Mr. Washington hesitated no longer.
“I will comply with your demands,” he said simply. He would do anything rather than that the general should lose his home.
“And mind,” called Captain Graves, “I want no dallying.”
“There will be none,” answered the overseer quickening his footsteps.
“Wife,” he said as he reached the porch where Peggy and the two women awaited him, “we must have breakfast for the crew as quick as it can be gotten. Do you see to it while I attend to what is wanted for supplies.”
Peggy looked up in amazement, thinking that she had not heard aright.
“Is thee going to give them breakfast and supplies from General Washington’s place, sir?” she asked.
“I must, my child,” replied Lund Washington sadly. “The captain threatens to burn the houses, and run off with all the slaves if I do not. I cannot help myself. They would take what they want anyway.”
“Then thee should let them take it,” cried Peggy excitedly. “The general won’t like for thee to feed the enemy from his stores. He won’t like it, friend.”
“I am in charge of the property,” repeated the overseer. “If anything happens to the place while ’tis in my charge I will be responsible. I will comply with any reasonable demand rather than have the plantation razed.”