“Lawsy, missy! doan you know old Bishop?” said the old darky, bowing deeply. “Why, I wuz Marse George’s body sarvant all froo de French an’ Indian Wahs. Bin wif him most ebbrywhar, old Bishop has. Too old to go enny mo’ dough, an’ so he has Mista Willum Lee to look aftah him. P’raps you might hab seen Mista Lee. A black, sassy nigga, lil’ missy.” “Yes,” answered Peggy smiling. “I know him, Bishop. I used to see him often at Middlebrook. And so thee is Bishop?” For Peggy had heard General Washington speak affectionately of his former body servant. Bishop was too old now for camp life, but he had, as he said, served General Washington through the French War. He was almost eighty years old now. There were deep furrows upon his cheeks, his hair was gray, and his form was bent by the weight of his years, but old Bishop knew his master’s heart, and knew that that master would rather lose his whole property than to have it succor the enemies of his country. So the venerable darky and the maiden watched with sorrow the labor of the slaves as they ran back and forth to the ship, laden with flour, hams, bacon from the storehouses; chickens, geese and turkeys from the poultry yards; fruits and vegetables from the cellars; while the air was filled with the shrill cries of swine being slaughtered. It was over at last. The crew had been fed; the ship was heavily laden with supplies, and with a sarcastic acknowledgment of their courtesy the captain weighed anchor and sailed away. And then the family sat down to a belated breakfast. The meal was a mere pretense, however, and soon after it the cabriolet was brought round, and Peggy and her companions set forth once more upon their journey. “I wish,” said Mrs. Johnson as they drove away from the mansion, “I wish you were safe at home, Peggy. I don’t believe that I am doing right in permitting you to go on.” “I must,” spoke Peggy quickly. “There is my cousin dying, friend nurse. I must go on. Does thee fear an invasion of the whole state?” “It looks as though the invasion were here, Peggy. Of course, it may be but a predatory incursion as others have been before, but I fear, I fear——” ended the good woman shaking her head. “How much longer will it be before we reach Williamsburg?” inquired the girl. “We should be there the fourth day from this,” replied Nurse Johnson. “Of course it may be the right thing for you to go on, as you are so near the end of the journey; but I do wish you were safe at home.” “I shall lose no time in returning after I have done all for my cousin that can be done,” declared Peggy. “I think mother would wish me to go on now, but when all is over——” “Then you must get back as quickly as possible,” said the nurse. After all Peggy and old Bishop were right regarding General Washington’s feelings concerning the raid on the plantation.