“Captain Bates! Do you mean ‘Bloody Bates’?” asked Dicey, pale with horror.
“My father says that is but a Whig name for him, and that he has done good service to the King in subduing pestilent Whigs,” answered Eliza, bridling, and secretly pleased at the easy way the long words tripped from her tongue.
“That awful, cruel man coming here!” and Dicey half looked round to see if the mere speaking of his name had not brought upon the scene one of the most cruel bandits who under the name of scout had wrought endless cruelties. In a moment the importance of the information had shot into her mind! If she could find out something more! Sure, whatever Eliza knew were easy enough to learn also.
“Comes he here to rest too, and at your house, Eliza?”
If Eliza had given a thought to the low voice and shaking hands of her friend, she might have paused ere she told news which was of the greatest importance to such Whig families as lived in the neighbourhood, and more particularly to those who dwelt in the “Elder Settlement” on the other side of the river, and were entirely unprotected. Among them was Dicey’s eldest brother with his young wife and little family.
“Comes he here to rest too?” and Eliza, proud of her information, and entirely forgetting that she had been told to impart it to no one, answered briskly,—
“No, but he stops here to meet some of the soldiers who go with him, and only think, ’tis at our house that they will paint themselves just like the Cherokees!” At the mere thought Eliza clapped her hands. “Think how comical they will look,” she went on, while every moment Dicey felt herself getting colder and colder with fear. “And sister Miriam has done naught but scurry about and turn things topsy-turvy. It’s Captain Bates this and Captain Bates that, till one feels ruffed all the wrong way. You know I told you that he was coming here one day, and you laughed and said he dare not!”
Yes, Dicey remembered. This was the secret she had withheld, thinking that, like enough, it was but some of Miriam’s boasting that this savage man should seek her at her home. It was true, however, and like to be soon. How was she, Dicey, to warn those who were so unprotected?
Thinking more deeply than ever she had thought before, Eliza babbled on, her silent companion taking no note of what she said.
“Well, Dicey, if you cannot listen to what I say, and not even answer me, I shall go into the house. Besides, my kerchief is all done, and mother told me to bring it to her when the stitches were all set. How does it become me?”