For Love of Country | Page 9

had been severely defeated at Long Island in the

summer, and since that time had suffered a series of reverses, being
forced steadily back out of New York, after losing Fort Washington,
and down through the Jerseys, relentlessly pursued by Howe and
Cornwallis. Washington was now making his way slowly to the west
bank of the Delaware. He was losing men at every step, some by
desertion, more by the expiration of the terms of their enlistment. The
news which Colonel Wilton had brought threw a frail hope over the
situation, but ruin stared them in the face, and unless something
decisive was soon accomplished, the game would be lost.
"Did you have a pleasant ride up the river, Katharine?" asked her
father.
"Very, sir," she answered, blushing violently and looking involuntarily
at Seymour, who matched her blush with his own.
There was a painful pause, which Seymour broke, coming to the rescue
with a counter question.
"Did you notice that small sloop creeping up under the west bank of the
river, colonel, this evening? I should think she must be opposite the
house now, if the wind has held."
"Why, when did you see her, Mr. Seymour? I thought you were looking
at--at--" She broke off in confusion, under her father's searching gaze.
He smiled, and said,--
"Ah, Katharine, trained eyes see all things unusual about them,
although they are apparently bent persistently upon one spot. Yes,
Seymour, I did notice it; if we were farther down the river, we might
suspect it of being an enemy, but up here I fancy even Dunmore's
malevolence would scarcely dare to follow."
Katharine looked up in alarm. "Oh, father, do you think it is quite safe?
Chloe told me that Phoebus told her that the raiders had visited Major
Lithcomb's plantation, and you know that is not more than fifty miles
down the river from us. Would it not be well to take some precaution?"

"Tut, tut, child! gossip of the negro servants!" The colonel waved it
aside carelessly. "I hardly think we have anything to fear at present;
though what his lordship may do in the end, unless he is checked, I
hardly like to imagine."
"But, father," persisted Katharine, "they said that Johnson was in
command of the party, and you know he hates you. You remember he
said he would get even with you if it cost him his life, when you had
him turned out of the club at Williamsburg."
"Pshaw, Katharine, the wretch would not dare. It is a cowardly
blackguard, Seymour, whom I saw cheating at cards at the Assembly
Club at the capital. I had him expelled from the society of gentlemen,
where, indeed, he had no right of admittance, and I scarcely know how
he got there originally. He made some threats against me, to which I
naturally paid no attention. But what did you think of the vessel?"
"I confess I saw nothing suspicious about her, sir," replied Seymour.
"She seemed very much like the packets which ply on the river; I only
spoke idly of the subject."
"But, father, the packet went up last week, the day before you came
back, and is due coming down the river now, while this boat is coming
up," said Katharine.
"Oh, well, I think we are safe enough now; but, to relieve your unusual
anxiety, I will send Blodgett down to the wharf to examine and
report.--Blodgett, do you go down to the boat-landing and keep watch
for an hour or two. Take your musket, man; there is no knowing what
you might need it for."
The old soldier, who had stationed himself behind the colonel's chair,
saluted with military precision, and left the room, saying, "Very good,
sir; I shall let nothing escape my notice, sir."
"Now, Katharine, I hope you are satisfied."
"Yes, father; but if it is the raiders, Blodgett won't be able to stop

them."
"The raiders," laughed the colonel; and pinching his daughter's ear, he
said, "I suspect the only raiders we shall see here will be those who
have designs upon your heart, my bonny Kate,--eh, Seymour?"
"They would never dare to wear a British uniform in that case, father,"
she retorted proudly.
"Well, Seymour, I hear, through an express from Congress to-day, that
Captain Jones has been ordered to command the Ranger, and that the
new flag--we will drink to it, if you please; yes, you too, Katharine;
God bless every star and stripe in it--will soon be seen on the ocean."
"It will be a rare sight there, sir," said Seymour; "but it will not be long
before the exploits of the Ranger will make it known on the high seas,
if rumor does not belie her captain."
"I trust so; but do you know this Captain Jones?"
"Not