I wish it were otherwise," said the Sheriff; and,
turning, we rode away, leaving him standing there. As I entered the
woods I looked back again, my eyes searching every window in the old
house, but never a sign of the Tory maid did I see.

CHAPTER VIII

THE BLACK COCKADE

It was two o'clock next day when we rode up to the house where the
Committee of Public Safety held its meetings, dismounted, and entered
the room. Six gentlemen sat at the long table, and the room was
crowded with hangers-on. They were men who stayed behind while the
others went to the war; they fought the fight with their tongues, with
writs of forfeiture for high treason, became great statesmen, and in
time aspired to become members of the committee. How the worthy High
Sheriff regarded them could be seen by the manner in which he brushed
past them to stand before the committee.

"What right have you to talk of liberty and of freedom, if you will
not fight for it? Why are you not with Howard, Gist, Smallwood, and
the other heroes who are making the name of the Maryland Line ring
through the army?" he would ask, and they would turn away.

The burly form and dark, swarthy face of the Chairman dominated the
committee. As we entered and stood before him his dark eyes flashed.

"Do you bring the body of Charles Gordon with you?" he demanded.

"No; I do not. I bring his defiance, instead;" and the High Sheriff
delivered the message of Charles Gordon to the committee.

The committee glanced from one to another, and there was a big stir in
the room. Then the Chairman was on his feet.

"By a thousand devils," he swore, "Charles Gordon shall suffer for
this. I will not stop until the Braes is razed to the ground, and I
have driven him from the province. He is a Tory and a traitor, and a
danger to the peace of the county. He will be up in arms next. Mr.
Sheriff, summon a posse and ride to the Braes and bring us the body of
Charles Gordon, dead or alive."

"You will not accept the invitation to go to the Braes yourself,
then?" asked the High Sheriff gravely, though there was the suggestion
of a smile around the corners of his mouth.

The Chairman hesitated. "No," he said; "it is absolutely necessary for
the welfare of the county of Cecil that we should remain where we are
and not engage in any brawls or tumults, for if we are killed who will
take our places?"

"That is true," said the High Sheriff ironically, "but have you
considered, gen