“What is it?” she asked at length becoming aware that something was amiss. “Is there danger, John?”
“Yes, Peggy. South Carolina is full of British, you know. I must watch for an ambush. I would not fail to deliver these despatches for anything. They are important, and as I told you the other day, all of us who were under Arnold will be suspected until tried.”
Peggy grew pale. “I did not know there was danger, John. Doth my presence increase your anxiety?”
“’Tis pleasure to have you, Peggy, but I would rather you were in Virginia for your own safety. However, we shall soon turn into a side road which will lead to that farmhouse I spoke about. I could no longer get through the woods, or I should not have left them for the highway. But had I not done so I would not have met you. ’Tis marvelous, Peggy, that you have met with no harm.”
“Why should I meet with any?” she queried. “I am but a girl, and can bring hurt to none.”
Drayton drew rein suddenly, and listened.
“We must make a run for it, Peggy,” he cried. “The British are coming. I gave them the slip a while ago, but I hear them down the road. If we can reach the lane we may escape them.”
Peggy called to Star, and the boy and girl struck into a gallop. It was soon evident, however, that Drayton was holding back his horse for Peggy to keep pace with him. As Peggy realized this a whoop from the pursuers told that they had caught sight of them, and the clattering hoofs that they were gaining upon them.
“John,” she cried, “go on! Thee can get away then.”
“And leave you, Peggy? Never,” he answered.