Peggy"s heart began to flutter painfully as she found herself once more in the presence of General Washington, and her mind went back involuntarily to the last time when she had taken that long ride to Valley Forge to beg for her father"s exchange. So perturbed was she that she did not notice that the room was large, low ceiled, and cozily warmed by a huge fire of logs which glowed in the great fireplace.
Instead of being interested in the furnishings of the apartment, as she would have been at another time, she clung close to her father overcome by the remembrance of how very near they had been to losing him, and could not raise her eyes when he said:
"I beg to present my wife and daughter, Your Excellency. They tell me that they have brought some money and supplies, and it seemed best to let thee know of it at once."
"You have acted with discretion, Mr. Owen," said General Washington rising from the table before which he had been sitting. "Madam Owen, I have long known of you through your good works, but have hitherto not had the pleasure of meeting with you personally. You would be welcome at any time, but doubly so since you bring us aid."
"Thy thanks are not due me, but to the citizens of Philadelphia, sir,"
said Mrs. Owen with her finest curtsey. "There are two wagon loads of stores of various kinds, among which are several casks of cider vinegar.
We heard that thee was in need of that article."
"We are indeed," replied General Washington. "The country hereabouts hath been scoured for it until the farmers tell us that there is no more. "Tis sorely needed for our fever-stricken men. "Tis very timely, Mistress Owen."
"And for thyself, sir," continued the lady, "a few of us learned of thy fondness for eggs, and there are several dozens of those. But, sir, on pain of displeasure from those who sent them, thou art not to divide them with any. They are for thine own table."
"I will incur no displeasure on that account, I a.s.sure you," said the general laughing. "I fear that you have been in communication with the housekeeper, who hath been much concerned because of the scarcity of eggs. I thank you, Mrs. Owen, for having so favored me, and also for the other stores. They are much needed. Mr. Owen, will you see to "t that the quartermaster heeds your wife"s injunction about those eggs?"
David Owen bowed, and his wife went on:
"And Peggy hath also something for thee in that box, Your Excellency.
She hath made so much of a mystery of it that I knew not the nature of its contents until this afternoon."
General Washington had not been unaware of Peggy"s agitation. Perhaps he too was thinking of the time when she had been so severely tried, for his voice was very gentle as he took the girl"s hand and said:
"Miss Peggy and I are old friends. She promised me once to tell me what became of that wonderful dog of hers. I shall claim the fulfilment of that promise, my child, since we shall see much of each other this winter."
The ready smile came to Peggy"s lips, chasing away the tears that had threatened to flow.
"Does thee remember Pilot?" she cried. "Oh, Friend Washington, I did not think a man so concerned with affairs of state would remember a dog."
"He wished me well, and I always remember my friends and well wishers,"
he said, pleased that she had recovered her composure.
"And "tis one of them who hath sent thee this box of five hundred English guineas," she said quickly, pointing to the box. ""Tis from Mr.
Jacob Deering, sir. He said to tell thee that since he was esteemed too old to take up arms "twas the only way left him to serve the cause. He regretted the smallness of the amount, but he said that English money was hard to come by."
"It is indeed hard to come by," replied the general, receiving the box with gratification. "This is most welcome, Miss Peggy, because just at this time our own money is depreciating rapidly owing to the fact that the British are counterfeiting it by the wagon load, and distributing it among the people. I trust that I may soon have an opportunity to thank Mr. Deering in person. I shall be in Philadelphia next week, and shall do myself the honor of calling upon him. In the meantime, Miss Peggy, receive my thanks for this timely relief. Will you not--"
At this moment the door opened to admit an orderly. General Washington turned to him. "What is it, sir?" he said. "Did you not know that I was occupied?"
"Pardon me, sir," replied the orderly, saluting. "One of the videttes hath brought in a young girl who declares she hath a permit to pa.s.s the lines. He knows not what to do with her. She is English, sir, and comes from New York."
"Bring her in," commanded the chief. "Nay," as the Owens made a movement to depart, "stay a little, I beg of you. This matter will take but a moment."
As he finished speaking the door opened once more to admit the form of a young girl. She could not have been more than Peggy"s age, but she carried herself with so much dignity that she appeared older. Her eyes were of darkest gray, shaded by intense black lashes, and starry in their radiance. At present they held a look of scorn, and her well set head was tilted in disdain. A wealth of chestnut hair but slightly powdered cl.u.s.tered about her face in ringlets, and her complexion was of such exquisite fairness as to be dazzling. She was clad in a velvet riding frock of green, her beaver hat, from which depended a long plume, matching the gown in color. Her whole manner and appearance were stamped by a general air of distinction.
She advanced at once into the room, apparently unconscious of the effect that her beauty was producing.
"By what right, sir," she cried in a clear musical voice, "do your men stop me in my journey? I have a pa.s.s."
"Let me see it, madam," said General Washington quietly. He glanced at the paper she gave him, and remarked, "This is from General Maxwell at Elizabethtown. He refers the matter to me for consideration. May I ask why so young a female wishes to pa.s.s through our lines?"
"I wish to join relatives in Philadelphia," she answered. "I travel alone because I was told that Americans did not make war on women and girls. It seems that I was mistaken."
"You are an English girl," said the general, ignoring her last remark.
"Why do you not stay with your people in New York?"
"Because, sir, I was left in England with my brother while my father came over with General Gage to fight the rebels. My brother ran away, so I came to join father. He had gone to the Southern colonies, and when he learned that I was here, he wrote me to go to my relatives. I left New York under a flag of truce, and came to Elizabethtown. There I went at once to the general in charge. Sir, I have complied with every requirement necessary to pa.s.s the lines, and I ask that I be permitted to resume my journey."
"And what is the name of these relatives?" asked Washington imperturbably.
"Owen, sir. David Owen is my father"s cousin."
"Why!" exclaimed Peggy, who had been an amazed listener to the conversation. "Thee must be my Cousin Harriet!"
CHAPTER XV-HARRIET
"Whose beauty did astonish the survey Of richest eyes; whose words all ears took captive; Whose dear perfection hearts that scorn"d to serve Humbly call mistress."
-"All"s Well that Ends Well."
As if she had just become aware of the presence of others the girl turned a startled look upon Peggy.
"If you are David Owen"s daughter, then I am indeed your cousin," she said slowly intense surprise in her accents. "And if you are his daughter, where is your father, and what do you here? I thought you were in Philadelphia."
"Father is here," answered Peggy, starting forward eagerly. "And thy father is--" But David Owen laid a restraining hand upon her arm.
"A moment, la.s.s," he said, a quick glance flashing between him and General Washington. "Let me speak to the maiden. My child," turning to the girl who was regarding him intently, "thou wilt pardon me, I know, if I ask thee a few questions. It behooves us to be careful in times like these, and we but take precautions that thine own people would use under like circ.u.mstances. Therefore, tell me thy father"s name, and his regiment."
"By what right do you question me?" she demanded haughtily.
"I am David Owen," he answered briefly. "If thou art in truth my kinsman"s daughter there is no reason why thee should not answer my questions."
"Ask what you will, if you are Mr. David Owen, and I will answer," she said, her manner changing to one of extreme courtesy. "My father is William Owen, a colonel of the Welsh Fusileers. My brother"s name is Clifford, and I am Harriet. Do you believe me now, my cousin? Or is there aught else to be asked?"
"Nay," replied he mildly. "I believe that thou art truly William"s daughter."
"Then may I place myself under your protection, cousin?" she queried so appealingly that Peggy"s tender heart could not bear it, and she went to her quickly. "My father wished it, and I am a stranger in a strange land."
"Surely thee may," exclaimed Mr. Owen, touched, as his daughter had been, by the pathetic quiver that had come into her voice. "That is"-he hastened to add, "if His Excellency hath no objection?"
"I have none, Mr. Owen," declared General Washington. "As the young lady hath proved herself a relative I give her into your keeping. There could be no better sponsor for her, sir."
"I thank thee," said David Owen gravely. "I will see that thy trust is not misplaced. And now, sir, we have troubled thee o"er long, I fear, and will therefore say good-night."