—The Valley of Tayef. The camp was thrown into a turmoil of excitement the next day when it was learned that two regiments of British had indeed endeavored to take General Maxwell’s brigade by surprise. A detachment in search of the governor had reached Liberty Hall shortly after three o’clock that morning, but not finding him at home a quest was made for his private papers, which were saved by the quick wit of his daughter, Susannah. Baffled in this attempt they rejoined their comrades who had surrounded Elizabethtown, expecting to capture the brigade at least. General Maxwell, however, by reason of Harriet’s warning had marched out before their arrival, and surprised the enemy by falling upon them at daybreak. The lively skirmish that ensued, resulted in the loss of several men on each side, while the academy, where were kept stores of various kinds, the Presbyterian Hospital, and a few other buildings were burned by the British in their retreat. When this news was received Harriet and Peggy became the heroines of the hour. A constant stream of visitors besieged the Owens’ quarters until Mr. Owen laughingly declared that he should have to entreat protection from General Washington. In all the demonstration, however, Peggy was a secondary luminary. “’Tis the more remarkable because thee is an English girl,” was David Owen’s comment when Harriet protested against so much attention being shown her. “And thee deserves it, my child. ’Twas a great thing for thee to do.” “But Peggy found the note,” spoke Harriet with insistence. “I must have been miles away when she found it. Wasn’t I, Peggy?” Peggy gave her a puzzled look. Why did she make such a point of not being present when the note was found, she asked herself. “My daughter,” chided her father, “did thee not hear thy cousin’s question? Thou hast not answered her.” “Oh!” exclaimed Peggy rousing herself. “What was it, Harriet? I was wondering about something.” “’Twas naught,” spoke Harriet. “I only said I was not with you when the note was found.” “No, thee was not with me,” answered Peggy, and something of her perplexity was visible in her manner. On Friday morning, the day following the sortie by the enemy, Mrs. Owen entered the parlor where the two girls were for the moment sitting alone with Mr. Owen. “Girls,” she said, “an aide hath just come from His Excellency with his compliments. He desires the pleasure of Misses Margaret and Harriet Owen’s company to dinner. You are to accompany the aide, who will wait for you to get ready, and will see that you are safely returned before night falls.” “Oh, must we go?” cried Harriet. “Please, Cousin David, may I not stay with you?” “Tut, tut, lass!” returned he. “Refuse His Excellency’s invitation to dine? ’Twould be monstrous unmannerly, and that thee is not, Harriet.” “But I would rather stay with you,” she pleaded, and her dismay was very apparent.