“Whatever is thee talking about?” demanded Sally bewildered. “Sit down here under this tree, Peggy, and tell me all about everything. Whom does thee mean by they?”
“Father and Harriet, Sally. They have gone over to see the Congress to see if aught can be done for Clifford.”
“Harriet?” ejaculated Sally. “I thought that Harriet was in New York City with her father. How did she come here?”
“I’ll tell thee all about it,” answered Peggy, sinking down beside Sally under a tree. Forthwith she told her friend everything that had happened since leaving Philadelphia, beginning with the meeting with Harriet on the road to Lancaster, and ending with the journey back to the city after Clifford had been chosen as the unfortunate victim. Sally listened attentively.
“Oh!” she breathed when Peggy had concluded her narrative. “And does thee think the Congress will do anything for him, Peggy?”
“I fear not,” answered Peggy sadly. “Father hath little hope of it, but Harriet will leave naught undone that promises the least relief. If Congress does nothing, we are to go on to General Washington. In any event Harriet will go to New York to see the British general.”
“Well, General Washington ought to do something,” cried Sally. “He hath a kind heart, and it does seem awful to hang Clifford when he had naught to do with Fairfax’s death. Doesn’t thee think he will?”
“Sally,” spoke Peggy earnestly, “there is but one thing that can save Clifford Owen: that is for the English commander to give up Captain Lippencott. That he hath heretofore refused to do.”
“Oh, Peggy! then thee believes that he must die?” came from Sally in a sob.