Peggy Owen and Liberty by Lucy Foster Madison

  CHAPTER V

  FRIENDS IN NEED

  "Thanks for the sympathies that ye have shown! Thanks for each kindly word, each silent token, That teaches me, when seeming most alone, Friends are around us, though no word be spoken."

  --_Longfellow._

  "He must not stay there, Mistress Peggy," said Fairfax in a low toneas the maiden joined him. "The sheriff is not satisfied, and I doubtnot will make the search again. He will not wish me to go above again,but will choose one of his own men. It is not safe for your cousin."

  "Thee saw him, then?" breathed Peggy. "Oh, Friend Fairfax, how goodthee is not to betray him."

  "It is your cousin," he said simply. "It was my duty, but friendshiphath a duty too. But of that more anon. The thing to do now is to gethim down from there while they are at supper."

  "Sally says he may go home with her," Peggy told him eagerly. "Willthee help us to manage it, Friend Fairfax?"

  "I'll do what I can," he promised earnestly. "Is she not talking ofgoing after supper?"

  "Yes."

  "Let him get down, then, while they are at table, and come boldly tothe front door for her. 'Twould be quite natural for some one to callfor her, would it not?"

  "Why, 'tis the very thing," cried Peggy. "Of course her mother wouldsend for her on such a night. Only I like not to send her away beforeshe hath finished her supper. 'Tis monstrously inhospitable."

  "'Twill be easier to get him away then than at any other time," hedeclared. "She will mind it not if she really wishes to aid you."

  "She will do anything for me," said Peggy tremulously. Her heartwas very full of love toward these friends for the aid they wererendering. "Friend Fairfax, thee has certainly hit upon the verything."

  "And his boots," continued the youth. "He hath on the Englishtop-boots of narrow make. 'Twas by them that he was so easily traced.Of late we of the states have manufactured our own boots, and allcitizens wear them save the macaronis. They are not so well finished,"he glanced at his own boots as he spoke with something of regret, "but'tis that very thing that makes the difference. I have another pair inmy portmanteau, Mistress Peggy. I will get them, and you must contriveto have your cousin wear them. He can take his own with him. In thismanner the snow will give no trace of his going, for the boots aresuch as all citizens wear."

  "Thank thee," said Peggy gratefully. "Thee has taken a great load frommy mind, Friend Fairfax. I make no doubt but that all will fall out asthee has planned. What is it, Betty?"

  "I was just wondering what there was about slicing cold ham thatcalled for such absorbing interest," cried Betty who vacillatedbetween the kitchen and the dining-room. "Robert spoke to thee once,and I asked Captain Johnson a question. Neither of you deigned toanswer us."

  "Thee may take my place and find the secret," said Peggymischievously, so relieved over the plan as outlined by Fairfax thatshe could enjoy the diffidence that once more overwhelmed him atBetty's approach. "I will help Sally with that cake."

  "'Tis just the thing," declared Sally as Peggy unfolded thearrangement. "And how simple! I like thy friend, Peggy, and yet Icannot help but laugh at his blushes and shyness."

  "I feel the same, Sally," confessed Peggy with remorse. "He is a dearlad, for all his diffidence, and yet there are times when I am besetwith a desire to tease him. Why is it, I wonder, that we femalesdelight to torment such even though they are in very truth heroes?"

  "I know not," answered Sally. "I only know that 'tis true, and 'tispity we are so constituted. And see, Peggy! The poor fellow is sobeset by Betty that he can scarce cut the ham. Shall we go to hisrescue?"

  "Indeed 'tis time," laughed Peggy. "Everything is ready for the suppertoo. Robert, thee has cut that beef well. I knew not that the domesticarts were so well taught in camp."

  "We learn many things, Peggy," returned he. "Camp hath taught me tocarve all foods. And not only the art of carving hath been taught me,but the far greater one of obtaining the food to carve. Our friendyonder hath evidently not had so much experience, or else Betty'spresence hath converted his fingers into thumbs."

  "'Tis Betty, I fear," answered Peggy with a laugh. "Do help him,Robert, while the rest of us carry in the things."

  Fairfax resigned the ham to Robert Dale with relief, but did not stayto profit by his expertness. Instead he took a large platter whichPeggy was carrying from her, and passed through the entry into thedining-room.

  "I will run up for the boots," he told the girl on coming back to thehallway. "I shall put them in the entry way."

  Peggy nodded, and went in to see that all was in readiness for themeal. The sheriff and his men viewed the bountifully spread table withlooks of complacence, and presently every one was gathered around thetable. As was natural in the daughter of the house Peggy assisted inthe waiting, and was back and forth from the kitchen with tea, hotchocolate, rusks, or whatever might be needed. At length, theopportunity she wished for came, and she found herself alone in thekitchen with Sukey safe for the time being in the dining-room. Shelost not a moment.

  "Clifford," she called softly.

  "Yes, my cousin." The trap-door was swung back, and Clifford Owen'sface appeared at the opening. "I say," he said, "that was a closeshave, wasn't it? If our friend Fairfax had not been the prince ofgood fellows where would I be now?"

  "Where thee will be unless thee acts quickly," replied his cousin. "Hefears that the sheriff will make another search. Thee must swingthyself down, Clifford." She placed a chair upon the table as shefinished speaking, and held it to steady it. In an instant he stoodbeside her.

  "Thou art to go home with my friend, Sally Evans," explained the girl."'Tis dangerous to stay here, my cousin."

  "Yes, I know," he answered. "I heard them talking. I tell you I heldmy breath when Fairfax stumbled over me."

  "Yes, yes," she said hurriedly. "Thee must not talk now, Clifford, butact. Fairfax brought down a pair of his boots for thee. Thou art toput them on, and carry thine own. Thine are of English make, and leavetelltale marks. Then thee must betake thyself to the front door, andsound the knocker boldly. Thou art to say that thou hast come forMistress Sally Evans. Sally will join thee, and take thee to hermother's where thee can remain safely until 'tis fitting weather forthee to pursue thy journey to New York. Does thee understand?"

  "Peggy," he said sorrowfully, "I am putting too much risk upon you andthis friend of yours. I might as well let the sheriff take me and bedone with it. I will do it rather than cause you so much worry."

  "Oh, will thee hurry," pleaded the girl bringing the boots from theentry way. "There is so little time, my cousin. To-morrow I will cometo thee at Sally's, and then we can have a long talk. Now thee mustact. Sukey may come in at any time. Or Tom. Oh!" in a despairing toneas the latch of the door leading into the main building clicked itswarning. "'Tis too late. Why, 'tis Sally!"

  "Thee forgot the quince conserve, Peggy," said Sally trying vainly toact as though Peggy was alone. "Thy mother sent me for it. She toldSukey to come, but I jumped up and said that I would get it."

  "Sally, this is Clifford," spoke Peggy. "And oh, he won't hurry. Hetalks of trouble and worry when he should be doing. Clifford, this ismy dearest friend, Sally Evans."

  "Truly thee would better be in haste," said Sally, making her bestbow. "Thee must see that every moment adds to thy cousin's distress,and also to thy danger. I marvel that the sheriff's men have left usso long alone. Mother and I will in truth welcome thee."

  "But I have no claim upon you," he expostulated. "For you to take sucha risk for an Englishman----"

  "As an Englishman thee hasn't a particle of claim, of course,"interrupted Sally. "As an Englishman thee deserves anything that mighthappen, but as a human being in distress thee has every claim upon us.Now hadn't thee better be moving? Where is the conserve, Peggy?"

  "How do I know that I can trust you?" he said abruptly.

  "Clifford!" exclaimed Peggy indignantly, but Sally laughed, and swepthim a deep courtesy.


  "Peggy must have told thee what an ogress I am," she said. "Know then,Friend Clifford, that I have a deep and dark dungeon where I cast allEnglishmen of thy profession. If thee is afraid thee would better takethy chances with the night and storm."

  "Afraid?" he echoed, a deep flush mantling his brow. "I, CliffordOwen, afraid?"

  "Then thee had better put on those boots, and be about thy departure,"said Sally calmly. "Peggy, if we don't take in those conserves thesupper will be over. Hurry, friend. Keep thy cloak well about thee tohide that uniform, and on no account venture into the hall. Thee willnot have to wait for me. Come, Peggy."

  But before Peggy followed her she ran to Clifford and clasped hishand.

  "'Tis the only way, my cousin," she whispered. "And oh, do be quick."

  "I will, Peggy," he replied. "Fear nothing. I will carry out my part."

  With palpitating heart Peggy went with Sally into the dining-room, andresumed her task of waiting on the table. Sally reseated herself andjoined merrily in the conversation. It seemed a long time ere thegreat knocker on the front door sounded. In reality it was but a fewmoments after the girls left the kitchen. Sukey entered the hall toanswer it before Peggy could reach the door. The darkey reentered theroom almost immediately.

  "A pusson has come fer Miss Sally," she announced. "He say he am cometer take her home."

  "He?" Sheriff Will looked up with a laugh. "Come, come! that soundsinteresting. Let's have him in, Miss Sally, and see what he lookslike."

  "Yes, my dear," spoke Mrs. Owen. "Thee has not finished thy supper.Sit down, and thy escort shall come in, and have supper too."

  Peggy's heart almost stopped beating at this, and the color forsookSally's cheeks. Neither of them had foreseen anything of this kind,and they were rendered speechless by the untoward incident. Sally wassaved the necessity of a reply by Robert Dale.

  "I think I object, Mistress Owen," he said speaking with deliberation."Any one who is going to take Sally away from us doesn't deserve anysupper. I was promising myself the pleasure of seeing her home."

  "Oh, ho!" roared the sheriff. "Sits the wind in that quarter!"

  "Never mind, Mrs. Owen," spoke Sally, her quick wit taking advantageof the diversion. "I will bring him to see thee when Robert isn'tabout. And I really must go. Mother expected me this afternoon, but somuch hath happened that I overstayed my time. I dare say she iswaiting supper for me. Good-night, and good-bye to all," she added.She made a fetching little mouth at Robert as she went through thedoor but her eyes held a look of gratitude.

  Peggy accompanied her into the hall. Clifford was waiting outside onthe steps, and none of the three spoke until, wrapped and bundled forthe trip, Sally joined him.

  "I'll never forget this, Sally," murmured Peggy, giving her friend alittle squeeze. "And I'll be down to-morrow."

  "Be sure to," answered Sally. "Come, friend," turning to Clifford. "Wemust not linger."

  Full of relief and gladness Peggy reentered the dining-room.