The Tory Maid | Page 6

your delegates?" said he. "Not I. They are the scum of the
county of Cecil, and you know it. I would as soon be governed by my
slaves at the Braes as by such men as they are. I wish you joy of them."
And bowing, he turned and left the room by a door that was near at
hand.
For an instant there was silence, then an uproar broke forth, and
Rodolph sprang around the table to follow him, with several of the
young men at his heels. But I, seeing the danger, with possibly a
thought of a fair maid's eyes, threw myself before the door with drawn
sword.
"No man passes through this door," I cried, "unless he passes over me."
The crowd drew back in surprise.

"Since when," I shouted, for they hesitated, "have Maryland gentlemen
learned to fight in mobs? If any one has an insult to resent, let him fight
as becomes a gentleman, man to man."
"Stand aside," shouted Rodolph, who was now before me, "and let me
get at the traitor."
"Put up your swords, gentlemen." I found I had a new ally in a tall,
dignified gentleman, who took his place beside me, a Mr. Wilmer of
the White House in Kent.
"The lad is right," he said; "and you, Rodolph, I should think, would
have had enough of Charles Gordon of the Braes."
At this there was a laugh, which at the time I did not understand; but
the company good-naturedly put back their swords and resumed their
places at the table, all except Rodolph, who slipped away from the
room.
That night, as I lay upon my bed, dreaming, boylike, of the fair eyes of
the Tory maid, and hoping that the part I had played in the matter of the
toast might come to her ears and cause her to give me a smile at our
next meeting, I heard the sound of footsteps coming down the
passageway.
"There is great danger," said a voice, which I recognised as the
landlord's, as they were passing by my door. "Rodolph is stirring up the
crowd, and though you might brave the mob, Mistress Jean--" and then
the voices died away.
"The mob" and "Mistress Jean." Clearly something must be afoot.
Springing from my bed, I swore to myself, that, if anything happened
to the Tory maid, I would make Phil Rodolph feel the edge of my
sword. Hastily throwing on my clothes, I went to the window and
looked out. The night was dark, the sky being full of drifting clouds,
through which the moon faintly struggled; everything lay quiet and still
in the village and the camp. Steps were heard upon the porch below,
and then a horse was brought around from the stables. A moment later

a horseman mounted, and I saw a slender figure on the pillion behind
him.
"Keep to the south road," said a voice, "they have only one sentry
there."
I did not wait to hear more, but slipped downstairs and out of a side
door, and the next moment I was running softly through the camp to the
outpost on the south road, for one of my own men was stationed there,
and I knew that without orders or the countersign no man would pass
that way that night. It was well I did, for as I drew near I heard the
challenge "Who goes there?" and the answer "A friend."
"Advance, friend, and give the countersign."
"Maryland." But the Tory had missed it, and the next moment the
sentry's rifle was at his shoulder, and I knew the cry for the officer of
the guard would follow; so I stepped out from the shadow, and the
sentry, seeing me, brought his rifle to a salute.
"Lieutenant," he said, "he wants to pass, and has given the wrong
countersign."
"Yes," said I, drawing my hat over my eyes, for I did not wish to be
recognised by Mistress Jean. "I heard. But I know them; let them pass."
"Certainly, Lieutenant."
"Thank you," said the rider, and a still softer "Thank you" came from
his companion. I bowed, but said nothing, and stood there watching
them disappear down the dark road until the sound of the horse's hoofs
was lost in the distance.
"Queer time of the night to ride, sir," said the sentinel.
"Yes; but they have far to go."
"Kent or Queen Anne's, sir?"

"Down by Bohemia Manor."
"That is where that old Tory Gordon lives; they say they are going to
rout him out in the morning for insulting the committee last night. He is
up at the inn, there, and Phil Rodolph says he is going to make it hot for
him."
"Mere talk, I expect. Good-night."
"Good-night, sir."
I took my