The reputation of Segwuna was thus established among her own people, but still greater undertakings were awaiting this handmaiden of the Great Spirit, not alone for the good that she did for her own people, but for the benefit of a nation.
CHAPTER XVII
The distinguished members of the Continental Congress reached Dorminghurst during the afternoon when Mollie Greydon and Segwuna had been gathering the wild strawberries for supper. They were weary with their deliberations during the hot June days, and the freshness of the country air was a tonic to soul and body.
Dr. Franklin had known Dr. Greydon since the latter’s childhood, and he walked around the grounds examining the garden with characteristic good comradeship, as he said:
“William,” addressing Dr. Greydon, “are these cherries from the trees brought over by William Penn and planted by your father?”
“How fine,” exclaimed Mr. Jefferson, “are these roses! I shall have to get some cuttings for my garden at Monticello,” as they sauntered along the path bordered by box, on the way to the sun-dial.
“Yes,” replied Dr. Greydon to Benjamin Franklin, “father planted the originals of most of these trees and we have grafted the scions to perpetuate the memory of our dear friend, William Penn. But do you see those columbines on the wall? Those were brought from Monongahela by Altamaha. That honeysuckle was brought from England by our friend, George Fox,” as he pointed to a beautiful vine embowering the gate of the wall surrounding the house court.
The three made their way through rows of hollyhocks, feverfew, rhododendrons, tulips, peonies, narcissi, rows of homely bee-hives, the spot for the physic and pot-herbs, where pennyroyal, tansy, spearmint, anise, dill, horse-leek, bitter-sweet, hyssop and boneset were growing, when they reached the apple orchard beyond the garden.