Page:Mistress Madcap Surrenders (1926).pdf/232

 the war, had been goaded by foolish neighbors into bitter Toryism, so that much of New Jersey had suffered from his anger. He had joined the loyal troops in New Jersey, had even attempted to capture, though unsuccessfully, Governor Livingston, so that wherever special pillage and destruction and cruelty had been done, his name was upon the lips of his victims.

"Ye be right," agreed Mehitable now. "But mayhap he will come!"

Charity gave a startled glance down the road, then shook her head. "Not until night, Hitty, I feel sure. Ever he seems to time his raids then!"

They slipped off from their horse with one accord, and approached the gatepost. Yes, there, unmistakably, was the letter "R" for rebel with which the British who came over into New Jersey were wont to mark their victims. As she glanced away, however, Charity caught sight of a gander near by.

"Look, Hitty, there be one o' Mistress Wright's precious geese!" She gestured toward it laughingly. "Hast ever seen him before without the other seventeen?"

Mehitable, glancing at it carelessly, suddenly looked more intently.

"Why, what has he upon his leg, Cherry? Something be around that old gander's leg, I vow! Let's catch him and see!"

At once there commenced a wild chase around