My Lady of Doubt | Page 8

and, above all, arose a towering
head-dress, filled with a profusion of pearls and jewels; the veil was
spangled, and edged with silver lace. The ladies of the Burning
Mountain were similarly dressed, except that they wore white sashes,
edged with black, and all their trimmings were of that color. As the
veils were thrown back, and I looked on the bright, animated faces, I

thought I had never before seen such an array of beauty. From the
crowd surging around I heard name after name mentioned, as famous
Philadelphia belles were pointed out, not a few familiar to me, through
remembrance of our own former occupancy of the city--Miss Craig, the
Misses Chew, Miss Redmond, Miss Bond, the Misses Shippen, and
others, all of loyalist families, yet content to play the game of hearts
with both armies. Even as I gazed upon that galaxy of beauty, half
angry that Americans should take part in such a spectacle of British
triumph, the field was cleared for the lists, and a sound of trumpets
came to us from a distance.
Out into the opening rode the contending knights, attended by esquires
on foot, dressed in ancient habits of white and red silk, and mounted on
gray horses. From the other direction appeared their opponents, in
black and orange, riding black steeds, while to the centre advanced the
herald loudly proclaiming the challenge. I knew not who they all were,
but they made a gallant show, and I overheard many a name spoken of
soldiers met in battle--Lord Cathcart, Captain André, Major Tarlton,
Captain Scott. Ay! and they fought well that day, those White and
Black Knights on the mimic field, first charging together, shivering
their spears; the second and third encounters discharging pistols; and in
the fourth attacking with swords in most gallant combat. At last the two
chiefs--Lord Cathcart for the Whites, and Captain Watson, of the
Guards, for the Blacks--were alone contending furiously, when the
marshal of the field rushed in between, and struck up their weapons,
declaring the contest done, the honor of each side proven. As the
company broke up, flowing forward to the great house beyond, the vast
crowd of onlookers burst through the guard-lines, and, like a mighty
torrent, swept over the field. It was a wild, jubilant, yelling mass, so
dense as to be irresistible, even those of us on horseback being pressed
forward, helpless chips on the stream.
I endeavored to press back, but my restive animal, startled by the dig of
the spur, the yells, the waving of arms, refused to face the tumult, and
whirled madly about. For a moment I all but lost control, yet, even as
he plunged rearing into the air, I saw before me the appealing face of a
woman. How she chanced to be there alone, in the path of that mob, I

know not; where her escort had disappeared, and how she had become
separated from her party, has never been made clear. But this I saw,
even as I struggled with the hard-mouthed brute under me--a slender,
girlish figure attired as a lady of the Blended Rose, a white, frightened
face, arms outstretched, and dark blue eyes beseeching help. Already
the front of the mob was upon her, unable to swerve aside because of
the thousands pushing behind. In another moment she would be
underfoot, or hurled into the air. Reckless of all else I dug in my spurs,
yelling to the Light Dragoon beside me, even as my horse leaped. I felt
the crush of bodies, hands gripped my legs; soldiers were hurled right
and left, cursing as they fell. I must have hurt some, but had no thought
except to reach her before it was too late. I was struck twice by missiles,
yet burst through, my horse, by this time, frenzied with fear. I scarcely
know what happened, or how it was accomplished--only I had the reins
gripped in my teeth, both my hands free. That instant I caught her; the
next she was on my arm, swung safely to the saddle, held to me with a
grip of steel, the animal dashing forward beneath his double burden
into the open field. Then the Dragoon, riding madly, gripped the bit,
and the affair was over, although we must have galloped a hundred
yards before the trembling horse was brought to a stand. Leaving him
to the control of the soldier, I sprang to the ground, bearing the lady
with me. We were behind one of the pavilions, facing the house, and
she reeled as her feet touched the earth, so that I held her from falling.
Then her lashes lifted, and the dark blue eyes looked into my face.
"You must pardon my roughness," I apologized, "but there was no time
for ceremony."