"I did. But I had to take proceedings against him which portended the stocks. I promised him a wheelbarrow to be pushed every day in the resolution of his debt. Only when I had the jailer at hand did he reconsider. The debt has been paid, and he has already signed." "I am glad you got him. He's a Papist, isn't he?" inquired Peggy. "He is, and a staunch one at that," replied her husband. "Let's get down to business," interrupted Anderson. "How soon may your vessel sail?" "This week, or the early part of next," replied Arnold. "I drew the pass three weeks ago. With the time for clearance and sailing allowed, she should be ready now. You had better make an allowance of a week." "How about the crew?" "They can be depended upon. They are beholden to her owner. Have no fears concerning them." "How soon may she clear?" He was persistent in this. "In a few days. Tomorrow if pressed." "I want to get through with this business as soon as I can and get out of this town. It may get too hot for me. If I had that meeting off my mind and the men on board bound for New York I would enjoy greater repose." "I thought you were never apprehensive," remarked Peggy. "With your composure and gallantry the world would judge that cares set lightly upon your head." "Happy is he who can abandon everything with which his conscience is burdened. I have enjoyed no peace of soul for years and I see an untimely end." "Be not so melancholy," observed Arnold. "My boy, the future and the world lie before you." "Like a yawning abyss," was the grave reply. "Oh! spare us your terrible verdicts," cried Peggy with a smile. "I believe that I should have crushed with my scorn the philosopher who first uttered this terrible but profoundly true thought," said Anderson. "'Prudence is the first thing to forsake the wretched!'" "Have you been imprudent?" she asked. "I did find a charm in my escapades. At first I tingled with fear, but I gradually laid aside that cloak of suspicion which guards safety, and stalked about naked. A despicable contempt arises from an unreserved intimacy. We grow bolder with our efforts." "What is success?" asked Peggy. Their mood was heavy; their tone morose. A sadness had settled upon them like the blanket of the night. Only the moon climbing into the heavens radiated glory. "Come! Away with those dismal topics!" exclaimed the General. "This is the time for rejoicing." "Can you rejoice?" inquired the visitor. "I, too, should be happy, but I fear, alas, I am not. My people give me no peace." "Why not render your country a lasting service?" "How?" "By performing a heroic deed that will once for all put an end to this unseemly conflict." "Never! I have been shattered twice for my efforts. I am done with active field duty." "I do not think of that," Anderson assured him. "Of what, then?"