“Nay,” he said, “let me believe that you came down here to help me deliver my despatches to Marion. I will have to take you in charge. Let me think what to do. I have it! There is a farmhouse where Whigs are welcomed near here. You shall stay there until these papers are delivered, and then we shall see if something can’t be arranged.” “Oh, thank thee, John,” cried she, mightily relieved. “’Tis so nice to have some one to plan. I shall do just as thee says, for I begin to believe that I am not so capable as I thought.” “These winding roads are enough to confuse any one,” he told her. “You are not alone in getting lost, Peggy. Some of the soldiers do too, if they are not familiar with localities.” Cheered by this meeting, Peggy’s spirits rose, and she chatted gaily, not noticing that Drayton kept looking behind them, and that he frequently rode a little ahead, as though he were on the lookout. “What is it?” she asked at length becoming aware that something was amiss. “Is there danger, John?” “Yes, Peggy. South Carolina is full of British, you know. I must watch for an ambush. I would not fail to deliver these despatches for anything. They are important, and as I told you the other day, all of us who were under Arnold will be suspected until tried.” Peggy grew pale. “I did not know there was danger, John. Doth my presence increase your anxiety?” “’Tis pleasure to have you, Peggy, but I would rather you were in Virginia for your own safety. However, we shall soon turn into a side road which will lead to that farmhouse I spoke about. I could no longer get through the woods, or I should not have left them for the highway. But had I not done so I would not have met you. ’Tis marvelous, Peggy, that you have met with no harm.” “Why should I meet with any?” she queried. “I am but a girl, and can bring hurt to none.” Drayton drew rein suddenly, and listened. “We must make a run for it, Peggy,” he cried. “The British are coming. I gave them the slip a while ago, but I hear them down the road. If we can reach the lane we may escape them.” Peggy called to Star, and the boy and girl struck into a gallop. It was soon evident, however, that Drayton was holding back his horse for Peggy to keep pace with him. As Peggy realized this a whoop from the pursuers told that they had caught sight of them, and the clattering hoofs that they were gaining upon them. “John,” she cried, “go on! Thee can get away then.” “And leave you, Peggy? Never,” he answered. “But thy despatches? Thee just told me they must be delivered. Thee must go on.” “No,” he replied with set lips. “’Tis thy duty,” she said imploringly. “I know, but I’m not going to leave you to the mercy of those fiends,” he cried. “John, thee must not fail. See! they are gaining. Go, go! Does thee remember that thee will be suspected until thee is tried?” “I know,” he said doggedly, “but I won’t leave you.”