"That's all very well, and may or may not be true, mister," answered the
sergeant, who certainly was not one of nature's gentlemen. "I ain't
bound to believe your gammon, I guess; you may be spies, so come along
with us and we'll see about it."
Here Mrs Tarleton stepped forward.
"We are American ladies," said she. "We owe much to this officer, and
trust that our countrymen will afford us the aid we require."
The fellow still doubted, and was evidently inclined to use us roughly,
when we saw a fresh body of men coming along the road, headed by an
officer. He at once advanced to inquire into the matter. At first he
also seemed not at all ready to believe us.
"So many spies are dodging about in various disguises that you may be of
that character for what I know to the contrary," he remarked, eyeing us
hard.
Mrs Tarleton was inclined to be very indignant. As I looked at the man
there was something in the tone of his voice and his countenance I
thought I recognised.
"Is your name Spinks?" I asked.
"I guess you're right," he answered.
"And you were wounded before New York, and an English officer gave you a
sup of spirits and some fresh water, and washed your wounds, and--"
"He did, he did; and you're the man who did it!" he exclaimed, springing
forward and grasping my hand warmly. "I thought I knew your voice--you
saved my life, that you did. I said Amos Spinks would be grateful, and
so he will. I'm a lieutenant now; I was then only a private."
This was, indeed, a fortunate encounter. Full credit was now given to
our statements. The house to which we were proceeding was, we found,
the property of a gentleman of some consideration, who, although a
patriot, had from ill-health remained at home. Lieutenant Spinks and
his men escorted us to it. The ladies were cordially welcomed, and I
was treated with the greatest civility and attention. Our host, John
Plowden, was a perfect gentleman of the old school, who received us with
many a bow, in bag-wig and sword, knee-breeches and buckles, flowered
waistcoat and three-cornered hat. Dinner was instantly prepared, and
beds were offered, but Mrs Tarleton wished to proceed on her journey
that very afternoon. At first Mr Plowden would on no account consent
to this arrangement, but, Mrs Tarleton having explained to him her
earnest desire to see her brother, or to gain tidings of him, he
willingly promised to do his utmost to enable her to proceed.
"I fear much, however, madam, that you will be exposed to insult from
the troops of the enemy who still occupy part of the Jerseys, though I
feel sure that the inhabitants, whatever side of the question they take,
would in no way annoy you."
Mrs Tarleton looked at me as this was said. We were sitting at dinner,
a midday meal, with several members of Mr Plowden's family round the
table. My instructions from Sir Peter were to see the ladies in safety
with Washington's army. I turned to Mr Plowden--
"If, sir, you can guarantee the safety of my vessel during my absence,
and secure me free egress from this harbour on my return, I will proceed
with Mrs Tarleton and Miss Carlyon, and I trust shall have the means of
securing them from any inconvenience of the nature to which you allude."
Mr Plowden thought a little.
"I can be answerable for the safety of your vessel, and that no one will
prevent her leaving the harbour when you return," he answered. "But
remember, sir, I cannot prevent your people quitting her if they wish to
do so."
"I will trust to your honour, then, sir," said I. "My men are staunch,
and I have no fear of their deserting her. I am ready to set out
whenever the ladies desire it."
"And I have determined to accompany you," exclaimed Lieutenant Spinks,
grasping my hand again. "One good turn deserves another. This is the
gentleman who preserved my life, and I want to show that I am grateful.
He will be safe enough from molestation on his way to General
Washington's camp, but he may find some difficulty when returning."
Of course I told Mr Spinks that I should be very glad of his society,
though I wondered how he could be certain of obtaining leave of absence
from his regiment. I soon learned, however, that both officers and men
took the liberty of giving themselves leave, with very little ceremony,
from many of the militia regiments, into which but a very slack style of
discipline had as yet been introduced.
While the ladies were resting, and preparing for their journey, I
returned on board the tender, and, leaving Grampus in charge, received
from all hands an assurance that they would obey his orders and remain
faithful to their colours.
"Never fear us, Mr Hurry," said Grampus; "we hopes you will see them
beautiful ladies safe with their friends, and will soon come back to
us."
I told him I hoped to return in a few days, and as I went over the side
all hands gave three cheers as an earnest of their sincerity.
The arrangements for the journey were soon made, and by two o'clock our
party was ready to commence the journey. At the door stood a coach
covered with gilding, but very much the worse for wear. Four horses
were attached to it, but their sorry appearance showed that they would
not be able to drag it except at a slow pace, and for a short distance.
On the coach-box sat a white-headed negro. He had once been a strong
stout man, but age had shrunk up his flesh and muscles, and his
countenance now seemed composed alone of black bumps and wrinkles and
protuberances, with two white orbs set in the midst of them. His lank
body and limbs were covered with a livery of blue and silver, but, like
the coach, sadly faded and worn. Two horses, of somewhat better
appearance, were held near at hand by some negro boys, and a little
farther off two black mounted servants held the reins of a couple of
well-conditioned palfreys with side-saddles on their backs. Mr Plowden
led the ladies to the door.
"I have done all I could, madam, for your convenience," said he, bowing
low and pointing to the equipage. "This war has left me in a very
different state to what I have been accustomed, or I would have enabled
you to journey in a style more befitting your position in life. The
carriage will convey you as far as those sorry steeds are able, and then
I fear that the bad nature of the roads will require you to continue
your journey on horseback."
Suitable replies were made, affectionate expressions were exchanged
between Mrs and the Misses Plowden and their guests, and the latter
took their seats in the old family coach. Spinks and I mounted the
horses, the black servants and the baggage-horses followed, and with
many bows and waves of the hands the cavalcade moved forward. The
carriage rolled creakingly on, pitching and tumbling and bumping over
the stones and into the ruts in the road. Frequently I moved up to the
window to exchange words with its occupants. They both expressed their
anxiety for the time when they might dismiss the vehicle and mount on
horseback. At first the country was very uninteresting, but by degrees
it improved, and rich undulating ground and hills and fertile valleys,
here and there dotted with cottages and flocks and herds, were seen on
every side. As we proceeded, men in half-military uniform, working in
the fields, would look up and inquire whence we came and where we were
going, but they were easily satisfied with the civil answers we gave
them.
It was late in the day before we drove into the courtyard of a house
very similar in character to that we had lately left. We were not
expected, but a note from Mr Plowden explained matters, and we were
cordially received by the ladies of the family. The master was with the
army, so were his sons. One had already fallen in the unfortunate
strife. I at first was received with some stiffness. I could not
expect it to be otherwise; but that soon wore off, and I felt myself as
one of the family. I must not delay in describing each event of our
journey.
A truly Indian summer morning ushered in the next day. In high spirits
Miss Carlyon mounted her horse, as did her aunt, and with kind
well-wishes from our late hosts we trotted out of the courtyard. They
felt great relief from the noise and jolting of the old coach. The old
black coachman gazed after us with a look of reproach, as if he thought
we had no business to be merry after we had deserted him. That day's
ride was to me one of the most perfect enjoyment. Scarcely for a moment
did I leave Madeline's side, and every instant knit my heart closer and
closer to her. I forgot all that the future might bring forth, all the
difficulties to be encountered; the months, perhaps years, of
separation, before I could hope by any possibility to call her mine, and
revelled only in the present. I could not tell what she might think or
feel. I dared not ask, lest the delightful enchantment by which I was
surrounded might be rudely broken. She eagerly listened to all I said,
smiled and blushed and--but I won't go on. I knew that I loved her, and
I thought she loved me. Spinks was an excellent companion on such an
occasion; silent and phlegmatic, he occasionally only would ride up to
offer a few remarks to Mrs Tarleton, and then would drop astern and
seem lost in his own reflections. As the day advanced, signs of war's
malign effects began to appear. Poor fellows, with bandaged heads and
arms in slings, were met limping and crawling along. Hedges and walls,
overturned cottages, and whole hamlets burned to the ground. The tide
of war had during the summer swept over this part of the Jerseys. The
mischief we saw was, however, chiefly effected by foraging parties from
the British forces, especially by the Hessians, so dreaded and hated by
the colonists.
"Two causes have alienated all true hearts from the British crown in
this country," observed Mrs Tarleton. "The supercilious manner of the
civil and especially of the military officers sent from England towards
the colonists, and the attempt to coerce them with foreign mercenaries.
We could have borne unjust laws and taxes, because they could be
repealed; but the pride of all the gentlemen of the land has been
aroused not to be quelled, except by entire separation from those who
could thus insult them."
We were within a few miles of that magnificent stream, the Delaware
River, when we gained sufficiently exact information to enable us to
guide our future course. The British fleet, under Lord Howe, had
complete command of the lower part of the river. The city of
Philadelphia, lately the seat of Government, had fallen into the hands
of the army under General Howe, after the battle of Brandywine, when
Washington had been compelled to retreat. General Howe, it appeared,
had neglected to take advantage of his success, and the patriot forces,
emboldened by, his inaction, were about to attack him again, when a
terrific storm of rain prevented the engagement. After this the British
troops, having advanced to Germaintown, were vigorously attacked by the
whole patriot army, and victory seemed inclined to their standard when,
the Americans becoming separated by a thick fog, a panic seized them,
and they made a precipitate retreat. General Washington's army, we
heard, was now at a place called White Marsh, about fourteen miles from
Philadelphia. Thither Mrs Tarleton resolved immediately to proceed, in
the hopes of meeting her brother, who, though wounded, was still, she
heard, with his regiment.
As both shores of the Delaware were now in possession of the British,
there was much chance of our falling in with some of their troops.
Strange as it may appear, I felt very anxious to avoid them. I could
not bear the idea of exposing my charges to the scrutiny and the
inquiries to which they would be subject, though my presence would, I
trusted, prevent their being exposed to any personal annoyance. We
accordingly turned our horses' heads to the north, intending to cross
the river at a spot a considerable distance above Philadelphia. We had
travelled some miles without meeting anyone from whom we could make
inquiries. I began to be somewhat anxious, fearing that the peasantry
might have concealed themselves in consequence of the approach of an
enemy, and I was on the point of begging Lieutenant Spinks to ride
forward and make inquiries, when a cloud of dust rose up from a valley
before us, and the dull heavy tramp of a body of men was heard ascending
the winding road up the hill. I instantly reined up and drew my
companions on one side, where they were concealed by a small clump of
trees, while I advanced with Spinks a little way in front, each of us
waving a white handkerchief, to show that we were there with no hostile
intent.
"They are the enemy!" cried Spinks. "Oh, the villains! May they all
be--"
"Which enemy?" I asked, forgetting for a moment that he was an
American.
"The scoundrel Hessians," he answered with an oath. "They are the last
people I would wish to have met."
I agreed with him, but there was no time to be lost, as we could
distinguish the advanced guard with their glittering arms and dark
uniforms coming over the brow of the hill. No sooner were we perceived
than several men advanced at double quick step and surrounded us. We
could not make ourselves understood, so, holding Sir Peter Parker's
letter in my hand, and pointing to my uniform, I signified that I wished
to be conducted to their colonel. By this time a halt was called. A
light company was sent out as skirmishers into the wood through which we
had passed, and the officer I asked for rode up in front. He looked at
my naval jacket, and then at the militiaman's uniform, and evidently
regarded us with no little suspicion. I found, however, that he could
speak English, and I endeavoured rapidly to explain matters.
"A very odd story this you tell me," he answered. "How can you expect
me to believe you?"