27. CHAPTER XXVII.
IMPENDING PERILS.
It was high tide. A skiff containing three persons lay
upon the water at the Chestnut street wharf. A cloud of
inky hue was rising in the west, and the lightning ever and
anon revealed the sad and pallid countenances of the occupants
of the boat.
“Father,” said Edith, for the three consisted of Langdon,
his daughter, and Mary Penford, “I fear they will not permit
Willy to return.” Mr. Langdon had sent him to the
State House for intelligence.
“They might not, Edith, if they knew him; but he will
escape observation.”
“I do not fear for Willy,” said Mary, “for his Maker, in
whom we trust, will guard him.”
“Mercy! oh, what terrific lightning!” exclaimed Edith,
as several brilliant flashes, in quick succession, illuminated
the scene.
“Pray let me have the oars,” said Mary, “and I will row
out a few yards from the shore. I saw several ill-looking
men near the bow of yonder ship.” And while she did so,
a loud peal of thunder smote upon her ears, and poor Edith
took refuge in the arms of her father.
“Edith,” said he, “where is your courage? My brave
child, now is the trying time. Brace yourself to withstand
the worst possible alarms of anarchy on earth and of tempests
in the sky.”
“I will, father,” said she.
“There they are!” said some one, in a full, manly
voice.
“Who was that?” whispered Mary, peering in vain towards
the shore, now obscured in darkness.
“No matter,” said Langdon. “It could not have had
reference to us. Probably it was a fisherman.”
Another flash of lightning, while their eyes were directed
towards the shore, did not reveal any human being.
“Here we are,” said the same voice, and the next instant
the prow of another skiff touched their boat at the
stern.
“Willy!” exclaimed Mary. “How you frightened
us!”
“Who is that with you?” asked Mr. Langdon, another
flash of lightning showing the herculean form that accompanied
Willy.
“It is Sergeant Bim,” said Willy, “as true a friend as
ever lived.”
“Or died,” said Bim; “and I would die to save or serve
any here.”
“We thought we were watched and followed,” said
Willy; “and so we determined not to come down Chestnut
street. At the Arch street wharf we found this boat, which
is larger and stronger than the one you are in.”
“You did well,” said Langdon, “and we will get into it.
Our baggage can remain in this, and we will tow it over.
Let us go to the shore—and do you keep watch, Bim,
whilst the transfer is made.”
“I'll answer for your safety,” said Bim. “I have two
revolvers, a sword and a bowie knife.”
“They are assaulting the Federal troops at the Mint and
Custom House,” said Willy, in reply to an interrogatory
of Mr. Langdon, upon hearing discharges of fire-arms.
The party was soon bounding out from the shore, under
the impulsion of the strong arms of Bim and Willy. The
tide was on a stand, and the water smooth and motionless.
The dark cloud loomed up nearer the zenith, and its forked
lightnings were succeeded by stunning explosions of thunder
at shorter intervals. But yet there was no wind to ruffle
the surface of the river.
And in such a moment Wiry Willy narrated the occurrences
in the Convention, subsequently to the abandonment
of the chair by Mr. Langdon. He said that Ruffleton had
dispatched a file of soldiers to the hotel for the purpose of
seizing him, and that his escape had been effected just in
time to avoid, perhaps, the fate of Mr. Monmouth.
“Alas! what would have been your lot, father,” said
Edith, “if you had remained in the city?”
“I know not, my child. But I would have remained in
the city, if you had not been there. If you were only in
some place of security I should not care much what my
fate might be, since I behold the people bent on the destruction
of the finest Government that ever existed under
heaven.”
“And now we are wanderers, fugitives from our own
countrymen!” said Edith. “We, father, around whom so
many friends and flatterers used to throng! A Senator of
the United States, and his daughter, flying in the night
from the people who once delighted to honor them! Oh,
my country!”
“May heaven save it and us!” said Mary.
“Yes, fugitives, on the waste of waters, without shelter,
and exposed to the pitiless storm!” continued Edith.
“I will be revenged on 'em!” said Bim.
“Do you not think, sir,” asked Willy, addressing Mr.
Langdon, “that we had better row to the Jersey shore
before the heavy rain comes on?”
“No, Willy,” said he, “we might fall into the hands of
Ruffleton's myrmidons, far more cruel than the raging elements!”
“We'll do our best, sir,” said Bim, exerting his gigantic
powers, “to row you down before the worst of the storm
reaches us.”
“Oh, yes—never mind the rain,” said Edith.
“It may not rain at all—or very little,” said Mary. “I
have often seen such dark clouds expend themselves before
they spread over the sky.”
Soon after a few large drops pattered on the surface of
the river; and as they fell, the incessant flashes of lightning
caused them to resemble showers of sparkling diamonds.
“Father,” said Edith, “if our lot would have been uncertain,
remaining in the city, is it not equally dubious flying
to the army menaced by General Ruffleton?”
“We are not flying to the Southern army, my child. It
is the camp of President Randolph we are approaching. I
will not be identified with either section. I have determined
upon my course. I shall adhere to the Government
of the United States.”
“But will not Ruffleton attack the President himself?”
“It may be so—but all the Northern people are not
fanatics. If they were we should be ruined irretrievably.
Ruffleton may attack the President, but Randolph will
triumph in the end.”
“Amen!” said Bim. “And all I ask is to have an opportunity
to strike his enemies.”
“We are approaching the landing,” said Willy; “and I
saw a boat push out from shore, rowed by sailors. There it
is again. I saw the uniform of the Commodores. We might
go with them to one of the United States steamers.”
“No,” said Mr. Langdon. “Mary was right. The cloud
is passing round the horizon, and we shall have no rain.
Keep straight on unless they hail us.” These words had
hardly been uttered before they were hailed, and a few
moments after the Commodores were near them, and demanded
the news from the city.
“D—n me,” said the old Commodore, “if Ruffleton is
not acting in concert with the British! We'll soon have
work enough on our hands. That explains the motions of
John Bull down yonder.”
“They have signalled us,” said Commodore Early to Mr.
Langdon, “that the British ships seem preparing for action,
and hence our return to the fleet at this hour.”
The tars resumed their labor, and the boats were immediately
flying asunder. The fugitives soon after landed in
safety. They proceeded without delay to the house occupied
by the President, situated midway between the hostile
armies. An officer of the guard dispatched information in
advance, so that when the fugitives arrived, Randolph, Alice,
Blount, and Crook, came forth and received them on the
porch, and conducted them into the parlor. Alice and
Edith long remained locked in each other's arms, and the
poor orphan, Mary, was not less cordially received.
“Langdon,” said the President, after hearing a recital of
the transactions in the city, “you have done well to abandon
the conspirators. Twelve months will not elapse before
a large majority of the Northern people will condemn them,
precisely as the conservative citizens of the South withhold
their approbation from the invasion of the North by our
friend Crook.”
“I'm a fire-eater,” said Crook, “and represent fire-eaters
alone. Blount represents the majority. I am satisfied with
what I have accomplished, and am now willing to abandon
this free soil for ever, according to my instructions and the
stipulations with Hudson.”
“You will not be permitted to retire peaceably,” said
Blount. “Ruffleton will not let you off on such terms.”
“Then I'll fight!” said Crook.
“I fear there is no other alternative,” continued Blount.
“Ah! do you not hear the shouts in the Northern camp?
Doubtless General Ruffleton, their usurping leader, has
arrived! The war is only about to begin. And, Crook,
when he ruptures the truce, I am with you!”
“Before me, General!” said Crook. “I will follow and
obey you!”
“And I cannot be an idle spectator!” said the President.
“I have been a mediator between the sections, and if
pledges be violated by either of them, I shall be absolved
from my neutrality. I will either keep the peace, or endeavor
to repel the aggressor!”
“Mr. President,” said Blount, “Ruffleton's purpose cannot
be doubtful. Before the expiration of twenty-four
hours, he will commence the attack upon us all. His
numerical force is superior to ours combined, and every
hour will bring him accessions. The calumny in relation to
the death of Hudson will be used to precipitate upon us
all the prejudiced combatants in the North. And neither
you nor Crook can evacuate Jersey with impunity. I will
set out immediately and transport my army hither. I will
relieve you, or die with you!”
“And what will become of you, Alice, Edith, and Mary?”
said the President: “I have decided what must be done.
Langdon, I confide my daughter to your care. Take her
with Edith and Mary to the District of Columbia. You
can occupy the Presidential mansion, or your own, whichever
you may prefer.”
“Father,” said Alice, “you have commanded, and I obey.
But I should have been content to partake of your perils and
successes.”
“I know it, Alice. But you could be of no service in the
scenes about to ensue. Blount will see that you are landed
in safety on the Southern shore of the Delaware, and one
hundred of the Blue Caps shall accompany you, and remain
under your command.”
Not many hours afterwards Blount and Langdon conducted
the ladies to the barge provided for their reception;
and they were landed in safety on the friendly soil of the
South just as the first rosy streaks of morning gilded the
sky.
Mr. Langdon, at the solicitation of Alice, determined to
occupy the country mansion, which had been the President's
head-quarters. The purpose was two-fold; first, to
recover from the effects of the recent fatigues, loss of rest,
and painful excitement; and second, to await the issue of
the fearful collision in New Jersey.
Having first embarked his forces on the immense flotilla
which he had long been accumulating, either for the purpose
of facilitating the withdrawal of General Crook from New
Jersey, or promptly to fly to his relief, General Blount
mounted his horse, with an intention of making a hasty
visit to the mansion, before leaving, perhaps for ever, the
friendly soil of his nativity. And it was likewise his purpose,
if circumstances should favor his suit, to renew the
proposition for an immediate union with Edith. But just
when he was setting out, a messenger arrived from Red
Bank, with demands for his immediate presence. He turned
the head of his war-horse towards the steamer in waiting,
and with a sigh relinquished the new-born hope that had
just sprung into existence. And before the boat had
pushed out from land, Sergeant Bim came galloping from
the mansion, flourishing Alice's leave of absence for five
days, during which he had a presentiment that there would
be a harvest of fighting.
