“Of course if you want dinner, I suppose that I’ll have to get it,” Peggy heard the mistress of the dwelling reply, grumblingly. “But some of your people have already been here, and you know ’tis against their principles to leave much.”
A great laugh greeted this sally as the troopers dismounted, tying their horses to trees, or fences as was convenient.
“Get us what you have, my good woman, and be quick about it,” Tarleton cried in answer. “We’ve come seventy miles in twenty-four hours, and must be in the saddle again in an hour’s time. Now be quick about that dinner.”
The dragoons, seemingly too weary for anything but rest, flung themselves upon the grass to await the meal. Tarleton and one of his lieutenants stretched out upon the sward directly under the window of the room where Peggy was. For a time they lay there in silence, then the junior officer spoke:
“Will it be possible for us to reach Charlottesville to-night, colonel?”
“Charlottesville!” Peggy’s heart gave a great bound as she heard the name. Charlottesville was the place where the Assembly was in session at that very time. But Colonel Tarleton was speaking:
“Not to-night, lieutenant. But to-morrow we’ll swoop upon the Assembly and take it unawares. By St. George, ’twill be rare sport to see their faces when they find themselves prisoners. Although I care more for Jefferson and Patrick Henry than all the others together. We’ll hang those two.”
The girl wrung her hands as she listened. Jefferson, the governor of the state, the writer of the Declaration of Independence; and Patrick Henry, he who had been termed the Voice of the Revolution! Oh! it must not be! But how, how could it be prevented? They should be warned.
“If I but knew where Charlottesville is,” cried the girl anguished by her helplessness. “What shall be done? Oh, I’ll ask Fairfax.”
Up to the garret she sped unnoticed by any one. The troopers were outside, the members of the household busily engaged in preparing the dinner.