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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/32648-h.zip b/32648-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1cf99d1 --- /dev/null +++ b/32648-h.zip diff --git a/32648-h/32648-h.htm b/32648-h/32648-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..57025be --- /dev/null +++ b/32648-h/32648-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10699 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Minute Boys Of York Town, by James Otis. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .tocnum {position: absolute; top: auto; right: 15%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Minute Boys of York Town, by James Otis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Minute Boys of York Town + +Author: James Otis + +Illustrator: L. J. Bridgeman + +Release Date: June 1, 2010 [EBook #32648] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF YORK TOWN *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by The Internet Archive.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<h1>THE MINUTE BOYS OF YORK TOWN</h1> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>AMERICAN HISTORY STORIES FOR BOYS</h2> + + +<h3><i>THE MINUTE BOY SERIES</i></h3> + +<h4>By Edward Stratemeyer and James Otis</h4> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The Minute Boys of Lexington<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Minute Boys of Bunker Hill<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Minute Boys of the Green Mountains<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Minute Boys of the Wyoming Valley<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3><i>THE MEXICAN WAR SERIES</i></h3> + +<h4>By Capt. Ralph Bonehill</h4> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">For the Liberty of Texas<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With Taylor on the Rio Grande<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Under Scott in Mexico<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p class="center"> +DANA ESTES & COMPANY<br /> +Publishers<br /> +Estes Press, Summer St., Boston<br /> +</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><a name="front" id="front"></a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 402px;"> +<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="402" height="600" alt=""IT WAS A SIGHT WELL CALCULATED TO STIR THE BLOOD OF A +BOY FROM VIRGINIA."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"IT WAS A SIGHT WELL CALCULATED TO STIR THE BLOOD OF A +BOY FROM VIRGINIA."</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>THE MINUTE BOYS OF YORK TOWN</h1> + +<h2>JAMES OTIS</h2> + +<h4>Author of "The Minute Boys of Long Island," The "Minute Boys of Wyoming +Valley," "Boys of '98," "Teddy and Carrots," "Boys of Fort Schuyler," +"Under the Liberty Tree," etc., etc.</h4> + +<h3><i>Illustrated by</i></h3> + +<h2>L. J. BRIDGMAN</h2> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 166px;"> +<img src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="166" height="200" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +BOSTON<br /> +DANA ESTES & COMPANY<br /> +PUBLISHERS<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<i>Copyright, 1912</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">By Dana Estes & Company</span><br /> +<br /> +<i>All rights reserved</i><br /> +<br /> +THE MINUTE BOYS OF YORK TOWN<br /> +<br /> +PRESS OF<br /> +THE VAIL-BALLOU CO.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Binghamton, N. Y.</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<p> +CHAPTER <span class="tocnum">PAGE</span><br /> +<br /> +I. <span class="smcap">Two Young Virginians</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_11'>11</a></span><br /> +<br /> +II. <span class="smcap">Silver Heels</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_30'>30</a></span><br /> +<br /> +III. <span class="smcap">Uncle 'Rasmus's Advice</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_49'>49</a></span><br /> +<br /> +IV. <span class="smcap">The Town of York</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_70'>70</a></span><br /> +<br /> +V. <span class="smcap">Our Prisoner</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_89'>89</a></span><br /> +<br /> +VI. <span class="smcap">A Disagreeable Surprise</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_109'>109</a></span><br /> +<br /> +VII. <span class="smcap">Morgan, the Spy</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_128'>128</a></span><br /> +<br /> +VIII. <span class="smcap">The Disappearance of Saul</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_147'>147</a></span><br /> +<br /> +IX. <span class="smcap">Suspense</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_166'>166</a></span><br /> +<br /> +X. <span class="smcap">News of Saul</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_185'>185</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XI. <span class="smcap">A Desperate Venture</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_205'>205</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XII. <span class="smcap">Saul's Opportunity</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_223'>223</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XIII. <span class="smcap">The Siege</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_240'>240</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XIV. <span class="smcap">An Ugly Situation</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_258'>258</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XV. <span class="smcap">Foraging</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_276'>276</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XVI. <span class="smcap">Preparations for Flight</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_294'>294</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XVII. <span class="smcap">Our Blunder</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_310'>310</a></span><br /> +<br /> +XVIII. <span class="smcap">Trapped</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_329'>329</a></span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<p> +<span class="tocnum">PAGE</span><br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">It was a sight well calculated to stir the blood of a boy from Virginia</span>" (<i>Page <a href="#Page_227">227</a></i>) <span class="tocnum"><i><a href="#front">Frontispiece</a></i></span><br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">That we might peer between the leaves</span>" <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_26'>26</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">He ... touched his hat in regular military salute</span>" <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_76'>76</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">I sprang forward</span>" <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_90'>90</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">Without the slightest warning I found myself in the clutches of a man</span>" <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_119'>119</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">Halt, or I'll fire!</span>" <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_138'>138</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">The Release of Saul Ogden</span> <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_233'>233</a></span><br /> +<br /> +"<span class="smcap">A general discharge ... was commenced by the Americans</span>" <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_289'>289</a></span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE MINUTE BOYS OF YORK TOWN</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>TWO YOUNG VIRGINIANS</h3> + + +<p>When Uncle 'Rasmus loses his temper because of some prank which we lads +of James Town may have played upon him, he always says that no good can +ever come of that in which "chillun an' women are mixed."</p> + +<p>It had never entered my mind that there was in such a remark any cause +for anger on my part, until that day when Saul Ogden repeated it, +shaking his head dolefully as Uncle 'Rasmus always did, and speaking in +the negro dialect so faithfully that one, not seeing him, might well +have supposed his skin was black.</p> + +<p>Of course you remember the engagement at Spencer's Ordinary, which place +is the same as if I had said Spencer's Tavern, on the 26th of June in +the year of Grace 1781, when Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe of the Queen's +Rangers, and Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton with his Legion of Horse, began +to "prance" around here, as Uncle 'Rasmus would put it, and we +Virginians were disturbed in more ways than one.</p> + +<p>There were a number of our people who would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> have been loyal to the king +if Governor Dunmore had not written himself down such a consummate ass, +and many even at this time whose sympathies were all with the struggling +colonists, but who yet hoped matters could be settled without loss of +honor to either side, meaning that the so-called rebels and his majesty +might come together in friendship once more.</p> + +<p>But when this "prancing" began; when Colonel Tarleton rode rough-shod +over our people of Virginia without seeming to understand the meaning of +the word "humanity," then it was that even those who had hoped against +hope that the colonies might remain in peace and harmony with the mother +country, began to realize it was no longer possible.</p> + +<p>It had required five long, weary years, during which our Americans in +the North had borne nearly all the brunt of this struggle against the +king, and I dare not say how much of friendship, to persuade those few +in Virginia who strove to hold some shred of loyalty to the king, that +the time had come when they must take sides with those who had the best +interests of the country at heart, no longer looking to royalty for +relief.</p> + +<p>Saul Ogden is my cousin, being but three days younger than I, who was, +in August of 1781, just turned fifteen, and although it may seem strange +to the lads of New England that we two Virginians knew so little +concerning what was being done in this America of ours, it is true that +until the engagement at Spencer's Ordinary there had never been a +thought in our minds that we might be called upon, or that it would be +possible for us to take any part in the bloody struggle which had been +prolonged until it seemed of a verity that the people of New<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> York and +Boston must have come to an end of all their resources, so far as +struggling against the king's soldiers was concerned.</p> + +<p>It is true Saul and I had heard now and then that even boys in +Massachusetts and in New York were enrolled, or had agreed among +themselves, to act as Minute Boys, ready to do whatsoever they might, at +any time, regardless of all things else save the proving of that +Declaration of Independence to the satisfaction of the whole wide world.</p> + +<p>It was on the day before the action at Spencer's Ordinary that I, +Fitzroy Hamilton, and Saul, my cousin, met for the first time a little +French lad by name of Pierre Laurens, who had come up from New Orleans +with his widowed mother to visit at my home, after having spent a summer +in Boston.</p> + +<p>A companionable sort of a lad was this little French boy who waved his +hands and shrugged his shoulders when he talked, as if they were in some +way connected with his tongue; one who was able to tell many an +entertaining story, and who had seen so much of this land of America +that it was to Saul and me as if he was some great traveler, while we +were only two country louts, never having strayed a dozen miles from +home.</p> + +<p>It is not of Pierre whom I have set myself down to tell; but it was +necessary I should refer to him in order that you might understand how +we two lads of James Town, who seldom went away from the plantation save +to ride into the settlement, and whose longest journey had been from the +James to the York river across that neck where one may best arrive at +York Town, came to know that we might serve the Cause as Minute Boys.</p> + +<p>It was little Frenchie who took it upon himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> to tell us what he +knew, he having met several lads in Boston who called themselves Minute +Boys. He held up before Saul and me pictures of the duty we owed our +homes, as if we Virginians needed to be taught our duty, and painted in +glowing colors the honor and glory which was to be won by those lads who +stood ever ready to perform the work of Minute Boys, until we were quite +aflame with the idea.</p> + +<p>I doubt much, however, whether anything would have come of it had it not +been for that same engagement at Spencer's Ordinary, when +Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, counting to ride over the Pennsylvania men +under Colonel Butler as he had ridden over us Virginians, found much to +his displeasure that it was not always possible for his high mightiness +to do exactly as he wished.</p> + +<p>Do not get the idea that I intend to make it appear as if the king's +troops were worsted at Spencer's Tavern; but it was a drawn battle, as I +have heard even those who really loved the king, admit, and it must have +been a startling surprise to the swaggering Simcoe to have received even +a check.</p> + +<p>It was only natural that after this engagement Saul and I, egged on by +Pierre, should talk quite seriously of forming a company of Minute Boys; +but no sooner would we begin, and I strive to point out how we might do +this thing or that which would advantage our colony of Virginia, than +Saul would break in with the saying of Uncle 'Rasmus's, that where +"chillun an' women were mixed" matters went awry.</p> + +<p>Yet despite my cousin's seeming scorn, Pierre continued to urge that we +enroll ourselves as Minute Boys, and when Saul asked irritably whether +he believed any good would come to the Cause if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> only three lads were +banded together, agreeing to do whatsoever they might, thereby, as you +can see, throwing cold water on the scheme, Pierre, his hands waving and +his shoulders shrugged nearly to his ears, would insist again and again +that if no more than three should set themselves about striving to do +something in aid of those who were battling against the king, much of +good might be accomplished.</p> + +<p>Then Saul, without really meaning to be unkind, would cry out that +Colonel Simcoe had better have a care when our company of three Virginia +Minute Boys set out on the war-path, and while his friendly scorn +fretted me now and then, it did not distress Pierre in the least.</p> + +<p>I say it did not distress him, and yet I may be mistaken, for after Saul +had repeated Uncle 'Rasmus's maxim, and spoken sneeringly of the fear +which a company of Minute Boys numbering three might produce throughout +the colony, little Frenchie said, waving his hands as if to brush my +cousin aside:</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, if you are afraid, then it would not be of avail even though +you had a company of twenty."</p> + +<p>"Afraid!" Saul cried, the red blood flushing his face as he advanced +almost threateningly toward the little fellow from New Orleans. "Do you +dare come here and tell a Virginian that he is afraid of any person who +walks this earth even though he wear a crown?"</p> + +<p>"I did not say you <i>were</i> afraid," Pierre replied sweetly, still +shrugging his shoulders and waving his hands. "I said <i>if</i> you were +afraid, then it would not do for you to talk of being a Minute<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> Boy. It +is only those lads in the colonies who dare do this or dare do that, who +could be of value to the Cause."</p> + +<p>Now it is just possible little Frenchie was irritated when he made this +reply; but however it came about, certain it is from that moment Saul +ceased to throw cold water upon the plan of raising a company of Minute +Boys, and no longer quoted Uncle 'Rasmus, or spoke scornfully of what +might be accomplished, yet at the same time he was not enthusiastic +about it until after that sixth of July, when at Green Spring plantation +the British under my Lord Cornwallis met the Americans commanded by +General Lafayette, the king's troops getting much the best of the +battle.</p> + +<p>I had thought Saul might strive to get even with Pierre by pointing out +that the young French general was defeated where an American might have +been victorious; but no, he held his peace concerning the nationality of +the commander of the army, and seemed all afire with a desire to do +something with his own hands that should be of benefit to the Cause.</p> + +<p>He insisted we form ourselves into a company of Minute Boys at once, +even though there were but three of us, claiming even as little Frenchie +had claimed days and days before, that it might be possible even for so +small a number to accomplish considerable of good, and promising that as +the time went by we would be able to add to our numbers.</p> + +<p>And thus it was that Saul and I, two Virginia lads, joined with Pierre, +a Frenchie, to form a company of Minute Boys in aid of the Cause of +Liberty, and even went so far, after agreeing among ourselves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> that we +were to stand by each other so long as life should last, to write a +letter to Master Patrick Henry telling him of what we had done and +offering our services, much the same as if they might be of great value.</p> + +<p>The strangest part of all, as it seemed to me, was that Master Henry did +actually answer the letter which Saul wrote; did really speak of us as +if it might be possible that we do somewhat of good to the Cause, and +commending us for coming together in such a fashion. It was much as if +he believed he was writing to three men of importance in Virginia, who +could do this, or do that, according to their will, instead of three +lads who had hardly ever, with the exception of Pierre, ventured off the +Hamilton plantation.</p> + +<p>I questioned seriously whether Master Henry really understood Saul's +letter; if he was aware of the fact that we were lads only just turned +fifteen, and argued that he must have read the missive so hurriedly that +he thought three influential planters, if you please, who may formerly +have been luke-warm to the Cause, were now turned about ready to do +whatsoever they might.</p> + +<p>Had Saul and I been alone I could have convinced my cousin that I was in +the right; but little Frenchie must needs start up, insisting that +Master Henry knew to whom he was writing; that a great man like Master +Patrick Henry would not read a letter which, if it had come from men, +was of importance, so hurriedly as not to understand who had written it. +He argued from all this, that our calling ourselves Minute Boys, even +though we might not succeed in doing much that would advantage the +colony, was of moment even in the eyes of so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> able a man as he who had +been governor of Virginia.</p> + +<p>I must say this for Pierre, that when he starts out to convince you of a +matter there is in his manner and his voice such winning qualities, that +even though at the outset you were positive he was in the wrong, before +many minutes had passed you were saying to yourself that all his words +were true, all his beliefs noble, and all that he would do exactly +right.</p> + +<p>It was one thing to call ourselves Minute Boys; to write to Governor +Henry and to be praised by him, and quite another matter to be able to +do anything whatsoever in aid of the Cause.</p> + +<p>It is true that we did not go far afield in search of opportunities, and +for the very good reason that we knew not where to go. Between our town +of James and the village of York we knew our way as well as we did +through the pantry to that jar of cake which Aunt Dinah always kept so +well filled; but beyond that it was all a strange world to us, so +strange that we doubted whether we might make our way even so far as +Baltimore without writing ourselves down as the veriest country louts.</p> + +<p>Then came that day when my Lord Cornwallis led his red-coated men into +James Town itself, and we found ourselves not only surrounded by these +soldiers of the king, but literally over-run by them. So high and mighty +was his majesty's officer that he quartered his soldiers here, there, or +in the other place, at whatsoever house pleased his fancy, insisting +that we Virginians who claimed we had the right to break off from the +mother country, should take care of those who had come to shoot us +down.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then of a verity did it seem to me the time had come when we Minute Boys +might do something, and I said as much to Saul and Pierre.</p> + +<p>My cousin held his peace, looking around eagerly as if striving to see +here or there some opportunity, while little Frenchie shrugged his +shoulders as if the matter was of little consequence to him, and I, +irritated by his movements, taunted him with being a coward, saying it +was all very well for him, while the British soldiers were at a +distance, to talk loudly about forming a company of Minute Boys, but +instantly the enemy were come within reach he was well content to lie +down at their feet.</p> + +<p>I was ashamed of myself even as I spoke, and looked to see Pierre fly +into a rage; but, instead, he shrugged his little shoulders yet higher, +advising that I go back into the stable yard where Uncle 'Rasmus, with +the hounds around him, was sunning himself, and there take advice from +the old negro who claimed that where "chillun an' women were mixed" no +good could come.</p> + +<p>"And to what end should I take advice from Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried in a +rage, whereupon Pierre, waving his hands with the palms uppermost, said +in a most friendly way:</p> + +<p>"To the end, my dear Fitz, that you may come to understand there is a +time for work and a time for remaining idle; that he who would +accomplish something does not set out upon a task which, even before +beginning it, he knows to be impossible."</p> + +<p>"All of which means what?" Saul demanded, and I understood that the +lad's heart was heavy, for within the hour he had been crowded against +the wall, and a red-coated captain of the Foot had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> shaken him soundly +because he did not give way to the swaggerers who had come into Virginia +to teach us manners.</p> + +<p>"All of which means that the time will come when we shall be able to do +something to please even your Governor Henry," Pierre said sulkily, and +then turned away, himself to take counsel of Uncle 'Rasmus, leaving Saul +and me gazing into each other's faces like a couple of simples, until my +cousin said with a mirthless laugh:</p> + +<p>"I am beginning to believe, Fitz, that little Frenchie has more in his +head than ever you or I can hope to find in ours."</p> + +<p>It was the first time I had ever heard him suggest that Pierre was wise +beyond his years. In fact, he had always looked upon the little fellow +as a pleasant companion, and I had believed that I was more than his +equal when it came to such tasks as Minute Boys should do. I had set it +down in my mind that when the time for real work arrived, if it ever +did, it would be Saul and I who would do credit to our town of James.</p> + +<p>My Lord Cornwallis did not linger at James Town; but continued on down +the river until he was come to Portsmouth, having stopped meanwhile on +the way to "give Lafayette a lesson," as some of our Tory neighbors +suggested.</p> + +<p>Then, as you very well know, it began to appear as if this valiant +officer, who represented the king in Virginia, was beginning to get +uneasy because the young French general was pressing him rather warmly, +and continued what was well nigh a retreat until that first day of +September in the year of Grace 1781, when he entered York Town, and +immediately began to fortify the settlements of York<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> and Gloucester as +if counting to make there a permanent abiding place.</p> + +<p>It never occurred to me that my Lord Cornwallis had really beaten a +retreat before the Americans, and was now come to where he must have aid +from New York or from overseas in order to get out from what was much +like a trap, until Uncle 'Rasmus, when we lads were gathered about him +in the stable-yard, said, shaking his grey head as he chewed +meditatively on a straw:</p> + +<p>"It kind 'er 'pears to me, chillun, like as ef dat yere Britisher what's +flutterin' 'roun' ober York way wid his hosses, an' his guns, an' his +shinin' sword, was heapin' up a sight ob misery for hisself."</p> + +<p>"But surely, Uncle 'Rasmus, after the engagement at Green Spring, you +can't believe it would be possible for the French general to do him any +harm?" Saul cried, surprised by the old negro's words, which seemed much +like a prophecy.</p> + +<p>"I ain' sayin', chile, dat de French gin'ral is gwine for to hurt de +Britishers so berry much; but it kind'er 'pears to me dis erway: You see +dey's come down yere to de jumpin'-off place, an' dere ain' much chance +for 'em to get away 'cept dey goes by water. Now I'se done hear dat +dere's a power ob French vessels hangin' 'roun' off de Capes, des like +as if dey was waitin' to swaller up de red-coated gen'men."</p> + +<p>"If he can't get away by water he'll go back by land," Saul suggested, +and Uncle 'Rasmus shook his head mournfully, as if it pained him to +believe that my Lord Cornwallis had come into a veritable trap.</p> + +<p>"What 'bout dat yere Virginia gen'man dey's got up Norf—what 'bout +Gin'ral Washington?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> Do you count, chillun, de's gwine for ter lay stock +still when he's got de chance ob nabbin' all dis yere stuff what dey +'lows b'longs to de king? Ef it was some ob yere po' wuffless Northern +trash what was runnin' dis yere war for de people ob America, den it +might be dat Lord Cornwallis was gwine to turn 'roun' slap when he done +got ready. But mark you, chillun, it's one ob our Virginia gen'men dats +lookin' after tings. He knows de lan' 'roun' erbout; kase why? Kase he's +bin here, chillun; he's bin right on dis yere plantation, an' he knows +dat when you strikes de town ob York you'se got to be sumfin like a +flea, able to hop a mighty big hop."</p> + +<p>"Even suppose my Lord Cornwallis does beat back the Americans who are +led by one of my countrymen; he might find it very difficult to break +through their ranks, if he wanted to go back toward Richmond by the same +way he came," Pierre said with a wave of the hand which I never hope to +fully describe, for there was ever much of feeling in his gestures.</p> + +<p>We remained there in the stable yard until the sun was low in the +western sky, discussing the situation with Uncle 'Rasmus as our oracle. +It is true we lads could not speak intelligently upon military matters, +and as I look back now upon that day, I realize how much of folly there +was in our words; but our hearts were nigh to bursting with the desire +to do something toward ridding our colony of Virginia of those +swaggering, insolent, red-coated men, all of whom we believed to be +quite as brutal as Colonel Tarleton and his followers.</p> + +<p>The result of that afternoon's conversation with Uncle 'Rasmus, if such +it can be called, was that we three lads decided to go over to York +Town, and see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> for ourselves how the Britishers were disposed there, and +what they had done in the way of throwing up fortifications, for word +had come through the negroes that not only the town of York, but +Gloucester also, was being fortified thoroughly well.</p> + +<p>It is not above eight miles from our plantation to the town of York, and +we counted to ride there and back before the next noon, until Uncle +'Rasmus, as if terrified by such a proposition, insisted that we ought +never even think of trusting the horses so near the British encampment. +He told us what we very speedily came to know was true, that these +servants of the king would not hesitate to despoil us Virginians who +might be accused of what they were pleased to term disloyalty, even to +the extent of taking from us our lives.</p> + +<p>I could not then believe the old negro was talking other than veriest +nonsense; but before another week had passed I came to understand all +too well that we of Virginia who were called rebels, had no rights which +these red-coated gentry were bound to respect.</p> + +<p>It seemed fortunate that Uncle 'Rasmus succeeded in convincing us it +would be in the highest degree dangerous to ride good saddle horses, and +there were none other on the Hamilton plantation, within the British +lines at York Town, and finally we agreed among ourselves, so eager had +we grown to know what was being done by my Lord Cornwallis, to walk +there and back. It would not be a severe journey, for we might count on +going and returning between sunrise and sunset, and yet not exert +ourselves overly much.</p> + +<p>It is not necessary I should set down anything concerning our movements +from the time we parted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> with Uncle 'Rasmus, until next morning, an hour +after sunrise, when we were come within view of York Town, having walked +at a rapid pace, for even though it was yet early in September, there +was a bit of frost in the air which induced one to move rapidly lest he +become chilled.</p> + +<p>It was when we were come so near the end of our journey, that we saw +ahead of us, less than a quarter of a mile away, Horry Sims, who lived +on the old Livingston plantation, three miles above my home, and he +appeared to be talking earnestly with a mounted officer who was in +command of mayhap a dozen men.</p> + +<p>Now Horry Sims was a lad who might fairly have been called a friend of +mine, because we had had no angry words together such as could not +readily be wiped out; but since two or three years neither Saul nor I +chummed very much with the lad. It was believed, and with good cause, +that his father yet remained loyal to the king, and was not only ready +to make a display of love for his majesty; but appeared so willing to +show disloyalty to his neighbors that it almost amounted to eagerness.</p> + +<p>Uncle 'Rasmus declared again and again that Master Sims had had a hand +in whatsoever of mischief had been done in Virginia, and perhaps Saul +and I might have believed the old negro had he not set down so much of +evil to the account of Horry's father that it was impossible one man +could have compassed it all.</p> + +<p>Certain it is, however, we had come to look upon Master Sims as a rank +Tory, and, fancying his son might hold the views of his father, we two +lads, meaning Saul and me, had kept away from him, not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> in the way of +enmity, but rather to avoid the lad, although we treated him fairly when +he came where we were.</p> + +<p>After all we believed we knew, it should not have seemed strange to us +that Horry Sims was talking in an apparently friendly fashion with this +officer in his majesty's service, yet we were surprised, for now was +come the time, if he felt so disposed, when it was possible for him to +do much of harm to his neighbors, and on the instant I stepped aside +from the highway that I might be screened by the bushes, beckoning my +companions to do the same.</p> + +<p>We had thus hidden ourselves from view of those who were ahead of us, as +I believed, before they came to know that we were in the vicinity, and +Saul, thinking that now was the time when we might do Minute-Boy duty, +whispered to me:</p> + +<p>"Shall we creep among the shrubbery until we are come where it is +possible to hear the conversation of those beyond?"</p> + +<p>Before I could make reply, little Frenchie, shrugging his shoulders, +whispered:</p> + +<p>"How far think you, it would be possible to go without being overheard +by some of those who wear red coats? If it was night, or if yonder men +were deaf, then might you do it."</p> + +<p>"It is certain they would hear you before you were where it could be +possible to distinguish a word of the conversation," I said in reply to +Saul's suggestion, and he was seemingly satisfied that such would be the +case, for instead of making any attempt at an argument, he crept more +closely to my side, pulling Pierre with him until we three, in order to +hold in view that group of red, in the midst of which was Horry Sims, +were forced to part the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> foliage with our hands that we might peer +between the leaves.</p> + +<p>Perhaps our suspicions of the lad prompted us to see more than really +was presented; but certain it is I fancied that the officer, who was +mounted, plied Horry with questions, to which the lad replied as if it +gave him pleasure to impart information. I also suspected they were +saying somewhat concerning our plantation, for now and again Horry +pointed in the direction of my home, and the foot soldiers looked back +as if fancying they might see the buildings in the distance, all of +which was the more real to me because betwixt where we stood and the +Hamilton plantation there was no other dwelling.</p> + +<p>We remained there in hiding a full half hour, and then it appeared to me +as if the officer and Horry Sims parted in friendly fashion, the lad to +continue on toward York Town, and the officer and his men to march in +our direction, as if counting to follow back on our trail.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course there was nothing we lads could do save remain in +hiding, trusting that our whereabouts would not be discovered, for, +although we had been doing no harm, if a servant of his majesty should +come to understand that we three lads were striving to keep out of +sight, he might take it into his thick head to fancy we were bent on +mischief.</p> + +<p>In those days it was only needed that an officer in the service of the +king should have a suspicion, in order to straightway plunge into +difficulties that person toward whom the suspicions were directed.</p> + +<p>We held ourselves in cover, therefore, and I confess to a sense of most +profound relief when the squad continued on without giving heed to the +possibility that there had been witnesses to the meeting with Horry +Sims.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 387px;"> +<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="387" height="600" alt=""THAT WE MIGHT PEER BETWEEN THE LEAVES."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"THAT WE MIGHT PEER BETWEEN THE LEAVES."</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now it is only for us to know where those gentlemen with the red coats +may be going," little Frenchie said, shrugging his shoulders as we came +out from the bushes and turned our faces in the direction from which we +had just come, whereupon Saul asked hotly:</p> + +<p>"Are you not for York Town? Have your legs grown weary with walking +three or four miles?"</p> + +<p>"The town of York will remain where it is yet many a day, and I dare +venture to say my Lord Cornwallis will not take his departure suddenly, +therefore shall we have plenty of time in which to look at the British +encampment," Pierre replied, retracing his steps as if he had no care +whether we followed.</p> + +<p>"But why go back?" I cried impatiently. "Of what avail for us to follow +that squad, who are most likely out foraging?"</p> + +<p>"I have seen soldiers nearabout New Orleans, therefore do I know that +when foragers go out they take with them huge wagons to bring back such +as may be found. Those who have just passed are empty-handed, save for +muskets, and never one of them carried his full complement of +accoutrements."</p> + +<p>"Well, suppose he doesn't?" Saul asked sulkily, but yet following little +Frenchie nevertheless, for there was something about the lad which +caused you to do that which pleased him whether it was to your liking or +not.</p> + +<p>"Then it must be they are out on some special duty," Pierre continued, +"and I am of the mind that we shall find more amusement in watching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +them, than if we follow on the heels of your Tory friend who seems also +to count on visiting York Town."</p> + +<p>Whether Pierre had any suspicions of what might be afoot, I cannot say; +but certain it is he pressed forward, striving to accommodate his pace +with that of the soldiers, so that he might not come directly on their +heels, and Saul and I, inwardly angry with ourselves for thus copying +the movements of the little lad from New Orleans, kept well alongside +him till we had covered a distance of mayhap a mile, when my cousin +suddenly halted, saying almost angrily:</p> + +<p>"We are showing ourselves simples in thus turning back simply because a +squad of British soldiers have gone ahead!"</p> + +<p>"Yet those same gentlemen who wear red coats are marching in the +direction of the Hamilton plantation," little Frenchie said with another +shrug of his shoulders and a wave of his hands, as if to intimate that +there was very much more which he might say, and I, understanding +somewhat of the gesture, cried out impatiently:</p> + +<p>"Why do you say that? What have they to do on the Hamilton plantation?"</p> + +<p>"It is that which I would learn," Pierre replied. "It is what I believe +it would be better for us to see than if we wandered through the British +encampment at York Town."</p> + +<p>Until that instant I had never fancied my father's property might be in +any danger from the king's men. True it is that he was known as one +devoted to the cause of liberty; but thus far the war had been at such a +distance from us that we had seen little of its horrors, and for the +first time I began to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> realize there might be somewhat of mischief +afoot, therefore pressed forward hotly, Pierre holding me back from time +to time lest we overtake the soldiers.</p> + +<p>The Britishers must have walked more rapidly than we fancied, for when +finally we were come within view of my home, we saw riding out from the +stable-yard, each man mounted and more than one with a led-horse by his +side, all the company that had passed us on the road, and the animals +which they rode and led were horses belonging to my father! Yea, among +them Saul's mare and my own favorite colt, which I cherished as the +dearest thing on earth next to my mother!</p> + +<p>"What does it mean?" I cried, speaking with difficulty because of that +seeming lump in my throat, and little Frenchie, shrugging his shoulders +in a manner that set every nerve in my body aquiver, replied as if it +was a matter of small moment:</p> + +<p>"They have been to the Hamilton plantation in order to get mounts for +the officers of my Lord Cornwallis's army, and from this on your colt +will carry a burly Englishman bedecked with gilt lace and red cloth, +instead of the lad who loves her so dearly."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>SILVER HEELS</h3> + + +<p>It was for a moment as if I could scarcely credit my senses. The idea +that any one, even those belonging to the plantation, should bestride my +own colt, my little Silver Heels, as I had named her!</p> + +<p>She had been given to me when a baby, and no hand save mine had touched +her, except when some of the negroes would rub her coat to silken +glossiness in order to curry favor with me. Now she was being ridden and +roughly handled by a red-faced private of Simcoe's Queen's Rangers!</p> + +<p>When my surprise had given way to anger, which it did within a very few +seconds, I would have run swiftly forward, claiming my own Silver Heels, +and defying, if needs be, all that company of red-coats, for the rage in +my heart was so great that I had no thought of prudence nor of my +inability to cope even with a single one of those Rangers; but that +Pierre, seizing me firmly by the arm, actually dragged me amid the +foliage where we might be screened from view, for the men—the thieves, +I should say, were by this time riding directly toward us.</p> + +<p>"Have you lost your wits entirely?" Pierre whispered angrily, and +forgetting to shrug his shoulders. "Of what avail for you to demand your +Silver Heels when the king's officers would have her for their own? Do +you count on being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> carried to the guard-house at York Town as a +malcontent, or even worse, a dangerous rebel?"</p> + +<p>"I care not where they carry me, so I take Silver Heels from yon brute +that is bestride her!"</p> + +<p>"And how will you take her?" little Frenchie whispered, this time +shrugging his shoulders and waving his hands, I having so far obeyed him +as to be standing by his side beneath the shelter of leaves. "Do you +fancy that after Colonel Simcoe's men have seized a likely lot of +horse-flesh, a lad such as you may wrest from them their spoils?"</p> + +<p>"But Silver Heels is my own, my very own! No one, not even the king +himself, has the right to take her!" I cried in my folly.</p> + +<p>"But some one has taken her, and he is stronger than you, my friend +Fitz," Pierre said, stroking the sleeve of my coat as he would the back +of an angry cat. "It is no less than Colonel Simcoe of the Queen's +Rangers, a trusted officer of my Lord Cornwallis, who thus gathers in +mounts for his men that they may the better punish the rebels of +Virginia, among whom may be counted your father, and even you, lad, +since you are pleased to call yourself a Minute Boy. Will you not listen +to reason?" little Frenchie continued in a coaxing tone. "Did you not +see Horry Sims talking with these very men, and pointing in the +direction of the Hamilton plantation? Do you not know he was telling +them that a rank rebel owned the place—one whose stables were filled +with the best horse-flesh in Virginia? Before those men took your Silver +Heels they knew right well to what plantation she belonged, and even +though you had had by your side a dozen neighbors and friends, the +result would have been the same. Now what would it avail that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> you +should pour out your unreasoning wrath? Simply to the end that they +might abuse, or, perhaps, imprison?"</p> + +<p>Even before Pierre had ceased speaking did I come to understand how +useless it would be for me to make any attempt at taking poor little +Silver Heels from those who had stolen her, and I crouched yet further +among the foliage as the horsemen approached, for there had come into my +mind on the instant a certain thought, call it plan if you will, the +carrying out of which depended upon holding myself free.</p> + +<p>Then, like a great wave upon the seashore, there flowed into my heart +the memory that it was Horry Sims who had directed these men where to +go—Horry Sims who had ever envied me the possession of Silver Heels, +and who, most like knowing that these red-coated minions of the king +were looking for horse-flesh, pointed out the Hamilton plantation, +counting that I would lose my colt. He, the son of the rankest Tory in +Virginia, without cause for enmity against me, had laid train for the +cruelest blow that could be struck at my heart!</p> + +<p>During all this while Saul had not spoken; but now it was, even as the +horsemen were well abreast our hiding place, he turned fiercely upon me, +clutching both shoulders of my coat as if I were an enemy whom he would +bring face to face with himself, and whispered in hoarse anger:</p> + +<p>"It is well you formed your company of Minute Boys just as you did, Fitz +Hamilton, for now has come the time when they shall see service! Are we, +simply because of being lads, to remain idle while our own horses are +being stolen?"</p> + +<p>On the instant my heart went out in sympathy to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> Saul, for I knew full +well that he loved his mare even as I did my own colt Silver Heels, and, +harking back to the thought which had come into my mind a few seconds +before, I said to him stoutly, shaking my fist in the direction of that +popinjay of an officer who was riding so proudly in advance of his squad +of thieves:</p> + +<p>"We will make them pay for this day's work, Saul Ogden, and while we are +casting up the reckoning with those who wear red coats, there is one not +far away who must also be held accountable for that which has just been +done!"</p> + +<p>"Meaning Horry Sims!" Saul cried, actually trembling in his impotent +rage.</p> + +<p>"Meaning that worse than Tory, for it was with no idea of serving the +king, or aiding the king's cause, that the miserable scoundrel pointed +out to those horse thieves where your mare and my colt might be found!"</p> + +<p>"He shall have cause to regret that he saw this day's sun rise," Saul +said in a low tone, his voice aquiver with anger, and then, the horsemen +having passed, he stepped out into the road, turning his face toward +York Town.</p> + +<p>"Where would you go?" Pierre cried excitedly, following the lad to seize +him by the skirt of his coat. "Would you venture into the British +encampment at a time when your heart is so filled with anger that it is +not possible you could hold it in check?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, that is exactly where I count on going. You need have no fear, +Pierre Laurens, that I shall do aught which may deprive me of my +liberty, for I will hold myself in the presence of those who wear red +coats as gentle as any dame in silken skirts,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> until I have got back my +mare, or shot her with my own hand to spare the poor creature the abuse +that would come from such handling! If, however, in the meanwhile I +should come across Horry Sims where were none of his kidney who could +fall upon me with too great force, then is it certain you would see +whether a Minute Boy, and of late I'm beginning to be proud of that +title—you would see whether a Virginian, a member of a company of +Minute Boys, even though they number only three, could do anything +toward paying off his just and lawful debts."</p> + +<p>To have argued with Saul at that time would have been worse than +useless, as I knew full well, for when the cloud of anger was upon him +he would not listen to prayers or to arguments, and in good truth I was +more than willing he should go his way, counting to make it my own, for +at that time I believe it would have been actually impossible for me to +have turned my back on poor little Silver Heels, even though by going +into the British encampment at York Town I could do her no good.</p> + +<p>Pierre soon realized that he could not hope to turn Saul from the path +he had set out on, and he showed himself the dear little comrade I have +ever since known him to be, by ranging alongside first of Saul and then +of me as we went in single file, knowing full well that we might +encounter great danger, and yet holding himself ready to bear full share +of it.</p> + +<p>We were not in the mood for conversation, Saul and I, as we pressed +forward on the way to York Town, giving no heed to anything around us, +and little Frenchie soon came to understand this, for after striving to +speak first with one and then the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> other in a friendly fashion and +receiving no reply, he held his peace, but now and again taking us by +the hand as if to show his friendliness and loyalty to his friendships.</p> + +<p>I was burning with the desire to come up with Horry Sims, who it was +reasonable to believe had gone into the town of York and to that end +quickened my pace, although knowing full well it was best I did not +speak with the viper that day.</p> + +<p>There was yet before us, if we both lived, plenty of time in which to +settle the debt, and if I attempted to wipe off the score before having +done that which was in my mind, then might it be that I sacrificed +Silver Heels herself simply to gratify my desire for revenge.</p> + +<p>That which I had in my mind! It was as wild a scheme as ever entered a +boy's brain, I am willing to confess, and yet it was neither more nor +less than the following of poor little Silver Heels until I could see +where she was quartered, after which, devoting all my time and my energy +to her rescue, for it was to me almost as if she was a human being in +the hands of a vengeful enemy.</p> + +<p>All this may seem wild or witless when spoken by a lad of fifteen, but I +had the will and determination of a man who had grown grey-headed, and +knew that I lacked not the courage once my anger had been aroused.</p> + +<p>In cold blood I could be as timorous as any girl; but once the fever of +rage beset me, I lost sight of all the odds that might be against me, +which, mayhap, is much the same as saying that at heart I was a coward, +and when I showed any token of bravery, if indeed I ever did, it was the +madness of anger, rather than true courage.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> + +<p>Be that as it may, I am not more disposed at this day to discuss such a +question than I was on that morning when, with the blood seemingly +boiling in my veins, I trod on the heels of Saul as we plodded our way +toward York Town in moody, angry silence, while little Frenchie ran by +the side of first one and then the other, mutely striving to show the +wealth of friendship which was in his heart.</p> + +<p>It was well for us that the miles were long and reasonably many on the +road to the town of York, else might we have blundered into the British +encampment to our sorrow, for we had no plan save that of following our +horses, and it was not until we were come within sight of the village, +having met neither man, woman nor child on our way, that Pierre said, +shrugging his shoulders and waving his hands as he ran swiftly ahead to +turn and face us:</p> + +<p>"Are you members of the Minute-Boy company intent on blundering into the +very midst of our Lord Cornwallis's army without knowing what it is you +count on doing?"</p> + +<p>"We count on finding our horses!" Saul exclaimed, sturdily striving to +push little Frenchie aside, but failing because the lad stood firm.</p> + +<p>"Ay, that is your desire, my dear friend; but tell me how you would +compass it? By pressing on in sulky fashion and telling every red-coated +soldier you meet that you are here to force the British troops into +giving up your property?"</p> + +<p>Both Saul and I came to a sudden halt, astonished by the quick change in +Pierre's manner, for now his voice was filled with scorn, and one might +have said he was chiding us as an elder chides a child.</p> + +<p>"There is little need of telling why we have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> come," I replied, +impatient because the lad would thus delay us. "Surely we may wander at +will through the town of York."</p> + +<p>"In New Orleans I have been among soldiers who were encamped and did not +find it possible to wander at will," Pierre said, again shrugging his +shoulders in that peculiar manner which set my nerves atingling. "It +will be strange indeed if my Lord Cornwallis allows the rabble to enter +his lines at pleasure."</p> + +<p>"Rabble?" Saul cried in anger. "Do you call us of Hamilton plantation a +rabble?"</p> + +<p>"I am not the one who would thus misname you," and Pierre held out his +hands deprecatingly; "but unless I am much mistaken in these red-coated +followers of the king, they will give even worse names to those who are +suspected of being friendly to the Cause which the colonists have thus +far upheld so nobly. It might be, mayhap, that if you were of the rabble +you would be permitted to enter the enemy's lines simply because of your +curiosity; but I doubt me much whether a Minute Boy would be allowed to +inspect the encampment lest he give information to General Lafayette."</p> + +<p>"We are not known as Minute Boys!" Saul cried fiercely, striving to wave +Pierre aside, but the little Frenchie held his ground as he said with a +peculiar laugh:</p> + +<p>"Ay, but you are known as worse, my lad; you are known as coming from +the Hamilton plantation—from a place which General Cornwallis and +Colonel Simcoe have set down as a nest of rebels, otherwise they would +not have made such a wholesale seizure of horse-flesh without having +given some notice. Once let you be recognized, and I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> question whether +you may not have some trouble to return at will."</p> + +<p>"Who knows—" Saul began, and then stopped abruptly because, as I +understood full well, he realized that Horry Sims was somewhere +nearabout York Town, perhaps within the British encampment, and he must +have stood fairly well with a certain portion of Simcoe's Rangers after +giving such information as he did concerning the Hamilton plantation.</p> + +<p>If we were seen loitering about the works, it was certain Horry would +point us out as having a leaning toward the Cause. As much as this last +did he know for a fact, because many a time since General Cornwallis had +come into Virginia had we lads discussed the situation, when neither +Saul nor I were backward in saying that it would give us greatest +pleasure if we were of age to be taken into the ranks of the American +army as soldiers.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you who have seen so much of military encampments can tell us +what we ought to do," Saul said sneeringly, and a deep flush came over +Pierre's face as he understood the meaning of my cousin's tone; but like +the true little comrade that he was, he gave due heed to the grief in +Saul's heart and seemingly paid no attention to the sneer, as he replied +in a friendly tone:</p> + +<p>"I am not setting myself up as having more of wisdom than either you or +Fitz; but I truly believe it is within my power to give good advice to +two lads who are yet so angry as to have lost sight of prudence. You +have due reason to believe that Horry Sims, who has already this morning +done you grievous wrong, is in York Town, and if there was enough of +vileness in his heart for him to point<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> out to those soldiers of the +king your horses that he might strike a heavy blow, then would he do yet +worse on seeing you within the encampment. I have never met the lad but +once. He has no cause for enmity against me; I am so poor in this +world's goods that it is beyond his power to deprive me of anything save +liberty, and on seeing me alone I dare venture to say he would have no +thought that I might have been your comrade this morning; but—"</p> + +<p>"Yet he knows that you and your mother are guests at the Hamilton +plantation," Saul added sharply.</p> + +<p>"My mother and I are French, who have lately come from New Orleans, and +he can not point us out as having said a word of disrespect against the +king."</p> + +<p>For my part it was needless for Pierre to argue. I had come to +understand before he was done with speaking that it would be better for +him to reconnoitre the ground; that he could learn as much, if not more, +than the three of us, meanwhile running comparatively no risk, and when +Saul would have argued I cried out impatiently:</p> + +<p>"Can you not see that it is better Pierre go alone? Do you not realize +that, however eager we may be, it is not possible we could gain +possession of the horses within any very short time, and all we are +needing now is to know where they are quartered? Let Pierre do as he +suggests, and learn so much as he can. Then, when we are minded to +venture our heads within the lion's jaws, it will seemingly be the first +visit to the town of York instead of the second. Thereby shall we stand +less risk of being suspected of an intent to do harm."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> + +<p>Saul soon gave way, although he was burning to venture so far as might +be possible inside the British lines, because running into real danger +was as a balm to his heart while he yet smarted under the loss of his +mare.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I told little Frenchie to go his way, taking due care +to his own safety, and endeavor to find out where the stolen horses had +been quartered, pressing upon him, although there was no necessity of so +doing, that we were more eager to learn where Silver Heels and Saul's +mare were, than to know the whereabouts of the other horses.</p> + +<p>"And do you poor lads believe it may be possible for you to wrest from +the grasp of these red-coated soldiers that which they have laid hands +upon?" Pierre asked in a tone of sadness, and I replied, striving in +vain to repress the tone of irritation:</p> + +<p>"We shall at least make an attempt, Pierre Laurens, even though there is +little hope of success. I could not find it in my heart to remain idle +while Silver Heels is in the possession of a Britisher, no matter how +much of danger I might be sticking my nose into. Now go, and if so be +your visit is vain, then will I take the chances myself, although I have +come to believe with you, that Saul and I should not be seen loitering +around the village this morning of all others, because it would easily +be guessed why we had come."</p> + +<p>Pierre made as if to speak, and then, most like realizing the +uselessness of attempting, while we were in such angry frame of mind, to +combat any plans we had formed, he turned on his heel and strode off in +the direction of the town from whence we could hear now and then the +beating of drums,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> the hum of voices, and noises which betokened the +digging up of earth.</p> + +<p>Saul had thrown himself face downward amid the bushes, striving, as I +understood from the pain in my own heart, to prevent giving noisy token +to his grief, and I was in no mood to exchange words with him, therefore +we two lads lay concealed by the side of the road, giving no heed to +what might happen to our disadvantage; but dwelling only upon the loss +which had come to us.</p> + +<p>To some it may seem veriest folly that we should so mourn over the loss +of our horses; but let him who laughs once have companionship with such +a colt as Silver Heels, as I have had, and then if he can have mirth in +his heart when she has been taken away from him, most like to be abused +as are horses in the army, then will I say that he has not within him +the instincts of a true man.</p> + +<p>Silver Heels had come to know me as I knew her; at my faintest call she +would gallop to my side however tempting the grass when she was hungry, +and no dumb animal could have given greater proof of joy at being with +me, than did she time and time again when we scampered here or there, +bent only on pleasure.</p> + +<p>I could not have said how long little Frenchie remained absent, for +neither Saul nor I took heed to the passage of time as we lay there amid +the foliage eating our hearts out with sorrow.</p> + +<p>Certain it is, however, that the afternoon was well spent before we saw +him coming up the road, and our surprise can well be imagined when we +learned that he had with him as companion none other than Horry Sims.</p> + +<p>"He has taken up with that snake of a Tory<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> brood simply because of +believing that those on the Sims plantation stand higher in favor with +the red-coated soldiers than do we of the Hamilton plantation!" Saul +cried angrily, and so incautiously loud that I pressed my hand over his +mouth as I whispered in reproof:</p> + +<p>"You have no right, Saul Ogden, to cast aught of discredit upon Pierre, +even though you have known him so short a time. He has shown himself a +good friend, and, to my satisfaction at least, has proved that he would +not turn traitor, more especially when it might be simply to his own +advantage."</p> + +<p>Now little Frenchie knew full well where he had left us by the roadside, +for I saw him mark the dead cottonwood tree 'neath the foot of which we +were lying, and yet he went on his way past us, giving no heed, but +talking busily, and, as it seemed, interestedly with Horry Sims.</p> + +<p>I must admit that just for the instant there came into my heart a great +fear lest that which Saul had said might be true, and then I thrust it +from me, saying in my mind that I would not so wrong a lad who had all +the marks of gentlemanly breeding. Surely, even though he might at some +other time be willing to play us false, he would not do so while we were +in such deep sorrow.</p> + +<p>"If he is playing fair with us, why should he at this minute be hand in +glove with that Tory scoundrel?" Saul whispered hoarsely, as he sat up +to gaze after the two who were walking rapidly down the road in the +direction of our home. "Why did he not have speech with us? Surely he +knows where we are."</p> + +<p>"To have spoken when he passed would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> been to tell Horry Sims that +we were lying in hiding while he went into York Town to pick up such +information as might be possible. The chances are the lad met the young +Tory—came across him by accident, of course, and could do no less than +show a friendly front, unless he was minded to much the same as tell him +we were counting on making reprisals because of the loss of our horses."</p> + +<p>Although this was the reasonable, and, to my mind, the only explanation +of little Frenchie's behavior, Saul would not at first admit it; but +insisted that there must be treachery somewhere else than in Horry +Sims's heart, and thus he argued until I verily believe he convinced +himself that our little comrade from New Orleans could have done no +different. Then came the question as to whether we should remain where +we were, or start homeward, for now it was too late for us to make any +venture into the town of York even though we had been so minded.</p> + +<p>Saul was for pushing on hurriedly, and, overtaking the young Tory, flog +him within an inch of his life. It was all I could do to hold him back +sufficiently long to repeat again and again that a flogging was all too +poor a punishment for the crime he had committed, and that if we should +lay hand against him now we might, and very likely would, put a +stumbling block in our way, for until the moment came when we could +repay the debt in full, it was absolutely necessary we seem to hold +ourselves friendly with this fellow who had dealt us such a cruel blow.</p> + +<p>I forced Saul to listen to me so long that it would have been useless to +set out in pursuit, and after that again came the question as to whether +we ought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> to go on our way homeward, or wait where we were.</p> + +<p>It was fortunate we spent so much time in such discussion; fortunate +that Saul differed from me as to what we had best do, for while we lay +there disputing we heard a crashing of the underbrush where the growth +was thick, and a moment later little Frenchie, looking heated and so +nearly breathless that for a full minute he could not speak so we might +understand, came into view.</p> + +<p>Panting, and with the perspiration streaming down his face, he threw +himself headlong on the ground beside me, breathing like one who had +been running a race, until it was possible to have control over his +voice, when he said hurriedly, as if eager we should understand all the +reasons for his movements without loss of time:</p> + +<p>"I was forced to go a certain distance with that young villain, else +would he have mistrusted that you might be near about."</p> + +<p>"How did you get rid of him?" I asked. "Why might he not suspect +something when you broke away instead of continuing on so far as his +home, which lay directly in your path, if you were heading for the +Hamilton plantation?"</p> + +<p>"I made out that I knew of a short way through the woods, which would +take me directly out of his path, and when we were come to that trail +which leads off toward the York river I left him, although he was +mightily surprised at hearing that such a course would bring me to your +home more directly than if I continued on the road."</p> + +<p>"Where did you pick him up?" Saul asked impatiently. "Why did you waste +time on the scoundrel? It would seem to me that after all he has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> done +it was your business to flog, rather than make friends with him."</p> + +<p>By this time Pierre had so far recovered his breath that it was possible +for him to speak distinctly, and without undue effort. Rising to his +feet and shrugging his shoulders as he spread his hands palm outward, he +said in his mild voice, and with that peculiar accent:</p> + +<p>"To have done so, my friend, would have been to show myself an enemy to +you. While I was striving to make my way inside the British lines, +pretending that I was simply bent on curiosity, he came up, seemingly +having a right of way everywhere within the encampment, and when he +greeted me civilly, evidently wondering why I was there alone, I could +do no less than treat him as I would have done yesterday, in the hope +that something might drop from his lips which would aid me in my +search."</p> + +<p>"And did it?" I asked eagerly, for now I began to understand that by +bearing himself friendly toward Horry Sims, Pierre had succeeded where +otherwise the chances were he must have failed.</p> + +<p>"Indeed it did," the lad said in a tone of triumph. "It was far better +than if I had indulged in a game of fisticuffs with him, because his +red-coated friends would speedily have come to his relief."</p> + +<p>"What did you learn?" Saul demanded fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Where your mare and Fitzroy's Silver Heels are stabled," was the quiet +reply, whereupon I sprang up as if within my body was a stout steel +spring which had lately been released.</p> + +<p>"You learned where they were stabled?" I cried excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Ay, that I did," Pierre replied with a shrug of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> the shoulders, "and +without any great labor, for Horry Sims led me at once, and meeting with +no interference from the soldiers, to where all the horses which had +been taken from the Hamilton plantation were quartered, showing them to +me as if it caused him great pain in the heart because such an injury +had been done a neighbor."</p> + +<p>"What did he say about it?" Saul demanded.</p> + +<p>"He told me that he was walking along bent only on coming into that town +of York in order to see the British encampment, when a squad of Rangers +rode past him leading your mare and Fitzroy's Silver Heels. Then I asked +if he had no suspicion such a thing might have been thought upon by the +Britishers, and he replied that until he was come this time to York Town +he had never seen the Rangers. In fact, had not believed they were with +my Lord Cornwallis's army, all of which went to prove that he, the +snakey Tory, told the red-coated soldiers where they might find the +largest and best supply of saddle beasts."</p> + +<p>"Did he explain how it chanced he could wander at will inside the +encampment, and also take with him a companion?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"He told me he had come upon a lieutenant of Tarleton's Legion, who, +when Cornwallis was in James Town, had been quartered at the Sims +plantation, and that this officer had made the way plain for him, saying +he might visit the encampment at will."</p> + +<p>If there had been any question in our minds up to this time as to the +guilt of Horry Sims, no doubt now remained. We knew, because of having +seen the scoundrel, that he had had speech with Simcoe's Rangers before +the horses were seized, and his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> story that one of Tarleton's officers +had been quartered at the Sims plantation during Cornwallis's short stay +in James Town I knew to be absolutely false. He had played the traitor +deliberately, and as the price of his treachery gained admission to the +encampment, most like vouched for by the officer who had met him on the +road that morning.</p> + +<p>"The hope is," Pierre said after a short pause and with that +indescribable gesture, "that the Tory Horry will not suspect I took the +trail to York river for any other purpose than that of gaining the +Hamilton plantation as quickly as might be."</p> + +<p>"Why?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Because it is not well he should know I have been in your company this +day, else he might suspect that we know of his treachery. It is in my +mind that we must keep him to the belief that we know nothing whatsoever +concerning his misdeeds of this day."</p> + +<p>"But how can we come at the scoundrel save he does know that same +thing?" Saul cried, he ever being hot-headed and not inclined to listen +to any plans or arguments when he was burning for revenge, or excited by +the desire for pleasure.</p> + +<p>"I have in mind," Pierre said, waving his hands in that odd fashion, +"that which I believe will give the Tory lad into our keeping, where we +may do by him without fear of interference—"</p> + +<p>"What is it?" I asked eagerly, for all that time we had been awaiting +the lad's return from the town of York I had turned over and over in my +mind without avail, plans for laying the Tory villain by the heels.</p> + +<p>"It may not be that I shall explain everything now," little Frenchie +said as he shrugged his shoulders,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> "and for the very reason that it is +not as yet plain in my own mind. I have a plan which, if it can be +worked out, will not only give him to our hands; but also gain +possession of at least the mare and Silver Heels despite the fact that +they are within the British encampment."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>UNCLE 'RASMUS'S ADVICE</h3> + + +<p>Plead though I might, little Frenchie would give us no hint as to the +plan of which he had spoken; but when we were on our homeward way, +walking well within the cover of the foliage lest we inadvertently come +upon Horry Sims, he turned the conversation upon such of the +fortifications of the town of York as he had seen, and both by his tone +and by his manner did I understand that he would give us no inkling +whatsoever of that which he had in mind concerning Silver Heels and +Saul's mare.</p> + +<p>The lad must have seen more of military movements than we had fancied, +for he knew full well all the names of the different kinds of +fortification, and could explain their construction, speaking at times +almost as a veteran soldier might have spoken.</p> + +<p>Although Saul and I knew nothing whatsoever concerning such matters, we +understood from Pierre's speech that he had not only taken note of each +half-completed redoubt or bastion; but knew full well what part each +might be called to play in the defences of the town, if so be our +American army made an attack.</p> + +<p>He told us that the British line extended on an irregular course from +the river to the sloping grounds in the rear of the village near what is +known as the Pigeon Quarter, and was seemingly intended, when completed, +to entirely surround<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> York Town. Across the peninsula of Gloucester and +just in the rear of that settlement, he said that another line of +entrenchments was being thrown up.</p> + +<p>From what he had seen of the completed work, as well as that which was +half finished, or but just begun, he announced that there would be seven +redoubts and six batteries on the land side, all to be connected by +entrenchments, and that on the river bank preparations were making for a +line of batteries, the largest, or grand battery, being near the church.</p> + +<p>As for outworks, Pierre said there would be three redoubts on the margin +of the ravine to the southwest of the town, another a little eastward of +the road to Hampton, two on the extreme right near the river, and the +Fusileer's redoubt on the left.</p> + +<p>He also told us that my Lord Cornwallis had made his headquarters at +Governor Nelson's house, for it can well be understood that our governor +of Virginia, noted for more than a leaning toward the cause of liberty, +would not remain within the limits of York Town, or anywhere that it was +likely the Britishers could get hold of him, while General Cornwallis +was occupying this portion of our state of Virginia.</p> + +<p>More than this: Little Frenchie in his quiet way had learned that my +Lord Cornwallis's army numbered nearabout seven thousand men, meaning +that such number of British troops were encamped either at Gloucester or +in the town of York.</p> + +<p>When I questioned him as to how he had gathered all this information, +which it seemed to me none save an adroit man might gain, he put me off +with a laugh, declaring that while Englishmen and Frenchmen were natural +enemies, these red-coated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> soldiers seemed to take an especial liking +for a small French boy who had lived no nearer France than New Orleans.</p> + +<p>It came into my mind more than once that mayhap Pierre had found even +among the king's troops an old friend, improbable though this +possibility might be; but if such was the case the lad never admitted +it, and to this day it is impossible for me to say how he learned so +much concerning York Town and the enemy who occupied it, in that one +visit of four or five hours.</p> + +<p>The pain in my heart caused by the theft of Silver Heels was in no +degree lessened as we journeyed on, now listening to what little +Frenchie had to say regarding the situation of affairs at York Town, and +again, either Saul or I breaking out in some wild plan for regaining +possession of our horses, which, if put into execution, would have led +to our arrest, if not to our death.</p> + +<p>Then we were arrived home, and although I might have expected it, I was +thoroughly surprised at finding everything in confusion. The greatest +excitement prevailed everywhere among the people, and work was seemingly +at a stand-still.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, my father was not at home, he being with the +American army somewhere in the North, and I wondered much that Dalton, +the overseer, had not set matters straight, for many hours had elapsed +since the visit of the red-coated thieves.</p> + +<p>Uncle 'Rasmus was the only one among the slaves or the servants who +appeared to have regained possession of his senses, and he was sitting +in the stable-yard as I had seen him almost every day of my life when +the sun was shining, meditatively<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> chewing a straw and looking straight +ahead as if he could see in the distance that which was not visible to +other eyes.</p> + +<p>The old fellow was apparently unmoved by the bustle and confusion +everywhere around him, and I, certain of finding in him a sympathizer, +went to speak with him even before visiting my mother.</p> + +<p>"Are all the horses gone, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I asked, seating myself by his +side, while Saul and Pierre followed my example.</p> + +<p>"All de saddle hosses, chile. De Britishers done took ebery las' hoof +dat was wuff takin'."</p> + +<p>"And Silver Heels with them," I said in a tearful voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, chile, Silber Heels is wid de res'. I kind'er 'lowed it was gwine +ter break your heart, honey, but dere was nuffin' ole 'Rasmus could do +to stop it, kase it seemed like dis yere stable-yard was plum full ob +red-coats, all ob 'em swearin' an' laughin', till it seemed like dey was +jes' achin' to 'buse some ob us niggers scandalous, an' I 'low dey +would, ef we'd giben 'em de least little word ob back talk."</p> + +<p>"Do you know who sent them here, Uncle 'Rasmus?" Saul asked suddenly, +and the old negro nodded his head as he replied:</p> + +<p>"I'se done gone hab my 'spicions, chile. Dere's plenty ob plantations +nearer de town ob York dan dis yere, an' yet 'cordin' to what I heard de +sogermen say, dey haben't been anywhere else yet. So I was 'lowin' dat +some ob de folks 'roun' here, dem as claim to hab a mighty big love for +us, set 'em on."</p> + +<p>"Can't you guess who it was, Uncle 'Rasmus?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> Saul continued, and the +old man replied in a dreamy tone:</p> + +<p>"I done hab my 'spicions; but in dese yere times when you don' know +who's your friend more'n half de time, dere ain' any sense in talkin' +right out what you'se tinkin'. I'se 'lowin' I can guess who set de +red-coats aflame."</p> + +<p>"You couldn't guess in a week," Saul interrupted, "because you're +thinking it might be some one of the planters, like Master Sims, instead +of which it was that worthless son of his—Horry."</p> + +<p>Watching Uncle 'Rasmus closely, I fancied that this information was not +new to him, and straightway fell awondering how it was that this old +negro who seldom strayed out of the stable-yard, let alone going away +from the plantation, should have an inkling of what might be done so far +away as the Sims place.</p> + +<p>"Pierre has been to York Town, Uncle 'Rasmus, and he knows where Silver +Heels and Saul's mare are quartered."</p> + +<p>"An' is dat all he knows, chile?"</p> + +<p>"It strikes me that's finding out considerable in one day," and then I +explained how it was little Frenchie was able to move about York Town as +he had, after which Uncle 'Rasmus asked in a hopeful tone:</p> + +<p>"Did he fin' out, chile, which ossifer was gwine to ride Silber Heels, +an' which one laid his mark on Saul's mare?"</p> + +<p>As a matter of course Pierre could not give the information; but he +explained with great minuteness where the horses were stabled, and I was +impatient with him because of wasting so many words when it could do no +good.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> + +<p>Much to my surprise Uncle 'Rasmus drank it all in, and when little +Frenchie had come to an end of his overly long story the old negro said, +taking the straw from his mouth and holding it in the air as if to +ascertain from which direction came the wind:</p> + +<p>"I reckon I'se 'bleeged to be goin', chillun. For an ole man like Uncle +'Rasmus it's quite a journey from here to de town ob York, an' ef I +counts on doin' it 'twixt now an' sunrise, I'd better get my ole legs +amovin'."</p> + +<p>"York Town, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried in surprise, and well I might, for +within the past three years I had never seen the old negro go as far +from the house as the cotton fields.</p> + +<p>"Dat's what I said, chile, an' I'se 'bleeged to be amovin'."</p> + +<p>"But why are you going there, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried, catching him by +the arm to insure his attention, and he replied dreamily, but, as it +seemed to me, with a certain air of decision:</p> + +<p>"I 'low it's time I was lookin' arter Marse Hamilton's house down +yander, whar ole Mary libed when he done set her free."</p> + +<p>"There's no need of your looking after that old shanty, Uncle 'Rasmus," +I cried. "Surely father gives no heed to it now; it isn't worth half a +dozen shillings, except for firewood."</p> + +<p>"I know dat, honey; I'se done foun' all dat out, but sumfin's tellin' me +dat it's time I was lookin' arter Marse Hamilton's property what's been +lef dere in de town ob York, whar de Britishers am rampagin' an' rarin' +'roun' like dey was gone crazy."</p> + +<p>"But you'll starve to death there, Uncle 'Rasmus. I don't fancy there +are very many of old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> Mary's goods left in the hovel, for if I remember +rightly young Dinah laid claim to the greater portion, and how will you +get along for something to eat?"</p> + +<p>"I was kind'er 'lowin', chile, as how you an' Saul, an' maybe little +Pierre as you call him, would tend out on de ole man, des enough to +fetch now an' den what he was needin' to hol' de soul in his body."</p> + +<p>"But if, as Pierre says, the British entrenchments run back of the town +as far as the Pigeon Quarter, then old Mary's cabin must be inside, and +how would we be able to get through the lines?"</p> + +<p>"Well, chile, I ain' got any great lub for de Britishers; but I'se +'lowin' dey ain' so hard-hearted as to hold out a couple ob chillun what +wanted to feed a pore ole nigger. It kind'er seems as if dey'd be +'shamed to let your Uncle 'Rasmus starbe, eben ef he is no 'count kase +ob bein' so ole, specially ef all dey'd hab to do to keep him erlong, +was to let a couple or three chillun in de lines."</p> + +<p>It was all blind to me, this sudden whim of Uncle 'Rasmus to take up his +quarters in old Mary's cabin, which was hardly more than the veriest +shanty, and while I stood looking at the old man, trying to get some +glimmer of truth out of what was fast becoming a mystery, little +Frenchie's face lighted up wondrously, as he leaped forward, seizing the +old darkey by both hands while he cried joyously:</p> + +<p>"It's a great plan, Uncle 'Rasmus, it's a great plan! I'll go with you a +good part of the way so's to help along, for of course you count on +carrying something."</p> + +<p>"I spects I'se boun' to hab a blanket, chile, an' sumfin in de way ob +food, kase I ain' sich a foolish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> ole nigger as to tink I could get trou +a sogerman's lines in de night, an' so I'll be needin' sumfin for a bed +ef nothin' more."</p> + +<p>"But if you are foolish enough to go to York Town, what's the sense of +starting to-night? Why not wait till morning? You say yourself you don't +expect to get through the lines after dark, therefore why sleep on the +ground when you could stay here in comfortable quarters?" Saul cried, +whereupon Pierre, turning from Uncle 'Rasmus, said to the lad:</p> + +<p>"Can't you understand that this old negro is paving a way for you and +Fitz to get at your horses?"</p> + +<p>"I may be a thick-head; but I surely can't see how taking up his +quarters in old Mary's cabin, where we've got to carry food to him every +day or two, is helping us along very fast," Saul cried angrily, and +little Frenchie, throwing back his shoulders, laughed heartily, finding +something so comical in Saul's words that it was a full minute before he +could make reply.</p> + +<p>Then he said, his voice all atremble with mirth:</p> + +<p>"Don't you see that Uncle 'Rasmus is making a reasonable excuse for you +to go into the town of York every day, if so be you're minded? Can't you +understand that once he's in old Mary's cabin there's good reason why we +should spend the night with him now and then? Suppose we carried Uncle +'Rasmus food three days running, it would become necessary to explain +that the old man had been intending to come out to the plantation; but +since we had lost our horses we were forced to feed him as best we +might, because he was too feeble to walk home. Can't you also see," +Pierre<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> continued eagerly, "why the old man wants to get there in the +night? He counts on sneaking through the lines, instead of meekly lying +down on the ground, as he has said, and intends, if so be it is +possible, to get into old Mary's cabin without making known to the +Britishers that he has just come into the village; but rather counts on +letting it be understood that he has been there ever since they entered +the town."</p> + +<p>"It's amazin' how some ob dese yere chillun can pick up an idee what +oder folks am tryin' to hide," Uncle 'Rasmus said as he patted little +Frenchie on the head, and then hobbled toward his cabin as if he was so +feeble that only with the greatest exertion could he drag one foot after +another.</p> + +<p>Surely I was thick-headed on that afternoon, for even after Pierre had +made full explanation of Uncle 'Rasmus's intended movements, it was a +good five minutes before the whole scheme came plain in my mind, and +then I realized that this old negro of ours was about to do more toward +regaining possession of Silver Heels, if indeed she ever did come into +my possession again, than all of us lads with our noisy talk.</p> + +<p>He would take up his abode in the town of York, sneaking through the +lines, if so be it was possible, to the end that the British might not +know he had just come in from the outside, and once there the way was +open for all three of us lads to wander at least so far through the town +as old Mary's cottage. It would be strange indeed, after the red-coats +were accustomed to seeing us come and go, for there could be no question +but that we would get permission to minister to the poor old negro, if +we could not venture further and further inside the lines until,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> should +fortune favor us, we might be able to go whithersoever we desired.</p> + +<p>At all events, with Uncle 'Rasmus dwelling in the town—with Uncle +'Rasmus ill and needing our attention, we would be enabled to spend our +time in York without arousing even the suspicions of that miserable +snake whom people call Horry Sims.</p> + +<p>Of course, so far as the little scoundrel was concerned, he might well +wonder how it chanced that Uncle 'Rasmus had gone into the town of York, +for whenever any of the lads had come around the Hamilton plantation +they had been accustomed to seeing the old negro sitting in his favorite +place in the stable-yard; but I could see now as the scheme came home to +me, that it would be possible, in case Horry Sims made inquiries, to let +it be understood that Uncle 'Rasmus had gone there some days before my +Lord Cornwallis's army entered the town, being stricken so ill he could +not be safely moved.</p> + +<p>In fact, I saw nothing but brightness in the future, and all through +this old negro whom I had seen sitting in the stable-yard chewing straw +day after day until he had come to seem much like one of the dogs or the +horses, having no mind of his own; but implicitly obeying the will of +his master.</p> + +<p>Having come to fully understand all of benefit which might accrue to us +in this move of Uncle 'Rasmus, I would have aided the old negro to the +best of my ability, and insisted that he wait until I go to this +plantation or that where I might borrow a horse to carry him; but he +would have none of it.</p> + +<p>He was bent on entering the town of York in his own way, and alone. The +only assistance he would agree to, was that we might carry his blankets +and scanty store of provisions a certain portion of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> distance, and +when I would have insisted on bringing out some delicacies from the +house, he positively refused to accept them, whereupon I urged almost +angrily to be allowed to do as I pleased, until little Frenchie, whose +head is ever clear, said to me laughingly:</p> + +<p>"Can't you understand, you thick-headed Fitz, that it would be strange +if Uncle 'Rasmus was disabled in old Mary's cabin with all sorts of +delicacies in the way of food? If the Britishers should grow suspicious +and look into the matter, wouldn't they think it odd the old man had +been allowed to remain in that hovel while there were yet horses in the +stables of the Hamilton plantation to bring him back where he belonged?"</p> + +<p>Surely there was good reason why I should be called thick-headed, for +this was not the only time since morning that I had shown myself to be a +stupid; yet I was not so simple but I could readily understand that even +though we might have the advantage of being able to go and come from the +town of York to the plantation at will, we would not be so far advanced +toward the recovery of the stolen horses as to be able to say that our +work was in a fair way of being performed.</p> + +<p>It was one thing, and I grant you an important one, to enter the town +without giving rise to suspicions; but quite another and more serious to +take from the quarters of the British army horses which would be guarded +by soldiers, and get away with them through the lines of sentinels out +over the entrenchments.</p> + +<p>"Then this Minute-Boy business that you talked about Fitz, is to be +dropped?" Saul asked a few moments after Uncle 'Rasmus had left us, and +I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> turned upon him in astonishment, whereupon he, reading the question +which must have been plainly written on my face, added:</p> + +<p>"It would seem as if we were turning all our attention to getting back +the mare and Silver Heels, in which case, as a matter of course, there +can be no other work for us. If we should be so fortunate as to succeed, +it would become necessary to scurry out of this part of the country, +lest my Lord Cornwallis lay us by the heels, for I suppose they would +set it down as stealing if we should reclaim our own."</p> + +<p>"And why might it not be that you would continue the work of Minute +Boys, even while striving to get back the horses which were taken from +you?" little Frenchie asked as if in wonderment. "It is not to be +supposed we can go into the town of York, and, without delay, take from +the stables where Simcoe's Rangers keep their horses, two of the best; +but many days will pass, yea <i>must</i> pass, before the work can be +accomplished. In the meanwhile, if we are free to go in and out of the +town, why might it not be possible for us to carry much of information +to the Americans? It would seem as if our work as Minute Boys was but +just beginning."</p> + +<p>"What between your plans and those of Uncle 'Rasmus's, I confess to +being thoroughly mixed," Saul muttered impatiently. "In the first place, +even though you deem it of so much importance, I fail to see how being +able to go in and out of the town will add to the possibility of getting +our horses. Unless I am much mistaken in regard to military matters, it +will not be a simple affair to steal either the mare or Silver Heels +from the soldiers. Then, if we are bending all our efforts to that one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +purpose, how are we to serve the colony? What we could learn in the town +of York that would be of importance to the Americans, passes my +understanding."</p> + +<p>"We shall see," Pierre said laughingly, with a shrug of the shoulders +and a wave of his hand. "It shall be for a little French boy from New +Orleans, who never saw the land where his father and mother were born, +to teach you Virginians how it may be possible to bear a hand in this +business, which is like to grow exceeding warm when our French general +closes in on Cornwallis's army, for now has come the time to hold the +king's men as a strong man holds a child in his grasp, if so be your +General Washington is minded to give him the authority."</p> + +<p>"To hear you talk, Pierre, one might suppose you had served with +soldiers all your short life," Saul cried irritably, and again little +Frenchie laughed as he replied:</p> + +<p>"My father was a soldier, and fought bravely. I have heard him and his +comrades conversing; I have seen them draw plans for a campaign, and +discuss the strength of fortifications, until it seemed to me, even +though I have had no experience in such matters, that I knew much +concerning them."</p> + +<p>Then the conversation ceased, Saul seemingly giving himself up to a +sulky mood, while I had so much food for reflection with dwelling upon +what we might do and the possibilities of running our necks into a +British noose, that I was not minded to give play to my tongue.</p> + +<p>Uncle 'Rasmus remained within his cabin a good half hour, while we lads +awaited him, having no inclination to meet our mothers just at this +time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> lest we be ordered to keep within the bounds of the plantation, +and thereby prevented from carrying out our plans, foolhardy though they +might be.</p> + +<p>When the old negro did appear among us again he was ready for the +journey; that is to say, he had with him two blankets and a small +bundle, or package, which I doubted not contained the store of food he +was minded to carry with him to York Town. In addition to this outfit I +noticed that he had his heaviest cane, which was fashioned with a handle +much like a crutch, and I dimly wondered, hardly knowing that I did so, +whether he had taken this particular stick just at this time as a +weapon, or simply to guide his faltering steps.</p> + +<p>"I reckon I'se done put ole 'Rasmus's business on dis yere plantation in +shape, an' now, chillun, I'se gwine ter be moseyin' erlong, an' ef +you'se countin' to help de ole man, it won't be out ob de way ef yer +carry dese yere blankets an' de little bundle, kase I ain' been much +used to totin' stuff dese las' years."</p> + +<p>"Of course we're going to help you, Uncle 'Rasmus," I said quickly, +taking the blankets from his hands. "We count on keeping right by your +side from here until you come within sight of the town of York."</p> + +<p>"I'se 'lowin', chile, dat our roads don' come together till we get to a +dead cottonwood tree, whar you say you an' Saul lay hid while de little +French boy went on inter de town."</p> + +<p>"But which way are you going, Uncle?" Saul cried. "There's no other road +than the nearest course from here to York."</p> + +<p>"I'se 'lowin' your ole Uncle 'Rasmus knows better'n dat," he cried. +"He's libed on dis yere plantation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> nigh to forty years, an' it would +seem kind'er strange ef he didn't know all de rabbit an' de coon paths +trou dis yere growth. Ef it won't tucker you chillun out to carry de +blankets an' de bundle, an' leabe 'em at de ole cottonwood, I'll get 'em +'twixt now an' mornin'. Ef so be you'se feelin' kind'er trubbled 'bout +de ole man, come to see him wheneber you gets ready. He's gwine ter be +right dar in ole Mary's cabin, sure's you're bawn."</p> + +<p>It was a surprise to me that Uncle 'Rasmus should be able to find his +way anywhere between the two rivers, for I hardly remembered of seeing +him stray from the bounds of the plantation; but certain it was, at +least to my mind, that he should go his gait, for now had we come to put +all our dependence upon him, so far as making any move toward recovering +the stolen horses was concerned.</p> + +<p>In fact it now began to seem to me, so far as proving ourselves Minute +Boys, that unless we could get within the British entrenchments we could +do naught of good for those men who, I doubted not, were slowly making +their way toward the town of York to hold my Lord Cornwallis prisoner +until the time should come when they might lay their hands heavily upon +him.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that Uncle 'Rasmus went off by himself, going down past the +line of grape-vines across the creek, as I supposed, while we three +struck out along the road until we had traveled perhaps a quarter of a +mile, when little Frenchie suddenly halted and said as he turned upon +us:</p> + +<p>"Why is it that all three shall travel twelve miles or more this day, +and repeat the same journey to-morrow forenoon?"</p> + +<p>"You know why it is," Saul cried angrily.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> "You claimed to understand +all that Uncle 'Rasmus had in his crazy head."</p> + +<p>"I did understand, and it is because of seeing what we may do with his +help, I am asking why the three of us should go from here to York and +back this night, simply to retrace our steps to-morrow morning?"</p> + +<p>"What else may we do?" I asked impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Two might go on with the blankets and the bundle, and, arriving at the +dead cottonwood, remain there all night, while the third, staying behind +now, can set off from the plantation at break of day, bringing with him +such an amount of food as will explain why we wish to visit old Mary's +cabin."</p> + +<p>"Then those who went on to-night would sleep on the ground, whereas the +one who remained here would take his rest in bed," Saul said grimly, and +with that shrug of the shoulders which sometimes irritated and sometimes +pleased me, Pierre replied:</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is true, and if you have not yet slept on the ground, you +could be the one to stay here. It makes no difference which two of us go +on; but it seems important that one remain here in order to bring fresh +food in the morning, thus making a pretext for entering the British +lines."</p> + +<p>I was not so thick-headed but that I could understand what the lad was +driving at and straightway said to Saul:</p> + +<p>"Suppose you go back home? Make such excuses for Pierre and me as seems +to you best. Perhaps it would be as well if you confided our secret in +mother, for we must have some one on the plantation who will work with +us, else we shall not be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> able to get provisions in sufficient quantity +to keep all of us from hunger."</p> + +<p>"And suppose she demands that you return, and I take her command to +you?"</p> + +<p>"She cannot call us back before to-morrow night in case only one stays +on the plantation now," Pierre said, "and by that time we will have been +able to get a look around the town—mayhap be so fortunate as to see +some way by which we can work our will. At all events, it seems best +that we do as I have said, although I am willing to fall in with +whatsoever other plan you lads may propose."</p> + +<p>"Turn you back, Saul. It is not well we should stand here quibbling +about a trifle when there is a possibility that such sneaks as Horry +Sims may come along and wonder why we are carrying blankets toward the +town of York at this hour of the day."</p> + +<p>I spoke impatiently because I was growing anxious, and had begun to fear +that some one might come who would suspect that we were plotting +mischief against the red-coated trespassers.</p> + +<p>My cousin wheeled sharply around as if angry, and under other +circumstances I would have held him back lest we part in unfriendly +fashion; but at this moment there was so much of fear in my heart lest +we be prevented from carrying out the half-formed plan, that I could not +parley with my kinsman as I should have done. Rather was it a relief to +me when he turned about to retrace his steps, and, clutching little +Frenchie by the arm, I said curtly:</p> + +<p>"Now step out, lad, and if so be we hear any one approaching either from +the front or rear, it is for us to seek cover amid the foliage, even as +rabbits do,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> for we must not be seen 'twixt now and the time we make +ready to enter the town bearing provisions for Uncle 'Rasmus."</p> + +<p>Pierre did as he was bidden, making no protest at my rough handling of +him, and from that time until we were come to the dead cottonwood +neither of us spoke. I fancy that his heart, like mine, was filled with +forebodings of the future, and with questions as to whether he was not +on a road which would lead to the gallows.</p> + +<p>It was not yet dark when we arrived at our destination without having +seen man or woman on the road, all of which caused me yet more anxiety, +for I failed to understand why it was that on this day when the curious +people of Virginia should have been going to and fro to see the king's +soldiers, none save ourselves were abroad.</p> + +<p>Pierre and I sought the same resting place as had Saul and I earlier in +the day. The little French lad spread out the blankets as if making +ready to spend the night, and I asked if he did not count on seeing +Uncle 'Rasmus very soon, whereupon he said with a laugh and a shrug, +that it made no difference to him when the old negro arrived at the +rendezvous, although it would please him better did the old man come +later rather than earlier; but he was intending to get what rest he +could while he had at his command such an apology for a bed.</p> + +<p>"We needn't expect him before midnight at the soonest," Pierre said as +he nestled down on the blankets, motioning for me to follow his example, +"and 'twixt now and then we may get a fairly good night's rest if we do +not spend too much time in talking."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> + +<p>We were where it would be impossible for any passers-by on the highway +to see us, unless peradventure they were so curiously inclined as to +make their way through the underbrush, which was thick at this point, +and I understood, as little Frenchie had intimated, that it was better +for us to hold our peace, because the sound of our voices would carry +far on the night air, and no one could say when such as Horry Sims might +come sneaking around.</p> + +<p>Excited and anxious though I was, slumber came to my eyelids within a +very few moments after I had stretched myself out to rest, and I was all +unconscious of what might be happening around me until a light pressure +on my shoulder caused me to spring to a sitting posture very suddenly.</p> + +<p>Then it was I could distinguish, even in the gloom of the night, Uncle +'Rasmus's form, and I cried out to know how long he had been there, +whereupon the old negro put his hand upon my lips in token that I should +speak with more of caution, whispering at the same time he aroused +Pierre:</p> + +<p>"I des come up, honey, an' can't 'ford to lose any mo' time. Yere po' +ole uncle des hobbles 'roun' like er toad, an' it takes him a mighty +long while to get ober much ob de groun'. I'se pow'ful sorry to 'sturb +you chillun; but allow it's time for me to be toddlin' erlong, ef I +counts on gettin' whar de Britishers are before sunrise. I'll be needin' +dese yere blankets, and it sure am a pity to turn two likely babies out +in de cold."</p> + +<p>"Don't fret yourself about us, Uncle 'Rasmus," I said quickly, leaping +to my feet, followed by Pierre.</p> + +<p>Then we two lads rolled the blankets into as small a compass as +possible, putting inside them the package<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> of food, and fastening the +whole upon the old man's shoulders according to his directions, in such +a manner that it would not impede him in his movements.</p> + +<p>"I'se surely gwine to 'spect you chillun 'fore anudder night-fall," the +old man said after we had explained to him why Saul was not with us. "I +clean forgot to tell ole Missey dat I was 'bleeged to go erway, an' am +countin' on your doin' it, honey," he added, turning to me.</p> + +<p>Before I could make reply the old man was striding off in the direction +of the village, walking as spritely, so it seemed to me, as I myself +might have done.</p> + +<p>"Be careful, uncle! Don't run your woolly pate into danger when there's +no necessity for it!" I cried after him, and back to me on the night air +came the quavering voice:</p> + +<p>"De ole fox allers looks arter hisself when de houn's are 'roun'; but +it's de cubs what are mos' likely fo' to get inter trubble."</p> + +<p>Then little Frenchie and I were alone. Standing within the shelter of +the foliage at the foot of the dead cottonwood, and placing my hands on +his shoulders, for just then I literally ached to come into close touch +with a friend, I said, striving to hold my voice steady:</p> + +<p>"It may be, Pierre, that Saul and I had no right to drag you into this +mad scheme of ours, for even since Uncle 'Rasmus has set off does it +come to me that it is reckless for us to risk our lives in the hope of +getting back the horses. I have little faith that we shall be able to +accomplish anything as Minute Boys, therefore we must set it down in all +honesty to ourselves that we are pressing forward simply to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> recover +that which has been stolen, and we have no right to lead you into +danger."</p> + +<p>"Do not think I am boasting, Fitz Hamilton," and Pierre shrugged his +shoulders in a way that caused me to laugh despite the heaviness of my +heart; "but yet there comes in upon me the thought that mayhap it is I, +the French lad from New Orleans, who is dragging you and Saul, rather +than that you are dragging him."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE TOWN OF YORK</h3> + + +<p>I had not counted that it would be possible for us to indulge in slumber +after Uncle 'Rasmus had carried off the blankets; but yet before he was +well on his way toward the village both of us were wrapped in sleep as +profound as even when our bed was softer.</p> + +<p>Neither the thought of poor Silver Heels in the hands of a brutal +British officer, nor the possibility that we might come to grief when, +on the morrow, we ventured into the town of York, prevented me from +gaining all the rest a lad needs, as may be judged by the fact that not +until the sun was an hour high in the heavens, and Saul was shaking me +into consciousness, did I have knowledge of my surroundings.</p> + +<p>Then it was, with a feeling of shame, that I started to my feet, none +the worse for having been stretched out so long on the bare ground; but +deep down in my heart was a painful sense of having shown myself a +child, by thus indulging in repose when others stood ready to aid in the +task which should have been all my own.</p> + +<p>"Have you lads given over going into the village this morning, that you +sleep so late and so soundly?" Saul asked with a note of scorn in his +tones, and I replied quickly, as if making apology for having been such +a laggard:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Even though we had risen as early as did you, it would not have been +wise for us to go forward, yet I am free to admit that it might have +been more seemly had we opened our eyes before sunrise."</p> + +<p>"It is to my mind that we were wise to get all the sleep possible," +little Frenchie said with a shrug of the shoulders. "A good soldier +should be able to sleep anywhere and at any time, and it is his duty to +take advantage of every opportunity to rest, in order that he may be the +better able to undergo fatigue when it becomes necessary."</p> + +<p>"But you are not a soldier," Saul said sharply, as if offended by the +words; but Pierre, nothing daunted, replied cheerily:</p> + +<p>"Yet am I in a fair way to be one, having enrolled myself as a Minute +Boy. I am much the same as an apprentice, according to my way of +thinking, and, being so, should copy after my elders—"</p> + +<p>"Meaning that you ought to sleep like a laggard until the sun is high in +the heavens?" Saul cried and I, growing irritated because he persisted +in harping upon our indolence, said, speaking quite as sharply as had +he:</p> + +<p>"We have done no harm by being laggards. I would like for you to explain +how we might have been advantaged by awakening at daybreak and sitting +here waiting for you to come? It seems to me just as well that we should +sleep, as sit around twiddling our thumbs."</p> + +<p>"I was astir a full hour before daybreak, attending to the work set me, +else I would not be here thus early, ready to make the venture as agreed +upon."</p> + +<p>One might have fancied Saul was eager to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> praised for his early +rising, and I might have said something calculated to irritate him, but +that Pierre cried with a laugh:</p> + +<p>"So you were, my brave Minute Boy; but remember that most like you +crawled into bed a good two hours before Fitz and I did, and it is also +reasonable to suppose you were not awakened at midnight to give up your +blankets."</p> + +<p>This remark seemed to anger Saul instead of soothing him, and, fearing +we might have then and there a wordy battle between the excitable little +French boy and my quick tempered cousin, I broke in by saying:</p> + +<p>"Look you here, lads, there is no reason why you should squabble as to +who turned out of bed first this morning. That is over and done with, +and it strikes me we had best look forward rather than backward. Did you +speak with my mother, Saul?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, that I did."</p> + +<p>"And was she opposed to our going into York?"</p> + +<p>"I would not be willing to say quite as much as that; but certain it is +her heart was troubled sorely when I told her what we counted on doing. +I believe of a verity if Uncle 'Rasmus had not already left the +plantation, she would have set her face against it. As it is, knowing +that now most like the old negro is housed up in the cabin, unless the +Britishers, suspecting intended mischief, have given the poor fellow +lodgings in a guard-house, she realizes that we can do no less than +continue as we have begun, although her command is that we do not run +our heads into danger unnecessarily. She says it is foolish for us to +venture our liberty, and perhaps our lives, in the effort to reclaim two +horses,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> when it is possible to buy others that would serve us equally +well."</p> + +<p>"We could never find a colt that would be as dear to me as is Silver +Heels," I interrupted hotly, all the grief which had come upon me the +evening previous returning to my heart, and setting my pulse beating so +loudly that it seemed as if the lads might hear the blood leaping +through my veins.</p> + +<p>"What did you bring in the way of provisions?" Frenchie asked, and his +question reminded me that we had gone supperless to bed.</p> + +<p>"Enough to keep us all from hunger a full week, I believe," Saul replied +with an air of pride, as if he alone should have the credit, not only +for bringing, but for providing, the supplies.</p> + +<p>Then it was he opened the sack he carried, and displayed an ample store +of cold boiled ham, corn-bread, fried hominy and fried ham, saying as he +did so:</p> + +<p>"If so be we are allowed to remain with Uncle 'Rasmus, some of us should +be able to catch fish enough to add to this store until it will serve as +a week's rations."</p> + +<p>Pierre and I at once set about making a hearty meal, giving no heed to +the possibility that we might come to short rations later, and even +sulky Saul was not averse to joining us.</p> + +<p>Before we had satisfied our hunger my cousin was in a more pleasant +frame of mind and condescended to explain to us all that had been said +and done on the plantation after we left. As nearly as I could make out +it seemed that my mother was willing we should go our own pace, although +as a matter of course she, like any other woman, was frightened at the +idea of our venturing among enemies,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> for surely with my father in the +so-called rebel army, we could count that these red-coated gentry would +be anything but friendly to those who came from the Hamilton plantation.</p> + +<p>It heartened me wonderfully, if indeed I had needed heartening after +remembering that poor little Silver Heels was awaiting my coming, to +know that mother had not really set her face against what we would do, +and I contented myself so far as was possible, by saying that we would +let nothing stand in the way of carrying out the scheme that was afoot +unless having become convinced that we were venturing on too dangerous +ground.</p> + +<p>When breakfast had been eaten and we had divided Saul's burden into two +parcels for the more convenient carrying, came the question as to when +we should make the attempt to gain speech with Uncle 'Rasmus in the old +cabin.</p> + +<p>Saul was for setting off at once, although the sun was no more than two +hours' high, while Frenchie argued strongly that we should wait until +the forenoon was half spent, when there would likely be many visitors in +the village, and we would attract less attention than if we were the +first comers.</p> + +<p>This last seemed to me the wisest course, and despite Saul's grumbling, +for he claimed that we were wilfully wasting time, even going so far as +to hint that we were afraid to really make the trial, we remained within +shelter of the foliage near by the dead cottonwood until, I should say +ten o'clock in the forenoon.</p> + +<p>"Are you ready now?" Saul cried impatiently, after having tried half a +dozen times in vain to force us forward. "Will you make the venture now, +or shall we turn back to the plantation, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> say that our hearts failed +us at the last moment?"</p> + +<p>I looked at Pierre, who rose to his feet as if in answer to the question +he saw in my eyes, and straightway we set off toward the town of York, +little Frenchie insisting that we walk leisurely, as if having nothing +of moment on our minds, and arguing that if we pressed forward at a +rapid pace we might come upon those who would suspect we had some other +aim than that of feeding an old slave.</p> + +<p>I am free to confess that my heart beat much more rapidly than it should +have done when we approached the guard stationed here and there at +intervals along the entire line of entrenchments on which soldiers were +working with pick and shovel.</p> + +<p>Until that moment I had not questioned whether we might be allowed to +enter the town; but now it seemed certain that whoever accosted us could +read our purpose on our faces and mentally nerved myself either for +disappointment or for disaster.</p> + +<p>"Who shall do the talking?" Saul asked when we were come near to a +battery in which the guns were already mounted although the +entrenchments on either side were far from being completed, and I +fancied the lad was eager to act as spokesman; but I dared not trust him +because of his quick temper. Therefore it was I said, firmly believing I +spoke the truth:</p> + +<p>"Pierre is the one of us three who can best perform the part. If his +tongue fails us, then can we make certain, Saul, that either you or I +would have brought disaster. The lad has a quicker wit, knows far more +about military encampments, although he boasts not, and can hold his +temper in check."</p> + +<p>I have an idea that my cousin was not well pleased at being thus put +under the command, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> you might say, of little Frenchie; but there was +no time for him to have made protest even though he was so disposed, +because we were come so near the outposts that all our conversation +might have been heard by the red-coated soldier who paced to and fro +with a bayonet on his musket, looking as if ready to spit or strike any +of us rebels who dared approach him.</p> + +<p>I believe none of us, except little Frenchie, could have worked the +trick. He advanced within four or five paces of the sentinel, touched +his hat in regular military salute, and asked if it might be possible +for him to speak with the officer of the day.</p> + +<p>This puzzled me not a little, for I had no idea whatsoever who the +"officer of the day" might be, or what his duties; but it appeared that +Pierre knew what he was about, for straightway the sentinel, seeming to +understand that this little lad was familiar with military usages, +called up the officer of the guard, and, without waiting to be +questioned, Pierre addressed him, stating courteously but without too +many words, that there was an old slave in the town whom we feared stood +in need of food and care, therefore had we come to hunt him up.</p> + +<p>When the officer asked where we counted on finding this slave, I had wit +enough to step forward quickly and make reply, for Pierre, who had but +little knowledge of the town of York, and none whatsoever as to the +location of old Mary's cabin, could not have given answer.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 393px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="393" height="600" alt=""HE ... TOUCHED HIS HAT IN REGULAR MILITARY SALUTE."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"HE ... TOUCHED HIS HAT IN REGULAR MILITARY SALUTE."</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + +<p>The whole matter was far more simple than I had hoped for. Pierre's +story was so straight, he was so exceeding courteous, and apparently so +ready to tell everything about himself and us, that even the most +suspicious person would have been disarmed, and within five minutes +after requesting permission, we were allowed to pass the sentinel, with +no limit set as to the time we might remain in the lines.</p> + +<p>Saul, who I verily believed was disgruntled because little Frenchie had +been allowed to act the part of leader, now took upon himself the +command of our company by marching in advance, for he knew as well as +did I where old Mary's cabin was located.</p> + +<p>You may be certain we kept our ears and eyes wide open as we walked +through the village toward the Pigeon Quarter, and I was greatly +disappointed because our way did not lead us past where the horses of +Simcoe's Rangers were stabled, although certain it is, it would have +given me greatest pain to have seen Silver Heels roughly used.</p> + +<p>There were many visitors in York on this forenoon; people from +roundabout who had Tory inclinations, or who were ready to sell to the +enemies of their country such of vegetables or farm produce as might +bring them in a few shillings. A number from Gloucester who had been +allowed to come across the river, and I even saw two lads whom I knew +lived on Mobjack bay, roaming around with mouths wide open in +astonishment at this vast encampment wherein, to their uneducated eyes, +were soldiers enough to over-run all our colonies.</p> + +<p>Squads of Britishers were marching here and there; officers lounged +through the narrow streets, most like making their way to the +entrenchments. From every direction could be heard sounds telling of +pick and shovel, the shouts of teamsters as they hauled heavy guns into +position, the beating of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> drums, the shrill cry of fifes, and, in fact, +all that bustle, noise and confusion which I have since learned attends +a military encampment.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course we did not dare linger here or there, although +very much was going on which it would have pleased me to observe; but we +took good care to continue without hesitation toward the Pigeon Quarter, +contenting ourselves with seeing what we might as we walked at a +reasonably rapid pace.</p> + +<p>Strange as it may seem, I had given no thought as to whether Uncle +'Rasmus had succeeded in entering the village during the night; but took +it for granted that he must have done so, until we were come within a +stone's throw of old Mary's cabin, and then it was as if my heart stood +still, for there were many chances that the old negro might have been +arrested while trying to pass the guard and we would find in the hovel a +squad of red-coats waiting to make prisoners of those who presented +themselves there.</p> + +<p>I had so worked up my fears as to feel certain the moment had arrived +when we were come to grief, that it was with difficulty I could check a +cry of mingled relief and triumph on seeing Uncle 'Rasmus's black face +at the window.</p> + +<p>I had never thought there was anything of beauty in the old negro's +features, and, as a matter of fact, wrinkled and black as it was, one +might truly have said that at times it was almost repulsive, yet as I +saw him then it was as if I had never looked upon anything more +beautiful.</p> + +<p>I ran hurriedly, excitedly, into the cabin, throwing myself into the old +fellow's arms much as though welcoming him from the grave.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Fo' de Lawd's sake, honey, wha's gettin' on to you so pow'ful bad?" the +old man cried in surprise, for probably this was the first time in all +my life when I had shown real affection for him. "Hab de Britishers bin +cuttin' up 'roun' de plantation since I done lef'?"</p> + +<p>"No; everything was quiet there when Saul set out this morning; but, oh, +Uncle 'Rasmus! I had come to fancy you might have been taken prisoner, +and that we were all in danger of being arrested for conspiring against +the king."</p> + +<p>"Ho, ho!" the old negro laughed. "Why, honey, you don' 'spects Uncle +'Rasmus is gwine ter git his brack head inter trubble arter all dese +yere years, does yer?"</p> + +<p>"But we knew you were counting on slipping through the lines, and if +you'd been caught in anything of the kind—"</p> + +<p>"Did you eber try fo' to ketch a 'possum, honey, when he kind'er had a +inklin' you was arter him? I 'lows Uncle 'Rasmus is gettin' mighty ole; +but he ain' so feeble yet but he kin hol' his own agin dese yere +red-coated sogers. Why bress yer soul, honey, I des walked right in like +I was comin' home, an' don' 'low one o' 'em knowed dat a wuffless ole +nigger was anywhar nigh him."</p> + +<p>Little Frenchie had taken the precaution to close the door immediately +after our entrance, and while Uncle 'Rasmus and I were talking with no +little show of excitement, the lad moved here and there, pulling a +ragged curtain in front of one window, or closing the shutter of +another, so that we might not attract attention from any passers-by, +although this cabin of old Mary's was in what might well be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> called the +outskirts of the village, where was little danger many people would come +our way.</p> + +<p>"Tell us how you got in here, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I asked, for after seeing +the long line of sentinels which guarded the half-formed entrenchments, +it seemed to me little less than marvelous that one could have made his +way through without being challenged.</p> + +<p>"I des walked right trou, honey. Course I wasn' no ways tryin' to 'tract +'tention; but kind'er waited for a chance when dere wasn' too man sogers +'round. It was easy, chillun, an' I'd bin out ob dis yere house long ago +huntin' for Silber Heels, ef it hadn' been dat I was tryin' to wait till +you done come."</p> + +<p>Then Uncle 'Rasmus insisted on knowing how my mother had received the +news that we were bent on making a visit to York Town.</p> + +<p>When Saul had told him all that had been said and done on the plantation +after his departure, the old negro suggested that we lounge around the +village, following the example of the curious visitors, lest some one +note the fact that we were apparently taking council together, and it +would not seem reasonable we would willingly remain with an old negro +shut up in such a wretched cabin, when there was so much to be seen on +the outside.</p> + +<p>In view of all that occurred before this day was come to a close, it may +be well that I describe the hovel which we called old Mary's cabin, even +though there was nothing in or around it worthy of particular notice +under ordinary circumstances. The fact that later it served us much as a +citadel in the midst of our enemies, who were in turn surrounded by +their foes, renders it necessary I go into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> detail concerning it for the +better understanding of what happened later.</p> + +<p>An ordinary hut built of logs, perhaps twenty feet square, with a door +made of puncheon planks, by which I mean planks that have been hewn out +of the log with an axe rather than cut by a saw, and two windows, in one +of which four panes of glass were broken, but both protected by shutters +which swung from the outside. The building consisted of one room on the +floor where the occupants were supposed to eat, sleep and live, while +above was a loft formed by the roof, and approached through a scuttle +situated directly opposite the door, at the rear of the hovel.</p> + +<p>To gain access to this scuttle one was forced to climb a sort of ladder +which had been formed by nailing strips of wood against the logs, and, +as I learned before we were come to an end of using this cabin as a +place of refuge, it was by no means a simple task to ascend, even for +lads who were accustomed to swarming up trees, or shinning the slender +masts of our river craft.</p> + +<p>The loft was, as I have said, formed by the roof, and its floor, like +the one below, was made of puncheon planks, yet not so closely laid +together but that there were crevices through which one's foot might +slip if he walked carelessly. At either end small holes had been cut +between the logs, perhaps four or five inches square, which served as +windows, although there was nothing to prevent the wind or the rain from +entering.</p> + +<p>I judged that when old Mary lived in the place these apertures were +closed, most like with boards, or perhaps with cloth, but now they stood +naked, and the wind, coming in across the river, found direct<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> vent +through the attic, thus insuring good ventilation if not comfort.</p> + +<p>On the outside, and at the rear, was a chimney built of sticks and clay, +with a hole cut through the logs near the floor of the lower room, where +was a fireplace of stones laid up with mortar, and the inside of this +rude chimney was plentifully bedaubed with mud to the depth of two or +three inches, as a safeguard against fire.</p> + +<p>Just outside the front door, not more than ten feet away, was a small +well, which had once been stoned up properly, but was now fallen into +such a state of decay that I questioned whether the water in it could be +wholesome. At the time this seemed of but little moment, for it would +not be a great task to bring from the river all the water one would need +to drink, and I failed to give heed to the fact that if we were ever to +use this cabin as a place of refuge the hour might come when we would +suffer from thirst.</p> + +<p>After Uncle 'Rasmus had taken care of the provisions we brought, by +stowing them in a poor apology for a cupboard near the side of the +fireplace, he insisted that we lads go out and look about the town, +claiming that the time might come when it would be much to our advantage +to know where this regiment or that legion was quartered, and insisting +also that we must show ourselves as curious, rather than hugging the +hovel so closely.</p> + +<p>I was eager to make my way toward that part of the village where the +horses of Simcoe's Rangers were stabled, hoping I might get a glimpse of +poor little Silver Heels, and, therefore, not averse to following the +old negro's advice.</p> + +<p>Uncle 'Rasmus announced that it was his intention<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> to remain close +within the building, as if it was not possible for him to move around, +and this was necessary if we lads counted on making his helplessness an +excuse for coming frequently to the town of York.</p> + +<p>It was as if Saul had determined on this day to be as disagreeable as +possible. As I have already set down, he reproached us with indolence +when he first came up in the early morning, and grumbled as we came +toward the village because little Frenchie insisted on walking +leisurely, lest suspicion might be aroused. While we remained in old +Mary's cabin with Uncle 'Rasmus, he cried out loudly at our wasting time +when we might accomplish something, although the lad knew full well that +much time must be spent, and many plans made, before we could hope even +to set about our purpose.</p> + +<p>He was the first to leave the cabin when Uncle 'Rasmus insisted that we +play the part of curious ones, and pressed on ahead as if he would go +his own way, leaving us behind, until Pierre said to me in a whisper:</p> + +<p>"It is not well that we separate—at least, not until we have made some +agreement as to a rendezvous later."</p> + +<p>Then it was that I quickened my pace to overtake Saul, who had just +disappeared around the corner of that shop wherein a man named Bemis, +who had lately come from Baltimore, displayed stuffs for dresses and +gewgaws of all kinds intended to attract the attention of the women and +girls.</p> + +<p>I was for going directly to where the Rangers were quartered, and +therefore felt not a bit hurt that my cousin should start off by himself +without giving heed to our wishes, and, finding it was impossible<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> to +overtake him at any ordinary pace, I quickened to a run. In consequence +I turned the corner of the shop rapidly, coming directly upon, and +almost over-running, a lad who had halted Saul, and was engaged with him +in angry altercation.</p> + +<p>While one might have counted ten I was too nearly dazed with having come +into violent contact with the fellow, to fully realize the situation, +and then a cry of mingled surprise and dismay burst from my lips, for I +found myself clutching and being clutched by none other than Horry Sims.</p> + +<p>Even then no great harm might have been done had it not been for Saul's +ill temper. Little Frenchie, seeing that we had thus inadvertently come +upon the lad whom we knew to be an enemy to us as well as a traitor to +his country, would have treated the matter as a pleasing incident, and +began by saying with a friendly shrug of his shoulders and a wave of the +hands, that he was glad we had found a friend in the town because we +were feeling like cats in a strange garret, when Saul interrupted him as +he cried angrily:</p> + +<p>"There is no reason, Pierre Laurens, why you should put on a false face. +You know full well, after all that happened yesterday when this little +villain sent the Britishers to take Fitzroy's horse and mine, that we +are not pleased at seeing him, and that we count on dealing out to him +the punishment he deserves."</p> + +<p>I was well nigh paralyzed at thus hearing my cousin make public that +which we had agreed should be held a secret. It alarmed me more than I +can well say, for I had come to believe it was in the highest degree +necessary, if we would succeed in regaining possession of the horses, to +prevent this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> Tory scoundrel from suspecting we knew of all his +villainy, and I held up my hand warningly, whereat Saul cried hoarsely, +being unable to keep the slightest check over his temper:</p> + +<p>"It is not for you, Fitzroy Hamilton, to play a double part! After what +I saw on the road yester morning, we know all this little scoundrel has +done, and have already agreed that he shall pay the penalty for his +treachery."</p> + +<p>There was no longer opportunity to check my cousin. The cat was out of +the bag, so to speak. We had, at the very moment when we were counting +on beginning our work, shown Horry Sims that we knew of his treachery, +and thereby made of him an open enemy, one who would do all he might +against us, which promised to be no little, for after having given +information as to where the best horses in the vicinity could be found, +it was reasonable to suppose he stood on friendly terms with the king's +officers.</p> + +<p>"Who says I told where the soldiers could find your horses?" Horry asked +with a pretense of ignorance, and Saul cried fiercely:</p> + +<p>"No one says so. All three of us lads saw you on the road when you +halted the squad of Rangers, and pointed out the direction of the +Hamilton plantation, after which they rode straight away there and took +possession of the horses, as you know full well."</p> + +<p>"If you are so wise as to what happened yesterday, why was it you +treated me in friendly fashion last night?" Horry screamed, growing +angry now that his surprise at being thus accused had passed away in a +measure, and no doubt feeling safe in his position because he was +surrounded by those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> whom he believed would stand his friends, and who +were all powerful in that town of York.</p> + +<p>"It was because we counted on using you to serve our own ends," Saul +replied, seizing Horry Sims by the coat-collar, as if fancying the young +Tory was eager to make his escape. "It was a foolish scheme, hatched by +Fitz and Pierre; but I will have none of it! When a lad proves himself +an enemy to me, as you have since yesterday morning, I count on standing +up manfully, accusing him of his crime instead of crawling around like a +red Indian, hiding my own feelings with the hope of getting the +advantage of him in some way."</p> + +<p>"Well, now that you have stood up, as you call it, what do you count on +doing?" Horry asked with a sneer, and Saul, shaking him vigorously, +replied threateningly:</p> + +<p>"I count on flogging you until it is a question whether you can leave +this town without assistance."</p> + +<p>"It may not be safe to venture anything of the kind," and Horry looked +around in the hope that some of the Britishers might be near at hand. +"Of course when there are three to one, I cannot expect to hold my +ground; but let me warn you of this, Saul Ogden: Whatever you do to me +while the odds are in your favor, shall be paid back an hundred fold +before you are outside these lines! Now I know why that little French +sneak claimed that there was a short cut through the woods from the York +road to the Hamilton plantation. You fellows were hiding somewhere +nearabout, and he counted on joining you without my knowledge."</p> + +<p>"Well, is it necessary we shall explain to you what we do, or where we +are going?" Saul<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> shrieked, anger now having so far gotten the better of +him that he was hardly responsible for the words which came from his +mouth.</p> + +<p>Pierre and I looked at each other in dismay which amounted almost to +fear. We had but just succeeded in paving a way for ourselves to enter +the town at will, and through Saul's hasty temper all the fat was in the +fire!</p> + +<p>I could see no other course than to warn Uncle 'Rasmus as soon as might +be possible. Then take to our heels, trusting to the poor chance that we +might gain the plantation without being laid by the heels, and all +through an unthinking lad who had agreed, equally with us, that we must +not let Horry Sims know we were aware of his treachery.</p> + +<p>"It's a case of getting away from here as soon as may be," I whispered +to Pierre, while Saul stood shaking Horry Sims and uttering threats +which might have been heard fifty yards away. "My cousin must pay the +penalty for thus losing his temper and destroying all our chances of +regaining the horses, for in order to save Uncle 'Rasmus, as well as +ourselves, we must leave him here to fight his battles with the Tory."</p> + +<p>"I am not so certain that we should leave either of them," little +Frenchie said thoughtfully, and seemingly forgetting to shrug his +shoulders. "It is true the fat is all in the fire so far as our playing +friendly with Horry Sims is concerned; but it seems to me possible that +we can yet prevent that scoundrel from upsetting all our plans, even +though it may be a dangerous venture."</p> + +<p>"Of what are you talking?" I cried in amazement. "The mischief has +already been done. It is no longer possible for us to hold the lad in +check,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> because he will go straight away to such officers as he knows, +giving information that we are here. Once it is learned we claimed that +Uncle 'Rasmus had been held in the cabin through his helplessness, and +we were come to aid him, all our scheming will be made public, and we +called upon to pay the penalty, whatever it may be."</p> + +<p>"But Horry Sims has not yet laid information," Pierre whispered +hurriedly. "If it be possible for you to call Saul off and make him +understand now, on the instant, before any come nearer, that he must +hold himself in check, we, meaning you and I, may be able to deal with +the Tory by such methods that he can not do us one whit of harm until we +are ready to give him the opportunity."</p> + +<p>I looked at the little French lad in amazement, too much bewildered to +be able to make reply, for it seemed to me he was talking veriest folly, +and yet there was on his face an expression of determination in which I +could see no token of fear, or even uneasiness of mind.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>OUR PRISONER</h3> + + +<p>Even as I gazed at little Frenchie in what was very like bewilderment, I +noted that the lad was looking here and there furtively, as if to make +certain there were no eavesdroppers near, and on the instant the haze of +perplexity was cleared from my mind, allowing me to realize that the +French lad had some plan on foot whereby the mischief wrought through +Saul might be counteracted.</p> + +<p>Although the situation seemed to me so desperate, and the possibility of +extricating ourselves from the difficulties into which we had been +suddenly thrown was so slight that I could see no ray of light, yet had +I come to have such great faith in Pierre Laurens's quick wit and +cool-headedness, that straightway much of the trouble was taken from my +mind, and I laid my hand on his shoulder as if to say I depended upon +him to draw us out from this slough into which my cousin's ill temper +had plunged us.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Saul was giving no heed to anything save the desire to flog +Horry Sims for what he had done to our harm, and Pierre whispered to me +sharply and quickly:</p> + +<p>"Is there no place near by where we can remain in hiding for a time?"</p> + +<p>During an instant I failed to remember anything whatsoever concerning +this shop of Master Bemis's, although it was familiar to me, owing to my +having visited it a dozen times or more. Then I suddenly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> recalled to +mind that just around the corner, in the rear, was an old shed sometimes +used for the stabling of horses, which had frequently been half-filled +with rubbish of such sort as empty cases, lumber or straw.</p> + +<p>This much I explained to Pierre in the fewest words possible, and a look +of relief came over little Frenchie's face as he went directly up to +Saul, laying one hand on my cousin's shoulder, and with the other +clutching the Tory sneak by the coat-collar.</p> + +<p>Mayhap not more than thirty seconds had passed from the time my cousin +announced his intention of paying off the score we held against Horry +Sims, until Pierre said in a low, sharp tone to Saul, and conveying much +of reproof:</p> + +<p>"You have forgotten that by giving way to anger you not only endanger +yourself, but Fitz and me, to say nothing of Uncle 'Rasmus. Now pull +yourself up with a sharp turn; check that ill temper of yours if you +would keep yourself at liberty—mayhap if you would hold the breath of +life in your body."</p> + +<p>As he spoke it seemed to me that Horry Sims had a dim understanding of +what was about to come upon him, for he lunged quickly here and there +like some trapped animal, and I fancied he was about to raise his voice +in a cry for help, when I sprang forward and clapped my hand over his +mouth.</p> + +<p>"What are you about now?" Saul asked angrily. "What right have you to +interfere when I count on dealing with this Tory villain even as he +deserves?"</p> + +<p>"I have every right," and now Pierre spoke in a sharper tone than I had +ever before heard him use. "Even though there be no other reason, I +shall protect myself, and it would seem, if you keep on at this pace, +Saul Ogden, that Fitz and I must consider you equal enemy with this +Tory. We are undone from this moment, and can count surely on being +thrust into the guard-house as malcontents and rebels, unless you find +strength of will enough in that hulking body of yours to behave in a +decent fashion."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 403px;"> +<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="403" height="600" alt=""I SPRANG FORWARD!"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"I SPRANG FORWARD!"</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nothing in the way of argument could have moved Saul so quickly as did +reproof from the little French lad, who until this moment he had most +like considered a child as compared with himself. Now, however, that the +boy was talking in manly fashion, and with sound doctrine, my cousin +gave way before him on the instant, becoming as meek and docile as any +lamb.</p> + +<p>"What would you have me do? I had no right to give rein to my temper, +and yet I swear to both of you that I could not have held it in check."</p> + +<p>"This is no time for making excuses," Pierre said, still speaking in a +commanding tone. "The wonder of it is that we have had so many minutes +allowed us, and now it stands us in hand to get this fellow out of +sight."</p> + +<p>"Out of sight? Where?" and Saul was in as thick a cloud of bewilderment +as I had been, whereupon, pushing Horry Sims forward, with my hand still +pressed over his mouth, I said hurriedly:</p> + +<p>"Pierre would have us hide him in the shed. I know not how that may +advantage us; but let me tell you, Saul Ogden, that little Frenchie has +got more sound sense in one side of that head of his than you and I in +both ours put together. Now do as he has said, and we will listen to him +afterwards."</p> + +<p>I forced Horry Sims on from behind, still gagging his mouth with my +hand, while Pierre, retaining a firm hold on the Tory's coat-collar, +dragged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> him along in the direction I indicated, Saul assisting as well +as he could while in such a state of perplexity.</p> + +<p>It was little less than a miracle that we could have stood talking there +by Master Bemis's shop and then made our way half around it, without +coming in contact with some of the red-coats. Even at this day, as I sit +here in safety writing down that which we did in the town of York, it +seems to me more than marvelous that we were not taken into custody +before little Frenchie had time to give words to his suddenly conceived +plan.</p> + +<p>I set it down to the fact that all those soldiers of the king were +busily engaged throwing up entrenchments, for it was known that not many +miles away lay General Lafayette with his army, and my Lord Cornwallis +must have said to himself that General Washington, finding he had so +many of his majesty's troops in much the same as a trap, would push down +from the North all the men he could spare. Therefore it came about that +every officer was urging the men under his command to the greatest +activity, and, fortunately, this shop of Master Bemis's was at a +considerable distance from any part of the British works, which +explains, at least to myself, why we were not lodged as prisoners in the +British garrison.</p> + +<p>I believe that from the first moment Pierre began to speak in a tone of +command, Horry Sims understood he was in danger, not of a mere flogging, +but of something he could not explain to himself, therefore was his +fright all the greater.</p> + +<p>When little Frenchie, while we were circling around the building, +threatened vengeance even to the shedding of blood if he made any +outcry, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> lad was so terrified that even though he had had fair +opportunity I question whether he could have raised his voice +sufficiently loud to have been heard a dozen paces away.</p> + +<p>He was as limp as any rag in my grasp as we forced him along, and for an +instant I feared the cowardly cur would fall helpless from sheer terror +of that which he knew not the nature.</p> + +<p>Within the time it would take a tongue-tied man to count ten, we had +hustled Horry Sims from the southerly corner of Master Bemis's shop +around to the rear, where was the shed of which I had told little +Frenchie, and again did fortune favor us, for no horses were stabled +there, and the rude structure was so nearly filled with rubbish of all +kinds that it would have been impossible to have sheltered even a mule +beneath the crazy roof.</p> + +<p>We entered with our prisoner, Pierre leading the way grasping Horry by +the coat-collar, while I brought up the rear with my arm around the +Tory's neck so that I might keep a hand clapped over his mouth.</p> + +<p>"Shut the door, and, if it be possible, bar it so that no one may come +without giving due warning," little Frenchie said to Saul, and my cousin +obeyed as meekly as a well whipped cur obeys his master.</p> + +<p>There was a crazy affair made of puncheon planks which had served as +door, but it hung loosely on its hinges, and I question whether it had +been used for many a year; but Saul was by this time so intent on doing +whatsoever he might to repair the mischief wrought while his temper had +the best of him, that it was as if he had the strength of two men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> + +<p>While Pierre was looking about him trying to plan something in his mind, +my cousin had the barrier closed and fastened with four or five short +lengths of logs. It was not done so securely but that one from the +outside might force an entrance, yet it would require a minute or two to +effect such purpose, and this was what I fancy little Frenchie counted +on when he gave the command.</p> + +<p>"Over yonder," he said, pointing toward the end of the shed where were +several casks and some old boxes, "is the place to which we must take +him."</p> + +<p>"How long do you count on keeping him there?" I could not refrain from +asking, and Pierre replied promptly, thus showing that he had a plan +thoroughly mapped out in his mind:</p> + +<p>"Only until night, when we must get him to old Mary's cabin where he can +be held prisoner."</p> + +<p>I was astounded, to use a mild term, by the idea that we were to hold +this Tory a prisoner for any length of time. Here we were, shut up +within the British lines, in danger at any moment of being haled before +some high mightiness of an officer to answer to the charge of being +rebels, or of being in the town with evil intent, and we took it upon +ourselves to capture a lad who stood to a certain degree in the favor of +our enemies!</p> + +<p>It was to my mind at that instant, and is even now, as reckless a bit of +business as can well be conceived. Why we did not take to our heels at +the first moment when Saul gave way to his anger, leaving Uncle 'Rasmus +to his fate, and shake the dust of the town of York from our feet, I +cannot understand. Yet I am wrong in saying this last, for it was Pierre +Laurens who held us where we belonged, and who proved that if there were +Minute<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> Boys in York Town, he stood above them head and shoulders as +their commander.</p> + +<p>But for Pierre's quick wit and decision we had at that moment been +racing through the village intent only on passing the British lines. Yet +I said then, while we pulled Horry Sims across the rubbish, that perhaps +it would have been greatly to our advantage if we had fled the town even +though the hue and cry was raised on the instant, rather than remain +where it might be impossible for us to go out again save in the custody +of a squad of red-coated soldiers.</p> + +<p>By the time Saul barricaded the door Horry Sims had been taken to the +rear of the building, and there little Frenchie turned two huge casks +down on their side, with the mouths facing each other, leaving +sufficient space between them for a lad to crawl in, saying to the +prisoner when this work was done:</p> + +<p>"Creep in there, lad, and hold your peace! If you raise your voice above +a whisper, I swear that it shall be the last moment of your life! You +can well fancy we would not flinch at killing such as you when it might +be to save ourselves. To hold you secretly, and yet securely, is our +hope, therefore bear well in mind to what lengths we are bound to go +rather than allow you to give us the slip!"</p> + +<p>The Tory crawled head foremost into one of the casks, which was so large +that he could readily turn around in it, and in the gloom of the shed I +could see that his face was as white as my mother's table linen. He +shook like one in an ague fit, as well he might, for the threats Pierre +made carried with them such a ring of truth that he would have been dull +indeed had he failed to understand how far we would go in order to save +our own skins.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> + +<p>Pierre followed him into this snug hiding place, and I stood helplessly +by, awaiting some word from little Frenchie, ready to obey whatever +commands he might give, while Saul, shamefaced because of his +indiscretion, came up to my side.</p> + +<p>"It is like this," Pierre said as if he had asked a question. "So long +as we can hold this Tory sneak secretly, so long are we at liberty to +remain in York Town to compass the business which brought us here; but +on the instant he gives us the slip, we may count on coming before a +military court charged with being rebels, if not with being spies."</p> + +<p>"How long do you think he can remain in this shed without being +discovered?" Saul asked stupidly, and then it was that Pierre explained +his plan, so far as he had formed it.</p> + +<p>"One of us, and you should be that one inasmuch as it was through you +that all this trouble came about," he said, looking at Saul, "must +remain here until midnight, or thereabouts, on the alert all the while +lest he give an alarm, while Fitz and I move about the village as we +were intending when we left old Mary's cabin. When night has come, and +if we find it possible, this Tory must be carried across the town and +stowed safely in that loft above the room in which Uncle 'Rasmus is +living. There, one or the other of us must act as jailor all the while, +until—I cannot guess when our duties may be ended. If, perchance, the +American forces give Lord Cornwallis battle, and are victorious, then +may we come out of the snarl with whole skins; but if so be the British +are the conquerors, we can look to have the tables turned on us, when +Horry Sims will get all the revenge he may desire."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> + +<p>A pretty pickle we were in because of what Saul had done! The most we +could hope for would be to hold Horry day after day in that loft of old +Mary's cabin, with but one show of getting out of the box, which would +be such a victory by the Americans that they might take possession of +the town of York.</p> + +<p>It was a slim chance, though I doubted not that General Lafayette's +army, if reinforced as it should be, would whip the Britishers; but +again and again the so-called rebels had been worsted by the king's +soldiers, and why might they not get a drubbing here? It was well within +the range of possibilities that the British army would be reinforced by +vessels sent down from New York, in which case we stood to suffer.</p> + +<p>Even though the Britishers allowed us to go here or there at will, we +were held as close prisoners, because of having Horry Sims in custody, +as though they put us under a strong guard. If at that moment when we +stood by the casks in the shed speculating upon the situation, I had +known that the town of York was to be besieged and shelled by our +people, I would not have reckoned that my life was worth the turn of a +hand.</p> + +<p>Fortunate indeed was it for us that we could not look into the future. +Fortunate we had no inkling of all that was to take place between the +rivers of York and James within the next few days, else had our courage +failed us entirely. As it was, however, I had great faith Pierre would +pull through his scheme successfully, and trusted that the future would +show us some way out of this snarl into which we had been so suddenly +plunged.</p> + +<p>"Come in here, and stretch yourself out beside<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> this lad, with your hand +closing on his throat so that at the lightest sign of his counting on +giving an alarm you can choke him to death," Pierre said to Saul, who +was crouching that he might look into the cask, and my cousin did meekly +as he was bidden, for by this time he had come fully to understand that +he alone was responsible for all this trouble which had come upon us.</p> + +<p>Not until Saul was within the cask, and had taken position close by the +side of the prisoner, did little Frenchie venture to come out. Then, +halting and leaning over so his voice would carry to the prisoner and +his jailor without being heard by any who might be in the vicinity of +the shed, he said, still speaking in a tone of command which, had I been +less excited and anxious, would have sounded comical from one so small:</p> + +<p>"Remember, Saul, that your life, mayhap, and ours, depends upon your +holding that Tory scoundrel safe. Fitz and I will learn what we may +toward aiding us in getting him to the cabin."</p> + +<p>"How long am I to stay here?" Saul asked, and I fancied that he was +growing sulky again, whereupon I said soothingly, laying my hand on his +leg in friendly fashion:</p> + +<p>"Do not let your temper get the best of you again, Saul, else are we all +undone past mending. We have fallen into a hobble, and each must do his +best to come out alive."</p> + +<p>"I am ready to do what I may, and understand, without its being roughed +into me, that I am the one who is responsible for it all; but yet I ask +how long am I to stay here?"</p> + +<p>"Until we come again," little Frenchie said decidedly. "There is no +probability we shall dare<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> risk a visit here 'twixt now and the time +when we have made ready to carry him to old Mary's cabin, therefore you +can count that your duties as jailor will hold you inside that cask +until midnight."</p> + +<p>I would have added somewhat to that which Pierre had said, counting +thereby to soothe my cousin; but little Frenchie dragged me back, +motioning with his finger on his lips that I hold my peace. I understood +that again was the lad right, for if we did what we might toward coaxing +Saul into a better humor, we were possibly giving him an opportunity to +fly off in a rage again, and that would have been fatal to all the faint +hopes in which we then indulged.</p> + +<p>Pierre clambered softly down across the rubbish, motioning for me to +follow his example, and then set about pulling away from the ramshackle +door the short lengths of logs which barred it; but he was careful to +remove only sufficient of the barrier for us to creep out.</p> + +<p>When we were in the open air, with the shed so nearly closed that no +one, unless having special business there, would be likely to enter, he +said to me in a whisper as he led the way up into the village once more:</p> + +<p>"Now we will set about our work, and before Saul sees us again he will +have had plenty of time in which to repent having given way to his +temper."</p> + +<p>"Our work?" I repeated dully. "Isn't it enough that we must hold Horry +Sims prisoner, without thinking of aught else?"</p> + +<p>"We came here to find Saul's mare and your Silver Heels, and, even +though it be necessary to stand guard over the Tory, I am counting that +we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> shall continue the work even as was at first proposed."</p> + +<p>"It is to my mind that we have enough on our hands, without taking +more," I said, and mayhap there was in my voice that same sulky tone +which I had heard in Saul's a few seconds before.</p> + +<p>"Surely one of us is enough to hold that Tory quiet, unless the +Britishers get an inkling that we have him in our hands, and, besides, +Uncle 'Rasmus should be able to help us in no small degree. Do you +remember that we counted to call ourselves Minute Boys, and to do the +work of Minute Boys?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, that is what we reckoned on when we were foot-free—when we had not +fettered ourselves with a Tory prisoner; but now it is all impossible."</p> + +<p>"Why impossible?" and for the first time since we had come upon Horry +Sims did Pierre indulge in that indescribable shrug and wave of the +hands which was peculiar to him. "It would seem to me that now is the +time, if ever, when we can do somewhat for the Cause—when we can prove +that although our company of Minute Boys numbers but three, we are of +importance, and may make our names known to those who are staking their +lives for the liberty of this country."</p> + +<p>I looked at the little lad in amazement. The idea that we three boys, +who were in as bad a hobble as lads ever could be—we three who stood, +one might almost say, face to face with death, should think of aught +else, was to me most astonishing, and yet this small fellow from New +Orleans was all afire with great plans.</p> + +<p>Surely if our company of Minute Boys ever did anything in behalf of the +Cause, it would be wholly due to him, for I had come to consider, half +an hour<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> since, that his was the only brain among us.</p> + +<p>"My countryman, with an army of Americans, is near at hand, holding this +English lord here as if he was in a prison, and do you not believe that +it may be possible for us to carry to General Lafayette such information +concerning what is being done here in this town of York as would be of +importance?" Pierre asked, his eyes flashing and his cheeks flushing.</p> + +<p>"Ay, if so be we were free to act we might, one or another of us, creep +out through the lines and get speech with our people; but hampered as we +are, how will it be possible? We are prisoners here, ourselves holding a +prisoner."</p> + +<p>"Look upon it in that way if you please," and again Pierre shrugged his +shoulders. "I count on having one try for the horses, and, failing that, +of having speech with General Lafayette himself after we have been +through this town of York and set down in our minds all the work on +which the Britishers are now engaged."</p> + +<p>"I hope most sincerely you may succeed, lad; but yet I doubt it sorely. +In the meanwhile, what about Uncle 'Rasmus?"</p> + +<p>"We will go to his cabin now, explain what has happened, and then lounge +around the stable quarters of the Rangers, where you shall have a +glimpse of your beloved Silver Heels."</p> + +<p>I believe the lad reminded me of the horse I loved so well, with the +purpose of holding my courage straight, and he could have used no other +bait that would have lured me so quickly from out the Slough of Despond +into which I had fallen.</p> + +<p>There was no hope in my heart, however sanguine he appeared, that I +could regain possession of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> my horse. The most I dared look forward to +was that events might so shape themselves as to make it possible for us +to escape from this town into which we had voluntarily come, and yet I +was such a simple that I failed of understanding it was Pierre Laurens +who would get us out of the hobble, if indeed we ever did get out; but I +followed him meekly as he led the way toward the Pigeon Quarter.</p> + +<p>Uncle 'Rasmus was seated by the window; we could see his wrinkled black +face through the dirty glass, and surely he had every appearance of +being near to death as he sat there huddled up in a little ball, so to +speak, wrapped in his blanket although the day was unusually warm.</p> + +<p>"Are you really sick, Uncle?" I asked, hurrying into the hovel with the +fear that I should find there additional trouble.</p> + +<p>"I'se mighty bad, honey, mighty bad," the old man replied with an odd +twinkle in his eyes. "I 'spects I'se 'bleeged ter stay right here, wid +neber a chance ob gettin' back to de ole plantation, kase I'se got de +misery in my back, my head, an' my legs till I'se des de same as a +wuffless ole cripple."</p> + +<p>"That's right, Uncle 'Rasmus," Pierre said cheerily. "You are a +promising looking old invalid, and I guarantee that if any of these +red-coated gentry have a suspicion you may be playing a part, one +glimpse of that face of yours will convince them you are nigh to death."</p> + +<p>"I'se bin reckonin' on des dat same ting, an' while de ole nigger am so +po'ly dese yere gen'men who's in de army carn' grudge my seein' you +chillun now an' den."</p> + +<p>"You are likely to see a good deal of us, Uncle 'Rasmus," I said grimly, +now understanding that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> the old negro was simply playing his part as had +been agreed upon. "We had the ill luck to come across Horry Sims; Saul +lost his temper, and let the fellow know we were acquainted with what he +had been about."</p> + +<p>"Lan' ob massy, chillun, lan' ob massy! Hab you bin rubbin' up agin dat +Tory sneak?"</p> + +<p>"It's worse than that, Uncle 'Rasmus," Pierre said with a smile. "In +order to save our own skins we have been forced to make him a prisoner, +and can stay in York Town only so long as it is possible to keep him out +of sight. We count on bringing him here, if there's a living show for +it, 'twixt now and midnight."</p> + +<p>"Chilluns, chilluns, I 'low to goodness you'se done gone crazy! Whar's +Saul? Wha's become ob de chile?"</p> + +<p>I explained to Uncle 'Rasmus where my cousin was, and what he was doing, +after which Pierre gave him a brief outline of his plans, and when both +of us had come to an end of our speech, there was no need for the old +man to exert himself very strenuously in order to play the part of +invalid.</p> + +<p>His wrinkled face went ashy pale as the facts of the situation were +borne in upon him, and he sank back in the chair with both hands +uplifted as if in supplication.</p> + +<p>"You chilluns hab done gone crazy! Gone crazy!" he repeated again and +again, and I stood helplessly by not knowing what to do; but little +Frenchie set about soothing the old man's fears by explaining how it +might be possible for us to do this, or do that, and declaring we could +keep Horry a prisoner in the loft so long as one of us stood close by to +insure his silence, until Uncle 'Rasmus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> recovered a goodly measure of +his former serenity.</p> + +<p>"I 'clar for it, chillun, it beats de snakes how much trubble you'se got +us all into; but I reckon we'se boun' to hol' our backs stiff agin it, +else dese yere Britishers am gwine ter make mighty short work ob us."</p> + +<p>"That's just it, Uncle 'Rasmus, that's just it," Pierre cried cheerily. +"We've got into the muss, and it stands us in hand to hold our own so +long as we can. We're no worse off if Horry Sims gives us the slip after +we've brought him here, than we would have been had we allowed him to go +free after Saul was so foolish as to let the fellow understand we knew +of all his knavery. Now it's a case of keeping our backs stiff, trying +to get possession of the horses, and doing all we can toward carrying to +the Americans news of what's being done in this town."</p> + +<p>"Sure, honey, you ain' countin' on doin' nuffin 'cept holdin' Horry Sims +quiet?" and again Uncle 'Rasmus showed signs of terror.</p> + +<p>"Now look here, Uncle," and Pierre knelt by his side, looking up into +the wrinkled black face with a cheery smile as if there was nothing in +all this wide world to trouble him. "We are not going to waste our time +on one Tory—that is to say, all of us are not, for one must remain on +guard. After what has happened Saul should do more than his fair share +of playing the jailor. Now you wouldn't have Fitz and me loafing around +this town doing nothing, would you?"</p> + +<p>"Sure enuf, honey, sure enuf."</p> + +<p>"You believe if we could carry any word of importance to the Americans +we should do it, don't you, Uncle?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Sure enuf, honey, sure enuf."</p> + +<p>"And if matters should turn, such as we can't really hope for, that +there was a possibility of getting hold of the horses, would you have us +do it?"</p> + +<p>"Sure enuf, honey, sure enuf."</p> + +<p>In such manner did this little French lad talk with the old negro until +he revived all his courage, and before having come to an end Uncle +'Rasmus was as eager as Pierre to be up and doing, meanwhile as +seemingly careless of what the future might bring us as was that little +lad on whom all my hopes for the future, so far as the Britishers were +concerned, depended.</p> + +<p>Having thus restored Uncle 'Rasmus to hopefulness and courage, Pierre +announced, as if there could be no question of any protest from me, that +we would make our way to where the Rangers were quartered, and I obeyed +him, much as a child might have done, mentally clinging to the lad as if +he had been my elder.</p> + +<p>We two walked around the village as if having no other purpose than to +view a military encampment. We gaped here, or stood there in +open-mouthed astonishment, as if mightily impressed with everything we +saw, and while doing so Pierre would whisper now and then as we passed +this redoubt or that battery:</p> + +<p>"Have you got everything well in mind now, lad? Seven redoubts and six +batteries on the land side; a line of batteries on the river bank; the +grand battery near the church; three redoubts just at the ravine, one +near the road to Hampton, and two by the river."</p> + +<p>Thus it was he called my attention to each point where the Britishers +were working, although in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> some cases it would have been impossible for +me to have said whether they were building redoubts, throwing up +earthworks for a battery, or simply digging a canal. It appeared that +little Frenchie understood all their purpose, and I said to myself that +if so be he could make his way from out this town of York into the +American lines, of a verity he would be able to give General Lafayette +such information as would be of exceeding value.</p> + +<p>We saw Silver Heels. She was made fast to the stable line with a lot of +other horses, and, so far as I could see, was receiving even more +attention than if she had been at home on the plantation, for there were +a dozen men or more working all the time currying this horse, rubbing +that one down, bandaging a leg that showed signs of swelling, and in +many ways taking as good care of the steeds as the best jockeys in +Virginia could have done.</p> + +<p>"You see she hasn't fallen into such bad hands," Pierre said as we +passed for the third time where I could have a good view of my pet, and +I replied sorrowfully:</p> + +<p>"It isn't that she won't be taken care of, Pierre, for he into whose +hands she might fall would indeed be a fool if he neglected so valuable +a bit of horse-flesh; but it is the thought that she will be taken into +battle, wounded, and left on the field to die, that breaks my heart."</p> + +<p>"And yet many a poor fellow will be wounded on the field of battle, and +left there to die. Mayhap it will be the fate of you or of me, and since +Silver Heels has been reared by a rebel, she must take the same chances +that all us rebels in this country are forced to take if the yoke of the +king's oppression is to be removed from our necks."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> + +<p>Little Frenchie spoke like a preacher, and I dimly wondered whether his +courage might not be failing him, now that we were fully committed to as +desperate a venture as ever lads embarked on; but I need have had no +forebodings, for after remaining silent a dozen seconds or more he +seemingly shook off somber thoughts, and said cheerily:</p> + +<p>"The less you and I think of the future, and the closer we keep to the +present, the better. Now let us make our way along the outer works in +order to decide where we may have the best show of getting through the +lines, if so be we decide to play the part of spies."</p> + +<p>"What about making ready to bring Horry Sims into the cabin?"</p> + +<p>"There's plenty of time for that 'twixt now and sunset," Pierre said +carelessly. "We need spend little time in forming plans, because it must +all be done by accident, or, what is the same thing, through chance and +the negligence of the enemy. We'll get a good idea of the general +situation, and then go back to Uncle 'Rasmus for something to eat."</p> + +<p>As Pierre had said so we did. Twice we traversed the entire length of +the outer works, meaning the entrenchments facing the north; noted where +each sentinel was posted, and otherwise gained all the information +possible that might be of advantage to one who was trying to escape from +the British.</p> + +<p>Then we went back to old Mary's cabin where Uncle 'Rasmus, despite his +seeming feebleness, had made ready for us a most appetizing meal, by +warming the corn-bread and toasting some of the boiled ham in a +frying-pan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> + +<p>Although the outlook was most dismal to me, it did not affect my +appetite on this day, and I ate as heartily, and with as great +satisfaction, as I ever ate a meal at the Hamilton plantation.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE</h3> + + +<p>While we ate with so much of pleasure I could not but let my thoughts go +out to Saul, who was doubtless as hungry as we had been, and gave words +to my regret that we had not first carried the lad some of the food +which we had in such generous abundance; but to my repinings of this +kind little Frenchie put a stop by saying:</p> + +<p>"I have no desire that your cousin shall be in distress because of +hunger, and yet it is in my mind that he should have somewhat more of +punishment because of having given way to ill temper and put us in such +a plight, than simply standing guard over Horry Sims. He will be the +more careful in the future, if he suffers considerably because of what +has been done."</p> + +<p>I was far from desiring that Saul should be punished. The mischief had +been wrought, and however bitterly he repented it would not right +matters. I believed for the time that Pierre was overly harsh, and would +have insisted on going straight to the lad with food, but that I +realized how dangerous it might be if we visited the shed in the rear of +Master Bemis's shop more often than was absolutely necessary.</p> + +<p>Again I consoled myself with the belief that most like Saul had partaken +of a hearty breakfast that morning before leaving the plantation, +whereas we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> lads had satisfied our hunger with cold food, and thus +arguing with myself desiring to be convinced, I came to the conclusion +that since it was not possible to mend matters save at the expense of +much risk, it was well I should get such enjoyment as was possible out +of the present moment.</p> + +<p>Not until we had finished the meal did Uncle 'Rasmus have anything of +importance to say, and then he surprised me beyond the power of +expression, by proving that he was not counting on being a mere +figure-head in this wild plan to regain possession of Saul's mare and +Silver Heels.</p> + +<p>"I'se done bin tol', chillun, dat dere's six or seben big French ships +layin' in Lynn Haven bay, whar dey've come to stop de Britishers from +runnin' away 'fore Gin'ral Washington gets a chance to trounce 'em right +smart."</p> + +<p>"You've been told that, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried in amazement. "Have you +been toddling around this town after pretending that you were so +crippled with aches and pains that you couldn't move out of your chair?"</p> + +<p>"Sure I hasn', honey, sure I hasn'. Yer Uncle 'Rasmus ain' no sich fool +as dat; but de still trout wha' lays under de shadder ob de rock catches +a good many more flies what drif down de stream, dan does de fish what +am leapin' an' plungin' to beat de band. Say, wha' you tink when I done +tole you Gin'ral Lafayette wid all his army is layin' at Williamsburg +des waitin' fo' a chance to jump down on de back ob Gin'ral Cornwallis?"</p> + +<p>Pierre and I looked at each other questioningly, as if asking whether +the old negro had suddenly taken leave of his senses, for it seemed +impossible he could have gathered information which was of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> the greatest +importance to us, while we who had been moving around through the +encampment had failed to hear anything of the kind.</p> + +<p>"Have you been dreaming, Uncle 'Rasmus?" little Frenchie asked with a +smile. "Surely you couldn't have picked up all that news while being +denned in here."</p> + +<p>"I did fo' a fac', honey, an' s'posen yer Uncle 'Rasmus kin tell you dat +Gin'ral Washington is a hustlin' fo' to get all his sogers down dis yere +way so's to make de Britishers don' gib him de slip? I'se 'lowin', +chillun, dat now's de time when de king's men hab done got dereselves in +a mighty small box."</p> + +<p>"If you didn't dream it, how did you come to learn all these things?" I +asked impatiently, and the old negro replied as he pattered to and fro +in front of the fire, adding to the already plentiful supply of +provisions before us:</p> + +<p>"Don' you 'member Marse Peyton's ole Joe, honey? Course you do, kase +you've seen him on de plantation more times dan I'se got hairs on dis +yere gray head. Well, ole Joe is right in dis yere town, waddlin' back +an' forth, makin' out as ef he was waitin' on some ob de British +ossifers. Marse Peyton done sent him down here so's he could keep his +ears open, an' he's come dis berry day from Williamsburg, where he +sneaked off so's to tell Gin'ral Lafayette wha' he done foun' out."</p> + +<p>Again Pierre and I looked at each other in amazement, and I must also +add with no little of disappointment. We had been flattering ourselves +that it might be possible for us to play the spy upon the Britishers, +and thereby earn much of credit for our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> small company of Minute Boys, +never for the moment dreaming that there might be others in the village +who were playing the same part; but surely not allowing that an old +negro, a slave, might be employed in the same work.</p> + +<p>"It begins to look as if we were not needed very much in this town of +York," Pierre said after a brief time of silence, and I could well +understand by the tone of his voice how disappointed he was because thus +suddenly had we been shown that the American army could well dispense +with our services, since others were engaged in the work we would have +taken up.</p> + +<p>"I'm not so certain, Pierre, but that your skill at reading the meaning +of military moments will yet prove of great value," I exclaimed as a +happy thought came into my mind. "It isn't possible old Joe would be +able to tell what the British are doing here, with so much exactness as +you who seem to be familiar with such work. There's no good reason why +we shouldn't continue to pick up all the information possible, and if we +find that we have gained more than has Colonel Peyton's negro, then one +of us shall make his way to Williamsburg, after we have Horry Sims +stowed snugly away in the loft."</p> + +<p>It appeared, as we understood from Uncle 'Rasmus's story, when he told +it later, that old Joe had by accident seen him sitting at the cabin +window, and, quite naturally, come in, when explanations followed.</p> + +<p>As both Pierre and I came to realize, instead of grieving over the fact +that this slave of Colonel Peyton's was playing the spy in the town of +York, we should have rejoiced, for here was at least one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> person who +might be able to aid us in a time of extremity.</p> + +<p>Surely, situated as we lads then were, with a prisoner on our hands, +even the assistance of an old slave who was free to move about within +the encampment as he pleased, might be of great value.</p> + +<p>After we had turned the matter over and over in our minds, discussing +what seemed much like a new phase of the situation, Uncle 'Rasmus +advised that we did not venture out again until the time had come when +we could relieve Saul from his duties as jailor by bringing Horry Sims +to the cabin.</p> + +<p>The old negro argued, and with much of wisdom it seemed to me, that +having been through the encampment more than once, seemingly bent on +curiosity, there was no good reason why we should do so again. He +contended that it would not be wise to show ourselves too often during +one day, and urged that we remain concealed until the time arrived when +we were to perform our task of the night.</p> + +<p>Following his advice we went into the loft, and, spreading down a +blanket on the puncheon floor, stretched ourselves out on the hard bed +with the hope of gaining sleep. We could have disposed ourselves more +comfortably below; but there was a possibility that some of the +soldiers, curious to know who was dwelling in this ramshackle of a +building, might enter to gratify their curiosity, and it would not be +well if they saw us living there with the old negro; at least, there was +a chance harm might come of it, and we were not inclined to take any +such risk simply in order to enjoy a trifle more of comfort.</p> + +<p>Hard though our bed was, both us lads fell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> asleep shortly after we were +in a position to invite slumber, and, without heed to the many dangers +which surrounded us, slept soundly and peacefully until being awakened +by Uncle 'Rasmus who, unable to ascend by the rude ladder, was calling +us by name softly from below.</p> + +<p>It was dark when I opened my eyes, aroused by the old negro's voice, so +dark that I could not even distinguish the outlines of my comrade, and I +understood that now was come the time for the venture of bringing Horry +Sims to the cabin.</p> + +<p>Pierre was already making his way toward the scuttle when I had come to +a full realization of the situation, and I followed him as nearly in +silence as was possible, until we had descended to where Uncle 'Rasmus +stood awaiting us at the foot of the rude ladder.</p> + +<p>"It's pas' midnight, chillun, an' I'se 'lowin' dat de time hab come for +you to snake dat young Tory up here."</p> + +<p>"Is everything quiet, Uncle 'Rasmus?" Pierre asked, and the old negro +replied:</p> + +<p>"I ain' heard a soun' dis las' hour, 'cept when dem sogers what am on +guard raise up dere hootin' to let folks know dey're awake. It's dark as +de lan' ob Egypt eber was, an' I'se kind'er reckonin' you kin go down to +Marse Bemis's shop widout makin' trubble for yoursefs. 'Member, chillun, +ef dese yere red-coats do sneak up on yer, an' fin' out what you'se +erbout, take to your laigs. Don' stop to fight, kase it won't be any +use. Des say to yoursefs dat de Hamilton plantation am a heap better +place dan dis yere town ob York, an' you get dere, honey, you get dere!"</p> + +<p>"What about yourself, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> with deep concern. +"Suppose the Britishers learn of our doings and we run away, you would +be in danger, for surely Horry Sims never'd let the chance slip him to +mix you up in the row."</p> + +<p>"Don' you gib any heed to your Uncle 'Rasmus, honey. Ef trubble comes +you des look arter yoursefs, an' leabe de ole nigger to crawl out ob de +hole de bes' way he kin. Don' stop to talk nor to fight, ef de +Britishers pounce on yer; but get back to de plantation. Git dere, +honey, git dere!"</p> + +<p>Uncle 'Rasmus's advice, instead of strengthening my courage, was +weakening it. In the darkness, and now when we were about to make this +venture which I knew to be in the highest degree dangerous, I was +growing weak-kneed. The attempt to bring Horry Sims across the entire +length of the village, where were Britishers on every hand, seemed an +entirely different matter from what it had been when the sun was +shining, and, fearing lest I might show the white feather if we stood +there many moments, I went out hurriedly into the night, giving little +heed as to whether Pierre followed until I felt the soft pressure of his +hand upon my arm.</p> + +<p>"There is no need of great haste, Fitz," he whispered, and I replied in +a tremulous voice:</p> + +<p>"Indeed there is, Pierre, else am I like to grow so cowardly as to turn +tail and make for the Hamilton plantation, regardless of anything save +my own feelings."</p> + +<p>"You will never do anything of the kind, Fitzroy Hamilton, and that you +know as well as I," the little lad whispered with emphasis. "I am not +afraid you will turn coward, for it is not cowardly to be afraid when +one makes such a venture as this,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> providing he keeps his face +resolutely toward the goal."</p> + +<p>I might fill up an hundred pages with an account of my fears and +forebodings as Pierre and I went cautiously through the darkness from +old Mary's cabin, to Bemis's shop, and yet not have told anything which +would interest a stranger, therefore it is that I shall content myself +by simply saying that we crossed the village without having been +molested, almost without having heard a sound from the enemy.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course it was necessary we pass at this point or that +near by where soldiers were in camp, or on duty; but the darkness was so +intense that by making a slight detour we could avoid being seen, and, +judging from what few noises we heard, the encampment was in a state of +almost complete repose.</p> + +<p>Arriving at the shed door we stood motionless and silent while one might +have counted twenty, our ears pricked up to catch the lightest sound +which would tell of the approach of an enemy, after which, hearing +nothing, we set about making our way into the rude building and thence +across the rubbish to where were the two casks which formed Horry Sims's +prison.</p> + +<p>This last was anything rather than a simple matter, if we would move +noiselessly, for in the darkness it was impossible to make out what +obstruction lay in our way, and we were forced to pass our hands over +every inch of the rubbish before daring to advance a single pace.</p> + +<p>Not until we were come to the opening between the casks was a word +spoken, and then came an exclamation from Saul:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Thank God you are come! I was beginning to believe you had been made +prisoners, and I would be left to get out of here unaided, which meant +beyond a peradventure that I would speedily find myself in the clutches +of the Britishers."</p> + +<p>"Has Horry attempted to raise any row?" I whispered.</p> + +<p>"Beyond speaking now and then to make threats as to what will surely +come to us in the future, he has behaved himself," and Saul stood erect, +stretching his limbs to throw off the cramp which had come upon him. "I +have given him to understand thoroughly well how necessary it is we hold +him prisoner, and to what lengths we are ready to go, therefore I +believe he realizes that it would be taking his life in his hands if he +made any attempt at giving us the slip."</p> + +<p>Then Saul would have asked concerning what we had been doing during the +day, and how we counted on making our way to the cabin, but I silenced +him, promising that he should hear of all our movements when it should +be possible for us to hold converse without danger of betraying +ourselves.</p> + +<p>Once more little Frenchie took upon himself the command of the party by +literally dragging Horry out from the casks, and saying to me when the +lad was on his feet beside us:</p> + +<p>"Help me thrust this in his mouth, for it is not safe to take him +through the streets without being gagged."</p> + +<p>To my surprise I found that this little French lad had, without +acquainting me with his purpose, made ready for the venture, thus again +proving his right to act as our captain.</p> + +<p>He had at some time while in old Mary's cabin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> made ready a gag of wood +covered with strips torn from a blanket, and this, much against Horry +Sims's will, we thrust into the fellow's mouth, tying it securely; but +promising that if he followed at his best pace and without making an +attempt to get away, he should soon be relieved from what must have been +in the highest degree painful.</p> + +<p>Then we began again to make our way over the rubbish, this time with +greater noise than when Pierre and I had entered, because we could not +direct the young Tory's footsteps as cautiously as our own, and more +than once before we had come to the door did we dislodge a bit of timber +or a fragment of wood, causing such a disturbance as must have been +heard by any who might have been within an hundred paces of the shed.</p> + +<p>At each time such a thing occurred we halted, silent and motionless, +striving to learn whether any of the enemy had been aroused by the +noise, and, hearing nothing that betokened danger, kept on until another +mis-step forced us to a halt once more. Thus we continued, traversing a +distance of no more than fifteen or eighteen feet, but which seemed to +me a full mile, until we were come to the door and had crept out into +the darkness, when I breathed a fervent prayer of thanksgiving, for +surely it seemed as if we had already overcome the greater portion of +the difficulties that lay in our way.</p> + +<p>Saul and Pierre were leading the Tory cur, one on either side of him, +and I set off in advance as if believing I was the only lad of the three +who could pilot us in safety.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 408px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="408" height="600" alt=""WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST WARNING I FOUND MYSELF IN THE +CLUTCHES OF A MAN."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST WARNING I FOUND MYSELF IN THE +CLUTCHES OF A MAN."</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p> + +<p>Because we had succeeded in getting out of the shed without making +sufficient of noise to bring the guard down upon us, did I fancy we were +much the same as free to do as we pleased, and set off at a reasonably +rapid pace around the corner of the shop, when suddenly and without the +slightest warning I found myself in the clutches of a man, my throat +held so tightly in his grasp that I could not give the faintest alarm to +my comrades.</p> + +<p>That a British sentinel who had dogged our footsteps held me prisoner, I +had no doubt, and my heart sank like lead in my breast, for to my mind +now was come the end of all things for me in this world. Because of +having been taken while prowling around the village in the night, there +could be no question but that I would be considered and punished as a +spy.</p> + +<p>I strove in vain to give some warning to my comrades so they might make +their escape even though I was doomed; but he who held me seemingly +understood that which was in my mind, for he forced me onward lest +Pierre and Saul should over-run us, and thus for mayhap a distance of an +hundred yards we advanced, I, a prisoner, forced to lead my comrades +into what I felt certain was a shameful death.</p> + +<p>Because the night was so black they could not see that there were two +persons in advance of them instead of one, therefore did they follow +blindly, and all unconscious of the sickly, deathly terror in my heart, +until we were come to the rise of the land on our way toward the Pigeon +Quarter, where the outlines of him who held me, and my own body, were +marked against the lighter sky.</p> + +<p>Then I heard a muffled exclamation from Pierre, whereupon my captor +suddenly wheeled me about until we were facing the two lads and their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +prisoner, when he whispered softly, yet sharply:</p> + +<p>"Continue on as you were going, and as you value your lives make no +outcry or delay!"</p> + +<p>Having thus spoken, one can well fancy that I was nigh to being +paralyzed with mingled astonishment and bewilderment, because the tone +was friendly and the words indicated that he would aid us. He released +his grasp on my throat, and involuntarily I stretched out my hands, when +they came in contact with my captor, and by the sense of touch I +understood that he wore a uniform.</p> + +<p>"You are a British soldier!" I stammered, terror once more taking firm +hold upon me.</p> + +<p>"Ay, that I am for the time being; but now move on if you would continue +that which you have begun, else are you like to fall into the hands of +other soldiers in this encampment who will have less care for your +safety."</p> + +<p>I wish it might be possible for me to set down in words, so that he who +reads could understand, the frame of mind into which I was plunged by +this remark. When he first seized me I had no doubt but that I had begun +my journey on the road which leads to the gallows, and on learning that +he was a British soldier my fears were not lessened, yet was his +behavior and his words so unaccountable, taking into consideration who +he appeared to be, that I became numbed, like one who has received a +blow which deprives him of a portion of his senses.</p> + +<p>How my comrades were affected I had no means of knowing; but understood +that they were obeying the commands of this man who had captured us, +because they continued on close at my heels, and from the stranger's +movements now and then I knew he was making certain they did not +attempt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> to deviate from the straight course which led to old Mary's +cabin.</p> + +<p>Never did a journey seem so long, or a way so strange, as that over +which I walked like one in a dream in the darkness, surrounded on every +hand by the enemy, and knowing as I did that the king's officers set +little value on the life of those whom they call rebels.</p> + +<p>As we advanced the situation became yet more strange and terrifying, if +indeed that could be possible, for suddenly I came to understand that +this stranger who had taken us in custody seemed familiar with the +course we should pursue, for instead of lagging ever so slightly to +learn in which direction we would go, he led us straight as an arrow +might be driven, toward our destination, and, having come to the cabin +door, pushed it open and himself entered, leaving us to follow or to +flee as might be our inclination.</p> + +<p>I am free to confess that when he thus left me at liberty there was but +one thought in my mind, and that to seek my own safety in flight, +regardless of my comrades, or of the old negro whose life might be in +danger if I thus deserted him. I was cowardly enough for an instant to +think only of myself, to look forward only to the possibility of saving +my own skin; but, fortunately, even before I could have turned to flee +like a poltroon, I realized that it was my duty as a lad of Virginia, +even though I had seemingly thrown aside the name of Minute Boy, to +remain with my comrades whom I had thus counselled into peril.</p> + +<p>Even at that supreme moment, when as I believed death stood facing me, +there came into my heart a feeling of shame that I should have even +thought of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> doing such a dastardly thing as to seek my own safety by +deserting my comrades, and I went into the cabin, following the +footsteps of our captor, hoping that no one, not even that red-coated +soldier, might suspect what had been in my mind a few seconds before.</p> + +<p>Pierre and Saul must have understood that they could do no less than +enter this place of shelter, for it was the only one open to them in the +town of York, even though we were led by an enemy, and so thrust Horry +Sims forward on my heels until Uncle 'Rasmus closed the door behind us.</p> + +<p>I stood there enveloped in a darkness so dense that one might, as is +said, almost feel it, wondering what strange turn of affairs had come, +and why it was that this British soldier should be so harmless—why he +should have allowed us to come into the cabin when most like he counted +on taking us to the nearest guard-house.</p> + +<p>We remained there in silence, and, so far as I was concerned, in most +abject terror, while one might have counted ten, and then the stranger, +throwing himself down on the floor at one side of the fireplace in which +a few half-dead coals yet glimmered faintly, as if he was a welcome +visitor, said in a low whisper, yet in a tone which carried distinctly +through the room:</p> + +<p>"You lads are from the Hamilton plantation?"</p> + +<p>No one made reply. I was yet too much confused to have answered such a +simple question, and, as Pierre afterward told me, he refrained from +speaking because of not understanding whether it would be safe to admit +the truth.</p> + +<p>"You need have no fear in speaking plainly before me," the man +continued. "I am wearing a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> British uniform, and mayhap am putting my +life in jeopardy and doing a grievous injury to the Cause by interfering +in this matter while you have a prisoner who may be able later to carry +to headquarters information of what you have done this night. I beg you +to trust me for the time being, and tell me who is this lad that you +have brought from yonder hiding place gagged lest he make an outcry?"</p> + +<p>I was yet too thoroughly bewildered to make an intelligent reply; but +fortunately little Frenchie had begun to get his wits together, and most +like to suspect at least a portion of the truth, for he answered +promptly, not only giving the young Tory's name, but explaining why we +thus held him.</p> + +<p>To my alarm he went so far as to tell the whole story, even though more +than once I clutched him by the arm to prevent his laying bare all our +secrets; but he threw me off with friendly violence, and continued until +the red-coated man who lay by the fireplace had full knowledge, not only +of what we had done, but of what we would do.</p> + +<p>Then Pierre was come to an end of his story, and so seemingly eager was +he to give all the details to this stranger, who by his costume was an +enemy and by the tones of his voice a friend, that he spent no little +time in the telling of it, while I was nearly beside myself with grief +and rage because we had thus put ourselves wholly within the man's +power.</p> + +<p>It would have been better, so I said to myself with bitterness, if we +held our peace. In case he charged us with being spies, as I counted he +intended to do, let him prove what we were, rather than that we should +give him all the evidence, making his way plain if he would hang us, and +I cried out to Pierre, my voice trembling with anger:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now that you have doomed us, lad, tell me in what better position you +stand than if we had held our peace? Of what advantage can it be to us +to proclaim ourselves spies in intent if not in deed, to this soldier of +the king?"</p> + +<p>Before I could say more, and the hot words of anger were slipping from +my mouth so rapidly that I might have continued casting reproaches upon +little Frenchie until many moments had passed, the stranger interrupted +me by asking calmly:</p> + +<p>"Now that you have brought your prisoner here to this cabin, what are +you counting on doing with him?"</p> + +<p>Again Pierre unbosomed his very heart, and explained that we would carry +Horry Sims into the loft, one of us standing guard over him all the +time, while the others went about the work which they had set +themselves.</p> + +<p>"It may be well to continue as if nothing had occurred," the man said +thoughtfully. "I have no doubt but that you are burning to know why I +have done this thing to-night, and yet explanations may not be made +while that Tory lad can overhear, although it is true I have already +said and done far too much in his presence. Let him understand that if +an hour ago you counted on holding him close prisoner, now are you +doubly intent on doing so, for he has at least a portion of my secret, +and there are others in this town of York besides myself who would +compass his death, rather than that he should whisper the lightest word +of what he has heard or seen."</p> + +<p>Now it was I began to get a glimmer of light through my head; my tired +limbs ceased to tremble, and my heart beat less furiously as I set about +aiding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> Pierre force Horry Sims up the rude ladder.</p> + +<p>The Tory must have been quite as terrified as I had been a few seconds +before, for he obeyed all our whispered commands, striving to find here +and there a foothold on the shaky cross-pieces, and otherwise making +every effort to ascend rapidly.</p> + +<p>When we were in the loft and had led our prisoner to where the blanket +was spread over the puncheon planks, little Frenchie took the gag from +his mouth, saying as he did so:</p> + +<p>"Even though you would have spied upon us, Horry Sims, I am sorry we +were forced to give you the pain of wearing this ornament; but our own +lives are of more concern than your suffering, therefore was it a +necessity. Now if so be you are minded to give up all hope of making +your escape, and do what you may toward remaining hidden from your +red-coated friends who would lend assistance if they knew of your +plight, we promise to treat you fairly, and with more of tenderness than +you deserve."</p> + +<p>"Are you counting on leaving him to guard himself?" I asked in surprise, +believing from Pierre's words that such was his intention, and the +little lad replied promptly:</p> + +<p>"I cannot say that it will be possible for him to do very much guarding +of himself. Certain I am that there is only one way of escape from this +loft, since the holes which serve as windows are too small to admit of +his crawling through, for I myself tried that experiment this afternoon. +If he leaves here it can only be through the scuttle, and with all of us +on the floor below, I question whether he would make much headway."</p> + +<p>"But he can raise his voice to give an alarm,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> I answered, and Pierre +replied softly, turning toward the young Tory so that there might be no +question of his hearing the words:</p> + +<p>"If he should dare to speak above a whisper, then I promise you, Fitz +Hamilton, that this gag goes into his mouth not to be removed until the +hour comes when we no longer fear his tongue."</p> + +<p>It seemed to me reckless to leave the Tory sneak alone in the loft, even +though we would be on the floor below; but there had been so many +happenings within the past four and twenty hours which had aroused in me +needless fear, that I was ashamed to give words to what was in my mind, +lest Pierre begin to believe I was grown cowardly, and when the little +lad moved toward the scuttle, I caught him by the arm as I whispered in +his ear:</p> + +<p>"What would you do? You have told the man below all you can, and now are +we to follow him meekly, in case it is his intent to drag us off to the +guard-house as spies?"</p> + +<p>"I believe, if he gives us the name of spies, it will be a case of the +pot calling the kettle black," Pierre said cheerily. "Are you so +thick-headed, Fitz Hamilton, that you cannot understand somewhat of this +stranger's purpose? Surely if he was what his uniform gives token, we +would not have been treated so gently when he first came upon us; but, +instead, the alarm must have been given, and a squad of Britishers +summoned to take us away. From the instant he failed to call the guard I +began to suspect what he might be, therefore followed willingly his +directions."</p> + +<p>"And I followed in fear and trembling," I replied shamefacedly, "for I +had no doubt but that he was leading me to the gallows."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then have you suffered needlessly, as do all who fail of taking heed to +everything which goes on around them, judging one incident from its +connection with another," little Frenchie said with a low, soft laugh, +and then, taking my hand in his as if he was the father and I a baby, he +led me to the scuttle, going down the ladder in advance cautiously, much +as though believing it would be necessary to aid my faltering steps.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>MORGAN, THE SPY</h3> + + +<p>When Pierre and I were come to the lower floor I noted that some one had +thrown a bit of wood on the embers, and it was blazing up sufficiently +to cast faint rays of light whereby we could see Uncle 'Rasmus standing +midway between the outer door and the chimney, looking down upon the +red-coated man who lay near the fireplace, as if questioning what his +intentions might be.</p> + +<p>Saul stood opposite the stranger gazing at him in mingled wonderment and +alarm, while the man himself appeared to be wholly unconcerned and +entirely at his ease, as if he was among friends in the one place of all +others he most desired to be.</p> + +<p>It was a strange scene that thus presented itself to me, and rendered so +by this seeming Britisher among us who claimed the proud title of +rebels, apparently friendly after having learned what should have +brought us to a speedy military trial, the conclusion of which must have +been conviction and the halter.</p> + +<p>It was the soldier who broke the silence, as he said with a faint smile +wherein was more of sadness than of mirth:</p> + +<p>"By this time you lads must have come to understand that I am a friend +instead of an enemy, and yet I am enlisted in the king's service, +wearing this uniform in token of being willing to serve him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are a spy?" Pierre said thoughtfully, whereupon the stranger +nodded, and, motioning to the loft above, replied in a tone so low that +we were forced to gather close around him in order to hear the words:</p> + +<p>"Although the lad up yonder has seen enough to convict us all, if he had +an opportunity to give information, there is no reason why he should be +let into all the secrets, and necessity demands that I confide in you. +Had it not been that I suspected—in fact, had fairly good proof of very +much regarding the situation, I would be this night considered a +deserter, and no longer able to serve the colonies in their righteous +war."</p> + +<p>"Meaning what, sir?" Pierre interrupted.</p> + +<p>"Meaning that in order to carry information to General Lafayette which +it is important he should know, I would have left the lines this night, +thus betraying my mission here."</p> + +<p>"Who are you, sir, if you please?" Pierre asked, for neither Saul nor I +had gathered our wits sufficiently to be able to question this friendly +red-coat.</p> + +<p>"My name is Morgan; I am better known in the American army as Morgan the +Jerseyman. It was by special request of the Marquis, General Lafayette, +that I enlisted, and were we at this moment at my home in New Jersey, I +could show you such writing from the commander-in-chief, General +Washington, as would convince you that while my coat is red my heart is +true blue."</p> + +<p>"How long have you been in the British army?" little Frenchie asked.</p> + +<p>"Since my Lord Cornwallis was in James Town. There it was I enlisted, +representing myself as a Tory at heart who had been forced to take up +arms<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> in the American army, and thus far, as it seems to me, I have +conducted myself in such manner as not to raise any suspicion regarding +my purpose, else had I long since been dancing with nothing beneath my +feet."</p> + +<p>"And you say you knew during this last day what was our purpose in +coming here?" Pierre continued.</p> + +<p>"I suspected it, lad, because of seeing this old negro stealing into the +cabin yesterday morning just before daylight, and, wondering what his +purpose might be in coming here, I kept close watch over the building +until I saw you lads enter it and afterward wander around the +encampment. You did not cloak your designs so closely but that a +watchful Britisher might have had an inkling, for I noted more than once +that you were taking careful heed to all the fortifications, although +why you lingered so long near the quarters of Simcoe's Rangers I failed +to understand."</p> + +<p>Then little Frenchie told him what our original purpose was in coming to +the town of York; explained that we would have been Minute Boys until +the time when we were forced to take Horry Sims a prisoner, and +otherwise gave all the details which he had passed over when he first +gave up his heart to the man who had seemingly made us captives.</p> + +<p>"Now if you please, sir, will you tell us why you would have been +counted a deserter from the British army if you had not had your +suspicions aroused regarding us?" Pierre asked in conclusion, and Morgan +replied promptly:</p> + +<p>"It is absolutely necessary General Lafayette have early information of +the work which is being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> done here in York, and in order that there may +be no uncertainty as to getting word with him, some one must set off +without delay, for, unless I mistake, the American forces will besiege +Cornwallis as he lays here in much the same as a trap, after which to go +back and forth between this place and Williamsburg will be exceeding +difficult. If I myself go then I must be absent such a length of time +that I shall be set down as a deserter, and could not return save at +cost of my life, whereas one of you lads could repeat my words to the +marquis as well as I."</p> + +<p>"Why not more than one?" I asked in my folly, thinking that two might +make the journey with greater safety, and Morgan replied with a smile as +he motioned toward the loft above:</p> + +<p>"What about the lad whom you must guard as you would your own lives, for +verily his escape would mean your death? Since only one is really needed +to carry my message, at least two should remain behind to play the part +of jailors."</p> + +<p>"I will set off at once," Pierre said without hesitation, and I knew the +dear little lad was burning to do something of moment; but there came +into my mind like a flash of light, that he was the only one of us who +called ourselves Minute Boys, who had sufficient wit and cool judgment +to keep our secret in case any suspiciously inclined red-coats should +venture into the cabin. Therefore it was I cried quickly and decidedly:</p> + +<p>"No, no, Pierre; not you! If Horry Sims is to be held prisoner, you are +the only one among us fitted to take charge of the scoundrel. But for +you he would long since have told the Britishers of our coming into this +town of York, and, having proven<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> yourself capable of conducting such a +game as we are playing, it is your duty to remain here in charge."</p> + +<p>"Then who will go?" and Pierre looked from Saul to me, and back again to +Saul.</p> + +<p>I waited while one might have counted five to learn if my cousin was +eager for this mission which promised somewhat of danger—very much of +peril if he who left the village was seen going in the direction of the +American lines, and since Saul remained silent, I said with so much of +cheerfulness as I could command:</p> + +<p>"I am the one to go. I know well the road from here to Williamsburg, and +it may be that my father is among the troops there, in which case I +shall have no trouble in getting speech with the French general."</p> + +<p>It was quite plain to me that Pierre would have insisted on his right to +play the part of messenger between spy and general; but I was not minded +to be left in such a delicate position as must be that lad who remained +to guard our secret, and without giving him a chance to make protest I +continued hurriedly, as if he was indeed my superior and I forced to +obey him:</p> + +<p>"Let me go, Pierre dear; I am too thick-headed to be left in charge +should more dangers arise than already surround us. You have already +shown your adroitness in crawling out of narrow quarters, and therefore +must remain here."</p> + +<p>Up to this time Uncle 'Rasmus had not spoken. It was as if he failed, +even after all that had been said, of understanding the true situation; +but now it appeared much as if the truth had burst in upon him, for I +saw what was like unto a sudden flash<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> of light come over his black, +wrinkled face, as he stepped forward to lay his hand on Frenchie's +shoulder while he said gravely, and with more of dignity in his manner +than I had ever fancied the old negro could assume:</p> + +<p>"Your place is des' here, honey, here wid Uncle 'Rasmus, an' Marse Fitz +is de one to go kase dere's a chance he'll meet wid his father. I'se +'lowin' it would do Missey's heart good ef she could get word from Marse +straightway frou de chile's lips. Stay whar you is, honey, kase I'se +gwine to be needin' you mighty bad."</p> + +<p>Why Uncle 'Rasmus was so eager for me to act the part of messenger +rather than Pierre, I failed to understand; but it gave me wondrous +relief of mind that he did interfere, and the little French lad +immediately stepped back a pace or two from the fireplace, as if to say +he would make no protest.</p> + +<p>Then I, to clench the matter, fearing lest Pierre might reconsider his +apparent determination to remain, asked the red-coated spy what message +he would have carried to General Lafayette, and when it was his desire +the messenger should set out, whereupon he replied by demanding:</p> + +<p>"Tell me what you lads saw to-day while taking note of the +fortifications?"</p> + +<p>I repeated that which Pierre had impressed upon my mind, and in order +that little Frenchie should have due credit for the military +intelligence displayed, I explained that he it was who had given me my +lesson as we walked, and he it was who had surmised that a battery was +to be placed here or a redoubt there, whereupon Master Morgan said in a +tone of approbation:</p> + +<p>"You may set it down that your friend is a keen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> lad; one who keeps his +eyes wide open and understands whereof he speaks. There are many men who +could have walked through the town of York this day and not seen +one-half, nay, not one-quarter, for you have placed a redoubt here on +the right and there on the left, which is as yet hardly begun. How know +you, lad, that such works are to be put there?" and the spy turned +toward Pierre as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"I knew that if my Lord Cornwallis was fortifying this town against a +siege he would need redoubts to the right and left of the village near +the river, and, indeed, the ground has already been broken for such +works."</p> + +<p>"You must have seen somewhat of military movements in this short life of +yours?"</p> + +<p>"My father was a soldier," Pierre said proudly. "I have heard him and +his friends discussing their campaigns and sieges until it seems to me I +should be able to say with somewhat of reason how a town like this could +be fortified."</p> + +<p>"I give you credit for stationing the grand battery near the church. To +my mind, Cornwallis counted on putting it farther to the westward, but +now I can see that you are right." Then, turning to me again, the spy +continued, "You will say to the marquis when you have speech with him, +that I sent you, not being able to leave the village, as he can readily +understand, and, after giving a description of the fortifications, say +that much of the information has come through your friend, a little +French boy, who seems to have a better idea of military works than a +Jerseyman like myself. Let him know that one of his countrymen has been +thus keen in finding out the plan."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> + +<p>"When am I to go?" I inquired, and Morgan said quickly:</p> + +<p>"As soon as may be now that you have the message. There is no reason why +you should linger, and if you go at once I can point out the safest +place to make your way through the lines. An hour later I must be in +quarters lest suspicions be aroused."</p> + +<p>I confess to a weakness of heart on learning that I was to set off on a +mission without delay. When I had proposed to act the part of messenger +the work was seemingly in the future, and I did not give much heed to +the possibility of danger until he set the time for departure so close +at hand. Now I could see before me all the perils which might be +encountered, and imagined many that might never come my way; but I +strove to the utmost to prevent the others from reading by my face that +which was in my heart, putting on a bold front as I buckled my belt a +bit the tighter, and turned toward the door as if to take my departure.</p> + +<p>Morgan rose to his feet, and Uncle 'Rasmus seized both my hands in his +as he whispered softly:</p> + +<p>"Take care ob yoursef, honey, take care ob yoursef. Make a straight +getaway for Williamsburg, an' don' go gallivantin' 'roun', kase dere's +danger from de time you leabe here till you get inside de rebel lines."</p> + +<p>I had had a certain affection for the old negro before this moment, but +now something akin to love came into my heart because of the anxiety he +displayed concerning my welfare, and I returned his handclasp heartily, +saying in what I strove should be a cheery tone:</p> + +<p>"Don't let your heart be troubled about me,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> Uncle 'Rasmus. I'll pull +through without difficulty, for the road is short, and I have had so +much of rest this day that I am fitted for travel."</p> + +<p>Little Frenchie patted me on the shoulder; but remained silent. Saul +stood shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, not attempting to +bid me good-bye, nor even to meet my gaze, and I understood that he was +saying to himself with shame that he ought at least have striven to act +the part of messenger, rather than held his peace, which was much the +same as showing that he did not dare make the venture.</p> + +<p>I had no time to give further heed to the surroundings. The red-coated +spy had taken me by the arm and was hurrying me out of the house, +doubtless fearing lest I grow timorous because of parting words, and he +prevented the others from following by closing the door quickly behind +him.</p> + +<p>Moving cautiously and not venturing to speak, he led me a certain +portion of the way across the village toward the west, as if I was +counting on going to my own home, and when we were come to where a line +of entrenchments was but just begun, he whispered softly in my ear:</p> + +<p>"There are but three sentinels on this end the line, and you should be +able to make your way past them. Go straight ahead until coming to the +road which leads to your home, and then strike off to the right for the +Williamsburg highway, after which the way is clear unless British +scouting parties are abroad. Move cautiously; take plenty of time until +you are outside the lines; then see to it that you waste not a single +moment, but push forward at your best speed, for the new day is near at +hand."</p> + +<p>Having said this, and once more pointing out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> the direction in which I +should go to best avoid the sentinels, Morgan turned abruptly, leaving +me to my own devices, and during the half-minute I stood there +irresolute I felt more desolate and with a greater sense of abandonment +than ever before or since, however desperate the situation.</p> + +<p>Now was I indeed embarked in the business of spy; now had I set my face +on that road which led to a shameful death in case I was taken prisoner, +and while I would not have exchanged places with the lad, I regretted +that Pierre, not I, had set out to do this work, for I doubted my own +ability. In event of being overhauled by the enemy and questioned, I was +not so quick of wit and ready of speech as the little lad from New +Orleans, and would fall in many a trap of words where he could pass +safely by and with seeming honor.</p> + +<p>Fortunate indeed was it, so far as my own good name was concerned, that +I did not stand there many seconds in the darkness reflecting upon what +might be before me, else had I become so timorous that I believe of a +verity I would have gone back to old Mary's cabin, admitting to my +comrades that I dare not go further on the venture.</p> + +<p>Luckily, however, a sense of shame at my own cowardice urged me forward, +and when I heard the footsteps of the sentinel giving token that he had +gone toward the other end of his beat, I crept softly along in a +crouching posture, even though I might not have been seen in that dense +darkness had I walked erect, and, having covered a distance of fifty +yards or more, I was come to the road which led toward the Hamilton +plantation.</p> + +<p>In front of me was the way which, if pursued, would have brought me to +those I loved, and to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> safety for the time being, instead of which I +must turn my back upon it, and go on the road where I might reasonably +expect to meet with the enemy, for it was not likely my Lord Cornwallis +would remain quietly in York Town without striving to learn what his +adversaries were doing, even as General Lafayette had striven to +ascertain when he sent Morgan to enlist as a British soldier.</p> + +<p>It pleases me to be able to say now, that when the moment came to set my +face away from home and toward danger, I did not hesitate. Believing I +was so far from the enemy's lines that I could safely advance at a rapid +pace, I set off at a lope which I knew from past experience I could hold +until having traversed the distance from York Town to Williamsburg and +back again.</p> + +<p>The old adage that he who crosses a bridge before he comes to it is a +fool, was proven in my case. From the moment of insisting that I should +be the one to act as messenger, there had been before my mind all kinds +of dangers to be encountered, and I had vexed myself with the belief +that there was hardly more than one chance out of twenty that I could go +through in safety, and yet I did, never seeing friend or foe until I was +come, as nearly as I could judge, to within a mile of where Morgan had +said the Americans were encamped.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly, while I was half-running half-walking along the highway, +dreaming no evil, came a voice from the thicket on my right, shouting:</p> + +<p>"Halt, or I'll fire! Halt, I say!"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 404px;"> +<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="404" height="600" alt=""HALT, OR I'LL FIRE!"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"HALT, OR I'LL FIRE!"</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the instant I obeyed the command, my heart standing still as it were +with terror, for I made certain I had blundered upon a British scouting +party, and one can well fancy the relief of mind which was mine when +there came out from amid the foliage a man in the uniform of our own +Virginia riflemen, who was followed by two others, and I knew I had been +stopped by a friend to the Cause.</p> + +<p>By this time, it is needless for me to say, the new day had come, and +they could see me as clearly as I could them, therefore I counted on +being given a friendly welcome, instead of which he who acted as +commander of the squad, and I counted he was a corporal at the very +least, asked as if in anger:</p> + +<p>"Where are you from in such haste, and where going?"</p> + +<p>"From York Town, and with a message to General Lafayette."</p> + +<p>"You from York Town?" he cried with a coarse laugh. "You from York Town +wanting to see the marquis?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, that I am," was my angry reply. "Why should I not come from York, +and why should a boy of Virginia not carry a message to a general who is +serving in the American army?"</p> + +<p>"There is no reason why he should not, providing it was being done +honestly; but there are Virginians who would go from Cornwallis to +Lafayette on anything rather than honest business. If you are acting as +messenger, who in the town of York would send you?"</p> + +<p>For an instant the name of Morgan trembled on my lips, and then I +realized in what danger I might put the spy by thus proclaiming that he +had enlisted in the British army, while the man, seeing me hesitate, +laid his hand heavily upon my shoulder, as he said in what sounded very +like a tone of triumph:</p> + +<p>"If you were bent on honest business there is no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> reason why you should +delay in saying who sent you. It looks to me much more as though you +were one of the Tory spawn that infest Virginia, and were counting on +learning what you might concerning our people."</p> + +<p>Now indeed was my anger aroused, and I ministered to the suspicions of +this zealous patriot by giving way to it. Instead of speaking him +fairly, as Pierre Laurens would have done had he been in my place, I +must needs fly into a temper, asking if he saw on my face anything +betokening a Tory leaning; if he could not recognize an honest lad when +he saw him, and all that sort of foolish talk which only made the matter +worse, whereas if I had explained on the instant who I was, then would +he have had no doubt.</p> + +<p>The result of my folly was that not only the man who acted as spokesman, +but both his companions, were straightway convinced I was playing the +part of a British spy—that I was one of those vile things known as a +Tory, who was willing to work whatsoever of harm he might to his own +country.</p> + +<p>At once I found myself a close prisoner, being seized by both arms and +marched in triumph up the road by these men who I must confess were +doing no more than their duty, and being given no further opportunity to +make explanation.</p> + +<p>During two or three minutes I held my peace, the anger in my heart being +so great that I could not think clearly, and then, realizing that the +truth must be shortly known when I was brought before the marquis, +General Lafayette, as in my folly I believed I would be, I set about +telling that which had best been told before I gave way to anger.</p> + +<p>"My name is Fitzroy Hamilton," I said, striving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> to speak in a friendly +tone. "Surely you know the Hamilton plantation, and that my father is in +the American army?"</p> + +<p>"Who in the town of York sent you with a message to the American lines?" +the man demanded.</p> + +<p>"That I cannot tell you; but General Lafayette will know, for it is from +one whom he sent into the village."</p> + +<p>"That won't do. If you had come from a friend to the Cause, there would +have been no reason why you refused to give his name instead of flying +into a passion."</p> + +<p>I realized only too well that there was much of truth in what the man +said; but did not give over striving to convince him of my honesty and +loyalty to the Cause, until he angrily bade me hold my peace, saying I +should straightway stand before those who would know how to get the +truth out of me.</p> + +<p>Then it was I begged him to carry me before Virginia soldiers, if indeed +there were any under General Lafayette, claiming that they would know +who I was, and most like have come in touch with my father, whereupon he +said with a sneer, as if my prayers had only strengthened his +suspicions:</p> + +<p>"If indeed you were a loyal Virginian, you would know from the uniform I +wear that we are riflemen, and you are in the presence of three of those +same Virginian troops you claim to be so eager to meet."</p> + +<p>This last was enough to silence me finally. I had made another mistake +where Pierre Laurens would have come out triumphantly, for I did +recognize the man's uniform, I did know he was a rifleman, and had +simply meant to ask that he carry me to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> some other Virginian who might +be willing to listen more patiently, whereas, instead of conveying such +idea, I gave him to believe I was wholly ignorant of how our people who +were fighting for the Cause should be dressed.</p> + +<p>It is not to be supposed that I was thoroughly cast down by thus being +made prisoner, for I knew before many hours had passed I should find +some one who would believe my story, at least, so far as to give me an +interview with the marquis, and once I had repeated what Morgan told me, +there could be no question but that my honesty would be established.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I walked on with my captors almost cheerfully, and they +who at first had watched me as a cat watches a mouse, expecting I might +make some attempt at escape, began to treat me in a more decent fashion, +thereby causing me to believe they were beginning to suspect I had told +somewhat of the truth.</p> + +<p>There is little need why I should go into detail concerning this part of +my poor attempt at playing the spy, for it had no other result than my +own discomfort for the time being, and served to show me, if indeed I +needed to be shown after all Saul had done in the town of York, that the +lad who gives way to his temper, whatever the situation, acts foolishly +and to his own harm.</p> + +<p>As I had guessed, we were less than a mile from the American line when I +was made prisoner, and within a very short time my captors were halted +by the outposts.</p> + +<p>He who acted as the leader of the party gave the countersign, and +straightway I was conducted into the village of canvas tents and +shelters of brush-wood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> until we were come to a marquee, in front of +which the American flag was floating and two soldiers stood on guard.</p> + +<p>Here I was left seated on the ground under the care of one of the men +who had captured me, until a full hour passed, and then to my great +relief of mind and wondrous joy, none other than my father came up, +welcoming me with all the love which I knew full well he had in his +heart.</p> + +<p>It needed but few words to explain why I was come to Williamsburg, and +then my business was speedily transacted.</p> + +<p>If it had not been my own father who conducted me, I would have said I +was being played upon for a simple when I stood before him whom they +called the Marquis, General Lafayette, for he appeared to me no more +than a boy, hardly older than Pierre Laurens, and because of not having +yet breakfasted he was in partial undress, therefore wore no insignia of +rank.</p> + +<p>It was necessary my father prompt me before I found my tongue to repeat +the message, and I fancied the marquis himself must have understood +somewhat of that which was in my mind, for he took me by the hand +kindly, asking what it was I would say to him, and but for the +difference in the faces I might have said it was little Frenchie with +whom I was speaking.</p> + +<p>I contrived to gather my wits, however, in time to prevent myself from +acting like a veritable simple, and on the instant I announced that I +had come from a Jerseyman by the name of Morgan, who could not get out +of the town of York without deserting from the British lines, not only +General<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> Lafayette himself, but all others in the tent were eager to +hear what I had to say.</p> + +<p>Then it was, and feeling by this time much more at ease, I repeated all +that lesson I had learned from Pierre, until having described the +fortifications as they then existed, and told of those which were +evidently intended to be thrown up.</p> + +<p>I would I might say that the young French general praised me for my +bravery in bringing the information; that I was complimented by all the +officers for having shown so much of courage as to walk that short +distance from the town of York to Williamsburg, and that my father +clasped me in his arms calling me a hero; but I cannot tell such a story +because nothing of the kind happened.</p> + +<p>It was as if all those men who were serving the colonies looked upon +that which I had done as a simple and a natural act; as if it required +no more courage to set out from York than if I was to have gone from one +end of the plantation to another.</p> + +<p>True it is the General thanked me for that which I told him; but +straightway the words were out of his mouth he turned to the officers +nearabout and began discussing the news while one of them sat down at a +table and attempted to draw the fortifications as I had told him they +existed, or were about to be built, and no one gave any heed to me +whatsoever save my father.</p> + +<p>And I must also confess that even he whom I loved so dearly did not +spend overly much time in caressing me, nor did he utter one word of +praise. It was to him that I had simply done what any lad of Virginia +should have done, and he was satisfied, rather than proud, that I had +acted the part.</p> + +<p>"It is well you should return at once, my lad,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> and since I see no good +reason why you should not do so, I advise that you make your way around +by our home, so you may tell your mother what you have seen. I sent a +messenger to her yesterday; but she will be pleased to get later +information from the mouth of her own child. If you are an hungered we +can give you food."</p> + +<p>I was hungry; but after having failed of receiving the reception +accorded a hero, and being treated as if I had done nothing of moment, +my folly got the best of me once more, and instead of saying that it +would refresh me to have food, I declared there was nothing to prevent +my setting out on the return journey at once.</p> + +<p>If I had counted that this might remind my father of his neglect to +bestow praise, then did I make a grievous mistake, for he took me at my +word without parley, saying:</p> + +<p>"Very well, my son, perhaps it is as well that you should not linger +here, lest there be spies in camp who would recognize you when you +re-enter the town of York. I will go with you as far as the outposts so +you may have no difficulty in leaving the lines. It needs not that I +should remind you of your duty to Virginia, and urge that you continue +as you have begun. It would have pleased me far better were you in the +ranks, even though you served as a private, rather than playing the part +of spy; but since it has been brought upon you by the force of +circumstances, we must accept the situation as it is, and pray to the +good God that you come to no harm."</p> + +<p>This last served better than any other words could have done, to show me +how foolish I had been to give way to irritation and disappointment<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +because I had not been received as a hero, when I had done nothing as +yet to win a hero's crown, and, thoroughly ashamed of myself, I clasped +my father around the neck, kissing him again and again, mentally asking +his pardon for having been such a simple, yet not daring to put the +prayer into words lest he should come to learn that his son was so great +a fool.</p> + +<p>The good man talked with me as he led the way toward the outposts which +I must pass, telling me of the great hopes in the breasts of the +Americans that Cornwallis would speedily be overcome, and otherwise +discussing the affairs of the colonies, rather than private matters.</p> + +<p>I now believe he did so because of not daring to give words to his +affection for me, lest he weaken my heart when he would have it stout. +At the time, however, it surprised me, because he had ever been a most +loving father, who took pleasure in showing his love; but I laid it all +to the door of a soldier's anxiety at this time when there was so much +of vital importance to the colonies at stake.</p> + +<p>Within an hour from the time I first had speech with General Lafayette I +was alone on the road, not that which led to the town of York; but +rather across the peninsula to the Hamilton plantation, and the +dangerous journey which was to win me so many laurels was finished with +no more peril, nor more of adventure, save when I had been accosted by +the American scouts, than if I had walked into my mother's drawing room +at night-fall.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SAUL</h3> + + +<p>I had no difficulty in going from the American lines to the Hamilton +plantation. I suppose that my Lord Cornwallis's desire to speedily +fortify York Town so he might the better be able to prevent the "rebels" +from doing him harm, was the reason why no scouting parties were met +with, and even though I had come upon a dozen red-coats, there was +little possibility harm would be done me, unless peradventure they had +been sent out with special orders to make me prisoner because of my +having entered the town of York under false pretences.</p> + +<p>However, I did not look forward to anything of that kind, nor was there +reason so to do. It did not seem probable any of the king's officers +were aware of what we lads and Uncle 'Rasmus were striving to do, else +had they made a descent upon us before I acted as messenger for the +Jerseyman.</p> + +<p>Because of having had no sleep the night previous, and being somewhat +wearied with the tramp from the town of York, my eyes were heavy when I +set out for my home; but the thought of seeing my mother once more, of +being able to explain to her exactly what we counted on doing, together +with the beauty of the morning, when everything around me spoke of +peace, content and happiness, rather than of war, served to revive my +spirits and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> my body until it was as though I had enjoyed a long period +of repose.</p> + +<p>But for that which hung about my neck like a millstone, meaning our +having been forced to make a prisoner of Horry Sims, I would have been +radiantly happy on this morning. As it was, however, I no sooner began +to anticipate the pleasure of meeting my mother, or attempted to enjoy +the beauties of nature, than I thought of that cowardly Tory cur lying +in the loft of old Mary's cabin, where one or another of us must keep +watch over him every hour of the day and night, and if so be he should +succeed in giving us the slip despite all our vigilance then would we +become fugitives, with all hope of regaining possession of Silver Heels +dashed, and considerably more than an even chance we might find +lodgement in the British guard-house.</p> + +<p>Thus it was I journeyed on, one moment buoyant with hope, and the next +cast down by fear of what the future might have in store for us who +called ourselves Minute Boys, hoping the day might come when we would be +able to give good proof that we had a right to such a title.</p> + +<p>The journey came to an end finally, as must all journeys in this world +whether they bring us to a haven of rest or a sink of iniquity, and then +did I forget all things in the outside world that might give me pain or +trouble, in the pleasure I had with my dear mother, telling what I had +seen in the American camp, repeating the words father had said to me, or +striving to make her believe it would be possible for Saul and me to +accomplish that which we had set before us. At the same time I tried to +keep in the background the dangers which must necessarily be +encountered, unless peradventure the Americans<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> made an immediate +advance and were overwhelmingly successful.</p> + +<p>I might have saved my breath so far as striving to hide from the good +woman who loved me so dearly, the possible dangers in the path we had +chosen. She had pictured them all in her mind, and I am bound to give +her credit for not having magnified them in the lightest degree. She +viewed the situation as you might expect a soldier's wife would, +carefully weighing this possibility and that, until she had come to have +even a better knowledge of all which threatened than had we ourselves.</p> + +<p>It was, however, when I told her we had been forced to make a prisoner +of Horry Sims that she grew white lipped, pressing me suddenly to her +arms as if imminent danger threatened, and from that moment it was +necessary I bring to bear upon her every argument at my command, else +would she have set her foot down flatly that I should not return to the +town of York.</p> + +<p>I believe of a verity all my attempts at making her more friendly with +our scheme which had been marred by the capture of the Tory cur, had +been in vain but for the fact that I could plead the shame which would +come upon me if I should abandon Pierre, Saul, or even Uncle 'Rasmus, +after having done my share toward luring them into a position of peril.</p> + +<p>She realized even better than I that it was my duty, having set out upon +the road with these companions and accompanied them thus far, to bear my +full share of all that might result. As a consequence, instead of +demanding that I remain with her on the plantation, she held me pressed +closely to her bosom while the tears ran down her cheeks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> unrestrained, +until I was grown so faint-hearted and so grieved because of having +involuntarily caused her suffering, that a feeling of timorousness began +to creep over me.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, however, I succeeded in calling back some portion of the +courage which had fled before my mother's tears, and realized that if I +would do my full duty, as a boy of Virginia should toward the comrades +with whom he had bound himself, it was necessary I leave home without +delay, for verily I believe had I remained there until the next morning +I could not have summoned up spirit enough to venture into that town of +York where the king's soldiers, like a pack of ravening wolves, were +denned up after having committed upon a defenceless people all the +injury within their power.</p> + +<p>Of the parting with my mother that noon I cannot speak, even at this +late day, so painful was it. I can see now her pale face as she stood on +the veranda watching me walk away, doing my best not to look back upon +that mournful picture, and yet turning my head again and again despite +all efforts to the contrary.</p> + +<p>Unkind though it may sound for me to say so, I must confess to a feeling +of actual relief when a turn of the road shut out from my view the house +and the dear, mournful figure on the threshold.</p> + +<p>Once that had been blotted from my vision by distance I quickened my +pace, and with every yard traversed on the road to York did my courage +revive, until when I had arrived where it was necessary to put on an +appearance of idle curiosity and total disregard as to the wasting of +time, I felt almost as if I could work out alone and unaided this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> plan +which we had formed to outwit the officer who represented the king.</p> + +<p>It must seem strange to have one claim that at such a time, when my Lord +Cornwallis's army was penned up so thoroughly by the French fleet to the +seaward and Lafayette's forces to the landward, that a lad like me could +wander at will inside the encampment.</p> + +<p>Soldiers not familiar with what was done in Virginia at that day, might +say it would be an absolute impossibility for even a lad like myself to +pass through the lines unchallenged, because Lord Cornwallis knew well +that a great number of us in Virginia were those whom he called rebels, +and I was of sufficient age and intelligence to carry information to the +Americans.</p> + +<p>Yet it is true that on this day I saw idlers from plantations on both +the York and the James rivers lounging around the British outer works, +or passing the sentinels here and there along the line of entrenchments +facing landward, without being challenged, or without hindrance in any +form, and I, as a matter of course, followed these curious ones who +would with their own eyes measure the strength of the king as it was +displayed in Virginia.</p> + +<p>Like them I entered the village with no one to say me nay. Because it +did not seem prudent to go directly to old Mary's cabin, I wandered +around through the village, gaping at this or that, and once feasting my +eyes with a view of Silver Heels as she stood at the stable line +knee-deep in sweet straw, munching her hay as contentedly as if she had +been in her own box on the Hamilton plantation.</p> + +<p>Then I went my way to old Mary's cabin, seeing the black, wrinkled face +of Uncle 'Rasmus at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> the window while I was yet some distance away.</p> + +<p>Hearing my footsteps he looked up with a smile of pleasure and of +welcome, and I understood there was naught to hinder my entering, +therefore flung the door boldly open and walked in to find myself in the +embrace of the old man, who petted and fondled me as if I had been down +into the very jaws of death, and was come back only through my own brave +exertions.</p> + +<p>It had ever been Uncle 'Rasmus's way to treat me as if I was a child, +and heretofore it had given me great annoyance that he should stroke my +cheeks lovingly, and croon about his "bressed baby," or "brabe little +man"; but now that I was in the enemy's country where I might come to +grief at any moment, these evidences of affection were welcome, nay, I +craved them so ardently as to remain really nestling in his arms until +the old man tired of treating as a baby the lad who counted to call +himself a Minute Boy of York Town.</p> + +<p>Then it was I asked concerning my comrades, and Uncle 'Rasmus replied +that Pierre was in the loft above, doing his share of guard duty, and +Saul had gone away shortly after breakfast, bent on seeking out his mare +that he might feast his eyes upon her even as I had upon my own Silver +Heels.</p> + +<p>Just for an instant there came into my mind the fear that my cousin was +forgetting himself by leaving little Frenchie so long on duty; but it +was only a passing thought, and I gave no further heed to his absence as +I went up the ladder into the bare room festooned with cobwebs and +lighted by a single square aperture at either end, through which the +breeze came without check.</p> + +<p>Horry Sims, miserable Tory that he was, appeared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> to be having much the +best of this imprisonment. Knowing that he could not escape save by +making his way down through the scuttle, and desiring to spare him all +the pain that might be prudent, our lads had left him unfettered and +ungagged.</p> + +<p>He was sitting on the blanket which he had rolled up to form a cushion, +with his back against the side of the house near the chimney, and +appeared to be taking solid comfort, although one might see by the +expression on his face that the close confinement and the fear as to +what might finally happen, was telling upon him.</p> + +<p>On the contrary, Pierre was the one of that couple who appeared to be +getting the worst of the business. He was sitting on the bare puncheons +near by the scuttle, with his knees in his arms, looking as weary as a +lad well could look, and I pitied the little fellow, remembering what +delights had been mine during what had been much the same as a vacation, +when I journeyed to the American lines and from there to the plantation.</p> + +<p>"Finding it hard work, are you?" I asked, crouching on the floor beside +him, and the dear little fellow, with that bright smile of his, +shrugging his shoulders as if it was a matter of indifference, said +cheerily:</p> + +<p>"It is not as lively here as I have known it in New Orleans, and there +is but little with which to occupy one's attention; but when Saul has +come back I count on going down to the river bank and having a swim, if +so be his majesty's red-coated servants do not forbid such sport."</p> + +<p>"There is no reason why you should not go now, lad. Surely I can well +afford to take your place<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> after having wandered around the country to +my heart's content."</p> + +<p>"It is not fair that you should do guard duty after having just returned +from a long tramp," he replied with a bright, winning smile. "How many +hours did you sleep last night?"</p> + +<p>I confess I had not realized that I might stand in need of slumber, and +would have put the lad off with an evasive reply; but he persisted with +his question until I was forced to admit that since leaving the town of +York to carry the Jerseyman's message, I had not closed my eyes in rest, +whereupon he insisted I go to the floor below, and seek the repose which +he claimed I so sorely needed.</p> + +<p>"Saul is certain to come back within a short time," he said, "and then +it will be for him to take my place here. You are to sleep now, to the +end that if work of any kind be demanded of us this night, you will be +in condition to perform your share of it."</p> + +<p>There was no gainsaying a lad like Pierre Laurens; it would have been +much like resisting the entreaties of a girl friend, to set one's face +against that which he desired, and I meekly obeyed him, leaving in the +loft the prisoner who looked fairly well contented with the situation, +and the jailor who appeared to be suffering from confinement.</p> + +<p>On the floor below Uncle 'Rasmus had already made up such a bed of +blankets as was possible, he having heard the conversation in the loft. +Straightway I had stretched myself out on that poor apology for a couch, +my eyes were closed in slumber, and I remained hour after hour in +blissful unconsciousness of the world of war and of hate around me, +until I was brought back to this earth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> and all the disagreeable +realities by the pressure of Uncle 'Rasmus's hand upon my cheek.</p> + +<p>"What is it? What's wanted?" I cried, springing up and striving to brush +the slumber from my eyes, the cobwebs of sleep being so thick in my +brain that for the instant I did not realize where I was.</p> + +<p>Then I noted with no little of apprehension that the night had come. +Already was the room so dark that save for the flickering of a few pine +knots in the fireplace, one could not distinguish surrounding objects, +and on fully recovering my senses I asked:</p> + +<p>"Did Pierre Laurens go out for a swim as he counted on doing?"</p> + +<p>"De po' little French boy am held right here, honey, kase he couldn't +leabe dat scoundrel ob a Tory."</p> + +<p>"But where's Saul?" I cried. "Hasn't Saul come in since he left this +morning?"</p> + +<p>"It's des dat what's aworryin' ob me, honey chile. Saul Ogden done lef +here arter we got trou breakfas', an' 'lowed he'd loaf 'roun' de town a +couple ob hours. I done heard him tell de little French boy dat he's +gwine fo' to be back here arter he'd seen his mare, an' yet he ain' +shown up sence. I tell you what it is, honey, I'se gettin' pow'ful +skeered 'bout dat cousin ob yourn. It can't be he'd stay all dis yere +time, knowin' he was boun' to habe an eye out on dat Tory cur, so's +Pierre could get a sniff ob fresh air."</p> + +<p>For an instant I stood irresolute, looking about me as I tried to guess +what could have prevented Saul from keeping his word. During those few +seconds it did not come into my mind that aught<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> of evil might have +happened; I only questioned what friend he could have met who thus +delayed him, or what pleasure he found which would keep him away.</p> + +<p>Then like a flash of light came the thought that neither friend nor +pleasure could have prevented Saul from returning to his duty, and I +understood that one of two things must have happened: He had either been +arrested on some charge or another by the red-coated soldiers, or had +through his ill temper got into a brawl, when he had been so grievously +wounded that it was impossible for him to come back unaided.</p> + +<p>I wheeled about suddenly, like one bereft of his senses, and clambered +up the shaky ladder as if my very life depended on my gaining the loft +within the shortest possible space of time. There, where by reaching out +his hand he could touch that Tory sneak whom I longed to crush beneath +my heel because he was causing us so much trouble, having the same as +thrust himself into our keeping as a prisoner, sat little Frenchie, +patient but nervous, as I could guess by his movements.</p> + +<p>"Where is Saul?" I demanded fiercely, as if through some carelessness or +inadvertence of Pierre my cousin had come to grief, and the little lad +replied mournfully, having lost so much of his spirit during the weary +time of waiting that he could seemingly neither shrug his shoulders nor +wave his hands:</p> + +<p>"I wish I knew, Fitz; but certain it is something serious must have +happened to the boy, else he would have been back, as he agreed upon, +within two hours from the time of leaving."</p> + +<p>"Why did you not waken me that I might go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> out in search?" I demanded +angrily, as if still believing he was at fault.</p> + +<p>"It seemed to me necessary you should regain all your strength, that you +might be able to meet the disaster which I feel is near upon us. There +have been times when I was tempted to call for Uncle 'Rasmus, insisting +he send you out at once; but I was checked by the thought that you had +already endured much of labor and should be allowed the slumber which +was needed."</p> + +<p>"Nothing could be necessary at such a time as this, save that I went out +in search of my cousin!" I cried, almost beside myself with grief and +apprehension, for there was no longer any doubt in my mind but that Saul +was either a prisoner in the hands of the red-coated soldiers, or else +lay somewhere in the village wounded grievously, perhaps unto death.</p> + +<p>"Now that you have come I will search throughout this entire town," and +Pierre sprang to his feet as if to descend the ladder, whereupon I +caught him frantically by the coat, for at that instant a horrible dread +seized upon me, lest I be left alone with that Tory villain and have so +much of temptation that it would be impossible to keep my hands from +him.</p> + +<p>"Why should we not both go?" I cried. "Why is it necessary one stay here +when Uncle 'Rasmus may stand guard at the foot of the ladder?"</p> + +<p>"Now you are talking wildly. Suppose we both went out, and Horry Sims, +hearing footsteps, should go to one of the windows and cry for help? How +would it be possible for Uncle 'Rasmus, old and crippled as he is, to +prevent the mischief?"</p> + +<p>"Then we will gag the Tory scoundrel and truss him up so he can neither +move hand nor foot!" I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> cried. "Is he to stand in the way of our +searching for Saul? Is he, after having done us whatsoever mischief lay +in his power, to hold us back when perhaps the dear lad is needing us so +sorely?"</p> + +<p>"Don't gag me! Don't gag me!" Horry cried frantically. "I promise to +make no sound, nor so much as lift a finger, if you will leave me free; +but to have that gag in my mouth all night, would be murder."</p> + +<p>"And so it would," Pierre added emphatically. "I believe both of us +ought to go in search of Saul; but this fellow, Tory though he be, +should not be forced to endure so much of suffering as would be his if +you left him gagged and bound."</p> + +<p>"What then will you do with him?" I asked, speaking more like a mad man +than a lad who counted it would be possible for him to prove that he +might be of service to the Cause through playing the part of Minute Boy. +"Surely we can't hoist Uncle 'Rasmus up here into the loft."</p> + +<p>"No; but we can take Horry Sims downstairs," Pierre replied quietly, and +I cried in alarm:</p> + +<p>"Take him to the lower floor where any one who passes may see him?"</p> + +<p>"There is no need to leave him in public view," Pierre replied. "We can +bind him securely in one corner of the room at Uncle 'Rasmus's feet, +where the old negro can readily prevent him from making any outcry."</p> + +<p>"But suppose one of the soldiers takes it into his head to enter?"</p> + +<p>"That has not happened thus far, and we must take the chances that none +will be so curious. Better that than put this fellow to torture."</p> + +<p>Just then I believe of a verity it would have gladdened<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> my heart to +have seen Horry Sims suffering all the torments a human being can +suffer; but fortunately, the little French lad had more good sense in +his tiny body than had I in my lank carcass even though I towered head +and shoulders above him, and he literally forced me to fall into his way +of thinking, by bluntly declaring that he would not step outside the +cabin door unless I displayed more of humanity.</p> + +<p>I would almost sooner agree to set the young Tory free, than venture out +in a blind search for Saul without having this little French comrade +with me, and therefore it was I bore my part in disposing of the +prisoner as Pierre had suggested.</p> + +<p>We bundled him down through the scuttle as if he had been a bale of +merchandise rather than flesh and blood, and then I warrant you but +little time was spent in binding his hands and feet so securely that, +unaided, he could not get free.</p> + +<p>How Uncle 'Rasmus may have viewed being left in the cabin to act the +double part of jailor and helpless invalid, I know not. He had heard, as +a matter of course, all our conversation in the loft above, and when we +came down with Horry Sims and began to tie his feet, the old negro +shoved his chair into one corner, saying as he did so that we should put +the fellow where he could have him under his hand. Then, seating +himself, with a blanket over his knee which might also serve to cover +Horry in case visitors entered, he was ready to do his share of the +work.</p> + +<p>I was not satisfied to leave the two alone, unless Uncle 'Rasmus was +armed, and would have set out in search of some weapon, although I knew +not where to procure one, but that Pierre said with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> something almost +approaching impatience in his tone:</p> + +<p>"Are you so blind, Fitz Hamilton, that you can't see whether Uncle +'Rasmus is armed or not? With that cane of his I dare venture to say he +could strike a man dead with one blow; while that is in his hand and +Horry lying at his feet, the Tory is completely at the old man's mercy."</p> + +<p>All this was true, as I should have seen before Pierre spoke, and when +we had the miserable cur of a prisoner disposed of in a corner of the +room where the old negro could, if need arose, cover him with the +blanket which was supposed to be needed by himself as an invalid, it +appeared to me we need not fear going about in the village while the +cabin was unguarded save by Uncle 'Rasmus.</p> + +<p>It would not have been like the little French lad to linger many seconds +after our preparation had been completed, and immediately he satisfied +himself that matters had been arranged to the best of our ability, he +opened the door, going out into the night as he motioned for me to +follow.</p> + +<p>It must have been that news had come into the town of York during the +afternoon concerning a threatened advance of the Americans, for even +though it was night the Britishers were working at their fortifications, +having torches of pine knots stuck up here and there, and it seemed as +if every man of that army of seven thousand was using either the pick or +the shovel, or directing the movements of those who worked with their +hands.</p> + +<p>"Can it be that our French general is advancing?" Pierre whispered +gleefully to me, and because I wished it might be so, it was in my mind +almost a certainty that the Americans were closing in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> on this town of +York, with the intent of giving battle to our enemies.</p> + +<p>We at once turned our steps toward the quarters of the Rangers, for +there was good reason to believe that Saul, on leaving the cabin in the +morning, would have gone there first in the hope of getting a glimpse of +his mare, and as we came upon a group of soldiers who were at work upon +one of the redoubts I barely smothered an exclamation of delight, for +there I saw Morgan, the Jerseyman, his coat off, shoveling dirt as if +his one desire on earth was to prevent the Americans from entering York.</p> + +<p>So thick is my head that I would have gone directly toward him, thinking +only to tell of Saul's disappearance and ask his advice concerning what +we had best do; but as I stepped forward Pierre clutched me firmly by +the arm, and at the same instant I saw a warning look in Morgan's eyes +as he recognized us.</p> + +<p>Fortunate it was that I had sense enough to obey instantly both the look +and the grasp on my arm, otherwise had I betrayed him to his death, and +us lads to a prison.</p> + +<p>I was faint with the sickness of fear on realizing what might have been +brought about by my stupidity; but Pierre led me straightaway in the +direction we had been pursuing, and before the dear lad could speak I +said, noting that we were beyond ear-shot of any of the king's soldiers:</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, lad, forgive me! I came near to doing that which could +never have been undone, and remembering the terrible danger I was like +to have placed you and Morgan in, it maybe that in the future I shall +walk and act more as a thinking boy should."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No harm has been done, Fitz," and little Frenchie caressed my coat +sleeve as if it was he instead of me who had so nearly wrecked three +lives. "So long as you didn't speak to Morgan, and no one could have +noticed that you recognized him, it is as if we hadn't seen the man."</p> + +<p>It was ever little Frenchie's way to do what he might to soothe the +feelings of one who had gone wrong, and flinging my arm above his neck +regardless of whosoever might see, I hugged him to my side as if he had +been a sister.</p> + +<p>Owing to the unusual activity all around us we were able to go at will +throughout the village, seemingly arousing no suspicions, for hardly a +man noticed us, and we searched every foot of the encampment save, as a +matter of course, the guard-houses or the buildings occupied by +Britishers, until having satisfied ourselves that Saul was not lying in +some out-of-the-way place unable to move because of wounds.</p> + +<p>"It must be that the Britishers have made him a prisoner," Pierre said +thoughtfully as we wandered down to the river bank where we could +converse without fear of being overheard. "If he had provoked a quarrel +with any of the soldiers, or the lads who came from the plantations, we +should have found him ere this. We may set it down as a fact that he is +held in one of the guard-houses."</p> + +<p>"Then what is to be done?" I cried impatiently, and to my surprise +Pierre replied calmly:</p> + +<p>"Nothing; at least, nothing now. Of ourselves we cannot hope to find +him; but must wait until we have speech with Morgan. He is the one of +all others in this town of York who can help us."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And we are shut out from him by the fear that we may betray an +acquaintance," I said bitterly, whereupon Pierre added, speaking in a +soothing tone:</p> + +<p>"It is only for a few hours, lad. There is no question but that he will +seek us out when the opportunity comes, to learn if you succeeded in +your mission, or if any word was sent to him, and we must wait."</p> + +<p>"But in the meanwhile Saul is lying in one of these wretched places a +prisoner, even as is Horry Sims in old Mary's cabin," I cried bitterly.</p> + +<p>"True, Fitz, and we will hope that it is the worst which has befallen +him; but how are matters to be mended by us who are much the same as +prisoners ourselves? To go about making inquiries of any we chance to +meet, would be the same as begging that we be arrested on whatsoever +charge he lies under. It is what may be called the fortune of war, and +you, and Saul, and I must show ourselves as Minute Boys should, by +accepting whatever comes with the knowledge that we are aiding the +Cause."</p> + +<p>"Valuable aid we have given the Cause by coming into this town and +looking at two horses which were stolen!" I cried savagely, and Pierre +added, again caressing my arm:</p> + +<p>"Don't forget that you succeeded in carrying a message which Morgan +could not have delivered save at the cost of destroying his usefulness +as a spy."</p> + +<p>"And yet that had nothing to do with Saul's arrest, if so be he is a +prisoner."</p> + +<p>"Now you are unreasonable. Let us go back to the cabin and there wait +until the Jerseyman comes. Whether the time be long or short, we by +fretting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> and fuming cannot cut off a single minute. If remaining idle +seems hard, remember, Fitz Hamilton, that by going ahead blindly we may +make matters worse than they are now."</p> + +<p>Of course I realized that all Pierre had said was true. No fellow could +listen to the little lad when he was talking so earnestly and +imploringly, without understanding how much of sound sense was in that +tiny body of his, and for at least the tenth time since we set out from +the Hamilton plantation counting to call ourselves Minute Boys, did I +resolve that in the future I would never make protest at any command he +might give, but would fall in readily and cheerfully with every +suggestion of his.</p> + +<p>He led me back to old Mary's cabin much as a nurse leads a petulant +child, and when we neared the door I was like to have forgotten Saul's +possible plight as the fear came over me that here might we have met +with fresh disaster.</p> + +<p>It was a wondrous relief to enter the rude cabin and find Uncle 'Rasmus +still seated in his invalid's chair, with Horry Sims lying at his feet, +and in my joy and relief I clasped both the old negro's wrinkled hands +so tightly that he cried out with pain.</p> + +<p>There was little need he should ask whether we had been successful in +our search, because we had returned as we departed; but I could not +refrain from acquainting him with our ill fortune by saying in a +sorrowful tone:</p> + +<p>"We have neither heard nor seen anything of the dear lad, and it must be +that the Britishers are holding him prisoner."</p> + +<p>"De Lawd's will be done, honey! De Lawd's will be done! Ef dat po' chile +Saul hab fell inter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> de han's ob de Britishers, we'se boun' to set here +sorrowin' widout liftin' a han' to help him."</p> + +<p>"Uncle 'Rasmus is saying much the same as I did, Fitz dear," Pierre +interrupted. "It is the fortune of war, and whatsoever comes to us while +we are striving to play our part, must be borne. There is no reason why +we should not hope for the best, at least until the Jerseyman comes, as +I feel positive he will at the first opportunity."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>SUSPENSE</h3> + + +<p>Pierre and I flung ourselves down at Uncle 'Rasmus's feet as if by such +close companionship we could the better dull that deadly pain in our +hearts, or lessen the horrible suspense which was about us like a dark, +threatening cloud.</p> + +<p>We had no inclination for conversation, because if we gave words to the +fearful thoughts in our minds it was as if we were making of the +possibility a reality. Therefore we lay on the puncheon planks +alternating between faint hope and blackest despair, feeling that there +was one chance in mayhap a thousand that something had occurred to call +the lad out of the village, yet at the same time knowing that he must be +in the hands of the enemy, otherwise would we have received some token +from him by this time.</p> + +<p>I said to myself again and again that if the red-coated gentry held him +in their power a prisoner, he would be treated with some fair +consideration, for these soldiers of the king were not red Indians, and +would not proceed to extremities at least until after the semblance of a +military trial.</p> + +<p>I could account for the dear lad's absence only that by giving way to +his ill temper he had unwittingly revealed the reason for being in the +town of York, and had been arrested as a spy. That seemed the worst of +the possibilities, for surely if such was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> case they could prove him +guilty, and I knew only too well the fate which would be his.</p> + +<p>On looking at the matter more hopefully, I prayed that he might have +gotten into a brawl with some of the soldiers, and been carried to the +guard-house simply as a disturber of the peace, in which case nothing +more serious than his own distress of mind and discomfort of body would +occur.</p> + +<p>It was Horry Sims who broke the long silence, and on hearing the voice +of that Tory cur it was with difficulty I could prevent myself from +leaping upon him, choking from his worthless carcass the last breath of +life, because he was responsible for all our suffering at that moment.</p> + +<p>"It seems to me that now is the time when you can afford to make with me +some kind of a trade," the young villain said, struggling to rise to a +sitting posture, and before I could utter the words of wrath that arose +within me, Pierre asked with that soft, mild voice of his, as if the +idea of trading with the Tory was agreeable:</p> + +<p>"In what way would you have us bargain, Horry Sims? What have you to +offer?"</p> + +<p>"You must be willing to admit that at some time in the future it will be +necessary to set me free," he began, paving the way for that proposition +which was coming, and little Frenchie said in a friendly tone:</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is true, unless before such time comes you make it necessary +for us to take your life in order to protect ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Surely you would not kill me in cold blood when I stand ready to obey +whatsoever command you may give?"</p> + +<p>"In that case we should hesitate before taking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> even such a worthless +life as yours," Pierre replied, and one might have thought from the tone +of his voice that he was saying something which would be pleasing to the +listener.</p> + +<p>"Then if it be true, as you admit, that the time must come when I am +allowed to go free, it seems to me you had better make a bargain now, +rather than be forced to let me go later and bear all the consequences +of this high-handed proceeding of yours. Surely you must understand that +my friends, and my father has many nearabout the towns of James and +York, will take revenge because of what you have done to me. Suppose I +agree to hold my peace forever regarding what you have done, and, in +addition, promise to go out and seek diligently for Saul? I can go where +you dare not; I can receive replies to my questions when those whom you +approached would be dumb, and may promise almost with certainty that +before daylight Saul Ogden will be with you, for if the Britishers are +holding him my people have influence enough with Lord Cornwallis to +effect his release."</p> + +<p>"You are forgetting, Horry Sims, that we have been forced to allow you +to share too many secrets of ours," Pierre said mildly, and the Tory cur +added eagerly:</p> + +<p>"You have my word of honor that I will not so much as think of them +after leaving this hovel. Whatsoever I may have heard or seen here is +locked in my breast forever, if so be you are minded to treat with me."</p> + +<p>"Such a proposition as you make might be heeded if he who suggested it +was one who had any honor on which we could rely," Pierre said, still +speaking in a mild tone. "We know as well<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> as you, that instantly you +were allowed to go free your feet would carry you to Lord Cornwallis's +headquarters, and there, regardless of your so-called word of honor, you +would repeat everything you have heard—most likely very much you have +imagined. I am not willing to have dealings of any kind with a Tory; but +it may be that Fitz Hamilton is more foolish, and if he chooses to +accept your bargain I shall hold my peace."</p> + +<p>I did not give the young Tory time to ask my opinion. While he and +Pierre had been talking the anger in my heart was nigh to stifling me, +for I feared that little Frenchie might be inclined to put faith in the +fellow's word, and on the instant I cried in a rage:</p> + +<p>"Trust you, Horry Sims? Not for a single second after you were free to +move about or to speak! There is no oath which you Tories could take +that would bind you as against those who are risking their lives to free +the colonies. I would sooner throttle you this minute, than trust one of +the fair words you might speak!"</p> + +<p>It must be that Horry Sims had fully believed the time was come when he +could bargain with us to his own advantage, for straightway I ceased +speaking he flew into a rage, the first real signs of anger he had shown +since we made him prisoner, and began to threaten as to what his people +would do with us when my Lord Cornwallis had driven back the forces +under General Lafayette.</p> + +<p>He continued in this strain mayhap while one could have counted twenty, +and then Pierre, quietly laying his hand across the creature's mouth, +said with a laugh:</p> + +<p>"You are putting too much dependence upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> the future, Master Sims, when +you reckon time by a victory to be gained by the Britishers. This +particular portion of the King's army is in a small hole, from which +there can be no escape, and within very many days you and your Tory +friends will be striving to curry favor with those whom you now call +rebels."</p> + +<p>Horry Sims could make no reply to this remark, for the very good reason +that Pierre held him dumb, and again we fell into painful silence, +picturing in our minds the possible fate of Saul, until little Frenchie +said in a tone of hopefulness:</p> + +<p>"Why may we not rid ourselves of this fellow entirely? While we hold him +he is a menace, and but for the necessity of keeping watch over the cur +we would be at liberty to move around at will."</p> + +<p>"But how <i>can</i> we rid ourselves of him?" I asked impatiently, forgetting +for the instant that this little lad from New Orleans, so gentle and so +girlish in his ways, was full of resources at such a time.</p> + +<p>"It should not be difficult to smuggle him through the lines during the +night, and by carrying the fellow to General Lafayette's army I have no +doubt the officers would hold him fast for us, because of understanding +what might be the Jerseyman's fate if he was allowed to go free. You +would only be forced to tell your father the story, Fitz, in order for +him to guard the scoundrel as he would guard something very precious."</p> + +<p>On the instant my heart leaped with joy, for verily did this plan seem +to promise both success and relief, and without looking ahead to the +possibilities I said promptly, as if it were in our power to do +whatsoever we pleased:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He shall be carried to Williamsburg! Once there I'll answer for it he +has no chance to join his friends who claim to love the king so dearly."</p> + +<p>Then Pierre and I set about discussing the best course to pursue while +leaving the town of York, as if we would set off that very night, when +Uncle 'Rasmus put an end to the hoping and planning, at least so far as +the present was concerned, by saying dreamily:</p> + +<p>"I'se 'lowin', chillun, dat you won' fin' it so ter'ble easy to get out +ob de lines dis yere night. Dere's sumfin in de air dat's trubblin' +Marse Cornwallis, an' you can be mighty sure dese yere sogers am keepin' +dere eyes wide open."</p> + +<p>Surprised at thus learning that the old negro knew so much of what was +going on outside, I asked irritably why he had formed such an opinion.</p> + +<p>"Didn' you tell me yoursef, honey? I ain' 'lowin' dat dese yere sogers +would be shovelin' dirt in de night 'less sumfin had come up sudden +like. Des look out ob dis yere winder, an' see de torches all 'roun' us. +How you 'low you'se gwine to sneak out ob dis yere cabin wid de young +Tory 'tween you, an' get away widout anybody's askin' questions?"</p> + +<p>There was no need for me to do as Uncle 'Rasmus suggested. While Pierre +and I had been searching for Saul we had seen signs, as I have already +set down, of unusual activity in every direction, and I realized that we +could not hope to make our way through the lines unnoticed while, as it +seemed to me, every member of Cornwallis's army was astir.</p> + +<p>"Uncle 'Rasmus is right," Pierre said mournfully, "and I was a fool not +to have remembered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> what we have just seen. There is no sense in our +talking of leaving town, at least until the Britishers have quieted +down. We must carry the Tory into the loft again, and say to ourselves +that we are held prisoners in the village of York even as he is in this +cabin."</p> + +<p>"Why take the trouble to carry him into the loft?" I asked fretfully, +angry because it had been shown me beyond a shadow of doubt that the +plan I leaped at so eagerly was an impossibility.</p> + +<p>"Because when morning comes no one may say how many red-coated soldiers +will be here hunting for us. If Saul has been arrested, then are we +under suspicion."</p> + +<p>"And if they come to search for us, there is no more assurance of our +remaining hidden with this Tory in the loft, than if he remained here in +the room."</p> + +<p>"We will take him there nevertheless," Pierre said in a tone so decided +that I could not have contradicted him even though I had made ready a +good argument for so doing, and without delay the little lad from New +Orleans set about acting on his own suggestion.</p> + +<p>It was not a simple task which we had before us, for Horry Sims, bound +hand and foot, was as unwieldy as a bundle of merchandise, and, in +addition, he fought as well as he might to prevent us from forcing him +up the shaky ladder.</p> + +<p>Not until I had cuffed him soundly, promising a more severe punishment +in case he continued to resist, did the lad give over the useless +struggle, and after considerable labor Pierre and I contrived to hoist +him to the loft above.</p> + +<p>It was when we had finally succeeded, and were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> seated on the puncheon +planks near the scuttle resting from our exertions, that Uncle 'Rasmus +said, speaking sufficiently loud for us to hear him while he yet +remained in his chair near the window:</p> + +<p>"I'se 'lowin', chillun, dat you bes' stay right whar you are, an' de ole +man will keep an eye out here, so's dere won't any ob dese yere +Britishers sneak in widout our knowin' it. If de man from Jersey comes +erlong, I'se boun' to gib you notice, so try to get your forty winks ob +sleep while dere's a chance."</p> + +<p>It seemed to me like veriest folly to talk of sleeping while our hearts +were so heavy with grief, and danger seemingly closing in around us, yet +when Pierre acted on Uncle 'Rasmus's advice by throwing himself down on +the puncheon planks by the side of Horry Sims, where he could have due +warning if that young scoundrel attempted any mischief, I followed his +example. With the Tory between us we two lads lay there on the hard bed, +both, I doubt not, thinking with tears in our hearts of Saul's possible +fate, and both within a short time journeying over into Dreamland +despite all there was in the situation to prop our eyes wide open.</p> + +<p>When next I became conscious of my surroundings it was possible to see +the faint grey light of coming dawn through the narrow apertures which +served as windows, and I sprang to my feet quickly, almost frightened +because I had given myself up to slumber for so long a time.</p> + +<p>Scrambling down the shaky ladder as if time was most precious, I made my +way to the room below, where I found Uncle 'Rasmus sitting as when I had +last seen him, with a blanket drawn over his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> knees and his eyes +fastened upon the moving figures of the soldiers outside.</p> + +<p>"Why did you let us sleep, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I demanded. "We should have +remained awake so that you might have an opportunity to rest."</p> + +<p>"Ole bones don' need so much ob de bed as young ones does, honey, an' +I'se no good 'cept to set right here an' watch. Don' you fret 'bout your +Uncle 'Rasmus, kase he'll look out for hissef all right."</p> + +<p>"But it seems selfish for us to have slept while you remained awake."</p> + +<p>"Now you'se frettin' 'bout nuffin, chile, when dere's plenty ob real +trubble to take up your min'."</p> + +<p>"What has happened?" I asked anxiously, thinking for the instant that +the old negro had seen tokens of impending danger.</p> + +<p>"Dere's sumfin goin' on in dis yere town, honey, as is pas' my +understandin'. Dese yere sogers has been workin' all night, an' dey're +still at it, as ef de ole man from down below was arter 'em."</p> + +<p>"I don't see that we need fret very much if the Britishers have grown +frightened," I said with a laugh, and Uncle 'Rasmus replied:</p> + +<p>"It looks to me, honey, as if dey counted dere was gwine to be a battle +'roun' here mighty soon, an' ef anyting ob dat kine does happen, I'se +askin' mysef how we'se comin' out ob it. We'se a good deal like Brer +Rabbit, when de fox an' de wil' cat was fightin' to see which one would +hab him for breakfas'. Whicheber way it turned he was boun' to be eat +up, an' it kind'er looks to me as ef we'd be in de same fix ef our folks +an' de Britishers got to shootin' off dere guns while we was in dis yere +cabin."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> + +<p>I stood silent and motionless gazing at the old man with my mouth wide +open like a simple, as this possibility of a new danger came upon me. As +a matter of course I had believed there would be a battle between the +two armies; but that we might be held in the cabin exposed to shot and +bombs from both friend and foe, was something to cause the blood to run +cold in one's veins.</p> + +<p>It was well for me that just at the instant came a change in the +situation, else might I have given proof of the timorousness which was +in my heart. I was yet looking stupidly at Uncle 'Rasmus when the door +suddenly opened. As I turned to see who was the intruder an exclamation +of joy and relief burst from my lips, for it was none other than Morgan, +and I made sure that now was come the moment when we would have some +information concerning Saul.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have been working all night in the trenches as if my greatest +desire in life was to hold the Americans in check," he said as he sank +down on the floor like one on the verge of exhaustion, when he saw that +I was taking note of the stains of toil upon him.</p> + +<p>"What about Saul?" I cried, forgetting that we had had no opportunity of +warning this friendly spy that our comrade had disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Saul? Is he not with you?"</p> + +<p>"He went out from this house yesterday morning, and has not returned. +Pierre and I were searching for him when we came across you. I then +might have made trouble for all of us, but for little Frenchie, who was +quick-witted enough to see that you feared lest we might speak to you."</p> + +<p>"Your comrade has disappeared?" Morgan said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> musingly, and seemingly +forgetting his weariness of body he rose to his feet like one who +suddenly remembers that the time for action has come.</p> + +<p>"We thought you might know somewhat concerning him," I added stupidly, +for by the surprise, and even the fear, exhibited by this man I might +have known beyond a peradventure that he was all ignorant of what had +occurred.</p> + +<p>"Is there a possibility he might have gone home simply to please +himself?" Morgan asked after a brief pause, and I replied emphatically, +knowing full well that whatever might be the faults of my cousin, he +would not leave us in ignorance concerning his whereabouts if he had set +off solely for pleasure:</p> + +<p>"It is positive he would not have gone away of his own accord without +having told us."</p> + +<p>"Then it stands me in hand to find out what has become of the lad. If by +chance he has been taken under suspicion of being a spy, then is my +shrift like to be short, for within the past twelve hours it has become +well nigh impossible for any one to make his way through the lines."</p> + +<p>"What has caused such sudden caution?" Pierre asked as he descended the +ladder, having been awakened most like by the sound of our voices.</p> + +<p>"Word has been brought in that Lafayette's army is being reinforced by +men from the North. It was said last night that another fleet has +appeared off the Capes; that there is like to be fighting both on the +sea and on the land, and General Cornwallis has come to understand +better than ever before the necessity of keeping his situation a secret. +In<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> other words he has locked the stable door after the horse has been +stolen, for there is nothing new we could carry to our people even +though it were possible for us to go and come at will."</p> + +<p>"Do you think a battle may be near at hand?" I asked, and Morgan replied +confidently:</p> + +<p>"I am not well skilled in war; but would be dumb indeed if I did not +understand that before a battle between the two armies can take place, +this village will be besieged. Cornwallis is preparing for such +possibility, else why is he fortifying this unimportant point so +carefully. It cannot be carried by direct assault, therefore are we like +to be shut up in here until the Britishers are starved into subjection, +unless, perchance, the fleet which has just come off the Capes proves to +be English, and succeeds in driving the French away."</p> + +<p>"Is there any reason why Fitz and I should not show ourselves around the +village this morning?" Pierre asked suddenly, as if some new thought had +come into his mind, and Morgan replied:</p> + +<p>"You may do as you will, lad, so that you are careful not to arouse +suspicion, and above all, give no heed to me if we come within sight of +each other. If it should be that Saul has been taken as a spy, I am +thinking you lads will speedily find your way into the guard-house, and +it matters not whether you are taken while on the outside, or here in +the cabin."</p> + +<p>Then Master Morgan opened the door as if to go out, and I would have +detained him by clutching nervously at his arm, but he shook me off as +he said:</p> + +<p>"I must strive to learn somewhat of the situation,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> because just now a +grain, or two more of knowledge may save our lives. To-night, if not +before, and in case the three of us are allowed to remain at liberty, I +will try to have speech with you again."</p> + +<p>He was gone before I could make further protest, and after closing the +door I turned to face Pierre and Uncle 'Rasmus.</p> + +<p>"Our company of Minute Boys seems to be of great assistance to the +Cause," I said bitterly, for with Morgan's words there had come into my +heart the certainty that death stood very near. "Instead of showing that +we could play the part of men, we have simply come into this town of +York and put a halter around the neck of that honest man from Jersey, +for had we remained at home without dreaming of accomplishing the +impossible in the way of winning glory, he would have deserted from the +British army in order to carry the information to General Lafayette, and +thus be out of danger."</p> + +<p>"One would suppose to hear you talk, Fitz Hamilton, that the end had +come—that we were doomed beyond possibility of escape."</p> + +<p>"And how else can you picture it?" I asked angrily. "With Saul arrested +as a spy we are certain of sharing the same fate; even though you may +account for his absence in some other way, it seems positive we are to +be shut up here with the enemy while our friends are striving to kill +all within the entrenchments. If that does not warrant my belief that we +are standing very close to death, I would like to know how much more +proof may be needed."</p> + +<p>"We are yet alive," Pierre said softly and with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> a shrug of the +shoulders, "and as yet at liberty so far as this cabin is concerned. I +fail to understand why we may not yet prove ourselves worthy of being +called Minute Boys, and succeed in doing something which shall win for +us credit, if not honor, from those who are struggling against the +king."</p> + +<p>It angered me that that little French lad should be hopeful at a time +when clouds of danger pressed so thickly and so closely about us, and I +turned away from him impatiently, looking out of the window where could +be seen the laborers in the trenches, squads of men marching here and +there, and officers visiting this scene of activity and that; but all +working with one common aim, which was the oppression of our people.</p> + +<p>Whether Pierre was as unconcerned as he would have it appear, I cannot +say; but if he had put on a mask then was he playing his part well, for +he went here and there with a smiling face as he made ready our small +store of food for the morning meal, and actually spoke in a cheery tone +when he announced that our provisions were well nigh exhausted.</p> + +<p>"I allow that we can satisfy our hunger this noon, if indeed we have any +desire to eat at that time; but we will go supperless to bed, unless +some means for provisioning the cabin can be devised."</p> + +<p>I could not believe we had eaten all that store of provisions which we +brought from the Hamilton plantation until I went to the cupboard and +there saw that Pierre had spoken truly, even within bounds, for if we +ate our fill on this morning the noonday meal would be slight indeed.</p> + +<p>When I turned from this dismal inspection<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> Pierre was carrying up the +ladder to the loft a plentiful supply of cold boiled ham and fried +hominy, seemingly a larger portion than he had set aside for our own +breakfast, and I asked angrily if he counted on giving that Tory sneak +more than we ourselves could indulge in, whereupon he said gravely:</p> + +<p>"If any go hungry it must not be the prisoner. We are holding him here, +and it is for our honor that he be not allowed to suffer."</p> + +<p>"It is for our own safety that he be kept on short allowance," I cried. +"How do you allow we can add to our store now that it is no longer +possible, according to Morgan's story, for us to make our way through +the lines?"</p> + +<p>"It makes no difference how we can add to the store, or whether we spend +this day without breaking our fast, the Tory prisoner is to be fed, and +I shall see to it that so long as we have a morsel in the cupboard so +long shall the greater portion of it be his."</p> + +<p>I had never heard Pierre Laurens speak so decidedly, and with such an +assumption of authority, as at this time, and surprise silenced me that +the little lad should have taken it upon himself to say this thing, +should, or that thing should not be, when, without having actually done +so in words, I claimed to be the leader of the company.</p> + +<p>Pierre took care to feed Horry Sims before he served out any food for +Uncle 'Rasmus and me, and when we sat on the floor near the window +breaking our fast, my heart smote me as I took note that he had given +both to the old negro and me a portion twice as large as that which he +reserved for himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> + +<p>The lad was ready to sacrifice his own need to our pleasure, and I would +have forced upon him some portion of the provisions which he had given +me, but that he resolutely refused to take it, saying he was not hungry; +that the news brought by Morgan had driven all thoughts of food from his +mind, and such other excuses which I knew had been invented simply to +force me to take more than my share.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for my peace of mind even at this late day, I refused to eat +more than did he, and the keenness of my anger was not yet dulled when I +carried the remainder of the portion allotted me to the cupboard, saying +in what I intended should be a jovial tone:</p> + +<p>"The knowledge that your stomach is set against food has weakened my +appetite, and perhaps it will be as well, for we have the more when the +time comes for serving dinner."</p> + +<p>The old negro insisted that both Pierre and I should go through the town +to put ourselves in the way of learning whether any further information +had come in from the outside, and declaring that he would take care of +Horry Sims providing we brought him down on the floor once more.</p> + +<p>I would have refused to act upon this suggestion; but it seemed to +please Pierre, and he at once set about getting the Tory cur where Uncle +'Rasmus could overlook him, therefore was I forced to lend a hand.</p> + +<p>"Am I to be left here trussed up like a chicken ready for the roasting?" +Horry Sims asked angrily when we had put him once more in the corner of +the room without taking undue care as to the handling.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Your stomach is full; except for your liberty are you better off than +either Pierre or I, and you may lie there thanking your stars that +matters are no worse for you," I cried, whereupon little Frenchie, as if +fearing I might abuse the prisoner of which he was so careful, opened +the door and literally thrust me out.</p> + +<p>When we were come near to my Lord Cornwallis's headquarters, I noted +with surprise that a goodly number of the soldiers, together with a +large sprinkling of officers, were pressing on toward the water's edge, +and it was no more than natural Pierre and I should follow the throng, +excited as we were by seeing the privates throw down shovel or pick +without permission, to chase at the heels of their superiors.</p> + +<p>Before we were come to the dock it was possible to hear from the +distance a dull boom, as if many miles away a heavy cannon had been +discharged, and then there came another and another, and I heard those +red-coated men nearest me say gleefully:</p> + +<p>"Admiral Graves is stirring up the frog-eaters! We may count it as +certain that these two rivers will no longer be blockaded by Frenchmen."</p> + +<p>Then I remembered what Morgan had said, and understood that the fighting +for the possession of this town of York had already begun on the sea; +that the British fleet had come down to drive away the vessels under +command of Count De Grasse. Once more I grew timorous with understanding +that if the Englishmen should be victorious in this naval battle which I +doubted not was close at hand, then would it be possible for them to +land troops on the river of York or of James at their pleasure,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> until +our forces at Williamsburg were outnumbered ten or twenty to one.</p> + +<p>The same thought was evidently in Pierre's mind, and he also must have +been fearing that the English sailors might prove superior to the French +seamen, for he said in a whisper, drawing me closely to him by clutching +tightly at my arm:</p> + +<p>"My Lord Cornwallis must be mighty uneasy just about this time, for +unless the British fleet can drive away the French vessels, then is he +left to the mercy of our people who are coming down from the North to +join General Lafayette."</p> + +<p>"Ay; but if so be the English succeed, then is General Lafayette's force +at their mercy."</p> + +<p>"Ay, lad, and it may be a toss-up. At all events, I have it in mind that +whatsoever is going on at sea just now decides the fate of this portion +of the king's troops. Even though the Frenchmen do no more than hold +their own, and prevent the Britishers from driving them out of +Chesapeake Bay, then must the day speedily come when my Lord Cornwallis +will be crying for quarter."</p> + +<p>"With all the fortifications that have been thrown up around this town +of York, it strikes me he may hold out many a long hour before being +forced to show the white flag," I said bitterly, and the little French +lad added cheerily:</p> + +<p>"You forget that your people, under the command of my countryman, can +work as well if not better with pick and shovel, than have those +red-coated servants of the king, and I make no doubt but that there will +be as strong lines of entrenchments opposing my Lord Cornwallis, as he +has thrown up for his protection."</p> + +<p>"And in the meantime we shall be between the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> two, or what is the same +thing, exposed to the fire of our own people, and taking our chances of +a stray ball from the redoubt here near the point," I said as my heart +shriveled once more under the influence of fear.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>NEWS OF SAUL</h3> + + +<p>Pierre Laurens and I might have stood on the river bank and argued as to +the future until the crack of doom without its affecting matters in any +way, or without our being the wiser, save that we watched what was +happening around us, for, luckily, no person may look into the future.</p> + +<p>We were so excited by the distant sounds of the battle which was raging +between our friends in the French fleet and those whom his majesty had +sent to whip us into submission, that for the time being all thoughts of +Saul had completely gone out of my mind. It was as if the lad did not +exist, until mayhap two hours had passed, when Pierre bethought himself +that it was our duty to go back to old Mary's cabin in order to acquaint +Uncle 'Rasmus with what was going on, and then I spoke my cousin's name, +reproaching myself because I had thus seemingly neglected him.</p> + +<p>"You need not be so bitter against yourself, Fitz Hamilton," little +Frenchie said with a shrug of the shoulders. "It seems certain that we +of ourselves can gain no information whatsoever concerning Saul Ogden, +else would we have come upon him ere this. We must content ourselves in +patience so far as may be, believing that the Jerseyman will sooner or +later come upon the truth."</p> + +<p>"And what then?" I interrupted fiercely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then we shall do all within our power to aid the lad, if he be alive, +and keep ever in mind, in case he has gone into the other world, that he +went because of striving to do whatsoever he might for the Cause."</p> + +<p>I believe we could have walked through the village of York again and +again talking loudly on the most disloyal topics, and yet no one would +have given heed to us, so intent were all upon that distant booming +which told of a struggle that must decide the fate of those who held the +town of York while they themselves were much the same as prisoners.</p> + +<p>It was some such thought which caused me to say with a smile, and as if +there was more of courage in my heart than really existed, that Lord +Cornwallis was much like Pierre and me. He had taken this village of +ours and set himself down to keep it, after which General Lafayette had +come up, closing him in, and holding him fast. We on our side had taken +Horry Sims a prisoner, and were striving to hold him, while the king's +soldiers were much the same as depriving us of our liberty now that they +no longer allowed us to make our way through the lines.</p> + +<p>"I'll agree that the two situations are alike up to a certain point," +Pierre said grimly; "but the end is to be much different. My Lord +Cornwallis will be beaten, while I'm counting that we shall come off +victors, through the aid of those who are battling for the Cause, and +therefore will we laugh best because we laugh last."</p> + +<p>A dearer, truer, more cheery comrade than Pierre Laurens never lived! +Surely I had good proof of it that day when he heartened me with his +light<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> words and his promises concerning the future until I was almost +come to believe we were on the high road to success, even though there +remained in the cupboard of old Mary's cabin no more than food enough to +serve for another meal, and we were unable to make our way to the +Hamilton plantation where we might have revelled in plenty.</p> + +<p>When we saw Uncle 'Rasmus once more it was as if we had not stirred hand +or foot since we left him as Horry Sims's guardian.</p> + +<p>The black, wrinkled face could be seen through the window as we +approached, and so far as being able to read an expression of either +hope or despair upon his countenance, one might as well have gazed at a +graven image.</p> + +<p>Pierre lost no time in explaining to Uncle 'Rasmus the moaning of those +dull yet heavy reports which could be heard from the distance, and when +he was done with the story as we had heard it from the Britishers, the +old negro said placidly, as if the matter did not affect him in the +slightest:</p> + +<p>"I'se 'lowin', chillun, dat dere's boun' to be a heap ob fightin' 'roun' +dis yere town 'fore de Britishers get what am comin' to 'em."</p> + +<p>"And we are like to have as much in the way of danger as if we were +serving in the trenches," I added, curious to learn how the possibility +of being under the fire of our friends might affect the old man.</p> + +<p>"I'se 'lowin' dat you'se right, honey," was the quiet reply. "Gin'al +Washington ain't gwine fo' to set down up Norf while he knows we'se +needin' him here, kase he's a gen'man ob Virginia, an' dey allers 'tends +to dere duty. Course we'se boun' to stand our end ob it when de shot +does begin to fly;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> but bress you, honey, how many dat you know, an' I +know, am gwine to do de same, an' what's good enuf for dem ain' any +worse for us."</p> + +<p>Surely with such companions as Pierre and Uncle 'Rasmus a decent fellow +could not long indulge in gloomy possibilities of the future, and for at +least the twentieth time since we left my home did I resolve that I +would strive to imitate them in their calm faith as to what the coming +days might bring, and their general disregard to bodily discomfort or +injury so that they might be able to do something, however slight, to +aid the Cause.</p> + +<p>Then, of course, we discussed this possible battle which was going on at +sea, speculating as to what the outcome might be if the French beat off +the enemy, and also what might occur if the English were victorious, for +you must remember that while waiting further news from the Jerseyman we +had nothing better with which to occupy our time.</p> + +<p>Although we talked long and earnestly, going over all the possibilities, +Horry Sims did not venture to raise his voice, and this surprised me +somewhat, causing suspicions to arise lest the Tory cur had in mind some +plan for escape, or that he knew more than did we, although that seemed +impossible, regarding Saul's whereabouts.</p> + +<p>On that day, because of lack of provisions, we decided that there was +really no need of dinner, and deferred the meal until night, the +prisoner, as a matter of course, sharing our fast, although I doubt not +that Pierre would have insisted on his feasting while we went hungry had +there been more than provisions enough to provide a single fair +allowance for the four of us.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was dull work sitting in old Mary's cabin waiting for the coming of +the Jerseyman, although we knew full well that he might not be able to +pay us a visit within eight and forty hours; but it was in Pierre's mind +that we had best remain there, where he could come upon us at a moment's +notice, rather than walk around the village now it seemed certain we +could get no information regarding Saul.</p> + +<p>I hardly remember how that long day did pass. I know full well, however, +that it seemed as if more than a week elapsed between sunrise and +sunset. I can even at this moment recall the fierce joy which was mine +when, just as the shadows of night were beginning to fall, the door of +the cabin was opened softly, and that man whom we had been waiting for +so eagerly came in.</p> + +<p>I could hardly wait until he had closed the door behind him, before I +asked impatiently, with mingled hope and despair in my tones:</p> + +<p>"Have you heard aught concerning Saul?"</p> + +<p>When the reply came I leaped to my feet excitedly, rushing toward the +man as if to clasp him in my arms, for I had not dared to hope he would +bring positive news.</p> + +<p>"Saul Ogden is confined in that guard-house where, so I am told, the +Widow Marshall formerly lived. Do you remember a small, one-storied log +building that stands perhaps two hundred paces in the rear of the +church?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I know it well," I cried eagerly, although not being really +certain as to which of the houses the Widow Marshall had formerly lived +in. "What is the charge against him?"</p> + +<p>"That I haven't been able to determine; but feel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> quite positive it is +nothing very serious, else would he be under stricter guard. Most like +he and some of the Tory villagers got into a brawl—"</p> + +<p>"How is he guarded?" Pierre asked, and I understood that even then the +dear lad was casting about in his mind for some plan which might promise +success in our efforts to release him.</p> + +<p>"There is but a single sentinel in front of the building. If Saul was +charged with being a spy, he would be confined in the basement of that +stone house overlooking the water—I know not who owned it before the +British occupation. Spies are more closely guarded, while your cousin +shares the quarters of such soldiers as are punished for slight +misdemeanors."</p> + +<p>"Then it may be possible that we can aid him to escape?" I cried +breathlessly, and to my surprise Master Morgan said emphatically:</p> + +<p>"It would be unwise to make any move in such a direction lest suspicion +be aroused regarding you and me. The lad is in no danger, and I dare +venture to say more comfortably situated than are you. Leave him alone; +do not even loiter around the building in the hope of getting a glimpse +of him, and you may be certain nothing of harm will come through the +Britishers just at this time. It is well to let sleeping dogs lie."</p> + +<p>I cried out against what thus seemed to be an abandonment of our +comrade, and stupidly insisted that it was our duty to do all we could +to release him from his prison, regardless of what might come to +ourselves, whereupon little Frenchie reminded me in that silken voice of +his, that we had no right, even though the peril was greater, to run the +risk of bringing suspicion upon Morgan, whose life<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> would most like pay +the penalty if it was known that he had any connection, however slight, +with those who favored the Cause.</p> + +<p>We argued the matter back and forth half an hour or more, Pierre and +Morgan against me, until finally I was brought to a sense of my duty; +was made to understand that in this supreme effort of the colonists to +throw off the yoke of the king, the liberty or even the life of one or a +dozen such lads as us should count as nothing; that if by going down to +his death, Saul might avert suspicion from Morgan, thereby leaving him +where there was a possibility he could aid the Cause, then should a boy +be proud to die.</p> + +<p>"Very well, I yield; you have shown me why I should desert my cousin, +and I am ready to do it. Now, perhaps you can say how we may replenish +our store of provisions, for we are about to eat the last morsel of +food."</p> + +<p>I was angered because of having been beaten in the argument, and because +even Pierre sided against Saul, as it seemed to me, therefore spoke +hotly and in what I counted should be a scornful tone; but to my deep +surprise Morgan said in a tone of satisfaction:</p> + +<p>"Like to be hungry, are you? Well, matters couldn't have turned out +better for me. I didn't dare dream you would be driven by necessity to +do that which I have in mind?"</p> + +<p>"So it seems fortunate to you that we shall not be able to break our +fast to-morrow morning?" I cried hotly, and the Jerseyman replied with a +laugh:</p> + +<p>"Ay, lad, so it does. I am not claiming that it will be impossible for +you to do as I desire; but by really being hungry you can the better act +that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> part which I had come up here to persuade you was your duty."</p> + +<p>"What is it you would have us do, sir?" Pierre interrupted, as if it +irritated him because we spent so many words before coming to the meat +of the matter.</p> + +<p>"If two boys and an old slave are the same as starving, surely there +isn't an officer under Cornwallis who would not grant them permission to +go fishing. In two or three hours they might be able to get enough to +fill their stomachs many times over. I believe you have only to present +yourselves to the officer of the day to-morrow, explaining the +situation, and asking permission to go out in a boat."</p> + +<p>All these words simply formed a riddle; I did not have the sense to +understand just at the time, owing to my impatience, that the Jerseyman +had something back of this—that it would serve his purpose for us to be +on the river to-morrow morning; but dear little Pierre was not needing +many explanations before he could come to the root of the matter, and he +asked quietly:</p> + +<p>"If it should be that we got permission to go fishing, where think you +we could make the biggest catch?"</p> + +<p>"Two miles or more below Gloucester Point," Morgan replied.</p> + +<p>"Having gone so far as that what would you advise?"</p> + +<p>"That you keep reasonably near the shore, and if a man wearing a bit of +green in his hat came near to the water's edge, put in where you might +have speech with him."</p> + +<p>"What speech?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Remember, lads, these words: 'Despite all the work Cornwallis is doing +in the way of fortifying the town, there are indications that he is +preparing to retreat by way of Gloucester if the English fleet fails to +bring succor.' Now let me hear you say that twice, for the wording is +most important."</p> + +<p>Pierre did as he was commanded, never missing a word or tone, and when +he had finished to the Jerseyman's satisfaction, I asked how it was +known that a man would approach the boat.</p> + +<p>"I saw him on the shore this afternoon. His being there is much the same +as an intimation that he is waiting for some word. I doubt not that +seeing two boys in a boat he will come near the water, to give you an +opportunity of proving if you have been sent by me. There is a +possibility he may be prevented from coming, or that he will not +understand you might be serving me. Of all that we must take our +chances, and since you are in such sore need of food, the attempt to +deliver my message will cause you little or no additional labor."</p> + +<p>"It is not the labor that would stop us," Pierre said hotly. "It is +needed only that you point out how we can be of service, and nothing +else is of importance."</p> + +<p>"I know that, lad, right well do I know it, from what little I have seen +of you since we met. Go to the officer of the day early in the morning, +or to whomsoever wearing a sword you can come at most handily. Tell the +truth so far as may be safe, and humbly beg permission to go fishing. +For the time being put from your minds all thoughts of Saul Ogden, +difficult though that may be, for I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> assure you he is in no danger, and +enjoying more of comfort than it is possible for you to enjoy here in +this cabin while you stand guard over a Tory prisoner."</p> + +<p>I would have forced Morgan to explain more regarding this man whom he +thought we might possibly meet on the Gloucester shore, for I was eager +to understand how the fellow had come there, and what cause he had for +believing he might be seen by the Jerseyman; but our visitor cut me +short by saying that now his business had been transacted there was no +reason why he should remain longer, and great need for him to hasten +away.</p> + +<p>Immediately we were alone Pierre set out the last of our store of +provisions, dividing the food equally between us four, counting the +prisoner as a member of the company, and when we had eaten the frugal +meal, which was in quantity no more than enough to make plain the fact +that we were hungry, little Frenchie led me into the open air, making no +explanation to Uncle 'Rasmus regarding his movements.</p> + +<p>"Where would you go?" I asked when the door was closed upon us, so that +those inside the cabin might not hear what was said, and the dear little +French lad whispered in my ear, while caressing the sleeve of my coat:</p> + +<p>"I would not have you believe, Fitz Hamilton, that I am so cold blooded +as it appeared when I agreed with the Jerseyman that we would make no +attempt at getting word to Saul. I am burning to let the lad know we +stand ready at the first opportunity to give him aid, and to that end +would walk down past the house where we are told he is imprisoned."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But what about the danger we may be bringing upon Morgan by thus +interfering, when he has advised that we remain quietly with Uncle +Rasmus?" I cried, and Pierre replied softly:</p> + +<p>"Can you not see how lame his argument was that he himself might be +drawn into trouble if we were suspected? He has visited us twice in the +cabin, and both times secretly; it is to be supposed he took good care +no one should see him, therefore how may it be said, if we run our noses +into danger, that he has had any part in it?"</p> + +<p>"Would you set out with me now to do whatsoever we might toward +releasing Saul, for verily, Pierre Laurens, he may be released if simply +held prisoner in that house belonging to the Widow Marshall, because it +is as crazy a building as the one we have just left."</p> + +<p>"I am not saying I would do aught toward releasing him this very night, +for that could not be other than dangerous. No matter for what slight +misdemeanor he may have been arrested, once he has made his escape the +hue-and-cry will be raised. What I have in mind is simply to let the lad +know we are watching over him, and stand ready to do all within our +power when the proper time comes."</p> + +<p>Verily Pierre was wise beyond his years. It had not occurred to me that +Morgan had some particular reason for keeping us closely housed; but now +it was as if I understood all his purpose. He counted on our being where +he could lay his hand on us at any moment when it might be necessary we +should act in his behalf, therefore advised that we leave Saul out of +the question for the time being.</p> + +<p>Pierre had apparently agreed with the Jerseyman,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> while at the same time +it was in his mind to do that which we were setting out to accomplish, +and I had no scruples about following him, for ponder over the matter as +I might, I failed to see how anything suspicious on our part could bring +trouble or danger to the spy, or in any way menace the Cause.</p> + +<p>It was more than possible we might run our own noses into danger, and +suffer thereby; but we alone would be called on to pay the penalty.</p> + +<p>I led the way through the village to the Widow Marshall's, meeting here +and there a single soldier, or the red-coated gentry in squads, none of +whom gave any particular heed to us, because there were other lads then +ourselves in this village of York, whose parents had not seen fit to run +away when the Britishers took possession.</p> + +<p>As we made a detour around the building I said to Pierre, taking good +care not to point lest I attract attention:</p> + +<p>"Yonder is the house, where the soldier stands in front of the door. Do +you see that the only bars to the windows are puncheon planks? If a lad +was so minded, and no one approached the rear of the building during a +certain length of time, he could dig his way through that chimney of +sticks and mud until he was come into the fireplace."</p> + +<p>All this, as a matter of course, Pierre had noticed, and he also must +have seen, as did I, that our hope of showing ourselves to Saul had been +vain, for, as I have said, the windows were closed with planks. +Whosoever was held prisoner inside could not get a glimpse of the outer +world; but must remain in darkness all the while.</p> + +<p>We walked by this apology for a guard-house<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> slowly, not daring to halt +lest some red-coat take heed that we were noting the place more +carefully than lads of the village would be likely to do. When we were +come nearly to the river front we wheeled about, retracing our steps so +far as to be able to pass the building on the other side; but at no +point could we see an opportunity for warning my cousin that we were +near at hand.</p> + +<p>"We might as well have staid inside the cabin," I said in a tone of +despondency as we turned our faces toward where we knew Uncle 'Rasmus +awaited us. "This is the first time, Pierre, that one of your plans has +come to naught, and both you and I should have had wit enough to realize +that if the building had been turned into a guard-house, the windows +would be barricaded in some way to prevent the escape of prisoners."</p> + +<p>"The plan has not come to naught. Before we left the cabin I had no idea +where the house was located; but now you have pointed it out I would be +able, if the time was ripe and you not with me, to find the place. I am +counting—"</p> + +<p>Pierre did not finish the sentence, for at that moment we came face to +face with Abel Hunt, a dissolute fellow seventeen or eighteen years old, +who lived in a mean hovel with his meaner parents near to Horry Sims's +home, and one who would follow in the footsteps of Horry Sims's father +so far as having a Tory leaning was concerned.</p> + +<p>It was so dark that I did not see the fellow until we were close upon +him, otherwise would I have made every effort to avoid a meeting, for I +had no doubt that he, seeing us in York, would immediately ask himself +why we who favored the Cause were there. Then might he straightway set +about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> striving to learn what was our business in the village.</p> + +<p>Again, and this came into my mind like a flash of light, he might be +there searching for Horry. When the lad failed to return home his +parents would, as a matter of course, send here, there and everywhere in +search of him, and this fellow Abel Hunt would have been one of the +first whom Master Sims would have called on, because, having much the +same as supplied the Hunt family with food, he could demand their +service whenever they were required.</p> + +<p>Looking over what I have here set down, it would seem as if I was making +it appear that Pierre and I stood motionless several seconds in front of +Abel Hunt, whereas all these thoughts had come into my mind in a +twinkling, even as I crowded little Frenchie into the roadway with the +faint hope that we might pass Hunt and not be recognized.</p> + +<p>In this I was unsuccessful, for even as I would have moved out of his +path the fellow seized me by the arm, as if he was my equal, and said +with a coarse laugh:</p> + +<p>"Well, how comes it that one of the Hamiltons, who claim to be red-hot +rebels, is loitering around the British encampment? Have you changed +coats lately, Master Fitz?"</p> + +<p>"I am wearing the same coat of buff and blue that I stood ready to put +on when we heard the news from Boston. I suppose if there be any color +to yours, it is red, unless peradventure you could find more money in +the pockets of a garment of different hue."</p> + +<p>This last I said because it was well known two years before that both +Abel and his father were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> willing to sell their services to Whig or +Tory; but could find none foolish enough to buy them, therefore, +dependent upon Master Sims as they were for their daily bread, fell into +line as lovers of the king.</p> + +<p>Hunt gave no heed to me when I thus reminded him that he was willing to +sell his opinions; but abruptly demanded why I was in York, and where I +counted on going.</p> + +<p>It is true that I might have told the fellow it was none of his +business, and refused to hold converse with him, as I surely would have +done had the danger not been so great. If I passed him with an angry +word it was absolutely certain he would follow to learn where I went, +and, failing in discovering that, might give information that the son of +Captain Hamilton of the American army was loitering around York, +whereupon I would find myself in that same guard-house where Saul was +confined.</p> + +<p>The only course, as it seemed to me, and I was forced to decide on the +instant, was to speak to the fellow fairly, and, much though I disliked +to do so, strive to throw him off the scent.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I said, forcing myself to speak in a fairly friendly +tone:</p> + +<p>"Pierre and I came into York yesterday to see the soldiers, for never +before have I been in a military encampment. We had no difficulty in +entering the lines; but it was quite another matter when we would go +out. It seems as if there must have been some sudden change in the +situation, that Lord Cornwallis should decide not only to prevent +visitors from arriving; but also from departing when they desired to go +home."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And what have you lads been doing since the time when you found it +impossible to pass the sentinels?" Abel Hunt asked suspiciously, still +holding me by the arm, while the fact that I continued to answer him in +a friendly manner must have been proof that I was afraid of him, and he +so understood it, as I fancied from the tone in which he spoke.</p> + +<p>Never before had he dared to accost me other than in the most civil +manner, with his hat in his hand. Now he demanded an answer as if he was +my superior.</p> + +<p>"We have done the best we might," Pierre answered, most like fearing I +would make an intemperate reply. "It is not easy to find food among +strangers, and as for a shelter, we long since gave up all hope of that, +therefore are spending the night on our feet, as you see."</p> + +<p>"Do you count on walking around till morning?" Hunt demanded.</p> + +<p>"What else can we do?" I asked laughingly.</p> + +<p>"Have you no friends here in the village?"</p> + +<p>"None who can give us shelter," I replied, whereupon the fellow fell +silent for an instant, and then suddenly wheeling me about with a force +that caused me to wince with pain, asked abruptly:</p> + +<p>"When last did you see Horry Sims?"</p> + +<p>I know full well that a gentleman should never tell a lie, and have ever +contended that under ordinary circumstances it is not only wicked, but +vile to do so. In this case, however, I knew it would cost Pierre and me +our liberty, perhaps our lives, if we held only to the truth, therefore +I replied as if striving to awaken memories:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I believe it was on the morning the Britishers seized the horses of the +Hamilton plantation. I saw him on the road at that time."</p> + +<p>"And you can make no guess as to where he may be now?"</p> + +<p>"Why should we waste our time making such foolish guesses as that?" +Pierre demanded as if suddenly grown angry. "Horry Sims, as you well +know, is no friend either to Fitz Hamilton or me, although so far as I +am concerned he has no reason to be an enemy; but because he and Fitz +are at swords' points over politics, do I believe I should side with him +whom I call my friend."</p> + +<p>"Meaning that you deny knowing about where Horry may be now?" Abel Hunt +cried in a threatening tone, and Pierre, straightening himself up to +show that he was not afraid of the bully, replied in that silky tone of +his:</p> + +<p>"Meaning to say that that is what I would have you understand, Master +Abel Hunt."</p> + +<p>Surely in making such answer Pierre escaped telling a downright lie, for +he spoke only the truth.</p> + +<p>Then, striving to show myself somewhat at ease in the company of this +fellow with whom I had never previously associated, I asked him in turn +what he was doing, and where he counted on spending the night.</p> + +<p>He gave no heed to my first question, but replied to the second by +saying:</p> + +<p>"I allow I'll stay with you lads till sunrise. It's a bit lonesome +loafing around here alone, and, like you, I know of no place where I can +find a bed. We'll hang together as neighbors should."</p> + +<p>"We'll do nothing of the kind, Abel Hunt," I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> cried hotly. "I claim the +right to choose my own friends."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you do, eh?" the fellow cried with a coarse laugh. "Well perhaps in +this case you haven't got any rights. At least, before allowing it I +want to know why you are here, and how you happen to be wandering around +the camp of an enemy, for surely you rebels count the king's soldiers as +enemies."</p> + +<p>I understood on the instant that I had made a mistake in thus speaking +angrily; but it was too late to make amends, as I thought, and would +have moved on but that Pierre said just as Abel Hunt barred my way by +stepping in front of me:</p> + +<p>"I see no reason, Fitz, why even though you may not be friendly with +this lad, he should not remain with us, at least until morning. I can +well fancy that if he, like you and me, has no place in which to lay his +head this night, companionship of any kind would be very sweet. At +least, I know it is with me, and, with your permission, shall welcome +him."</p> + +<p>"You will because you don't dare do different," Hunt cried triumphantly, +and Pierre said with a note of sharpness in his tones:</p> + +<p>"Since that is your belief, Master Hunt, we will prove to you the +contrary," and Pierre, ruffling like a pigeon, strode off with a great +assumption of dignity, I as a matter of course following.</p> + +<p>When we came upon Abel Hunt we were going directly toward old Mary's +cabin; but now Pierre turned at the next corner, walking slowly as if +simply eager to pass the time, and headed in the direction of the river, +while I kept close by his side mentally bewailing the little lad's +unlucky desire<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> to learn the location of the guard-house in which Saul +was confined.</p> + +<p>It was possible to see out of the tail of my eye, even though I had not +heard his footsteps, that Abel Hunt was following less than half a dozen +paces behind us, and a great fear came into my heart, for now I knew he +was convinced we had had some hand in the disappearance of Horry Sims, +and would act as our shadow in the hope of coming at the secret of the +Tory's whereabouts.</p> + +<p>There was little chance he would give us an opportunity of slipping into +old Mary's cabin unobserved, and I pictured to myself the alarm and +distress of Uncle 'Rasmus as the hours went by and we failed to put in +an appearance.</p> + +<p>I had come to understand that we must walk the streets of York during +all the hours of darkness, and, what was of far more importance, must +hold back from performing that task which the Jerseyman had set us.</p> + +<p>There was little hope we would be able to set off in a boat alone, and +it was quite positive we would not dare do so while Hunt was holding us +under his eye, therefore had we missed an opportunity of serving the +Cause, as well as paved the way, perhaps, for our own arrest as spies.</p> + +<p>I turned the matter over and over in my mind as I walked by Pierre's +side in silence, asking myself whether this dissolute fellow could gain +speech with any of the king's officers, and as I asked the question I +could answer it full well, for he had only to whisper the fact that he +could give information as to spies, and even my Lord Cornwallis himself +would listen to him.</p> + +<p>We had come to grief, as it seemed to me, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> what presented itself to +my mind as the most painful of all the sorry business, was that we had +been brought to such a pass by a worthless, ignorant lout whom I would +not have allowed to linger even in the Hamilton stables.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>A DESPERATE VENTURE</h3> + + +<p>As Pierre and I walked aimlessly to and fro without other purpose than +to convince Abel Hunt we were really without a shelter, and not daring +to hold converse one with another lest he should overhear, the bitter +thought was in my mind that Uncle 'Rasmus must perforce remain in old +Mary's cabin standing guard over the prisoner.</p> + +<p>I tried to remember how much water we had left in the cabin, and finally +came to the conclusion that there was less than a quart in the bucket +when I last quenched my thirst, therefore neither the old negro nor the +Tory prisoner would have a bit to eat or a sup to drink until we had +succeeded in throwing Abel Hunt off our track.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course I understood that Morgan, the Jerseyman, would +visit the cabin late in the evening in order to learn whether we had +delivered the message with which he had charged us; but although I could +find so much of trouble in the future, I failed of guessing that we +might be forced to remain away from the cabin a full four and twenty +hours.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me positive that long before such time had elapsed Abel +Hunt would weary of acting as our shadow; but certain it was that until +we had tired him out, or something more promising<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> attracted his +attention, we must keep our distance from Uncle 'Rasmus and his +prisoner.</p> + +<p>We had been walking to and fro mayhap ten minutes with the fellow close +at our heels, and then, quickening his pace, he came up to my side as he +said in a surly tone:</p> + +<p>"I do not believe you are in this village without shelter for the night! +Unless I mistake not your father owns one or more houses here, and why +should you be forced to walk around? It is because you are not willing +for me to know where you are stopping, which means that there is some of +your rebel mischief afoot causing you to fear I may work you harm."</p> + +<p>"It concerns me very little, Abel Hunt, what you believe," I replied +sharply, "and as for my intent to work mischief, it is a dream born in +your own evil head."</p> + +<p>"Why do you not go to one of your father's houses?" he demanded, and I +replied, striving to curb my anger which rose hot against the masterful +tone he had dared use to me:</p> + +<p>"It would seem that you have a better knowledge of my father's property +than myself. If indeed he does own any houses in York, then is it most +likely they have been taken possession of by the king's soldiers, for my +Lord Cornwallis is not so kindly disposed toward us whom he calls +rebels, as toward you Tories who claim to love the king, doing so simply +because you hope to profit thereby in the way of money or of safety for +your worthless necks."</p> + +<p>Then I pressed forward more quickly to prevent the fellow from walking +so close by my side, and whether it was chance, or because Pierre so +directed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> our steps, I cannot say; the fact is, however, that we were +speedily come out on the river front directly opposite Gloucester Point, +and here, as if he was leg-weary, little Frenchie threw himself on the +ground within twenty paces of the water's edge.</p> + +<p>"Are you minded to stop here, lad?" I asked in a low tone, and he +replied with what sounded to me much like an odd inflection of the +voice:</p> + +<p>"I have walked around so long, Fitz, that it seems impossible to take +another step. Since we must pass the time in some way 'twixt now and +sunrise, why not let it be at this place where we can stretch out at +full length, and mayhap sleep."</p> + +<p>"Thinking you would tire me out, eh?" Abel Hunt cried, he having as a +matter of course been so close to our heels that it was possible for him +to hear the lightest word.</p> + +<p>"It makes little difference whether we tire you out, or you remain near +by, so that you keep at a respectful distance. It is not your following +which annoys me; but your striving to hug so closely."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I am not good enough for such as you?" Hunt cried angrily, and +now it was that I ceased striving to hold my temper in check, replying +in quite as hot a tone as the question had been asked:</p> + +<p>"You have hit exactly upon the truth, Abel Hunt, and it is no news to +you, for from the time I can remember I have ever striven to give you a +wide berth, because of your breeding."</p> + +<p>"Before this war is over it may be that you, Fitzroy Hamilton, will +regret that you were not bred in different fashion. The people of +Virginia are not all alike, and many will hold accountable those who +have brought the war into our borders."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was useless to bandy words with the fellow, as I understood, even +though my anger was so great that it would have soothed me somewhat to +give him a plain statement of the position he occupied in Virginia; but +I held my peace as I threw myself down by the side of little Frenchie, +counting that the lad would chide me for having had speech with Abel +Hunt. Instead of so doing he remained silent, his head pillowed on his +arm as he looked across the river toward the twinkling lights on +Gloucester Point where a portion of Lord Cornwallis's army was encamped, +and straightway there came into my mind the thought that the dear lad +was striving to cook up some plan which might work to our advantage.</p> + +<p>It is true that his last scheme had brought us into sore trouble; but +that was no proof he could not in the future, as he had in the past, +contrive something to our benefit. I made no attempt to enter into +conversation with him; but was content to lie there watching.</p> + +<p>Abel Hunt stood shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, half a +dozen paces distant, as if deliberating whether he would have further +speech with me on the subject of breeding, and I fancied, perhaps +because I hoped it might be so, that he was eager to turn his attention +to something more diverting than acting as a shadow to Pierre and me.</p> + +<p>As the time wore on, however, I began to doubt the correctness of my +guess, for Hunt in turn threw himself down on the ground at full length, +as if to rest, and was seemingly encamped there for the night.</p> + +<p>When I would have whispered to Pierre, counting on asking him if we had +not best try to escape<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> from the fellow by the quickness of our heels, +the little lad motioned for me to remain quiet, and because of past +experience I obeyed him on the instant.</p> + +<p>Now and then a soldier bent on some errand, or a sentinel on duty, +passed by; but gave no heed. None save Abel Hunt in all that town of +York appeared to fancy that it might be worth while to watch us.</p> + +<p>Then, after it seemed as if a full night had passed, I heard the +sentries call the hour of midnight. We must have been there on the river +bank not less than three hours, and now it was, being thus warned of the +passage of time, that Abel Hunt began to grow uneasy.</p> + +<p>Watching him out of the tail of my eyes as I lay silent and motionless +by Pierre's side, I saw the fellow raise himself on his elbow and look +steadily at both us lads, as if striving to make out whether we might +have fallen asleep, and I began to breathe heavily, as does one who +slumbers soundly, whereupon Pierre, who must also have been taking note +of Hunt's movements, followed my example.</p> + +<p>Then the fellow rose to his feet, came softly beside us and bent over, +striving to get a view of our faces even though the night was dark, and +all the while we gave him fair token of being wrapped in the +unconsciousness of slumber.</p> + +<p>He stood over us a full two minutes striving to make out to his entire +satisfaction whether we were asleep or awake, and then, evidently having +come to the conclusion that we were indeed in Dreamland, he stole softly +away.</p> + +<p>Raising my head ever so slightly I noted that he took the direction +which would lead him near to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> my Lord Cornwallis's headquarters, and for +the first time since we had come upon the knave did I grow really +timorous. It needed not any very quick-witted lad to understand what +would be the result if even such a dissolute fellow as Abel Hunt should +give information that the son of a well-known rebel was loitering around +the village after night-fall, claiming to have no place where he could +find shelter.</p> + +<p>"I believe he is going directly to headquarters to make report +concerning us," I whispered in Pierre's ear, taking good care meanwhile +not to move my body lest peradventure Hunt might look back and discover +that we were not asleep.</p> + +<p>"Well, there is nothing we can do to prevent him if he be so disposed," +little Frenchie replied indifferently, and I exclaimed in surprise:</p> + +<p>"One would suppose that it concerned you very little, whereas I'm not so +certain but that the end of it may be a halter for both of us."</p> + +<p>"It really does concern me very little," Pierre said decidedly. "I can +do nothing to prevent it, and cannot afford to spend my time looking for +danger in the future, because we have that task to do which must be +performed even though a dozen like Abel Hunt were standing ready to +accuse us of being spies."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that?" I cried. "What business have we on hand so +urgent?"</p> + +<p>"To carry the message with which the Jerseyman entrusted us."</p> + +<p>"But that is impossible now Hunt had found us out."</p> + +<p>"Why do you say that? How is it that the meeting with such as Abel Hunt +can prevent us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> from doing the work of Minute Boys when it lays at our +hand?"</p> + +<p>"But how will you leave this town of York? When we go to ask permission +to take a boat for the purpose of fishing, you can depend upon it he +will be near at hand, and if he has not already done so, will then +reveal all he knows concerning me."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we don't give him that opportunity?" Pierre said thoughtfully. +"Suppose we neglect to ask permission from any one to go out to get fish +enough to prevent ourselves from starving?"</p> + +<p>"How then will you go? Surely you are not so venturesome as to take to +the water on a course to the right of Gloucester Point, when by so doing +we must pass the king's vessels? The <i>Charon</i> is anchored directly on +the course we would need to pursue in order to carry out the +instructions which have been given."</p> + +<p>"And she would still be there if we waited until daylight, and then +asked permission from some of these swaggering officers of the king who +have no love for any one save themselves."</p> + +<p>I was mystified by Pierre's words, although surely by this time I should +have come to understand that his odd speech betokened the perfecting of +a plan, and I remained silent as if believing he would make sport of me, +until two or three minutes had elapsed when Abel Hunt could no longer be +seen in the gloom.</p> + +<p>Then it was that little Frenchie suddenly stood upright, and, pointing +to a skiff hauled up on the shore not more than thirty feet from where +he lay, asked sharply:</p> + +<p>"Have you the courage, Fitz Hamilton, to embark with me in yonder craft, +and go down to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> Gloucester shore where we may remain hidden amid the +foliage until it is sufficiently light for us to make out whether any +one comes looking for a messenger from the Jerseyman?"</p> + +<p>"Meaning to brave the Britishers?" I cried in something very like alarm.</p> + +<p>"Meaning to carry the message which it is necessary should be delivered, +and without heed whatsoever to these gentry who wear red coats."</p> + +<p>"I have the courage, Pierre," I said, after a time of hesitation; "but +have we the right to desert Uncle 'Rasmus while he must for his own sake +hold Horry Sims a prisoner, and when he has nothing whatsoever to eat or +drink in the cabin? Surely it would be deserting him for us to take boat +now and leave the village, if peradventure we can do so, for there are +an hundred chances against our being able to return, and only one in our +favor. It is the same as abandoning Uncle 'Rasmus."</p> + +<p>"And if it were abandoning him, and Saul, and every one whom we know, +yet would I say it was our duty to go because the Jerseyman, expecting +his message to be delivered, will give no further heed to sending it +into the American lines."</p> + +<p>Although Pierre's words had fired me, and it was possible at any time +for the lad to arouse all my enthusiasm and all my bravery when he spoke +as he had a moment previous, I understood that it was a most dangerous +venture which he proposed, such as might be tried twenty times over +without success.</p> + +<p>Mark you, in order to gain the Gloucester shore at the point near where +the Jerseyman claimed we would find someone awaiting us, we must sail in +our skiff, without a pass from my Lord Cornwallis,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> within hailing +distance of the <i>Charon</i>, or of the <i>Guadaloupe</i>, both of which vessels +lay where their guns could be brought to bear either on York or +Gloucester, and it did not seem to me within the range of possibilities +that we could pass either craft without being discovered by the sentries +who would undoubtedly order us to come alongside.</p> + +<p>Even though we were minded to be so reckless as to take the chances of +disobeying an order, it could avail us nothing, for pursuit would be +given immediately, and how might we hope to escape from a vessel of +war's boat, manned most like by a dozen men, we being only two lads not +overly well skilled in rowing.</p> + +<p>I was turning all this over in my mind, and becoming more and more +convinced each instant that it was the wildest scheme Pierre had ever +proposed, when he turned upon me sharply and asked with a note of anger +in his tone:</p> + +<p>"Are you afraid to make the venture?"</p> + +<p>"There is no lad, no, nor no man either, who shall say I am afraid to do +this or that!" I cried hotly. "I dare do what any other lad may."</p> + +<p>"Then come with me, and before daybreak we will be hidden on the +Gloucester shore."</p> + +<p>"Before the day breaks you will be a prisoner on board either the +<i>Guadaloupe</i> or the <i>Charon</i>, unless one of the smaller vessels chances +to make the capture," I said, "and yet, knowing that such must be the +case, I am minded to follow, so you may have fair opportunity of proving +that this will turn out even more to our disadvantage than did your plan +of getting sight of Saul Ogden to hearten him, and, instead, come across +Abel Hunt."</p> + +<p>"It is not well Fitz, that you should harp upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> a single failure," +Pierre said softly, and on the instant I regretted having spoken. "There +was not in my mind any hope we might be able to aid the lad; but I +thought by chance he would see us if we passed his prison, and know we +had not forgotten him. If I had asked you to go out for a stroll because +I was weary with remaining in the cabin so long, you would have followed +quite as readily, and then should we have come upon Abel Hunt even as we +did."</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, Pierre, forgive me," I cried remorsefully. "Lead the way, +and I will go with you readily, even though I claim it is a most +desperate venture, but promise faithfully not to throw it in your teeth +however sore the failure may be."</p> + +<p>The little French lad was not inclined to waste words after I had +promised to accompany him; but set off at a rapid pace toward where the +skiff was lying, and I followed, having vividly in mind the fact that we +were leaving Uncle 'Rasmus to what might be a most cruel fate, at the +same time believing we had deserted Saul entirely, for there was not in +my mind any hope whatsoever we could succeed in re-entering the town of +York now that the Britishers were keeping such sharp watch.</p> + +<p>Even though fortune should favor us in the most remarkable degree, we +surely would not be tempted to come back to this fortified village +during the hours of daylight, therefore were we shutting ourselves out +until full four and twenty hours passed, during which time how much of +disaster might have come upon those whom we had the same as abandoned?</p> + +<p>It was much the same as folly for me to hark<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> back in my mind to all the +dangers which might come upon us, for I had agreed to follow the lad +wheresoever he might lead, and for me to dwell upon the probable danger +could serve no other end than that of making me timorous, therefore it +was I strove earnestly to put from my mind everything save the old +thought that I would do all within my power to help him carry out his +purpose.</p> + +<p>The lad had not set out toward the boat until the sentry, who had been +pacing to and fro near us, turned to go to the other end of his beat, +and when we were come to the craft there were none within sight so far +as I could make out.</p> + +<p>She was a light skiff, perhaps one of the smallest that could have been +found on the shore, and had friends been making arrangements for us to +do this very work they could not have laid the tools more conveniently +at hand, for there were two pairs of oars in the craft, and it only +needed we should shove her ten or twelve paces before she was water +borne.</p> + +<p>I followed Pierre over the gunwale, kicking at the bank as I did so with +sufficient force to send her rocking like an egg-shell out into the +current.</p> + +<p>The night was not so dark but that we could see the black tracery of the +English ships as they lay at anchor guarding both encampments, and +unless the sentries on board these vessels of the king were asleep or +blind they could not fail of seeing us, however wide a detour we might +make.</p> + +<p>I fully expected to hear one of the sentinels on the shore ordering us +to come back and show a permit for being aboard at such an hour; but no +one hailed, and we set the skiff's bow on a direct course to that part +of the Gloucester shore which we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> hoped to gain, giving no heed to his +majesty's vessels in the way.</p> + +<p>"We cannot hope to pass them without being discovered," I said in a low +tone as I settled back at the oars, putting into them every ounce of +strength I could summon.</p> + +<p>"It may be they will let us go on after we have explained our purpose, +or so much of it as we may be pleased to give," Pierre said hopefully; +"but even if they turn us back, we shall be no worse off than before, +and will have the satisfaction of knowing that we strove to our utmost +to do as the Jerseyman desired."</p> + +<p>"We shall be no worse off unless we are sent to share Saul's +imprisonment in the guard-house."</p> + +<p>Then I bent my back yet more vigorously at the oars, if that could be +possible, the labor serving in some slight degree to prevent me from +dwelling upon the disagreeable possibilities.</p> + +<p>Our course brought us within mayhap an hundred yards of the <i>Charon's</i> +stern, and before we were on a line with her came that hail which I had +feared to hear:</p> + +<p>"Cease rowing!"</p> + +<p>"Do as they bid, Fitz; it is our only hope," Pierre whispered, and I +obeyed him.</p> + +<p>"Come alongside and show your pass," the voice demanded, and I could +hear the foot-falls of the sentry as he came from amidships aft and +leaned over the rail that he might see us more clearly.</p> + +<p>"We have no pass, sir," Pierre said meekly. "We have been sent over to +Gloucester with a message from one officer to another, on what I count +may be private business."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come alongside and show the message," the same voice demanded.</p> + +<p>Then did I believe that little Frenchie was at the end of his rope; but +instead of showing any confusion or fear he replied cheerily:</p> + +<p>"It is no more than word of mouth that the major of Colonel Tarleton's +legion come into York for a supper."</p> + +<p>The sentry, or whoever it might be that had hailed us, hung in the wind +a moment as if undecided whether to give further orders, and then said +grudgingly, not being minded, as I fancied, to disgruntle any officers +of my Lord Cornwallis's command:</p> + +<p>"Go your way, then; but make certain to come directly back as soon as +the message has been delivered."</p> + +<p>"You can count on our getting into York again as soon as we may," Pierre +replied laughingly, and added by whispering to me, "Now, lad, pull the +best you know how, and the danger has passed!"</p> + +<p>It was as he said. It could only have been blind luck which stationed a +credulous and good-natured sentry of the <i>Charon</i> at that particular +moment, for nineteen men out of twenty would have done their whole duty, +which was to bring us alongside and report the matter to the officer of +the deck.</p> + +<p>We were not disposed to grumble because the fellow had not done his +duty, however, and when we were beyond ear-shot I said warningly to the +little French lad:</p> + +<p>"You have squeaked out of a mighty small hole, Pierre; but do not let it +encourage you overly much, for it is not within the bounds of reason<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +that we can take such chances again and have everything turn favorable +for us."</p> + +<p>"We won't count on those chances that are in the future, Fitz Hamilton," +Pierre replied cheerily; "but will hark back on this one, remembering +that we got thus far on our journey, even though we may be turned about +within the next five minutes."</p> + +<p>There was little likelihood we would find any obstacle in the way from +this on, if so be we landed at a respectful distance from the +encampment. The vessels in the stream between Gloucester and York were +evidently supposed by the commander-in-chief to be sufficient guard for +the water-ways, and so far as I had been able to learn, no small boats +patrolled the river.</p> + +<p>Nor did we meet with any. The way was open before us, and ere yet there +were tokens in the eastern sky of the coming of a new day, we had pulled +the skiff up amid the bushes more than two miles beyond Gloucester +point.</p> + +<p>"It begins now to look as though we should succeed in delivering the +message which the Jerseyman wanted sent into the American lines, and if +that can be done we need concern ourselves no further regarding the +outcome, for it matters little what happens to two lads like you and +me," Pierre said.</p> + +<p>I could agree with the first part of the proposition; but was not +sufficiently stout-hearted to say with truth that I was indifferent as +to what might befall me, because however great a love I had for the +Cause, my affection for Fitzroy Hamilton and his safe being, was much +stronger.</p> + +<p>Until the sun had risen we remained within the screen of foliage resting +from our labor at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> oars; but straightway day had fully dawned Pierre +laid his plans for coming upon this man whom the Jerseyman believed +would be looking for a messenger, by stationing me a quarter of a mile +up the bank, while he took post about the same distance below.</p> + +<p>"Now it is that we must take some chances," little Frenchie said when we +were about to go to our posts of duty. "It may be that the first who +appears will be a Tory, and we have no means of determining his +politics. If I see a person who appears by his movements to be watching +for some one from the York shore, then shall I run the risk of letting +him know we are lately come from the village."</p> + +<p>I understood he would have me do the same, and walked slowly along the +shore keeping within the line of foliage, and thinking meanwhile that as +soon as this task had been finished, if indeed it ever was, we might +with good cause seek for food from some plantation nearby, for my +stomach was crying out loudly that it was time to break fast.</p> + +<p>Well, to make what may seem an overly long story as short as possible, I +will content myself by saying that we two lads remained sometimes out in +full view, and again amid the foliage where we were partially screened, +until a good two hours had passed. Then there came into my view a man +with a bit of green in his hat, clad somewhat after the fashion of a +Virginia planter, who moved cautiously, not seeing me until he was where +it would be possible to have a view of York village, when he seated +himself upon the ground as if on watch.</p> + +<p>I made no delay in going toward him, and fancied he looked more than a +little concerned that I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> should have appeared so suddenly, all of which +went to strengthen my belief that this was the man whom we were seeking, +therefore without juggling words, I asked him:</p> + +<p>"Do you await some messenger from the other shore, sir?"</p> + +<p>He looked me over from head to toe before answering, and then replied by +asking a question:</p> + +<p>"Is there any good reason why it concerns you, young master, if I so +wait here?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, sir, that it does, since I, with my comrade who is on watch lower +down the shore, am come to find some one who awaits a message, or, we +may say, who is eager for news."</p> + +<p>"Who are you?"</p> + +<p>"The son of Alexander Hamilton, whose plantation lies within the bounds +of the town of James; but who himself is in the American army."</p> + +<p>"Did any one send you here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we were asked to show ourselves in a boat off the shore; but +inasmuch as we were forced to sneak out of York, it did not seem safe we +should make overly much of an exhibition of ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Who sent you?"</p> + +<p>"Tell me first from whom you are expecting a message, and then I will +answer the question."</p> + +<p>"Do you know aught of a man by the name of Morgan?"</p> + +<p>Then it was that without replying I raised my voice, calling Pierre by +name, for now was I positive we had hit upon the man whom the spy would +have us see, and when little Frenchie had replied, I explained to the +stranger that it was my comrade to whom the message had been delivered, +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> I believed he should have the credit of repeating it. Ten minutes +later the man was scurrying across country at his best speed, without +having uttered no word of thanks or praise for what we had done. No +sooner did Pierre give that message which the Jerseyman had entrusted +him with, and declared that we had no other information, than the fellow +wheeled quickly about like a fox who has got the scent of dogs, and +straightway we were alone, looking blankly into each other's faces, +asking mentally whether it might not be possible we had given the +Jerseyman's information to another, for it did not seem within the range +of possibilities that one of our way of thinking would have received +such news and never given sign or word of acknowledgment.</p> + +<p>"I fancy he has only in mind to save his own skin, and believes that +this shore in the rear of a British encampment is not the safest place +in the world for one of his politics," Pierre said musingly after a +brief time of silence. "We were not told how this man would prove +himself to be the one we were sent in search of, therefore it cannot be +set down to our discredit if we have fumbled the job."</p> + +<p>"And what now?" I asked moodily, almost persuaded, because of the +movements of the stranger, that we had advertised the fact of our +serving a spy, and the stranger had gone in search of those who would +arrest us.</p> + +<p>"We can do no less than stay here until another night has come, and +before sunset it should be possible to devise some means of passing the +English sentries. Just now, however, I am inclined to believe we would +do well to set out in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> search of something to eat. Do you know any of +the planters nearabout?"</p> + +<p>"Not within a dozen miles or more. It is quite certain, however, that +many of them nearabout Gloucester are Tories, while others would remain +neither for king nor for colony; yet I suppose we must take our chances, +unless we are willing to make breakfast, dinner and supper of this pure, +fresh air."</p> + +<p>"We will make our way to the negro quarters on some plantation," Pierre +said quickly. "When it comes to trusting a stranger, I can put more +faith in a black face than a white one."</p> + +<p>Having thus spoken the lad started inland, walking swiftly, and as if he +had both course and destination marked out plainly before him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>SAUL'S OPPORTUNITY</h3> + + +<p>It was destined that we should approach neither white man nor negro in +quest of food on this day, however severe might be the pangs of hunger, +for little Frenchie had hardly more than began a blind tramp across the +country, trusting that fortune would bring him to the destination +desired, when we were startled, I should say alarmed, by the report of a +cannon which rang out startlingly clear on the morning air.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course we were brought to a sudden halt; but before +either of us could speak, boom, boom, boom came from the direction of +York, and with the report of the guns we could see heavy smoke rolling +up from the village telling of burned powder.</p> + +<p>"What can it mean?" I cried, fancying like a simple for the moment that +this cannonading had somewhat to do with us, and Pierre, quick-witted as +ever, cried joyously as he turned his face shoreward once more:</p> + +<p>"Our people are advancing upon York, and the king's soldiers are warning +them to keep back."</p> + +<p>He ran at racing speed through the brush, I following as best I might at +his heels, and all the while came that dull roar of cannon, intermingled +now and then with sharp, crackling noises, which I understood to be the +rattle of musketry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> + +<p>Before we had gained the river bank it was positive our forces had come +within touch of the enemy, and I who, as has already been seen, was +wholly ignorant of military matters, believed the Americans were forcing +the Britishers to a battle.</p> + +<p>No sooner had we arrived where an uninterrupted view of the river could +be had, than we saw half a dozen vessels with as many barges coming down +the stream as if from the direction of Williamsburg, and, favored by the +wind, were shaping their course directly toward the Gloucester shore on +that side the point opposite where we were.</p> + +<p>Then it was that the guns of Gloucester joined with those of York, and +as these heavy pieces were discharged it seemed to me that the very +ground trembled, while over all hung smoke from the burning powder until +it was as if a heavy cloud had suddenly gathered, shutting out the light +of the sun.</p> + +<p>This fleet which was coming down the river apparently giving no heed to +the king's ships that lay in the stream, was hardly more than two miles +away, and as we lads gazed at the vessels breathlessly, trembling with +excitement, I fancied I could see the uniform of our Virginia militia. +Then my heart sank within me, for both the <i>Guadaloupe</i> and the <i>Charon</i> +were slipping their cables that they might swing around in such position +as to deliver broadsides upon those who were advancing so boldly.</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should not set down now the facts instead +of waiting until we came to learn of them later.</p> + +<p>This fleet which was coming down the York river was manned by a French +Legion, by French marines, and by a brigade of Virginia militia under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> +General Weeden, the whole under command of a French officer. They had +been sent to lay siege to the British encampment at Gloucester, for our +General Washington was not minded any of the soldiers under command of +Lord Cornwallis should make their escape, now that he held them as one +might say in the hollow of his hand.</p> + +<p>Although we could not see anything in the rear of York village, we knew +full well, because of the incessant cannonading, that our people must be +advancing by land as well as by water, and the one question in our minds +was whether a battle might be fought that very day, for then, as can +readily be understood, we had no idea that a regular siege was to be +begun before York.</p> + +<p>It was when the British vessels slipped their moorings to pour a +broadside into the little fleet of Americans that Pierre Laurens saw +clear before him the plan which we should follow, and running with all +speed toward where the skiff had been hidden in the foliage, he shouted +to me:</p> + +<p>"Make haste, Fitz, make haste! Now is the time when we can gain the +village with but little danger of attracting unpleasant notice, for +while the Britishers have their hands full with trying to hold our +people back, two lads like us may slip in without heed from friend or +foe."</p> + +<p>"But why shall we strive to enter York?" I cried, growing timorous once +more. "If there is to be a battle it were safer we stayed here, rather +than took our chances of being killed by cannon ball or musket-shot from +our own people."</p> + +<p>"It is not allowed that we shall stay here, Fitz Hamilton!" Pierre cried +almost angrily. "Do you forget that Uncle 'Rasmus, with that Tory<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> +prisoner of his, yet remains in York awaiting our coming and needing us +most sorely? Even though it were certain we would be shot immediately +after gaining old Mary's cabin, then are we bound to keep on. Are we to +stay here simply to insure our own safety, when Saul is in the +Britishers' guard-house exposed to even as much danger as we would be +with Uncle 'Rasmus?"</p> + +<p>It was not needed the lad should say more in order to recall me to a +sense of duty. A red flush of shame came over my face as I realized that +I would have played the part of a coward, forgetting that there were in +York those who needed me, and from that instant Pierre had no reason to +complain because I moved too slowly or failed to display an equal amount +of enthusiasm with him.</p> + +<p>Immediately the skiff was water borne we lost no time in setting off on +what might prove to be a perilous passage, and yet there was none of +danger whatsoever in it as we soon came to know.</p> + +<p>The men on the British ships had sufficient to occupy their attention +without giving heed to two lads who pulled against the current, making a +detour of a mile or more, for they were serving their guns with all +diligence, hoping to check the advance of those rebels who so lacked in +reverence to the king and his commands that they made their appearance +in warlike array without first having asked permission.</p> + +<p>The roar of the cannon both from the ships and from my Lord Cornwallis's +encampment was almost deafening, and as we tugged at the oars, straining +every muscle in order to take advantage of each moment of time, it +seemed to me as if the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> waters of the river were dashed here and there +into waves by the concussions.</p> + +<p>Without losing stroke or ceasing to exert ourselves to the utmost, we +kept our eyes fixed upon the scene before us, and again and again, +without being aware that I had uttered a cry, I shouted aloud in joy and +in pride at seeing that little fleet of small craft moving steadily on +toward its destination regardless of the heavy shot which were being +poured in upon them.</p> + +<p>So far as we could make out, not a British ball hit the mark. It is very +likely some of the missiles found their way among our people; but no +severe damage was done else we should have observed it; the fleet would +have been thrown into confusion had one of the craft been seriously +disabled, or turned back if they suffered too heavily. Instead of which, +however, they continued on as I have said, seemingly indifferent to the +efforts of the enemy.</p> + +<p>It was a sight well calculated to stir the blood of a boy from Virginia, +and my excitement, my admiration for the coolness of our people, and the +determination shown where the Britishers were doing their best to work +destruction, fired my heart until it was with difficulty I could +continue my share of the work at pulling the skiff.</p> + +<p>"Unless you can look at what is going on around you and row at the best +of your strength at the same time, then it is better you close your +eyes," Pierre said sharply when I missed a stroke and thereby nearly +threw him from the thwart.</p> + +<p>I could not have taken my eyes from that which thrilled every nerve in +my body; but true it is I did succeed in holding to my work, at least to +such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> extent that Pierre no longer found cause for fault with me, and by +the time we had reached the bank of the river, almost at the same point +from which we had embarked the night before, the fleet had so far closed +in with the land that the king's men did not dare fire upon it from the +ships lest they do more damage to their own people on Gloucester Point +then to impudent rebels, who had the effrontery to disturb the servants +of his majesty.</p> + +<p>The cannonading from the town still continued, now dying away to a +single shot every moment or two, and again roaring in thunderous notes +as battery after battery discharged all its cannon.</p> + +<p>These people were not firing upon the vessels near by Gloucester; but +straightway up the river, and therefore it was we knew our people were +coming over the land in considerable force, giving no more token of an +inclination to halt because of this summons by heavy missiles, than had +those who manned the fleet.</p> + +<p>The water front of the village was much the same as deserted when the +bow of our skiff grounded on the shore. I was too deeply excited to give +particular heed to everything within my range of vision; but it was to +me as if no man stood near at hand to observe our landing, and on +comparing notes with Pierre afterward I learned that he was of the +belief that we had come ashore into this encampment of seven thousand +soldiers without having been observed.</p> + +<p>As we made our way up into the village we found that all the troops were +in front of us, having manned the outermost entrenchments. We passed my +Lord Cornwallis's headquarters to find it apparently deserted. At the +stable lines of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> Rangers not a single horse stood, and my heart went +heavy as lead for I realized that poor little Silver-Heels, with a +red-faced, red-coated Britisher upon her back, was most likely well +toward the front where she stood a good chance of being disabled if not +killed, for by this time Pierre and I understood, because of the roar of +guns in the distance, that our people were not remaining silent under +this iron hail which the enemy were sending among them.</p> + +<p>"If they keep this up ten minutes longer we shall have no trouble +whatsoever in making our way to old Mary's cabin," I cried almost +gleefully, forgetting in this my moment of triumph, when I was pluming +myself with having accomplished something heroic, although I had simply +taken advantage of an opportunity, that men a short distance away were +lying mangled and in the agonies of death.</p> + +<p>"We can do better than that, lad," Pierre cried, catching me by the +shoulder as if a sudden thought had just come into his mind. "Look about +you as we run, and if so be your eyes light upon a pick or an axe, seize +upon it."</p> + +<p>"To what end?" I asked, panting because of the swift pace which my +comrade had kept. "Are you counting on taking part in the battle?" for +then it was I had no doubt but that our people had set about measuring +strength with my Lord Cornwallis's army.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll fight a battle on our own account, and the result shall be +the release of Saul from the guard-house. I'm allowing that the sentries +are not giving any great attention to prisoners just at this moment, and +if those who should be outside<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> the prison have pressed toward the front +to see what may be going on, our chance has come."</p> + +<p>It did not need that the dear lad should go into the details of what he +would do. I realized on the instant that even though we were within the +enemy's encampment, there was a possibility we might work our will, and +no time was wasted.</p> + +<p>It was reasonable to suppose that the sentries here, there and +everywhere throughout the village would be pressing toward the front +from motives of curiosity, if nothing else, feeling thoroughly well +convinced that no harm could come upon them from the rear.</p> + +<p>Fortune so far favored me as we run that I was speedily armed with an +axe which had been left near by a pile of fuel, and before we had +traveled twenty yards further Pierre came upon a pick. Therefore it was +we had all the weapons we needed for an attack upon the guard-house, if +so be little Frenchie had the same aim in mind which had come to me, +that is to say, to force an entrance through the chimney into the +fireplace.</p> + +<p>Then we were come to that house in which the Jerseyman had told me our +comrade was confined, and I, thick-headed as usual, would have begun an +attack upon the chimney without delay, for we had approached the +building from the rear; but before I could strike the first blow little +Frenchie grasped me by the arm, as he whispered warningly:</p> + +<p>"Would you take the risk of spoiling everything by going to work +blindly? We must first learn if there be sentries on the other side."</p> + +<p>Then, leaving me standing motionless and silent, covered with confusion +because of having shown myself such a simple, he went cautiously around<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +the house, moving with as much care and deliberation as if having full +knowledge that a squad or more of red-coats were on guard, and I awaited +his return, my heart thumping so violently that it was as if the +pulsations vied in volume of sound with the reports of the cannon.</p> + +<p>When next I saw Pierre he approached from the opposite side of the +house, thus showing that he had made a complete circuit of the place, +and the expression on his face told as clearly as words could have done +that we might set about our task without delay, for there were none near +at hand to stay us.</p> + +<p>Without waiting for him to speak I struck my axe into the structure of +sticks and clay with such force that it was buried to the head, and I +could not release the tool until little Frenchie had aided by tearing +away some of the fabric with his pick.</p> + +<p>"Haste is like to make waste," Pierre reminded me in a half whisper. +"Unless we get about this work with somewhat of system we shall make but +little headway, and no one can say how soon the sentries may remember +that it is their duty to stay here on guard instead of watching the +advance of the rebels."</p> + +<p>I would have been a dull lad indeed had I not come by this time to +understand that it was Pierre Laurens who should take the lead when he +and I were working together, therefore I stood back, leaving him to +begin the task, and striking with my axe when he directed me so to do.</p> + +<p>Before we had succeeded in cutting a hole as large as a man's hand, I +heard a voice from the inside which I believed to be Saul's crying +excitedly:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who are you that are striving to enter? There should be a sentinel just +outside the door, and unless you take due care he will give an alarm."</p> + +<p>"Saul! Saul! It's Pierre and Fitz!" I cried, no longer able to restrain +myself, and little Frenchie clapped his hand over my mouth on the +instant, saying angrily:</p> + +<p>"Is it not enough that you have opportunity to work your will even here +in the midst of the enemy's encampment, but that you must raise your +voice to give notice of what you would do? It matters little whether +Saul knows it is us who are here, or that he waits until we have +effected an entrance."</p> + +<p>While he spoke Pierre was working industriously, having taken his hand +from my mouth after leaving it there sufficiently long to give token +that he intended it for a reproof, and from that moment until sounds +from the inside told that whoever was held prisoner had been on his part +aiding in the work, I held my peace, watching little Frenchie's every +movement, determining never again until we were out of this village, +would I raise my voice until he had given permission.</p> + +<p>Whether we worked there at tearing a hole through the chimney five +minutes, or thirty, I have no idea. Around us yet roared the cannon, +telling that the American forces were still advancing, and the +Britishers striving to hold them back. Ever present in my mind was the +knowledge that at any moment the guard might come up and take us into +custody.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 405px;"> +<img src="images/i006.jpg" width="405" height="600" alt="THE RELEASE OF SAUL OGDEN." title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE RELEASE OF SAUL OGDEN.</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> + +<p>One can well understand in what a tumult was my brain, and how like a +flood in spring-time the blood leaped through my veins. I was like as +one held in the grip of a raging fever, until from out that aperture +which we had made in the flimsy chimney I saw Saul Ogden, looking +considerably the worse for his short imprisonment, come crawling until +it was possible for me to clasp him in my arms, where for an instant I +held him fast, tears of gratitude rolling down my cheeks because of +having been permitted thus to have taken some little part in the dear +lad's release.</p> + +<p>There were other prisoners than Saul in the guard-house, and, as can be +supposed, they were not backward in taking advantage of the opportunity +to make their escape from imprisonment even though they were red-coats; +but as the first soldier came on the heels of Saul, Pierre, raising his +pick threateningly, ordered the man to stop.</p> + +<p>"Remain where you are, or your death will pay the penalty," he cried, +and there was that in his tones which told it would not be safe to +disobey him.</p> + +<p>"If you are willing to let one out, why not another?" the Britisher +asked, an expression of perplexity coming over his bloated red face, +which gave token that he had been brought into the guard-house through +drunkenness.</p> + +<p>"Because I don't intend it shall be within your power to work us harm."</p> + +<p>"Why should I work you harm?" the half-drunken soldier asked as he lay +on his belly in the aperture looking up at the small lad.</p> + +<p>"You are a British soldier who has come here to work the king's will on +us of Virginia, and we are minded to make our escape before you can +atone for your misdeeds by making us prisoners," Pierre cried hotly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have no mind to take anybody prisoner, be he rebel or whatsoe'er you +will, for now the fight is going on, and by joining my troop this little +slip of mine which landed me in the guard-house is like to be forgiven +if not forgotten."</p> + +<p>"Stay where you are until we get well away, for we have been taught not +to put overly much faith in what you men who wear red coats may say," +Pierre cried, and at the same time he motioned for Saul and me to go our +way, which we did without delay, knowing the lad would follow close at +our heels.</p> + +<p>Saul had kept a tight grip on my hand from the moment he came into the +open air, and we two ran side by side, thus yoked together by token of +friendship, on the alert for the first show of a red coat in our path.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me that we might have raced around and around that village +until we were spent with the exertion, and never have come upon one of +the king's men, for they rushed into the outer works at the first alarm, +officers, soldiers, camp-followers, and even the sentries, all of them +most like believing it would only be necessary for them to give token of +being ready for battle in order to make the Americans turn tail in +terror.</p> + +<p>Surely this time they were making a grievous mistake, for the fire from +the front was continued with vigor as I understood full well before we +were a dozen yards from the guard-house, for then a cannon ball came so +near to me that I could feel the wind of it, and I started back in +surprise as if having supposed that our people had been firing blank +cartridges.</p> + +<p>Saul laughed at my show of fear, and asked as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> though he found something +comical in the situation:</p> + +<p>"Did you think that amid all this noise there were no shots flying?"</p> + +<p>"To tell the truth, Saul Ogden, I haven't had time to think since the +cannonading began. Then Pierre and I were on the Gloucester shore, +having made up our minds it would be useless to try to get into York +before another night had come. When we found it might be possible, as +has been proven, such a fever of excitement seized upon me that I have +had no clear knowledge of what has been going on."</p> + +<p>"It seems that you knew sufficient to understand the moment had come +when you might set me free," the lad said in a tone of exultation, and +I, determined that the credit should go where it belonged, replied +promptly:</p> + +<p>"It was not me, Saul Ogden, who was quick-witted enough to think that we +might find the guard-house without sentries around it. Pierre Laurens is +the one to whom your release is due, and save for him I dare venture to +say at this moment I would be with you inside the Widow Marshall's house +with red-coated sentinels standing guard over me."</p> + +<p>"Why? How? What has happened since I have been shut up yonder?"</p> + +<p>It was no time for story telling just then, as Saul must have +understood, for the first cannon ball which had reminded me that there +was danger in the air and that danger coming from the ranks of our own +army, was followed by another and another, until while we ran it seemed +as if we were actually being pursued by these missiles—as if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> there was +a force in the air to guide them out of a direct course to where they +might work destruction.</p> + +<p>By this time Pierre had overtaken us, for the lad could ever run more +swiftly than either Saul or I, and seizing me by the arm as if I was a +child who needed guidance, shouted in a tone of triumph even amid all +that peril:</p> + +<p>"If any one had told us when Abel Hunt was following so close at our +heels, that we might have worked this trick, it would have seemed like a +fairy tale, and yet we have come through thus far in safety, with every +chance of gaining old Mary's cabin unmolested."</p> + +<p>"If so be we get in the path of one of these messengers," I said, +motioning toward a cannon ball which was ploughing up the earth not +twenty yards away, "then shall we find that we have been molested for +all time."</p> + +<p>"If we have worked our will in this encampment of my Lord Cornwallis's, +we two lads alone, then I predict that we shall come through in safety, +at least so far as this work is concerned. What may happen before the +battle is ended I care not, so that we have kept faith with those who +waited for us."</p> + +<p>It can thus be seen that Pierre, quick-witted and versed in military +matters though he was, believed as did I, that this cannonading +betokened a regular battle, whereas, as we afterward came to know, it +was simply the investment of York, the beginning of a regular siege.</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should use many words in telling of that +flight across the village, although again and again were we in danger of +death<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> from the missiles sent by the Americans, even though I might make +an interesting story of that which we saw and feared; but it is enough +that we were finally arrived at our destination.</p> + +<p>I, who at the end of the race was leading the way, dashed into the cabin +without realizing the alarm that I might thus cause Uncle 'Rasmus; but I +understood instantly I was inside, that it would have been better had I +entered in a more seemly fashion, for the old negro leaped to his feet, +his black face grey with the pallor of fear, believing from my sudden, +noisy entering that the enemy had come to work him harm.</p> + +<p>Because of the dim light in the cabin it was a dozen seconds before he +could distinguish our faces, and then while we three stood in front of +him he sank back in the chair where he had so long played the part of +invalid, trembling in every limb as he said in a quavering voice:</p> + +<p>"Bress de Lawd! Bress de Lawd for all his mercies! Here am de chillun +come back when I neber expected to see dere faces agin!"</p> + +<p>Saul in his delight clasped the old man around the neck, hugging him as +affectionately as though he had been of the same color and of the same +blood; but Pierre, cautious and thoughtful as ever, instead of spending +his time calming Uncle 'Rasmus when there was no real need of doing so, +began looking around to find Horry Sims.</p> + +<p>Even though a battle might be raging on the outside, it was yet of vital +importance to us that the Tory be held prisoner, because his escape +might mean our death, if so be the fortunes of war allowed the +Britishers a breathing spell.</p> + +<p>Pierre ran hurriedly to the corner of the room<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> where we had last seen +the Tory cur lying, and an exclamation of dismay burst from his lips, +for the lad was not there. Hearing the cry I ran toward him, whereupon +he turned to Uncle 'Rasmus asking sharply:</p> + +<p>"Where is he? Has he given us the slip? Who has been here since we went +away?"</p> + +<p>"De Sims boy am safe, honey," Uncle 'Rasmus replied as Saul released his +hold on the old man's neck. "I 'clare for it I done got scared kase you +didn' come back, an' 'lowed it wouldn't do no ways to keep dat young +snake whar he could kick up a row ef any ob de king's sogers come in, so +I done put him away, honey, I done put him away."</p> + +<p>"Put him away, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried in alarm. "Do you mean to say +that you killed Horry Sims?"</p> + +<p>"Kill him, chile? Sure not. What for I kill him?"</p> + +<p>"But where is he?" Pierre demanded, and I understood from the quick, +nervous tones that he had been equally alarmed with me by the old man's +words.</p> + +<p>For reply Uncle 'Rasmus went to that end of the room near the fireplace +where he raised a short length of the flooring, and there we who +gathered around in breathless anxiety, saw Horry Sims lying upon the +earth, bound as we had left him, in a narrow space between the puncheons +which had evidently at some time been hollowed out as an apology for a +store-room.</p> + +<p>"How did you get him down there, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried, for I had not +believed the old man sufficiently strong to perform such a task.</p> + +<p>"I done roll him ober, chile, I done roll him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> ober. Don you see, honey, +I didn' dare keep him whar de sogers might see him, so I'se boun' to get +him out ob sight. I'd seen dat yere hole befo', an' sence de shootin' +begun I 'low he was mighty glad to be under cover."</p> + +<p>"Can't you take me out of here?" Horry asked imploringly. "I've been +tied up so long that my legs and arms are numb and aching. I promise not +to open my mouth and to do whatsoever you say, if these ropes can be +taken off for ever so short a time."</p> + +<p>"That's what they shall be," Pierre said quickly. "We have no desire to +cause you suffering, Horry Sims, and never counted on being forced to +remain away so long; but matters couldn't have been changed, for of +course we must think of our own safety before consulting your comfort. +Now, however, you will have a chance to move around."</p> + +<p>As he spoke so Pierre did, and when I would have argued with him that it +was unsafe to let the Tory lad have the freedom of the cabin even while +all of us were there to guard him, he shut me up in short order by +declaring that unless we were disposed to give the prisoner something +like fair treatment, he would insist on setting him free altogether.</p> + +<p>"And when Abel Hunt has found us out, as I believe of a verity he will, +then Horry is on exhibition where that meddlesome fellow may see him," I +cried hotly, but Pierre, giving no heed to my words, released the Tory +from his bonds.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>THE SIEGE</h3> + + +<p>For some moments after Pierre released Horry Sims from the bonds which +had held him so securely, the Tory was literally unable to move hand or +foot, thus giving good proof of the suffering which must have been his +while he lay beneath the puncheon planks of the floor, powerless to +command his body save in the way of breathing.</p> + +<p>After having chafed his limbs until the circulation of blood was +partially restored, the prisoner limped over into the corner where +Pierre and I had left him when we set out upon that stroll which +resulted so differently from our expectations, and there he crouched +upon the floor as if intent on showing us that he would remain a willing +captive. As a matter of fact, I believe the lad was more terrified by +the cannonading which yet continued and seemingly shook the very ground +beneath our feet, than he was by the knowledge that we held him in our +power.</p> + +<p>And it was terrifying, whether for Tory or Whig, far more so than if we +had been in the open where it might be possible to see all that was +going on, or if we were taking part with the troops; but to remain shut +up in the cabin, not knowing how near death might be to us, and fearing +each instant lest our frail shelter should be torn to splinters by a +cannon ball, was something that got on one's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> nerves more, I dare +venture to say, than any other danger.</p> + +<p>During the first two or three minutes after the excitement of meeting +with Uncle 'Rasmus had died away, there were times when it seemed well +nigh impossible for me to so far control myself as to remain in-doors; +it was as if I must go out; as if I must face that danger which seemed +so imminent; as if I could not meet death while being all ignorant of +how it might come to me.</p> + +<p>It was well, perhaps, that Pierre started a conversation by asking Uncle +'Rasmus how he had passed the hours of our absence, and I believe little +Frenchie did this rather in order to take our minds from what was going +on around us, than because he really desired information.</p> + +<p>The old negro told us in his peculiar way, of awaiting our coming with +whatsoever of patience he could summon, believing each instant we would +enter, and then as the hours wore on fear, as was quite natural, took +possession of him. He could not imagine any combination of circumstances +which would keep us abroad so long, save we had fallen into the hands of +the enemy, most like arrested as spies. Before morning came he was +convinced that such must have been the case, and the only hope he had of +learning what had befallen us was in the coming of Morgan; but there was +a fear that he might have been taken in our company, and would therefore +share our fate.</p> + +<p>"I done got terribly flustered up, chillun, an' dats a fac', kase I +counted I wasn' eber gwine to see youse any mo'. Dere was one spell jes' +'fore daybreak when I got it inter my min' dat dere was nuffin lef' fo' +de ole nigger to do but skitter out ob<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> dis yere village, an' it was +mighty uncertain whether he could get out ob it or not."</p> + +<p>"In that case what did you count on doing with Horry Sims?" Pierre +asked.</p> + +<p>"I done made up my min' to leabe him sittin' up in de chair by de +winder, kase I couldn' take him wid me, an' it wouldn't hab done no how +to let him go gallivantin' 'roun' from one ob dese yere ossifers to de +odder tellin' 'em what had happened to him."</p> + +<p>Then the old man painted with painful vividness the hunger and thirst +which had come upon him with the morning, after he had decided it would +be impossible for him to make his way through the lines. He repeated +what Horry Sims had said while begging for food or for water, and added +with an odd grimace:</p> + +<p>"I 'clare for it, chillun, I got right mixey wid Horry, eben ef he is a +Tory, kase de lad was sumfin to talk wid, an' I was carried away wid +fear till it seemed as ef I was boun' to keep my tongue runnin', else +I'd gone crazy."</p> + +<p>"You didn't get so mixey with him, Uncle 'Rasmus, but that you finally +dumped him under the floor," Pierre added with a laugh, and the old man +chuckled as he replied:</p> + +<p>"I done tell you how dat was, honey. De mixier I got wid him de more +afraid I growed 'bout his gibin' me de slip, or in case any ob de king's +sogers come in an' was curious to know what I had covered up wid de +blanket. It seemed like I couldn' bear de sight ob de boy, an' yet I +wanted to keep talkin' wid him all de time. I done splained dat dere +wasn' anyting to eat or drink in de house, an' dat we'd hab to go hungry +an' thirsty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> till de gen'man from Jersey come to look arter us. Den dere +come inter my min' dat yere hole in de floor, what ole Mary dug so's to +keep de milk an' de butter fresh, an' how your Uncle 'Rasmus did toddle +'roun', gettin' de chile inter it! I ain' half so shaky as I'se been +tryin' to make out since we come here to York; but it seemed like my +back-bone wasn' stiff enuf for de job I'd tackled when I got hol' ob +Horry Sims an' he tried to hang back. Howsomeever he got in dar, an' I +covered de plank ober, an' den I went back to de winder, an' I mourned, +an' I mourned, an' I mourned for my chillun what I 'lowed was in de +han's ob de Britishers."</p> + +<p>Then the old man, as if overcome by the remembrance of his suffering, +gave way to tearless grief, when he trembled like one in an ague fit, +covering his face with his wrinkled hands, and rocking his body to and +fro until I perforce knelt by the chair to soothe him.</p> + +<p>Again did little Frenchie come to the relief of us all by changing the +subject of the conversation once more, and this time he called upon Saul +to explain how it was he had been taken prisoner and confined in the +guard-house.</p> + +<p>Strange though it may seem, I had had no curiosity concerning this +matter from the time we set him free, perhaps because there was so much +of excitement and confusion everywhere around, but now I turned from +Uncle 'Rasmus to gaze at my cousin eagerly, so impatient to hear his +story that I could hardly control myself until he was ready to begin.</p> + +<p>"Of course I knew you would insist on being told of all that happened," +he said gravely, hesitating<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> now and then in his speech, "and the +thought that I must confess my folly caused me greater pain, I believe, +than did the knowledge of being held prisoner in that guard-house with +half a dozen half-drunken soldiers as companions. It was a case of +giving way to my temper, and the sooner I admit the fact the better, +perhaps, I shall feel."</p> + +<p>"With whom did you quarrel?" I asked curiously, surprised by the +possibility that any British soldier should have condescended to +squabble with a country lad.</p> + +<p>"With Abel Hunt," Saul replied, and Pierre and I leaped to our feet as +if moved by a powerful spring.</p> + +<p>Abel Hunt! And that scoundrel had followed us, knowing what he did about +Saul, without saying anything whatsoever concerning the lad; but +striving to find where we were lodged so he might work yet further +mischief!</p> + +<p>As this came into my mind I realized that the danger which menaced us +was greater than I feared, for Abel Hunt, having met Saul and compassed +his imprisonment, knew also that we were in the village. It was not +within the bounds of probability that he could even guess of our visit +to the Gloucester shore; but he would spare no labor to lay us by the +heels as spies. He had shown himself deep, that villain Hunt, deeper +than I ever believed was possible, for until this instant I had set him +down as one almost lacking in mental ability.</p> + +<p>"Tell us how the quarrel came about?" Pierre said quickly. "We also have +seen somewhat of this Abel Hunt, and it may be we need to know more +about him without loss of time in order to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> protect ourselves, if indeed +there be any protection for us in this British camp."</p> + +<p>"<i>You</i> have had to do with Abel Hunt?" Saul cried in astonishment. "Does +he know that you two lads are here?"</p> + +<p>"That he does," I replied. "He followed us until midnight, after we told +him we had no shelter and were forced to sleep out of doors if we slept +at all."</p> + +<p>"Did he tell you of meeting me?"</p> + +<p>"Never a word, and it is that very thing which troubles me," Pierre +cried, more excited than I had ever yet seen him. "He knew that if he +said aught against you or confessed to having had a hand in making you a +prisoner, there would be no possible chance of our confiding in him, or +be frightened into telling that which he sought to learn. Now go on with +the story, lad, and quick!"</p> + +<p>"There is not much more to tell, when I say that I met with Abel Hunt. +We came together nearabout the quarters of the Rangers, where I stood +hoping to get a glimpse of the mare, and, daring to take me by the arm +as if he were my equal, he demanded to know what I did there in the +British camp. Then it was I forgot myself, allowing my temper to get the +best of me, and instead of speaking him fairly because of the +circumstances, I threatened he should be flogged by one of my uncle's +negroes in the slave quarters, for daring to thus accost me. It stands +to reason that I realize now how foolish was this course, for I might +have put him off, or answered his question after my own fashion, and +later, when there were not so many king's lovers around, I could have +had him punished. But, instead, I lost control of myself,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> as I have +said, and I believe my actions pleased the scoundrel. He taunted me with +being a rebel, and otherwise strove to set yet further flame to my +anger, until forgetting all else, having lost to mind the danger in +which you lads would be placed, I struck at the fellow, knocking him +down, much to my satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"In a twinkling he had me by the legs while yet lying upon the ground +and cried out for the guard, declaring he was being murdered, and +otherwise making as much disturbance as half a dozen could have made if +they were being whipped to death. Then, as a matter of course, the guard +came up. Abel Hunt, who seemed to be on a friendly footing with some of +the red-coats, explained that I, a rebel, had attempted to win him over +to the side of the Whigs, and, failing, had set upon him with intent to +kill.</p> + +<p>"There was little need for him to have made so many charges against me. +The fact that I had been so bold as to make a disturbance nearabout the +quarters of the high and mighty officers of my Lord Cornwallis, was in +itself enough to warrant me lodgings in the guard-house, and before many +seconds had passed I was thrust into that filthy place, where I was fed +on bread with now and then a slice of bacon, and no more than half +enough of the river water to quench my thirst.</p> + +<p>"I knew full well that you lads would leave no stone unturned until you +had learned of my whereabouts, and I was also well convinced you could +do nothing whatsoever to aid me. Therefore it was I strove to remain in +that horrible place content, and succeeded in a measure until the cannon +began to roar, when I cried aloud with joy, for I believed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> our people +were giving battle to Cornwallis's army, although how that might +advantage me, unless they gained such a victory as to take all the +red-coats prisoners, I could not have said.</p> + +<p>"When you struck the first blow against the chimney of the house, I knew +as well as if I had seen your dear faces, that you, Fitz, and you, +Pierre, were there, taking advantage of the cannonading to rescue me. +But even as I rejoiced I mourned because of believing you would speedily +be made prisoners like myself. It never came into my mind that the +red-coats would leave even the prisons without a guard in order to man +the entrenchments. There is no more to be said, for you know the rest, +and now I am asking what about Abel Hunt?"</p> + +<p>The question which Saul asked was in Pierre's mind as well as mine, for +now did it seem as if our end was near at hand. There was no probability +he could effect anything now while the Britishers were striving to beat +back our people; but as soon as the firing ceased, and by this time we +had come to understand that it was not a battle which was being fought, +but an attempt on the part of the Britishers to prevent our forces from +gaining a foothold near the town—I say, when the firing ceased, and the +officers were at liberty to take heed to their own affairs in the +encampment, what might it not be possible for Abel Hunt to accomplish?</p> + +<p>He knew that Saul was here; that he was my cousin, and most like that +the horses on the Hamilton plantation had been seized, therefore would +have been even more dull than I fancied, if he failed to put together +the story in such a manner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> as to convince himself that both Pierre and +I were in York for some purpose other than that of curiosity.</p> + +<p>In fact, if he should tell no more than he already knew, without +attempting to add to the story in any way, that officer who listened to +him could, and with good reason, have set it down as a fact that we had +remained in the village to act the part of spies, after which +straightway every building in the village would be searched.</p> + +<p>"All of us, even if we take Horry Sims, might make our escape by the +river while the cannonading continues," I cried eagerly, having but the +one idea of making our escape without loss of time. "We had no +difficulty either in coming here or tearing away the chimney of the +guard-house, therefore does it stand to reason we can get to the river +bank without being seen. The skiff still remains where we left her, I +have no doubt, and by moving quickly we may be out of this trap and at +our home in James Town within two hours."</p> + +<p>"Why are you so eager to leave York?" Pierre asked in a peculiar tone, +and I, failing wholly to understand what the little French lad was +driving at, replied promptly:</p> + +<p>"Because of the danger we incur by remaining here."</p> + +<p>"And was it not you, Fitz Hamilton, who counted that we should call +ourselves Minute Boys with the idea that at some time, perhaps, we could +enlist more in our ranks until we had formed a company?"</p> + +<p>"Well, and what if I did propose such a foolish thing?"</p> + +<p>"You have allowed it to be understood among<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> us that you considered +yourself bound to perform the part of a Minute Boy?"</p> + +<p>"And what then?" I cried angrily.</p> + +<p>"Why, then, at some time in the future it might be said that you lads +from Virginia made bold talk as to what you would do as Minute Boys, and +began the work; but when danger menaced you turned tail to take refuge +under your mother's apron. How would such a story as that match with +what is already well known the lads of New York, of Boston, and of other +places have done for the Cause? Had they banded themselves together as +you and Saul and I agreed to do, and then shown the white feather, it +would have been known throughout all the thirteen colonies by this time. +And yet we of Virginia must be the first to act the cowardly part!"</p> + +<p>If Pierre had taken a horsewhip to me he could not have cut the flesh +more deeply than he cut my heart by these words. When I proposed to make +our way out of York, going to my own home, there was no thought in my +mind that the act could in any way have the appearance of cowardice. It +was simply before me that with Abel Hunt ready to give information, and +we shut up where a search of half an hour must surely reveal our +whereabouts, it was simply our duty to go away if so be that were +possible.</p> + +<p>Now, however, after the little French lad had spoken, I would have stood +in that village baring my breast to all those lovers of the king, +allowing them to do whatsoever they might with my body, rather than take +the first step toward escaping, and Pierre must have seen by the +expression on my face somewhat of that which was in my heart, for, +coming<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> up to me closely and caressing my arm in that old familiar +manner, he said soothingly:</p> + +<p>"I did not count to give you pain, Fitz Hamilton; but only said that +which was in my mind, with the idea of preventing you from carrying out +any plan that might cause you deepest pain in the future. Far be it from +me to accuse you of being cowardly, for I have seen you advance when you +were afraid to do so, and he who can control himself under such +circumstances may be counted a brave lad."</p> + +<p>While we had been talking the cannonading ceased gradually, until by the +time Pierre was done with his efforts to soothe me, comparative silence +prevailed. Straightway we lads forgot all else in the desire to know +what had been done; whether our people had retreated, or if the +Britishers had fallen back, and I was on the point of proposing that I +go out to get an idea of the situation when the door suddenly opened, +and to our great surprise and delight the Jerseyman flung himself +headlong into the room, as if he had run until so exhausted that he +could no longer remain on his feet.</p> + +<p>We closed the door behind him speedily, as you can well imagine, and +then barricaded it to the best of our ability, after which we darkened +the windows with blankets lest some curiously inclined soldier might +pass that way and see who was our visitor.</p> + +<p>We had no water with which to refresh him, therefore it was we could +only wait until he was in a measure revived, for strong though the man +had appeared to be, now was he apparently on the verge of exhaustion. +His face was powder-stained, as if he had been doing full share in +holding back our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> people, and his clothing torn and rent, showing token +of some desperate struggle.</p> + +<p>Not until four or five minutes had elapsed, during which we knelt by the +side of the man unable to give him any aid, did he recover some portion +of his strength, and then he said, speaking indistinctly because of his +heavy breathing:</p> + +<p>"There is nothing to cause alarm. The enemy have not discovered who I +am; but yet would I hide myself here with the hope of being able to make +my way through the lines this night."</p> + +<p>"But with whom have you been fighting?" I cried, pointing to his +trousers which literally hung in rags.</p> + +<p>"That was done in the trenches when seeing, as I believed, an +opportunity to get into our lines, and having as companion only a +wounded Britisher, I strove to make my escape; but he, suspecting what I +would do, grappled with me. The fellow had more strength than I gave him +credit for, because he held me in good play, and before I succeeded in +overcoming him there were so many red-coats around that I dare not make +the attempt."</p> + +<p>"Then he knows that you are a spy, and will give information to +Cornwallis!" I exclaimed, my voice trembling with excitement, and the +Jerseyman replied gravely:</p> + +<p>"He may have suspected, and probably did; but never can he carry +information to any officer."</p> + +<p>Then it was I understood the man was dead; but whether killed by the +Jerseyman, or by his wounds, I knew not, nor did I dare make inquiries.</p> + +<p>"Why did you come in such hot haste?" Pierre asked anxiously. "You must +have run at full speed from the farthermost outworks."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So I did, lad; two of us were sent to headquarters to bring up some +horses, and I, outstripping the fellow who went with me, decided on +making my way here, believing now the village is so closely besieged +that I would not have another opportunity of getting through the lines."</p> + +<p>"But what about the morrow, after you are missed, or to-night when you +fail to answer to the roll call?"</p> + +<p>"They may say of me what they please, so that I remain here hidden until +midnight, when I shall take my life in my hands, counting not the cost +of the venture if I may finish the work in this town of York which I +began so long ago."</p> + +<p>I could not then understand why it was Morgan spoke as if this might be +his last opportunity to desert from the British lines; but all of us +soon came to have a very good idea as to the reason, when he explained +what had happened.</p> + +<p>And now instead of endeavoring to set down the matter in his words, and +lest I should make a mistake in repeating them, let me write here that +which I read in plain print some time after the colonies had won their +freedom from the king. It was written by one who strove to tell all that +had happened, without taking either the Whig or Tory side, and, so far +as I have been able to learn, is true concerning what took place in that +village of York up to the close of this day of which I am writing.</p> + +<p>"Cornwallis, with the main division of his army, occupied York Town. The +main body of his troops were encamped on the open ground in the rear of +the town. Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas, who did good service at James Town, +occupied Gloucester with about seven hundred men, and was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> joined by +Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton and his men shortly before the siege began.</p> + +<p>"The combined armies of the Americans, about twelve thousand strong, +left Williamsburg by different roads and marched toward York Town. The +French Legion, a squadron of French marines, and a brigade of Virginia +militiamen, were sent to invest Gloucester, while the remainder of the +forces kept on toward the British encampment. On their approach the +British left their field-works and withdrew to those near the town. The +American light infantry and a considerable body of French troops were +ordered to take possession of these abandoned works, and serve as a +covering party for the troops while digging trenches and casting up +breastworks. Cannonading of the town and one or two sorties occurred +during the day.</p> + +<p>"Colonel Alexander Scammel, officer of the day, while reconnoitering +near the Fusileer's redoubt, situated on the river bank at the mouth of +a stream on the extreme left, was surprised by two or three Hessian +horsemen. He surrendered; but they shot him and left him for dead.</p> + +<p>"When the place was completely invested by the allied armies, their +lines extended in a semi-circle at a distance of nearly two miles from +the British works, each wing resting on the York river. The French +troops occupied the left, the Americans the right, while Count de Grasse +with his fleet remained in Lynn Haven bay to beat off any naval force +which might come to the aid of Cornwallis.</p> + +<p>"On the extreme left of the besieging army were the West India regiments +under St. Simon. Next to them were the French light infantry regiments;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> +the French artillery and the quarters of the two chiefs occupied the +center. On the right, across a marsh, were the American artillery, under +General Knox; the Virginian, Maryland and Pennsylvania troops under +General Steuben; the New York, Rhode Island and New Jersey troops, with +sappers and miners, under General James Clinton; the light infantry +under Lafayette, and the Virginia militia under Governor Nelson. The +quarters of General Lincoln were on the banks of Wormeley's Creek on the +extreme right."</p> + +<p>All this, as I have said, was told us by Morgan while he lay on the +floor of old Mary's cabin; but I dared not trust my memory to make an +attempt at repeating his words, therefore it is I have copied it from +the printed account, although by so doing have seemed to advance the +time by giving the position of the besieging army, for they did not +occupy the quarters as here set down until the following day.</p> + +<p>Now we understood, else had we been thick-headed indeed, that York was +to be besieged to the end that none of my Lord Cornwallis's force might +escape, and how many days must pass before the proud Britisher would be +willing to surrender, no man could say.</p> + +<p>These facts caused me no little anxiety of mind, and I saw plainly by +the expression on Pierre's face that he was deeply disturbed, as indeed +he had good reason to be. All us lads, even though we were not +experienced in warfare, knew that during the time of siege it would be +next to impossible for any person to make his way into the American camp +from the village, because the outer works would be heavily manned night +and day, and every red-coated soldier<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> be on the alert to prevent +information being carried to the so-called rebels.</p> + +<p>In the meantime we must hide in the besieged town, holding our prisoner +with us; but now that the British army was drawn more closely together, +and we as a matter of course more nearly surrounded by the soldiers, did +it seem a matter of impossibility we could remain undiscovered any very +great length of time.</p> + +<p>In addition to this danger, which it seemed to me was so great as to +overshadow all else, was the fact that while we were in hiding we must +contrive in some way to supply ourselves with food, and how might that +be done save at the expense of revealing the fact that old Mary's cabin +had other occupants than the decrepit negro and a lad who had come to +care for him?</p> + +<p>Before the siege was begun it needed but little proof to convince the +king's officers that whosoever was charged with being a spy was guilty; +and now that the village was invested, with the Americans pressing hotly +for every advantage, the lightest whisper would be sufficient to bring +one who had spoken or moved indiscreetly, to the gallows.</p> + +<p>As I brooded over these things it seemed to me as if we were already +within the shadow of the valley of death, with no way of escape save +over the dark river into the Beyond.</p> + +<p>Certain it is that even Morgan shared in the forebodings which I have +here set down, otherwise he would not have taken the chances of +remaining hidden in the cabin until midnight and propose then to venture +his life as the price of being discovered while striving to creep +through the lines.</p> + +<p>He himself had said that this was the last opportunity,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> poor though it +might prove, to get word to our people, and he must also have realized +all the dangers that would menace us when another day was come and the +king's soldiers settled themselves down to the task of holding their +enemy in check.</p> + +<p>That which made the situation seem to me more painful, more intolerable, +was the fact that there was no longer any possibility we could be of +service to the Cause by thus remaining in York; yet we were bound to +stay for the very good reason that there was no hope of getting away.</p> + +<p>I could not bring myself to believe we had accomplished aught of good by +coming into this village of York. It seemed to me matters would have +been better for all concerned had we remained on the Hamilton +plantation, and yet Master Morgan was so kind as to say before that day +had come to a close, that when he had speech with any of our generals he +should take good care to give us due praise for what we had done.</p> + +<p>"Even though it had been nothing more than carrying the message to +Williamsburg and repeating my words to the man on the Gloucester shore, +then would you lads have good reason to be proud," the Jerseyman said +when I asked petulantly what we who called ourselves Minute Boys had +done deserving of praise. "Without you I should have been forced to +leave the lines some time ago, and thanks to your being here, it is now +possible for me to give accurate information as to all the defenses."</p> + +<p>"That is, providing you get through the lines alive," Saul said grimly, +and the Jerseyman added:</p> + +<p>"I count on getting through with sufficient of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> life remaining to be +able to tell my story; but if peradventure I am shot this side the +entrenchments, then I conjure you lads as you love your country, to risk +everything you hold most dear in the effort to communicate with our +people. Value your lives as nothing; the greatest suffering you can +endure as a pleasure, so that you may be able before another day has +come to a close to describe in detail that which you have seen."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>AN UGLY SITUATION</h3> + + +<p>After Morgan had finished telling us what would be our duty in case he +gave up his life while trying to get through the lines, then came a +discussion as to how it would be possible for us to procure food.</p> + +<p>With Abel Hunt at liberty, roaming around the village seeking us out and +most like counting to denounce us as rebels, it was in the highest +degree dangerous for any member of our company to venture forth from the +cabin lest we come upon that fellow whom I doubted not was bent solely +on doing us a harm.</p> + +<p>Why he should have turned his attention to such end I cannot well say, +save it might be that he fancied it was the best way to curry favor with +the British officers. Neither Saul nor I had done anything to make of +the fellow an enemy. It is true we did not associate with him, and I +question whether that could have rankled in his breast, because he knew +full well that lads of our standing would not stoop to such a thing.</p> + +<p>However it might be, certain it was, as I set it down in my own mind, +that after we had met him the night before he would leave no stone +unturned to bring us into trouble, and it would not be a difficult +matter for him to learn from some of the Tory citizens of York who yet +remained in the village,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> which of the buildings were owned by my +father.</p> + +<p>Having come to know that this cabin belonged to the Hamilton plantation, +there was every reason to believe Hunt would watch it closely, therefore +for any one of us three lads to venture out even though we might be +starving, would be much the same as advertising him of our whereabouts.</p> + +<p>Certain it was that the Jerseyman could not aid us in this extremity, +for he must remain even more closely hidden than we, lest he be +prevented from making the desperate attempt he counted on as soon as +night had come.</p> + +<p>"I see no other course than for Pierre Laurens to set his wits at work +striving to find some way out of this trouble," I said after we had +talked together, as you might say at random, without having arrived at +any definite conclusion. "Since we came into this village of York Pierre +has shown himself ready of thought and has pulled us out of more than +one hole. If he cannot devise some means to procure food save at the +expense of bringing Abel Hunt down upon us, then will I say it is +useless to attempt it; but that we must either starve, or take the poor +chances of trying to follow Master Morgan through the lines, which would +be much the same as death."</p> + +<p>"But why should we be so certain this cabin is likely to be watched?" +Saul asked in a tone of irritation. "Why may we not say to ourselves in +good truth, that after you and Pierre met Abel Hunt—"</p> + +<p>"Who is it calls on Abel Hunt?" a familiar voice from the outside cried, +causing the blood to run chill in my veins, and almost at the same +instant the door was burst open, the flimsy barriers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> we had set against +it being of no avail as opposed to the strength of him who threw all his +strength upon it.</p> + +<p>We sat there like statues, and I dare say fear was written on every +face, even on that of the Jerseyman's, when Abel Hunt in his bullying +way strode into the center of the room and stood there gazing around at +us as if to say we were at his mercy, and would obey his lightest word +because we dared not do otherwise.</p> + +<p>As for myself, I was literally paralyzed with fear. That man who could +do us more mischief in this town of York than any other, had found out +our hiding place, and what was even worse, had seen in our midst, as if +taking council with us, a British soldier, for Master Morgan still +retained so much of his uniform that it might be readily +distinguishable.</p> + +<p>My limbs trembled as if I was suffering from an attack of the palsy, and +in my great terror I saw no way to counteract this last stroke of +misfortune. I could bring to mind no act of ours which would tend to +relieve us from the danger that menaced, and I might almost fancy that +at his heels he had brought a squad of red-coated soldiers to carry us +off to prison, from which we would emerge only to stand under the +gallows.</p> + +<p>Involuntarily I glanced toward Pierre, for the little French lad had +ever shown himself of such ready wit that in time of great danger all my +hopes were centered in him, and again did I have cause for fear. The +lad, keeping his eyes fixed upon Abel Hunt that he might watch his every +movement as a cat watches the movements of a mouse with which she is +playing, was slowly yet surely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> moving around the room toward the door, +and in my folly I said to myself that we were in such desperate straits +that Pierre Laurens was not only willing, but striving, to give us the +slip.</p> + +<p>Although knowing him so well, I imagined that he, like me, was well nigh +overcome with terror, and intent only on saving his own skin without +giving heed to whatsoever might come upon his companions.</p> + +<p>During a single instant my eyes fell upon the Jerseyman, and I saw what +I fancied was already pictured plainly on my own face, until he, like +me, had a glimpse of Pierre. Then it was as if a wave of satisfaction +and approbation passed over his features, whereupon he turned to Abel +Hunt, who still stood in the center of the room grinning in triumph at +each of us in turn, and began to engage him in conversation.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me that the Jerseyman uttered the words of a foolish +person, when he said to the grinning fellow who was burning to humiliate +and bring us to our death:</p> + +<p>"There is no good reason, Hunt, for such I gather to be your name, why +you should not sit down. Let us discuss the situation. I admit that you +have caught us foul; but there is no need to hasten affairs, and we may +as well speak of the matter among ourselves while there is yet time, for +I am of the belief that it may be mended."</p> + +<p>"You'll mend nothing with me, you renegade Britisher!" Abel Hunt +snarled. "I looked to find a nest of rebels here; but didn't count they +would be harboring a traitor such as you give token of being."</p> + +<p>"Why should you call me a traitor?" the Jerseyman<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> asked calmly and much +to my astonishment, yet even at that moment when I was both terrified +and perplexed I noted that he gave more heed to Pierre Laurens, than to +the man with whom he was talking.</p> + +<p>"Why should I not give you the name of traitor?" Abel growled. "You +still wear part of the king's uniform, and it must be you have turned +against him, else why do I find you consorting with rebels?"</p> + +<p>"It may be I am striving to lead them from the error of their ways," +Master Morgan said with a smile, and then it was I saw Uncle 'Rasmus +pulling his chair forward, at the same time shaking his fist at Horry +Sims in token that he should remain in the corner.</p> + +<p>"Don't think to blind my eyes!" Hunt screamed. "Don't fancy that soft +words will butter any parsnips with me! I've got you all under my thumb +now, and count on keeping you there!"</p> + +<p>"All of which you know to be a lie," the Jerseyman said, still speaking +quietly but fixing the fellow with his eye as if to hold closely his +attention.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course these words were amply sufficient to arouse Hunt +to the highest pitch of anger, and on the instant he seemed to give no +heed to any save the one who had insulted him.</p> + +<p>"You shall live to repent those words, and die regretting them," he +snarled.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you cause me now, single-handed, to regret them?" Morgan +asked threateningly, rising to his feet as he spoke as if expecting an +attack, and Abel Hunt literally shrieked in his anger:</p> + +<p>"Because there is no need why I should spend my strength on one who lays +so near the gallows<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> as do you. I count on turning you over to those +officers of the king who will deal out such justice as you have earned, +instead of spending my time flogging a traitor who deserves more the +halter."</p> + +<p>Now it was, when it seemed to me as if Master Morgan was trying to +provoke a rough-and-tumble fight, that I began, thick-head though I was, +to have an inkling that some plan, which had been concerted without the +aid of words, was on foot, for as soon as Abel gave way to anger old +'Rasmus moved his chair yet further forward until it stood as a +barricade in front of the door, while Pierre held in his hands by one +leg a stool, handling it as if it were a weapon.</p> + +<p>"If you have aught against me, and are not a coward, you will try it out +now and here, instead of hiding yourself behind the skirts of the king's +soldiers!" the Jerseyman cried as if he no longer held control over his +temper, and at the same time he advanced a step toward Hunt as if to +grapple with him.</p> + +<p>The cowardly fellow fell back before Morgan; but dared not take his eyes +from the Jerseyman because of fearing that a blow might be delivered. +Back, back, slowly, pace by pace he retreated, Morgan advancing with +clenched fist, and then against Uncle 'Rasmus's chair the fellow came at +full force, half toppling over.</p> + +<p>Then it was that I understood all the scheme; understood why Uncle +'Rasmus had moved where he did, and why the Jerseyman strove to provoke +Hunt to anger, for Pierre raised the stool which he had been swinging to +and fro in his hands, and brought it down upon the scoundrel's head with +such force that he was nigh knocked to the floor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> + +<p>If little Frenchie had been able to get in a direct blow, I have no +doubt it would have settled matters on the instant, for I could see even +in the gloom that the lad was putting all his strength to the effort, +and counted on taking human life if by so doing he could the better +relieve us from the difficulty into which we had fallen.</p> + +<p>As it was, unfortunately, Pierre's arm glanced across the back of Uncle +'Rasmus's chair, and the blow was robbed of half its force. It was +sufficient, however, to partially daze Abel Hunt, and before he could +recover either his senses or his footing Morgan was upon him like a +wild-cat, clutching both hands around the fellow's throat to prevent any +outcry, while the two came down upon the puncheon planks with a thud +that shook the building.</p> + +<p>On the instant, and without giving any heed to the struggling men, Uncle +'Rasmus sprang with the agility of a boy to the corner where Horry Sims +stood as if ready to leap forward to Abel Hunt's aid, and there the old +negro, with his cane upraised, held the Tory lad where he neither dared +lift a hand or open his mouth.</p> + +<p>At the same instant little Frenchie sprang toward the door, replacing +and mending so far as possible the barriers which had been torn away, +and otherwise doing what he might to put it in such shape that it would +resist, at least for a short time, the efforts of any who might try to +enter.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Saul and I stood as if dazed, looking down upon the floor +where Master Morgan and Abel Hunt were struggling most desperately, +rolling here and there with such swiftness of movement that had we been +armed with the best of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> weapons it would have been impossible for us to +have struck a blow in defence of the Jerseyman, save at great risk of +hitting him instead of our enemy.</p> + +<p>I did succeed, after mayhap a full minute had passed, in gathering my +wits sufficiently to seize upon a stick of firewood which was lying at +one side of the fireplace, and then I went toward the combatants, +watching the opportunity to strike a blow in Master Morgan's defence. So +great was the rage within my heart, that I sincerely hoped I might bring +the oaken stick down upon Abel Hunt's head with such force as to kill +him on the instant.</p> + +<p>At almost the precise moment when the Jerseyman leaped upon Abel Hunt, +the British cannon were discharged, and from then on until long after +the struggle had come to an end, was the firing kept up on both sides +with such violence and volume of sound that however much of a +disturbance we might have made in the cabin, or however near the +Britishers had approached to the building, no token of our movements +could have been heard. Otherwise certain it is to me that we would have +brought the enemy down upon us, for the tumult inside old Mary's cabin +was indeed great.</p> + +<p>How long the struggle between the two men continued I had no means of +knowing. My blood was, as one would say, so boiling in my veins that I +saw nothing but red before me, and was conscious of but the one desire +to kill the scoundrel who without reason had sought to hunt us down.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I could not have told whether I sprang here and there +in the effort to strike a deadly blow, five minutes or half an hour, +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> something very like disappointment came over me when Master Morgan +concluded the fight without aid from any of us.</p> + +<p>His grip upon Abel Hunt's throat was so firm that the fellow's eyes were +literally starting from their sockets when he had been choked into +insensibility, and his tongue hung out of his mouth seemingly a finger's +length.</p> + +<p>The Jerseyman although victor, had not come out of the fight unharmed. +He was bleeding from a cut on the face. His shirt had been torn from his +body until he was near naked, and so severe had been his exertions that +when Hunt finally sank back upon the puncheons like one dead Master +Morgan could only with difficulty move to his knees, panting, and with +the perspiration running down his face in tiny streams.</p> + +<p>How long Saul and I stood gaping open-mouthed at the apparently dead man +and nearly exhausted spy I dare not venture to say. Neither of us +thought we had any part to play now that the battle was at an end; but +not so with Pierre Laurens. He, dear lad, ever on watch and ever ready +to take advantage of the first opportunity, understood that Abel Hunt +had only been choked into unconsciousness, and that it was necessary we +set about so fettering him that the battle could not be continued when +his senses returned.</p> + +<p>Pierre seized upon the blanket which had fallen from Uncle 'Rasmus's +knees when he set about making his way toward the door to offer his body +as a living barricade, and tore it into strips until he had an apology +for a rope sufficient to have tied two men, and began dextrously binding +Hunt's feet and arms.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p> + +<p>His action caused me to bestir myself, and I began to fashion a gag for +the fellow's mouth, knowing full well that we could not frighten him +into silence as we had frightened Horry Sims.</p> + +<p>The Jerseyman recovered from his exertions before little Frenchie and I +had finished our task, and then he took from my hand the stout billet of +wood which I was wrapping with strips torn from the blanket, as he said:</p> + +<p>"I am not minded to have the blood of this fellow on my head, yet +perhaps it would be better for all concerned if we shut off his wind for +so long a time that it could never be recovered again, for he is like to +be a millstone around your neck, lad, and may yet succeed in working his +purpose. Killing one in cold blood, even though it be for the Cause, is +more than I am willing to undertake."</p> + +<p>"But he must be gagged," I cried, thinking that Master Morgan was +growing soft-hearted and might waste too much time in mourning over his +victim.</p> + +<p>"Let not your heart be troubled as to that, lad," the Jerseyman said +grimly. "To thrust this gag into the fellow's mouth just now would be +indeed the same as cutting his throat. We must wait until he is well +nigh conscious of his surroundings, and then bind it in place so +securely that he cannot work loose from it."</p> + +<p>Then it was, while Morgan knelt by Abel Hunt's side awaiting the proper +moment to deprive him of all power of speech, that I realized what we +had done. I speedily understood that this victory of ours was the same +as a disaster, for how could we, unable to procure food or water save at +great risk,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> care for two prisoners, and at the same time the thought +came into my mind like a red light of warning, that the companionship of +Abel Hunt would embolden Horry Sims, and mayhap make of him something +more than the coward he had thus far shown himself.</p> + +<p>Even though we should be able to feed these prisoners, yet must we hold +them here in the midst of the British camp where the least accident +would bring the soldiers in upon us, and it did not at that moment seem +to me possible we could keep the two fellows in the loft any length of +time without in some way betraying the secret.</p> + +<p>"What about the Tory lad?" Master Morgan asked while he yet awaited the +proper time for thrusting the gag into Hunt's mouth.</p> + +<p>"We are forced to hold him, as a matter of course. The question in my +mind as you spoke was how we might care for two prisoners, while we +ourselves are in much the same situation, save than we are at liberty to +move about inside this cabin?"</p> + +<p>"There are many things, lad, which seem impossible while they are yet in +the future; but when the moment for action comes the way is made plain, +and we succeed where failure appeared certain."</p> + +<p>Not understanding fully the meaning of what the Jerseyman said, I did +not extract much of comfort from his words; but stood looking down upon +Abel Hunt who was now beginning to breathe heavily like one who snores +in his sleep, until Pierre aroused me by saying:</p> + +<p>"We shall be forced to put both prisoners into the loft, as a matter of +course, and may as well get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> Horry Sims there now, for stowing Abel Hunt +away will be considerable of a task."</p> + +<p>Despite the roar of great guns from the outside the Tory lad heard what +little Frenchie said, and straightway set about begging us not to put a +gag in his mouth, vowing by this and by that which he held most sacred, +that he would make no outcry.</p> + +<p>At first it seemed to me absolutely necessary for our own safety that we +deprive him of the power to raise an alarm; but Pierre, who had already +thought over all the possibilities of the situation, said:</p> + +<p>"We will put Abel Hunt one side of the scuttle, and Horry Sims the +other. Whoever is on guard must sit by the side of the Tory lad, and if +so be he gives any token of crying out, then shall the gag go in and +remain there."</p> + +<p>"Do you count on making the same bargain with Abel Hunt?" I asked +scornfully, for my blood was yet so heated that I could have no feeling +of tenderness or of mercy toward those two who had forced us to +encounter such peril.</p> + +<p>"He must take his dose," little Frenchie said from between his clenched +teeth, and I was really pleased, even while standing there facing death, +to see that the French lad's anger could be aroused.</p> + +<p>Without loss of time we drove Horry Sims up the ladder, and when he was +in the loft Pierre and I fettered him securely with strips of blanket, +threatening him with the gag if he moved a hand's breadth in either +direction.</p> + +<p>Then we went to the floor below, ready to do our share in hoisting into +his attic-prison the scoundrel who would have denounced us as spies.</p> + +<p>The Jerseyman had already put the gag in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> Hunt's mouth, and when we came +down he was telling the fellow what he might expect if any resistance +was offered.</p> + +<p>"Here is a pistol with mayhap a dozen charges of powder and ball," +Master Morgan said as he drew from his ragged trousers a weapon and a +small package which I knew contained ammunition. "Whichever of you lads +stands guard over the prisoner, and close watch must be kept night and +day if you would preserve your lives, will have by him every moment this +pistol ready loaded and primed. At the first sign of an attempt to +escape, or to give an alarm, which you see Abel Hunt display, put the +weapon to his head and blow his brains out regardless of everything, +even though there might be a squad of soldiers standing beneath the +scuttle, for his life must be as of no value if you would hope to come +out from this British nest with whole skins."</p> + +<p>Then looking at Hunt, who perforce lay there motionless and silent, the +Jerseyman repeated to him very much the same as he had said to us, +assuring the fellow over and over again that if the Britishers should +come to his aid, or if it was discovered either through his exertions or +by accident that he lay there a prisoner, we lads were bound to kill him +because of what he could tell to our disadvantage.</p> + +<p>I have seen a wild-cat held helpless in a trap, and there was much of +his look about Abel Hunt's face as he glared at Pierre and me, unable to +stir even a finger, while Master Morgan was threatening.</p> + +<p>It seemed as though the fellow must have realized that we would have no +compunction about taking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> his life in cold blood if so be he stood +between us and liberty, yet was he like the wild-cat, ready and willing +to struggle to the very last even though the odds were so heavy against +him, and when we strove to carry him into the loft he did his best to +prevent it, although both hands and feet were bound securely.</p> + +<p>It was not until we had made a rope of the second blanket, thus +depriving ourselves of even the apology for a bed, and tied it around +his body, hoisting him as we would a bale of cotton, that it was +possible to get the fellow through the scuttle.</p> + +<p>With two of us pulling from above and the others shoving him up from +below, we finally succeeded in landing him on the puncheon planks, +rolling the fellow over until he was at such a distance from the opening +in the floor that he could not well spy upon those who were below.</p> + +<p>All the while, fortunately for us, the cannonading continued, therefore +we were at liberty to work as we would regardless of making a noise, and +well it was, for had we stood in danger from eavesdroppers, then must +all of us have been in the guard-house within five minutes after the +fight between Master Morgan and Abel Hunt began.</p> + +<p>It was with a sense of greatest relief that I stood near the edge of the +scuttle wiping the perspiration from my face when finally we had got the +scoundrelly cur where we wanted him, and then the satisfaction which +should have been mine because of having thus far succeeded in holding +our own, was entirely wiped out by thoughts of the future. Strive as I +might, I could not prevent my mind from going ahead of time and +picturing what must finally be our fate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p> + +<p>That we could hold these two Tories securely for a day, mayhap eight and +forty hours, I had little doubt; but it was the same as a proven fact in +my mind that within a short time must the Britishers learn all the +secret, and lay us under the most terrible of all military charges.</p> + +<p>It was as if Master Morgan understood that if we were given much time +for thought there was fear of our growing timorous, for no sooner had we +disposed of Abel Hunt than he called for all to come to the floor below +where he could have speech with us, saying at the same time that the +prisoners could effect nothing toward their release, even though it were +possible for them to cry out, because while the cannon were roaring and +one could hear the crackle of musketry from seemingly every point, the +strongest lunged man who ever lived could not have made his voice heard +an hundred paces away.</p> + +<p>"It has come time for me to take leave of you, lads," the Jerseyman said +much to my surprise, and I interrupted him by crying out, for it was to +my mind as if the moment he departed we were standing in even more +imminent danger of death than we did at that instant.</p> + +<p>"I thought you were not counting to make the venture until midnight," I +cried.</p> + +<p>"That was in my mind, lad, when matters were quiet here within the +entrenchments; but from the sounds of conflict it would seem as if the +Britishers had all they could attend to without looking after a man here +or there. I count on making my way very near the outer works, where I +shall await an opportunity of slipping through the lines."</p> + +<p>"Think you it will be possible to do so?" Pierre<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> asked thoughtfully, +and the Jerseyman replied without a tremor in his voice:</p> + +<p>"I am of the mind, lad, that the odds are strongly against it, and yet +must the venture be made. I have the hope that if death comes to me you +may have knowledge regarding it, so that that which I have failed in may +be carried on by one of you. It is not a time to think of taking +precautions to save our own lives; but rather to try how we may so +sacrifice them that by our dying we shall have benefitted the Cause."</p> + +<p>Even while he was speaking in such a strain as to bring tears to the +eyes of us all, little Frenchie, ever realizing what should be done, was +unbarring the door, and when he had finished the task the Jerseyman went +out without so much as turning to look at us. Never a word did he speak, +but went quickly into the open air as if eager to rid himself of our +company.</p> + +<p>Only those who have been in a like situation can understand our feelings +at this moment when we were left alone, and knew that the man who stood +our friend, had gone most like to his death.</p> + +<p>We remained silent and motionless, not daring to gaze at each other, +much like a band of mourners who have gathered around the lifeless body +of a dear friend, and so we would have stood there until all the courage +oozed out from our hearts, had it not been for dear little Frenchie, +himself quite as brave a man and as good a patriot as the one who had +just left us.</p> + +<p>Regardless of the sorrow in his own heart, and of the forebodings which +I knew must be his, he put on a cheerful face, saying as he righted +Uncle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> 'Rasmus's chair which had been overturned during the struggle:</p> + +<p>"There is no good reason why we should stand around here like a company +of sore-heads, for there is work in abundance to be done. We must have +food, and now would seem to be the time to procure it, when the +Britishers have all on their hands to which they can attend."</p> + +<p>"For my part I have no desire for food," I cried, almost irritated +because he had brought up the matter at such a time, when it was as if +we had taken leave of an old friend. "It seems to me as if I should +never be hungry again."</p> + +<p>"But yet you will be, Fitz Hamilton, and that before this night-fall. +Even though we were inclined to starve ourselves, thinking it might +benefit the Cause, we have two prisoners to look after, and now that we +have no longer reason to fear a meeting with Abel Hunt, what prevents us +from going through the encampment?"</p> + +<p>"It seems to me that at such a time the Britishers would be +over-cautious, and insist on knowing why we lads roamed around instead +of offering our services to those in the entrenchments," Saul said +gloomily, and I was much of his mind; but when little Frenchie has once +set out on a road it is most difficult to turn him back, and now in +answer to our suggestions, he insisted that we must make an effort to +procure provisions whatever short of actual death might stand in the +way.</p> + +<p>I am willing now, as I was then, to confess freely that I was afraid to +step outside old Mary's cabin for any purpose whatsoever. The struggle +with Abel Hunt, and the departure of the Jerseyman when it seemed +certain he had gone out only to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> killed, had brought to the surface +all my cowardice; but when I said as much in plain words, little +Frenchie laughed me to scorn, declaring he knew me better than I knew +myself, and that it needed only for me to stand face to face with +imminent danger in order to give token of bravery.</p> + +<p>"Then surely now should be the time when I showed myself a hero," I +replied with a laugh that had in it little of mirth, "for verily are we +face to face with as many dangers as the most gluttonous swash-buckler +could desire."</p> + +<p>"Come with me and we will find more," Pierre said with a laugh as he +opened the door, and for the life of me I could not have refused to +follow the lad, even my knees bent beneath me as I crossed the +threshold.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>FORAGING</h3> + + +<p>Sorely afraid though I was to go out of the cabin lest I find myself a +prisoner on the charge of being a spy, no danger however great could +have prevented me from following little Frenchie when he thus led the +way.</p> + +<p>I was so timorous at that moment as to be irritated, and it would have +done me a world of good could I have taken the little lad by the +shoulders and shaken him severely, because of thus venturing forth when +he might have remained in hiding a few hours longer without suffering +overly much from lack of food.</p> + +<p>Once in the open air, however, I the same as forgot that I was +faint-hearted, because of the scene which was presented. Looking +northward we could see closely surrounding us, hardly more than a +cannon-shot away, our people who had come to capture Cornwallis and his +men, and in so doing were preparing a way for our escape, if so be we +lived long enough to take advantage of the opportunity which they were +counting on offering.</p> + +<p>It was a sight well calculated to warm even the most timorous heart, +that vast army pressing forward as if certain of victory, and holding +the enemy on this peninsula from whence he could not escape even by +water, for at Lynn Haven bay lay the French ships ready to intercept any +flight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> + +<p>We of Virginia had remained so long under the heel of the invader, with +only now and then a glimpse of small detachments of our soldiers, that +it seemed for the moment almost incredible that there could be so many +men ready to sacrifice their lives in the effort to free the colonies +from the yoke of oppression which bore so heavily upon them.</p> + +<p>Looking Gloucester way, by which I mean gazing across the encampment of +those who held our village of York in a wavering grasp, we could see +that the red-coats had not only withdrawn from the outermost works; but +appeared to be massed together close within the limits of the village as +if for mutual protection, and little Pierre, ever quick to see, and keen +to understand what he saw, said to me in a tone of triumph as he laid +his hand on my shoulder:</p> + +<p>"Look yonder; see the red-coats huddling together like a lot of rats in +a trap, and verily they are trapped now, for so long as the French +vessels remain inside the Capes, so long are they shut in here at the +mercy of those brave fellows who have drawn the net around them!"</p> + +<p>Then it was that I began to question if Cornwallis was indeed in such +close quarters? In the river lay, as I have already said, the +<i>Guadaloupe</i> and the <i>Charon</i>, and in addition were a number of other +large vessels, the names of which I do not remember.</p> + +<p>I asked myself whether, by making a brave attempt, they might not force +their way past the French fleet, and thus escape by the sea?</p> + +<p>"There is no chance they will try anything of the kind," Pierre said +when I suggested that mayhap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> our people did not hold the British in +such a firm grasp. "Look more closely at the ships, and you will see +that but two of them are armed for war, the others being only +transports. What chance would all of them have against a single frigate? +No, no, Fitz Hamilton, Cornwallis knows only too well that he is in a +tight place; but he is not such a fool as to make so desperate a +venture. Here he has taken his stand, and here he must remain until +having beaten off our people, or made up his mind to surrender."</p> + +<p>I wish it might be possible for me to paint a picture of the British +encampment surrounded by our brave Americans, as Pierre Laurens and I +saw it that afternoon when the shades of night were gathering. Points of +lights, betokening camp-fires, or torches set up in the entrenchments +that the troops might be able to strengthen their defences, twinkled in +every direction. Then was a zone of darkness lying between the enemy's +works and our forces, after which came again a circle of twinkling +lights that seemed to shine out in a most friendly fashion, as if +telling us lads to be of good cheer for kindly aid was nigh at hand.</p> + +<p>Now and then would come a great flash of fire, followed by a heavy +booming noise, as one army or the other sent a shot across the lines to +show that all were on the alert, and again we could hear in this +direction or that, the sharp crackle of musketry which caused us to +start forward toward the sound believing a battle had begun. During all +the time we were besieged in the village of York did it appear to me +certain the two armies would come together immediately in a hand-to-hand +grapple, and many times did I believe the end was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> nigh at hand, +although never were both forces in their entirety engaged in conflict.</p> + +<p>Not until night had fully come did Pierre and I cease to gaze around us, +at the same time exulting and despairing, allowing our eyes to rest +longest on the encampment of our friends, and then it was that the +little French lad brought me to a realization of the task before us, by +saying laughingly:</p> + +<p>"We ventured out to forage, not to watch the two armies, and I am of the +opinion that we had best get about our work, else will Saul and Uncle +'Rasmus believe we have been taken prisoners. That cousin of yours is +none too patient under the best of circumstances, and I can fancy how he +is raving at this moment because of being forced to stay in the loft +guarding the prisoners, while the old negro remains at the window +watching for our return."</p> + +<p>It was one thing to say we would forage, and quite another to do it. +There were provisions in abundance in the British camp; but no +possibility that we lads could come upon them, either by begging or by +stealing, while our only chance lay in finding some of the villagers who +were able and willing to minister to hungry boys without questioning +whether they were for the king or the colonies.</p> + +<p>Left to my own devices, I should have returned to old Mary's cabin, +declaring it was impossible to get that which we needed; but Pierre was +not minded to confess himself beaten, and proposed that we present +ourselves boldly at a dwelling mayhap an hundred yards away, which we +knew was yet occupied by its owners.</p> + +<p>I tried to dissuade him from such a course, insisting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> that most like +the people were Tories, else they would not have remained to be shut up +in this beleaguered village; but he only shrugged his shoulders and +waved his hands in that peculiar fashion of his, as he said in what he +counted should be a careless tone:</p> + +<p>"It is better, Fitz Hamilton, that we are held in the guard-house even +under the charge of being spies, than that we starve to death, as you +must admit there is danger unless we speedily find provisions. Let the +people in yonder dwelling be Tories or Whigs, I question whether they +could get the ear of any British officer within a very short time, and +if we find that they are inclined to do us harm, it is only a case of +taking to our heels. Besides, I am of the mind that those who were rank +Tories yesterday, are standing undecided to-day until they shall see +which side wins the victory that they may put on the proper coat."</p> + +<p>Then, without waiting to learn whether I agreed with him, the lad led me +forward by the arm with such a tight grip that I could not escape him +save by a downright struggle, and knocked boldly at the door of the +dwelling.</p> + +<p>It was opened by an old man, whom I believed I had seen more than once +since we had come to this village of York in converse with some of the +red-coated officers, and even then I strove to pull Pierre back that we +might make our escape in the darkness.</p> + +<p>With a strength such as I had not believed was his, he held me by his +side as he said to this man who might prove to be our bitterest foe:</p> + +<p>"We are lads who came down from the Hamilton plantation to look after an +old negro who was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> too feeble to leave his quarters here, and now are we +shut in with nothing to eat and no way of getting provisions save by +begging. We ate our last morsel of food yesterday, and have come here +believing you would give from your store rather than sit down at table +knowing there were those near you dying from starvation."</p> + +<p>"You don't appear to be very near death just now," the man said gruffly, +as he came nearer to peer into our faces. "So you belong on the Hamilton +plantation, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"And when Captain Hamilton went North to join the rebel forces he left +an old negro in this village, did he?"</p> + +<p>"It is not to my mind certain that Uncle 'Rasmus was here when Captain +Hamilton went away; but I know only too well he is now in this village, +and in need of food."</p> + +<p>"I don't claim to know very much of military movements," the man said +grimly, having satisfied his curiosity regarding our personal +appearance; "but it seems to me you might have waited a little with the +belief that the rebels are bound to make their way inside those lines +whatever my Lord Cornwallis may do in opposition."</p> + +<p>"It is painful waiting even for a short time, when one's empty stomach +reproaches him," little Frenchie said with a shrug of his shoulders, and +the man stood irresolute while I might have counted ten, after which he +wheeled about suddenly, and entered the house saying as he did so:</p> + +<p>"Wait until I come."</p> + +<p>You may be certain we waited, although I had many misgivings as to +whether the return would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> be to our advantage or to our sorrow, for +there was a possibility he might hold us until he could send word to +some of the Britishers telling them who we were and much of this fear I +whispered in Pierre's ear, whereupon he said cheerily, shrugging his +shoulders and waving his hands:</p> + +<p>"I cannot believe any in this village would be so unwise, just at this +time, as to take advantage of our helplessness, save it might be such +cattle as Abel Hunt, for even the dullest must understand that our +friends are like to have the upper hands before this affair is finished, +and he who sent two lads to their death might himself suffer in like +fashion when the Americans held possession of this town of York, as they +are certain to do before many days have passed."</p> + +<p>Whether the man to whom we had appealed was at heart a friend to the +colonies, or if he was prompted as Pierre had suggested, I cannot say; +but this much I do know, that he brought us in a bag near to half a +bushel of corn meal, and with it a large ham, saying as he laid the +provisions on the threshold:</p> + +<p>"To these you are welcome, lad, whether you be for the colonies or for +the king; but I am asking that you do not come to me again with stories +of your hunger, for my larder is not so well filled that I can share it +with any outside my own family, lest we ourselves come to want before it +is settled as to who shall be master in the village."</p> + +<p>Pierre thanked the man in a manner which would have been impossible for +me, tongue-tied as I always am at such a time, and then gathering up the +bag and the ham hastily we went with all speed toward old Mary's cabin, +mentally hugging ourselves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> because we had succeeded so well when there +seemed little possibility aught of good would come from our foraging.</p> + +<p>No sooner had we opened the door of the hovel and spoken to Uncle +'Rasmus, when Saul cried impatiently from the scuttle above:</p> + +<p>"There is no good reason why you should loiter around the encampment +when I alone am left in charge of the prisoners. Could you not +understand that I ought to be relieved after so long a watch?"</p> + +<p>"We understand nothing save that it was necessary we bring back food," +Pierre said laughingly, giving no further heed to Saul's impatience.</p> + +<p>The lad would have set about building a fire that we might cook the +meat; but Uncle 'Rasmus eagerly prevented him from so doing, declaring +that such task belonged to him, and Pierre, with a laugh which had in it +much of content, gave way before the old negro and at once took up the +bucket, running out of the cabin to get a supply of water.</p> + +<p>"Heard you aught of the Jerseyman?" Saul cried from above, and I replied +that there was little chance we could have had word concerning him.</p> + +<p>If Morgan had been able to slip through the lines, then would there have +come to us no token whatsoever, and if peradventure the enemy shot him +while he was trying to make his escape, then again must we have remained +in ignorance, for at such a time when many thousand men were facing each +other, striving their utmost to kill or wound, the life of one, be he +soldier or spy, would appear of but little importance.</p> + +<p>"I'se boun' to believe, honey, dat he got trou all right," Uncle 'Rasmus +said as he busied himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> with preparations for the supper which we +needed so sorely. "Dat 'ere Jerseyman is mighty spry, I'se tellin' you, +an' ef he could hang 'roun' here wid de Britishers, keepin' his eye open +ebery time dey jumped, I'se 'lowin' he's gwine to make a small job ob +gettin' out ob dis yere place."</p> + +<p>"If it's such a simple matter, why don't we try it ourselves?" Saul +cried and started with surprise, for that very thought had been in my +mind during the last five minutes.</p> + +<p>So far as our being able to work benefit to the Cause was concerned, we +might as well have been on the Hamilton plantation, and there I most +ardently wished we were. It would be impossible, and most like +unnecessary, for us to get word of importance to our people, no matter +how many risks we ran, and I was of the mind that it was useless to take +any chances, for surely the Americans, being so near, could keep +themselves well informed of all that went forward in the encampment.</p> + +<p>Pierre came back with the water; Uncle 'Rasmus made a pudding of the +corn meal, and toasted slices of the ham before the fire. Saul came down +from the loft, leaving the prisoners alone when the food was thus +prepared, and we three lads and the old negro enjoyed that meal, +surrounded though we were by enemies, more keenly than I ever remember +of pleasuring myself in a like fashion.</p> + +<p>When our own hunger had been appeased we set about feeding the +prisoners, and this task in case of Horry Sims was a simple one, for we +dared set his hands free that he might wait upon himself; but when it +came to Abel Hunt it was a horse of an entirely different color.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> + +<p>We ran no little risk even in removing the gag from his mouth, and I +firmly believe but for the fact of Pierre's standing over him with the +loaded pistol which the Jerseyman had left for our use, threatening to +shoot with intent to kill if he uttered the slightest sound, the fellow +would have striven to give an alarm.</p> + +<p>It was some minutes before he could work his jaws, so cramped were they +from being held fixed in one position since we had made him prisoner, +and then instead of eating, although I knew full well he must be hungry, +he set about threatening us with what he would do when he was at +liberty, striving to impress upon us that we could not hold him in the +loft many days without attracting some attention from the Britishers.</p> + +<p>"I am well known inside these lines," he snarled, "and had been +intrusted with important business, so that if I fail to present myself +at headquarters within a reasonable time, search will be made for me. +You can guess what must be your plight once a squad of soldiers enters +this cabin to set me free."</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking, Abel Hunt," Pierre replied softly, "that the Britishers +have got as much on their heads as can well be attended to just now, +without troubling their minds regarding you. Don't expect a squad of +red-coats to come here on your behalf very soon, and, in fact, I would +advise you to give over thinking of such a thing, for there is every +indication my Lord Cornwallis will be too deeply occupied with the +American army to give heed to Tories, however important they may believe +their business to be."</p> + +<p>Abel continued to threaten, declaring he would send us to the gallows +before many days had passed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> if we failed to release him, and he went +on in such strain until even Pierre lost his temper, and roughly told +him that unless he made ready for eating he would get no food until next +morning, whereupon the fellow opened his mouth obediently, much like a +calf.</p> + +<p>Mine was the disagreeable task to feed him, and it may be I thrust the +pudding into his mouth with unnecessary force; but certain it is I was +in no wise tender with the scoundrel, for I knew to a certainty that if +the tables were turned, and we in his power, we might hold ourselves +fortunate indeed if we were given the slightest morsel to eat.</p> + +<p>That night we lads took turns standing guard in the loft, each remaining +on duty two hours, although as Saul said, if we had been willing to +cause Horry Sims suffering, all of us might, by gagging him, have taken +the rest which we needed. I am not sorry that we failed of following my +cousin's suggestion, for since that day I have come to know from painful +experience how much suffering may be caused by a gag firmly fixed +between one's jaws.</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should strive to set down all the doings +of each day while it seemed to me much as if our people were making slow +progress in this work of capturing my Lord Cornwallis.</p> + +<p>Having been so successful in our first attempt at foraging, we went +almost boldly around the village when our store of provisions ran low, +begging at this house or at that without questioning whether the +occupants might be for the king or for the colony, receiving sometimes +with a generous hand, and then again in niggardly manner, at least +enough of food to keep us alive, although I am free to confess<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> that +never once from the day the Jerseyman left us until I was home again on +the plantation, did I feel as though my stomach was well filled.</p> + +<p>Instead of striving to tell what we lads did, which is of little +consequence compared with what was going on around us, I had best hold +this poor apology for a story to the movements of those brave fellows +who had come down from the North to rid our colony of Virginia from +red-coated invaders.</p> + +<p>During all the while, whether by day or by night, one of us three lads +remained in the loft doing guard duty, while the other two, if by any +fortunate chance we had a small store of provisions on hand, were at +liberty to watch our people. It can well be understood how greedily we +gazed out upon that army which we counted friendly, watching for the +least change of position, and even questioning with impatience how long +it would be before the end came.</p> + +<p>It was as if the Britishers gave no heed whatsoever to anything save +their own defense, and I question whether we lads might not have boldly +presented ourselves to the quartermaster begging for food and receiving +it, instead of striving as we did to keep ourselves from their +particular notice.</p> + +<p>We could see day after day our people bringing up heavy guns, digging +ditches which Pierre called parallels, meaning embankments thrown up to +protect the advance of a besieging army, and otherwise seemingly making +preparations to fall upon the enemy in overwhelming force.</p> + +<p>I remember well on going out early one morning, after it seemed to me +that we had been shut up in this town of York weeks and weeks instead of +only a few days, and seeing much to my surprise a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> parallel, or +embankment, not more than five or six hundred yards from the outermost +of the British works, which had been completed during the hours of +darkness. With a great joy in my heart I ran into the cabin to make +known the welcome news, for surely did it seem as if the American army +had taken their first step toward entering the village.</p> + +<p>We expected each moment to hear sounds of conflict; those who were not +on duty in the loft remained out of doors watching the soldiers in the +distance, and greatly disappointed were we when night came and nothing +decisive, so far as we could see, had been done.</p> + +<p>Next day Pierre pointed out to me as he and I stood overlooking the +American lines, that two or three redoubts were being thrown up, and +batteries placed in position. Then came that for which we had been +hoping and praying—the sounds of conflict.</p> + +<p>It was in the afternoon that our people opened fire upon the enemy with +great vigor, and until the end came the earth trembled continuously +beneath the heavy detonations, while the smoke of the burning powder +hung over us until our throats were parched and smarting.</p> + +<p>It is impossible for me to set down of my own knowledge all that was +done during this seemingly long time by the Britishers, for I saw only a +portion of the movements. Often the clouds of smoke prevented me from +seeing friend or foe, and again, when came this change of position, or +that counter-marching, I failed to understand the meaning, therefore it +is that again shall I make my story more plain by setting down the words +of another, which I have seen on a printed sheet:</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 402px;"> +<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="402" height="600" alt=""A GENERAL DISCHARGE ... WAS COMMENCED BY THE +AMERICANS."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"A GENERAL DISCHARGE ... WAS COMMENCED BY THE +AMERICANS."</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The evening of the sixth was very dark and stormy, and under cover of +the gloom, the first parallel was commenced within six hundred yards of +Cornwallis's works. (Parallel is a technical term applied to trenches +and embankments dug and thrown up as a protection to besiegers against +the guns of a fort. In this way the assailants may approach a +fortification, and construct batteries within short gun-shot of the +works of the beleaguered, and be well protected in their labors.)</p> + +<p>"General Lincoln commanded the troops detailed for this service. So +silently and so earnestly did they labor that they were not discerned by +the British sentinels, and before daylight the trenches were +sufficiently complete to shield the laborers from the guns of the enemy. +On the afternoon of the ninth several batteries and redoubts were +completed, and a general discharge of twenty-four and eighteen-pounders +was commenced by the Americans on the right.</p> + +<p>"This cannonade was kept up without intermission during the night, and +early next morning the French opened their batteries upon the enemy. For +nearly eight hours there was an incessant roar of cannon and mortars, +and hundreds of bombs and round shot were poured upon the British works. +So tremendous was the bombardment that the besieged soon withdrew their +cannon from the embrasures, and fired very few shots in return. At +evening red-hot cannon balls were hurled from the French battery on the +extreme left, at the <i>Guadaloupe</i> and <i>Charon</i>.</p> + +<p>"The <i>Guadaloupe</i> was driven from her post, while the <i>Charon</i> and three +large transports were burned.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The night was starry and mild, and invited to repose; but the besiegers +rested not, and York Town presented a scene of terrible grandeur such as +is seldom witnessed by the eye of man.</p> + +<p>"From the bank of the river I had a fine view of the splendid +conflagration. The ships were enwrapped in a torrent of fire which +spread with vivid brightness among the combustible rigging, and ran with +amazing rapidity to the tops of the several masts, while all around was +thunder and lightning from our numerous cannon and mortars, and in the +darkness presented one of the most sublime and magnificent spectacles +that can be imagined.</p> + +<p>"Some of our shells, over-reaching the town, were seen to fall in the +river, and, bursting, threw up a column of water like the spouting of a +monster of the deep. All night long the allies kept up a cannonade, and +early the next morning another British transport was set in flames by a +fiery ball, and consumed.</p> + +<p>"During the night of the eleventh the besiegers commenced a second +parallel, between two and three hundred yards from the British works. +The three succeeding days were devoted to the completion of this line of +trenches, during which time the enemy opened new embrasures in positions +from which their fire was far more effective than at first.</p> + +<p>"Two redoubts on the left of the besieged, and advanced three hundred +yards in front of the British works, flanked the second parallel and +greatly annoyed the men in the trenches. Preparations were made on the +fourteenth to carry them both by storm.</p> + +<p>"To excite a spirit of emulation the reduction of one was committed to +the American light infantry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> under Lafayette; the other to a detachment +of French grenadiers and chasseurs commanded by the Baron de Viomenil, a +brave and experienced officer.</p> + +<p>"Toward evening the two detachments marched to the assault. Colonel +Alexander Hamilton, who had commanded a battery of light artillery +during this campaign, led the advance corps of the Americans, assisted +by Colonel Gimat, Lafayette's aide; while Colonel Laurens, with eighty +men, turned the redoubt, in order to intercept the retreat of the +garrison.</p> + +<p>"At a given signal the troops rushed furiously to the charge without +firing a gun, the van being led by Captain Aaron Ogden. Over the abattis +and palisades they leaped, and with such vehemence and rapidity +assaulted and entered the works, that their loss was inconsiderable. One +sergeant and eight privates were killed; seven officers and twenty-five +non-commissioned officers and privates were wounded. Major Campbell, who +commanded the redoubt, and some inferior officers, with seventeen +privates, were made prisoners. Eight privates of the garrison were +killed in the assault, but not one was injured after the surrender.</p> + +<p>"The redoubt stormed by the French was garrisoned by a greater force, +and was not so easily overcome. It was defended by a lieutenant-colonel, +and one hundred and fifty men. After a combat of nearly half an hour, +the redoubt was surrendered. Eighteen of the garrison were killed, and +forty-two were made prisoners. The French lost in killed and wounded +about one hundred men.</p> + +<p>"During the night of the fourteenth these redoubts were included in the +second parallel, and by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> five o'clock the next afternoon some howitzers, +which had been placed in them, were opened upon the British works.</p> + +<p>"The situation of Cornwallis was now becoming dangerous. Beleaguered on +all sides by a superior force, his strongest defenses crumbling or +passing into the possession of the besiegers, and no tidings from +General Clinton to encourage him, the British commander was filled with +the gloomiest apprehensions.</p> + +<p>"Knowing that the town would be untenable when the second parallel +should be completed, he sent out a detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel +Abercrombie, to make a sortie against the two almost completed batteries +guarded by French troops. They made a furious assault at about four +o'clock in the morning and were successful; but the guards at the +trenches soon drove the assailants back, and their enterprise was +fruitless of advantage.</p> + +<p>"Cornwallis, confident that he could not maintain his position, +determined to make a desperate effort at flight. His plan was to leave +the sick and his baggage behind; cross over to Gloucester, and, with his +detachment there, disperse the French troops; mount his infantry on +horses taken from the duke's legion, and others that might be seized in +the neighborhood; by rapid marches gain the forks of the Rappahannock +and the Potomac, and, forcing his way through Maryland, Pennsylvania, +and New Jersey, form a junction with the army in New York.</p> + +<p>"This was a most hazardous undertaking, but his only alternative was +flight or capture. Boats were accordingly prepared, and at ten o'clock +on the evening of the sixteenth a portion of his troops<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> were conveyed +across to Gloucester. So secretly was the whole movement performed that +the patriots did not perceive it, and had not a power mightier than man +interposed an obstacle, Cornwallis's desperate plan might have been +successfully accomplished.</p> + +<p>"The first body of troops had scarcely reached Gloucester Point when a +storm of wind and rain, almost as sudden and fierce as a summer tornado, +made the passage of the river too hazardous to be again attempted. The +storm continued with unabated violence until morning, and Cornwallis was +obliged to abandon his design. The troops were brought back without much +loss, and now the last ray of hope began to fade from the vision of the +earl."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>PREPARATIONS FOR FLIGHT</h3> + + +<p>There is little of particular interest that can be told concerning +ourselves during that time of happenings which I have just set down in +the words of another, when our people were showing themselves such able +soldiers.</p> + +<p>When the fighting was hottest at least two of us lads were out of doors +where we could see what was going on, and regarding not the bullets or +cannon balls that came our way, in our eagerness to watch for some +advantage which might be gained by the Americans.</p> + +<p>It was for us a time of constant anxiety. We had the prisoners to guard, +and had we not been forced to take Abel Hunt as we did, then might it +have been a simple matter, for we could frighten Horry Sims into +submission. But this hulking, dissolute fellow, as ready to fight as he +was to eat, regardless of whether he faced friend or foe, was smarting +under the sense of being held captive by lads, and we knew only too well +that he would struggle to his utmost to set himself free that he might +denounce us as spies, which he could well do after knowing what he must +have known regarding the Jerseyman.</p> + +<p>While I was on duty in the loft I stood at one of the small apertures or +the other gazing out, oftentimes hearing the shrieking of a bomb as it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> +came within what seemed to be a very short distance of the building; but +ever keeping a watchful eye on Abel Hunt.</p> + +<p>At such times as I was off duty and not obliged to go with Pierre +foraging, for he was the only one of us three who could successfully +conduct such expeditions, I was lounging around the outside of the +building, saddened when our people slackened fire, lest they should be +wavering in the attempt to overcome Cornwallis, and again exulting when +the big guns boomed their notes of defiance until it was as if the very +air vibrated with the detonations.</p> + +<p>Although we were so fearsome that Hunt might succeed in making his +escape, at least four times in every four and twenty hours were we +forced in humanity's name to take the gag from his mouth, that he might +get relief for his jaws.</p> + +<p>The fellow begged again and again that we would relieve him from his +bonds so he might walk around, promising to be as obedient to our orders +as was Horry Sims; but I knew him too well to put any trust in his +words.</p> + +<p>Now and then we released his feet, and again gave him free use of one +arm at a time; in other words, we did all we might to relieve the pain +of his position without running too much risk on our part.</p> + +<p>On that day when the French and the American troops attacked the +redoubts on either side the village, I thought we had come to our last +hour on earth, so thickly did the shots from the American redoubt +directly in front of the lines which were sent to cover the assault I +have already described, strike roundabout old Mary's cabin. It seemed +certain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> we must be sent into the Beyond by those who would lend us +every aid within their power.</p> + +<p>It was when a solid shot struck the corner of the cabin near to the +ridge-pole, just above where Abel Hunt lay, and plowed its way through +the solid logs, tearing them aside as a child might shatter a lot of +jackstraws, that I believed we were soon to meet our death. Hunt must +have been of the same opinion, for he begged like a cur, when Pierre and +I went up shortly afterward, for us to keep the gag from his mouth, +declaring that we were striving to compass his death by leaving him in +such a place.</p> + +<p>But for Pierre Laurens I believe we would have abandoned the prisoners, +and, taking Uncle Rasmus with us, fled down to the bank of the river +immediately in the rear of the captured redoubt, where several of the +villagers were gathered in abject terror, thinking only to shield +themselves from the iron hail which came into and across the encampment +with the fury of a summer tempest.</p> + +<p>It was not possible for us to go an hundred yards in either direction +from the cabin without coming upon wounded or dead, and so accustomed +did we become within a very short time to such horrible scenes that they +ceased to terrify us, save when, as happened more than once, a soldier +was shot down within a stone's throw of our hiding place. Even then it +was to us nothing so very terrible, save that it served to point out the +peril in which we were placed.</p> + +<p>We had long since ceased to depend upon the citizens of York for food; +but went boldly up to the quartermaster's department when rations were +being served, and only once were we turned away empty-handed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span></p> + +<p>I would not have it understood that during the siege we were living on +the fat of the land; we had sufficient with which to partially allay our +hunger, and took good care that the prisoners should not suffer from +lack of food, even though we ourselves might be forced to fast.</p> + +<p>Once during these times of excitement a bomb struck that portion of the +cabin which had already been shattered, and on the instant the dry +timbers were in a flame. Fortunately, however, we had a full bucket of +water in the house, and by aid of this, with what could hurriedly be +brought from the well near at hand, we succeeded in extinguishing the +fire before it gained headway.</p> + +<p>"If that had happened in the night, then had we all been burned to +death," Saul said thoughtfully, and Pierre laughed him to scorn as he +replied:</p> + +<p>"If so be we lads haven't sense enough to go out of doors when the heat +inside becomes too great, then of a verity do we deserve to be burnt +alive. No danger which may come to us from our people can cause me to +grumble, for it is all in the way of teaching the king's soldiers a +lesson, and my life counts for nothing."</p> + +<p>I believe we had all come to cheapen the value of a human life by this +time, having seen so many of the red-coated soldiers shot down. Until we +were come to this village of York I had shuddered at the very thought of +shedding blood; but now so hardened was I become to such scenes that I +gave no heed to those who fell within view of the cabin, nor did I hold +my own life as of great importance even to myself.</p> + +<p>He who has followed thus far my attempt to tell the story of what +certain lads who called themselves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> Minute Boys of York Town did during +this time of the siege, must strive to picture for himself our goings-in +and comings-out while we were thus tied to old Mary's cabin. They must +see in their minds' eye Pierre and I foraging, or mentally be with us +when we divided our scanty store of food, giving to the helpless ones in +the loft more than we took ourselves, for I cannot set all this down so +that another may see it clearly, without using so many words that the +most patient reader would turn aside from the pages wearied.</p> + +<p>Therefore it is that I shall come directly to that evening so near the +end of the siege when my Lord Cornwallis attempted to turn tail, leaving +the sick and wounded behind him as he strove to gain a shelter in New +York.</p> + +<p>That forenoon Pierre and I had gone to the commissary's quarters when +the rations were dealt out, and stood in line to receive our share, for +during the past few days there had been no question as to giving us a +certain amount of food. We were most likely looked upon as village lads, +and by this time my Lord Cornwallis had been forced to feed the citizens +of York from the army stores, he having seized from those who had an +abundance everything that might serve to satisfy hunger.</p> + +<p>Even I, thick-headed and dull of vision as I am, understood on this +morning that some change was near at hand. The red-coats were moving +here and there hurriedly, like bees whose hive has been disturbed. There +was a great gathering of horses nearby the river bank, and among them, +to my grief and anxiety, was my own colt Silver Heels; baggage wagons +were being drawn down to the shore, and officers rode to and fro in hot +haste, seemingly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> giving little heed as to what might be going on in the +fortifications.</p> + +<p>Half the buildings in the town had been taken possession of that they +might be used as hospitals for the poor wretches who had been wounded, +and as we passed them on our way to the commissary's quarters I noted +that the surgeons were going from one to another as if having but little +time to spend. The British fire had slackened although the Americans +continued to pour shot and bombs into the town in a half-hearted way, +and one might almost have supposed they were getting short of +ammunition.</p> + +<p>"Something of importance is going on here," I said decidedly when Pierre +and I, having received what was supposed to be our proper amount of +rations, had set off as if to return to the cabin. "Do you note that +baggage is being carried to the river, and the horses are tethered +there? Have you seen how hurriedly the surgeons were moving about, +giving but scant heed to those who need their services most?"</p> + +<p>"All that I have seen," Pierre replied gravely, "and it would seem to me +that the riddle may easily be read, even by you who claim to have no +knowledge of military matters."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" I cried sharply. "What is it you read in this +movement, except, perhaps, that Cornwallis is making ready for another +sortie?"</p> + +<p>"Would he make ready for a sortie by moving his baggage to the river? By +gathering the horses there?" Pierre cried, speaking incautiously loud, +and then lowering his voice to a whisper as he realized that the words +might carry far even despite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> the roaring of the American guns. "If it +was in his mind to strike a blow at our people would he be overhauling +his baggage? Would not the horses be taken near to the front where they +might be used?"</p> + +<p>"What is it you mean?" I cried impatiently, not in the mood to wait +until Pierre had gotten ready to repeat after his own fashion that which +was in his mind.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember that the Jerseyman said my Lord Cornwallis was making +ready to run away?"</p> + +<p>Like a flash it came upon me. I remembered all that Morgan had said, and +as it came to my mind everything unusual around me had its meaning as +plain as the sun at noon-time.</p> + +<p>At last this general of the king who had boasted that he would come down +and drive all the rebels out from Virginia, regardless of what that +"French boy, Lafayette, might do," was making ready to run away—to run +away from those American soldiers whom the Britishers did not believe +could fight, although certain it is they had good proof of it at Bunker +Hill in the colony of Massachusetts, and were they not getting more +proof now? Was there a red-coat in all our village of York who had not +come to realize, and would be willing to admit, that the so-called +rebels who fought under every disadvantage and bore patiently every +suffering, could stand at their guns as bravely as any who wore his +majesty's uniform?</p> + +<p>It was a moment when I was more proud than I have ever since been in my +life, proud of my people, not of myself, and with the pride came a +feeling of sad disappointment because I had not been able to contribute +anything to this downfall of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> swaggering Britishers. I had hoped we +might enroll a full company of Minute Boys who despite their age would +earn the right to serve as soldiers, and yet had I accomplished nothing +save coming into this village in the vain hope of being able to regain +possession of my horse, remaining here almost as much of a prisoner as +either Abel Hunt or Horry Sims.</p> + +<p>The news was too good to be kept to myself, and regarding not Pierre's +movements I ran at full speed back to old Mary's cabin, shouting as I +burst through the door:</p> + +<p>"The Britishers are getting ready to run away! Cornwallis has grown +frightened, and is giving up the fight!"</p> + +<p>"How know you that?" Saul cried sharply, seizing me by the shoulder as +if forcing me to give proof, and at the same instant I heard the +prisoners in the loft stirring as if in fear, while Horry Sims asked, +although knowing full well his companion could not answer a question:</p> + +<p>"Do you believe it possible my Lord Cornwallis would really run away?"</p> + +<p>"He is getting ready to run away!" I shouted triumphantly. "Even now the +baggage is being carried to the river bank; all the spare horses are +tethered there, and save for the few soldiers who are left in the works, +there is no further heed being given to what our people are doing!"</p> + +<p>"Bress de Lawd! Bress de Lawd!" Uncle 'Rasmus cried in a fever of +ecstasy. "I'se done been certain ole Marse would help dribe de red-coats +out ob Virginia; but I neber dreamed dey'd get so scared as to run away. +Bress de Lawd! Bress de Lawd!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> + +<p>When Pierre joined us, and we were given over to joy and triumph there +suddenly came into my mind the thought that if my Lord Cornwallis did +beat a retreat speedily, and was not overtaken by our people, then was +Silver Heels lost to me forever. He could only leave the village of York +by crossing over to Gloucester and making hurried marches toward the +Potomac River, and under such circumstances I knew that my dear little +Silver Heels could not hold out as would the seasoned steeds of the +troopers. She would be left by the roadside crippled, mayhap, and linger +there until she died.</p> + +<p>Dearly though I loved the Cause, or thought I did, I was almost +unwilling to pay such a price for victory as that this colt of mine, +which had been carefully tended since she left her mother, should be +abused as I knew she would be in event of a hurried retreat, and when +Pierre asked in surprise what had happened to cast such a veil of gloom +over my face, I gave words to the fear in my mind, whereupon he said +soothingly, caressing my arm as was his wont, for the dear lad +understood how near to my heart was that same little Silver Heels:</p> + +<p>"There are others nearabout, Fitz Hamilton, who can also make a hurried +march, and who knew the country better than do these under my Lord +Cornwallis's command. Do you believe our people will remain idle and let +this army, which they have much the same as gotten under their thumbs, +slip away?"</p> + +<p>"But the Britishers will have the start of them before they know what +has been done. Give Cornwallis twelve hours' advantage and traveling +light as I doubt not he intends to do, there is every chance he can make +good his escape."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But he will not have twelve hours the start!" Pierre cried sharply. "Do +you count that we who call ourselves Minute Boys will linger here one +moment after those red-coats have set off for the Gloucester shore? Do +you fancy we will have no part to play? The moment the troops have been +withdrawn from the fortifications so that a fellow may cross the lines +without bringing down a shower of bullets upon him, each of us three +will set out at full speed, regardless of the danger, for our own +friends may fire upon us ignorant of our intentions. We must get word to +the American forces before the last of my Lord Cornwallis's army has +passed out of Gloucester."</p> + +<p>"But how shall we know when the Britishers have been drawn from the +fortifications?"</p> + +<p>"By watching them, lad!" Pierre cried eagerly. "By watching them! Do you +count that from this moment on we shall do anything save watch them? I +would almost be willing to let Abel Hunt go free so we might be +unhampered, for while the red-coats are getting ready to retreat they +will give little heed to any information such as he can give them. But +it may be well to hold him until night-fall, and then the three of us, +each going in a different direction, must keep sharp watch over all that +is being done, ready to make a break for our lines at the first moment +we are certain the enemy has fled."</p> + +<p>The lad's tone, equally with his words, was well calculated to stir the +blood, and as I saw in the future a possibility that Silver Heels might +yet be reclaimed by me, I ceased to mourn her as being lost forever, but +gave all my thoughts to the triumph which awaited our people.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span></p> + +<p>We were talking loudly, having ceased to be cautious in speech because +the roar of the guns drowned all other sounds, and were giving noisy +voice to our joy when Uncle 'Rasmus suddenly cried from his seat at the +window, where he had stood watch, so to speak, all the dreary time we +had been in the besieged village:</p> + +<p>"Hol' on dar, chillun; hol' on dar! Here comes a crowd ob red-coats!"</p> + +<p>"Coming for us?" Saul cried nervously, and I am ashamed to say that the +suggestion caused my knees to tremble, even though had I stopped to +reflect upon the matter I would have understood that at such a time as +this, when he was in sore straits, my Lord Cornwallis would not trouble +himself about three boys and an old negro who were where they could not +do him harm however much they so desired.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course we crowded to the window near where Uncle 'Rasmus +sat, and there saw a group of nine men, powder-stained and evidently +wearied from work in the trenches, halt within less than twenty yards of +the cabin door where they threw themselves down upon the ground, +evidently for no other purpose than to gain a needed rest.</p> + +<p>"It is nothing," Pierre said, again quickly reading the signs. "These +men are becoming discouraged, most like having an inkling of what their +officers count on doing, and have deliberately come out of the trenches +without permission, to take such ease as can be found to-day for a +red-coat in the town of York."</p> + +<p>We watched the men curiously, and for my part with a certain sense of +exultation because I fancied they knew the fate which was in store for +them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> They were all armed, fully accoutered, and should have been at +their posts, as I understood.</p> + +<p>After their arrival we talked more guardedly, but not the less +triumphantly regarding what we would do, and little Frenchie explained +how one of us might cross the lines at this point, the second at +another, and the third elsewhere, so there might be no delay in getting +news to an officer of our army immediately we were positive Cornwallis +had drawn off his forces.</p> + +<p>We ceased to pay any particular heed to these idle soldiers who were +neglecting their duty, until there came to our ears shrieks of agony +like to chill the blood in one's veins, followed by groans and moans +from that group of idlers.</p> + +<p>We soon came to understand that a shot from the American lines had just +missed crashing into old Mary's cabin at the very point where we were +gathered, and plowed its way through that little company of men, maiming +or killing every one.</p> + +<p>It was a gruesome sight, from which I turned with my hands over my ears +that I might neither see nor hear, and trembling in every limb with +sheer pity though these who had been thus suddenly hurled into eternity +would have killed me without wincing.</p> + +<p>I had believed I was hardened to scenes of war; familiarity with +suffering, with wounds and death such as we had had around us all these +days, prevented me from giving away to feelings of pity; but now was I +shocked even as if this was the first shedding of human blood I had ever +seen.</p> + +<p>It was Pierre Laurens who aroused me from the stupor of horror by +shaking my arm as he said stoutly:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come, lad, with me; we must not miss such an opportunity!"</p> + +<p>"Opportunity for what?" I cried, neither turning nor taking my hands +from my ears save sufficiently to hear his voice.</p> + +<p>"Here is a chance for us to arm ourselves. These soldiers who were +killed, and seemingly there are only two alive although they are much +the same as dying, were fully accoutered, and we must have so many of +their muskets and so much of their ammunition as will serve if it should +become necessary to protect ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Why have we need to protect ourselves now that the Britishers are +turning tail?" I asked in dull surprise, but I took my hands from my +ears and wheeled about, knowing that if little Frenchie commanded me to +do this or that I would obey if it lay within my power.</p> + +<p>"When the red-coats begin their retreat our time of danger has passed, I +believe," the lad said, speaking gravely and clutching me by the arm to +insure my close attention. "You can see that these soldiers who have +just met their death threw off all restraint; were insubordinate, +believing the end near at hand, and if such be the case at this early +hour, what may happen when the main body of the troops have embarked for +Gloucester Point? We must hold ourselves at liberty to carry the news to +our people at the earliest possible moment, and that can best be done by +getting in shape to defend ourselves. It is as if heaven itself had sent +us these weapons, and we would be little less than idiots if we failed +to take advantage of that which has come at such a seasonable time!"</p> + +<p>I did not believe Pierre was in the right when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> he said we might be able +to defend ourselves. I had in mind that instantly the retreat was begun +all the red-coated men would hasten upon the heels of their comrades +lest they be left behind; but fortunately, as I came to understand +later, I did not protest against following Pierre out of the cabin, +although my stomach revolted when we were come to that scene of +slaughter.</p> + +<p>By this time only one of the men was yet alive, and he so far gone into +the Beyond that it was a question whether he remained conscious of his +surroundings.</p> + +<p>The squad had thrown their muskets down in a pile near where they were +lounging, and I picked up four of the weapons, hurrying back to the +cabin with them, hoping that while I was gone Pierre would set about +obtaining the ammunition, for my heart grew faint as I thought of +meddling with those lifeless bodies for the purpose of taking away that +which was upon them.</p> + +<p>"Put dem under de floor, honey, whar I stowed Horry Sims," Uncle 'Rasmus +said as he raised the puncheon plank.</p> + +<p>So stupid was I even then, that I mentally laughed at the idea of taking +such precautions when the end had come so near that it was almost as if +we were within speaking distance of our friends; but I did as the old +negro suggested, and went back for another load, although why it should +have been in my mind that we might need more than sufficient to arm +ourselves I cannot well explain.</p> + +<p>When I returned to that scene of carnage Pierre had already gathered a +goodly assortment of accouterments from those men whose bodies had not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> +been mangled, for even he shrank from dyeing his hands with blood.</p> + +<p>Well, in short, we gathered all the weapons, ammunition and +accouterments that could be come at handily, depositing our burdens +beneath the puncheon planks where were the muskets, and when the task +was finished I turned upon little Frenchie, feeling almost angry because +of having been engaged in such gruesome work, as I said:</p> + +<p>"So far as we ourselves are concerned it has been labor lost to bring +these things here. If so be I am making my way across the lines to-night +to carry the tidings that Cornwallis has fled. I shall travel without +encumbrance; even the Jerseyman's pistol will be useless while no enemy +remains in the rear."</p> + +<p>"All that is very well," little Frenchie said with a shrug of the +shoulders; "but before the last of the army has gone muskets may serve +us in good stead, and even though the need does not arise, it is better +we should be prepared, than taken at a disadvantage which might cost our +people dearly."</p> + +<p>The sudden taking off of so many men directly before our eyes, and the +knowledge that if the cannon ball had inclined ever so slightly toward +the east, we, instead of them, would have gone out from this world +forever, served not to dampen our joy and triumph, but to cast a veil +over it, as you might say, so that we spoke in whispers, and did not +indulge in mirth; but carried ourselves much as people do in the +presence of the dead.</p> + +<p>There was no good reason why all of us lads should linger in the cabin, +and every cause for us to go forth to keep an eye over the enemy, +therefore when I said that it stood us in hand to know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> what was going +on, even at the expense of losing our breakfast which was not yet +cooked, Pierre, seemingly having grown careless, insisted that Saul +should come with us.</p> + +<p>"While our people are working their guns so lively there is no danger +those fellows in the loft can make themselves heard, and even though +they did cry for help, I do not believe any of the king's troops would +spend time to go to their assistance, therefore we will leave them as +they are."</p> + +<p>This did not seem to me consistent with little Pierre's caution when he +gathered up the muskets, insisting on taking twice as many as we could +use; but I held my peace, because, as I have already set down again and +again, he had shown himself so much the better lad than I under such +circumstances, that it was not for me to say him yea or nay.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>OUR BLUNDER</h3> + + +<p>When we went out of old Mary's cabin, leaving the two prisoners +unguarded in the loft, and Uncle 'Rasmus, who could not be depended upon +in case either of the fellows should succeed in working himself free, on +the floor below, it came into my mind just for an instant that we had no +warrant for being so careless. Yet while the booming of the American +cannon was roaring in my ears and the Britishers moving to and fro like +ants whose nests have been disturbed, giving little or no heed to the +defense, then did I comfort myself with the belief that nothing of harm +could come to us.</p> + +<p>It was in my mind that the hour of our danger had passed, and now it was +only a question of a short time before our troubles would be over and we +in the midst of our friends.</p> + +<p>Then, as we walked slowly and unmolested through the encampment, seeing +on every hand signs and tokens of preparations for flight on the part of +the enemy, was I yet further convinced that we need not fret ourselves +regarding the future save so far as Silver Heels and Saul's mare were +concerned. I yet had hope that it might be possible to regain possession +of our pets. As a matter of course there was no idea in my mind that we +would be able to do it before Cornwallis's army had begun to retreat; +but I said again and again to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> myself that if we lads carried the news +of the evacuation speedily to our people, then would they set off in +such hot pursuit that there were many chances I might have Silver Heels +with me but little the worse for her experience in the British army.</p> + +<p>So thoroughly well satisfied was I that this struggle had come to an +end, that the Britishers were willing to acknowledge themselves beaten +and now were only striving to prevent themselves from being taken +prisoners, that I gave little heed to anything save the hope of being +able, by the aid of our friends in the American army, to regain +possession of the dear little colt. I even put from my mind as if they +did not exist those two scoundrels in the loft of old Mary's cabin, +saying to myself that they could do us no harm even though they were set +at liberty this very moment, because my Lord Cornwallis had on his mind +more important matters than the taking into custody of three boys who +might be charged with being spies, by a dissolute fellow who could +produce no evidence save his own word.</p> + +<p>We lads spent the entire day roaming here and there throughout the +encampment without hindrance, and I had even grown so bold that I went +up to Silver Heels while she was tethered on the bank of the river, +caressing her silky nose as she whinnied with delight at being with me +once more.</p> + +<p>"Keep up your courage, my dear little Silver Heels," I whispered in her +ear as if it were possible she could understand me. "You may have a hard +time during the next four and twenty hours; but no longer, for then I +promise you we two shall be on our way to the plantation. Once there we +need<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> have no fear that you will again be disturbed by the red-coats, +for our General Washington of Virginia is nigh upon the point of driving +the last servant of the king out of this colony."</p> + +<p>Never a man interfered while I was caressing Silver Heels; but little +Frenchie speedily began to drag me away, whispering sharply in my ears:</p> + +<p>"Don't get the idea into your mind, Fitz Hamilton, that all the danger +is passed, and strive not to grow reckless in your hour of triumph, for +this army will not move until after dark, and 'twixt now and then the +red-coated soldiers have it within their power to do you a deal of +mischief."</p> + +<p>I was near to laughing at these words of caution, thinking how +completely the tables were turned between us, when it was him who +seemingly had grown timorous, and I showed myself the venturesome one.</p> + +<p>Saul apparently gave no heed to over-cautiousness or impudence; but +wandered here and there with his hands in his coat-pockets as if he was +an honored guest, and I could well fancy that the lad much the same as +forgot all the fears which beset him a short time before.</p> + +<p>We noted with glee the fact that the Britishers were gathering all the +boats that could be come at, and even from Gloucester Point did they +send over barges and skiffs until the river front was completely lined +with small craft.</p> + +<p>The afternoon was not yet more than half spent before baggage wagons +were being loaded into the larger boats. I saw more than one officer +carrying his belongings down to the river to stow them in this or that +craft instead of trusting a soldier to perform the labor, as would have +been done had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> matters not been so pressing, and if each man who wore a +red coat was not looking forward with somewhat of fear to the +possibility that the retreating army might be choked before it had +gotten well on its way toward New York.</p> + +<p>As the day drew nearer to a close I became painfully nervous, fearing +lest something even at this last hour should prevent my Lord Cornwallis +from carrying out his plans, and seeing the expression of trouble on my +face, understanding perhaps from that which was in his own mind, little +Frenchie whispered to me in a tone of encouragement:</p> + +<p>"Don't fret yourself, Fitz Hamilton, fearing lest the red-coats will not +carry out the manoeuvre. They only await the coming of night, when it +will be possible to steal across the river without being seen by our +people, and then you may set it down as a fact that all these valiant +soldiers of the king will make every effort to get out of the way of +that French boy who, as my Lord Cornwallis has said, is striving to +'play war with a handful of rebels.'"</p> + +<p>"Then there is in your mind no question but that the retreat is much the +same as begun?" I asked, wanting to hear him confirm that which was in +my mind.</p> + +<p>"I can see no evidence of their failing to go on as they have begun," +the lad replied cheerily, and added as he dropped his voice to a +whisper: "The one chance which may work against us is, that my Lord +Cornwallis will take some steps to prevent any of the people in the +village from carrying word regarding his movements to the Americans, +therefore let us get into some place of hiding, where we may watch all +that goes on here about the river<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> bank without presenting ourselves to +the eyes of the red-coats."</p> + +<p>Hardly more than fifty yards from where we were then standing were the +ruins of a house which had been literally torn into fragments by shot +from the American lines. Under these splintered and partially-burned +timbers would it be possible for us to find a fairly good hiding place, +unless peradventure strict search might be made, which was not probable +because so far as we knew, the red-coats had no reason to suspect us as +being other than lads whose parents so loved the king that they had been +willing to remain in the village of York even during the siege.</p> + +<p>Saul was not at first inclined to go into hiding. When Pierre told him +what we would do, he declared that it was putting ourselves to useless +trouble, for these gentry who wore red coats no longer had the time nor +the inclination to concern themselves about us; but when little Frenchie +explained that we might in some way be prevented from carrying early +news of the retreat to the American lines, then my cousin followed, +unwillingly, mayhap, still he kept at our heels until we had wriggled +our way beneath the shattered timbers to where it was possible to have a +fairly good view of the river.</p> + +<p>It was not until we had snugly stowed ourselves into this place that I +began to realize how great was the danger which menaced. Our people had +the range so well that the buildings roundabout this place were torn and +wrecked, while now and then a shot came unpleasantly near, and I saw two +men killed while they were striving to get one of the heavy baggage +wagons on board a barge.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then I realized that it was more than possible we might never come out +from beneath these timbers alive because of having been killed by our +own friends. The triumph which had been mine was sadly marred by the +timorousness which came over me, as I understood that death might be +nearer at hand than when we were in old Mary's cabin, with Abel Hunt +roaming around the village in search of us.</p> + +<p>Not for anything I owned of worldly goods would I have allowed Pierre to +know that which was in my mind. I strove manfully to drive out the fear +by saying to myself that while we remained in the village of York +exposed to the fire of our friends we were as safe in one place as +another, and if it was written we should die that day, then did it make +little difference what precautions might have been taken.</p> + +<p>When the sun had set the activity of the red-coats was redoubled. In the +twilight we who were hiding beneath the ruins could see the officers as +they went to and fro hurriedly, and hear their sharp words of command or +of reproof as they chided this man or that with lingering, or strove to +incite a squad into more rapid movement.</p> + +<p>Now was my heart beating so loudly and so violently that it was as if +even the enemy on the river bank must hear it, for I realized that the +supreme moment for us of Virginia had come, and could conjure up nothing +which might prevent the Britishers from carrying out their plans.</p> + +<p>I ceased to think of Uncle 'Rasmus who had been alone in the cabin all +day, and gave no heed whatsoever to those scoundrels in the loft; forgot +all else save the fact that the moment was fast approaching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> when I +would be on my way to the American lines with the most welcome news ever +carried by a lad of Virginia.</p> + +<p>It was not until nigh to ten o'clock, as nearly as I could judge of the +flight of time, that we saw the first of the boats loaded with men push +off, heading for Gloucester Point.</p> + +<p>The retreat had begun! Barge after barge, skiff after skiff, and craft +of every kind, all heavily laden with soldiers or with baggage, set off +from the shore, while as far back from the river as Governor Nelson's +house, where my Lord Cornwallis had his headquarters, the men were +massed awaiting their turn.</p> + +<p>"Now has come the time, Fitz, when we must make ready for a swift +journey," little Frenchie whispered, as if counting it a long distance +from old Mary's cabin to the outposts of the American lines, whereas it +was within less than half a cannon-shot. "Every minute is precious now, +and I am counting that we should be ready to set off on the instant the +men have been called in from the outer works."</p> + +<p>"What preparations have we to make?" I asked in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Have you forgotten Uncle 'Rasmus and the prisoners?"</p> + +<p>"I count that they are yet in old Mary's cabin, and there they may +remain until our people have entered the village," I replied +indifferently.</p> + +<p>"But none of them have broken their fast this day, and those fellows in +the loft have had nothing whatsoever of drink."</p> + +<p>"Well, what then?" I asked irritably. "Neither have we lads had anything +to eat, and,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> save that it is possible for us to drink our fill, I see +not that we are any better off than they."</p> + +<p>"But we must not have ever on our consciences the knowledge that we +doomed two human beings to starvation."</p> + +<p>"Surely there is no danger of their dying 'twixt now and to-morrow, and +by that time our people will be here."</p> + +<p>"As to that you cannot say, Fitz Hamilton. True it is the enemy is +retreating; but the night is half spent, and it may be that the last of +the troops will not have gone over much before daylight. Then our army +is like to set out in pursuit, and I am minded to go with it, whereas +matters be arranged properly at the cabin, we are confined here in the +village with no opportunity of showing ourselves as Minute Boys among +real soldiers."</p> + +<p>I had almost forgotten that we decided to call ourselves Minute Boys. +There had been so much of pain, fear and hope during the past four and +twenty hours that all else had gone from my mind, save the fact that the +Britishers were much the same as whipped, and that it might be possible +for me to regain possession of Silver Heels.</p> + +<p>When, however, Pierre thus reminded me that we might, even at this +eleventh hour, do something toward showing ourselves worthy of being +called Minute Boys, although we really accomplished nothing more, then +was I fired with the same desire that was in his mind.</p> + +<p>Although as I have said many times, I had little knowledge of military +matters, it appeared to me that as soon as it was learned the red-coats +had crossed over to Gloucester our people would, by using the boats and +vessels which were lying in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> stream 'twixt York and Williamsburg, +cross directly over to the other shore without coming down through the +village, for thus they might circle around the advance of the retreating +foe.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile both encampments would be in the hands of such Tories +as had remained throughout the siege, and, most like, a certain number +of camp followers would linger behind.</p> + +<p>"What can be done with Uncle 'Rasmus?" I asked anxiously, fearing lest +it might be necessary we take him with us and thus have a drag on our +movements, for the old man could not travel very swiftly; but little +Frenchie had the matter already mapped out in his mind as I might have +understood, and replied:</p> + +<p>"It has been decided that you shall go on a westerly course, while +carrying word across the lines, and therefore it is I propose you take +Uncle 'Rasmus with you. Once beyond the enemy's works, where there is no +danger either Tory or camp follower can molest him, set the old fellow's +face toward the Hamilton plantation and let him plod his way on alone, +for there is naught of danger on that road."</p> + +<p>"But the prisoners?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"They must be set free, else will it become our duty to remain here +instead of joining in the pursuit."</p> + +<p>"When do you count that should be done?" I asked, and much to my +surprise little Frenchie replied thoughtfully:</p> + +<p>"There is no reason why we should not begin at once, and every +inducement for us to have our preparations made for a quick departure +from the town. Suppose you go back and attend to it?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> Within the hour we +must be on our way, for when those boatmen who have just put off, come +back and take on another cargo, then is the retreat much the same as +accomplished, for by that time every soldier from the works roundabout +will be called in."</p> + +<p>Because of the past, when Pierre had shown himself so quick-witted and +having such a good idea of military matters, I made no protest against +his proposition; but stood ready to obey implicitly any orders he might +give. Therefore I asked how he had it in his mind we should release the +prisoners, for I was not burning to go into the loft and set Abel Hunt +free, because of knowing that the first of us lads with whom that +scoundrel came in contact when he was at liberty to use his hands, would +suffer most severely.</p> + +<p>Pierre had it all planned out, and, as I believed, in a most skillful +manner. He proposed that after Uncle 'Rasmus had left the building, and +had gotten say twenty or thirty yards on his road toward the Hamilton +plantation, I should bring Horry Sims down to the lower floor, and there +set him free with instructions for him to remain where he was a certain +length of time, after which he was to go up and release Abel Hunt.</p> + +<p>Before this could be done I ought to be well toward the enemy's outer +works, where I was to remain in hiding until all the Britishers had left +their posts. This would give me the advantage of starting instantly the +works were abandoned, and even before the last of the army had embarked, +therefore was it reasonable to suppose I might gain speech with some of +the officers of our army while there was yet time to draw the nets +around the fleeing red-coats.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I will go whenever you shall say the word," was my reply after little +Frenchie had explained thoroughly the plan. "But what is Saul to do in +the meanwhile?"</p> + +<p>"I am counting that when you start for old Mary's cabin, he shall set +off further to the eastward, where he will remain hidden as I propose +you are to do, until the works have been abandoned."</p> + +<p>"And you yourself, Pierre?"</p> + +<p>"I am counting to wait here only until I see the boatmen return from the +Gloucester shore to take on another cargo, and then I shall follow your +example, giving no heed, however, to either you or Saul; but bending all +my energies toward getting within the lines of our people with as little +loss of time as may be."</p> + +<p>After this there was nothing for me to say, unless peradventure I had +some fault to find with the plan, and I lingered only to press each of +my comrades by the hand as I whispered:</p> + +<p>"God grant that we Minute Boys of York Town, as from this instant we +will call ourselves, may be able to do that thing to-night which will +result in the capture of Lord Cornwallis and all his troops!"</p> + +<p>Then I crept out from the shattered timbers, not taking overly great +care to avoid making a noise for there were none who would pay +particular attention to me at that time, and once free of the ruins I +walked without undue haste in the direction of old Mary's cabin, knowing +that I had ample time to do all which was set me before the way into the +American lines would be opened.</p> + +<p>When I entered the cabin Uncle 'Rasmus was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> seated by the window, as he +ever had been since we came into this place of refuge, patiently waiting +for our coming, and surely the old man's heart must have been tried +during that long, long day when we failed to give any token of our +whereabouts, for he had good reason to fear, because of our continued +absence, that some trouble had overtaken us. Yet there was never a word +of repining or reproach upon his lips when I showed myself.</p> + +<p>"Bress de Lawd, honey; bress de Lawd dat you'se come back! Whar's de +odder chillun?"</p> + +<p>I speedily made the old man acquainted with all that was going on; but +did not tell him what it was proposed he and I should do, for luckily I +realized that Abel Hunt's ears were open, and if I should advertise all +our proposed movements there might possibly be a chance of his +overtaking us to wreak revenge before our task could be finished.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I told the old man only that the British army was +retreating, and made an overly long story because he could not refrain +from crying out in his joy now and again, and insisted on hearing all +the little details concerning the movements of the soldiers.</p> + +<p>But the story was told finally, however, and then I led the old man out +of the cabin, he following me obediently, never asking where we were +going, and when we had come to a ruined building mayhap fifty yards +distant from old Mary's cabin, I halted, explained what we would do, +saying that he should stay there while I went back and released the +prisoners.</p> + +<p>For the first time in my life Uncle 'Rasmus set his face against that +which I would do. He declared that Pierre was in the wrong when he +would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> handle the Tories so tenderly; that our first and only thought +should be of our own safety, and no heed be given to the sufferings of +those who would have sent us to the gallows.</p> + +<p>I was not able to argue successfully with the old negro because there +was in my mind much the same thought as in his, yet did I know that the +fellows must be set free since it was a portion of Pierre's plan. I had +promised him it should be done, and if I failed in my part of the work +then might all the rest go awry. It was to my mind a question of doing +exactly as the little lad had planned, or else let him understand that I +was set against a certain portion of it.</p> + +<p>All this I said to Uncle 'Rasmus, striving to make him understand +clearly why I must go on even though it was against my inclination, and +when I was finally come to an end the old man said in a tone of +resignation:</p> + +<p>"Well, honey, I'se 'lowin' you'se gwine to do jes' as dat yere little +French boy says; but I'se tellin' you, chile, dat de only way to treat +dese yere Tories is de way you treat a rattlesnake, an' dat is to get +'em on de end ob a split stick an' leabe 'em dere, widout worryin' yo' +head ef dey's habin' it comfortable or not."</p> + +<p>"I'll go back and do as I've promised, Uncle 'Rasmus. You stay here, and +in five minutes I shall return unless something unfortunate happens."</p> + +<p>"Keep your eye mighty sharp on dat Abel Hunt, chile. Don' let him get de +best ob you no how, kase he's slippery, an' like de rattler, he's gwine +to strike when you ain' lookin' for it."</p> + +<p>"I'm not counting on having any trouble whatsoever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> with Abel, Uncle +'Rasmus. Horry Sims is to do that part of it, as I have told you."</p> + +<p>Then I went hurriedly away, feeling ill at ease on this errand of mercy +because of the old negro's insistence that it was dangerous and bordered +on folly to set loose such as Abel Hunt, when we had him trussed up +where it was not possible for him to do any mischief.</p> + +<p>I hastened back to old Mary's cabin, and, halting not on the floor +below, went directly into the loft, where, cutting the bonds that held +Horry Sims's feet, I ordered him to follow me down the ladder. At that +moment I would, had it not been for Uncle 'Rasmus's warning, have taken +the gag from Abel Hunt's mouth that he might be saved just so many more +moments of suffering; but having in mind all the old negro had advanced +as an argument against showing such mercy, I withheld my hand, and Horry +Sims followed me in surprise and bewilderment at this sudden change in +affairs, as obediently as a well whipped cur would have done.</p> + +<p>It had been Pierre's command that I bring the Tory lad down to the floor +below, there set him free, and then make my escape; but, because of the +doubts in my heart, I exceeded little Frenchie's instructions by leading +him some distance, say an hundred feet, from the cabin before telling +him what were my intentions.</p> + +<p>"You are to go back now and release Abel Hunt," I said, after having +explained to him as much as I thought necessary, although I took care to +have the lad understand that his British friends were retreating.</p> + +<p>"And after that has been done?" Horry asked as if counting that he must +continue to obey<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> me however the circumstances might be changed.</p> + +<p>"When you have released Abel you may go whithersoever you please."</p> + +<p>"And do you count that the time will never come, Fitzroy Hamilton, when +I can repay you, Saul Ogden and that French boy for what you have done?" +the young Tory cried as soon as I had removed the bonds from his hands, +his courage reviving immediately he was free of limb, and the anger +which he had been bottling up while he was helpless, pouring from his +mouth in a torrent of words as he threatened this, that and the other, +which should come to me and mine.</p> + +<p>"I have no care as to what you can do, Horry Sims," I said, holding him +by the shoulder so he should not be able to leave until I had given him +due warning. "Remember you this, that the next time you come across my +path with any intent of evil, or with any token that you would raise +your hand against me, from that moment what you have already suffered as +a prisoner will be as nothing compared with the punishment we lads will +deal out. Now that your friends the Britishers are being driven from the +soil of Virginia your fangs are gone. If you have any commonsense in +that Tory head of yours you will keep a still tongue, and never raise +your hand against any of the people in this colony."</p> + +<p>Then I released the cur, and watched for an instant to see that he went +straight back toward the cabin, after which I turned about to rejoin +Uncle 'Rasmus, and at that instant it was as if all nature had suddenly +been convulsed.</p> + +<p>Because of my excitement, and owing to the fact that I was so intent +upon that which was to be done,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> I had given no heed to the tokens in +the sky, and the clouds may have been gathering half an hour or more +without my knowledge. Certain it is, however, that on the instant, and +suddenly as the lightning's flash, came the roar of a tempest that shook +the half-ruined houses nearabout until the last timbers were overthrown, +and I was forced to exert all my strength in order to stand against that +furious blast. Then came peal upon peal of thunder, which drowned the +roaring of the guns, for our people were yet firing upon the doomed +village in order to show the Britishers that they were on the alert.</p> + +<p>The vibration of the thunder had hardly died away when the lightning +flashed great sheets of flame across the eastern sky, illumining the +river whereon boats were plying to and fro, and showing clear as in a +mirror the red-coats massed upon the banks awaiting their turn to go +across to Gloucester Point.</p> + +<p>After that came a downpour of water, when the wind drove the rain-drops +in solid sheets, as you might say, which stung one's face like thousands +of needles. The roaring of thunder, for after the first outburst of the +tempest it seemed to be almost continuous, the blinding flashes of +light, together with the deluge of water, all served to confuse one, and +I believe I stood there struggling against the elements to hold my +footing, a full minute before gathering my wits sufficiently to turn +about in order to rejoin Uncle 'Rasmus.</p> + +<p>"For de Lawd's sake, honey, am de earth turnin' upside down?" the old +man cried when I came to where he stood exposed to all the fury of the +tempest, for he dared not remain amid the ruins of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> building where +great timbers were being flung about by the wind like straws. "What's +Gin'ral Cornwallis gone done to bring on dis yere ter'ble racket?"</p> + +<p>"I have released the Tories, Uncle 'Rasmus," I shouted, forced to speak +close in his ear else he could not have heard me. "Why should we not +push on even as Pierre has planned for us to do?"</p> + +<p>"Was you gwine to tell our people dat de Britishers were takin' to dere +heels for Gloucester Point?" Uncle 'Rasmus asked, as if having forgotten +all that I had told him.</p> + +<p>"Of course that is the story. Why else should it be necessary for us to +make such haste?"</p> + +<p>"Den stay whar you are, honey. Dere's gwine to be no retreatin' dis yere +night."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" I asked in bewilderment, almost fancying the old man +had taken leave of his senses. "We saw a portion of the army go across."</p> + +<p>"I'se 'lowin' all dat, honey; but yer Uncle 'Rasmus am tellin' yer dat +dere won't any odder Britishers go ober dis yere night. I'se libed right +erlong dis riber all my life, an' I knows dere ain' de bigges' skiff +eber was built dat could make a landin' on de Gloucester shore sence dis +yere storm got up. Gin'ral Cornwallis am boun' to put an end to dat ere +fun ob his kase he can't get across, honey, I'se tellin' yer he can't +get across, not till dis yere racket done died away, an' den dere's +boun' fo' to be a ragin' torrent."</p> + +<p>It was not until several moments had passed that I realized the truth of +all Uncle 'Rasmus had said. Then was borne in upon me the memory of what +I had seen in ordinary hurricanes, when the river<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> had been lashed into +a fury by the wind, and the ablest boatmen along the shore dare not put +out, for I venture to say there is no other body of water in this +country so quickly changed to a boiling flood, or so dangerous to cross, +as that portion of the York river which turns around Gloucester Point.</p> + +<p>While I stood there in painful indecision, tears of disappointment +rolling down my cheeks because at the very moment our time of triumph +was apparently come it was turned aside by the elements themselves, I +saw as the electric flashes lighted up the sky even more brilliantly +than before, two forms come out of old Mary's cabin and set off in the +direction of Governor Nelson's house, where my Lord Cornwallis made his +headquarters.</p> + +<p>"There go Abel Hunt and Horry Sims!" I cried bitterly. "The tempest is +as nothing to them so that they may lodge a charge against us as being +spies, to the end that we may come to the gallows here in this village +of York."</p> + +<p>"Hab dey done gone out ob de cabin, honey?" Uncle 'Rasmus cried, and +when I repeated again that which I had seen the old man said as he held +my head down to his mouth that no word might be swept aside by the +furious blast:</p> + +<p>"You'se boun' to go back, honey, boun' to go back inter de house, kase +when de mornin' comes you'se gwine to be in a pickle wid Abel Hunt an' +Horry Sims gallivantin' 'roun' tryin' to lay you by de heels. Go back in +dar 'fore dey comes dis yere way!"</p> + +<p>"But why should we go there, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried angrily. "Why shut +ourselves up in a trap where the Britishers may lay hands on us whenever +they may be so disposed?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You'se gwine back dar, honey, kase dere ain' any odder place in dis +yere village. Dere's no show ob gettin' trou de lines now, chile, an' +what you'se needin' is dem yere guns what we done hid under de floor."</p> + +<p>"You're crazy, Uncle 'Rasmus! You're crazy to think we three lads may +stand up against all these Britishers!" and now indeed did I lose my +temper; but Uncle 'Rasmus, still holding my head where he could make +certain every word he spoke might be heard by me, said earnestly:</p> + +<p>"Tell me whar's you gwine to go, honey, ef you don' hide yoursef in ole +Mary's cabin? Does you count on bein' run 'roun' dis yere village when +de sun comes up, like a fox wid a houn' at his tail? Ef de Britishers +hab begun to get across to Gloucester Point, dere's a chance dey'll keep +at it when de riber quiets down, an' all you chillun's needin' to do is +keep whar you can hol' your own. Get back inter de cabin, honey!"</p> + +<p>Then it was that Uncle 'Rasmus took me by the arm with a strength which +I never suspected was in his frail body, and although I struggled not, +he literally dragged me through that howling, raging tempest to the +hovel which I thought I had left never to return, and we two entered, +the water running in streams from our garments as we stood in the middle +of the floor silent and motionless, each striving, most like, to decide +what should next be done.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>TRAPPED</h3> + + +<p>Uncle 'Rasmus and I were still standing on the puncheon floor in the +darkness of old Mary's cabin when the door was suddenly thrown open, and +in came Pierre and Saul, bringing with them such an onrush of water as +the rain swept through the opening, that it seemed as if the hovel must +soon be flooded.</p> + +<p>"Thank heaven you did not start as I counted on!" Pierre cried in a tone +of relief as he set about barricading the door to keep out the elements, +and I cried bitterly, remembering that if I had heeded Uncle 'Rasmus's +advice we would not be in such great peril.</p> + +<p>"The storm came in time to prevent us from making an effort to get +through the lines; but not sufficiently soon to stop us from setting +loose that miserable scoundrel, Abel Hunt, and the sneak Horry Sims."</p> + +<p>"What?" Saul cried in a tone of mingled surprise and dismay. "Are they +at liberty?"</p> + +<p>"Surely they are, for I obeyed Pierre's orders to the letter, despite +all Uncle 'Rasmus could say against it. The old man has more sense in +his black head than we, for he declared that such scoundrels should be +treated like rattlers, and no heed given to their possible sufferings."</p> + +<p>"Then are we undone!" Saul cried helplessly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> "The retreat has been +prevented by this tempest, for no boat can live on the river while the +storm rages as it does, and we know without being told that Cornwallis +will not attempt to send more troops across, at least until another +night has come. In the meanwhile Abel Hunt and Horry Sims will have laid +us by the heels, as they have threatened to do! It is only a matter of +accusing us of striving to get across the lines to tell our people what +has been done, when Lord Cornwallis will make certain we come to a +speedy end."</p> + +<p>I believe even little Frenchie was daunted for the moment, as he came to +realize what our blunder, for it was not less, might mean; but he strove +manfully to repress any show of fear as he said in what he counted +should be a cheery tone:</p> + +<p>"I dare venture to say that neither red-coat nor Tory will go abroad +this night while the storm is so furious, therefore we had best make +ourselves as comfortable as possible," and he set about kindling a fire, +for surely it was needed that we might dry our clothing which had been +thoroughly saturated.</p> + +<p>"We will take our comfort for the last time," Saul said bitterly, as he +threw himself down upon the floor like one from whom all hope has fled, +and Uncle 'Rasmus, for the first time since we had left the Hamilton +plantation, seeming to count himself as one of us lads, said in a tone +of deepest satisfaction:</p> + +<p>"Ef it's de las' time, honey, we'll make it mighty oncomfortable for +whoever comes to drive us off, kase we'se inside our own fortifications, +an' I'se 'lowin' dat ef de Americans keep it up as lively to-morrow as +dey did dis yere day, den can we hol' de fort quite a spell afore dey +work dere will."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was this remark which showed Pierre Laurens the single ray of light +remaining for us, and, ceasing his task of building the fire, he sprang +excitedly to his feet as he cried joyously:</p> + +<p>"Uncle 'Rasmus is right! Cornwallis has begun to retreat and sent a +portion of his troops to the other shore. Now he's weaker than before, +and if we can hold our own in this cabin four and twenty hours, then is +there good reason to believe the Americans will have possession of York +Town. If we made a blunder in freeing the prisoners, it was not so great +as that which my Lord Cornwallis has made because of not first looking +at the signs of the weather before he began to move his forces. When day +breaks our people must see what has been done, and seeing, will strive +to take every advantage. We will hold this fort, and it must be that +some power beyond that of earth paved the way for our safety, else had +we not been provided with weapons and ammunition. Through the death of +the red-coats who were shirking their duty, we may hold quite a force of +the enemy for a considerable time."</p> + +<p>"How long can you hold your own in this miserable hovel with two of +three hundred Britishers surrounding it?" Saul cried, and Pierre added +yet more cheerily:</p> + +<p>"Do you believe for an instant, Saul Ogden, that while matters are so +bad with him, General Cornwallis will call off three or four hundred +soldiers to obey the behest of such as Abel Hunt? Even though he may +believe all that scoundrel can tell him, he has other fish to fry than +that of capturing three boys and a negro. I tell you, lads, we are not +beaten yet, for within four and twenty hours there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> will be a wondrous +change come over this village of York, and even though the Britishers +may not have been taken, our forces, seeing the advantage that can be +gained, will advance their earthworks; when there's a chance we shall be +able to get word to them."</p> + +<p>This caused me to have what, for the instant, I believed to be a +brilliant thought, and straightway I cried out:</p> + +<p>"Why is not now the time when we might have speech with our people? +While the tempest rages as it does, I dare venture to say it will be +possible to cross the British lines—"</p> + +<p>"Less possible than if the moon was shining. The red-coats will be in +their works and along the intrenchments to screen themselves from the +storm, instead of moving around, and therefore you have no chance of +making your way across. It would be death to attempt it."</p> + +<p>"And it is very near like death to stay here?"</p> + +<p>"In this cabin we may die fighting, as Minute Boys should, which to my +mind is far better than being killed like rats in a ditch, as would be +the fate of him who attempted now to cross the lines. The red-coats in +yonder fortifications are not fools. Every man jack of them understands +that this attempted retreat is a failure, and must of a necessity be yet +more keenly on the alert, therefore I say, you had best have tried to +get across the lines this morning, in the light of day, than just now +when Cornwallis's troops are smarting under what is very much like +signal defeat."</p> + +<p>I was silenced if not convinced by what Pierre had said, yet did not +resign myself to the inevitable as a lad of Virginia should have done.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span></p> + +<p>Instead of accepting the consequences of our blunder with cheerful face +as Pierre and Uncle 'Rasmus were doing, I threw myself down by the side +of Saul in sulky humor, never offering to lend a hand toward putting the +cabin in a state of defense until the old negro and little Frenchie had +worked desperately ten minutes or more, after the fire was kindled, to +barricade the door.</p> + +<p>Then it was I grew ashamed of myself; realized what a miserable part I +was playing, I who had conceived the idea of forming a company of Minute +Boys with the thought that I might stand at their head, and, springing +up, I joined Pierre and Uncle 'Rasmus until Saul, in turn taking shame, +did his part.</p> + +<p>First we tore from the floor of the loft the heavy puncheon planks which +were laid across the beams but not fastened in place, and with them as +props and bars fastened the door that the side of the building itself +would yield to pressure from without before would that barrier, +strengthened as we had succeeded in strengthening it.</p> + +<p>Then we fastened planks across the windows, forced to tie them in place +with strips which formed the bonds that held Abel Hunt and Horry Sims +helpless, for we had nothing else with which to work, and after all that +had been done we made a rude platform just beneath where the roof of the +building had been torn away by a cannon ball, so that one of us could +stand sentinel watching the approach of the enemy and give due warning +of his coming.</p> + +<p>This done we took from beneath the floor the muskets, loaded each, and +portioned out the cartridges fairly, giving to every one his share, +after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> which, at Pierre's suggestion, we made a hearty meal of the last +fragments of food in our possession.</p> + +<p>When my stomach was fairly well filled, then did there come back to me +that courage under which I should never have lost hope.</p> + +<p>There was no token that the storm might be losing its force; in fact it +seemed to me as if it increased momentarily, if indeed such could be the +case when the wind was raging, the rain falling and the thunder pealing +as I had never heard or seen it before.</p> + +<p>It was almost as if we were in a ship at sea, so violently did old +Mary's cabin rock to and fro under that mighty blast, and there were +many times before the coming of morning when I really believed the hovel +would be rent asunder by the wind, and we deprived of this seemingly our +last opportunity to sell our lives at somewhat of a fair price.</p> + +<p>When we had made ready our defense so far as was possible, and had +satisfied our hunger, Uncle 'Rasmus would have it that we lads should +lie down to sleep, trusting him to stand guard over us; but never one +among our company was willing to act upon the suggestion, for what +fellow could have slept with the elements raging and roaring without, +while he knew full well what must be before him when the sun rose again.</p> + +<p>It was not even possible for us to seek repose; but all three paced to +and fro from one end of the small room to the other, as if by thus +remaining in motion we could the better hold in check our fears and our +forebodings.</p> + +<p>Before we were aware that the new day was breaking, it was possible to +hear dimly as though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> far away in the distance, the roar of the American +cannon, drowned at times by the howling of the hurricane, and Pierre +cried as if those detonations were promises of safety for us:</p> + +<p>"Could anything be working more to our advantage, lad? It must be that +our people understand somewhat of that which was done last night, for +they are sending their iron messengers into this village with more of +fury and determination than since the siege began."</p> + +<p>I failed to understand how it could advantage us greatly even though our +people made a direct assault, as I said to Pierre; but the lad could not +well answer me, and I understood when he held his peace that he had +simply cried out in the hope of heartening us.</p> + +<p>Then I listened intently for noises from the outside, and, unable to +distinguish between the roar of the cannon and the pealing of the +thunder, proposed that I be the first to go on watch in the loft above, +for I was burning to be able to see something other than the four walls +of that miserable hovel.</p> + +<p>No one said me nay, and with two of the loaded muskets so that I might +be able to shoot twice in rapid succession if need arose, I clambered up +the ladder into the attic where Abel Hunt and Horry Sims had spent so +many, and such painful hours.</p> + +<p>It was not yet sunrise, but the light of the coming day was sufficient +to enable me to see surrounding objects, and yet I could perceive no +change in the disposition of the British troops.</p> + +<p>Overhead the clouds were rolling swiftly in token that the terrific +tempest had well-nigh spent its force, and I said to myself that when +the rain ceased to fall in such torrents, then would Abel Hunt and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> +Horry Sims present themselves, knowing full well where we would take +refuge in event of having failed to make our way outside the lines.</p> + +<p>The hurricane ceased almost as quickly as it had begun. It was as if the +rising sun stilled the wind and caused the rain to cease, for within +half an hour, as I now remember, all nature was at peace; but man was +yet struggling and with desperation to kill his brother.</p> + +<p>Never had the guns within our lines been served so rapidly; never was +cannonading continued so long, nor had such great destruction followed +as a result.</p> + +<p>While yet I stood looking out I had a view of our Governor Nelson's +mansion which Cornwallis had taken possession of, and speedily saw that +the Americans must be using it as a target, for in as many seconds a +dozen balls struck the building, or passed close to it, and I could well +fancy that Governor Nelson himself must be directing or agreeing to the +destruction of his own beautiful home, for I had learned during my visit +to Williamsburg when I went out to aid the Jerseyman, that the governor +himself was leading the Virginia militia.</p> + +<p>When the first ball struck that stone mansion tearing away the walls +until two of the upper windows were made into one, I saw the red-coated +officers pour out like wasps from their nests, and scatter in every +direction, at which sight I laughed aloud in my glee, rejoicing that the +enemy were finding themselves in quite as disagreeable a situation as we +lads who were waiting with as much of courage as we could command for +the coming of those soldiers who would drag us off to the gallows, most +like without even the formality of a trial because affairs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> had come to +such a dangerous pitch with my Lord Cornwallis.</p> + +<p>I believe the day was no more than an hour old, and the fire from the +American guns had not slackened, but continued to do quite as much +execution as when I first took my post, that I saw in the distance +coming toward us, but unattended, those two scoundrels who were bent +upon our destruction.</p> + +<p>Leaning over so that my voice might carry the better to the floor below, +I cried:</p> + +<p>"Here come Abel Hunt and Horry Sims!"</p> + +<p>"How many red-coats have they with them?" Saul asked.</p> + +<p>"They are alone; but carry muskets."</p> + +<p>Then it was Pierre shouted triumphantly:</p> + +<p>"It is as I told you! My Lord Cornwallis has other fish to fry than the +taking into custody of three boys who may or may not be spies, but who +can do him no harm at this late day. Those scoundrels may tell their +story wheresoever they please in this village of York; but no one will +give heed to them while our people are making matters so hot."</p> + +<p>I could not quite agree with little Frenchie in this, because of +believing that the curs might find here and there among the privates one +who would like nothing better in the way of pleasure than the smoking +out of a rebel, and I strained my eyes in every direction that I might +have ample warning of the approach of the soldiers. Yet none appeared.</p> + +<p>Those who were in the fortifications had quite as much on their hands as +could be attended to just then, if they would preserve their lives, +while those off duty were by no means inclined to come within the line +of fire. I also understood that there must be considerable of confusion +arising from the fact<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> that a portion of the army and a goodly part of +the baggage was already on the Gloucester side.</p> + +<p>While believing that an attack would not be made upon us by considerable +numbers, I grew brave at seeing only Hunt and Horry coming toward the +cabin, and hailed them by shouting:</p> + +<p>"I am giving fair warning that if either of you come a dozen paces +nearer, we shall fire!"</p> + +<p>The two halted, and Abel Hunt cried derisively, pointing out to Horry +Sims my head which appeared above the splintered timbers of the roof:</p> + +<p>"There is one of the rebels who has come to the end of his rope, and +before this day closes we will see him dancing on nothing."</p> + +<p>To this I made no reply, and before the scoundrel had ceased speaking +Pierre Laurens was at my side, resting his musket upon one of the logs +in order the better to take aim.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to shoot them down without warning?" I cried in what was +very like alarm, and he replied in a matter-of-fact tone:</p> + +<p>"You have already given sufficient warning, and if I can drop either of +them now, we shall have one the less to fight."</p> + +<p>He discharged his musket as he ceased speaking, and the ball, missing +the target, passed so close to Abel Hunt's head that the fellow leaped +back at least six paces, and then wheeling about, ran like a frightened +rabbit, followed by Horry, until the two were beyond musket-shot, when +they halted as if to take counsel.</p> + +<p>After mayhap a full minute they went away in the direction of the +westerly redoubt, and we stood there speculating as to what might be +their purpose in thus seemingly abandoning the attack before it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> was +really made, when they reappeared, leading five soldiers, and then did I +understand that that which I feared had come to pass. Most like by +representing to these red-coats that a bit of sport could be had by +smoking out four rebels, they succeeded in persuading some of the more +dissolute ones to join them, and now was our moment of trial come.</p> + +<p>"Now we shall have a taste of their metal, and they shall know what we +can do," Pierre said grimly, his lips tightly shut and an expression on +his face such as I have never seen him wear. "The time has come, Fitz, +for you and me to go to the floor below."</p> + +<p>"Why should not one of us stay here to keep watch?" I asked, impatient +in my nervous fear.</p> + +<p>"Because he who stands in this place offers too fair a target for yonder +rebel hunters, and I am not counting they shall draw Virginia blood +until we have left our mark upon some of their scurvy bodies."</p> + +<p>I was not pleased at the idea of stationing all our force at one point, +for surely it seemed necessary those who were defending the cabin should +know what was going on outside; but Pierre was so insistent, and so +commanding in his tone, that even though it was his blunder which had +thus trapped us, I could not disobey.</p> + +<p>There were loop-holes in plenty for us four, and we counted Uncle +'Rasmus among our number. Between the puncheon planks which had been +tied at the windows, and even 'twixt the logs of the building itself, we +could thrust the muzzles of our muskets, and when Pierre, who took +command of the company without question, had stationed us to his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> +satisfaction, he said as he walked once around the room like a general +surveying his troops:</p> + +<p>"Do not fire until the enemy are so near that you can make certain of +hitting the target, and then shoot to do harm. We are trapped here, and +will pay the forfeit if we fall into the hands of yonder men and lads, +for there will be no question of military trial, or even of reporting +our capture to Lord Cornwallis. Remember that our lives depend upon your +aim."</p> + +<p>It so chanced that Pierre himself was the first to open the battle, if +such it could be called. Abel Hunt walked side by side with the soldiers +as they advanced at easy pace; but I noted that Horry Sims hung back as +if he had no stomach for such work as was evidently before him, and when +the company were come within mayhap fifty paces Pierre shouted shrilly:</p> + +<p>"Halt where you are, or we shall fire, and there is little chance of a +bullet's going amiss at such close range."</p> + +<p>Just for an instant I fancied the red-coats wavered, and certain it is +Abel Hunt nimbly sprang back behind the man at whose side he had been +walking; but the soldiers themselves kept on, and before I could have +counted five little Frenchie fired.</p> + +<p>One of the Britishers plunged forward and then sprawled out on the +ground, looking there like a clot of blood because of the color of his +uniform. The other four continued at a steady pace when I fired, +wounding one of them in the leg so sorely that he was fain to turn tail +and beat a retreat for the redoubt.</p> + +<p>This last shot brought all the would-be rebel hunters to a halt, and I +had taken up my second musket,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> counting to send another ball among +them, when they wheeled suddenly about, while Pierre, clutching me by +the shoulder, said hurriedly:</p> + +<p>"Do not shoot a man in the back! Thus far we have but defended +ourselves, and will not shed blood needlessly. It may be they have got a +full dose, and we are done with them for the time being.</p> + +<p>"Don' let dat idee run away wid you, chile," Uncle 'Rasmus cried in +quavering tones. "Once a Britisher hab done trapped sich as we, he's +boun' to keep up de sport."</p> + +<p>I myself believed Uncle 'Rasmus spoke the truth, for it did not seem +possible these soldiers of the king would allow themselves to be beaten +off so suddenly, more particularly since one of their number lay at full +length on the ground in front of us apparently unable to move.</p> + +<p>Pierre and I reloaded the muskets which had been discharged, and then +during ten minutes or more we stood with our eyes glued to the crevices +between the puncheon planks, watching for the next token of danger, +while all around the cannon of the Americans roared and thundered, +sending across the village balls and flaming bombs until it was as if we +had above our heads a veritable roof of flying, deadly missiles.</p> + +<p>When mayhap ten minutes had passed we received good proof that Uncle +'Rasmus was in the right, for then from out the redoubt came a squad of +red-coats, no less than twenty I should say, and tailing on behind them, +seemingly not eager to occupy any post of danger, were Abel Hunt and +Horry Sims.</p> + +<p>"It looks to me as if our race was well-nigh run," Saul said grimly, and +even in that time of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> deadly peril did my heart go out in rejoicing +toward the lad whose courage revived at seemingly the very moment when +his doom was sealed.</p> + +<p>This last force of the enemy was not disposed to venture as carelessly +as had the first, for while they were yet a musket-shot distant they +separated into three squads, two of which made a wide detour around both +ends of the cabin, taking good care meanwhile to keep out of range, and +the third halted in their tracks, evidently waiting until their comrades +had taken up such positions as had previously been decided upon.</p> + +<p>"They are going around to the back of the cabin, and most like count on +attacking us through the roof, for it must be plain to them, even at +such a distance, that the hovel has been shattered by cannon balls," +Pierre said, and I leaped toward the ladder, whereupon he sprang after +me, counting on pulling me back as he said almost angrily:</p> + +<p>"That is my place, Fitz Hamilton! It was I who caused us to be trapped, +by advising that the prisoners be set free at such an early hour, and I +am the one who shall go into the loft!"</p> + +<p>"Because it is a place of greater danger!" I cried, still swarming up +the shaky bars of wood which were nailed across the side of the +building, and when I was come to what was left of the floor above, I +threatened to throw Pierre down if he attempted to join me.</p> + +<p>"I have shown the white feather more than once since we have been in +this town of York, and now am I determined to prove whether I be a +coward or no!" I cried shrilly, hardly knowing what I said, for the +imminence of the danger had stirred me into a fever, and once more in my +life did I see a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> reddish hue before my eyes, while my one desire was to +kill those who counted on speedily overcoming us. "You are needed below, +Pierre, where some execution may be done, and I shall take my stand +here."</p> + +<p>Even while speaking could I hear sounds from the rear of the cabin as if +the soldiers were piling up timbers, or something of that sort, to make +their way to the roof, and although it was borne in upon me clearly that +within a few seconds most like I would be struggling hand to hand with +men who had been trained in the art of warfare, yet I set it down as +true that never did there come into my heart the slightest idea of +wavering or of fear. Yet that may not be put to my credit, for, as I +said before, the fever of battle had seized upon me, and I burned to see +the first red-coated scoundrel show himself at the aperture in the roof +that I might send a bullet into his worthless carcass.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, and so far as I could judge, before those in the rear had been +able to gain a position on the roof, fire was opened upon us from the +front, and on the instant it was returned by our lads with such spirit +that at once dense clouds of smoke from burning powder came up through +the scuttle, parching my throat, and rendering it difficult for me to +keep my eyes free from the blinding tears of irritation which filled +them.</p> + +<p>I was yet saying to myself that the Britishers had not succeeded in +gaining a foothold upon the roof, when suddenly I saw the muzzle of a +musket through the crevices of the logs, where as yet the timbers +remained intact, and immediately came the report of a weapon as a bullet +whistled past my cheek, cutting the lightest furrow in the skin, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> +causing the blood to flow as if I had been grievously wounded.</p> + +<p>I had yet sufficient of sense remaining to understand that by staying +longer in the loft, if they were counting on shooting at me through the +crevices of the logs, I would sacrifice my life without being able to +make any reprisals, and, stopping only long enough to fire in the +direction where I had seen the musket, I dropped to the floor below, +explaining hurriedly to Pierre why I had seemingly retreated.</p> + +<p>"It is all over with us," the dear lad said, and would have examined the +wound on my face. "No less than a dozen more men have come from the +redoubt, and we can only sell our lives as dearly as possible."</p> + +<p>Then it was the fever of battle so far left me that there was room in my +heart for fear, and while taking my stand by the side of the other lads, +believing firmly that within the next few minutes I should be dead or +wounded unto death, I contrived to hold command over my knees so no one +might see I had again grown cowardly.</p> + +<p>Then it was, when all of us were, as you might say, resigned to death, +that we suddenly heard the parley sounded by drums all along the lines, +and straightway those red-coats who were facing us, counting to hound us +to death, wheeled about, making for the redoubt, while we stood looking +at each other in bewilderment, until Pierre shouted at the full strength +of his lungs:</p> + +<p>"A parley! A parley! My Lord Cornwallis has sounded the parley, which +means that he is ready to surrender! He who came to drive us from off +the soil of Virginia is now wanting to make terms with the rebels!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was indeed as the lad had said. From the moment the drums were heard +all fighting ceased, and where had been such a tumult and a roaring as +drowned all other sounds, silence fell.</p> + +<p>It was like some work of magic; those who had been thirsting for each +other's blood threw down their arms; men no longer shouted in anger; +never a weapon was discharged, and in both the armies every one +seemingly stood silent and motionless awaiting the result of this +flourish of drums.</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should continue this story of the Minute +Boys of York Town, for there can be no doubt but that every one who +reads what I have written knows full well all that happened there on the +York river from the time parley was sounded until the vast army of +red-coats were held prisoners in the hands of the "rebels."</p> + +<p>In writing the closing lines let me set down that which happened some +time after my Lord Cornwallis surrendered, lest he who has read thus far +may think I am taking too much credit to my comrades and myself, by +calling ourselves Minute Boys:</p> + +<p>No less a soldier than General Lafayette himself told us four, for we +insisted on having Uncle 'Rasmus with us when an orderly came to say +that the young French general would speak with those who had befriended +the Jerseyman—even General Lafayette himself told us that we had done +in coming to the town of York that which advantaged the Cause, and asked +what should be given us by way of reward.</p> + +<p>Then it was that Pierre, speaking to him in his native tongue, told how +we lads would have formed a company of Minute Boys but for the fact that +we were shut up in the town of York, and asked that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> we be allowed, +despite our age, to enroll ourselves as soldiers under his command.</p> + +<p>This prayer he readily granted, claiming that he was pleased to do so, +and from then on we served as real soldiers, although as you know full +well the war was nigh to being ended.</p> + +<p>It was General Lafayette who reclaimed for Saul and me our horses. When, +after the surrender, I rode out with my father to see my dear mother, +Silver Heels was the beast that carried me, and from that day to this we +have never been parted, although she is getting now so far along in +years that I fear death may soon step in and do that which the +Britishers failed of doing.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>It is to be regretted that he who set down the movements of those lads +who took upon themselves the name of Minute Boys despite the smallness +of their numbers, did not tell what part they played in the surrender of +Cornwallis, which must have been a magnificent military spectacle, and +because he has brought his story to an end without giving any of the +details, it seems well to set down here that which has been written +concerning it by the historian Fiske:</p> + +<p>"The combination against Cornwallis had been completed, and day by day +the lines were drawn more closely about the doomed army. Yorktown was +invested, and on the 6th of October the first parallel was opened by +General Lincoln. On the 14th, the second parallel, within three hundred +yards of the enemy's works, was opened by Steuben. On the night of the +14th Alexander Hamilton and the Baron de Viomenil carried two of the +British<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> redoubts by storm. On the next night the British made a gallant +but fruitless sortie. By noon of the 16th their works were fast +crumbling to pieces, under the fire of seventy cannon. On the 17th—the +fourth anniversary of Burgoyne's surrender—Cornwallis hoisted the white +flag.</p> + +<p>"The terms of the surrender were like those of Lincoln's at Charleston. +The British army became prisoners of war, subject to the ordinary rules +of exchange. The only delicate question related to the American +loyalists in the army, whom Cornwallis felt it was wrong to leave in the +lurch. This point was neatly disposed of by allowing him to send a ship +to Sir Henry Clinton with news of the catastrophe, and to embark in it +such troops as he might think proper to send to New York, and no +questions asked.</p> + +<p>"On a little matter of etiquette the Americans were more exacting. The +practice of playing the enemy's tunes had always been cherished as an +inalienable prerogative of British soldiery; and at the Surrender of +Charleston, in token of humiliation, General Lincoln's army had been +expressly forbidden to play any but an American tune. Colonel Laurens, +who conducted the negotiations, directed that Lord Cornwallis's sword +should be received by General Lincoln, and that the army, on marching +out to lay down its arms, should play a British or a German air.</p> + +<p>"There was no help for it; and on the 19th of October Cornwallis's army, +7,247 in number, with 840 cannon, marched out with colors furled and +cased, while the band played a quaint old English melody, of which the +significant title was 'The World Turned Upside Down.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span></p> + +<p>"On the very same day that Cornwallis surrendered, Sir Henry Clinton, +having received naval reinforcements, sailed from New York with +twenty-five ships-of-the-line and ten frigates, and 7,000 of his best +troops. Five days brought him to the mouth of the Chesapeake, where he +learned that he was too late, as had been the case four years before, +when he tried to relieve Burgoyne. A fortnight earlier, this force could +hardly have failed to alter the result, for the fleet was strong enough +to dispute with Grasse the control over the coast."</p> + + +<h4>THE END</h4> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Minute Boys of York Town, by James Otis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF YORK TOWN *** + +***** This file should be named 32648-h.htm or 32648-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/6/4/32648/ + +Produced by David Edwards, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by The Internet Archive.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Minute Boys of York Town + +Author: James Otis + +Illustrator: L. J. Bridgeman + +Release Date: June 1, 2010 [EBook #32648] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF YORK TOWN *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by The Internet Archive.) + + + + + + + +THE MINUTE BOYS OF YORK TOWN + + + + +AMERICAN HISTORY STORIES FOR BOYS + + +_THE MINUTE BOY SERIES_ + +By Edward Stratemeyer and James Otis + + The Minute Boys of Lexington + The Minute Boys of Bunker Hill + The Minute Boys of the Green Mountains + The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley + The Minute Boys of the Wyoming Valley + + +_THE MEXICAN WAR SERIES_ + +By Capt. Ralph Bonehill + + For the Liberty of Texas + With Taylor on the Rio Grande + Under Scott in Mexico + +DANA ESTES & COMPANY +Publishers +Estes Press, Summer St., Boston + +[Illustration: "IT WAS A SIGHT WELL CALCULATED TO STIR THE BLOOD OF A +BOY FROM VIRGINIA."] + + + + +THE MINUTE BOYS OF YORK TOWN + +JAMES OTIS + + Author of "The Minute Boys of Long Island," The "Minute Boys + of Wyoming Valley," "Boys of '98," "Teddy and Carrots," "Boys + of Fort Schuyler," "Under the Liberty Tree," etc., etc. + +_Illustrated by_ + +L. J. BRIDGMAN + +[Illustration] + +BOSTON +DANA ESTES & COMPANY +PUBLISHERS + + +_Copyright, 1912_ +BY DANA ESTES & COMPANY + +_All rights reserved_ + +THE MINUTE BOYS OF YORK TOWN + +PRESS OF +THE VAIL-BALLOU CO. +BINGHAMTON, N. Y. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER PAGE + +I. TWO YOUNG VIRGINIANS 11 + +II. SILVER HEELS 30 + +III. UNCLE 'RASMUS'S ADVICE 49 + +IV. THE TOWN OF YORK 70 + +V. OUR PRISONER 89 + +VI. A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE 109 + +VII. MORGAN, THE SPY 128 + +VIII. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SAUL 147 + +IX. SUSPENSE 166 + +X. NEWS OF SAUL 185 + +XI. A DESPERATE VENTURE 205 + +XII. SAUL'S OPPORTUNITY 223 + +XIII. THE SIEGE 240 + +XIV. AN UGLY SITUATION 258 + +XV. FORAGING 276 + +XVI. PREPARATIONS FOR FLIGHT 294 + +XVII. OUR BLUNDER 310 + +XVIII. TRAPPED 329 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + + PAGE + +"IT WAS A SIGHT WELL CALCULATED TO STIR THE BLOOD OF A + BOY FROM VIRGINIA" (_Page 227_) _Frontispiece_ + +"THAT WE MIGHT PEER BETWEEN THE LEAVES" 26 + +"HE ... TOUCHED HIS HAT IN REGULAR MILITARY SALUTE" 76 + +"I SPRANG FORWARD" 90 + +"WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST WARNING I FOUND MYSELF IN THE + CLUTCHES OF A MAN" 119 + +"HALT, OR I'LL FIRE!" 138 + +THE RELEASE OF SAUL OGDEN 233 + +"A GENERAL DISCHARGE ... WAS COMMENCED BY THE AMERICANS" 289 + + + + +THE MINUTE BOYS OF YORK TOWN + + + + +CHAPTER I + +TWO YOUNG VIRGINIANS + + +When Uncle 'Rasmus loses his temper because of some prank which we lads +of James Town may have played upon him, he always says that no good can +ever come of that in which "chillun an' women are mixed." + +It had never entered my mind that there was in such a remark any cause +for anger on my part, until that day when Saul Ogden repeated it, +shaking his head dolefully as Uncle 'Rasmus always did, and speaking in +the negro dialect so faithfully that one, not seeing him, might well +have supposed his skin was black. + +Of course you remember the engagement at Spencer's Ordinary, which place +is the same as if I had said Spencer's Tavern, on the 26th of June in +the year of Grace 1781, when Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe of the Queen's +Rangers, and Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton with his Legion of Horse, began +to "prance" around here, as Uncle 'Rasmus would put it, and we +Virginians were disturbed in more ways than one. + +There were a number of our people who would have been loyal to the king +if Governor Dunmore had not written himself down such a consummate ass, +and many even at this time whose sympathies were all with the struggling +colonists, but who yet hoped matters could be settled without loss of +honor to either side, meaning that the so-called rebels and his majesty +might come together in friendship once more. + +But when this "prancing" began; when Colonel Tarleton rode rough-shod +over our people of Virginia without seeming to understand the meaning of +the word "humanity," then it was that even those who had hoped against +hope that the colonies might remain in peace and harmony with the mother +country, began to realize it was no longer possible. + +It had required five long, weary years, during which our Americans in +the North had borne nearly all the brunt of this struggle against the +king, and I dare not say how much of friendship, to persuade those few +in Virginia who strove to hold some shred of loyalty to the king, that +the time had come when they must take sides with those who had the best +interests of the country at heart, no longer looking to royalty for +relief. + +Saul Ogden is my cousin, being but three days younger than I, who was, +in August of 1781, just turned fifteen, and although it may seem strange +to the lads of New England that we two Virginians knew so little +concerning what was being done in this America of ours, it is true that +until the engagement at Spencer's Ordinary there had never been a +thought in our minds that we might be called upon, or that it would be +possible for us to take any part in the bloody struggle which had been +prolonged until it seemed of a verity that the people of New York and +Boston must have come to an end of all their resources, so far as +struggling against the king's soldiers was concerned. + +It is true Saul and I had heard now and then that even boys in +Massachusetts and in New York were enrolled, or had agreed among +themselves, to act as Minute Boys, ready to do whatsoever they might, at +any time, regardless of all things else save the proving of that +Declaration of Independence to the satisfaction of the whole wide world. + +It was on the day before the action at Spencer's Ordinary that I, +Fitzroy Hamilton, and Saul, my cousin, met for the first time a little +French lad by name of Pierre Laurens, who had come up from New Orleans +with his widowed mother to visit at my home, after having spent a summer +in Boston. + +A companionable sort of a lad was this little French boy who waved his +hands and shrugged his shoulders when he talked, as if they were in some +way connected with his tongue; one who was able to tell many an +entertaining story, and who had seen so much of this land of America +that it was to Saul and me as if he was some great traveler, while we +were only two country louts, never having strayed a dozen miles from +home. + +It is not of Pierre whom I have set myself down to tell; but it was +necessary I should refer to him in order that you might understand how +we two lads of James Town, who seldom went away from the plantation save +to ride into the settlement, and whose longest journey had been from the +James to the York river across that neck where one may best arrive at +York Town, came to know that we might serve the Cause as Minute Boys. + +It was little Frenchie who took it upon himself to tell us what he +knew, he having met several lads in Boston who called themselves Minute +Boys. He held up before Saul and me pictures of the duty we owed our +homes, as if we Virginians needed to be taught our duty, and painted in +glowing colors the honor and glory which was to be won by those lads who +stood ever ready to perform the work of Minute Boys, until we were quite +aflame with the idea. + +I doubt much, however, whether anything would have come of it had it not +been for that same engagement at Spencer's Ordinary, when +Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, counting to ride over the Pennsylvania men +under Colonel Butler as he had ridden over us Virginians, found much to +his displeasure that it was not always possible for his high mightiness +to do exactly as he wished. + +Do not get the idea that I intend to make it appear as if the king's +troops were worsted at Spencer's Tavern; but it was a drawn battle, as I +have heard even those who really loved the king, admit, and it must have +been a startling surprise to the swaggering Simcoe to have received even +a check. + +It was only natural that after this engagement Saul and I, egged on by +Pierre, should talk quite seriously of forming a company of Minute Boys; +but no sooner would we begin, and I strive to point out how we might do +this thing or that which would advantage our colony of Virginia, than +Saul would break in with the saying of Uncle 'Rasmus's, that where +"chillun an' women were mixed" matters went awry. + +Yet despite my cousin's seeming scorn, Pierre continued to urge that we +enroll ourselves as Minute Boys, and when Saul asked irritably whether +he believed any good would come to the Cause if only three lads were +banded together, agreeing to do whatsoever they might, thereby, as you +can see, throwing cold water on the scheme, Pierre, his hands waving and +his shoulders shrugged nearly to his ears, would insist again and again +that if no more than three should set themselves about striving to do +something in aid of those who were battling against the king, much of +good might be accomplished. + +Then Saul, without really meaning to be unkind, would cry out that +Colonel Simcoe had better have a care when our company of three Virginia +Minute Boys set out on the war-path, and while his friendly scorn +fretted me now and then, it did not distress Pierre in the least. + +I say it did not distress him, and yet I may be mistaken, for after Saul +had repeated Uncle 'Rasmus's maxim, and spoken sneeringly of the fear +which a company of Minute Boys numbering three might produce throughout +the colony, little Frenchie said, waving his hands as if to brush my +cousin aside: + +"Oh, well, if you are afraid, then it would not be of avail even though +you had a company of twenty." + +"Afraid!" Saul cried, the red blood flushing his face as he advanced +almost threateningly toward the little fellow from New Orleans. "Do you +dare come here and tell a Virginian that he is afraid of any person who +walks this earth even though he wear a crown?" + +"I did not say you _were_ afraid," Pierre replied sweetly, still +shrugging his shoulders and waving his hands. "I said _if_ you were +afraid, then it would not do for you to talk of being a Minute Boy. It +is only those lads in the colonies who dare do this or dare do that, who +could be of value to the Cause." + +Now it is just possible little Frenchie was irritated when he made this +reply; but however it came about, certain it is from that moment Saul +ceased to throw cold water upon the plan of raising a company of Minute +Boys, and no longer quoted Uncle 'Rasmus, or spoke scornfully of what +might be accomplished, yet at the same time he was not enthusiastic +about it until after that sixth of July, when at Green Spring plantation +the British under my Lord Cornwallis met the Americans commanded by +General Lafayette, the king's troops getting much the best of the +battle. + +I had thought Saul might strive to get even with Pierre by pointing out +that the young French general was defeated where an American might have +been victorious; but no, he held his peace concerning the nationality of +the commander of the army, and seemed all afire with a desire to do +something with his own hands that should be of benefit to the Cause. + +He insisted we form ourselves into a company of Minute Boys at once, +even though there were but three of us, claiming even as little Frenchie +had claimed days and days before, that it might be possible even for so +small a number to accomplish considerable of good, and promising that as +the time went by we would be able to add to our numbers. + +And thus it was that Saul and I, two Virginia lads, joined with Pierre, +a Frenchie, to form a company of Minute Boys in aid of the Cause of +Liberty, and even went so far, after agreeing among ourselves that we +were to stand by each other so long as life should last, to write a +letter to Master Patrick Henry telling him of what we had done and +offering our services, much the same as if they might be of great value. + +The strangest part of all, as it seemed to me, was that Master Henry did +actually answer the letter which Saul wrote; did really speak of us as +if it might be possible that we do somewhat of good to the Cause, and +commending us for coming together in such a fashion. It was much as if +he believed he was writing to three men of importance in Virginia, who +could do this, or do that, according to their will, instead of three +lads who had hardly ever, with the exception of Pierre, ventured off the +Hamilton plantation. + +I questioned seriously whether Master Henry really understood Saul's +letter; if he was aware of the fact that we were lads only just turned +fifteen, and argued that he must have read the missive so hurriedly that +he thought three influential planters, if you please, who may formerly +have been luke-warm to the Cause, were now turned about ready to do +whatsoever they might. + +Had Saul and I been alone I could have convinced my cousin that I was in +the right; but little Frenchie must needs start up, insisting that +Master Henry knew to whom he was writing; that a great man like Master +Patrick Henry would not read a letter which, if it had come from men, +was of importance, so hurriedly as not to understand who had written it. +He argued from all this, that our calling ourselves Minute Boys, even +though we might not succeed in doing much that would advantage the +colony, was of moment even in the eyes of so able a man as he who had +been governor of Virginia. + +I must say this for Pierre, that when he starts out to convince you of a +matter there is in his manner and his voice such winning qualities, that +even though at the outset you were positive he was in the wrong, before +many minutes had passed you were saying to yourself that all his words +were true, all his beliefs noble, and all that he would do exactly +right. + +It was one thing to call ourselves Minute Boys; to write to Governor +Henry and to be praised by him, and quite another matter to be able to +do anything whatsoever in aid of the Cause. + +It is true that we did not go far afield in search of opportunities, and +for the very good reason that we knew not where to go. Between our town +of James and the village of York we knew our way as well as we did +through the pantry to that jar of cake which Aunt Dinah always kept so +well filled; but beyond that it was all a strange world to us, so +strange that we doubted whether we might make our way even so far as +Baltimore without writing ourselves down as the veriest country louts. + +Then came that day when my Lord Cornwallis led his red-coated men into +James Town itself, and we found ourselves not only surrounded by these +soldiers of the king, but literally over-run by them. So high and mighty +was his majesty's officer that he quartered his soldiers here, there, or +in the other place, at whatsoever house pleased his fancy, insisting +that we Virginians who claimed we had the right to break off from the +mother country, should take care of those who had come to shoot us +down. + +Then of a verity did it seem to me the time had come when we Minute Boys +might do something, and I said as much to Saul and Pierre. + +My cousin held his peace, looking around eagerly as if striving to see +here or there some opportunity, while little Frenchie shrugged his +shoulders as if the matter was of little consequence to him, and I, +irritated by his movements, taunted him with being a coward, saying it +was all very well for him, while the British soldiers were at a +distance, to talk loudly about forming a company of Minute Boys, but +instantly the enemy were come within reach he was well content to lie +down at their feet. + +I was ashamed of myself even as I spoke, and looked to see Pierre fly +into a rage; but, instead, he shrugged his little shoulders yet higher, +advising that I go back into the stable yard where Uncle 'Rasmus, with +the hounds around him, was sunning himself, and there take advice from +the old negro who claimed that where "chillun an' women were mixed" no +good could come. + +"And to what end should I take advice from Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried in a +rage, whereupon Pierre, waving his hands with the palms uppermost, said +in a most friendly way: + +"To the end, my dear Fitz, that you may come to understand there is a +time for work and a time for remaining idle; that he who would +accomplish something does not set out upon a task which, even before +beginning it, he knows to be impossible." + +"All of which means what?" Saul demanded, and I understood that the +lad's heart was heavy, for within the hour he had been crowded against +the wall, and a red-coated captain of the Foot had shaken him soundly +because he did not give way to the swaggerers who had come into Virginia +to teach us manners. + +"All of which means that the time will come when we shall be able to do +something to please even your Governor Henry," Pierre said sulkily, and +then turned away, himself to take counsel of Uncle 'Rasmus, leaving Saul +and me gazing into each other's faces like a couple of simples, until my +cousin said with a mirthless laugh: + +"I am beginning to believe, Fitz, that little Frenchie has more in his +head than ever you or I can hope to find in ours." + +It was the first time I had ever heard him suggest that Pierre was wise +beyond his years. In fact, he had always looked upon the little fellow +as a pleasant companion, and I had believed that I was more than his +equal when it came to such tasks as Minute Boys should do. I had set it +down in my mind that when the time for real work arrived, if it ever +did, it would be Saul and I who would do credit to our town of James. + +My Lord Cornwallis did not linger at James Town; but continued on down +the river until he was come to Portsmouth, having stopped meanwhile on +the way to "give Lafayette a lesson," as some of our Tory neighbors +suggested. + +Then, as you very well know, it began to appear as if this valiant +officer, who represented the king in Virginia, was beginning to get +uneasy because the young French general was pressing him rather warmly, +and continued what was well nigh a retreat until that first day of +September in the year of Grace 1781, when he entered York Town, and +immediately began to fortify the settlements of York and Gloucester as +if counting to make there a permanent abiding place. + +It never occurred to me that my Lord Cornwallis had really beaten a +retreat before the Americans, and was now come to where he must have aid +from New York or from overseas in order to get out from what was much +like a trap, until Uncle 'Rasmus, when we lads were gathered about him +in the stable-yard, said, shaking his grey head as he chewed +meditatively on a straw: + +"It kind 'er 'pears to me, chillun, like as ef dat yere Britisher what's +flutterin' 'roun' ober York way wid his hosses, an' his guns, an' his +shinin' sword, was heapin' up a sight ob misery for hisself." + +"But surely, Uncle 'Rasmus, after the engagement at Green Spring, you +can't believe it would be possible for the French general to do him any +harm?" Saul cried, surprised by the old negro's words, which seemed much +like a prophecy. + +"I ain' sayin', chile, dat de French gin'ral is gwine for to hurt de +Britishers so berry much; but it kind'er 'pears to me dis erway: You see +dey's come down yere to de jumpin'-off place, an' dere ain' much chance +for 'em to get away 'cept dey goes by water. Now I'se done hear dat +dere's a power ob French vessels hangin' 'roun' off de Capes, des like +as if dey was waitin' to swaller up de red-coated gen'men." + +"If he can't get away by water he'll go back by land," Saul suggested, +and Uncle 'Rasmus shook his head mournfully, as if it pained him to +believe that my Lord Cornwallis had come into a veritable trap. + +"What 'bout dat yere Virginia gen'man dey's got up Norf--what 'bout +Gin'ral Washington? Do you count, chillun, de's gwine for ter lay stock +still when he's got de chance ob nabbin' all dis yere stuff what dey +'lows b'longs to de king? Ef it was some ob yere po' wuffless Northern +trash what was runnin' dis yere war for de people ob America, den it +might be dat Lord Cornwallis was gwine to turn 'roun' slap when he done +got ready. But mark you, chillun, it's one ob our Virginia gen'men dats +lookin' after tings. He knows de lan' 'roun' erbout; kase why? Kase he's +bin here, chillun; he's bin right on dis yere plantation, an' he knows +dat when you strikes de town ob York you'se got to be sumfin like a +flea, able to hop a mighty big hop." + +"Even suppose my Lord Cornwallis does beat back the Americans who are +led by one of my countrymen; he might find it very difficult to break +through their ranks, if he wanted to go back toward Richmond by the same +way he came," Pierre said with a wave of the hand which I never hope to +fully describe, for there was ever much of feeling in his gestures. + +We remained there in the stable yard until the sun was low in the +western sky, discussing the situation with Uncle 'Rasmus as our oracle. +It is true we lads could not speak intelligently upon military matters, +and as I look back now upon that day, I realize how much of folly there +was in our words; but our hearts were nigh to bursting with the desire +to do something toward ridding our colony of Virginia of those +swaggering, insolent, red-coated men, all of whom we believed to be +quite as brutal as Colonel Tarleton and his followers. + +The result of that afternoon's conversation with Uncle 'Rasmus, if such +it can be called, was that we three lads decided to go over to York +Town, and see for ourselves how the Britishers were disposed there, and +what they had done in the way of throwing up fortifications, for word +had come through the negroes that not only the town of York, but +Gloucester also, was being fortified thoroughly well. + +It is not above eight miles from our plantation to the town of York, and +we counted to ride there and back before the next noon, until Uncle +'Rasmus, as if terrified by such a proposition, insisted that we ought +never even think of trusting the horses so near the British encampment. +He told us what we very speedily came to know was true, that these +servants of the king would not hesitate to despoil us Virginians who +might be accused of what they were pleased to term disloyalty, even to +the extent of taking from us our lives. + +I could not then believe the old negro was talking other than veriest +nonsense; but before another week had passed I came to understand all +too well that we of Virginia who were called rebels, had no rights which +these red-coated gentry were bound to respect. + +It seemed fortunate that Uncle 'Rasmus succeeded in convincing us it +would be in the highest degree dangerous to ride good saddle horses, and +there were none other on the Hamilton plantation, within the British +lines at York Town, and finally we agreed among ourselves, so eager had +we grown to know what was being done by my Lord Cornwallis, to walk +there and back. It would not be a severe journey, for we might count on +going and returning between sunrise and sunset, and yet not exert +ourselves overly much. + +It is not necessary I should set down anything concerning our movements +from the time we parted with Uncle 'Rasmus, until next morning, an hour +after sunrise, when we were come within view of York Town, having walked +at a rapid pace, for even though it was yet early in September, there +was a bit of frost in the air which induced one to move rapidly lest he +become chilled. + +It was when we were come so near the end of our journey, that we saw +ahead of us, less than a quarter of a mile away, Horry Sims, who lived +on the old Livingston plantation, three miles above my home, and he +appeared to be talking earnestly with a mounted officer who was in +command of mayhap a dozen men. + +Now Horry Sims was a lad who might fairly have been called a friend of +mine, because we had had no angry words together such as could not +readily be wiped out; but since two or three years neither Saul nor I +chummed very much with the lad. It was believed, and with good cause, +that his father yet remained loyal to the king, and was not only ready +to make a display of love for his majesty; but appeared so willing to +show disloyalty to his neighbors that it almost amounted to eagerness. + +Uncle 'Rasmus declared again and again that Master Sims had had a hand +in whatsoever of mischief had been done in Virginia, and perhaps Saul +and I might have believed the old negro had he not set down so much of +evil to the account of Horry's father that it was impossible one man +could have compassed it all. + +Certain it is, however, we had come to look upon Master Sims as a rank +Tory, and, fancying his son might hold the views of his father, we two +lads, meaning Saul and me, had kept away from him, not in the way of +enmity, but rather to avoid the lad, although we treated him fairly when +he came where we were. + +After all we believed we knew, it should not have seemed strange to us +that Horry Sims was talking in an apparently friendly fashion with this +officer in his majesty's service, yet we were surprised, for now was +come the time, if he felt so disposed, when it was possible for him to +do much of harm to his neighbors, and on the instant I stepped aside +from the highway that I might be screened by the bushes, beckoning my +companions to do the same. + +We had thus hidden ourselves from view of those who were ahead of us, as +I believed, before they came to know that we were in the vicinity, and +Saul, thinking that now was the time when we might do Minute-Boy duty, +whispered to me: + +"Shall we creep among the shrubbery until we are come where it is +possible to hear the conversation of those beyond?" + +Before I could make reply, little Frenchie, shrugging his shoulders, +whispered: + +"How far think you, it would be possible to go without being overheard +by some of those who wear red coats? If it was night, or if yonder men +were deaf, then might you do it." + +"It is certain they would hear you before you were where it could be +possible to distinguish a word of the conversation," I said in reply to +Saul's suggestion, and he was seemingly satisfied that such would be the +case, for instead of making any attempt at an argument, he crept more +closely to my side, pulling Pierre with him until we three, in order to +hold in view that group of red, in the midst of which was Horry Sims, +were forced to part the foliage with our hands that we might peer +between the leaves. + +Perhaps our suspicions of the lad prompted us to see more than really +was presented; but certain it is I fancied that the officer, who was +mounted, plied Horry with questions, to which the lad replied as if it +gave him pleasure to impart information. I also suspected they were +saying somewhat concerning our plantation, for now and again Horry +pointed in the direction of my home, and the foot soldiers looked back +as if fancying they might see the buildings in the distance, all of +which was the more real to me because betwixt where we stood and the +Hamilton plantation there was no other dwelling. + +We remained there in hiding a full half hour, and then it appeared to me +as if the officer and Horry Sims parted in friendly fashion, the lad to +continue on toward York Town, and the officer and his men to march in +our direction, as if counting to follow back on our trail. + +As a matter of course there was nothing we lads could do save remain in +hiding, trusting that our whereabouts would not be discovered, for, +although we had been doing no harm, if a servant of his majesty should +come to understand that we three lads were striving to keep out of +sight, he might take it into his thick head to fancy we were bent on +mischief. + +In those days it was only needed that an officer in the service of the +king should have a suspicion, in order to straightway plunge into +difficulties that person toward whom the suspicions were directed. + +We held ourselves in cover, therefore, and I confess to a sense of most +profound relief when the squad continued on without giving heed to the +possibility that there had been witnesses to the meeting with Horry +Sims. + +[Illustration: "THAT WE MIGHT PEER BETWEEN THE LEAVES."] + +"Now it is only for us to know where those gentlemen with the red coats +may be going," little Frenchie said, shrugging his shoulders as we came +out from the bushes and turned our faces in the direction from which we +had just come, whereupon Saul asked hotly: + +"Are you not for York Town? Have your legs grown weary with walking +three or four miles?" + +"The town of York will remain where it is yet many a day, and I dare +venture to say my Lord Cornwallis will not take his departure suddenly, +therefore shall we have plenty of time in which to look at the British +encampment," Pierre replied, retracing his steps as if he had no care +whether we followed. + +"But why go back?" I cried impatiently. "Of what avail for us to follow +that squad, who are most likely out foraging?" + +"I have seen soldiers nearabout New Orleans, therefore do I know that +when foragers go out they take with them huge wagons to bring back such +as may be found. Those who have just passed are empty-handed, save for +muskets, and never one of them carried his full complement of +accoutrements." + +"Well, suppose he doesn't?" Saul asked sulkily, but yet following little +Frenchie nevertheless, for there was something about the lad which +caused you to do that which pleased him whether it was to your liking or +not. + +"Then it must be they are out on some special duty," Pierre continued, +"and I am of the mind that we shall find more amusement in watching +them, than if we follow on the heels of your Tory friend who seems also +to count on visiting York Town." + +Whether Pierre had any suspicions of what might be afoot, I cannot say; +but certain it is he pressed forward, striving to accommodate his pace +with that of the soldiers, so that he might not come directly on their +heels, and Saul and I, inwardly angry with ourselves for thus copying +the movements of the little lad from New Orleans, kept well alongside +him till we had covered a distance of mayhap a mile, when my cousin +suddenly halted, saying almost angrily: + +"We are showing ourselves simples in thus turning back simply because a +squad of British soldiers have gone ahead!" + +"Yet those same gentlemen who wear red coats are marching in the +direction of the Hamilton plantation," little Frenchie said with another +shrug of his shoulders and a wave of his hands, as if to intimate that +there was very much more which he might say, and I, understanding +somewhat of the gesture, cried out impatiently: + +"Why do you say that? What have they to do on the Hamilton plantation?" + +"It is that which I would learn," Pierre replied. "It is what I believe +it would be better for us to see than if we wandered through the British +encampment at York Town." + +Until that instant I had never fancied my father's property might be in +any danger from the king's men. True it is that he was known as one +devoted to the cause of liberty; but thus far the war had been at such a +distance from us that we had seen little of its horrors, and for the +first time I began to realize there might be somewhat of mischief +afoot, therefore pressed forward hotly, Pierre holding me back from time +to time lest we overtake the soldiers. + +The Britishers must have walked more rapidly than we fancied, for when +finally we were come within view of my home, we saw riding out from the +stable-yard, each man mounted and more than one with a led-horse by his +side, all the company that had passed us on the road, and the animals +which they rode and led were horses belonging to my father! Yea, among +them Saul's mare and my own favorite colt, which I cherished as the +dearest thing on earth next to my mother! + +"What does it mean?" I cried, speaking with difficulty because of that +seeming lump in my throat, and little Frenchie, shrugging his shoulders +in a manner that set every nerve in my body aquiver, replied as if it +was a matter of small moment: + +"They have been to the Hamilton plantation in order to get mounts for +the officers of my Lord Cornwallis's army, and from this on your colt +will carry a burly Englishman bedecked with gilt lace and red cloth, +instead of the lad who loves her so dearly." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +SILVER HEELS + + +It was for a moment as if I could scarcely credit my senses. The idea +that any one, even those belonging to the plantation, should bestride my +own colt, my little Silver Heels, as I had named her! + +She had been given to me when a baby, and no hand save mine had touched +her, except when some of the negroes would rub her coat to silken +glossiness in order to curry favor with me. Now she was being ridden and +roughly handled by a red-faced private of Simcoe's Queen's Rangers! + +When my surprise had given way to anger, which it did within a very few +seconds, I would have run swiftly forward, claiming my own Silver Heels, +and defying, if needs be, all that company of red-coats, for the rage in +my heart was so great that I had no thought of prudence nor of my +inability to cope even with a single one of those Rangers; but that +Pierre, seizing me firmly by the arm, actually dragged me amid the +foliage where we might be screened from view, for the men--the thieves, +I should say, were by this time riding directly toward us. + +"Have you lost your wits entirely?" Pierre whispered angrily, and +forgetting to shrug his shoulders. "Of what avail for you to demand your +Silver Heels when the king's officers would have her for their own? Do +you count on being carried to the guard-house at York Town as a +malcontent, or even worse, a dangerous rebel?" + +"I care not where they carry me, so I take Silver Heels from yon brute +that is bestride her!" + +"And how will you take her?" little Frenchie whispered, this time +shrugging his shoulders and waving his hands, I having so far obeyed him +as to be standing by his side beneath the shelter of leaves. "Do you +fancy that after Colonel Simcoe's men have seized a likely lot of +horse-flesh, a lad such as you may wrest from them their spoils?" + +"But Silver Heels is my own, my very own! No one, not even the king +himself, has the right to take her!" I cried in my folly. + +"But some one has taken her, and he is stronger than you, my friend +Fitz," Pierre said, stroking the sleeve of my coat as he would the back +of an angry cat. "It is no less than Colonel Simcoe of the Queen's +Rangers, a trusted officer of my Lord Cornwallis, who thus gathers in +mounts for his men that they may the better punish the rebels of +Virginia, among whom may be counted your father, and even you, lad, +since you are pleased to call yourself a Minute Boy. Will you not listen +to reason?" little Frenchie continued in a coaxing tone. "Did you not +see Horry Sims talking with these very men, and pointing in the +direction of the Hamilton plantation? Do you not know he was telling +them that a rank rebel owned the place--one whose stables were filled +with the best horse-flesh in Virginia? Before those men took your Silver +Heels they knew right well to what plantation she belonged, and even +though you had had by your side a dozen neighbors and friends, the +result would have been the same. Now what would it avail that you +should pour out your unreasoning wrath? Simply to the end that they +might abuse, or, perhaps, imprison?" + +Even before Pierre had ceased speaking did I come to understand how +useless it would be for me to make any attempt at taking poor little +Silver Heels from those who had stolen her, and I crouched yet further +among the foliage as the horsemen approached, for there had come into my +mind on the instant a certain thought, call it plan if you will, the +carrying out of which depended upon holding myself free. + +Then, like a great wave upon the seashore, there flowed into my heart +the memory that it was Horry Sims who had directed these men where to +go--Horry Sims who had ever envied me the possession of Silver Heels, +and who, most like knowing that these red-coated minions of the king +were looking for horse-flesh, pointed out the Hamilton plantation, +counting that I would lose my colt. He, the son of the rankest Tory in +Virginia, without cause for enmity against me, had laid train for the +cruelest blow that could be struck at my heart! + +During all this while Saul had not spoken; but now it was, even as the +horsemen were well abreast our hiding place, he turned fiercely upon me, +clutching both shoulders of my coat as if I were an enemy whom he would +bring face to face with himself, and whispered in hoarse anger: + +"It is well you formed your company of Minute Boys just as you did, Fitz +Hamilton, for now has come the time when they shall see service! Are we, +simply because of being lads, to remain idle while our own horses are +being stolen?" + +On the instant my heart went out in sympathy to Saul, for I knew full +well that he loved his mare even as I did my own colt Silver Heels, and, +harking back to the thought which had come into my mind a few seconds +before, I said to him stoutly, shaking my fist in the direction of that +popinjay of an officer who was riding so proudly in advance of his squad +of thieves: + +"We will make them pay for this day's work, Saul Ogden, and while we are +casting up the reckoning with those who wear red coats, there is one not +far away who must also be held accountable for that which has just been +done!" + +"Meaning Horry Sims!" Saul cried, actually trembling in his impotent +rage. + +"Meaning that worse than Tory, for it was with no idea of serving the +king, or aiding the king's cause, that the miserable scoundrel pointed +out to those horse thieves where your mare and my colt might be found!" + +"He shall have cause to regret that he saw this day's sun rise," Saul +said in a low tone, his voice aquiver with anger, and then, the horsemen +having passed, he stepped out into the road, turning his face toward +York Town. + +"Where would you go?" Pierre cried excitedly, following the lad to seize +him by the skirt of his coat. "Would you venture into the British +encampment at a time when your heart is so filled with anger that it is +not possible you could hold it in check?" + +"Ay, that is exactly where I count on going. You need have no fear, +Pierre Laurens, that I shall do aught which may deprive me of my +liberty, for I will hold myself in the presence of those who wear red +coats as gentle as any dame in silken skirts, until I have got back my +mare, or shot her with my own hand to spare the poor creature the abuse +that would come from such handling! If, however, in the meanwhile I +should come across Horry Sims where were none of his kidney who could +fall upon me with too great force, then is it certain you would see +whether a Minute Boy, and of late I'm beginning to be proud of that +title--you would see whether a Virginian, a member of a company of +Minute Boys, even though they number only three, could do anything +toward paying off his just and lawful debts." + +To have argued with Saul at that time would have been worse than +useless, as I knew full well, for when the cloud of anger was upon him +he would not listen to prayers or to arguments, and in good truth I was +more than willing he should go his way, counting to make it my own, for +at that time I believe it would have been actually impossible for me to +have turned my back on poor little Silver Heels, even though by going +into the British encampment at York Town I could do her no good. + +Pierre soon realized that he could not hope to turn Saul from the path +he had set out on, and he showed himself the dear little comrade I have +ever since known him to be, by ranging alongside first of Saul and then +of me as we went in single file, knowing full well that we might +encounter great danger, and yet holding himself ready to bear full share +of it. + +We were not in the mood for conversation, Saul and I, as we pressed +forward on the way to York Town, giving no heed to anything around us, +and little Frenchie soon came to understand this, for after striving to +speak first with one and then the other in a friendly fashion and +receiving no reply, he held his peace, but now and again taking us by +the hand as if to show his friendliness and loyalty to his friendships. + +I was burning with the desire to come up with Horry Sims, who it was +reasonable to believe had gone into the town of York and to that end +quickened my pace, although knowing full well it was best I did not +speak with the viper that day. + +There was yet before us, if we both lived, plenty of time in which to +settle the debt, and if I attempted to wipe off the score before having +done that which was in my mind, then might it be that I sacrificed +Silver Heels herself simply to gratify my desire for revenge. + +That which I had in my mind! It was as wild a scheme as ever entered a +boy's brain, I am willing to confess, and yet it was neither more nor +less than the following of poor little Silver Heels until I could see +where she was quartered, after which, devoting all my time and my energy +to her rescue, for it was to me almost as if she was a human being in +the hands of a vengeful enemy. + +All this may seem wild or witless when spoken by a lad of fifteen, but I +had the will and determination of a man who had grown grey-headed, and +knew that I lacked not the courage once my anger had been aroused. + +In cold blood I could be as timorous as any girl; but once the fever of +rage beset me, I lost sight of all the odds that might be against me, +which, mayhap, is much the same as saying that at heart I was a coward, +and when I showed any token of bravery, if indeed I ever did, it was the +madness of anger, rather than true courage. + +Be that as it may, I am not more disposed at this day to discuss such a +question than I was on that morning when, with the blood seemingly +boiling in my veins, I trod on the heels of Saul as we plodded our way +toward York Town in moody, angry silence, while little Frenchie ran by +the side of first one and then the other, mutely striving to show the +wealth of friendship which was in his heart. + +It was well for us that the miles were long and reasonably many on the +road to the town of York, else might we have blundered into the British +encampment to our sorrow, for we had no plan save that of following our +horses, and it was not until we were come within sight of the village, +having met neither man, woman nor child on our way, that Pierre said, +shrugging his shoulders and waving his hands as he ran swiftly ahead to +turn and face us: + +"Are you members of the Minute-Boy company intent on blundering into the +very midst of our Lord Cornwallis's army without knowing what it is you +count on doing?" + +"We count on finding our horses!" Saul exclaimed, sturdily striving to +push little Frenchie aside, but failing because the lad stood firm. + +"Ay, that is your desire, my dear friend; but tell me how you would +compass it? By pressing on in sulky fashion and telling every red-coated +soldier you meet that you are here to force the British troops into +giving up your property?" + +Both Saul and I came to a sudden halt, astonished by the quick change in +Pierre's manner, for now his voice was filled with scorn, and one might +have said he was chiding us as an elder chides a child. + +"There is little need of telling why we have come," I replied, +impatient because the lad would thus delay us. "Surely we may wander at +will through the town of York." + +"In New Orleans I have been among soldiers who were encamped and did not +find it possible to wander at will," Pierre said, again shrugging his +shoulders in that peculiar manner which set my nerves atingling. "It +will be strange indeed if my Lord Cornwallis allows the rabble to enter +his lines at pleasure." + +"Rabble?" Saul cried in anger. "Do you call us of Hamilton plantation a +rabble?" + +"I am not the one who would thus misname you," and Pierre held out his +hands deprecatingly; "but unless I am much mistaken in these red-coated +followers of the king, they will give even worse names to those who are +suspected of being friendly to the Cause which the colonists have thus +far upheld so nobly. It might be, mayhap, that if you were of the rabble +you would be permitted to enter the enemy's lines simply because of your +curiosity; but I doubt me much whether a Minute Boy would be allowed to +inspect the encampment lest he give information to General Lafayette." + +"We are not known as Minute Boys!" Saul cried fiercely, striving to wave +Pierre aside, but the little Frenchie held his ground as he said with a +peculiar laugh: + +"Ay, but you are known as worse, my lad; you are known as coming from +the Hamilton plantation--from a place which General Cornwallis and +Colonel Simcoe have set down as a nest of rebels, otherwise they would +not have made such a wholesale seizure of horse-flesh without having +given some notice. Once let you be recognized, and I question whether +you may not have some trouble to return at will." + +"Who knows--" Saul began, and then stopped abruptly because, as I +understood full well, he realized that Horry Sims was somewhere +nearabout York Town, perhaps within the British encampment, and he must +have stood fairly well with a certain portion of Simcoe's Rangers after +giving such information as he did concerning the Hamilton plantation. + +If we were seen loitering about the works, it was certain Horry would +point us out as having a leaning toward the Cause. As much as this last +did he know for a fact, because many a time since General Cornwallis had +come into Virginia had we lads discussed the situation, when neither +Saul nor I were backward in saying that it would give us greatest +pleasure if we were of age to be taken into the ranks of the American +army as soldiers. + +"Perhaps you who have seen so much of military encampments can tell us +what we ought to do," Saul said sneeringly, and a deep flush came over +Pierre's face as he understood the meaning of my cousin's tone; but like +the true little comrade that he was, he gave due heed to the grief in +Saul's heart and seemingly paid no attention to the sneer, as he replied +in a friendly tone: + +"I am not setting myself up as having more of wisdom than either you or +Fitz; but I truly believe it is within my power to give good advice to +two lads who are yet so angry as to have lost sight of prudence. You +have due reason to believe that Horry Sims, who has already this morning +done you grievous wrong, is in York Town, and if there was enough of +vileness in his heart for him to point out to those soldiers of the +king your horses that he might strike a heavy blow, then would he do yet +worse on seeing you within the encampment. I have never met the lad but +once. He has no cause for enmity against me; I am so poor in this +world's goods that it is beyond his power to deprive me of anything save +liberty, and on seeing me alone I dare venture to say he would have no +thought that I might have been your comrade this morning; but--" + +"Yet he knows that you and your mother are guests at the Hamilton +plantation," Saul added sharply. + +"My mother and I are French, who have lately come from New Orleans, and +he can not point us out as having said a word of disrespect against the +king." + +For my part it was needless for Pierre to argue. I had come to +understand before he was done with speaking that it would be better for +him to reconnoitre the ground; that he could learn as much, if not more, +than the three of us, meanwhile running comparatively no risk, and when +Saul would have argued I cried out impatiently: + +"Can you not see that it is better Pierre go alone? Do you not realize +that, however eager we may be, it is not possible we could gain +possession of the horses within any very short time, and all we are +needing now is to know where they are quartered? Let Pierre do as he +suggests, and learn so much as he can. Then, when we are minded to +venture our heads within the lion's jaws, it will seemingly be the first +visit to the town of York instead of the second. Thereby shall we stand +less risk of being suspected of an intent to do harm." + +Saul soon gave way, although he was burning to venture so far as might +be possible inside the British lines, because running into real danger +was as a balm to his heart while he yet smarted under the loss of his +mare. + +Therefore it was I told little Frenchie to go his way, taking due care +to his own safety, and endeavor to find out where the stolen horses had +been quartered, pressing upon him, although there was no necessity of so +doing, that we were more eager to learn where Silver Heels and Saul's +mare were, than to know the whereabouts of the other horses. + +"And do you poor lads believe it may be possible for you to wrest from +the grasp of these red-coated soldiers that which they have laid hands +upon?" Pierre asked in a tone of sadness, and I replied, striving in +vain to repress the tone of irritation: + +"We shall at least make an attempt, Pierre Laurens, even though there is +little hope of success. I could not find it in my heart to remain idle +while Silver Heels is in the possession of a Britisher, no matter how +much of danger I might be sticking my nose into. Now go, and if so be +your visit is vain, then will I take the chances myself, although I have +come to believe with you, that Saul and I should not be seen loitering +around the village this morning of all others, because it would easily +be guessed why we had come." + +Pierre made as if to speak, and then, most like realizing the +uselessness of attempting, while we were in such angry frame of mind, to +combat any plans we had formed, he turned on his heel and strode off in +the direction of the town from whence we could hear now and then the +beating of drums, the hum of voices, and noises which betokened the +digging up of earth. + +Saul had thrown himself face downward amid the bushes, striving, as I +understood from the pain in my own heart, to prevent giving noisy token +to his grief, and I was in no mood to exchange words with him, therefore +we two lads lay concealed by the side of the road, giving no heed to +what might happen to our disadvantage; but dwelling only upon the loss +which had come to us. + +To some it may seem veriest folly that we should so mourn over the loss +of our horses; but let him who laughs once have companionship with such +a colt as Silver Heels, as I have had, and then if he can have mirth in +his heart when she has been taken away from him, most like to be abused +as are horses in the army, then will I say that he has not within him +the instincts of a true man. + +Silver Heels had come to know me as I knew her; at my faintest call she +would gallop to my side however tempting the grass when she was hungry, +and no dumb animal could have given greater proof of joy at being with +me, than did she time and time again when we scampered here or there, +bent only on pleasure. + +I could not have said how long little Frenchie remained absent, for +neither Saul nor I took heed to the passage of time as we lay there amid +the foliage eating our hearts out with sorrow. + +Certain it is, however, that the afternoon was well spent before we saw +him coming up the road, and our surprise can well be imagined when we +learned that he had with him as companion none other than Horry Sims. + +"He has taken up with that snake of a Tory brood simply because of +believing that those on the Sims plantation stand higher in favor with +the red-coated soldiers than do we of the Hamilton plantation!" Saul +cried angrily, and so incautiously loud that I pressed my hand over his +mouth as I whispered in reproof: + +"You have no right, Saul Ogden, to cast aught of discredit upon Pierre, +even though you have known him so short a time. He has shown himself a +good friend, and, to my satisfaction at least, has proved that he would +not turn traitor, more especially when it might be simply to his own +advantage." + +Now little Frenchie knew full well where he had left us by the roadside, +for I saw him mark the dead cottonwood tree 'neath the foot of which we +were lying, and yet he went on his way past us, giving no heed, but +talking busily, and, as it seemed, interestedly with Horry Sims. + +I must admit that just for the instant there came into my heart a great +fear lest that which Saul had said might be true, and then I thrust it +from me, saying in my mind that I would not so wrong a lad who had all +the marks of gentlemanly breeding. Surely, even though he might at some +other time be willing to play us false, he would not do so while we were +in such deep sorrow. + +"If he is playing fair with us, why should he at this minute be hand in +glove with that Tory scoundrel?" Saul whispered hoarsely, as he sat up +to gaze after the two who were walking rapidly down the road in the +direction of our home. "Why did he not have speech with us? Surely he +knows where we are." + +"To have spoken when he passed would have been to tell Horry Sims that +we were lying in hiding while he went into York Town to pick up such +information as might be possible. The chances are the lad met the young +Tory--came across him by accident, of course, and could do no less than +show a friendly front, unless he was minded to much the same as tell him +we were counting on making reprisals because of the loss of our horses." + +Although this was the reasonable, and, to my mind, the only explanation +of little Frenchie's behavior, Saul would not at first admit it; but +insisted that there must be treachery somewhere else than in Horry +Sims's heart, and thus he argued until I verily believe he convinced +himself that our little comrade from New Orleans could have done no +different. Then came the question as to whether we should remain where +we were, or start homeward, for now it was too late for us to make any +venture into the town of York even though we had been so minded. + +Saul was for pushing on hurriedly, and, overtaking the young Tory, flog +him within an inch of his life. It was all I could do to hold him back +sufficiently long to repeat again and again that a flogging was all too +poor a punishment for the crime he had committed, and that if we should +lay hand against him now we might, and very likely would, put a +stumbling block in our way, for until the moment came when we could +repay the debt in full, it was absolutely necessary we seem to hold +ourselves friendly with this fellow who had dealt us such a cruel blow. + +I forced Saul to listen to me so long that it would have been useless to +set out in pursuit, and after that again came the question as to whether +we ought to go on our way homeward, or wait where we were. + +It was fortunate we spent so much time in such discussion; fortunate +that Saul differed from me as to what we had best do, for while we lay +there disputing we heard a crashing of the underbrush where the growth +was thick, and a moment later little Frenchie, looking heated and so +nearly breathless that for a full minute he could not speak so we might +understand, came into view. + +Panting, and with the perspiration streaming down his face, he threw +himself headlong on the ground beside me, breathing like one who had +been running a race, until it was possible to have control over his +voice, when he said hurriedly, as if eager we should understand all the +reasons for his movements without loss of time: + +"I was forced to go a certain distance with that young villain, else +would he have mistrusted that you might be near about." + +"How did you get rid of him?" I asked. "Why might he not suspect +something when you broke away instead of continuing on so far as his +home, which lay directly in your path, if you were heading for the +Hamilton plantation?" + +"I made out that I knew of a short way through the woods, which would +take me directly out of his path, and when we were come to that trail +which leads off toward the York river I left him, although he was +mightily surprised at hearing that such a course would bring me to your +home more directly than if I continued on the road." + +"Where did you pick him up?" Saul asked impatiently. "Why did you waste +time on the scoundrel? It would seem to me that after all he has done +it was your business to flog, rather than make friends with him." + +By this time Pierre had so far recovered his breath that it was possible +for him to speak distinctly, and without undue effort. Rising to his +feet and shrugging his shoulders as he spread his hands palm outward, he +said in his mild voice, and with that peculiar accent: + +"To have done so, my friend, would have been to show myself an enemy to +you. While I was striving to make my way inside the British lines, +pretending that I was simply bent on curiosity, he came up, seemingly +having a right of way everywhere within the encampment, and when he +greeted me civilly, evidently wondering why I was there alone, I could +do no less than treat him as I would have done yesterday, in the hope +that something might drop from his lips which would aid me in my +search." + +"And did it?" I asked eagerly, for now I began to understand that by +bearing himself friendly toward Horry Sims, Pierre had succeeded where +otherwise the chances were he must have failed. + +"Indeed it did," the lad said in a tone of triumph. "It was far better +than if I had indulged in a game of fisticuffs with him, because his +red-coated friends would speedily have come to his relief." + +"What did you learn?" Saul demanded fiercely. + +"Where your mare and Fitzroy's Silver Heels are stabled," was the quiet +reply, whereupon I sprang up as if within my body was a stout steel +spring which had lately been released. + +"You learned where they were stabled?" I cried excitedly. + +"Ay, that I did," Pierre replied with a shrug of the shoulders, "and +without any great labor, for Horry Sims led me at once, and meeting with +no interference from the soldiers, to where all the horses which had +been taken from the Hamilton plantation were quartered, showing them to +me as if it caused him great pain in the heart because such an injury +had been done a neighbor." + +"What did he say about it?" Saul demanded. + +"He told me that he was walking along bent only on coming into that town +of York in order to see the British encampment, when a squad of Rangers +rode past him leading your mare and Fitzroy's Silver Heels. Then I asked +if he had no suspicion such a thing might have been thought upon by the +Britishers, and he replied that until he was come this time to York Town +he had never seen the Rangers. In fact, had not believed they were with +my Lord Cornwallis's army, all of which went to prove that he, the +snakey Tory, told the red-coated soldiers where they might find the +largest and best supply of saddle beasts." + +"Did he explain how it chanced he could wander at will inside the +encampment, and also take with him a companion?" I asked. + +"He told me he had come upon a lieutenant of Tarleton's Legion, who, +when Cornwallis was in James Town, had been quartered at the Sims +plantation, and that this officer had made the way plain for him, saying +he might visit the encampment at will." + +If there had been any question in our minds up to this time as to the +guilt of Horry Sims, no doubt now remained. We knew, because of having +seen the scoundrel, that he had had speech with Simcoe's Rangers before +the horses were seized, and his story that one of Tarleton's officers +had been quartered at the Sims plantation during Cornwallis's short stay +in James Town I knew to be absolutely false. He had played the traitor +deliberately, and as the price of his treachery gained admission to the +encampment, most like vouched for by the officer who had met him on the +road that morning. + +"The hope is," Pierre said after a short pause and with that +indescribable gesture, "that the Tory Horry will not suspect I took the +trail to York river for any other purpose than that of gaining the +Hamilton plantation as quickly as might be." + +"Why?" I asked. + +"Because it is not well he should know I have been in your company this +day, else he might suspect that we know of his treachery. It is in my +mind that we must keep him to the belief that we know nothing whatsoever +concerning his misdeeds of this day." + +"But how can we come at the scoundrel save he does know that same +thing?" Saul cried, he ever being hot-headed and not inclined to listen +to any plans or arguments when he was burning for revenge, or excited by +the desire for pleasure. + +"I have in mind," Pierre said, waving his hands in that odd fashion, +"that which I believe will give the Tory lad into our keeping, where we +may do by him without fear of interference--" + +"What is it?" I asked eagerly, for all that time we had been awaiting +the lad's return from the town of York I had turned over and over in my +mind without avail, plans for laying the Tory villain by the heels. + +"It may not be that I shall explain everything now," little Frenchie +said as he shrugged his shoulders, "and for the very reason that it is +not as yet plain in my own mind. I have a plan which, if it can be +worked out, will not only give him to our hands; but also gain +possession of at least the mare and Silver Heels despite the fact that +they are within the British encampment." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +UNCLE 'RASMUS'S ADVICE + + +Plead though I might, little Frenchie would give us no hint as to the +plan of which he had spoken; but when we were on our homeward way, +walking well within the cover of the foliage lest we inadvertently come +upon Horry Sims, he turned the conversation upon such of the +fortifications of the town of York as he had seen, and both by his tone +and by his manner did I understand that he would give us no inkling +whatsoever of that which he had in mind concerning Silver Heels and +Saul's mare. + +The lad must have seen more of military movements than we had fancied, +for he knew full well all the names of the different kinds of +fortification, and could explain their construction, speaking at times +almost as a veteran soldier might have spoken. + +Although Saul and I knew nothing whatsoever concerning such matters, we +understood from Pierre's speech that he had not only taken note of each +half-completed redoubt or bastion; but knew full well what part each +might be called to play in the defences of the town, if so be our +American army made an attack. + +He told us that the British line extended on an irregular course from +the river to the sloping grounds in the rear of the village near what is +known as the Pigeon Quarter, and was seemingly intended, when completed, +to entirely surround York Town. Across the peninsula of Gloucester and +just in the rear of that settlement, he said that another line of +entrenchments was being thrown up. + +From what he had seen of the completed work, as well as that which was +half finished, or but just begun, he announced that there would be seven +redoubts and six batteries on the land side, all to be connected by +entrenchments, and that on the river bank preparations were making for a +line of batteries, the largest, or grand battery, being near the church. + +As for outworks, Pierre said there would be three redoubts on the margin +of the ravine to the southwest of the town, another a little eastward of +the road to Hampton, two on the extreme right near the river, and the +Fusileer's redoubt on the left. + +He also told us that my Lord Cornwallis had made his headquarters at +Governor Nelson's house, for it can well be understood that our governor +of Virginia, noted for more than a leaning toward the cause of liberty, +would not remain within the limits of York Town, or anywhere that it was +likely the Britishers could get hold of him, while General Cornwallis +was occupying this portion of our state of Virginia. + +More than this: Little Frenchie in his quiet way had learned that my +Lord Cornwallis's army numbered nearabout seven thousand men, meaning +that such number of British troops were encamped either at Gloucester or +in the town of York. + +When I questioned him as to how he had gathered all this information, +which it seemed to me none save an adroit man might gain, he put me off +with a laugh, declaring that while Englishmen and Frenchmen were natural +enemies, these red-coated soldiers seemed to take an especial liking +for a small French boy who had lived no nearer France than New Orleans. + +It came into my mind more than once that mayhap Pierre had found even +among the king's troops an old friend, improbable though this +possibility might be; but if such was the case the lad never admitted +it, and to this day it is impossible for me to say how he learned so +much concerning York Town and the enemy who occupied it, in that one +visit of four or five hours. + +The pain in my heart caused by the theft of Silver Heels was in no +degree lessened as we journeyed on, now listening to what little +Frenchie had to say regarding the situation of affairs at York Town, and +again, either Saul or I breaking out in some wild plan for regaining +possession of our horses, which, if put into execution, would have led +to our arrest, if not to our death. + +Then we were arrived home, and although I might have expected it, I was +thoroughly surprised at finding everything in confusion. The greatest +excitement prevailed everywhere among the people, and work was seemingly +at a stand-still. + +As a matter of course, my father was not at home, he being with the +American army somewhere in the North, and I wondered much that Dalton, +the overseer, had not set matters straight, for many hours had elapsed +since the visit of the red-coated thieves. + +Uncle 'Rasmus was the only one among the slaves or the servants who +appeared to have regained possession of his senses, and he was sitting +in the stable-yard as I had seen him almost every day of my life when +the sun was shining, meditatively chewing a straw and looking straight +ahead as if he could see in the distance that which was not visible to +other eyes. + +The old fellow was apparently unmoved by the bustle and confusion +everywhere around him, and I, certain of finding in him a sympathizer, +went to speak with him even before visiting my mother. + +"Are all the horses gone, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I asked, seating myself by his +side, while Saul and Pierre followed my example. + +"All de saddle hosses, chile. De Britishers done took ebery las' hoof +dat was wuff takin'." + +"And Silver Heels with them," I said in a tearful voice. + +"Yes, chile, Silber Heels is wid de res'. I kind'er 'lowed it was gwine +ter break your heart, honey, but dere was nuffin' ole 'Rasmus could do +to stop it, kase it seemed like dis yere stable-yard was plum full ob +red-coats, all ob 'em swearin' an' laughin', till it seemed like dey was +jes' achin' to 'buse some ob us niggers scandalous, an' I 'low dey +would, ef we'd giben 'em de least little word ob back talk." + +"Do you know who sent them here, Uncle 'Rasmus?" Saul asked suddenly, +and the old negro nodded his head as he replied: + +"I'se done gone hab my 'spicions, chile. Dere's plenty ob plantations +nearer de town ob York dan dis yere, an' yet 'cordin' to what I heard de +sogermen say, dey haben't been anywhere else yet. So I was 'lowin' dat +some ob de folks 'roun' here, dem as claim to hab a mighty big love for +us, set 'em on." + +"Can't you guess who it was, Uncle 'Rasmus?" Saul continued, and the +old man replied in a dreamy tone: + +"I done hab my 'spicions; but in dese yere times when you don' know +who's your friend more'n half de time, dere ain' any sense in talkin' +right out what you'se tinkin'. I'se 'lowin' I can guess who set de +red-coats aflame." + +"You couldn't guess in a week," Saul interrupted, "because you're +thinking it might be some one of the planters, like Master Sims, instead +of which it was that worthless son of his--Horry." + +Watching Uncle 'Rasmus closely, I fancied that this information was not +new to him, and straightway fell awondering how it was that this old +negro who seldom strayed out of the stable-yard, let alone going away +from the plantation, should have an inkling of what might be done so far +away as the Sims place. + +"Pierre has been to York Town, Uncle 'Rasmus, and he knows where Silver +Heels and Saul's mare are quartered." + +"An' is dat all he knows, chile?" + +"It strikes me that's finding out considerable in one day," and then I +explained how it was little Frenchie was able to move about York Town as +he had, after which Uncle 'Rasmus asked in a hopeful tone: + +"Did he fin' out, chile, which ossifer was gwine to ride Silber Heels, +an' which one laid his mark on Saul's mare?" + +As a matter of course Pierre could not give the information; but he +explained with great minuteness where the horses were stabled, and I was +impatient with him because of wasting so many words when it could do no +good. + +Much to my surprise Uncle 'Rasmus drank it all in, and when little +Frenchie had come to an end of his overly long story the old negro said, +taking the straw from his mouth and holding it in the air as if to +ascertain from which direction came the wind: + +"I reckon I'se 'bleeged to be goin', chillun. For an ole man like Uncle +'Rasmus it's quite a journey from here to de town ob York, an' ef I +counts on doin' it 'twixt now an' sunrise, I'd better get my ole legs +amovin'." + +"York Town, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried in surprise, and well I might, for +within the past three years I had never seen the old negro go as far +from the house as the cotton fields. + +"Dat's what I said, chile, an' I'se 'bleeged to be amovin'." + +"But why are you going there, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried, catching him by +the arm to insure his attention, and he replied dreamily, but, as it +seemed to me, with a certain air of decision: + +"I 'low it's time I was lookin' arter Marse Hamilton's house down +yander, whar ole Mary libed when he done set her free." + +"There's no need of your looking after that old shanty, Uncle 'Rasmus," +I cried. "Surely father gives no heed to it now; it isn't worth half a +dozen shillings, except for firewood." + +"I know dat, honey; I'se done foun' all dat out, but sumfin's tellin' me +dat it's time I was lookin' arter Marse Hamilton's property what's been +lef dere in de town ob York, whar de Britishers am rampagin' an' rarin' +'roun' like dey was gone crazy." + +"But you'll starve to death there, Uncle 'Rasmus. I don't fancy there +are very many of old Mary's goods left in the hovel, for if I remember +rightly young Dinah laid claim to the greater portion, and how will you +get along for something to eat?" + +"I was kind'er 'lowin', chile, as how you an' Saul, an' maybe little +Pierre as you call him, would tend out on de ole man, des enough to +fetch now an' den what he was needin' to hol' de soul in his body." + +"But if, as Pierre says, the British entrenchments run back of the town +as far as the Pigeon Quarter, then old Mary's cabin must be inside, and +how would we be able to get through the lines?" + +"Well, chile, I ain' got any great lub for de Britishers; but I'se +'lowin' dey ain' so hard-hearted as to hold out a couple ob chillun what +wanted to feed a pore ole nigger. It kind'er seems as if dey'd be +'shamed to let your Uncle 'Rasmus starbe, eben ef he is no 'count kase +ob bein' so ole, specially ef all dey'd hab to do to keep him erlong, +was to let a couple or three chillun in de lines." + +It was all blind to me, this sudden whim of Uncle 'Rasmus to take up his +quarters in old Mary's cabin, which was hardly more than the veriest +shanty, and while I stood looking at the old man, trying to get some +glimmer of truth out of what was fast becoming a mystery, little +Frenchie's face lighted up wondrously, as he leaped forward, seizing the +old darkey by both hands while he cried joyously: + +"It's a great plan, Uncle 'Rasmus, it's a great plan! I'll go with you a +good part of the way so's to help along, for of course you count on +carrying something." + +"I spects I'se boun' to hab a blanket, chile, an' sumfin in de way ob +food, kase I ain' sich a foolish ole nigger as to tink I could get trou +a sogerman's lines in de night, an' so I'll be needin' sumfin for a bed +ef nothin' more." + +"But if you are foolish enough to go to York Town, what's the sense of +starting to-night? Why not wait till morning? You say yourself you don't +expect to get through the lines after dark, therefore why sleep on the +ground when you could stay here in comfortable quarters?" Saul cried, +whereupon Pierre, turning from Uncle 'Rasmus, said to the lad: + +"Can't you understand that this old negro is paving a way for you and +Fitz to get at your horses?" + +"I may be a thick-head; but I surely can't see how taking up his +quarters in old Mary's cabin, where we've got to carry food to him every +day or two, is helping us along very fast," Saul cried angrily, and +little Frenchie, throwing back his shoulders, laughed heartily, finding +something so comical in Saul's words that it was a full minute before he +could make reply. + +Then he said, his voice all atremble with mirth: + +"Don't you see that Uncle 'Rasmus is making a reasonable excuse for you +to go into the town of York every day, if so be you're minded? Can't you +understand that once he's in old Mary's cabin there's good reason why we +should spend the night with him now and then? Suppose we carried Uncle +'Rasmus food three days running, it would become necessary to explain +that the old man had been intending to come out to the plantation; but +since we had lost our horses we were forced to feed him as best we +might, because he was too feeble to walk home. Can't you also see," +Pierre continued eagerly, "why the old man wants to get there in the +night? He counts on sneaking through the lines, instead of meekly lying +down on the ground, as he has said, and intends, if so be it is +possible, to get into old Mary's cabin without making known to the +Britishers that he has just come into the village; but rather counts on +letting it be understood that he has been there ever since they entered +the town." + +"It's amazin' how some ob dese yere chillun can pick up an idee what +oder folks am tryin' to hide," Uncle 'Rasmus said as he patted little +Frenchie on the head, and then hobbled toward his cabin as if he was so +feeble that only with the greatest exertion could he drag one foot after +another. + +Surely I was thick-headed on that afternoon, for even after Pierre had +made full explanation of Uncle 'Rasmus's intended movements, it was a +good five minutes before the whole scheme came plain in my mind, and +then I realized that this old negro of ours was about to do more toward +regaining possession of Silver Heels, if indeed she ever did come into +my possession again, than all of us lads with our noisy talk. + +He would take up his abode in the town of York, sneaking through the +lines, if so be it was possible, to the end that the British might not +know he had just come in from the outside, and once there the way was +open for all three of us lads to wander at least so far through the town +as old Mary's cottage. It would be strange indeed, after the red-coats +were accustomed to seeing us come and go, for there could be no question +but that we would get permission to minister to the poor old negro, if +we could not venture further and further inside the lines until, should +fortune favor us, we might be able to go whithersoever we desired. + +At all events, with Uncle 'Rasmus dwelling in the town--with Uncle +'Rasmus ill and needing our attention, we would be enabled to spend our +time in York without arousing even the suspicions of that miserable +snake whom people call Horry Sims. + +Of course, so far as the little scoundrel was concerned, he might well +wonder how it chanced that Uncle 'Rasmus had gone into the town of York, +for whenever any of the lads had come around the Hamilton plantation +they had been accustomed to seeing the old negro sitting in his favorite +place in the stable-yard; but I could see now as the scheme came home to +me, that it would be possible, in case Horry Sims made inquiries, to let +it be understood that Uncle 'Rasmus had gone there some days before my +Lord Cornwallis's army entered the town, being stricken so ill he could +not be safely moved. + +In fact, I saw nothing but brightness in the future, and all through +this old negro whom I had seen sitting in the stable-yard chewing straw +day after day until he had come to seem much like one of the dogs or the +horses, having no mind of his own; but implicitly obeying the will of +his master. + +Having come to fully understand all of benefit which might accrue to us +in this move of Uncle 'Rasmus, I would have aided the old negro to the +best of my ability, and insisted that he wait until I go to this +plantation or that where I might borrow a horse to carry him; but he +would have none of it. + +He was bent on entering the town of York in his own way, and alone. The +only assistance he would agree to, was that we might carry his blankets +and scanty store of provisions a certain portion of the distance, and +when I would have insisted on bringing out some delicacies from the +house, he positively refused to accept them, whereupon I urged almost +angrily to be allowed to do as I pleased, until little Frenchie, whose +head is ever clear, said to me laughingly: + +"Can't you understand, you thick-headed Fitz, that it would be strange +if Uncle 'Rasmus was disabled in old Mary's cabin with all sorts of +delicacies in the way of food? If the Britishers should grow suspicious +and look into the matter, wouldn't they think it odd the old man had +been allowed to remain in that hovel while there were yet horses in the +stables of the Hamilton plantation to bring him back where he belonged?" + +Surely there was good reason why I should be called thick-headed, for +this was not the only time since morning that I had shown myself to be a +stupid; yet I was not so simple but I could readily understand that even +though we might have the advantage of being able to go and come from the +town of York to the plantation at will, we would not be so far advanced +toward the recovery of the stolen horses as to be able to say that our +work was in a fair way of being performed. + +It was one thing, and I grant you an important one, to enter the town +without giving rise to suspicions; but quite another and more serious to +take from the quarters of the British army horses which would be guarded +by soldiers, and get away with them through the lines of sentinels out +over the entrenchments. + +"Then this Minute-Boy business that you talked about Fitz, is to be +dropped?" Saul asked a few moments after Uncle 'Rasmus had left us, and +I turned upon him in astonishment, whereupon he, reading the question +which must have been plainly written on my face, added: + +"It would seem as if we were turning all our attention to getting back +the mare and Silver Heels, in which case, as a matter of course, there +can be no other work for us. If we should be so fortunate as to succeed, +it would become necessary to scurry out of this part of the country, +lest my Lord Cornwallis lay us by the heels, for I suppose they would +set it down as stealing if we should reclaim our own." + +"And why might it not be that you would continue the work of Minute +Boys, even while striving to get back the horses which were taken from +you?" little Frenchie asked as if in wonderment. "It is not to be +supposed we can go into the town of York, and, without delay, take from +the stables where Simcoe's Rangers keep their horses, two of the best; +but many days will pass, yea _must_ pass, before the work can be +accomplished. In the meanwhile, if we are free to go in and out of the +town, why might it not be possible for us to carry much of information +to the Americans? It would seem as if our work as Minute Boys was but +just beginning." + +"What between your plans and those of Uncle 'Rasmus's, I confess to +being thoroughly mixed," Saul muttered impatiently. "In the first place, +even though you deem it of so much importance, I fail to see how being +able to go in and out of the town will add to the possibility of getting +our horses. Unless I am much mistaken in regard to military matters, it +will not be a simple affair to steal either the mare or Silver Heels +from the soldiers. Then, if we are bending all our efforts to that one +purpose, how are we to serve the colony? What we could learn in the town +of York that would be of importance to the Americans, passes my +understanding." + +"We shall see," Pierre said laughingly, with a shrug of the shoulders +and a wave of his hand. "It shall be for a little French boy from New +Orleans, who never saw the land where his father and mother were born, +to teach you Virginians how it may be possible to bear a hand in this +business, which is like to grow exceeding warm when our French general +closes in on Cornwallis's army, for now has come the time to hold the +king's men as a strong man holds a child in his grasp, if so be your +General Washington is minded to give him the authority." + +"To hear you talk, Pierre, one might suppose you had served with +soldiers all your short life," Saul cried irritably, and again little +Frenchie laughed as he replied: + +"My father was a soldier, and fought bravely. I have heard him and his +comrades conversing; I have seen them draw plans for a campaign, and +discuss the strength of fortifications, until it seemed to me, even +though I have had no experience in such matters, that I knew much +concerning them." + +Then the conversation ceased, Saul seemingly giving himself up to a +sulky mood, while I had so much food for reflection with dwelling upon +what we might do and the possibilities of running our necks into a +British noose, that I was not minded to give play to my tongue. + +Uncle 'Rasmus remained within his cabin a good half hour, while we lads +awaited him, having no inclination to meet our mothers just at this +time lest we be ordered to keep within the bounds of the plantation, +and thereby prevented from carrying out our plans, foolhardy though they +might be. + +When the old negro did appear among us again he was ready for the +journey; that is to say, he had with him two blankets and a small +bundle, or package, which I doubted not contained the store of food he +was minded to carry with him to York Town. In addition to this outfit I +noticed that he had his heaviest cane, which was fashioned with a handle +much like a crutch, and I dimly wondered, hardly knowing that I did so, +whether he had taken this particular stick just at this time as a +weapon, or simply to guide his faltering steps. + +"I reckon I'se done put ole 'Rasmus's business on dis yere plantation in +shape, an' now, chillun, I'se gwine ter be moseyin' erlong, an' ef +you'se countin' to help de ole man, it won't be out ob de way ef yer +carry dese yere blankets an' de little bundle, kase I ain' been much +used to totin' stuff dese las' years." + +"Of course we're going to help you, Uncle 'Rasmus," I said quickly, +taking the blankets from his hands. "We count on keeping right by your +side from here until you come within sight of the town of York." + +"I'se 'lowin', chile, dat our roads don' come together till we get to a +dead cottonwood tree, whar you say you an' Saul lay hid while de little +French boy went on inter de town." + +"But which way are you going, Uncle?" Saul cried. "There's no other road +than the nearest course from here to York." + +"I'se 'lowin' your ole Uncle 'Rasmus knows better'n dat," he cried. +"He's libed on dis yere plantation nigh to forty years, an' it would +seem kind'er strange ef he didn't know all de rabbit an' de coon paths +trou dis yere growth. Ef it won't tucker you chillun out to carry de +blankets an' de bundle, an' leabe 'em at de ole cottonwood, I'll get 'em +'twixt now an' mornin'. Ef so be you'se feelin' kind'er trubbled 'bout +de ole man, come to see him wheneber you gets ready. He's gwine ter be +right dar in ole Mary's cabin, sure's you're bawn." + +It was a surprise to me that Uncle 'Rasmus should be able to find his +way anywhere between the two rivers, for I hardly remembered of seeing +him stray from the bounds of the plantation; but certain it was, at +least to my mind, that he should go his gait, for now had we come to put +all our dependence upon him, so far as making any move toward recovering +the stolen horses was concerned. + +In fact it now began to seem to me, so far as proving ourselves Minute +Boys, that unless we could get within the British entrenchments we could +do naught of good for those men who, I doubted not, were slowly making +their way toward the town of York to hold my Lord Cornwallis prisoner +until the time should come when they might lay their hands heavily upon +him. + +Thus it was that Uncle 'Rasmus went off by himself, going down past the +line of grape-vines across the creek, as I supposed, while we three +struck out along the road until we had traveled perhaps a quarter of a +mile, when little Frenchie suddenly halted and said as he turned upon +us: + +"Why is it that all three shall travel twelve miles or more this day, +and repeat the same journey to-morrow forenoon?" + +"You know why it is," Saul cried angrily. "You claimed to understand +all that Uncle 'Rasmus had in his crazy head." + +"I did understand, and it is because of seeing what we may do with his +help, I am asking why the three of us should go from here to York and +back this night, simply to retrace our steps to-morrow morning?" + +"What else may we do?" I asked impatiently. + +"Two might go on with the blankets and the bundle, and, arriving at the +dead cottonwood, remain there all night, while the third, staying behind +now, can set off from the plantation at break of day, bringing with him +such an amount of food as will explain why we wish to visit old Mary's +cabin." + +"Then those who went on to-night would sleep on the ground, whereas the +one who remained here would take his rest in bed," Saul said grimly, and +with that shrug of the shoulders which sometimes irritated and sometimes +pleased me, Pierre replied: + +"Yes, that is true, and if you have not yet slept on the ground, you +could be the one to stay here. It makes no difference which two of us go +on; but it seems important that one remain here in order to bring fresh +food in the morning, thus making a pretext for entering the British +lines." + +I was not so thick-headed but that I could understand what the lad was +driving at and straightway said to Saul: + +"Suppose you go back home? Make such excuses for Pierre and me as seems +to you best. Perhaps it would be as well if you confided our secret in +mother, for we must have some one on the plantation who will work with +us, else we shall not be able to get provisions in sufficient quantity +to keep all of us from hunger." + +"And suppose she demands that you return, and I take her command to +you?" + +"She cannot call us back before to-morrow night in case only one stays +on the plantation now," Pierre said, "and by that time we will have been +able to get a look around the town--mayhap be so fortunate as to see +some way by which we can work our will. At all events, it seems best +that we do as I have said, although I am willing to fall in with +whatsoever other plan you lads may propose." + +"Turn you back, Saul. It is not well we should stand here quibbling +about a trifle when there is a possibility that such sneaks as Horry +Sims may come along and wonder why we are carrying blankets toward the +town of York at this hour of the day." + +I spoke impatiently because I was growing anxious, and had begun to fear +that some one might come who would suspect that we were plotting +mischief against the red-coated trespassers. + +My cousin wheeled sharply around as if angry, and under other +circumstances I would have held him back lest we part in unfriendly +fashion; but at this moment there was so much of fear in my heart lest +we be prevented from carrying out the half-formed plan, that I could not +parley with my kinsman as I should have done. Rather was it a relief to +me when he turned about to retrace his steps, and, clutching little +Frenchie by the arm, I said curtly: + +"Now step out, lad, and if so be we hear any one approaching either from +the front or rear, it is for us to seek cover amid the foliage, even as +rabbits do, for we must not be seen 'twixt now and the time we make +ready to enter the town bearing provisions for Uncle 'Rasmus." + +Pierre did as he was bidden, making no protest at my rough handling of +him, and from that time until we were come to the dead cottonwood +neither of us spoke. I fancy that his heart, like mine, was filled with +forebodings of the future, and with questions as to whether he was not +on a road which would lead to the gallows. + +It was not yet dark when we arrived at our destination without having +seen man or woman on the road, all of which caused me yet more anxiety, +for I failed to understand why it was that on this day when the curious +people of Virginia should have been going to and fro to see the king's +soldiers, none save ourselves were abroad. + +Pierre and I sought the same resting place as had Saul and I earlier in +the day. The little French lad spread out the blankets as if making +ready to spend the night, and I asked if he did not count on seeing +Uncle 'Rasmus very soon, whereupon he said with a laugh and a shrug, +that it made no difference to him when the old negro arrived at the +rendezvous, although it would please him better did the old man come +later rather than earlier; but he was intending to get what rest he +could while he had at his command such an apology for a bed. + +"We needn't expect him before midnight at the soonest," Pierre said as +he nestled down on the blankets, motioning for me to follow his example, +"and 'twixt now and then we may get a fairly good night's rest if we do +not spend too much time in talking." + +We were where it would be impossible for any passers-by on the highway +to see us, unless peradventure they were so curiously inclined as to +make their way through the underbrush, which was thick at this point, +and I understood, as little Frenchie had intimated, that it was better +for us to hold our peace, because the sound of our voices would carry +far on the night air, and no one could say when such as Horry Sims might +come sneaking around. + +Excited and anxious though I was, slumber came to my eyelids within a +very few moments after I had stretched myself out to rest, and I was all +unconscious of what might be happening around me until a light pressure +on my shoulder caused me to spring to a sitting posture very suddenly. + +Then it was I could distinguish, even in the gloom of the night, Uncle +'Rasmus's form, and I cried out to know how long he had been there, +whereupon the old negro put his hand upon my lips in token that I should +speak with more of caution, whispering at the same time he aroused +Pierre: + +"I des come up, honey, an' can't 'ford to lose any mo' time. Yere po' +ole uncle des hobbles 'roun' like er toad, an' it takes him a mighty +long while to get ober much ob de groun'. I'se pow'ful sorry to 'sturb +you chillun; but allow it's time for me to be toddlin' erlong, ef I +counts on gettin' whar de Britishers are before sunrise. I'll be needin' +dese yere blankets, and it sure am a pity to turn two likely babies out +in de cold." + +"Don't fret yourself about us, Uncle 'Rasmus," I said quickly, leaping +to my feet, followed by Pierre. + +Then we two lads rolled the blankets into as small a compass as +possible, putting inside them the package of food, and fastening the +whole upon the old man's shoulders according to his directions, in such +a manner that it would not impede him in his movements. + +"I'se surely gwine to 'spect you chillun 'fore anudder night-fall," the +old man said after we had explained to him why Saul was not with us. "I +clean forgot to tell ole Missey dat I was 'bleeged to go erway, an' am +countin' on your doin' it, honey," he added, turning to me. + +Before I could make reply the old man was striding off in the direction +of the village, walking as spritely, so it seemed to me, as I myself +might have done. + +"Be careful, uncle! Don't run your woolly pate into danger when there's +no necessity for it!" I cried after him, and back to me on the night air +came the quavering voice: + +"De ole fox allers looks arter hisself when de houn's are 'roun'; but +it's de cubs what are mos' likely fo' to get inter trubble." + +Then little Frenchie and I were alone. Standing within the shelter of +the foliage at the foot of the dead cottonwood, and placing my hands on +his shoulders, for just then I literally ached to come into close touch +with a friend, I said, striving to hold my voice steady: + +"It may be, Pierre, that Saul and I had no right to drag you into this +mad scheme of ours, for even since Uncle 'Rasmus has set off does it +come to me that it is reckless for us to risk our lives in the hope of +getting back the horses. I have little faith that we shall be able to +accomplish anything as Minute Boys, therefore we must set it down in all +honesty to ourselves that we are pressing forward simply to recover +that which has been stolen, and we have no right to lead you into +danger." + +"Do not think I am boasting, Fitz Hamilton," and Pierre shrugged his +shoulders in a way that caused me to laugh despite the heaviness of my +heart; "but yet there comes in upon me the thought that mayhap it is I, +the French lad from New Orleans, who is dragging you and Saul, rather +than that you are dragging him." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE TOWN OF YORK + + +I had not counted that it would be possible for us to indulge in slumber +after Uncle 'Rasmus had carried off the blankets; but yet before he was +well on his way toward the village both of us were wrapped in sleep as +profound as even when our bed was softer. + +Neither the thought of poor Silver Heels in the hands of a brutal +British officer, nor the possibility that we might come to grief when, +on the morrow, we ventured into the town of York, prevented me from +gaining all the rest a lad needs, as may be judged by the fact that not +until the sun was an hour high in the heavens, and Saul was shaking me +into consciousness, did I have knowledge of my surroundings. + +Then it was, with a feeling of shame, that I started to my feet, none +the worse for having been stretched out so long on the bare ground; but +deep down in my heart was a painful sense of having shown myself a +child, by thus indulging in repose when others stood ready to aid in the +task which should have been all my own. + +"Have you lads given over going into the village this morning, that you +sleep so late and so soundly?" Saul asked with a note of scorn in his +tones, and I replied quickly, as if making apology for having been such +a laggard: + +"Even though we had risen as early as did you, it would not have been +wise for us to go forward, yet I am free to admit that it might have +been more seemly had we opened our eyes before sunrise." + +"It is to my mind that we were wise to get all the sleep possible," +little Frenchie said with a shrug of the shoulders. "A good soldier +should be able to sleep anywhere and at any time, and it is his duty to +take advantage of every opportunity to rest, in order that he may be the +better able to undergo fatigue when it becomes necessary." + +"But you are not a soldier," Saul said sharply, as if offended by the +words; but Pierre, nothing daunted, replied cheerily: + +"Yet am I in a fair way to be one, having enrolled myself as a Minute +Boy. I am much the same as an apprentice, according to my way of +thinking, and, being so, should copy after my elders--" + +"Meaning that you ought to sleep like a laggard until the sun is high in +the heavens?" Saul cried and I, growing irritated because he persisted +in harping upon our indolence, said, speaking quite as sharply as had +he: + +"We have done no harm by being laggards. I would like for you to explain +how we might have been advantaged by awakening at daybreak and sitting +here waiting for you to come? It seems to me just as well that we should +sleep, as sit around twiddling our thumbs." + +"I was astir a full hour before daybreak, attending to the work set me, +else I would not be here thus early, ready to make the venture as agreed +upon." + +One might have fancied Saul was eager to be praised for his early +rising, and I might have said something calculated to irritate him, but +that Pierre cried with a laugh: + +"So you were, my brave Minute Boy; but remember that most like you +crawled into bed a good two hours before Fitz and I did, and it is also +reasonable to suppose you were not awakened at midnight to give up your +blankets." + +This remark seemed to anger Saul instead of soothing him, and, fearing +we might have then and there a wordy battle between the excitable little +French boy and my quick tempered cousin, I broke in by saying: + +"Look you here, lads, there is no reason why you should squabble as to +who turned out of bed first this morning. That is over and done with, +and it strikes me we had best look forward rather than backward. Did you +speak with my mother, Saul?" + +"Ay, that I did." + +"And was she opposed to our going into York?" + +"I would not be willing to say quite as much as that; but certain it is +her heart was troubled sorely when I told her what we counted on doing. +I believe of a verity if Uncle 'Rasmus had not already left the +plantation, she would have set her face against it. As it is, knowing +that now most like the old negro is housed up in the cabin, unless the +Britishers, suspecting intended mischief, have given the poor fellow +lodgings in a guard-house, she realizes that we can do no less than +continue as we have begun, although her command is that we do not run +our heads into danger unnecessarily. She says it is foolish for us to +venture our liberty, and perhaps our lives, in the effort to reclaim two +horses, when it is possible to buy others that would serve us equally +well." + +"We could never find a colt that would be as dear to me as is Silver +Heels," I interrupted hotly, all the grief which had come upon me the +evening previous returning to my heart, and setting my pulse beating so +loudly that it seemed as if the lads might hear the blood leaping +through my veins. + +"What did you bring in the way of provisions?" Frenchie asked, and his +question reminded me that we had gone supperless to bed. + +"Enough to keep us all from hunger a full week, I believe," Saul replied +with an air of pride, as if he alone should have the credit, not only +for bringing, but for providing, the supplies. + +Then it was he opened the sack he carried, and displayed an ample store +of cold boiled ham, corn-bread, fried hominy and fried ham, saying as he +did so: + +"If so be we are allowed to remain with Uncle 'Rasmus, some of us should +be able to catch fish enough to add to this store until it will serve as +a week's rations." + +Pierre and I at once set about making a hearty meal, giving no heed to +the possibility that we might come to short rations later, and even +sulky Saul was not averse to joining us. + +Before we had satisfied our hunger my cousin was in a more pleasant +frame of mind and condescended to explain to us all that had been said +and done on the plantation after we left. As nearly as I could make out +it seemed that my mother was willing we should go our own pace, although +as a matter of course she, like any other woman, was frightened at the +idea of our venturing among enemies, for surely with my father in the +so-called rebel army, we could count that these red-coated gentry would +be anything but friendly to those who came from the Hamilton plantation. + +It heartened me wonderfully, if indeed I had needed heartening after +remembering that poor little Silver Heels was awaiting my coming, to +know that mother had not really set her face against what we would do, +and I contented myself so far as was possible, by saying that we would +let nothing stand in the way of carrying out the scheme that was afoot +unless having become convinced that we were venturing on too dangerous +ground. + +When breakfast had been eaten and we had divided Saul's burden into two +parcels for the more convenient carrying, came the question as to when +we should make the attempt to gain speech with Uncle 'Rasmus in the old +cabin. + +Saul was for setting off at once, although the sun was no more than two +hours' high, while Frenchie argued strongly that we should wait until +the forenoon was half spent, when there would likely be many visitors in +the village, and we would attract less attention than if we were the +first comers. + +This last seemed to me the wisest course, and despite Saul's grumbling, +for he claimed that we were wilfully wasting time, even going so far as +to hint that we were afraid to really make the trial, we remained within +shelter of the foliage near by the dead cottonwood until, I should say +ten o'clock in the forenoon. + +"Are you ready now?" Saul cried impatiently, after having tried half a +dozen times in vain to force us forward. "Will you make the venture now, +or shall we turn back to the plantation, and say that our hearts failed +us at the last moment?" + +I looked at Pierre, who rose to his feet as if in answer to the question +he saw in my eyes, and straightway we set off toward the town of York, +little Frenchie insisting that we walk leisurely, as if having nothing +of moment on our minds, and arguing that if we pressed forward at a +rapid pace we might come upon those who would suspect we had some other +aim than that of feeding an old slave. + +I am free to confess that my heart beat much more rapidly than it should +have done when we approached the guard stationed here and there at +intervals along the entire line of entrenchments on which soldiers were +working with pick and shovel. + +Until that moment I had not questioned whether we might be allowed to +enter the town; but now it seemed certain that whoever accosted us could +read our purpose on our faces and mentally nerved myself either for +disappointment or for disaster. + +"Who shall do the talking?" Saul asked when we were come near to a +battery in which the guns were already mounted although the +entrenchments on either side were far from being completed, and I +fancied the lad was eager to act as spokesman; but I dared not trust him +because of his quick temper. Therefore it was I said, firmly believing I +spoke the truth: + +"Pierre is the one of us three who can best perform the part. If his +tongue fails us, then can we make certain, Saul, that either you or I +would have brought disaster. The lad has a quicker wit, knows far more +about military encampments, although he boasts not, and can hold his +temper in check." + +I have an idea that my cousin was not well pleased at being thus put +under the command, as you might say, of little Frenchie; but there was +no time for him to have made protest even though he was so disposed, +because we were come so near the outposts that all our conversation +might have been heard by the red-coated soldier who paced to and fro +with a bayonet on his musket, looking as if ready to spit or strike any +of us rebels who dared approach him. + +I believe none of us, except little Frenchie, could have worked the +trick. He advanced within four or five paces of the sentinel, touched +his hat in regular military salute, and asked if it might be possible +for him to speak with the officer of the day. + +This puzzled me not a little, for I had no idea whatsoever who the +"officer of the day" might be, or what his duties; but it appeared that +Pierre knew what he was about, for straightway the sentinel, seeming to +understand that this little lad was familiar with military usages, +called up the officer of the guard, and, without waiting to be +questioned, Pierre addressed him, stating courteously but without too +many words, that there was an old slave in the town whom we feared stood +in need of food and care, therefore had we come to hunt him up. + +When the officer asked where we counted on finding this slave, I had wit +enough to step forward quickly and make reply, for Pierre, who had but +little knowledge of the town of York, and none whatsoever as to the +location of old Mary's cabin, could not have given answer. + +[Illustration: "HE ... TOUCHED HIS HAT IN REGULAR MILITARY SALUTE."] + +The whole matter was far more simple than I had hoped for. Pierre's +story was so straight, he was so exceeding courteous, and apparently so +ready to tell everything about himself and us, that even the most +suspicious person would have been disarmed, and within five minutes +after requesting permission, we were allowed to pass the sentinel, with +no limit set as to the time we might remain in the lines. + +Saul, who I verily believed was disgruntled because little Frenchie had +been allowed to act the part of leader, now took upon himself the +command of our company by marching in advance, for he knew as well as +did I where old Mary's cabin was located. + +You may be certain we kept our ears and eyes wide open as we walked +through the village toward the Pigeon Quarter, and I was greatly +disappointed because our way did not lead us past where the horses of +Simcoe's Rangers were stabled, although certain it is, it would have +given me greatest pain to have seen Silver Heels roughly used. + +There were many visitors in York on this forenoon; people from +roundabout who had Tory inclinations, or who were ready to sell to the +enemies of their country such of vegetables or farm produce as might +bring them in a few shillings. A number from Gloucester who had been +allowed to come across the river, and I even saw two lads whom I knew +lived on Mobjack bay, roaming around with mouths wide open in +astonishment at this vast encampment wherein, to their uneducated eyes, +were soldiers enough to over-run all our colonies. + +Squads of Britishers were marching here and there; officers lounged +through the narrow streets, most like making their way to the +entrenchments. From every direction could be heard sounds telling of +pick and shovel, the shouts of teamsters as they hauled heavy guns into +position, the beating of drums, the shrill cry of fifes, and, in fact, +all that bustle, noise and confusion which I have since learned attends +a military encampment. + +As a matter of course we did not dare linger here or there, although +very much was going on which it would have pleased me to observe; but we +took good care to continue without hesitation toward the Pigeon Quarter, +contenting ourselves with seeing what we might as we walked at a +reasonably rapid pace. + +Strange as it may seem, I had given no thought as to whether Uncle +'Rasmus had succeeded in entering the village during the night; but took +it for granted that he must have done so, until we were come within a +stone's throw of old Mary's cabin, and then it was as if my heart stood +still, for there were many chances that the old negro might have been +arrested while trying to pass the guard and we would find in the hovel a +squad of red-coats waiting to make prisoners of those who presented +themselves there. + +I had so worked up my fears as to feel certain the moment had arrived +when we were come to grief, that it was with difficulty I could check a +cry of mingled relief and triumph on seeing Uncle 'Rasmus's black face +at the window. + +I had never thought there was anything of beauty in the old negro's +features, and, as a matter of fact, wrinkled and black as it was, one +might truly have said that at times it was almost repulsive, yet as I +saw him then it was as if I had never looked upon anything more +beautiful. + +I ran hurriedly, excitedly, into the cabin, throwing myself into the old +fellow's arms much as though welcoming him from the grave. + +"Fo' de Lawd's sake, honey, wha's gettin' on to you so pow'ful bad?" the +old man cried in surprise, for probably this was the first time in all +my life when I had shown real affection for him. "Hab de Britishers bin +cuttin' up 'roun' de plantation since I done lef'?" + +"No; everything was quiet there when Saul set out this morning; but, oh, +Uncle 'Rasmus! I had come to fancy you might have been taken prisoner, +and that we were all in danger of being arrested for conspiring against +the king." + +"Ho, ho!" the old negro laughed. "Why, honey, you don' 'spects Uncle +'Rasmus is gwine ter git his brack head inter trubble arter all dese +yere years, does yer?" + +"But we knew you were counting on slipping through the lines, and if +you'd been caught in anything of the kind--" + +"Did you eber try fo' to ketch a 'possum, honey, when he kind'er had a +inklin' you was arter him? I 'lows Uncle 'Rasmus is gettin' mighty ole; +but he ain' so feeble yet but he kin hol' his own agin dese yere +red-coated sogers. Why bress yer soul, honey, I des walked right in like +I was comin' home, an' don' 'low one o' 'em knowed dat a wuffless ole +nigger was anywhar nigh him." + +Little Frenchie had taken the precaution to close the door immediately +after our entrance, and while Uncle 'Rasmus and I were talking with no +little show of excitement, the lad moved here and there, pulling a +ragged curtain in front of one window, or closing the shutter of +another, so that we might not attract attention from any passers-by, +although this cabin of old Mary's was in what might well be called the +outskirts of the village, where was little danger many people would come +our way. + +"Tell us how you got in here, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I asked, for after seeing +the long line of sentinels which guarded the half-formed entrenchments, +it seemed to me little less than marvelous that one could have made his +way through without being challenged. + +"I des walked right trou, honey. Course I wasn' no ways tryin' to 'tract +'tention; but kind'er waited for a chance when dere wasn' too man sogers +'round. It was easy, chillun, an' I'd bin out ob dis yere house long ago +huntin' for Silber Heels, ef it hadn' been dat I was tryin' to wait till +you done come." + +Then Uncle 'Rasmus insisted on knowing how my mother had received the +news that we were bent on making a visit to York Town. + +When Saul had told him all that had been said and done on the plantation +after his departure, the old negro suggested that we lounge around the +village, following the example of the curious visitors, lest some one +note the fact that we were apparently taking council together, and it +would not seem reasonable we would willingly remain with an old negro +shut up in such a wretched cabin, when there was so much to be seen on +the outside. + +In view of all that occurred before this day was come to a close, it may +be well that I describe the hovel which we called old Mary's cabin, even +though there was nothing in or around it worthy of particular notice +under ordinary circumstances. The fact that later it served us much as a +citadel in the midst of our enemies, who were in turn surrounded by +their foes, renders it necessary I go into detail concerning it for the +better understanding of what happened later. + +An ordinary hut built of logs, perhaps twenty feet square, with a door +made of puncheon planks, by which I mean planks that have been hewn out +of the log with an axe rather than cut by a saw, and two windows, in one +of which four panes of glass were broken, but both protected by shutters +which swung from the outside. The building consisted of one room on the +floor where the occupants were supposed to eat, sleep and live, while +above was a loft formed by the roof, and approached through a scuttle +situated directly opposite the door, at the rear of the hovel. + +To gain access to this scuttle one was forced to climb a sort of ladder +which had been formed by nailing strips of wood against the logs, and, +as I learned before we were come to an end of using this cabin as a +place of refuge, it was by no means a simple task to ascend, even for +lads who were accustomed to swarming up trees, or shinning the slender +masts of our river craft. + +The loft was, as I have said, formed by the roof, and its floor, like +the one below, was made of puncheon planks, yet not so closely laid +together but that there were crevices through which one's foot might +slip if he walked carelessly. At either end small holes had been cut +between the logs, perhaps four or five inches square, which served as +windows, although there was nothing to prevent the wind or the rain from +entering. + +I judged that when old Mary lived in the place these apertures were +closed, most like with boards, or perhaps with cloth, but now they stood +naked, and the wind, coming in across the river, found direct vent +through the attic, thus insuring good ventilation if not comfort. + +On the outside, and at the rear, was a chimney built of sticks and clay, +with a hole cut through the logs near the floor of the lower room, where +was a fireplace of stones laid up with mortar, and the inside of this +rude chimney was plentifully bedaubed with mud to the depth of two or +three inches, as a safeguard against fire. + +Just outside the front door, not more than ten feet away, was a small +well, which had once been stoned up properly, but was now fallen into +such a state of decay that I questioned whether the water in it could be +wholesome. At the time this seemed of but little moment, for it would +not be a great task to bring from the river all the water one would need +to drink, and I failed to give heed to the fact that if we were ever to +use this cabin as a place of refuge the hour might come when we would +suffer from thirst. + +After Uncle 'Rasmus had taken care of the provisions we brought, by +stowing them in a poor apology for a cupboard near the side of the +fireplace, he insisted that we lads go out and look about the town, +claiming that the time might come when it would be much to our advantage +to know where this regiment or that legion was quartered, and insisting +also that we must show ourselves as curious, rather than hugging the +hovel so closely. + +I was eager to make my way toward that part of the village where the +horses of Simcoe's Rangers were stabled, hoping I might get a glimpse of +poor little Silver Heels, and, therefore, not averse to following the +old negro's advice. + +Uncle 'Rasmus announced that it was his intention to remain close +within the building, as if it was not possible for him to move around, +and this was necessary if we lads counted on making his helplessness an +excuse for coming frequently to the town of York. + +It was as if Saul had determined on this day to be as disagreeable as +possible. As I have already set down, he reproached us with indolence +when he first came up in the early morning, and grumbled as we came +toward the village because little Frenchie insisted on walking +leisurely, lest suspicion might be aroused. While we remained in old +Mary's cabin with Uncle 'Rasmus, he cried out loudly at our wasting time +when we might accomplish something, although the lad knew full well that +much time must be spent, and many plans made, before we could hope even +to set about our purpose. + +He was the first to leave the cabin when Uncle 'Rasmus insisted that we +play the part of curious ones, and pressed on ahead as if he would go +his own way, leaving us behind, until Pierre said to me in a whisper: + +"It is not well that we separate--at least, not until we have made some +agreement as to a rendezvous later." + +Then it was that I quickened my pace to overtake Saul, who had just +disappeared around the corner of that shop wherein a man named Bemis, +who had lately come from Baltimore, displayed stuffs for dresses and +gewgaws of all kinds intended to attract the attention of the women and +girls. + +I was for going directly to where the Rangers were quartered, and +therefore felt not a bit hurt that my cousin should start off by himself +without giving heed to our wishes, and, finding it was impossible to +overtake him at any ordinary pace, I quickened to a run. In consequence +I turned the corner of the shop rapidly, coming directly upon, and +almost over-running, a lad who had halted Saul, and was engaged with him +in angry altercation. + +While one might have counted ten I was too nearly dazed with having come +into violent contact with the fellow, to fully realize the situation, +and then a cry of mingled surprise and dismay burst from my lips, for I +found myself clutching and being clutched by none other than Horry Sims. + +Even then no great harm might have been done had it not been for Saul's +ill temper. Little Frenchie, seeing that we had thus inadvertently come +upon the lad whom we knew to be an enemy to us as well as a traitor to +his country, would have treated the matter as a pleasing incident, and +began by saying with a friendly shrug of his shoulders and a wave of the +hands, that he was glad we had found a friend in the town because we +were feeling like cats in a strange garret, when Saul interrupted him as +he cried angrily: + +"There is no reason, Pierre Laurens, why you should put on a false face. +You know full well, after all that happened yesterday when this little +villain sent the Britishers to take Fitzroy's horse and mine, that we +are not pleased at seeing him, and that we count on dealing out to him +the punishment he deserves." + +I was well nigh paralyzed at thus hearing my cousin make public that +which we had agreed should be held a secret. It alarmed me more than I +can well say, for I had come to believe it was in the highest degree +necessary, if we would succeed in regaining possession of the horses, to +prevent this Tory scoundrel from suspecting we knew of all his +villainy, and I held up my hand warningly, whereat Saul cried hoarsely, +being unable to keep the slightest check over his temper: + +"It is not for you, Fitzroy Hamilton, to play a double part! After what +I saw on the road yester morning, we know all this little scoundrel has +done, and have already agreed that he shall pay the penalty for his +treachery." + +There was no longer opportunity to check my cousin. The cat was out of +the bag, so to speak. We had, at the very moment when we were counting +on beginning our work, shown Horry Sims that we knew of his treachery, +and thereby made of him an open enemy, one who would do all he might +against us, which promised to be no little, for after having given +information as to where the best horses in the vicinity could be found, +it was reasonable to suppose he stood on friendly terms with the king's +officers. + +"Who says I told where the soldiers could find your horses?" Horry asked +with a pretense of ignorance, and Saul cried fiercely: + +"No one says so. All three of us lads saw you on the road when you +halted the squad of Rangers, and pointed out the direction of the +Hamilton plantation, after which they rode straight away there and took +possession of the horses, as you know full well." + +"If you are so wise as to what happened yesterday, why was it you +treated me in friendly fashion last night?" Horry screamed, growing +angry now that his surprise at being thus accused had passed away in a +measure, and no doubt feeling safe in his position because he was +surrounded by those whom he believed would stand his friends, and who +were all powerful in that town of York. + +"It was because we counted on using you to serve our own ends," Saul +replied, seizing Horry Sims by the coat-collar, as if fancying the young +Tory was eager to make his escape. "It was a foolish scheme, hatched by +Fitz and Pierre; but I will have none of it! When a lad proves himself +an enemy to me, as you have since yesterday morning, I count on standing +up manfully, accusing him of his crime instead of crawling around like a +red Indian, hiding my own feelings with the hope of getting the +advantage of him in some way." + +"Well, now that you have stood up, as you call it, what do you count on +doing?" Horry asked with a sneer, and Saul, shaking him vigorously, +replied threateningly: + +"I count on flogging you until it is a question whether you can leave +this town without assistance." + +"It may not be safe to venture anything of the kind," and Horry looked +around in the hope that some of the Britishers might be near at hand. +"Of course when there are three to one, I cannot expect to hold my +ground; but let me warn you of this, Saul Ogden: Whatever you do to me +while the odds are in your favor, shall be paid back an hundred fold +before you are outside these lines! Now I know why that little French +sneak claimed that there was a short cut through the woods from the York +road to the Hamilton plantation. You fellows were hiding somewhere +nearabout, and he counted on joining you without my knowledge." + +"Well, is it necessary we shall explain to you what we do, or where we +are going?" Saul shrieked, anger now having so far gotten the better of +him that he was hardly responsible for the words which came from his +mouth. + +Pierre and I looked at each other in dismay which amounted almost to +fear. We had but just succeeded in paving a way for ourselves to enter +the town at will, and through Saul's hasty temper all the fat was in the +fire! + +I could see no other course than to warn Uncle 'Rasmus as soon as might +be possible. Then take to our heels, trusting to the poor chance that we +might gain the plantation without being laid by the heels, and all +through an unthinking lad who had agreed, equally with us, that we must +not let Horry Sims know we were aware of his treachery. + +"It's a case of getting away from here as soon as may be," I whispered +to Pierre, while Saul stood shaking Horry Sims and uttering threats +which might have been heard fifty yards away. "My cousin must pay the +penalty for thus losing his temper and destroying all our chances of +regaining the horses, for in order to save Uncle 'Rasmus, as well as +ourselves, we must leave him here to fight his battles with the Tory." + +"I am not so certain that we should leave either of them," little +Frenchie said thoughtfully, and seemingly forgetting to shrug his +shoulders. "It is true the fat is all in the fire so far as our playing +friendly with Horry Sims is concerned; but it seems to me possible that +we can yet prevent that scoundrel from upsetting all our plans, even +though it may be a dangerous venture." + +"Of what are you talking?" I cried in amazement. "The mischief has +already been done. It is no longer possible for us to hold the lad in +check, because he will go straight away to such officers as he knows, +giving information that we are here. Once it is learned we claimed that +Uncle 'Rasmus had been held in the cabin through his helplessness, and +we were come to aid him, all our scheming will be made public, and we +called upon to pay the penalty, whatever it may be." + +"But Horry Sims has not yet laid information," Pierre whispered +hurriedly. "If it be possible for you to call Saul off and make him +understand now, on the instant, before any come nearer, that he must +hold himself in check, we, meaning you and I, may be able to deal with +the Tory by such methods that he can not do us one whit of harm until we +are ready to give him the opportunity." + +I looked at the little French lad in amazement, too much bewildered to +be able to make reply, for it seemed to me he was talking veriest folly, +and yet there was on his face an expression of determination in which I +could see no token of fear, or even uneasiness of mind. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +OUR PRISONER + + +Even as I gazed at little Frenchie in what was very like bewilderment, I +noted that the lad was looking here and there furtively, as if to make +certain there were no eavesdroppers near, and on the instant the haze of +perplexity was cleared from my mind, allowing me to realize that the +French lad had some plan on foot whereby the mischief wrought through +Saul might be counteracted. + +Although the situation seemed to me so desperate, and the possibility of +extricating ourselves from the difficulties into which we had been +suddenly thrown was so slight that I could see no ray of light, yet had +I come to have such great faith in Pierre Laurens's quick wit and +cool-headedness, that straightway much of the trouble was taken from my +mind, and I laid my hand on his shoulder as if to say I depended upon +him to draw us out from this slough into which my cousin's ill temper +had plunged us. + +Meanwhile Saul was giving no heed to anything save the desire to flog +Horry Sims for what he had done to our harm, and Pierre whispered to me +sharply and quickly: + +"Is there no place near by where we can remain in hiding for a time?" + +During an instant I failed to remember anything whatsoever concerning +this shop of Master Bemis's, although it was familiar to me, owing to my +having visited it a dozen times or more. Then I suddenly recalled to +mind that just around the corner, in the rear, was an old shed sometimes +used for the stabling of horses, which had frequently been half-filled +with rubbish of such sort as empty cases, lumber or straw. + +This much I explained to Pierre in the fewest words possible, and a look +of relief came over little Frenchie's face as he went directly up to +Saul, laying one hand on my cousin's shoulder, and with the other +clutching the Tory sneak by the coat-collar. + +Mayhap not more than thirty seconds had passed from the time my cousin +announced his intention of paying off the score we held against Horry +Sims, until Pierre said in a low, sharp tone to Saul, and conveying much +of reproof: + +"You have forgotten that by giving way to anger you not only endanger +yourself, but Fitz and me, to say nothing of Uncle 'Rasmus. Now pull +yourself up with a sharp turn; check that ill temper of yours if you +would keep yourself at liberty--mayhap if you would hold the breath of +life in your body." + +As he spoke it seemed to me that Horry Sims had a dim understanding of +what was about to come upon him, for he lunged quickly here and there +like some trapped animal, and I fancied he was about to raise his voice +in a cry for help, when I sprang forward and clapped my hand over his +mouth. + +"What are you about now?" Saul asked angrily. "What right have you to +interfere when I count on dealing with this Tory villain even as he +deserves?" + +"I have every right," and now Pierre spoke in a sharper tone than I had +ever before heard him use. "Even though there be no other reason, I +shall protect myself, and it would seem, if you keep on at this pace, +Saul Ogden, that Fitz and I must consider you equal enemy with this +Tory. We are undone from this moment, and can count surely on being +thrust into the guard-house as malcontents and rebels, unless you find +strength of will enough in that hulking body of yours to behave in a +decent fashion." + +[Illustration: "I SPRANG FORWARD!"] + +Nothing in the way of argument could have moved Saul so quickly as did +reproof from the little French lad, who until this moment he had most +like considered a child as compared with himself. Now, however, that the +boy was talking in manly fashion, and with sound doctrine, my cousin +gave way before him on the instant, becoming as meek and docile as any +lamb. + +"What would you have me do? I had no right to give rein to my temper, +and yet I swear to both of you that I could not have held it in check." + +"This is no time for making excuses," Pierre said, still speaking in a +commanding tone. "The wonder of it is that we have had so many minutes +allowed us, and now it stands us in hand to get this fellow out of +sight." + +"Out of sight? Where?" and Saul was in as thick a cloud of bewilderment +as I had been, whereupon, pushing Horry Sims forward, with my hand still +pressed over his mouth, I said hurriedly: + +"Pierre would have us hide him in the shed. I know not how that may +advantage us; but let me tell you, Saul Ogden, that little Frenchie has +got more sound sense in one side of that head of his than you and I in +both ours put together. Now do as he has said, and we will listen to him +afterwards." + +I forced Horry Sims on from behind, still gagging his mouth with my +hand, while Pierre, retaining a firm hold on the Tory's coat-collar, +dragged him along in the direction I indicated, Saul assisting as well +as he could while in such a state of perplexity. + +It was little less than a miracle that we could have stood talking there +by Master Bemis's shop and then made our way half around it, without +coming in contact with some of the red-coats. Even at this day, as I sit +here in safety writing down that which we did in the town of York, it +seems to me more than marvelous that we were not taken into custody +before little Frenchie had time to give words to his suddenly conceived +plan. + +I set it down to the fact that all those soldiers of the king were +busily engaged throwing up entrenchments, for it was known that not many +miles away lay General Lafayette with his army, and my Lord Cornwallis +must have said to himself that General Washington, finding he had so +many of his majesty's troops in much the same as a trap, would push down +from the North all the men he could spare. Therefore it came about that +every officer was urging the men under his command to the greatest +activity, and, fortunately, this shop of Master Bemis's was at a +considerable distance from any part of the British works, which +explains, at least to myself, why we were not lodged as prisoners in the +British garrison. + +I believe that from the first moment Pierre began to speak in a tone of +command, Horry Sims understood he was in danger, not of a mere flogging, +but of something he could not explain to himself, therefore was his +fright all the greater. + +When little Frenchie, while we were circling around the building, +threatened vengeance even to the shedding of blood if he made any +outcry, the lad was so terrified that even though he had had fair +opportunity I question whether he could have raised his voice +sufficiently loud to have been heard a dozen paces away. + +He was as limp as any rag in my grasp as we forced him along, and for an +instant I feared the cowardly cur would fall helpless from sheer terror +of that which he knew not the nature. + +Within the time it would take a tongue-tied man to count ten, we had +hustled Horry Sims from the southerly corner of Master Bemis's shop +around to the rear, where was the shed of which I had told little +Frenchie, and again did fortune favor us, for no horses were stabled +there, and the rude structure was so nearly filled with rubbish of all +kinds that it would have been impossible to have sheltered even a mule +beneath the crazy roof. + +We entered with our prisoner, Pierre leading the way grasping Horry by +the coat-collar, while I brought up the rear with my arm around the +Tory's neck so that I might keep a hand clapped over his mouth. + +"Shut the door, and, if it be possible, bar it so that no one may come +without giving due warning," little Frenchie said to Saul, and my cousin +obeyed as meekly as a well whipped cur obeys his master. + +There was a crazy affair made of puncheon planks which had served as +door, but it hung loosely on its hinges, and I question whether it had +been used for many a year; but Saul was by this time so intent on doing +whatsoever he might to repair the mischief wrought while his temper had +the best of him, that it was as if he had the strength of two men. + +While Pierre was looking about him trying to plan something in his mind, +my cousin had the barrier closed and fastened with four or five short +lengths of logs. It was not done so securely but that one from the +outside might force an entrance, yet it would require a minute or two to +effect such purpose, and this was what I fancy little Frenchie counted +on when he gave the command. + +"Over yonder," he said, pointing toward the end of the shed where were +several casks and some old boxes, "is the place to which we must take +him." + +"How long do you count on keeping him there?" I could not refrain from +asking, and Pierre replied promptly, thus showing that he had a plan +thoroughly mapped out in his mind: + +"Only until night, when we must get him to old Mary's cabin where he can +be held prisoner." + +I was astounded, to use a mild term, by the idea that we were to hold +this Tory a prisoner for any length of time. Here we were, shut up +within the British lines, in danger at any moment of being haled before +some high mightiness of an officer to answer to the charge of being +rebels, or of being in the town with evil intent, and we took it upon +ourselves to capture a lad who stood to a certain degree in the favor of +our enemies! + +It was to my mind at that instant, and is even now, as reckless a bit of +business as can well be conceived. Why we did not take to our heels at +the first moment when Saul gave way to his anger, leaving Uncle 'Rasmus +to his fate, and shake the dust of the town of York from our feet, I +cannot understand. Yet I am wrong in saying this last, for it was Pierre +Laurens who held us where we belonged, and who proved that if there were +Minute Boys in York Town, he stood above them head and shoulders as +their commander. + +But for Pierre's quick wit and decision we had at that moment been +racing through the village intent only on passing the British lines. Yet +I said then, while we pulled Horry Sims across the rubbish, that perhaps +it would have been greatly to our advantage if we had fled the town even +though the hue and cry was raised on the instant, rather than remain +where it might be impossible for us to go out again save in the custody +of a squad of red-coated soldiers. + +By the time Saul barricaded the door Horry Sims had been taken to the +rear of the building, and there little Frenchie turned two huge casks +down on their side, with the mouths facing each other, leaving +sufficient space between them for a lad to crawl in, saying to the +prisoner when this work was done: + +"Creep in there, lad, and hold your peace! If you raise your voice above +a whisper, I swear that it shall be the last moment of your life! You +can well fancy we would not flinch at killing such as you when it might +be to save ourselves. To hold you secretly, and yet securely, is our +hope, therefore bear well in mind to what lengths we are bound to go +rather than allow you to give us the slip!" + +The Tory crawled head foremost into one of the casks, which was so large +that he could readily turn around in it, and in the gloom of the shed I +could see that his face was as white as my mother's table linen. He +shook like one in an ague fit, as well he might, for the threats Pierre +made carried with them such a ring of truth that he would have been dull +indeed had he failed to understand how far we would go in order to save +our own skins. + +Pierre followed him into this snug hiding place, and I stood helplessly +by, awaiting some word from little Frenchie, ready to obey whatever +commands he might give, while Saul, shamefaced because of his +indiscretion, came up to my side. + +"It is like this," Pierre said as if he had asked a question. "So long +as we can hold this Tory sneak secretly, so long are we at liberty to +remain in York Town to compass the business which brought us here; but +on the instant he gives us the slip, we may count on coming before a +military court charged with being rebels, if not with being spies." + +"How long do you think he can remain in this shed without being +discovered?" Saul asked stupidly, and then it was that Pierre explained +his plan, so far as he had formed it. + +"One of us, and you should be that one inasmuch as it was through you +that all this trouble came about," he said, looking at Saul, "must +remain here until midnight, or thereabouts, on the alert all the while +lest he give an alarm, while Fitz and I move about the village as we +were intending when we left old Mary's cabin. When night has come, and +if we find it possible, this Tory must be carried across the town and +stowed safely in that loft above the room in which Uncle 'Rasmus is +living. There, one or the other of us must act as jailor all the while, +until--I cannot guess when our duties may be ended. If, perchance, the +American forces give Lord Cornwallis battle, and are victorious, then +may we come out of the snarl with whole skins; but if so be the British +are the conquerors, we can look to have the tables turned on us, when +Horry Sims will get all the revenge he may desire." + +A pretty pickle we were in because of what Saul had done! The most we +could hope for would be to hold Horry day after day in that loft of old +Mary's cabin, with but one show of getting out of the box, which would +be such a victory by the Americans that they might take possession of +the town of York. + +It was a slim chance, though I doubted not that General Lafayette's +army, if reinforced as it should be, would whip the Britishers; but +again and again the so-called rebels had been worsted by the king's +soldiers, and why might they not get a drubbing here? It was well within +the range of possibilities that the British army would be reinforced by +vessels sent down from New York, in which case we stood to suffer. + +Even though the Britishers allowed us to go here or there at will, we +were held as close prisoners, because of having Horry Sims in custody, +as though they put us under a strong guard. If at that moment when we +stood by the casks in the shed speculating upon the situation, I had +known that the town of York was to be besieged and shelled by our +people, I would not have reckoned that my life was worth the turn of a +hand. + +Fortunate indeed was it for us that we could not look into the future. +Fortunate we had no inkling of all that was to take place between the +rivers of York and James within the next few days, else had our courage +failed us entirely. As it was, however, I had great faith Pierre would +pull through his scheme successfully, and trusted that the future would +show us some way out of this snarl into which we had been so suddenly +plunged. + +"Come in here, and stretch yourself out beside this lad, with your hand +closing on his throat so that at the lightest sign of his counting on +giving an alarm you can choke him to death," Pierre said to Saul, who +was crouching that he might look into the cask, and my cousin did meekly +as he was bidden, for by this time he had come fully to understand that +he alone was responsible for all this trouble which had come upon us. + +Not until Saul was within the cask, and had taken position close by the +side of the prisoner, did little Frenchie venture to come out. Then, +halting and leaning over so his voice would carry to the prisoner and +his jailor without being heard by any who might be in the vicinity of +the shed, he said, still speaking in a tone of command which, had I been +less excited and anxious, would have sounded comical from one so small: + +"Remember, Saul, that your life, mayhap, and ours, depends upon your +holding that Tory scoundrel safe. Fitz and I will learn what we may +toward aiding us in getting him to the cabin." + +"How long am I to stay here?" Saul asked, and I fancied that he was +growing sulky again, whereupon I said soothingly, laying my hand on his +leg in friendly fashion: + +"Do not let your temper get the best of you again, Saul, else are we all +undone past mending. We have fallen into a hobble, and each must do his +best to come out alive." + +"I am ready to do what I may, and understand, without its being roughed +into me, that I am the one who is responsible for it all; but yet I ask +how long am I to stay here?" + +"Until we come again," little Frenchie said decidedly. "There is no +probability we shall dare risk a visit here 'twixt now and the time +when we have made ready to carry him to old Mary's cabin, therefore you +can count that your duties as jailor will hold you inside that cask +until midnight." + +I would have added somewhat to that which Pierre had said, counting +thereby to soothe my cousin; but little Frenchie dragged me back, +motioning with his finger on his lips that I hold my peace. I understood +that again was the lad right, for if we did what we might toward coaxing +Saul into a better humor, we were possibly giving him an opportunity to +fly off in a rage again, and that would have been fatal to all the faint +hopes in which we then indulged. + +Pierre clambered softly down across the rubbish, motioning for me to +follow his example, and then set about pulling away from the ramshackle +door the short lengths of logs which barred it; but he was careful to +remove only sufficient of the barrier for us to creep out. + +When we were in the open air, with the shed so nearly closed that no +one, unless having special business there, would be likely to enter, he +said to me in a whisper as he led the way up into the village once more: + +"Now we will set about our work, and before Saul sees us again he will +have had plenty of time in which to repent having given way to his +temper." + +"Our work?" I repeated dully. "Isn't it enough that we must hold Horry +Sims prisoner, without thinking of aught else?" + +"We came here to find Saul's mare and your Silver Heels, and, even +though it be necessary to stand guard over the Tory, I am counting that +we shall continue the work even as was at first proposed." + +"It is to my mind that we have enough on our hands, without taking +more," I said, and mayhap there was in my voice that same sulky tone +which I had heard in Saul's a few seconds before. + +"Surely one of us is enough to hold that Tory quiet, unless the +Britishers get an inkling that we have him in our hands, and, besides, +Uncle 'Rasmus should be able to help us in no small degree. Do you +remember that we counted to call ourselves Minute Boys, and to do the +work of Minute Boys?" + +"Ay, that is what we reckoned on when we were foot-free--when we had not +fettered ourselves with a Tory prisoner; but now it is all impossible." + +"Why impossible?" and for the first time since we had come upon Horry +Sims did Pierre indulge in that indescribable shrug and wave of the +hands which was peculiar to him. "It would seem to me that now is the +time, if ever, when we can do somewhat for the Cause--when we can prove +that although our company of Minute Boys numbers but three, we are of +importance, and may make our names known to those who are staking their +lives for the liberty of this country." + +I looked at the little lad in amazement. The idea that we three boys, +who were in as bad a hobble as lads ever could be--we three who stood, +one might almost say, face to face with death, should think of aught +else, was to me most astonishing, and yet this small fellow from New +Orleans was all afire with great plans. + +Surely if our company of Minute Boys ever did anything in behalf of the +Cause, it would be wholly due to him, for I had come to consider, half +an hour since, that his was the only brain among us. + +"My countryman, with an army of Americans, is near at hand, holding this +English lord here as if he was in a prison, and do you not believe that +it may be possible for us to carry to General Lafayette such information +concerning what is being done here in this town of York as would be of +importance?" Pierre asked, his eyes flashing and his cheeks flushing. + +"Ay, if so be we were free to act we might, one or another of us, creep +out through the lines and get speech with our people; but hampered as we +are, how will it be possible? We are prisoners here, ourselves holding a +prisoner." + +"Look upon it in that way if you please," and again Pierre shrugged his +shoulders. "I count on having one try for the horses, and, failing that, +of having speech with General Lafayette himself after we have been +through this town of York and set down in our minds all the work on +which the Britishers are now engaged." + +"I hope most sincerely you may succeed, lad; but yet I doubt it sorely. +In the meanwhile, what about Uncle 'Rasmus?" + +"We will go to his cabin now, explain what has happened, and then lounge +around the stable quarters of the Rangers, where you shall have a +glimpse of your beloved Silver Heels." + +I believe the lad reminded me of the horse I loved so well, with the +purpose of holding my courage straight, and he could have used no other +bait that would have lured me so quickly from out the Slough of Despond +into which I had fallen. + +There was no hope in my heart, however sanguine he appeared, that I +could regain possession of my horse. The most I dared look forward to +was that events might so shape themselves as to make it possible for us +to escape from this town into which we had voluntarily come, and yet I +was such a simple that I failed of understanding it was Pierre Laurens +who would get us out of the hobble, if indeed we ever did get out; but I +followed him meekly as he led the way toward the Pigeon Quarter. + +Uncle 'Rasmus was seated by the window; we could see his wrinkled black +face through the dirty glass, and surely he had every appearance of +being near to death as he sat there huddled up in a little ball, so to +speak, wrapped in his blanket although the day was unusually warm. + +"Are you really sick, Uncle?" I asked, hurrying into the hovel with the +fear that I should find there additional trouble. + +"I'se mighty bad, honey, mighty bad," the old man replied with an odd +twinkle in his eyes. "I 'spects I'se 'bleeged ter stay right here, wid +neber a chance ob gettin' back to de ole plantation, kase I'se got de +misery in my back, my head, an' my legs till I'se des de same as a +wuffless ole cripple." + +"That's right, Uncle 'Rasmus," Pierre said cheerily. "You are a +promising looking old invalid, and I guarantee that if any of these +red-coated gentry have a suspicion you may be playing a part, one +glimpse of that face of yours will convince them you are nigh to death." + +"I'se bin reckonin' on des dat same ting, an' while de ole nigger am so +po'ly dese yere gen'men who's in de army carn' grudge my seein' you +chillun now an' den." + +"You are likely to see a good deal of us, Uncle 'Rasmus," I said grimly, +now understanding that the old negro was simply playing his part as had +been agreed upon. "We had the ill luck to come across Horry Sims; Saul +lost his temper, and let the fellow know we were acquainted with what he +had been about." + +"Lan' ob massy, chillun, lan' ob massy! Hab you bin rubbin' up agin dat +Tory sneak?" + +"It's worse than that, Uncle 'Rasmus," Pierre said with a smile. "In +order to save our own skins we have been forced to make him a prisoner, +and can stay in York Town only so long as it is possible to keep him out +of sight. We count on bringing him here, if there's a living show for +it, 'twixt now and midnight." + +"Chilluns, chilluns, I 'low to goodness you'se done gone crazy! Whar's +Saul? Wha's become ob de chile?" + +I explained to Uncle 'Rasmus where my cousin was, and what he was doing, +after which Pierre gave him a brief outline of his plans, and when both +of us had come to an end of our speech, there was no need for the old +man to exert himself very strenuously in order to play the part of +invalid. + +His wrinkled face went ashy pale as the facts of the situation were +borne in upon him, and he sank back in the chair with both hands +uplifted as if in supplication. + +"You chilluns hab done gone crazy! Gone crazy!" he repeated again and +again, and I stood helplessly by not knowing what to do; but little +Frenchie set about soothing the old man's fears by explaining how it +might be possible for us to do this, or do that, and declaring we could +keep Horry a prisoner in the loft so long as one of us stood close by to +insure his silence, until Uncle 'Rasmus recovered a goodly measure of +his former serenity. + +"I 'clar for it, chillun, it beats de snakes how much trubble you'se got +us all into; but I reckon we'se boun' to hol' our backs stiff agin it, +else dese yere Britishers am gwine ter make mighty short work ob us." + +"That's just it, Uncle 'Rasmus, that's just it," Pierre cried cheerily. +"We've got into the muss, and it stands us in hand to hold our own so +long as we can. We're no worse off if Horry Sims gives us the slip after +we've brought him here, than we would have been had we allowed him to go +free after Saul was so foolish as to let the fellow understand we knew +of all his knavery. Now it's a case of keeping our backs stiff, trying +to get possession of the horses, and doing all we can toward carrying to +the Americans news of what's being done in this town." + +"Sure, honey, you ain' countin' on doin' nuffin 'cept holdin' Horry Sims +quiet?" and again Uncle 'Rasmus showed signs of terror. + +"Now look here, Uncle," and Pierre knelt by his side, looking up into +the wrinkled black face with a cheery smile as if there was nothing in +all this wide world to trouble him. "We are not going to waste our time +on one Tory--that is to say, all of us are not, for one must remain on +guard. After what has happened Saul should do more than his fair share +of playing the jailor. Now you wouldn't have Fitz and me loafing around +this town doing nothing, would you?" + +"Sure enuf, honey, sure enuf." + +"You believe if we could carry any word of importance to the Americans +we should do it, don't you, Uncle?" + +"Sure enuf, honey, sure enuf." + +"And if matters should turn, such as we can't really hope for, that +there was a possibility of getting hold of the horses, would you have us +do it?" + +"Sure enuf, honey, sure enuf." + +In such manner did this little French lad talk with the old negro until +he revived all his courage, and before having come to an end Uncle +'Rasmus was as eager as Pierre to be up and doing, meanwhile as +seemingly careless of what the future might bring us as was that little +lad on whom all my hopes for the future, so far as the Britishers were +concerned, depended. + +Having thus restored Uncle 'Rasmus to hopefulness and courage, Pierre +announced, as if there could be no question of any protest from me, that +we would make our way to where the Rangers were quartered, and I obeyed +him, much as a child might have done, mentally clinging to the lad as if +he had been my elder. + +We two walked around the village as if having no other purpose than to +view a military encampment. We gaped here, or stood there in +open-mouthed astonishment, as if mightily impressed with everything we +saw, and while doing so Pierre would whisper now and then as we passed +this redoubt or that battery: + +"Have you got everything well in mind now, lad? Seven redoubts and six +batteries on the land side; a line of batteries on the river bank; the +grand battery near the church; three redoubts just at the ravine, one +near the road to Hampton, and two by the river." + +Thus it was he called my attention to each point where the Britishers +were working, although in some cases it would have been impossible for +me to have said whether they were building redoubts, throwing up +earthworks for a battery, or simply digging a canal. It appeared that +little Frenchie understood all their purpose, and I said to myself that +if so be he could make his way from out this town of York into the +American lines, of a verity he would be able to give General Lafayette +such information as would be of exceeding value. + +We saw Silver Heels. She was made fast to the stable line with a lot of +other horses, and, so far as I could see, was receiving even more +attention than if she had been at home on the plantation, for there were +a dozen men or more working all the time currying this horse, rubbing +that one down, bandaging a leg that showed signs of swelling, and in +many ways taking as good care of the steeds as the best jockeys in +Virginia could have done. + +"You see she hasn't fallen into such bad hands," Pierre said as we +passed for the third time where I could have a good view of my pet, and +I replied sorrowfully: + +"It isn't that she won't be taken care of, Pierre, for he into whose +hands she might fall would indeed be a fool if he neglected so valuable +a bit of horse-flesh; but it is the thought that she will be taken into +battle, wounded, and left on the field to die, that breaks my heart." + +"And yet many a poor fellow will be wounded on the field of battle, and +left there to die. Mayhap it will be the fate of you or of me, and since +Silver Heels has been reared by a rebel, she must take the same chances +that all us rebels in this country are forced to take if the yoke of the +king's oppression is to be removed from our necks." + +Little Frenchie spoke like a preacher, and I dimly wondered whether his +courage might not be failing him, now that we were fully committed to as +desperate a venture as ever lads embarked on; but I need have had no +forebodings, for after remaining silent a dozen seconds or more he +seemingly shook off somber thoughts, and said cheerily: + +"The less you and I think of the future, and the closer we keep to the +present, the better. Now let us make our way along the outer works in +order to decide where we may have the best show of getting through the +lines, if so be we decide to play the part of spies." + +"What about making ready to bring Horry Sims into the cabin?" + +"There's plenty of time for that 'twixt now and sunset," Pierre said +carelessly. "We need spend little time in forming plans, because it must +all be done by accident, or, what is the same thing, through chance and +the negligence of the enemy. We'll get a good idea of the general +situation, and then go back to Uncle 'Rasmus for something to eat." + +As Pierre had said so we did. Twice we traversed the entire length of +the outer works, meaning the entrenchments facing the north; noted where +each sentinel was posted, and otherwise gained all the information +possible that might be of advantage to one who was trying to escape from +the British. + +Then we went back to old Mary's cabin where Uncle 'Rasmus, despite his +seeming feebleness, had made ready for us a most appetizing meal, by +warming the corn-bread and toasting some of the boiled ham in a +frying-pan. + +Although the outlook was most dismal to me, it did not affect my +appetite on this day, and I ate as heartily, and with as great +satisfaction, as I ever ate a meal at the Hamilton plantation. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE + + +While we ate with so much of pleasure I could not but let my thoughts go +out to Saul, who was doubtless as hungry as we had been, and gave words +to my regret that we had not first carried the lad some of the food +which we had in such generous abundance; but to my repinings of this +kind little Frenchie put a stop by saying: + +"I have no desire that your cousin shall be in distress because of +hunger, and yet it is in my mind that he should have somewhat more of +punishment because of having given way to ill temper and put us in such +a plight, than simply standing guard over Horry Sims. He will be the +more careful in the future, if he suffers considerably because of what +has been done." + +I was far from desiring that Saul should be punished. The mischief had +been wrought, and however bitterly he repented it would not right +matters. I believed for the time that Pierre was overly harsh, and would +have insisted on going straight to the lad with food, but that I +realized how dangerous it might be if we visited the shed in the rear of +Master Bemis's shop more often than was absolutely necessary. + +Again I consoled myself with the belief that most like Saul had partaken +of a hearty breakfast that morning before leaving the plantation, +whereas we lads had satisfied our hunger with cold food, and thus +arguing with myself desiring to be convinced, I came to the conclusion +that since it was not possible to mend matters save at the expense of +much risk, it was well I should get such enjoyment as was possible out +of the present moment. + +Not until we had finished the meal did Uncle 'Rasmus have anything of +importance to say, and then he surprised me beyond the power of +expression, by proving that he was not counting on being a mere +figure-head in this wild plan to regain possession of Saul's mare and +Silver Heels. + +"I'se done bin tol', chillun, dat dere's six or seben big French ships +layin' in Lynn Haven bay, whar dey've come to stop de Britishers from +runnin' away 'fore Gin'ral Washington gets a chance to trounce 'em right +smart." + +"You've been told that, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried in amazement. "Have you +been toddling around this town after pretending that you were so +crippled with aches and pains that you couldn't move out of your chair?" + +"Sure I hasn', honey, sure I hasn'. Yer Uncle 'Rasmus ain' no sich fool +as dat; but de still trout wha' lays under de shadder ob de rock catches +a good many more flies what drif down de stream, dan does de fish what +am leapin' an' plungin' to beat de band. Say, wha' you tink when I done +tole you Gin'ral Lafayette wid all his army is layin' at Williamsburg +des waitin' fo' a chance to jump down on de back ob Gin'ral Cornwallis?" + +Pierre and I looked at each other questioningly, as if asking whether +the old negro had suddenly taken leave of his senses, for it seemed +impossible he could have gathered information which was of the greatest +importance to us, while we who had been moving around through the +encampment had failed to hear anything of the kind. + +"Have you been dreaming, Uncle 'Rasmus?" little Frenchie asked with a +smile. "Surely you couldn't have picked up all that news while being +denned in here." + +"I did fo' a fac', honey, an' s'posen yer Uncle 'Rasmus kin tell you dat +Gin'ral Washington is a hustlin' fo' to get all his sogers down dis yere +way so's to make de Britishers don' gib him de slip? I'se 'lowin', +chillun, dat now's de time when de king's men hab done got dereselves in +a mighty small box." + +"If you didn't dream it, how did you come to learn all these things?" I +asked impatiently, and the old negro replied as he pattered to and fro +in front of the fire, adding to the already plentiful supply of +provisions before us: + +"Don' you 'member Marse Peyton's ole Joe, honey? Course you do, kase +you've seen him on de plantation more times dan I'se got hairs on dis +yere gray head. Well, ole Joe is right in dis yere town, waddlin' back +an' forth, makin' out as ef he was waitin' on some ob de British +ossifers. Marse Peyton done sent him down here so's he could keep his +ears open, an' he's come dis berry day from Williamsburg, where he +sneaked off so's to tell Gin'ral Lafayette wha' he done foun' out." + +Again Pierre and I looked at each other in amazement, and I must also +add with no little of disappointment. We had been flattering ourselves +that it might be possible for us to play the spy upon the Britishers, +and thereby earn much of credit for our small company of Minute Boys, +never for the moment dreaming that there might be others in the village +who were playing the same part; but surely not allowing that an old +negro, a slave, might be employed in the same work. + +"It begins to look as if we were not needed very much in this town of +York," Pierre said after a brief time of silence, and I could well +understand by the tone of his voice how disappointed he was because thus +suddenly had we been shown that the American army could well dispense +with our services, since others were engaged in the work we would have +taken up. + +"I'm not so certain, Pierre, but that your skill at reading the meaning +of military moments will yet prove of great value," I exclaimed as a +happy thought came into my mind. "It isn't possible old Joe would be +able to tell what the British are doing here, with so much exactness as +you who seem to be familiar with such work. There's no good reason why +we shouldn't continue to pick up all the information possible, and if we +find that we have gained more than has Colonel Peyton's negro, then one +of us shall make his way to Williamsburg, after we have Horry Sims +stowed snugly away in the loft." + +It appeared, as we understood from Uncle 'Rasmus's story, when he told +it later, that old Joe had by accident seen him sitting at the cabin +window, and, quite naturally, come in, when explanations followed. + +As both Pierre and I came to realize, instead of grieving over the fact +that this slave of Colonel Peyton's was playing the spy in the town of +York, we should have rejoiced, for here was at least one person who +might be able to aid us in a time of extremity. + +Surely, situated as we lads then were, with a prisoner on our hands, +even the assistance of an old slave who was free to move about within +the encampment as he pleased, might be of great value. + +After we had turned the matter over and over in our minds, discussing +what seemed much like a new phase of the situation, Uncle 'Rasmus +advised that we did not venture out again until the time had come when +we could relieve Saul from his duties as jailor by bringing Horry Sims +to the cabin. + +The old negro argued, and with much of wisdom it seemed to me, that +having been through the encampment more than once, seemingly bent on +curiosity, there was no good reason why we should do so again. He +contended that it would not be wise to show ourselves too often during +one day, and urged that we remain concealed until the time arrived when +we were to perform our task of the night. + +Following his advice we went into the loft, and, spreading down a +blanket on the puncheon floor, stretched ourselves out on the hard bed +with the hope of gaining sleep. We could have disposed ourselves more +comfortably below; but there was a possibility that some of the +soldiers, curious to know who was dwelling in this ramshackle of a +building, might enter to gratify their curiosity, and it would not be +well if they saw us living there with the old negro; at least, there was +a chance harm might come of it, and we were not inclined to take any +such risk simply in order to enjoy a trifle more of comfort. + +Hard though our bed was, both us lads fell asleep shortly after we were +in a position to invite slumber, and, without heed to the many dangers +which surrounded us, slept soundly and peacefully until being awakened +by Uncle 'Rasmus who, unable to ascend by the rude ladder, was calling +us by name softly from below. + +It was dark when I opened my eyes, aroused by the old negro's voice, so +dark that I could not even distinguish the outlines of my comrade, and I +understood that now was come the time for the venture of bringing Horry +Sims to the cabin. + +Pierre was already making his way toward the scuttle when I had come to +a full realization of the situation, and I followed him as nearly in +silence as was possible, until we had descended to where Uncle 'Rasmus +stood awaiting us at the foot of the rude ladder. + +"It's pas' midnight, chillun, an' I'se 'lowin' dat de time hab come for +you to snake dat young Tory up here." + +"Is everything quiet, Uncle 'Rasmus?" Pierre asked, and the old negro +replied: + +"I ain' heard a soun' dis las' hour, 'cept when dem sogers what am on +guard raise up dere hootin' to let folks know dey're awake. It's dark as +de lan' ob Egypt eber was, an' I'se kind'er reckonin' you kin go down to +Marse Bemis's shop widout makin' trubble for yoursefs. 'Member, chillun, +ef dese yere red-coats do sneak up on yer, an' fin' out what you'se +erbout, take to your laigs. Don' stop to fight, kase it won't be any +use. Des say to yoursefs dat de Hamilton plantation am a heap better +place dan dis yere town ob York, an' you get dere, honey, you get dere!" + +"What about yourself, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I asked with deep concern. +"Suppose the Britishers learn of our doings and we run away, you would +be in danger, for surely Horry Sims never'd let the chance slip him to +mix you up in the row." + +"Don' you gib any heed to your Uncle 'Rasmus, honey. Ef trubble comes +you des look arter yoursefs, an' leabe de ole nigger to crawl out ob de +hole de bes' way he kin. Don' stop to talk nor to fight, ef de +Britishers pounce on yer; but get back to de plantation. Git dere, +honey, git dere!" + +Uncle 'Rasmus's advice, instead of strengthening my courage, was +weakening it. In the darkness, and now when we were about to make this +venture which I knew to be in the highest degree dangerous, I was +growing weak-kneed. The attempt to bring Horry Sims across the entire +length of the village, where were Britishers on every hand, seemed an +entirely different matter from what it had been when the sun was +shining, and, fearing lest I might show the white feather if we stood +there many moments, I went out hurriedly into the night, giving little +heed as to whether Pierre followed until I felt the soft pressure of his +hand upon my arm. + +"There is no need of great haste, Fitz," he whispered, and I replied in +a tremulous voice: + +"Indeed there is, Pierre, else am I like to grow so cowardly as to turn +tail and make for the Hamilton plantation, regardless of anything save +my own feelings." + +"You will never do anything of the kind, Fitzroy Hamilton, and that you +know as well as I," the little lad whispered with emphasis. "I am not +afraid you will turn coward, for it is not cowardly to be afraid when +one makes such a venture as this, providing he keeps his face +resolutely toward the goal." + +I might fill up an hundred pages with an account of my fears and +forebodings as Pierre and I went cautiously through the darkness from +old Mary's cabin, to Bemis's shop, and yet not have told anything which +would interest a stranger, therefore it is that I shall content myself +by simply saying that we crossed the village without having been +molested, almost without having heard a sound from the enemy. + +As a matter of course it was necessary we pass at this point or that +near by where soldiers were in camp, or on duty; but the darkness was so +intense that by making a slight detour we could avoid being seen, and, +judging from what few noises we heard, the encampment was in a state of +almost complete repose. + +Arriving at the shed door we stood motionless and silent while one might +have counted twenty, our ears pricked up to catch the lightest sound +which would tell of the approach of an enemy, after which, hearing +nothing, we set about making our way into the rude building and thence +across the rubbish to where were the two casks which formed Horry Sims's +prison. + +This last was anything rather than a simple matter, if we would move +noiselessly, for in the darkness it was impossible to make out what +obstruction lay in our way, and we were forced to pass our hands over +every inch of the rubbish before daring to advance a single pace. + +Not until we were come to the opening between the casks was a word +spoken, and then came an exclamation from Saul: + +"Thank God you are come! I was beginning to believe you had been made +prisoners, and I would be left to get out of here unaided, which meant +beyond a peradventure that I would speedily find myself in the clutches +of the Britishers." + +"Has Horry attempted to raise any row?" I whispered. + +"Beyond speaking now and then to make threats as to what will surely +come to us in the future, he has behaved himself," and Saul stood erect, +stretching his limbs to throw off the cramp which had come upon him. "I +have given him to understand thoroughly well how necessary it is we hold +him prisoner, and to what lengths we are ready to go, therefore I +believe he realizes that it would be taking his life in his hands if he +made any attempt at giving us the slip." + +Then Saul would have asked concerning what we had been doing during the +day, and how we counted on making our way to the cabin, but I silenced +him, promising that he should hear of all our movements when it should +be possible for us to hold converse without danger of betraying +ourselves. + +Once more little Frenchie took upon himself the command of the party by +literally dragging Horry out from the casks, and saying to me when the +lad was on his feet beside us: + +"Help me thrust this in his mouth, for it is not safe to take him +through the streets without being gagged." + +To my surprise I found that this little French lad had, without +acquainting me with his purpose, made ready for the venture, thus again +proving his right to act as our captain. + +He had at some time while in old Mary's cabin made ready a gag of wood +covered with strips torn from a blanket, and this, much against Horry +Sims's will, we thrust into the fellow's mouth, tying it securely; but +promising that if he followed at his best pace and without making an +attempt to get away, he should soon be relieved from what must have been +in the highest degree painful. + +Then we began again to make our way over the rubbish, this time with +greater noise than when Pierre and I had entered, because we could not +direct the young Tory's footsteps as cautiously as our own, and more +than once before we had come to the door did we dislodge a bit of timber +or a fragment of wood, causing such a disturbance as must have been +heard by any who might have been within an hundred paces of the shed. + +At each time such a thing occurred we halted, silent and motionless, +striving to learn whether any of the enemy had been aroused by the +noise, and, hearing nothing that betokened danger, kept on until another +mis-step forced us to a halt once more. Thus we continued, traversing a +distance of no more than fifteen or eighteen feet, but which seemed to +me a full mile, until we were come to the door and had crept out into +the darkness, when I breathed a fervent prayer of thanksgiving, for +surely it seemed as if we had already overcome the greater portion of +the difficulties that lay in our way. + +Saul and Pierre were leading the Tory cur, one on either side of him, +and I set off in advance as if believing I was the only lad of the three +who could pilot us in safety. + +[Illustration: "WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST WARNING I FOUND MYSELF IN THE +CLUTCHES OF A MAN."] + +Because we had succeeded in getting out of the shed without making +sufficient of noise to bring the guard down upon us, did I fancy we were +much the same as free to do as we pleased, and set off at a reasonably +rapid pace around the corner of the shop, when suddenly and without the +slightest warning I found myself in the clutches of a man, my throat +held so tightly in his grasp that I could not give the faintest alarm to +my comrades. + +That a British sentinel who had dogged our footsteps held me prisoner, I +had no doubt, and my heart sank like lead in my breast, for to my mind +now was come the end of all things for me in this world. Because of +having been taken while prowling around the village in the night, there +could be no question but that I would be considered and punished as a +spy. + +I strove in vain to give some warning to my comrades so they might make +their escape even though I was doomed; but he who held me seemingly +understood that which was in my mind, for he forced me onward lest +Pierre and Saul should over-run us, and thus for mayhap a distance of an +hundred yards we advanced, I, a prisoner, forced to lead my comrades +into what I felt certain was a shameful death. + +Because the night was so black they could not see that there were two +persons in advance of them instead of one, therefore did they follow +blindly, and all unconscious of the sickly, deathly terror in my heart, +until we were come to the rise of the land on our way toward the Pigeon +Quarter, where the outlines of him who held me, and my own body, were +marked against the lighter sky. + +Then I heard a muffled exclamation from Pierre, whereupon my captor +suddenly wheeled me about until we were facing the two lads and their +prisoner, when he whispered softly, yet sharply: + +"Continue on as you were going, and as you value your lives make no +outcry or delay!" + +Having thus spoken, one can well fancy that I was nigh to being +paralyzed with mingled astonishment and bewilderment, because the tone +was friendly and the words indicated that he would aid us. He released +his grasp on my throat, and involuntarily I stretched out my hands, when +they came in contact with my captor, and by the sense of touch I +understood that he wore a uniform. + +"You are a British soldier!" I stammered, terror once more taking firm +hold upon me. + +"Ay, that I am for the time being; but now move on if you would continue +that which you have begun, else are you like to fall into the hands of +other soldiers in this encampment who will have less care for your +safety." + +I wish it might be possible for me to set down in words, so that he who +reads could understand, the frame of mind into which I was plunged by +this remark. When he first seized me I had no doubt but that I had begun +my journey on the road which leads to the gallows, and on learning that +he was a British soldier my fears were not lessened, yet was his +behavior and his words so unaccountable, taking into consideration who +he appeared to be, that I became numbed, like one who has received a +blow which deprives him of a portion of his senses. + +How my comrades were affected I had no means of knowing; but understood +that they were obeying the commands of this man who had captured us, +because they continued on close at my heels, and from the stranger's +movements now and then I knew he was making certain they did not +attempt to deviate from the straight course which led to old Mary's +cabin. + +Never did a journey seem so long, or a way so strange, as that over +which I walked like one in a dream in the darkness, surrounded on every +hand by the enemy, and knowing as I did that the king's officers set +little value on the life of those whom they call rebels. + +As we advanced the situation became yet more strange and terrifying, if +indeed that could be possible, for suddenly I came to understand that +this stranger who had taken us in custody seemed familiar with the +course we should pursue, for instead of lagging ever so slightly to +learn in which direction we would go, he led us straight as an arrow +might be driven, toward our destination, and, having come to the cabin +door, pushed it open and himself entered, leaving us to follow or to +flee as might be our inclination. + +I am free to confess that when he thus left me at liberty there was but +one thought in my mind, and that to seek my own safety in flight, +regardless of my comrades, or of the old negro whose life might be in +danger if I thus deserted him. I was cowardly enough for an instant to +think only of myself, to look forward only to the possibility of saving +my own skin; but, fortunately, even before I could have turned to flee +like a poltroon, I realized that it was my duty as a lad of Virginia, +even though I had seemingly thrown aside the name of Minute Boy, to +remain with my comrades whom I had thus counselled into peril. + +Even at that supreme moment, when as I believed death stood facing me, +there came into my heart a feeling of shame that I should have even +thought of doing such a dastardly thing as to seek my own safety by +deserting my comrades, and I went into the cabin, following the +footsteps of our captor, hoping that no one, not even that red-coated +soldier, might suspect what had been in my mind a few seconds before. + +Pierre and Saul must have understood that they could do no less than +enter this place of shelter, for it was the only one open to them in the +town of York, even though we were led by an enemy, and so thrust Horry +Sims forward on my heels until Uncle 'Rasmus closed the door behind us. + +I stood there enveloped in a darkness so dense that one might, as is +said, almost feel it, wondering what strange turn of affairs had come, +and why it was that this British soldier should be so harmless--why he +should have allowed us to come into the cabin when most like he counted +on taking us to the nearest guard-house. + +We remained there in silence, and, so far as I was concerned, in most +abject terror, while one might have counted ten, and then the stranger, +throwing himself down on the floor at one side of the fireplace in which +a few half-dead coals yet glimmered faintly, as if he was a welcome +visitor, said in a low whisper, yet in a tone which carried distinctly +through the room: + +"You lads are from the Hamilton plantation?" + +No one made reply. I was yet too much confused to have answered such a +simple question, and, as Pierre afterward told me, he refrained from +speaking because of not understanding whether it would be safe to admit +the truth. + +"You need have no fear in speaking plainly before me," the man +continued. "I am wearing a British uniform, and mayhap am putting my +life in jeopardy and doing a grievous injury to the Cause by interfering +in this matter while you have a prisoner who may be able later to carry +to headquarters information of what you have done this night. I beg you +to trust me for the time being, and tell me who is this lad that you +have brought from yonder hiding place gagged lest he make an outcry?" + +I was yet too thoroughly bewildered to make an intelligent reply; but +fortunately little Frenchie had begun to get his wits together, and most +like to suspect at least a portion of the truth, for he answered +promptly, not only giving the young Tory's name, but explaining why we +thus held him. + +To my alarm he went so far as to tell the whole story, even though more +than once I clutched him by the arm to prevent his laying bare all our +secrets; but he threw me off with friendly violence, and continued until +the red-coated man who lay by the fireplace had full knowledge, not only +of what we had done, but of what we would do. + +Then Pierre was come to an end of his story, and so seemingly eager was +he to give all the details to this stranger, who by his costume was an +enemy and by the tones of his voice a friend, that he spent no little +time in the telling of it, while I was nearly beside myself with grief +and rage because we had thus put ourselves wholly within the man's +power. + +It would have been better, so I said to myself with bitterness, if we +held our peace. In case he charged us with being spies, as I counted he +intended to do, let him prove what we were, rather than that we should +give him all the evidence, making his way plain if he would hang us, and +I cried out to Pierre, my voice trembling with anger: + +"Now that you have doomed us, lad, tell me in what better position you +stand than if we had held our peace? Of what advantage can it be to us +to proclaim ourselves spies in intent if not in deed, to this soldier of +the king?" + +Before I could say more, and the hot words of anger were slipping from +my mouth so rapidly that I might have continued casting reproaches upon +little Frenchie until many moments had passed, the stranger interrupted +me by asking calmly: + +"Now that you have brought your prisoner here to this cabin, what are +you counting on doing with him?" + +Again Pierre unbosomed his very heart, and explained that we would carry +Horry Sims into the loft, one of us standing guard over him all the +time, while the others went about the work which they had set +themselves. + +"It may be well to continue as if nothing had occurred," the man said +thoughtfully. "I have no doubt but that you are burning to know why I +have done this thing to-night, and yet explanations may not be made +while that Tory lad can overhear, although it is true I have already +said and done far too much in his presence. Let him understand that if +an hour ago you counted on holding him close prisoner, now are you +doubly intent on doing so, for he has at least a portion of my secret, +and there are others in this town of York besides myself who would +compass his death, rather than that he should whisper the lightest word +of what he has heard or seen." + +Now it was I began to get a glimmer of light through my head; my tired +limbs ceased to tremble, and my heart beat less furiously as I set about +aiding Pierre force Horry Sims up the rude ladder. + +The Tory must have been quite as terrified as I had been a few seconds +before, for he obeyed all our whispered commands, striving to find here +and there a foothold on the shaky cross-pieces, and otherwise making +every effort to ascend rapidly. + +When we were in the loft and had led our prisoner to where the blanket +was spread over the puncheon planks, little Frenchie took the gag from +his mouth, saying as he did so: + +"Even though you would have spied upon us, Horry Sims, I am sorry we +were forced to give you the pain of wearing this ornament; but our own +lives are of more concern than your suffering, therefore was it a +necessity. Now if so be you are minded to give up all hope of making +your escape, and do what you may toward remaining hidden from your +red-coated friends who would lend assistance if they knew of your +plight, we promise to treat you fairly, and with more of tenderness than +you deserve." + +"Are you counting on leaving him to guard himself?" I asked in surprise, +believing from Pierre's words that such was his intention, and the +little lad replied promptly: + +"I cannot say that it will be possible for him to do very much guarding +of himself. Certain I am that there is only one way of escape from this +loft, since the holes which serve as windows are too small to admit of +his crawling through, for I myself tried that experiment this afternoon. +If he leaves here it can only be through the scuttle, and with all of us +on the floor below, I question whether he would make much headway." + +"But he can raise his voice to give an alarm," I answered, and Pierre +replied softly, turning toward the young Tory so that there might be no +question of his hearing the words: + +"If he should dare to speak above a whisper, then I promise you, Fitz +Hamilton, that this gag goes into his mouth not to be removed until the +hour comes when we no longer fear his tongue." + +It seemed to me reckless to leave the Tory sneak alone in the loft, even +though we would be on the floor below; but there had been so many +happenings within the past four and twenty hours which had aroused in me +needless fear, that I was ashamed to give words to what was in my mind, +lest Pierre begin to believe I was grown cowardly, and when the little +lad moved toward the scuttle, I caught him by the arm as I whispered in +his ear: + +"What would you do? You have told the man below all you can, and now are +we to follow him meekly, in case it is his intent to drag us off to the +guard-house as spies?" + +"I believe, if he gives us the name of spies, it will be a case of the +pot calling the kettle black," Pierre said cheerily. "Are you so +thick-headed, Fitz Hamilton, that you cannot understand somewhat of this +stranger's purpose? Surely if he was what his uniform gives token, we +would not have been treated so gently when he first came upon us; but, +instead, the alarm must have been given, and a squad of Britishers +summoned to take us away. From the instant he failed to call the guard I +began to suspect what he might be, therefore followed willingly his +directions." + +"And I followed in fear and trembling," I replied shamefacedly, "for I +had no doubt but that he was leading me to the gallows." + +"Then have you suffered needlessly, as do all who fail of taking heed to +everything which goes on around them, judging one incident from its +connection with another," little Frenchie said with a low, soft laugh, +and then, taking my hand in his as if he was the father and I a baby, he +led me to the scuttle, going down the ladder in advance cautiously, much +as though believing it would be necessary to aid my faltering steps. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +MORGAN, THE SPY + + +When Pierre and I were come to the lower floor I noted that some one had +thrown a bit of wood on the embers, and it was blazing up sufficiently +to cast faint rays of light whereby we could see Uncle 'Rasmus standing +midway between the outer door and the chimney, looking down upon the +red-coated man who lay near the fireplace, as if questioning what his +intentions might be. + +Saul stood opposite the stranger gazing at him in mingled wonderment and +alarm, while the man himself appeared to be wholly unconcerned and +entirely at his ease, as if he was among friends in the one place of all +others he most desired to be. + +It was a strange scene that thus presented itself to me, and rendered so +by this seeming Britisher among us who claimed the proud title of +rebels, apparently friendly after having learned what should have +brought us to a speedy military trial, the conclusion of which must have +been conviction and the halter. + +It was the soldier who broke the silence, as he said with a faint smile +wherein was more of sadness than of mirth: + +"By this time you lads must have come to understand that I am a friend +instead of an enemy, and yet I am enlisted in the king's service, +wearing this uniform in token of being willing to serve him." + +"You are a spy?" Pierre said thoughtfully, whereupon the stranger +nodded, and, motioning to the loft above, replied in a tone so low that +we were forced to gather close around him in order to hear the words: + +"Although the lad up yonder has seen enough to convict us all, if he had +an opportunity to give information, there is no reason why he should be +let into all the secrets, and necessity demands that I confide in you. +Had it not been that I suspected--in fact, had fairly good proof of very +much regarding the situation, I would be this night considered a +deserter, and no longer able to serve the colonies in their righteous +war." + +"Meaning what, sir?" Pierre interrupted. + +"Meaning that in order to carry information to General Lafayette which +it is important he should know, I would have left the lines this night, +thus betraying my mission here." + +"Who are you, sir, if you please?" Pierre asked, for neither Saul nor I +had gathered our wits sufficiently to be able to question this friendly +red-coat. + +"My name is Morgan; I am better known in the American army as Morgan the +Jerseyman. It was by special request of the Marquis, General Lafayette, +that I enlisted, and were we at this moment at my home in New Jersey, I +could show you such writing from the commander-in-chief, General +Washington, as would convince you that while my coat is red my heart is +true blue." + +"How long have you been in the British army?" little Frenchie asked. + +"Since my Lord Cornwallis was in James Town. There it was I enlisted, +representing myself as a Tory at heart who had been forced to take up +arms in the American army, and thus far, as it seems to me, I have +conducted myself in such manner as not to raise any suspicion regarding +my purpose, else had I long since been dancing with nothing beneath my +feet." + +"And you say you knew during this last day what was our purpose in +coming here?" Pierre continued. + +"I suspected it, lad, because of seeing this old negro stealing into the +cabin yesterday morning just before daylight, and, wondering what his +purpose might be in coming here, I kept close watch over the building +until I saw you lads enter it and afterward wander around the +encampment. You did not cloak your designs so closely but that a +watchful Britisher might have had an inkling, for I noted more than once +that you were taking careful heed to all the fortifications, although +why you lingered so long near the quarters of Simcoe's Rangers I failed +to understand." + +Then little Frenchie told him what our original purpose was in coming to +the town of York; explained that we would have been Minute Boys until +the time when we were forced to take Horry Sims a prisoner, and +otherwise gave all the details which he had passed over when he first +gave up his heart to the man who had seemingly made us captives. + +"Now if you please, sir, will you tell us why you would have been +counted a deserter from the British army if you had not had your +suspicions aroused regarding us?" Pierre asked in conclusion, and Morgan +replied promptly: + +"It is absolutely necessary General Lafayette have early information of +the work which is being done here in York, and in order that there may +be no uncertainty as to getting word with him, some one must set off +without delay, for, unless I mistake, the American forces will besiege +Cornwallis as he lays here in much the same as a trap, after which to go +back and forth between this place and Williamsburg will be exceeding +difficult. If I myself go then I must be absent such a length of time +that I shall be set down as a deserter, and could not return save at +cost of my life, whereas one of you lads could repeat my words to the +marquis as well as I." + +"Why not more than one?" I asked in my folly, thinking that two might +make the journey with greater safety, and Morgan replied with a smile as +he motioned toward the loft above: + +"What about the lad whom you must guard as you would your own lives, for +verily his escape would mean your death? Since only one is really needed +to carry my message, at least two should remain behind to play the part +of jailors." + +"I will set off at once," Pierre said without hesitation, and I knew the +dear little lad was burning to do something of moment; but there came +into my mind like a flash of light, that he was the only one of us who +called ourselves Minute Boys, who had sufficient wit and cool judgment +to keep our secret in case any suspiciously inclined red-coats should +venture into the cabin. Therefore it was I cried quickly and decidedly: + +"No, no, Pierre; not you! If Horry Sims is to be held prisoner, you are +the only one among us fitted to take charge of the scoundrel. But for +you he would long since have told the Britishers of our coming into this +town of York, and, having proven yourself capable of conducting such a +game as we are playing, it is your duty to remain here in charge." + +"Then who will go?" and Pierre looked from Saul to me, and back again to +Saul. + +I waited while one might have counted five to learn if my cousin was +eager for this mission which promised somewhat of danger--very much of +peril if he who left the village was seen going in the direction of the +American lines, and since Saul remained silent, I said with so much of +cheerfulness as I could command: + +"I am the one to go. I know well the road from here to Williamsburg, and +it may be that my father is among the troops there, in which case I +shall have no trouble in getting speech with the French general." + +It was quite plain to me that Pierre would have insisted on his right to +play the part of messenger between spy and general; but I was not minded +to be left in such a delicate position as must be that lad who remained +to guard our secret, and without giving him a chance to make protest I +continued hurriedly, as if he was indeed my superior and I forced to +obey him: + +"Let me go, Pierre dear; I am too thick-headed to be left in charge +should more dangers arise than already surround us. You have already +shown your adroitness in crawling out of narrow quarters, and therefore +must remain here." + +Up to this time Uncle 'Rasmus had not spoken. It was as if he failed, +even after all that had been said, of understanding the true situation; +but now it appeared much as if the truth had burst in upon him, for I +saw what was like unto a sudden flash of light come over his black, +wrinkled face, as he stepped forward to lay his hand on Frenchie's +shoulder while he said gravely, and with more of dignity in his manner +than I had ever fancied the old negro could assume: + +"Your place is des' here, honey, here wid Uncle 'Rasmus, an' Marse Fitz +is de one to go kase dere's a chance he'll meet wid his father. I'se +'lowin' it would do Missey's heart good ef she could get word from Marse +straightway frou de chile's lips. Stay whar you is, honey, kase I'se +gwine to be needin' you mighty bad." + +Why Uncle 'Rasmus was so eager for me to act the part of messenger +rather than Pierre, I failed to understand; but it gave me wondrous +relief of mind that he did interfere, and the little French lad +immediately stepped back a pace or two from the fireplace, as if to say +he would make no protest. + +Then I, to clench the matter, fearing lest Pierre might reconsider his +apparent determination to remain, asked the red-coated spy what message +he would have carried to General Lafayette, and when it was his desire +the messenger should set out, whereupon he replied by demanding: + +"Tell me what you lads saw to-day while taking note of the +fortifications?" + +I repeated that which Pierre had impressed upon my mind, and in order +that little Frenchie should have due credit for the military +intelligence displayed, I explained that he it was who had given me my +lesson as we walked, and he it was who had surmised that a battery was +to be placed here or a redoubt there, whereupon Master Morgan said in a +tone of approbation: + +"You may set it down that your friend is a keen lad; one who keeps his +eyes wide open and understands whereof he speaks. There are many men who +could have walked through the town of York this day and not seen +one-half, nay, not one-quarter, for you have placed a redoubt here on +the right and there on the left, which is as yet hardly begun. How know +you, lad, that such works are to be put there?" and the spy turned +toward Pierre as he spoke. + +"I knew that if my Lord Cornwallis was fortifying this town against a +siege he would need redoubts to the right and left of the village near +the river, and, indeed, the ground has already been broken for such +works." + +"You must have seen somewhat of military movements in this short life of +yours?" + +"My father was a soldier," Pierre said proudly. "I have heard him and +his friends discussing their campaigns and sieges until it seems to me I +should be able to say with somewhat of reason how a town like this could +be fortified." + +"I give you credit for stationing the grand battery near the church. To +my mind, Cornwallis counted on putting it farther to the westward, but +now I can see that you are right." Then, turning to me again, the spy +continued, "You will say to the marquis when you have speech with him, +that I sent you, not being able to leave the village, as he can readily +understand, and, after giving a description of the fortifications, say +that much of the information has come through your friend, a little +French boy, who seems to have a better idea of military works than a +Jerseyman like myself. Let him know that one of his countrymen has been +thus keen in finding out the plan." + +"When am I to go?" I inquired, and Morgan said quickly: + +"As soon as may be now that you have the message. There is no reason why +you should linger, and if you go at once I can point out the safest +place to make your way through the lines. An hour later I must be in +quarters lest suspicions be aroused." + +I confess to a weakness of heart on learning that I was to set off on a +mission without delay. When I had proposed to act the part of messenger +the work was seemingly in the future, and I did not give much heed to +the possibility of danger until he set the time for departure so close +at hand. Now I could see before me all the perils which might be +encountered, and imagined many that might never come my way; but I +strove to the utmost to prevent the others from reading by my face that +which was in my heart, putting on a bold front as I buckled my belt a +bit the tighter, and turned toward the door as if to take my departure. + +Morgan rose to his feet, and Uncle 'Rasmus seized both my hands in his +as he whispered softly: + +"Take care ob yoursef, honey, take care ob yoursef. Make a straight +getaway for Williamsburg, an' don' go gallivantin' 'roun', kase dere's +danger from de time you leabe here till you get inside de rebel lines." + +I had had a certain affection for the old negro before this moment, but +now something akin to love came into my heart because of the anxiety he +displayed concerning my welfare, and I returned his handclasp heartily, +saying in what I strove should be a cheery tone: + +"Don't let your heart be troubled about me, Uncle 'Rasmus. I'll pull +through without difficulty, for the road is short, and I have had so +much of rest this day that I am fitted for travel." + +Little Frenchie patted me on the shoulder; but remained silent. Saul +stood shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, not attempting to +bid me good-bye, nor even to meet my gaze, and I understood that he was +saying to himself with shame that he ought at least have striven to act +the part of messenger, rather than held his peace, which was much the +same as showing that he did not dare make the venture. + +I had no time to give further heed to the surroundings. The red-coated +spy had taken me by the arm and was hurrying me out of the house, +doubtless fearing lest I grow timorous because of parting words, and he +prevented the others from following by closing the door quickly behind +him. + +Moving cautiously and not venturing to speak, he led me a certain +portion of the way across the village toward the west, as if I was +counting on going to my own home, and when we were come to where a line +of entrenchments was but just begun, he whispered softly in my ear: + +"There are but three sentinels on this end the line, and you should be +able to make your way past them. Go straight ahead until coming to the +road which leads to your home, and then strike off to the right for the +Williamsburg highway, after which the way is clear unless British +scouting parties are abroad. Move cautiously; take plenty of time until +you are outside the lines; then see to it that you waste not a single +moment, but push forward at your best speed, for the new day is near at +hand." + +Having said this, and once more pointing out the direction in which I +should go to best avoid the sentinels, Morgan turned abruptly, leaving +me to my own devices, and during the half-minute I stood there +irresolute I felt more desolate and with a greater sense of abandonment +than ever before or since, however desperate the situation. + +Now was I indeed embarked in the business of spy; now had I set my face +on that road which led to a shameful death in case I was taken prisoner, +and while I would not have exchanged places with the lad, I regretted +that Pierre, not I, had set out to do this work, for I doubted my own +ability. In event of being overhauled by the enemy and questioned, I was +not so quick of wit and ready of speech as the little lad from New +Orleans, and would fall in many a trap of words where he could pass +safely by and with seeming honor. + +Fortunate indeed was it, so far as my own good name was concerned, that +I did not stand there many seconds in the darkness reflecting upon what +might be before me, else had I become so timorous that I believe of a +verity I would have gone back to old Mary's cabin, admitting to my +comrades that I dare not go further on the venture. + +Luckily, however, a sense of shame at my own cowardice urged me forward, +and when I heard the footsteps of the sentinel giving token that he had +gone toward the other end of his beat, I crept softly along in a +crouching posture, even though I might not have been seen in that dense +darkness had I walked erect, and, having covered a distance of fifty +yards or more, I was come to the road which led toward the Hamilton +plantation. + +In front of me was the way which, if pursued, would have brought me to +those I loved, and to safety for the time being, instead of which I +must turn my back upon it, and go on the road where I might reasonably +expect to meet with the enemy, for it was not likely my Lord Cornwallis +would remain quietly in York Town without striving to learn what his +adversaries were doing, even as General Lafayette had striven to +ascertain when he sent Morgan to enlist as a British soldier. + +It pleases me to be able to say now, that when the moment came to set my +face away from home and toward danger, I did not hesitate. Believing I +was so far from the enemy's lines that I could safely advance at a rapid +pace, I set off at a lope which I knew from past experience I could hold +until having traversed the distance from York Town to Williamsburg and +back again. + +The old adage that he who crosses a bridge before he comes to it is a +fool, was proven in my case. From the moment of insisting that I should +be the one to act as messenger, there had been before my mind all kinds +of dangers to be encountered, and I had vexed myself with the belief +that there was hardly more than one chance out of twenty that I could go +through in safety, and yet I did, never seeing friend or foe until I was +come, as nearly as I could judge, to within a mile of where Morgan had +said the Americans were encamped. + +Then suddenly, while I was half-running half-walking along the highway, +dreaming no evil, came a voice from the thicket on my right, shouting: + +"Halt, or I'll fire! Halt, I say!" + +[Illustration: "HALT, OR I'LL FIRE!"] + +On the instant I obeyed the command, my heart standing still as it were +with terror, for I made certain I had blundered upon a British scouting +party, and one can well fancy the relief of mind which was mine when +there came out from amid the foliage a man in the uniform of our own +Virginia riflemen, who was followed by two others, and I knew I had been +stopped by a friend to the Cause. + +By this time, it is needless for me to say, the new day had come, and +they could see me as clearly as I could them, therefore I counted on +being given a friendly welcome, instead of which he who acted as +commander of the squad, and I counted he was a corporal at the very +least, asked as if in anger: + +"Where are you from in such haste, and where going?" + +"From York Town, and with a message to General Lafayette." + +"You from York Town?" he cried with a coarse laugh. "You from York Town +wanting to see the marquis?" + +"Ay, that I am," was my angry reply. "Why should I not come from York, +and why should a boy of Virginia not carry a message to a general who is +serving in the American army?" + +"There is no reason why he should not, providing it was being done +honestly; but there are Virginians who would go from Cornwallis to +Lafayette on anything rather than honest business. If you are acting as +messenger, who in the town of York would send you?" + +For an instant the name of Morgan trembled on my lips, and then I +realized in what danger I might put the spy by thus proclaiming that he +had enlisted in the British army, while the man, seeing me hesitate, +laid his hand heavily upon my shoulder, as he said in what sounded very +like a tone of triumph: + +"If you were bent on honest business there is no reason why you should +delay in saying who sent you. It looks to me much more as though you +were one of the Tory spawn that infest Virginia, and were counting on +learning what you might concerning our people." + +Now indeed was my anger aroused, and I ministered to the suspicions of +this zealous patriot by giving way to it. Instead of speaking him +fairly, as Pierre Laurens would have done had he been in my place, I +must needs fly into a temper, asking if he saw on my face anything +betokening a Tory leaning; if he could not recognize an honest lad when +he saw him, and all that sort of foolish talk which only made the matter +worse, whereas if I had explained on the instant who I was, then would +he have had no doubt. + +The result of my folly was that not only the man who acted as spokesman, +but both his companions, were straightway convinced I was playing the +part of a British spy--that I was one of those vile things known as a +Tory, who was willing to work whatsoever of harm he might to his own +country. + +At once I found myself a close prisoner, being seized by both arms and +marched in triumph up the road by these men who I must confess were +doing no more than their duty, and being given no further opportunity to +make explanation. + +During two or three minutes I held my peace, the anger in my heart being +so great that I could not think clearly, and then, realizing that the +truth must be shortly known when I was brought before the marquis, +General Lafayette, as in my folly I believed I would be, I set about +telling that which had best been told before I gave way to anger. + +"My name is Fitzroy Hamilton," I said, striving to speak in a friendly +tone. "Surely you know the Hamilton plantation, and that my father is in +the American army?" + +"Who in the town of York sent you with a message to the American lines?" +the man demanded. + +"That I cannot tell you; but General Lafayette will know, for it is from +one whom he sent into the village." + +"That won't do. If you had come from a friend to the Cause, there would +have been no reason why you refused to give his name instead of flying +into a passion." + +I realized only too well that there was much of truth in what the man +said; but did not give over striving to convince him of my honesty and +loyalty to the Cause, until he angrily bade me hold my peace, saying I +should straightway stand before those who would know how to get the +truth out of me. + +Then it was I begged him to carry me before Virginia soldiers, if indeed +there were any under General Lafayette, claiming that they would know +who I was, and most like have come in touch with my father, whereupon he +said with a sneer, as if my prayers had only strengthened his +suspicions: + +"If indeed you were a loyal Virginian, you would know from the uniform I +wear that we are riflemen, and you are in the presence of three of those +same Virginian troops you claim to be so eager to meet." + +This last was enough to silence me finally. I had made another mistake +where Pierre Laurens would have come out triumphantly, for I did +recognize the man's uniform, I did know he was a rifleman, and had +simply meant to ask that he carry me to some other Virginian who might +be willing to listen more patiently, whereas, instead of conveying such +idea, I gave him to believe I was wholly ignorant of how our people who +were fighting for the Cause should be dressed. + +It is not to be supposed that I was thoroughly cast down by thus being +made prisoner, for I knew before many hours had passed I should find +some one who would believe my story, at least, so far as to give me an +interview with the marquis, and once I had repeated what Morgan told me, +there could be no question but that my honesty would be established. + +Therefore it was I walked on with my captors almost cheerfully, and they +who at first had watched me as a cat watches a mouse, expecting I might +make some attempt at escape, began to treat me in a more decent fashion, +thereby causing me to believe they were beginning to suspect I had told +somewhat of the truth. + +There is little need why I should go into detail concerning this part of +my poor attempt at playing the spy, for it had no other result than my +own discomfort for the time being, and served to show me, if indeed I +needed to be shown after all Saul had done in the town of York, that the +lad who gives way to his temper, whatever the situation, acts foolishly +and to his own harm. + +As I had guessed, we were less than a mile from the American line when I +was made prisoner, and within a very short time my captors were halted +by the outposts. + +He who acted as the leader of the party gave the countersign, and +straightway I was conducted into the village of canvas tents and +shelters of brush-wood until we were come to a marquee, in front of +which the American flag was floating and two soldiers stood on guard. + +Here I was left seated on the ground under the care of one of the men +who had captured me, until a full hour passed, and then to my great +relief of mind and wondrous joy, none other than my father came up, +welcoming me with all the love which I knew full well he had in his +heart. + +It needed but few words to explain why I was come to Williamsburg, and +then my business was speedily transacted. + +If it had not been my own father who conducted me, I would have said I +was being played upon for a simple when I stood before him whom they +called the Marquis, General Lafayette, for he appeared to me no more +than a boy, hardly older than Pierre Laurens, and because of not having +yet breakfasted he was in partial undress, therefore wore no insignia of +rank. + +It was necessary my father prompt me before I found my tongue to repeat +the message, and I fancied the marquis himself must have understood +somewhat of that which was in my mind, for he took me by the hand +kindly, asking what it was I would say to him, and but for the +difference in the faces I might have said it was little Frenchie with +whom I was speaking. + +I contrived to gather my wits, however, in time to prevent myself from +acting like a veritable simple, and on the instant I announced that I +had come from a Jerseyman by the name of Morgan, who could not get out +of the town of York without deserting from the British lines, not only +General Lafayette himself, but all others in the tent were eager to +hear what I had to say. + +Then it was, and feeling by this time much more at ease, I repeated all +that lesson I had learned from Pierre, until having described the +fortifications as they then existed, and told of those which were +evidently intended to be thrown up. + +I would I might say that the young French general praised me for my +bravery in bringing the information; that I was complimented by all the +officers for having shown so much of courage as to walk that short +distance from the town of York to Williamsburg, and that my father +clasped me in his arms calling me a hero; but I cannot tell such a story +because nothing of the kind happened. + +It was as if all those men who were serving the colonies looked upon +that which I had done as a simple and a natural act; as if it required +no more courage to set out from York than if I was to have gone from one +end of the plantation to another. + +True it is the General thanked me for that which I told him; but +straightway the words were out of his mouth he turned to the officers +nearabout and began discussing the news while one of them sat down at a +table and attempted to draw the fortifications as I had told him they +existed, or were about to be built, and no one gave any heed to me +whatsoever save my father. + +And I must also confess that even he whom I loved so dearly did not +spend overly much time in caressing me, nor did he utter one word of +praise. It was to him that I had simply done what any lad of Virginia +should have done, and he was satisfied, rather than proud, that I had +acted the part. + +"It is well you should return at once, my lad, and since I see no good +reason why you should not do so, I advise that you make your way around +by our home, so you may tell your mother what you have seen. I sent a +messenger to her yesterday; but she will be pleased to get later +information from the mouth of her own child. If you are an hungered we +can give you food." + +I was hungry; but after having failed of receiving the reception +accorded a hero, and being treated as if I had done nothing of moment, +my folly got the best of me once more, and instead of saying that it +would refresh me to have food, I declared there was nothing to prevent +my setting out on the return journey at once. + +If I had counted that this might remind my father of his neglect to +bestow praise, then did I make a grievous mistake, for he took me at my +word without parley, saying: + +"Very well, my son, perhaps it is as well that you should not linger +here, lest there be spies in camp who would recognize you when you +re-enter the town of York. I will go with you as far as the outposts so +you may have no difficulty in leaving the lines. It needs not that I +should remind you of your duty to Virginia, and urge that you continue +as you have begun. It would have pleased me far better were you in the +ranks, even though you served as a private, rather than playing the part +of spy; but since it has been brought upon you by the force of +circumstances, we must accept the situation as it is, and pray to the +good God that you come to no harm." + +This last served better than any other words could have done, to show me +how foolish I had been to give way to irritation and disappointment +because I had not been received as a hero, when I had done nothing as +yet to win a hero's crown, and, thoroughly ashamed of myself, I clasped +my father around the neck, kissing him again and again, mentally asking +his pardon for having been such a simple, yet not daring to put the +prayer into words lest he should come to learn that his son was so great +a fool. + +The good man talked with me as he led the way toward the outposts which +I must pass, telling me of the great hopes in the breasts of the +Americans that Cornwallis would speedily be overcome, and otherwise +discussing the affairs of the colonies, rather than private matters. + +I now believe he did so because of not daring to give words to his +affection for me, lest he weaken my heart when he would have it stout. +At the time, however, it surprised me, because he had ever been a most +loving father, who took pleasure in showing his love; but I laid it all +to the door of a soldier's anxiety at this time when there was so much +of vital importance to the colonies at stake. + +Within an hour from the time I first had speech with General Lafayette I +was alone on the road, not that which led to the town of York; but +rather across the peninsula to the Hamilton plantation, and the +dangerous journey which was to win me so many laurels was finished with +no more peril, nor more of adventure, save when I had been accosted by +the American scouts, than if I had walked into my mother's drawing room +at night-fall. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SAUL + + +I had no difficulty in going from the American lines to the Hamilton +plantation. I suppose that my Lord Cornwallis's desire to speedily +fortify York Town so he might the better be able to prevent the "rebels" +from doing him harm, was the reason why no scouting parties were met +with, and even though I had come upon a dozen red-coats, there was +little possibility harm would be done me, unless peradventure they had +been sent out with special orders to make me prisoner because of my +having entered the town of York under false pretences. + +However, I did not look forward to anything of that kind, nor was there +reason so to do. It did not seem probable any of the king's officers +were aware of what we lads and Uncle 'Rasmus were striving to do, else +had they made a descent upon us before I acted as messenger for the +Jerseyman. + +Because of having had no sleep the night previous, and being somewhat +wearied with the tramp from the town of York, my eyes were heavy when I +set out for my home; but the thought of seeing my mother once more, of +being able to explain to her exactly what we counted on doing, together +with the beauty of the morning, when everything around me spoke of +peace, content and happiness, rather than of war, served to revive my +spirits and my body until it was as though I had enjoyed a long period +of repose. + +But for that which hung about my neck like a millstone, meaning our +having been forced to make a prisoner of Horry Sims, I would have been +radiantly happy on this morning. As it was, however, I no sooner began +to anticipate the pleasure of meeting my mother, or attempted to enjoy +the beauties of nature, than I thought of that cowardly Tory cur lying +in the loft of old Mary's cabin, where one or another of us must keep +watch over him every hour of the day and night, and if so be he should +succeed in giving us the slip despite all our vigilance then would we +become fugitives, with all hope of regaining possession of Silver Heels +dashed, and considerably more than an even chance we might find +lodgement in the British guard-house. + +Thus it was I journeyed on, one moment buoyant with hope, and the next +cast down by fear of what the future might have in store for us who +called ourselves Minute Boys, hoping the day might come when we would be +able to give good proof that we had a right to such a title. + +The journey came to an end finally, as must all journeys in this world +whether they bring us to a haven of rest or a sink of iniquity, and then +did I forget all things in the outside world that might give me pain or +trouble, in the pleasure I had with my dear mother, telling what I had +seen in the American camp, repeating the words father had said to me, or +striving to make her believe it would be possible for Saul and me to +accomplish that which we had set before us. At the same time I tried to +keep in the background the dangers which must necessarily be +encountered, unless peradventure the Americans made an immediate +advance and were overwhelmingly successful. + +I might have saved my breath so far as striving to hide from the good +woman who loved me so dearly, the possible dangers in the path we had +chosen. She had pictured them all in her mind, and I am bound to give +her credit for not having magnified them in the lightest degree. She +viewed the situation as you might expect a soldier's wife would, +carefully weighing this possibility and that, until she had come to have +even a better knowledge of all which threatened than had we ourselves. + +It was, however, when I told her we had been forced to make a prisoner +of Horry Sims that she grew white lipped, pressing me suddenly to her +arms as if imminent danger threatened, and from that moment it was +necessary I bring to bear upon her every argument at my command, else +would she have set her foot down flatly that I should not return to the +town of York. + +I believe of a verity all my attempts at making her more friendly with +our scheme which had been marred by the capture of the Tory cur, had +been in vain but for the fact that I could plead the shame which would +come upon me if I should abandon Pierre, Saul, or even Uncle 'Rasmus, +after having done my share toward luring them into a position of peril. + +She realized even better than I that it was my duty, having set out upon +the road with these companions and accompanied them thus far, to bear my +full share of all that might result. As a consequence, instead of +demanding that I remain with her on the plantation, she held me pressed +closely to her bosom while the tears ran down her cheeks unrestrained, +until I was grown so faint-hearted and so grieved because of having +involuntarily caused her suffering, that a feeling of timorousness began +to creep over me. + +Fortunately, however, I succeeded in calling back some portion of the +courage which had fled before my mother's tears, and realized that if I +would do my full duty, as a boy of Virginia should toward the comrades +with whom he had bound himself, it was necessary I leave home without +delay, for verily I believe had I remained there until the next morning +I could not have summoned up spirit enough to venture into that town of +York where the king's soldiers, like a pack of ravening wolves, were +denned up after having committed upon a defenceless people all the +injury within their power. + +Of the parting with my mother that noon I cannot speak, even at this +late day, so painful was it. I can see now her pale face as she stood on +the veranda watching me walk away, doing my best not to look back upon +that mournful picture, and yet turning my head again and again despite +all efforts to the contrary. + +Unkind though it may sound for me to say so, I must confess to a feeling +of actual relief when a turn of the road shut out from my view the house +and the dear, mournful figure on the threshold. + +Once that had been blotted from my vision by distance I quickened my +pace, and with every yard traversed on the road to York did my courage +revive, until when I had arrived where it was necessary to put on an +appearance of idle curiosity and total disregard as to the wasting of +time, I felt almost as if I could work out alone and unaided this plan +which we had formed to outwit the officer who represented the king. + +It must seem strange to have one claim that at such a time, when my Lord +Cornwallis's army was penned up so thoroughly by the French fleet to the +seaward and Lafayette's forces to the landward, that a lad like me could +wander at will inside the encampment. + +Soldiers not familiar with what was done in Virginia at that day, might +say it would be an absolute impossibility for even a lad like myself to +pass through the lines unchallenged, because Lord Cornwallis knew well +that a great number of us in Virginia were those whom he called rebels, +and I was of sufficient age and intelligence to carry information to the +Americans. + +Yet it is true that on this day I saw idlers from plantations on both +the York and the James rivers lounging around the British outer works, +or passing the sentinels here and there along the line of entrenchments +facing landward, without being challenged, or without hindrance in any +form, and I, as a matter of course, followed these curious ones who +would with their own eyes measure the strength of the king as it was +displayed in Virginia. + +Like them I entered the village with no one to say me nay. Because it +did not seem prudent to go directly to old Mary's cabin, I wandered +around through the village, gaping at this or that, and once feasting my +eyes with a view of Silver Heels as she stood at the stable line +knee-deep in sweet straw, munching her hay as contentedly as if she had +been in her own box on the Hamilton plantation. + +Then I went my way to old Mary's cabin, seeing the black, wrinkled face +of Uncle 'Rasmus at the window while I was yet some distance away. + +Hearing my footsteps he looked up with a smile of pleasure and of +welcome, and I understood there was naught to hinder my entering, +therefore flung the door boldly open and walked in to find myself in the +embrace of the old man, who petted and fondled me as if I had been down +into the very jaws of death, and was come back only through my own brave +exertions. + +It had ever been Uncle 'Rasmus's way to treat me as if I was a child, +and heretofore it had given me great annoyance that he should stroke my +cheeks lovingly, and croon about his "bressed baby," or "brabe little +man"; but now that I was in the enemy's country where I might come to +grief at any moment, these evidences of affection were welcome, nay, I +craved them so ardently as to remain really nestling in his arms until +the old man tired of treating as a baby the lad who counted to call +himself a Minute Boy of York Town. + +Then it was I asked concerning my comrades, and Uncle 'Rasmus replied +that Pierre was in the loft above, doing his share of guard duty, and +Saul had gone away shortly after breakfast, bent on seeking out his mare +that he might feast his eyes upon her even as I had upon my own Silver +Heels. + +Just for an instant there came into my mind the fear that my cousin was +forgetting himself by leaving little Frenchie so long on duty; but it +was only a passing thought, and I gave no further heed to his absence as +I went up the ladder into the bare room festooned with cobwebs and +lighted by a single square aperture at either end, through which the +breeze came without check. + +Horry Sims, miserable Tory that he was, appeared to be having much the +best of this imprisonment. Knowing that he could not escape save by +making his way down through the scuttle, and desiring to spare him all +the pain that might be prudent, our lads had left him unfettered and +ungagged. + +He was sitting on the blanket which he had rolled up to form a cushion, +with his back against the side of the house near the chimney, and +appeared to be taking solid comfort, although one might see by the +expression on his face that the close confinement and the fear as to +what might finally happen, was telling upon him. + +On the contrary, Pierre was the one of that couple who appeared to be +getting the worst of the business. He was sitting on the bare puncheons +near by the scuttle, with his knees in his arms, looking as weary as a +lad well could look, and I pitied the little fellow, remembering what +delights had been mine during what had been much the same as a vacation, +when I journeyed to the American lines and from there to the plantation. + +"Finding it hard work, are you?" I asked, crouching on the floor beside +him, and the dear little fellow, with that bright smile of his, +shrugging his shoulders as if it was a matter of indifference, said +cheerily: + +"It is not as lively here as I have known it in New Orleans, and there +is but little with which to occupy one's attention; but when Saul has +come back I count on going down to the river bank and having a swim, if +so be his majesty's red-coated servants do not forbid such sport." + +"There is no reason why you should not go now, lad. Surely I can well +afford to take your place after having wandered around the country to +my heart's content." + +"It is not fair that you should do guard duty after having just returned +from a long tramp," he replied with a bright, winning smile. "How many +hours did you sleep last night?" + +I confess I had not realized that I might stand in need of slumber, and +would have put the lad off with an evasive reply; but he persisted with +his question until I was forced to admit that since leaving the town of +York to carry the Jerseyman's message, I had not closed my eyes in rest, +whereupon he insisted I go to the floor below, and seek the repose which +he claimed I so sorely needed. + +"Saul is certain to come back within a short time," he said, "and then +it will be for him to take my place here. You are to sleep now, to the +end that if work of any kind be demanded of us this night, you will be +in condition to perform your share of it." + +There was no gainsaying a lad like Pierre Laurens; it would have been +much like resisting the entreaties of a girl friend, to set one's face +against that which he desired, and I meekly obeyed him, leaving in the +loft the prisoner who looked fairly well contented with the situation, +and the jailor who appeared to be suffering from confinement. + +On the floor below Uncle 'Rasmus had already made up such a bed of +blankets as was possible, he having heard the conversation in the loft. +Straightway I had stretched myself out on that poor apology for a couch, +my eyes were closed in slumber, and I remained hour after hour in +blissful unconsciousness of the world of war and of hate around me, +until I was brought back to this earth and all the disagreeable +realities by the pressure of Uncle 'Rasmus's hand upon my cheek. + +"What is it? What's wanted?" I cried, springing up and striving to brush +the slumber from my eyes, the cobwebs of sleep being so thick in my +brain that for the instant I did not realize where I was. + +Then I noted with no little of apprehension that the night had come. +Already was the room so dark that save for the flickering of a few pine +knots in the fireplace, one could not distinguish surrounding objects, +and on fully recovering my senses I asked: + +"Did Pierre Laurens go out for a swim as he counted on doing?" + +"De po' little French boy am held right here, honey, kase he couldn't +leabe dat scoundrel ob a Tory." + +"But where's Saul?" I cried. "Hasn't Saul come in since he left this +morning?" + +"It's des dat what's aworryin' ob me, honey chile. Saul Ogden done lef +here arter we got trou breakfas', an' 'lowed he'd loaf 'roun' de town a +couple ob hours. I done heard him tell de little French boy dat he's +gwine fo' to be back here arter he'd seen his mare, an' yet he ain' +shown up sence. I tell you what it is, honey, I'se gettin' pow'ful +skeered 'bout dat cousin ob yourn. It can't be he'd stay all dis yere +time, knowin' he was boun' to habe an eye out on dat Tory cur, so's +Pierre could get a sniff ob fresh air." + +For an instant I stood irresolute, looking about me as I tried to guess +what could have prevented Saul from keeping his word. During those few +seconds it did not come into my mind that aught of evil might have +happened; I only questioned what friend he could have met who thus +delayed him, or what pleasure he found which would keep him away. + +Then like a flash of light came the thought that neither friend nor +pleasure could have prevented Saul from returning to his duty, and I +understood that one of two things must have happened: He had either been +arrested on some charge or another by the red-coated soldiers, or had +through his ill temper got into a brawl, when he had been so grievously +wounded that it was impossible for him to come back unaided. + +I wheeled about suddenly, like one bereft of his senses, and clambered +up the shaky ladder as if my very life depended on my gaining the loft +within the shortest possible space of time. There, where by reaching out +his hand he could touch that Tory sneak whom I longed to crush beneath +my heel because he was causing us so much trouble, having the same as +thrust himself into our keeping as a prisoner, sat little Frenchie, +patient but nervous, as I could guess by his movements. + +"Where is Saul?" I demanded fiercely, as if through some carelessness or +inadvertence of Pierre my cousin had come to grief, and the little lad +replied mournfully, having lost so much of his spirit during the weary +time of waiting that he could seemingly neither shrug his shoulders nor +wave his hands: + +"I wish I knew, Fitz; but certain it is something serious must have +happened to the boy, else he would have been back, as he agreed upon, +within two hours from the time of leaving." + +"Why did you not waken me that I might go out in search?" I demanded +angrily, as if still believing he was at fault. + +"It seemed to me necessary you should regain all your strength, that you +might be able to meet the disaster which I feel is near upon us. There +have been times when I was tempted to call for Uncle 'Rasmus, insisting +he send you out at once; but I was checked by the thought that you had +already endured much of labor and should be allowed the slumber which +was needed." + +"Nothing could be necessary at such a time as this, save that I went out +in search of my cousin!" I cried, almost beside myself with grief and +apprehension, for there was no longer any doubt in my mind but that Saul +was either a prisoner in the hands of the red-coated soldiers, or else +lay somewhere in the village wounded grievously, perhaps unto death. + +"Now that you have come I will search throughout this entire town," and +Pierre sprang to his feet as if to descend the ladder, whereupon I +caught him frantically by the coat, for at that instant a horrible dread +seized upon me, lest I be left alone with that Tory villain and have so +much of temptation that it would be impossible to keep my hands from +him. + +"Why should we not both go?" I cried. "Why is it necessary one stay here +when Uncle 'Rasmus may stand guard at the foot of the ladder?" + +"Now you are talking wildly. Suppose we both went out, and Horry Sims, +hearing footsteps, should go to one of the windows and cry for help? How +would it be possible for Uncle 'Rasmus, old and crippled as he is, to +prevent the mischief?" + +"Then we will gag the Tory scoundrel and truss him up so he can neither +move hand nor foot!" I cried. "Is he to stand in the way of our +searching for Saul? Is he, after having done us whatsoever mischief lay +in his power, to hold us back when perhaps the dear lad is needing us so +sorely?" + +"Don't gag me! Don't gag me!" Horry cried frantically. "I promise to +make no sound, nor so much as lift a finger, if you will leave me free; +but to have that gag in my mouth all night, would be murder." + +"And so it would," Pierre added emphatically. "I believe both of us +ought to go in search of Saul; but this fellow, Tory though he be, +should not be forced to endure so much of suffering as would be his if +you left him gagged and bound." + +"What then will you do with him?" I asked, speaking more like a mad man +than a lad who counted it would be possible for him to prove that he +might be of service to the Cause through playing the part of Minute Boy. +"Surely we can't hoist Uncle 'Rasmus up here into the loft." + +"No; but we can take Horry Sims downstairs," Pierre replied quietly, and +I cried in alarm: + +"Take him to the lower floor where any one who passes may see him?" + +"There is no need to leave him in public view," Pierre replied. "We can +bind him securely in one corner of the room at Uncle 'Rasmus's feet, +where the old negro can readily prevent him from making any outcry." + +"But suppose one of the soldiers takes it into his head to enter?" + +"That has not happened thus far, and we must take the chances that none +will be so curious. Better that than put this fellow to torture." + +Just then I believe of a verity it would have gladdened my heart to +have seen Horry Sims suffering all the torments a human being can +suffer; but fortunately, the little French lad had more good sense in +his tiny body than had I in my lank carcass even though I towered head +and shoulders above him, and he literally forced me to fall into his way +of thinking, by bluntly declaring that he would not step outside the +cabin door unless I displayed more of humanity. + +I would almost sooner agree to set the young Tory free, than venture out +in a blind search for Saul without having this little French comrade +with me, and therefore it was I bore my part in disposing of the +prisoner as Pierre had suggested. + +We bundled him down through the scuttle as if he had been a bale of +merchandise rather than flesh and blood, and then I warrant you but +little time was spent in binding his hands and feet so securely that, +unaided, he could not get free. + +How Uncle 'Rasmus may have viewed being left in the cabin to act the +double part of jailor and helpless invalid, I know not. He had heard, as +a matter of course, all our conversation in the loft above, and when we +came down with Horry Sims and began to tie his feet, the old negro +shoved his chair into one corner, saying as he did so that we should put +the fellow where he could have him under his hand. Then, seating +himself, with a blanket over his knee which might also serve to cover +Horry in case visitors entered, he was ready to do his share of the +work. + +I was not satisfied to leave the two alone, unless Uncle 'Rasmus was +armed, and would have set out in search of some weapon, although I knew +not where to procure one, but that Pierre said with something almost +approaching impatience in his tone: + +"Are you so blind, Fitz Hamilton, that you can't see whether Uncle +'Rasmus is armed or not? With that cane of his I dare venture to say he +could strike a man dead with one blow; while that is in his hand and +Horry lying at his feet, the Tory is completely at the old man's mercy." + +All this was true, as I should have seen before Pierre spoke, and when +we had the miserable cur of a prisoner disposed of in a corner of the +room where the old negro could, if need arose, cover him with the +blanket which was supposed to be needed by himself as an invalid, it +appeared to me we need not fear going about in the village while the +cabin was unguarded save by Uncle 'Rasmus. + +It would not have been like the little French lad to linger many seconds +after our preparation had been completed, and immediately he satisfied +himself that matters had been arranged to the best of our ability, he +opened the door, going out into the night as he motioned for me to +follow. + +It must have been that news had come into the town of York during the +afternoon concerning a threatened advance of the Americans, for even +though it was night the Britishers were working at their fortifications, +having torches of pine knots stuck up here and there, and it seemed as +if every man of that army of seven thousand was using either the pick or +the shovel, or directing the movements of those who worked with their +hands. + +"Can it be that our French general is advancing?" Pierre whispered +gleefully to me, and because I wished it might be so, it was in my mind +almost a certainty that the Americans were closing in on this town of +York, with the intent of giving battle to our enemies. + +We at once turned our steps toward the quarters of the Rangers, for +there was good reason to believe that Saul, on leaving the cabin in the +morning, would have gone there first in the hope of getting a glimpse of +his mare, and as we came upon a group of soldiers who were at work upon +one of the redoubts I barely smothered an exclamation of delight, for +there I saw Morgan, the Jerseyman, his coat off, shoveling dirt as if +his one desire on earth was to prevent the Americans from entering York. + +So thick is my head that I would have gone directly toward him, thinking +only to tell of Saul's disappearance and ask his advice concerning what +we had best do; but as I stepped forward Pierre clutched me firmly by +the arm, and at the same instant I saw a warning look in Morgan's eyes +as he recognized us. + +Fortunate it was that I had sense enough to obey instantly both the look +and the grasp on my arm, otherwise had I betrayed him to his death, and +us lads to a prison. + +I was faint with the sickness of fear on realizing what might have been +brought about by my stupidity; but Pierre led me straightaway in the +direction we had been pursuing, and before the dear lad could speak I +said, noting that we were beyond ear-shot of any of the king's soldiers: + +"Forgive me, lad, forgive me! I came near to doing that which could +never have been undone, and remembering the terrible danger I was like +to have placed you and Morgan in, it maybe that in the future I shall +walk and act more as a thinking boy should." + +"No harm has been done, Fitz," and little Frenchie caressed my coat +sleeve as if it was he instead of me who had so nearly wrecked three +lives. "So long as you didn't speak to Morgan, and no one could have +noticed that you recognized him, it is as if we hadn't seen the man." + +It was ever little Frenchie's way to do what he might to soothe the +feelings of one who had gone wrong, and flinging my arm above his neck +regardless of whosoever might see, I hugged him to my side as if he had +been a sister. + +Owing to the unusual activity all around us we were able to go at will +throughout the village, seemingly arousing no suspicions, for hardly a +man noticed us, and we searched every foot of the encampment save, as a +matter of course, the guard-houses or the buildings occupied by +Britishers, until having satisfied ourselves that Saul was not lying in +some out-of-the-way place unable to move because of wounds. + +"It must be that the Britishers have made him a prisoner," Pierre said +thoughtfully as we wandered down to the river bank where we could +converse without fear of being overheard. "If he had provoked a quarrel +with any of the soldiers, or the lads who came from the plantations, we +should have found him ere this. We may set it down as a fact that he is +held in one of the guard-houses." + +"Then what is to be done?" I cried impatiently, and to my surprise +Pierre replied calmly: + +"Nothing; at least, nothing now. Of ourselves we cannot hope to find +him; but must wait until we have speech with Morgan. He is the one of +all others in this town of York who can help us." + +"And we are shut out from him by the fear that we may betray an +acquaintance," I said bitterly, whereupon Pierre added, speaking in a +soothing tone: + +"It is only for a few hours, lad. There is no question but that he will +seek us out when the opportunity comes, to learn if you succeeded in +your mission, or if any word was sent to him, and we must wait." + +"But in the meanwhile Saul is lying in one of these wretched places a +prisoner, even as is Horry Sims in old Mary's cabin," I cried bitterly. + +"True, Fitz, and we will hope that it is the worst which has befallen +him; but how are matters to be mended by us who are much the same as +prisoners ourselves? To go about making inquiries of any we chance to +meet, would be the same as begging that we be arrested on whatsoever +charge he lies under. It is what may be called the fortune of war, and +you, and Saul, and I must show ourselves as Minute Boys should, by +accepting whatever comes with the knowledge that we are aiding the +Cause." + +"Valuable aid we have given the Cause by coming into this town and +looking at two horses which were stolen!" I cried savagely, and Pierre +added, again caressing my arm: + +"Don't forget that you succeeded in carrying a message which Morgan +could not have delivered save at the cost of destroying his usefulness +as a spy." + +"And yet that had nothing to do with Saul's arrest, if so be he is a +prisoner." + +"Now you are unreasonable. Let us go back to the cabin and there wait +until the Jerseyman comes. Whether the time be long or short, we by +fretting and fuming cannot cut off a single minute. If remaining idle +seems hard, remember, Fitz Hamilton, that by going ahead blindly we may +make matters worse than they are now." + +Of course I realized that all Pierre had said was true. No fellow could +listen to the little lad when he was talking so earnestly and +imploringly, without understanding how much of sound sense was in that +tiny body of his, and for at least the tenth time since we set out from +the Hamilton plantation counting to call ourselves Minute Boys, did I +resolve that in the future I would never make protest at any command he +might give, but would fall in readily and cheerfully with every +suggestion of his. + +He led me back to old Mary's cabin much as a nurse leads a petulant +child, and when we neared the door I was like to have forgotten Saul's +possible plight as the fear came over me that here might we have met +with fresh disaster. + +It was a wondrous relief to enter the rude cabin and find Uncle 'Rasmus +still seated in his invalid's chair, with Horry Sims lying at his feet, +and in my joy and relief I clasped both the old negro's wrinkled hands +so tightly that he cried out with pain. + +There was little need he should ask whether we had been successful in +our search, because we had returned as we departed; but I could not +refrain from acquainting him with our ill fortune by saying in a +sorrowful tone: + +"We have neither heard nor seen anything of the dear lad, and it must be +that the Britishers are holding him prisoner." + +"De Lawd's will be done, honey! De Lawd's will be done! Ef dat po' chile +Saul hab fell inter de han's ob de Britishers, we'se boun' to set here +sorrowin' widout liftin' a han' to help him." + +"Uncle 'Rasmus is saying much the same as I did, Fitz dear," Pierre +interrupted. "It is the fortune of war, and whatsoever comes to us while +we are striving to play our part, must be borne. There is no reason why +we should not hope for the best, at least until the Jerseyman comes, as +I feel positive he will at the first opportunity." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +SUSPENSE + + +Pierre and I flung ourselves down at Uncle 'Rasmus's feet as if by such +close companionship we could the better dull that deadly pain in our +hearts, or lessen the horrible suspense which was about us like a dark, +threatening cloud. + +We had no inclination for conversation, because if we gave words to the +fearful thoughts in our minds it was as if we were making of the +possibility a reality. Therefore we lay on the puncheon planks +alternating between faint hope and blackest despair, feeling that there +was one chance in mayhap a thousand that something had occurred to call +the lad out of the village, yet at the same time knowing that he must be +in the hands of the enemy, otherwise would we have received some token +from him by this time. + +I said to myself again and again that if the red-coated gentry held him +in their power a prisoner, he would be treated with some fair +consideration, for these soldiers of the king were not red Indians, and +would not proceed to extremities at least until after the semblance of a +military trial. + +I could account for the dear lad's absence only that by giving way to +his ill temper he had unwittingly revealed the reason for being in the +town of York, and had been arrested as a spy. That seemed the worst of +the possibilities, for surely if such was the case they could prove him +guilty, and I knew only too well the fate which would be his. + +On looking at the matter more hopefully, I prayed that he might have +gotten into a brawl with some of the soldiers, and been carried to the +guard-house simply as a disturber of the peace, in which case nothing +more serious than his own distress of mind and discomfort of body would +occur. + +It was Horry Sims who broke the long silence, and on hearing the voice +of that Tory cur it was with difficulty I could prevent myself from +leaping upon him, choking from his worthless carcass the last breath of +life, because he was responsible for all our suffering at that moment. + +"It seems to me that now is the time when you can afford to make with me +some kind of a trade," the young villain said, struggling to rise to a +sitting posture, and before I could utter the words of wrath that arose +within me, Pierre asked with that soft, mild voice of his, as if the +idea of trading with the Tory was agreeable: + +"In what way would you have us bargain, Horry Sims? What have you to +offer?" + +"You must be willing to admit that at some time in the future it will be +necessary to set me free," he began, paving the way for that proposition +which was coming, and little Frenchie said in a friendly tone: + +"Yes, that is true, unless before such time comes you make it necessary +for us to take your life in order to protect ourselves." + +"Surely you would not kill me in cold blood when I stand ready to obey +whatsoever command you may give?" + +"In that case we should hesitate before taking even such a worthless +life as yours," Pierre replied, and one might have thought from the tone +of his voice that he was saying something which would be pleasing to the +listener. + +"Then if it be true, as you admit, that the time must come when I am +allowed to go free, it seems to me you had better make a bargain now, +rather than be forced to let me go later and bear all the consequences +of this high-handed proceeding of yours. Surely you must understand that +my friends, and my father has many nearabout the towns of James and +York, will take revenge because of what you have done to me. Suppose I +agree to hold my peace forever regarding what you have done, and, in +addition, promise to go out and seek diligently for Saul? I can go where +you dare not; I can receive replies to my questions when those whom you +approached would be dumb, and may promise almost with certainty that +before daylight Saul Ogden will be with you, for if the Britishers are +holding him my people have influence enough with Lord Cornwallis to +effect his release." + +"You are forgetting, Horry Sims, that we have been forced to allow you +to share too many secrets of ours," Pierre said mildly, and the Tory cur +added eagerly: + +"You have my word of honor that I will not so much as think of them +after leaving this hovel. Whatsoever I may have heard or seen here is +locked in my breast forever, if so be you are minded to treat with me." + +"Such a proposition as you make might be heeded if he who suggested it +was one who had any honor on which we could rely," Pierre said, still +speaking in a mild tone. "We know as well as you, that instantly you +were allowed to go free your feet would carry you to Lord Cornwallis's +headquarters, and there, regardless of your so-called word of honor, you +would repeat everything you have heard--most likely very much you have +imagined. I am not willing to have dealings of any kind with a Tory; but +it may be that Fitz Hamilton is more foolish, and if he chooses to +accept your bargain I shall hold my peace." + +I did not give the young Tory time to ask my opinion. While he and +Pierre had been talking the anger in my heart was nigh to stifling me, +for I feared that little Frenchie might be inclined to put faith in the +fellow's word, and on the instant I cried in a rage: + +"Trust you, Horry Sims? Not for a single second after you were free to +move about or to speak! There is no oath which you Tories could take +that would bind you as against those who are risking their lives to free +the colonies. I would sooner throttle you this minute, than trust one of +the fair words you might speak!" + +It must be that Horry Sims had fully believed the time was come when he +could bargain with us to his own advantage, for straightway I ceased +speaking he flew into a rage, the first real signs of anger he had shown +since we made him prisoner, and began to threaten as to what his people +would do with us when my Lord Cornwallis had driven back the forces +under General Lafayette. + +He continued in this strain mayhap while one could have counted twenty, +and then Pierre, quietly laying his hand across the creature's mouth, +said with a laugh: + +"You are putting too much dependence upon the future, Master Sims, when +you reckon time by a victory to be gained by the Britishers. This +particular portion of the King's army is in a small hole, from which +there can be no escape, and within very many days you and your Tory +friends will be striving to curry favor with those whom you now call +rebels." + +Horry Sims could make no reply to this remark, for the very good reason +that Pierre held him dumb, and again we fell into painful silence, +picturing in our minds the possible fate of Saul, until little Frenchie +said in a tone of hopefulness: + +"Why may we not rid ourselves of this fellow entirely? While we hold him +he is a menace, and but for the necessity of keeping watch over the cur +we would be at liberty to move around at will." + +"But how _can_ we rid ourselves of him?" I asked impatiently, forgetting +for the instant that this little lad from New Orleans, so gentle and so +girlish in his ways, was full of resources at such a time. + +"It should not be difficult to smuggle him through the lines during the +night, and by carrying the fellow to General Lafayette's army I have no +doubt the officers would hold him fast for us, because of understanding +what might be the Jerseyman's fate if he was allowed to go free. You +would only be forced to tell your father the story, Fitz, in order for +him to guard the scoundrel as he would guard something very precious." + +On the instant my heart leaped with joy, for verily did this plan seem +to promise both success and relief, and without looking ahead to the +possibilities I said promptly, as if it were in our power to do +whatsoever we pleased: + +"He shall be carried to Williamsburg! Once there I'll answer for it he +has no chance to join his friends who claim to love the king so dearly." + +Then Pierre and I set about discussing the best course to pursue while +leaving the town of York, as if we would set off that very night, when +Uncle 'Rasmus put an end to the hoping and planning, at least so far as +the present was concerned, by saying dreamily: + +"I'se 'lowin', chillun, dat you won' fin' it so ter'ble easy to get out +ob de lines dis yere night. Dere's sumfin in de air dat's trubblin' +Marse Cornwallis, an' you can be mighty sure dese yere sogers am keepin' +dere eyes wide open." + +Surprised at thus learning that the old negro knew so much of what was +going on outside, I asked irritably why he had formed such an opinion. + +"Didn' you tell me yoursef, honey? I ain' 'lowin' dat dese yere sogers +would be shovelin' dirt in de night 'less sumfin had come up sudden +like. Des look out ob dis yere winder, an' see de torches all 'roun' us. +How you 'low you'se gwine to sneak out ob dis yere cabin wid de young +Tory 'tween you, an' get away widout anybody's askin' questions?" + +There was no need for me to do as Uncle 'Rasmus suggested. While Pierre +and I had been searching for Saul we had seen signs, as I have already +set down, of unusual activity in every direction, and I realized that we +could not hope to make our way through the lines unnoticed while, as it +seemed to me, every member of Cornwallis's army was astir. + +"Uncle 'Rasmus is right," Pierre said mournfully, "and I was a fool not +to have remembered what we have just seen. There is no sense in our +talking of leaving town, at least until the Britishers have quieted +down. We must carry the Tory into the loft again, and say to ourselves +that we are held prisoners in the village of York even as he is in this +cabin." + +"Why take the trouble to carry him into the loft?" I asked fretfully, +angry because it had been shown me beyond a shadow of doubt that the +plan I leaped at so eagerly was an impossibility. + +"Because when morning comes no one may say how many red-coated soldiers +will be here hunting for us. If Saul has been arrested, then are we +under suspicion." + +"And if they come to search for us, there is no more assurance of our +remaining hidden with this Tory in the loft, than if he remained here in +the room." + +"We will take him there nevertheless," Pierre said in a tone so decided +that I could not have contradicted him even though I had made ready a +good argument for so doing, and without delay the little lad from New +Orleans set about acting on his own suggestion. + +It was not a simple task which we had before us, for Horry Sims, bound +hand and foot, was as unwieldy as a bundle of merchandise, and, in +addition, he fought as well as he might to prevent us from forcing him +up the shaky ladder. + +Not until I had cuffed him soundly, promising a more severe punishment +in case he continued to resist, did the lad give over the useless +struggle, and after considerable labor Pierre and I contrived to hoist +him to the loft above. + +It was when we had finally succeeded, and were seated on the puncheon +planks near the scuttle resting from our exertions, that Uncle 'Rasmus +said, speaking sufficiently loud for us to hear him while he yet +remained in his chair near the window: + +"I'se 'lowin', chillun, dat you bes' stay right whar you are, an' de ole +man will keep an eye out here, so's dere won't any ob dese yere +Britishers sneak in widout our knowin' it. If de man from Jersey comes +erlong, I'se boun' to gib you notice, so try to get your forty winks ob +sleep while dere's a chance." + +It seemed to me like veriest folly to talk of sleeping while our hearts +were so heavy with grief, and danger seemingly closing in around us, yet +when Pierre acted on Uncle 'Rasmus's advice by throwing himself down on +the puncheon planks by the side of Horry Sims, where he could have due +warning if that young scoundrel attempted any mischief, I followed his +example. With the Tory between us we two lads lay there on the hard bed, +both, I doubt not, thinking with tears in our hearts of Saul's possible +fate, and both within a short time journeying over into Dreamland +despite all there was in the situation to prop our eyes wide open. + +When next I became conscious of my surroundings it was possible to see +the faint grey light of coming dawn through the narrow apertures which +served as windows, and I sprang to my feet quickly, almost frightened +because I had given myself up to slumber for so long a time. + +Scrambling down the shaky ladder as if time was most precious, I made my +way to the room below, where I found Uncle 'Rasmus sitting as when I had +last seen him, with a blanket drawn over his knees and his eyes +fastened upon the moving figures of the soldiers outside. + +"Why did you let us sleep, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I demanded. "We should have +remained awake so that you might have an opportunity to rest." + +"Ole bones don' need so much ob de bed as young ones does, honey, an' +I'se no good 'cept to set right here an' watch. Don' you fret 'bout your +Uncle 'Rasmus, kase he'll look out for hissef all right." + +"But it seems selfish for us to have slept while you remained awake." + +"Now you'se frettin' 'bout nuffin, chile, when dere's plenty ob real +trubble to take up your min'." + +"What has happened?" I asked anxiously, thinking for the instant that +the old negro had seen tokens of impending danger. + +"Dere's sumfin goin' on in dis yere town, honey, as is pas' my +understandin'. Dese yere sogers has been workin' all night, an' dey're +still at it, as ef de ole man from down below was arter 'em." + +"I don't see that we need fret very much if the Britishers have grown +frightened," I said with a laugh, and Uncle 'Rasmus replied: + +"It looks to me, honey, as if dey counted dere was gwine to be a battle +'roun' here mighty soon, an' ef anyting ob dat kine does happen, I'se +askin' mysef how we'se comin' out ob it. We'se a good deal like Brer +Rabbit, when de fox an' de wil' cat was fightin' to see which one would +hab him for breakfas'. Whicheber way it turned he was boun' to be eat +up, an' it kind'er looks to me as ef we'd be in de same fix ef our folks +an' de Britishers got to shootin' off dere guns while we was in dis yere +cabin." + +I stood silent and motionless gazing at the old man with my mouth wide +open like a simple, as this possibility of a new danger came upon me. As +a matter of course I had believed there would be a battle between the +two armies; but that we might be held in the cabin exposed to shot and +bombs from both friend and foe, was something to cause the blood to run +cold in one's veins. + +It was well for me that just at the instant came a change in the +situation, else might I have given proof of the timorousness which was +in my heart. I was yet looking stupidly at Uncle 'Rasmus when the door +suddenly opened. As I turned to see who was the intruder an exclamation +of joy and relief burst from my lips, for it was none other than Morgan, +and I made sure that now was come the moment when we would have some +information concerning Saul. + +"Yes, I have been working all night in the trenches as if my greatest +desire in life was to hold the Americans in check," he said as he sank +down on the floor like one on the verge of exhaustion, when he saw that +I was taking note of the stains of toil upon him. + +"What about Saul?" I cried, forgetting that we had had no opportunity of +warning this friendly spy that our comrade had disappeared. + +"Saul? Is he not with you?" + +"He went out from this house yesterday morning, and has not returned. +Pierre and I were searching for him when we came across you. I then +might have made trouble for all of us, but for little Frenchie, who was +quick-witted enough to see that you feared lest we might speak to you." + +"Your comrade has disappeared?" Morgan said musingly, and seemingly +forgetting his weariness of body he rose to his feet like one who +suddenly remembers that the time for action has come. + +"We thought you might know somewhat concerning him," I added stupidly, +for by the surprise, and even the fear, exhibited by this man I might +have known beyond a peradventure that he was all ignorant of what had +occurred. + +"Is there a possibility he might have gone home simply to please +himself?" Morgan asked after a brief pause, and I replied emphatically, +knowing full well that whatever might be the faults of my cousin, he +would not leave us in ignorance concerning his whereabouts if he had set +off solely for pleasure: + +"It is positive he would not have gone away of his own accord without +having told us." + +"Then it stands me in hand to find out what has become of the lad. If by +chance he has been taken under suspicion of being a spy, then is my +shrift like to be short, for within the past twelve hours it has become +well nigh impossible for any one to make his way through the lines." + +"What has caused such sudden caution?" Pierre asked as he descended the +ladder, having been awakened most like by the sound of our voices. + +"Word has been brought in that Lafayette's army is being reinforced by +men from the North. It was said last night that another fleet has +appeared off the Capes; that there is like to be fighting both on the +sea and on the land, and General Cornwallis has come to understand +better than ever before the necessity of keeping his situation a secret. +In other words he has locked the stable door after the horse has been +stolen, for there is nothing new we could carry to our people even +though it were possible for us to go and come at will." + +"Do you think a battle may be near at hand?" I asked, and Morgan replied +confidently: + +"I am not well skilled in war; but would be dumb indeed if I did not +understand that before a battle between the two armies can take place, +this village will be besieged. Cornwallis is preparing for such +possibility, else why is he fortifying this unimportant point so +carefully. It cannot be carried by direct assault, therefore are we like +to be shut up in here until the Britishers are starved into subjection, +unless, perchance, the fleet which has just come off the Capes proves to +be English, and succeeds in driving the French away." + +"Is there any reason why Fitz and I should not show ourselves around the +village this morning?" Pierre asked suddenly, as if some new thought had +come into his mind, and Morgan replied: + +"You may do as you will, lad, so that you are careful not to arouse +suspicion, and above all, give no heed to me if we come within sight of +each other. If it should be that Saul has been taken as a spy, I am +thinking you lads will speedily find your way into the guard-house, and +it matters not whether you are taken while on the outside, or here in +the cabin." + +Then Master Morgan opened the door as if to go out, and I would have +detained him by clutching nervously at his arm, but he shook me off as +he said: + +"I must strive to learn somewhat of the situation, because just now a +grain, or two more of knowledge may save our lives. To-night, if not +before, and in case the three of us are allowed to remain at liberty, I +will try to have speech with you again." + +He was gone before I could make further protest, and after closing the +door I turned to face Pierre and Uncle 'Rasmus. + +"Our company of Minute Boys seems to be of great assistance to the +Cause," I said bitterly, for with Morgan's words there had come into my +heart the certainty that death stood very near. "Instead of showing that +we could play the part of men, we have simply come into this town of +York and put a halter around the neck of that honest man from Jersey, +for had we remained at home without dreaming of accomplishing the +impossible in the way of winning glory, he would have deserted from the +British army in order to carry the information to General Lafayette, and +thus be out of danger." + +"One would suppose to hear you talk, Fitz Hamilton, that the end had +come--that we were doomed beyond possibility of escape." + +"And how else can you picture it?" I asked angrily. "With Saul arrested +as a spy we are certain of sharing the same fate; even though you may +account for his absence in some other way, it seems positive we are to +be shut up here with the enemy while our friends are striving to kill +all within the entrenchments. If that does not warrant my belief that we +are standing very close to death, I would like to know how much more +proof may be needed." + +"We are yet alive," Pierre said softly and with a shrug of the +shoulders, "and as yet at liberty so far as this cabin is concerned. I +fail to understand why we may not yet prove ourselves worthy of being +called Minute Boys, and succeed in doing something which shall win for +us credit, if not honor, from those who are struggling against the +king." + +It angered me that that little French lad should be hopeful at a time +when clouds of danger pressed so thickly and so closely about us, and I +turned away from him impatiently, looking out of the window where could +be seen the laborers in the trenches, squads of men marching here and +there, and officers visiting this scene of activity and that; but all +working with one common aim, which was the oppression of our people. + +Whether Pierre was as unconcerned as he would have it appear, I cannot +say; but if he had put on a mask then was he playing his part well, for +he went here and there with a smiling face as he made ready our small +store of food for the morning meal, and actually spoke in a cheery tone +when he announced that our provisions were well nigh exhausted. + +"I allow that we can satisfy our hunger this noon, if indeed we have any +desire to eat at that time; but we will go supperless to bed, unless +some means for provisioning the cabin can be devised." + +I could not believe we had eaten all that store of provisions which we +brought from the Hamilton plantation until I went to the cupboard and +there saw that Pierre had spoken truly, even within bounds, for if we +ate our fill on this morning the noonday meal would be slight indeed. + +When I turned from this dismal inspection Pierre was carrying up the +ladder to the loft a plentiful supply of cold boiled ham and fried +hominy, seemingly a larger portion than he had set aside for our own +breakfast, and I asked angrily if he counted on giving that Tory sneak +more than we ourselves could indulge in, whereupon he said gravely: + +"If any go hungry it must not be the prisoner. We are holding him here, +and it is for our honor that he be not allowed to suffer." + +"It is for our own safety that he be kept on short allowance," I cried. +"How do you allow we can add to our store now that it is no longer +possible, according to Morgan's story, for us to make our way through +the lines?" + +"It makes no difference how we can add to the store, or whether we spend +this day without breaking our fast, the Tory prisoner is to be fed, and +I shall see to it that so long as we have a morsel in the cupboard so +long shall the greater portion of it be his." + +I had never heard Pierre Laurens speak so decidedly, and with such an +assumption of authority, as at this time, and surprise silenced me that +the little lad should have taken it upon himself to say this thing, +should, or that thing should not be, when, without having actually done +so in words, I claimed to be the leader of the company. + +Pierre took care to feed Horry Sims before he served out any food for +Uncle 'Rasmus and me, and when we sat on the floor near the window +breaking our fast, my heart smote me as I took note that he had given +both to the old negro and me a portion twice as large as that which he +reserved for himself. + +The lad was ready to sacrifice his own need to our pleasure, and I would +have forced upon him some portion of the provisions which he had given +me, but that he resolutely refused to take it, saying he was not hungry; +that the news brought by Morgan had driven all thoughts of food from his +mind, and such other excuses which I knew had been invented simply to +force me to take more than my share. + +Fortunately for my peace of mind even at this late day, I refused to eat +more than did he, and the keenness of my anger was not yet dulled when I +carried the remainder of the portion allotted me to the cupboard, saying +in what I intended should be a jovial tone: + +"The knowledge that your stomach is set against food has weakened my +appetite, and perhaps it will be as well, for we have the more when the +time comes for serving dinner." + +The old negro insisted that both Pierre and I should go through the town +to put ourselves in the way of learning whether any further information +had come in from the outside, and declaring that he would take care of +Horry Sims providing we brought him down on the floor once more. + +I would have refused to act upon this suggestion; but it seemed to +please Pierre, and he at once set about getting the Tory cur where Uncle +'Rasmus could overlook him, therefore was I forced to lend a hand. + +"Am I to be left here trussed up like a chicken ready for the roasting?" +Horry Sims asked angrily when we had put him once more in the corner of +the room without taking undue care as to the handling. + +"Your stomach is full; except for your liberty are you better off than +either Pierre or I, and you may lie there thanking your stars that +matters are no worse for you," I cried, whereupon little Frenchie, as if +fearing I might abuse the prisoner of which he was so careful, opened +the door and literally thrust me out. + +When we were come near to my Lord Cornwallis's headquarters, I noted +with surprise that a goodly number of the soldiers, together with a +large sprinkling of officers, were pressing on toward the water's edge, +and it was no more than natural Pierre and I should follow the throng, +excited as we were by seeing the privates throw down shovel or pick +without permission, to chase at the heels of their superiors. + +Before we were come to the dock it was possible to hear from the +distance a dull boom, as if many miles away a heavy cannon had been +discharged, and then there came another and another, and I heard those +red-coated men nearest me say gleefully: + +"Admiral Graves is stirring up the frog-eaters! We may count it as +certain that these two rivers will no longer be blockaded by Frenchmen." + +Then I remembered what Morgan had said, and understood that the fighting +for the possession of this town of York had already begun on the sea; +that the British fleet had come down to drive away the vessels under +command of Count De Grasse. Once more I grew timorous with understanding +that if the Englishmen should be victorious in this naval battle which I +doubted not was close at hand, then would it be possible for them to +land troops on the river of York or of James at their pleasure, until +our forces at Williamsburg were outnumbered ten or twenty to one. + +The same thought was evidently in Pierre's mind, and he also must have +been fearing that the English sailors might prove superior to the French +seamen, for he said in a whisper, drawing me closely to him by clutching +tightly at my arm: + +"My Lord Cornwallis must be mighty uneasy just about this time, for +unless the British fleet can drive away the French vessels, then is he +left to the mercy of our people who are coming down from the North to +join General Lafayette." + +"Ay; but if so be the English succeed, then is General Lafayette's force +at their mercy." + +"Ay, lad, and it may be a toss-up. At all events, I have it in mind that +whatsoever is going on at sea just now decides the fate of this portion +of the king's troops. Even though the Frenchmen do no more than hold +their own, and prevent the Britishers from driving them out of +Chesapeake Bay, then must the day speedily come when my Lord Cornwallis +will be crying for quarter." + +"With all the fortifications that have been thrown up around this town +of York, it strikes me he may hold out many a long hour before being +forced to show the white flag," I said bitterly, and the little French +lad added cheerily: + +"You forget that your people, under the command of my countryman, can +work as well if not better with pick and shovel, than have those +red-coated servants of the king, and I make no doubt but that there will +be as strong lines of entrenchments opposing my Lord Cornwallis, as he +has thrown up for his protection." + +"And in the meantime we shall be between the two, or what is the same +thing, exposed to the fire of our own people, and taking our chances of +a stray ball from the redoubt here near the point," I said as my heart +shriveled once more under the influence of fear. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +NEWS OF SAUL + + +Pierre Laurens and I might have stood on the river bank and argued as to +the future until the crack of doom without its affecting matters in any +way, or without our being the wiser, save that we watched what was +happening around us, for, luckily, no person may look into the future. + +We were so excited by the distant sounds of the battle which was raging +between our friends in the French fleet and those whom his majesty had +sent to whip us into submission, that for the time being all thoughts of +Saul had completely gone out of my mind. It was as if the lad did not +exist, until mayhap two hours had passed, when Pierre bethought himself +that it was our duty to go back to old Mary's cabin in order to acquaint +Uncle 'Rasmus with what was going on, and then I spoke my cousin's name, +reproaching myself because I had thus seemingly neglected him. + +"You need not be so bitter against yourself, Fitz Hamilton," little +Frenchie said with a shrug of the shoulders. "It seems certain that we +of ourselves can gain no information whatsoever concerning Saul Ogden, +else would we have come upon him ere this. We must content ourselves in +patience so far as may be, believing that the Jerseyman will sooner or +later come upon the truth." + +"And what then?" I interrupted fiercely. + +"Then we shall do all within our power to aid the lad, if he be alive, +and keep ever in mind, in case he has gone into the other world, that he +went because of striving to do whatsoever he might for the Cause." + +I believe we could have walked through the village of York again and +again talking loudly on the most disloyal topics, and yet no one would +have given heed to us, so intent were all upon that distant booming +which told of a struggle that must decide the fate of those who held the +town of York while they themselves were much the same as prisoners. + +It was some such thought which caused me to say with a smile, and as if +there was more of courage in my heart than really existed, that Lord +Cornwallis was much like Pierre and me. He had taken this village of +ours and set himself down to keep it, after which General Lafayette had +come up, closing him in, and holding him fast. We on our side had taken +Horry Sims a prisoner, and were striving to hold him, while the king's +soldiers were much the same as depriving us of our liberty now that they +no longer allowed us to make our way through the lines. + +"I'll agree that the two situations are alike up to a certain point," +Pierre said grimly; "but the end is to be much different. My Lord +Cornwallis will be beaten, while I'm counting that we shall come off +victors, through the aid of those who are battling for the Cause, and +therefore will we laugh best because we laugh last." + +A dearer, truer, more cheery comrade than Pierre Laurens never lived! +Surely I had good proof of it that day when he heartened me with his +light words and his promises concerning the future until I was almost +come to believe we were on the high road to success, even though there +remained in the cupboard of old Mary's cabin no more than food enough to +serve for another meal, and we were unable to make our way to the +Hamilton plantation where we might have revelled in plenty. + +When we saw Uncle 'Rasmus once more it was as if we had not stirred hand +or foot since we left him as Horry Sims's guardian. + +The black, wrinkled face could be seen through the window as we +approached, and so far as being able to read an expression of either +hope or despair upon his countenance, one might as well have gazed at a +graven image. + +Pierre lost no time in explaining to Uncle 'Rasmus the moaning of those +dull yet heavy reports which could be heard from the distance, and when +he was done with the story as we had heard it from the Britishers, the +old negro said placidly, as if the matter did not affect him in the +slightest: + +"I'se 'lowin', chillun, dat dere's boun' to be a heap ob fightin' 'roun' +dis yere town 'fore de Britishers get what am comin' to 'em." + +"And we are like to have as much in the way of danger as if we were +serving in the trenches," I added, curious to learn how the possibility +of being under the fire of our friends might affect the old man. + +"I'se 'lowin' dat you'se right, honey," was the quiet reply. "Gin'al +Washington ain't gwine fo' to set down up Norf while he knows we'se +needin' him here, kase he's a gen'man ob Virginia, an' dey allers 'tends +to dere duty. Course we'se boun' to stand our end ob it when de shot +does begin to fly; but bress you, honey, how many dat you know, an' I +know, am gwine to do de same, an' what's good enuf for dem ain' any +worse for us." + +Surely with such companions as Pierre and Uncle 'Rasmus a decent fellow +could not long indulge in gloomy possibilities of the future, and for at +least the twentieth time since we left my home did I resolve that I +would strive to imitate them in their calm faith as to what the coming +days might bring, and their general disregard to bodily discomfort or +injury so that they might be able to do something, however slight, to +aid the Cause. + +Then, of course, we discussed this possible battle which was going on at +sea, speculating as to what the outcome might be if the French beat off +the enemy, and also what might occur if the English were victorious, for +you must remember that while waiting further news from the Jerseyman we +had nothing better with which to occupy our time. + +Although we talked long and earnestly, going over all the possibilities, +Horry Sims did not venture to raise his voice, and this surprised me +somewhat, causing suspicions to arise lest the Tory cur had in mind some +plan for escape, or that he knew more than did we, although that seemed +impossible, regarding Saul's whereabouts. + +On that day, because of lack of provisions, we decided that there was +really no need of dinner, and deferred the meal until night, the +prisoner, as a matter of course, sharing our fast, although I doubt not +that Pierre would have insisted on his feasting while we went hungry had +there been more than provisions enough to provide a single fair +allowance for the four of us. + +It was dull work sitting in old Mary's cabin waiting for the coming of +the Jerseyman, although we knew full well that he might not be able to +pay us a visit within eight and forty hours; but it was in Pierre's mind +that we had best remain there, where he could come upon us at a moment's +notice, rather than walk around the village now it seemed certain we +could get no information regarding Saul. + +I hardly remember how that long day did pass. I know full well, however, +that it seemed as if more than a week elapsed between sunrise and +sunset. I can even at this moment recall the fierce joy which was mine +when, just as the shadows of night were beginning to fall, the door of +the cabin was opened softly, and that man whom we had been waiting for +so eagerly came in. + +I could hardly wait until he had closed the door behind him, before I +asked impatiently, with mingled hope and despair in my tones: + +"Have you heard aught concerning Saul?" + +When the reply came I leaped to my feet excitedly, rushing toward the +man as if to clasp him in my arms, for I had not dared to hope he would +bring positive news. + +"Saul Ogden is confined in that guard-house where, so I am told, the +Widow Marshall formerly lived. Do you remember a small, one-storied log +building that stands perhaps two hundred paces in the rear of the +church?" + +"Yes, yes, I know it well," I cried eagerly, although not being really +certain as to which of the houses the Widow Marshall had formerly lived +in. "What is the charge against him?" + +"That I haven't been able to determine; but feel quite positive it is +nothing very serious, else would he be under stricter guard. Most like +he and some of the Tory villagers got into a brawl--" + +"How is he guarded?" Pierre asked, and I understood that even then the +dear lad was casting about in his mind for some plan which might promise +success in our efforts to release him. + +"There is but a single sentinel in front of the building. If Saul was +charged with being a spy, he would be confined in the basement of that +stone house overlooking the water--I know not who owned it before the +British occupation. Spies are more closely guarded, while your cousin +shares the quarters of such soldiers as are punished for slight +misdemeanors." + +"Then it may be possible that we can aid him to escape?" I cried +breathlessly, and to my surprise Master Morgan said emphatically: + +"It would be unwise to make any move in such a direction lest suspicion +be aroused regarding you and me. The lad is in no danger, and I dare +venture to say more comfortably situated than are you. Leave him alone; +do not even loiter around the building in the hope of getting a glimpse +of him, and you may be certain nothing of harm will come through the +Britishers just at this time. It is well to let sleeping dogs lie." + +I cried out against what thus seemed to be an abandonment of our +comrade, and stupidly insisted that it was our duty to do all we could +to release him from his prison, regardless of what might come to +ourselves, whereupon little Frenchie reminded me in that silken voice of +his, that we had no right, even though the peril was greater, to run the +risk of bringing suspicion upon Morgan, whose life would most like pay +the penalty if it was known that he had any connection, however slight, +with those who favored the Cause. + +We argued the matter back and forth half an hour or more, Pierre and +Morgan against me, until finally I was brought to a sense of my duty; +was made to understand that in this supreme effort of the colonists to +throw off the yoke of the king, the liberty or even the life of one or a +dozen such lads as us should count as nothing; that if by going down to +his death, Saul might avert suspicion from Morgan, thereby leaving him +where there was a possibility he could aid the Cause, then should a boy +be proud to die. + +"Very well, I yield; you have shown me why I should desert my cousin, +and I am ready to do it. Now, perhaps you can say how we may replenish +our store of provisions, for we are about to eat the last morsel of +food." + +I was angered because of having been beaten in the argument, and because +even Pierre sided against Saul, as it seemed to me, therefore spoke +hotly and in what I counted should be a scornful tone; but to my deep +surprise Morgan said in a tone of satisfaction: + +"Like to be hungry, are you? Well, matters couldn't have turned out +better for me. I didn't dare dream you would be driven by necessity to +do that which I have in mind?" + +"So it seems fortunate to you that we shall not be able to break our +fast to-morrow morning?" I cried hotly, and the Jerseyman replied with a +laugh: + +"Ay, lad, so it does. I am not claiming that it will be impossible for +you to do as I desire; but by really being hungry you can the better act +that part which I had come up here to persuade you was your duty." + +"What is it you would have us do, sir?" Pierre interrupted, as if it +irritated him because we spent so many words before coming to the meat +of the matter. + +"If two boys and an old slave are the same as starving, surely there +isn't an officer under Cornwallis who would not grant them permission to +go fishing. In two or three hours they might be able to get enough to +fill their stomachs many times over. I believe you have only to present +yourselves to the officer of the day to-morrow, explaining the +situation, and asking permission to go out in a boat." + +All these words simply formed a riddle; I did not have the sense to +understand just at the time, owing to my impatience, that the Jerseyman +had something back of this--that it would serve his purpose for us to be +on the river to-morrow morning; but dear little Pierre was not needing +many explanations before he could come to the root of the matter, and he +asked quietly: + +"If it should be that we got permission to go fishing, where think you +we could make the biggest catch?" + +"Two miles or more below Gloucester Point," Morgan replied. + +"Having gone so far as that what would you advise?" + +"That you keep reasonably near the shore, and if a man wearing a bit of +green in his hat came near to the water's edge, put in where you might +have speech with him." + +"What speech?" + +"Remember, lads, these words: 'Despite all the work Cornwallis is doing +in the way of fortifying the town, there are indications that he is +preparing to retreat by way of Gloucester if the English fleet fails to +bring succor.' Now let me hear you say that twice, for the wording is +most important." + +Pierre did as he was commanded, never missing a word or tone, and when +he had finished to the Jerseyman's satisfaction, I asked how it was +known that a man would approach the boat. + +"I saw him on the shore this afternoon. His being there is much the same +as an intimation that he is waiting for some word. I doubt not that +seeing two boys in a boat he will come near the water, to give you an +opportunity of proving if you have been sent by me. There is a +possibility he may be prevented from coming, or that he will not +understand you might be serving me. Of all that we must take our +chances, and since you are in such sore need of food, the attempt to +deliver my message will cause you little or no additional labor." + +"It is not the labor that would stop us," Pierre said hotly. "It is +needed only that you point out how we can be of service, and nothing +else is of importance." + +"I know that, lad, right well do I know it, from what little I have seen +of you since we met. Go to the officer of the day early in the morning, +or to whomsoever wearing a sword you can come at most handily. Tell the +truth so far as may be safe, and humbly beg permission to go fishing. +For the time being put from your minds all thoughts of Saul Ogden, +difficult though that may be, for I assure you he is in no danger, and +enjoying more of comfort than it is possible for you to enjoy here in +this cabin while you stand guard over a Tory prisoner." + +I would have forced Morgan to explain more regarding this man whom he +thought we might possibly meet on the Gloucester shore, for I was eager +to understand how the fellow had come there, and what cause he had for +believing he might be seen by the Jerseyman; but our visitor cut me +short by saying that now his business had been transacted there was no +reason why he should remain longer, and great need for him to hasten +away. + +Immediately we were alone Pierre set out the last of our store of +provisions, dividing the food equally between us four, counting the +prisoner as a member of the company, and when we had eaten the frugal +meal, which was in quantity no more than enough to make plain the fact +that we were hungry, little Frenchie led me into the open air, making no +explanation to Uncle 'Rasmus regarding his movements. + +"Where would you go?" I asked when the door was closed upon us, so that +those inside the cabin might not hear what was said, and the dear little +French lad whispered in my ear, while caressing the sleeve of my coat: + +"I would not have you believe, Fitz Hamilton, that I am so cold blooded +as it appeared when I agreed with the Jerseyman that we would make no +attempt at getting word to Saul. I am burning to let the lad know we +stand ready at the first opportunity to give him aid, and to that end +would walk down past the house where we are told he is imprisoned." + +"But what about the danger we may be bringing upon Morgan by thus +interfering, when he has advised that we remain quietly with Uncle +Rasmus?" I cried, and Pierre replied softly: + +"Can you not see how lame his argument was that he himself might be +drawn into trouble if we were suspected? He has visited us twice in the +cabin, and both times secretly; it is to be supposed he took good care +no one should see him, therefore how may it be said, if we run our noses +into danger, that he has had any part in it?" + +"Would you set out with me now to do whatsoever we might toward +releasing Saul, for verily, Pierre Laurens, he may be released if simply +held prisoner in that house belonging to the Widow Marshall, because it +is as crazy a building as the one we have just left." + +"I am not saying I would do aught toward releasing him this very night, +for that could not be other than dangerous. No matter for what slight +misdemeanor he may have been arrested, once he has made his escape the +hue-and-cry will be raised. What I have in mind is simply to let the lad +know we are watching over him, and stand ready to do all within our +power when the proper time comes." + +Verily Pierre was wise beyond his years. It had not occurred to me that +Morgan had some particular reason for keeping us closely housed; but now +it was as if I understood all his purpose. He counted on our being where +he could lay his hand on us at any moment when it might be necessary we +should act in his behalf, therefore advised that we leave Saul out of +the question for the time being. + +Pierre had apparently agreed with the Jerseyman, while at the same time +it was in his mind to do that which we were setting out to accomplish, +and I had no scruples about following him, for ponder over the matter as +I might, I failed to see how anything suspicious on our part could bring +trouble or danger to the spy, or in any way menace the Cause. + +It was more than possible we might run our own noses into danger, and +suffer thereby; but we alone would be called on to pay the penalty. + +I led the way through the village to the Widow Marshall's, meeting here +and there a single soldier, or the red-coated gentry in squads, none of +whom gave any particular heed to us, because there were other lads then +ourselves in this village of York, whose parents had not seen fit to run +away when the Britishers took possession. + +As we made a detour around the building I said to Pierre, taking good +care not to point lest I attract attention: + +"Yonder is the house, where the soldier stands in front of the door. Do +you see that the only bars to the windows are puncheon planks? If a lad +was so minded, and no one approached the rear of the building during a +certain length of time, he could dig his way through that chimney of +sticks and mud until he was come into the fireplace." + +All this, as a matter of course, Pierre had noticed, and he also must +have seen, as did I, that our hope of showing ourselves to Saul had been +vain, for, as I have said, the windows were closed with planks. +Whosoever was held prisoner inside could not get a glimpse of the outer +world; but must remain in darkness all the while. + +We walked by this apology for a guard-house slowly, not daring to halt +lest some red-coat take heed that we were noting the place more +carefully than lads of the village would be likely to do. When we were +come nearly to the river front we wheeled about, retracing our steps so +far as to be able to pass the building on the other side; but at no +point could we see an opportunity for warning my cousin that we were +near at hand. + +"We might as well have staid inside the cabin," I said in a tone of +despondency as we turned our faces toward where we knew Uncle 'Rasmus +awaited us. "This is the first time, Pierre, that one of your plans has +come to naught, and both you and I should have had wit enough to realize +that if the building had been turned into a guard-house, the windows +would be barricaded in some way to prevent the escape of prisoners." + +"The plan has not come to naught. Before we left the cabin I had no idea +where the house was located; but now you have pointed it out I would be +able, if the time was ripe and you not with me, to find the place. I am +counting--" + +Pierre did not finish the sentence, for at that moment we came face to +face with Abel Hunt, a dissolute fellow seventeen or eighteen years old, +who lived in a mean hovel with his meaner parents near to Horry Sims's +home, and one who would follow in the footsteps of Horry Sims's father +so far as having a Tory leaning was concerned. + +It was so dark that I did not see the fellow until we were close upon +him, otherwise would I have made every effort to avoid a meeting, for I +had no doubt that he, seeing us in York, would immediately ask himself +why we who favored the Cause were there. Then might he straightway set +about striving to learn what was our business in the village. + +Again, and this came into my mind like a flash of light, he might be +there searching for Horry. When the lad failed to return home his +parents would, as a matter of course, send here, there and everywhere in +search of him, and this fellow Abel Hunt would have been one of the +first whom Master Sims would have called on, because, having much the +same as supplied the Hunt family with food, he could demand their +service whenever they were required. + +Looking over what I have here set down, it would seem as if I was making +it appear that Pierre and I stood motionless several seconds in front of +Abel Hunt, whereas all these thoughts had come into my mind in a +twinkling, even as I crowded little Frenchie into the roadway with the +faint hope that we might pass Hunt and not be recognized. + +In this I was unsuccessful, for even as I would have moved out of his +path the fellow seized me by the arm, as if he was my equal, and said +with a coarse laugh: + +"Well, how comes it that one of the Hamiltons, who claim to be red-hot +rebels, is loitering around the British encampment? Have you changed +coats lately, Master Fitz?" + +"I am wearing the same coat of buff and blue that I stood ready to put +on when we heard the news from Boston. I suppose if there be any color +to yours, it is red, unless peradventure you could find more money in +the pockets of a garment of different hue." + +This last I said because it was well known two years before that both +Abel and his father were willing to sell their services to Whig or +Tory; but could find none foolish enough to buy them, therefore, +dependent upon Master Sims as they were for their daily bread, fell into +line as lovers of the king. + +Hunt gave no heed to me when I thus reminded him that he was willing to +sell his opinions; but abruptly demanded why I was in York, and where I +counted on going. + +It is true that I might have told the fellow it was none of his +business, and refused to hold converse with him, as I surely would have +done had the danger not been so great. If I passed him with an angry +word it was absolutely certain he would follow to learn where I went, +and, failing in discovering that, might give information that the son of +Captain Hamilton of the American army was loitering around York, +whereupon I would find myself in that same guard-house where Saul was +confined. + +The only course, as it seemed to me, and I was forced to decide on the +instant, was to speak to the fellow fairly, and, much though I disliked +to do so, strive to throw him off the scent. + +Therefore it was I said, forcing myself to speak in a fairly friendly +tone: + +"Pierre and I came into York yesterday to see the soldiers, for never +before have I been in a military encampment. We had no difficulty in +entering the lines; but it was quite another matter when we would go +out. It seems as if there must have been some sudden change in the +situation, that Lord Cornwallis should decide not only to prevent +visitors from arriving; but also from departing when they desired to go +home." + +"And what have you lads been doing since the time when you found it +impossible to pass the sentinels?" Abel Hunt asked suspiciously, still +holding me by the arm, while the fact that I continued to answer him in +a friendly manner must have been proof that I was afraid of him, and he +so understood it, as I fancied from the tone in which he spoke. + +Never before had he dared to accost me other than in the most civil +manner, with his hat in his hand. Now he demanded an answer as if he was +my superior. + +"We have done the best we might," Pierre answered, most like fearing I +would make an intemperate reply. "It is not easy to find food among +strangers, and as for a shelter, we long since gave up all hope of that, +therefore are spending the night on our feet, as you see." + +"Do you count on walking around till morning?" Hunt demanded. + +"What else can we do?" I asked laughingly. + +"Have you no friends here in the village?" + +"None who can give us shelter," I replied, whereupon the fellow fell +silent for an instant, and then suddenly wheeling me about with a force +that caused me to wince with pain, asked abruptly: + +"When last did you see Horry Sims?" + +I know full well that a gentleman should never tell a lie, and have ever +contended that under ordinary circumstances it is not only wicked, but +vile to do so. In this case, however, I knew it would cost Pierre and me +our liberty, perhaps our lives, if we held only to the truth, therefore +I replied as if striving to awaken memories: + +"I believe it was on the morning the Britishers seized the horses of the +Hamilton plantation. I saw him on the road at that time." + +"And you can make no guess as to where he may be now?" + +"Why should we waste our time making such foolish guesses as that?" +Pierre demanded as if suddenly grown angry. "Horry Sims, as you well +know, is no friend either to Fitz Hamilton or me, although so far as I +am concerned he has no reason to be an enemy; but because he and Fitz +are at swords' points over politics, do I believe I should side with him +whom I call my friend." + +"Meaning that you deny knowing about where Horry may be now?" Abel Hunt +cried in a threatening tone, and Pierre, straightening himself up to +show that he was not afraid of the bully, replied in that silky tone of +his: + +"Meaning to say that that is what I would have you understand, Master +Abel Hunt." + +Surely in making such answer Pierre escaped telling a downright lie, for +he spoke only the truth. + +Then, striving to show myself somewhat at ease in the company of this +fellow with whom I had never previously associated, I asked him in turn +what he was doing, and where he counted on spending the night. + +He gave no heed to my first question, but replied to the second by +saying: + +"I allow I'll stay with you lads till sunrise. It's a bit lonesome +loafing around here alone, and, like you, I know of no place where I can +find a bed. We'll hang together as neighbors should." + +"We'll do nothing of the kind, Abel Hunt," I cried hotly. "I claim the +right to choose my own friends." + +"Oh, you do, eh?" the fellow cried with a coarse laugh. "Well perhaps in +this case you haven't got any rights. At least, before allowing it I +want to know why you are here, and how you happen to be wandering around +the camp of an enemy, for surely you rebels count the king's soldiers as +enemies." + +I understood on the instant that I had made a mistake in thus speaking +angrily; but it was too late to make amends, as I thought, and would +have moved on but that Pierre said just as Abel Hunt barred my way by +stepping in front of me: + +"I see no reason, Fitz, why even though you may not be friendly with +this lad, he should not remain with us, at least until morning. I can +well fancy that if he, like you and me, has no place in which to lay his +head this night, companionship of any kind would be very sweet. At +least, I know it is with me, and, with your permission, shall welcome +him." + +"You will because you don't dare do different," Hunt cried triumphantly, +and Pierre said with a note of sharpness in his tones: + +"Since that is your belief, Master Hunt, we will prove to you the +contrary," and Pierre, ruffling like a pigeon, strode off with a great +assumption of dignity, I as a matter of course following. + +When we came upon Abel Hunt we were going directly toward old Mary's +cabin; but now Pierre turned at the next corner, walking slowly as if +simply eager to pass the time, and headed in the direction of the river, +while I kept close by his side mentally bewailing the little lad's +unlucky desire to learn the location of the guard-house in which Saul +was confined. + +It was possible to see out of the tail of my eye, even though I had not +heard his footsteps, that Abel Hunt was following less than half a dozen +paces behind us, and a great fear came into my heart, for now I knew he +was convinced we had had some hand in the disappearance of Horry Sims, +and would act as our shadow in the hope of coming at the secret of the +Tory's whereabouts. + +There was little chance he would give us an opportunity of slipping into +old Mary's cabin unobserved, and I pictured to myself the alarm and +distress of Uncle 'Rasmus as the hours went by and we failed to put in +an appearance. + +I had come to understand that we must walk the streets of York during +all the hours of darkness, and, what was of far more importance, must +hold back from performing that task which the Jerseyman had set us. + +There was little hope we would be able to set off in a boat alone, and +it was quite positive we would not dare do so while Hunt was holding us +under his eye, therefore had we missed an opportunity of serving the +Cause, as well as paved the way, perhaps, for our own arrest as spies. + +I turned the matter over and over in my mind as I walked by Pierre's +side in silence, asking myself whether this dissolute fellow could gain +speech with any of the king's officers, and as I asked the question I +could answer it full well, for he had only to whisper the fact that he +could give information as to spies, and even my Lord Cornwallis himself +would listen to him. + +We had come to grief, as it seemed to me, and what presented itself to +my mind as the most painful of all the sorry business, was that we had +been brought to such a pass by a worthless, ignorant lout whom I would +not have allowed to linger even in the Hamilton stables. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A DESPERATE VENTURE + + +As Pierre and I walked aimlessly to and fro without other purpose than +to convince Abel Hunt we were really without a shelter, and not daring +to hold converse one with another lest he should overhear, the bitter +thought was in my mind that Uncle 'Rasmus must perforce remain in old +Mary's cabin standing guard over the prisoner. + +I tried to remember how much water we had left in the cabin, and finally +came to the conclusion that there was less than a quart in the bucket +when I last quenched my thirst, therefore neither the old negro nor the +Tory prisoner would have a bit to eat or a sup to drink until we had +succeeded in throwing Abel Hunt off our track. + +As a matter of course I understood that Morgan, the Jerseyman, would +visit the cabin late in the evening in order to learn whether we had +delivered the message with which he had charged us; but although I could +find so much of trouble in the future, I failed of guessing that we +might be forced to remain away from the cabin a full four and twenty +hours. + +It seemed to me positive that long before such time had elapsed Abel +Hunt would weary of acting as our shadow; but certain it was that until +we had tired him out, or something more promising attracted his +attention, we must keep our distance from Uncle 'Rasmus and his +prisoner. + +We had been walking to and fro mayhap ten minutes with the fellow close +at our heels, and then, quickening his pace, he came up to my side as he +said in a surly tone: + +"I do not believe you are in this village without shelter for the night! +Unless I mistake not your father owns one or more houses here, and why +should you be forced to walk around? It is because you are not willing +for me to know where you are stopping, which means that there is some of +your rebel mischief afoot causing you to fear I may work you harm." + +"It concerns me very little, Abel Hunt, what you believe," I replied +sharply, "and as for my intent to work mischief, it is a dream born in +your own evil head." + +"Why do you not go to one of your father's houses?" he demanded, and I +replied, striving to curb my anger which rose hot against the masterful +tone he had dared use to me: + +"It would seem that you have a better knowledge of my father's property +than myself. If indeed he does own any houses in York, then is it most +likely they have been taken possession of by the king's soldiers, for my +Lord Cornwallis is not so kindly disposed toward us whom he calls +rebels, as toward you Tories who claim to love the king, doing so simply +because you hope to profit thereby in the way of money or of safety for +your worthless necks." + +Then I pressed forward more quickly to prevent the fellow from walking +so close by my side, and whether it was chance, or because Pierre so +directed our steps, I cannot say; the fact is, however, that we were +speedily come out on the river front directly opposite Gloucester Point, +and here, as if he was leg-weary, little Frenchie threw himself on the +ground within twenty paces of the water's edge. + +"Are you minded to stop here, lad?" I asked in a low tone, and he +replied with what sounded to me much like an odd inflection of the +voice: + +"I have walked around so long, Fitz, that it seems impossible to take +another step. Since we must pass the time in some way 'twixt now and +sunrise, why not let it be at this place where we can stretch out at +full length, and mayhap sleep." + +"Thinking you would tire me out, eh?" Abel Hunt cried, he having as a +matter of course been so close to our heels that it was possible for him +to hear the lightest word. + +"It makes little difference whether we tire you out, or you remain near +by, so that you keep at a respectful distance. It is not your following +which annoys me; but your striving to hug so closely." + +"Perhaps I am not good enough for such as you?" Hunt cried angrily, and +now it was that I ceased striving to hold my temper in check, replying +in quite as hot a tone as the question had been asked: + +"You have hit exactly upon the truth, Abel Hunt, and it is no news to +you, for from the time I can remember I have ever striven to give you a +wide berth, because of your breeding." + +"Before this war is over it may be that you, Fitzroy Hamilton, will +regret that you were not bred in different fashion. The people of +Virginia are not all alike, and many will hold accountable those who +have brought the war into our borders." + +It was useless to bandy words with the fellow, as I understood, even +though my anger was so great that it would have soothed me somewhat to +give him a plain statement of the position he occupied in Virginia; but +I held my peace as I threw myself down by the side of little Frenchie, +counting that the lad would chide me for having had speech with Abel +Hunt. Instead of so doing he remained silent, his head pillowed on his +arm as he looked across the river toward the twinkling lights on +Gloucester Point where a portion of Lord Cornwallis's army was encamped, +and straightway there came into my mind the thought that the dear lad +was striving to cook up some plan which might work to our advantage. + +It is true that his last scheme had brought us into sore trouble; but +that was no proof he could not in the future, as he had in the past, +contrive something to our benefit. I made no attempt to enter into +conversation with him; but was content to lie there watching. + +Abel Hunt stood shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, half a +dozen paces distant, as if deliberating whether he would have further +speech with me on the subject of breeding, and I fancied, perhaps +because I hoped it might be so, that he was eager to turn his attention +to something more diverting than acting as a shadow to Pierre and me. + +As the time wore on, however, I began to doubt the correctness of my +guess, for Hunt in turn threw himself down on the ground at full length, +as if to rest, and was seemingly encamped there for the night. + +When I would have whispered to Pierre, counting on asking him if we had +not best try to escape from the fellow by the quickness of our heels, +the little lad motioned for me to remain quiet, and because of past +experience I obeyed him on the instant. + +Now and then a soldier bent on some errand, or a sentinel on duty, +passed by; but gave no heed. None save Abel Hunt in all that town of +York appeared to fancy that it might be worth while to watch us. + +Then, after it seemed as if a full night had passed, I heard the +sentries call the hour of midnight. We must have been there on the river +bank not less than three hours, and now it was, being thus warned of the +passage of time, that Abel Hunt began to grow uneasy. + +Watching him out of the tail of my eyes as I lay silent and motionless +by Pierre's side, I saw the fellow raise himself on his elbow and look +steadily at both us lads, as if striving to make out whether we might +have fallen asleep, and I began to breathe heavily, as does one who +slumbers soundly, whereupon Pierre, who must also have been taking note +of Hunt's movements, followed my example. + +Then the fellow rose to his feet, came softly beside us and bent over, +striving to get a view of our faces even though the night was dark, and +all the while we gave him fair token of being wrapped in the +unconsciousness of slumber. + +He stood over us a full two minutes striving to make out to his entire +satisfaction whether we were asleep or awake, and then, evidently having +come to the conclusion that we were indeed in Dreamland, he stole softly +away. + +Raising my head ever so slightly I noted that he took the direction +which would lead him near to my Lord Cornwallis's headquarters, and for +the first time since we had come upon the knave did I grow really +timorous. It needed not any very quick-witted lad to understand what +would be the result if even such a dissolute fellow as Abel Hunt should +give information that the son of a well-known rebel was loitering around +the village after night-fall, claiming to have no place where he could +find shelter. + +"I believe he is going directly to headquarters to make report +concerning us," I whispered in Pierre's ear, taking good care meanwhile +not to move my body lest peradventure Hunt might look back and discover +that we were not asleep. + +"Well, there is nothing we can do to prevent him if he be so disposed," +little Frenchie replied indifferently, and I exclaimed in surprise: + +"One would suppose that it concerned you very little, whereas I'm not so +certain but that the end of it may be a halter for both of us." + +"It really does concern me very little," Pierre said decidedly. "I can +do nothing to prevent it, and cannot afford to spend my time looking for +danger in the future, because we have that task to do which must be +performed even though a dozen like Abel Hunt were standing ready to +accuse us of being spies." + +"What do you mean by that?" I cried. "What business have we on hand so +urgent?" + +"To carry the message with which the Jerseyman entrusted us." + +"But that is impossible now Hunt had found us out." + +"Why do you say that? How is it that the meeting with such as Abel Hunt +can prevent us from doing the work of Minute Boys when it lays at our +hand?" + +"But how will you leave this town of York? When we go to ask permission +to take a boat for the purpose of fishing, you can depend upon it he +will be near at hand, and if he has not already done so, will then +reveal all he knows concerning me." + +"Suppose we don't give him that opportunity?" Pierre said thoughtfully. +"Suppose we neglect to ask permission from any one to go out to get fish +enough to prevent ourselves from starving?" + +"How then will you go? Surely you are not so venturesome as to take to +the water on a course to the right of Gloucester Point, when by so doing +we must pass the king's vessels? The _Charon_ is anchored directly on +the course we would need to pursue in order to carry out the +instructions which have been given." + +"And she would still be there if we waited until daylight, and then +asked permission from some of these swaggering officers of the king who +have no love for any one save themselves." + +I was mystified by Pierre's words, although surely by this time I should +have come to understand that his odd speech betokened the perfecting of +a plan, and I remained silent as if believing he would make sport of me, +until two or three minutes had elapsed when Abel Hunt could no longer be +seen in the gloom. + +Then it was that little Frenchie suddenly stood upright, and, pointing +to a skiff hauled up on the shore not more than thirty feet from where +he lay, asked sharply: + +"Have you the courage, Fitz Hamilton, to embark with me in yonder craft, +and go down to the Gloucester shore where we may remain hidden amid the +foliage until it is sufficiently light for us to make out whether any +one comes looking for a messenger from the Jerseyman?" + +"Meaning to brave the Britishers?" I cried in something very like alarm. + +"Meaning to carry the message which it is necessary should be delivered, +and without heed whatsoever to these gentry who wear red coats." + +"I have the courage, Pierre," I said, after a time of hesitation; "but +have we the right to desert Uncle 'Rasmus while he must for his own sake +hold Horry Sims a prisoner, and when he has nothing whatsoever to eat or +drink in the cabin? Surely it would be deserting him for us to take boat +now and leave the village, if peradventure we can do so, for there are +an hundred chances against our being able to return, and only one in our +favor. It is the same as abandoning Uncle 'Rasmus." + +"And if it were abandoning him, and Saul, and every one whom we know, +yet would I say it was our duty to go because the Jerseyman, expecting +his message to be delivered, will give no further heed to sending it +into the American lines." + +Although Pierre's words had fired me, and it was possible at any time +for the lad to arouse all my enthusiasm and all my bravery when he spoke +as he had a moment previous, I understood that it was a most dangerous +venture which he proposed, such as might be tried twenty times over +without success. + +Mark you, in order to gain the Gloucester shore at the point near where +the Jerseyman claimed we would find someone awaiting us, we must sail in +our skiff, without a pass from my Lord Cornwallis, within hailing +distance of the _Charon_, or of the _Guadaloupe_, both of which vessels +lay where their guns could be brought to bear either on York or +Gloucester, and it did not seem to me within the range of possibilities +that we could pass either craft without being discovered by the sentries +who would undoubtedly order us to come alongside. + +Even though we were minded to be so reckless as to take the chances of +disobeying an order, it could avail us nothing, for pursuit would be +given immediately, and how might we hope to escape from a vessel of +war's boat, manned most like by a dozen men, we being only two lads not +overly well skilled in rowing. + +I was turning all this over in my mind, and becoming more and more +convinced each instant that it was the wildest scheme Pierre had ever +proposed, when he turned upon me sharply and asked with a note of anger +in his tone: + +"Are you afraid to make the venture?" + +"There is no lad, no, nor no man either, who shall say I am afraid to do +this or that!" I cried hotly. "I dare do what any other lad may." + +"Then come with me, and before daybreak we will be hidden on the +Gloucester shore." + +"Before the day breaks you will be a prisoner on board either the +_Guadaloupe_ or the _Charon_, unless one of the smaller vessels chances +to make the capture," I said, "and yet, knowing that such must be the +case, I am minded to follow, so you may have fair opportunity of proving +that this will turn out even more to our disadvantage than did your plan +of getting sight of Saul Ogden to hearten him, and, instead, come across +Abel Hunt." + +"It is not well Fitz, that you should harp upon a single failure," +Pierre said softly, and on the instant I regretted having spoken. "There +was not in my mind any hope we might be able to aid the lad; but I +thought by chance he would see us if we passed his prison, and know we +had not forgotten him. If I had asked you to go out for a stroll because +I was weary with remaining in the cabin so long, you would have followed +quite as readily, and then should we have come upon Abel Hunt even as we +did." + +"Forgive me, Pierre, forgive me," I cried remorsefully. "Lead the way, +and I will go with you readily, even though I claim it is a most +desperate venture, but promise faithfully not to throw it in your teeth +however sore the failure may be." + +The little French lad was not inclined to waste words after I had +promised to accompany him; but set off at a rapid pace toward where the +skiff was lying, and I followed, having vividly in mind the fact that we +were leaving Uncle 'Rasmus to what might be a most cruel fate, at the +same time believing we had deserted Saul entirely, for there was not in +my mind any hope whatsoever we could succeed in re-entering the town of +York now that the Britishers were keeping such sharp watch. + +Even though fortune should favor us in the most remarkable degree, we +surely would not be tempted to come back to this fortified village +during the hours of daylight, therefore were we shutting ourselves out +until full four and twenty hours passed, during which time how much of +disaster might have come upon those whom we had the same as abandoned? + +It was much the same as folly for me to hark back in my mind to all the +dangers which might come upon us, for I had agreed to follow the lad +wheresoever he might lead, and for me to dwell upon the probable danger +could serve no other end than that of making me timorous, therefore it +was I strove earnestly to put from my mind everything save the old +thought that I would do all within my power to help him carry out his +purpose. + +The lad had not set out toward the boat until the sentry, who had been +pacing to and fro near us, turned to go to the other end of his beat, +and when we were come to the craft there were none within sight so far +as I could make out. + +She was a light skiff, perhaps one of the smallest that could have been +found on the shore, and had friends been making arrangements for us to +do this very work they could not have laid the tools more conveniently +at hand, for there were two pairs of oars in the craft, and it only +needed we should shove her ten or twelve paces before she was water +borne. + +I followed Pierre over the gunwale, kicking at the bank as I did so with +sufficient force to send her rocking like an egg-shell out into the +current. + +The night was not so dark but that we could see the black tracery of the +English ships as they lay at anchor guarding both encampments, and +unless the sentries on board these vessels of the king were asleep or +blind they could not fail of seeing us, however wide a detour we might +make. + +I fully expected to hear one of the sentinels on the shore ordering us +to come back and show a permit for being aboard at such an hour; but no +one hailed, and we set the skiff's bow on a direct course to that part +of the Gloucester shore which we hoped to gain, giving no heed to his +majesty's vessels in the way. + +"We cannot hope to pass them without being discovered," I said in a low +tone as I settled back at the oars, putting into them every ounce of +strength I could summon. + +"It may be they will let us go on after we have explained our purpose, +or so much of it as we may be pleased to give," Pierre said hopefully; +"but even if they turn us back, we shall be no worse off than before, +and will have the satisfaction of knowing that we strove to our utmost +to do as the Jerseyman desired." + +"We shall be no worse off unless we are sent to share Saul's +imprisonment in the guard-house." + +Then I bent my back yet more vigorously at the oars, if that could be +possible, the labor serving in some slight degree to prevent me from +dwelling upon the disagreeable possibilities. + +Our course brought us within mayhap an hundred yards of the _Charon's_ +stern, and before we were on a line with her came that hail which I had +feared to hear: + +"Cease rowing!" + +"Do as they bid, Fitz; it is our only hope," Pierre whispered, and I +obeyed him. + +"Come alongside and show your pass," the voice demanded, and I could +hear the foot-falls of the sentry as he came from amidships aft and +leaned over the rail that he might see us more clearly. + +"We have no pass, sir," Pierre said meekly. "We have been sent over to +Gloucester with a message from one officer to another, on what I count +may be private business." + +"Come alongside and show the message," the same voice demanded. + +Then did I believe that little Frenchie was at the end of his rope; but +instead of showing any confusion or fear he replied cheerily: + +"It is no more than word of mouth that the major of Colonel Tarleton's +legion come into York for a supper." + +The sentry, or whoever it might be that had hailed us, hung in the wind +a moment as if undecided whether to give further orders, and then said +grudgingly, not being minded, as I fancied, to disgruntle any officers +of my Lord Cornwallis's command: + +"Go your way, then; but make certain to come directly back as soon as +the message has been delivered." + +"You can count on our getting into York again as soon as we may," Pierre +replied laughingly, and added by whispering to me, "Now, lad, pull the +best you know how, and the danger has passed!" + +It was as he said. It could only have been blind luck which stationed a +credulous and good-natured sentry of the _Charon_ at that particular +moment, for nineteen men out of twenty would have done their whole duty, +which was to bring us alongside and report the matter to the officer of +the deck. + +We were not disposed to grumble because the fellow had not done his +duty, however, and when we were beyond ear-shot I said warningly to the +little French lad: + +"You have squeaked out of a mighty small hole, Pierre; but do not let it +encourage you overly much, for it is not within the bounds of reason +that we can take such chances again and have everything turn favorable +for us." + +"We won't count on those chances that are in the future, Fitz Hamilton," +Pierre replied cheerily; "but will hark back on this one, remembering +that we got thus far on our journey, even though we may be turned about +within the next five minutes." + +There was little likelihood we would find any obstacle in the way from +this on, if so be we landed at a respectful distance from the +encampment. The vessels in the stream between Gloucester and York were +evidently supposed by the commander-in-chief to be sufficient guard for +the water-ways, and so far as I had been able to learn, no small boats +patrolled the river. + +Nor did we meet with any. The way was open before us, and ere yet there +were tokens in the eastern sky of the coming of a new day, we had pulled +the skiff up amid the bushes more than two miles beyond Gloucester +point. + +"It begins now to look as though we should succeed in delivering the +message which the Jerseyman wanted sent into the American lines, and if +that can be done we need concern ourselves no further regarding the +outcome, for it matters little what happens to two lads like you and +me," Pierre said. + +I could agree with the first part of the proposition; but was not +sufficiently stout-hearted to say with truth that I was indifferent as +to what might befall me, because however great a love I had for the +Cause, my affection for Fitzroy Hamilton and his safe being, was much +stronger. + +Until the sun had risen we remained within the screen of foliage resting +from our labor at the oars; but straightway day had fully dawned Pierre +laid his plans for coming upon this man whom the Jerseyman believed +would be looking for a messenger, by stationing me a quarter of a mile +up the bank, while he took post about the same distance below. + +"Now it is that we must take some chances," little Frenchie said when we +were about to go to our posts of duty. "It may be that the first who +appears will be a Tory, and we have no means of determining his +politics. If I see a person who appears by his movements to be watching +for some one from the York shore, then shall I run the risk of letting +him know we are lately come from the village." + +I understood he would have me do the same, and walked slowly along the +shore keeping within the line of foliage, and thinking meanwhile that as +soon as this task had been finished, if indeed it ever was, we might +with good cause seek for food from some plantation nearby, for my +stomach was crying out loudly that it was time to break fast. + +Well, to make what may seem an overly long story as short as possible, I +will content myself by saying that we two lads remained sometimes out in +full view, and again amid the foliage where we were partially screened, +until a good two hours had passed. Then there came into my view a man +with a bit of green in his hat, clad somewhat after the fashion of a +Virginia planter, who moved cautiously, not seeing me until he was where +it would be possible to have a view of York village, when he seated +himself upon the ground as if on watch. + +I made no delay in going toward him, and fancied he looked more than a +little concerned that I should have appeared so suddenly, all of which +went to strengthen my belief that this was the man whom we were seeking, +therefore without juggling words, I asked him: + +"Do you await some messenger from the other shore, sir?" + +He looked me over from head to toe before answering, and then replied by +asking a question: + +"Is there any good reason why it concerns you, young master, if I so +wait here?" + +"Ay, sir, that it does, since I, with my comrade who is on watch lower +down the shore, am come to find some one who awaits a message, or, we +may say, who is eager for news." + +"Who are you?" + +"The son of Alexander Hamilton, whose plantation lies within the bounds +of the town of James; but who himself is in the American army." + +"Did any one send you here?" + +"Yes, we were asked to show ourselves in a boat off the shore; but +inasmuch as we were forced to sneak out of York, it did not seem safe we +should make overly much of an exhibition of ourselves." + +"Who sent you?" + +"Tell me first from whom you are expecting a message, and then I will +answer the question." + +"Do you know aught of a man by the name of Morgan?" + +Then it was that without replying I raised my voice, calling Pierre by +name, for now was I positive we had hit upon the man whom the spy would +have us see, and when little Frenchie had replied, I explained to the +stranger that it was my comrade to whom the message had been delivered, +and I believed he should have the credit of repeating it. Ten minutes +later the man was scurrying across country at his best speed, without +having uttered no word of thanks or praise for what we had done. No +sooner did Pierre give that message which the Jerseyman had entrusted +him with, and declared that we had no other information, than the fellow +wheeled quickly about like a fox who has got the scent of dogs, and +straightway we were alone, looking blankly into each other's faces, +asking mentally whether it might not be possible we had given the +Jerseyman's information to another, for it did not seem within the range +of possibilities that one of our way of thinking would have received +such news and never given sign or word of acknowledgment. + +"I fancy he has only in mind to save his own skin, and believes that +this shore in the rear of a British encampment is not the safest place +in the world for one of his politics," Pierre said musingly after a +brief time of silence. "We were not told how this man would prove +himself to be the one we were sent in search of, therefore it cannot be +set down to our discredit if we have fumbled the job." + +"And what now?" I asked moodily, almost persuaded, because of the +movements of the stranger, that we had advertised the fact of our +serving a spy, and the stranger had gone in search of those who would +arrest us. + +"We can do no less than stay here until another night has come, and +before sunset it should be possible to devise some means of passing the +English sentries. Just now, however, I am inclined to believe we would +do well to set out in search of something to eat. Do you know any of +the planters nearabout?" + +"Not within a dozen miles or more. It is quite certain, however, that +many of them nearabout Gloucester are Tories, while others would remain +neither for king nor for colony; yet I suppose we must take our chances, +unless we are willing to make breakfast, dinner and supper of this pure, +fresh air." + +"We will make our way to the negro quarters on some plantation," Pierre +said quickly. "When it comes to trusting a stranger, I can put more +faith in a black face than a white one." + +Having thus spoken the lad started inland, walking swiftly, and as if he +had both course and destination marked out plainly before him. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +SAUL'S OPPORTUNITY + + +It was destined that we should approach neither white man nor negro in +quest of food on this day, however severe might be the pangs of hunger, +for little Frenchie had hardly more than began a blind tramp across the +country, trusting that fortune would bring him to the destination +desired, when we were startled, I should say alarmed, by the report of a +cannon which rang out startlingly clear on the morning air. + +As a matter of course we were brought to a sudden halt; but before +either of us could speak, boom, boom, boom came from the direction of +York, and with the report of the guns we could see heavy smoke rolling +up from the village telling of burned powder. + +"What can it mean?" I cried, fancying like a simple for the moment that +this cannonading had somewhat to do with us, and Pierre, quick-witted as +ever, cried joyously as he turned his face shoreward once more: + +"Our people are advancing upon York, and the king's soldiers are warning +them to keep back." + +He ran at racing speed through the brush, I following as best I might at +his heels, and all the while came that dull roar of cannon, intermingled +now and then with sharp, crackling noises, which I understood to be the +rattle of musketry. + +Before we had gained the river bank it was positive our forces had come +within touch of the enemy, and I who, as has already been seen, was +wholly ignorant of military matters, believed the Americans were forcing +the Britishers to a battle. + +No sooner had we arrived where an uninterrupted view of the river could +be had, than we saw half a dozen vessels with as many barges coming down +the stream as if from the direction of Williamsburg, and, favored by the +wind, were shaping their course directly toward the Gloucester shore on +that side the point opposite where we were. + +Then it was that the guns of Gloucester joined with those of York, and +as these heavy pieces were discharged it seemed to me that the very +ground trembled, while over all hung smoke from the burning powder until +it was as if a heavy cloud had suddenly gathered, shutting out the light +of the sun. + +This fleet which was coming down the river apparently giving no heed to +the king's ships that lay in the stream, was hardly more than two miles +away, and as we lads gazed at the vessels breathlessly, trembling with +excitement, I fancied I could see the uniform of our Virginia militia. +Then my heart sank within me, for both the _Guadaloupe_ and the _Charon_ +were slipping their cables that they might swing around in such position +as to deliver broadsides upon those who were advancing so boldly. + +There is no good reason why I should not set down now the facts instead +of waiting until we came to learn of them later. + +This fleet which was coming down the York river was manned by a French +Legion, by French marines, and by a brigade of Virginia militia under +General Weeden, the whole under command of a French officer. They had +been sent to lay siege to the British encampment at Gloucester, for our +General Washington was not minded any of the soldiers under command of +Lord Cornwallis should make their escape, now that he held them as one +might say in the hollow of his hand. + +Although we could not see anything in the rear of York village, we knew +full well, because of the incessant cannonading, that our people must be +advancing by land as well as by water, and the one question in our minds +was whether a battle might be fought that very day, for then, as can +readily be understood, we had no idea that a regular siege was to be +begun before York. + +It was when the British vessels slipped their moorings to pour a +broadside into the little fleet of Americans that Pierre Laurens saw +clear before him the plan which we should follow, and running with all +speed toward where the skiff had been hidden in the foliage, he shouted +to me: + +"Make haste, Fitz, make haste! Now is the time when we can gain the +village with but little danger of attracting unpleasant notice, for +while the Britishers have their hands full with trying to hold our +people back, two lads like us may slip in without heed from friend or +foe." + +"But why shall we strive to enter York?" I cried, growing timorous once +more. "If there is to be a battle it were safer we stayed here, rather +than took our chances of being killed by cannon ball or musket-shot from +our own people." + +"It is not allowed that we shall stay here, Fitz Hamilton!" Pierre cried +almost angrily. "Do you forget that Uncle 'Rasmus, with that Tory +prisoner of his, yet remains in York awaiting our coming and needing us +most sorely? Even though it were certain we would be shot immediately +after gaining old Mary's cabin, then are we bound to keep on. Are we to +stay here simply to insure our own safety, when Saul is in the +Britishers' guard-house exposed to even as much danger as we would be +with Uncle 'Rasmus?" + +It was not needed the lad should say more in order to recall me to a +sense of duty. A red flush of shame came over my face as I realized that +I would have played the part of a coward, forgetting that there were in +York those who needed me, and from that instant Pierre had no reason to +complain because I moved too slowly or failed to display an equal amount +of enthusiasm with him. + +Immediately the skiff was water borne we lost no time in setting off on +what might prove to be a perilous passage, and yet there was none of +danger whatsoever in it as we soon came to know. + +The men on the British ships had sufficient to occupy their attention +without giving heed to two lads who pulled against the current, making a +detour of a mile or more, for they were serving their guns with all +diligence, hoping to check the advance of those rebels who so lacked in +reverence to the king and his commands that they made their appearance +in warlike array without first having asked permission. + +The roar of the cannon both from the ships and from my Lord Cornwallis's +encampment was almost deafening, and as we tugged at the oars, straining +every muscle in order to take advantage of each moment of time, it +seemed to me as if the waters of the river were dashed here and there +into waves by the concussions. + +Without losing stroke or ceasing to exert ourselves to the utmost, we +kept our eyes fixed upon the scene before us, and again and again, +without being aware that I had uttered a cry, I shouted aloud in joy and +in pride at seeing that little fleet of small craft moving steadily on +toward its destination regardless of the heavy shot which were being +poured in upon them. + +So far as we could make out, not a British ball hit the mark. It is very +likely some of the missiles found their way among our people; but no +severe damage was done else we should have observed it; the fleet would +have been thrown into confusion had one of the craft been seriously +disabled, or turned back if they suffered too heavily. Instead of which, +however, they continued on as I have said, seemingly indifferent to the +efforts of the enemy. + +It was a sight well calculated to stir the blood of a boy from Virginia, +and my excitement, my admiration for the coolness of our people, and the +determination shown where the Britishers were doing their best to work +destruction, fired my heart until it was with difficulty I could +continue my share of the work at pulling the skiff. + +"Unless you can look at what is going on around you and row at the best +of your strength at the same time, then it is better you close your +eyes," Pierre said sharply when I missed a stroke and thereby nearly +threw him from the thwart. + +I could not have taken my eyes from that which thrilled every nerve in +my body; but true it is I did succeed in holding to my work, at least to +such extent that Pierre no longer found cause for fault with me, and by +the time we had reached the bank of the river, almost at the same point +from which we had embarked the night before, the fleet had so far closed +in with the land that the king's men did not dare fire upon it from the +ships lest they do more damage to their own people on Gloucester Point +then to impudent rebels, who had the effrontery to disturb the servants +of his majesty. + +The cannonading from the town still continued, now dying away to a +single shot every moment or two, and again roaring in thunderous notes +as battery after battery discharged all its cannon. + +These people were not firing upon the vessels near by Gloucester; but +straightway up the river, and therefore it was we knew our people were +coming over the land in considerable force, giving no more token of an +inclination to halt because of this summons by heavy missiles, than had +those who manned the fleet. + +The water front of the village was much the same as deserted when the +bow of our skiff grounded on the shore. I was too deeply excited to give +particular heed to everything within my range of vision; but it was to +me as if no man stood near at hand to observe our landing, and on +comparing notes with Pierre afterward I learned that he was of the +belief that we had come ashore into this encampment of seven thousand +soldiers without having been observed. + +As we made our way up into the village we found that all the troops were +in front of us, having manned the outermost entrenchments. We passed my +Lord Cornwallis's headquarters to find it apparently deserted. At the +stable lines of the Rangers not a single horse stood, and my heart went +heavy as lead for I realized that poor little Silver-Heels, with a +red-faced, red-coated Britisher upon her back, was most likely well +toward the front where she stood a good chance of being disabled if not +killed, for by this time Pierre and I understood, because of the roar of +guns in the distance, that our people were not remaining silent under +this iron hail which the enemy were sending among them. + +"If they keep this up ten minutes longer we shall have no trouble +whatsoever in making our way to old Mary's cabin," I cried almost +gleefully, forgetting in this my moment of triumph, when I was pluming +myself with having accomplished something heroic, although I had simply +taken advantage of an opportunity, that men a short distance away were +lying mangled and in the agonies of death. + +"We can do better than that, lad," Pierre cried, catching me by the +shoulder as if a sudden thought had just come into his mind. "Look about +you as we run, and if so be your eyes light upon a pick or an axe, seize +upon it." + +"To what end?" I asked, panting because of the swift pace which my +comrade had kept. "Are you counting on taking part in the battle?" for +then it was I had no doubt but that our people had set about measuring +strength with my Lord Cornwallis's army. + +"Yes, we'll fight a battle on our own account, and the result shall be +the release of Saul from the guard-house. I'm allowing that the sentries +are not giving any great attention to prisoners just at this moment, and +if those who should be outside the prison have pressed toward the front +to see what may be going on, our chance has come." + +It did not need that the dear lad should go into the details of what he +would do. I realized on the instant that even though we were within the +enemy's encampment, there was a possibility we might work our will, and +no time was wasted. + +It was reasonable to suppose that the sentries here, there and +everywhere throughout the village would be pressing toward the front +from motives of curiosity, if nothing else, feeling thoroughly well +convinced that no harm could come upon them from the rear. + +Fortune so far favored me as we run that I was speedily armed with an +axe which had been left near by a pile of fuel, and before we had +traveled twenty yards further Pierre came upon a pick. Therefore it was +we had all the weapons we needed for an attack upon the guard-house, if +so be little Frenchie had the same aim in mind which had come to me, +that is to say, to force an entrance through the chimney into the +fireplace. + +Then we were come to that house in which the Jerseyman had told me our +comrade was confined, and I, thick-headed as usual, would have begun an +attack upon the chimney without delay, for we had approached the +building from the rear; but before I could strike the first blow little +Frenchie grasped me by the arm, as he whispered warningly: + +"Would you take the risk of spoiling everything by going to work +blindly? We must first learn if there be sentries on the other side." + +Then, leaving me standing motionless and silent, covered with confusion +because of having shown myself such a simple, he went cautiously around +the house, moving with as much care and deliberation as if having full +knowledge that a squad or more of red-coats were on guard, and I awaited +his return, my heart thumping so violently that it was as if the +pulsations vied in volume of sound with the reports of the cannon. + +When next I saw Pierre he approached from the opposite side of the +house, thus showing that he had made a complete circuit of the place, +and the expression on his face told as clearly as words could have done +that we might set about our task without delay, for there were none near +at hand to stay us. + +Without waiting for him to speak I struck my axe into the structure of +sticks and clay with such force that it was buried to the head, and I +could not release the tool until little Frenchie had aided by tearing +away some of the fabric with his pick. + +"Haste is like to make waste," Pierre reminded me in a half whisper. +"Unless we get about this work with somewhat of system we shall make but +little headway, and no one can say how soon the sentries may remember +that it is their duty to stay here on guard instead of watching the +advance of the rebels." + +I would have been a dull lad indeed had I not come by this time to +understand that it was Pierre Laurens who should take the lead when he +and I were working together, therefore I stood back, leaving him to +begin the task, and striking with my axe when he directed me so to do. + +Before we had succeeded in cutting a hole as large as a man's hand, I +heard a voice from the inside which I believed to be Saul's crying +excitedly: + +"Who are you that are striving to enter? There should be a sentinel just +outside the door, and unless you take due care he will give an alarm." + +"Saul! Saul! It's Pierre and Fitz!" I cried, no longer able to restrain +myself, and little Frenchie clapped his hand over my mouth on the +instant, saying angrily: + +"Is it not enough that you have opportunity to work your will even here +in the midst of the enemy's encampment, but that you must raise your +voice to give notice of what you would do? It matters little whether +Saul knows it is us who are here, or that he waits until we have +effected an entrance." + +While he spoke Pierre was working industriously, having taken his hand +from my mouth after leaving it there sufficiently long to give token +that he intended it for a reproof, and from that moment until sounds +from the inside told that whoever was held prisoner had been on his part +aiding in the work, I held my peace, watching little Frenchie's every +movement, determining never again until we were out of this village, +would I raise my voice until he had given permission. + +Whether we worked there at tearing a hole through the chimney five +minutes, or thirty, I have no idea. Around us yet roared the cannon, +telling that the American forces were still advancing, and the +Britishers striving to hold them back. Ever present in my mind was the +knowledge that at any moment the guard might come up and take us into +custody. + +[Illustration: THE RELEASE OF SAUL OGDEN.] + +One can well understand in what a tumult was my brain, and how like a +flood in spring-time the blood leaped through my veins. I was like as +one held in the grip of a raging fever, until from out that aperture +which we had made in the flimsy chimney I saw Saul Ogden, looking +considerably the worse for his short imprisonment, come crawling until +it was possible for me to clasp him in my arms, where for an instant I +held him fast, tears of gratitude rolling down my cheeks because of +having been permitted thus to have taken some little part in the dear +lad's release. + +There were other prisoners than Saul in the guard-house, and, as can be +supposed, they were not backward in taking advantage of the opportunity +to make their escape from imprisonment even though they were red-coats; +but as the first soldier came on the heels of Saul, Pierre, raising his +pick threateningly, ordered the man to stop. + +"Remain where you are, or your death will pay the penalty," he cried, +and there was that in his tones which told it would not be safe to +disobey him. + +"If you are willing to let one out, why not another?" the Britisher +asked, an expression of perplexity coming over his bloated red face, +which gave token that he had been brought into the guard-house through +drunkenness. + +"Because I don't intend it shall be within your power to work us harm." + +"Why should I work you harm?" the half-drunken soldier asked as he lay +on his belly in the aperture looking up at the small lad. + +"You are a British soldier who has come here to work the king's will on +us of Virginia, and we are minded to make our escape before you can +atone for your misdeeds by making us prisoners," Pierre cried hotly. + +"I have no mind to take anybody prisoner, be he rebel or whatsoe'er you +will, for now the fight is going on, and by joining my troop this little +slip of mine which landed me in the guard-house is like to be forgiven +if not forgotten." + +"Stay where you are until we get well away, for we have been taught not +to put overly much faith in what you men who wear red coats may say," +Pierre cried, and at the same time he motioned for Saul and me to go our +way, which we did without delay, knowing the lad would follow close at +our heels. + +Saul had kept a tight grip on my hand from the moment he came into the +open air, and we two ran side by side, thus yoked together by token of +friendship, on the alert for the first show of a red coat in our path. + +It seemed to me that we might have raced around and around that village +until we were spent with the exertion, and never have come upon one of +the king's men, for they rushed into the outer works at the first alarm, +officers, soldiers, camp-followers, and even the sentries, all of them +most like believing it would only be necessary for them to give token of +being ready for battle in order to make the Americans turn tail in +terror. + +Surely this time they were making a grievous mistake, for the fire from +the front was continued with vigor as I understood full well before we +were a dozen yards from the guard-house, for then a cannon ball came so +near to me that I could feel the wind of it, and I started back in +surprise as if having supposed that our people had been firing blank +cartridges. + +Saul laughed at my show of fear, and asked as though he found something +comical in the situation: + +"Did you think that amid all this noise there were no shots flying?" + +"To tell the truth, Saul Ogden, I haven't had time to think since the +cannonading began. Then Pierre and I were on the Gloucester shore, +having made up our minds it would be useless to try to get into York +before another night had come. When we found it might be possible, as +has been proven, such a fever of excitement seized upon me that I have +had no clear knowledge of what has been going on." + +"It seems that you knew sufficient to understand the moment had come +when you might set me free," the lad said in a tone of exultation, and +I, determined that the credit should go where it belonged, replied +promptly: + +"It was not me, Saul Ogden, who was quick-witted enough to think that we +might find the guard-house without sentries around it. Pierre Laurens is +the one to whom your release is due, and save for him I dare venture to +say at this moment I would be with you inside the Widow Marshall's house +with red-coated sentinels standing guard over me." + +"Why? How? What has happened since I have been shut up yonder?" + +It was no time for story telling just then, as Saul must have +understood, for the first cannon ball which had reminded me that there +was danger in the air and that danger coming from the ranks of our own +army, was followed by another and another, until while we ran it seemed +as if we were actually being pursued by these missiles--as if there was +a force in the air to guide them out of a direct course to where they +might work destruction. + +By this time Pierre had overtaken us, for the lad could ever run more +swiftly than either Saul or I, and seizing me by the arm as if I was a +child who needed guidance, shouted in a tone of triumph even amid all +that peril: + +"If any one had told us when Abel Hunt was following so close at our +heels, that we might have worked this trick, it would have seemed like a +fairy tale, and yet we have come through thus far in safety, with every +chance of gaining old Mary's cabin unmolested." + +"If so be we get in the path of one of these messengers," I said, +motioning toward a cannon ball which was ploughing up the earth not +twenty yards away, "then shall we find that we have been molested for +all time." + +"If we have worked our will in this encampment of my Lord Cornwallis's, +we two lads alone, then I predict that we shall come through in safety, +at least so far as this work is concerned. What may happen before the +battle is ended I care not, so that we have kept faith with those who +waited for us." + +It can thus be seen that Pierre, quick-witted and versed in military +matters though he was, believed as did I, that this cannonading +betokened a regular battle, whereas, as we afterward came to know, it +was simply the investment of York, the beginning of a regular siege. + +There is no good reason why I should use many words in telling of that +flight across the village, although again and again were we in danger of +death from the missiles sent by the Americans, even though I might make +an interesting story of that which we saw and feared; but it is enough +that we were finally arrived at our destination. + +I, who at the end of the race was leading the way, dashed into the cabin +without realizing the alarm that I might thus cause Uncle 'Rasmus; but I +understood instantly I was inside, that it would have been better had I +entered in a more seemly fashion, for the old negro leaped to his feet, +his black face grey with the pallor of fear, believing from my sudden, +noisy entering that the enemy had come to work him harm. + +Because of the dim light in the cabin it was a dozen seconds before he +could distinguish our faces, and then while we three stood in front of +him he sank back in the chair where he had so long played the part of +invalid, trembling in every limb as he said in a quavering voice: + +"Bress de Lawd! Bress de Lawd for all his mercies! Here am de chillun +come back when I neber expected to see dere faces agin!" + +Saul in his delight clasped the old man around the neck, hugging him as +affectionately as though he had been of the same color and of the same +blood; but Pierre, cautious and thoughtful as ever, instead of spending +his time calming Uncle 'Rasmus when there was no real need of doing so, +began looking around to find Horry Sims. + +Even though a battle might be raging on the outside, it was yet of vital +importance to us that the Tory be held prisoner, because his escape +might mean our death, if so be the fortunes of war allowed the +Britishers a breathing spell. + +Pierre ran hurriedly to the corner of the room where we had last seen +the Tory cur lying, and an exclamation of dismay burst from his lips, +for the lad was not there. Hearing the cry I ran toward him, whereupon +he turned to Uncle 'Rasmus asking sharply: + +"Where is he? Has he given us the slip? Who has been here since we went +away?" + +"De Sims boy am safe, honey," Uncle 'Rasmus replied as Saul released his +hold on the old man's neck. "I 'clare for it I done got scared kase you +didn' come back, an' 'lowed it wouldn't do no ways to keep dat young +snake whar he could kick up a row ef any ob de king's sogers come in, so +I done put him away, honey, I done put him away." + +"Put him away, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried in alarm. "Do you mean to say +that you killed Horry Sims?" + +"Kill him, chile? Sure not. What for I kill him?" + +"But where is he?" Pierre demanded, and I understood from the quick, +nervous tones that he had been equally alarmed with me by the old man's +words. + +For reply Uncle 'Rasmus went to that end of the room near the fireplace +where he raised a short length of the flooring, and there we who +gathered around in breathless anxiety, saw Horry Sims lying upon the +earth, bound as we had left him, in a narrow space between the puncheons +which had evidently at some time been hollowed out as an apology for a +store-room. + +"How did you get him down there, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried, for I had not +believed the old man sufficiently strong to perform such a task. + +"I done roll him ober, chile, I done roll him ober. Don you see, honey, +I didn' dare keep him whar de sogers might see him, so I'se boun' to get +him out ob sight. I'd seen dat yere hole befo', an' sence de shootin' +begun I 'low he was mighty glad to be under cover." + +"Can't you take me out of here?" Horry asked imploringly. "I've been +tied up so long that my legs and arms are numb and aching. I promise not +to open my mouth and to do whatsoever you say, if these ropes can be +taken off for ever so short a time." + +"That's what they shall be," Pierre said quickly. "We have no desire to +cause you suffering, Horry Sims, and never counted on being forced to +remain away so long; but matters couldn't have been changed, for of +course we must think of our own safety before consulting your comfort. +Now, however, you will have a chance to move around." + +As he spoke so Pierre did, and when I would have argued with him that it +was unsafe to let the Tory lad have the freedom of the cabin even while +all of us were there to guard him, he shut me up in short order by +declaring that unless we were disposed to give the prisoner something +like fair treatment, he would insist on setting him free altogether. + +"And when Abel Hunt has found us out, as I believe of a verity he will, +then Horry is on exhibition where that meddlesome fellow may see him," I +cried hotly, but Pierre, giving no heed to my words, released the Tory +from his bonds. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE SIEGE + + +For some moments after Pierre released Horry Sims from the bonds which +had held him so securely, the Tory was literally unable to move hand or +foot, thus giving good proof of the suffering which must have been his +while he lay beneath the puncheon planks of the floor, powerless to +command his body save in the way of breathing. + +After having chafed his limbs until the circulation of blood was +partially restored, the prisoner limped over into the corner where +Pierre and I had left him when we set out upon that stroll which +resulted so differently from our expectations, and there he crouched +upon the floor as if intent on showing us that he would remain a willing +captive. As a matter of fact, I believe the lad was more terrified by +the cannonading which yet continued and seemingly shook the very ground +beneath our feet, than he was by the knowledge that we held him in our +power. + +And it was terrifying, whether for Tory or Whig, far more so than if we +had been in the open where it might be possible to see all that was +going on, or if we were taking part with the troops; but to remain shut +up in the cabin, not knowing how near death might be to us, and fearing +each instant lest our frail shelter should be torn to splinters by a +cannon ball, was something that got on one's nerves more, I dare +venture to say, than any other danger. + +During the first two or three minutes after the excitement of meeting +with Uncle 'Rasmus had died away, there were times when it seemed well +nigh impossible for me to so far control myself as to remain in-doors; +it was as if I must go out; as if I must face that danger which seemed +so imminent; as if I could not meet death while being all ignorant of +how it might come to me. + +It was well, perhaps, that Pierre started a conversation by asking Uncle +'Rasmus how he had passed the hours of our absence, and I believe little +Frenchie did this rather in order to take our minds from what was going +on around us, than because he really desired information. + +The old negro told us in his peculiar way, of awaiting our coming with +whatsoever of patience he could summon, believing each instant we would +enter, and then as the hours wore on fear, as was quite natural, took +possession of him. He could not imagine any combination of circumstances +which would keep us abroad so long, save we had fallen into the hands of +the enemy, most like arrested as spies. Before morning came he was +convinced that such must have been the case, and the only hope he had of +learning what had befallen us was in the coming of Morgan; but there was +a fear that he might have been taken in our company, and would therefore +share our fate. + +"I done got terribly flustered up, chillun, an' dats a fac', kase I +counted I wasn' eber gwine to see youse any mo'. Dere was one spell jes' +'fore daybreak when I got it inter my min' dat dere was nuffin lef' fo' +de ole nigger to do but skitter out ob dis yere village, an' it was +mighty uncertain whether he could get out ob it or not." + +"In that case what did you count on doing with Horry Sims?" Pierre +asked. + +"I done made up my min' to leabe him sittin' up in de chair by de +winder, kase I couldn' take him wid me, an' it wouldn't hab done no how +to let him go gallivantin' 'roun' from one ob dese yere ossifers to de +odder tellin' 'em what had happened to him." + +Then the old man painted with painful vividness the hunger and thirst +which had come upon him with the morning, after he had decided it would +be impossible for him to make his way through the lines. He repeated +what Horry Sims had said while begging for food or for water, and added +with an odd grimace: + +"I 'clare for it, chillun, I got right mixey wid Horry, eben ef he is a +Tory, kase de lad was sumfin to talk wid, an' I was carried away wid +fear till it seemed as ef I was boun' to keep my tongue runnin', else +I'd gone crazy." + +"You didn't get so mixey with him, Uncle 'Rasmus, but that you finally +dumped him under the floor," Pierre added with a laugh, and the old man +chuckled as he replied: + +"I done tell you how dat was, honey. De mixier I got wid him de more +afraid I growed 'bout his gibin' me de slip, or in case any ob de king's +sogers come in an' was curious to know what I had covered up wid de +blanket. It seemed like I couldn' bear de sight ob de boy, an' yet I +wanted to keep talkin' wid him all de time. I done splained dat dere +wasn' anyting to eat or drink in de house, an' dat we'd hab to go hungry +an' thirsty till de gen'man from Jersey come to look arter us. Den dere +come inter my min' dat yere hole in de floor, what ole Mary dug so's to +keep de milk an' de butter fresh, an' how your Uncle 'Rasmus did toddle +'roun', gettin' de chile inter it! I ain' half so shaky as I'se been +tryin' to make out since we come here to York; but it seemed like my +back-bone wasn' stiff enuf for de job I'd tackled when I got hol' ob +Horry Sims an' he tried to hang back. Howsomeever he got in dar, an' I +covered de plank ober, an' den I went back to de winder, an' I mourned, +an' I mourned, an' I mourned for my chillun what I 'lowed was in de +han's ob de Britishers." + +Then the old man, as if overcome by the remembrance of his suffering, +gave way to tearless grief, when he trembled like one in an ague fit, +covering his face with his wrinkled hands, and rocking his body to and +fro until I perforce knelt by the chair to soothe him. + +Again did little Frenchie come to the relief of us all by changing the +subject of the conversation once more, and this time he called upon Saul +to explain how it was he had been taken prisoner and confined in the +guard-house. + +Strange though it may seem, I had had no curiosity concerning this +matter from the time we set him free, perhaps because there was so much +of excitement and confusion everywhere around, but now I turned from +Uncle 'Rasmus to gaze at my cousin eagerly, so impatient to hear his +story that I could hardly control myself until he was ready to begin. + +"Of course I knew you would insist on being told of all that happened," +he said gravely, hesitating now and then in his speech, "and the +thought that I must confess my folly caused me greater pain, I believe, +than did the knowledge of being held prisoner in that guard-house with +half a dozen half-drunken soldiers as companions. It was a case of +giving way to my temper, and the sooner I admit the fact the better, +perhaps, I shall feel." + +"With whom did you quarrel?" I asked curiously, surprised by the +possibility that any British soldier should have condescended to +squabble with a country lad. + +"With Abel Hunt," Saul replied, and Pierre and I leaped to our feet as +if moved by a powerful spring. + +Abel Hunt! And that scoundrel had followed us, knowing what he did about +Saul, without saying anything whatsoever concerning the lad; but +striving to find where we were lodged so he might work yet further +mischief! + +As this came into my mind I realized that the danger which menaced us +was greater than I feared, for Abel Hunt, having met Saul and compassed +his imprisonment, knew also that we were in the village. It was not +within the bounds of probability that he could even guess of our visit +to the Gloucester shore; but he would spare no labor to lay us by the +heels as spies. He had shown himself deep, that villain Hunt, deeper +than I ever believed was possible, for until this instant I had set him +down as one almost lacking in mental ability. + +"Tell us how the quarrel came about?" Pierre said quickly. "We also have +seen somewhat of this Abel Hunt, and it may be we need to know more +about him without loss of time in order to protect ourselves, if indeed +there be any protection for us in this British camp." + +"_You_ have had to do with Abel Hunt?" Saul cried in astonishment. "Does +he know that you two lads are here?" + +"That he does," I replied. "He followed us until midnight, after we told +him we had no shelter and were forced to sleep out of doors if we slept +at all." + +"Did he tell you of meeting me?" + +"Never a word, and it is that very thing which troubles me," Pierre +cried, more excited than I had ever yet seen him. "He knew that if he +said aught against you or confessed to having had a hand in making you a +prisoner, there would be no possible chance of our confiding in him, or +be frightened into telling that which he sought to learn. Now go on with +the story, lad, and quick!" + +"There is not much more to tell, when I say that I met with Abel Hunt. +We came together nearabout the quarters of the Rangers, where I stood +hoping to get a glimpse of the mare, and, daring to take me by the arm +as if he were my equal, he demanded to know what I did there in the +British camp. Then it was I forgot myself, allowing my temper to get the +best of me, and instead of speaking him fairly because of the +circumstances, I threatened he should be flogged by one of my uncle's +negroes in the slave quarters, for daring to thus accost me. It stands +to reason that I realize now how foolish was this course, for I might +have put him off, or answered his question after my own fashion, and +later, when there were not so many king's lovers around, I could have +had him punished. But, instead, I lost control of myself, as I have +said, and I believe my actions pleased the scoundrel. He taunted me with +being a rebel, and otherwise strove to set yet further flame to my +anger, until forgetting all else, having lost to mind the danger in +which you lads would be placed, I struck at the fellow, knocking him +down, much to my satisfaction. + +"In a twinkling he had me by the legs while yet lying upon the ground +and cried out for the guard, declaring he was being murdered, and +otherwise making as much disturbance as half a dozen could have made if +they were being whipped to death. Then, as a matter of course, the guard +came up. Abel Hunt, who seemed to be on a friendly footing with some of +the red-coats, explained that I, a rebel, had attempted to win him over +to the side of the Whigs, and, failing, had set upon him with intent to +kill. + +"There was little need for him to have made so many charges against me. +The fact that I had been so bold as to make a disturbance nearabout the +quarters of the high and mighty officers of my Lord Cornwallis, was in +itself enough to warrant me lodgings in the guard-house, and before many +seconds had passed I was thrust into that filthy place, where I was fed +on bread with now and then a slice of bacon, and no more than half +enough of the river water to quench my thirst. + +"I knew full well that you lads would leave no stone unturned until you +had learned of my whereabouts, and I was also well convinced you could +do nothing whatsoever to aid me. Therefore it was I strove to remain in +that horrible place content, and succeeded in a measure until the cannon +began to roar, when I cried aloud with joy, for I believed our people +were giving battle to Cornwallis's army, although how that might +advantage me, unless they gained such a victory as to take all the +red-coats prisoners, I could not have said. + +"When you struck the first blow against the chimney of the house, I knew +as well as if I had seen your dear faces, that you, Fitz, and you, +Pierre, were there, taking advantage of the cannonading to rescue me. +But even as I rejoiced I mourned because of believing you would speedily +be made prisoners like myself. It never came into my mind that the +red-coats would leave even the prisons without a guard in order to man +the entrenchments. There is no more to be said, for you know the rest, +and now I am asking what about Abel Hunt?" + +The question which Saul asked was in Pierre's mind as well as mine, for +now did it seem as if our end was near at hand. There was no probability +he could effect anything now while the Britishers were striving to beat +back our people; but as soon as the firing ceased, and by this time we +had come to understand that it was not a battle which was being fought, +but an attempt on the part of the Britishers to prevent our forces from +gaining a foothold near the town--I say, when the firing ceased, and the +officers were at liberty to take heed to their own affairs in the +encampment, what might it not be possible for Abel Hunt to accomplish? + +He knew that Saul was here; that he was my cousin, and most like that +the horses on the Hamilton plantation had been seized, therefore would +have been even more dull than I fancied, if he failed to put together +the story in such a manner as to convince himself that both Pierre and +I were in York for some purpose other than that of curiosity. + +In fact, if he should tell no more than he already knew, without +attempting to add to the story in any way, that officer who listened to +him could, and with good reason, have set it down as a fact that we had +remained in the village to act the part of spies, after which +straightway every building in the village would be searched. + +"All of us, even if we take Horry Sims, might make our escape by the +river while the cannonading continues," I cried eagerly, having but the +one idea of making our escape without loss of time. "We had no +difficulty either in coming here or tearing away the chimney of the +guard-house, therefore does it stand to reason we can get to the river +bank without being seen. The skiff still remains where we left her, I +have no doubt, and by moving quickly we may be out of this trap and at +our home in James Town within two hours." + +"Why are you so eager to leave York?" Pierre asked in a peculiar tone, +and I, failing wholly to understand what the little French lad was +driving at, replied promptly: + +"Because of the danger we incur by remaining here." + +"And was it not you, Fitz Hamilton, who counted that we should call +ourselves Minute Boys with the idea that at some time, perhaps, we could +enlist more in our ranks until we had formed a company?" + +"Well, and what if I did propose such a foolish thing?" + +"You have allowed it to be understood among us that you considered +yourself bound to perform the part of a Minute Boy?" + +"And what then?" I cried angrily. + +"Why, then, at some time in the future it might be said that you lads +from Virginia made bold talk as to what you would do as Minute Boys, and +began the work; but when danger menaced you turned tail to take refuge +under your mother's apron. How would such a story as that match with +what is already well known the lads of New York, of Boston, and of other +places have done for the Cause? Had they banded themselves together as +you and Saul and I agreed to do, and then shown the white feather, it +would have been known throughout all the thirteen colonies by this time. +And yet we of Virginia must be the first to act the cowardly part!" + +If Pierre had taken a horsewhip to me he could not have cut the flesh +more deeply than he cut my heart by these words. When I proposed to make +our way out of York, going to my own home, there was no thought in my +mind that the act could in any way have the appearance of cowardice. It +was simply before me that with Abel Hunt ready to give information, and +we shut up where a search of half an hour must surely reveal our +whereabouts, it was simply our duty to go away if so be that were +possible. + +Now, however, after the little French lad had spoken, I would have stood +in that village baring my breast to all those lovers of the king, +allowing them to do whatsoever they might with my body, rather than take +the first step toward escaping, and Pierre must have seen by the +expression on my face somewhat of that which was in my heart, for, +coming up to me closely and caressing my arm in that old familiar +manner, he said soothingly: + +"I did not count to give you pain, Fitz Hamilton; but only said that +which was in my mind, with the idea of preventing you from carrying out +any plan that might cause you deepest pain in the future. Far be it from +me to accuse you of being cowardly, for I have seen you advance when you +were afraid to do so, and he who can control himself under such +circumstances may be counted a brave lad." + +While we had been talking the cannonading ceased gradually, until by the +time Pierre was done with his efforts to soothe me, comparative silence +prevailed. Straightway we lads forgot all else in the desire to know +what had been done; whether our people had retreated, or if the +Britishers had fallen back, and I was on the point of proposing that I +go out to get an idea of the situation when the door suddenly opened, +and to our great surprise and delight the Jerseyman flung himself +headlong into the room, as if he had run until so exhausted that he +could no longer remain on his feet. + +We closed the door behind him speedily, as you can well imagine, and +then barricaded it to the best of our ability, after which we darkened +the windows with blankets lest some curiously inclined soldier might +pass that way and see who was our visitor. + +We had no water with which to refresh him, therefore it was we could +only wait until he was in a measure revived, for strong though the man +had appeared to be, now was he apparently on the verge of exhaustion. +His face was powder-stained, as if he had been doing full share in +holding back our people, and his clothing torn and rent, showing token +of some desperate struggle. + +Not until four or five minutes had elapsed, during which we knelt by the +side of the man unable to give him any aid, did he recover some portion +of his strength, and then he said, speaking indistinctly because of his +heavy breathing: + +"There is nothing to cause alarm. The enemy have not discovered who I +am; but yet would I hide myself here with the hope of being able to make +my way through the lines this night." + +"But with whom have you been fighting?" I cried, pointing to his +trousers which literally hung in rags. + +"That was done in the trenches when seeing, as I believed, an +opportunity to get into our lines, and having as companion only a +wounded Britisher, I strove to make my escape; but he, suspecting what I +would do, grappled with me. The fellow had more strength than I gave him +credit for, because he held me in good play, and before I succeeded in +overcoming him there were so many red-coats around that I dare not make +the attempt." + +"Then he knows that you are a spy, and will give information to +Cornwallis!" I exclaimed, my voice trembling with excitement, and the +Jerseyman replied gravely: + +"He may have suspected, and probably did; but never can he carry +information to any officer." + +Then it was I understood the man was dead; but whether killed by the +Jerseyman, or by his wounds, I knew not, nor did I dare make inquiries. + +"Why did you come in such hot haste?" Pierre asked anxiously. "You must +have run at full speed from the farthermost outworks." + +"So I did, lad; two of us were sent to headquarters to bring up some +horses, and I, outstripping the fellow who went with me, decided on +making my way here, believing now the village is so closely besieged +that I would not have another opportunity of getting through the lines." + +"But what about the morrow, after you are missed, or to-night when you +fail to answer to the roll call?" + +"They may say of me what they please, so that I remain here hidden until +midnight, when I shall take my life in my hands, counting not the cost +of the venture if I may finish the work in this town of York which I +began so long ago." + +I could not then understand why it was Morgan spoke as if this might be +his last opportunity to desert from the British lines; but all of us +soon came to have a very good idea as to the reason, when he explained +what had happened. + +And now instead of endeavoring to set down the matter in his words, and +lest I should make a mistake in repeating them, let me write here that +which I read in plain print some time after the colonies had won their +freedom from the king. It was written by one who strove to tell all that +had happened, without taking either the Whig or Tory side, and, so far +as I have been able to learn, is true concerning what took place in that +village of York up to the close of this day of which I am writing. + +"Cornwallis, with the main division of his army, occupied York Town. The +main body of his troops were encamped on the open ground in the rear of +the town. Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas, who did good service at James Town, +occupied Gloucester with about seven hundred men, and was joined by +Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton and his men shortly before the siege began. + +"The combined armies of the Americans, about twelve thousand strong, +left Williamsburg by different roads and marched toward York Town. The +French Legion, a squadron of French marines, and a brigade of Virginia +militiamen, were sent to invest Gloucester, while the remainder of the +forces kept on toward the British encampment. On their approach the +British left their field-works and withdrew to those near the town. The +American light infantry and a considerable body of French troops were +ordered to take possession of these abandoned works, and serve as a +covering party for the troops while digging trenches and casting up +breastworks. Cannonading of the town and one or two sorties occurred +during the day. + +"Colonel Alexander Scammel, officer of the day, while reconnoitering +near the Fusileer's redoubt, situated on the river bank at the mouth of +a stream on the extreme left, was surprised by two or three Hessian +horsemen. He surrendered; but they shot him and left him for dead. + +"When the place was completely invested by the allied armies, their +lines extended in a semi-circle at a distance of nearly two miles from +the British works, each wing resting on the York river. The French +troops occupied the left, the Americans the right, while Count de Grasse +with his fleet remained in Lynn Haven bay to beat off any naval force +which might come to the aid of Cornwallis. + +"On the extreme left of the besieging army were the West India regiments +under St. Simon. Next to them were the French light infantry regiments; +the French artillery and the quarters of the two chiefs occupied the +center. On the right, across a marsh, were the American artillery, under +General Knox; the Virginian, Maryland and Pennsylvania troops under +General Steuben; the New York, Rhode Island and New Jersey troops, with +sappers and miners, under General James Clinton; the light infantry +under Lafayette, and the Virginia militia under Governor Nelson. The +quarters of General Lincoln were on the banks of Wormeley's Creek on the +extreme right." + +All this, as I have said, was told us by Morgan while he lay on the +floor of old Mary's cabin; but I dared not trust my memory to make an +attempt at repeating his words, therefore it is I have copied it from +the printed account, although by so doing have seemed to advance the +time by giving the position of the besieging army, for they did not +occupy the quarters as here set down until the following day. + +Now we understood, else had we been thick-headed indeed, that York was +to be besieged to the end that none of my Lord Cornwallis's force might +escape, and how many days must pass before the proud Britisher would be +willing to surrender, no man could say. + +These facts caused me no little anxiety of mind, and I saw plainly by +the expression on Pierre's face that he was deeply disturbed, as indeed +he had good reason to be. All us lads, even though we were not +experienced in warfare, knew that during the time of siege it would be +next to impossible for any person to make his way into the American camp +from the village, because the outer works would be heavily manned night +and day, and every red-coated soldier be on the alert to prevent +information being carried to the so-called rebels. + +In the meantime we must hide in the besieged town, holding our prisoner +with us; but now that the British army was drawn more closely together, +and we as a matter of course more nearly surrounded by the soldiers, did +it seem a matter of impossibility we could remain undiscovered any very +great length of time. + +In addition to this danger, which it seemed to me was so great as to +overshadow all else, was the fact that while we were in hiding we must +contrive in some way to supply ourselves with food, and how might that +be done save at the expense of revealing the fact that old Mary's cabin +had other occupants than the decrepit negro and a lad who had come to +care for him? + +Before the siege was begun it needed but little proof to convince the +king's officers that whosoever was charged with being a spy was guilty; +and now that the village was invested, with the Americans pressing hotly +for every advantage, the lightest whisper would be sufficient to bring +one who had spoken or moved indiscreetly, to the gallows. + +As I brooded over these things it seemed to me as if we were already +within the shadow of the valley of death, with no way of escape save +over the dark river into the Beyond. + +Certain it is that even Morgan shared in the forebodings which I have +here set down, otherwise he would not have taken the chances of +remaining hidden in the cabin until midnight and propose then to venture +his life as the price of being discovered while striving to creep +through the lines. + +He himself had said that this was the last opportunity, poor though it +might prove, to get word to our people, and he must also have realized +all the dangers that would menace us when another day was come and the +king's soldiers settled themselves down to the task of holding their +enemy in check. + +That which made the situation seem to me more painful, more intolerable, +was the fact that there was no longer any possibility we could be of +service to the Cause by thus remaining in York; yet we were bound to +stay for the very good reason that there was no hope of getting away. + +I could not bring myself to believe we had accomplished aught of good by +coming into this village of York. It seemed to me matters would have +been better for all concerned had we remained on the Hamilton +plantation, and yet Master Morgan was so kind as to say before that day +had come to a close, that when he had speech with any of our generals he +should take good care to give us due praise for what we had done. + +"Even though it had been nothing more than carrying the message to +Williamsburg and repeating my words to the man on the Gloucester shore, +then would you lads have good reason to be proud," the Jerseyman said +when I asked petulantly what we who called ourselves Minute Boys had +done deserving of praise. "Without you I should have been forced to +leave the lines some time ago, and thanks to your being here, it is now +possible for me to give accurate information as to all the defenses." + +"That is, providing you get through the lines alive," Saul said grimly, +and the Jerseyman added: + +"I count on getting through with sufficient of life remaining to be +able to tell my story; but if peradventure I am shot this side the +entrenchments, then I conjure you lads as you love your country, to risk +everything you hold most dear in the effort to communicate with our +people. Value your lives as nothing; the greatest suffering you can +endure as a pleasure, so that you may be able before another day has +come to a close to describe in detail that which you have seen." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +AN UGLY SITUATION + + +After Morgan had finished telling us what would be our duty in case he +gave up his life while trying to get through the lines, then came a +discussion as to how it would be possible for us to procure food. + +With Abel Hunt at liberty, roaming around the village seeking us out and +most like counting to denounce us as rebels, it was in the highest +degree dangerous for any member of our company to venture forth from the +cabin lest we come upon that fellow whom I doubted not was bent solely +on doing us a harm. + +Why he should have turned his attention to such end I cannot well say, +save it might be that he fancied it was the best way to curry favor with +the British officers. Neither Saul nor I had done anything to make of +the fellow an enemy. It is true we did not associate with him, and I +question whether that could have rankled in his breast, because he knew +full well that lads of our standing would not stoop to such a thing. + +However it might be, certain it was, as I set it down in my own mind, +that after we had met him the night before he would leave no stone +unturned to bring us into trouble, and it would not be a difficult +matter for him to learn from some of the Tory citizens of York who yet +remained in the village, which of the buildings were owned by my +father. + +Having come to know that this cabin belonged to the Hamilton plantation, +there was every reason to believe Hunt would watch it closely, therefore +for any one of us three lads to venture out even though we might be +starving, would be much the same as advertising him of our whereabouts. + +Certain it was that the Jerseyman could not aid us in this extremity, +for he must remain even more closely hidden than we, lest he be +prevented from making the desperate attempt he counted on as soon as +night had come. + +"I see no other course than for Pierre Laurens to set his wits at work +striving to find some way out of this trouble," I said after we had +talked together, as you might say at random, without having arrived at +any definite conclusion. "Since we came into this village of York Pierre +has shown himself ready of thought and has pulled us out of more than +one hole. If he cannot devise some means to procure food save at the +expense of bringing Abel Hunt down upon us, then will I say it is +useless to attempt it; but that we must either starve, or take the poor +chances of trying to follow Master Morgan through the lines, which would +be much the same as death." + +"But why should we be so certain this cabin is likely to be watched?" +Saul asked in a tone of irritation. "Why may we not say to ourselves in +good truth, that after you and Pierre met Abel Hunt--" + +"Who is it calls on Abel Hunt?" a familiar voice from the outside cried, +causing the blood to run chill in my veins, and almost at the same +instant the door was burst open, the flimsy barriers we had set against +it being of no avail as opposed to the strength of him who threw all his +strength upon it. + +We sat there like statues, and I dare say fear was written on every +face, even on that of the Jerseyman's, when Abel Hunt in his bullying +way strode into the center of the room and stood there gazing around at +us as if to say we were at his mercy, and would obey his lightest word +because we dared not do otherwise. + +As for myself, I was literally paralyzed with fear. That man who could +do us more mischief in this town of York than any other, had found out +our hiding place, and what was even worse, had seen in our midst, as if +taking council with us, a British soldier, for Master Morgan still +retained so much of his uniform that it might be readily +distinguishable. + +My limbs trembled as if I was suffering from an attack of the palsy, and +in my great terror I saw no way to counteract this last stroke of +misfortune. I could bring to mind no act of ours which would tend to +relieve us from the danger that menaced, and I might almost fancy that +at his heels he had brought a squad of red-coated soldiers to carry us +off to prison, from which we would emerge only to stand under the +gallows. + +Involuntarily I glanced toward Pierre, for the little French lad had +ever shown himself of such ready wit that in time of great danger all my +hopes were centered in him, and again did I have cause for fear. The +lad, keeping his eyes fixed upon Abel Hunt that he might watch his every +movement as a cat watches the movements of a mouse with which she is +playing, was slowly yet surely moving around the room toward the door, +and in my folly I said to myself that we were in such desperate straits +that Pierre Laurens was not only willing, but striving, to give us the +slip. + +Although knowing him so well, I imagined that he, like me, was well nigh +overcome with terror, and intent only on saving his own skin without +giving heed to whatsoever might come upon his companions. + +During a single instant my eyes fell upon the Jerseyman, and I saw what +I fancied was already pictured plainly on my own face, until he, like +me, had a glimpse of Pierre. Then it was as if a wave of satisfaction +and approbation passed over his features, whereupon he turned to Abel +Hunt, who still stood in the center of the room grinning in triumph at +each of us in turn, and began to engage him in conversation. + +It seemed to me that the Jerseyman uttered the words of a foolish +person, when he said to the grinning fellow who was burning to humiliate +and bring us to our death: + +"There is no good reason, Hunt, for such I gather to be your name, why +you should not sit down. Let us discuss the situation. I admit that you +have caught us foul; but there is no need to hasten affairs, and we may +as well speak of the matter among ourselves while there is yet time, for +I am of the belief that it may be mended." + +"You'll mend nothing with me, you renegade Britisher!" Abel Hunt +snarled. "I looked to find a nest of rebels here; but didn't count they +would be harboring a traitor such as you give token of being." + +"Why should you call me a traitor?" the Jerseyman asked calmly and much +to my astonishment, yet even at that moment when I was both terrified +and perplexed I noted that he gave more heed to Pierre Laurens, than to +the man with whom he was talking. + +"Why should I not give you the name of traitor?" Abel growled. "You +still wear part of the king's uniform, and it must be you have turned +against him, else why do I find you consorting with rebels?" + +"It may be I am striving to lead them from the error of their ways," +Master Morgan said with a smile, and then it was I saw Uncle 'Rasmus +pulling his chair forward, at the same time shaking his fist at Horry +Sims in token that he should remain in the corner. + +"Don't think to blind my eyes!" Hunt screamed. "Don't fancy that soft +words will butter any parsnips with me! I've got you all under my thumb +now, and count on keeping you there!" + +"All of which you know to be a lie," the Jerseyman said, still speaking +quietly but fixing the fellow with his eye as if to hold closely his +attention. + +As a matter of course these words were amply sufficient to arouse Hunt +to the highest pitch of anger, and on the instant he seemed to give no +heed to any save the one who had insulted him. + +"You shall live to repent those words, and die regretting them," he +snarled. + +"Why don't you cause me now, single-handed, to regret them?" Morgan +asked threateningly, rising to his feet as he spoke as if expecting an +attack, and Abel Hunt literally shrieked in his anger: + +"Because there is no need why I should spend my strength on one who lays +so near the gallows as do you. I count on turning you over to those +officers of the king who will deal out such justice as you have earned, +instead of spending my time flogging a traitor who deserves more the +halter." + +Now it was, when it seemed to me as if Master Morgan was trying to +provoke a rough-and-tumble fight, that I began, thick-head though I was, +to have an inkling that some plan, which had been concerted without the +aid of words, was on foot, for as soon as Abel gave way to anger old +'Rasmus moved his chair yet further forward until it stood as a +barricade in front of the door, while Pierre held in his hands by one +leg a stool, handling it as if it were a weapon. + +"If you have aught against me, and are not a coward, you will try it out +now and here, instead of hiding yourself behind the skirts of the king's +soldiers!" the Jerseyman cried as if he no longer held control over his +temper, and at the same time he advanced a step toward Hunt as if to +grapple with him. + +The cowardly fellow fell back before Morgan; but dared not take his eyes +from the Jerseyman because of fearing that a blow might be delivered. +Back, back, slowly, pace by pace he retreated, Morgan advancing with +clenched fist, and then against Uncle 'Rasmus's chair the fellow came at +full force, half toppling over. + +Then it was that I understood all the scheme; understood why Uncle +'Rasmus had moved where he did, and why the Jerseyman strove to provoke +Hunt to anger, for Pierre raised the stool which he had been swinging to +and fro in his hands, and brought it down upon the scoundrel's head with +such force that he was nigh knocked to the floor. + +If little Frenchie had been able to get in a direct blow, I have no +doubt it would have settled matters on the instant, for I could see even +in the gloom that the lad was putting all his strength to the effort, +and counted on taking human life if by so doing he could the better +relieve us from the difficulty into which we had fallen. + +As it was, unfortunately, Pierre's arm glanced across the back of Uncle +'Rasmus's chair, and the blow was robbed of half its force. It was +sufficient, however, to partially daze Abel Hunt, and before he could +recover either his senses or his footing Morgan was upon him like a +wild-cat, clutching both hands around the fellow's throat to prevent any +outcry, while the two came down upon the puncheon planks with a thud +that shook the building. + +On the instant, and without giving any heed to the struggling men, Uncle +'Rasmus sprang with the agility of a boy to the corner where Horry Sims +stood as if ready to leap forward to Abel Hunt's aid, and there the old +negro, with his cane upraised, held the Tory lad where he neither dared +lift a hand or open his mouth. + +At the same instant little Frenchie sprang toward the door, replacing +and mending so far as possible the barriers which had been torn away, +and otherwise doing what he might to put it in such shape that it would +resist, at least for a short time, the efforts of any who might try to +enter. + +Meanwhile Saul and I stood as if dazed, looking down upon the floor +where Master Morgan and Abel Hunt were struggling most desperately, +rolling here and there with such swiftness of movement that had we been +armed with the best of weapons it would have been impossible for us to +have struck a blow in defence of the Jerseyman, save at great risk of +hitting him instead of our enemy. + +I did succeed, after mayhap a full minute had passed, in gathering my +wits sufficiently to seize upon a stick of firewood which was lying at +one side of the fireplace, and then I went toward the combatants, +watching the opportunity to strike a blow in Master Morgan's defence. So +great was the rage within my heart, that I sincerely hoped I might bring +the oaken stick down upon Abel Hunt's head with such force as to kill +him on the instant. + +At almost the precise moment when the Jerseyman leaped upon Abel Hunt, +the British cannon were discharged, and from then on until long after +the struggle had come to an end, was the firing kept up on both sides +with such violence and volume of sound that however much of a +disturbance we might have made in the cabin, or however near the +Britishers had approached to the building, no token of our movements +could have been heard. Otherwise certain it is to me that we would have +brought the enemy down upon us, for the tumult inside old Mary's cabin +was indeed great. + +How long the struggle between the two men continued I had no means of +knowing. My blood was, as one would say, so boiling in my veins that I +saw nothing but red before me, and was conscious of but the one desire +to kill the scoundrel who without reason had sought to hunt us down. + +Therefore it was I could not have told whether I sprang here and there +in the effort to strike a deadly blow, five minutes or half an hour, +and something very like disappointment came over me when Master Morgan +concluded the fight without aid from any of us. + +His grip upon Abel Hunt's throat was so firm that the fellow's eyes were +literally starting from their sockets when he had been choked into +insensibility, and his tongue hung out of his mouth seemingly a finger's +length. + +The Jerseyman although victor, had not come out of the fight unharmed. +He was bleeding from a cut on the face. His shirt had been torn from his +body until he was near naked, and so severe had been his exertions that +when Hunt finally sank back upon the puncheons like one dead Master +Morgan could only with difficulty move to his knees, panting, and with +the perspiration running down his face in tiny streams. + +How long Saul and I stood gaping open-mouthed at the apparently dead man +and nearly exhausted spy I dare not venture to say. Neither of us +thought we had any part to play now that the battle was at an end; but +not so with Pierre Laurens. He, dear lad, ever on watch and ever ready +to take advantage of the first opportunity, understood that Abel Hunt +had only been choked into unconsciousness, and that it was necessary we +set about so fettering him that the battle could not be continued when +his senses returned. + +Pierre seized upon the blanket which had fallen from Uncle 'Rasmus's +knees when he set about making his way toward the door to offer his body +as a living barricade, and tore it into strips until he had an apology +for a rope sufficient to have tied two men, and began dextrously binding +Hunt's feet and arms. + +His action caused me to bestir myself, and I began to fashion a gag for +the fellow's mouth, knowing full well that we could not frighten him +into silence as we had frightened Horry Sims. + +The Jerseyman recovered from his exertions before little Frenchie and I +had finished our task, and then he took from my hand the stout billet of +wood which I was wrapping with strips torn from the blanket, as he said: + +"I am not minded to have the blood of this fellow on my head, yet +perhaps it would be better for all concerned if we shut off his wind for +so long a time that it could never be recovered again, for he is like to +be a millstone around your neck, lad, and may yet succeed in working his +purpose. Killing one in cold blood, even though it be for the Cause, is +more than I am willing to undertake." + +"But he must be gagged," I cried, thinking that Master Morgan was +growing soft-hearted and might waste too much time in mourning over his +victim. + +"Let not your heart be troubled as to that, lad," the Jerseyman said +grimly. "To thrust this gag into the fellow's mouth just now would be +indeed the same as cutting his throat. We must wait until he is well +nigh conscious of his surroundings, and then bind it in place so +securely that he cannot work loose from it." + +Then it was, while Morgan knelt by Abel Hunt's side awaiting the proper +moment to deprive him of all power of speech, that I realized what we +had done. I speedily understood that this victory of ours was the same +as a disaster, for how could we, unable to procure food or water save at +great risk, care for two prisoners, and at the same time the thought +came into my mind like a red light of warning, that the companionship of +Abel Hunt would embolden Horry Sims, and mayhap make of him something +more than the coward he had thus far shown himself. + +Even though we should be able to feed these prisoners, yet must we hold +them here in the midst of the British camp where the least accident +would bring the soldiers in upon us, and it did not at that moment seem +to me possible we could keep the two fellows in the loft any length of +time without in some way betraying the secret. + +"What about the Tory lad?" Master Morgan asked while he yet awaited the +proper time for thrusting the gag into Hunt's mouth. + +"We are forced to hold him, as a matter of course. The question in my +mind as you spoke was how we might care for two prisoners, while we +ourselves are in much the same situation, save than we are at liberty to +move about inside this cabin?" + +"There are many things, lad, which seem impossible while they are yet in +the future; but when the moment for action comes the way is made plain, +and we succeed where failure appeared certain." + +Not understanding fully the meaning of what the Jerseyman said, I did +not extract much of comfort from his words; but stood looking down upon +Abel Hunt who was now beginning to breathe heavily like one who snores +in his sleep, until Pierre aroused me by saying: + +"We shall be forced to put both prisoners into the loft, as a matter of +course, and may as well get Horry Sims there now, for stowing Abel Hunt +away will be considerable of a task." + +Despite the roar of great guns from the outside the Tory lad heard what +little Frenchie said, and straightway set about begging us not to put a +gag in his mouth, vowing by this and by that which he held most sacred, +that he would make no outcry. + +At first it seemed to me absolutely necessary for our own safety that we +deprive him of the power to raise an alarm; but Pierre, who had already +thought over all the possibilities of the situation, said: + +"We will put Abel Hunt one side of the scuttle, and Horry Sims the +other. Whoever is on guard must sit by the side of the Tory lad, and if +so be he gives any token of crying out, then shall the gag go in and +remain there." + +"Do you count on making the same bargain with Abel Hunt?" I asked +scornfully, for my blood was yet so heated that I could have no feeling +of tenderness or of mercy toward those two who had forced us to +encounter such peril. + +"He must take his dose," little Frenchie said from between his clenched +teeth, and I was really pleased, even while standing there facing death, +to see that the French lad's anger could be aroused. + +Without loss of time we drove Horry Sims up the ladder, and when he was +in the loft Pierre and I fettered him securely with strips of blanket, +threatening him with the gag if he moved a hand's breadth in either +direction. + +Then we went to the floor below, ready to do our share in hoisting into +his attic-prison the scoundrel who would have denounced us as spies. + +The Jerseyman had already put the gag in Hunt's mouth, and when we came +down he was telling the fellow what he might expect if any resistance +was offered. + +"Here is a pistol with mayhap a dozen charges of powder and ball," +Master Morgan said as he drew from his ragged trousers a weapon and a +small package which I knew contained ammunition. "Whichever of you lads +stands guard over the prisoner, and close watch must be kept night and +day if you would preserve your lives, will have by him every moment this +pistol ready loaded and primed. At the first sign of an attempt to +escape, or to give an alarm, which you see Abel Hunt display, put the +weapon to his head and blow his brains out regardless of everything, +even though there might be a squad of soldiers standing beneath the +scuttle, for his life must be as of no value if you would hope to come +out from this British nest with whole skins." + +Then looking at Hunt, who perforce lay there motionless and silent, the +Jerseyman repeated to him very much the same as he had said to us, +assuring the fellow over and over again that if the Britishers should +come to his aid, or if it was discovered either through his exertions or +by accident that he lay there a prisoner, we lads were bound to kill him +because of what he could tell to our disadvantage. + +I have seen a wild-cat held helpless in a trap, and there was much of +his look about Abel Hunt's face as he glared at Pierre and me, unable to +stir even a finger, while Master Morgan was threatening. + +It seemed as though the fellow must have realized that we would have no +compunction about taking his life in cold blood if so be he stood +between us and liberty, yet was he like the wild-cat, ready and willing +to struggle to the very last even though the odds were so heavy against +him, and when we strove to carry him into the loft he did his best to +prevent it, although both hands and feet were bound securely. + +It was not until we had made a rope of the second blanket, thus +depriving ourselves of even the apology for a bed, and tied it around +his body, hoisting him as we would a bale of cotton, that it was +possible to get the fellow through the scuttle. + +With two of us pulling from above and the others shoving him up from +below, we finally succeeded in landing him on the puncheon planks, +rolling the fellow over until he was at such a distance from the opening +in the floor that he could not well spy upon those who were below. + +All the while, fortunately for us, the cannonading continued, therefore +we were at liberty to work as we would regardless of making a noise, and +well it was, for had we stood in danger from eavesdroppers, then must +all of us have been in the guard-house within five minutes after the +fight between Master Morgan and Abel Hunt began. + +It was with a sense of greatest relief that I stood near the edge of the +scuttle wiping the perspiration from my face when finally we had got the +scoundrelly cur where we wanted him, and then the satisfaction which +should have been mine because of having thus far succeeded in holding +our own, was entirely wiped out by thoughts of the future. Strive as I +might, I could not prevent my mind from going ahead of time and +picturing what must finally be our fate. + +That we could hold these two Tories securely for a day, mayhap eight and +forty hours, I had little doubt; but it was the same as a proven fact in +my mind that within a short time must the Britishers learn all the +secret, and lay us under the most terrible of all military charges. + +It was as if Master Morgan understood that if we were given much time +for thought there was fear of our growing timorous, for no sooner had we +disposed of Abel Hunt than he called for all to come to the floor below +where he could have speech with us, saying at the same time that the +prisoners could effect nothing toward their release, even though it were +possible for them to cry out, because while the cannon were roaring and +one could hear the crackle of musketry from seemingly every point, the +strongest lunged man who ever lived could not have made his voice heard +an hundred paces away. + +"It has come time for me to take leave of you, lads," the Jerseyman said +much to my surprise, and I interrupted him by crying out, for it was to +my mind as if the moment he departed we were standing in even more +imminent danger of death than we did at that instant. + +"I thought you were not counting to make the venture until midnight," I +cried. + +"That was in my mind, lad, when matters were quiet here within the +entrenchments; but from the sounds of conflict it would seem as if the +Britishers had all they could attend to without looking after a man here +or there. I count on making my way very near the outer works, where I +shall await an opportunity of slipping through the lines." + +"Think you it will be possible to do so?" Pierre asked thoughtfully, +and the Jerseyman replied without a tremor in his voice: + +"I am of the mind, lad, that the odds are strongly against it, and yet +must the venture be made. I have the hope that if death comes to me you +may have knowledge regarding it, so that that which I have failed in may +be carried on by one of you. It is not a time to think of taking +precautions to save our own lives; but rather to try how we may so +sacrifice them that by our dying we shall have benefitted the Cause." + +Even while he was speaking in such a strain as to bring tears to the +eyes of us all, little Frenchie, ever realizing what should be done, was +unbarring the door, and when he had finished the task the Jerseyman went +out without so much as turning to look at us. Never a word did he speak, +but went quickly into the open air as if eager to rid himself of our +company. + +Only those who have been in a like situation can understand our feelings +at this moment when we were left alone, and knew that the man who stood +our friend, had gone most like to his death. + +We remained silent and motionless, not daring to gaze at each other, +much like a band of mourners who have gathered around the lifeless body +of a dear friend, and so we would have stood there until all the courage +oozed out from our hearts, had it not been for dear little Frenchie, +himself quite as brave a man and as good a patriot as the one who had +just left us. + +Regardless of the sorrow in his own heart, and of the forebodings which +I knew must be his, he put on a cheerful face, saying as he righted +Uncle 'Rasmus's chair which had been overturned during the struggle: + +"There is no good reason why we should stand around here like a company +of sore-heads, for there is work in abundance to be done. We must have +food, and now would seem to be the time to procure it, when the +Britishers have all on their hands to which they can attend." + +"For my part I have no desire for food," I cried, almost irritated +because he had brought up the matter at such a time, when it was as if +we had taken leave of an old friend. "It seems to me as if I should +never be hungry again." + +"But yet you will be, Fitz Hamilton, and that before this night-fall. +Even though we were inclined to starve ourselves, thinking it might +benefit the Cause, we have two prisoners to look after, and now that we +have no longer reason to fear a meeting with Abel Hunt, what prevents us +from going through the encampment?" + +"It seems to me that at such a time the Britishers would be +over-cautious, and insist on knowing why we lads roamed around instead +of offering our services to those in the entrenchments," Saul said +gloomily, and I was much of his mind; but when little Frenchie has once +set out on a road it is most difficult to turn him back, and now in +answer to our suggestions, he insisted that we must make an effort to +procure provisions whatever short of actual death might stand in the +way. + +I am willing now, as I was then, to confess freely that I was afraid to +step outside old Mary's cabin for any purpose whatsoever. The struggle +with Abel Hunt, and the departure of the Jerseyman when it seemed +certain he had gone out only to be killed, had brought to the surface +all my cowardice; but when I said as much in plain words, little +Frenchie laughed me to scorn, declaring he knew me better than I knew +myself, and that it needed only for me to stand face to face with +imminent danger in order to give token of bravery. + +"Then surely now should be the time when I showed myself a hero," I +replied with a laugh that had in it little of mirth, "for verily are we +face to face with as many dangers as the most gluttonous swash-buckler +could desire." + +"Come with me and we will find more," Pierre said with a laugh as he +opened the door, and for the life of me I could not have refused to +follow the lad, even my knees bent beneath me as I crossed the +threshold. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +FORAGING + + +Sorely afraid though I was to go out of the cabin lest I find myself a +prisoner on the charge of being a spy, no danger however great could +have prevented me from following little Frenchie when he thus led the +way. + +I was so timorous at that moment as to be irritated, and it would have +done me a world of good could I have taken the little lad by the +shoulders and shaken him severely, because of thus venturing forth when +he might have remained in hiding a few hours longer without suffering +overly much from lack of food. + +Once in the open air, however, I the same as forgot that I was +faint-hearted, because of the scene which was presented. Looking +northward we could see closely surrounding us, hardly more than a +cannon-shot away, our people who had come to capture Cornwallis and his +men, and in so doing were preparing a way for our escape, if so be we +lived long enough to take advantage of the opportunity which they were +counting on offering. + +It was a sight well calculated to warm even the most timorous heart, +that vast army pressing forward as if certain of victory, and holding +the enemy on this peninsula from whence he could not escape even by +water, for at Lynn Haven bay lay the French ships ready to intercept any +flight. + +We of Virginia had remained so long under the heel of the invader, with +only now and then a glimpse of small detachments of our soldiers, that +it seemed for the moment almost incredible that there could be so many +men ready to sacrifice their lives in the effort to free the colonies +from the yoke of oppression which bore so heavily upon them. + +Looking Gloucester way, by which I mean gazing across the encampment of +those who held our village of York in a wavering grasp, we could see +that the red-coats had not only withdrawn from the outermost works; but +appeared to be massed together close within the limits of the village as +if for mutual protection, and little Pierre, ever quick to see, and keen +to understand what he saw, said to me in a tone of triumph as he laid +his hand on my shoulder: + +"Look yonder; see the red-coats huddling together like a lot of rats in +a trap, and verily they are trapped now, for so long as the French +vessels remain inside the Capes, so long are they shut in here at the +mercy of those brave fellows who have drawn the net around them!" + +Then it was that I began to question if Cornwallis was indeed in such +close quarters? In the river lay, as I have already said, the +_Guadaloupe_ and the _Charon_, and in addition were a number of other +large vessels, the names of which I do not remember. + +I asked myself whether, by making a brave attempt, they might not force +their way past the French fleet, and thus escape by the sea? + +"There is no chance they will try anything of the kind," Pierre said +when I suggested that mayhap our people did not hold the British in +such a firm grasp. "Look more closely at the ships, and you will see +that but two of them are armed for war, the others being only +transports. What chance would all of them have against a single frigate? +No, no, Fitz Hamilton, Cornwallis knows only too well that he is in a +tight place; but he is not such a fool as to make so desperate a +venture. Here he has taken his stand, and here he must remain until +having beaten off our people, or made up his mind to surrender." + +I wish it might be possible for me to paint a picture of the British +encampment surrounded by our brave Americans, as Pierre Laurens and I +saw it that afternoon when the shades of night were gathering. Points of +lights, betokening camp-fires, or torches set up in the entrenchments +that the troops might be able to strengthen their defences, twinkled in +every direction. Then was a zone of darkness lying between the enemy's +works and our forces, after which came again a circle of twinkling +lights that seemed to shine out in a most friendly fashion, as if +telling us lads to be of good cheer for kindly aid was nigh at hand. + +Now and then would come a great flash of fire, followed by a heavy +booming noise, as one army or the other sent a shot across the lines to +show that all were on the alert, and again we could hear in this +direction or that, the sharp crackle of musketry which caused us to +start forward toward the sound believing a battle had begun. During all +the time we were besieged in the village of York did it appear to me +certain the two armies would come together immediately in a hand-to-hand +grapple, and many times did I believe the end was nigh at hand, +although never were both forces in their entirety engaged in conflict. + +Not until night had fully come did Pierre and I cease to gaze around us, +at the same time exulting and despairing, allowing our eyes to rest +longest on the encampment of our friends, and then it was that the +little French lad brought me to a realization of the task before us, by +saying laughingly: + +"We ventured out to forage, not to watch the two armies, and I am of the +opinion that we had best get about our work, else will Saul and Uncle +'Rasmus believe we have been taken prisoners. That cousin of yours is +none too patient under the best of circumstances, and I can fancy how he +is raving at this moment because of being forced to stay in the loft +guarding the prisoners, while the old negro remains at the window +watching for our return." + +It was one thing to say we would forage, and quite another to do it. +There were provisions in abundance in the British camp; but no +possibility that we lads could come upon them, either by begging or by +stealing, while our only chance lay in finding some of the villagers who +were able and willing to minister to hungry boys without questioning +whether they were for the king or the colonies. + +Left to my own devices, I should have returned to old Mary's cabin, +declaring it was impossible to get that which we needed; but Pierre was +not minded to confess himself beaten, and proposed that we present +ourselves boldly at a dwelling mayhap an hundred yards away, which we +knew was yet occupied by its owners. + +I tried to dissuade him from such a course, insisting that most like +the people were Tories, else they would not have remained to be shut up +in this beleaguered village; but he only shrugged his shoulders and +waved his hands in that peculiar fashion of his, as he said in what he +counted should be a careless tone: + +"It is better, Fitz Hamilton, that we are held in the guard-house even +under the charge of being spies, than that we starve to death, as you +must admit there is danger unless we speedily find provisions. Let the +people in yonder dwelling be Tories or Whigs, I question whether they +could get the ear of any British officer within a very short time, and +if we find that they are inclined to do us harm, it is only a case of +taking to our heels. Besides, I am of the mind that those who were rank +Tories yesterday, are standing undecided to-day until they shall see +which side wins the victory that they may put on the proper coat." + +Then, without waiting to learn whether I agreed with him, the lad led me +forward by the arm with such a tight grip that I could not escape him +save by a downright struggle, and knocked boldly at the door of the +dwelling. + +It was opened by an old man, whom I believed I had seen more than once +since we had come to this village of York in converse with some of the +red-coated officers, and even then I strove to pull Pierre back that we +might make our escape in the darkness. + +With a strength such as I had not believed was his, he held me by his +side as he said to this man who might prove to be our bitterest foe: + +"We are lads who came down from the Hamilton plantation to look after an +old negro who was too feeble to leave his quarters here, and now are we +shut in with nothing to eat and no way of getting provisions save by +begging. We ate our last morsel of food yesterday, and have come here +believing you would give from your store rather than sit down at table +knowing there were those near you dying from starvation." + +"You don't appear to be very near death just now," the man said gruffly, +as he came nearer to peer into our faces. "So you belong on the Hamilton +plantation, do you?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"And when Captain Hamilton went North to join the rebel forces he left +an old negro in this village, did he?" + +"It is not to my mind certain that Uncle 'Rasmus was here when Captain +Hamilton went away; but I know only too well he is now in this village, +and in need of food." + +"I don't claim to know very much of military movements," the man said +grimly, having satisfied his curiosity regarding our personal +appearance; "but it seems to me you might have waited a little with the +belief that the rebels are bound to make their way inside those lines +whatever my Lord Cornwallis may do in opposition." + +"It is painful waiting even for a short time, when one's empty stomach +reproaches him," little Frenchie said with a shrug of his shoulders, and +the man stood irresolute while I might have counted ten, after which he +wheeled about suddenly, and entered the house saying as he did so: + +"Wait until I come." + +You may be certain we waited, although I had many misgivings as to +whether the return would be to our advantage or to our sorrow, for +there was a possibility he might hold us until he could send word to +some of the Britishers telling them who we were and much of this fear I +whispered in Pierre's ear, whereupon he said cheerily, shrugging his +shoulders and waving his hands: + +"I cannot believe any in this village would be so unwise, just at this +time, as to take advantage of our helplessness, save it might be such +cattle as Abel Hunt, for even the dullest must understand that our +friends are like to have the upper hands before this affair is finished, +and he who sent two lads to their death might himself suffer in like +fashion when the Americans held possession of this town of York, as they +are certain to do before many days have passed." + +Whether the man to whom we had appealed was at heart a friend to the +colonies, or if he was prompted as Pierre had suggested, I cannot say; +but this much I do know, that he brought us in a bag near to half a +bushel of corn meal, and with it a large ham, saying as he laid the +provisions on the threshold: + +"To these you are welcome, lad, whether you be for the colonies or for +the king; but I am asking that you do not come to me again with stories +of your hunger, for my larder is not so well filled that I can share it +with any outside my own family, lest we ourselves come to want before it +is settled as to who shall be master in the village." + +Pierre thanked the man in a manner which would have been impossible for +me, tongue-tied as I always am at such a time, and then gathering up the +bag and the ham hastily we went with all speed toward old Mary's cabin, +mentally hugging ourselves because we had succeeded so well when there +seemed little possibility aught of good would come from our foraging. + +No sooner had we opened the door of the hovel and spoken to Uncle +'Rasmus, when Saul cried impatiently from the scuttle above: + +"There is no good reason why you should loiter around the encampment +when I alone am left in charge of the prisoners. Could you not +understand that I ought to be relieved after so long a watch?" + +"We understand nothing save that it was necessary we bring back food," +Pierre said laughingly, giving no further heed to Saul's impatience. + +The lad would have set about building a fire that we might cook the +meat; but Uncle 'Rasmus eagerly prevented him from so doing, declaring +that such task belonged to him, and Pierre, with a laugh which had in it +much of content, gave way before the old negro and at once took up the +bucket, running out of the cabin to get a supply of water. + +"Heard you aught of the Jerseyman?" Saul cried from above, and I replied +that there was little chance we could have had word concerning him. + +If Morgan had been able to slip through the lines, then would there have +come to us no token whatsoever, and if peradventure the enemy shot him +while he was trying to make his escape, then again must we have remained +in ignorance, for at such a time when many thousand men were facing each +other, striving their utmost to kill or wound, the life of one, be he +soldier or spy, would appear of but little importance. + +"I'se boun' to believe, honey, dat he got trou all right," Uncle 'Rasmus +said as he busied himself with preparations for the supper which we +needed so sorely. "Dat 'ere Jerseyman is mighty spry, I'se tellin' you, +an' ef he could hang 'roun' here wid de Britishers, keepin' his eye open +ebery time dey jumped, I'se 'lowin' he's gwine to make a small job ob +gettin' out ob dis yere place." + +"If it's such a simple matter, why don't we try it ourselves?" Saul +cried and started with surprise, for that very thought had been in my +mind during the last five minutes. + +So far as our being able to work benefit to the Cause was concerned, we +might as well have been on the Hamilton plantation, and there I most +ardently wished we were. It would be impossible, and most like +unnecessary, for us to get word of importance to our people, no matter +how many risks we ran, and I was of the mind that it was useless to take +any chances, for surely the Americans, being so near, could keep +themselves well informed of all that went forward in the encampment. + +Pierre came back with the water; Uncle 'Rasmus made a pudding of the +corn meal, and toasted slices of the ham before the fire. Saul came down +from the loft, leaving the prisoners alone when the food was thus +prepared, and we three lads and the old negro enjoyed that meal, +surrounded though we were by enemies, more keenly than I ever remember +of pleasuring myself in a like fashion. + +When our own hunger had been appeased we set about feeding the +prisoners, and this task in case of Horry Sims was a simple one, for we +dared set his hands free that he might wait upon himself; but when it +came to Abel Hunt it was a horse of an entirely different color. + +We ran no little risk even in removing the gag from his mouth, and I +firmly believe but for the fact of Pierre's standing over him with the +loaded pistol which the Jerseyman had left for our use, threatening to +shoot with intent to kill if he uttered the slightest sound, the fellow +would have striven to give an alarm. + +It was some minutes before he could work his jaws, so cramped were they +from being held fixed in one position since we had made him prisoner, +and then instead of eating, although I knew full well he must be hungry, +he set about threatening us with what he would do when he was at +liberty, striving to impress upon us that we could not hold him in the +loft many days without attracting some attention from the Britishers. + +"I am well known inside these lines," he snarled, "and had been +intrusted with important business, so that if I fail to present myself +at headquarters within a reasonable time, search will be made for me. +You can guess what must be your plight once a squad of soldiers enters +this cabin to set me free." + +"I'm thinking, Abel Hunt," Pierre replied softly, "that the Britishers +have got as much on their heads as can well be attended to just now, +without troubling their minds regarding you. Don't expect a squad of +red-coats to come here on your behalf very soon, and, in fact, I would +advise you to give over thinking of such a thing, for there is every +indication my Lord Cornwallis will be too deeply occupied with the +American army to give heed to Tories, however important they may believe +their business to be." + +Abel continued to threaten, declaring he would send us to the gallows +before many days had passed, if we failed to release him, and he went +on in such strain until even Pierre lost his temper, and roughly told +him that unless he made ready for eating he would get no food until next +morning, whereupon the fellow opened his mouth obediently, much like a +calf. + +Mine was the disagreeable task to feed him, and it may be I thrust the +pudding into his mouth with unnecessary force; but certain it is I was +in no wise tender with the scoundrel, for I knew to a certainty that if +the tables were turned, and we in his power, we might hold ourselves +fortunate indeed if we were given the slightest morsel to eat. + +That night we lads took turns standing guard in the loft, each remaining +on duty two hours, although as Saul said, if we had been willing to +cause Horry Sims suffering, all of us might, by gagging him, have taken +the rest which we needed. I am not sorry that we failed of following my +cousin's suggestion, for since that day I have come to know from painful +experience how much suffering may be caused by a gag firmly fixed +between one's jaws. + +There is no good reason why I should strive to set down all the doings +of each day while it seemed to me much as if our people were making slow +progress in this work of capturing my Lord Cornwallis. + +Having been so successful in our first attempt at foraging, we went +almost boldly around the village when our store of provisions ran low, +begging at this house or at that without questioning whether the +occupants might be for the king or for the colony, receiving sometimes +with a generous hand, and then again in niggardly manner, at least +enough of food to keep us alive, although I am free to confess that +never once from the day the Jerseyman left us until I was home again on +the plantation, did I feel as though my stomach was well filled. + +Instead of striving to tell what we lads did, which is of little +consequence compared with what was going on around us, I had best hold +this poor apology for a story to the movements of those brave fellows +who had come down from the North to rid our colony of Virginia from +red-coated invaders. + +During all the while, whether by day or by night, one of us three lads +remained in the loft doing guard duty, while the other two, if by any +fortunate chance we had a small store of provisions on hand, were at +liberty to watch our people. It can well be understood how greedily we +gazed out upon that army which we counted friendly, watching for the +least change of position, and even questioning with impatience how long +it would be before the end came. + +It was as if the Britishers gave no heed whatsoever to anything save +their own defense, and I question whether we lads might not have boldly +presented ourselves to the quartermaster begging for food and receiving +it, instead of striving as we did to keep ourselves from their +particular notice. + +We could see day after day our people bringing up heavy guns, digging +ditches which Pierre called parallels, meaning embankments thrown up to +protect the advance of a besieging army, and otherwise seemingly making +preparations to fall upon the enemy in overwhelming force. + +I remember well on going out early one morning, after it seemed to me +that we had been shut up in this town of York weeks and weeks instead of +only a few days, and seeing much to my surprise a parallel, or +embankment, not more than five or six hundred yards from the outermost +of the British works, which had been completed during the hours of +darkness. With a great joy in my heart I ran into the cabin to make +known the welcome news, for surely did it seem as if the American army +had taken their first step toward entering the village. + +We expected each moment to hear sounds of conflict; those who were not +on duty in the loft remained out of doors watching the soldiers in the +distance, and greatly disappointed were we when night came and nothing +decisive, so far as we could see, had been done. + +Next day Pierre pointed out to me as he and I stood overlooking the +American lines, that two or three redoubts were being thrown up, and +batteries placed in position. Then came that for which we had been +hoping and praying--the sounds of conflict. + +It was in the afternoon that our people opened fire upon the enemy with +great vigor, and until the end came the earth trembled continuously +beneath the heavy detonations, while the smoke of the burning powder +hung over us until our throats were parched and smarting. + +It is impossible for me to set down of my own knowledge all that was +done during this seemingly long time by the Britishers, for I saw only a +portion of the movements. Often the clouds of smoke prevented me from +seeing friend or foe, and again, when came this change of position, or +that counter-marching, I failed to understand the meaning, therefore it +is that again shall I make my story more plain by setting down the words +of another, which I have seen on a printed sheet: + +[Illustration: "A GENERAL DISCHARGE ... WAS COMMENCED BY THE +AMERICANS."] + +"The evening of the sixth was very dark and stormy, and under cover of +the gloom, the first parallel was commenced within six hundred yards of +Cornwallis's works. (Parallel is a technical term applied to trenches +and embankments dug and thrown up as a protection to besiegers against +the guns of a fort. In this way the assailants may approach a +fortification, and construct batteries within short gun-shot of the +works of the beleaguered, and be well protected in their labors.) + +"General Lincoln commanded the troops detailed for this service. So +silently and so earnestly did they labor that they were not discerned by +the British sentinels, and before daylight the trenches were +sufficiently complete to shield the laborers from the guns of the enemy. +On the afternoon of the ninth several batteries and redoubts were +completed, and a general discharge of twenty-four and eighteen-pounders +was commenced by the Americans on the right. + +"This cannonade was kept up without intermission during the night, and +early next morning the French opened their batteries upon the enemy. For +nearly eight hours there was an incessant roar of cannon and mortars, +and hundreds of bombs and round shot were poured upon the British works. +So tremendous was the bombardment that the besieged soon withdrew their +cannon from the embrasures, and fired very few shots in return. At +evening red-hot cannon balls were hurled from the French battery on the +extreme left, at the _Guadaloupe_ and _Charon_. + +"The _Guadaloupe_ was driven from her post, while the _Charon_ and three +large transports were burned. + +"The night was starry and mild, and invited to repose; but the besiegers +rested not, and York Town presented a scene of terrible grandeur such as +is seldom witnessed by the eye of man. + +"From the bank of the river I had a fine view of the splendid +conflagration. The ships were enwrapped in a torrent of fire which +spread with vivid brightness among the combustible rigging, and ran with +amazing rapidity to the tops of the several masts, while all around was +thunder and lightning from our numerous cannon and mortars, and in the +darkness presented one of the most sublime and magnificent spectacles +that can be imagined. + +"Some of our shells, over-reaching the town, were seen to fall in the +river, and, bursting, threw up a column of water like the spouting of a +monster of the deep. All night long the allies kept up a cannonade, and +early the next morning another British transport was set in flames by a +fiery ball, and consumed. + +"During the night of the eleventh the besiegers commenced a second +parallel, between two and three hundred yards from the British works. +The three succeeding days were devoted to the completion of this line of +trenches, during which time the enemy opened new embrasures in positions +from which their fire was far more effective than at first. + +"Two redoubts on the left of the besieged, and advanced three hundred +yards in front of the British works, flanked the second parallel and +greatly annoyed the men in the trenches. Preparations were made on the +fourteenth to carry them both by storm. + +"To excite a spirit of emulation the reduction of one was committed to +the American light infantry under Lafayette; the other to a detachment +of French grenadiers and chasseurs commanded by the Baron de Viomenil, a +brave and experienced officer. + +"Toward evening the two detachments marched to the assault. Colonel +Alexander Hamilton, who had commanded a battery of light artillery +during this campaign, led the advance corps of the Americans, assisted +by Colonel Gimat, Lafayette's aide; while Colonel Laurens, with eighty +men, turned the redoubt, in order to intercept the retreat of the +garrison. + +"At a given signal the troops rushed furiously to the charge without +firing a gun, the van being led by Captain Aaron Ogden. Over the abattis +and palisades they leaped, and with such vehemence and rapidity +assaulted and entered the works, that their loss was inconsiderable. One +sergeant and eight privates were killed; seven officers and twenty-five +non-commissioned officers and privates were wounded. Major Campbell, who +commanded the redoubt, and some inferior officers, with seventeen +privates, were made prisoners. Eight privates of the garrison were +killed in the assault, but not one was injured after the surrender. + +"The redoubt stormed by the French was garrisoned by a greater force, +and was not so easily overcome. It was defended by a lieutenant-colonel, +and one hundred and fifty men. After a combat of nearly half an hour, +the redoubt was surrendered. Eighteen of the garrison were killed, and +forty-two were made prisoners. The French lost in killed and wounded +about one hundred men. + +"During the night of the fourteenth these redoubts were included in the +second parallel, and by five o'clock the next afternoon some howitzers, +which had been placed in them, were opened upon the British works. + +"The situation of Cornwallis was now becoming dangerous. Beleaguered on +all sides by a superior force, his strongest defenses crumbling or +passing into the possession of the besiegers, and no tidings from +General Clinton to encourage him, the British commander was filled with +the gloomiest apprehensions. + +"Knowing that the town would be untenable when the second parallel +should be completed, he sent out a detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel +Abercrombie, to make a sortie against the two almost completed batteries +guarded by French troops. They made a furious assault at about four +o'clock in the morning and were successful; but the guards at the +trenches soon drove the assailants back, and their enterprise was +fruitless of advantage. + +"Cornwallis, confident that he could not maintain his position, +determined to make a desperate effort at flight. His plan was to leave +the sick and his baggage behind; cross over to Gloucester, and, with his +detachment there, disperse the French troops; mount his infantry on +horses taken from the duke's legion, and others that might be seized in +the neighborhood; by rapid marches gain the forks of the Rappahannock +and the Potomac, and, forcing his way through Maryland, Pennsylvania, +and New Jersey, form a junction with the army in New York. + +"This was a most hazardous undertaking, but his only alternative was +flight or capture. Boats were accordingly prepared, and at ten o'clock +on the evening of the sixteenth a portion of his troops were conveyed +across to Gloucester. So secretly was the whole movement performed that +the patriots did not perceive it, and had not a power mightier than man +interposed an obstacle, Cornwallis's desperate plan might have been +successfully accomplished. + +"The first body of troops had scarcely reached Gloucester Point when a +storm of wind and rain, almost as sudden and fierce as a summer tornado, +made the passage of the river too hazardous to be again attempted. The +storm continued with unabated violence until morning, and Cornwallis was +obliged to abandon his design. The troops were brought back without much +loss, and now the last ray of hope began to fade from the vision of the +earl." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +PREPARATIONS FOR FLIGHT + + +There is little of particular interest that can be told concerning +ourselves during that time of happenings which I have just set down in +the words of another, when our people were showing themselves such able +soldiers. + +When the fighting was hottest at least two of us lads were out of doors +where we could see what was going on, and regarding not the bullets or +cannon balls that came our way, in our eagerness to watch for some +advantage which might be gained by the Americans. + +It was for us a time of constant anxiety. We had the prisoners to guard, +and had we not been forced to take Abel Hunt as we did, then might it +have been a simple matter, for we could frighten Horry Sims into +submission. But this hulking, dissolute fellow, as ready to fight as he +was to eat, regardless of whether he faced friend or foe, was smarting +under the sense of being held captive by lads, and we knew only too well +that he would struggle to his utmost to set himself free that he might +denounce us as spies, which he could well do after knowing what he must +have known regarding the Jerseyman. + +While I was on duty in the loft I stood at one of the small apertures or +the other gazing out, oftentimes hearing the shrieking of a bomb as it +came within what seemed to be a very short distance of the building; but +ever keeping a watchful eye on Abel Hunt. + +At such times as I was off duty and not obliged to go with Pierre +foraging, for he was the only one of us three who could successfully +conduct such expeditions, I was lounging around the outside of the +building, saddened when our people slackened fire, lest they should be +wavering in the attempt to overcome Cornwallis, and again exulting when +the big guns boomed their notes of defiance until it was as if the very +air vibrated with the detonations. + +Although we were so fearsome that Hunt might succeed in making his +escape, at least four times in every four and twenty hours were we +forced in humanity's name to take the gag from his mouth, that he might +get relief for his jaws. + +The fellow begged again and again that we would relieve him from his +bonds so he might walk around, promising to be as obedient to our orders +as was Horry Sims; but I knew him too well to put any trust in his +words. + +Now and then we released his feet, and again gave him free use of one +arm at a time; in other words, we did all we might to relieve the pain +of his position without running too much risk on our part. + +On that day when the French and the American troops attacked the +redoubts on either side the village, I thought we had come to our last +hour on earth, so thickly did the shots from the American redoubt +directly in front of the lines which were sent to cover the assault I +have already described, strike roundabout old Mary's cabin. It seemed +certain we must be sent into the Beyond by those who would lend us +every aid within their power. + +It was when a solid shot struck the corner of the cabin near to the +ridge-pole, just above where Abel Hunt lay, and plowed its way through +the solid logs, tearing them aside as a child might shatter a lot of +jackstraws, that I believed we were soon to meet our death. Hunt must +have been of the same opinion, for he begged like a cur, when Pierre and +I went up shortly afterward, for us to keep the gag from his mouth, +declaring that we were striving to compass his death by leaving him in +such a place. + +But for Pierre Laurens I believe we would have abandoned the prisoners, +and, taking Uncle Rasmus with us, fled down to the bank of the river +immediately in the rear of the captured redoubt, where several of the +villagers were gathered in abject terror, thinking only to shield +themselves from the iron hail which came into and across the encampment +with the fury of a summer tempest. + +It was not possible for us to go an hundred yards in either direction +from the cabin without coming upon wounded or dead, and so accustomed +did we become within a very short time to such horrible scenes that they +ceased to terrify us, save when, as happened more than once, a soldier +was shot down within a stone's throw of our hiding place. Even then it +was to us nothing so very terrible, save that it served to point out the +peril in which we were placed. + +We had long since ceased to depend upon the citizens of York for food; +but went boldly up to the quartermaster's department when rations were +being served, and only once were we turned away empty-handed. + +I would not have it understood that during the siege we were living on +the fat of the land; we had sufficient with which to partially allay our +hunger, and took good care that the prisoners should not suffer from +lack of food, even though we ourselves might be forced to fast. + +Once during these times of excitement a bomb struck that portion of the +cabin which had already been shattered, and on the instant the dry +timbers were in a flame. Fortunately, however, we had a full bucket of +water in the house, and by aid of this, with what could hurriedly be +brought from the well near at hand, we succeeded in extinguishing the +fire before it gained headway. + +"If that had happened in the night, then had we all been burned to +death," Saul said thoughtfully, and Pierre laughed him to scorn as he +replied: + +"If so be we lads haven't sense enough to go out of doors when the heat +inside becomes too great, then of a verity do we deserve to be burnt +alive. No danger which may come to us from our people can cause me to +grumble, for it is all in the way of teaching the king's soldiers a +lesson, and my life counts for nothing." + +I believe we had all come to cheapen the value of a human life by this +time, having seen so many of the red-coated soldiers shot down. Until we +were come to this village of York I had shuddered at the very thought of +shedding blood; but now so hardened was I become to such scenes that I +gave no heed to those who fell within view of the cabin, nor did I hold +my own life as of great importance even to myself. + +He who has followed thus far my attempt to tell the story of what +certain lads who called themselves Minute Boys of York Town did during +this time of the siege, must strive to picture for himself our goings-in +and comings-out while we were thus tied to old Mary's cabin. They must +see in their minds' eye Pierre and I foraging, or mentally be with us +when we divided our scanty store of food, giving to the helpless ones in +the loft more than we took ourselves, for I cannot set all this down so +that another may see it clearly, without using so many words that the +most patient reader would turn aside from the pages wearied. + +Therefore it is that I shall come directly to that evening so near the +end of the siege when my Lord Cornwallis attempted to turn tail, leaving +the sick and wounded behind him as he strove to gain a shelter in New +York. + +That forenoon Pierre and I had gone to the commissary's quarters when +the rations were dealt out, and stood in line to receive our share, for +during the past few days there had been no question as to giving us a +certain amount of food. We were most likely looked upon as village lads, +and by this time my Lord Cornwallis had been forced to feed the citizens +of York from the army stores, he having seized from those who had an +abundance everything that might serve to satisfy hunger. + +Even I, thick-headed and dull of vision as I am, understood on this +morning that some change was near at hand. The red-coats were moving +here and there hurriedly, like bees whose hive has been disturbed. There +was a great gathering of horses nearby the river bank, and among them, +to my grief and anxiety, was my own colt Silver Heels; baggage wagons +were being drawn down to the shore, and officers rode to and fro in hot +haste, seemingly giving little heed as to what might be going on in the +fortifications. + +Half the buildings in the town had been taken possession of that they +might be used as hospitals for the poor wretches who had been wounded, +and as we passed them on our way to the commissary's quarters I noted +that the surgeons were going from one to another as if having but little +time to spend. The British fire had slackened although the Americans +continued to pour shot and bombs into the town in a half-hearted way, +and one might almost have supposed they were getting short of +ammunition. + +"Something of importance is going on here," I said decidedly when Pierre +and I, having received what was supposed to be our proper amount of +rations, had set off as if to return to the cabin. "Do you note that +baggage is being carried to the river, and the horses are tethered +there? Have you seen how hurriedly the surgeons were moving about, +giving but scant heed to those who need their services most?" + +"All that I have seen," Pierre replied gravely, "and it would seem to me +that the riddle may easily be read, even by you who claim to have no +knowledge of military matters." + +"What do you mean?" I cried sharply. "What is it you read in this +movement, except, perhaps, that Cornwallis is making ready for another +sortie?" + +"Would he make ready for a sortie by moving his baggage to the river? By +gathering the horses there?" Pierre cried, speaking incautiously loud, +and then lowering his voice to a whisper as he realized that the words +might carry far even despite the roaring of the American guns. "If it +was in his mind to strike a blow at our people would he be overhauling +his baggage? Would not the horses be taken near to the front where they +might be used?" + +"What is it you mean?" I cried impatiently, not in the mood to wait +until Pierre had gotten ready to repeat after his own fashion that which +was in his mind. + +"Do you remember that the Jerseyman said my Lord Cornwallis was making +ready to run away?" + +Like a flash it came upon me. I remembered all that Morgan had said, and +as it came to my mind everything unusual around me had its meaning as +plain as the sun at noon-time. + +At last this general of the king who had boasted that he would come down +and drive all the rebels out from Virginia, regardless of what that +"French boy, Lafayette, might do," was making ready to run away--to run +away from those American soldiers whom the Britishers did not believe +could fight, although certain it is they had good proof of it at Bunker +Hill in the colony of Massachusetts, and were they not getting more +proof now? Was there a red-coat in all our village of York who had not +come to realize, and would be willing to admit, that the so-called +rebels who fought under every disadvantage and bore patiently every +suffering, could stand at their guns as bravely as any who wore his +majesty's uniform? + +It was a moment when I was more proud than I have ever since been in my +life, proud of my people, not of myself, and with the pride came a +feeling of sad disappointment because I had not been able to contribute +anything to this downfall of the swaggering Britishers. I had hoped we +might enroll a full company of Minute Boys who despite their age would +earn the right to serve as soldiers, and yet had I accomplished nothing +save coming into this village in the vain hope of being able to regain +possession of my horse, remaining here almost as much of a prisoner as +either Abel Hunt or Horry Sims. + +The news was too good to be kept to myself, and regarding not Pierre's +movements I ran at full speed back to old Mary's cabin, shouting as I +burst through the door: + +"The Britishers are getting ready to run away! Cornwallis has grown +frightened, and is giving up the fight!" + +"How know you that?" Saul cried sharply, seizing me by the shoulder as +if forcing me to give proof, and at the same instant I heard the +prisoners in the loft stirring as if in fear, while Horry Sims asked, +although knowing full well his companion could not answer a question: + +"Do you believe it possible my Lord Cornwallis would really run away?" + +"He is getting ready to run away!" I shouted triumphantly. "Even now the +baggage is being carried to the river bank; all the spare horses are +tethered there, and save for the few soldiers who are left in the works, +there is no further heed being given to what our people are doing!" + +"Bress de Lawd! Bress de Lawd!" Uncle 'Rasmus cried in a fever of +ecstasy. "I'se done been certain ole Marse would help dribe de red-coats +out ob Virginia; but I neber dreamed dey'd get so scared as to run away. +Bress de Lawd! Bress de Lawd!" + +When Pierre joined us, and we were given over to joy and triumph there +suddenly came into my mind the thought that if my Lord Cornwallis did +beat a retreat speedily, and was not overtaken by our people, then was +Silver Heels lost to me forever. He could only leave the village of York +by crossing over to Gloucester and making hurried marches toward the +Potomac River, and under such circumstances I knew that my dear little +Silver Heels could not hold out as would the seasoned steeds of the +troopers. She would be left by the roadside crippled, mayhap, and linger +there until she died. + +Dearly though I loved the Cause, or thought I did, I was almost +unwilling to pay such a price for victory as that this colt of mine, +which had been carefully tended since she left her mother, should be +abused as I knew she would be in event of a hurried retreat, and when +Pierre asked in surprise what had happened to cast such a veil of gloom +over my face, I gave words to the fear in my mind, whereupon he said +soothingly, caressing my arm as was his wont, for the dear lad +understood how near to my heart was that same little Silver Heels: + +"There are others nearabout, Fitz Hamilton, who can also make a hurried +march, and who knew the country better than do these under my Lord +Cornwallis's command. Do you believe our people will remain idle and let +this army, which they have much the same as gotten under their thumbs, +slip away?" + +"But the Britishers will have the start of them before they know what +has been done. Give Cornwallis twelve hours' advantage and traveling +light as I doubt not he intends to do, there is every chance he can make +good his escape." + +"But he will not have twelve hours the start!" Pierre cried sharply. "Do +you count that we who call ourselves Minute Boys will linger here one +moment after those red-coats have set off for the Gloucester shore? Do +you fancy we will have no part to play? The moment the troops have been +withdrawn from the fortifications so that a fellow may cross the lines +without bringing down a shower of bullets upon him, each of us three +will set out at full speed, regardless of the danger, for our own +friends may fire upon us ignorant of our intentions. We must get word to +the American forces before the last of my Lord Cornwallis's army has +passed out of Gloucester." + +"But how shall we know when the Britishers have been drawn from the +fortifications?" + +"By watching them, lad!" Pierre cried eagerly. "By watching them! Do you +count that from this moment on we shall do anything save watch them? I +would almost be willing to let Abel Hunt go free so we might be +unhampered, for while the red-coats are getting ready to retreat they +will give little heed to any information such as he can give them. But +it may be well to hold him until night-fall, and then the three of us, +each going in a different direction, must keep sharp watch over all that +is being done, ready to make a break for our lines at the first moment +we are certain the enemy has fled." + +The lad's tone, equally with his words, was well calculated to stir the +blood, and as I saw in the future a possibility that Silver Heels might +yet be reclaimed by me, I ceased to mourn her as being lost forever, but +gave all my thoughts to the triumph which awaited our people. + +We were talking loudly, having ceased to be cautious in speech because +the roar of the guns drowned all other sounds, and were giving noisy +voice to our joy when Uncle 'Rasmus suddenly cried from his seat at the +window, where he had stood watch, so to speak, all the dreary time we +had been in the besieged village: + +"Hol' on dar, chillun; hol' on dar! Here comes a crowd ob red-coats!" + +"Coming for us?" Saul cried nervously, and I am ashamed to say that the +suggestion caused my knees to tremble, even though had I stopped to +reflect upon the matter I would have understood that at such a time as +this, when he was in sore straits, my Lord Cornwallis would not trouble +himself about three boys and an old negro who were where they could not +do him harm however much they so desired. + +As a matter of course we crowded to the window near where Uncle 'Rasmus +sat, and there saw a group of nine men, powder-stained and evidently +wearied from work in the trenches, halt within less than twenty yards of +the cabin door where they threw themselves down upon the ground, +evidently for no other purpose than to gain a needed rest. + +"It is nothing," Pierre said, again quickly reading the signs. "These +men are becoming discouraged, most like having an inkling of what their +officers count on doing, and have deliberately come out of the trenches +without permission, to take such ease as can be found to-day for a +red-coat in the town of York." + +We watched the men curiously, and for my part with a certain sense of +exultation because I fancied they knew the fate which was in store for +them. They were all armed, fully accoutered, and should have been at +their posts, as I understood. + +After their arrival we talked more guardedly, but not the less +triumphantly regarding what we would do, and little Frenchie explained +how one of us might cross the lines at this point, the second at +another, and the third elsewhere, so there might be no delay in getting +news to an officer of our army immediately we were positive Cornwallis +had drawn off his forces. + +We ceased to pay any particular heed to these idle soldiers who were +neglecting their duty, until there came to our ears shrieks of agony +like to chill the blood in one's veins, followed by groans and moans +from that group of idlers. + +We soon came to understand that a shot from the American lines had just +missed crashing into old Mary's cabin at the very point where we were +gathered, and plowed its way through that little company of men, maiming +or killing every one. + +It was a gruesome sight, from which I turned with my hands over my ears +that I might neither see nor hear, and trembling in every limb with +sheer pity though these who had been thus suddenly hurled into eternity +would have killed me without wincing. + +I had believed I was hardened to scenes of war; familiarity with +suffering, with wounds and death such as we had had around us all these +days, prevented me from giving away to feelings of pity; but now was I +shocked even as if this was the first shedding of human blood I had ever +seen. + +It was Pierre Laurens who aroused me from the stupor of horror by +shaking my arm as he said stoutly: + +"Come, lad, with me; we must not miss such an opportunity!" + +"Opportunity for what?" I cried, neither turning nor taking my hands +from my ears save sufficiently to hear his voice. + +"Here is a chance for us to arm ourselves. These soldiers who were +killed, and seemingly there are only two alive although they are much +the same as dying, were fully accoutered, and we must have so many of +their muskets and so much of their ammunition as will serve if it should +become necessary to protect ourselves." + +"Why have we need to protect ourselves now that the Britishers are +turning tail?" I asked in dull surprise, but I took my hands from my +ears and wheeled about, knowing that if little Frenchie commanded me to +do this or that I would obey if it lay within my power. + +"When the red-coats begin their retreat our time of danger has passed, I +believe," the lad said, speaking gravely and clutching me by the arm to +insure my close attention. "You can see that these soldiers who have +just met their death threw off all restraint; were insubordinate, +believing the end near at hand, and if such be the case at this early +hour, what may happen when the main body of the troops have embarked for +Gloucester Point? We must hold ourselves at liberty to carry the news to +our people at the earliest possible moment, and that can best be done by +getting in shape to defend ourselves. It is as if heaven itself had sent +us these weapons, and we would be little less than idiots if we failed +to take advantage of that which has come at such a seasonable time!" + +I did not believe Pierre was in the right when he said we might be able +to defend ourselves. I had in mind that instantly the retreat was begun +all the red-coated men would hasten upon the heels of their comrades +lest they be left behind; but fortunately, as I came to understand +later, I did not protest against following Pierre out of the cabin, +although my stomach revolted when we were come to that scene of +slaughter. + +By this time only one of the men was yet alive, and he so far gone into +the Beyond that it was a question whether he remained conscious of his +surroundings. + +The squad had thrown their muskets down in a pile near where they were +lounging, and I picked up four of the weapons, hurrying back to the +cabin with them, hoping that while I was gone Pierre would set about +obtaining the ammunition, for my heart grew faint as I thought of +meddling with those lifeless bodies for the purpose of taking away that +which was upon them. + +"Put dem under de floor, honey, whar I stowed Horry Sims," Uncle 'Rasmus +said as he raised the puncheon plank. + +So stupid was I even then, that I mentally laughed at the idea of taking +such precautions when the end had come so near that it was almost as if +we were within speaking distance of our friends; but I did as the old +negro suggested, and went back for another load, although why it should +have been in my mind that we might need more than sufficient to arm +ourselves I cannot well explain. + +When I returned to that scene of carnage Pierre had already gathered a +goodly assortment of accouterments from those men whose bodies had not +been mangled, for even he shrank from dyeing his hands with blood. + +Well, in short, we gathered all the weapons, ammunition and +accouterments that could be come at handily, depositing our burdens +beneath the puncheon planks where were the muskets, and when the task +was finished I turned upon little Frenchie, feeling almost angry because +of having been engaged in such gruesome work, as I said: + +"So far as we ourselves are concerned it has been labor lost to bring +these things here. If so be I am making my way across the lines to-night +to carry the tidings that Cornwallis has fled. I shall travel without +encumbrance; even the Jerseyman's pistol will be useless while no enemy +remains in the rear." + +"All that is very well," little Frenchie said with a shrug of the +shoulders; "but before the last of the army has gone muskets may serve +us in good stead, and even though the need does not arise, it is better +we should be prepared, than taken at a disadvantage which might cost our +people dearly." + +The sudden taking off of so many men directly before our eyes, and the +knowledge that if the cannon ball had inclined ever so slightly toward +the east, we, instead of them, would have gone out from this world +forever, served not to dampen our joy and triumph, but to cast a veil +over it, as you might say, so that we spoke in whispers, and did not +indulge in mirth; but carried ourselves much as people do in the +presence of the dead. + +There was no good reason why all of us lads should linger in the cabin, +and every cause for us to go forth to keep an eye over the enemy, +therefore when I said that it stood us in hand to know what was going +on, even at the expense of losing our breakfast which was not yet +cooked, Pierre, seemingly having grown careless, insisted that Saul +should come with us. + +"While our people are working their guns so lively there is no danger +those fellows in the loft can make themselves heard, and even though +they did cry for help, I do not believe any of the king's troops would +spend time to go to their assistance, therefore we will leave them as +they are." + +This did not seem to me consistent with little Pierre's caution when he +gathered up the muskets, insisting on taking twice as many as we could +use; but I held my peace, because, as I have already set down again and +again, he had shown himself so much the better lad than I under such +circumstances, that it was not for me to say him yea or nay. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +OUR BLUNDER + + +When we went out of old Mary's cabin, leaving the two prisoners +unguarded in the loft, and Uncle 'Rasmus, who could not be depended upon +in case either of the fellows should succeed in working himself free, on +the floor below, it came into my mind just for an instant that we had no +warrant for being so careless. Yet while the booming of the American +cannon was roaring in my ears and the Britishers moving to and fro like +ants whose nests have been disturbed, giving little or no heed to the +defense, then did I comfort myself with the belief that nothing of harm +could come to us. + +It was in my mind that the hour of our danger had passed, and now it was +only a question of a short time before our troubles would be over and we +in the midst of our friends. + +Then, as we walked slowly and unmolested through the encampment, seeing +on every hand signs and tokens of preparations for flight on the part of +the enemy, was I yet further convinced that we need not fret ourselves +regarding the future save so far as Silver Heels and Saul's mare were +concerned. I yet had hope that it might be possible to regain possession +of our pets. As a matter of course there was no idea in my mind that we +would be able to do it before Cornwallis's army had begun to retreat; +but I said again and again to myself that if we lads carried the news +of the evacuation speedily to our people, then would they set off in +such hot pursuit that there were many chances I might have Silver Heels +with me but little the worse for her experience in the British army. + +So thoroughly well satisfied was I that this struggle had come to an +end, that the Britishers were willing to acknowledge themselves beaten +and now were only striving to prevent themselves from being taken +prisoners, that I gave little heed to anything save the hope of being +able, by the aid of our friends in the American army, to regain +possession of the dear little colt. I even put from my mind as if they +did not exist those two scoundrels in the loft of old Mary's cabin, +saying to myself that they could do us no harm even though they were set +at liberty this very moment, because my Lord Cornwallis had on his mind +more important matters than the taking into custody of three boys who +might be charged with being spies, by a dissolute fellow who could +produce no evidence save his own word. + +We lads spent the entire day roaming here and there throughout the +encampment without hindrance, and I had even grown so bold that I went +up to Silver Heels while she was tethered on the bank of the river, +caressing her silky nose as she whinnied with delight at being with me +once more. + +"Keep up your courage, my dear little Silver Heels," I whispered in her +ear as if it were possible she could understand me. "You may have a hard +time during the next four and twenty hours; but no longer, for then I +promise you we two shall be on our way to the plantation. Once there we +need have no fear that you will again be disturbed by the red-coats, +for our General Washington of Virginia is nigh upon the point of driving +the last servant of the king out of this colony." + +Never a man interfered while I was caressing Silver Heels; but little +Frenchie speedily began to drag me away, whispering sharply in my ears: + +"Don't get the idea into your mind, Fitz Hamilton, that all the danger +is passed, and strive not to grow reckless in your hour of triumph, for +this army will not move until after dark, and 'twixt now and then the +red-coated soldiers have it within their power to do you a deal of +mischief." + +I was near to laughing at these words of caution, thinking how +completely the tables were turned between us, when it was him who +seemingly had grown timorous, and I showed myself the venturesome one. + +Saul apparently gave no heed to over-cautiousness or impudence; but +wandered here and there with his hands in his coat-pockets as if he was +an honored guest, and I could well fancy that the lad much the same as +forgot all the fears which beset him a short time before. + +We noted with glee the fact that the Britishers were gathering all the +boats that could be come at, and even from Gloucester Point did they +send over barges and skiffs until the river front was completely lined +with small craft. + +The afternoon was not yet more than half spent before baggage wagons +were being loaded into the larger boats. I saw more than one officer +carrying his belongings down to the river to stow them in this or that +craft instead of trusting a soldier to perform the labor, as would have +been done had matters not been so pressing, and if each man who wore a +red coat was not looking forward with somewhat of fear to the +possibility that the retreating army might be choked before it had +gotten well on its way toward New York. + +As the day drew nearer to a close I became painfully nervous, fearing +lest something even at this last hour should prevent my Lord Cornwallis +from carrying out his plans, and seeing the expression of trouble on my +face, understanding perhaps from that which was in his own mind, little +Frenchie whispered to me in a tone of encouragement: + +"Don't fret yourself, Fitz Hamilton, fearing lest the red-coats will not +carry out the manoeuvre. They only await the coming of night, when it +will be possible to steal across the river without being seen by our +people, and then you may set it down as a fact that all these valiant +soldiers of the king will make every effort to get out of the way of +that French boy who, as my Lord Cornwallis has said, is striving to +'play war with a handful of rebels.'" + +"Then there is in your mind no question but that the retreat is much the +same as begun?" I asked, wanting to hear him confirm that which was in +my mind. + +"I can see no evidence of their failing to go on as they have begun," +the lad replied cheerily, and added as he dropped his voice to a +whisper: "The one chance which may work against us is, that my Lord +Cornwallis will take some steps to prevent any of the people in the +village from carrying word regarding his movements to the Americans, +therefore let us get into some place of hiding, where we may watch all +that goes on here about the river bank without presenting ourselves to +the eyes of the red-coats." + +Hardly more than fifty yards from where we were then standing were the +ruins of a house which had been literally torn into fragments by shot +from the American lines. Under these splintered and partially-burned +timbers would it be possible for us to find a fairly good hiding place, +unless peradventure strict search might be made, which was not probable +because so far as we knew, the red-coats had no reason to suspect us as +being other than lads whose parents so loved the king that they had been +willing to remain in the village of York even during the siege. + +Saul was not at first inclined to go into hiding. When Pierre told him +what we would do, he declared that it was putting ourselves to useless +trouble, for these gentry who wore red coats no longer had the time nor +the inclination to concern themselves about us; but when little Frenchie +explained that we might in some way be prevented from carrying early +news of the retreat to the American lines, then my cousin followed, +unwillingly, mayhap, still he kept at our heels until we had wriggled +our way beneath the shattered timbers to where it was possible to have a +fairly good view of the river. + +It was not until we had snugly stowed ourselves into this place that I +began to realize how great was the danger which menaced. Our people had +the range so well that the buildings roundabout this place were torn and +wrecked, while now and then a shot came unpleasantly near, and I saw two +men killed while they were striving to get one of the heavy baggage +wagons on board a barge. + +Then I realized that it was more than possible we might never come out +from beneath these timbers alive because of having been killed by our +own friends. The triumph which had been mine was sadly marred by the +timorousness which came over me, as I understood that death might be +nearer at hand than when we were in old Mary's cabin, with Abel Hunt +roaming around the village in search of us. + +Not for anything I owned of worldly goods would I have allowed Pierre to +know that which was in my mind. I strove manfully to drive out the fear +by saying to myself that while we remained in the village of York +exposed to the fire of our friends we were as safe in one place as +another, and if it was written we should die that day, then did it make +little difference what precautions might have been taken. + +When the sun had set the activity of the red-coats was redoubled. In the +twilight we who were hiding beneath the ruins could see the officers as +they went to and fro hurriedly, and hear their sharp words of command or +of reproof as they chided this man or that with lingering, or strove to +incite a squad into more rapid movement. + +Now was my heart beating so loudly and so violently that it was as if +even the enemy on the river bank must hear it, for I realized that the +supreme moment for us of Virginia had come, and could conjure up nothing +which might prevent the Britishers from carrying out their plans. + +I ceased to think of Uncle 'Rasmus who had been alone in the cabin all +day, and gave no heed whatsoever to those scoundrels in the loft; forgot +all else save the fact that the moment was fast approaching when I +would be on my way to the American lines with the most welcome news ever +carried by a lad of Virginia. + +It was not until nigh to ten o'clock, as nearly as I could judge of the +flight of time, that we saw the first of the boats loaded with men push +off, heading for Gloucester Point. + +The retreat had begun! Barge after barge, skiff after skiff, and craft +of every kind, all heavily laden with soldiers or with baggage, set off +from the shore, while as far back from the river as Governor Nelson's +house, where my Lord Cornwallis had his headquarters, the men were +massed awaiting their turn. + +"Now has come the time, Fitz, when we must make ready for a swift +journey," little Frenchie whispered, as if counting it a long distance +from old Mary's cabin to the outposts of the American lines, whereas it +was within less than half a cannon-shot. "Every minute is precious now, +and I am counting that we should be ready to set off on the instant the +men have been called in from the outer works." + +"What preparations have we to make?" I asked in surprise. + +"Have you forgotten Uncle 'Rasmus and the prisoners?" + +"I count that they are yet in old Mary's cabin, and there they may +remain until our people have entered the village," I replied +indifferently. + +"But none of them have broken their fast this day, and those fellows in +the loft have had nothing whatsoever of drink." + +"Well, what then?" I asked irritably. "Neither have we lads had anything +to eat, and, save that it is possible for us to drink our fill, I see +not that we are any better off than they." + +"But we must not have ever on our consciences the knowledge that we +doomed two human beings to starvation." + +"Surely there is no danger of their dying 'twixt now and to-morrow, and +by that time our people will be here." + +"As to that you cannot say, Fitz Hamilton. True it is the enemy is +retreating; but the night is half spent, and it may be that the last of +the troops will not have gone over much before daylight. Then our army +is like to set out in pursuit, and I am minded to go with it, whereas +matters be arranged properly at the cabin, we are confined here in the +village with no opportunity of showing ourselves as Minute Boys among +real soldiers." + +I had almost forgotten that we decided to call ourselves Minute Boys. +There had been so much of pain, fear and hope during the past four and +twenty hours that all else had gone from my mind, save the fact that the +Britishers were much the same as whipped, and that it might be possible +for me to regain possession of Silver Heels. + +When, however, Pierre thus reminded me that we might, even at this +eleventh hour, do something toward showing ourselves worthy of being +called Minute Boys, although we really accomplished nothing more, then +was I fired with the same desire that was in his mind. + +Although as I have said many times, I had little knowledge of military +matters, it appeared to me that as soon as it was learned the red-coats +had crossed over to Gloucester our people would, by using the boats and +vessels which were lying in the stream 'twixt York and Williamsburg, +cross directly over to the other shore without coming down through the +village, for thus they might circle around the advance of the retreating +foe. + +In the meanwhile both encampments would be in the hands of such Tories +as had remained throughout the siege, and, most like, a certain number +of camp followers would linger behind. + +"What can be done with Uncle 'Rasmus?" I asked anxiously, fearing lest +it might be necessary we take him with us and thus have a drag on our +movements, for the old man could not travel very swiftly; but little +Frenchie had the matter already mapped out in his mind as I might have +understood, and replied: + +"It has been decided that you shall go on a westerly course, while +carrying word across the lines, and therefore it is I propose you take +Uncle 'Rasmus with you. Once beyond the enemy's works, where there is no +danger either Tory or camp follower can molest him, set the old fellow's +face toward the Hamilton plantation and let him plod his way on alone, +for there is naught of danger on that road." + +"But the prisoners?" I asked. + +"They must be set free, else will it become our duty to remain here +instead of joining in the pursuit." + +"When do you count that should be done?" I asked, and much to my +surprise little Frenchie replied thoughtfully: + +"There is no reason why we should not begin at once, and every +inducement for us to have our preparations made for a quick departure +from the town. Suppose you go back and attend to it? Within the hour we +must be on our way, for when those boatmen who have just put off, come +back and take on another cargo, then is the retreat much the same as +accomplished, for by that time every soldier from the works roundabout +will be called in." + +Because of the past, when Pierre had shown himself so quick-witted and +having such a good idea of military matters, I made no protest against +his proposition; but stood ready to obey implicitly any orders he might +give. Therefore I asked how he had it in his mind we should release the +prisoners, for I was not burning to go into the loft and set Abel Hunt +free, because of knowing that the first of us lads with whom that +scoundrel came in contact when he was at liberty to use his hands, would +suffer most severely. + +Pierre had it all planned out, and, as I believed, in a most skillful +manner. He proposed that after Uncle 'Rasmus had left the building, and +had gotten say twenty or thirty yards on his road toward the Hamilton +plantation, I should bring Horry Sims down to the lower floor, and there +set him free with instructions for him to remain where he was a certain +length of time, after which he was to go up and release Abel Hunt. + +Before this could be done I ought to be well toward the enemy's outer +works, where I was to remain in hiding until all the Britishers had left +their posts. This would give me the advantage of starting instantly the +works were abandoned, and even before the last of the army had embarked, +therefore was it reasonable to suppose I might gain speech with some of +the officers of our army while there was yet time to draw the nets +around the fleeing red-coats. + +"I will go whenever you shall say the word," was my reply after little +Frenchie had explained thoroughly the plan. "But what is Saul to do in +the meanwhile?" + +"I am counting that when you start for old Mary's cabin, he shall set +off further to the eastward, where he will remain hidden as I propose +you are to do, until the works have been abandoned." + +"And you yourself, Pierre?" + +"I am counting to wait here only until I see the boatmen return from the +Gloucester shore to take on another cargo, and then I shall follow your +example, giving no heed, however, to either you or Saul; but bending all +my energies toward getting within the lines of our people with as little +loss of time as may be." + +After this there was nothing for me to say, unless peradventure I had +some fault to find with the plan, and I lingered only to press each of +my comrades by the hand as I whispered: + +"God grant that we Minute Boys of York Town, as from this instant we +will call ourselves, may be able to do that thing to-night which will +result in the capture of Lord Cornwallis and all his troops!" + +Then I crept out from the shattered timbers, not taking overly great +care to avoid making a noise for there were none who would pay +particular attention to me at that time, and once free of the ruins I +walked without undue haste in the direction of old Mary's cabin, knowing +that I had ample time to do all which was set me before the way into the +American lines would be opened. + +When I entered the cabin Uncle 'Rasmus was seated by the window, as he +ever had been since we came into this place of refuge, patiently waiting +for our coming, and surely the old man's heart must have been tried +during that long, long day when we failed to give any token of our +whereabouts, for he had good reason to fear, because of our continued +absence, that some trouble had overtaken us. Yet there was never a word +of repining or reproach upon his lips when I showed myself. + +"Bress de Lawd, honey; bress de Lawd dat you'se come back! Whar's de +odder chillun?" + +I speedily made the old man acquainted with all that was going on; but +did not tell him what it was proposed he and I should do, for luckily I +realized that Abel Hunt's ears were open, and if I should advertise all +our proposed movements there might possibly be a chance of his +overtaking us to wreak revenge before our task could be finished. + +Therefore it was I told the old man only that the British army was +retreating, and made an overly long story because he could not refrain +from crying out in his joy now and again, and insisted on hearing all +the little details concerning the movements of the soldiers. + +But the story was told finally, however, and then I led the old man out +of the cabin, he following me obediently, never asking where we were +going, and when we had come to a ruined building mayhap fifty yards +distant from old Mary's cabin, I halted, explained what we would do, +saying that he should stay there while I went back and released the +prisoners. + +For the first time in my life Uncle 'Rasmus set his face against that +which I would do. He declared that Pierre was in the wrong when he +would handle the Tories so tenderly; that our first and only thought +should be of our own safety, and no heed be given to the sufferings of +those who would have sent us to the gallows. + +I was not able to argue successfully with the old negro because there +was in my mind much the same thought as in his, yet did I know that the +fellows must be set free since it was a portion of Pierre's plan. I had +promised him it should be done, and if I failed in my part of the work +then might all the rest go awry. It was to my mind a question of doing +exactly as the little lad had planned, or else let him understand that I +was set against a certain portion of it. + +All this I said to Uncle 'Rasmus, striving to make him understand +clearly why I must go on even though it was against my inclination, and +when I was finally come to an end the old man said in a tone of +resignation: + +"Well, honey, I'se 'lowin' you'se gwine to do jes' as dat yere little +French boy says; but I'se tellin' you, chile, dat de only way to treat +dese yere Tories is de way you treat a rattlesnake, an' dat is to get +'em on de end ob a split stick an' leabe 'em dere, widout worryin' yo' +head ef dey's habin' it comfortable or not." + +"I'll go back and do as I've promised, Uncle 'Rasmus. You stay here, and +in five minutes I shall return unless something unfortunate happens." + +"Keep your eye mighty sharp on dat Abel Hunt, chile. Don' let him get de +best ob you no how, kase he's slippery, an' like de rattler, he's gwine +to strike when you ain' lookin' for it." + +"I'm not counting on having any trouble whatsoever with Abel, Uncle +'Rasmus. Horry Sims is to do that part of it, as I have told you." + +Then I went hurriedly away, feeling ill at ease on this errand of mercy +because of the old negro's insistence that it was dangerous and bordered +on folly to set loose such as Abel Hunt, when we had him trussed up +where it was not possible for him to do any mischief. + +I hastened back to old Mary's cabin, and, halting not on the floor +below, went directly into the loft, where, cutting the bonds that held +Horry Sims's feet, I ordered him to follow me down the ladder. At that +moment I would, had it not been for Uncle 'Rasmus's warning, have taken +the gag from Abel Hunt's mouth that he might be saved just so many more +moments of suffering; but having in mind all the old negro had advanced +as an argument against showing such mercy, I withheld my hand, and Horry +Sims followed me in surprise and bewilderment at this sudden change in +affairs, as obediently as a well whipped cur would have done. + +It had been Pierre's command that I bring the Tory lad down to the floor +below, there set him free, and then make my escape; but, because of the +doubts in my heart, I exceeded little Frenchie's instructions by leading +him some distance, say an hundred feet, from the cabin before telling +him what were my intentions. + +"You are to go back now and release Abel Hunt," I said, after having +explained to him as much as I thought necessary, although I took care to +have the lad understand that his British friends were retreating. + +"And after that has been done?" Horry asked as if counting that he must +continue to obey me however the circumstances might be changed. + +"When you have released Abel you may go whithersoever you please." + +"And do you count that the time will never come, Fitzroy Hamilton, when +I can repay you, Saul Ogden and that French boy for what you have done?" +the young Tory cried as soon as I had removed the bonds from his hands, +his courage reviving immediately he was free of limb, and the anger +which he had been bottling up while he was helpless, pouring from his +mouth in a torrent of words as he threatened this, that and the other, +which should come to me and mine. + +"I have no care as to what you can do, Horry Sims," I said, holding him +by the shoulder so he should not be able to leave until I had given him +due warning. "Remember you this, that the next time you come across my +path with any intent of evil, or with any token that you would raise +your hand against me, from that moment what you have already suffered as +a prisoner will be as nothing compared with the punishment we lads will +deal out. Now that your friends the Britishers are being driven from the +soil of Virginia your fangs are gone. If you have any commonsense in +that Tory head of yours you will keep a still tongue, and never raise +your hand against any of the people in this colony." + +Then I released the cur, and watched for an instant to see that he went +straight back toward the cabin, after which I turned about to rejoin +Uncle 'Rasmus, and at that instant it was as if all nature had suddenly +been convulsed. + +Because of my excitement, and owing to the fact that I was so intent +upon that which was to be done, I had given no heed to the tokens in +the sky, and the clouds may have been gathering half an hour or more +without my knowledge. Certain it is, however, that on the instant, and +suddenly as the lightning's flash, came the roar of a tempest that shook +the half-ruined houses nearabout until the last timbers were overthrown, +and I was forced to exert all my strength in order to stand against that +furious blast. Then came peal upon peal of thunder, which drowned the +roaring of the guns, for our people were yet firing upon the doomed +village in order to show the Britishers that they were on the alert. + +The vibration of the thunder had hardly died away when the lightning +flashed great sheets of flame across the eastern sky, illumining the +river whereon boats were plying to and fro, and showing clear as in a +mirror the red-coats massed upon the banks awaiting their turn to go +across to Gloucester Point. + +After that came a downpour of water, when the wind drove the rain-drops +in solid sheets, as you might say, which stung one's face like thousands +of needles. The roaring of thunder, for after the first outburst of the +tempest it seemed to be almost continuous, the blinding flashes of +light, together with the deluge of water, all served to confuse one, and +I believe I stood there struggling against the elements to hold my +footing, a full minute before gathering my wits sufficiently to turn +about in order to rejoin Uncle 'Rasmus. + +"For de Lawd's sake, honey, am de earth turnin' upside down?" the old +man cried when I came to where he stood exposed to all the fury of the +tempest, for he dared not remain amid the ruins of the building where +great timbers were being flung about by the wind like straws. "What's +Gin'ral Cornwallis gone done to bring on dis yere ter'ble racket?" + +"I have released the Tories, Uncle 'Rasmus," I shouted, forced to speak +close in his ear else he could not have heard me. "Why should we not +push on even as Pierre has planned for us to do?" + +"Was you gwine to tell our people dat de Britishers were takin' to dere +heels for Gloucester Point?" Uncle 'Rasmus asked, as if having forgotten +all that I had told him. + +"Of course that is the story. Why else should it be necessary for us to +make such haste?" + +"Den stay whar you are, honey. Dere's gwine to be no retreatin' dis yere +night." + +"What do you mean?" I asked in bewilderment, almost fancying the old man +had taken leave of his senses. "We saw a portion of the army go across." + +"I'se 'lowin' all dat, honey; but yer Uncle 'Rasmus am tellin' yer dat +dere won't any odder Britishers go ober dis yere night. I'se libed right +erlong dis riber all my life, an' I knows dere ain' de bigges' skiff +eber was built dat could make a landin' on de Gloucester shore sence dis +yere storm got up. Gin'ral Cornwallis am boun' to put an end to dat ere +fun ob his kase he can't get across, honey, I'se tellin' yer he can't +get across, not till dis yere racket done died away, an' den dere's +boun' fo' to be a ragin' torrent." + +It was not until several moments had passed that I realized the truth of +all Uncle 'Rasmus had said. Then was borne in upon me the memory of what +I had seen in ordinary hurricanes, when the river had been lashed into +a fury by the wind, and the ablest boatmen along the shore dare not put +out, for I venture to say there is no other body of water in this +country so quickly changed to a boiling flood, or so dangerous to cross, +as that portion of the York river which turns around Gloucester Point. + +While I stood there in painful indecision, tears of disappointment +rolling down my cheeks because at the very moment our time of triumph +was apparently come it was turned aside by the elements themselves, I +saw as the electric flashes lighted up the sky even more brilliantly +than before, two forms come out of old Mary's cabin and set off in the +direction of Governor Nelson's house, where my Lord Cornwallis made his +headquarters. + +"There go Abel Hunt and Horry Sims!" I cried bitterly. "The tempest is +as nothing to them so that they may lodge a charge against us as being +spies, to the end that we may come to the gallows here in this village +of York." + +"Hab dey done gone out ob de cabin, honey?" Uncle 'Rasmus cried, and +when I repeated again that which I had seen the old man said as he held +my head down to his mouth that no word might be swept aside by the +furious blast: + +"You'se boun' to go back, honey, boun' to go back inter de house, kase +when de mornin' comes you'se gwine to be in a pickle wid Abel Hunt an' +Horry Sims gallivantin' 'roun' tryin' to lay you by de heels. Go back in +dar 'fore dey comes dis yere way!" + +"But why should we go there, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried angrily. "Why shut +ourselves up in a trap where the Britishers may lay hands on us whenever +they may be so disposed?" + +"You'se gwine back dar, honey, kase dere ain' any odder place in dis +yere village. Dere's no show ob gettin' trou de lines now, chile, an' +what you'se needin' is dem yere guns what we done hid under de floor." + +"You're crazy, Uncle 'Rasmus! You're crazy to think we three lads may +stand up against all these Britishers!" and now indeed did I lose my +temper; but Uncle 'Rasmus, still holding my head where he could make +certain every word he spoke might be heard by me, said earnestly: + +"Tell me whar's you gwine to go, honey, ef you don' hide yoursef in ole +Mary's cabin? Does you count on bein' run 'roun' dis yere village when +de sun comes up, like a fox wid a houn' at his tail? Ef de Britishers +hab begun to get across to Gloucester Point, dere's a chance dey'll keep +at it when de riber quiets down, an' all you chillun's needin' to do is +keep whar you can hol' your own. Get back inter de cabin, honey!" + +Then it was that Uncle 'Rasmus took me by the arm with a strength which +I never suspected was in his frail body, and although I struggled not, +he literally dragged me through that howling, raging tempest to the +hovel which I thought I had left never to return, and we two entered, +the water running in streams from our garments as we stood in the middle +of the floor silent and motionless, each striving, most like, to decide +what should next be done. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +TRAPPED + + +Uncle 'Rasmus and I were still standing on the puncheon floor in the +darkness of old Mary's cabin when the door was suddenly thrown open, and +in came Pierre and Saul, bringing with them such an onrush of water as +the rain swept through the opening, that it seemed as if the hovel must +soon be flooded. + +"Thank heaven you did not start as I counted on!" Pierre cried in a tone +of relief as he set about barricading the door to keep out the elements, +and I cried bitterly, remembering that if I had heeded Uncle 'Rasmus's +advice we would not be in such great peril. + +"The storm came in time to prevent us from making an effort to get +through the lines; but not sufficiently soon to stop us from setting +loose that miserable scoundrel, Abel Hunt, and the sneak Horry Sims." + +"What?" Saul cried in a tone of mingled surprise and dismay. "Are they +at liberty?" + +"Surely they are, for I obeyed Pierre's orders to the letter, despite +all Uncle 'Rasmus could say against it. The old man has more sense in +his black head than we, for he declared that such scoundrels should be +treated like rattlers, and no heed given to their possible sufferings." + +"Then are we undone!" Saul cried helplessly. "The retreat has been +prevented by this tempest, for no boat can live on the river while the +storm rages as it does, and we know without being told that Cornwallis +will not attempt to send more troops across, at least until another +night has come. In the meanwhile Abel Hunt and Horry Sims will have laid +us by the heels, as they have threatened to do! It is only a matter of +accusing us of striving to get across the lines to tell our people what +has been done, when Lord Cornwallis will make certain we come to a +speedy end." + +I believe even little Frenchie was daunted for the moment, as he came to +realize what our blunder, for it was not less, might mean; but he strove +manfully to repress any show of fear as he said in what he counted +should be a cheery tone: + +"I dare venture to say that neither red-coat nor Tory will go abroad +this night while the storm is so furious, therefore we had best make +ourselves as comfortable as possible," and he set about kindling a fire, +for surely it was needed that we might dry our clothing which had been +thoroughly saturated. + +"We will take our comfort for the last time," Saul said bitterly, as he +threw himself down upon the floor like one from whom all hope has fled, +and Uncle 'Rasmus, for the first time since we had left the Hamilton +plantation, seeming to count himself as one of us lads, said in a tone +of deepest satisfaction: + +"Ef it's de las' time, honey, we'll make it mighty oncomfortable for +whoever comes to drive us off, kase we'se inside our own fortifications, +an' I'se 'lowin' dat ef de Americans keep it up as lively to-morrow as +dey did dis yere day, den can we hol' de fort quite a spell afore dey +work dere will." + +It was this remark which showed Pierre Laurens the single ray of light +remaining for us, and, ceasing his task of building the fire, he sprang +excitedly to his feet as he cried joyously: + +"Uncle 'Rasmus is right! Cornwallis has begun to retreat and sent a +portion of his troops to the other shore. Now he's weaker than before, +and if we can hold our own in this cabin four and twenty hours, then is +there good reason to believe the Americans will have possession of York +Town. If we made a blunder in freeing the prisoners, it was not so great +as that which my Lord Cornwallis has made because of not first looking +at the signs of the weather before he began to move his forces. When day +breaks our people must see what has been done, and seeing, will strive +to take every advantage. We will hold this fort, and it must be that +some power beyond that of earth paved the way for our safety, else had +we not been provided with weapons and ammunition. Through the death of +the red-coats who were shirking their duty, we may hold quite a force of +the enemy for a considerable time." + +"How long can you hold your own in this miserable hovel with two of +three hundred Britishers surrounding it?" Saul cried, and Pierre added +yet more cheerily: + +"Do you believe for an instant, Saul Ogden, that while matters are so +bad with him, General Cornwallis will call off three or four hundred +soldiers to obey the behest of such as Abel Hunt? Even though he may +believe all that scoundrel can tell him, he has other fish to fry than +that of capturing three boys and a negro. I tell you, lads, we are not +beaten yet, for within four and twenty hours there will be a wondrous +change come over this village of York, and even though the Britishers +may not have been taken, our forces, seeing the advantage that can be +gained, will advance their earthworks; when there's a chance we shall be +able to get word to them." + +This caused me to have what, for the instant, I believed to be a +brilliant thought, and straightway I cried out: + +"Why is not now the time when we might have speech with our people? +While the tempest rages as it does, I dare venture to say it will be +possible to cross the British lines--" + +"Less possible than if the moon was shining. The red-coats will be in +their works and along the intrenchments to screen themselves from the +storm, instead of moving around, and therefore you have no chance of +making your way across. It would be death to attempt it." + +"And it is very near like death to stay here?" + +"In this cabin we may die fighting, as Minute Boys should, which to my +mind is far better than being killed like rats in a ditch, as would be +the fate of him who attempted now to cross the lines. The red-coats in +yonder fortifications are not fools. Every man jack of them understands +that this attempted retreat is a failure, and must of a necessity be yet +more keenly on the alert, therefore I say, you had best have tried to +get across the lines this morning, in the light of day, than just now +when Cornwallis's troops are smarting under what is very much like +signal defeat." + +I was silenced if not convinced by what Pierre had said, yet did not +resign myself to the inevitable as a lad of Virginia should have done. + +Instead of accepting the consequences of our blunder with cheerful face +as Pierre and Uncle 'Rasmus were doing, I threw myself down by the side +of Saul in sulky humor, never offering to lend a hand toward putting the +cabin in a state of defense until the old negro and little Frenchie had +worked desperately ten minutes or more, after the fire was kindled, to +barricade the door. + +Then it was I grew ashamed of myself; realized what a miserable part I +was playing, I who had conceived the idea of forming a company of Minute +Boys with the thought that I might stand at their head, and, springing +up, I joined Pierre and Uncle 'Rasmus until Saul, in turn taking shame, +did his part. + +First we tore from the floor of the loft the heavy puncheon planks which +were laid across the beams but not fastened in place, and with them as +props and bars fastened the door that the side of the building itself +would yield to pressure from without before would that barrier, +strengthened as we had succeeded in strengthening it. + +Then we fastened planks across the windows, forced to tie them in place +with strips which formed the bonds that held Abel Hunt and Horry Sims +helpless, for we had nothing else with which to work, and after all that +had been done we made a rude platform just beneath where the roof of the +building had been torn away by a cannon ball, so that one of us could +stand sentinel watching the approach of the enemy and give due warning +of his coming. + +This done we took from beneath the floor the muskets, loaded each, and +portioned out the cartridges fairly, giving to every one his share, +after which, at Pierre's suggestion, we made a hearty meal of the last +fragments of food in our possession. + +When my stomach was fairly well filled, then did there come back to me +that courage under which I should never have lost hope. + +There was no token that the storm might be losing its force; in fact it +seemed to me as if it increased momentarily, if indeed such could be the +case when the wind was raging, the rain falling and the thunder pealing +as I had never heard or seen it before. + +It was almost as if we were in a ship at sea, so violently did old +Mary's cabin rock to and fro under that mighty blast, and there were +many times before the coming of morning when I really believed the hovel +would be rent asunder by the wind, and we deprived of this seemingly our +last opportunity to sell our lives at somewhat of a fair price. + +When we had made ready our defense so far as was possible, and had +satisfied our hunger, Uncle 'Rasmus would have it that we lads should +lie down to sleep, trusting him to stand guard over us; but never one +among our company was willing to act upon the suggestion, for what +fellow could have slept with the elements raging and roaring without, +while he knew full well what must be before him when the sun rose again. + +It was not even possible for us to seek repose; but all three paced to +and fro from one end of the small room to the other, as if by thus +remaining in motion we could the better hold in check our fears and our +forebodings. + +Before we were aware that the new day was breaking, it was possible to +hear dimly as though far away in the distance, the roar of the American +cannon, drowned at times by the howling of the hurricane, and Pierre +cried as if those detonations were promises of safety for us: + +"Could anything be working more to our advantage, lad? It must be that +our people understand somewhat of that which was done last night, for +they are sending their iron messengers into this village with more of +fury and determination than since the siege began." + +I failed to understand how it could advantage us greatly even though our +people made a direct assault, as I said to Pierre; but the lad could not +well answer me, and I understood when he held his peace that he had +simply cried out in the hope of heartening us. + +Then I listened intently for noises from the outside, and, unable to +distinguish between the roar of the cannon and the pealing of the +thunder, proposed that I be the first to go on watch in the loft above, +for I was burning to be able to see something other than the four walls +of that miserable hovel. + +No one said me nay, and with two of the loaded muskets so that I might +be able to shoot twice in rapid succession if need arose, I clambered up +the ladder into the attic where Abel Hunt and Horry Sims had spent so +many, and such painful hours. + +It was not yet sunrise, but the light of the coming day was sufficient +to enable me to see surrounding objects, and yet I could perceive no +change in the disposition of the British troops. + +Overhead the clouds were rolling swiftly in token that the terrific +tempest had well-nigh spent its force, and I said to myself that when +the rain ceased to fall in such torrents, then would Abel Hunt and +Horry Sims present themselves, knowing full well where we would take +refuge in event of having failed to make our way outside the lines. + +The hurricane ceased almost as quickly as it had begun. It was as if the +rising sun stilled the wind and caused the rain to cease, for within +half an hour, as I now remember, all nature was at peace; but man was +yet struggling and with desperation to kill his brother. + +Never had the guns within our lines been served so rapidly; never was +cannonading continued so long, nor had such great destruction followed +as a result. + +While yet I stood looking out I had a view of our Governor Nelson's +mansion which Cornwallis had taken possession of, and speedily saw that +the Americans must be using it as a target, for in as many seconds a +dozen balls struck the building, or passed close to it, and I could well +fancy that Governor Nelson himself must be directing or agreeing to the +destruction of his own beautiful home, for I had learned during my visit +to Williamsburg when I went out to aid the Jerseyman, that the governor +himself was leading the Virginia militia. + +When the first ball struck that stone mansion tearing away the walls +until two of the upper windows were made into one, I saw the red-coated +officers pour out like wasps from their nests, and scatter in every +direction, at which sight I laughed aloud in my glee, rejoicing that the +enemy were finding themselves in quite as disagreeable a situation as we +lads who were waiting with as much of courage as we could command for +the coming of those soldiers who would drag us off to the gallows, most +like without even the formality of a trial because affairs had come to +such a dangerous pitch with my Lord Cornwallis. + +I believe the day was no more than an hour old, and the fire from the +American guns had not slackened, but continued to do quite as much +execution as when I first took my post, that I saw in the distance +coming toward us, but unattended, those two scoundrels who were bent +upon our destruction. + +Leaning over so that my voice might carry the better to the floor below, +I cried: + +"Here come Abel Hunt and Horry Sims!" + +"How many red-coats have they with them?" Saul asked. + +"They are alone; but carry muskets." + +Then it was Pierre shouted triumphantly: + +"It is as I told you! My Lord Cornwallis has other fish to fry than the +taking into custody of three boys who may or may not be spies, but who +can do him no harm at this late day. Those scoundrels may tell their +story wheresoever they please in this village of York; but no one will +give heed to them while our people are making matters so hot." + +I could not quite agree with little Frenchie in this, because of +believing that the curs might find here and there among the privates one +who would like nothing better in the way of pleasure than the smoking +out of a rebel, and I strained my eyes in every direction that I might +have ample warning of the approach of the soldiers. Yet none appeared. + +Those who were in the fortifications had quite as much on their hands as +could be attended to just then, if they would preserve their lives, +while those off duty were by no means inclined to come within the line +of fire. I also understood that there must be considerable of confusion +arising from the fact that a portion of the army and a goodly part of +the baggage was already on the Gloucester side. + +While believing that an attack would not be made upon us by considerable +numbers, I grew brave at seeing only Hunt and Horry coming toward the +cabin, and hailed them by shouting: + +"I am giving fair warning that if either of you come a dozen paces +nearer, we shall fire!" + +The two halted, and Abel Hunt cried derisively, pointing out to Horry +Sims my head which appeared above the splintered timbers of the roof: + +"There is one of the rebels who has come to the end of his rope, and +before this day closes we will see him dancing on nothing." + +To this I made no reply, and before the scoundrel had ceased speaking +Pierre Laurens was at my side, resting his musket upon one of the logs +in order the better to take aim. + +"Are you going to shoot them down without warning?" I cried in what was +very like alarm, and he replied in a matter-of-fact tone: + +"You have already given sufficient warning, and if I can drop either of +them now, we shall have one the less to fight." + +He discharged his musket as he ceased speaking, and the ball, missing +the target, passed so close to Abel Hunt's head that the fellow leaped +back at least six paces, and then wheeling about, ran like a frightened +rabbit, followed by Horry, until the two were beyond musket-shot, when +they halted as if to take counsel. + +After mayhap a full minute they went away in the direction of the +westerly redoubt, and we stood there speculating as to what might be +their purpose in thus seemingly abandoning the attack before it was +really made, when they reappeared, leading five soldiers, and then did I +understand that that which I feared had come to pass. Most like by +representing to these red-coats that a bit of sport could be had by +smoking out four rebels, they succeeded in persuading some of the more +dissolute ones to join them, and now was our moment of trial come. + +"Now we shall have a taste of their metal, and they shall know what we +can do," Pierre said grimly, his lips tightly shut and an expression on +his face such as I have never seen him wear. "The time has come, Fitz, +for you and me to go to the floor below." + +"Why should not one of us stay here to keep watch?" I asked, impatient +in my nervous fear. + +"Because he who stands in this place offers too fair a target for yonder +rebel hunters, and I am not counting they shall draw Virginia blood +until we have left our mark upon some of their scurvy bodies." + +I was not pleased at the idea of stationing all our force at one point, +for surely it seemed necessary those who were defending the cabin should +know what was going on outside; but Pierre was so insistent, and so +commanding in his tone, that even though it was his blunder which had +thus trapped us, I could not disobey. + +There were loop-holes in plenty for us four, and we counted Uncle +'Rasmus among our number. Between the puncheon planks which had been +tied at the windows, and even 'twixt the logs of the building itself, we +could thrust the muzzles of our muskets, and when Pierre, who took +command of the company without question, had stationed us to his +satisfaction, he said as he walked once around the room like a general +surveying his troops: + +"Do not fire until the enemy are so near that you can make certain of +hitting the target, and then shoot to do harm. We are trapped here, and +will pay the forfeit if we fall into the hands of yonder men and lads, +for there will be no question of military trial, or even of reporting +our capture to Lord Cornwallis. Remember that our lives depend upon your +aim." + +It so chanced that Pierre himself was the first to open the battle, if +such it could be called. Abel Hunt walked side by side with the soldiers +as they advanced at easy pace; but I noted that Horry Sims hung back as +if he had no stomach for such work as was evidently before him, and when +the company were come within mayhap fifty paces Pierre shouted shrilly: + +"Halt where you are, or we shall fire, and there is little chance of a +bullet's going amiss at such close range." + +Just for an instant I fancied the red-coats wavered, and certain it is +Abel Hunt nimbly sprang back behind the man at whose side he had been +walking; but the soldiers themselves kept on, and before I could have +counted five little Frenchie fired. + +One of the Britishers plunged forward and then sprawled out on the +ground, looking there like a clot of blood because of the color of his +uniform. The other four continued at a steady pace when I fired, +wounding one of them in the leg so sorely that he was fain to turn tail +and beat a retreat for the redoubt. + +This last shot brought all the would-be rebel hunters to a halt, and I +had taken up my second musket, counting to send another ball among +them, when they wheeled suddenly about, while Pierre, clutching me by +the shoulder, said hurriedly: + +"Do not shoot a man in the back! Thus far we have but defended +ourselves, and will not shed blood needlessly. It may be they have got a +full dose, and we are done with them for the time being. + +"Don' let dat idee run away wid you, chile," Uncle 'Rasmus cried in +quavering tones. "Once a Britisher hab done trapped sich as we, he's +boun' to keep up de sport." + +I myself believed Uncle 'Rasmus spoke the truth, for it did not seem +possible these soldiers of the king would allow themselves to be beaten +off so suddenly, more particularly since one of their number lay at full +length on the ground in front of us apparently unable to move. + +Pierre and I reloaded the muskets which had been discharged, and then +during ten minutes or more we stood with our eyes glued to the crevices +between the puncheon planks, watching for the next token of danger, +while all around the cannon of the Americans roared and thundered, +sending across the village balls and flaming bombs until it was as if we +had above our heads a veritable roof of flying, deadly missiles. + +When mayhap ten minutes had passed we received good proof that Uncle +'Rasmus was in the right, for then from out the redoubt came a squad of +red-coats, no less than twenty I should say, and tailing on behind them, +seemingly not eager to occupy any post of danger, were Abel Hunt and +Horry Sims. + +"It looks to me as if our race was well-nigh run," Saul said grimly, and +even in that time of deadly peril did my heart go out in rejoicing +toward the lad whose courage revived at seemingly the very moment when +his doom was sealed. + +This last force of the enemy was not disposed to venture as carelessly +as had the first, for while they were yet a musket-shot distant they +separated into three squads, two of which made a wide detour around both +ends of the cabin, taking good care meanwhile to keep out of range, and +the third halted in their tracks, evidently waiting until their comrades +had taken up such positions as had previously been decided upon. + +"They are going around to the back of the cabin, and most like count on +attacking us through the roof, for it must be plain to them, even at +such a distance, that the hovel has been shattered by cannon balls," +Pierre said, and I leaped toward the ladder, whereupon he sprang after +me, counting on pulling me back as he said almost angrily: + +"That is my place, Fitz Hamilton! It was I who caused us to be trapped, +by advising that the prisoners be set free at such an early hour, and I +am the one who shall go into the loft!" + +"Because it is a place of greater danger!" I cried, still swarming up +the shaky bars of wood which were nailed across the side of the +building, and when I was come to what was left of the floor above, I +threatened to throw Pierre down if he attempted to join me. + +"I have shown the white feather more than once since we have been in +this town of York, and now am I determined to prove whether I be a +coward or no!" I cried shrilly, hardly knowing what I said, for the +imminence of the danger had stirred me into a fever, and once more in my +life did I see a reddish hue before my eyes, while my one desire was to +kill those who counted on speedily overcoming us. "You are needed below, +Pierre, where some execution may be done, and I shall take my stand +here." + +Even while speaking could I hear sounds from the rear of the cabin as if +the soldiers were piling up timbers, or something of that sort, to make +their way to the roof, and although it was borne in upon me clearly that +within a few seconds most like I would be struggling hand to hand with +men who had been trained in the art of warfare, yet I set it down as +true that never did there come into my heart the slightest idea of +wavering or of fear. Yet that may not be put to my credit, for, as I +said before, the fever of battle had seized upon me, and I burned to see +the first red-coated scoundrel show himself at the aperture in the roof +that I might send a bullet into his worthless carcass. + +Suddenly, and so far as I could judge, before those in the rear had been +able to gain a position on the roof, fire was opened upon us from the +front, and on the instant it was returned by our lads with such spirit +that at once dense clouds of smoke from burning powder came up through +the scuttle, parching my throat, and rendering it difficult for me to +keep my eyes free from the blinding tears of irritation which filled +them. + +I was yet saying to myself that the Britishers had not succeeded in +gaining a foothold upon the roof, when suddenly I saw the muzzle of a +musket through the crevices of the logs, where as yet the timbers +remained intact, and immediately came the report of a weapon as a bullet +whistled past my cheek, cutting the lightest furrow in the skin, and +causing the blood to flow as if I had been grievously wounded. + +I had yet sufficient of sense remaining to understand that by staying +longer in the loft, if they were counting on shooting at me through the +crevices of the logs, I would sacrifice my life without being able to +make any reprisals, and, stopping only long enough to fire in the +direction where I had seen the musket, I dropped to the floor below, +explaining hurriedly to Pierre why I had seemingly retreated. + +"It is all over with us," the dear lad said, and would have examined the +wound on my face. "No less than a dozen more men have come from the +redoubt, and we can only sell our lives as dearly as possible." + +Then it was the fever of battle so far left me that there was room in my +heart for fear, and while taking my stand by the side of the other lads, +believing firmly that within the next few minutes I should be dead or +wounded unto death, I contrived to hold command over my knees so no one +might see I had again grown cowardly. + +Then it was, when all of us were, as you might say, resigned to death, +that we suddenly heard the parley sounded by drums all along the lines, +and straightway those red-coats who were facing us, counting to hound us +to death, wheeled about, making for the redoubt, while we stood looking +at each other in bewilderment, until Pierre shouted at the full strength +of his lungs: + +"A parley! A parley! My Lord Cornwallis has sounded the parley, which +means that he is ready to surrender! He who came to drive us from off +the soil of Virginia is now wanting to make terms with the rebels!" + +It was indeed as the lad had said. From the moment the drums were heard +all fighting ceased, and where had been such a tumult and a roaring as +drowned all other sounds, silence fell. + +It was like some work of magic; those who had been thirsting for each +other's blood threw down their arms; men no longer shouted in anger; +never a weapon was discharged, and in both the armies every one +seemingly stood silent and motionless awaiting the result of this +flourish of drums. + +There is no good reason why I should continue this story of the Minute +Boys of York Town, for there can be no doubt but that every one who +reads what I have written knows full well all that happened there on the +York river from the time parley was sounded until the vast army of +red-coats were held prisoners in the hands of the "rebels." + +In writing the closing lines let me set down that which happened some +time after my Lord Cornwallis surrendered, lest he who has read thus far +may think I am taking too much credit to my comrades and myself, by +calling ourselves Minute Boys: + +No less a soldier than General Lafayette himself told us four, for we +insisted on having Uncle 'Rasmus with us when an orderly came to say +that the young French general would speak with those who had befriended +the Jerseyman--even General Lafayette himself told us that we had done +in coming to the town of York that which advantaged the Cause, and asked +what should be given us by way of reward. + +Then it was that Pierre, speaking to him in his native tongue, told how +we lads would have formed a company of Minute Boys but for the fact that +we were shut up in the town of York, and asked that we be allowed, +despite our age, to enroll ourselves as soldiers under his command. + +This prayer he readily granted, claiming that he was pleased to do so, +and from then on we served as real soldiers, although as you know full +well the war was nigh to being ended. + +It was General Lafayette who reclaimed for Saul and me our horses. When, +after the surrender, I rode out with my father to see my dear mother, +Silver Heels was the beast that carried me, and from that day to this we +have never been parted, although she is getting now so far along in +years that I fear death may soon step in and do that which the +Britishers failed of doing. + + * * * * * + +It is to be regretted that he who set down the movements of those lads +who took upon themselves the name of Minute Boys despite the smallness +of their numbers, did not tell what part they played in the surrender of +Cornwallis, which must have been a magnificent military spectacle, and +because he has brought his story to an end without giving any of the +details, it seems well to set down here that which has been written +concerning it by the historian Fiske: + +"The combination against Cornwallis had been completed, and day by day +the lines were drawn more closely about the doomed army. Yorktown was +invested, and on the 6th of October the first parallel was opened by +General Lincoln. On the 14th, the second parallel, within three hundred +yards of the enemy's works, was opened by Steuben. On the night of the +14th Alexander Hamilton and the Baron de Viomenil carried two of the +British redoubts by storm. On the next night the British made a gallant +but fruitless sortie. By noon of the 16th their works were fast +crumbling to pieces, under the fire of seventy cannon. On the 17th--the +fourth anniversary of Burgoyne's surrender--Cornwallis hoisted the white +flag. + +"The terms of the surrender were like those of Lincoln's at Charleston. +The British army became prisoners of war, subject to the ordinary rules +of exchange. The only delicate question related to the American +loyalists in the army, whom Cornwallis felt it was wrong to leave in the +lurch. This point was neatly disposed of by allowing him to send a ship +to Sir Henry Clinton with news of the catastrophe, and to embark in it +such troops as he might think proper to send to New York, and no +questions asked. + +"On a little matter of etiquette the Americans were more exacting. The +practice of playing the enemy's tunes had always been cherished as an +inalienable prerogative of British soldiery; and at the Surrender of +Charleston, in token of humiliation, General Lincoln's army had been +expressly forbidden to play any but an American tune. Colonel Laurens, +who conducted the negotiations, directed that Lord Cornwallis's sword +should be received by General Lincoln, and that the army, on marching +out to lay down its arms, should play a British or a German air. + +"There was no help for it; and on the 19th of October Cornwallis's army, +7,247 in number, with 840 cannon, marched out with colors furled and +cased, while the band played a quaint old English melody, of which the +significant title was 'The World Turned Upside Down.' + +"On the very same day that Cornwallis surrendered, Sir Henry Clinton, +having received naval reinforcements, sailed from New York with +twenty-five ships-of-the-line and ten frigates, and 7,000 of his best +troops. Five days brought him to the mouth of the Chesapeake, where he +learned that he was too late, as had been the case four years before, +when he tried to relieve Burgoyne. A fortnight earlier, this force could +hardly have failed to alter the result, for the fleet was strong enough +to dispute with Grasse the control over the coast." + + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Minute Boys of York Town, by James Otis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF YORK TOWN *** + +***** This file should be named 32648.txt or 32648.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/6/4/32648/ + +Produced by David Edwards, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by The Internet Archive.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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