culties--we shall overcome them. All
great enterprises are difficult. What do we care for the prattling of
this Graham? Now is our time to act. We must do our own thinking. Burr
is not here to direct, and if he were, I would not trouble him with
details. Why play a secondary part? You are as wise a man as he is,
and you are my husband. You have spent money--spend more! To abandon
the enterprise is to throw away your chances, all your past
expenditures, and all your labor."

"But, my dear wife--"

"Harman, this is not a time for ifs and buts. Hasten your
preparations. Bring the boats down from Marietta. Keep every
engagement with Burr, and join him at the mouth of the Cumberland at
the appointed time. Whoever weakens, let not you and me do so.
Remember the pledges made to and by us, and bear yourself as becomes
the man chosen to be Minister to the Court of St. James."

What spur more sharp than a beautiful woman's appeal to a proud man's
vanity? Blennerhassett hastened every preparation for the forwarding
of provisions, ammunition, arms, and men. Night and day the busy work
went on. Skiffs flitted in and out of the secluded cove, fetching and
carrying supplies or recruits. Skilful hands folded cartridges and
manipulated the bullet-mould in the light and heat of the kitchen
fire--even the slender fingers of the mistress shared in this
significant task.

The time came for bringing the fifteen batteaux from the shipyard on
the Muskingum, where Byle had heard the clatter of saw and hammer. But
when Blennerhassett's tardy employees made an attempt to get the
boats, they were frustrated by the civil and military authorities of
Marietta. Only a single batteau was brought down. Jefferson's
proclamation was producing its intended effect. The country had
awakened to a sense of public danger. The militia was called out in
Ohio and a rumor came to Blennerhassett that Colonel Phelps, at the
head of the militia of Wood County, Virginia, was about to cross over
to the island, seize whatever supplies might be found there, and
arrest the proprietor.

The islanders were alarmed. There was no time to waste. Nevertheless,
the head of the household hesitated--dawdled. The crisis paralyzed
his energy. It was an imperative duty, now, for his wife to make up
his mind and to make it up strong. Her will was adequate. She took
command of the domestic ship, captain and crew. Peter Taylor hung
around his master deprecatingly; she sent him to