And Peggy, drawing Harriet close to her in her strong young arms, told of her rescue and how she came to be once more with them.
CHAPTER XXXIV—HOME
| “The bugles sound the swift recall; Cling, clang! backward all! Home, and good-night!” —E. C. Stedman. |
Each day Peggy was taken to Colonel Tarleton to attend his wound. It was in truth painful, and often her tears fell fast upon the inflamed surface when she saw the suffering he endured, and knew that it had been caused by her hand. But it was healed at last, and when she told him joyfully that he had no further need of bandages or treatment, he looked at her with some amusement.
“And now for the punishment,” he observed. “What do you deserve, mistress?”
“I don’t know,” said Peggy, growing pale.
“I leave for the southern part of the state to-morrow,” he said. “The matter must be decided to-day. What say you to a parole?”
“Nay,” and the girl shook her head. “My father doth not believe in them, and neither do I. I want to be free to help the cause in any way that I can.”
“Well, upon my word!” he cried. “You are pleased to be frank.”
“Would you not rather have me so, sir?” she asked.