“Discreet!” began Lettice, passionately, but the distant sound of great guns came upon their ears, and the words died upon her lips.
It was a day of dread and great gloom which no effort could dispel. They sat waiting, they knew not for what, till at last Rhoda cried: “Here comes a messenger riding hard. Go out, Robert, and see if he brings news.”
Not only Robert, but all of them, hastened to meet the newcomer, Betty and Lettice fairly outstripping the others. It was young Birket Dean. He looked tired and travel-worn, but he cried triumphantly: “All safe, Mrs. Hopkins! Our men had to beat a retreat, but not before they had made the enemy taste of their shot. We didn’t lose a man, but there were several killed and wounded on the other side, and more than one deserted. Every one thinks that St. Michael’s is threatened, and Talbot County is up in arms. I must ride on and tell them at home of what has happened. I promised William I would stop by and tell you all how matters stood. He says you’d better stay here for the present, for he took it for granted I would find you all here together.” And he galloped off, leaving them all with a great weight removed.
The next news that came was that the little town of St. Michael’s was in danger of an attack. It was the place where nearly all the famous “Baltimore Clippers” were built, and because of this it attracted the attention of Cockburn, who intended destroying the shipyards and the vessels then in course of construction. But he met so valiant a resistance that he finally withdrew, and although the houses in the little town showed the effects of the shot, which flew like hail, not one of the militia was hurt.
The next day Lettice and Betty returned to their own home.
“You’d better not be too hasty in getting back,” warned Aunt Martha.
“I believe Aunt Martha is disappointed in not having had a visit from Admiral Cockburn,” said Lettice, laughing.
“Indeed, then, I am not!” returned the lady with some asperity; “but I’ve an older head than yours, miss, and I think I may consider that I have more discretion.”
“Maybe,” Lettice nodded; then said saucily, “If you should receive a call, send us word, and we’ll come over and help you entertain your Britishers.”
“And you’d do it well,” said Mr. Clinton in a low tone.