Part 53 (1/2)
The subaltern retired to execute these orders; he was followed by Mr.
Wharton and the divine.
”Now, Peyton,” said Frances, ”it is indeed a brother that you seek; I am sure I need not caution you in his behalf, should you unfortunately find him.”
”Say fortunately,” cried the youth, ”for I am determined he shall yet dance at my wedding. Would that I could win him to our cause. It is the cause of his country; and I could fight with more pleasure, Frances, with your brother by my side.”
”Oh! mention it not! You awaken terrible reflections.”
”I will not mention it,” returned her husband; ”but I must now leave you. But the sooner I go, Frances, the sooner I shall return.”
The noise of a horseman was heard approaching the house, and Dunwoodie was yet taking leave of his bride and her aunt, when an officer was shown into the room by his own man.
The gentleman wore the dress of an aid-de-camp, and the major at once knew him to be one of the military family of Was.h.i.+ngton.
”Major Dunwoodie,” he said, after bowing to the ladies, ”the commander in chief has directed me to give you these orders.”
He executed his mission, and, pleading duty, took his leave immediately.
”Here, indeed!” cried the major, ”is an unexpected turn in the whole affair; but I understand it: Harper has got my letter, and already we feel his influence.”
”Have you news affecting Henry?” cried Frances, springing to his side.
”Listen, and you shall judge.”
”SIR,-Upon the receipt of this, you will concentrate your squadron, so as to be in front of a covering party which the enemy has sent up in front of his foragers, by ten o'clock to-morrow, on the heights of Croton, where you will find a body of foot to support you. The escape of the English spy has been reported to me, but his arrest is unimportant, compared with the duty I now a.s.sign you. You will, therefore, recall your men, if any are in pursuit, and endeavor to defeat the enemy forthwith.”
Your obedient servant, GEO. WAs.h.i.+NGTON.
”Thank G.o.d!” cried Dunwoodie, ”my hands are washed of Henry's recapture; I can now move to my duty with honor.”
”And with prudence, too, dear Peyton,” said Frances, with a face as pale as death. ”Remember, Dunwoodie, you leave behind you new claims on your life.”
The youth dwelt on her lovely but pallid features with rapture; and, as he folded her to his heart, exclaimed,-
”For your sake, I will, lovely innocent!” Frances sobbed a moment on his bosom, and he tore himself from her presence.
Miss Peyton retired with her niece, to whom she conceived it necessary, before they separated for the night, to give an admonitory lecture on the subject of matrimonial duty. Her instruction was modestly received, if not properly digested. We regret that history has not handed down to us this precious dissertation; but the result of all our investigation has been to learn that it partook largely of those peculiarities which are said to tincture the rules prescribed to govern bachelors' children. We shall now leave the ladies of the Wharton family, and return to Captain Wharton and Harvey Birch.
CHAPTER x.x.xII
Allow him not a parting word; Short be the shrift, and sure the cord!
-Rokeby.
The peddler and his companion soon reached the valley, and after pausing to listen, and hearing no sounds which announced that pursuers were abroad, they entered the highway. Acquainted with every step that led through the mountains, and possessed of sinews inured to toil, Birch led the way, with the lengthened strides that were peculiar to the man and his profession; his pack alone was wanting to finish the appearance of his ordinary business air. At times, when they approached one of those little posts held by the American troops, with which the Highlands abounded, he would take a circuit to avoid the sentinels, and plunge fearlessly into a thicket, or ascend a rugged hill, that to the eye seemed impa.s.sable. But the peddler was familiar with every turn in their difficult route, knew where the ravines might be penetrated, or where the streams were fordable. In one or two instances, Henry thought that their further progress was absolutely at an end, but the ingenuity, or knowledge, of his guide, conquered every difficulty. After walking at a great rate for three hours, they suddenly diverged from the road, which inclined to the east, and held their course directly across the hills, in a due south direction. This movement was made, the peddler informed his companion, in order to avoid the parties who constantly patrolled in the southern entrance of the Highlands, as well as to shorten the distance, by traveling in a straight line. After reaching the summit of a hill, Harvey seated himself by the side of a little run, and opening a wallet, that he had slung where his pack was commonly suspended, he invited his comrade to partake of the coa.r.s.e fare it contained. Henry had kept pace with the peddler, more by the excitement natural to his situation, than by the equality of his physical powers. The idea of a halt was unpleasant, so long as there existed a possibility of the horse getting below him in time to intercept their retreat through the neutral ground. He therefore stated his apprehensions to his companion, and urged a wish to proceed.
”Follow my example, Captain Wharton,” said the peddler, commencing his frugal meal. ”If the horse have started, it will be more than man can do to head them; and if they have not, work is cut out for them, that will drive all thoughts of you and me from their brains.”
”You said yourself, that two hours' detention was all-important to us, and if we loiter here, of what use will be the advantage that we may have already obtained?”