meeting.” - -The letter was signed Gustavus and addressed to John Anderson, Merchant. - -However, before these instructions reached Major Andre by Arnold’s -secret messengers, the British General Clinton became very anxious and -dispatched the Sloop-of-War Vulture on the scene, with an emissary on -board in the person of Colonel Beverly Robinson, who was now in the -secret of the negotiations. He had also accompanied Andre to Dobb’s -Ferry when Arnold’s barge had been fired upon. The Vulture proceeded -to Teller’s Point within view of the American lines for the purpose of -awaiting developments. - -The unexpected, however, always happens to hinder schemes. General -Washington came on a tour of inspection, at this juncture, and crossed -the Hudson at King’s Ferry in full view of the Vulture soon after her -arrival. - -General Arnold came down, of course, from his headquarters, Robinson -House, to meet the Commander-in-Chief in order to throw off any -suspicions surrounding his movements. - -Washington and his suite crossed in Arnold’s barge and as the Commander -viewed the Vulture through his glass and turned and spoke to his suite -in whispers it was noticed and commented upon, subsequently, that -Arnold blanched and showed much concern. - -While still in the boat, Marquis de la Fayette turned to General Arnold -and with a desire to get information of the whereabouts of the French -fleet under Guichen, now approaching American waters, and with no -suspicions whatever upon Arnold, pleasantly requested: - -“General Arnold, since you have a correspondence with the enemy, you -must ascertain as soon as possible what has become of Guichen.” - -Arnold immediately colored up and demanded: - -“Marquis de la Fayette, what do you mean by asking me such a question?” - -The question of Arnold was surprising and uncalled for and he quickly -recovered himself. - -Fortunately for him, the boat was nearing shore and the anxiety to land -interrupted the incident. Arnold imagined that his scheme was detected -and that he was to be captured in the boat. - -Arnold went to Peekskill with Washington and his party. The next day -Washington went to Hartford to meet the French Commander and Arnold -returned to West Point in his barge. - -The British now desired to get into direct communication with Arnold -through Colonel Robinson on the Vulture. Finesse had to be used to -deceive the watchful post-commanders on the Hudson under the command of -Arnold. So, under the protection of a flag of truce from the Vulture, -Colonel Robinson sent a letter to General Arnold asking the military -to protect his property since he had learned that his home was to be -confiscated by the State of New York for his defection to the British -cause. - -General Arnold submitted the letter to his Commander at Fishkill and in -consequence General Washington did not approve of the proposal to have -an interview with the enemy concerning a purely legal affair. - -The Commander-in-Chief informed Arnold: - -“Such a conference would afford grounds for suspicion in the minds of -some people and I advise you to avoid it; the subject in which Colonel -Robinson is interested does not come within the powers of a military -officer and the Civil Government of the State is the only authority to -which he can properly apply.” - -Arnold now used the name of Washington to answer Robinson’s letter. He, -therefore, despatched a boat openly to the Vulture, under an officer -and a flag. - -Here came Arnold’s opportunity to give the British all the information -that he desired. The answer was in two letters,--one sealed within the -other. The outer one gave Washington’s reply. The inner one stated -secretly that he would send on the night of the 20th a person to Dobb’s -Ferry, or on board the Vulture. This person would be furnished with a -boat and a flag of truce. He wished that the Vulture remain where she -was until the messenger reached her. The postscript of the letter said: - -“I expect General Washington to lodge here on Saturday night next, and -I will lay before him every matter you may wish to communicate.” - -The inside one also contained a copy of the letter heretofore sent to -Andre to meet his messenger on the east side of Dobb’s Ferry on the -evening of September 20th. This was the 19th, and the three letters -were despatched at once to General Clinton in New York. - -September 20th, Major Andre, having received Arnold’s letters, pressed -on to the Vulture and arrived at seven o’clock in the evening instead -of remaining at Dobb’s Ferry as at first proposed. - -Andre was all expectancy when he arrived on board the sloop-of-war. He -waited for Arnold or his messenger, all night. The next day he wrote -General Clinton that he had made a second appointment with no results. -The interview must be very soon or suspicions would be aroused to upset -the whole plan. - -A ruse was now invented by Major Andre to acquaint Arnold of his -whereabouts. Some parties had shown a flag of truce on shore to the -Vulture and a boat was sent to communicate with them. When a boat -with a flag from the Vulture approached the shore it was fired upon -from ambush. This violation of the usage of warfare was a subject for -remonstrance. Therefore, a letter was sent to General Arnold by Captain -Sutherland of the Vulture, claiming usage against the code of civilized -nations at war. The letter was in the handwriting of Andre and signed, -“John Anderson, Secretary.” Here was the information sought. Arnold -immediately set about the plan to bring Major Andre ashore for an -interview. - -Joshua Hett Smith lived about two miles below Stony Point, near the -mouth of Haverstraw Creek. He had boats and boatmen. He was a confidant -of Arnold and was engaged, upon various occasions, to enter the enemy’s -lines for the Commander of West Point. - -Arnold’s plan was finally fixed. He went to Smith’s house and sent two -boatmen with Smith to bring a gentleman, named John Anderson, from the -Vulture to a point four miles below Smith’s house, to a lonely spot on -the banks of the Hudson, in the darkness of midnight. - -Arnold had provided Smith with three papers signed by himself. - -When the boat started from the mouth of Haverstraw Creek it was -past eleven o’clock and the night was serene. The boat sped along -undiscovered until the lookout on the Vulture hailed and ordered the -men alongside. Smith mounted the side and was immediately ordered below. - -There he met Captain Sutherland and Colonel Robinson. The latter he -knew personally, for Robinson had been his neighbor on the Hudson. -Smith handed over the papers from Arnold. The cunning displayed by -Arnold was portrayed in these documents. Shielding himself from -detection he secretly intimated his desire to meet Major Andre. - -The first letter addressed to Colonel Robinson was as follows: - - “Headquarters, Robinson House, - “September 21, 1780. - - “This will be delivered to you by Mr. Smith who will conduct you to a - place of safety. Neither Mr. Smith nor any other person shall be made - acquainted with your proposals. If they (which I doubt not) are of - such nature that I can officially take notice of them I shall do it - with pleasure. I take it for granted that Colonel Robinson will not - propose anything that is not for the interest of the United States as - well as himself. - - “(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.” - -The next letter was to deceive the guard boats, many of which were -stationed along the Hudson to intercept commerce with the enemy. - - “Headquarters, Robinson House, - “September 21, 1780. - - “Permit Mr. Joshua Smith to go to Dobb’s Ferry with three men and a - boy in a boat with a flag, to carry some letters of a private nature - for a gentleman in New York, and to return immediately, he having - permission to go at such hours and times as the tide and his business - suit. - - “(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.” - -The third one conveyed the knowledge secretly that Arnold wanted Major -Andre to meet him on shore. - - “Headquarters, Robinson House, - “September 21, 1780. - - “This grants permission to Joshua Smith, Mr. John Anderson and two - servants to pass and repass the guards at King’s Ferry, at all times. - - “(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.” - -When the papers had been examined in the cabin of the Vulture, Colonel -Robinson excused himself and returned in a little while with a -gentleman whom he introduced to Smith as Mr. John Anderson. Smith and -Anderson entered the boat and were rowed to the point of rendezvous -arranged by Arnold with Smith. Arnold, concealed in the shadow of the -cliff, lay near the river bank anxious for the boat to return with -Major Andre. The exact spot had been agreed upon. - -When the boat, which was heavy and cumbersome, at length arrived, Smith -scrambled up the bank and found Arnold in the bushes. Smith returned -and conducted Mr. Anderson to the spot. Arnold requested Smith to leave -them to conduct their conversation privately. - -Arnold looked around to be sure that Smith was out of hearing when he -extended his hand to Major Andre, remarking in a subdued and resigned -tone: - -“At last, Major Andre, my hour of deliverance has come! I hope no -difficulties stand in the way of our plans.” - -Andre was more than eager for the exploit,--he was rashly anxious. His -voice showed evident emotion when he said: - -“General Arnold, we stand ready to carry out our part. Can you -surrender West Point?” - -“I am able to surrender to your forces the stronghold of our hopes, -and end the war for the mother country. It will be a blessing to my -countrymen and an everlasting benefit to the kingdom of Great Britain. -But, sir, how am I to be sure that the promise made me by Roderick -Barclugh will be carried out?” was the reply given the question of -Andre. - -“General Arnold, I am the authorized representative of His Britannic -Majesty and for your services to the King you are to be paid twenty -thousand pounds sterling, part of which has already been advanced by -Mr. Barclugh, and you are to receive a commission as Brigadier-General -in His Majesty’s service. These emoluments are dependent upon your -accomplishment of your own proposals.” - -“That’s all correct, Major Andre,” returned Arnold, “but how am I to -realize these terms if by chance you were to be killed or I was to be -detected in this business? My only safety is in having the whole matter -drawn up in the form of a writing.” - -“But we cannot do such things here in the dark, General Arnold. You had -better defer too much formality for the sake of safety. You are dealing -with gentlemen,” argued Andre. - -“But governments have no gratitude,” retorted Arnold, smarting under -his experience with Congress. - -“Yet, how can we write in these bushes?” continued Andre. “I cannot see -my hand. I propose to get back to the ship from here.” - -“There is no use for haste in our conclusions in this matter,” argued -Arnold. “I have to submit to you the plans of the works at West Point, -the disposal of the garrison, the time of the attack and how you shall -approach. I have brought an extra horse and you can ride with me to -the house of Mr. Smith. I shall guarantee you protection and safety in -returning to your lines.” - -Andre understood what it meant to prepare for the details of this -enterprise and at last he reluctantly consented to go within the -American outposts as he said: - -“I shall rely upon you as a gentleman to convey me in safety to my -lines. My commander has instructed me not to enter your posts; but -since you insist upon an agreement in writing, I shall have to comply -with your plans.” - -“Major Andre, you need not say these words to me. I have been driven to -this course by the relentless attacks of those for whom I have done the -most. My heart went out at first to my country, but now it has turned -to stone. No gratitude was shown me. I needed money and from whom did -I get it? I got it from my country’s enemies. I needed sympathy for -my wounds. From whom did I get it? Not from my countrymen. I needed -encouragement to go out and win more glory for our cause. Where did I -get it? Not from my country. Bah! These very mountains taunt me for -being a fool! My die is cast and I am with you heart and soul. We must -succeed.” - -“You speak nobly, General Arnold,” insisted Andre. “I am drawn to you -irretrievably and I am willing to run my risks along with yours. I -shall follow you even though my life were in the balance.” - -At this juncture the conversation was interrupted by the appearance of -Smith from the boat, who said: - -“Gentlemen, I believe that your time is drawing near to daylight and I -must leave this situation with the boat. We must not be discovered in -this position by the guards.” - -These words decided the case. When Arnold and Andre realized their -position and when Smith informed them that the boatmen had refused to -return to the Vulture for fear of detection, both of the conspirators -mounted horses and started for Smith’s house, which was four miles -distant by the road through Haverstraw village. - -Smith and the boatmen went by water to Haverstraw Creek, where the boat -was moored. At his house Smith met Arnold and Mr. Anderson who had -already arrived just at daylight. - -The three took breakfast together, since the family of Joshua Smith had -been previously taken, by arrangements made beforehand, to visit with -their kinsfolk, the family of Colonel Hay at Fishkill. - -During the morning, in a room overlooking Haverstraw Bay, Andre and -Arnold secretly concluded the plans. Andre made the agreement in -writing with Arnold, and Arnold gave to Andre a detailed description of -the redoubts at West Point and continued with a plan of attack for a -bloodless English victory. - -But again the hand of Providence brings about unexpected events. While -these dealings were concluding, they heard the booming of cannon and -saw the Vulture drop down stream out of range of the battery posted by -Colonel Livingston to drive off the enemy’s ship. - -Much concern now came over the principals in this drama. Arnold -reassured Andre by stating that Mr. Smith would convey him by boat or -land through the American lines. Passports from the Commanding-General -would insure safe convoy through the district under Arnold and then -when Andre reached the British outposts he could manage himself. - -Providing Major Andre with three passes to meet all possible -contingencies, as he thought, and leaving him in the hands of Mr. Smith -as Mr. John Anderson, Arnold returned in his barge soon after nine -o’clock that morning, to his headquarters to await the results of his -treachery. - -Following are the passes provided for the return of John Anderson, in -Arnold’s own handwriting: - - “Headquarters, Robinson House, - “September 22, 1780. - - “Joshua Smith has permission to pass with a boat and three hands and a - flag to Dobb’s Ferry on public business and to return immediately. - - “(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.” - - - “Headquarters, Robinson House, - “September 22, 1780. - - “Joshua Smith has permission to pass the guards to White Plains and to - return, he being on public business. - - “(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.” - - - “Headquarters, Robinson House, - “September 22, 1780. - - “Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the guards to the White Plains, or - below, if he chooses, he being on public business by my direction. - - “(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.” - -Andre passed the day in hiding, awaiting impatiently for darkness to -come that he might be returned to the Vulture. But the more Andre -insisted, the more opposed Smith grew to the route by boat. However, -Smith won his point for reasons not entirely logical, and after Andre -had exchanged his officer’s red coat for one of Smith’s, and had -wrapped himself up in a great military coat with a cape, the two -set out on horseback, a little before sunset, accompanied by a negro -servant belonging to Smith. - -The route lay across the Hudson at King’s Ferry from Stony Point to -Verplanck’s Point. The party, after stopping over the first night, -proceeded successfully until they reached Pine Bridge on the Croton -River where Smith left Andre to pursue his own course through the -neutral country. - -Smith now returned to Robinson House and reported to General Arnold -where he had left Mr. Anderson. Arnold seemed to be more than pleased -with the progress events were making at this report. He felt sure of -Andre reaching King’s Bridge. - -When Andre left Smith he also felt assured of his success, for he rode -boldly along until he was near Tarrytown. - -Here he was accosted by three men dressed in the uniform of British -soldiers. - -Their story is best told in their own words. Paulding, one of the -three, said, when relating the capture: - -“Myself, Isaac VanWart, and David Williams were lying by the side of -the road about half a mile above Tarrytown, and about fifteen miles -above King’s Bridge, on Saturday morning, the 23rd of September. We -had lain there about an hour and a half, as near as I can recollect, -and saw several persons we were acquainted with, whom we let pass. -Presently one of the young men who were with me said: - -“‘There comes a gentleman-like looking man, who appears to be -well-dressed and has boots on, and whom you had better step out and -stop, if you don’t know him.’ - -“On that I got up and presented my fire-lock at the breast of the -person and told him to stand, and then I asked him which way he was -going. - -“‘Gentlemen,’ said he, ‘I hope you belong to our party.’ - -“I asked him: - -“‘What party?’ - -“He said: ‘The lower party.’ - -“Upon that I told him: - -“‘I do.’ - -“Then he said: ‘I am a British officer out of the country on particular -business, and I hope you will not detain me a minute.’ - -“To show that he was a British officer, he pulled out his watch, upon -which I told him to dismount. - -“He then said: - -“‘My God, I must do anything to get along.’ - -“He seemed to make a kind of laugh of it and pulled out General -Arnold’s pass, which was to John Anderson to pass all guards to White -Plains and below. Upon that he dismounted and said: - -“‘Gentlemen, you had best let me go or you will bring yourselves into -trouble, for your stopping me will detain the General’s business. I am -going to Dobb’s Ferry to meet a person there and get intelligence for -General Arnold.’ - -“Upon that I told him I hoped he would not be offended, that we did -not mean to take anything from him; and I told him there were many bad -people going along the road, and I did not know but perhaps he might be -one.” - -Paulding stated: - -“If Andre had not declared himself a British officer, when he produced -General Arnold’s pass I would have let him go. However, when he pulled -out his watch my suspicions were further aroused.” - -The three volunteers searched Andre, and David Williams, one of the -party, relates this part of the story most minutely: - -“We took him into the bushes,” said Williams, “and ordered him to pull -off his clothes, which he did; but on searching him narrowly we could -not find any sort of writings. We told him to pull off his boots which -he seemed to be indifferent about, but we got one boot off and searched -in that boot and could find nothing. But we found there were some -papers in the bottom of his stocking next to his foot, on which we -made him pull his stocking off and found three papers wrapped up. Mr. -Paulding looked at the papers and said he was a spy. We then made him -pull off his other boot, and there were found three more papers at the -bottom of his foot within his stocking. - -“Upon this we made him dress himself and I asked him: - -“‘What will you give us to let you go?’ - -“He said: - -“‘I will give you any sum of money.’ - -“I asked him: - -“‘Will you give us your horse, your saddle, bridle, watch and one -hundred guineas?’ - -“He said: - -“‘Yes, and I will direct them to any place, even this very spot, so -that you can get them.’ - -“I asked him: - -“‘Will you not give us more?’ - -“He said: - -“‘I will give you any quantity of dry goods or any sum of money, and -bring it to any place that you pitch upon, so that you may get it.’ - -“Mr. Paulding answered: - -“‘No, if you would give us ten thousand guineas, you should not stir -one step.’ - -“I then asked the person who called himself John Anderson: - -“‘If it lay in your power, would you not get away?’ - -“He answered: - -“‘Yes, I would.’ - -“I told him: - -“‘I do not intend that you shall.’ - -“While taking him along to the nearest post, we asked him a few -questions, and we stopped under a shade. He begged us not to question -him and said: - -“‘When I come to any Commander I will reveal all.’” - -Andre and all of the papers found on him were taken to North Castle and -turned over to Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson. - -Jameson unwittingly sent Andre immediately under a guard toward -Arnold’s headquarters, and despatched a note with the officer in charge -of the escort, to Arnold, stating that a certain John Anderson was -taken on his way to New York. He also stated that certain papers found -in his stockings and which were of “a very dangerous tendency,” had -been forwarded to General Washington. - -The mistake made by Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson was discovered by Major -Tallmadge, next in command, when the Major returned to North Castle in -the evening and heard the story of the capture. Jameson was convinced -of his mistake in sending the prisoner but he would not listen to the -idea of not informing Arnold, his Commanding General, of what had -happened. He did not suspect his superior in the least. - -However, a messenger was despatched to overtake the escort and to order -the prisoner back to North Castle, but to still forward the message to -Arnold’s headquarters. The fate of Arnold now seemed problematical. But -a chain of circumstances favored the traitor. - -Andre was ordered back and sent to Salem under Major Tallmadge. -A messenger was sent with the guilty papers to intercept General -Washington, now on his way to West Point from Hartford, and the first -messenger was riding toward Robinson House to inform Arnold of the -capture of John Anderson and the papers. - -General Washington missed the messenger because he returned on the road -north of the one on which the messenger was sent. - -On the morning when Washington was due at Robinson House to breakfast -with Arnold, two of the aides-de-camp of the Commander-in-Chief were -sent ahead to inform General Arnold that the General was delayed -because he wished to inspect the redoubts across from West Point, and -not to wait breakfast. General Arnold then sat down to breakfast with -Mrs. Arnold and the two aides. - -During the progress of the meal a messenger arrived and presented the -Jameson despatches to General Arnold. - -Arnold read them and excused himself from the table without a sign of -excitement. He went to Mrs. Arnold’s chamber and ordered a servant to -call Mrs. Arnold. When she came to him, he hurriedly explained that his -life depended upon escape. She swooned in his presence and he left her -prostrate on the floor. - -He went to the dining-room and stated to the aides: - -“I have to go to West Point and prepare for the arrival of the General.” - -He then hurriedly mounted a horse of one of the aides and dashed to the -landing where his barge was moored. Then ordering his men to row with -all their might, as he drew his pistols and sat in the stern, he sped -past the guard boats with a flag and reached the British Sloop-of-War -Vulture, fifteen miles below Robinson House. - -After introducing himself, he surrendered the innocent boatmen to the -British Commander and wrote a letter to General Washington asking -mercy for his wife. - -After General Washington had inspected the redoubts opposite West -Point, he went with his suite to Robinson House. Upon their arrival -they were informed that General Arnold had been hurriedly called to -West Point. Washington ate his breakfast and started with all of his -staff except Colonel Hamilton. They took a barge across the Hudson to -the forts. - -As Washington stood in the barge viewing the highlands about him, he -said: - -“Well, gentlemen, I am glad on the whole, that General Arnold has gone -before us, for we shall now have a salute and the roaring of the cannon -will have a fine effect among these mountains.” - -When no cannon was heard and they saw nobody astir among the garrison, -Washington exclaimed: - -“What! Do they not intend to salute us?” - -The General and his party landed and found no one to greet them except -the Commandant, Colonel Lamb, who was very much surprised to see his -distinguished visitors. - -Washington addressed him: - -“How is this, sir? Is not General Arnold here?” - -“No, sir,” replied the Commandant, “he has not been here these two -days, nor have I heard from him within that time.” - -“This is extraordinary,” continued Washington. “We were told that he -crossed the river and that we should find him here. However, our visit -must not be in vain. Since we have come, although unexpectedly, we must -look around a little and see in what shape things are with you.” - -When the forts and redoubts had been visited and the garrison -inspected, Washington and his party returned to the barge and recrossed -to the Robinson House. - -The letters and papers that had been forwarded by Lieutenant-Colonel -Jameson to General Washington had followed the Commander-in-Chief on -the road to Hartford until it was learned that the General had returned -to West Point by the upper road. Then the express retraced his steps to -Robinson House. - -Colonel Hamilton was alone at Arnold’s headquarters when the -incriminating papers arrived and immediately opened the despatches in -the absence of his chief at West Point. Here were the papers found in -Andre’s stockings and a letter from Andre to Washington disclosing his -true character as Adjutant-General of the British army and relating his -entry within the American lines, his departure therefrom in disguise -and his capture. - -Upon the landing of General Washington and his staff at the Robinson -House from West Point, Colonel Hamilton was seen to walk briskly toward -them, and when he spoke to Washington in an undertone, they retired -quickly together into the house. - -Here lay the exposure of the whole plot when the papers were perused by -Washington, but too late to entrap the traitor. Arnold had gone over to -the enemy and had made his escape to the Vulture. Andre was a prisoner -at Salem and had written a confession of the part that he had played. - -Mrs. Arnold had been left ignominiously by the traitor, her husband, -and in her distraction she wept and raved alternately and accused -General Washington and Colonel Hamilton, when they sought to console -her, with a plot to murder her child. Her lamentations were pitiable -and heart-rending in the agony of her despair. She clasped her child -to her breast as she stood in the doorway of her chamber, hair -dishevelled, as she hurled the bitterness of a woman’s tongue against -those who, history tells us, held nothing but the deepest sympathy for -her misfortune. - -At last Mrs. Arnold returned to her father’s home in Philadelphia and -remained there until the Council of Philadelphia passed a resolution, -October 29th, as follows: - -“Resolved:--that the said Margaret Arnold depart this state within -fourteen days from the date hereof, and that she do not return again -during the continuance of the present war.” - -Major Andre was conducted under guard, to the vicinity of the -Continental Army at Tappan. He was there tried by a Court of Enquiry -composed of six Major-Generals and eight Brigadiers, found guilty as a -spy and condemned to be executed. - -Arnold and General Clinton attempted to save Andre’s life on the ground -that he had Arnold’s pass. But as the pass was issued to John Anderson -it was void when applied to Major Andre. - -Credit must be given Andre, however, that he did not seek -justification, personally, during his trial for his acts under a -flag or pass from Arnold. He was reconciled to his fate and died as -a brave and honorable officer, dressed in the full uniform of the -Adjutant-General of the British Army, at Tappan, October 2, 1780. - -When Segwuna heard of the capture of Major Andre and the exposure -and flight of Benedict Arnold, she thanked the Great Spirit for the -fulfillment of her prayers. She did not exult in the downfall of the -participants in this attempted crime against her native land, but -she thanked the Great Spirit for the exposure of their perfidy and -dishonesty. She now could explain to her friends the part that was -played by Barclugh in this nefarious undertaking and if, then, her duty -had not been performed she could not help it. - -At the first announcement in New York about the capture of Andre and -the flight of Arnold, Segwuna lost no time in retracing her steps to -Philadelphia. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII - - -“You have been very quiet these past few weeks, Miss Mollie. What has -been the matter? We have not seen you,” contended Miss Sallie Redman, -when she greeted Mollie at the Greydons’ party. - -The old mansion at Dorminghurst was brilliantly illuminated and the -guests were fast arriving in carriages, and passing up one side of the -double staircase and down the other. - -People were beginning to come to Philadelphia for the autumn session -of Congress. The French army had landed at Newport, and the French -fleet was fitting out for a demonstration against New York or against -some other stronghold of the English. Enthusiasm among the Whigs was -running high. The Tories were beginning to look with more favor upon -independence. The French minister M. de la Luzerne was the popular lion -of the hour, and anywhere that he was invited was sure to be thronged -with the dignitaries of a new nation. - -The Greydons began the social season for the purpose of preparing -society for the early announcement of the engagement between Roderick -Barclugh and their daughter. When the invitations were first issued, -the purpose was to announce the engagement at this time, but Mollie -would not yet give her consent to Barclugh. Dr. Greydon could see no -reason, but Mollie was waiting to see Segwuna. However, Dr. Greydon -consulted with his wife and decided that if the announcement of the -engagement could not be made, a social function at Dorminghurst at -present would crystallize the enthusiasm of the Whigs and bring the -counsellors of the nation together for an exchange of ideas and -sentiments. - -Mollie received with her mother and Dr. Greydon when the guests came -into the reception room. She was beaming with good-nature but when she -saw Roderick Barclugh approaching with the brilliant and haughty Miss -Bessie Shippen on his arm the color rose to her cheeks as Barclugh -shook Mollie’s hand and lingered long enough to say: - -“You charm me with your beauty and happiness this evening.” - -Miss Shippen shook the hand of Mollie with hauteur and looked at her -gown with indifference; and when she and Barclugh passed on through the -crowded rooms, she remarked bitterly: - -“I do not see why that young Quakeress turns the men so crazy.” - -“Because she has sense, beauty and no guile in her heart,” retorted -Barclugh snappily. - -Miss Shippen exclaimed: - -“Ah, that is it!” - -The Shippens, the Redmans, and the Chews were there among the chief -representatives of the Tory sentiment. They congregated in groups by -themselves and seemed to feel that their sentiments were not popular, -when they saw the brilliant assemblage of Whigs from every state, -conversing about the topics of the hour. - -General Schuyler from New York was talking to M. de la Luzerne, the -French minister, about the campaign, spiritedly: - -“This arrival of the French troops and the fleet at Newport has given -us new life, M. de la Luzerne,” explained General Schuyler. “General -Washington has gone to Hartford to meet Count de Rochambeau. Our -committee expect to hear from him at West Point on his return. The -campaign is expected to take on an active turn if Clinton moves out of -New York,” concluded the General. - -“Thank you, General Schuyler,” returned the French minister suavely. -“By the way, General, did I ever tell you how Arnold wanted to borrow -money from me on account of his importance and influence in affairs?” - -“Why, no. Do tell it,” insisted the General. - -“This is strictly _entre nous_, General,” related the minister. “Arnold -wanted a loan from the French government and I quickly told him: ‘You -desire of me a service which would be easy for me to render, but which -would degrade us both. When the envoy of a foreign power gives, or if -you will, lends money, it is in order to corrupt those who receive it, -and to make them the creatures of the sovereign whom he serves; or -rather, he corrupts without persuading; he buys and does not secure. -But the firm league entered into between the King and the United States -is the work of justice and the wisest policy. It has for its basis a -reciprocal interest and good-will. In the mission, with which I am -charged, my true glory consists in fulfilling it without intrigue or -cabal, without resorting to any secret practices, and by the force -alone of the conditions of the alliance,’” concluded M. Luzerne. - -“Bravo, bravo, M. Luzerne. That Arnold has given our committee much -concern and trouble. He is a brilliant leader, but he has no sense -of propriety or diplomacy,” asserted General Schuyler, who left the -minister as he seemed to be holding a small reception of his own,--so -many people pressed around him to say a word about the arrival of the -French troops and fleet. - -The music and dancing were going on in the large rooms across the -great hallway from the reception room. Mollie was there holding court, -entertaining a group of the younger men with her brilliant repartee. - -Family representatives of the members of Congress from the South were -there;--each family coming in an equipage of its own. - -The minuet was danced in its stateliest fashion; Miss Greydon and -Roderick Barclugh, Sally Chew and Mr. Carroll, Miss Hancock and Mr. -Custis, Miss Schuyler and Richard Henry Lee, formed the set. As the -music swelled in rhythmic measure, the richly gowned mademoiselles -and the bachelors, scions of the most distinguished families, tiptoed -and curtsied through the sinuous changes of the dance, to the entire -approbation of the critical assemblage. - -Mollie was showered with attentions and compliments, some even going -as far as to hint slyly at the attentions of Roderick Barclugh. Mr. -Livingston of New York saw the minuet and noticed Roderick Barclugh -dancing with the daughter of the host. He turned to Charles Thomson, -the Secretary of Congress, and asked: - -“Mr. Thomson, who is this gentleman, Mr. Barclugh? I have heard his -name, but I never saw him before. Where does he come from to us?” - -Mr. Thomson, who was always very reserved, replied quietly: - -“He was introduced to us by a letter from Benjamin Franklin, who in -turn was asked to give him the letter by the French Monarch.” - -Mr. Livingston then remarked: - -“Well, the French Secretary must then know his antecedents. Ah, here is -M. Marbois. We’ll ask him.” - -“M. Marbois, do you know who this gentleman, Roderick Barclugh, is?” -questioned Mr. Livingston. - -“Yes,” replied the Secretary pleasantly. “He is the second son of Sir -George Barclugh, who resided, when living, upon his estates in England. -I have heard that he has been engaged in secret missions of diplomacy. -But I do not know what interest brings him to Philadelphia.” - -“It doesn’t matter,” continued the member of Congress. “I have -understood that he is paying attentions to Miss Greydon. I was anxious -to know his antecedents.” - -When this conversation was taking place between the French Secretary -and Mr. Livingston, General Schuyler went over to the latter -gentleman and touched him on the arm. The General was deathly pale -and immediately the two went to a remote part of the house and held a -hurried consultation. - -“Mr. Livingston,” said the General. “The news has just reached the -city that General Arnold has gone over to the enemy and Major Andre, -Adjutant-General of the British Army, is a prisoner in the hands of -General Washington, and that our cause has just escaped a terrible -calamity.” - -“What!” exclaimed Livingston. “Has Arnold gone over to the enemy? And -you and I had just pleaded with the Commander to give him West Point! -What did he attempt to do?” questioned Livingston excitedly. - -“Why, he planned to surrender West Point,” answered the General. - -“Is it possible?” cried Livingston. “We must leave at once. We cannot -tell what may happen, or whom to trust.” - -The two members of the Committee on Military Affairs of Congress -hastily found the host and gave the news to him and left for the city -together. - -The news soon spread throughout the house, and animated groups were -collected, discussing the news. - -Mollie was talking to Barclugh and Mrs. White, the Rector’s wife, when -Sally Milling came up to the group and exclaimed: - -“Have you heard the news that has just reached the city?” - -“No, what is it?” asked the other three, almost in unison. - -“Why, General Arnold has gone over to the enemy, and Major Andre is -a prisoner in the hands of General Washington, and a plot has been -unearthed to surrender West Point to the British!” - -Roderick Barclugh stood as though stricken with paralysis. His face -became ashen white. He tried to speak but his voice failed him. - -Mollie Greydon and the other two ladies looked at Barclugh for an -instant and then Mollie stepped toward him as she asked: - -“What is the matter, Mr. Barclugh? Are you ill?” - -“No, no. It is nothing,” muttered Barclugh. “You will excuse me, -ladies. I had better retire.” - -Roderick Barclugh went to the table where refreshments were served and -after partaking of a glass of punch, he sought his hostess and Miss -Mollie, then left in his carriage for his lodgings. - -As soon as the Shippens heard the news they retired precipitately, for -the information was too crushing to wait for any formalities. - -Nothing could exceed the excitement that ran through the large and -brilliant assemblage at the Greydons’. Even the music and the minuet -could not keep the guests from a discussion of all the Arnold family -troubles for the past two years. Everybody was so astounded that a -gloom was cast over the social pleasures of the evening. At last a -general leave-taking was in order and the last carriage rolled down the -avenue of hemlocks at half past twelve o’clock. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX - - -When the party was over, Dr. Greydon went up to Mollie and taking her -by the hands, said: - -“Mollie, my child, you looked your best to-night. I felt very proud. -Now, you must take your rest. The excitement of this evening has been -very hard for you.” - -“Very true, papa dear, but can you not let us talk over a few of the -events of the evening? That is the best part of an evening affair,--to -talk over what people said and what happened,” contended Mollie, when -she sat down to rehearse the evening’s events in girlish fashion. - -“What a pity it was that the news arrived about General Arnold just in -the midst of the gayest part of the evening,” continued Mollie bubbling -over with the animation of youth. “What a fine minuet Mr. Barclugh can -dance! I was more than delighted! But did you see how pale he became -when he heard about General Arnold? And did you see how the Shippens -took the news? It was awful! Well, everybody will remember this party -from the tragic episodes caused by the Arnold treason!” - -“Now, there, there, Mollie, you are too much worked up. You must give -yourself rest and repose for we can not tell what the morrow will bring -forth in these stirring times,” insisted Dr. Greydon, as he went up to -Mollie and took her by both hands and kissed her. - -“Yes, Mollie, you must have rest,” reiterated her mother, as Mollie -went to her and kissed her good-night. - -But no sooner had Mollie departed than very serious matters presented -themselves for discussion between Dr. Greydon and his wife about their -only daughter. - -Dr. Greydon arose and taking his wife by the hand, said in his most -tender tones: - -“Martha, my dear, we have astounding revelations to discuss, and I wish -that you would come into my office and there go over the matter with -me.” - -“Very well, William,” assented Mrs. Greydon. “I hope that it is not -very bad news,” she continued as she took Dr. Greydon’s arm and -both went to the office in the south elevation of the quadrangle of -buildings. - -Dr. Greydon led the way to the office and conducted his wife to a large -easy-chair, when he sat down at his desk and began to discuss the -important matters on his mind. - -“My dear Martha, our Segwuna returned from New York to-night and -came to my office. She brought me the news about General Arnold and -Major Andre. She also informed me that our Mr. Barclugh has been the -secret agent of the British in Philadelphia, and has been in secret -communication with General Clinton for the purpose of carrying out -Arnold’s plot,--the surrender of West Point to the enemy.” - -“What! Mr. Barclugh, the agent of the British!” exclaimed Mrs. Greydon. - -“Yes, the _agent_ of the British! He had offered General Arnold twenty -thousand pounds sterling and a Brigadier-Generalship in the English -army.” - -“Oh, what perfidy,” cried Mrs. Greydon. “How does Segwuna know these -things?” - -“She followed Mr. Barclugh to New York and saw him with Major Andre and -General Clinton. She learned much while nursing him during his case of -the _peste_; and finally she went to New York and interviewed Major -Andre, who showed his concern at what Segwuna knew of the plot. - -“Segwuna brought the news of the failure of the plot to me to-night. I -did not mention it because I wished to have the news confirmed and I -did not wish to spoil Mollie’s party. - -“Now, dear Martha, what shall I do about the affair for Mollie’s sake?” - -“I would first be sure that the story of Segwuna is true. If it is -true, I have no fears about what Mollie herself would say,” contended -Mrs. Greydon in her practical way. “Mollie has not yet consented to -marry Mr. Barclugh. She informed me so this morning. She promised -Segwuna not to do so until her return.” - -“God bless Segwuna!” exclaimed Dr. Greydon. “Our daughter is safe from -the disgrace of this affair.” - -“My advice, William,” argued Mrs. Greydon, “is to go to Mr. Barclugh -and ask him if these statements are true. If he loves our daughter he -will tell the truth. If he tells the truth and admits his guilt, on -account of our daughter’s love for him we will save him from exposure.” - -“But how will our Mollie take this affair? I believe that she loves Mr. -Barclugh,” asked Dr. Greydon. - -“There can be but one way for Mollie,” insisted her mother. “I will -explain all to Mollie in the morning. You can see Segwuna and question -her further and then we will have it decided in your office to-morrow -morning.” - -“You are right, Martha,” concluded Dr. Greydon. “We must not continue -this discussion longer to-night,” as he offered his arm to Mrs. -Greydon, and conducted her to her apartments and fondly kissed her -good-night. - - * * * * * - -The next morning Segwuna met Dr. Greydon in his office at nine o’clock. - -Dr. Greydon questioned the Indian maiden at length about the plot, and -she told the story precisely as before. - -Mollie, with evidences of severe weeping and intense mental anguish -written upon every line of her face, entered her father’s office with -her mother. She at once ran to Segwuna and embraced her and said: - -“My Segwuna, you did all of this for me. How shall I ever repay you? -How sorry I am for Mrs. Arnold. I might now have been placed in a -similar position.” - -“My dearest Mollie,” began Dr. Greydon tenderly. “How do you feel about -Mr. Barclugh’s proposal for my daughter’s hand?” - -“Father,” answered Mollie firmly, “I can never love the enemies of -my country, especially those who fight her institutions by means -of subterfuge and corruption. My love has been shocked. He knew my -patriotism and he encouraged it; but he hoped to win me and bind me by -the holy ties of marriage. My heart is broken. I can never consent, if -he is an enemy. - -“But, father, do not expose him. It would cost him his life and I know -he loves me. Spare his life for my sake.” - -These words settled the matter to the evident satisfaction of both Dr. -Greydon and Segwuna. - -Mollie and her mother left the office for the other part of the house, -and the Doctor and Segwuna took the carriage for Philadelphia and -Roderick Barclugh’s office. - -Dr. Greydon walked into the office of Roderick Barclugh and confronted -him when he was busy with his clerk in the outer room. - -“Mr. Barclugh,” began Dr. Greydon. “May I see you privately?” - -“Certainly,” replied Barclugh, as he led the way to his private office -and left Segwuna in the outer room. - -“I understand, sir,” said Dr. Greydon, sternly, “that you have been -the secret agent of the British in our midst, you, who have asked my -daughter for marriage. Now, sir, is that statement true?” - -“By what authority do you make those statements, Dr. Greydon?” parried -Barclugh. - -“I ask you as a gentleman, Mr. Barclugh, who has extended the -courtesies of his home to you, to answer a direct question.” - -“But you would not ask me to incriminate myself, Dr. Greydon?” replied -Barclugh hesitatingly. - -“No, sir. If you are guilty, for the sake of my daughter’s former love -for you, you may leave our country. If you insist on not answering I -shall let you be apprehended,” insisted Dr. Greydon. - -“But what proofs have you that I am concerned in this affair?” asked -Barclugh. - -Dr. Greydon stepped to the door and called Segwuna to their presence, -as he asked her: - -“Segwuna, what proof have you that Mr. Barclugh is concerned in this -treason?” - -Segwuna took from the inner pocket of her waist and placed in Dr. -Greydon’s hands the envelope containing the letter brought to Roderick -Barclugh by the Swedish fisherman. - -“That is sufficient,” exclaimed Barclugh, “I am the arch-conspirator, -Doctor Greydon. I am at your mercy. I have been unjust to ask your -daughter in marriage. If you allow me to escape with my life, I shall -return to England and teach my countrymen that Americans can not be -corrupted. I will do more for the cause of your country than armies or -alliances. I owe my life to you and I pledge myself to do a duty that I -owe to a true American gentleman. I will try to convince my government -of the justice of your cause.” - -Turning to Segwuna, Barclugh said: - -“You saved my life, Segwuna, and you also foiled my plot. The loss of -that letter during my illness made us too cautious in dealing with -Arnold. We knew that some one had the information and we were fearful -of entering the American lines since some one knew our scheme.” - -“It was not I,” returned Segwuna, “Mr. Barclugh, that foiled your plot. -It was the Great Spirit that laid you low with the _peste_ and put the -correspondence into my hands. God hates a corruptionist.” - -Barclugh fled at once upon the retirement of Segwuna and Dr. Greydon -from his office. He precipitately left on the sloop of the faithful -Swedes with all the ready money that he had. - -He reached New York and went to General Clinton. - -General Clinton withdrew from the Beekman House when the news of -the execution of Major Andre reached him. He now lived at Number 1 -Broadway, where he could be in constant touch with the stirring affairs -of his command since the death of his beloved Andre. - -Arnold came to New York and took up his quarters at the King’s Arms -Tavern, Number 9 Broadway. Here he lived and entertained the belief -that the British cause was invincible. He began plans to bring success -to the royal arms. - -He prepared and issued an address, “To the Inhabitants of America,” -a long and labored article justifying his treachery. Then, a few -days thereafter, he issued a proclamation entitled, “To the officers -and soldiers of the Continental army who have the real interests of -their country at heart and who are determined to be no longer the -dupes of Congress or of France.” It was simply an offer of bribery -to the Americans to desert their cause; but there were no responses. -A few loyalists rallied around his standard,--those who were seeking -officers’ positions in the British army. His mercenary spirit was -expressed in this appeal. - -In the midst of these circumstances, Roderick Barclugh arrived from -Philadelphia. His first sight when he walked into the King’s Arms -Tavern was that of General Arnold pacing up and down before the -fireplace in the tap-room. - -Arnold looked up and beheld with astonishment the tall and athletic -form of Barclugh. Until now Arnold never had quaked before mortal -man; but when the piercing glance of Barclugh met his gaze, a culprit -shivering like a whipped dog was all that stood before Barclugh. - -Had the spirit of Washington appeared in his path, Arnold could not -have been more abject. His tongue clove to the roof of his mouth. His -eyes lost all power of vision and rolled nervously, as though hunted, -in their sockets. Pitiable, indeed, in his moral transgression, stood -the man once the pride of the patriot army, before one whose only claim -to distinction was the gold that he could control. - -Barclugh was amazed at Arnold’s collapse. He felt guilty and powerless, -himself. The love of Mollie Greydon had saved his life; he knew that -his gold could never have done so. Yet Barclugh felt that he must not -relinquish his power over the traitor, so he addressed him harshly: - -“You have ruined us all, Arnold. I am thankful to be here alive. The -stain of Andre’s blood will always remain upon your escutcheon.” - -The traitor, nervous and guilty, looked around the tap-room, and -whispered into Barclugh’s ear: - -“We better discuss our matters more privately.” - -Arnold now led the way to his chamber and there the two faced each -other. - -Arnold began anxiously: - -“Barclugh, have you heard of my wife and child?” - -“No news, Arnold,” replied the financier. - -“Well, what is to become of her? I am dying by inches from anxiety. I -would be willing to give up all for her safety,” wailed the traitor. - -“Cheer up, don’t whine about losses from your unfulfilled contract,” -continued Barclugh. - -“What! do I not even get my money?” exclaimed Arnold. - -“Not a farthing more, if I can help it,” retorted the moneyed man. - -“How do you make that out?” asked the General. - -“Well, it’s business.” - -“What’s business to do with an affair of honor?” - -“An affair of honor?” queried Barclugh. “You left your honor behind -when you accepted money and agreed to perform your treachery and -receive the balance when the job was successfully done.” - -“But you see, Barclugh, I have the agreement of Major Andre to cover -just such an emergency as this,” exclaimed Arnold as he struck with -exultation his breast pocket in which he had his writing signed by -Andre. - -“Well, that may or may not be so, Mr. Arnold. You will now have to -settle your bargain made with Major Andre, with General Clinton. Major -Andre is dead. I represent the men of substance and I am not at liberty -to recklessly squander their money in a way that is not warranted,” -contended the envoy of the Bank Governor. - -“Very well, sir,” concluded Arnold, who was now aware of the cold -blood of a financial agent when the deal fell through. “We shall go -to General Clinton and have this matter settled. I demand that you go -with me. If I am not given satisfaction for the sacrifices that I have -undergone, I will publish my agreement made with Andre. The world will -call you a pack of scoundrels, to deceive an honest man.” - -“Scoundrels!” exclaimed Barclugh. “You better ask what your friends -will say as to that.” - -Arnold and Barclugh walked to the headquarters of General Clinton, -Number 1 Broadway. A few steps took the two up the staircase to the -front entrance and then they were ushered into the presence of the -English Commander. - -None of the three men was in a humor to talk very much, especially -Barclugh. After an exchange of formal greetings, General Arnold -commenced the discussion: - -“General Clinton, I must know where I stand in my financial matters and -in my official position before Mr. Barclugh leaves. - -“Of course, you know I promised to turn over West Point to your command -and my compensation was to have been twenty thousand pounds sterling -and a commission as Brigadier-General in the British army, but the -fortunes of war have turned against us. I am here under your protection -with nothing to insure my recompense except my compact with Major Andre. - -“General Clinton, shall I receive the recompense due me or shall I be -treated with ingratitude such as I have received from the Colonial -Congress?” - -“General Arnold,” replied Sir Henry Clinton, “His Majesty’s government -certainly shall not dishonor its obligations, but we cannot be asked -to pay the full amount that was promised when the transaction was -entered into. For those conditions depended upon the success of your -enterprise. We shall have to limit the payment to ten thousand pounds -sterling, less what has been advanced to you by Mr. Barclugh. Mr. -Barclugh has already advanced you about four thousand pounds, so that -your balance will be about six thousand pounds sterling. - -“You will receive a commission of Brvt. Brig. General and its regular -pay. - -“But, General Arnold, do you believe that we can win our cause now that -we have failed in our enterprise against West Point?” - -“There can be no question in my mind,” returned Arnold, now that he had -been assured of his allowance and his commission. “We can raise a force -and take West Point by regular attacks. I shall prepare plans and -submit them to you for approval. - -“Then,” continued Arnold, “the Colonies can not hold out against the -resources of Great Britain. We must fight until the tide of victory -turns our way. We cannot afford to lose. We must win.” - -“What do you think about the situation, Mr. Barclugh?” asked General -Clinton, turning to the special agent of His Majesty’s government, -graciously. - -Barclugh drew himself up to his full height and said bitterly, for he -felt that both of the men before him had made a mess of his plans: - -“Gentlemen, if you want my candid opinion, I am forced to say that -you will not conquer the American Colonists if you fight from now -until doomsday. They are simple, fearless people, liberty-loving and -self-sacrificing. They have no need of money. They live next to nature -and fight and exist wholly within their own resources. - -“My mission to the Colonies has been made utterly unsuccessful since -our plot failed. One cannot understand the temper of the people until -he has lived among them as I have. The mothers and maidens, as well as -the men, are fighting for their land. There may be a few malcontents -among them, like our new friend here (pointing over his shoulder with -his thumb toward Arnold), but they are only loud talkers and boasters, -and carry no weight.” - -Arnold scowled at Barclugh, and General Clinton’s ire began to gather -force when the color mounted into his thick neck and his wine-flushed -face, as he exclaimed: - -“What! do you mean to tell _me_, sir, that His Majesty’s armies can -never conquer the Colonies? Impossible! Sir, impossible!” - -“That’s what I mean,” responded Barclugh coolly. - -“Do you mean to imply, sir, that the forces under the command of -General and Sir Henry Clinton, K. B., are not able to carry out the -King’s commands?” demanded General Clinton. - -“I mean,” replied Barclugh dryly, “that both General and Sir Henry -Clinton, K. B., are very much deluded personages as to the task before -them.” - -General Clinton now turned and bowed to Roderick Barclugh and, with -lips firmly compressed, said: - -“Mr. Barclugh, I have done with your information. I thank you.” - -Then Sir Henry remarked as he took Arnold’s arm in his own: - -“General Arnold, we better retire.” - -The two generals, in oppressive silence, now turned their backs on -Barclugh and stalked out of the room. - -Barclugh stood and watched their departure. He dropped his head in -silent reflection. Raising his eyes, the pent-up fire of an indignant -soul shone out of them. He said: - -“Let them go! The hirelings of kingly power as I have been! They plan -to flatter the King and consider as a reward only the gold that they -receive. - -“It is well that kings have gold for their use. For the bones that they -throw to their dogs would soon play out, unless the dry bones that are -rattled scare the whelps. - -“My mission has failed! Why? The Americans are superior to the system -that makes hirelings of us all. No system of finance affects them. -They refused my gold. Mutual trust in each other, as men, made their -pieces of commissary paper as useful as my gold. Of all the men -that I met, Arnold was the only one that I could convince with an -Englishman’s argument, pounds sterling. American manhood is a product -of American soil. It has grown out of the forests and the streams. It -is incorruptible. If its ideals are lost in the greed for gold, the -debased have to flee America and seek an asylum, like Arnold, in the -bosom of the Englishman where pounds sterling can outweigh character -and manhood. - -“I return to England. I give them back their accursed gold, and show -them that though Englishmen may think like Warren Hastings, that the -souls of men are expressed in pounds sterling according to their -stations, yet in one place in this world manhood stands above guineas, -and AMERICAN MANHOOD HAS NOT ITS PRICE!” - - - - -CHAPTER XL - - -We now come to the home affairs of Barclugh. He returned to England -after his interview in New York. - -Arnold was not successful in his enterprises after his failure to -surrender West Point. He ravaged towns in Connecticut and in Virginia, -as a British Brigadier, with fiendish delight, and history tells us -that he led anything but a happy existence in England; and at last, -died in seclusion. - -“Unwept, unhonored and unsung.” - -Poor Andre! He was the victim of the ambition of youth. His superiors -depended on his ability to do extraordinary things; however, his nature -was too guileless to cope with the daring of a man like Arnold. He -ought never to have gone into the American lines. To have met Arnold -secretly again at their rendezvous would have been an easy matter. His -superior, Clinton, gave him explicit instructions not to enter the -American outposts; but Arnold’s headlong rashness led him into danger -and he paid the penalty with his life. - -Lord Carlisle, the British Commissioner, returned to England and -history tells us that he became Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland and sank -into oblivion. He and George Selwyn were the prime movers in the plot, -the purpose of which was to get funds from government with which to -square the losses of Fox at the gaming-table. - -Barclugh, however, though the main actor in the plot to hold America -within the sphere of kingly and aristocratical government, was, by -his actual experience among the Americans of all classes, convinced -that their position was invincible on the principles of free and -representative government. He could see that even though the British -were to get the seaports along the Atlantic and hold them, the sturdy -pioneers would retire into the mountains and fight until exterminated. -Then the French Coalition gave England an enemy in the front and rear. -He could see the end. He thought best to conclude the war, and, at -least, save the Canadas to the mother country. - -Convinced with these conclusions he went to Mr. Prince, the Governor of -the Bank of England, and made his report. The principal arguments were: - -“In the eight years of the war the population increased nearly one -million souls. - -“The British and Hessian soldiery desert to take up free homes on the -new lands of America. - -“The land is productive of every necessity in abundance. - -“The Americans leave their plows to fight one day and then return to -them, to provide subsistence the next. - -“Money appeals to very few of them. None except a few merchants in the -seaports care for money. Merchandise receipts issued by the government -pass as legal tender. - -“Their depreciated currency does not affect them. They have no banks. -They all have faith in their cause and in their ability to redeem their -obligations when the war ends. Therefore, each one stands ready to -sacrifice his life and his substance for his principles.” - -When Mr. Prince received these tidings he knew that they were reliable -and he merely concluded: - -“The war must stop before we lose all. But,” he prophesied, “in less -than one hundred years hence, England will subdue the Americans with -her system of finance and her system of aristocratic society. An -Englishman’s title will not then go begging in America.” - -When Lord George Germaine received the report from the Governor of -the Bank of England and Lord North received it, and, at last, the -King--the inner circles of government were astounded. - -Following closely upon these events came the news of Cornwallis’s -surrender, and Lord North made his famous exclamation: - -“O God! It is all over!” - - - - -CHAPTER XLI - - -Mollie Greydon could not arise on the morning after the interview -between her father and Roderick Barclugh. She sank into a low fever and -for two months she lingered between life and death while being nursed -by her faithful friend, Segwuna. In her delirium she talked about the -Assembly at the French Ministers and oft repeated: - -“The dance is the language of love.” - -Then she would see the horses galloping down the road beside the -Delaware where she outdistanced Roderick Barclugh on her thoroughbred, -“Prince.” - -She would pass her hand over the bed-covering and pat it with such a -loving and gentle touch as she said: - -“Noble Prince, noble Prince, you are such a fine horse, Prince. If he -does not love me, you do, don’t you, Prince? - -“You were naughty, Prince, to run away from him that day. If I had only -let him say what was in his heart that day, I would have been so happy. -Yes, I would have been so happy! so happy!” And Mollie went to sleep -from mere exhaustion. - -Segwuna and Mollie’s mother were seated beside her canopied bed and -their eyes filled with tears as they watched the darling of their -hearts suffering such anguish. It can come to one only once in a -lifetime. - -Many times Doctor Greydon and Mrs. Greydon held lengthy consultations -when the disease took its insidious hold on the now wasted frame of -their beautiful daughter. It was such a delicate thread that held all -that was dear to them on earth. The image of little Mollie, their only -darling child, as she gladdened their souls with her childish prattle -passed through their minds. For hours at a time, they would sit and -watch silently at the bedside and in silence pray to the One that knows -the hearts of all: “to deliver from our midst the Dread Messenger that -hovers over our child.” - -Mrs. Greydon would sometimes tearfully say: “William, maybe it was all -for the best that Mr. Barclugh came to us, for God can send him back as -a messenger from our Colonies and tell the truth to our cousins beyond -the sea. That is what Segwuna says and she is almost endowed with the -intelligence of the supernatural.” - -“Yes, yes, my dear, if Mr. Barclugh is the gentleman that I think he -will tell the truth, and how our child would rejoice in any good that -he could do for our country. I would give almost any personal sacrifice -if I could restore my little Mollie to her strength. Yes, I would give -up my own life for hers,” and the great, strong patriot turned his head -and his voice choked and the noble heart of the man was overcome with -his emotions. - -The long days and the longer nights of the vigil for the dear one -dragged along and along and the father and the mother seemed to age -perceptibly under the strain. But Segwuna never lost her hope. She -would say in her sweet voice: - -“The Great Spirit of Segwuna’s fathers will watch over our little one -and bless her days with happiness.” - -The malady had its course and one morning Mollie awoke and said in a -whisper, for she was very weak: - -“Mama, where have I been?” - -“You have been sleeping sweetly, my dear,” replied the mother softly: - -“Oh, I had such a sweet dream. I saw his face, and he looked at me with -such kindly eyes,” came from Mollie as though an angel were speaking, -and she closed her eyes and smiled as though she were an infant again. - -“God be praised,” whispered her mother. “My darling girl may be saved.” - -Now the days seemed brighter and the nights shorter. Mollie began to -gather strength. In a week she was able to see her father and talk to -him for five minutes while she held his hand in hers. - -In three weeks she was able to drive in the carriage on mild days. But -her heart seemed heavy. She watched for the mail. She thought that he -could not have given her up without a word. Weeks grew into months and -the spring came and the summer passed yet no word from the one she knew -was dearer to her than life. - -But on a bright day in October, nearly a year from the time when Mollie -was taken ill, a large, brawny man approached the portico where Mollie -was seated, and raising his hat, he asked: - -“Is this Dorminghurst?” - -“Yes,” replied Mollie. - -“I have a letter here for Miss Greydon.” And the hardened hand of the -man placed a packet in Mollie’s fingers. - -“Why, it is from Mr. Barclugh!” exclaimed Mollie. - -“Where did you get it, sir?” asked Mollie. - -“I brought it from the inlet on the Jersey coast. It came from New York -by sloop,” answered the man, who was one of the fishermen Barclugh had -employed when he fled. - -“Are there any fees, sir?” - -“None whatever. I was charged to deliver it into the hands of Miss -Mollie Greydon. I have done so and my duty ends. Good day. I must -return,” was the short and unceremonious message of the boatman and he -left as mysteriously as he came. - -But here it was, the word from Roderick Barclugh at last: A large -package emblazoned with a crest and the motto standing out in strong -contrast: - - “Post Nubes Lux” - -Mollie opened it with nervous hand and she gazed at the bold -handwriting of Roderick Barclugh with an anxious face. - - Devon Court, Devonshire, - August 17, 178-- - - “My dear Madam: - - “True to my pledge to your honored father I have changed my attitude - toward the Colonies. Mostly from your precious lips I have learned - to love your country and the principles that they are struggling to - maintain. I am happy to inform you that the Colonies will very soon - be free and independent States. The report that I have made to my - superiors is enclosed and the conclusion has been made according - to the information in my report that a war of extermination is - impracticable and that England will honor the Colonies to establish - which she has contributed the best blood in her realm and will wish - them Godspeed. - - “Now as to my part in the unfortunate drama of Arnold’s treason I can - only say: ‘Forget it and forgive me.’ - - “If it had succeeded my only desire was to share with you the honors - that I might have claimed. - - “My dear Madam, I love you with all my soul. Your affection is more - to me than my country, my title, or even my life. If you would only - consent to be my wife I will go whithersoever thou sayest or do - whatsoever thou biddest. Be mine and we will be forever happy. - - “Since my return to England my older brother has died and the title - has fallen to me. My fortune is now ample and we can live quietly on - our estates. The world has little to attract me outside of domestic - happiness. - - “With the sentiments that I have always held in my heart, and which - no worldly conditions can change, believe me to be - - “With sentiments of my tenderest love, your faithful and obedient - servant, - - “Roderick Barclugh. - - “Miss Mollie Greydon, - Dorminghurst, Penn., N. A.” - -As the motto on Barclugh’s seal says, “After darkness there is light,” -so Mollie read and re-read his sweet words with increasing delight. Her -soul was athirst for what he said. But what would papa say? - -After many family councils in the Doctor’s office, at last Doctor -Greydon gave his consent under one condition, which was: that Roderick -Barclugh would come to America and take the ups and downs of a common -American and rear his family as free American citizens. - -Mollie wrote her lover after she had time to consider the meaning of it -all, as follows: - - Dorminghurst, - October 30, 178-- - - “My dear Mr. Barclugh: - - “I regret that my words can not properly convey my sentiments in - support of your noble acts in giving justice to our struggling - Colonies. My father feels grateful to you for what you have done. - - “As to the part that you took in the drama of war, our Segwuna says - that you were a messenger sent by the Great Spirit to learn the truth - about our people and to convey it across the sea. - - “My feelings for you have always been of the tenderest nature and I - know that I could love and honor you as your noble spirit deserves. - - “There is only one consideration that I can ask before I pledge you - my honor and my life: - - “My people left England to escape the perfidy of aristocratical - distinctions in society. If you were plain Roderick Barclugh and - could come and live our simple life in America, my heart would - rejoice to be your bride. But for me to return to England, a titled - person, I would be sacrificing the principles of three generations - of my forefathers and I should always feel guilty of treachery to my - dearest family ties. Thus it would be a mistake to try to make me - happy and we had better bide apart although it would break my heart. - - “But if you could come to America and we should be wedded simply as - Roderick Barclugh and Mollie Greydon my heart would rejoice and I am - sure God would prosper us in our journey through life. - - “With my tenderest affection and esteem, - - “As ever yours, - - “Mollie Greydon. - - “Sir Roderick Barclugh, Bart, - “Devon House, - “Devonshire, England.” - -In the course of two months, Sir Roderick Barclugh received the answer -that Mollie penned, and when he read its contents, he kissed the paper -that held the precious words, and as soon as the war closed, after -Cornwallis’s surrender, he immediately took steps to transfer his -baronetcy to his next of kin and made all arrangements to wed Mollie -Greydon in the following spring. - -He did not forget to do justice to Mrs. Arnold and her children before -he left England or resigned his title. - -He secured a pension for Mrs. Arnold of three hundred pounds sterling -yearly and one hundred pounds yearly for each of Arnold’s children. He -felt the responsibility for Arnold’s rash deed to a very great degree. - -In the balmy days of June following, the old mansion of Dorminghurst -was gay with the prospects of the wedding of its jewel. - -The old hemlocks seemed greener than ever and the lover’s walk and the -old mill had its attractions for Mollie and Roderick in the prenuptial -days. - -The wedding was celebrated in high pomp (for the Greydons had -practically gone back to the established church) by the Reverend Mr. -White, the Chaplain of Congress. - -The war was over and the people were united. The drama of the strife -was past. Peace and its pursuits held sway. - -Roderick Barclugh and his bride emigrated over the Alleghanies and took -up lands in the blue-grass region of Kentucky, where they lived in -happiness and contentment, rearing a large family. - -Their love for fine horses brought the line of thoroughbreds that -distinguishes the soil of the State of “the dark and bloody ground.” - -The descendants of the Barclughs have spread throughout the valleys of -the Ohio and the Mississippi, and they have ever shone in the councils -of our nation, being noted for their integrity, loyalty and patriotism. - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - - Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Arnold's Tempter, by Benjamin F. Comfort - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 62181 *** |