The men about Charlotte had disputed his advance; they now harassed his foraging parties, intercepted his despatches and cut off his communications. Declaring that every bush hid a rebel, Lord Cornwallis fell back across the Catawba into South Carolina. At the plantation the news of the victory was received with joy, causing Peggy to unfold the plan that had been maturing ever since she had regained possession of Star. “What doth hinder my going home now?” she asked the assembled family one evening. “The British have gone, and I have but to keep to the road to arrive in time at Philadelphia.” “But the Tories?” questioned Mistress Egan. “They are everywhere.” “I have waited so long for a way to open,” continued Peggy, stoutly. “It is wonderful how it hath all come about. First, the sea brought me to thy door, Friend Mandy. Then we came up here where the road is the selfsame one used by the delegates to go to the Congress. Then my own pony is brought to this very house. Does thee not see that ’tis the way opened at last?” “I see that we must let you go,” said the good woman sadly, “though I shall never know a minute’s peace until I hear of you being safe with your mother.” “I will write as soon as I reach her,” promised the girl. “And I shall get through, never fear. Did thee not say to thy husband when the cottage was burned that the people would help? Well, they will help me too.” “You cannot go alone, my girl,” interposed Henry Egan decidedly. “’Twould never do in the world. Things air upset still, even though the British air gone. If I hadn’t joined the milish I’d take you home myself. As things air there can’t a man be spared from the state jest now. North Carolina needs every man she can get.” “I know it, Friend Henry,” answered Peggy. “And I would not wish any one to leave his duty for me. The cause of liberty must come before everything.” “That is true,” he said. “Be content to bide a little longer, and mayhap a way will be opened, as you say.” So, yielding to his judgment with the sweet deference that was her greatest charm, Peggy bore her disappointment as best she could. It was but a few days, however, until the matter was brought up again by the fisherman. “Peggy,” he said, “I heard as how Joe Hart was going to take his wife and baby to her folks in Virginny, so that he can join the Continentals with Gates. If you’re bound to go this might be your chance. Things don’t seem to be so bad over there as they air in this state, and it may be easier for you to get some one to take you on to Philadelphia.” “When do they start?” asked Peggy joyfully. “To-morrow morning. That won’t give you much time, but——” “’Tis all I need,” she answered excitedly. “Oh, Friend Henry, how good thee is to find a chance for me.” “There, my girl! say no more. Of course you want them even as they must want you. You’ll write sometimes, and when this awful war is over, if there air any of us left, mayhap you’ll come down to see us again.”