“I did not know,” answered the maiden paling. “Why, I am going through Hanover Court House myself. I want to reach Fredericksburg to-night.”
“You’d better bide with me until we hear whether they have left there, and in what direction they ride, my dear. I should not like a daughter of mine abroad at such a time. Where are you from?”
“I came from Williamsburg, and I am trying to get home,” Peggy told her. “I live in Philadelphia, and came down to nurse a cousin who was wounded. There was no one to come with me, and it seemed a good time to start, as I thought Lord Cornwallis was still at Petersburg.”
“Bless you, child! it never takes them long to scatter for mischief when they enter a state,” exclaimed the woman. “I think ’twill be best to hide that mare of yours, if you want to keep her. There’s no telling when others of the thieving, rascally English will be along. Here, Jimmy,” to a youngster of ten who stood peeping at Peggy from behind the door, “take the nag down to the grove behind the mills, and don’t forget to feed her. You are the second person from tide-water to ask for rest in the last twenty-four hours,” she continued leading the way into the dwelling. “The other was a lad from the militia who came last night. Most sick the poor fellow is, too.”
“What became of him?” asked Peggy interested on the instant. “I hope the British did not get him.”
“Well, then, they didn’t,” was the laconic response. “I’ve got him here hidden in the garret. We’ll go up to see him as soon as you have something to eat. The boy needs looking after a bit.”
“I have some skill in nursing, friend,” spoke Peggy modestly. “If I tarry with thee until ’tis wise to go on I might be of assistance in caring for him.”
“Have you now? Then between us we will bring him round nicely. It’s providential that you came. I was wondering how to give him proper care without attracting too much attention from the darkies. There are not many left me, and they seem faithful, but ’tis just as well not to rely too much on them.”
The attic was a roomy garret extending over the entire main building. Two large windows, one in each end of the gambrel roof, afforded light and air. Boxes, trunks, old furniture, and other discarded rubbish of a family filled the corners and sides, affording many recesses that could be utilized as hiding-places in an emergency. A large tester bed spread with mattress and light coverlids stood in the center of the space, and upon it reposed the lithe form of a youth. Peggy gave an ejaculation of astonishment as her hostess led her to the bed.
“’Tis Fairfax Johnson,” she cried. “Oh, friend, how does thee do? Thy mother told me that thee was not well. How strange that I should find thee here!”