Peggy Owen and Liberty

by Lucy Foster Madison

  CHAPTER IV

  THE SEARCH

  "Like bloodhounds now they search me out,-- Hark, to the whistle and the shout! If farther through the wilds I go, I only fall upon the foe; I'll couch me here till evening gray, Then darkling try my dangerous way."

  --_Sir Walter Scott._

  Sukey was standing before the entrance valiantly trying to keep thehalf dozen men who stood in the hall from entering. She turned towardher master with relief.

  "Dese men dey sayin' dat dere's a Bristisher 'roun' heah," sheexplained. "Dey would come in. I dun my bes' ter keep dem from'sturbin' yer."

  "That is all right, Sukey," he said kindly. "Perhaps these friendshave good reason for coming."

  "That we have, Mr. Owen," cried one stepping forward. "I am WilliamWill, Sheriff of the city and county of Philadelphia. With me is Mr.Ledie, Commissioner of Prisoners. We are on the track of someprisoners who have escaped from Lancaster. One hath been traced tothis house. We have reason to believe that he is in hiding somewhereabout the premises. I am sorry to disturb you, sir, but 'tis my dutyto make a thorough search of the dwelling."

  "Thou art quite welcome to make the search, Friend Will," returned Mr.Owen courteously. "I think thee will find thyself mistaken about anyone being in hiding here unless he hath concealed himself in the barn.I have neither seen nor heard anything of any one."

  "Then with your permission we will begin right away," said thesheriff. "Do two of you take the barns and outbuildings; two othersthe gardens and orchard, while Mr. Ledie and I will make a thoroughinvestigation of the house. We will begin with this room, Mr. Ledie,"he continued stepping inside the sitting-room. "Your pardon, ladies.Knowing that every well affected inhabitant of the county willcheerfully assist in the apprehension of an escaped prisoner mypresence, I trust, will be excused. These seem to be good Americancitizens, Mr. Owen," with a keen glance about that embraced everymember of the company. "Your wife and daughter I know by sight, andthese two young ladies also. This gentleman's uniform speaks foritself, and this young man is without doubt an American."

  "Yes; he hath served with the militia in Virginia against the enemy,and hath recently obtained a captain's commission in the regulartroops of New Jersey," explained David Owen. "He is Captain Johnson,who with his mother will stop with us until after the storm hathpassed."

  "I see," remarked the sheriff, passing into the dining-room."Everything seems to be all right in these two rooms, Mr. Ledie. Now,"addressing the company collectively, "there is one thing more: Doeseach one of you affirm that you have not seen any one who might be anescaped prisoner?"

  Peggy's heart beat so wildly at this that she feared it could beheard. She had risen at the sheriff's entrance, and stood with paleface waiting the discovery that she was afraid was imminent. She saidnothing as the sheriff asked his question. The others had spokenquickly disclaiming any knowledge of such person, and she hoped thefact that she had made no reply would escape notice. To her reliefSally spoke up:

  "Will thee let us see him if thee finds him, Friend Will? Especiallyif he be good looking."

  "Oh, yes, Friend Will," broke in Betty. "Do let us have a look at himif thee catches him."

  "Now, now," protested the officer, "I'm not going to grant anyindulgences to further an Englishman's enjoyment. I know your sex,Miss Sally. If the fellow is good looking I'll have all of you girlson my back to let him off. And the temper of the people won't permitsuch things at present. Well, there is nothing to be gained here. Wewill take the up-stairs now."

  "I think I shall accompany you," spoke Mr. Owen. "I like not to thinkof any prowlers about. I wonder where he escaped from, and if there isbut one?"

  "Suppose we go too," said Robert Dale, addressing Fairfax. "We mightbe of assistance to the sheriff."

  The three left the room, and the women and the girls drew closetogether while overhead, in every room, and without in the barn andother buildings the search was prosecuted. Nurse Johnson shivered asthe sounds of the hunt came to them.

  "A man hunt is always such a dreadful thing," she remarked. "Andwhether it be for a slave or an enemy, I find my sympathy going withthe hunted. I hope they won't find this poor fellow. Yet I have nolove for the English."

  "Thee is like the rest of us," replied Mistress Owen. "A good hater ofthe enemy in the aggregate, but a commiserator of one who happens tobe in a plight. Peggy, how restless thee is!"

  "I am, mother," answered Peggy rising, and going to the window. "Thishath upset me."

  "It is in truth a most unpleasant ending to an otherwise pleasantday," commented her mother.

  Peggy made no further remark, but wandered restlessly about, finallygoing into the dining-room. She was filled with apprehension lest atany moment Clifford's hiding-place should be discovered. He must notstay, she reflected. It was no longer safe to conceal him anywhere onthe premises. But where could he go? At this point in her musings shefelt an arm slip about her waist, and turned to find Sally Evansbeside her.

  "And who is it, Peggy?" whispered Sally. "I know that 'tis some onethee knows, else thee would not have helped him."

  "Oh, Sally! how did thee know that 'twas I who helped any one?" askedPeggy alarmed. "Did I show it so plainly? Does thee think the sheriffcould tell that I knew aught?"

  "Nay," Sally whispered back. "I knew because I know thee so well. Theeremembers I thought I heard thee talking with some one in the kitchen.Who is it?"

  "Clifford," whispered Peggy.

  "Harriet's brother?" asked Sally, after a little gasp of surprise.

  "Yes; he hath escaped from Lancaster, and is trying to get to NewYork. I could not do otherwise than help him, Sally. He would not havecome here had not the storm rendered traveling difficult. But fathermust not know. 'Twould go hard with him were it known that heassisted Clifford, if he should assist him. He might not do it. Theeknows how he feels about such things. He might deem it right to giveClifford up even though he be our cousin. I want father to do right,Sally, but I don't want Clifford given up, either."

  "Why, of course thee doesn't," answered Sally briskly. "And of course,Peggy, 'tis quite right for thy father to feel as he does. I dare sayRobert and Fairfax feel the same toward any who is an enemy to thecountry. 'Tis right for them, but we females are made of softer stuff.Don't worry, but let thy cousin go home with me. Mother and I will beglad to conceal him until the weather permits him to continue hisjourney."

  "Oh, Sally! does thee mean that?" cried Peggy breathlessly.

  "I do, Peggy. Thee would be surprised to know how many of the Britishwe have helped during the war. As a whole I dislike them intensely,"and Sally drew her lips together vindictively. "When there is a battleI rejoice when we defeat them; but when any of them are in trouble, ordanger, I never can think of them only as mothers' sons, and so, andso----"

  Peggy leaned forward and kissed her.

  "I think thee is the dearest girl in the world, Sally Evans," shesaid. "Does thee remember that there is a penalty for harboringescaping prisoners?"

  "Well, yes; but friendship would not be worth much if it were notwilling to incur some risk," answered her friend sagely. "Where ishe?"

  "In the chamber above the kitchen, Sally. Let's go out there. I amconsumed with anxiety lest he be discovered."

  The sheriff, followed by his associate Mr. Ledie, David Owen, Robertand Fairfax, having made the rounds of the house came into the entryway just as Sally and Peggy entered it. The men who had been detailedto make the search of the outbuildings and grounds joined them a fewmoments later.

  "He stood just here," observed the sheriff indicating the place behindthe door. "You can see his tracks. What puzzles me is the fact thatthere are no further traces. He did not go away, as there are notracks leading away from this place. Neither are there any inside,and the sand on the kitchen floor hath not been disturbed save by thedarkey."

  "Hast thou searched the wash-house and the servants' quarters?"queried Mr. Owen anxiously. "They are all in this building
."

  "We have looked through it thoroughly," declared the sheriffemphatically. "And the barn, and all other buildings. 'Tis mostmysterious. He hath disappeared as unaccountably as though whisked outof sight on a witch's broom. Well, boys, scatter about the groundsagain, and see if you can't find some trace. Some one in the househath aided in the escape," he said, turning again to Mr. Owen as themen obeyed his order.

  "I do not see who could have done so," returned David Owen with atroubled look. "There is not one of the household who is not aconsistent Whig, and there hath been no opportunity for anything ofthe sort. When we have not been together in the sitting-room we havebeen at the table. The girls washed the dishes in the dining-room, butjoined us immediately afterward. From the laughter that accompaniedthe act I would be willing to wager that no British prisoner had anyshare in it."

  Peggy did not see the quick glance that passed between Robert Dale andFairfax Johnson. She had been absent from the room fully a half hourlonger than the other girls, but evidently her father had not noticedthe fact. Fairfax Johnson spoke abruptly:

  "Suppose we take a look about the grounds, Major Dale."

  "Your pardon, gentlemen," interposed Sheriff Will. "I cannot allow youto go unless one of my men accompanies you. You see all of you aremore or less under suspicion until the matter is cleared up, and Iprefer that you remain in sight."

  "Just as you say, sir," replied the youth quickly. "I thought only tobe of service."

  "I see not where the fellow could have gone," mused David Owen, whosedistress was evident. "Would that he might be found, if only torelease us from suspicion."

  "Well, have you found anything?" demanded the sheriff as his menreentered the dwelling. "Come into the kitchen, boys. It grows cold."

  "And dark, Mr. Will," announced one of the men. "Too dark to see much.We shall have to give up for the night."

  "I fear so," answered the sheriff grumblingly. His manner showed thathe was far from satisfied with the result of the search. The house hadbeen gone through thoroughly, and every place that could afford apossible hiding-place ransacked. David Owen and the two youths were ofthe army. The family was noted for its patriotism, and had offered noobjection to the search, yet he showed that he was reluctant to giveup. He stood meditatively before the fire, his hands clasped behindhim, his glance roving about the room. Suddenly he started forward,and an excited "Ah!" escaped him.

  Peggy turned pale, for his eye was resting upon the trap-door. Herfather's glance followed the sheriff's.

  "If any went through that door, Friend Will," he said casually, "'twasone who is much younger than either of us. In truth, none but aslender youth could draw himself through that door."

  "True," answered the officer gazing at the door thoughtfully. "True,Mr. Owen, yet am I minded to explore it. I like not to leave any placeunsearched. It may be that our man is young, and that that is the veryplace where he lies concealed. Is there a ladder?"

  "There was one, but 'tis at the carpenter's shop to be mended,"answered Mr. Owen. He looked vaguely about the kitchen. "I see not howthee is to get up," he said.

  "I think I could get up there." Fairfax Johnson sprang lightly uponthe table as he spoke. "Will some one hand me a chair?"

  "That's the idea," cried the sheriff approvingly. "Still, young man,before you undertake this you must understand that there is riskattending it. You will be completely at the mercy of any one whohappens to be up there. You understand that, don't you?"

  "Well, some one must go," replied Fairfax. "One of your men would takethe risk in case I don't. Won't he?"

  "Yes; but---- Well, go on." A chair was passed up to him, and theyouth mounting it pushed the trap-door back slowly.

  Peggy's hand involuntarily went to her heart, and she trembled sothat she could scarcely stand. The watchers grew very still as FairfaxJohnson stood for a moment before swinging himself up through theopening. Sally gave a little gasp as he disappeared into the darkness.

  "What if--if he should shoot?" she murmured unconsciously speakingaloud.

  "'Tis what I'm afraid of," answered Sheriff Will. "What is it?" hecried, springing upon the table and mounting the chair in a vaineffort to see what was taking place in the attic. "Have you foundhim?" For an unmistakable chuckle came from overhead. It sounded toPeggy as though it were her cousin's voice. She told herself that shewas mistaken, however, when Fairfax Johnson appeared at the opening.

  "It's a rug," he called, a broad smile illuminating his countenance."When I stumbled over it I thought it was a bear. I suppose Miss Peggyhath put it up here anent her housekeeping time. Shall I throw itdown?"

  "No," answered Sheriff Will, in disgusted tones. "If that's all thereis up there you might as well come down. We are not hunting articlesto set Miss Peggy up."

  "If any of the rest of you wish to come up I think I could help drawhim up." The youth leaned over the side of the opening suggestively.

  "No, no," interposed Mr. Ledie, commissioner of prisoners. "The fellowis evidently not up there, and there is no use wasting time. He mustbe somewhere else about the premises, or else we have overlooked histracks."

  "I don't see how we could," declared the sheriff. "Anyhow, 'tisgetting too dark to do any more to-night. You seem to have found somecobwebs, if you did not find a prisoner, my friend," he said asFairfax Johnson swung himself down to the table. "I suppose that wemust wish you good-night, Mr. Owen. We may drop in to-morrow."

  "Nay, gentlemen, go not so," spoke Mr. Owen. "Come, refreshyourselves, I pray you. You will take supper with us after so hard asearch. It will not be long before 'tis ready, and 'tis o'er cold togo forth without something warming. Lass, canst thou not help Sukey toget it quickly?"

  "Yes, father," answered Peggy. She was quite herself by this time, butfilled with amazement at Fairfax. What a queer compound he was, shethought, glancing over to where the youth stood. He was blushing asSally helped him to remove the cobwebs from his clothing, and seemedunable to answer the chaff with which she and Robert were plying him.Yet but a short time since he had made that little joke concerning thefur rug and her housekeeping. Had he really seen Clifford?

  "Let all of us young people help," cried Betty gayly coming into thekitchen as Mr. Owen with the sheriff and his men left it.

  "Thy help must be confined to the dining-room, Betty," answered Peggy."Thee must not be out here in that gown."

  "Then I will set the table," said Betty. "My, my! what a party we'rehaving."

  "And we will help too, Peggy," spoke Robert Dale. "Have you nothingthat two great fellows like the captain and myself can do?"

  "Plenty, plenty," laughed Peggy. "Thee may slice the roast beef,Robert, while Friend Fairfax may take the ham. Sally and I willattend to the bread and cake. Sukey, will thee need more wood?"

  "No'm," grumbled Sukey. "I shouldn't t'ink yer pa'd want ter feed demfolkes aftah de way dey done pried 'roun' inter ebberyt'ing."

  "Well, it is annoying, of course, Sukey, but after all they were butdoing their duty," answered Peggy slowly.

  "Yes'm," said the black giving her young mistress a sharp look, thenturning she busied herself about the fire.

  Each one was attending strictly to the task before him, and resolvingto embrace the opportunity to talk a few moments with Fairfax Johnson,Peggy took the loaf of bread she was cutting over to the table wherethe youth was slicing ham.