THE BEAUTIFUL SPY, 
 
 AN EXCITING STORY 
 
 iRMY AND HIGH LIFE IN NEW YORK IN 1778, 
 
 BY CHARLES BUKDKTT, 
 
 AUTHOR or "THREE PER CENT A MONTH," "SBCPNP 
 
 " MARION DESMOND," ETC., ETC. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 JOHN E. POTTER AND COMPANY. 
 
 617 SANSOM STRBBT. 
 
 V
 
 Entered, accoixune to Act of Ongreu, In the year 1868, ky 
 
 JOHN E. POTTER, 
 
 la the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States. In and for the Eaatn 
 District of Pennsylvania.
 
 WILLIAM CURTIS NOTES, EIQ., 
 
 IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 
 
 A 1UEK OF HIGH PERSONAL REGARD AND ESTEEM, AND IN QRATr0l 
 APfRECIATION OF PAST KINDNESS, 
 
 BY HIB ATTACHXD FRIEND, 
 
 THB AUTBOI. 
 
 790855
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTEB ttm 
 
 INTRODUCTION, .. lx 
 
 I TBNERAL PUTNAM AND AARON BURR, 15 
 
 n.- MARGARET MONCRIEFFE, ft 
 
 m. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, M 
 
 IV. PREPARING FOR THE JOURNtT, 49 
 
 Y. THE ROYALISTS IN THE CITY, 69 
 
 VL THE ATTACK AND ITS RESULTS, 69 
 
 TIL THE ROYALISTS PLOTTING, 76 
 
 Till A NEW RECRUIT, M 
 
 IX MARGARET MONCRIEFFE AT HOME, M 
 
 X AN OLD FRIEND, 104 
 
 XL MARGARET AND HER CONQUESTS, ,.... 118 
 
 XIL THE BROTHERS' MEETING, 125 
 
 XIII. A SPY IN THE CAMP, 1ST 
 
 HV. GOVERNOR TRYON ON BOARD SHIP, 169 
 
 XV. THE BROTHERS IN COUNCIL, 164 
 
 XVI. MARGARET AND HER LOVER AT HOME, IT* 
 
 XTIL THE FIRST TEMPTATION, 189 
 
 XVIIL MAJOR BURR ENSLAVED 191 
 
 XIX MARGARET AND THE ROYALIST CAPTAIN, 193 
 
 XX A NEW CHARACTER INTRODUCED 811 
 
 XXL MAJOR BURR, AND CORBIE THE TORY, 228 
 
 XXII. MARGARET FINDS A NEW LOVER, 286 
 
 XXIIL MARGARET RECEIVES A PROPOSAL, 944 
 
 XXIV. SETH ADAMS A PRISONER, 865 
 
 XXV. THE TEMPTRESS CONQUERS, 868
 
 riii CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER '*" 
 
 XXVL A DINNER PARTT AND A QUARREL, T 
 
 XXVIL MARGARET AND LIZZIE BRAINARD, 89 
 
 XXVIH. CONSEQUENCES OF SETB'S ESCAPE, Wi 
 
 XXIX.-THE PATRIOT QIRL, 
 
 XXX- THE PLOT DISCLOSED, Ml 
 
 XXXL-THE TEMPTRESS TRIES HER ARTS AGAIN, 884 
 
 XXXIL THE ROYALISTS IN DANGER, * 
 
 XXXIII. GENERAL WASHINGTON AND THE PLOTTERS, 8B* 
 
 XXXIV. MARGARET ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE, 
 
 XXXV. AARON BCRR FREB AGAIN, WO 
 
 ZXXVL CONCLUSION 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 I. 
 
 TRIAL OF HICKET BEFORE THE COURT MARTIAL, *M 
 
 WARRANT FOR THE EXECUTION OF HICKET, 8M 
 
 CERTIFICATES OF THE SERVICES OF COL. AARON BURR IN THH 
 AMERICAN REVOLUTION, FROM HIS FELLOW-SOLDIERS: 
 
 LETTER FROM SAMUEL ROWLAND, TO RICHARD V. MORRIS, ESQ., 808 
 
 CERTIFICATE FROM THE RKT. HBZEKIAH RlPLRT, 899 
 
 CERTIFICATE r ROM MB. ISAAC JENNINGS AND MX. A.NDZETT WAKEHAJI, 400 
 
 LKTTKR FROM NATHANIEL JCDSON TO COM. R. V. MOBSIS, 40t 
 
 LETTER JBOM COL. RICHARD PLATT TC COM. V. MOBJHB, 408 
 
 LETTER FROM ROBERT HCNTIR, ESQ. TO GABRIEL FCRMAN, ESQ., 409 
 
 LETTER FROM SAMUEL YOUNG, ESQ. TO COM. VALENTINE MORRIS, .... 411 
 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE, GENERAL PUTNAM, AND AARON BCRR,. 419 
 
 PARAGRAPH RELATING TO MARGARET MONCRIEFFE, 488 
 
 COL. BURR DENIES CLAIMING PROTECTION AS A BRITISH SUBJECT, 424 
 
 II. 
 
 LETTERS OP COL. BURR TO "KATB," 4M 
 
 LITTER OF COL. BURR TO ELIZA, 4ST 
 
 UTTER FROM LEONORA TO AARON BURR, 43*
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 IN the latter part of the month of May, 1776, the 
 city of New York was garrisoned by about thirteen 
 thousand troops, regulars and militia, under the 
 command of Major-General George Washington, 
 comprising men from every section of the country 
 this side of North Carolina, and as far north as 
 New Hampshire. 
 
 His head-quarters were established at what was 
 then known as Richmond Hill, and which is more 
 fully described in the succeeding chapters, now 
 familiar to present residents as the country seat of 
 Col. Burr, and after his purchase and occupancy, 
 named Burr's Hill. 
 
 The second in command was that gallant and 
 tried old soldier, General Putnam, whose feats in 
 the wolfs den have become as household words 
 with every schoolboy in the country. He had es- 
 tablished his head -quarters at the house well known 
 1* *
 
 X ENTRODTJCTIOir. 
 
 as No. 1 Broadway, on the corner of Battery Place, 
 built many years before by Major Kennedy for 
 his private residence, and in later days familiar to 
 New Yorkers as the residence of two mayors. 
 
 General Putnam's aid at this period was Major 
 Aaron Burr, who had sought the post in preference 
 to a similar position" in the military family of the 
 Commander-in-Chief, where he was confined ex- 
 clusively to the duties of an amanuensis, which did 
 not suit his ardent, active military spirit, and Gene- 
 ral Putnam was glad to avail himself of the services 
 of one who had proved himself as eminent with the 
 pen, as with the sword. 
 
 In the month of May, General Washington was 
 summoned to Philadelphia to attend upon Con- 
 gress, then in session, and General Putnam was left 
 in chief command, with instructions to fortify the 
 city at every point to repel a threatened invasion, 
 as Admiral Howe, with his fleet, and an army of 
 some thirty thousand regulars ,and Hessians, had 
 left the waters of Virginia under the command 01 
 Lord Howe, and it was presumed that the next 
 point of attack would be the city of New York- 
 which supposition was fully borne out by subse- 
 quent events, as recorded in history. 
 
 On the last day of May, and, of course, during 
 the absence of General Washington, General Put-
 
 nain was one day the recipient through a boat from 
 Stateu Island (then occupied by the British), bearing 
 a flag of truce of a letter from Major Moncrieffe of 
 the British army, who with his regiment was en- 
 camped on the island, in which he set forth that the 
 chances and hazards of war had compelled him to 
 leave his only child, a daughter just past fifteen, 
 Margaret Moncrieffe, alone and unprotected at the 
 house of a widow lady near the town of Elizabeth, 
 and with entire strangers ; and as he could not 
 foresee what the perils of war might bring forth in 
 a day or an hour, and as the locality where she 
 resided might soon become the field of active 
 operations, he was loath to leave her there if it 
 could be possibly avoided. He therefore implored 
 the general, as a soldier and a gentleman, to afford 
 to his child that which he could not a shelter and 
 a home until such time as he could place her in a 
 position of greater security. 
 
 General Putnam promptly replied, that the 
 request would be cheerfully granted, and that in 
 in his own home, in the bosom of his family, she 
 would be at least assured of hospitable treat- 
 ment. The young girl was sent for on the fol- 
 lowing day (the first of June), and from that time 
 remained an inmate of General Putnam's family, 
 until detected in communicating with the enemy,
 
 rf INTRODUCTION. 
 
 when she was sent ofl to King's Bridge, then Gen, 
 Mifflin's head-quarters. 
 
 Miss Margaret Moncrieffe, the heroine of the 
 book, though really only a child in years, for she 
 had just passed her fifteenth summer, was, in all 
 that belongs to woman of feeling, heart or passion, 
 fully developed, and history has recorded that a 
 most romantic attachment sprang up between her- 
 self and Major Burr, the handsome, gallant and 
 accomplished aid on her part with all the fervor 
 of her passionate nature, on his, with more caution 
 and prudence ; and that his love for her was not a 
 supreme and reigning passion, may be assumed from 
 the well known circumstance, that it was he who 
 having detected her in imparting secret informa- 
 tion to Governor Tryon, then on board the flag ship, 
 Duchess of Gordon, lying opposite Staten Island, 
 gave such information as caused her removal to a 
 place where she would find other and less danger 
 ous occupation. 
 
 It was during General Washington's absence that 
 a plot was concocted by Governor Tryon, aided by 
 Matthews, a well known Tory, then mayor of the 
 city, who was residing at Flatbush, to capture 
 General "Washington, hoping thus to terminate the 
 war by one bold blow. Margaret Moncrieffe con- 
 tributed materially to the possible success of their
 
 xiii 
 
 plans, in which the Tory residents of the city, toge- 
 ther with many Provincials who had "been bought 
 over, had joined, by conveying secretly to Governor 
 Tryon information as to the location and strength 
 of the various fortifications on the island ; but fuller 
 details of the plot will be found elsewhere. 
 
 The pages which follow are derived from these 
 two incidents the mutual attachment of Aaron Bun 
 and Margaret Moncrieffe, and the infamous plot 
 of Tryon and Matthews. Every name is historically 
 correct, save two or three introduced to fill up the 
 story. Every incident is historical the dress and 
 appearance of the principal conspirators are de- 
 scribed as accurately as could be derived from the 
 authorities consulted, and save the main incident, 
 that Aaron Burr was seduced from his allegiance 
 to his country, or his devotion to her cause, by 
 Margaret Moncrieffe, the author claims that he has 
 woven a fiction founded entirely on facts. 
 
 Without this explanation, he would never present 
 it for public praise or censure. With it, which is 
 but simple justice to the best abused and most 
 maligned man who ever filled a high and honorable 
 station, the work must abide the decision which the 
 public may award.
 
 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 GBNEBAL PUTNAM AND AABON BUBB. 
 
 IT was a pleasant morning on the 31st day of May, 
 1776 not exactly morning, for the sun had passed the 
 meridian nearly an hour General Putnam was seated 
 in the apartment on the lower floor of his head-quar- 
 ters, at No. 1 Broadway, which he had appropriated as 
 an office for the transaction of all his official business 
 the reception of reports, the issuing of orders, and all 
 the details which belong to the position of Commander- 
 in-Chief of the troops which then garrisoned the city 
 of New York, some thirteen thousand in number. 
 
 He held his position by reason of the absence of Gen- 
 eral Washington, who had been summoned by the Con- 
 gress, then in session in Philadelphia, to consult with the 
 members of that august body (alas ! how sadly and woe- 
 fully changed), with reference to the *nispected move- 
 ments of the British fleet, under Admiral Howe, which
 
 18 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 convoyed transports containing an army of some twenty 
 thousand regulars and Hessians, under the command 
 of Lord Howe, and which had recently left the waters 
 of Virginia. It was supposed that their next point of 
 attack would be the city of New York, and orders had 
 been given to fortify the island at every accessible 
 point. 
 
 General Putnam was seated, or rather lounging on 
 a hair-covered mahogany sofa, elaborately carved, and 
 studded with brass nails then, no doubt, thought to 
 be a superb piece of furniture and was holding in hia 
 hand an open letter which he had just perused. 
 
 At a large oval table which stood in the centre of 
 the room, and which was covered with papers lying 
 about in disorder and confusion, was seated a young 
 man, dressed in the blue and buff uniform of the day, 
 such as was worn by the regular troops (when they had 
 any to wear). His sword lay on the floor beside him, 
 and his chapeau had been placed on the other side. 
 He could not have been more than twenty or twenty- 
 one years of age, for his countenance was almost boy- 
 ish. His face was oval, with a broad, expanded fore- 
 head, white as snow, where it had been covered by hia 
 hat his complexion pale, but not sallow, though some- 
 what bronzed by exposure his nose was beautifully 
 shaped, and of just proportion to his face his mouth 
 closely cut, and evincing a spirit of determination and 
 perseverance, fully borne out by the history of his after
 
 GENERAL PUTNAM AKD AARON BURR. 17 
 
 /cars, while his chin was small and delicate as a woman's. 
 His eyes were of a dark hazel, so dark, no sign of a pu- 
 pil could be seen, and the expression of them, when he 
 chose, was wonderful they could be likened only to 
 those of a snake, for their fascination was irresistible. 
 But the great charm lay in his smile, which no one 
 could resist so sweet, so mild, so speaking. In figure 
 ke was about the medium height his form as perfect 
 as that of any sculptured model, and there was a grace, 
 an ease, a quiet dignity in all his movements, which 
 spoke one born to achieve greatness. 
 
 Such, in brief, was Major Aaron Burr, at the age of 
 twenty, and who, at that early age, occupied the high 
 and honorable position of Aid to General Putnam, by 
 whom he was treated as a son, and to whom he gave 
 his unlimited confidence. He was engaged in making 
 out some orders previously dictated by the general, 
 when his labors were interrupted by the latter, who, 
 starting from the sofa, said, " There, major, read that 
 that is the letter just brought by the truce-boat from 
 Staten Island ; what on earth can I do with it ?" 
 
 Major Burr, laying down bis pen, perused the letter, 
 and looking up in the general's face, said in his low, 
 soft, musical voice, for which, elsewhere than on the 
 field of battle, he was so famed, " I see only one course ; 
 Major Moncriefie appeals to you as a soldier and gen- 
 t'eman ; as such, you can make but one reply." 
 
 " Well, I suppose that's so ; write, then, that Gen
 
 18 MAKGAEET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 eral Putnam will gladly accede to Major Moncrioffe's re. 
 quest, and will to-morrow dispatch a squad of men to 
 escort his daughter to the city, and that in his quarters, 
 and with his family, she will find a home and welcome, 
 until the position or circumstances of her father might 
 enable him to reclaim her." 
 
 The letter was written, signed, formally sealed, and 
 addressed, and was handed to the orderly with direc- 
 tions to have it sent out to the British truce-boat, then 
 lying off and on, a few hundred yards from the shore. 
 
 The letter which had led to this conversation, had 
 been brought on that morning by a boat from Statea 
 Island, bearing a flag of truce, which was met a few 
 hundred yards from the shore (for of course an enemy's 
 boat was not allowed to come within hailing distance 
 of land), by one from the Provincial general. 
 
 It was from Major Moricrieffe, of the British army, 
 whose regiment was then encamped on Staten Island, 
 preferring a very singular request. The writer stated 
 that the chances of war had necessitated a separation 
 from his only child, Margaret, a motherless daughter, 
 who had accompanied him from England. She was now 
 alone and unprotected at the farmhouse of one widow 
 Adams, near Elizabeth, and he implored General Put- 
 nam, as a soldier, a gentleman, and a father, to grant 
 shelter and protection to his child. She was, he said, 
 scarce past fifteen, utterly inexperienced, and required 
 that care and attention which he could not now bestow
 
 GENERAL PUTNAM AND AAROX BURK. 19 
 
 upon her ; and he promised, if his request was complied 
 with, to relieve the general from the responsibility at 
 the earliest possible moment. 
 
 " How am I to get her here, major ?" asked the gene- 
 ral, taking up the letter of Major Moncrieffe. " He 
 writes that she is at the house of one Mrs. Adams, near 
 Elizabeth. Do you know anything about the place ?" 
 
 " Everything, general. Mr. Adams, the father, noAV 
 dead, used to oversee my uncle's farm near Newark, 
 and, since his death, the widow moved with her 
 daughter, to the place on which they now reside, which 
 belongs to us, and which she occupies rent free as long 
 as she lives. She has a nephew a bold, dashing young 
 fellow, who ran away from home to follow me through 
 the route to Quebec, and who is now a sergeant in 
 McDougall's regiment.'* 
 
 " I wish he was in a better place," growled the gene- 
 ral, " for that regiment was notorious for its utter lack 
 of discipline, its general inefficiency, and the turbulent 
 disposition of the men. 
 
 " "Well, as you know the place and the people, sup- 
 pose you go over to-morrow and bring this young lady 
 hither. I wonder what she is like." 
 
 " The letter says she is a mere child, and inexperi- 
 enced. She won't give you much trouble, I fancy. I 
 will take a squad of picked men, and go after her to- 
 morrow, for I shall be glad again to see the good old 
 lady and Irer daughter."
 
 20 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 "Pretty, eh?" said the general, with a comical look, 
 to which Major Burr replied, laughing, 
 
 " Oh, yes, very pretty, general, and a terrible little 
 patriot." 
 
 " So much the better. I wish we had more men like 
 her. But consider that arranged. Now do you go on 
 and finish up those orders. I will take a ride around 
 the works, and see how they advance. I want to have 
 everything finished before General "Washington's re- 
 turn, which can't be delayed many days longer ;" and 
 seizing his chapeau, he directed the orderly to have his 
 horse brought to the door, and rode off to inspect the 
 works, for he never trusted to others to do that which 
 he could best do himself. 
 
 In the evening, at the tea-table, the general informed 
 his wife and daughters of the intended accession to 
 their family circle, to which, of course, no opposition 
 was offered ; and Major Burr having made all his prepa- 
 rations for the morrow's journey for it was something 
 of a journey in those days, even to Elizabeth retired 
 early, and left she family to discuss, in anticipation, the 
 possible merit! or demerits of the new comer.
 
 CHAPTER H. 
 
 MARGARET MONCBIEFFB. 
 
 THIS town of Elizabeth, in the month of June, 1770, 
 was very different in its character and population from 
 the Elizabeth City of the present day. A few scatter- 
 ing log-huts embedded in woods; hundreds of acres of 
 uncleared lands, covered with stately trees, and here 
 and there a small farmhouse, afforded the only evi- 
 dences of the existence of the town of Elizabeth, as it 
 was then called, whose limits, however, extended for a 
 circuit of many miles around. 
 
 At the extreme end of the township, and on the side 
 nearest to the Staten Island shore, there stood, at the 
 time of which I write, a small farmhouse, as it was then 
 called, though at the present time it would scarcely be 
 dignified with the name of cottage. It was a low, one- 
 story dwelling, built of hewn stone, with a wing ex- 
 tending some thirty feet, which was formed of rough- 
 hewn logs, and plastered with mud. 
 
 The farm on which it was located, had evidently 
 been cultivated for a long time, for the house was sur- 
 rounded with appliances of comparative comfort and
 
 22 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 indications of civilization rarely found in that vicinity 
 at that period of our country's history. 
 
 A large orchard of apple-trees fronted the house, 
 and in the rear it was bounded by a forest of maple 
 and chestnut, then, of course, in full leaf, and which 
 contrasted beautifully with the snow-white house ; for 
 the homestead, though built of stone, had been white- 
 washed, presenting an appearance as attractive to the 
 eye as it was gratifying to the taste. 
 
 It was, perhaps, an hour before noon, on one of the 
 most sultry days, early in June of the memorable year 
 1776. Everything about the dwelling was as quiet as 
 though it contained nothing human. There was 
 scarcely air enough stirring to ruffle the leaves on the 
 trees, and the sun, nearly at meridian, poured down 
 his rays with an intensity almost overpowering. 
 
 At this hour, the quiet of the place was disturbed by 
 the tramping of approaching horsemen, and, as the 
 sound reached the house, one of the inmates appeared 
 at the door of the wing, which was appropriated to 
 culinary purposes. 
 
 " My sakes !" exclaimed the party who, on hear- 
 ing the sound of horses' hoofs, had approached the 
 door ; " I wonder if it's more of them marciless cow- 
 boys ?" 
 
 " I guess not," was the reply which came from the 
 lips of a young girl, who, with sleeves rolled above 
 her elbows, was hard at work in the suds of the wash-
 
 MARGARET MOXCEIEFFE. 23 
 
 ub " Colonel Malcolm's men have given them such 
 a fright they won't be around here soon again, I 
 guess." 
 
 " Massy sakes ! who on airth be they ?" exclaimed 
 the first speaker, as she gazed down the road which 
 fronted the house, and pointed in the direction toward 
 which she was looking ; and as she spoke, she shaded 
 her eyes with her hand, as if to aid her vision, ren- 
 dered indistinct by age. 
 
 " Why, mother, can't you see ?" and the speaker, 
 who had left the wash-tub and joined her mother in 
 the doorway, peered out in the direction whence the 
 sounds approached. " Don't you see they are Continen- 
 tallers ? Some scouting-party, I'm sure ; and, oh dear 
 me! they've caught me in a nice fix. Mother, you go 
 and get something ready for them to eat ;" and, as she 
 spoke, she unpinned her dress, which had been tucked 
 up around her waist, and smoothing it down, turned to 
 go again into the kitchen, where she had been occu- 
 pied, and, pausing an instant in front of a small glass 
 which hung between the windows, smoothed down the 
 glossy hair which floated in luxuriant masses over her 
 face and neck, and, with a smile and blush at her own 
 vanity, so natural to her sex, she retired to an inner 
 room to prepare herself for a reception of the ap- 
 proaching visitors. 
 
 " Why, Patsy !" exclaimed the elder of the twain, as 
 her daughter left her side ; but Patsy either did not or
 
 24 MARGARET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 would not hear her mother, and she was left alone to 
 receive those whose coming had already been heralded 
 by the sound of their horses' feet. 
 
 The party consisted of nine horsemen ; and at the 
 head, mounted on a large, powerfully-built and spirited 
 charger, rode the leader a young, beardless man, who, 
 to judge from his appearance, had scarcely more than 
 passed his teens. He was dressed in the blue and buff 
 Continental uniform, as were his followers ; but there 
 was so little difference in the attire of the party, it 
 would have been difficult to select the leader, but for the 
 straps across his shoulder, denoting that he was entitled 
 to wear epaulettes, and the air of command which 
 seemed to sit upon him as naturally as if born to it, 
 As the party approached the house, the old lady went 
 out to the fence which surrounded it, and, with a low 
 courtesy, said : 
 
 " Won't you halt, gentlemen, and have something to 
 eat after your hot ride ?" 
 
 The leader of the party drew up his horse at this 
 salutation, and, dismounting, threw the reins to one of 
 his companions. Approaching the hostess with a 
 courtly bow, he said : 
 
 " This, I believe, is farmer Adams' house ?" 
 
 " Of course it is. Why, bless me !" and she peered 
 earnestly into the face of the speaker, with an expres- 
 sion of mingled doubt and pleasure ; " sure you ain't 
 little Burr ?"
 
 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFK. 25 
 
 " As sure as you are Mrs. Adams," replied the party 
 addressed, and he extended his hand, which was 
 warmly grasped by the delighted old lady, who, turn- 
 ing toward the house, exclaimed, at the top of her 
 shrill voice : 
 
 "Patsy, come down here; it's little Burr. Why, 
 Aaron, where did you come from ? We heard as you 
 was killed there at Quebec, and Patsy has been crying 
 ever so much about you ; come in, Aaron. But what 
 on airth be you doing with all these men ?" 
 
 " 1 will tell you when we get inside, my good old 
 friend," said Major Burr, for he it was. " We have 
 had a hot and dusty ride, and my men are terribly 
 hungry and thirsty, too." 
 
 " I'll take care of them, I'll warrant you. Tell 'em 
 to come in." And turning to his men, he gave the 
 sign to dismount, which was promptly and gladly 
 obeyed, for theirs, indeed, had been a hot and dusty 
 ride, and fastening their horses to the fence in front of 
 ibf* house, they awaited his further orders. 
 
 " Why on airth don't you ask 'em in, Aaron ?" ex- 
 claimed the old lady, whose ideas of hospitality recog- 
 nized no distinction in rank. 
 
 Major Burr smiled, and turning to his followers, 
 beckoned to one of them, who approached, and with a 
 military salute, stood awaiting his orders. 
 
 " Keep one man on guard take the rest in, and our 
 kind landlady here will give you something to eat and 
 2
 
 26 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFB. 
 
 drink." Then addressing Mrs. Adams, who had looked 
 with wondering eyes upon the youthful hero, he said, 
 " Come, where's Patsy ? I haven't had a kiss since 1 
 left her, eighteen months ago. Ah, Patsy !" he ex- 
 claimed, a the young girl entered the room, smiling 
 and blushing, " how do you do ?" and seizing one 
 hand, he clasped her waist with the other, and before 
 she had time to resist, had she felt so inclined, which 
 b exceedingly doubtful, the young soldier had im- 
 printed a hearty kiss upon a pair of as pretty, and rosy 
 lips as New Jersey could boast of at that time. 
 
 " Why, Aaron, I am ashamed of you," said the 
 blushing girl, struggling to release herself from his em- 
 brace, " before all these men !" 
 
 " You shall take it back, Patsy, as soon as wo are 
 alone," and he smiled wickedly. " Let your mother 
 take care of my men, and do you get something for 
 me ; I am hot, tired, and hungry." 
 
 " Your men, Aaron !" said Patsy, opening her large 
 blue eyes with a stare of astonishment, as she gazed 
 upon the youthful speaker. 
 
 " Yes, Patsy, my men. But come, what do you sup- 
 pose brought me here ?" and as he spoke, a crimson 
 blush illuminated the beautiful face of the young girl, 
 for his words recalled pleasant memories. 
 
 Perhaps she thought he came wooing, for he had 
 often told her how much he loved her, and she, poor 
 fool, had believed him. She had h*>q,rd of his gallant
 
 MAKQAEET MONCEIEFFE. 27 
 
 exploits with Arnold had read, with flushed cheeks 
 and beating heart, the high commendations officially 
 bestowed upon him, and as he stood there before her, 
 bronzed, weather-worn, yet bearing himself so gal- 
 lantly, her heart beat high with the hope which her 
 lips dare not express. 
 
 " I am sure I don't know, Aaron," she murmured. 
 " I beg pardon," she interrupted, as she remembered 
 that he was now Major Burr, and the leader of the 
 party. 
 
 " Xo, Aaron always, and always the same Aaron,'* 
 he said, raising her hand to his lips, and imprinting a 
 kiss on it, at the same time fastening upon her a glance 
 which brought the crimson tide again to her face. " T 
 have come to relieve you of the presence of let me 
 see, what is her name," and he drew from his pocket a 
 letter, which, having opened, he glanced over hastily. 
 " Margaret Moncrieffe," he continued, refolding the let- 
 ler, and replacing it in his pocket. " I have come for 
 her by order from General Putnam." 
 
 " Surely you are not going to take her pri- 
 soner ?" 
 
 " Oh, no," he replied, laughingly ; " we don't make 
 war upon, nor prisoners of, women." 
 
 " She isn't a woman, Aaron she is only a child. 
 But " 
 
 " Well, go on," he said, seeing that she hesitated. 
 
 " No matter ; judge for yourself. Come, take a seat
 
 28 MARGARET 
 
 in the parlor, and I will find something for you to eat 
 and drink." 
 
 " But where is Miss Moncrieffe ? I must hurry her 
 off, for it is necessary I should be in the city to-night." 
 
 " She is somewhere about I suppose under the trees, 
 reading. She spends half her time out of doors, read- 
 ing, or firing at a mark, and I can tell you, Aaron, she 
 if a desperate shot." 
 
 " She won't bring me down, Patsy," said the young 
 oiajor, gallantly, " for your image will be between us ;" 
 and again the warm blood mantled her brow and 
 cheeks, and her eyes fairly glistened with happiness. 
 '* While you are getting some refreshments, I will seek 
 her out. Where do you suppose she is ?" 
 
 " In the small grove," and she pointed to the spot 
 named, which was distant, perhaps, , two hundred feet 
 from the house. 
 
 Unbuckling the heavy horseman's sword, which had, 
 during this brief conversation, been dangling about his 
 heels, he laid it on the table, and, with a graceful bow 
 and smile, left the room, and strode off toward the 
 grove, which he well knew, for with it were associated 
 memories of a character so pleasant as not to be easily 
 effaced, for i , was in that grove he had told his boyish 
 love- to the blushing, happy girl whom he had just left, 
 and had received an avowal of her own in return.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. 
 
 As he approached the well remembered spot, h* ob- 
 served the object of his search, half reclining on the 
 green sward, leaning against a tree, and deeply engaged 
 in the perusal of a book which she held in her hand. 
 
 " Miss Moncrieffe," he said, approaching the young 
 lady, who, pausing in the perusal of her book, dropped 
 it by her side, and fixed upon the intruder a gaze of 
 the most unbounded astonishment. 
 
 " I suppose it is me you mean, for my vume is Mon- 
 crieffe, though I don't know why you call me Miss. Are 
 you looking for me ?" 
 
 " I am ordered to seek Miss Moncrieffe, and convey 
 her to New York," he replied, with a graceful bow and 
 a military salute. 
 
 " Ordered to convey me to New York !" she exclaimed, 
 throwing her book away; and springing up, she 
 stood before him, with flushed cheeks and flashing eyts ; 
 "and who has presumed to order me to be convened 
 to New York ? 
 
 Major Burr smiled with a singular expression, while 
 he gazed upon the young Pythoness, as she ftood gl&r-
 
 30 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 ing al him ; then gracefully removing his hat, he felt 
 in his pocket for the letter under which he was acting, 
 and while thus engaged, she continued : 
 
 " If you have come to take me a prisoner, I tell you 
 plainly I won't go, and you don't look like " 
 
 " Young lady, don't give yourself any unnecessary 
 alarm," said the major, a little haughtily, and as he 
 spoke, he extended to her the letter for which he had 
 been searching in his pockets. " You are at perfect 
 liberty to stay or go with me, as you choose, but it 
 is your father's wish " 
 
 "My father!" she exclaimed, hurriedly interrupting 
 him,. and grasping the letter which the young officer 
 held toward her. " Is he a prisoner ?" 
 
 " He is not, Miss Moncrieffe. How soon he may be, 
 the fate of war can alone determine." 
 
 " Then I don't care for anything ;" and as she spoke, 
 she opened the letter which the major had handed to 
 her. A hasty glance showed her that it was a missive 
 addressed to General Putnam by her father, in which 
 he implored his protection for his daughter, until her 
 father's circumstances should permit him to reclaim her ; 
 for as he was at present situated, he could afford her 
 neither shelter nor protection, and the spot where she 
 was then located might soon become the theatre of 
 active hostilities. 
 
 u I beg your pardon, sir ; I did not imagine such a 
 state of things. General "utnam is very kind, and T
 
 LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. 31 
 
 am truly grateful to him. I am at your command, 
 sir." 
 
 " Command me, Miss Moncrieffe," said Major Burr, 
 with a smile, and one of those graceful bows which in 
 after years made him so irresistible. 
 
 " Oh, for gracious sakes!" she exclaimed, half pettish- 
 ly, and she half smiled, half pouted, " don't call me 
 Miss Moncrieffe. My name is Margaret. Please to call 
 me Margaret. I am not a young lady by some years. 
 How old do you think I am ?" she inquired archly, 
 bending upon him a searching glance, but dropping her 
 eyes as they met the flashing orbs of the young soldier 
 fixed upon her with an expression of intense admiration. 
 
 She was tall quite up to the standard fixed by that 
 arbiter elegantiorum, Lord Chesterfield with a form 
 fully developed in all the glory of budding woman- 
 hood ; large, lustrous eyes, a complexion so shaded be- 
 tween blonde and brunette, it was impossible to decide 
 which predominated ; hair black as the raven's wing, 
 and presenting an ensemble, which a painter or sculptor 
 would have been proud to embody as his ideal of per- 
 fection in womanhood and beauty. 
 
 And there she stood before a young officer scarcely 
 out of his teens, awaiting, as did Helen before Paris, 
 the judgment she had courted. 
 
 Perhaps she was shocked at the boldness of her own 
 question ; perhaps she was struck with the gallant 
 bearing of the slender, graceful youth who stood be-
 
 ft3 MARGARET MOSCRIEFFE. 
 
 tore her ; perhaps, a hundred things ; but certain it is, 
 the rich blood mantled her cheeks, and added, if pos- 
 sible, new lustre to charms almost perfect. 
 
 " You are young enough to make me wish you were 
 older, and old enough to make me wish that I was old- 
 er," was the gallant reply, and as it was uttered, a 
 bright smile mantled her beautiful face, and raising her 
 eyes to his own, she gave him a glance which sent the 
 hot blood coursing through his veins with marvellous 
 rapidity. She had understood and appreciated the com- 
 pliment so delicately conveyed. 
 
 " Well, we won't talk about that," she said, with a 
 bright smile, at the same time extending her hand, 
 which was grasped with marvellous alacrity by the gal- 
 lant officer. " Now, how much time can you give me 
 to prepare for my journey ?" 
 
 " Not very much of a journey, Miss Moncrieffe." 
 
 " I think your memory is very treacherous," she in- 
 terrupted, with an arch look. 
 
 " Well, Miss Margaret, then ; it is only a ride of 
 about sixteen miles, and any of our horses can go that 
 distance in a couple of hours ; but it would be rather 
 hard riding for a lady." 
 
 " I'll wager my pistols against yours, that Selim will 
 do it in less time than that, and not draw a long breath." 
 
 " Pistols Selim I don't understand what you are 
 talking abvmt," exclaimed the major, really confounded 
 bv her words.
 
 LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. 33 
 
 " Why, don't you carry pistols ? I thought all the 
 rebel officers I beg your pardon," she interrupted, 
 seeing that the countenance of the officer grew dark at 
 the word " you must not mind what I say I am a 
 foolish girl, and even my father says I am not more 
 than half witted ; I certainly did not mean to offend or 
 insult." 
 
 " How about Selim ?" said the major, his counte. 
 nance again brightening as he met the gaze of those 
 lustrous eyes, at once forgetting the slur she had cast 
 upon him and the cause he had espoused. 
 
 " Oh, he is my pet horse ; father brought him from 
 England for my use, and oh, he is such a beauty !" 
 
 " I wonder if he is as handsome as his mistress," 
 mentally exclaimed the young officer, as he gazed upon 
 her glowing face ; but he did not say so in as many 
 words, though he looked it, and Margaret understood 
 his thoughts, for she blushed and smiled at his ex- 
 pression. 
 
 " But come, Mr." and pausing, she looked in- 
 quiringly at him. 
 
 " I am called Major Burr in New York. Here, 
 Patsy calls me Aaron." 
 
 " And are you the Aaron Burr who " 
 
 " There, Miss Moncrieffe Margaret, I mean," said 
 
 the major, laughing, " that will do ; I have not the 
 
 time to receive or pay compliments now. I must be in 
 
 New York to-night, and, if you consent to accept 
 
 2*
 
 34 MAKGARET MOXCEIKFFK. 
 
 General Putnam's invitation, you must be thera 
 also." 
 
 " I shall be ready let me see thirty minutes will 
 that do ?" she said, after a momentary pause ; " a sol- 
 dier's daughter is not troubled with an excess of bag 
 gage, and what little I have, can be carried in my 
 valise, strapped to my saddle." 
 
 "General Putnam has a pillion prepared for you, 
 and" 
 
 " General Putnam did not know Major Moncrieffe'a 
 daughter or he would not have taken that trouble, for 
 which, however, I shall gladly thank him. But como, 
 Major Burr, I am delaying you I see you look impa- 
 tient, and I won't detain you ;" so saying, she moved 
 toward the house, walking side by side with the young 
 officer, who, as they conversed, gazed upon her with 
 looks of undisguised admiration, and listened to her 
 remarks with an appearance of the deepest interest. 
 
 " My father has been fortunate in providing a home 
 for me in such an excellent family," she said ; "for it 
 Las been very lonesome here, and I don't know what I 
 should have done without Patsy. She is such a dear, 
 good girl one can't help loving her ; don't you think 
 so, Major Burr ?" and she gave him another glance of 
 those large, liquid eyes, which brought the hot blood to 
 his face, at which his companion smiled archly ; for she 
 thought she read in that blush a secret. The major, 
 however, made no reply, and they walked on in silence.
 
 LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. 35 
 
 As they approached the fence at which the horses of 
 the escort were fastened, Margaret caught sight of the 
 trooper on guard, and a singular expression crossed her 
 face, which was not, however, observed by the major. 
 When within two or three paces of him, she pointed 
 to some object in another direction, and, as Major 
 Burr turned his head to observe it, she looked full in 
 the face of the sentry, and a glance full of meaning 
 was exchanged between them, unobserved. That 
 glance, brief as it was, spoke volumes, and had it been 
 noticed by the young officer, might have saved trouble, 
 sorrow, and misery, and prevented the effusion of much 
 precious blood. 
 
 " Now, then, major," she continued, as they entered 
 the house, " I see Mrs. Adams has been preparing 
 refreshments for you, and while you are enjoying her 
 hospitality, I will pack up my small wardrobe and 
 saddle Selim." 
 
 " One of my men will get your horse ready, Miss 
 Moncrieffe." 
 
 " I would like to see one of your men attempt it," 
 she said, with a merry laugh, and, as she spoke, she 
 cast a hurried, but searching glance around the group 
 of hardy troopers, who, with their heavy swords trail- 
 ing on the floor, were standing around the table on 
 which Mrs. Adams had placed the homely refresh 
 rnents, so welcome to them after their hot ard dusty 
 ride '* He does not know anybody but his mistress.
 
 S6 MARGARET MOSCRIEFFE. 
 
 I take entire charge of him myself, and he follows me 
 about like a dog." 
 
 While thus speaking they entered the best room, 
 honored by the appellation of parlor, simply because it 
 was not appropriated to culinary purposes; for the 
 furniture was of the most ordinary and homely de- 
 scription rush-bottomed chairs, with high, straight 
 backs ; a small, but very substantial mahogany table 
 with two leaves, stood between the windows, which 
 looked out upon the road, and above it M r as a small 
 looking-glass in a plain gilt frame. Around the room 
 were hung three or four coarse engravings on Scriptu 
 ral subjects; while the white floor, scrubbed and 
 cleaned until it was almost of the whiteness of snow, 
 was destitute of a carpet. 
 
 On the table between the windows, Patsy had set forth 
 the refreshments for the young officer, and, as he ap- 
 proached, drawing with him one of the high-backed 
 chairs, he met her gaze fixed on him with an inquiring 
 expression, as if she had intended to ask : " What do 
 you think of her ?" 
 
 If the major read her glance aright, he made no reply, 
 but seated himself abstractedly, and for a few momenta 
 leaned his head upon his hands. 
 
 " Well, major I mean Aaron," she hastily said, cor 
 recting herself, " you seem in low spirits." 
 
 "No Patsy," he said, raising his head, and looking 
 affectionately on her open, ingenuous, and really hand
 
 I.OYE AT FIRST SIGHT. Zl 
 
 some face, reading in that look the love which he felt 
 she bore him ; " I am tired, and, besides, I was think- 
 ing." 
 
 '" What for your thoughts ?" she asked, archly, as he 
 commenced his repast. 
 
 " I dare not dispose of them, even to you, Margaret 
 I beg pardon, Patsy !" 
 
 " Already, Major Burr," said the young girl, half 
 reproachfully, and he well knew what she meant by 
 that word, for his awkward mistake had implied a sud- 
 den intimacy between the two thus strangely brought 
 together, which justified such an appellation. 
 
 " On my word, no, Patsy," he replied, looking 
 steadily in her face, and speaking with such an earnest 
 sincere warmth of manner, as convinced her of ins 
 truthfulness. "I was thinking of her, but not as I 
 think of you." 
 
 Patsy's countenance brightened as she listened to 
 this denial of her suspicions, for she believed every 
 word he said, and drawing up a chair, she seated her- 
 self near him. 
 
 "When shall we see you again, Aaron?" she in- 
 quired. 
 
 " I dare not say, Patsy, for I cannot surmise, myself. 
 General Washington has gone to Philadelphia to con- 
 fer with Congress as to Howe's next movements ; the 
 fleet has sailed from Virginia, and the impression, I 
 believe, is, that New York will be the next point of at
 
 38 MARGARET MONCRIEFFK. 
 
 tack. We are making all preparations to meet him, 
 and ever since I have been in the city, I have been on 
 duty day and night, hastening the fortifications of the 
 place. It was only by chance I was selected by Gene- 
 ral Putnam to escort this young lady to his quarters, 
 as I happened to be in the house when her father's let- 
 ter reached him." 
 
 " Is she going to reside with General Putnam ?" 
 asked Patsy, with an appearance of anxiety, which she 
 could not conceal, and which was seemingly not ' is 
 tified by the simple assertion just made. 
 
 " Oh, yes ; the general replied to her father, that \ 
 would cheerfully admit her as a member of his family, 
 until he could have an opportunity of restoring her to 
 him, or until he was in a position to receive her." 
 
 For an instant Patsy sat mute, and with her face 
 leaning on her hand, then raising her eyes to those of 
 her companion, she said, earnestly : 
 
 " You won't think meanly of me, Aaron, if I tell you 
 what I am thinking of?" 
 
 " I never could think meanly of you, Patsy," waa 
 the reply, uttered quite as earnestly as had been the 
 question. 
 
 " Then," and she lowered her tones, and approached 
 her face near to his own, " I think you had better watch 
 her very closely." 
 
 " Why what do you mean ?" inquired Major Burr, 
 pausing between his mouthfuls. " She is only a child."
 
 LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. 39 
 
 " Yes, but a forward and precocious child. She is 
 shrewd, observing, and so devotedly attached to the 
 cause in which her father is engaged, I really think 
 she would scruple at nothing to forward its success." 
 
 " I thank you, Patsy, for your warning," said the 
 young major, smiling ; " but I am sure you are mis- 
 taken in your own thoughts," and he looked meaningly 
 at her so meaningly, that the blood mounted to her 
 face, and her eyes fell beneath his ardent gaze. 
 
 Perhaps she was. Perhaps there lurked in her 
 bosom the apprehension that the fascinations of the 
 young and beautiful stranger, who would be thrown 
 constantly into his society, might win from her th 
 heart she now trusted, and believed was all her own. 
 Perhaps there arose some latent fear, that once within 
 the sphere of her attractions, he would forget the 
 truthful girl to whom he had so often offered vows of 
 enduring love. But if such was the case, no wor-ds 
 passed her lips to confirm it, and seeing that she had 
 been misconstrued, she at once changed the subject. 
 In a few minutes, and before Major Burr had completed 
 his repast, Miss Moncrieffe entered the room, bearing in 
 on 9 hand a small russet-covered valise, and in the other 
 a pair of horseman's pistols, elegantly mounted, and 
 which she placed on the table before him, saying, as 
 she did so : 
 
 " There, major, are those not beauties ?" and she 
 looked at them almost affectionately. " My dear
 
 40 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 father carried them through two campaigns in India, 
 and left them with me when he was ordered to join his 
 regiment on Staten Island, and I have made good use 
 of them, I promise you." 
 
 Major Burr took one of them up, and after ex- 
 amining it with the eye of a connoisseur, replied : 
 
 " They seem to be very superior weapons ; can you 
 really use them ?" 
 
 " Ask Patsy," she said, laughingly, as she deposited 
 her little valise on the floor at her feet, and she turned 
 TO the party named, as if seeking her reply. 
 
 " You will find very few who can use them with 
 greater certainty than Miss Moncrieffe," replied Patsy ; 
 and as she spoke an expression of pain crossed her fea- 
 tures, for she saw the gaze of Major Burr fastened upon 
 the fair stranger with evident admiration. She was 
 dressed in a long green ridingcabit, which, fitting 
 closely, set off her fine, full form to the greatest advan- 
 tage, the long train being drawn around in front, and 
 tucked inside of the broad leather belt which encircled 
 her waist. Her hair had been drawn up, and was con- 
 cealed by a cloth cap of the same color as her dress, 
 and ornamented with a black ostrich feather, and 
 vhich, being placed jauntily on one side of her head, 
 gave an expression to her really beautiful face, which 
 might well command the admiration of the young 
 officer, who, as he looked, thought he had new rv* 
 anything half so beautiful.
 
 LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. 41 
 
 Miss Moncrieffe noticed his look, and turning to 
 Patsy, saw that the c &lor had entirely left her face, 
 which, as she gazed on Major Burr, bore an expression 
 of absolute pain, and a flash of triumph rose to her 
 eyes, but it passed away as quickly as it had come. 
 
 " Now, then, I will go and saddle Selim, and will 
 be with you in a few moments, so make your adieux, 
 major," and she smiled archly, turning from him to 
 Patsy, whose color, now returned, covered face, and 
 neck, and brow.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PBEPARDTG FOB THE JOUBNEY. 
 
 MAEG ABET left Major Burr and Patsy, and proceeded 
 directly to the small shed, scarcely worth the name 
 even of stable, where Selim was housed, and as she 
 passed along the path which led to it, a singular ex- 
 pression was on her face. Perhaps it was one of tri- 
 umph perhaps of mere exultation perhaps but no 
 matter what ; it was an expression evidently called 
 there by some extraordinary occasion, and it was well 
 that he who was most connected with it had not ob- 
 served it. 
 
 Selim, a noble, powerfu 1 bay horse, showing all the 
 signs of blood and breeding, turned his head as he 
 heard his young mistress enter the stable, and fasten- 
 ing his large eyes upon her with an expression almost 
 human, neighed out his pleasure at the sight of the one 
 to whom he was so strongly attached. Selim was in- 
 deed worthy of all her high praises, for in addition to 
 the possession of great powers of endurance and high 
 speed, he seemed endowed with even more than a 
 horse's sagacity, and naturalists have placed that ani-
 
 PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY. 43 
 
 raal at the head of all others for intelligence and instinct 
 an instinct amounting sometimes almost to intellect. 
 
 " Selim, my good friend," she said, approaching and 
 patting his neck, " it's no play-ride to-day ; you are 
 going among those who don't like anything that comes 
 from dear old England, and I am afraid you won't fare 
 so well as you do even here." 
 
 Selim rubbed his nose against her shoulder, as she 
 was untying the halter which secured him in his stall 
 and testified his pleasure again at her presence by a 
 low whinny. Perhaps he understood what she said. 
 
 " Yes, old friend," she continued, as she lifted down 
 the cumbersome side-saddle of those days, and placed 
 it on his ready back, " you'll have a long and hot ride 
 to-day, and you won't have your mistress to take care 
 of you when you get to the end of your journey. No 
 matter ; be a good fellow, and I'll come and see you, if 
 I can't do any more." 
 
 The saddle was adjusted, the girths tightened to the 
 regular mark, and the heavy military bridle, which 
 formed a part of his trappings, placed in his mouth 
 without resistance, for Selim was glad to have the little 
 exercise which the occasional rides with his young mis- 
 tress afforded. 
 
 As she ied him out toward the fence, where the 
 troopers' horses were picketed, she turned toward the 
 house and looked through the open door of the kitch- 
 en, or rather that portion of the house devoted to
 
 44 MARGARET 
 
 kitchen uses ; she perceived the troopers still standing 
 around the table, and a glance in the other direction 
 showed that the same man was on sentry whom she had 
 first noticed, and between whom and herself such mean- 
 ing glances had been exchanged. 
 
 Assured of this, she approached him boldly, and in. 
 authoritative tones commanded him to make her horse 
 fast also ; as he advanced to obey her mandate, she 
 turned toward the house, so as to be able to perceive 
 any one who might come out, and said to him, but 
 without looking at him, " what are you doing here, 
 Hickey, and wearing that uniform ?" 
 
 " Can't you guess, Miss Margaret ?" he replied, in 
 low tones, at the same time taking hold of her horse's 
 bridle, and leading him to a spot most remote from the 
 horses which he was guarding, followed, however, by 
 Margaret, who continued in the same strain : 
 " Does any one suspect you, or your purpose ?" 
 " Not a soul. Governor Tryon knows all about it, 
 but he's on board the Duchess of Gordon." 
 " Do you communicate with him ?" 
 " We used to do so before old Putnam took command, 
 and without any great trouble ; but as soon as he came, 
 he forbade all communication between the ships and 
 the shore, and the ships have now gone down outside 
 the bay." 
 
 " Can you send word to him now ?" 
 
 " Oh, yes, we manage that," he replied with a mean-
 
 PREPARING FOR TUB JOURNEY. 45 
 
 tng smile, " only there's a good deal more risk about it 
 than there used to be. Where are you going, miss ?" 
 
 " To New York, to live with General Putnam.** 
 
 " In his house ? 
 
 " In his own house, with his family. Can you send 
 word to Governor Try on that I am there ?" 
 
 " To be sure I can ; and how glad he will be to heai 
 it." 
 
 " Tell him I am ready to do anything he desires, tf 
 serve my country and her cause. You stupid fellow," 
 she suddenly exclaimed, in a loud voice, as she saw a 
 trooper emerge from the house to relieve the party 
 with whom she was talking, so that he might enjoy the 
 hospitality of Mrs. Adams, " don't you see how you 
 have fastened that horse ?" 
 
 " Where can I see you ?" she added, in tones so low 
 they only reached the ears for whom they were in- 
 tended. 
 
 " I must manage that when I get to the city. Right 
 
 opposite the general's quarters, there is" But the 
 
 approach of the trooper checked the sentence, and he 
 said in his usual voice, " I will fasten him better, miss," 
 and he commenced fumbling about Selim's bridle, who, 
 however, stood with his head turned, and eyes intently 
 fastened upon his mistress, as if to ask why she per- 
 mitted any one to do that which belonged only to 
 her. 
 
 " Of course you don't know me, Hickey." A look
 
 4t$ MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 assured her that she was understood, for his relief was 
 now too near for further words. 
 
 "That is a fine horse you have, miss,". said the 
 trooper a tall, fresh-looking young man, standing 
 over six feet in his stockings, and he gazed admiringly 
 on Selim. 
 
 " He is, indeed," she said, turning upon him her 
 brilliant eyes, and trying to read in that glance his 
 character. 
 
 Whatever she might have read, she could find in his 
 frank, open, sun-burnt countenance, no encouragement 
 to hope she could^ bring him also within her power by 
 the fascination of her charms, and she continued : 
 
 " He is a noble, brave beast, and I love him don't 
 1, Selim ?" and, approaching him, she patted his arched 
 neck, as he stooped to receive her welcome caress. 
 
 The young trooper gazed alternately at the maiden 
 and at the horse, and upon each with looks of admira 
 tion, for each were worthy of it, and, turning to Mar- 
 garet, said : " He looks to be high mettled." 
 
 " He is as gentle as a lamb, and as playful a* a kitten, 
 and minds me like a dog," and as she spoke, she gave 
 him another friendly pat, and turned to go into the 
 house, to await further directions of the young officer, 
 in whose charge she was to remain until placed in a 
 proper position of security. 
 
 She found Major Burr and Patsy as she had left 
 them, still seated at the table, deeply engaged io ear-
 
 PREPARING FOK THE JOURNEY. 41 
 
 ost conversation ; the cheeks of the young irl -were 
 flushed her eyes beamed with .a soft look, and there 
 was every indication, at least on her part, that they 
 bad arrived at a mutual and pleasant understanding, 
 though Margaret had too much tact to notice the 
 change in her appearance ; but, approaching the table, 
 she took from it her pistols which she had placed there 
 on her first entrance, and, opening the pans of th 
 locks, examined them carefully, to see if they were 
 properly primed ; then, drawing forth the ramrods, 
 she tried each barrel, to see if it was duly loaded. 
 
 " You are exceedingly particular, Miss Moncrieffe," 
 said Major Burr, as he looked admiringly at the young 
 and beautiful girl, thus cautiously providing against 
 accident or design. 
 
 " I was always taught that a pistol would be useless 
 unless loaded and primed," she said, quietly; and 
 having satisfied herself that all was right, and, lifting 
 her valise from the floor, she continued : " I will have 
 this strapped on Selim, and then I shall be ready for 
 you, major," and she moved gracefully away, bearing 
 in one hand the loaded pistols, and in the other the 
 valise. 
 
 Major Burr, with a gallantry and a grace peculiar to 
 himself, and in which few could excel him, sprang for- 
 ward to relieve her of the valise ; but with a smile and 
 a courtesy, she declined his aid, and again he was 1 alone 
 with Patsy.
 
 4B HAEOARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 45 1 don't like her, Aaron," said Patsy, turning to the 
 major, as she followed with her eyes the i el; eating 
 form of the graceful girl. 
 
 " I know that very well," he replied, with a quiet 
 smile ; " but there's no occasion for alarm, Patsy." And 
 Patsy shook her head meaningly ; for she had good 
 cause to dread the fascinations of the beautiful and 
 bigh-bred girl, as compared with her own humble but 
 more substantial charms. 
 
 A few words of kindly greeting passed between 
 Margaret and her hostess, as she thanked her courte- 
 ously and gracefully for her kindness during the period 
 she had been an inmate of her family. To Patsy she 
 gave a warm embrace, and, as she imprinted on her 
 forehead a farewell kiss, she drew from her finger and 
 slipped on one of Patsy's, a beautiful turquoise ring. 
 
 " Keep that, Patsy, in remembrance of me ; and per- 
 haps the time may come when I shall be able to repay 
 your kindness to me. Now, major, I will leave you to 
 your adieux,' r and, with a quiet smile, she withdrew, 
 and proceeded toward the place where Selim was 
 picketed. 
 
 The valise was strapped on behind the saddle ; the 
 pistols were carefully placed in the holsters, and step- 
 ping lightly on the outstretched hand of the young 
 trooper, who had paid her the compliment of admiring 
 her horse, she sprang to the saddle, and, adjusting her- 
 Belf m the seat, turned her head toward the house Mid
 
 PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY. 49 
 
 awaited the approach of the leader, who was to escort 
 her to her new home. 
 
 A very few moments sufficed to pay his adieux to 
 Mrs. Adams and Patsy, and, vaulting in the saddle with 
 a light spring, the party was put in motion. 
 
 Major Burr and Margaret brought up the rear, the 
 troopers riding about a hundred feet ahead of the main 
 body, to keep a look-out ahead, and in this order they 
 left the house, and were soon hidden from sight by the 
 dense forests through which their road lay.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE ROYALISTS IN THE CITY. 
 
 Bur leaving the major and his fair and fascinating 
 companion, let us turn to the city of New York, where 
 events were daily transpiring which involved seriously 
 the deepest interests of the Colonies, and which, if 
 carried to consummation, might have terminated most 
 disastrously for their cause and liberties. 
 
 The head-quarters of the commander-in-chief were at 
 that period located at Richmond Hill, now far below 
 the centre of our city's limits, though then so far re- 
 moved from its resident population as to be deemed at 
 a great distance from the city proper. The house se- 
 lected for the head-quarters of General "Washington 
 was large and spacious, aifording abundant room for 
 his family and suite, and was in after years purchased 
 by Major Burr, and occupied by him as his residence, 
 the hill and pond which lay beneath being recognized as 
 " Burr's Hill ' and " Burr's Pond." 
 
 It was situated on an eminence commanding a view 
 of the Hudson River and bay, for at that time there 
 were no houses or other objects in the vicinity to ob- 
 struct the vision. The mansion was surrounded by
 
 THE EOYALISTS IN THE CITT. I/. 
 
 noble trees; a carefully cultivated ISTD stretching o/ 
 one side as far as the road, which i ;a paot the house 
 and a beautiful garden, in a high st /.j of cultivation, 
 skirting it on either side. 
 
 Across the road, and distant pei aps two hundred 
 yards southward, stood a small tv vstory farm-house, 
 occupied at that time as a taverv t by a well-known 
 Tory, named Corbie. It was the ruort of all parties 
 Whig and Tory for Whig and Tory alike, in those 
 days, would frequent any place where refreshments 
 could be procured, for there were very few allowed in 
 the city at that time. There was one at the lower end 
 of the city, known >y the sign of the "Highlander," 
 and standing at wb j is noAv the corner of Broadway 
 and Beaver stree* directly opposite the then head- 
 quarters of Gener t Putnam, already named ; but the 
 house kept by Co- jie, being furthest removed from the 
 city proper, and nence less under the surveillance of 
 the officers, receded much the larger share of custom; 
 and it was sure Jsed, as it was afterward well estab- 
 lished, that Avitkin its walls was hatched many a con- 
 spiracy against our country and its liberties. The 
 life-guard of the commander-in-chief, when not ou 
 actual duty at Richmond Hill, found this a very con- 
 venient place of resort, and many a Continental dollar 
 found its way into the rapacious pocket of Corbie, in 
 exchange for the Jamaica rum and other bibables which 
 be kept on sale. Here Whig and Tory met, as it
 
 1,2 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 were, on neutral ground, and here were freely discussed 
 the affairs of the two nations no, of the parent and 
 child which then convulsed the world. Many, too, 
 were the brawls, by day and by night, which the house 
 had witnessed, and which were only suppressed by the 
 approach of the guard, who were ordered thither when 
 the discovery was made that some quarrel was going 
 on. General Putnam, however, had put Corbie under 
 heavy, bonds, and thenceforward the house was much 
 more peaceable, though none the less suspected. 
 
 It was on the night before the departure of Major 
 Burr, with his escort, to bring to New York the 
 daughter of the British soldier, who had been confided 
 by him to the care and courtesy of the rough, blunt, 
 but brave and honorable soldier, General Putnam a 
 charge cheerfully assumed, and which was most faith- 
 fully kept. The sky was overcast with heavy clouds, 
 portending a thunder shower, or storm of long dura- 
 tion, and the inmates of the house gathered in the bar- 
 room, or rather the room devoted to the reception of 
 such guests as came there only to smoke their pipes 
 or quaff their liquor. 
 
 There were several soldiers from the fortifications 
 and various breastworks, which extended up from the 
 Battery as far as Richmond Hill ; there were some of 
 the life-guardsmen, and there was a fair sprinkling of 
 Tory residents from the vicinity ; there, too, conspicu- 
 ous among the motly throng, were three of the soldierf
 
 THE KOYALISTS IX THE CITY. TC 
 
 belonging to the Smallwood's Maryland battalion, 
 noticeable especially for their showy scarlet uniform, 
 trimmed with buff, and at that time they were almost 
 the only corps in the city, out of the thousands by 
 whom it was garrisoned, who could boast of a uni- 
 formity of dress or accoutrements. 
 
 There were, however, two or three persons present 
 deserving more than a passing notice ; and entitled 
 justly to the first consideration, was the landlord, Cor. 
 bie, whose name has been handed down to posterity as 
 connected with the most infamous plot that ever was 
 conceived by an enemy claiming to conduct an honor- 
 able warfare. He was a small, rosy-cheeked man, with 
 a lound face, a keen blue eye, and a nose which evi- 
 denced his fanriliar acquaintance with the contents of 
 his larder and cellar. Although in the humble position 
 of landlord of a wayside house, he was by nature and 
 intellect fitted for much higher uses, and the choice of 
 this man, by Governor Tryon, as the chief agent in a 
 plot so desperate in its conception, and which, if suc- 
 cessful, would have been productive of the most disas- 
 trous results, displayed on his part a just conception and 
 a correct appreciation of character, fov the man was 
 really as shrewd and cunning as a fox ; never taken by 
 surprise under any circumstances, cool, brave, and de- 
 termined, ready for any emergency, and so devoted a 
 royalist, that he would have lost his right hand sooner 
 than deny his allegiance to bis sovereign. His keen,
 
 34 MAKGAEET MOKCRIEPFE. 
 
 penetrating eye was ever wandering over his guests, 
 md intuitively he seemed to read the character of each. 
 There were the restless, nervous, homesick light horse- 
 men from Connecticut, who, having volunteered cheer- 
 fully for the defence of the city, refused to perform any 
 duty except such as might be discharged with the aid 
 of their horses, and who were subsequently dismissed 
 by the commander-in-chicf, with the stinging remark, 
 that " he did not care how soou they were discharged, 
 since they declined to stand guard, work in the batte- 
 ries, or perform any of a soldier's duty." 
 
 There were the gallant Jerseymen, commanded by the 
 intrepid Morgan, who played such a conspicuous part 
 in our country's history in after days, dressed in home- 
 spun, linsey-woolsey in fact, anything which would 
 cover them and armed with their unerring rifles, 
 with which they ever committed such fearful havoo 
 as to render their name a terror to the foe, and their 
 appearance a signal for flight to any equal numbers. 
 
 The South Carolinians, the Pennsylvaniaris, the hardy 
 sons of Xew Hampshire, all were represented on that 
 evening. Conspicuous among all, however, from the 
 honorable position filled by them, and the confidence 
 reposed in them, were the " life-guardsmen," appointed 
 to protect the person of the commander-in-chief ; tall, 
 stalwart men, who had been well and severely tried, but 
 who had never been found wanting ; men who had 
 earned by bravery and inconuitible fidelity, the glori
 
 THE BOTALISTS IN THE CITY. 55 
 
 cms privilege of protecting the life 'and person of the 
 deliverer of his country. 
 
 Foremost among those, and especially noticeable from 
 his commanding height and erect bearing, stood Tho- 
 mas Hickey, a deserter from the Royalist army, but 
 one who had so often proved himself brave and true, 
 that he had been promoted to the high and honorable 
 position of a " life-guardsman." 
 
 " Come, boys, another round ; I'll stand treat for the 
 company this time, and I don't want anybody to drink 
 to my toast who don't choose," said a short, thick- 
 set man, with a red face ; a nose much redder than his 
 face, and remarkable for his keen, light, restless blue 
 eye, which was ever wandering around with an expres- 
 sion half-searching, half-suspicious. 
 
 He was an Englishman by birth, an Englishman in 
 feeling, and thoroughly English in his attire. He wag 
 dressed in a drab fustian coat, knee-breeches of 
 the same color, made of corduroy, and wore heavy 
 top boots. It was Gilbert Forbes, the gunsmith, 
 who had his shop on Broadway, near what is now 
 called Maiden Lane, and being a perfect master of 
 his trade, his shop was frequented by the better 
 class of customers, without distinction of party or 
 country. 
 
 " Come boys, one more round," and he turned to the 
 landlord, Corbie, with whom he exchanged a significant 
 glance, and the \villing host placed upon his table
 
 56 MARGARET MONCRIKFFE. 
 
 glasses for the company, and proceeded to fill them ao 
 cording to the tastes and wishes of his guests. 
 
 " None of your infernal Tory toasts, Mister Forbes," 
 said a tall, strapping young countryman, one of the Con- 
 necticut light horse, who had so promptly volunteered 
 for the defence of the city, when rumors of an expected 
 attack from the British reached their State, but who 
 when required to mount guard, work on the batteries, 
 or perform other military duties, declined, on the score 
 that they were horsemen, and ought not be required to 
 do duty of foot soldiers ; " I won't stand any of them," 
 he continued, straightening himself up, and glancing 
 around to see how many friends he could count upon in 
 case of trouble arising from his interference. 
 
 Forbes laid down his glass, which he held in his hand, 
 and gazed on the speaker with looks of anything but 
 friendly regard: "Look here, my young friend, you 
 ain't master yet, and mayhap you won't be so soon as 
 you expect ; so it's best to keep a civil tongue in your 
 head, or you may get it broke for your pains." 
 
 " Shut your own mouth, you infernal Tory," ex- 
 claimed one of Smallwood's men, advancing to the side 
 of his Yankee friend ; for though there was the most 
 desperate sectional feeling existing among the motley 
 array of Continental troops then occupying the city, on 
 an occasion like the present, when trouble appeared to 
 be at hand, North and South were forgotten, and the 
 gallant southerner was as ready to fight for his Yankee
 
 THE ROYALISTS IX THE CITY. 57 
 
 comrade, as he would have been to fight with him, on 
 the smallest provocation. 
 
 " Well, I'm in my own house, any how, and I will do 
 as I choose, and I'd like to see the man who will inter- 
 fere with me. I'll offer a toast, and you can drink 
 it, or not," said Corbie, filling a glass for himself, and 
 without waiting for any reply, 'he exclaimed ; " Here's 
 to the King and his cause, God bless " 
 
 He had not time to finish his sentence, for Gray, the 
 Connecticut farmer, sprung forward, and dashing the 
 contents of his glass in the landlord's face, seized him 
 by the neck, and fairly choked the words down his 
 throat. 
 
 Forbes and the other Tories sprang to the assistance 
 of their friend. Weapons which hitherto had been con- 
 cealed, were now drawn forth, and a general and des- 
 perate affray seemed inevitable. At this juncture, tho 
 door of the tap-room was thrown open, and a tall, com- 
 manding-looking man, with a sergeant's chevron on his 
 arm, and bearing a musket, entered, and advanced be- 
 tween the contending parties : 
 
 " Silence !" he exclaimed, in a voice of thunder, as 
 he saw the position of affairs ; " silence, and disperse, 
 or I'll put every man in the guard-house." 
 
 " And who the devil are you ?" exclaimed Forbes, 
 glaring at the intruder. 
 
 " I am the sergeant of the guard, and if you don't 
 cease from brawling, I'll march every man to tho guard' 
 3*
 
 M MARGARET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 hoase. Corbie !" and he turned to the landlord, who, 
 released from the vice-like grasp of the young giant, 
 was adjusting his rumpled shirt and cravat, "I shall 
 report your house as disorderly, and have it shut tip at 
 once, if I hear any more of this again." 
 
 " I don't keep a disorderly house, Sergeant Drake, 
 and you know it. I've got a right to speak my mind in 
 my own house, I'm thinking." 
 
 " You shan't drink such an infernal Tory toast as that 
 in my presence, if it was ten times your house," ex- 
 claimed Gray, the young Connecticut soldier, whose 
 blood was now at fever heat. 
 
 " Come, disperse, and let's have no more words about 
 it," said the sergeant. " You, Forbes, are always mixed 
 up with pome brawl, or doing something worse. Go 
 home, and don't compel me to make you." 
 
 " I'd like to see you do it," said the gunsmith, sulkily. 
 
 " That is easily done," replied the sergeant, turning 
 to the door, and advancing, as if about to give the or- 
 der for the guard to advance ; but he was interrupted 
 by Corbie, who passed rapidly from behind the bar, 
 and laid his hand upon the soldier's arm, gently. 
 
 " Please don't, Sergeant Drake ; it's not my fault, 
 and it w?l only hurt me, you know, without doing you 
 any goo'i," and he winked so significantly, that the color 
 came to the sergeant's face, for the truth was, he had 
 taken many a sly glass with Corbie, for which he was 
 never required to pay.
 
 THE ROYALISTS IN THE CITY. 69 
 
 "Well," he said, half hesitatingly, "I will pass this 
 
 over, but Ah, Hickey 1" he said, for the first time 
 
 perceiving the life-guardsman, who had managed thug 
 far to keep out of the sergeant's sight, " I was looking 
 for you, but did not expect to find you here. I have 
 left orders for you to report to Major Burr, at head- 
 quarters, to-morrow at six o'clock." 
 
 Hickey's countenance fell as these words were 
 uttered, and he turned from the speaker to Forbes and 
 Corbie, as if to ask them what it meant. The sergeant 
 was at that moment engaged in looking around among 
 the inmates of the room, and did not perceive this move- 
 ment ; if he had, he would have noticed that glances 
 full of meaning were exchanged between the trio. 
 
 " Very well, sir," replied the guardsman, touching 
 his cap, for he was by these words under orders, and 
 without a reply, except to bid the assemblage good 
 night, he left the room, and proceeded to his barracks 
 near the " Richmond Hill House." 
 
 " Sergeant, you had better take something ; it won't 
 do you any harm, and it's a nasty, wet night," said 
 Corbie, going behind the bar, and while speaking he 
 poured out a tumbler two-thirds full of Jamaica rum, 
 which he handed to the sergeant, who tossed it off" with 
 a relish that showed he was well acquainted with the 
 flavor of that liquor. 
 
 " Xow, then, good night," he said, smacking his lips, 
 and trailing his musket, he started for the door ; but
 
 60 MABGABET MONCB1EFFE. 
 
 before he reached it, turned and said : " Now, boys, 
 no more brawling nor quarrelling." 
 
 " Oh, no, of course not," chorused the party, Whigs 
 and Tories, glad to have escaped thus easily from a 
 night's sojourn in the guard-house. 
 
 " Come, boys, empty your glasses without the toast," 
 said Corbie, as the door closed on the retreating form 
 of the sergeant. " It's getting on to nine o'clock, and 
 you've all got to be at quarters by that time, according 
 to orders. Forbes," he said, turning to the gun- 
 smith, " it's a miserable night. Do you stay here with 
 me ; you couldn't get through the lines in time, I'm 
 sure." 
 
 " Thank'ee, Corbie, I will," replied Forbes, and he 
 drained his glass, an 'example which was followed by 
 the party, who strolled out, one by one, until at length 
 the landlord and the gunsmith were alone. 
 
 " That was a narrow escape, Forbes," said the burly 
 landlord, as he proceeded to clbse his house, locking 
 and barring the doors and windows, a precaution ren- 
 dered very necessary, for often parties of straggling 
 Whigs, who had been caught outside of the lines after 
 hours, would force an entrance into his house, and 
 compel him to entertain them until morning, when 
 they would depart, leaving the host to collect his 
 reckoning as he could. 
 
 " The boat will be along before a great while, and 
 if"
 
 THE ROYALISTS IN THE CITT. 61 
 
 " Never mind. "Walls have ears ; so keep mum, and 
 wait for the signal. Matthews sent word that a dis- 
 patch for him was coming up to-night from Governor 
 Tryon, and there ought to be some money with it. M
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 THE ATTACK AND ITS EESULTS. 
 
 '* You have seen hard service for your years, major," 
 said Miss Moncrieffe, as they rode along, and the 
 young girl looked at the beardless soldier by her side, 
 with a patronizing air which would have become a 
 matron of forty. 
 
 The major smiled as he interpreted her look, and 
 retorted : " I think you, for your years, have a decided 
 advantage over me." 
 
 " Ah ! but I've never seen real service," she replied, 
 archly. 
 
 " Would you be afraid ?" he asked, earnestly. 
 
 " I am a soldier's daughter," she said, commencing 
 with a smile, and closing with something of hauteur in 
 her manner. 
 
 " Suppose the Cow-boys should attack us," he said 
 willing to test her, and scanning her face as he spoke. 
 
 " I think I could make sure of one, perhaps two," 
 and she pointed with the handle of her riding-whip to 
 the holsters which contained her pistols. " If I should 
 miss them both, I should trust to Providence and 
 Selim's heels."
 
 THE ATTACK AXD ITS RESULTS. 65 
 
 " I hope your courage won't be tested ; but in case 
 we should be attacked, please to observe what I say, 
 for you are under my charge you must fall to the 
 rear ; and if there are too many for us, you must make 
 Selim show his heels, and ride directly back to Mrs. 
 Adams." 
 
 " I'll have two shots at them any how, before I do 
 start. But what would Patsy say if I was to leave 
 you, and what message should I give her ?" and she 
 peered in his face with an expression which brought 
 the blood to his cheeks. 
 
 " Never mind Patsy," he replied, resuming his com- 
 posure, " I would rather speak to you than of her, a 
 thousand times." 
 
 Again she fixed her searching eyes on him ; !><it this 
 time he not only met her glance unabashed, but 
 returned it with such interest, it was now her turn to 
 blush for there was an intensity of admiration in his 
 look which she could not fail to interpret. " I don't 
 believe you, major," she said, at the same time touch- 
 ing Selim slightly with her whip, causing him to spring 
 forward some yards ahead of her escort, who, however, 
 quickly joined her, and for a few moments thvy rode in 
 silence. During these few moments, both were revolv- 
 ing in their minds the words and looks of the past 
 minute. 
 
 Margaret saw in the young officer, who had already 
 earned such fame, one whom any woman might be
 
 64 MAEGABET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 proud to win. He was young, handsome, distin- 
 guished, and held already a high post of honor and 
 confidence, and her heart acknowledged his vast supe- 
 riority in everything pertaining to a gentleman and 
 soldier, over any she had ever met. On his part, he 
 saw a lovely, dashing, fearless girl, very beautiful, very 
 fascinating, polished and refined in her manners, and 
 well fitted by birth, manner, and education, young as 
 she was, for any position. The contrast between the 
 high-born girl by his side, and the truthful, but unedu- 
 cated Patsy, was so great, Margaret could not but 
 gain by the comparison. He thought what a wife she 
 would make, and he determined, in forgetfulness of all 
 he had said to Patsy, and heedless of the pangs which 
 his faithlessness would cause her, to make the effort to 
 win this paragon. 
 
 Strange to say, neither of them for a moment gave 
 thought to the gulf which separated them. She, the 
 daughter of a British officer he, her father's enemy 
 by choice and principle. It was a case of decided and 
 roost desperate love at first sight ; and each, unknown 
 to the other, had succumbed to the influence of the 
 little blind God who rules the world. 
 
 " I was not jesting, Miss Moncrieffe," said the major 
 after this brief silence, which led to such a momentous 
 result, " when I spoke about the Cow-boys," and he 
 epoke with deep earnestness. 
 
 " Nor was I, when I spoke about my pistols and
 
 THE ATTACK AND ITS RESULTS. 65 
 
 Selim," she said, smilingly. " You don't know what a 
 girl can do until she is compelled to. I have smelled 
 gunpowder before," she added, with a bright, merry 
 laugh. " I practise with my pistols every day, and. 
 would shoot even with you for a wager." 
 
 *' And I would not with you," said the major ; " you 
 would be sure to win in anything you undertake, and 
 it is never allowed to bet on a certainty," and he bent 
 on her an admiring and searching glance. 
 
 " Perhaps you would let me win," she said, archly, 
 returning his glance with one so full of expression, it 
 brought the blood to his face. 
 
 " I could not help myself, I am sure," he added, with 
 deep earnestness ; " you always win when you choose." 
 
 " Not always, I am afraid," she said, with a half 
 sigh, and she glanced at him timidly ; and as she 
 caught his eye fixed intently on her, she averted her 
 head, so that he could not discover the blush which 
 crimsoned her cheeks, called there by her own words. 
 
 " With me you would be sure ; for, although I am a 
 soldier, I would surrender to you without an effort at 
 resistance." 
 
 " Would you, indeed ?" she said, turning to him, a 
 bright sunny smile illumining her face, which, ani- 
 mated as it was, presented as lovely a picture as a 
 lover or painter ever gazed upon. 
 
 " Upon my honor, Miss Margaret, as a soldier and a 
 gentleman, I would."
 
 60 MARGARET MOXCBIEFFB. 
 
 "How am I to take you, major?" she added, half 
 archly, though her countenance, as she spoke, wore ah 
 expression of earnestness, very little in unison with her 
 light and trifling manner. 
 
 " In any manner you choose, only take me," he said, 
 with a glance of the most profound admiration, and he 
 fixed upon her a look which spoke the intensity of the 
 feelings which animated him, for he was fairly treiti- 
 bling with emotion. 
 
 " There's my hand on that bargain," and the same 
 bright smile which had conquered him, lighted up her 
 beautiful face. " Henceforth you are my prisoner." 
 
 " Forever, and gladly ;" and the delicate hand was 
 seized by the impassioned and conquered soldier. 
 " Yours ever, yours only, only keep me." And thus, 
 in these few moments, and in such few words, were 
 settled the destinies of two just entering upon life. 
 
 Major Burr, who had won imperishable renown by 
 his coolness and bravery, on every occasion, when 
 either had been called forth ; who had passed waist- 
 deep through the snow to attack the frowning fortress 
 of Quebec ; who, when the chance shot fired by a 
 sailor, carried death and desolation into the ranks of 
 the Americans ; when a hasty retreat was ordered by 
 the one who should have led them to a renewed 
 attack with the certainty of success, refused to leave 
 his beloved commander who lay cold in death, but 
 staggered through the snow, bearing his precious bur
 
 THE ATTACK AXD ITS KESULTS. 61 
 
 deri on bis youthful shoulders ; he, the intrepid soldier, 
 surrendered at the first summons of the enemy whom 
 few have ever successfully resisted Love. 
 
 Every thought, feeling, and emotion of which he 
 was capable had, within the acquaintance of a few 
 short hours, been surrendered to the fascination and. 
 beauty of one who well knew how to use both, and 
 who, equally with himself, was conquered, though she 
 was not so ready to surrender. And she, accustomed 
 as she was to flattery and adulation conscious of her 
 own powers she too yielded to the common enemy, 
 even while she had claimed the victory and her pri- 
 soner, though she almost dreaded to acknowledge it. 
 
 Neither had spoken one word of love ; but as be- 
 tween each other words were needless ; for under the 
 guise of playfulness there lurked a depth and strength 
 of feeling of which each was conscious, and each felt 
 that the other loved. 
 
 Poor Patsy ! little did she dream how her destiny 
 had been affected in the few hours which had inter- 
 vened between the arrival and departure of him to 
 whom every feeling of an earnest, honest, truthful 
 woman's heart had been given but not unsought. 
 
 When Major Burr released the tiny hand held out 
 to him in consummation of his surrender, he looked 
 long and earnestly in the glowing face of his lovely 
 companion, and in the calm but truthful gaze with 
 which sl-e met his glance, ^e read their mutual hapo*
 
 68 MARGARET MONCBIEFFE. 
 
 ness ; and not another word was spoken by either from 
 that moment on the subject nearest and dearest to 
 both their hearts. 
 
 " Now, Margaret," said the major (he felt familiar), 
 " I was very earnest when I spoke of those rascally 
 Cow-boys. If they have received information of my 
 intended journey hither and I should not be sur- 
 prised if they had, ibr our city is full of villainous 
 Tories and spies they will surely attempt to intercept 
 us." 
 
 " And for what earthly object, major ?" asked Mar- 
 garet, looking intently at him. 
 
 " To hang me ; and as for* you " 
 
 " I understand," she said, anticipating his sentence, 
 and biting her lips till the blood almost started from 
 them. " But I will keep one of these," and she 
 pointed to her pistols, " for my own use the other 
 they shall have." 
 
 Major Burr gazed upon the beautiful speaker with 
 looks of the most intense affection, and wondered 
 inwardly how one so young, so frail, so delicately 
 brought up, could be so fearless ; but her words and 
 actions only endeared her more to him. 
 
 " Now, Margaret, remember my orders," and he 
 emphasized the word. " I am your commander in this 
 at'air you are mine in all else. Should those wretches 
 attack us, do you remain in the rear, and if worsted, 
 ycu must fly for your life."
 
 THE ATTACK AND ITS RESULTS. 69 
 
 '* And leave you, Aaron ?" she said, tenderly, and a 
 tear moistened her eye. " I won't ;" and the heroic 
 spirit which animated her, spoke through her eyes, 
 from which the tear departed almost as soon as it had 
 come, at the thought of danger to him she loved. 
 "Yes," she repeated, as Major Burr actually stared 
 at her in astonishment at hearing such words, " I 
 won't commander or no commander I won't leave 
 you." 
 
 " Disobedience of orders is punishable with death, 
 Margaret," he said, smilingly. 
 
 " And desertion, too," she added, looking archly at 
 him ; " would you subject me to that ?" 
 
 " Then you enlist with me ?" 
 
 Whatever answer she might have made, was cut 
 short by the sudden halting of the two troopers ahead, 
 and this movement having been caught by the quick 
 eye of the young soldier, he left Margeret's side and 
 galloped to the front. 
 
 " What is it ?" he inquired of Graham, one of the 
 two who had ridden on as the advance guard. 
 
 " I think I saw some one moving in the woods 
 yonder," and he pointed to a spot where the roada 
 diverged, one leading to Ramapo, and the other to 
 Orange. 
 
 " I will ride on and see," said the major ; and as he 
 spoke he drew the reins tighter, and was in the act of 
 putting spurs to his horse, when a flash and a report,
 
 VO MA'UGARET HOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 beard and seen almost simultaneously, proceeded from 
 the spot toward which the trooper had pointed. 
 
 By this time the other men had galloped up to the 
 pot where their leader stood, and awaited his orders. 
 
 " I am badly hurt," said Graham ; and as he spoke, 
 he leaned on one side and slid from his horse, falling 
 heavily to the ground. 
 
 *You are hit, major," said Hickey, addressing his 
 commander, as he saw the blood streaming down his 
 Duff breeches. 
 
 " Not much, I think. It won't do to give them a 
 chance for another shot. Draw your pistols, men, and 
 ibrward !" and with one glance to the rear to see if 
 Margaret had obeyed his directions, he galloped for- 
 ward, pistol in hand. 
 
 As they neared the woods whence the firing had pro- 
 ceeded, another volley was discharged, and Hickey with 
 a muttered curse, exclaimed : 
 
 " Curse 'em, I've got it too ; go in boys, kill the 
 cursed cowards!" And the party dashed to the edge 
 of the woods ; from which there rushed, in a compact 
 body, a dozen or fourteen rough looking ruffians, dressed 
 in every variety of costume, and each armed with a 
 musket or fowling-piece. 
 
 As the small party of Continentals caught the sight, 
 they discharged their pistols with such effect that five 
 of them dropped to the earth; then thi-owing a^vay 
 their pistols, they drew their svords, and charged.
 
 THE ATTACK. AND ITS RESULTS. 71 
 
 But the Cow-boys for it was a party of these scourges 
 anticipating this movement, met them with a volley 
 from their muskets and fowling-pieces, which, fortu- 
 nately, did no damage except to maim one of the 
 horses, so as to render him useless ; but his rider dis- 
 mounting, advanced as rapidly as he could on foot, 
 sword in hand. For a few moments, a hand-to-hand 
 fight occurred on the edge of the wood, the troopers 
 using their heavy cavalry swords, and their assailants 
 clubbing their muskets and fowling-pieces. Four of 
 the Cow-boys were either sabred, or so injured as to be 
 unable to do any further mischief, and the remainder 
 finding themselves unequally matched, took refuge in 
 the woods, where they knew the mounted men could 
 not, or would not follow them. 
 
 Major Burr's men were intent upon putting to death 
 all of their assailants who still lived, but he forbade 
 this inhumanity, and ordering his men to dismount, di- 
 rected them to examine into their condition. 
 
 Three were stone dead ; four desperately wounded, 
 either by pistol-ball or sabre, and the remainder, though 
 slightly injured, were etill unable to escape. " I hate 
 leaving these infernal scoundrels here, they may do 
 more mischief; but I must," said Major Burr, address- 
 ing his men, who stood about him awaiting his further 
 orders. 
 
 As he spoke those words, a shot from the rear at- 
 tracted hi* attention, and wheeling his licrse quick as
 
 72 MARGARET MOSTCRIEFFB. 
 
 lightning, he plunged the spurs into his sides, and 
 dashed forward. A loud scream from the quarter 
 whence the shot had proceeded, sent every drop of 
 blood to his heart ; and with every pore reeking with 
 perspiration, drawn forth by the agony caused by that 
 sound, he dashed on ; and as he turned the curve in the 
 road, which had thus far hidden Margaret from his 
 sight, he saw her struggling in the arms of one of the 
 ruffians, two of whom had made a short detour of the 
 woods, and had come upon her suddenly as she sat on 
 her horse, listening anxiously to the sounds of the mus- 
 kets and pistols, and the clashing of the sabres, as they 
 Btruck the assailants' weapons. 
 
 Quick as thought, she levelled a pistol, which she had 
 drawn from its holster at the moment of the first firing, 
 and as one of them neared her, she discharged its con- 
 tents full in his face. The ball struck him in the throat, 
 and he fell to the earth with a groan and a curse. Be- 
 fore she could detach the other weapon from its holster, 
 the second ruffian was upon her, and seizing her by the 
 arm essayed to drag her from the saddle. 
 
 It was then, for the first time, she uttered any sound, 
 and the wild scream of terror which issued from her 
 lips, had been heard by her newly- won lover. Bef "-e 
 he could reach the spot where this most unequal con- 
 flict was going on, Margaret, who bad resisted with 
 her utmost strength, aided by Selim, who reared, and 
 pranced, and wheeled in his efforts to free his bridle
 
 THE ATTACK AND ITS RESULTS. 19 
 
 from the hold of the ruffian who was assailing his 
 young mistress had been dragged from her seat, and 
 the fellow was bearing her, struggling and screaming 
 toward the woods. 
 
 But Major Burr had seen enough to arouse all his en- 
 ergy, and to inspire him with the courage of despera- 
 tion, and spurring his horse forward, he caught the 
 ruffian by the cravat, and being too near to use the 
 blade of his sword, dashed the hilt into his eyes with 
 a force that drove them from their sockets, and he 
 fell senseless to the ground, his arm still clasping the 
 waist of the now fainting girl. Springing from 
 his horse, Major Burr, forgetting, in the intensity 
 of his passion, that a helpless foe lay before him, 
 brought down his sabre with a force which sent it 
 crashing through his skull, and ne rolled over, 
 dead. 
 
 Releasing the almost inanimate form of Margaret, 
 wrhose clothes were covered with the blood and brains 
 of the dead ruffian, he strove, by every endearing epi- 
 thet and caress, to recall her to consciousness. In a 
 few moments his men came galloping to the spot, and 
 seeing their commander seated on the greensward, 
 holding the senseless form of their charge in his arms, 
 their rage was unbounded. 
 
 " Your flask, any of you," he said, as they approached, 
 and three or four rough apologies for flasks were 
 handed him, by as many willing hands.
 
 74 MAnARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 As he was unwilling that any one should be present 
 when Margaret returned to consciousness, he directed 
 his men to scour the road, as well in the rear as for- 
 ward, and he would attend to the lady, an order which 
 was most cheerfully obeyed ; for every man was anx- 
 ious to have another chance at these lawless ruffians, 
 who were the terror only of the innocent and defence- 
 less, and who never made an attack under equal cir- 
 cumstances. 
 
 A little rum poured down Margaret's throat, brought 
 her to partial consciousness, and opening her eyes lan- 
 guidly, she met the gaze of Major Burr fixed on her 
 with an intensity of anguish which went to her very 
 soul, and feeble as she yet was from affright, she smiled 
 on him, and gently pressed the hand which held her 
 own 
 
 " I am not hurt at all, Aaron," she said, in feeble 
 tones, after another interval of a few moments. " I 
 will be myself directly ; but that ruffian did frighten 
 me." 
 
 ".No wonder, Margaret, no wonder. But are you 
 sure you are not hurt? Who fired that shot ?" 
 
 " Look in the road, Aaron. I told you I was sure 
 of one ; but before I could draw the other pistol, that 
 man seized my arm. Bless you, Aaron, dear Aaron !" 
 she added, as she still reclined in his arms, looking up 
 in his face with an expression of gratitude and affec- 
 tion ; and Major Burr, unable to control himself as
 
 THE ATTACK AITO ITS RESULTS. 75 
 
 lie heard those words, and met that look, bent down 
 and imprinted a kiss upon her not unwilling lips; 
 and thus was sealed their untold pledge oi mutual 
 love.
 
 CHAPTER VH. 
 
 THE ROYALISTS PLOTTING. 
 
 WE left Corbie and Forbes closing the house of tl 
 former after the departure of the guests, and this don^, 
 Corbie filled two glasses, and drawing a chair to the tablu 
 on which Forbes had already planted himself, said : 
 
 " I wonder what, in the name of all that's bad, the/ 
 want of Hickey ?" 
 
 " Oh, don't borrow trouble, Corbie ; it will come 
 fast enough if this is found out. I tell you it can't be 
 anything that concerns us, or Drake never would have 
 been so open about it. No, no ; so far so well. I won- 
 der what's the next move ?" 
 
 " Perhaps we shall know to-night. Do you think the 
 colonel will come up in such a storm ?" 
 
 " Storm why it's just the thing for him. The boat 
 can't be seen ten feet off shore, and I don't believe the 
 sentinels care overmuch for being out in the rain. 
 Not a bit of it ; they are hid away in some of the 
 groves along the shore, and the rain and wind to- 
 gether would drown any ordinary sound ; besid- /, tfco 
 boat's oars are always muffled."
 
 THE ROYALISTS PLOTTmG. 77 
 
 " How many have we now, Forbes ?" said Corbie, 
 lowering his voice almost to a whisper. 
 
 " Besides our own people, not over three score ; and T 
 don't think they'll be worth the money I've paid foi 
 them, except Hickey. He's worth the whole of 'em 
 put together." 
 
 "As how, Forbes?" 
 
 " Why, he sees and hears everything that goes on 
 yonder," and he pointed with his thumb over his 
 shoulder toward the location of the commander-in- 
 chief 's head-quarters ; " and he ain't- afraid to tell it, 
 either." 
 
 "We want some more of them fellows," continued 
 Corbie, sipping his liquor, and laying down the glass 
 with an air of satisfaction. 
 
 "We'll have thflm yet, never fear. Five guineas 
 down, and the two hundred acres, is rather too much 
 for men who haven't seen a hard dollar for three 
 months, and ain't likely to see one for as many to 
 come. Blanchard is on the lookout, too, and he'll pick 
 out the right men, I'll warrant you." 
 
 " I'd like to get hold of that Gray, the cursed rebel," 
 said Corbie, placing his hand to his throat in evident 
 remembrance of the gripe he had felt there a few 
 moments before, " I'd pay him off, or my name's not 
 Corbie ;" and as if aroused to some desperate resolve 
 by the recollection, he swallowed the remaining con- 
 tents of his glass at one gulp, an example which -was
 
 78 MA&GARET MONCKIEFFE. 
 
 followed by his companion, who, placing his glass on 
 the table, with an emphatic gesture, added: 
 
 " I want to see the whole t.roop of infernal rebels 
 strung up at once. I'd dance over their graves with 
 pleasure. Hark !" 
 
 A low rap at the side door of the room in which they 
 were seated was distinctly heard, and when thrice re- 
 peated, Corbie went to the door, and without parley 
 or hesitation, opened it, saying, as he did so. " Walk 
 in all clear," a summons which was answered by the 
 entrance of a short, but well-knit man of some forty sum- 
 mers, dressed in dark blue sailor clothes from head to 
 foot, and with a countenance so swarthy, he might, 
 without offence, have been taken for a mulatto, 
 or more probably some sun-burnt sea-faring man, 
 which last impression was fully warranted by his 
 attire. 
 
 It was Colonel Fanning, who, by dint of hard service 
 in India, under its broiling sun, had won his colonelcy and 
 the liver complaint, and was now sent out to this conn- 
 try to win fresher laurels or a soldier's grave. His 
 regiment was stationed on Staten Island, but he had 
 been selected by Governor Tryon, then on board the 
 "Divhoss of Gordon," the flag-ship of the British fleet 
 then lying opposite the island, as the most competent 
 officer to whom he might intrust the weighty matters 
 then in hand between himself and the royalists in the 
 tity, in furtherance of the measures which, if successful,
 
 THE KOYALISTS PLOTTING. 79 
 
 it was conceived would put a sudden end to the war, 
 and crush out the rebellion. 
 
 " Good evening, colonel," said the landlord, touching 
 his forehead with a military salute, which, as well as a 
 similar movement on the part of Forbes, he acknow- 
 ledged by a slight bow, and a smile which showed, in 
 striking contrast to his swarthy face, his pearly teeth. 
 
 " It is a shocking night for some people, but fine 
 weather for his majesty." 
 
 The door was quickly locked and barred, and the 
 colonel, motioning Forbes to a chair, threw himself into 
 one himself. 
 
 " You are wet through, colonel ; let me give you 
 something to drive the cold out of you I have some 
 glorious old south side, you know," said Corbie. 
 " May I venture to offer you a suit of dry clothes," he 
 added, respectfully, almost reverentially. 
 
 " No, thank you, for I must return immediately." 
 said the colonel, with a wave of his hand; "but I 
 won't refuse your south side, for I know it is good ;" 
 and the loyal landlord, taking one of the candles from 
 the table, went behind the bar, and opening a secret 
 trap which led to the cellar, descended to procure the 
 highly-praised wine for the drenched and tired officer. 
 
 " "Well, Forbes, how goes it ?" he inquired, as he 
 drew from his breast pocket a packet of papers, the 
 outer envelope of which was nearly destroyed by the 
 rain which had been pouring down in torrents for so
 
 80 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 long a time. " This for the excellent mayor, and " as 
 he spoke, he drew forth a smaller letter directed to 
 Forbes himself " this for you." 
 
 Forbes, with a low bow, took the extended letter 
 with an air of unbounded respect, and, without wait- 
 ing for excuses, tore it open hastily and devoured its 
 contents eagerly. 
 
 It ran thus : 
 
 " Ox BOARD DCCHESS or GOBDOI, ) 
 "JuneM, 17T6. J 
 
 "Mr TRUSTY FBIEND: 
 
 " I am exceeding pleased at the success which has 
 attended yonr efforts and those of the friends to the cause of 
 His Most Gracious Majesty in the City of New York, and 
 which I shall take pleasure in communicating to Lord Ger 
 maine, and I have no doubt he will embrace the earliest 
 opportunity of expressing his satisfaction with your conduct. 
 The package herewith must reach the honorable mayor with- 
 out delay. It is essential that we should secure the services 
 of some party near the person of General Putnam, now that 
 General Washington is in Philadelphia; and we hereby 
 intrust you with full power to render such service to our 
 glorious cause. Colonel Fanning will hand you the one hundred 
 and fifty guineas, for which you called in your last, and for 
 which you will receipt. 
 
 "Mr. Corbie's services are duly appreciated; but I wwb 
 you to caution him against permitting the assemblage of too 
 many of our friends at his house, as it may excite suspicion 
 and defeat our plans, which God forbid, for the sake of out 
 most gracious King. 
 
 ""WILLIAM
 
 THE EOYAI.ISTS PLOTTING. 81 
 
 By the time Forbes had finished the perusal of this 
 letter, which had occupied him some minutes, for 
 Governor Tryon was a notoriously bad penman and 
 Forbes a worse scholar, Corbie had returned from the 
 cellar, bearing in one hand a bottle covered with dust, 
 and in the other the light, which had enabled him to 
 drag it from its hiding-place. 
 
 " That's the same seal, colonel," he said, laying both 
 on the table, and, producing a cork-screw, he drew the 
 cork, and placing a glass before his guest, turned to 
 Forbes, who still held Governor Tryon's letter in his 
 hand. 
 
 "That's partly for you, Corbie read it," said 
 Forbes, his face glowing with pleasure, and he thrust 
 the letter into the hands of the burly landlord, who 
 commenced its perusal with a very wry face, for he 
 was even more illiterate than Forbes ; and while he 
 was thus engaged, Colonel Fanning had managed to 
 get down three or four glasses of the generous wine 
 which had been placed before him, and which was, 
 indeed, worthy of all the praise Corbie had bestowed 
 on it. 
 
 " God bless his majesty and prosper his cause," said 
 Corbie, earnestly, for he was as thoroughly loyal as 
 any king could wish. " Halloa !" he exclaimed, 
 " what's that ?" as the sound of a body falling heavily 
 was heard in the next room. "Who, in the devil's 
 name's there ?" *nd, snatching a light, he started foi 
 4*
 
 82 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 the door, but was withheld by a forcible grasp from 
 Colonel Fanning, who had seized his arm and held him 
 back. 
 
 " Hist wait a moment," he said, " I must be off 
 first. Here, Forbes," and he handed the gunsmith a 
 small bag ; " his excellency requested me to hand that 
 to you. Have you nothing to send ?" 
 
 " Nothing for his excellency, to-day, colonel ; every- 
 thing is going on well," and, holding up the bag which 
 contained the promised guineas, which was to pay for 
 treason and desertion, he said : " With this we can do 
 anything. There's something in that sound," and he 
 nhook them till they jingled again and again, as if the 
 very sound conferred happiness, "which these half- 
 starved and poorly-paid rebels can't resist. Say to hia 
 excellency, if you please, that we shall not relax any 
 effort to carry out every operation he may devise, nor 
 hesitate at any cost to prove our devotion to his most 
 glorious majesty." 
 
 " Now, then, I'm off. Corbie, my fine fellow, that's 
 glorious wine," said the colonel, rising from the table. 
 
 " Finish it, colonel finish it ; you have a long pull 
 and a stormy night before you. God bless his majesty 
 and give him many more faithful servants like your 
 honor," said Corbie, enthusiastically, for he was, in- 
 deed, a most devoted loyalist. 
 
 " Amen," said the colonel, draining glass after glass, 
 mtil he had emptied the bottle ; " and now, then*
 
 THE ROYALISTS PLOTTING. 83 
 
 good-night all. I don't know .when I shall return ; 
 but when I do, I hope to hear good news from our 
 trusty friends here ;" and seizing his cap, the gallant 
 colonel strode forth into the storm, and the door was 
 again securely barred and bolted by the loyal land. 
 lord.
 
 CHAPTER Vlll. 
 
 A. NEW EECEUIT. 
 
 Now, then," said Corbie, seizing one of the can- 
 dies which stood on the table, and proceeding toward 
 the door whence the sound issued which had disturbed 
 them a few moments before, " let us see what this 
 means ;" and followed by Forbes, he opened the door 
 which led into the adjoining apartment. 
 
 " Come, who's here ?" exclaimed Corbie, holding the 
 light over his head, so that its beams illumined the 
 whole apartment. 
 
 " Hang it, don't stop to ask questions," said Forbes, 
 advancing to the centre of the room, and peering about 
 with his keen, grey eyes. " Ah ! there he is," and ad- 
 vancing toward a large mahogany table which stood 
 between the windows, under a large mahogany-framed 
 mirror, he raised one of the leaves, and, sure enough,. 
 there, he was. 
 
 " Come out of that, my fine fellow, and let us see 
 who you are," and, as he spoke, he put his hand down, 
 and seizing a huge booted leg, which half projected 
 from the table, drew forth a stalwart man, dressed in
 
 A NEW RECRtjTT. 85 
 
 the uniform of the Life-guards, who, as soon as his body 
 was free from the table, sprang to his feet, and stood 
 gazing about him in amazement. 
 
 " Well, Barnes," said Corbie, who knew the man 
 well, for he was one of his regular customers, " wliat 
 on earth took you in there ?*' and, as he spoke, he 
 turned toward Forbes with an anxious glance of in- 
 quiry, which almost said, " I wonder if he has over- 
 heard us ; if he has, I'll cut his throat." 
 
 "Fact is, Corbie," said the soldier, now released 
 from the grasp of the gunsmith, and stepping backward 
 with an unsteady motion, "I drank a leetle too much, 
 and I thought I would hide away, and sleep it off afore 
 tattoo. Has it beat yet ?" 
 
 " More than an hour ago," said Corbie, who saw, at 
 a glance, the advantage he had over his man, and who 
 was so familiar with all phases of drunkenness, he knew 
 there was no pretence in his case. " Everybody's gone 
 long ago. You're in for thirty-six, sure as as your 
 name's Barnes." 
 
 " Sure enough," replied the soldier, and he rubbed 
 his shoulders, as if he already felt the lashes on his 
 quivering flesh. " Well, what can't be cured must be 
 endured, and I suppose I must take 'em, as many bet- 
 tor men have done before me." 
 
 " Do you know the sergeant was here, about an hour 
 ago, looking for you?" asked Corbie, desirous of try- 
 ing the effect upon Barnes of such a statement.
 
 88 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 " Sure ?" asked the soldier, now thoroughly sobered, 
 and conscious of the position in which he had placed 
 himself. 
 
 " Sure as your name's Barnes.'* 
 
 " You didn't tell him I was here, did you, Corbie ? 
 he asked, half anxiously, half sullenly. 
 
 " I told him you had been here, but I thought you 
 had gone back to the barracks, and so he left." 
 
 " Thank you for that, anyhow. Thii-ty-six ! I BWOW 
 that's too bad for a small offence like this. Why 
 don't they hang a fellow at once, and have it all done 
 with." 
 
 " Yes, and well laid on at that," added Corbie, pur- 
 suing his advantage. "You know Green is no baby 
 when he gets the cat in his hand, and I rather guess he 
 was made drummer especially for that." 
 
 " Well, I might as well make up my mind to it. I 
 Bee it's got to come ; but it's cursed hard anyhow. I 
 wonder if your side treats men so." 
 
 " Not a bit of it. What ! tie a man up and whip 
 him, in the presence of his comrades, for a little spree ! 
 Why, it would raise a mutiny at once, and half the 
 men would desert. Oh, no they don't do things in 
 that way on our side, and that's the reason our men 
 never desert. Plenty to eat and drink, and sure pay, 
 and sure promotion when it is earned. A day or two 
 in the guard-house, and low diet, is quite cure enough 
 for a small drunk but the idea of whipping a grown
 
 A JTETW RECRUIT. b/ 
 
 man like you. I'm blessed if I wouldn't kill the fellow 
 that dared to put the lash on me !" 
 
 " I'm cursed if any lash touches my back, anyhow, 
 now mark niy words. I know just what I shall get 
 when I go back to barracks ; but when they whip me, 
 it will do Green good. I'll clear out, and take my 
 chances outside. If they catch me, they can but shoot 
 me, and that will be better than being flogged." 
 
 "Why, man, you can't leave the island. You are 
 crazy ; every inch of the shore is guarded, and a boat 
 can't even land without permission." 
 
 " Sure enough, and I ain't got no boat. Come, Cor- 
 bie, give us some more rum, and I'll go in and give 
 myself up." 
 
 "I can tell you an easier way than that," said 
 Forbes, with earnestness, and he looked meaningly in 
 Barnes' face. 
 
 "As how, Gilbert?" queried the now thoroughly 
 sobered guardsman, for he knew the gunsmith very 
 well. 
 
 " Perhaps you know what these are," and the gun- 
 smith held before the eyes of the guardsman a handful 
 of guineas, which he rattled one against the other. 
 
 " I have seen such things before," replied Barnes, 
 his eyes fairly glistening at the sight of so much 
 money more than he had ever seen at once in his 
 life-timo. 
 
 " F -)f them for bounty, sure pay, plenty to eat,
 
 88 MARGARET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 and no flogging for a little spree ; and besides that, two 
 hundred acres of land, when the war is over, for every 
 man, one hundred, if he's married, for his wife, and 
 fifty for every child. Eh, what do you think of that ? 
 and you haven't seen ten silver dollars since you 
 'listed." 
 
 " Give me them guineas," exclaimed the guardsman, 
 stretching out his hand, for while his manhood shrunk 
 at the idea of being publicly flogged, his sense of honor 
 was not so strong as to prevent him from desiring to 
 escape that degrading punishment by the more dis- 
 graceful one of desertion and treason. " I'd serve 
 the devil sooner than be stripped and flogged be- 
 fore the whole corps. So hand over, and I'm your 
 man." 
 
 " Softly, Barnes ; you are almost too willing," replied 
 Forbes, who, though now sure of his man, was deter- 
 mined to test him thoroughly. " You know, if you 
 'list with us, and are caught " 
 
 "Why, they'll hang or shoot me; anything you 
 choose but a flogging. I never was flogged, and I 
 never will be, so help me " 
 
 " You will be, if you go to the barracks to-night or 
 to-morrow." 
 
 " I don't mean to go there, boys. I'll take to the 
 woods, and stand my chances, if you don't want me ; 
 but I'm d d if I'm going to be flogged because I 
 drank a glass too inu<!h>
 
 A XEW BECETttT. 89 
 
 <( Well, then, Barnes, if you will join us I'm ready 
 with your bounty," and he jingled the guineas, which 
 Bounded temptingly in the ear of the poorly paid 
 guardsman, now thoroughly aroused to any deed, no 
 matter how dark or desperate, so he escaped the 
 dreaded flogging. " We don't want you to desert, but 
 if you choose you can join us, and I'll guarantee yon 
 shan't be flogged." 
 
 " I'll join the devil, I tell you, sooner than b 
 flogged," and to add emphasis to his words, he 
 brought his huge fist on the table with a force which 
 made the room ring again. 
 
 " Then take the oath I shall give you, and the 
 guineas are yours." 
 
 " Out with it," said Barnes, doggedly. " I'm ready 
 for anything but a flogging." 
 
 Being thus assured, Corbie, at Forbes' request, pro- 
 duced a Bible, and Barnes was sworn "by the most 
 solemn and terrible oath, not to reveal any secret in- 
 trusted to him, on pain of having his tongue cut from 
 his mouth, but to aid those whom he had joined in any 
 manner which might be demanded of him, at all times 
 and under any circumstances, and without regard to 
 consequences. 
 
 " N ow, then, Barnes, you belong to us," said Forbes. 
 " Here is your bounty," and he placed the price of his 
 treason in his hands. *' You are under full pay from 
 to-night. Ten shillings a week, you know, and when
 
 00 MAROAKET MOXCMEFFB. 
 
 this cursed rebellion is crushed, two hundred acres of 
 land are yours, anywhere you choose to select." 
 
 " But how about that flogging ; I must go back to 
 the barracks," said Barnes, putting the price of his trea- 
 son in his pocket. 
 
 " Go, stand out in the rain a few minutes, till you get 
 wet through," said Forbes, moving toward the bar- 
 room ; and at a sign from him, Corbie opened the door 
 through which the colonel had passed, and Barnes 
 stepped out, as he was commanded. 
 
 A very few moments sufficed to drench him tho- 
 roughly, and he reentered the room, dripping like a 
 water dog. 
 
 " Now, then, what next ?" he asked, as he stood 
 there, the water fairly running from him. 
 
 " A glass of rum is next, I think," said Corbie, laugh- 
 ing, as he went behind the bar, and pouring a tumbler 
 two-thirds full of rum, handed it to the new recruit, 
 who tossed it off with evident relish, and without 
 making a single wry face. 
 
 " Now, then, for the rest." 
 
 " Just take me by the collar, and drag me to the 
 guard-house," said Corbie. " Say, that after everybody 
 had left, you saw me go out and start down toward the 
 water ; that you followed me, and heard a boat ap- 
 proach the shore, and that when you challenged, it went 
 back again, and you arrested me." 
 
 " And what are you going to say ?" queried the
 
 A NEW RBCSU1T. 91 
 
 guardsman, who liked this part of the arrangement 
 well enough, but could not discover how it would 
 benefit him, or save him from the much-dreaded 
 flogging. 
 
 " Leave that to me ; nothing to compromise either 
 of us ; let me alone for that." 
 
 Barnes did as he was bid. and appeared before the 
 officer of the guard, on duty, with his prisoner, 
 narrating the adventure precisely as he had been in- 
 structed. 
 
 ".I thought it very strange, Barnes, that you did not 
 come at tattoo, but you have done well. Now, Cor- 
 bie, what is this ?" asked the lieutenant on duty for 
 the night. 
 
 "Only a little bit of a smuggle," he said, doffing his 
 cap as soon as Barnes loosed his hold on his collar. 
 " You see, I have been expecting a lot of prime Jamai- 
 ca, ever so long, from no matter where but as I knew 
 that your friends wouldn't let it come, without taking 
 toll, I made arrangements to shove it ; and if it hadn't 
 been for that 'ere spooney," and he looked at Barnes 
 as if he would annihilate him, " I'd a had it long ago ; 
 but he must go and poke his nose in what don't concern 
 him. It was real prime, too, I tell you, lieutenant," 
 added Corbie, with a very slight wink ; for he knew 
 his man, who was one of his best, though sly, custo- 
 mers, and was fond of the " prime article" ac any man 
 in the corps.
 
 92 MARGARET MOKCRIEFFE. 
 
 "Well, Corbie, you had better go home, and try and 
 get your Jamaica like an honest man. It won't do you 
 any harm to try a little honest dealing, by the way of 
 variety. Barnes," he said, turning to the guardsman 
 whose delight at this unexpected termination of his 
 anticipated troubles could scarcely 'be concealed " you 
 acted perfectly right ; but, I guess Corbie was not do- 
 ing anything Worse than that." 
 
 " On my honor, no, lieutenant," said the wily land- 
 lord, who saw that his wink had been rightly inter- 
 preted, laying his brawny hand over the place where the 
 heart was supposed to be, and as he spoke, he made a 
 low bow. 
 
 " You can go, then," said the officer, condescend- 
 ingly. 
 
 " I told you so, you blasted fool," said Corbie, turn- 
 ing angrily to Barnes, but with a glance which seemed 
 to say, " I told you I would save you from a flogging, 
 and I have done it." 
 
 " Well, you did," replied the traitor, glad enough at 
 his relief from a flogging, to forget the means by wluch 
 he had escaped from well-merited punishment. 
 
 "All right," said Corbie, barring and locking the 
 door, as he ree'ntered his house, and was greeted by 
 the impatient Forbes, with the emphatic inquiry: 
 "tVell!" 
 
 " There's another good one. We've got him as fast at 
 oaths and fears can secure him ; and a few mdre like him,
 
 A NEW RECRUIT. 98 
 
 down there at old Putnam's, would make short work 
 of the whole matter. Who the devil can I get at down 
 there? The colonel says his excellency wants some 
 one there, and he must be found."
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE AT HOME. 
 
 " Yotr are wounded," said Margaret, rising f rom th 
 arms of Major Burr, as she heard the sound of ap- 
 proaching horses' feet, and perceived the blood-stain 
 on his leg. 
 
 " Oh, it's nothing a mere scratch ! it does not even 
 pain me ; and if it did, I should forget the pain in my 
 happiness at seeing you unharmed." 
 
 " Thanks to you, major," she said, smiling sweetly 
 " Bat come, let us proceed ; who knows what we may 
 meet next ? One moment," and she advanced toward 
 Selim, who had remained standing still from the mo- 
 ment Margaret had been dragged from her seat. As 
 she moved toward him, she was obliged to pass the 
 body of the man who had met his death at her hands, 
 as it lay weltering in a pool of blood ; and as she did 
 so, she stopped for an instant, and, gazing at the fright- 
 ful wound made in his throat by her ball, turned with 
 a triumphant expression to the major, and said : " It 
 wasn't a bad shot for a frightened girl, was it, m* 
 jor P 
 
 04
 
 MARGAKET MONCKIEFFE AT HOME. 95 
 
 " It was good for a brave man, Margaret. You are 
 worthy of a better fate than I " 
 
 " There, now please don't," she interrupted ; " you 
 have said enough for to-day, and I have said much 
 more than I ought. Let me load my pistol," she 
 added, stopping to pick up the weapon which she had 
 dropped when she had fired it, and, feeling in tho 
 pocket of her riding-dress, she drew forth a small flahk 
 of powder. The pistol was carefully loaded and 
 primed, and, having placed it in the holster, she turned 
 to the major, who had watched her movements with 
 looks of affectionate interest, and said : " Come, help 
 me to mount I am ready." 
 
 While she had been thus engaged, the escort had 
 rejoined their leader, and stood around watching the 
 brave and beautiful girl with admiring eyes, comment- 
 ing upon her courage and beauty in whispered tones. 
 
 " I am sure I am gratefully obliged to all of you," 
 she said, looking around the group and smiling 
 sweetly ; " I did the best I could," and she pointed to 
 the corpse lying in the road. 
 
 The men looked at her and each other in amazement, 
 for until now, they knew not the part she had taken in 
 the action, or, rather, skirmish ; and from that moment 
 they looked upon her almost with veneration. 
 
 She was assisted into the saddle by Major Burr. 
 One of the two wounded men having been placed before, 
 on a norsf in front of one of his comrades, and Hickev
 
 96 MABGABET MONCEIEFFB. 
 
 declaring himself perfectly able to do more fighting 
 for such a brave little woman, mounting his own horse, 
 the party moved on in the same order as they had 
 started, leaving the dead to take care of the dead, and 
 the wounded to get along as they best could. 
 
 Paulus Hook was reached without any further 
 adventure, and without a recurrence on the part of 
 Major Burr or Margaret to the topic which most 
 closely interested both ; for her request was command 
 to the young and enamored soldier. 
 
 Only once, and that was as he was handing her on 
 board the bateau which was to convey the horses and 
 their riders across the river, did he allude to the 
 subject of their new-born love, and only then because 
 he thought he perceived a shade of sadness on the 
 beautiful face of his companion. 
 
 " You do not repent having said what you have, 
 Hargaret ?" he asked, tenderly, looking in her lustrous 
 eyes, whose expression was now wonderfully softened. 
 
 " Oh, no, no !" she replied, with deep earnestness, 
 " I am very, very happy, and you " 
 
 " I cannot describe my feelings. I can only from 
 my heart say I thank and bless you, my own dear, best, 
 and only beloved." 
 
 It was nearly dark when Major Burr, having dis- 
 missed his escort at the New York side of the ferry, 
 conducted Margaret into the presence of General Put- 
 nam and his family, who had just risen from their
 
 MA.K3ARET MONCRIEFFE AT HOME. 97 
 
 evening meal, and she was received by the ladies with 
 an honest warmth and cordiality, which actually 
 brought tears to her eyes ; and with the impulse so 
 natural to her, and which she could not control, she 
 threw herself into a high-backed chair, and gave 
 vent to her overcharged feelings in a burst of hearty 
 tears. 
 
 u Come, come, child !" said the blunt old general, 
 approaching and taking one of her hands within his 
 own, while he placed the other on her head, " don't 
 fret about it it is the fortune of war. Your father I 
 know to be a gallant gentleman and an honorable 
 soldier, and you may feel just as much at home in my 
 house as if you were with him. Mayn't she, ma ?" 
 and he turned to his wife, who had marked the advent 
 of this new member of her family with decided in- 
 terest, for there was that in her youth, beauty, and 
 isolated situation, which commended her to that sym- 
 pathy which woman never withholds from any one in 
 distress. 
 
 "Be sure, what a question to ask. Come, child, 
 wipe your eyes, you won't feel lonesome in a day or 
 two. My daughters here will find something for you 
 to do, and that will keep you from thinking. Why, 
 Major Burr, what on earth is the matter with your 
 leg ? See, girls, it's all bloody." 
 
 " What's all this, Burr ?" exclaimed the general, now 
 for the first time noticing that which had attracted hi 
 5
 
 98 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 wife's attention, and he pointed to the blood-stained 
 clothes of his handsome young aid, to whom he had 
 already grown strongly attached. 
 
 " Only a little skirmish with those rascally Cow- 
 boys," was the reply of Major Burr, who, in the ex- 
 citement of the journey, had quite forgotten his 
 wound. " Graham and Hickey were slightly hurt ; but 
 we beat them off, and left five dead, and as for the 
 rest, I am afraid they stand a poor chance for a verv 
 long life. But, general," and his eye kindled as he 
 turned to Margaret, who was trying to dry her tears, 
 an operation in w r hich she was materially assisted 
 by the general's daughters, who, kneeling on either 
 side of her, with true girlish sympathy, were speak- 
 ing low words of hope and comfort, ** you ought 
 to have seen Miss Moncrieffe then. She brought 
 down one of the villains with a ball through his 
 throat, as neatly and coolly as you could have done it 
 yourself." 
 
 " She !" echoed mother and daughters, while the 
 general turned to Margaret and gazed upon her for an 
 instant with an expression of admiration, for he did 
 honor to true courage whether in man or woman. " She 
 shot a man, major ?" 
 
 " Yes ; and if she could have reached her other pis- 
 tol in time, she would have shot two of them." 
 
 " How did it happen ? Where ? When ? the trio 
 of females exclaimed in a breath.
 
 MARGARET MOXCEIEFFE AT HOME. 99 
 
 " Some other time I will tell you ; or, perhaps, yon 
 nad better ask Miss Moncrieffe herself." 
 
 " Miss Moncrieffe, can only say," said Margaret, ris- 
 ing, and Aviping the tears from her eyes, " that she 
 owes her life, and more than her life, to the promptness 
 and courage of Major Burr, and he knows how grate- 
 ful she is." 
 
 These latter words were accompanied with a look 
 which spoke volumes to the young soldier, who turning 
 away to conceal the color which her words, and her 
 expression, as she uttered them, had called to his face, 
 asked if Doctor Haxton was in his room, and without 
 waiting for a reply, left the apartment, in search of the 
 surgeon to dress his wound, which was as he said, 
 truly, quite slight. 
 
 In three days from her first introduction into the 
 family of the worthy old general, Margaret Moncrieffe 
 had won all hearts, by her vivacity, her endless sallies 
 of wit and humor, her unfailing store of anecdote, in- 
 cident and adventure, her reckless, free, frank, open- 
 hearted speech and manners, combined with an artless- 
 ness and simplicity, which rendered her perfectly irre- 
 sistible. 
 
 General Putnam had been christened " grandpa," to 
 which he submitted with a bad grace, at first, but even- 
 tually, with a smile which he could not conceal. Mrs, 
 Putnam was " my lady," and the girls were " cousins 
 Bell, and Mattie."
 
 TOO MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 She managed to have her own way in everything. 
 As for spinmng, the daily occupation of the family, she 
 had never taarned it, and she was too old now (at fif- 
 teen) to begm. She could embroider, and she would, 
 if " grandpa" should ask her very politely, sew on but- 
 tons. She would sit in the room with the family for 
 hours, with her embroidery frame on her lap, and keep 
 them in a continued strain of laughter, by her wit, her 
 anecdotes, or h<jr actions ; in the latter of which she 
 was a perfect romping child, when unrestrained by the 
 forms of society. 
 
 She had coaxed the general to let her give Selim an 
 airing every day, " as the poor brute would suffer," she 
 pleaded, pathetically, " if he did not have his regular ex- 
 ercise ;" and then by the way of added inducement, 
 she promised he should have the occasional use of him, 
 if he would pledge his word he should not be shot in 
 action. 
 
 There was no resisting her I She fairly carried all 
 hearts by storm ; and already, as rumors of an invasion 
 began to fly thick and fast, they were thinking of the 
 possibility of losing her charming society, which had 
 almost changed the character of their home. 
 
 Favored by the permission granted by General Put- 
 nam, she rode out on the fourth day of her arrival in 
 the city, in company with Major Burr, who had been 
 ordered 1 D make a tour of inspection of the works in 
 [;rogress in various parts of the island ; and as there
 
 MABGAKMP MOXCKIEFFE AT HOME. 101 
 
 was, on that occasion, no ban upon the topic of the 
 ride from Elizabethtown, it was renewed by both, and 
 with an earnestness and freedom, which showed how 
 deeply the hearts of both were engrossed by their mu- 
 tual love. 
 
 Margaret appeared to be deeply interested in the 
 operations of the men on the breastworks, which they 
 visited in the course of their ride ; and once or twice, 
 she drew upon her a searching glance from her com- 
 panion, by the singularity and pertinency of the ques- 
 tions she asked. She saw everything, noted every 
 thing ; and on their return, she locked herself in the 
 apartment occupied by her, and amused herself by not- 
 ing down carefully, and accurately, in detail, all she had 
 seen and heard during the ride; except such portion 
 of the conversation as was directly connected with her- 
 self. These were recorded in ineffaceable characters on 
 the tablet of her heart. 
 
 As aid to the commander-in-chief (for General Wash- 
 ington had not, as yet, returned from Philadelphia, 
 and General Putnam was in full command), Major Burr 
 was, of course, a personage of high importance, and his 
 movements were watched with close scrutiny, by all 
 the officers in the city. His companion, whose first ap- 
 pearance had that day been made in public, had been 
 noticed by many, on this first ride, and particularly by 
 Colonel Sbee, commanding one of the four Pennsylva- 
 nia battalions, who embrace :l the first opportunity to
 
 102 MA.IIG.VRET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 inquire of Major Burr, who she was, and where^ on 
 earth, he had discovered such a lovely girl. 
 
 " A Miss Moncrieffe," was the reply ; " daughter of 
 a British officer, now camped on Staten Island ; and for 
 the present, a member of General Putnam's family." 
 
 " Burr, bring her to our ball to-morrow night ; she 
 will be the brightest star there. Do, that's a good fel- 
 low ! You know we're awfully short of pretty girls, 
 and the whole corps will send you a vote of thanks." 
 
 " I am sure I shah 1 be proud to escort her," said the 
 young aid, laughing, " but some of your dashing young- 
 sters will be losing their hearts. She is as witty and 
 polished as she is beautiful, but she is an awful little 
 Royalist." 
 
 " Royalist be hanged ! She's a woman, and a pretty 
 one, at that; so bring her along, and if she insists 
 upon it, she shall drink the king's health ; we are not 
 fighting with women. The general's daughters are 
 coming; two of our fellows engaged them a week 
 ago. So do you bring your little Tory ; will you, 
 Burr ? 
 
 " If she will come, surely, and with pleasure ; but I 
 warn you, she will speak just as she thinks." 
 
 " Let her speak what she chooses, so long as she looks 
 
 BO sweetly on me, as she did Faith, no, I won't 
 
 'finish that sentence. Burr, you are a lucky dog; I 
 wish I was old Put's aid for a little while." 
 
 " Well, five me your commission, colonel," said the
 
 MARGAIsET MONCRIEFFE AT HOME. 103 
 
 major, laughing, " and you may have mine, and my 
 position with it." 
 
 " What, and your chances with the handsome little 
 Tory ?" 
 
 " Of course ! I want more active service," replied 
 the major, for he could not say anything else without 
 committing himself; though, as he spoke, his heart 
 emote him for allowing Margaret to be spoken of in 
 such a trifling manner, and he turned away to conceal 
 the flush which had been called to his cheeks by this 
 conversation.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 AN OLD FRIEND. 
 
 THE threatened invasion of the British, by land and 
 sea, concerning which rumors had been flying thick 
 and fast for many weeks, bad driven from the city 
 most of the best families, and, in consequence, the 
 wives of the generals and other officers quartered 
 there were constrained to rely on each other for soci- 
 ety and such amusement as they could invent, for the 
 time passed heavily on them. 
 
 Among the troops quartered in the city, were four 
 battalions of troops from Pennsylvania, commanded by 
 Colonels Shee, McGaw, St. Clair, and Wayne, and 
 officered by scions of the most wealthy and aristo- 
 cratic families of the commonwealth. They had joined 
 the army from motives of the purest patriotism, and 
 without a thought as to any merely personal benefit, 
 save such as might accrue to the whole country from 
 a recognition of its independence from Great Britain. 
 
 While, therefore, ever ready for any duty, and 
 equally ready to meet any foe, they felt that the time 
 could be passed much more pleasantly than by watch- 
 ing and waiting for an enemy. They had accordingly
 
 ~X OLD FRIEXD. "105 
 
 arranged a series of balls and entertainments, which 
 were given alternately at the head-quarters of the dif- 
 ferent colonels, who were all men of high position and 
 large wealth, and every lady in the city was anxious to 
 be invited on those occasions. 
 
 The generals, anxious to propitiate the troops from 
 every section, made it a point of honor to attend each 
 ball or party with their families, and these weekly re- 
 unions were looked upon by all as a most agreeable 
 means of dispelling the ennui attendant upon garrison 
 life. 
 
 It was to the ball given by Colonel Shee to which 
 Major Burr had been requested to invite Margaret, an 
 invitation which she accepted most joyfully, for when 
 she heard the general's daughters talking about it, and 
 saw them arranging the little details of their modest 
 toilettes for the occasion, she had wished that she 
 might not be left alone. The invitation, therefore, 
 from him whom her heart acknowledged as its master, 
 was joyfully accepted, and her pleasure was heightened 
 by the fact that he was to be her escort. 
 
 Colonel Shee, at that period, occupied a large man- 
 sion on Broadway, near the spot where the Astor 
 House now stands. The lower part of the building, 
 on this occasion, was devoted to dancing, the second 
 floor to card-playing and the punch-room and without 
 ftn attempt at going into details, it is sufficient to say 
 that everything which lavish expenditure could pro- 
 5*
 
 105 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 cure, in view of the means at hand, for luxuries were 
 rather rare, was provided to contribute to the pleasure 
 of the guests. 
 
 The entrance of Margaret, leaning on the arm of her 
 handsome escort, who was dressed in full uniform, was 
 greeted with a buzz of admiration from the gentlemen 
 (for Colonel Shee had boasted so much of her beauty, 
 every one was anxious to test his judgment by his own 
 standard) and by looks of jealousy from the ladies, for 
 she was incomparably the most lovely woman or girl 
 in the room. 
 
 Robed in simple white, without one single ornament, 
 her glossy hair flowing in graceful ringlets over her 
 snowy neck and shoulders, her countenance faultlessly 
 beautiful, animated as well by the scene as by the pre- 
 sence of him to whom she had given her first affections, 
 she might well challenge the admiration which she 
 commanded. 
 
 Colonel Shee was among the first to notice her en' 
 trance, and apologizing to a group of ladies with whom 
 he had been conversing, he hurried toward the youth- 
 ful couple on whom all eyes were directed. The for- 
 mality of an introduction was soon accomplished, and 
 offering his arm, the colonel gallantly said : 
 
 " Major, you must allow me to rob you of your fair 
 charge for a short time, so many are anxious to know 
 her, and I f.laim, as host, the privilege of presenting 
 her. Allovt me the honor, Miss Moncrieffe," and he
 
 AN OLD FRIEND. 107 
 
 bo\* ed low as she took his proffered arm, not, however, 
 without casting a glance at Major Burr, whose mean 
 ing he rightly interpreted, and young as he was, he 
 was too shrewd to say or do anything by which either 
 might be compromised. 
 
 Colonel Shee led his lovely guest toward a bevy of 
 officers who had, from her first entrance, eyed her with 
 looks of deep admiration, and still retaining her arm 
 within his own, introduced her to them severally. 
 For each she had some pleasant or witty remark, the 
 piquancy of which was enhanced by her manner, and 
 at cnce she was completely surrounded, each one 
 striving to outvie the other in the fulsomeness of the 
 compliments he wished to pay. For each she had 
 some happy reply, and if her beauty had failed to 
 conquer, her wit accomplished what that had left 
 undone. 
 
 " I declare, colonel," she said, pointing to a far cor- 
 ner of the room, " I am sure I see a familiar face." 
 
 " Indeed, and where ?" inquired the colonel, turning 
 to the quarter toward which her eyes were directed. 
 " How on earth can any face here be familiar to 
 you ?" 
 
 " That tall gentleman in plain clothes," she replied, 
 pointing to the person of whom she spoke. 
 
 "Ah, yes that is Captain Blan chard, one o^ your 
 people, by the way. He is a prisoner on parole ; but 
 he is a noble, high-spirited gentleman, and a great
 
 108 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 favorite with all of us, for we are on the most friendly 
 terms." 
 
 "Do bring him here, colonel," she said, eagerly. 
 "Perhaps he has seen my father lately." 
 
 " Scarcely lately, Miss Moncrieffe," replied the colo- 
 nel, with a faint smile, "he has been with us over three 
 months. But if you desire, I will bring him to you." 
 
 " No, I will go to him. Oh, how pleasant it is to 
 see a familiar face, even where all else are so kind," 
 she added, with a smile so bright and winning, the gal- 
 lant colonel forgot the first portion of her sentence. 
 
 Making way through the crowd of admirers who 
 thronged around her, Margaret, leaning upon the colo- 
 nel's arm, was escorted to that portion of the apart- 
 ment where stood the gentleman who had attracted her 
 attention, and whose face she claimed as familiar to her. 
 
 He was reclining moodily against one of the folding 
 doors, surveying the gay scene with emotions of any- 
 thing but pleasure, for though he had been treated with 
 the most boundless courtesy and hospitality since his 
 capture, he longed to be among friends with whom he had 
 closer sympathies than those who surrounded him. At 
 the approach of Colonel Shee, he raised himself from 
 his leaning position, and, as his eye caught sight of his 
 companion, his countenance lighted up in an instant, 
 and a new life seemed to be infused in him. 
 
 Advancing with outstretched hand he exclaimed, 
 " You here, Miss Moncriefie ?"
 
 AN OLD FRIEND 109 
 
 "Yes, captain, as you see," she added, gaily, drop 
 ping the colonel's arm, and grasping his extended hand 
 " and you are here too, I see." 
 
 "Even so," he said, as a shade of sadness crossed 
 his features ; " the chances of war have placed me here, 
 but I won't blame them, since I am permitted to see 
 the loveliest " 
 
 " There, don't finish that sentence, captain ; Colonel 
 Shee, here, can say much prettier things than that, I 
 am sure. Can't you, colonel ?" and she looked archly 
 at the colonel. 
 
 " I can feel them, if I cannot say them, Miss Mon- 
 crieffe," gallantly replied the colonel, with a bow. 
 
 " Xow, colonel, please to give me a proof of your 
 sincerity, by letting me have my own way for let me 
 see just five minutes. Of course, you must dance 
 with me ; I shall be honored by the preference," and 
 she courtesied gracefully, at the same time giving him 
 a glance which almost bewitched the colonel, whose 
 admiration for the fair stranger was really sincere. 
 ''Then, of course, others will claim the same privilege, 
 and as you are the host, you may dispose of me as you 
 choose for the evening ; of course, with the consent 
 of my escort." 
 
 " If I could dispose of you as I choose, you would 
 only have one partner this evening," and another bow 
 testified the colonel's gallantry. 
 
 "There, Captain Blanchard," she said, placing her
 
 110 MARGARET MOXCKIEFFK. 
 
 arm within his own, "how prettily that was said. 
 Why don't you take pattern after the colonel, and pay 
 your compliments more delicately? I don't want to 
 be admired, and told so as you would speak of a horse." 
 
 Captain Blanchard bit his lip, to conceal the rising 
 laugh, while Colonel Shee turned red with vexation, 
 for he saw the young vixen was amusing herself at his 
 expense. 
 
 " Come, colonel," she said, seeing the change in his 
 countenance, " let me have Captain Blanchard five min- 
 utes, and you may have control of me the whole of 
 the rest of the evening of course, Major Burr con- 
 senting." 
 
 " I agree to that," said the colonel, gaily, pulling out 
 his watch. " Captain, you have just five minutes, so 
 make the most of them," and replacing his watch iu 
 his fob, he moved away, leaving Margaret and Captain 
 Blanchard alone. 
 
 " What are you doing here ?" queried the captain, 
 in tones so low, they reached no ears save those for 
 whom they were intended. 
 
 " I am residing with General Putnam, a member of 
 his family at present. You are on parole, Colonel Shee 
 says." 
 
 " He speaks the truth, I am sorry to say." 
 
 " Are you doing anything for the king ?" she askeJ 
 earnestly, looking him full in the face as she spoke. 
 
 " How can 1 ? situated as I am, Miss Margaret !"
 
 AN OLD FEIEND. Ill 
 
 "That's no answer to my question. Time is pre- 
 cious, and 'opportunity rare ; are you doing anything 
 for your king's cause ?" 
 
 " That's a very singular question for a girl to ask a 
 soldier." 
 
 " And that is a very ridiculous answer from a soldier 
 to the loyal daughter of a loyal subject." 
 
 Captain Blanchard looked steadily at the beautiful, 
 but singular being who hung upon his arm, but she 
 bore his gaze unshrinkingly. At length, seeming to 
 read in her eyes something more than her words had 
 made intelligible, he answered emphatically, but in the 
 same low tones : 
 
 " I am." 
 
 " I have no time to converse with you now ; there 
 are too many eyes watching us ; you must call on me, 
 at the general's. You have that privilege, I suppose," 
 she continued, inquiringly. 
 
 "Of course," was his reply ; " unless you or I are 
 suspected of being " 
 
 w Hush !" she said, hurriedly, pressing his arm, seeing 
 a bevy of young officers approaching them. " Call on 
 me to-morrow. I ride out every day, now, by permis- 
 sion of General Putnam. I shall ride out alone when- 
 ever I can. You must manage to see me whenever you 
 possibly can. I leave that to you. Ah ! gentlemen," 
 she continued, in gay tones, as the party approached, 
 " time is up, eh I "Well, captain, I am glad to have
 
 112 MAEGAEEl MOXCRIEFFB. 
 
 seen an old friend. Call on me, will you, please ! You 
 know where to find me, I suppose. Gentlemen," and 
 she turned to the group of admirers who surrounded 
 her, " there's no harm in my receiving a visit from an 
 old friend, I hope, though we are both sound Royalists." 
 
 " Of course not," said Colonel Shee, who had ap- 
 proached unperceived, from another quarter, " because 
 we expect to convert you to our cause soon, and if we 
 can gain you over to our side, we shall feel secure of 
 victory." 
 
 "Upon my word, colonel," replied Margaret, gaily, 
 moving toward him, and placing her arm within his 
 own, " I don't know how I shall thank you for youi 
 appreciation of my worth. Come, I cannot reply to 
 your compliments, but I will dance with you ; will that 
 do ?" and again the colonel met that fascinating smile. 
 
 "I am more than honored," replied the gallant colo- 
 nel, as he ventured a gentle pressure upon the arm 
 which hung upon his own. 
 
 He did not perceive the slight curl which for an in- 
 stant rested upon the lip of the vivacious beauty, or he 
 might not have marched off with his prize so proudly 
 and happily as he did.
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 MARGARET AND HER CONQUESTS. 
 
 MARGARET had mixed with the gay assemblage at 
 least two hours, and had been surrounded from first to 
 last by a bevy of admirers and flatterers. During all 
 that time she had only caught an occasional glimpse of 
 Major Burr, who had stationed himself among the 
 elderly ladies, and who seemed to be pleased as well in 
 this society as though he had joined in the giddy 
 throng which filled the spacious apartments. 
 
 Several times she caught his look fixed upon her 
 ivith an expression which she well knew how to inter- 
 oret, and when, pleading with absolute truth, down- 
 right inability to dance any more, for the present, she 
 was conducted to the coterie among which the major had 
 established himself, she took his proffered arm with a 
 feeling of real pleasure, which she had not experienced 
 during the whole evening, and which she testified by a 
 gentle pressure of the arm which held her own. 
 
 " Do, Major Burr, take me where I can get some 
 air," she said, beseechingly ; " I am almost suffocated 
 with the heat, and absolutely wearied with dancing." 
 
 The young soldier, with a gallant bow, was about
 
 114 MARUAEET MOXCEIEFFE. 
 
 moving toward a door which led upon a broad piazza, 
 when, as he turned, he found himself confronted by a 
 corps of general officers, who were approaching him 
 from the direction of the door. General Greene led 
 the van, arm in arm wHh the gallant Lord Stirling, 
 and the rear was brought up by Generals Heath, Sulli- 
 van, Mifflin, and Spenc3v. They had evidently been 
 engaged in private converse, for even as they ap- 
 proached, their w r ords were uttered to each other in 
 whispered tones. 
 
 " How now, major ?" said Lord Stirling, dropping 
 the arm of General Greene, and, advancing with his 
 most courtly bow, " who have we here ?" 
 
 " A desperate little Tory, my lord," replied Majoi 
 Burr, releasing, as he spoke, Maigaret's arm from his 
 own. " Miss Moncrieffe, the daughter of'* 
 
 " Oh, yes ; I know your father well, my child," he 
 interrupted, smiling as he spoke, and he extended his 
 hand cordially. " It was my fortune once to make a 
 prisoner of him, and I can say, with truth, I was very 
 sorry when he was exchanged. Pray who has cap- 
 tured you ?" 
 
 " I believe I belong to General Putnam," she added, 
 as she saw the old soldier advancing toward the circle 
 by which she was surrounded, and as room was made 
 for him, she added, " don't I, general ?" and she smiled 
 naively as she spoke. 
 
 Now, General Putnam, with all his well-known
 
 MARGARET AND HEE CONQUESTS. 115 
 
 courage, so often and so severely tested, was particu- 
 larly sensitive to ridicule, and when he observed Mar- 
 garet standing in the niidst of the circle of general 
 officers, he feared that she had been speaking of him 
 by the pet name which she had conferred upon him, 
 and which he had permitted because he could not help 
 himself, and the perspiration actually stood on the 
 soldier's brow as he approached, dreading lest he 
 should hear himself addressed in presence of his com- 
 peers by his new title. But Margaret was too well 
 bred to use such familiarity under such circum- 
 stances as now surrounded her, and as he caught 
 the last words of her sentence only, he answered 
 promptly : 
 
 " Of course you do ;" for he was so glad to be freed 
 from his apprehensions he scarcely thought what he 
 Baid. 
 
 " Really, Miss Moncrieffe," said the gallant Mifiiin, 
 " I should like to enlist you in our cause. To judge 
 by the havoc you made to-night, you must be a perfect 
 Mars, or more likely the Goddess of Victory. What 
 bounty shall we pay you to enlist ?" 
 
 " Let me have my choice," she said, in the same gay 
 strain. 
 
 " Oh, you need not ask his permission for that, 
 young lady," said General Greene. "Please to look 
 around and make your own selection yours may be 
 the only difficulty."
 
 110 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 Margaret, glad to have an opportunity of turning 
 upon themselves the badinage thus addressed to her 
 by the generals, turned her head very leisurely around, 
 as if taking a survey of the company present, and as 
 she did so, her eyes met those of Major Burr, fixed 
 upon her with anxious scrutiny, for he really feared 
 she might say or do something offensive. She re- 
 turned his glance with a look which said, as plain as 
 words could speak, " My choice is made," and that 
 look reassured him, for it told him she was only gain- 
 ing time to make a suitable reply. 
 
 He replied by a glance of equal meaning with her 
 own, and, after scanning the assembled company for 
 some moments, she turned suddenly to General Put- 
 nam, and, putting her arm within his own, said, gaily : 
 " I don't see any one here I prefer to my kind friend 
 and host, so I will choose him." 
 
 The good old general actually blushed, as Margaret 
 thus took him by surprise ; but his astonishment was 
 heightened, and the laughter of the circle raised to the 
 highest pitch, as she added, " Come, general, one 
 gavotte with me." 
 
 " You little vixen," he said, in low tones, bringing 
 his mouth close to her ear ; " I'll put you on bread and 
 water for this for three days, and keep you locked up," 
 and, raising his voice, he said aloud, " Me dance !" and 
 the burly soldier laughed till the tears ran down his 
 face at the idea " Me dance, my child I I weigh
 
 MARGARET AIO> HER CONQUESTS. 117 
 
 nearly two hundred pounds, and am over sixty. No, 
 no, I do such things by proxy, as the lawyers say. 
 Here, Burr," and he beckoned his handsome aid, -who 
 Bprang gaily to his side, " this young lady wants to 
 tlance." 
 
 " Thank you, General Putnam," she said, with well 
 afiected hauteur, as Major Burr advanced ; " I did not 
 ask you to choose a partner for me I can do that my- 
 self. Nothing less than a general officer can get me 
 on the floor again this evening ;" and, as she spoke, 
 Lord Stirling, the gallant, high-bred gentleman, stepped 
 forward, and, with a low bow, said : 
 
 " General, Lord Stirling requests the honor of your 
 hand for the next gavotte." 
 
 " Miss Moncriefle is honored by Lord Stirling's 
 choice," she said, with a courtesy absolutely as cour- 
 teous as his bow, and with a quick, meaning glance at 
 Major Burr, who had watched her with an interest 
 excelled only by his admiration of her perfect self- 
 possession, she took the arm of the gallant nobleman, 
 and was led away by him. 
 
 " Faith, that is the greatest vixen I have seen in 
 many a day, Burr," said General Putnam, turning to 
 his aid, who stood by his side. " She had the impu- 
 dence to ask me to dance the gavotte. I believe I 
 will ask her to storm a battery with me some day." 
 
 " She won't refuse, general, I can promise you," re- 
 plied Major Burr, laughingly, as he noticed how seri-
 
 118 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 ously the good old general took to heart the playful 
 badinage of Margaret. "I don't believe she know* 
 what fear is, any more than you do." 
 
 This well-timed and well-merited compliment soothed 
 the old general, and joining the coterie, he was soon 
 employed in discussing with them, but in low tones, 
 the probabilities and possibilities which the next few 
 weeks might biing forth, for it was generally believed 
 that Lord Howe, who had left Virginia with his fleet, 
 intended to make New York the centre of his opera- 
 tions for the next campaign. 
 
 Major Burr sauntered carelessly away, and joined a 
 group of young officers, who stood watching the mo- 
 tions of Lord Stirling and Margaret, as they moved 
 through the stately and graceful gavotte, the favorite 
 dance of that period. Leaning against a column which 
 stood near the folding doors, in the room in which they 
 were dancing, he feasted his eyes in silent contempla- 
 tion of her to whom he had given his whole heart and 
 soul, envying the noble old general even the poor privi- 
 lege of one dance. 
 
 Lord Stirling having concluded the gavotte with 
 Margaret, led her again to the coterie of general 
 officers, who, by this time, had been surrounded by a 
 large corps of younger officers and ladies, and again 
 she proved the centre of attraction. 
 
 Her wit was so pungent, her satire so good-natured, 
 and her vivacity so perfectly natural, she carried all
 
 MARGARET AND HER COXQUESTS. 119 
 
 hearts by storm, and the daughter of the Royalist 
 officer, who a few days before had been glad to find 
 shelter and protection with her natural enemies (for as 
 such she looked upon all Americans), was the cynosure 
 of all eyes, and the great centre of attraction to all. 
 
 It was not until the close of the entertainment that 
 Major Burr had an opportunity of being alone with 
 her for one moment, and it was then only effected at 
 her earnest request, that she should be conducted to 
 him, and on her positive assurance she would not dance 
 any more during the night. 
 
 " Oh, Aaron," she said, as taking his r^ady arm, 
 they moved away from the throng which had sur- 
 rounded her, " how I hate and despise these compli- 
 ments and flatteries, meaning nothing. Do you know 
 what I have been thinking the whole evening ?" and 
 she looked fondly in his face as she spoke. 
 
 " I know who I have been thinking of," he said, with 
 a smile full of meaning. 
 
 " And so do I, Aaron. I was thinking how mean- 
 ingless and hollow all their compliments and flatteries 
 were, when I compared them with the look I met when 
 you held me in your arms after having rescued me 
 from that ruffian," and she clung closer to his side, as 
 if the memory of the peril she had passed was so vivid 
 that she dreaded its recurrence, and clung to him for 
 protection. 
 
 " Were you, indeed, Margaret ?" asked the young
 
 120 MAKGABET MOXCBIEFFB 
 
 officer, eagerly, as they stepped upon the balcony 
 which fronted on Broadway. 
 
 " Indeed, Aaron, I was. Believe me, though I am 
 joung, and seem giddy, thoughtless and reckless, my 
 feelings are warm, deep, and very earnest. You have 
 them all. Don't heed how I aci with others ; I must 
 act as I have done from policy. Remember, Aaron, I 
 am only here by courtesy of our enemies." 
 
 " Oh, don't say enemies, Margaret," exclaimed 
 Major Burr, impetuously. " Do not let that word 
 come between us." 
 
 " It never can interpose between us, Aaron," and 
 she laid her hand on his. " I have acted toward you 
 rashly, impulsively, but only as my heart dictated 
 Do r<ot think less of me, that I have been so frank ?" 
 
 "Dear, dearest Margaret, do what you will, say 
 what you will, act as you will ; the consciousness that I 
 possess your love is all I ask to render my happiness on 
 earth complete. But oh ! what is to be our future ?" 
 and he sighed .deeply as he spoke. 
 
 "Love, happiness, Aaron. You love me, don't 
 you ?" she asked, turning upon him her eyes, beaming 
 with the deep feeling which prompted the question. 
 
 " Better than anything on earth, Margaret," was 
 the earnest reply, delivered with a warmth and depth 
 of manner which alone would have convinced noy 
 we man of his sincerity. 
 
 "I know, I felt it, and have perfect faith in >om
 
 MARGARET AND HER CONQUESTS. 121 
 
 love. So do not let us borrow trouble ; it will come 
 without our aid, and heaven only knows how soon." 
 
 " You have been very much admired to-night, 
 Margaret," he said, half inquiringly, half reproachfully. 
 
 "Yes," she replied, laughingly, "I believe I have 
 made several conquests. Colonel St. Clair has declared 
 that he never will forgive me if I do not attend the ball 
 of his battalion next week." 
 
 " And what did you say ?" he inquired, with a 
 searching look. 
 
 " Oh, I referred him to General Putnam, and if he 
 gains his permission, I promised you should take ine 
 there." 
 
 " The dear, good old general can't refuse you any- 
 thing, so of course you will go." 
 
 " And you ? 
 
 " Of course, by your permission. You know I sur- 
 rendered to you, and consider myself under your 
 orders." 
 
 The conversation was pursued in this strain for a 
 few moments longer, the lovers leaning on the balcony 
 on which they stood, and speaking in almost whispered 
 tones, when it was interrupted by the appearance of a 
 sudden flash of light, which shot up from a house ap- 
 parently not far distant from the one in which they 
 were standing. 
 
 "There is a fire, Margaret. T must go and see 
 where and what it may be, for we have so many Tories 
 6
 
 122 MAEGAHET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 among us, we have to be unceasingly vigilant. Tea 
 must go home with General Putnam, and I will se 
 you in the morning. I have to ride a long distance 
 to-morrow," and thr-se last words were uttered in toned 
 which said, " Would you like to accompany me ?" 
 
 " So much the better, Aaron. We shall have a bet- 
 ter opportunity for conversation, for I shall manage to 
 join you. You see I am bold, but love has made me 
 so." 
 
 " Thank you a thousand times, my own Margaret," 
 exclaimed the young officer, enthusiastically, as he 
 drew her arm within his own, and leading her back 
 into the room where the company were still assembled, 
 consigned her to the care of the good old general, to 
 whom he had reported the fact of the fire, and an- 
 nounced his intention of going to the scene in order to 
 ascertain, if possible, whether it was an accident or the 
 result of design on the part of some of the turbulent 
 Tories who were permitted to remain in the city, 
 though only upon giving bonds for their behavior. 
 
 " She will go home with me, major," he said, as Mar- 
 garet drew close to his side. " Go and see what it is, 
 and report when you return. I shall not retire until 
 you come back. Oh, you need not fear for Miss Mon- 
 crieffe," said the old soldier, gaily, as he caught his aid 
 stealing a glance at Margaret. "If I don't take good 
 care of her, there are a hundred here ready to take 
 my place. She will be safe enough, I will warrant."
 
 MAKGARET AN*D HER COXQTTESTS. 123 
 
 Major Burr made no reply to his general, but with a 
 .ow bow, took his leave, and proceeded toward the 
 scene of the fire. 
 
 The conflagration was very trifling, and the flamea 
 being soon extinguished, the young aid retired to his 
 own quarters, where he found General Putnam in the 
 parlor, surrounded by his family, Margaret, of course, 
 included, and having made his report, he was about re- 
 tiring for the night, when the general arrested him by 
 saying : 
 
 " By the way, major," and as Major Burr turned to 
 receive his command, he continued sternly : " I wish 
 you would send some discreet officer to-morrow night, 
 to Corbie's, and report what he sees and hears. It is 
 our belief that his pestilent den is the resort of the 
 most dangerous characters, who are eternally plotting 
 treason ; and if we discover any cause, we are deter- 
 mined to break his house up at once, and send him 
 out of the city. Pick out some one not likely to 
 be known, and let him make any pretence he 
 chooses, to find out what is really going on there, 
 but it must be some brave, cool-headed, intelligent 
 man." 
 
 " I have one in my eye now, general," replied the 
 aid, " a young fellow from Elizabeth. He is the son of 
 an old lady, with whom I am well acquainted, and with 
 whom I have passed many a happy hour ; a sharp, keen, 
 quick-witted fellow, brave as a lion, and if there is any.
 
 124 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 thing wrong going on, I will guarantee he wiL find it 
 out." 
 
 While this conversation was going on, between the 
 general and his aid, Margaret seemed an attentive list- 
 ener to the prattle of the general's daughters concern- 
 ing the ball and their beaux (for in those days, young 
 ladies were just as fond of the ball and beau, as they are 
 at present), but she had heard and remembered every 
 word which he had uttered. 
 
 In a few minutes after the aid had retired, she pleaded 
 a severe headache, for leaving such pleasant company, 
 and withdrew to her own room, and seating herself at 
 a table, drew forth a small slip of paper, and hastily 
 wrote a few lines in pencil. This she folded up in a 
 very small compass, and placed in her pocket ; and she 
 then proceeded to note down the incidents and occur- 
 rences of the day and night, as, indeed, she had done 
 ince the first day she rode out with Major Burr.
 
 CHAPTER XH. 
 
 THE BROTHERS' MEETING. 
 
 ON the following morning, General Putnam's pre- 
 sented the appearance of a levee. Officers of every 
 grade poured in, with kind inquiries after the health of 
 the Misses Putnam, who had the penetration, however, 
 to discover that this remarkable anxiety for their health, 
 was but a pretext for seeing Miss Moncrieffe ; and while 
 slightly piqued, they had the discretion and good sense 
 to make the best of it. Indeed, one of them, taking a 
 moment when the parlor was empty of visitors, said to 
 Margaret, with an arch look ; " it's well you can't marry 
 more than one, Margaret, there's some chance for us, 
 after you have taken your choice." 
 
 " Keep them all, cousin Bell," she said, gaily. " I am 
 too good a loyalist for any of them, and they know it, 
 for I have spoken my mind very freely." 
 
 At this juncture another visitor was announced, one 
 who was a stranger to the general's family, and who had 
 inquired for Miss Moncrieffe. 
 
 It was Captain Blanchard, of the Royalist army ; and 
 as his name w r as announced, Margaret sprang forward, 
 and as she did so, she hastily thrust her right hand into
 
 120 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 the pocket of her dress, and as she advanced, 
 it forth and extended both hands, which were warmly 
 gi-asped by the gallant, but unfortunate officer, who, as 
 an old friend of Major Moncrieffe, was warmly attached 
 to his daughter. 
 
 " An old friend of mine, ladies," she said, drawing 
 him forward, and retaining one of his hands in her own ; 
 one of my father's best friends Captain Blanchard, of 
 the royal army." 
 
 The Misses Putnam bowed to the salutation of the 
 captain, but his reception Avas much less cordial than 
 that of the provincial officers for the general's daugh- 
 ters were ardent patriots. This was felt by the captain, 
 who, however, only exhibited his perception of it, by 
 directing the most of his conversation to Margaret ; 
 and the advent of two or three young officers enabled 
 him for a few moments, to converse with her alone. 
 She inquired after old friends, spoke about home and 
 dear old England, with the honest enthusiasm of her 
 heart, and, for the moment, forgot their position he, 
 a prisoner on parole ; she, the protegee of a rebel gene- 
 ral, glad of the protection Avhich he had so courteously 
 proffered, and which was so hospitably secured to her. 
 
 A few moments only, however, were allowed them 
 for private conversation if, indeed, that could be called 
 private, which was overheard by all present for the 
 visitors soon turned it into a more general channel ; and 
 Captain Blanchard having, by his manly, polished bear-
 
 THE BROTHERS' MEETING. 127 
 
 ing, worn away the impression which his first appear- 
 ance had made, solely on account of his position, rose to 
 withdraw, and received from the Misses Putnam, as well 
 as from Margaret, a pressing invitation to call again, 
 whenever he found it pleasant to do so, an invitation of 
 which he promised to avail himself at an early day. 
 
 Margaret escorted him to the door of the parlor, 
 where a look full of meaning was exchanged between 
 them, and he took his leave, with a hearty shake of the 
 hand. 
 
 Proceeding up Broadway, he stopped at the shop of 
 Forbes, the gunsmith, and found him alone. 
 
 "Are my pistols finished yet?" he asked, after the 
 salutation of the morning had passed between them. 
 
 " Not quite, captain," was the reply. " Won't you 
 walk into the back room and rest a bit ?" 
 
 " No, I thank you, Forbes. Are any of your boys 
 about ?" 
 
 " No, I am entirely alone," and as he spoke, the cap- 
 tain drew from his pocket a scrap of paper, rolled into 
 a very small compass, saying to Forbes, as he un- 
 folded it : " Keep your eyes wide open," and pro- 
 ceeded to read it. It ran briefly thus : 
 
 " I don't know who Corbie is ; but a party is going 
 to his house to-night in disguise, to see and hear what 
 he can. If Corbie is one of our friends put him on hia 
 guard."
 
 128 MARGARET MONCRIEFFK. 
 
 " Bravo !" he said, as he rolled the paper up and put 
 it in his mouth. " Now, Forbes, can you see Corbie 
 to-day ?" 
 
 " Of course, if it is necessary, captain, I can do any- 
 thing for his most gracious majesty's cause." 
 
 " It is of the utmost importance," said Captain 
 Blanchard, earnestly. " You must see him or send 
 word by some trusty friend that a person is coming to 
 his house to-night, in disguise, probably to watch what 
 is said and done. So tell him that if any stranger 
 comes there, to be careful. He knows all of our 
 friends, does he not ?" 
 
 " Of course he does. But to make matters sure, I 
 will be there myself. Oh, captain, there's the very 
 man, Hickey," and, advancing toward the door, he 
 hailed the guardsman, who at that moment was passing 
 by on the other side of the street toward the lower 
 end of the city, and who, on hearing Forbes' voice, 
 immediately crossed over and entered the shop, 
 which he could well do without exciting any sus- 
 picions, as it was frequented by officers and sol- 
 diers of all parties, although Forbes was a noted 
 Royalist. 
 
 "Hickey, you must see Corbie as soon as possible, 
 and tell him that there will be a spy at the house this 
 evening," and as he spoke he looked at Captain Blan- 
 chard, whose face was crimsoned as he heard that 
 word ; for to him, a prisoner on parole, received and
 
 THE BROTHERS' MEETING. 12& 
 
 treated as a gentleman, that word emphatically be- 
 longed. 
 
 " I know where it comes from," said Hickey, with a 
 meaning smile ; " I wish there was more like " 
 
 " Go along, sir," said Captain Blanchard, sternly, 
 and he gave the guardsman a look which said, as 
 plain as words could speak, '* don't name her." 
 
 Touching his cap, the guardsman left the shop, and, 
 as he crossed the street, Forbes said to the captain : 
 
 " That fellow has brought us nearly a dozen first- 
 rate fellows. "We've got a captain in McDougal's 
 regiment, too a fine young fellow, who, I think, you'll 
 like." 
 
 " No great gain, I am afraid," replied the captain, to 
 whom the well-merited character of the regiment, for 
 insubordination and general inefficiency, was quite 
 familiar ; " when is the boat coming again ?" 
 
 " We never know ; it has not been up now in three 
 nights. I shouldn't wonder if it came to-night." 
 
 " It must not land on any account," continued the 
 captain. 
 
 " Of course not-^Corbie has that arranged. When 
 there's any danger about, he always puts a light in the 
 end window. Those in the boat can see it long before 
 they reach the cove, and of course they won't attempt 
 to land. He'll look out for that." 
 
 " Well, Forbes, be careful. You know how much 
 depends upon silence and discretion. I am going on 
 6*
 
 130 MARGARET MOXCRiEFFE. 
 
 the island to-day for a rule. What shall I say to 
 Mathewfi?" 
 
 " Say I want a hundred guineas. Hickey has got 
 two more of the guardsmen, and I must have the sub- 
 sistence money for those we've got. Prompt pay will 
 keep them safer than oaths." 
 
 " True," replied the captain, musingly, and at that 
 moment a couple of officers from Smallwood's com- 
 mand entered the shop to inquire after some repairs 
 which they had ordered made to their weapons, and, 
 as they had often met Captain Blanchard in social 
 intercourse, and were well acquainted with him, they 
 soon entered into a friendly conversation, which, turn- 
 ing on shooting, was terminated by a challenge from 
 the senior of the trio, Captain Blanchard, to a trial of 
 skill at pistols, to come off at once, in the rear of 
 Forbes's house, and with any pistols at hand. 
 
 " My own are here, Captain Barnum," said the Roy- 
 alist ; " but rather out of order. However, they are 
 better than most you will find, and we'll use them if 
 you have no objections. Forbes, hurry and get thea? 
 ready for us. What shall it be ? A bottle of wine, of 
 course," he added, gaily, " and we'll drink it at my 
 rooms." 
 
 " A bottle apiece, captain," said Lieutenant Symmes, 
 the other of the continental officers; to which, of 
 course, Captain Blanchard assented. 
 
 Forbes pro luced the weapons belonging to Captain
 
 THE BROTHERS' MEETING. 181 
 
 Blanchard. which were handled and admired by the 
 young Southerners with evident delight, for they were 
 really superb specimens of Avorkmanship, and evidently 
 made for use. 
 
 " Why, Captain Blanchard," exclaimed Captain Bar- 
 num, " this is very singular." 
 
 " And pray what is very singular ?" said Captain 
 Blanchard, with an inquiring look. 
 
 " Why, this coat of arms on your pistols. Look 
 here," and he drew forth his massive gold watch, tc 
 which was appended a large carnelian seal, exquisitely 
 cut. " See," and he held the seal close to that en- 
 graved on the butt of the pistols. 
 
 Captain Blanchard looked, and a single glance suf- 
 ficed to show that one was the counterpart of the 
 other. He looked at the seal he looked at Captain 
 Barnum and he looked at the seal again. But the 
 look afforded no explanation except that they were 
 precisely alike. 
 
 " These are my mother's arms," said Captain Bar- 
 num, pointing to his seal. " She was a Blanchard." 
 
 " And her name ?" asked the Royalist, as the perspi- 
 ration started to his brow. 
 
 " Mary, from Hertford County." 
 Captain Blanchard, without saying one word, took 
 the pistol from the hand of the continental officer, and 
 placed it gently in the case, then taking off his cap, he 
 tiped the perspiration which stood in heavy
 
 132 MARGARET MONCRTEFFK. 
 
 on his forehead, and said slowly, and with deep emo- 
 tion: 
 
 " She was my aunt my favorite aunt and we are 
 cousins, Captain Barnum ;" and, as he spoke, he ex- 
 tended his hand, adding, " Come, captain, we may 
 shake hands as relations, at least ; God put an end to 
 this cruel war, which brings us into such mortal con- 
 flict with even our blood." 
 
 For an instant Captain Barnum stood mute. There 
 could be no doubt that what had been said was true, 
 and he, too, felt bitterly the necessity which compelled 
 him to view as an enemy one to whom he was united 
 by such close ties of consanguinity. But he hesitated 
 only a moment ; then grasping the hand of his royalist 
 cousin, forgot, for a time, the position in which they 
 were placed, in the pleasure, not unmixed with pain, 
 of this singular meeting. Both seemed boys again. 
 Captain Blanchard was the senior of his cousin some 
 twelve years, but remembered him well when he Avas 
 an infant, at the time he embarked with his parents for 
 the Colony of Virginia. Nothing was heard from them 
 for years ; but at length a letter was received from 
 Mary, picturing in glowing terms the loveliness of the 
 country, the healthfulness of the climate, and the hap 
 piness by which she was surrounded. Indeed, her de- 
 scription of life in Virginia was painted in such glowing 
 couleurs de rose, Mr. Blanchard's youngest sun, Ed- 
 mund asked and obtained permission to join his aunt
 
 THE BROTHERS' MEETING. 133 
 
 in their new home, and came out to seek his own for- 
 tune in the new world a permission the more readily 
 granted, as the old man had a large family dependent 
 upon him, and an income far from corresponding to the 
 demands which they necessarily made upon it. 
 
 Edmund Blanchard wrote'occasionally to his parents, 
 but at length all communication between the families 
 ceased, and Mr. Blanchard and his wife sank into the 
 grave, ignorant whether their youngest and favorite 
 child was living or dead. 
 
 Questions were asked and answered by either with 
 marveUous rapidity, and as they continued to converse, 
 their interest in each other grew stronger, until at 
 length Captain Barnum put an end to the conversation 
 by placing his arm within that of his cousin, and say- 
 ing: 
 
 " Suppose we postpone our match for to-day. Come 
 to my quarters, and I will tell you something that will 
 surprise you more than anything you have heard yet. 
 Come, Symmes, some other time we will shoot for the 
 wine ; you will, I am sure, excuse us now, under such 
 circumstances ;" and arm in arm, the trio proceeded up 
 Broadway a short distance, when Lieutenant Symmes, 
 rightly thinking that the cousins, so long separated, 
 would have many personal and purely private matters 
 to speak of, made some excuse for not joining them, 
 and left them to pursue their way to Captain Barnum's 
 quarters alone.
 
 134 MARGARET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 The captain, in company with other officers of the 
 same command, had rented a commodious house, which 
 stood a little back from the street now known as Cham- 
 bers street, not far distant from the Battery, which 
 extended from the corner of Warren and Greenwich 
 streets almost to the old Vauxhall Garden. 
 
 Several officers were in the room into which Captain 
 Blanchard was conducted, to whom he was introduced, 
 and as all had heard him ever named with high praises, 
 with the courtesy and gallantry characteristic of 
 soldiers and gentlemen, they gave him a cordial wel- 
 come. Captain Barnum whispered a few words to one 
 of the young officers, who retired almost immediately, 
 and wine having been ordered and brought, the party 
 were soon engaged in lively conversation. By common 
 consent, any language which could pain or wound the 
 feelings of the captured officer was carefully avoided, 
 and he was soon made to feel as much at home as if he 
 had been at his own mess-table, for he was in the soci- 
 ety of high-toned gentlemen, who, having espoused the 
 cause of their country from principle, were disposed to 
 admit that those who differed with them might be 
 actuated by motives equally commendable. 
 
 Captain Blanchard, in the company of the several 
 southerners, soon felt at home, and the story, jest, and 
 witticism passed freely about without fear of giving 
 offence to any. 
 
 As the seni -r officer, Captain Barnum presided over
 
 THE BUOTHEES' MEETING. 135 
 
 their matutinal revel, and his presence seemed to 
 operate as a check upon the conviviality of his com- 
 peers, who, as ready for fighting as for feasting, had 
 turned many looks toward him, wondering at the 
 seriousness of his manner. 
 
 But even in the midst of that hilarity, he was seri- 
 ous deeply, thoughtfully so; and when he was awa- 
 kened from a reverie into which he had fallen, by the 
 return of the young officer who had before retired at 
 his bidding, an expression of actual pain, crossed his 
 features, as he arose and said : 
 
 " Gentlemen, pray excuse my friend, Captain Blanch- 
 ard, and myself, for a few moments," and at these 
 words Captain Blanchard arose, followed by his host, 
 and left the room, wondering, however, what could be 
 the purpose of this summons. 
 
 " I promised you a surprise, Captain Blanchard," 
 said the provincial officer, with a smile of actual sadness. 
 " I know you will excuse the manner in which I fulfill 
 my promise, in consideration of my motives ; pray, 
 come to my quarters," and he ascended to the second 
 story, followed by the wondering royalist. 
 
 On entering the apartment, they found seated there, 
 an officer dressed in the uniform of Colonel McDougal's 
 regiment ; a fine, stalwart looking man, who had proba- 
 bly seen some thirty summers. He was engaged in 
 perusing " Rivington's Gazette," the only one published 
 in the city a* that period j as the door was opened, he
 
 13(J MAKGAKET MONCRIEFFK. 
 
 dropped his paper, and advanced to meet Captain Bar- 
 num, with whom he was on terms of familiarity, at the 
 Karne time greeting Captain Blanchard with a courteous 
 bow. 
 
 " Well, captain, you see I am a minute man," he 
 said, gaily. " "What is it ? Love or war !" 
 
 **A little of both, captain," was the reply of the 
 Marylander, and as he spoke, Captain Blanchard and 
 the continental officer advanced close to his side. 
 
 " You do not seem to know each other," he said, 
 turning from one to the other, with a smile. 
 
 " I cannot say I remember ever having the pleasure 
 of seeing this gentleman, before," said Captain Blanch- 
 ard, the Royalist, really lost in amazement at his host's 
 conduct, and gazing steadily at his namesake. 
 
 " Well, then, I must refresh your memory. Captain 
 Blanchard, of the royalist army, let me introduce to 
 you, Captain Blanchard, of the continental army Col. 
 McDougal's regiment." 
 
 For an instant the two captains stood eyeing each 
 other, as if striving to recall something either had for- 
 gotten ; but nature, at length, asserted her sway, and 
 with an exclamation of joy, they sprung forward, and 
 as they stood clasped in each other's arms, " brother 
 Edmund," and " brother Arthur," testified that the 
 brothers, separated for rt ore than fifteen years, had 
 met again.
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 A SPY IN THE CAMP. 
 
 IT was scarcely dusk, when Gilbert Forbes, dressed 
 in his best clothes, and looking as nnlike a workman 
 as he could make himself appear, entered the tap-room 
 of Corbie's house, where he found some half-dozen of 
 the soldiers, from various regiments, assembled, dis- 
 cussing the affairs of the nation, and making them- 
 selves ridiculous, as rapidly as they could, by swallow- 
 ing glass after glass of the " real Jamaica," or the " real 
 schnapps," set before them. With these, were present, 
 also, as many well-known and marked royalists, who 
 were similarly engaged. 
 
 Forbes advanced to the bar, behind which Corbie 
 was standing, and as he called for some of the best Ja- 
 maica, a glance of intelligence passed between them 
 and then the former was satisfied that Hickey had faith- 
 fully delivered his message. 
 
 " Come, boys," said Forbes, seating himself at the 
 table already occupied by the half score, who moved 
 around to make room for the jolly gunsmith, for he 
 was known to almost the entire army, " let's have a 
 game of cards. Corbie, have you any cards ?"
 
 138 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFK. 
 
 " I aon't know, but I can find a pack, somewhere ;" 
 and he commenced a search in the drawers of the bar, 
 which proving unsuccessful, he lighted a candle, and 
 left the room to search for them. He soon reappeared, 
 bearing in his hand the articles demanded, and a well- 
 worn, greasy looking checkerboard. " Here, you can't 
 all play cards ; here's dominoes, here's cards, and here's 
 the checkerboard," and he placed them severally on the 
 table, as he spoke. 
 
 Parties were soon formed, and the various games 
 were commenced, interrupted at occasional intervals by 
 the arrival of some habitual frequenter of the house, 
 who, after having partaken of his drink, retreated from 
 the bar to the table, around which the guests were 
 seated, and amused themselves by looking over the 
 games of the various players engaged. 
 
 It was nearly eight o'clock. Many glasses had been 
 drank. Many of the inmates were fast approaching a 
 condition, which, so far as the soldiers were concerned, 
 would unfit them for appearance at their quarters, with 
 out the risk of passing the night in the guard house, and 
 the certainty of a flogging in the morning, and, per- 
 haps, a diet of bread and water for a week, in addition. 
 
 Hickey was not present, as he was on duty ; but the 
 stalwart Barnes, who had saved his back from the 
 stripes, at the expense of his honor and manhood, was 
 among them, having received his cue from his fellow, 
 guardsman, and fellow traitor, Hickey.
 
 A SPY IN THE CAMP. T39 
 
 The evening wore on. Drinking, card-playing, 
 and the narration of marvellous adventures, helped to 
 wile away the time, and when it lacked less than half 
 an hour of tattoo, which was beat off at nine o'clock, 
 Corbie and Forbes exchanged significant glances. Thus 
 far there had been no one present, with whom both 
 were unacquainted, for Corbie had a very regular run 
 of customers, and each was congratulating himself, in- 
 wardly, upon having escaped the snare spread for them, 
 when the door of the tap-room was opened, and a tall, 
 country -looking youth, attired in a dress which defies 
 description for it was a motley mixture of the 
 country farm-boy, and the aspiring soldier en- 
 tered, and with a hurried glance around the room, 
 and scanning its inmates, unnoticed, however, by 
 any save Corbie and his fellow Loyalist, Forbes, stepped 
 up to the bar and demanded some liquor, at the sam<? 
 time laying down a continental bill of one dollar to pay 
 for it. 
 
 Corbie knew his man at once, for that simple move- 
 ment had betrayed him, as the refusal to receive the 
 continental money at par, at that time, was, by special 
 act of Congress, made a crime, which was most se- 
 verely punished. 
 
 The liquor was poured out, and the full change 
 handed over, which the stranger took up without re- 
 mark ; but he stole a hasty glance at Corbie, as he pre- 
 tended tc be looking over the counter at the cards in
 
 140 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 the hands of one of the players, who sat with his back 
 toward him. 
 
 " You have nice quarters here," he said, leaning on 
 the bar, and sipping his liquor. 
 
 "You ain't the only one who thinks so," said the 
 landlord, with a wink and a smile, nodding toward the 
 group of soldiers gathered around his table. " I 
 keep a quiet, orderly house, and serve the best of 
 liquors to anybody who will pay for them. Everybody 
 who comes in here is a friend as long as he behaves 
 like a man and pays his scot, and proves himself 
 cne." 
 
 " And how may that be done ?" asked the stranger. 
 
 " By not talking war or politics. General Washing- 
 ton allows me to keep the house, right by his quarters, 
 you see, because he knows I never meddle with what 
 don't concern me. But I say, young man, where are 
 you from ? I never saw you before." 
 
 " Oh ! I'm from Jersey." 
 
 " Ye ; but where are your quarters ?" 
 
 " Oh ! a thundering ways off, and I'm afraid I shall 
 get in some cursed trouble ; I don't believe I can get 
 in by tattoo ; let me see," and he looked at the old 
 clock which ornamented one corner of the bar-room 
 " almost nine. By hookey ! I shall catch it ! I say, 
 landlord, can't I stay here to-night ? and I'll make up 
 some lie in the morning. I couldn't get through the 
 Gentries now, and I don't want to be punished for
 
 A SPY IN THE CAMP. 141 
 
 nothing. You see, I went down into the city to see a 
 girl, and " 
 
 " How far have you to go ?" interrupted Corbie, 
 with an appearance of interest, as if he felt sorry for 
 the predicament of the youthful soldier. 
 
 " Oh ! ? way over to Badlam's Battery," and he named 
 the works erected at what is now the intersection of 
 Market and Madison streets, and distant more than 
 two miles from Corbie's, across lots and swamps be- 
 tween the two points. 
 
 Corbie did not choose to ask him how he got so far 
 out of his way ; he knew that well enough ; but, turn- 
 ing to Forbes, said : 
 
 " I say, Gilbert, you know I haven't got but one 
 spare bed, and, as you're out so late, of course you're 
 going to stay. Will you share with this young 
 man ?" 
 
 " Oh, of course ; anything to oblige, Corbie," and, 
 rising from the table, as he finished his game of 
 checkers, he ^approached the bar, and addressing the 
 new comer, said : " I'll go halves with you, young 
 man, if you will promise not to quarrel ; you know 
 they call me a Royalist." 
 
 " No be you, though ?" said the youth, looking in- 
 tently at the gunsmith. " Well," and he lowered his 
 \oice to a whisper, almost, as he spoke, "there ain't 
 much danger of our quarrelling on that score," and he 
 ga^ e the cunning gunsmith a knowing wink.
 
 142 MABGAEET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 "My name's Adams," continued the young man, 
 emptying his glass. " What may yours be ?" 
 
 " Forbes Gilbert Forbes." 
 
 " What ! Forbes, down there in Broadway ? You 
 don't say." 
 
 " The same," replied Forbes, ready to laugh at the 
 idea of he or Corbie being taken in by such a man. 
 
 " Oh, I'm mighty glad to see you, I can tell you. It 
 was a lucky chance as brought me here to-night. We 
 shan't quarrel, I know. Come, as we've got to bundle 
 in together, let's have a drink," and he threw down on 
 the counter a Spanish shilling, part of the change which 
 Corbie had paid him, calling for some " more Jarnaiky," 
 at the same time bidding the gunsmith to order what 
 he chose ; and as he spoke, he turned toward the group 
 still seated around the table, and scanned them with 
 eager looks. 
 
 While his back was turned, Corbie and Forbes ex- 
 changed glances ; they knew their man, and he had 
 already shown them how to treat him. 
 
 " Come, Mr. Forbes ; I don't care whether you are 
 a Loyalist or a Royalist, I kind o' like you, and I drink 
 your health ;" and he touched his lips to his glass. 
 
 " I drink yours in a full glass," said Forbes, laugh- 
 ingly, emptying his glass without taking it from his 
 mouth. 
 
 " Come, sir," he added, drawing a long breath, " you 
 can't do anything less than I have done."
 
 A SPY IX THE CAMP. 143 
 
 " Of course not," said the young soldier ; and he 
 tossed off his glass of Jamaica which Corbie had 
 poured for him, filling the tumbler nearly two-thirds 
 full. 
 
 It lacked now only five minutes of nine, and, as the 
 company prepared to go, Corbie went around to collect 
 his glasses from the table ; and while thus engaged, 
 Forbes and young Adams were employed in an ani- 
 mated conversation. 
 
 Adams pretended to feel the effects of the liquor ho 
 had drank ; but Forbes was too cunning to be caught 
 so easily, for he had noticed that a portion of the 
 young soldier's last glass had gone down outside his 
 throat. 
 
 " I say, Forbes, they won't kill a fellow, will they, 
 for being out all night ?" 
 
 " Oh, no ; you can make up some good lie for mom- 
 ing. Perhaps they'll give you two or three days on 
 bread and water ; that won't amount to much, you 
 know.'-' 
 
 " Not so bad as a flogging. But I say," and he 
 dropped his voice to a whisper, " ain't these fellows 
 going pretty soon ?" 
 
 " Yes, they must go in a few moments, or the guard 
 house will bring them up. "VYhy do you ask?" 
 
 " Oh, 'cause I want to talk to you a bit. I'%e heard 
 of you afore, Forbes, I have;" and he leered, with a 
 balf drunken expression, at the gunsmith.
 
 144 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 " Me, sir," said Forbes, coolly ; " everybody in York 
 knows me. Some on 'era are down on me, 'cause they 
 say I'm a d d Tory ; but I mind my own business, 
 and doesn't trouble anybody. They can't get any hold 
 on me, as I doesn't meddle with anything as doesn't 
 concern me." Forbes, who was quite able to converse 
 m much better language, adopted this style to draw 
 out young Adams. 
 
 While this conversation was going on, the guests had 
 gradually departed, and the bar-room was deserted by 
 all save Corbie, Forbes, and the young Jerseyman. 
 
 Corbie was busily engaged in locking and barring 
 the doors and windows, talking the while to Forbes 
 and the young soldier, the latter of whom, acting par- 
 tial drunkenness, called for some more liquor, and 
 insisted that the landlord should join them. 
 
 Corbie readily assented to this, as, to use his own 
 words, "They had the night before them;" and pour- 
 ing out three glasses of liquor, he placed them on the 
 table, and seating himself, as did his companions, said : 
 
 " Come, young man, you must not go to bed without 
 drinking our toast. 'You need not drink it unless you 
 wish ;" and raising his glass to his lips, he said : 
 " Here's to the king God bless him." 
 
 " Here's to the king God bless him !" echoed 
 Adams, emptying his glass, for the first glass he had 
 drank, and the portion of the second, had so inflamed 
 his appetite, he made no attempt to resist the craving
 
 A SPr IV THE CAMP. 145 
 
 thus aroused, and its effects were seemingly almost im- 
 mediately perceptible. 
 
 " I say, boys," he said, lowering his voice almost t 
 a whisper, " do they flog a fellow in your service ?" 
 
 " Oh, yes," replied Forbes, constituting himself 
 spokesman ; " three dozen for being out of quarters at 
 night, and twice as much for getting drunk." 
 
 " You don't say !" exclaimed the astonished youth. 
 
 " True as gospel. Why, Corbie, here, deserted to 
 save his back, because the court-martial sentenced him 
 to a hundred lashes for getting on a little spree and 
 outstaying his time." 
 
 " Whew !" exclaimed the now really half intoxicated 
 soldier ; " you don't say !" drawing out the words to a 
 terrible length. 
 
 " Yes, there's fifty pounds reward offered for him 
 now, and if they get him on board the ship, or on the 
 island, I wouldn't be in his place for twice fifty 
 pounds." 
 
 Adams looked at Corbie, as if for confirmation of 
 these assertions, and the landlord, setting down his 
 glass just finished, said, with a half sigh : 
 
 " Yes, it's so. I wouldn't get in their hands again 
 for all I've got in this house. But come, boys, you 
 must turn in now; if the guard see any light about the 
 house when they go the rounds, you will wish you 
 were somewhere else the guard-house would bring 
 both of you up for the night, and I wouldn't answer
 
 146 MARGARET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 for to-morrow. Come, Forbes, take a light, you know 
 the way. Adams, you go with him ; I want to take 
 care of the bar. Good night," and handing a light to 
 the gunsmith, he led the way up a small flight of stairs,. 
 to the room on the second story appropriated to the 
 lodgers. 
 
 " Curse it," he said to himself, when alone, " I don't 
 believe it's worth while to warn 'em off to-night. Every 
 day is a day now, and we can manage that youngster 
 anyhow ;" and he went on cleaning his glasses, and 
 transferring the money from his till to a buckskin 
 bag which he drew from his pocket. 
 
 While he was thus engaged, Forbes and his young 
 friend were preparing to retire to rest for the night. 
 Adams seemed to be partially affected by the liquor he 
 had drank, but Forbes, who was not only an old toper, 
 but as cunning as a fox, found little difficulty in detect- 
 ing the simulation, au4 was, therefore, on his guard. 
 
 In a few moments l joth wero disrobed, and lying 
 side by side. Forbes soon, to til appearance, settled 
 himself for a night's rott, and commenced a snore 
 which would have satisfied the mtt-t skeptical that he 
 worshipped at the shrine of Bacchus, <wd was now pay- 
 ing penalty to Morpheus. 
 
 Young Adams, whose head was proof against even 
 the quantity of " old Jamaiky " he had imbibed; and 
 who had been selected for this hazardous mission as 
 well on account of that peculiar qualification as /U r hia
 
 A SPY IN THE CAMP. 147 
 
 natural snrcwdness, heard his companion snoring, and 
 after a few moments of patient, or rather impatient, 
 waiting, to assure himself that he was sleeping, rose 
 quietly, and stole noiselessly to the door leading to the 
 stairs which they had ascended. 
 
 This he opened cautiously, and descending to the 
 other door, which led into the tap-room, and which 
 opened inwardly, he planted himself upon the steps, and 
 with his ear close to the door, prepared to listen to 
 anything that might transpire. 
 
 He had not been there many minutes when he heard 
 three raps at the rear window, and the opening and 
 closing of a door assured him that some persons had 
 been admitted. 
 
 " "Well, Corbie, what is the word now ?" said Colonel 
 Fanning, as he entered the bar-room, dressed as before. 
 
 " Hist !" said Corbie, in a whisper, pointing to the 
 door which led to' the second story. 
 
 "What is it?" asked the colonel, with an air of 
 anxiety, but in subdued tones. 
 
 " "We heard to-day, I don't know how, except that 
 it came through Captain Blanchard, that a spy would 
 be here to-night. He's here now, upstairs," and he 
 pointed again to the door ; " he's more than two-thirds 
 drunk, so I thought I wouldn't set the signal." 
 
 " Right, Corbie. Now, have you seen Yates ?" 
 
 " No ; no one of that name has been here yet, as J 
 know of."
 
 J48 MARGARET MONCBIEFFE. 
 
 " "Well, he will come at any hour ; treat him well, 
 and send him aboard as soon as possible. We want to 
 move up as soon as we can." 
 
 " Who is he ? Who is Yates ?" 
 
 " A fellow who has promised to pilot us as far as the 
 Spuytenduyvel ; that will answer our purpose, you 
 know." 
 
 " But how am I to know him among so many who 
 come here ?" asked Corbie, earnestly. " I wouldn't 
 make a mistake for a fortune." 
 
 " True. Here," and he produced a packet of letters, 
 and, looking over them, he selected one which he 
 handed to Corbie, for it was addressed to him. " He 
 will ask if ' any news has been heajd of the fleet.' Re- 
 member, ' any news of the fleet ' any one who comes 
 with that password is safe." 
 
 " I understand," said Corbie, opening, as he spoke, 
 the letter addressed to him, and striving to mas- 
 ter its contents a difficult task, indeed ; for the 
 writer, Governor Try on, as has been said, was the 
 worst of penmen, and Corbie far from being a 
 scholar. 
 
 " Here are letters for Blanchard, Matthews, Forbes 
 and, let me see and here is one for Miss Moncriefie. 
 Who is she, Corbie ?" 
 
 " Why, that young girl at General Putnam's. She 
 came here a few days ago from Elizabeth, and is stay- 
 ing with him."
 
 A SPT IN THE CAMP. >,0 
 
 "Well, that must be delivered with the greatest 
 secrecy. How can you manage that ?" 
 
 "I will see Captain Blanchard to-morrow; he can 
 go Avhere I cannot." 
 
 " And how do you get on, Corbie ?" asked the mes- 
 senger, seating himself at the table so recently vacated 
 by the soldiers and Loyalists who had surrounded it, at 
 the same time placing in an inner pocket of his jacket 
 a packet which Corbie handed to him, with his finger 
 on his lips, as if cautioning him to speak in lower 
 tones, though all of the conversation just narrated had 
 been carried on almost in a whisper. 
 
 "Oh, excellently. We're got four of the guards 
 now, one of the captains of McDougal's regiment, and 
 I don't know how many others Forbes, you know, has 
 the management of that." 
 
 "Well, we can't do anything without Yates. I 
 expected to have found him here," said the colonel, 
 with an air of disappointment and vexation combined. 
 
 "I am sorry for the sake of the righteous cause," 
 said Corbie. " But come, colonel," and, approaching 
 nearer to him, he whispered something in his ear, and 
 withdrawing behind the bar, soon disappeared beneath 
 the trap which led to the cellar, where he kept his 
 famous " old south side." 
 
 A low, peculiar whistle from the colonel, who had 
 advanced to the window, which he had unbarred and 
 thrown open, was answered by a similar signal, appa-
 
 150 MARGARET MOXCIUEFFE. 
 
 rently from the river, and, before Corbie had returned 
 from the cellar, half a dozen sturdy seamen, dressed in 
 the blue of the royal navy, were at the door, awaiting 
 admission, for that signal had called them there. 
 
 " Here it is, colonel," said Corbie, in low tones, aa 
 lie emerged from the cellar, cautiously and noiselessly 
 closing the trap door after him, and he laid upon the 
 table a bottle with the familiar and highly-prized seal. 
 
 The colonel made no reply ; but placing his finger 
 on his lips, pointed to the door, a sign seemingly we'll 
 understood by the landlord, for he proceeded cautiously 
 to unlock and unbar it, admitting the stalwart fellows 
 who stood there awaiting entrance. 
 
 " Give them something," said the colonel, in low 
 tones, as he proceeded to decant the generous wine 
 which Corbie had set before him, and the ready land- 
 lord, going behind the bar, produced glasses for each, 
 and, without asking what they would have, poured for 
 them each a tumbler nearly full of the " old Jamaica.'* 
 
 They were in the act of gulping it down, and the 
 colonel had just raised his third glass to his lips, when 
 a sound was heard on the stairs which led to the 
 second story, as of scuffling ; an oath or two was 
 uttered by the parties, whoever they were ; but before 
 any one had time to rise and seek the cause of the 
 commotion, the door leading into the bar was burst 
 open, and two figures rolled upon the floor. 
 
 One war Gilbert Forbes, in a state almost of nudity ;
 
 A SPY IN THE CAMP. 151 
 
 the other was the young soldier, his bedfellow ; but hia 
 head was completely enveloped in a sheet, and only his 
 person was visible, as he writhed and tossed on the 
 floor to which they had rolled, in his frantic endeavors 
 to free himself from the grasp of his brawny opponent, 
 and from the covering which enshrouded hia head.
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 GOVERNOR TRYON OIT BOABD SHIP. 
 
 Iv an instant the young soldier was seized in th 
 ready arms of the boatmen who had entered the room 
 in obedience to the signal from Colonel Fanning, and 
 one of them, taking his cravat, bound his arms securely 
 behind. The sheet was then removed from his head, 
 and before he had time to utter a word, and scarcely to 
 think, another of the seamen had drawn a handker- 
 chief into his mouth, and, fastening it behind his neck, 
 he was as thoroughly prevented from making any noise 
 as though a " regulation " gag had been put in his 
 mouth. 
 
 Being thus effectually secured, he was released from 
 the arms of his captors, and for an instant glared about 
 him, his eyes actually flashing with rage. But he was 
 fairly trapped, and knowing that resistance against 
 such odds, even if he was at liberty to make any, 
 would be sheer folly, he seated himself quietly in a 
 chair, or, rather, on the edge of a chair, for the posi- 
 tion of his arms pinioned behind him, prevented him 
 from occupying the seat. 
 
 "That's right my fine fellow," said the colonel,
 
 GOVERNOR TRYOS OX BOARD SHIP. 153 
 
 nking ironically on his helpless prisoner, " make the 
 tast of a bad bargain. You see what you get by 
 meddling with what don't concern you," and, seating 
 himself again at the table, he proceeded to finish the 
 bottle which Corbie had placed before him. 
 
 " Now, then, Corbie," he said, as he drained his last 
 glass, " you know what to do. That letter for the " 
 
 ; but he checked himself suddenly, as if feeling 
 
 that he had no right to pronounce Margaret's name in 
 such company. " Oh, the captain he'll manage that, 
 I'll warrant. Forbes said he was going out to see 
 Mathews to-day, eh ?" and he turned to the gunsmith, 
 who was standing at the bar, quietly sipping some 
 liquor to which he had helped himself while the sea- 
 men were securing young Adams. 
 
 " Yes," he replied, " he said so ; but I don't hardly 
 think he got away. I saw him just before sundown, as 
 I was coming along in company with one of Small- 
 wood's officers and that captain from McDougal's regi- 
 ment the one as belongs to us." 
 
 " Somebody must go out to-morrow. We expect 
 the fleet almost every day, and we want to get every- 
 thing in readiness, so as to act as soon as Lord Howe 
 arrives. But what are we to do with this smart young 
 man ?" continued the colonel, turning to Adams, who 
 sat silent, of course, but almost bursting with rage and 
 shame at being so securely trapped in his own net. 
 
 " A few days or weeks on board the "Duchess" won't 
 7*
 
 154 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 hurt him, I'm thinking," replied Forbes, "He will 
 have excellent company there there's lots of his kind 
 aboard. His excellency, I know, will treat him very 
 well." 
 
 " Come, then, my worthy rebel, will you go quietly, 
 or shall my fellows here help you? Take your 
 choice." 
 
 Adams knew well what sort of assistance he might 
 expect to receive from the sailors, so he nodded his 
 head in acquiescence of the first part of the colonel's 
 proposition, and Corbie having poured out another 
 glass apiece for the sailors, which was tossed off with a 
 bow and a scrape, the party started to leave the house, 
 two men taking each an arm of the young soldier and 
 leading him forward, the others following behind. 
 
 In this order they reached the boat, a large man-of- 
 war cutter, manned by eight men ; and Adams having 
 been stowed in the stern-sheets, within reach of Colonel 
 Fanning's arm, it was shoved off silently, and the crew 
 pulled away very gently at first so gently that even 
 the dipping of the oars (which were muffled,) in the 
 water, was scarcely heard by the prisoner. 
 
 " Now, my fine fellow," said the colonel, when the 
 boat had reached nearly the middle of the stream, until 
 which time not a word had been spoken, " if you make 
 the least noise, or attempt to move, I shall have you 
 pitched overboard as sure as you are there, now. You 
 understand, of course ?"
 
 GOVERNOR TRYOX ON BOARD SHIP. 155 
 
 Adams nodded his head sullenly, for he had DO other 
 choe, and, at a sign from the colonel, the men gave 
 way ui long, steady strokes, which sent the boat fairly 
 flying ihrough the water. A hard pull of two hours 
 brougnc \hern alongside the "Duchess of Gordon," the 
 flag-shipj. on board which Governor Tryon had hia 
 head-quartwris then lying off the present quarantine 
 landing, and the hail of the sentry having been duly 
 answered Lj Colonel Fanning, the party ascended her 
 aide, and th* gag having been removed from Adams* 
 mout)', and Ms arms set at liberty, he was directed to 
 follow them,, an order with which he complied, but of 
 course with s-ullen reluctance. As he landed on the deck 
 of the ship, C}lonel Fanning, turning to the officer of the 
 watch, said : " Giv this man in charge of the master- 
 at-arus. Let him be well treated, but well watched," 
 and, striding aft, his arrival on board was announced 
 by toe sentry at the cabin door, to the captain and 
 Governor Tryon, who were seated within. 
 
 The governor was in the very highest spirits, for a 
 vessel had arrived that very day which had brought to 
 him a letter from Lord Germaine, thanking him in the 
 warmest terms, in the name of his majesty, for the 
 efficient aid he had rendered to the cause, and hinting 
 at the probability of much more substantial evidence 
 of the king's approbation. 
 
 ** Ah ! colonel returned, I see," he said, rising, his 
 eountenance flushed with the wine he had been drink*
 
 156 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 ing for he was noted for his devotion to the best 
 things of this life. " What news from the infernal 
 rebels? Are they ready to lay dwwn their arm? 
 and submit to the clemency of our gracious sove- 
 reign ?" 
 
 " Hardly yet, your excellency, I fear," said the colo- 
 nel, with a quiet smile, " though I learn from our trusty 
 friends in the city, that a great disaffection exists among 
 the troops. Their pay is never punctually given, and 
 their provisions of the poorest kind, with a scarcity 
 even of that, and they are kept at work day and night. 
 There are, I am sure, many hundreds who will join our 
 forces as soon as we effect a landing ; at least, such is 
 the information I gather from Forbes and Corbie. 
 
 " But how as to the other matter ? What progress is 
 making in that ? You know, colonel, that is my scheme, 
 and I place great reliance upon the result, should we 
 succeed." 
 
 " Several of the life-guards of Mr. Washington have 
 joined us, and when a few more are secured, the first 
 favorable opportunity will be seized to carry your ex- 
 cellency's plan into operation. If successful, that will 
 crush the rebellion without doubt, and your excellency 
 will reap the well-earned reward of your devotion to 
 his majesty. 
 
 "Aye, aye," replied the governor, half musingly, 
 rubbing his hands together ; for visions of stars and 
 orders were dancing before him, as the possibility of
 
 GOVERNOR TRYON ON BOARD SHIP. 157 
 
 success in his great undertaking crossed his mind. 
 " Have you brought any dispatches ?" 
 
 " Yes, your excellency," replied the colonel, drawing 
 from his pocket the packet of papers delivered to him 
 by Corbie. " I have brought a prisoner, on board, cap- 
 tain," he said, turning to Captain Chiffney, who, while 
 this conversation had been going on, was seated quietly 
 sipping his wine. 
 
 " A prisoner, colonel," said the governor, inquiringly. 
 
 " Yes," replied the colonel, laughing ; " he set a trap 
 for us, and fell into it himself," and he proceeded to nar- 
 rate the circumstances connected with the capture of 
 young Adams. 
 
 " I wonder how Corbie found it out ?" said the gene- 
 ral, musingly, but looking at Colonel Fanning, as he 
 spoke. 
 
 " The notice came through Captain Blanchard, from 
 some person in General Putnam's house." 
 
 " Margaret, by !" profanely exclaimed the gov- 
 ernor, bringing his fist on the table, near which he was 
 standing, with a force which made the glasses jingle. 
 "That girl is worth twenty common men ; she deserves 
 to be a duchess ;" and turning to the captain, he said : 
 " Captain Chiffney, will you be pleased to order the 
 prisoner to be brought into the cabin, and meanwhile, 
 J will read what our friends have to say," and seating 
 himself, he proceeded to open the package brought by 
 Colonel Fanning, saying, as he did so : " Colonel, your
 
 !C8 MARGABET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 faithful and arduous services are fully appreciated, and 
 shall be reported to Lord Germaine. His majesty, I am 
 confident, will feel it a privilege to testify his apprecia- 
 tion of such a faithful servant ;" and Colonel Fanning, 
 knowing that this meant "good night, I wish to be 
 alone," bowed himself out of the cabin, and retired to 
 the ward-room, among the lieutenants, where a state- 
 room had been appropriated to him. While Governor 
 Tryon, the master spirit of the daring and most infam- 
 ous plot which was ever conceived among civilied men, 
 engaged in honorable warfare, commenced a perusal of 
 the dispatches which the colonel had brought. 
 
 They were from Matthews, the well-known tory 
 mayor, who, through the assistance of Corbie and 
 Forbes, was the main and most reliable agent in for- 
 warding the desperate plot conceived by Governor 
 Tryon, upon the result of which he relied for a speedy 
 termination of the war. 
 
 There was, too, a letter from Captain Blanchard, cor/- 
 taining important information which he had gathered 
 from every conceivable source, during his social inter- 
 course with the provincial officers, who, knowing him 
 only as an officer on parole, and believing him to be J 
 gentleman, were less guarded in their conversation than 
 they would have been, had they known his true po- 
 sition. 
 
 A postscript to this officer's letter, attracted specially 
 the attention of the governor. It was dated several
 
 GOVERN OK TKTOX ON BOARD SHIP. 150 
 
 hours after the main part was written, and spoke of his 
 meeting his brother, whom he had not seen for many 
 years, and who, to his sorrow, he learned, had enlisted 
 with the rebels, and was an officer in Colonel McDou- 
 gal's regiment. The pain of the discovery, however, 
 had been mitigated by a meeting, as unexpected as it 
 was pleasing, with Miss Moncrieffe, the daughter of the 
 well-known Major Moncrieffe, now with the troops on 
 Staten Island ; and he added, that as the governor knew 
 the young lady well, he need not say, that she possessed 
 shrewdness, discretion and intelligence to a very re- 
 markable degree, and as she was a most faithful and de- 
 voted subject, he was confident she would be enabled to 
 render infinite service to the cause of his gracious ma- 
 jesty. It was owing to information imparted by her, the 
 writer added, that they received the warning, without 
 which, all their well-laid plans might been defeated. 
 
 " By Jove, she shall be a duchess !" exclaimed the 
 governor, as he finished the perusal of this letter, which 
 had been written, of course, without the knowledge of 
 what had transpired at Corbie's on that evening, and 
 evidently in the confident assurance, that as Cor- 
 bie had been forewarned, he was forearmed against 
 any treachery, and was prepared to disarm any sus- 
 picion. 
 
 As he spoke, the cabin door was opened, and tho sen- 
 try ushered in Seth Adams, who took his station in front 
 of the general, and who stood scowling sullenly, alter-
 
 160 MARGAKET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 nately at the governor and Captain Chiffney, until the 
 sentry had retired. 
 
 "Well, my young rebel," said the governor, as he 
 proceeded leisurely to fold up the letters which lay be- 
 fore him on the table. 
 
 " I am no rebel, sir," said Adams, advancing close to 
 .the table, and looking haughtily upon the treacherous 
 governor. 
 
 " Ah, indeed !" and he smiled sarcastically ; " perhaps 
 you will tell me what you call yourself?" 
 
 "A continental soldier, ready to fight against ty- 
 ranny, oppression and wrong," he replied, proudly. 
 
 " Very prettily said," continued the governor ; and 
 as he spoke, Seth cast his eyes upon the letter of Cap- 
 tain Blanchard, which lay open before him, and as his 
 quick eye caught the signature, he knew the writer at 
 once, but nothing on his countenance betrayed the emo- 
 tion which this discovery, so important, had excited, 
 and already he was ruminating upon the possibility of 
 making his escape, and communicating the information 
 just acquired, to the friends of the cause of liberty 
 within the city. 
 
 " Well, it is likely to be some time before you will 
 have an opportunity of fighting against your king, I'm 
 thinking," said Tryon, with a sneer. 
 
 " He is not my king," haughtily and sharply said 
 Adams, interrupting the governor, " God forbid." 
 
 **It is not polite, young man," said Governor Tryon
 
 GOVERN OK TETOX OX BOARD SHIP. 161 
 
 with an expression of the most sarcastic politeness, "to 
 interrupt a gentleman when he is speaking. I was about 
 to say, that as it would, in all human probability, be a 
 long time before you would have an opportunity of 
 gratifying your propensity for fighting against his most 
 gracious majesty, suppose you enlist to fight for him. 
 You know what liberal terms he ofiers. Five guineas 
 bounty, and two hundred acres of land at the close of 
 the war." 
 
 " I think his most gracious majesty," replied Seth, 
 with a tone quite as sarcastic as the govereor's, " had 
 better keep his guineas for better purposes ; and per- 
 haps, it would look a little more honest, if he was t& 
 On a the land before he ofiers to give it away." 
 
 " You won't enlist, then ?" asked the governor, his 
 countenance turning black with anger. 
 
 " Not for all you expect to get for betraying those 
 who trust in you," proudly replied the undaunted 
 youth, and as he spoke, the governor colored deeply, 
 and said, in angry tones : 
 
 " You are a fool, and will live to repent your rebel- 
 lious conduct toward the kindest and best of masters. 
 You can retire now, unless you change your mind, and 
 choose to give me some information as to what is going 
 on hi the rebel army." 
 
 " I only know that orders have been issued to erect 
 a gallows for Governor Tryon, when they catch him," 
 was the reply, delivered slowly by the undaunted sol-
 
 162 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 dier, accompanied by a gaze, which brought the now 
 enraged governor to his feet. 
 
 " You insolent hound !" he exclaimed, " I'll have you 
 flogged to death if you utter another such impertinent, 
 treasonable word." 
 
 " That would suit you exactly. Go on, sir, and have 
 me flogged. Do you think I should love his most gra- 
 cious majesty any the more for it ? Try it, sir ;" and 
 the bold youth looked undauntedly at the governor, 
 who stood before him, actually trembling with 
 rage. 
 
 He made no reply ; but touching a bell on the table, 
 said to the sentry who entered: "Take this young 
 rebel below, and see that he is properly secured." 
 
 " You'd better have it well done, governor ; for I 
 shall escape if I can. I won't give my word of honor, 
 as that precious scoundrel has" and he pointed to 
 Captain Blanchard's letter " and then break it ;" and 
 .OH he spoke, he turned away, and followed the sentry 
 from the cabin, and was conducted below, where he 
 was taken charge of by the master-at-arms, and hia 
 hands and feet being securely manacled, he was left in 
 the " brig "* to naourn his misfortunes. 
 
 " That young rebel knows too much, Captain Chiff- 
 ney," said the governor, seating himself, and wiping 
 the perspiration from his ruddy face. " He must be 
 
 * The " brig," on board men-of-war, is a space near the foremast, 
 allotted to prisoners who are ordered in irons for any offence.
 
 GOVERNOR TRYON ON BOARD SHIP. 163 
 
 closely guarded, for if he should escape, all our plans 
 would be foiled." 
 
 " He shall be well guarded," replied the captain ; 
 and the governor having passed to him the letters 
 which he had received through Colonel Fanning, he 
 commenced their perusal, while tne latter renewed his 
 devotions to the bottle.
 
 CHAFFER XV. 
 
 THE BROTHERS IN COUNCIL. 
 
 ** EDMUND, my dear, dear brother," exclaimed the 
 Royalist captain, as, still pushing him off at arm's 
 length, he peered lovingly in his brother's face- " how 
 strange that we should meet here, and under such cir- 
 cumstances. Captain Barnum !" and he turned to the 
 spot where the gallant Maryland captain had stood but 
 a few seconds before ; but with true Southern chivalry 
 and nobility, he had left the apartment the moment he 
 saw that the brothers, so long severed, had recognized 
 each other. 
 
 " My dear Edmund," said Arthur Blanchard, turn- 
 ing again to his brother, " how is it I find you here ? 
 You, the son of a gallant and honored officer, serving 
 against your king and country !" 
 
 " Oh, never mind king and country now," said the 
 younger of the twain, loosing himself from his brother's 
 grasp. " Tell me of home dear father and mother 
 Lucy ? is she alive ?" 
 
 " My dear boy," the. elder brother replied, placing 
 bis hand on his shoulder as he spoke, " we are alone in
 
 THE BROTHERS IN COUNCIL. 165 
 
 tLe world. Father, mother, Alice, and Lucy have 
 passed away, and I " 
 
 " And you are the elder brother, and of course the 
 heir " 
 
 " Dear Edmund, don't speak of that ; my only in- 
 heritance is my sword. Everything which became 
 mine when I felt I was alone in the world for you 
 know it is many years since any tidings have been 
 heard of you was sold to purchase my commission as 
 a corn3t. I have fought my way from a cometcy to a 
 captain's commission, and but you, Edmund " 
 
 " Oh, never mind me, Arthur. Father, mother, 
 sisters all dead," repeated the young man, mourn- 
 fully, as, withdrawing his hand from that of his brother, 
 he placed it across his eyes, to conceal the tears which 
 moistened them. 
 
 " But how is it, Edmund, that I find you here ? 
 You, the son of a brave and loyal subject as ever lived, 
 in arms against his sovereign. I ask and demand an 
 answer." 
 
 " Ask me no questions, Arthur," responded the 
 younger of the twain, with an expression of sadness. 
 
 " I must ask you I will ask you and, as your elder 
 brother, I am entitled to an answer. Do not let me 
 blush in the reflection that a Blanchard has thus dis- 
 graced his name." 
 
 '* Arthur, I am not what I seem to be ; I have not for- 
 gotten my father nor his loyalty ; I have not forgotten
 
 186 MAKGAEET MONCRLEFFE. 
 
 that I was born a subject of the best of sovereigns 
 yes, Arthur, I did forget it once. Carried away by the 
 enthusiasm which pervaded all classes, I suffered my sell 
 to be drawn into " 
 
 "An act of rebellion," interrupted the Loyalist, 
 sternly. "Edmund Blanchard, I did not think I 
 should live to blush for my own brother." 
 
 " Oh, Arthur, do not reproach me ; the sight of 
 you, after the lapse of so many years, brings back 
 so many memories, I would not have them marred 
 by harsh words from you. Spare my feelings now, 
 but 
 
 " Feelings, Edmund ! You are nearly thirty years 
 of age, if I recollect aright ; and surely the son of 
 Miles Blanchard ought, at that age, to know what is 
 his duty to his king and country." 
 
 " Arthur " and Edmund approached close to his 
 elder brother, bending his head so as to bring his 
 mouth close to his brother's ear, and speaking in whis- 
 pered tones " I am not what I seem to be." 
 
 " As how ?" coolly inquired the Royalist. 
 
 " I am with you, for you, with all my heart and soul.'* 
 
 "And still wearing that uniform?" and he pointed 
 to the dress of the speaker, the uniform of Colonel 
 McDougal's regiment. 
 
 "Yes, and still wearing this uniform, Arthur, my 
 brother. I committed a great wrong when I forgot 
 my father and his people ; and I committed a greatei
 
 THE BKOTIIEES IN COUNCIL. 167 
 
 *rong when I joined those who war against a gracious 
 sovereign ; but," and he looked exultingly as he spoke, 
 ' I have repaired all those wrongs." 
 
 The Royalist looked searchingly at his brother, but 
 made no reply, and he continued : 
 
 " I have joined the king's party here," and he looked 
 in his brother's face for approbation. 
 
 " Are you, then," he asked, scanning Edmund from 
 head to foot, "the captain in McDougal's regiment, 
 who, it is asserted, has been won over to the king's 
 cause ?" 
 
 " I do not know, Arthur, what you mean." 
 
 *' Simply, that I know everything which transpires in 
 the city, Edmund. I am more than sorry that you ever 
 so far forgot what was due to your name and family, 
 as to forsake the allegiance you owed to your right- 
 ful sovereign, but I am proud to welcome you back to 
 the cause of truth and justice. These rebellious scoun- 
 drels must be crushed ; and, Edmund, every one who 
 has taken part in restoring to the crown the colonies 
 which are rightfully its dependencies, will not be for- 
 gotten. You have made me very happy by what you 
 have said, and now I will tell you " 
 
 But his sentence was interrupted by the entrance of 
 Captain Barnum, who, thinking that the brothers had 
 enjoyed ample opportunity of exchanging fraternal 
 greetings, had opened the door, and addressing them, 
 said :
 
 168 MARGAKET MOXCBIEFFB. 
 
 " Well, gentlemen, if you have finished yonr self-irv 
 troduction, may I come in ?" 
 
 " By all means," exclaimed the brothers, in a breath ; 
 and the Royalist advancing with extended hand, which 
 was promptly grasped by the warm-hearted southerner, 
 said : " Captain Barnum, I hope I shall one day be ena- 
 bled to thank you for the delicate and courteous treat- 
 ment I have received at your hands this day, and for 
 the kind and considerate manner in which you 
 have brought me face to face with my wayward 
 brother." 
 
 "Don't call him wayward," said Captain Barnum, 
 smiling. " He is a perfect martinet. You know his 
 regiment does not bear the best reputation for discipline 
 or efficiency, and he has made himself terribly unpo- 
 pular by trying to redeem its character, so far as his 
 company is concerned. He is a thorough disciplinarian, 
 I assure yon. But come, now, drop all ceremony, and 
 do the pair of you honor us by dining with our mess, 
 to-day. Remember, however," and he turned, with an 
 arch look, to either brother, " we don't allow any dis- 
 cussion of religious, political or military subjects." 
 
 " It seems to me," said the royalist captain, with a 
 meaning smile, "that you rather circumscribe your 
 j^uests in their range of discussion." 
 
 "Well, on these occasions we do, even between 
 brothers. Come, what do you say ; will you dine with
 
 THE BROTHERS IX COUNCIL. 169 
 
 11 With all my heart," said the Royalist. " But for the 
 tand courtesy of my enemies " 
 
 " N"ot your enemies, captain," interrupted Captain 
 Barnum ; " we are only the enemies to the principles 
 you advocate and support. No one who knows you, 
 could be your enemy." 
 
 The Royalist captain bowed low to this compliment, 
 md the color on his bronzed cheeks was heightened as 
 he heard these words, for his conscience told him, that 
 he did not deserve such courtesy and such confidence 
 from his host. 
 
 " It will afford me great pleasure to accept your hos- 
 pita^ty,'' replied the Royalist Blanchard ; and Captain 
 Barnum who had noticed the flush which had come to 
 his face, and who thought that it had been called there 
 by his words, which might imply something of a taunt, 
 as well as a compliment, hastily said : 
 
 " My dear captain, don't mind what I say, for you 
 must be conscious I had no intention pf wounding your 
 feelings. Dine with us, to-day, and we will try and 
 make you forget the misfortunes which the chances of 
 war have brought upon you." 
 
 ' ' I ought hardly to call it a misfortune which has 
 thrown me into such company, and led to such an unex- 
 pected pleasure," and he turned to his younger brother, 
 with a look of deep affection. 
 
 " Come, Edmund," he continued, addressing hia 
 brother, we will take a stroll, and return in time to ao 
 8
 
 17C MARGARET MONCBIEFFK. 
 
 cept our kind friend's hospitality," and with courteous 
 greetings, the brothers took their leave, strolling up 
 Broadway, arm-in-arm. 
 
 " Now let me finish the sentence which was inter- 
 rupted by the entrance of Captain Barnum. 1 was 
 going to tell you that I have been in direct communi- 
 cation with his excellency, Governor Tryon, and his 
 honor, our loyal Mayor Matthews, ever since I arrived 
 in the city. I must see Matthews to-day, or send word 
 to him, by some means. Everything goes on to our 
 heart's content, and there is every reason to believe 
 that thousands will eagerly join our forces as soon as a 
 landing has been effected ; and if the other part of the 
 plot, now in progress from day-to-day, is carried to 
 consummation, the war will be ended before six weeks 
 are over." 
 
 "The other part of the plot!" echoed the younger 
 of the twain, looking at his brother with an expression 
 of surprise. 
 
 " Yes, Edmund, the other part which, if carried to 
 successful consummation, will stem this torrent of re- 
 bellion, terminate the war at once, bring these rebel- 
 lious Colonies again to their allegiance, and restore them 
 to their rightful sovereign. It is not ripe enough 
 yet even for you to know, Edmund ; but, if as 
 you say, you are heart and soul with us, you will 
 not hesitate to lend your aid if you should be called 
 upon."
 
 THE BROTHERS IN COUNCIL. Ill 
 
 " Anything to prove my loyalty, and mate amends 
 for having forgotten my name and my duty." 
 
 *' Edmund, you can call on Miss Moncriefie with less 
 suspicion than myself, as you belong to the other side," 
 and he smiled meaningly. 
 
 " What, that young girl who has turned the head of 
 every officer who saw her last night ? I have heard 
 nothing this morning but Miss Moncrieffe, and as for 
 Shee's boys, I don't know but there will be fighting 
 yet among them about her." 
 
 " So much the better. You don't know her ?" 
 
 " I have never seen her ; but must confess my curi- 
 osity is excited concerning her. Is she so very beau- 
 tiful ? 
 
 " Very beautiful, very fascinating, and very witty 
 but above all, shrewd and observing, far beyond he* 
 years. Why, it was only this morning she gave me in- 
 formation that Corbie's house was to be visited to- 
 night by a provincial in disguise, to discover what was 
 going on. I have caused him to be put on his guard, 
 though there won't be much made of it, I'm think- 
 ing." 
 
 " How, in the name of goodness, did she find it 
 out ?" 
 
 " Oh, she is an inmate of General Putnam's family 
 a general favorite and, being unsuspected, everything 
 is spoken of before her with perfect freedom. To- 
 morrow I will introduce her to you, and let her know
 
 172 MARGARET MOXCRIEFTK. 
 
 how ) r ou stand affected. Now, Edmund, remember 
 in company, be more than guarded ; for the world, 
 don't let a breath of suspicion attach to either of us. 
 Now let us talk of old times," and the conversation 
 was turned into topics of home, parents, friends, atid 
 relatives, and thus the time was beguiled until the ap- 
 proach of the hour which was fixed for their dinner at 
 Captain Barnum's quarters.
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 MARGARET AND HER LOVER AT HOME. 
 
 ON the morning after the call made by Captain 
 Blanchard on Margaret, and which had led to such im- 
 portant results, so far at least as the safety of those 
 who were conspiring against the provincials was con- 
 cerned, Major Burr was seated in the apartment set 
 apart by General Putnam for the transaction of all 
 official business and the reception of reports. 
 
 His chair was drawn up before a large circular table, 
 filled with letters, reports, and a miscellaneous collec. 
 tion of documents, from an application from some lo}& 
 alist for permission to cross the river to Long Island, 
 to a complaint (anonymous of course) against some 
 one of the same stamp for some offence, either by word 
 or deed, against the strict orders promulgated by the 
 bluff old general, on receiving command of the city 
 during the absence of General Washington. It was 
 his duty to open these to note their contents on their 
 backs (when worthy such attention), and to receive 
 and execute the orders of the general respecting them. 
 He knew his commander so well, he rarely waited for 
 instructions ; but, in most instances, had his
 
 174 MARGAKET MOXCRIEFFB. 
 
 prepared before he made his appearance, and they were 
 invariably signed after the briefest possible glance at 
 their contents ; such was the general's confidence in 
 the activity, integrity, and capability of his youthful 
 aid. 
 
 He was about commencing the duties of the morn- 
 ing, when a gentle tap at the door aroused him, and in 
 answer to his gruff " Come in," uttered as if he was 
 ordering a charge of infantry, it was opened very 
 softly, and a voice, whose tones thrilled through every 
 fibre of his frame, uttered quietly, " May I come 
 in?" 
 
 Springing from his seat as those dear and familiar 
 tones met his ear, he advanced toward the door, and, 
 grasping the extended hand of the intruder, led her to 
 a seat at the table. 
 
 It was Margaret, who, throwing herself languidly 
 and half pettishly into a chair, said : " I really beg par- 
 don, Major Burr ; but " and here she paused as 
 
 she met his glance, for it seemed to say : 
 
 " We are alone, and why do you call me Major 
 Burr ? 
 
 " Aaron," she said, stretching her hand across the 
 table, " 1 do beg your pardon I did not mean to dis- 
 turb you ; but I Avas so very lonesome. Cousin Belle 
 is in the kitchen, Cousin Martha is somewhere else, and 
 Lady Putnam is knitting. I can't spin-p-I won't knit, 
 and so I am here. May I stay ?**
 
 MABGARET AXD HER LOVER AT HOME. 175 
 
 "Dear Margaret," replied the young soldier, hia 
 very soul beaming in his eyes, and, seizing the ex- 
 tended hand of his beautiful and loved visitor " how 
 can you ask ? Stay here only stay forever, and " 
 
 "There, Aaron," she interrupted, "that will do for 
 Colonel Shee or his gallant officers. I don't want such 
 language as that from you." 
 
 " Then stay as long as you choose, dear Margaret, 
 and make me happy." 
 
 " I will do anything to make you happy, Aaron, and 
 BO I will stay," and, withdrawing her hand not, how- 
 ever, until it had been awfully squeezed and several 
 kisses imprinted upon it she continued : " but you 
 must not be quite so ceremonious." 
 
 " Well, I won't," he replied, and rising, as if for the 
 purpose of searching for some papers, he approached 
 her, and leaning over, imurinted a kiss upon her snowy 
 brow, and, encourasred bv her passiveness, for she made 
 no resistance to him. a second was implanted directly 
 on her tempting lips. 
 
 " There, that will do, Aaron," she said, pushing him 
 gentlv awav. "I came here to work may I heln 
 yon '" 
 
 " Oh. ves. sit here and look at me ; I want no better 
 help than that. But Marcraret. if you really wish to 
 stav here. I must imc-ow one condition on you. Look 
 here." and he oointed to a mass of papers strewed 
 over the table, " these must all be opened and attended
 
 170 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 to before the general comes, and if I am to do it, yon 
 mast maintain profound silence." 
 
 " Oh, very well," she said, with a mischievous pout, 
 which more than half tempted the young aid to repeat 
 his salutations to her lips, "I suppose you think I 
 can't be silent. Come, sir, give me some paper and 
 lend me one of your pens. I can amuse myself if I 
 can't entertain you." 
 
 " You are a tormenting little vixen," said the major, 
 as he pushed the paper toward her, and tendered to hex 
 a pen, whose nib he had just clipped, for steel pens 
 were then unknown. 
 
 Margaret made no reply, but commenced writing, or 
 seeming to write, while Major Burr, with a tremendous 
 effort, strove to forget her presence, and resumed the 
 duties which her entrance had interrupted. 
 
 He was soon, apparently, immersed in an examina- 
 tion of a mass of papers which lay before him, while 
 Margaret, having appropriated the paper placed before 
 ner, was soon as apparently engrossed in the letter 
 which she proposed to write. 
 
 For a few moments, either pen wandered over the 
 paper with wonderful rapidity ; at length, there 
 seemed to be a pause, by mutual consent ; the motions 
 of the pens grew less rapid; then they ceased en- 
 tirely, and as each raised their eyes to discover the 
 cause of this remarkable unanimity of purpose, thei* 
 glances encountered each pther.
 
 MAEGARET AND HER LOVER AT HOME. 177 
 
 Margaret threw down her pen, with a merry, hearty 
 laugh, which fairly i ang through the room ; indeed, it 
 was so loud and so earnest, Major Burr, fearing she 
 would arouse the household, arose, and approaching her 
 stopped her mouth with his own, a proceeding against 
 which she offered no resistance; probably, because she 
 had been so weakened by her laughter, she was incapa- 
 ble of any. 
 
 " Dear Margaret," said the young soldier, as he stood 
 by her side, one of her hands clasped in his own, gazing 
 into her beautiful face with an expression of the most 
 intense love, " how I do love you !" 
 
 " I need not say how I love you, Aaron," she said, 
 returning his gaze with a warmth equal to his own ; 
 " but oh, what will come of it ?" and burying her face 
 in her hands, she gave way to thoughts that seemed to 
 overpower her. 
 
 "Dear, darling, what" but he had no time to 
 
 finish his sentence, for well-known steps ascending the 
 stairs which led to the office, warned him of the ap- 
 proach of General Putnam, and hastily snatching an- 
 other kiss, he sprang back to his seat, and commenced 
 looking over the mass of papers before him, while Mar- 
 garet, brushing away a tear which had gathered in her 
 eye, returned to her pen, and before the door was 
 opened, was again deeply engrossed in the composition 
 of her letter, as was Major Burr in the perusal of the 
 documents which it was his duty to overlook. 
 8*
 
 178 MARGARET MONCRIEFFK. 
 
 " Young lady," said the bluff old general, as he en- 
 tered the room, and saw the posture of affairs, " how 
 long since you have been my aid ?" 
 
 " Ever since you have been my grandpa," she re- 
 plied, rising, and approaching him, with extended hand, 
 which, in very spite of himself, he took. "Fact is, 
 grandpa," she continued, with a bewitching smile, " I 
 can't spin, and I won't knit, so I came down here, and 
 Major Burr was so kind as to let me sit at his table and 
 write a few letters, I was so lonesome upstairs." 
 
 "Well, well," he said, smilingly, though he tried to 
 look dignified and stern, " write away ; there, sit down," 
 he added. 
 
 Margaret thanked him with a graceful courtesy, and 
 a smile whose power was almost irresistible. 
 
 "Now, major, what is the report from Corbie's?" 
 he added, as Margaret, seating herself, resumed her pen. 
 
 " I declare," replied the aid, pulling out his watch, 
 " it's ten o'clock. I ordered Adams to report by nine, 
 and he is a man on whom I can rely, as I can upon my- 
 self." 
 
 " Not here yet, Major Burr !" continued the general, 
 with military sternness. "Nine o'clock means nine 
 o'clock, sir. Why has he not been here, if you ordered 
 him to report at that hour ? 
 
 " I will send and ascertain at once, sir ;" and without 
 further remark, he went to the door, and summoning 
 an orderly, directed him to have word sent to Badlam'a
 
 MARGARET AXD HER LOVEE AT HOME. 179 
 
 Battery, where he was stationed, for Seth Adams to re- 
 port himself immediately, at head-quarters. 
 
 General Putnam appeared to be very much vexed at 
 the failure of the man to report at the time specified, 
 and seating himself, commenced a series -of character- 
 istic grumblings, to which Major Burr, thoroughly fami- 
 liar with his character and humors, replied only by a 
 quiet smile, as he kept on overlooking the papers be* 
 fore him. 
 
 " There, general," he said, handing another letter to 
 his general, " that is in the same hand-writing as the 
 one we received a few days ago." 
 
 " Oh, yes," replied the old soldier, glancing at the 
 letter, and throwing it down on the table, so that it lay 
 directly in front of Margaret, who, apparently without 
 raising her eyes from her own letter, perused its con- 
 tents. The letter was brief, and evidently written in a 
 disguised hand, and ran as follows : 
 
 " I have warned you before I warn you again. There are 
 spies about, of whom you little dream. Trust no one, but 
 watch tor yourself. A FBIEND TO THE THTIE CAUSE." 
 
 " How are the works going on, major ?" he said, ap- 
 parently forgetting the trifling annoyance which had 
 aroused his ire a few moments before. 
 
 " Oh, bravely, sir, bravely. The line is almost com- 
 pleted on both sides of the island, and a few days moro 
 a* such work will render a lauding impossible, for I bo
 
 180 MARGARET MONCBIEFFB. 
 
 lieve no point is ieft unguarded. The works on Rich 
 mond Hill have not been pushed forward so rapidly as 
 the others nearer the river, as Colonel Putnam did not 
 deem them to be of so much immediate importance." 
 
 " Well, major, get through those papers as soon as 
 possible, and then ride out to the Hill, and order those 
 works completed immediately; General Washington 
 will return from Philadelphia in a few days, and I wish 
 to have everything completed before he arrives. I am 
 going now to General Mifflin's quarters. There is to be 
 a council at eleven o'clock, and when I return, I shall 
 hope to receive the report of your man. (rood day, 
 major good morning, Miss Aid," he added, turning to 
 Margaret, who appeared to be so deeply engrossed in 
 her writing, as not to notice his remark, and it was 
 therefore repeated in louder tones: "Good morning, 
 Miss Aid ; I think you had better retire, for I am afraid 
 the major won't accomplish much if you remain here." 
 
 " Do I disturb you, Major Burr ?" she asked with a 
 mischievous glance, which he alone caught and inter- 
 preted. 
 
 " Xot at all, so long as you keep your promise not to 
 talk." 
 
 "Xot to talk!" said the old general, with a loud 
 guffaw ; " a girl not talk ! Well, major, if you can 
 make her do that, I give up to you." 
 
 " Good morning, grandpa," said Margaret, demurely, 
 rising, and making a low courtesy.
 
 MARGARET AND HER LOVER AT HOME. 181 
 
 " Major, you had better turn that girl out of the 
 room," said the general, good-naturedly, as he strode 
 toward the door. " I shall be back between twelve and 
 one o'clock," and as the door closed upon the retreating 
 form, Margaret and the young aid exchanged glances 
 full of meaning, for they said, as looks would say, " I 
 am glad we are alone again." 
 
 " Come, Aaron, go on with your work, and don't dis- 
 turb me again," said Margaret, maliciously, resuming 
 her pen, and bending again to her task. " Remember 
 what the general said, and we will see whose fault it is 
 if the work is not done." 
 
 Major Burr looked for an instant at his tormentress, 
 but her head was bent over her paper, and he could not 
 catch her eyes. For a moment or two he indulged in 
 this profitless occupation, then, with a deep sigh, took 
 up a letter which lay nearest to him, and opened it me- 
 chanically. 
 
 Perhaps the contents were very interesting ; perhaps 
 he was engrossed in his own thoughts ; perhaps any- 
 thing the reader chooses ; but before he was aware of 
 it, a pair of soft arms were around his neck, and a pair 
 of very soft lips were pressed on his forehead ; and as 
 he felt this touch, he dropped his pen as if struck by an 
 electric shock, and turning his face upward, met the 
 ardent, passionate, loving gaze of Margaret.
 
 CHAPTER XVIL 
 
 THE FIRST TEMPTATIOW. 
 
 **Yoti love 'me, Aaron?" she murmured, as she 
 Buffered his arms to clasp her waist, and met his burn- 
 ing glances fixed upon her. 
 
 " Better than my life my soul my all." 
 
 " Oh, Aaron," murmured Margaret, and she seated 
 herself, while her eyes were half filled with tears, 
 '* where is this to end ?" 
 
 " End, Margaret ? Why, darling, it has not begun 
 yet," he replied, with a bright, happy smile. 
 
 " Oh, yes ; but, Aaron, I have thought very much 
 since yesterday yes, ever since I came here where 
 is this to end?" 
 
 " I really don't know what you mean, Margaret," 
 siid the young soldier, leaning back in his chair, and 
 gazing at his companion in amazement. "Are you 
 already sorry for what you have said or heard ?" 
 
 " Oh, no, no not sorry, Aaron," she hastily inter- 
 rupted, bending upon him a look full of love. " But 
 think (for we must think), why did we ever meet? 
 Why did T ever act and speak as I have done? Oh,
 
 THE FIEST TEMPTATTOX. 183 
 
 Aaron, what must you think of me what must I 
 what ought I to think of myself?" 
 
 "Surely, Miss Moncrieffe," said Major Burr, rising, 
 with an appearance of coolness in his manner. But 
 Margaret did not permit him to finish his sentence, 
 for springing forward, she threw herself upon his neck, 
 and murmured : 
 
 " Dear Aaron, don't speak so coldly." He was van- 
 quished a second time. " No, Aaron, I only feared for 
 the future. Think you are engaged against those 
 with whom I am connected by every tie of honor, duty, 
 and affection. How can it be that we ever shall be 
 happy under such circumstances ?" 
 
 " Would not my Margaret make any sacrifice for 
 him she loves ?" 
 
 " I would consider nothing a sacrifice, Aaron. But 
 how can it be? My family are proud, haughty, and 
 wealthy, and they would disown and spurn me if I 
 should unite myself with one of a nation whom they 
 Lave learned to look on as traitors and rebels. Nay, 
 Aaron, do not frown on me so, for it is not Margaret 
 who says it. I am ready to say, and thus prove my 
 sincerity, ' thy home shall be my home, and thy God 
 my God.' " 
 
 u Thanks, thanks, my dearest Margaret," replied the 
 impassioned lover, gazing with enamored looks upou 
 the beautiful and animated girl who stood before him. 
 ; ' I trust not to demand any such sacrifice of you, for
 
 184 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFB. 
 
 this unnatural war cannot endure much longer. I feel 
 confident in the success of our arms, and though your 
 family may be proud, haughty, and wealthy, I shall be 
 enabled to place you in a position which will make 
 you the equal of any in this country." 
 
 " I ask no position higher than to be yours nothing 
 but your love and your presence to make me supremely 
 happy. Look you, Aaron," and she gazed at her lover 
 with an earnestness which fairly fascinated him, " situ- 
 ated as we are now, one of us must make a great 
 sacrifice, or we must part." 
 
 " Part, Margaret !" and the young aid started ; 
 "part. And what does this sudden change por- 
 tend?" 
 
 "Do not say change, Aaron. I cannot change," 
 and .she looked half-sadly, half lovingly at him. " I 
 cannot change. I am yours, and only yours ; do with 
 me as you Dlease. Bat listen to me," and approaching 
 him, she lowered her voice almost to a whisper, "I am 
 rich, highly connected, and v through my family, possess 
 boundless influence, and what, Aaron, hare you ?" 
 
 " A patrimony which I am spending freely in my 
 country's cause, my sword, and my determination to 
 make for myself a name and fame of which even you 
 shall be proud." 
 
 "In neither can you fail. But listen, Aaron ; do not 
 reproach me if I venture to speak as my heart dictates. 
 I am young very young for the sad experience*
 
 THE FIRST TEMPTATION. 185 
 
 through which I have passed : but I am old enough to 
 know my own feelings, though perhaps not old enough 
 to control my impulses. You possess every thought 
 and feeling which I am capable of giving ; there is no 
 sacrifice on earth I am not ready to make, to prove my 
 love for you, if proof be needed. But, Aaron, how are 
 you placed ? You, siding with a cause which you 
 believe to be right nay, which you feel to be right," 
 she added, seeing a cloud gather on the young soldier's 
 brow, " and the success of that cause is very far from 
 being certain, for with undisciplined troops with mea 
 deprived even of their promised pay (you see I know 
 all these things), poorly fed, and worse clad men who 
 have enlisted only because every other means of 
 employment was debarred them " 
 
 " Margaret, stay you wrong my countrymen. 
 Poorly fed, worse clad, and compelled to endure 
 unlooked-for hardships, as they are and have been, 
 they are animated by a feeling which makes them 
 superior to the hirelings who compose the arms of 
 your countrymen. Each man has a stake in this issue, 
 and each man is prepared to stand or fall by the result 
 of the conflict in which we are engaged." 
 
 " And you, Aaron ?" 
 
 Me oh, well, I don't think of myself. My mis- 
 tress is glory. I mean to make a name to leave my 
 mark on the page of history and if I can do that, I 
 nhall depart satisfied."
 
 186 MARGARET MOXCEIEFFE. 
 
 " And that to me, Aaron," said Margaret, with tear- 
 ful eyes, as she gazed upon the young enthusiast before 
 her, " that to me, who have said that there is nothing 
 I could deem a sacrifice if I could serve you. But this 
 contest, I am confident, will prove fruitless. So far as 
 your countrymen are concerned, there can only be one 
 termination to it. England, with men and money at 
 her command to an unlimited extent, will, if needed, 
 overrun this country with troops brave, loyal, dis- 
 ciplined troops. Within two months, this very city 
 will be in our possession, and where will you be 
 then ? 
 
 " Margaret, you talk wildly," said the major, affect- 
 ing an offended air. 
 
 " I do not talk wildly, Aaron ; and even while you 
 Bay so, you do not believe it. I know more, much 
 more than you think I do ; but I know nothing half so 
 precious as that you love me," and approaching, she 
 took his unresisting hand. 
 
 " Margaret Margaret Moncrieffe," exclaimed Major 
 Burr, looking at her as if he would read her very 
 soul, " what do you mean ? what do your words im- 
 port ?" 
 
 " What I would, as I am able to do, prove my love 
 for you. I mean that if you have the courage to make 
 a email sacrifice for me, I am prepared to make a greater 
 one for you." 
 
 "I do not understand you, Margaret," said the
 
 THE FIRST TEMPTATION. 187 
 
 major, abstractedly, looking at her with an expression 
 of inquiry. 
 
 " I must give up the certainty of wealth, rank, sta- 
 tion, and the high position to which I was born, and to 
 which I can raise you, or you must give up your pros- 
 pects, founded upon the possible success of the rebel- 
 lion," she continued, as she saw the brow of the young 
 aid darkened by a frown ; " I know no other word 
 for it. You hope for a bright future. I can make ours 
 certain. My ancestors have fought for their king and 
 country from the days of the glorious Black Prince, 
 and I have inherited their loyalty and spirit. Come, 
 Aaron, don't make me choose," and approaching, she 
 leaned on his shoulder, looking him affectionately hi 
 the face. " I can do all I say," she continued, in a low, 
 soft, winning tone. " You hope to accomplish all you 
 desire ; if I must choose, my choice is already made, 
 and you know it. But oh, Aaron ! if you do love me, 
 let me prove my love for you, and add to my happiness 
 by the consciousness that I have served you." 
 
 " What do you mean, Margaret ?" exclaimed the 
 major, holding her off at arm's length. "In God's 
 name, what do you mean ? I dare not understand 
 you." 
 
 " Only this, Aaron," she replied calmly, " that one 
 of us must yield ; for, without a concession on either 
 side, we must part. I have told you what you well 
 know now, dear Aaron, that I am ready to make it
 
 188 MARGAEET MOXCMEFFE. 
 
 on my part but I do implore you to pause before you 
 compel me to a step which you may hereafter repent 
 I love you with all the strength and fervor of a woman's 
 first love, and " 
 
 "I worship you, Margaret," exclaimed the young 
 soldier, overpowered by her enthusiasm, and carried 
 away by his passionate devotion to this singular and 
 fascinating being, with whom he had been so strangely 
 brought in contact. " Do with me as you please, only 
 love me and be mine." 
 
 " I do love you, and will be only yours, Aaron," 
 replied Margaret, and a glance of mingled love and 
 triumph shot from her eyes as she spoke. " Colonel 
 Burr, there is my hand you know you have my 
 heart," and she extended to him that hand, for the 
 possession of which he had declared himself ready to 
 sacrifice honor and duty. 
 
 " Colonel Burr ! he echoed. 
 
 " Yes," said Margaret, with a meaning smile, " you 
 shall see that, young and reckless as I appear to be, I 
 have not spoken without a purpose. But mark you, 
 Aaron, I shall ask no aid, direct or indirect, from you. 
 I shall neither do nor say anything which may by any 
 possibility, however remote, compromise you. I say 
 only this, that in three days, or four at the furthest, 1 
 will prove to you that I can accomplish all I have said. 
 Again I say, COLONEL BUBR, there is my hand wil 
 you take it on these conditions ?"
 
 THE FIEST TEMPTATION. 189 
 
 u There are no conditions on earth to which I would 
 not submit to possess it," he said, with enthusiasm, 
 grasping her proffered hand and pressing it to his 
 heart. 
 
 " Now, then, we understand each other," said Mar- 
 garet, with a meaning look. 
 
 " I am yours ; do with me as you please," he replied, 
 with an earnestness and warmth which showed how 
 truly every thought and feeling had been brought into 
 subjection by his fair enchantress. 
 
 " In four days at the furthest, Colonel Burr," she 
 repeated significantly, " you shall see that I have made 
 no promises which I cannot fulfill." 
 
 " But Margaret, how can I remain here ? here in 
 the very family circle of my good old general ; hear- 
 ing everything seeing everything knowing every- 
 thing ?" 
 
 " But saying nothing and doing nothing, Aaron. 
 No, no I respect your feelings nay,I honor your 
 love for me too much for that ; for I feel you have 
 granted to that love for me, what nothing else on earth 
 could have wrung from you. No, be as you are do 
 as you are doing and, by the' boundless love I bear to 
 you, Aaron, no slur shall ever come upon your name. 
 Can you not trust me ?" 
 
 " With my very soul, Margaret," replied the young 
 major, warmly ; and he was about to prove the inten- 
 sity of his assertion by something more palpable than
 
 190 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 words, when the sounds of heavy footsteps ascending 
 the stairs, startled the happy pair, and each sprang to 
 the seat from which they had arisen, and, in an instant, 
 were as deeply engrossed, seemingly, in their respective 
 occupations as they had been on the departure of 
 General Putnam. 
 
 The loud rap at the door was answered by the 
 major, and the orderly in waiting entering, with the 
 customary military salute, announced the return of the 
 man who had been dispatched to inquire into the cause 
 
 of the non-appearance of Seth Adams at the hour 
 appointed.
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 MAJOR BURR ENSLAVED. 
 
 "WELL, what is it?" queried the major, with an an 
 of impatience, turning from the table at which he was 
 seated, toward the person whose entrance had been an- 
 nounced, and who proved to be a sergeant from the 
 Badlam barracks, to which Adams was attached. 
 
 " Adams did not return last night, and has not been 
 to the quarters this morning sir." 
 
 " Not returned to his quarters ?" said Major Burr, 
 rising from his seat and confronting the soldier. 
 
 u No, sir," he replied, with another military salute, 
 " and here's a letter from Major Gibbs." 
 
 " What, of the Life-guards ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir. He gave it to me himself, and told me to 
 be sure that you got it." 
 
 " Wait, then, until I see what this means ;" and the 
 young aid, forgetting in the moment everything save 
 the impulses of duty, hastily tore open the missive 
 which the sergeant had handed to him, and which he 
 perused with eager rapidity, fairly devouring its con- 
 tents. 
 
 " It's all right, sergeant ; I have no time to reply now
 
 192 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 to Major Gibbs. Say that I will see him as soon aa 
 General Putnam returns from the council ;" and the ser- 
 geant, with a third salute, withdrew. 
 
 " Now, what on earth does this mean ?" he said, soli- 
 loquizing, and forgetting the presence of Margaret. 
 " I know Seth as well as I know myself, and he never 
 could prove false. By Heavens ! there has been some 
 foul play here, and I will find it out, or O, Marga- 
 ret, I beg your pardon, I quite forgot " 
 
 " That there was such a person in existence, as Mar- 
 garet," she said, with a sad smile, interrrupting him. 
 *' I don't blame you, Major Burr, only spare me ; I am 
 only a girl a fond, foolish girl but I throw myself 
 upon your honor, as a soldier and a gentleman." 
 
 " Margaret, what do you mean ? What have I said, 
 what done, that you should so reproach me ? What 
 do you wish me to do ?" 
 
 " Nothing, Major Burr, but to forget those words you 
 spoke a few minutes since, and in forgetting them, cease 
 to remember me." 
 
 " Oh, Margaret ! dear, dear Margaret, forgive me. 
 I did not know what I was saying. I know not what 
 I have said to pain or wound you. Tell me, Margaret, 
 what I have done ; for on my life I do not know ? 
 What earthly connection can you have in this matter?" 
 and he pointed to the letter of Major Gibbs, which he 
 still held in his hand. 
 
 " Aaron Burr," said Margaret, and as she spoke, she
 
 MAJOK BURR ENSLAVED. 193 
 
 advanced toward him and placed her fair, white hand 
 upon his arm, " it was but a few moments since, and 
 you promised do you remember what ?" 
 
 " To be yours, and yours, only, and forever." 
 
 " And did I not make a promise, too ?" 
 
 " You ?" he said, earnestly. 
 
 " Even I. Did I not say, that in nothing, by word 
 or deed, should you be compromised by me ?" 
 
 " I remember that," he said, thoughtfully. 
 
 " Then let me keep my word ; and do you be a man 
 as you are a soldier. Once for all, Aaron Burr, is it 
 me, or is it " 
 
 " Oh, do not ask that, Margaret. Who, what on 
 earth is it ? What can it be but you, and you only ? 
 Dear Margaret forgive me, if I have said aught to 
 wound your feelings." 
 
 " You have not, Aaron," and she suffered him to re- 
 tain the hand which he had grasped as he spoke. " But 
 your interest for that man, and the cause in which he 
 has engaged, seemed so much stronger than your love 
 for me, my faith in your pledges began to waver." 
 
 " Margaret, you speak in riddles ; what do you 
 mean ?" and as he spoke, Major Burr dropped her 
 hand, and facing her, looked steadily in her eye. 
 
 " Nothhig, Major Burr," she said, with a cold, ma- 
 jestic air. " I shall keep my pledge, though you may 
 desire to forget yours." 
 
 " Even now, I know not what you mean. Tell me, 
 9
 
 194 MARGARET MONCRIEFFK. 
 
 Margaret, for Heaven's sake, tell me, and do not let 
 me do or say anything which may make you think less 
 of me." 
 
 " Ask no questions, Aaron, save those from whom 
 you have the right to ask them. If you repeat the 
 words you spoke but just now, if you believe Margaret 
 Moncrieffe is unable to fulfill the pledge she has made, 
 if in saluting you as Colonel Burr, she " 
 
 " Ah, I see. I did forget ; Margaret forgive me. 
 My position is so new, so strange, so perfectly marvel- 
 lous even to myself, I scarcely know what I say or do. 
 The force of habit, you know, Margaret," and he 
 smiled faintly, as he spoke, " is very strong." 
 
 "With -me, the power of love is stronger," she re- 
 plied, with something of pride in her tones. " You 
 nave once made your choice ; do you wish to abide 
 by it ?" 
 
 " Margaret, and Margaret, only," enthusiastically 
 replied the young soldier, again completely be- 
 wildered. 
 
 "Then ask no questions. Pursue your own investi- 
 gations and learn what you can." 
 
 " I shall gladly take lessons from you." 
 
 " Not very gladly, Aaron," she said, sadly. 
 
 " Oh, do not reproach me. Remember, Margaret, 
 how brief has been " 
 
 " Our intercourse," she interrupted ; " and would 
 you reproach me with that ? Would you reproach me
 
 MAJOR BURR ENSLAVED. 195 
 
 because I have said that there was nothing on earth I 
 would not sacrifice to prove, if proof was needed, my 
 love for you ? Oh, Aaron ! you either do not know 
 yourself, or you do not know me." 
 
 " Margaret, what shall I do ?" 
 
 " Have I not said but now, do nothing so far as I am 
 concerned ? You have your report there ; act upon it. 
 Is it necessary that I should know your official business, 
 even if I am Miss Aid ?" and she quoted, with an arch 
 smile, the general's appellation. 
 
 " I see, I see," said the major, half musingly. " Mar- 
 garet, I yield the palm to you. Teach me, for I will 
 gladly learn from you." 
 
 " And for the future ?" 
 
 " Count me yours, and yours only. Your cause is 
 mine your quarrel mine. Only, Margaret," and he 
 spoke despondingly, " I would not have it known here 
 how I have fallen." 
 
 " Fallen, Aaron ! Risen, rather risen say," and 
 she stood erect before him a very Pythoness. " Risen, 
 I say, Aaron ; for your elevation is as sure as that of 
 the daily sun, and it will be as glorious," and, as she 
 spoke, she threw herself into his arms with a sob of 
 joy. " Now, Aaron,'' she continued, rising from his 
 embrace, " ask me no questions and I shall have 
 nothing to answer hereafter. When I fulfill my 
 pledge to you, then I shall ask you to think and act 
 with me Until then, we know nothing of each other's
 
 198 MARGARET MONCRIEFFK. 
 
 movements. Oh, yes, Aaron," she added, as she saw 
 a shade of sadness come over his face, " one thing we 
 do know one thing whatever fate may bring for us, 
 we can never forget our love." 
 
 " Never, Margaret never ; and I can give no better 
 proof of mine than I have done by sacrificing honor, 
 duty, morality, and all, to love I do so love you, Mar- 
 garet," he added, with an expression amounting to in- 
 tensity of earnestness. 
 
 " And I do know and feel it," she responded. 
 
 " And pray, Miss Moncrieffe, what may that be 
 which you know and feel," inquired General Putnam, 
 who, unheard and unannounced, had entered the room 
 while Margaret and the major were thus earnestly con- 
 versing, but had only caught her last words. 
 
 " I was saying how deeply I should feel the loss of 
 my daily exercise, grandpa," she said, turning to him 
 with a countenance as free from emotion as that of a 
 marble statue. ** Major Burr was saying he did not 
 think I ought to ride so much about the works, for 
 fear I should make some improper use of the privilege, 
 and 
 
 " Major BUIT is a very cautious officer," replied the 
 general, sententiously, at the same time taking a huge 
 pinch of snuff. " If he will not trust you I will, and 
 assume the responsibility of any mischief you may do 
 except among our officers." 
 
 " Thank you, grandpa," and she turned, with a
 
 MAJOR BURR ENSLAVED. 197 
 
 meaning look, to the young aid, who by thi **<} was 
 again poring over his files of documents. 
 
 " May I go now ?" 
 
 " Go now yes, go when you choose and where you 
 choose, and stay as long as you choose ; but mark JHWL. 
 Miss Impudence " 
 
 " Margaret, sir, isfriy name," she said, very demurely, 
 with a low courtesy. 
 
 " Well, Miss Impudence Margaret, if I catch yen at 
 any capers, I'll hang you as high as Haman." 
 
 " As high as who, grandpa ?" she asked, with an 
 arch smile ; and as she saw a cloud gathering on the 
 old general's brow, she hurried from the room, and in 
 less than five minutes was cantering through Broad- 
 way, mounted on Selim, who pranced and curvetted, 
 as if proud of his lovely burden.
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 1IABGARET AND THE ROYALIST CAPTAIN. 
 
 As she was riding along, attracting the attention of 
 all beholders, as well by her splendid horsemanship as 
 by the ease and grace with which she managed the im- 
 patient Selim, she perceived, at some distance ahead, 
 the well-remembered form and face of Captain Blan- 
 chard, walking arm-in-arm with an officer in the Pro- 
 vincial uniform, and reining in the impatient Selim, she 
 moved along slowly until they met, when, checking her 
 horse so suddenly that he almost went on his haunches, 
 Captain Blanchard advanced toward her, and, with a 
 courteous salute, inquired how it chanced that she was 
 out alone. 
 
 " Because I hoped to meet you, captain," she said, 
 meaningly. 
 
 " It is a fortunate meeting," he said ; " for I was on 
 the road to pay you a call. I have something for 
 you." 
 
 " From his Excellency the Governor ?" she inquired, 
 eagerly. 
 
 " Even so, Miss Margaret," and, looking cautiously 
 around, to see whether he was observed or not, he 
 
 193
 
 MAKGAKET AND THE ROYALIST CAPTAIN. 199 
 
 hurriedly thrust into her hand a letter which he had 
 crumpled into the smallest possible space, and which 
 Margaret as quickly thrust into the pocket of her 
 riding-dress, but without interrupting the conversa- 
 tion ; for she continued, in unchanged tones: "'Who 
 is your friend who seems to watch your movements so 
 intently ?" and she eyed the young Continental officer 
 with a scrutinizing glance. 
 
 " You will be surprised when I introduce him to 
 you, and more surprised when I tell you that he is one 
 of us." 
 
 " Indeed !" she exclaimed, her countenance lighting 
 with an expression of pleasure ; for she had recognized 
 the uniform of McDougal's corps as she again fastened 
 her gaze upon the officer, who stood there, carelessly 
 kicking his heels on the pavement, as if quite uncon- 
 scious of the presence of any parties, but stealing 
 occasional glances of admiration at the beautiful crea- 
 ture who had burst so suddenly on his sight. 
 
 " You have heard, I suppose, for you seem to learn 
 everything, that a captain in McDougal's regiment has 
 joined the cause of his majesty ?" 
 
 Margai*et nodded assent, but made no verbal reply. 
 
 " Edmund," he said, turning to his brother, for it 
 was he who was his companion, and at the word the 
 young Provincial advanced with unwonted alacrity. 
 
 "Miss Moncrieffe, Captain Blanchard, my younger 
 brother."
 
 200 MARGARET MONCKIEFFB. 
 
 " Your brother, Captain Blanchard !" exclaimed 
 Margaret, turning from one to the other, with looks 
 of unrestrained amazement. 
 
 " My only living brother, and only relative on earth, 
 Miss Margaret," replied Arthur, with a low bow. 
 
 " I am truly glad to make your acquaintance, cap- 
 tain," she said, extending her hand cordially, "the 
 more so that I find in you the brother of my father's 
 dearest friend ; and I am doubly glad to learn from 
 your brother that " 
 
 " Hush, Miss Margaret," said the Royalist, " there 
 aie persons turning that corner who may overhear 
 our conversation. You may repose as much confi- 
 dence in him as you would in myself. It will be 
 much more easy to communicate through him than 
 through me, and eveiything intrusted to him will reach 
 the proper quarter. I vouch for his sincerity and 
 truth." : 
 
 Margaret gazed earnestly into the face of the young 
 Provincial, now all aglow at finding himself so suddenly 
 placed on terms of confidential intercourse with one of 
 whom he had heard so much, and whose appearance, 
 he felt, fully justified the lavish encomiums passed upon 
 her. 
 
 " Captain," and she addressed the Royalist, " I have 
 no time or opportunity to write to-day, and if I had 
 I might not be able to dispatch it. Do you write to 
 Governor Tryon, and say that I desire him to seucf to
 
 MARGARET AXD THE KOYATJST CAPTAIN. 201 
 
 me mind, to me, captain a colonel's commission in 
 blank." 
 
 The Royalist captain looked astounded at this 
 request, while the Provincial officer, who construed 
 her words at once as an intention to secure to him a 
 reward for his treason, could scarcely conceal the smile 
 of gratification and triumph, which her words had called 
 to his face. 
 
 Margaret noticed the expression, and the slightest 
 possible curl of contempt was perceptible on her pretty 
 mouth ; but it passed as quickly as it had come, and 
 she continued : 
 
 " Yes, a colonel's commission write that. He must 
 not deny me I scarcely think he will. Tell him that 
 orders were given to-day to strengthen the defences in 
 the vicinity of Richmond Hill, and that General Wash- 
 ington is expected to return in a few days. What was 
 done with that man who was sent to Corbie's last 
 night ? 
 
 " I really don't know. The letter you have was 
 brought to me this morning by a messenger from Cor- 
 bie, but he said nothing to me of anything having 
 occurred last night." 
 
 " Something has evidently gone wrong, I am afraid. 
 The man who was sent there, and who was to have 
 reported this morning, has not been seen since, and 
 there will be much trouble about it, for he was a great 
 favorite ; so tell any one concerned to be on hi* 
 9*
 
 202 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 guard. Mind, captain, don't fail to write by the first 
 opportunity for that commission," and as she spoke, 
 she fastened her lustrous eyes again on the young Pro- 
 vincial, who had remained a silent but deeply interested 
 listener to this conversation. " You will call on me, 
 will you not ? I shall be exceedingly happy to see you 
 at any time," she said, addressing him. 
 
 " With more pleasure than I have words to express," 
 he replied, with an earnestness scarcely called for by 
 this simple invitation, for the beauty and fascinations 
 of Margaret had already done their work, and the 
 glance with which she accompanied her words, had 
 completely carried him away. 
 
 *' Upon my word, captain," she said, laughing, but 
 at the same time regarding him with a speaking glance, 
 ' I do believe you have been taking lessons from Colo- 
 nel Shee." 
 
 " Surely I do not require teaching to admire Miss 
 Moncriefie," said the young soldier, with a low bow, 
 and placing his hand on his heart as he spoke. 
 
 " There, that will do ; get a new speech ready for 
 to-morrow, captain," she said, smiling, at the same 
 time touching Selim with her riding-whip, and as he 
 sprang forward with a bound, she kissed her hand 
 gaily to the twain, and had only time to say, " Don't 
 forget the commission," with another meaning glance 
 at the younger, ere she was out of speaking dis- 
 tance.
 
 MARGARET AND THE ROYALIST CAPTAIN. 203 
 
 " What a lovely girl," said Edmund to his brother, 
 as he followed her receding form with admiring 
 eyes. 
 
 " What already, Edmund ?" said his brother. 
 
 " I don't wonder at anything I have heard now. 
 But I say, Arthur, for whom do you suppose she 
 intends that commission ?" 
 
 " I can't guess," replied the brother, drily, for he 
 had, in the question, read his brother's thoughts. 
 " Can you ?" he asked, smiling maliciously. 
 
 " Me ? Oh, no," replied Edmund, confusedly, and 
 blushing as he spoke. " Xo matter ; I don't care for 
 whom it is intended. She is a lovely girl, and may do 
 as she chooses." 
 
 " She generally does ; and you would have thought 
 so, on the night of the ball, if you had seen her sur- 
 rounded by a suite as large as that of a queen. But 
 come, I must go to my rooms and do this beauty's 
 bidding. She is too important to our cause to be 
 neglected ; besides, the information which she gives is 
 of the highest importance to our plot." 
 
 " I wish, Arthur, you would not use that word 
 again, unless you explain yourself." 
 
 "Well, then, Edmund," and locking arms, the 
 Royalist proceeded to detail to his brother the plot 
 which was fast maturing, upon the success or failure 
 of which depended, as was believed, the continuation or 
 the sudden termination of the war. Edmwid listened
 
 204 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 in rapt silence, and as his brother concluded his dis- 
 closure, exclaimed : 
 
 " By heavens ! that is wonderfully conceived." 
 
 "Yes, and if carried to a successful termination, 
 every party concerned in it, you may rest assured, will 
 be remembered by a grateful sovereign." 
 
 " I believe I am the only commissioned officer yet 
 enlisted," said Edmund, half musingly. 
 
 " Still harping on my daughter, Edmund," said the 
 brother, laughing, for he well knew that the colonel's 
 commission was running through his busy brain. 
 
 " Well, I can't help it, Arthur, and if I can do any- 
 thing to earn it, I will, you may rest assured." 
 
 " Earn what ?" asked his brother, pretending not t,o 
 understand his meaning. 
 
 " Oh, pshaw ! I suppose I was talking to myself, 
 Arthur. Those terrible eyes of Miss Moncrieffe have 
 quite unnerved me." 
 
 "And that parchment, with the great seal attached, 
 is required to restore you," said Arthur, laughing. " I 
 hope you will get it, for I know you are able to earn it 
 now," and the conversation which turned upon the 
 prospects of the Royalists, and which is not necessary 
 to repeat, was carried on almost in whispered tones, 
 until the brothers reached the quarters of the Royalist, 
 where they parted, the one to indite his letter to 
 Governor Tryon, in obedience to Margaret's behests ; 
 the other to gather all the information he could which
 
 MAKGAEET AND THE EOYALIST CAPTAIN. 209 
 
 might be of any service to the cause he had espoused 
 at the sacrifice of manhood and honor. 
 
 Margaret rode on slowly, meeting at almost every 
 hundred yards some one of her conquests at the ball. 
 For each she had some pleasant greeting, and each one 
 received one of those bright sunny smiles which were 
 so irresistible. She reached her home while General 
 Putnam and Major Burr were still engaged in conver- 
 sation, not only as to the singular conduct of young 
 Adams, who was nowhere to be found, but as to the 
 conclusions reached by the Council of Generals which 
 had been that day convened, and from which the gene- 
 ral had just returned when Margaret started for her 
 morning ride. 
 
 Retiring to her own room, she locked the door with- 
 out waiting to disrobe herself, threw herself into a 
 chair, and, drawing forth the crumpled letter which 
 Captain Blanchard had handed to her, commenced its 
 perusal. As she read, a smile of triumph lighted her 
 beautiful face ; and when she closed, she leaned back 
 in her chair, and burying her dimpled chin in one hand, 
 sat for several moments mute and motionless ; but that 
 pleasant thoughts were running through her busy brain, 
 was evidenced by the expression of her countenance, 
 which spoke of love and happiness. 
 
 " Oh ! how happy I shall be when I show him ho\p 
 promptly I have kept my pledge to him. Oh, Aaron, 
 Aaron ! do you love me as I love you ?" and again she
 
 206 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 sank into a fit of musing, from which she was aroused 
 by a gentle tap at the door. Hastily thrusting the let- 
 ter of Governor Tryon back into her pocket, she 
 opened it, to admit the general's eldest daughter a 
 bright, sprightly girl, who had quite sense enough not 
 to be jealous of Margaret's superior attractions, 
 and also the wisdom to admire, and acknowledge 
 her admiration for the beautiful and fascinating 
 stranger. 
 
 " I declare, Margaret," she said, as she took a seat, 
 " I never saw you look so perfectly lovely !" and she 
 gazed with earnest admiration upon Margaret, whose 
 color, heightened by the ride and the occurrences which 
 had transpired during it, and whose eyes were actually 
 dancing with happiness, fully justified her assertion. 
 
 " Really, I am afraid I shall begin to be very vain if 
 everybody tells me I am so handsome. I am sure, 
 Belle, I don't think of my beauty at all, though I know 
 I have my share." 
 
 " I really believe you don't, Margaret," said Belle ; 
 " and that is the reason why every one admires you. 
 What is that, Margaret ?" and she stooped to pick up a 
 piece of paper which lay at the young girl's feet, half 
 hidden by the long trail of her riding-dress. 
 
 It was the letter which Margaret had just received 
 from Governor Tryon, and which she thought she had 
 thrust into her pocket, whereas it had only been laid be- 
 tween the heavy folds of her dre^. Margaret in. 
 
 t
 
 MARGARET AND THE ROYALIST CAPTAIN. 20? 
 
 tuitively knew what it was ; but without exhibiting 
 the least surprise or emotion, said, coolly : 
 
 " Pick it up ; that's a dear girl. I am so tired, I am 
 sure if I should stoop I couldn't get straight again ;" 
 and Miss Putnam, laughing at what she deemed to be 
 Margaret's affectation, picked up the letter and handed 
 it to her. 
 
 " Come, now, Margaret, what is it ?" she asked, as 
 Margaret proceeded leisurely to open the letter, and 
 commenced its perusal with a face as free from ex- 
 pression as a marble statue " some love-letter, I'll 
 wager." 
 
 " You would not be far out of the way, Cousin 
 Belle," said Margaret, gaily ; " you know I made seve- 
 ral conquests on the night of the ball." 
 
 " Is it a declaration ? Come, read it to me. I don't 
 care for the names ; but I do want to hear a genuine 
 love-letter. I never had one myself." 
 
 " You won't say anything ?" 
 
 " 'Pon honor, not a word." 
 
 " You won't tell grandpa ?" 
 
 " No I won't tell grandpa, nor Lady Putnam, nor 
 even Mattie. Come, read that's a good girl ; I want 
 to hear how a man writes when he is in love." 
 
 "Oh, then, you have heard a man talk love? eh, 
 Cousin Belle ?" and she looked quizzically at the young 
 lady, thus beseechingly addressed, who colored to the 
 very roots of her hair."
 
 208 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 " Oh, go along, Margaret, you little torment. Come, 
 read the letter,, and perhaps I'll tell you something 
 afterward." 
 
 Thus appealed to, Margaret, holding the letter up, 
 pretended to read its contents, and she proceeded to 
 recite a string of nothings of fulsome compliments, 
 absurd flatteries and declarations of intense passion. 
 As she had to invent as she went along, she halted 
 occasionally ; but she excused herself for this by 
 abusing the penmanship, as she closed, and expressed 
 the hope that her lover, whoever he might be, would 
 employ a secretary for his next effusion, a suggestion 
 which drew from Belle a burst of such uproarious 
 laughter, that her sister came running into the room to 
 learn the cause, and seeing Margaret standing with the 
 open letter in her hand, her curiosity was also 
 awakened, and she insisted upon knowing the cause of 
 her sister's mirth. 
 
 It would have puzzled Margaret to repeat verbatim 
 .the string of nonsense she had just put together to 
 satisfy the curiosity of Belle ; so drawing herself up 
 with a mock dignity, which brought a merry laugh 
 from Mattie, she folded the letter up very deliberately, 
 and as she placed it this time very securely in her 
 pocket, she said : " I don't think you are quite old 
 enough, Cousin Mattie, to understand such things ;" 
 and Mattie now joined her sister in the boisterous 
 mirth, which, considering that she was nearly four
 
 MARGARET AND THE ROYALIST CAPTAIN. 209 
 
 years the senior of Margaret, was fully warranted. 
 Margaret managed very readily and adroitly to turn 
 the conversation into topics more interesting to her 
 new cousins than a love-letter addressed to her, and in 
 a few moments the occurrence was quite forgotten. 
 
 " Come, children," she said with a demure look, and 
 again their noisy laughter rang through the room, " I 
 wish to change my attire, and I will thank you to re- 
 tire," and she courtesied very reverently at them. 
 
 " Oh, certainly, my lady," they replied, in a breath, 
 and in the same strain, and moving backward to the 
 door, they saluted her with another courtesy as digni- 
 fied as her own, and once more she was alone. 
 
 Hastily locking the door, she drew the letter which 
 had so nearly been discovered, from her pocket, and 
 seating herself, with a pair of scissors commenced cut- 
 ting it into pieces so minute, it would have been impos- 
 sible to reunite them. This done, she chewed the 
 pieces until recognition of their original shape or pur- 
 port was out of the question, and threw them out of the 
 window. Having completed this important work of 
 destruction, she changed her riding-habit for a becom- 
 ing morning dress, and in a few moments was seated iu 
 the room with Mrs. Putnam and her daughters, as un- 
 concernedly as if she had not just escaped being hung 
 " as high as Haman," in accordance with the general's 
 threat. 
 
 Of the contents of this most important letter, it w
 
 210 MABGABET MONCEIKFFK. 
 
 only necessary to say, that the governor warmly thanked 
 her for the proffer of her valuable aid. He instructed 
 her to communicate as often and fully as possible with 
 him, designating Captain Blanchard, her father's inti- 
 mate friend, as the safest medium ; and he urged her, 
 f possible, to secure the cooperation of some officer of 
 position and influence, possessing means of correct in- 
 formation, as the success of the measures in which they 
 were engaged, depended upon the first blow. In con- 
 clusion, he assured her that any promise made by her, 
 to secure the aid of such an officer or officers as might 
 be required, would be faithfully carried out by him, and 
 he referred her to Captain Blanchard for full particu 
 lars as to the intentions to which his letter alluded. 
 
 And this was the love-letter which had excited such 
 mirth on the part of Cousin Belle, and which Cousin Matr 
 tie was too young to understand.
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 NEW CHABACTEB INTBODTJCED. 
 
 I HAVE said, in a previous chapter, that at the time 
 when the rumors of the intended or expected invasion 
 of Xew York reached the city, all the best families had 
 fled, and sought refuge and safety in distant quarters. 
 
 Many, however, remained. Some from choice, lor 
 they were strongly attached to the cause in which the 
 Provincial troops were engaged, and were willing to 
 prove their loyalty by their presence, and by sharing 
 the dangers and privations of those who governed the 
 city. Many, again, remained from necessity, not having 
 the means to leave the scene of threatened danger ; or 
 if they had, they knew not where to find shelter. 
 
 Among the latter class was one family, consisting cf 
 a mother, a daughter aged about nineteen, and a son, 
 twenty-two. 
 
 Mrs. Brainard was a widow the widow of a soldier 
 who had sacrificed himself on his country's altar in one 
 of the earliest contests which commenced the quarrel 
 between the colonies and the mother country and she 
 was as deeply imbued with a spirit of patriotism, as hal
 
 212 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 been her husband, when he left home and family to 
 volunteer for his country's defence. 
 
 Lizzie, as she was familiarly called, the daughter, was 
 about nineteen, and was the unfortunate possessor of 
 two qualities which in all asres have subjected their own 
 ers more or less to temptation, and often insult. She 
 was very beautiful and very poor. 
 
 Albert, the son, a fine, stalwart youth of twenty-two, 
 who had been brought up to the trade of a cooper, was 
 anxious to avenge his father's death, and with full con- 
 uent of his truly Spartan mother, had enlisted . in Colo- 
 nel McDougal's regiment, and was assigned to Captain 
 Blan chard's company. 
 
 Mrs. Brainard, on the arrival of the troops ordered 
 to the defence of New York, had opened a small shop 
 in what is now known as John street, where she ma- 
 naged, with the aid of Lizzie, to earn a comfortable 
 living by making up linen for the officers of the vari- 
 ous corps who occupied the city. As the daughter was 
 assigned to the charge of the shop, the fame of her 
 beauty and attractions soon spread abroad, and custom- 
 ers flocked thither more to enjoy a few moments con- 
 verse with her, than from any real need of her servicea 
 as a seamstress ; and many were the fulsome compli- 
 ments and the broad innuendoes to which she had been 
 compelled to listen, from these roystering young men, 
 more than half of whom had received commissions with 
 the sole view of conciliating their families, or securing
 
 A NEW CHARACTER INTRODUCED. 218 
 
 their influence, and not from any military or civic quali- 
 fications. 
 
 More than once she had, with crimsoned cheeks and 
 flashing eyes, been forced to listen to proposals more 
 dishonorable to those who claimed to be men, than to 
 her, whose necessities compelled her to hear them in 
 silence ; but the pure, truthful glance of her clear blue 
 eye, and her firm, though modest demeanor, invariably 
 drove them from her, with a feeling of self-abasement 
 known only to the truly guilty. 
 
 At length there came one whose admiration was so 
 truthfully expressed whose conduct in all things was 
 BO irreproachable who was so polite, so courteous, so 
 attentive, she dared to hope that at length she had 
 found one in whom she might confide, the more so, as 
 he had been brought there by her own and only 
 brother. 
 
 Captain Edmund Blanchard had heard much of the 
 beauty and fascinations of Lizzie, and knowing that her 
 brother Albert was one of his company, had inci- 
 dentally (to all appearance) hinted his desire of having 
 some linen made up, and Albert, anxious at once to 
 propitiate his commanding officer, and to serve his 
 mother and sister, had offered to introduce him to the 
 house. 
 
 The reader will please to remember, en parenthlse, 
 that in those days many of the commanding officers 
 were no more than the equals of those under him, and
 
 214 M AEG ABET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 that such a thing as a strictly military discipline was 
 almost unknown throughout the entire army of nearly 
 thirteen thousand men who garrisoned the city, except 
 when hi actual service, and often then it was grievously 
 neglected or not attended to. 
 
 Albert Brainard was but too happy to introduce his 
 captain to his beautiful sister, of whom he was justly 
 proud, and whom he loved with more than a brother's 
 devotion. 
 
 Captain Blanchard was more than pleased with the 
 beautiful girl he was fascinated, and he embraced 
 every opportunity, and made many almost impossible 
 ones, for visiting the humble shop over which she pre 
 sided. The sequel need hardly be told, for every 
 reader can imagine it. He was polite, kind, courteous ; 
 and as he showed in a thousand little ways the feelings 
 with which she had inspired him, she could not, unless 
 she had been less than a woman, fail to perceive the 
 impression she had made on him. 
 
 She began to draw comparisons between Captain 
 Blanchard and the other officers who visited the shop ; 
 she contrasted his quiet, modest, yet pointedly atten- 
 tive behavior, with the roystering and often insulting 
 conduct and language of others ; and as the comparison 
 always ended in his favor, she gradually began to think 
 him worthy of the feelings he had sought to win, and the 
 result was, she gave them to him, hi all the truth, and 
 strength, and purity, of a virtuous woman's first love,
 
 A NEW CHARACTER INTRODUCED. 215 
 
 It is a cruel thing to have to narrate, but the truth 
 must be told, and that a sad truth, that Lizzie Brainard, 
 whose whole heart, and soul, and feelings had been 
 won by the handsome and gallant young captain, hi an 
 evil hour trusted to his honorable vows of intended 
 marriage, which was only postponed on account of the 
 uncertainty of his future, and gave to him that which, 
 once given, could never be recalled. 
 
 To say that Edmund Blan chard did not love Lizzie, 
 would be to tell a foul falsehood, for he did, as much 
 as he then thought he was capable of loving anything, 
 and the poor trusting fool, but too happy in that love, 
 had scarce a regret for that sacrifice which she had 
 made, for every feeling of her heart prompted her to 
 repose the most implicit faith and trust in him, and 
 that he would fulfill his promise was no more a subject 
 of doubt to her, than that she was alive ; and in that 
 faith and trust, and hi his love daily evinced, and as 
 yet showing no change, she found her happiness. 
 
 Each day only seemed to strengthen the ties which 
 bound them together, and Albert, who saw the current 
 of affairs, was but too happy to think he had been the 
 means of introducing to his sister one who was so 
 evidently calculated to make her happy. Captain 
 Blanchard, as an evidence of his love for Lizzie, had 
 promoted her brother to the rank of sergeant, soon 
 after the first introduction to the family, and held out 
 to him the promise of further promotion on the ocoa-
 
 216 MARGARET MONCRIEPFK. 
 
 sion of the first vacancy in the company a promise 
 which he soon afterward succeeded in redeeming, and 
 Albert Brainard received his commission as a lieuten- 
 ant, in the place of an officer dismissed for insulting 
 and striking a woman. For this kindness, brother and 
 sister were equally grateful, and he was looked upon 
 "by either almost as an idol. 
 
 Such was the position of matters at the period when 
 Edmund Blanchard was first introduced by his brother 
 to Margaret Moncrieffe. On that occasion he had been 
 completely bewitched by her beauty, by her fascinating 
 manners, and, above all, by the prospect which, with 
 her speaking eyes, she had held out to him of a colo- 
 nelcy, in reward for his treason. She had, even in that 
 single brief interview, effaced almost completely the 
 image of the injured Lizzie, and when he parted from 
 her, he found his greatest pleasure in dwelling upon 
 her bewitching loveliness, her fascinating smile, and 
 the prospective commission. It was, with every 
 thought thus engrossed, he found himself almost 
 unconsciously at the door of Mrs. Brainard's shop, for 
 it had, of late, been his daily habit to call there on 
 some pretext or other, though pretext was scarcely 
 necessary, for Mrs. Brainard looked upon him as her 
 future son-in-law, and Lizzie felt that he was to be her 
 husband, for had she not his promise ? 
 
 He was received by Lizzie as he ever had been, from 
 the day when she first acknowledged to her heart her
 
 A NEW CHARACTER 1XTRODUCED. 217 
 
 
 
 own feelings for him, with a quiet but meaning smile, 
 which spoke more than volumes of mere words could 
 have done. 
 
 But he scarcely noticed her smile, nor returned her 
 words of friendly greeting, for when there was a pos- 
 sibility of being overheard, she confined herself to 
 these. Visions of Margaret, of her matchless beauty, 
 her bewitching smile, and that commission, were float- 
 ing before him, and throwing his cap on one chair, he 
 took a seat on another, with a moody, abstracted air, 
 which she had never before witnessed. 
 
 " Are you sick, Edmund ?" she asked in low tones, 
 but every word breathed the deep affection which 
 prompted them. 
 
 " No, not sick, Lizzie, not sick. I am a little tired ; 
 I have had a long walk, and something has occurred 
 which has excited me very much, to-day." 
 
 " May I know it ?" she asked, in tones which seemed 
 to convey the impression that she was touching on some- 
 thing which did not concern her. 
 
 " Oh, surely," he replied. " By some chance, for 
 which I have not yet learned to account, I met to-day 
 my only and elder brother, Arthur. I think you must 
 have seen him here with some of our officers. He is a 
 captain in the king's army, on parole ; we have not seen 
 each other for fifteen years." 
 
 " Oh, I know him very well ; he has often been here. 
 And he is that your brother?" she asked, eagerly. 
 10
 
 218 MARGARET MONCEIEFFE. 
 
 " My only living relative on earth," he replied, 
 sadly. 
 
 " How bad it must have made you feel, Edmund, to 
 meet your brother under such circumstances, fighting 
 against each other. Oh, Edmund ! it is awful to think 
 of; suppose you and he should ever be in battle ; just 
 think brother against brother ; why don't you talk to 
 him, and show him how unjust the king is acting to- 
 ward us? Do, Edmund, do talk to him, and make 
 him feel for I know you can how deeply we are 
 wronged." 
 
 " You talk like a little fool," replied the soldier, half- 
 angrily ; and as he spoke, his face fairly crimsoned, for 
 her words cut him to the heart him, who had sold 
 himself for gold, and for gold was ready to betray his 
 country. 
 
 " Please don't speak so, Edmund," said Lizzie, the 
 tears gathering in her eyes at his words. " Don't make 
 me feel that you think I have acted like a fool." 
 
 " I do beg your pardon, Lizzie," said the captain, re- 
 called to himself by these words, and gazing upon the 
 beautiful and trusting girl with his wonted look of affec- 
 tion. " I did not mean that ; but when you spoke of 
 asking him to join " 
 
 " Oh, I see now ; the idea of asking him to join our 
 cause would have been about as sensible as to ask you 
 to join his. Of course, I forgive you, Edmund ; I did 
 not mean anything wrong by my foolish words."
 
 A NEW CHARACTER INTRODUCER. 210 
 
 ** Come, Lizzie, never mind that," he said, again col 
 oring deeply, for her words had cut him to the quick : 
 * We won't talk of that any more ; what have you 
 heard to-day ?" 
 
 " Oh, not much ; there have been half a dozen here to- 
 day, but they don't seem to know much of what is 
 going on. Everybody thinks that Lord Howe is coming 
 here to sack and burn the city. For my part, I don't 
 believe any such thing ; do you, Edmund ?" 
 
 " No," he answered, half abstractedly, for he dared 
 not make any other reply lest he should commit him- 
 self. "Suppose, Lizzie, they should come and land 
 troops all around us, and hem us in, and offer 
 terms." 
 
 "I'd die, for one," she interrupted, " before I would 
 surrender ; no, no, Edmund, no terms for me ; death or 
 liberty !" and her eyes fairly flashed with the enthusiasm 
 which animated her. 
 
 " You did not hear me out, Lizzie," said Edmund, 
 almost shamed into honor by this noble girl. " Sup- 
 pose we found it impossible to hold the city, and Lord 
 Howe offered not only pardon, but rewards to those 
 who would return to their allegiance to the king." 
 
 " I don't think I heard you rightly, Edmund," she 
 said, and he repeated his sentence. 
 
 " Well, go on." 
 
 " Suppose he was to offer me a colonel's commission ? 
 he continued.
 
 320 MAEGAEET MONCEIKFFB. 
 
 " Shall I tell you what I would do ?" 
 
 " Of course ; I asked for the purpose of learning 
 your opinion." 
 
 " I would tear it up and throw it in his face," ex- 
 claimed the enthusiastic patriot, "and tell him that 
 twenty commissions could not purchase my freedom, 
 nor could he quench my love of liberty with all the gold 
 his master owned." 
 
 Edmund Blanchard fairly quailed and cowered be- 
 neath her glance, as Lizzie spoke. As yet, he had not 
 dared to confide to her his treason, for he had hoped to 
 win her to his views, and through her, her brother ; but 
 these words effectually crushed all such hopes, and with 
 a deep sigh, his head sank upon his breast, and for a 
 few moments he sat mute and motionless. 
 
 " And what is the matter, Edmund ?" asked Lizzie, 
 as she noticed his changed appearance and man- 
 ners. 
 
 " Nothing," he said, with an appearance of careless- 
 ness which his looks belied, as he raised his head, " I 
 was only thinking." 
 
 " Well, I don't think of such things. When we can't 
 hold the city we can leave it, and if no one else will do 
 It, I will volunteer to set it on fire, before the king's 
 troops shall hold it one hour. No, no, Captain Blanch- 
 ard, you will always find me as you first knew me ; and 
 when I change from my love and devotion to my coun- 
 try, I will give you leave to find another if you can,
 
 A. XEW CHARACTER INTRODUCED 221 
 
 who," and she sank her voice to a low whisper, " will 
 love you as I have done." 
 
 Poor Lizzie ! she was cutting slowly but surely, by 
 such words, the cord which bound her lover to her. 
 Every word she had uttered, expressing the deep lov 
 she bore for her country, and her determination to 
 sacrifice even her life for its welfare, was a severance 
 of some slender thread ; for he was so completely 
 wrapped up in the idea which Margaret had not in 
 reality held out to him, but which he had construed as 
 he wished, of promotion in the cause which he had 
 espoused, and so wholly engrossed was he by her beauty 
 and the bright smile which gleamed on him (even now 
 in Lizzie's presence), that the words of Lizzie sounded 
 like reproaches to him, and because he knew he 
 deserved them, he felt them the more keenly. 
 
 He was glad, therefore, when Lizzie changed the 
 conversation, and turned it into the channel in which 
 her own thoughts were running, namely, her love for 
 Edmund, and the hope of speedily becoming his own. 
 In this he joined with his usual apparent cheerfulness ; 
 but, in spite of himself, there was an air of constraint 
 about him which the eye of love readily perceived, and 
 which his very efforts to conceal made only the more 
 palpable. 
 
 When he took his leave, she retired to her post 
 behind the little counter, resuming her work ; but, 
 as she did so, she heard a deep sigh. It was
 
 222 MABGABET MONCBIEFFB. 
 
 the echo from her own heart, and that foreboded, 
 
 in very spite of herself, some sorrow, sadness, or 
 
 trouble ; for, " coming events cast their shadows 
 before/*
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 MAJOR BUEE, AND COEBIE THE TORY. 
 
 WE left General Putnam in close consultation with 
 his aid as to the extraordinary disappearance of Seth 
 Adams. 
 
 The old general was perfectly furious when the 
 report was made to him that no tidings had been 
 received of the young Jerseyman. He denounced 
 him as a traitor. He would offer a reward for his 
 restoration, dead or alive. If dead, he would have his 
 body hung in chains, as a terror to any who might feel 
 inclined to follow in his footsteps ; if alive, he would 
 have him whipped to death. 
 
 Major Burr suffered the passionate old general to 
 exhaust his wrath on his suppositions ; and when he 
 had recovered a little composure, he ventured to sug- 
 gest that it might be as well to institute an investiga- 
 tion. As for Adams, he knew him so well, he would 
 stake his life on his fidelity ; and acquainted as he was 
 with his coolness and shrewdness, he was perfectly 
 confident that something had occurred beyond the 
 power of man to control, or he would have made his 
 report at the hour specified.
 
 '224 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 " It's all very well to talk, major all very well to 
 talk," and the general treated his nose to an extraor- 
 dinary quantity of snuff ; " but there's the fact. He went, 
 and he hasn't come back. Now, sir, explain that." 
 
 " I cannot, general, until I make some inquiries. 
 Major Gibbs, you see, reports," and he pointed to the 
 letter from the commander of the Life Guard, " that 
 Adams was seen at Corbie's at half-past eight." 
 
 " D n that Corbie ! D n the whole of his infernal 
 tribe ! I have a great mind to hang every man of 
 them, and report to the general when he comes back 
 that they have been hung as spies. Yes," he con- 
 tinued, his anger again getting the better of him, 
 " and I would commence with that infernal scoundrel, 
 Forbes he's the worst of all." 
 
 " Suppose I investigate the matter, general ?" sug 
 gested the aid. 
 
 " Suppose we hang 'em first, Burr, and investigate 
 afterward. I don't believe any one would find much 
 fault." 
 
 " But they might not like it," replied the major, sug- 
 gestively ; and the idea so pleased the old general, he 
 broke into a loud laugh, and, directing the major to 
 act as he thought proper, left the room to prepare for 
 dinner ; for he was as simple in his habits as he was 
 brave, generous, and confiding, and did not disdain to 
 confess to hunger at noon, especially when he had been 
 on active duty since six in the morning.
 
 MAJOR BURR, ANT) CORBIE THE TOBY. 225 
 
 Major Burr hurried through the remainder of the 
 papers which required attention ; and having ordered 
 his horse to be brought up, prepared to start for Cor- 
 bie's house, with the intention of learning for himself, 
 so far as he could, the probable fate of the young 
 soldier who had been intrusted by him with a duty at 
 once so delicate and so hazardous. 
 
 As he was buckling on his sword, the door of the 
 apartment was gently opened, and the well-known face 
 of her to whom he had sold his very soul, in exchange 
 for her love and smiles, peered in. 
 
 " May I come in ?" 
 
 " Yes, for I am going out," was the reply of the 
 major ; but uttered in playful tones. 
 
 " Well, that is certainly an inducement to enter," 
 she said, in a similar strain. " Pray, are you going to 
 battle ?" and she looked inquiringly at his sword. 
 
 " I hardly know what I may meet, Margaret," he 
 said. " I am going to that infernal scoundrel, Corbie, 
 to learn, if I can, what has become of poor Seth." 
 
 " And pray, who is poor Seth ?" she inquired. 
 
 " Oh, I forgot ! The fact is, between love and war 
 I am getting a little confused, I am afraid." 
 
 " I hope your memory will not desert you entirely," 
 she said, playfully but meaningly. 
 
 Major Burr caught the full import of her words, and 
 as he met her ardent, loving gaze, he forgot everything 
 again, but her and her love. 
 
 10*
 
 220 MAKGABET MONCKIEFFB 
 
 " Fear not, Margaret ; the prize offered is too great 
 for human resistance. Seth is a young Jerseyman, a 
 cousin of Patsy, by the way, who was with me. Why 
 Margaret, what have I said?" he exclaimed, as she 
 turned from him with moistened eyes. 
 
 " Oh, nothing, Aaron, nothing. I see that your me- 
 mory has not failed you, for Patsy's cousin can make 
 you " 
 
 " Good Heavens, Margaret !" he interrupted, " how 
 can you be so unreasonable ? It is not because he is 
 Patsy's cousin, but because he has been my trusty fol- 
 lower through every hardship. I sent him on a mission 
 last night of great delicacy. He has not returned, and 
 I am really anxious for his safety." 
 
 " Because he is Patsy 's cousin ?" asked Margaret, look, 
 ing sadly but tenderly in his face. 
 
 " Because I love the young man for his courage, devo- 
 tion and fidelity, and only therefore, Margaret. Do not 
 be silly or unreasonable. If you do not know me, learn 
 to know me now. I have no thought, or hope, or wish 
 disconnected from you, but I have duties to discharge." 
 
 "True, Aaron," said Margaret, her countenance 
 brightening at his words, " I was selfish, and I am 
 afraid," she added, looking lovingly into his face, " 1 
 was a little jealous; you will forgive me, won't you?" 
 
 " I forgive everything, Margaret, but a suspicion of 
 my devotion to you. I am yours, and yours only." 
 
 " But who is this Corbie, and what is he ?"
 
 MAJOR BURR, AND CORBIE THE TORY. 227 
 
 " Oh, a pestilent, turbulent fellow, who keeps a low 
 drinking-house near Richmond Hill. I wonder the 
 commander-in-chief allows it. We think the house i* 
 
 the head-quarters of" but he checked himself, and 
 
 did not finish his sentence, for he remembered he, too, 
 had been bought with a price. " But come, I cannot 
 stop to discuss such matters with you now," he conti- 
 nued, " I must be off. Shall I see you again, to-day ?" 
 
 " I am not afraid to walk in the garden," she replied, 
 with a demure look, " and if you choose to see that I 
 am not interrupted, I shall be obliged to you. I love 
 to walk on moonlight nights, and think or " and she 
 bent her head close to his own " talk, as the case may 
 be. I never walk before nine or ten o'clock at night." 
 
 *' You shall be secure from any disagreeable intru- 
 sion," said the major, and imprinting a kiss upon her 
 hand, he left the room, and Margaret was alone. 
 
 A sharp ride of some fifteen minutes brought him to 
 Corbie's house, where he dismounted, and giving hia 
 horse in charge to an orderly who had followed him, 
 entered the place. 
 
 He was received by Corbie, who was alone (for at 
 that hour of the day the soldiers were at dinner, and 
 the loyalists who frequented his house rarely came there 
 in the day-time), with a profusion of bows and scrapes, 
 and expressions of gratification at the honor conferred 
 upon him by this visit, from an officer of such distino 
 tion as Major Burr.
 
 228 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 " You need not take any great credit to yourseltj 
 Corbie, for this visit, and perhaps you won't think it 
 much of an honor before I leave you. Sit down, Cor- 
 bie, and answer my questions." 
 
 " I couldn't think of sitting down, major, in your 
 presence, but I will answer any questions your honor 
 may ask. Won't your honor permit me to offer you 
 some old Southside ? There ain't its equal, I know, in 
 New York ; at least Colonel Fanning says so, and he's 
 a first-rate judge." 
 
 " Colonel Fanning ! and who is Colonel Fanning, 
 Corbie ?" 
 
 " Oh, bless you, sir, don't you know Colonel Fan- 
 ning?" replied the landlord, whose face would have 
 flushed if it <"""!<!, through the roseate hues that dyed 
 his cheeks at this slip of the tongue. " Oh, sir, he be- 
 longs to the regular army, and he used to come over 
 here with his friends on purpose to drink some of that. 
 S'pose you try a glass major, I do assure you " 
 
 "No matter just now, Corbie. There was a young 
 man here last night, named Adams," 
 
 " I know him, major ; a tall, sandy-haired; rather 
 well-favored young man," replied the host, who had 
 now fully recovered his composure. " He said he was 
 from Jersey." 
 
 " The very man ; you seem to know him pretty well.'* 
 
 " And I ought to remember him. He came in soon 
 after eight and had three stiff glasses right atop of one 

 
 MAJOR BUKE, AXD COKBIE THE TOET. 22 1 
 
 another, and then his tongue began to wag, and he told 
 me who he was." 
 
 " Well, go on." 
 
 " He said he wanted to 'list with the king's troops, 
 and I told him he'd come to the wrong place for 
 that. I told him I was under heavy bonds, and that 
 I wouldn't abuse the general's confidence by no man- 
 ner of means. Fact is, major, he was desperately 
 drunk." 
 
 " Well, and what then ?" inquired the major, with an 
 air of apparent concern, for Corbie's air and manner 
 were so truthful, Major Burr could find no reason to 
 doubt him. 
 
 " Why, he staid and staid till there was nobody here 
 but Forbes and me. You see, major, Forbes lives away 
 down in the city, and when he gets belated, I always 
 give him a bed, cause you know we're old countrymen. 
 So, as I said, he staid and staid, and I couldn't get him 
 away, and the first thing I knew, we heard tattoo, and 
 then I swore he should go, 'cause if he was found here 
 at that time of night, it would be worse for me than 
 him ; and so Forbes and I put him out and shut the 
 house up 'cording to orders. I try to keep my house 
 quiet and orderly, but, major, there's some desperate 
 hard drinkers as comes here, and I'm afraid they will 
 give me a deal of trouble yet." 
 
 Major Burr mused a moment, and turning to Corbie, 
 or rather looking him full in the face, he said :
 
 230 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 " And no one but Forbes and yourself were in the 
 house when he left ?" 
 
 " He didn't leave," replied the wily publican, who 
 saw through the question in an instant. " Forbes and 
 I put him out." 
 
 "Ah, yes, I remember. Well, I will see Forbes; 
 but, Corbie, you had better be careful. You know 
 your house is suspected as being the head-quarters of 
 all the mischief going on, and if General Putnam 
 catches you at anything wrong, he will relieve your 
 bondsman and put you you know where," and the 
 young officer looked at the landlord very mean- 
 ingly. 
 
 Now these words might have been interpreted as a 
 caution or a threat, and they were intended to be 
 ambiguous, but the speaker well knew that the impres- 
 sion in either case would be the same. 
 
 " Major, I've heard that before ; but I tell you 1 do 
 all I can to keep a quiet house, and I make it a rule 
 never to allow any one to talk on subjects which might 
 occasion trouble. General Putnam will never catch 
 me at anything wrong," and it was the landlord's turn 
 to look meaningly at the officer, for his words also 
 would bear two constructions. 
 
 Major Burr turned quietly away, and saying, " I 
 will see Forbes myself," was about taking his leave, 
 when the host, starting forward, said eagerly : 
 
 " But, major, won't you try some of that old South-
 
 MAJOR BUKK, AND CORBIE THE TOBY. 281 
 
 side ? I do assure you, there ain't anything like it in 
 New York." 
 
 " Xo, thank you, Corbie," was the major's reply, 
 still moving toward the door, and without turning 
 round, continued : " Mind, Corbie, be careful, and 
 don't get caught in any trouble." 
 
 " I won't, I promise you, major. I'm sorry you 
 won't try my Southside. Perhaps you'd let me send 
 you a case ?" 
 
 " By no means," hastily replied the major, turning 
 round and facing the landlord, and he spoke so eagerly 
 and quickly that a faint, meaning smile crossed the 
 Tory's face. In another moment he was alone, and as 
 the door closed upon the receding form of the officer, 
 he muttered : 
 
 " I wonder what the devil that fellow means ! No 
 matter ; I thank him for his caution, or threat, as it 
 may be. He'll see Forbes, will he ? Much good may 
 it do him !" and he chuckled to himself with evident 
 satisfaction. 
 
 Major Burr, after stopping a few moments to pay a 
 call on the commander of the Life Guard, Major Gibbs, 
 rode down Broadway, and reined up in front of Forbes' 
 door. The shop was half filled with customers, or 
 rather visitors, among whom were several Provincial 
 customers, and the brothers Blanchard, of whose rela- 
 tionship, however, he was as yet ignorant. As he 
 entered the shop, he saluted the younger of the two
 
 232 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFB. 
 
 with great cordiality, and complimented him npon the 
 appearance and discipline of his company, which, he 
 said (and he spoke in the name of General Putnam), 
 any captain might be proud to command, and he only 
 wished the rest of the regiment was like it. 
 
 Captain Blanch ard colored, and looked pleased at 
 this official praise, for although Major Burr was his 
 junior by many years, his rank and well-earned repu- 
 tation rendered even his praises pleasing, and begged 
 to introduce his brother, the Royalist. 
 
 " Ah, yes, captain, I have often seen you," he said 
 cordially extending his hand. " I remember meeting 
 you at Colonel Shee's ball. You seemed to know 
 Miss Moncrieffe very well." 
 
 " Ever since she was born, sir. Her father and my- 
 self have been friends from boyhood. She is a very 
 lovely girl." 
 
 " Very lovely," replied Major Burr, hurriedly, ior 
 he felt the color was coming to his cheeks, and hastily 
 excusing himself for a few moments, he went to the 
 rear of the shop, where Forbes was engaged, and 
 requested, or rather commanded, him to retire to the 
 back room for a few minutes. 
 
 Forbes was fain to comply, and when the door was 
 closed, he was submitted to an examination similar to 
 that which Corbie had undergone, but there was no 
 variance in their narratives, and Major Burr felt that, 
 as they were the only witnesses who could shed any
 
 MAJOR BUEE, AND COEBIE THIS TOET. 233 
 
 light upon the occurrences of the evening, whatever 
 they might have been, it would be useless to pursue 
 the investigation further, and with a caution to the 
 gunsmith not to meddle with what did. not concern 
 him, he returned to the store and joined the group of 
 officers assembled there. A few moments were passed 
 in social chat, when he took his leave, and rode directly 
 to his quarters, where he reported to General Putnam 
 the result of the inquiries he had just made, and he was 
 about closing with an expression of his confidence in 
 the integrity of Seth Adams, when the old general 
 broke forth in a perfect tornado of denunciation and 
 invective. 
 
 " Adams, he knew, was a deserter had been bought 
 over to the enemy, and, curse him, he'd have him hung 
 if a hundred pounds could accomplish it !" 
 
 Major Burr listened, of course, without interruption, 
 for he might as well have attempted to stem the tor- 
 rent of Niagara as soothe the old general's wrath when 
 once aroused. 
 
 When he had exhausted himself, he closed by a 
 threat to have every one of those infernal Tory hot- 
 houses of treason closed, and their keepers either 
 imprisoned or hung, and wound up, as he took a tre- 
 mendous pinch of snuff, by directing his aid to go to 
 the office and prepare a reply to a communication from 
 the commander-in-chief, who had written for certain 
 information on behalf of the committee of Congress,
 
 234 MAEGAKET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 He was soon immersed in his work, but if he could 
 have been watched, an observer might have noticed 
 that he often laid his pen upon the table, and gave 
 way to fits of musing. At times his thoughts were 
 evidently troubled, and again his countenance was 
 lighted up by a smile of almost rapturous happiness. 
 
 Was he thinking of his treason, or Margaret's love, 
 or both?
 
 CHAPTER XXIL 
 
 MARGARET FINDS A NEW LOTEB. 
 
 THE brothers Blanchard were seated in the apart- 
 ments occupied by the Royalist, and over a bottle of 
 wine had been discussing not only their present pros- 
 pects, but had enjoyed a long talk over old times. 
 
 " By the way, Edmund," said the elder, " you have 
 called, I find, very often on Miss Moncrieffe. Xow 
 don't make a fool of yourself there. Pardon me," he 
 said, as he noticed his brother's heightened color, 
 " but I speak only for your good. She is a desperate 
 flirt and coquette. I have known her almost from 
 infancy, and I know what I say. As a devoted Royal- 
 ist, she is of infinite service to us, and is esteemed 
 accordingly ; but I know her thoroughly. Mark my 
 words, Edmund, she does not care any more for you 
 than for the orderly who waits on you. She will use 
 you to her heart's content lead you on surely, and then 
 laugh at your folly. You had better wait until this 
 infernal war is over, and when we reach home you will 
 find some one to appreciate you and make you happy. 
 You have your captain's commission now ?" 
 
 " Oh, yes ! Governor Tryon sent that to me at
 
 236 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 once, with my pay, and I receive my subsistence money 
 regularly every week." 
 
 " Then be content for the present. I have no doubt 
 you will earn and receive promotion in due time." 
 
 " Do you think," interrupted Edmund, " that com- 
 mission Miss Moncrieffe asked for, was for me ?" 
 
 " I don't know what to think of her conduct in that 
 aftair. You are the only commissioned officer at 
 present engaged with us, and it may be that she has 
 well, I don't know I can't say," he continued, inter- 
 rupting his own sentence. " She is a queer, unman- 
 ageable girl, and may have taken a sudden fancy " 
 
 " To me ? asked Edmund, eagerly. " Do you think 
 so?" 
 
 "To you! No, Edmund; don't be so foolish. I 
 meant to say that she might have taken a fancy to 
 show an appreciation of your services, or rather what 
 she expects of you. But look out for her ; she will 
 lead you a chase, and then hide from you at the last 
 moment." 
 
 " Well," said Edmund, rising, with something of a 
 sigh, " I must return to my quarters ; it is nearly the 
 hour for drill." 
 
 " I will walk with you part of the way. I have to 
 stop at Mrs. Brainard's and see about some shirts she 
 is making up for me," and the young Provincial turned 
 away to conceal a blush which the mention of this 
 name had called to his face. He had not dared to
 
 M AEG ABET FINDS A NEW LOVER. 23? 
 
 confide to his brother the fact of his acquaintance and 
 connection with that family, and dreaded lest he 
 should discover it. For an instant he hesitated whether 
 or not he should disclose it to him, but for very fear 
 he decided not to do so, trusting to chance it might 
 pass unknown, and hoping that Lizzie would not avail 
 herself of the information he had imparted as to his 
 relationship to the Royalist officer. 
 
 These thoughts ran through his brain while he was 
 buckling on his sword, which, on his entrance, he had 
 laid aside, and turning to his brother with an air of 
 well-assumed composure, he declared his readiness to 
 accompany him as far as their roads led together. 
 
 Arm in arm, they proceeded up Broadway, until 
 they reached John street, when, with the promise of 
 soon seeing each other again, they separated, the one 
 to join the company which he did not intend to lead to 
 battle in his country's defence, the other to visit the 
 humble shop of the widow Brainard. 
 
 Since the conversation with Edmund, Lizzie had 
 been anxiously looking for the Royalist captain ; for, in 
 the guilelessness of her own heart, she felt that her 
 lover must of course have made known to his brother 
 their position ; not the sacrifice she had made for him, 
 but the promise he had made to her. When, there- 
 fore, she perceived him entering the little shop, she 
 greeted him with a smile and blush, both of which 
 were so unwonted with her, they attracted his atten-
 
 238 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 tion ; for Lizzie, since she had acquired sad experience 
 by intercourse with the gay and dissolute Provincial 
 officers, had ever been noted for her reserved manner. 
 
 " Walk in, captain," she said, rising from her seat 
 behind the counter ; " take a seat. Mother, Edmund's 
 
 brother is here for his Oh ! I beg your pardon, 
 
 sir," she said, crimsoning as she turned again to him 
 " we call him Edmund here always. Captain Blan- 
 chard, I mean." 
 
 "And pray, Miss Lizzie, why should you beg my 
 pardon ?" asked the Royalist, whose interest was ex- 
 cited by this little episode, and who, thinking there 
 might be more behind than he had dreamed of, deter- 
 mined to ascertain the truth. 
 
 " Oh ! really, captain, I spoke hastily, and I beg your 
 pardon ; but he was here a day or two ago, and he told 
 me he met his brother whom he had not seen in ever 
 so many years, and when he told me who it was, I 
 knew it was you, and and " 
 
 " And that is why you begged my pardon ?' he 
 asked, with an arch look. 
 
 " Oh, no, sir ! but I did not mean to use his name so 
 familiarly in your presence." 
 
 " Oh, yes, I see. You are on very familiar terms 
 with him ; but you did not wish me to know it." 
 
 " Not at all, sir," said Lizzie, blushing again. 
 "Please, sir, if you will walk in the back room, mother 
 is just putting up your things ;" and the captain, whose
 
 MARGARET FINDS A NEW LOVER. 289 
 
 interest and curiosity were now excited, gladly availed 
 himself of her invitation, and he entered the little back 
 room off the shop, where he found Mrs. Brainard, as 
 Lizzie had said, putting up " his things." 
 
 * Captain, I am very glad to see you," said Mrs. 
 Brainard, a fine, matronly woman, who had, perhaps, 
 seen fifty summers. " Lizzie was saying the other day 
 that Edmund had found a brother whom he had not 
 seen for many years, and we were right glad to know 
 it was you." 
 
 " Edmund again," thought the captain ; but he said : 
 " Yes, Mrs. Brainard, it was a very pleasant meeting, 
 after an absence of fifteen years. I only remembered 
 Edmund as a little boy, and, to meet him as I did, was 
 a great surprise, you may well imagine." 
 
 " We think all the world of him here, captain," con 
 tinued th-e old lady ; " and, as for Lizzie, why she thinks 
 him about perfection." 
 
 " Ah ! that accounts for it," thought the captain, as 
 he recalled the smile and the blush which greeted his 
 entrance ; but he said : " Yes, I know ; and of course 
 he thinks as much of her ?" 
 
 " I hope he does," said Mrs. Brainard, looking up 
 from the work she was smoothing down, preparatory 
 to tying it up. " If he don't, he's told a good many 
 lies, I suppose I must call 'em," and she gave him a 
 meaning glance. 
 
 " Oh, Edmund would not tell lies, I am sure ; and I
 
 240 MARGARET MOXCKIEFFE. 
 
 don't blame him for thinking much of your daughter j 
 for she is certainly a very lovely and a very modest, 
 well-behaved girl." 
 
 " She is a good girl, captain, and that's better than 
 being lovely ; and she'll make him a good wife, I 
 know. She would make a good wife for any man." 
 
 Captain Blanchard was a thorough man of the world, 
 an old soldier, and a campaigner, and it was a rare 
 thing for him to be taken by surprise : but these words 
 of the simple-hearted widow did make him start. She 
 did not observe it, however, for, as she finished her 
 sentence, she bent her head again to her work. 
 
 " Yes, madam, she would make a good wife for any 
 man ; but Edmund did not tell me when it was to come 
 off. When does she expect to be married ?" 
 
 " Oh, as soon as this war is over. He calculates it 
 can't last much longer, and then " 
 
 Her sentence was interrupted by the arrival of some 
 half dozen officers, who, under pretext of giving orders 
 for work, and examining the small stock of goods in 
 the shop, sought the opportunity of chatting with Lizzie. 
 
 Captain Blanchard listened to their silly prattle for a 
 few minutes, and, while he was disgusted with them, 
 he was perfectly delighted with the modest and correct 
 deportment and language of Lizzie. She listened to 
 their fulsome compliments, for she had no choice but to 
 listen ; but her replies were so worded as to convey the 
 unmistakable impressioB that she fully understood and
 
 MARGARET FINE/"' A NEW LOVER. 241 
 
 appreciated their promptings, and never for a angle 
 instant did she forget her self-respect. 
 
 Finding themselves foiled at every point, the officers 
 took their leave, each one as he went out saluting her 
 with some compliment which was meant to be expressh e 
 of his own personal admiration ; but Lizzie listened in 
 silence, and gently courtesied them out. 
 
 Captain Blanchard had overheard every word that 
 had passed during the interview ; had noticed the per- 
 fect propriety of Lizzie's conduct and language, and 
 taking up the bundle which Mrs. Brainard had put up 
 for him, he reentered the shop, and as he again met 
 the bright smile and blush of the young girl, he took 
 off his cap with an air of respect, and said, with deep 
 earnestness : " 1 think with your mother, Miss Lizzie, 
 that you will make a good wife for any man ;" and, 
 with a courteous bow, he left the shop. 
 
 Lizzie's heart beat with fearful rapidity as she heard 
 these words, for they told her that she had been the 
 subject of conversation between the captain and her 
 mother. 
 
 " Oh, mother, what have you been saying ?" she ex- 
 claimed, entering the room where her mother was 
 seated, plying her busy needle. 
 
 " Well, daughter, I don't know what you mean by 
 such a question." 
 
 " What have you been saying about me to Captain 
 Blanchard ?" 
 
 11
 
 242 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 " Why, I don't know as I said anything very parti- 
 cular. I told him you and Edmund was going to be 
 married as soon as the war was over, and he said aa 
 how you'd make no, I said as how you'd make a good 
 wife for any man." 
 
 " Oh, mother, how could you ?" asked the blushing 
 girl. 
 
 " How could I ! ain't he Edmund's brother, and ain't 
 you going to be married ?" 
 
 ** Yes, but, mother " 
 
 " Well, what, mother ? A good daughter will make 
 a good wife, I know, and I'm sure you've been a good 
 daughter to me." 
 
 At these words, which brought home to poor Lizzie 
 the consciousness of her own guilt, she blushed crim- 
 son ; but the fond, doting mother, not dreaming of the 
 cause, attributed her blushes to the fact of her having 
 spoken so plainly of her expected marriage to the 
 brother of her betrothed, and said, with an apologetic 
 air : " Oh, Lizzie, dear, I didn't mean to make you feel 
 so bad about it, but he seemed to know all, and so I 
 gpoke freely with him." 
 
 " Did he, really ?" asked Lizzie, earnestly. 
 
 "Oh, yes; when I spoke about it, he said he knew, 
 onlv Edmund hadn't told him when it was to < ome off; 
 anil so I told him. I am sure there was no harm in 
 that." 
 
 " No, nothing ;" said Lizzie, half musingly, but she
 
 MARGARET FIXDS A NEW LOVER. 243 
 
 was thinking of the words which the captain uttered as 
 he was leaving, and she was happy. " I am sure I'll try 
 to be a good wife, mother, as good as I know how to 
 be. Dear, dear Edmund !" she murmured, as, leaving 
 her mother at her work, she resumed her place behind 
 the counter of her little shop.
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 1CARGABET RECEIVES A PKOPO8AL. 
 
 EDMUND BLANCHARD could not, because he would not, 
 believe what his more experienced brother had said 
 concerning Margaret, and he determined to ascertain 
 how far he had spo*en correctly, little thinking how 
 recklessly he was exposing himself to the most imminent 
 danger. 
 
 The next morning, therefore, after the interview with 
 his brother, found him at General Putnam's house, and 
 the family being engaged in their usual avocations, his 
 heart bounded with delight when he found he was per- 
 mitted an interview with Margaret, alone. He had 
 fully prepared himself (mentally) for this interview, but 
 to say his heart failed him when she entered the room, 
 radiant with beauty, and wearing her most fascinating 
 smile, would be but feeble truth ; he actually trembled 
 as she approached and held out her hand, which he 
 grasped with a force which made the fair girl wince, 
 but which, young as she was, let her into his secret. 
 
 " Well, captain," she said, as in obedience to her mo- 
 tion, he seated himself, and she drew her chair near to 
 him, " what word have you ?" 
 
 Ill
 
 MARGARET RECEIVES A PROPOSAL. 245 
 
 'Nothing, Miss Moncrieffe, of any special import- 
 une. Nothing, at all events, worth communicating to 
 our friends. And you ?" 
 
 " Oh, matters go on with me pleasantly and happily 
 as usual, though I must confess I am tired of being 
 cooped up here. By the way, where is your brother, 
 and why is he not with you ? When did you see him 
 last?" 
 
 " We dined together yesterday, but he said nothing 
 of coming to see you." 
 
 " He does well to leave that to you," said Margaret, 
 with a meaning smile, which he entirely misinterpreted ; 
 for in speaking to him, she had but one purpose in 
 view, the accomplishment of the project in which she 
 had volunteered her services, and in the success of 
 which she felt a truly deep interest. 
 
 " My brother is very kind to deprive himself of the 
 privilege he allows me," he replied, with a low inclina- 
 tion of the head, accompanied by a glance which the 
 shrewd coquette rightly read. 
 
 " And do you really esteem it a privilege, Captain 
 Blanchard?" she added, bending on him a look whioh 
 went to his very soul. 
 
 " I know no higher privilege, and surely no greater 
 pleasure, than is permitted me in seeing Miss Mon- 
 crieffe," and the young soldier blushed as he spoke, for 
 Margaret's eyes were fixed upon him with an intensity 
 of expression which thrilled through him.
 
 246 MARGARET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 " I hope you have not been taking lessons of your 
 brother," she added, half averting her face. 
 
 " I need no teacher, Miss MoncriefFe, save my owu 
 heart, to enable me to tell you how solely, how truly, 
 and how devotedly I am yours*" 
 
 " Really, Captain Blanchard, you must not speak sc 
 earnestly, or I shall be more than half inclined to be- 
 lieve what you say." 
 
 " Mean, Miss Moncrieffe ! Oh ! could you read my 
 heart could you but see how indelibly your image was 
 impressed there from the moment you crossed my 
 path could you but know how I have dreamed of you 
 aye, even dared to hope of you you would at least 
 do me the justice to believe me sincere in what I say." 
 
 " I do believe you, Captain Blanchard," said Marga- 
 ret, with well affected hesitancy, and stooping her head 
 until the color came (a trick she had learned from 
 reading of a French abb6, who, whenever he wished 
 to blush, bent down his head and held his breath for a 
 moment), she raised her eyes to his ; her face was suf- 
 fused with a deep blush, her eyes wore a softened 
 expression, and there was an outward indication that 
 she had appreciated the fervor of the young soldier'8 
 feelings, and reciprocated them. " I do not know 
 what you mean," she said, confusedly, turning toward 
 the door, as if fearful of interruption. 
 
 " Oh, then let me say," exclaimed the impassioned 
 young man, " that since the moment 1 saw you your
 
 MARGARET RECEIVES A PROPOSAL. 247 
 
 image has haunted me. I see nothing, hear nothing, 
 know nothing, care for nothing, but you." 
 
 " You must not speak so, Captain Blanchard. I am 
 young very young, and very inexperienced. My 
 position here is one of peculiar difficulty ; do not let me 
 think you would take advantage of it." 
 
 " For the world, no. On my honor as a man and 
 gentleman, I am true, honest, and sincere. Speak one 
 word to me say that you have known my devotion 
 for you say that you know " 
 
 " I can say nothing, Captain Blanchard," she said, 
 interrupting him, and continuing, with an appearance 
 of deep emotion, <l I have no right to say anything. 
 My father is not here to counsel me, and when we 
 may meet, heaven only knows. Do not ask me now," 
 and again she averted her head, as if to conceal her 
 blushes. 
 
 " Give me one word of hope one single word, and 
 I am your slave," he exclaimed, passionately ; " only 
 one word, Miss Moncrieffe." 
 
 " Captain Blanchard, I am too young to listen to 
 such words from any man, and you ought to respect 
 my position more than to urge them upon me. What 
 can I say to you ? What ought I say to you ? Go 
 on in the course you have marked out for yourself, and 
 --and," she continued, hesitatingly, "hope for your 
 reward." 
 
 Captain Blanchard was so blinded by his desperate
 
 248 MARGARET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 passion for Margaret, he could put only one interpre- 
 tation on her words, and that was favorable to his 
 aspirations ; and as he listened to them, his eyes 
 kindled, his cheeks flushed, and rising, he said, with 
 an energy which almost startled the self-possession of 
 Margaret : 
 
 " Thanks, thanks ten thousand thanks. I will go 
 on I will prove myself worthy even of you, and make 
 you proud of the love I bear you." 
 
 "Please don't say any more, Captain Blanchard," 
 said Margaret, deprecatingly. " It is wrong in you to 
 speak so, and more than wrong in me to listen." 
 
 " Your words are law, Miss Moncrieffe," he said, 
 with an air almost of reverence, and bowing as he 
 spoke, for he felt now secure, at least in the right to 
 hope, and he was but too happy to prove his devotion 
 by his obedience. 
 
 Fortunately for Margaret, whose dexterity had been 
 taxed to the utmost by this interview, the door of the 
 parlor was at this moment opened, and Major Gibbs, 
 the commander of the Life Guard, entered, having been 
 summoned thither by a special summons from General 
 Putnam, and after dispatching hip business, stepped in 
 the parlor to pay a call on the ladies of the family. He 
 either did not, or affected not to notice the agitated 
 manner and flushed cheeks of the young captain, but, 
 with the blunt gallantry for which he was so conspicu- 
 ous, proceeded to pay Margaret some home compli
 
 MARGARET RECEIVES A PROPOSAL. 249 
 
 ments upon the conquests she had made during her 
 brief stay in the city. 
 
 She repelled them with well assumed sincerity of 
 language and manner, and occasionally, as she spoke, 
 she stole a glance at Captain Blanchard, which, in his 
 infatuation, he chose to read as saying, " I am satisfied 
 with one." 
 
 The latter soon afterward took his leave, in a perfect 
 state of ecstasy, having received a gentle pressure of 
 the hand from his new idol as they parted, and wended 
 his way to his quarters, scarce knowing whether he 
 was on his head or his heels, but quite confident that 
 Margaret reciprocated his feelings, for had she not 
 said, " hope for your reward," and what reward could 
 he hope for what could he care for, but her love ? 
 
 Even the coveted commission of colonel was forgot- 
 ten, dimmed by the brightness of Margaret's eyes, and 
 obscured by the fascination of her smile. 
 
 When Edmund Blanchard reached his quarters, he 
 was somewhat surprised to find his brother there, 
 awaiting him, and the brother was scarcely less 
 surprised at the air of exultation, and the smile of 
 triumph which lighted the face of the young Provin- 
 cialist. 
 
 " Well, Arthur," said the younger, throwing his cap 
 
 on the bed, and turning to his brother, with a bright, 
 
 buoyant smile, " I am glad to see you ; but," and he 
 
 paused a moment, and gazed at his brother, before 
 
 11*
 
 250 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 he spoke, " what makes you look so confounded 
 glum ?" 
 
 " Sit down, Edmund, and tell me what makes you 
 look so confounded happy ? to quote your own expres- 
 sion." 
 
 " Oh, the easiest thing in the world," replied Ed- 
 mund, throwing himself into a chair ; and, stretching 
 his legs out to their fullebt length, he thrust his thumbs 
 into the arm-holes of his vest, and looked his brother 
 steadily in the eye. 
 
 " Well, out with it ; I'd like to know your secret." 
 
 " I can't tell you my secret, brother Arthur ; but I 
 will tell you, that there never was a man so mistaken 
 in his life as you have been." 
 
 "And you have seen her?" asked Arthur, with a 
 little of sternness in his manner, for he well knew what 
 his brother meant, and with full information of his 
 promises to Lizzie, could not refrain from some exhibi- 
 tion of his displeasure. 
 
 Edmund bristled up a little at his question, more, 
 however, at the manner in which it was put ; but recall- 
 ing his brother's words concerning Margaret, and 
 knowing that he alluded again to her, he replied : " I 
 have ; and what then ?" 
 
 " And what then ?" continued the Royalist, coolly. 
 
 "That is for me to know, Arthur," replied his 
 brother, with an air of exultation. 
 
 ** And pray, young gentleman, what is to become of
 
 MARGARET RECEIVES A PROPOSAL. 25 J 
 
 Lizzie Brainard ?" and the Royalist looked at his bro 
 ther with an expression as if he would read his very 
 soul. " Yes, sir, I repeat, what is to become of Lizzie 
 Brainard ? I have something to do with the honor of 
 our name, Edmund, and I ask you again, what is to be- 
 come of Lizzie Brainard ?" 
 
 "Why?" replied Edmund, with a forced laugh, 
 " you can have her if you choose." 
 
 " I don't understand you," said the Royalist, with a 
 tremendous effort to restrain his anger at this unmanly 
 remark. " What do you mean ?" 
 
 " I really don't think you have the right, even as my 
 elder brother, to call me to account for my little 
 escapades. I do know Lizzie Brainard, and what of 
 that ?" 
 
 " Have you never promised her marriage ?" 
 
 " And what if I have ? Have you never done the 
 same, most gallant brother, and forgotten it whenever 
 it was convenient to do so ?" 
 
 Captain Blanchard bit his lips until the blood almost 
 started from them ; but still he restrained himself, and 
 continued, with a coolness perfectly marvellous under 
 the circumstances : " I never did, thank God ; such a 
 sin lies not on my conscience." 
 
 " Really, brother Arthur, I should like to know why 
 you take such an interest in Lizzie ?" 
 
 " Because I believe her to b<* a truthful, pure-minded, 
 noble-hearted girl, and "
 
 252 MARGARET MONCBIEFFE. 
 
 A load, contemptuous laugh from Edmund inter- 
 rupted thia sentence, and for a moment the Royalist 
 looked ai his brother with an expression of the most 
 unutterable contempt. 
 
 It was returned by Edmund, who, with a cynical 
 smile, replied to this look by saying : " Why, Arthur, 
 you don't think I was such a cursed fool as to marry a 
 girl like that ?" 
 
 " Did you never promise to marry her, Edmund ? 
 was the question I asked, Edmund ; and I hope for a 
 plain, straightforward answer, such as becomes a 
 man." 
 
 " And what if I did. Perhaps I am not the only 
 one who has promised the same thing." 
 
 " And has she not trusted to your promise ?" 
 
 "Well," and the young soldier stroked bis beard 
 complacently, " perhaps she has." 
 
 " And have you not wronged her, Ednmnd ?" 
 
 " I don't know what you mean by wronged, Arthur. 
 I certainly have received abundant proof of her love." 
 
 " And given because she believed you loved her, and 
 trusted to your love and honor." 
 
 " Possible," was the cool reply. 
 
 " And you have been to see Miss Moncrieffe, and 
 have dared to offer your love to her ?" 
 
 " There is a vast difference in their positions." 
 
 " Only one difference, sir ; Lizzie Brainard is beauti- 
 ful and poor Margaret Moncrieffe is wealthy as well
 
 MARGARET RECEIVES A PROPOSAL. 253 
 
 as beautiful. I ask you, Edmund, in honest sincerity 
 I ask you as your elder brother as the rightful repre- 
 sentative of our name and the guardian of its honor, as 
 yet unstained, have you brought this foul wrong on a 
 loving, trusting girl ?" 
 
 " I don't know what you call a wrong ; I repeat I 
 have received from Lizzie every proof of her love I 
 could ask. What more do you require ?" 
 
 " Nothing more from you, sir. Henceforth we are 
 no longer brothers. I will not raise my hand against 
 you, nor will I provoke you to raise your own against 
 me ; for I consider you so far beneath the contempt of 
 an honorable man you could not insult me. Edmund 
 Blanchard, I blush for you and I despise you, for you 
 are no man." 
 
 " Sir Arthur brother, what does this mean ? How 
 dare you use this language to me ?" 
 
 " How dare you ask that question, sir ? How dare 
 you, who have confessed to a crime which ought to 
 ehut you out from the society of every honorable man, 
 ask such a question of me ? I tell you, Edmund Blan- 
 chard, you will rue the day you have proved so false to 
 everything that belongs to a gentleman and honorable 
 man. Under the plea of an honorable promise, you 
 have deceived and betrayed a fond, loving, trusting, 
 virtuous girl. Oh, shame ! shame ! But, mark me, 
 sir," and, hat in hand, he strode close up to his brother, 
 who, conscious of guilt, was perfectly astounded at
 
 2.">4 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 such A rebuke from a quarter so unexpected " that 
 girl is not without friends. I believe and shall believe, 
 until I have better evidence than your assertion, that 
 until she knew you, she was as true and pure in heart 
 as an angel ; and, sir, if you ever again show your face 
 within the house that holds her, the consequences rest 
 on your own head, unless you go there to fulfill your 
 promise to her." 
 
 " Now go to Miss Moncrieffe ; I shall go there too ; 
 but I shall not betray you ; for, coquette as she may 
 be reckless, heedless, impulsive as she is she would 
 spurn you as I do now, if she knew half your vileness. 
 Your sure punishment will find you, so truly as th^re 
 is an avenging God. Farewell, sir. Henceforth we 
 are strangers !" and before Edmund Blanchard could 
 recover from the effects of this terrible denunciation, 
 or utter one word in reply, he was alone. 
 
 No, not alone ; for even then, with his brother's 
 words almost curses hissing in his ear, and burning 
 into his very heart, with the recollection of the irrepa- 
 rable wrong he had inflicted upon the loving, trusting 
 Lizzie, Margaret Moncrieffe was with him ; and, in the 
 remembrance of her cheering smiles, which bade him 
 " hope for his reward," he was content to forget the 
 world beside ; and, throwing himself into a chair, v/hen 
 the door closed upon the retreating form of his bro'.her, 
 gave away to a reverie of which Margaret formed tho 
 only component part. Poor Lizzie Brainard !
 
 CHAFIER XXIV. 
 
 BETH ADAMS A PRISONER. 
 
 SETH ADAMS threw himself on the deck of the ship, 
 and strove to penetrate the darkness and gloom which 
 urn-rounded him ; but for a long time it was vain, as 
 the berth deck in which the " brig " was located, was 
 lighted by only one lantern, hung well forward, near 
 the berth occupied by the master-at-arms, and where 
 the sentry was stationed who watched over the prisoners. 
 At length his eyes became accustomed to the dim light, 
 and he was enabled to perceive that the hammocks 
 were slung fore and aft, and that he was surrounded by 
 some half dozen men, prisoners like himself, but who 
 were buried in sleep. In vain he attempted to scan 
 their countenances, but he could not distinguish the 
 features of either ; so, composing himself with per- 
 fect sangfroid, he gave way to the thoughts which his 
 position naturally called up. 
 
 He was, then, a prisoner on board a king's ship, and 
 under circumstances which rendered his detention of 
 the utmost consequence ;-for he was the possessor of a 
 secret of the deepest importance, as well to his country 
 as to its enemies. That some infernal plot and treachery
 
 256 MARGARET MONCBIEFFE. 
 
 was in contemplation he knew ; for, as has been 
 when he was secured at Corbie's house, Colonel Fan- 
 ning and Corbie had conversed with perfect freedom 
 as to the plans of the Royalists. For an instant he re- 
 gretted that he had not dissembled with Governor 
 Tryon, and, by manifesting a readiness to serve the 
 enemies of his country, secured the opportunity of 
 Beiving her interests; but he felt his cheek mantle 
 with the blush of shame at the very idea, and the 
 thought was as quickly dispelled as it was born hi his 
 mind not his heart. 
 
 His only possible chance now was to pretend that he 
 was at least content with his position, and gather all 
 the information he could with reference to the move- 
 ment in which the Royalists were engaged, and, having 
 learned all he could, to escape if possible ; if not, to 
 lose his life in the attempt ; for, as to serving against 
 his country, that he never would do. He would lie, or 
 deceive, or do anything to gain his ends, and having 
 comforted himself with the reflection that " what can't 
 be cured must be endured," he closed his eyes, and \vas 
 soon lost in a slumber, whose peacefulness could only 
 be enjoyed by one whose conscience was at rest. 
 
 At daylight he was aroused by the customary morn- 
 ing gun, and in a few minutes the berth deck \\aa 
 cleared of all its occupants, save those like himself, iu 
 the " brig." 
 
 " Come out of that, you rebel dog !" was his first
 
 SETII ADAMS A PRISONER. 25Y 
 
 salutation, accompanied by a smart blow from a ratan 
 on the place where, in some natures, the seat of honor 
 is located. The voice, which was a very gruff one, 
 belonged to the master-at-arms, and it was he who held 
 the ratan which had inflicted the first blow Seth Adams 
 had received since he was a boy. 
 
 Manacled as he was, he could not resent the insult, 
 for such he deemed it, quite forgetting that he was a 
 prisoner in the power of an enemy ; but as he sprung 
 up to his full height at one bound, he fastened a glance 
 upon the petty tyrant, which spoke as plainly as words 
 could speak, " if I ever do catch you, that will be the 
 last blow you will ever strike." 
 
 " Come out of that, on deck with you, and air your- 
 self," and the ratan was again raised, but Adams said : 
 
 " Don't strike me again ; tell me what you want me 
 to do." 
 
 " On deck, you scoundrel," and the ratan fell, this 
 time on the young man's shoulders. 
 
 Tears started to his eyes, but they were tears of shame 
 and mortification ; he obeyed, however, in silence, and 
 ascending the ladder which led to the upper deck, he 
 found himself surrounded by a crowd of sailors and 
 soldiers, the former making preparations to wash down 
 and holy-stone the deck, the latter striving to get out 
 of the way as much as possible, for they well knew tha 
 antipathy which sailors bear to soldiers. 
 
 He had no t*me to look aboilt, for he was conducted
 
 258 MAKGAEET MONCBLEFFE. 
 
 at once to the forecastle with his fellow-prisoners, and 
 bidden to stand still there until he was ordered below. 
 He gladly embraced the opportunity thus afforded, and 
 the strangeness of the sight for a time made him forget 
 his position ; any one who has been on board a man- 
 of-war at that hour, for the first time, could well appre- 
 ciate his sensations. All was bustle and activity, but 
 there was no noise or confusion, for every man had hig 
 station and knew his duty, and perfect silence prevailed, 
 broken only by the whistle of the boatswain's mates, or 
 the gruff orders of the officers of the deck. 
 
 "While engaged in watching this novel scene, he was 
 accosted by a voice which seemed familiar, and turning 
 he saw before him, dressed in the garb of a seaman, a 
 young man, Paul Babcock, a neighbor and a friend of 
 his own at Elizabeth, who had early left home to 
 follow the sea, and had not been heard from for three 
 or four years. 
 
 "What on earth are you doing here with them 'ere 
 bracelets on ?" he asked, pointing to the manacles on 
 Seth's wrists. 
 
 " And what are you doing here ?" was the reply. 
 
 " I belong to the forecastle, Seth ; I was pressed in 
 Liverpool, nigh on three years ago, and I've been 
 aboard this bloody craft ever since. But I say, what 
 do them mean ? r/ and he looked at the irons. 
 
 " I am a prisoner, you see, Paul," said Seth, and he 
 held up his hands with a shrug of his shoulders, which
 
 SETH ADAMS A PElSOJfEK. 253 
 
 yet smarted under the blow of the brutal master-at- 
 arms. 
 
 "And so am I, only worse, for they make me serve 
 when I don't want to, and fight agin my own flesh 
 and blood. Hush ! I'll get a chance to see you before 
 long. I'll look out for you as well as I can only mind 
 me, Seth, you hear ?" 
 
 Seth nodded assent, feeling but too grateful to have 
 found an acquaintance among the crowd of foreign faces 
 which surrounded him. 
 
 It is not necessary for the purpose of this work to nar- 
 rate the incidents connected with the brief captivity of 
 Adams, for it was briefer than his captors had intended 
 by many mouths. Seth Adams in no wise belied the cha- 
 racter Major Burr had given him, as being shrewd, cool, 
 determined, and cunning as a fox. He listened to every- 
 thing, treasured up everything, and submitted without 
 complaint to every indignity which the brutality of the 
 master-at-arms, who had sole charge of him, could inflict. 
 He had gathered from hints and expressions of the Roy 
 alist sailors and soldiers, aided often by direct communi- 
 cations from Paul, information of the highest import- 
 ance to the commander-in-chief information which, if 
 the country was to be saved, must be communicated 
 to him at the earliest possible moment at all hazards, 
 and he determined to risk his life in the attempt to im- 
 part it in person, for by no other possible means could 
 it be conveyed to he'id-quarters.
 
 260 MARGARET MO^CRIEFFB. 
 
 By careful watching he had learned much of life and 
 habits on ship-board, and he determined to avail him 
 self of the information thus acquired, and if possible 
 to effect his escape. To facilitate this, he had practised 
 on his manacles at every conceivable opportunity, and 
 by patient and constant effort had succeeded in so 
 loosening the key which united them, he could with 
 draw and replace it with his teeth. To illustrate the 
 possibility of this, it is only necessary to say that ship's 
 "irons" are entirely different from those used on shore, 
 keyed only at one end, and very roughly manufactured. 
 There is a place on board the ship which every seafaring 
 man knows as the " head," the purposes of which it is 
 not necessary to explain ; but Seth had determined to 
 make use of his knowledge of this place to effect his 
 escape, and awaited only what he deemed a fitting op- 
 portunity. He learned with dismay that the whole 
 British fleet, with thousands of hired troops on board, 
 was daily expected, and knowing that the consummation 
 of the infamous plot, whose particulars he had gleaned 
 from every conceivable source, only awaited their arri- 
 val, he determined to make the long desired oppor- 
 tunity. 
 
 The night chosen for his perilous undertaking was 
 pitchy dark, and the rain was pouring down in torrents, 
 so that every man, whether sailor or soldier, was stowed 
 away in every possible spot where shelter might be 
 afforded Every soul on the berth-deck was asleep, ox-
 
 SETH ADAMS A PRISONEB. 201 
 
 cept Soth, and the sentry, who was seated on a mess- 
 chest near the lamp burning on the forward part of the 
 ship, straining his eyes to decipher the words of some 
 book he held in his hand. 
 
 Seth arose, and stooping so as to avoid the ham- 
 mocks, whose inmates were sound asleep, he ap- 
 proached the sentinel, and said, in a disguised voice : 
 
 "Please, Mr. Soldier, I want to go to 'the head ?' " 
 
 The sentry looked up from his book, and not noticing 
 who it was, thought it was one of the prisoners of the 
 ship's crew, who were not in irons, as the light of his 
 lamp w r as too dim to enable him to distinguish any- 
 thing, for it was not a necessary consequence of being 
 in the " brig " that a prisoner should be in irons, but 
 Seth had earned his distinction by his insolence to 
 Governor Tryon, who, sooth to say, had entirely for- 
 gotten the young man, and did not remember he wan 
 on board. 
 
 " Go and be d d," was the gruff reply of the sen 
 try, who, hearing the ram pattering on the deck above 
 him, and whose duty it was to accompany his prisoner 
 to the head, and return with him to the lower deck, 
 had no idea of going on deck to be soaked through 
 for the accommodation of any prisoner, for he would 
 have to sit the remainder of the watch with wet clothes 
 on, and to save himself from this, he gave Seth per- 
 mission to go unattended. 
 
 Seth made no reply, lest his identity should be dis
 
 262 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 covered, but turning away, he silently moved toward 
 the hatchway which led to the deck, and as he passed 
 along, gently withdrew the key which secured his 
 manacles. Sliding them off, he put them in the bosom 
 of his shirt, and ascended the companion way, and for 
 the first time since he had been on board, he trod the 
 deck a free man, for even in this step he felt a conscious- 
 ness of freedom. The darkness was so impenetrable, 
 he could not see one step before him, nor could he per- 
 ceive a single human being. He knew the way, how- 
 ever, to the " head," and moving cautiously along, he 
 reached unnoticed the steps which led to the top- 
 gallant forecastle, where the " head " is located. 
 
 There was a sentry posted there, but as it was no 
 unusual matter for the men to go to the " head " at ah 1 
 times of day or night, he paid no attention to Seth, but 
 stood with his back to the wind, and his face buried 
 up to his eyes in his coat-collar. Another moment, and 
 Seth was in the " head," where, unnoticed, he divested 
 himself of his coat, and everything but his pantaloons, 
 and wrapping them up, with the irons inclosed, he 
 dropped them overboard. The pantaloons he tied 
 about his neck by the legs, in such a shape they would 
 afford as little resistance to the water as possible. 
 Silently but fervently he commended himself and his 
 purpose to God, and sliding down, he managed to 
 reach the martingale guys, and thence glided to the 
 martingale. With one more brief prayer, he dropped
 
 BETH ADAMS A PEISOXEB. 268 
 
 Into the water, a distance of only about three feet, and 
 fortunately the noise of the wind and the violence of 
 the rain drowned the sound made by his body as it cut 
 the water. 
 
 Rising from the plunge, he looked around, and see- 
 ing the lights on Staten Island, suffered himself to float 
 noiselessly up with the tide, which was running then 
 strong flood, his intention being to wait until he got 
 out of possible hearing, and then make for the Jersey 
 shore, which, from the spot where the ship lay, 
 near the entrance to the " kills," was distant about 
 three miles. When he had reached a sufficient dis- 
 tance from the ship, he struck out, noiselessly and 
 slowly, so as not to fatigue himself, for he had a long 
 swim even for so strong and bold a swimmer as he was. 
 But he was animated, first by the sense of freedom, and 
 next by the hope of thwarting the enemies of his ooun 
 try, by imparting to the commander-in-chief the impor- 
 tant information he had acquired. 
 
 He had swam perhaps two or three hundred yards, 
 when some hard substance struck his chest with such 
 force as to cause him great pain, and on reaching his 
 hand forward to discover what it might be, he found 
 it was a piece of board about ten or twelve feet long, 
 and a foot in width, which had probably been dropped 
 by some vessel. Blessing providence for this most 
 welcome and timely aid, he at once seized hold of it, 
 and for a while suffered himself to float along with tho
 
 264 MAKGAKET MONCBIEFFB. 
 
 tide, so as to gain strength, and by watching the lights 
 on the shore, he perceived that he was drifting up the 
 *' Kills " at a very rapid rate, for the tide runs there 
 with much greater force than in the open bay. 
 
 Seth was glad of this, and determining not to weary 
 himself unnecessarily, lest when exertion should be 
 needed he would be incapable of making any, he held 
 quietly to his plank, and floated on, occasionally giv- 
 ing a few strokes to aid his progress. Of course he 
 suffered much from the coldness of the water, but his 
 sufferings were diminished much by the recollection 
 that he was free, and he bore them in silent patience. 
 It was nearly midnight when Seth escaped from the 
 ship, and how long he had floated he knew not ; but 
 j&e hailed with delight a streak of grey dawn which 
 broke out in the east, for he knew that ere long he 
 would be able to discover where he was. The rain 
 had gradually moderated, and, about the time day 
 was breaking, had ceased entirely, the clouds, at 
 the same time, beginning to break away. He could 
 only hope that he had gone through the " Kills ;" 
 but whether he had kept in them, or floated into 
 Newark bay, he could not tell, and his joy may be 
 imagined when daylight permitted him to discover 
 his position, he found himself about a mile above the 
 present site of Elizabethport. He knew every inch of 
 the shore, for he had fished and clammed it for years, 
 and when he made this discovery, a new life seemed to
 
 SETH ADAMS A PRISONER. 265 
 
 be given to him. Heading his plank toward the shore s 
 he now struck out manfully, and, in the course of half 
 an hour, was safe on land, wearied, cold and exhausted, 
 it was true, but he was/ree. 
 
 Entering the woods which skirted the shore, he 
 wrung out his pantaloons, and drawing them on, threw 
 himself on the leaves, panting and worn out, and his 
 first thought was an ejaculation of thankfulness to God 
 for his escape. He lay there a very few minutes, for he 
 knew how important it was that his information should 
 be instantly conveyed to the city, and rising, stretched 
 his benumbed and aching limbs, and started forward. 
 
 Seth had providentially landed within two miles, or 
 a little more, from the bouse of Mrs. Adams, his aunt, 
 by whom he had been brought up from boyhood, and 
 he pushed on with cheerfulness, though every step 
 gave him pain, so terribly had he been affected by his 
 long immersion in the water. But he had a sacred 
 duty to perform, and scorning pain, he kept on his 
 weary road, and after two hours of painful struggling 
 through the woods, his naked flesh and feet torn by 
 the bushes and briers through which he had to force 
 his path, he came in sight of the house, which was just 
 across the road from the woods through which he had 
 worked his toilsome, weary way. 
 
 The sight of his well-remembered home revived him ; 
 and panting, bleeding, yet never faltering in the cou- 
 rage which had thus far animated him, he crossed the 
 12
 
 268 MARGARET MONCKIEFFE. 
 
 woods, passed through the fence, and reaching the door 
 of the kitchen, sank exhausted on the step, absolutely 
 unable to make his presence known by the slightest 
 noise, so completely was he worn down by his tremend- 
 ous efforts. 
 
 How long he lay there he knew not, but at length 
 the door was opened, and a loud scream from Mrs. Ad- 
 ams, who had discovered the bleeding and half-naked 
 form lying there, and hastily closing the door, ran back 
 into the house, assured him he had been seen. Her 
 screams brought Patsy from her room, her simple toilet 
 half finished, but her mother could only point to the 
 door; she was too much frightened to utter a word. 
 
 Patsy boldly approached the door, and as she did so, 
 Seth, who had managed to raise himself on one elbow, 
 met her searching glance of pity. For an instant she 
 gazed inquiringly at him ; her breath came thicker and 
 faster, and at length, with a scream of mingled joy and 
 pity, she sprang out and raising his head, exclaimed : 
 *' Seth, in God's name what does this mean ?" for she 
 had recognized, half-naked, scarred and bleeding as he 
 was, her cousin, the playmate of her earliest years, him 
 whom she had ever looked on as a brother 
 
 " Mother, mother !" she fairly screamed, " come here, 
 it's Seth quick, mother !" and stooping down, she 
 placed her arms under his own, and with a tremendous 
 effort raised him to his feet. Mrs. Adams, as she heard 
 her daughter's exclamation, came out as quickly as she
 
 SETH ADAMS A PEISOJfER. 267 
 
 had hurried away, and raising her hands in pity and 
 horror at the sight, sprang forward to assist Patsy hi 
 her labor of love, exclaiming, as they bore him into the 
 house, " Massy me, what on airth is all this ?" 
 
 Seth was placed in the large rocking-chair, his head 
 sinking wearily on Mrs. Adams' shoulder, while Patsy 
 sprang into the other room, and Returned as quick aa 
 thought, bearing a bottle which she placed to his mouth, 
 and of which he eagerly drank. 
 
 A few swallows revived him so that he was able to 
 sit up, and looking in Patsy's face, with eyes beaming 
 with fraternal love, he said, " Thank God, I am free !
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 THE TE^PTBESS CONQUERS. 
 
 THE moon ought to have shone on that night, bat rt 
 did not ; the almanac declared that it was a full moon, but 
 the clouds belied the almanac, for the moon could not 
 be seen through the heavy veil which they had thrown 
 over her. 
 
 Every member of General Putnam's family was fast 
 asleep, and if ladies ever snore, was snoring long be- 
 fore ten o'clock. The general, wearied down with the 
 work of the day, for he was actively and personally en- 
 gaged in superintending the fortification of the island 
 against the probable and almost certain advent of the 
 British, had retired early, and his family had followed 
 his example. 
 
 The quarters of General Putnam, as history has in- 
 formed us, were at that time located at No. 1 Broad- 
 way, and the garden extended to the river, then 
 bounded by Greenwich street. The house, built by 
 Captain Kennedy, a Royalist officer of wealth, had 
 been selected by him as the most eligible spot on the 
 Island, and little dreaming of what a few years of 
 future might bring forth for him, he had adorned the
 
 THE lEMPTEESS CONQUERS. 209 
 
 place in the most tasteful and expensive manner. The 
 grounds extended down as far as the lower side of 
 Greenwich street, and at that time were filled with 
 trees, flowers, and shrubbery of all kinds. 
 
 Fort George, then the principal fortification of the 
 Island, was located on what is now known as the 
 " Battery," and in the rear of the general's quarters, 
 was located " Oyster Battery." Of course, in each of 
 these, sentinels were posted to prevent the approach of 
 any one from the river side, but no thought was taken 
 of that portion of the city inland. As a consequence, 
 the garden of General Putnam's quarters was never 
 intruded upon, and the only precaution taken to guard 
 the approach to his quarters, was from the seaward, 
 or rather river side. 
 
 As has been said, the moon, according to the alma 
 nac, ought to have shone that night, but she could not ; 
 the clouds were too thick and too heavy even for her 
 penetration, and in consequence, a deep gloom, amount- 
 ing almost to darkness, prevailed. 
 
 It w r as between nine and ten o'clock at night (hours 
 most unseasonable for that period, for every one not 
 on duty was presumed to be in bed and asleep), that a 
 form attired in dark clothes might have been seen (if 
 the moon had permitted sight to be available) pacing 
 to and fro in the broad walk which ran parallel with 
 the river and the house, and which was so shaded by 
 the trees that no one hi the house or on the river ould
 
 270 MAKGAKET MONCKIEFFB. 
 
 have perceived anything, even with the aid of the 
 moon. 
 
 It was Margaret, who was taking the walk to v/hich 
 she had declared herself accustomed, and in which, by 
 implication, she had invited her lover to join her. She 
 was pacing the gravelled walk impatiently, half-angrily, 
 and perhaps was wondering whether she had not bet- 
 ter return to the house, when a well-known voice, close 
 by her side, uttered the simple word, " Margaret ;" it 
 was enough : 
 
 " 'Twas his own voice she could not err, 
 Throughout the breathing world's extent, 
 
 There was but one such voice for her, 
 So kind, so soft, so eloquent." 
 
 In another moment she was clasped in the arms of 
 him to whom she had given her virgin affections ; him, 
 for whom she would have sacrificed her very soul ; him, 
 whom meaning to serve, she had betrayed and pur- 
 chased with the price of her love. 
 
 "Margaret, my own Margaret !" murmured the young 
 soldier, as she returned his warm embrace, and per- 
 mitted the ardent kiss with which he expressed his hap- 
 piness. 
 
 " I was afraid I might be intruded upon,* said Mar- 
 garet, meaningly. 
 
 "And I shall I say I fear I have intruded upon 
 you ?" 
 
 " Say what you choose, Aaron, now you are here,"
 
 THE TEMPTRESS CONQUERS. 271 
 
 she said, placing her arm within his own, and pressing 
 it warmly. " But come, we must not waste these pre- 
 cious moments. You know me now, and you have 
 said you did not despise me for the unsought acknow- 
 ledgment of my love." 
 
 " Unsought, Margaret ? Did not my first glance 
 disclose to you the love which sprang full-born into my 
 heart ? Did not my first words testify how solely I 
 was yours ? Did not the first kiss I dared to impress 
 npon your lips, when my heart was gladdened by the 
 assurance of your safety, carry to your heart the con- 
 viction of the boundless love I bore you ?" 
 
 " Yes, yes, Aaron. Fate, chance, or destiny has 
 thrown us together strangely. God only knows what 
 will be the end or where we may land ; but, whatever 
 may be your fate, I will share it with you." 
 
 " My own Margaret my heart's best treasure !" 
 exclaimed the enthusiastic lover, " what can I do to 
 prove my devotion to you ?" 
 
 " Be faithful, only, Aaron ; be faithful, for my love's 
 sake. You are engaged in a cause which cannot within 
 the range of human possibility command success. I 
 know it I feel it. May I tell you what I know ? 
 Remember, I have said I will not do or say anything 
 by M'hich you may be compromised until the proper 
 time ; nor would I ask you to do or say anything which 
 could conflict with the duties you now owe those with 
 whom you are associated."
 
 272 MAEGAEET MONCEIEFFE. 
 
 " Do you mean, Margaret, that I am to make my 
 choice ?" 
 
 " I thought you had made it," responded Margaret, 
 with an air of coldness, half withdrawing her arm from 
 that of her companion ; but this was prevented by her 
 companion, who, seizing her hand, drew it again within 
 his own, and said : 
 
 " And have I not ? I know no one I know no tie 
 I know no allegiance save that which binds me to 
 you. To call you mine to know that you are mine is 
 the dearest wish of my heart, and I ask you only to 
 teach me hotf I may soonest compass that." 
 
 " I am yours, Aaron, come weal, come woe ; I love 
 you with all the strength and ardor of first love. I 
 have told you that I was ready to make any sacrifice 
 rather than be separated from you, and I am still pre- 
 pared to do it ; but," and she spoke with deep earnest- 
 ness, " I told you at the same time that if I was called 
 upon to make the sacrifice which would keep us united, 
 you would be the first to regret it. Do you remember 
 that ?" 
 
 " Well, Margaret, perfectly ; and I did not make my 
 choice." 
 
 " You did ; but you act at times as if you had re- 
 gretted it." 
 
 " Margaret !" exclaimed the major. 
 
 "I repeat, you act as if you regretted it. Now, 
 Aaron, I shall put you to the test ; I am ready to prove
 
 THE 1EMPTEESS CONQUERS. 273 
 
 my love for you as I said ; I am prepared to forsake 
 father, family, friends, name, wealth, standing, for your 
 sake ; I am equally prepared to confer on you all I 
 promised. Make your choice now and forever, and 
 ever after abide by it." 
 
 " Margaret, and Margaret alone I care only for you. 
 Do with me as you choose." 
 
 " Will you accept the title I gave you this morning ?" 
 
 " Not without you, Margaret ; I would not accept a 
 throne without you." 
 
 " In a few days, I cannot say how many, you shall 
 have the proof of my sincerity and of* my power. 
 Aaron," and she spoke almost solemnly, " we are both 
 young, but both have seen much of the world. I do 
 not believe that two like ourselves were thus strangely 
 brought together merely to meet and part. Our hearts 
 sprang to each other from the first; did they not, 
 Aaron ?" 
 
 "Indeed and indeed they did," was the ardent 
 response of the young officer, as he raised the hand 
 which lay on his arm, and imprinted a fervent kiss 
 upon it. 
 
 Now listen to me, Aaron, for I am going to give 
 you my very soul." 
 
 Major Burr turned as if he would read the counte- 
 nance of his companion ; but the darkness forbade that, 
 and he could only press her arm in acknowledgment 
 of the confidence he was prepared to receive. 
 12*
 
 274 MARGARET MONCRECFFB. 
 
 " I shall tell you all frankly, Aaron, because T know 
 you will not betray me, at least. I am in constant 
 communication with those whom you have been taught 
 to look on as enemies ; but who, for my sake, dearest, 
 are henceforth your friends. Are they not ?" 
 
 For an instant Major Burr was silent. He, of course 
 surmised ; nay, knew, from what she had previously 
 said, that she was so strongly attached to the interests 
 of the Royalists, she would not scruple at anything to 
 serve that cause ; but he had not known that she was 
 so closely connected with the cause which he had 
 learned to condemn. Indeed, until this moment, he 
 scarcely realized his true position with regard to Mar- 
 garet, and his pledges to her, so wildly, madly, blindly 
 did he love her. The alternative was now plainly pre- 
 sented to him, and he either must lose her, or, in win- 
 ning her, sacrifice all he had been accustomed to look 
 upon as sacred and honorable. He must sacrifice name, 
 position, character, reputation, and honor, but his re- 
 ward would be Margaret. True, she had promised 
 him wealth, rank, and station ; but how could she, a 
 mere girl, exercise such influence ? If she could, would 
 they restore to him the name and fame and character 
 he must lose; and above all, the consciousness that 
 he had proved faithless to his country's cause ? These, 
 and a hundred similar thoughts flashed through his 
 brain in the few moments of silence which followed the 
 last words uttered by Margaret, and his mind was not
 
 THE TEMPTRESS CONQUEBS. 275 
 
 fixed upon anything definite, nor had he brought him- 
 self to resolve on any particular course of action, when 
 he was aroused from his reverie by a gentle pressure 
 of the arm which lay within his own, and at the same 
 time he heard a gentle sigh. 
 
 These recalled him to himself, and seizing the hand 
 which hung over his arm, he raised it to his lips, and 
 murmured : " Dear Margaret, do with me as you 
 choose ; but do not tell me more now do not insist 
 that I shall so soon forget the ties which have hitherto 
 bound me to those with whom I am associated 
 now." 
 
 " I do not ask you, Aaron, to say, or do, nor even to 
 think, anything by which you may be compromised or 
 your fair name tarnished. I only ask that when the 
 hour for action arrives, and it will soon come, you wilJ 
 act with us. Shall that be so ?" 
 
 " By my love for you, yes," and he sealed his pledge 
 with a kiss upon her fair hand. 
 
 " Now, Aaron, all I ask is, that you forget what I 
 have told you for the present. I do not need aid from 
 you, for I have means of information as correct as your- 
 self. A very few days will decide which party is to 
 be victorious." 
 
 " A very few days ?" echoed the major, inquiringly. 
 
 " Yes, Aaron, a very few days. Even now the 
 whole of his majesty's fleet is close at hand, bearing 
 with it thousands of hardy, tried, and disciplined
 
 27 MARGARET MONCRIEFFK. . 
 
 troops. If the blow which it is contemplated to strike 
 first shall fail, those troops will be landed, and you 
 know how poor a chance your undisciplined and 
 half-clad men would stand against such an army as is 
 already close at hand. I tell you, Aaron," and a 
 glance of pride and triumph crossed her features as she 
 spoke, "this war will be ended in less than three 
 months ; the rebellious colonists will be dealt severely 
 with, while those who have remained true to their 
 king, and, above all, those who have abjured or for- 
 saken their errors, will be nobly rewarded. As for 
 you, a few days will suffice to prove that Margaret 
 Moncriefie has promised nothing which she cannot 
 perform." 
 
 " But, Margaret," inquired the major, almost in a 
 whisper, " it is evident that some plot is hatching- 
 some conspiracy breeding ; do you count the conse- 
 quences of an ultimate discovery, in case it should be 
 ascertained that you were implicated ?" 
 
 " My friends here will make every preparation for 
 my security, and at the first alarm we would fly 
 would we not, Aaron would you not go with me ?" 
 
 " To the end of the world, Margaret. Everything 
 for you nothing without you. I will not ask, for I 
 do not wish to know, what the plot is ; it is better I 
 should not. But I have given my word to you, and 
 no matter what it may be, when the hour for action 
 comes, you will find me ready."
 
 THE TEMPTRESS CONQUERS. 277 
 
 " Do you know this young Blanchard, of McDougal'3 
 regiment ?" 
 
 " I was only introduced to him this morning by hia 
 brother. What of him?" 
 
 " Nothing especial, only I desire unrestrained com- 
 munication with him." 
 
 " So far as I can aid in that, no one shall, prevent 
 it." 
 
 '* I am playing a little game with him." 
 
 *' Surely, Margaret, you do not expect to buy him 
 over to your side ?" 
 
 " Our side, Aaron. No, that is already done. Gold 
 has done that for him long ago. He had his price, and 
 it was paid." 
 
 " "Well, I must confess I am surprised. Are there 
 others of" 
 
 " Do not ask too much. Nothing is said or done in 
 this city which is not known to Governor Tryon within 
 twelve hours not an order given which is not reported 
 to him ; and his plans are so well laid, and so many 
 have pledged themselves to aid him in carrying them 
 to consummation, that success is certain, and cannot 
 be prevented except by an untimely discovery. Come, 
 now, let us talk of other things," and Margaret, who 
 possessed powers of conversation really fascinating, 
 goon drew her lover from himself, by her vivid descrip- 
 tion of her beautiful home in England, of the wealth 
 and luxury by which they would be surrounded, when
 
 278 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 at the close of the war, they could retire thither, and 
 pass their days in the peaceful repose of domestic hap- 
 piness. She told him of the court and its splendors ; 
 charmed him by the brilliant picture she drew of his 
 future career in their new home, and when they 
 parted, almost at midnight, with an ardent embrace, 
 Major Burr was so completely enchanted, he would 
 have enlisted under the banners of Beelzebub, provided 
 Mai-garot belonged to the corpg.
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 A DINJtfER PARTY AXD A QUARREL. 
 
 AMONG the notabilities of New York, at the period 
 of which this narration treats, none was more conspicu- 
 ous than Major Sraallwood, who commanded the Mary- 
 land battalion, which was distinguished as well for its 
 splendid uniform (described in another chapter) as for 
 the strict discipline which he preserved, despite the 
 great license granted by other commanders. The 
 major was a gallant southerner a chivalrous, high- 
 toned gentleman. Possessing in his own right an 
 ample fortune, he had devoted that, as he had dedi- 
 cated his life, to the cause of his country. 
 
 It was his practice to have a regular weekly mess- 
 dinner, to which all the officers of his battalion were 
 invited, and as many friends as his quarters would 
 accommodate. 
 
 On the day after the last interview between the 
 Blanchard brothers, his weekly dinner was given, and 
 having heard, through Captain Barnum, of their rela- 
 tionship, and of the singular manner in which it had 
 been discovered, both had been invited and accepted
 
 280 MAKGAKET MOXCBTEFFE. 
 
 his invitation, but of course unknown to each other, 
 as from the occasion of the interview before detailed, 
 Arthur had studiously avoided all places where he 
 might meet his brother. 
 
 Chance, or providence, or destiny, placed the 
 brothers far apart at the table. Captain Arthur, the 
 Royalist, was seated next to Captain Edwards, of the 
 battalion, while Edmund had been assigned a seat near 
 Major Small wood, a compliment intentionally paid in 
 view of the high state of discipline to which he had 
 brought his corps. 
 
 The dinner passed off pleasantly. Wit and jest had 
 flown freely around, and every one seemed to be on 
 the best possible terms with everybody else. The 
 cloth was removed, and the wines being duly placed 
 on the table, the guests were called on severally for 
 their toasts, and all, knowing the peculiar position of 
 Captain Arthur Blanchard, were particular to avoid 
 anything which might be construed into a possible 
 intention to affront him. 
 
 It came at length to the turn of Edmund Blanchard 
 to propose a toast, and as he rose, it was evident he 
 had been indulging too freely in the generous wines 
 which had been set before him. 
 
 When called upon, he arose, and leaning one hand 
 on the table to steady himself, he proposed, "the Ni- 
 non d'Enclos of New York Lizzie Brainard." 
 
 Truth compels me t say, that out of all that com-
 
 A DEfNEK PARTY A.vt> A QtTARREL. 281 
 
 pany present, thei<i were very few who had ever heard 
 or i-ead of " Ninon ti'jEnclos," and fewer still who could 
 appreciate the allusion conveyed in the toast. Most 
 of tLv;m heard only tiio name of " Lizzie Brainard," 
 and teased off their glasses, thinking they were toasting 
 her; while others, only half conscious of what they 
 were doing, drank the toast, presuming that it was 
 some sp&oial compliment to her. 
 
 There were, however, three present whose glasses 
 remained untouched ; Major Smallwood, Captain Ed- 
 wards, aid the Royalist Blanchard. 
 
 As Edmund Blanchard, already affected by the wine 
 he had drank, tossed off his glass, he turned and 
 glanced around the assemblage ; his eye fell first on 
 Captain Edwards, and he said with an asperity of man- 
 ner excusable only from his condition, " I see you do 
 not drink to my toast, Captain Edwards." 
 
 *' I could not, sir," was the reply, coldly delivered. 
 
 " And why not, pray ?" asked the young officer, now 
 half aroused to anger, for he had drank just enough to 
 take offence at the slightest cause. 
 
 " I will not insult any woman whom I believe to be 
 honest, truthful and virtuous, by drinking to a senti- 
 ment which connects her name with so much infamy." 
 
 At these words many of the young officers who had 
 drank the toast, hearing only Lizzie Brainard's name, 
 pricked up their ears and looked at each other, as if 
 wondering what they had done.
 
 282 MARGARET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 " You are mighty sensitive, sir," said the young offi- 
 cer, again filling his glass. Perhaps you did not hear 
 the toast ; let me repeat it." 
 
 " No, sir," responded Captain Edwards, arising, " you 
 need not repeat it ; I will not drink it." 
 
 " You will not ?" asked Edmund, with a flushed face 
 and flashing eyes. 
 
 "I have said so, sir," quietly responded Captain Ed- 
 wards. " I will not insult any woman for whom I cher- 
 ish so much respect as I do for Miss Brainard, by 
 drinking such a toast." 
 
 " That is personal, sir," exclaimed Captain Blanchard, 
 rising. 
 
 " I am content to have it so," coolly replied Captain 
 Edwards, toying with his wine-glass, yet full. 
 
 " You will compel me to feel that you intend to insult 
 me, Captain Edwards." 
 
 " I would rather have you think so, sir, than feel that 
 I could be so base as to drag the name of a virtuous 
 girl into such a connection." 
 
 "Virtuous!" laughed Captain Blanchard. "Oh, 
 very well, sir, if you are her champion, I have no more 
 to say, so you need not drink my toast. You know 
 her, I suppose, as- well as I do," and he spoke sneer- 
 
 " Gentlemen," said Major Smallwood, " this must 
 stop," and he held up his own glass, yet untouched. 
 " I would not drink to that toast, myself. Captain Ed-
 
 A DINNER PARTY AND A QTTABRKL. 288 
 
 wards, I thank you for caring for the honor of our 
 corps." 
 
 " Thank you, major," responded the captain, and as 
 he spoke, he turned his wine upon the floor, with a 
 glance of contempt at Edmund Blanchard. 
 
 " I understand you, sir," said the young Provincial, 
 with a meaning look, " we can settle this hereafter. 
 Major Smallwood, I ask your pardon for having pro- 
 posed a sentiment which does not seem acceptable to 
 Captain Edwards." 
 
 44 Nor to me, sir," coolly said Major Smallwood, inter- 
 rupting him. 
 
 " Oh, very well, one at a time. Captain Edwards, I 
 drink my respects to you, and our speedy meeting." 
 
 Everybody present knew well what this meant, and 
 no one was surprised when Captain Edwards, who had 
 refilled his glass, turned it off, with a courteous bow to 
 the young Provincial. 
 
 " Come, gentlemen," said Major Smallwood, who 
 had been pained by this interruption to the harmony 
 at the festive board, " allow me to propose a toast, and 
 I scarcely think any gentleman will refuse to join me. 
 If he does, I certainly shall not quarrel with him ; I 
 propose the belle of New York Miss Moncrieffe." 
 
 The toast was responded to, not only by the prompt 
 emptying of every glass, but was hailed with uproar- 
 ious cheers ; for every officer present had either seen 
 Margaret, or had heard marvellous accounts of her
 
 284 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 matchless beauty and irresistible powers of fascina- 
 tion. 
 
 The harmony of the evening was completely de- 
 stroyed by the rash conduct of Edmund Blanchard, and 
 the guests departed at a much earlier hour than had 
 been their wont on such occasions. Captain Edwards, 
 as the door was reached, sought for, and took the arm 
 of Captain Arthur Blanchard, and said, as they moved 
 onward : " I suppose I shall have to fight that drunken 
 fool." 
 
 " Yes," replied the captain, " I am afraid you will." 
 
 " Oh, you need not be afraid on my account. I was 
 bred to honor and respect women, and when I heard 
 the name of an honest, virtuous girl brought in such 
 infamous contact, my manhood would not allow me to 
 pass it unnoticed." 
 
 " From your remark, Captain Edwards," said the 
 Royalist, " I surmise that you require the services of a 
 friend." 
 
 " You have guessed rightly," was the response. 
 
 " Are you aware of the relationship existing between 
 the officer who insulted you so grossly, and myself?" 
 
 "Assuredly not. I only know that you bear the 
 game name surely not an uncommon occurrence in a 
 city garrisoned by thirteen thousand soldiers from 
 every quarter of this widespread land." 
 
 "He ie my younger brother my only living rela- 
 tive and when I say this, I am sure I have said
 
 A DINXEK PARTY AND A QUARREL. 285 
 
 enough to justify you in pardoning me for not offering 
 my services at this moment." 
 
 " You surprise and distress me, Captain Blanchard," 
 said Captain Edwards, with an expression of pain. 
 
 " Oh, do not feel distressed on my account. I am 
 free to admit that he deserves no mercy at the hands 
 of any gentleman ; for a man who would thus ruth- 
 lessly drag a woman's name so publicly before a crowd 
 of men, and darken her fair fame by such a foul insinu- 
 ation, scarcely deserves the honor you intend accord- 
 ing to him. But come, leaving her out of the question, 
 how else can I serve you ?" 
 
 " Find some one who will act as my friend in this 
 matter ; there are plenty in our battalion who would 
 gladly serve me, but I ought not to ask them." 
 
 " I will see you to-morrow before seven o'clock, and 
 bring with me one on whom you can rely. I shall be 
 with you, but not for you, Captain Edwards," he 
 added, sadly. 
 
 " I understand you, captain, and am the more grate 
 ful for your present kindness. At seven to-morrow ?" 
 
 " At seven, Captain Edwards, you may rely upon 
 me," and as they reached the corner of John street, 
 the friends shook hands ; the one to return to his quar- 
 ters which he had just left, the other wended his 
 way to the house occupied by Mrs. Brainard, for tho 
 hou was not too late for a visit there, the dinner-party 
 hav ig been broken up two hours before the usual
 
 286 MARGARET MOXCKIEFFB. 
 
 time, by the rash and inconsiderate conduct of Edmund 
 Blanchard. 
 
 The shop was closed ; but the light streaming 
 through the shutters, showed that the family had not 
 retired. His rap at the door was answered, contrary 
 to his expectations, but much to his pleasure, by a 
 gruff, manly voice demanding who was there, and, at 
 the announcement of his name, the door was instantly 
 thrown open, and the captain found himself face to face 
 with a fine, stalwart, hearty-looking young fellow, wear- 
 ing the uniform of McDougal's regiment. 
 
 " Are you Lieutenant Brainard ?" he asked, in a low 
 voice, as he caught sight of the young officer. 
 
 " I am so called," was the reply, civilly returned, as 
 the young soldier surveyed the visitor. " Will you not 
 walk in, Captain Blanchard ?" 
 
 " No, I thank you, not just now. Please put on 
 your hat, and walk with me a few steps. Make any 
 excuse to get away from your mother and sister. I 
 wish very much to speak with you in private." 
 
 At this moment Lizzie, who had also heard the 
 knock at the door, and whose heart, ever prompting 
 her to think of Edmund, led her to hope it was him- 
 self, approached the door, and seeing the Royalist, 
 pushed past her brother, and, extending her hand, 
 said : " Oh, come ha, captain ; do come in." 
 
 " Thank you, no. This is your brother, I believe." 
 
 " Oh, I beg your pardon. Brother Albert, this is
 
 A. DINNEE PARTY JXD A QTJAEEEL. 287 
 
 Captain Blanchard, Edmund's brother, I have so often 
 spoken of to you." 
 
 " Yes, Lizzie, he gave me his name before I opened 
 the door; but he has declined to come in. He has 
 some message for me. I will walk a little way with 
 him, and return soon. Bring my hat, Lizzie ; and as 
 his sister went back into the house, Captain Blanchard 
 whispered, "Don't answer any of her questions." 
 Contrary to the usual custom of women. Lizzie brought 
 her brother's hat, and actually suffered them to depart 
 without asking a single question. 
 
 " Well, captain, and in what can I serve you ?" asked 
 the young officer, as they moved away from the house, 
 arm in arm. 
 
 " You love your sister very much ?" asked Arthur. 
 
 " That is a very singular question to ask me her 
 brother." 
 
 " She is worthy of your love, my young friend. 
 But now to business. Her name has been most grossly 
 misused to-night, and a friend of mine has taken it up 
 for her. A challenge must follow. Will you serve the 
 gentleman who has taken your sister's part ?" 
 
 " No, by heavens !" exclaimed the young officer, 
 firmly, " I will take his place." 
 
 " No, sir, that cannot possibly be. My peculiar posi- 
 tion forbids that I should act for him, much as I approve 
 his course. You will know all the circumstances to-mor- 
 row. Will you act in my stead, as the friend to him
 
 288 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 who has rescued your sister's name from infamous in 
 einuations ?" 
 
 " In any stead, sir, and thank you for the privilege 
 You are very kind, Captain Blanchard, to grant me 
 this favor. But who is the scoundrel who has dared 
 to connect my sister's name with anything of 
 wrong ?" 
 
 " You will know in due time, and when you leai-n his 
 name, you will not wonder that I have asked some one 
 to take the place which I ought to have claimed. Now 
 listen to me," and, linking arms with the young captain, 
 he proceeded to narrate the occurrences of the dinner- 
 table, concealing the name, however, of the offending 
 party. 
 
 " And you will act for him ?" he asked, when he had 
 closed his narrative. 
 
 " With all my heart, though I would rather take hia 
 place. Captain, I am not used to anything of this 
 kind. I must ask you to give me some instructions." 
 
 " Come, then, and share my quarters for the night, 
 and I will put you in the way of serving your sister's 
 friend. I am sorry to say I have been in many similar 
 affairs. Return home now. Make any excuse you 
 choose, and come around to my rooms as soon as you 
 can get away ; but be' cautious, and do not say any- 
 thing to alarm Lizzie or your mother." 
 
 The next morning before Captain Blanchard had fin- 
 ished his breakfast, Captain Edwards was at his rooms,
 
 A DINNER PARTY AND A QUAKEEL. 289 
 
 and with a smile, handed him the missive he had just 
 received. 
 
 "Captain Edwards," said Arthur, as he took the 
 note, " this is Lieutenant Brainard, the brother of the 
 young lady whose name and reputation you so promptly 
 defended last night, and surely no one has a better right 
 to act for you than himself." 
 
 The captain greeted the young soldier warmly, and 
 a very few minutes sufficed to place him in possession 
 of the circumstances which had led to this call for 
 satisfaction. 
 
 The rage and shame of Albert Braicard, when he 
 learned the name of him who had traduced his sister, 
 were indescribable. He begged and implored the cap- 
 tain to let him take his place ; but that was, of course, 
 out of the question, and the preliminaries having been 
 arranged between them, it was settled that the meeting 
 should take place in the Bowery lane (now at the junc- 
 tion of the Third and Fourth Avenues), at an early hour 
 on the following morning, and everything was left to 
 Captain Blanchard and the young Provincial. 
 
 When Captain Edwards had left, Captain Blanchard 
 gradually, but kindly, communicated to him his brother's 
 desertion of Lizzie, and his sudden attachment to Miss 
 Moncrieffe, but he did not dare to tell him all he had 
 heard that would come to him soon enough, no matter 
 what might be the result of the meeting between th 
 two officers. 
 
 13
 
 290 MARGA.KET MONOETEFFB. 
 
 Everything being arranged, Albert Brainard r^ 
 turned to his mother's home with a weight upon his 
 heart, such as he had never known before. He dreaded 
 t $ make known to his sister what he had heard as to 
 the infidelity of Captain Blanchard, to whom he knew 
 she was strongly attached, and whom they had looked 
 upon as her future husband. When he reached the 
 house, he was not sorry to find his mother absent, and 
 taking a seat opposite his sister, in their little parlor, 
 which commanded a full view of the shop, he looked 
 at her as she sat there, the personation of youth, health 
 and innocent beauty, and his heart ached as he dwelt 
 upon the blow which he was about to inflict ; and as she 
 raised her eyes from her work and fixed them upon him 
 with looks of sisterly affection, tears gathered in his 
 own. Lizzie perceived the tears coursing down her 
 brother's cheeks, and hastily dropping her work, arose 
 and placing one hand on his shoulder, inquired, sooth- 
 ingly, what ailed him. 
 
 " I have heard some very unpleasant news this morn- 
 ing, Lizzie." 
 
 " I am sorry for you, Albert," she said, smoothing 
 down his hair as she spoke. " Can I do anything t<? 
 cheer you?" 
 
 " Poor Lizzie !" he said, " you need comfort more 
 than I shall. My news concerns you as deeply as myself." 
 
 " Concerns me, Albert," she exclaimed, with a start, 
 and as she spoke, the color deserted her cheeks.
 
 A DISXEE PABTY A^ A QUAEKKL. 291 
 
 " You have heard, of course, of this young lady 
 at General Putnam's Miss Moncrieffe everybody is 
 talking about her." 
 
 Lizzie could not reply with -words ; a choking sensa- 
 tion about the throat prevented her utterance, but she 
 nodded her head affirmatively. 
 
 *' Have you heard her name mentioned in connection 
 with that of any officer in the city ?" 
 
 Dark forebodings crossed Lizzie's mind, as her 
 brother spoke thus, for her heart half divined what he 
 hesitated to say. 
 
 " How does that concern me, Albert ?" she asked, in 
 tones of deep emotion. 
 
 " Edmund Blauchard has forgotten his honor, ir, m- 
 hood, and truth, and " 
 
 " Oh, don't say that, brother !" Lizzie exclaimed, u 
 tones of agony, and HS she spoke a shudder ran through 
 her frame. 
 
 "Lizzie, dear, my darling sister, remember who yon 
 are, and what you owe to yourself. Edmund Blanch 
 ard is unworthy the love of any virtuous woman" -. 
 
 Before he could finish the sentence, the hapless girl, 
 through whose busy brain ran with lightning speed the 
 memory of her past, and the prospect of her dark, dis- 
 mal future ; the sacrifices she had made for him who had 
 now proved faithless ; the terrible consequences which 
 must result from a discovery of hor shame a mother 
 broken-hearted, a brother disgraot'l- -aort, ley hnrsplf.
 
 292 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 the scorn and contempt of the world all flashed across 
 her mind, and with one deep sob, she made an effort to 
 approach her brother, but ere she could reach him, sank 
 heavily upon the floor in a death-like swoon. 
 
 Albert Brainard had expected tears and reproaches, 
 but he had not looked for such a demonstration of feel- 
 ing, and, affrighted, he sprang forward and lifting the 
 helpless girl, laid her upon a, couch which stood on one 
 side of the room. 
 
 Fortunately, during this scene, no person had entered 
 the shop, and Albert had, therefore, ample opportunity 
 to attend to his helpless sister, and was enabled to avoid 
 the answering of any questions. In a few minutes, by 
 the aid of water and the application of such simple re- 
 storatives as be could lay his hands on, Lizzie recovered 
 her consciousness ; and when she languidly opened her 
 eyes, she met those of her brother fixed upon her with 
 an expression of love and pity. 
 
 A deep sigh broke from her lips, a shudder rafi 
 through her frame, and as she closed her eyes again, her 
 brother perceived tears trickling through the closed 
 lids. 
 
 " Oh, Lizzie 1" he murmured, bending over her, " did 
 you so love that worthless villain ?" 
 
 Lizzie made no reply, but shook her head languidly 
 and mournfully, conveying an impression deeper than 
 any which mere words could express. 
 
 " No matter, my dear sister, he will have his punish-
 
 A DIXXER PARTY AND A QFARREL. 295 
 
 mcnt soon. He insulted Captain Edwards last night 
 and he has "been challenged. They meet to-morrow, 
 and if Captain Edwards does not shoot him, I will." 
 
 Still Lizzie made no reply ; but as she heard these 
 words, her tears flowed more freely, and her whole 
 frame was convulsed with indescribable emotion. 
 What booted his death to her ? Would it restore her 
 honor sacrificed on the altar of her trusting love ? 
 Would it screen her from the scorn of the world ? 
 These and similar thoughts crossed her, and as her 
 brother finished speaking, she arose from her 
 recumbent position slowly, and fixing her eyes, still 
 running over with tears, on him, said : " I hardly 
 know if I have heard you rightly, Albert; wero 
 you saying that Edmund Blanchard had proved false 
 to me ?" 
 
 " False to you, and faithless to every sentiment oi 
 honor, truth, or manhood. Miss Moncriefie, it seems* 
 has so completely " 
 
 " Miss Moncriefie !" exclaimed Lizzie, actually dash- 
 ing away the tears from her eyes ; " and he has de- 
 serted me for her ? Brother, I must see that woman." 
 
 " Woman, Lizzie ! she is hardly more than a child." 
 
 " Be she what she may, I must and will see her. 
 She shall know, at least, his faithlessness and my 
 wrongs." 
 
 " It would be folly, Lizzie it would be worse than 
 folly besides, it would only bring on you remarks
 
 294 MAEGAEET MONCEIEFFE. 
 
 which now will never be made ; for no one but our 
 selves know of the affair." 
 
 " The whole city will ring with it ere long, Albert," 
 she replied, sadly, though he little dreamed of the full 
 import of her words. " Yes, my dear brother, the 
 city will know it all in tune," and she shuddered as she 
 spoke ; for the thoughts of the certain infamy which 
 would be entailed on her, and the misery which would 
 be brought on those who loved her so dearly, flashed 
 through her brain. " No, Albert, I must see Miss 
 Moncrieffe I will see her, and you must not try to 
 prevent me. I do not believe that she, whatever she 
 may be, would receive the attentions of a man like 
 Edmund Blanchard when she knows the truth. Come, 
 brother, I am better," and she wiped the tears from 
 her eyes ; and with a great effort, regained her com- 
 posure, at least to outward appearances. 
 
 " I think you do yourself a great wrong, in hum- 
 bling yourself before Miss Moncrieffe or any other 
 woman." 
 
 " I shall not humble myself, rest assured. I cannot 
 forget the respect I owe to myself or my family ; so, 
 dear brother, have no fears for me on that score. I 
 only desire that Miss Moncrieffe shall know my posi 
 tion with regard to Edmund Blanchard, and then she 
 may take her own course." 
 
 " I suppose you feel that you are acting right ; but 
 I cannot agree with you so act at your own pleasure.
 
 A DINNER PAHTY AND A QrAKUEL. 295 
 
 I must go and finish my preparations for the meeting 
 which is to take place to-morrow morning." 
 
 The entrance of Mrs. Brainard at this moment put 
 an end to the conversation on this subject; for, by 
 tacit consent, brother and sister agreed not to distress 
 her by communicating intelligence which they knew 
 would cause her so much wretchedness. 
 
 Albert soon took his leave, with a meaning glance at 
 his sister, which was returned, and in a few minutes, 
 Lizzie, making some pretence for her absence, put on 
 her hat and shawl and left the house.
 
 CHAPTER XXVH. 
 
 K^ET AND LIZZIE BBAINARD. 
 
 Miss MoNcaiE^'E was seated in her own room ; her 
 sewing lay unnoticed in her lap, and, from the expres- 
 sion of her countenance, it was evident that she was 
 engrossed in pleasant thoughts. 
 
 " A young woman to see you," said Belle Putnam, 
 gently opening the door, without waiting for an answer 
 to her summons. 
 
 Margaret started from hor reverie, and, hastily pass- 
 ing her hand across her forehead, as if to collect her 
 wandering thoughts, said, with an expression of sur- 
 prise : " A young woman, Belle, to see me ?" 
 
 " Yes, my lady," replied Belle, with an affectation 
 of profound respect ; for, since the little escapade of 
 the letter from Governor Tryon, so skillfully misinter- 
 preted, Belle had made a confidant of Margaret, and 
 had intrusted to her the secret of her own heart. 
 " Your ladyship, I suppose, expected " - 
 
 " My ladyship didn't expect anything or anybody," 
 said Margaret, with a smile. "But really, I can't 
 imagine what any young woman can want with me ; I 
 don't know half a dozen ladies in the city, and they 
 would not feel flattered to hear Miss Belle Putnam cal)
 
 MARGAKET AXD LIZZIE BEAIXARD. 297 
 
 them young women ! But no matter, I will see her 
 here if you have no objections. There may be some- 
 body in the parlor, and perhaps she desires to see me in 
 private," and as she spoke, the thought crossed her 
 mind that the visitor might be some emissary from her 
 Royalist friends, who had found it necessary to com- 
 municate with her through such a medium. 
 
 In a very few moments the door was closed upon a 
 young and certainly very handsome woman, a stranger 
 to Margaret, who, scanning her hastily, and perceiving 
 she was neatly dressed, invited her to take a seat ; and 
 as the stranger sank into a chair, Margaret, with an- 
 other hasty glance, discovered she was pale, was 
 trembling excessively, and that her eyes bore traces of 
 recent tears. 
 
 " What can I do for you ?" she asked, in kind and 
 earnest tones. 
 
 For an instant her visitor, Lizzie Brainard, could 
 not speak. Sobs were rising in her throat, whbh she 
 choked down with a strong effort, and tears were com- 
 ing from her eyes, which she vainly strove to force back. 
 
 Margaret noticed her excessive agitation, and paused 
 a moment to allow her to recover her composure. 
 
 " Come, young lady," she repeated at length, " in 
 what can I serve you ?" 
 
 "In all in everything and you alone can serve 
 me," replied Lizzie, clasping her hands, and looking up 
 tfl Margaret with streaming eyes. 
 13*
 
 298 MAEGAKET MONCKIEFFE. 
 
 " Then I ^ ill, most assuredly," said Margaret, whose 
 interest was already awakened in the young stranger, 
 for as the reader has already discovered, she was one 
 of those impulsive creatures who act always on the first 
 promptings of her feelings. 
 
 " Oh, thank and bless you," said Lizzie, striving to 
 dry her t^ears. 
 
 " Xever mind thanks yet. Now what can I do ?" 
 
 " Captain Blanchard," said Lizzie. " You know 
 him ? 
 
 " Oh, yes," said Margaret, for the instant thrown 
 off her guard, supposing Lizzie was a messenger from 
 the Royalist captain ; " he has known me ever since I 
 was a child ; he is a very dear friend of my father's." 
 
 "I did not know you had ever met before," said 
 Lizzie, her countenance expressing the disappointment 
 she experienced at these words. " Edmund never 
 mentioned your name to me." 
 
 " Oh, Captain Edmund, you mean," said Margaret, 
 glad that she had not committed herself, yet wondering 
 what could have brought this strange girl to her with 
 that name on her lips. 
 
 " Yes, Miss Moncrieffe, that is the one I mean. I 
 do not know his brother ; I never saw him but once, to 
 know them as brothers. I am speaking of Captain 
 Edmund Blanchard." 
 
 " You speak very familiarly of him," said Margaret, 
 eyeing her visitor with a keen, scrutinizing glance.
 
 MAKGAKET AXD LIZZIE BKArXAKD. 299 
 
 " I have a right to do so, Miss Moncrieffe." 
 
 " But in what can I serve you, so far as he is con- 
 cerned ?" and Margaret looked at Lizzie with an air of 
 surprise. 
 
 "In what can you serve me? "Why, Miss Mon- 
 crieffe, are you not engaged to him? I do not mean 
 exactly that," she interrupted herself, seeing the 
 heightened color on Margaret's cheeks. "Is he not 
 paying attention to you ?' 
 
 "Pray tell me, young woman, first what is your 
 name ? I can converse with you perhaps, with more 
 freedom when I know it." 
 ' Lizzie Brainard." 
 
 " Then, Lizzie, pray tell me what earthly reason you 
 have for asking me such an absurd, such a ridiculous, 
 question ? I won't call it impertinent, for I think I 
 can interpret the motive of your visit, and I will ease 
 your mind at once. I never saw Captain Blanchard 
 your captain more than half a dozen times in my life, 
 and have no more thoughts of him than a score of 
 others, who find amusement in paying compliments and 
 flatteries to me." 
 
 " And is he not paying attention to you ? Oh, do 
 excuse my freedom, miss, but I am very unhappy. I 
 only heard this morning that he was paying attentions 
 to you, and that he had spoken slightingly of me, and 
 it made me very unhappy to hear it, I assure you." 
 
 " If Captain Blancharrf has said anything by whicJ
 
 300 MARGARET MOXCRTEFFE. 
 
 any one might connect my name with his own, he h.ia 
 uttered a willful, malicious falsehood. I have never given 
 him reason to think that I would receive his attentions, 
 and certainly, knowing what I now do, I would not, on 
 any consideration. So take heart, Lizzie, and believe 
 me, I do not care a pin's head for your captain, nor do 
 I believe he does for me, except that he has seen a new 
 face, though I am sure yours is pretty enough for any 
 one," and she gazed earnestly at Lizzie, whose counte- 
 nance, while Margaret was speaking, had been gradually 
 lighted up with pleasure. " But is there anything else 
 in which I can serve you ?" 
 
 " Oh, yes, Miss Moncrieffe. You are here at head- 
 quarters do have that duel stopped. I have heard 
 that you can do almost anything with General Put- 
 nam." 
 
 "Duel, child 1 I do not know what you are talking 
 about. You have not said anything about a duel." 
 
 " Yes, miss, last night Edmund and Captain Ed- 
 wards, of Major Smallwood's corps, quarrelled, and 
 they are to fight to-morrow morning. Oh, do stop it, 
 Miss Moncrieffe." 
 
 " What was the cause of this quarrel ? No matter 
 tvhat was the cause ; for your sake Lizzie, as you have 
 come to me, I will stop it ; so you may rest quiet on 
 that score." 
 
 " Thank you, again and again, Miss Moncriefle. You 
 have made me very happy."
 
 MAKGAHET AND LIZZIE BRAINA.ED. 801 
 
 ** And you love Captain Blanchard so much ?" 
 
 " Oh, better than my life, miss better than words 
 can tell." 
 
 " And he was deserting you on my account ?" 
 
 " So I heard from my brother." 
 
 " Well, well set your heart at rest. The duel shall 
 not come off, and, I pledge you my word, your captain 
 shall never see me but once more." 
 
 After a further short conversation, in the course of 
 which Margaret reassured poor Lizzie of the interest 
 she took in her, she took leave of Margaret with a 
 light heart, for she felt that once Edmund was without 
 the pale of Margaret's charms, she could win back hia 
 waning love. 
 
 Margaret was prompt to act as to speak, and before 
 three hours had passed, Captains Blanchard and Ed- 
 wards were summoned to General Putnam's quar- 
 ters. 
 
 " Gentlemen," said the bluff old general, when they 
 stood before him, " the enemy is expected here daily, 
 and no one knows when our city may be attacked. 
 Our country needs every man for its defence, and you 
 have no right to throw away, in a private quarrel, lives 
 which belong to your country." 
 
 The captains looked at each other in amazement, for 
 they could not imagine how the matter had come to 
 the general's ears, but they bowed an acquiescence to 
 his remarks.
 
 102 MARGARET MONCR1EFFE. 
 
 " Unless," continued the general, " you pledge to 
 me your words as gentlemen to pursue this no further, 
 for the present, at least, I shall put you both under 
 ai-rest, and keep you there until after the battle, which 
 we will have soon to fight, is decided. You are both 
 brave men, I know, and I think this might be 
 arranged. Come, tell me what it is all about ?" 
 
 " I beg your pardon, general," said Captain Ed- 
 wards, " I leave that to Captain Blanchard." 
 
 " General Putnam," said the officer thus applied to, 
 " I was wrong ; I acted rashly and foolishly. Captain 
 Edwards, if I had not been drinking, I should riot have 
 said what I did, nor acted as I did. I am really sorry 
 for it, and ask your pardon." 
 
 "That's right that's manly," fairly shouted the 
 general. " Captain Edwards give him your hand. 
 There ; I like that," he continued, as the late foes shook 
 hands. " Captain Edwards, will you do me the favor 
 to say to Major Smallwood I wish very much to see 
 him ;" and the captain, with a cool salute to Captain 
 Blanchard, bowed himself out. 
 
 " Captain Blanchard," said the general, " Miss Mou- 
 crieffe has intrusted me with a request to see you ; you 
 will find her in the parlor ;" and with a very distant 
 Balute, he pointed to the door of the parlor, which ad- 
 joined the office in which they had been seated. 
 
 Captain Blanchard entered the room with a feeling 
 of apprehension for which he could not account, and
 
 MARGARET AND LIZZIE BRAIXARD. 303 
 
 his heart fairly sunk within him as he saw Margaret 
 seated there. 
 
 Closing the door, he approached her, but she did not 
 rise or invite him to take a seat, but gazed upon him 
 with a look of sternness and contempt, strangely 
 blended. 
 
 " Captain Blanchard," she said, with a cold, stern 
 expression, as he stood before her, unable to bear the 
 gaze of her piercing eyes, " I have heard that you have 
 been taking most unwarrantable liberties with my 
 name." 
 
 " Oh, Margaret !" he exclaimed. 
 
 But she hastily interrupted him, by saying : " Miss 
 Moncrieffe, sir. You will please to remember, Captain 
 Blanchard, that a few harmless pleasantries passed be- 
 tween a lady and a gentleman," and she placed a terri- 
 ble emphasis on that word, " do not give him the privi- 
 lege of boasting of a conquest, nor using her name in 
 such close connection with his own, as I have heard 
 that you have done with mine. I wish you good morn- 
 ing, sir ;" and before the astounded officer could reply, 
 she arose with the grace and dignity of a queen, and 
 moving toward the door, turned to him and added, 
 " you had better go and ask pardon of one who has 
 much greater cause of complaint than I have, against 
 you. Il was for her sake, sir, and not for yours, and I 
 have to tell you this, for fear you might boast of my 
 interest in you, that I have interfered to stop this meet
 
 304 MARGAKET MOXCKIEFFE. 
 
 ing. Good morning, captain," and before he could rc 
 cover from bis stupefaction, Captain Blanehard wa 
 alone. 
 
 He did not dare face General Putnam, for he knew 
 that Margaret had communicated everything to him, 
 but stole quietly out of the house and moved moodily 
 toward his quarters, cursing himself, Margaret, and 
 more and deeper than all, poor, disgraced Lizzie, whom 
 he conjectured, though he knew not why, was at the 
 bottom of the whole. 
 
 Captain Edwards, ignorant, of course, of the causa 
 which had interfered with the meeting, retired to his 
 quarters, where he found Lieutenant Brainard awaiting 
 him, to whom he communicated the affair which had 
 just transpired, and he at once made known to his 
 friend, his belief that his sister and Miss Moncrieffe had 
 outwitted the whole of them. He then communicated 
 to the captain his position and that of his sister, with 
 reference to Captain Blanehard, and expressed a deter- 
 mination to seek the earliest opportunity of insulting 
 him so grossly that no apology could be received. 
 Captain Edwards of course proffered his services, which 
 were accepted, and after a glass of wine the friends 
 parted.
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 CONSEQUENCES OF SETHS ESCAPE. 
 
 THE attempt to send a spy among the Royalists who 
 were in the habit of frequenting Corbie's house, and its 
 failure, had shown to the conspirators that they were 
 watched, because suspected, and it was therefore re- 
 solved no more assemblages should be held there for 
 especial purposes, but that henceforth their head-quar- 
 ters should be at the tavern of Thomas Mason, also a 
 devoted Royalist, which being situated directly oppo- 
 site General Putnam's residence, would be less liable 
 to suspicion ; for it was very natural to suppose that 
 the general would not think of looking for a nest of 
 conspirators at his very door. 
 
 Mason's house, which was known by the sign of the 
 *' Highlanders," was therefore the place whence all 
 communications would emanate for the future. 
 
 Corbie's (from its proximity to the river, and the 
 facility which its situation afforded for landing of a boat 
 without fear of discovery) was still the depot for the 
 receipt of the letters and messages so constantly pass- 
 ing between Governor Tryon and Mayor Matthew*
 
 306 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE 
 
 (then at Flatbush) and the Tory residents* of tho city 
 who had joined the ranks of the conspirators. 
 
 Forbes and Corbie took upon themselves to inform 
 the leaders in the city of the occurrences narrated in a 
 previous chapter, and to give the necessaiy caution as 
 to their future watchfulness; for a discovery now, 
 would not only foil all their plans, but would probably 
 send many of them to the gallows ; a fate which, 
 however merited, they were not yet prepared to 
 meet. 
 
 A few days after the disappearance of Seth Adams, 
 General Washington returned to the city from his offi- 
 cial visit to Philadelphia, and a council of generals 
 being convened, he communicated to them the certain 
 information that the fleet under Admiral Howe, with a ; 
 very large body of troops, including several thousand 
 Hessian soldiers all under the command of Lord Howe, J 
 were even now on the voyage to New York, which 
 would be the first point of attack, and who might be 
 expected daily. 
 
 Orders were given for the strengthening of all the 
 fortifications on the island which would present any | 
 point of attack to the invaders, and Long Island, with- j 
 in the circuit of several miles from the city, was di- 
 rected to be fortified and occupied, as a landing would 
 most probably be first attempted there. 
 
 The most stringent rules were promulgated for the 
 government of the Tory residents of the city ; many 

 
 CONSEQUENCES OP SETH'S ESCAPE. 007 
 
 were sent out of the city ; others, who had given b( ndg 
 for their good behavior, and pledged themselves not to 
 take side against the colonists, were imprisoned, on in- 
 formation that they had violated their parole by too 
 free speech, as well as by their actions, among which was 
 the refusal to take Continental money at par. The 
 houses of Corbie, Mason, Houndling, and of Forbes, the 
 noted gunsmith, all devoted Royalists, were put under 
 strict surveillance, and the difficulty of communication 
 between the conspirators on board the Duchess of Gor- 
 don, and those in the city, was very much augmented 
 by the measures thus adopted. 
 
 Every officer and soldier was now more constantly 
 and busily engaged than ever, in carrying out the or- 
 ders of the commander-in-chief, and Major Burr found 
 few opportunities of private conversation with Marga- 
 ret ; but even in the moments which they managed to 
 steal unnoticed, their vows of mutual love and fidelity 
 were again and again renewed, and Margaret comforted 
 her lover by the assurance that the hour for action was 
 near at hand, and 'that their future would be all sun- 
 light and happiness. 
 
 On one occasion she found time to say to him, while 
 a bright smile illumined her face, " I told you, Colonel 
 Burr, I would keep my promise." 
 
 " So you really meant it, Margaret ?" he asked, 
 eagerly. 
 
 *' Did I ever deceive you, Aaron ?"
 
 308 MABGABET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 " Never, Margaret, never." 
 
 " I have in my apartment, at this moment, the coin- 
 mission of a colonel in the army of King George, in 
 blank, which awaits only the insertion of your name by 
 me, to confer upon you the rank and title which I pro- 
 mised should be yours." 
 
 " How little worth would that be without you," he 
 said, gazing with looks of fond devotion upon the lovely 
 speaker who had so enslaved him. 
 
 And she spoke the truth. Governor Tryon, who 
 could not but acknowledge the valuable and most im- 
 portant services she was constantly rendering to the 
 king's cause, could not, and did not deny her request, 
 but dispatched to her the commission she had desired, 
 in blank, leaving her to insert such name as he might 
 select, receiving however, her assurance that it was in- 
 tended for one of whom the Royal army might be 
 proud, and who, young as he was, had won a name and 
 imputation excelled by none in the army, for every 
 quality which goes to make up the soldier ; one, whose 
 name, however, from prudential reasons, she thought 
 proper not to disclose at the present time. Governor 
 Tryon had already received such abundant evidence 
 of her discretion, that he was perfectly willing to 
 trust her to any extent, and therefore his readi- 
 ness to confide to her such an important document in 
 blank. 
 
 The gaieties of the city were nearly suspended by the
 
 CONSEQUENCES OF SETH'S ESCAPE. 309 
 
 necessity for making preparations to receive the enemy ; 
 but the wives and families of such officers as were on 
 the island continued to visit each other, and, of course, 
 on these occasions the posture of affairs was freely 
 canvassed. 
 
 What Margaret did not hear in person, she was sure 
 to hear through Belle or Mattie, who were glad enough 
 to escape from the spinning-wheel, and steal a gossip- 
 ping chat with Margaret. 
 
 Everything she heard everything she saw was 
 immediately made known to Governor Tryon, through 
 the Royalist Blanchard, who had said with truth, 
 and it might be escaped any taint of suspicion, 
 that no one in the city had rendered such essential 
 service to the cause of the Royalists, as did Margaret 
 Moncrieffe. 
 
 The sentry who was in charge of the " brig," had 
 quite forgotten all about his prisoner's request, and his 
 own gruff reply ; for he had resumed the attempt to 
 read as soon as Seth had turned away, and was thus 
 occupied when his relief came to take his place. With 
 a yawn, and a few curses upon the weather, he gave up 
 his post, and retired to his hammock, entirely unmind- 
 ful of what had transpired, and never once cast his 
 eyes toward the prisoners over whom he had been 
 placed in charge. The other marine, of course, knew 
 nothing of what had occurred before he went on his 
 post, and, taking up the book which his companion had
 
 510 MARGARET MONCRIKFFK. 
 
 thrown down on the mess-chest, he was very soon 
 as deeply absorbed in its pages as his comrade had 
 been. 
 
 This neglect on the part of the marine was most for- 
 tunate for Seth ; for he was a prisoner of so much im- 
 portance, and was hi possession of such weighty secrets 
 (though it was thought that he knew nothing beyond 
 what he had heard at Corbie's, while he lay gagged 
 and bound), his safe keeping was most essential, and 
 instant pursuit in every direction would have followed 
 the information that he was missing. 
 
 It was not until daylight, when all hands were turned 
 out, and the master-at-arms came, as usual, to resume 
 his charge of the prisoners, that he was missed, and 
 the information was at once communicated to Governor 
 Tryon and Captain Chifihey. Great was the trouble 
 and confusion incident upon this revelation. A tho- 
 rough and strict search was made in every part of 
 the ship, and every spot not half large enough to hava 
 held a boy of ten years of age, much less the stalwart 
 young soldier, was ransacked ; but, as may be imagined, 
 the search was unavailing. The sentries in charge of 
 the " brig " during the night (four hi number), were 
 called up and examined. Each swore through thick 
 and thin that the prisoners were all secured when they 
 took post, and they swore to what they really believed ; 
 but this did not save them. A prisoner, and a most 
 important one, had escaped from one of them, and as tLa
 
 CONSEQUENCES OF SETH'S ESCAPE. 311 
 
 guilty one could not be found out, all were treated 
 alike. 
 
 The formality of a court-martial was not necessary, 
 and within two hours after the discovery that Seti; 
 Adams had escaped, each of them had received three 
 dozen with the cat well laid on, and were permitted to 
 groan and writhe upon the berth deck, until the condi- 
 tion of their lacerated backs might enable them 'to 
 return to their duty. 
 
 Governor Tryon held a consultation with Captain 
 Chiffney and the principal naval and army officers on 
 board, upon this occasion. As all the evidence went to 
 show that the prisoner, when last seen, was securely 
 ironed, it was deemed impossible that he could have 
 eocaped alive if he had fallen or jumped overboard. 
 Even had his hands been free, it was deemed equally 
 impossible that he could have reached the shore on 
 Buch a night ; but, to make matters more sure, a boat 
 was dispatched to Staten Island to ascertain if any 
 person had landed within range of any of the sentries 
 which lined the shore during the night. 
 
 The assurance being given that no one had been 
 seen, the presumption seemed fair that he had fallen 
 or jumped overboard in an insane attempt to escape, 
 and had been drowned, and the majesty of the law 
 " martial " having been vindicated by the pun- 
 ishment of the offending marines, nothing more was 
 said about it. But Colonel Fanning was instructed,
 
 312 MAKGABET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 on tne occasion of his next visit to Corbie's with dis- 
 patches, to notify him of the circumstances, at tne 
 santi urns, however, intimating the impression of the 
 goernor as to the impossibility of Seth's escape.
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 THE PATRIOT OIBL. 
 
 TUB stringent orders issued by the commander-in- 
 cliief, on resuming his command, rendered, as has been 
 said, communication between the conspirators more 
 than usually hazardous. But the stake was too great 
 to be lost sight of, and the boat continued to ply 
 between the "Duchess of Gordon," the head-quarters 
 of Governor Try on, and the city, a set of signals having 
 been arranged, by which due warning of danger was 
 given. Corbie had been, in accordance with the 
 instructions of Governor Tryon, informed of the loss or 
 escape of Seth Adams, a matter, however, which he 
 treated so lightly, that he had mentioned it in jest to 
 Forbes and one or two of his intimates, and they 
 agreed with the governor as to the impossibility of his 
 having escaped alive. 
 
 They therefore continued to send and receive mes- 
 sages as usual, though with more than the ordinary 
 caution, for as the crisis approached, they realized not 
 only their own personal danger, but feared for the 
 success of the important enterprise in which they were 
 embarked. Thus far everything had prospered as well 
 H 81S
 
 314 MARGARET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 as could be desired. More than live hundred men were 
 enlisted with them, many bound to the cause by ties 
 of loyalty which nothing could shake, others bought 
 over by gold and promises of future grandeur. They 
 awaited now only the arrival of the fleet bearing. Lord 
 Howe, and the mine laid with such consummate skill 
 and caution was ready to be sprung, and while the) 
 are reposing in this fancied security, let us turn to Seth 
 Adams. 
 
 "Seth, dear Seth," said the old lady, as he gave 
 signs of returning animation, after swallowing the 
 rum Patsy had brought him, " what on airth does this 
 mean ?" 
 
 " Wait a little, aunty," said Seth, in a feeble voice, 
 for he was weakened almost to helplessness. " Patsy, 
 give me some more," and the bottle was again handed 
 to huii, from which he drew another hearty pull. 
 " Now, aunty," he said, straightening himself up. " Oh, 
 Patsy ! I forgot bring me something," and he pointed 
 to his naked and bleeding body. " Never mind them, 
 they are only scratches," and as he spoke, Patsy had 
 run into the adjoining room, and returned almost 
 immediately with some of her late father's clothes. 
 " There, that will do that's enough for the present, 
 Patsy," he said, as he slipped a shirt over his bleeding 
 shoulders. " I have no time now for ceremony. 
 Patsy, you or aunt must go to the city to-day." 
 
 " Go to the city !" they exclaimed in a breath, but
 
 THE PATRIOT GIRL. 315 
 
 bercre they could say more, he interrupted them, say- 
 ing: 
 
 "Ye, to the city, and that immediately. Now 
 listen to me. I am too weak, too exhausted, to 
 attempt it, and it is absolutely necessary that some one 
 should go nay, must go." 
 
 " My dear Seth," said Patsy, smoothing down his 
 tangled, maUad hair, " you are not yourself you are 
 wild ; wait rest a while ; get some sleep, and then you 
 can say what you wish, and " 
 
 " Patsy," exclaimed Seth, rising from his chair Avith 
 a great effort, for he \vas really almost exhausted by 
 his long immersion in the water, and his subsequent 
 journey through the woods, " listen to me. The safety 
 of General Washington perhaps the fate of our coun- 
 try depends on you 01 me being in the city to-night. 
 I am Avilling to go, but I know I never could reach it 
 alive, and you " 
 
 " Oh, Seth, Seth, what do you mean ?" exclaimed 
 Patsy, whose patriotic soul had been fired by these 
 words. 
 
 " Listen to me a few moments," he said, sinking 
 languidly back in his chair, for he was too weak to 
 gtand longer ; " I was taken prisoner ten days ago in 
 New York; I've been on board the 'Duchess of 
 Gordon ' a prisoner until last night, when, by God's 
 help, I escaped. Now, Patsy, even if I was strong 
 enough to reach the city, as a man I might be over
 
 310 MABOAKET MOXCEIEFFE. 
 
 taken and captured by some one, for no one would 
 believe what I have to tell. Will you go to the 
 city ? 
 
 " Anything, Seth. I will crawl there on my hands 
 and knees, if I can serve the dear, good General 
 Washington." 
 
 " Then, Patsy, you must go, if you have to walk 
 every step of the way. Now hearken to me, for time 
 is precious. You must go directly to Major Burr," 
 and as he uttered that name, Patsy colored deeply, for 
 with true maidenly modesty, she shrank from seeking 
 one toward whom she was so peculiarly situated. 
 " Yes, Patsy," he continued, noticing her heightened 
 color, " go directly to Major Burr, for he got me into 
 this infernal scrape, and I suppose he thinks I hare 
 deserted. Tell him I was seized, bound and gagged at 
 Corbie's on the night he sent me there ; that I have 
 been on board the 'Duchess of Gordon' ever since, 
 and only escaped last night by swimming ashore. Say 
 to him that a plot is on foot, which, if not stopped now, 
 will result in ruin to our cause. The city is full of 
 conspirators ; I can't name ah 1 of them, for I have not 
 heard the names, but a boat goes up almost every 
 night to Corbie's house from the ship. I know that a 
 Captain Blanchard is one of them, and there was said 
 something about a woman, who gave them every infor- 
 mation. Corbie, to whose house the major sent me, 
 and Forbes, the gunsmith, are mixed up with it. Tell
 
 THE PATRIOT GIRL. 517 
 
 nim that, as soon as the British fleet comes in, it is 
 their plan to sail up either river ; that the Tories in the 
 city, and the men whom they have bought over, intend 
 to make an attack on General Washington's quarters, 
 take him prisoner, blow up the magazines, and destroy 
 King's Bridge, and that their hope is, when Washing- 
 ton is secured, the rebels, as they call us, hemmed in 
 on the island, will be glad to come to terms at once. I 
 have picked this up on board the ship. I know I 
 feel it is true. Will you, Patsy, make it known to 
 him ? 
 
 "Will I, Seth? What a question to ask. I'll go 
 this very hour." 
 
 " Yes, Patsy, delay now might be fatal to the coun- 
 try. Tell Major Burr that as soon as I can stir I shall 
 be at my post." 
 
 " Did you ever see that young girl who was staying 
 with us, Seth ?" and Patsy colored as she spoke. 
 
 " I have never seen her ; but I have heard of her 
 almost every day. She is quite a character in the city, 
 and is invited everywhere. Come, Patsy, get your 
 breakfast and be off. You will have a long ride." 
 
 " I am to have a long walk, Seth," she replied, with 
 a quiet but meaning smile ; and the young soldier 
 looked in her face for an explanation, for he knew they 
 owned a horse. 
 
 " Old grey was stolen a couple of weeks since ; but 
 no matter, I may find some one going to the city, and
 
 818 MAEGARET MONCKIKFFE. 
 
 get a ride a part of the way. But, ride or walk, Gei>-> 
 ral Washington shall know what you have told me 
 before I sleep to-night." 
 
 " God bless you, brave Patsy !" said Seth, warmly ; 
 " you deserve to be a soldier's wife, and I hope you'll 
 get a good one for a husband." 
 
 " Go along," she said, coloring deeply ; for she knew 
 he was aware of her attachment to Major Burr, and, 
 moving away, she commenced preparations for the 
 morning meaL 
 
 Rest and the generous liquor which he had swal- 
 lowed, had already so far restored Seth, he sat up and 
 joined in the conversation of the family. Once or 
 twice he arose, and essayed to move across the floor j 
 but his limbs were so sore and stiffened by their long 
 immersion in the water, and by his tremendous efforts 
 to force his way through the woods, the attempt proved 
 futile, and he sunk back in his seat with a heavy sigh 
 and groan. 
 
 " There, Seth ; don't try," said Patsy, as she hurried 
 to and fro, preparing the frugal meal ; " it will only 
 keep you back, and I know how anxious you are to 
 return to your post and pay off the score you owe the 
 Royalists. Suppose I can't fir d Major Burr, shall I go 
 directly to General Washington ?" she asked, pausing 
 in the middle of her work, and addressing the young 
 soldier. 
 
 " Of course, Patsy of course ; the information COD
 
 THE PATRIOT GIRL. 319 
 
 eerns him directly. By the way, I remember now 1 
 heard the name of a man named Hickey as one of the 
 conspiz-ators. There is a guardsman of that name, but 
 it can't be him. I wonder who that woman can be ?" 
 he said, half to himself, and evidently striving to recall 
 something he had forgotten. " No matter ; don't for- 
 get the names I have told you already." 
 
 " Never fear, Seth," replied Patsy, her eye kindling 
 with pleasure as she spoke, at the thought of the im- 
 portant service it was to be her privilege to render to 
 the cause of her country. 
 
 "Come, let me draw you up, Seth," she said, ap- 
 proaching the soldier ; but, to her surprise, he made no 
 reply, and, on looking closely at him, she discovered 
 that his exhausted nature had succumbed, and even 
 while listening to her, sleep had overcome him. 
 
 " Hush, mother !" she said, softly, placing one hand 
 on her lips, and with the other pointing to the sleeping 
 youth. 
 
 " Poor Seth ! he has had a terrible time of it ; just 
 think, Patsy, of his being in the water so long, and 
 then walking through them woods after all that. Poor 
 fellow ! how he must have suffered." 
 
 " Come, mother, sit down ; I must be off as soon as 
 possible let me see," and she turned to a large, old- 
 fashioned clock, which stood in one corner of the kit- 
 chen " it's now half-past six. By smart walking, I 
 ought to be there before twelve. Perhaps I may get a
 
 820 MARGARET MOXCBIEFFE. 
 
 ride who knows ? no matter. Now," she continued, 
 between the mouthfuls, " don't be frightened if 1 am 
 not at home to-night. If I havo to walk all the way, I 
 am sure I shan't be back to-day ; so be easy. Seth 
 will be with you. Now my hat," and hastily swallow- 
 ing the remainder of her cup of coffee, went to her 
 room, and returned in a few moments attired for her 
 journey. 
 
 " There, good bye mother, till I see you again," she 
 said, as the tears gathered in her eyes, and she held up 
 her mouth for the mother's kiss ; but her mother, rising 
 irom her chair, approached, and, placing a hand on 
 either shoulder, said, with an air of solemnity : 
 
 "May the Lord bless and keep my dear, brave 
 daughter on her journey of duty. Go, Patsy, and God 
 grant you a safe return." Then flinging herself on her 
 daughter's neck, she gave away to the emotions she 
 had long struggled to keep down. 
 
 For a moment or two, mother and daughter mingled 
 their tears ; and at length, with a long kiss of love, 
 Patsy withdrew from her parent's embrace, and, with 
 one lingering look, in which her glance took in every- 
 thing in the room, she boldly stepped from the door, 
 and started alone and unprotected on her perilous but 
 most important mission.
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 THE PLOT DISCLOSED. 
 
 .SET MONCRIEPFE was walking in the garden of 
 General Putnam's house, which, as has been said, at that 
 period ran nearly down to the water's edge, and which 
 was beautifully laid out with trees and shrubbery 
 and flowers. It was in full sight of Fort George, the 
 site of the present Battery, and commanded also a fine 
 view of the spot where the periaguas and other boats 
 which were plying to and from Paulus Hook, landed 
 their passengers. 
 
 It was a little past noon, and as a fresh breeze was 
 blowing from the southwest, the air was refreshingly 
 cool, coming as it did over such an expanse of water. 
 
 Margaret always chose the garden as her resort when 
 she wished to meditate, and many a brief but important 
 communication had been made to her over the fence 
 which separated the garden from the road which led to 
 the ferry-landing, now known as Battery Place. 
 
 She was walking in the garden, evidently in high 
 
 good humor with herself and everybody else. Her 
 
 star was now in the ascendant ; she loved with all the 
 
 depth and intensity of her passionate nature, and was 
 
 u *
 
 322 MAKGA.KET MONCKIEFFB. 
 
 beloved in return, ard if anything could have emlc.'ired 
 her lover more to her, it was the fact that he had for 
 her sake, joined the cause in which every feeling of her 
 heart was enlisted. 
 
 She had rendered essential service to that cause, and 
 had received her reward, not only in the high commen- 
 dations and warm thanks of Governor Try on, but in 
 the commission which she had been enabled to procure 
 for her betrothed. Her active, busy brain was at work 
 still, for as long as there was \vork to be done, she must 
 keep in motion. Everything thus far had gone on 
 swimmingly ; the plans of Governor Tryon had suc- 
 ceeded to his entire satisfaction. He had not only many 
 hundreds of devoted Royalists in the city ready to act 
 at the proper moment, but many valuable acquisitions 
 had been made to their ranks from the Continental 
 troops. The mine was constructed, the fuse laid, and 
 on the signal from the proper source it was ready to 
 be lighted, and death and destruction scattered abroad 
 by the explosion. 
 
 While meditating upon her possible future when the 
 war should be over, and she should be united to hei 
 heart's master, surrounded in her own country by all 
 the appliances of wealth and luxury, and blessed with 
 his companionship, she chanced to turn her eyes toward 
 the river, and perceived a periagua which plied regu- 
 larly between the city and Paulus Hook, approaching 
 the landing.
 
 THE PLOT DISCLOSED. 323 
 
 She went to the fence which skirted the garden, and 
 shaded by a cherry-tree which was near by, stood watch- 
 ing its approach, and the persons who were passengers, 
 of whom there seemed to be quite a number. 
 
 There were formers with produce for the city, some 
 soldiers from the breast-works at Paulus Hook, and 
 three females. As they landed from the boat, they 
 passed near the spot where she was standing, one by 
 one, and when nearly all were gone, she turned to re- 
 sume hftr walking and thinking. 
 
 At that moment one of the females approached close 
 to the spot where she was standing, and instantly Mar- 
 garet's attention was attracted to her; for a casual 
 glance at the dusty, travel-worn, flushed and heated 
 woman, disclosed a familiar face that of Patsy Adams, 
 who, somewhat rested after her long and toilsome walk, 
 by her sail across the bay, for she had walked the entire 
 distance, was moving slowly along, ever and anon cast- 
 ing glances at the house occupied by General Putnam. 
 
 " Patsy," exclaimed Margaret, as she caught sight of 
 the well-remembered face ; and Patsy turned to the 
 place whence the voice proceeded. At first she did 
 not discover any one, and thinking that her ears must 
 have deceived her, was turning away, when Margaret, 
 in louder tones, repeated her name, and added : " Here, 
 Patsy, it's Margaret ; don't you see me '/" 
 
 For an instant Patsy looked again in the lirection of 
 the voice, and this time she discovered Margaret's face
 
 324 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 peering over the fence, and as she approached, Mar- 
 garet addressed her in kind tones, saying : 
 
 " Why, Patsy, how very hot and tired you look. 
 Where did you come from ?" 
 
 " From home, and on foot. But how well you look, 
 Margaret," and she gazed with a pang at the beauti- 
 ful girl, for she had not forgotten that he whom she 
 loved, and had breathed vows of love to her, had been 
 under the influence of such charms since they had 
 parted. 
 
 " Oh, I am well enough. But what on earth could 
 have induced- you to walk such a distance on such a 
 day ?" 
 
 " Oh, that's a secret," said Patsy, with a quiet smile. 
 
 " I want to see Major Burr ; can you tell me where 
 he is now ?" 
 
 " Oh, I suppose," replied Margaret, carelessly, 
 though she understood the point of Patsy's question, 
 " he's in the office. Did you come all the way on foot 
 on such a day to see him, Patsy ?" and Margaret 
 looked searchingly at the young girl. 
 
 "I did," was the reply, and as she spoke, Patsy 
 drew herself up, with an expression on her countenance 
 which conveyed to Margaret the well-merited rebuke 
 she intended. " I have urgent business with him, and 
 I must see him immediately." 
 
 " I will show you his office. Here, Patsy, you can 
 come in by this gate ;" and, moving on a few steps, she
 
 THE PLOT DISCLOSED. 323 
 
 opened a small gate which led into the road, and 
 invited Patsy to enter the house by that way. 
 
 " No, thank you, Miss Margaret ; I am on important 
 business, and don't see any necessity why I should 
 enter the house privately." 
 
 " Oh, yours is public business, then," said Margaret, 
 with an ill-concealed expression of interest. 
 
 " Whether public or private, it is very urgent, and 
 I am sorry to leave you so soon. I hope you have 
 enjoyed yourself here." 
 
 " Oh, wonderfully," she replied, w r ith a malicious 
 smile. " Aaron and I ride out almost every day, and 
 then we have parties, and all kinds of gaieties." 
 
 Margaret spoke thus purposely. She suspected 
 Patsy's attachment for Major Burr, and her heightened 
 color and expression of sadness, as she heard these 
 words, indicating such close intimacy, confirmed her 
 suspicions. In truth, she had cut Patsy to the heart. 
 Her familiarity in calling him Aaron, convinced Patsy 
 that her charms had already done their work, and that 
 she had won him from her. But even in that moment 
 of deep grief and sadness, she did not forget her high 
 mission, and bowing her head, as if to say adieu, but 
 in reality to conceal the tears which gathered in her 
 eyes, she moved on, and Margaret was left to conjee* 
 ture what could be the nature of that business which 
 had induced a young girl like Patsy to walk so great 
 a distance on such a day.
 
 326 MARGARET MONCBIEFFE. 
 
 She did not, however, pause long for thought, but 
 acting upon one of her impulses, with which the reader 
 is already acquainted, she ran through one of the path- 
 ways of the garden into the house, and had gained the 
 office where Major Burr was seated, long before 
 Patsy had turned the corner of the road which led 
 into Broadway. 
 
 Her hurried rap at the door was answered by him, 
 and as she entered, she glanced around hastily, and 
 was rejoiced to find he was alone. On her entrance, 
 Major Burr threw down the pen with which he had 
 been writing as she knocked, and rising, with an 
 expression of pleasure on his face, was about to spring 
 forward with extended hands to greet her, when she 
 placed her fingers on her lips, as if cautioning him to 
 be silent, and ere he had found time to ask any ques- 
 tions, she approached him and said, in tones which 
 showed she was unusually moved : 
 
 " Something has gone wrong, I am afraid. Patsy 
 has just crossed the river, and will be here in a few 
 moments. She has walked all the way from her 
 mother's, and she says she has business of great impor- 
 tance with you. Be on your guard, Aaron, and if 
 anything should transpire which might demand action 
 on my part, let me know at once." 
 
 " What on earth can this mean," said the major, and 
 as he spoke the color rose to his cheeks. 
 
 "You will find out soon enough. Only, Aaron,"
 
 THE PLOT DISCLOSED. 327 
 
 and as she spoke, her lips quivered, and her eyes were 
 moistened by the rising tear, " remember." 
 
 " I never can forget that the dearest and loveliest 
 of her sex has said she loves me, and will be mine." 
 
 " Thank you, Aaron ; now sit down again to your 
 writing. I had better go ; it would not look well if 
 Patsy saw me now, as I know she is here." 
 
 "As you choose, Margaret," he replied, and he 
 resumed his seat, while Margaret, approaching him, 
 bent over, and imprinting a kiss on his broad and white 
 forehead, stole quickly and silently away. 
 
 Major Burr threw down his pen, and leaning back 
 in his chair, mused and wondered what could be the 
 purpose of Patsy's visit under such circumstances. 
 That the matter which had brought her there 
 was important, was evidenced by the fact of her 
 having walked the entire distance to communicate 
 with him ; but before he had time to reach any 
 probable solution as to the cause of her visit, the 
 orderly who was on duty, entered and announced 
 that a young woman desired to see him on important 
 business. 
 
 " Let her come in," was the reply, as he bent his 
 head to conceal the expression of anxiety which he felt 
 was on his face, and in another moment Patsy was in 
 the room, and the door was closed upon her. 
 
 " Why, Patsy !" exclaimed the young aid, rising ai;d 
 springing forward with extended hand, " what on earth
 
 828 M AEG ABET MOJfCEIEFFB. 
 
 brings you here ?" and as he spoke, he seized her hand 
 and led her to a chair. 
 
 The warmth of his greeting, his apparent pleasure at 
 seeing her, and the manner in which he had received 
 her, touched the feelings of the fond girl, who, for the 
 moment, forgot that such a person as Margaret Mon- 
 crJeffe lived, and felt happy in her own love 
 
 u Oh, Aaron I beg pardon Major Burr." 
 
 " Certainly. Major, if you please," he said, laugh, 
 ing, as he looked at her flushed cheeks and travel- 
 stained clothes ; " had you not better make it Colonel ?" 
 
 "I wish I could make you greater than that, 
 major." 
 
 " Come, come, Patsy, don't be silly. Call me what 
 you choose ; but answer my question : What on earth 
 brings you here ?" 
 
 " Cousin Seth " But she had no time to finish Ler 
 
 sentence ; for as he heard these words, Major Burr felt 
 the hot blood crimsoning his cheek, and he hastily in- 
 terrupted her, saying : " Is Seth alive ?" 
 
 " Alive, Aaron !" replied Patsy, half forgetting her- 
 self, and repeating the name so dear to her. " Yes 
 alive, Aaron, and it is at his request I am here. He 
 desired me to say let me see I am so worried with 
 the excitement, and so wearied by my journey, I am 
 afraid almost I shall forget my message. Oh, no ! I 
 remember now. He bade me seek you, and say that 
 he was seized and made a prisoner at Corbie's I think
 
 THE PLOT DISCLOSED. 820 
 
 that was the name the night you PA* t him there ; 
 that he was sent on board the 'Ducbiss of Gordon,' 
 where he has been ever since until yesterday, when he 
 managed to escape. Oh, Aaron, you ahould have seen 
 him, all cut and scratched and bleedirg ; why, he was 
 so exhausted when he got to our hoi>se, he fell asleep 
 while we were talking to him. He \ras too feeble to 
 come to the city, so I came in his plac**." 
 
 "I knew Seth was true and honest," said Major 
 Burr, who, only in Margaret's presmce, forgot the 
 high duty he owed to his country. 
 
 " Who ever doubted him ?" exclain^d Patsy. 
 
 " No matter, Patsy, go on. What message did he 
 send ? 
 
 " He bade me say the city is ful 1 of conspirators ; 
 that a plot has been formed by Gove^or Try on, with 
 the aid of Mayor Matthews, as soon at the British fleet 
 comes in, to go up both rivers at once to break down 
 King's Bridge ; to blow up the magazines, and to seize 
 the commander-in-chief and make him * prisoner !" 
 
 " In heaven's name, are you crazy, Pa'sy ?" 
 
 " Not a bit of it, Aaron ; I would n<* have walked 
 sixteen miles on a crazy man's errand. Se*Ji has picked 
 up his information on board the ship. Th*~e is a Cap- 
 tain Blanchard, a man named Hickey, and scwe woman 
 in the plot, besides the men Corbie and Fc-bes, who 
 had him bound and sent on board the vessel. As soon 
 as the fleet arrives, the plan is to be carried out *'
 
 830 MARGARET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 Major Burr listened to these disclosures with feelingi 
 which can be better imagined than described. Twice 
 he had received an intimation that the time for action 
 might soon arrive ; but he had never dreamed of such 
 a plot as was here developed, and he was committed to 
 aid in carrying it to consummation. His soul shrank 
 from it, and as he thought for an instant upon the ter- 
 rible position into which he had been not unwillingly, 
 but irresistibly drawn by his passion for Margaret, the 
 blood rushed to his heart with such violence, that for 
 an instant it ceased to beat, and he grew pale as 
 marble. 
 
 Patsy noticed his emotion, and attributing it to his 
 horror at hearing of such an infamous plot against the 
 liberties of the country for which she would have 
 gladly laid down her life, exclaimed : " It is horrible, is 
 it not, Aaron ?" 
 
 Her words recalled his scattered senses, and he stam- 
 mered out some reply. 
 
 " Who can that woman be, Aaron ? Seth was so 
 earnest when he spoke about the woman." 
 
 " How did Seth manage to escape ?" 
 
 " Really, Aaron, I never asked him, we were so glad 
 to see him, and he was so anxious to have this known 
 to you, we, never thought a word about that. Seth 
 loves his country too well to think of himself, and so 
 we all do. But who is that woman ?" 
 
 " Oh, never fear but we'll find her out," said the
 
 THE PLOT DISCLOSED. 331 
 
 major, who at the mention of the word, had felt the 
 hot blood mount to his cheeks, for he well knew who 
 that woman was, and the consequences of her detec- 
 tion flashed across his mind. " If she is in New York, 
 we will find her out. Captain Blanchard, you say," and 
 he commenced writing. 
 
 " A man named Hickey, and a woman ; yea, and. 
 Mayor Matthews," she added: "he manages everything, 
 Seth said, as far as he could learn ;" and Major Burr 
 added the mayor's name to his list. 
 
 " Don't forget the men who had poor Seth gagged 
 and bound and sent on board the ship Corbie and 
 Forbes." 
 
 " I will see General Putnam at once, and communi- 
 cate this to him. Patsy, you have rendered important 
 service to General Washington and the country, and it 
 will not be forgotten. You are a noble girl," he said, 
 warmly, turning to her and grasping both her hands, 
 " and deserve " 
 
 " No matter what I deserve, major," she said, releas- 
 ing her hands and turning to leave the room, an ex- 
 pression of sadness crossing her countenance, for he 
 had not spoken one word, as yet, which reached her 
 heart. 
 
 " No, Patsy, stay here ; the family will give you re- 
 freshments, and you need rest." 
 
 " Oh, never mind, major, I have an aunt in the city, 
 in Crown street ; I will go there and stay until to-mor-
 
 832 MAKGAEET MOXCKIEFFE. 
 
 row, when I will return home. Shall I say anything to 
 Seth?" 
 
 " Yes ; say that I knew and felt that he would prove 
 true and honest, and I am proud of him ; and of you, 
 too," he added, looking earnestly at her, but not with 
 such an expression of affection as she had been wont 
 to receive from him. 
 
 " Thank you, Aaron ; I must go now," she said, half 
 mournfully; "you will find me at Aunt Crosby's in 
 Crown street. You will see General Washington ?" 
 
 " Immediately," he replied^ earnestly ; for in the 
 presence of the pure, true-hearted, patriotic girl, he 
 felt his high enthusiasm for his country rekindled, and 
 for an instant Margaret was forgotten ; though it was 
 but for an instant, for almost ere he had ceased speak- 
 ing, her image rose before him, radiant in glorious 
 beauty, her brown eyes beaming upon him with love 
 and passion, and with a kind, friendly farewell, but not 
 one word of heartfelt greeting, he suffered Patsy to 
 leave the office. 
 
 As soon as he was alone, he threw himself into a 
 chair, and leaning his head upon the table, gave way to 
 the thoughts which this interview had called up, and 
 to conjectures as to the consequences which it must en- 
 tail on himself, if he permitted still the sway which 
 Margaret had obtained over him and his actions. His 
 reflections, whatever they were, were interrupted by a 
 gentle pressure on the shoulder, and looking up, he saw
 
 THE PLOT DISCLOSED. 893 
 
 Margaret before him, her eyes fixed on him with an 
 expression of the most intense anxiety. She had 
 watched until she saw Patsy leave the house, and hur- 
 ried down to the office to learn the nature of the im- 
 portant business which had induced a young girl to 
 walk alone and unprotected, a distance of sixteen miles, 
 in order to communicate it to him. 
 
 Major Burr raised his head languidly at first, for he 
 was fairly bowed down by the weight of his thoughts, 
 and as he met the eyes of her for whom he had prom- 
 ised to barter honor, name, and all a man could hold 
 dear, fixed on him, his whole nature seemed on the mo- 
 ment changed ; for there was a magic in her presence, 
 a fascination in her look, which subdued him, and ren- 
 dered him powerless. 
 
 For an instant he gazed in her lustrous eyes ; he read 
 there the deep love she had avowed for him j he read 
 there the only happiness he coveted on earth, and sink, 
 ing his head upon the table, he gave way to the feelings 
 which he could not repress ; and though he shed no tear, 
 his heart was nearly bursting with the conflict of emo- 
 tions which Patsy's communication and Margaret's pres 
 once had aroused.
 
 CHAPTER XXXT. 
 
 THE TEMPTRESS TRIES HER ARTS AGAIW. 
 
 ""WHAT does all this mean?" asked Margaret, 
 approaching the table at which he was seated, and 
 laying her hand gently on the young aid's shoulder. 
 4 What has happened ?" 
 
 Major Burr raised his head as he heard the well- 
 known and ever welcome tones, and looked at the fair 
 speaker with a sad, mournful expression. His counte- 
 nance wore a deathly pallor ; his Hps were quivering 
 with emotion, and his whole frame seemed convulsed 
 with some terrible excitement, such as she had never 
 before witnessed in him. He shook his head sorrow- 
 fully, and pointed to the slip of paper lying before him, 
 and on which he had made a memorandum of the 
 information communicated to him by Patsy. 
 
 Margaret glanced over the writing, and as she 
 observed the names of Blanchard, Matthews, Hickey, 
 and the other well-known Royalists, intuitively she 
 divined the purpose of Patsy's visit, and judged rightly 
 that her business was, as she had said, of the utmost 
 importance. As the last words on the memorandum
 
 THE TEMPTEESS TRIES HEE AETS AGAIN. 335 
 
 taught her eye, in which he had noted down the fact 
 that there was " a woman " connected with the matter," 
 whatever it might be, her own countenance paled, and 
 she bit her lip to repress the exclamation she was 
 about to utter, and which might have betrayed the 
 emotion she did not care to acknowledge even to 
 Major Burr. 
 
 " Well," she said, with well-assumed calmness, " I 
 do not see even now what it means. Am I to infer 
 from that," and she pointed to the paper, " that some 
 one has betrayed us ? Tell me all, Aaron, and you 
 will see, if occasion should present, how well prepared 
 I am to act, and how much a girl can accomplish, when 
 her heart is interested." 
 
 " Simply this, Margaret," said Major Burr, speaking 
 in low, deep, earnest tones ; " young Adams, as I pre- 
 dicted he would, has proved true to his duty. He 
 was seized at Corbie's on the night he went there by 
 my orders, and was forcibly taken on board the 
 Duchess of Gordon. From what he heard at Cor- 
 bie's, and from what he managed to learn during his 
 confinement on board the ship, he has gathered enough 
 to satisfy me that a deep-laid plot has been in progress 
 for some time. You, of course, know its purpose ; but 
 until communicated to me by Patsy, I never dreamed 
 of such a thing. It passes my comprehension how, in 
 the conduct of civilized warfare, such an atrocious 
 scheme should have been conceived."
 
 836 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 " It was not necessary that you should know, 
 Aaron," said Margaret, laying her hand upon his arm, 
 and looking earnestly at him. " I only asked that you 
 would promise to act with us when the proper time 
 should arrive for action, and that promise you gave me." 
 
 " Seth has, somehow, found out those names," and 
 he nodded to the paper, " and having escaped from tho 
 ship by swimming ashore, made his way to his aunt's, 
 where I first saw you, whence he dispatched Patsy to 
 communicate the information which he had gathered 
 to me, for he was too much enfeebled, by his efforts to 
 escape, to come himself. That Patsy is a noble, glori- 
 ous girl," and as he spoke, Margaret fastened her 
 eyes on him with a singular expression, but she 
 only said : 
 
 "It was fortunate she came to you first. If she had 
 gone directly to head-quarters ugh ! I dread to think 
 of it," and she fairly shuddered. " Now what does he 
 mean by ' a woman ?' " 
 
 " He did not know himself at least so Patsy said. 
 He had only heard that some woman was concerned 
 in the plot, for he heard that mentioned as well at Cor- 
 bie's as on board the ship." 
 
 " It is impossible that I should be suspected, for my 
 name has never been mentioned in the city, save to 
 the Captains Blanchard and Corbie, and I am sure 
 Governor Tryon would never suffer my name to pasn 
 his lips, circumstanced as I am at present."
 
 THE TEMPTRESS TKIES HER ARTS AGAIN'. 837 
 
 " It was evidently meant for you, Margaret. Now 
 what do you propose to do ?" 
 
 " Let me ask, rather, what do you now propose ?" 
 
 " To make this known to the commander-in-chief at 
 once. That, of course, is my first duty, the more 
 especially after all the trouble dear Patsy took to make 
 it known to me." 
 
 " Of course ; and what then ?" 
 
 " 1 hardly know how to act." 
 
 "It is scarcely probable that the general will be 
 found now at his quarters, at this hour of the day." 
 
 " I know that he has gone to Long Island to ex- 
 amine the progress of the works there." 
 
 " And will he return before night ?" 
 
 "I scarcely think he will." 
 
 "And General Putnam?" 
 
 " Oh, he will laugh at it, even if I make it known to 
 him. He, too, is absent, riding about overlooking the 
 works, and will not be at home for some hours." 
 
 " So much the better ; those hours are infinitely pre- 
 cious to us. Now, Aaron, you shall see how I will 
 act. But before I say one word, need I ask if you are 
 prepared to act with me?" and she looked at him 
 with a mournful, tender expression, but one mingled 
 with intense interest, as if she almost dreaded to hear 
 bis reply. 
 
 " I will go to the end of the world with you, Mar- 
 garet," exclaimed the major, in whom the deep lova 
 15
 
 838 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 he bore for her had resumed its full sway, and con- 
 quered every other sentiment, as Avas ever the case 
 when in her presence, for she had cast a spell over him 
 from which he could not release himself. " I will be 
 yours and yours only, in life or death." 
 
 " Life and happiness, Aaron," she exclaimed, her face 
 lighted by love and enthusiasm. " Long life and bound- 
 less happiness, my own dear Aaron," she repeated, as 
 she threw herself into his arms ; and straining her to 
 his heart, he showered kisses upon her upturned lips 
 and cheeks, and eyes. 
 
 " There, there," and she rose from his embrace; "come 
 what will, I shall be happy so long as I possess you and 
 yoxir love. You say you love me ; I know you do, and 
 I ask no greater happiness on earth. Now, Aaron, go 
 on with your official duties as if nothing had occurred. 
 At four o'clock I will return and see you again, and 
 meantime I will have every necessary arrangement 
 made to meet the emergency which has arisen. You 
 are sure General Washington is on the island ?" she 
 asked, with an expression of anxiety. 
 
 " I was so informed by Major Gibbs, who accompa- 
 nied him to the ferry. But what do you propose to do, 
 Margaret ?" and Major Burr looked at her with a 
 strange expression of mingled curiosity and interest. 
 
 " Fly this very night. A few hours of rowing will 
 place us in safety and beyond the possible reach of pur. 
 suit, and then Colonel Burr shall assume the rank and
 
 THE TEMPTRESS TRIES HEK ARTS AGAIN. 839 
 
 station he has so nobly earned and which he is so fitted 
 to adorn ; and as she spoke, she drew herself to her full 
 height, as if in thus saluting him, she had added the 
 dignity of the title to herself. 
 
 " Anywhere, Margaret, so I am with you," was the 
 enthusiastic reply. 
 
 " I must go, then, and make my preparations. I told 
 you before you would find me ready for any emergency, 
 and you will soon learn that I spoke the truth. This 
 night, before midnight, we will be in safety on board 
 the governor's ship, and then let the worst come to 
 the worst ; you shall be saved, though all else perish," 
 and permitting another embrace, she left the apartment, 
 and once more he was alone. 
 
 No, not alone ; for his thoughts occupied him so en- 
 tirely, he found it impossible to transact any of his offi- 
 cial business ; so thrusting aside his papers, he arose, 
 and paced the room, abstractedly. The hour had ar- 
 rived when he was called upon to sacrifice honor, name 
 and reputation; to lose his very nationality, and to 
 bring upon his name the scorn and detestation, not 
 alone of his countrymen, but of all honorable men. 
 He saw before him, even at his feet, the deep, dark 
 abyss of crime into which he was about to plunge, and 
 for the moment shrunk back aghast at the spectacle 
 thus presented to him ; but through the darkness, and 
 gloom and despair of that void, there beamed a bright 
 and shining light the eyes of Margaret lighted with
 
 840 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 love ; Margaret's form of matchless grace, clasped in 
 his arms, and all his own ; Margaret's glowing face 
 pillowed on his bosom, her snowy arms clasping his 
 neck, his lips glued to her own in the long, long kiss of 
 youth and love and he gazed, and gazed, till all else 
 faded from his view, and involuntarily he exclaimed, 
 half aloud : " Margaret, dear Margaret, you at any 
 sacrifice ;" and as he spoke, his face lighted up with an 
 expression which seemed the reflection of her own, as 
 he had caught it in his vision. 
 
 A few minutes more and he had resumed his compo- 
 sure. Calmly he proceeded to open, examine, and 
 note the contents of the dispatches before him ; and 
 this done, he folded carefully the minutes he had made 
 of Patsy's disclosures, which he placed in the breast 
 pocket of his coat, and taking his hat, left the apart- 
 ment, giving directions to the orderly on duty to say 
 that he would not return before three o'clock. 
 
 He passed leisurely up Broadway, and was glad when 
 he found himself accosted by some officers off duty, for 
 their conversation seemed to divert his thoughts from 
 himself. He cared only to pass the time till it was ne- 
 cessary for him to return to his quarters ; for he had 
 made up his mind as to the course he intended to pursue, 
 and nothing doubted that Margaret, through means of 
 those friends with whom she was in constant intercourse, 
 would arrange for her flight. He placed implicit reli 
 ance on her word that his name had never been men*
 
 THE TEMPTRESS TRIES HER ARTS AGAIN. 341 
 
 tioned in connection with her, so far as she was impli- 
 cated in the disclosures made by Seth Adams, and 
 therefore felt perfectly at ease as to himself. He had 
 thoroughly determined to go with Margaret under 
 any and every circumstance, and to that his mind was 
 now, since their last interview, irrevocably made up, as 
 he then thought. 
 
 He passed the time in pleasant conversation, joined 
 in the gaiety and sallies of his friends ; nay, he even 
 listened with unchanging countenance when Margaret's 
 name was mentioned, coupled with highest commenda- 
 tions and flattery, no one of his companions dreaming 
 for an instant that their listener cherished any special 
 interest for her. 
 
 In this manner he continued to while away the time 
 till the clock on Trinity Church sounded the hour of 
 three, when he bade adieu to his friends, pleading an 
 engagement at that hour, and turned down Broadway 
 toward General Putnam's residence, moving along with 
 as much nonchalance and calmness of manner as if he 
 had not in his pocket the possible fate of the nation 
 and its honored champion. 
 
 He reached his own quarters shortly after the hour 
 he had designated for his return, and in answer to the 
 question he had put to the orderly, if any one had been 
 there for the general, was informed that only the same 
 young woman who had been there before, had called
 
 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 ; but he could not say whether she had gone 
 away nor not. 
 
 This announcemertt rather disturbed the major-s 
 equanimity for a moment ; but for a moment only. 
 His reliance on Margaret was implicit. He knew that 
 General Washington was out of the city, and therefore 
 Patsy could not have seen him, and he entered his 
 office with as much unconcern as he had left it. 
 
 He was surprised to find Patsy seated there, await- 
 ing his return, and on this occasion he greeted her with 
 more than his usual warmth. In this, perhaps, he was 
 actuated by the consciousness that Margaret was not in 
 the house ; perhaps by the remembrance of the past, for 
 that Patsy loved him, he had abundant reason to know. 
 
 He therefore hastened up to her with extended hand, 
 and, assuming an expression of pleasure which was but 
 partially felt, he offered to salute her ; but she repelled 
 him, not coldly, but with a dignity and grace of man- 
 ner which fairly overawed him ; for it showed that she 
 had read him. 
 
 " Well, Patsy," he said, seating himself with an air 
 of apparent nonchalance^ " this is the first time you 
 ever refused me a kiss. Who has won you from me ?" 
 
 He spoke in a tone of half serious gallantry, which 
 cut the young girl to the quick, and her only reply was 
 a look which sent the hot blood mounting to his checks, 
 for he interpreted it rightly.
 
 THE TEMPTRESS TR/ES HER ARTS AGAIN. 343 
 
 Well knowing that a further continuance of this con- 
 rersation would only insure defeat to himself, he said, 
 assuming an official air: "Well, Patsy, what now? 
 What has happened ?" 
 
 " Nothing, Major Burr, only I find a chance of riding 
 home to-night ; so I thought I would stop and ask if 
 you had seen General Washington yet ?" 
 
 " He is over on Long Island, Patsy, examining the 
 works, but will be home about six o'clock. I shall see 
 him the moment he returns, and communicate to him 
 the important information you have brought, and I shall 
 not forget to tell him to whom the whole country is so 
 deeply indebted." 
 
 " Thank you, major. I am sure you are as deeply 
 interested as I am in the success of our glorious cause, 
 and I am happy that I had the good fortune to find 
 you, since he is away ; for the delay of a single day 
 might lead to disastrous results. Major Burr, will you 
 pardon me if I say something that does not properly 
 concern me ?" Patsy continued, hesitating, and a slight 
 blush tinging her cheek. 
 
 " You cannot say anything, Patsy, requiring pardon 
 from me or any one else. I hope it is something in 
 which I may serve you." 
 
 " I took the liberty onoe of cautioning you against 
 JSLhs Moncrieffe. Pardon me, major," she said, seeing 
 ttat he was about to interrupt her, " not on my own 
 account, but for my country's sake ; and as I know
 
 844 MARGARET MONCKIEFFZ. 
 
 that you are as warmly devoted to its interests as my. 
 self; I say now, I believe she is the woman to whom 
 Seth alludes. If I had seen General Washington, I 
 should have told him so myself. You know best whe- 
 ther you have seen anything to justify the suspicion of 
 which I cannot divest myself." 
 
 " Indeed, Patsy,'* said the young officer, coloring to 
 the very temples, " I think you are entirely mistaken." 
 
 " Of course, I am aware that you think so," and she 
 spoke with an emphasis whose meaning he could not 
 misinterpret. " But," she continued, " Seth bade me 
 see you. He, as well as myself, knows your devotion 
 to your country, and God grant that my humble ser- 
 vices may " 
 
 " They will be appreciated, dear Patsy," exclaimed 
 Major Burr, interrupting her, and anticipating, as he 
 thought, her words ; but she checked him, saying : 
 
 "You misunderstand me, major. I was going to 
 eay, I hoped my humble services would prove of some 
 value to my country and to our beloved general. 
 Good day, major," and she moved toward the door, 
 with a face as pale as marble and eyes moistened with 
 tears ; for the bitter disappointment she had expe- 
 rienced on her first meeting with him to whom her 
 heart was given, and who had sought her love the 
 certainty that Margaret had won his heart from her 
 had struck a blow to her very soul, from which she fek 
 he could never recover.
 
 THE TEMPTRESS TRIES HER ARTS AGAIX. 345 
 
 " Patsy dear Patsy !" exclaimed the major, spring* 
 ing forward ; but again he met that look, and recoiled 
 from it much further than he would have done from a 
 frowning battery. In another moment he was alone 
 with his own thoughts, and Patsy, brushing away the 
 tears which had gathered in her eyes, and choking 
 down the rising sob, left the house and proceeded to 
 the ferry-boat. As she entered it, she gave one linger- 
 ing look at the house, which contained all she held 
 dear on earth, then, with a smothered sigh, seated her 
 self in the stern-sheets, and during the entire passage 
 dared not trust herself with another look.
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 THE KOTALISTS IN DANGER. 
 
 As may be supposed, the reflections of Major Burr 
 after the departure of Patsy, were not of the most 
 pleasant character. He felt keenly the rebukes con- 
 veyed by her words, though, of course, none were 
 intended by her, as she could not possibly be cognizant 
 of his contemplated treason ; and each time that she 
 had alluded to his love for and devotion to his country, 
 a pang shot through his heart ; for he could not but 
 reflect that he had consented to array himself with its 
 enemies. 
 
 But his mad, blind, passionate love for Margaret had 
 swallowed up every other feeling, and perhaps, there 
 may be some readers who may find a partial excuse for 
 him in his youth, his inexperience, and the invincible 
 power of the little god, who, from the days of Adam 
 and Eve, has ruled the world ; for, as Pope has most 
 truly said of love 
 
 " Kings he makes subjects, and meaner subjects kings." 
 He was engaged in the avocations of his oflice, and
 
 THE ROYALISTS IN DANGEK. 347 
 
 pursuing them with his usual coolness, method, zui3 
 system, when the door of his office was abruptly 
 opened, and General Putnam, flushed, and evidently 
 somewhat out of temper, entered. The general had 
 been around the city, examining the progress of the 
 various works for its defence, and had found great 
 cause of complaint at the tardiness of the men at work 
 upon them. Then, again, he had been called upon 
 several times during the day to settle some sectional 
 quarrels ; for even with the danger of invasion threat- 
 ening them, the most bitter sectional feeling prevailed 
 throughout the city the southern troops, who were 
 generally well equipped, making it a point to decry the 
 hardy sons of New York, New Jersey, and the more 
 northern colonists, who presented a most motley 
 array indeed, scarcely any two being armed or uni- 
 formed alike. In fact, he was generally out of humor, 
 and, throwing his hat upon the sofa as he entered, he 
 exclaimed : 
 
 " I wish to God some of these turbulent, quarrel- 
 some fellows would leave the city. They seem to think 
 that its safety depends only on them. What is going 
 on now, major ?" and as he spoke, he seated himself, 
 and treated his nose to a pinch of snuff. 
 
 " Only a small conspiracy, general," was the reply 
 of Major Burr, uttered as composedly as though he 
 had no concern in it. 
 
 " Fiddle de dee! I have heard of nothing but con-
 
 348 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 Bpiracies since I have been quartered here. What ne^f 
 one is this now ?" he asked, impatiently. 
 
 " Why, this looks as if it had some foundation in 
 fact. You remember Seth Adams, whom I sent to 
 Corbie's, general ?" 
 
 "Yes, the confounded deserter! I wish I could 
 catch him." 
 
 " He will not give you the trouble to catch him, and 
 I am sure you won't hang him." 
 
 "The d 1 I won't. Let me see him once. But 
 what about him?" 
 
 " You remember I pledged my honor for his truth 
 and fidelity." 
 
 " And he has deceived you." 
 
 " Not at all ; on the contrary, he has rendered most 
 important services. He was taken prisoner and sent 
 on board the Duchess of Gordon, and managed to 
 effect his escape only last night by swimming ashore on 
 the Jersey side. While on board the ship he picked 
 up information concerning a plot, which, if there be 
 any truth in it at all, has been brewing for some time be- 
 tween Governor Tryon and the Royalists in the city. 
 His information is not very full, but of the very highest 
 importance, and certainly deserves an examination." 
 
 " And how did it reach you, major ?" 
 
 " Seth was too weak and too much exhausted to 
 come to the city, so he sent his cousin, a young girl, 
 the daughter of the old lady where I Tound Miss Mo
 
 THE ROYALISTS IN DANGEB. 349 
 
 crieffe, and she has walked to-day all the way from 
 Elizabeth to make it known to me." 
 
 " And what does it all amount to ?" 
 
 " Simply this, general," and the major drew from his 
 pocket the memorandum he had made of Patsy's dis- 
 closures. " He states that he heard there was a plot on 
 foot in which many of the Royalists of the city were 
 engaged, to blow up the magazines, destroy King's 
 Bridge, and seize General Washington and carry him 
 on board one of their ships, in the hopes of thus termi- 
 nating the war. He names some parties " 
 
 At this moment a tap at the door, which Major BUTT 
 well knew, caused him to pause, and the general in a 
 gruff voice summoned the party to enter. 
 
 It was indeed Margaret, who entered with a coun- 
 tenance as composed as if she was in no wise interested 
 in the subject of their conversation. Seeing the gene- 
 ral, she was about to retire, when he said, in a voice 
 half gruff, half pleasant : " Oh, come in, you little Tory ; 
 I shouldn't wonder if you had a finger in this, too. Go 
 on, major ; does he name any parties ?" 
 
 " Yes, general Captain Blanchard." 
 
 ""What, that Royalist scoundrel who has been so well 
 treated here ?" 
 
 " I suppose it must be him Corbie and Forbes." 
 
 " Those infernal Tory scoundrels. I wish I had hung 
 them when I first proposed it. Go on." 
 
 "A man named Hickey "
 
 860 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 " Who the devil is he ?" growled the general. 
 
 " I have no doubt it is one of the Life Guardsmen. 
 Then he spoke of some woman." 
 
 " That's you, Miss Impudence," exclaimed the gene- 
 ral,' turning suddenly upon Margaret, with an awful 
 frown upon his face, though she could perceive that his 
 anger was assumed. " I am sure that's you, and I'll 
 keep my promise, mind you." 
 
 " I am ready, sir," said Margaret, composedly, at the 
 same time baring her snowy neck, for she well knew to 
 what he alluded. 
 
 "Umph !" said the old general, and as he gazed upon 
 the glorious beauty before him, his eyes fastened upon 
 that swan-like neck, " I am afraid it would hurt you ; 
 I'll wait till I find out with more certainty. Go on, 
 major." 
 
 " That is all, sir," replied the aid, folding up the pa- 
 per frorri which he had been reading, and replacing it 
 in the breast-pocket of his coat. 
 
 " Well, I don't believe there is anything in it, but I 
 suppose it is well enough to inquire. I wish I was 
 commander-in-chief for one hour ; I would hang every 
 Tory in the city, and investigate afterward. I suppose 
 you will make this known to General Washington." 
 
 " Of course, general, He has gone to examine the 
 works on Long Island, and as soon as he returns, I will 
 communicate with him." 
 
 " Major, you had better keep a good lookout on
 
 THE ROYALISTS IX DAGGER. 351 
 
 this young hussy. I shoiildn't at all wonder if she was 
 mixed up with it. I have a great mind, Miss Impu- 
 dence, to have you put under lock and key until this is 
 thoroughly investigated. Never mind, I won't at 
 present. Major, keep your eyes on her," and again he 
 put on a look of awful severity, which Margaret met 
 with one of well assumed meekness and submission. 
 Then taking his hat from the sofa, he strode out of 
 the room, leaving Margaret and the young aid alone. 
 
 " You did well, Aaron," she said, " to report to the 
 general. It will disarm all suspicion as to myself. I 
 have kept my promise ; now there is no time to waste 
 in words ; you are familiar with the island ?" 
 
 " With every nook and corner of it," was the reply. 
 
 " About a quarter of a mile above Corbie's house, 
 there is a small cove completely shaded by large trees, 
 and with low underbrush on the edge. On the south 
 side of that cove there will be a boat at nine o'clock this 
 evening. I name that time, because a later hour might 
 subject all parties to more examination than they choose 
 to undergo. I shall be in that boat at that time. If 
 Colonel Burr does not regret what he has said ard 
 promised, he will be there also." 
 
 " I will be there, Margaret ; I have thrown the die, 
 and I w r ill abide by the cast. You, and you only. But 
 how can you manage, or rather, how have you 
 arranged it?" 
 
 " Have no fear for me ; I will be there if I am alive.'*
 
 352 MAEGABET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 " You are a noble girl," said the major, enthusiasti- 
 cally, as he gazed upon the beautiful temptress, who 
 had so enchained him, " and deserve more than I can 
 ever repay." 
 
 " You love me, don't you, Aaron ?" 
 
 " Better than my soul." 
 
 " Then that is my reward, and I am well repaid. 
 Now, we have no time for idle words ; we know each 
 other too well to need them. You will report to 
 General Washington when ?" she asked. 
 
 " As soon as he returns perhaps about six o'clock." 
 
 " That will give you abundant time to make any 
 preparations you desire." 
 
 " I need none. Under such circumstances, I shall 
 take nothing which may retard our departure." 
 
 " You will bring your pistols, major. I always carry 
 mine when there is a prospect of having need of them. 
 Now, Aaron, adieu, till we meet at nine o'clock. I 
 may not have an opportunity for conversation until 
 then, and when we meet again, it will be never to part 
 in life," and she held out her hand, which was gladly 
 seized, and drawing her to him, he clasped her fair 
 form in a long, close embrace, and imprinting a kiss 
 upon her snowy forehead, she withdrew, with the 
 simple words, " Remember, Aaron, nine o'clock." 
 
 Major Burr had nerved himself to the act he was 
 about to perpetrate, and was now reckless of conse- 
 quences. He felt, too, a sense of security which aided
 
 THE ROYALISTS IN DAXGER. 353 
 
 him wonderfully in retaining his composure, and he 
 was quite equal to the task of facing the commander 
 whom he was about to betray, and to communicate to 
 him the information imparted by Seth, with the cer- 
 tainty that, under any circumstances, he would never 
 be known as an accomplice. 
 
 Shortly before six o'clock, he mounted his horse, and 
 followed by an orderly, rode to the head-quarters of 
 General Washington, and throwing the reins to his 
 attendant, entered the house, and demanded an imme- 
 diate interview with the general on important busi- 
 ness. 
 
 His rank and position entitled him to attention, and 
 in a few moments an orderly of the Life Guards 
 appeared, and ushered him into the presence of the 
 commander-in-chief, by whom he was received with 
 the courtesy and amenity for which he was so famed, 
 the more especially as having once been his aid, the 
 general was thoroughly familiar with, and appreciated 
 his worth and services. 
 
 " Be seated, major," said the general, waving him to 
 a seat, and laying down the pen he had been using, 
 prepared to receive any communication he might have 
 to make. 
 
 " I have important information to communicate," 
 said tke major, at the same time drawing forth the 
 memorandum he had made, and at a sign from the 
 general, who was not accustomed to waste Mrords, h*
 
 854 MAKGAEET HCXNCBIEFFE. 
 
 proceeded to detail briefly and succinctly all the fact* 
 communicated by Seth Adams through Patsy. 
 
 " And why did that young woman not call at my 
 quarters, sir?" demanded the general as the major 
 concluded. 
 
 " Because, general, Seth Adams had directed her to 
 report to me." 
 
 " And why to you, sir, do you suppose ?" 
 
 " Because, by directions of General Putnam during 
 your absence, I had sent him on the mission which 
 resulted so unfortunately to him, pledging myself for 
 his fidelity and fitness, and his orders then were to 
 report direct to me ; and further, because I am an old 
 friend of her family." 
 
 "That is well, sir. You may leave your memoran- 
 dum ; I will think of this. There may be something 
 in it ; but it is not unlikely some story invented to 
 divert our attention from more serious designs. The 
 whole affair looks to me absurd. I thank you, major, 
 for your attention to this, and will embrace the earliest 
 opportunity to express my sense of the obligations 1 
 owe to that noble girl, who has taken such pains to 
 serve her country." 
 
 Major Burr knew that the interview was closed, and 
 ^vith a bow he retired, glad to be free from the search- 
 ing glance of the chief whom he had promised to 
 betray.
 
 CHAPTER XXXHI. 
 
 GEXEKAL WASHINGTON A>*D THE PLOTTERS. 
 
 MAJOR BURR had scarcely closed the door, which 
 separated him from his chie when the latter, rising, 
 with a flushed countenance and eyes flashing with un- 
 wonted anger, rang the small bell which stood on his 
 table, and the summons was answered almost before 
 the sound had ceased to vibrate on the ear, by an or 
 derly, who, touching his hat, awaited erect and in 
 silence the order which had summoned him there. 
 
 " I wish to see Captain Hamilton, or Major "Webb," 
 he said, naming two of his favorite aids, and as 
 the orderly withdrew, he commenced pacing the room 
 with measured strides, ever and anon pausing to look 
 at the memorandum which Major Burr had left. 
 
 Major Webb soon made his appearance, and without 
 any w y aste of words, was directed to issue orders at 
 once to the various commanders in the city. To one 
 was intrusted the arrest of Forbes and Houndling and 
 Mason, with every person found in either of their 
 houses at the time of their arrest. To another he gave 
 directions for the arrest of Corbie and all in his house ; 
 while special orders were issued to General Greeny,
 
 850 MAEGAKET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 then in command on Long Island, whose quarters were 
 at Bedford, to detail a select party of men, and arrest 
 Mayor Matthews, then residing at Flatbush, and parti- 
 cular directions were given to have the arrest made at 
 precisely one in the morning. To Major Gibbs, in 
 command of his Life Guard, orders were issued to put 
 Hickey under immediate arrest, and at two o'clock in 
 the morning to arrest Captain Arthur Blanchard and 
 all found in his quarters ; and strict orders were issued 
 to the commanders of eveiy battery on either river, 
 not to allow any boat to land or to depart after sun- 
 down, under any circumstances. 
 
 Major Webb received his orders, of course, without 
 a question as to their real purport, and having com- 
 pleted the writing which they required, they were 
 passed to the general, who, hastily glancing over them, 
 affixed his signature, and, without a word of explana- 
 tion, dismissed his aid, with the simple injunction, 
 delivered in very earnest tones, to have them imme- 
 diately delivered to the parties to whom they were 
 issued. 
 
 The major did wonder somewhat at the silence main- 
 tained by his chief, who was usually very communica- 
 tive with his aids, in whom he reposed the most bound- 
 less confidence ; but as he knew as well how to obey, 
 as he afterward proved he knew how to fight, he 
 merely shrugged his shoulders, and retired to execute 
 tb rt commands he had received.
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON AND THE PLOTTEES. 357 
 
 Major Burr, on leaving the quarters of the com- 
 mancler-in-chief, rode leisurely down Broadway, fol- 
 lowed by his orderly, and, as he was moving slowly 
 along, he perceived Captain Bianchard, the Royalist, 
 coming toward him. 
 
 His first impression or rather impulse was to accost 
 him, and, by gently hinting at the occurrences of the 
 day, he could possibly glean something from him, by 
 means of which he might ascertain if Captain Bian- 
 chard was as well informed as himself. But second 
 thoughts prevailed, and as they neared each other, the 
 captain gracefully touched his hat, and addressed the 
 major with the usual salutations of the day, which 
 were as courteously responded to by the young aid. 
 There was no appearance of coolness none of sus- 
 picion nothing to warrant the supposition that either 
 knew of the other's participation in the important 
 matters which were on the eve of transpiring ; but 
 each, without knowing why, felt that their positions 
 were mutually known ; for somehow, and most unac- 
 countably, Captain Bianchard had imbibed the idea 
 that the intimacy between the major and Margaret 
 was entirely too close for him to be unacquainted with 
 her movements. 
 
 With an expression of the hope that Miss Moncrieffa 
 was well, uttered by Captain Blauchard, they sepa- 
 rated, and each went on his way. 
 
 Major Burr, on reaching his quarters, found hia
 
 358 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 office vacant, and was glad of the opportunity of being 
 alone ; for he was on the eve of taking the most im- 
 portant step of his life one which was to operate for 
 or against him for all time, and was, therefore, pleased 
 to have one more opportunity for reflection before he 
 made the fatal plunge. 
 
 His return, however, had been anxiously watched 
 for by Margaret from the window of her room, which 
 fronted on Broadway ; and he had scarcely unbuckled 
 his sword and thrown himself into a chair, burying his 
 face in his hands, when a gentle touch aroused him, 
 and, as he raised his head, he met again those eyes, 
 whose power he could not resist, if he had so desired. 
 
 With a bound and a cry of joy he sprang up, and, 
 seizing both her hands, looked intently at her for au 
 instant with such an earnest, mournful expression, that 
 the tears came to her eyes in very spite of herself. 
 
 " You will always love me, Margaret ? You will not 
 despise me for my faithlessness ?" 
 
 " Love you, Aaron! Love you! I never can love 
 any one but you ; and where I do not honor, I could not 
 love. Be true to yourself for a few short hours, and 
 you will find your reward in the brilliant future before 
 you and in " 
 
 " Your love, my own Mai'garet," interrupted the in 
 fatuated officer. 
 
 " Come now, Aaron, time is precious. Have you 
 made your preparations ?"
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON AND THE PLOTTERS. 359 
 
 " I have none to make. I shall discard my uniform, 
 and take nothing with me which may remind me of the 
 past. Pardon me, Margaret," he said, as he saw a 
 shade cross her countenance, " even with your love and 
 presence to cheer me, I cannot at once forget the asso- 
 ciations of all my life, short as it has been, and the ties 
 which have until now bound me here." 
 
 " You do not regret their severance ?" she asked, 
 half sadly. 
 
 " I shall have no regrets when you are mine," was 
 his reply, delivered with a depth and earnestness which 
 found their way to her heart. 
 
 " I shall go now, and leave the tea-table early, on 
 pretence of going out to pay some calls, and I shall say 
 that you are to call for me at Mrs. Shee's at nine 
 o'clock. Of course, you will be there." 
 
 " Of course," he replied, smilingly, for he well knew 
 to what she alluded. 
 
 " Now then, Aaron, give me the countersign," and 
 as she spoke, he started, for it was the first occasion on 
 which he had been called on for direct action. He 
 colored, hesitated, and stammered, for m^dly, blindly 
 and wi ? dly as he loved, nay, fairly idolized her, 
 the idea of betraying a trust, now that it was 
 brought to him in a palpable form, struck him as 
 something terrible. Margaret saw his heightened 
 color, she noticed his hesitation, and rightly divining 
 the cause, gave him a moment's reflection, then not
 
 360 MARGARET MONCBIEFFB. 
 
 trusting to words, smiled tenderly on him, and he was 
 conquered. 
 
 Approaching close to her, he whispered in her ear 
 the parole and countersign, and then, as if ashamed of 
 what he had done, turned suddenly away, for it was his 
 first direct betrayal of his trust. 
 
 Margaret gazed at him with a singular expression of 
 countenance, then turned and moved toward the door, 
 saying as she placed her hand on the latch, " Remem- 
 ber, nine o'clock ! I shall be there." 
 
 The last words were enough ; the last struggle was 
 over, and Aaron Burr was thenceforth to be named as 
 a traitor and deserter. 
 
 The family assembled at the evening meal, and the 
 subject of the information communicated by Patsy to 
 Major Burr was made the topic of discussion, the gene- 
 ral scoffing at it as ridiculous, but occasionally taunting 
 Margaret, and renewing his caution to Major Burr to 
 keep a sharp lookout on her movements, and if he 
 caught her amiss, to hang her first and investigate 
 afterward. 
 
 Margaret joined in the conversation with her wonted 
 ease of manner and nonchalance, and joked the gene- 
 ral upon his great desire to hang the Tories, which she 
 admitted was a much easier method of getting rid of 
 enemies than to kill them off in a fair fight, at which 
 the general laughed good humoredly. Major Burr, 
 who had not the self-possession of Margaret, was con-
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON AND THE PLOTTERS. 361 
 
 ^-xtoed to listen to this conversation, and as he looked 
 at her whose neck might be, as it were, almost encircled 
 by a halter, smiling and jesting on the very brink of 
 such a precipice as that on which they stood, his admi- 
 ration for her was, if possible, heightened. 
 
 Immediately at the close of the meal, Margaret arose 
 from the table, and turning to General Putnam, said, 
 with her most winning smile : " Grandpa, won't you 
 let Major Burr come after me, this evening; I am going 
 out to pay a call at Mrs. Shee's, and you know that 
 if I should return alone, and any of the sentinels should 
 challenge me, I couldn't say anything, and he might 
 take me to the guard-house," and as she closed, she 
 looked as demure as a nun. 
 
 " I don't know as the major will care to discharge 
 such a duty. If he does, I have nothing to detain him. 
 Eh, major !" 
 
 " I will wait upon Miss Moncrieffe, with pleasure,'* 
 and he bowed to Margaret, who cast upon him a tri- 
 umphant look, which seemed to say that all of her 
 plans had worked thus far successfully, and with a low 
 courtesy she withdrew 
 
 " That is a singular creature," said Mrs. Putnam to 
 her husband, as the door closed upon Margaret's re- 
 treating form. 
 
 " Most singular really a remarkable girl. By the 
 way, major, have you thought who that woman can 
 be ?" asked the general, turning suddenly to his aid. 
 16
 
 V62 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFH. 
 
 Tlie suddenness of the question, as well as its char, 
 icter, destroyed for an instant the composure of the 
 young aid, who stammered and colored and hesitated ; 
 but he was saved from a reply b) the general, who 
 bursting into a broad laugh, said : " Why, major, you 
 blush and stammer like a schoolboy caught in a trick. 
 I didn't mean anything when I spoke so to Margaret." 
 
 " I have not any idea, general," responded the major, 
 whose face at the last words of his chief had turned 
 ashy pale. 
 
 " Well, I did not suppose that you did, major ; but 
 if there is anything in it, we will find it out, I dare 
 say." 
 
 Major Burr murmured something which he meant to 
 be an assent, and rising from the table, withdrew from 
 the apartment. 
 
 " It is my private opinion," said the general, drawing 
 back from the table, " that Major Aaron Burr and Miss 
 Margaret Moncrieffe are a pair of love-sick children 
 Bali ! what nonsense."
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 MARGABET ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE. 
 
 THE orders of the commander-in-chief were obeyed 
 with alacrity, zeal and fidelity, though many were 
 the expressions of wonderment as to what they 
 portended, but of course they were executed without 
 question. 
 
 The evening of the day so portentous in the history 
 of our country, was bright, clear, and pleasant. The 
 moon was in its first quarter, and detracted nothing 
 from the brilliancy of the stars which studded the 
 firmament. 
 
 Shortly after eight o'clock, two parties were seen 
 wending their way past Richmond Hill, and as they 
 walked leisurely along, with linked arms, they seemed 
 deeply engaged in conversation so deeply, that they 
 at first scarcely heeded the challenge of the sentinel 
 Avho paced the road which passed in front of the head- 
 quarters of the commander-in-chief of the American 
 forces. A second challenge, however, aroused them, 
 and the smaller of the twain, in answer to the hail, " to 
 advance and give the countersign," dropped his com-
 
 864 MAKGARET MOXCKIEFFE. 
 
 pauion's arm, and approaching the soldier, gave the 
 required word in low tones. The musket was at once, 
 restored from the charge to the shoulder, and the pair 
 again joining arms, passed on, followed by the eyes of 
 the soldier, who wondered what could have brought 
 them there at such an hour, and how they had learned 
 the countersign ; but having it, he was in duty bound 
 to permit them to pass. 
 
 How, in heaven's name, Miss Margaret, did you 
 get the word ?" asked the larger and elder of the two, 
 when out of ear-shot, for his companion was no other 
 than Mai-garet Moncriefie, dressed in male attire, 
 accompanied by Arthur Blanchard. 
 
 " All in good time, captain all in good time, cap- 
 tain. In another hour you shall know all, or," and 
 she shuddered as she spoke, u nothing." 
 
 " You are a wonderful girl," said the captain, press- 
 ing his companion's arm. " If you had only been a 
 man, what wonders you would have achieved ; indeed, 
 you have already accomplished more than all of us 
 together." 
 
 " Yes," she laughed, " if I had only been a man, I 
 '>hould have been nothing but a man. Xo, no, Captain 
 Blanchard, I am so proud to be Margaret Moncriefle, 
 I would not exchange my name for any reputation 
 *nanhood might bring to me." 
 
 " Ahem !" said the captain, meaningly, but intuitively 
 both felt it was no time now for mere bantering con-
 
 MARGARET ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE. 365 
 
 versalion. Both were fleeing for their lives, and 
 although one danger had been passed, others must be 
 encountered. 
 
 Slowly they moved on, so as not to attract suspicion, 
 and when fairly out of sight of the Richmond Hill 
 House, and of course of the sentry, whose beat did not 
 extend beyond the garden, Margaret turned suddenly 
 into a lane, or rather path, which tended toward the 
 river. 
 
 Noiselessly and cautiously they moved along in 
 single file, Captain Blanchard taking the lead, and 
 winding their way through the shrubbery and under- 
 brush, the water's edge was at last reached. A low 
 whistle from the captain was answered by some party 
 hidden beneath the brush which concealed the water 
 from sight, and in a few moments a man, in the garb 
 of a sailor, made his appearance. 
 
 "Is all ready?" asked the captain, as the man 
 approached and touched his hat. 
 
 k ' All right, captain," was the response, accompanied 
 by another military salute. 
 
 " We had better get in the boat at once," said the 
 captain to his companion, who now stood by his side. 
 The shrubbery will conceal us beyond the possibility 
 of discovery. Does your friend know the spot ?" 
 
 " Perfectly, and he will be here, I am confident, at 
 tbe appointed hour." 
 
 " Come, then," and taking her hand, he led her
 
 866 MARGARET MONCEIEFFB. 
 
 down the steep bank, aided by the sailor, who had an- 
 swered his summons, and in a few minutes they were 
 seated in the stern-sheets of the boat a small yawl, 
 manned by four men, who, evidently aware that they 
 were engaged in a dangerous enterprise, stood up, 
 gazing around as well as the darkness would permit, 
 and crouching down upon their seats at the slightest 
 noise. 
 
 Captain Blanchard, now feeling secure from the pro- 
 bability of capture, strove to draw Margaret into con- 
 versation ; but gently waving her hand, as if to request 
 his silence, she said : " Please don't ;" and burying her 
 face in her hand, she gave way to her thoughts. 
 
 Leaving them thus placed, let us return to other, 
 parties. Shortly after they had passed the sentry, the 
 officer of the guard came around, and gave strict ordera 
 that no persons were to be permitted to pass on any 
 account whatever, whether they had the countersign 
 or not, but to direct them to the guard-house. The 
 sentinel's post was removed further down the road, so 
 as to command a view of Corbie's house, and he was 
 specially instructed to note, so far as was possible, how 
 many entered there. 
 
 After receiving these orders, the soldier then com- 
 municated to the sergeant the fact that two persons, 
 having the countersign, had passed shortly before. 
 The sergeant, a keen, quick-witted soldier, who had 
 seen p\ach service, and who was devotedly attached to
 
 MARGAEET ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE. 367 
 
 bis general, questioned the man closely as to their 
 dress, manner and appearance, so far as he could 
 judge, and having obtained all the information which 
 the sentinel could communicate, hastened to the "bar- 
 racks, and requested an instant audience of Major 
 Gibbs, to whom he reported what he had just learned. 
 
 " Has Captain Martin reported yet ?" was the in- 
 quiry of the major, after he had heard the sergeant's 
 statement. 
 
 " There's a company just below the barracks, major ; 
 but I don't know whose it is. They came up just be- 
 fore I started on my rounds." 
 
 " Send the orderly here, and allow no person to pass 
 the lines, even if he has the countersign," was all the 
 reply which the major made, and, in a few moment? 
 after the sergeant's departure, the orderly entered th< 
 room. 
 
 " "Whose company is that below the barracks ?" 
 
 " One from Colonel McDougal's regiment," was tho 
 reply, accompanied by the military salute. 
 
 Major Gibbs, as commander of the Life Guards, 
 was, of course, in the most intimate confidence of the 
 commander-in-chief, and to him had been communi- 
 cated the information brought by Major Burr, which 
 made him cognizant of all the orders issued by General 
 Washington, and of the reasons which had governed 
 him. He had been informed of the disclosures made 
 within the past few hours, and fairly worshipping his
 
 368 MARGARET MOXCRIEFFE. 
 
 general, had received the impression that the plot thus 
 providentially betrayed, was much more extended than 
 had been supposed. As the custodian of the personal 
 safety of the commander-in-chief, holding the very 
 highest post of honor in the army, the major realized 
 the full sense of his responsibility, and, with character- 
 istic prudence, he resolved to act upon his own judg- 
 ment. Thus far he had rigidly obeyed his orders. He 
 had none others to act upon ; but the emergency seemed . 
 to be such as to demand prompt action, and that he 
 determined to take upon his own responsibility ; and, 
 after a few moments' reflection, feeling that he had not 
 only the right, but, by virtue of his office, the power 
 to do so, he resolved to act. The passage of two per- 
 sons through the lines, with the countersign, might or 
 might not be unimportant ; but with the prudence of a 
 cautious, brave, and devoted soldier, he determined at 
 once upon his course. 
 
 " Captain Martin, major," said the orderly, inter- 
 rupting the major's reverie, and ushering in the com- 
 mander of the company in McDougal's regiment, who 
 had been ordered to make the arrest at Corbie's house 
 when the proper time had arrived. 
 
 " Captain, I am glad to see you so prompt ; but I 
 had no reason to expect anything else from you," and 
 the captain bowed in response to the compliment, 
 which, by the way, was hardly merited. 
 
 " You will please take your men by any route the
 
 MABGAEET ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE. 369 
 
 least noticeable, and post them on the banks of the 
 river near Corbie's. We have reason to believe that 
 he is hi constant and direct communication with the 
 enemy. If any boat approaches, let it land, and make 
 the whole party prisoners." 
 
 u If any boat attempts to pass your command, and 
 does not land when hailed, fire into it without hesita- 
 tion. There is treason and treachery abroad, Captain 
 Martin, and we must put them down. Go at onoc, 
 captain, we have no time to lose," and, with a salute, 
 the captain was about to retire, when Major Gibbs 
 added : " By the way, you had better take the Ifvne 
 just north of us ; it leads to the river, and you can get 
 dosvn by that path without trouble, and the fact of 
 your going past Corbie's, will disarm the inmates, of 
 any suspicion as to your purposes." 
 
 In a few moments, his command, some forty men, 
 was in motion, and he led them by the lane mentioned 
 by Major Gibbs, which wound down to the edge of 
 the river, and through which Margaret and Captain 
 Blanchard had passed a few minutes previously, intend- 
 ing by making a detour to get in the rear of Corbie's 
 house, and where, secured from observation by the 
 bushes which skirted the river, everything could be
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 AARON BURR FREE AGAIN. 
 
 WHILE matters are in this posture, let us turn to 
 Major Burr, whom we left as he arose from the tea-table 
 at General Putnam's. He ascended to his own apart- 
 ment, and locking himself in, threw himself into a large, 
 leather-bottomed chair which stood by the table in the 
 centre of the room, and burying his face in his hands, 
 he gave way to the thoughts which the occasion would 
 naturally be supposed to excite. 
 
 Here was he a youth just out of his teens, who had 
 won honor, fame and distinction, such as hundreds of 
 older officers would have been glad and proud to enjoy. 
 His reputation as a brave, cool, skillful and accomplished 
 officer, was not surpassed by that of any young officer 
 in the Continental army, and by few of his seniors. He 
 had enjoyed the confidence and regard of the com- 
 mander-in-chief, who had evinced his appreciation of 
 his worth and talents, by making him one of his aids 
 a position which he had abandoned voluntarily, for the 
 reason, as he had said, that he was not content as a 
 soldier to discharge only the clerical duties which de- 
 volved upon an aid, and desired more active ser-
 
 AAROT BTJKR FREE AGAIN. 371 
 
 rice ; and he was then, at his own request, backed by 
 that of General Putnam, transferred to his staff as aid, 
 where he had service as constant and active as his heart 
 desired. He was the intimate friend and confidant of 
 this brave old general, who loved him as a son, while 
 every member of the family treated him as one of 
 themselves. 
 
 The career before him under such a leader, gave 
 promise of abundant active service, with the certain 
 prospect of promotion if he should deserve it, and he 
 felt that he could ; and more than all, he was in the 
 very presence of the enemy, for they were daily ex- 
 pected to arrive, and in such numbers as would call 
 forth all the energies and courage and talents of every 
 man in the army. Here was a chance for distinction, 
 for new laurels, for added honors, and his defection now, 
 at this imminent crisis, would it not be attributed to 
 cowardice ? He shrunk with a blush of shame from 
 this thought. 
 
 Then again, the fact that Margaret had fled the city 
 at the same time with himself, would, no doubt, make 
 nis name a very by-word of ridicule and contempt, as 
 one who for the sake of a pair of brilliant eyes, a volup 
 tuous form and fascinating manners, had forsaken his 
 country in her sorest hour of trial had forfeited his 
 honor, and sullied a name which now bade fair to shine 
 in the firmament of the country's history, among the 
 brightest of the bright stars which studded it.
 
 872 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 There was no Margaret there then to wind her snowy 
 arms around his neck, to tempt him with languishing 
 looks and burning kisses ; reason, judgment, conscience, 
 and the high sense of honor and patriotism which had 
 led him to volunteer with Arnold for that trying and 
 disastrous expedition, were rapidly regaining their sway, 
 and freed now from the wiles of the enchantress who 
 had ensnared him, he was fast regaining his self-control 
 
 True, the image of Margaret did rise up before him, 
 and he sighed as he thought of the happiness he might 
 call his own ; but the picture had lost something of its 
 brilliancy it was dimmed by the doubts which his 
 thoughts had woven around it, and he could gaze upon 
 it without a quickening of the pulse, or a brightening 
 of the eye. 
 
 How long he had thus mused he knew not, but he 
 was aroused by the clock of Trinity Church, which 
 sounded the hour of eight, and as he counted the 
 strokes, he sprang from his seat, and clenching his hands 
 until the nails almost entered the flesh, exclaimed : "No, 
 by the great God above, never ; I love you, Margaret, 
 but I will not sell my soul for you ; I will not live, even 
 for your love, to be branded as a traitor. She is safe ; 
 thank heaven for that, and she must learn to forget me, 
 as I will her. If she does love me, she will feel prouder 
 of me as I am, than as she would make me ; and so 
 farewell, Margaret !" 
 
 What more he might have said was interrupted by a
 
 AARON BCRR FREE AGAIIf. 373 
 
 tap i', his door, and on opening it, Belle Putnam stood 
 there, and as she saw him, said, " Ma thinks you had 
 better go now for Margaret ; she ought to be home by 
 nine o'clock, and it is a great way to Colonel Shee's 
 quarters." 
 
 " True, Belle ; I had almost forgotten it." 
 " What, forgotten Margaret ?" she said, archly and 
 with a mischievous look. 
 
 " Yes, Belle ; I was very deeply engrossed hi thought, 
 and the time has passed without my noticing it." 
 " And what for your thoughts, major ?" 
 " I was thinking what the next few days might bring 
 forth for all of us," and he spoke with such solemnity, 
 Belle fairly shuddered, for she, too, was in constant ter- 
 ror of an invasion by the British, and presumed that he 
 alluded to that. 
 
 " Well, you had better go now, and bring her home." 
 "Certainly; I ought to have been away before," 
 and seizing his chapeau, he left the room and the house, 
 proceeding leisurely up Broadway, deeply engrossed in 
 thought. He felt that he had seen Margaret for the 
 last time, but derived some consolation in the reflec- 
 tion that she was safe, and that through his assistance. 
 It was near the hour of nine by the time he had 
 reached the immediate vicinity of Richmond Hill, and 
 a feeling which he could not define, came over him as 
 he remembered that he had promised Margaret to be 
 at the boat by that hour. Crossing out of the road. h
 
 874 MARGARET MONCRIEFFB. 
 
 leaned up against the fence, awaiting the striking of 
 the hour which was to place Margaret in safety, and to 
 disenthrall him from the spell which had so strangely 
 bound him to her, in spite of every call of honor, duty, 
 morality or patriotism. 
 
 With his face turned toward the water, he was look- 
 ing over toward the Jersey shore, when he was startled 
 by the report of one musket, followed almost instantly 
 by a volley which seemed to come from the bushes just 
 below Corbie's house, and a short, sharp scream, which 
 rang through the still night air, went to his very heart, 
 for he felt that it came from Margaret. 
 
 In another moment, and before he had time to col- 
 lect his thoughts, a boat swept out from the shade of 
 the trees, and shot directly across the river, propelled 
 by arms which were nerved by the certainty that they 
 were pulling for life or death. 
 
 Slowly and sadly Major Burr turned away, almost 
 wishing that the ball which he doubted not had been 
 fatally sped for Margaret, had found him in her stead ; 
 but now that the possibility of ever seeing her again, 
 whether she had died thus, or escaped unharmed, was 
 beyond perad venture, he felt a sense of relief, and a 
 new life seemed to be infused into him. 
 
 He reached General Putnam's house long after the 
 family had retired, and proceeding to his own apart- 
 ment, passed the night in meditation, revolving in hia 
 own mind the extraordinary occurrences of the past few
 
 AAROX BURR FREE AGAINr. 375 
 
 days for all here narrated had transpired between the 
 first day of June and the 28th of the same month, in 
 the year 1776, on which day Hickey, the guardsman, 
 was hung. But let us turn again to Margaret, whom 
 we left seated in the boat which was lying in the cove 
 in the rear of Corbie's house, awaiting only the arrival 
 of Major Burr, to push off and make for the Duchess of 
 Gordon.
 
 CHAPTER XXXYL 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 WE left Margaret and Captain Blanchard seated in 
 the boat, awaiting the arrival of the other party, as yet 
 unknown to the captain, but so anxiously expected by 
 the former, and who was to share the perils and 
 hazards of the night. Margaret had remained silent, 
 engrossed in her thoughts so deeply she seemed almost 
 to have forgotten where she was, or the circumstances 
 which surrounded her, when she was startled by the 
 hand of the captain, laid gently on her own. 
 
 " Hist !" he said, raising his finger to hia lips, as if to 
 caution her to silence, and in another moment their 
 ears, quickened by the sense of the danger which 
 encompassed them, detected the tread of a body of 
 men coming directly toward the spot where the boat 
 lay concealed beneath the underbrush. 
 
 " This way, men," was uttered in loud, commanding 
 tones ; " spread yourselves along the bank of the river, 
 and keep both eyes wide open ; we'll catch some of 
 these infernal Tory scoundrels yet." 
 
 The men in the boat had heard the sound of the sol- 
 diers' feet as they advanced gradually toward them,
 
 377 
 
 and they heard, too, with terrible distinctness, the com- 
 mand to skirt the bank, which, if accomplished, would 
 render escape next to impossible. 
 
 Immediate action was, of course, peremptorily neces- 
 sary, and the man at the bow oar, rising, placed it 
 against the bank and pushed the boat off from the 
 shore, so that it swung out into the stream, but still in 
 the shadow of the bushes. 
 
 Margaret caught a view of what had been done, and 
 grasping Captain Blanchard's arm with a force of which 
 her slender frame seemed incapable, whispered in 
 hoarse, hurried tones : " For the love of heaven, cap- 
 tain, stop them. Do not let them go until he arrives ; 
 I know he will be here in time." 
 
 44 It is impossible, Margaret. Our lives would cer- 
 tainly pay the forfeit of a minute's delay. Did you not 
 hear the order to skirt the bank ?" 
 
 44 Then let me go ashore ; I will not leave without 
 him," and she strove to rise, with the intention of leap- 
 ing on shore ; but the captain threw his arms around 
 her, and, placing his mouth close to her ear, whispered 
 hurriedly : 4t Would you have our blood upon your 
 head ? You cannot, shall not go on shore ;" and 
 waving his hand to the men at the oars, the boat was 
 pushed off boldly, and the muffled oars placed silently 
 in the row-locks. One strong, hearty pull sent her at 
 least ten feet from the shore, but not yet outside the 
 shade of the trees and bushes which lined the bank;
 
 919 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE. 
 
 another given as heartily, made her fairly spring from 
 the water, and as she shot out into the river, one of the 
 soldiers, who had poked aside the bushes with his mus- 
 ket, discovered the retreating boat, and at once gave 
 the alarm, and challenged the boat, now rapidly re- 
 ceding from the shore. 
 
 Captain Blanchard, who held the tiller, knew that 
 they must be discovered soon, and, with a view of pre- 
 senting as small a mark as possible to the enemy, di- 
 rected the course of the boat straight across the river, 
 thus affording only a sight of the stern, a mark too 
 small to render the danger at all imminent, especially 
 at night, and with the distance between them increasing 
 at every stroke of the oars, now plied with a heartiness 
 doubled by the certainty that it was a matter of life 
 or death to all on board. 
 
 The soldier who had discovered the boat and given 
 the alarm, forced his way through the bushes, and 
 gaining a stand on the water's edge, took deliberate 
 aim at the now indistinct object on the water, and dis- 
 charged his piece. The other men had by this tune 
 managed to scramble down the bank and through the 
 bushes, and, discovering the speck on the water, sent a 
 volley after it ; but the balls fell harmless around those 
 in the boat, but so close for one of the oar blades was 
 pierced as to draw a scream from Margaret, who had 
 crouched close to Captain Blanchard's side, and who, 
 between her anxiety for the safety of him she loved so
 
 CONCLUSION. 379 
 
 well, and from whom she was now perhaps forever 
 separated, and the uncertainty of her own fate, was 
 completely unnerved. It was this scream which had 
 been heard on shore by Major Burr through the still- 
 ness of the night. 
 
 Fortunately for the party in the boat, there was no 
 other boat along the shore nearer than a mile down to- 
 ward the city, and their pursuit was rendered impossi- 
 ble, and Captain Martin, whose company had fired at 
 the escaping party, could only report what had oc- 
 curred, to which Major Gibbs replied, that he was 
 glad to get rid of them anyhow, but would much rather 
 have captured them, that he might have the pleasure 
 of hanging the infernal Tories. He was a little puzzled 
 when the captain remarked that he had heard a woman 
 scream ; but his conjectures as to who she could be, 
 were solved on the next day, when the absence of Mar- 
 garet was discovered. 
 
 The orders of the commander-in-chief for the arrest 
 of the parties implicated in this diabolical plot, so far 
 as they were known, were executed with zeal and 
 promptness. Of course Captain Blanchard was not 
 found, and the rage of General Putnam when he was 
 compelled to feel that he had been out-generalled by a 
 girl of fifteen, exceeded all bounds. 
 
 Great was the commotion in the city on the following 
 day, when it was known that during the night, some 
 forty or fifty Tories had been arrested and sent to jail
 
 880 MARGABET MONCKIEFFE. 
 
 but greater still was the surprise and indignation of the 
 Provincials, when the existence and discovery of the 
 plot were made known. 
 
 The Tories were handed over to the Provincial Con- 
 gress for trial, while the soldiers implicated were turned 
 over to the mercies of a court-martial, which was con- 
 vened on the following day, and which terminated its 
 labors by finding the guardsman Hickey guilty, and 
 sentencing him to be hung a sentence which was car- 
 ried into execution on the 28th of June, 1776, near the 
 site on which the present Tompkins Market is erected, 
 at the junction of Fourth and Third Avenues 
 
 Margaret Moncriefie lived many years after these 
 events ; but her career was one, the details of which 
 would be unfit '01 publication, though it is only simple 
 justice to her woman's nature to state, and she has so 
 recorded in her published memoirs, that she never 
 loved but one man, and that was Major Aaron Burr, 
 who had won, and retained throughout her whole life, 
 dissolute and abandoned as it was, her undying devo- 
 tion. 
 
 Edmund Blanchard, who, by reason of the names of 
 the conspirators having been sent on board the 
 " Duchess of Gordon," had escaped arrest, returned to 
 his sober senses, and made some reparation for his past 
 infamy, not only by his after courage and devotion to 
 the cause which he had once consented to betray, but 
 by marrying Lizzie Brainard, with whom, after the
 
 CONCLUSION. 881 
 
 war had closed, he lived for many years in unclouded 
 happiness. 
 
 Patsy, in due time, forgot her faithless lover, and as 
 the wife of a sturdy, thriving farmer in New Jersey, 
 lived to hear the country ring with the praises of him 
 she had once so loved and trusted, and unmoved, 
 watched his upward flight, until he came within one- 
 step of reaching the highest office in the gift of a free 
 people. 
 
 Of the after career of Aaron Burr, much has been 
 written much, too, that is not only contradictory in. 
 the statements, but false in particulars. The Appendix 
 which follows, the reader will perceive, gives, under 
 his own hand, a flat denial to one important accusation, 
 which has been published and reiterated. To that 
 Appendix the author refers as substantiating his claim 
 to at least a partial historical accuracy in the story of 
 MABGABET MONCKIEFFE AND AABON BURB.
 
 APPENDIX.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 APPENDIX I. 
 
 TBOB author having claimed for this work that it record* 
 historical circumstances, presents the following pages, copied 
 from the "American Archives," in which the reader will find 
 mentioned many of the names introduced to his no tice in the 
 course of the narrative. The trial of the life guardsman 
 Thomas Hickey, for treason, and which terminated in his con- 
 viction and subsequent execution, brings the whole plot and 
 the infamous plotters clearly to the reader's view ; and it is, 
 therefore chosen as the most appropriate, as well as the fullest 
 record of events which transpired during the period when 
 Margaret Moncrieffe was an inmate of General Putnam's 
 house, received and treated as a member of his family. The 
 documents now given are copied from Vol. VI. of "American 
 Archives," and, apart from their direct connection with th 
 author's fiction, may serve to interest, for the reason that the 
 circumstances thus detailed before the court-martial, have 
 only been alluded to in the most general and briefest terms by 
 those who have written the history of those troublous times. 
 The evidence is not presented in full, as it would occupy too 
 
 17 3*
 
 386 APPENDIX. 
 
 much space ; but the main and most prominent circumstances 
 are here recorded, proving, beyond the possibility of cavil, 
 the existence of one of the most diabolical plots ever con 
 ceived, and which was only defeated by Providential interpo- 
 sition. The names of the Provincials who had enlisted in 
 this infamous plot had been sent on board the u Duchess of 
 Gordon," so that with every effort, the court-martial was 
 unable to fasten criminality on any save a few of the Royalists 
 whose names are mentioned in the course of the trial. Corbie, 
 Forbes, Mason, Houndling, and others, directly implicated, 
 were imprisoned, and only released when the British took 
 possession of the city after it had been evacuated by the 0< >n- 
 tinental troops. 
 
 TRIAL OF HICKEY BEFORE THE COURT MARTIAL. 
 Col. SAMUEL H. PARSONS, Pres. 
 
 Lt. Col. Wm. Sheppard, Capt. Warham Parkes, 
 
 Major Levi Wells, Capt. William Reed, 
 
 Capt. Jos. Hoyt, Capt. Jos. Pettingil, 
 
 Capt. Abel Pettibone, Capt. David Lyon, 
 
 Capt. Samuel Warren, Capt. David Sill, 
 
 Capt. James Mellen, Capt. Timothy Percival. 
 WILLIAM TUDOR, Judge Advocate. 
 
 The warrant being read, and the court, first duly sworn, 
 proceeded to the trial of Thomas Hickey, a private sentinel in 
 his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief 's Guard, commanded 
 by Major Gibbs, brought prisoner before the court, and ac- 
 cused " of exciting and joining in a mutiny and sedition, and 
 of treacherously corresponding with, enlisting with, and receiv- 
 ing pay from the enemies of the United American Colonies." 
 
 The prisoner being arraigned on the above charge, pleads 
 not guilty.
 
 APPENDIX. 33? 
 
 GREEN sworn, deposes: That about three weeks 
 ogo, I was in company with one Gilbert Forbes, a gunsmith, 
 who lives in Broadway, and we fell into a conversation on 
 politics ; I found Forbes' pulse beat high in the Tory scheme ; 
 I had repeated conversations with Forbes afterward, and he 
 was always introducing politics and hinting against the impos- 
 sibility of this country standing against the power of Great 
 Britain ; he invited me to dine with him one day, and a 4ay 
 or two afterward asked me if I would not enlist in the king's 
 service ; I asked him where the money was to come from to 
 pay me for the service ; Forbes replied the major would fur- 
 nish money ; I was pleased with the notion of getting some 
 money from the Tories, and agreed to the scheme, with a view 
 to cheat the Tories and detect their scheme ; I mentioned the 
 matter to several, and among others to Hickey, the prisoner ; 
 I told him the principle I went upon, and that we had a good 
 opportunity of duping the Tories ; Hickey agreed to the 
 scheme, but did not receive any money, except two shillings, 
 which I gave him ; Forbes left it with me to enlist and swear 
 the men ; Forbes swore me and one Clark on the Bible to 
 fight for the king, but I swore Hickey to fight for America; 
 after the prisoner was engaged, I proposed to him to reveal 
 the plot to the general, but Eickey said we had better let it 
 alone till we had made further discoveries ; all that Forbea 
 proposed to me was that when the king's forces arrived, wo 
 should cut away King's Bridge, and then go on board a ship 
 of war which would be in the East River to receive us; I en- 
 listed ten or a dozen, and told them all my plan ; the prisoner 
 wrote his name upon a piece of paper, with five others, which 
 1 gave to Forbes, and this was all the enlistment that I knew 
 of the prisoner's signing. 
 
 GILBERT FORBES : A night or two after Gen. Washington ar- 
 rived in New York from Boston, Green fell into company where 
 I was ; we were drinking, and Green toasted the king's health, 
 and I did so too ; a day or two afterwards Green called upon 
 me ; said, that as I had drank his majesty's health, he supposed 
 1 was hi* friend, and immediately proposed to enlist some uiea
 
 rf38 APPENDIX. 
 
 into the king's service, and told me he could procure consider- 
 able numbers to join him ; I put him off, and declined having 
 any hand in the business ; but in repeated applications from 
 him I at last fell into the scheme ; Green was to eiilist th* 
 men, in which I was not to be concerned, nor have my name 
 mentioned; in a day or two, Green gave me a list of men who 
 had engaged, among whom was the prisoner, Ilickey ; soon 
 after Ilickey asked me to give him a half a dollar, which 1 
 did, and this was all the money that Hickey ever received from 
 me ; Green received eighteen dollars, and was to pay the men 
 who enlisted, a dollar a piece, and we were to allow them ten 
 shillings per week subsistence money ; I received upward of a 
 hundred pounds from Mr. Matthews, the mayor, to pay those 
 who should enlist in the king's service ; who, after enlisting, 
 were to go on board the king's ships, but if they could not get 
 there, were to play their parts when the king's forces arrived ; 
 
 that he knows one Silk ; that he was left by Cap. Aidy 
 
 to wait upon his wife, who livts on Long Island, somewhere 
 near Hampstead; that he is often in town, frequently at 
 Mrs. Oir \ 's and Mrs. Braadon's ; has the air of a soldier ; 
 wears a short brown hunting coat, arid a double-breasted jacket 
 of the same color ; that he used to wait on a Mr. Miller, who 
 lives or lodges in Mr. Gouverneur's house, on Rotten Row ; 
 that Sergeant Graham (an old soldier, discharged from the 
 royal artillery) was employed by Governor Tryon to speak to 
 examinant about enlisting men for the king's service, and told 
 this examinant from the governor, that if this examinant 
 exerted himself in that business, and raised a number of 
 men, he should have a company ; that the said sergeant also 
 informed him, that at the request of the governor, he had sur- 
 veyed the grounds and works about the city, and on Long 
 Island, in consequence of which he had concerted a plan for an 
 aHack, which lie had given to Governor Tryon, and of which 
 the governor approved ; which was as follows, viz. : That the 
 men-of-war should cannonade the Battery at Red Hook, and 
 that while that was doing, a detachment of the army, with 
 ome cannon, etc., should land below or about Red Hook, and
 
 APPENDIX. 389 
 
 march round so as to come upon the back of the batteries near 
 the Swedeland House; that a small part of the detachment 
 should make a feint of marching up the road leading directly 
 to the battery, but that the main body were to make a circui- 
 tous march so as to reach the battery while our attention was 
 engaged by the feint aforesaid ; that if they carried that bat- 
 tery, which they expected to take by storm, they \vere imme- 
 diately to attack the battery on the hill near the ferry, which 
 the sergeant said would be easily done, as no embrasures were 
 made or cannon fixed on the back side of it ; that this latter 
 battery, when in their possession, would command the works 
 on Gouveruour's Island, which they would keep between two 
 tires, viz. : the battery last mentioned, on the one side, and the 
 shipping on the other; that then the shipping, with the re- 
 mainder of the array, were to divide ; one division was to run 
 up the North River and land at or near about Clarke's farm, and 
 march directly to Enclenbergh Hall and fortify there ; the other 
 division was to run up the East River and land in such a 
 manner as to gain Jones' Hill, from whence they expected to 
 command and silence the battery on Bayard's Hill ; that should 
 they guin possession of the places above mentioned, their next 
 object would be the grounds adjacent to King's Bridge, where 
 they intended to erect strong works, so as to cut off the coir- 
 munication between the city and the country. 
 
 Gilbert Forbes being further examined, saith : That some 
 time before the man-of-war removed from the town to the 
 narrows, one "Webb, a burr-millstone maker, told examinant 
 that if lie had any rifles to sell, he could get a good price for 
 them by sending them on board the man-of-war, and that a 
 young man who lived with James Riviugton told him the 
 same ; that this examinant had then nine rifles which he made, 
 but they were bad and would not shoot straight, and eleven 
 smooth, narrow-bored guns; that he sent some of them io 
 Mrs. Becks, a tavern keeper, near the Fly Market, with ordera 
 to send them on board, which she accordingly did, and that 
 the said Webb carried the remainder; that the said Webb 
 told this examiaant that Governor Try on would give him three
 
 890 APPENDIX. 
 
 guineas apiece for them ; that at the same time when an e* 
 change of prisoners took place with the man-of-war, ami Ti- 
 ley was, among others, exchanged, the mayor, viz., David Mat- 
 thews, Esq., sent for this examinant and told him that he was 
 going on board the governor's ship, and that he would get the 
 money due from the governor to this examinant for the rifles 
 aforesaid ; that on his return the mayor told this examinant he 
 would pay him in a few days ; that this examinaut never did 
 receive any money from him for the said fire-arms; that this 
 examinant told Charles Benson that he was about enlisting 
 men, and that he told this examinant it would do. 
 
 WILLIAM WELCH : Between a fortnight and three weeks 
 ago, I met the prisoner on the street ; he asked me to go with 
 him to a grog shop ; when we got there he told me he had some- 
 thing to tell me of importance, but insisted on my being sworn 
 before he would communicate it ; I accordingly swore on the 
 Bible to keep secret what he should tell me; he then said, 
 that this country was sold; that the enemy would soon ar- 
 rive, and that it was best for us old countrymen to make our 
 peace before they came, or they would kill us all ; that we old 
 countrymen should join together, and that we would be known 
 by a particular mark, and if I would agree to become one of 
 them, he would carry me to a man who would let me have a 
 dollar by way of encouragement ; I did not relish the project 
 and we parted. 
 
 ISAAC KETCHUM: Last Satai day week the prisoner was com- 
 mitted to jail, on suspicion of counterfeiting the Continental 
 currency, and seeing me in jail, inquired the reason of it; I 
 told him, because I was a Tory ; on this, a conversation en- 
 sued on politics; indifferent conversations he informed me 
 that the army was become damnably corrupted ; that the fleet 
 was soon expected, and that he and a number of others wero 
 in a band to turn against the American army when the king's 
 troops should arrive, and asked me to be one of them ; the 
 plan he told me, was, some were to be sick, and others were 
 to hire men in their room ; that eight of the general's guard 
 were concerned, but mentioned only Green by name ; he fur-
 
 APPENDIX. 891 
 
 ther told me, that one Forbes, a tavern keeper, was to be their 
 captain, but that the inferior officers were not yet appointed, 
 lest the scheme should be discovered. 
 
 The prisoner here being called upon to make his defence, 
 produces no evidence, but says " he engaged in the scheme at 
 first for the sake of cheating the Tories, and getting some 
 money from them, and afterward consented to have his name 
 eent on board the man-of-war, in order that, if the enemy 
 should arrive and defeat the army here, and he should be 
 taken prisoner, he might be safe." 
 
 WILLIAM FORBES, of Goshen Precinct, in Orange County, 
 tanner and currier, being examined, saith: That he knows 
 Gilbert Forbes, of the city of New York, gunsmith ; that the 
 first time he saw him was in this city, between the brick 
 meeting and the jail ; that he heard somebody call him Mr. 
 Forbes ; this examinant accosted him, and told him that his 
 name was Forbes also ; that thereupon they went into Hould- 
 ing's tavern, and drank together; that he has been at the 
 house of the said Gilbert Forbes, on an invitation from him. 
 That he knows a sergeant in General Washington's Guards, 
 but cannot recollect his name; -that he became acquainted 
 with him at Corby's (an inn-keeper), near General Washing- 
 ton's ; that this examinant went to Corby's in company with 
 one James Mason, of Ilingwood, who was at work in Corby's 
 garden ; that the sergeant was a middle-sized, fair-cornplex- 
 ioned man an Englishman; that examinant became acquainted 
 with James Mason at Duchess County ; afterward saw him at 
 Goshen, and from thence came in company with him to this 
 town ; that he told Mason he had been on board the man-of- 
 war last winter, while she lay in the East River; that he 
 never was on board the Duchess of Gordon ; that he never 
 said he was on board the Savage rrnen she fired on Staten 
 Inland ; that he had heard, and, among others, from the said 
 Mason, that two hundred acres of land were offered by Gover- 
 nor Tryon to each man who would go in the king's service, 
 and one hundred to the wife, and fifty to each child; that 
 a^aminant borrowed twenty odd shillings of Ma^m, and
 
 392 APPENDIX. 
 
 promised to pay him v hen examinant got money from on 
 board the man-of-war, where he had two brother's-in-law, 
 who had promised to send him money to pay hi? debts ; that 
 he never had engaged with Governor Tryon, or any other 
 person whatever, to undertake the business of enlisting soldiera 
 for the king, nor of enticing the Continental soldiers to leave 
 that service ; that he and Mason came to town by way of 
 Elizabethtown, and that at Warwick Mason persuaded one 
 "William Benjamin to go along with them ; that he knows 
 Peter McLean, a shoemaker, near the Exchange ; that exami- 
 nant applied to him to put him on board the man-of-war ; 
 that McLean answered he could not do it all, the sentries 
 were so strict ; that examinant then said to McLean that then 
 he would enlist in the Continental service, which he has since 
 done, in Captain Beekman's company, of Lasher's battalion ; 
 that examinant and Mason lodged, the first night they came 
 to town, at Houlding's; that while they were there, Corby 
 was introduced to Benjamin and Mason by Gilbert Forbes and 
 the aforesaid sergeant of the guards. This examinant says 
 the said sergeant and Gilbert Forbes administered oaths of 
 secrecy to Mason and two or three soldiers; that Corby was 
 present when the said soldiers were swum as aforesaid. That 
 after McLean, as aforesaid, had told this examinant that he 
 knew not how to get on board the man-of-war, McLean 
 recommended him to David Matthews, Esq., as a proper per- 
 pon to direct him how to get on board the man-of-war ; that 
 examinant accordingly went to Mr. Matthews, and told him 
 that McLean had directed examinant to him as a proper per- 
 son to tell him how he should get on board the man-of-war, 
 and that there was a lad (meaning Mason) that had come down 
 from Ringwood, who wanted to go along; that Mr. Matthews 
 told him that it was too dangerous for him to say anything 
 about it, but that he would direct him to one who could get 
 him on board, and sent this examinant for that purpose to 
 Gilbert Forbes; that this examinant accordingly applied to 
 the said Gilbert Forbes, and that Forbes said he could not do 
 anything in it till he had seen Corby ; that shortly after, tha
 
 APPEXDIX. 393 
 
 said Gilbert Forbes told this examinant he had seen Corby, 
 and that Corby said he would get examinant on board in a few 
 days; that examinant afterward saw Corby, and that he mada 
 the like promise to examinant, but Corby afterward told him 
 he could not, and that he had been able to send only one on 
 board by a mulatto fellow. That this examinant knows John 
 Clarke, and that he told this examinant that he had fifty or 
 sixty men to go in the king's service, and that he had prevailed 
 upon his brother, Anthony Clarke, to consent to go with 
 them ; that John Clarke was to be a captain, and that one 
 Seeley, of Chester, in Orange County, was also to be one of 
 the officers. 
 
 WILLIAM FOBBES. 
 
 Examined 23d day of July, 1776, before us: 
 JOHN JAY, 
 
 GOOTERNEUB MoEEIS. 
 
 JOHN YATES, of the Wallkill Precinct, in Ulster County, 
 laborer, being sworn, saith : That early in this last spring, 
 Absalom Bull, one of deponent's neighbors, came to him, and 
 told him that he was but a poor man, and that if he would go 
 with the said B^ill, he would make a gentleman of this depo- 
 nent ; that this deponent asked him how ; he replied that if 
 this deponent would go and serve the king for three years, cr 
 to the end of the American war, if that should sooner hap- 
 pen, this deponent should have two hundred acres of land on 
 the frontiers ; that deponent said it was very uncertain, for he 
 did not see how he was to get a warranty deed for it; but. if 
 he could get a warranty deed for two hundred acres of land, 
 he did not know but he might engage ; on this they parted ; 
 that for many days repeatedly after that, the said Absalom 
 Bull, together with Isaac Waugh and Richard Bull, came to 
 this deponent and pressed him to enter into the king's service, 
 but the deponent put them off; that they afterward Went, as 
 they informed this deponent, on board the man-of-war, and 
 when they returned, brought him a letter from Governor 
 Try on, informing ti is deponent that if he would come oil 
 17*
 
 39 1 APPENDIX. 
 
 board his ship and pilot the men-of-war up the river, he would 
 give this deponent a dollar a day and five pounds a foot for 
 every foot that the vessel he piloted drew more than twenty 
 feet, and should have two hundred acres of land at the deter- 
 mination of the American war ; and that Ireland, Scotland, 
 and Wales had all united with England to suhdue America; 
 that this deponent had, till within a few years last past, been 
 a seafaring man, and was well acquainted with the navigation 
 of the North Itiver, which was well known to his said neigh- 
 bors, and, as this deponent believes, was by them made kcown 
 to Governor Tryon ; that this deponent afterward received 
 two other letters of the like import from Governor Tryon ; 
 that about six weeks this deponent, together with the said 
 Absalom Bull, Eichard Bull, and Isaac "Waugh, travelled from 
 their homes down through Westchester County to Whitestone 
 Ferry, where they crossed over to Long Island, and thence to 
 Hempstead, and went to the house of one Simonson, a tavern- 
 keeper in that town ; that they went from thence to the house 
 of Captain Hulet, where they all lodged ; that the next morn- 
 ing this deponent's companions went off from Rockaway in 
 an oyster boat that plied between that coast and the ships, 
 and supplied them with provisions, as he was informed and 
 believed ; that they desired this deponent to go with them, but 
 this deponent being sick and not much inclined to go on board, 
 said he would wait at Captain Ilulet's till their return; that 
 after three days they all returned to this deponent at Captain 
 Ilulet's aforesaid, and that Colonel Fanning, the governor's 
 secretary, came with them ; that the said Colonel Fanning 
 was well known to this deponent, he having often seen him, 
 and this deponent having been a mariner in Captain Hunter's 
 ship, which brought the colonel from England ; that at present 
 this deponent did not know Colonel Fanning, he being dis- 
 guised in the dress of a common laboring man, but on taking 
 this deponent aside, he made himself known to him, where- 
 upon this deponent immediately recollected his face and per- 
 eon ; that he asked this deponent to go on board with him ; 
 this deponent answered that he was too sick to go ; that then
 
 APPENDIX . 395 
 
 the colonel told him that if he could not go then he must 
 come down when the fleet arrived, and that they would send 
 this deponent a letter informing him of it, to which this depo- 
 nent agreed ; that Colonel Fanning told him New York was to 
 be the seat of war ; that some of the fleet would run around 
 into the Sound, and land troops on Long Island ; that another 
 division would land on the south side and hoist the king's 
 standard ; and that all the men that had engaged to serve the 
 king should come to Long Island, and that there were then 
 three field-pieces and a mortar piece under the floor of the 
 barn of the said Simonson ; the said Colonel Fanning also told 
 this deponent that they should want him to pilot vessels of 
 war up the North Kiver, and that the Savage, Phoenix, and 
 Shuldan (which he believes was formerly the Rhode Island 
 packet) were designed for that service ; that the colonel de- 
 sired this deponent to bring all the provisions he cou'id on 
 board the ships, and that he should receive the following prices 
 for them, viz. : five pounds a barrel for salt pork ; one shilling 
 per pound for gammons ; eighteen pence per pound for batter, 
 and a good price for fowls, eggs, etc., and then gave this depo- 
 nent a paper (now 7 delivered), with a seal on it and the letters 
 "W. T. on the back of it, and told this deponent that it would 
 erve him as a pass to go by all the men-of-war and cruisers 
 unmolested ; that Colonel Fanning further told this deponent 
 that Absalom Bull, aforesaid, had enlisted a great many men, 
 and desired this deponent to do the like, but this deponent de- 
 clined it ; that this deponent knows John Clarke, a painter ; 
 that he saw him in this town about a fortnight ago ; that he 
 told this deponent he was going on board the ships, ajid re- 
 quested this deponent to go with him, which this deponent 
 refused ; that he advised this deponent to engage to light for 
 the king, and said the Americans would be beat; that the 
 aforesaid Absalom Bull showed this deponent, this Spring, a 
 list of persons whom he had enlisted for the king's service : 
 that the said Absalom told this deponent that there were 'wo 
 hundred names on it, which this deponent really believes to b* 
 true, but this deponent does not remember the names oi tnj
 
 396 APPENDIX. 
 
 of them, except Richard Bull, Alexander Scadden, James 
 Scadden, Isaac "VVaugli, John Clarke (the painter, aforesaid), 
 Jewel Smith, and one Seeley, of a place in Orange County 
 called Oxford ; that Absalom Bull, aforesaid, was to be a cap- 
 tain, and had a commission for it from Governor Tryon, which 
 lie showed to this deponent, and that it was written on parch- 
 ment and a great seal hanging to it, but that this deponent did 
 not read it ; the said Absalom Bull further said, that all the 
 men so enlisted for the king's service were to join the fleet when 
 it arrived, and that all who did not would be treated as de- 
 serters from the king's service. 
 
 his 
 JOHN -\- YATES. 
 
 mark. 
 Sworn the 24th June, 1776, before us, 
 
 JOHN JAY, 
 GotrvERNEUR MORRIS. 
 
 The court being cleared, after mature consideration, are 
 unanimously of the opinion that the prisoner is guilty of the 
 charge against him, and of a breach of the fifth and of the 
 thirteenth articles of the Rules and Regulations for the 
 Government of the Continental Forces; and the court unani- 
 mously sentence and adjudge that the pr soner, Thomas 
 liickey, suffer death for said crimes, by being hanged by the 
 neck till he is dead. 
 
 SAMUEL H. PARSONS, President. 
 
 WARRANT FOR THE EXECUTION OF HICKEY. 
 
 BY His EXCELLENCY, GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESQ., GENERAL 
 AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY OF THE UNITED 
 STATES. 
 
 To the Provost Martfial of said Army : 
 Whereas, Thomas Hickey, a soldier enlisted in the service 
 
 of the said United Colonies, has been duly convicted by a
 
 APPEXD1X. 397 
 
 General Court Martial of mutiny and sedition, and also with 
 holding a treacherous correspondence with the enemies of 
 said Colonies, contrary to the Kules and Kegulations estab- 
 lished for the government of said troops; and the said Thomas 
 Hickey being so convicted, has been sentenced to death, by 
 being hanged by the neck till he shall be dead, which sen- 
 tence, by the unanimous advice of the general officers of the 
 said army, I have thought proper to contirm ; These are, 
 therefore, to will and require you to execute the said sentence 
 upon the said Thomas Hickey this day, at eleven o'clock in 
 the forenoon, upon the ground between the encampments of 
 the brigades of Brigadier General Spencer and Lord Stirling, 
 and for so doing this shall be your sufficient warrant. Given 
 under my hand this twenty-eighth day of June, in the year of 
 our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 HEAD-QUARTERS, NEW YORK, June 28th, 1776. 
 
 NEW YORK, June 28th, 1776. 
 
 By virtue of, and in ohedience to, the foregoing warrant, 1 
 have this day, at the time and place therein ordered and 
 directed, caused Thomas Hickey, the prisoner within men- 
 tioned, to suffer death in the way and manner therein pre- 
 scribed, and accordingly return this warrant fully executed.* 
 
 WILLIAM MOBONY, 
 Provost Marshal in the Army of the United Colonies. 
 
 * New York, July 1, 1T76. Last Friday was executed, in a field betwetn the 
 Colonels McDougal and Huntlngton's camp, near the Bowery Lane (in the pre- 
 sence of near twenty thousand spectators), a soldier belonging to his Excel 
 lency General Washington's Guards, for mutiny and conspiracy, being one of 
 those who formed, and was soon to have put in execution, that horrid plot of 
 assassinating the staff officers, blowing up the magazines, and securing th 
 passes of the town, on the arrival of the hungry ministerial myrmidons. It is 
 hoped the remainder of those miscreants, now in our possession, will meet with 
 a punish uient adequate to tlieir crimes.
 
 898 APPENDIX. 
 
 Extract of a Letter dated New York, Junt 24, 1770. 
 
 My last to you was by Friday's post, since which a most 
 barbarous and infernal plot has been discovered among our 
 Tories, the particulars of which I cannot give you, as the 
 committee of examination consists of but three, who are 
 sworn to secrecy. Two of Washington's guards are con- 
 cerned, the third they tempted to join them made the first 
 discovery. The general report of their design is as follows : 
 Upon the arrival of the troops, they were to murder all the 
 staff officers, blow up the magazines, and secure the passes of 
 the town. Gilbert Forbes, gunsmith in the Broadway, was 
 taken between two and three o'clock Saturday morning, and 
 carried before our Provincial Congress, who were then sitting, 
 but refusing to make any discovery, he was sent to jail and 
 put in irons. Young Mr. Livingston went to see him early 
 in the morning, and told him he was sorry to find he had 
 been concerned, and as his time was very short, not having 
 above three days to live, advised him to prepare himself 
 This had the desired effect ; he asked to be carried before the 
 Congress again, and he would discover all he knew. Several 
 have been since taken (between twenty and thirty), amoLg 
 them our mayor, who are all now under confinement. It w 
 said their party consisted of about five hundred. 
 
 I have just heard that the mayor has confessed bringing 
 money from Ryan to pay for rifle-guns that Forbes had made. 
 
 CERTIFICATES OF THE SERVICES OF COL. AARON 
 BURR IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, FROM 
 HIS FELLOW-SOLDIERS. 
 
 Letter from SAMUEL ROWLAND, ESQ., to RICHARD V. MOBBIS, 
 Ej. 
 
 FAIRTIELD, CONN., January 2J>ih, 1815. 
 
 [n answer to the inquiries relating to the evacuation of New 
 York in 1776, I can only observe, but few persons who wera
 
 APPENDIX. 399 
 
 present and eye-witnesses of the event, are now living in this 
 part of the country ; I find, however, the Rev. Dr. Ripley, a 
 gentleman of eminent respectability, and Messrs. Wakeiuan 
 and Jennings, respectable citizens of this town, now living, 
 who belonged to the brigade of the late General Silliman, the 
 information of which gentlemen, on any subject, can be relied 
 on, and will be no otherwise than correct, however prejudice 
 or other cause might occasion a reluctance in disclosing the in- 
 formation in their power to give ; yet duty impelled their nar- 
 rative, and the neglecting an opportunity to give evidence of 
 noble acts and unrewarded worth, they consider ingratitude. 
 In preference to communicate to you by way of letter, con- 
 cerning transactions of so long standing as in the year 1776, I 
 desired the inclosed certificates, which the gentlemen freely 
 gave, in order to prevent any misconstruction by passing 
 through a second hand, by which you'll have more correct 
 information than possibly is in my power to give. 
 
 I am respectfully, your obedt. sevt., 
 
 SAMUEL. ROWLAND. 
 RICHARD VALENTINE MORRIS, ESQ. 
 
 Certificate from the REV. HEZEKIAH RIPLEY. 
 (Copy). 
 
 On being inquired of by Samuel Rowland. Esq., of Fairfield 
 town and county, in the State of Connecticut, relative to my 
 knowledge and recollection respecting the merits of Col. Aaron 
 Burr as an officer and soldier in the late Revolutionary war 
 between the United States and Great Britain, can certify aa 
 follows : 
 
 Hezekiah Ripley, of said Fairfield, do certify : That on or 
 about the fifteenth day of September, 1776, I was the officiat- 
 ing chaplain of the brigade, then commanded by Gen. Gold 
 8. Sullivan ; from mismanagement of the commanding officer, 
 that brigade was unfortunately left in the city of New York, 
 and fit the time before mentioned. While the brigade wa.s in 
 front, ard myself considerably in the rear, I was met by the late 
 Geo. Putnam, deceased, who then informed me of the landing
 
 400 APPENDIX. 
 
 of the enemy above us, and that I must make my escape en 
 the west side of the island ; whereupon I, on foot, crossed the 
 lots to the west side of the island unmolested, excepting hy the 
 tire from the ships of the British, which at that time lay in tho 
 North River ; how the brigade escaped, I was not an eye-wit- 
 ness, but well recollect, from the information I then had from 
 Gen. Chandler (now deceased), then acting as a colonel in 
 said brigade, that Mr. Burr's exertions, bravery and good con- 
 duct, was the principal means of saving the whole of that bri- 
 gade from falling into the hands of the enemy, and whose 
 conduct was then by all considered judicious and meritorious. 
 
 But, however, I well recollect before I had the information, 
 alluded to from General Chandler, I had seen Mr. Burr and in- 
 quired of him how the brigade had made their escape, who then 
 told me the particulars, which were afterward confirmed by 
 all the officers, who were all of opinion that had it not been 
 for him they would not have effected their retreat and escape. 
 
 As to my own opinion of the management of the troops on 
 leaving New York, I then and still suppose, as did Gen. Chan- 
 dler, that Col. Burr's merits then as a young officer ought and 
 did claim much attention, and whose official duties as an aid- 
 de-camp on that memorable day, justly claimed the thanks of 
 the army and his country. 
 
 (Signed) HEZEKIAH RIPLEY. 
 
 Certificate from MR. ISAAC JENNINGS and from MR. ANDREW 
 
 WAKEMAN. 
 
 Being requested by Samuel Rowland, Esq., to give intorma- 
 tion relative to the evacuation of New York in the year 1776, 
 by the American army, we, the subscribers, then acting, one 
 in the capacity of a lieutenant, and the other as a private, 
 in the brigade commanded by the late General Sullivan, now 
 deceased, do certify : That on the fifteenth day of September 
 (being on the Lord's day) the British landed on the east side of 
 the island, about four miles above the city ; the American 
 troops retrea.ted the same day to Harlem Heights ; bj soma
 
 APPENDIX. 401 
 
 misapprehension of the orders, or from other causes unknown 
 co u?, our brigade was left, and was taken by General Knox to 
 Bunkers Hill, a small fort (so called) about a mile from town ; 
 the fort was scarcely able to hold ns all ; we had but just got 
 into the fort, when Aaron Burr, then aid -de-camp to Genenil 
 Putnam, rode up and inquired who commanded there; Geu. 
 Knox presented himself, and Burr (then called Major Buir) 
 asked the general what he did there, and why he did not re- 
 treat with the army ; the general replied, that it was impossi- 
 ble to retreat, as the enemy were across the island, and that he 
 meant to defend that fort ; Major Burr ridiculed tire idea of 
 defending the place, being, as he said, without provisions or 
 water, or bomb proof, and that with one mortar, or one how- 
 itzer, the enemy would take the place in four hours, or in some 
 very short time, and again urged General Knox to retreat to 
 Harlem Heights ; hut General Knox said it would be madness 
 to attempt it; a smart debate ensued, the general adhering to 
 his opinion ; Burr addressed himself to the men, and told them 
 that if they remained there, they would, before night, be all 
 prisoners and crammed into a dungeon, or hung like dogs ; he 
 engaged to lead them off, and observed that it would be better 
 that one-half should be killed in fighting, than all be sacrificed 
 in that cowardly manner. The men agreed to follow him, and 
 he led them out, he and his two attendants riding on the right 
 flank; about four miles from town, we were fired upon by a 
 party of the enemy; Burr galloped directly to the spot the 
 firing came from, hallooing to the men to follow him ; it proved 
 to be only a guard of about a company of the enemy, who im- 
 mediately fled; Burr and his horsemen pursued and killed 
 several of them ; while he was thus engaged, the head of a 
 column had taken a wrong road ; Burr came up and turned us 
 to the left into a wood, and rode along the column from front 
 to rear, encoiiraging the men, and led us out to the main army 
 with very small loss. 
 
 The coolness, deliberation aud valor displayed by Major 
 Burr, in effecting a safe retreat without material loss, and his 
 meritorious services to the army on that day, rendered him an
 
 402 APPENDIX. 
 
 object of peculiar respect from the troops, ami the partlcn 
 
 lar notice of the officers. /Q - 1% ISAAC JENNINGS, 
 (Signed) 
 
 Letter from NATHANIEL JCDSON to COMMODORE R. V. MORRI&. 
 
 ALBANY, 10<A February, 1814. 
 
 SIR : I have received your letter with the preceding state- 
 ment respecting our retreat from New York Island, in Sep- 
 tember, 1776, and in compliance with your request, I have to 
 reply, that the relation made by Mr. Wakeman and Mr. Jen- 
 nings corresponds with my recollection. I was near Colonel 
 Burr when he had the dispute with General Knox, who said 
 it was madness to think of retreating, as we should meet the 
 whole British army ; Col. Burr did not address himself to the 
 men but to the officers, who had most of them gathered around 
 to hear what passed, as we considered ourselves as lost ; but 
 Col. Burr seamed so confident that he could make good a re- 
 treat, and made it clear that we were all lost if we staid there, 
 that we all agreed to trust to his conduct and courage, though 
 it did appear to us a most desperate undertaking ; and he did 
 Dot disappoint us, for he effected a retreat with the whole bri- 
 gade, and I do not think we lost more than thirty men ; we 
 had several brushes with small parties of the enemy ; Colonel 
 Burr was foremost, and the most active where there was dan- 
 ger, and his conduct, without considering his extreme youth, 
 was afterward a constant subject of praise arm admiration and 
 gratitude ; this affair was much talked of in the army after 
 the surrender of Fort Washington, in which a garrison of 
 about 2,500 men was left under circumstances very similar to 
 our?, this fort having no bomb proof ; that garrison surren- 
 dered, as is well known, on the very same day our army re- 
 treated, and of those 2,500 men, not 500 men survived the im- 
 prisonment they received from the British. I have since then 
 heard it repeated hundreds of times by the officers and men 
 of Sullivan's brigade, 'that our fate would have been the same, 
 had it not been for Col. Burr ; 1 was a sergeant-major iu
 
 408 
 
 Chandlers regiment of Sillimarrs brigade at the tiim of the 
 re! rcat. I am, your very humble sevt. 
 
 NATIU. JCDSON. 
 To R. V. MORRIS, ESQ. 
 
 Letter from COLONEL EICHAKD PLATT to COMMODORE Y. 
 MORRIS. 
 
 (Copy). 
 
 NEW YORK, January 27, 1614 
 YAI.EXTIXE MORRIS, ESQ., 
 
 DEAR SIR : In reply to yours of the of November 
 
 last, requesting to be informed what was the reputation and 
 services of Colonel Burr during the Revolutionary War, I give 
 you t.he following detail of facts which you may rely on, as no 
 man was better acquainted with him and his military operation 
 than your humble servant, who served in that war from the 
 28th of June, 1775, till the evacuation of our capital, on the 
 memorable 25th November, 1783 ; having passed through the 
 grades of Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Major of Brigade, Aid- 
 <")e-Ci;mp, Depnty-Adjutant-General, and Deputy- Quartermas- 
 ter-General, the last of which by selection and recommenda- 
 tion of General Greene. McDougal, and Knox, in the most 
 trying crisis of the Revolution, viz., the year 1780, when the 
 Continental money ceased to pass, and there was no other fis- 
 cal resource during that campaign but what resulted from the 
 creative genius of Timothy Pickering, then appointed succes- 
 sor to General Greene, the second officer of the American 
 army, who resigned that department because there was no 
 money in the national coffers to carry it through the campaign, 
 declaring that he could not nor would not attempt it without 
 adequate resources, such as he abounded in during the terra of 
 nearly three years antecedently as quartermaster-general. 
 
 In addition to the foregoing, by way of elucidation, it is to 
 be understood by you, that so early as from the latter part of 
 the year 1776, 1 was always attached to a commanding general, 
 and in consequence, my knowledge of the officers and their 
 merits v as more general than that of almost any other in the
 
 404 APPENDIX. 
 
 ervice, and my operations were upon the extended scale from 
 the remotest parts of Canada, wherever the American stand- 
 ard had waved, to the splendid theatre of Yorktown, when 
 and where I was adjutant-general to the chosen troops of the 
 northern army. 
 
 At the commencement of the Eevolution, Colonel Burr, 
 then about eighteen years of age, at the first sound of the 
 trump of war (as if bred in the camp of the Great Frederick, 
 whose Maxim was : " To hold his army always in readiness to 
 break a lance with or throw a dart against any assailant,'') quit his 
 professional studies and rushed to the camp of General Wash- 
 ington, at Cambridge, as a volunteer, from which he went 
 with Colonel Arnold, on his daring enterprise against Quebec, 
 through the wilds of Canada (which vied with Hannibal's 
 march over the Alps), during which toilsome and hazardous 
 march he attracted the admiration of his commander so much 
 that he (Arnold) sent him alone to meet and hurry down 
 General Montgomery's army from Montreal, to his assistance, 
 and recommended him to that general, who appointed him his 
 aid-de-camp, in which capacity he acted during the winter, till 
 the fatal assault on Quebec, in which that gallant general, his 
 aid, McPherson, and Captain Cheesman, commanding the for- 
 lorn hope, fell ; and afterward continued as aid to Arnold, the 
 survivor in command. 
 
 Here I must begin to draw some of the outlines of his 
 genius and valor, which, like those of the British immortal 
 Wolfe, who, at the age of twenty-four, and only major of the 
 20th regiment, serving on the continent, gave such specimens 
 of genius and talents, as to evince hiu being destined for com- 
 mand. 
 
 At the perilous moment of Montgomery's death, when dis- 
 may and consternation universally prevailed, and the column 
 halted, he animated the troops, and made many efforts to lead 
 them on, and stimulated them to enter the lower town, and 
 might have succeeded but for the positive orders of Colonel 
 Donald Campbell, the commanding officer, for the troops fcj 
 retreat. Had his plan been carried into effect, it might have
 
 APPENDIX. 406 
 
 saved Arnold's division from capture, which had, after our re- 
 treat, to contend with all the British force instead of a part. 
 On this occasion I commanded the first company in the first 
 New York regiment, at the head of Montgomery's column, so 
 that I speak from ocular demonstration. 
 
 The next campaign, 1776, Colonel Burr was appointed aid- 
 de-camp to Major-General Putnam, second in command under 
 General Washington, at New York, and from my knowledge 
 of that general's qualities and the colonel's, I am very certain 
 that the latter directed all the movements and operations of 
 the former. 
 
 In January, 1777, the continental establishment for the war 
 commenced. Then Colonel Burr was appointed hy General 
 Washington a lieutenant-colonel in Malcom's regiment, in 
 which he continued to serve until April or May, 1779, when 
 the ill state of his health ohliged him to retire from active 
 service, to the regret of General McDougal, commanding the 
 department, and those of the commander-in-chief, who ottered 
 to give him a furlough for any length of time, and to get per- 
 mission from the British general in New York for him to go 
 to Bermuda for his health. 
 
 This item will show his value in the estimation of GeneraU 
 Washington and McDougal : 
 
 During the campaign of 1777, Malcom's regiment was with 
 the main army, and commanded by the lieutenant-colonel. 
 For discipline, order, and system, it was not surpassed by any 
 in the service, and could his (the lieutenant-colonel's) and 
 Wolfe's orderly books be produced, they would be very simi- 
 lar in point of military policy and instructions, and fit models 
 for all regiments. 
 
 This regiment was also hutted at the Valley Forge in 1777 
 and winter of 1778, under General Washington, and composed 
 part of his army at the battle of Monmouth, on the 28th of 
 June, 1778, and continued with it until the close of the cam- 
 paign of that year, at which time it was placed in garrison at 
 West Point by General Gates ; but upon General McDougal 
 assuming the command of the posts in the Highlands in De-
 
 cember, Malcom's, Spencer's, and Patten's regiments were 
 together ordered to Haverstraw, the three colonels were per- 
 mitted to go home for the winter on furlough, and Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Burr had the command of the whole brigade at a very 
 important advanced post. 
 
 At this period General McDougal ordered a detachment of 
 about three hundred troops, under the command of Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Littlefield of the Massachusetts line, to guard the lines 
 in Westchester County, then extending from Tarrytown to 
 Whiteplains, and from thence to Mamaroneok or Saw Pits, 
 which last extension was guarded by Connecticut troops from 
 Major-General Putnam's division. 
 
 In this situation of affairs, a very singular occurrence pre- 
 sented, viz., that neither Lieutenant-Colonel Littlefield nor any 
 other of his grade in the two entire brigades of Massachusetts 
 troops composing the garrison of West Point, from which the 
 lines were to be relieved, was competent, in the general's esti- 
 mation, to give security to the army above and lines below ; 
 and in consequence he was compelled to call Colonel Burr 
 from his station at Haverstraw, to the more important com- 
 mand of the lines in Westchester, in which measure, unprece- 
 dented as it was, the officers acquiesced without a murmur, 
 from a conviction of its expediency. At this time I was doing 
 the duty of adjutant-general to General McDougal. 
 
 It was on this new &nd interesting theatre of war that the 
 confidence and affections of the officers and soldiers (who now 
 became permanent on the lines, instead of being relieved every 
 two or three weeks as before) as well as of the inhabitants, all 
 before unknown to Colonel Burr, were inspired with con- 
 fidence by a system of consummate skill, astonishing vigilance, 
 and extreme activity, which in like manner made such an im- 
 pression on the enemy, that after an unsuccessful attack on 
 one of his advanced posts, he never made any other attack on 
 our lines during the winter. 
 
 Ilis humanity and constant regard to the security of the 
 property and persons of the inhabitants from injury and in- 
 eult, were not less conspicuous than his military skill, etc. No
 
 APPENDIX. 407 
 
 man W&K insnlted or disturbed ; the health of the troops was 
 perfect ; not a desertion during the whole period of his com- 
 mand, nor a man made prisoner, though the colonel was con- 
 stantly making prisoners. 
 
 A country which, for three years before, had been a scene 
 of robbery, cruelty, and murder, became at once the abode of 
 ac-curity and peace. Though his powers were despotic, they 
 were exercised only for the peace, the security, and protection 
 of the country and its inhabitants. 
 
 In the winter of 1779, t!ie latter part of it, Major Hull, an 
 excellent officer, then in the Massachusetts line, was sent down 
 as second to Colonel Burr, who, after having been familiarized 
 to his system, succeeded him for a short time in command, 
 about the last of April, at which time Colonel Burr's health 
 would not permit him to continue in command ; but the major 
 was soon compelled to fall back many miles, so as to be within 
 supporting distance of the army to the Highlands. 
 
 The severity of the service, and the ardent and increasing 
 activity with which he had devoted himself to his country's 
 cause for more than four years, having materially impaired his 
 health, he was compelled to leave the post and retire from 
 active service. It was two years before he regained his 
 health. 
 
 Major Hull has ever since borne uniformly the most honor- 
 able testimony of the exalted talents of his commander, by 
 declaring his gratitude for being placed under an officer whoso 
 system of duty was different from that of all other cou 
 manders under whom he had served. 
 
 Having thus exhibited the colonel's line of march and his 
 operations in service, I must now present him in contrast with 
 his equals in rank and his superiors in command. 
 
 In September, 1777, the enemy came out on both sides of 
 tl.e Hudson simultaneously, in considerable force, say from two 
 to three thousand men ; on the east side (at Peekskill) was a 
 major-general of our army, with an effective force of about 
 two thousand men. The enemy advanced, and our genera] 
 retired without engaging them ; our barracks and store-house*
 
 408 APPENDIX. 
 
 and the whole village of Peekskill were sacked and burnt and 
 the country pillaged. 
 
 On the west side, at the mouth of the Clove, near Suffren's, 
 was Colonel Burr, commanding Malcom's regiment, about 
 three hundred and fifty men. On the first alarm he marched 
 to find the enemy, and on the same night attacked and took 
 their picket guard, rallied the country, and made such show of 
 war that the enemy retreated the next morning, leaving be- 
 hind him the cattle, horses, and sheep they had plundered. 
 
 The year following, Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson was sent 
 to command on the same lines, in Westchester, by General 
 Heath, and he was surprised at nine or ten o'clock in the day, 
 and made prisoner, with a great part of his detachment. 
 
 Again, in the succeeding winter, Colonel Green, of the 
 Khode Island line, with his own and another Khode Island 
 regiment, who was a very distinguished officer, and had with 
 these two regiments, in the year 1777, defeated Hessian grena- 
 diers, under Count Donap, at Red Bank, on the Delaware, who 
 was mortally wounded and taken prisoner, commanded on the 
 lines in Westchester, there receded to Pine's Bridge, and in 
 this position Colonel Green's troops were also surprised after 
 breakfast and dispersed, the colonel himself and Major Flagg 
 killed, and many soldiers made prisoners, besides killed and 
 wounded. 
 
 On the west side of the Hudson, in the year 1780, General 
 Wayne, the hero of Stony Point, with a large command, and 
 field artillery, made an attack on a block house, nearly oppo- 
 site Dobb's ferry, defended by Cow-boys, and was repulsed 
 with loss ; whereas Col. Burr burnt and destroyed one of a 
 similar kind in the winter of 1779, near Delancy's Mills, with 
 a very few men and without any loss on his part, besides cap- 
 turing the garrison. 
 
 Here, my good friend, Commodore, I must drop the curtain 
 till I see you in Albany, which will be in the first week in 
 February, where I can and will convince you that he is the 
 only man in America, (that is) the United States, who is fit to 
 be a lieutenant-general, and let you and I, and all the Anicri-
 
 APPENDIX. 409 
 
 can people look out for Mr. Madison's lieutenant-general in 
 contrast. Adieu. I am, 
 
 Your friend and most obt. servt., 
 (Signed) RICHD. PLATT. 
 
 Copy of a letter from EGBERT HUNTER, ESQ., formerly a lieu- 
 tenant in MALCOM'S regiment, to GABRIEL FUBMAN, ESQ., 
 member of Assembly. 
 
 Niw YORK, January 22d, 1814. 
 
 DEAR SIK : I have understood that an application will be 
 made to the Legislature by, or on behalf of Col. Burr, for re- 
 muneration for his military services during our Revolutionary 
 war. 
 
 Having had the happiness to serve under him for more than 
 two years, and having retained an unbounded respect for hia 
 talents and character, you will pardon me for asking your 
 active support of anything which may be moved in his favor; 
 for certainly if any officer of the army deserved recompense, 
 it is Col. Burr. 
 
 He sacrificed his health, and underwent more fatigue and 
 privations than any other officer of whom 1 had any know- 
 lodge. 
 
 If I thought it could be useful to him or amusing to you, I 
 would enter into details ; but the facts are of general notoriety, 
 and his superiority as a military man, is, as far as my know- 
 ledge extends, universally allowed. 
 
 I will, however, detain you while I relate a single incident, 
 because it was the first of which I was a witness : I was 
 attached as a cadet to Coi. Malcom's regiment, then stationed 
 In the Clove, when Burr joined it as lieutenant-colonel, being 
 in the summer of 1777 ; Malcolm seeing that his presence was 
 unnecessary while Burr was there, was with his family about 
 twenty miles distant. Early in September we heard that the 
 enemy were out in great force ; Burr gave orders for the secu- 
 rity of the camp and of the public stores, and within one honr 
 after news was received, marched with the choice of the regi- 
 18
 
 410 APPENDIX. 
 
 tnent to find the enemy ; at Paramus the militia were assem- 
 bled in considerable force, but in great disorder and terror ; 
 no one could tell the force or position of the enemy ; Burr as- 
 sumed the command, to which they submitted cheerfully, as 
 he alone (though but a boy in appearance) seemed to know 
 what 'he was about; he arranged and encouraged them a* 
 well as time would permit, and taking a few of the most hardy 
 of the men, continued his march toward the enemy ; two or 
 three miles this side Hackensack, we learned that we were 
 near the enemy's advanced guard; Burr chose a convenient 
 place for the men to repose, and went himself to examine the 
 position of the enemy ; a little before daylight he returned, 
 waked us and ordered us to follow him ; he led us silently and 
 undiscovered within a few paces of the British guard, which 
 we took or killed ; from the prisoners we learned that the 
 enemy were about 2,000 strong; without loss of time he sent 
 expresses with orders to the militia, and to call out the coun- 
 try, and I have no doubt but he would within forty-eight 
 hours have had an army capable of checking the progress of 
 the enemy, and of preventing or impeding their retreat ; but 
 they retreated the day following, and with every mark of pre- 
 cipitation ; during these two days and nights, the colonel did 
 not lay down or take a minute's repose ; thus you perceive, my 
 dear sir, that Burr being more than thirty miles distant when 
 he heard of the enemy, was in their camp the same night ; 
 you will agree with rne that things are not done so now-a-days. 
 
 Similar instances of activity and enterprise occurred in each 
 of the four campaigns he served, and very frequently during 
 the winter he commanded on the lines of West Chf ster. 
 
 I repeat that it will afford me pleasure to relate so much 
 of these things as came to my own knowledge, if it would be 
 of any use. 
 
 Malcom was never a month with the regiment after Burr 
 joined it, so that it was Burr who formed it, and it was a 
 model for the whole army in discipline and order; he never 
 in a single instance permitted any corporal punishment. 
 
 His attention and care of the UK-LI was such as 1 never *aw (
 
 APPENDIX. 411 
 
 nor anything approaching to it, in any other officer, though I 
 served under many, 
 
 It would be a disgrace to the country if such a man should 
 be denied a liberal compensation, when it is too well known 
 that he stands in need of it. 
 
 I shall consider myself as personally obliged by your exer- 
 tions in his favor, and hope your colleagues will add theirs to 
 yours. 
 
 Please to show this letter to your colleagues, and to offer 
 them my respects. I am, yours, etc., 
 
 (Signed) ROBERT HUNTER. 
 
 To G. FURMAN, ESQ., Member of Assembly, Albany, 
 
 Copy of a letter from SAMUEL Youxo, ESQ., of West Chester 
 County, lately Member of Assembly, and for many years Sur 
 rogate of the county, to COMMODORE VALENTINE MOEKIS. 
 
 MOUNT PLEASANT, January 25th, 1814. 
 
 DEA.K SIR: Your letter of the 30th ult., asking for some 
 account of the campaign in which I served under the com- 
 mand of Col. Burr during the Revolutionary "War, was re- 
 ceived some days ago, and has been constantly in my mind. 
 I will reply to it with pleasure, but the compass of a letter 
 will not admit of much detail. 
 
 I resided in the lines from the commencement of the Revolu- 
 tion until the winter of the year 1780, when my father's house 
 was burned by order of the British general ; the county of "West 
 Chester, very soon after the commencement of hostilities, be- 
 came, on account of its exposed situation, a scene of the deepest 
 distress ; from the Croton to King's Bridge, every specie-* of 
 rapine and lawless violence prevailed; no man went to his 
 bed but under the apprehension of having his house plundered 
 or burned, or himself or family massacred before morning, 
 some, under the character of Whigs, plundered the Tories, 
 while others of the latter description plundered the "Whig? ; 
 p-t.rties of marauders, assuming either character, or noue, aa
 
 412 APPENDIX. 
 
 enited their convenience, indiscriminately assailed both Whig! 
 and Tories ; so little vigilance was used on our part, that the 
 emissaries and spies of the enemy passed and repassed without 
 interruption. 
 
 These calamities continued undiininished until the arrival of 
 Col. Burr, in the autumn of the year 1778; he took command 
 of the same troops which his predecessor, Col. Littlefield, com- 
 manded ; at the moment of Col. Burr's arrival, Col. Littlefield 
 had returned from a plundering expedition (for to plunder 
 those called Tories was then deemed lawful), and had brought 
 up horses, cattle, bedding, clothing and other articles of easy 
 transportation, which he had proposed to distribtite among the 
 party the next day ; Col. Burr's first act of authority was to 
 seize and secure all this plunder, and he immediately took 
 measures for restoring it to the owners ; this gave us much 
 trouble, but it was abundantly repaid by the confidence it in- 
 spired ; he then made known his determination to suppress 
 plundering ; the same day he visited all the guards, changed 
 their position, dismissed some of the officers whom he found 
 totally incompetent, gave new instructions; on the same day, 
 also, he commenced a register of the names and characters of 
 all who resided near and below his guards ; distinguished by 
 secret marks, the Whig, the timid Whig, the Tory, the horse- 
 thief, and those concerned in, or suspected of giving informa- 
 tion to the enemy ; he also began a map of the country in the 
 vicinity of the fort, of the roads, by-roads, paths, creeks, mo- 
 rasses, etc., which might become hiding-places for the disaf- 
 fected, or for marauding parties ; this map was made by Col 
 Burr, himself, from such materials as he could collect on the 
 spot, but principally from his own observation. 
 
 He raised and established a corps of horsemen from among 
 the respectable farmers and young men of the country, of tried 
 patriotism, fidelity, and courage ; these also served as aids and 
 confidential persons for the transmission of orders. To this 
 corps I attached myself as a volunteer ; but did not receive 
 nay. He employed discreet and faithful persons, living near 
 the euemy's lines, to watch their motions, and give him imrne-
 
 APPENDIX. 419 
 
 diate intelligence. He employed mounted videttes for the 
 same purpose, directing two of them to proceed together, so 
 that one might he dispatched, if necessary, with information 
 to the colonel, while the other might watch the enemy's move- 
 ment. He established signals throughout the lines, so that 
 whether by night or day, instant notice could be had of an 
 attack or movement of the enemy. He enforced various 
 regulations for concealing his positions and force from the 
 enemy. 
 
 The laxity of discipline which had before prevailed, enabled 
 the enemy frequently to employ their emissaries to come 
 within the lines and to learn the precise state of our forces, 
 supplies, etc. Colonel Burr soon put an end to these danger- 
 ous intrusions, by prohibiting all persons residing below the 
 lines, except a few whom he selected, such as Parson Bartow, 
 Jacob Smith, and others, whose integrity was unimpeachable, 
 from approaching the outposts without special permission for 
 the purpose. If any one had a complaint or request to make 
 of the colonel, he procured one or more of the persons he had 
 selected, to come to his quarters on his behalf; this measure 
 prevented frivolous and vexatious applications, and the still 
 more dangerous approach of enemies in disguise. All these 
 measures were entirely new, and within eight or ten days the 
 whole system appeared to be in complete operation, and the 
 face of things was totally changed. 
 
 A few days after the colonel's arrival, the house of one Ged- 
 ney was plundered in the night, and the family abused and 
 terrified. Gedney sent his son to make a representation of it 
 to the colonel. The young man not regarding the orders 
 which had been issued, came to the colonel's quarters, undis- 
 covered by the sentinels, having taken a secret path through 
 the fields for the purpose. For this violation of orders the 
 young man was punished. The colonel immediately took 
 measures for the detection of the plunderers, and though they 
 were all disguised and wholly unknown to Gedney, yet Colonel 
 Burr, by means which were never yet disclosed, discovered the 
 plunderers, and had them all secured within twenty-four hours.
 
 414 APPENDIX. 
 
 Gedney's family, on reference to his register, appeared to 1)6 
 Tories, but Burr had promised that every quiet man should be 
 protected. 
 
 He caused the robbers to be conveyed to Gedney's house, 
 nucler the charge of Captain Benson, there to restore the 
 booty they h;id taken ; to make reparation in money for such 
 articles as were lost or damaged, and for the alarm and abuse, 
 the amount of which the colonel assessed ; to be flogged ten 
 lashes, and to ask pardon of the old man, all which was faith- 
 fully and immediately executed. 
 
 These measures gave universal satisfaction, and the terror 
 they inspired effectually prevented a repetition of similar 
 depredations. From this day plundering ceased. No further 
 instance occurred during the time of Colonel Burr's com- 
 mand ; for it was universally believed that Colonel Burr could 
 tell a robber by looking in his face, or that he had supernatu- 
 ral means of discovering crime. Indeed I was myself inclined 
 to these opinions. This belief was contirmed by another cir- 
 cumstance which had previously occurred. On the day of his 
 arrival, after our return from visiting the posts, conversing 
 with several of his attendants, and among others Lieutenant 
 Drake, whom Burr had brought with him from his own regi- 
 ment, he said : " Drake, that post on the North River will be 
 attacked before morning ; neither officers nor men know any- 
 thing of their duty. You must go and take charge of it. 
 Keep your eyes open, or you will have your throat cut." 
 Drake went. The post was attacked that night by a company 
 of horse. They were repulsed with loss. Drake returned iu 
 the morning with trophies of war, and told his story. \Ve 
 stared and asked one another, "How could Burr know that?" 
 (for he had not then established any means of intelligence.) 
 
 The measures immediately adopted by him were such that 
 it was impossible for the enemy to have passed their own 
 lines without his having immediate knowledge, and it was 
 these very measures which saved Major Hull, on whom the 
 command devolved for a short time, when the state of Colonel 
 Burr's health compelled him to retire.
 
 APPENDIX. 416 
 
 These measures, together with the deportment of Colonel 
 Burr, gained him the love and veneration of all devoted to th 
 common cause, and conciliated even its bitterest foes. Hia 
 cabits were a subject of admiration : his diet was simple and 
 spare in the extreme ; seldom sleeping more than an hour at a 
 time, and without taking oft' his clothes or even his boots. 
 Between midnight and two o'clock in the morning, accompa- 
 nied by two or three of his corps of horsemen, he visited the 
 quarters of all his captains, and their picket guards, changing 
 his route from time to time, to prevent notice of his approach. 
 You may judge of the severity of this duty when I assure you 
 that the distance which he thus rode every night must have 
 been from sixteen to twenty -four miles, and that with the ex- 
 ception of two nights only in which he was otherwise engaged, 
 he never omitted thes excursions, even in the severest and 
 most stormy weather ; and except the short time necessarily 
 consumed in hearing and answering commands and petitions 
 from persons both above and below the lines, Colonel Burr 
 was constantly with the .troops. 
 
 He attended to the minutest articles of their comfort to 
 their lodgings, to their diet ; for those off' duty he invented 
 eports, all tending to some useful end. During two or three 
 weeks after the colonel's arrival, we had many sharp conflicts 
 with the robbers and horse thieves, who were hunted down 
 with unceasing industry. In many instances we encountered 
 great superiority of numbers ; but always with success, ^huiy 
 of them were killed and many taken. 
 
 The strictest discipline prevailed, and the army felt the 
 fullest confidence in their commander and in themselves, and 
 by these means became really formidable to the enemy. Dur- 
 ing the same winter Governor Tryon planned an expedition 
 to Horseueck, 'for the purpose of destroying the salt-works 
 erected there, and marched with about two thousand men. 
 Colonel Burr received early information of tbeir movements, 
 and sent word to General Putnam to hold the enemy at bay 
 for a few hours, and he (Colonel Burr) would be in their rear, 
 tiud be answerable for them. By a messenger from him, Col,
 
 416 APPEJOJIX. 
 
 Burr was informed by that general, that he had been obliged 
 to retreat, and that the enemy were advancing into Connecti- 
 cut. This information, which unfortunately was not correct, 
 altered Colonel Burr's route toward Mamaroneck, which ena- 
 bled Tryon to get the start of him. Colonel Bun then 
 endeavored to intercept him in Eastchester, according to his 
 first plan, and actually got within cannon shot of him. But 
 Tryon run too fast, and in his haste left most or all of his cat- 
 tle and plunder behind him, and many stragglers who wero 
 picked up. 
 
 I will mention another enterprise which proved more suc- 
 cessful, though equally hazardous. Soon after Tryon's retreat, 
 Colonel Delancy, who commanded the British ictugees, in 
 order to secure themselves against surprise, erected a block 
 house on a rising ground below Delancy's Bridge. This Col. 
 Burr resolved to destroy. I was in that expedition, and recol- 
 lect the circumstances. 
 
 He procured a number of hand-grenades, also rolls of port- 
 lire, and canteens filled with inflammable materials, with con- 
 trivances to attach them to the side of the block-house. He 
 set out with his troops early in the evening, and arrived within 
 a mile of the block-house by two o'clock in the morning. The 
 colonel gave Captain Black the command of about forty vol- 
 unteers, who were first to approach. Twenty of them were 
 to carry the port-fires, etc., etc. Those who had hand-grenade8 
 had short ladders to enable them to reach the port-holes, the 
 exact height of which Colonel Burr had ascertained. Colonel 
 Burr gave Captain Black his. instructions in the hearing of 
 his company, assuring him of his protection if they were at- 
 tacked by superior numbers ; for it was expected that the 
 enemy, who had several thousand men at and near King's 
 Bridge, would endeavor to cut us off, as we were several miles 
 below them. Burr directed those who carried the combusti- 
 bles to march in front as silently as possible; that on being 
 hailed, they should light the hand-grenades, etc.. w'th a slow 
 match provided for the purpose, and throw them into the port- 
 holes. I was one of the party that advanced. The sentinel
 
 APFE3TD1X. 417 
 
 bailed and fired. We rushed on. The first hand-grenade that 
 was thrown in drove the enemy from the upper story, and be- 
 fore they could take any measure to defend it, the block-house 
 was on fire in several places. Some few escaped, and the rest 
 surrendered without our having lost a single man. Though 
 many shots were fired at us, we did not fire a gun. 
 
 During the period of Colonel Burr's command, but two at- 
 tempts were made by the enemy to surprise our guards, in 
 both of which they were defeated. 
 
 After Colonel Burr left this command, Colonel Thompson, 
 a man of approved bravery, assumed it, and the enemy, in 
 open day, advanced to his head-quarters, took Colonel Thomp- 
 son, and took and killed all his men with the exception of about 
 thirty. 
 
 My father's house, with all his out-houses were burnt. After 
 these disasters, our troops never made an effort to protect that 
 part of the country. The AmeVican lines were afterward 
 changed and extended from Bedford to Croton Bridge, and 
 from there, following the course of that river, to the Hudson. 
 All the intermediate country was ab.'^idoned and unprotected, 
 being about twenty miles in the ; ear of the ground which 
 Colonel Burr had maintained. 
 
 The year after the defeat of Colonel Thompson, Colonel 
 Green, a brave, and in many respects a valuable officer, took 
 the command, making his head-quarters at Danfords, about a 
 iniie above the Croton. This position was well chosen ; but 
 Colonel Green omitted to inform himself of the movements 
 of the enemy, and, consequently, was surprised. Himself, 
 Major Flagg, and other officers were killed, and a great part 
 of the men were either killed or taken prisoners ; yet these 
 officers had the full benefit of Colonel Burr's system. , 
 
 Having perused what I have written, it does not appear to 
 me that I have conveyed any adequate idea of Burr's military 
 character. It may be aided a little by reviewing the effects he 
 produced. The troops of which he took command were, at 
 the time he took the command, undisciplined, negligent, and 
 
 18*
 
 418 APPENDIX. 
 
 discontented ; desertions were frequent. In a few days thes 
 very men were transformed into brave and honest defenders 
 orderly, contented, and cheerful, confident in their own 
 courage, and loving to adoration their commander, whom 
 e^ery man considered as his personal friend. It WOM thought 
 u severe punishment as well as a disgrace to be sent up to the 
 camp, where they had nothing to do but to lounge and eat 
 their rations. 
 
 During the whole of his command, there was not a single 
 desertion ; not a single death by sickness ; not one made 
 prisoner by the enemy ; for Burr had taught us that a soldier 
 with arms in his hand ought never, under any circumstances, 
 to surrender; no matter it' he was opposed to thousands, it 
 was his duty to fight. 
 
 After the first ten days, there was not a single instance of 
 robbery. The whole country under his command enjoyed se- 
 curity. The inhabitants, to express their gratitude, frequently 
 brought presents of such articles as the country afforded ; but 
 Colonel Burr would accept no present. He fixed reasonable 
 prices, and paid in cash for everything that was received, and 
 sometimes I know that these payments were made with his 
 own money. Whether these advances were repaid, I know 
 not. 
 
 Colonel Simcoe, one of the most daring and active partisans 
 In the British army, was, with Colonels Emerick and Deluacy, 
 opposed to Burr on the lines, yet they were completely held in 
 check. 
 
 But perhaps the highest eulogy on Colonel Burr is, that no 
 man could be found capable of executing his plans, though the 
 example was before them. 
 
 When Burr left the lines a sadness overspread the country, 
 and the most gloomy forebodings were too soon fulfilled, as you 
 have seen above. 
 
 The period of Colonel Burr's command was so full of acti- 
 vity and of incident, that every day afforded some new lesson 
 o instruction.
 
 APPENDIX. 410 
 
 Btt yon will expect only a general outline, and this faint ou 
 is the best in my power to give. 
 
 I am, with real esteem, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 (Signed) SAMUEL Yorse. 
 
 MARGARET MONCRIEFFE, GENERAL PUTNAM, AND 
 AARON BURR. 
 
 From Parian's Life of Aaron urr, pp. 88-95. 
 
 At Kingsbridge, about the date of this letter,* Burr was 
 engaged in an adventure little in harmony with the warlike 
 scenes around him. 
 
 The breaking out of the Revolutionary "War found a number 
 of British officers domesticated among the colonists, and con- 
 nected with them by marriage. In New York and the other 
 garrisoned towns, officers of the army led society, as military 
 men still do in every garrisoned town in the world. "When 
 hostilities began, and every man was ordered to bis post, some 
 of these officers left their families residing among the people ; 
 and it happened, in a few instances, that the events of war 
 carried a father far away from his wife and children, never 
 to rejoin them. The future Scott of America will know 
 how to make all this very familiar to the American people 
 by the romantic and pathetic fictions which it will suggest 
 to him. 
 
 Margaret Moncrieffe, a girl of fourteen, but a woman in de- 
 velopment and appetite, witty, vivacious, piquant, and beauti- 
 ful, had been left at Elizabethtown, in New Jersey, by her 
 father, Major Moncrieffe, who was then with his regiment on 
 Staten Island, and of course cut off from communication with 
 his daughter. Destitute of resources, and anxious to rejoin 
 her father, she wrote to General Putnam for his advice and 
 
 September, 1776.
 
 420 APPENDIX. 
 
 assistance. General Putnam received her letter in New York 
 about the time that Major Burr joined him, and 1m reply was 
 prepared for his signature by the hand of his new aid-de-camp. 
 The good old general declared in this letter that he was her 
 father's enemy, indeed, as an officer, but as a man, his friend, 
 and ready to do any good office for him or his. He invited 
 her to come and reside in his family until arrangements could 
 be made for sending her to Staten Island. She consented, an 
 officer was sent to conduct her to the city, and she was at 
 once established in General Putnam's house. There she met 
 and became intimate with Major Burr. 
 
 What followed from their intimacy has been stated variously. 
 Great indeed was my astonishment, on recurring to the work 
 itself,* to find that her narrative, read in connection, not only 
 affords no support to Mr. Davis' insinuations, but explicitly, 
 and twice, contradicts them. It is known and conceded that 
 the young officer whom she extols in such passionate lan- 
 guage, and whom she miscalls " colonel," was Major Burr. 
 Thus writes Mrs. Coughlan, nee Moncrieffe: 
 
 " When I arrived in Broadway (a street so called), where 
 General Putnam resided, I was received with great tender- 
 ness, both by Mrs. Putnam and her daughters, and on the 
 following day I was introduced by them to General and Mrs. 
 Washington, who likewise made it their study to show me 
 every mark of regard ; but I seldom was allowed to be alone, 
 although sometimes, indeed, I found an opportunity to escape 
 to the gallery on the top of the house, where my chief delight 
 was to view, with a telescope, our fleet and army on Staten 
 Island. My amusements were few ; the good Mrs. Putnam 
 employed me and her daughters constantly to spin tiax for 
 Bhirts for the American soldiers, indolence, in America, being 
 totally discouraged ; and I likewise worked for General Put- 
 nam, . who, though not an accomplished muscadin, like our 
 dilettanti of St. James' street, was certainly one of the best 
 characters in the world, his heart being composed of thus* 
 
 Memoirs of Maj r Coughlan, published by Swords. New YortL
 
 421 
 
 noble materials which equally command respect and admira- 
 tion. 
 
 ******** 
 
 " Not long after tliis circumstance, a flag of truce arrived 
 from Staten Island, with letters from Major Moncrieffe, de- 
 manding me, for they now considered me as a prisoner. 
 General Washington would not acquiesce in this demand, say- 
 ing ' that I should remain a hostage for my father's good be- 
 havior.' I must here observe, that when General Washing- 
 ton refused to deliver me up, the noble-minded Putnam, as if 
 it were by instinct, laid his hand on his sword, and, with a vio- 
 lent oath, swore ' that my father's request should be granted.' 
 The commander-in-chief, whose influence governed the Con- 
 gress, soon prevailed on them to consider me as a person whose 
 situation required their strict attention ; and that I might not 
 escape, they ordered me to Kingsbridge, where, in justice, 
 I must say, that I was treated with the utmost tenderness. 
 General Mifflin there commanded. His lady was a most ac- 
 complished, beautiful woman a Quaker. And here my heart 
 received its first impression an impression that, amidst the 
 subsequent shocks which it has received, has never been 
 effaced, and which rendered me very unfit to admit the em- 
 braces of an unfeeling, brutish husband. 
 
 " O, may these pages one day meet the eye of him* who 
 subdued my virgin heart, whom the immutable, unerring laws 
 of nature had pointed out for my husband, but whose sacred 
 decree the barbarous customs of society fatally violated. To 
 him I ptighted my virgin vow, and I shall never cease to 
 lament that obedience to a father left it incomplete. When 
 I reflect on my past sufferings, now that, alas ! my present 
 sorrows press heavily upon me, 1 cannot refrain from expati- 
 ating a little on the inevitable horrors which ever attend the 
 frustration of natural affections : I myself, who, unpitied by 
 the world, have endured every calamity that human nature 
 Knows, <ur. a melancholy example of this truth ; for if I know 
 
 * CoL Aaron Burr.
 
 422 APPENDIX. 
 
 my own heart it is far better calculated for the purer jo) 8 of 
 domestic life, thai: for the hurricane of extravagance and dis- 
 sipation in which I have been wrecked. 
 
 " Why is the will of nature so often perverted ? Why ia 
 social happiness forever sacrificed at the altar of prejudice ? 
 Avarice has usurped the throne of reason, and the affections 
 of the heart are not consulted. We cannot command our de- 
 sires, and when the object of our being is unattained, misery 
 must be necessarily our doom. Let this truth, therefore, be 
 forever remembered : when once an affection has rooted itself 
 in a tender, constant heart, no time,* no circumstance can 
 eradicate it. Unfortunate, then, are they who are joined, if 
 their hearts are not matched ! 
 
 " With this conqueror of my soul, how happy should I now 
 have been ! What storms and tempests should I have avoided 
 (at least I am pleased to think so) if I had been allowed to 
 follow the bent of my inclinations ! and happier, O, ten thou- 
 sand times happier should I have been with him, in the wildest 
 desert of our native country, the woods affording us our only 
 shelter, and their fruits our only repast, than under the canopy 
 of costly state, with all the refinements and embellishments 
 of courts, with the royal warrior who would fain have proved 
 himself the conqueror of France. 
 
 " My conqueror was engaged in another cause, he was am- 
 bitious to obtain other laurels : he fought to liberate, not to 
 enslave nations. He was a colonel in the American army, and 
 high in the estimation of his country : his victories were never 
 accompanied with one gloomy, relenting thought ; they shone 
 as bright as the cause which achieved them ! I had communi- 
 cated by letter to General Putnam the proposals of this gen- 
 tleman, with my determination to accept them, and I was 
 embarrassed by the answer which the general returned; he 
 entreated me to remember that the person in question, from 
 his political principles, was extremely obnoxious to my father, 
 and concluded by observing, ' that I surely must not unite 
 myself with a man who would not hesitate to drench his 
 word in the blood of my nearest relation, should he be op-
 
 APPENDIX. 428 
 
 posed to him in battle.' Saying this, he lamented the neces- 
 sity of giving advice contrary to his own sentiments, since in 
 every other respect he considered the match as unexception- 
 able." 
 
 According to a story told by the late Colonel "W. L. Stone 
 (author of the " Life of Brant ''), it was no other than Burr 
 himself. Before her arrival at General Putnam's, it appears 
 that Burr, though he was delighted with her wit and vivacity, 
 conceived the idea that she might be a British spy ; and. as he 
 was looking over her shoulder one day, while she was paint- 
 ing a bouquet, the suspicion darted into his mind that she was 
 using the u language of flowers " for the purpose of conveying 
 intelligence to the enemy. He communicated his suspicion to 
 Gencnil Washington, who thought it only prudent to remove 
 her a few miles further inland, to the quarters of General 
 Mifflin ; where, after the evacuation of the city, Burr met her 
 again, and, as she says, won her virgin affections. Colonel 
 Stone was very intimate with Burr in his later years, and 
 had long conversations with him about Revolutionary times. 
 He may have derived this pretty tale from Burr himself. 
 
 PARAGRAPH RELATING TO MARGARET MON- 
 
 CRIEFFE. 
 
 From a New York Newspaper of July, 1846. 
 
 During the Revolutionary "War, there was an extraordinary 
 lady, highly gifted and beautiful, who made a great noise at 
 that time, by the name of Moncriefi'e, who subsequently wrote 
 her memoirs, which will be found in the City Library. While 
 she was riding on horseback near our lines, with a servant, 
 ehe was taken prisoner and brought to West Point, her father 
 being a major in the British service, and a distinguished 
 engineer. She was detained as a prisoner by General Put- 
 nam. An American officer of any rank, she said, would bo 
 (jiven for her. She commenced drawing flowers for hf
 
 424 APPEXDIX. 
 
 amusement, wh.'.ch were executed with great taste and skill, 
 and presented them to General Putnam. She drew some also 
 for her own purposes. In this manner her time was occupied 
 for several days, promenading the walks wheresoever eho 
 thought proper. Col. Burr, aid to Putnam, was ahsent dur- 
 ing this period. On his return to camp, these specimens of 
 the lady's taste and talent were shown to him. He requested 
 the favor of heing shown all that she had drawn for her own 
 use. They were promptly produced. After being entirely 
 satisfied that he had them all in his possession, he remarked 
 that they were so beautiful, and so admirably executed, that 
 he could not part with them. At or about this time, the 
 works at West Point had undergone great improvement and 
 repairs, under the superintendence of a French engineer. On 
 retiring from the presence of Miss Moncrieffe, Col. Burr ex- 
 hibited to General Putnam, and the other officers, who had 
 paid no attention to the drawings, some faint lines under the 
 flowers which the lady had painted that those lines, when 
 connected, was a complete draft of all the works, as recently 
 improved, and which she intended to bear off to the camp of 
 the enemy. Her capture was premeditaW. Miss MoncrieiTe 
 was a regular spy in petticoats. She was sent down to New 
 York, and staid at head-quarters, at the corner of Broadway 
 and the Battery ; but she was so close an observer of every- 
 thing going on, that the commanding general had to send her 
 to her father, who was with the British troops in New 
 Jersey. 
 
 OL. BURR DENIES CLAIMING PROTECTION AS A 
 BRITISH SUBJECT. 
 
 " NBW TOM, 2Stt July, 1818. 
 " SIB : "When interrupted this morning, I was about to say 
 
 to B that when abroad in whatever part of the World, ] 
 
 always defended and eulogized our political and municipal 
 institutions. It was often objected to me that I myself had
 
 APPEXDIX. 425 
 
 been a victim of Democratic rage. Is there any other GoTern- 
 raent in the World under which only one man out of 5,000,000 
 can complain of oppression ? If not, a single instance proves 
 nothing against the forms of Government. A reply which is 
 more suited to silence, though perhaps without convincing the 
 objector. 
 
 "Another rumor which has been industriously circu- 
 lated, may have appeared to you more probable, to wit, 
 that I had claimed protection as a British subject, hav- 
 ing had some difficulty with the Home Department, (then 
 Lord Liverpool's) about passports and permission to travel 
 (which terminated in my imprisonment and banishment). 
 
 " It was strongly recommended to me by a man of very high 
 consideration, enjoying an important place under Government, 
 but hating personally Lord Liverpool, to defend myself against 
 his persecutions, by claiming my birth -right as a British sub- 
 ject. It was presumed that I would cheerfully seize this 
 mode to disengage myself from thraldom, and to mortify and 
 if I should please, to punish Lord Liverpool. 
 
 " It became a topic of conversation, and many distinguished 
 persons took a very lively interest in the question. A very 
 profound, and learned argument of 60 octavo pages, tracing 
 the law from the time of William the Conqueror to the then 
 present day (1808) was drawn up for the occasion by one of 
 the ablest and most celebrated Lawyers in the British domi- 
 nions, and put into my hands. My rights were Demonstrated 
 beyond a doubt. / refuted to suffer myself to be called a 
 British subject, for a, single day ; for any purpose, under 
 any c ire um stances; nor did I at any moment twelve from thit 
 determination" 
 
 The letter from which the above is extracted, was addressed 
 to his tried and intimate friend, Erie Bolman, Esq., of Phila- 
 delphia, and has been very strangely overlooked by M. I* 
 Davis, and Parton.
 
 APPENDIX II. 
 
 LETTERS OF COL. BURR TO "KATE." 
 
 Ain> *> my dear Kate has come a little nearer. I do 
 think I shall call one of these days and take a dish of tea 
 with you, and be off again in half an hour ; in the meantime 
 I want to be a little better acquainted with you and the 
 brats; tell me their ages and what they are like, and be a 
 little more communicative about your pretty self ; have you 
 grown fat or lean, or neither ? Est ce que tu es toujoura "belief JA 
 veux que ma niece soit toujours "belle ; now if you dare grow 
 ugly, Lord, how I will hate you ? 
 9,1st, August, 1812. 
 
 MY DEAR KATE: While I read your letter, I seem to heat 
 the sound of that soft voice which has so often charmed me. 
 How I wish you were near me to help me dispel this gloom 
 that threatens to subdue my soul ; indeed my dear creature, I 
 am fit for nothing. 
 
 Your offer of a refuge for a victim of despair, is kind and 
 considerate, but alas, I fear the subject of it will smile under 
 the weight of his afflictions. 
 
 Excuse me, my lovely friend ; in a few days I will write you 
 
 ra February, 1818. 
 
 MT DEAR KATE : I have received your letter of yesterday, 
 bat not in season to answer by return of mail. 
 
 436
 
 APPENDIX. 42* 
 
 Theodosia sailed from Georgetown, S. 0., on the 30th, Dec., 
 being thirty-eight days ago, in the pilot boat schooner, the 
 Patriot, Capt. Soustocks ; since that day nothing has been 
 heard of her, nor of the vessel, and I am filled with the most 
 gloomy apprehensions; my hope is, that the vessel may have 
 been taken and carried into Bermuda, where, I have every 
 reason to believe, she would be treated with respect and hos- 
 pitality ; but indeed I am wretched, and the utter impossibility 
 of doing anything for her relief or my own, makes me still 
 more so. When or how this dreadful suspense will terminate, 
 God only knows. 
 
 LETTER OF COL. BURR TO ELIZA. 
 
 Your little letter of the 16th, my dear Eliza, is full of conso- 
 lation and goodness, and now you are away, God knows where ; 
 Julia condescended to seek me ; she won't do at all ; sense 
 without refinement passion without sentiment point de tact 
 the acquaintance is dropped ; my two most useful and most 
 intimate friends are sexagenaires. 
 
 I have seen our little coz., Cora, a fine, plump, rosy-cheeked, 
 black-eyed girl, very pretty, and what the men would call 
 desirable ; plays and sings well, and is graceful in her manner ; 
 plus anglaise que fraiifaise ; she has neither money nor pro- 
 tection to undertake the journey proposed, yet she would suit 
 that market ; Mille chases d notre ohere cousine. 
 
 The last letter of Min distracts me, yet I augur some good 
 from your visit, it was very, very kind ; alas ! my sister, I find 
 nothing here like you ; the more I compare you with the best 
 I see (and I see the lest) the more I prize you ; our brother 
 writes me that your affairs have been neglected since the 
 absence of your friend; curse their hollow hearts and treach- 
 erous promises ; but persevere, and let me have the happmet'H 
 to know that two dear friends are happy. 
 Oetober thi ith.
 
 428 APPENDIX. 
 
 LETTER FROM LEONORA TO AARON BURK. 
 
 In a postscript to Gov. Alston, te night before the duel 
 
 with Gen. Hamilton, Burr says : " If yon can pardon and 
 
 indulge a folly, I would suggest that Madame , too 
 
 well known under the name of * Leonora,' has claims on my 
 recollection. She is now with her husband at St. Jago, of 
 Cuba." 
 
 The following letter is from " Leonora " to A. Burr, the 
 orthography of which is strictly adhered to : 
 
 CAPK FmAKCois, HATTI, May 6tt, 1818. 
 
 I Lave so much to relate of all that I have seen, heard, and 
 done since my arrival in this country, that I am at a loss 
 where to begin, finding myself in a world where the customs, 
 language, dress & manners were so different from that which 
 I had left. I was at first dazzled & bewildered, but on a nearer 
 view 1 beheld the passing scene with a cooler eye & I almost 
 despis'd not the climate, oh no, this charming climate where 
 smiling spring & laughing summer dance their eternal round. 
 I cannot describe the effect it has on me, the nights in par- 
 ticular, love-inspiring nights ! but love was never known in 
 this desolated country, perhaps no one was ever so sensible of 
 this truth as myself but more of this anon. 
 
 Almost a year has passed since I arrived here, during 
 which time I have been coop'd up in the hollow bason in 
 which the town is built, for there is no means of going a mile 
 in any direction beyond it without I chose to make a sortie* 
 on the brigands which I have not yet determined on when 
 I was on the point of leaving the continent, do you recollect 
 having told me, that order would be established here in less 
 than three weeks after my arrival alas we have beheld 
 months after months passing away & we are still far from that 
 tranquility so much desired when Toussaint was arrested it 
 was sappos'd the war was finish'd & it would have been had
 
 APPENDIX. 429 
 
 vigorous measures been immediately pursued, but general 
 ie Clerc was without energy tormented by jealousy for his 
 wife, deceived by his officers, impos'd on by the black chiefs 
 with whom he was alway in conference, he saw himself on 
 the point of being made prisoner by the Negroes, & in tho 
 danger which his own imprudence had occasion'd, incapable 
 of forming any project of defence, he only thought of saving 
 himself by evacuating the place this he was prevented doing 
 by the admiral la touche <fe the efforts of the garde national 
 which had been organized but a few days before, repelled the 
 Negroes & saved the Cape 
 
 the next day he gave a dinner to the officers of the garde 
 national, made them a long speech (they say he was eloquent) 
 and then died of a fever two or three days after, it was tho 
 best thins he could do, for if he had continued alive he would 
 have liv'd dishonor'd 
 
 I was presented to his wife a few days before the attack 
 she's small, with a common, laughing face, that announces 
 neither dignity, nor wit, and I who have always thought that 
 people in superior situations should be superior to common 
 people, was surpris'd to find nothing extraordinary in the 
 sister of Bonaparte I gave her the Medal of Jefferson wh:ch 
 I suppose will figure in the collection of Medals at Paris I' 
 saw her but once for she received nobody living retired at a 
 plantation on the mountain that is she received no ladies, 
 foul mouth'd fame says she was far from cruel to Gen'l Boyer 
 and all the etat major, however when her husband died, she 
 cut off her hair (which was very beautiful) to put in his coffin 
 & play'd so well the part of a disconsolate widow, that she 
 made every body laugh after having had him embalrn'd sho 
 embarked with his lov'd remains for france, where she is (as I 
 suppose you kno\v) arriv'd 
 
 general Eochambau, who was then commandant at port an 
 prince, was sent for to take the command here, till a captain 
 general should be nam'd, he came, and here commences the 
 adventures of Clara do you recollect her? that Clara you 
 once lov'd She came to St douiingo about the time I did,
 
 430 APPENDIX. 
 
 and at first liv'd tranquilly enough with her husband bu 4 
 you know she never lov'd him & he was jealous, and some- 
 times render'd her miserable but the general arriv'd and the 
 scene was chang'd 
 
 Apropos of Clara, you would not know her, positively not, 
 the climate has had on her an effect quite miraculous, she has 
 acquired a degree of enbonpoint that renders her charming, 
 she has grown fairer and her black hair arrang'd a la greque 
 gives her an air truly interesting her person even in your 
 land of beauty was found passable but here it is regarded as a 
 model of perfection the general soon after his arrival gave ft 
 ball, Clara was invited and went, but in the crowd she 
 attracted general notice without attracting the notice of the 
 general the week following the admiral la touche gave a 
 ball on board his Vessel, Clara was there & there began her 
 empire like that of Venus rising from the waves the Ball was 
 superb the whole length of the vessel was levell'd with a talse 
 floor and cover'd with a painted awuing, ornamented with 
 wreaths of natural flowers, with glasses & with lights beyond 
 number the seats were enclosed by beautiful palisades & the 
 orchestra was plac'd in a gallery surrounding the main mast 
 you must observe that the Creole women have no taste for 
 dress, they cover themselves from head to foot, & tue very 
 few French women that are here, have follow'd the army & 
 know very little of taste or fashion 
 
 here then was the Theatre on which Clara exhibited for 
 the first time, where she distanc'd all her rivals. Dressed 
 with a licence which can be authoriz'd only by the heat (for 
 she was almost naked) she was led round the room by an 
 officer, where as a belle-femme and a stranger her vanity was 
 fully gratified by the buzzes of admiration, her husband de- 
 lighted by the splendor of what he deem'd his property fol- 
 low'd her at a small distance, at length she was seated, but 
 rous'd from her contemplation of surrounding objects by a 
 flourish of music she turn'd her eyes to the door & saw the 
 general who enter'd at that moment, this moment was dwi- 
 si -e, he caught her eye, and saw for that night nothing hwl
 
 APPENDIX. 431 
 
 herself when the first dance was finish'd, which she did not 
 join (she walk'd again) her husband following as before, the 
 general stopp'd him and ask'd who is that Lady Madama 
 
 . replied he is she not a stranger ? yes an american 
 
 she's a charming creature (continued the general) but where's 
 her husband ? they say he's very jealous, and bien sot (? )-- 
 Monsieur le viola (answer'd the husband) & the general was a 
 little disconcerted as this conversation finish'd the walse 
 began, he who has not seen Clara walse, knows not half her 
 charms dance delightful but dance dangerous from a woman 
 fond of walsing, an adroit partner will gain all he wishes 
 but while she display'd in the mazes of the dance all the 
 voluptuous graces of which her person is susceptible, her eye 
 sought & fix'd that of the general, he alone fill'd her imagina- 
 tion before the desire of securing that conquest, every othei 
 consideration faded, yet 'twas vanity alone that led her ta 
 desire it- -the general resembles in his person Dr. Brown, 
 rather shorter and fat you know was always her aversion, 
 but in this country above all things, 'tis dreadful, he has a 
 face agreeable enough, a pretty laughing mouth, but nothing, 
 nothing extraordinary, the bitise he had made with her hus- 
 band, render'd it difficult to approach her & had a fatal influ- 
 ence on the sequel of their acquaintance, at the dawii of day 
 the ball broke up & the company return'd to their homes, 
 the general had in his suite an officer who was formerly inti- 
 mate with the husband the friendship was renew'd and the 
 officer went to the house to reconnoitre, it is that Duquesne 
 that was in America during the last war, & as he says an 
 ardent admirer of Miss Sally Shippen (now Mrs. Lee) this 
 Du^uesne informed Clara of what she knew as well as himself, 
 that the general was smitten, but he told her also something 
 which she did not know, among which was that a grand ball 
 was preparing at which he was expected to figure, she was 
 invited, she went, and there large as is her portion of vanity, 
 it was amply gratified by seeing the general at her feet, 
 and all . the women bursting with envy. The taste of 
 of the general influenc'd that of the company, & all the meu
 
 432 APPENDIX. 
 
 offer'd their hommage at the same shrine, the eye of the 
 husband saw what pass'd he saw & trembled, proud of 
 possessing an object that excited universal admiration, he 
 trembled lest that object should be wrested from him, he 
 knew that the adoring general was a military despot, he 
 knew also that the heart of his wife had never been his, 
 but it was now too late, he had himself placed her on the 
 scene, & it was not in his power to withdraw her. 
 
 Suffer me again to repeat that she was guided by vanity 
 alone, & that not one feeling of her heart was interested, 
 there was fifty young men in the room, whose persons, whose 
 manners, could have interested her highly, some of them had 
 almost show'd her tenderest favors, but 'twas power, 'tvraa 
 place she aim'd at, and had she not been thwarted, she would 
 have rul'd St. Domingue ; at present she has sunk back to her 
 original nothingness, because she has a husband who would 
 neither shut his eyes and profit by her powers, nor open them 
 and join her to secure & it this husband she owes to you, 
 To return the acquaintance here formed, was cultivated with 
 indescribable ardor. Breakfasts, (which the french give de- 
 lightfully), parties, balls, concerts, all succeeded rapidly, & the 
 penchant of the chief was generally known ; here admire 
 the inconsistency of the French character, those who before 
 scarcely noticed Clara since her marriage, now sought her 
 with the utmost impressment, & those who pass'u without 
 saluting her, now that she was almost the declar'd mistress of 
 the general, show'd her the politest attention ; the train of 
 amusements was interrupted by an insurrection in the south- 
 ern part of the colony the general went to port-au-prince 
 where he staid sometime, but at his return it was again com- 
 menc'd ; a ball was announced for the third day after his arri- 
 val, where some interesting affairs were to be discuss'd ; when 
 lo ! on the morning of that third day the brigands attack'd 
 the town in three different directions, at three o'clock iii the 
 morning; they had taken the advanc'd posts by surprise, 
 kill'd the officers, their wives, and the soldiers, and advanc d 
 ajton the town : fcad they been wise enough to have done this
 
 APPENDIX. 483 
 
 without firing (which they might have done) we had been all 
 lost; imagine our position the cape is open on one side to 
 the sea, the three others are surrounded by high mountains ; 
 on the tops of these mountains the negroes were encamp'd 
 and all the country on the other side is in their power ; their 
 plan of attack was good, but it was badly executed, for one 
 of the divisions advancing too precipitately spread the alarm; 
 they were repell'd with great slaughter; all the troops that 
 march'd, as well garde national as troops of the line, were 
 order' d to remain on the frontiers; the general did not go out; 
 he sent word to Clara, whose husband had march'd, to tell 
 her not to be afraid, or if she was, to come to his house, & 
 he'd send her on board the admiral's vessel ; this she dar'd not 
 do, having receiv'd orders from her husband, not to stir from 
 the house ; but towards evening, after repeated messages from 
 him, she determined to go & to learn the fate of her husband, 
 who had been all day, and still was, expos'd to the fire of the 
 enemy. She went, accompanied by her little friend, & after a 
 visit of half an hour, return 'd; this was the only time he 
 saw her except in crowded assemblages, and in the presence 
 of another he could say very little ; perhaps there was a piano, 
 perhaps a library, but of this I am not certain ; perhaps, also, 
 Clara can say with Mrs. Coughlau,* if he is no better in the 
 fields of Mars than iu the groves of Venus, - etc. 
 
 the ball was deferr'd till the next day, and the husband was 
 to be kept at his post till it was over ; but the next day news 
 arriv'd from a small island near this place, call'd la tortue, 
 that the negroes had pass'd an arm of the sea that divides it 
 from the main land, & kill'd all the Pick, amounting to five 
 thousand, and burn'd all the hospitals & plantations; thia 
 was another hindrance to the ball, and the garde national was 
 permitted to descend ; you know that tire lives of any number 
 of citizens is a very trifling consideration when the com- 
 mander-iu-chief wishes to remove an incommode husband, 
 & on this occasion they were wantonly trifled with; frooa 
 
 * Nee 
 
 19
 
 434 APPENDIX. 
 
 this moment the structure of Clara's good fortune was ahol- 
 ish'd ; her husband had an infernal old servant who told him 
 as soon as he enter'd, that Madame had gone with a servant 
 of the general's to his house, accompanied hy Mademoiselle, 
 that the same servant had often brought letters, which Mad- 
 ame had answered (this, by the bye, was true) ; this, join'd 
 to the fatigue he had been expos'd to unnecessarily, and the 
 jokes that the officers (who all suspected the cause), pass'd on 
 him, render'd him furious; he went to his wife's chamber, 
 told her that all her conduct was known to him, & de- 
 manded the letters she had receiv'd ; she denied having re- 
 oeiv'd them, and in short denied the whole affair ; enraged at 
 being unable to draw anything from her, he lock'd her up, 
 and went to the general's house ; he was receiv'd with great 
 cordiality ; but without paying any attention to the general's 
 civility, he told him he had not come on a visit of friendship, 
 but to reproach him with having attempted to seduce his wife, 
 and with having seiz'd the occasion of the last attack, to ex- 
 pose" to imminent danger him and the company he commanded, 
 in order to be more at liberty to gratify his desires ; the gene- 
 ral, astonish'd, assur'd him that he was mistaken; but tho 
 husband listen'd not, he told him that if he was any other 
 than the general-in -chief he'd have his life; it rests with you 
 to forget that distinction and consider me as your equal, wa* 
 the reply ; this, however, was impossible; after having veated 
 his wrath in a long speech, representing how abominable it 
 was for a person who should be the father of the colony, and 
 the protection of it's inhabitants, to seek to trouble the repose 
 and destroy the peace of family's, he went off; the officers in 
 the antechamber heard the altercation, and the story flew like 
 wildfire through the town ; the husband returned to the house 
 and prepar'd to embark his wife for Philadelphia ; passeports 
 were granted as a great favor for Clara and her suite, but the 
 husband was not suffer'd to go ; this leads to another observa- 
 tion ; when the attachment was first suspected, the husband 
 had arrang'd his affairs to go to Charleston ; this did not please 
 Clara ; she inform'd the general, and an order was iimuedi-
 
 APPENDIX. 4 S3 
 
 ately issued that no officer of the garde national could ieav 
 his post during four months ; & thus you se she naa st.i.I 
 some influence in public affairs ; but the season was so bu at 
 the time the eclat was made, that every body persuaded nun 
 not to send her, & the vessel on which she wa* to have eiu- 
 bark'd, perish'd almost in view of the cape. 
 
 shortly after another ball was announced ; the genrai sent 
 Duquesne to the husband of Clara, begging him to accDmpany 
 him to it, saying it was the only way to stop the storys tn* 
 were in circulation ; but the husband return 'd the billet or 
 invitation, requesting that another might never be sent ; tii 
 ball had been, and such was the effect of Clara's adventure, 
 that in those rooms which on similar occasions were crowded 
 to suffocation, there was that night but fourteen ladies. 
 
 to account for this, you must be told that, the inhabitants 
 of this Island, that is, the Creoles, regard the french army 
 with more horror than the revolted Negroes. <fe with great 
 reason. They are oppress'd beyond measure, and see daiiy 
 the wreck of their fortunes torn from thorn by those who 
 come to restore their property. The citizens are expos'd on 
 very occasion to the fire of the enemy, while the troops of 
 the line rest quietly in their forts. The people of trance re- 
 gard st. domingo as their pern, and each individual that em- 
 barks for it becomes fully determined to make his fortune at 
 all events, & thus the war has been & will be continued 
 for an indefinite time. They were irritated by these and many 
 other vexations, of which they dar'd not complain; but a 
 grief of a ne*.v kind was that of troubling a menage, not that 
 fidelity was ever known or thought of here ; but it was a 
 novelty to sec a husband concern himself about such an affair, 
 & it was at least as great a one to see a simple individual 
 propose a challenge to a generai-in-chief. Every body expected 
 to see the rash mortal imprisoned, embarked for france, or 
 perhaps hanged ; but as the general suffered it to pass, every- 
 one join'd the cry, & the people were astonished to find one 
 of their commonest customs made a wonder of. One consi- 
 deration which, perhaps, had ^veat weight with the general.
 
 43<J APPENDIX. 
 
 was his having written very often and very explicitly to 
 
 J he letters had been destroyed ; but the husband eaid ho had 
 
 them. 
 
 the general lost much of his popularity, and went shortly 
 utter to fix his government at port-an-prince, & thus cuds 
 the adventure of Clara, who, though she was disappointed in 
 her ambitious aims, has been made so much the object of 'pub- 
 lic attention, that she never appears without fixing every 
 regard ; for myself, I live retir'd, applying, with unceasing 
 attention, to learn french, & as a proof of my progress, I 
 seed you a page written in that language. 
 
 Miss Sansay is so near being married that to-day is Wed- 
 nesday and on Saturday the ceremony will be performed. 
 Since our arrival here, her temperament has declared itself, 
 etc., etc. on that subject, one day or other, I intend exciting 
 your regret, should the story of Clara, with many incidents 
 which I have omitted, and some observations on all that is 
 passing here, be written in u pretty light style, could it be 
 printed in America in a tolerable pamphlet in french and 
 english, & a lew numbers sent here ? If it coulu I ~;.ould 
 be delighted, <fc know one who would undertake to write it, 
 Answer me. i think this long letter deserves an answer. 
 There's certainly matter enough in it to form a romance : bet 
 whose life has afforded so many subjects for romance ES iLi-t 
 of its writer '( I hear sometimes indistinct accounts of' thw 
 United States, but nothing satisfactory. Have you seen many 
 Swiss emigrants? Have you raised an army to hinder the 
 french taking possession of Louisiana? All this I rai^ht 
 learn from the papers, but I don't get them. Adieu. Remem- 
 ber, write to me. Apropos the lady who takes charge of 
 this paquet is driven from this country by fear in the last 
 attack she made a vow to the blessed Virgin to throw herself 
 into the sea ii the brigands entered the town, so great wua 
 her fear that ner person should be exposed to their lascivious 
 desires. Tins was a rash vow, considering she is only sixty- 
 four yeard oiii there's nothing so diverting as the preten- 
 tious of the oid women here. One of seventy has vowed tx>
 
 APPENDIX. 437 
 
 vear neither rouge nor lace, nor trinkets till the revolution ia 
 ^nished ; g'ving for reason that ornaments are useless when 
 ;he people don't enjoy the blessings of tranquillity, and that, 
 perhaps, she might be deranged in the n?idst of her toilette 
 by a hostile incursion. Do tell me if I write frenchified eng- 
 Usb, I dread that, of all things ; it has so much the air of 
 affectation, which I always abhorr'd. Couldn't answer the 
 letter addressed to my Mentor he might find himself indis- 
 posed to write, or for some other reason. I should prefer it 
 infinitely. 
 
 Adieu, je vous embrasse.
 
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