CHAPTER XXV
AT HEADQUARTERS
"But mercy is above this sceptered sway, It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute of God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's, When mercy seasons justice."
--_Shakespeare._
The route now took the little party through a most romantic country,but after leaving Clifford their distress of mind was such that atfirst they did not remark it particularly. Nowhere in the world canthere be found more beautiful scenery than that along the HudsonRiver. The views vary from what is pleasing and picturesque to thatwhich is in the highest degree magnificent. And so, as gentle woodedslopes were succeeded by bold promontories, deep vales by extensivevalleys, hills by lofty precipices, Harriet and Peggy found themselvesroused from their apathy, and their attention, in spite of grief, wascaught by the majesty of the noble river.
War with its attendant evils receded into the background for the timebeing, recalled only by the fortifications of New York Island, and thebatteries of Stony Point and its sister garrison of Verplanck's Pointon the eastern shore. Sometimes the journey led them through finewoods; at others, through well cultivated lands and villages inhabitedby Dutch families. Sometimes there were long stretches of darkforests, wild and untamed as yet by civilization; at other times, theroad wound along the top of the Palisades, those rocky heights thatextend like everlasting walls along the Jersey bank of the river.Again, the road descended these rocky walls skirting their base, andthey found themselves marveling at the broad expanse of the waterwhich in places seemed like a vast lake.
As they ascended into the Highlands, cliffs seemed piled on cliffsrising precipitously from the water's edge, forming a surprisinglybeautiful and sublime spectacle. The majestic river hemmed in bytowering heights densely covered with forests made a picture ofimpressiveness and grandeur.
Again and again the maidens drew rein, sometimes uttering cries ofdelight as some new prospect unfolded its beauty; at others, sittingin silence awed by the magnificence of the panorama expanding beforethem. In such mood as this they approached West Point on the afternoonof the fourth day after leaving Chatham.
The river here ran in a deep channel formed by the mountains whoselofty summits, on every side, were thick set with redoubts andbatteries. From the fort of West Point proper, which lay on the edgeof the river, to the very top of the mountain at the foot of which itstood were six different forts, all in the form of an amphitheater soarranged as to protect each other.
"And this," spoke Harriet with quickened interest, "is the fortressthat General Arnold was to deliver into our hands?"
"Yes," answered David Owen briefly. Americans could not even yet bearmention of the treason of the brilliant Arnold.
"It looks to be an important post," commented the English maiden witha glance around that embraced all the grim redoubts of the loftysummits. "Had we obtained it the misfortune at Yorktown would nothave occurred."
"Perchance not, lass. Here we are at the sally-port of the fort. Iwill turn you girls over to Mrs. Knox for the night, while I findquarters elsewhere. I for one am glad to reach here. It hath been hardriding. Are ye not tired?"
"I am, father," answered Peggy wearily. "And yet I have been delightedwith the beautiful river."
"And I also," agreed her cousin.
With the morning came the realization of the matter which had broughtthem. The noble river with its superb amphitheater of mountains nolonger had power to enthrall their senses. Clifford's fate rested uponthe result of the interview before them, and that was the thing whichnow concerned them. Newburgh, where General Washington's headquarterswere, was not far distant. A ride of a few hours brought them to thesouthern extremity of the village, where the Hasbrouck house wassituated. It was a farmhouse, constructed in the Dutch fashion, on thewest side of the Hudson. The front stoop faced the river, and abeautiful picture of mountains, sky and water was spread before theeye, but it extorted but a passing glance.
The army was at West Point, and only the life-guards were near thequarters of the commander-in-chief. Hence, there was lacking much ofthe bustle and movement which ordinarily existed about the chief'squarters. An orderly took charge of their horses, and presently theywere ushered into a large room which served as office as well asdining-room for the general. He sat now before a small table lookingover some papers, but rose as they entered the room. He looked weary,and there were tired lines upon the strong face, but his manner wascourteously attentive.
"Ah, Mr. Owen," he said shaking hands cordially with David Owen. "I amglad to see you. I have excellent reports of the work you are doing inLancaster. Miss Peggy, 'tis long since I have had the pleasure ofseeing you. And--Miss Harriet!"
The smile died from his lips as he uttered her name. GeneralWashington had an excellent memory for faces and events. Harriet'sduplicity at Middlebrook was not easily forgotten; so his expressionchanged, and his face grew stern and cold. Harriet's color faded andshe began to tremble. Nevertheless she sank in a deep courtesy beforehim.
"It was my understanding," he continued, "that you were banished fromour lines. If this be true how is it that we are favored with yourcompany?"
"Sir," she answered, gaining control over herself and speaking in asteady voice, "'tis true that I was banished to New York; but I thinkyou will find that 'twas only from Philadelphia. I did not understandthat it was from the entire line. I know, your Excellency, that I haveno right to come to you to ask a favor. I have no claim by which I canurge even consideration. Still, I do ask mercy. I do entreat you touse clemency; not because I deserve it, but because I do not believethat you would be guilty of aught that savored of inhumanity orbarbarity."
Harriet was very beautiful as she made her plea, her unusual humilitylending softness to the customary hauteur of her manner. A perplexedlook crossed the general's countenance at her words. He bent towardher courteously.
"Unravel the matter, I beg of you," he said more gently. "Do Iunderstand that something hath gone amiss for which you are entreatinglenity?"
"It is not for myself, sir. My cousins here can bear witness that Icame within your lines for the sole purpose of seeing my brother." Sheraised her head proudly, and met his glance with unwavering eyes. "Hewas at Lancaster. At Lancaster, where he hath been chosen as the mostunfortunate victim of retaliation. It is for him I plead."
"Your brother?" For the merest second a gleam of astonishment shone onhis face. It faded, leaving his countenance as impassive as ever. Heturned to the table, and picked up a folded document from among themany lying upon it.
Hastily he scanned the page, then looked up. "'Tis as I thought," hesaid. "Brigadier-General Hazen hath reported concerning that matter,and the young man herein named is not your brother, Miss Harriet. Onthe contrary, 'tis one Captain Wilson Williams who hath been theunfortunate selected to pay the penalty."
"And Captain Williams is my brother, sir. My brother, Clifford Owen,who because father did not wish him to go into the service enlistedunder another name. My brother, and he hath been chosen to dieshamefully because another hath committed a dastardly crime. Sir, inthe name of that mother whose son you are, I entreat you to have mercyupon him who is an only son, an only brother----"
"And a mother in New Jersey mourns an only son, and she a widow," heinterrupted, his voice implacable in its sternness. "Miss Harriet, Ilament the cruel necessity which alone can induce so distressing ameasure. It is my desire not only to soften the inevitable calamitiesof war, but even to introduce on every occasion as great a share oftenderness and humanity as can possibly be exercised in a state ofhostility. But for the barbarous and inhuman murder of Captain Johnsonthere must be satisfaction."
"And will it give satisfaction to wreak vengeance upon an innocentperson?" she cried stung to bitterness. The grim countenance of thegeneral was not encouraging. His eyes seemed to pierce her as withcold steel. "Is it not as barbarous, as inhuman to execute one who isas guiltless as yourself in the matter? You
, sir, are dealingruthlessly when you visit such penalty upon a victim. It shows want ofhumanity."
"I am listening to you, Miss Harriet," he said patiently, "because youare grieved and anguished over the affair. I know that you are muchoverwrought. Therefore will I explain to you that by all the usages ofwar, and upon the principle of retaliation I should have beenjustified in executing an officer of equal rank with Captain Johnsonimmediately upon receiving proofs of his death, and then informing theBritish commander of what I had done."
"You are so stern," she cried with growing excitement. "So stern! Sounfeeling!"
"Nay," he protested, and there was compassion in his tone. "Notunfeeling. Although duty calls me to make this decisive determinationin the matter humanity prompts me to drop a tear for the unfortunateoffering. I most devoutly wish that something might be done to savehis life."
"You do?" she cried eagerly. "Why, sir, 'tis easily done. A scratch ofthe pen is all that is necessary. Oh, 'tis a great thing to have suchpower! See, here are ink-horn, powder and paper! What doth hinder youfrom writing an order for his release?"
She stepped quickly to the table as she spoke, and picking up a quillheld it appealingly toward him. His eyes softened.
"Stay!" he said. "I do feel just that way, Miss Harriet, but there isa duty that must be performed toward our people. There are manyAmerican prisoners held by the enemy. Among them some as young, asmanly, as lovable as your brother. If the matter be suffered to go bywithout retaliation what assurance have we that they will not be aslawlessly dealt with as Captain Johnson?"
"Oh!" she said looking at him miserably. "But Clifford hath beenguilty of naught. Were he a spy, an informer, a deserter, I would notask you to abate one jot or tittle of his fate. I might in such casetry to rescue him by trickery, by deceit, by any means that wouldsave his life, but I would not question the justice of his doom. Buthe is not a spy, not an informer, not a deserter----"
"I KNEEL TO YOU, SIR."]
"Nor was Captain Johnson," he reminded her. "Yet he was hanged mosttreacherously."
"But not by Clifford, sir! Not by Clifford! He would scorn to do sucha deed." She stood for a moment, regarding him with such pleading thatPeggy choked. Suddenly Harriet crossed the room and flung herselfbefore him.
"Sir," she cried seizing his hand, "Harriet Owen hath never knelt tomortal man before save her king. I kneel to you, sir, and I beg, Iimplore you to exercise clemency toward my brother. He hath beenguilty of naught save that he hath served his king. He hath ablameless reputation as a soldier, and you yourself are a soldier. Itmay be just to retaliate; I know not. But is there not mercy as wellas justice? 'Twill be great and noble to exert leniency in such a caseas this."
"Rise, I beg of you," he exclaimed, much pained. "I must do my duty,however abhorrent it may be to me. There hath been mercy shownalready in that your brother hath had several days of grace, and theorder for his execution not yet signed."
At that Harriet clung to his hand desperately.
"Do not sign it yet, sir. You will not give his life--give me then alittle time."
"For what purpose? Is not uncertainty full of anguish and suspense?"
"No, no, no," she answered vehemently. "It hath hope, possibilities.Sir, give me time to go to Sir Guy Carleton to lay the matter beforehim. He is our own commander. He should give you Captain Lippencott,the one who did the deed."
"And there we are agreed," he made answer. "I will do this, MissHarriet, though I fear that your efforts will meet with no success.With your commander-in-chief lies the only gleam of hope that thesituation possesses. Sir Guy hath reprobated the act in no uncertainterms, but still he finds himself unable to do aught than to acceptthe rulings of the court-martial. Go to him, Miss Harriet, and bringall the influence you have to bear upon him that he may release to usthis man, Lippencott. No one would rejoice at your success more thanI. Meantime your brother shall live until the result is made known tome. You shall have a reasonable time allowed."
"Thank you, sir. I thank you----" The girl attempted to lift the handto which she still clung to her lips, but a deadly faintness seizedher. She trembled, grew pale, and fell in an unconscious heap at hisfeet.
Peggy Owen and Liberty Page 27
