As the journey proceeded parties of men swung into the road from all directions bound for the devastated town, bearing food, clothing, and medical necessities for the stricken inhabitants. The news of the attack had flown over the county like wild-fire, and the people rallied to the aid of the victims of this latest outrage, vying with each other in a generous contest as to the care of the villagers. It was found best to apportion a certain number to each party, and Farmer Ashley's family being in better condition than many of the others were among the last to find an abode. Tarrying only long enough to rest and refresh themselves, for they were anxious to return to the farmhouse, they were soon on their way thither. "How glad we were to leave here," exclaimed Sally when at length they drove into the familiar yard. "And now how good it seems to get back!" "Yes," sighed Nurse Johnson. "Would that we had never left the place. Then the boys would not be in the hands of the British." "You never can tell, Hannah," remarked the farmer. "Had we stayed here there would have been another attempt to capture nevvy, and we might not have got off so well as we did before. It's about as broad as 'tis long. Then too, nevvy had to obey orders from the Council of Safety, so he would have had to go to Tom's River. Edwards, I hear, is sentenced to be hanged; naturally the Tories would have been after the boy hot-foot." After the total annihilation of the village of Tom's River, the damage to the farmhouse seemed inconsiderable, and it was with a sense of rest that the girls entered the pleasant and homey kitchen. And now for a time there was peace from molestation of any sort, and the short period of repose brought healing to their bruised spirits. In some manner Thomas Ashley contrived to learn that Fairfax had been carried to New York, and subsequently to Sandy Hook, where he was confined in the hold of a guard-ship. Simultaneously with this information came the news that Edwards, the refugee leader whom the young captain had captured, had been shot while attempting to escape, and the county exulted that at last it was rid of such a desperado. So the soft days of April passed until ten had elapsed since the return from Tom's River. It seemed to Peggy that never before had there been so beautiful a spring, and she spent much time among the sweet scented things of the garden. There came a morning when all the earth was kissed with scent, and all the air caressed by song. The two maidens were out under the blossoming trees, and their talk turned, as it frequently did, upon the absent Fairfax. "'Tis such a lovely day, but poor Fairfax cannot enjoy it," uttered Sally pensively. "How long doth it take for an exchange, Peggy?"