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 ; !>