Part 15 (1/2)

”Oh, the general's home! The general's beautiful home will be burned!”

With the words came a realization of the necessity for action. With an effort she threw off the numbing dread that beset her, and turning fled swiftly to the mansion. As she reached the porch Mr. Lund Was.h.i.+ngton came to the door.

”You are just in time,” he called cheerily. ”Breakfast is ready, and Mrs. Was.h.i.+ngton feared if you lingered much longer 'twould be cold. Is not the view--Why! what hath happened?” he broke off catching sight of her pale face.

”The Britis.h.!.+” panted Peggy. ”The British are coming up the river!”

With an exclamation of alarm Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton sprang past her and hurried toward the wharf. At the same moment cries and shouts rent the air and from all over the plantation the negroes came running. Some were ashen with terror, and ran into the house weeping and wailing. The bolder spirits gathered on the banks of the river to watch the approach of the vessel. From the mansion came Mrs. Lund Was.h.i.+ngton and Mrs. Johnson, alarmed by the outcries and uproar of the darkies.

”And what is it, my dear?” asked Mrs. Was.h.i.+ngton as Peggy sank weakly on the steps of the porch. ”Why are you so pale? Know you the cause of the commotion?”

”It's the British,” repeated the maiden fearfully. ”A British s.h.i.+p is coming.”

”A British s.h.i.+p!” Each woman's face paled at the words. They were fraught with such awful meaning. They too stood stricken as Peggy had been with terror. Then Mrs. Was.h.i.+ngton spoke calmly, but it was with the calmness of despair:

”Let us not despond. It may be that they will exempt this place from destruction. Let us hope.”

”No,” said Peggy with conviction. ”They will not spare it. 'Tis our general's home. They have tried so many times to capture him; there have been so many plots to kill him, or for his betrayal, that anything that can strike a blow at his heart will be used. I fear, oh, I fear the worst!”

Meantime the cruiser drew up alongside the wharf. As soon as the vessel was made fast the captain stepped ash.o.r.e and approached the spot where Mr. Lund Was.h.i.+ngton stood.

”What plantation is this?” he demanded brusquely.

”It is Mount Vernon,” replied the overseer.

”Mount Vernon, eh? The seat of the rebel leader?”

”It is General Was.h.i.+ngton's home, sir,” was the reply.

”So I thought, so I thought,” returned the officer with a chuckle. ”Are you in charge here?”

”Yes; I am Lund Was.h.i.+ngton, General George Was.h.i.+ngton's relative, and represent him during his absence,” Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton informed him with dignity.

”And I am Captain Graves of the English navy,” responded that officer pompously. ”In command of the 'Acteon' there. Now, sir, I want breakfast for my crew, and that quickly. And then supplies: flour, corn, bacon, hams, poultry and whatever else there may be on the estate that will feed hungry soldiers. Now be quick about getting them.”

”And if I refuse?” said Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton.

”Refuse!” roared the officer. ”If you refuse, by St. George I'll burn every building on the place and run off all your negroes. Now do as you please about it.”

Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton hesitated no longer.

”I will comply with your demands,” he said simply. He would do anything rather than that the general should lose his home.

”And mind,” called Captain Graves, ”I want no dallying.”

”There will be none,” answered the overseer quickening his footsteps.

”Wife,” he said as he reached the porch where Peggy and the two women awaited him, ”we must have breakfast for the crew as quick as it can be gotten. Do you see to it while I attend to what is wanted for supplies.”

Peggy looked up in amazement, thinking that she had not heard aright.

”Is thee going to give them breakfast and supplies from General Was.h.i.+ngton's place, sir?” she asked.