Part 6 (1/2)
”This was one of those threats which the British never failed to carry into execution. The house was burnt, and the whole property consigned to waste and desolation. But, as had been foreseen, the perpetrator of the ruthless deed retreated, to return no more.”
”Just like Cornwallis and his red-coats,” said Kinnison, ”burning people's houses and wasting their lands was a way of making converts, which they discovered and practised with a vengeance. Mrs. Borden was a strong-minded woman to have endured all this.”
THE ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN PLUNKETT.
”Yes,” said Warner, ”Mrs. Borden was a heroine as wouldn't have disgraced the Romans. But what would you think of a mere girl, whose family was opposed to our cause, exerting herself to procure the freedom of one of our officers, who had been taken by the British?”
”I should say it's what young girls in love have done many a time,” said Kinnison.
”Not under such circ.u.mstances,” said Warner. ”But I'll tell you about it as it was told to me. Captain Plunkett was a bold-spirited Irishman, who held a commission in our army. In some way or other--it may have been at the battle of Brandywine--Plunkett was taken by the enemy, and soon after placed in a prison in Philadelphia. Previous to that, he had made many friends among the Quakers of that city--and, indeed, his manners made him a general favourite, wherever he went. Plunkett suffered much in prison, and his friends pitied him; but dared not attempt his release. However, there was a young girl of great beauty and strength of mind, who resolved to release the suffering soldier, at all hazards. It accidentally happened, that the uniform of Captain Plunkett's regiment bore a striking resemblance to that of a British corps, which was frequently set as a guard over the prison in which he was confined. A new suit of regimentals was in consequence procured and conveyed, without suspicion of sinister design, to the Captain. On the judicious use of these rested the hopes of the fair Friend to give him freedom. It frequently happened that officers of inferior grade, while their superiors affected to shun all intercourse with the rebels, would enter the apartments of the prisoners, and converse with them with kindness and familiarity, and then at their pleasure retire. Two sentinels constantly walked the rounds without, and the practice of seeing their officers walking in and out of the interior prison, became so familiar, as scarcely to attract notice, and constantly caused them to give way without hesitation, as often as an officer showed a disposition to retire. Captain Plunkett took the advantage of this circ.u.mstance, and putting on his new coat, at the moment that the relief of the guard was taking place, sallied forth, twirling a switch carelessly about and ordering the exterior door of the prison to be opened, walked without opposition into the street. Repairing without delay to the habitation of his fair friend, he was received with kindness, and for some days secreted and cherished with every manifestation of affectionate regard.
To elude the vigilance of the British Guards, if he attempted to pa.s.s into the country, in his present dress was deemed impossible. Woman's wit, however, is never at a loss for contrivances, while swayed by the influences of love or benevolence. Both, in this instance, may have aided invention. Plunkett had three strong claims in his favour: he was a handsome man--a soldier--and an Irishman. The general propensity of the Quakers, in favor of the Royal cause, exempted the sect in a great measure from suspicion, in so great a degree indeed, that the barriers of the city were generally entrusted to the care of their members, as the best judges of the characters of those persons who might be allowed to pa.s.s them, without injury to the British interests. A female Friend, of low origin, officiating as a servant in a farm near the city, was in the family, on a visit to a relative. A pretext was formed to present her with a new suit of clothes, in order to possess that which she wore when she entered the city. Captain Plunkett was immediately disguised as a woman, and appeared at the barrier accompanied by his anxious deliverer. 'Friend Roberts,' said the enterprising girl, 'may this damsel and myself pa.s.s to visit a friend at a neighbouring farm?'
'Certainly,' said Roberts, 'go forward.' The city was speedily left behind, and Captain Plunkett found himself safe under the protection of Colonel Allen M'Lean, a particular friend of his. Whether Captain Plunkett ever married the young girl who had rendered him such service, I cannot say; but you may fancy he did, and it will make a pretty story.”
”Well, now we have had enough of the women,” said Kinnison.
”Yes,” said Hand, ”and now we must have something more of the men of the Revolution. Come, which of you will tell something about George Was.h.i.+ngton--the Father of his Country?”
”I can tell you of an important incident in the career of Was.h.i.+ngton, which was told to me by a man who witnessed a part of it, and heard the rest,” said Colson.
”Then strike up, old boy,” said Kinnison, familiarly.
THE TREASON OF RUGSDALE.
”What I am now about to tell you occurred in the fall of 1782,” began Colson. ”General Was.h.i.+ngton was then at West Point. One evening he was invited to a party given at the house of one Rugsdale, an old friend.
Several other officers were invited to accompany him. The general seldom engaged in festivities at the period, but in respect to an old acquaintance, and, it is whispered, the solicitations of the daughter of Rugsdale, he consented to honour the company with his presence. He started from West Point in a barge, with some officers and men. As the barge gained the opposite bank, one of the rowers leaped on sh.o.r.e, and made it fast to the root of a willow which hung its broad branches over the river. The rest of the party then landed, and uncovering, saluted their commander, who returned their courtesy.
”'By ten o'clock you may expect me,' said Was.h.i.+ngton. 'Be cautious; look well that you are not surprised. These are no times for trifling.'
”'Depend on us,' replied one of the party.
”'I do,' he responded; and bidding them farewell, departed along the bank of the river.
”After continuing his path some distance along the river's side he struck off into a narrow road, bordered thickly with brushwood, tinged with a thousand dyes of departed summer; here and there a grey crag peeped out from the foliage, over which the green ivy and the scarlet woodbine hung in wreathy dalliance; at other places the arms of the chestnut and mountain ash met in lofty fondness, casting a gloom deep almost as night. Suddenly a cras.h.i.+ng among the trees was heard, and like a deer an Indian girl bounded into the path, and stood full in his presence. He started back with surprise, laid his hand upon his sword--but the Indian only fell upon her knee, placed her finger on her lips, and by a sign with her hand forbade him to proceed.
”'What seek you, my wild flower,' said the General.
”She started to her feet, drew a small tomahawk from her belt of wampum, and imitated the act of scalping the enemy; then again waving her hand as forbidding him to advance, she darted into the bushes, leaving him lost in amazement.
”There is danger,” said he to himself, after a short pause, and recovering from his surprise. ”That Indian's manner betokens no good, but my trust is in G.o.d; he has never deserted me!” and, resuming the path, he shortly reached the mansion of Rufus Rugsdale.
”His appearance was the signal of joy among the party a.s.sembled, each of whom vied with the other to do him honour. Although grave in council, and bold in war, yet in the bosom of domestic bliss no one knew better how to render himself agreeable. The old were cheered by his consolatory word; the young by his mirthful manner; nor even in gallantry was he wanting, when it added to the cheerful spirit of the hour. The protestations of friends.h.i.+p and welcome were warmly tendered to him by his host. Fast and thick the guests were a.s.sembling; the laugh and mingling music rose joyously around. The twilight was fast emerging into night; but a thousand sparkling lamps of beauty gave a brilliancy of day to the scene; all was happiness; bright eyes and blooming aces were every where beaming; but alas! a serpent was lurking among the flowers.
”In the midst of the hilarity, the sound of a cannon burst upon the ear, startling the guests and suspending the dance. Was.h.i.+ngton and the officers looked at each other with surprise, but their fears were quickly dispelled by Rugsdale, who a.s.sured him it was only a discharge of ordnance in honour of his distinguished visitors. The joy of the moment was again resumed, but the gloom of suspicion had fallen upon the spirit of Was.h.i.+ngton, who sat in moody silence apart from the happy throng.
”A silent tap upon the shoulder aroused him from his abstraction, and looking up he perceived the person of the Indian standing in the shadow of a myrtle bush close to his side.