Peggy Owen and Liberty

by Lucy Foster Madison

  CHAPTER XXII

  WHAT CAN BE DONE?

  "Here we have war for war, blood for blood, Controlment for controlment."

  --_King John._

  Exclamations of pity and compassion came from the men as Harrietthrew her arms about her brother. On General Hazen's countenanceconsternation showed as well as commiseration. The scene wassufficiently trying as it was. The feminine note added to thecomplexity of the situation.

  Over Clifford Owen's face there swept a swift, indescribable change.He drew his sister to him and held her close, bending his head to herswith a gesture that was full of yearning. There was not a dry eye inthe room. Both Americans and English felt it no shame to their manhoodthat tears streamed unrestrainedly down their cheeks.

  The brother and sister were so young. The youth, noble and handsome,was striving to bear the tragic fate trust upon him with fortitudeyet was torn by his love for his sister. The maiden, so surpassinglylovely that even the violence of her grief could not mar her beauty,was filled with anguish over the impending doom of her brother. Thatthe boy had all he could do to maintain his composure was manifest toevery one. For a time it seemed that affection would submerge allother emotions; then came a quick stiffening of his body as though hewere preparing himself to resist any further appeal to his tenderness.When he spoke it was clearly and composedly:

  "My sister, what do you here? This is no place for you."

  "I had to come," she cried passionately. "Think you I could stay awaywhen I knew not what would be done to you?"

  "'Tis known now, Harriet. The lot hath been taken. I must accept myfate. Help me to do it bravely, my sister. You are a soldier'sdaughter, a soldier's sister. Let us show Americans how English menand English women meet untoward events."

  "Oh," she uttered piteously, "you are to die. What is pride of racewhen you are to die? And father? What will father say?"

  "He is a soldier, Harriet. He knows that war hath its vicissitudeswhich to-day may bring victory; to-morrow, death. He knows this, andwe, his children, should know it also. He would like us to meet thiswith courage and calmness."

  "I cannot," she cried sobbing convulsively. "I cannot, Clifford. Theymean to hang you, my brother; just as Fairfax Johnson was hanged. Icannot bear it."

  "Cousin David!" The boy turned appealingly toward Mr. Owen. Hislips were white. His brow was wet with perspiration. He was fastapproaching the limit of his endurance. "Will you take her? I--Icannot----" He compressed his lips tightly, unable to proceed.

  "Yes, my lad," answered Mr. Owen brokenly. He beckoned to Peggy, andthey both endeavored to unclasp Harriet's clinging arms from herbrother.

  "No, no," she shrieked. "I cannot let you go, Clifford. Is there noway to prevent this awful thing? Major Gordon," turning toward thatofficer suddenly, "can't you do something? Can't you do something?"

  "There is naught that can be done," replied Major Gordon pityingly. Asthe principal British officer in Lancaster he had been present that hemight be satisfied that everything was conducted with fairness. Beyondthat he was helpless, being himself on parole.

  General Hazen spoke at this moment, to the relief of all:

  "My dear young lady," he said gruffly, to hide his emotion, "yourbrother need not start for New Jersey to-day. He may remain inLancaster for two days longer, which will give a slight respite. Hemust be held a close prisoner during that time, well guarded toprevent escape; but you may see him once each day. It is not in mypower to do more than that, but it is something."

  "It is much, sir," she cried seizing his hand, and impulsively kissingit.

  "I thank you, sir," said Clifford courteously, quick to seize theadvantage such diversion created. "I shall see you then to-morrow, mysister. Captain, I am ready."

  With firm step he placed himself by the side of the dragoon, who tookhim by the arm. On the other side of him walked the British MajorGordon, and thus they passed out of the room. The youth's departurewas the signal for this most tragic meeting to break up. Quietly,showing no elation that they had been spared and another taken, theirfaces expressive only of sorrow, the twelve British officers, eachsaluting Harriet as he left, filed out of the apartment. The drummerboys tiptoed after them. General Hazen was the last to go, pausingonly to say:

  "You shall see him twice more, my dear. I think I would go home now,if I were you. This hath been most trying. Odds life, most trying!"

  "You are very kind, sir," she said miserably. "I appreciate it.But--but after two days; then what?"

  "Child," he said gravely, with great compassion, "I cannot delude youwith false hopes. After two days your brother must go to meet his fatein New Jersey. I can do naught to prevent it." He took a pinch ofsnuff hastily, then hurried from the room.

  "Peggy!" Harriet stretched out her arms to her cousin with a cry ofbitterness. "What shall I do? What shall I do?"

  But Peggy shook her head sorrowfully as she drew the girl into herarms. What could be done? She knew of nothing. That the safety ofAmerican prisoners might be assured Congress had decreed the death ofa British officer to retaliate upon a lawless act of the enemy. Thatthe officer chosen chanced to be her cousin did not change the justiceof the act. Fairfax Johnson's death had been too recent, too near toPeggy for her not to see the fairness of retribution. And yet, andyet! that it should prove to be Clifford. It seemed so hopeless, sodark, Peggy could only shake her head while her tears fell fast.

  "We must go home, lass," spoke David Owen. There were tears in hiseyes, and he patted Harriet's shoulder with infinite tenderness. Hewas deeply moved by what had taken place, for Clifford had become dearto him; yet the boy's conduct under the trying circumstances filledhim with pride. Now he patted the girl's shoulder, saying, "'Twill befar better for us to be at home than here. Come, Harriet! Perchancesomething will occur to us now that we have time to think."

  "Yes, Cousin David." The girl wiped her eyes and rose obediently asthough where she was made no difference. As she did so her glance fellupon Captain Drayton and Major Dale. The two young men had lingered,loth to leave them in their trouble. "Are you not coming too?" sheasked.

  "We do not wish to intrude, Miss Harriet," answered Robert Dale,speaking for both.

  "But you will not," she replied. "I want you to come. Both of you. Youare of the army, and may be able to suggest something. Come, and letus talk it over."

  So, accompanied by the two youths, they went slowly back to the house.The news had spread throughout the town, and the people, knowing thatthe unfortunate victim was a relative, respectfully made way for them.The young English captain had become a well-known figure during thetime he was on parole, and his youth, manliness, and unfailingcourtesy caused every one to deplore the fact that such a doom shouldhave fallen upon one who so little deserved it. Mrs. Owen met them atthe door, and her manner told them that she had heard what hadresulted from the meeting. She took Harriet at once in her motherlyarms.

  "I shall take thee right up-stairs to bed, my child," she said. "Thishath been very trying for thee."

  "Nay, madam my cousin," said the girl, smiling wanly. "'Tis no timefor coddling. I shall have all the rest of life to lie in bed; now Imust try to find some way to save my brother."

  "Mistress Harriet!" Drayton, who had been unusually thoughtful, nowspoke abruptly. "What I am about to suggest may not be of worth, butit can be tried. Why not go to General Washington and plead for yourbrother? If that fails, and fail it may because retaliation isdemanded as the only safeguard Americans have for their countrymen whoare prisoners, then go on to your own commander. He may be able toarrange matters with our general."

  Harriet listened dazedly at first, as though unable to grasp what hewas saying. All at once, as she comprehended the full import of hiswords, a magical transformation took place. The color returned to hercheeks, and the light to her eyes. She seemed infused with new life.

  "John Drayton," she cried eagerly, "I do believe that you have hitupon the very thing. How strange that no one else t
hought of it!General Washington might postpone the carrying out of this dreadfulmeasure. And Sir Guy! Why, if the rebel general will only wait until Ican see my own commander all will be well. He is indebted to me forservice in behalf of the new campaign, and will be glad to requite it.I shall go to General Washington. Thank you, Captain Drayton, for thesuggestion. I'll never forget that 'twas you who offered it. I haven'talways been very nice to you, but if----"

  "I am your debtor, Miss Harriet, for what you did for me last year atYorktown," interrupted Drayton quietly. "Mind! it may come to naught,but 'tis the only thing that can be done."

  "And I shall do it," she said with determination. "I shall start forPhiladelphia when they leave with my brother."

  "To add to what Captain Drayton hath suggested," spoke Major Dale,"carry the matter to Congress while you are in Philadelphia. If youcan get the execution postponed, and have influence with Sir GuyCarleton, get him to turn Lippencott over to us. He is the man whoshould be punished."

  "He shall do it," she cried. "Captain Lippencott is but a refugee, andClifford is an English officer. An officer who hath given good andhonorable service to his king. 'Tis not meet nor fitting that such anone should be punished for the crime of a refugee. Sir Guy shall bemade to see it properly. He shall! He shall!"

  "But now thee must go to bed," exclaimed Mrs. Owen alarmed by thegirl's excitement. "Thee can talk again with the lads, but now tobed."

  Despite her protests the good lady hurried her off to bed, nor wouldshe consent that Harriet should leave it until the next morning. Bythat time the maiden had entirely regained her composure, and waseager to go to Clifford with the news of her intention to go toPhiladelphia. Accordingly, as soon as it was permissible to see herbrother, she set forth with Peggy for the guard-house at the barrackswhere he was confined. There were two troopers in the room with himwhose duty it was to keep an unfailing watch upon him. Clifford wasslightly pale, but seemed to have himself well in hand. He dissentedstrongly from Harriet's proposal to see the Congress and GeneralWashington.

  "'Twill be useless," he said. "The Congress seek reprisal. If I am notthe victim 'twill be another. There is no reason why I should seek toevade that which must be the fate of some English officer."

  "Clifford, don't you care?" she wailed.

  "Yes; I do, Harriet," he answered gravely. "I care very much. I don'twant to die at all, particularly by hanging. I don't suppose thatFairfax Johnson did either, but his wishes weren't consulted in thematter. And they will remember that fact. It hath been said that hemet death with great firmness and composure. I want to do as well."

  "I must do something," she cried. "I cannot bear it unless I try to dosomething to save you."

  "Then, Harriet, you shall make any effort that you wish," he saidtenderly. "But do not ask for my life, my sister. Plead for apostponement, an you will; then go to Sir Guy. If you must humbleyourself, let it be to your own commander. You are English, remember."

  "And Peggy shall go with me, Clifford," she said.

  "You will, will you not, my cousin?" he asked turning to her.

  "If thee wishes it, Clifford," answered Peggy gently.

  "I do wish it. She should have some one with her who would preventrashness. I cannot imagine where she got the idea----"

  "It was John Drayton's suggestion," interrupted his sister. "He wasthe only one who seemed to have any idea what to do."

  "Drayton?" exclaimed Clifford, surprised out of his composure. "Why,that is strange!"

  "They are coming for us, Harriet," spoke Peggy. "We shall have to go."

  "But I have not yet begun to talk," cried Harriet protestingly. "Whydo they make the interview so short?"

  "It is pleasant to have one at all, my sister. 'Tis an indulgence thatis not often granted in such cases. Beside, you have leave to comeagain to-morrow, and if you go to Philadelphia there will, no doubt,be opportunity for conversation upon the road."

  But as Harriet passed through the door Clifford laid a detaining handupon Peggy's arm.

  "My cousin," he said speaking rapidly, "you have always spoken truthto me, and I want you to do so now. Does Cousin David think there isaught of use in Harriet's seeing the Congress, or General Washington?"

  Peggy's lips quivered, and her eyes filled.

  "Father said last night, my cousin, that there was but one hope," shesaid mournfully. "'Tis the talk of the barracks that CaptainLippencott should be given up to us. If he hath an atom of honor,rather than have an innocent person suffer for his deed, he will givehimself up as soon as he hears of this. Every one says this,Clifford."

  "And that is the only hope, Peggy?"

  "I--I fear so, Clifford. If Lippencott----"

  "He won't," said Clifford with a sigh. "Thank you, little cousin. Itwas better that I should know the truth. I am glad that you will gowith Harriet, and when she hath finished with General Washington, gether to go right on to father, Peggy."

  "I will," she promised.

  "Good-bye, then, until to-morrow," he said. "Is Cousin David coming?"

  "Yes, Clifford."

  "Peggy," called Harriet, and Peggy went out to join her.

  Mr. Owen, after his visit to Clifford, announced that if leave couldbe obtained he would accompany them also to Philadelphia.

  "There may be trouble for thee in entering Philadelphia again,Harriet," he said. "Thou hast been banished, remember."

  "True, but they would not hold it against me now," she cried indismay.

  "I think naught will be said anent the subject," he replied. "But incase there might be 'twould be well to have me with thee. For this andother reasons I shall go."

  "I am so glad, Cousin David," she cried. And Peggy too felt greatlyrelieved when she was told.

  So it came about that when the dragoons set forth with their prisonertwo days later they were accompanied by Major Gordon, Mr. Owen, andthe two girls, Peggy and Harriet. Clifford was closely guarded, butthere was no undue severity shown. He was permitted to converse withhis cousins and his sister whenever he wished. Frequently he rode longstretches of the road with them, the troopers in front and behind.

  And everywhere, at the inns, and the towns through which they passed,the people flocked to see this victim of retaliation. And the extremeyouth and manly bearing of the unfortunate young man won him muchcompassion. The people had been greatly stirred by the death ofFairfax Johnson. He too was young, and his death had been such alawless proceeding that it had roused the whole country to thenecessity of reprisal lest other Americans be subjected to a likefate. But there was a dignity in the warm passions of these peoplethat the instant it was in their power to punish they felt adisposition to forgive. And so there was pity and compassion freelyexpressed for the young captain and his untoward fate.

  It was a sorrowful journey. The troopers rode hard and fast, so thatthe afternoon of the third day after leaving Lancaster brought them tothe Middle Ferry. The sun was just sinking behind the hills of theSchuylkill as they crossed the ferry, and rode down High Street intoPhiladelphia. Mr. Owen and the two maidens left the party at FifthStreet, bound for the Owens' residence in Chestnut Street. Thetroopers continued down High Street to Third; for they were to stop atthe Bunch of Grapes Tavern.