We hired team and wagon of the innkeeper, and a man to paddle
up-river and return with the horses.
I had a brief talk with our tall prisoner while they were making
ready.
"A word of business, your Lordship," I said as he came out,
yawning, with the guard.
"Ah, well," said he, with a shiver, "I hope it is not so cold as
the air."
"It is hopeful; it is cheering," was my answer.
"And the topic?"
"An exchange--for the ladies."
He thought a moment, slapping the dust off him with a glove.
"This kind of thing is hard on the trousers," he remarked
carelessly. "I will consider; I think it could be arranged.
Meanwhile, I give you my word of honor, you need have no worry."
We were off at daybreak with our prisoners; there were six of them
in all. We put a fold of linen over the eyes of each, and roped
them all together, so that they could sit or stand, as might please
them, in the wagonbox.
"It's barbarity," said his Lordship, as we put on the fold. "You
Yankees never knew how to treat a prisoner."
"Till you learnt us," said D'ri, quickly. "Could n't never fergit
thet lesson. Ef I hed my way 'bout you, I 'd haul ye up t' th' top
o' thet air dead pine over yender, 'n' let ye slide down."
"Rather too steep, I should say," said his Lordship, wearily.
"Ye wouldn't need no grease," said D'ri, with a chuckle.
We were four days going to the Harbor. My father and his men came
with us, and he told us many a tale, that journey, of his
adventures in the old war. We kept our promise, turning over the
prisoners a little before sundown of the 16th. Each was given a
great room and every possible comfort. I arranged soon for the
release of all on the safe return of the ladies.
In the evening of the 17th his Lordship sent for me. He was a bit
nervous, and desired a conference with the general and me. De
Chaumont had been over to the headquarters that day in urgent
counsel. He was weary of delay and planning an appeal to the
French government. General Brown was prepared to give the matter
all furtherance in his power, and sent quickly for the Englishman.
They brought him over at nine o'clock. We uncovered his eyes and
locked the door, and "gave him a crack at the old Madeira," as they
used to say, and made him as comfortable as might be at the cheery
fireside of the general.
"I've been thinking," said his Lordship. after a drink and a word
of courtesy. I never saw a man of better breeding or more courage,
I am free to say. "You may not agree it is possible, but, anyhow,
I have been trying to think. You have been decent to me. I don't
believe you are such a bad lot, after all; and while I should be
sorry to have you think me tired of your hospitality, I desire to
hasten our plans a little. I propose an exchange of--of--"
He hesitated, whipping the ashes off his cigar.
"Well--first of confidence," he went on. "I will take your word if
you will take mine."
"In what matter?" the general inquired.
"That of the ladies and their relief," said he. "A little
confidence will--will--"
"Grease the wheels of progress?" the general suggested, smiling.
"Quite so," he answered lazily. "To begin with, they are not
thirty miles away, if I am correct in my judgment of this locality."
There was a moment of silence.
"My _dear_ sir," he went on presently, "this ground is quite
familiar to me. I slept in this very chamber long ago. But that
is not here nor there. Day after to-morrow, a little before
midnight, the ladies will be riding on the shore pike. You could
meet them and bring them out to a schooner, I suppose--if--"
He stopped again, puffing thoughtfully.
"If we could agree," he went on. "Now this would be my view of it:
You let me send a messenger for the ladies. You would have to take
them by force somehow; but, you know, I could make it easy--arrange
the time and place, no house near, no soldiers, no resistence but
that of the driver, who should not share our confidence--no danger.
You take them to the boats and bring them over; but, first--"
He paused again, looking at the smokerings above his head in a
dreamy manner.
"'First,'" my chief repeated.
"Well," said he, leaning toward him with a little gesture, "to me
the word of a gentleman is sacred. I know you are both gentlemen.
I ask for your word of honor."
"To what effect?" the general queried.
"That you will put us safely on British soil within a day after the
ladies have arrived," said he.
"It is irregular and a matter of some difficulty," said the
general. "Whom would you send with such a message?"
"Well, I should say some Frenchwoman could do it. There must be
one here who is clever enough."
"I know the very one," said I, with enthusiasm. "She is as smart
and cunning as they make them."
"Very well," said the general; "that is but one step. Who is to
capture them and take the risk of their own heads?"
"D'ri and I could do it alone," was my confident answer.
"Ah, well," said his Lordship, as he rose languidly and stood with
his back to the fire, "I shall send them where the coast is
clear--my word for that. Hang me if I fail to protect them."
"I do not wish to question your honor," said the general, "or
violate in any way this atmosphere of fine courtesy; but, sir, I do
not know you."
"Permit me to introduce myself," said the Englishman, as he ripped
his coat-lining and drew out a folded sheet of purple parchment.
"I am Lord Ronley, fifth Earl of Pickford, and, cousin of his Most
Excellent Majesty the King of England; there is the proof."
He tossed the parchment to the table carelessly, resuming his chair.
"Forgive me," said he, as the general took it. "I have little
taste for such theatricals. Necessity is my only excuse."
"It is enough," said the other. "I am glad to know you. I hope
sometime we shall stop fighting each other--we of the same race and
blood. It is unnatural."
"Give me your hand," said the Englishman, with heartier feeling
than I had seen him show, as he advanced. "Amen! I say to you."
"Will you write your message? Here are ink and paper," said the
general.
His Lordship sat down at the table and hurriedly wrote these
letters:--
"PRESCOTT, ONTARIO, November 17, 1813.
"To SIR CHARLES GRAVLEIGH, The Weirs, above Landsmere, Wrentham,
Frontenac County, Canada.
"MY DEAR GRAVLEIGH: Will you see that the baroness and her two
wards, the Misses de Lambert, are conveyed by my coach, on the
evening of the 18th inst, to that certain point on the shore pike
between Amsbury and Lakeside known as Burnt Ridge, there to wait
back in the timber for my messenger? Tell them they are to be
returned to their home, and give them my very best wishes. Lamson
will drive, and let the bearer ride with the others.
"Very truly yours,
"RONLEY."
_To whom it may concern_.
"Mme. St. Jovite, the bearer, is on her way to my house at
Wrentham, Frontenac County, second concession, with a despatch of
urgent character. I shall be greatly favored by all who give her
furtherance in this journey.
"Respectfully, etc.,
"Ronley,
"Colonel of King's Guard."
For fear of a cipher, the general gave tantamount terms for each
letter, and his Lordship rewrote them.
"I thought the name St. Jovite would be as good as any," he
remarked.
The rendezvous was carefully mapped. The guard came, and his
Lordship rose languidly.
"One thing more," said he. "Let the men go over without
arms--if--if you will be so good."
"I shall consider that," said the general.
"And when shall the messenger start?"
"Within the hour, if possible," my chief answered.
As they went away, the general sat down with me for a moment, to
discuss the matter.