In “Peggy Owen,” the first book of this series, is related the story of a little Quaker maid who lived across from the State House in Philadelphia, and who, neutral at first on account of her religion, became at length an active patriot. The vicissitudes and annoyances to which she and her mother are subjected by one William Owen, an officer in the English army and a kinsman of her father’s, are also given.
“Peggy Owen, Patriot” tells of Peggy’s winter at Middlebrook, in northern New Jersey, where Washington’s army is camped, her capture by the British and enforced journey to the Carolinas, and final return home.
“Peggy Owen at Yorktown” details how Peggy goes to Virginia to nurse a cousin, who is wounded and a prisoner. The town is captured by the British under Benedict Arnold, the traitor, and Peggy is led to believe that he has induced the desertion of her friend, John Drayton. Drayton’s rescue from execution as a spy and the siege of Yorktown follow.
In the present volume Peggy’s friends rally about her when her Cousin Clifford is in danger of capture. The exciting events of the story show the unsettled state of the country after the surrender of Cornwallis.
Contents
| I. | A Small Dinner Becomes a Party | [11] |
| II. | Peggy is Surprised | [26] |
| III. | On the Horns of a Dilemma | [40] |
| IV. | The Search | [53] |
| V. | Friends in Need | [69] |
| VI. | Appearances Against Her | [81] |
| VII. | David Owen is Informed of the Facts | [94] |
| VIII. | Before the Council | [108] |
| IX. | Out of the Frying-Pan Into the Fire | [120] |
| X. | A Race for Life | [134] |
| XI. | The Choice of Fairfax | [144] |
| XII. | “They Must Go Home” | [163] |
| XIII. | A Woman’s Wit | [176] |
| XIV. | Marching Orders | [194] |
| XV. | The Attack on the Blockhouse | [215] |
| XVI. | “Of what Was He Guilty?” | [227] |
| XVII. | A Glimpse of Home | [244] |
| XVIII. | Herod Out Heroded | [256] |
| XIX. | The Turn of the Wheel | [272] |
| XX. | A Slight Emphasis of “That” | [285] |
| XXI. | Chosen by Lot | [303] |
| XXII. | What Can Be Done? | [318] |
| XXIII. | A Little Humor Despite a Grim Situation | [334] |
| XXIV. | “Thee May Tell Him at the Last” | [348] |
| XXV. | At Headquarters | [363] |
| XXVI. | The Adventure of the Glen | [376] |
| XXVII. | The Safeguard of his Honor | [392] |
| XXVIII. | “How Could She Know?” | [407] |
| XXIX. | In the Shadow of Death | [424] |
| XXX. | And Then the End | [437] |
Illustrations
| PAGE | |
| “Why, It’s Father!” | [Frontispiece] |
| “Close the Door” | [47] |
| The Two Girls Set Forth | [97] |
| A Shower of Bullets Fell About the Sleigh | [138] |
| A Cry of Anguish Went Up | [221] |
| “Where is Thee Going?” | [268] |
| “I Kneel to You, Sir” | [373] |