“If that subject be renewed our broil is anything but settled,” interposed Clifford Owen sullenly. “I believe I informed you that, as the lady’s nearest relative, I am amply able to look after her.”
“As to our quarrel,” replied Drayton, regarding him fixedly, “perchance the whirligig of time will bring a more suitable occasion for reopening it. When that occurs I shall be at your command. Until then it seems to me to be the part of wisdom to drop the matter, and to consider Peggy’s welfare only. As you are aware, no doubt, the British are in this immediate vicinity. Any moment may see them at this very place. Let us cry a truce, sir, for the time being, and determine what shall be done to promote her safety.”
“How know you that the British are near here?” demanded Clifford suspiciously. “Your knowledge of their movements will bear looking into. It savors strongly of that of a spy, sir.”
For a second the glances of the young fellows met. Their eyes flashed fire, and Peggy’s heart began to throb painfully. Oh, would they fight again! How could she make peace between them? She must; and so thinking started forward eagerly.
“Listen to my plan,” she said. “Ye both——”
The sentence was never finished. Upon the air there sounded the shrill music of fifes, the riffle of drums, the hollow tramp of marching men, the rumbling of artillery, the cantering of horses; all sounds denoting the passing of a large force of armed men.
With a sharp cry of exultation Clifford Owen sprang toward John Drayton.
“’Tis the king’s troops,” he cried, clutching him tightly. “The king’s troops! Now, my fine fellow, you shall explain to his lordship how you came by your information. Ho!” he shouted. “What ho! a spy!”
“It is not thus that I would meet his lordship,” answered Drayton wrenching himself free of the other’s hold. “Until then, adieu, my friend.”
Without further word he leaped down the embankment, and disappeared among the underbrush in the ravine, just as two British infantrymen, attracted by Clifford’s cry, came running through the grove.